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.

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.

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

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 one 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.

The evening ended with the screen of the red band trailer for Pineapple Express. I had only previously viewed a scene form the film that was released online earlier this year. The trailer for the “80’s stoner buddy action comedy” was hilarious and definitely wowed the audience. Check it out below.



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.

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 .

The Truth is Right Here, possibly for a limited time

So what we have here is someone video taping the X-File 2 trailer they saw at Wondercon.







First reactions? Well, not going to lie, the sight of Mulder and Scully at it again makes me very, very happy. And, they both look really good (that's not just my crush on Gillian Anderson going for you). Also Billy Connolly? Sweet! And all X-Files andventures are better in the snow, expect when Scully somehow miss the freaking Titanic sized spaceship abocve her in the first film.

I'm trying to keep myself on the outside of this one, so I can just go in and watch the movie clean. The X-files always holds a place in my heart, and while the later seasons took it down a notch, there are at least 4 seasons of thorough asskickery for me to enjoy.

July 25th 2008 people. Mark you calenders X-Phillies.

Oscars 2008 or How They Learned to Settle the Writer Strike So There Would Be a Red Carpet

So it’s that time of year again, when glistening gowned starlets and well tuxed leading men come together for one, five-hour extravaganza that is the Oscars. Well, hopefully not five hours. I’ve loved watching the Oscars since childhood. It was always kind of a family event. A film geeks Superbowl. As I’ve matured, and now have actually seen most of this years nominees, speculating on who will walk away with the gold man is some good fun. Since the Oscars are a very political affair (featuring such things as the “We Owe You” rule W.O.Y ie. Russell Crowe winning for Gladiator the year after he should have won for The Insider; Marty winning for The Departed instead of Raging Bull, and so on) I like to break down my picks into the standard Will Win and Should Win, which aren’t always necessarily the same thing. The following are my picks on limited categories denoted by color, with some explanation. In the event of a Will/Should similarity the winner will be Yellow. I’ll have the winners updated Monday. Here’s hoping I win the office pool.







Best Motion Picture of the Year

• Atonement-Tim Bevan, Eric Fellnwe, Paul Webster
• Juno-Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick, Russel Smith
• Michael Clayton- Sydney Pollock, Jennifer Fox, Kerry Orent
• No Country For Old Men- Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Scott Rudin
• There Will Be Blood- Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi JoAnne Sellar

While I would love to see PT Anderson win (W.O.Y for Magnolia) I highly doubt it is going to happen. Though he’s my solid number two. Atonement was the foreign press (Golden Globes) little darling, and I think it will get snuffed here maybe picking up Costume and Score. That leaves safe bet and awesome film No Country the clear winner.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

• George Clooney for Michael Clayton (2007)
• Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood (2007)
• Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
• Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah (2007)
• Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises (2007)

Nice crop of talented and deserving actors, but Daniel Day-Lewis (literally) pummels the competition to be drinking his milkshake holding a little gold man. Nuff Said.


Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

• Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
• Julie Christie for Away from Her (2006)
• Marion Cotillard for Môme, La (2007)
• Laura Linney for The Savages (2007)
• Ellen Page for Juno (2007)

Marion Cotillard, who won the Golden Globe, clearly deserves this one. However Julie Christie fans cried foul and we might see her get it here. Dark Horse, Ellen Page if they want to push her as a hot new talent.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

• Casey Affleck for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
• Javier Bardem for No Country for Old Men (2007)
• Philip Seymour Hoffman for Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
• Hal Holbrook for Into the Wild (2007)
• Tom Wilkinson for Michael Clayton (2007)

Any other year, Tom Wilkinson would have this locked. Too bad Bardem cattle gunned his chances in the head. Hoffman had his gold man with Capote. Affleck might get it, but I’m betting he’ll be returning with a win in years to come. I love Hal Holbrook, but he’s just happy to be there. Winner: Bardem, and rightfully so, friendo!


Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

• Cate Blanchett for I’m Not There. (2007)
• Ruby Dee for American Gangster (2007)
• Saoirse Ronan for Atonement (2007)
• Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone (2007)
• Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton (2007)

Cate pretty much has this locked up. Her Dylan was the type of performance that the Oscars love. And she totally deserves it. Which is a shame cause Amy Ryan feels like she was pulled off the streets nonactor in Affleck's underappreciated Gone Baby Gone. I give Ryan her nod for authenticity, but I’m happy with Cate going home with the gold. Long shot: Ruby Dee winning a lifetimer for the slap heard around the world.


Best Achievement in Directing

• Paul Thomas Anderson for There Will Be Blood (2007)
• Ethan Coen, Joel Coen for No Country for Old Men (2007)
• Tony Gilroy for Michael Clayton (2007)
• Jason Reitman for Juno (2007)
• Julian Schnabel for Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007)

Love PTA but it’s the Coen’s year, and plus possibly the only time both brothers will get the directing nod instead of just Joel. Schnabel made a cinematic gem with Diving Bell, but the Golden Globes already got him, though he’s a good third bet. I’d love to see Gilroy get it too, but not before the rest, and I have a feeling he’ll return here. Reitman makes Daddy proud out doing the old man. And he’s just happy to be in the group, and companies get to market him as Oscar Nominated director Jason Reitman.


Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for Screen

• Juno (2007): Diablo Cody
• Lars and the Real Girl (2007): Nancy Oliver
• Michael Clayton (2007): Tony Gilroy
• Ratatouille (2007): Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco
• The Savages (2007): Tamara Jenkins

All of them are good but Daiblo Cody wins for her heartfelt, though I feel flawed, first screenplay. She’s the Hollywood it thing. I’d love to see Gilroy and I think he’s her only competition in the field with his tight, intelligent, and thrilling Clayton.


Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

• Atonement (2007): Christopher Hampton
• Away from Her (2006): Sarah Polley
• Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007): Ronald Harwood
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Paul Thomas Anderson

Anyone who has read the book knows that the Coen’s film is one of the finest and faithful translations to screen ever. Any divergences are for the improvement of the piece. No Country had this before the others even showed up. Wildcard is Diving Bell.


Best Achievement in Cinematography

• The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007): Roger Deakins
• Atonement (2007): Seamus McGarvey
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Roger Deakins
• Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007): Janusz Kaminski
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Robert Elswit

Can I give it to all of them? No? Oh well. God, tough choices. First lets give some respect to Deakins for his double duty. Elswit too, though Clayton wasn’t nominated. Honestly I’d be happy with any of them. Unfortunately I think Deakins might knock himself out. Which leaves Elswitt and Kaminski in my mind. Both have some W.O.Y coming to them (Elswit for Magnolia and all PTA films, plus Good Night and Good Luck; Kaminski for Schindler’s List, redefining the look of a war film in Private Ryan, and Munich) Close call, but I think Kaminski wins on just the lensing used to put you in Bauby’s world.


Best Achievement in Editing

• The Bourne Ultimatum (2007): Christopher Rouse
• Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (2007): Juliette Welfling
• Into the Wild (2007): Jay Cassidy
• No Country for Old Men (2007): Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Dylan Tichenor

Love to see Tichenor get some W.O.Y for this and also Jesse James. Welfling has a shot for jump cut eye blinks. But Oscar tradition goes best picture goes best editing, so look for the Coens to run out of speeches.


*Special Note: I want to wish Best Song for Once. Everyone who hasn’t should go see the film. And Buy the Cd. I’m just so happy to see them perform. Truly love this movie. Should win hands down in my book.

So that’s it for my picks. Sorry for the categories that got short changed, but I don’t want to be here all night.

If you are intested in others opinions, check out the man himself, Mr. Clooney’s right here. Also please leave your own thoughts in the comments.

If you would like to fill out an Oscar ballot of your own, make sure you print out a copy awesomely provided by IMDB here.

So with that, I’m off to cover the Oscars. Toodles!

Who Watches the Watchmen

Just wanted to post this sweet pic from a little film called Watchmen. I'm not sure how to feel about this project yet. It's been through development hell for years before getting this far. Watchmen is hands down, in my and many others opinion, the greatest comic of all time. Can a two hour film really do this dense literary superhero epic justice? I reserve hope. And I pray for Allan Moore.

Little Piece of my Childhood

Like many kids from my generation, I'm sure we remember the joy of a little book called, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Below is some of test footage from the live action film, currently in post production, by amazing director Spike Jonze (of Being John Malkovich & Adaptation fame).

While this is only a sample of the awesomeness to come, I can't help but smile at it. I am a huge Jonze fan and can't wait to see the final product. By these indications, things look to be in good hands. Supposedly, the Wild Things where filmed with static faces and manipulited with cgi to give expression. However they do it, looks good to me. James Galdofini with voice the monster in the final version.




Watch the Wild Thing version of Fight CLub