Get Low

You still have one more day to vote for your favorite movie with skydiving in it, on the left hand side of the blog. Stand up and make a difference, VOTE!

Now for our feature presentation...

Get Low

Robert Duval plays a derelict, hermit during the 1920's, who is getting ready for death. He wants to have a live funeral and with the help of the local funeral parlor he gets it done. He wants everyone who has a story about him to come and tell it.

This movie is really a charming film. It's simple. Rober Duval plays the town crazy and everyone can relate to that, because who doesn't have a town crazy person? It's got charming, comical parts, it tugs at the heart strings, it makes one think about death and life and what it means. It really surprised me how great it was. You heard it here first, look out for it being nominated for best picture in '10, and Duval getting a nod for best actor. The settings are great, filmed in Georgia, the house where Duval stays is set in the woods, but man what a beautiful set of trees. The lighting is so personal, as Duval's house is lit by gas lanterns. The shadows of the flames dance on the characters faces as we intently watch to see what it is that is really going on. The music does seem to cue you in whether or not you should be laughing or crying, but it fits.

There is a scene that doesn't have much dialogue, or action, but is so captivating. The boys who own the funeral parlor, Bill Maurry (Ghostbusters, Rushmore, Caddyshack) and Lucas Black (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Friday Night Lights, Jarhead) want to take Duvals picture, but he vanishes off to the barber, because he wants to get trimmed up. Well that's not what the guys want they want him to look as people know him, long scraggly grey hair, big bushy white beard, dirty looking, with a crazy look in his eye. As they get ready to take the picture, Duval puts his hands to his hair and messes it up even more. Just this little 5 min scene was so charming, that you fell in love with Duval's character. You wanted to know why he was the town crazy hermit, what did he have to hide. You want to know his story.

Robert Duval was brilliant in his performance. He portrays perfectly, that strange old person knowledge with all kinds of elder sayings, that don't seem to make sense until the proper moment. His monologue at the end is so compelling as all the build of the story comes out of this mans being, its unreal to watch. Bill Muarry's character seems out of place, as far as the time goes, his choice of words and the way he delivers them seems like he'd be more in place in a whiskey bar shooting the shit. However he did fit the comic relief quite nicely.

The movie can be seen as a little slow, but I found it was paced nicely, with screen time for characters set perfectly, with amazing shots, and little montages. Brilliant movie all around

Now for everyone's favorite game....GUESS THAT QUOTE!!! (answers edition)

1) "What do you guys want out of life?" "To die and come back as a leotard"

Bio-Dome

2) "I need your cloths, boots and your motorcycle" "You forgot to say please"

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

3) "I don't want a large farva, I want a goddamn liter o cola!"

Super Troopers

4) "Snakes, why'd it have to be snakes?" "Asps...very dangerous. You go first."

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark

5) "Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place? Do you think that's air you're breathing now?

The Matrix

Netflix Instant Watch of the Week: Fools Rush In.
Salma Hayek...YES PLEASE! Give into this guilty little pleasure of a romcom movie


Netflix DVD of the Week: Rushmore. If you're looking for a good laugh this weekend, and who isn't, check out this little charmer of a movie. You won't be disappointed.


A little bit of movie news...

The Hobbit
Some of you may or may not know about this two part film. This movie has been through hell and back again, with director changes, producer changes, set backs on the script, on where they are gonna film. EVERYTHING. Well its getting close to a green light, very close. After all the set backs its been said that they are finally going to get a green light. Read the full article on Slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/10/01/green-light-expected-for-the-hobbit-within-a-few-days/

New Wes Anderson Film!
This weeks dvd to watch is Rushmore which is a Wes Anderson film. AND ITS AWESOME!. I haven't seen Fantastic Mr. Fox yet but trust me I'm going to. Word is out that Wes will be making another film, called Moonrise Kingdom. No word is out however what the movie about, who's in it, nothing. There is a picture you can check out on Slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/30/wes-anderson-preparing-to-shoot-next-film-in-spring-2011/, that has him in a room with a lot of wild animals. So maybe something with a zoo? Who knows.

enjoy your weekend!

Look at me, you see my face, call the cops, I saw your's too

After a heated battle, our favorite actor turned director is...Dirty Harry himself, Clint Eastwood, and why shouldn't he. With movies like Million Dollar Baby (best picture/director of '05), Mystic River (nominated for best picture/director '04), Gran Tarino, The Changeling. All great films.

For our movie review of:

The Town

This movie comes from the mind of Ben Afflec. Written and directed, this is Afflec's second shot at having sole creativity of a film. Gone Baby Gone was his first attempt which got high acclaim (and which I have never seen, and has just moved up to the next 10 movies in my Netflix que). The movie follows some townies from Charlsetown, MA, right outside of the city of Boston. Charlestown, according to the movie, is known for bank robberies and producing the best there is in the trade. The movie follows Doug MacRay (Ben Afflec, Dazed and Confused, Dogma, Gigli) who is an experienced thief and has lived his entire life in the business. His best friend Jim (Jermey Renner, S.W.A.T., North Country, The Hurt Locker) is part of his crew, who lay terror to banks all over the city of Boston. After a a bank robbery/hostage situation, Doug (Afflec) falls in love with said hostage. Drama ensues.

I had a great great time at the movies with this film. I must say Ben Afflec, as a writer/director is a very talented human being, Ben Afflec as the actor isn't as talented. The acting in this movie is top notch from small roles to main roles, accept Afflec, didn't much care for him. Jeremy Renner's character, for me, stole the show. He plays such a good, rouge-type with a short fuse. I really enjoyed the performance of Rebecca Hall (The Prestige, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Frost/Nixon) who, in my eyes is absolutely GORGEOUS! She played the hostage, turned love interest. Jon Hamm (The Day the Earth Stood Still, A Single Man) plays the head FBI agent trying to stop the bandits, who is at the edge of his ropes and will do what ever it takes to bring them down. Blake Lively (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Accepted) takes on a pretty serious role compared to some of her latter ones, as the drugged up, love-him-can't-have him, maybe babies-mama of Aflec. Pete Postlethwaite (Hamlet, The Last of the Mohicans, Dragon Heart) is a great character actor who usually always fly's under the radar. He plays Fergie who is an Irish head gangster type who sets up all the jobs and he steals his few mins of screentime as well.

The story is set up great so that there is a lot of anticipation, a lot of build up, and you really start to care about the characters. There was a moment in the movie where I was getting a little restless. I had heard great things and was starting to wonder where these claims came from. Well the last 35-40 mins is so fun and entertaining, the payoff is well worth the time setup to feel for these characters.The setting was unreal, as it was filmed all in Boston. I'm a huge fan of car chases in films, and there is an unbelievable one set on the tiny, narrow streets of Boston. Heart pounding happens!

The one problem I did have was when Afflec went to meet Halls character. He was set to follow her and keep and eye on her. Obviosuly this wouldn't be a movie if he didn't start to get smitten with her. While she starts to open up about what happened to her, the dialogue was kind of awkward in the way Afflec was asking questions about the robbery. Just didn't fit for me.

The film did seem similar to Heat, which seems to follow the same storyline. This is my last job, fall in love, shoot out in open city. Afflec did a great job behind the camera, and a great job at making and entertaining movie, I'm excited for his next film.

Now for everyone's favorite game....GUESS THAT QUOTE!!!

1) "What do you guys want out of life?" "To die and come back as a leotard"
2) "I need your cloths, boots and your motorcycle" "You forgot to say please"
3) "I don't want a large farva, I want a goddamn litre o cola!"
4) "Snakes, why'd it have to be snakes?" "Asps...very dangerous. You go first."
5) "Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place? Do you think that's air you're breathing now?

Netflix Instant Watch of the Week: Fools Rush In. I'm not normally a romcom kinda guy but I got a soft side for Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry. It's a rather entertaining movie, with your cliche romcom story themes and plot moments. The humor from Perry however makes it worth while, and Salma Hayek is smoking hot. YOWSERS!

Netflix DVD of the Week: Rushmore. Wes Anderson is an ingenious director/writer. Not only are his movie hilarious, awkward and thoughtful, they are beautiful to watch them unfold. Rushmore has to by my favorite of the Wes Anderson movies. If you get a chance check out his stuff. Tells the hilarious story of a student who falls in love with his teacher, who gets double crossed by his friend who is about 30 years older then him. Great stuff!

A little movie news:

3-D Starwars
As the world turns, movies get put into 3-d, and so be it. I'm no advocate for 3-d but I love when 3-d is done well and adds something to the film (Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon). I don't agree with the idea that EVERYTHING HAS TO BE 3d. That's just silly. However Starwars is already and established, achieved franchise and to add 3d is just to add a bit of fun. Starting in 2012, each movie is going to be remastered for 3d theatres. Each year starting in 2012, a film will be shown, starting with The Phantom Menace and ending with Return of the Jedi. I think this will be fun seeing as I never got to see the original 3 movies on the big screen. That means I still have to wait until 2015 for that, but hey I'll get excited now. Here's the article from slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/28/3d-star-wars-releases-reportedly-set-to-begin-in-2012/

Sally Menke passes away
I can't say that I knew who this women was, by name, but I did know her work. Sally Menke has been Quentin Tarantino's editor since he wrote and directed Reservoir Dogs all the way to Inglorious Basterds. Her work was done with such class and excellence. The style that QT has, I can only surmise, a lot to do with Menke working with him for so long, and learning and embracing what he was all about. Most people who know me, know I love QT. This is a sad day for film, and for QT lovers everywhere. Here's the full article on slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/28/sally-menke-quentin-tarantinos-longtime-editor-has-died-at-56/

Again thanks for all the support, as soon as the Phillies are done (which I hope is in November after they win the World Series) I'll have more time to dabble.

Heineken, F*ck that sh*t, PABTS BLUE RIBBON!

Here's a new week, here's a new post.

Our movie review is

Blue Velvet

4 outa 5 stars

This movie comes from the mind of David Lynch who over his span has been known as an ingenious mastermind, or a complete psychopath. I've never seen any of his work, but I've heard so many interesting things. I'm glad I caught the middle of his work, as he has done movies before it. Such as Dune, Eraserhead and Elephantman and movies after such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive. Lynch was nominated for best actor for this movie in 1987 (film debuted in '86...I was one, and I'm sure I wouldn't under stand the grand scheme of things) , but the movie itself gain high regard for pushing the limits of film.

The movie is about a young man named Jeffery (Kyle MacLachlan, Striptease, The Flinstones, The Doors) Who returns home when his father becomes extremely ill. On his way home from the hospital he finds a severed human ear, which in turns drives him to want to know everything about why and how this ear came to be detached from its owner and discarded in a field. What he finds is a nasty underground of filth, debauchery and murder in his suburbian hometown.

I was aware David Lynch was known for some bizzare work, but I really had no idea what I was getting into. The opening scene can set the mood for the whole movie. The camera is staring into the sky and pans slowly down to show a white picket fence and some blooming flowers. As we watch a an old man enjoying his day in the sun, in a suburban backyard, watering the flowers, he seems to have a stroke. As we watch him struggle and rive in pain the camera pans down into the grown to see beetles crawling all over themselves. The whole movie takes the idea of the suburbs and the safety they have and turns it on its ass. There are scenes where you feel the comfort of the suburbs but in an instance you feel uncomfortable sitting in your own room.

The movie has the feeling of an old 70's horror movie, feels gritty and real, which gives that uncomfortable feeling.

This movie really pushes the boundaries of what should and could be in a movie. Dennis Hopper plays the antagonist, who is a whackado. He uses the F word in almost every sentence he mutters, he gets high on some kinda of noxious gas which he huffs out of mask and he's always got this evil gleam in his eye. He blew my mind. He steals the show. The audacity of creating this kind of a character is ballsy. Not only do I applaud Hopper for taking this character to the extreme he did but for Lynch for creating this person we can all easily hate. "Heinikin, f*ck that shit, Pabts Blue Ribbon!!!"

Isabella Rossellini (Death Death Becomes Her, Rodger Dodger) plays a lounge singing beauty who gets caught up with the wrong people, and is forced to do things with Hopper's character that will dry your eyes out because blinking won't be an option. Her portrayal of her lost, morose, nymphomaniac character is unreal, I don't know how she filmed certain films, she's a brave soul.

Regardless of the fact that Lynch may or may not be out of his mind, he works wonders with the camera. There are some beautifully shot scenes and the way he used shadows and silence, will always be better then any CG anyone can come up with. Something so simple as not using lights in the right place, and not using music was so captivating, you don't know your not breathing until the scene is over.

Like I said this movie really pushes the limits, but if you're ready to sit through an amazing thriller with some wild scenes where your jaw will be sore from staying ajar, this is a great time.

Invisibles part duex:Answers

So I hope all of you (the 4 or 5 of you that is) really racked your brains for these, I can't get enough. Like I said before I got #'s 1, 3, 5, 6 & 8, I should have known more. But with out further ado here are your answers

1) The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
2) The Hudsucker Proxy
3) Shakespeare in Love
4) Risky Business
5) Invictus
6) BASKETball
7) Crimson Tide
8) Brick (which if you watched my first Netflix recommendation you would know this one )


Netflix Instant Watch of the Week: Bio-Dome. Everyone gave Pauly Shore crap, but he has got to be one of my favorite '90s entertainers. This is him at the top of his game. Muhchin on some grindaaaaage!.


Netflix DVD of the Week: The Kingdom. This is a high energy, middle eastern war movie. The last 45 mins of this movie will get your adrenaline pumping, and seeing as I just recently jumped out of a plane. I want my adrenaline to keep pumping.

A Little bit of movie news....

An Academic Look at Raunchy Teen Movies
Cinemablend.com put out a great article talking about, some of our favorite raunchy teen movies. "Sex, Drugs and Homework" tells of the reoccurring themes in most teen movies and compares a few of our old favorites with some of our new favorites, like Dazed and Confused vs. Superbad and Varsity Blues vs. Mean Girls. A really great read looking at why teen highschool movies may be dead and the college is the new high school setting for raunchy teen movies. Read the whole article at http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Sex-Drugs-And-Homework-Anatomy-Of-A-Teen-Raunch-Comedy-20727.html

Joaquin Phoenix Beard and Rap Career a Hoax?
Sadly it is true. Some of you may not know but Casey Afflec, Ben Afflecs older brother put out a documentary called I'm Still Here. The doc followed Joaquin Phoenix as he tried to start his rap career. A lot of people saw this a year or so ago, as Joaquin Phoenix came out on David Letterman, seemingly whacked out on drugs, an annoucning his retirement from acting to start a rap career. Many articles have popped up saying that it indeed was all a farce. I'm kind of upset personally to find out that this was in deed a farce. Why tell everyone? I liked the whole ambiguity of the situation. Here's an article from Slashfilm.com saying that even Letterman was in on it. http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/18/im-still-here-david-letterman-was-in-on-it-too/

<3 Thanks to all the readers

Asinine and Empathy are the words of the day

Here's your fix for the weekend kids

First our poll where we got a whooping 3 votes, What was your favorite Horror Movie remake, the winner is. Well its a three way tie, each with 1 vote, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street, are our winners. I don't even really know why I did this considering I hate horror movies. I did however see the TCM remake and I love Jessica Biel, so I loved the movie.


Now to our review

Sideways

3 1/2 Stars out 5

Sideways (2004), was nomitated for best film in 2004, up against some other heavy hitters like The Aviator, Million Dollar Baby, Ray and Finding Neverland The movie is about Miles (Paul Giamatti Saving Private Ryan, Safe Men, Cinderella Man), a disgruntled English teacher/writer who's life is in a rut after a year divorce with his wife, and Jack (Thomas Haden Church, "Ned and Stacey", 3000 Miles to Graceland, Spider-Man 3) a brass, charismatic actor, who is getting married in a week and wants to have some fun. Miles decides to give Jack a bachelor party going to Wine Country in California, but Jack has other plans. Jack is a scumbag, asshole who's only thoughts on his mind are himself and his crotch area and all Miles wants to do is drink great wine. Drunkenness ensues.

After watching this movie I'm not really sure how this movie got a nod, especially with all those other great movies on the list, not including Finding Neverland. I love Paul Giamatti as an actor, ever little detail of his character has meaning. His facial expressions, his hand gestures, his pauses, his stares, his stutters; all of it makes you feel empathetic with his character. There was no disappointment in this one. (I recommend every movie/show he's in) In the first 20 mins you feel empathy for his character and right away you're routing for him, you're connecting with him. He's disgruntled, heart broken, depressed and down on his luck, who can't relate to that. He's writing a novel with no luck on getting it published and you just feel for this guy. However his counter part THC, is a complete scumbag. You hate to see this guy do what he's doing, snubbing his best friend to get laid before his marriage. The characters are complete opposites for each other which makes for some good drama and comedy.

The music has this great 50's style feel to it making you feel like you're in a lounge room with the rat pack. Also, the way its filmed you'd think the movie was made in the 70's, gritty and real.

The humor is really dry and subtle, but so good. There are many scenes where just a "Are you fucking kidding me" look from Giamatti to THC had me laughing. Also I felt like they were poking a lil fun at wine connoisseurs who, oxidize, and sniff, "There's a hint of honey, and rosemary, and is that Oak I smell in there?" Being ignorant to that kind of stuff made for a good laugh for me.

There are some very depressing undertones to the film, Paul Giamatii's character gains ground and then just gets dropped down two rungs, and you just want him to catch a break.

THC's character really takes abuses the "Life is short" cliche...we understand that, but doing something that will mess up your entire future seems a little asinine.

Over all the movie seems very depressing, where you never really get to feel happy for Miles, although I did enjoy the humor (as it was marketed) but I don't think it was much of a comedy. Very much a guys movie, about wine and mid life decisions.

Invisibles part duex:

Here's your next list of invisible movie shots, have a guess...I knew #'s 1, 3, 5, 6 & 8

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)


Netflix Instant Watch of the Week: HACKERS! Someone in our group has seen Hackers and he was blown away. As he should have been. Let us know if you've seen this amazing masterpiece.
Netflix DVD of the Week: Run! Lola Run! No word as to if anyone saw this one yet, this one will literally have you scratching your head.

Name These Quotes: Answers

1) "They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time" - Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

2) "Check out the big brains on Brett" - Pulp Fiction

3) "You mean sleep over. Well, ok...but I get to be on top!" - Big

4) "Cause I'm trying to describe to you how these DATs keep your ass on the ground, so that if I were to kick you in the balls, and you don't know how to work them, what happens to you?" - Armageddon
5) "I did it when I was a freshman, and you'll do it when you're seniors. Now fry like bacon you little freshman piggies! Fry!" - Dazed and Confused

Some movie news:

More "Adult" Movies
Here is a great article for above average movie goers. This article talks about how we need more "Adult" movies. No, you perverts, not those kind. Adult meaning the opposite of child. Movies that have little moments that adults understand and appreciate and others mainly children (or ignoramuses) just don't understand. It talks about two movies coming out (or are out right now) The Romantics & The American and how these movies are more "adult" movies, not so much blockbuster, hollywood movies, but movies with thought and meaning. If you have a few mins this weekend give it a read, and maybe you'll go from seeing The Last Exorcism or Resident Evil: Afterlife. Compliments of Salon.com http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/the_romantics/index.html?story=/ent/movies/film_salon/2010/09/07/the_romantics_the_american_grownup_movies

Clint Eastwood as Superman or Bond?
That's right, apparently Clint, "Do you feel lucky punk" Eastwood, was offered these two iconic roles in his prime. But "they" and myself don't really see him as The Man o' Steel or Mr. Shaken not Stirred. Read the full article compliments of Slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/08/trivia-clint-eastwood-was-offered-superman-and-james-bond/

Jumping the Shark...wait what?
So, after 20 years, the guy who wrote the episode where Fonzie "jumps the shark" has finally come out as saying, "yea that was me, but it wasn't my fault". Ok that wasn't verbatim but Fred Fox Jr. finally came out as saying he didn't think it was that big of deal. After that episode they made about 194 more. So he doesn't understand the big deal. Me, I love that saying and probably use it when it doesn't need to be used. Here's the whole article at Slashfilm.com http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/08/lol-screenwriter-who-wrote-the-jump-the-shark-episode-of-happy-days-finally-steps-forward-to-defend-his-work/

Thanks again for everyone (the few of you, haha) that are supporting me, this crap will keep pumping out regardless.