Lock, Stock, and Two Film Geeks

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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In the past, horror has been a genre I wasn’t fond of.  It just wasn’t a set of films I really had much desire to pursue.  But as I’ve begun to run out of truly great films in some of the other genres, I found that the gaps in my viewing such as horror and foreign films were able to provide me the most enjoyable new watching experiences.  This is primarily because I had previously avoided some classics.  The discovery of films like The Thing, The Mist, and Let the Right One In have been some of my favorites of the last couple years.  So when I heard The Descent often placed alongside these other movies in respected critics’ favorite foreign films, I knew I had to check it out. Continue reading

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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Pixar does it AGAIN. 4/4

Just when I think I’ve outgrown Pixar films, they go and release a film like Toy Story 3.

The best cartoons are the ones that are made for kids, yet have something for the adults to enjoy, whether it’s a few well-disguised jokes that go past the kids’ heads, fascinating animation, or just good old-fashioned nostalgia.  It’s in this way that Pixar is the sneakiest of film companies: they don’t make cartoons, they make real films.  They just happen to be animated.

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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.  Also, if you can read this column, you have too much time on your hands.

Get Him to the Greek

James: Aldous Snow was the highlight of Forgetting Sarah Marshall for me.  I’d be down to see more of this character.

Benn:  Love Brand’s Aldous Snow character, but I’m not crazy about Jonah Hill in anything but very small roles.  Still, it just might be worth.

Dylan: I’m in a small minority that doesn’t think Russel Brand is entertaining. However, I did like Forgetting Sarah Marshall for reasons other than Brand, and P. Diddy (Diddy Dome Diddy Doo, or whatever he’s called now) looks kind of funny. If a group is going, I wouldn’t be opposed.

Fil:  Russell Brand was the best part of Forgetting Sarah Marshall (that bitch) – so if given a choice between this and anything else but Splice, I’d probably see this.

Anna: I really liked Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so I probably wouldn’t go into this kicking and screaming. But it’s really not worth the movie ticket.

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I remember pretty vividly the days when the approach of summer meant my favorite time of year for films.  I’d pull out the Calendar Summer Sneaks section of the Los Angeles Times and look through every movie that was on deck.  I even recall making a list of the things I just “had” to see that summer.  I wouldn’t say the appeal of summer blockbusters has gone away completely, an exciting, fun, action packed summer flick is still one of the most enjoyable things in the world for me.  But, I have become a bit more discerning, because just because a film is trying to be “fun,” doesn’t mean it can’t be well executed, have an interesting story, and feature engaging characters.  When I recently made my list of anticipated movies for this summer, I considered expanding it to 10 or featuring some honorable mentions, but when it came down to it, most of the movies beyond the first five were wild cards.  I hoped they’d be good but I had no amount of certainty that they were.  Amongst these considerations was Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the newest video game adaptation from producer Jerry Bruckheimer (reigning king of the summer blockbuster?)  Video game adaptations have never been good, it’s simply a fact.  But I’ll admit I’m a fan of Jerry Bruckheimer, having liked even some of his films that most have not, and I have fond memories of playing the original Prince of Persia on my first PC, so I had cautious hopes that I’d have a good time watching this movie.  So what’s the verdict? Continue reading

Alien, The Thing, and The Abyss take focus in our Isolation Sci-Fi podcast where we discuss a bit of horror, a bit of sci-fi, the combination thereof, and how extreme isolated situations have an effect on characters.

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.

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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.  Like the American Justice System.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time  

James: Because I’ve liked a lot of Bruckheimer films that even others have not, and because I have a nostalgia for the franchise, I may try to see this, this weekend.  But because of the mediocre reviews, it may not happen as well.  But if I see anything this weekend, it will be this.

Benn:  You know what, I don’t have a problem with the Disney/Bruckheimer adventure films; they’re easy fun and very enjoyable.

Dylan: The Bruckheimer/Disney Pirates films, though void of making any sense, were decent popcorn flicks. Kingsly is awesome, but I’m not sure about Gyllenhall. He doesn’t see like the action type of actor. If I’m dragged to this, I’ll do it without much complaining.

Fil:  You would think I’d be excited about this.  I love Pirates.  I love Bruckheimer.  But seriously – how the FUCK is Jake Gyllenhall a prince of PERSIA?  Also – the coolest thing about this (the parkour action) looks soooo bad.  No no no no no.

Anna: The only thing that barely tugs me about this movie is Kingsly, but I just don’t care to see another generic period/action/adventure/romance/CG piece. Continue reading

Haunting and Intimate: 3.5/4

You would expect a film titled sex, lies and videotape to be obscene, if not flat out pornographic.  And while there is virtually no sex and no nudity to speak of, the characters strip themselves bare through the art of intimate conversation.

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I don't get it.

Dear Diary:

Today, I finally decided to write the next column that I have been putting off for a few weeks.  Why?  Well, diary, it’s because when you write the same format for every movie all the time, sometimes you get bored.  Formulaic, if you will.  So, you have to spend a few weeks fighting crime in Thailand or meditating in Australia to get your creativity back.  Then, you sometimes have to get your passport and identification stolen, get accused of being an international crime lord, and finally have one or two of the cocaine balloons you’re currently smuggling inside your body burst and have to go through a crazy intense detox.

Whew, diary, that was refreshing.  Somewhat cathartic, too. Continue reading