Sydney Pollack
1934-2008Every year we lose more and more. This past Monday, Sydney Pollack join the ranks of fallen but not forgotten filmmakings. My sympathies to his loved ones. He was 73.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
R.I.P Sydney Pollack
1934-2008Every year we lose more and more. This past Monday, Sydney Pollack join the ranks of fallen but not forgotten filmmakings. My sympathies to his loved ones. He was 73.
Indiana Jones and the Suspension of Disbelief
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS! If you haven't seen the film, you may not want to read this. You have been worn.***
What the Fuck!
::Sigh::
Sorry, couldn't hold that one back. I'm pissed. Better, I was extremely pissed after seeing the latest Indy flick. Now maybe its just me, but that's not the emotion I was hoping to have. Okay, short review time, then venting. In short, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is an idiotically mechanical, plot-heavy, soulless fluff, not so much thrill ride. That's my short review.
Here's the long version.
What happened? This screenplay is atrocious. Downright sad. I wanted to punch myself in the face the first ten minutes of the film. Then it got a little better. But not much. First off, this is not the Indy you remember. Don't go in thinking that. If you do, it'll be like seeing a love one on a deathbed, a pale comparison to what they used to be. Honest to god, this is what we waited for? Frank Darabont's Spielberg approved Lucas rejected screenplay wasn't better than this? That's not possible. Okay, I recant, highly unlikely. In fact, that's what this film is. Highly unlikely. Everything in it is highly unlikely and it's highly unlikely I'll ever watch it again.
Alright, let's look on the brightside. There were things I liked about this film. They were few and far between but when they happened, I smiled and felt like I was watching something worthy to be called an Indiana Jones movie, not the CGI filled over DI'd monstrosity before me. I'm not a huge fan of Temple of Doom, but this makes it look like Shakespeare. Here's the list:
Things that were good:
-the ant hill paramount logo open. That shot. Nothing more.
-The Indy shadow hat reveal.
-Harrison. After the opener. He IS Indiana Jones. Good to see him come alive again.
-Shia LaBeouf's rebel without a cause intro and presence in the film.
-The College campus chase.
-The map travel sequences
-Peru, and Indy's reference to Young Indy series.
-Indy blowing the dart into the guys throat.
-Indy and Mutt first finding the Crystal Skull.
-Indy needing his own knife bit.
-Indy's line to Marion "They weren't you." in the truck (single greatest moment in the whole film.)
-Indy's fist fight with the big Russian guy during the stupid ant attack, but not the ant attack itself.
What was horrible? Everything else. However there were some things that were just so bad that I must note.
-Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear explosion. In a fridge. Yup. That's right. It happens. In the first ten minutes. An A-Bomb levels a whole town, but the shockwave carries Indy in his lead-lined fridge to safety. He then gets out and precedes up the hill to have a gigantic mushroom cloud appear on the horizon. I'm sorry, but did Indy become Captain American during the fifties? Did he become Superman? Cause I'm pretty sure only Superman could surviving a nuclear-fucking-explosion without a damn scratch, lead-lined fridge or not!
-Indy's lack of using his whip. This is minor, but I feel necessary. He uses it three times in the movie. Now I know he doesn't use it much in Last Crusade, and that's fair, but come on. Least give us something! He whips the gun out of a Russians hand in that ridiculous opener and you can barely see Harrison doing it. In fact, it's shot in a way that I'm not sure it is him. Then he uses it again in same scene to swing from the rafters. Cool. Then he uses it as a rope to try and save Mac at the end. That's all. ::sigh::
-The "Indy is a Commi" subplot, hamfistedly introduced and drop as soon as its not necessary (like three scenes later). First off, okay, i get it, we're in the fifties. Done. I got that. I don't need 18 bagillion references to the reds, Indy fighting the reds, yadda yadda yadda. Its like they kept having to tell us the were in the cold war instead of just being in the cold war. People didn't talk this much about WWII when the Nazi's were involved. And the thing is, it's a throw away plot. That concept, if used properly is an interesting idea, not one I planned on seeing, but could be interesting if done, not just tossed out there. And also, the Men in Black are so uptight cause Indy helped the Soviets. Well if you know about that, don't you know they kidnapped him in Mexico too? Or does the bureau's influence not encompass that cause its the fifties. Plus, with his war record, that the colonel readily supplies, shouldn't they be alittle less suspicious? Red Scare. I get it it. God.
-The massive truck-we have to try and top Raiders but we can't throw some bad CGI and compositing in there instead-chase through the jungle. The sword fight is cool. But God, the chaseis unnecessarily long. You know what it reminded me of? The Brontosaurus scene in Peter Jackson's King Kong. I have the sames problem with it. Too long, bad CGI, and wholly unnecessary. Oh and Mutt has balls of steel apparently cause he got hit there like three times during the sword fight. Maybe he gets it from his Nuclear Holocaust surviving old man? With Genes like that, you wonder how Sean Connery passed away. It must have taken a lot. Oh yeah, and then Mutt saves the day by going Tarzan and attacks Cate Blanchett with monkeys. I am not exaggerating. God, I wish I were.
-Missed opportunities and lack of character (development and otherwise). I like Mutt. He's cool. No Shortround, but who is. I like Mutt as Indy's son. If you're going that way, cool. But at least make it pay off!!!!! Last Crusade is all one big father son story. And while I wouldn't do them back to back, if you are, at least get into it and explore the wealth of emotional and character possibilities inherit there in! If Last Crusade turned Indy into a man, Crystal Skull could turn that man into a father. That's powerful stuff! Is that in there? Nope. Have killer ants instead. No I don't want killer ants I want characters I can care about, thank you. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. And then, there's Karen Allen. Any Indy fan loves Marion. She is the one. She could stand toe to toe with Indy. And she's back! But then she doesn't do anything. Indy and her have two good moments, the one in the truck, and the one in the sand pit. But putting the two of them back together on screen should have been magic. Instead it just induced nostalgia of a far better film. And her intro is poorly handled. After having left her on at the altar, Indy sees her again, literally goes Goofy, and rambles up for a hug. Know what would have been great? Marion punching him ala her intro at bar in Raiders. It would have been a call back and a solid character moment. the crowd would have cheered. But oh wait, I forgot, there is no character in this movie. ::Sigh::
-The whole ending. I don't even have the strength to go into it.
Ironically, there's a scene in the film that says it all. During the awesome campus chase, the Russians end up crashing their car into a statue of the late, and missed Marcus Brody. The head falls into the driver's lap. Meanwhile Indy looks on from the back of the motorcycle he's riding with Mutt. Indy is just an observer to this whole spectacle and the sadness in his eyes and the sullying of the memory of his good friend is exactly the way I feel about this film.
Want to see a good summer movie, go watch Iron Man!
What the Fuck!
::Sigh::
Sorry, couldn't hold that one back. I'm pissed. Better, I was extremely pissed after seeing the latest Indy flick. Now maybe its just me, but that's not the emotion I was hoping to have. Okay, short review time, then venting. In short, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is an idiotically mechanical, plot-heavy, soulless fluff, not so much thrill ride. That's my short review.
Here's the long version.
What happened? This screenplay is atrocious. Downright sad. I wanted to punch myself in the face the first ten minutes of the film. Then it got a little better. But not much. First off, this is not the Indy you remember. Don't go in thinking that. If you do, it'll be like seeing a love one on a deathbed, a pale comparison to what they used to be. Honest to god, this is what we waited for? Frank Darabont's Spielberg approved Lucas rejected screenplay wasn't better than this? That's not possible. Okay, I recant, highly unlikely. In fact, that's what this film is. Highly unlikely. Everything in it is highly unlikely and it's highly unlikely I'll ever watch it again.
Alright, let's look on the brightside. There were things I liked about this film. They were few and far between but when they happened, I smiled and felt like I was watching something worthy to be called an Indiana Jones movie, not the CGI filled over DI'd monstrosity before me. I'm not a huge fan of Temple of Doom, but this makes it look like Shakespeare. Here's the list:
Things that were good:
-the ant hill paramount logo open. That shot. Nothing more.
-The Indy shadow hat reveal.
-Harrison. After the opener. He IS Indiana Jones. Good to see him come alive again.
-Shia LaBeouf's rebel without a cause intro and presence in the film.
-The College campus chase.
-The map travel sequences
-Peru, and Indy's reference to Young Indy series.
-Indy blowing the dart into the guys throat.
-Indy and Mutt first finding the Crystal Skull.
-Indy needing his own knife bit.
-Indy's line to Marion "They weren't you." in the truck (single greatest moment in the whole film.)
-Indy's fist fight with the big Russian guy during the stupid ant attack, but not the ant attack itself.
What was horrible? Everything else. However there were some things that were just so bad that I must note.
-Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear explosion. In a fridge. Yup. That's right. It happens. In the first ten minutes. An A-Bomb levels a whole town, but the shockwave carries Indy in his lead-lined fridge to safety. He then gets out and precedes up the hill to have a gigantic mushroom cloud appear on the horizon. I'm sorry, but did Indy become Captain American during the fifties? Did he become Superman? Cause I'm pretty sure only Superman could surviving a nuclear-fucking-explosion without a damn scratch, lead-lined fridge or not!
-Indy's lack of using his whip. This is minor, but I feel necessary. He uses it three times in the movie. Now I know he doesn't use it much in Last Crusade, and that's fair, but come on. Least give us something! He whips the gun out of a Russians hand in that ridiculous opener and you can barely see Harrison doing it. In fact, it's shot in a way that I'm not sure it is him. Then he uses it again in same scene to swing from the rafters. Cool. Then he uses it as a rope to try and save Mac at the end. That's all. ::sigh::
-The "Indy is a Commi" subplot, hamfistedly introduced and drop as soon as its not necessary (like three scenes later). First off, okay, i get it, we're in the fifties. Done. I got that. I don't need 18 bagillion references to the reds, Indy fighting the reds, yadda yadda yadda. Its like they kept having to tell us the were in the cold war instead of just being in the cold war. People didn't talk this much about WWII when the Nazi's were involved. And the thing is, it's a throw away plot. That concept, if used properly is an interesting idea, not one I planned on seeing, but could be interesting if done, not just tossed out there. And also, the Men in Black are so uptight cause Indy helped the Soviets. Well if you know about that, don't you know they kidnapped him in Mexico too? Or does the bureau's influence not encompass that cause its the fifties. Plus, with his war record, that the colonel readily supplies, shouldn't they be alittle less suspicious? Red Scare. I get it it. God.
-The massive truck-we have to try and top Raiders but we can't throw some bad CGI and compositing in there instead-chase through the jungle. The sword fight is cool. But God, the chaseis unnecessarily long. You know what it reminded me of? The Brontosaurus scene in Peter Jackson's King Kong. I have the sames problem with it. Too long, bad CGI, and wholly unnecessary. Oh and Mutt has balls of steel apparently cause he got hit there like three times during the sword fight. Maybe he gets it from his Nuclear Holocaust surviving old man? With Genes like that, you wonder how Sean Connery passed away. It must have taken a lot. Oh yeah, and then Mutt saves the day by going Tarzan and attacks Cate Blanchett with monkeys. I am not exaggerating. God, I wish I were.
-Missed opportunities and lack of character (development and otherwise). I like Mutt. He's cool. No Shortround, but who is. I like Mutt as Indy's son. If you're going that way, cool. But at least make it pay off!!!!! Last Crusade is all one big father son story. And while I wouldn't do them back to back, if you are, at least get into it and explore the wealth of emotional and character possibilities inherit there in! If Last Crusade turned Indy into a man, Crystal Skull could turn that man into a father. That's powerful stuff! Is that in there? Nope. Have killer ants instead. No I don't want killer ants I want characters I can care about, thank you. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. And then, there's Karen Allen. Any Indy fan loves Marion. She is the one. She could stand toe to toe with Indy. And she's back! But then she doesn't do anything. Indy and her have two good moments, the one in the truck, and the one in the sand pit. But putting the two of them back together on screen should have been magic. Instead it just induced nostalgia of a far better film. And her intro is poorly handled. After having left her on at the altar, Indy sees her again, literally goes Goofy, and rambles up for a hug. Know what would have been great? Marion punching him ala her intro at bar in Raiders. It would have been a call back and a solid character moment. the crowd would have cheered. But oh wait, I forgot, there is no character in this movie. ::Sigh::
-The whole ending. I don't even have the strength to go into it.
Ironically, there's a scene in the film that says it all. During the awesome campus chase, the Russians end up crashing their car into a statue of the late, and missed Marcus Brody. The head falls into the driver's lap. Meanwhile Indy looks on from the back of the motorcycle he's riding with Mutt. Indy is just an observer to this whole spectacle and the sadness in his eyes and the sullying of the memory of his good friend is exactly the way I feel about this film.
Want to see a good summer movie, go watch Iron Man!
Memories of a better time.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Well, there's always Friday... aka how preplanning can avoid crowd misconduct
It seems my zest to see Iron Man at an advanced screening was a little premature. Let me just say that I'm not writing this piece as a case of sour apples. Let me explain the situation.
Last week I entered a Village Voice contestant for an advanced screening of Iron Man at AMC Loews Kips Bay Theatre . I enjoy attending advance screenings and have done so before. I recieved an email for me and a guest to attend. However seating was not reserved and it was overbooked. This is not a problem, this was stated. I understand this. My problem is this, for a 7:30pm screening, I waited from 6pm til that time only to find out that they were taking 200 people. That was the capacity. Thats not the problem. I had waited a long time, but, thems the breaks, so to speak. My problem is this. During my wait, servals times were head counts conducted. Several times did people ask for the capacity and were not told. Now the capacity doesn't change, if the theatre can hold 200 and your letting 200 hundred in, then fine, but inform the people! The number of seats didn't change from the time I was standing online, and there were quite a few wrapped around the block behind me. If we were informed earlier of where the cutoff was, there really wouldn't be a fuss. Instead, due to mismanagement, several people were angry that they didn't get in. That's understandable, but then they were treated in a rude way and dismissed. If people were told the capacity while waiting in line, if they were aware of where the cut off was, then they knew what they were getting into. Instead, several people waited for an hour and a half or more in ignorant bliss fully believing they were going to see the film. Keeping people in the dark only leads to agrievation.
In future events I hope that the people sponsoring these screenings will be more prepared so situations like this can be avoided. Yeah, it sucks I didn't get to see Iron Man, but I'll see it Friday. The bad taste in my mouth from the poor handling of the crowd however, will not be remedied so quickly.
Why so serious?
Okay. First off, for all three of you who have complained about my lack of posting over the past month... I'm sorry for the absence. But I'm back baby!
Here's update about a little film (and by little I mean HUGE) film called The Dark Knight. If you been living in the cave, it's the new batman film. So here is a taste of the many glorious posters attached to this new cinematic masterpiece. If that doesn't make a Batman freak happy, then I feel sorry for you. You must be Mr. Freeze.
I'm heading out to see Iron Man tonight. Expect that shortly, plus some other reviews I've been lacking in.
Here's update about a little film (and by little I mean HUGE) film called The Dark Knight. If you been living in the cave, it's the new batman film. So here is a taste of the many glorious posters attached to this new cinematic masterpiece. If that doesn't make a Batman freak happy, then I feel sorry for you. You must be Mr. Freeze.
Check out the rest of the gallery, here.
Oh, and for those of you (like me) that can't wait, here's a crappy youtube version of the new trailer out soon. Can. NOT. WAIT.
I'm heading out to see Iron Man tonight. Expect that shortly, plus some other reviews I've been lacking in.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Holy 80's Cartoon Ridiculousness Batman!
No, this isn't about the Dark Knight. I wish I had something about that little piece of cinematic asskickery to tell you about. No, what you're about to see here is something far removed. Something that takes me back to the days of my youth where I would sit in front of the TV and watch my favorite cartoon shows. They were listed in this order: Thundercats, He-Man. Silverhawks, Transformers and G.I. Joe. All these shows, despite whatever limitations, have a place in my heart.
I even remember watching the G.I. Joe Movie ( and god, upon modern viewing, boy does that suck) but Cobra Comander, Destro, Duke and Flint are part of my upbringing that I cherish. When news first broke that there would be a big budget action specatle based on the beloved G. I. Joe, I had a natural fan reaction.
Dear God, what now.
I'm going to be honest. The idea that Stephen Sommers (of Mummy, Mummy Returns and -excuse me one second while I barf- Van Helsing fame) was going to usher this small part of my youth to the screen kinda made me cringe in horror. And by cringe, I mean cold water and shrinkage kind of cringe. Seriously, Van Helsing is quite a sin to repent for. However, Larry Hama is involved (he who sheparded G.I. Joe in comic form as well as did some kickass Wolverine of my youth) so they kind of balance one another out.
Now of course my favorite Joe is Snake-Eyes. A silent, ninja, sword weilding, gun toting piece of martial arts machine awesomeness is kinda hard for a child to resist. Well, today some of my worry kind of lifted in at least knowing that visually, Snake-Eyes will be brought to life on screen with some justice.
And he's being played by Darth Maul himself, Ray Park. Awesome. Stephen Sommers, please don't rape my childhood. Check out the silent ninja below.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
My Blueberry Nightness!
So even though I am on vacation, I felt compelled to put this little tidbit up about Wong Kar Wai’s upcoming movie My Blueberry Nights. If you have never seen anything by this master, then I suggest you run out post-haste and find his whole filmography including, Chungking Express, Happy Together, Fallen, Angels, In the Mood for Love, and it's companion piece 2046 (which, unfortunately after three attempts I still have not gotten through, note to self, don't start watch artsy foriegn films at 2am, you WILL fall asleep no natter how good.)
Wong Kar Wai is known for his beautiful looking films (generally working with awesome collaborator Christopher Doyle, though equally badass Darius Khondji of Se7en shoots Nights). My Blueberry Nights marks a first for him, as it is his first complete English film. With a cast that includes Norah Jones, Natalie Portman, Jude Law, David Strathairn and Rachel Weisz, he's certainly heading in the right direction. Take a look at stunning poster below and check out the trailer here.
My Blueberry Night opens in the U.S. on April 4th 2008.
Wong Kar Wai is known for his beautiful looking films (generally working with awesome collaborator Christopher Doyle, though equally badass Darius Khondji of Se7en shoots Nights). My Blueberry Nights marks a first for him, as it is his first complete English film. With a cast that includes Norah Jones, Natalie Portman, Jude Law, David Strathairn and Rachel Weisz, he's certainly heading in the right direction. Take a look at stunning poster below and check out the trailer here.
My Blueberry Night opens in the U.S. on April 4th 2008.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Wonder World of Pixar's Wall-E!
It's been known for many years that the best working coming out of the House that the Mouse built is everything coming out of Pixar studios. Pixar is the last vestige of quailty animation that used to be a Disney standard (before they de-evolved into the wasteland of direct to video, "from the makers of Lion King 1 1/2" bullshit.)
I have a special place in my heart for all of Pixar's films, and while I have been lasped of late (missing both Cars and Ratatouille, sorry, I know, I know...) count me first in line to see Pixar's next great, the incredible and awfully cute looking, Wall-E. Check out the final trailer below
Or check it out in full HD Quicktime here
Wall-E and Johnny 5 separated at birth? You decide
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Last night I had a dream that you grew a garden on the trampoline and I was so happy that I invented peanut butter
Artist in Spotlight: David Gordon Green
The above title, for those of you scratching your heads, is a line from an amazing film that is very close to my heart called All the Real Girls directed by one of my favorites, David Gordon Green. Last night, David, along with actress Olivia Thirlby took part of a on
e hour discussion at the Apple Store in SoHo about their new film Snow Angels, an adaptation of a Stewart O’Nan novel due to be released limitedly Friday Mach 7th.
This gives me a great opportunity to gush about a director I love in an open forum. Green’s filmography falls directly into what I call “The Terrance Malick” category (yes, no one can best Malick, but his spiritual offspring can be felt) shared by last years beautiful meditation epic The Assassination of Jesse James. Green’s film are generally beautifully shot (thanks to constant collaborator, and personal fav DP Tim Orr) thoroughly naturalistic, indie films of great emotional depth. To date, he has only directed five films, with two of them to be released this year. I fell in love with his second film, and from there went back and forward with much fan delight. He is truly one of the great directors to come out of his generation, and arrived so fully formed that it is quite impressive. Green’s films are really a love him or leave him type of filmmaking, where you either dig it or don’t. If you do, the wonders that you encounter are a sheer joy. Here’s a rundown on his short filmography.
George Washington (2000)- A beautiful naturalistic film about black and white kids in the south, their youth and innocence, and an event that shatters it all. Filled with solid performances by all the non-actors, Green and company compose a beautiful magic hour dream of childhood spent in rundown buildings and majestic train and junkyards.
All the Real Girls (2003)- From its opening single frame shot, to it’s very beautiful Land dog end, All the Real Girls is one of the most emotionally honest and resonant onscreen romances to come our way. Introducing me to the then unknown acting talents of it’s phenomal stars, Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl, Jesse James) and Zooey Deschanel (Elf, and Jesse James, though not with Paul) Green forms a pitch perfect portrait of young, small town love that is as heartbreakingly authentic as it is poetic. Watch the scene on the playground that says it all. Netflix this now. A great gateway into his work. Personal pick.
Undertow (2004)- A southern gothic, B-grade exploitation rooted, artsy 70’s style film, about two swamp rat boys on the run from their Uncle, after witnessing him commit murder, searching for a buried treasure. This is Green’s most artsy, and probably his most Malick like work (ironically of which Malick is a producer on). Undertow is a miss-mash of genre’s that form an extremely beautiful, if not for everyone film.
Snow Angels (March 7, 2008)- Green’s first adapted work, covers several interconnecting love stories, and a missing child in a snowy small town. Staring Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Olivia Thrilby, and Michael Angarano. Further review to come.
Pineapple Express (August 8, 2008)- A surprising team-up of creative minds finds Green directing a Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg script produced by the extremely talented, funny and red hot Apatow group. An 80’s inspired stoner buddy action comedy looks to be the film that will explode Green into mainstream recognition. From what I’ve seen and heard it looks hilarious, and I hope this helps open some doors for Green (like maybe his in need of financing Sci-fi project;)
I encourage everyone to sample this awesome director. Anyway, back to the panel.
The evening started out with a screening of the Snow Angels trailer
Afterwards Green and Thirlby talked about the film, showed two scenes and fielded comments from the audience.
Scene description:
Clip one “Hey You” – Thirlby and Angarano enacting a very sweet, awkward and honest first kiss. Most of this footage is in the trailer.
Clip two (missed the title)- This one featured drunk born again Christian Sam Rockwell outside trying to get into his house to see separated wife Kate Beckinsale and child. Sam has a scuffle with Kate’s new boyfriend Nicky Katt (a personal fav Mr. Harry Senate of Boston Public, and also Boiler Room, and Planet Terror). Their altercation is a funny yet violent one that ends with Katt submissive holding Rockwell in the snow and Beckinsale running out to greet them with a handgun. Favorite line:
Katt goes into Karate stance after Rockwell whips his scarf Indiana Jones Style at him.
Rockwell: What? You gonna Kung Fu me?
The memorable talking points of the night from Thirlby and Green were as follows:
Afterwards Green was nice enough to hang around and chat with some fans (myself included) that lined up to shake his hand.
The whole night was a wonderful experience for me and it just made me feel good that a director I admire was such a nice person. Good luck to Green, I can’t wait to see Snow Angels, and I hope Pineapple blows his profile up.
Thanks again to David, Olivia for their time and Apple for hosting the event.
Snow Angels opens in limited release March 7.
Pineapple Express is slated for August 8.
The above title, for those of you scratching your heads, is a line from an amazing film that is very close to my heart called All the Real Girls directed by one of my favorites, David Gordon Green. Last night, David, along with actress Olivia Thirlby took part of a on
e hour discussion at the Apple Store in SoHo about their new film Snow Angels, an adaptation of a Stewart O’Nan novel due to be released limitedly Friday Mach 7th.This gives me a great opportunity to gush about a director I love in an open forum. Green’s filmography falls directly into what I call “The Terrance Malick” category (yes, no one can best Malick, but his spiritual offspring can be felt) shared by last years beautiful meditation epic The Assassination of Jesse James. Green’s film are generally beautifully shot (thanks to constant collaborator, and personal fav DP Tim Orr) thoroughly naturalistic, indie films of great emotional depth. To date, he has only directed five films, with two of them to be released this year. I fell in love with his second film, and from there went back and forward with much fan delight. He is truly one of the great directors to come out of his generation, and arrived so fully formed that it is quite impressive. Green’s films are really a love him or leave him type of filmmaking, where you either dig it or don’t. If you do, the wonders that you encounter are a sheer joy. Here’s a rundown on his short filmography.
George Washington (2000)- A beautiful naturalistic film about black and white kids in the south, their youth and innocence, and an event that shatters it all. Filled with solid performances by all the non-actors, Green and company compose a beautiful magic hour dream of childhood spent in rundown buildings and majestic train and junkyards.
All the Real Girls (2003)- From its opening single frame shot, to it’s very beautiful Land dog end, All the Real Girls is one of the most emotionally honest and resonant onscreen romances to come our way. Introducing me to the then unknown acting talents of it’s phenomal stars, Paul Schneider (Lars and the Real Girl, Jesse James) and Zooey Deschanel (Elf, and Jesse James, though not with Paul) Green forms a pitch perfect portrait of young, small town love that is as heartbreakingly authentic as it is poetic. Watch the scene on the playground that says it all. Netflix this now. A great gateway into his work. Personal pick.
Undertow (2004)- A southern gothic, B-grade exploitation rooted, artsy 70’s style film, about two swamp rat boys on the run from their Uncle, after witnessing him commit murder, searching for a buried treasure. This is Green’s most artsy, and probably his most Malick like work (ironically of which Malick is a producer on). Undertow is a miss-mash of genre’s that form an extremely beautiful, if not for everyone film.
Snow Angels (March 7, 2008)- Green’s first adapted work, covers several interconnecting love stories, and a missing child in a snowy small town. Staring Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Olivia Thrilby, and Michael Angarano. Further review to come.
Pineapple Express (August 8, 2008)- A surprising team-up of creative minds finds Green directing a Seth Rogen/Evan Goldberg script produced by the extremely talented, funny and red hot Apatow group. An 80’s inspired stoner buddy action comedy looks to be the film that will explode Green into mainstream recognition. From what I’ve seen and heard it looks hilarious, and I hope this helps open some doors for Green (like maybe his in need of financing Sci-fi project;)
I encourage everyone to sample this awesome director. Anyway, back to the panel.
The evening started out with a screening of the Snow Angels trailer
Afterwards Green and Thirlby talked about the film, showed two scenes and fielded comments from the audience.
Scene description:
Clip one “Hey You” – Thirlby and Angarano enacting a very sweet, awkward and honest first kiss. Most of this footage is in the trailer.
Clip two (missed the title)- This one featured drunk born again Christian Sam Rockwell outside trying to get into his house to see separated wife Kate Beckinsale and child. Sam has a scuffle with Kate’s new boyfriend Nicky Katt (a personal fav Mr. Harry Senate of Boston Public, and also Boiler Room, and Planet Terror). Their altercation is a funny yet violent one that ends with Katt submissive holding Rockwell in the snow and Beckinsale running out to greet them with a handgun. Favorite line:
Katt goes into Karate stance after Rockwell whips his scarf Indiana Jones Style at him.
Rockwell: What? You gonna Kung Fu me?
The memorable talking points of the night from Thirlby and Green were as follows:
- Green was offered the adaption of Snow Angels while All the Real Girls was running the circuit at Sundance. He wrote primarily in that time frame, on planes and in the throes of a bad break-up. Green said he wanted to push himself as a writer and adapt someone else’s work rather than the fairly organic way he usually writes for pieces he directs. He gave his screenplay to the producers and said, if you like it, pay me, if not, don’t and throw it away.
- Thirlby was drawn to Snow Angels because of Green’s body of work and his excellent screenplay. When they met for lunch to discuss the film, she flipped the bill.
- Green’s involvement in Confederacy of Dunces is now dead due to legal issues. They had a great cast lined up and he finds it unfortunate that he will likely never do the project.
- Green is producer on Jeff Nichol’s Shotgun Stories (which he said should be released this April). Jeff was a friend of David’s from college and David’s second unit DP, Adam Stone shot the film. Green stated it was one of the most beautifully shot anamorphic indie films in the last ten years.
- Nichols and Green also collaborated on the screenplay for Nichols next film, Goat adapted from Brad Land’s memoir.
- Green enjoys the family feel of making his films with the guys he knew in college. He finds it interesting how their various interest gel into a complete work. He also said he was writing something with one of his sound guys and it was fun seeing him put on his writing hat.
- Green’s worst day on set was when the last day when they showed up to shoot the key scene of the film and all the snow had melted. Green kinda had a meltdown. Shovels, ice rinks and trucks bringing in snow were employed to dress the scene. Appearently you can't tell the difference.
- During the editing of Snow Angels, a very serious movie, Green and his editor found themselves making gag reels from outtakes to keep sane. Striving to release some comic tendencies led to Pineapple Express.
- Green came to Pineapple Express after a set visit to Apatow’s Knocked Up. He found the way they work were very similar to his, though they make commercial comedies while he makes indie dramas. They decided to experiment and team-up.
- Green hope is to work in many different genre in the next few years.
- Green also still has ideas for a sci-fi film but needs to get some commercial cred, to get backing for it.
Afterwards Green was nice enough to hang around and chat with some fans (myself included) that lined up to shake his hand.
The whole night was a wonderful experience for me and it just made me feel good that a director I admire was such a nice person. Good luck to Green, I can’t wait to see Snow Angels, and I hope Pineapple blows his profile up.
Thanks again to David, Olivia for their time and Apple for hosting the event.
Snow Angels opens in limited release March 7.
Pineapple Express is slated for August 8.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Funnier than the Oscars! Do you want to F&#@ Ben Affleck? Jimmy Kimmel does!
So here's a little post Oscar video of fun. Watch it for yourself. Discuss.
And the Oscar goes to....
Real quick. Here's the Oscar winners, because I have way more coverage to do. Over all I think the show was pretty lackluster. Though you can't blame it on its time. The montages were forced. Not too many stars showed up who weren't nominated or associated with the films or presenting. For this they rushed the strike? This is the one big show of the season? Well at least there were quality films up. Oh well. ONCE won best song!!!! Yeah! I need to do a write up for that film.
Best Picture - No Country for Old Men
Best Actor- Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Actress- Marion Cotillard
Best Supporting Actor- Javier Bardem
Best Supporting Actress- Tilda Swinton
Best Director- Coen Brothers
Best Original Screenplay- Daiblo Cody
Best Adapted Screenplay- No Country for Old Men
Best Cinematography- Robert Elswitt
Best Editing-Bourne Ultimatum
Best Art Direction- Sweeney Todd
Best Costume Design- Elizabeth: the Golden Age
Best Makeup- La Vie en Rose
Best Score- Atonement
Best Original Score- Once
Best Sound- Bourne Ultimatum
Best Sound Editing- Bourne Ultimatum
Best Visual Effects- The Golden Compass
Best Animated Feature- Ratatouille
Best Foreign Film- Die Falscher
Best Documentary- Taxi to the Dark Side
Best Documentary Short- Freeheld
Best Animated short- Peter & the Wolf
Best Live Action Short- Le Mozart des Pickpockets
Oh, and for those who missed it, here's Best Song, "Falling Slowy" from Once by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova .
Best Picture - No Country for Old Men
Best Actor- Daniel Day-Lewis
Best Actress- Marion Cotillard
Best Supporting Actor- Javier Bardem
Best Supporting Actress- Tilda Swinton
Best Director- Coen Brothers
Best Original Screenplay- Daiblo Cody
Best Adapted Screenplay- No Country for Old Men
Best Cinematography- Robert Elswitt
Best Editing-Bourne Ultimatum
Best Art Direction- Sweeney Todd
Best Costume Design- Elizabeth: the Golden Age
Best Makeup- La Vie en Rose
Best Score- Atonement
Best Original Score- Once
Best Sound- Bourne Ultimatum
Best Sound Editing- Bourne Ultimatum
Best Visual Effects- The Golden Compass
Best Animated Feature- Ratatouille
Best Foreign Film- Die Falscher
Best Documentary- Taxi to the Dark Side
Best Documentary Short- Freeheld
Best Animated short- Peter & the Wolf
Best Live Action Short- Le Mozart des Pickpockets
Oh, and for those who missed it, here's Best Song, "Falling Slowy" from Once by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova .
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