(Not So) Random Film of the Week: Melancholia

Posted on December 23, 2012 by geelw

Quite possibly the best end of the world movie to date (provided you aren’t expecting something along the lines of an Irwin Allen-style Hollywood blockbuster packed to the gills with overpaid celebrities), Lars von Trier’s Melancholia is also a surprisingly beautiful film despite the fact that everyone dies at the end. Er… Surprise!

Actually, the film spells its not so big secret out in the stunning opening montage and its two acts play out in operatic fashion as things unwind in the lives of two sisters and how they deal with the impending disaster. Even though you know what’s going to happen, von Trier’s focus on the pair and the more intimate events in their small part of the world makes for compelling viewing that keeps you watching until the very end. Even if you don’t like some of the director’s previous films, this is one of those essentials that’s not as depressing as you’d think thanks to some excellent performances all around and some truly gorgeous cinematography.

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Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer #2: A Few Pros & Khans

Posted on December 18, 2012 by geelw

Checklist time! OK, let see now: handsome guys glowering into the camera? Check. More jumping off high places than in the first film? Check. Literally splashy CG effects all over the place? Check. Possible plot spoilers in the trailer just to get butts into seats to confirm it all (even though the obligatory script leak is coming soon?) CHECK.

OK, I’m sold, but I still have a few pesky problems. Why the Uhura smooch? What’s up with that too damn bright Enterprise Bridge? Damn thing looks like a new fast food restaurant. Can’t anyone keep the ship from getting knocked out of the sky (if that IS the Enterprise hitting the water in that impressive shot)? Is everyone running all the time because the teleporters aren’t working (again)? Did the swooning Benedict Cumberbatch fans (who seem to primarily be 15 year old girls who write some really saucy fan fiction) actually go see him in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (OK, not a Trek-related question, but I’m curious about their viewing habits). Actually, none of these are important questions at all – I’m just killing time until the next trailer comes out. I need to go re-watch the first film J.J. directed anyway, as I’ve only seen it once and I think I missed a few things…

Random Film of the Week: Never Give a Sucker an Even Break

Posted on December 14, 2012 by geelw

I’ve decided to keep things a bit lighter on such a heavy day here and not post reviews of a couple of games just out of common courtesy, Anyway, time for some much-needed comedy:

For his final encore (that’s a little vaudeville joke there, I think), the great W.C. Fields created one of the more surreal comedies of the era that’s just as quirky today as it must have been back when it was originally released. 1941’s Never Give a Sucker an Even Break is the not quite true, but very true story of Fields’ problems in getting his often outrageous for the time comedies past brainless executives and censors who deemed his material too wild for movie audiences. Playing himself, the film is basically Fields trying to sell a screenplay he’s written to a producer at the aptly named Esoteric Pictures with scenes from the script turning into some pretty bizarre and hilarious stagings thanks to some really fun special effects work and plenty of Fields’ comic genius.

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New G.I. Joe Retaliation Trailer: What, Still No Bulletman?

Posted on December 14, 2012 by geelw

And hey, where’s the Intruder? Anyway, after some reworking and a rather long delay (wasn’t this supposed to come out this year?), that G.I. Joe sequel is getting an official release date. It’s definitely much better looking than the first film and as you can see, they’re serious about the star-power on display. Hmmm, I wonder what the paychecks for the principals were? Bruce Willis has another Die Hard flick hitting theaters as well, so I’m guessing he’s saving up for a new boat or something. Or two boats. or a year’s supply of Headblades. I’m so glad he’s not an expensive toupee and Botox-using action guy like some others who will remain unnamed in this post. The man looks better as he is, I say…

OK, OK, I’m not really planning to see this in a theater, but it looks like it would be a heck of a lot of fun to catch on cable on a rainy Saturday or something. Some of these action flicks based on toys and comics are instant classics, but I’m not sure all the writing in the world or Willis and The Rock can save the fact that we’re looking at a film based on toys, er action figures that became a comic and an animated show, all of which were geared to kids who’d probably not be allowed to see it if it were released back when the toys first came out. Yeah, sometimes I think WAY too much about this stuff, but I just can’t take the Joes as seriously as some people who toss them up on a pedestal as some sort of ideal hero figure. Eh, whatever – pass the popcorn. I may as well enjoy the ride when I do get to see it.

Pacific Rim Trailer: What It Is and What It’s Not (A Handy Guide)…

Posted on December 12, 2012 by geelw

Let’s see now, based on this rather action-packed UK trailer, Guillermo Del Toro’s PACIFIC RIM is not:

a) A reality show about a custom tire shop in sunny California.
b) Anything resembling a porn film made in sunny California. Or anywhere else, for that matter.
c) For people who don’t like movies with and about giant robots beating the snot out of giant monsters and such.

I think that’s all you need to know for now (there may be a test later)… oh yeah, Earth Defense Force fans are probably happier about this one that your average film fanatic. It’s going to be a really crazy summer next year with all these cool flick hitting theaters, that’s for sure…

The Man of Steel Trailer 2: The Pros & Cons of Being Super, Man…

Posted on December 11, 2012 by geelw

I’ll admit that the first trailer left me a bit cold, but I rather like this new one for a few reasons. Sure, it’s still going for a more emotional Superman (Oh, the humanity! Wait – how does he shave that lumberjack beard he’s got?) and yup, I still don’t like that drained out color palette (the most overused visual style in films these days), but some of the scenes were nicely done and I’ll admit to getting a little shiver when those pebbles started moving around before Supes goes airborne. I’m actually pleased that Michael Shannon is in the flick (as what looks to be a villain of sorts) as he’s got one of those interesting faces that lends itself to all sorts of roles (he’d make a GREAT Mike Hammer if someone got around to doing a film or TV series).

Anyway, with Chris Nolan behind the scenes and hopefully, director Zack Snyder getting over the disaster that was Sucker Punch (I still can’t make heads or tails of it other than as some sort of a hottie showcase reel), this could be a pretty awesome film. DC needs a nice new flick now that the Batman films have run their course, so it’s up to The Man of Steel to be the next big thing (especially with Justice League film rumors popping up). Will it beat the 1977 film as the best take on the character? I’m no psychic, but I think both will be see as classics for their different eras when all is said and done…

After Earth Trailer: M. Night Shyamalan Rolls The Dice Yet Again…

Posted on December 11, 2012 by geelw

While this is a great looking trailer, I just KNOW there’s a collective “OK, which M. Night are we getting this time, folks?” rumbling all around the internet. Let’s see now, there’s “The clever twist you didn’t see coming!” one from his earlier works or the “Toss it all in a pot with a twist ending you don’t quite appreciate!” from a few films that some audiences didn’t “get” at all? Well, at least this upcoming film hits the right marks as far as its trailer nailing the popular sci-fi, future ruined earth and CG-packed action scenes stuff. We’ll have to see how well the father and son Smith team do here, as the trailer doesn’t make it clear whether dad is alive or dead after that horrific crash. I’m thinking that’s one twist, but as usual… we shall see…

Random Film of the Week (Corporate Edition): Rollerball

Posted on December 7, 2012 by geelw

So, I’m looking over the notes for my Prometheus plot dissection (which probably won’t be as critical as my picking apart of The Thing from a few months ago), and that fun GE robot ad pops up. While writing up that last post about it, I got to thinking about a few of my sci-fi flicks that had evil corporations running things unto the ground for the purposes of profit and proving class struggle is a useless pursuit.Oh, what a fun time that was (he said, depressingly).

Norman Jewison’s excellent Rollerball was one of the first films that popped into my head (along with Soylent Green and Logan’s Run in case you’re interested) and amusingly enough, it just so happens to have popped up on cable recently. For the younger crowd out there, stay FAR away from the truly terrible 2001 remake and check out the darker, more violent and surprisingly deep 1975 original.

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Star Trek: Into Darkness Teaser Trailers: Oh My!

Posted on December 6, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm. Nice teaser for the upcoming J.J. Abrams Star trek sequel – as usual, the Japanese trailer gets a few extra seconds of cool stuff. It looks like the delays and secrecy are going to pay off significantly for Trek fans, so let’s hope the film is not only better than the last one, it’s got more going for it than explosions and stars in assorted states of looking up at stuff. All kidding aside, I have to say I’m impressed but wary as almost every film I’ve seen this year has disappointed me in tiny to significant ways. Anyway, I’ll shut up and wait for a plot synopsis and scenes I can pore over for more detail. Of course, if there’s a Shatner cameo, I’ll lose a bet and have to listen to that Transformed Man LP for 24 hours straight. Eeek. Then again, I’m still not sure what’s more brain-warping to listen to – that or Leonard Nimoy’s equally oddball “Highly Illogical”. If you haven’t heard either, go look them up… but don’t say i didn’t warn you…

Jack the Giant Slayer Trailer: Well, It’s Got to At Least LOOK Better Than The Original…

Posted on December 6, 2012 by geelw

Whee! Another repost (but with some additions) – hey, I’m busy, so if you read this on the old blog already, sorry ’bout that! To those who haven’t yet – enjoy!

Hey, I’m old enough to remember seeing the original 1962 flick on TV a few times during the late 60’s and early 70’s, but even then, I thought it was pretty cheesy when it came to the special effects. That was thanks to seeing almost all of Ray Harryhausen’s best work by that time in much better films and noting my my smart little head right away that the “special” effects in Jack weren’t up to snuff. Hell, Alexander Korda’s classic1940 film The Thief of Bag(h)dad beats the original Jack by a few miles in terms of sheer visual punch. Anyway, some who view this trailer are crying “sacrilege!” or claiming Warner Bros has RUINED their childhood memories, but I say this new coat of CG paint might at least be a better film in terms of looks. OK, and acting as well, as I never could stand Kerwin Matthews as a lead. There was something about him was so wooden that the effects in the fantasy films he was in were more compelling (well, except for the ones in the original JtGK). We’ll see about the story and all that in a bit, I suppose…