Movie-List Blog

DVD Review – Bruno

JP — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:13:50 +0000

Briefly — because I will not waste anymore time on this movie — Bruno is the story of a flamboyantly gay TV host in Austria (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) who is fired from his job and black listed from the fashion world he loves. As a result, Bruno loses his long time lover and celebrity stature. In an attempt to regain the fame and popularity that he had become accustomed too, Bruno travels to Los Angeles and tries a number of “get rich quick” schemes but fails miserably at them all. He even goes so far as to try to reject his homosexuality and turn himself straight but it is only by embracing his gayness that Bruno finds true love, happiness and success. Sounds like a fairytale doesn’t it?

My mother always told me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say not to say anything at all, but in this case I think I’ll make an exception. What an idiotic waste of time this movie was. Sacha Baron Cohen IS a funny guy and he DOES create some extremely funny skits and characters but whoever keeps allowing him to write, produce and star in these crappy movies should be very ashamed of himself and must be stopped now so that I will not be subjected to a third installment of Sacha’s films.

His first film, “Borat”, although distasteful and offensive to everyone, was at least somewhat humourous. I am not condoning the crude and mocking behavior that Cohen exhibited in “Borat” but I do have to admit that it made me laugh at times. This latest film however only made me cringe and shudder in complete horror and utter disgust. Cohen’s parody of the homosexual lifestyle and the desire to be rich and famous went way beyond acceptable ridicule. His extremely vulgar language and offensive behavior in this movie felt like a desperate attempt to force laughter out of the audience instead of earning it through cleverly written dialogue or well choreographed scenes. There was absolutely nothing enjoyable about this movie. I could not wait for it to finish and at only 82 minutes, it felt like it would never end. The one positive remark that I can make about this movie is that, with all of the unpleasant scenes of sexuality and nudity displayed by Cohen and his pals, I am extremely grateful that I did not have to watch it in HD. This is definitely one movie that I can guarantee will not get a second viewing… EVER!

3/10

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3 Minute and 30 Second Avatar Trailer Coming

JP — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:13:41 +0000

ComingSoon.net has confirmed that 20th Century Fox will debut a new trailer for James Cameron’s Avatar in theaters this Friday, October 23rd! The trailer, which clocks in at roughly around 3 minutes and 30 seconds, won’t be coming online until October 29th. You should really see this in theaters anyways as we’ve learned that this is THE trailer, the one that will show you much more story (as opposed to the teaser trailer previously released).

This week in the news – October 16, 2009

JP — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:15:50 +0000

Uma Thurman Down for More Kill Bill, Says Ideas Are ‘Awesome’

“Yeah, I think it’d be fun!” Thurman enthusiastically replied when asked if she’d be up for playing Beatrix once again. In terms of actual progress on the script, Uma revealed that, “[Tarantino and I] did chat, we did chat. He has not yet finished the script. I don’t even really know if he’s really started it, although I got a taste of some of his ideas and they are really good.”

Disney/Miramax Downsizing = Bad News For Indie Films

Variety reports that the larger Disney studio will now handle certain, “marketing, distribution, operations and administrative support functions from its Burbank headquarters.” That amounts to an almost 75% reduction in their staff down to just 20 remaining executives. Although Disney isn’t naming names for now, a series of meetings next week will say who stays and who goes. Word is that some of the people let go will be from the production and development side of things, with such rumored names floating around as production prexy, Keri Putnam, and acquisitions veep, Peter Lawson.

Ratner blasts critics

Fans of the X-MEN franchise were weary when first hearing about Ratner directing the third film for the installment. Well if you saw LAST STAND, then it’s possible your in the huge crowd of people who thought it was garbage. This is how Ratner feels about the response, “You can’t make these people happy. I’m kind of the anti-Christ to these comic book geeks. Every single person that wrote shit went to see that movie multiple times because a movie doesn’t gross $200 something million unless people go to see it more than once.”

Of course, he continued, “Every single person who said, ‘I’m never seeing that movie’, they were the first ones there. What are they concerned about? It’s out of the filmmaker’s hands. A film is a collaborative effort. How’s a person sitting at home going to worry about how a movie is going to turn out to be?” I did go see it, once. I love X-MEN regardless of who directs it, but after seeing it, I didn’t need to see it again.

It gets worse. Ratner claims that he made the franchise more popular than ever, “The most ridiculous statement I’ve read is – and of course I looked at the internet after the movie came out – that I buried the franchise. “If I buried the franchise how the fuck did they make a Wolverine? I mean, that’s ridiculous. And they’re making three other fucking X-Men movies. Mine kept the franchise alive!”

Spider-Man 4 to start filming in March

“We’re hoping that it’s the first week in March,” said Raimi.

At the moment, pre-production is in full swing, even as screenwriter Gary Ross (”great director and a very fine writer,” said Raimi) continues to work on the script.

“He’s working on a draft,” he continued. “I just gave him some notes and he’s doing a rewrite right now.”

On other fronts, “Spider-Man 4″ continues to chug along. “The production is starting to come together,” Raimi told us. “I’ve got a production designer who is starting to design the sets and the environments that the picture will take place in. We just brought aboard Scott Stokdyk as one of the two visual effects supervisors, and I worked with him on all three ‘Spider-man’ pictures.”

With Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst set to reprise their roles, Raimi and his team will soon turn their attention to filling out the rest of the cast. “None of the casting has really taken place, but we’re starting to think about that now,” the director said.

Whedon’s Cabin in the Woods Pushed, Going 3-D!

MGM Studios has decided to push Joss Whedon’s anticipated The Cabin in the Woods, directed and co-written by Cloverfield’s Drew Goddard, back nearly a year, from its original release date of February 5, 2010 to the new date of January 14, 2011.

MGM reps tell ShockTillYouDrop.com the reason they’re doing this is because the early response to the film has been phenomenal and they’re going to spend six months or so converting the picture to 3-D.

There is nothing else scheduled for that 2011 date, which is the four-day weekend to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr, although the fourth Underworld movie is currently scheduled to open one week later.

Disney Extends Toy Story 3D Double Feature Run

Chuck Viane, in Disney’s domestic distribution department, called the extension “open-ended”, but it likely won’t run past November 2nd. That’s the day when the studio debuts its 3-D holiday flick, A Christmas Carol. The solid showing has Disney up in arms, and we’ll likely see more classics rendered for today’s 3-D-manding (get it?) audiences. Beauty and the Beast, an obvious test balloon, is set to have a 3-D release in 2011.

Go Behind the Scenes of Iron Man 2 in French

CanalPlus.fr has published a brand new behind the scenes report from the set of Iron Man 2, complete with interviews with director Jon Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr.

The report features a bunch of new footage, including a look at Tony Stark’s at-home particle accelerator project. There is also a series of shots with Scarlett Johansson, who plays Black Widow, and some shots of Mickey Rourke as Whiplash. It’s interesting to hear that things are getting “a bit darker,” while keeping with the tone of the first film.

All signs still pointing to Iron Man 2 being awesome. Have your own look at the new stuff below.

Jon Favreau Will Not Direct The Avengers

MTV talked to Favreau about The Avengers while he was promoting Couples Retreat, and his statement about directing the film was quite clear:

They’ll have to [find a different director], because I’m not going to be available. It’s something I’m being the executive producer on, so I’ll definitely have input and a say. It’s going to be hard, because I was so involved in creating the world of Iron Man and Iron Man is very much a tech-based hero, and then with ‘Avengers’ you’re going to be introducing some supernatural aspects because of Thor. How you mix the two of those works very well in the comic books, but it’s going to take a lot of thoughtfulness to make that all work and not blow the reality that we’ve created.”

Blu-ray Reviews – Away We Go

JP — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:05:31 +0000

by Jenny Jones

“Away We Go” is a delightful depiction of one expectant couple’s journey to find a new place to lay down roots. Burt and Verona decide to cross the country visiting old friends and family members in the hopes of deciding on the perfect place to welcome their first child into the world. Along the way they experience some intensely awkward, comedic and painful situations as they witness the beautiful miracles and heart breaking tragedies that parenting has unleashed on their loved ones. At the same time they are faced with all of those soul searching questions that any expectant parents struggle with. It is a wonderfully hilarious and heart warming journey that we are fortunate to be a part of.

This movie is an absolute gem. This is one movie where the entire cast demonstrates flawless performances. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph are the perfect pregnant unmarried couple. Catherine O’Hara and Jeff Daniels cracked me up as Burt’s illiterate hippy parents. Allison Janney and Jim Gaffigan had me laughing out loud. Melanie Lynskey and Chris Messina tore my heart out and had me fighting back tears of compassion, and even Maggie Gyllenhaal was fabulous (I never like her in anything).

To add to an already stellar display of acting, the musical genius, Alexi Murdoch (Garden State soundtrack), has put together yet another sensational soundtrack that adds a whole new dimension of excellence to the film. Overall “Away We Go” is a grown up version of “Juno”. It is a witty and heart warming movie that I can not wait to watch again and again.

Video Quality

The release is 1080p in VC-1 on a BD-50 (50 gigabyte dual-layered Blu-ray Disc) and is presented in the 2:35:1 aspect ratio. The film tends to have a warm palette with subdued colors. Fleshtones are accurate while contrast levels are solid. This results in a rather realistic looking image. Being a newer film, the print is also in near immaculate condition. Universal continues their winning day-and-date ways with this one earning an excellent “4.5 Stars”

Audio Quality

Audio is presented in DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio. Despite being a rather heavy dialogue film, the included DTS-HD track is actually quite good. The film’s dialogue is reproduced clearly with no instance of drop out. While not using the surrounds much, I was still pleased. All in all, this is a fine presentation for the subject at hand. “4 Stars”

Bonus Material

* BD-Live on this releases includes Universal’s standard “My Scenes”, which allows viewers to bookmark their favorite scenes so they can share them with people around the world via BD-Live.
* The Making of Away We Go: Director Sam Mendes takes us through what working with Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida was like.
* Green Filmmaking: In this feature we get to hear from cast members on the concept of “Away We Go” being a “green” film.
* Audio Commentary with Director Sam Mendes and Writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida

Overall: 9 out of 10.

No related posts.

TIFF09 – Day 9

JP — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:53:23 +0000

Repost of tweets:

Out way too late last night to even try and attempt to make my 1st film today so I skipped it. It was Ong Bak 2. I’ll see it on DVD.

Valhalla Rising

Actual 1st film of the day is now Valhalla Rising, a Viking film! We need more Viking films!

Valhalla Rising was slow as fuck and the crowd sucked. Despite that i still enjoyed it.

The star of Valhalla Rising, Mads Mikkelsen did a Q&A.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2nd film was The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, the new Terry Gilliam film and Heath Ledgers last film. Gilliam introduced the film.

Parnassus was very good, extremely imaginative & entertaining. Cast was great, especially Christopher Plummer. Fun for whole family.

Terry Gilliam did a great Q&A, as usual.

Mother

Last film of #TIFF09 is Mother from Korea: A mother desperately searches for the killer that framed her son for their horrific murder.

Mother was very good, a well paced slow burn of a movie. Lead actress was fantastic. And with that, #TIFF09 ends for me for another year.

#TIFF09 recovery mode. Fighting off TIFF cold. Sore feet. Tired. Brunch at Boom helped.

TIFF09 – Day 4 Repost of tweets: Solitary Man 1st film today is Solitary...
TIFF09 – Day 8 Repost of tweets: Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s...
TIFF09 – Day 6 Repost of tweets: Youth in Revolt Day 6 of #TIFF09....

TIFF09 – Day 8

JP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:59:01 +0000

Repost of tweets:

Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s all turning into a blur.

Happened to glance at my schedule & realized, just in nick of time, that I was heading to wrong theatre. Close call!

My Year Without Sex

1st film today was My Year Without Sex, a nice lil’ Australian flick. Saw director’s first film at #TIFF09 and loved it so saw her new one.

The Invention of Lying

Next up: The Invention of Lying, Ricky Gervais’ movie directing debut. Hope he’s there for Q&A!

Not a fan of the Winter Garden theatre. It’s nice but not right for movies. Seats uncomfortable & the no food or drink is bullshit.

Booo, no Gervais or Q&A at all, that’s disappointing. Film was great though! Mainstream but very funny & Gervais is great in it!

Perrier’s Bounty

Up next is Irish film called ‘Perrier’s Bounty’ with Cillian Murphy, Jim Boradbent & Brendan Gleason. High hopes for this one

Plot: gangster named Perrier looks to exact revenge on a trio of fugitives responsible for the accid. death of one of his cronies.

Unfortunately, no one was there for Perriers Bounty. This late in the fest, it’s rare that films get Q&As. Pretty good film.

Enjoyed Cillian Murphy as usual, good little caper film. Tonight at 9:00: The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights.

The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights

Documentary looks back on the White Stripes’ ambitious 2007 tour of Canada, during which they played in every province and territory.

The back of Jack White!

White Stripes film was great, with great performances and interesting stuff off the stage as well.

The band was there to introduce the film and the crowd was one of the rowdiest and most fun I’ve ever been in. Had a great time!

TIFF09 – Day 4 Repost of tweets: Solitary Man 1st film today is Solitary...
TIFF09 – Day 3 Repost of tweets: Day 3 of #TIFF09 ! 1st film...
TIFF09 – Day 6 Repost of tweets: Youth in Revolt Day 6 of #TIFF09....

TIFF09 – Day 7

JP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:55:26 +0000

Repost of tweets:

The Damned United

Starting today off with Damn United: A look at Brian Clough’s 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United.

Correction: it’s called Damned United. It was good, a nice enjoyable English flick. ***

What a cast! Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney and more.

Micmacs

Up next, the new Jean-Pierre Jeunet film. Excited as I love all his films. Delicatessen, City of Lost Children, Amelie and more.

A much deserved standing ovation for Jean Pierre Jeunet.

Q&A with Jean Pierre Jeunet.

Jeunet’s ‘Micmacs et Tire a Largot’ was fantastic, as expected. Whimsical, funny, inventive and great looking, simply awesome.

Also, I’m calling it as the winner of People’s Choice. Crowd LOVED it! I called Slumdog Millionaire last year and it won.

Vengeance

Next up is Johnnie To’s ‘Vengeance’. One of my fave directors…

‘Vengeance’ was a tad disappointing. Good action, stylish, good cast but story lacking. Many, many better Johnnie To films. ***

TIFF09 – Day 8 Repost of tweets: Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s...
TIFF09 – Day 3 Repost of tweets: Day 3 of #TIFF09 ! 1st film...
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TIFF09 – Day 6

JP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:51:19 +0000

Repost of tweets:

Youth in Revolt

Day 6 of #TIFF09. 1st film is Youth in Revolt starring Michael Cera & directed by Miguel Artata, director of The Good Girl & Chuck & Buck.

Youth in Revolt was really good, very funny movie. Great cast too. ***1/2

Youth in Revolt trailer: http://bit.ly/rAvqr

Bitch Slap

Up next is Bitch Slap, a Midnight Madness film. You have to check out the trailer http://bit.ly/NQsSP

Bitch Slap was fun. It’s not a great film by any means but it intends to be a B-Movie and succeeds at that it’s very much a Russ Meyer tribute. Big breasted dames kicking the shit out of each other.

TIFF09 – Day 8 Repost of tweets: Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s...
TIFF09 – Day 4 Repost of tweets: Solitary Man 1st film today is Solitary...
TIFF09 – Day 9 Repost of tweets: Out way too late last night to...

TIFF09 – Day 5

JP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:49:28 +0000

Repost of tweets:

The Joneses

Good morning! 1st film today is The Joneses: A dark comedy about rival neighbors whose quest for the best turns deadly.

The Joneses: Clever premise that I did not know about, I liked it! Duchovny and Demi Moore were good in it. ***1/2

The Last Days of Emma Blanks

Next: The Last Days of Emma Blank: A woman living in a large country home drives her servants to mutiny with her outrageous demands as she waits for death to come for her.

Last Days of Emma Blank was pretty good. Some funny black humour. Films I’d otherwise not have an opportunity to see. ***

The Informant!

Next up was the new Soderbergh film ‘The Informant!’ starring Matt Damon. Very good and really funny! Damon was hilarious in it.****

Unfortunately since it was the 3rd screening of it at #TIFF09 there was no one there for a Q&A, they’ve since gone home.

TIFF09 – Day 1 Repost of tweets: A few hours of work and then...
TIFF09 – Day 8 Repost of tweets: Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s...
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TIFF09 – Day 4

JP — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:47:03 +0000

Repost of tweets:

Solitary Man

1st film today is Solitary Man. Car magnate watches his personal & prof. life hit the skids b/c of business & romantic indiscretions.

Solitary Man was pretty good. Nice little movie. Great performance by Michael Douglas. Lots of great supporting cast. ***1/2

Get Low

Get Low was next, about a mysterious 1930s Tennessee hermit who threw his own rollicking funeral party while he was still alive.

Get Low, starring Robert Duvall along with Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek was spectacular! Best of the fest so far…

Duvall gives one of the best performances of his whole career and the rest of the cast is fantastic as well.

if there’s any justice this will get an American distributor and a best actor nomination for Duvall.

P.S. Q&A for Get Low earlier with director Aaron Schneider (with some great Bill Murray stories):

Harry Brown

Next was Harry Brown:Elderly ex-serviceman & widower looks to avenge his best friend’s murder by doling out his own form of justice.

Harry Brown stars Michael Caine & he’s (as usual) great in it. It’s gritty & quite intense at times. Caine dishing out justice! ****

And so ends another #TIFF09 day. All good movies today which is awesome. A few beers and taking it easy tonight.

TIFF09 – Day 3 Repost of tweets: Day 3 of #TIFF09 ! 1st film...
TIFF09 – Day 6 Repost of tweets: Youth in Revolt Day 6 of #TIFF09....
TIFF09 – Day 8 Repost of tweets: Day 8 (for me) of #TIFF09, it’s...