Twitter has EXPLODED with Los Angeles area film geeks gushing over "Attack the Block," the British ghetto-kids versus aliens actioner that blew up at SXSW. Here's the trailer, in case you missed it before:
The movie-nerd buzz for this is now SO enthusiastic that you can actually FEEL Michael Bay's America gearing up to completely ignore it if and when it's released ;(
Thursday 31 March 2011
Nimoy is in "Transformers" (again)
Leonard Nimoy will be voicing one of the robots in "Transformers: Dark of The Moon." In addition to having previously voiced Galvatron in the original animated movie and being a living, breathing fanboy-reference in and of himself; Nimoy is Michael Bay's cousin and previously worked with writers Orci and Kurtzman on the "Star Trek" reboot. So... about four or five levels of reference/in-joke/shout-out casting right here.
In any case, he's voicing "Sentinel Prime," the bearded "old man" Autobot you saw in the TF3 teaser trailer. Supposedly he's Optimus' "father" (how does that work?) in this version, and his vehicle form is a firetruck. I didn't know they made pimped-out, douche-appeal "custom" firetrucks; though I'm sure Bay and company will find a way. I'm hoping that Optimus - in a hugely-unlikely coincidence - stumbles on him living in a cave, where he explains that he's actually from an alternate universe and that his being here is what's responsible for ALL of the hugely-unlikely coincidences, gigantic plot-holes and generally shitty writing up to this point...
In any case, he's voicing "Sentinel Prime," the bearded "old man" Autobot you saw in the TF3 teaser trailer. Supposedly he's Optimus' "father" (how does that work?) in this version, and his vehicle form is a firetruck. I didn't know they made pimped-out, douche-appeal "custom" firetrucks; though I'm sure Bay and company will find a way. I'm hoping that Optimus - in a hugely-unlikely coincidence - stumbles on him living in a cave, where he explains that he's actually from an alternate universe and that his being here is what's responsible for ALL of the hugely-unlikely coincidences, gigantic plot-holes and generally shitty writing up to this point...
Understanding "Superman"
(This gets a little loooooong, so hit the jump if you want to read it)
...So! The new guy in charge of Warner Bros. said that he wants a "Justice League" movie, surprising nobody, and that the studio firmly intends to keep making "Batman" movies even after the current Christopher Nolan-helmed version of the franchise ends next year - ALSO not a huge surprise.
Everyone knew that Team nolan was zealously opposed to broader DC-Universe weirdness seeping into their hyper-realistic vision of Batman (it's widely believed that Nolan's extreme displeasure at having "another" Batman conflicting with "his" helped scuttle George Miller's in-production "JLA: Mortal" movie back 2007); but everyone also knew that Warners/DC was going to be champing at the bit to pull the trigger on "Justice League" as Marvel Studios "Avengers" got closer to reality; and with "Green Lantern" and a new "Superman" both on the way people were connecting the logical dots...
...and then Zack Snyder, director of the soon-to-lens "Superman" movie, "clarified" that despite the timing, HIS "Man of Steel" was still being set up as it's own seperate thing a'la Nolan's Batman - if Superman appears in "League," he'll be a different guy. Confused? Let me throw somelight educated-conjecture on it for you...
Here's the #1, all-important, explains-it-all Rosetta Stone for understanding EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING you will hear or read the studio, filmmakers and P.R. people say about "Superman" from now until the day it comes out: WARNER BROS. IS ONLY MAKING *THIS* MOVIE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO.
That's not to say that they don't want to make Superman movies EVER - though it's been obvious for more than a little while that the folks in charge of the WB greenlight don't really have a burning desire to be in the superhero business - but the reason they're making this one right now, with a script that was still being finished at the time it was announced (and is allegedly still being "worked on) and with a presuambly expensive fanboy-proof-shield in the form of Christopher Nolan's "producer" credit is because they are staring down the barrel of a gun: If they don't make a "Superman" movie NOW, they risk losing a shit-ton of money in the near future. (This is also probably why Snyder, well-regarded among the Warner suits for his skill at bringing genre films under budget and on an efficient schedule, got the offer.)
Short Version: For the last few DECADES, Warners/DC has been in a legendarily-contentious ongoing legal battle with lawyers representing the estates of Seigel and Schuster, the original creators of Superman, over the rights to both the character himself and also various portions of the mythos (re: Lois Lane, Daily Planet, Krypton, etc.) Though Warners has recently set up a legal stalling-tactic, right now they're playing defense: Back in 2009, it was determined that WB had to get a Superman movie into production by this year (2011) or they'd owe subsantial fees to the creators' estates - hence their urgent desire to get this thing going. And even then, in 2013 they stand to lose between half and ALL rights to the character, and will have to renegotiate the whole bloody thing.
In other words, they're rushing to make "Superman" because they have no choice, and they're not going to tie it in to anything else because it's still "up in the air" as to how much (if any) of him they'll still be able to use afterwards. Notice you aren't hearing about any of the actors signing on for the new movie singing any contracts for sequels, for example...
Meanwhile, have you noticed that NO ONE on either the fan or filmmaker side is even raising the issue of the "Green Lantern" movie? Granted, that's mostly an indicator of how far the lackluster trailer and promotion has blown it off the pop-culture radar... but y'know what's interesting? "Lantern" was supposed to be WB's first toe-dip into continuity-land back before they (briefly, it would seem) backed-off from that course: A cameo by a major non-GL DC character got cut from the script just prior to shooting.
...So! The new guy in charge of Warner Bros. said that he wants a "Justice League" movie, surprising nobody, and that the studio firmly intends to keep making "Batman" movies even after the current Christopher Nolan-helmed version of the franchise ends next year - ALSO not a huge surprise.
Everyone knew that Team nolan was zealously opposed to broader DC-Universe weirdness seeping into their hyper-realistic vision of Batman (it's widely believed that Nolan's extreme displeasure at having "another" Batman conflicting with "his" helped scuttle George Miller's in-production "JLA: Mortal" movie back 2007); but everyone also knew that Warners/DC was going to be champing at the bit to pull the trigger on "Justice League" as Marvel Studios "Avengers" got closer to reality; and with "Green Lantern" and a new "Superman" both on the way people were connecting the logical dots...
...and then Zack Snyder, director of the soon-to-lens "Superman" movie, "clarified" that despite the timing, HIS "Man of Steel" was still being set up as it's own seperate thing a'la Nolan's Batman - if Superman appears in "League," he'll be a different guy. Confused? Let me throw some
Here's the #1, all-important, explains-it-all Rosetta Stone for understanding EVERY SINGLE DAMN THING you will hear or read the studio, filmmakers and P.R. people say about "Superman" from now until the day it comes out: WARNER BROS. IS ONLY MAKING *THIS* MOVIE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO.
That's not to say that they don't want to make Superman movies EVER - though it's been obvious for more than a little while that the folks in charge of the WB greenlight don't really have a burning desire to be in the superhero business - but the reason they're making this one right now, with a script that was still being finished at the time it was announced (and is allegedly still being "worked on) and with a presuambly expensive fanboy-proof-shield in the form of Christopher Nolan's "producer" credit is because they are staring down the barrel of a gun: If they don't make a "Superman" movie NOW, they risk losing a shit-ton of money in the near future. (This is also probably why Snyder, well-regarded among the Warner suits for his skill at bringing genre films under budget and on an efficient schedule, got the offer.)
Short Version: For the last few DECADES, Warners/DC has been in a legendarily-contentious ongoing legal battle with lawyers representing the estates of Seigel and Schuster, the original creators of Superman, over the rights to both the character himself and also various portions of the mythos (re: Lois Lane, Daily Planet, Krypton, etc.) Though Warners has recently set up a legal stalling-tactic, right now they're playing defense: Back in 2009, it was determined that WB had to get a Superman movie into production by this year (2011) or they'd owe subsantial fees to the creators' estates - hence their urgent desire to get this thing going. And even then, in 2013 they stand to lose between half and ALL rights to the character, and will have to renegotiate the whole bloody thing.
In other words, they're rushing to make "Superman" because they have no choice, and they're not going to tie it in to anything else because it's still "up in the air" as to how much (if any) of him they'll still be able to use afterwards. Notice you aren't hearing about any of the actors signing on for the new movie singing any contracts for sequels, for example...
Meanwhile, have you noticed that NO ONE on either the fan or filmmaker side is even raising the issue of the "Green Lantern" movie? Granted, that's mostly an indicator of how far the lackluster trailer and promotion has blown it off the pop-culture radar... but y'know what's interesting? "Lantern" was supposed to be WB's first toe-dip into continuity-land back before they (briefly, it would seem) backed-off from that course: A cameo by a major non-GL DC character got cut from the script just prior to shooting.
2011 Cannes (Probable) Selection
With ONLY 14 days to the Paris press conference at which the Cannes official selection will be announced and because all the fuzz and buzz about the possible contenders decided to do a list here (especially for my photographer friend) with some of the movies that most likely could end up being part of the Selection either In or Out of competition.
From France
Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Poulet aux Prunes (Chicken with Plums), France and Germany (wow! Must be seen, of course)
Christophe Honore’s Les bien-aimés (The Beloved), France (Ludivine Sagnier, Catherine Denueve, Louis Garrel… must be seen!)
Mia Hanse Løve’s Un Amour de Jeunesse (Goodbye First Love), France and Germany
Dominik Moll’s The Monk, Spain and France (Vincent Cassel, Sergi Lopez, hmm, yes must be seen)
Bruno Dumont’s Hors Satan (aka L’Empire), France
Mathieu Kassovitz’s L'Ordre et la Morale (Rebellion), France
Pierre Schoeller’s L'exercice de l'État (The Excersice of State), France
From Europe/Asia
Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany and Italy (of course must be seen)
Dardene Bros Le Gamin au vélo (The Kid With a Bike), Belgium, France and Italy (with Cecile de France, must be seen)
Nanni Moretti’s Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope), Italy and France (yes will watch)
Paolo Sorrentino This Must Be the Place, Italy, France and Ireland (with Sean Penn??? Hmm, will watch)
Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre, Finland, France and Germany (of course must be seen)
Ruben Östlund’s Play, Sweden (of course must be seen)
Ulrich Seidl’s Paradies, Germany, France and Austria
Chantal Akerman’s La folie Almayer (Almayer’s Folly), France and Belgium (interesting)
Radu Mihaileanu’s La Source des Femmes (The Source), Belgium, Italy and France
Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, UK
Yorgos Lanthimos Alps, Greece (I know didn’t liked Dogtooth, but of course will watch his next)
Andrei Zvyagintsev’s Elena, Russia (wonder if will be ready but OF COURSE is must be seen for me)
Alexandr Sokurov’s Faust, Russia (the fourth and last film about corruption, of course: must be seen)
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Bir Zamanlar Anadolu (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia), Turkey (must be seen for me)
Brillante Mendoza’s Captured, France and Philippines (What??? With Isabelle Huppert!!! Must be seen)
Eric Khoo’s Tatsumi, Singapore and Japan (Very interesting animation)
Nadine Labaki’s Wo Hallah La Wen? (Where Do We Go Now?), Lebanon (release date May 2011, hmm that’s Cannes, isn’t? of course, must be seen for me – follow up to Caramel…)
From the Americas
Carlos Reygadas’s Post Tenebras Lux (After Dark), Mexico and France (“Dying” to watch, but wonder if will be ready for Cannes…)
Juan Solanas’s Upside Down, Canada and France (very interesting posters… lol!)
Gus Van Sant’s Restless, USA (will watch)
Terrence Malick Tree of Life, USA (will watch)
Some still consider that Almodovar’s La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I live In) could make it, but release date is set for September 2, 2011 in Spain, so who knows if will make it to Cannes. Of course is must be seen for me and yes, “dying” to watch it. If you feel like reading about film and Cannes check article here available only in Spanish; says that film is NOT ready for Cannes.
No matter if none, some or many of the above films make it to the selection what it’s a fact is that 2011 will bring movies by excellent directors, many of my dearest favorites, so it’s going to be one of those years when the “wait” will be unbearable. Sigh.
From France
Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Poulet aux Prunes (Chicken with Plums), France and Germany (wow! Must be seen, of course)
Christophe Honore’s Les bien-aimés (The Beloved), France (Ludivine Sagnier, Catherine Denueve, Louis Garrel… must be seen!)
Mia Hanse Løve’s Un Amour de Jeunesse (Goodbye First Love), France and Germany
Dominik Moll’s The Monk, Spain and France (Vincent Cassel, Sergi Lopez, hmm, yes must be seen)
Bruno Dumont’s Hors Satan (aka L’Empire), France
Mathieu Kassovitz’s L'Ordre et la Morale (Rebellion), France
Pierre Schoeller’s L'exercice de l'État (The Excersice of State), France
From Europe/Asia
Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany and Italy (of course must be seen)
Dardene Bros Le Gamin au vélo (The Kid With a Bike), Belgium, France and Italy (with Cecile de France, must be seen)
Nanni Moretti’s Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope), Italy and France (yes will watch)
Paolo Sorrentino This Must Be the Place, Italy, France and Ireland (with Sean Penn??? Hmm, will watch)
Aki Kaurismäki’s Le Havre, Finland, France and Germany (of course must be seen)
Ruben Östlund’s Play, Sweden (of course must be seen)
Ulrich Seidl’s Paradies, Germany, France and Austria
Chantal Akerman’s La folie Almayer (Almayer’s Folly), France and Belgium (interesting)
Radu Mihaileanu’s La Source des Femmes (The Source), Belgium, Italy and France
Lynne Ramsay’s We Need to Talk About Kevin, UK
Yorgos Lanthimos Alps, Greece (I know didn’t liked Dogtooth, but of course will watch his next)
Andrei Zvyagintsev’s Elena, Russia (wonder if will be ready but OF COURSE is must be seen for me)
Alexandr Sokurov’s Faust, Russia (the fourth and last film about corruption, of course: must be seen)
Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Bir Zamanlar Anadolu (Once Upon a Time in Anatolia), Turkey (must be seen for me)
Brillante Mendoza’s Captured, France and Philippines (What??? With Isabelle Huppert!!! Must be seen)
Eric Khoo’s Tatsumi, Singapore and Japan (Very interesting animation)
Nadine Labaki’s Wo Hallah La Wen? (Where Do We Go Now?), Lebanon (release date May 2011, hmm that’s Cannes, isn’t? of course, must be seen for me – follow up to Caramel…)
From the Americas
Carlos Reygadas’s Post Tenebras Lux (After Dark), Mexico and France (“Dying” to watch, but wonder if will be ready for Cannes…)
Juan Solanas’s Upside Down, Canada and France (very interesting posters… lol!)
Gus Van Sant’s Restless, USA (will watch)
Terrence Malick Tree of Life, USA (will watch)
Some still consider that Almodovar’s La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I live In) could make it, but release date is set for September 2, 2011 in Spain, so who knows if will make it to Cannes. Of course is must be seen for me and yes, “dying” to watch it. If you feel like reading about film and Cannes check article here available only in Spanish; says that film is NOT ready for Cannes.
No matter if none, some or many of the above films make it to the selection what it’s a fact is that 2011 will bring movies by excellent directors, many of my dearest favorites, so it’s going to be one of those years when the “wait” will be unbearable. Sigh.
5th Gopo Awards Winners
Exactly the day of my birthday organizers had their award ceremony and in *BLUE are some of the winners. If you wish to check winners in all categories go here available in English.--//--
2/22/11
Yesterday organizers announced the nominations for the annual awards and here they are.
Best Film
Autobiografia lui Nicolae Ceauşescu (The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu), Andrei Ujică, Romania
*Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle), Florin Şerban, Romania, Sweden and Germany
Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, After Christmas), Radu Muntean, Romania
Medalia de onoare (Medal of Honor), Peter Călin Netzer, Romania and Germany
Morgen, Marian Crişan, Romania, Hungary and France
Best Debut Film
*Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle), Florin Şerban, Romania, Sweden and Germany
Felicia, înainte de tóate (First of All, Felicia), Răzvan Rădulescu and Melissa de Raaf, Romania and Croatia
Morgen, Marian Crişan, Romania, Hungary and France
Best Director
Peter Călin Netzer for Medalia de onoare (Medal of Honor)
*Florin Şerban for Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle)
Marian Crişan for Morgen
Radu Muntean for Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, After Christmas)
Răzvan Rădulescu and Melissa de Raaf for Felicia, înainte de tóate (First of All, Felicia), Romania and Croatia
Best Actress
Ada Condeescu in Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle)
Adriana Trandafir in Europolis, Corneliu Gheorghita, Romania and France
Maria Popistasu in Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, After Christmas)
*Mirela Oprisor in Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, After Christmas)
Ozana Oancea in Felicia, înainte de tóate (First of All, Felicia)
Best Actor
Andras Hathazi in Morgen
George Pistereanu in Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier (If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle)
Mimi Branescu in Marţi, după Crăciun (Tuesday, After Christmas)
*Victor Rebengiuc in Medalia de onoare (Medal of Honor)
Yilmaz Yalcin in Morgen
To check nominees in all categories go here available only in Romanian. If I Want to Whistle, I Whistle is the film with more nominations, a record number: 13; followed by Morgen with 11, Tuesday, After Christmas with 10 and with 7 each First of All Felicia, Medal of Honor and Kino Caravan by Titus Muntean.
Now becomes very important to soon have my own Romanian cinema cycle with many, if not all, of the above movies as awards ceremony will be on March 28 and will be streamed live at awards official site and the ProCinema site as well as will be broadcast live in TV of ProCinema and ProTV International.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Wonder Woman looks (a little) better
Step 1: Release prototype/screentest version of something you know fans will nitpick no matter what, let them tear it apart.
Step 2: Shoot actual show with final version, as it will now look "better" no matter what.
Step 3: Cancel poorly-concieved show after half a season anyway because this was still a terrible, terrible idea.
See more at GotCeleb
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Celda 211
Impressive movie by director Daniel Monzón, this Spanish/French co-production has won several awards including several Goya awards, and I can promise it will keep you interested from beginning to end.
What does it take to turn you from a law-abiding citizen into a murderer?How far would you go to protect yourself and those you love?
How do you react when your life is in danger and you lose all that is precious to you?
Juan Oliver has a new job as a prison officer and reports to work a day early determined to cause a good impression. He is filled with hope and happiness as he kisses his pregnant wife, Elena, goodbye. During his tour of the prison an accident occurs and he ends up in cell 211 during a riot; trying to survive, he decides to convince the others that he is also a prisoner. He ends up by establishing a deep connection with the prison leader, Malamadre.
The movie is served by an excellent cast, with special relevance to the amazing Luis Tosar and and also Alberto Ammann.
The story unfolds offering you a deep analysis of human psyche without been boring or pretentious. If you think you have seen enough movies about inmates and prisons, you are wrong.
As so many times happens, soon we realize that a criminal is not necessarily striped of a heart or feelings, and that the “good guys” (the guards) are not always nice people.
I warn right now it does not offer a happy ending, nor it should. It is as real life is, harsh and tender, unpredictable and multi-layered.
One of the best movies I’ve seen this year.
Green light!
Watch trailer @MOC
Warner Bros. Honcho Think "Avengers" Will Be a Hit...
...and THAT little piece of Movie-Executive-to-English translation is really all anyone can reasonably take away from this Hero Complex piece on Warner Bros. honcho Jeff Robinovs vague, non-commital intimations of a "Justice League" movie. In fact, from now on you can use THIS as your "Avengers" indicator-light: If people from Warner Bros. are tossing "JLA" non-news to the fanboy-press, it means the insider-buzz is good for Marvel's big-scale team-up experiment and they're makng ready to hit the ground running on their logical "me-too." If they slip back into the "our characters are bigger, they have to stay seperate" party-line, that means they're thinking "Avengers" is an overreach.
The fact of the matter is, Warner Bros. is in a state of outright PANIC as far as their "tentpole" positioning goes. The annual gaurantee of a "Harry Potter" cash-deluge has been carrying the studio for the last decade - that's an ETERNITY in executive years - comes to an end a few months from now. The year after that, the other cash-cow, Christopher Nolan's "Batman" movies, wraps up with what Nolan's camp has openly called a "definitive" ending. And after that... they've got NOTHING in the way of garaunteed, reliable income.
Robinov and others have been saying for a year now that the plan is for a string of non-Batman DC superhero movies to take Potter's place, but thus far either WB are the best secret-keepers in the studio system (spoiler: they aren't) OR the "we don't know what to do with anyone who isn't Batman" rule remains firmly in place: The buzz on "Green Lantern" has been iffy-to-negative from day one, and the ONLY reason "Superman" is coming together so fast and attracting so much name talent is that Warners is working/spending like MAD to get the thing made before a big chunk of the rights switch over to Siegel & Schuster's estates after the most recent court decision.
The article also mentions "rebooting" Batman after "Dark Knight Rises," which is sort of a given - though one hopes they just mean getting a new actor/director/style and not a full on "let's make the origin story AGAIN" like Sony is doing for Spider-Man.
Don't get me wrong - a JL movie is a fine idea: Far and away the best move WB coluld make, both in terms of their (probable) need for an answer to "Avengers" and also as a kind of proving-ground for future franchises: "People seemed to like runs-fast-man, give him a movie!" I just don't expect them to actually go through with it anytime soon... unless people come out of "Captain America" RAVING about the innevitable "Avengers" tease; in which case it'll have a green light before Sunday's numbers even come in.
The fact of the matter is, Warner Bros. is in a state of outright PANIC as far as their "tentpole" positioning goes. The annual gaurantee of a "Harry Potter" cash-deluge has been carrying the studio for the last decade - that's an ETERNITY in executive years - comes to an end a few months from now. The year after that, the other cash-cow, Christopher Nolan's "Batman" movies, wraps up with what Nolan's camp has openly called a "definitive" ending. And after that... they've got NOTHING in the way of garaunteed, reliable income.
Robinov and others have been saying for a year now that the plan is for a string of non-Batman DC superhero movies to take Potter's place, but thus far either WB are the best secret-keepers in the studio system (spoiler: they aren't) OR the "we don't know what to do with anyone who isn't Batman" rule remains firmly in place: The buzz on "Green Lantern" has been iffy-to-negative from day one, and the ONLY reason "Superman" is coming together so fast and attracting so much name talent is that Warners is working/spending like MAD to get the thing made before a big chunk of the rights switch over to Siegel & Schuster's estates after the most recent court decision.
The article also mentions "rebooting" Batman after "Dark Knight Rises," which is sort of a given - though one hopes they just mean getting a new actor/director/style and not a full on "let's make the origin story AGAIN" like Sony is doing for Spider-Man.
Don't get me wrong - a JL movie is a fine idea: Far and away the best move WB coluld make, both in terms of their (probable) need for an answer to "Avengers" and also as a kind of proving-ground for future franchises: "People seemed to like runs-fast-man, give him a movie!" I just don't expect them to actually go through with it anytime soon... unless people come out of "Captain America" RAVING about the innevitable "Avengers" tease; in which case it'll have a green light before Sunday's numbers even come in.
Sunday 27 March 2011
Game OverThinker: Episode 49 (NEW!)
Here's what's happening on the other blog:
EXTREMELY pleased with how this came out - the "meat" part in the middle came together pretty cohesively, the improved greenscreen worked out and that whole final "bit" cut together better than I was expecting it to.
EXTREMELY pleased with how this came out - the "meat" part in the middle came together pretty cohesively, the improved greenscreen worked out and that whole final "bit" cut together better than I was expecting it to.
How did I miss this?
Trailer for "Future X-Cops," which doesn't seem to be (officially) available on U.S. DVD yet. Evidently, Hong Kong has decided it's time to start kicking our ass at superhero movies...
The director is Wong Jing, who also did an infamous unlicensed "Street Fighter" movie called "Future Cops" back in the 90s. Incredibly, the films seem to share the same basic plot AND star Andy Lau!
The director is Wong Jing, who also did an infamous unlicensed "Street Fighter" movie called "Future Cops" back in the 90s. Incredibly, the films seem to share the same basic plot AND star Andy Lau!
NOW SHOWING AT A BLOG NEAR YOU
Well, the 20011 Catholic Media Promotion Day has come and gone, but if you’re like me, you’re still trying to catch up on all the recommendations that were made. A complete list can be found here if you’re looking for something new to read or listen to.
One of the podcasts I checked out which will definitely be making it into my regular listening routine is The Catholic Warthog put out by Jason Elizondo. In his latest episode, Jason discusses the history of Fritos, gives his impressions on the V season finale, and, having seen the trailer for American Pie 4, gets into a discussion on our responsibilities as parents in preventing our children from seeing certain movies before they are emotionally mature enough to handle the ideas in them. If you don’t think there aren’t adults taking that responsibility serious enough, then hop on over to Catholic Lane for an article covering some of the questionable R-rated movies being shown in Catholic High Schools. In all honesty, some of the films they seem down on like Dead Man Walking, I would have no problem being shown to and discussed with the older classman. But c’mon, Hair, really? Oh, and all you homeschoolers, don’t think that you’re immune.The New York Post article informs us of a recent court ruling which opens the door to more nudity on broadcast television. So keep an eye on those remotes parents.
On the reading front, one of the blogs I picked up during the Media Promotion event is a fairly new effort called The Baptized Imagination. This is where Joe Wetterling attempts to find Catholic truth in the world of fantasy and sci-fi, so you can see the draw. Having finally gotten around to giving Firefly a viewing on Netflix streaming (I know, I know, but a guy can’t have seen everything can he?), I was particularly interested in his take on the episode The Hero of Canton.
As for some of the places I’ve been visiting regularly for awhile, The Happy Catholic (who has a book coming out, by the way) offers up some movie suggestions for Lent, Fr. Erik over at Orthometer has found yet another reason to dislike Tom Cruise, Fr. Dwight Longenecker finally gets around to watching the Book Of Eli, Fr. Philip Neri Powell has something to say about Comets, Zombies, & Righteousness, and over at Shirt Of Flame, Heather King wonders why atheists have no equivalent to The Greatest Story Ever Told.
In more mainstream news, Dick Straub visits this year’s Sundance Film Festival and comes away with the impression that spirituality is making a big comeback in movies this year, Arts & Faith chooses their Top 25 Horror Movies of All Time (Feel free to disagree. I did. Peeping Tom?), and Anthony Hopkins weenies out just a bit when asked about his beliefs in an interview for The Rite.
And finally, though it doesn’t have much of anything to do with religion, I give you the first glimpse at Roger Corman’s follow up to Sharktopus… Pirahnaconda!
See you next time.
Amy Adams is Lois Lane
So says Hero Complex.
Unless director Zack Snyder suddenly decides to his literalist-translation leanings off for this one - i.e. the new "Superman" movie doesn't look like a Superman comic beamed, unfiltered, from page to screen - it would seem Adams is carving out an interesting niche for herself as a living embodiment of female pop-mythology icons (re: The Disney Princess in "Enchanted," the "Iconic" version of Emilia Earhart in "Night at the Museum 2," now this.)
I'm given to point out that this is VERY good casting, ditto the earlier announcements of Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Johnathan and Martha Kent - though I anxiously await The Internet correcting me on that point given the irrefutable evidence that Zack Snyder is Satan because there wasn't an octopus in "Watchmen" ;)
Unless director Zack Snyder suddenly decides to his literalist-translation leanings off for this one - i.e. the new "Superman" movie doesn't look like a Superman comic beamed, unfiltered, from page to screen - it would seem Adams is carving out an interesting niche for herself as a living embodiment of female pop-mythology icons (re: The Disney Princess in "Enchanted," the "Iconic" version of Emilia Earhart in "Night at the Museum 2," now this.)
I'm given to point out that this is VERY good casting, ditto the earlier announcements of Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Johnathan and Martha Kent - though I anxiously await The Internet correcting me on that point given the irrefutable evidence that Zack Snyder is Satan because there wasn't an octopus in "Watchmen" ;)
Saturday 26 March 2011
OUTTAKES #033
Because someone’s bound to ask…
(1) The name of the movie from which the clips are taken is Curse Of The Blue Lights, perhaps the finest film ever made in Pueblo, Colorado, the City of Excellence.
and (2) Yes, I know there’s something seriously wrong with me.
Post-Movie Podcast, again
Steve Head and John Black graciously invited me back to the Post-Movie Podcast this week to talk "Sucker Punch," a DVD box-set of Andy Sedaris "classics" and the impending Blu-Ray of "Scarface." SPOILER WARNING for the plot/ending of "Sucker Punch."
Listen to it HERE.
Get the PMP on iTunes HERE.
Listen to it HERE.
Get the PMP on iTunes HERE.
Friday 25 March 2011
DVR ALERT!!!
As you all know, while I may let on as to whether I enjoyed a particular movie or not, I never go so far as to recommend anyone else actually watch it. Nope, if you’re going to spend time with the same kind of dreck I do, I’d rather you do it of your own volition instead of having me to blame. I’ve got enough to answer for.
That being said, I just noticed that TMC is scheduled to air Carnival Magic tonight at 2:00 AM eastern time. Where they dug up the courage to show this obscure nightmare of a movie, I couldn’t guess, but if you really want to see the kind of flick I seek out on a daily basis, this is it.
A magician raised by Buddhist monks who can hypnotize people with his stare, read minds, and levitate, yet still lives in a dirty trailer behind a carnival? An alcoholic wife abusing lion tamer? A talking monkey who steals cars and tries to commit suicide?
Now THIS is a children’s movie! Seriously, it is. It was rated G and marketed to the kiddie show circuits in the early 80s by director Al Adamson, the cinematic genius who brought us the likes of Psycho a Go-Go, Horror of the Blood Monsters, and Blazing Stewardesses.
And on top of everything else, it’s often quite dull.
Lord help me, I live for these kinds of movies.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to. Take comfort in the fact that, as Father John A. Hardon wrote in his book The Catholic Catechism, “that each person has his own soul, that each is personally immortal, that each is divinely multiplied by God’s creative act at the time of infusion into the body, and that each is so united with the body it animates that they form together one autonomous, i.e., self-responsible, individual.” So by God’s decree, you are your own person, unique to the world. You don’t have to subject yourself to the kinds of movies I put myself through.
But if you really want to, there’s a perfect one on tonight.
Somehow, NOT a joke...
"The Three Musketeers" - now featuring all the slo-motion aerial kung-fu, retro-futuristic steampunk flamethrowers/gun-turrets and (what appear to be) Final Fantasy-style airships Dumas surely always intended. In 3D.
Paul W.S. Anderson: The master of making ACTUAL movies that look like fake movies from parodies about how shitty movies are getting.
Paul W.S. Anderson: The master of making ACTUAL movies that look like fake movies from parodies about how shitty movies are getting.
Thursday 24 March 2011
I'll say this much for now...
...people really should get out to "Sucker Punch" this weekend.
I can't promise that everyone will "like" it; but it's the first "big" movie of 2011 that's actually worth talking about. It'll be making a lot of lists, stirring a lot of heated discussion, and being used as a baseline comparison A LOT as we head into Summer - so if nothing else you'll want to have an opinion on it.
I can't promise that everyone will "like" it; but it's the first "big" movie of 2011 that's actually worth talking about. It'll be making a lot of lists, stirring a lot of heated discussion, and being used as a baseline comparison A LOT as we head into Summer - so if nothing else you'll want to have an opinion on it.
BMC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: MY SCIENCE PROJECT
March 20, 2011: Second Sunday of Lent (Year A)
My Science Project is one of those movies that just seems to fall off of most people’s radar as the years pass. And that’s understandable in a way. As part of the unofficial teenage nerd trilogy of 1985, it’s not as funny as Weird Science or as smart as Real Genius. And the overall tone of the film staggers clumsily from scenes of typical teen movie antics like covering cars in shaving cream to moments where the kids have to gut gladiators and mow down mutants in order to survive.
But for the most part, My Science Project is still pretty enjoyable, due in most part to the cast. John Stockwell as the grease monkey who’s NEVER seen “Jedi” and Danielle von Zerneck as the geek girl who catches him on the rebound come across as natural and underplayed (von Zerneck even looks like a real nerdy girl rather than a pole dancer with a pair of glasses on). Fisher Stevens hams it up as always, but still manages to get some good lines (including my favorite, “I’m so scared, I’m thinkin’ about God!”) And it’s hard to go wrong with Dennis Hopper playing an aging 60s activist turned high school teacher (kind of like half the membership of the NEA) who likes to sniff gas to calm his nerves and eventually goes off on a maniacal rant about becoming one with the space time continuum (kind of like, well… Dennis Hopper).
And really, it’s kind of hard to go wrong with the whole idea of a space-time warp opening up inside a high school. Sure, the movie doesn’t really take full advantage of all the comic opportunities the idea presents (nothing in this film comes close to Bill & Ted’s history presentation we’d get to see just a few years later), but it’s still fun watching the kids have to fight their way through everything from Neanderthal men to Nazis, all culminating in a showdown with a T-Rex which actually looks pretty good for a pre-Jurassic park effect. So all in all, there are worse ways to kill 94 minutes than watching My Science Project.
Now, after the credits roll, if you’ve got a hankering for more stories where space and time get all higgledy-piggledy, then this week’s gospel reading might just pique your interest. This reading from Matthew is, of course, the well known story in which “Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.” This is significant because, as the Catechism explains it, “For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter's confession [that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God]. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order to "enter into his glory". Moses and Elijah had seen God's glory on the Mountain; the Law and the Prophets had announced the Messiah's sufferings. Christ's Passion is the will of the Father: the Son acts as God's servant; the cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. "The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud." So all in all, with the Big Three appearing together, and the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) in attendance as witnesses, the Transfiguration was officially a pretty big deal.
But unofficially, it gets even better. There’s a theory floating around (and I stress, it’s just a theory) that the Transfiguration might also give us a peak into the transcendent nature of God as it applies to space and time. It goes like this. The book of Exodus tells us that “The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face” and on one particular instance “the glory of the LORD settled upon Mount Sinai” and “the cloud covered it for six days”. Centuries later, the book of 1 Kings relates how the prophet Elijah “walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God” where he was instructed to "go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." It was there, after a bit of sound and fury, that Elijah heard the small, still voice of the Lord. More centuries later, the LORD walks up into the mountains, is enveloped by a blinding light and and a cloud, and holds a conversation with Moses and Elijah.
You see where this is going, don’t you? What if, in addition to all the other cosmological wonders surrounding the Transfiguration, we’re also witnessing a warping of time and space? What if the three individual trips to the mountains related in Exodus, 1 Kings, and the Gospels are all really the same event told from different perspectives, even though they’re temporally separated by hundreds of years? It’s just a theory, and there’s absolutely no danger to to our theology or faith if it turns out to be a false one. But if it is true, then what a perfect example of the immensity and incomprehensibility of our vast and mighty God. It’s even cooler than a dinosaur wrecking the school cafeteria.
Wednesday 23 March 2011
CAPTAIN AMERICA: Trailer
Shit-ton of work to do. No time for commentary.
I'm not loving the generic techno-thumpy music in this trailer - should be something more... "Greatest Generation-y," I guess. Other than that, fucking awesome. Fucking. AWESOME.
I'm not loving the generic techno-thumpy music in this trailer - should be something more... "Greatest Generation-y," I guess. Other than that, fucking awesome. Fucking. AWESOME.
3 quick things
...about the "Eastern vs. Western Game Stories" thing, which apparently everyone finds vastly more fascinating than the rest of the episode...
1.) Good Story is not the same thing as Good Writing. It's entirely plausible that Western game-writers write better screenplays - I wouldn't know, because I can neither read speak Japanese fluently nor read Kanji, and it's unfair to critique writing based on (usually poor) translation. So, yes, I'll take "every gonzo thing we can think of regardless of genre of aesthetic plus maybe somebody is a giant walrus just because" (Japan) over "Tom Clancy but shot like Black Hawk Down - unless it's period, in which case shot like Private Ryan, unless it's medieval in which case copypaste LOTR, unless it's scifi in which case Star Wars" (West.)
2.) With rare exception, I will take "characters who emote too much" over "characters who do not emote at all, or only emote flippantly." Also, I am neither an insecure 13 year-old nor a bitter 90 year-old - thusly, male characters who display quasi "feminine" traits, grow out and/or color their hair are not innately infuriating to me.
3.) Just a thought: If HUNDREDS of people rushing in to "disprove" the opinion in question keep citing as evidence, independently of one another, the SAME five or six titles - two or three of which are from the same company running on a VERY similar story engine... that MIGHT kinda be making the point for me. Just sayin.
1.) Good Story is not the same thing as Good Writing. It's entirely plausible that Western game-writers write better screenplays - I wouldn't know, because I can neither read speak Japanese fluently nor read Kanji, and it's unfair to critique writing based on (usually poor) translation. So, yes, I'll take "every gonzo thing we can think of regardless of genre of aesthetic plus maybe somebody is a giant walrus just because" (Japan) over "Tom Clancy but shot like Black Hawk Down - unless it's period, in which case shot like Private Ryan, unless it's medieval in which case copypaste LOTR, unless it's scifi in which case Star Wars" (West.)
2.) With rare exception, I will take "characters who emote too much" over "characters who do not emote at all, or only emote flippantly." Also, I am neither an insecure 13 year-old nor a bitter 90 year-old - thusly, male characters who display quasi "feminine" traits, grow out and/or color their hair are not innately infuriating to me.
3.) Just a thought: If HUNDREDS of people rushing in to "disprove" the opinion in question keep citing as evidence, independently of one another, the SAME five or six titles - two or three of which are from the same company running on a VERY similar story engine... that MIGHT kinda be making the point for me. Just sayin.
Tuesday 22 March 2011
5th Asian Film Awards Winners
Last night award winners were announced and here they are in *BLUE for some categories. To check winners in all categories go here.--//--
1/21/11
Today AFA announced the nominations for these awards and Jury President this year is none other than renowned writer, director, producer and art connoisseur, Yonfan. As we know awards ceremony will be within the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival and will take place on March 21st. These are the nominations for some of the 14 categories.
Best Film
唐山大地震 Tangshan dadizhen (Aftershock), Feng Xiaogang, China
告白 Kokuhaku (Confessions), Tetsuya Makashima, Japan
让子弹飞 Let The Bullets Fly, Wen Jiang, China
पीपली [लाइव] Peepli [Live] (Peepli Live), Anusha Rizvi and Mahmood Farooqui, India
시 Shi (Poetry), Lee Chang-dong, South Korea
*ลุงบุญมีระลึกชาติ Loong Boonmee raleuk chat (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives), Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Thailand
Best Director
Feng Xiaogang for 唐山大地震 Tangshan dadizhen (Aftershock), China
Jiang Wen for 让子弹飞 Let The Bullets Fly, China
*Lee Chang-dong for 시 Shi (Poetry), South Korea
Miike Takashi for 十三人の刺客 Juusan-nin no shikaku (13 Assassins), Japan
Na Hong-jin for 황해 Hwang Hae (The Yellow Sea), South Korea
Nakashima Tetsuya for 告白 Kokuhaku (Confessions), Japan
Best Actress
Jeon Do-yeon in 하녀 Hanyeo (The Housemaid), Im Sang-soo, South Korea
Kikuchi Rinko in ノルウェイの森 Noruwei no mori (Norwegian Wood), Japan
Matsu Takako in 告白 Kokuhaku (Confessions), Tetsuya Makashima, Japan
*Xu Fan in 唐山大地震 Tangshan dadizhen (Aftershock), Feng Xiaogang, China
Michelle Yeoh in 剑雨 Jianyu (Reign of Assassins), China, Hong Kong and Taiwan
Best Actor
Chow Yun-fat in 让子弹飞 Let The Bullets Fly, Jian Wen, China
Ge You in 赵氏孤儿 Sacrifice, Chen Kaige, China
*Ha Jung-woo in 황해 Hwang Hae (The Yellow Sea), Na Hong-jin, South Korea
Ethan Ruan Jin-Tian in 艋舺 Báng-kah (Monga), Doze Niu, Taiwan
Yakusho Koji in 十三人の刺客 Juusan-nin no shikaku (13 Assassins), Miike Takashi, Japan
Best Newcomer
*Mark Chao You-Ting in 艋舺 Báng-kah (Monga), Doze Niu, Taiwan
Aarif Lee in 歲月神偷 Sui yuet san tau (Echoes of the Rainbow),Alex Law, Hong Kong
Omkar Das Manikpuri in पीपली [लाइव] Peepli [Live] (Peepli Live), Anusha Rizvi and Mahmood Farooqui, India
T.O.P. in 포화속으로 Pohwa Sokeuro (71: Into The Fire), John H. Lee, South Korea
Zhou Dongyu in 山楂树之恋 Shan zha shu zhi lian (Under The Hawthorn Tree), Yimou Zhang, China
To check nominees in other categories please go here. Have seen some of these movies, but there are a few that been doubting watching but now will give them a try; then of course I’m dying to watch Confessions, even when story must be hard to watch, but I also know that Japanese cinema does extraordinary narrative and visuals that make film a lot easier to watch and enjoy. From those that haven't watch there are too many war movies, but definitively will watch Let The Bullets Fly that's a comedy (!) Chinese style of course.
Monday 21 March 2011
"Attack The Block"
Trailer for THE big hit of SXSW - a group of teen-and-younger UK street toughs (and Nick Frost) defending their block (read: housing project) from alien invaders:
Stateside, the film's hype has been almost overshadowed by rumors that distributors are considering dubbing or subtitling it because of the thick English accents. Yes, this again.
Y'ever notice how this ONLY ever comes up with contemporary and/or urban-set British films? I think that's the real issue... whether people realize it or not: It's not so much that most Americans don't "understand" the accents, it's that they don't think of the UK as having an existence outside of cottage country or posh period-dramas. When Joe n' Jane Sixpack hear English accents coming out of these kids - who look just like "our" street kids - or the contemporary gangsters in Guy Ritchie movies, it doesn't "add up" to them: "Wait wait... they've got GHETTOS in England? Holy shit... they've got BLACK PEOPLE, too!!?? When did that happen!!!??"
(UK readers, seriously - "Harry Brown" was THE scariest movie that American middlebrow yuppie-scum saw last year, because they always only thought of your country as a wholly-pleasant, genteel place they might "escape" to if things just get too sketchy here.)
Stateside, the film's hype has been almost overshadowed by rumors that distributors are considering dubbing or subtitling it because of the thick English accents. Yes, this again.
Y'ever notice how this ONLY ever comes up with contemporary and/or urban-set British films? I think that's the real issue... whether people realize it or not: It's not so much that most Americans don't "understand" the accents, it's that they don't think of the UK as having an existence outside of cottage country or posh period-dramas. When Joe n' Jane Sixpack hear English accents coming out of these kids - who look just like "our" street kids - or the contemporary gangsters in Guy Ritchie movies, it doesn't "add up" to them: "Wait wait... they've got GHETTOS in England? Holy shit... they've got BLACK PEOPLE, too!!?? When did that happen!!!??"
(UK readers, seriously - "Harry Brown" was THE scariest movie that American middlebrow yuppie-scum saw last year, because they always only thought of your country as a wholly-pleasant, genteel place they might "escape" to if things just get too sketchy here.)
Saturday 19 March 2011
"Zangief Kid" is alright by me
(Warning: Video clip is pretty brutal)
By now people have probably seen this, either in it's original form (after the jump) or in "remixed" form with Street Fighter sound effects. It's been all over the net, turning it's "hero" into an interweb sensation.
Short version: A "stocky" schoolkid in Sydney, Australia who has apparently been a long time victim of bullying, was being verbally and physically assaulted by another classmate... and did something about it. Specifically, he grabbed the bully, hoisted him into the air and smashed him head-first into the ground, "pile-driver" style - amazingly, the bully was apparently not seriously injured. The incident was caught on tape - where it can be seen that the bully was being "cheered on" by several others at the time. Both boys were temporarily suspended, but "Zangief Kid" (nicknamed for an Street Fighter character with a piledriver move) has already become the latest internet nerd-culture folk hero. Onetime victims of similar torment have offered praise; and "Anonymous" has turned it's Sauron-esque gaze upon the school, the bully and his family.
I've been hesitant to jump right in on this one, because you can just FEEL the other shoe waiting to drop... but yeah, I'm sorry - I have NO real problem with this whatsoever. Yes, it'd be nice if bullies and all other problems could be solved without violence. Yes, a piledriver on concrete is possibly a touch too far, YES, "Zangief Kid" and his "fans" are all lucky as HELL that the bully in question wasn't killed - which looks to have been a distinct possibility.
But... yeah, on behalf of bullied kids and especially bullied "fat kids" in the past, present and future... ROCK ON, kid.
By now people have probably seen this, either in it's original form (after the jump) or in "remixed" form with Street Fighter sound effects. It's been all over the net, turning it's "hero" into an interweb sensation.
Short version: A "stocky" schoolkid in Sydney, Australia who has apparently been a long time victim of bullying, was being verbally and physically assaulted by another classmate... and did something about it. Specifically, he grabbed the bully, hoisted him into the air and smashed him head-first into the ground, "pile-driver" style - amazingly, the bully was apparently not seriously injured. The incident was caught on tape - where it can be seen that the bully was being "cheered on" by several others at the time. Both boys were temporarily suspended, but "Zangief Kid" (nicknamed for an Street Fighter character with a piledriver move) has already become the latest internet nerd-culture folk hero. Onetime victims of similar torment have offered praise; and "Anonymous" has turned it's Sauron-esque gaze upon the school, the bully and his family.
I've been hesitant to jump right in on this one, because you can just FEEL the other shoe waiting to drop... but yeah, I'm sorry - I have NO real problem with this whatsoever. Yes, it'd be nice if bullies and all other problems could be solved without violence. Yes, a piledriver on concrete is possibly a touch too far, YES, "Zangief Kid" and his "fans" are all lucky as HELL that the bully in question wasn't killed - which looks to have been a distinct possibility.
But... yeah, on behalf of bullied kids and especially bullied "fat kids" in the past, present and future... ROCK ON, kid.
Friday 18 March 2011
And this week's bad turn of luck for Guillermo del Toro is...
New Pet Theory: Guillermo del Toro is "Movie Geek Christ" - the Film Gods allow him and his various passion projects to be repeatedly crucified for the sins of all other projects, so that they might live to see a greenlight.
Today's round of whippings: "Pacific Rim," the Kaiju-tribute giant-monster movie he signed onto when "At The Mountains of Madness" as refused a go-ahead by Universal, is now going to need an extensive rewrite to remove references to destruction in Japan - for obvious reasons. Making things stranger, Legendary Pictures (the producers) are apparently leaning HARD on del Toro to also rewrite the script so that the "main" monster is Godzilla, rather than whatever the original was.
"Rim" started out as a hotly-pursued spec-script in which a portal to another dimension opens up in the ocean and starts spitting-out Godzilla-style giant monsters, which humanity (apparently) resists using giant robot battlesuits. That THAT premise can now be an original spec that becomes a bidding-war blockbuster is kind of wonderful.
The no-more-Japan thing makes total sense... but the Godzilla angle sounds suspiciously phony. Everyone knows that Legendary bought "Rim" at first looking to possibly rewrite it into a Godzilla movie... except they later signed "Monsters" Gareth Edwards to a straightforward Godzilla reboot a few months ago. For this to be true, they'd have to have canceled Edwards' project, or is this more of a crossover/cameo thing?
Either way, not good news - because del Toro's general reaction to studio interference is to just pack up and move on... and it's getting to the point where I'm worried the guy might just up and retire at this point.
Today's round of whippings: "Pacific Rim," the Kaiju-tribute giant-monster movie he signed onto when "At The Mountains of Madness" as refused a go-ahead by Universal, is now going to need an extensive rewrite to remove references to destruction in Japan - for obvious reasons. Making things stranger, Legendary Pictures (the producers) are apparently leaning HARD on del Toro to also rewrite the script so that the "main" monster is Godzilla, rather than whatever the original was.
"Rim" started out as a hotly-pursued spec-script in which a portal to another dimension opens up in the ocean and starts spitting-out Godzilla-style giant monsters, which humanity (apparently) resists using giant robot battlesuits. That THAT premise can now be an original spec that becomes a bidding-war blockbuster is kind of wonderful.
The no-more-Japan thing makes total sense... but the Godzilla angle sounds suspiciously phony. Everyone knows that Legendary bought "Rim" at first looking to possibly rewrite it into a Godzilla movie... except they later signed "Monsters" Gareth Edwards to a straightforward Godzilla reboot a few months ago. For this to be true, they'd have to have canceled Edwards' project, or is this more of a crossover/cameo thing?
Either way, not good news - because del Toro's general reaction to studio interference is to just pack up and move on... and it's getting to the point where I'm worried the guy might just up and retire at this point.
Wonder Woman looks like Wonder Woman...
...would look as rendered by a higher-end Cosplayer.
On the OTHER hand... gah! What's with the cheezy reflective-latex look? Again, I like the DESIGN... but ye gods, the material makes it look like she's wearing a WW costume for a Halloween episode of some other show, not "playing" the character. Maybe it looks better under proper lighting?
Actually, I'm wondering if A.) this IS the "real" final outfit, and B.) if, in that case, the cheese-factor is supposed to be the point. The audition tapes had actresses reading from a script where the character referenced her "old" outfit as being less "appropriate" than her current one, and bemoaning that people still considered the old one more "iconic." This pretty-much IS the old one, just with pants. So maybe this is meant for "flashbacks" to the older suit, and the silly-looking material is meant to accenuate how "lame" it was?
Of course... that same script/scene ALSO involved WW being insecure about her breasts not being big enough (really) and based on this image that's just NOT going to be a believable sentiment; so it goes without saying that the script itself has probably undergone post-casting changes.
I'll say this... she looks better than Nu-Spidey does, so far.
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EW (hat tip to Devin) has the first image of Adrianne Pallicki in-costume as Wonder Woman in David E. Kelley's new TV series. Let's call this the ultimate in mixed-bag results: On the one hand, it's somewhat shockingly faithful - there's absolutely no mistaking who this is supposed to be, and while I'm always more fond of the bare-leg look (both because it emphasizes the athleticism of the character and YES, also for more obvious reasons) the blue pants thing is a reasonable compromise for an actress doing a weekly series. Really surprised they kept the heels.
Actually, I'm wondering if A.) this IS the "real" final outfit, and B.) if, in that case, the cheese-factor is supposed to be the point. The audition tapes had actresses reading from a script where the character referenced her "old" outfit as being less "appropriate" than her current one, and bemoaning that people still considered the old one more "iconic." This pretty-much IS the old one, just with pants. So maybe this is meant for "flashbacks" to the older suit, and the silly-looking material is meant to accenuate how "lame" it was?
Of course... that same script/scene ALSO involved WW being insecure about her breasts not being big enough (really) and based on this image that's just NOT going to be a believable sentiment; so it goes without saying that the script itself has probably undergone post-casting changes.
I'll say this... she looks better than Nu-Spidey does, so far.
BMC MOVIE OF THE WEEK: IT!
March 13, 2011: First Sunday of Lent (Year A)
In chapter one of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes Of Wrath, the author spends about three pages describing the arduous journey of a turtle trying to cross a dusty road in the middle of east bumble Oklahoma. It’s a parable meant to foreshadow the trials and tribulations which the book’s family of migrant workers will encounter as they make the trek to California. Unfortunately, there’s just no escaping the fact that' it’s still three pages about a turtle crossing a road. Three… long… freaking… pages.
Contrast that with Herbert J. Leder’s It! in which there is a sequence where the British army fires a single shell from a bazooka at the unmoving titular monster. When it has no affect, they roll up a tank and try again. After these two (and only two) shots, a newspaper headline is flashed across the screen informing the world that the military has declared the still immobile Golem nigh invulnerable. Immediately following this, Roddy McDowell turns on the radio just in time to hear an announcement declaring that Parliament has approved the decision to drop a nuclear warhead on top of the completely sedentary seven foot tall creature. Not throw some rope around it and try to drag it away or anything else like that, mind you, but to just go ahead and nuke it. By my timing, the entire sequence from bazooka to bomb takes about one minute and twenty-six seconds. Now that’s how you advance a story, Steinbeck, you hack!
And that’s exactly how It! proceeds. For a movie that consists almost entirely of people standing around and talking, the actual plot of It! whizzes along at a breakneck speed. Early in the movie, we get a scene in which it is revealed that the museum’s young assistant curator Arthur is keeping the preserved corpse of his mother in his flat ala Psycho. It’s weird, and I suppose it tells us something about McDowell’s character, but the mum-my never even appears again except for one brief scene near the end. How did Arthur manage to get his mother’s body in this state and how come nobody is aware of her death? Who cares, move on. When Jim, the representative from an American museum, arrives to take possession of the Golem, he invites Arthur and his unrequited love Ellen to lunch. A few scenes later, none of which involve Jim and Ellen, the American announces he is taking both the Golem AND the woman back to the states with him. When did this whirlwind romance take place? Who cares, keep moving. And what about when Arthur and the Golem break into Ellen’s apartment, rip the whole place apart, and kidnap her? Oh, you missed that part? Well, that’s because the movie NEVER SHOWED IT TO YOU! You only found out because it came up in a conversation between Jim and the police. Who cares, keep moving!
It’s incredible. Almost all of the action in It!, including every single time the Golem kills someone, takes place off-screen. We only learn about the events when someone walks into a room and mentions them. For a horror film, even one on a tight budget, this kind of thing is ridiculous. But you know, in real life, it can be like that sometimes. We humans can get so involved in our day to day routines that we allow things of momentous import to simply pass us by. That’s why one the fraternal mottos of the Knights of Columbus is Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori, or Time Flies, Remember Death. It’s there to remind the Knights that we all are, much like the Golem itself, creatures of “clay”. The Catechism attests to this when it references this week’s first reading. “The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that "then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." And as the Knight’s motto implies, what came from the dust will one day return to the dust. Much too quickly. Just ask Father McGivney, the priest who instituted that oath for the Knights. He died of pneumonia at the age of 36.
There’s a lot going on right now for everyone, from personal problems to literally earth shattering events. But the Lenten season and it’s focus on “dust” behooves us not to let the most important thing in our lives pass us by off-screen. Speaking on an Ash Wednesday in 1996, Pope John Paul II declared that “Today we need to hear the "you are dust and to dust you will return"… so that the definitive truth of the Gospel, the truth about the Resurrection, will unfold before us: believe in the Gospel. On the threshold of Lent, it is necessary that this perspective be opened before us, so that we may believe deeply in the Gospel with all the truth of our mortal existence. We are called to take part in the Resurrection of Christ. For this appeal to resound within us with all its force at the beginning of the Lenten season, let us realize what death means… "You are dust"… "Repent!… Believe in the Gospel"!
Thursday 17 March 2011
"Boston Movie"
Head's up, trailer-mashup creators... a new standard has been set:
Boston Movie Trailer - watch more funny videos
Aronofsky off "Wolverine"
Darren Aronofsky has abruptly dropped out of "The Wolverine," which was supposed to start shooting in a few months, to spend more time with his family - yes, really, the original "diplomatic answer."
Wasn't Fox supposed to be getting LESS impossible to work with on genre projects?
Wasn't Fox supposed to be getting LESS impossible to work with on genre projects?
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Red Dawn Remake Gets Stupider
This is pretty incredible: MGM is worried that the Red Dawn remake they've had sitting (completed!) on the shelf for 2 years will make China mad at them; so they're going to digitally change ALL the bad guys' "stuff" and just call them North Koreans. Really. They DO realize that Chinese and Korean people are a COMPLETELY different ethnicity, right?
Tuesday 15 March 2011
NOW SHOWING AT A BLOG NEAR YOU: CATHOLIC MEDIA PROMOTION DAY
The day has arrived where everyone with a blog, podcast, or Facebook page is encouraged to list their favorite 3 blogs, 3 podcasts, 3 other media, 3 random Catholic things online. Now, as you can guess by the size of my blog rolls over there, being forced to limit my choices to no more than three seems like something of an injustice, but you gotta do what you gotta do. For my recommendations, I’m going to try and choose those Catholic sites which relate in some way to the themes found here.
BLOGS
| Acts Of The Apostasy | We like a good laugh around these parts, and if you want humor, then you’re sort of required to stop by LarryD’s place. |
| Decent Films | I realize there are some people who actually like to watch so-called good movies, so Steven D. Greydanus’ blog is as good a place as any to find reviews of some from a Catholic perspective. |
| The Sci-Fi Catholic | D.G.D. Davidson’s site is actually on (permanent?) hiatus while he’s in the seminary and abroad, but you’re bound to find some interesting book and movie reviews in his archives. Just take care not to upset Snuffles. |
PODCASTS
| The Catholic Laboratory | A podcast and website about the Catholic faith and science. Not mad science, mind you, but good stuff anyway. |
| A Good Story Is Hard To Find | Julie D from the Happy Catholic and Scott D. Danielson from Rivets and Trees get together and discuss books from a Catholic perspective. Some of them have spaceships and zombies in them. |
| St. Irenaeus Ministries | St. Irenaeus Ministries is a center of orthodox Catholic mission and renewal in Rochester, NY offering some of the best audio scripture studies around. |
OTHER MEDIA (For this, I’m going with apps for my Android)
| iCatholicRadio | Mostly live feeds from EWTN delivered straight to your phone, but that’s not a bad thing. |
| Catholic One | The interface leaves a little to be desired, but this app gives you a prayer book, a rosary, the liturgy of the hours, the stations of the cross, AND access to the NAB. It’s a pretty good Swiss army knife of a Catholic app. |
| DivineOffice.org | An excellent audio Liturgy Of The Hours you can download or stream to your phone. Great for those times you’re stuck in the car at prayer time. The Android app is actually still under construction, but I think they deserve a mention anyway. |
Well, that’s my contribution. Be sure to head over to the Wall at Facebook.com/PromoteCatholicism and see what everyone else likes.
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