In between about four episodes of Californication, I watched the classic "Dirty Harry" movie, starring Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino). Clint is just about at his most bad-ass in this vigilante/police/cowboy story. Mostly every shot is framed in some spectacular fashion and the music fits perfectly. From the opening credits to the end, you'll be thinking why haven't I seen this before?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Weekend at Ira's, (featuring many films)
Keeping up with this is like chasing that little white rabbit in wonderland.
There has been much movie watching over the past few days. En route to Oneonta, we made a pit stop in Poopkeepsie for a couple of days.
Submitted for your approval, we watched around 5 movies. I use the term "about" because there was much discussion while they were on. The films were, in order, "Ravenous", "The Devil's Nightmare", "Ran", "Lolita" and finally "Dead Man".
"Ravenous"
A tale of cannibalism. Guy Pearce ("The King's Speech") and David Arquette (all the Scream movies) star in a man eat man war of the world. The eating of human flesh gives you super healing powers apparently in this story. After all, you are who you eat...? I digress. The movie wasn't terribly gripping, however the music kept everything moving. Composed by one of the dudes from The Gorillaz and someone else I knew nothing about. I advise not seeing this on a full stomach.
"The Devil's Nightmare"
One of my favorite B horror movies. Starring Erika Blanc (probably some softcore italian pornos) and a cast that resembles the cast of Gilligan's Island. The story follows 7 "sinners" and a preist going on a tour and stopping at a haunted castle. Typical horror plot, full of everything a horror movie needs. Mystery Science Theater has not riffed on this one, which makes me think I should. So good.
"Ran" (not the past tense of run, but Japanese for "Revolt" or "Chaos"
Long and subtitled. Great for a sunday morning, especially with bathroom and snack breaks (separately of course). Akira Kurosawa had been making many many movies in his day, mostly in black and white. This was made towards the end of his career, and since technology permitted, he used color film. And by used color, i mean it. He didn't simply have everything in color, but the colors almost told the story. The story, being an emperor, in essence dividing his kingdom into three parts, giving each to his three sons. Whew, an epic story of battle and blood and brotherhood. Again, in this film, the music was extremely appropriate and interesting. One seen in particular shows the death of almost 100 samari on horses with guns (the heck?). The audio durring this part would have been loud and painful explosions, however in a montage, the music drowns it all out and simply tells the story of war.
"Lolita"
Stanely Kubric near his finest. Hard to say where amongst his other movies this falls, but it certainly was a terrific movie. Full of sexual innuendos and marvelous acting. The story may be somewhat unsettling, a older man courting around a much, much younger girl (who doesn't seem to mind). This was remade with a young Natalie Portman several years later, I plan to watch it soon. James Mason ("North by North-West) plays an english professor with a crippling thirst for youth. It's a classic and if you haven't seen it, what the heck are you doing?
"Dead Man"
Jim Jarmusch's black and white story of a "dead man" played by Johnny Depp (if you don't know Johnny Depp, get out from under a rock). A very western feel, complete with indians and gunslingers sprinkled nicely with the original music of Neil Young. The music seemed to have been recorded in two takes, live while Neil Young was watching the movie. (That's not a bad thing at all by the way). Overall the movie felt very raw and inspired. The entire movie is on Youtube, and I look forward to watching it again, seeing as the second half, my ear was being politely chewed off by unwelcomed commentary.
Alright, I believe this brings us up to date. I have safely made it back to the land of snow and hills for my final semester at college and my roommates have multiple DVDs I have not seen. Today's movie was going to be the new "Green Hornet" movie with Seth Rogan ("Freaks and Geeks") but then I realized that I'd rather wait for it on DVD.
Keep it here for more movie reviews.
There has been much movie watching over the past few days. En route to Oneonta, we made a pit stop in Poopkeepsie for a couple of days.
Submitted for your approval, we watched around 5 movies. I use the term "about" because there was much discussion while they were on. The films were, in order, "Ravenous", "The Devil's Nightmare", "Ran", "Lolita" and finally "Dead Man".
"Ravenous"
A tale of cannibalism. Guy Pearce ("The King's Speech") and David Arquette (all the Scream movies) star in a man eat man war of the world. The eating of human flesh gives you super healing powers apparently in this story. After all, you are who you eat...? I digress. The movie wasn't terribly gripping, however the music kept everything moving. Composed by one of the dudes from The Gorillaz and someone else I knew nothing about. I advise not seeing this on a full stomach.
"The Devil's Nightmare"
One of my favorite B horror movies. Starring Erika Blanc (probably some softcore italian pornos) and a cast that resembles the cast of Gilligan's Island. The story follows 7 "sinners" and a preist going on a tour and stopping at a haunted castle. Typical horror plot, full of everything a horror movie needs. Mystery Science Theater has not riffed on this one, which makes me think I should. So good.
"Ran" (not the past tense of run, but Japanese for "Revolt" or "Chaos"
Long and subtitled. Great for a sunday morning, especially with bathroom and snack breaks (separately of course). Akira Kurosawa had been making many many movies in his day, mostly in black and white. This was made towards the end of his career, and since technology permitted, he used color film. And by used color, i mean it. He didn't simply have everything in color, but the colors almost told the story. The story, being an emperor, in essence dividing his kingdom into three parts, giving each to his three sons. Whew, an epic story of battle and blood and brotherhood. Again, in this film, the music was extremely appropriate and interesting. One seen in particular shows the death of almost 100 samari on horses with guns (the heck?). The audio durring this part would have been loud and painful explosions, however in a montage, the music drowns it all out and simply tells the story of war.
"Lolita"
Stanely Kubric near his finest. Hard to say where amongst his other movies this falls, but it certainly was a terrific movie. Full of sexual innuendos and marvelous acting. The story may be somewhat unsettling, a older man courting around a much, much younger girl (who doesn't seem to mind). This was remade with a young Natalie Portman several years later, I plan to watch it soon. James Mason ("North by North-West) plays an english professor with a crippling thirst for youth. It's a classic and if you haven't seen it, what the heck are you doing?
"Dead Man"
Jim Jarmusch's black and white story of a "dead man" played by Johnny Depp (if you don't know Johnny Depp, get out from under a rock). A very western feel, complete with indians and gunslingers sprinkled nicely with the original music of Neil Young. The music seemed to have been recorded in two takes, live while Neil Young was watching the movie. (That's not a bad thing at all by the way). Overall the movie felt very raw and inspired. The entire movie is on Youtube, and I look forward to watching it again, seeing as the second half, my ear was being politely chewed off by unwelcomed commentary.
Alright, I believe this brings us up to date. I have safely made it back to the land of snow and hills for my final semester at college and my roommates have multiple DVDs I have not seen. Today's movie was going to be the new "Green Hornet" movie with Seth Rogan ("Freaks and Geeks") but then I realized that I'd rather wait for it on DVD.
Keep it here for more movie reviews.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Couple of Dicks
Went out with a shovel today to make some money shoveling people's driveways... it seems it's snowed less than expected. Sort of a bummer.
So I watched Cop Out.
Another unimpressive Kevin Smith movie. I had heard bad things about it when it came out a couple of years ago, and most of them true. The humor rotated around the word "homage". I saw it only because it was filmed on my block (and for the record, i could not find the scene during the movie).
Surprised however by the cast, aside from Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Tracey Morgan (30 Rock) and Seann William Scott (Dude, where's my car?), it featured Rashida Jones (The Office), Kevin Pollak ( Buffalo '66), Guillermo Diaz (Weeds) and Adam Brody (The OC).
Nothing stood out to me in it, not highly recommended.
So I watched Cop Out.
Another unimpressive Kevin Smith movie. I had heard bad things about it when it came out a couple of years ago, and most of them true. The humor rotated around the word "homage". I saw it only because it was filmed on my block (and for the record, i could not find the scene during the movie).
Surprised however by the cast, aside from Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Tracey Morgan (30 Rock) and Seann William Scott (Dude, where's my car?), it featured Rashida Jones (The Office), Kevin Pollak ( Buffalo '66), Guillermo Diaz (Weeds) and Adam Brody (The OC).
Nothing stood out to me in it, not highly recommended.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
snakes on a plane < TRON: LEGACY
Due to unforeseen circumstances, i've been falling behind on the reviews, so here's two days ago and yesterday's movies.
Snakes On A Plane, starring Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Kenan Thompson (All That!) and David Koechner (Anchorman). Ok, it didn't star these people, but they are the only ones worth paying attention to. Them and the snakes, who quite possibly did the best job in this movie. Clearly, this movie was made for the sole purpose of Samuel L. to scream "I'm tired of these mother fucking snakes on this mother fucking plane."
Snakes on a plane came out over 4 years ago now, so most people have probably seen it, and if you haven't. I honestly suggest skipping it. The same is not true for yesterday's movie: TRON: LEGACY.
Having seen the original TRON about a year ago, I had a small idea of what to expect when I went in and put on my 3D glasses for TRON: LEGACY. Either way, it was insane. It was intense and overall awesome.
The story is of Flynn who is the creator of a computer world, think of the Matrix, or Second Life, or WoW. One day in this computer world, which is loosely called "The Grid", Flynn locks himself in. The story then follows his son, who mistakenly sends himself through the portal to "the grid". There he encounters many "next level stuff".
Jeff Bridges was his usually dude self in his role of Flynn and played a great antagonist, named Clue (who's a younger clone version of Flynn). If your still following, great, if not, it's okay, I don't wish to give away anymore anyway.
See TRON: LEGACY and see it in 3D, or even IMAX if you can. I would see this again even today in an IMAX theater. The visuals were exceptional, the music was dynamite and the story (although rushed) was touching.
Snakes On A Plane, starring Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction), Kenan Thompson (All That!) and David Koechner (Anchorman). Ok, it didn't star these people, but they are the only ones worth paying attention to. Them and the snakes, who quite possibly did the best job in this movie. Clearly, this movie was made for the sole purpose of Samuel L. to scream "I'm tired of these mother fucking snakes on this mother fucking plane."
Snakes on a plane came out over 4 years ago now, so most people have probably seen it, and if you haven't. I honestly suggest skipping it. The same is not true for yesterday's movie: TRON: LEGACY.
Having seen the original TRON about a year ago, I had a small idea of what to expect when I went in and put on my 3D glasses for TRON: LEGACY. Either way, it was insane. It was intense and overall awesome.
The story is of Flynn who is the creator of a computer world, think of the Matrix, or Second Life, or WoW. One day in this computer world, which is loosely called "The Grid", Flynn locks himself in. The story then follows his son, who mistakenly sends himself through the portal to "the grid". There he encounters many "next level stuff".
Jeff Bridges was his usually dude self in his role of Flynn and played a great antagonist, named Clue (who's a younger clone version of Flynn). If your still following, great, if not, it's okay, I don't wish to give away anymore anyway.
See TRON: LEGACY and see it in 3D, or even IMAX if you can. I would see this again even today in an IMAX theater. The visuals were exceptional, the music was dynamite and the story (although rushed) was touching.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Bucket of Blood
Getting today's movie in early today. Today's experiment was A Bucket of Blood, from 1959. It was great, from start to finish. Honestly. It came in the same pack of 50 movies as The Milpitas Monster. The opening scene captures a nice black and white snapshot of the emerging beat society, and the newly hired waiter who just wants to be appreciated in the art world.
He turns out to be the "monster" of sorts in this monster movie, by killing his subjects and turning them into art sculptures, by simply putting plaster over them. This may seen silly, however it comes off as "believable".
Best of all, this movie was short, 65 minutes total. Felt just like a long episode of Mad Men, which i've been watching all day, along with Californication. It was a nice cold day to stay in and watch the old tube. But we all have to go outside sometime, and now is my time. Tomorrow's movie will be 1978's The Adventures of Stella Star.
He turns out to be the "monster" of sorts in this monster movie, by killing his subjects and turning them into art sculptures, by simply putting plaster over them. This may seen silly, however it comes off as "believable".
Best of all, this movie was short, 65 minutes total. Felt just like a long episode of Mad Men, which i've been watching all day, along with Californication. It was a nice cold day to stay in and watch the old tube. But we all have to go outside sometime, and now is my time. Tomorrow's movie will be 1978's The Adventures of Stella Star.
The Milpitas Monster
1976, 82 minutes of a textbook example of a B movie. I'm surprised their isn't a Mystery Science Theater episode dedicated to this garbage. Overall it seemed like a public service announcement against littering and protecting the environment.
The list of things it could have used are endless, including a director. This is certainly worth skipping over, unless you feel like riffing with some friends over it. The opening song, cleverly titled "The Milpitas Monster", was actually a nice little Knack-like song, minus the subject matter being a garbage monster.
I mean come on, this movie is about a 50 foot tall monster made of garbage terrorizing a small California town. Pfft. Garbage.
The list of things it could have used are endless, including a director. This is certainly worth skipping over, unless you feel like riffing with some friends over it. The opening song, cleverly titled "The Milpitas Monster", was actually a nice little Knack-like song, minus the subject matter being a garbage monster.
I mean come on, this movie is about a 50 foot tall monster made of garbage terrorizing a small California town. Pfft. Garbage.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Chasing Amy and Visoneers
Firstly, I tried to post this last night, but something was clearly amiss.
Anyway.
Chasing Amy.
Not my favorite Kevin Smith movie. Not my second favorite Kevin Smith movie. I liked Zak and Miri make a porno more than Chasing Amy. Don't get me wrong, i liked Zak and Miri, very much actually. Chasing Amy just falls right under the bar that Zak and Miri set for me, personally (which this blog is).
Favorite moment was the diner scene with Jay and Silent Bob, specifically when Silent Bob talks and explains the title of the movie (his movie). I met Kevin Smith once, while he was filming "Cop Out" which at the time was going to be titled "A Couple of Dicks." He was filming directly on my block. It was a nice summer day and really crowded on the streets because Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan were in the area. Anyway, Kevin was a real nice guy, and turns out we were born in the same hospital. Then he signed my Video store rental copy of Mallrats (my second favorite KS movie).
Clerks is the best KS movie.
?Spoiler Alert?
The scene towards the end of Chasing Amy were Ben Afflek's try to talk his ex girlfriend and best friend to have a threesome with him. I think that scene would be a good exercise for actors and actress to try out in workshops. But no, that scene is the only scene where I actually laughed out loud (noted: I watched it alone. do people usually laugh at movies when there alone?)
Then today (yesterday, the 6th) I watched Visoneers.
I did not care for this movie. I felt forced, as if i was one of the robots in Mystery Science Theater 3000. It's basically Zach Galifianakis being serious, which he might do well, but who really wants to see that? It's on Hulu if you want to watch it though, and do watch it if your a fan of Zach, or George Washington, or people exploding, or really depressing projections of the future.
Now i'm going to bed, tomorrow's a new movie.
Anyway.
Chasing Amy.
Not my favorite Kevin Smith movie. Not my second favorite Kevin Smith movie. I liked Zak and Miri make a porno more than Chasing Amy. Don't get me wrong, i liked Zak and Miri, very much actually. Chasing Amy just falls right under the bar that Zak and Miri set for me, personally (which this blog is).
Favorite moment was the diner scene with Jay and Silent Bob, specifically when Silent Bob talks and explains the title of the movie (his movie). I met Kevin Smith once, while he was filming "Cop Out" which at the time was going to be titled "A Couple of Dicks." He was filming directly on my block. It was a nice summer day and really crowded on the streets because Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan were in the area. Anyway, Kevin was a real nice guy, and turns out we were born in the same hospital. Then he signed my Video store rental copy of Mallrats (my second favorite KS movie).
Clerks is the best KS movie.
?Spoiler Alert?
The scene towards the end of Chasing Amy were Ben Afflek's try to talk his ex girlfriend and best friend to have a threesome with him. I think that scene would be a good exercise for actors and actress to try out in workshops. But no, that scene is the only scene where I actually laughed out loud (noted: I watched it alone. do people usually laugh at movies when there alone?)
Then today (yesterday, the 6th) I watched Visoneers.
I did not care for this movie. I felt forced, as if i was one of the robots in Mystery Science Theater 3000. It's basically Zach Galifianakis being serious, which he might do well, but who really wants to see that? It's on Hulu if you want to watch it though, and do watch it if your a fan of Zach, or George Washington, or people exploding, or really depressing projections of the future.
Now i'm going to bed, tomorrow's a new movie.
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