FORUM: Wall-E's Love Story...

So, in my many walks to class during the day, I make complete use of my iPod. Whether it would be my many favorite bands (Devendra Banhart, The Black Kids, and Arcade Fire are staples) or playing solitaire on the bus, the number one use of my iPod is listening to the copious amounts of podcasts that I follow, particularly the /FilmCast.

On a back episode that I recently downloaded, the crew got into a heated debate over the love story within the film Wall-E, and particularly, how inconceivable it is. It all started with a mention of at that time recent article written up on CHUD.com. Here is a snippet.

The social retard doesn't know how to deal with a woman he likes, so he overdoes it - candy, flowers, gifts and, most damning of all, endless declarations of love. In his mind this is romantic, but in real life it's just creepy and sometimes scary. Wall*E's big love montage - where Wall*E takes the shut down EVE all over the place and wines and dines her unconscious form - is the hyper-realization of that. But the movie takes it even farther and has Wall*E essentially date rape the sleeping bot - he forces open the plate on her body where her hand resides and pulls out the appendage so he can hold it. In the world of Wall*E hand holding seems to be like Doing It, or some variation thereof, and the little garbage bot forcing himself on a knocked out female is incredibly creepy.

Read the whole article here...

Basically, what it boils down to, is this, and for the following, you have to be with the thought that the story of Wall-E can be easily related to, as a love story, by us. We all can relate to it, even though it's an f-ing robot. If not, then the film shouldn't actually be appreciated by you, and there for you are not one person that I really need to talk to, so go watch the Jonas Brothers or something (just kidding, I'm really just trying to gain readership, so if any of you are offended, I apologize.)

Wall-E as a character is a low level, probably best compared to a modern day homeless guy, he's fat, he's illiterate, and can't express his feelings via speech, as he can simply say his own name. However, there is a moment in the film (and this is just a minute point that I would like to see the reaction it gets), where Wall-E takes the then comatose Eve, and pry open her hand to attempt to hold it.

One needs to take a look at what the hand holding means to Wall-E, as a general male character, he really just wants to hold her hand, kind of like the stereotypical male really just wants to get laid. So then, when Wall-E takes advantage of her state of being, and gets her hand, sure, she clamps down, but that almost makes it creepier. As the article says, Wall-E committed the Pixar version of date rape.

DISCLAIMER!!: These views no way show my feelings on the film, it's just a summation of what the above article was specifically getting at.

In broad terms, the thing the article was trying to get at was how inconceivable the love story was. For example, EVE in no way falls in love with the small little pudge-bot until he brings her the leaf, so not only does she get raped (jk), but she's a materialist. Basically, Wall-E as a love story is extremely outdated, and very standard. It's almost like Kerry Bradshaw if she was a robot with an affinity for Apple Computers.

Now, I'm 100% sure Pixar had no intention of inserting these rather repulsive subtexts inside of their best film (and it really is), it's just what people can take it as. Take this article for example. The guy behind it has said it's basically a nerd fantasy. It's like someone bragging about their conquests in the World of Warcraft realm, to a women who brags about their conquests in the sheets. Wall-E is this outdated, dirty, fat, small, not so bright robot, that can only hope for a gorgeous, brilliant, slim, updated, robot who can look through ALL of those other adjectives, only to completely fall in love. Yet, that doesn't happen until the female recieves the gift she's always wanted.

Did I take it like this, no. I took it as this insanely dark environmentalist rant, but there are a few valid points here. What do you think?

Come back later for more news and notes!

Go see something good!

NEWS: Alan Rickman in Alice In Wonderland...

Hey guys! So, as many of you may have been following, Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland is shaping up to have one of the best casts for a film in a long time. That said, there are still a few parts they need to fill, and one of them has just been covered, allegedly. It looks as though Alan Rickman will take over the part of the Catepillar. Here's the info straight from the source over at Cinematical...

I keep thinking that the casting for the remake of Alice in Wonderland can't get any better. And then I came across the latest rumor coming from Zdonk: Alan Rickman -- the man who helped make Die Hard what it is, who once played a crotch-less angel, and who keeps a stern eye on Harry Potter -- has signed on to play the Caterpillar.

Take a look at the clip above and tell me you can't hear Rickman's voice speaking those lines! Between Rickman, Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Michael Sheen as the Cheshire Cat, and Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, this is gearing up to be one heck of a well-cast feature. But there's more -- along with confirming Rickman, Christopher Lee Web says that Lee also has a role -- currently unspecified.

I'm beyond happy with the news, but weigh in below with your thoughts -- as well as any speculation on what role Lee will play!

Well, that's pretty much perfect casting if I do say so myself. What do you guys think?

The only other nugget of news comes to us from the happiest place on Earth, Disney. With the recent delays of a few big time Oscar bait films, it has been a long time question of Disney and Pixar would in fact push their amazing animated film, Wall-E, for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards. Well, it looks as though they are going to do just that. Later in the week Disney will officially begin the campaign for Wall-E in the Best Picture Category. Only one other animated film has ever garnered the nomination, and that was Beauty And The Beast, and no animated films have won the category. It will still be able to be nominated for Best Animated Feature as well. What are your thoughts? Does it have a shot?

That's all I've got for now!

Go see something good!

Box Office...new releases...

Hey peeps, what the hell is going on?! It's good to be back, and I have the pleasure to give you this weeks box office top 10...

1.WALL-E
2.Wanted
3.Get Smart
4.Kung Fu Panda
5.The Incredible Hulk
6.The Love Guru
7.Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
8.The Happening
9.Sex and the City
10.You Don't Mess With the Zohan

Wall-E smashes with 63 million bucks...Wanted was no slouch either though as it grossed roughly 51 million dollars, and some of that happened to be my money...you can expect a review of that action packed kick to the collective groin of society tonight or tomorow afternoon...



Here are the upcoming, noteable DVD releases, for this Tuesday, the 1st of July...

- City of Men...It's the sequel to City of God, BUT Fernando Merielles isn't directing, so it may not be good, but I would say that you should all give it a shot. It's gotten good reviews, and you all should check it out...

- Drillbit Taylor...probably Owen Wilson's worst starring role...it's just a really bad movie, avoid at all cost...

- Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns...Eh, I didn't see it, but it ruled the box office and it got solid reviews, so for a comedy, I say give it a shot...

- Vantage Point...DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE. This is a really cheap attempt at a Rashomon remake for a political age, and it really doesn't work. Just read my review for my full thoughts on it...

Mad Men Season 1 also comes out this week AND a great double feature, Shane and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance come out on a special edition DVD, so check those out as well.

DVD OF THE WEEK

~My Blueberry Nights~
This is a film from visionary director, Wang Kar Wai, and is his first English language film, and stars Norah Jones. This film is worth seeing if only for the Cat Power soundtrack. It's gorgeous, the performances are great, the story is compelling and it's the briskest two hours you'll spend. This is easily in my top 10 of this year so far, so take that for whatever it may mean, but all I am saying is GIVE THIS A SHOT.


Again, it's summer, so there won't be a lot out at the theatres this weekend, but we do have a couple. Hancock is the only big release, which I will be seeing, and Kabluey, (Anna Lisa, where are you?) opens up in limited release. So if its around you, go check out both those films.

Alright guys, come back later for my review of Wanted!

Go see something good!!!