Ok, I'll admit it. I'm actually excited to see the new remake of 'Friday the 13th'. It's being released on Friday the 13th, which is kind of cheesy but also extremely bad-ass. I have seen the other ones and am not much of a fan. Except 'Freddy Vs. Jason' but that is on a completely different level. I actually have a friend who paid for and went to see it 9 times in the movie theater. A record as far as I'm concerned.
Judging by the trailer it looks to be pretty solid. Obviously the trailer can be misleading and not an accurate representation of the actual film. It looks to have a more realistic approach to the franchise, which is known for being made up of a lot of cheese. The kills are always pretty entertaining but aside from that, a bit of a joke.
This remake is directed by Marcus Nispel who also directed the 2003 remake of the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre', which is was completely blown away by. Also it is produced by mega-uber-action director Michael Bay (Transformers, Bad Boys) who also produced the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'. The film seems to be taken pretty seriously, considering the content.
I really doubt they would remake a such a classic movie if it wasn't going to be phenomenal. I mean what would be the point? Horror remakes tend to be pretty good because truth be told the originals aren't. Sure the originals are the originals and have cult status while starting the franchise. However, when you get serious, usually the movies themselves are pretty sub-standard. I really think that this is going to be a quality flick. I'm going to the 9:55 show and expecting to come out satisfied. Wish me luck!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Animation, Good Stuff
I just got back from seeing the new CG-Animated movie 'Coraline' for the 2nd time this week. This time I saw it in 3d which added a completely new dimension to it (forgive the filthy pun). I really enjoyed this flick very much. Not knowing anything about the series of books I just went in because I wanted to see a flick and the choices were pretty scant. I really enjoy the Disney Pixar movies over the past decade or so. I feel, these days, they are the pinnacle of animation. I also enjoy Dreamworks' animation to a lesser extent. This flick Coraline though, pretty solid stuff. It was directed by Henry Selick, who also direct 'A Nightmare Before Christmas'. That's one thing I am always compelled to correct people about, most think Tim Burton directed both flicks. He produced 'Nightmare' and actually had nothing to do with this flick. This flick was pretty dark but with charm to it. Without giving anything away this is a pretty all-around good flick. The music, dialogue, animation, everything was very on-point. The trailers at the beginning were also promising, Ice Age 3 and Monsters Vs. Aliens. They looked "cute", as they say.
Bringing it back to Burton, he has some interesting things coming up. The remake of 'Alice In Wonderland' warrants curiosity. However, the upcoming CG movie '9' that he is producing looks to be all together stellar. This flick is based upon an Academy Award nominated short by the same name created by Shane Acker, who is also going to direct the feature. Here are a list of reasons why you should want to see this flick:
1. It comes out 9-9-09 and the movie is called '9'. Although it has nor baring on the quality of the flick it just sounds cool.
2. The short was pretty interesting and definitely leaves the watcher wanting more.
3. Good cast of voice talent, including: John C. Reilly, Martin Landau, Elijah Wood, and Jennifer Connelly.
4. Crispin Glover is also a voice. That dude is nuts, and by my estimation of his talent warrants a separate reason that the other's voices.
5. Coheed & Cambria (completely awesome band) are going to have songs in the film. In fact 'Welcome Home' can be heard in the trailer, and it is very well used.
5. Burton is producing it so it has to have some sort of credibility to it.
6. Simple: The Trailer - (http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/9/large.html)
To put it simply, if the trailer doesn't get you completely pumped, I just have nothing to say to you.
Bringing it back to Burton, he has some interesting things coming up. The remake of 'Alice In Wonderland' warrants curiosity. However, the upcoming CG movie '9' that he is producing looks to be all together stellar. This flick is based upon an Academy Award nominated short by the same name created by Shane Acker, who is also going to direct the feature. Here are a list of reasons why you should want to see this flick:
1. It comes out 9-9-09 and the movie is called '9'. Although it has nor baring on the quality of the flick it just sounds cool.
2. The short was pretty interesting and definitely leaves the watcher wanting more.
3. Good cast of voice talent, including: John C. Reilly, Martin Landau, Elijah Wood, and Jennifer Connelly.
4. Crispin Glover is also a voice. That dude is nuts, and by my estimation of his talent warrants a separate reason that the other's voices.
5. Coheed & Cambria (completely awesome band) are going to have songs in the film. In fact 'Welcome Home' can be heard in the trailer, and it is very well used.
5. Burton is producing it so it has to have some sort of credibility to it.
6. Simple: The Trailer - (http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/9/large.html)
To put it simply, if the trailer doesn't get you completely pumped, I just have nothing to say to you.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Is H-O-R-S-E Not Good Enough Anymore?
I am a pretty big sports fan. I am always watching ESPN to see what's going on in the wide wide wide wide world of sports, because something always is. With the NBA's All-Star Weekend coming up there is a lot going on. Aside from the game itself, there is the tradition Slam Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest, and Rookie Vs. Sophomores Game. There has been a call for a game of H-O-R-S-E over the last few seasons to give a little something extra for the fans to watch. This is a game I think most everyone has played in which you try to mimic someone's shot and if you miss you get a letter (H,O, and so on). Finally the NBA agreed to add a traditional game of HORSE to the festivities. I was happy to hear it. The very next day after the annoucement, the NBA announced that the game would still take place but it was going to be called GEICO, after the insurance company. Everything would be the same but instead of the letters of HORSE they will use G,E,I,C,and O.
When I heard this I felt like vomiting. It is complete shameful and the NBA should be embarrassed. I understand we live in a sports world where advertising and endorsements sully the integrity of the sport(s) but there is a line. We are talking about a game that most remember fondly playing as children. Is it really necessary to change the letters to an insurance company? Couldn't it be "NBA's All Star HORSE, brought to you by GEICO"? It just really angers me how nothing is sacred these days. I can't say I blame GEICO because it is good advertising. My beef lies with the NBA for even considering such a farce. It is completely disgusting and something should be done about it. Where do we draw the line, is the basketball itself going to have a big McDonald's Arch on it, or the backboard to have a Coca-Cola logo on it. It sounds funny, but wait a couple years, you never know what may happen.
When I heard this I felt like vomiting. It is complete shameful and the NBA should be embarrassed. I understand we live in a sports world where advertising and endorsements sully the integrity of the sport(s) but there is a line. We are talking about a game that most remember fondly playing as children. Is it really necessary to change the letters to an insurance company? Couldn't it be "NBA's All Star HORSE, brought to you by GEICO"? It just really angers me how nothing is sacred these days. I can't say I blame GEICO because it is good advertising. My beef lies with the NBA for even considering such a farce. It is completely disgusting and something should be done about it. Where do we draw the line, is the basketball itself going to have a big McDonald's Arch on it, or the backboard to have a Coca-Cola logo on it. It sounds funny, but wait a couple years, you never know what may happen.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Left-Wing News, Possible?
Bjorn commented on my post last week concerning OutFoxed. He admitted that, like myself, he is a liberal. He said "Personally speaking, I think "liberal bias" in media is a (conservative) myth. News as a business skews it to the right." With this statement, I couldn't agree more. News is inherently more geared towards the right side of the spectrum. The old news idea that "if it bleeds, it leads" is a complete right-way of thinking, or at least more so than a liberal point of view. News up until now tends to much more conservative. I don't watch the news as much as I probably should because I just find it to be too depressing. For every one uplifting story, there are three horror stories.
It makes me wonder if a left-wing news broadcast could make it. There are more liberal news broadcasts like "Chronicle" or "60 Minutes" but they are more editorial shows rather than hard fact news broadcasts. I think that a more liberal news program could survive in a right-wing environment. If anything, its staying power would lie in the fact (what a pun haha) that it would be a one of its kind. Reading other people's posts and blogs I get the impression that most are more towards the left-side of things and don't like broadcasts such as Fox News. There should be an alternative for people. Especially in this day-in-age, everything is all about choice. Why not get to really choose what kind of news we want to watch?
It makes me wonder if a left-wing news broadcast could make it. There are more liberal news broadcasts like "Chronicle" or "60 Minutes" but they are more editorial shows rather than hard fact news broadcasts. I think that a more liberal news program could survive in a right-wing environment. If anything, its staying power would lie in the fact (what a pun haha) that it would be a one of its kind. Reading other people's posts and blogs I get the impression that most are more towards the left-side of things and don't like broadcasts such as Fox News. There should be an alternative for people. Especially in this day-in-age, everything is all about choice. Why not get to really choose what kind of news we want to watch?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
OutFoxed
So after watching OutFoxed I had a few thoughts, so here goes...
First off, I really liked the title. As it is a deliciously well-constructed pun. In my opinion a good title, such as pun can be the a huge factor in the movie. Being that this film was an attempt to illustrate Fox News' underhanded practices "OutFoxed" works really well, especially with the emphasis on a capital "F" in what would normally be spelled "Outfoxed". Some other movies I enjoy with good titles include Bee Movie (a take on a B-movie, usually horror), Hostel (a cheap hotel room and 'hostile' people). I can think of anymore off the top of my head, but I know puns they are a plenty. Point being I think puns are a smart move, in more ways than one.
I think the filmmakers did a good job and accomplished what I assume they had set out to do. They did an admirably job at showing the slimy practices of a news corporation that self-proclaimed motto is where America goes for its' news. I do agree that Fox News is anything but balanced, however the filmmakers are somewhat hypocritical. OutFoxed depicts Fox News as nothing but a completely one-sided, right-wing, corporation who's motives much always be questioned. Whether that is true or not is up for debate. The problem with the film is that it itself is biased and unbalanced. The filmmakers crusade to destroy this corporation and do so only by interviewing people who are biased and don't like Fox News. They interview former employees who have been fired or let go. Of course those individuals are going to have an ax to grind. The film is trying to illustrate the importance of fair and balanced reporting when film itself is nothing but biased propaganda do sway people away from Fox News. I admire the film's inherent goal but the execution is lacking.
That's just this guy's two cents, take it for what it's worth.
First off, I really liked the title. As it is a deliciously well-constructed pun. In my opinion a good title, such as pun can be the a huge factor in the movie. Being that this film was an attempt to illustrate Fox News' underhanded practices "OutFoxed" works really well, especially with the emphasis on a capital "F" in what would normally be spelled "Outfoxed". Some other movies I enjoy with good titles include Bee Movie (a take on a B-movie, usually horror), Hostel (a cheap hotel room and 'hostile' people). I can think of anymore off the top of my head, but I know puns they are a plenty. Point being I think puns are a smart move, in more ways than one.
I think the filmmakers did a good job and accomplished what I assume they had set out to do. They did an admirably job at showing the slimy practices of a news corporation that self-proclaimed motto is where America goes for its' news. I do agree that Fox News is anything but balanced, however the filmmakers are somewhat hypocritical. OutFoxed depicts Fox News as nothing but a completely one-sided, right-wing, corporation who's motives much always be questioned. Whether that is true or not is up for debate. The problem with the film is that it itself is biased and unbalanced. The filmmakers crusade to destroy this corporation and do so only by interviewing people who are biased and don't like Fox News. They interview former employees who have been fired or let go. Of course those individuals are going to have an ax to grind. The film is trying to illustrate the importance of fair and balanced reporting when film itself is nothing but biased propaganda do sway people away from Fox News. I admire the film's inherent goal but the execution is lacking.
That's just this guy's two cents, take it for what it's worth.
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