Sunday, October 31, 2010
'Human Centipede Anonymous'
Funny or Die presents probably the best 'Human Centipede' related video I've seen.
'Midnight Son'
Vampire movie or psychological thriller? Trailer sneaks up on you. Pretty good potential.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Liv Tyler a Chess Groupie?
Magnus Carlsen with Liv Tyler at the Pearl Spring Nanjing International Chess Tournament in China.
Carlsen, nineteen and from Norway, is currently the highest ranking chess player (FIDE Elo rating 2826). Considered a shoo-in as the next world champion. His play is a combo of the smooth positional approach of Capablanca and Karpov, with the dynamic piece play of, say, Fischer or Kasparov. Nicknamed 'The Mozart of Chess'.
Carlsen secured first place at Nanjing with one round remaining.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Girl Who Thai Kickboxed the Hornets' Nest
NPR with Noomi Rapace:
To prepare herself physically for the role, Rapace put herself on a diet, cut her hair and colored it black, then got all those piercings. She wanted to be more masculine, she says, a bit flatter and more boyish in her body. Before shooting the film, she underwent a rigorous regimen of kickboxing and Thai boxing, four or five days a week for seven months.
"I wanted to do my [own] stunt scenes," she says. "And I wanted also to wake up some kind of aggressive side in me. I think that everybody has some kind of animal inside, and sometimes it's good to let it out."
Audio will go up about 7 ET.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
'Skyline' Clip
I don't like this movie at all. Looked great at first but... Direction, action, writing, all fall flat. Very 'made for TV'.
First footage looked so good, too.
'Kashmir -- A Skier's Journey'
Kashmir - A Skier's Journey: Ep1 from Jordan Manley Photography on Vimeo.
The first in a series of 3 ski-travel episodes (Ep2: La Grave - A Skier's Journey / Ep3: Freshfield Icefield - A Skier's Journey), skiers Chad Sayers and Tobin Seagel travel halfway around the world to Kashmir to ski the high altitude Gulmarg gondola, only to find the snow pack is a ticking time bomb. Never the less, they find safe areas to ski and discover the beauty of Kashmir and the Himalaya - its people and its landscape.
Presented by Gore-tex and www.Arcteryx.com.
Production - Jordan Manley
Skiers - Chad Sayers & Tobin Seagel
Narration - Chad Sayers
Animation - Chad Manley
Music - "Ringa Ringa" by AR Rahman
"Bachpan" by Gurpreet Lally & Arshpreet
Special thanks to Anthony Bonello
Next episode - La Grave: A Skier's Journey Ep2 http://www.vimeo.com/15315278
Very good. Footage of cities in India especially worth the time.
Teaser Sheet for 'Rare Exports'
Fantastic poster, funny. Love the trailer. Cannot wait to see this with some friends, lots of popcorn, pizza, and beer.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
'Ballhawks'
You have to see this trailer. About the guys that wait outside the left field wall at Wrigley in the hope of catching a ball hit over the fence.
How to be a Zombie
Lesson number five: Number five is the corollary to lesson four, which is that you have to be very precise when requesting blood on the set, because it isn't all created equal.
In addition to mouth blood, there's fresh scab, thick blood, runny blood, fresh blood, old blood ... you get the idea. Furthermore, blood left out in the sun is no fun to put in your mouth.
And wounds — the fake kind — get ripe in the sun, which makes the blood too drippy.
In addition to mouth blood, there's fresh scab, thick blood, runny blood, fresh blood, old blood ... you get the idea. Furthermore, blood left out in the sun is no fun to put in your mouth.
And wounds — the fake kind — get ripe in the sun, which makes the blood too drippy.
But, this is a gem:
Lesson number nine: Zombie children start to look better and more in character at the end of the day when they are genuinely bored to death.
James Bond's Aston on the Block
"This is the only genuine, 007 James Bond car," said Mick Walsh, Editor-in-Chief of Classic and Sports Car Magazine. "You know the reputation of James Bond. The bidding could go mad."
The Art of Adaptation
Erik Tarloff looks at Hollywood adaptations of novels:
The French Lieutenant's Woman, a best-seller when first published in 1969, may be the best of them, and is certainly the best-known. It misses greatness by a hair, arguably; its eponymous heroine (the author himself refers to her, erroneously, I should say, as the novel's protagonist) is a bit underdeveloped as a character, and the denouement (or denouements, as I'll explain in a moment), in which members of the Rossetti family suddenly make a surprise and utterly unprepared appearance, qualifies as a very big stretch from a very distant left-field. But despite these weaknesses, its merits are considerable, and the skill that went into its making is nothing less than virtuosic. Perhaps most impressively, it plays post-modernist games with narrative while at the same time giving the conventional demands of narrative their full due.
In brief, The French Lieutenant's Woman is a sort of pastiche of Victorian romantic fiction, told in a stylized prose of pitch-perfect accuracy that falls just this side of parody.
In brief, The French Lieutenant's Woman is a sort of pastiche of Victorian romantic fiction, told in a stylized prose of pitch-perfect accuracy that falls just this side of parody.
'For Colored Girls' Review
Jenee Darden on 'For Colored Girls':
Exactly the feeling I've gotten from clips and trailers. Just not quite there.
This clip comes to mind. Maudlin might be a stretch. Over-wrought maybe.
As a black woman who loves movies, I've been thirsting for a good drama starring black actresses for a while. I mean real good like The Women of Brewster Place or Soul Food. Perry chose a stellar cast -- Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington and Tessa Thompson. His rendition takes place in a modern-day urban America. The acting is solid. Unfortunately, much of the script is not.
Exactly the feeling I've gotten from clips and trailers. Just not quite there.
This clip comes to mind. Maudlin might be a stretch. Over-wrought maybe.
New Zealand Boosts Incentives to Keep The Hobbit
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key announces new law to entice future movie productions.
NPR reports:
Mr Key said tax rebates would be changed, allowing Warner to claim an extra $7.5m for each Hobbit movie. “My government is determined to use the opportunity that the Hobbit movies present to highlight New Zealand as a great place to visit, as well as a great place to do business,” he said.
Must-See Trailer for 'Rare Exports'
You absolutely have to see this trailer. I don't know if the movie will be any good but this teaser is a must-see.
Drop everything.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Poster and Clip for ' For Colored Girls'
Probably the best poster I've seen yet. Others were too artsy or emotional. This one strikes a balance. Apple has an exclusive clip.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Could You Break Your Wife Out Of Prison? Would You?
Here's another poster, the third by my count, for 'The Next Three Days'. I like that Russell Crowe faces left when it's natural to place your central figure facing right. Adds tension. Muted color palette is a nice touch. Minimalist, works.
Kind of a throw back to graphics for 70s, or even 60s, thrillers.
I still prefer the first poster, though:
In which he faces right, but the composite image made up of pix of various locations where his character might hide adds zip. (Again, sort of a 70s approach). An improvement over the second poster:
In which he faces left, adding tension, but the sunglasses dilute any power this image has. (Never cover your star's eyes). The fact that the title lettering partially cover his face doesn't help, either. Bleached white-hot background doesn't mean anything thematically and is contrary to the muted colors the movie has scene to scene.
I think they should combine the composite photo motif with the 'run-away to catch a bus' element.
Also think a more on-the-nose tagline is called for here: 'Could you break your wife out of prison?' The 72 hours to save everything bit doesn't have much bite.
Well, could you? Would you?
Saturday, October 23, 2010
This Whole Senate Hearing Is Out Of Order!
Here's a nice still of Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff in 'Casino Jack' from the 'Out of order? This whole Senate hearing is out of order!' scene. Did Abramoff really say that?
Nice match on the suit and tie:
One moment I like the trailer, the next it leaves me cold. Can't figure why. Production values are excellent, Spacey hits on all cylinders in his 'Man With Hidden Identity/Life/Personality' mode a la Verbal Kint/Keyser Söze, or Prot in K-Pax or, to some extent, John Doe in Se7en. He does that kind of character so well.
The movie looks perfectly acceptable but it doesn't speak to me. Bottom line, I just don't care what Jack Abramoff did, or more precisely, don't want to go to a movie about it. Seems more of a History Channel thing. I can't see too many wanting to see this one.
Maybe it's too soon to do a picture about Abramoff. Here's hoping I'm wrong.
'Morocco and Spain'
Morocco & Spain from Mike Matas on Vimeo.
Like to travel or eat good food? Here's a short film for you.
'Rabbit Hole' Trailer
A whole new Nicole Kidman. Beautiful looking movie. Excellent trailer. One of the best I've seen.
"Somewhere There's Proof I'm...Me"
Trailer for 'Unknown' with Liam Neeson and Diane Kruger. Looks like fun. Hope the twists and reveals are as good as the trailer makes them look.
Friday, October 22, 2010
'Inhale' Poster
Here's a much improved poster for 'Inhale'. Trailer also seems better than the one that rolled out a couple weeks ago.
Trailer for 'Rabbit Hole'
One of the best trailers I've seen. Probably the most compelling portrayal from Nicole Kidman. She's changed.
PA2 has Spine-Tingling Jolts
Claudia Puig likes 'Paranormal Activity 2':
Rarely is the second film in a horror franchise more frightening than the original, but Paranormal Activity 2 has more innocent victims and more scares than its predecessor.
Kids and dogs are not only faster on the uptake when it comes to sensing paranormal goings-on but also steal scenes, as this diabolical thriller delivers spine-tingling jolts and scream-inducing moments.
It's a 'diabolical thriller' that has 'spine-tingling' jolts and 'scream-inducing' moments. I wish I could write "like" that!!!
Must be a good movie. Diabolical, granted, but good nonetheless.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
'Sound of Noise' Trailer
One of the most audacious and stupid things I've ever seen. Watch at your own risk.
This is not a test.
Global Baby Production
Love this poster for 'Google_Baby' about surrogacy and in vitro treatments outside the US where the process costs much less.
You Hairy Ape
Don't care for King Kong too much, but love that graphic.
Paula Uruburu reviews three books about the beautiful and bestial that happen to be set in Los Angeles, specifically, the Hollywood movie mill.
'Burma VJ'
Poster for 'Burma VJ'. At first I thought the pistol pointing at the camera was a bit too literal a depiction of antagonism, but after seeing the trailer it's clear that kind of opposition is what journalists face in Burma. These guys are shot dead in the street, on sight, only because they have a video camera.
I'll admit, I wasn't aware it was that bad. A badly needed documentary.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Trailer for 'The Rite'
Apple has the first trailer which plays duly 'Exorcist' but way melodramatic/atmospheric. The cross for letter T doesn't help much.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Clip from 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest'
Apple has an exclusive clip from 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest'. Suspenseful. Would make for good viewing on a rainy day.
More Legal Action Against Illegal Downloads of Movies
'The Fighter'
As different from the first trailer as can be. Total awards pitch. Looks like a good one -- character-driven with strong plot.
I thought this would not do well and the first trailer reinforced that notion. Second trailer makes me think 'The Fighter' will score.
'The Two Escobars'
Unbelievable. Truth trumps anything Hollywood can come up with. Another great looking doc.
Monday, October 18, 2010
3D Novelty
NPR looks at 3D:
...the problem with 3-D is conceptual. The whole motivation for 3-D movies is confused. Despite the wild success of Avatar, 3-D movies remain, I think, somewhat like pop-up books themselves, a childish novelty.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Today's Short Film
Very cool footage the Brooklyn Space Program's (Luke and Max Geissbuhler) recent iPhone launch.
Environmental Media Awards
Natalie Portman was a presenter at the EMA Corporate Responsibility Awards. She presented Jeff Skoll, producer of 'The Cove' with an award.
She was a bit embarrassed by the video played before she took the stage.
She was a bit embarrassed by the video played before she took the stage.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
These Days the Best Stuff is on TV
NPR on the best stuff being on TV, not in the movies:
Critics have been decrying the creative decline of Hollywood pretty much since D.W. Griffith left the scene.
But today's Hollywood is plenty creative, author Edward Jay Epstein says. It's just that the most sophisticated stuff is showing up on TV screens.
"We've had a role reversal," Epstein tells NPR's Guy Raz. "Now, people go to television, especially pay television and premiere cable television, to watch programs like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire and Damages. And they go to movies to see comic books: Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Avatar."
But today's Hollywood is plenty creative, author Edward Jay Epstein says. It's just that the most sophisticated stuff is showing up on TV screens.
"We've had a role reversal," Epstein tells NPR's Guy Raz. "Now, people go to television, especially pay television and premiere cable television, to watch programs like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire and Damages. And they go to movies to see comic books: Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Avatar."
Friday, October 15, 2010
'2012: Time for Change' Poster
Thursday, October 14, 2010
'Handjob, Bland Job, I Don't Understand Job'
Handjob, Bland Job, I Don't Understand Job - watch more funny videos
This is pretty good.
'Barney's Version'
I pass on most stuff like this, but 'Barney's Version' looks like a good time. Nice to see Minnie Driver in stuff again. Where'd she go?
'Drive Angry 3D' Trailer
So, he broke out of hell to set things right, but Satan's right-hand man has come to stop him.
This is going to make a lot of money.
Making the World a Better Place. Or, Trying.
HBO doc 'Reporter' about Nicholas Kristof (NYT) working from Congo.
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