I'm going to share something with you that will probably scare you away from this movie. Don't let it. If I can overcome this, so can you. Are you ready? Here it comes-written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. Now, before you start getting all dismissive, remember, this is the guy who did World's Greatest Dad. He's come a long way since Shakes The Clown. This movie has an amazing script and is very funny.
Joel Murray plays a total sad sack who is fed up with the state of things in the world. Since he has a brain tumor and will die shortly anyway, he decides to do something about it and starts killing people he feels contribute more to the problem than the solution. Along the way, he picks up Roxy, a spirited high school girl who shares his dream of reshaping society. Trust me on this folks, I've seen it twice and I'm here to say that it is awesome and you should see it.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World
Lorene Scafaria makes her directorial debut with this movie. She also wrote it. Steve Carell and Kiera Knightly star in this dark comedy about the last few weeks on Earth before a meteor collides and takes us out. Carell is seeking out a high school flame and Knightly is his neighbor who tags along for the ride on the off chance he can find her a plane to get home.
I was impressed with the fact that they didn't wimp out on the ending because that's important with a story like this. Granted, they set up a really cool scene and then went back on itself but you can pretty much forgive it. It's in theaters now and if you ca make it, go. This will probably be the best movie you see until mid July.
I was impressed with the fact that they didn't wimp out on the ending because that's important with a story like this. Granted, they set up a really cool scene and then went back on itself but you can pretty much forgive it. It's in theaters now and if you ca make it, go. This will probably be the best movie you see until mid July.
Crisis
When brain surgeon Cary Grant takes a vacation with his wife to a remote country, he has no idea what's in store for him as the president refuses to let him leave. Jose Ferrar plays the president and it turns out that he has a tumor and is unable to leave his palace because the country is on the verge of a coup. Grant now faces the crisis of what to do while operating-save the life of a dictator or have a slight mishap and become a hero? This is a good movie and if you get the chance you should see it. A quick side note- this was Richard Brooks' directorial debut and it almost didn't happen until Grant got involved.
Spider
This 2007 short film may be hard to find but it's well worth the effort. The story deals with a young man who is having a fight with his girlfriend and how he tries to reconcile. It's only nine minutes long so don't blink, you might miss something. It's written, directed by and starring Nash Edgerton with Mirra Foulkes as the girlfriend.
Prometheus
Ridley Scott attempts another trip to the bank with this Alien prequel that is as well thought out as a soup sandwich. This movie feels more like 2001: A Space Odyssey on midi-chlorians than an Alien movie. Events don't really seem to serve the plot, just the run time. The only defined character is an android, the other 14 are just there to take up space. They get all of the events that we see in Alien wrong. I'm don't really have enough bad things to say about this movie. Do not see it. Go back and watch Alien one more time and call it a good day.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
I dare anybody to watch this movie and not enjoy it. When Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) inherit a fixer upper cabin in the back woods of West Virginia, they think life will be pretty simple once they get the new "summer home" in order. What they don't count on is a group of snooty college kids who think that Tucker and Dale are a couple of hillbilly serial killers. Things keep going from bad to worse as the two groups have one misunderstanding after another. This is definitely one you should see.
No Country For Old Men
Not only is this one of the best movies that the Coen brothers ever made but it also established Josh Brolin as a leading man. The story is based on the Cormac McCarthy novel about a rogue intelligence officer (Javier Bardem), a good ol' boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time (Josh Brolin), and the local sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones). Their lives are set on a collision course after a drug deal goes wrong in the middle of a Texas desert.
One of the things I really enjoy about this movie is the way they tell the story. The details are in the subtleties and you have to focus on the characters to get the plot line. If you get the chance, you really should see this movie.
One of the things I really enjoy about this movie is the way they tell the story. The details are in the subtleties and you have to focus on the characters to get the plot line. If you get the chance, you really should see this movie.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The book of faces and the human condition
As I've looked around at the posts my friends make of facebook, I can't help but wonder what goes on with in their head. I have seen them meet somebody, fall in love, fall apart, and then repeat the cycle. I have one friend who is either single or engaged depending on which month it is. I have another friend who had her heart broken, pleads for a break from the pain, and then posts about some great guy she met before going back into the valley of the shadow of death. I suppose if I were 20 and hot, my phone would ring a lot more too, but I'm probably getting off point. Another friend has a boyfriend but has slowly erased his presence from her page while simultaneously posting motivational speeches or poems about loss and heartache.
I also wonder if these people are truly happy or just crying out for help. I've often been tempted to try an experiment where I post that I've met somebody new and life is oh so cheery. The next day I post that I've started drinking heavily. Finally, on the third day, I post that I'm shooting heroin. It would be interesting to see which one got the most likes and comments. I also wonder what the results would be if I changed the order of the posts around.
If I led off with the booze, then love and finally horse, would the comments stay the same? Would they be positive, condemning or supportive? I like to think those who really knew me would encourage me to slow down my drinking, question the authenticity of any post I make claiming to find love, and realize by the time I'm admitting to shooting horse that there's a punch line coming around the corner.
Those who knew me from just being online would probably like the heavy drinking post, send congratulatory comments on the love post and quote Requiem For A Dream on the H post.
It's interesting, I think, that society will accept an alcoholic, as long as they don't drink and drive. They will embrace the idea of love, despite the fact that's it's ruined more lives than organized religion, and they will condemn an intravenous drug user despite the fact that the only person he's really hurting is himself.
Off hand, I'd say that the system needs some fixing because all three of these cases need help. I wish I had a solution to the problem but right now I'm just learning to identify the problem. If anybody has any thoughts on this, I'm interested in hearing them.
I also wonder if these people are truly happy or just crying out for help. I've often been tempted to try an experiment where I post that I've met somebody new and life is oh so cheery. The next day I post that I've started drinking heavily. Finally, on the third day, I post that I'm shooting heroin. It would be interesting to see which one got the most likes and comments. I also wonder what the results would be if I changed the order of the posts around.
If I led off with the booze, then love and finally horse, would the comments stay the same? Would they be positive, condemning or supportive? I like to think those who really knew me would encourage me to slow down my drinking, question the authenticity of any post I make claiming to find love, and realize by the time I'm admitting to shooting horse that there's a punch line coming around the corner.
Those who knew me from just being online would probably like the heavy drinking post, send congratulatory comments on the love post and quote Requiem For A Dream on the H post.
It's interesting, I think, that society will accept an alcoholic, as long as they don't drink and drive. They will embrace the idea of love, despite the fact that's it's ruined more lives than organized religion, and they will condemn an intravenous drug user despite the fact that the only person he's really hurting is himself.
Off hand, I'd say that the system needs some fixing because all three of these cases need help. I wish I had a solution to the problem but right now I'm just learning to identify the problem. If anybody has any thoughts on this, I'm interested in hearing them.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Snow White and The Huntsman
First time director Rupert Sanders
brings a somewhat creative spin on the Snow White story to the screen. The
story seems to be self aware that it's just another retelling and seems to take
steps to hold the audiences attention. For starters, the evil queen gets a back
story. This not only makes for a more interesting character, it also explains
how we the audience are supposed to buy into Kristen Stewart being "fairer
than" Charlize Theron.
Chris Hemsworth does a good job as The
Huntsman. His character is emotionally wounded which makes his initial
allegiance with the evil queen believable. Her betrayal seems a bit forced
because you see it coming from the moment the promise leaves her lips.
I'm not saying this movie is exceptionally
good but it is better than I would have given it credit for. If you had an
interest in seeing it, you'll probably enjoy it. If you didn't, it probably
won't turn you around.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The People vs. George Lucas
This documentary, written and directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, is presented in a court room style as he interviews people from all walks of life about the impact George Lucas has had on their life. It mostly focuses on Lucas' directing career with the main emphasis on the Star Wars films since that is where people really become passionate about their love or hatred of the man. The film paints in very broad strokes over his producing career but dwells on Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. It's surprising how many people lay blame for the lameness of this film solely at Lucas' feet. Steven Spielberg was there too folks, he's just as guilty.
Yeah, I guess I'd have to count myself one of the people to vs. George Lucas. I can appreciate some of the alterations he made with his "special editions" , and if he wanted to release them just to show the public what his original vision was, that would be fine. The fact that he has replaced the originals with these special editions is a little offensive. There is a part of the documentary that covers just how much he's reversed his thinking on this matter.
I've looked forward to this movie ever since i heard it was making the rounds through the festival circuit. It's nice to see a movie that can live up to the promise from a good title. You should make time to check this out.
Yeah, I guess I'd have to count myself one of the people to vs. George Lucas. I can appreciate some of the alterations he made with his "special editions" , and if he wanted to release them just to show the public what his original vision was, that would be fine. The fact that he has replaced the originals with these special editions is a little offensive. There is a part of the documentary that covers just how much he's reversed his thinking on this matter.
I've looked forward to this movie ever since i heard it was making the rounds through the festival circuit. It's nice to see a movie that can live up to the promise from a good title. You should make time to check this out.
The Coffee Diaries chapter 11
Coffee Girls Filling Station
It's impressive the volume of business this coffee shop, a little off the beaten path, can do on a Sunday morning. At 29th and McGee, you don't realize it's there unless you're looking for it. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The best part of all is that you get a free refill on brewed coffee. The beans are roasted locally by a guy called Oddly Correct. When asked for a recommendation, the barista turned me on to their Ethiopian blend. It has a good flavor but nothing that makes it stand out. You'll get your moneys worth.
It's impressive the volume of business this coffee shop, a little off the beaten path, can do on a Sunday morning. At 29th and McGee, you don't realize it's there unless you're looking for it. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The best part of all is that you get a free refill on brewed coffee. The beans are roasted locally by a guy called Oddly Correct. When asked for a recommendation, the barista turned me on to their Ethiopian blend. It has a good flavor but nothing that makes it stand out. You'll get your moneys worth.
The Coffee Diaries chapter 10
K. City Coffeehouse and Wine Bar
Located in The River Market area and independently owned, K. City's claim to fame in the coffee world is the White Mocha. Using espresso they roast themselves, it also contains white chocolate sauce, skim milk and topped off with whipped cream.
The white chocolate is more of an after taste and doesn't overpower the flavor of the espresso, while the steamed milk helps balance the sharpness. Over all, it's a pretty good cup but the search continues...
Located in The River Market area and independently owned, K. City's claim to fame in the coffee world is the White Mocha. Using espresso they roast themselves, it also contains white chocolate sauce, skim milk and topped off with whipped cream.
The white chocolate is more of an after taste and doesn't overpower the flavor of the espresso, while the steamed milk helps balance the sharpness. Over all, it's a pretty good cup but the search continues...
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