Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Let's talk about movies: 3D
Let's talk about movies: 3D: "It seems every time you turn around now, every movie is in 3D and now it seems more like a threat than a treat. I think we all get it's the ..."
3D
It seems every time you turn around now, every movie is in 3D and now it seems more like a threat than a treat. I think we all get it's the studios way of bilking us out of more money but it's so shameless because we all know not every movie has to be in 3D.
I remember back in the 80's when they tried to reintroduce this format, especially with horror movies and that lasted about a minute because it became to gimmicky and unnecessary, but who could forget those red and blue lensed glasses. Which brings us back to today and history is repeating itself. It wasn't that long ago maybe 3 or 4 years now with this current reintroduction but it's reminding me of the 80's because it's becoming gimmicky and unnecessary.
Avatar is the movie that changed everything, it was the spectacle that showed what 3D could and should do when watching in that format. It was as if that movie was alive, with how vibrant those colors were, it's as if we were on that planet of Pandora. There were a couple of animated films that were quite good in this format as well that enhanced my movie-going experience but it's still not enough to justify every movie in 3D.
James Cameron who made Avatar filmed that movie in 3D with cameras he had made specifically for this movie and future movies because he felt the technology had finally caught up to his vision of what he could achieve. I know that there are movies currently being made that are being filmed in 3D and honestly I'm a mixture of skeptical and excited because if a movie can duplicate that success like Avatar did then I'm all in. That kind of spectacle of movie-going experience should be a once a year event, that way people don't get burned out and it still maintains that feeling of freshness, otherwise the way it's going you might as well have independent films in 3D as well so you can scare even more people away from the movies because of that threat.
I remember back in the 80's when they tried to reintroduce this format, especially with horror movies and that lasted about a minute because it became to gimmicky and unnecessary, but who could forget those red and blue lensed glasses. Which brings us back to today and history is repeating itself. It wasn't that long ago maybe 3 or 4 years now with this current reintroduction but it's reminding me of the 80's because it's becoming gimmicky and unnecessary.
Avatar is the movie that changed everything, it was the spectacle that showed what 3D could and should do when watching in that format. It was as if that movie was alive, with how vibrant those colors were, it's as if we were on that planet of Pandora. There were a couple of animated films that were quite good in this format as well that enhanced my movie-going experience but it's still not enough to justify every movie in 3D.
James Cameron who made Avatar filmed that movie in 3D with cameras he had made specifically for this movie and future movies because he felt the technology had finally caught up to his vision of what he could achieve. I know that there are movies currently being made that are being filmed in 3D and honestly I'm a mixture of skeptical and excited because if a movie can duplicate that success like Avatar did then I'm all in. That kind of spectacle of movie-going experience should be a once a year event, that way people don't get burned out and it still maintains that feeling of freshness, otherwise the way it's going you might as well have independent films in 3D as well so you can scare even more people away from the movies because of that threat.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Movies I've enjoyed so far this year
Summer is almost upon us and it's the time of the year for the summer blockbusters to start bombarding us. My hopes are up as they are every year, and I'm sure I'll be disappointed but also hopefully pleasantly surprised.
There are a few movies I've enjoyed so far this year and one of my favorites is Barney's Version with Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman. Two master craftsmen at the top of their game who left me mesmerized with their performances in this great film which takes you on a ride in the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer.
Jane Eyre is another film that does the book justice, Mia Wasikowska as the title character is an actress whom should be on your radar because she is on her way to becoming great. Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester is also someone on the fast track to the A-list with his commanding performance in this film.
The Adjustment Bureau was a film I enjoyed with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, they had great chemistry together. Matt Damon is a great actor and makes every role he plays believable and the film has you wondering about ones own fate.
Source Code is such a mind puzzler for most but I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it could make the years top ten, Duncan Jones has made another great film and I'll be keeping my eye on him.
A few more I'll mention are Win Win a film by Thomas McCarthy who has now made three great films, Super with Rainn Wilson who becomes a super hero after his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer and Hanna. Hanna is the movie that Sucker Punch wished it could be, because that's what happens when you have a story and not just special effects.
Sucker Punch was the one movie I was waiting to see and it was truly a disappointment, visually it's stunning but when your movie lacks a story or at least something that resembles a story, you're left with nothing which is what I felt after leaving the theatre. I get what Zack Snyder was trying to do but you can't start with the special effects and maybe he should leave the writing to someone else.
There are a few movies I've enjoyed so far this year and one of my favorites is Barney's Version with Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman. Two master craftsmen at the top of their game who left me mesmerized with their performances in this great film which takes you on a ride in the life and memories of Barney Panofsky, a hard-drinking, cigar-smoking, foulmouthed 65-year old hockey fanatic and television producer.
Jane Eyre is another film that does the book justice, Mia Wasikowska as the title character is an actress whom should be on your radar because she is on her way to becoming great. Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester is also someone on the fast track to the A-list with his commanding performance in this film.
The Adjustment Bureau was a film I enjoyed with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, they had great chemistry together. Matt Damon is a great actor and makes every role he plays believable and the film has you wondering about ones own fate.
Source Code is such a mind puzzler for most but I thoroughly enjoyed it and think it could make the years top ten, Duncan Jones has made another great film and I'll be keeping my eye on him.
A few more I'll mention are Win Win a film by Thomas McCarthy who has now made three great films, Super with Rainn Wilson who becomes a super hero after his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer and Hanna. Hanna is the movie that Sucker Punch wished it could be, because that's what happens when you have a story and not just special effects.
Sucker Punch was the one movie I was waiting to see and it was truly a disappointment, visually it's stunning but when your movie lacks a story or at least something that resembles a story, you're left with nothing which is what I felt after leaving the theatre. I get what Zack Snyder was trying to do but you can't start with the special effects and maybe he should leave the writing to someone else.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Midnight Run
Every time I think about this movie I have to smile because I find myself remembering various scenes that are just hilarious. To me the movie is genius, it stars Robert De Niro as bounty hunter Jack Walsh and Charles Grodin as the Duke.
Bounty hunter Jack Walsh is sent to find and return bail jumper and former Mafia accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas. The FBI have had no success in locating The Duke, so when Jack finds him in next to no time, they are a little embarrassed. In order to collect his $100,000 fee, Jack must take The Duke from New York to Los Angeles. However, the Mafia and the FBI have other ideas, as does Marvin, a rival bounty hunter. On their long cross-country trip to LA, the two get to know each other and they build up a strange friendship.
The success of this movie is the chemistry between the two leads which are truly an odd couple yet are comedic gold. This was Robert De Niro's first true stab at comedy and I think the precursor for his future comedic roles such as Meet the Parents and Analyze This. Prior to this movie all De Niro had done or was known for was heavy dramas, there was The King of Comedy but that was a black comedy and not a comedy like Midnight Run.
Charles Grodin is not an actor I would've thought of for a movie like this and that's what makes this movie so good, watching his reactions and the dialogue between the two leads is something special.
Also along for the ride are Dennis Farina as mobster Jimmy Serrano with his two hench men Tony and Joey played by Richard Foronjy and Robert Miranda. Yaphet Kotto as FBI agent Alonzo Mosely, John Ashton as Marvin Dorfler, and Joe Pantoliano as Eddie Moscone.
All these actors come together to make an action/comedy like no other and one that when ever I see that it's on I always catch myself watching and revelling in it's brilliance. If you haven't ever seen this movie I highly recommend it because in my opinion it's a great movie and one of my all time favorites. What also makes this film so special is that it has heart and how two people from different worlds could become friends, in the next life.
I recently read that there have been talks to do a sequel to this classic and I hope that doesn't happen because that would destroy what has already been established and twenty something years too late, besides the movie is a stand alone and ended perfectly, Hollywood needs to stop grasping at straws.
Bounty hunter Jack Walsh is sent to find and return bail jumper and former Mafia accountant, Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas. The FBI have had no success in locating The Duke, so when Jack finds him in next to no time, they are a little embarrassed. In order to collect his $100,000 fee, Jack must take The Duke from New York to Los Angeles. However, the Mafia and the FBI have other ideas, as does Marvin, a rival bounty hunter. On their long cross-country trip to LA, the two get to know each other and they build up a strange friendship.
The success of this movie is the chemistry between the two leads which are truly an odd couple yet are comedic gold. This was Robert De Niro's first true stab at comedy and I think the precursor for his future comedic roles such as Meet the Parents and Analyze This. Prior to this movie all De Niro had done or was known for was heavy dramas, there was The King of Comedy but that was a black comedy and not a comedy like Midnight Run.
Charles Grodin is not an actor I would've thought of for a movie like this and that's what makes this movie so good, watching his reactions and the dialogue between the two leads is something special.
Also along for the ride are Dennis Farina as mobster Jimmy Serrano with his two hench men Tony and Joey played by Richard Foronjy and Robert Miranda. Yaphet Kotto as FBI agent Alonzo Mosely, John Ashton as Marvin Dorfler, and Joe Pantoliano as Eddie Moscone.
All these actors come together to make an action/comedy like no other and one that when ever I see that it's on I always catch myself watching and revelling in it's brilliance. If you haven't ever seen this movie I highly recommend it because in my opinion it's a great movie and one of my all time favorites. What also makes this film so special is that it has heart and how two people from different worlds could become friends, in the next life.
I recently read that there have been talks to do a sequel to this classic and I hope that doesn't happen because that would destroy what has already been established and twenty something years too late, besides the movie is a stand alone and ended perfectly, Hollywood needs to stop grasping at straws.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Let's talk about movies: My Favorite Movie
Let's talk about movies: My Favorite Movie: "I'm often asked by friends and people who know me 'What's your favorite movie?' and quite honestly I don't have one particular favorite amon..."
My Favorite Movie
I'm often asked by friends and people who know me "What's your favorite movie?" and quite honestly I don't have one particular favorite among all the movies I've seen. That's such a hard decision because to me it diminishes my enjoyment from the movies I've seen and arbitrarily places them in some category or order that means one particular film was better then another film.
For most people they need that symbol or structure of defining what's great in descending order, but it doesn't work that way for me, especially when it comes to movies because each film touches me in a different way.
Watching movies throughout the years has brought me a lot of pleasure and experiences that I'll treasure for the rest of my life. Some of those movies have been heavy dramas that have brought me to tears and amazed by the performances like in "The Color Purple", which is one of my favorite movies, it's just an incredible story. That's it also, incredible stories that have been told by some remarkable filmmakers over the years and more that I'm sure I'll enjoy for years to come and yet people expect you to name one film to rule them all.
So here's a list of some of my all time favorite movies in no particular order:
The Shawshank Redemptioin
The Godfather 1 & 2
The Departed
Citizen Kane
The 400 Blows
Magnolia
On The Waterfront
The Apartment
Glory
Pulp Fiction
The Bicycle Thief
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy
One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Best Years of Our Lives
I'm sure people who read this will tell me that I missed this movie or that movie on my list and as I said it's a partial list, also it's MY LIST and that's the thing about movies they touch us all differently.
For most people they need that symbol or structure of defining what's great in descending order, but it doesn't work that way for me, especially when it comes to movies because each film touches me in a different way.
Watching movies throughout the years has brought me a lot of pleasure and experiences that I'll treasure for the rest of my life. Some of those movies have been heavy dramas that have brought me to tears and amazed by the performances like in "The Color Purple", which is one of my favorite movies, it's just an incredible story. That's it also, incredible stories that have been told by some remarkable filmmakers over the years and more that I'm sure I'll enjoy for years to come and yet people expect you to name one film to rule them all.
So here's a list of some of my all time favorite movies in no particular order:
The Shawshank Redemptioin
The Godfather 1 & 2
The Departed
Citizen Kane
The 400 Blows
Magnolia
On The Waterfront
The Apartment
Glory
Pulp Fiction
The Bicycle Thief
The Lord of The Rings Trilogy
One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Best Years of Our Lives
I'm sure people who read this will tell me that I missed this movie or that movie on my list and as I said it's a partial list, also it's MY LIST and that's the thing about movies they touch us all differently.
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