Because, why not.
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Avengers 101
This Fan-edit of all the Avengers trailers, and scenes alluding to the teams formation (In Ironman, Ironman 2, Hulk, Thor, Captain America) is nothing short of genius. If this doesn't get you pumped, nothing will.
(via Geeks of Doom)
(via Geeks of Doom)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
10.02.11 - Movie Round Up
Ratings Key:
:):)Really Good/Highly Recommend :) Good :| Mediocre :\ Not good, but still fun :( Sucks
>:( A terrible waste of time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Conan O'Brien Can't Stop"
A documentary on Conan O'Brien's comedy tour of the U.S. and Canada after leaving his post at "The Tonight Show" after NBC decided to push him out of the prime-time slot. Part of his contractual obligation was that he was not to appear on television for six months, and several of the characters he and his writing team developed could no longer be used since they where deemed NBC property.
Can't Stop explores Conan's personal frustration about the NBC situation, as well as give us an in depth look at his "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV" tour. After personally being burnt by a frivolus publishing agency, I could connect with O'Brien's anger towards the NBC execs that canned him. As Conan put's it "sometimes Im so angry, I can't breath." For anyone that has suffered losing a job for no real reason will get some inspiration with O'Brien's always on the move attitude.
We follow CoCo and his team from the brainstorming sessions with his writing team, to what ultimately becomes his tour. Cameras capture everything from his hard time with being apart from his family, the inability to turn down meet and greets, to bouts of uncertainty about the tour's success. At point's he even seems a bit bi-polar, hurling very cruel jokes towards his staff and friends without even flinching. Only to becoming sincerely apologetic the next instance. But it soon becomes clear that the man has a real passion for what he does. He lives to entertain, and that's something he can't just turn off.
Verdict:
:)
"The Troll Hunter"
A trio of Norwegian students investigate a series of mysterious bear killings. Learning that the killings may be a cover up to something bigger, they start to follow a shady bear hunter named Hans - who is actually a troll hunter.
Part "Blair Witch", part "Cloverfield", Troll Hunter gives an unusual twist to the whole found footage craze. The build up to the big reveal of the trolls is handled quite well, and the reactions of the film team offer moments of amazement, suspense, and comic relief. The team follows Hans, documenting his task in hunting three different types of trolls. We see woodland trolls, bridge trolls, and the giant mountain troll. The look of the trolls themselves range from impressive looking to down right goofy at times. This is mostly attributed to the fact the creature design is very classic in it's depiction of the trolls. Big noses, hairy, and very ancient humanoid features.
The biggest thing I find confusing about Troll Hunter is the way it depicts it's own mythology. At first it seems to go with the more mythical aspects, like trolls being able to smell the blood of a christian man. Then it goes into depth explaining them scientifically as mere predators in the wild. The film does drag a bit in sections, but despite those imperfections, Troll Hunter still manages to be a decent flick.
Verdict:
:|
"Hobo With a Shotgun"
In the vain of "Machete", Hobo With A Shotgun takes one of the fake trailers in Tarentino's and Rodgrigazis "Grindhouse" and attempts to make a full length movie out of it. Rutger Hauer stars as the titular homeless fellow who stumbles into a town overrun by corrupt cops, abused prostitutes, armed robbers, and a pedo-bear Santa.
Such a horrible, horrible movie. It isn't even funny bad, like the b-rated films it's trying so hard to mock. Aside from Hauer pretty much everyone in this film is completely unlikeable. It's almost painful to watch Hauer sincerely try to construct a solid character around all of these bellow high school play level actors. The best way to describe the performances is as agonizing as reading a book IN ALL CAPS. Drake and his henchmen sons - "Slick" and "Ivan" punctuate every line of dialogue past corny into eye-rolling territory. Just because you can shout and scream everything does not make you a badass. It just makes you a dumbass.
Instead of the chessy/sleazy film the trailers seemed to promise, we have a lazy film. The plot becomes almost incoherent during the film's third act with a supernatural twist that comes out of nowhere. There is non of the satire that made the Troma, Roger Corman, or countless cult-classic B-movies what they were.
In the end - Hobo with a Shotgun is a sad attempt at what could have been a fun party movie.
Verdict:
>:(
:):)Really Good/Highly Recommend :) Good :| Mediocre :\ Not good, but still fun :( Sucks
>:( A terrible waste of time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Conan O'Brien Can't Stop"
A documentary on Conan O'Brien's comedy tour of the U.S. and Canada after leaving his post at "The Tonight Show" after NBC decided to push him out of the prime-time slot. Part of his contractual obligation was that he was not to appear on television for six months, and several of the characters he and his writing team developed could no longer be used since they where deemed NBC property.
Can't Stop explores Conan's personal frustration about the NBC situation, as well as give us an in depth look at his "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV" tour. After personally being burnt by a frivolus publishing agency, I could connect with O'Brien's anger towards the NBC execs that canned him. As Conan put's it "sometimes Im so angry, I can't breath." For anyone that has suffered losing a job for no real reason will get some inspiration with O'Brien's always on the move attitude.
We follow CoCo and his team from the brainstorming sessions with his writing team, to what ultimately becomes his tour. Cameras capture everything from his hard time with being apart from his family, the inability to turn down meet and greets, to bouts of uncertainty about the tour's success. At point's he even seems a bit bi-polar, hurling very cruel jokes towards his staff and friends without even flinching. Only to becoming sincerely apologetic the next instance. But it soon becomes clear that the man has a real passion for what he does. He lives to entertain, and that's something he can't just turn off.
Verdict:
:)
"The Troll Hunter"
A trio of Norwegian students investigate a series of mysterious bear killings. Learning that the killings may be a cover up to something bigger, they start to follow a shady bear hunter named Hans - who is actually a troll hunter.
Part "Blair Witch", part "Cloverfield", Troll Hunter gives an unusual twist to the whole found footage craze. The build up to the big reveal of the trolls is handled quite well, and the reactions of the film team offer moments of amazement, suspense, and comic relief. The team follows Hans, documenting his task in hunting three different types of trolls. We see woodland trolls, bridge trolls, and the giant mountain troll. The look of the trolls themselves range from impressive looking to down right goofy at times. This is mostly attributed to the fact the creature design is very classic in it's depiction of the trolls. Big noses, hairy, and very ancient humanoid features.
The biggest thing I find confusing about Troll Hunter is the way it depicts it's own mythology. At first it seems to go with the more mythical aspects, like trolls being able to smell the blood of a christian man. Then it goes into depth explaining them scientifically as mere predators in the wild. The film does drag a bit in sections, but despite those imperfections, Troll Hunter still manages to be a decent flick.
Verdict:
:|
"Hobo With a Shotgun"
In the vain of "Machete", Hobo With A Shotgun takes one of the fake trailers in Tarentino's and Rodgrigazis "Grindhouse" and attempts to make a full length movie out of it. Rutger Hauer stars as the titular homeless fellow who stumbles into a town overrun by corrupt cops, abused prostitutes, armed robbers, and a pedo-bear Santa.
Such a horrible, horrible movie. It isn't even funny bad, like the b-rated films it's trying so hard to mock. Aside from Hauer pretty much everyone in this film is completely unlikeable. It's almost painful to watch Hauer sincerely try to construct a solid character around all of these bellow high school play level actors. The best way to describe the performances is as agonizing as reading a book IN ALL CAPS. Drake and his henchmen sons - "Slick" and "Ivan" punctuate every line of dialogue past corny into eye-rolling territory. Just because you can shout and scream everything does not make you a badass. It just makes you a dumbass.
Instead of the chessy/sleazy film the trailers seemed to promise, we have a lazy film. The plot becomes almost incoherent during the film's third act with a supernatural twist that comes out of nowhere. There is non of the satire that made the Troma, Roger Corman, or countless cult-classic B-movies what they were.
In the end - Hobo with a Shotgun is a sad attempt at what could have been a fun party movie.
Verdict:
>:(
Sunday, September 18, 2011
9.18.11 - Movie Round Up
Ratings Key:
:):)Really Good/Highly Recommend :) Good :| Mediocre :\ Not good, but still fun :( Sucks
>:( A terrible waste of time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Contagion"
Somebody finally made a zombie apocalypse film, without the zombies! Contagion takes a very realistic approach to the whole outbreak film genre, while also educating the audience on how fragile and disgusting we all can be.
The story follows a team of CDC doctors lead by Dr.Cheever (Fishburn) and Dr.Mears (Kate Winslet) in their race to find a cure for a vicious and highly contagious epidemic. The unknown virus sends it's victims into seizers, killing them just days after it's made contact. We also see how it effects the lives of Mitch (Matt Damon), a family man dealing with the loss of his wife and step-son. Dr.Orantes (Marion Cotillard) a world health organization worker, and Alan (Jude Law) a popular blogger using the hysteria for his own financial gain.
It's a suspense-thriller, but depending on how germaphobic you are it's a horror movie. The cinematography often weaves in and out, catching unsanitary behavior. Whenever the CDC are present you'll get a ton of facts thrown at you about unsavory human nature, and how diseases spread and mutate.
Contagion movies at a fairly quick pace, bouncing back and forth from location to location. Presenting a global scale of how fast the disease is spreading. A lot of well known names pop up in smaller rolls (Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, Demetri Martin). Unfortunately it's when the time comes to add that emotional connection with it's main characters - it falls flat. The best it can do is with Damon's story, which even still feels a bit vapid in it's delivery. With most of the other characters towards the end, the emotional ties are crowbarred in. An after effect of trying to juggle so many stories at breakneck speed.
Verdict:
:|
"The Fighter"
The best movie I've seen about boxing since "Rocky". Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale play Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund (respectively). Based on actual events, It's a gripping movie about family disfunction, disillusionment, and being the underdog.
Dicky's revelation about the camera crew following him around filming his "comeback" feels sincere, no wonder Bale won best supporting Oscar for this. His performance ironically steals the show - and it becomes apparent how much he immersed himself in the roll when you get a glimpse of the real Eklund. He bounce's around and has the same excitement and in his eyes about boxing as the genuine article. The movie does a brilliant job of building tension upon tension, until you're begging for Walberg's character to catch a freaking break! I can't recommend this film enough.
Verdict:
:):)
"Videodrome"
One of those cult-films I've wanted to see for awhile. Thankfully it recently popped up on netflix with a ton of other movies I've missed. Videodrome is an early eighties cross-genre flick. Part psychological thriller, part sci-fi horror; Videodrome is about society's desensitization through the media.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was inspiration for Nine Inch Nail's "broken" album. The tone is quite subversive and dark for it's time. Along with it's commentary on overstimulation leading to mindlessness, and ultimately self destruction.
James Woods plays TV programmer, Max Reen, who's constant apatite for hyper-violent and titillating media keeps him raising the bar for higher ratings. Until Max comes across a mysterious torture-porn like series called "Videodrome". After exposure to the show, he develops a tumor that begins to destroy his mind and body.
His perception of reality and fantasy bleeds into one, through a number of disturbing
hallucinations all crafted through the twisted work of special effects master Rick Baker. Scenes like Woods literally being sucked into his TV, or a stomach turing into a vcr dispenser/female genitalia, could easily become laughable. It's the sadomasochistic way it's done that makes it serious business.
Baker's use of practical effects, and writer/director David Cronenberg's unconventional way of staging will definitely mess with your head. Videodrome's biggest weak spot? The acting often takes a backseat to the story and production, so the characters come off a little too one-dimensional. I can also see the ending being too bleak for some - but it makes sense in the context of the main character's trappings.
Videodrome is still shockingly relevant and would make a great double-feature with Cronenberg's other classic - the 1980's remake of "The Fly".
Verdict:
:)
:):)Really Good/Highly Recommend :) Good :| Mediocre :\ Not good, but still fun :( Sucks
>:( A terrible waste of time
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Contagion"
Somebody finally made a zombie apocalypse film, without the zombies! Contagion takes a very realistic approach to the whole outbreak film genre, while also educating the audience on how fragile and disgusting we all can be.
The story follows a team of CDC doctors lead by Dr.Cheever (Fishburn) and Dr.Mears (Kate Winslet) in their race to find a cure for a vicious and highly contagious epidemic. The unknown virus sends it's victims into seizers, killing them just days after it's made contact. We also see how it effects the lives of Mitch (Matt Damon), a family man dealing with the loss of his wife and step-son. Dr.Orantes (Marion Cotillard) a world health organization worker, and Alan (Jude Law) a popular blogger using the hysteria for his own financial gain.
It's a suspense-thriller, but depending on how germaphobic you are it's a horror movie. The cinematography often weaves in and out, catching unsanitary behavior. Whenever the CDC are present you'll get a ton of facts thrown at you about unsavory human nature, and how diseases spread and mutate.
Contagion movies at a fairly quick pace, bouncing back and forth from location to location. Presenting a global scale of how fast the disease is spreading. A lot of well known names pop up in smaller rolls (Gwyneth Paltrow, Bryan Cranston, Demetri Martin). Unfortunately it's when the time comes to add that emotional connection with it's main characters - it falls flat. The best it can do is with Damon's story, which even still feels a bit vapid in it's delivery. With most of the other characters towards the end, the emotional ties are crowbarred in. An after effect of trying to juggle so many stories at breakneck speed.
Verdict:
:|
"The Fighter"
The best movie I've seen about boxing since "Rocky". Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale play Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund (respectively). Based on actual events, It's a gripping movie about family disfunction, disillusionment, and being the underdog.
Dicky's revelation about the camera crew following him around filming his "comeback" feels sincere, no wonder Bale won best supporting Oscar for this. His performance ironically steals the show - and it becomes apparent how much he immersed himself in the roll when you get a glimpse of the real Eklund. He bounce's around and has the same excitement and in his eyes about boxing as the genuine article. The movie does a brilliant job of building tension upon tension, until you're begging for Walberg's character to catch a freaking break! I can't recommend this film enough.
Verdict:
:):)
"Videodrome"
One of those cult-films I've wanted to see for awhile. Thankfully it recently popped up on netflix with a ton of other movies I've missed. Videodrome is an early eighties cross-genre flick. Part psychological thriller, part sci-fi horror; Videodrome is about society's desensitization through the media.
I wouldn't be surprised if this was inspiration for Nine Inch Nail's "broken" album. The tone is quite subversive and dark for it's time. Along with it's commentary on overstimulation leading to mindlessness, and ultimately self destruction.
James Woods plays TV programmer, Max Reen, who's constant apatite for hyper-violent and titillating media keeps him raising the bar for higher ratings. Until Max comes across a mysterious torture-porn like series called "Videodrome". After exposure to the show, he develops a tumor that begins to destroy his mind and body.
His perception of reality and fantasy bleeds into one, through a number of disturbing
hallucinations all crafted through the twisted work of special effects master Rick Baker. Scenes like Woods literally being sucked into his TV, or a stomach turing into a vcr dispenser/female genitalia, could easily become laughable. It's the sadomasochistic way it's done that makes it serious business.
Baker's use of practical effects, and writer/director David Cronenberg's unconventional way of staging will definitely mess with your head. Videodrome's biggest weak spot? The acting often takes a backseat to the story and production, so the characters come off a little too one-dimensional. I can also see the ending being too bleak for some - but it makes sense in the context of the main character's trappings.
Videodrome is still shockingly relevant and would make a great double-feature with Cronenberg's other classic - the 1980's remake of "The Fly".
Verdict:
:)
Sunday, August 28, 2011
8.28.11 - Movie Round Up
"Cyrus" was great. Most of it's humor is found in it's uncomfortable pauses/situations. Cyrus' slightly disturbing relationship with his mother really throws this into dark comedy territory. It's message about co-dependency and growth is a tad heavy handed sometimes, but it's a great message none the less.
"The Reef" was ok, albeit, slow in parts. Don't expect to see too much of the shark either.
"A Mighty Heart" took me by surprise - It's about the Daniel Pearl incident, and his wife's struggle during that time. Very visceral, and emotional.
Lastly, "Sucker Punch" which made me want to punch Zack Snyder in the face. It's such a shame all those amazing visuals went to a film that insults your intelligence every chance it gets. And I use the word film loosely - It's much more akin to an extended music video or demo reel.
"The Reef" was ok, albeit, slow in parts. Don't expect to see too much of the shark either.
"A Mighty Heart" took me by surprise - It's about the Daniel Pearl incident, and his wife's struggle during that time. Very visceral, and emotional.
Lastly, "Sucker Punch" which made me want to punch Zack Snyder in the face. It's such a shame all those amazing visuals went to a film that insults your intelligence every chance it gets. And I use the word film loosely - It's much more akin to an extended music video or demo reel.
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