So, here we go, my carefully chosen list of my favourite films of the year. I think most of you will have disagreements, however it is entirely based on my opinion and, frankly, I don't give a shit! :p
It took me a lot of thinking to put these 10 films in order from 10 to 1, and I am very sad to leave another three out of the list. I will mention them in the end though. My basic criteria for ordering the films was how intense emotions I had while watching them and how lost I was in the film's universe.
So read on, and post some comments here or in my Facebook page.
10. Paranormal Activity: One of the scariest films ever?? Not for everyone, as it turned out, but it was certainly for me! I found the sound design amazing, 90% of the scares were just sounds and extremely effective I must say. Also a very good demonstration of what you can do on a minimal budget.
09. Drag Me To Hell: The return of the good old Sam Raimi was unbelievable. Jumps and laughs simultaneously and every 5 minutes, literally!! A pure fun cinema experience, especially in sold-out screenings. Masterful!
08. In The Loop: One of the funniest films ever. If you like comedies, there is absolutely no excuse for not having seen this film. Walked into the theatre without knowing anything about it (thanks Ally!) and couldn't stop laughing. Peter Capaldi is a God, honestly!
07. Moon: Don't be tricked because it's in #7. Moon is one of the best Sci-Fi films of all time, too bad we had two more of them this year. Two excellent performances by Sam Rockwell and, although a sci-fi film, it tells more about the human condition and loneliness than most dramas on that subject. Don't miss it.
06. District 9: Staying with sci-fi, Disctrict 9 is an in-your-face attack of humanity's past crimes on immigrants/native populations. Abuse, ignorance are only the weakest words to describe the way people treat the helpless aliens in this movie. And unlike another similar movie that came out this year, this is not the fairy tale version.
05. Avatar: I had many doubts for this film, and went in the theatre with very low expectations. However, I learned never to doubt J.C. again, because once again he made a masterpiece. For those who say that the visuals doesn't matter in a film, well, screw you! The way this film pulls you rapidly into its universe is mind blowing, the 3-D is stunning and at the same time it touches on themes from the American Colonialism to the war in Iraq. This could be my favourite film of the year, however due to some bad dialogue at moments and some relatively flat characters, it dropped to #5. It is pure magic though!
04. Watchmen: If you haven't watched it yet, I'd strongly suggest you to watch the 186-min Director's Cut version of the film. It improves some minor pacing problems, and for people new to the material, gives a bit more space to breath and understand everything. However, the substance is always there. Why would someone become a vigilante? Vice, honour, psychosis or power-obsession? If a real super-hero existed, what would he be like? What is the human nature? Does the end justify the means? Do we need heroes? etc, etc. Watchmen touches on all those themes, and many more, and without giving definitive answers, it is probably the most thought provoking super hero movie out there.
03. Up: Just like J.C., Pixar can't go wrong either. Another journey in a magical world, but the difference is that Up succeeds where Avatar failed. Top-notch storytelling/dialogue/performances, even from characters largely supportive, or even with no dialogue (the big bird). I'm speechless. The opening 15 minutes could be a film by itself, and it would still be occupying this place in my list. Flawless.
02. Inglourious Basterds: Tarantino can go wrong (Death Proof). But here he doesn't. In one year he completed a script, pre-production, shooting, post-production and released it to cinemas! And with the film's scope, in terms of locations and cast, I don't think anyone else could have created this masterpiece. Taking all the film rules and throwing them out of the window (he spends 20 minutes to introduce 1 character, but it is the best character intriduction scene ever made!) he creates a reality that only he can create and takes us on a fantastic journey across... Nazi-Occupied France!
And the top place goes to...
01. (500) Days of Summer: It's probably a big surprise for most of you, but I don't know, this film speaks to me. It's one of those films that you watch and you instantly know, it's one of your favourite films. I hadn't realised it was my favourite film of the year until I started making this list. But in the end, it was the film I enjoyed most this year. I was absolutely buying every single moment of it, I could see real characters, people that I've met, people that we've all met somewhere and in the same way being so artistic and visually jaw-dropping. I love this film, end of story. And, something that I always want to say, this film has one of the best and most original sequences ever printed on film (or DV/HD for you tech geeks :p). The "Expectations/Reality" sequence...
Oh, and I'd love to include The Hangover, A Serious Man and Zombieland but unfortunately there wasn't any space, so if you want you can consider them my #11, #12 and #13 respectively.
So, as I said, feel free to rant on, here or on my Facebook page. Or in Twitter. Or send me a text. Well, you get the idea :p
Your pal,
D.
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Memento
When people ask me about my favorite movie/movies, I often say that it's not just one, but the first film that always comes to mind as one of them is "Memento". Then I continue to reference as well films like "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly", "Fight Club", "The Fountain", "The Prestige", "The Godfather Part II", "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford", or even films like "300", "Terminator 2" and "Predator" (they have their own value).
The fact is though, "Memento" always comes to mind first, before everything else.
I've seen the film at least 5-6 times, but it's been a few years since the last time I watched it. Now, starting to do work on my dissertation on Christopher Nolan, I'm re-watching all of his films, and I've just finished watching this one. And although as I said I always reference it as one of my favorite films, I don't always remember why it is exactly. I mean, I always remember the film pretty well, after so many viewings, but I seem to forget the little details, the small stuff that make the difference from a "pretty good" film, to a real masterpiece. So this blog is my polaroid, my tattoo, my fact to remind myself why this film is not really one of my favourite films, but my absolute favourite film ever made!
Memento is expanding on themes that Nolan had explored in his first film (Following, 1998), mainly those of identity. Besides, what better way of examining who you really are, than a person who can't create any new memories. As one of the characters say in the film: "That's who you were Lenny, you have no idea who you are, who you've become".
Lenny, or Leonard is a guy that after an accident has lost his short-term memory. He remembers all of his life up until the incident, but he can't create any new memories after that. Determined to find his wife's killer, he has invented a way to remind himself what he is doing through polaroid photos, tattoos and notes.
And here's the great part. The film's scenes are put backwards, so that everytime we watch a new scene, we don't know what has happened before, just like Leonard. And don't be mistaken, don't think that this is probably a gimmick to make the film different, it's not a linear 3-act structure put backwards. The film has a beginning, a middle and an end as it is! If you ever have the chance to watch it chronologically, you'll see it isn't working. It was written this way, it works this way, it's an essential part of the storytelling.
The backwards scenes are interrupted by some black & white segments, seemingly unrelated to the main story. Although, as you get to the end you realize more and more that this is not the case. I'm not going to spoil it for you, I still remember the "Oh, Fuck!" moment when I realized what was going on. It's one of the good ones!
If you haven't seen the film, and I'll touch more on this in a minute, do yourself a favor and make sure you have some spare time after the screening for either long discussions with your co-viewers, a repeat viewing or segment viewing if on your own, or even both! I'm telling you, you're gonna need at least two viewing to get a grasp of the whole story, and you're gonna be discovering new stuff every single time you watch it.
The writing is very skillfully written. I had the chance to read Jonathan Nolan's short story "Memento Mori" on which the film is roughly based on, but it just borrows the general idea/premise. I would consider it an original screenplay because most of the plot is created for the film, it wasn't in the original story.
For the first time I've noticed some things on the way the film is shot. Although it uses very simple shots, the colors are a little bit more heightened than usual, for example Leonard's blue shirt, and I believe this is to indicate a world that is realistic, but a just a bit more intense than normal. It is the world that Leonard lives in. A world where you see everything for the first time. Always.
I'm slowly realizing that the main theme of identity is not only explored in Nolan's previous film, but also in all of his next films. Who we really are and what are we capable to do are questions that are explored even in his Batman films. I'm already watching Nolan from a different POV. Always respected him and had him in my top-3 directors, but I'm realizing he could be my top-1!
I'm not gonna write anything more, cause I'd have to get into plot details and it'll be a big shame to know things about the film if you haven't seen it before.
Let me say this though:
If you have never seen this film, do it now! There is absolutely no excuse of being into films, either as a film-maker or a film-lover, and never having seen it. I know that you hear that for a lot of films, but seriously, do yourself a favor, watch it! And then watch it again. And again.
'Till next post (could be a while :p),
your friend,
D.
The fact is though, "Memento" always comes to mind first, before everything else.
I've seen the film at least 5-6 times, but it's been a few years since the last time I watched it. Now, starting to do work on my dissertation on Christopher Nolan, I'm re-watching all of his films, and I've just finished watching this one. And although as I said I always reference it as one of my favorite films, I don't always remember why it is exactly. I mean, I always remember the film pretty well, after so many viewings, but I seem to forget the little details, the small stuff that make the difference from a "pretty good" film, to a real masterpiece. So this blog is my polaroid, my tattoo, my fact to remind myself why this film is not really one of my favourite films, but my absolute favourite film ever made!
Memento is expanding on themes that Nolan had explored in his first film (Following, 1998), mainly those of identity. Besides, what better way of examining who you really are, than a person who can't create any new memories. As one of the characters say in the film: "That's who you were Lenny, you have no idea who you are, who you've become".
Lenny, or Leonard is a guy that after an accident has lost his short-term memory. He remembers all of his life up until the incident, but he can't create any new memories after that. Determined to find his wife's killer, he has invented a way to remind himself what he is doing through polaroid photos, tattoos and notes.
And here's the great part. The film's scenes are put backwards, so that everytime we watch a new scene, we don't know what has happened before, just like Leonard. And don't be mistaken, don't think that this is probably a gimmick to make the film different, it's not a linear 3-act structure put backwards. The film has a beginning, a middle and an end as it is! If you ever have the chance to watch it chronologically, you'll see it isn't working. It was written this way, it works this way, it's an essential part of the storytelling.
The backwards scenes are interrupted by some black & white segments, seemingly unrelated to the main story. Although, as you get to the end you realize more and more that this is not the case. I'm not going to spoil it for you, I still remember the "Oh, Fuck!" moment when I realized what was going on. It's one of the good ones!
If you haven't seen the film, and I'll touch more on this in a minute, do yourself a favor and make sure you have some spare time after the screening for either long discussions with your co-viewers, a repeat viewing or segment viewing if on your own, or even both! I'm telling you, you're gonna need at least two viewing to get a grasp of the whole story, and you're gonna be discovering new stuff every single time you watch it.
The writing is very skillfully written. I had the chance to read Jonathan Nolan's short story "Memento Mori" on which the film is roughly based on, but it just borrows the general idea/premise. I would consider it an original screenplay because most of the plot is created for the film, it wasn't in the original story.
For the first time I've noticed some things on the way the film is shot. Although it uses very simple shots, the colors are a little bit more heightened than usual, for example Leonard's blue shirt, and I believe this is to indicate a world that is realistic, but a just a bit more intense than normal. It is the world that Leonard lives in. A world where you see everything for the first time. Always.
I'm slowly realizing that the main theme of identity is not only explored in Nolan's previous film, but also in all of his next films. Who we really are and what are we capable to do are questions that are explored even in his Batman films. I'm already watching Nolan from a different POV. Always respected him and had him in my top-3 directors, but I'm realizing he could be my top-1!
I'm not gonna write anything more, cause I'd have to get into plot details and it'll be a big shame to know things about the film if you haven't seen it before.
Let me say this though:
If you have never seen this film, do it now! There is absolutely no excuse of being into films, either as a film-maker or a film-lover, and never having seen it. I know that you hear that for a lot of films, but seriously, do yourself a favor, watch it! And then watch it again. And again.
'Till next post (could be a while :p),
your friend,
D.
Friday, 25 September 2009
The End of a Blog (?)
So as most of you have probably already found out, Andy told us that our blogs are no longer necessary. However, I must say, the process of maintaining a blog wasn't all bad for me, and maybe the same stands for some of you. After 30+ posts (I think) I'm balancing between closing mine down or not, and I have to ask you a very important factor for my decision:
*Is ANYBODY reading this blog??? Anyone...
Please comment below if you do, even if you hate my blog. If there are no comments after 2 weeks or so, positive or negative, I don't think there's any point in keeping it...
P.S. Oh yeah, and have a great new year at the academy :p
*Is ANYBODY reading this blog??? Anyone...
Please comment below if you do, even if you hate my blog. If there are no comments after 2 weeks or so, positive or negative, I don't think there's any point in keeping it...
P.S. Oh yeah, and have a great new year at the academy :p
Friday, 11 September 2009
Academy Awards 2010: An Estimation...
Being all hyped up watching Derren Brown guessing the lottery numbers on Wednesday night, I wanted to guess something myself! I just found out today that the 2010 Academy Awards are going to have 10 Best Picture nominees, instead of 5 like every other year. I didn't quite understand why they chose to put more nominees on a year that has shown significantly less good films than any other recent year... But, after a bit of thinking, I remembered that the Academy Awards are never about quality. This is the Academy that has thrown multiple awards in films like Titanic, Return of the King and The Aviator, and no awards in films like Blade Runner (no nominations either here!), The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and Memento. Anyway...
So, in this blog here, I'm going to guess the 10 nominees for Best Picture on the 82nd Academy Awards, almost four months before this year is over. Also, I'll write a few words for each, kinda explaining why I chose them. Or not... So:
The 10 Nominees for Best Picture will be:
1. The Hurt Locker (U.S. Release Date 26/06/09)
None of the films based in the Iraq war have won any best picture award or nomination and probably because it was too soon. Although there have been some good films (In The Valley of Elah). The Academy was going to have to stop ignoring them at some point, otherwise it would be (too) suspicious, and I think they're gonna grab the chance now, when they actually have a good film. If they're gonna give it somewhere...
2. Away We Go (U.S. Release Date 26/06/09)
This is the only one that I'm not 1000% sure it will be nominated, but I'm confident enough. They intentionally ignored Mendes with Revolutionary Road, and although this film has also things to say, it's not so in-your-face as his previous one.
3. Inglourious Basterds (U.S. Release Date 21/08/09)
Cannes love Quentin. The Academy... well, they like him. And from the fear that he might start throwing away Death Proofs and Kill Bills all over the place, they're gonna give him some nominations for something they (kinda) liked. Or something...
4. Taking Woodstock (U.S. Release Date 28/08/09)
Ang Lee, with no Shrek or explicit sex passes. Woodstock as well, as most of their generation will still have memories. If they don't, they'll pretend they have.
5. Precious (U.S. Release Date 06/11/09)
In a year with 10 nominations, they're gonna have to nominate at least one (truly) indie film. Why it's gonna be this one? Because the only other one that could have any potential was "The Stoning of Soraya M." and it was A) not released in the last 3 months of the year and B) it was about an Arab woman, and this is America god damn it!
6. Nine (U.S. Release Date 25/11/09)
Three main reasons: Daniel. Day. Lewis. Bonus reasons: 6 Oscar-winners as main cast, 1 Oscar-winning director.
7. Invictus (U.S. Release Date 11/12/09)
Clint Eastwood factor. If it's Clint nowadays, and not too challenging (see Gran Torino), it passes the test.
8. The Lovely Bones (U.S. Release Date 11/12/09)
They love Peter Jackson as well, mostly. And heck, they gave Return of the King 11 statues, and this one at least looks like a good film. Plus adapted from a novel, kid murdered and raped, they dig that kind of stuff, trust me.
9. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus (U.S. Release Date 25/12/09)
Can't say that they really like Terry Gilliam, but as in many other cases, they're gonna have to show they're not discriminating anyone, and this film has also the Heath factor. They can nominate it and later say: "see, we don't hate Gilliam" to the public and "we just voted it for Heath's performance" to their friends. Perfect balance!
10. The Tree Of Life (U.S. Release Date 25/12/09)
Terence Malick here. Minus Pocahondas. Plus Sean Penn. And Brad Pitt, whom they seem to like lately for no apparent reason. They gave him a nomination just for pulling off an accent last year (which, if I'm not mistaken, was his native one!).
Well, here they are! My predictions! I think in some of them I pressed myself to find an obvious reason, while there was just a strong feeling, but I'm not changing my mind. I strongly believe that, if not all, at least 9 of these films are going to be the nominees for Best Picture. Let's wait and see...
So, in this blog here, I'm going to guess the 10 nominees for Best Picture on the 82nd Academy Awards, almost four months before this year is over. Also, I'll write a few words for each, kinda explaining why I chose them. Or not... So:
The 10 Nominees for Best Picture will be:
1. The Hurt Locker (U.S. Release Date 26/06/09)
None of the films based in the Iraq war have won any best picture award or nomination and probably because it was too soon. Although there have been some good films (In The Valley of Elah). The Academy was going to have to stop ignoring them at some point, otherwise it would be (too) suspicious, and I think they're gonna grab the chance now, when they actually have a good film. If they're gonna give it somewhere...
2. Away We Go (U.S. Release Date 26/06/09)
This is the only one that I'm not 1000% sure it will be nominated, but I'm confident enough. They intentionally ignored Mendes with Revolutionary Road, and although this film has also things to say, it's not so in-your-face as his previous one.
3. Inglourious Basterds (U.S. Release Date 21/08/09)
Cannes love Quentin. The Academy... well, they like him. And from the fear that he might start throwing away Death Proofs and Kill Bills all over the place, they're gonna give him some nominations for something they (kinda) liked. Or something...
4. Taking Woodstock (U.S. Release Date 28/08/09)
Ang Lee, with no Shrek or explicit sex passes. Woodstock as well, as most of their generation will still have memories. If they don't, they'll pretend they have.
5. Precious (U.S. Release Date 06/11/09)
In a year with 10 nominations, they're gonna have to nominate at least one (truly) indie film. Why it's gonna be this one? Because the only other one that could have any potential was "The Stoning of Soraya M." and it was A) not released in the last 3 months of the year and B) it was about an Arab woman, and this is America god damn it!
6. Nine (U.S. Release Date 25/11/09)
Three main reasons: Daniel. Day. Lewis. Bonus reasons: 6 Oscar-winners as main cast, 1 Oscar-winning director.
7. Invictus (U.S. Release Date 11/12/09)
Clint Eastwood factor. If it's Clint nowadays, and not too challenging (see Gran Torino), it passes the test.
8. The Lovely Bones (U.S. Release Date 11/12/09)
They love Peter Jackson as well, mostly. And heck, they gave Return of the King 11 statues, and this one at least looks like a good film. Plus adapted from a novel, kid murdered and raped, they dig that kind of stuff, trust me.
9. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus (U.S. Release Date 25/12/09)
Can't say that they really like Terry Gilliam, but as in many other cases, they're gonna have to show they're not discriminating anyone, and this film has also the Heath factor. They can nominate it and later say: "see, we don't hate Gilliam" to the public and "we just voted it for Heath's performance" to their friends. Perfect balance!
10. The Tree Of Life (U.S. Release Date 25/12/09)
Terence Malick here. Minus Pocahondas. Plus Sean Penn. And Brad Pitt, whom they seem to like lately for no apparent reason. They gave him a nomination just for pulling off an accent last year (which, if I'm not mistaken, was his native one!).
Well, here they are! My predictions! I think in some of them I pressed myself to find an obvious reason, while there was just a strong feeling, but I'm not changing my mind. I strongly believe that, if not all, at least 9 of these films are going to be the nominees for Best Picture. Let's wait and see...
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Terminator Salvation and the mediocrity of 2009 blockbusters (except from Watchmen :p)
Taking a break from endless editing on unfriendly macs, I might as well write a blog about another film I was waiting for this year.
Terminator is not bad, but it's not great either. It's a really good film and an enjoyable experience. Visually, the post-judgement day world is one of the best represented post-apocalyptic worlds we've seen in the big screen. Shane Hurlbut has done a magnificent work, and the air-raid in the beginning is an amazing single-shot take, introducing us to John Connor, the film's first supporting character.
Christian Bale is good, but he is still playing batman in a lot of scenes. When he lets go of that (and the brutal batman voice) his real talent is fully unveiled (such as in the last speech to the resistance, or when he has a discussion with his wife about how things have changed).
Sam Worthington is the real surprise in this film. Marcus Wright is the lead character in this film and he is great. Unfortunately, the trailers have given away too much, so I won't say anything more, in case I spoil whatever little surprise is left.
The film's real problems lie with the script. While the film's action sequences are amazing, when it turns to softer, emotional moments, the lines just don't deliver. Michael Ferris and John Brancato, writers of Terminator 3 as well, are not the best writers out there, and although I'm sure the rewrites by Jonah Nolan helped it, it needs some more work.
I'd like to stay on that for a little while, 'cause here is my biggest dissapointment with the film. Ferris and Brancato don't know how to write dialogue. In my opinion, the main thing that destroyed Terminator 3, was their unbalanced use of humour v. realism. Arnie with star-glasses is NOT a terminator film, it's a spoof. However, I'm willing to recognise that they can write interesting storylines and good endings. Staying with T3, the elements were really good. JC living off the grid, the always changing timelines, the questionable nature of fate and the best of all, the unavoidable Judgement Day. If the rest of the film was better written and executed, that same ending would have sent us home with a big "Wow". But no...
Moving on, the two of them had a script. They worked on it, they worked on it, they worked on it and they let others work on it. Bale signed after he saw the re-writes and it was all going well. Until about a year ago, when that script was leaked all over the internet. And because of that, they re-wrote it, using a totally different ending. And THAT was for me the biggest mistake in the production of this movie.
Below, I'm going to explain what that ending was. PLEASE DON'T READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET, SPOILERS FOLLOW.
*****************SPOILERS********************
So, when JC is pierced through with that huge metal bar, he dies. Yup, just like that. Marcus kills the T-800 and somehow, the only people that know that Connor is dead, are his wife and his inner circle (Blair, Barnes etc). A handful of people. But John Connor is more than a man these days. He is the face and voice of the resistance. The icon that provides hope for all. No one can tell if the resistance will win after such a loss of morale.
And what is the final decision? The inner circle decide to put John's skin (or make an artificial one looking like him, I don't remember) over Marcus' body. The End.
That would have been just amazing, the irony of the leader against the machines, is a terminator. We see Marcus developing a bond with young Kyle, protecting him, so it would be him that sent him to 1984. Marcus' decision to fight for the humans, making the decision for humanity's survival. I think it's great in so many levels, and it ties in perfectly with the first two installments.
*************END OF SPOILERS*************
Well, that's my opinion. A big amount of fans was pissed off with that original ending, but after seeing the film, I believe everyone will agree that it works a lot better than the mediocre, unchallenging ending the movie has right now.
And moving away from Terminator, what the fuck is going on with the 2009 blockbusters. We had such a good kickstart with Watchmen this year, I believed for a moment that it would be a nice one. Then... Wolverine (not bad, definitely not good), Star Trek (really good, not impressive), Terminator Salvation (good one, not great, could have been great with another ending :p), Angels & Demons (utter crap).
2008 had The Dark Knight and 2007 had (yes) Transformers. They were a blockbuster sensation, they were THE summer film. And for all you haters, Transformers might not be even close to the quality of The Dark Knight, but it's "wow" factor was goddamn high!
We still haven't got one this year (Watchmen was amazing, but it was a thinking man's film, The Dark Knight was both), and I don't think we will. I don't trust Transformers 2, it seems a darker replay of the first, and I think the first worked cause it didn't take itself too seriously. Public Enemies has good cast and crap cinematography, and from the trailers, I'm not that excited. I didn't bother to see night at the museum... but wait... Harry Potter goes dark! How original is that? Do I really have to mention Pink Panther 2?
Ah crap, I'm tired, and I'm going to see Terminator again. Comments below...
Terminator is not bad, but it's not great either. It's a really good film and an enjoyable experience. Visually, the post-judgement day world is one of the best represented post-apocalyptic worlds we've seen in the big screen. Shane Hurlbut has done a magnificent work, and the air-raid in the beginning is an amazing single-shot take, introducing us to John Connor, the film's first supporting character.
Christian Bale is good, but he is still playing batman in a lot of scenes. When he lets go of that (and the brutal batman voice) his real talent is fully unveiled (such as in the last speech to the resistance, or when he has a discussion with his wife about how things have changed).
Sam Worthington is the real surprise in this film. Marcus Wright is the lead character in this film and he is great. Unfortunately, the trailers have given away too much, so I won't say anything more, in case I spoil whatever little surprise is left.
The film's real problems lie with the script. While the film's action sequences are amazing, when it turns to softer, emotional moments, the lines just don't deliver. Michael Ferris and John Brancato, writers of Terminator 3 as well, are not the best writers out there, and although I'm sure the rewrites by Jonah Nolan helped it, it needs some more work.
I'd like to stay on that for a little while, 'cause here is my biggest dissapointment with the film. Ferris and Brancato don't know how to write dialogue. In my opinion, the main thing that destroyed Terminator 3, was their unbalanced use of humour v. realism. Arnie with star-glasses is NOT a terminator film, it's a spoof. However, I'm willing to recognise that they can write interesting storylines and good endings. Staying with T3, the elements were really good. JC living off the grid, the always changing timelines, the questionable nature of fate and the best of all, the unavoidable Judgement Day. If the rest of the film was better written and executed, that same ending would have sent us home with a big "Wow". But no...
Moving on, the two of them had a script. They worked on it, they worked on it, they worked on it and they let others work on it. Bale signed after he saw the re-writes and it was all going well. Until about a year ago, when that script was leaked all over the internet. And because of that, they re-wrote it, using a totally different ending. And THAT was for me the biggest mistake in the production of this movie.
Below, I'm going to explain what that ending was. PLEASE DON'T READ ON IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET, SPOILERS FOLLOW.
*****************SPOILERS********************
So, when JC is pierced through with that huge metal bar, he dies. Yup, just like that. Marcus kills the T-800 and somehow, the only people that know that Connor is dead, are his wife and his inner circle (Blair, Barnes etc). A handful of people. But John Connor is more than a man these days. He is the face and voice of the resistance. The icon that provides hope for all. No one can tell if the resistance will win after such a loss of morale.
And what is the final decision? The inner circle decide to put John's skin (or make an artificial one looking like him, I don't remember) over Marcus' body. The End.
That would have been just amazing, the irony of the leader against the machines, is a terminator. We see Marcus developing a bond with young Kyle, protecting him, so it would be him that sent him to 1984. Marcus' decision to fight for the humans, making the decision for humanity's survival. I think it's great in so many levels, and it ties in perfectly with the first two installments.
*************END OF SPOILERS*************
Well, that's my opinion. A big amount of fans was pissed off with that original ending, but after seeing the film, I believe everyone will agree that it works a lot better than the mediocre, unchallenging ending the movie has right now.
And moving away from Terminator, what the fuck is going on with the 2009 blockbusters. We had such a good kickstart with Watchmen this year, I believed for a moment that it would be a nice one. Then... Wolverine (not bad, definitely not good), Star Trek (really good, not impressive), Terminator Salvation (good one, not great, could have been great with another ending :p), Angels & Demons (utter crap).
2008 had The Dark Knight and 2007 had (yes) Transformers. They were a blockbuster sensation, they were THE summer film. And for all you haters, Transformers might not be even close to the quality of The Dark Knight, but it's "wow" factor was goddamn high!
We still haven't got one this year (Watchmen was amazing, but it was a thinking man's film, The Dark Knight was both), and I don't think we will. I don't trust Transformers 2, it seems a darker replay of the first, and I think the first worked cause it didn't take itself too seriously. Public Enemies has good cast and crap cinematography, and from the trailers, I'm not that excited. I didn't bother to see night at the museum... but wait... Harry Potter goes dark! How original is that? Do I really have to mention Pink Panther 2?
Ah crap, I'm tired, and I'm going to see Terminator again. Comments below...
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Star Trek
So after seeing Star Trek for a second time today, I feel I should say a few words about it.
Just to be clear, I'm going to say now that the film is great. I absolutely enjoyed it and if I had to rate it, I'd give it an 8/10. It didn't overwhelm me, it surely wasn't the best film I've seen this year, but it is a very good sci-fi film, enjoyable, and well-worth the ticket's money.
Also, I'd like to point out that this is my first experience with the Star Trek universe. I had never seen any of the series, or the movies that preceded it.
The special effects and cinematography were absolutely great. It really is a cinema film and I'm seriously thinking of checking it out on the IMAX. The performances were also really good, especially the Kirk-Spock chemistry, and Scotty. Unfortunately John Cho, who was playing Sulu, is someone that I can never take seriously, after the Harold & Kumar movies, but anyway...
The only thing that, not exactly bothered me but could have been better, was the film's plot. I will explain myself, but some spoilers will follow, so read on if you have seen it.
********SPOILERS************
Basically, it felt like that:
1. Nero's planet was destroyed
2. Nero destroys Spock's first planet
3. Nero plans to destroy his second planet
4. Nero is killed, good guys win
Add a confused J.J. Abrams on top of that, who thought he was doing "Lost" and did the whole time-travel/alternate-timeline thing all over again, and that's basically it.
Also, something else that bothered me, is that the film begins, goes on for about an hour with you kinda wondering what is happening... and the Old-Spock appears, and he narrates everything that had happened before. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah... And then there's nothing to discover. It couldn't be less cinematic, I mean, WTF? Why Blah blah?
Of course, the film has also the task of introducing the characters, which it does very well, and even if the plot is so simple, it is told in the best way it could be. Still, I'm not sure if I wanted to know how everyone met each other, he could have filled the plot with some twists and sub-plots and present the crew as already together. Anyway, I think I'm babbling on...
*********END OF SPOILERS**********
Star Trek isn't the best film in any category. I still believe JJ's best film was M:i:III, the best sci-fi is Battlestar Galactica and the best origin story is Batman Begins. Nevertheless, it is a really good film and a great cinematic experience. In fact, I can't really see why some people were dissapointed, or didn't like it.
I really feel though, now that they're done with the introductions, that the second film has really good potential to become something extraordinary. I still believe that the most promising film of the summer season seems to be Terminator Salvation, which looks better and better with each trailer. We'll see in a few weeks...
Just to be clear, I'm going to say now that the film is great. I absolutely enjoyed it and if I had to rate it, I'd give it an 8/10. It didn't overwhelm me, it surely wasn't the best film I've seen this year, but it is a very good sci-fi film, enjoyable, and well-worth the ticket's money.
Also, I'd like to point out that this is my first experience with the Star Trek universe. I had never seen any of the series, or the movies that preceded it.
The special effects and cinematography were absolutely great. It really is a cinema film and I'm seriously thinking of checking it out on the IMAX. The performances were also really good, especially the Kirk-Spock chemistry, and Scotty. Unfortunately John Cho, who was playing Sulu, is someone that I can never take seriously, after the Harold & Kumar movies, but anyway...
The only thing that, not exactly bothered me but could have been better, was the film's plot. I will explain myself, but some spoilers will follow, so read on if you have seen it.
********SPOILERS************
Basically, it felt like that:
1. Nero's planet was destroyed
2. Nero destroys Spock's first planet
3. Nero plans to destroy his second planet
4. Nero is killed, good guys win
Add a confused J.J. Abrams on top of that, who thought he was doing "Lost" and did the whole time-travel/alternate-timeline thing all over again, and that's basically it.
Also, something else that bothered me, is that the film begins, goes on for about an hour with you kinda wondering what is happening... and the Old-Spock appears, and he narrates everything that had happened before. Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah... And then there's nothing to discover. It couldn't be less cinematic, I mean, WTF? Why Blah blah?
Of course, the film has also the task of introducing the characters, which it does very well, and even if the plot is so simple, it is told in the best way it could be. Still, I'm not sure if I wanted to know how everyone met each other, he could have filled the plot with some twists and sub-plots and present the crew as already together. Anyway, I think I'm babbling on...
*********END OF SPOILERS**********
Star Trek isn't the best film in any category. I still believe JJ's best film was M:i:III, the best sci-fi is Battlestar Galactica and the best origin story is Batman Begins. Nevertheless, it is a really good film and a great cinematic experience. In fact, I can't really see why some people were dissapointed, or didn't like it.
I really feel though, now that they're done with the introductions, that the second film has really good potential to become something extraordinary. I still believe that the most promising film of the summer season seems to be Terminator Salvation, which looks better and better with each trailer. We'll see in a few weeks...
Monday, 4 May 2009
Charlie The Unicorn
Just discovered these short animation videos from a company called FilmCow, check them out, they're hilarious!
The company's website is:
http://www.filmcow.com/
The company's website is:
http://www.filmcow.com/
Friday, 3 April 2009
On Piracy...
April fool's day, and when I wake up I see news all over the net that a DVD-quality workprint copy of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" has leaked into various bittorrent sites. 'Yeah, right' I think. Turns out it wasn't a joke!
There is indeed a very good copy out there, and from what they say the only things missing are some SFX and music (and possibly some scenes). FOX is trying to contain the leak (which is impossible) while FBI and MPAA are working together to find the source.
Online and offline press are moaning all over about how indecent it is for people to see a non-finished product and how bad it will be for the movie's box office earnings. And I wonder, 'hmmm...'
See, I was thinking that maybe we need things like these if we want movies to start getting better. I'll explain myself.
If "Wolverine" proves to be a great movie, all those guys that downloaded it and watched it are definitely going to go to the theater to see the movie in it full glory. The only way that this leak is going to harm the movie is if it is, well, crap. 'Cause no one is going to spend £7 to see a movie that he already knows is crap.
And for all those that are saying 'the movie is not finished' stuff, I say that's bullshit. The SFX are apparently missing, but if a movie cannot engage you with its story and characters, I doubt if putting on the SFX will make it a totally different and better movie.
An example on that. Although not earlier, but still the first day that "The Dark Knight" was released, a very decent CAM copy started circulating the net. Still, it made one billion dollars worldwide. Good movies have nothing to fear from piracy, and we need more good movies. So, does that mean we need piracy?
There is indeed a very good copy out there, and from what they say the only things missing are some SFX and music (and possibly some scenes). FOX is trying to contain the leak (which is impossible) while FBI and MPAA are working together to find the source.
Online and offline press are moaning all over about how indecent it is for people to see a non-finished product and how bad it will be for the movie's box office earnings. And I wonder, 'hmmm...'
See, I was thinking that maybe we need things like these if we want movies to start getting better. I'll explain myself.
If "Wolverine" proves to be a great movie, all those guys that downloaded it and watched it are definitely going to go to the theater to see the movie in it full glory. The only way that this leak is going to harm the movie is if it is, well, crap. 'Cause no one is going to spend £7 to see a movie that he already knows is crap.
And for all those that are saying 'the movie is not finished' stuff, I say that's bullshit. The SFX are apparently missing, but if a movie cannot engage you with its story and characters, I doubt if putting on the SFX will make it a totally different and better movie.
An example on that. Although not earlier, but still the first day that "The Dark Knight" was released, a very decent CAM copy started circulating the net. Still, it made one billion dollars worldwide. Good movies have nothing to fear from piracy, and we need more good movies. So, does that mean we need piracy?
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Surveillance
Dionisis' Journal, March 8th, 2009
Saw Surveillance yesterday. Good direction. Bad twist. Could see the end in the first ten minutes. Acting was great. Film sets questions, shows reality. Apart from obvious twist, everything else is great. Recommended.
Saw Surveillance yesterday. Good direction. Bad twist. Could see the end in the first ten minutes. Acting was great. Film sets questions, shows reality. Apart from obvious twist, everything else is great. Recommended.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Watchmen... Rated R... Fuckin' A
"On Friday night, a comedian died in New York" and for the next 161 minutes we were following closely the investigation on his murder.
There was a lot of hype during these last few months. And with great hype comes great responsibility. Like the Dark Knight, there were some moments that I doubted if the movie would stand up to all these expectations. I was so glad to be proven wrong.
Plot-wise, a lot of the source material is missing, or is changed. But the important thing is that Watchmen, is there. All the meanings, comments and questions that the Graphic Novel sets are on the screen. When the movie ended, I was having the same discussions I had when I finished the graphic novel.
Having said that, the film is really faithful to the graphic novel, and all the changes done were the absolutely necessary. See, it's a different medium and it works in a different way. For example, a lot of the dialogue or narration was simplified, but in the movie you don't have the luxury of going back and reading "that bit" again, and take your time like in the graphic novel. In order to make sure you get everything that this piece of art stands for, in a medium that moves 25 pictures per second forward, the dialogue just had to be changed.
In short, this movie is not the graphic novel. However, it is the most faithful way it could ever be presented on the big screen. It is 161 minutes of character study, political and religious commentary and philosophical and ethical questions. So, in that matter, it is Watchmen. It is the Watchmen movie.
The characters were great, all of them were amazing actors. My personal choice would be, of course, Rorschach and The Comedian. I consider the Comedian's role one of the hardest for the film, cause he is a savage, brutal man, he has committed atrocities but there is a very human character underneath all that, and in the end Jeffrey Dean Morgan convinces us to sympathize with him. He deserves a fucking Oscar just for that.
Jackie Earl Haley is the ultimate star of the movie. Especially in the scenes without his mask, you can really see his commitment to what he's doing. Dan, Dr. Manhattan, Veidt and even Laurie were nothing short of brilliant, amazing, fully three dimensional characters, distorted mirror images of every living person on earth.
It is not a film to be viewed once, that's for sure. You don't walk away from it, I'm already looking forward to my next visit. There's so much in these 161 minutes, that the film feels really tight. You will want to see it again, and I believe, just like with the Graphic Novel, each viewing will be better than the previous one.
Another thing I really appreciated was the rating. It was rated R, and I liked that, not so much because of the violence/nudity (it was raw, but not something we've never seen before, Punisher was a lot more violent), but because of the audience it attracted. We watched the film in a sold-out 450 capacity screen, and we didn't hear a sound for almost three hours. No kiddies crying, no fucking drunk teenagers, just people who actually came to see the film. I want every film to be rated R. It was also the first time I've been to the cinema, that after the film ended, people were cheering, clapping. That must say something about the film.
As I watch reviews and stuff, I see that the world of critics is totally divided. Half of them praise it, the other half buries it. Let them go fuck themselves. I say we need more films like that, films that make our heads spin a little bit, make us think.
A big thank you goes to Alan Moore, who created the whole story/universe to begin with, and Zack Snyder, who managed to make the best translation when others couldn't (others like Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass). Well done guys, we need more of that stuff.
There was a lot of hype during these last few months. And with great hype comes great responsibility. Like the Dark Knight, there were some moments that I doubted if the movie would stand up to all these expectations. I was so glad to be proven wrong.
Plot-wise, a lot of the source material is missing, or is changed. But the important thing is that Watchmen, is there. All the meanings, comments and questions that the Graphic Novel sets are on the screen. When the movie ended, I was having the same discussions I had when I finished the graphic novel.
Having said that, the film is really faithful to the graphic novel, and all the changes done were the absolutely necessary. See, it's a different medium and it works in a different way. For example, a lot of the dialogue or narration was simplified, but in the movie you don't have the luxury of going back and reading "that bit" again, and take your time like in the graphic novel. In order to make sure you get everything that this piece of art stands for, in a medium that moves 25 pictures per second forward, the dialogue just had to be changed.
In short, this movie is not the graphic novel. However, it is the most faithful way it could ever be presented on the big screen. It is 161 minutes of character study, political and religious commentary and philosophical and ethical questions. So, in that matter, it is Watchmen. It is the Watchmen movie.
The characters were great, all of them were amazing actors. My personal choice would be, of course, Rorschach and The Comedian. I consider the Comedian's role one of the hardest for the film, cause he is a savage, brutal man, he has committed atrocities but there is a very human character underneath all that, and in the end Jeffrey Dean Morgan convinces us to sympathize with him. He deserves a fucking Oscar just for that.
Jackie Earl Haley is the ultimate star of the movie. Especially in the scenes without his mask, you can really see his commitment to what he's doing. Dan, Dr. Manhattan, Veidt and even Laurie were nothing short of brilliant, amazing, fully three dimensional characters, distorted mirror images of every living person on earth.
It is not a film to be viewed once, that's for sure. You don't walk away from it, I'm already looking forward to my next visit. There's so much in these 161 minutes, that the film feels really tight. You will want to see it again, and I believe, just like with the Graphic Novel, each viewing will be better than the previous one.
Another thing I really appreciated was the rating. It was rated R, and I liked that, not so much because of the violence/nudity (it was raw, but not something we've never seen before, Punisher was a lot more violent), but because of the audience it attracted. We watched the film in a sold-out 450 capacity screen, and we didn't hear a sound for almost three hours. No kiddies crying, no fucking drunk teenagers, just people who actually came to see the film. I want every film to be rated R. It was also the first time I've been to the cinema, that after the film ended, people were cheering, clapping. That must say something about the film.
As I watch reviews and stuff, I see that the world of critics is totally divided. Half of them praise it, the other half buries it. Let them go fuck themselves. I say we need more films like that, films that make our heads spin a little bit, make us think.
A big thank you goes to Alan Moore, who created the whole story/universe to begin with, and Zack Snyder, who managed to make the best translation when others couldn't (others like Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass). Well done guys, we need more of that stuff.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Franklyn
Some days ago, I went to see Franklyn. It was one of those occasions that I walked into the cinema knowing almost nothing about the film. I'd seen a poster and the trailer, but believe me, you can't figure out much about it from these two.
When we were walking out of the cinema, I couldn't make up my mind if I liked o not what I'd seen. After some thought, I feel that Franklyn is a very good film, having of course its weaknesses.
The major minus of the film are the first 20-30 minutes. Until you can figure out what's going on, it seems a bit shallow, and it drives your mind elsewhere. I, for once, was thinking I was watching a simple between-worlds story, cheap fantasy kind of thing.
However, after that, the film gets significantly better, revealing many diferrent layers to the film's plot and philosophy. I wouldn't want to give too much away, cause I, knowing nothing about it, enjoyed all the surprises and plot twists. All I can say is that it will give you things to talk with anyone you'll watch it with.
It is also one of those films that you would really want to watch a second time, once you have the plot out of the way, to notice all the details. I know I want anyway.
When I got back home, I found some more information about the film. It is the writer/director's first feature film (Gerald McMorrow), and he has only done one short film before this one. Also, it was made on the extremely low budget of £6,000,000. Believe me, it has some of the best visuals we've seen on the big screen and also the performances are great by the cast (Especially Eva Green and, surprisingly, Ryan Phillipe).
When I found out about these facts I respected the film even more. The film might have some weaknesses on the script and lacks engagement in the beginning, but I don't think there are many low budget director's debuts that are better than this one. I strongly recommend it.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
A Great Screening Day!
Yesterday, Monday 9/2/9, was a great day for me. I watched three films: "London", "Punisher: War Zone" and "The Visitor". Read on...
As I've noticed so far, every good day, usually has a bad beginning. Enter "London". Oh my God, how rubbish was that! I don't know what everyone seems to find in these city-porn bullshit acclaimed-my-ass films, but I've never seen anything more boring, more pretentious, more pointless piece of film making in my entire life. While watching the film, I was wondering how good would it be if there was some kind of martial law in film making, preventing films like this being released.
If you're reading this blog, and you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour, DON'T! What's it about? Pointless static pictures of London and a boring voice-over for 84 minutes. See, I know all about the subjectivity of film making and how "to each his own" kind of things, but I believe that this film is just a big joke. I'm sure the film maker (if you can call him that) is laughing his ass off on all of us who watch this piece of shit for 84 minutes, especially to those who say it's actually good. Anyway, I'll move on to the point where my day got better.
I'm a fan of The Punisher as a character. I think along with Rorschach, they're my favourite comic book heroes. To be honest, I haven't seen the 1989 film with Dolph Lundgren, but I'm not too eager to see it. Even the skull is missing from the film.
I also liked the 2004 incarnation. It wasn't a great film, but a really good one (apart from John Travolta!). Thomas Jane really made something out of the character and it was brought close to reality. It was good as a film and made a lot of changes from the comics to make it more cinematic. When I heard that Thomas Jane and director Jonathan Hensleigh were out of the sequel, and after that it became another re-boot, I was worried.
Let me be honest. I enjoyed the film as fuck! It is a cheesy-comic-book film, VERY OTT, but it's fucking entertaining! I really can't compare it to the 2004 film, they have completely different approaches. While the 2004 Punisher was a serious-action film, this is a translation of the MAX series of the Punisher on screen.
What I loved? The violence! So neatly directed, so violent but not disgusting (like Hostel), it was raw and I was enjoying it. The cinematography is great, cause it really keeps all the colour pallets of the MAX comics, a lot of the shots are panels taken straight from the pages, just great.
What I didn't like? Well, the acting is not the strong point in this movie, especially on the dramatic moments, but there aren't many of them so it's bearable. Also the plot is rather shallow, but I wouldn't expect anything more. Is it a quality film? No fucking way. Is it entertaining? Hell yeah!
Although, in the end, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. This film is made for two specific audiences: Fans of the MAX series of The Punisher and fans of cheesy-action flicks. If you want a film like London, don't bother (I just can't stop, can I?).
When I came back home, my girlfriend suggested to see "The Visitor", I had downloaded it a couple of weeks ago but never got the chance to watch it. It came out in 2008 and it's a dramedy about a middle-aged university teacher who realises that he hasn't been doing anything for all his life, and gets in this friendly relationship with two immigrants.
I don't want to give two much away, but it is a truly brilliant film, the lead actor is just perfect (he is also nominated for an Oscar) and it's so easy to watch. It deals with a lot of different matters, but again I wouldn't want to give too much away. I would recommend it to everyone, it is a human story that I believe anyone can relate to. Too bad it didn't get any attention.
So, how the fuck was your day?
As I've noticed so far, every good day, usually has a bad beginning. Enter "London". Oh my God, how rubbish was that! I don't know what everyone seems to find in these city-porn bullshit acclaimed-my-ass films, but I've never seen anything more boring, more pretentious, more pointless piece of film making in my entire life. While watching the film, I was wondering how good would it be if there was some kind of martial law in film making, preventing films like this being released.
If you're reading this blog, and you haven't seen the film, do yourself a favour, DON'T! What's it about? Pointless static pictures of London and a boring voice-over for 84 minutes. See, I know all about the subjectivity of film making and how "to each his own" kind of things, but I believe that this film is just a big joke. I'm sure the film maker (if you can call him that) is laughing his ass off on all of us who watch this piece of shit for 84 minutes, especially to those who say it's actually good. Anyway, I'll move on to the point where my day got better.
I'm a fan of The Punisher as a character. I think along with Rorschach, they're my favourite comic book heroes. To be honest, I haven't seen the 1989 film with Dolph Lundgren, but I'm not too eager to see it. Even the skull is missing from the film.
I also liked the 2004 incarnation. It wasn't a great film, but a really good one (apart from John Travolta!). Thomas Jane really made something out of the character and it was brought close to reality. It was good as a film and made a lot of changes from the comics to make it more cinematic. When I heard that Thomas Jane and director Jonathan Hensleigh were out of the sequel, and after that it became another re-boot, I was worried.
Let me be honest. I enjoyed the film as fuck! It is a cheesy-comic-book film, VERY OTT, but it's fucking entertaining! I really can't compare it to the 2004 film, they have completely different approaches. While the 2004 Punisher was a serious-action film, this is a translation of the MAX series of the Punisher on screen.
What I loved? The violence! So neatly directed, so violent but not disgusting (like Hostel), it was raw and I was enjoying it. The cinematography is great, cause it really keeps all the colour pallets of the MAX comics, a lot of the shots are panels taken straight from the pages, just great.
What I didn't like? Well, the acting is not the strong point in this movie, especially on the dramatic moments, but there aren't many of them so it's bearable. Also the plot is rather shallow, but I wouldn't expect anything more. Is it a quality film? No fucking way. Is it entertaining? Hell yeah!
Although, in the end, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. This film is made for two specific audiences: Fans of the MAX series of The Punisher and fans of cheesy-action flicks. If you want a film like London, don't bother (I just can't stop, can I?).
When I came back home, my girlfriend suggested to see "The Visitor", I had downloaded it a couple of weeks ago but never got the chance to watch it. It came out in 2008 and it's a dramedy about a middle-aged university teacher who realises that he hasn't been doing anything for all his life, and gets in this friendly relationship with two immigrants.
I don't want to give two much away, but it is a truly brilliant film, the lead actor is just perfect (he is also nominated for an Oscar) and it's so easy to watch. It deals with a lot of different matters, but again I wouldn't want to give too much away. I would recommend it to everyone, it is a human story that I believe anyone can relate to. Too bad it didn't get any attention.
So, how the fuck was your day?
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Bale rants & the quick internet artists!
A couple of days ago, a sound clip found it's way online. You've probably heard it already, but if not, it's a recording of Christian Bale on set of Terminator Salvation a couple months ago. Shane Hurlbut, the film's DP, apparently walked into the FOV of Bale, and he... well, you can hear it for yourselves here.
Funny, but that's not the point. The point is that, while the clip has only been online for 2 days, someone did a remix already!!! I mean, Jesus Christ! I dunno, I was just impressed, here it is:
Funny, but that's not the point. The point is that, while the clip has only been online for 2 days, someone did a remix already!!! I mean, Jesus Christ! I dunno, I was just impressed, here it is:
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Oscars & BG
Hello there, this is my first post after christmas.
Today the oscar nominations were announced. To be honest, I haven't seen most of the films that are competing this year, and I feel that this is no coincidence. Again, this is the Academy's opinion of the best films of... the last quarter of 2008. What happened to the films that were released from January to September?
The "brother categories" of Best Picture and Best Director, have five films released in December! Coincidentally they are also the films with the most nominations. Milk (8), Frost/Nixon (5), Benjamin Button (13), The Reader (5) and Slumdog Millionare (10). Between them, there is of course The Dark Knight with 8 and Wall-E with 6, but I feel that especially these two films were largely underestimated, receiving mostly techie nominations (you know, summer films, who cares?).
So I'm wondering, where are: Cloverfield, In Bruges, Be Kind Rewind, Funny Games, My Blueberry Nights, Iron Man, The Fall, The Wackness, Pineapple Express, Appaloosa, RocknRolla, W. and, oh my God, where is Happy-Go-Lucky? Apart from a script nomination, I think Sally Hawkins was the best female lead this year.
Anyway, I think I'll stop here, maybe I'll rant more when I'll see the 5 films competing for best picture/director, as of now I've seen none of them.
---------------------------------------
During christmas, after an advice from Ally, I started watching Battlestar Galactica. After two and a half weeks I'm in the beginning of the fourth season.
As all TV-shows, it has its ups and downs, but I was glad to see that it was more ups than downs. I really like the three main actors (Adama, Roslin, Baltar) and the rest of the cast isn't bad either.
I also appreciate that the show has a special way of engaging you while you're watching. There were some points were I was really feeling angry at people and shouting at them! I think the peak was Baltar's trial, where I was really feeling like watching a real trial. It was so redempting to see Roslin humiliated for once in front of the public. Oh well.
If you're into sci-fi, check it out, maybe even if you're not. It has a lot of allegories, mainly about racism and relationships and I believe it can deliver even to someone who is not that much into sci-fi.
Today the oscar nominations were announced. To be honest, I haven't seen most of the films that are competing this year, and I feel that this is no coincidence. Again, this is the Academy's opinion of the best films of... the last quarter of 2008. What happened to the films that were released from January to September?
The "brother categories" of Best Picture and Best Director, have five films released in December! Coincidentally they are also the films with the most nominations. Milk (8), Frost/Nixon (5), Benjamin Button (13), The Reader (5) and Slumdog Millionare (10). Between them, there is of course The Dark Knight with 8 and Wall-E with 6, but I feel that especially these two films were largely underestimated, receiving mostly techie nominations (you know, summer films, who cares?).
So I'm wondering, where are: Cloverfield, In Bruges, Be Kind Rewind, Funny Games, My Blueberry Nights, Iron Man, The Fall, The Wackness, Pineapple Express, Appaloosa, RocknRolla, W. and, oh my God, where is Happy-Go-Lucky? Apart from a script nomination, I think Sally Hawkins was the best female lead this year.
Anyway, I think I'll stop here, maybe I'll rant more when I'll see the 5 films competing for best picture/director, as of now I've seen none of them.
---------------------------------------
During christmas, after an advice from Ally, I started watching Battlestar Galactica. After two and a half weeks I'm in the beginning of the fourth season.
As all TV-shows, it has its ups and downs, but I was glad to see that it was more ups than downs. I really like the three main actors (Adama, Roslin, Baltar) and the rest of the cast isn't bad either.
I also appreciate that the show has a special way of engaging you while you're watching. There were some points were I was really feeling angry at people and shouting at them! I think the peak was Baltar's trial, where I was really feeling like watching a real trial. It was so redempting to see Roslin humiliated for once in front of the public. Oh well.
If you're into sci-fi, check it out, maybe even if you're not. It has a lot of allegories, mainly about racism and relationships and I believe it can deliver even to someone who is not that much into sci-fi.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Gran Torino
Well look at that, just two posts later and there's a new(er) Clint Eastwood movie released. I was looking forward for this just by having seen the trailer, it looked like a return to Clint's Dirty Harry characters, and oh boy...
The film is directed by Clint Eastwood and he is also starring as a veteran of the Korean war, very patriotic and nationalist character. He is the last American on his neighborhood, which has been transformed to a home for Hmong, black people and other minorities.
Once again the film deals with a lot more things than what it seems; racism, religion and family relations are the stronger elements. Allow me to say that he has done a great job on the last bit, I felt so connected as to how his family treated him, it felt like I was watching my family treating my deceased grandmother some 5-10 years ago, it's very realistic.
I have to say though that despite of all the messages and the importance of the film, Clint's character and the script is a total pleasure! And yes, there is Det. Harry Callahan somewhere deep inside Walt Kowalski. It is so great to see him in his 78 delivering lines like "Get off my lawn" and, one of my favourites:
GANG MEMBER: Are you fucking crazy, get back in the house.
WALT KOWALSKI (holding a shotgun): Yeah, I blow a hole in your face and then I go in the house, and I sleep like a baby, you can count on that!
I think that's what I loved most about the film, it has all the emotional weight that Eastwood's latest films have, along with a type of character that's been missing from our screens for at least 20 years. Highly recommended!
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Duck, You Sucker
...or A Fistful Of Dynamite, as it is more commercially known.
The last western directed by Sergio Leone, and his only film I hadn't yet seen. I was impressed actually, and surprised as well. The film is so similar, but at the same time very different from the rest of his films. It takes place in the Mexican revolution (1910-1928), so apart from all the classic elements in his films, you can see a more modern world, cars, motorcycles etc.
The interesting part is that it might be a very enjoyable western, but at the same time it works as a political commentary around revolutions in general, which makes it different from the films before it. Also, I felt that the characters in this film were more distinct, the two leads were clearly the heroes, filled with good intentions, and the bad guys were bad (if that makes sense!), at least that's how I received it.
Apart from that, the film didn't let me down anywhere else either. Brilliant music once again by Ennio Morricone, cinematography, direction, performances, everything I expected from a Sergio Leone film.
A lot of people argue that it is the weakest of the Leone westerns, but I don't agree. I think it's just different, and I prefer that than to have seen a reproduction of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. All hail Sergio Leone!
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Monday, 8 December 2008
Changeling
Clint Eastwood. A man for all ages. Cinema history is about a century old and he entered halfway through. He's still here and Changeling proves it once again.
Remarkable movie. I entered the theatre waiting to see a true story about a mother who loses her child and gets a different one back, but oh God, it's so much more than that. The movie has so many layers, gets into so many different subjects of that age, beautifully crafted into just 2:20. Believe me, it's too hard to fit all these things in so little time and so coherently.
I don't think that I have, nor I want to speak about technicalities, direction or how was the sound or the lighting here. No. Characters, society and human relations, that was the movie and it was one of the best in these aspects. Touching. Well done Clint.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
Oh my God! I just re-watched this magnificent movie and, once again, I'm speechless. The film is amazing in every aspect. To those of you that haven't seen it, I strongly recommend it, it is one of the best films of the last years (and one of the more underestimated) and arguably the best film of 2007.
The film takes place on the last year of Jesse James' life. Although the film begins with a train robbery, it is the last for the whole film. There are no bank robberies, lengthy shootouts and action. The film is a deeply internal study of the two men's characters and the relation between them. Also, it's not the film that you wonder what's gonna happen in the end, it's actually written in the title.
So, what makes it so special? Well, for starters, it's one of the most beautifully photographed films in the history of cinema. Really now, I can't actually understand how it didn't win the oscar, at least there. Every single shot and sequence is so carefully balanced in everything, I can't describe it with words.
Then, it's a two and a half hours film, with a really slow pace, an ending that you know what will happen and yet it never feels tiring! I consider that to be an achievement.
The performance of Casey Affleck is astonishing. This was the other nomination of the movie, which I believe also deserved it more than Country's Bardem. Pitt's not bad, but really it's Affleck who steals the show. The supporting cast is also very good.
I don't know, I've seen it twice and I would gladly watch it again soon, which doesn't happen often to me with such long films. In my opinion, apart from the Cinematography and Supporting Actor Oscar, it also deserved Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, Music and Directing at least.
Oh yeah, the music is composed by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis and is, just like everything else in this film, flawless.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Summer
So, I went to the preview screening of Summer yesterday and I must say it was really good. A touching story about three friends growing up in a small village. The film shows them in 3 periods of their lives, when they were 7-8, 16 and in their 40s. It has some excellent performances from the two leads, but also from all the cast depicting these characters.
The film is simply shot, but carefully crafted, it is extremely real, you feel you are indeed there with the characters.
The Q&A session that followed, with Kenny Glenaan & Robert Carlyle was also very interesting, especially when Kenny was talking about the place it was shot. An English village that was exactly how it was depicted in the movie. He gave a very good characterization calling it: "The land that time forgot" and said that there are a lot of villages like these on the countryside where children are "dragged up, not brought up as they used to".
I strongly recommend it, it has so many things in there that I believe everyone can find a small piece of himself inside these characters. At least I did...
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