http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/ Movie Miscellany & More en-us Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:57:41 GMT CakePHP http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/quiet-please/ Okay, this is why I dislike going to a movie on Friday night. The girlfriend and I went to see the next class of the Performing Arts in the movie, Fame. And sure enough, week two Friday night crap ensues. First, the movie is held in the sketchy screen at the back of the movie theatre so that Toy Story and Toy Story 2 could take up the theatre with the Digital Projector. And that left the two other releases from this week in the main theatre and the third stadium seating theatre. So already we're predisposed to crappy conditions but NOOOOO this night had to get even "better." Alright, we're a bit early, no stop at the candy counter because we just ate dinner and okay there are a few people there already. First, there's a family on the right with the wall to their backs … a safe defensive position; then there are the requisite Fame wannabes... taking a row further down from the family. Then on the left is Granny … who quite possibly hasn't been to see a movie in a quarter century … staring at us as we enter the theatre. I could almost hear her cackling to herself like the old witch Hazel from the Loony Toons. Since she's in the last row nearest the door we skip a row or two and sit near the wall. We get to chatting while we watch the movie slides. Okay … get some NEW slides. I have read each and every one of these a hundred times. UGH! The theatre owner should at least pony up for a digital version … those download the latest movie trivia for our pre-previews entertainment. By the second time through the slides the theatre starts to fill up a bit and I begin to entertain the hope that it'll be a respectful crowd. Alas… Next, two ladies move in directly behind us. Most people sit so that those nearest you won't be discomfited by their presence. You sit behind empty chairs. You take off your coats before sitting down. You open your candy before the movie. Not these two women. Nope … I thought the one lady was going to strangle herself when she attempted to take off her coat which was trapped under her ass. One arm off and pulled around her neck while she struggled with the second arm, this was easily a scene out of an old magician's act. You know the one … where they try to escape from the straight jacket before their air runs out in the box. It was a close one. Sadly her companion was completely useless in administering any aid. "Do this. Move here," she offered. I really just wanted to say, "Get your ass off it and then you can breathe again." But in this day, good Samaritans are seldom rewarded. After several more people enter and the two women behind us finish settling themselves, sure enough someone enters the row in front of us. My god … how much candy do you need for ONE PERSON. This old lady is carrying enough to replenish the honor box at her work. The woman we presume is her daughter is loaded with a similar amount. Ah, they alight and there it is … the start sound for every movie … the subtle shifting of the projector port glass as the projectionist enters the booth then the sound of the projector starting up followed by the first commercial hitting the screen. Commercial?!! Yup, someone realized that the theatre audience is a captive audience because you can't skip these commercials like you can on your TV thanks to DVRs. And so I must endure a Sprint ad … and a couple of more … for the life of me I can't unsuppress them from my memory. A much, much funnier Sprint Commercial: WOOT!!! Previews! Finally! Previews are the only legitimate "commercials" that should precede a film. I don't care if the commercial is a music video for the Marines or the latest hybrid from GM, they do not belong in the theatre. And of course, during the previews, the two ladies behind us and Granny all start chattering. HEY! No lights mean SHUT, THE HELL, UP! You better be dying back there. So help me … And don't you know … they keep it up right through the opening of the movie and Debbie Allen's big speech to the new freshman class. Supposedly they accepted 200 students out of thousands and only gave the speech to about 30. But hey, I barely caught that over the Chatterlys. Finally, they subdue themselves after several people hush them … including themselves. Huh? Idiots. We watch the movie … not worth reviewing because really it's just "Fame, A New Class" … and things finally quiet down. I didn't know Kelsey Grammer is in the movie along with Megan Mullally and Lilith … er, Bebe Neuwirth. Good cameos. Still not worth reviewing but hey, Megan does belt out a song later. So moving along and during the lulls you can hear the chairs squeaking (sketchy theatre) and the sighs and the thinking … yes, many were thinking they should be watching Zombieland in theatre 1 right now. "Oh, no, I'll just take this seat on the end so you don't have to move." Granny? When did she leave and come back? And why is she now doing a Stage Whisper that the people in the next theatre could hear? It took her a solid 2 minutes of yammering to apologize to two people who sat in her row. Park it lady! Zip it! Finally, the movie's just about to finish and you could hear them all prepping to stand and bail. Squeaking chairs, restless clothing on clothing sounds, and god forbid, Granny or one of the women behind us have to speak up about how they are going to get themselves together to leave. The movie ends and unlike many movies this one has people dancing about and their names popping up next to them. I usually pay attention to these so I can tell who's who and put names to faces. Not this time … NOOOOO … the two women in front of us pop up and proceed to block out the sun. Not just the movie but the sun as well. Then to top it off the daughter feels the need to clear trash from their candy haul via my row. To do so she violates my personal space and starts grabbing boxes off the ground in front of my feet. So I miss the name of the spunky friend to Kay Panabaker, a Miss Anna Maria Perez de Tagle. Even if I had seen it, damn, I don't read that fast … thank you, IMDB. I couldn't for the life of me remember Lilith's real name so I was waiting to see that … again thank you IMDB. People need to relearn their manners … theatre etiquette … hell, any etiquette. Now, you might be saying, "If it bothers you that much, why go to the theatre?" I go to the movies for the same reason people go to pro football games in zero degree weather in an open stadium in December … I prefer the real thing. Well, I think I would pass on Lambeau Stadium anytime after September but you get the point. I love movies. Movies are typically best seen on a big screen. See my IMAX homage. Next time we plan to go to a movie on Friday, it better be a damn good movie on opening night so the audience will respect it. Really, all that was missing from this outing was a cell phone going off, someone txting or take me back to the old days ... someone lighting up. Fri, Oct 2nd 2009, 20:19 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/spring-into-action-what-s-up-this-summer/ It's the first day of Spring. I sit here impatiently waiting for the release of the DVD for Quantum of Solace next week and begin to contemplate the next season, Summer Blockbusters. Definition: block-bust-er [blok-buhs-ter] A motion picture, novel, etc., esp. one lavishly produced that has or is expected to have wide popular appeal or financial success. The blockbuster movie season (May through July) is easily my most anticipated time of year. Last year was a rock solid season of top notch movies. This summer is shaping up rather nicely. MAY Enter the Wolverine: The badass of the X-men returns but we explore his origin. It took Marvel years and years to finally show us the origin of the man codenamed Wolverine, er… Weapon-X, er… Logan. But the ever growing Marvel Studios has decided waltz out the clawed-one's full back-story after three movies. Hugh Jackman returns … that by-the-way might be the only actor who was suitable for the part even though he's ridiculously tall compared to the squat comic book character … as the immensely popular adamantium augmented mutant superhero. But what could be truly interesting about this movie is the cast of people playing the other superheroes/supervillains in this movie. Liev Schreiber as Sabertooth – The jury's still out on this. He's not big enough to play the character from the comics. His normal acting demeanor isn't nearly intense enough to fit the raw ferocity and anger of the character. However, he might just make his mark on the character and bring it home. We'll see. Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool – Now this is spot-on perfect casting here. Truthfully, I can't think of a single actor who can portray the former mercenary so well. There are a plethora of character actors who are aptly suited to their roles. And we see many Marvel characters in the movie. The Blob, Gambit, Cyclops, Emma Frost (White Queen) to name a few. On May 1st Marvel unleashes the Wolverine. View the Trailer Return of the Trek: Gene Roddenberry was a genius who conceived of a future many people still can't. A future where the planet is united under one government. Paramount has built a huge empire from Gene's vision. Now, they hand the reins to a new production company (Bad Robot Productions), a new cast but the old show. Heeeeeeeee's BACK! Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation Starship USS Enterprise returns as the central character to the Next, Next Generation of Star Trek. And you can stop looking for Bill Shatner, he's not in it. Nope. The newest generation of actors is a who's who of up-and-comers in Hollywood. However, Leonard Nimoy makes an appearance. On May 8th, we bear witness to the story of James T. Kirk's rise to premier captain of Star Fleet. View the Trailer Batman vs. Terminator: Christian Bale enters another movie franchise and takes on the future as John Connors. I'm undecided on this. I like Bale. He's a damned fine actor who really puts himself into his roles. However, the franchise had a major set back when Arnold took it one to many. Even with the TV show to bolster the franchise can it really get its glory back? I mean, who doesn't love a post-apocalyptic movie but can it really be the blockbuster we hope it can? There's only one unwavering point in all of this … Michael Ironside. Too many questions here, but on May 21st, I plan to find out if Terminator Salvation has what it takes. View the Trailer JUNE The Decepticons Strike Back: Some people actually learn from the past. It would appear that Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay have taken a page from their buddy George Lucas and put together a spectacular plot for their 2nd release of what is now going to be a Transformers Trilogy. Awesome! The majority of the cast is back, Shia, Megan, Josh, John, Tyrese and Kevin as well as voice talent Peter, Hugo, Darius, Robert, Jess and Charles. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen sounds a lot like Empire Strikes Back and what a story this could be. From all accounts this second edition could easily outstrip the first. I went to see Transformers several times. It is third among movies I have seen multiple times at the theatre with only Iron Man and Spider-Man beating it. And unlike the first movie, this one releases to IMAX immediately on June 26th. View the Trailer Thu, Mar 19th 2009, 22:12 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/one-down-007-to-go/ I fully expect to see this movie a few more times in the near future. But, you'll have to wait a day or so for my full impression. So, you are prolly wondering why I am posting today and what I plan to talk about. Well, for starters I am going to give you a primer in Sweaty Bond's latest movie. Bond Girls: I've compared the Man from the old to the new but let's look at the evolution of some of the other elements of a Bond film. First, the Girl… Bond girls have always been beautiful and stunning. Some are simply for looks and others are much more. Let's peek at the newest two. Camille Montes – played by Olga Kurylenko Camille is a two part girl. We meet her in Haiti and then she's not seen for a while. At first blush she looks the part of female window dressing. Someone Bond needs to save frequently which he does. Then we meet her cagey other half and by the end of the movie we think she can hold her own. Olga, a Ukrainian beauty, plays a Bolivian who simply wants revenge for the murder of her parents and sister. Okay, driven female who wants revenge… believable … but is a Ukrainian beauty believable as a Bolivian beauty? Truthfully, it works. A quick tan and some vocal coaching and it all comes together. Strawberry Fields – played by Gemma Arterton I don't recall her first name coming up in the movie. I do recall Bond questioning her on the name and her replying, "Just Fields." Fields is a character I thought might be a solid recurring character for the movies. She is an intelligent but easily persuaded MI-6 employee who could easily be the new Moneypenny. However, considering where the movie took her I don't think the producers and I were on the same page. Personally, I would have liked to see more of her in the movie. Gemma, like Olga, is another fresh face to movies. In fact, she's starring in another video game turned movie called The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Sadly, that's 2 years away and is a video game movie. [My thoughts on Video Game Movies] Remarkably, Gemma held up against the brooding Daniel Craig. Bond gets around ... Settings: We start in Italy just a short time after the ending of Casino Royale. They show us some remarkable scenery and remind me why I play some of those car racing video games from time to time. Then we get a tour of Siena. Albeit, it's a roof top tour with some architecture and local color thrown in, but it was cool looking. Then after a short stop home (London) we travel to Haiti. This is where I feel the director paying some small homage to the Bourne series. He enters a hotel that reminds me of a fight scene from The Bourne Ultimatum. I'll have more on that after I see the movie again. We get a bit of boat action with Olga and the bad guys in chase scene number two of the movie. A brief interlude at a Modern Art Opera in Austria introduces us to the bad guys some more. It was quite the stylish locale, a huge open air amphitheater with hundreds in attendance. A brief visit with Mathis provides us with a nice villa view in a random setting. Then it's time to fly to La Paz, Bolivia. Upon arriving we see the sites briefly and enter a really nice hotel. From the hotel it's off for a quick stop at a party hosted by the bad guys at another swank but old building where we hook up again with Olga. We ride along to the Atacama desert of Bolivia where Bond acquires a plane to see what the bad guys are up to. Before you know it, we're in a sinkhole. A short walk out of the desert leads us back to his hotel. Things get hectic again as Bond escapes into the seedier section of La Paz, and again we're thrilled by some running and jumping through the city. After another explosive trip to the desert we take an unexpected trip to Russia ala Bourne Supremacy but we don't get to see much. So you can see that Bond still gets around and in style with charter planes and Aston Martins mixed with much more mundane modes of travel such as cargo planes, mountain bikes, rickety wood boats, and oddly a Ford SUV. The Villains: So among all of that, where's the huge villains' lair that none of the governments know anything about and only Bond can find? Truthfully, this was a hokey concept in the old Bond movies. Now-a-days, the bad guys operate using the latest communications technology and don't need to sit around a goofy large boardroom like table. Let's compare the old group, SPECTRE, and today's Quantum. SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) was led by a single man, Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The Austin Powers character, Dr. Evil, is based on Blofeld. Quantum is led by a multinational group of powerful individuals. SPECTRE had an island base where they trained their minions. Quantum seems to be loosely connected so far. We'll see if they have the hidden base stashed someplace. Perhaps in the Arctic or Antarctic where spy satellites would never look. So far it would appear that anyone attached to Quantum of any power has an identity based on a color; first Mr. White and then Dominic Greene. Of course, SPECTRE used the number hierarchy for their minions. Then there are the names of the organizations. While Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion is just too much, the name still sounded much better then the new Quantum. [see my rant] Alright, stay tuned for the full review. I head to see the movie for the second time in 30 minutes. Sun, Nov 16th 2008, 09:09 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/double-o-seven/ Thursday, November 13th I have been waiting for this day. It's a Thursday. I edit the Buffalo Bills Kenny show today but that's not what I've been waiting for. I have two design concepts to do for local businesses but that's not what I've been waiting for. Nope, I've been waiting for the Quantum of Solace Preview Night. First, let me just say how much I love Preview Nights. Why? You see, I love going to movies that have fans in the audience. You don't just go to a movie at MIDNIGHT on a Thursday for the hell of it. No sirree. You go because, like me, you've been waiting for it. You need to see it. And you want to share this moment with people who also need to see it. [MINI-RANT] Okay, the rating system for movies is there for a reason, people. R-rated movies and young children ... some parents need to be smacked upside the back of the head until they get it. A guy brought his 10-year-old or less kids to see Rambo which is quite possibly the goriest main stream film I've seen in some time. Just a few of these for example: [/END MINI-RANT] Opening nights are close, but you get the punks and the talkers or worse the moronic idiots who bring their way to young kids to an R-rated movie. Who then proceed to whine and yammer because they don't get the movie and should have been left home. [see rant at right] Preview Nights are you standing in a line outside the theatre in the cold waiting for the manager to open the doors so the 4 people wearing cloaks and sporting elf ears can rush the doors and nearly bowl over the manager. Of course, this never happened but you just wait until they release the Hobbit. You gather your buds, who are typically just as big a fan of the movie as you are. You show up early so there's little line between you and warmth. You chat with everyone about the movie you are finally about to see. Then it's time. Now, I mention all of this because it's 12:30am and the only preview playing in the area is in Rochester ... yes, I normally drive to see movies at the IMAX but not typically at midnight ... and besides I couldn't get anyone to go with me who didn't have to go to school the next day ... sorry kids. No movie for Thom. Damn. Oh, I checked. I checked the movie listings (located in my links at right or here if you are too lazy to go find it) and I called the Geneva Movieplex's machine. Then, just in case this was all a bad dream, I called the theatre's direct number. You know what, I hate being in a bad dream. So, now plan B. The kids are dying to see this movie as well and I've cleared extra time with the ex-wife to take them to see the movie tomorrow before I deliver them. And, yes, they will be hopped up on caffeine and sugar before I dump them at her house. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! My kids and Bond Heh. Truthfully, they despise the old Bond stuff. Well, maybe not the Pierce Brosnan stuff but try to watch ol' Sean or Roger around the house and poof, they vanish or on rare occasions whine about it in a vane attempt to get me to change the channel. But, Sweaty Bond, Daniel Craig ... As I have mentioned before, the new Bond formula is a page taken from the Bourne files. The dashing, suave Bond of the old days is gone. No, now we have the dangerous, unpredictable top field agent Bond who gets hurt and dirty and likes it. This Bond is modern. No quirky Q (though I miss the ol' chap) and no gimmicky and obviously-going-to-be-used-in-this-movie gadgets. And while I imagine that the antics of Bond in any era are far from real, the new movies have a the feel of realism. We suspend disbelief easier. So you see, this is what my kids have been bred upon. Movies like the Bourne series (the kids are in their late teens so don't worry) and even older ones like Die Hard bring the hero much closer to the ground. They get dirty. They get hurt. And they could even die. This they understand. So tomorrow we head off to see Daniel Craig get the crap kicked out of him again and hopefully avenge Vesper. Wish us luck and I'll tell you all about it. In case you didn't see the previews all over the television: Thu, Nov 13th 2008, 21:34 GMT http://blogs.fingerlakes1.com/thoms-movie-mania/feelings-get-you-killed-or-do-they/ Over time movie goers get set in their ways and tend to avoid going to see movies outside their comfort zone. Movie ticket prices continue to rise and NetFlix packages keep getting cheaper. You now understand that for me it's not often that I take the time to see a Western. Appaloosa Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and Everitt Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) watch the bad guys. Reasons I went to see this movie: Ed Harris stars as Virgil Cole, hired lawman/gunslinger. Ed is a huge selling point for any movie. He's a solid actor who gives performances well above the caliber of the movies he's in. I'm confident you remember at least one movie you like that stars Ed Harris. There are certainly enough gems in his resume. Ed Harris directs the movie. Cool. This is his second movie as director. He first directed Pollock (2000) which he also starred in. Viggo Mortensen stars as Everitt Hitch, Virgil's partner. Viggo is the silent star. His characters say everything in a hushed tone that amazingly conveys more then most actors. Jeremy Irons plays the bad guy, Randall Bragg. Let's face it; Jeremy is a damn good bad guy. In this one I think he's a bit more ruthless then in other movies. Bad guys need to be ruthless. Things that brought this movie down a notch: Ed Harris wrote the movie. Alright, Ed is obviously expanding his selection of hats to wear for a movie. The story was solid but unfortunately, it was also boring in spots. Ed, you and Robert Knott need to develop this new hat of yours. Maybe take another hat off when trying on a new one. Renée Zellweger plays a down on her luck widow, Allison French. The simple addition of Renee to any movie is a downer for me. I don't like her. Never have. Sorry Renee, but damn, you looked like crap in this movie as well. Lance Henriksen plays gunslinger Ring Shelton. Let me be clear, the reason Lance is located in the not so good section is because Ed didn’t utilize him nearly as effectively as Lance can be used. Lance is from a similar mold to Ed. More Lance time equals a much better movie, unless it's Alien vs. Predator. You should have passed on AVP, Lance. You did your duty to the Alien series. Let's talk story and plot: Truthfully, this is a fairly standard story for a western. Bad guy usurps local authority and kills local lawmen. Town gets new blood to take on the bad guy. However, the plot does divert from the standard line and shows us the dynamic between two partners who are excellent at their jobs because they work together so well and what happens when one of them comes across a reason to make the new job personal. Virgil and Everitt have been doing their thing for a long time. You get shown this in the setup of the film during their interview with the town elders. And, everything runs smoothly at first. Bad guys are put on notice. New order is established in town. Then bam, Mrs. French literally steps off the train and starts complicating things. Women in westerns are frequently portrayed as the foil to the gunslinger. No surprises so far. Except, this woman moves fast, really, fast. Next thing you know she's buying a house with Virgil; an interesting plot development. Here comes the boring part. Things move so slowly for a bit. The tension mounts but in a trickle. It's almost like the bad guys said, "Damn, the new marshal has a girlfriend. We better leave the town alone for now." Boom, we're back to the action. Well, sort of. It's more like a "pop" then a boom but at least we're back to the action. Confusion mounts as the good guys and the bad guys co-mingle for a bit because of Native American intervention. Western honor is tested. Things proceed toward a climax ... a big shootout which provides us with a great pair of lines: Everitt: "That was quick." Virgil: "Yeah, everybody could shoot." Then things slow down again and you begin to wonder how the movie will end. Will there be violence? Will Mrs. French get killed? Boy, I was hoping. Then hurray, we get a good ending. Sorry, no details. Finish up: Okay, catch this movie at a matinee or rent it later. It's worth a watch. It's not Unforgiven but hell, that's a tough act to follow. I don't think I will buy it on DVD but perhaps one day when it's in the bargain bin I'll think about it. Mon, Nov 3rd 2008, 08:29 GMT