by Mr. Blunderson
Even though I don't always agree with him, and I certainly don't need his approval to love or hate any movie (I am my own man thank you), I've always enjoyed reading the reviews of Roger Ebert. Love him or hate him, he is a fantastic writer. If you don't believe that then you may need your head checked.
Roger is a little behind in his work due to health issues but has finally gotten around to posting his best movies of 2006:
1 - Pan's Labyrinth
2 - Bubble
3 - Children of Men
4 - The Departed
5 - The Lives of Others
6 - United 93
7 - Flags of our Fathers/Letters From Iwo Jima
8 - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
9 - Babel
10 - Man Push Cart.
You can read Ebert's comments on each film, as well as nods to other great films including his favorite documentaries of the year at his own site, right... here.
For my own thoughts on this list, simply read on.
As for the Top Three, I couldn't agree more although I have to admit I completely forgot about Bubble. I can't recall seeing a movie where the characters and their plight felt so genuine. The suffocation of the blue collar life reaches far beyond the screen so much that I could almost taste the agony of the characters existence. Another thing I can say about this film is that the DVD extras are very compelling as they illustrate the melding of fiction and reality in simple, but straight forward storytelling and character development.
I don't know what I could say to add to the commentary regarding Pan's Labyrinth other than saying that Guillermo del Toro knocked that one out of the freakin Park. I've heard rumblings of a third film relating to the Spanish Civil War being made in the near future... Hooray!
I have said even recently in conversation about movies that Children of Men was one of last year's most under appreciated movies. The care and effort put forward to make the film the way they did still boggles my mind.
I liked The Departed but I didn't love it. That might be related to the fact that the ending had been ruined for me so I feel I may have missed out on some of the fun. I did watch the Hong Kong movie that inspired it later that same week and gained some added appreciation for the adaptation. I do have to admit that I am a sucker for movies with Boston accents. When Gone Baby Gone comes out on DVD I rent that, The Departed and Good Will Hunting and watch them back to back to back.
The rest of the movies... I haven't seen. Shame on me? Perhaps.
I would like to see The Lives of Others. I keep meaning to. It's been a while since I've delved into German Cinema. It reminds me of the first time I saw Wings of Desire. Wow, maybe I'll rent both this weekend.
As for United 93 it's just too soon for me.
Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima... also too soon. (yes that was tasteless, but I am a movie jerk after all).
I really have no interest in seeing Perfume so unless someone makes me watch that movie at gun point I will never have an opinion on it.
I meant to see Babel, I really did. I can recommend Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's earlier film 21 Grams. Amazing the way that story unfolds. I know Babel is told in a similar fashion so maybe I should just get off my arse.
Man Push Cart sounds really good. I should probably see it so I can talk about it and sound intelligent at a fancy party... if I ever happen to go to one... I should probably read The Great Gatsby before that party too. Truth is I think I'll pass because the subject matter might send me back into a depressing oblivion. Besides, I wouldn't have fun at one of those parties anyway.
And now you know better than ever that I am a massive jackass.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
Seth and Kevin make a movie
It was announced last night that Seth Rogan will star in Kevin Smith's next film Zack and Miri Make A Porno, which is set to begin filming in Pittsburgh early next year. As cool as that sounds, Mr. Rogan has made his mark in films that were made utilizing a great deal of improve, something Kevin Smith is not fond of.
If you haven't seen it
by Mr. Blunderson
Today I'm finally getting around to clearing out my draft queue and found a bunch of reviews I've never finished. As I rule, I've found that if I don't finish a review on the second or third pass it's never going to get done. Here are a few mini reviews of films I have seen over the last six months that I wholeheartedly endorse.
Big Nothing
This ditty caught my eye because it starred Simon Pegg who is by far one of the funniest individuals working in the industry today. If you don't mind his American accent and the fact that David Schwimmer is also starring, this is a fairly decent caper of the "heist gone oh so wrong" variety. It's not fall on the floor funny but it has it's moments, develops it's characters, and stands firm on a darkly comic quirky path from start to finish.
Superbad
Perhaps one of the best comedies of the year, I dragged my feet on this review because I didn't want to gush. I loved Superbad. A movie doesn't have to be obscene to be funny but when it's done right (as is the case here) it certainly doesn't hurt. My only beef is that it drags a bit when the boys get hung up at the wrong party. If you haven't seen this movie you are lame. DVD comes out in a couple of weeks.
Zodiac
The only thing worse than the fact that this movie was ignored at the box office is the fact that it will likely be forgotten come awards season. Zodiac is David Fincher's magnum opus. The Man KNOWS how to use a camera. He knows how to build tension. Fincher is genius here by giving us a front row seat to the madness and obsession on the other side of the coin. This is a very long movie but it is time well spent. The visuals will knock you on your ass, and the performances (especially from Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal) are superb.
Stranger than Fiction
Will Ferrell brings a lot of depth and sweetness to his role in this subdued comedy. Funny as hell and off the beaten path, this is another example of strong performances and vital characters. Emma Thompson is outstanding and Dustin Hoffman does what he has to do. This is a lot like a Charlie Kaufman script only more accessible, and certainly a great way to spend a few hours.
Today I'm finally getting around to clearing out my draft queue and found a bunch of reviews I've never finished. As I rule, I've found that if I don't finish a review on the second or third pass it's never going to get done. Here are a few mini reviews of films I have seen over the last six months that I wholeheartedly endorse.
Big Nothing
This ditty caught my eye because it starred Simon Pegg who is by far one of the funniest individuals working in the industry today. If you don't mind his American accent and the fact that David Schwimmer is also starring, this is a fairly decent caper of the "heist gone oh so wrong" variety. It's not fall on the floor funny but it has it's moments, develops it's characters, and stands firm on a darkly comic quirky path from start to finish.
Superbad
Perhaps one of the best comedies of the year, I dragged my feet on this review because I didn't want to gush. I loved Superbad. A movie doesn't have to be obscene to be funny but when it's done right (as is the case here) it certainly doesn't hurt. My only beef is that it drags a bit when the boys get hung up at the wrong party. If you haven't seen this movie you are lame. DVD comes out in a couple of weeks.
Zodiac
The only thing worse than the fact that this movie was ignored at the box office is the fact that it will likely be forgotten come awards season. Zodiac is David Fincher's magnum opus. The Man KNOWS how to use a camera. He knows how to build tension. Fincher is genius here by giving us a front row seat to the madness and obsession on the other side of the coin. This is a very long movie but it is time well spent. The visuals will knock you on your ass, and the performances (especially from Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal) are superb.
Stranger than Fiction
Will Ferrell brings a lot of depth and sweetness to his role in this subdued comedy. Funny as hell and off the beaten path, this is another example of strong performances and vital characters. Emma Thompson is outstanding and Dustin Hoffman does what he has to do. This is a lot like a Charlie Kaufman script only more accessible, and certainly a great way to spend a few hours.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
REVIEW - DAY WATCH
by Mr. Blunderson
There goes my ulcer.
That's how bad this movie sucked. I couldn't sit through it. Even watching it with friends and fast-forwarding through the bulk of the flick we were still exhausted. It had some cool moments but they are all in the trailer. Don't bother with the rental unless you already have shrooms on hand.
For the record, it is better than Transformers.
There goes my ulcer.
That's how bad this movie sucked. I couldn't sit through it. Even watching it with friends and fast-forwarding through the bulk of the flick we were still exhausted. It had some cool moments but they are all in the trailer. Don't bother with the rental unless you already have shrooms on hand.
For the record, it is better than Transformers.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Word From Big C vol 10
Big C sent this one to me a while back and I finally got around to putting it up. It's about a tiny little movie called The Comebacks. Sorry for the delay folks. Once again, this is straight from the big man himself.
"...I have seen a number of spoof movies and The Comebacks one of the best yet. First off having David Koechner as Coach Lambeau Fields was genius I don't think any other man could have done it better. With one of two hot females in the movie almost all the time there is always something nice to look at but that isn't the only reason to watch this movie. Comedy fills the movie from beginning to end with lines like 'sorry I bobbled your boobies last night,' and sexual innuendos and such make for great fun. So WATCH THIS MOVIE or you will be missing out. All in all The Comebacks is a solid movie."
"...I have seen a number of spoof movies and The Comebacks one of the best yet. First off having David Koechner as Coach Lambeau Fields was genius I don't think any other man could have done it better. With one of two hot females in the movie almost all the time there is always something nice to look at but that isn't the only reason to watch this movie. Comedy fills the movie from beginning to end with lines like 'sorry I bobbled your boobies last night,' and sexual innuendos and such make for great fun. So WATCH THIS MOVIE or you will be missing out. All in all The Comebacks is a solid movie."
Saturday, November 10, 2007
REVIEW - 28 WEEKS LATER
by Mr Blunderson
45 minutes into 28 weeks Later I had to check the DVD case. I seriously had to make sure I was watching the sequel to one of the best horror movies made in recent years as opposed to a Roger Corman knockoff. This movie was that painful to watch.
For those not in the know, let's back track. 28 Days Later... was a spectacular film. Beyond being frightening, beyond breathing life back into the zombie flick, it was a movie about people in a horrific situation. It was a character drama dressed as a horror film and it worked because the audience could relate to the characters.
Another reason I love the first movie is that it is basically Day of the Triffids without the plants. While you may not be familiar with that book or it's author (sci fi god John Wyndham) I can promise you've felt it's influence in the genre. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland keyed on many of the important ideas put forward by the book in a tiny guerrilla film shot on digital video that tossed the industry on it's ear.
Back to the sequel - bigger ain't better. The film looks great. When the camera sits still the shot composition is pretty amazing, and there are a number of genuine scares in this movie (not to mention the single creepiest shot of a statue I've ever seen). But the script is horrible. The only interesting character (played by Robert Carlyle) is reduced to a cliche before the middle of the second act, the undeveloped characters make one stupid decision after another, and I will probably vomit up my lower intestine all over my area rug if I see one more movie where 2 kids outsmart the military contingent. Of course they were British kids and the soldiers were American and education overseas may be far superior but that still seems like a bit of a stretch. It's one of those plot devices that would get you laughed out of your freshman English writing class.
I also have to wonder if the people who made this movie have ever seen the first one. I only ask because every thing the first film did so right was thrown out of the window and ignored. Since I can read I see that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland were executive producers on this flick and can only imagine they had little actual involvement with this film. If they were involved I will find them and kick them after I've taken care of Neil (bitchpants) LaBute for what he did to Wicker Man.
There were so many wasted opportunities here. If only we could have seen more of the commanding officer who is forced to exterminate the repopulated London. If only the father, haunted by his recent past, had been developed into anything else. If only we could have had anyone besides the "sniper with a heart of gold" who comes across as just a little NAMBLA at times (did you have to stroke the kids hair? really?!).
It's also sad that one of the coolest, kick ass moments was done better and with no MTV herky-jerky camera work in Planet Terror.
You could hide all of the bodies under Dick Cheney's house in the plot holes in the last half of the movie but by then if you are still buying into 28 Weeks Later maybe you're the zombie. It would have been a decent movie if it they had used a phone book instead of this script. The fact that 4 different people are credited for the screenplay is never a good sign.
It looks good but that's about it. Take it or leave it, as for me I'll just try to forget I saw it. For that it registers a don't bother on the Mr. Blunderson scale.
afterthought - I regret that I never mentioned how cool the John Murphy score was. It was spot on which only makes me more perplexed as to how this movie went so wrong when it had so much going for it.
45 minutes into 28 weeks Later I had to check the DVD case. I seriously had to make sure I was watching the sequel to one of the best horror movies made in recent years as opposed to a Roger Corman knockoff. This movie was that painful to watch.
For those not in the know, let's back track. 28 Days Later... was a spectacular film. Beyond being frightening, beyond breathing life back into the zombie flick, it was a movie about people in a horrific situation. It was a character drama dressed as a horror film and it worked because the audience could relate to the characters.
Another reason I love the first movie is that it is basically Day of the Triffids without the plants. While you may not be familiar with that book or it's author (sci fi god John Wyndham) I can promise you've felt it's influence in the genre. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland keyed on many of the important ideas put forward by the book in a tiny guerrilla film shot on digital video that tossed the industry on it's ear.
Back to the sequel - bigger ain't better. The film looks great. When the camera sits still the shot composition is pretty amazing, and there are a number of genuine scares in this movie (not to mention the single creepiest shot of a statue I've ever seen). But the script is horrible. The only interesting character (played by Robert Carlyle) is reduced to a cliche before the middle of the second act, the undeveloped characters make one stupid decision after another, and I will probably vomit up my lower intestine all over my area rug if I see one more movie where 2 kids outsmart the military contingent. Of course they were British kids and the soldiers were American and education overseas may be far superior but that still seems like a bit of a stretch. It's one of those plot devices that would get you laughed out of your freshman English writing class.
I also have to wonder if the people who made this movie have ever seen the first one. I only ask because every thing the first film did so right was thrown out of the window and ignored. Since I can read I see that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland were executive producers on this flick and can only imagine they had little actual involvement with this film. If they were involved I will find them and kick them after I've taken care of Neil (bitchpants) LaBute for what he did to Wicker Man.
There were so many wasted opportunities here. If only we could have seen more of the commanding officer who is forced to exterminate the repopulated London. If only the father, haunted by his recent past, had been developed into anything else. If only we could have had anyone besides the "sniper with a heart of gold" who comes across as just a little NAMBLA at times (did you have to stroke the kids hair? really?!).
It's also sad that one of the coolest, kick ass moments was done better and with no MTV herky-jerky camera work in Planet Terror.
You could hide all of the bodies under Dick Cheney's house in the plot holes in the last half of the movie but by then if you are still buying into 28 Weeks Later maybe you're the zombie. It would have been a decent movie if it they had used a phone book instead of this script. The fact that 4 different people are credited for the screenplay is never a good sign.
It looks good but that's about it. Take it or leave it, as for me I'll just try to forget I saw it. For that it registers a don't bother on the Mr. Blunderson scale.
afterthought - I regret that I never mentioned how cool the John Murphy score was. It was spot on which only makes me more perplexed as to how this movie went so wrong when it had so much going for it.
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