Hey I just checked out "Ocean's 13" on my day off, I didn't hate it, but I wasn't in love with it. If you wanna know more check out my myspace at www.myspace.com/jeremyimnotedgar
Thanks.
Tuesday 26 June 2007
Monday 25 June 2007
Favorite Trilogy
One of my favorite movie blog sites happens to be Kim Morgan at Sunset Gun. I enjoyed her list very much particularily by adding the "Three Colors" films as well as "The Apu Trilogy". So I decided to add my two cents and talk about my favorite trilogy of films that was missing from her list
The Indiana Jones trilogy has always been my favorite, mostly because it always did what it set out to do, make very fast, furious, clever films dedicated to the saturday matinee serial. I can't help but think that had the "Pirates of the Carribean" films not gone overly bloated with meaningless sub plots and tightened its pace and clarified its story, Captain Jack might be thought of as a new Indiana Jones. It started with George Lucas' love of B-movie cliffhangers, and Steven Spielberg's love of James Bond movies. The two collaberated and with the help of the charismatic Harrison Ford as the daredevil/punching bag archeologist, they created probably the best action adventure series of them all. Some may argue with me particularily as the series seemed to lose steam near the end, but I still feel it's some of the best fun ever filmed. Let's look back at the three films shall we.
Raiders of the Lost Ark: Definately the best of the three. Despite a brief overview of the plot in a university scene, the rest is packed with lots of stunts, and sight gags and close calls that could fill up two movies. Karen Allen is the great side kick Marion Ravenwood who is the kind of woman I think guys like having around all the time. Not only does it contain my absolute favorite car chase ever in movies, it has a hair raising stop in a snake pit, (You know he doesn't like snakes right?) Not to mention the opening sequence involving Alfred Molina in a memorable bit.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: My favorite title of the three, it screams B-movie. This is perhaps the most misunderstood film. I find it the funniest with wicked bits of dark humour involving an insect infested dinner. When Indy actually gets into the dark underbelly of the temple, to find a cult long to be forgotten, (The Thugee you know that same cult from "Gunga Din") the film doesn't hold back on the violence. It was the first PG-13 film, and Spielberg defended the new rating saying "Hey it's not called the Temple of Roses". But this film is also special in how it pays homage to Buster Keaton's "The General" with it's fast chase through a mine shaft. I think of all the three films, this is the one that stands closest to the B-movie formula, while also putting a post modern spin on it.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: This is the most sentimental of the Jones films with a big emphasis on the relationship Indy has with his estranged father (Sean Connery who better than James Bond himself). Of course the father/son theme ran on in a lot of Spielberg films, but it never becomes heavy handed in this film. Like in all Indy films the idea was to keep it light and moving. I admit the series was losing steam, but the chemistry between megastars Ford and Connery make this better than average entertainment, and it's a great fathers day film for a couple of action hungry fathers and sons.
Saturday 23 June 2007
My other blog
Just in case you people can't get enough of me, I sometimes post stuff on my other blog from Myspace. My myspace is www.myspace.com/jeremyimnotedgar . Go visit it now and see my movie blog where I discuss some of my favorite movies. This week it's "Casablanca"
Thursday 21 June 2007
New AFI List an immediate response
A few wrongs were righted with AFI's new list. People realized that Robert Altman made more than one masterpiece and put "Nashville" on the list, Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing" came on, and Buster Keaton was recognized finally with "The General". I shouldn't harp about a Steven Spielberg film not being on the list since he had his usual five but what happened to "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"? It was seriously better than "Saving Private Ryan". Also gone from the list was "Fargo" (What happened there?) New blockbusters of our age like "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings" made the list (My prediction is they won't be there the next time.)
Bad news personally as "It's a Wonderful Life" slipped from 11 to 20, which was obviously a major mistake done by the counters of votes. "Citizen Kane" held top spot but "Casablanca" fell to third replaced by "The Godfather", didn't see that coming but oh well. I happiest to see personal favorites like "City Lights", "Vertigo", and "The Searchers" take major leaps ahead.
Bad news personally as "It's a Wonderful Life" slipped from 11 to 20, which was obviously a major mistake done by the counters of votes. "Citizen Kane" held top spot but "Casablanca" fell to third replaced by "The Godfather", didn't see that coming but oh well. I happiest to see personal favorites like "City Lights", "Vertigo", and "The Searchers" take major leaps ahead.
Monday 18 June 2007
I got the Summer movie blues.
I feel like I'm growing up somewhat. To me the summer movie season was the best thing to look forward too when school was over. I would find out all the summer movies that were coming out and then list which ones I would go see over the four months. Now I gotta say I'm not looking forward to this season as I once did. I probably started when I was 12 and I went to see "Jurrasic Park" five times in the theatre. It was a film that changed my way of thinking about movies. I was thrilled, I was at the edge of my seat, I was seeing something new in special effects and something that was accessible to me. I thought it was the greatest movie ever. What did I know? I was 12.
If I saw "Jurassic Park" again, I would still find it thrilling and entertaining, but since then my movie palet has tasted so many senses of cinema, I can no longer feel that youthful sensation I did when I first saw it.
It wasn't long till I realized that good movies didn't always have to have special effects, and stories and characters were the things that mattered. Perhaps the turning point for me came when I saw "Independence Day" a few years later, and I thought "wow this movie isn't really about anything". Suddenly I thought Hollywood blockbusters became superficial, my theory was confirmed two years later when "Arrmagedden" appeared.
Today those popcorn movies aren't as exciting, I can stand maybe one or two at a time, but then I long for something with substance, and I count the days for Septemeber when studios begin releasing their oscar hopefuls.
Perhaps it would be different if I lived in a big city where they would have those small movie houses that show the smaller films, or perhaps a revival of an old classic, in Red Deer I look each week for a possible indie movie that may have passed through the summer movie production line with little notice, but so far it is not to be.
My latest movie going experiences have been slightly entertaining but for the most part uninspired. "Pirates of the Carriebean" was good for the Davy Jones' Locker sequence, and Johnny Depp who can never be boring. "Surf's Up" was better than "Shrek the Third", but that's about it. Next is "Ocean's 13" which might be hopeful because of the stars and the director, but I sense by 11 and 12 I know what I'm getting into.
There are times when a good popcorn movie can become memorable, Steven Spielberg is probably the best at making a blockbuster that makes you think, look at his past films that came out in the summer starting with "Saving Private Ryan" ("A.I", "Minority Report", "The Terminal", "War of the Worlds") Some of those films are flawed but at least they are all about something, and they challenge you in some way so you don't turn off your brain.
Other popcorn films can do that, I was very impressed with last years "Superman Returns" as it just swept me in and reminded me of being a kid.
I suppose I miss being moved by a movie, I want to feel something, whether it's excitement, or joy, or sadness, or anything, I just don't want to leave feeling jaded, and that is what the summer is seeming like.
I suppose on the plus side, it's giving me more time to re-visit some old classics. I was sooooo happy to have obtained "The Third Man" which I watched last night, as well as Lawrence Ollivier's "Hamlet" which I lucked out by finding it at a video store.
I will always love movies, and I'm sure I'll feel better when I see the new Coen Brothers film or the new P.T. Anderson film in the fall but for now, I'm coming to terms that the summer is no longer my season of movies, it's a little sad, I wish I could be that kid again thrilled about the new "Spiderman" or "Pirates" movie, but it's just not me anymore. I will go to these films, but now I see them for what they are, and they aren't much.
If I saw "Jurassic Park" again, I would still find it thrilling and entertaining, but since then my movie palet has tasted so many senses of cinema, I can no longer feel that youthful sensation I did when I first saw it.
It wasn't long till I realized that good movies didn't always have to have special effects, and stories and characters were the things that mattered. Perhaps the turning point for me came when I saw "Independence Day" a few years later, and I thought "wow this movie isn't really about anything". Suddenly I thought Hollywood blockbusters became superficial, my theory was confirmed two years later when "Arrmagedden" appeared.
Today those popcorn movies aren't as exciting, I can stand maybe one or two at a time, but then I long for something with substance, and I count the days for Septemeber when studios begin releasing their oscar hopefuls.
Perhaps it would be different if I lived in a big city where they would have those small movie houses that show the smaller films, or perhaps a revival of an old classic, in Red Deer I look each week for a possible indie movie that may have passed through the summer movie production line with little notice, but so far it is not to be.
My latest movie going experiences have been slightly entertaining but for the most part uninspired. "Pirates of the Carriebean" was good for the Davy Jones' Locker sequence, and Johnny Depp who can never be boring. "Surf's Up" was better than "Shrek the Third", but that's about it. Next is "Ocean's 13" which might be hopeful because of the stars and the director, but I sense by 11 and 12 I know what I'm getting into.
There are times when a good popcorn movie can become memorable, Steven Spielberg is probably the best at making a blockbuster that makes you think, look at his past films that came out in the summer starting with "Saving Private Ryan" ("A.I", "Minority Report", "The Terminal", "War of the Worlds") Some of those films are flawed but at least they are all about something, and they challenge you in some way so you don't turn off your brain.
Other popcorn films can do that, I was very impressed with last years "Superman Returns" as it just swept me in and reminded me of being a kid.
I suppose I miss being moved by a movie, I want to feel something, whether it's excitement, or joy, or sadness, or anything, I just don't want to leave feeling jaded, and that is what the summer is seeming like.
I suppose on the plus side, it's giving me more time to re-visit some old classics. I was sooooo happy to have obtained "The Third Man" which I watched last night, as well as Lawrence Ollivier's "Hamlet" which I lucked out by finding it at a video store.
I will always love movies, and I'm sure I'll feel better when I see the new Coen Brothers film or the new P.T. Anderson film in the fall but for now, I'm coming to terms that the summer is no longer my season of movies, it's a little sad, I wish I could be that kid again thrilled about the new "Spiderman" or "Pirates" movie, but it's just not me anymore. I will go to these films, but now I see them for what they are, and they aren't much.
Saturday 16 June 2007
Jeremy on Pacino
Last night I watched an interview of Al Pacino done by Larry King. Although I don't watch King very much since I consider him to be not that great of an interviewer, I couldn't pass up the chance of seeing the very private Pacino in a rare television appearance. Although he may not be the most eloquent speaker when it comes to interviews, Pacino talks directly and passionatley particularily about acting. For me he's the greatest actor of his generation, and is probably the best actor to get away with overacting since he makes his performances so enjoyable. I tell everyone I know that even a bad Al Pacino movie can't be all bad simply because it has Al Pacino.
This past month, Al Pacino was honored by the AFI Lifetime Achievment Award, so in honor of his award let's take a look back at some of the masters best works.
The Godfather trilogy: In his most famous role as Michael Coleone, Pacino takes us from an innocent war hero thrown into a criminal underground where he loses his soul and is never able to find the redemption he begs for in the end. Michael has become one of cinema's greatest tragic figures, and Pacino carries his burdon through these three films.
Serpico: Pacino plays real life Frank Serpico who goes after corrupt cops, only to end up physically and emotionally wounded in the end. But Pacino makes his struggle all the more real and powerful as he plays a man who not only went against police convention but ultumatly the whole system.
Dog Day Afternoon: In this true story about a bank robber who tries to steal money for his lovers sex change operation, Pacino does the impossible by making this man into a fully rounded character and someone you could root for. His phone call with his wife is one of the great acting scenes ever.
Scent of a Woman: Despite the flaws of the script, Pacino delivers perhaps his most entertaining role ever as a suicidal blind former army commander who takes young Chris O'Donnell on a weekend of discovery. The film is remembered today souly for Pacino's work and of course the tango scene.
Heat: One of the great cops and robbers sagas ever filmed and now considered a modern classic, this pits cop Pacino against master thief Robert De Niro. It's highly stylized with these two acting heavy weights ot the top of their game.
Donnie Brasco: Probably his best latter day performance as a small time gangster who trains a hidden informant (Johnny Depp also brilliant) the ways of a wise guy. Pacino is a long way from Michael Coleone with this character but he makes him just as believable and just as tragic.
The Insider: Russell Crowe took most of the honors with his potrayal of a famed whistle blower who tried to take down big tobacco, but Pacino is the other hero as a famed news producer who puts his career on the line for the good of the story. Not since "All the Presidents Men" as journalism been portrayed so realistically or heroically.
Insomnia: Pacino in cop mode again but this time with a guilty conscience. After he kills his partner by accident, he thrust in a game of blackmail with a killer (Robin Williams) who witnessed the crime.
Also don't forget "Carlito's Way", "Scarface", "Dick Tracy", and "And Justice for All.." (Mainly for the "You're out of order..." speach he does at the end.)
This past month, Al Pacino was honored by the AFI Lifetime Achievment Award, so in honor of his award let's take a look back at some of the masters best works.
The Godfather trilogy: In his most famous role as Michael Coleone, Pacino takes us from an innocent war hero thrown into a criminal underground where he loses his soul and is never able to find the redemption he begs for in the end. Michael has become one of cinema's greatest tragic figures, and Pacino carries his burdon through these three films.
Serpico: Pacino plays real life Frank Serpico who goes after corrupt cops, only to end up physically and emotionally wounded in the end. But Pacino makes his struggle all the more real and powerful as he plays a man who not only went against police convention but ultumatly the whole system.
Dog Day Afternoon: In this true story about a bank robber who tries to steal money for his lovers sex change operation, Pacino does the impossible by making this man into a fully rounded character and someone you could root for. His phone call with his wife is one of the great acting scenes ever.
Scent of a Woman: Despite the flaws of the script, Pacino delivers perhaps his most entertaining role ever as a suicidal blind former army commander who takes young Chris O'Donnell on a weekend of discovery. The film is remembered today souly for Pacino's work and of course the tango scene.
Heat: One of the great cops and robbers sagas ever filmed and now considered a modern classic, this pits cop Pacino against master thief Robert De Niro. It's highly stylized with these two acting heavy weights ot the top of their game.
Donnie Brasco: Probably his best latter day performance as a small time gangster who trains a hidden informant (Johnny Depp also brilliant) the ways of a wise guy. Pacino is a long way from Michael Coleone with this character but he makes him just as believable and just as tragic.
The Insider: Russell Crowe took most of the honors with his potrayal of a famed whistle blower who tried to take down big tobacco, but Pacino is the other hero as a famed news producer who puts his career on the line for the good of the story. Not since "All the Presidents Men" as journalism been portrayed so realistically or heroically.
Insomnia: Pacino in cop mode again but this time with a guilty conscience. After he kills his partner by accident, he thrust in a game of blackmail with a killer (Robin Williams) who witnessed the crime.
Also don't forget "Carlito's Way", "Scarface", "Dick Tracy", and "And Justice for All.." (Mainly for the "You're out of order..." speach he does at the end.)
Sunday 10 June 2007
New to My collection
I love my film collection, it's something I will pass on to my children I suppose. It's quite large at the moment but I fill it with some more films almost every week, so here are some newbies to my list.
Ball of Fire: I sort of think of this as Howard Hawks' unsung comedy. Although "Bringing Up Baby", and "His Girl Friday" seem to be talked about time and time again, not a lot of notice is given to this equal gem. To start off with it was written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, and contains one of Barbara Stanwyks' best comedic performances as well as Gary Cooper's.
Rio Bravo: Another Hawks classic. I owned this before but the two disc special edition was too hard to pass up, even though I had the Howard Hawks documentary on my "Bringing up Baby" DVD. This is my absolute favorite western. It's the pinnacle of male commeraderie movies that Hawks was so famous for, it contains Dean Martin's best performance ever, and John Wayne has never been so John Waynish.
Scarface (1932) Do you sense a pattern? Yet another Hawks classic, this is probably my favorite of the early gangster films which included "Public Enemy" and "Little Caesar", it's use of violence was influential at the time, (who could forget Boris Karloff getting it in the bowling alley). Even though I may upset those DePalma/Pacino fans, I would have to say I enjoy this version more than famous bloated remake, but for anyone who hasn't seen this film it's interesting just to compare the two.
Becket: I love Peter O'Toole, and this is probably the most enjoyable role I've ever seen him in. He takes command as the ruthless sometimes spoiled King Henry II and steals every scene he's in. Richard Burton takes the more distiguished role of Becket, and it's great seeing these two acting giants but heads together.
The Lion in the Winter: A sequal of sorts to "Becket" with O'Toole again plaing King HenryII this time battling his Queen (Katherine Hepburn wonderful as always) on which one of their sons will replace him on the throne. This is one wicked well written and strongly acted film as it depicts probably the most dysfuntional family ever put on screen.
The Man from Laramie: James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a series of strong westerns in the 50s, this is one of their best. Stewart plays a loner who strolls into town to find the man who killed his brother. He meets a family with a psychotic brother who shoots him in the hand at point blank range for starters. For western fans this is a must see.
Gilda: Rita Hayworth's most famous role, she certainly steals the show and is at her best singing "Put the Blame on Mame". There is also a meloncholy to her role, it's just too bad this is all resolved with one of the worst endings I've ever seen.
Ball of Fire: I sort of think of this as Howard Hawks' unsung comedy. Although "Bringing Up Baby", and "His Girl Friday" seem to be talked about time and time again, not a lot of notice is given to this equal gem. To start off with it was written by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, and contains one of Barbara Stanwyks' best comedic performances as well as Gary Cooper's.
Rio Bravo: Another Hawks classic. I owned this before but the two disc special edition was too hard to pass up, even though I had the Howard Hawks documentary on my "Bringing up Baby" DVD. This is my absolute favorite western. It's the pinnacle of male commeraderie movies that Hawks was so famous for, it contains Dean Martin's best performance ever, and John Wayne has never been so John Waynish.
Scarface (1932) Do you sense a pattern? Yet another Hawks classic, this is probably my favorite of the early gangster films which included "Public Enemy" and "Little Caesar", it's use of violence was influential at the time, (who could forget Boris Karloff getting it in the bowling alley). Even though I may upset those DePalma/Pacino fans, I would have to say I enjoy this version more than famous bloated remake, but for anyone who hasn't seen this film it's interesting just to compare the two.
Becket: I love Peter O'Toole, and this is probably the most enjoyable role I've ever seen him in. He takes command as the ruthless sometimes spoiled King Henry II and steals every scene he's in. Richard Burton takes the more distiguished role of Becket, and it's great seeing these two acting giants but heads together.
The Lion in the Winter: A sequal of sorts to "Becket" with O'Toole again plaing King HenryII this time battling his Queen (Katherine Hepburn wonderful as always) on which one of their sons will replace him on the throne. This is one wicked well written and strongly acted film as it depicts probably the most dysfuntional family ever put on screen.
The Man from Laramie: James Stewart and Anthony Mann made a series of strong westerns in the 50s, this is one of their best. Stewart plays a loner who strolls into town to find the man who killed his brother. He meets a family with a psychotic brother who shoots him in the hand at point blank range for starters. For western fans this is a must see.
Gilda: Rita Hayworth's most famous role, she certainly steals the show and is at her best singing "Put the Blame on Mame". There is also a meloncholy to her role, it's just too bad this is all resolved with one of the worst endings I've ever seen.
Sunday 3 June 2007
An Introduction
Hey there movie fans and fans of movies alike, let's get the ball rolling. Let me tell a little about myself, if you feel I'm a bit under qualified to have a movie blog please let me know or just don't bother to view my blog anymore. I'm a 26 year old movie buff, a self proclaimed movie buff, although after reading some of these blogs I do consider myself somewhat of an amateur. I love every kind of movie with a special love for the classics, I'm Canadian if that matters, I'm an actor by trade albiet an unsuccessful one at the moment.
The films I love include mostly anything by Capra, Ozu, Ford, Hawks, Truffaut, Keaton, Chaplin, Spielberg, Allen, The Coens, and many others. I'm looking forward to blogging with the best of you and hope to find a place in some of your hearts. I'm rather new at this so I ask for your patience until I get used to this, but expect great things to come. I guarantee.
The films I love include mostly anything by Capra, Ozu, Ford, Hawks, Truffaut, Keaton, Chaplin, Spielberg, Allen, The Coens, and many others. I'm looking forward to blogging with the best of you and hope to find a place in some of your hearts. I'm rather new at this so I ask for your patience until I get used to this, but expect great things to come. I guarantee.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)