Friday, July 31, 2009

NEWS: Apatow To Produce Pierce and Carney Projects...

So, I JUST posted the first trailer for the upcoming Coen Brother's Project, A Serious Man. Now, take that love I have for those brothers, and turn that into dislike, and thrust that 12 year old girl style angst on Judd Apatow. I'm the furthest thing from a fan of 40 Year Old Virgin, and even less for Knocked Up. This is all no secret for those who read this site.

However, the thought of Apatow producing little indie projects has me intrigued. ESPECIALLY when the people behind these projects have films like Boys Don't Cry and Once on their resume's, respectivley.

ComingSoon is now reporting that Apatow will be producing a romance comedy for Kimberly Pierce, director of BDC and Stop-Loss, as well as some sort of comedy project for Once helmer, John Carney. While nothing has been said about the Carney team-up, Pierce's official website had this to say about her Apatow team-up.

“in the vein of Pedro Almodovar and Woody Allen in which a ‘guy’s’ group of friends resuscitates him from the worst possible breakup, and trains him to find true love in this gender twist on the classic romantic comedy.”

Not much is known about either film, but the Pierce film HAD been talked about earlier, with studios hoping to get production kick started sometime in 2009. It doesn't look like THAT will happen, but we are not too far from hearing quite a bit more about this really interesting combination.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

TRAILER: A Serious Man...

It's no secret that I have an awkwardly strong love for a certain directing duo, The Coen Brothers. However, there is nothing quantifiable that is similar to the love I have for this ballsy ass trailer, for the Brothers Coen and and their new film, A Serious Man. Seriously, scoring a trailer with the sound of a man's head bashing into a blackboard? I'm just going to let the trailer do the talking.



A Serious Man is the story of an ordinary man’s search for clarity in a universe where Jefferson Airplane is on the radio and “F-Troop” is on TV. It is 1967, and Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg), a physics professor at a quiet Midwestern university, has just been informed by his wife Judith (Sari Lennick) that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous colleagues, Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), who seems to her a more substantial person than the feckless Larry. While his wife and Sy Ableman blithely make new domestic arrangements, and his brother becomes more and more of a burden, an anonymous hostile letter-writer is trying to sabotage Larry’s chances for tenure at the university. Struggling for equilibrium, Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis. Can anyone help him cope with his afflictions and become a righteous person – a mensch – a serious man

Go see something good!

TRAILER: Fantastic Mr. Fox...

I really just don't know. Those were the first words to come out of my mouth after finishing my viewing of the first trailer from the upcoming Wes Anderson/Fox Searchlight adaptation of The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Yes, it LOOKS amazing, with creepy 60's animation style and of course Anderson's pantented, if now almost laughably cliche, blocked and squared off frame. Yes, the SOUNDTRACK will be amazing, of course, but still, I have a feeling of worry. Hearing Clooney's voice come out of the lead is a bit jarring, and even Meryl Streep seems to be a bit miscast. Also, as /Film so greatly pointed out, the films composition is almost that of a side scrolling video game. However, it IS just a trailer, so we will just have to wait and see. That all said, I really do like the look and feel of the film, and heres to hoping the rest will follow.

What do YOU think?



Fantastic Mr. Fox is based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl and features the voice work of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and others. It opens on November 13.

Go see something good!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

TRAILER: Alice In Wonderland...

Here it is. Not much news here, so really, just let me know what you think of the first teaser for the HOTLY anticipated Alice in Wonderland adaptation from Tim Burton.



Alice in Wonderland is directed by visionary director Tim Burton, of everything from Pee-Wee's Big Adventure to Beetlejuice to Batman to Edward Scissorhands to Mars Attacks to Sleepy Hollow to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Sweeney Todd most recently. The screenplay was written by Disney's own Linda Woolverton, of Beauty and the Beast, Homeward Bound, and The Lion King previously. This is based on Lewis Carroll's beloved series of books that were first published in 1865. Disney is bringing Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland to both digital 3D and 2D theaters everywhere on March 5th, 2010 early next year.

Go see something good!

TRAILER: The Box...


So here's the deal.

Donnie Darko is a genuinely awful film. In every possible way, and one that is not only overrated, but really, just not good. I can go into why, but I have many a time on this site, and this isn't the time or place for that, so I'm just saying.

THAT said, it does have importance when setting up The Box. Coming to us from Richard Kelly, this is the Donnie Darko director's third feature directorial effort, and looks to be his most commercial. However, when comparing Kelly's films to commercial pieces of cinema, it's like comparing which Picasso painting is the most similar to an actual photo. Never one for a comprehensible narrative, Kelly looks to branch out from the realm of pretentious drek with The Box, and hopefully, as this trailer shows, the films Twilight Zone inspired premise will be one that will allow for a solid film to actually come from this guys brain. This trailer actually looks really really good, and the story is simple enough so that Kelly shouldn't go too overboard with it, similar to the plot of DD, which he admittedly doesn't understand himself. Here's to hoping.



The film stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a couple with an increasingly desperate need for money. A box mysteriously appears on their doorstep, followed by Frank Langella, who presents an offer: push the button on the box and someone unknown to them will die, and they’ll be given a payment of one million dollars. The story is based off Richard Matheson’s short story Button, Button.

Go see something good!

POSTER: Kickass Ninja Assassin Poster...

Early this week I posted the first trailer for Ninja Assassin, and while it's a badass trailer, nothing compares to this poster. Really, just check out the kickassery that this movie has brought into the world.



A young ninja turns his back on the orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with the clan.

Ninja Assassin is directed by Australian filmmaker James McTeigue, who previously worked as the first assistant director for all three Matrix movies and Speed Racer and also directed V for Vendetta himself. The screenplay was co-written by newcomer Matthew Sand and comic book veteran J. Michael Straczynski, of the "Babylon 5" TV show and the script for Clint Eastwood's Changeling previously as well as the Silver Surfer movie. Warner Brothers is finally bringing Ninja Assassin to theaters on November 25th this year.


Go see something good!

NEWS: Downey Jr. Gets a Due Date...

There isn't too much to this news as a story, but what it will result in is hopefully the best comedy of the films release year.

It looks as though the huge hit that was The Hangover is not only launching the leading man career of Bradley Cooper, but also the career of two other crew members, the director Todd Phillips, and co-star, Zack Galifinakis. At least in the mainstreams eyes.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Phillips' next film, Due Date, would star Galifinakis, and be, you guessed it, a road trip comedy. Well, it looks like the film is getting the star treatment, as it appears that Robert Downey Jr. will be leading the cast as the expectant father who the film is about, who happens to be racing to get to the birth of his first child.

Here's what EW had to say:

The Hangover director Todd Phillips has just signed Robert Downey Jr. to star opposite his Hangover scene-stealer Zach Galifianakis in the comedy Due Date, which could begin filming as early as the fall. While the film has not yet been greenlit by Warner Bros., the studio is close to pulling the trigger, and bringing Downey on board will certainly accelerate the pace. The project centers on an expectant dad, to be played by Downey, and his unlikely travel companion (Galifianakis), who race cross-country in hopes of making it home in time for the birth of his first child. (Think Planes, Trains and Automobiles with Downey in the straight-man Steve Martin role.)

That last line really has me in. Here's the deal, not only am I a huge fan of Phillips and his style of comedy (NOT the Hangover, but Old School...actually, ONLY Old School), but the idea of Robert Downey Jr. playing straight man to Galifianakis really is beyond brilliant. Two hilarious actors in a film led by Todd Phillips, really now? Really? Sure, both Galifianakis and Phillips have been around before The Hangover, but, primarily Galifianakis, hasn't been known by the public until after TH. Take the trailers for G-Force for example. Instead of getting people to say, oh hey, isn't that comedic genius Zack Galifianakis, it's simply "the guy from The Hangover." This is all just good news to me, as everything I've heard about this film so far is stellar.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

VIDEO: G4 Interviews Cliffy B and Wiseman on Gears Of War Film...

So the world of film is currently in a post Comic Con hangover, and in the midst of the drinking binge that the Con was, G4 was able to attain a couple big interviews, regarding the much hyped adaptation of Gears of War.

They were able to talk to game designer Cliff Bleszinski and the director of the upcoming movie, Len Wiseman. Lots have been said about what may go into and what will be left out of the film, and while this video does nothing to sort those groups out, it does at least hint that it's going in the right direction. Sure, it's moving slow, but hopefully it's moving with a lot of care.



New Line/WB are going out of their way to get this thing out by the summer of 2010, but that is beginning to look a bit unlikely. Unless a lot of news is set to come out real soon, Wiseman and the rest of the crew will probably have to wait until 2011. That said, NO ONE should expect this film to be an R rated gorefest. If it is, I will be more than shocked. Cliffy B said it right from the outset. The property that is Gears was meant to be as media friendly as possible. That will be no different from the film. Sure, everyone can say that it's a huge hit game that made a ton of money, which it did, but there is no way that an R rated Gears of War film will be a monster hit, or as much of a hit as WB really wants. ESPECIALLY with Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman behind the camera. I'm not saying it's going to be a shitty movie, it's just not going to be the film that everyone we really expect.

Go see something good!

TRAILER: Dark Country

So, I love Thomas Jane. Unabashedly so. He's a great actor, and he is having a career reboot of sorts with the new show, Hung, which is currently a must watch this season on HBO. However, hearing that he was working on a film as the director/star, I was un-moved. That has definitely changed with this trailer. Oh, AND it's going straight to DVD, which while it sounds awful, may be a perfect start for Jane's directorial career.

BTW, it's stylish film noir, so I'm in. I'm so f****** in.



A couple (Thomas Jane and Lauren German) en route from Las Vegas are forced to deal with a body out in the desert making their honeymoon one hellish ride. Are you interested in seeing this movie at all?

Dark Country is the directorial debut of actor Thomas Jane, who previously directed a short titled Jonni Nitro in 2000. The screenplay was written by Tab Murphy, of films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tarzan previously (yea, we're confused, too). Sony Pictures is finally bringing Dark Country straight to DVD starting on October 6th, however it could end up showing at some film festivals before then as well.


Go see something good!

NEWS: DJ Caruso To Helm Dead Space Adaptation...

This week has been a week of video game film announcements. First we had James Wan helming, or at least in talks to helm, the much anticipated adaptation of the hit series Castlevania, and now it looks like another hit series, albeit a newer one, will be hitting the big screen.

Variety is now reporting that game publisher EA and Temple Hill Ent., who are also working on the Gears of War adaptation, have finally found a director for their horror/sci-fi adaptation, in the form of Eagle Eye/Disturbia director, DJ Caruso. Those who played the game may notice a lot of the games film references, with nods to Alien and even the classic Tarkovsky film Solaris, along with many many others.

Here is how /Film describes the game's plot:

The game follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke, who with two other officers arrives on a derelict mining ship to discover massive carnage. The bodies of dead crewmembers are being recombined into horrific zombie-like creatures that can only be killed by dismemberment. As Isaac seeks to restore power to the ship he discovers the influence of a scientologist-like cult that focused on a monolithic alien artifact. Power from the artifact may be creating the necromorph zombies, and may also be responsible for visions that plague Isaac as he works.

Along with the announcement of the hiring of a director, it appears that Temple Hill will be releasing the name or names of the scribes who will be penning the script.

I personally don't find this good news. I honestly was hoping that Caruso and pal Shia Lebeouf would get their stuff together and start production on their talked about Y The Last Man adaptation, but that appears to be taking a back seat to this video game to film adaptation. Sure, the plot sounds intriguing, and the world can ALWAYS use great sci-fi films, but I think a Y The Last Man adaptation would be both more interesting, and a better sell. That said, I also really don't think that Caruso's style fits this project at all.

What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

Friday, July 24, 2009

NEWS: 10 Minutes of Where The Wild Things Are Is Shown At Comic-Con...

While I am not one of the lucky ones who are able to head out to Comic-Con this year, a few websites that I religiously follow have been able to go, and have all said the same thing.

Where The Wild Things Are is the most beautiful thing shown at this years convention.

Most enamored has been /Film, who not only gives us a full post covering the 10 minutes shown at the con, but also says that it may be one of the most beautiful things shown at this years geek orgy. Here's just a snippet of their feelings:

Throughout, there was music that sounded at times like additional Arcade Fire songs, but also some of what must be the music created by Carter Burwell and Karen O from the Yeah, Yeah Yeahs. Everything we heard fit the footage very well and added to the sense of a fantasy land that is built on a less than stable foundation. None of the sequences we saw directly showed how things must eventually fall apart; you could watch these moments and wonder where the movie’s drama comes in. But look at the trailer again and you’ll see Max’s kingdom crumbling, and I can see why Sendak might describe the movie as dangerous. Where the Wild Things Are appears to have a real emotional depth, like a dream of a strange, wild forest withbright grottoes and shadowy, frightening reaches.

I’ll say this: people have evidently felt completely transported by Avatar, which left me relatively unmoved. So far, Where the Wild Things Are is the movie that really seems to have been shot in a totally new environment, with creatures and places actually exist outside the film frame.


Most intriguing than Avatar?!?! I was already head over heels excited for this project, and now, you can just amp that up to 11. This film not only has a cast and crew to die for, but is now getting uber hyped buzz behind it. All in all, this is easily the most anticipated film for the rest of the year for yours truly, and really, there is not another project coming down the pipeline, in production or not, that I am more excited about.

You can read the full article covering all 10 minutes shown HERE.

Thanks to /Film for the heads up!

Go see something good!

NEWS: James Wan To Write And Direct Castlevania...

Now this is a video game movie I think I may just have to get behind.

A while back, I posted a news post talking about Why Video Game Movies Suck, and How (the then much talked about) Bioshock Will Be Different. Well, when news about a Castlevania film first hit the web a few years back, I was one to really not think much of it. Sure, the game is amazing and all, but to me the whole idea of a film version of that game had past the point of relevance. However, that may have just changed a little with a recent announcement about who will pen and direct the piece.

BloodyDisgusting has the scoop:

James Wan, the co-mastermind behind the Saw franchise, and director of Dead Silence and Death Sentence, will be co-writing and directing Castlevania for producer Paul W.S. Anderson. Inside you’ll find a tid-bit from Wan about his forthcoming adaptation. Sylvain White was originally slated to direct. Castlevania is an adaptation of the popular NES game from the 80’s that has since become a massive video game franchise.

“I’m very fresh on this project, so its early stages and I’m still trying to work things out, but the producers love my vision for it,” James Wan tells Bloody-Disgusting in an exclusive chat. “I’ll be working on the script with a writer to give it a new spin, different to the previous versions. This will have my stamp on it which Konami is very excited about.


Personally, one of the superior modern horror films, or at least the most influential horror film of say, the past 5-7 years is Saw. It's a phenomenal film, that really doesn't get it's just due because of the turds that have been shat out in it's aftermath. Saws 2-5 are subsequently crappy, with Saw being the crowning acheivement, particularly due to the masterful direction of Wan. Sure, every other film he's done has been garbage, ESPECIALLY Dead Silence and Death Sentence, but the one thing you can say about Wan is that he has a particular style, one that I think will work with Castlevania. At least it keeps Paul W.S. Anderson out of the directors chair. We can all be thankful for that.

Go see something good!

TRAILER: Ninja Assassin...

Making a good film is like making a good meal. You need the right ingredients.

Well, with Ninja Assassin, it looks to be a really stylized dish. You have James McTeigue, who has previously brought us the solid actioner, V For Vendetta, now bringing us a highly stylized ninja movie? Really? This is a brilliant trailer that hopefully just touches the tip of the iceberg on how great this film could be. However, there is cause for pause, as Korean pop star Rain, who was Togokan in Speed Racer, is the star, and the story seems to be a little bit less than shitty. However, this is just a teaser, so there will be room for improvement, hopefully anyways. What do YOU think?



A young ninja turns his back on the orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with the clan.

Ninja Assassin is directed by Australian filmmaker James McTeigue, who previously worked as the first assistant director for all three Matrix movies and Speed Racer and also directed V for Vendetta himself. The screenplay was co-written by newcomer Matthew Sand and comic book veteran J. Michael Straczynski, of the "Babylon 5" TV show and the script for Clint Eastwood's Changeling previously as well as the Silver Surfer movie. Warner Brothers is finally bringing Ninja Assassin to theaters on November 25th this year.


Go see something good!

WTF: The Next Batman Is Just Two Years Away?

Or so says actor Gary Oldman.

Recently, during a panel for The Book Of Eli, phenomenal character actor Gary Oldman, best known as Commissioner Gordon from Chris Nolan's epic Batman series, said something rather interesting when discussing the possibilities of a Batman 3.

“The next batman is next year, so I think it is two years away. But you didn’t hear it from me.”

I, like you, kind of laughed at this. Sure, Nolan likes to move to new projects quick, but for a man so creative and inventive, to jump right back into a world he's been in for 4 or 5 years now, seems a little unlikely. However, as many online sources who actually were at the panel note, he seemed dead serious when saying this. So that brings up two things. Is he honest and is Nolan on the project still? What do YOU think?

Go see something good!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

FIRST LOOK: The NEW Freddy Kruger

The title of this post really says everything.

Early this year it was not only announced that the much talked about reboot of the Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise was going into production, but a new Freddy had been cast, and was none other than Rorschach himself, Jackie Earle Haley. Well, ComingSoon has given us our first look at what the character will look like. Sure, it's primarily shadow, but you can obviously tell that they are trying to keep the same aesthetic.



Go see something good!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

WTF: Bruno Takes 73% Plunge On 2nd Weekend?!

This is a bit of an interesting news item.

Over at The Movie Blog, the geniuses who pen that site noted the following:

It’s considered normal for a movie to take between a 45%-50% drop off in ticket sales between their first and second weekend out. If it only drops by like 30% you’re doing REALLY well. Borat was one of the VERY few films that actually took a jump UP on its second weekend in release.

Bruno however took a massive dive and dropped over 73% only managing to make about $8 million on it’s second weekend. I’m not surprised. I have not seen the movie myself, but even thout the film holds a very respectable 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, most of my friends who have seen the movie haven’t been impressed and usually say it’s “ok”.


So, as they point out, Sacha Baren Cohen's earlier film with Larry Charles, Borat, not only didn't decrease in it's second week, but INCREASED actually. However, after an opening week gross of right around $30 Million, which already was $20 Million below market expectations, to only gross $8 Million on it's second week is quite lackluster.

So why do you think this happened? I have a plan on blaming a certain young wizard and his newest film, but even there, the demographics for the two films are so VASTLY different, that it's hard to pin down. I personally lay blame on really really poor marketing and a lack of an opening weekend boom, which leads to a lower word of mouth which is really what Borat's mindblowingly retarded gross was based on, but what do YOU think?

Go see something good!

FIRST LOOK (Kinda): Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2...


This is just kind of a first look.

Late last week, Entertainment Weekly threw up a few photos, al beit low quality, from the set of the upcoming Iron Man 2 film. While the film has just finished principal photography, not much has come from the set outside of the director, Jon Favreau, and his tweets, until now. Marvel Studios has released a new photo of Scarlett Johansson from the set of IM2.

Johansson plays Russian superspy Natasha Romanoff (aka the Black Widow), who is hired as Stark’s assistant which inevitably sparks romantic tension between Stark and former assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who’s been promoted to CEO of Stark Industries. Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7th 2010. It's not much to look at, but outside of some ComiCon '09 schedule updates, it's all we really got.

Go see something good!

Friday, July 17, 2009

CASTING: De Niro in Machete?

This is beyond amazing news. It appears that, in the early stages of casting for his upcoming slash fest, Machete, Robert Rodriguez is looking to one up Stallone's The Expendables by building an epic cast full of action star/cult figures, and apparently one legendary actor.

Early this week, it was leaked to the web, via BloodyDisgusting, that Rodriguez is ironing out a huge list of dream actors for his upcoming camp-fest. The biggest surprise being Robert DeNiro. Here is what /Film has to say about the story:

Robert Rodriguez is finally getting around to direct a feature film adaptation of the infamous Grindhouse faux movie trailer Machete, with he will co-direct with his longtime editor Ethan Maniquis. Last we heard, production was scheduled to begin before the end of July. BloodyDisgusting obviously has spies in the Rodriguez camp as they’ve broken a bunch of stories on the Rodriguez-produced Predators, and now has a crazy list of actors/actresses who will be featured in the film.

The biggest shocker is Rober De Niro, who has apparently taken the role of Senator McLaughlin. Rodriguez has ties to Tarantino, who definitely has ties to De Niro, so its not impossible. Other cast includes Danny Trejo (obviously), Michelle Rodriguez of Fast and the Furious and Lost fame who will be playing Luz, and Jonah Hill of Superbad fame, who will be playing Julio.


The script is a few years old now, and was brought to light by the brilliant trailer that was before Grindhouse. It has been taking a beating with financing problems but it looks like it will be getting made, at least hopefully. I personally would be more excited for a DON'T film, but that could just be me. I also HATE the Jonah Hill casting, as not only is he possibly the least funny comedian out right now, but I'm just over his whole schtick. The great thing about Rodriguez and his cohort Tarantino (much more so Tarantino), is the two have a great eye for bringing great talent back to form. John Travolta owes the last 20 years to Tarantino, and Danny Trejo owes his whole life to Rodriguez. This cast, while interesting, and including STEVEN SEGAL, is very weird mix of actors. What do YOU think?



Go see something good!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

FIRST LOOK: Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox...

So, a few days ago, Fox Searchlight released the very first photo from the upcoming Wes Anderson directed adaptation of The Fantastic Mr. Fox. However, the photo was of pretty low quality, and while it was pretty mindblowing, it left more to be desired, at least in quality. However, that has all changed with the recent release of a higher quality photo, along with a brand new pic, showing the look and feel of the film. These pics look phenominal and really really creepy. When I first thought of this project as a Wes Anderson film, this is basically what I imagined. Check out the pics below!





Fantastic Mr. Fox features George Clooney and Cate Blanchett as the voices of Mr. and Mrs. Fox (seen holding the lantern above), Bill Murray as Mr. Badger, plus Meryl Streep and Anjelica Huston as well as Jason Schwartzman. If you're looking for some extra details, Brandon put together a full-length article back in March about the book and the movie. The film is now a Fox Searchlight release and these two photos are all that we've seen so far, though I've heard that we'll see a trailer attached to Aliens in the Attic at the end of this month. Let us know if you're still looking forward to this or are just going to wait to see a trailer first.

REVIEW: Bruno....


One of the most polarizing films of the past decade happens to be one of the most oft quoted films ever. Borat hit the states like a moustached sledgehammer to the proverbial Bible Belt of the American conciseness in what is not only an insightful look into the American idea of immigrants, but also one of the most overrated and over hyped films I've had the chance to see.

However, then there was last years Religulous, whose director, Larry Charles also helmed the afformentioned Borat. In place of Sacha Baren Cohen is Bill Maher, and in place of a turd of a film, we get a brilliant take on religion and what it's place is in the world. It's a vastly superior film, and was the second best documentary, and best comedy, of last year.

Now we have Bruno. Cohen has returned, as has Larry Charles, and so has the offensive comedy that ran rampant in Borat. However, instead of immigrants, we get homosexuality, and we also get a film that rests firmly in between the two butt cheeks that are Borat and Religulous.

Bruno features Sacha Baron Cohen who returns to the big screen to offer yet another stinging dose of sociopolitical satire. We now find him assuming the persona of gay fashion monger Bruno, the self-proclaimed "voice of Austrian youth TV." Originally conceived as part of Cohen's cult television series Da Ali G Show, the character of Bruno offered a cleverly costumed Cohen the opportunity to highlight the absurdities of the fashion industry by interviewing unsuspecting fashion icons and other haute couture hangers-on. It also now gives him a chance to repent for his past transgressions brought on by Borat.

When walking into Bruno, I honestly had an idea of what to expect. Offensive humor, full frontal male nudity, and a lot of laughs. However, while that was all there, I totally underestimated just how much of these three things there would be. Well, at least the first two.

The biggest complaint that this film will pull from me is something that plagued Charles' other two previous forays into docu-comedy. The film, instead of taking a look at level headed people and the inner demons that plague even the smartest of people, they take to the gutters of aptitude, and go to places which, while making for great comedy, really doesn't express any new points. Sure, the final scene, involving a masked UFC fight which goes into basically a gay romp taking place in the deep south, but it doesn't give us any intellectual insight into America and our fear of homosexuality. There are a few points where this isn't true, but those are so few and far between that it left quite a sour taste in my mouth.

Also, while the film is quite jarring and shocking, the shocks really mean nothing. There is a scene in particular, involving a group of hunters, that ends in a long period of silence, that was the most comedic thing during the entire film. However, instead of mining these situations, Cohen and crew resort to things that not only would more homophobic members of society would freak out during, but even the most level headed of us would feel awkward, most apparent during a scene involving a television test audience. It's not insightful, and while it may be funny, doesn't really make for multiple viewings.

However, the film isn't necessarily a comedy. The film, while being a documentary in look and feel, plays out much more like a candid camera version of a cinematic comedy. So, when evaluating a comedy, one major factor is heads above the rest. Laughs.

And boy did this film have some in spades. The film does tend to lag during the second act, and at the start of the third, but when the film is running at full steam, it's easily the funniest film so far this year. Sure, that's not saying much as this year has been quite low on comedic value, but it's still a feat. There are some really great satirical moments, but really, the film is about shock, and it works on that level. Other levels, not so much. The film is a bit long, a bit bloated, a bit one note, and a bit visually uninteresting.

All in all, the film is steps above Borat, which really isn't saying much. If the film looked at people who could actually bring up interesting issues, this would be something that would be looked at as a masterpiece. However, it's simply the film that came after Borat and improved upon it. Go see Religulous for a better look at American demons.

BRUNO - 6/10

Go see something good!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NEWS: Joe Shuster Fetish Art Book To Be Film?

So hear this out for a minute.

Arguably the most influential comic book character in the history of pop culture was created by a dynamic duo of writers. One of these people was Joe Shuster. However, not all of what Shuster did had to do with the man from Krypton. Actually, in the '50's he published a series of fetish art books, called Nights Of Horror.

Well, a new book chronicling these pieces of fetish art, entitled "Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-creator Joe Shuster" by Craig Yoe has been optioned as a feature film. Here is what /Film had to say about the story:

According to Craig Yoe’s book Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman’s Co-creator Joe Shuster, Shuster was the man behind a series of fetish comics called Nights of Horror, produced while he was in dire financial straits due to lawsuits over Superman copyrights. Now, Variety says, The Gotham Group has optioned the book and is sending it out to writers to create a feature film.

Because the project is in early stages, we don’t know if it will be a straight adaptation of the non-fiction book, or if names and events will be changed. The story itself is certainly lurid enough, as Nights of Terror was cited in 1954 by four boys dubbed the Brooklyn Thrill Killers (they were neo-Nazi jews!) as inspiration for their two murders and other crimes. So you’ve got a bunch of ’50s drive-in movie angles: juvenile delinquincy, sex, violence, anti-comic book paranoia and (supposedly) the mob, which published the books and distributed them to shops in Times Square. (There has been a film made about the Brooklyn Thrill Killers, featuring Dan Fogler of Fanboys.)


This is a piece of news that really has me intrigued. I think learning about this important pop culture figure could not only be interesting, but if done well, really amazing. Just throw David Fincher in the mix, and you have easily one of the most anticipated films I'll be waiting for. What about YOU?

Go see something good!

SHORT: Treevenge...

This is what happens when those christmas trees we all cut down, take revenge on us. Directed by Jason Eisner, Treevenge is possibly the greatest horror short film ever made. It's definitley NSFW, so watch somewhere secluded. It's well worth the viewing.



Go see something good!

NEWS: I'm Back Bitches...

Computer is healthy, so look out for a return to form for yours truly after a long ass delay. Lots of stuff has happened, and instead of reporting on it all, you can head over to all of the sites on the side bar to check out full coverage. I know it's lazy, but it's been over a week, and my pool is looking mighty fine right now. That said, look for a ton of new posts in the coming hours.

Peace and you all better go see something good!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

BLOG UPDATE

Hey, it's your faitful film blogger here to attempt to apologize for the lack of updates over the last week/ week and a half. My computer, even as we speak, is going haywire. It's insanely infected, and will hopefully be getting looked at monday. I apologize for all of the huge news stories I've missed, particularly the recent news of Ryan Reynolds getting cast as the Green Lantern. Kind of huge, right?

Well, hopefully on Monday or Tuesday, I will be back in full force, bringing you up to the second film news as it breaks.

Again, I am beyond sorry for my shitty computer and the lack of updates it has caused. Continue to read, as the technical difficulties will hopefully end this weekend.

Stay tuned and as always,

Go see something good!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

NEWS: Finally, It Looks Like HBO Is Getting A Comic Book Series...Maybe...

So, every so often, a comic book series will be adapted into a feature length film, and besides talking about the quality of the said film, one thing is always the same. Everyone begins to ponder, at least at the outset, why the film simply couldn't become a television series, with the most talked about channel being the bastions of brilliant television (minus Entourage), HBO.

Well, we finally may have that show, and it will come in the form of the Eisner Award winning book, 100 Bullets. Here's the story's premise:

The Eisner and Havey Award-winning comic book hinges on the question of whether people would take the chance to get away with revenge. It’s a Twilight Zone-like morality decision, where a mysterious Agent named Graves approaches people who have been the victim of some kind of terrible injustice or wrong, and gives them the chance to set things right in the form of a nondescript attaché case containing a handgun, 100 untraceable bullets, and a photograph of a person, along with incontrovertible evidence that target presented is primarily and personally responsible for recipient’s woes. The bullets are completely untraceable and that any law enforcement investigation that uncovers one of them will immediately stop.

Amazing premise, right? Right. Well this not only sounds like a great idea, but in a recent interview with MTV, Brian Azzarello had this to say...

Television — there’s an idea!” Before continuing “That’s all I’ll say. Television… or maybe something that’s not just TV.

While I've never read the book series, I do love the art style to the book, and the premise is beyond interesting, and it allows for a lot of interesting ideas to be mined. Oh, and for those who know about HBO, you know that if it's not TV, it's HBO, so who knows exactly what Azzarello was saying. Heres to hoping.

Go see something good!

NEWS: So, The Facebook Movie Could Actually Be Amazing?

According to early script reviews, this may just be so.

From the very outset of this project, there has been an insanely large amount of skepticism about it. From the self proclaimed computer ignorant screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, to the weird mash up of styles with David Fincher still in talks to direct. However, ScriptShadow has a review of the 162 page script up, and based on the yet to be released book, The Accidental Billionaires, The Social Network actually sounds quite stellar.

Here is /Films sum up of the overall story:

The story is about two friends at Harvard, the tech guy and the business whiz, how they created the internet’s fastest-growing phenomenon and the conflict that went along with it. You’ve got Mark Zuckerberg, an ADD coding machine who creates sort of Harvard-exclusive ‘hot or not’ website in an hour after being dumped. That leads to a deal with rich brothers Cameron and Tyler, who want Mark to code their Harvard-only MySpace ripoff. Mark agrees, but at the same time is creating what will quickly become FaceBook with his best friend Eduardo, the business whiz. Then Sean Parker, Napster co-founder, comes into the picture, and conflict explodes.

The script review points out that the story and screenplay have a ton of “a lot more humor than I expected - to the point where I wondered if it should be classified as a comedy,” and that even things like the weird Facebook arguments that erupt between friends and lovers about relationship status listings are in there, but that they work because it’s the guys who created that infrastructure, not just some schmo. The review is also taken with Sean Parker as a character, saying that the egomaniac tech star could be ‘iconic’.

However, the script also is flawed. It's very long at 162 pages, doesn't have an overall conflict or structure to it, and with David Fincher involved, it seems a lot more conventional than any of his past projects, something that is probably the biggest flaw for yours truly. I know Sorkin didn't have Fincher's involvement in mind, but I hope following drafts are a bit more out there, or at least allowing for more of Fincher's style to seep out.

What do YOU think about this news? You can read the full, spoiler filled script review HERE.

Go see something good!

Friday, July 3, 2009

FIRST LOOKS: Eminem Gets Funny and Dakota Fanning is a Runaway...

Over the past couple of weeks, a ton of new photos for highly anticipated films have been released, and two of the most interesting or buzzed about online come to us from two quite different films.

About a month ago, rapper Eminem told sources at MTV that he had filmed a role for the upcoming Judd Apatow directed cancer comedy, Funny People. No one really knows about what exactly his role will be, but those who have read the script have looked at two possibilites. During the film, Adam Sandler's character goes to many of his A-list celebrity friends to let them know that he has a terminal illness. Marshall Mathers is either one of these buddies, or will be taking over for Bruce Springsteen as a celebrity who drops some knowledge for our hero to think about.

Well, the first photo of him from the film has been released, and while it's nothing special for the most part, it is interesting to see him in an Apatow film. I think he is a fine actor, and should fit perfectly in what will be a comedy right up his alley. Raunchy as all hell.



Another photo was released yesturday, that not only brought a lot of buzz to the interwebs, but brought a lot of joy to my heart. This photo comes to us from the set of The Runaways, a feature film about the legendary all girl punk band, starring Dakota Fanning, who this is the first photo of in costume, and Kristen Stewart, who plays Joan Jett. I love this photo, and the story behind this film is truly interesting. What do YOU think?



Go see something good!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

NEWS: Headlines - 7/02

I've had a pretty hectic couple of days, so instead of bringing you guys a ton of shorter news posts, I will bring you one giant post, with some important headlines that you should know about.

- Rapper The Game is the newest "actor" to be at the top of the running for the role of B.A. Barakas in the upcoming A-Team film...

- Universal is set to make a cinematic version of the classic arcade game, Asteroids...

- Michel Gondry's "Green Hornet" has been delayed two weeks, and will now be released on July 9th, 2010...

- Megan Fox's upcoming film, Jennifer's Body, penned by Diablo Cody, has been rated R...

- Nimrod Anatal, director of Vacancy, is set to helm the upcoming Predators reboot...

- Steven Soderbergh is rumored to be off the adaptation of Moneyball, as the film is still waiting for Major League Baseball approval...

- Sony has officially announced that Resident Evil 4 is set to be released to theatres in 2010...

- First Showing has the newest poster for Sundance hit Precious, and it looks beyond gorgeous...

- Finally, Bill Nighy has joined the cast of Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows...

Go see something good!

TRAILER: RoboGeisha...

Thanks to this trailer, we all know now exactly just how powerful a geisha truly can be, especially ones equipped with mouth based chainsaws. Just watch the video and enjoy the awesomeness that is RoboGeisha.



Go see something good!

VIDEO: 3 Brilliant Questions About Transformers 2...

And THIS is why I love The Movie Blog. Seriously, try to answer these questions with any defense of the film. IMPOSSIBLE.

Go see something good!

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