My friend John sent a link to a gallery of photos from Industrial Light & Magic's Halloween party.
Click here to check them out.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saw Borat Again - Who Was In On It?
It's worth seeing twice.
I'm led to wonder: among the people appearing in the film, who knew Borat was a actor? Some performers obviously had to have known. For example, the police and security guards in the movie. I mean, in the real world, Sasha Baron Coen would have been arrested for these actions. Maybe he was? But then, pehaps the police and security guards were actors.
Who was in on the joke?
I'm led to wonder: among the people appearing in the film, who knew Borat was a actor? Some performers obviously had to have known. For example, the police and security guards in the movie. I mean, in the real world, Sasha Baron Coen would have been arrested for these actions. Maybe he was? But then, pehaps the police and security guards were actors.
Who was in on the joke?
Hugh Jackman Talks Wolverine
My latest piece for IGN Movies is live. It's an interview with Hugh Jackman about his X-Men spinoff movie Wolverine. He's not only the star, he's producing it. Screenwriter David Benioff completed the script a few weeks ago. They're looking to begin filming next year.
Click here for Wolverine Machine.
Click here for Wolverine Machine.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
New Jackson Pollack Movie
Well... Jackson Pollack-related anyway.
Was surprised to see this poster today. The movie looks interesting. Mind you, I dig Pollock.
So yes, I'm gonna dig deeper on this movie. Perhaps there's a trailer online.
Was surprised to see this poster today. The movie looks interesting. Mind you, I dig Pollock.
So yes, I'm gonna dig deeper on this movie. Perhaps there's a trailer online.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Keira Knightley Star Wars interview forthcoming (I hope)
If I can pull the file off my old computer, I'll offer you guys my nerver-before-published interview with Keira Knightley. I interviewed her in New York a few years back when she was doing a press tour for Bend it Like Beckham.
One of the many things we talked about was Star Wars; specifically, how she was cast in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and somewhat surprisingly, her work on Episode II: Attack of the Clones. She confirmed she did in fact work on Episode II and she's in the movie. (Any guesses as to why she keeps Episode II off her resume?)
Star Wars Insider was interested in publishing her interview. But due to deadlines and issue "themes", they passed. Since then, of course, Knightley's become quite the Movie Star.
Now... I figure it's time this interview saw the light of day. Stay tuned!
One of the many things we talked about was Star Wars; specifically, how she was cast in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and somewhat surprisingly, her work on Episode II: Attack of the Clones. She confirmed she did in fact work on Episode II and she's in the movie. (Any guesses as to why she keeps Episode II off her resume?)
Star Wars Insider was interested in publishing her interview. But due to deadlines and issue "themes", they passed. Since then, of course, Knightley's become quite the Movie Star.
Now... I figure it's time this interview saw the light of day. Stay tuned!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
A Nice Quote from Nick Hornby
Last year - yes, a whole year ago - I was flipping TV channels and noticed author Nick Hornby (High Fidelity and About a Boy) on C-SPAN. He was giving a speach at the New York Book Festival. I didn't catch the whole thing, but I loved how he wrapped things up. So, I quickly looked for a pen and paper and wrote it down.
Now, finally, it goes from my notebook to my blog for your consideration:
"In the end, it's not the stories that matter, it's something that's going on underneath. That's what I've always tried to look for."
- Nick Hornby, New York Book Festival, 6-4-05
Now, finally, it goes from my notebook to my blog for your consideration:
"In the end, it's not the stories that matter, it's something that's going on underneath. That's what I've always tried to look for."
- Nick Hornby, New York Book Festival, 6-4-05
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Marvel Comics Teams with Guiding Light
Aparently Marvel Comics is okay with aligning their name with hokey daytime mellowdrama. The deal is, they've entered into an agreement with the CBS soap Guiding Light to feature Marvel characters and, I guess, debut an all new superhero - she'll be introduced November 1st in an episode entitled She's a Marvel.
At Marvel's website they're offering a trailer for the episode. Click here to check it out.
Who is this new superhero?
For fans, the site's write-up notes: As an added bonus, the episode will feature many "Easter eggs" for sharp-eyed Marvel fans, so be on the lookout!
And over at Netscape, Karina followed-up on the story with Marvel's publicist. From her report:
Marvel's official press release offers a plot summary:
Looks like we've got some really bad (and by that measure, awesome) superhero-centric TV on the way.
At Marvel's website they're offering a trailer for the episode. Click here to check it out.
Who is this new superhero?
For fans, the site's write-up notes: As an added bonus, the episode will feature many "Easter eggs" for sharp-eyed Marvel fans, so be on the lookout!
And over at Netscape, Karina followed-up on the story with Marvel's publicist. From her report:
"Several of Marvel's well known characters will make appearances." [And an] 8-page Marvel/GL crossover comic will be bundled in 13 comics to be released between October 25 and November 15, including Spider-man Loves Mary Jane 11, Amazing Spider-girl 2 and Franklin Richards: Happy Franksgiving!.
Marvel's official press release offers a plot summary:
In the first-ever comic-soap crossover, Marvel's mightiest heroes (and villains) meet some of daytime drama's steamiest characters. The Avengers and their deadly foes descend on Guiding Light's city of Springfield to determine if a new super-powered being is friend or foe! Appearing in comics as an 8-page back-up beginning 10/26 and written by soap-and-comic scribe Jim McCann, this adventure will actually be the second appearance of this new super-powered character. The debut and origin of Springfield's first costumed crime-fighter will be told on air on the November 1 st episode of Guiding Light.
Looks like we've got some really bad (and by that measure, awesome) superhero-centric TV on the way.
Tenacious D and the Girls Guitar Club
New Line Cinema has pinned Tenacious D’s Pick of Destiny for a November 17th release. They've been sitting on it for a while. The D finished filming the movie almost exactly a year ago. Finally we’ll get to see the darn thing.
Now I must ask you: What about the Girls Guitar Club? The D has their movie and with it their impending dominance of the music world. But what about the Girls Guitar Club?
Yes, there’s a female take on the D and they are: Karen Kilgariff and 24’s Mary Lynn Rajskub. As the spolight is pointed toward the D, it’d great to see these girls get some noteriety.
"Why be a fan when you can be a band?"
I spoke with Mary Lynn for a bit about the GCC. Some of our coversation is located here. Mary Lynn and Karen did a few shows and they made a movie, the Girls Guitar Club. I encourage you to check it out.
Come to think of it, Cage and Jables ought to ask the girls to join them on stage at one of their upcoming gigs. Tenacious D with the Girls Guitar Club would be a darn good thing.
Now I must ask you: What about the Girls Guitar Club? The D has their movie and with it their impending dominance of the music world. But what about the Girls Guitar Club?
Yes, there’s a female take on the D and they are: Karen Kilgariff and 24’s Mary Lynn Rajskub. As the spolight is pointed toward the D, it’d great to see these girls get some noteriety.
"Why be a fan when you can be a band?"
I spoke with Mary Lynn for a bit about the GCC. Some of our coversation is located here. Mary Lynn and Karen did a few shows and they made a movie, the Girls Guitar Club. I encourage you to check it out.
Come to think of it, Cage and Jables ought to ask the girls to join them on stage at one of their upcoming gigs. Tenacious D with the Girls Guitar Club would be a darn good thing.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Darkon docu, a nice surprise
Was able to catch the documentary Darkon yesterday. I wasn't expecting much. It was a nice surprise.
The documentary is about live-action roll playing gamers who've created this world called Darkon. And within their fictitious kingdom, the politics and in-fighting is very real. That's where the fun starts for them, I guess - because when negations break down, it's time for war. And they do take to the battlefield quite often.
Maybe if these guys (and gals) didn't spend so much time preparing their armor and weaponry they wouldn't be compelled to bop each other on the head with foam covered swords. It seems like going to war is a prime directive in the land of Darkon.
"In everyday life, most people don't get to be the hero."
Fighting aside, Darkon isn't a love letter to live-action roll playing gamers. It isn't about how great this stuff is. The filmmakers seem displaced enough to allow the audience to laugh with (and sometimes at) its subjects. You get to really see why so many people ascribe to this sort of imersion gaming.
For many players their participation comes from wanting escaping the oppressive world of "reality." IMO, reality isn't about survival. It's about doing better than surviving. Anyway, Darkon is their way out. It's the thing that some of the say makes their lives balanced.
It's a well made movie. I do recommend it.
Darkonners out there, feel free to set me straight if you feel the need.
Click here for the official site.
The documentary is about live-action roll playing gamers who've created this world called Darkon. And within their fictitious kingdom, the politics and in-fighting is very real. That's where the fun starts for them, I guess - because when negations break down, it's time for war. And they do take to the battlefield quite often.
Maybe if these guys (and gals) didn't spend so much time preparing their armor and weaponry they wouldn't be compelled to bop each other on the head with foam covered swords. It seems like going to war is a prime directive in the land of Darkon.
"In everyday life, most people don't get to be the hero."
Fighting aside, Darkon isn't a love letter to live-action roll playing gamers. It isn't about how great this stuff is. The filmmakers seem displaced enough to allow the audience to laugh with (and sometimes at) its subjects. You get to really see why so many people ascribe to this sort of imersion gaming.
For many players their participation comes from wanting escaping the oppressive world of "reality." IMO, reality isn't about survival. It's about doing better than surviving. Anyway, Darkon is their way out. It's the thing that some of the say makes their lives balanced.
It's a well made movie. I do recommend it.
Darkonners out there, feel free to set me straight if you feel the need.
Click here for the official site.
The Host, that monster movie from South Korea
It pretty much rules.
I never thought I'd describe a monster movie as elegant, but The Host is. Maybe because it's more than just a monster movie. It's really about one father's commitment to his daughter.
The Host's storyline is somewhat similar to Close Encounters. The difference here, however, is the father's quest isn't so egotistical as Roy Leary's to reconsile with his inner demons. In the Host, the father is primarily after his daughter. So, unlike typical American monster movies, finding and killing the beast isn't so imperative. But if he gets the chance, that's a plus.
The characters make this movie. The girl's family, as comically distressed as they are, gamble their lives with their small, make-shift rescue attempt, and it's most amusing.
If you're on the fence about seeing The Host, look at it this way: the sequence in which the monster is first revealed is simply the best. The thing emerges from the river and chases parkgoers. It's just amazing. That scene alone should grab you.
I never thought I'd describe a monster movie as elegant, but The Host is. Maybe because it's more than just a monster movie. It's really about one father's commitment to his daughter.
The Host's storyline is somewhat similar to Close Encounters. The difference here, however, is the father's quest isn't so egotistical as Roy Leary's to reconsile with his inner demons. In the Host, the father is primarily after his daughter. So, unlike typical American monster movies, finding and killing the beast isn't so imperative. But if he gets the chance, that's a plus.
The characters make this movie. The girl's family, as comically distressed as they are, gamble their lives with their small, make-shift rescue attempt, and it's most amusing.
If you're on the fence about seeing The Host, look at it this way: the sequence in which the monster is first revealed is simply the best. The thing emerges from the river and chases parkgoers. It's just amazing. That scene alone should grab you.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Sarah Michelle Gellar interview
My Women of Horror piece on Sarah Michelle Gellar for The Return is now live at IGN.
When it came time to select her next project, Gellar wanted to stick with the supernatural thriller genre, but it had to be different. Really different. It had to have a certain something about her character that would set moviegoers on edge. So she accepted director Asif Kapadia's The Return, and with it, the challenge of playing a masochist.
"She's a cutter," says Gellar of her character Joanna Mills. "She does violent things to her body, and that's sort of an interesting concept all in itself."
When it came time to select her next project, Gellar wanted to stick with the supernatural thriller genre, but it had to be different. Really different. It had to have a certain something about her character that would set moviegoers on edge. So she accepted director Asif Kapadia's The Return, and with it, the challenge of playing a masochist.
"She's a cutter," says Gellar of her character Joanna Mills. "She does violent things to her body, and that's sort of an interesting concept all in itself."
Automatons, it has the freak
After viewing Severance, I decided to keep my ass in the movie seat and watch Automatons. I'm told it at one time had a longer title, Death to the Automatons, but the filmmakers are presently going with Automatons. Simple, yet cold. Just the way automatons like it.
So this movie, Automatons. It's a post-apocalyptic robot war. It sounds cool and it is. Yet bear in mind, the movie was filmed in 8mm black and white. It looks shoddy, and that's the point. It's all for the love of '50 b-movie, sci-fi horror. And it would make a perfect double feature alongside The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.
The story puts one girl, aka The Girl, alone in a mechanics shop surrounded by the automatons she constantly repairs. Daily she sends them out to battle other atomotons, and watches the whole thing on TV monitors. If the enemy "warbots" kill her, that's just about it for the human race. She's one of perhaps a half dozen survivors. But she's holding out for hero. Go girl!
Kick it back to the Brattle for tomorrow's line-up.
So this movie, Automatons. It's a post-apocalyptic robot war. It sounds cool and it is. Yet bear in mind, the movie was filmed in 8mm black and white. It looks shoddy, and that's the point. It's all for the love of '50 b-movie, sci-fi horror. And it would make a perfect double feature alongside The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra.
The story puts one girl, aka The Girl, alone in a mechanics shop surrounded by the automatons she constantly repairs. Daily she sends them out to battle other atomotons, and watches the whole thing on TV monitors. If the enemy "warbots" kill her, that's just about it for the human race. She's one of perhaps a half dozen survivors. But she's holding out for hero. Go girl!
Kick it back to the Brattle for tomorrow's line-up.
Severance, it's worth the trip
I've been wanting to see this one for a while. I suppose I was initially interested because I read somewhere it was like "The Office meets Shaun of the Dead" or something like that. All anyone has to do is say "The Office" and I'm interested.
So this movie, Severance, it played tonight at the Brattle here in Cambridge. My overall take on it is: it's worth the trip to the theater. Assuming you dig the occational slasher movie like I do, you should be comfortable shelling out $10 for this one, whenever it gets released here in the States.
The set-up is - big surprise - really standard: weekend office outing to an abandoned abode. But the execution, that's where the payoff is: crazed, bloodthurstly lunatics conspire to off each member of the non-wilderness friendly office party, and with deadly precision. This movie will shock you.
True, Severance has a little bit of the tone of Shaun of the Dead, and by that I mean its graphic scenes featuring the occasional decapitation and whatnot are spiked with a sense of humor. But that's it. It's not Shaun. It's just a good slasher flick with a fine sense of humor about itself.
If you have the chance to catch it at a festival, take it.
So this movie, Severance, it played tonight at the Brattle here in Cambridge. My overall take on it is: it's worth the trip to the theater. Assuming you dig the occational slasher movie like I do, you should be comfortable shelling out $10 for this one, whenever it gets released here in the States.
The set-up is - big surprise - really standard: weekend office outing to an abandoned abode. But the execution, that's where the payoff is: crazed, bloodthurstly lunatics conspire to off each member of the non-wilderness friendly office party, and with deadly precision. This movie will shock you.
True, Severance has a little bit of the tone of Shaun of the Dead, and by that I mean its graphic scenes featuring the occasional decapitation and whatnot are spiked with a sense of humor. But that's it. It's not Shaun. It's just a good slasher flick with a fine sense of humor about itself.
If you have the chance to catch it at a festival, take it.
Fonty Happenings
As you can see, I'm kind of messing around with the template and the fonts sizes. What can I say? I love courier. But I large font doesn't really work well with this template.
Forgive me as I test different looks.
Forgive me as I test different looks.
Friday, October 20, 2006
The Brattle Fanstastic Film Festival
Actually, it's the Boston Fantastic Film Festival, but I like to think of it as the Brattle's. And really, it's fantastic.
I was at the theater earlier today. I picked up some flyers to drop off at Newbury Comics, Simon's Coffee Shop, Million Year Picnic and some other local spots.
Okay, now. Here's the deal. I'm telling you outright: if you're in the Boston/Cambridge area this weekend and you're looking to see a great, new sci-fi, horror movie, you absolutely must go to the Brattle and catch the Fantastic Film Fest!
The Host - Getting ready to defend Seoul
from one very big, very hungry creature.
The event kicked off tonight with Terry Gilliam's Tideland. And tomorrow (Friday) you don't want to miss the premiere of the British horror flick Severance. It plays at 8pm. I'll be there. And so should you!
(Alright, I'll take it easy now on the exclamation points.)
Another movie you won't want to miss is the Boston premiere of South Korea's monster movie sensation, The Host. It screens Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm. I'll be there for the Saturday screening.
For the complete schedule and write-ups, click here for the Brattle's site.
I was at the theater earlier today. I picked up some flyers to drop off at Newbury Comics, Simon's Coffee Shop, Million Year Picnic and some other local spots.
Okay, now. Here's the deal. I'm telling you outright: if you're in the Boston/Cambridge area this weekend and you're looking to see a great, new sci-fi, horror movie, you absolutely must go to the Brattle and catch the Fantastic Film Fest!
The Host - Getting ready to defend Seoul
from one very big, very hungry creature.
The event kicked off tonight with Terry Gilliam's Tideland. And tomorrow (Friday) you don't want to miss the premiere of the British horror flick Severance. It plays at 8pm. I'll be there. And so should you!
(Alright, I'll take it easy now on the exclamation points.)
Another movie you won't want to miss is the Boston premiere of South Korea's monster movie sensation, The Host. It screens Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 5pm. I'll be there for the Saturday screening.
For the complete schedule and write-ups, click here for the Brattle's site.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Movies: Flags of our Fathers, Little Children
Saw two terrific movies this week.
First, Flags of Our Fathers. For the most part, it's fabulous. The Iwo Jima battle footage is mind blowing (literally). Just astonishingly good. The last 45 minutes, however - kind of a yawner. Or maybe I'd just had a long day last Tuesday. Yeah, it was a long day.
Today, I interviewed actor Barry Pepper. So stay tuned. Cool Flags of Our Fathers material is on its way.
Second, Little Children. This suburban drama starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson is 100% riveting. And, I'll add, scary - I didn't expect that. Jackie Earl Haley's (Yes, the guy from The Bad News Bears and Breaking Away) performance is worth a supporting actor nomination. More later, too.
First, Flags of Our Fathers. For the most part, it's fabulous. The Iwo Jima battle footage is mind blowing (literally). Just astonishingly good. The last 45 minutes, however - kind of a yawner. Or maybe I'd just had a long day last Tuesday. Yeah, it was a long day.
Today, I interviewed actor Barry Pepper. So stay tuned. Cool Flags of Our Fathers material is on its way.
Second, Little Children. This suburban drama starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson is 100% riveting. And, I'll add, scary - I didn't expect that. Jackie Earl Haley's (Yes, the guy from The Bad News Bears and Breaking Away) performance is worth a supporting actor nomination. More later, too.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Borat: Hilarious Cultural Learnings
As a journalist, one of the things I'm always grateful for is having the ability to get into movies even when they're sold out. Such was the case this evening at a screening of Borat at Harvard. I was told more than 300 people were turned away.(For advance screenings theaters are over booked, so it's always a smart move to arrive at least 45 minutes early.)
This movie, Borat - or to be more precise: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan - it's a hell of a thing. Funny? Oh yeah! I'll go as far as to say it's even a little scary. I mean, the situations Sacha Baron Cohen puts himself in for this movie are just... well, let me put it this way: there's the saying 'Don't go there.' Sacha Baron Cohen 'Goes there.'
Watching Borat with almost no preconception was sort of an uneasy experience. I mean, who the hell is this guy anyway and what's all the hubbub about? Five minutes into the movie, I swear, I was thinking of what it might be like to walk out and head on over to the Border Cafe for a burrito. The movie was looking like a bore-fest.
But then, wouldn't you know it, this guy Borat is just so strange it doesn't take long to warm up to him. He's a really likeable, well-meaning guy; just seriously lost when it comes to customs outside his homeland Kazakhistan. And that's what this movie's about: it's one hilarious episode after another dealing with Borat's attempt to relate to Americans.
One of the funniest moments in the movie, however, isn't about relating to Americans. It's between Borat and his producer, who has taken Borat's newly acquired Baywatch magazine. The fight in their hotel room is, without doubt, one of the funniest and most disturbing sequences in any movie this year. You just have to see it to believe it.
Borat opens nationwide November 4th. Click here for the official site.
This movie, Borat - or to be more precise: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan - it's a hell of a thing. Funny? Oh yeah! I'll go as far as to say it's even a little scary. I mean, the situations Sacha Baron Cohen puts himself in for this movie are just... well, let me put it this way: there's the saying 'Don't go there.' Sacha Baron Cohen 'Goes there.'
Watching Borat with almost no preconception was sort of an uneasy experience. I mean, who the hell is this guy anyway and what's all the hubbub about? Five minutes into the movie, I swear, I was thinking of what it might be like to walk out and head on over to the Border Cafe for a burrito. The movie was looking like a bore-fest.
But then, wouldn't you know it, this guy Borat is just so strange it doesn't take long to warm up to him. He's a really likeable, well-meaning guy; just seriously lost when it comes to customs outside his homeland Kazakhistan. And that's what this movie's about: it's one hilarious episode after another dealing with Borat's attempt to relate to Americans.
One of the funniest moments in the movie, however, isn't about relating to Americans. It's between Borat and his producer, who has taken Borat's newly acquired Baywatch magazine. The fight in their hotel room is, without doubt, one of the funniest and most disturbing sequences in any movie this year. You just have to see it to believe it.
Borat opens nationwide November 4th. Click here for the official site.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
A Quote from Patrick Stewart
I'm a lucky guy. Why? Well, for one thing, I get to ask people what makes them happy.
On the subject of 'Happiness at Work', Patrick Stewart (you know, Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise) offered this, and I wanted to share it with you. The enthusiasm with which he said it was infectious, too.
"I'm completely unqualified to give advice about many things. But to work with somebody who loves his job so much is such a treat, no matter what the area of work it is. When somebody just cannot wait to get to work in the morning, and every aspect of it is exciting and satifying, it transforms everything. Those of us who feel that way, we know it when we see it."
On the subject of 'Happiness at Work', Patrick Stewart (you know, Captain Jean Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise) offered this, and I wanted to share it with you. The enthusiasm with which he said it was infectious, too.
"I'm completely unqualified to give advice about many things. But to work with somebody who loves his job so much is such a treat, no matter what the area of work it is. When somebody just cannot wait to get to work in the morning, and every aspect of it is exciting and satifying, it transforms everything. Those of us who feel that way, we know it when we see it."
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