Tonight marks the end of the TV show Lost, and with that in mind, I wanted to fire off a quick post about the show.
I'll really miss the show. Sure, I may have spent most of the past five seasons yelling at the television, since admittedly I came a bit late to the game and didn't actually start watching till during the second season. The plot had more twists than a Franklin Township road, and made me yell at the screen more often than not, but that's part of the fun. If you're into a show in that manner, i think it means you've really invested yourself in it, which I think is a sign of a great television show.
The greatness of the show has brought out several great acting performances. Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn, if you ask me, have guaranteed their careers will have steady work because of this show. Their scenes together are the TV equivalent of watching Picasso and Chagall painting at the same time. Truly, art in it's highest form. Nestor Carbonell revealed this season that he also has great acting talent in his Emmy nomination worthy performance in the episode in which we learn how he got to the island. The rest of the ensemble, as a result of these actors and their stellar performances bring their A games as well. What does that leave us? Blown away.
I'll miss the story of Sun and Jin, a married couple who prove that true love only grows stronger. Charlie, a man who started out as a totally unlikable character, only to redeem himself and produce a tear-jerking death in Season 3 (btw, multiple hanky worthy). Same goes for Sawyer in the likability department. He started as a con man who evolved from a self-centered individual to someone who would pass up a chance to leave the island, to a sensitive man who is in a loving relationship till his girl dies, all the while maintaining a bit of that bad boy charm that I'm told makes the ladies like him.
How do I want it to end? Don't know. What I do know is that the show is the most intelligent I've ever watched. It's made me go to the Internet to read theories, laugh, cry, scream, run the full gamut of emotions. It's the only show that's ever made me do that, sometimes in the space of a single show.
Perfect illustration of it's intelligence: I'm actually thinking of watching it from the beginning when the final season comes out in August.
And for that, I'll be grateful.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Book to Movie: How to and How NOT to..
One source for movie scripts has always been the world of books. You've seen it yourself. This movie is "based on the book by," that one is "inspired by the book ..." and so on down the line. And as with everything else, there is a right way to do a movie based on the book, and a wrong way. I think we've all been there at some point. We find out they're making a movie based on a book we've readd and enjoyed and hope they do it justice. Sometimes they do. Sometimes.....yeah. Here are two recent movies based on books, one of which got it horribly wrong, and the other put it pretty close to the target.
First the failure.
Last April, The Soloist, a movie baseed on the book of the same name by Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez, made it's way into theaters. It's the story of the author and his burgeoning relationship with Natahaniel Ayers, a resident of the city's Skid Row who it turns out is a virtuoso on the violin, but his gifts ar eimpeded by his long struggle with schizophrenia. Sounds easy enough to pull off, right? If only they would have succeeded. The first bad sign this movie fell victim to was a switch in release date, from late 2008 to April 2009, about a week before all the summer roster of movies starts to come out.
What did the movie get right. The names of the two major characters and that was about it. Other than that, it seemed to me as though they played fast and loose with things, adding an unncessary religious facet to a musician Nathaniel meets when he gets to the LA Philahormonic as one example of this. Next, was the work of the movie's director, Joe Wright (Atonement). It seemed as though, he was trying to make a very artsy film, talking what I called the "Terrence Malick approach to Cinema --(if you've sat through The Thin Red Line, this will make perfect sense) the character the scene should focus on, the sky, a tree, some lights, and on to something else. All this together combined for a movie that I felt was so bad, I did something I've only ever done once before--I walked out of the theater, waiting for the people I went to see the movie with in the lobby.
Did this sour me on seeing a movie based on a book? To some extent, yes. But then I saw one that more or less got things right.
The Blind Side is based on the book of the same name by author Michael Lewis. It takes a look at the background and life of former life of former Ole Miss offensive lineman Michael Oher, focusing on the period of time after he was befriended by the Tuohy family.
To be honest, when I first saw a preview for this movie, I thought I saw the major flaw I found with this movie, in two pieces. The first of these was the casting of Sandra Bullock as the matriarch of the Tuohy family, Leighanne, and its part of what I perceived as the "Disneyification" of the story, in that everything in Oher's life, professional year included, was wrapped up in a happy little bow. I couldn't been further from the truth. The filmmakers had actaully created a flick where the only real issue I had with the film was that Tuohy child Collins is the same year in school in real life as Oher, not the year younger she is depicted as in the film. The movie also won points with me for introducing the concept of the "blind side" the same way the book did, by talking about the play in 1985 where Joe Theissman had his career ended after his leg was broken by Lawrence Taylor who came from the QB's blind side. Knowing the grisly nature of the injury, I covered my eyes till the film itself started.
There are so few errors in this film that I actually have to reach for one, which isn't really an error. Houston Nutt is depicted as the coach of the Arkansas football team who comes to recruit Oher. Nutt WAS at the time, but was Oher's coach at Ole Miss during the latter's academic and athletic career there. Not really an error, but I just felt like being knit picky.
Two films. Two books. Two completely different executions. One good. One bad.
They just happened to be focusing very heeavily on the positive ending in the marketing campaign. In other words, the film got everything right.
First the failure.
Last April, The Soloist, a movie baseed on the book of the same name by Los Angeles Times reporter Steve Lopez, made it's way into theaters. It's the story of the author and his burgeoning relationship with Natahaniel Ayers, a resident of the city's Skid Row who it turns out is a virtuoso on the violin, but his gifts ar eimpeded by his long struggle with schizophrenia. Sounds easy enough to pull off, right? If only they would have succeeded. The first bad sign this movie fell victim to was a switch in release date, from late 2008 to April 2009, about a week before all the summer roster of movies starts to come out.
What did the movie get right. The names of the two major characters and that was about it. Other than that, it seemed to me as though they played fast and loose with things, adding an unncessary religious facet to a musician Nathaniel meets when he gets to the LA Philahormonic as one example of this. Next, was the work of the movie's director, Joe Wright (Atonement). It seemed as though, he was trying to make a very artsy film, talking what I called the "Terrence Malick approach to Cinema --(if you've sat through The Thin Red Line, this will make perfect sense) the character the scene should focus on, the sky, a tree, some lights, and on to something else. All this together combined for a movie that I felt was so bad, I did something I've only ever done once before--I walked out of the theater, waiting for the people I went to see the movie with in the lobby.
Did this sour me on seeing a movie based on a book? To some extent, yes. But then I saw one that more or less got things right.
The Blind Side is based on the book of the same name by author Michael Lewis. It takes a look at the background and life of former life of former Ole Miss offensive lineman Michael Oher, focusing on the period of time after he was befriended by the Tuohy family.
To be honest, when I first saw a preview for this movie, I thought I saw the major flaw I found with this movie, in two pieces. The first of these was the casting of Sandra Bullock as the matriarch of the Tuohy family, Leighanne, and its part of what I perceived as the "Disneyification" of the story, in that everything in Oher's life, professional year included, was wrapped up in a happy little bow. I couldn't been further from the truth. The filmmakers had actaully created a flick where the only real issue I had with the film was that Tuohy child Collins is the same year in school in real life as Oher, not the year younger she is depicted as in the film. The movie also won points with me for introducing the concept of the "blind side" the same way the book did, by talking about the play in 1985 where Joe Theissman had his career ended after his leg was broken by Lawrence Taylor who came from the QB's blind side. Knowing the grisly nature of the injury, I covered my eyes till the film itself started.
There are so few errors in this film that I actually have to reach for one, which isn't really an error. Houston Nutt is depicted as the coach of the Arkansas football team who comes to recruit Oher. Nutt WAS at the time, but was Oher's coach at Ole Miss during the latter's academic and athletic career there. Not really an error, but I just felt like being knit picky.
Two films. Two books. Two completely different executions. One good. One bad.
They just happened to be focusing very heeavily on the positive ending in the marketing campaign. In other words, the film got everything right.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Beautiful Disasters
After taking a short break from the blog to watch the Olympics (or more specifically, the car accident that is curling, and the men's ice hockey), and be told that one of the people that reads my blogs sees it as being written in the style of an Anthony Bourdain (which upon reflection, I take as a major compliment), I'm back to cover a topic I feel as though I know a little about--beautiful disasters.
What do I mean by the term "beautiful disaster" you may ask? By my definition, it is something that, while being something of high quality, is deeply flawed on some level. For the most part, I've applied this term to a few cd's in my cd collection. For those of you don't know what a cd is, you might be using one as a coaster, or remember them as the thing you used to play your music on before you got the iPod nano that shoots video. And to answer your next question, I still buy cd's, I just load them onto my iPod and play them in my car.
Anyway, here are a few cd's and at least one movie I view as "beautiful disasters."
What do I mean by the term "beautiful disaster" you may ask? By my definition, it is something that, while being something of high quality, is deeply flawed on some level. For the most part, I've applied this term to a few cd's in my cd collection. For those of you don't know what a cd is, you might be using one as a coaster, or remember them as the thing you used to play your music on before you got the iPod nano that shoots video. And to answer your next question, I still buy cd's, I just load them onto my iPod and play them in my car.
Anyway, here are a few cd's and at least one movie I view as "beautiful disasters."
- Pearl Jam's No Code--first, please contain your shock that I have criticized something Eddie Vedder related. Second, don't get me wrong, I like this album. Notice I didn't say I love it. Because I don't. This album and I strictly platonic. It is from the late 90's, during the period where the band almost broke up, and the drummer at the time, Jack Irons, left before the album's supporting tour for his own personal issues. Let's just say all the tension in the band is evident. OK, there's that, but nothing says "let's break the tension" more than making an experimental album, and arguably the group's most experimental one, borrowing Middle Eastern percussion, being one example of the experimentalism. What all this together is a decent album crippled by one's own artistic grandiosity. In other words, a beautiful disaster.
- U2's Pop--this album may have been doomed from the start. It was part of the experimentation U2 went through during the 90's. Sadly, third time was not the charm. Having drummer Larry Mullen out of the mix with back issues didn't help either. Add to that, the three remaining members putting together songs they felt had to be completely rework upon Mullen's return. Oh, and then, getting an album that, in hindsight, really wasn't done, to the record company to meet a deadline. Throw them all together and what do you get--an album that I think is decent at best, but critically yields mixed reviews and commercial was a dud. How much of a "beautiful disaster" is this record? U2 has talked about, on several occasions, going back into the studio, and reworking the album, so that it is the way they actually wanted it. In other words, they want to actually complete it.
- U2's No Line on the Horizon--I must admit, I didn't think of this as one till I started writing and took a look at the cd shelf to see if I could find more examples. It has all the hallmarks. Start with Rick Rubin as your producer, but then shelve your ideas and go back to your "old reliables" producing wise in the forms of Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. Move forward to the editing and mastering process, during which you almost scrap the whole album idea and release it as two EP's. Thankfully, the band came to their senses and assembled the best tracks into an album. Sadly, some of what they assembled wasn't all that great. Like a quarter of the album. What do you get (and stop me if you've heard this before, a critically mixed album that fails to deliver commercially). Unlike the other two cd's, this album has yet to grow on me as being good, although with that said, it's about a year old.
- Pearl Harbor--this is a good movies. No, I didn't not run spell check, or hae a grammatical hiccup in the previous sentence. This movie is actually two very good movies. Sadly, director Michael Bay, in his infinite wisdom, shoved them both together, and a yielded a beautiful disaster. There is a good romantic drama in this movie, but unfortunately, it's stuck rapped around a great war movie. The glue holding the whole
thing together is cheesiness. Absolute cheessiness. - Watchmen--this movie gets added to this list for one simple reason--Zack Snyder filmed a movie out of a comic book series that many thought was unfilmable. What he creates is something that, while good, is a very divisive force. You either like it or you hate it for reasons such as the cartoony at times violent, the interspersed cheesy moments, and the changing of the ending from the comic. Personally, I am more of a fan of the Director's Cut of this movie. It fits a little better to the comic book.
- Kingdom of Heaven--this movie gets this designation based on one reason--the version seen in theaters is a victim of poor edits which lead to horrible transitions. Then again, these things happen when after showing the movie to test audiences, it's decided you have to cut out about 50 minutes of the film. Thankfully, director Ridley Scott also released his Director's Cut (read this as Original Version) of the film on DVD. What this yields is a brilliant film, which is sadly trapped in the shadow of it's beautifully disastrous theatrical counterpart.
Music and movies are works of art, some of them are things of beauty, some disastrous failures. As you can see, there are a group of works that manage to straddle that line.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Fear not my lovelies...
I haven't forgotten about you, I've got a case of Olympic fever, or to be more specific, hockey fever. Well, there's that, and the fact that I have an idea for my next entry. The problem is that I can't think of a way to better flesh it out. In other words, I have a subject to write on, I just don't think I'll get much mileage out of it.
That said, see you all in March.
That said, see you all in March.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Getting a Divorce
For those of you who know me well, you're likely thinking "I didn't even know you were married." To which I respond, nothing has happened that you all need to know about in terms of a personal relationship. What I do mean is that one of the shows on my appointment television list have agreed to see other people, or to be more accurate, I've decided to stop seeing them.
Let me explain.
Almost since it premiered in 2000, I've been a loyal viewer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. And when i say loyal, I mean very loyal, so loyal in fact, that I ended an argument with an ex-girlfriend to watch the show. And while that may not have been a great idea in hindsight, it illustrates to me the concept of "appointment television." A show you think is good enough that you will drop everything to watch. Something so intelligent and engrossing that you need to be able to sit and digest it for the hour it's on no matter what. As of late, that hasn't been the case.
I blame the disappearance of Gil Grissom into the jungles of Central America. When William Petersen decided he didn't want to be involved in the show any more in an acting capacity (he still serves as an executive producer), he said a 10 episode goodbye that ended with him reunited with his wife in the jungles of Costa Rica. That's where the show fell off to me. It brought about three major events, that I would classify as "irreconcilable differences."
Let me explain.
Almost since it premiered in 2000, I've been a loyal viewer of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. And when i say loyal, I mean very loyal, so loyal in fact, that I ended an argument with an ex-girlfriend to watch the show. And while that may not have been a great idea in hindsight, it illustrates to me the concept of "appointment television." A show you think is good enough that you will drop everything to watch. Something so intelligent and engrossing that you need to be able to sit and digest it for the hour it's on no matter what. As of late, that hasn't been the case.
I blame the disappearance of Gil Grissom into the jungles of Central America. When William Petersen decided he didn't want to be involved in the show any more in an acting capacity (he still serves as an executive producer), he said a 10 episode goodbye that ended with him reunited with his wife in the jungles of Costa Rica. That's where the show fell off to me. It brought about three major events, that I would classify as "irreconcilable differences."
- The addition of Laurence Fishburne as Langston--Don't get me wrong, I likes me the Larry. But at the end of the episode, he's no Grissom. The show just isn't the same. His character is a great addition, but no Grissom means the show is just lacking.
- An overall decline in quality--the show had begun to slip slightly as it stands, as is the case with most shows after they've been on for any length of time. This show experienced a steep decline within half a season. The quick addition and shoddily explained exit of Riley Adams would be my Exhibit A for arguing this point. Exhibit B would be the increasing reach to interconnect the A and B cases every week. Oh, and also, you really don't need to have some sort of "serial killer" (e.g. Jekyll and Hyde) in a show like this. Stand alone cases will do me just fine.
- Stunt casting--because nothing says "Oh shit, we're reaching" like stunt casting. Add all the celebrities you want (three golfers a few weeks ago, Taylor Swift just as she was catching fire, and Rascal Flatts in the upcoming episode), but if the show blows, it ain't gonna help ya.
I'm sorry to see it go, I really am, but my TV watching time is precious, and if there's no quality or a lack thereof, you've got to go. Will I go back to it? It's anyone's guess, but I don't see it happening any time soon. And that's a shame.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
It's a Great Day for America, Everybody!
If you've me for any length of time, you know that the recent late night happenings at NBC don't effect me, as my late night show of choice is The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I've been a fan of the show since Craig was an auditioning guest host in late 2004, probably about the only time I've ever been happy to have been unemployed in that I got to watch his run from its beginning.
To be honest, I don't know why David Letterman went with Craig after the open auditions to fill the seat of Craig Kilborn, but I'm glad he did. What we've gotten in return is an intelligent show, which doesn't take itself too seriously, and provides consistently funny material. What other shows on late night television can say that? Should Craig still have this gig when Dave retires, I hope they give the Late Show to him.
Many times as of late, the cold open of the show has featured puppets doing routines to varied tunes, with overacting and lip syncing to boot. The recent 1,000th episode of the show was in fact hosted by a puppet, one alligator named Wavy Ranchero to be exact.
With an assist from the capable trolling of the interwebs by my good friend Alley (one word: pterodactyls. Really, just one word. The other word in the search term just makes it disturbing on so many levels), here is a collection of the puppet routines and some of the other great moments from the Late Late Show.
Puppet Musical Cold Opens (all of them to date)
As a side note, the guy in the leather outfit is on Craig's staff and wears that for every show.
To be honest, I don't know why David Letterman went with Craig after the open auditions to fill the seat of Craig Kilborn, but I'm glad he did. What we've gotten in return is an intelligent show, which doesn't take itself too seriously, and provides consistently funny material. What other shows on late night television can say that? Should Craig still have this gig when Dave retires, I hope they give the Late Show to him.
Many times as of late, the cold open of the show has featured puppets doing routines to varied tunes, with overacting and lip syncing to boot. The recent 1,000th episode of the show was in fact hosted by a puppet, one alligator named Wavy Ranchero to be exact.
With an assist from the capable trolling of the interwebs by my good friend Alley (one word: pterodactyls. Really, just one word. The other word in the search term just makes it disturbing on so many levels), here is a collection of the puppet routines and some of the other great moments from the Late Late Show.
Puppet Musical Cold Opens (all of them to date)
As a side note, the guy in the leather outfit is on Craig's staff and wears that for every show.
- "Say Hey (I Love You)" by Michael Franti and Spearhead -
- "White Lines" by Duran Duran
- "Wonderful Night" by Fatboy Slim -
- "Istanbul" by They Might Be Giants
- "Oops!...I Did It Again" by Britney Spears
- "MMMBop" by Hanson
- "In the Navy" by Village People
- "Fireball" by Don Spencer
- "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
- "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music
- "She Taught Me How To Yodel" by Frank Ifield -
- "Fire" by The Prodigy
- "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" --by B.J. Thomas (that's who originally did the song. Don't know who is doing this.)
Selected Non-Musical Puppet Intros
- Bob the Dragon--now with terrible ventriloquism?
- Shark--"Shark Week"
- Giraffe--who knew they liked Jagermeister?
- Pig--Craig ran a puppet popularity contest this past summer, but the leader in the polls had to drop out due to an affair with an Argentine woman. Sound familiar?
- Craig Ferguson--(this one's just a wee bit creepy.)
Wavy with Friends of the Show
- Lauren Graham
- Kristen Bell--from the 1,000th show.
Other Interesting Stuff (or "On a Very Special Episode of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson):
- Craig on voting--He became an American citizen in 2008 and voted in his first election that year. If my mom had a computer, I would send this to her (to my knowledge, she's never voted, and it's always driven me nuts). This episode originally aired September 10, 2008.
- Craig provides a history of apartheid in South Africa and then spend the balance of the March 4, 2009 show with Archbishop Desmond Tutu (three parts: A, B and C)
- Giving a eulogy for his dad. This show was later nominated for an Emmy (January 30, 2006 show) in two parts: A and B
- Craig on why he won't make Britney Spears jokes (this originally aired on February 19, 2007, around the time of her meltdown)
- Craig's Sept. 11 monologue from 2009.
- The theme song (this has always been the theme. It's just since the show went to HD that it got this production number)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Movies I'm Looking Forward to: N-Z
Here is the part three of the list.
Again, I've provided a brief description of the film, a list of it's stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Paul
Cast: Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig
Director: Greg Mottola
Summary: Two British sci-fi fanatics on an American road trip find their conspiracy dreams coming true when they encounter an escaped alien near Area 51. As they try to reunite him with his mother ship, they find 'Paul' has many more opinions than your typical ET. This is the latest movie from the team that brought you Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
Piranha 3D (April 16)
Cast: Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Ving Rhames, Richard Dreyfuss, Jerry O'Connell
Director: Alexandre Aja
Summary: After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for Lake Victoria's new razor-toothed residents. But with only one chance to save her family from totally being devoured, our heroine must risk everything to destroy them.
Predators (July 7)
Cast: Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo
Director: Nimrod Antal
Summary: A follow-up to 1987's acclaimed Arnold Schwarzenegger-led sci-fi action classic. The story follows a group of elite warrior-types who are being hunted by members of a race of merciless alien trackers called Predators.
Red (November 19)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, John C. Reilly
Director: Robert Schwentke
Summary: Frank Moses, a former black-ops CIA agent, is now living a quiet life until the day a hi-tech assassin shows up intent on killing him. With his secret identity compromised, Frank must reassemble his old team to figure out who is out to get them.
Red Dawn (November 26)
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Director: Dan Bradley
Summary: A group of students find their small American hometown suddenly becoming the foothold for a foreign invasion. Now under enemy occupation, they seek refuge in the surrounding woods and reorganise themselves into a guerilla group of fighters
Robin Hood (May 14)
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Matthew Macfadyen, William Hurt
Director: Ridley Scott
Summary: In 13th century England, a former archer in the late King Richard's army assembles a band of marauders to confront corruption in the local town of Nottingham and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power.
The Rum Diary
Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Bruce Robinson
Summary: The increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp who left late 1950's New York City to start a more relaxed lifestyle working for a downtrodden newspaper in San Juan and becomes obsessed with the fiancee of a shady property dealer.
Salt (July 23)
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Phillip Noyce
Summary: When a CIA agent is accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy, she goes on the run to clear her name. Using her years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture or the world's most powerful forces will erase her entire existence.
Secretariat (Oct. 8)
Cast: Diane Lane, James Cromwell, Scott Glenn, Dylan Walsh
Director: Randall Wallace
Summary: The story centers around Penny Chenery who took over the financially troubled Meadow Stable from her ailing father and guided the thoroughbred race horse Secretariat through his Triple Crown winning season in 1973.
Shutter Island (Feb. 19)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Director: Martin Scorsese
Summary: In 1954, two U.S. marshals are summoned to a remote island off Massachusetts to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. Once inside, one begins to doubt everything - even his own sanity. This movie was moved from November, then December 2009.
The Tempest
Cast: Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina, Chris Cooper
Director: Julie Taymor
Summary: An adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Having been exiled to an island for over a decade, the witch Prospera manages to shipwreck those behind her betrayal and a tangled web of romance, forgiveness and magic play out.
The Town (September 10)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Chris Cooper
Director: Ben Affleck
Summary: After briefly being taken hostage, a female bank manager lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man... not realizing he is the same man who led the gang of thieves that terrorised her days earlier. Thank GOD Ben realizes he's actually a pretty good director. Thank you Gone Baby Gone!
Tron: Legacy (December 17)
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Summary: The son of Kevin Flynn looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs his father has been living in for 25 years. The pair embark on a perilous journey across a cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Cast: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowen, Jesse Moss, Christie Lang
Director: Eli Craig
Summary: Two good-natured hillbillies find themselves mistakenly accused of being psycho killers by a group of college kids camping at the same lake where the hillbillies have just acquired a dilapidated cabin as their "summer home."
Again, I've provided a brief description of the film, a list of it's stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Paul
Cast: Nick Frost, Simon Pegg, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig
Director: Greg Mottola
Summary: Two British sci-fi fanatics on an American road trip find their conspiracy dreams coming true when they encounter an escaped alien near Area 51. As they try to reunite him with his mother ship, they find 'Paul' has many more opinions than your typical ET. This is the latest movie from the team that brought you Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
Piranha 3D (April 16)
Cast: Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Ving Rhames, Richard Dreyfuss, Jerry O'Connell
Director: Alexandre Aja
Summary: After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for Lake Victoria's new razor-toothed residents. But with only one chance to save her family from totally being devoured, our heroine must risk everything to destroy them.
Predators (July 7)
Cast: Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Danny Trejo
Director: Nimrod Antal
Summary: A follow-up to 1987's acclaimed Arnold Schwarzenegger-led sci-fi action classic. The story follows a group of elite warrior-types who are being hunted by members of a race of merciless alien trackers called Predators.
Red (November 19)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, John C. Reilly
Director: Robert Schwentke
Summary: Frank Moses, a former black-ops CIA agent, is now living a quiet life until the day a hi-tech assassin shows up intent on killing him. With his secret identity compromised, Frank must reassemble his old team to figure out who is out to get them.
Red Dawn (November 26)
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Director: Dan Bradley
Summary: A group of students find their small American hometown suddenly becoming the foothold for a foreign invasion. Now under enemy occupation, they seek refuge in the surrounding woods and reorganise themselves into a guerilla group of fighters
Robin Hood (May 14)
Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Matthew Macfadyen, William Hurt
Director: Ridley Scott
Summary: In 13th century England, a former archer in the late King Richard's army assembles a band of marauders to confront corruption in the local town of Nottingham and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power.
The Rum Diary
Cast: Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Bruce Robinson
Summary: The increasingly unhinged story of itinerant journalist Paul Kemp who left late 1950's New York City to start a more relaxed lifestyle working for a downtrodden newspaper in San Juan and becomes obsessed with the fiancee of a shady property dealer.
Salt (July 23)
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Phillip Noyce
Summary: When a CIA agent is accused by a defector of being a Russian sleeper spy, she goes on the run to clear her name. Using her years of experience as a covert operative, she must elude capture or the world's most powerful forces will erase her entire existence.
Secretariat (Oct. 8)
Cast: Diane Lane, James Cromwell, Scott Glenn, Dylan Walsh
Director: Randall Wallace
Summary: The story centers around Penny Chenery who took over the financially troubled Meadow Stable from her ailing father and guided the thoroughbred race horse Secretariat through his Triple Crown winning season in 1973.
Shutter Island (Feb. 19)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams
Director: Martin Scorsese
Summary: In 1954, two U.S. marshals are summoned to a remote island off Massachusetts to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a fortress-like hospital for the criminally insane. Once inside, one begins to doubt everything - even his own sanity. This movie was moved from November, then December 2009.
The Tempest
Cast: Helen Mirren, Russell Brand, Djimon Hounsou, Alfred Molina, Chris Cooper
Director: Julie Taymor
Summary: An adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Having been exiled to an island for over a decade, the witch Prospera manages to shipwreck those behind her betrayal and a tangled web of romance, forgiveness and magic play out.
The Town (September 10)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Chris Cooper
Director: Ben Affleck
Summary: After briefly being taken hostage, a female bank manager lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man... not realizing he is the same man who led the gang of thieves that terrorised her days earlier. Thank GOD Ben realizes he's actually a pretty good director. Thank you Gone Baby Gone!
Tron: Legacy (December 17)
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Summary: The son of Kevin Flynn looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs his father has been living in for 25 years. The pair embark on a perilous journey across a cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Cast: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowen, Jesse Moss, Christie Lang
Director: Eli Craig
Summary: Two good-natured hillbillies find themselves mistakenly accused of being psycho killers by a group of college kids camping at the same lake where the hillbillies have just acquired a dilapidated cabin as their "summer home."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Movies I'm Looking Forward to in 2010: H-M
Here is the second part of the list.
Again, I've provided a brief description of the film, a list of it's stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Hot Tub Time Machine (March 19)
Cast: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover
Director: Steve Pink
Summary: After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, four best friends who've become bored with their adult lives wake up in the year 1986. This is their chance to change their futures for the better, and in one case to ensure his existence.
Howl
Cast: James Franco, David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker
Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Summary: San Francisco, 1957. This interweaves the life of a young Allen Ginsberg finding his true voice, the obscenity trial that ensued when his poem 'Howl' was published, and animated segments that adapt the poem itself. Of course I find this movie interesting, I WAS an English major in college.
Inception (July 16)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard
Director: Christopher Nolan
Summary: The Prestige and The Dark Knight director Nolan returns with the story of a CEO-type executive who finds himself becoming involved in a blackmailing scandal. The story is said to explore the architecture of the human mind.
Iron Man 2
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle
Director: Jon Favreau
Summary: Having revealed his Iron Man identity to the public, billionaire inventor Tony Stark is unwilling to share his technology with the military, but forces outside his control plot against him.
Jonah Hex (June 18)
Cast: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Michael Shannon, Michael Fassbender
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Summary: Based on the titular DC Comics character. In the Wild West, a scarred bounty hunter tracks down a dangerous ex-Confederate soldier trying to reignite the civil war and ensure the South will win this time.
Kick-Ass (April 16)
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Summary: The comic book adaptation centers on a high school dweeb named Dave Lizewski who decides to become a superhero even though he has no athletic ability or coordination. Things change when he eventually runs into real bad guys with real weapons. If you seen the trailer, you know that one of the heroes, Hit-Girl, uses some very "colorful" language, to say the least.
Knight and Day (July 2)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez
Director: James Mangold
Summary: A lonely woman's seemingly harmless blind date suddenly turns her life upside-down when a super spy takes her on a violent worldwide journey to protect a powerful battery that holds the key to an infinite power source.
The Last Airbender (July 2)
Cast: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Dev Patel
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Summary: A live-action film based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series. In a fantastic world where civilisation exists as four great empires, a reluctant young child sets out on a perilous journey to restore balance to a world torn apart by war.
London Boulevard (July 30)
Cast: Keira Knightley, Colin Farrell, Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, Anna Friel
Director: William Monahan
Summary: A freshly released ex-con from South London attempts to stay out of the way of a ruthless loan shark by finding honest work at the Holland Park mansion of faded movie actress. As his violent past catches up with him and his disturbed sister is threatened, he is forced to act. Monahan, who won an Oscar for his writing work on The Departed makes his directorial debut with this film.
Machete
Cast: Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan
Director: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
Summary: A renegade former Mexican Federale takes an offer to assassinate a corrupt Senator. Double crossed and on the run, Machete braves the odds with the help of a saucy taco slinger, his "holy" brother, and a socialite with a penchant for guns. If you saw Grindhouse, the trailer for this then fake movie ran before the "Planet Terror" portion of the film.
The Mechanic
Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Christa Campbell
Director: Simon West
Summary: A highly-skilled but emotionally detached hitman is planning to retire when a young man asks to be trained up in the profession. Only problem is that this new apprentice is the son of one of the Mechanic's handlers and may have ulterior motives. Wonder if Statham's character drives in this film? Just a thought.
Again, I've provided a brief description of the film, a list of it's stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Hot Tub Time Machine (March 19)
Cast: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover
Director: Steve Pink
Summary: After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, four best friends who've become bored with their adult lives wake up in the year 1986. This is their chance to change their futures for the better, and in one case to ensure his existence.
Howl
Cast: James Franco, David Strathairn, Alan Alda, Jeff Daniels, Mary-Louise Parker
Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Summary: San Francisco, 1957. This interweaves the life of a young Allen Ginsberg finding his true voice, the obscenity trial that ensued when his poem 'Howl' was published, and animated segments that adapt the poem itself. Of course I find this movie interesting, I WAS an English major in college.
Inception (July 16)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard
Director: Christopher Nolan
Summary: The Prestige and The Dark Knight director Nolan returns with the story of a CEO-type executive who finds himself becoming involved in a blackmailing scandal. The story is said to explore the architecture of the human mind.
Iron Man 2
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle
Director: Jon Favreau
Summary: Having revealed his Iron Man identity to the public, billionaire inventor Tony Stark is unwilling to share his technology with the military, but forces outside his control plot against him.
Jonah Hex (June 18)
Cast: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox, Michael Shannon, Michael Fassbender
Director: Jimmy Hayward
Summary: Based on the titular DC Comics character. In the Wild West, a scarred bounty hunter tracks down a dangerous ex-Confederate soldier trying to reignite the civil war and ensure the South will win this time.
Kick-Ass (April 16)
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Mark Strong, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Summary: The comic book adaptation centers on a high school dweeb named Dave Lizewski who decides to become a superhero even though he has no athletic ability or coordination. Things change when he eventually runs into real bad guys with real weapons. If you seen the trailer, you know that one of the heroes, Hit-Girl, uses some very "colorful" language, to say the least.
Knight and Day (July 2)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez
Director: James Mangold
Summary: A lonely woman's seemingly harmless blind date suddenly turns her life upside-down when a super spy takes her on a violent worldwide journey to protect a powerful battery that holds the key to an infinite power source.
The Last Airbender (July 2)
Cast: Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Dev Patel
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Summary: A live-action film based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series. In a fantastic world where civilisation exists as four great empires, a reluctant young child sets out on a perilous journey to restore balance to a world torn apart by war.
London Boulevard (July 30)
Cast: Keira Knightley, Colin Farrell, Ray Winstone, David Thewlis, Anna Friel
Director: William Monahan
Summary: A freshly released ex-con from South London attempts to stay out of the way of a ruthless loan shark by finding honest work at the Holland Park mansion of faded movie actress. As his violent past catches up with him and his disturbed sister is threatened, he is forced to act. Monahan, who won an Oscar for his writing work on The Departed makes his directorial debut with this film.
Machete
Cast: Danny Trejo, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Michelle Rodriguez, Lindsay Lohan
Director: Robert Rodriguez, Ethan Maniquis
Summary: A renegade former Mexican Federale takes an offer to assassinate a corrupt Senator. Double crossed and on the run, Machete braves the odds with the help of a saucy taco slinger, his "holy" brother, and a socialite with a penchant for guns. If you saw Grindhouse, the trailer for this then fake movie ran before the "Planet Terror" portion of the film.
The Mechanic
Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Christa Campbell
Director: Simon West
Summary: A highly-skilled but emotionally detached hitman is planning to retire when a young man asks to be trained up in the profession. Only problem is that this new apprentice is the son of one of the Mechanic's handlers and may have ulterior motives. Wonder if Statham's character drives in this film? Just a thought.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Movies I'm Looking Forward to in 2010: A-G
I've done some research, and with the help of the movie news website Dark Horizons, I've put together a list of film that I find interesting and think you should at least consider seeing in the theaters.
With each film is a brief description, list of stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Here is the first part of the list I've come up with in what will be a four part list that I will reveal over between now and Tuesday.
44 Inch Chest (January 15)
Cast: John Hurt, Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Tom Wilkinson, Joanne Whalley
Director: Malcolm Venville
Summary: Shattered by the bombshell of his wife’s infidelity with a young French waiter, Colin Diamond and his motley crew of friends kidnapp the loverboy and assemble a kangaroo court to take revenge out on him as the mighty Colin wrestles with his own demons.
The Adjustment Bureau
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Terence Stamp, Daniel Dae Kim
Director: George Nolfi
Summary: David Norris, a charismatic congressman meets a beautiful ballet dancer named Elise Sellas, only to find strange circumstances keeping them from getting closer. Norris discovers forces are at work to ensure they stay apart, and he pushes to find out why. Based on a short story by science fiction writer Phillip K. Dick.
Alice in Wonderland (March 5)
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Director: Tim Burton
Summary: A pseudo-sequel to the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice returns to the fantasy realm years after her first visit. Now aged 17 and not fitting into Victorian society and structure, she returns to a slightly haunted and overgrown Wonderland.
Bitch Slap (opened January 5)
Cast: Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo, Michael Hurst
Director: Rick Jacobson
Summary: A down-and-out stripper, a drug-running killer and a corporate powerbroker arrive at a remote desert hideaway to extort money from a ruthless underworld kingpin. As allegiances change, truths are revealed and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
The Book of Eli (January 15)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals
Director: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes (sometimes credited as The Hughes Brothers)
Summary: The story revolves around a lone warrior (Washington) who must fight to bring society the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Oldman has been set to portray the despot of a small makeshift town who's determined to take possession of the book Eli's guarding.
Centurion
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko, David Morrissey, Noel Clarke
Director: Neil Marshall
Summary: Set during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 117. The legendary Ninth Legion marches north under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth, only to be decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack. A splinter group of survivors fight for their lives behind enemy lines.
Clash of the Titans (March 26)
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton
Director: Louis Leterrier
Summary: Based on the 1981 film of the same name (rememberr Bubo the Owl?), the ultimate struggle for power pits men against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld.
The Conspirator
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Robin Wright Penn, Justin Long
Director: Robert Redford
Summary: Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.
Cop Out (February 26)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott, Adam Brody, Jason Lee
Director: Kevin Smith
Summary: Two cops track down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican beauty and must deal with gangsters and laundered drug money. This was called “A Couple of Dicks,” till someone decided they didn’t think the title of the film was funny. Also, Smith didn't write this one, he's just directing.
The Crazies (February 26)
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson
Director: Breck Eisner
Summary: A remake of George A. Romero's 1973 film of the same name. The story revolves around the inhabitants of a small Kansas town who are beset by death and insanity after a plane crash lets loose a secret biological weapon into the water supply.
Date Night (April 9)
Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco
Director: Shawn Levy
Summary: A couple find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie when they're mistaken for a dangerous couple. They soon encounter everything from over-anxious securities experts to petty con men who mess up their romantic evening.
Daybreakers (Opened January 8)
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Vince Colosimo, Claudia Karvan
Director: Michael & Peter Spierig
Summary: In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the dominant plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of humans on a potential way to save the human race.
The Debt
Cast: Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Martin Csokas
Director: John Madden
Summary: In 1965, three young Israeli Mossad agents on a secret mission capture and kill a notorious Nazi war criminal. Now, thirty years later, a man claiming to be the Nazi has surfaced in the Ukraine and one of the former agents must go back undercover to seek out the truth.
Dinner for Schmucks (July 23)
Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, Bruce Greenwood, David Walliams
Director: Jay Roach
Summary: A renowned publisher encourages his friends to invite the most pathetic guests possible for their weekly dinner party. Just as they find the most pathetic man yet, the host is injured and ends up trapped with the man all night long.
Due Date (November 5)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, RZA
Director: Todd Phillips
Summary: Downey will play an expectant father who finds himself on a road trip with a mismatched partner, as he races to get there before his wife gives birth to his first child. Galifianakis plays his road trip mate.
Edge of Darkness (January 29)
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Denis O'Hare
Director: Martin Campbell
Summary: Based on the acclaimed British TV miniseries which followed a cop unravelling the truth behind the brutal killing of his daughter. His investigations lead him into a murky world of corporate cover-ups and nuclear espionage with dark forces threatening the future of life on Earth.
The Expendables (August 13)
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Summary: "The Expendables" follows a team of mercenaries on a mission to overthrow a South American dictator.
Get Me to the Gig (June 11)
Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs, Elisabeth Moss
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Summary: Aaron Greenberg is a driven, idealistic young college graduate who works as an intern at a record company. Aaron is given his big break when he is sent to transport flaky English musician Aldous Snow to a concert at Los Angeles' Greek Theater. A spinoff of the 2008 film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
The Green Hornet (December 22)
Cast: Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz, Jay Chou, Edward James Olmos, Christoph Waltz
Director: Michel Gondry
Summary: Britt Reid is a wealthy industrialist by day. At night though he goes out in his masked "Green Hornet" identity to fight crime as a vigilante, accompanied by his similarly masked Asian manservant Kato who drives a car equipped with advanced technology. Based on the comic book and 1960's TV show of the same name.
Green Zone (March 12)
Cast: Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan
Director: Paul Greengrass
Summary: During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, a warrant officer in search of weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert instead stumbles upon an elaborate cover-up by his own people that inverts the purpose of their mission.
Grown Ups (June 25)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Salma Hayek
Director: Dennis Dugan
Summary: Five friends and former teammates reunite years later to honor the passing of their childhood basketball coach. With their wives and kids in tow, they spend the Fourth of July weekend together at the lake house where they celebrated their championship years earlier.
Guardians of Ga'Hoole 3D (September 24)
Cast: Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren, Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish, Ryan Kwanten
Director: Zack Snyder
Summary: The story follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones.
With each film is a brief description, list of stars and a release date, if one has been provided. That said, just remember that release dates are subject to change.
Here is the first part of the list I've come up with in what will be a four part list that I will reveal over between now and Tuesday.
44 Inch Chest (January 15)
Cast: John Hurt, Ray Winstone, Ian McShane, Tom Wilkinson, Joanne Whalley
Director: Malcolm Venville
Summary: Shattered by the bombshell of his wife’s infidelity with a young French waiter, Colin Diamond and his motley crew of friends kidnapp the loverboy and assemble a kangaroo court to take revenge out on him as the mighty Colin wrestles with his own demons.
The Adjustment Bureau
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Terence Stamp, Daniel Dae Kim
Director: George Nolfi
Summary: David Norris, a charismatic congressman meets a beautiful ballet dancer named Elise Sellas, only to find strange circumstances keeping them from getting closer. Norris discovers forces are at work to ensure they stay apart, and he pushes to find out why. Based on a short story by science fiction writer Phillip K. Dick.
Alice in Wonderland (March 5)
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter
Director: Tim Burton
Summary: A pseudo-sequel to the Lewis Carroll classic, Alice returns to the fantasy realm years after her first visit. Now aged 17 and not fitting into Victorian society and structure, she returns to a slightly haunted and overgrown Wonderland.
Bitch Slap (opened January 5)
Cast: Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo, Michael Hurst
Director: Rick Jacobson
Summary: A down-and-out stripper, a drug-running killer and a corporate powerbroker arrive at a remote desert hideaway to extort money from a ruthless underworld kingpin. As allegiances change, truths are revealed and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
The Book of Eli (January 15)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals
Director: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes (sometimes credited as The Hughes Brothers)
Summary: The story revolves around a lone warrior (Washington) who must fight to bring society the knowledge that could be the key to its redemption. Oldman has been set to portray the despot of a small makeshift town who's determined to take possession of the book Eli's guarding.
Centurion
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko, David Morrissey, Noel Clarke
Director: Neil Marshall
Summary: Set during the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 117. The legendary Ninth Legion marches north under orders to wipe the Picts from the face of the Earth, only to be decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack. A splinter group of survivors fight for their lives behind enemy lines.
Clash of the Titans (March 26)
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton
Director: Louis Leterrier
Summary: Based on the 1981 film of the same name (rememberr Bubo the Owl?), the ultimate struggle for power pits men against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus is helpless to save his family from Hades, vengeful god of the underworld.
The Conspirator
Cast: Evan Rachel Wood, James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, Robin Wright Penn, Justin Long
Director: Robert Redford
Summary: Mary Surratt is the lone female charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. As the whole nation turns against her, she is forced to rely on her reluctant lawyer to uncover the truth and save her life.
Cop Out (February 26)
Cast: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott, Adam Brody, Jason Lee
Director: Kevin Smith
Summary: Two cops track down a stolen baseball card, rescue a Mexican beauty and must deal with gangsters and laundered drug money. This was called “A Couple of Dicks,” till someone decided they didn’t think the title of the film was funny. Also, Smith didn't write this one, he's just directing.
The Crazies (February 26)
Cast: Timothy Olyphant, Danielle Panabaker, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson
Director: Breck Eisner
Summary: A remake of George A. Romero's 1973 film of the same name. The story revolves around the inhabitants of a small Kansas town who are beset by death and insanity after a plane crash lets loose a secret biological weapon into the water supply.
Date Night (April 9)
Cast: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco
Director: Shawn Levy
Summary: A couple find their routine date night becomes much more than just dinner and a movie when they're mistaken for a dangerous couple. They soon encounter everything from over-anxious securities experts to petty con men who mess up their romantic evening.
Daybreakers (Opened January 8)
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Sam Neill, Vince Colosimo, Claudia Karvan
Director: Michael & Peter Spierig
Summary: In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the dominant plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of humans on a potential way to save the human race.
The Debt
Cast: Sam Worthington, Helen Mirren, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Martin Csokas
Director: John Madden
Summary: In 1965, three young Israeli Mossad agents on a secret mission capture and kill a notorious Nazi war criminal. Now, thirty years later, a man claiming to be the Nazi has surfaced in the Ukraine and one of the former agents must go back undercover to seek out the truth.
Dinner for Schmucks (July 23)
Cast: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Zach Galifianakis, Bruce Greenwood, David Walliams
Director: Jay Roach
Summary: A renowned publisher encourages his friends to invite the most pathetic guests possible for their weekly dinner party. Just as they find the most pathetic man yet, the host is injured and ends up trapped with the man all night long.
Due Date (November 5)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx, Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, RZA
Director: Todd Phillips
Summary: Downey will play an expectant father who finds himself on a road trip with a mismatched partner, as he races to get there before his wife gives birth to his first child. Galifianakis plays his road trip mate.
Edge of Darkness (January 29)
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Denis O'Hare
Director: Martin Campbell
Summary: Based on the acclaimed British TV miniseries which followed a cop unravelling the truth behind the brutal killing of his daughter. His investigations lead him into a murky world of corporate cover-ups and nuclear espionage with dark forces threatening the future of life on Earth.
The Expendables (August 13)
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Eric Roberts
Director: Sylvester Stallone
Summary: "The Expendables" follows a team of mercenaries on a mission to overthrow a South American dictator.
Get Me to the Gig (June 11)
Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs, Elisabeth Moss
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Summary: Aaron Greenberg is a driven, idealistic young college graduate who works as an intern at a record company. Aaron is given his big break when he is sent to transport flaky English musician Aldous Snow to a concert at Los Angeles' Greek Theater. A spinoff of the 2008 film “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
The Green Hornet (December 22)
Cast: Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz, Jay Chou, Edward James Olmos, Christoph Waltz
Director: Michel Gondry
Summary: Britt Reid is a wealthy industrialist by day. At night though he goes out in his masked "Green Hornet" identity to fight crime as a vigilante, accompanied by his similarly masked Asian manservant Kato who drives a car equipped with advanced technology. Based on the comic book and 1960's TV show of the same name.
Green Zone (March 12)
Cast: Matt Damon, Jason Isaacs, Greg Kinnear, Brendan Gleeson, Amy Ryan
Director: Paul Greengrass
Summary: During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, a warrant officer in search of weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert instead stumbles upon an elaborate cover-up by his own people that inverts the purpose of their mission.
Grown Ups (June 25)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Salma Hayek
Director: Dennis Dugan
Summary: Five friends and former teammates reunite years later to honor the passing of their childhood basketball coach. With their wives and kids in tow, they spend the Fourth of July weekend together at the lake house where they celebrated their championship years earlier.
Guardians of Ga'Hoole 3D (September 24)
Cast: Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Helen Mirren, Hugo Weaving, Abbie Cornish, Ryan Kwanten
Director: Zack Snyder
Summary: The story follows Soren, a young owl enthralled by his father's epic stories of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil Pure Ones.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
One Hell of a Meeting of the Minds
Hello my lovelies. I know I haven't written for a while, and for that I do apologize. At the start of 2010, I made a few promises to myself, one of which was that I would write more. I figured I would promise to do things, instead of resolving, in the hopes that I was better able to do what I had said I was going to do. One of these is to write more. It is my hope that you are all the beneficiaries of this promise I've made myself. So, with a little assist from the "Quiet Beatle" playing in the background ("Marwa Blues" to be exact), I offer you the following. Enjoy.
As some of may, or may not know, a few months back, I had mentioned a movie called It Might Get Loud in the blog (and here is a link to my original post.) It's a documentary featuring Jack White, The Edge and the legendary Jimmy Page.
I actually got this film from Santa (and by Santa Claus, I mean me) for Christmas. If you're a fan of any of these three guitarists, or at the very least, enjoy music, do yourselves a favor and watch, rent or buy this movie.
The movie covers the lives of the three virtuosos, discussing their backgrounds, influences, and recording careers. It also features a meeting of the three that took place on a sound stage in early 2008.
Additionally, the film delves into the process of creating a song. In the case of The Edge, the film offers a view into the song "Get on Your Boots," from U2's most recent effort No Line on the Horizon, moving from a very rough take of the song to near it's completion. In the case of Jack White, he literally wrote a song on the fly during the filming and debuts it during the movie. Don't be surprised to see "Fly Farm Blues" be nominated for an Oscar in the near future.
White also provides some of the better looks of the movie. I know this statement may sound a bit odd, but it must be remembered that Page was playing in and heading towards the finish of his run with Led Zeppelin when White was born in 1975. White just mostly sits, guitar on leg, listening to Edge and Page talk about their playing styles and creative process. It's like he's a little kid listening to his grandfather and father tell stories. In this case, though, the people telling stories are arguably among the better guitarists of all time.
The highlight of the film occurs near the end with the three playing part of the Zeppelin classic "In My Time of Dying" (Here is a version of the song from the recent Zeppelin one off reunion in London.) Edge and White each put their own spin on the song, all the while being respectful to the writer of the song playing it next to them.
Why should you see this movie? I would say because it offers a great look into the creative process of a musician and a fellow artist (I see myself as artist--except I use words). Also, it's just a great way to spend 90 or so minutes.
As some of may, or may not know, a few months back, I had mentioned a movie called It Might Get Loud in the blog (and here is a link to my original post.) It's a documentary featuring Jack White, The Edge and the legendary Jimmy Page.
I actually got this film from Santa (and by Santa Claus, I mean me) for Christmas. If you're a fan of any of these three guitarists, or at the very least, enjoy music, do yourselves a favor and watch, rent or buy this movie.
The movie covers the lives of the three virtuosos, discussing their backgrounds, influences, and recording careers. It also features a meeting of the three that took place on a sound stage in early 2008.
Additionally, the film delves into the process of creating a song. In the case of The Edge, the film offers a view into the song "Get on Your Boots," from U2's most recent effort No Line on the Horizon, moving from a very rough take of the song to near it's completion. In the case of Jack White, he literally wrote a song on the fly during the filming and debuts it during the movie. Don't be surprised to see "Fly Farm Blues" be nominated for an Oscar in the near future.
White also provides some of the better looks of the movie. I know this statement may sound a bit odd, but it must be remembered that Page was playing in and heading towards the finish of his run with Led Zeppelin when White was born in 1975. White just mostly sits, guitar on leg, listening to Edge and Page talk about their playing styles and creative process. It's like he's a little kid listening to his grandfather and father tell stories. In this case, though, the people telling stories are arguably among the better guitarists of all time.
The highlight of the film occurs near the end with the three playing part of the Zeppelin classic "In My Time of Dying" (Here is a version of the song from the recent Zeppelin one off reunion in London.) Edge and White each put their own spin on the song, all the while being respectful to the writer of the song playing it next to them.
Why should you see this movie? I would say because it offers a great look into the creative process of a musician and a fellow artist (I see myself as artist--except I use words). Also, it's just a great way to spend 90 or so minutes.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Spectrum memories
Well, I've heard from a few of you, and here is what you sent back.
From Mike Shaw (both attended Allentown College at the same time. He graduated the following year):
Went back to the Spectrum for the last time a couple of weeks ago to see my very first Bruce Springsteen concert. It was sort of a surreal experience, stepping foot in that building. All the banners were gone from the rafters - except for the Bruce Springsteen Sell-Out banner and, inexplicably, the Canadian flag.
For me, the Spectrum will always be the place that I saw my first hockey game, sat in a luxury box, saw my first concert, and actually got to play a game. In grade school, my basketball team (the team was bad, I was worse) got crushed by St. Joe's Prep (a perennial basketball great) on the floor of the Spectrum prior to a Sixers game. I got to meet Scottie Brooks (a little white dude who played for them), Mike Gminski (a big white dude, who was a bit of an asshole), but not Charles Barkley - who stayed in the locker room until we left the floor, to my extreme disappointment.
I was with you at that Phantoms game and a few others; and it was a truly great time and a memorable experience. I'll never forget the little kid behind us with the foul mouth! I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. (Jeff Bachman note: This kid had the worst mouth I've ever heard on a six year old. 12 years later and no one has still beat it.)
Whether it was hockey or basketball or a concert or even a circus, the Spectrum holds some great memories - and I will definitely miss it a great deal.
From Rob Roche: (high school classmate. Also, the person who introduced me to Pearl Jam)
To whom it may concern.
My friend asked for memories of the Spectrum to post on his blog. I thought I would share mine with him and the Ten Club. (Jeff note: this is the Pearl Jam fan club.) Please see below.
I had attended many events at the Spectrum, including Sixers’ games, Harlem Globetrotters’ games and numerous concerts. However one event holds a special place in my memory for various reasons. On April 28th, 2003, my brother Patrick and I attended Pearl Jam’s first concert at the Spectrum.
Although they had played larger venues like the Tweeter Center and intimate, Philly institutions such as JC Dobbs, Eddie Vedder expressed to the audience the band’s almost reverent feelings towards the hallowed Spectrum. Noting that the band is made up of huge basketball fans, Eddie commented a few times how special it was to be playing in the same arena where Dr. J. performed his magic on the Spectrum floor.
We enjoyed a typical Pearl Jam concert with rarities, B-sides, famed covers and hits both past and present. During that time period, Pearl Jam began to release bootlegs of all of their concerts to deter outsiders from making money at Pearl Jam’s expense, as well as providing the best possible quality to their fans. I spent most of the following day downloading the bootleg and most of that night listening to their greatness with the music in my ears and the visuals in my mind’s eye.
As a dedicated Ten Club member, I attended many more Pearl Jam concerts but never again with my brother. We lost him to kidney cancer in the spring of 2008 (Jeff note: Patrick passed April 13 at age 27.) It is a loss that I will never fully recover from but as Eddie has said, I am still Alive. I take solace now in the fact that I can relive the concert simply by turning on my iPod. I crank up the sound, close my eyes and know in my heart that my brother’s voice is soaring amongst that Philadelphia crowd. At the time, it was just another concert, but now it is a tangible tribute to a bond that two brothers shared.
Thanks to Pearl Jam, I will always have evidence of the time we shared and know that his voice will live on in more than just my own memories.
Rob Harman (friend and fellow go-kart/open wheel racing enthusiast):
My memorable Spectrum experience was my first time there, which also happened to be my first heavy metal concert. Megadeath (Peace Sells, but Who's Buying?) opened for Metallica (Master of Puppets). I will never be the same after that.
From Mike Shaw (both attended Allentown College at the same time. He graduated the following year):
Went back to the Spectrum for the last time a couple of weeks ago to see my very first Bruce Springsteen concert. It was sort of a surreal experience, stepping foot in that building. All the banners were gone from the rafters - except for the Bruce Springsteen Sell-Out banner and, inexplicably, the Canadian flag.
For me, the Spectrum will always be the place that I saw my first hockey game, sat in a luxury box, saw my first concert, and actually got to play a game. In grade school, my basketball team (the team was bad, I was worse) got crushed by St. Joe's Prep (a perennial basketball great) on the floor of the Spectrum prior to a Sixers game. I got to meet Scottie Brooks (a little white dude who played for them), Mike Gminski (a big white dude, who was a bit of an asshole), but not Charles Barkley - who stayed in the locker room until we left the floor, to my extreme disappointment.
I was with you at that Phantoms game and a few others; and it was a truly great time and a memorable experience. I'll never forget the little kid behind us with the foul mouth! I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. (Jeff Bachman note: This kid had the worst mouth I've ever heard on a six year old. 12 years later and no one has still beat it.)
Whether it was hockey or basketball or a concert or even a circus, the Spectrum holds some great memories - and I will definitely miss it a great deal.
From Rob Roche: (high school classmate. Also, the person who introduced me to Pearl Jam)
To whom it may concern.
My friend asked for memories of the Spectrum to post on his blog. I thought I would share mine with him and the Ten Club. (Jeff note: this is the Pearl Jam fan club.) Please see below.
I had attended many events at the Spectrum, including Sixers’ games, Harlem Globetrotters’ games and numerous concerts. However one event holds a special place in my memory for various reasons. On April 28th, 2003, my brother Patrick and I attended Pearl Jam’s first concert at the Spectrum.
Although they had played larger venues like the Tweeter Center and intimate, Philly institutions such as JC Dobbs, Eddie Vedder expressed to the audience the band’s almost reverent feelings towards the hallowed Spectrum. Noting that the band is made up of huge basketball fans, Eddie commented a few times how special it was to be playing in the same arena where Dr. J. performed his magic on the Spectrum floor.
We enjoyed a typical Pearl Jam concert with rarities, B-sides, famed covers and hits both past and present. During that time period, Pearl Jam began to release bootlegs of all of their concerts to deter outsiders from making money at Pearl Jam’s expense, as well as providing the best possible quality to their fans. I spent most of the following day downloading the bootleg and most of that night listening to their greatness with the music in my ears and the visuals in my mind’s eye.
As a dedicated Ten Club member, I attended many more Pearl Jam concerts but never again with my brother. We lost him to kidney cancer in the spring of 2008 (Jeff note: Patrick passed April 13 at age 27.) It is a loss that I will never fully recover from but as Eddie has said, I am still Alive. I take solace now in the fact that I can relive the concert simply by turning on my iPod. I crank up the sound, close my eyes and know in my heart that my brother’s voice is soaring amongst that Philadelphia crowd. At the time, it was just another concert, but now it is a tangible tribute to a bond that two brothers shared.
Thanks to Pearl Jam, I will always have evidence of the time we shared and know that his voice will live on in more than just my own memories.
Rob Harman (friend and fellow go-kart/open wheel racing enthusiast):
My memorable Spectrum experience was my first time there, which also happened to be my first heavy metal concert. Megadeath (Peace Sells, but Who's Buying?) opened for Metallica (Master of Puppets). I will never be the same after that.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I'm gonna see my friend before it goes away
Halloween Night marks the end of an era in Philadelphia when the Spectrum turns out the lights one last time after the fourth and final show by Pearl Jam. It marks the end of a building that opened in 1967 and has played host to many a memorable event, be it sports or a concert.
I grew up about 90 minutes from the arena, but I attended a few events there as a teenager, the first of which was a Sixers game with my dad in the mid 1980's. The team was in a downward arc after its 1983 championship run, Dr. J was in the last season of his Hall of Fame career and doing the retirement tour thing. It wasn't a very memorable game (I don't remember who they played to be honest, all I remember is they won). I went to a few more games there before I went away to college, and before the arena became semi-obsolete as a result of the opening of the CoreStates Center (the original name of the Wachovia Center) acrosss the street.
With the opening of the new arena, the Spectrum only became used for Phantoms games and concerts for acts that either weren't big enough for the new arena or were going on when there was a scheduling conflict. I attended a few of those such shows and more of my share of Phantoms games.
I remember Phantoms game in particular against the cross state rival Hershey Bears that I went to in 1997 with some friends from college, and we saw one hell of a brawl at the end. Two players ahad to be put into their teams respective penalty box to be kept from hitting one another, andGene Hart, then the PA announcer for the Phantoms, had to finish reading the penalties given to the 11 players involved before getting to the end of game announcements. Neal Little, Phantoms goalie at the time, was the only player not penalized, as leaving his own goal would have got him a penalty and possibly, under the AHL rules at the time, a suspension.
My point is that the Spectrum may be about to die, but it holds a lot of memories for me, and for everyone else in the Philadelphia area. We all have the same sort of story I do, going to a (insert team here) game with their (insert significant life person here). Or it could be a Globetrotter game, Ice Capades or the Circus, but my point is this: the arena is part of us. For whatever reason, it holds a special place for us, just like the Vet does.
There are those that may say it is a dump, a hole, etc., etc. While that may be true, it's ours.
I'll enjoy being there Saturday night, not only because I get to see my favorite band for the fourth time. I also get to say goodbye to an old friend. Will I cry during the show? Don't know.
If anything, I'll end up shedding a few tears, because it's hard to say goodbye, especially to an old friend.
But, that's just me.
I grew up about 90 minutes from the arena, but I attended a few events there as a teenager, the first of which was a Sixers game with my dad in the mid 1980's. The team was in a downward arc after its 1983 championship run, Dr. J was in the last season of his Hall of Fame career and doing the retirement tour thing. It wasn't a very memorable game (I don't remember who they played to be honest, all I remember is they won). I went to a few more games there before I went away to college, and before the arena became semi-obsolete as a result of the opening of the CoreStates Center (the original name of the Wachovia Center) acrosss the street.
With the opening of the new arena, the Spectrum only became used for Phantoms games and concerts for acts that either weren't big enough for the new arena or were going on when there was a scheduling conflict. I attended a few of those such shows and more of my share of Phantoms games.
I remember Phantoms game in particular against the cross state rival Hershey Bears that I went to in 1997 with some friends from college, and we saw one hell of a brawl at the end. Two players ahad to be put into their teams respective penalty box to be kept from hitting one another, andGene Hart, then the PA announcer for the Phantoms, had to finish reading the penalties given to the 11 players involved before getting to the end of game announcements. Neal Little, Phantoms goalie at the time, was the only player not penalized, as leaving his own goal would have got him a penalty and possibly, under the AHL rules at the time, a suspension.
My point is that the Spectrum may be about to die, but it holds a lot of memories for me, and for everyone else in the Philadelphia area. We all have the same sort of story I do, going to a (insert team here) game with their (insert significant life person here). Or it could be a Globetrotter game, Ice Capades or the Circus, but my point is this: the arena is part of us. For whatever reason, it holds a special place for us, just like the Vet does.
There are those that may say it is a dump, a hole, etc., etc. While that may be true, it's ours.
I'll enjoy being there Saturday night, not only because I get to see my favorite band for the fourth time. I also get to say goodbye to an old friend. Will I cry during the show? Don't know.
If anything, I'll end up shedding a few tears, because it's hard to say goodbye, especially to an old friend.
But, that's just me.
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's been a long time....
since I wrote anything, but you are all the benefactors of the evening's lack of sleep. That said, if the post gets a little punchyy, rambling, or something resembling any of those, you all have my apologies.
Since I have gotten to the movies a few times, I do have some stuff to share. That said, here goes.
A few weeks ago now, I was attend a free screening of a movie entitled Black Dynamite, thanks in part to the Tweeting of my friend Mike. We got into a free showing of the film in Philadelphia sponored in part by a couple of the local radio stations. That said, it should also be mentioned that Mike and I were VERY much in the minority in the theater, if you catch what I mean.
I had actually heard about this movie at the beginning of the year, due to it's wild reception at the Sundance Film Festival. Ok, that and a post about it on a movie website I read entitled "Possibly the Greatest Movie Ever." Call me crazy, but a headline like that will catch your attention most times, and this was no exception.
Was it the greatest movie ever? Yes, it was the best WORST movie I have ever seen. Let me explain. Co-written by its star Michael Jai White and director Scott Sanders, it is a parody of 70's Blaxploation films the two grew up watching. I never thought I would be able to say this about a film, but it goes from good to bad, and circles back around near the end of the film again. This movie succeeds where 2007's Grindhouse fails in that it's a movie that knows it isn't great, but, in the same breath, still doesn't take itself too seriously.
Should you see it? In the words of Black Dynamite "You got that right, you got that right."
A few days later, I saw Zombieland with a friend of mine and his sister. A comedy in the vein of Shaun of the Dead, it follows the adventures of four survivors of a zombie plague as they head for California. The movie's soundtrack, if nothing else, comes with well chosen music. The movie itself is smart inventive, and just the right length at just under 90 minutes. Throw in a well-placed, unexpected and downright hilarious celebrity cameo (sorry, that's really all I can tell you without giving too much away), and you have a funny movie that is well worth your time.
Well, that came out pretty well, and not the least bit punchy.
Maybe now I can get some sleep.
Since I have gotten to the movies a few times, I do have some stuff to share. That said, here goes.
A few weeks ago now, I was attend a free screening of a movie entitled Black Dynamite, thanks in part to the Tweeting of my friend Mike. We got into a free showing of the film in Philadelphia sponored in part by a couple of the local radio stations. That said, it should also be mentioned that Mike and I were VERY much in the minority in the theater, if you catch what I mean.
I had actually heard about this movie at the beginning of the year, due to it's wild reception at the Sundance Film Festival. Ok, that and a post about it on a movie website I read entitled "Possibly the Greatest Movie Ever." Call me crazy, but a headline like that will catch your attention most times, and this was no exception.
Was it the greatest movie ever? Yes, it was the best WORST movie I have ever seen. Let me explain. Co-written by its star Michael Jai White and director Scott Sanders, it is a parody of 70's Blaxploation films the two grew up watching. I never thought I would be able to say this about a film, but it goes from good to bad, and circles back around near the end of the film again. This movie succeeds where 2007's Grindhouse fails in that it's a movie that knows it isn't great, but, in the same breath, still doesn't take itself too seriously.
Should you see it? In the words of Black Dynamite "You got that right, you got that right."
A few days later, I saw Zombieland with a friend of mine and his sister. A comedy in the vein of Shaun of the Dead, it follows the adventures of four survivors of a zombie plague as they head for California. The movie's soundtrack, if nothing else, comes with well chosen music. The movie itself is smart inventive, and just the right length at just under 90 minutes. Throw in a well-placed, unexpected and downright hilarious celebrity cameo (sorry, that's really all I can tell you without giving too much away), and you have a funny movie that is well worth your time.
Well, that came out pretty well, and not the least bit punchy.
Maybe now I can get some sleep.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
See, I'm not dead...
but my computer was.
First, let me apologize. I mean it has been a while, and you are my readership. I realize that it's been awhile (almost six weeks if we're being anal about it), but I want to offer an explanation.
For the first time in recent memory, I had a busy summer. Thankfully, summer ends Tuesday, and my life has finally wound down. As if working the job that allows me to pay the bills isn't enough, I had a summer chocked full of goodness, and personal obligations. Two weddings, and just a bunch of other stuff that escapes me. All I know was that I was grateful to catch a break when a free weekend day rolled out, or gasp, the completely empty weekend.
Then, to make matters worse, the computer I write this blog on decided to take a complete and total dump last week. After to trip to the Geek Squad, I was rewarded for my patience (they took a week. Seriously, you need that long?) with a new 500 GB hard drive. Life is good indeed. With "Backspacer," the new album from Pearl Jam, or as my old friend Rob calls them "the soundtrack to my life," in the background, here is my latest post from the land of blogdom.
I actually did something I haven't been able to do since I was in college a while back---I saw two movies in the space of less than a week. I originally had planned to see District 9 with my friend Bill, but the theater didn't use the times listed on Fandango, so we ended up seeing Gamer instead. I was actually able to catch District 9 at the end of the week.
Gamer. Oh where to begin. It's not a horrible movie, believe me. It does exactly what it sets out to, which is be pure escapism for about 90 minutes, with Gerard Butler for the ladies (un)fortunate to be taken with their dates. The action is very video-gamey, which is good because most of the action takes place in what is supposed to be a real life video game. Also, the performance of "I've Got You Under My Skin" was very clever. Now, on to the other film.
District 9 is the most original film I've seen in a long time. Also, it's one of the first movies in a long time that I can't peg as being like something else. Director Neil Blomkamp has created something very original here, and should rightfully be lauded for it. He got the gig because the studio scrapped his attempt at making Halo a game in what Peter Jackson called in a recent article "pure and simple studio politics." Jackson, to his credit, saw something he like about the director and when Blomkamp pitched the idea for District 9, he jumped on it. Now, the two are laughing--all the way to their financial advisor. The movie is compelling, intriguing, and disturbing all at the same time. It's disturbing in the "humanity could actually be this cruel" sense of the word. Sharlto Copley is a star in the making after his turn as Wikus van de Merwe, a lowly corporate bureaucrat charged with moving aliens from their Johannesburg slum to newer, "better" slum outside of town.
There you have it. Gamer is a rental, and District 9 should be seen in the theaters. And since it is still in Top 5, it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Sorry, I've been gone so long.
First, let me apologize. I mean it has been a while, and you are my readership. I realize that it's been awhile (almost six weeks if we're being anal about it), but I want to offer an explanation.
For the first time in recent memory, I had a busy summer. Thankfully, summer ends Tuesday, and my life has finally wound down. As if working the job that allows me to pay the bills isn't enough, I had a summer chocked full of goodness, and personal obligations. Two weddings, and just a bunch of other stuff that escapes me. All I know was that I was grateful to catch a break when a free weekend day rolled out, or gasp, the completely empty weekend.
Then, to make matters worse, the computer I write this blog on decided to take a complete and total dump last week. After to trip to the Geek Squad, I was rewarded for my patience (they took a week. Seriously, you need that long?) with a new 500 GB hard drive. Life is good indeed. With "Backspacer," the new album from Pearl Jam, or as my old friend Rob calls them "the soundtrack to my life," in the background, here is my latest post from the land of blogdom.
I actually did something I haven't been able to do since I was in college a while back---I saw two movies in the space of less than a week. I originally had planned to see District 9 with my friend Bill, but the theater didn't use the times listed on Fandango, so we ended up seeing Gamer instead. I was actually able to catch District 9 at the end of the week.
Gamer. Oh where to begin. It's not a horrible movie, believe me. It does exactly what it sets out to, which is be pure escapism for about 90 minutes, with Gerard Butler for the ladies (un)fortunate to be taken with their dates. The action is very video-gamey, which is good because most of the action takes place in what is supposed to be a real life video game. Also, the performance of "I've Got You Under My Skin" was very clever. Now, on to the other film.
District 9 is the most original film I've seen in a long time. Also, it's one of the first movies in a long time that I can't peg as being like something else. Director Neil Blomkamp has created something very original here, and should rightfully be lauded for it. He got the gig because the studio scrapped his attempt at making Halo a game in what Peter Jackson called in a recent article "pure and simple studio politics." Jackson, to his credit, saw something he like about the director and when Blomkamp pitched the idea for District 9, he jumped on it. Now, the two are laughing--all the way to their financial advisor. The movie is compelling, intriguing, and disturbing all at the same time. It's disturbing in the "humanity could actually be this cruel" sense of the word. Sharlto Copley is a star in the making after his turn as Wikus van de Merwe, a lowly corporate bureaucrat charged with moving aliens from their Johannesburg slum to newer, "better" slum outside of town.
There you have it. Gamer is a rental, and District 9 should be seen in the theaters. And since it is still in Top 5, it won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
Sorry, I've been gone so long.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
From the Minds Behind...
Mystery Science Theater 3000, comes Rifftrax. Think MST3K minus the figures in front of the screen.
Here's a sample.
http://www.rifftrax.com/ondemand/drugs-are
Here's a sample.
http://www.rifftrax.com/ondemand/drugs-are
Friday, August 7, 2009
It's a Dirty Job, but Somebody's Got to Do It.
I know I haven't written in a few weeks, but I wanted to wait till I had something I felt strongly to write about it. That said, here goes.
I saw a movie Thursday night that I think you all need to see called The Hurt Locker. It is a brutal, thundering movie that follows three members of a US Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit on a duty hitch in Iraq during the Iraq War. This movie has been rave reviews from critics, paid and online alike (the movie currently has an almost unheard of 98% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website.) After seeing the movie, I can say that I think those rave reviews are well-deserved, and will add my own over the course of this posting.
Marc Boal, whose story also provided the basis for another recent Iraq war film, In the Valley of Elah, contributes a script based on two sources: his experiences as an embedded reporter during the war with an EOD unit, and recently declassified Dept. of Defense documents concerning other of these units. Kathryn Bigelow, whom many people know for her work on Point Break and Strange Days, lends her action film credibility to this film in her role as the director, providing just the right amounts of tension buildup and release to keep the viewer engaged. For a movie about bombs, there is surprisingly little violence. What little violence there is in the film is handled is very tasteful, acting more as a character in the film than a background piece of it.
Jeremy Renner plays SSgt. William James, leader of the EOD team focused on in the movie, joined by Anthony Mackie as Sgt. Sanborn, and Brian Geraghty as Spec. Eldridge. Renner plays the role of James, who upon first impressions as equal parts cocky and ice water in the veins, which I'm sure is what make someone who does that job good at what they do. What I found striking about his portrayal was how well Renner showed the human side of a soldier, calling home to his family and also watching out for a young Iraqi youth who sells DVD's near Camp Victory. He also has great concern for his team, even if in the beginning of the film, both Sanborn and Eldridge feel that he will get them killed, going so far as discussing "accidentally" blowing him up during a disposal mission. Several better known actors make cameo appearances in the film as well, including Ralph Fiennes (who is almost unrecognizable), Guy Pearce, David Morse and Evangeline Lilly, who plays James' wife. They appear in "blink and you'll miss it" roles, as if Bigelow is saying to Renner "I'm putting the movie on your back." Renner more than responds with an award-worthy performance, one that if he does not receive a Golden Globe and/or Oscar nomination, I will be greatly surprised and disappointed.
The only piece of Renner's performance that did not sit well with me occurred near the end of the film, after he finds a dead boy turned into a bomb (insurgents have packed his stomach with explosives, which Renner discovers and deals with in the most wrenching moment in the film). He reacts by going "cowboy," trying to avenge the boy, and continues his quest while investigating a tank bombing. If I say much more than this, I defeat the purpose of you watching the film for yourself.
As I've previously stated, I think Renner's performance should be honored during award season, but he is not the only one. Boal's script and the Bigelow's direction should be honored as well. If Bigelow were to be honored with an Oscar nod for Best Director, she would become only the fourth so honored (The other three are: Lina Wertmuller in 1976 for Seven Beauties, Jane Campion in 1993 for The Piano, and Sofia Coppola in 2003 for Lost in Translation). My reason for thinking she should be nominated is simple--she lets the movie direct itself. It's as if she went to the set and decided "I am just coming along for the ride, I'll let the film speak for itself." That is the best type of director.
Boal and Bigelow have put forth a film that I think will better help the American public understand the mindset of a soldier, and they have done so through the use of one of the more forgotten groups of them by using the EOD squad. By showing what this group deals with in the course of a day, I feel as though, while not being in their shoes daily, we can better understand the life of a a soldier by walking with them over the course of the two hours of the film.
Unfortunately, this film is cursed by the same fate some brilliant movies are left with, meaning no one ever gets to see them till they come to DVD. To be honest, I would have never heard of the film unless I had heard Boal and Bigelow interviewed on a local morning radio show. The fact that this movie is in a limited, but growing wider, release does not help. I almost missed the film, seeing it at the last show of the last night of it's run in my corner of Delaware.
Should you see it? It is the best movie I have seen in at least five years. Those of you who know the amount of movies I watch realize how strong of a statement this is. PLEASE find this movie and see it in the theaters in your area, or if you can't do that, add it to your Netflix queue immediately.
I saw a movie Thursday night that I think you all need to see called The Hurt Locker. It is a brutal, thundering movie that follows three members of a US Army Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit on a duty hitch in Iraq during the Iraq War. This movie has been rave reviews from critics, paid and online alike (the movie currently has an almost unheard of 98% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes website.) After seeing the movie, I can say that I think those rave reviews are well-deserved, and will add my own over the course of this posting.
Marc Boal, whose story also provided the basis for another recent Iraq war film, In the Valley of Elah, contributes a script based on two sources: his experiences as an embedded reporter during the war with an EOD unit, and recently declassified Dept. of Defense documents concerning other of these units. Kathryn Bigelow, whom many people know for her work on Point Break and Strange Days, lends her action film credibility to this film in her role as the director, providing just the right amounts of tension buildup and release to keep the viewer engaged. For a movie about bombs, there is surprisingly little violence. What little violence there is in the film is handled is very tasteful, acting more as a character in the film than a background piece of it.
Jeremy Renner plays SSgt. William James, leader of the EOD team focused on in the movie, joined by Anthony Mackie as Sgt. Sanborn, and Brian Geraghty as Spec. Eldridge. Renner plays the role of James, who upon first impressions as equal parts cocky and ice water in the veins, which I'm sure is what make someone who does that job good at what they do. What I found striking about his portrayal was how well Renner showed the human side of a soldier, calling home to his family and also watching out for a young Iraqi youth who sells DVD's near Camp Victory. He also has great concern for his team, even if in the beginning of the film, both Sanborn and Eldridge feel that he will get them killed, going so far as discussing "accidentally" blowing him up during a disposal mission. Several better known actors make cameo appearances in the film as well, including Ralph Fiennes (who is almost unrecognizable), Guy Pearce, David Morse and Evangeline Lilly, who plays James' wife. They appear in "blink and you'll miss it" roles, as if Bigelow is saying to Renner "I'm putting the movie on your back." Renner more than responds with an award-worthy performance, one that if he does not receive a Golden Globe and/or Oscar nomination, I will be greatly surprised and disappointed.
The only piece of Renner's performance that did not sit well with me occurred near the end of the film, after he finds a dead boy turned into a bomb (insurgents have packed his stomach with explosives, which Renner discovers and deals with in the most wrenching moment in the film). He reacts by going "cowboy," trying to avenge the boy, and continues his quest while investigating a tank bombing. If I say much more than this, I defeat the purpose of you watching the film for yourself.
As I've previously stated, I think Renner's performance should be honored during award season, but he is not the only one. Boal's script and the Bigelow's direction should be honored as well. If Bigelow were to be honored with an Oscar nod for Best Director, she would become only the fourth so honored (The other three are: Lina Wertmuller in 1976 for Seven Beauties, Jane Campion in 1993 for The Piano, and Sofia Coppola in 2003 for Lost in Translation). My reason for thinking she should be nominated is simple--she lets the movie direct itself. It's as if she went to the set and decided "I am just coming along for the ride, I'll let the film speak for itself." That is the best type of director.
Boal and Bigelow have put forth a film that I think will better help the American public understand the mindset of a soldier, and they have done so through the use of one of the more forgotten groups of them by using the EOD squad. By showing what this group deals with in the course of a day, I feel as though, while not being in their shoes daily, we can better understand the life of a a soldier by walking with them over the course of the two hours of the film.
Unfortunately, this film is cursed by the same fate some brilliant movies are left with, meaning no one ever gets to see them till they come to DVD. To be honest, I would have never heard of the film unless I had heard Boal and Bigelow interviewed on a local morning radio show. The fact that this movie is in a limited, but growing wider, release does not help. I almost missed the film, seeing it at the last show of the last night of it's run in my corner of Delaware.
Should you see it? It is the best movie I have seen in at least five years. Those of you who know the amount of movies I watch realize how strong of a statement this is. PLEASE find this movie and see it in the theaters in your area, or if you can't do that, add it to your Netflix queue immediately.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Did Devastator Really Need Testicles?: My Review of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen
As we all know, Michael Bay has taken his last movie, 2007's Transformers and more or less decided "I can make it awesomer! More explosions! More robots! More Megan Fox! It will be the most awesome movie ever!" Sadly, I am pretty sure this is the way Michael Bay sounds.
So, did he make it awesomer? Yes. And. No.
What is awesome about this movie is that most of the original cast is back, Megan Fox included. An added bonus is one Isabel Lucas, the blond chasing Sam in the beginning of the film. Without completely spoiling things, I can't really say much more.
A more "bad ass" Optimus is a welcome addition. I guess the darker Dark Knight of last summer inspired the team of Orci and Krutzman (normally they write for this little show called Lost, maybe you've heard of it) to write a more Optimal Prime.
More Megan Fox, running in slow motion. Don't think of me as a pig, I'm just a guy.
All the jokes I make about Michael Bay aside, I was glad they brought him back to direct the second movie. I think when you keep using the same director over and over in a series, you make it consistent, if nothing else. The scattershot Bond offerings of the mid 80's show what kind of bad movies you can make when you keep changing directors.
What did I not like about the movie?
Can someone explain to me why Devastator need to have a pair of what looked like testicles hanging down from the robogenital region. And another thing, while he was at it, couldn't he have...
sucked up those two annoying robot twins? Really, they were a bit annoying, and didn't really add much value to the movie You know they are unpopular when the writers of the movie won't even claim them as their idea.
Also, why did Sam and Mikaela need a plucky sidekick? I think they were doing just fine on their own.
This is I think something only I would notice. Last time I checked the old Bethlehem Steel plant found along the waterfront of that Lehigh Valley city is not Shanghai. Then again, I grew up in the area, so I would notice. My little geographic criticism aside, kudos to the production team for using a vacant factory as a location for a movie. The Steel plant is also where the scene where Megatron threatens to cut Sam open to get the info he needs was filmed at the plant as well.
All in all, for it's major robotic fault, this was not a half bad movie. Take out the two stupid robots, and I actually think it was almost as good as the first.
See this movie, AND waste the $10.50, but not if you're taking a date.
So, did he make it awesomer? Yes. And. No.
What is awesome about this movie is that most of the original cast is back, Megan Fox included. An added bonus is one Isabel Lucas, the blond chasing Sam in the beginning of the film. Without completely spoiling things, I can't really say much more.
A more "bad ass" Optimus is a welcome addition. I guess the darker Dark Knight of last summer inspired the team of Orci and Krutzman (normally they write for this little show called Lost, maybe you've heard of it) to write a more Optimal Prime.
More Megan Fox, running in slow motion. Don't think of me as a pig, I'm just a guy.
All the jokes I make about Michael Bay aside, I was glad they brought him back to direct the second movie. I think when you keep using the same director over and over in a series, you make it consistent, if nothing else. The scattershot Bond offerings of the mid 80's show what kind of bad movies you can make when you keep changing directors.
What did I not like about the movie?
Can someone explain to me why Devastator need to have a pair of what looked like testicles hanging down from the robogenital region. And another thing, while he was at it, couldn't he have...
sucked up those two annoying robot twins? Really, they were a bit annoying, and didn't really add much value to the movie You know they are unpopular when the writers of the movie won't even claim them as their idea.
Also, why did Sam and Mikaela need a plucky sidekick? I think they were doing just fine on their own.
This is I think something only I would notice. Last time I checked the old Bethlehem Steel plant found along the waterfront of that Lehigh Valley city is not Shanghai. Then again, I grew up in the area, so I would notice. My little geographic criticism aside, kudos to the production team for using a vacant factory as a location for a movie. The Steel plant is also where the scene where Megatron threatens to cut Sam open to get the info he needs was filmed at the plant as well.
All in all, for it's major robotic fault, this was not a half bad movie. Take out the two stupid robots, and I actually think it was almost as good as the first.
See this movie, AND waste the $10.50, but not if you're taking a date.
Coming Soon to a Blog Near You..
Since one of my readers busted my stones about the recent direction of the blog ("I have to say you've gotten onto a bit of a music tangent. And by music I mean Pearl Jam. And by tangent I mean it's taking over the blog."), I have to sort of drag things back into focus. This wasn't meant as a vehicle for discussing music, but has turned into one as of late, and for that I apologize.
That said, the person who sent me the email containing the previous quote also gave me some topics to write about if I was ever short on ideas. Funny enough, I am. That, and I'm not going to turn down reader ideas.
That said, the person who sent me the email containing the previous quote also gave me some topics to write about if I was ever short on ideas. Funny enough, I am. That, and I'm not going to turn down reader ideas.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Three Sheets is Back.
This is the second part of the non basic cable edition of the "Appointment TV" post. You may wonder why it is getting a post all its own. It's because the show is back.
That's right, Three Sheets returns on July 20th at 10pm. on the Fine Living Network. Check your local listing to find the channel number in your area. The show will air nightly, with new episodes airing Mondays at 10pm, which if you read the previous post will cause me issues because that show is on at the same time.
Right after I got digital cable, I discovered this show and liked it because it had a very simple premise: Travel the world and get to drink doing it. Like I've said before, I like to have a beer (or two) in my free time. It aired on Thursdays on a channel called Mojo HD, which the cable companies established as a showcase for HD programming.
Last December the channel went off the air as a result of cable systems adding a large amount of HD programming to their channel lineup, leaving the show homeless. After a few pub crawls to save the show, it has reappeared on the Fine Living Network.
Like I said, the premise of the show is simple. Host Zane Lamprey travels the show and drinks, and also discovers the local hangover cure at some point in the episode. Sounds wonderful, and such a simplistic idea if you think about it. There is also a brief piece about the local history of the place as well as its alcohol.
Without a doubt, my favorite segement of the show is the appearance of Pleepleus, a stuffed monkey who randomly appears throughout the course of the episode. Also, the show has a drinking game (rules to appear below). I'm not advocating playing it by mentioning it, but I will say, I know the rules and have observed that one could get a little drunk watching.
Luckily for viewers of the show, they had already shot the fourth season of the show when Mojo HD announced they were closing up shop.
As I mentioned, here are the rules. Please watch and enjoy.
That's right, Three Sheets returns on July 20th at 10pm. on the Fine Living Network. Check your local listing to find the channel number in your area. The show will air nightly, with new episodes airing Mondays at 10pm, which if you read the previous post will cause me issues because that show is on at the same time.
Right after I got digital cable, I discovered this show and liked it because it had a very simple premise: Travel the world and get to drink doing it. Like I've said before, I like to have a beer (or two) in my free time. It aired on Thursdays on a channel called Mojo HD, which the cable companies established as a showcase for HD programming.
Last December the channel went off the air as a result of cable systems adding a large amount of HD programming to their channel lineup, leaving the show homeless. After a few pub crawls to save the show, it has reappeared on the Fine Living Network.
Like I said, the premise of the show is simple. Host Zane Lamprey travels the show and drinks, and also discovers the local hangover cure at some point in the episode. Sounds wonderful, and such a simplistic idea if you think about it. There is also a brief piece about the local history of the place as well as its alcohol.
Without a doubt, my favorite segement of the show is the appearance of Pleepleus, a stuffed monkey who randomly appears throughout the course of the episode. Also, the show has a drinking game (rules to appear below). I'm not advocating playing it by mentioning it, but I will say, I know the rules and have observed that one could get a little drunk watching.
Luckily for viewers of the show, they had already shot the fourth season of the show when Mojo HD announced they were closing up shop.
As I mentioned, here are the rules. Please watch and enjoy.
- When Zane drinks, you drink.
- The first person to spot Pleepleus the monkey, makes someone else drink.
- When Zane mentions his friend, Steve McKenna, everyone drinks.
- When Zane or anyone burps, the last person to give the "Good Burp" sign (thumb on your forehead, pinky in the air) drinks.
My appointment television, the non-basic cable edition
I forgot to name two shows previously when doing the appointment TV post, mainly because they are not on a major network. The other one will the post piggybacked to this one, for reasons that will make themselves clear shortly enough.
During the Writers Strike of last year, I was tiring of watching the same reruns and decided to use the digital cable to find something else to watch. I ended up on the Travel Channel, which for those of you who know will elicit something like the following response ("Jeff, you do know that there is no sports or concerts on that channel right?"). What I found was a show called No Reservations, hosted by author, chef, and big time Rachel Ray hater Anthony Bourdain (which is what even drew me that far up the dial in the first place. I'm not going to lie, I can't stand that women or her voice. And, end tangent.)
The show is about food and eating, which runs a close second to having a beer on the list of things to do with my free time. It's a simple concept, Tony sees the sights of a particular area of the world or U.S., and dicussed the local cuisine with a friend he has there, or with a connection of someone else he knows. If nothing else, watching the show will make you hungry. Oh, and the sarcastic wit of Bourdain will keep you entertained.
By far my favorite episode of this show was the one about Lebanon. Tony and his crew went there to film a show about the cuisine of the ecountry and how it is rebounding from its crippling civil war of the 80's. Unfortunately, their timing sucked, as right around the time they arrived, Israel started bombing Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah raid on the border with Israel. This led into a month long war between the two and a forced evacuation of all American citizens ordered by the State Department. A show about food quickly turned into a show about getting out alive.
New epsiodes of the show start again on July 13, and the show's normal time slot is Monday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel. Repeats air every weekday at 1pm. All Times Eastern. Check with your cable or satellite provider to find out what channel they carry it on in your area.
During the Writers Strike of last year, I was tiring of watching the same reruns and decided to use the digital cable to find something else to watch. I ended up on the Travel Channel, which for those of you who know will elicit something like the following response ("Jeff, you do know that there is no sports or concerts on that channel right?"). What I found was a show called No Reservations, hosted by author, chef, and big time Rachel Ray hater Anthony Bourdain (which is what even drew me that far up the dial in the first place. I'm not going to lie, I can't stand that women or her voice. And, end tangent.)
The show is about food and eating, which runs a close second to having a beer on the list of things to do with my free time. It's a simple concept, Tony sees the sights of a particular area of the world or U.S., and dicussed the local cuisine with a friend he has there, or with a connection of someone else he knows. If nothing else, watching the show will make you hungry. Oh, and the sarcastic wit of Bourdain will keep you entertained.
By far my favorite episode of this show was the one about Lebanon. Tony and his crew went there to film a show about the cuisine of the ecountry and how it is rebounding from its crippling civil war of the 80's. Unfortunately, their timing sucked, as right around the time they arrived, Israel started bombing Beirut in retaliation for a Hezbollah raid on the border with Israel. This led into a month long war between the two and a forced evacuation of all American citizens ordered by the State Department. A show about food quickly turned into a show about getting out alive.
New epsiodes of the show start again on July 13, and the show's normal time slot is Monday nights at 10pm on the Travel Channel. Repeats air every weekday at 1pm. All Times Eastern. Check with your cable or satellite provider to find out what channel they carry it on in your area.
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