Archive for January, 2008

  • 31 Jan

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    Bollywood Matrix: Like the Original Only BETTER?

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    One of the strangest and most entertaining things I’ve seen so far in my life was Turkish Star Wars; it was so bad, it was nearly unwatchable but with good company and loads of heckling, it made for superbly entertaining material.

    Bollywood has been known to take Hollywood films and add their own Indian spice to make something new but I’ve yet to see a full Bollywood version of an already popular film but I’ve found the first real candidate. It’s called Awaara Paagal Deewana and I’m not quite sure what the exact storyline is like, the one over at IMDb doesn’t seem to be for the same movie, (that or I’m in for a very big surprise) but I’m not dis swayed, I must have it.

    Shout out to my Bollywood expert and buddy, Ramchandra who provided me with the ugly details. He’s issued a warning I refuse to accept so I’m officially on the search for this jewel. You can blame the whole think on this supremely fantastic clip.

  • 31 Jan

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    Be Kind Rewind “Sweded”

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    So I get an email from Kurt this morning to a trailer I’d heard about but hadn’t checked out yet simply because I couldn’t quite make out what on earth it was. Before clicking on the link, I had to figure out what exactly “sweded” meant so I looked it up and honestly, I still have no idea what it means. According to the Urban Dictionary it’s “When one has blitz a bulldog or smiley down there trees then they may feel sweded.” Excuse me? Did anyone else miss that or am I just daft?

    Regardless of what it means, it’s essentially a zero budget version of the Be Kind Rewind trailer starring Gondry himself playing every role. Makes for a pretty funny watch. The best part is the French accent.

    Be Kind Rewind is scheduled for release on February 22nd.

  • 30 Jan

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    Gattaca Gets SE DVD

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    Gattaca SE DVDIt’s a bit surprising to me that some films no one wants to see get multiple DVD releases while good films are lucky to see the light of day after their initial release. Such is the case with Andrew Niccol’s directorial debut Gattaca. More than ten years after its initial release, the film is finally getting a Special Edition DVD in conjunction with its Blu-Ray release on March 11.

    I don’t mind shelling out some cash for a fancy new version of a movie I love, particularly one I have never picked up (because it’s never in at my local haunt) but you figure for the added $10, they could throw in a few extra features. The only added bonuses to this edition are:

    - “Welcome to Gattaca” Featurette
    - “Do Not Altar?” Documentary
    - Original EPK Featurette
    - Deleted Scenes
    - “Substance Test” Outtake

    What a rip. I guess the search for the original release continues, especially when it’s only 1/2 the cost. Here’s hoping this one gets marked down quickly.

  • 30 Jan

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    New Indy Photo in Empire

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    indymuttmarion.JPG
    Here is a new picture from the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, courtesy of Empire. You get a look at Indy holding a bazooka, this time with his (possible) son Mutt and his mother and Indy’s old flame from Raiders of the Lost Ark, Marion Ravenwood. It’s looking like she might play a pretty pivotal role in the movie, which is more than fine by me.

    Producer Frank Marshall says of the movie: “This picture is locked. Steven’s pretty much done editing. And we’re going into the phase with John Williams where he starts scoring the movie. He’s really writing now and then we’ll start scoring in February. … I would say it’s closest to the third one (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). It’s all adults. I mean, you have the sidekick in Shia (LaBeouf), but you don’t have a Short Round and I think the banter between the characters is as fun as it was in the third movie.”

    The article also revealed that there will be an Indiana Jones Mr. Potato Head. Holy freaking crap.

  • 30 Jan

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    ANVIL: Rockers Turned Movie Stars

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    ANVILYou’ve seen them. I’ve seen them. Those made for tv biographies that set out to make movie stars, musicians and politicians seem like regular folk and which tend to outline how hard it was for them to overcome one problem or another to “make it”. I realize that everyone has faced some sort of adversity and I’m not knocking people that really had to work hard to get to where they are today but reading about ANVIL makes all of these folks on “Behind the Music” look like a bunch of pussies.

    ANVIL is a Canadian heavy metal band which was formed in 1978 by a bunch of guys trying to make it to the big time. The band has had a steady stream of record labels and releases since the beginning but try as they might, they’ve never been “discovered”. One would figure that after nearly 30 years of working day jobs and playing gigs, they’d give up but ANVIL. These guys are don’t believe in throwing in the towel and they’re still rocking hard.

    Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a documentary directed by former band roadie Sacha Gervasi, just premiered at Sundance to lots of love and positive buzz but sadly, apparently no distribution deals. It’s being toted as the real life This is Spinal Tap and I can sort of see why.

    As of yet, there isn’t a real trailer for the film but there’s a great Sundace video which includes Robert Redford talking to a very shocked Gervasi about the film, the ANVIL guys being superstars and some footage from the documentary which will hopefully get some sort of release.

    ANVIL Sundance Clip

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 30 Jan

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    Middle of the Row Episode 3 – Make Your Ears Bleed

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    Note: Sorry for this but due to technical difficulties my voice comes through with and echo for the majority of the podcast. I hope you are able to still listen as we cover some very good movies.

    this episode

    Row Three’s newest writer, Dave Becker joins me for a discussion about our picks for 10 movies from this decade that are worth watching. Of course we don’t just limit ourselves to the ten each. Dave first runs through his runner ups and I list off more than 10 Asian movies that would have likely replaced most of my list. We start off the discussion though with a look at what we have been watching.

    What John has recently been watching:

    What Dave has recently been watching:

    Movies to Watch from this decade

    Dave’s Runner Ups

    John’s Asian Flicks

    Dave’s 10 Picks

    10. Lost in Translation (2003)
    9. Children of Men (2006)
    8. Kill Bill (2003 2004)
    7. The Dreamers (2003)
    6. No Country for Old Men (2007)
    5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    4. Sexy Beast (2000)
    3. Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 2002 2003)
    2. Spirited Away (2001)
    1. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

    John’s 10 Picks

    10. Casino Royale (2006)
    9. Oh Brother, Where art Thou (2000)
    8. The Pledge (2001)
    7. Brick (2006)
    6. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
    5. Children of Men (2006)
    4. Shaun of the Dead (2004) / Hot Fuzz (2007)
    3. Black Snake Moan (2006)
    2. Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain, Le (2001)
    1. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

    Make sure to check out the Row Three Oscar Pool. Make your picks and you can win the DVD of your choice.

    Middle of the Row Episode 3 [ 2:21:30 | 129.55 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup
  • 29 Jan

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    A Nostalgia Trip to Restricted Territory

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    Grindhouse was fantastic for any number of great reasons but I must admit one of opening moments got the crowd right into the action and that clip was the Restricted Cougar that had once graced the screenings of many an 80′s classic. I can’t recall exactly what clip they used but I do recall seeing it and that, in and of itself, made me a bit nostalgic.

    I was paroozing about the web today and stumbled on the BC Film Classification Board’s website and clicking around in there, I found some interesting information. Turns out that the Restricted Cougar is a Canadian, and even better a British Columbia, icon.

    The symbol was first used in BC on August 1, 1960 and was copyrighted on July 6, 1965. Shortly after it first appeared, the BC Film Classification Office launched a series of animated information trailers that played before the films and the cougar entered wide circulation. The cougar was shelved in January of 1997 when the classification rules changed and the restricted rating was largely replaced by 18A.

    As much as I love a history lesson, the cool part is that the four short clips are all online and even available for download directly from the BCCPA website. Most folks will likely recall the most popular one titled “Bijou” but I’ve included all four for your viewing pleasure.

    Bijou

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 29 Jan

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    A Rambo that Doesn’t Suck: Son of Rambow Trailer

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    Over a year before people started talking about it after its spectacularly positive Sundance debut, Garth Jennings’ Son of Rambow is finally scheduled to open in limited release in May. The film stars two young new comers, Bill Milner and Will Poulter, as friends making their version of Rambo. Apparently, that’s the simplified version of the plot as it appears that the film also has friendship, girl and growing-up issues all stuffed in there for good measure.

    The trailer plastered a smile on my face from the very first bit of dialog but I nearly lost it when one of the kids enters a room and yells “I’ve come to save you Rambo!” and then cut to Rambo…the best looking Rambo ever. FANTASTIC.

    Looks like seriously good fun. I just hope it manages to open up here before the year is out!


  • 29 Jan

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    Review: He Was a Quiet Man

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    He Was a Quiet Man Movie PosterDirector: Frank A. Cappello (No Way Back, American Yakuza)
    Writer: Frank A. Cappello
    Producers: Michael Leahy
    Starring: Christian Slater, Elisha Cuthbert, William H. Macy
    MPAA Rating: R
    Running time: 95 min.

    He Was A Quiet Man Movie StillWhen I first saw the trailer for He Was a Quiet Man, I rubbed my head a bit trying to figure out who the lead was and when I read that the film starred Christian Slater, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t recognized him the first time around. Really, it should come as no surprise that he’s nearly unrecognizable. If I had to guess, I’d say that this is Slater’s attempt at making an important film, something which has more to say than Alone in the Dark and which folks will watch, shake their heads and say “Yes, he’s very talented” and hopefully, result in a flurry of prestigious film offers. Unfortunately, He Was A Quiet Man isn’t quite at that level though that’s not to say that Slater’s performance is lacking if anything, it’s the one great thing in a film that’s trying too hard.

    Slater plays Bob, a “quiet man” living a fairly meaningless existence and working at a major corporation, pretty much just going through the gestures of living. He has no friends, no social life and is largely ignored at work until a workplace tragedy makes him the popular guy on the block. Another lonely dude at the office loses it, starts shooting people and mistakes Bob’s work fantasy, a beautiful woman named Vanessa, for someone else and shoots her. Bob steps up to the plate and shoots the killer, in the process saving Vanessa’s life and becoming a hero. The event completely changes Bob’s life and we’re led to believe that he’s changed as well but at as the film progresses, we start to see that he hasn’t changed, only his circumstances have.

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 28 Jan

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    The Star Wars Story Continues…

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    swforceunleashed1.JPG
    Seeing the trailer for the upcoming Xbox 360 game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has reminded me how much developers are tapping into the cinematic potential in the realm of video games. While the majority of games out there are mindless and the story is second to the gameplay, every once in a while you get a game where they put major focus on the story and bring on board some really talented storytellers and writers, and that’s when you get something special, something that can deliver a truly cinematic experience. Some would even argue that after 20+ hours of gameplay, you become pretty invested in the characters too, far more than a character in a two hour movie.

    swforceunleashed2.JPGFor instance, back in 2003, I played through and beat Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Not only was it probably the most cinematic experience I ever had playing a video game, the story was on par with any of the best sci-fi or fantasy movies out there. Easily. And it tapped into an area of the Star Wars universe that had never been visited at the time, set thousands of years before the original movies. There are plenty of other games out there that are acclaimed for their excellent stories and cinematic experiences: Max Payne, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, The Elder Scrolls, Halo, Deus Ex, and Zelda all come to mind – they’re all games that are just at a higher level, where the story is essential and well-written and an entire world can be captured in a way that movies aren’t capable (or at least studios are generally not willing to shell out the cash to create).

    As for the game in discussion, here is the plot of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed via Wikipedia: “The game takes place between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and, according to Steve Sansweet, ‘has some incredible revelations.’ The player assumes the role of ‘Darth Vader’s secret apprentice’. The player is sent across the galaxy to destroy the remaining Jedi. The story is both a continuation of the prequel trilogy – exploring the aftermath of Emperor Palpatine’s order to exterminate the Jedi and focusing on the continued evolution of Darth Vader – and a direct bridge between original films.”

    Cool. Who wouldn’t be interested in a powerful secret apprentice destroying Jedi under the command of Vader? Pssh. This will certainly quench the thirst of my inner-nerd, I have no problem admitting that. Everything in the story is passed by George Lucas and is approved too, which adds to the authenticity of it all. I haven’t been into gaming in years (I handed the Xbox over to my brother back in 2004 and just haven’t had the urge to get back into them since – probably a good thing), but this would definitely be a game worthy of investing time into.

    More photos after the jump.

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 28 Jan

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    Canada’s Answer to Oscar: Genie Nominations

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    I always moan and complain that Canadian film doesn’t get enough love and attention in Canada, never mind anywhere else in the world but it was a great year for film in general and a fantastic year for Canadian film (across the country and around the globe) and what better way to celebrate than with an awards show and party?

    All the nominees below. The Genies will be broadcast on March 3rd. This year’s show should be a little more exciting than usual considering most folks have heard of, if not seen, a large number of the nominated films.

    BEST MOTION PICTURE
    L’ÂGE DES TÉNÈBRES / DAYS OF DARKNESS – Denise Robert, Daniel Louis
    AWAY FROM HER – Daniel Iron, Simone Urdl, Jennifer Weiss
    CONTINENTAL, UN FILM SANS FUSIL / CONTINENTAL, A FILM WITHOUT GUNS – Luc Déry, Kim McCraw
    EASTERN PROMISES – Robert Lantos, Paul Webster
    SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL – Laszlo Barna, Michael Donovan

    ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTION
    DENYS ARCAND – L’Âge des ténèbres / Days of Darkness
    SARAH POLLEY – Away From Her
    DAVID CRONENBERG – Eastern Promises
    ROGER SPOTTISWOODE – Shake Hands With the Devil
    BRUCE MCDONALD – The Tracey Fragments

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
    ROY DUPUIS – Shake Hands With the Devil
    MARC LABRÈCHE – L’Âge des ténèbres / Days of Darkness
    CLAUDE LEGAULT – Les 3 P’tits Cochons / The 3 Little Pigs
    VIGGO MORTENSEN – Eastern Promises
    GORDON PINSENT – Away From Her

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
    ANNE-MARIE CADIEUX – Toi / You
    JULIE CHRISTIE – Away From Her
    ELLEN PAGE – The Tracey Fragments
    MOLLY PARKER – Who Loves the Sun
    BÉATRICE PICARD – Ma tante Aline / My Aunt Aline

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
    DANNY GLOVER – Poor Boy’s Game
    GUILLAUME LEMAY-THIVIERGE – Les 3 P’tits Cochons / The 3 Little Pigs
    ARMIN MUELLER-STAHL – Eastern Promises
    MICHEL ANGE NZOJIBWAMI – Shake Hands With the Devil
    GILBERT SICOTTE – Continental, un film sans fusil / Continental, a Film Without Guns

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
    MARIE-GINETTE GUAY – Continental, un film sans fusil / Continental, a Film Without Guns
    VÉRONIQUE LE FLAGUAIS – Surviving My Mother / Comment survivre à sa mère
    LAURENCE LEBOEUF – Ma fille mon ange
    FANNY MALLETTE – Continental, un film sans fusil / Continental, a Film Without Guns
    KRISTEN THOMPSON – Away From Her

    BEST DOCUMENTARY
    PANACHE / ANTLERS – André-Line Beauparlant, Danielle Leblanc
    RADIANT CITY – Gary Burns, Jim Brown, Bonnie Thompson, Shirley Vercruysse
    SHARKWATER – Robert Stewart

    BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT DRAMA
    APRÈS TOUT – Alexis Fortier Gauthier, Élaine Hébert
    FAIRE CHALUIM MHIC LEÒID / THE WAKE OF CALUM MACLEOD – Marc Almon, Nona MacDermid
    REGARDING SARAH – Michelle Porter, Amy Belling
    SCREENING – Anthony Green, Philip Svoboda
    THE TRAGIC STORY OF NLING – Jeffrey St. Jules, Larissa Giroux

    BEST ANIMATED SHORT
    HERE AND THERE – Diane Obomsawin, Marc Bertrand
    JEU – Georges Schwizgebel, Michèle Bélanger, Marcel Jean
    MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI – Maciek Szczerbowski, Chris Lavis, Marcy Page

    » Read the rest of the entry..

  • 28 Jan

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    Review: The Nines

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    The Nines Movie Poster

    Director: John August
    Writer: John August
    Producers: Dan Jinks, Dan Etheridge, Bruce Cohen
    Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy, Elle Fanning
    MPAA Rating: R
    Running time: 99 min.

    Regardless of how many films I watch, I can never get over the initial shock of seeing a good, even great film that seems to have been buried. Such is the case with John August’s The Nines. The film was given a tiny distribution at the end of August and at its height, it played on 5 screens. I will concede that the film isn’t really easy to market, or even explain for that matter, but still. We get much more convoluted crappy stuff hit the 1,000+ screens but I’m digressing from the point at hand here: a great, unseen film ripe for discovery on DVD.

    The Nines Movie StillIt starts with an actor having a breakdown. You get the sense that this guy is a recognizable TV star who just loses it. First it’s the accidental burning down of his house which leads to drinking and driving, buying crack, picking up a hooker to teach him how to use it and ultimately, the self destruction ends with a car crash and Gary, the actor, getting hauled off to jail. Released on bail, he’s given six weeks of house arrest which are monitored by the deliriously energetic PR lady, Margaret. And that’s just the first story.

    » Read the rest of the entry..

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