This is Fresh Bananas, a movie blog set up by three guys from St. Edward's University. We'll try and keep to telling you about the movies we see, but we might stray from the topic.
Movies are rated based on Banana Peels, 1-4. 4 being the best.
If there's a movie you want us to see, let us know!
Enjoy!
"Travis, what did you think of the movie?"
"That's a verrry thoughtful question..."
Finally saw this over this past weekend and really enjoyed it. Just like "Adventureland" (which I wrote about below, therefore it's relevant in my mind), it's a movie about teenagers learning big life lessons while growing up and involves a very troubled girl as the main character's love interest.
The movie's about a group of friends who collectively write an obscene and violent comic book during their early teen years while they attend an incredibly strict catholic school where Jodi Foster plays the "villain", the head nun there. The boys generally try to create as much rebellious anarchy as they can in their lives outside of home. When they decide to try and steal a cougar out of a zoo, things gradually fall apart, particularly between the best friends, played by Emilie Hirsch and Kieran Culkin.
I don't really want to spoil anything about the relationship between the main character and the girl at school that he likes, so all I'll say is that the girl is very troubled and it brings him to question his ability to forgive her of certain acts that she did in her past, of which she feels the upmost guilt. But the main character can't seem to grasp the concept of forgiving her, even despite her obvious guilt. I can't spoil the ending either, but the main character has to then face guilt about something terrible which he did little to prevent from happening. At the end, he comes to understand the concept of forgiveness and that life is too short to keep grudges and remain stubborn. The comic book, a reflection of the friends relationships with each other over this period of time (and which plays out throughout the movie) comes to a satisfying close and opens the door for a brand new comic, a tribute, a "new start".
Overall, it's a pretty decent movie with some pretty funny scenes, especially one involving a pothead zookeeper. But I'll let you discover that for yourself.
It's pretty much official. Avatar has surpassed Titanic as the highest grossing film of all time. Boxofficemojo.com has Avatar standing at $1.842 billion dollars, for the record, Titanic still sits at $1.843 billion. These figures are as of Sunday, and if you take into account Monday sales(Avatar tends to make over $2 million on Mondays) then it has ascended to the throne of top grossing. Something interesting though, is that it still trails Titanic in the domestic box office by about $45 million. That's a gap that Avatar could take care of by the end of this weekend.
Whats insane is that Avatar still makes nearly $40 million in a two day weekend. In case anyone is counting, that's 6 weekends its been out, which is the fastest anyone has gone to the top. Titanic took 41 weekends and Star Wars 29 weeks, the past two grossing leaders. Whats more is that people are still going out to see the film in mass numbers. By this time The Dark Knight was only making around $10 million a weekend and Titanic $25 million. Avatar just raked in $35 million.
Looking to the releases this weekend, I don't see Avatar being removed from the top of the box office. The two major films coming out this weekend are Edge of Darkness and When in Rome. Neither one stands a chance, I see Avatar gaining a second wind this weekend after the news breaks wide that it has broken the record. Those last few people who have held out will finally feel the need to shell out the bucks to go see Avatar and witness history.
I try to keep my posts short and this one is starting to run long, so I'll wrap it up. Whats the most intriguing to me is that there is no guarantee that Avatar is the best film of the year, its not guaranteed that it will in the Oscar. Critics still hold the The Hurt Locker is still a better over all film, some will say that Inglorious Basterds still poses a dark horse chance to take the prize. So I want to know what the attraction to the film is, what drew you in? Does Avatar secure it's Academy Award by being king of the hill? Drop us a comment and let us know!
Don't let this films marketing fool you, its more of a drama than a comedy. It was really confusing for the first quarter of the movie, not knowing whether to laugh or feel sorry for the characters. Adventureland is Greg Mottola's follow-up from the ultra-funny and ultra-successful film, Superbad. It follows a college grad coming home for the summer after graduation, finding his life falling apart he's forced to get a job at the only place he could, a theme park.
With a cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Kristen Stewart, and the director from Superbad, I was expecting a pretty funny movie with adult, coming of age, overtones. However, what you get is more like a dark comedy, something that is very serious with a little comedy sprinkled throughout. Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig were relegated to an almost cameo-esque performance, which offered most of the comedy in the film as well. A waste of good comedic talent if you ask me. It has a fun indie feel and the drama in the film is actually shot and portayed very well. Something you wouldn't expect from a comedic director like Mottola.
Has any one else seen Adventureland? What were your thoughts?
by Travis 3/4 banana peels
I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with Ryan's review.
Everytime I ask someone what they thought of Adventureland, they say the same old thing: "Oh I thought it was going to be like Superbad but it wasn't...it was more of a dark comedy." Well whoop-de-doo. Firstly, it wasn't "dark". Secondly, of course it's not Superbad and it wasn't written as that kind of a comedy. It was the same director, but that doesn't mean you can blame him because it wasn't "Superbad 2". Go ahead and say the marketing lead you astray but don't put the blame on the movie itself. Film industry is a business in case anyone forgot, so if a movie like Superbad did great and moviegoers want to see more like it, then of course the producers are going to market movies like it, even if they're not at all the same. And then you're going to walk out dissapointed and tell everyone how much you disliked it.
I think director Greg Mottola did a good job and I wouldn't classify him as a purely "comedic" director. So he did Superbad and a few episodes of Arrested Development, fine, but that doesn't mean he can't make something dramatic too.
I liked Adventureland a lot. It felt very real and thankfully didn't involve the likes of the overrated and overplayed Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, or Seth Rogan... which, ironically, was "fresh" to me, considering that's how they're marketed as. I don't think Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig were just cameos, I think they had plenty of screen time and they were great in their scenes. They were supporting characters for comedic relief...it's nothing new. The real story was about the kid. If you watch it for his story, then it's a great coming-of-age movie about his angst, confusion, and love in the best summer of his teenage years.
Today was a day for trailers apparently! Three trailers were released today and they all look pretty good. We brought you a story earlier this week about the Duplass Brother's and their new film Cyrus, showing at Sundance this week. Today, they released a trailer for the film and it looks pretty good. I'm sure this will be their break out film:
The next trailer is a redband trailer for a movie called Hot Tub Time Machine. The jury is still out on this one, it looks like it could be pretty good but I'm skeptical:
This final trailer is awesome! Its supper trippy and really weird. It's for Spike Jonze new short film called Im Here. Check it out, its pretty cool:
Apparently, the word for 2010 is "installment," and yet this one may be one of the most anticipated. Open up your toy chest and dust off your favorite one because "Toy Story" is back for film #3 and its in 3D! Seemingly growing up with us, the once starry eyed Andy has grown into a college bound teenager who no longer has a need for cowboy Woody, Space Ranger Buzz, and the assortment of other toys that took him through his glory years (Andy will probably need to re-evaluate his choices when he encounters freshman year finals week).
Tossed away from Andy's life, the toys are now faced with the dilemma of an army of slobbery, unmedicated toddlers in day-care. Perhaps this film will be more of a horror...
In all reality, this movie has the potential to make audience members laugh, cry, and remember the glory days of youth. The return to simplicity this movie has leads it to being a classic.
...My Pizza Planet alien and I will be waiting eagerly.
Well, to be fair, I didn't even finish this movie because I disliked it so much. Maybe I missed a great ending, but I very seriously doubt it. In fact, I don't even care. The movie had no impact on me, at all. It had good reviews and maybe with a huge STREEETCH I can see why, with Paul Giammati in it doing a decent job and a fairly original screenplay. It's setup so that the real Harvey Pecker narrates the movie and talks occasionally in an interview-style, sometimes poking fun at this-and-that in the actual movie. I find him really annoying and the cuts between the movie and his blabbing quite distracting, taking you out of the movie literally and emotionally. It's almost disrespectful to the actors, not allowing them to fully connect to the audience through the people they are portraying. I would have very much appreciated the movie being completely separate from the interview cut-away scenes... and Paul Giammati narrating it. Then, it might have been pretty good.
There's not much more I can say. Probably a good movie for the fans of the comic. It's just not my thing.
(Moving on. Next movies I'll be reviewing, sometime in the near future: The Proposition, Down by Law, The 400 Blows, Amreeka, Dancer in the Dark)
We have been graced with a trailer for the newest Harry Potter installment.
Midnight screenings and book releases of anything "Harry Potter" related were the foundations of my youth. So, naturally, when the HP7 trailer hit the Internet I sat at my computer watching it about 10 more times.
For those of you who haven't read the book, this film chronicles the adventures of the trio as they leave their Hogwarts training behind and romp around the forest in their final attempts at defeating Lord Voldemort. I could go into excruciating detail, but I wouldn't want to unleash my inner Potter nerd.
Ever since "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone," visual effects have allowed audiences to experience a world unlike ours where reaching for something is just as easy as flicking a wand. With this book (which will be split into two movies) essentially having the most action, I most look forward to the magic floating around the screen.
Take my excitement with a grain of salt, however. I will be scrutinizing as I watch the movie to see how accurately they stick with the book. The first mistake and I will be conjuring up some torture spells.
Whose heard of the Duplass Brothers, Jay and Mark?! I'm not surprised if you haven't, but if you live in Austin and/or love indie films you need to check out their work. Most notably, they have made The Puffy Chair and Baghead. They operate in a genre of indie films called mumblecore, which is highlighted by the frequent use of digital video cameras. Anyways, in their next film they team up with Jason Reitman, who has brought you most recently Up In The Air, as the producer of this project.
The film is called Jeff Who Lives At Home, a stoner quest-comedy. According to an interview the brothers did with movieweb.com, the movie features "a stoner who is looking for wood glue." They go on to say, "This was the movie we were made to make." Sounds awesome. These guys are like midas, whatever they touch turns to indieGOLD.
If your looking for a little Duplass action before Jeff Who Lives At Home comes out in early 2011, be on the look out for Cyrus which should be hitting theaters sometime late this year. The movie's cast includes Marisa Tomei, Jonah Hill, John C. Riley, and Catherine Keener, it's centered around a recently divorced man who meet's the woman of his dreams, then meets her son. Sounds pretty interesting, but if you don't want to wait add The Puffy Chair and Baghead to your Netflix queue or head down to your local movie-renting place and pick up these classics.
More great updates come in today! Universal released the first trailer (via Iamrogue.com) for their upcoming SNL film MacGruber. We introduced the film, which stars Will Forte, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Phillipe and Val Kilmer, to ya'll a few weeks back. It is being written by Forte, Jorma Taccone (of Lonely Island fame), and another SNL writer. We are really excited about this film and it looks awesome! Check out the trailer here:
Last week we posted an article asking the question, 'Can Anyone Beat Avatar?' The first two wide release films of 2010 were unable to match Avatar numbers and this past weekend saw two more wide releases. I placed my bets on The Book of Eli as the possible film to dethrone the big blue men and I would have gone into shock if The Spy Next Door came anywhere close to the top of the chart. However, with the long weekend, I didn't think anyone would be able to topple Avatar.
Now that we can look back on the weekend numbers, it looks like my prediction was correct. Avatar stands atop the box office with over $54 million in revenue, beating The Book of Eli by nearly $16 million! With this weekend, the worldwide revenue for Avatar is $1,637,262,209 and the total domestic revenue has hit $504,868,451. Thats just about $29 million less than The Dark Knight's total gross and about $97 million short of the all time grossing film, Titanic.
You might be saying, "So what? There's no way its going to reach $600 million." The beauty about Avatar is not just the money, its how long it has been in theaters. Believe it or not, Avatar has only been in theaters for about 4.5 weeks. It took 33 weeks for The Dark Knight to reach #2 all time and 41 weeks for Titanic to reach #1. At the pace Avatar is moving, it should only take 2 to 3 weeks to reach #1 of all time.
I would consider posing my question again for this weekend, but the prospects don't look good. Films being released this weekend include: Tooth Fairy, Legion, and Extraordinary Measures. Maybe movie goers will turnout this weekend to see The Book of Eli again, the only film that stands a chance, again.
How do you feel about Avatar possibly reaching #1 within the next month?
It was dubbed "The Artistic Crime of the Century" by Time Magazine. On August 7th, 1974, French high-wire artist Phillipe Petit, walked between the two Wold Trade Center towers on a 450-pound cable for roughly an hour before he was taken into custody. During his adventure, citizens gathered around on the streets of New York City, squinting, to see this small black figure of Petit seemingly floating in the space between the two towers. But what's really awe-inspiring is that what Petit saw from there...was his and his alone. And that's what makes it "artistic" to me, to combat any (probably jealous) critics who think of it as just some daredevil stunt. Later, when repeatedly being asked "Why?" by reporters and journalists, he was dumbfounded and just answered, "I see three oranges and I juggle. I see a wire and I walk." There was no answer to "why?". It was just something the man loved to do, something he had aspired to, and had accomplished.
Through his own words and those of his loyal co-conspirators, this documentary takes a glance at Petit's background, his passion and obsession with the high-wire, and his dream of walking between the WTC towers. The documentary also looks into the months of planning that went into the WTC act and spends some time focusing on the night before, as Petit and his team setup...along with all the troubles that they faced there.
What really grabs your attention in this documentary, other than the score by Michael Nyman, is Petit's own eccentric nature and freethinking spirit.
The pacing of the documentary is near perfect, switching back and forth between reenactments, interviews, and old home footage of Petit and his team. It's suspenseful, funny, beautiful, and uplifting...all in a good balance.
The music made it even better. In fact, I bought the soundtrack almost immediately after watching it. I'd recommend listening to Fish Beach, Time Lapse, An Eye for Optical Theory, and Memorial from the album (if you enjoy movie soundtracks, maybe I'm the only one). See if you like it. Obviously, it might sound more interesting if you can relate it to the scenes in 'Man On Wire' like I do.
The film won the Oscar for best documentary last year. I figured I'd give it a try...and I'm really glad I did. It's one of those documentaries pretty much anybody would enjoy and/or be inspired by.
If you missed the Golden Globes, here is a run-down of some of the major winners:
Best Motion Picture- Drama Avatar
Best Motion Picture- Comedy or Musical The Hangover
Best Performance by an Actor- Drama Jeff Bridges- Crazy Heart
Best Performance by an Actress- Drama Sandra Bullock- The Blind Side
Best Performance by an Actor- Comedy or Musical Robert Downey Jr.- Sherlock Holmes
Best Performance by an Actress- Comedy or Musical Meryl Streep- Julie & Julia
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Christoph Waltz- Inglorious Basterds
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Mo'Nique- Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire
Best Director- Motion Picture James Cameron- Avatar
Best Screenplay- Motion Picture Up In The Air
Best Animated Film UP
by Ryan
Overall, I would have to agree with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Hangover was the best comedy of the year, will anyone dispute that? Robert Downey Jr. and Christoph Waltz are both deserving of their awards as well, considering they both made the films they played in. UP is easily top 10 film of the year, arguably the best film, and should receive a nod from the Oscars in a few months.
There are a few awards I take a different stance on. Best Motion Picture- Drama went to Avatar, beating out The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Basterds, and Precious. The previous two easily beat Avatar in every sense of a film, except technological advancement and I attribute this award to critics still having a hard on about the visuals Cameron gave us. I hate to continue bashing Avatar because it is a good movie and the visuals are amazing, but its not better than the unique and exceptional Inglorious and Hurt Locker. So, when James Cameron won Best Director- Motion Picture beating out Katheryn Bigelow, Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, and Jason Reitman, I couldn't help and wonder if the HFPA felt obligated to give Cameron the award because it took him 10 years to direct his film.
The last award I question is Best Screenplay- Motion Picture going to Up in the Air. I know most of ya'll will disagree with me, and I want to hear your argument, but I again think that either The Hurt Locker or Inglorious Basterds had a better script. I'd even try and argue Avatar had a better script.
The Golden Globes are a major precursor and often signal what is to come at The Oscars. There is no doubt that Avatar winning Best Picture Drama has drivin' it stock up and over the early front runner, The Hurt Locker. No doubt the Oscar's will be interesting.
We really wanted to give this film 3/4 peels, it was really good, but there were a few flaws that could not be over looked. So, lets begin with the good stuff. The pacing of the first 80 minutes was brilliant, it began slow and built up to what was sure to be a huge climax. The Hughes Brothers conducted the direction of the film with great ease and a cocky nature. Epic visuals of the post-apocalyptic world were stunning and filled out the film nicely. For those who play video games, the world depicted in the film is eerily similar to that of Fall Out 3. Denzel Washington does well as a stoic, Bible-carrying sword-wielding ass kicker, and Mila Kunis has really come a long way as an actress. Gary Oldman plays the villain vying for the mysterious book, and steals the show. He is everything a villain should be, ruthless, arrogant, and fearful, the type of performance that really makes you connect to his adversary. We both actually feared him and agreed that that was the performance the Sherlock Holmes could have really used from Mark Strong.
Now for the bad stuff. The movie runs 118 minutes which is around the average time movies run and doesn't approach the run times of Avatar (162 minutes), There Will Be Blood (158 minutes), or Pulp Fiction (148 minutes). With that, it seemed as though the Hughes Bros. didn't want to eclipse the 120 minute mark, as if that would be the lynch pin in whether or not the film would be a success. The last 30 minutes were rushed and many questions were left wide open or not even acknowledged. The film really could have used an extra 30 minutes to take the same time and patience the rest of the movie received. Those 30 minutes could have sealed the deal and fill out many of the plot lines in what up until the last 40 minutes was an impeccable and meaningful movie. The film tried to discuss many deep and thoughtful issues but wouldn't take the time to actually discuss the issues. This made it seem shallow rather than a vessel for discussion. Really, it was the ending that ruined the movie. Everything about it was bad.
Now, you might be saying "Really, the ending is why your rating it so bad?" Yes, that is! If you had seen the film you would know what we are saying. It draws you in, keeps you on the edge, and then kicks you in the balls. It will engage you, then kill everything. There is a distinct point at which you will know when the movie is about to go downhill. The end is really disappointing, really, really, disappointing. Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, Bolt, Caligula), an incredible actor, showed up at the end and never really did anything. I want to call it a cameo and not worry about it, but he's in it too long. It's actually really confusing as to why they would bring in an actor like McDowell and waste his talent. This shows that the Hughes Bros. really had a plan for the ending but realized they were at a point where they HAD to end the film and threw that plan out the window. Why else would they bring in an actor of the caliber of McDowell? The end is really disappointing, really, really, disappointing.
Has anyone else seen The Book of Eli? What were your thoughts about the film overall and, more specifically, the ending?
My experiences with movies that go on beyond a sequel have not been pleasant. Hopefully I don’t stand alone as I wince in pain when the Scary Movie and Saw franchises announce their “latest and greatest” movies will soon be hitting theatres. Sometimes, the industry just does not know when to let go of a franchise.
That being said, however, 2010 brings around the revival of a movie that has been considered a hit for decades. The film that had 80’s moviegoers asking, “Who ya gonna call?” is back for a third installment and looking promising! ABC News is reporting that Canadian director Ivan Reitman, who has been involved in the previous two Ghostbuster films, has come aboard for the third movie and “hopes to start shooting it this next year” (some of Reitman’s notable credits include Ghostbusters, Dave, Twins, Kindergarten Cop and Junior.)
In addition to directing the preceding Ghostbusters, Reitman also is bringing back members of the original cast to reprise their roles; most notably Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver.
As a child of the 90’s, I was a bit late getting on the bandwagon of this movie, but the story featured is one that, though somewhat cheesy, can be appreciated to this day. With the technology of film today, I look forward to seeing the special effects aspect the most.
Is there anyone else out there willing to place their faith back into filmmakers working on movies that exceed their sequel? Hopefully the film itself won’t be the thing that is busted.
Anyone heard of Kathryn Bigelow? No? Have you heard about The Hurt Locker? If not, your about to hear a lot more about out with the awards season about to heat up. It's poised to win Best Picture at the Golden Globes and nominated for an Oscar. Kathryn Bigelow is the director who brought the world The Hurt Locker and K19: The Widow Maker.
Anyways, the reason we're talking about Kathryn Bigelow is because she's just been attached to a movie called "Held by the Taliban". Which is based on a NY Times article titled "7 Months, 10 Days in Captivity" about a reporter who was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. To me, that already sounds awesome without Bigelow. Given her expertise in nitty-gritty war films, though, this movie is already on my top watch list.
I loved The Hurt Locker, I would be A-Ok if were to win best pic at the Oscars. You can even read my review of the film here. This movie will take Bigelow back to the region she became fond of in her last film.
JUST KIDDING! New reports from MTV Movies state that Kathryn Bigelow really isn't attached to the film. Damn, cause I was really excited. So, now we can hope and wish for this post to come to fruition!
According to boxoffice.com, Avatar is entering its 25th day at #1 with over $445 million in total gross. It seems that nothing can stop it, especially with the long MLK Jr. weekend coming up. Those who have somehow missed Avatar or have been putting it off, have some extra time to get out and see what everyone is making a big deal about. This weekend is looking real good for Avatar to catch up to Titanic's all-time box ooffice record.
The next closest films are Sherlock Holmes and It's Complicated, but they aren't even close. Recent release Daybreakers cracked the top 5 and Youth in Revolt barely cracked the top 10. There are two wide release films coming out this weekend: The Book of Eli and TheSpy Next Door. Which means the only hope for knocking Avatar off the throne lies with Denzel Washington and his post apocolyptic ass-kicking. Somehow I dont think that will do it, and if The Spy Next Door does it . . . our society is in a sad state of affairs.
Any thoughts? What movie do you think will finally remove Avatar from the top spot?
MORE SEQUELS!! I don't know how I feel about this. I loved the first one, which might partially be due to the fact that I was a kid and anything with big, loud, action, was awesome. AND IT HAD DINOSAURS! It might have also helped that the screenplay was written by Michael Crichton, who wrote the book, and was directed by THE Steven Spielberg. The second one wasn't too bad, still written by Crichton and helmed by Spielberg. The last one I didn't really like, written by Crichton but directed by Joe Johnston, not Spielberg.
Boxoffice caught up with Johnston to ask him about the rumored fourth film. Johnston mentions that there is, in fact, a Jurassic Park IV, "and its going to be unlike anything you've seen." Really? I am interested, this might be what they need. The third film seemed to go bland, just regurgitating what had come before it. He goes on to say that there could be a whole new trilogy of Jurassic films based on this one, a "Second Trilogy."
It sounds like they might have their heads on straight this time to, Johnston says, "We don't want to make sequel after sequel just because there's a market for it. We want to tell different, interesting stories. You don't just want to sell hamburger." Sounds great!
It sounds like Hollywood is breaking from its mantra of sequels. Some sequels are good, but will this one stand up? What do you think?
Yea, thats right. THR reports that Paramount is contemplating a sequel to the 2005 film Four Brothers. Paramount is bringing back most of the original creative staff, including David Elliot and Paul Lovett as writers and brings Mark Wahlberg back in the lead. The original film followed four brothers on their quest to avenge the death of their adoptive mother, who died in an apparent robbery.
No plot lines have been released. I wonder why? I feel like this film will be just as good as the original, which was not very good. I don't really know how they're going to get to the five brothers, considering one of the original four died in the original. This sounds like a horrible move for Paramount. THR reports that it was Wahlberg who "hatched the idea" to the original writers, which I would say sounds like Mark Wahlberg is trying to return to relevence after a downward spiral since The Departed. He does have The Lovely Bones coming out tomorrow and three other films in post-production, so I could be wrong in my initial evaluation depending on the success of these films.
So, I have to ask. Did anyone see Four Brothers? What do you think about Paramount trying for a sequel?
There WILL be another Sherlock Holmes! Anyone excited? After the huge tease at the end of the film, after movie-making performances, and after great direction from Guy Ritchie, I'm pretty excited! Entertainment Weekly reported today that Robert Downey Jr. would reprise his role as Sherlock Holmes in the untitled Holmes sequel. They also report that Warner Bros. has put the film on the fast-track and will shoot to begin filming in June with the original cast.
The one thing that worries me is that the original writers aren't penning this film. The studio has commissioned Kieran and Michele Mulroney of Paper Man, previously. I don't know why the original writers weren't brought back, but this could go one of two ways. It could really hurt the movie and lend it to be incongruent with the previous film OR it could keep the "franchise" fresh and fun. We shall wait and see.
Wow, watching this was like eating skittles on ecstasy. Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call, New Orleans, not to be confused with the 1993 film of the same name is directed by Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man, Rescue Dawn). Let me just say, this is truly an insane ride from start to finish.The movie itself is not about New Orleans as a city, it is more of a back drop and mood setter for the main character and his cohorts. Nicolas Cage, who i might add is one of my least favorite actors, really shines as the lead character Terence McDonagh. The plot of the movie follows McDonagh, a drug and gambling-addled detective in post-Katrina New Orleans investigating the killing of five Senegalese immigrants. The plot of the film is a diversion to the viewer, instead pay attention to the characters and their mannerisms. I implore you to just go along and let them take you on a magical journey till the very last frame of the movie. Cage takes his role as a drug addict, rapist, and corrupt cop to new heights. Here is a man that breaks all of the rules and makes up a few of his own. Although very gifted at his job the only criminal he can't seem to catch is himself. All of his motives are for self gain and pleasure and he doesn't bother to think about the consequences of his actions, nor does he seem care. He is the quintessential bottom feeder and quickly rises up the ranks because of this.
There is one scene near the beginning of the movie that conveys the duality of life quite nicely, it involves Nicolas Cage interrogating a couple in a parking lot outside of a club. This scene really struck me hard and it rings true in today's society, especially in a place like New Orleans.
Also, something that has had everyone talking is the cinematography of the movie, it as unique as you will ever get from a film and there are a few scenes in particular that will stand out to the viewer that i will keep unmentioned because it is a trip to watch. In addition, the city and the musical score gives this film a weird 80's vibe that i found a bit nostalgic. If your in the mood for a unique movie experience go rent or buy this film it will not disappoint.
There's a new remake in town!!! Another one... to join the long, distinguished line of television-to-cinema adaptations (aka steal the character names, change the setting and situation, and try to make a blockbuster). I've personally never really liked any of them (Starsky and Hutch, Miami Vice, etc) which makes me really hope they do well with this one. I haven't seen an episode of the TV-series so I can't say whether or not it looks like they're gonna screw this one up for the diehard A-Team fans though.
All I know is Mr. T. And after I did my intense research thing on this amazingly useful and readily available tool called the internet, I found out the actual character he played on the show: B.A. Baracas. Amazing! I bet a bunch of you didn't know that. See, I thought Mr. T played Mr. T and there was nothing else to it. Well from what I've read from the diehard fans online, Mr. T IS B.A. Baracas and B.A. Baracas IS Mr. T. Therein lies a big part of the reason of the success of the TV series: Mr. T, himself.
See, now they've gone ahead and done did cast UFC fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson (who looks like a crosseyed pitbull in this poster) as the new B.A. Baracas. I couldn't think of a more ridiculously stupid casting call. Seriously, if you had asked me what would be the most hilariously dumb choice to cast as Mr. T (fine, B.A Baracas) in a remake film, I'd probably say Kimbo Slice, Quinton Jackson, Randy Jackson, or Michael (depending on when you asked me). Too soon? Yeah I think so too...they should have waited to find someone less mainstream and more fitting for this iconic character. Hell, Mr. T won't even make a cameo appearance (and he's doing infomercials and WoW commercials for gosh sake) and I guess I don't blame him. Hopefully Rampage can hold his own and do the character justice, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Other than that, Liam Neeson is in it and after seeing him whoop ass in 'Taken', I'm kind of looking forward to seeing his performance along with Sharlto Copley (from District 9 for fooks sake!!!) Other actors include Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) Bradley Cooper (The Hangover), and Jessica Biel (The Illusionist). Every other actor that's in this movie, other than Quinton Jackson, gives me a bit of hope for it. I really hope it kicks ass.
I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's scheduled to be released on June 11th. In the meantime, take a look at the trailer below.
Drop us a comment if you can think of any good TV-to-movie adaptations that you have seen.
AND CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS "PREVIEW" POST ABOUT OTHER UPCOMING MOVIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO in 2010!
Before we get to the actual movie, we just want to say the guys down at theAlamo Drafthouse have their shit together. The atmosphere they create and the movies they show are amazing, and just a heads up, there's a Pulp Fiction quote-a-long coming up next week. How awesome is that? If you haven't experienced a movie at the drafthouse, you better get down there ASAP, no excuses.
Now, a little background: Weird Wednesday is every Wednesday night at midnight at the Ritz drafthouse and is dedicated to bringing the best of the worst B movies ever made, or as others might call them, Grindhouse films. These movies have it all: low budgets, exploitative stories, extremely graphic, poor editing, and poor directing. There are some gems out there and the drafthouse finds them!
Now to the movie:
Poor Pretty Eddie, or Redneck County Rape, or Heartbreak Motel is beautifully bad, I mean, really bad, but we expected that right? This stars Leslie Uggams as a famous American Jazz singer from the north who decides to take some time off and travel south to relax. Really? Mistake 1. On her trip, her car breaks down and she finds a motel/autoshop in the backwoods. Believable right? She then finds herself trapped in a cage of redneck hillbilly inbreds, where she is raped. Gross right? Michael Christian plays and Elvis wannabe and the main antagonizer, Shelley Winters, who had won two oscars, plays the washed up entertainer/proprioter of the backwoods motel/autoshop. Sounds like a winner right? Surprisingly, we get the hero and best performance from the somewhat mute of the film, Keno, played by Ted Cassidy. Im not sure what he did at this place, but he was awesome. Oh, and Slim Pickins plays the Sheriff!
This movie was unbelieveably disjunct. Characters were inconsistent, action was shot horrible, and edited like a two-year old with fun scissors had a go at it. I must say though, the long cut slow-mo's did hit the spot. Even with all there problems, there was still something, dare I say, special about this movie? It might just be the sleak and cool atmosphere Alamo Drafthouse creates, it might have been the burned, scratched, and popping reel that was shown, it might have been many other things, but in a weird way I actually enjoyed the movie. By no means was it any where close to being a somewhat feat of movie mediocraty, but I had fun and what more can you ask for? Here's the first 2 1/2 minutes, just to get a taste:
Looking for fun? Rent this movie, but don't expect much! If you dare to watch this movie, drop us a comment and let us know what you think!
It goes without saying to anyone who's already seen TS that the visuals and special effects are pretty damn awesome. The reason I gave this movie a low score was because of Christian Bale in the role of John Conner. Maybe I'm being biased and bitter because I've heard the audio clips of his rampage on the set of the movie (see below)...but even if I hadn't heard them, I'd still be able to recognize that Christian Bale brings nothing of value to the character of John Connor. If you were to watch Terminator 2: Judgment Day and then TS back-to-back, you'd probably ask yourself "That's not the same kid all grown up, is it? Really?" If he was wearing the Batman mask in TS, it would basically be Batman in a Terminator movie. Bale's voice as John Conner is just as garbled, angry, and incomprehensible as it is when Bale wears the mask.
I liked Anton Yelchin in the role of Kyle Reese. I'm becoming a big fan of that guy after I saw him in Star Trek and then here in TS. He's got the potential for playing some really great roles in the future. Sam Worthington was just...ok. Pretty much like Avatar. Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club, Big Fish) was like Bale, just making a paycheck, and she was just oddly placed in her role (which is how she usually acts, and it's fine for me in other movies.....but it just didn't feel right in this one).
Let's be honest, this movie was produced solely to make back a very large profit (ie Transformers, although I appreciated the lack of blatant product placements in Terminator Salvation) especially with the popular name of Christian Bale attached to it. The plot lacked a reason to make me a fan again and the ending was pretty lame. But at least this is a step in the right direction if Hollywood insists on continuing the series.
Other than that, if you're looking for something pretty entertaining with big explosions, gunfights, and futuristic vehicles, give it a go. I've got nothing against it in that regard. I was just hoping for a little more substance.
(P.S. One thing that bugs the hell out of me is the director's name, McG. Change your stupid name. It's retarded. How can any actor take you seriously you with a name like McG? How can anyone take you seriously at all?)
^^^Christian Bale fights with Peter Griffin on the set of TS
In this day in age, which is ruled by re-vamps, re-thinkings, re-makes, and re-imaginings of movies made 20 years ago, it is refreshing to see a masterful piece of original work. Neill Blomkamp brings us a scarily real story about aliens stranded in an unfamiliar world and forced to live a segregated life. It is safe to say that there are modern political undertones in througout this movie as well.
This movie begins with an Office-like montage of employees with quick cuts to riots and aliens, which comes off a bit corney and takes alot of time from the meat of the movie. For about the first 20 to 30 minutes, you are more likely to laugh or turn off the movie than sit on your couch and enjoy it. This fail in movie-continuity could be attributed to the rookie director, or any other number of factors which include an extremely complex background to the story, but I urge you to stick with this movie. You will love it by the end.
What came out in this movie, and struck me pretty hard, was a more twisted and heart wrenching version of Avatar. Many elements of native versus new comer, alien versus human, and what to do about those conflicts are ever present. Each movie also includes, to some extent, the main character leaving their own 'race' and befriending a new unknown. However, District 9 does this in an uncomparable way, something Avatar couldn't do. The main character in the movie is more believable, more real, than its counter part. The plot lines and back stories are deeper as well, we get a sense that the dilemma District 9's hero is in is dire and has to be reversed. Rather than in Avatar, where many details that would enhance the story got glanced over.
Take this movie for what it is, a beautiful sci-fi thriller that will pull at your heart. We'll be honest and tell you that the first part of the movie is clearly the first major movie for Blomkamp. When you get to the end, though, you will see the connections to its sci-fi counter part, and you will understand why it is better. Stay with it until the end and you will see that District 9 is possibly one of the best movies of 2009.
Leave us some comments, what did you think of the movie?
Can you say HELL YEAH!!?? When I first read about this movie I knew it would be horrible. This movie comes from SNL studios, who brought you Hot Rod, Baby Momma, Ladies Man, and Wayne's World (which is the only one worth anything). It's also based off a skit based on 80's TV show MacGyver, that usually only lasts around 30 seconds, and ends with the main character blowing up.
BUT,
it has a cast that includes: Will Forte, Kristin Wiig, Ryan Phillipe, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, Chris Jericho, AND Val Kilmer! Sounds pretty awesome, huh?
PLUS,
It's written by Will Forte, long time actor and writer on SNL, Jorma Taccone, from Lonely Island fame and writer on SNL, and John Solomon, writer for SNL. Those are some pretty good comedic writers. The more I read about this film the more excited I get, and then I saw this picture:
How awesome do they look? I'm pretty excited, are you? Drop us a comment and lets us know what you think!
This movie is incredible. Kathryn Bigelow's sophomore film, The Hurt Locker, plays out the nervracking life of a bombsquad in the Iraq war. This is quit possibly the best movie made about the Iraq war, and it ranks right up there with the best war movies of all time.
The pacing of the film is immaculate, a slow burn of emotions that lead up to the climax. I also liked the lack of title cards at the begining and throughout the film, a tactic that has been overused in 2009. The dialogue and soundtrack is minimal as well, which, coupled with the lack of title cards, gives the viewer a greater sense of bleakness and forces you to connect to a set of flawed characters.
Jeremy Renner turns in a career performance as SSgt. William James, who, like any good hero, has more than a few character flaws and seems to love the very device desgined to oblilterate him. To round out the main characters, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty turn in beautiful supporting roles.
Well I guess I'll try and rank these in the order I liked them best. There's a LOT of movies I wish I had seen but just didn't get around to. If I had seen them, they might have pushed some others off the list...but, as it is, these are the movies I have seen and found to be my favorites:
We're officially one full day removed from 2009 and hopefully fully recovered from that hangover. Now, with a clear head, I take a look back at this past years films and give you my top 10 in no particular order:
Inglorious Basterds UP The Hangover Zombieland Paranormal Activity Star Trek Defiance Taken Sherlock Holmes The Hurt Locker
As you might have noticed, I am missing some pretty good films like Moon, A Serious Man, Where the Wild Things Are, The Road, and others that you'll probably hear about in the coming award season. This is due, in part, to the fact that I havn't seen those movies, or I just did not like them. With that said, I am interested in seeing what you have to say, what were your favorite movies of 2009?
With the new year upon us and a year full of great movies behind us, it is time to take a look at whats ahead. Here's a list of movies to look forward to in 2010:
01/01/10 The White Ribbon dir. Michael Haneke A series of strange accidents occur in Eichwald, a small village in Protestant northern Germany, on cusp of World War I. The abused and suppressed children of the villagers seem to be at the heart of this mystery, but who is behind it? from imdb.com
01/15/10 The Book of Eli dir. Albert & Allen Hughes feat. Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman
In a post-apocalyptic United States, a lone man (Denzel Washington) fights his way across the country in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind. from imdb.com
02/12/10 The Wolfman
dir. Joe Johnston
Nobleman Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) returns to his ancestral homeland, where his brother has gone missing and villagers are being killed by a nightmarish beast. The search reunites him with his estranged father (Hopkins) and draws him near to his brother's fiancée (Blunt), however, Talbot's lager concern is the discovery of a side to himself which he never could have imagined existed ... from imdb.com
02/19/10 Shutter Island
dir. Martin Scorsese
When a psychotic killer (Mortimer) disappears from a mental institution on Shutter Island, a pair of U.S. Marshals (Ruffalo and DiCaprio) race against the clock in order to track her down. from imdb.com
03/05/10 Alice in Wonderland
dir. Tim Burton
19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror. from imdb.com
03/16/10 I Love You Phillip Morris ♥ dir. Glenn Ficarra
Steven Russell is happily married to Debbie, and a member of the local police force when a car accident provokes a dramatic reassessment of his life. Steven realizes he's gay and decides to live life to the fullest - even if it means breaking the law. Steven's new, extravagant lifestyle involves cons and fraud and, eventually, a stay in the State Penitentiary where he meets sensitive, soft-spoken Phillip Morris. His devotion to freeing Phillip from jail and building the perfect life together prompts Steven to attempt and often succeed at one impossible con after another.from imdb.com
04/16/10 Kick-Ass
dir. Matthew Vaughn
Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.from imdb.com
05/07/10 Iron Man 2
dir. Jon Favreau
With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances -- and confront powerful enemies. from imdb.com
05/14/10 Robin Hood
dir. Ridley Scott
The story of an archer in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion who fights against the Norman invaders and becomes the legendary hero known as Robin Hood. from imdb.com
06/16/2010 Inception
dir. Christopher Nolan
A CEO-type becomes involved in a blackmailing scandal.from imdb.com
07/16/2010 War of Gods
dir. Tarsem Singh
Greek warrior Theseus battles against imprisoned titans.from imdb.com
09/01/2010 The American
dir. Anton Corbijn
An assassin hides out in Italy for one last assignment.from imdb.com
10/15/10 The Social Network
dir. David Fincher
A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.from imdb.com
10/15/10 Black Swan
dir. Darren Aronofsky
A thriller that hones in on the relationship between a veteran ballet dancer and a rival.from imdb.com
12/17/10 Tron Legacy
dir. Joseph Kosinski
A virtual-world worker looks to take down the Master Control Program. from imdb.com
TBA
Tree of Life dir. Terrence Malick
The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence. from imdb.com
The Wild Cards:
01/08/10 Youth in Revolt dir. Miguel Arteta Like most teens, young Nick Twisp (Cera) is ruled by his libido. And from the recesses of a trailer park in Northern California, Twisp concocts a plan -- make that multiple schemes -- to lose his virginity to a local girl, the precocious Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday). from imdb.com
01/08/10 Daybreakers
dir. Michael & Peter Spierig
In the year 2017, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher (Hawke) works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind. from imdb.com
02/12/10 A Prophet
dir. Jacques Audiard
A young Arab man (Rahim) serving time in a French prison transforms into a mafia kingpin. from imdb.com
02/26/10 CopOut
dir. Kevin Smith
A comedy about two cops (Willis and Jordan) whose adventures include locating a stolen baseball card, rescuing a woman, and dealing with gangsters and their laundered money. from imdb.com
02/26/10 The Crazies
dir. Breck Eisner
As a toxin begins to turn the residents of Ogden Marsh, Iowa into violent psychopaths, sheriff David Dutton (Olyphant) tries to make sense of the situation while he, his wife (Mitchell), and two other unaffected townspeople band together in a fight for survival. from imdb.com
