The saying goes that the hero of your story is only as great as your villain, On podcast #124 I made a bold statement that the key difference between classic Disney movies and Pixar films is their villains. I love Pixar films, but in my mind classic Disney movies like The Jungle Book and The …
Away We Go Directed by Sam Mendes Give Sam Mendes credit – at least he’s finding new ways to make less-than-satisfying films. From the leaden, humorless graphic novel adaptation Road to Perdition, to last year’s hopelessly shrill Revolutionary Road, to this year’s comparatively light road movie Away We Go, Mendes’ troubles at least variate. Away …
The Third Man is a testament to the power of moving images. Often enough in the minds of the public, the writing or the acting of a film are considered the only true artistic aspects, while the cinematography is pushed aside as merely a technical detail, only the paint and brush needed to create the …
Auteur Theory: Volume 4 A true independent filmmaker, Douglas Buck’s short films have made him a recognizable name in the festival circuit. Beginning his filmmaking career in the early 90s, shooting his films on Long Island, Buck pretty quickly managed to build up a following. His films meld gore-based horror with harrowing stories of American …
It is by complete surprise that I ended up with a copy of this movie. There I was, walking the aisles of my virtual movie store, looking for ‘The Empire of the Wolves’ when my clumsy fingers stumbled and clicked on Neil Jordan’s (The Crying Game, In Dreams, Breakfast on Pluto) film instead. The result? …
The Hangover Impresses Audiences: On Opening Day, Todd Phillips very funny “The Hangover” (I saw it yesterday, and I highly recommend it for good slapstick laughs) made 16.5 million dollars in one day alone. “…The production budget was rumored to have hovered around only $30 million…” which makes this a very impressive first day and …
Swingers (1996) Directed by Doug Liman It really isn’t hard to see why this film has acquired a cult following. The atmosphere is laid back, the dialogue is some of the best in any 90’s comedy, the characters are appealing and well-drawn, the casting is perfect, the soundtrack is great, and the situations are honest …
Back in 1995 John Ratzenberger became a part of history as one of the voices in the first animated feature done entirely by computer. That film was Pixar’s Toy Story and ever since, Ratzenberger has made a small cameo in every single one of Pixar’s 13 feature films. Abominable Snowman – Monsters Inc. Toy Story …
Up Directed by Pete Docter Co-directed by Bob Peterson Those waiting for animation powerhouse Pixar to slip up are going to have to wait a little longer, as their third straight unmitigated success comes courtesy of Up, the latest effort to be directed by Pete Docter, who previously helmed Monsters, Inc. Up may not be …
The Cult and Genre movie community is in shock today to learn of the death of movie icon, David Carradine. Carradine, who was 72, was found dead in his hotel suite on Wednesday, in Bangkok, Thailand. According to what Thai police told the BBC, Carradine was found was found by a hotel maid with a …
It’s very hard to categorize a film like Baraka. Because of its particular characteristics – a complete lack of a verbal component, a non-linear ‘plot’ and a broadened coverage of our planet – it doesn’t fit it with any existing genre. With that being said, I wouldn’t want to have to put a label on …
Body Count: Volume 10 . I’m not sure how the heavy metal and horror movie connection started but it’s a match made in hell. The two go together like chocolate and peanut butter. It’s a natural pairing. Alice Cooper had been combining Grand Guignol stage theatrics with live music since the 70’s. Blue Oyster Cult …
“Alien” the Prequel: An “Alien” prequel has been verified by director Tony Scott. He is the brother of Ridley Scott, the director of “Alien.” The prequel will be directed by Carl Rinsch, director of 1994’s “The Quiz.” http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0727754/ Tony Scott guesses that production will begin “Hopefully (at) the end of the year.” http://www.collider.com/2009/05/29/exclusive-tony-scott-confirms-carl-rinsch-is-directing-alien-and-its-a-prequel/ I am …
Twilight was the toast of the MTV Movie Awards winning five major prizes. But who gives a shit. Sacha Baron Cohen just tea bagged Eminem. Now that’s what I want more of at my awards shows. Yes, the bit is ripped off from a similar stunt by Howard Stern pulled at the VMA’s some while …
Cult Cinema:- Article #11 Cult of the Week: Volume 11 Art imitates life. Until art gets so thoroughly processed by focus groups and marketing departments that it wins an MTV Movie Award. Then, art turns into product, which is imitated by the single-brain-celled form of life that spends a small fortune of its parents’ money …
15- Donnie Barksdale in The Gift Actor: Keanu Reeves Memorable quote: “Messing with the Devil is gonna get you burned. Everybody knows that.” Say what you will about Keanu Reeves, but given the right project, proper casting, and competent direction, the man can do a decent job. He is far from outstanding in The Gift, …
Concept art for James Cameron’s Avatar is in and it’s further upping the anticipation factor. The art was released by the website Market Saw. They are a part of their forthcoming book “The Art of Avatar James Cameron’s Epic Adventure.” And what can I say they look “EPIC.” These pictures have been confirmed by Fox …
When thinking of stars who appear in a Sam Raimi film, Bruce Campbell is the first name to come to mind. What people don’t realize is that Sam Raimi’s star vehicle is a 1973 Delta 88 Oldsmobile. The car was first seen way back in Evil Dead driven by Ash. In fact the car in …
Hot off the heels of a big critical success with Adventureland, Greg Mattola’s upcoming Simon Pegg and Nick Frost sci-fi comedy Paul has gotten a lot more interesting. Variety reports that a ridiculous quantity of talent has now been added to the project: Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Jane Lynch, Bill Hader, and the glorious Kristen …
Pixar’s Up and Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell are looking to be two of the years best reviewed films. Up currently has a 96% on the tomato meter with over 45reviews (If you consider the diatribe by Almond White a review). Drag Me to Hell has a 94% with 38 reviews. Both appear to …
Eli Roth almost killed by Tarantino: During the production of “Inglorious Basterds,” co-stars Eli Roth “and Omar Doom were supposed to do a stunt in which they would be engulfed in flames as Tarantino would hover high above them behind the camera in a flame-retardant suit…they (Royh and Doom) were slathered with protective gel and …
Drag Me to Hell Directed by Sam Raimi Where other horror pioneers’ attempts to return to the cinematic styles that earned them their reputations have generally ranged from middling (George Romero’s Land and Diary of the Dead) to embarrassing (Dario Argento’s Mother of Tears), Sam Raimi effortlessly slips back into “spook-a-blast” mode with the outrageously …
Body Count: Volume 9 I have this story that I like to tell after I’ve been drinking about the night that I was alone in our house and thought someone had broken in. I was scared shitless. There was very clearly someone wandering around the first floor of my house, turning lights on and making …