Sorry, Chuck Norris – Liam Neeson’s Face Can Kick Your Ass Any Day…

Now, I haven’t even seen The Grey yet, but it’s getting decent reviews and this is Neeson’s what, third or fourth action movie role where he’s basically not taking any crap from anything on two (and now four) legs. Meanwhile, Old Fart, Texas Walker hasn’t made a decent film in ages, is shilling a janky exercise machine on late-nite infomercials, stumping for desperate political candidates who need an old-ass “star” power endorsement and oh yeah, he might be playing World of Warcraft. *snore…*

Yeah, yeah… so what if he’s a BIG internet meme with a huge following from back when he was younger, stronger and starring in some bad-ass action flicks where he always came out ahead. Whatever. I always see him as the hairy guy who got a beat-down he didn’t get up from in Way of the Dragon, so perhaps I’m a little biased. Anyway, I’m sure Chuck-O can lay out Liam in an actual fistfight (at some point), but I’d bet he’d break a hip throwing that knockout punch. And hell, you’re not taking down any Irishman without a good fight, last time I heard…

Random Film Of The Week: A Matter Of Life and Death (Stairway to Heaven)

(thanks, littleiceage!)

A Matter of Life and Death_MPI’d heard about this classic 1946 British film from a few people over the years (it was released in the US as “Stairway to Heaven”, a title disliked by the directors), but thanks to TCM, last night I finally got the chance to see this Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger gem and it’s about as perfect a movie as I can recommend to anyone. This isn’t a review at all, but more of a quick recommendation.

Check out the great sequence above and track down a copy somewhere, add it to your Netflix or other (LEGAL) film download queues and give it a look as soon as possible, I say. As with Powell and Pressburger’s other films for The Archers, the visual style, use of color (the amazing Technicolor work and scene transitions from color to black & white are flawless) and of course, the story and acting are all on point. Additionally, the stunning cinematography by Jack Cardiff makes for some memorable artistic moments where it counts.

(BTW, Powell’s The Red Shoes also comes highly recommended if you’ve never seen it and makes a stellar companion piece to Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, as both contain similar thematic elements)

TCM Remembers 2011: Fallen Stars Bring Back Wishes Of Film Dreams

It’s pretty safe to say that if I wasn’t writing so much about video games, I’d probably be writing about film. These days, there are so many great cinema scribes out there that do that a lot better than I do in terms of covering the medium, so I reserve my talents to the interactive as I believe that a great game can have the same impact as a great film, book or other slice of entertainment that touches a few emotions. Growing up in front of the TV or at the movies for a good chunk of time exposed me to quite a lot of great actors,  directors, writers and other talents in the film industry and as the years pass, some of these people fade away into history leaving only their work on screen as a legacy. Each year, Turner Classic Movies runs a nice tribute video on stars of stage and screen who have passed away and 2011 was pretty sad for film fans across the globe. I actually didn’t know some of these people had died, but I’m glad to have seen them at their best in some truly memorable films…

Yes, There’s A Call of Cthulhu Film (And It’s Actually Quite Good)…

Just when you think you’re a horror film fan who’s seen everything, there’s this over at Fandor: a short film based on H.P. Lovecraft’s seminal cosmic horror tale work that looks as if was made early in the last century that’s surprisingly well-done and effective. Hell, it’s by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society, so of course it’s going to be good (and true, friend… all true). You can even buy stuff, er, ARTIFACTS from the Lovecraft Society, so make sure to support them in their good works, kind sirs and madams… Continue reading

FREE Movie Tickets (ACT FAST)… If You’re In New York City, That Is…

If you’re in the NYC area and want something really cool and FREE to do and see this coming July 13, check this offer out from New York-Tokyo.com:

FREE Movie Ticket giveaway to the NY premiere screening of the award-winning Japanese film “VILLAIN”. 7PM, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Big Cinemas Manhattan in New York City!

HOW: Head over to the New York -Tokyo Facebook page and LIKE them for your FREE ticket.
Under the VILLAIN FREE Ticket header, write either “one ticket” or “two tickets”. Simple.

Film Review: POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold


Advertising isn't new to entertainment at all, folks. In fact, in the last century, both radio and TV broadcasts were sponsored by major companies pushing everything from cigarettes to cars to cereal and dishwashers. Soap operas were in fact, heavily reliant on pushing laundry detergent to a mostly female audience (though that selling point was phased out over time, the name stuck). However, these days, it's gotten to an over-saturation point where too many films,TV and even news shows are non-stop advertisements for nearly everything held, eaten or otherwise remotely handled by their casts.

Director Morgan Spurlock is no stranger to throwing himself head first into his documentary projects as a more than eager human guinea pig and in POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, he dives into the rather shifty world of product placement and manages to pop up smelling like roses and shilling to the masses simultaneously. The film is a hilarious peel back the curtains “Doc-buster” on how advertising agencies along with Hollywood film and TV studios have turned nearly every form of entertainment or information source into stationary or moving ads for thousands of popular products. If you've ever wondered about why you're seeing all those familiar foods, cars, clothes and tech toys called out by name or lovingly displayed in your favorite shows, films and news, you'll want to drop that remote and go buy a ticket to this instant classic.Read more »