Robin Hood - will Crowe pull it off?

There is a serious argument to be made that Robin Hood is one of the greatest characters in all literature. The concept of this one character has endured since roughly 1350, and he continues to be as popular if not moreso today. Obviously, Hollywood loves to make movies about Robin Hood as often as they can get away with it.

The very first Robin Hood movie was back in 1908, a silent film. Since that time there have been no less than 49 movies or television shows based on this one character. That does not include cartoons and anime versions, or of course porn versions. It also does not include the numerous references to the character in plays, books, and homages in television series and movies.

There is no question that everyone, anywhere in the world, loves Robin Hood. There is a major question on what is the best Robin Hood portrayal though.

I believe that the ultimate portrayal of Robin Hood was done in 1938 by Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood - with Olivia de Havilland and Basil Rathbone. For me this one film is the standard by which all other versions of Robin Hood must be judged. In fact this film is so universal in it's appeal, that most every version made since has a point of trying to incorporate at least parts of that film into their versions.





Of course there are those that won't watch a film older than themselves. And there are those that think the Errol Flynn version can be outdone. Thus we have far lesser versions of Robin Hood like:



and the incredibly awful Costner version


but also a few more enjoyable versions like


and yes even an Japanese anime version in German


There even have been parrodies of varying quality


But as I said, all of these movies and versions pale in comparison. Errol Flynn did it right and it has yet to be done better.

Does that mean the Russell Crowe film will be the disaster that was Kevin Costner's version? We can pray not. But I for one need far more to be convinced than what the trailer so far seems to present.



But we will find out soon.

More from the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival

As I continue to edit and prepare the interviews that I had at the Tribeca Film Festival, I wanted to give my readers a heads up on what are some of the top movies at the festival. There are several that I noticed everyone speaking about, and holding quite a bit of buzz. I'm happy to say that the movies I have seen and had interviews on are in this group.

Looking at the realm of comedies the big winners from what I have heard seem to be 2 British films.

In The Loop



And My Last 5 Girlfriends (which I can't seem to find a movie trailer for - sorry, it's late).

In far more serious film there is the international documentary Yodok Stories




And of course the Iranian film About Elli (again no trailer)

Also in the documentaries category there is the film American Casino - directed by Leslie Cockburn and produced by Andrew Cockburn. I will have the interview up as soon as possible. I will also be posting a review of the powerful and timely film. As a side note I must say that my conversation before, during, and after the interview with Andrew was informative and pleasantly intriguing.

Other films drawing a buzz include Handsome Harry


(I really enjoyed speaking with Jamey Sheridan, Bette Gordon, and Mariann Mayberry. I will have that interview posted as well.)

Playground, Shadow Billionaire, and Pray the Devil Back to Hell (which I have the interview with Abigail Disney, and the review of the movie to post) round out the movies I heard the most about while I was at the Tribeca Film Festival.

This is not to say all the films at the Festival are not fantastic. The work by the various actors, directors, and producers all stand miles ahead of 90% of the commercial major studio releases so far this year, and likely of the last several years including this one. And I believe that this years festival included at least one movie that any fan might enjoy. But these were the ones that I heard mentioned the most.

Well it's time to get back to the editing and writing the reviews. More on this soon.

Star Trek 11 - the end of the line?

Speaking of films that are mixing old ideas in a new ‘revisioned’ theme, I saw something today about the next Star Trek movie. This adds to my growing unease about this film. I am becoming more and more filled with dread about how this film will ultimately turn out.

It seems that there is already a plan to make a sequel. Yes, already the storyline for the next film is being hashed out. Without the movie having hit theaters yet. I presume the interest and debate over the movie trailers is propelling the rush to production.



This bodes poorly for the new generation seeking to fill the uniforms of the original cast. Without a single review or public viewing, they are already working the Hollywood system to create the next films in the “rebirth” of the franchise.

“They're hoping to have a draft in by Christmastime in order to get the cameras (and CGI) rolling in time for a summer 2011 release.”

Rushing a film, and a plot, to cash-in on a hoped for success virtually always ends up with a horrible film that bombs in the box office. Especially when the film in question is taking old favorites and turning them on their heads.

I can only recall a couple of films that were so bold as to plan and announce their efforts to create sequels at the same time, or before, the movie in question hit theaters. That would include Superman 3, and the James Bond films. You could also argue that Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk (with Ed Norton in a far superior film to the Ang Lee fiasco) did the same.

The Hulk series has been officially dumped by Marvel (though Norton did a fantastic job of resurrecting the series). Superman made it to one more movie (which bombed horribly) before the series was cancelled and laid dormant for nearly 2 decades. James Bond has survived due to changes in the lead, mostly due to Pierce Brosnan resurging interest after the near demise made by the Welsh-American Bond (Timothy Dalton). And Iron Man hinted at other movies, without guaranteeing their creation.

So in looking at what happens when Hollywood assumes a success, and moves forward with engines at flank, is that the film and/or series usually dies. Not a great sign at all for this ‘rebirth’ of Star Trek. Then again, neither was this



But with the film coming out soon, we the public will decide it all soon enough.

Movie preview: Pelham 123

Going to a very different place, with a pace more akin to the tastes of most American fans is the remake of Pelham 123. I’ve spoken about this before [ Movie Preview: Pelham 123 and G-Force] . And yes it is a remake – there can be exceptions to any rule including my own.



Pelham 123 is a remake of the solid Walter Matthau film The Taking of Pelham 123. It stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta, the first time they have both worked together as I recall. Which jumps this into an interesting film on that basis alone.

Washington and Travolta are acclaimed actors with great reason. Both are easily capable of a diversity of characters and film genres. Yet this film is focused on a more subdued presence than anything over the top.

Washington’s character is a very normal everyday civil servant. Good at what he does and just smart enough to be too smart to move up in the ranks. Travolta’s character is a dedicated, calculating, professional that has anticipated every move. At least that’s what the original leads are supposed to be about. The movie trailer seems to convey a respect of that.

Of course the film has been adapted to match the needs of the public these days. So there is at least one big car scene involving a climatic crash. Likely as well are a few scenes of police overreaction, and bullets a plenty. But this is not a shoot ‘em up. It’s a heist film with a brain.

How true this film stays to the original is a big question. Yet I have to believe that with the star power in this film the script must be good. The tension of the film is obvious, what is not as obvious is how the interjection of comedic, and other, moments will work. Like the discussion by Washington’s characters wife insiting he brings home a gallon of milk. Is it supposed to be a funny yet dramatic way of telling him to come home? Does it break the tension, or add to it? You almost feel like you could laugh at that, but then again you understand why you won’t.

Still I am willing to take a chance on actors of this caliber, and a story of worth. The movie trailer implies a solid film, and enough of what most would like in this genre. I expect it to do well and I will probably see it as well.

Movie preview: Limits of Control

Moving on to another film that caught my eye is Limits of Control. This is a film by Jim Jarmusch, who did the impressive Ghost Dog. It is based in Spain, and again takes the viewer to a different place than expected.



Based on the movie trailer there are a few things that immediately come to mind. The guitars and violins bring up thoughts of El Mariachi. The pace seems similar to that film and Ocean’s Eleven (the Clooney - Pitt remake). The diversity of characters and the subdued hint that there is more going on than at first revealed brings up thoughts of The Usual Suspects. So the combination of these elements bodes well for the film.

Adding to that is the inclusion of Bill Murray, John Hurt, and Isaach De Bankole. Each has a huge line of success behind them, and is a bonus for audiences. In fact the casting seems to be excellent.

Given the bright expansive landscape of Spain, and the many well lit rooms, the movie looks to be gritty. But this does not appear to be an action based film. That may cost it part of its potential audience in the U.S. but will be fine in Europe and the rest of the world.

Still there is never a problem with a well-done intellectual thriller. Having to think or pay attention is always a bonus in the movie experience to me. Because if you wanted to just be a lump for a few hours, you can always stay home and watch American Idol.

“Sometimes the reflection is far more present than the thing being reflected.”

With lines like that, the expectations are raised. But Jarmusch is know to hit the mark. Likely to be in only selected movie theaters, I’d keep an eye out for this.

Movie Preview: 12

In general I despise remakes. This is most directly true of any movie were the word ‘revisioned’ is in any way attached. As has been obvious to most movie-goers over the last decade or 2, more often than not such a film is not only a waste of time but usually an insult to the audience.

Now given my state of mind on this issue, I am faced with a dilemma of sorts. Does the remake philosophy I have hold up with films that are redone in another nation? And I’m not talking about a one time lucky break. I mean a film that has been done more than once, and is now being adapted to fit a world with war, and terrorism?

That ultimately is the question facing anyone who wishes to see 12. This is a remake of the great film 12 Angry Men with Henry Fonda. The story is simple and well known. A jury debates what may be an open and shut case. Only 1 juror believes that the defendant is innocent. Thus he goes on a journey in pursuit of justice, with a life in the balance.



Is the young man innocent? Is there reason to have doubt in a war torn section of Russia? Does one life getting justice matter? Can 12 strangers live with the consequences of their decisions? Consequences that go far beyond the courtroom.

I do not know the Russian actors in this film. Nor do I know the director. But I have learned a bit about the film. And it not only takes us through the drama that Fonda first portrayed on the big screen, but it adds the next level of the story – the what next.

This is an interesting take on an old classic. It’s a remake, and a sort of revision, but at it’s heart it is faithful and dedicated to the original. That’s the difference in any language. Like the original film, I would suggest seeing this one.

Movie Preview: Inglorious Basterds

Going in a totally different direction I saw the trailer for Inglorious Basterds. This is the latest film from director Quentin Tarantino. So be prepared to have your ears assaulted by profanity and your eyes by violence.

Now don’t get me wrong, I like the movies of Quentin Tarantino. I love Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. I think Tarantino has a unique ability to display a film that will grip an audience. He provides a sense of reality and honesty most directors shun from. That makes his films powerful and hard to look away from.

I also love the way that Tarantino weaves into his movies insights about human nature, and deep philosophical nuggets. Most might just blur past these comments, but for those that pay attention he makes it intense. I mean the Superman solo by David Carradine in Kill Bill 2 is masterful.

But can this work when applied to World War II? Especially when styled as a spaghetti-western?



Brad Pitt makes an interesting choice of lead for this motley group of Dirty Dozen rejects. He’s not dark enough of an actor to me. I don’t see him as akin to Lee Marvin, who would be ideal for this kind of role. So that takes something off the film for me. But the movie may fill that gap.

And have no illusions, this movie looks to be a Guns of Navarone or Dirty Dozen inspiration. It may be more violent, and thus a bit repellant at points, but it is an homage.

And it has nothing to do with Inglorious Bastards starring Fred Williamson. Entirely different films. No connection whatsoever. And Tarantino’s film does not have any African Americans in it (well except for the narration by Samuel Jackson), which makes sense considering the plot – centered in Europe behind enemy lines.

This film has been talked about and rumored for years. It’s been through multiple rewrites and revisions. It is claimed that this will be similar in ways to a spaghetti western, though set in WWII. Ultimately though the question is if it will be good.

The trailer really doesn’t give us a clue yet. I’m still mixed in my thoughts. But it won’t be out till the summer, so expect to hear a lot more about it soon.

Movie Preview: Mutant Chronicles

Some movies look good. Some movies have great plots. And then there are movies that are modified copies of some other form of entertainment. That could be a remake, a revisioned television show or book, a comic book or video game to movie conversion, or lastly a role playing game conversion to a movie.

Now I have been clear that I find 90% of all remakes, especially those done in the last 15 years, to be sub-par expression of quick-money greed. I am equally clear that any revisioned is 99% assured to be the biggest waste of money and time you can torture yourself with. And numerous films have proven both things to be true.

But it is the run to convert video games and comic books (cartoons too) into movies of late that is interesting. There have been huge successes, and disastrous failures. The movie Hitman was just ok, making it one of the few that does not reach an extreme. Iron Man is a great success, the Dungeons and Dragons films were laughable attempts.

This brings me to Mutant Chronicles.



The film looks like it has potential. It’s based on a role playing game, which bodes badly for the film. It has Ron Perlman and Devon Aoki (best known from her role in Sin City). It’s gritty, futuristic, dark, and action oriented. In fact the trailer reminds me of a WWII film more than anything else.

But that’s where we see problems. The film is too dark. The features of characters in the light is hard to make out. But maybe that’s just the way the trailer is done. There seems to be some mysterious religious aspect to the trailer, which could be good or bad. It seems that humans are on other worlds than Earth, which might be interesting. But there are no hi-tech gizmos that you might expect for so far into the future. And there is a decided retro theme, giving an image more akin to 1935 than 2072.

It’s these mixed up ideas that seems to be the problem. The trailer really doesn’t give us a window into what the hell is going on. It make it hard to feel interested in what might happen.

The very best of fantasy, sci-fi, or almost any film follows one rule every time. Whatever is possible or real in the realm we are seeing must be explained in the first 15 minutes and then you never break those rules. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Sin City, Bladerunner, The Great Escape, Mad Max, Die Hard, Terminator, and on and on. It works every time with a great film. Even ok films follow the rule mostly.

But this film looks like it will just barrel into action, without much explanation or care. It seems far too concerned with action to care if we care about the action or its cause and effect. But to be fair it’s had to be clear on that in just a movie trailer.

I would enjoy seeing this film do well. I’m sure Doom Trooper card collectors are praying it will. But the odds are against it, and the trailer isn’t helping. Hopefully a better movie trailer will pop up and give us a reason to watch this. But I think it might be coming to a DVD sale near you.

DVD Review: Diary of a Tired Black Man

Wow. 10 minutes into this film and I had to stop and write about this movie. This is a powerful film. This is the hidden voice of many Black men, just like myself, that has been drowned out by the perceptions promoted by the media and accepted by some Black women. This film is on the mark. It’s another side to being a Black man that can’t be packaged and sold like the “thug” image.

Those are just a few of the very first thoughts I had while watching this film from director Tim Alexander. An independent film, it does not fall into the cookie cutter standards of Hollywood and that is part of what makes this so powerful. The fact that this is based on true events and is something that Black men around the country experience is another. But this is not just a movie, this is a message whose intent is to spark discussion and motivate action.

There is no question that it will do just that. In fact at the website for the film, www.tiredblackman.com you can see that the forums hold over 50,000 comments discussing the aspects of the film and its topic. There is a lot to be said about a film that provides an indelible experience for those that see it.

Now I admit that I had not seen or heard of the 3 minute video that swept the internet some 3 years ago.



It was that video that inspired the creation of the feature length film. Not only are there vignettes in the film expanding on the original video, there is discussion from men and women from around the nation. And the impact of what is said openly and honestly is enormous.

Tim Alexander – the director and creator of the original video and movie – hits to the core of a part of Black culture that has been avoided in all aspects of the media all my life. I deeply relate to the main character and the experiences he goes through. But be prepared because some will be upset by this film. Its honesty is devoid of the usual distractions and imposed stereotypes found in most films discussing Black relationships.

It’s not the fact that I can recognize myself in the main male character James, played by Jimmy Jean-Louis. It’s not that I recognize some of my past relationships. Or in accepting both of those facts that I better understand my growth as a man from my early teens to who I am today. It’s that I think this film has value for those older and/or younger than me. That this addresses an issue that is eating away at the Black community, and it must be changed.

Suffice to say that this film will evoke a reaction from the viewer. And it does not matter if the viewer is male or female, Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, or whatever. But it will be an even stronger reaction for those that are more closely tied to its theme and message.

It is the fact that the audience is left with a reaction that is one of the biggest positives of the film. There are far too many movies that try to entertain and are lost in a message, or just fail to do either. And we the audience are left with nothing, in fact often forgetting what we have seen the moment we stop watching. With Diary of a Tired Black Man, you will likely not want to stop watching and you will definitely remember it. And how can you not want to watch a film that can provide that?

One of the best things about the DVD, which is not available in the various bootlegs out there, is the bonus material. Specifically the expanded commentary of those that were interviewed and seen in the movie. Watching the raw footage of what is said and the full context of what some think is as engaging as the film itself. And the commentary by Tim Alexander is equally rewarding.

And I want to address something that is a bit separate of the film. Bootleg DVD’s. We all have owned on at some point. The thought is that the Hollywood studios make too much money to be hurt. But this is not a Hollywood studio movie.

This was the creation of Tim Alexander, and every bootleg copy takes money from his mouth. Some may want to justify a bootleg by inferring that director/creator Alexander is rich, but that too is a false justification. His passion went into this film, as did his money. And every bootleg copy takes money directly from him, excludes some of the best features of the DVD, and affects the ability of this first time director to create another film. And talent to bring this kind of honesty to the screen should never be blocked.

This last part I can say with 100% assurance as I spoke with Tim recently. I think my up-coming interview with Tim Alexander will be interesting for all my readers.

But right now I am focused on the DVD. I recommend it. I suggest strongly that if you are African American you need to own this. And if you are not you will still find the film captivating and will want to own it as well.

Movie Preview: Gomorrah

In a completely different kind of film than is usually seen in America comes Gomorrah. This is a view of gangsters and crime unlike the usual glorification that America tends to adore. Obviously it’s because the film wasn’t made in America, but Italy.

Now don’t let the sub-titles bother you. If it didn’t stop the Passion of the Christ stop Americans, and no one spoke that language, it won’t stop you from seeing this film. And from the looks of this it is well worth the time to see.

The background, the crime, and the violence looks like many American cities. Many of the scenes in the trailer look like they could have been filmed in Los Angeles. But one thing is different, there is no glory.

Our protagonist seems to be a young boy, caught in the middle of a world of decay that he can’t escape from, and does not want to be a part of. Yet he has no options to be anywhere else, and there is but one way to go on if he wants to live.

I doubt highly the chances of any kind of feel good ending that Americans demand, and Europeans realize can’t happen. In the case of a film about the moral and social decay brought about by crime, drugs and violence there really can’t be a happy ending, unless you drop plot and ignore logical conclusions. And there are numerous action films that do that well. But this is a drama, and the consequences of actions count.

The thing that really caught my attention about this film is the name chosen for the title. Gomorrah, sister city of Sodom, and home of the worst types of sinners. They were base, cruel and wicked people that so offended God (in the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths) that he smote them.

Given that reference, and seeing this modern day view of Naples – which looks like and in many ways could have been any city across the world – you have to wonder whom might be smote in this film at its end, or if anyone is righteous enough to leave it all behind.

Whatever the case, the film looks to be quite interesting.

Movie Preview: Crank 2

Sometimes you just can’t keep a bad man down. And when that man is Chev Chelios, you really don’t want to try. At least that is the idea behind Crank 2.

There is no question that the film is running on the same concept as the original film, and the major star power of Jason Statham. The big question is if it can pull off the running idea. Especially since our favorite man vs. time since 24 died at the end of the first movie.

Well, to be fair he should have been dead. He fell from an incredibly high helicopter, into a car, and bounced badly onto the street. It looked painful, but then again so did most of the things that he did to keep himself going. But as the credits began to roll, we heard a sound that even a Timex watch would be hard pressed to make. His heart just kept on ticking.

Still we knew he had to be dead. Not that we wanted that. And the movie studio agreed, especially after they saw the ticket receipts.

This time around our man Chev is brought back to life after getting a new heart to replace his twice drugged and damaged one. It seems that someone felt that a heart this strong had to be bought, along with any other organs not crushed in the impact of his fall. Throw away the logic of how damaged everything in his body would naturally have been and Chev wakes up.

He quickly discovers that though he has a new heart, it too has a big problem. They didn’t use Duracells. And he has yet again, an hour to live unless he zaps himself with enough electricity to charge up the faulty batteries keeping him alive. He only reprieve… get his heart back - which must have been cleaned of the drugs that were killing him (maybe) – and his trusty, and obviously always on call, back alley doctor will patch him up.

Sounds easy, except he has no idea where his heart is, or who has it.

Thus starts a new round of mayhem and destruction. And more than just a few amazed people – ordinary citizen or criminal bad guy alike. Because at this point in the loose plotline, EVERYONE knows his face. They just thought he was dead. Talk about a dramatic entrance.

This isn’t even a real preview. This is essentially the entire plot. And it doesn’t matter if you know 90% of everthing that is going to happen in this movie just from the trailer. Because you can be sure it’s going to do one thing extremely well, deliver huge amounts of action with slight pause of any piddly thing like plot or dialogue.

Normally that would annoy me. I wouldn’t see the film. But with Jason Statham as the vehicle of chaos I’m excited. This should be a better film than the first. Not because there will be better writing, but because their will be more action.

The only thing that would have made me happier than watching Jason Statham getting hyperkinetic would have been that this movie came out on my birthday. But its close enough.

2009 Super Bowl ads: Best, worst, and original

Like so many of us I too had a bit of a hangover after watching the Super Bowl yesterday. I honestly did not think that would happen as I had expected Pittsburg to win. By the end of the 1st quarter my expectation was that it would be a blowout game. The 100 yard run by James Harrison at the end of the first half locked that idea in my mind. [Unlike the voice in the video, I think Harrison did a phenomenal job.]

Up to the middle of the 4th quarter there was nothing to question a Steelers win. Then it got interesting. And then the drinks came.

Such was the experience that most of the people in the bar with me had as well. So I think we all can understand being a bit slower today than usual.

Still I think some of the commercials in the Super Bowl were the result of some people celebrating far too soon. Generally I would say that this year’s commercials were by and large uninspired. Either that or spending $3 million a spot left no money for the writers to think with.

Of course there were a few good ones. To me the best were the following:

Conan O’Brien was spot on here. Sarcasm, wit, self-depricating humor. This was the best to me.



Following closely was the competitive and way over the top commercial for Cash4Gold. Who knew that Ed McMahon and MC Hammer could be so funny?



Doritos makes the better half of these commercials only for the final seconds of the commercial, which had me laughing out loud.



Normally Budweiser is the king of Super Bowl ads. They tend to have some of the best ideas and most unique way of displaying that idea. This year Bud missed out on each try, except this one. Considering the cost I would have expected a bit more.



And another big winner was Bridgestone. They had the music, the feel, the idea of 4-wheeling on the moon, and getting your tires jacked. It just worked great.



E-Trade had commercials just not worth reliving. Pepsi bombed. And Godaddy was cute, but boring.

The worst may well have been the ‘revisioning of the classic Mean Joe Green Coke ad. It was horrible, and felt every bit the ripoff it was. Yet another reason I hate revisioined anything (which Hollywood seems to adore versus original thought these days).



Of course there is the new Transformers sequel movie trailer. It too looks as boring and uninspired as the original. Sure to make tons of money since as a friend says, “It has lots of explosions and big graphics. Who needs a plot.”



Under a similar theme is the trailer for Fast and Furious. Overall the trailer was ok, except for Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel in the last seconds. That alone makes the movie seem interesting. But box office smash? I doubt it.



But the most original 2009 Super Bowl ad had to be the one from Careerbuilder.com. This was an original idea, got the message across, was entertaining, and funny.



So there you go. That’s how I rate the 2009 Super Bowl ads. What did you think?

Movie Preview: Pelham 123 and G-Force

The year starts off with an interesting take of a couple of films. On one hand we have a film that is a remake, and on the other we have a film that sounds like it's a conversion of a classic cartoon. Let's start with the remake.

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a film from 1974. It was well acted, with the leads being Robert Shaw (some may recall him best from The Sting) and Walter Matthau (maybe best know for the film version of the Odd Couple). It dealt with a subject that was foreign in America in 1974, but today is a constant thought in the backs of minds of New York City subway riders everyday. It's not often that a film could hit a subject so well decades before it becomes a national focal point.

Suffice to say that they story is about a hijacking, of a NYC subway car. Sounds odd? Perhaps too incredible? Not really, and even more of a question in these post 9/11 days.



The question you face in the film are:

Can they really do this
Can they get away with it
What can the various departments of New York City do about this

These questions were real in 1974, and today are even more pressing. So the task for Denzel Washington and John Travolta are daunting. They need to make this feel real, scary even, yet not so much as to cause people to give up on the subway. They both have to live up to the performances of the original film, while new scenes of explosions and car chases inevitably will be thrown in for modern audiences. Maybe even overcome some CGI too.

I believe that Travolta will be the bad guy. The character is kind of a mix of roles he took in Broken Arrow and Face/Off. For Denzel as the good guy we will probably get a mix of his characters from Training Day, Inside Man, and perhaps a bit of Virtuosity.

Done on location, I think this remake only has to fear one thing. The tendency of Hollywood writers and studios to revision a great film and lose the meaning and intensity of the original.

On the other spectrum of the films we will see later in the year is G-Force. This is not a conversion of the Japanese cartoon Battle of the Planets. If it were I definitely would want to see that. Instead we have a CGI film from Disney. Prepare to get more depressed.



Yes this is another cute animals film. Guinea Pigs (a mole and a fly) are our heroes in this film. It seems that an animated hamster, cat, dog, and pigeons demanded a one-up by Disney. While these kinds of films can be cute, occasionally, Disney feels the need to grab the kids with cute animals as opposed to a storyline.

I for one am getting bored with all these films with cute animals that can talk and do stunts. I have never really been a big fan of CGI. And I think this is just a cheap tactic as opposed to really original films that might be done. Then again, the film is not targeting single male intellectuals in their 40's.

I'm sure it will bring in a slew of kids, make tons of money, and guarantee a sequel - with even more furry critters than the first. And I don't doubt that this will be a decent choice for parents that don't want their kids exposed to the violence of Terminator:Salvation or the glorification of drugs, violence, and degrading of women this is Notorious. But for the adults out there, don't expect this film to be the Incredibles. You will likely be the least entertained in your family.

Studios in a fight mean movie success for 2009

There are dozens of ways to tell what a studio thinks of a film. In almost every case the most blatant actions of a studio tend to mean absolute confidence that a movie will bomb.

There are the cases were the director refuses to put their name on the film, which normally will be seen as a director Smithee film. That is a sign that the director could not get what he wanted or the studio overruled the final cut. Generally not a good sign.

There are the instances where major name actors with significant roles prefer not to attach their name to a project, even after all editing and filming are done. This can be far less sure a sign as one of the more famous examples is the lack of credit of James Earl Jones in Star Wars. Jones thought the film would be a bomb and declined to take credit, as if anyone could not recognize his voice.

But the bigger examples are when trailers are refused to be shown to critics and/or the public. Snakes On A Plane was completely viral, and when the critics (and public) saw the film it was understood why. Or when a film is scheduled to come out in January. The first month of the year is noted as the graveyard. A time when few are expected to venture to theaters due to weather and lack of cash from holiday spending. The worse the film, the closer to January 1st they open.

There are exceptions to the January rule, within reason. Cloverfield did quite well, in a field without competition or quality, though blockbuster it was not. But films like the upcoming Notorious are the prime examples of January studios expect to start their year with.

But one thing that you rarely ever see, are studios going to court to stop a movie from opening. And when the reason the film will be delayed is a question of who has the rights (and thus a cut of the money) you know what they are thinking. This is a cash cow, a blockbuster they must have a piece of.

The Watchmen is something the movie studios believe they have to have part of.

Currently Fox and Warner Bros. are fighting to prove who owns all the rights, or portions, for this film. It may potentially push back the March 2009 release of the film. And the only reason a studio goes through this kind of argument is because they know they will reap all the cost of litigation and more when the film gets out.

The Watchmen is one of the more anticipated films of over a decade. The trailers for the film have been heavily viewed for over a year now. The storyline appears to be virtually the same as found in the graphic novel - which was groundbreaking on multiple levels. And the environment is perfect of a conversion from graphic novel to silver screen with the success of Iron Man, the Dark Knight, X-Men, and several other films in the past couple of years. [Not to mention the planned 4th Spiderman, Wolverine, Avengers, and several other conversions to be released soon.]

I have already said that I expect Watchmen to be astounding. From what I can garner it will be like no other film, not because of the effects but the story. It is a movie that will take movie-goers to a place few films have dared to tread. And the studios smell the money like sharks tracking blood.

If nothing else tells you that this will be a blockbuster, the court case should be the last motivation you need. Unless I am very wrong, this will be the movie of 2009. There is a prediction for the new year, and you don't need to be Nostradamus to see that.

The movies of 2009 - part 2

Continued from part 1...

But lest you believe every movie in 2009 will only be a sequel, video game, or comic book here are some of the better, and worse, things to look forward to. Some of these I have discussed in more detail previously.

2012 Doomsday
The world will end. And the Mayans knew it thousands of years ago.



And on that theme is Seeking Closure. A very different style of movie, and indie at that.



And then just 2012



Yes there will be a lot of these films in the coming years.

And on that same theme is Know1ng with Nicolas Cage. Kind of like NEXT but on a different level.



And of course I think that The Wave will be interesting on several levels. While technically a remake of a TV movie, I separate it. Based on fact. It could happen again today. Some hope it will



And of course at the bottom of the heap is Notorious. Avoid this glorification of a life wasted. It's just not worth the time. And yet I am sure that it will be in every inner city, and make all it's money back and then some. Shame.

The movies of 2009

With 2008 quickly coming to an end it's time to look forward to 2009 and the films we can expect to see. So far several of the biggest movies look to be no better than the fare presented to us in 2008. Hollywood seems to have forgone entertainment for quick easy bucks. But we can hope that at least this time they might gwet some of these retreads right.

What we do know for sure is that there will be at least 4 movies that are sequels, 4 that are based on comic books, graphic novels and/or cartoons. There will also be at least 2 movies based on video games. Originality seems to be dead.

Starting with cartoons and comic books we have Dragonball. Based on the original manga, this japanese sensation has taken the world by storm. Dragonball (in which I include Dragonball Z) is the most watched cartoon in the world, with an estimated 64 million fans across the world. That also puts it far above shows like Seinfeld, Friends, American Idol, Survivor and so many other television shows. So expect this to be completely screwed up, sadly. Even worse since Chow Yung Fat is in it.





All the better trailers got pulled. Sorry.

Next on the list will be Watchmen. I've discussed this previously. You will want to see this. From everything I can tell this is a near literal translation of the graphic novel, which means an experience that truly will be entertaining by definition.



Then there is GI Joe. A decent cartoon and previously done as an animated film before they became all the rage. This will be live action like Dragonball. The potential is there for a good film, though the characters and storyline are being changed. Instead of all Americans it will be international and include a bad guy that was a former American GI Joe. Thank Hollywood for that bit of tarnish.

Best I could find is a discussion of the cast if that helps. I hate presenting fan fiction instead of a trailer.



Then there are the sequels. Lots of them.

Wolverine is of course on top of the list. As one of the most popular X-Men ever, and as personafied by Hugh Jackman expectations are high. It looks like this group of writers actually read the source comic books and got it right.



Another talked about trailer is Fast and Furious. With the prior 2 movies being bombs, and with the assurance that Paul Walker cannot handle a film lead on his own, Vin Deisel is back. So is Michelle Rodriguez. Of course the fact that both have had problems being bankable may have more to do with this version. Does that mean it will be good?



Another sequel with lots of cars and following up a prior theme is Transformers 2. The first film was short on plot, full of holes, and stupid. But it made money. What can we expect from the first sequel (of undobtedly many more). This is possibly a fan made trailer. Can't be quite sure.



But I can be sure of this next trailer. Terminator 4: Salvation. With Christian Bale who is a very good actor. No more Governator though. Still it looks decent if not a bit gritty. This John Connor looks far better than the one in the 3rd film too. Should be quite the film, and a secure box office smash.



And more of a prequel than sequel is the new Star Trek movie. From what I have seen so far I am unimpressed. Maybe younger fans that have never seen the original might like it. Fans of Star Trek: Enterprise might like it. Fans of Voyager could like it. But not anyone else I think. Unless there is a lot more to the film than what the trailer hints at.



And then there are the video game movies. Honestly the video games today are more like movies than the movies. And of better quality. But occasionally we get something good. Here are the 2009 choices.

Halo

As best as I can tell this is what the movie may look like and contain. There are a slew of fakes out there but this seems authentic. And if it is real it starts kind of slow. But it definitely give the impression that if this is how the movie starts, it will just get really crazy and fast from there.



Then there is the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Another good game with an interesting trailer for the theaters.



And then there is the classic game Legend of Zelda. While the movie is focused on the original game in the setting it seems to also have deviated quite a bit too. But there have been numerous versions of the game in the last 20 years so a bit of mixing is to be expected. This will likely be very family friendly with at least one love story in it for the ladies. Will it be worthy of the title?



Continued in part 2

A Good Day to be Black and Sexy

Music has always been an integral part of being Black in America. It has been an escape, a statement of defiance, a shout of joy, and a deep reverence of faith. Black culture is so deeply woven in music as to have influenced all forms of music in this nation.

From Blues to Jazz, R&B to rap, Rock n Roll to Gospel. Not a single form of music in America has not been touch, expanded, or created by African Americans. So it is no surprise then that when it comes to movies that feature African Americans music is vital to the experience. But I have never seen a movie trailer where the music is the driving theme of the plot. Until now.



Don't let the trailer fool you though. There is much more to the film. It is a trip through 6 relationships that are all connected in Los Angeles. It's a 1-day journey into Black sexuality. And that is a subject that really has not be dealt with in movies. Nor has a Black film so closely modeled music.

There have been films with Black sex, or relationships, or marriage as the driving theme. But not sexuality, sensuality. What is sexy, what is beautiful. It's a slow European-style dance of humanity. As director Dennis Dortch says

"It's a Black art house film."

This film did well at Sundance. It looks to take Black cinema in a new direction as has been stated. I find both of those things intriguing. And I have to laugh because only in Hollywood and the media could the thought of African Americans be so limited as to be defined by what has appeared on televisions and movie screens.

This film probably won't get overly wide distribution, which is a shame. It looks good enough to deserve as much of a chance as any other film, and honestly considering what has been out for most of this year, more. And if it does well I'm sure it will open avenues and get Dortch more opportunities like Spike Lee and Tyler Perry have deservedly gotten.

I say this is a good film to see. Because it is different. Because it goes in a direction no one is looking. Because it is expressing more than the normal media restrictions. And that is almost always a good thing.

If you do get the chance to see the film let me know your thoughts. I'll be looking for it myself, and will give more details then. Look for it on December 5, 2008.

2012

Way back in 1999, as many began to panic about the legacy codes and what would happen as computers struck 2000, I recall watching a program that detailed the possible ways the world might end. This show, which I don't remember the name of, covered most of the myths surrounding the start of the new millennium and several prophecies.

One of the things that the programs covered was the fact that 2000 was nothing to fear, because 2012 was the real danger. It is on that day that the Mayan Long Count calendar ends. To be exact it will end on either December 21st or 23rd, 2012. Most tend to believe that the 21st is the date, possibly due to they symbolism of the date, 12/21/12.

If you look at the internet you will either find that this date is the day that aliens will take over or save humanity, humanity will ascend to a higher level, or the earth will be destroyed/end.

Of course given the gravity of the situation you know that Hollywood had to make a movie about it. In fact I expect a dozen by that time. But here is the first.



If nothing else it makes it's point pretty clear. Starring Oliver Platt (who I like), Danny Glover (I like), John Cusack (also very good), Thandie Newton, Amanda Peet, and Woody Harelson. With that kind of cast I would expect something memorable.

The director is Roland Emmerich, who made Stargate, Independence Day, and Godzilla. Sadly he also made Godzilla, Universal Soldier, The Day After Tomorrow, and 10,000 BC. So the odds are only slightly worse than 50/50 on how well it will be made.

Luckily, either way, we will have 3 years to mull the quality of the film before the clock stops running.

Watchmen: 2nd movie trailer out

I've spoken about the Watchmen movie previously, and my excitement continues to build. A new movie trailer has come out which sets the tone of the movie quite well.



That got my blog pumping. If you don't see this movie, you must be dead. Ok, a bit extreme but I really think this movie is going to surprise and blow away people in hordes.

There's nothing more to say, the video clip has done it all.

Upcoming films to avoid like the plague

So we know some of the upcoming movies that I would recommend (based on the trailers, actors, and plots as far as I can tell). But perhaps as critical is to know what to avoid in the theaters. Nothing is as painful as the thought that you just spent $30 a person to see a film that made you understand how a rat feels as it flees a sinking ship.

In the past couple of years Hollywood has flooded the theaters with these substandard, cheap, not-worthy-of–DVD purchase films. I suppose Hollywood exes expect that the law of numbers says they should make enough money on at least one of these films in the first week to justify making them all.


My advice, just avoid them. Unless you happen to be stuck on a sinking ship without a life raft in the middle of the ocean in shorts, in the middle of winter, can’t swim, sharks in the water, at midnight on a moonless night, and are paralyzed from the neck down. Otr am I being too subtle?

Pink Panther 2


The perfect example of what I mean. Please, someone in Hollywood, stop whomever is greenlighting these movies. Peter Sellers is dying all over again. Steve Martin is not funny, his accent is insulting, his physicality is like watching a 6 year old do Swan Lake. Didn’t the first film flop bad enough? I had thought so but it seems I am wrong. Why does Hollywood want to punish the public?

Really readers, go rent a copy of any of the older and far superior Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies. You’ll feel better for it and save money too.

I hate to say this next one but

Star Trek (XI)


I am a fan of the original series. I loved watching James Tiberius Kirk, Spock, ‘Bones’ McCoy and the rest. So I was anticipating this film since I heard about it. I wasn’t even put off when I heard that the kid from Harold & Kumar was going to be Sulu. But the first trailer I see now (bootleg as it is) does not inspire me.

I don’t get the thrill of Kirk, not the intellect and dedication of Spock. McCoy looks interesting. Who knows about Uhura, Sulu, and Checkov. Scotty is far too giddy.

It’s too soon to say this is a complete mess. But from what I can gather off this trailer, they may have ruined the franchise. Which really sucks. Until I see a better trailer, this movie is on my don’t watch unless in interrogation list. A real shame.

The Spirit


Every reason that made Sin City work, fails in this film. I like Samuel Jackson but his character in this film just doesn’t catch. The focus on women is a distraction. It makes me believe that the movie studio knows that this film won’t work on it’s own merits, thus go with the sex always sells tactic. A very bad sign.

I’m not drawn into the movie, not enticed. Not that I every liked The Spirit. This may well be one graphic novel too much. The transition from comic graphic novel to film isn’t making it. I just hope it doesn’t affect the Watchmen in a negative manner.

So the good news is that there are more films coming up to watch than not. Though I tend to ignore most of the garbage, it generally doesn't deserve the attention my blogs provide. But the final verdicts are far from in.

Upcoming movies for 2008 holiday season and 2009

Now that the election is over, and while we are still learning how our money is being spent in ways we never considered (thank you Paulson), the need for a distraction is eminent. This holiday season, as unemployment rises and stock market hopes fall, we all need to get away. Escaping to a vacation that we all can afford. A good movie.

The big question though is if Hollywood has anything to offer us. In recent years the obsession of Hollywood in electing a liberal a President as possible consumed the silver screen. Millions of dollars and huge amounts of time were wasted on political statements that were poorly written, and wouldn’t be worth watching if they were on broadcast television with American Idol and Dancing with the Stars on before and afterwards.

To put it bluntly, if you’ve seen more than 3 movies in a theater this year you wasted money and left thinking that you were once smarter than after the movie experience. But can Christmas bring us all what we have been wishing for, entertainment?

Well the answer is yes and no. There are a couple of movies that might compel you to leave the comfort of your own home. Of course these movies are surrounded by crap that you are probably seeing trailers for right now.

Let’s start with what may be worth your groceries for a day or 2.

Seven Pounds


Will Smith is on a roll (like he stopped). You watch this trailer and you get a couple of thoughts. Why is he doing this? What is the secret? Will this be uplifting? I don’t know the answers but I am very sure of the ability of this actor to make it worth the time for find out. This movie will make money, but more importantly it will entertain you. It will let you share an emotional response with everyone in the theater, and that’s why we see movies.

Transporter 3


Jason Statham tends to always deliver. He is the man of action films these days, and with good reason. His characters tend to be intelligent, the plots tend to make some kind of sense, and the action is not filled with CGI or stunt doubles. Generally the more sequels you have the worse the movies get, but the Transporter series has done well to date. This should easily be worth the price of admission, because he can drive!

Valkyrie


Tom Cruise has finally gotten this movie ready for theaters. I mentioned this earlier when this was planned for the summer. I’m looking forward to the film. But I must admit that with reflection, and seeing additional trailers I have one problem. Cruise. He seems to boyishly happy and young to be a Nazi Colonel that is going to try to kill Hitler. While it’s a true story, I would expect the look of the real schemers to be a tad bit grim. But I will see if all the brightness in the film hinders or benefits the plot.

My Name is Bruce


Ok, I admit I am a Bruce Campbell fan. I just love his movies (and television shows most don’t recall). He is funny. So this film sending up his celebrity and still focusing on what made him famous is spot on. The trailer got me chuckling. Will I see it, yep. Will it win an Oscar, nope. Will it be entertaining? More likely than not. Bruce Campbell may not be Will Smith (on many levels) but one thing they both do well is pick movies that they can excel in. Now where is that boomstick?

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans


I thought this movie had been made a while ago (like Vin Diesel’s Chronicles of Riddick – which supposedly has the 3rd film done years ago) so I’m not surprised it’s coming out. The first film was well worth the price of admission. The second not as much. But redemption seems at hand. This 3rd film is more of a prequel though. And a good thing too, because I really wanted to see more of the Lycan-Vampire war. Mythical creatures, medieval setting, swords, warfare on massive scale. Yep this should be good. And I like the lead actors too! Bonus.

Not Easily Broken


Morris Chestnut is definitely the go to guy in Black films. He has done very well in taking roles that are uplifting, and afrocentric. This is another of those films. I like this personally because, besides the quality acting and plot, it is an example that being African American does not mean being in a pigeonhole of stereotypes the media loves to display us as. This will actually be out in January 2009 (in time for the inauguration – how interesting), so thankfully it will give the Black community a choice besides seeing Notorious – which I do not recommend.

Movie trailers for fall 2008

Ok time for a couple of quick movie previews. The following movies will be coming out later this year, and a couple of them I will preview and/or review later. But this will give you a taste of what is to be expected.

First on the list is Max Payne. This is supposed to be the movie version of a successful video game. Yes, yet another videogame converted to a movie. Now will that mean it will be good? That’s a question as while Mark Wahlberg is in the film (and he does a decent action film – see The Big Hit) they have departed from the games storyline to give it a Constantine style theme. It seems the writers never bothered to play Max Payne, or they thought the gritty New York cop on a vendetta (and more than a few painkillers) was not intriguing enough. As long as it’s better than last years Hitman video game-to-movie flop it will be successful.



Then there is the 3rd remake of the Punisher comic book. Yes another comic book to movie attempt. This one is Punisher: War Zone. Now Marvel has been trying to get this right time and again. The prior 2 tries were so bad that they can’t even be called laughable. This one looks to be a bit grittier and darker, which sounds more like the character in the comics. Will Ray Stevenson be the man to finally bring this to life or will it be another straight to DVD bargain bin write-off for Marvel? The trailer says it will work, the history says failure. More soon.



A film that will be out shortly is Bangkok Dangerous. This is the chance for Nicholas Cage to resurrect himself from the horrible films he had out earlier this year (NEXT and Ghost Rider). It looks like this time he actually did some acting, though the character and action scenes remind me of his role in the film ConAir. A hitman looking to get revenge, and paid, can be a great idea and the setting in Bangkok won’t hurt.





Of course there is one thing that serious movie fans might want to know. This is a remake, an Americanized version of a film from 2000



Moving on to something that should keep us guessing is Eagle Eye. The premise seems fresh, so I have no idea where Hollywood came up with it. Considering the low-brow, unimaginative, boring, illogical nature of most movies these days this is a big surprise. Random people are used to act on behalf of an unknown group for an unknown reason, and the Government has a hard-on to get these average joes fast. (I wonder if the writers from USA Network’s Burn Notice were involved with this?)



Now a probable winner of a film should be the next 007 movie Quantum of Solace. The new blonde and more hands on physical James Bond (Daniel Craig) did a great job in Casino Royale. This next film looks to follow on that story directly. Bond is bitter and twisted in this film, and it’s bollocks for M or anyone else in his way. A more emotional and violent Bond film, this should keep the franchise alive and well.



Well this is a film that will certainly make money. Saw V. There really isn’t much more to say. The only trailer is very unclear, beyond the fact that someone is having a very bad day.



More reviews and trailers coming soon.