Isn’t it nice when a movie surprises you? I will admit straightaway that my initial reason for going to the theater to see Fright Night was the one and only 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Remakes are not usually the most stellar examples of cinema, with horror entries in particular leaving a bad taste in my mouth given some especially disappointing recent titles. I thought that, at best, Fright Night would be a relatively painless 106 minutes to be endured in exchange for the chance to see my favorite actor on the big screen. Instead, what I experienced was one of the most enjoyable times at the theater in recent memory. Not only was Tennant remarkable to watch in the role of Peter Vincent, but I was also struck by the fantastic performance of Colin Farrell as Jerry. The talent of these two actors alone would be enough to save even the most potentially disastrous of films. A perfect mix of tense horror and slick humor, Fright Night is one of my favorite films of the year. If my fawning alone is not enough to convince you, check out this clip below from one of the movie’s best scenes.
Holiday films fall into two categories: those with at least a hint of magic and the supernatural (The Santa Clause, It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol) and those that leave the mystical behind and focus on family gatherings (dysfunctional or otherwise). National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation falls into the latter category, and it’s arguably the best of the subgenre: classic comic timing from Chevy Chase in his best role; hilarious comedy setpieces; zingy, fun dialogue from John Hughes; and just the right dose of Yuletide heart.
If you’re like me, you notice subtle little gags every time you watch the movie. Here are a few that I picked up only after repeat viewings:
Clumsy Cousin Eddie: When Clark and Cousin Eddie are shopping at the supermarket, watch Clark repeatedly attempt to put delicate objects like light bulbs into the cart, only to have them smashed when Eddie plops big bags of dog food on top of them.
Fashion Sense: Take a look at Cousin Eddie’s outfit when he and Clark are chatting in front of the Christmas tree shortly after Eddie’s arrival. True to his clueless, country bumpkin form, Eddie is not only wearing a far-too-tight white sweater, he’s also combined it with a painfully obvious black mock turtleneck.
Great Minds Think Alike: When Clark enters boss Mr. Shirley’s (Brian Doyle-Murray, brother to Bill Murray) office to give him a Christmas present, take a look at the gifts on the table from the other employees… they’re all exactly the same shape.
“It’s just a little dry”: The dinner table scene is full of subtle bits of physical comedy that are easy to miss if you don’t happen to be looking at the right part of the scene. Some highlights: Ellen surreptiously flicks the inedible turkey from her fork, Clark accidentally wipes his mouth on his holiday tie, and Cousin Eddie amuses himself by playing the old “here is the church; here is the steeple” game.
Only in France: Next time you watch, flick on the French subtitles. In France, the film is known by the rather bawdy title of Le Sapin A Des Boules. Translation? The Fir Tree Has Balls. Hmmmm.
Grab a cup of eggnog (or smoking bishop, if you’re really keen to set the proper mood), curl up next to a cozy fire and listen to Team Video’s holiday podcast. Alex and I take on the most famous holiday tale of them all, Charles Dickens‘s A Christmas Carol. Get set for all the festivities as we guide you through nine major adaptations of the beloved story, from the high-gloss MGM version to the famous Alastair Sim portrayal, to the big budget CGI effort from Robert Zemeckis and more. Which ones bring classic Dickensian holiday cheer, and which ones are like a big lump of coal in your stocking?
Do you remember this game from when you were a kid?
Everyone at some point in their lives was drawn into this classic game of strategy and yells of ” You sunk my battleship!” that often lead to the two players throwing the little pegs at each other. Somehow, this simple, basic bored game has been turned into this.
Whatever this is.
Now,allow me explain why this makes no sense what so ever. There was nothing even remotely like this in the original game to start off with. Now, of course basing any movie on nothing more than a board game is going to run into the problem of a plot, themes and characters since most board games don’t have any of those things.
The only one I can think of that was based exclusively on a board game using it’s characters and basic game concept is Clue. Others mention some kind of a game, have people falling into games, but are otherwise are more about about people who play games, like chess, checkers, cards and so on and not the games themselves.
To top of what is sure to be an utter catastrophe of cinema, they managed to get Liam Neeson and Alexander Skarsgard! Real honest actors, that I can only assume were stuck due to some sort of contract, suffering sleep deprivation at the time they agreed, or were in short on a mortgage payment. As for the rest, we have Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Reila Aphrodite and Rihanna. Real class acts to be sure.
Honestly though, I think the trailer speaks for itself.
You can also check out some other trailers at the official Battleship Youtube Page, but remember you have been warned.
I will start this post by stating for the record that I have not read the books that the Twilight movies are based on, nor have I seen the movies. So this post will not mention them, however, with all the attention that they’ve been getting I figured it might be nice to be reminded of some of the vampire characters that came along before it all became about “Team Edward”.
The idea of vampires has been around through most of human history and the word “vampire” started appearing in the 18th century, and while Bram Stokers Dracula set the tone for the vampire legends we know today vampires in cinema started with the still creepy Nosferatu.
Released in 1922 this silent film essentially follows the plot of Dracula, eliminating a lot of the secondary characters and focusing primarily on Thomas and Ellen Hutter (the Jonathan and Mina Harker characters) and their dealings with Count Orlok, the vampire.
Now, to jump ahead…. about 60 years. The 1983 strange night kin tale The Hunger which stars Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon.
This movie is based on a book, with the same title, that was published in 1981. It is unique because it is not the typical story people have come to recognize as “the vampire story”. Miriam (Deneuve) can only create vampire/human hybrids with extended lives, but who do eventually begin to decay. John (Bowie) her lover of around 200 years is starting to succumb and aging rapidly. When he seeks help from Dr. Sarah Roberts, who might be able to cure him, becomes the object of Miriams attentions.
In 1992, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, was brought to the screen. Starring Gary Oldman as Count Dracula, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves as Jonathan and Mina Harker and Anthony Hopkis as Van Helsing.
This is a love it or hate it movie. It stays truthful to the book in many ways, which some people like and others don’t. The costumes are amazing, the film won Academy Award for the costumes and make up. On top of that Gary Oldman gives a stunning performance as the tormented Count Dracula. It is a wonderful return to the story that started it all.
Aside from defining may of the attributes we associate with vampires, Dracula also set in place the tormented-tormentor character psychology, the vampire who hates vampires and hates himself but on the other hand loves the power that comes with being undead.
Blade is a great example of the tormented-tormentor, and eve takes it one step further. In his half vampire state Blade uses all his abilities to destroy every vampire he can find. He revels in his ability to fight toe-to-toe with other undead but his rage at the vampires is unyielding.
However with every personality there is an opposite, in this case that is the vampire who loves being a vampire, and believes he is happier as a vampire than he ever was a mortal. Killing to feed, never seeing daylight and trusting no one is where he thrives.
Lestat De Lioncourt is probably the best example of this, from the start he loves everything there is about being a vampire and uses it to his constant advantage. People are playthings and the desires and wishes of other vampires are of no matter to him. Bringing vampires out into the light of day (so to speak) wasn’t enough, he needed them to see him and recognize him for the great vampire he was. Don’t worry though! He learns his lesson.
Now to bring this little vampire lesson to a close, I know I have not covered nearly all, or even most kinds of vampires and vampire movies. So below are some more vampire titles that you might want to check out, if Cullen isn’t enough.Some are better than others, but they’re all entertaining
Director Alexander Payne has made quite a mark on the world of film since his 1995 debut Citizen Ruth, then growing immensely as a filmmaker with his follow-up, 1998′s Election,and maintaining that high standard of quality ever since. With his latest film The Descendants generating plenty of Oscar® buzz for Payne’s directing, Best Picture, and star George Clooney, Journey and I decided now was the perfect time to take a closer look at the films of an auteur known for mature films about immature characters.
At the close of every year, I like to take a quick look at all of the music related titles that have been released. From concerts and music video collections to biopics and unauthorized biographies, 2011 has seen its fair share of titles that are well-deserving of space on my DVD shelf (and probably yours too)!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! From Thanksgiving Day until the new year’s bells (or pots and pans) chime, the holiday season is officially in full swing. Sure, there is plenty of hassle that mars this festive time: elbowing through bustling crowds of shoppers, agonizing over finding and being able to afford the perfect gift for so-and-so, having to endure certain family members who you would prefer to avoid… We’ve all been there. However, there’s plenty of joy to be found as well: classic Christmas songs on the radio, driving through neighborhoods full of blinking lights and inflatable Spongebob Santas, delicious homemade (or store-bought) cookies and other treats… If all else fails, you can always drown your sorrows in some egg nog (I recommend Silk Nog with a splash of Johnny Walker Red)! Anyway, one of my favorite things about this season is the wealth of holiday movies, specials, commercials, etc. all over TV and the internet. I’ve got the newspaper listings tacked up to my refrigerator and my DVR is locked and loaded. Like the classic song made famous in Bruce Willis‘ Armageddon, I don’t want to miss a thing. (Is it stuck in your head now too? Yeah, you’re welcome.) Recently I saw a delightful Christmas trailer courtesy of the BBC, which I will now share with you. This is quite a star-studded affair, but what I am really interested in is Doctor Who‘s Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, decked out in gorgeous reindeer sweaters, playing Twister with a Cyberman! If this jaunty clip doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, I’m not sure what will. And if you don’t already watch Doctor Who, may I suggest adding The Complete David Tennant Years to your wishlist? Now there’s a gift you can enjoy year-round.
I must admit, I don’t have a television in my house. So I miss most things until they end up online where I run into it. One of my recent unexpected finds was this:
Daniel Radcliffe, singing and dancing! This has become one of my favorite things to watch and listen to, and (funny thing) it got me to thinking about musicals. So I figured I’d share some of my favorite movie musicals. Some of these will be well known to readers, being big modern productions, others are classics that unless you’re into musicals you may not know.
I’ll start with the ones you’ll probably know the story, and maybe some of the songs even if you’ve never watched them.
Annie: Do I really need to go over story? Doubt it. “Hard Knock Life” says it all. This is the 1999 version staring Kathy Bates, Alan Cumming and Kristin Chenoweth. I personally love Alan Cumming as Miss Hannigan’s no-good loser brother Rooster.
Chicagois the story of Roxie Heart and Velma Kelly – 1920s darlings who commit murder and through amazing song and dance numbers try to out-do each other for the chance of a vaudeville career after their respective trials.
Grease: The original High school musical! This is a you love it or hate it musical. Tough guy John Travolta tries to win the goodie-good Olivia Newton-John by becoming a good guy and she tries to win him by becoming a bit of a tramp.
Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street : Johnny Depp brings a subtle sort of creep to the devlish killer who is killing anyone who sits in his barber, chair in his attempt to get revenge on the man who took his family and sent him to prison.
Rent: A social statement set to music! Drag queens, lesbians, AIDS and the lives of struggling artists – all rolled up into one jumping dramatic story of love, loss and of course music.
Moulin Rouge: Beautiful period piece, taking place in 1899 Paris and the Moulin Rouge nightclub where Nicole Kidman stars as the girl of every man’s dreams (for a price) with dreams of her own of a future as an actress. Of course, it’s a tragedy in the end but beautiful and the songs will stick with you.
Next up I’ve got some of my absolute favorite musicals of all time. This is an eclectic list to say the least but these are titles that are absolutely worth checking out.
De-Lovely: De-Lovely is the dramatized account of the life of Cole and Linda Porter from their meeting in Paris, their eventual marriage, the trials and tribulations of their lives and the ups and downs of his career. It includes the music from some of his best shows and has great cameos from Alanis Morissette, John Barrowman, Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello and many more.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: Unlikely addition to the list, this musical is based on the Biblical story of Joseph from The Book Of Genesis. Starring Donny Osmond, it’s a lot of fun for the religious and non-religious alike.
Rocky Horror Picture Show: An “erotic nightmare beyond any measure” this musical has science fiction, rock’n'roll music, dancing, and a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania.
Victor/Victoria: Julie Andrews stars as Victoria a songstress in 1934 Paris who can’t find a job until a chance meeting and a little help from a clever gay performer Toddy. Who decides that with a bit of a haircut and a suit Victoria can become Victor – a woman pretending to be a man who is pretending to be a woman.
White Christmas: World War II vets, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye leave the military and become song and dance men, eventually hooking up with a beautiful sister act. The group winds up at an inn owned by their former commanding officer. Finding he’s in trouble they use all their connections to make sure it’s a very merry White Christmas.
The Producers: Nathan Lane and Mathew Broderick bring their stage hit to film in this movie remake of their broadway smash, which in turn was a musicalization of the 1968 movie about Leo Bloom and Max Bialystock, an accountant and Broadway producer who try to make a fortune by putting on the worst Broadway musical ever.
Every one of these musicals is worth watching, even if you don’t like musicals, there is something in all of these that can catch your attention and keep you watching.
So, might be a little late to the party on this one, but figured it was worth a post anyway. Tomorrow is the day we American’s celebrate coming together and giving thanks by eating too much food, watching parades, t.v specials and football. No, not Christmas (not yet anyway) but Thanksgiving. So in honor of the great Turkey Day, I’ve pulled together a list of some Thanksgiving movies for the family to enjoy. (And hey, maybe they’ll learn something too!)
Going to start off with a classic: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Since there is a Charlie Brown special for almost every holiday is it really any wonder I’m starting here? Charlie Brown gets stuck having to produce a Thanksgiving feast for all his friends, and make to his grandmother’s house in time for his family’s celebration. It’s the typical kindhearted Charlie Brown story that just make you feel good during the holidays.
Next up we’ve got Pieces Of April, starring a young Katie Holmes as April Burns the eldest daughter in a dysfunctional family, who decides to have the whole bunch come to her small tenement apartment in Manhattan for Thanksgiving. It’s funny, and probably a good way to see that your family isn’t really that bad…. unless of course it is.
Steve Martin can do (almost) no wrong and this is definitely one of his best comedies. Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steven Marin and John Candy as fellow travelers trying to make it to Chicago for Thanksgiving. Ending up paired together they overcome many obstacles (many brought on themselves), to get home and find that they may have little in common but they can still be friends. (Cue the “Awwwww”).
Home For The Holidays, is a classic but entertaining holiday film. Parents, siblings, spouses and kids are all sources of frustration for Holly Hunter, who stars as a recently fired single mom. This family will probably just barely make it through the Thanksgiving holiday, but then they’ll do it again the next year. Proving, that you can’t escape no matter how hard you might try.
And now last, and possibly least is ThanksKillinga comedy-horror movie about a killer turkey who has just had too much! So he decides it’s time to get revenge on mankind. A good post dinner treat.
Isn’t it nice when a movie surprises you? I will admit straightaway that my initial reason for going to the theater to see Fright Night was the one and only 10th Doctor, David Tennant. Remakes are not usually the most stellar examples of cinema, with horror entries in particular leaving a bad taste in my mouth given some especially disappointing recent titles. I thought that, at best, Fright Night would be a relatively painless 106 minutes to be endured in exchange for the chance to see my favorite actor on the big screen. Instead, what I experienced was one of the most enjoyable times at the theater in recent memory. Not only was Tennant remarkable to watch in the role of Peter Vincent, but I was also struck by the fantastic performance of Colin Farrell as Jerry. The talent of these two actors alone would be enough to save even the most potentially disastrous of films. A perfect mix of tense horror and slick humor, Fright Night is one of my favorite films of the year. If my fawning alone is not enough to convince you, check out this clip below from one of the movie’s best scenes.
