2 Months to the day...almost

Been awhile...I completely slack (clearly) when I have a lot going on, and to be honest I really haven't seen many movies this summer. Aside from being uninterested in most, I also haven't had much time. I did see Charlie Bartlett and Vantage Point on On Demand and both were entertaining, but nothing. More importantly, I saw The Stones/Scorsese concert doc Shine A Light, which I'm going to write a review of. The short review is: Amazing.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has a new trailer. I've been anticipating this movie since I read about it years ago and with each new trailer it looks more and more amazing. David Fincher has an uncanny ability to infuse pizazz and camera flair into emotional stories and is only improving with age. Anyway, check out the trailer and see for yourself.

TV-wise, the new season of Entourage started a few weeks ago, which I've been enjoying and I started watching the new show True Blood, which I also like. It's entertaining, slightly campy, violent, very sexual and very well written and acted. Give it a look see.

The new season of Dexter started last night and I can't emphasize enough how great it is. Both of the previous seasons are available on DVD- rent them or buy them because it's easily the best show on TV, although as someone pointed out to me that I don't watch Mad Men and that could be a close runner up if not better. Either way, Dexter is excellent.

I'm still working on an original score for Okay Great, but I'm seriously considering dropping it online with the temp music and just updating it when I have the score. Could be soon so keep an eye out.

For Your Listening Pleasure...

The Rolling Stones are known for their classic pumped up bluesy rock n roll. I don't think alot of people have heard this grinder - Memo from Turner - from the Performance soundtrack and they should cause it's nasty. Ry Cooder is ripping up the slide on this track.


For a similiar vibe check out Jammin' with Edward although Memo from Turner isn't on it. The album was tossed together one day while for an a fellow band member to show up- possibly sleeping off a hangover. Keith? Maybe? Sorry I can't find a link to a tune from the album.

W

A teaser trailer for Oliver Stone's W has been leaked. I'm really interested in this film for many reasons. Stone is an compelling filmmaker even when he's heavy handed and he's great when he attacks a subject he's passionate about and he's definitely passionate about his hatred for Bush. So am I. He also is making this film at a break neck pace and I think that just drives filmmakers even more. Spielberg made Munich top to bottom in 6 months and it's a masterpeiece. Stone is on an even tighter schedule. I believe he started shooting in April and the film will be released before the election. Hope this one turns out as good as the teaser looks.

***EDIT***
Sorry it's already been pulled. This is the problem with illegally "leaked" material. I'll post again when it finds it way back online.

W. Teaser Trailer
by iliketolookatmyranch

The Savages

I watched Philip Seymour Hoffman knock another one out of the park last night. In a performance he won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Actor for, Hoffman plays the son of an abusive father who now has dementia and needs home care. Laura Linney plays his sister, complimenting Hoffman's performance with a note perfect one herself. Dig the scene when she's looking for a red pillow. Another great scene is when the two of them are in a hallway and Hoffman is an awkward position.

The Savages is at times funny and sad, but very observant and challenging. I enjoyed it very much for the writing and directing by Tamara Jenkins and especially the performances. Laura Linney, like Hoffman is always top notch but Hoffman has had a helluva year. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Charlie Wilson's War and The Savages. Most actors hardly give 3 performances as good as those in their careers, nevermind in one year.

For Your Listening Pleasure...

This is such a good tune...chill, feel good...love it. If you've seen 25th Hour you may recognize it from there. It's called Bra by Cymande. Enjoy!

For Your Listening Pleasure...

I'm a new fan of Afro Celt Sound System but they're addictive because they kick ass!

"I'm just ahead of the curve"

In retrospect, 1989 was a pivotal year in my movie-going experience. I saw 3 movies that year that changed my outlook on film. Do the Right Thing completely opened my eyes to everything from tone to choice of music, color and camera movement and angles. sex, lies and videotape was a movie completely different from anything I had seen up to that point and it proved to me you could make a movie without action and mostly dialogue, which was basically all I was writing at that point. I also saw Batman.

Batman was being hyped beyond belief. It was everywhere and I was fired up! I saw it with my friend Jon on opening weekend in a packed theater. When the movie ended, everyone in the theater jumped to their feet and applauded. My friend Jon and I looked at each other and said “let’s get the fuck out of here.” Batman was the first major movie disappointment in my life. You see I wanted so much more out of Batman. I had watched the series on TV as a kid and I loved it. What the fuck happened?! While Nicholson was fun (when isn’t he?) it was a cakewalk for him and he didn’t take any risks. I realize a lot of people liked that movie and my elder cousins thought I was too young and stupid to get it. Fuck you guys- the movie still sucks!

Well, when Batman Begins was announced I had renewed fire, thanks to the choice of Christopher Nolan as director and Christian Bale as Batman. Then came Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Cillian Murphy. Nice cast and Nolan can do no wrong. Batman Begins was incredible- ballsy, smart, action packed, faithful and yet rooted in the real world, not some fucking cartoon land where everything can be written off to fantasy and “comic books” never having to make some real dramatic choices. This Batman wisely took its time building character and motivation and story. I’ve watched it several times since on HBO and DVD and it holds up well.

I saw The Dark Knight last night and was completely blown away. At 2 ½ hours, one might think the film is too long. It isn’t, it’s perfect. I feel bad for Sam Raimi because he tried to do in Spiderman 3 what Nolan has done here. Spiderman 3 bite off more than it could chew and soured the trilogy. The Dark Knight bit off a lot and chewed it right up. There is significant character development with some new faces and the film wisely takes its time building to the conclusion on that character and story development. I stayed away from previews and press so I’m not going to talk about plot, I’d rather have you discover that for yourself.

The Dark Knight is a character study. A dark (get it- hahaha) character study. Essentially everyone in the film has moral decisions to make or is deeply troubled- to say the least in the Joker’s case. Nolan and his brother Jonathan, who co-wrote The Prestige and the short story Memento is based on, wrote the script, which is chock full of big action set pieces. There are bursts of action all throughout the film and big gasp inducing moments- one in particular, you’ll know it when you see it. And the setup for the next Batman is brilliant.

Okay so Heath Ledger…um, how do I put this…? Heath Ledger is incredible and you miss him when he’s not onscreen. His work is so rock solid he makes the other highly talented actors around him appear to be lazy. He also had the most fun role, but still. Ledger has always made impressions in film. He’s just one of those actors. I realize Brokeback Mountain has been reduced to late night talk show one liners and further proof of the country’s homophobia, but if you go back and watch that film, his performance there is amazing. Now back it up to The Dark Knight and look at the difference. In both films he uses everything a good actor should. He has a posture and walk to go along with the voice, the laugh and the small mannerisms he displays with his mouth and the constant liplicking. His commitment is undeniable. I can’t wait to see the movie again just to watch his performance. I must mention that it made me sad to watch him in this film, but you know why.