Category Archive for ‘Movies’ at iconogeek

Archive for the 'Movies' Category

Why…So…Serious?!

Published

on July 20, 2008

. 5 Comments

This might be the most difficult review/commentary I’ve had to write in my time as an iconogeek poster. The Dark Knight was cast into movie history on early Friday morning, amid hype bigger then Jack Nicholson’s shit-eating grin way back in 1989. I’ll admit that I had enormous expectations for this flick for several reasons, including the immense Batman Begins, my love for all things Batman (minus a little misstep known dearly as “the nipple suit”), Christian Bale, and oh by the way, Heath Ledger tragically and unexpectedly passed away right after his filming and post-production. Needless to say there was a minute amount of mystique and anticipation surrounding TDK.

Now that the weekend is over, Bale and Co. have broken the records for Midnight Opening Gross (over Revenge of the Sith), Opening Day and Weekend Gross (over Spider-Man 3). So the fans liked it….which, is a good thing, I think.

As far as what I thought about the movie is difficult to describe. In recent weeks I suppose I’ve been labeled as a rather stringent critic, which I have no problem with. Maybe you’ll hear more of my side on the next podcast. But to discuss how I would score The Dark Knight feels near impossible. Entertainment Weekly touted the flick by saying “This is what you call raising the bar.” In a way I both agree and disagree with that statement. The bar for comic book movies was certainly raised in a sense, but I feel more inclined to describe the bar as being broken down into little pieces and upgraded to a newer, shinier, nipple-less bar.

The Dark Knight is less a comic book movie and more an investigation into the human condition and the emotions shrouded behind a bad-ass bat suit, and psychotically applied white make-up. This summer has now seen three phenomenal comic book-based films in which the first 2 started the trend and the 3rd and most spectacular broke the mold. It seems that The Dark Knight has ushered in the era of Oscar-buzz worthy chatter amongst previously lighter fare.

It took me 2 days to finally post because the movie had so many story arcs that it took that long for me to process. That’s not to say that there were too many plot lines, its just an observation that no comic book movie has ever bitten off more than its ADHD riddled fanboys can chew at once (hence all the sequels). Where Batman Begins revitalized a tired franchise, The Dark Knight revitalized a tiring genre.

It’s an understatement to say Heath Ledger was superb as the Joker. Once the final credits rolled, and the Joker had already exited stage left, it was apparent that all the other players including a solid Bale, Aaron Eckhardt, Maggie Gyllenhall, and Gary Oldman among others, were simply a big name supporting cast to true work of acting genius. Ledger clearly had a vision in mind of what the Joker is and why he is that way. If for nothing else, this movie soared because of what Ledger added to it. Jack Nicholson…stick to Boston-based mob movies…because you just got out played.

The two scenes that stood out most were when Ledger and Bale are face to face in rather quiet and alone situations. I started to forget that the Joker was wearing ridiculous face paint and began to see him as a deranged criminal, with an ominous past, which I couldn’t even imagine, that would set him off the straight and narrow so far. He became a psychotic murderer the likes of which hasn’t been seen on the big screen since the aforementioned Nicholson in the Shining.

I’m going to use the old >I<score system for this one because it’s all too confusing as of yet.

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Watchmen: The Trailer

Published

Cesar

on July 17, 2008

in Books, Comics and Movies

. 1 Comment

Wow. That’s all I can say, probably one of THE very best graphic novels I’ve had the chance to read. The film is being directed by Mr. 300, Zack Snyder. Hopefully he will be faithful to the graphic novel and bring it to life on the big screen.

You still reading this nonsense? Click on the link already! Nuf’ said!

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He is the man.

Published

Chuck

on June 29, 2008

in Movies and Uncategorized

. 2 Comments

Yep, James McAvoy is totally the man. And for that matter so is Timur Bekmambetov. Jesus Christmas, I just saw Wanted and I gotta say it kicked much ass. I had very high hopes for this movie and I was not disappointed. I have to admit, I wasn’t quite sure McAvoy could pull it off. He plays great doe-eyed innocence, but action hero? Well, let me just say, he f’n pulls it off, and pulls it off big.

The premise works and I dug it - a millenia-old order of assassins working to keep fate on track (this does deviate a bit from the comic’s plot - but they did a great job in adapting it to the screen). I was able to accept the mystical aspect of it (which they leave largely unexplained) and just completely immerse myself in this film. It handled exposition rather well, with a cheeky VO á la Blade Runner and got into the action at just the right moment. The pacing felt great, the acting was spot on and the effects were tight. Bekmambetov takes John Geata’s bullet time and pushes it even further.

The action is crazy-over-the-top with amazing chase sequences that tip their hats to Point Break, The French Connection, and the Matrix. In addition, you’ll see tons of little in-jokes like a VERY Han-in-Carbonite scene about half-way through the flick. I think my favorite was the appearance of Konstantin Khabensky as one of the Fraternity members.

Angelina Jolie is, of-course, awesome, any time you need a beautiful ass-kicking chick with a heart, she’s your go-to-girl. And Common even makes a great turn as the “Gunsmith”. And if your life won’t be complete until you hear Morgan Freeman say “Shoot this mother-fucker” well then…you’ve come to the right movie. I always like when he is in these mentoring style roles, even though this is nowhere near the gravitas of Se7en, he pulls them off really well. Terence Stamp makes an appearance as well and he plays it straight, not over-the-top (and I always love when General Zod shows up)

Ya know, I think Bekmambetov may have some father issues now that I think about it - lots of father figures in this flick, but I think that’s a topic for the podcast. Before I go, I gotta drop an >i< score of a 9 on this one. Action, humor, in-jokes, fun - it’s got it all - and coupled with great direction, effects AND sound. Go see it, you won’t be left wanting…except for a sequel.

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To the World: You were right, I was wrong.

Published

jason

on June 18, 2008

in Movies and Smash

. 0 Comments

I’ve taken a lot of flack over the years for being the one person on earth that enjoyed Ang Lee’s Hulk. I could never understand what the problem was. He was a comic book character and for me the movie was fun to watch. I like Eric Bana. I really like Jennifer Connelly. He rips a tank apart! Whatever, judge me if you like.. I enjoyed it.

However.

I saw the new Hulk this weekend, and I guess you were all right… Ang Lee’s Hulk is just an ugly bastard of a movie in comparison. This is what a Hulk movie should be. Ridiculous over the top tense and exciting action sequences, enjoyable characters (good interplay between Norton and Tyler, although Jennifer Connelly was much more ‘appealing’), fantastic superpowers, great CGI and most importantly a ton of fun. This movie will get an assload of play on my home theater when it comes to DVD.

The CGI had a few moments of ‘eh’ .. you know where you look at it, and something seems off but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Overall though it was top notch. The integration of live action and 3d was especially noteworthy, which is where most movies have issues. This is where the Hulk excels, pitting his massive frame against normal sized individuals had an awesome impact.

Definitely go check this one out. It’s a 10 in my book.. not an Iron Man 10, but a 10 nonetheless.

P.S. No need to stay past the end credits this time… they throw you the bone right before it ends.