Films About War: Support or Avoid?

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Film, Politics

March 30, 2008

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We almost went to see Stop-Loss this weekend, but didn’t. We also intended to see the following films in the theater, but will rent them instead:

  • Grace is Gone
  • In the Valley of Elah
  • The Kingdom
  • Lions for Lambs
  • Rendition

None of the movies listed above have done well at the box-office, and people may very well be staying away due to the current political climate and war. I do think that there is something to be said about watching those films in the comfort of your own home. However, my decision to wait and rent is not political; regardless of my voting proclivities or opinion about the war in Iraq, these types of movies simply does not rank high on my list of favorite genres.

We did go see Charlie Wilson’s War, but that was much lighter fare than those above; more of a farce and character-heavy piece, and not a very successful one at that.

When I was younger, my vision of war was formed by films like M*A*S*H and Rambo. And in college, I had to compare Apocalypse Now to Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness. Now THAT was quite an assignment…I think I got an A-.

I don’t really have a favorite war movie, but I suppose a contemporary choice would be Three Kings. I would count both of Spielberg’s toward the top (Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan), as well as The Bridge on the River Kwai. My choices from the 80′s include Born on the 4th of July, Casualties of War and Platoon. On a somewhat cinematically cheesy level, I have to admit that I also loved both The Last of the Mohicans and Dances with Wolves. But my true guilty pleasure for this genre is G.I. Jane; don’t judge me…you can’t flip past the one-armed push-up scene either. I’ll take bald badass Demi over psychotic break bald Britney any day.

I digress. And we’re back.

There have been very few films about war which I really disliked; Life is Beautiful and Cold Mountain are two of them.

Do you tend to support/attend movies about war? Which are your favorites?

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Random Friday: New Releases, Returning Shows & a Neti Pot

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Film, Personal, Television

March 28, 2008

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Is it me, or does there seem to be a serious drought in quality movies and television right now?

Usually the crap movies debut shortly after the Oscars, and the potential blockbusters and award-winners are released later in the year so they are remembered and considered. But it’s almost April, and I feel like we’re stranded in the arid entertainment desert without an oasis; no country for old men, women or children.

The only films I’m interested in shelling out $10 for in the next month or so include George Clooney’s Leatherheads with John Krasinski from The Office, and Smart People with Dennis Quaid, Ellen Page and Sarah Jessica Parker. I will more than likely wind up waiting to rent them both, but I like to pretend that I get out more than I actually do.

Obviously the Writers Strike has affected the current television landscape, and we’re experiencing a lull between new episodes of many popular shows. It doesn’t help that new series’ are being prematurely yanked after only one or two episodes or moved to a different date/time, before we’re given a chance to date and fall in love. I’m disappointed with Fox’s decision to essentially kill Canterbury’s Law by moving it to Friday nights; it is a pretty decent series and I like Julianna Margulies. And where will Cashmere Mafia wind up, if it even returns at all?

I have also been enjoying new episodes of Top Chef and The Riches while watching the unaired remainder of the canceled series Kitchen Confidential on Hulu (clearly I have a thing for Bonnie Somerville).

But enough of the gloom and doom; many shows are coming back very soon. For a complete list, see Maureen Ryan’s excellent summary.

April 3: My Name Is Earl

April 7: Samantha Who?

April 10: The Office

April 10: 30 Rock   

April 10: Scrubs

April 13: Desperate
Housewives

April 14: Bones

April 20: Brothers and Sisters

April 24: Grey’s Anatomy

April 24: Lost (2nd half of Season 4)

April 24: Ugly Betty

April 28: House

If I come across as cranky, let’s blame the sinus bubble that has taken up residence behind my right eye. Good times!

Oh, and my healthy holistic friends suggest that I purchase and use a Neti Pot, which supposedly cleans up your sinuses for an entire allergy season.

Yeah…I’m probably not going to buy some hippie genie lamp to stick up my nose and filter water through the other side. Seriously.  Click on this demo with the zombie woman. It freaks me out, and I couldn’t help but create this little ditty as I watched it with morbid curiosity:

I’m a little teapot, short and stout.
Stick me up your nose, then pour your nasal out.

Um, no thanks.

Have a nice weekend!

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Netflixed: Reviews of 3:10 to Yuma, Gone Baby Gone, The Nines, Shortbus

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Film

March 24, 2008

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To queue or not to queue, that is always the question.

Here are a few quick rental reviews.

3:10 TO YUMA
Ben Foster is the king of creepy and a fantastic actor (look for very subtle homoerotic overtones in his performance); he stole every scene. Christian Bale’s intensity permeated through the screen, and Russell Crowe was tolerable. I enjoy most contemporary Westerns, but I was bored through most of this one. 6 out of 10.

GONE BABY GONE
Very disappointing. Decent direction by Ben Affleck, but the story was not woven/edited well. I much preferred Mystic River, the last movie adapted from a Dennis Lehane novel. 5 out of 10.

THE NINES
What a fascinating and quirky little indie from the mind of John August, who wrote one of my favorite films (Go). I liked it far more than I’d anticipated, but you have to prepare yourself for the trip…it is an existential journey. Stellar acting by Ryan Reynolds (a pleasant surprise from the pretty boy), Melissa McCarthy (from Gilmore Girls and now Samantha Who) and Hope Davis (the indie queen who is fantastic in just about every movie). 7 out of 10.

SHORTBUS
The tagline says it all: “voyeurism is participation.” I’m kind of a prude for a liberal, but I guarantee that the explicit sexual nature of this film will make you blush. Written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch). Watch this one AFTER the kids have gone to bed. Trust me. 6 out of 10.

In my queue:
Southland Tales (Richard Kelly’s follow-up to Donnie Darko)
Rendition
Sweeney Todd
The Kingdom
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Margot at the Wedding
I Am Legend
August Rush

Have any other recommendations?

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Must-See Summer Films: X-Files 2, Speed Racer, Indy 4 & Iron Man

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Film

March 17, 2008

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I am Indie at heart but have a soft spot for certain action/adventure genre films.

In order, here are the summer blockbusters that I absolutely can’t wait to see in the theater later this year:

The X-Files 2
July 25

Unfortunately, no official trailer or poster has been released yet. The photo above, however, is a promo still from the film.



Speed Racer
May 9

Click above to watch one of the best movie trailers I’ve ever seen…which isn’t a surprise given that the film is written & directed by the Wachowski Brothers (the Matrix trilogy). Starring Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox (Lost alert!), Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, and Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights).



Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
May 22

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, two words: Cate Blanchett. And she’s playing a villain. LOVE it.



Iron Man
May 2

Though I am not a comic book person per se, I do love big screen adaptations and variations on a superhero. This is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Samuel L. Jackson.

Another contender for my time, money and attention is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening, which comes out on Friday, June 13. I like his style and most of his films, but I did not see Lady in the Water and I disliked Unbreakable. This one looks like  a return to form, so I’m intrigued.

Which 2008 films are you most looking forward to?

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Do You Hulu?

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Film, Internet, Television

March 12, 2008

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By now, I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about Hulu. More than 50 content providers have partnered to deliver popular television shows and films free of charge online.

I haven’t had time to explore the site, but it looks impressive and quite simple to navigate. Now that the Writers Strike is over and they will be receiving compensation whenever someone watches their work on Hulu, I will definitely bookmark this site and visit often.

Among other, the following networks and studios are offering movies and television series’ on Hulu:

  • Bravo
  • E!
  • FOX
  • Lionsgate
  • MGM
  • NBC Universal
  • Sci Fi
  • Sony Pictures Television
  • Sundance Channel
  • TV Guide
  • USA Network
  • Warner Bros.

Have any of you tried it yet? What do you think?

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iMix: Favorite Movie/TV Scores & Theme Songs

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Film, iTunes, Music

March 11, 2008

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A few days ago I enjoyed reading about and watching Nerve.com’s The Twelve Greatest Opening Credits in Movie History, and it has inspired me to explore my favorite movie scores and television theme songs.

Some are classics, some are more contemporary, and most have emotional resonance and personal significance.

Click here to open and listen to the iMix for this set list in iTunes.

In no particular order…

Dances With Wolves (John Barry)
One of my favorite soundtracks to listen to when I’m writing.  I’m a huge Costner fan from that era, which is not something that most would admit. Out loud. Or on paper.

Babel/Deadwood (Gustavo Santaolalla)
I love the track “Iguazu,” which is on both the Deadwood series and Babel film soundtracks. However, I was quite surprised that Santaolalla won the Oscar for Original Score for Babel when this track was previously used and written. There was controversy earlier this year when Johnny Greenwood was disqualified from contention for his phenomenal There Will Be Blood score, because he intermixed music from the year before on one of the tracks.

Atonement (Dario Marianelli)
“Briony” features the typewriter as an instrumental accompaniment, which is integral to the story. Brilliant.

There Will Be Blood (Johnny Greenwood)
“Future Markets” is the modern day Psycho theme. It is dark, tense and perfect.

Superman (John Williams)
Goosebumps, every single time. Favorite superhero/theme song of all time.

Rocky (Bill Conti)
You don’t have to be a guy or a jock to be inspired every time you hear the opening seconds of “Gonna Fly Now.” I only wish it was an instrumental song; the cheesy vocals kind of ruin it for me.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (John Williams)
When I hear this, I am instantly transported back to 1981, and the joy of being 8 years old returns. Is there a better feeling, however fleeting?

The X-Files (Mark Snow)
My second favorite TV series of all time. I respond to this theme like a cat who hears the crinkle and shake of the treat bag. Sadly, Snow’s original X-Files TV theme isn’t available on iTunes. If I had one complaint about Lost (my #1), it would be that there isn’t an actual theme song like this for the show.

James Bond
Although many would disagree, A View to a Kill and Duran Duran’s theme song top my Best of Bond list. Chris Cornell’s “You Know My Name” from Casino Royale is a close second.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Howard Shore & Annie Lennox)
“Into the West” is haunting and quite beautiful. 

The Matrix trilogy
I don’t understand why none of these soundtracks are available on iTunes besides Don Davis’ original score, but at least a version of Rob Dougan’s “Clubbed to Death” from the first film is up there. By far, The Matrix: Reloaded is the best of the bunch.

American Beauty (Thomas Newman)
This film is in my Top 10 of all time, and I laugh and smile each time I hear the title track, conjuring up the image of Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in their career performances.

Six Feet Under (Thomas Newman)
Another frustrating lack of representation on iTunes, because Newman’s series theme song is so iconic and memorable.

Brokeback Mountain (Gustavo Santaolalla)
The soundtrack was heartbreaking long before the tragic death of Heath Ledger. I find it impossible to listen to “The Wings” without welling up, thinking about the absolutely exquisite last scene of the film, in Ennis’ trailer with Jack’s shirt.

So, my quiet readers, which theme songs rule your world?

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