Oscar Picks

The Academy Awards seem lackluster to me this year. I saw this in the Village Voice and it pretty much sums up this year’s awards: http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-02-22/columns/oscar-predictions-meryl-streep/

 

A Good Day to Die Hard

You knew it was coming- Die Hard 5. The latest installment is called A Good Day to Die Hard. This time it’s John McClain (Bruce Willis) and son (Jai Courtney) go up against the Russians (including Patrick Steward as the rumor has it). As said in an earlier post, the original Die Hard is master template for action movies, but maybe, just maybe, it might be time to let go. More on this later…

For more on Die Hard 5 click here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1606378/news

Iron Sky Movie Pre-Review

I’m not sure where I heard of this movie, but now I reading about it everywhere and can’t wait to see it. Big time buzz. This isn’t a typical review since the movie isn’t out yet.

One Line Synopsis

Nazis In 1945, knowing they would lose World War II, discover an anti-gravity drive and  build a base on the dark side of the moon with plans to invade Earth in 2018.

Director

Timo Vuorensola

Screenplay

Johanna Sinisalo, Jarmo Puskala

Standout Actors

Can’t tell, but Udo Kier is always a safe bet.

Best Bit Part

Don’t know yet.

What makes this Iron Sky really interesting is the financing. This is a crowdfunded film, the first of its kind as far as I know. According to the website (that seems a little out-of-date) the total budget for the film was 7,500,00 Euros. 6,300,000 came from secured financing, 300,000 from crowd funding and 900,000 from crowd investment. The website is cool and packed with information, trailers and development videos. This project reeks of creativity, intelligence, coolness and fun. The Iron Sky  release date in Finland is April 4, 2012 and in Germany on April 5, 2012. I’m trying to track down a U.S. release date. IMBD says April 4, but there’s no indication that this is for the U.S. If anyone knows, please post the release date/distribution info in a comment.

Grade: A for originality and creativity.

Website: http://www.ironsky.net/

Barney’s Version Movie Review

I can only take Paul Giamatti in small doses, especially when he rehashes his Sideways character. Barney’s Version is no small dose, being a little over two hours long. But you know what? Barney’s Version is an excellent film and his performance a standout that Giamatti will find hard to match in future films. I can’t imagine another actor playing the part.

One Line Synopsis

A burned out, hard drinking soap opera producer fights Alzheimer’s while under suspicion of murdering his Bohemian best friend after catching him banging his wife.

Director

Richard J. Lewis

Screenplay

Michael Konyves based on the novel by Mordecai Richler.

Standout Actors

Paul Giamatti. This film would have been a dud without him.

Dustin Hoffman as his coarse, retired cop father.

Best Bit Part

The Mountie playing opposite the aging Bulgarian soap opera “actress”.

The film is long, but worth sitting through. Barney’s Version is the first movie I’ve seen shot in Montreal and surrounding area and makes it worth a visit. Just watch for forest fires and whatever you do, don’t go snorkeling.

Grade  B+

 

Attack the Block Movie Review

I’d heard a lot of good things about this film and watched it last night. Low budget alien invasion movies are a dime a dozen but this film sets itself apart by quality cinematography, good acting and overall style. The project kids are tough and maligned in life, but their humanity shines though as they defend their London housing block, with their Alamo a weed farm on the 39th floor.

One Line Synopsis

London ghetto kids battle furry aliens with green florescent teeth.

Director

Joe Cornish

Screenplay

Joe Cornish

Standout Actors

Hi Hatz, without a doubt. Alex Esmail as Pest did a great job, also.

Best Bit Part

The little dead alien with the big feet.

Imaginative and well executed for a low-budget alien invasion flick. The luminous green teeth on the aliens were cool, as was the black fur. The actors, except for one, are unknown in the United States making the movie even more alluring. The accents were so heavy the movie could have used subtitles. I would love to see a Detroit or maybe Chicago version of this.

Grade : A-

Reckoning in Escobara For Free

Reckoning in Escobara will be available as a Kindle book on Amazon.com for free Friday Feb 10 through Sunday February 12, 2012.

Here’s the synopsis:

After taking down Vlad Dragovic in Detroit, Ann Peabody quits the DEA and heads to Mexico to investigate and avenge the murder of her brother Jason Peabody, a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The trail leads to Escobara, a suburb of drug cartel controlled Juarez. Peabody becomes a bodyguard and security consultant to Olga Espinosa , the newly elected Mayor of Escobara, and works with Olga and her brother Manuel to rid Escobara of the drug trade and gangs. A certain ex-DPD Inspector Freeman Washington shows up to help Peabody out.

Along with the multiple, horrific drug-related slayings a serial killer is on the loose around Escobara, and he’s prolific. Peabody discovers that Jason was killed elsewhere before being found on the Texas-Juarez border. Why? Was he connected to the drug trade, or worse, the serial killer?

…then there’s the CIA...

Stand tall with Ann Peabody and Freeman Washington on the vicious streets of Escobara as they build a force to protect the people, unravel the mystery of Jason’s murder and uncover the rabid serial killer in RECKONING IN ESCOBARA.

CLICK HERE FOR Reckoning in Escobara ON AMAZON’S KINDLE STORE:

http://www.amazon.com/Reckoning-in-Escobara-ebook/dp/B006P0O0L4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1324591819&sr=1-1

 

Rubber Movie Review

Instead of the Super Bowl I watched the film Rubber. I saw the trailer at out local art house theatre, the Main in Royal Oak and thought it was cool. I’m glad I didn’t pay money to see this film.

 

One Line Synopsis

A voyeuristic discarded car tire causes people’s heads to explode.

Director

Not worth mentioning.

Screenplay

Not worth mentioning.

Standout Actors

The woman in the shower was hot, but that’s it.

Best Bit Part

Not much to choose from, maybe the exploding rabbit.

After 8 MINUTES of opening credits, which were worthless along with the cop’s opening soliloquy, the film descends. There’s nothing redeeming or entertaining about this film, which I believe is the point the filmmakers were attempting to make. This movie could have been great if shot Grindhouse style, but wound up being pretentious, pseudo-absurdist bullshit. I would have been better off watching the Super Bowl.

Read a Eugene Ionesco play instead for the real thing.

Grade: F

New Movie Trailer Reviews: Sparks, Duds and Sleepers

Here’s the second installment of Movie Trailers: Sparks, Duds and Sleepers. The Sparks look interesting and entertaining and have a shot at being successful. The Duds, tired and cliched, are just the opposite. The Sleepers are low-key, possibly independent  films that, regardless of box-office success, are significant. All of this is with the caveat that I’m judging the films by their trailers only.  Comments are always welcome, especially if you disagree.

Sparks

Title: The Grey

Synopsis: Liam Neeson battles wolves in Alaska.

Why a Spark?

Plain and simple: Liam Neeson. He’s evolved into one of the best action film actors, ever.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2672533017/

Title: Contraband

Synopsis:  A smugger jumps back into the game.

Why a Spark? 

I know the plot may be old- a guy turns his back on a life of crime and is forced to return, but the cast is great and the photography earthy.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1524137/

Duds

Title: The Innkeepers

Synopsis:  With two days left before an old hotel closes, amateurish paranormal investigates try to flush out a ghost.

Why a Dud?

Derivative, worn out para-normal fare, maybe worth watching when not much else is on. Looks as appealing as The Banger Sisters.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1594562/

Title: Red Tails

Synopsis: Exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Why a Dud?

Despite the great special effects the dialog in the trailer is cliched and worse than corny.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485985/

Sleepers

Title: Bullhead (Rundskop)

Synopsis: A Flemish farmer makes a deal to hop up his cattle.

Why a Sleeper?

Cool, unusual story and makes you happy someone put up money for this film.

Trailer Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821593/

Title: Man on a Ledge

Synopsis: A dude threatens to jump off a building (it’s a red herring for a diamond robbery).

Why a Sleeper?

Good cast and twisty action. Ever since A History of Violence Ed Harris is the bad guy of choice.

Trailer link: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4159021337/

Soul Train, American Bandstand and Don C.

Bummer about Soul Train’s Don C. It was cool in the old days when it was on right after American Bandstand on Saturdays. What a fascinating contrast in cultures and it all revolved around the same thing- music.