TRAILER - Public Enemies

Slick and cool. These are the words I'd use to describe this trailer. Johnny Depp plays a rather suave John Dillinger. I hope Mann brings out his "Collateral" and "Heat" talent for this one. I've been looking forward to this for awhile and it'd be a shame if it ended up being another "Miami Vice."



July 1st.

Chris Nolan Targets "Inception"

I'm going on record to say that Christopher Nolan is probably the most talented director in the field of film making-- At least right now. With consistent turnouts of quality material spanning from "Memento," to "Insomnia," "Batman Begins," "The Prestige" and, of course, "The Dark Knight," the man could be considered a genius. Nolan knows how to tell thought provoking tales of the human condition while maintaining a firm grasp on the audience's attention. He makes movies in the spirit of the '70s and '80s: Entertaining stories rich with complex characters and multi-layered story lines. The world could do with more of Nolan's films and that's exactly what we're getting.

Before he tackles a third Bat-outing, (as rumored) Nolan will direct a sci-fi actioner that's set in today's world. Not much is known of it, except for hints Nolan dropped about it being extremely psychological. (A Chris Nolan film? Psychological? Get the hell outta' here!)

Leonardo DiCaprio is expected to play the lead role. The film is set to be released July of next year. Bring it.

"Public Enemies" Poster Mimics The Joker

I'm really looking forward to Michael Mann's "Public Enemies" remake. With Depp and Bale on board it almost seems too good to mess up, just as long as you remember Mann did "Collateral" and "Heat."

That said I can't help but recall "The Dark Knight" poster with Heath Ledger holding an automatic weapon. Hopefully the promotion will improve. Click to enlarge:

Star Trek sees "Blu"

Some of my favorite movies of the 1980s (+1991) are finally coming to Blueray. On May 12th, one week after J.J. Abrams' take on the universe, the original series Star Trek films will be released in fully restored form. Now these are movies that will look beautiful on blu-ray.

In this set you'll enjoy Star Treks 2, 3, 4 and 6. Oh... And 1 and 5 come with it too... I might watch those once or twice...

Enter the box art:

The Enterprise Snug as a Bug

A new picture of the Enterprise from Abrams' "Star Trek" has been released. A very quaint, relaxed little picture. I believe this is the first good look we've received of the top of the ship. Click to enlarge:

TRAILER - Terminator Salvation (Trailer 3)

Every "if," "but" and qualm I originally had with this movie starting a year ago is just about gone. Warner Brothers, again, shows they know how to market a movie-- Cutting trailers is their forte. That said, "Transformers: Rise of the Fallen" can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. "Terminator Salvation" is the real robot frenzy to see this summer. It looks gorgeous. It feels gritty. And if the movie has as much heart and power as this trailer below, it could be a Terminator movie for the ages.

The end result is staggering:



With my favorite Nine Inch Nails song blaring in the background and the cinematography blowing my mind I have to wonder what this movie is really going for here. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" is largely considered one of the, if not the, greatest action film of all time. Not simply because of its explosions and action, but because of the characters and amount of beauty it put in to portraying the value of human life. McG may have had my nose turned up at this previously, but the film is looking great. Here's to salvation!

And the 2009 Oscar Winners Are...

Better late than never, but with a show this bad who cares?

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
"Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Danny Boyle - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Sean Penn - "Milk"

BEST WRITING, SCREENPLAY WRITTEN DIRECTLY FOR THE SCREEN
Dustin Lance Black - "Milk"

BEST DOCUMENTARY, FEATURES
"Man on Wire"

BEST DOCUMENTARY, SHORT SUBJECTS
"Smile Pinki"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES, ORIGINAL SCORE
A. R. Rahman - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Anthony Dod Mantle - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES, ORIGINAL SONG
A. R. Rahman (music), Gulzar (lyrics) - Song: "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
"Departures"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Chris Dickens - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Kate Winslet - "The Reader"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Ian Tapp - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
Richard King - "The Dark Knight"

BEST WRITING, SCREENPLAY BASED ON MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED OR PUBLISHED
Simon Beaufoy - "Slumdog Millionaire"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Penélope Cruz - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

BEST SHORT FILM, ANIMATED
"La Maison En Petits Cubes"

BEST SHORT FILM, LIVE ACTION
"Toyland"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Heath Ledger - "The Dark Knight"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button "

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button "

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
Greg Cannom - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
Andrew Stanton - "WALL-E"

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
The Duchess - "Michael O'Connor"


I'm not sure what the world is coming to when Penélope Cruz wins an Oscar and "The Curious Case of Benjamen Button" owns 'oscar worthy' special effects, but I do know a piss-poor awards show when I see one. Amusing how the Oscars are hailed as the celebration of the year's best films and, yet, I saw so few of them in their deserving categories-- Let alone the few that were actually win.

While I can understand why "Benjamin Button" would win make-up, was I the only one who saw the abstract designs in "Hellboy II" caked on top of performers? And forgive me if I believe an 18-wheeler flipping over or an armored man breaking the sound barrier is more impressive than aging Brad Pitt; I simply respect real special effects.

Though I've yet to see it, I have no doubt "Slumdog Millionaire" is great film. I knew from the beginning it would win best picture because it's the perfect Oscar bait candidate. (And frankly... All the other movies in that same category weren't that great.) Outside that it does look like it has heart. While I'm not sure if Boyle deserved the trophy 'yet', he is a gifted, passionate director. I'll speak more on the film when I actually see it.

"The Reader" was an overtly pretentious, mind-numbing exercise in sexuality. Something I could receive more beauty out of if I just watched porn. I suppose Kate Winslet was deserving of her award, but the fact the academy nominated the movie for best picture is rather embarrassing. And lets not forget "Milk."

The Academy's big orgasm to gays and lesbos didn't win best picture-- And rightfully so. Like "Brokeback Mountain" before it the film boasted little artistic structure and was nothing more than another pro-gay sign held by a decaying, AIDs ridden child upset that daddy didn't accept him years before. I have no problem with movies about gays, pro-gays...etc... But it would be nice if a good one was made. You know, one that actually makes a good argument and wasn't just another Oscar baiting tool? Maybe one day. If that day comes the Oscars probably won't nominate it because it'll actually be a decent flick.

With that said, the Academy couldn't look past the fact that their gay-marriage proposition was denied. So instead of awarding the best actor of 2008 for his performance in "The Wrestler," Sean Penn received an undeserved win because he, and most at the ceremony, are actually much bigger sore losers than they let known when they're snubbed a trophy. Mickey Rourke, I am sorry. You deserved it. You were, without a shadow of the doubt, the very best man on screen last year.

"Lets wind the clocks back..." Does anyone remember when "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Back to the Future" and "Jaws" were nominated for best picture? How about when bad ass, heartfelt movies such as "Rocky" and "The Godfather" won best picture? The academy has lost their edge concerning classic film making. "The indie-er the better," is not the case. The days of truly great pictures being made and respected appears to be a thing of the past.

Perhaps all these old men who jack each other off to period pieces, homo-erotic sentiment and snail paced "dramas" (a word that is suppose to stand for "excitement" and "emotion") will pass on and a new foundation of members can award the movies that deserve praise. (Yeah, right.) "The Wrestler," "The Dark Knight," "Wall-E"-- All were movies that gave the academy a chance to reform. They were 2008's greats. The boat has sailed. I'd say "better luck next year," but who am I kidding?

Poll - Which Year of Movies Did You Like More?

The hell? I've never had a tie, so I don't know what to say... Welp. It was a tie! Enjoy the so-called results.

2008 - 3 Votes (50%)

2007 - 3 Votes (50%)

Ok... I guess I'll construct something worth more people's time...

"Arrested Development's" Development

First, I want to confirm that Michael Cera's dumb ass has finally decided to return as the son of Michael Bluth. The actor was holding out and, seemingly, stalling the production of the film. It appears hes had a change of heart-- Not that I would have missed the guy had he decided to not do the film. Although I suppose it would've been difficult to write him out.

Meanwhile, Mitch Hurwitz, creator of the comedy that was too good for television, a fact known because it was canceled, (I'm serious, that's how you can always tell) gave a brief update on the film. Apparently, for the first time ever, he and his writers are feeling the pressure of creating a story with these abstract characters:

"Here's what's going on with the movie: Everyone goes off and has careers and that kind of thing, so it's been a little challenging to schedule everybody together, but everyone who has agreed to make this movie has agreed to make this movie, and we're going to make the movie. I haven't written it yet, so I'll be accepting pitches. We're determined to do this.

It was a great joy and privilege, all kidding aside, to do a show that took risks and with such a wonderful cast and wonderful writers," he continued. "For us, it's irresistible. Here's an interesting thing about it. When we did the show, one of the things that really made it work is that we didn't hold ourselves up to any standard. We got a lot of positive critical recommendations, but we even kind of ignored those and just did what was funny to us, and kind of remained the underdog in a great way. It was very clear early on that we weren't going to be a big hit, so it really was a labor of love. Now suddenly, there is a bar to hit. I think the key to this is once we get as many pieces as we're going to, which appears we have, we'll just dive in and have fun and see if we can create the same thing. But we're excited about it."

Not yet written? It sounds like the final cut of this movie is still way off. None-the-less, fans of the show, like myself, are at least excited that its been green lit. I look forward to both closure and the idea it might spawn an expanded franchise. Good luck Mitch.

More on "Cloverfield"

What is up with my random hiatus? I come, I go, I come, I go. I don't know. I'll just update when I feel like it.

In recent news J.J. Abrams spoke about the future of "Cloverfield."

"We're actually working on an idea right now. The key obviously at doing any kind of sequel, certainly this film included, is that it better not be a business decision. If you're going to do something, it should be because you're really inspired to do it. It doesn't really have to mean anything, doesn't mean it will work, but it means we did it because we cared, not because we thought we could get the bucks. We have an idea that we thought was pretty cool that we're playing with, which means there will be something that's connected to 'Cloverfield,' but I hope it happens sooner than later because the idea is pretty sweet."

"Connected" to "Cloverfield?" Well, that sounds slightly more original than saying 'sequel to "Cloverfield."' I'm glad Abrams wants this to happen because it seems like a cool idea vs. sequel = money. Which it does, but I trust Abrams' words behind the project.

Loved the first movie. I don't think it needs a sequel, but I'm not going to oppose one. Bring it.