January is the time of year when movie studios tend to unload their worst fare. There are of course exceptions to the rule... but so far this season is shaping up to be pretty much like clockwork.
I didn't have much going on on Friday evening, so a friend and I decided to head out to Revere to see a movie. Long story short, we tend not to have to pay for films in Revere, which in the case of the film we ended up seeing was a blessing from the corporate cinema gods.
I just want to preface my next statements with a very important point: I am a HUGE fan of Mystery Science Theater 3000. One of the main reasons I have any interest in film at all is my love for that show. Possibly sad, but very true.
Anyway, the only film playing when we got to the theater at around 11:30 was "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale".
We thought: What is this film? Why have we heard nothing about it? Ooooh, Leelee Sobieski is in it... she's cute, right?
So, we picked up our tickets at the box office and made our way to the very last theater in the darkest corridor of the cineplex. I'm pretty sure bats flew out of the theater when we opened the door to enter.
The film, if one can really call it that, began with Ray Liotta smooching Leelee Sobiesky affectionately... and honestly, that's where I got lost. Seriously. NO idea what was going on. Then I fell asleep. Then there were trolls and tree-ninjas. And I fell asleep again. More trolls, Evil Ray Liotta. More sleep... and then possibly the Greatest Song Ever over the credits. Oh, and apparently it was directed by Uwe Boll. Also, 124 minutes long. Seriously.
King would definitely be in the running for worst movie of the year had I actually been awake for at least a third of it.
On Saturday the previously mentioned friend and I took in the Puppet Showplace Theater's
bi-monthly PuppetSLAM. This was my third, and I still find it hard to describe these events. Basically about 12 performers present brief skits with puppets. Many forms of puppetry are showcased, but last night shadow puppets were representing. My favorite was a piece on the history of LeRoy New York, the birthplace of Jell-O. I know I'm not doing much justice to the PuppetSlams, but they are events I highly recommend. The next SLAM is on March 15th. You should really go.
When the PuppetSLAM was over, friend and I decided to take another trip out to Revere. We recently discovered that the cineplex has a bar and grill in the lobby. No lies. We thought it would be a great idea to get a little festive and then take on 27 Dresses. Part of that plan was a great idea.
Film critics throw the term "by the numbers" around quite a bit when referring to Romantic Comedies. The term 100% applies to Dresses. There isn't a single thing that makes it stand out, or even makes it worth watching. The two women behind us (and this was at 12:30 AM) seemed to genuinely enjoy the film. I have to wonder if they'd seen a moving picture before. I also have to wonder if I have a soul. Probably not.
I also fell asleep a third of the way into the film, and woke up sometime around the climax. I was also able to predict the final line of the film which, is not a good thing.
I'm not going to get into how degrading Dressed is to women... that fact is probably self-evident.
My goal is to find a winter film I can stay awake for,
Puppets: 1
Movies: 0
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Cloverfield
I just caught a midnight screening of Cloverfield at the AMC Boston Common.
There's been a lot of hype surrounding the film, which isn't shocking due to cryptic trailers and somewhat unsettling NYC metro posters.
Thing is, it's good.
Or, I think it's good. It could be the Enviga and TERROR speaking.
I'm not going to be an asshole and spoil it all for you.
I will say though that you KNOW the characters in the movie. They are your friends. They talk and act in a way that your friends would. Be that a credit to Drew Goddard or some sweet improv skills on the part of the actors, I don't know.
Sure some of the film is pretty out there as far as logic goes. And a lot of it is tough to watch.
I have to wonder, contextually speaking, if Cloverfield would have caused me to have such a visceral reaction had 9/11 not happened.
I have to wonder if the film would have been made had 9/11 not happened.
Just so you know, this isn't a film ABOUT terrorism...
I guess just see it.
Especially because Lizzy Caplan from Mean Girls is one of the main actors. She is also the most recognizable and actually gets top billing which is great for her. Go Lizzy!
Oh, and skeptics? Yeah, my advice to you is just see the damn thing before some asshole ruins it for you. Remember how you felt watching the first ten or so episodes of LOST? If you liked the show, you were probably petrified. That's how Cloverfield will make you feel.
And you'll never want to ride the subway again.
There's been a lot of hype surrounding the film, which isn't shocking due to cryptic trailers and somewhat unsettling NYC metro posters.
Thing is, it's good.
Or, I think it's good. It could be the Enviga and TERROR speaking.
I'm not going to be an asshole and spoil it all for you.
I will say though that you KNOW the characters in the movie. They are your friends. They talk and act in a way that your friends would. Be that a credit to Drew Goddard or some sweet improv skills on the part of the actors, I don't know.
Sure some of the film is pretty out there as far as logic goes. And a lot of it is tough to watch.
I have to wonder, contextually speaking, if Cloverfield would have caused me to have such a visceral reaction had 9/11 not happened.
I have to wonder if the film would have been made had 9/11 not happened.
Just so you know, this isn't a film ABOUT terrorism...
I guess just see it.
Especially because Lizzy Caplan from Mean Girls is one of the main actors. She is also the most recognizable and actually gets top billing which is great for her. Go Lizzy!
Oh, and skeptics? Yeah, my advice to you is just see the damn thing before some asshole ruins it for you. Remember how you felt watching the first ten or so episodes of LOST? If you liked the show, you were probably petrified. That's how Cloverfield will make you feel.
And you'll never want to ride the subway again.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Arcade Fire tribute guy strikes again
This has been up for awhile, but I felt like this was a decent day to post it:
This guy is pretty amazing. He has a blog which is also a sort of portfolio.
This guy is pretty amazing. He has a blog which is also a sort of portfolio.
New Media Tuesday: Radiohead, Sunshine. Goldfrapp
Don't count on me to make a habit out of this because I don't actually buy CDs and DVDs every Tuesday BUT: I just picked up In Rainbows at Newbury Comics and got a free drinking glass. Which is great because I don't have a lot of cups.
The packaging for In Rainbows is sort of like a folio with a sleeve for the actual disc that reminds me of what CD singles used to come in. There are some glossy inserts as well that I assume are meant to be used in a jewel case (not included). They even have instructions for how to adhere them to a jewel case. I guess. Interesting. Definately not the disc box to be certain, but certainly amusing.
I've yet to watch or even read the back of Sunshine, but I assume it will be pretty rad. I already have ideas for a tribute video set to Muse's "Starlight". Seriously, think about it. It works creepily well. Or, someone else could just make it for me and link to it here... I'll give you a veggie dog.
Finally, the music blogs are abuzz with opinions on Goldfrapp's new single and video for "A&E". The video (sorry kids, embedding is disabled) is certainly adorable, but the song ain't no "Ooh La La":
And, in local WTF news: The ABP in Brattle Square is no more. Not that I'm a huge fan of ABP, but it was right near my Tues/Sun job and was reliably quick. Today I was forced to finagle a bagel, and my stomach has been hating me ever since.
The packaging for In Rainbows is sort of like a folio with a sleeve for the actual disc that reminds me of what CD singles used to come in. There are some glossy inserts as well that I assume are meant to be used in a jewel case (not included). They even have instructions for how to adhere them to a jewel case. I guess. Interesting. Definately not the disc box to be certain, but certainly amusing.
I've yet to watch or even read the back of Sunshine, but I assume it will be pretty rad. I already have ideas for a tribute video set to Muse's "Starlight". Seriously, think about it. It works creepily well. Or, someone else could just make it for me and link to it here... I'll give you a veggie dog.
Finally, the music blogs are abuzz with opinions on Goldfrapp's new single and video for "A&E". The video (sorry kids, embedding is disabled) is certainly adorable, but the song ain't no "Ooh La La":
And, in local WTF news: The ABP in Brattle Square is no more. Not that I'm a huge fan of ABP, but it was right near my Tues/Sun job and was reliably quick. Today I was forced to finagle a bagel, and my stomach has been hating me ever since.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Resolution/There will be no country for old men
I bet you're probably wondering what I have resolved to do this year, beloved solo reader. I bet it has been keeping you up at night, nagging you like an unfortunate case of poison sumac.
Rest easy dear friend for I have the antidote to your irritated flesh: My New Years Resolution.
I resolve to write more.
I know CRAZY. Especially for someone who spent five hard years in college studying away for a degree in writing ( to be fair, two of those years were spent studying Art and Music - lot of good that did me).
That said, I've seen two films in the past three days: No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood by The Coen Brothers and P.T. Anderson respectively. Both are heavy dramas with subtle touches of the absurd. Both films filled me with dread and unease. Both were period pieces that utilize desolate landscapes to showcase the greed and insanity of the main characters.
And of course, both have already gotten critical acclaim up the wazoo, so everything I'm saying is just another drop in the bucket.
I'm not sure how much longer these films will be in theaters, but I do recommend seeing them. I take no responsibility for any loss of sleep relating to Daniel Day Lewis's mustache or Javiar Bardem's hair.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the release of Be Kind Rewind, Michel Gondry's latest effort just to lighten my mood. Seriously, I think 2007 was the year of the Sweeping But Unsettling Epic.
Or just the year of the slow-talkin Texan:
Rest easy dear friend for I have the antidote to your irritated flesh: My New Years Resolution.
I resolve to write more.
I know CRAZY. Especially for someone who spent five hard years in college studying away for a degree in writing ( to be fair, two of those years were spent studying Art and Music - lot of good that did me).
That said, I've seen two films in the past three days: No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood by The Coen Brothers and P.T. Anderson respectively. Both are heavy dramas with subtle touches of the absurd. Both films filled me with dread and unease. Both were period pieces that utilize desolate landscapes to showcase the greed and insanity of the main characters.
And of course, both have already gotten critical acclaim up the wazoo, so everything I'm saying is just another drop in the bucket.
I'm not sure how much longer these films will be in theaters, but I do recommend seeing them. I take no responsibility for any loss of sleep relating to Daniel Day Lewis's mustache or Javiar Bardem's hair.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the release of Be Kind Rewind, Michel Gondry's latest effort just to lighten my mood. Seriously, I think 2007 was the year of the Sweeping But Unsettling Epic.
Or just the year of the slow-talkin Texan:
Friday, January 4, 2008
Friend Blog
You know what you should read? My friend Cullen's blog: http://www.cinema-journal.blogspot.com/
I love this kid.
Seriously, thanks again for putting me up on NYE, and for introducing me to one helluva diner. I owe you one.
I love this kid.
Seriously, thanks again for putting me up on NYE, and for introducing me to one helluva diner. I owe you one.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The First Annual pop*creep Year-End Best Of
Hello, this is your friendly neighborhood pop*creep dropping by for what has turned out to be one of my very rare visits. The rarity of said "visits" may in fact be a gift bestowed upon you, dear (and likely to be singular) reader by the Internet Gods.
Be that as it may, I have decided to crawl from beneath the protective covering of my favorite red hoodie, cuddle deep within the cushions of my couch, crack open some containers of delivery curry, and present to you the First Ever pop*creep Year End Best Of.
____________________________________________________
Let's start this thing nice and easy with:
The Written Word
I didn't read many books in 2007, and the books that I did read were published before 2000. That said, there shall be no "best book" this year.
I did however read Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8 religiously this year. It may not have been the Snooty McSnooterson Best Comic EVER, but it has consistently been enjoyable, most notably a four issue series written by Y's Brian K. Vaughn (he also writes for Lost). The series may not be 100% enjoyable for non-Scoobies, but it is certainly worth a peek.
I spend a lot of time waiting for phones to ring at one of my jobs. This means I spent a lot of time on the internet reading blogs (which, unlike pop*creep are generally updated on a daily basis).
These were the blogs I visited most frequently in 2007
Jezebel
Go Fug Yourself
Defamer
The A.V. Club
Idolator
Yes Gawker Media, you win again.
Webcomics of Note
Married to the Sea
Questionable Content
American Elf
Best Tribute Video
Film
I see a lot of movies. I mean, a lot. Usually about two a week. The fact that 2007 was an exceptional year for film doesn't make narrowing things down all that simple.
Let's go by genre:
Drama
Atonement: This adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel is nothing short of haunting. It is sexy, gorgeous and brooding. Actually, no... that's just James McAvoy. Let's face it, no one could quite match his brood-osity this year (seriously, here he is in Becoming Jane ... I watched so you didn't have to). You've come a long way, Mr. Tumnus. I digress. I DID enjoy the film for non-McAvoy reasons. Joe Wright is able to turn a brief tryst in a library into the hottest love scene of the year - even though Mr. McAvoy has gone on record as saying it was the most uncomfortable sex scene he'd ever filmed. Ah, celluloid... how you make the lies so very pretty.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Another adaptation done astoundingly well. The film stars Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck as the titular assassinated and assasin respectively. I actually saw this film twice - all 160 minutes of it. Everything is just spot on, and I really can't say enough about this film. You need to see it, if only because Nick Cave has a hilarious cameo...
Control: A fine film about Ian Curtis and Joy Division rendered in marvelous inky black and white. Heavy, poetic, and redolent of sorrow. Tough to watch if you've lost someone to such circumstances.
Comedy
Lars and the Real Girl: When I first read that this film was being made, my jaw hit the floor. I have a strange fascination with Real Dolls, and I have for a few years now. I couldn't believe that someone had written a screenplay on the topic, let alone that people seemed to be taking it SERIOUSLY. When the film finally opened in Boston in October what I saw was by far one of the most touching stories of the year. If Ryan Gosling isn't nominated for an Oscar for this film, it is a damn shame. His portrayal of Lars is nothing but sensitive and genuine.
Juno: A lot has already been made of Juno. I know that it will inevitably become dated and over-quoted, but for now let's just enjoy it for what it is: A great, hilarious comedy about what it is like to be 16, cynical, and knocked up. Finally, there's a teen girl in film I can relate to ( at least the cynical part) - too bad she popped up a decade too late. Yes, a lot of the film is "precious", but it is worth seeing just for how it portrays aging gen-Xers.
Documentary
SiCKO: Oh Micheal Moore... there you go again with the provocation and the selective fact-sharing. Except for this time you're doin' it for a good cause. We all know that the American healthcare system is nothing short of a joke, but you've made it more apparent, and more urgent. Good on you. Keep it up.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters: This is actually probably my favorite film of 2007. I don't really care about arcade games... but I care about Steve Wiebe. This film did not make the shortlist for the Oscars. Seriously, what is the Academy smoking?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Sunshine: Danny Boyle is a genre-hopping genius. Some folk had bones to pick with this somewhat flawed film. Yeah, the science wasn't sound. There were plot holes. But fucking hell, what a gorgeous film. Underworld did a wonderful job with the score as well. I am looking forward to the DVD release so I can figure out how the hell the FX were pulled off.
The Golden Compass: You know what? It wasn't that great... but I loved every second of it. It is a shame that the Church had to go and get up in everyon'es grill about the God stuff... we all know they're just not down with Phillip Pullman's outspokenness on his atheism. Whatever, Fun movie. Will look great next to my Narnia special edition.
Bad FIlms
La Vie En Rose: Over-rated crap-fest of a movie. BORING.
Interview: Painful to watch, horrid characters. Let's hope Buscemi's next effort is more appealing.
I Am Legend: I got food poisoning and almost passed out half-way through the film. I chose to blame it and not the broccoli I consumed beforehand.
The Ten: Really just not that funny. I expected more from you, Paul Rudd and former cast members of the State.
Spider-Man 3: Oh, that one just hurt.
Evan Almighty: I saw this on a bus. 'Nuff said.
Music
Albums
1. Arcade Fire Neon Bible
2. Blonde Redhead 23
3. The National Boxer
4. Nine Inch Nails Year Zero and Year Zero Remixed
5. Patrick Wolf The Magic Position
6. Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
7. PJ Harvey White Chalk
Live
Arcade Fire: Boston, Orpheum
Neil Young: Boston, Orpheum
Aqueduct: Cambridge, Middle East Upstairs
Modest Mouse/Man Man: Boston, Orpheum
Sxip's Hour of Charm (week two): Cambridge, Zero Arrow Theater
Mew: Boston, Paradise
And: I assume that the Decemberists would have been fucking incredible. I had tickets to both nights of the Long of it and Short of it tour, but it was canceled due to illness. I hope that whoever was ill is on the mend.
TV
I do not have cable - I have rent! I did however get some television viewing in before the WGA strike.
-Heroes sort of blew this year, but Tim Kring (creator) agrees, and he promises to try harder next time. Yay!
- PBS's The War was pretty awesome. Not that anything Ken Burn's does is short of awesome. Except for his hair. Seriously.
-Remember when Lost was on? You know, aside from that whole fertility plot line, it wasn't that wretched.
-You know what show was amazing? Andy Barker, P.I.. Obviously it was destined for cancellation from the get-go. Come on, anything produced by Conan O'Brien and starring Andy Richter is way too good to be true. Let's hope for a DVD release.
That, thankfully, is all I've got dear exhausted reader. Hopefully 2008 will bring me more time for writing projects like this one.
Be that as it may, I have decided to crawl from beneath the protective covering of my favorite red hoodie, cuddle deep within the cushions of my couch, crack open some containers of delivery curry, and present to you the First Ever pop*creep Year End Best Of.
____________________________________________________
Let's start this thing nice and easy with:
The Written Word
I didn't read many books in 2007, and the books that I did read were published before 2000. That said, there shall be no "best book" this year.
I did however read Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8 religiously this year. It may not have been the Snooty McSnooterson Best Comic EVER, but it has consistently been enjoyable, most notably a four issue series written by Y's Brian K. Vaughn (he also writes for Lost). The series may not be 100% enjoyable for non-Scoobies, but it is certainly worth a peek.
I spend a lot of time waiting for phones to ring at one of my jobs. This means I spent a lot of time on the internet reading blogs (which, unlike pop*creep are generally updated on a daily basis).
These were the blogs I visited most frequently in 2007
Jezebel
Go Fug Yourself
Defamer
The A.V. Club
Idolator
Yes Gawker Media, you win again.
Webcomics of Note
Married to the Sea
Questionable Content
American Elf
Best Tribute Video
Film
I see a lot of movies. I mean, a lot. Usually about two a week. The fact that 2007 was an exceptional year for film doesn't make narrowing things down all that simple.
Let's go by genre:
Drama
Atonement: This adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel is nothing short of haunting. It is sexy, gorgeous and brooding. Actually, no... that's just James McAvoy. Let's face it, no one could quite match his brood-osity this year (seriously, here he is in Becoming Jane ... I watched so you didn't have to). You've come a long way, Mr. Tumnus. I digress. I DID enjoy the film for non-McAvoy reasons. Joe Wright is able to turn a brief tryst in a library into the hottest love scene of the year - even though Mr. McAvoy has gone on record as saying it was the most uncomfortable sex scene he'd ever filmed. Ah, celluloid... how you make the lies so very pretty.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: Another adaptation done astoundingly well. The film stars Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck as the titular assassinated and assasin respectively. I actually saw this film twice - all 160 minutes of it. Everything is just spot on, and I really can't say enough about this film. You need to see it, if only because Nick Cave has a hilarious cameo...
Control: A fine film about Ian Curtis and Joy Division rendered in marvelous inky black and white. Heavy, poetic, and redolent of sorrow. Tough to watch if you've lost someone to such circumstances.
Comedy
Lars and the Real Girl: When I first read that this film was being made, my jaw hit the floor. I have a strange fascination with Real Dolls, and I have for a few years now. I couldn't believe that someone had written a screenplay on the topic, let alone that people seemed to be taking it SERIOUSLY. When the film finally opened in Boston in October what I saw was by far one of the most touching stories of the year. If Ryan Gosling isn't nominated for an Oscar for this film, it is a damn shame. His portrayal of Lars is nothing but sensitive and genuine.
Juno: A lot has already been made of Juno. I know that it will inevitably become dated and over-quoted, but for now let's just enjoy it for what it is: A great, hilarious comedy about what it is like to be 16, cynical, and knocked up. Finally, there's a teen girl in film I can relate to ( at least the cynical part) - too bad she popped up a decade too late. Yes, a lot of the film is "precious", but it is worth seeing just for how it portrays aging gen-Xers.
Documentary
SiCKO: Oh Micheal Moore... there you go again with the provocation and the selective fact-sharing. Except for this time you're doin' it for a good cause. We all know that the American healthcare system is nothing short of a joke, but you've made it more apparent, and more urgent. Good on you. Keep it up.
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters: This is actually probably my favorite film of 2007. I don't really care about arcade games... but I care about Steve Wiebe. This film did not make the shortlist for the Oscars. Seriously, what is the Academy smoking?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Sunshine: Danny Boyle is a genre-hopping genius. Some folk had bones to pick with this somewhat flawed film. Yeah, the science wasn't sound. There were plot holes. But fucking hell, what a gorgeous film. Underworld did a wonderful job with the score as well. I am looking forward to the DVD release so I can figure out how the hell the FX were pulled off.
The Golden Compass: You know what? It wasn't that great... but I loved every second of it. It is a shame that the Church had to go and get up in everyon'es grill about the God stuff... we all know they're just not down with Phillip Pullman's outspokenness on his atheism. Whatever, Fun movie. Will look great next to my Narnia special edition.
Bad FIlms
La Vie En Rose: Over-rated crap-fest of a movie. BORING.
Interview: Painful to watch, horrid characters. Let's hope Buscemi's next effort is more appealing.
I Am Legend: I got food poisoning and almost passed out half-way through the film. I chose to blame it and not the broccoli I consumed beforehand.
The Ten: Really just not that funny. I expected more from you, Paul Rudd and former cast members of the State.
Spider-Man 3: Oh, that one just hurt.
Evan Almighty: I saw this on a bus. 'Nuff said.
Music
Albums
1. Arcade Fire Neon Bible
2. Blonde Redhead 23
3. The National Boxer
4. Nine Inch Nails Year Zero and Year Zero Remixed
5. Patrick Wolf The Magic Position
6. Modest Mouse We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
7. PJ Harvey White Chalk
Live
Arcade Fire: Boston, Orpheum
Neil Young: Boston, Orpheum
Aqueduct: Cambridge, Middle East Upstairs
Modest Mouse/Man Man: Boston, Orpheum
Sxip's Hour of Charm (week two): Cambridge, Zero Arrow Theater
Mew: Boston, Paradise
And: I assume that the Decemberists would have been fucking incredible. I had tickets to both nights of the Long of it and Short of it tour, but it was canceled due to illness. I hope that whoever was ill is on the mend.
TV
I do not have cable - I have rent! I did however get some television viewing in before the WGA strike.
-Heroes sort of blew this year, but Tim Kring (creator) agrees, and he promises to try harder next time. Yay!
- PBS's The War was pretty awesome. Not that anything Ken Burn's does is short of awesome. Except for his hair. Seriously.
-Remember when Lost was on? You know, aside from that whole fertility plot line, it wasn't that wretched.
-You know what show was amazing? Andy Barker, P.I.. Obviously it was destined for cancellation from the get-go. Come on, anything produced by Conan O'Brien and starring Andy Richter is way too good to be true. Let's hope for a DVD release.
That, thankfully, is all I've got dear exhausted reader. Hopefully 2008 will bring me more time for writing projects like this one.
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