If the weather and the transit strike aren't keeping you down, there are a few new movies coming out in the next week for your enjoyment
Friday
Milk, 2008, from director Gus Van Sant. Stars Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and Diego Luna. I caught this in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago, and now it opens wider, including in Ottawa. I highly recommend it, and I have no doubt that it will garner some Oscar nominations.
The Day The Earth Stood Still, 2008
This remake of teh 1951 sci-fi classic hits regular and IMAX theatres as well on Friday. I'm a big fan of teh original, so I'll be checking this out for curiosity's sake, if nothing else, though I admit the trailer intrigues me.
Stars Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Kathy Bates, and Jaden Smith.
Outsourced, 2008
I have no idea what Outsourced is about, so:
"Outsourced opens in Seattle, where thirtysomething mid-level manager Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton) oversees the call centre for Western Novelty, a company selling kitschy knick-knacks. In a ruthless cost-cutting maneuver, Todd’s shark of a boss informs him that Western Novelty is outsourcing the call centre to India. Unless Todd agrees to relocate to India for three to four months to train his replacement, he’ll not only lose his job, but his stock options as well.
Grumbling all the way to Bombay, Todd initially makes zero effort to embrace his new home or familiarize himself with India’s rich and varied culture, despite the unfailingly friendly efforts of his replacement, Puro (Asif Basra) to make him comfortable. Over time, however, Todd gradually overcomes his resistance to savour and celebrate the cultural differences between the U.S. and India. Of course, it helps that he has a lovely and spirited tour guide in Asha (Ayesha Dharker), his star employee.
Sweet but never saccharine, Outsourced benefits greatly from the pairing of Hamilton and Dharker, whose beguiling workplace romance feels natural, as the film mostly avoids the rank clichés found in the majority of contemporary romantic comedies. More impressively, the filmmakers depict the Indian characters with empathy and respect; they’re as puzzled by Todd as he is by them.
Outsourced is a happy surprise. What could have easily been yet another, patronizing fish-out-of-water comedy, about an American yuppie surrounded by zany ethnic stereotypes, turns out to be a smart, low-key charmer.
– Tim Knight, Reel.com"
If you're a Patti Smith fan, you'll be expecting, of course, Patti Smith: Dream of Life, which opens at the Bytowne on Friday. The trailer played in front of Resevoir Dogs on Monday, and it looked like your standard musician documentary.
and, if you want to know what you SHOULDN'T do with a power drill, check out Darren Aronofsky's debut feature PI, from 1998. I caught this at the Mayfair when it first came out 10 years ago, and I'm excited to see it again on the big screen this Monday night at the Bytowne. It comes just in anticipation of Aronofsky's latest work, The Wrestler, which should be out in January. It is worth seeing, buses or no buses.
caution, this trailer does contain some spoilers, apparently
Have fun!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Are you cool? I need you to be cool.
Resevoir Dogs
1991
dir. Quentin Tarantino. Star. Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Lawrence Tierney.
Steph, Paddy and I saw this on Monday at the Bytowne. Steph split our usual diet pepsi and popcorn. There were a few problems with the print, including sound problems on the second reel, and a weird purple haze around any black objects or clothing in the film (and since the thieves all wear black suits, this was kind of annoying).
I was never as much a fan of Resevoir Dogs as I was Pulp Fiction, but like many films, that changed once I saw it up on the big screen. Even though it seems more intimate than most heist films, because it shows more of the aftermath and none of the actual heist, I found that Tarantino's alternating extreme close-ups and very wide shots gave the characters a larger-than-lifefeel that has always been absent in my home viewings. Overall, a great time at the movies.
5 stars out of 5
1991
dir. Quentin Tarantino. Star. Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Lawrence Tierney.
Steph, Paddy and I saw this on Monday at the Bytowne. Steph split our usual diet pepsi and popcorn. There were a few problems with the print, including sound problems on the second reel, and a weird purple haze around any black objects or clothing in the film (and since the thieves all wear black suits, this was kind of annoying).
I was never as much a fan of Resevoir Dogs as I was Pulp Fiction, but like many films, that changed once I saw it up on the big screen. Even though it seems more intimate than most heist films, because it shows more of the aftermath and none of the actual heist, I found that Tarantino's alternating extreme close-ups and very wide shots gave the characters a larger-than-lifefeel that has always been absent in my home viewings. Overall, a great time at the movies.
5 stars out of 5
Monday, December 8, 2008
Home (away from home) Viewing Highlights of the week
On my travels, besides our trip to see Milk, I did catch a few other films while I was away.
On the plane, I caught a few films on my portable DVD player, including Carl Theodor Dreyer's Ordet, Rabid Dogs by Mario Bava, and Breathless, by Jean-Luc Godard. My favorite though, was a danish film called Brothers, from a woman named Susanne Bier. It concerns two brothers, one of whom is a drunk, loser ex-convict, and another who is married with two kids, and then goes off to Afghanistan and is presumed dead. The loser brother comes in to help around the house, and ... things happen. But not necessarily what you think happens, or why. I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend this film. If, however, you don't like to watch Danish films, you can wait until next year's remake, directed by Jim Sheridan (In The Name of the Father; In America) and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, and Natalie Portman. Well worth a look.
I couldn't find a trailer for the film, unfortunately.
On the plane, I caught a few films on my portable DVD player, including Carl Theodor Dreyer's Ordet, Rabid Dogs by Mario Bava, and Breathless, by Jean-Luc Godard. My favorite though, was a danish film called Brothers, from a woman named Susanne Bier. It concerns two brothers, one of whom is a drunk, loser ex-convict, and another who is married with two kids, and then goes off to Afghanistan and is presumed dead. The loser brother comes in to help around the house, and ... things happen. But not necessarily what you think happens, or why. I don't want to give too much away, but I highly recommend this film. If, however, you don't like to watch Danish films, you can wait until next year's remake, directed by Jim Sheridan (In The Name of the Father; In America) and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, and Natalie Portman. Well worth a look.
I couldn't find a trailer for the film, unfortunately.
Got Milk?
Back from vacation, and I did get to see a few films while I was away.
Milk
2008 dir. Gus Van Sant. Star. Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna.
Although it doesn't come out until this Friday here in Ottawa, I saw Milk last weekend in Vancouver with Paul and Heather at the Fifth Avenue and Burrard st. theatre. I had some popcorn and diet coke.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States. After a few failed attempts, Milk was elected at a City Supervisor in San Francisco in 1978. His election came as a result of the gay community amssing in district around the intersection of Market and Castro sts. This biopic, Van Sant's first mainstream film in almost a decade, shows Milk's life from his move to SF in 1970 up until his assassination at the hands of a colleague in 1978. Although the film is very straightforward in style, and is absolutely the typical biopic, this is made up for by the great performances, especially from Penn and Brolin, who will more than likely earn Oscar nominations.
If you live in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or similar big city, go check out this film. If not, check it out this weekend when it opens wide. And if you're a homophobe, you probably won't see it, but you should.
And lay off the twinkies.
4 stars out of 5
Milk
2008 dir. Gus Van Sant. Star. Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna.
Although it doesn't come out until this Friday here in Ottawa, I saw Milk last weekend in Vancouver with Paul and Heather at the Fifth Avenue and Burrard st. theatre. I had some popcorn and diet coke.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States. After a few failed attempts, Milk was elected at a City Supervisor in San Francisco in 1978. His election came as a result of the gay community amssing in district around the intersection of Market and Castro sts. This biopic, Van Sant's first mainstream film in almost a decade, shows Milk's life from his move to SF in 1970 up until his assassination at the hands of a colleague in 1978. Although the film is very straightforward in style, and is absolutely the typical biopic, this is made up for by the great performances, especially from Penn and Brolin, who will more than likely earn Oscar nominations.
If you live in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or similar big city, go check out this film. If not, check it out this weekend when it opens wide. And if you're a homophobe, you probably won't see it, but you should.
And lay off the twinkies.
4 stars out of 5
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Upcoming movies in the next week
With Australia and Four Christmases opening today, there are no new wide releases on Friday. However, there are some new and classic films opening at the Bytowne and the Mayfair:
Friday
JCVD
This film is Jean-Claude Van Damme, the washed-up direct-to-DVD action star playing a man named Jean-Claude Van Damme, a washed-up direct-to-DVD action star. Apparently he's actually supposed to be good in this. Exclusively at the Bytowne
Saturday
Audition
Some Japanese Horror for you all, at the Saturday Sinema at the Mayfair. Don't worry though, since I'm positive Saturday Night Sinema will be continuing at the new Mayfair
Sunday
The Wizard of Oz
One of the all time classic films closes the doors on the Mayfair as we know. Proceeds go to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Pembroke. If you miss it though, fear not, it's also playing next month at the Bytowne.
Monday
Babette's Feast
I don't know much about this one except that it's Danish, and has Bibi Anderssen in it.
I'm off to Vancouver tomorrow for a week, so I don't know how many entries there will be (or if I'll get to see any movies.)
Friday
JCVD
This film is Jean-Claude Van Damme, the washed-up direct-to-DVD action star playing a man named Jean-Claude Van Damme, a washed-up direct-to-DVD action star. Apparently he's actually supposed to be good in this. Exclusively at the Bytowne
Saturday
Audition
Some Japanese Horror for you all, at the Saturday Sinema at the Mayfair. Don't worry though, since I'm positive Saturday Night Sinema will be continuing at the new Mayfair
Sunday
The Wizard of Oz
One of the all time classic films closes the doors on the Mayfair as we know. Proceeds go to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Pembroke. If you miss it though, fear not, it's also playing next month at the Bytowne.
Monday
Babette's Feast
I don't know much about this one except that it's Danish, and has Bibi Anderssen in it.
I'm off to Vancouver tomorrow for a week, so I don't know how many entries there will be (or if I'll get to see any movies.)
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Killer Lampshade
Someone asked me how Criterion decides what films they release on DVD and Blu-ray. Some films they license from big Studios like Paramount or Universal, and some Criterion actually owns the rights to themselves through their sister company, Janus Films. Not all Janus Films properties get the Criterion treatment, however. Here is clip from a film called Hausu (House), a Japanese horror film from the 1970's, whose North American rights are owned by Janus. I think you can see why Criterion is sitting on this one:
Pink Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
1968, dir. George Roy Hill. star. Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Katherine Harris, Strothers Martin.
1 h 50 min
This was the second part of last night's double-bill at the Mayfair, and the last film I will ever see at the Mayfair in its current incarnation. Still had some diet pepsi from The Sting, so I didn't refill.
My joke blog entry title is a double reference. The first is that the film print seemed to have absolutely no yellow left in it (only red and blue, or magenta and cyan for those you who want to get technical). Being a western, with the usual western tones of brown and beige, this meant that the whole film had a very pronounced pink hue to it. I don't really feel like this changed my impression of the film, however, though some might be inclined to feel that it emphasizes the latent homosexuality between Butch and Sundance. Overwall though, this is a great Western, and seeing as how not many of those get made these days, I was glad that I got to see it.
4 stars out of 5 (5 out of 5 if you were to get up to pee during two of the musical montages).
1968, dir. George Roy Hill. star. Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Katherine Harris, Strothers Martin.
1 h 50 min
This was the second part of last night's double-bill at the Mayfair, and the last film I will ever see at the Mayfair in its current incarnation. Still had some diet pepsi from The Sting, so I didn't refill.
My joke blog entry title is a double reference. The first is that the film print seemed to have absolutely no yellow left in it (only red and blue, or magenta and cyan for those you who want to get technical). Being a western, with the usual western tones of brown and beige, this meant that the whole film had a very pronounced pink hue to it. I don't really feel like this changed my impression of the film, however, though some might be inclined to feel that it emphasizes the latent homosexuality between Butch and Sundance. Overwall though, this is a great Western, and seeing as how not many of those get made these days, I was glad that I got to see it.
4 stars out of 5 (5 out of 5 if you were to get up to pee during two of the musical montages).
The Sting
The Sting
1973, dir. George Roy Hill. star. Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
2h 9min
Saw this last night at the Mayfair with Paddy. I sat in the balcony because those are the only seats I find comfortable, so hopefully once the "new" Mayfair opens up with new seating, I can sit closer to the screen. Ate some popcorn and a diet Pepsi. The print was in decent shape, though the sound was a bit muddled. I'm not sure whether that was the print, or the sound system at the Mayfair (also being redone by its new operators). The film has some good laughs, and some homosexual subtext between Newman and Redford (if you're into looking for that sort of thing), but not nearly as much of either as the evning's second flic, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
3 stars out of 5
1973, dir. George Roy Hill. star. Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
2h 9min
Saw this last night at the Mayfair with Paddy. I sat in the balcony because those are the only seats I find comfortable, so hopefully once the "new" Mayfair opens up with new seating, I can sit closer to the screen. Ate some popcorn and a diet Pepsi. The print was in decent shape, though the sound was a bit muddled. I'm not sure whether that was the print, or the sound system at the Mayfair (also being redone by its new operators). The film has some good laughs, and some homosexual subtext between Newman and Redford (if you're into looking for that sort of thing), but not nearly as much of either as the evning's second flic, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
3 stars out of 5
Monday, November 24, 2008
Synecdoche, New York
Synecdoche, New York
2008. dir. Charlie Kaufman. star. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Emily Watson, Tom Noonan, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
2 hours 5 minutes
Steph and I caught this on Friday night at the Bytowne, where we split some popcorn and a diet Pepsi.
Synecdoche, New York is the sixth film to come from the pen of Charlie Kaufman, and the first he has directed himself. And like he previous efforts, such as Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the film is by no means straightforward. It (loosely) concerns a playwright (played Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his forty-year effort to put together his massive theatre project that includes, among other things, and life-sized replica of Manhattan built inside a warehouse in …. Manhattan (keep repeating to yourself, “Charlie Kaufman, Charlie Kaufman”). But that is merely the plot, and the film is about two more grandiose concepts: the human mind, and life itself. Heavy stuff.
As the theatre project takes hold, it gradually becomes clear that Hoffman is making a play of his own life. He casts fill-ins for his ex-wives and girlfriends, and then eventually even himself. He ends up spending so much time with these actors, however, they then become an integral part of his real life, and so much must cast actors to play the actors who are playing his love interests. And so on, and so on.
I was in no way confused by Synecdoche, NY, but it is a film that I want to revisit again. One of the central themes, though, is that every one is the central character in their own life, and that their interpretation of the other people around them is not reality, but in fact, just their interpretation. Next time you’re on the bus, or train, or plane, or in a store, or whatever the situation may be, remember that the person beside you is living an entire life, just as complex as your own. It may give you a new perspective on things.
5 stars out of 5
Fun Fact of the day: Philip Seymour Hoffman's character's last name in the film is Cotard, which is a reference to Cotard's Syndrome, which is defined as a rare neuropsychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that he or she is dead, does not exist, is putrefying or has lost his/her blood or internal organs.
Once you see the film, it will make sense.
2008. dir. Charlie Kaufman. star. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Emily Watson, Tom Noonan, Jennifer Jason Leigh.
2 hours 5 minutes
Steph and I caught this on Friday night at the Bytowne, where we split some popcorn and a diet Pepsi.
Synecdoche, New York is the sixth film to come from the pen of Charlie Kaufman, and the first he has directed himself. And like he previous efforts, such as Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the film is by no means straightforward. It (loosely) concerns a playwright (played Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his forty-year effort to put together his massive theatre project that includes, among other things, and life-sized replica of Manhattan built inside a warehouse in …. Manhattan (keep repeating to yourself, “Charlie Kaufman, Charlie Kaufman”). But that is merely the plot, and the film is about two more grandiose concepts: the human mind, and life itself. Heavy stuff.
As the theatre project takes hold, it gradually becomes clear that Hoffman is making a play of his own life. He casts fill-ins for his ex-wives and girlfriends, and then eventually even himself. He ends up spending so much time with these actors, however, they then become an integral part of his real life, and so much must cast actors to play the actors who are playing his love interests. And so on, and so on.
I was in no way confused by Synecdoche, NY, but it is a film that I want to revisit again. One of the central themes, though, is that every one is the central character in their own life, and that their interpretation of the other people around them is not reality, but in fact, just their interpretation. Next time you’re on the bus, or train, or plane, or in a store, or whatever the situation may be, remember that the person beside you is living an entire life, just as complex as your own. It may give you a new perspective on things.
5 stars out of 5
Fun Fact of the day: Philip Seymour Hoffman's character's last name in the film is Cotard, which is a reference to Cotard's Syndrome, which is defined as a rare neuropsychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that he or she is dead, does not exist, is putrefying or has lost his/her blood or internal organs.
Once you see the film, it will make sense.
Friday, November 21, 2008
New Movies this Weekend
A couple new movies this week, and a few classics as well:
Friday:
Synedoche, NY
2008. dir. Charlie Kaufman. star. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Williams, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan
This is the directorial debut of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Human Nature, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. I am told that you will not understand this on your first viewing, so we'll see. Steph and I checking this out tonight.
exclusively at the Bytowne
Heaven and Earth
2008. dir. Deepa Mehta
I've seen a preview a couple of times. Seems like it's an India-Canada immigration drama. Mehta's last film was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
2008. dir. Mark Herman. star. David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga
The story of two young boys interacting through opposites sides of a concentration camp fence during World War II in Germany. Expect tears.
exclusively at World Exchange Cinemas
Bolt
animated crap, with the voices of Hannah Montana (or whatever the fuck her real name is) and John Travolta. It'll be shit. You know I'm right.
Twilight
As I'm not a 15 year old girl, I have no comment on the vampire tale. I bet it'll suck, though (hahahahahahahahahahah ... I am funny)
Monday through Wednesday:
Check out the Mayfair before it becomes something else (though hopefully something better)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1968)
The Sting (1973)
both dir. George Roy Hill. star. Paul Newman, Robert Redford.
Butch Cassidy is a great western with awful fucking music and a stupid bicycle scene. Without that crap, it'd be one of my favorite westerns.
The Sting is considered a classic (and it won the 1973 Best Picture Oscar, though I feel that The Exorcist and Cries And Whispers are far better films).
Wednesday
Australia
2008. dir. Baz Luhrman. star. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman.
Big Aussie epic centering around the bombing of Darwin. I'm sure it'll be the feast for the eyes, though I have no idea whether it'll be any good. A warning though, it clocks in a a whopping 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Four Christmases
2008. dir. Seth Gordon. star. Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon.
The premise is that Vaughn and Witherspoon play a couple who have to visit all of their families on Christmas. Since both of their sets of parents are divorced, that means 4 christmases. Hence the tile. The trailer has some laughs in it, though don't all trailers? We'll see, I guess.
Friday:
Synedoche, NY
2008. dir. Charlie Kaufman. star. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Williams, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan
This is the directorial debut of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Human Nature, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. I am told that you will not understand this on your first viewing, so we'll see. Steph and I checking this out tonight.
exclusively at the Bytowne
Heaven and Earth
2008. dir. Deepa Mehta
I've seen a preview a couple of times. Seems like it's an India-Canada immigration drama. Mehta's last film was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
2008. dir. Mark Herman. star. David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga
The story of two young boys interacting through opposites sides of a concentration camp fence during World War II in Germany. Expect tears.
exclusively at World Exchange Cinemas
Bolt
animated crap, with the voices of Hannah Montana (or whatever the fuck her real name is) and John Travolta. It'll be shit. You know I'm right.
Twilight
As I'm not a 15 year old girl, I have no comment on the vampire tale. I bet it'll suck, though (hahahahahahahahahahah ... I am funny)
Monday through Wednesday:
Check out the Mayfair before it becomes something else (though hopefully something better)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1968)
The Sting (1973)
both dir. George Roy Hill. star. Paul Newman, Robert Redford.
Butch Cassidy is a great western with awful fucking music and a stupid bicycle scene. Without that crap, it'd be one of my favorite westerns.
The Sting is considered a classic (and it won the 1973 Best Picture Oscar, though I feel that The Exorcist and Cries And Whispers are far better films).
Wednesday
Australia
2008. dir. Baz Luhrman. star. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman.
Big Aussie epic centering around the bombing of Darwin. I'm sure it'll be the feast for the eyes, though I have no idea whether it'll be any good. A warning though, it clocks in a a whopping 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Four Christmases
2008. dir. Seth Gordon. star. Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon.
The premise is that Vaughn and Witherspoon play a couple who have to visit all of their families on Christmas. Since both of their sets of parents are divorced, that means 4 christmases. Hence the tile. The trailer has some laughs in it, though don't all trailers? We'll see, I guess.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Home Viewing Highlights of the week
Until the End of the World (DVD)
1991. dir. Wim Wenders. star. Sam Neill, William Hurt, Max von Sydow, Jeanne Moreau
4h40min
Not a typo; this film is indeed, in the director's cut version, 4 hours and 40 minutes long. And there's probably a good film in there, but I'm sure it could have been cut down (although technically it has, for North America, but that version is apparently incoherent).
UtEotW is about a woman in a mildly dystopian future Europe, who, while escaping France, runs into a man who has been travelling to all corners of the world documenting images for a project of his father's. The woman chases the man all the way to the Australian Outback, where she discovers the project is a way to help blind people see again using computers. They soon discover that the device can be modified to allow people to watch their own dreams after they wake up, and the woman soon becomes addicted to the device.
There is a lot more going on, but that covers the jist of it. If you're willing to put the time in, it can be a rewarding film experience, but I feel that given teh premise, this could have been a popular hit had Wenders found a way to make it a normal length. Note that this director's cut version is only available from Germany and Italy, so you'll need a region-free DVD player to watch it (and you'll have to find it on ebay or amazon.de).
They Were Expendable (DVD)
1945. dir. John Ford. star. John Wayne, Robert Mongomery
2h15min
I had this in a JohnFord/John Wayne box set and had never watched it, but I'm glad I put it in this weekend. I was expecting the usual jingoistic John Wayne war film, and although it has those elements, it has one of Wayne's best performances (one where he doesn't always seem like "John Wayne"), and more importantly, some of the best air-to-sea battle scenes ever shot, even to this day. the reason is that those scenes were made while John Ford was still a Captain in the US Navy, and they are in fact real battles scenes, with real Navy PT boats fighting real Japanese Zeroes. Very cool stuff. Check it out sometime.
From Russia With Love (Sean Connery)
Live and Let Die (Roger Moore)
Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)
All Blu-Ray
In anticipation on Quantum of Solace, I watched these three Bond movies, three of my favorites, all on Blu-Ray. They all look fantastic, and are good samples to show why Blu-Ray is a good investment if you're really into films.
Also note that I caught a James Bond edition of Mythbusters, and they declared that, even though they couldn't quite pull it off themselves, the speedboat jump over the police car from Live and Let Die is in fact plausible. So there you have it.
Go get a Blu-Ray player, and go get some Bond. If you buy them at Future Shop, they come in nifty metal cases.
1991. dir. Wim Wenders. star. Sam Neill, William Hurt, Max von Sydow, Jeanne Moreau
4h40min
Not a typo; this film is indeed, in the director's cut version, 4 hours and 40 minutes long. And there's probably a good film in there, but I'm sure it could have been cut down (although technically it has, for North America, but that version is apparently incoherent).
UtEotW is about a woman in a mildly dystopian future Europe, who, while escaping France, runs into a man who has been travelling to all corners of the world documenting images for a project of his father's. The woman chases the man all the way to the Australian Outback, where she discovers the project is a way to help blind people see again using computers. They soon discover that the device can be modified to allow people to watch their own dreams after they wake up, and the woman soon becomes addicted to the device.
There is a lot more going on, but that covers the jist of it. If you're willing to put the time in, it can be a rewarding film experience, but I feel that given teh premise, this could have been a popular hit had Wenders found a way to make it a normal length. Note that this director's cut version is only available from Germany and Italy, so you'll need a region-free DVD player to watch it (and you'll have to find it on ebay or amazon.de).
They Were Expendable (DVD)
1945. dir. John Ford. star. John Wayne, Robert Mongomery
2h15min
I had this in a JohnFord/John Wayne box set and had never watched it, but I'm glad I put it in this weekend. I was expecting the usual jingoistic John Wayne war film, and although it has those elements, it has one of Wayne's best performances (one where he doesn't always seem like "John Wayne"), and more importantly, some of the best air-to-sea battle scenes ever shot, even to this day. the reason is that those scenes were made while John Ford was still a Captain in the US Navy, and they are in fact real battles scenes, with real Navy PT boats fighting real Japanese Zeroes. Very cool stuff. Check it out sometime.
From Russia With Love (Sean Connery)
Live and Let Die (Roger Moore)
Casino Royale (Daniel Craig)
All Blu-Ray
In anticipation on Quantum of Solace, I watched these three Bond movies, three of my favorites, all on Blu-Ray. They all look fantastic, and are good samples to show why Blu-Ray is a good investment if you're really into films.
Also note that I caught a James Bond edition of Mythbusters, and they declared that, even though they couldn't quite pull it off themselves, the speedboat jump over the police car from Live and Let Die is in fact plausible. So there you have it.
Go get a Blu-Ray player, and go get some Bond. If you buy them at Future Shop, they come in nifty metal cases.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Quantum of Solace
2008, dir. Marc Forster. Star. Daniel Craig, Mathieu Almaric, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, and various pleasant looking women.
1h 47m
The 22nd "official" James Bond film came out on Friday to packed, sold-out theatres, but Steph and I managed to see it with Noah and Paul at Silvercity. Steph and I split some peanut butter M&Ms and a diet Pepsi.
QoS is the first James Bond sequel, beginning right after the last scene of Casino Royale (though somehow Bond lost the vest of his suit in that short time), and that is inherently the problem. The movie is more focused on wrapping up loose ends of the CR, and not concrened enough with it's own plot, which is almost arbitrary. Another issue is that supposedly, Le Chiffre (the villain from CS) is merely an employee for Dominic Greene (villain of QoS), yet Greene is kind of a pushover and far less bad-ass than Le Chiffre. Overall, I feel like Casino Royale in 1 1/3 movies, but Quantum of Solace is only 2/3 of a movie. The play well back to back, but Casino Royale is too long, and QoS too constricted.
3 stars out of 5
1h 47m
The 22nd "official" James Bond film came out on Friday to packed, sold-out theatres, but Steph and I managed to see it with Noah and Paul at Silvercity. Steph and I split some peanut butter M&Ms and a diet Pepsi.
QoS is the first James Bond sequel, beginning right after the last scene of Casino Royale (though somehow Bond lost the vest of his suit in that short time), and that is inherently the problem. The movie is more focused on wrapping up loose ends of the CR, and not concrened enough with it's own plot, which is almost arbitrary. Another issue is that supposedly, Le Chiffre (the villain from CS) is merely an employee for Dominic Greene (villain of QoS), yet Greene is kind of a pushover and far less bad-ass than Le Chiffre. Overall, I feel like Casino Royale in 1 1/3 movies, but Quantum of Solace is only 2/3 of a movie. The play well back to back, but Casino Royale is too long, and QoS too constricted.
3 stars out of 5
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Home Viewing Highlights of the week
Redbelt (Blu-Ray)
2008, dir. David Mamet. Star. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Randy Couture, Emily Mortimer
Watched this on Monday night and listened to the audio commentary by Mamet, one of the greatest living American playwrights and screenwriters, and Couture, who I'm told is of the greatest living mixed martial arts fighters. Both have interesting stories to tell about their respective industries, and the film itself, one of my favorites of the year so far, looks crystal clear and sharp in hi-def. If you haven't checked out this film yet, go rent it.
L.A. Confidential (Blu-ray)
1997, dir. Curtis Hanson. Star. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny Devito, David Strathairn, James Cromwell
After I finished Redbelt, I popped in this classic for the first time in many many years, and for the first time in hi-def. For some reason the opening studio logos look really bad (like old VHS quality) but then the film itself looks amazing. This, along with Chinatown, are probably the two best films noir made since the classic era of that genre/asthetic/whatever you want to call it. It's a great film, just released on Blu-Ray and DVD in a new special edition that includes, among other features, the pilot episode of the failed L.A. Confidential series, starring Keifer Sutherland in Spacey's role. It also acme with a 6 song CD of songs from the 50's era.
Heart of Glass (dvd)
Invincible (dvd)
Even Dwarfs Started Small (dvd)
all dir. by Werner Herzog
Every time I see a Herzog film, I think that's it's my favorite Herzog film ever, and then I pop in a new one and start over again. So far I've seen over a dozen, and not one of them has been uninteresting.
Heart of Glass is about a town desperate to find the secret recipe to ruby glass after the glasssmith dies before bequeathing it upon someone else. Oh, and Herzog had the entire cast hypnotized while they did their parts. Very weird, cool stuff.
Invincible is about a jewish strongman in 1930's Germany, and how he discovers pride in his own religeous identity and fights to protect his people from teh horrors he knows are coming from the Nazis. Stars Tim Roth as a Nazi magician and propaganda artist.
Even Dwarfs Started Small is about a town that is populated by dwarfs, and only dwarfs. As far as I know, this may be the only all-dwarf film I've ever seen.
2008, dir. David Mamet. Star. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Randy Couture, Emily Mortimer
Watched this on Monday night and listened to the audio commentary by Mamet, one of the greatest living American playwrights and screenwriters, and Couture, who I'm told is of the greatest living mixed martial arts fighters. Both have interesting stories to tell about their respective industries, and the film itself, one of my favorites of the year so far, looks crystal clear and sharp in hi-def. If you haven't checked out this film yet, go rent it.
L.A. Confidential (Blu-ray)
1997, dir. Curtis Hanson. Star. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger, Danny Devito, David Strathairn, James Cromwell
After I finished Redbelt, I popped in this classic for the first time in many many years, and for the first time in hi-def. For some reason the opening studio logos look really bad (like old VHS quality) but then the film itself looks amazing. This, along with Chinatown, are probably the two best films noir made since the classic era of that genre/asthetic/whatever you want to call it. It's a great film, just released on Blu-Ray and DVD in a new special edition that includes, among other features, the pilot episode of the failed L.A. Confidential series, starring Keifer Sutherland in Spacey's role. It also acme with a 6 song CD of songs from the 50's era.
Heart of Glass (dvd)
Invincible (dvd)
Even Dwarfs Started Small (dvd)
all dir. by Werner Herzog
Every time I see a Herzog film, I think that's it's my favorite Herzog film ever, and then I pop in a new one and start over again. So far I've seen over a dozen, and not one of them has been uninteresting.
Heart of Glass is about a town desperate to find the secret recipe to ruby glass after the glasssmith dies before bequeathing it upon someone else. Oh, and Herzog had the entire cast hypnotized while they did their parts. Very weird, cool stuff.
Invincible is about a jewish strongman in 1930's Germany, and how he discovers pride in his own religeous identity and fights to protect his people from teh horrors he knows are coming from the Nazis. Stars Tim Roth as a Nazi magician and propaganda artist.
Even Dwarfs Started Small is about a town that is populated by dwarfs, and only dwarfs. As far as I know, this may be the only all-dwarf film I've ever seen.
Upcoming movies in the next week
This Friday, the 22nd official James Bond film hits theatres. It is called Quantum of Solace, and sure, that doesn't make sense, but neither do "You Only Live Twice", "Live and Let Die", and plenty of other titles. A note, though; Quantum of Solace is a direct sequel to the last Bond film, Casino Royale, the first time this has been done in the series, so you will need to have seen Casino Royale to understand it. If you haven't caught Casino Royale, go pick it up on Blu-Ray, or DVD, both of which come with a coupon for free admission to Quantum of Solace. (I should work for MGM).
Dir. Marc Forster (of Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction, Kite Runner)
Star. Daniel Craig, Mathieu Almaric (from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
Other movies coming out this week:
The Class.
The 2008 Cannes Palme d'Or winner is playing at the Canadian Film Institute on Friday, as part of their European Union Film Festival
Tron
This 1982 Disney film, one of the first movie sto contain computer animation, is playing this Sunday, also at the Canadian Film Institute, for no apparent reason other than it's a really cool film, and it stars Jeff Bridges.
Jules and Jim
This classic Truffaut film is playing at the Bytowne on Monday, but I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of it, and will probably be skipping it myself.
And for those of you into this sort of thing, at select Cineplex theatres, High School Musical 3 is being shown in a sing-a-long edition.
No, seriously.
Dir. Marc Forster (of Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction, Kite Runner)
Star. Daniel Craig, Mathieu Almaric (from The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
Other movies coming out this week:
The Class.
The 2008 Cannes Palme d'Or winner is playing at the Canadian Film Institute on Friday, as part of their European Union Film Festival
Tron
This 1982 Disney film, one of the first movie sto contain computer animation, is playing this Sunday, also at the Canadian Film Institute, for no apparent reason other than it's a really cool film, and it stars Jeff Bridges.
Jules and Jim
This classic Truffaut film is playing at the Bytowne on Monday, but I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of it, and will probably be skipping it myself.
And for those of you into this sort of thing, at select Cineplex theatres, High School Musical 3 is being shown in a sing-a-long edition.
No, seriously.
Monday, November 10, 2008
I've Loved You So Long
I've Loved You So Long (2008, dir. Philippe Claudel; star. Kristin Scott Thomas)
1hour 57 minutes
Saw this Saturday night with Steph, and we split a diet pepsi and some popcorn.
**** SPOILERS AHEAD ****
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I've Loved You So Long is a new film from France that concerns a woman who gets out of prison after 15 years, serving time for murder. She goes to live with her younger sister, who was not allowed any contact with her sister during that time. Kristin Scott Thomas plays the newly freed woman, in a fairly emotionless performance until the last 5 minutes.
My problem with the film is simple; instead of actually caring about the characters and the story, all I actually cared about was who she killed, and why she killed them. We find out fairly early on that she killed her own child, and the fact that she plays a doctor made me suspect that euthanasia was the "why." And in the last 15 minutes or so, I found out that I was correct, though not fully correct. Because although Scott Thomas' character did euthanize her son, for valid reasons (the condition is never really revealed, though it must have been bad), she apparently never told anyone that that was how and why she killed her son. This serves only to support the feelings of the character, while not being realistic in any way (it also ignores the fact that her method would have been discovered in any halfway competent autopsy, which would be mandatory in any case of homicide). For me, anytime I am more concrned about the contruction of a film, rather than the film in and of itself, signals that the film isn't all that good to begin with.
2 1/2 stars out of 5.
1hour 57 minutes
Saw this Saturday night with Steph, and we split a diet pepsi and some popcorn.
**** SPOILERS AHEAD ****
l
l
l
l
l
V
I've Loved You So Long is a new film from France that concerns a woman who gets out of prison after 15 years, serving time for murder. She goes to live with her younger sister, who was not allowed any contact with her sister during that time. Kristin Scott Thomas plays the newly freed woman, in a fairly emotionless performance until the last 5 minutes.
My problem with the film is simple; instead of actually caring about the characters and the story, all I actually cared about was who she killed, and why she killed them. We find out fairly early on that she killed her own child, and the fact that she plays a doctor made me suspect that euthanasia was the "why." And in the last 15 minutes or so, I found out that I was correct, though not fully correct. Because although Scott Thomas' character did euthanize her son, for valid reasons (the condition is never really revealed, though it must have been bad), she apparently never told anyone that that was how and why she killed her son. This serves only to support the feelings of the character, while not being realistic in any way (it also ignores the fact that her method would have been discovered in any halfway competent autopsy, which would be mandatory in any case of homicide). For me, anytime I am more concrned about the contruction of a film, rather than the film in and of itself, signals that the film isn't all that good to begin with.
2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Upcoming movies in the next week
Moulin Rouge - 2001, Baz Luhrman; Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor. Playing at the Mayfair on Thursday (probably won't see, though I've never seen it, and I'd like to).
I've Loved You For So Long - 2008. Kristin Scott-Thomas. Opening at the Bytowne on Friday. Not sure who the director is, but Kristin Scott-Thomas is supposed to be really good as a woman reunited with her sister after having been in prison for 15 years for a brutal murder. Was playing at Starcite in Gatineau for the past few weeks, but without English subtitles. (will probably see)
Role Models - 2008. Paul Rudd, Stiffler, McLovin. [I figured those names would mean more than the actors' real names]. Opens Friday at any theatre near you. There's a few good laughs in the trailer, so who knows, I might see it.
Shoot the Piano Player - 1960, Francois Truffaut. Truffaut's second feature demonstrates his love for old Hollywood crime films. Playing at the Bytowne next Monday, and if you're a fan of French new Wave, you have to go see it. (Will definitely see)
I've Loved You For So Long - 2008. Kristin Scott-Thomas. Opening at the Bytowne on Friday. Not sure who the director is, but Kristin Scott-Thomas is supposed to be really good as a woman reunited with her sister after having been in prison for 15 years for a brutal murder. Was playing at Starcite in Gatineau for the past few weeks, but without English subtitles. (will probably see)
Role Models - 2008. Paul Rudd, Stiffler, McLovin. [I figured those names would mean more than the actors' real names]. Opens Friday at any theatre near you. There's a few good laughs in the trailer, so who knows, I might see it.
Shoot the Piano Player - 1960, Francois Truffaut. Truffaut's second feature demonstrates his love for old Hollywood crime films. Playing at the Bytowne next Monday, and if you're a fan of French new Wave, you have to go see it. (Will definitely see)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
2008, dir. Kevin Smith; star. Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Traci Lords, Katie Morgan, Jeff Anderson
1 hour 42 min
Steph, Paddy and I saw this Sunday night at Silvercity. Had a bag of dark chocolate M&Ms.
So is the story any good in Kevin Smith's new film? No, not really (it forgot to actually end itself, although I've since learned that's only the fault of the editor ... Kevin Smith himself). Did everyone in the theater laugh for literally the entire time? Yeah. It was actually pretty funny, though it wasn't straight up Kevin-Smith-funny, but more of an amalgam of Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow's styles, though Apatow has nothing to do with it. Although Mewes and Anderson are both Smith regulars, Rogan, Banks, and Robinson (who have the three biggest roles) are all Apatow vets. Rogan and Robinson are both playing the same characters they usually play. (I'm not sure Rogan is actually capable of being anyone but himself at this point).
But hey, it's got lots of laughs, and, as you might imagine, lots of tits. What else can you ask for on a Sunday night?
But, I warn you, it did have the most digusting thing I've seen in a film all year ... an extreme version of an occasional by-product of anal sex.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
Something to watch for: a cameo by Kenny of Kenny vs. Spenny during the high school reunion scene.
2008, dir. Kevin Smith; star. Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Robinson, Jason Mewes, Traci Lords, Katie Morgan, Jeff Anderson
1 hour 42 min
Steph, Paddy and I saw this Sunday night at Silvercity. Had a bag of dark chocolate M&Ms.
So is the story any good in Kevin Smith's new film? No, not really (it forgot to actually end itself, although I've since learned that's only the fault of the editor ... Kevin Smith himself). Did everyone in the theater laugh for literally the entire time? Yeah. It was actually pretty funny, though it wasn't straight up Kevin-Smith-funny, but more of an amalgam of Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow's styles, though Apatow has nothing to do with it. Although Mewes and Anderson are both Smith regulars, Rogan, Banks, and Robinson (who have the three biggest roles) are all Apatow vets. Rogan and Robinson are both playing the same characters they usually play. (I'm not sure Rogan is actually capable of being anyone but himself at this point).
But hey, it's got lots of laughs, and, as you might imagine, lots of tits. What else can you ask for on a Sunday night?
But, I warn you, it did have the most digusting thing I've seen in a film all year ... an extreme version of an occasional by-product of anal sex.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
Something to watch for: a cameo by Kenny of Kenny vs. Spenny during the high school reunion scene.
Happy-Go-Lucky
Happy-Go-Lucky
2008, dir. Mike Leigh; star. Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsam
1 hour 57 min
Steph and I saw Happy-Go-Lucky Saturday night at a packed house at the Bytowne. We split a popcorn and diet pepsi.
Happy-Go-Lucky, as the title suggests, is a upbeat (Steph felt TOO upbeat) film about a 30 year old woman named Poppy living in London working as a kindergarten teacher. Nothing seems to bother this woman much, and she manages to stay happy ALL THE TIME. Really, it's kind of disturbing. Sally Hawkins is pretty good as Poppy, and Eddie Marsam plays her disgruntled (and blatantly racist) driving instructor.
This film was definitely less of a downer that Miek Leigh's last film, Vera Drake, which was about a woman giving out illegal abortions during World War II in England.
4 stars out fo 5
2008, dir. Mike Leigh; star. Sally Hawkins, Eddie Marsam
1 hour 57 min
Steph and I saw Happy-Go-Lucky Saturday night at a packed house at the Bytowne. We split a popcorn and diet pepsi.
Happy-Go-Lucky, as the title suggests, is a upbeat (Steph felt TOO upbeat) film about a 30 year old woman named Poppy living in London working as a kindergarten teacher. Nothing seems to bother this woman much, and she manages to stay happy ALL THE TIME. Really, it's kind of disturbing. Sally Hawkins is pretty good as Poppy, and Eddie Marsam plays her disgruntled (and blatantly racist) driving instructor.
This film was definitely less of a downer that Miek Leigh's last film, Vera Drake, which was about a woman giving out illegal abortions during World War II in England.
4 stars out fo 5
Changeling
Changeling
2008, dir. Clint Eastwood; star. Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Amy Ryan, Colm Feore
2 hours 21 minutes
Saw the Changeling Friday morning by myself at South Keys. All I had was a diet pepsi, which did last all the way through this film which is about 30 - 40 minutes too long.
You know how some movies have, at the end, some epilogical text over the screen just before the credits. Well, during the last half hour of this film, I kept thinking that was was going on would usually just be covered by that kind of text. And then, when the film finally ended, they actually had some of that concluding text ... and, the first three paragraphs simply restated what the audience had just seen happen fifteen minutes earlier.
Angelina Jolie was very good in the film, in a very nuanced performance (not a stereotypical weak woman, but not overly strong in an unbelievable way), but the rest of the cast doesn't do much. The story was a bit hard to believe, but apparently it's all based on ftacts. Yet through the first half, I kept thinking that there's no way the police would get away with something so ridiculous, and yet, thinking about it after, I guess the way they do it makes sense.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
2008, dir. Clint Eastwood; star. Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Amy Ryan, Colm Feore
2 hours 21 minutes
Saw the Changeling Friday morning by myself at South Keys. All I had was a diet pepsi, which did last all the way through this film which is about 30 - 40 minutes too long.
You know how some movies have, at the end, some epilogical text over the screen just before the credits. Well, during the last half hour of this film, I kept thinking that was was going on would usually just be covered by that kind of text. And then, when the film finally ended, they actually had some of that concluding text ... and, the first three paragraphs simply restated what the audience had just seen happen fifteen minutes earlier.
Angelina Jolie was very good in the film, in a very nuanced performance (not a stereotypical weak woman, but not overly strong in an unbelievable way), but the rest of the cast doesn't do much. The story was a bit hard to believe, but apparently it's all based on ftacts. Yet through the first half, I kept thinking that there's no way the police would get away with something so ridiculous, and yet, thinking about it after, I guess the way they do it makes sense.
3 1/2 stars out of 5
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