Sunday, February 1, 2009
GO NEESON GO!
I just wanted to say I think it's awesome that early reports show that TAKEN, staring Liam Neeson whooping all kinds of ass, topped the charts this weekend with near $25 million! The movie rocked and I'm glad to see it performed so well on a weekend that normally spells death for movies released.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Full Force Blogging #1
I've decided I want to blog a little more often. As cliche as blogging as become (I don't even like the term) it keeps my writing in between script pages and cheap 20something poetry. So, I'm going to aim for a sort of weekly update where I rant, rave and ramble about whatever the fuck I please. Ah, the power of the internet.
So, this is the first of many (so probably like 3) Full Force Blogging, or FFB's if you want to sound lame.
+ I will not make any qualms about my love of Jason Statham. The dude reeks of cool and complete badassery. Definitely the best new school action hero. Sorry Vin.
+ Snatch gets better with each viewing. I love this movie.
+ I'm blogging from a shitty lap top in a college apartment that isn't mine. I love being twenty years old. Life feels simple on mornings like this. It's easily one of the most enjoyable things I get to do.
- Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph is an impeccably catchy song. Words cannot describe how much I hate myself for saying that.
- Jesus, Brad Pitt is an absolute genius. His range as an actor is incredible. Mickey (from Snatch) is one of my favorite characters in any film. I wonder how he would have pulled off playing Batman if he had the chance. He can pull off the physical part and he's got the suave demeanor to play Bruce. Fuck, let him play Captain America or something. The comic world has proven in recent years it can attract legit stars and be taken seriously. If a guy like Brad Pitt would take on a comic role, I think it would finish the job Dark Knight started in certifying it as a credible and respected genre.
- It's weird outside. White, freezing cold and still as a corpse. It feels like the end of the world.
- Speaking of the end of the world. 2012. I hope the Mayans weren't right. That would suck!
- I think that's it for #1.
So, this is the first of many (so probably like 3) Full Force Blogging, or FFB's if you want to sound lame.
+ I will not make any qualms about my love of Jason Statham. The dude reeks of cool and complete badassery. Definitely the best new school action hero. Sorry Vin.
+ Snatch gets better with each viewing. I love this movie.
+ I'm blogging from a shitty lap top in a college apartment that isn't mine. I love being twenty years old. Life feels simple on mornings like this. It's easily one of the most enjoyable things I get to do.
- Let It Rock by Kevin Rudolph is an impeccably catchy song. Words cannot describe how much I hate myself for saying that.
- Jesus, Brad Pitt is an absolute genius. His range as an actor is incredible. Mickey (from Snatch) is one of my favorite characters in any film. I wonder how he would have pulled off playing Batman if he had the chance. He can pull off the physical part and he's got the suave demeanor to play Bruce. Fuck, let him play Captain America or something. The comic world has proven in recent years it can attract legit stars and be taken seriously. If a guy like Brad Pitt would take on a comic role, I think it would finish the job Dark Knight started in certifying it as a credible and respected genre.
- It's weird outside. White, freezing cold and still as a corpse. It feels like the end of the world.
- Speaking of the end of the world. 2012. I hope the Mayans weren't right. That would suck!
- I think that's it for #1.
Friday, January 23, 2009
LISTEN Update
Well production of LISTEN is moving along nicely. In between writing and brainstorming, I've managed to snag a producer and other crew members.
But also the script has taken some minor changes and may not be a full length but rather somewhere between 30-40 minutes to keep shooting plausible and the story sharp.
Just thought I'd update on the development.
It's coming!
But also the script has taken some minor changes and may not be a full length but rather somewhere between 30-40 minutes to keep shooting plausible and the story sharp.
Just thought I'd update on the development.
It's coming!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (Review)
All The Boys Love Mandy Lane
3/4
Sometimes, waiting for a movie for what seems like forever can really hurt the experience. You hear hype and praise over a long period of time that when your chance finally comes, it wasn't as good as you hoped. Kind of like waiting to date your dream girl while she goes through every guy except you until you're the only choice and then you find out she's a total bitch.
That isn't Mandy Lane.
A visceral and visual trip tackled in a realistic setting that is rarely seen in today's slasher movies. To say this film is easy to stomach would be a lie. In today's world, movies like this don't get play. It hits close to home and will make you uncomfortable. And that my friends is what makes it great. I can't give director Johnathan Levine enough credit. The man paints a gorgeous picture backed up with warped and brutal kills. One in particular made me sit straight up and go "What the fuck!?" This movie isn't a gore fest. There are no entrails pulled out or overly elaborate death scenes. These are raw as hell and clearly meant to get under your skin rather than make you holler with glee like some modern films.
The acting is solid across the board. The stereotypes usually present are here but different. They're real. We all knew these kids. We spoke to them. This film presents it's stock characters as real people, not cardboard cut outs. Amber Heard as Mandy is gorgeous, quiet, shy and everything else she needed to be. If the world is right, we will see much more Amber Heard in the next few years. It will be even more right if it's genre work.
I can't give anything away this time. It's too good. Even with some flaws and cliches in tow, you haven't seen a film quite like this. For a genre fan to take age old tricks and make them seem fresh is a feat rarely accomplished in 2009.
See this movie.
3/4
Sometimes, waiting for a movie for what seems like forever can really hurt the experience. You hear hype and praise over a long period of time that when your chance finally comes, it wasn't as good as you hoped. Kind of like waiting to date your dream girl while she goes through every guy except you until you're the only choice and then you find out she's a total bitch.
That isn't Mandy Lane.
A visceral and visual trip tackled in a realistic setting that is rarely seen in today's slasher movies. To say this film is easy to stomach would be a lie. In today's world, movies like this don't get play. It hits close to home and will make you uncomfortable. And that my friends is what makes it great. I can't give director Johnathan Levine enough credit. The man paints a gorgeous picture backed up with warped and brutal kills. One in particular made me sit straight up and go "What the fuck!?" This movie isn't a gore fest. There are no entrails pulled out or overly elaborate death scenes. These are raw as hell and clearly meant to get under your skin rather than make you holler with glee like some modern films.
The acting is solid across the board. The stereotypes usually present are here but different. They're real. We all knew these kids. We spoke to them. This film presents it's stock characters as real people, not cardboard cut outs. Amber Heard as Mandy is gorgeous, quiet, shy and everything else she needed to be. If the world is right, we will see much more Amber Heard in the next few years. It will be even more right if it's genre work.
I can't give anything away this time. It's too good. Even with some flaws and cliches in tow, you haven't seen a film quite like this. For a genre fan to take age old tricks and make them seem fresh is a feat rarely accomplished in 2009.
See this movie.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
2009 And Becoming A Filmmaker
I've said it a thousand times.
"I want to be a filmmaker."
"I want to make films. Nothing else."
And hundreds of other variations. Over a period of years. It's been said time and time again. I've done nothing but talk. Even previous entries have been me talking about projects I have planned. Ideas I have. Ideas I believed would come to be. I was never a filmmaker. I simply had ideas and knew what I wanted to do
The fact is most of the previously mentioned ideas were never going to be. I was just biding my time, pretending I was going to finish something that my heart wasn't entirely in. Until now. 2009 is the year I stop saying "I want to be a filmmaker." or "I want to make films. Nothing else." 2009 is the year I shut up and start doing what it is I dream about.
What inspired this change? Passion. A project I have literally submerged myself in. I'm actually writing. Not talking over and over again about how great the project is. I'm actually assembling a crew. Not just telling people I'd like their help. I'm becoming a filmmaker. Not just saying I want to make films.
Will this be some great classic of indie cinema? By no means. Will this movie be seen by critics and entered in festivals? Most likely not. But will this be the start of a career in movies? If I have my way, yes. Less talking. More movie making. My mantra for 2009. Stay tuned. This time it will pay off. For myself and for those who would like to see me complete my dream.
"I want to be a filmmaker."
"I want to make films. Nothing else."
And hundreds of other variations. Over a period of years. It's been said time and time again. I've done nothing but talk. Even previous entries have been me talking about projects I have planned. Ideas I have. Ideas I believed would come to be. I was never a filmmaker. I simply had ideas and knew what I wanted to do
The fact is most of the previously mentioned ideas were never going to be. I was just biding my time, pretending I was going to finish something that my heart wasn't entirely in. Until now. 2009 is the year I stop saying "I want to be a filmmaker." or "I want to make films. Nothing else." 2009 is the year I shut up and start doing what it is I dream about.
What inspired this change? Passion. A project I have literally submerged myself in. I'm actually writing. Not talking over and over again about how great the project is. I'm actually assembling a crew. Not just telling people I'd like their help. I'm becoming a filmmaker. Not just saying I want to make films.
Will this be some great classic of indie cinema? By no means. Will this movie be seen by critics and entered in festivals? Most likely not. But will this be the start of a career in movies? If I have my way, yes. Less talking. More movie making. My mantra for 2009. Stay tuned. This time it will pay off. For myself and for those who would like to see me complete my dream.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Top 10 Films Of 2008
2008 was a good year for me film wise. I got to visit the theater more than any year previous and managed to see a few smaller flicks I would've missed when I was a bit younger. Also, being a big genre fan I was surprised when a few non-genre picks ended up staying with me throughout the year. So, with that, here are my 10 Favorite Films of 2008.
10. Cloverfield - Cloverfield was a solid way to kick off my year. It set me up with some mildly likable characters and then put me through the ringer. Although I'm not a huge fan of "POV" movies, I dug this and after recently catching it again, it's an enjoyable monster movie I wouldn't mind eventually visiting again.
09. The Signal - A three part horror film that milked it's small but talented cast while mixing bleak humor with some good old fashioned violence. It also put AJ Bowen on my radar as the dude is someone to keep an eye out for.
08. The Strangers - A low key and effective film starring the beautiful Liv Tyler and the likable Scott Speedman. It creeped me out, crawled under my skin and left me feeling drained by the time it was over.
07. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - I'm a little biased to this film as the story hit close to home. It was funny, raunchy and had more heart than a lot of recent comedies. Jason Segal proved he could carry a film and the rest of the cast was spot on.
06. Transiberrian -A throwback to the Hitchcock style of yesteryear. Subtle and beautifully shot the film had me engaged from the first frame and didn't let up.
05. Surveillance - A movie that takes a level of predictability and turns it into a fun, often times funny and vicious ride. Backed with a surprising set of actors that you wouldn't expect and striking imagery, it is a film I cannot wait to see again.
04. Inside - Inside nailed me to the wall and forced me to stay their while it assaulted me with it's absolutely ruthless villain and a motive that is far more fucked up than most.
03. Let The Right One In - Subtle. While I had to endure all the "blah" hype about Twilight, this little vampire film came out of left field. It would have been number 1 on my list had it not spent so much time on useless subplots. It worked best when it kept us with our two young leads and their plight.
02. The Dark Knight - I know it may seem shocking to some that this isn't my number 1. However, don't let that fool you. An incredible film on every front backed up by convincing performances and a vision of Gotham City we have never seen before. Nolan willing, we will get at least one more go at it.
01. REC - A last minute entry onto my list. I can't remember the last time a film scared me silly and have me loving every minute. As I stated, the POV style doesn't do it for me but here it made sense. I even understood and respected why the camera was kept rolling, although at times it should've been put down. That didn't stop this movie from whooping my ass all over.
Honorable Mentions
Timecrimes - A flawed but fun little film that was entirely effortless to sit through.
Rambo - Vicious and realistic, this movie made me question the world around me and wish for more men like John Rambo to clean up the human ugly around us.
Taken - Liam Neeson whooping ass in search of his kidnapped daughter. More than once I found myself saying "GO NEESON GO!" and despite it's tidy ending, I dug the film on almost every aspect.
Hellboy II - Having loved the incredibly flawed first film, I was happy to see this film improved itself in almost every aspect.
Fuck You Movies Of 2008
Max Payne - Despite it's best efforts from Mark Wahlberg and some amazing visual trips, this movie fell flat where it was most needed: a story.
Eagle Eye - An aggravating twist and some of the most boring action I've seen in awhile, this movie ended up being the biggest disappointment for me.
Feast II - I loved Feast. Funny, violent and completely wrong. Somehow Feast II managed to have violent and wrong managed but it forgot to be funny. A shame.
10. Cloverfield - Cloverfield was a solid way to kick off my year. It set me up with some mildly likable characters and then put me through the ringer. Although I'm not a huge fan of "POV" movies, I dug this and after recently catching it again, it's an enjoyable monster movie I wouldn't mind eventually visiting again.
09. The Signal - A three part horror film that milked it's small but talented cast while mixing bleak humor with some good old fashioned violence. It also put AJ Bowen on my radar as the dude is someone to keep an eye out for.
08. The Strangers - A low key and effective film starring the beautiful Liv Tyler and the likable Scott Speedman. It creeped me out, crawled under my skin and left me feeling drained by the time it was over.
07. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - I'm a little biased to this film as the story hit close to home. It was funny, raunchy and had more heart than a lot of recent comedies. Jason Segal proved he could carry a film and the rest of the cast was spot on.
06. Transiberrian -A throwback to the Hitchcock style of yesteryear. Subtle and beautifully shot the film had me engaged from the first frame and didn't let up.
05. Surveillance - A movie that takes a level of predictability and turns it into a fun, often times funny and vicious ride. Backed with a surprising set of actors that you wouldn't expect and striking imagery, it is a film I cannot wait to see again.
04. Inside - Inside nailed me to the wall and forced me to stay their while it assaulted me with it's absolutely ruthless villain and a motive that is far more fucked up than most.
03. Let The Right One In - Subtle. While I had to endure all the "blah" hype about Twilight, this little vampire film came out of left field. It would have been number 1 on my list had it not spent so much time on useless subplots. It worked best when it kept us with our two young leads and their plight.
02. The Dark Knight - I know it may seem shocking to some that this isn't my number 1. However, don't let that fool you. An incredible film on every front backed up by convincing performances and a vision of Gotham City we have never seen before. Nolan willing, we will get at least one more go at it.
01. REC - A last minute entry onto my list. I can't remember the last time a film scared me silly and have me loving every minute. As I stated, the POV style doesn't do it for me but here it made sense. I even understood and respected why the camera was kept rolling, although at times it should've been put down. That didn't stop this movie from whooping my ass all over.
Honorable Mentions
Timecrimes - A flawed but fun little film that was entirely effortless to sit through.
Rambo - Vicious and realistic, this movie made me question the world around me and wish for more men like John Rambo to clean up the human ugly around us.
Taken - Liam Neeson whooping ass in search of his kidnapped daughter. More than once I found myself saying "GO NEESON GO!" and despite it's tidy ending, I dug the film on almost every aspect.
Hellboy II - Having loved the incredibly flawed first film, I was happy to see this film improved itself in almost every aspect.
Fuck You Movies Of 2008
Max Payne - Despite it's best efforts from Mark Wahlberg and some amazing visual trips, this movie fell flat where it was most needed: a story.
Eagle Eye - An aggravating twist and some of the most boring action I've seen in awhile, this movie ended up being the biggest disappointment for me.
Feast II - I loved Feast. Funny, violent and completely wrong. Somehow Feast II managed to have violent and wrong managed but it forgot to be funny. A shame.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
REC (Review)
[REC] 2007
Considered me owned. I consider myself a horror fan above all else. So, when I was finally given a chance to boogie to the Spanish born [REC], I jazzed to the good word of mouth it had received. However, I'm always weary of hype and knowing this movie inspired a so-so looking American remake in the form of Quarentine (which I will check out once it hits DVD) I can't say I was too excited to sit down. Also, I can't say I was to happy learning I was in for another "shaky cam" movie. I have never really like them and despite not hating the style, it's not really something I enjoy either. As I stated before, consider me owned.
This movie fucked me up. It's been a long time, scratch that, a very long time since a horror film actually scared me silly. REC rolled over my like a mack truck at top speed and layed me out flat.
The movie starts off with the incredibly cute and bubbly reporter Angela, played by Manuela Velasco, doing late night TV report at the local fire station. Early on, despite warnings that the job is pretty boring, she makes the mistake of wishing for something to happen. I have a feeling she wishes she hadn't made such a bold statement.
Once our reporter, her camera man Pablo and the two firemen she is accompanying hit a residential apartment building, shit flies towards the fan fast and doesn't let up except for a few brief moments. At the time it let up, I was a little upset but by the end of the film, I realized I was thankful for the breather.
The movie is filled with scares, tension and shocks but manages so without using too much gore. What little there is I won't spoil because when it hits, it's effective. Also adding to the creep/tension factor is how the movie managed to scare the audience once we become trapped with them. Brief shots of soldiers surrounding the builiding, plastic covering being dropped over windows and a very well shot scene of figures against the door (you'll see!) all make for a truly claustrophobic and tight horror film.
Manuela Velasco did incredibly well. I was impressed! She covered every emotion needed for the character and I was with her the entire time, never once questioning why she was acting a certain way. The rest of the cast did okay but nobody really stands out. This was Manuela's film and she carried it like a total champ.
In the end REC is one of the best horror films I have seen in a very, very long time and I recomend it to any horror fan or anybody looking to be scared shitless for an hour and a half.
REC 4/4
Considered me owned. I consider myself a horror fan above all else. So, when I was finally given a chance to boogie to the Spanish born [REC], I jazzed to the good word of mouth it had received. However, I'm always weary of hype and knowing this movie inspired a so-so looking American remake in the form of Quarentine (which I will check out once it hits DVD) I can't say I was too excited to sit down. Also, I can't say I was to happy learning I was in for another "shaky cam" movie. I have never really like them and despite not hating the style, it's not really something I enjoy either. As I stated before, consider me owned.
This movie fucked me up. It's been a long time, scratch that, a very long time since a horror film actually scared me silly. REC rolled over my like a mack truck at top speed and layed me out flat.
The movie starts off with the incredibly cute and bubbly reporter Angela, played by Manuela Velasco, doing late night TV report at the local fire station. Early on, despite warnings that the job is pretty boring, she makes the mistake of wishing for something to happen. I have a feeling she wishes she hadn't made such a bold statement.
Once our reporter, her camera man Pablo and the two firemen she is accompanying hit a residential apartment building, shit flies towards the fan fast and doesn't let up except for a few brief moments. At the time it let up, I was a little upset but by the end of the film, I realized I was thankful for the breather.
The movie is filled with scares, tension and shocks but manages so without using too much gore. What little there is I won't spoil because when it hits, it's effective. Also adding to the creep/tension factor is how the movie managed to scare the audience once we become trapped with them. Brief shots of soldiers surrounding the builiding, plastic covering being dropped over windows and a very well shot scene of figures against the door (you'll see!) all make for a truly claustrophobic and tight horror film.
Manuela Velasco did incredibly well. I was impressed! She covered every emotion needed for the character and I was with her the entire time, never once questioning why she was acting a certain way. The rest of the cast did okay but nobody really stands out. This was Manuela's film and she carried it like a total champ.
In the end REC is one of the best horror films I have seen in a very, very long time and I recomend it to any horror fan or anybody looking to be scared shitless for an hour and a half.
REC 4/4
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