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Nothin’ Like A Good Ol’ A$$ Whoopin’

Published

Brett

on January 25, 2009

in Movies

. 0 Comments

The Ram

I know I haven’t posted much in quite a while. Call it what you will, but I just saw The Wrestler and was inclined to give you my highly critical opinion.

For starters, I loved it. From the opening credits with the panning wrestling Promo’s from the 80′s and even the Ram-green font, to the final image of Mickey Rourke (more on him in a moment) giving his fans what they wanted, I was hooked. Darren Arronofsky’s use of a documentary-style single camera shooting made this movie feel very authentic.

As an avid wrestling fan in my younger days, which I’ve since let fall by the wayside, Mickey Rourke sold me 100% on his performance from his first elbow drop, to the final RamJam. Not only did he deserve the Golden Globe for Best Male Actor, as well as his forth coming Oscar win…this was one of my top 10 performances in a while. I don’t know whether it was the 80′s vibe he exuded, the low IQ he was portraying as a lovable fuckup with many apparent prior transgressions, or just his overall “badassness” but Mickey Rourke has some chops. I can’t say I’m well versed in his Filmography (besides SinCity of course) but I’ll surely be adding some of his flicks to my Netflix queue.

Marisa Tomei was phenomenal as the odd relationship between the two characters unfolds throughout the films 115 min run time.

That said, even if you weren’t a fan of the Hulk Hogan’s and Iron Sheik’s of the 80′s, you will dig this movie based on the incredible character development and Rourke’s painful attempts to reconnect with his daughter (a very solid Evan Rachel Wood). It seems as though this year’s Oscar season is full of very strong candidates…while I haven’t seen a majority of the noms yet, I can’t imagine many of them containing a better lead performance than this one. Check it out.

*Note – Bruce Springsteen’s song written and titled for this movie did not go unnoticed…I loved it

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Abrams and Lindelof attached to Dark Tower film/TV adaptation.

Published

on October 5, 2008

in Books, Movies and TV

. 0 Comments

So I was digging around and came up with this incredibly tasty morsel:

http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/02/damon-lindelof-updates-the-dark-tower/

Essentially, King sold the rights for The Dark Tower series to JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof for $19. Yep, that’s right nineteen bucks. Damon expresses that this will probably happen after LOST wraps. It’s an exciting proposition. I think Abrams and Lindelof can do a good job. Roland’s story is such a complex tale and I think if anyone can do it, these guys can.

I am currently reading the last book book now (I took a break to read Watchmen). I’ve been a fan of this group of stories since the came out and I for one, am very excited about this development. I’ll continue to dig up some info and post any developments.

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Because Burn Before Reading would be too difficult.

Published

jason

on September 18, 2008

in Movies

. 0 Comments

Clooney, Pitt, Swinton, Malkovich and McDormand in a film by the Coen brothers.

Obviously, this should interest you.

I’ve been following this one for some time now, and I was definitely not disappointed. Burn After Reading is easily one of the most entertaining movies I have seen this year. To prepare mix: 3 parts funny, 2 parts bizarre, a splash of violence… sprinkling on a few sex toys for good measure.

The entire cast give fantastic performances that should not be missed. Clooney the neurotic womanizer, Pitt the personal training dumbass, Malkovich the asshole, Swinton the cold bitch and McDormand the ditzy self desctructing center of it all. What I admire most is the stretch of some of these characters, except perhaps Tilda Swinton playing the exact same role she played in Michael Clayton. She still did a great job, and it was what the role called for but I’m hoping she doesn’t end up type cast for future gigs.

As I said, everyone was great. I would have to single out a non headliner in the form of J.K. Simmons (aka Juno’s dad or J Jonah Jameson). He nails some of the best lines in the film as a detached, unflinching CIA director. His only concern being that the entire case/situation simply just go away. It’s just about worth the price of admission for him alone.

The Coen brothers, after No Country for Old Men have returned back to the offbeat, seedy characters that made Fargo, O Brother, Lebowski and Raising Arizona such entertaining films. I’m not sure that this one will win an Oscar like No Country (only because the academy is filled with a closed mindedness to anything that can be percieved as ‘main stream), but I am sure it’s far more enjoyable.

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Thunderous Laughter and a tropically good time.

Published

on August 16, 2008

in Movies

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“I got an extra ticket to Tropic Thunder tonight”

And that was all I needed. This last week has been busy as hell, so a move this weekend was not on the agenda, but when fortune reigns down the funny, you best pick it up.

Tropic Thunder had me crying with laughter from the first frame. Seriously, the first frame. The movie kicks right into Stiller’s outrageous brand of comedy right from the get-go. Typically, I’m very lukewarm on Stiller (Starsky, good; Fokkers, bad). His movies are funny, his comedy is funny, but a lot of times he just pushes it too far for me (mostly in the jump-the-shark category). Plus his mugging and overacting sometimes get a bit too much.

But in this movie, he keeps it reigned in, except for a few spots which actually make sense for his character. The entire film (within a film) is satirizing Hollywood, stars, and producers but does it in such a way that outsiders can appreciate it. Robert Downey Jr. is self deprecating throughout the film with his oscar-winning Kirk Lazarus (whose name is more telling than you think). His performance is amazing and I hope the academy recognizes this (although the fact that this performance is in a comedy…probably not) since for most of the movie, you can’t even recognize Downey Jr. at all, Just Kirk Lazarus. Just watch for Lazarus’s awakening moment, it’s quite impressive.

Jack Black reigns it in as well and plays it pretty tight (for Black). His “Fatties” movie pokes obvious fun at Eddie Murphy (or is it homage?) but the character has an interesting turn about halfway through the movie. Also, watch for the other over-the-top-Stiller-dialogue with Black’s character later in the movie. Don’t worry, you’ll know it when you see/hear it.

Cameos abound and Tugg’s agent is excellent (I’ll refrain from telling you who it is, just see the movie) and surprisingly is one of the only sane characters in the entire film. And while Tom Cruise’s lecherous Les Grossman (whose name is AS telling as you think) is certainly a prick, Cruise plays him loose and with abandon I haven’t seen since Magnolia. I’ve always been a fan of Cruise (I could care less about his private life and religious affiliations) and this role shows that he’s not afraid to take a risk in an attempt to break the “Cruise-mold” – shaved knuckles, sweaty armpits and all. Bottom line: his movies are entertaining and he’s a great actor.

Speaking of sane (and believe it or not, the Hero – at least that’s what I think) Jay Baruchel, typically an Apatow side player, makes a great performance as the only truly combat-ready dude in the outfit. His geeky Kevin Sandusky kicks surprising ass and holds his own with this veteran crew.

From the first frame Brandon T. Jackson’s Alpa Chino sets the stage for what to expect from this movie but quickly turns it on it’s ear. His retorts of Downey Jr’s “blackification” are some of the funniest stuff in the film. I was crying (literally crying) at one point (“For 400 hundreds…”). Watch out for Jackson, you’re gonna see a lot of this kid.

Oh and Danny McBride’s overzealous pyrotechnician is awesome. This guy is going to be the next up-and-comer, just watch (that’s two – Stiller’s got a good eye)

Overall, the look and production value of the movie bely it’s satirical comedy and present a serious war movie. The action and effects are top-notch, it feels like a big Hollywood flick as it’s supposed to- and I like it. The 70′s soundtrack (and direct scene homages) give you the feel of Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket – you name it, it’s in there.

So, leave the kids at home, grab some Milk Duds and see this in the theater, THEN go buy the DVD because the extras are gonna kick ass – oh they’ll kick ass.

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New Wolverine trailer at Comic Con

Published

on July 31, 2008

in Comics and Movies

. 5 Comments

Holy Crap! How would you like a look at the new Wolverine trailer from Comic Con? Keep an eye out for Gambit and Deadpool, BTW.

And seriously? Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool? Jason’s gonna have a ball with me on this one!

And how much weight did Liev Schreiber put on? Holy shit, he looks like he ATE the brick shithouse! That’s commitment.

Oh, and Kevin Durand is playing Blob – our 2nd favorite badass Keamy from LOST (First being Ben Linus, of course)!

I’m officially psyched for this flick.

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Why…So…Serious?!

Published

Brett

on July 20, 2008

in Comics and Movies

. 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

. 2 Comments

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

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.

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