Hunger Games Aussie Review

Found this Australian gal's spoiler-free review.
First thing she says is that the movie is 'amazing'...
She saw 'Hunger Games' last night, 24hr ahead of U.S. release.

Watch her self-video as she walks home @ 2am:

She says its just 'amazing'
'faithful adaptation w/o being beholden to the book'
'Jennifer Lawrence was sublime'
'Thought Josh brought the spirit of Peeta'
'Its got pace and tightness'
'good even for people who've already read the book'

So, according to her 'The Hunger Games' will be a hit.

But the most unique thing about her experience to me was the small theatre she was in. The theater provided champagne on little numbered tables? And those table dots with numbers (D1, D2) indicate that they had assigned seating in this cozy little cinema.

Personally, I wouldn't care what film I was seeing if I got to see it in large comfy seats with a glass of champagne in my hand...




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Watching Letters Fly By

A quick post about fonts and flicks...

You see common Kinetic Typography when movie credits zip by as you sit in a darkened theater. btw, Its much more difficult to add floating notes during the film itself, like those sliding rules in 'Zombieland'. (a fun movie, if you can stand gooey gore.)

Below is a narration enhanced with active letters.



A person named Chris did the kinetic typograph above,
using the villian's speech from 'V for Vendetta';
a movie w/ Hugo Weaving & Natalie Portman, kinda
'Black Swan meets the bad guy from The Matrix'...

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This next flight of word & letter fancy is


called 'X versus O', by

Reminds me of those Sesame Street bits, but for adults.


* Hope you've enjoyed these very moving letters... ;-)

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for TT's 'letter' day
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Bo Knows Broadway

But no one mentions if these acrobats can act?

"Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark" is actually on Broadway at last...

According to reports, what they saw was a 3+hour show that was halted by technical delays... getting all of the action down pat has been a great challenge. The first show had five delays, falling stage wires, and even had Spiderman himself hanging over the audience at the end of Act I.(!)

To hear the New York Post say it, having Spiderman on Broadway will garner a lot of unintentional laughs, and massive audience frustration. Michael Riedel called the night an "epic flop" - "dull score and baffling script" - to say nothing of the kinks.

On the other hand, Aint It Cool News posted a review from a fan who said it was hardly that bad. Although the show still needs tweaking, reviewer "DarthDooku" was hopeful... (article)

Is this just a vanity project for Bono?
(Him wanting to best Paul McCartney & Billy Joel on Bway?)

Or did someone think this up as a ploy to get boys to ante up for theater willingly?



Craig Ferguson's version:


Singing & Swinging about a comic just seems strange.

(see more @ CBS's 15 min clip about the show)
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The Deathly Snores

Off to see Harry's new 'Hallows'?

Better bring a book, or a Nook.
Because the film is too long.

But you'd never guess that from those breathless promos, like the one below:

Best Harry Potter film yet!**If you ignore all the others.
Thrilling**Except for that big lag in the middle
Awesome!**Except for the cheap location shots
Action!*Sure, except again for that big lag
Epic!**Maybe when the other half comes out?



The movie-goers that I feel sorry for are the old folks.

You know, the ones who've never seen a Harry Potter movie, and decide to take the grandkids to this one. After 2 and 1/2 hours (plus 7 previews!) their butts will be flat, yet they'll still be confused.

My advice? Get'm to hold off seeing 'Deathly Hallows Part 1' til next July, just before Part 2 comes out.

I know, its impossible for the HP obsessed. But try.
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Colorful Character

aka Glam Garb Game Guy?...

I was browsing through the online version of the Daily Mail looking for an art inspiration when I came upon this crazy image.

Its actor
David Arquette
all dolled up in purple and yellow (& gimmicks) for a Laker's game.

So look below to see him as my left-handed 'Art Every Day' in digital pastel for day 15 of 30.

*see the other's art
via twitter #aedm2010

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eta: a trailer for his upcoming film:

A colorful flick with very B-&-W bad guys?
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Sunshine Cinema

We've all seen movie trailers...
But this time the films are in the trailer?

Based in the UK, 'Sol Cinema' is a tiny, solar-powered movie house that seats eight adults or up to 16 kids if they're really, really friendly.



Their facebook page claims them to be the
World's Smallest Solar Powered Theatre.
Can't imagine anyone inside this tiny theater disputing it.

Think they'll host the premiere of this upcoming flick?:

Claustrophobia
?

* artwork is mine, for
'Art Every Day' November.


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Hobbling Along

Saw this vid and thought 'Hobbit already?.. Fun!'


Its good, but turns out its a fan-made 'trailer'.


As for the real movie?...

The good news for Hobbit fans:

Filming starts this winter, since MGM & Warner Bros. finally gave the go ahead for work on 'The Hobbit' to resume.

To recap, the movie has been officially greenlit, and Peter Jackson is definitely signed on to direct. Plus many of the sets have already been constructed, and the scripts are said to be near completion, with over $30 million spent so far on this epic.

The bad news:

The studios don't have all the ca$h they need.
(And union disputes may add more delay$)

They've only cast half the roles so far.

It will be in two parts

The really bad news:

The current projected release...

'The Hobbit 1' arrives in theaters Dec 2012
'The Hobbit 2' comes a year later, Dec 2013.

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So, in the meanwhile, here's another fan-made promo:



*Or wait it out by making Minas Tirith outta t'picks.

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Life As We Know It

Last night I got to attend an 'Advance Screening' of this new Katherine Heigl movie.
I liked her in "27 Dresses", so I was happy to go. ('Yes', my ticket was free, but I did ante up for pretzels, so you know I'll be totally fair.)


First, a couple of 'Hollywood' opinions:

Variety gave it a nod: '"Life As We Know It" delivers enough "aww" moments (coupled with the occasional laugh) to deliver its money's worth' ...as a decent rom-com.

Heigl says: "I’m really proud of this movie. It’s probably my favorite film I’ve done to date,” she explained. “It’s just the perfect combination of romance and comedy and heart…"

My opinion? Lets face it, once you've seen the preview, you know what you're getting into, so you can't exactly complain that you were blind-sided by the plot. As my companion said, its a perfect 'airplane movie', bleep out the two '$h!+'s and its ready to go. Some chuckles w/o much stress, plus a cuddly set of triplets(!) playing the baby.

Verdict: 'Hey, its a cute movie.'

'doh' !
PG-13 / 112 min / opens Friday

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FYI: For those who prefer unique documentaries,
here's one that Katherine Heigl appeared in:

*Haven't seen it myself - will check Netflix.

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Prince of Persia

Supposed to be opening today...

'A video-game adaptation, a Fresh Prince of Gel Hair who runs around the desert w/ a magic dagger' - Amy Biancolli

'If you enjoyed Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, another video game made into a blockbuster, then you'll probably enjoy this' - Colin Newton

'a pinch of metaphysics with your high jinks. You also get walk-up-walls scenes worthy of The Matrix. And cool daggers and Gemma Arterton. What’s not to love?' - Andrew O'Hagan

'2 hours of July 4th fireworks w/ flying swords, sandstorms, raging battles and mystical palaces' - Betsy Sharkey

Lastly, the New Yorker's verdict, since I usually agree with their assessments: big budget 'schlock', with over $100 million US spent on authentic costumes, sets and props.
Hm.

But sometimes you're in the mood for popcorn schlock.

Will be going sometime next week... ;-)

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Prequel Of The Rings

When over 8 hours of LOTR just isn't enough...

Kate Madison, 31-year-old British amateur actress, was so inspired by director Peter Jackson's big screen version of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien tale that she decided to make her own movie.

Her own addition to the mythology of Middle-earth was based on two paragraphs Tolkien included in the appendix to his Lord Of The Rings books, which mentioned the adventures of Arathorn and Gilraen, the parents of Aragorn.

She did a 70 minute movie on 2 paragraphs?

Imagine if Tolkien had written 2 pages on them! ;-)

Anyway, here's the trailer - its only 80 seconds:



Go here to watch 'Born of Hope' online.
*remember, its over an hour long...

link: full Daily Mail article about it.

btw: Anyone find those two paragraphs? I'll post them.

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The Ghost In The Machine

via the amazing 'Performance Capture' room.

''...this is not an animated film.
These actors do not just stand at
a lectern and do a voice part...''

- James Cameron

Avatar actors performed inside their graphical world in real time.

That's revolutionary - there was no waiting for CGI cut&paste to see their scenes. A giant 'live' video game with real people.


Multiple angles of 'Pandora' slide past
as the actors move inside it.

I don't want to move to Pandora, but I'd sure like to play with that performance-capture room. Imagine your home movies done anywhere or anywhen? Very cool.

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p.s.

NEWS: Cameron has decided -not- to bid to get his own series back. (Years ago, in order to get the directing job on 'Terminator', he had to sign away his rights to it. Typical Hollywood.)

It seems that the studio that owns it went bankrupt, and so now the rights to continue the 'T' series are being auctioned off. Sony is in the running, as is Lionsgate, but JC has opted out. Estimated price - $30 to $70 million.

If you were him, would you want it back?

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Awesome Ad-libs

With Indiana Jones & Marion, and Hannibal Lecter

SpikeTv listed Classic Movie Moments You Didn't Know Were Improv. I've never seen Full Metal Jacket, Taxi Driver, or Clockwork Orange so I skipped theirs. And the 'Here's Johnny!' (The Shining) and 'Play it Again, Sam' (Casablanca) are already well known.
So below are just my favorites from their list.

First, from 'Raiders of the Lost Ark':

''Egypt was absolute hell to shoot, with cast and crew frequently becoming ill and injured. At one point Harrison Ford tore a ligament and John Rhys-Davis actually crapped his pants during filming. Much of it was pushed through and indeed the entire scene with Marion (Karen Allen) and Belloq getting drunk in a tent was also completely improvised.

The sequence with the swordsman was originally meant to involve Indy running around with the swordsman in pursuit, but Ford had come down with dysentery and wasn't in the mood to do much running when his bowels were doing enough of that already. So he suggested they just shoot the bastard and be done, resulting in one of the most entertaining scenes in the entire film.''

Indy Whips Up An Ad-lib ;-)


Raiders: Marion and evil Belloq get drunk

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Teeth-sucking Cannibal Hannibal

''While this line was in fact in the script, his hissing after was not, and surprised everyone on set particularly Jodie Foster. That disturbed look on her face there? That wasn't acting - she was genuinely creeped out.''

Congrats, Anthony Hopkins...

That scene is still creepy to me too.

Dances With 3D

Saw Avatar. My verdict:

It is 'Dances With Wolves' on an alien planet.
With brain transfers thrown in for fun.

Yup, the 3D and special effects were cool. But go to the late show so there will be fewer kids. Its PG-13, yet because of the toy tie-ins, and the colorful ads parents think its okay for tots... that is until the military action begins.

One poor kid (~4 yrs old) literally -ran- out of the theatre we were in. So, if you wouldn't bring your kid to 'Dances With Wolves', don't bring him/her to this. *If you need any further persuasion... the 6 previews made the entire show nearly 3 hours long.

Fun Fact: many sfx came via Weta of New Zealand

Bringing Sexy Back

I was tagged in Miss C's challenge:

'What makes you feel sexy?'

Can't argue with her choice of sleeping in the buff.

But additionally, music puts me in the mood.


So for fun, here's a 'bad' vs 'good' comparison...

First, The Baaad:

*houstonpress*s 'Rocks Off' list.

They insist their ten (below) were chosen by a woman for a sexy night in. Ha, sorry guys, no fem would pick these unless she's a goth:

1) Street Hassle, Lou Reed's dying hooker? Seriously?
2) Libertango, : an accordian version?!... o so not hot.
3) Summertime, Joplin: her voice in this? - not sexy.
4) Superstar, SY's cover of an old 70's song -drags-.
5) Empty House, Air's 'Virgin Suicides' track drags too.
6) Sea Song, Doves: dull for a party of two.
7) The Operation, Charlotte G: a dissection song? Ew.
8) Inertia Creeps, Massive Ak: Repetitious & 'slowly'
9) Closer, 9 Inch Nails: FU like an animal? Charming.
10) Gabriel's Mercy Street 'perfect for drifting off' ??
- Nice tune, but lyrics of suicidal Anne? - Um 'No'.

On the whole, their songs are quite depressing.
My guess? A dateless old geezer picked'm.

comments from their own page:

played some of these with my wife ...
She gave me a 'wtf r u listening to?' look.

tried it and she went cold with the Lou Reed.
She up and left with the Janis Joplin...

When... hotel porn music just won't do

Holy balls, what a terrible list

If my man started playing this crap,
I'd have my clothes on by the end of song 1)

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Now here's my more upbeat list:

'The Good',

or 'Some Songs I'd Pick Instead'.

1) Of Peter Gabriel's music I'd pick In Your Eyes*
'* 'boom box' song from movie 'Say Anything'

- - Hm. - I'll just go with more movie songs...

2) remake: 'Anyway You Want It'
movie - Charlie's Angels Full Throttle ;-)

3) 'Take Me Away ' yes, from 'Freaky Friday'*
*included because it makes me laugh, and after that other list I needed a bit more humor.

4) 'Sky and Sand' from movie 'Berlin Calling'

5) 'Haan Tu Hai'(You Are The One) in 'Jannat'

6) 'Seasons of Love' from 'Rent'

7) 'Check On It' Beyoncé/Pink Panther movie fun

8) 'How Did You Know' from movie 'All My Life'

9)Hot Chocolate's You Sexy Thing in 'Full Monty'

10) oldies: 'NeverEnding Story' by Limahl
Included because I like the flow of his song.

plus this, because I like the video:Billy Idol's Cradle Of Love in 'Ford Fairlane'

(Was Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face' in a movie?...)

So, anyway, that's my version of
Bringing Sexy Back... w/ snappy songs.

A Little Bit Fishy

Will the real 'Ponyo' please stand swim up?

Upcoming 'Ponyo' is about a baby goldfish who wants to be human, and gets her wish. But if you have 3 minutes, compare the two promos.

Disney's version for the U.S. release:



vs. The original Japanese one:



And Disney shortened the movie name, too

I lol'd when the happy music played during the big drama moment in #2. 'The world is ending, but hey, please enjoy a boppy lil tune...'

Think Disney wants more adults in the seats?

eta:

click for review: Roger Ebert likes it.

Primate Goes Postal

Small silver-suited SpaceApe, speedily sent!

This little guy has traveled so far, to space and back (plus 400 miles on a mail truck), that I figured it was time he got a break. So I let him relax on the coast of Maine. But he still looks stiff! Must be E's fault; she put that too-tight shiny suit on him before she stuffed'm in that envelope for the trip to my place.*

*So tell the ASPCA&PP(& plastic pets) that the guilty party can be found here: Erin's earnestly evocative exchange empire
j/k Thanks to Erin for the jolly junk mailout. ;-)

- *The film that killed my space monkey's oscar chances...{30 sec}

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July update:

Mad Hat Johnny

Director Tim Burton does love make-up, doesn't he?

its a great link, if you don't mind spoilers for the upcoming 'Alice' movie, check out the pictures of Helena and Anne too: Daily Mail

Return of the Elf

Remember the bad guy from Matrix?...
He was also head elf in Lord of the Rings and he's returning for the Hobbit movies

link in new window: EW News Briefs

Guillermo del Toro confirms Hugo Weaving in 'The Hobbit'

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 (at 02:10:55 mark), director Guillermo del Toro confirmed that Hugo Weaving will reprise his Lord of the Rings role of Elrond in the upcoming Hobbit films. Weaving joins Andy Serkis (Gollum) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf), who will also reappear in the two highly anticipated films, scheduled for a 2011 and 2012 release.

{spoiler below}
They're splitting the book into two movies.
The first one ends when the dragon dies.

I Can't Walk Last

'' ... with you you a road for running about.''
Lucky Padme cleared that up for us, yes?

But truly, even non-Star Wars fans should check out Jeremy's blog. He posted 80+ screenshots from his (obviously bootleg) Chinese copy where they'd helpfully added their own 'Englsih' subtitles.



Trust me, his page is well worth a look, I only saw that film once, years ago, and I still laughed like a loon.
link: 'Backstroke of the West' (Revenge of the Sith)



* many thanks to Jeremy W. for these pics.

See? I promised you a long fun link today.
Please enjoy your Memorial Day as I head to work...

M(ovie)TV

The MTV Movie Awards are coming next week!

"... the most goofily entertaining awards show of the year which will air live on MTV, on May 31, 2009. ... the coveted Popcorn Award given in such categories as "Best Kiss,” “Best Villain,” and “Best Comedic Performance."

Never watch MTV anymore, except for this bit o'fluff.


Clips from last years 2008 MTV movie awards.