Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Coen Brothers True Grit Trailer
Coen Brothers' adaptation of the book, not a remake of the John Wayne movie, and amazing cast, this one looks like it'll be a winner.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
MOVIE REVIEWS: EASY A
IN THEATERS
EASY A
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is re-imagined as a contemporary high school comedy in this tale of a scheming student who plots to give her popularity a boost by painting herself the easiest lay in school. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson
Release Date: Sep 17, 2010
Rated: Mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material
Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.
Genres: Comedy
Review:
Quick witted, smart and just incredibly likable, Easy A should be Emma Stone’s coming out party. Director Will Gluck is fully aware that the film’s strength is it’s cast and script so he keeps it nice and tight. Gluck moves the story along at a brisk pace and he keeps Emma Stone front and center. Stone is more than up for the task and delivers her lines with a wonderful deadpan delivery. She brings an instant likeability and authenticity to her role. She owns the screen uses excellent comedic timing to keep you laughing throughout. The supporting cast is equally impressive. Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson all have limited screen time but each make an impression. Amanda Bynes is decent if a tad over the top as school Bible beater. Easy A is the type of movie that light while dealing with some interesting topics about the current world kids live in. It’s not a message movie and that’s alright. What it is is an incredibly funny comedy that’s gives movies like Mean Girls a run for its money. The wonderful Emma Stone keeps proving that she’s a force to be reckoned with in comedy.
A
EASY A
Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is re-imagined as a contemporary high school comedy in this tale of a scheming student who plots to give her popularity a boost by painting herself the easiest lay in school. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson
Release Date: Sep 17, 2010
Rated: Mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material
Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.
Genres: Comedy
Review:
Quick witted, smart and just incredibly likable, Easy A should be Emma Stone’s coming out party. Director Will Gluck is fully aware that the film’s strength is it’s cast and script so he keeps it nice and tight. Gluck moves the story along at a brisk pace and he keeps Emma Stone front and center. Stone is more than up for the task and delivers her lines with a wonderful deadpan delivery. She brings an instant likeability and authenticity to her role. She owns the screen uses excellent comedic timing to keep you laughing throughout. The supporting cast is equally impressive. Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson all have limited screen time but each make an impression. Amanda Bynes is decent if a tad over the top as school Bible beater. Easy A is the type of movie that light while dealing with some interesting topics about the current world kids live in. It’s not a message movie and that’s alright. What it is is an incredibly funny comedy that’s gives movies like Mean Girls a run for its money. The wonderful Emma Stone keeps proving that she’s a force to be reckoned with in comedy.
A
Friday, September 17, 2010
Possible Voltron movie concept art
Being a child of the 80's, Transformer, Voltron and Robotech pretty much dominated my TV watching when I was growing up.
Michael Bay has done what he's done with Transformers and while the Robotech film has been in production hell for the better part of the last 5 years, Toby Maguire is producing. Voltron had been a project that I'd pretty much assumed had died after it'd been hinted at a few years ago.
Told via Joblo we get these possible concept art for the movie, see below.
If anything comes of it, time will tell but it's interesting to see. High res shots can be seen at http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=33872
Michael Bay has done what he's done with Transformers and while the Robotech film has been in production hell for the better part of the last 5 years, Toby Maguire is producing. Voltron had been a project that I'd pretty much assumed had died after it'd been hinted at a few years ago.
Told via Joblo we get these possible concept art for the movie, see below.
If anything comes of it, time will tell but it's interesting to see. High res shots can be seen at http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=33872
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Fighter [Trailer]
David O. Russell directs with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale starring, I'm there....
Sunday, September 12, 2010
MOVIE REVIEWS: RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE 3D
IN THEATERS
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE 3D
Experience a new dimension in action horror as director Paul W.S. Anderson uses the 3D technology pioneered by James Cameron and Vincent Pace to take movie lovers on a nightmare thrill-ride. It's been five years since the zombie virus swept across the globe, and Alice (Milla Jovovich) is still traveling tirelessly in search of survivors. When the Umbrella Corporation ratchets up the stakes, an old friend turns up to lend Alice a helping hand. Rumor has it that some survivors have found sanctuary in Los Angeles, but when Alice and friends show up they find the city overrun with zombies, and quickly realize they've stumbled into a diabolical trap. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Paul Anderson
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mencheta.
Release Date: Sep 10, 2010
Rated: Sequences of strong violence and language
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
There are plenty of unexplainable events in the world but none boggles the mind more than the Resident Evil franchise. How and why it’s made it to 4 films and why I’m there ever opening weekend. I don’t know, maybe I find Milla Jovovich terribly likable and think she could be a stellar action heroine for this generation. I keep hoping that someday she’ll find the right project and really make something impressive, after The Fifth Element of course. I’ve now sat through Ultraviolet and all these Resident Evil movies, even rewatched the first 3 films of this series, 2nd one gets closest to the actual video game feel. I’ve been a fan of the Resident Evil series since I first played the game back in college and it’s always seem like the type of game that would work impressively well on film. Sadly, Paul W. Anderson was given the keys to the car and never really had much interest in anything, outside of token moments, close to faithfulness. With Anderson at the helm the series we got lots of slowmo and lots of pointlessness. The plot is incredibly pointless, they take care of the hook from the last movie in the first 10 minutes and then just go on about their business. The reason for this film to exist is simply to showcase James Cameron’s 3D tech without the Smurfs. As a tech demo for 3D it’s a massive success. There is no reason to see this movie in 2D because if you do you’ll be left with nothing but a strange feeling of being robbed of time and money. So my answer is spend more money on higher price tickets? Yeah kind of, the only reason to see this movie is to see what an action movie would look in proper 3D. The action sequences are all set up well and Anderson’s overuse of slowmo lets you appreciate the experience. Speaking about anything else like acting or story is pointless as there is nothing else to this movie but 3D action.
D-
RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE 3D
Experience a new dimension in action horror as director Paul W.S. Anderson uses the 3D technology pioneered by James Cameron and Vincent Pace to take movie lovers on a nightmare thrill-ride. It's been five years since the zombie virus swept across the globe, and Alice (Milla Jovovich) is still traveling tirelessly in search of survivors. When the Umbrella Corporation ratchets up the stakes, an old friend turns up to lend Alice a helping hand. Rumor has it that some survivors have found sanctuary in Los Angeles, but when Alice and friends show up they find the city overrun with zombies, and quickly realize they've stumbled into a diabolical trap. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Paul Anderson
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mencheta.
Release Date: Sep 10, 2010
Rated: Sequences of strong violence and language
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
There are plenty of unexplainable events in the world but none boggles the mind more than the Resident Evil franchise. How and why it’s made it to 4 films and why I’m there ever opening weekend. I don’t know, maybe I find Milla Jovovich terribly likable and think she could be a stellar action heroine for this generation. I keep hoping that someday she’ll find the right project and really make something impressive, after The Fifth Element of course. I’ve now sat through Ultraviolet and all these Resident Evil movies, even rewatched the first 3 films of this series, 2nd one gets closest to the actual video game feel. I’ve been a fan of the Resident Evil series since I first played the game back in college and it’s always seem like the type of game that would work impressively well on film. Sadly, Paul W. Anderson was given the keys to the car and never really had much interest in anything, outside of token moments, close to faithfulness. With Anderson at the helm the series we got lots of slowmo and lots of pointlessness. The plot is incredibly pointless, they take care of the hook from the last movie in the first 10 minutes and then just go on about their business. The reason for this film to exist is simply to showcase James Cameron’s 3D tech without the Smurfs. As a tech demo for 3D it’s a massive success. There is no reason to see this movie in 2D because if you do you’ll be left with nothing but a strange feeling of being robbed of time and money. So my answer is spend more money on higher price tickets? Yeah kind of, the only reason to see this movie is to see what an action movie would look in proper 3D. The action sequences are all set up well and Anderson’s overuse of slowmo lets you appreciate the experience. Speaking about anything else like acting or story is pointless as there is nothing else to this movie but 3D action.
D-
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Hobo With a Shotgun Trailer [UNRATED]
With the release of Machete and Grindhouse film, it appears that there is a resurgence of exploitation films, something that makes me rather happy as I've always enjoyed the genre.
Up next, the film version of Grindhouse Jason Eisner’s contest winner, Hobo with a Shotgun and it looks like it'll be right up my alley.....
Up next, the film version of Grindhouse Jason Eisner’s contest winner, Hobo with a Shotgun and it looks like it'll be right up my alley.....
Saturday, September 4, 2010
MOVIE REVIEW: MACHETE
IN THEATERS
MACHETE
Robert Rodriguez brings a new breed of anti-hero to the big screen in this hyper-violent adaptation of the "fake" trailer originally featured in the 2007 double-feature exploitation throwback Grindhouse. Machete (Danny Trejo) is a former Mexican Federale who plays by his own rules, and doesn't answer to anybody. In the wake of a harrowing encounter with feared drug lord Torrez (Steven Seagal), Machete finds himself in Texas, where the shadowy Benz (Jeff Fahey) offers him the opportunity to make some quick cash by assassinating the unscrupulous Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro). When the job goes awry and Machete realizes he's been set up, he turns to fierce taco queen Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), heavily-armed holy man Padre (Cheech Marin), and trigger-happy socialite April (Lindsay Lohan) to show Benz that he just messed with the wrong Mexican. But before they can get to Benz, Machete's gang will have to contend with blade-wielding ICE agent Sartana (Jessica Alba), who never met an adversary she couldn't flay. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
Cast: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez.
Release Date: Sep 03, 2010
Rated: strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
Robert Rodriguez’s Machete could have easily been added to Grindhouse for a full on triple feature. It feels like such an extension of that wonderfully unappreciated exercise that it makes you wish Grindhouse has been more successful so as to spawn more films from those mock trailers, prays for Edgar Wright’s Don’t!. Future prospects might be better should this one do well at the box office but that might be a difficult sell as this film is very much for a certain niche of the film viewing audience. You’ll find out if you are part of this niche within the first 10 minutes of the movie. You’ll either be gleefully grinning like some sort of demented Cheshire Cat or utterly disgusted, a nude woman pulling a cell phone out of her, um, well……nevermind. Rodriguez’s fleshed out story plays out with a strong pro-immigration sentiment throughout but with all the depth of an exploitation film from the 70’s. It’s a modern day Brown-ploitation film using trademark plot points from classic exploitation films like Shaft or Foxy Brown. The entire plot plays out with a self aware sense of self, always keeping things fun and light even if Rodriguez makes it very obvious he’s using this film to make a point. Danny Trejo, one of the legion of “that guy” actors, is stoic and cool throughout, never breaking as much as a grin or a sweat. He’s a superhero in prison tattoos, a wonderful showcase for an actor who has worked in the background for decades. Michelle Rodriguez delivers a strong and believable performance and is slowly but surely becoming a more naturalistic actress. Jessica Alba is everything you’d expect, her character never appears on screen without stilettos, here and plays up her own detached Hispanicity. Jeff Fahey, with those piercing blue eyes, is always terribly interesting to watch. Robert DeNiro, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin and Don Johnson all ham it up to great effect, Johnson doesn’t leave as much an impression as the other two. Lindsay Lohan’s role is small and feels slightly shoehorned in. Outside of a few dead spots Machete delivers the bloody gory goods you’d expect plus a little more.
B+
MACHETE
Robert Rodriguez brings a new breed of anti-hero to the big screen in this hyper-violent adaptation of the "fake" trailer originally featured in the 2007 double-feature exploitation throwback Grindhouse. Machete (Danny Trejo) is a former Mexican Federale who plays by his own rules, and doesn't answer to anybody. In the wake of a harrowing encounter with feared drug lord Torrez (Steven Seagal), Machete finds himself in Texas, where the shadowy Benz (Jeff Fahey) offers him the opportunity to make some quick cash by assassinating the unscrupulous Senator McLaughlin (Robert DeNiro). When the job goes awry and Machete realizes he's been set up, he turns to fierce taco queen Luz (Michelle Rodriguez), heavily-armed holy man Padre (Cheech Marin), and trigger-happy socialite April (Lindsay Lohan) to show Benz that he just messed with the wrong Mexican. But before they can get to Benz, Machete's gang will have to contend with blade-wielding ICE agent Sartana (Jessica Alba), who never met an adversary she couldn't flay. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
Cast: Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez.
Release Date: Sep 03, 2010
Rated: strong bloody violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.
Genres: Action/Adventure
Review:
Robert Rodriguez’s Machete could have easily been added to Grindhouse for a full on triple feature. It feels like such an extension of that wonderfully unappreciated exercise that it makes you wish Grindhouse has been more successful so as to spawn more films from those mock trailers, prays for Edgar Wright’s Don’t!. Future prospects might be better should this one do well at the box office but that might be a difficult sell as this film is very much for a certain niche of the film viewing audience. You’ll find out if you are part of this niche within the first 10 minutes of the movie. You’ll either be gleefully grinning like some sort of demented Cheshire Cat or utterly disgusted, a nude woman pulling a cell phone out of her, um, well……nevermind. Rodriguez’s fleshed out story plays out with a strong pro-immigration sentiment throughout but with all the depth of an exploitation film from the 70’s. It’s a modern day Brown-ploitation film using trademark plot points from classic exploitation films like Shaft or Foxy Brown. The entire plot plays out with a self aware sense of self, always keeping things fun and light even if Rodriguez makes it very obvious he’s using this film to make a point. Danny Trejo, one of the legion of “that guy” actors, is stoic and cool throughout, never breaking as much as a grin or a sweat. He’s a superhero in prison tattoos, a wonderful showcase for an actor who has worked in the background for decades. Michelle Rodriguez delivers a strong and believable performance and is slowly but surely becoming a more naturalistic actress. Jessica Alba is everything you’d expect, her character never appears on screen without stilettos, here and plays up her own detached Hispanicity. Jeff Fahey, with those piercing blue eyes, is always terribly interesting to watch. Robert DeNiro, Steven Seagal, Cheech Marin and Don Johnson all ham it up to great effect, Johnson doesn’t leave as much an impression as the other two. Lindsay Lohan’s role is small and feels slightly shoehorned in. Outside of a few dead spots Machete delivers the bloody gory goods you’d expect plus a little more.
B+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
