tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16715530454147616542024-03-05T02:10:29.348-08:00Cinema SoliloquyDigi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-90918140781939850632013-07-09T23:28:00.000-07:002013-07-09T23:28:40.209-07:00Great Movie # 549 - Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do I <i>really</i> need to say anything about this movie? I mean honestly... Mel Gibson plus post apocalyptic road movie, nuff said. You have no idea how excited I was to knock this one off the list. I don't want his to sound like a love letter or anything, but The Road Warrior (1981) was one of those films where I can recall my first time seeing it. I was very glad to see that this made the list. <br />
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There are so many fun moments in this movie. It captures you from the moment we fade in to see the infamous Max standing on the deserted highway looking off into the distance. My favorite part has to be the opening monologue by the narrator setting the stage for the world of the Wasteland. From there things get really real. The loner known as Max helps the caravan of settlers transport their precious fuel as they escape the savages that roam the desert led by the mysterious, brutal Humungus. It's interesting to see this hero save the day but hardly speak in the process; similar to Conan the Barbarian ( an equally great movie). Beyond a shadow of a doubt Mel Gibson is a star and what makes it better is that this is 'young' Mel before Lethal Weapon made him a superstar. <br />
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Even now, weeks after watching it, it still baffles my mind how Byron can say this movie had plot issues. Really dude, we're going there? Honestly, I just don't get it. It is as if people forget films from the past didn't have to explain every little piece of the plot (hellllloooo it's called cognitive deduction). At least the good man found it fun to watch. If you look back at our list, you'll see how valuable a commodity that is. <br />
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Sorry everybody, there isn't much else to say. George Miller created a classic franchise that is definitely one of a kind. Like many other superb foreign films (e.g. The Killer, Seven Samuari, and any Run Run Shaw film, lol), the film making is immaculate and stands the test of time. Whether it's because we remember the film from Pac's 'California Love' video, or because there are numerous memorable moments, The Road Warrior is a great timeless film. If you haven't seen this film, you need to stay home this Friday night and catch up, you won't be disappointed. Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-447452094956180082013-07-07T23:30:00.001-07:002013-07-09T23:31:19.247-07:00Great Movie # 4 - The Rules of the Game<div style="text-align: center;">
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Well this one was a doozie. The first actual boring movie of this whole process. I'm talking falling asleep in 15 minutes boring. The 1939 film by Jean Renoir was not interesting save for 2 major elements. First this film is the difference between the upper class social elite and the lower class help that have to interact with them. The very same premise of Robert Altman's Gosford Park (2001). I find it very interesting that Renoir creates the same story at such an early point in cinema's history. The next element was the camera work of the cinematographer. The use of depth of field was just impressive to see. It added depth (no pun intended) to the set pieces as well as the plots that develop in acts 2 and 3 among the array of characters that engage each other.<br />
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Byron and I both agree, this is clearly a one time watch. One that we both with NOT be watching again. I still don't quite understand exactly what makes this movie be ranked at number four. Out of respect, would I place it somewhere on this list? Sure. Not quite sure where, but it'll have to go somewhere. Oh well, on to the next one.Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-13432647051311390992013-06-24T22:54:00.000-07:002013-06-24T22:54:09.480-07:00Great Movie #105 - Gone With The Wind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We finally did it. I don't know how we did it, but we did.....we got through this never ending movie. This film was the Titanic of its time; and an hour longer. I have this belief that the general conception of this film is that it is a mushy romance from an era racked with campy, melodramatic romance. Thus far, this was the most entertaining movie experience I have had, hopefully there will be many more to come. <br />
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I couldn't help but remain in awe of looking at a film made 74 years ago (1939) and not seeing it as dated. I think that's a testament to epic storytelling, which is universal. I think what made it so enjoyable was our approach to watching it. C'mon, we had to crack jokes on this movie to get through it, we just had to. Some dramatic points were just so ridiculous you couldn't help but laugh. <br />
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With all that said, I cannot stand Scarlett O'Hara. She was such a piece of work, if she was a real person I might have to pour a drink on her. I guess Vivian Leigh is one of the greatest actresses to hit the stage if she could generate such emotional reaction from the audience. You see this woman grow from a self - absorbed debutante, to an entrepreneurial debutante spending three hours and ninety-five minutes chasing a man that doesn't want her. To add to this stew of drama, we have none other than Rhett Butler aka (the one and only) Clarke Gable. Talk about swag on overdrive, that's Rhett Butler. Almost every other scene this man wouldn't let things phase him. He was driven to get his woman, and he got her... ultimately to his disappointment. Yet and still we were able to hear one of the best lines ever. Granted this is only the second time I've seen this film, the emotion behind the "...I don't give a damn." line just oozes with authenticity. Clarke Gable makes you believe what it saying. By that point in his career I guess Gable was such an experienced actor it was effortless.<br />
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By far the strongest aspect of this film was it cinematography. The grandiose nature of the set pieces continually pulls your eyes to the screen. The rich array of colors from scene to scene was just pleasing to the eye. Coming in second would be the performances particularly of Vivian Leigh and Clarke Gable. They steal the scenes every time they hit they enter it. Hell, a new goal of mine is to get what I now call the Rhett Butler swag. Just imagine, I'm on that 'R.B. swag' (#brilliant). I could not address its depiction of race. The almost propaganda style depiction of
the Pre-Civil War South and Reconstruction Era to follow was a bit unsettling for both 'the Mrs'. and Byron. Still a bit understandable, but in a Post Obama America, who really cares? Yet and still the racism was
there and it was something we deconstructed and found humor in its
ignorance. <br />
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I feel that people tend to forget about Gone With The Wind as the original epic of the Classic Hollywood system instead replaced by The Ten Commandments (1956). Though this isn't one of my favorites, this movie should be required watching for any actor or filmmaker. There are lessons here in performance, cinematography, writing, directing, theory, the list just goes on and on. We're in agreement this film deserves to be on the list of 1,000. <br />
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Now if you'll excuse me I have to stare in the mirror and work on my Rhett Butler Swag. <br />
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<br />Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-64594782144918113242013-06-19T19:52:00.003-07:002013-06-19T19:52:44.961-07:00Great Movie #19 - Taxi DriverWe made it to the first Scorsese on the list. I feel that next to Goodfellas, Taxi Driver was the first major milestone in his career. By now there have been just so many great/memorable films by Scorsese you can't help to maybe forget about this one. Understandable but let's be clear on one thing, as great as his films are, they still aren't Taxi Driver. <br />
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This 1976 film by today's standards is definitely dated, but contains immense strength through its plot. This character profile is eerie and disturbing to watch as Travis Bickle unravels at the seams. Not much can be said about the film from a technical standpoint, but rather the film retrospectively. For example seeing what New York looked like prior to the Giuliani era. A time when Time Square was full of grime and not a place for tourist. In addition I found personal enjoyment in the performance to a young De Niro. A De Niro who has yet reached his full potential and has yet to create a pantheon of memorable characters. Though I have only seen it once before, this was Byron's fist time seeing this movie (yet another in a series of shocks). For him, it didn't live up to his expectations considering how much people hype it up. Totally understandable, I had the same experience the first time I saw Scarface.<br />
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No doubt about it, Taxi Driver is from age in cinema we'll never see again. An era where storytelling and film making techniques were fresh. An era before VFX and CGI was a house hold commodity. The provocative subject matter and violence though common by today's standards is still intriguing to analyze compared to the other films released in that era. With all that being said, the slow pacing of the film (something common in the '60s and '70s) still makes it difficult to watch along with the semi anti-climatic ending. What the movie does have going for it is the provocative subject matter and violence which clearly has influenced later films to push the envelope even further. <br />
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All in all just watch it once and be done, it's a good appetizer before a great catalog of film by one of the best to ever do it. <br />
<br />Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-52617026914447706892013-06-17T20:53:00.001-07:002013-06-18T19:50:10.513-07:00Great Movie # 3 - 2001: A Space OdysseyOh man, talk about a real mind fuck. There have been few movies have left me wondering what I just watched, literally. This is the first and last time I will watch this film. I honestly don't even know where to begin. Yes, it's worth that much hyperbole. <br />
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2001 (ASO) released in 1968 is one of Stanley Kubrick's most recognized films. Filled with various moments of dazzling cinematography, Kubrick leaves you largely perplexed and unfulfilled. It can be said that Kubrick's photographic eye was running on all cylinders when he story boarded this film. You could literally print shots out, frame them and they'd still be beautiful. The picture opens with the dawn of man at the moment when ape gathers intelligence. We transition into a future where man has perfected space flight and is exploring Jupiter. From there (which makes up about 45 minutes of the movie) I had no idea where Kubrick was taking us. He did make sure he inserted contemporary elements of science fiction in the film. Apes, time travel, artificial intelligence, Skype, everything. My personal favorite was the black monolith. So much symbolism inserted into a simple black slab; just amazing. <br />
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The film's pacing takes away everything that is beautiful and interesting about the film. Just getting through the first twenty minutes was laborious. Sitting here thinking about this movie makes me not to watch it ever again, seriously. Byron put it perfectly, 'An esoteric plot that was a trial to get through'. He also put it plainly 'It was boring as shit'. <br />
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I'm sure there are many people that love this film or hate this film. I appreciate that Kubrick puts out a film that forces you to have a stance. I won't sugar coat it for you, this film has severe weakness in pacing and plot. These issues left us upset because questions were unanswered. However I cannot emphasize it enough, the visuals were just AMAZING. I'm almost going to say it is one of best visuals that I have ever seen on film. In addition Kubrick's vision of the future and technology's evolution is nothing short of awe (considering in 1968, man had just arrived on the moon). <br />
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Byron felt some of these effect still hold up to today's standards. As an avid sci-fi fan, 2001 has influenced every sci-fi film in the genre that followed it. It is <i>that</i> amazing! Maybe Stanley Kubrick's intention with the film was to spark conversation. Maybe it was to spark thought and reflection. Who knows. Whatever the result is know that this film deserves to be on the list. Its innovative depiction of science fiction and forward thinking visuals allow me to even consider putting it in the top 5, Byron has disagrees and doesn't think it should crack the top 50. Final thought: watch 2001 once; tread carefully, be done with it and judge for yourself.Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-37387276001800583742013-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:002013-06-17T19:16:44.741-07:00Great Movie # 2 - Vertigo<div>
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Byron and I hit the ground running on this list. We agreed to skip the no. 1 ranked Citizen Kane. It was still fresh in my mind (since I made the Mrs. watch it). Not to mention that it is just that good of a movie. In my book I can appreciate it being listed as number 1; Byron not so much. Foretelling of future verdicts... possibly. So we're starting off with no. 2 on the list, Vertigo.<br />
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Vertigo was released in 1958 by Alfred Hitchcock starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. It's a cerebral mystery of obsession with suspense in only the manner that Hitchcock knows how to deliver with a very interesting twist. This was probably the second time I watched this film completely from beginning to end. That tells you how much I can watch it. I always found the pacing of this film tough, and it doesn't get faster with time. I suspect it goes to the voyeur effect that really pushes the picture along. We literally spend an hour or more watching Jimmy Stewart watch Kim Novak from afar. It's the amazing cinematography as well as the strong color pallet (particularly reds and greens) that captures my attention every time. As someone who has traveled many a time to San Francisco, Bryon could appreciate how Hitchcock depicted the beautiful metropolis. In addition, the beautiful composing of Bernard Hermann's score creates a healthy blend of urgency, romance, and intrigue as a back drop to this film that defines obsession [courtesy of the excellent performance of Jimmy Stewart]. </div>
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One thing Byron and I could agree that upon it's theatrical release, there wasn't anything like Vertigo ever seen before. I'm sure there hasn't been a film in the with psychological twist in identity like Vertigo to it. As Byron would put it, a real 'mind fuck' for the time of its release. Something I can totally see and agree with. Hell, it fucked with my mind the first time I saw it. Yet and still Byron couldn't help but feel that its twist doesn't hold up to as many contemporary films that accomplish the same thing. Regardless, this film came first which gives it credence. Something that cannot be denied, and should be appreciated. </div>
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What I find interesting is that of all his films, many (both academics and casual fans) consider this his greatest work. An idea that I still cannot wrap my mind around. What about Psycho, or North by Northwest? I don't know, I guess I'll gather some kind of insight but the time we're done. If any of you have an opinion, I'm glad to hear your thoughts on my FB wall. However, despite the accomplishments and regard the world has for Vertigo, we both agree this film isn't worth ranking at number 2. I'm willing to consider putting it in the top 20...maybe even top 50. That will have to wait until we go through all 1,000. </div>
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Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-38354398560416648672013-06-16T19:00:00.004-07:002013-06-16T19:00:40.313-07:00A Journey In Time, Space, & ReelalityI don't know how long it has been since I even looked at this journal, but finally there is something to talk about. Originally this blog was meant to be my opinion about the movies that I watch whether it is new or old. Nice premise but wore off relatively quickly. Now,things are different. I have agreed to take on a journey (so to speak) through the history of cinema. <br />
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Here's how it began....<br />
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One day at the job, my friend Byron messaged me with a link to an interesting list. The list is the 1,000 Greatest Films by Ranking [ <a href="http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000_all1000films.htm">http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000_all1000films.htm</a>]. Things got even more interesting when Byron posed the challenge to me... to go through and watch every movie on that list. The goal of this task to simply understand why these films are considered the greatest pieces of cinema. Sure every film student in the world has seen these film, but I know for me it has been a while for some, and never for others. I was intrigued. The Mrs. on the other hand couldn't do anything but roll her eyes. Yet again another film debate on the horizon. So here are the rules we've set for ourselves:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lHGvJyJFg1fq8A8GOKQ06q_Th_5fJNa19W-HqYG9py7taR3jqkn3atA2-4CC68vUUvdQEJylUQmNEOqrEibHo7bEG40ets4q6KdL_DHJsuaU-XHHrdMbayYoohuXcNgZPVabzr3262ls/s1600/citizen_kane-screening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lHGvJyJFg1fq8A8GOKQ06q_Th_5fJNa19W-HqYG9py7taR3jqkn3atA2-4CC68vUUvdQEJylUQmNEOqrEibHo7bEG40ets4q6KdL_DHJsuaU-XHHrdMbayYoohuXcNgZPVabzr3262ls/s320/citizen_kane-screening.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>We start with the no. 1 ranked movie.</li>
<li>Any movie we've have seen can be skipped unless the other feels the need to watch it again. </li>
<li>On an off day we will take alternating turns choosing any movie on the list to watch. </li>
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Simple enough right? I thought so too with one simple hang up... Byron hasn't really seen anything on this list. There goes my weekends for the foreseeable future. It won't be easy that's for sure but we shall succeed... let's get it!!!<br />
<br />Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-15074561699101142962012-04-16T14:38:00.008-07:002012-04-16T15:32:35.436-07:00It's The Grand Comeback!!!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#FFC000;">Hello hello hello my voyeur family! In the great words of General MacArthur... I have returned. I know it's been a long long time, but I found it within myself to blow the dust off this blog and share my thoughts about films, and (now) television programming that I am watching. Now for some of you... YES! I am using this to say my piece about what I consider good movies and why. YES! I am using this as means to feed my incessant need to debate and discuss. All that aside, I just felt the urge to speak, dissect and deliberate on what we are taking in through the ol' boob tube (the greatest babysitter of them all). So to start things off, we will be nourishing ourselves on <i>The Hunger Games</i>.<br /><br />Yes, the film was worth the hype. Yes, the film is N-O-thing like the accursed, and atrocious <i>Twilight Saga</i>. NO, it's not a remake of the equally cool <i>Battle Royale</i> (despite what anyone says....THEY'RE WRONG). Still, I came away unfulfilled. This is probably one of those rare occasions where reading the book prior to the movie left me unsatisfied in a serious way. I don't know exactly how to pinpoint it, but there is something that director Gary Ross didn't include in the picture that sells it short. Before we begin, the editor and director of photography (DP) did excellent work. The techniques they used to bring this tale of death and survival together really brought home what could only be the themes of book 2 and 3 (which I have not read). Their styles were not traditional by any means, but more personal giving us a make shit first person POV of our protagonist Katniss Everdeen.<br /><br />With all of that said, there is something refreshing to having a piece of science fiction top the box office for a month. Author Suzanne Collins' dystopian tale of adolescent violence, subjugation, melancholy, and revolution make you stop and think about how we have allowed reality television and our inherent blood lust go to the max. SUPERMAX per se, lol. Following the experiences of Katniss Everdeen as she volunteers for certain death, travels from her oppressed district 12 to the glamorous city of Panem to be prepped, pampered, and thrown into the annual Hunger Games was nothing but exciting; mind you this is a story written for young adults. There is something to the character analysis of these combatants that always makes me appreciate the brilliance of Stephen King's <i>The Running Man</i> (a Schwarzenegger classic and must see) prior to the emergence of reality television. The idea that children that are at a point in their life where they are just finding themselves, are taken down a path that no one should have to go through...the path of destroyed innocence is always intriguing. Who will embrace this experience and become a heartless killer? Who will be the lamb walking into the slaughter? Who will battle to hold onto their humanity? Always something great to see because at this time in our life we don't have to.<br /><br />The issue that I had with the film adaptation was that it didn't go all the way and show us the horrific brutality and reality that comes with the Games. This is the same issue that I had reading the book. It is such an interesting subject that editing it for the sensitivity of the targeted youth audience makes you want to scream "C'mon!!!! I just want a taste". The intangible exposition of Kat's thoughts, emotions, and perceptions were the layerings that really made the 'Games' so good. Which we cannot get from the film. Facial expressions can only do so much before you have to leave the rest up to subjective interpretation. I guess this is something that we have no choice but to embrace and live with.<br /><br />Should you see this movie...YES! Should you read the book...YES! Should we thank reality television for giving something to talk about... not too sure. But <i>The Hunger Games</i> is something exciting and refreshing to put on your radar regardless of your age. In my humble opinion, anyone who feels that this is something detrimental to our children... go watch <i>We Need To Talk About Kevin</i>...then come see me.<br /><br />Happy Watching!!!</span></p>Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-61637279091858925152009-07-27T22:01:00.000-07:002009-07-27T22:39:38.337-07:00'Half-Blood Prince...Half Of What Phoenix Was'Here we are again, for another installment of Harry Potter and his battle with the greatest evil since Sauron. 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' is an expositionary film preparing us for a large explosion of events in the final two films. Although, an entertaining film, 'Half-Blood Prince' makes the downward side of excitement. <div> Much older now, and wiser as wizards we follow Harry Potter following the death of his rebelious uncle Serious Black on the dawn of what will be a borderline civil war in the wizard world. Unlike the other films, close attention needs to be paid to dialogue as well as the props of this latest installment. If you didn't read the novel, you'd miss alot of important subtleties. Director David Yates (who also directed Order of the Phoenix) took the usage of darkness in the films to another level to accentuate the abyss we are going down with these films. </div><div> There are many positive elements to Harry Potter that show the evolution of these characters. Of course they're much older (obviously), but more than that the tone of these films have become much more serious; and it's going to get darker before it gets brighter. The intrigue of hidden secrets just keeps the viewer wanting more and more. However, it is much harder to stay interested with this installment simply because it drags. That's all there is to it. The film is over 120 minutes long and this is the first time I ask myself, "There's still more"? I would almost say that a total of 20 minutes could have easily been excluded from the final cut, and a beat would not have been missed. At least I don't think so. On a positive note, the final 15 minutes made the wait worth while. Yates kicked it up a notch by eliminating a pinacle character. Who you ask....I'll leave that for you to discover. For all intensive purposes, there wasn't anything extraordinary about the camera work for the film. But then again, it still leaves much to look forward to in these last two films. </div><div> Was Harry Potter entertaining? Yes, though not the most entertaining of them all. But more than anything, it was a major disappointment that this film was not the best film of an already weak 'Summer Movie Season'. Many of you would assume that I'll promote Star Trek as the best of the season...and you'd be right. In almost every aspect of filmmaking, Star Trek met expectation, and to a certain degree exceeded them. Harry Potter should have been a no brainer to surpass Star Trek, Terminator, and Transformers. But quite frankly Transformers and Star Trek are the top two runners for best movie of the season. Harry Potter steals third place. After that, I'll leave it up to you. Only one movie left....Inglorious Basterds. QT, please bring your 'A' game. </div>Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-72025635672878525472009-07-04T01:32:00.000-07:002009-07-04T02:20:39.410-07:00Public Enemies...Michael Mann MissesAs of now, this is by far the WEAKEST summer movie season that I have ever seen. To date, the best film thus far as 'Star Trek', followed by 'Transformers 2'. The sad fact of the matter is that the gap of time between theses films reflects the poor path (in this viewers opinion) that the summer series of movies is heading towards for the rest of the season. Another sad fact is that Michael Mann's latest release, the period piece 'The Public Enemies' isn't improving things. <div> The film depicts the Feds pursuit of America's 'Public Enemies'; specifically Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and primarily John Dillinger (as played by Johnny Depp). In hot pursuit, is Special Agent Melvin Purvis, a clean nosed agent assigned to the Chicago territory by his on the rise superior J. Edgar Hoover. Spicing up the risk is the develop love between Dillinger, and local hat check girl, Billie (played by Oscar winner Marion Cotillard). No one in this story is backing down. Not Purvis, not Hoover, and certainly not John Dillinger. </div><div> As stories go, it's not the most brilliant screenplay put to the screen. But... what is excellent is the depiction of a time in America going back almost 70 years. The strongest element to the film is the production work. As in the last three films, Mann has been using various film formats and cameras to create his distinct vision to tell his story. This film is no different however, because it's a period piece there are many instances that it just doesn't come together. What does come together is the intense shootouts and use of sound to bring the reality of a shootout to the viewer. It's these moments that show the strength of Michael Mann's expertise as a director. </div><div> I'll bottom line it for you, Public Enemies is easily a dvd flick. As movie goes, it's never a bad idea to check out an action movie, but don't expect any Oscars here. Maybe next time Mr. Mann.</div>Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-19227097972291463912009-05-08T13:38:00.000-07:002009-05-08T14:22:51.536-07:00Star Trek Ressurection....Still Goin' Where No one has Gone<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Much has changed in 7 years and yet we do not even notice. For the 'Trekkies' out there, it has felt like forever since we've soar through space and time. I feel the same way for a good movie now a days (you only get 4 a year if you're lucky). When I went to the midnight showing of J.J. Abram's take on <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">'Star Trek'</span> </span>I was hoping that I would find people dressed in costume; alas, no dice. No matter, the movie going experience of seeing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">'Star Trek'</span></span> in IMAX was a great way to enjoy my time off work. Bottom line...there wasn't a moment of drowsiness in this movie (unlike other movies with claw wielding mutants, or the latest "funny" man in an unfunny movie). In fact, I'll stop beating around the bush....'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Star Tre</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">k'</span></span> was the best movie of the '09 spring season.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I had my concerns with Hollywood taking something as iconic and magical as Star Trek and attempting to make it hip and fresh for today's youth. Not surprisingly they put their trust in J. J. Abrams (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">'Lost'</span></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">'MI: 3'</span></span>), who appears to becoming the new 'Go To Hollywood Hitmaker'. Well after this project, I have to give respect to the man's skill and talents. He stepped up to the challenge of revamping the franchise, pleasing the loyal followers, and wrangling in a younger audience; and that is exactly what he did. Cudos to the casting director for such an impressive depiction of the Enterprise's famed crew. Chris Pine (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">'Smokin' Aces'</span></span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">'The Princess Diaries 2'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>did an excellent job stepping into the shoes of James Kirk. I had concerns that an injustice would be done by having Pine make the character his own. Instead, he made the character his own while still giving us a taste of the Kirk he would become in 30 years. The same Kirk we know and love. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The best performance though was without a doubt Karl Urban, or rather Dr. McCoy. Full of quirky lines and wit that would make DeForest Kelly (the original McCoy) proud. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I take it you get the point that I really liked the film; well I did. The depiction of space travel and battle was probably the best I have ever seen it. If you've ever wondered if there is sound in space....you'll find out in this movie. So let's say you are not a fan of Star Trek... that's ok. The great CGI work will keep you entranced. Almost as if you were on a roller coaster ride at Magic Mountain. There was very little room in this story that had to be developed better. As movies go in 2009, this was in the first tier of excellent filmmaking. Don't be surprised if it grosses and easy 100 million dollars by Monday. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My recomendation, watch <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">'Star Trek'</span></span>, if the effects don't wow you, at least you spent 2 hours of your life on a high octane ride. </span></span><br /></div>Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-72287942126396454602009-05-03T22:32:00.000-07:002009-05-03T23:41:36.979-07:00Wolverine ain't warming up.<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;font-family:Georgia;mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Well, 20th Century Fox is back at it again. Well, trying at least. From a monetary standpoint it was predictable; let's be honest, who wouldn't want to make a movie on one of the more popular Marvel characters in their roster? Sadly, justice couldn't be done. The spin off of the X-Men franchise opened on Friday, to positive reviews....not from this viewer though. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> With every film that's adapted from literature you have to give latitude to what they put on screen. I appreciate filmmakers that attempt to do justice to a story however; it shows effort. Instead of getting the script tight and its development properly laid out, we get several over the top moments that 'ooo' and 'awe' our eyes. Pluses go to Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber for depicting a better love/hate relationship between Logan and Victor Creed. Victor Creed from the first </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'X-Men'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> had the look, but the villainy element just wasn't there. Liev Schreiber was a much better fit for that persona. An interesting challenge to Jackman’s presence. Like anything else it could have been better, but take what you get, right? The weakest points to this film have to be the story, and the arbitrary introduction of characters for irrelevant purposes (incorporation of Cyclops, Professor X, and Gambit). You would hope that filmmakers would learn from the success of '</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Iron Man'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Spider-Man'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, I guess that's too much to ask for. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Georgia; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Needless to say, the 85 million dollar opening weekend, will properly set up a sequel to come within the next 3 years I suspect. Maybe by that point, the writers will wrangle the story a bit more to what loyal comic fans are familiar with. Even though I wasn't too pleased with the film, it is a hearty beginning to a summer film season. There was a mighty hiatus between Christmas and May. Hopefully, films will only get better as the summer progresses. With </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Wolverine'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> bringing in 85 million, I can only imagine what </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">'Star Trek'</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> will bring in next week. Cheers!!!</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1671553045414761654.post-14137629053711550462009-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:002009-04-07T14:36:03.361-07:00'The Strangers' was Strangely Entertaining I am not a horror flick kind of guy. Believe me there are dozens of ways that a man can get his thrills, adrenaline pumping or whatever it is that gets us off. I hope there is someone out there that knows where I'm coming from. That being said, once in a while there is a movie that makes you go ' hey that wasn't bad'. In an era of horror movies that scream out 'hey another remake of a classic but this time we have sexier people in it', <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Strangers</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> was a refreshing manner to get our hearts racing. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Liv Tyler and her boyfriend are in this log cabin when randomly someone knocks at their door at four in the morning. I don't know about you, but I don't open the door for anyone pass 9. So this stranger looking for Tamera starts to knock again once the boyfriend leaves to get cigarettes (at 4 a.m.?) and all hell breaks looks. Three masked characters begin harassing Tyler to the point where they lose all sense of rational control of the situation. Minimal dialogue and creepy sounds have you stirring in your seat. The director (who also wrote the film) did an excellent job of just allowing things to unravel without forcing it on you. Let it be known, there were a few moments where I said to myself "C'mon, what are you doing"? Even still your stomach begins to turn as you watch the horror and torment unfold on this unsuspecting couple. All the while you have pity for these people. Why wouldn't you? Fellas, you want to be extra romantic with your lady. So you take her a nice wood cabin, play some John Mayer and pour roses on the floor. Suddenly, some guy with a Charlie Brown sack on his head is hacking away at your front door with an axe. That sucks. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I thought it was a good movie. Of course the very end of the film has to go the cliche route, but it was still enjoyable. Something I would easy rent and watch again. The best part of '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Strangers</span></span>' is the way the director uses sound to initiate fear and unravel the story. From beginning to end, you don't cringe at heads being lobbed off with blood hitting the screen. You do cringe though because you don't know what is behind that curtain and we have to wait to discover it. Very Hitchcock, very cool. This movie takes us back to when horror films didn't show us over the top, slimy creatures to be scarred of. Rather, put us in a situation when we lack control and let the sounds make our imaginations run wild. </div>Digi Hanzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10355307244655610688noreply@blogger.com0