Friday, April 30, 2010
Film Odditites: Yaddo
When a writer writes..how much of what surrounds them effects the final product? I believe it informs the process somehow. Next time I watch Synecdoche NY I will keep Yaddo in mind. Yaddo is an old estate in upstate NY that is for serious writers to work on their craft. For two weeks Charlie Kaufman worked on Synecdoche NY there...when I went to Google Earth I noticed that Yaddo is in Saratoga, NY..about 300 yards away is the race track..the famous Saratoga Race Track. I wonder if any of this somehow finds its way into the Escher-like experience of this great film?
Lifetime Movies: 1980
Clearly the most difficult year so far, the new decade opens with controversy. For the first time I am split between 3 films. One is one of my top 5 films of all time, but I feel it does not deserve to win this year of 1980, there is a more superior film, a film that I know is better but I also know I do not personally feel the same passion for...oh why...why must I choose...so lets get to the Nominees
The Empire Strikes Back
Raging Bull
The Shining
Empire has always been my favorite of the original trilogy..in that case it should be my favorite of all 6 films in the Star Wars series...but it is not my pick for 1980...there are better films as films go...maybe that Dagobah scene was its undoing, I always get sleepy with any kind of Jedi Training.
So now the last two films. There is a clearly better film here and that's why Raging Bull is the best film of 1980...I may own 3 copies of The Shining, I have watched The Shining many many more times then Raging Bull, but a week ago I caught Raging Bull on HBO, it was one scene, the scene where Deniro is asking his brother to punch him, in that instant I was convinced, there is horror, humor, great acting, unreal technical skill of the director, etc, etc...Raging Bull was chosen by Roger Ebert as the film of the decade for a reason..the reason is that it is simply one of the best films ever made in the history of film, and The Shining while great, and acted great and made by my personal favorite director, is a narrow film, some humour, plenty of horror, but just is not one of the greatest films compared to Raging Bull. This was very tough for me, I hold The Shining in a special place for me, for some reason when I think of the film I am reminded of Sunday afternoons, whenever I am in a Catholic Church I think of The Shining..maybe it's the symmetry of the altar..it relates to the symmetry of a Kubrick shot...the isolation and symbolism are at every corner...but all this doesn't mean its better then Raging Bull...Raging Bull is true art as a whole not just parts.
Thoughts on all the films that I considered:
Empire Strikes Back
ends on a down note, and is always referenced as the best of the series, probably for the AT-AT walkers
Airplane
always find something funny and new in this film...and was she giving that blow up doll a blow job?
Stir Crazy
I love the combination of Prior and Wilder, they were a great comedy duo
Fatso
someone once told me you gotta either be fat or Italian to think this film was funny...well I am fat and Italian and I love this film...Deluise is at the top of his career and Ann Bancroft...I love that woman..really..I think she is very sexy and perfect..damn that Mel Brooks cock blocking me....not to mention Deluise has the greatest idea ever...donuts filled with ice cream
Caligula
The Imperial Edition...let me say..sometimes greatness means other things then great film...I have a history with this film that will remain between Frank and I...but the commentary on this is incredible, Malcolm McDowell sighs and says "Jesus Christ" at the start of the commentary when the title comes up..its a great way to spend an afternoon by watching the film twice, and listening to the McDowell and Helen Mirren tracks
The Shining
I own both aspect ratio versions, blu-ray etc..of this...I love that the outside shots were all shot by a second unit in Montana and Oregon...the hotel really exists and sits at the base of Mt Hood in Oregon...Danny is now a teacher in like Ohio or something...and Kubrick is a master
The Elephant Man
The second film with Ann Bancroft...enough said...oh and Lynch..another David Lynch and Mel Brooks film..what a crazy combination
Heavens Gate
I really love this film..the history of how it was made is an obsession for me..the film itself is good in parts, would have made a good mini series..due to films like this and a push for HBO to make historical series now...we never get truly epic films like this anymore
Raging Bull
another great combo..Deniro, Pesci, Scorsese...imagine this film in COLOR?..me either
Caddyshack
to me this is as funny as Animal House..its a classic and you can watch it at any point in the film and just watch the rest
Till next time..another tough choice is coming for 1981...who knew the early 80's were this good?
The Empire Strikes Back
Raging Bull
The Shining
Empire has always been my favorite of the original trilogy..in that case it should be my favorite of all 6 films in the Star Wars series...but it is not my pick for 1980...there are better films as films go...maybe that Dagobah scene was its undoing, I always get sleepy with any kind of Jedi Training.
So now the last two films. There is a clearly better film here and that's why Raging Bull is the best film of 1980...I may own 3 copies of The Shining, I have watched The Shining many many more times then Raging Bull, but a week ago I caught Raging Bull on HBO, it was one scene, the scene where Deniro is asking his brother to punch him, in that instant I was convinced, there is horror, humor, great acting, unreal technical skill of the director, etc, etc...Raging Bull was chosen by Roger Ebert as the film of the decade for a reason..the reason is that it is simply one of the best films ever made in the history of film, and The Shining while great, and acted great and made by my personal favorite director, is a narrow film, some humour, plenty of horror, but just is not one of the greatest films compared to Raging Bull. This was very tough for me, I hold The Shining in a special place for me, for some reason when I think of the film I am reminded of Sunday afternoons, whenever I am in a Catholic Church I think of The Shining..maybe it's the symmetry of the altar..it relates to the symmetry of a Kubrick shot...the isolation and symbolism are at every corner...but all this doesn't mean its better then Raging Bull...Raging Bull is true art as a whole not just parts.
Thoughts on all the films that I considered:
Empire Strikes Back
ends on a down note, and is always referenced as the best of the series, probably for the AT-AT walkers
Airplane
always find something funny and new in this film...and was she giving that blow up doll a blow job?
Stir Crazy
I love the combination of Prior and Wilder, they were a great comedy duo
Fatso
someone once told me you gotta either be fat or Italian to think this film was funny...well I am fat and Italian and I love this film...Deluise is at the top of his career and Ann Bancroft...I love that woman..really..I think she is very sexy and perfect..damn that Mel Brooks cock blocking me....not to mention Deluise has the greatest idea ever...donuts filled with ice cream
Caligula
The Imperial Edition...let me say..sometimes greatness means other things then great film...I have a history with this film that will remain between Frank and I...but the commentary on this is incredible, Malcolm McDowell sighs and says "Jesus Christ" at the start of the commentary when the title comes up..its a great way to spend an afternoon by watching the film twice, and listening to the McDowell and Helen Mirren tracks
The Shining
I own both aspect ratio versions, blu-ray etc..of this...I love that the outside shots were all shot by a second unit in Montana and Oregon...the hotel really exists and sits at the base of Mt Hood in Oregon...Danny is now a teacher in like Ohio or something...and Kubrick is a master
The Elephant Man
The second film with Ann Bancroft...enough said...oh and Lynch..another David Lynch and Mel Brooks film..what a crazy combination
Heavens Gate
I really love this film..the history of how it was made is an obsession for me..the film itself is good in parts, would have made a good mini series..due to films like this and a push for HBO to make historical series now...we never get truly epic films like this anymore
Raging Bull
another great combo..Deniro, Pesci, Scorsese...imagine this film in COLOR?..me either
Caddyshack
to me this is as funny as Animal House..its a classic and you can watch it at any point in the film and just watch the rest
Till next time..another tough choice is coming for 1981...who knew the early 80's were this good?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Playlist: The Fourth Kind
What to make of this? It starts off unexpectedly and intriguingly enough: Milla Jovovich approaches the screen. Fair enough, since she is the star of the film and all. But then she says, "I'm actress Milla Jovovich, and I will be portraying Dr. Abigail Tyler in The Fourth Kind" And it's on.
She continues: "This film is a dramatization of events that occurred October 1st through the 9th of 2000, in the Northern Alaskan town of Nome. To better explain the events of this story, the director has included actual archived footage throughout the film. This footage was acquired from Nome psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler...Every dramatized scene in this movie is supported by either archived audio, video or as it was related by Dr. Tyler during extensive interviews with the director. In the end, what you believe is yours to decide. Please be advised, that some of what you're about to see is extremely disturbing."
It's a creative directorial choice by newcomer Olatunde Osunsanmi and his use of split screen splicing of Jovovich's portrayal of Dr. Tyler and video of the real psychologist's real patients is particularly effective. If also a crock of week old shit.
For you see, there is no Dr. Abigail Tyler, or at least the woman playing her in the "real" video (including a one-on-one interview) is not Dr. Tyler. And that "actual archived footage" the director so thoughtfully included for our benefit? Well, I could shoot a guy in a monkey suit riding a donkey dressed like a triceratops, write "actual footage" on the label and put it on a shelf and, presto, archived footage. It's all a hoax. The whole thing. Whether you believe in alien abductions (which is what this is all about, btw) is besides the point. What was at first artistic vision turns out to be nothing but a creative crutch propping up limp special effects and a balsa wood plot.
How is this different from other faux dox that worked? Say, The Blair Witch Project? Good question, if a bit snarky. I'll answer, though: Blair Witch was a well-crafted film that was enhanced by the orchestrated mythology. The Fourth Kind, on the other hand, not only used its lie as a foundation but the rest of it was constructed with some of that bogus Chinese drywall.
One last thing about the "actual footage." It's lame. Really, if the only reason to include it was to try to trick the audience as to the reality of alien abductions, show something. They literally did the opposite: whenever an alien presence was about to be seen, the video became distorted. Hey, I caught the real Santa Claus on camera. What do you where? Right there, behind that building.
On a side note, Jovovich has had quite the career progression, from eye-candy model to badass heroinne. Remind me to look at this closer in a future post.
She continues: "This film is a dramatization of events that occurred October 1st through the 9th of 2000, in the Northern Alaskan town of Nome. To better explain the events of this story, the director has included actual archived footage throughout the film. This footage was acquired from Nome psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler...Every dramatized scene in this movie is supported by either archived audio, video or as it was related by Dr. Tyler during extensive interviews with the director. In the end, what you believe is yours to decide. Please be advised, that some of what you're about to see is extremely disturbing."
It's a creative directorial choice by newcomer Olatunde Osunsanmi and his use of split screen splicing of Jovovich's portrayal of Dr. Tyler and video of the real psychologist's real patients is particularly effective. If also a crock of week old shit.
For you see, there is no Dr. Abigail Tyler, or at least the woman playing her in the "real" video (including a one-on-one interview) is not Dr. Tyler. And that "actual archived footage" the director so thoughtfully included for our benefit? Well, I could shoot a guy in a monkey suit riding a donkey dressed like a triceratops, write "actual footage" on the label and put it on a shelf and, presto, archived footage. It's all a hoax. The whole thing. Whether you believe in alien abductions (which is what this is all about, btw) is besides the point. What was at first artistic vision turns out to be nothing but a creative crutch propping up limp special effects and a balsa wood plot.
How is this different from other faux dox that worked? Say, The Blair Witch Project? Good question, if a bit snarky. I'll answer, though: Blair Witch was a well-crafted film that was enhanced by the orchestrated mythology. The Fourth Kind, on the other hand, not only used its lie as a foundation but the rest of it was constructed with some of that bogus Chinese drywall.
One last thing about the "actual footage." It's lame. Really, if the only reason to include it was to try to trick the audience as to the reality of alien abductions, show something. They literally did the opposite: whenever an alien presence was about to be seen, the video became distorted. Hey, I caught the real Santa Claus on camera. What do you where? Right there, behind that building.
On a side note, Jovovich has had quite the career progression, from eye-candy model to badass heroinne. Remind me to look at this closer in a future post.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Distillery: Steven Spielberg
| Film | Year | Vin | Frank |
| Duel | 1971 | - | + |
| The Sugarland Express | 1974 | x | x |
| Jaws | 1975 | + | + |
| Close Encounters of the Third Kind | 1977 | + | + |
| 1941 | 1979 | - | - |
| Raiders of the Lost Ark | 1981 | + | + |
| E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial | 1982 | + | + |
| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | 1984 | + | + |
| The Color Purple | 1985 | x | x |
| Empire of the Sun | 1987 | x | x |
| Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade | 1989 | + | + |
| Always | 1989 | x | x |
| Hook | 1991 | - | x |
| Jurassic Park | 1993 | + | + |
| Schindler's List | 1993 | + | + |
| The Lost World: Jurassic Park | 1997 | + | - |
| Amistad | 1997 | - | + |
| Saving Private Ryan | 1998 | + | + |
| Artificial Intelligence: AI | 2001 | + | - |
| Minority Report | 2002 | + | + |
| Catch Me If You Can | 2002 | x | + |
| The Terminal | 2004 | + | - |
| War of the Worlds | 2005 | - | - |
| Munich | 2005 | + | + |
| Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull | 2008 | - | - |
FINAL DISTILLATION | 56% | 56% |
Key: + = Film Liked; - = Film Not Liked; x = Film Not Seen
Playlist: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Here were the 2009 Oscar nominees for Best Animated Film: Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog, The Secret of Kells, and Up.
Like just about everyone else in this country, I haven't scene The Secret of Kells. It killed in Europe and we all know their impeccable taste. It's about 9th century monks--what's not to like, you know, other than the 9th century monk part? Really, monks peaked in the 640s.
Coraline came with both cred guns blazing: it was directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and based on a book by Neil Gaiman (uh, Coraline). And it was 3-D, but old school terrible 3-D. It looks terrific and captures the creepy PG tone of the book. No complaints.
Disney mouth-to-mouthed classic 2-D animation with The Princess and the Frog and...ok, they finally figured out that it was okay to sell dolls to African-American girls as well. Princess Tiana: the Jackie Robinson of crass commercialism.
Up won, of course, because it was a Pixar film. Not that it wasn't good--it was, and deserves some sort of prize for making kids sit through one of the most beautifully depressing sequences in movie history before they got to the talking dog. But it also received a Best Picture nomination as well...I don't know, though. I think it was over-hyped by the time I saw it. Or maybe the Pixar formula has been perfected to predictability at this point. Whatever the case...
...I though Mr. Fox was the best animated film of the year. What won me over was that it was an animated movie that not only didn't try to hide the fact that it's an animated movie but reveled in it. There's just an infectious giddiness, from George Clooney's over-the-top swagger as the lead voice to the manic stop-motion movements and gestures. But most of all, it captured director Wes Anderson's eccentric whimsy that can sometimes get too cute for its own good in his live action films. Or: it was fun.
Like just about everyone else in this country, I haven't scene The Secret of Kells. It killed in Europe and we all know their impeccable taste. It's about 9th century monks--what's not to like, you know, other than the 9th century monk part? Really, monks peaked in the 640s.
Coraline came with both cred guns blazing: it was directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and based on a book by Neil Gaiman (uh, Coraline). And it was 3-D, but old school terrible 3-D. It looks terrific and captures the creepy PG tone of the book. No complaints.
Disney mouth-to-mouthed classic 2-D animation with The Princess and the Frog and...ok, they finally figured out that it was okay to sell dolls to African-American girls as well. Princess Tiana: the Jackie Robinson of crass commercialism.
Up won, of course, because it was a Pixar film. Not that it wasn't good--it was, and deserves some sort of prize for making kids sit through one of the most beautifully depressing sequences in movie history before they got to the talking dog. But it also received a Best Picture nomination as well...I don't know, though. I think it was over-hyped by the time I saw it. Or maybe the Pixar formula has been perfected to predictability at this point. Whatever the case...
...I though Mr. Fox was the best animated film of the year. What won me over was that it was an animated movie that not only didn't try to hide the fact that it's an animated movie but reveled in it. There's just an infectious giddiness, from George Clooney's over-the-top swagger as the lead voice to the manic stop-motion movements and gestures. But most of all, it captured director Wes Anderson's eccentric whimsy that can sometimes get too cute for its own good in his live action films. Or: it was fun.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Playlist: "Advantage"
I've been into shorts lately and I'm also going to refrain from making a clothing joke. You're welcome.
I caught the 11 minute "Advantage" on IFC and while its run-time was less than the total commercial-time during an episode of Lost, Australian director Sean Byrne packed it well. It opens with a young couple stumbling home from a night out when they come across a fenced-in tennis court. As stumbling young couples tend to do, they decide to...hold on, let me fire up the euphemism machine...rattle rattle clank...harness the underwear unicorn. Really? Is this thing still under warranty?
Right, ok, so they're harnessing when the lights turn on and the loudspeakers blare what can best be described as Satanic techno. They're not alone. In the worst possible way. The rest--remember it's all of 11 minutes--is spoiler territory. It's freaky and well done and Byrne impressed me enough that I'm interested to see his full-length horror feature, The Loved Ones, this August. Anyone catch it?
I caught the 11 minute "Advantage" on IFC and while its run-time was less than the total commercial-time during an episode of Lost, Australian director Sean Byrne packed it well. It opens with a young couple stumbling home from a night out when they come across a fenced-in tennis court. As stumbling young couples tend to do, they decide to...hold on, let me fire up the euphemism machine...rattle rattle clank...harness the underwear unicorn. Really? Is this thing still under warranty?
Right, ok, so they're harnessing when the lights turn on and the loudspeakers blare what can best be described as Satanic techno. They're not alone. In the worst possible way. The rest--remember it's all of 11 minutes--is spoiler territory. It's freaky and well done and Byrne impressed me enough that I'm interested to see his full-length horror feature, The Loved Ones, this August. Anyone catch it?
Lifetime Movies: 1979 REDUX
OK Right?...so forget everything from that last post...I found out it was a hacker and they are now officially hacked...the "Puppet Movie?"..really...I due remember that that was the second film I ever recorded off tv with a vcr tape...the first was Xanadu...anyway here is the real films up for nomination for 1979...and yes Frank is right about the winner and real best film for me at least...not to rag an Frank but because it is his choice..but did I mention that Frank is a great lover of Henson...and I am a great lover of Labyrinth and all things Madonna and Jennifer Connelly...we gotta have our moments..
The Nominees:
Alien
Apocalypse Now REDUX
Being There
The Warriors
Breaking Away
Some good films...I also had a few others ...but the choice was simple..Apocalypse Now Redux the longer version with the French plantation and Harrison Ford and that guy from the Matrix is hands down a classic..and a great film..man Francis Ford Coppola is a beast in the 1970's...as FFC has said .."this is not a film about Vietnam...this IS Vietnam"..much of this film is better now then then...the film is longer, it has an incredible documentary called Heart Of Darkness that goes into the excess and length of the film being made..not to mention it almost killed Coppola and the star Martin Sheen...and the Commentary track by Coppola is incredible...he is great and tells great stories...the film is long and is not like "The Hangover in Asia" or anything...it is haunting and you gotta be patient and open to great films to like it...but I am a pompas ass when it comes to these things...here's thoughts on the rest.
Alien
another great film, commentary track by Scott is great..
Being There
thanks to our buddy Jeff.. I got to see this...and the ending is a shocker
Breaking Away
makes me want to go biking and eat real American food like "FRENCH FRIES"
Caligula
ok so I got drunk on Jack Daniels and opened up my pants in front of Frank...so sue me...the commentary tracks alone from Helen Mirrian and A McDowell are better then the film
Hot Stuff
Fat and Funny Delouise
The Jerk
funny film and the guy still thinks he is black
The Warriors
I loved the Baseball Furies...those guys are a bunch of pussies
And Justice For All...the best Al Pacino end in the court room scene
Till Next time...BOOM
The Nominees:
Alien
Apocalypse Now REDUX
Being There
The Warriors
Breaking Away
Some good films...I also had a few others ...but the choice was simple..Apocalypse Now Redux the longer version with the French plantation and Harrison Ford and that guy from the Matrix is hands down a classic..and a great film..man Francis Ford Coppola is a beast in the 1970's...as FFC has said .."this is not a film about Vietnam...this IS Vietnam"..much of this film is better now then then...the film is longer, it has an incredible documentary called Heart Of Darkness that goes into the excess and length of the film being made..not to mention it almost killed Coppola and the star Martin Sheen...and the Commentary track by Coppola is incredible...he is great and tells great stories...the film is long and is not like "The Hangover in Asia" or anything...it is haunting and you gotta be patient and open to great films to like it...but I am a pompas ass when it comes to these things...here's thoughts on the rest.
Alien
another great film, commentary track by Scott is great..
Being There
thanks to our buddy Jeff.. I got to see this...and the ending is a shocker
Breaking Away
makes me want to go biking and eat real American food like "FRENCH FRIES"
Caligula
ok so I got drunk on Jack Daniels and opened up my pants in front of Frank...so sue me...the commentary tracks alone from Helen Mirrian and A McDowell are better then the film
Hot Stuff
Fat and Funny Delouise
The Jerk
funny film and the guy still thinks he is black
The Warriors
I loved the Baseball Furies...those guys are a bunch of pussies
And Justice For All...the best Al Pacino end in the court room scene
Till Next time...BOOM
Lifetime Movies: 1979
Shakedown 1979. The last year of arguably cinema’s greatest decade, which is an overused and weak expression because, really, what isn’t arguable? Ok, Tara Reid’s acting ability, but that’s one of those rule-proving exceptions, right?
Nominees: Alien, Apocalypse Now, Monty Python's Life of Brian, The Muppet Movie, Rocky II
Rocky II is the mammalian Jaws II--for the longest time I favored it over its superior original (that would be Rocky and Jaws, respectively). And again, why not? RII is more action-packed and he wins. Actually, it’s pretty much the same movie as the first one, just watered down. And like a good tomato sauce, this boy can tell the difference. Going the other way, Alien is the first in a long-running series and a seminal science-fiction achievement. While it’s a great film, I’m not so sure its sequel, Aliens, isn’t the better movie (I have a feeling Vin may disagree). I also have a feeling, though less parenthetically, that Vin is going to pick Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now as his winner. It’s a film that’s scatter shot with brilliance, no question, but I still don’t think it’s as great as it should have been. That’s not really fair, but I just don’t want to pick it here. I wouldn’t have a problem picking Monty Python’s Life of Brian because I still remember my first viewing and all the times I had to rewind to catch what I missed while laughing. But, I like Holy Grail better. So that just leaves the Wild Card! Yes, The Muppet Movie. Everything just worked so well in this, something Team Henson has never been able to recapture in full (and very few films have). Maybe this pick is tainted by nostalgia, but it makes me happy. So go BOOM! yourself.
Winner: The Muppet Movie
Notes: Two classic comedy performances this year, Steve Martin committing full tilt in The Jerk and Peter Sellers celebrated roles in Being There, which I have to admit I don’t remember all that well, though I have no doubt it’s as good as billed...And that’s not mentioning Bill Murray in Meatballs. Well, until now. Did I mention I love summer camp movies? (The answer is yes.)... "You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order!" Classic Pacino...And then there are the cult classics: Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, The Warriors, and Caligula (ask Vin about the first time he saw that some time).
Nominees: Alien, Apocalypse Now, Monty Python's Life of Brian, The Muppet Movie, Rocky II
Rocky II is the mammalian Jaws II--for the longest time I favored it over its superior original (that would be Rocky and Jaws, respectively). And again, why not? RII is more action-packed and he wins. Actually, it’s pretty much the same movie as the first one, just watered down. And like a good tomato sauce, this boy can tell the difference. Going the other way, Alien is the first in a long-running series and a seminal science-fiction achievement. While it’s a great film, I’m not so sure its sequel, Aliens, isn’t the better movie (I have a feeling Vin may disagree). I also have a feeling, though less parenthetically, that Vin is going to pick Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now as his winner. It’s a film that’s scatter shot with brilliance, no question, but I still don’t think it’s as great as it should have been. That’s not really fair, but I just don’t want to pick it here. I wouldn’t have a problem picking Monty Python’s Life of Brian because I still remember my first viewing and all the times I had to rewind to catch what I missed while laughing. But, I like Holy Grail better. So that just leaves the Wild Card! Yes, The Muppet Movie. Everything just worked so well in this, something Team Henson has never been able to recapture in full (and very few films have). Maybe this pick is tainted by nostalgia, but it makes me happy. So go BOOM! yourself.
Winner: The Muppet Movie
Notes: Two classic comedy performances this year, Steve Martin committing full tilt in The Jerk and Peter Sellers celebrated roles in Being There, which I have to admit I don’t remember all that well, though I have no doubt it’s as good as billed...And that’s not mentioning Bill Murray in Meatballs. Well, until now. Did I mention I love summer camp movies? (The answer is yes.)... "You're out of order! You're out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They're out of order!" Classic Pacino...And then there are the cult classics: Rock ‘n’ Roll High School, The Warriors, and Caligula (ask Vin about the first time he saw that some time).
Monday, April 19, 2010
Playlist: Four Christmases
I cheated here...I knew this movie was going to be terrible. So I watched it on fast forward. It's a zen like process to watch a film in fast forward, usually a film you have seen before is ok...but one you haven't, and sucks, and is terrible, only takes 25 minutes to watch. I will never see this film again and I am OK with that...but why then did I watch it?...Simple...I knew that it had Vince Vaughn and Jon Faverau...I love these two guys on screen...from Swingers to Made these 2 are gold...but, alas, they have really been in only 2 films...do you count Dinner for 5?...do you count The Break Up?...so I fast forward to the scenes with these two to relive the glory days of Swingers...and guess what..Vaughn is fat and unfunny, and Faverau is skinny (again) and unfunny..it's just dead...not to mention I get the bonus of fast forwarding and spot a face that looked familiar...that face was Patrick Van Horn...better known as "Sue" from Swingers...wow this guy has been out of the loop for a while...this group of 3 now grace the screen...and Sue is fat and unfunny...wow this was a let down...Vaughn has been in such a slump...looking back Dodgeball was maybe his last best for me and Old School...he just can not be the center of a film and carry it...Thank God that Ron Livingston stayed away from this film.
Playlist: Humpday
If you've been an SMC fan from the jump, you probably know that our very own Vin has been waiting patiently aboard the Duplass Brothers bandwagon. I'm not going to say he discovered them--he might, but I'm not going to because, one, it's not true, and two, his head doesn't need to get any bigger after his stunning win at the company potato sack race...really, who has their own custom-made potato sack?--I have no idea what I was saying.
Anyway, I loved Humpday. While not made by the Duplasses, it stars Mark and looks like it was filmed on the same roll as The Puffy Chair. Quick recap that doesn't do it justice: married guy gets a visit from his old free spirit college roommate and one thing leads to another and he agrees to do an "art porn" project where the two of them have sex. The key to it working is that it is handled without the zany theatrics that a major studio would have dictated for, let's say, an Aston Kutcher-Dane Cook version (god, that was even painful to write). It's real and uncomfortable and really uncomfortable.
The three main actors carry the film and give it heart and a center: Alycia Delmore as the wife trying to come to terms with the ridiculousness of it all, Joshua Leonard--finally out of the Blair Witch woods--as the friend, and the aforementioned Mark Duplass as the average guy who is missing "something" from his seemingly all-together life. Or at least thinks he is. Duplass is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors for his lo-fi charm that makes you feel like he is living in his character.
And then there's the final scene. Have you seen it? What did you think?
SMC BONUS: During the bonding scene between Delmore and Leonard, they knock back a bottle of Bowmore Single Malt. Which was probably the film's craft services budget right there.
Anyway, I loved Humpday. While not made by the Duplasses, it stars Mark and looks like it was filmed on the same roll as The Puffy Chair. Quick recap that doesn't do it justice: married guy gets a visit from his old free spirit college roommate and one thing leads to another and he agrees to do an "art porn" project where the two of them have sex. The key to it working is that it is handled without the zany theatrics that a major studio would have dictated for, let's say, an Aston Kutcher-Dane Cook version (god, that was even painful to write). It's real and uncomfortable and really uncomfortable.
The three main actors carry the film and give it heart and a center: Alycia Delmore as the wife trying to come to terms with the ridiculousness of it all, Joshua Leonard--finally out of the Blair Witch woods--as the friend, and the aforementioned Mark Duplass as the average guy who is missing "something" from his seemingly all-together life. Or at least thinks he is. Duplass is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors for his lo-fi charm that makes you feel like he is living in his character.
And then there's the final scene. Have you seen it? What did you think?
SMC BONUS: During the bonding scene between Delmore and Leonard, they knock back a bottle of Bowmore Single Malt. Which was probably the film's craft services budget right there.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1978
Nominees: Animal House, Dawn of the Dead, Grease, Halloween, Jaws 2
A better year than I thought at first glance, especially in terms of influence. George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead has long been considered the gold standard of zombie films and the one that has truly served as the template for the genre. (Though I must say Romero's 1968 ground-breaker, Night of the Living Dead, is still incredibly effective.) And while on the subject of seminal genre work, John Carpenter's original Halloween remains one of, if not the, best slasher films ever. And that music has never been topped (composed by the directer himself). Jump-stepping to musicals, I'm amazed at not only how well Grease has held up over the years, but by how each generation has adopted it as its own. There's nothing not to like about it. (Apparently, a young me danced the film away in the back of his aunt's station wagon at the drive-in. Where was YouTube when you needed it?) What's that? Jaws 2, you say? For a long time, this was my favorite Jaws film. While I have since learned to appreciate the genius of the original, this one is still way too much fun not to watch whenever I catch it on TV. But Animal House...an absolutely pitch-perfect comedy. I don't quote movies, and I can quote this movie. Makes you want to start your own frat, doesn't it?
Winner: Animal House
Notes: The Deer Hunter is a great film, but as Vin mentioned, you have to be ready and committed to watching it...Superman could have easily been a nominee this year. While its effects don't hold up in the face of today's super hero extravaganzas (through no fault of its own), I was surprised at just how good Christopher Reeve's performance was when I saw it again a few years ago. Just...something that means "super"--I do not want to use "super"...Speaking of classic film music, how about that Midnight Express theme? Plus, it's a prison movie, which is right up there with zombies and fraternities in the "infinitely watchable" category for me (what, no summer camp movie? Couldn't you have rushed production, Meatballs?)...finally, speaking of wrestling, which I wasn't, but let me explain. I was actually introduced to the Midnight Express theme as the entrance music for a tag team of the same name. That leads into The Bad News Bears Go to Japan, a not very good film that I loved as a kid because, one, it was about baseball, and two, there was a wrestling scene. God, life was easier back then.
A better year than I thought at first glance, especially in terms of influence. George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead has long been considered the gold standard of zombie films and the one that has truly served as the template for the genre. (Though I must say Romero's 1968 ground-breaker, Night of the Living Dead, is still incredibly effective.) And while on the subject of seminal genre work, John Carpenter's original Halloween remains one of, if not the, best slasher films ever. And that music has never been topped (composed by the directer himself). Jump-stepping to musicals, I'm amazed at not only how well Grease has held up over the years, but by how each generation has adopted it as its own. There's nothing not to like about it. (Apparently, a young me danced the film away in the back of his aunt's station wagon at the drive-in. Where was YouTube when you needed it?) What's that? Jaws 2, you say? For a long time, this was my favorite Jaws film. While I have since learned to appreciate the genius of the original, this one is still way too much fun not to watch whenever I catch it on TV. But Animal House...an absolutely pitch-perfect comedy. I don't quote movies, and I can quote this movie. Makes you want to start your own frat, doesn't it?
Winner: Animal House
Notes: The Deer Hunter is a great film, but as Vin mentioned, you have to be ready and committed to watching it...Superman could have easily been a nominee this year. While its effects don't hold up in the face of today's super hero extravaganzas (through no fault of its own), I was surprised at just how good Christopher Reeve's performance was when I saw it again a few years ago. Just...something that means "super"--I do not want to use "super"...Speaking of classic film music, how about that Midnight Express theme? Plus, it's a prison movie, which is right up there with zombies and fraternities in the "infinitely watchable" category for me (what, no summer camp movie? Couldn't you have rushed production, Meatballs?)...finally, speaking of wrestling, which I wasn't, but let me explain. I was actually introduced to the Midnight Express theme as the entrance music for a tag team of the same name. That leads into The Bad News Bears Go to Japan, a not very good film that I loved as a kid because, one, it was about baseball, and two, there was a wrestling scene. God, life was easier back then.
Film Oddities: Pope of Greenwich Village, 1984
I am sitting here on a Sunday admiring a drink...that drink reminds me of a film, that combination reminds me of my youth and eating certain foods, being around certain people and enjoying my childhood. Early in the film Pope of Greenwich Village we see the beautiful Mickey Rourke and Eric Roberts playing Italian-Americans hustling in the streets, dressing fancy and playing a little stick ball, eating an Italian Sandwich and drinking the drink I have in my hands, a Manhattan Special. This was a special drink of my youth, an iced espresso coffee soda. The song playing in the film is Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind". It is a perfect combination. Mickey Rourke was a god...this film is a snapshot, not really a gangster film, but a street film, as much as Mean Streets or Requiem for a Dream is. Charlie and Paulie in a film memory.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1978
Lets recap:
1974: Godfather II
1975: Jaws
1976: Eraserhead
1977: Star Wars
A pretty good list so far. 1978 is a lean year. Many of the films of this year just weren't up my alley I guess. 1980 I have 12 possible films up for the top spot, in 1978 I have only 5...and at least 3 of them are a stretch...I only have two really in contention:
Nominees
Superman
The Deer Hunter
The Winner: The Deer Hunter
I am a huge Cimino fan...I even own Desperate Hours...but this guy is like a flash, a true star...a star that struck lightning in this year's winner. The Deer Hunter is a film you watch and must let it just absorb you, it's far from a film like Jaws, it is a classic, it plays like a classic, if you're not in the right mood it can be boring and slow...that's why it was great to have people like Chris Walken and Robert De Niro, to watch them in their prime is a treat. This film is not as much about Vietnam as it is about the American Spirit, friendship, and the passage of time. Cimino will make at least 2 other films I love, it's sad to see that he has not made any more.
Other Hopefuls were:
Superman
Classic comic/superhero film...the one that started all the craze...and it is a GOOD story...why can't these directors these days that make comic films with a GOOD story?
Heaven Can Wait
I watched this as a kid a lot...it was always on HBO
Animal House
Still one of the funniest films of all time...Belushi was special...Aykroyd was supposed to be in this one as that motorcycle guy
Everywhich Way But Loose
I told you it was Slim Pickens...but I love Ruth what's her name...I love Fido Betto, I love that monkey...this was a funny ass film
Till 1979...BOOM
1974: Godfather II
1975: Jaws
1976: Eraserhead
1977: Star Wars
A pretty good list so far. 1978 is a lean year. Many of the films of this year just weren't up my alley I guess. 1980 I have 12 possible films up for the top spot, in 1978 I have only 5...and at least 3 of them are a stretch...I only have two really in contention:
Nominees
Superman
The Deer Hunter
The Winner: The Deer Hunter
I am a huge Cimino fan...I even own Desperate Hours...but this guy is like a flash, a true star...a star that struck lightning in this year's winner. The Deer Hunter is a film you watch and must let it just absorb you, it's far from a film like Jaws, it is a classic, it plays like a classic, if you're not in the right mood it can be boring and slow...that's why it was great to have people like Chris Walken and Robert De Niro, to watch them in their prime is a treat. This film is not as much about Vietnam as it is about the American Spirit, friendship, and the passage of time. Cimino will make at least 2 other films I love, it's sad to see that he has not made any more.
Other Hopefuls were:
Superman
Classic comic/superhero film...the one that started all the craze...and it is a GOOD story...why can't these directors these days that make comic films with a GOOD story?
Heaven Can Wait
I watched this as a kid a lot...it was always on HBO
Animal House
Still one of the funniest films of all time...Belushi was special...Aykroyd was supposed to be in this one as that motorcycle guy
Everywhich Way But Loose
I told you it was Slim Pickens...but I love Ruth what's her name...I love Fido Betto, I love that monkey...this was a funny ass film
Till 1979...BOOM
Playlist: Jennifer's Body
I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much from this going in and it turned out far, far worse than I could have imagined. My guess is that it was intended to be a hip horror parody, but plays as just dull, straightforward genre filler.
The draw here, of course, is supposed to be star Megan Fox. One of the reasons I wanted to see this was that I haven't actually seen her in anything despite the fact that I've seen her everywhere else. Verdict? Shockingly, I don't think she has much range as an actress--I warned you it was shocking. That said, I felt she was actually under-minded by the script. It's the brainchild of writer Diablo Cody, fresh off winning a screenwriting Oscar for Juno (but mainly for having the titillating back-story of being a one time stripper), and it is flat-out terrible, overwritten and simply nonsensical at times. There's not even any camp value and even though I watched the "Unrated" version, there wasn't even any gratuitous nudity. I know. Wait, worst offense of all--inexcusable, really: casting the hysterical Amy Sedaris and then only giving her a handful of throwaway lines. Someone please explain the point of this movie?
Here's an example of why I so dislike this script:
Jennifer (Fox) goes off with a rock band in a shady van. Her BFF, Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is worried and calls her boyfriend.
Boyfriend: Did you get the make and model?
Needy: I don't know, Chip. An '89 Rapist?
This is one of those minor gripes that is easily overlooked but has a way of sitting with you for whatever reason. It just felt like Cody had that punchline first and then made the boyfriend set it up with a question a teenage boy wouldn't think of asking. The whole script felt that way: like a series of clever one-liners strung together to fill 100 pages. Except without the clever.
The draw here, of course, is supposed to be star Megan Fox. One of the reasons I wanted to see this was that I haven't actually seen her in anything despite the fact that I've seen her everywhere else. Verdict? Shockingly, I don't think she has much range as an actress--I warned you it was shocking. That said, I felt she was actually under-minded by the script. It's the brainchild of writer Diablo Cody, fresh off winning a screenwriting Oscar for Juno (but mainly for having the titillating back-story of being a one time stripper), and it is flat-out terrible, overwritten and simply nonsensical at times. There's not even any camp value and even though I watched the "Unrated" version, there wasn't even any gratuitous nudity. I know. Wait, worst offense of all--inexcusable, really: casting the hysterical Amy Sedaris and then only giving her a handful of throwaway lines. Someone please explain the point of this movie?
Here's an example of why I so dislike this script:
Jennifer (Fox) goes off with a rock band in a shady van. Her BFF, Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is worried and calls her boyfriend.
Boyfriend: Did you get the make and model?
Needy: I don't know, Chip. An '89 Rapist?
This is one of those minor gripes that is easily overlooked but has a way of sitting with you for whatever reason. It just felt like Cody had that punchline first and then made the boyfriend set it up with a question a teenage boy wouldn't think of asking. The whole script felt that way: like a series of clever one-liners strung together to fill 100 pages. Except without the clever.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1977
Nominees: Star Wars
Really, what's the point? This is what we call a "no-brainer" in our biz (sorry for getting all technical on you). And there isn't much need for me to explain why--there have been far too many fanboy hosannas already (in fact, I think that's the other reason the Internet was invented in the first place). I'll just say that this really was the defining movie of my childhood and in many ways, the defining story as well. The funny thing is I never really knew that at the time. It wasn't until much later--probably around the time the original trilogy was re-released in the 90s--that I realized just how big this film really was. And, yet, I still liked it because if there's anything that will make you hate Star Wars, it's Star Wars fans. Oh, and George Lucas.
Winner: Star Wars
Notes: A huge year for music and movies...Annie Hall was the critical darling and Oscar winner. A genuinely funny film which I'm sure Vin will talk about more...our beloved Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, one of the best science fiction films ever unfortunately overshadowed by Star Wars, which isn't even a real science fiction movie. Oh, the interstellar irony...Slap Shot is one of the best sports movies ever. And it's about hockey which I believe is a sport in Canada...And then there's Kentucky Fried Movie. A true cult movie, though it deserves far more credit as a comedy hallmark. Plus, I think watching it is a requirement in most undergraduate programs...Probably should mention Saturday Night Fever. Done...And finally, there's a lesser-known Disney movie called Pete's Dragon that I remember less for the actual film than for it serving as an early bonding moment for me and my mom. Sniff, sniff. Who knew blogging could be so cathartic? Or maybe it's the scotch.
Oh, how could I forget this guy?
Really, what's the point? This is what we call a "no-brainer" in our biz (sorry for getting all technical on you). And there isn't much need for me to explain why--there have been far too many fanboy hosannas already (in fact, I think that's the other reason the Internet was invented in the first place). I'll just say that this really was the defining movie of my childhood and in many ways, the defining story as well. The funny thing is I never really knew that at the time. It wasn't until much later--probably around the time the original trilogy was re-released in the 90s--that I realized just how big this film really was. And, yet, I still liked it because if there's anything that will make you hate Star Wars, it's Star Wars fans. Oh, and George Lucas.
Winner: Star Wars
Notes: A huge year for music and movies...Annie Hall was the critical darling and Oscar winner. A genuinely funny film which I'm sure Vin will talk about more...our beloved Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, one of the best science fiction films ever unfortunately overshadowed by Star Wars, which isn't even a real science fiction movie. Oh, the interstellar irony...Slap Shot is one of the best sports movies ever. And it's about hockey which I believe is a sport in Canada...And then there's Kentucky Fried Movie. A true cult movie, though it deserves far more credit as a comedy hallmark. Plus, I think watching it is a requirement in most undergraduate programs...Probably should mention Saturday Night Fever. Done...And finally, there's a lesser-known Disney movie called Pete's Dragon that I remember less for the actual film than for it serving as an early bonding moment for me and my mom. Sniff, sniff. Who knew blogging could be so cathartic? Or maybe it's the scotch.
Oh, how could I forget this guy?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1977
Let's get the ball rolling into 1977...the year of disco, cocaine, and the year SEATO was finally dissolved.
The Nominees:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Annie Hall
Slap Shot
Star Wars
Star Wars by far is the winner in 1977. I saw it in the theater as a youngster and don't remember the experience. But it was on television before HBO and VHS. You know why you love the film, we all do, but even now after the prequels we all love it more than ever. I don't want to bash the Prequels, I like what they are but they just don't hold a candle to the original. As a young kid and kid at heart my life was always somehow surrounded by the film, the toys etc...I saw it again recently and realized that this may be the film I have seen the most of all films, it may not be my favorite of all time, but if Ive seen it the most, why not?...
Close Encounters: features Wyoming's own Devil's Tower...and yet again the Spielberg/Dreyfus grouping works (I gotta see that Always)
Annie Hall: Woody Allen makes like 1 obscure film a year, this was and is his best, I fell in love with Diane Keaton in this film
Slap Shot: I encountered this way too late in life, it was college, a classic sports comedy
Some good solid films this year of 1977 but yet not many films, those are yet to come.
Till next time : BOOM
The Nominees:
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Annie Hall
Slap Shot
Star Wars
Star Wars by far is the winner in 1977. I saw it in the theater as a youngster and don't remember the experience. But it was on television before HBO and VHS. You know why you love the film, we all do, but even now after the prequels we all love it more than ever. I don't want to bash the Prequels, I like what they are but they just don't hold a candle to the original. As a young kid and kid at heart my life was always somehow surrounded by the film, the toys etc...I saw it again recently and realized that this may be the film I have seen the most of all films, it may not be my favorite of all time, but if Ive seen it the most, why not?...
Close Encounters: features Wyoming's own Devil's Tower...and yet again the Spielberg/Dreyfus grouping works (I gotta see that Always)
Annie Hall: Woody Allen makes like 1 obscure film a year, this was and is his best, I fell in love with Diane Keaton in this film
Slap Shot: I encountered this way too late in life, it was college, a classic sports comedy
Some good solid films this year of 1977 but yet not many films, those are yet to come.
Till next time : BOOM
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Single Malt Cinema: Episode 1.0
You'll never forget where you were when you first heard this episode as Vin and Frank introduce their paradigm-shifting invention The Distillery. Your and Steven Spielberg's lives will never be the same.
Want SMC to Go? Download the full show here.
And let us know what you think or suggest future topics at singlemaltcinema@gmail.com.
Want SMC to Go? Download the full show here.
And let us know what you think or suggest future topics at singlemaltcinema@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Playlist: The Vicious Kind
So after every movie I write here ...right? Well then kids its another one down...a good one. I love when films just fall into your lap, and keep you guessing, keep you surprised and keep the movie experience feel new. That can be said for this film. Its a gem, and Adam Scott from Step Brothers and Bizarro Tom Cruise is a winner...think American Beauty meets In the Company Of Men...and that's what we have here another Independent dark comedy that I loved. Check it out and thank you Netflix.
Playlist: 25th Hour or Fuck You FX
OK...so I have spring break this week and I have seen a lot of new stuff, hence all the posts. These posts have now controlled me, I usually watch a trilogy, like Lord of the Rings, the Matrix or Star Wars for the spring break, you know revisit something I like (except all of the Matrix sequels...parts were good but....)
So thanks a lot to FX for screwing up a great film. 25th Hour was on a lot of lists as one of the best of this 2000 decade. I generally don't care for Spike Lee, but sign me up for Ed Norton, Barry Pepper, and the great PSH (that's Phillip Seymour Hoffman).
FX ran about 100 minutes of this 148 minute movie...do I need to say more?..yes...it was poorly edited and no curse words...why watch a film on regular TV anymore?...Why did I bother?...I wanted to clear up a space on my Netflix Queue so Fuck You...no Fuck You FX for leaving out the Fuck You scene...fuck you FX for leaving out the Ed Norton walking...and walking and walking..Fuck You for leaving out the restaurant scene with Pepper and PSH...fuck you for leaving out key scenes where we find out how Ed Norton meets up with Rosario Dawson...anyway its a pretty great film...spike lee does his best to Mimic Brian DePalma mimicking Martin Scorsese
The worst casting had to be, let's see...Tony Siragusa as a stupid fat Russian gangster...at least they got the stupid and fat right.
Post 9-11 New York was done great here...no other film has even touched on it, and Spike Lee marries the city with the Ed Norton character brilliantly.
So thanks a lot to FX for screwing up a great film. 25th Hour was on a lot of lists as one of the best of this 2000 decade. I generally don't care for Spike Lee, but sign me up for Ed Norton, Barry Pepper, and the great PSH (that's Phillip Seymour Hoffman).
FX ran about 100 minutes of this 148 minute movie...do I need to say more?..yes...it was poorly edited and no curse words...why watch a film on regular TV anymore?...Why did I bother?...I wanted to clear up a space on my Netflix Queue so Fuck You...no Fuck You FX for leaving out the Fuck You scene...fuck you FX for leaving out the Ed Norton walking...and walking and walking..Fuck You for leaving out the restaurant scene with Pepper and PSH...fuck you for leaving out key scenes where we find out how Ed Norton meets up with Rosario Dawson...anyway its a pretty great film...spike lee does his best to Mimic Brian DePalma mimicking Martin Scorsese
The worst casting had to be, let's see...Tony Siragusa as a stupid fat Russian gangster...at least they got the stupid and fat right.
Post 9-11 New York was done great here...no other film has even touched on it, and Spike Lee marries the city with the Ed Norton character brilliantly.
Playlist: Postal
Uwe Boll:...doctor, lover, German, Independent and irreverent
Sounds good right?...I always heard terrible things about this guy, this is the only movie I have to go on...I do not recommend it unless you like the following:
using a cat as a silencer, Dave Foley's penis, use of flower to find the "wet spot", killing many many children, making fun of 9-11 and the terrorists who killed everyone at the twin towers, Nazi gas chamber playground, Vern Troyer being raped by 10,000 monkeys, penis dolls, Hitler as a Disney-like character you can take pictures with...the list goes on and on...and it was funny, just down right funny.
I recommend Postal
Sounds good right?...I always heard terrible things about this guy, this is the only movie I have to go on...I do not recommend it unless you like the following:
using a cat as a silencer, Dave Foley's penis, use of flower to find the "wet spot", killing many many children, making fun of 9-11 and the terrorists who killed everyone at the twin towers, Nazi gas chamber playground, Vern Troyer being raped by 10,000 monkeys, penis dolls, Hitler as a Disney-like character you can take pictures with...the list goes on and on...and it was funny, just down right funny.
I recommend Postal
Lifetime Movies: 1976
Nominees: The Bad News Bears, Rocky, Taxi Driver
As Vin has pointed out, we obviously didn't see these movies when they were released, but they have become viewing staples over the years, cinematic comfort food. The Bad News Bears is one of the best baseball movies ever, one of the best about kids, about competition. It's a filthy family movie completely of its time, yet timeless. But above all that, it is just so much fun to watch. Rocky is the great American underdog tale and, while not all that original, it did give us a genuine flesh and blood hero. And he doesn't even win in the first film! And it won the Oscar! Adrian! ...sorry, got carried away. That music always gets me. And then there's Taxi Driver. So much has been said about this film and its influence over the years that I can't add anything new to the discussion here. I can say that what is often overshadowed is what a gripping, watchable story it is. And that's what it all comes down to in the end, isn't it?That's not rhetorical, btw.
Winner: Taxi Driver
Notes: A couple of films from this year that I've always felt were a bit overrated based on great memorable scenes: Marathon Man (visit to the "dentist") and Carrie (the old pig blooderoo)...What a year for 14-year-old Jodie Foster. Not only was she in Taxi Driver, but she had a big hit with Freaky Friday and made one of the goofiest movies ever--Alan Parker's G-rated gangster film, Bugsy Malone (starring Chachi in Charge himself, the legendary Scott Baio)...I remember thinking Mel Brooks' Silent Movie was hysterical when i first saw it. Kinda scared to see it again...And I also really liked Silver Streak back in the day, another Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder buddy comedy...I was surprised to see The Smurfs and the Magic Flute released this year in Belgium--7 years before they hit it big in America. They're so cutting-edge in Europe...As for Eraserhead, if Vin says it was released in '76, who am I am linear time to argue?
As Vin has pointed out, we obviously didn't see these movies when they were released, but they have become viewing staples over the years, cinematic comfort food. The Bad News Bears is one of the best baseball movies ever, one of the best about kids, about competition. It's a filthy family movie completely of its time, yet timeless. But above all that, it is just so much fun to watch. Rocky is the great American underdog tale and, while not all that original, it did give us a genuine flesh and blood hero. And he doesn't even win in the first film! And it won the Oscar! Adrian! ...sorry, got carried away. That music always gets me. And then there's Taxi Driver. So much has been said about this film and its influence over the years that I can't add anything new to the discussion here. I can say that what is often overshadowed is what a gripping, watchable story it is. And that's what it all comes down to in the end, isn't it?That's not rhetorical, btw.
Winner: Taxi Driver
Notes: A couple of films from this year that I've always felt were a bit overrated based on great memorable scenes: Marathon Man (visit to the "dentist") and Carrie (the old pig blooderoo)...What a year for 14-year-old Jodie Foster. Not only was she in Taxi Driver, but she had a big hit with Freaky Friday and made one of the goofiest movies ever--Alan Parker's G-rated gangster film, Bugsy Malone (starring Chachi in Charge himself, the legendary Scott Baio)...I remember thinking Mel Brooks' Silent Movie was hysterical when i first saw it. Kinda scared to see it again...And I also really liked Silver Streak back in the day, another Richard Pryor-Gene Wilder buddy comedy...I was surprised to see The Smurfs and the Magic Flute released this year in Belgium--7 years before they hit it big in America. They're so cutting-edge in Europe...As for Eraserhead, if Vin says it was released in '76, who am I am linear time to argue?
Lifetime Movies: 1976
I can't seem to get these out of my head (hint), this lifetime movie idea has consumed me, it scares me, will there be a Scorsese film on here? Will my favoritism toward a director, or my need to pick something obscure, cloud the truly "best" film from my list, or will I move toward what's popular?...I think you have to go with your gut and not look back...don't pick a film because it "needs" to be picked or what it means to history, either your own history or the film's history...I am clearly putting to much thought into it, or not enough. Anyway, today I came across an issue, "When is a film released"...today's 1976 film was released in '76 but was not released in the US first, according to IMDB, although it was shown to a small group of friends of the directors in 1976, and probably 1975 as well.
The Nominees
Rocky
Logan's Run
Eraserhead
Taxi Driver
This has got to be the closest and most back and forth I have done and I only have done 3 years so far...looking ahead to years to come, this one is easy compared to the choices soon to be,...its like Sophie's Choice...by not picking Taxi Driver do I lose credibility with the Scorsese Fan Club?
The winner is Eraserhead
I am not sure how many times David Lynch will be on this list, this may be the only one, even though I love all his films, but this film is special, and I will admit had it not been for all the "Extras" (Frank hates them I love them) on the DVD special edition of Eraserhead this spot would have been Rocky's probably. Eraserhead was a student film gone ballistic, It was Lynch's first feature while he was at AFI in 1971. It took him 5 years to complete it at an abandoned garage loft in the back of the school. Lynch and wife and only a handful of friends, including the great Jack Nance, worked on the film with little to no money, with no help, eating stolen sandwiches from Hamburger Hamlet for years...all lighting, costumes and effects were handmade, garbage, taken or found. The vision of the artist was never compromised, never edited and is a walk into the abstract. If you don't "get" Eraserhead as a film...who can blame you, but if you are not able to give it a chance and try to make your own sense out of it, you have no soul, at least no film soul. This starts the "almost" uncompromising, dream like career of one of America's greatest creative directors. Compared with the other films on the list it may not have the plot or storyline of Rocky or the acting of Taxi Driver or the fun of Logan's Run, but it has the seeds of brilliance that comes very rare, it is always something new found when I watch it, I try and imagine myself watching the filming..on set...I see Henry's Room in the film and know that for years that was actually a built room for David Lynch, he slept there, he cared for it, he decorated it...and you know he has done the very same thing in almost all his films, with care and excellence, a boyscout work ethic with an abstract expressionistic view of film.
Thoughts on the others:
Rocky: the best story of the year, I watch it about once a year, may be Stallone's best...but didn't he steal the story from some guy who got beat by Ali?
Logan's Run: I was always fascinated by this film as a kid, I could hardly wait when I heard that Bryan Singer might make it...it never happened, but seeing Logan get out of his home and go back to earths surface was great...also see The Island and 12 Monkeys
Taxi Driver: Sacrilegious not to be picked I know...Travis Bickle is the Anti-Batman..so is he retarded, is he Jesus, is he Naive?...Paul Shrader and Martin Scorsese had original thoughts that this should be shot in black and white on straight video...talk of a sequel have been around for a while...it should stay put, no sequel please.
Till 1977: may the force speak shellfish on devils tower while playing old school hockey:...BOOM
The Nominees
Rocky
Logan's Run
Eraserhead
Taxi Driver
This has got to be the closest and most back and forth I have done and I only have done 3 years so far...looking ahead to years to come, this one is easy compared to the choices soon to be,...its like Sophie's Choice...by not picking Taxi Driver do I lose credibility with the Scorsese Fan Club?
The winner is Eraserhead
I am not sure how many times David Lynch will be on this list, this may be the only one, even though I love all his films, but this film is special, and I will admit had it not been for all the "Extras" (Frank hates them I love them) on the DVD special edition of Eraserhead this spot would have been Rocky's probably. Eraserhead was a student film gone ballistic, It was Lynch's first feature while he was at AFI in 1971. It took him 5 years to complete it at an abandoned garage loft in the back of the school. Lynch and wife and only a handful of friends, including the great Jack Nance, worked on the film with little to no money, with no help, eating stolen sandwiches from Hamburger Hamlet for years...all lighting, costumes and effects were handmade, garbage, taken or found. The vision of the artist was never compromised, never edited and is a walk into the abstract. If you don't "get" Eraserhead as a film...who can blame you, but if you are not able to give it a chance and try to make your own sense out of it, you have no soul, at least no film soul. This starts the "almost" uncompromising, dream like career of one of America's greatest creative directors. Compared with the other films on the list it may not have the plot or storyline of Rocky or the acting of Taxi Driver or the fun of Logan's Run, but it has the seeds of brilliance that comes very rare, it is always something new found when I watch it, I try and imagine myself watching the filming..on set...I see Henry's Room in the film and know that for years that was actually a built room for David Lynch, he slept there, he cared for it, he decorated it...and you know he has done the very same thing in almost all his films, with care and excellence, a boyscout work ethic with an abstract expressionistic view of film.
Thoughts on the others:
Rocky: the best story of the year, I watch it about once a year, may be Stallone's best...but didn't he steal the story from some guy who got beat by Ali?
Logan's Run: I was always fascinated by this film as a kid, I could hardly wait when I heard that Bryan Singer might make it...it never happened, but seeing Logan get out of his home and go back to earths surface was great...also see The Island and 12 Monkeys
Taxi Driver: Sacrilegious not to be picked I know...Travis Bickle is the Anti-Batman..so is he retarded, is he Jesus, is he Naive?...Paul Shrader and Martin Scorsese had original thoughts that this should be shot in black and white on straight video...talk of a sequel have been around for a while...it should stay put, no sequel please.
Till 1977: may the force speak shellfish on devils tower while playing old school hockey:...BOOM
Monday, April 12, 2010
Playlist: "Whistle"
I've always found most DVD extras just filler for filler's sake. Really, there are just so many gag reels and green screens someone can reasonably be expected to pretend to be interested in. (And I'm not talking about director commentaries, Vin.) However, one of my new favorite things is getting a director's earlier short film as a bonus feature.
"Whistle" was a particularly fun find on Duncan Jones' Moon because it's his only other work to date (2002 to be exact). And it's not just an experimental novelty, but an actual short film. It's the high-concept story of a really long range assassin who specializes in precise computer-guided laser killshots (yes, that is extremely freakin cool). But, of course, something happens--damn you, something! Since it's only 28 minutes, I won't say anything more, other than it's definitely worth watching if you get the chance.
As for Moon, Vin covered it in one of our first posts, but I'll chime in with a couple of things. If you don't know, Sam Rockwell plays multiple characters who are quite often filmed together in the same scene. The combo of his acting and Jones' directing actually made me forget at times that I wasn't watching two separate actors interacting with one another and that's a helluva feat. Also, I've heard this mentioned, along with Danny Boyle's Sunshine, as some sort of start to a smart sci-fi renaissance. God forbid. I'd rather get these gems every so often then have it become a "trend" to be co-opted and Hostelesque tortured into mediocrity by some studio hack.
"Whistle" was a particularly fun find on Duncan Jones' Moon because it's his only other work to date (2002 to be exact). And it's not just an experimental novelty, but an actual short film. It's the high-concept story of a really long range assassin who specializes in precise computer-guided laser killshots (yes, that is extremely freakin cool). But, of course, something happens--damn you, something! Since it's only 28 minutes, I won't say anything more, other than it's definitely worth watching if you get the chance.
As for Moon, Vin covered it in one of our first posts, but I'll chime in with a couple of things. If you don't know, Sam Rockwell plays multiple characters who are quite often filmed together in the same scene. The combo of his acting and Jones' directing actually made me forget at times that I wasn't watching two separate actors interacting with one another and that's a helluva feat. Also, I've heard this mentioned, along with Danny Boyle's Sunshine, as some sort of start to a smart sci-fi renaissance. God forbid. I'd rather get these gems every so often then have it become a "trend" to be co-opted and Hostelesque tortured into mediocrity by some studio hack.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1975
Nominees:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Dog Day Afternoon, Barry Lyndon, Jaws, Salo 120 Days of Sodom
This was an easy one for me, but looking ahead at the coming decade I have no idea how this all shakes out. Is it best film, cause Barry Lyndon was done by a master at the height of his cinematic craft (Kubrick redesigned NASA lenses for christ sake and shot scenes all in candle light ONLY)...then you have the great performance to go on by Pacino in Dog Day, and not to mention the ensemble that is the Counter-Culture classic Cuckoo's Nest, then for kicks you have Salo, a look at consumerism, fascism, sexism, gluttony...basically its Se7en for the Art House and Hitler Crowd. That takes us to the winner and hands down one of my top ten films of All Time, heck my daughter at age 4 was watching this and claiming it her all time favorite...and that film is JAWS.
Jaws: started the summer blockbuster, melds real history with wit, scares, and balls out film-making by that crazy guy himself Spielberg ( and for the record I distilled him at 54% ONLY). Jaws is an American treasure, its quotable, eerie, and acted brilliantly, whats not to like. Jaws 1975 is my winner, here is some other tidbits on the others
One Flew Over: the hospital is the American institutionalization of the American spirit, Nurse Ratchet is Eisenhower, the patients all are there voluntary, McMurphy is the anti-hero American male and the Chief is the American spirit...the end
Salo: so hated by Italian people, that after its release they killed the director
Dog Day Afternoon: Pacino is Gay?...what?
Barry Lyndon: probably #2 on my list here for 1975..all the music really does match with the movement of the action buy the actors..also the little boy Lyndon who shoots Barry at the end plays the RED CLOAK at the orgy scene of Eyes Wide Shut
Jaws is awesome...see ya for next year: BOOM!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Dog Day Afternoon, Barry Lyndon, Jaws, Salo 120 Days of Sodom
This was an easy one for me, but looking ahead at the coming decade I have no idea how this all shakes out. Is it best film, cause Barry Lyndon was done by a master at the height of his cinematic craft (Kubrick redesigned NASA lenses for christ sake and shot scenes all in candle light ONLY)...then you have the great performance to go on by Pacino in Dog Day, and not to mention the ensemble that is the Counter-Culture classic Cuckoo's Nest, then for kicks you have Salo, a look at consumerism, fascism, sexism, gluttony...basically its Se7en for the Art House and Hitler Crowd. That takes us to the winner and hands down one of my top ten films of All Time, heck my daughter at age 4 was watching this and claiming it her all time favorite...and that film is JAWS.
Jaws: started the summer blockbuster, melds real history with wit, scares, and balls out film-making by that crazy guy himself Spielberg ( and for the record I distilled him at 54% ONLY). Jaws is an American treasure, its quotable, eerie, and acted brilliantly, whats not to like. Jaws 1975 is my winner, here is some other tidbits on the others
One Flew Over: the hospital is the American institutionalization of the American spirit, Nurse Ratchet is Eisenhower, the patients all are there voluntary, McMurphy is the anti-hero American male and the Chief is the American spirit...the end
Salo: so hated by Italian people, that after its release they killed the director
Dog Day Afternoon: Pacino is Gay?...what?
Barry Lyndon: probably #2 on my list here for 1975..all the music really does match with the movement of the action buy the actors..also the little boy Lyndon who shoots Barry at the end plays the RED CLOAK at the orgy scene of Eyes Wide Shut
Jaws is awesome...see ya for next year: BOOM!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Contacting Greatness, Vol. 1: Vincent Gallo
OK, so who do you pick?
Who will write back, what question do you ask.
I love the films and acting of Vincent Gallo. He has a website. I have bought merchandise from the website. I see an email contact...it's an open door and I have to walk through. Buffalo 66 is smart and funny and well acted, The Brown Bunny was controversial, but It is an amazing film, a great leap of emotional faith by an actor who did not compromise and made a film that at first I was drawn to by the controversy and now it is as a meditative film for me as Apocalypse Now and Last Days. I am drawn to it, I just love the simplicity, the color, and the emotion that Gallo puts to the film. so I emailed him in 2007, he wrote back fast enough...I was hoping one day to do the "Brown Bunny Tour"...you know ride the same roads and visit the real locations that Gallo's character visits along his trek from New England to California..its a lonely and introspective road...call it a joke..call it pretentious...Mr. Gallo and I do not care:
MY EMAIL:
Mr. Gallo
GALLO'S REPLY:
There you have it...a simple reply to my fan boy email. So if you would like to take that trip, those are Gallo's directions. I have not taken the trip and may never, but I took a virtual trip on google earth and it was as fun as it was on the film.
Until next time: BOOM
Who will write back, what question do you ask.
I love the films and acting of Vincent Gallo. He has a website. I have bought merchandise from the website. I see an email contact...it's an open door and I have to walk through. Buffalo 66 is smart and funny and well acted, The Brown Bunny was controversial, but It is an amazing film, a great leap of emotional faith by an actor who did not compromise and made a film that at first I was drawn to by the controversy and now it is as a meditative film for me as Apocalypse Now and Last Days. I am drawn to it, I just love the simplicity, the color, and the emotion that Gallo puts to the film. so I emailed him in 2007, he wrote back fast enough...I was hoping one day to do the "Brown Bunny Tour"...you know ride the same roads and visit the real locations that Gallo's character visits along his trek from New England to California..its a lonely and introspective road...call it a joke..call it pretentious...Mr. Gallo and I do not care:
MY EMAIL:
Mr. Gallo
I just got done watching The Brown Bunny for what might be the 5th time. I have listened to your commentary twice from the Japanese import and wanted to thank you for making such a beautiful movie. I did have a question, if you get the chance to answer it. As the movie flows from start to finish you travel the US, its a perfect road movie for the subject of loss that you took on. During the filming did you film in continuity from the race track up north straight through to L.A.? And if so what went into deciding to take the route you took, for each location? Great job and I hope you stick to it and get us another Vincent Gallo written and directed film soon.
Always
Vincent
Tampa, FL
GALLO'S REPLY:
Yes, I filmed traveling from NH raceway back to LA. The route was 80 to 70 to 15 simple
There you have it...a simple reply to my fan boy email. So if you would like to take that trip, those are Gallo's directions. I have not taken the trip and may never, but I took a virtual trip on google earth and it was as fun as it was on the film.
Until next time: BOOM
Lifetime Movies: 1975
Nominees: Dog Day Afternoon, Jaws, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
In recent years I've come to truly appreciate the achievement Rocky Horror. It's something that we will never see again--that no-holds barred creativity is just not allowed anymore. And Tim Curry stepping out of the elevator is still one of the greatest screen entrances of all time. Cuckoo's Nest and Dog Day are simply classics with Nicholson and Pacino, respectively, giving nothing less than iconic performances. It was a pretty strong year, but one that comes down to two films I have watched more times than I remember and will continue to watch again and again. I don't know which to pick--who came up with this stupid game anyway? Hold on...
...ok, gun to my head I will now have to say
Winner: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Notes: Two other movies I wanted to mention for sentimental reasons. One, Disney's The Apple Dumpling Gang--I don't remember anything about this other than it has Don Knotts in it and that at some point in my childhood I really wanted to watch it on TV. (Note within a note: One of my earliest TV memories is watching The Wonderful World of Disney--possibly, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again--on TV upstairs in my grandparents room instead of Super Bowl XIV, even though the Rams were my favorite team because I liked their helmets. The Steelers became my favorite team after they won that game and remained so despite me probably not even watching a football game until I chose the Cowboys as my new and forever favorite team in 1982. Yes, based on their helmets.) The second movie is The Land That Time Forgot. One of my favorite memories--and really, feel free to analyze this as you will--is staying up one New Year's Eve and watching this (and its sequel) with my dad. It's funny what we hold onto, isn't it?...There were some amazing movie posters this year as well. Jaws and Rocky Horror, of course, but also the one from Dog Day which I don't think I ever saw before...Finally, I have to say that gun to the head trick? Really very effective decision-making tool. Say, what year did the Deer Hunter come out?
In recent years I've come to truly appreciate the achievement Rocky Horror. It's something that we will never see again--that no-holds barred creativity is just not allowed anymore. And Tim Curry stepping out of the elevator is still one of the greatest screen entrances of all time. Cuckoo's Nest and Dog Day are simply classics with Nicholson and Pacino, respectively, giving nothing less than iconic performances. It was a pretty strong year, but one that comes down to two films I have watched more times than I remember and will continue to watch again and again. I don't know which to pick--who came up with this stupid game anyway? Hold on...
...ok, gun to my head I will now have to say
Winner: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Notes: Two other movies I wanted to mention for sentimental reasons. One, Disney's The Apple Dumpling Gang--I don't remember anything about this other than it has Don Knotts in it and that at some point in my childhood I really wanted to watch it on TV. (Note within a note: One of my earliest TV memories is watching The Wonderful World of Disney--possibly, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again--on TV upstairs in my grandparents room instead of Super Bowl XIV, even though the Rams were my favorite team because I liked their helmets. The Steelers became my favorite team after they won that game and remained so despite me probably not even watching a football game until I chose the Cowboys as my new and forever favorite team in 1982. Yes, based on their helmets.) The second movie is The Land That Time Forgot. One of my favorite memories--and really, feel free to analyze this as you will--is staying up one New Year's Eve and watching this (and its sequel) with my dad. It's funny what we hold onto, isn't it?...There were some amazing movie posters this year as well. Jaws and Rocky Horror, of course, but also the one from Dog Day which I don't think I ever saw before...Finally, I have to say that gun to the head trick? Really very effective decision-making tool. Say, what year did the Deer Hunter come out?
Contacting Greatness: The Begining
We will contact celebrities...the more obscure the better. We will reveal the effect of this here and let our readers know why we contacted the celebrity, the background of this, how we contacted them and the results. Stay tuned, I have 2 ready to launch later this weekend perhaps. If you have any suggestions like a celebrity blog, twitter, email let us know, I do not want anyone going to celebrity homes or calling their phones...this must be by legal means only. Good luck and stay classy.
Comment below or email us at singlemaltcinema@gmail.com.
Comment below or email us at singlemaltcinema@gmail.com.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1974
Coming in later than our beloved Franco...let's get it out of the way and say that the easy choice, and the right choice, is Godfather Part II. Sure it's a no-brainer, but what about why it works..the great acting, the timeless tale, the morality play. Then there are the great actors...the saddest casting choice still is that FFC (Coppola) could not get Robert DuVall to be in The Godfather III...in my mind this would have led him to not focus on his sister and daughter so much in the failed last film of this great saga.
Also...I gotta say that this really was FFC's year, The Conversation also came out--this is a hidden classic, and FFC's last film to be written as an original script till last year's Tetro. Being that GF II is the first in this series lets also get straight that there was no way that Frank or I saw this as infants. I must have been 7 before I saw this film...it was always there, always a part of my life as a kid..the best memories must be reading the Italian and seeing DeNiro as my hero.
Other films that get a nod in 1974 are as follows with comments:
Benji: my first film I ever saw, it was in a church basement in Brooklyn
Godzilla v Mechagodzilla: funny I would have picked this to be made earlier, I loved all Godzilla films as a kid and loved the fact that all other ideas had failed and the Japanese had to resort to building a Mecha- version of Godzilla to defeat him
The Lords of Flatbush: this film is probably terrible...but as a kid from Brooklyn, you have to pay attention to films that specify your hometown, not to mention it features Stallone and the Fonz
A few other thoughts: There was a lot of crap this year, that's 1974...and it goes to show you, every year there is a lot of crap. It's our job to DISTILL it for you.
Also...I gotta say that this really was FFC's year, The Conversation also came out--this is a hidden classic, and FFC's last film to be written as an original script till last year's Tetro. Being that GF II is the first in this series lets also get straight that there was no way that Frank or I saw this as infants. I must have been 7 before I saw this film...it was always there, always a part of my life as a kid..the best memories must be reading the Italian and seeing DeNiro as my hero.
Other films that get a nod in 1974 are as follows with comments:
Benji: my first film I ever saw, it was in a church basement in Brooklyn
Godzilla v Mechagodzilla: funny I would have picked this to be made earlier, I loved all Godzilla films as a kid and loved the fact that all other ideas had failed and the Japanese had to resort to building a Mecha- version of Godzilla to defeat him
The Lords of Flatbush: this film is probably terrible...but as a kid from Brooklyn, you have to pay attention to films that specify your hometown, not to mention it features Stallone and the Fonz
A few other thoughts: There was a lot of crap this year, that's 1974...and it goes to show you, every year there is a lot of crap. It's our job to DISTILL it for you.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Playlist: 9
Waiting for this to load (slowly--I fear I may need a new DVD player), I was expecting a cute little story told in, what the trailer promised to be, visually stunning animation. My eyes were not disappointed.
Shane Acker's story, however, was, well, it was less cute and more...set in a dystopian nightmarescape, the aftermath of mankind's global annihilation at the mechanized hands of its sentient machines. The only "living" beings left are 9 enchanted rag dolls created by the man who was forced by his fascist government to first invent the super computer that would lead to human doom. And you know what? I loved it. I was happy to see that it strove to be something more than just another happy meal theme, that it wasn't scared to be scary.
Then I began wondering why I hadn't heard more buzz about this. Hadn't really heard any buzz, to be honest. Turns out, it was written off after mostly lukewarm reviews. So, who else has seen it? Am I missing something here?
Below, Acker's original film school short:
Shane Acker's story, however, was, well, it was less cute and more...set in a dystopian nightmarescape, the aftermath of mankind's global annihilation at the mechanized hands of its sentient machines. The only "living" beings left are 9 enchanted rag dolls created by the man who was forced by his fascist government to first invent the super computer that would lead to human doom. And you know what? I loved it. I was happy to see that it strove to be something more than just another happy meal theme, that it wasn't scared to be scary.
Then I began wondering why I hadn't heard more buzz about this. Hadn't really heard any buzz, to be honest. Turns out, it was written off after mostly lukewarm reviews. So, who else has seen it? Am I missing something here?
Below, Acker's original film school short:
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Lifetime Movies: 1974
Nominees: Blazing Saddles, Chinatown, The Conversation, The Godfather Part II, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Young Frankenstein
The influence of Tobe Hooper's Chainsaw should be recognized not only as a genre touchstone, but for it's low-budget, indie success. And it's that rawness, the starkness of the violence, that has kept it alive and relevant through the years. (Plus, it gave us Francis "Chainsaw" Gremp from Summer School.) Speaking of influence, Chinatown is still regarded as having a nearly perfect screenplay, not to mention a powerhouse lead performance by Jack Nicholson. But the year comes down to the unlikely showdown between Mel Brooks and Francis Ford Coppola, each with an amazing 2 classic films released during the year. Blazing Saddles has long been a favorite (not to mention a sentimental choice because my grandfather was a big fan--ah, baked beans) and has held up better than a lot of Brooks' other films as I got older. Besides being relentlessly quotable, it's a rare important comedy, handling race in a way that would never be allowed today. That said, I can't go against the family (not to mention what may be the best movie of all time.) This one's for you, Fredo.
Winner: The Godfather Part II
Notes: A lot of really cool-sounding schlock this year (including 5, count 'em 5, Street Fighter movies), but it's hard to overshadow the all-time classics at the top of the heap...Even more impressive are the directors not mentioned above: Scorsese, Cassavetes, Peckinpah, and Altman...This was Gene Wilder--who needs to be remembered as one of the top comedic actors ever--at his peak...And get this--check out who else was born this magical Year of the Tiger: Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, Hillary Swank, Amy Adams, Leo. And, of course, on October 28, Joaquin Phoenix. Suck on that, '75.
(For more info on this series, click here.)
The influence of Tobe Hooper's Chainsaw should be recognized not only as a genre touchstone, but for it's low-budget, indie success. And it's that rawness, the starkness of the violence, that has kept it alive and relevant through the years. (Plus, it gave us Francis "Chainsaw" Gremp from Summer School.) Speaking of influence, Chinatown is still regarded as having a nearly perfect screenplay, not to mention a powerhouse lead performance by Jack Nicholson. But the year comes down to the unlikely showdown between Mel Brooks and Francis Ford Coppola, each with an amazing 2 classic films released during the year. Blazing Saddles has long been a favorite (not to mention a sentimental choice because my grandfather was a big fan--ah, baked beans) and has held up better than a lot of Brooks' other films as I got older. Besides being relentlessly quotable, it's a rare important comedy, handling race in a way that would never be allowed today. That said, I can't go against the family (not to mention what may be the best movie of all time.) This one's for you, Fredo.
Winner: The Godfather Part II
Notes: A lot of really cool-sounding schlock this year (including 5, count 'em 5, Street Fighter movies), but it's hard to overshadow the all-time classics at the top of the heap...Even more impressive are the directors not mentioned above: Scorsese, Cassavetes, Peckinpah, and Altman...This was Gene Wilder--who needs to be remembered as one of the top comedic actors ever--at his peak...And get this--check out who else was born this magical Year of the Tiger: Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, Hillary Swank, Amy Adams, Leo. And, of course, on October 28, Joaquin Phoenix. Suck on that, '75.
(For more info on this series, click here.)
Lifetime Movies
I got this idea a while back from an article on Idolator that asked you to "list the albums you like most from each year that you’ve been alive." So, of course...
You're starting a DVD collection from scratch and only get to choose one movie from each year of your life. Base your choice on the movie alone: don't consider Special Collector's Director's Cut Blu-Ray Let's Get Sweaty Editions. Use your own criteria but I'm trying to find that balance between rewatchability (and nostalgia) and quality. I can watch a movie like Back to School over and over, but is it the best movie of 1986? (The answer is no.) Schindler's List: great film, but how many times do I really want to watch it? (That one was rhetorical.)
Wikipedia, of course, is a great resource for what was released when. So, start thinking and leave a comment with your choices.
You're starting a DVD collection from scratch and only get to choose one movie from each year of your life. Base your choice on the movie alone: don't consider Special Collector's Director's Cut Blu-Ray Let's Get Sweaty Editions. Use your own criteria but I'm trying to find that balance between rewatchability (and nostalgia) and quality. I can watch a movie like Back to School over and over, but is it the best movie of 1986? (The answer is no.) Schindler's List: great film, but how many times do I really want to watch it? (That one was rhetorical.)
Wikipedia, of course, is a great resource for what was released when. So, start thinking and leave a comment with your choices.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Playlist: The Butcher
Korean Movie. Makes HOSTEL look like MARY POPPINS. I kid you not. You have been warned.
(Ed. Note: Here's a link to the trailer. NSFW. And it might not be safe at home, either.)
(Ed. Note: Here's a link to the trailer. NSFW. And it might not be safe at home, either.)
Playlist: Jarhead (Part 2)
OK, just finished it. Read the book or listen to the audiobook. I am disappointed...
Coming soon: I am on the 10th disc of the 12 disc wonderment THE RUINS by Scott Smith...who the hell was in the movie...who cares? Audiobook read by Patrick Wilson, he who played Dan Dreiberg a.k.a NITEOWL in WATCHMEN. Thought he was one of the few to actually pull his character off, with of course, Jackie Earle Haley as RORSCHACH. Everyone else sucked the salty ones in that movie....oh, 'cept Jeffrey Dean Morgan (he's always good stuff). Lets see if a bad book can be made into a so-so movie. Could be possible, but I highly doubt it.
Coming soon: I am on the 10th disc of the 12 disc wonderment THE RUINS by Scott Smith...who the hell was in the movie...who cares? Audiobook read by Patrick Wilson, he who played Dan Dreiberg a.k.a NITEOWL in WATCHMEN. Thought he was one of the few to actually pull his character off, with of course, Jackie Earle Haley as RORSCHACH. Everyone else sucked the salty ones in that movie....oh, 'cept Jeffrey Dean Morgan (he's always good stuff). Lets see if a bad book can be made into a so-so movie. Could be possible, but I highly doubt it.
Playlist: Jarhead
OK, be gentle like the first time at the proctologist, folks. I am not even sure I am doing this right yet. I am going to avoid links and such this first time. But I must say, I had to stop watching JARHEAD to write about it.
Recently, I have started getting audiobooks from my local library (Ed. note: Thanks). First couple were David Sedaris, third one I went out on a wing and got JARHEAD, by Anthony Swofford. Never had read it, but did read his sophomore attempt EXIT A. Was OK. I did enjoy HEARING JARHEAD, because Swoff read the whole thing.
As far as I can tell (and maybe this is the retrospective reading by Swoff), Jake Gyllenhaal is not Swoff. Maybe because of all the other shit he wrote about in the book, because it was actual good insight into his head, JARHEAD is a bad book movie. Unto itself, its alright. You really, once again, lose a whole lot about the man who wrote the book, and his actual reasons for even JOINING the Marine Corps.
As good as Jamie Foxx is in the movie (and he actually is), I do not remember Swoff writing anything like this about his Sargent. Cripes, I do not remember the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET oil fires, either. And fair enough, I do drink, but not while I am driving, which is when I listen to audiobooks. Some of the lines are taken from the book, but some of it has been mellowed down, believe it or not. I am going to finish watching this...and will continue in about 20 minutes or so I guess...
Recently, I have started getting audiobooks from my local library (Ed. note: Thanks). First couple were David Sedaris, third one I went out on a wing and got JARHEAD, by Anthony Swofford. Never had read it, but did read his sophomore attempt EXIT A. Was OK. I did enjoy HEARING JARHEAD, because Swoff read the whole thing.
As far as I can tell (and maybe this is the retrospective reading by Swoff), Jake Gyllenhaal is not Swoff. Maybe because of all the other shit he wrote about in the book, because it was actual good insight into his head, JARHEAD is a bad book movie. Unto itself, its alright. You really, once again, lose a whole lot about the man who wrote the book, and his actual reasons for even JOINING the Marine Corps.
As good as Jamie Foxx is in the movie (and he actually is), I do not remember Swoff writing anything like this about his Sargent. Cripes, I do not remember the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET oil fires, either. And fair enough, I do drink, but not while I am driving, which is when I listen to audiobooks. Some of the lines are taken from the book, but some of it has been mellowed down, believe it or not. I am going to finish watching this...and will continue in about 20 minutes or so I guess...
Playlist: Mad Men
I never fought in a war, I just started drinking whiskey, I do not look "good" in a suit. Do I need these things in my life?...Yes! if his name is Don Draper. Cooper was a man of the Great Depression, Sterling fought in the Pacific during WWII, Draper is a post Korea 1950's man of Men, he is our hope and dreams, he is our super-man. But this man's life is falling apart, as is evident in the opening of every show, he is trying to fit in and be in control, that's why the end of season 3 is so great, he is desperate, they all are desperate, it is the need to have Peggy and Pete, the need to "Move Forward"...as Don says in season 2 I think that links him as a man that must evolve, even if at this moment he is perfect, he knows he must change...
I am scared...I am scared that the writers will just use some clause in the contract to force these men back to the hell that is "Sterling Cooper"...and not give us what we want...what I want...I want Don to move on..."Move Forward"...I want the glory of "Sterling, Cooper, Draper, and Price" to be realized...I want them to hustle, not flounder..I want Betty to suffer, I want this "whore," as Don says, to be a beaten down louse of a woman.
We shall see...as season 4 starts up hopefully in July...we have a lot to look forward to
I am scared...I am scared that the writers will just use some clause in the contract to force these men back to the hell that is "Sterling Cooper"...and not give us what we want...what I want...I want Don to move on..."Move Forward"...I want the glory of "Sterling, Cooper, Draper, and Price" to be realized...I want them to hustle, not flounder..I want Betty to suffer, I want this "whore," as Don says, to be a beaten down louse of a woman.
We shall see...as season 4 starts up hopefully in July...we have a lot to look forward to
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Playlist: Cold Souls
There's a difference between the opinion of some random Internet nobody and a professional reviewer from a major media outlet (he writes unironically). Or at least there should be. Case in point, this movie. According to respected long-time Rolling Stone reviewer Peter Travers, Cold Souls will cause you to "laugh till it hurts." Really? Wow, sounds painful, but worth it. But, wait, I could use a second opinion. What does the Old Grey Lady herself have to say? That Cold Souls is "flat-out funny"? Hey, if you can't trust The New York Times, who can you trust?
And really, what's the point of movie reviews, of any form of criticism, if you can't trust them? If you can't use them as a guide? Cold Souls was not funny. Some of Paul Giamatti's reactions are comical--ok, funny--but I didn't even get the sense that the film was trying to be comedic. That's the thing that's throwing me. It's definitely surreal--Giamatti as himself having his soul removed because it was hurting his acting--but in a slow existential European way. Basically, Being John Malkovich not written by Charlie Kaufman, which makes it decidedly not Being John Malkovich. French (see!) writer/director Sophie Barthes has made an interesting movie and I'd like to see what she does next. But if she wanted to not make a comedy, why not just cast Jim Carrey and avoid all the confusion.
And really, what's the point of movie reviews, of any form of criticism, if you can't trust them? If you can't use them as a guide? Cold Souls was not funny. Some of Paul Giamatti's reactions are comical--ok, funny--but I didn't even get the sense that the film was trying to be comedic. That's the thing that's throwing me. It's definitely surreal--Giamatti as himself having his soul removed because it was hurting his acting--but in a slow existential European way. Basically, Being John Malkovich not written by Charlie Kaufman, which makes it decidedly not Being John Malkovich. French (see!) writer/director Sophie Barthes has made an interesting movie and I'd like to see what she does next. But if she wanted to not make a comedy, why not just cast Jim Carrey and avoid all the confusion.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Playlist: Amblin'
Doing a little prep work for the next podcast, I watched Amblin', a 26 minute film from 1968. Oh, right...directed by a pre-bearded Steven Spielberg. Besides being the inspiration for his future production company name, it's also a perfect artifact of a young filmmaker honing his craft.
One of the more notable aspects of this story of two young hitchhikers amblin' along a desert highway is that it is completely dialogue-free, a decision that demonstrated a lot of foresight by a 22-year old. Too often, these bare-bones early films are sabotaged by the necessity of using unprofessional actors to bring to life a novice script. These shorts are essentially video business cards to try to get feature work. The last thing a struggling director needs is to have more attention on the bad acting than on his chops behind the lens.What we have here is simply a budding director having fun with his camera and developing his artistic eye (which apparently worked--he's made a couple of movies since then).
Last note: while it drags a bit in the middle, the ending was a bit of a surprise considering some of the weak finishes of his multi-million dollar epics.
And because we here at SMC love you, here it is (courtesy of JoBlo.com):
One of the more notable aspects of this story of two young hitchhikers amblin' along a desert highway is that it is completely dialogue-free, a decision that demonstrated a lot of foresight by a 22-year old. Too often, these bare-bones early films are sabotaged by the necessity of using unprofessional actors to bring to life a novice script. These shorts are essentially video business cards to try to get feature work. The last thing a struggling director needs is to have more attention on the bad acting than on his chops behind the lens.What we have here is simply a budding director having fun with his camera and developing his artistic eye (which apparently worked--he's made a couple of movies since then).
Last note: while it drags a bit in the middle, the ending was a bit of a surprise considering some of the weak finishes of his multi-million dollar epics.
And because we here at SMC love you, here it is (courtesy of JoBlo.com):
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Playlist: The Invention of Lying
While this does not quite living up to its ambitious premise, I'd watch Ricky Gervais read the phone book (at least through Adams--after that it gets a bit redundant). Actually, I could listen to him laugh all day, a predilection I know is not shared by all. Believe it or not, the highlight here for me was him showing off serious acting chops in a scene with his dying mother. Who knew?
Okay, right, the plot: Gervais' character discovers the ability to lie--the first and only person in the world to do so. So, anything he says, no matter how preposterous, has to be believed. Imagine the possibilities. And he does, until it all goes astray, yada yada, you know the deal.
Here's a question I had, though: because no one lies, everyone is brutally honest with one another. For example, if someone is fat and ugly, you simply tell them they are fat and ugly; doing otherwise would be dishonest. But why do you have to say anything at all? Is not expressing every thought that pops into your head a lie? It makes for a funnier movie, of course, but what do you think?
Okay, right, the plot: Gervais' character discovers the ability to lie--the first and only person in the world to do so. So, anything he says, no matter how preposterous, has to be believed. Imagine the possibilities. And he does, until it all goes astray, yada yada, you know the deal.
Here's a question I had, though: because no one lies, everyone is brutally honest with one another. For example, if someone is fat and ugly, you simply tell them they are fat and ugly; doing otherwise would be dishonest. But why do you have to say anything at all? Is not expressing every thought that pops into your head a lie? It makes for a funnier movie, of course, but what do you think?
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