I Ain't Afraid of No Ghosts

Ghostbusters 3

Animation Article from Newsweek

Up!

What I'm Looking Forward To Seeing This Weekend

Pixar's UP

This weekend I am planning on seeing Up, Pixar's latest film. I have always been a fan of Pixar, except for Cars. I recently read an article which I will post on the bottom of this posting about the "New Golden Age of Cartoons." I grew up admiring animation, my father has always been a cartoonist at heart. Pixar is one of those studios that challenges the way we think about ourselves and the way we view our world. I don't know if this film will top last year's Wall-E, but I sure hope it comes close.

A Look at Taken

The other day I was at Blockbuster and was in the mood to rent a movie that I had not seen (what a shock) and one that everyone else in America had. I was happy that Taken was on the shelves and rented it. I was not expecting much as far as acting, action, special effects, etc. What I got was a ninety minute heart-pounding thriller, a send off to early 24 episodes with a little bit of Jason Bourne sprinkled in.

Without going into plot details ,Liam Neesen plays an ex-CIA agent whose daughter is abducted by Albanian sex merchants. I have never been a huge Neesen fan, don't get me wrong Schindler's was great but The Phantom Menace definitely was far from it. However in this movie Neesen owns the screen from start to finish.

Most importantly the movie is only ninety minutes. Before I put the DVD in the player I checked the running time just to see what I was in for. But ninety-minutes! Really the perfect running time for a movie with potential and extra ten minutes would have ruined it. I don't recall the last time I saw a ninety minute movie. I personally feel like every movie executive believes that every movies needs to be twenty minutes longer than its ideal length. This belief ruins movies that have potential. I was thrilled that Taken took the road less travelled.

If you haven't seen this gem, rent it!

Malcolm Gladwell from 2006 on hit movies

The Formula

Malcolm Gladwell wrote an interesting piece on predicting hit movies. In the article he discusses Nicole Kidman's The Interpreter, a great read.

Trailer: Whatever Works

Larry David + Woody Allen = Great Combo

Check out the trailer here.

It looks pretty pretty pretty good.

Quote of the Week

"Okay, now you're talking above my head. I don't know all of this industry jargon, YP, MP. All I know is that I can't get a record contract, we cannot get a record contract unless we take those tapes to the record company. And granted, the tapes themselves are a uh um oh, you own them, all right, but the magic that is on those tapes. That fucking heart and soul that we put onto those tapes, that is ours and you don't own that. Now I need to take that magic and get it over the record company. And they're waiting for us, we were supposed to be there a half hour ago. We look like assholes, man. "

-John C. Reilly in Boogie Nights

Trailer: Public Enemies

Public Enemies Trailer

Johnny Depp, Christian Bale and Michael Mann. I have high hopes for this one. I believe it comes out July 1. Enjoy!

Review: Star Trek

Finally. It took me nearly fifteen years to clap at the end of a Star Trek movie but it happened last night. If you are looking for a non-stop action thriller, see Star Trek. If you are looking for a movie with killer special effects, see Star Trek. If you are looking for a summer blockbuster to hang your hat on, see Star Trek.

From the initial sequence J.J. Abrams takes a hold of his audience and does not let go until the final scene of the movie. The movie is truly a sci-fi tour de force. In interviews Abrams had stated how he was not a fan of the series growing up, but was still eager to approach and respect its history and fan base. The director did not let me down. Not only did he honor the traditions of Star Trek but he also opened the Enterprise crew up to whole new generation of theater goers.

In my opinion the casting of the film was its backbone. Chris Pine plays a better Kirk than William Shatner, GASP. He is the cocky and rebellious leader we always heard about on the television show but never truly saw with our own eyes. Anton Yelchin, of "Alpha Dog" fame, also pulls off a great Chekov, Russian accent and all.

The only true flaw of the film was the overuse of Leonard Nimoy. Yes it was cool to see the original Vulcan but at times his presence seemed unnecessary and forced.

I can not wait to see the sequel!

4.5 out of 5 H's

Before I Boldly Go Where No Man has Gone Before...

As a young Star Trek fan I always felt embarrassed talking about the series with my friends (most of them at least). Star Trek, in my lifetime, has never really entered the mainstream and has always been overshadowed by its sci-fi distant relative, Star Wars. Star Trek has always held a special place in my heart, I can remember going to see the fifth movie with my father. I have always felt isolated as a Star Trek fan, I'm for sure not a die-hard trekkie but I do know much more than the average joe on the street.

With that said it has definitely been weird to hear, read and see all the praise and hype for the new Star Trek film. It will be interesting to see how the film pans out. I have plans of seeing the movie tomorrow and I am not only looking forward to movie but also to seeing the line going into the movie. Do I expect the movie to capture my heart and imagination, not really. What I do expect the film to do is open Star Trek to the next generation (honestly no pun intended) of movie fans. From what I have read so far it just might do that.

Great Article on Movie Season

The Fanboys of Summer

This is a great read taken form the Atlantic.

Quote of the Week

"Bill Groundhog-Day, Ghostbustin'-ass Murray! "

-GZA, Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)

Trailer: 500 Days of Summer

Click on Link for the Trailer!

This movie has gotten a whole lot of buzz since Sundance and has been on my radar for a while. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been on almost everybody's breakout list. Dare I say he might be the second actor from 10 Things I Hate About You, to win an Academy Award. I am also fairly confident that Julia Stiles will not be the third.

Looks like a great date movie. A cross between Momento and Eternal Sunshine. One of those movies you love the first time, tell everyone to see it, buy it on dvd and then never watch.

Review: Tyson

Can I trust this guy? That is the essential question that is being asked throughout James Toback's new documentary, Tyson. At first the subject of the film, Mike Tyson, comes off as a lovable goof who made millions in the ring and lost millions in court. A man who dominated fights and then was embarrassed in the ring. Toback makes a concerted effort to get his audience to empathise with his protagonist. After all, Tyson came from nothing and truly lived (and by all indications) is still living the American Dream.

The one glaring problem with the film is that it never challenges the viewer to think. Instead Toback allows Tyson to do the thinking and believe me he does a lot of it.

When I watch documentaries I look forward to being challenged by the filmmaker. For example in Andrew Jarecki's Capturing the Friedmans, the viewer is never given the chance to take a break from thinking. Jarecki chooses to throw details and confessions and the viewer has to constantly judge and assess, what facts are right and/or wrong.

It's hard not to take a break from Tyson. The movie does not present the challenges that moviegoers deserve and require while watching a documentary.

At one point in the film, Iron Mike discusses the rape of beauty contestant Desiree Washington and his subsequent incarceration. It is here where the viewer sees the transition that Tyson made from a boy filled up with pent up aggression to full out lunatic. It is the greatest achievement made by Toback, we start to truly feel bad for this man- guilty or not.

Overall, the movie was a decent watch and at this point in the movie season I would recommend it.

2.5 out Five H's

Greed is STILL Good!

I was reading this past weekend how Michael Douglas just signed on to reprise his role as Gordon Gecko in a sequel to Oliver Stone's Wall Street.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8024187.stm

I'm pretty excited about this happening. Douglas' Gecko is one of my all time favorite movie villains and in this financial climate, the movie is definitely due for a sequel.

My only fear is that Oliver Stone will find a way to ruin the project. His latest films have really been trash. World Trade Center, Alexander and W.

1) WTC: An unnecessary film with Nicholas Cage. Don't get me wrong I love my Nick Cage just not as a firefighter, kind of awkward. Snake Eyes is still a classic.

2) Alexander: I still have nightmares of Collin Farrell. Way over the top. If you haven't seen this one, rent it take three pain pills and then tell me what you think.

3) W.: This movie is what really angers me the most about Stone. He had so much to work with. Unfortunately W. is no JFK, in fact it isn't even Nixon. Stone really dropped the ball.

With that said, Wall Street 2 has potential but I need to know who is writing and directing before i fully get behind it.

Welcome to All...

This blog will be a place where I post my opinions on movies that I get a chance to see. I will also be posting movie news, clips, trailers and quotes that I believe are noteworthy.

As the summer movie season approaches I have begun to really break down the upcoming release schedule. Vulcans, terminators and the kid from third rock from the sun.

Check back here daily, I will try to update as much as possible.

Please feel free to comment on any of my posts.