Happy Halloween! Good news, THE LEGO MOVIE still looks like the best thing ever:
Thursday 31 October 2013
PODCAST 71: Halloween 4 & Halloween 5 [Michael Myers Edition]
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Tuesday 29 October 2013
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAzzz...
Well... it's still early yet, right?
I'm not sure what feels more low-rent/half-assed about this first DOFP trailer: Using both the "Sunshine" AND "The Thin Red Line" scores - the most overused trailer-music lifts outside of "Crimson Tide" and "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" - or having Wolverine spell out why it's stupid to send Wolverine on this mission (quantum-leaping back into his 1970s self to help the cast of "First Class" fight Tyrion Lannister's army of Transformers and presumably retcon "X3" and "Origins" further out of existence) for no other reason than "he's the popular one."
Hey - remember that part in "The Avengers" where everyone else just hung back and did nothing the whole time so the camera could focus on Iron Man because he's the money-shot? Oh, right... they didn't do that.
I'm sure it'll be just fine, but there's no shaking the sense that "First Class" was probably as good as this series was going to get while still moored to the first two Bryan Singer entries. With apologies to Singer... the guy was never cut-out to make blockbusters like this, and he probably wouldn't be doing them at all if the first "X-Men" hadn't been so surprisingly-not-shit-for-a-pre-"Spider-Man"-superhero-movie. Maybe he'll pull this one off, and better him than Ratner again, but still...
I'm not sure what feels more low-rent/half-assed about this first DOFP trailer: Using both the "Sunshine" AND "The Thin Red Line" scores - the most overused trailer-music lifts outside of "Crimson Tide" and "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" - or having Wolverine spell out why it's stupid to send Wolverine on this mission (quantum-leaping back into his 1970s self to help the cast of "First Class" fight Tyrion Lannister's army of Transformers and presumably retcon "X3" and "Origins" further out of existence) for no other reason than "he's the popular one."
Hey - remember that part in "The Avengers" where everyone else just hung back and did nothing the whole time so the camera could focus on Iron Man because he's the money-shot? Oh, right... they didn't do that.
I'm sure it'll be just fine, but there's no shaking the sense that "First Class" was probably as good as this series was going to get while still moored to the first two Bryan Singer entries. With apologies to Singer... the guy was never cut-out to make blockbusters like this, and he probably wouldn't be doing them at all if the first "X-Men" hadn't been so surprisingly-not-shit-for-a-pre-"Spider-Man"-superhero-movie. Maybe he'll pull this one off, and better him than Ratner again, but still...
Monday 28 October 2013
October Expiration Watch (2013)
As with every month, it's time to say goodbye to some exceptional titles that will no longer be streaming on Netflix. This time around, those among the fallen include Wes Anderson, the Coen Brothers, Woody Allen (again), Sam Raimi, a Best Picture winner, a sci-fi sleeper, and two of Francis Ford Coppola's most interesting, least-seen films (along with one of his best). Oh, and Jack Nicholson playing faux Jimi Hendrix in a ponytail.
If this wasn't the first of the "cabin-in-the-woods"-type horror films (it wasn't), then it certainly helped codify the rules for such movies, igniting a mini-franchise for first-time director Sam Raimi, a cult following for star Bruce Campbell, and a subgenre that's been exploited to the point of post-modern excess (see: Joss Whedon's giddily entertaining The Cabin in the Woods). Sure, Raimi's budgets and technique would improve exponentially in the years to come, but there's no mistaking his ghoulish glee at mixing horror, humor and gore with founts of foul, unidentifiable fluids. We'll consider it a sick joke on Netflix's part that this movie expires at midnight on Halloween. Meanwhile, Evil Dead 2 remains available if you're still looking for something gooey and dangerous to lock in your cellar. Trivia note: We all know the heights to which Raimi's career eventually reached (can you say Spider-Man?)�but did you know The Evil Dead's young assistant editor was none other than Joel Coen? Speaking of whom...
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The Evil Dead (1981)
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Saturday 26 October 2013
Dismissed
This year's (mostly complete) Halloween costume, as I continually checking off the list of "guys I maybe kinda look like in certain clothes" ...SGT. SLAUGHTER (G.I. Joe-era uniform, for you completists):
Basically, my physique is ideal for certain pre-WWII cartoon characters, certain early arcade characters and any heavyweight pro-wrestler from before the bodybuilding/steroid era. So there's that...
Basically, my physique is ideal for certain pre-WWII cartoon characters, certain early arcade characters and any heavyweight pro-wrestler from before the bodybuilding/steroid era. So there's that...
Well, This Looks Dissapointing...
...I'd say really dissapointing, but until this moment I'd completely forgotten they were even making this. Oh, well.
Are Mr. Peabody & Sherman really a property that "exists" for the audience this seems to be aimed at? They were probably the best remembered of the Rocky & Bullwinkle supporting features, but I feel like it's been a long time since reruns of that were any level of kiddie-TV staple. Nevermind that turning them into a spectacle-driven 3D movie largely misses the appeal of the various Jay Ward cartoons; which were minimally animated and relied on sharp, radio-style verbal comedy and intentionally groan-inducing puns for their laughs - hence why they outlasted so many of their 'toon contemporaries.
On the plus side, Rob Minkoff (late of "The Lion King,") has the director's chair, so that's something.
Are Mr. Peabody & Sherman really a property that "exists" for the audience this seems to be aimed at? They were probably the best remembered of the Rocky & Bullwinkle supporting features, but I feel like it's been a long time since reruns of that were any level of kiddie-TV staple. Nevermind that turning them into a spectacle-driven 3D movie largely misses the appeal of the various Jay Ward cartoons; which were minimally animated and relied on sharp, radio-style verbal comedy and intentionally groan-inducing puns for their laughs - hence why they outlasted so many of their 'toon contemporaries.
On the plus side, Rob Minkoff (late of "The Lion King,") has the director's chair, so that's something.
Friday 25 October 2013
NOW SHOWING AT A BLOG NEAR YOU
Look, I know I was complaining earlier about the lack of scary movies in theaters this Halloween, but I was talking about the fun make-believe kind. 12 Years A Slave, which I reviewed for Aleteia this week, is an all too real horror story. Still, if you don’t mind being reminded just how terrible people can be to their fellow man, then it’s definitely a movie worth watching.
But you can only sit through so many depictions of real human misery before it’s time to take a little fantasy break. Fortunately, while the multiplexes may have forgotten Halloween for the most part, the blogosphere hasn’t. Edward Mordrake at Crisis Magazine takes a look at the presentation of evil in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, while Terry Mattingly at Get religion gives The Exorcist yet another viewing.
In more general overviews of terror, Jason Dietz at Non-Modern considers the genre of werewolf films and their reflection of the curse of sin on mankind. Meanwhile, A. T. Ross from Speculative Faith discusses ways in which we can redeem zombies by diving into the symbols and spirituality buried (so to speak) in the tales of the walking dead.
Of course, it just wouldn’t be Halloween if someone didn’t take up the perennial question of whether or not Christians should celebrate the holiday or not. This year the honor falls to Sean Fitzpatrick at Crisis Magazine, who takes the yea side with his post, All Hallows Eve or Halloween?, and C. W. Lyons at Catholic Exchange, who falls on the nay side with his article, The Mystery & Modern Mayhem of Halloween.
Curious as to which side of the debate the ever popular Simcha Fisher falls on? Perhaps her post on making her son a paper mache Army of Darkness chainsaw hand might give you a clue.
And that, my friends, is as a good a place to end this edition of Now Showing as any. See you next time.
Thursday 24 October 2013
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER Trailer
So it's Captain America versus Halliburton, basically. I can deal:
Wow, that looks really good - Captain America as a Marvel/American James Bond, or maybe a "Bourne" movie without its head up its ass. Just wish I could enjoy the Hellicarrier crashing over D.C. without having traumatic flashbacks to "Into Darkness."
It's odd that there isn't more dialogue laying out who and what is supposed to be going on (how many people are going to "get" that The Winter Soldier refers to the guy with the robot-arm?) but it looks like borrowing the broad strokes of Ed Brubaker's pre-"Civil War" books is a good solution to making the man-out-of-time angle work: Cap essentially fighting against post-9/11 paranoid/corrupt militarism is a nice way of stripping out the more discordant stuff ("um, Steve... didn't they still have Whites Only bathrooms in your day?") from the "WWII-era Good America returns to teach Modern America a lesson" angle that's built into the character.
I'm still not a fan of the drab new outfit, though, but compared to how cool the rest of this looks that's small potatoes - Batman has had a shitty costume in every single one of his eight theatrical movies and those average-out pretty decently (really, only Schumacher's second and Nolan's third are outright BAD films). Plus, I'm getting the sense it's a thematic thing along with the bigger plot. Post-"Avengers" S.H.I.E.L.D morphing into something evil (I want Robert Redford's obviously evil government/business guy to pull of his rubber "human" face to reveal The Red Skull, Baron Zemo or Arnim Zola in the worst way... but hat might read as kind of a mean joke from Redford's perspective - and yes, I know he's probably just Lukin from Brubaker's run) seems to be a big element of this, and Cap ditching "their" version of his uniform would be an easy symbolic moment for Act 3.
Plus, it looks very much like the guys we see him fighting in a version of the classic costume are wearing modern-day tactical gear - y'know what'd be great? If, since they're in D.C., he broke into the Smithsonian to steal the original or a replica thereof (leaving behind a very polite "sorry" note and some cash to cover the cost of the glass, of course.)
Wow, that looks really good - Captain America as a Marvel/American James Bond, or maybe a "Bourne" movie without its head up its ass. Just wish I could enjoy the Hellicarrier crashing over D.C. without having traumatic flashbacks to "Into Darkness."
It's odd that there isn't more dialogue laying out who and what is supposed to be going on (how many people are going to "get" that The Winter Soldier refers to the guy with the robot-arm?) but it looks like borrowing the broad strokes of Ed Brubaker's pre-"Civil War" books is a good solution to making the man-out-of-time angle work: Cap essentially fighting against post-9/11 paranoid/corrupt militarism is a nice way of stripping out the more discordant stuff ("um, Steve... didn't they still have Whites Only bathrooms in your day?") from the "WWII-era Good America returns to teach Modern America a lesson" angle that's built into the character.
I'm still not a fan of the drab new outfit, though, but compared to how cool the rest of this looks that's small potatoes - Batman has had a shitty costume in every single one of his eight theatrical movies and those average-out pretty decently (really, only Schumacher's second and Nolan's third are outright BAD films). Plus, I'm getting the sense it's a thematic thing along with the bigger plot. Post-"Avengers" S.H.I.E.L.D morphing into something evil (I want Robert Redford's obviously evil government/business guy to pull of his rubber "human" face to reveal The Red Skull, Baron Zemo or Arnim Zola in the worst way... but hat might read as kind of a mean joke from Redford's perspective - and yes, I know he's probably just Lukin from Brubaker's run) seems to be a big element of this, and Cap ditching "their" version of his uniform would be an easy symbolic moment for Act 3.
Plus, it looks very much like the guys we see him fighting in a version of the classic costume are wearing modern-day tactical gear - y'know what'd be great? If, since they're in D.C., he broke into the Smithsonian to steal the original or a replica thereof (leaving behind a very polite "sorry" note and some cash to cover the cost of the glass, of course.)
Wednesday 23 October 2013
GIVEAWAY: The Conjuring - Win the BLU-RAY!
Hey there you filthy animals, we've been asked to help give away a spankin' new copy of The Conjuring on Blu-Ray! Many of you may already be fans of this haunted house flick, we sure are as you may remember from Cory's written review and Podcast 58.
Does Captain America Have ANOTHER New Costume in "THE WINTER SOLDIER?"
Below is (sigh) the teaser for the trailer for "CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER," the actual trailer for which should be hitting the web sometime Thursday. There's little of note to be seen, save for small details like a Washington D.C. setting, the presence of Nick Fury and Black Widow sporting her third new haircut in as many movies...
...except that bit at 0:10, which appears to show Cap wearing a uniform that's different from the odd-looking all-blue number that had been teased for the film previously. - but is also not the same as either of his prior getups. So what's the deal?
At firs glance, it looks like he's just wearing his WWII era uniform - which would imply that this is a flashback. But it's not precisely the same gear: The fabric is different, for one thing, but most obviously the torso has an extra red stripe in the center which the "First Avenger" costume lacked - it looks like a hybrid between the WWII and "Avengers"-era looks, which is fine by me.
Presumably, we'll get a better sense of what might be up from the full trailer whenever they decide to put it up.
...except that bit at 0:10, which appears to show Cap wearing a uniform that's different from the odd-looking all-blue number that had been teased for the film previously. - but is also not the same as either of his prior getups. So what's the deal?
At firs glance, it looks like he's just wearing his WWII era uniform - which would imply that this is a flashback. But it's not precisely the same gear: The fabric is different, for one thing, but most obviously the torso has an extra red stripe in the center which the "First Avenger" costume lacked - it looks like a hybrid between the WWII and "Avengers"-era looks, which is fine by me.
Presumably, we'll get a better sense of what might be up from the full trailer whenever they decide to put it up.
PODCAST 70: Top 10 EHFF Films & Absentia [Official Selection Edition]
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER Poster
Back to the camera/glance-over-the-shoulder is a bit of a cliche, but it's a nice image - and the placement of the shield here does double duty obscuring the changes to the uniform, saving the discussion about that (I'm still not a fan) for the trailer apparently set to drop later this week.Also, the placement in the middle of the cargo door forms a subliminal "A," so that's fun. The geographic placement of those D.C. landmarks looks a little... "off," though, right?
Is anyone taking odds on whether any of the "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D" characters will turn up here? It feels more appropriate than were they to pop up in "Thor," and Cap gets name-checked on the show more often than the other Avengers (so far.) I'd enjoy that, it'd be like when The Lone Gunmen were in the "X-Files" movie - except, y'know, somebody would give a shit.
ANCHORMAN 2 Trailer Inspires Less Confidence Than It Should
Oh, don't get me wrong - this is funny... but so far it seems like the only thing the "ANCHORMAN 2" trailers are selling is more scenes of The News Team dicking around, which was only one of the components that made the original so worthwhile.
Also, while I'm glad to see that Christina Applegate is back as Veronica and part of the story, it feels like a reduced role or even a cameo - which is disappointing.
I understand the probable logic - this sequel seems to be about Ron dealing poorly with race the same way he dealt poorly with feminism in the original, so a new character has effectively taken Veronica's role - but I think people underestimate how important her part (the supposed "straight-man" whose just as nuts as everyone else) was to the chemistry that made the film work.
Also, while I'm glad to see that Christina Applegate is back as Veronica and part of the story, it feels like a reduced role or even a cameo - which is disappointing.
I understand the probable logic - this sequel seems to be about Ron dealing poorly with race the same way he dealt poorly with feminism in the original, so a new character has effectively taken Veronica's role - but I think people underestimate how important her part (the supposed "straight-man" whose just as nuts as everyone else) was to the chemistry that made the film work.
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Monday 21 October 2013
PODCAST SPECIAL: Eerie Horror Film Festival 2013 [Day Three]
PODCAST SPECIAL: Eerie Horror Film Festival 2013 [Day Two]
Sunday 20 October 2013
SHORT FEATURE – THE SHINING IN 8-BIT
What’s going on in Hollywood? It’s Halloween season and the best the multiplexes can muster up in the way of scary movies is another tired remake? Is that really all we’re getting? Oh well, it is what it is. You can check out my review of the latest take on Carrie over at Aleteia. Trust me, if you’ve seen even one of the four previous versions of this story (I highly recommend tracking down the 1988 musical on YouTube for some jaw-dropping hilarity), then there’s absolutely nothing new for you in this one. Now, maybe if they had taken a different approach, like say in this remake of The Shining…
Well, it’s like I keep telling my kids, there’s always more than one way to tell a story. That’s true even in the Bible. The books of Kings and the books of Chronicles overlap one another, but with varying perspectives due to the different times they were written in. And, of course, the four Gospels cover pretty much the same material (give or take a few incidents), but each has a different audience in mind, and so each has a distinct feel, not to mention theological emphasis, from the other three. Mark concentrates on Jesus as a man like ourselves, while John emphasizes Jesus' divine nature. Matthew details the Jewishness of Jesus, while Luke concentrates on how he relates to the gentiles. Each gospel tells the same story, and yet each brings something fresh to the story, some new insight into our relationship with God through Jesus.
Alas, Hollywood seems to have learned little from the Gospels. Oh, occasionally we’ll get something like John Carpenter’s The Thing or David Cronenberg’s The Fly, but for the most part we get remakes like Carrie, movies that cover the same exact ground as their predecessors while offering little new insight to the characters or situations. These things have little reason to exist other than to make a quick buck, but that’s the only reason Hollywood needs to keep making them anyway, so we’re stuck with them. And I’ll have to go review them, probably even the upcoming remake of (why, Lord, why) Endless Love. Now that’ll be scary.
G.O v G.T.A V
For those who don't regularly peruse The Other Blog (I wonder if I should fold the two into one thing... by which I mean I wonder how much Adsense revenue would I actually be giving up) the most recent episode of GAME OVERTHINKER went up last week.
It's about GTA V, and since we're still sixteen days out from the release of Hardcore Gaming's next obligatory AAA money-printing aparatus that means GTA V is still theoretically a relevant topic of conversation for... sixteen more days, pretty much. So enjoy.
P.S. There's also a lower-quality YouTube version.
It's about GTA V, and since we're still sixteen days out from the release of Hardcore Gaming's next obligatory AAA money-printing aparatus that means GTA V is still theoretically a relevant topic of conversation for... sixteen more days, pretty much. So enjoy.
P.S. There's also a lower-quality YouTube version.
Saturday 19 October 2013
PODCAST SPECIAL: Eerie Horror Film Festival 2013 [Day One]
Escape to The Movies: CARRIE (2013)
No good. But you knew that.
Intermission has Fifth Estate, which I did not object to, which of course means I'm part of the global corporate/military/Freemason conspiracy to smear the benevolent and just Julian Assange. Oh, well.
Intermission has Fifth Estate, which I did not object to, which of course means I'm part of the global corporate/military/Freemason conspiracy to smear the benevolent and just Julian Assange. Oh, well.
Wednesday 16 October 2013
Told You Zack Snyder Could Make Something Great Out of SUPERMAN...
...he just needed the guiding hand of someone who actually likes and/or "gets" the material. For "Man of Steel," he had the Nolan Bros., and we saw how that turned out. But here he was working in-tandem with Bruce Timm, for decades steward of the yet-to-be-equaled DC Animated Universe; and the resulting "75 Years of Superman" short is pretty incredible...
...for the most part. There's still a palpable sense of deflation as we segue into the egregiously awful-looking "New 52" Superman on the way to MOS Superman, who somehow looks even more dull and dour as a cartoon. Also, I'm sorry - it's kind of bullshit that Brandon Routh (and Dean Cain!) don't make the cut but Red/Blue "Electric" Superman does; although who could've predicted that one day those two and "Mullet" Superman wouldn't be the most depressing/embarassing thing in a video like this?
...for the most part. There's still a palpable sense of deflation as we segue into the egregiously awful-looking "New 52" Superman on the way to MOS Superman, who somehow looks even more dull and dour as a cartoon. Also, I'm sorry - it's kind of bullshit that Brandon Routh (and Dean Cain!) don't make the cut but Red/Blue "Electric" Superman does; although who could've predicted that one day those two and "Mullet" Superman wouldn't be the most depressing/embarassing thing in a video like this?
Always Bet On Neeson
The last 11 seconds of this trailer for "NON-STOP" (summary: A locked-room murder mystery on a plane but with a bomb and also Taken is there) represented one of the most thrillingly-stupid "money shots" in an action trailer in years.
This man was nominated for an Oscar. For "Schindler's List."
This man was nominated for an Oscar. For "Schindler's List."
PODCAST 69: Apollo 18 & Don't Go to the Reunion
Tuesday 15 October 2013
HAPPY HAPPY HALLOWEEN VII
It’s that time of the year again, time for the B-Movie Catechism to present it’s annual suggestions for cheap and easy to make costumes based on some of the movies we’ve discussed over the past twelve months, either here or at Aleteia. We do this every year as a service to those Christians who don’t particularly like the selection of serial killers & naughty panthers to be found at the local costume shop, but who also don’t want to resort to dressing up as angels or shepherds AGAIN just to go trunk or treating in the church parking lot.
First up is Frankenstein Island, Jerry Warren’s last foray into the fever dream world of low budget film making. Choosing just a single character from Frankenstein Island is tough. Should it be the insane one-eyed pirate? Or maybe the bikini clad amazon? How about the strange Phillipino guy with a syringe and an eyeball fetish? No, for pure low budget goodness it’s probably best to go with the zombie holding a magic plastic pitchfork that turns people into vampires. All you need to put together this ensemble is an old black sweater, a ratty wool cap, and a prop from the dollar store. Then you can explain to everyone who asks what the heck it is you’re supposed to dressed as how your costume represents the seemingly random stuff we’re confronted with in life and how God has an answer to it all if you’re willing to listen.
If you’d prefer something a bit more recognizable, however, then perhaps Kris Kringle himself from Santa and the Ice Cream Bunny would be more to your liking. Any dirty old Santa suit will do, even a homemade one, just as long as you remember the most important detail, the horrifying sweat stain puddling up in the crotch area. If the people whose homes you trick or treat at don’t immediately slam the door shut in your face, you’ll be able to explain to them that your costume is a not-so-gentle reminder that during the upcoming Advent season, it’s really not Santa they should be waiting for anyway.
As nice as that idea is, though, perhaps you’d rather stick with something a bit more Halloweeny, and what says Halloween more than witches? Now the great thing about the witches (or casters, as they prefer to be called) from Beautiful Creatures is that they all look and dress just like any other teenager pouting around the mall on a Saturday afternoon, so if you already shop there, your costume is 99% done. If not, chances are you can probably find some cheap Forever 21 stuff down at the consignment shop. The only other thing you’ll need to make this costume a success is an atrocious Hollywood-style Southern accent, the kind that would put Foghorn Leghorn to shame, on account o' y’all knows thass how all us Southerners talk. As your neighbors rush to burn you alive (either for being a witch or for hamming up your dialog so horribly), you can use your new dialect to explain how no one should rush to judge another. Even the Pope says so.
One costume His Holiness might be a bit iffy on, however, is the shotgun wielding nun from Freejack. It’s not just the big double barreled boomstick the good sister is carrying that the Pontiff might find questionable, but the constant stream of profanities that apparently come with it. Who did the writers of this movie think the nun was anyway, a seminarian arguing eschatology in his dorm room late at night? Nuns shouldn’t talk that way. But still, she made some good points in between all the cussing. And if you decide to wear this traditional get-up with a twist, so can you, using your words (and possibly your weapon) to convince others that there’s more to people than just their memories. They all have immortal souls as well.
Speaking of heady thoughts, what could possibly be more contemplative than a Terrence Malick film? If you’re looking for a costume with a more artistic bent to it, why not dress up as one of the characters from Malick’s To The Wonder? This is another outfit where most of it is already hanging in your closet. Just pick out your favorite casual wear and you’re almost ready to go. You’ll only need two accessories. One is a big picture of a tree, so that whenever anyone looks at you, you can quickly hold it up in front of your face so no one can see you for more than a minute at a time, just like Malick films his actors. The second accessory is some kind of voice recorder which will be used if someone begins to question your sanity over of the tree thing. If that happens, just hit play and have your prerecorded message tell them in voiceover that everything’s alright because the “love that loves us” is watching over us and will make everything okay. To make it even more Malick-y, be sure to twirl around wistfully while your message plays.
And that should do it for our costume ideas this year. Have a fun time trick or treating and don’t forget All Saints the next day. Happy Happy Halloween everyone.
Start Digging, S.H.I.E.L.D. Fans
It's funny, I was joking in week 2 when I floated my crazy fanboy theory that "the twist" with Coulson might be that he's actually been Jim Hammond all along... but some of this stuff does look pretty old and random. Those two stone tablets are certainly interesting, anybody recognize them (or what era that pilot's helmet might be from?
Monday 14 October 2013
HERCULES (not the Rock one) Trailer
Because... because, you're getting two different Hercules movies this coming year; one directed by Renny Harlin (remember when he was interesting?) which features B-movie martial arts star Scott Adkins (yay!) but NOT as Hercules (boo!); the other featuring The Rock (yay!) but directed by Brett Ratner (boo!).
This is the trailer for the Harlin version, which looks like one of those YouTube "fan-trailers" made out of other movies. Have fun picking out which shots/scenes/compositions/etc were taken from "300," "The Hobbit," "Gladiator" (the film doesn't seem to grasp that Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome were two different places and eras in history) "Troy," "Immortals," etc.
This is the trailer for the Harlin version, which looks like one of those YouTube "fan-trailers" made out of other movies. Have fun picking out which shots/scenes/compositions/etc were taken from "300," "The Hobbit," "Gladiator" (the film doesn't seem to grasp that Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome were two different places and eras in history) "Troy," "Immortals," etc.
SHORT FEATURE: POPEYE & THE PIRATES
My latest review for Aleteia is up. It’s been awhile since Tom Hanks has had a chance to give a really good performance (sorry, Dan Brown movies just don’t cut it), but odds are that Captain Phillips (the last 15 minutes in particular) will net him another Oscar nod. Not bad for a guy whose first role was in the Halloween knock-off, He Knows You’re Alone.
Now, unless you’ve completely missed every commercial for Captain Phillips, then you know the movie is based on a true incident involving a merchant ship that comes under assault by Somali pirates. From what’s depicted onscreen I’d have to say it was a pretty harrowing situation, but Phillips and his crew dealt with it well all things considered. Still, I couldn’t help but think, you know who really knows how to handle pirates? Popeye, that’s who…
So, what was with that mysterious edit around 4:38? Just what the heck was Popeye whipping out of that dress that someone really didn’t want us to see? I mean, what could possibly be worse than Popeye in a dress to begin with? According to Fred M. Grandinetti’s book, Popeye: An Illustrated Cultural History, nobody knows and probably nobody ever will. The edit was made for the short’s first run in television syndication way back when and no unedited version seems to exist. I guess we’ll just have to use our imaginations. Which, you know, will probably result in a far worse mental image than whatever the mystery editor actually removed in the first place.
Probably best not to think about it. Besides, when it comes to Popeye, what most people really tune in to see is the eating of spinach followed by the inevitable kicking of somebody’s rear end, in this case a lecherous pirate captain obviously in need of a good monocle. It’s a shame Captain Phillips didn’t have a can or two of the stuff lying around when pirates paid him a visit because, believe it or not, thanks to its high concentration of nitrate, eating spinach really can help you get stronger. Who knew? Besides Popeye that is?
Of course, it shouldn’t come as that much of a shock to us Catholics. Most of us should already know how eating certain things, especially the Eucharist, can bring benefits. According to the old Baltimore Catechism, “the chief effects of a worthy Holy Communion are: first, a closer union with Our Lord and a more fervent love of God and of our neighbor; second, an increase of sanctifying grace; third, preservation from mortal sin and the remission of venial sin; fourth, the lessening of our inclinations to sin and the help to practice good works.” Not bad, huh? Oh sure, it’s not the kind of stuff that’s going to help you punch a pirate in the face, but really, how often are you going to need that? A closer union with God, though, is probably something you’ll want every day.
Saturday 12 October 2013
Yo Ho
Below, a trailer for Michael Bay's (producer) new cable series, BLACK SAILS, which is about pirates.
Technically this has been up since SDCC, but it's back in the news this weekend as Starz has gone and ordered up a full two seasonsto start even though the series has yet to debut. The last time Starz was that confident in a series it was Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert's SPARTACUS, which the network is hoping SAILS will be a ratings replacement for.
Technically this has been up since SDCC, but it's back in the news this weekend as Starz has gone and ordered up a full two seasonsto start even though the series has yet to debut. The last time Starz was that confident in a series it was Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert's SPARTACUS, which the network is hoping SAILS will be a ratings replacement for.
Friday 11 October 2013
GIVEAWAY: Pacific Rim - Win the BLU-RAY!
Hey there you filthy animals, we've got yet another giveaway for you! This time it is Pacific Rim on Blu-ray. We here at Slaughter Film are HUGE fans of this film, as you may remember from Podcast 57, in which we disguised the film.
More MONUMENTS MEN
Seriously, though - how GOOD does this look?
A major-release, big-star movie in 2013 about how saving art and culture is every bit as important as saving people. A we used to make fun of George Clooney...
A major-release, big-star movie in 2013 about how saving art and culture is every bit as important as saving people. A we used to make fun of George Clooney...
Wednesday 9 October 2013
PODCAST 68: The Running Man & Rollerball [Futuristic Gladiator Edition]
Tuesday 8 October 2013
"I, FRANKENSTEIN" Trailer
"I, Frankenstein" has sounded a bit like a joke since it was announced, but I've got to say the trailer has style to spare - it looks like the exact sort of "bad" movie I often like right away, then everyone else likes "ironically" about five years later. Plus, it seems like an interesting use of Aaron Eckhart, who has that weird thing going on where he looks extremely handsome but also somehow unplaceably "strange" at the same time.
The early pitch, Frankenstein's Monster getting involved with "a war between two immortal clans" sounded a bit derivative of "Underworld" (Kevin Grevioux co-created both franchises); but the fact that it looks like the "clans" are what appear to be literal Angels and a bunch of guys making more Frankenstein Monsters has nifty implications: Is this God versus Science Playing God, and maybe the "God" side are bad guys or just-as-bag guys? That I'd like to see.
The early pitch, Frankenstein's Monster getting involved with "a war between two immortal clans" sounded a bit derivative of "Underworld" (Kevin Grevioux co-created both franchises); but the fact that it looks like the "clans" are what appear to be literal Angels and a bunch of guys making more Frankenstein Monsters has nifty implications: Is this God versus Science Playing God, and maybe the "God" side are bad guys or just-as-bag guys? That I'd like to see.
86th Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Submissions - Final
Yesterday the Academy published the final list and well, was a great surprise to find seventy-six (76) submissions to the foreign-language category which is a new record that believe will be hard to surpass. Nevertheless all three movies I was supposed to add yesterday are in list plus 2 more, one from Chad and another from Azerbaijan. No matter what category pundits say, it is a great honor for a film to be designed as the nation representative in the most popular/famous awards in the world and my wish is that awards TV show producers realize that a few extra minutes for the category will mean "something" to the millions that watch the show outside USA.There are some significant changes from what was announced and what is in final AMPAS list. The first and most significant is Czech Republic submission is NO longer Agnieszka Holland's mini-series and has been substituted with a film by Jiri Menzel. The other is the film from Lebanon which is now by director Lara Saba. Post with female directors will be fixed by eliminating film from Czech Republic and adding film from Lebanon. Last I'm a bit surprised that the Swiss submission was accepted as had the impression that there was too much English but seems was just an impression.
The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network.
We should expect that about eight days before the nominations (first/second week of January 2014) AMPAS will make the announcement of the shortlist of nine.
All festivals without a date are from 2013. Blue identifies female directors.
Afghanistan: ژمه Wajma (An Afghan Love Story), Barmak Akram (Sundance Screenwriting award)
Albania: Agon, Robert Budina
Argentina: Wakolda (The German Doctor), Lucía Puenzo (Cannes Un Certain Regard)
Australia: The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt (Berlinale Crystal Bear Generation Kplus and Tribeca)
Austria: Die Wand (The Wall), Julian Pölsler (Berlinale12)
Azerbaijan: Çölçü (Steppe Man), Shamil Aliyev
Bangladesh: টেলিভিশন (Television), Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Belgium: The Broken Circle Breakdown, Felix van Groeningen (Berlinale)
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Epizoda u životu berača željeza (An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker), Danisa Tanovića (Berlinale Jury Grand Prix winner)
Brazil: O Som ao Redor (Neighbouring Sounds), Kleber Mendonça Filho (Rotterdam 2012)
Bulgaria: Цветът на хамелеона Cvetat Na Hameleona (The Color of the Chameleon), Emil Hristov (Stockholm, Thessaloniki, Toronto FF)
Cambodia: L'image manquante (The Missing Picture), Rithy Panh (documentary) (Cannes Un Certain Regard winner)
Canada: Gabrielle, Louise Archambault (Locarno Audience Award)
Chad: GriGris, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Cannes)
Chile: Gloria, Sebastián Lelio (Berlinale)
China: 一九四二 Yi jiu si er (Back to 1942), Xiaogang Feng (Rome FF)
Colombia: La Playa DC, Juan Andrés Arango Garcia (Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard)
Croatia: Halimin put (Halima's Path), Arsen A. Ostojic (2012 Tallinn and Pula)
Czech Republic: Donšajni (The Don Juans aka Skirt Chasers), Jirí Menzel (Montreal WFF)
Denmark: Jagten (The Hunt), Thomas Vinterberg (Cannes 2012)
Dominican Republic: ¿Quién manda? (Who's the Boss), Ronny Castillo
Ecuador: Mejor No Hablar (De Ciertas Cosas) (The Porcelain Horse), Javier Andrade (Warsaw IFF)
Egypt: الشتا إللى فات El sheita elli fat (Winter of Discontent), Ibrahim El-Batout (Stockholm and Dubai IFF 2012)
Estonia: Free range/Ballaad maailma heakskiitmisest (Free Range), Veiko Õunpuu
Finland: Lärjungen (The Disciple), Ulrika Bengts (Montreal World FF)
France: Renoir, Gilles Bourdos (Cannes 2012 Un Certain Regard)
Georgia: გრძელი ნათელი დღეები Grzeli nateli dgeebi (In Bloom), Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß (Won Heart of Sarajevo for Best Film at SarajevoFF, Berlinale, Hong Kong FF)
Germany: Zwei Leben (Two Lives), Judith Kaufmann and Georg Maas
Greece: Το αγόρι τρώει το φαγητό του πουλιού To Agori Troei to Fagito tou Pouliou (Boy Eating The Bird's Food) by Ektoras Lygtizos. (Karlovy Vary Festival)
Hong Kong: 一代宗师 Yi dai zong shi (The Grandmaster), Kar Wai Wong (Berlinale)
Hungary: A nagy füzet (The Notebook), János Szász, (Crystal Globe for Best Film at 2013 Karlovy Vary)
Iceland: Hross í oss (Of Horses and Men), Benedikt Erlingsson (San Sebastian IFF)
India: Gujarati (The Good Road), Gyan Correa (Biennale Venice Days)
Indonesia: Sang Kiai, Rako Prijanto
Iran: Le passé (The Past), Asghar Farhadi (Cannes)
Israel: בית לחם (Bethlehem), Yval Adler
Italy: La Grande Belleza (The Great Beauty), Paolo Sorrentino (Cannes)
Japan: 舟を編む Fune wo amu (The Great Passage), Yûya Ishii
Kazakhstan: Шал Shal (Old Man aka Shal), Ermek Tursunov
Latvia: Mammu, es tevi mīlu (Mother, I Love You), Janis Nords (Berlinale Grand Prix Generation Kplus)
Lebanon: قصة ثواني Blind Intersections, Lara Saba (Dubai FF)
Lithuania: Pokalbiai rimtomis temomis (Conversations on Serious Topics), Giedre Beinoriūte (documentary)
Luxembourg: Doudege Wénkel (Angle Mort) (Blind Spot), Christophe Wagner
Mexico: Heli, Amat Escalante (Cannes)
Moldova: Toti Copiii Domnului (All God's Children), Adrian Popovici
Montenegro: As pik – loša sudbina (Ace of Spades - Bad Destiny), Draško Đurović (Sarajevo FF)
Morocco: يا خيل الله Les chevaux de Dieu (Horses of God), Nabil Ayouch (Cannes 2012)
Nepal: सुनगाभा Soongava (Soongava: Dance of the Orchids), Subarna Thapa (Montreal World Film Festival)
Netherlands: Borgman, Alex van Warmerdam (Cannes)
New Zealand: Tuakiri Huna (White Lies), Dana Rotberg
Norway: Jeg er din (I Am Yours), Iram Haq
Pakistan: زندہ بھاگ Zinda Bhaag, Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi
Palestine: Omar, Hany Abu-Assad (Cannes Un Certain Regard Special Jury Prize winner)
Peru: El Limpiador (The Cleaner), Adrián Saba (San Sebastian IFF 2012)
Philippines: Transit, Hannah Espia (Pusan IFF)
Poland: Walesa. Czlowiek z nadziei (Walesa. Man of Hope), Andrzej Wajda (Biennale)
Portugal: Linhas de Wellington (Lines of Wellington), Valeria Sarmiento (Biennale 2012)
Romania: Poziţia Copilului (Child's Pose), Călin Peter Netzer, (Golden Bear for Best Film at 2013 Berlinale)
Russia: Сталинград (Stalingrad), Fedor Bondarchuk
Saudi Arabia: وجدة Wadjda, Haifaa Al-Mansour (Biennale 2012 and Rotterdam IFF)
Serbia: Кругови Krugovi (Circles), Srdan Golubović (Berlinale and Sundance)
Singapore: 爸媽不在家 Ilo Ilo, Anthony Chen (Camera d'Or Cannes)
Slovakia: Môj pes Killer (My Dog Killer), Mira Fornay (Winner of Tiger Award at Rotterdam IFF)
Slovenia: Razredni sovražnik (Class Enemy), Rok Bicek (Biennale Critics' Week)
South Africa: Die Vier Hoeke (Four Corners), Ian Gabriel
South Korea: 범죄소년 Beom-joe-so-nyeon (Juvenile Offender), Yi-kwan Kang (Tokyo IFF)
Spain: 15 años y un día (15 Years and One Day), Gracia Querejeta (Malaga Golden Biznaga winner)
Sweden: Äta Sova Dö (Eat Sleep Die), Gabriella Pichler (Biennale12)
Switzerland: More Than Honey, Markus Imhoof (documentary) (Viennale)
Taiwan: 失魂 (Soul), Mong-Hong Chung
Thailand: เคาท์ดาวน์ (Countdown), Nattawut Poonpiriya
Turkey: Kelebeğin Rüyası (The Butterfly's Dream), Yilmaz Erdogan
UK: Metro Manila, Sean Ellis (Sundance FF)
Ukraine: Параджанов Paradjanov, Serge Avedikian and Olena Fetisova (Karlovy Vary IFF)
Uruguay: Anina, Alfredo Soderguit (Berlinale and BAFICI Audience Award winner)
Venezuela: Brecha en el Silencio (Breach in the Silence), Luis and Andrés Rodríguez
Watch trailers plus info @MOC
News
9/7/13 It's the second time that New Zealand sends a movie to Oscar.
9/13/13 It's the FIRST time ever that Saudi Arabia sends a movie to Oscar and more, it is directed by a woman. (last is sic from Twitter) By the way, there are NO movie theaters in Saudi Arabia, they are forbidden; so to watch film has to be only on TV or DVD.
9/18/13 According to today's news Vietnam is NOT sending film this year.
9/23/13 Macedonia is NOT sending film this year.
10/7 It's the FIRST time ever that Moldova sends a movie to Oscar and is the first time that Montenegro submits film as an independent country.
Map works perfectly in Chrome. Other browsers might not show the trailer -sometimes-. With all new Google changes I can confirm that if you have Windows 8 you will NOT see anything embed to Google Maps, no matter what browser you use. Shame, but will finish map with all the info and seems will be the last one I make.
View 86th Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Submissions in a larger map
My Comments
September 26
Next Tuesday at 5pm PT is the category deadline and less than one week before we already have fifty-eight (58) films submitted to Oscar 2014. There are a few countries that still have to announce their submission like China, Israel, Uruguay, Iran, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Indonesia, Malaysia and maybe more countries. But in my opinion the Oscar winner finally was submitted today as is the movie that I am giving My Oscar this year, Thomas Vinterberg's The Hunt.
I am as passionate about The Hunt as was last year with Amour but my passion is not blind and know that Academy members tend to prefer less controversial story subjects; but if they wish to reward an excellent director that created a tense true masterpiece with out of the ordinary actors' performances -which is what movies should be all about- then they have to recognize that this film fits their high standards no matter the story it tells.
There are a few movies that have already seen and from those my huge surprise comes from a territory that decided to submit a film by a master filmmaker, Wong Kar-wai. The Grandmaster is a beautiful to watch movie that absolutely has Wong Kar-wai's particular visual style but unfortunately in story was missing a romance (any romance like love for martial arts) so to be honest film is not 100% excellent Wong Kar-wai nor is 100% "regular" martial arts film -which disappointed many viewers that enjoy the genre. Nevertheless is good to see a great director in the competition and I'm curious to find if film makes it to the shortlist of 9 and gets a nod.
Sometimes I wish the category will be more prominent within the televised show as imagine the possibility that in one "red carpet", in one venue at the same time you are able to see so many non-American outstanding actors together. Well, this year if a couple of films get nominated and reality was different, we could see together Liv Ullmann, Catherine Deneuve and Isabel Huppert. Wow! And of course, what I still consider the best actor in the world: Tony Leung. Still there is one actor that before did not care much about him but lately his interpretations have become quite outstanding, Mads Mikkelsen and as many of you know, I'm truly crazy about Toni Servillo performances. Can you imagine all these people together in one place at the same moment? Fantastic dream.
As most of the blog loyal readers know I like everything by Ashghar Farhadi and was hoping that France could submit his latest film, The Past. Unfortunately France went with a very "safe" bet when decided to send a film that tells the story of the Renoir father and son -if you do not know who is Auguste Renoir (the painter) son then let me tell you that Jean Renoir is one the most famous "Hollywood" directors of all times. Nevertheless today news tell us that Iran is considering 12 films and seems that The Past is being considered; as film has an Iranian strong intellectual property -the director- then perhaps qualifies.
Know that movie has to be extremely hard to watch because ALL Amat Escalante's previous films are but have seen all his movies and definitively I am looking forward to see his latest, Heli that in Mexico has been called "treason to the nation" -that's a sample of how unconventional film is.
So which movies have made me excited up to this moment? Jagten, Gloria, Zwei Leben, La Grande Belleza, Heli, Pozitia Copilului and well, yes, because trailer Stalingrad. From this list suspect that four will make the shortlist and only two will get a nod.
This is my last update, the next will be Final after the list is announced by the Academy at their official site which usually happens within the next fifteen days after deadline.
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September 10
As of today, Tuesday September 10th there are twenty two (22) countries that have announced films that will be consider for Foreign Language Film category in the 2014 Oscars edition. Out the 22 submissions only 3 films are by female directors and 2 are co directed by a woman; that is about one fourth of films made by women directors -which is about the average in festivals and general awards-. Let see if percentage remains the same, goes up or drops as more films are announced. As you can see in the list now female directors are highlighted in light orange for easier identification.
During the past week -after my first update- the most exciting, most expected and most not-a-surprise announcement came from Chile that is sending Belinale 2013 main competition nominated Gloria that gave lead actress, Paulina García, the Silver Bear for Best Actress plus director, Sebastián Lelio, the Ecumenical Jury Prize and the Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas. Can't wait to see this film by Lelio that I'm sure will be as good if not better as his previous films.
Yesterday Spain's Academy announcedt their short list that usually has three films but this year there are four; have not seen any of the four films -and really do not call my attention- so have no idea of which could be their selection. But most annoying was the message that English-media sent to the world in which they announced that Almodovar's latest film was NOT in the shortlist. Seems that those that wrote article plus the many that in social media reacted to the news in a non-positive way, have NOT seen Almodovar's latest oeuvre which in my opinion is a great funny film that is very, very far away from Oscar material. I enjoyed a lot film as a dramedy that made me recall Almodovar's early work but being very objective film is not awards material but great plain old fashion entertainment.
That's it for this week let's hope that during the next day's more (interesting) films will be submitted to Oscar 2014.
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September 3
Up to the third day of September there are 16 countries that have already announced their official submission to Oscar 2014 in the category of Foreign Language Film. Last year a record was established when 71 countries submitted films and we know that have not been for the Iranian boycott then surely more submissions could have appeared.
This year there are early signs that a new record could be established as for the first time ever Montenegro submitted a film, Nepal submitted film after 15 years of absence, and has been announced that after a 50-year hiatus Pakistan will re-enter the race.
Not surprisingly the list contains movies that I have not seen yet but I'm looking forward to seen them during the next -not- calendar year. From the 16 already announced Nepal submission has become must be seen for me as well as the one from Turkey that from trailer seems to have the most beautiful cinematography; but also Germany's submission with Liv Ullmann is must be seen plus Austria's submission that has a story quite similar to the Summer TV hit Under The Dome, but in this story seems is one lonely women instead of a whole village isolated from the rest of the world.
For my regular readers is no surprise that up to this moment the film that I'm dying to see is the Romanian submission that won the Golden Bear at 2013 Berlinale. Talking about festivals this year decided to include in list the festival (s) were film was more successful so now is a bit easier to see how many festival movies are sent to Oscar.
Unfortunately seems that this year the 2013 Cannes Palme d'Or winner will NOT be screened in France before October 1st, 2013 so unless French distributor change their mind, film will NOT qualify for this year. The only chance film has is to qualify next year but with so many excellent films that France produces each year I wonder if film really would have an opportunity. Still the most incredible news were released the past week by the US Distributor, Sundance Selects, who plans to do an Oscar campaign as believes is a strong contender in categories other than best foreign language film. So, Adèle Exarchlopoulos and Léa Seydoux could be promoted for best and supporting actress categories but the biggest challenge within the Academy's acting branch is the conservative-leaning tastes that will not appreciate a NC-17 rated film with several graphic and extended sex scenes (lol). No film rated NC-17 has received an Oscar nomination in a major category, except Midnight Cowboy but that was rated X (LOL). Of course I'm talking about La Vie d'Adèle chapitres 1 & 2 also known as Le Bleu est une Couleur Chaude (Blue is the Warmest Color) by visual extraordinary and excellent/very peculiar storyteller Abdellatif Kechiche (remember La graine et le mulet and/or Vénus noire?).
Every year the most passionate film lovers come from India and Philippines and this year is no exception as they have already started to complain and loudly express their preferences about the film that each country will submit. Surely no matter what film will be chosen there will be a controversy.
This is it for this update, next week we will have more films to comment and more fresh news about this category in the Oscar race. Great.
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August15
Seems that I'm back with my favorite post which will start today, August 15. As we know the list will become the longest with (mostly) the best of each country cinema. Enjoy!
Sunday 6 October 2013
Escape to The Movies: GRAVITY
Well! I've certainly had a busy weekend so far. Belatedly, here's the GRAVITY review.
ALSO: "South Park" as a Gated Community.
ALSO: "South Park" as a Gated Community.
Friday 4 October 2013
I SURVIVED 'THE GAUNTLET': A Bad-Ass Film Festival Event
By CORY CARR
I spent this past Saturday at Penn State Behrend competing against an auditorium full of movie going warriors to prove that my abominable viking strength could out do them all in The Gauntlet. Hosted by the Bad-Ass Film Festival, The Gauntlet consisted of thirty five of
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This week’s review for Aleteia is Gravity, a tight little nail-biter with outstanding visuals. The movie falls a bit short on philosophy, but makes up for it in suspense and action. That doesn’t seem to be enough for author and critic Jeffrey Overstreet, though, who finds Gravity to be, like so many other modern movies, loud, obnoxious, and almost completely lacking in human qualities. To help calm Mr. Overstreet down and convince him that there is still good in the world, here’s a quick tale of two wise women helping a young astronaut as he faces an all too human crisis…
Wow, you could really feel the tension there near the end, couldn’t you? I didn’t know which way Bobby was going to go. Fortunately it all worked out “okay” and nothing blew up. Maybe they’re saving that for the sequel.
Perhaps it would be better if we simply moved on to a movie almost everybody can agree was just plain dumb. If you remember my review of World War Z, you know I found the Brad Pitt vehicle to be enjoyable enough for a night’s viewing, but ultimately brainless (no zombie puns intended). Well, now that the DVD has hit the shelves and those who skipped the theatrical release have had a chance to see it, it looks like a consensus is forming. Scott & Julie over at the A Good Story Is Hard To Find podcast discuss both the book and the movie, and ultimately decide the movie was much less meaty (okay, I did that one on purpose). Later, Julie goes into a bit more detail at The Happy Catholic as to why she enjoyed the film, but thought it would be better if were entitled Fast, Furious, and Stupid. Jason Dietz at Non-Modern, alas, couldn’t even manage to find too much enjoyment in the film, finding the whole thing to be pretty lifeless (I can do this zombie stuff all night, folks, although it would be best if someone stopped me).
Let’s face it, it’s hard to find a movie everyone will enjoy. Fortunately, it’s October, and that means Turner Classics will be rolling out plenty of classic horror and sci-fi titles this month, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. Check out the schedule, especially Fridays and Saturdays. I may not leave the house on the weekends.
If you’re one of the unfortunate few who can’t handle the scary, however, don’t worry, there’s some funny stuff out there as well. Rebecca Cussey has an interview with Everybody Loves Raymond’s Patricia Heaton in which the actress discusses faith and culture. Meanwhile, over at the National Catholic Reporter (what, even they can print something worth reading every now and then), noted sitcom writer Tom Leopold discusses how a 75-year-old ex-Marine riding a homemade motorcycle with deer antlers for handlebars brought him to the Church. Mysterious ways indeed.
And finally, in the shameless plug department, Pope Awesome and Other Stories, the first book by our Internet pal and occasional commenter Cari Donaldson, is available for preorder. A lot of big shots out there, including Jim Gaffigan, really seem to like it, so why not check it out.
That should do it for now, see you soon.
Escapist Expo LIVE STREAM
Hey folks. Escape to The Movies should be up in the regular place and time later today, though I'll be otherwise engaged to post it here on the blog(s). Either way, here's the live-stream of the main panel theater from The Escapist Expo.
My appearance schedule as of now looks like this (all times EST):
3pm Friday - Q&A
9am Saturday - "I'M MAD ABOUT X"
10:30am Saturday - PS4/WiiU/XBox speculation/debate
12pm Saturday - BIG PICTURE QUIZ SHOW
3pm Saturday - Q&A
4:30pm Saturday - NO RIGHT ANSWER Escapists Debate
6:30pm Saturday - COSPLAY CONTEST (I'm a judge)
1:30pm Sunday - Top 5 Geek Movies of 2013
3pm Sunday - Q&A
My appearance schedule as of now looks like this (all times EST):
3pm Friday - Q&A
9am Saturday - "I'M MAD ABOUT X"
10:30am Saturday - PS4/WiiU/XBox speculation/debate
12pm Saturday - BIG PICTURE QUIZ SHOW
3pm Saturday - Q&A
4:30pm Saturday - NO RIGHT ANSWER Escapists Debate
6:30pm Saturday - COSPLAY CONTEST (I'm a judge)
1:30pm Sunday - Top 5 Geek Movies of 2013
3pm Sunday - Q&A
Thursday 3 October 2013
JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT trailer
We basically didn't hear a damn thing about this most recent reboot of the Jack Ryan franchise ever since they locked the cast and started shooting. That's not a great sign, but there also wasn't any word of anything going "wrong" with the production - so it's likely that the film is simply just as milquetoast, generic and middling as it looks in this first trailer, which was only just now released. Did they figure that Tom Clancy's death at 66 was the last and only chance they were going to get at people being somewhat interested in this project?
This one was directed by Kenneth Brannagh (now, amusingly, billed as "THE DIRECTOR OF THOR!"), who will next helm the live-action "Cinderella" for Disney. Looks like somebody liked that taste of studio-blockbuster honey when they finally got it. I'd like to know who told Chris Pine this was a good career bet, though - "Sexy Young Replacement Reboot Guy" isn't something you'd want to be typecast as, lest your name turn into a punchline about movie reboots ("They're doin' King Kong again. Chris Pine will be the monkey.")
To be honest, it could look A LOT worse... but am I the only one who can't summon up anything beyond a giant bucket of WHO CARES? What about this is supposed to look like anything other than a weaksauce copy of stuff we've already seen in "Bourne," the recent Bonds, etc? It doesn't even look as novel a variation on Clancy-esque right-wing paranoia-porn as "24" was over a decade ago.
This one was directed by Kenneth Brannagh (now, amusingly, billed as "THE DIRECTOR OF THOR!"), who will next helm the live-action "Cinderella" for Disney. Looks like somebody liked that taste of studio-blockbuster honey when they finally got it. I'd like to know who told Chris Pine this was a good career bet, though - "Sexy Young Replacement Reboot Guy" isn't something you'd want to be typecast as, lest your name turn into a punchline about movie reboots ("They're doin' King Kong again. Chris Pine will be the monkey.")
To be honest, it could look A LOT worse... but am I the only one who can't summon up anything beyond a giant bucket of WHO CARES? What about this is supposed to look like anything other than a weaksauce copy of stuff we've already seen in "Bourne," the recent Bonds, etc? It doesn't even look as novel a variation on Clancy-esque right-wing paranoia-porn as "24" was over a decade ago.
Wednesday 2 October 2013
86th Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Submissions - Meet the Female Directors
October 12, 2013 The Academy published the list with 76 films that qualified to be considered for the foreign-language category and there are seventeen (17) female directors as even when one film by a film director was disqualified (Czech Republic) another film by a female director qualified (Lebanon). But as there are a record 76 submitted films, the proportion of female versus male directors goes down to 22% which is slightly lower than what usually goes on in most international cinema related events.
October 2, 2013
One day after the deadline we know that sixty-eight (68) films were announced as submission from a specific nation or territory; we still do not know if all films are going to be accepted but while we wait for the official AMPAS announcement let's review some relevant data. For starters there are seventeen (17) female directors that directed or co directed films that were submitted which "surprisingly" reflects the same proportion male-female from many festivals and cinema related events as 25% is about the ongoing average ratio.
Most interesting is to discover that several of the feature films are director's debut film or feature film, which is quite unusual as not many films/directors have the high honor of representing a nation in the most famous awards in the world. But more important is that several female directors are just beginning their career and we can expect them to become more masterful in the future.
No matter if they are starting their career or already have an established career almost all films have premiered in international festivals and some already have collected awards even when they are still traveling the festival circuit. So I would not be surprised if some will collect more honors in the few festivals that will close the year 2013.
These are the filmmakers that in 2013 are honored by having their film selected to represent a nation.
Haifaa Al-MansourBorn in Saudi Arabia. Women in Saudi Arabia cannot drive, vote or work with men but one woman has become the country's first filmmaker to direct a film in her homeland, a Kingdom that does not have movie theaters. The success of her short films in the Gulf and around the world has inspired a new movement of independent filmmaking in the Kingdom. Al Mansour is well known for penetrating the wall of silence surrounding the sequestered lives of Saudi women and providing a platform for their voices. Her debut feature film Wadja, besides surprisingly becoming Saudi Arabia's submission to 2014 Oscar, already has collected many international awards including several collateral awards at 2012 Biennale, the Dioraphte Award from 2013 Rotterdam fest and more. Many are predicting film could get a nomination but I'm thinking predictions come more from the story behind film than from the film itself.
Louise ArchambaultStudied film production at Concordia University in Montreal, where she also completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in film. She cut her teeth as a sound trainee on the popular Quebec TV series “Lance et compte” and went on to work as a line producer on commercials before joining Roger Frappier’s Max Films, where she worked on such films as Manon Briand’s 2 secondes (1998). After continuing to work her way through the industry as a producer, assistant director, writer, cinematographer, on-set photographer and costume designer, she directed her third short film, Atomic Sake (1999), which won the 2000 Prix Jutra for Best Short Film and screened at more than one hundred film festivals worldwide.
Her first feature, Familia, opened the Canada First! programme at the 2005 Toronto fest and went on to share the Best Canadian First Feature Film award with Michael Mabott’s. Familia won the Claude Jutra Genie Award for Best Direction of a First Feature Film and earned seven other nominations, including Best Motion Picture, Direction and Screenplay. It was also named one of Canada’s Top Ten of 2005 by an independent, national panel of filmmakers, programmers, journalists and industry professionals. Her second feature film, Gabrielle, won the Audience Award at Locarno and is Canada's 2014 Oscar entry.
Giedre BeinoriūteBorn in Vilnius, Lithuania and went to Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, Film and TV. Her work consists mainly of award winning short films and documentaries with perhaps her most international work being Gyveno senelis ir bobutė (Grandpa and Grandma) that collected honors all over the world. I am highly impressed with what I saw in Conversations on Serious Topics trailer which made me sure that documentary will be very interesting to see. Film is Lithuania submission to 2014 Oscar.
Ulrika BengtsStudied film at the Dramatic Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. She is a Finnish film and theater director that has directed dozens of short films, TV series an documentaries. Iris is her feature film debut and The Disciple is her second feature that premiered at 2013 Montreal World Film Festival, a film that became Finland's submission to 2014 Oscar.
Nana EkvtimishviliBorn in Tbilisi, Georgia (then USSR). She studied screen-writing and dramaturgy at the University of Film and Television “Konrad Wolf” in Potsdam, Germany. In Bloom is her feature debut as a director but she has been writing and co-writing screenplays for other films including Simon Groß's Fata Morgana. Simon Groß is the film co director and co writer along Ekvtimishvili. Film has already collected an impressive amount of awards including CICAE Award at 2013 Berlinale and FIPRESCI Prize plus Golden Firebird Award at 2013 Hong Kong fest. It is Georgia's submission to 2014 Oscar.
Hannah EspiaA graduate of the University of the Philippines Film Institute, Hannah Espia started as an editor. As a director, she participated in the Tokyo Talent Campus in 2012 and the Berlinale Talent Campus in 2013. Espia’s debut short film Ruweda won the Audience Award at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. Transit is her debut feature film that became Philippines 2014 Oscar entry and already won several awards at 2013 Cinemalaya Independent Festival but film is just starting the festival circuit.
Olena FetisovaBorn in Kiev, Ukraine. She graduated from the Moscow Film School VGIK, 1987. She has been working in the film industry without interruption ever since as a producer, writer and director. Is the European Documentary Network and Ukrainian Filmmakers Union Member, 2009 Ukrainian State Film Award Winner, 2009 EAVE graduate. She has directed mainly award winning documentaries and Paradjanov is her debut feature film as a director along with co director Serge Avedikian. Film is Ukraine submission to 2014 Oscar and premiered in competition for 2013 Karlovy Vary's East of West Award.
Mira FornayBorn in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia). Attended the FAMU in Prague and the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, UK, earning her diploma in 2004. In 2005 she was selected for the workshop of Iranian Director Abbas Kiarostami. Foxes (2009), her feature film debut, premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was also shown in Rotterdam. My Dog Killer is her second feature that went to win the 2013 Rotterdam Tiger Award and was submitted by Slovakia to Oscar 2014.
Meenu GaurGaur is originally from Kolkata, India and moved to Pakistan four years ago; she is married to Mazhar Zaidi who produced Zinda Bhaag, Pakistan's Oscar submission. Film is co directed by Farjad Nabi. Meenu Gaur completed her PhD in Film and Media Studies from the University of London in 2010. She received the Felix scholarship and Charles Wallace Scholarship for the same. She is the co-editor of the book ‘Indian Mass Media and the Politics of Change’, published by Routledge 2011 and distributed by OUP Pakistan. She has been associated as Faculty of the Institute of Womens Studies Lahore (IWSL) under the aegis of Feminist Institute and Publishing House ASR (Applied Social Research Resource Centre). She is also the co-director of the award winning documentary film, ‘Paradise On a River of Hell’.Presently, she is working on a documentary film on Karachi and has received the ‘Jan Vrijman Fund’ and ‘Göteborg Film Fund’ for the same.
Iram HaqNorwegian-Pakistani actress, writer, singer and director. Sudied Art Direction at Westerdals School of Communication in Oslo. She has acted in the features Import-Export (05), Fallen Angels (08), and Tomme tønner (10). Her short film Trofast (Faithful) was a selection at 2004 Venice Film Festival. She wrote and directed the short film Little Miss Eyeflap (09) which won The Ellen Award at Aspen Shortsfest in 2010. I Am Yours (13) is her debut feature and Norway's submission to 2014 Oscar.
Judith KaufmannBorn in Stuttgart, Germany. After graduating from the National College of Optics and Photographer in Berlin, she apprenticed as a photographer until in 1982 she focused on film. Kaufmann is the co director of Germany's submission to 2014 Oscar Two Lives along with Georg Maas and she's also the film cinematographer. It is her debut as a director but she is very well-known as a cinematographer and I'm sure many of you have seen perhaps one of her best works Four Minutes as well as extraordinary Die Fremde (When We Leave), Vivere and fantastic Fremde Haut (Unveiled).
Gabriella PichlerBorn in Huddinge, Sweden, left her job at the cookie factory to attend the School of Film Directing in Gothenburg. Her graduation project, short film Scratches went to win many local and international awards and her debut feature film Eat Sleep Die already won Best Direction and Best Screenplay at the 2013 Guldbagge Awards plus the Audience Award at 2013 Biennale. Have seen her debut film and found it with a very mesmerizing minimalist/realistic style that engages your attention slowly but once you are engaged does not release you even after film is over as you will think about story and film for a long while. Her film is Sweden's submission to 2014 Oscar.
Lucía PuenzoBorn in Buenos Aires, Argentina and is the daughter of AMPAS nominated director Luis Puenzo but in my opinion she has already establish herself as a great director in her own right with her debut feature film 2007 Cannes Critics Week winner excellent XXY, and with her second film puzzling The Fish Child. So it is no surprise -for me- that her third film The German Doctor was 2013 Cannes Official Selection in the Un Certain Regard section but can't deny that was kind of a (big) surprise that the Argentinean Academy opted to send for Oscar consideration a film by a female director. Her latest film is one that I'm really looking forward to watch as highly enjoy her particular storytelling style.
Gracia QuejeretaBorn in Madrid, Spain. Studied Ancient History at the a Universidad Complutense de Madrid but her father is well-known producer Elías Querejeta. Her first film related work was as director assistant to Carlos Saura. Perhaps her best known work is Siete Mesas de Billar Francés that collected many local awards, including Best Screenplay at 2007 San Sebastian Film Festival. Her latest feature film 15 años y un día not only is Spain's submission to 2014 Oscar but already won the Golden Biznaga for Best Film and the Silver Biznaga for Best Screenplay at Malaga Spanish Film Festival.
Dana RotbergBorn in Mexico City and went to Mexico's Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica. She currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand after living in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. She has worked in the three countries and perhaps her best known Mexican work is Angel of Fire that was the opening film in 1992 Cannes Directors' Fortnight; her best known Bosnian work is MGM Sarajevo. Man, God and The Monster a documentary that also was the opening film of the Cannes Directors' Fortnight but in 1994 and The Perfect Circle that took the same opening spot in 1997. Her first work in New Zealand is White Lies that the country submitted to 2014 Oscar.
Lara SabaAfter graduating in 1994 with a degree in audio-visual [communications] from the Jesuit University in Beirut, worked as an assistant director on feature films with the directors Joanna Hadjithomas, Khalil Greig, Merzak Allouache, the English director Sally Potter and Jean-Claude Maqdisi. After 1998, I got to know documentary filmmaking and did several documentaries, including "Suspended Return", which was screened solely for the media. [ won an award for this film from the United Nations Development Programme]. Then, I traveled to France and worked on producing Egyptian films and children's films for the Al-Jazeera Children's Channel as well as French television channels. After returning to Lebanon, I did several documentary films, some about Lebanon's television archives and others about people who fought in the Lebanese war. Blind Intersections is her first feature film and Lebanon's submission to Oscar 2014.
Valeria SarmientoChilean writer-director and editor who studied philosophy and filmmaking at the University of Chile in the 1960s. Based in Paris since 1974, her documentaries and feature films tend to address Latin American gender politics but she is probably best known as the regular editor and collaborator of her late husband Raoul Ruiz (1941-2011) with whom she shared the Chilean Art Critics Circle's Bicentennial Award for cinema in 2010. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1988 and is often cited alongside Angelina Vásquez and Marilú Mallet as a key woman filmmaker of Chilean exile. A retrospective of her work as director was held at Stanford University in May 2008.
Lines of Wellington is an epic war film and television series that was conceived by her husband and after his dead she completed the film which was premiered in competition at 2012 Biennale and became Portugal submission to 2014 Oscar.
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