Preview: Watchmen (2009)
By vrtualme | July 18, 2008
After 20 years of development Zack Snyder (300 2006) finally brings the watchmen graphic novels to the big screen. Previously directors such as Terry Gilliam (Brazil 1985) declared the material “unfilmable”. But I think Snyder’s got the right idea in stating that “in order to be true to the source when adapting a graphic novel to the screen, the original visual art should be respected as much as the written portion”. And who can forget the stunning visuals in 300? Viewers of The Dark Knight (2008) got their first sneak peek of this trailer on the big screen and were speechless. Here’s a much smaller version…
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Preview: Burn After Reading (2008)
By vrtualme | July 18, 2008
The Coen brothers (No Country for Old Men 2007) are at it again and doing it as only the Coen brothers can, with a huge all star cast. This time it’s a comedy about found CIA secrets, and the silly things people will do to hide them. Starring are, get ready, Brad Pitt (Oscar nominee for Twelve Monkeys 1995), George Clooney (Oscar winner for Syriana 2005), Tilda Swinton (hot off her Oscar win for Michael Clayton 2007), John Malkovich (two time Oscar nominee for Places in the Heart 1984 and In the Line of Fire 1993) and Frances McDormand (wife of Joel Coen and Oscar winner for Fargo 1996). Burn After Reading (2008) looks absolutely hilarious, and I can’t wait for the September 12th release date.
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Review: the dark knight (2008)
By vrtualme | July 18, 2008
I braved the mad crowds at midnight under a full moon to be one of the first to see The Dark Knight (2008) in action. And I wasn’t disappointed. With a 152 minute run time you’d think it’d seem long; and though I saw a dozen fine spots for it to end, I was thrilled with each new scene. Beyond the amazing all star cast that included Christian Bale (3:10 to Yuma 2007), Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking 2005), Michael Caine (two time Oscar winner), Maggie Gyllenhaal (from my favorite movie Secretary 2002), Gary Oldman (Dracula 1992) and Morgan Freeman (Oscar winner for Million Dollar Baby 2004); it was fun seeing stars in most of the lesser roles too. 
Actors like Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club 1985), Eric Roberts (The Pope of Greenwich Village 1984) and William Fichtner (Armageddon 1998). But the performance everyone’s been talking about is that of the late Heath Ledger (Oscar nominee for Brokeback Mountain 2005) as the joker. Ledger once again completely transformed himself for a role, and may receive a well deserved little gold man just a little too late. Also noteworthy were the seamless cgi effects. And believe me, from the second row, I’d notice any flaws. My only negative observation is that two-faced, missing part of his lips, should have had a bit of a lisp or something in his speech.
Here is a list of the official websites for the dark knight…
- Concerned Citizens for a Better Gotham
- Clown Travel Agency
- City of Gotham Police Department
- Gotham Police Major Crimes Unit
- I Believe in Harvey Dent
- Why So Serious
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movies + personal shit
By vrtualme | July 12, 2008
I have to admit that this week depression has been kicking my butt. My sleeping schedule has been all shot to hell, and I’m not looking forward to my measly four hour shift at work tomorrow later today; it’s just not fun anymore. I keep blaming my new pills and pms, hoping that this mood will pass by next week. Otherwise it’s another doctor visit and more experiments with medication. I’m just not up for all that. Anyway, here’s the list of movies I’ve seen this week (at least the ones I remember)…
Oxygen (1999) – when a film description mentions Adrien Brody (Oscar winner for The Pianist 2002) and the word kinky, I have to admit I’m intrigued. And though the overall premise is quite interesting, the movie falls way short. This ones such a dud that I’d forgotten I’d seen it before, just last year.
Twilight (aka The Magic Hour 1998) – another repeat viewing, but this time I did it on purpose for the great cast. Starring Paul Newman (Oscar winner for The Color of Money 1986), Susan Sarandon (Oscar winner for Dead Man Walking 1995), Gene Hackman (two time Oscar winner for The French Connection 1971 and Unforgiven 1992), Reese Witherspoon (Oscar winner for Walk the Line 2005), Stockard Channing (Oscar nominee for Six Degrees of Separation 1993), James Garner (Oscar nominee for Murphy’s Romance 1985) and Liev Schreiber (golden globe nominee for RKO 281 1999). This little mystery about murder and blackmail in the Hollywood hills went pretty much unnoticed when it was originally released ten years ago, but it sports one of my favorite movie quotes… “If you wanna learn to kick ass there’s no better place than Yuma.”
Domino (2005) – surprisingly, my mother recommended this one to me. I write “surprisingly”, because my mother can’t stand the smallest amount of violence and a woman has her son’s arm thrown in her face in the first scene. But admittedly it’s a pretty good watch. It’s the “maybe, kinda” true story of Domino Harvey, a famous actor’s daughter and working model turned bounty hunter. Starring are Keira Knightley (Oscar nominee for Pride & Prejudice 2005) as Domino, with Mickey Rourke (Angel Heart 1987), Delroy Lindo (Gone in Sixty Seconds 2000) and amazingly hot Edgar Ramirez as her ass kicking bounty hunter buddies.
Bad News Bears (2005) – I’m part of the generation that enjoyed the originals so I figured I was obligated to watch the remake. And while it will never match its predecessor, it’s not horribly bad in its own right.
Get Smart (2008) – I went in expecting utter stupidity, I’m not a big fan of the director’s (Peter Segal - Tommy Boy 1995) other films, but it was actually kinda cute. It’s not surprising that it took more than forty years to make a movie version of the television classic. No one else could match Don Adams’ perfected portrayal of Maxwell Smart like Steve Carell (The Office 2005-2008). It’s like he was born to play the part.
The China Syndrome (1979) – an old favorite that, along with a few others at the time, haunted my thoughts and made me fear the atomic age. I may revisit this film in a future post.
Alexander (2004) – what can I say? Great movie. Great cast. Have seen before, and will see again.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) – like most people I knew the premise and I’d seen cuts from the film; but I’d never watched the whole movie. Now I have, and it was well worth it. Mob mentalities have always scared me. Another good example would be The Ox-Bow Incident (1943). Always take the time to reason things out for yourself before you act. Anyway, it appears there is a remake in the works starring Keanu Reeves (The Matrix 1999) as the visiting alien Klaatu.
The French Connection (1971) – admittedly, I wasn’t feeling too great when watching this last night, so I was a bit distracted. That said I know I must have missed something. This Oscar winning best picture (along with four other little gold men) just didn’t grab me, but I’m totally blaming my mood at the time rather than the movie.
coming soon…
The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) – due for release July 25th this next installment in the franchise also stars my second favorite scot Billy Connolly (Timeline 2003). Here’s the official site and a trailer…
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today’s quote +
By vrtualme | July 4, 2008
“When you’re born you get a ticket to the freak show. When you’re born in America, you get a front row seat.”
- george carlin
happy 4th of july everyone. went to the fairgrounds for the demolition derby and fireworks. will post pictures to the gallery soon.
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today’s movies
By vrtualme | July 1, 2008
i’ve been terrible about writing movie reviews for the last few months, and i can’t seem to make myself do anything about it. so i’ve decided to at least post the movies i’ve watched. maybe this will get me going again? today’s movies so far…
something new (2006) - i was pleasantly surprised, but i didn’t expect much to start with. simon baker is welcome to tend to my garden any day.
kung fu (aka kung fu hustle 2004) - hadn’t realized i’d seen it before (something not uncommon with me). anyway, loved the dancing ax gang and the asian blues brothers. required watching for all men 15 to 35.
about a boy (2002) - repeat viewing, but it’s been a few years. hugh grant has had a hit or miss career; this is one of the few that fall to middle ground. i could go either way depending on my mood.
coming soon…
the latest film to catch my eye? death race 3000 (2008). smashing into theaters august 22nd is the sequel to the classic death race 2000 (1975). starring are jason statham (the transporter 2002) and joan allen (three time oscar nominee). doesn’t seem to resemble the original much, but still looks like a good watch. here’s the official site and the trailer…
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today’s quote (& yesterday’s)
By vrtualme | June 29, 2008
“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity”
and
“If God had intended us not to masturbate he would’ve made our arms shorter”
- george carlin
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