Category Archives: Movie

The moving picture industry has had a profound effect on me.

Mamma Mia!

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I enjoy the music of ABBA. There. I said it. I got it off my chest. That being said, this is a delightful movie musical which had the full support of the musicians behind ABBA (whom I LOVE because they wrote the music for Chess the musical – lyrics by Tim Rice) as they were executive producers on the film (and I can only assume the original musical). Also one of them makes a cameo during Dancing Queen! The cast is phenomenal. Meryll Streep and Pierce Brosnan singing together? Ok…I can die happy now.

The Dark Knight

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This film is staggeringly epic in it’s darkness and execution. Heath Ledger’s performance is incredible, but not in my mind Oscar-worthy (but the Academy doesn’t listen to me so we’ll just let Marissa Tomei win again ;] ). I love that the movie opens with the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) because it maintains the new Batman mantra of not killing off your villains and letting them be little side jokes that Batman totally destroys. Joker lines I’m like a dog chasing cars…I wouldn’t know what to do if I caught one! And here we…go! Can’t rely on anyone anymore… Why so serious son? Let’s put a smile on that face….

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

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Quite an enjoyable film. I have to admit I was originally a little irked when I saw that the film highlighted fantastical elements (á la director Guillermo del Toro’s epic masterpiece Pan’s Labyrinth), but Hellboy creator Mike Mingola as del Toro’s wingman, I can’t remain irked…nor can I complain about the results! Ron Perlman returns as the wise-cracking title demon, Selma Blair is firestarter Liz Sherman (Hellboy’s true love) and David Hyde Pierce gets evicted from the ADR booth as Doug Jones (the original body of Abe Sapirn) fully inhabits “Blue” (and does a wonderful job!). Agent Meyers gets traded in for an ectoplasmic, German, Stewie Griffen (Seth McFarlane put his incredibly talented voice into a suit that makes me think of “DANGER Will Robinson!”) and Jeffrey Tambor returns as Hellboy’s boss who is a very empty (and slightly gay) government suit. Toss in an exciting plot about the children … Continue reading →

The Past Month In Entertainment

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My Fair Lady It had the understudy London Mary Poppins as Eliza Doolittle, Marni Nixon as Henry Higgins’ mother and an enthusiastic, Step-In-Time-esque version of With A Little Bit of Luck. Watching this version, it was a stark realization of how much you don’t want to like Alfred Doolittle, but you still end up laughing at his antics…or at least I did…. The lighting was really dim, the set was very impressive and pretty (high arches that you could see stars through!), Henry Higgins was too damn quiet….but still a production worth seeing. Wedding Singer I hadn’t seen the movie before seeing the musical, but it was quite a treat seeing the caliber of performance. No wonder – it’s from the California Conservatory of the Arts (David Green’s post-OCHSA academy of the performing arts). Great 80’s music and lots of comedy. Then, having seen the movie (yay Netflix!), it was … Continue reading →

Hancock

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I enjoyed this movie a lot….mostly for the twist, but I liked some of the other plot devices used. I always love stories dealing with anti-heroes and the “dark side” of heroics (lawsuits, property damage, etc) but I especially liked the plot’s take on being able to choose your own destiny….I mean we see that theme a lot (Back to the Future comes to mind), but it felt like this was a new and relevant analysis of it. Maybe it’s the super powers angle…I don’t know. Good job! *teeth baring half-grin*

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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This was THE summer event movie for me. Having seen this movie, my life feels that much more complete or something. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen are back (as Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood) and they brought along Shia LeBouf as protégé Mutt Williams for the ride. The three of them have fantastic chemistry on screen and Harrison is just as active as he was in the 80s, which is incredibly impressive. Rather than try and fool people into thinking Indy is just as young as he was in the original trilogy, the movie is set in 1957, 19 years after Indy’s so-called Last Crusade. And no time is wasted in the opening credits as a group of hot-rodding 50s teens race across the New Mexico dessert to the sounds of Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” and get into a drag race with the lead car of an Army caravan. But … Continue reading →

Prince Caspian – Century 20 @ Bella Terra, Huntington Beach, CA

An intriguing adaptation, I for sure learned one thing: I’m never seeing a midnight showing at Bella Terra again. I’m all for having a geek out cheer when Miraz is killed, but it doesn’t necessitate a 30 second dialogue that PREVENTS ME FROM HEARING THE GORRAM MOVIE!!!!!!! Aside from that I enjoyed the film very much. Not sure how I feel about the added battle (Adamson wanted to highlight the tension between Peter and Caspian and wanted Greek mythological creatures storming a castle), but it’s still a good time at the movies.

Red Belt

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Fascinating movie about a Ju Jitsu instructor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) whose lives his life by a strict code of honor that comes under attack from every angle. Written and directed by David Mamet. I REALLY enjoyed this movie. The code of honor held by Chwitel was very similar to the system that warrior cultures of the past (hence why I was so fascinated with the movie). Also star Tim Allen in a highly unusual role…one that features far less comedy than usual. I think he pulls it off nicely. Ahmed Best was one of the stunt men?!? But he’s not listed on the movie’s IMDB page and his personal website is ancient?!?!

Iron Man

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This movie is absolutely incredible. It’s actually kind of depressing how well Marvel is doing with their adaptations considering I’m a DC fanboy, but I can live with just getting great geek moments. Highlights? The Mach-3 suit. It’s so gorgeous watching it in action. The technology behind the suit and Jarvis (Stark’s home computer)….it’s got holographic projectors that are both touch and laser pen intractable….*drool* Stan Lee’s cameo in a Hugh-Hefner-esque robe Robert Downey Jr. I’ve been a Downey Jr. fan, despite his rehab nonsense, since the early 90’s when I saw a movie called Heart and Souls, and I absolutely LOVED Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. He tackles this role and handles it with lots of aplomb (great to hear that he wanted to role so badly he was willing to take a screen test to prove himself). He’s funny yet touching and a very talented actor. All in all, … Continue reading →