I just watched a trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Let me be one of the few to say, hooooly wow that is gonna be bad. I mean, bad bad. Not kind of bad. Poo bad. Which brings me to the topic at hand: trailers.
Whether you like watching trailers or not, they have become a vital piece of the movie industry. They excite crowds about the possibilities. They give the audience a preview of what is to come. Therein lies the double-edged sword. A good trailer can do wonders for a films opening weekend gross. A bad trailer can kill a movie.
Think about the last time you saw a really good trailer. At that time, you probably were 99% sure you would see the movie. Sometimes that fades, for instance when I watched the Watchmen teaser. Or it stays with you, like when I saw the trailer for Kingdom of Heaven. The effect is undeniable though. It influences your decision before the movie has even hit screens.
I just watched the trailer for Where the Wild Things are. I can easily say that even if it got one star I would see it. It's just a beautiful trailer. It helps that it's made by Spike Jonze and is based on one of the greatest children's books ever. The effect, once again, is undeniable, The trailer convinced me there was no need to listen to reviews or critics or people who see it first. A bad trailer only manages to open a persons ears....and shut their eyes.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Road Warrior- heeeey what a rush!
Sometimes low budget films can be gems. It's tough because with the low budget comes hokey acting, costumes, sets, camera techniques, etc. But in the case of this small-time Australian flick, it makes the movie.
The Road Warrior is set in post-apocalyptic Australia in which gasoline is worth more than a human life. A loner by the name of Max comes across a refinery in the middle of the wasteland under siege by a vicious gang. It's a tremendous tale of morality. Max is a loner who is thinking from one day to the next. Survival is primary on his mind. The question is: will he or won't he help these people for a benefit other than his own?
Out of necessity, this film is very grungy and dusty. Obviously a low budget picture, all the aforementioned elements shine because they fit in the context. Our bad guys drive busted up cars that were probably hauled in from a junkyard, the costumes looked like they were the only thing available to wear, and it all works. It perfectly suits this movie and it's simple concepts.
Watch this flick. Just do it.
The Road Warrior is set in post-apocalyptic Australia in which gasoline is worth more than a human life. A loner by the name of Max comes across a refinery in the middle of the wasteland under siege by a vicious gang. It's a tremendous tale of morality. Max is a loner who is thinking from one day to the next. Survival is primary on his mind. The question is: will he or won't he help these people for a benefit other than his own?
Out of necessity, this film is very grungy and dusty. Obviously a low budget picture, all the aforementioned elements shine because they fit in the context. Our bad guys drive busted up cars that were probably hauled in from a junkyard, the costumes looked like they were the only thing available to wear, and it all works. It perfectly suits this movie and it's simple concepts.
Watch this flick. Just do it.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Adventureland- adventure man
A hot trend in the biz these days is the off-beat comedy. Characters who aren't the prettiest, they're eccentric, and they have goofy interests. The current blueprint for this is Juno. Jason Reitman's pleasant flick about a pregnant teen has set the bar high for films like it.
Adventureland is about a young man who is forced to work at a rinky dink theme park in the summer of 1987 to make money for school. He gets the job expecting a terrible summer of toiling away but ends up having the time of his life. The dialogue is fun and generally unique. The acting is solid, even Ryan Reynolds manages to not overdo it for once. Jesse Eisenberg, from such fantastic films as The Squid and the Whale and Roger Dogder, is very solid in the lead role. Kristen Stewart, of Twilight (I'm sorry, I just puked in my mouth) fame, is good but she plays with her hair one too many times that it becomes aggravating. The flaws lie in the story. It comes across as a studio picture that has been made to look like an offbeat, indie comedy.
It's not that I didn't like it. I did. It's quite funny and is one of those movies where the character relationships work when the comedy is not as heavily involved. If someone were to say, "Hey man, wanna watch Adventureland?" I would say of course. I just wouldn't pay.
Adventureland is about a young man who is forced to work at a rinky dink theme park in the summer of 1987 to make money for school. He gets the job expecting a terrible summer of toiling away but ends up having the time of his life. The dialogue is fun and generally unique. The acting is solid, even Ryan Reynolds manages to not overdo it for once. Jesse Eisenberg, from such fantastic films as The Squid and the Whale and Roger Dogder, is very solid in the lead role. Kristen Stewart, of Twilight (I'm sorry, I just puked in my mouth) fame, is good but she plays with her hair one too many times that it becomes aggravating. The flaws lie in the story. It comes across as a studio picture that has been made to look like an offbeat, indie comedy.
It's not that I didn't like it. I did. It's quite funny and is one of those movies where the character relationships work when the comedy is not as heavily involved. If someone were to say, "Hey man, wanna watch Adventureland?" I would say of course. I just wouldn't pay.
Monday, March 23, 2009
You are a movie connoisseur if...
I hate movie fans. I ain't gonna lie. Your average 'fan' is really just a person who watches movies frequently. I consider myself not a fan, but a connoisseur. Believe me, I know how arrogant and self-absorbed that sounds. I just don't care because quite honestly, it's true. I decided to compile a list of requirements (no, certain characteristics aren't debatable, come on) that deem one a connioseuer:
1. You can sit through a movie that exceeds 3 hours regardless of the subject matter and, unless truly horrible, not turn it off because of the length. The ultimate test being Inland Empire on five hours rest at 10 pm when having to wake up at 5 am.
2. You cannot argue with someone who believes the Godfather I and II are not one of the best movies ever made. In my opinion, there are a handful of movies that if anybody said they were the best I would not argue. The Godfathers are a barometer that is set to weed out the weak.
3. You can watch a movie made before 1970.
4. You can watch a silent film.
5. You can name at least one actor who is in everything but is not a lead actor. Added props if you can recognize extras.
6. You can not only quote a movie, you could quote the conversation that the quote you used took place.
7. You understand why Plan 9 From Outer Space is so terrible. And I don't mean, "Cause it was so bad!" I mean why it was so bad.
8. You have a favorite director/writer/actor who 90% of people have no idea who they are.
9. You don't cringe at the thought of watching a foreign film.
10. When Tom Cruise is on screen, you generally become nauseous.
11. When Marlon Brando screams, "I coulda been a contender!" you get a boner (ok, not really...but really...)
12. You often need a minute to compose yourself as the credits roll because you literally.........cannot.....speak......
If you meet these requirements, you are a friend of mine. If not, I offer you no points and may God have mercy on your soul (it'd be nice if you could name the movie that was from, too).
1. You can sit through a movie that exceeds 3 hours regardless of the subject matter and, unless truly horrible, not turn it off because of the length. The ultimate test being Inland Empire on five hours rest at 10 pm when having to wake up at 5 am.
2. You cannot argue with someone who believes the Godfather I and II are not one of the best movies ever made. In my opinion, there are a handful of movies that if anybody said they were the best I would not argue. The Godfathers are a barometer that is set to weed out the weak.
3. You can watch a movie made before 1970.
4. You can watch a silent film.
5. You can name at least one actor who is in everything but is not a lead actor. Added props if you can recognize extras.
6. You can not only quote a movie, you could quote the conversation that the quote you used took place.
7. You understand why Plan 9 From Outer Space is so terrible. And I don't mean, "Cause it was so bad!" I mean why it was so bad.
8. You have a favorite director/writer/actor who 90% of people have no idea who they are.
9. You don't cringe at the thought of watching a foreign film.
10. When Tom Cruise is on screen, you generally become nauseous.
11. When Marlon Brando screams, "I coulda been a contender!" you get a boner (ok, not really...but really...)
12. You often need a minute to compose yourself as the credits roll because you literally.........cannot.....speak......
If you meet these requirements, you are a friend of mine. If not, I offer you no points and may God have mercy on your soul (it'd be nice if you could name the movie that was from, too).
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Best Biopic Performances
You know I don't love people playing real roles. Like my good friend Ricky says, "You can't sum up a persons life in two hours." But they can be great. Let's list off some of the best, in no particular order (although if it's listed high chances are I thought of it quickest).
1. George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton in "Patton"...quite simply one of the most quotable, memorable biopic performances, heck, performances period. He's so badass it's ridiculous.
2. Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace in "The Insider"...He's in it for like, 20 minutes, and he's amazing. You get the impression Mike Wallace was exactly like that. Try to convince me his blowup at Gina Gershon is not one of the most intense things you've ever seen.
3. Bruno Ganz as Adolph Hitler in "Downfall"...we all have an impression of how crazy Hitler was. Nobody likes him. Yet Ganz does an amazing portrayal of a man at his end, cornered and losing his grip. Like Christopher Plummer, try to convince me his blowup is not one of the most intense things you've ever seen.
4. F. Murray Abraham as Atonio Sallieri in "Amadeus"...Amadeus rules. And Abraham does such a great job, granted it's not necessarily accurate. He plays Sallieri as a forgotten man. You really the idea, too.
5. Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid"...just plain, straight up entertainment. Is there a better outlaw duo ever? Heck, Newman and Redford should have been credited as one entity: Newford or or or Redman....yeaaaa.....
6. Eric Bana as Mark 'Chopper' Reed in "Chopper"...just watch it and you'll understand why it's on this list.
7. Denzel Washington as Ruben 'Hurricane' Carter in "The Hurricane"...arguably his best performance. Like many on this list, there are a few scenes which just make your skin tingle. Carter in solitary confinement battling his demons. As if the Hurricane and Ruben Carter are two different people fighting for control of the same body. Awesome stuff.
8. Daniel Day-Lewis as Christy Brown in "My Left Foot"...never even seen it. All I know is he uses his left foot for everything. I mean, shoot man, who the hell can keep their concentration that long? He's method, too. Did he do it the whole filming process?
6. Muhammad Ali as Muhammad Ali in "When We Were Kings"- How amazing is it that an actor with the exact same name as Muhammad Ali ends up playing him in one of the best sports flicks ever? HAHAHA, good stuff eh?..........what? That was the real Muhammad Ali? Oh....BOOYA!
1. George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton in "Patton"...quite simply one of the most quotable, memorable biopic performances, heck, performances period. He's so badass it's ridiculous.
2. Christopher Plummer as Mike Wallace in "The Insider"...He's in it for like, 20 minutes, and he's amazing. You get the impression Mike Wallace was exactly like that. Try to convince me his blowup at Gina Gershon is not one of the most intense things you've ever seen.
3. Bruno Ganz as Adolph Hitler in "Downfall"...we all have an impression of how crazy Hitler was. Nobody likes him. Yet Ganz does an amazing portrayal of a man at his end, cornered and losing his grip. Like Christopher Plummer, try to convince me his blowup is not one of the most intense things you've ever seen.
4. F. Murray Abraham as Atonio Sallieri in "Amadeus"...Amadeus rules. And Abraham does such a great job, granted it's not necessarily accurate. He plays Sallieri as a forgotten man. You really the idea, too.
5. Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid"...just plain, straight up entertainment. Is there a better outlaw duo ever? Heck, Newman and Redford should have been credited as one entity: Newford or or or Redman....yeaaaa.....
6. Eric Bana as Mark 'Chopper' Reed in "Chopper"...just watch it and you'll understand why it's on this list.
7. Denzel Washington as Ruben 'Hurricane' Carter in "The Hurricane"...arguably his best performance. Like many on this list, there are a few scenes which just make your skin tingle. Carter in solitary confinement battling his demons. As if the Hurricane and Ruben Carter are two different people fighting for control of the same body. Awesome stuff.
8. Daniel Day-Lewis as Christy Brown in "My Left Foot"...never even seen it. All I know is he uses his left foot for everything. I mean, shoot man, who the hell can keep their concentration that long? He's method, too. Did he do it the whole filming process?
6. Muhammad Ali as Muhammad Ali in "When We Were Kings"- How amazing is it that an actor with the exact same name as Muhammad Ali ends up playing him in one of the best sports flicks ever? HAHAHA, good stuff eh?..........what? That was the real Muhammad Ali? Oh....BOOYA!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The D'pahdid- *translation* The Departed
Funny, I started writing this on St.Pats and then COMPLETELY forgot about it....I wonder why? So I'll just start like I never missed it.
It is St. Patrick's day! This glorious holiday unfortunately comes only once a year, giving us movie fans only one day a year to celebrate the gluttony of Irish films. Ok, by gluttony I mean...the, uh, litany? Sadly, the number of films that honor Ireland are few and far between. For every Once you have a Far and Away. Therefore, I took this day to dishonor a movie that takes place in the Irish epicenter of America: Boston.
The Departed is a film by Martin Scorsese, he made famous by the mafia crime genre. It tells the story of two moles; one working for the police, the other for the mob. They have both infiltrated the others' side and are in the works of uncovering one another. Little known fact is that the Departed is a remake of a Chinese flick known as Infernal Affairs. If one were to watch both of these movies they'd realize the story is virtually the same; down to the smashing of the cast on our heroes arm. This is pet-peeve number one. No offence to Scorsese, he's great and I love the guy, but he made an American carbon-copy of a Chinese movie. Doesn't that scream cheap?
The Departed won Best Picture in 2007, not a complete disgrace of a win, but in comparison to Scorsese's other great works it doesn't fit. I mean, people praise the acting of this flick but I just don't get it. To start: Leonardo DiCaprio is fairly unbelievable in this role. He's never been a 'tough' guy. He grows a beard and people think he can kick ass? Right. Matt Damon, while very charming, is so over-the-top it's actually more funny than anything. I mean, he enunciates everything like his life is going to end. Nicholson is cool, but he's not nearly on his form. Mark Wahlberg suffers from the Matt Damon syndrome. Probably the worst of the bunch.
That said, the movie has it's moments. A great soundtrack is utilized beautifully. Some very memorable scenes. And, despite the fact it's a copy, a great story. It's just not the movie people say it is. Did I mention the entire film is copied?
It is St. Patrick's day! This glorious holiday unfortunately comes only once a year, giving us movie fans only one day a year to celebrate the gluttony of Irish films. Ok, by gluttony I mean...the, uh, litany? Sadly, the number of films that honor Ireland are few and far between. For every Once you have a Far and Away. Therefore, I took this day to dishonor a movie that takes place in the Irish epicenter of America: Boston.
The Departed is a film by Martin Scorsese, he made famous by the mafia crime genre. It tells the story of two moles; one working for the police, the other for the mob. They have both infiltrated the others' side and are in the works of uncovering one another. Little known fact is that the Departed is a remake of a Chinese flick known as Infernal Affairs. If one were to watch both of these movies they'd realize the story is virtually the same; down to the smashing of the cast on our heroes arm. This is pet-peeve number one. No offence to Scorsese, he's great and I love the guy, but he made an American carbon-copy of a Chinese movie. Doesn't that scream cheap?
The Departed won Best Picture in 2007, not a complete disgrace of a win, but in comparison to Scorsese's other great works it doesn't fit. I mean, people praise the acting of this flick but I just don't get it. To start: Leonardo DiCaprio is fairly unbelievable in this role. He's never been a 'tough' guy. He grows a beard and people think he can kick ass? Right. Matt Damon, while very charming, is so over-the-top it's actually more funny than anything. I mean, he enunciates everything like his life is going to end. Nicholson is cool, but he's not nearly on his form. Mark Wahlberg suffers from the Matt Damon syndrome. Probably the worst of the bunch.
That said, the movie has it's moments. A great soundtrack is utilized beautifully. Some very memorable scenes. And, despite the fact it's a copy, a great story. It's just not the movie people say it is. Did I mention the entire film is copied?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Jaws- we're gonna need a bigger boat
There are some movies that no matter much time goes by they are never dated. They stay strong as an immovable boulder in a river of garbage (whoa, simile overload). These movies tend to be groundbreaking landmarks of cinema. They change their genre or the industry in general.
Jaws tells the story of a shark terrorizing a summer town and the three men who set out to stop it.
Like many great films, the premise is simple. The story arc is simple. Unlike some movies that are determined to start with as loud a bang as possible, Jaws begins subtly and thus is all the more terrifying. A girl goes night swimming. All of a sudden something grabs her from beneath and thrashes her through the water. She screams in agony, disturbing the peaceful night, until she is suddenly pulled under and it is silent once again. As if she was never there. It's this subtlety that makes Jaws so powerful.
It's a movie that simply suggests the horrifying potential of what we do not know or understand. What is scarier than what we don't know? Water is a horrifying thing. There are many scary things in water, and the biggest and scariest of them all is the shark. Everything about a shark is scary. Steve Spielberg takes advantage of this.
Jaws still stands amongst very few when it comes to the monster genre. Not many movies in any genre have stood the test of time like Jaws, and for that it deserves heaps of credit.
Jaws tells the story of a shark terrorizing a summer town and the three men who set out to stop it.
Like many great films, the premise is simple. The story arc is simple. Unlike some movies that are determined to start with as loud a bang as possible, Jaws begins subtly and thus is all the more terrifying. A girl goes night swimming. All of a sudden something grabs her from beneath and thrashes her through the water. She screams in agony, disturbing the peaceful night, until she is suddenly pulled under and it is silent once again. As if she was never there. It's this subtlety that makes Jaws so powerful.
It's a movie that simply suggests the horrifying potential of what we do not know or understand. What is scarier than what we don't know? Water is a horrifying thing. There are many scary things in water, and the biggest and scariest of them all is the shark. Everything about a shark is scary. Steve Spielberg takes advantage of this.
Jaws still stands amongst very few when it comes to the monster genre. Not many movies in any genre have stood the test of time like Jaws, and for that it deserves heaps of credit.
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