Jul 21 2010

Living in Oblivion

As sharp and perfectly executed as they come. 4/4.

Tom DiCillo’s Living in Oblivion is a labor love about a labor love.  Making a film, especially an independent film, isn’t easy.  With all the various problems that collide with one another on set, it’s a miracle anything ever gets finished.  It’s no wonder that everyone in the film industry is borderline, if not certifiably insane.

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Jul 16 2010

Taking Stock: 7/16/2010

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Inception

James: I’ve seen this already.  It’s the best film of the year so far and already amongst my favorite films ever.  What do I have to do to get you to go see it?  You’re not going yet?  Go.  Now.  No seriously, now.

Benn:  Best movie of the summer by far, and probably amongst the best of the year.

Dylan: My only concern is that I don’t have high enough expectations. Everytime I see the trailer, I get a little chubby in my pantaloons. Seeing it A.S.A.P.

Fil: I’m very obviously excited about this.  Hopefully some people (JAMES) don’t hype it too much.  Definitely going to see this tonight, go see it and form your own opinions people. Continue reading


Jul 10 2010

Taking Stock: 7/9/2010

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  If it were last impressions, these would be reviews.

Despicable Me

James: The trailers look cute but forgettable and I’m still not 100% sure what this is even about.  I’m predicting this to be a decent rental.

Benn:  Looks fun, but not my thing really.

Dylan: I’m not really sure why I should care about this movie. There are yellow freaks and Steve Carell and that’s about all I gathered from the trailer. Not the top movie on my list.

Fil: I think this might be kind of a fun movie to see.  Not exactly something I expect greatness out of, but it might surprise us.  Focusing on the ancillary characters in trailers is usually a bad sign though. <-Formatting error…or subtle hint that my opinion is more important?

Anna: The teasers looked like shit, but I recently saw a full trailer and it looked fun. I’d give it a try.

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Jul 7 2010

Micmacs: A Tire-Larigot

Light-hearted fun, but not much else. 2.5 out of 4

“Micmacs” is a French word similar to “knick-knacks”, as in “a little of this, a little of that.”  In many ways, this describes Jean Pierre Jeunet’s latest film pretty well, as its made up of charming little ideas, yet doesn’t add up to anything all-too substantial.

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Jul 2 2010

Taking Stock: 7/2/2010

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

James: What do I say about Twilight that hasn’t been said on this site 100 times already?  The trailer looks better than the first two?  That doesn’t take much.

Benn:  You know what?  I’ve said everything that needs to be said about this terrible, terrible thing.  Google “Fur and Loathing, Lock Stock” for my summation of “Twilight.”

Dylan: I’ve heard this is the best of the Twilight movies thus far. It’s like ranking S.T.D’s in order of most tolerable. This represents all that is bad in the world.

Fil: I, for one, am so excited about this.  GO TEAM BUFFY!

Anna: All I’m going to say is that there was a trailer for this before Iron Man 2. Everybody in the theater made noises of disgust. I joined in.

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Jun 26 2010

Podcast 25: Bum Raps

On this episode we talk about movies that we thought got an unfair bum rap. Benn defends Alien 3, James defends Lady in the Water, and Fil defends Knowing.

As usual the podcast is available for download on iTunes and Podcast Alley. Please leave a review there if you haven’t yet, we need more listeners. And you can always listen to it right here on our web page.


Jun 24 2010

Taking Stock: 6/25/2010

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Knight and Day

James: Cruise looks to be kind of back on his game, but Diaz looks way out of place. I guess that’s the point, but I’m still not too interested.

Benn:  Diaz is terrible, but Cruise looks like he’s having fun, and that goes a long way.  I won’t be lining up for the film, but I’ll say this, “Hey, its better than ‘The Killers’.”

Dylan: I remember when the early trailer came out that made this film look like a comedy/action flick. Cruise was playing a goofy character which works for him now (especially after Tropic Thunder). But now they’ve made it look like an action flick and I’ve lost all interest in seeing it.

Fil: Yeah this looks kind of fun. I mean, it’s not something I’d seek out, but it looks better than The Killers. Then again, watching paint peel was probably better than that film.

Anna: Looks kinda fun.

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Jun 23 2010

Naked Lunch

A bit disjointed now and then, but absolutely fascinating and well done. 3/4

“Writing,” William Lee (Peter Weller) says, “is a dangerous thing.”  I imagine he says this because writing is an act of introspection, and if you’re anything like Lee, what lies beneath is a surrealistic, Beat nightmare that is as fascinating as it is insatiably weird.

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Jun 18 2010

Taking Stock: 6/17/2010

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  (Fil bases his on third impressions and wikipedia)

Toy Story 3

James: My love for Pixar is endless, and these characters are the ones that started it all (well technically a VHS of their previous shorts was, but you get the idea).  I already have plans to see this Friday night.

Benn:  Come on, did you not read my review?

Dylan: Pixar can do no wrong. I’ve never seen a bad Pixar film and I don’t think I’ll be seeing on any time soon. See it!

Fil: Do I really need to say anything about this?  I don’t know anyone who hates Pixar.  I’m sure I’ll see this at some point, and I’ll love it.

Anna: I’ll be seeing this after I get home from Sacramento. Pixar hasn’t failed yet. I’ve been waiting eagerly ever since it was rumored on IMDB.

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Jun 14 2010

All Dressed Up With Nothing To Say

In an unfortunate summer that has yet to make a real impression on anyone, the lavish, designer label-laden Sex in the City 2 has garnered a bit of attention for being a critical and commercial failure.  Not only is it a terrible, but the content of the film has ruffled many a feather due to its obsession with fashion, wealth and its unabashed adherence to stereotypes long thought negative towards feminism.

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