E:
I had heard about this film when it was about to be released, I don't think it ever went wide. It's a strange and interesting little moobie - a cross between something attempting to be a horror film and a dark comedy. It's about a girl raised in the shadows of nuclear reactors coming of age, learning about her body. All of the boys around her are rapists as she learns the hard way (no pun intended), but what she also learns is that she has a genetic mutation. Vagina Dentata - yes, teeth.
The film isn't perfect by any means. Slow in some parts, some leaps of logic in others, some just outright dumb. Some characters too weak, some developed way over the top. But it's an interesting take on empowerment. It has some funny parts and some interesting ideas.
If you thought you might like it, check it out. If you don't think you'll like it, then I won't bother trying to change your mind.
G: (my 2 cents)
Oh, sure they showed the penises (after they were 'bitten' off), but they didn't show the vagina dentata! what's up with that?!?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Rebel Without A Cause
E:
When was the last time you saw this moobie?
As we all know, James Dean made only 3 films. East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause and Giant. Only East of Eden was released before his fatal car crash where Highway 41 meets Highway 46. Of the three, it is Rebel more than anything else in his oeuvre that solidified his status as a matinee idol and cemented his image in our collective consciousness forever. It's easy to see how the mythology surrounding the man contributed to the legend he has become.
Dean serves this character Jim Stark quite well. Stark is a troubled teen who feels emotionally abandoned by the people meant to guide him through his formative years - his parents. His mother does nothing but nag and his father too spineless to recover from her. As Jim says early in the film, they're tearing him apart.
In a new city, in a new school, he meets with trouble. Trouble bites back turning into more trouble. With neither guidance nor integrity from his parents, Jim seeks solace in a couple of other misfit kids. Unfortunately, one of them is too close to the edge.
Of course Rebel made a star out of Dean and won both critical acclaim and box office gold. But it's relatively difficult to understand how the subject matter of the film was truly received. From what I understand, the content - teen angst - was a completely new and innovative topic. Growing up in the 80's where teen angst was king, I can only imagine what it must have been like to see something like this for the very first time.
Taking a look at the moobie with fresh eyes definitely made for an interesting evening. The colors of that day were so saturated - extreme vibrant reds and greens and yellows. It's a far cry from the realistic colors we're accustomed to these days. Scripts and acting tended towards melodramatic those days too, almost as if everything - the colors, the emotions, the events were all forced into the hyperreal specifically to distance film from television; quite the opposite of today's pictures.
The emotional impact of the events, however, remain the same. It's a good film. There are moments where it veers into the theatrical, but overall it stands the test of time. Seeing this film today versus even 10 years ago, I have a deeper understanding of these characters and a clearer picture of the elements at play. I never even thought about Plato being gay before. Watching it this time around it was all too obvious. Now instead of taking Dean's angst for granted, I can appreciate that his rebellion does in fact have a cause.
When was the last time you saw this moobie?
As we all know, James Dean made only 3 films. East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause and Giant. Only East of Eden was released before his fatal car crash where Highway 41 meets Highway 46. Of the three, it is Rebel more than anything else in his oeuvre that solidified his status as a matinee idol and cemented his image in our collective consciousness forever. It's easy to see how the mythology surrounding the man contributed to the legend he has become.
Dean serves this character Jim Stark quite well. Stark is a troubled teen who feels emotionally abandoned by the people meant to guide him through his formative years - his parents. His mother does nothing but nag and his father too spineless to recover from her. As Jim says early in the film, they're tearing him apart.
In a new city, in a new school, he meets with trouble. Trouble bites back turning into more trouble. With neither guidance nor integrity from his parents, Jim seeks solace in a couple of other misfit kids. Unfortunately, one of them is too close to the edge.
Of course Rebel made a star out of Dean and won both critical acclaim and box office gold. But it's relatively difficult to understand how the subject matter of the film was truly received. From what I understand, the content - teen angst - was a completely new and innovative topic. Growing up in the 80's where teen angst was king, I can only imagine what it must have been like to see something like this for the very first time.
Taking a look at the moobie with fresh eyes definitely made for an interesting evening. The colors of that day were so saturated - extreme vibrant reds and greens and yellows. It's a far cry from the realistic colors we're accustomed to these days. Scripts and acting tended towards melodramatic those days too, almost as if everything - the colors, the emotions, the events were all forced into the hyperreal specifically to distance film from television; quite the opposite of today's pictures.
The emotional impact of the events, however, remain the same. It's a good film. There are moments where it veers into the theatrical, but overall it stands the test of time. Seeing this film today versus even 10 years ago, I have a deeper understanding of these characters and a clearer picture of the elements at play. I never even thought about Plato being gay before. Watching it this time around it was all too obvious. Now instead of taking Dean's angst for granted, I can appreciate that his rebellion does in fact have a cause.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
E:
This moobie was just dumb.
It looked real pretty, but it didn't mean anything.
The plot was convoluted and the writing was cheesy.
I wasted three hours of my life that I will never get back.
Just dumb.
This moobie was just dumb.
It looked real pretty, but it didn't mean anything.
The plot was convoluted and the writing was cheesy.
I wasted three hours of my life that I will never get back.
Just dumb.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Elephant
E:
I've seen this moobie before several times. It's one of those films in which you don't quite catch everything the first time around. The opening scenes don't prepare you for the events that unfold and ultimately its languorous pace belies its final impact.
Gus Van Sant has made a career out of making art house fare. Some pictures definitely more successful than others. I enjoy his indie stuff. I like a lot of his more mainstream work, too (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, Milk). This one, however, is my favorite Van Sant film.
It's about a day in the life of several high school students. The day takes a turn for the worst.
I love watching these kids. Every little action reveals something about them. So much is conveyed by simple motions, glimpses even hinted at off screen. Van Sant really allows us the time to take it all in; to catch up to his time-bending narrative structure, to remember where everyone stands when the day takes its turn. He gives us a clue as to why it happens and even a glimpse into the culprits' resolve.
Watch it a couple times. It'll surprise you.
I've seen this moobie before several times. It's one of those films in which you don't quite catch everything the first time around. The opening scenes don't prepare you for the events that unfold and ultimately its languorous pace belies its final impact.
Gus Van Sant has made a career out of making art house fare. Some pictures definitely more successful than others. I enjoy his indie stuff. I like a lot of his more mainstream work, too (Good Will Hunting, Finding Forrester, Milk). This one, however, is my favorite Van Sant film.
It's about a day in the life of several high school students. The day takes a turn for the worst.
I love watching these kids. Every little action reveals something about them. So much is conveyed by simple motions, glimpses even hinted at off screen. Van Sant really allows us the time to take it all in; to catch up to his time-bending narrative structure, to remember where everyone stands when the day takes its turn. He gives us a clue as to why it happens and even a glimpse into the culprits' resolve.
Watch it a couple times. It'll surprise you.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
August Rush
E:
This moobie was so sappy. Which is disappointing because the idea was really good. The script was cheesy and the editing didn't quite work. The characters made decisions strictly to move the story along, not because anything made any sense. It was so frustrating.
Again, it's disappointing because there was so much potential. Freddie Highmore is an awesome little actor. And his acting here is great, it's just too bad the story fell short.
Robin Williams was sorely miscast as the Fagan character. He hams it up being crazy and menacing. Keri Russell looks great but that's about it. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was pretty lame just like in everything else he's been in and his singing was horrible. Why do they let him sing?
I wouldn't bother with this one.
This moobie was so sappy. Which is disappointing because the idea was really good. The script was cheesy and the editing didn't quite work. The characters made decisions strictly to move the story along, not because anything made any sense. It was so frustrating.
Again, it's disappointing because there was so much potential. Freddie Highmore is an awesome little actor. And his acting here is great, it's just too bad the story fell short.
Robin Williams was sorely miscast as the Fagan character. He hams it up being crazy and menacing. Keri Russell looks great but that's about it. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was pretty lame just like in everything else he's been in and his singing was horrible. Why do they let him sing?
I wouldn't bother with this one.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Lady Sings The Blues
E:
G & I try to switch up our netflix queue. We alternate between an old moobie and a new one. Our latest was an old one. Lady Sings The Blues is from 1972, a great year by any measure. This was Diana Ross' film debut and I thought she did a good job. But overall I wasn't that happy with the film. It's supposed to be the story of Billie Holiday, the great jazz singer. But, as I am a huge fan of jazz music, I am somewhat familiar with her story; and this didn't look all that familiar. There were some similarities with what I remember about her life but a lot of things that I had never heard about. I googled her story after finishing the film in a state of confusion and sure enough, they took a LOT of liberties.
If you don't care how true it is, I guess the movie is alright. Like I said, Diana Ross did a good job for her first time out - depicting a junkie and all. And Billy Dee Williams is his normal suave self. But there are plenty of other good moobies to choose from.
G & I try to switch up our netflix queue. We alternate between an old moobie and a new one. Our latest was an old one. Lady Sings The Blues is from 1972, a great year by any measure. This was Diana Ross' film debut and I thought she did a good job. But overall I wasn't that happy with the film. It's supposed to be the story of Billie Holiday, the great jazz singer. But, as I am a huge fan of jazz music, I am somewhat familiar with her story; and this didn't look all that familiar. There were some similarities with what I remember about her life but a lot of things that I had never heard about. I googled her story after finishing the film in a state of confusion and sure enough, they took a LOT of liberties.
If you don't care how true it is, I guess the movie is alright. Like I said, Diana Ross did a good job for her first time out - depicting a junkie and all. And Billy Dee Williams is his normal suave self. But there are plenty of other good moobies to choose from.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Black Orpheus
E:
I watched this again recently. It's a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but set during Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. I wasn't familiar with the Greek love story beforehand but when I first saw this film years ago it stuck with me.
It's very lyrical and haunting and the music is phenomenal (I bought the soundtrack after seeing it). The story blurs the line between fantasy and reality while being self referential at the same time. When meeting Eurydice he reminds her that their story is thousands of years old.
The moobie won the 1959 Palme d'Or at Cannes and the 1960 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film so it's got some cred.
It is in Portuguese, so if you're not in the mood for subtitles save it for another time. But it's a brilliant film. I highly recommend it.
I watched this again recently. It's a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but set during Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. I wasn't familiar with the Greek love story beforehand but when I first saw this film years ago it stuck with me.
It's very lyrical and haunting and the music is phenomenal (I bought the soundtrack after seeing it). The story blurs the line between fantasy and reality while being self referential at the same time. When meeting Eurydice he reminds her that their story is thousands of years old.
The moobie won the 1959 Palme d'Or at Cannes and the 1960 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film so it's got some cred.
It is in Portuguese, so if you're not in the mood for subtitles save it for another time. But it's a brilliant film. I highly recommend it.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Cool Hand Luke
E:
I got this DBD as a Christmas present. I love it. It's one of my favorite moobies.
It is, without a doubt, one of Paul Newman's finest performances. He plays a guy who was basically so bored and dissatisfied with the world he landed himself in a road-working prison. He challenges convention and authority. Sometimes to his advantage, sometimes to his detriment. I think there's a bit of Luke in all of us. Or at least we hope there is.
Newman was 42 when he did this picture. Look at him and let that little bit of reality soak into your head. I've never looked like that. Maybe by the time I'M 42 maybe I can. George Kennedy won an Oscar for his performance as Dragline and he beat out some other major performances to get it (1967 was a great year for the oscars). Strother Martin plays the Captain with such sleaze. The cast of supporting characters all put in fine work too - Dennis Hopper & Harry Dean Stanton among others. And the always incredible Conrad Hall did some really good work behind the camera here, the film looks amazing.
All in all, this is a great picture everyone should see.
G:
Paul Newman is SO HOT in this moobie. Also, I had a hard time watching the scene where he's digging that hole. ugh. And the egg eating scene is great.
I got this DBD as a Christmas present. I love it. It's one of my favorite moobies.
It is, without a doubt, one of Paul Newman's finest performances. He plays a guy who was basically so bored and dissatisfied with the world he landed himself in a road-working prison. He challenges convention and authority. Sometimes to his advantage, sometimes to his detriment. I think there's a bit of Luke in all of us. Or at least we hope there is.
Newman was 42 when he did this picture. Look at him and let that little bit of reality soak into your head. I've never looked like that. Maybe by the time I'M 42 maybe I can. George Kennedy won an Oscar for his performance as Dragline and he beat out some other major performances to get it (1967 was a great year for the oscars). Strother Martin plays the Captain with such sleaze. The cast of supporting characters all put in fine work too - Dennis Hopper & Harry Dean Stanton among others. And the always incredible Conrad Hall did some really good work behind the camera here, the film looks amazing.
All in all, this is a great picture everyone should see.
G:
Paul Newman is SO HOT in this moobie. Also, I had a hard time watching the scene where he's digging that hole. ugh. And the egg eating scene is great.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Bucket List
E:
I saw this DBD at my uncle's house...man, they have a video library over there! Alphabetized, numbered with AFI top 100, they even have a VCR to play the VHS tapes they still have on the shelves.
The movie stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as two old guys nearing the end of their days. They meet and become friends, bonding over their common terminality. They embark upon a tour around the world to see things and do things before they kick the bucket. It's a nice little feel good (or sad) moobie. Both actors are nice enough in their roles. I was happy with it. I'm not going out to buy it or anything, but if you told me you got it in your netflix I'd say I liked it.
I saw this DBD at my uncle's house...man, they have a video library over there! Alphabetized, numbered with AFI top 100, they even have a VCR to play the VHS tapes they still have on the shelves.
The movie stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as two old guys nearing the end of their days. They meet and become friends, bonding over their common terminality. They embark upon a tour around the world to see things and do things before they kick the bucket. It's a nice little feel good (or sad) moobie. Both actors are nice enough in their roles. I was happy with it. I'm not going out to buy it or anything, but if you told me you got it in your netflix I'd say I liked it.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Astronaut Farmer
E:
Billy Bob Thornton can't be this hard up for a gig. The idea behind the story has some merit - a man tries to fulfill his own dreams. But the path to the screen was paved with crap. The script had a lot of holes, the acting was lame (sorry Billy Bob), the CGI was like a cartoon.
The cinematography was nice though.
Sometimes.
G:
I told E I wasn't going to do the DBD rebiews, BUT, I just had to put in my 2 cents for this one...cuz it was *so* bad. Man builds a rocket (yeah right), crashes the rocket & survives (yeah right), builds *another* rocket (yeah right), then flies into orbit while his kid is at mission control (yeah right). OMG...
Billy Bob Thornton can't be this hard up for a gig. The idea behind the story has some merit - a man tries to fulfill his own dreams. But the path to the screen was paved with crap. The script had a lot of holes, the acting was lame (sorry Billy Bob), the CGI was like a cartoon.
The cinematography was nice though.
Sometimes.
G:
I told E I wasn't going to do the DBD rebiews, BUT, I just had to put in my 2 cents for this one...cuz it was *so* bad. Man builds a rocket (yeah right), crashes the rocket & survives (yeah right), builds *another* rocket (yeah right), then flies into orbit while his kid is at mission control (yeah right). OMG...
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