Monday, March 22, 2004
Two films today. First, the documentary "The Filth & The Fury" about the Sex Pistols. Very informative, and interesting to see how it all really came about. It was all in their own words and used archival home movies, interviews, etc spliced with new interviews of the band members. Great punk starter film.
Next is the "re-make" of George A. Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." With the exception of the title and the location, there isn't much in the way of similarities between the two films. I LOVE this movie! Since the original DOTD is my favorite zombie movie, that's saying a lot. The fact that it was so different, and the thrill factor was increased with the faster zombies made it an original undead movie. Just pretend there are two movies with the same title, but stand on their own. The cast was superb, the special effects and make up were fantastic and the music they chose was perfect, from the opening credits to the end. Thrilling, creepy zombie fun in every frame! Go check out "Dawn of the Dead."
Next is the "re-make" of George A. Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." With the exception of the title and the location, there isn't much in the way of similarities between the two films. I LOVE this movie! Since the original DOTD is my favorite zombie movie, that's saying a lot. The fact that it was so different, and the thrill factor was increased with the faster zombies made it an original undead movie. Just pretend there are two movies with the same title, but stand on their own. The cast was superb, the special effects and make up were fantastic and the music they chose was perfect, from the opening credits to the end. Thrilling, creepy zombie fun in every frame! Go check out "Dawn of the Dead."
Thursday, March 18, 2004
"Dick Roberts: Former Child Star"
David Baker: Former David Spade Fan
At least I only paid a buck, it's my time being wasted I really hate!
Holy crap.
David Baker: Former David Spade Fan
At least I only paid a buck, it's my time being wasted I really hate!
Holy crap.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
I don't have much good to say about "The Cat in the Hat" except it looked great. The sets, costumes, etc were perfect. Everything else was terrible. As a die-hard Mike Myers fan, I was extremely disappointed he even considered this film (I even saw "So I married An Axe Murderer" in the theatres!!) He was basically doing a re-tread of every character in his arsenal. It was just. not. funny. The stuff they added to "stretch" the story was awful. I am so glad I didn't pay to see it in the theater since I had a gut feeling it would be bad, but I never imagined HATING it!! An insipid film that should be missed.
Monday, March 15, 2004
If you saw "Broken Lizard's Super Troopers" there is a HUGE chance you are going to enjoy "Broken Lizard's Club Dread." Very odd and funny. The characters are quirky and fun, and it "skewers" the horror-flick genre perfectly. There are many memorable lines, and Bill Paxton was great as Cocoanut Pete, a Jimmy-Buffet type singer/songwriter who runs the tropical island where the film takes place. The "fact" that his song "Pina Coladaburg" pre-dates "Margaritaville" by seven years is hilarious! Check it out.
A movie you DON"T want to check out is "In The Cut." Unless you want to see Meg Ryan nude (the brightest spot in the film) and in the unrated version, a scene that depicts 90% of a session of female on male oral sex. Other than that, this "Thriller" as it's touted, falls flat. It's slow, boring and easily forgettable. And the fact that Jane Campion ("The Piano") had anything to do with this is amazing.
A movie you DON"T want to check out is "In The Cut." Unless you want to see Meg Ryan nude (the brightest spot in the film) and in the unrated version, a scene that depicts 90% of a session of female on male oral sex. Other than that, this "Thriller" as it's touted, falls flat. It's slow, boring and easily forgettable. And the fact that Jane Campion ("The Piano") had anything to do with this is amazing.
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Today was a day off and was able to sneak in two rentals (one was my choice and the other my wife's pick) so here goes: "Mona Lisa Smile" & "American Splendor."
"Mona Lisa Smile" was predictable yet interesting for it's idea. Most people probably wrote it off as a female "Dead Poets Society" (I will admit they have many similarities like setting, era, themes etc.) but it had a bigger risk. Women. Hollywood makes very few "female ensemble" pictures, so that in itself is a bit of a triumph. But it was a nice, sweet picture. Maggie Gyllenhaal was good, Kirsten Dunst played a viciously wicked bee-hatch, Ginnifer Goodwin was great (stretching from her role on NBC's "Ed") and Julia Roberts was just that. Julia Roberts. And as much as it pains me to say it, Julia Stiles was good. I normally don't care for her much. Overall, a good renter but it did share a topic with "American Splendor." The idea of being subversive.
subversive
\Sub*ver"sive\, a. [Cf. F. subversif.] Tending to subvert; having a tendency to overthrow and ruin.
While "Mona Lisa Smile" talked a lot about the characters "subversive" actions, the film itself was straight-forward, ho-hum fare. "American Splendor" was anything but ho-hum. From fantastic performances, unusual characters, plot and creative, unusual, exciting visuals this film is a stand-out. The only thing this film probably "ruined" (from the definition) is people's preconceived expectations about comic films. Paul Giamatti was great, Hope Davis was awesome, Harvey Pekar himself was funny, and (while only a very small role) James Urbaniak was perfect as R. Crumb!! I loved this film and thought it was worthy of all the indy awards it received, and deserved more!!! Check this one out!
"Mona Lisa Smile" was predictable yet interesting for it's idea. Most people probably wrote it off as a female "Dead Poets Society" (I will admit they have many similarities like setting, era, themes etc.) but it had a bigger risk. Women. Hollywood makes very few "female ensemble" pictures, so that in itself is a bit of a triumph. But it was a nice, sweet picture. Maggie Gyllenhaal was good, Kirsten Dunst played a viciously wicked bee-hatch, Ginnifer Goodwin was great (stretching from her role on NBC's "Ed") and Julia Roberts was just that. Julia Roberts. And as much as it pains me to say it, Julia Stiles was good. I normally don't care for her much. Overall, a good renter but it did share a topic with "American Splendor." The idea of being subversive.
subversive
\Sub*ver"sive\, a. [Cf. F. subversif.] Tending to subvert; having a tendency to overthrow and ruin.
While "Mona Lisa Smile" talked a lot about the characters "subversive" actions, the film itself was straight-forward, ho-hum fare. "American Splendor" was anything but ho-hum. From fantastic performances, unusual characters, plot and creative, unusual, exciting visuals this film is a stand-out. The only thing this film probably "ruined" (from the definition) is people's preconceived expectations about comic films. Paul Giamatti was great, Hope Davis was awesome, Harvey Pekar himself was funny, and (while only a very small role) James Urbaniak was perfect as R. Crumb!! I loved this film and thought it was worthy of all the indy awards it received, and deserved more!!! Check this one out!
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
I saw "Hildago" this weekend and was surprised. It was better than I was expecting due to all the bad reviews. I rather enjoyed it, but would certainly say if it's not a top priority, you can wait to rent it on video.
Speaking of video, I purchased two first timers on DVD: "Schindler's List" & Dawn of the Dead!" Happy viewing!
Speaking of video, I purchased two first timers on DVD: "Schindler's List" & Dawn of the Dead!" Happy viewing!
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Purchased "School of Rock" starring the hilarious Jack Black! Very funny. At the end of March I am making a trip to El Paso, TX to visit my buddy Joseph. We always see concerts (This trip is the Strokes) and we see films together. Films I plan to see soon:
21 Grams
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Miracle
50 First Dates
Hildalgo
Broken Lizard's Club Dread
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Dawn of the Dead (remake)*
Welcome to Mooseport
Twisted
In America
Anchorman
Starsky & Hutch*
21 Grams
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Miracle
50 First Dates
Hildalgo
Broken Lizard's Club Dread
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Dawn of the Dead (remake)*
Welcome to Mooseport
Twisted
In America
Anchorman
Starsky & Hutch*
Monday, March 01, 2004
* = My Pick (16 out of 24 correct!!)
Best Picture: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Actor: Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
Actress: Charlize Theron, "Monster."*
Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River."
Supporting Actress: Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."*
Director: Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Foreign Film: "The Barbarian Invasions," Canada.
Adapted Screenplay: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Original Screenplay: Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation."*
Animated Feature: "Finding Nemo."
Art Direction: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Cinematography: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."
Sound Mixing: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Sound Editing: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."*
Original Score: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Howard Shore.*
Original Song: "Into the West" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox.
Costume: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Documentary Feature: "The Fog of War."
Documentary (short subject): "Chernobyl Heart."*
Film Editing: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King."*
Makeup: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Animated Short Film: "Harvie Krumpet."
Live Action Short Film: "Two Soldiers."*
Visual Effects: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Best Picture: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Actor: Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
Actress: Charlize Theron, "Monster."*
Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins, "Mystic River."
Supporting Actress: Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."*
Director: Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Foreign Film: "The Barbarian Invasions," Canada.
Adapted Screenplay: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Original Screenplay: Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation."*
Animated Feature: "Finding Nemo."
Art Direction: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Cinematography: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."
Sound Mixing: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Sound Editing: "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World."*
Original Score: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Howard Shore.*
Original Song: "Into the West" from "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Fran Walsh, Howard Shore and Annie Lennox.
Costume: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Documentary Feature: "The Fog of War."
Documentary (short subject): "Chernobyl Heart."*
Film Editing: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King."*
Makeup: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
Animated Short Film: "Harvie Krumpet."
Live Action Short Film: "Two Soldiers."*
Visual Effects: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."*
