Sunday, October 18, 2009

Genre: Comic Book Movies/ Video Game Movies

Genre: films that are adaptations of comic books or video games, and those films whose characters originated in those comics or video games. (Wikipedia)

Like: These movies give me a good fix for my Fantasy and Sci-Fi "addiction" that and most comic book/ video game characters are kick-ass.

Dislike: A lot time these movie stick too close to the comic book/video game and make a cheey and child-ish version.

Websites Top's:

AFI
Comic Book Movie
IGN
Filmsite
IMDb
Maxim
Rotten Tomatoes
Wikipedia: Films Considered the Greatest Ever

My Top Films In This Genre (alphabetical order):


Graphic Novel

300
A History of Violence
From Hell
Hellboy
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Road to Perdition, The
Sin City
V for Vendetta
Wanted
Watchmen

Superhero

Batman (1989)
Batman Begins
Dark Knight, The
Incredible Hulk, The
Iron Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2
Superman Returns
X2: X-Men United
X-Men

Video Game


Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
Hitman
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Mortal Kombat
Resident Evil
Silent Hill
Stay Alive
Super Mario Bros.
Tron

The Future of Comic Book Movies:

Marvel

Deadpool
Iron Man 2
Kick-Ass
Spider-Man 4
The Avengers
The First Avenger: Captain America
Thor
Venom
Wolverine 2

D.C.

Green Lantern, The
Jonah Hex
Lobo
Untitled next Batman film

Dark Horse

Conan
Hellboy 3
Sin City 2
Sin City 3
Umbrella Academy, The

Video Game

BioShock
Gears of War
God of War
Halo
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Resident Evil: Afterlife

Directors:

Sam Rami
Bryan Singer
Christopher Nolan
Zack Snyder
Tim Burton

Review: Where The Wild Things Are

Powered by IMDB

Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Distributor: Legendary Pictures(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer(s): Spike Jonze (screenplay), Dave Eggers (screenplay), Maurice Sendak (book)
Staring: Max Records, WILD THINGS VOICES: James Gandolfini, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Michael Berry Jr., Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language.
Running Time: 94 min (1 hr and 34 min)
Synopsis: An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story, where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert:
3 Stars
Michael Phillips: 4 Stars
EW: Lisa Schwarzbaum: A

Other Sites:

At The Movies: A.O. Scott: See It, Michael Phillips: See It
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 68% (Fresh), Top Critics: 68% (
Fresh), RT Community: 77% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 71 out of 100, Users: 7.7 out of 10
MRQE Metric: 72: (30.0% A, 40.0% B, 26.0% C, 3.9% D, and 0.0% F)
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B+ Users: B

My Review

Source Material: Based on Maurice Sendak's children book with the same title.

Acting and Dialogue: A: The performance were good and puppetry was even better. The voice actors were good but I doubt that they are the people in the suits creating those believable emotions and expressions.

Art Direction: A: The fantasy world Max creates is beautiful on it's own. So, I am glad that beauty was carried over form book to the film. It also helps that this film had the craftsmanship of the The Jim Henson Company working for them.

Cinematography: A+: The shot choice was down right awesome and beautiful.

Direction: A: The pace of the film was good and I like Spike Jonze style, if he keeps up the good work he could shimmy his way to my top ten list of filmmakers. This film seem like it going to be a good achievement in Spike Jonze career because he not not known for much but skater movies and commercials

Screenplay: B+: This is a very simple story. If my memory severs me correctly the book has less then fifteen pages and the word count is less that an average paragraph. But the plot is thicken with a wide range of human emotion. These emotion are played through the eye of child (MAX) via metaphorical representation (WILD THINGS). This film also did a great job at mixing homage to the book and creative freedom/ modernization.

Sound and Music: A: The sound track was complied of many "folk" type of musicians which brought the emotive language of the film out, making it a more powerful film.

VFX: A+: Fanatic, I love how it combined the old school technology from Labyrinth with today's CGI. The two technology created a very realistic environment. There were very few "fake"moments, if any at all.I hope to see some Oscar nomination in this category

Overall: A: This film not only fulfill my fantasy/ sic-fi "addiction" but it also hold it's own as a great drama. Notice I say drama, yes it is PG but it deals with some issues that children may not fully understand yet...Even though it is based on a children book doesn't mean the movie is also made for children. As far as my recommendation goes this film is technically a family film but I suggest that nobody under ten should see this film bases on the fact that they won't enjoy it.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Review: Whip It

Powered by IMDB

Title: Whip It
Distributor: United Artists (MGM)
Director: Drew Barrymore
Writer(s): Shauna Cross (screenplay), Shauna Cross (novel)
Staring: Ellen Page, Alia Shawkat, Kristen Wiig, Zoe Bell, Eve, Drew Barrymore, Andrew Wilson
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sexual content including crude dialogue, language and drug material.
Running Time: 111 min (1 hr and 51 min)
Synopsis: In Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert:
3 ½ Stars
Michael Phillips: 3 Stars
EW: Lisa Schwarzbaum: C+

Other Sites:

At The Movies: A.O. Scott: See It, Michael Phillips: See It
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 81% (Fresh), Top Critics: 83% (
Fresh), RT Community: 91% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 67 out of 100, Users: 7.1 out of 10
MRQE Metric: 70: (15.1% A, 53.4% B, 31.4% C, 0.0% D, and 0.0% F)
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B Users: B+

My Review

Source Material: Based on Shauna Cross' novel Derby Girl

Acting and Dialogue: A-: There is a great ensemble cast and on top of that Ellen Page brings a new and great character to screen, that I enjoyed.

Art Direction: B+: It had good art direction. It pulled off the "rocker-chick" image which encompass the entire the film.

Cinematography: B+: I thought the the shoot choice had a good mixture of up close and personal action shots versus wide let the action unfold shots.

Direction: B-: Because Drew Barrymore is an actor herself she was able to capture that bonding quality that actors, directors tend to have. It seem that everyone involved with the film was having a good time.

Screenplay: B: The story was a bit cliché but at the same time it hit home with the teenage mind set, therefore giving some substance to the story.

Sound and Music: B: Rock and Roller Derby go hand and hand so it fits the content of the film, so that's good.

VFX: C: None to commit on

Overall: B+: I enjoyed this film and I think most of you would too, especially if you enjoy indie film as much as me.

Review: Fame

Powered by IMDB

Title: Fame
Distributor: United Artists (MGM)
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Writer(s): Allison Burnett (screenplay), Christopher Gore (1980 film)
Staring: Kay Panabaker, Naturi Naughton, Kherington Payne, Asher Book, Cody Longo, Walter Perez, Collins Pennie, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Paul McGill, Paul Iacono
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language.
Running Time: 107 min (1 hr and 47 min)
Synopsis: An updated version of the 1980 musical, which centered on the students of the New York Academy of Performing Arts.

Other Reviews

Critics:

Roger Ebert: 2 Stars
Michael Phillips: 2 ½ Stars
EW: Lisa Schwarzbaum: C

Other Sites:

At The Movies: A.O. Scott: NA, Michael Phillips: See It
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 28% (Rotten), Top Critics: 35% (
Rotten), RT Community: 35% (Rotten)
Metacritic: Critics: 39 out of 100, Users: 5.5 out of 10
MRQE Metric: 47: (0.0% A, 23.3% B, 46.6% C, 27.6% D, and 0.0% F)
Yahoo Movies: Critics: C Users: B-

My Review

Source Material: American musical film which is a loose remake of the 1980 film of the same title.

Acting and Dialogue: C: A little better than the popular High Musical Series.

Art Direction: C: The end had the best art direction.

Cinematography: C: A little too fragmented for my taste.

Direction: C: the movie passing was on the fast side, it was one of those movies that gave you mostly the facts and little detail.

Screenplay: C: Again it seem fragmented, I think there could have been a lot more development on the characters, even with the main characters, I feel a bit disconnected.

Sound and Music: C+: Some catch songs but not as catch as most musicals.

VFX: C: None to commit on

Overall: C: Exception can be the biggest bummer. I expected a lot more from a musical movie but it never happened, so I saying not to see this one, sorry.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Genre: COMEDY

Genre: is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humor. (Wikipedia)

Like:
Good for a laugh and entertainment.

Dislike:
In a movie I believe you need to achieve three key things: great storytelling, aesthetically pleasing art, and entertaining. With most Comedies only the entertiament category is fulfilled.

Websites Top's:


AFI
IGN
Filmsite
IMDb
Maxim
Wikipedia: Films Considered the Greatest Ever


My Top Films In This Genre (alphabetical order):


COMEDY
(as a whole)

Big Lebowski, The
Clerks II
Dogma
Dumb & Dumber
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Man Who Knew Too Little, The
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Office Space
Tommy Boy
Wayne's World

Black / Dark Comedy


Burn After Reading
Fargo
Fight Club
Little Miss Sunshine
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The

Drunk/ Stoner / Frat Comedy


Animal House
Dude, Where's My Car?
Friday
Half-Baked
Hangover, The
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Knocked Up
Old School
Pineapple Express
Revenge of the Nerds

Parody


Airplane!
Blazing Saddles
History of the World, Part I
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
Scary Movie
Spaceballs
The Life of Brian
This is Spinal Tap
Tropic Thunder
Young Frankenstein

Romantic Comedy (Romcom)


(500) Days of Summer
Dan in Real Life
Definitely, Maybe
It Happened One Night
Juno
Pride and Prejudice
Sleepless in Seattle
The Truth About Cats & Dogs
When Harry Met Sally
You've Got Mail

Teen / Sex Comedy

40-Year-Old Virgin, The
American Pie
Chasing Amy
Knocked Up
National Lampoons Van Wilder
Porky's
Risky Business
Superbad
Tomcats
Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Musicals

Across the Universe
Chicago
Grease
Hairspray
Moulin Rouge!
Phantom of the Opera
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
West Side Story
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Wizard of Oz, The

The Future of Comedy:

Youth In Revolt
A Serious Man
I Love You Phillip Morris


Directors:

Kevin Smith
Terry Gilliam
Rob Reiner
The Coen Brother’s
Wes Anderson

UPDATE: Movies I Want to See

I have two list circulating my indie list of movies I want to see and my Top 20 list. These two list still apply to this list, heck there may very well be some overlap of moves on the list. I want to break it down for you. Any movie on the list with a (*) in front of is an Independent Movie or (Indie). So here we go.

October 16

Where the Wild Things Are

November 6

*Men Who Stares at Goats

November 13

*Up in the Air (limited)

NOVEMBER 25

*The Fantastic Mr. Fox
*Me and Orson Welles
Ninjia Assassin
*The Road
*Up in the Air (expanding)

December 11

The Lovely Bones (limited)

DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day

*The Imaginarium of doctor Parnassus
The Lovely Bones (expanding)
Sherlock Holmes


January 8

Daybreakers

January 15

The Lovely Bones (wide)


March 5

Alice In Wonderland

March 25

Clash of the Titans


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Exclusive Review: Sunshine Cleaning

Powered by IMDB

Title: Sunshine Cleaning
Distributor: Back Lot Pictures (Overture Films)
Director: Christine Jeffs
Writer(s): Megan Holley (written by)
Staring: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Jason Spevack
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language, disturbing images, some sexuality and drug use.
Running Time: 91 min (1 hr and 31 min)
Synopsis: In order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business -- a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service -- with her unreliable sister.

Other Sites:

At The Movies: Ben Mankiewicz: See It, Ben Lyons: Rent It
Rotten Tomatoes: T-Meter: 72% (Fresh), Top Critics: 76% (
Fresh), RT Community: 86% (Fresh)
Metacritic: Critics: 61 out of 100, Users: 6.9 out of 10
MRQE Metric: 66: (13.5% A, 53.7% B, 55.9% C, 5.3% D, and 0.0% F)
Yahoo Movies: Critics: B- Users: B+

My Review

Source Material: An Original written by Megan Holley.

Acting and Dialogue: A: I Like the cast not only are the two leads babes but they also put in a decent effort of acting. I also like the Alan Arkin and Jason Spevack combo and how it becomes the comic relief.

Art Direction: B: The actual art direction in the film didn't move me or inspire me, but for the indie quality it was great.

Cinematography: B+: I believe where the art direction lacks the cinematography gains because I think it has interesting camera shots

Direction: B:Christine Jeffs is very new to America filmmaking from what it seems she is more of New Zealand and British filmmaker, making Sunshine Cleaning her first American film. As far as pace it was very well paced, I didn't have boring time.

Screenplay: A: I like the story very much. It did a good job at captivating family rivalry between sister. There is this underline tone that blood is ticker than water, meaning family is important.

Sound and Music: B+: Mainly indie rock artist and score that blended well with the film.

VFX: B: Mainly the make-up and practical effect teams were used on the film and as far as that goes well, it was good.

Overall: A-: For a indie film this film works on many different levels, I do recommend it