tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76413428678874367142024-03-14T05:49:08.488-04:00images&words"Movies like this make me remember I love human beings."
This is about reviewing movies.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-12345502191967124332009-03-12T17:24:00.002-04:002009-03-12T17:24:53.750-04:00SWAMPANDREVIEWS.TUMBLR.COM<br /><br />Same thing. Only better. May post stuff from here to there too.<br /><br />Check it out.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-59766223901260468312009-02-12T22:51:00.003-05:002009-02-13T01:35:32.266-05:00It has been a month since my last post. I've been pretty busy with school and stuff, so I haven't written any reviews. For a whole month worth of movies, I haven't seen so much new stuff...<br />That's because I've been rewatching a lot of stuff, buying some DVDs, rewatching movies already on the list, etcetara. So here's a little retrospect of the past month...<br /><br />I've been trying to watch some of the Academy Award-nominated movies lately...<br /><strong>Slumdog Millionaire</strong> that I saw quite a long time ago already, a pretty good movie, maybe a bit overly dramatic near the end but for what it's worth, the first half was pure gold. An amazing photography and brilliant camera work, I highly recommend it if you love India and its culture, and if you love <em>beautiful </em>films in general.<br /><br /><strong>The Wrestler </strong>was <em>amazing</em>. The more I think about it, the more I'm in love with that movie. Minimalistic in its approach, almost like a documentary, it's such a gripping and touching story. Almost like a metaphor of Mickey Rourke's life, I'd say he offers in <em>The Wrestler</em> one of the most touching performances I've seen. So honest and brutal, and almost predictable (but in a really good way, oddly), it's a movie that grows with you after you leave the theater. Another Aronofsky masterpiece.<br /><br />I plan on seeing <strong>Milk</strong> someday...although knowing myself, I'll probably end watching some of the movies I recently bought on dvds.<br /><br />Added<strong> Reservoir Dogs</strong> to my collection. That movie amazes me every single time I see it. It is such an absolute classic, so funny and entertaining, it's Tarantino at his finest. The same day, I actually rewatched <strong>Kill Bill Vol.1 </strong>too, and goddamn, QT sure knows how to make <em>great</em> films.<br />By the way : the teaser trailer for <strong><a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808404206/video/11988602/standardformat/">Inglourious Basterds</a><em> </em></strong>is out, and I'll link it here because it's fucking awesome, check it out.<br /><br />I've finally got to see some great movies like <strong>Being John Malkovich<em> </em></strong>which was really strange...maybe a bit disappointing since I was expecting something fucking mindblowing like <strong>Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind </strong>(that I recently bough on dvd along with <strong>Hard Candy </strong>(my personal Ellen Page favorite) and <strong>Cloverfield, </strong>all of which I haven't got the chance to rewatch yet.) Being John Malkoviche was pretty good nonetheless. John Cusack gives a solid performance in it, along with John Malkovich of course. I got to see <strong>Forrest Gump </strong>for the first time ever and I wasn't dissapointed : it is actually what I was expecting from a 6-time Academy Award winner type of film. For a strange reason, I always expected that movie to be about a handicap marathon or something. I'm glad it wasn't, though. Also ; <strong>The Godfather </strong>was all I expected it to be and more. An important milestone in cinematic history.<br /><br />I think that pretty much covers the month. I've rewatched a personal favorite of mine, <strong>Donnie Darko<em> </em></strong>and got to see <strong>Juno</strong> again, which was a bit of strange experience...for some reason. I thought it was not as good as I remembered it to be...but I couldn't tell why.<br /><br />I've just been finishing <strong>Alias Season 3 </strong>on DVD and it's been pretty good. A fairly different season than the firt two, not so many "classic" episodes either but it's some pretty good and entertaining spy-fi, as far as I'm concerned.<br /><br />I have a bunch of movies I want to see: <strong>12 Monkeys, Good Will Hunting, Blade Runner, Burn After Reading, </strong>the lastest Henry Selick film <strong>Coraline </strong>and a bunch of other stuff. A really gory and violent horror movie would be good too....<br /><br />Someday. The truth is I don't see where I'll have the time. I'd say March break, but I suspect I'm gonna be pretty busy with school projects, again..! (at least one of them is actually film related, hurray!)<br /><br />That's enough for tonight and this ridiculously long post that nobody will read.<br />See ya!Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-77606137648542639112009-01-13T06:30:00.029-05:002009-01-25T13:04:20.611-05:00TOP 10 of 2008<div align="center">It's never too late to do my year's top 10 isn't it? </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So here's my very own top 10 of 2008. But I've got to say, I'm cheating a bit. You'll find some 2007 movies and even a 2006 movie. But hey, I got to see them this year and they were fucking great! It's not a "top ten best movies" so to speak, but it's a top ten of my favorite cinematic experiences of the year. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>10. Repo! The Genetic Opera.</strong> </div><div align="center">(Darren Lynn Bousman. 2008)<br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290745957705287522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWyBar3bh2I/AAAAAAAAAyw/J4H4Gvsj8K0/s400/repopic1.jpg" border="0" />Now, the reason this movie makes the list is not that the movie was <em>that </em>good. It was pretty good yes, very entertaining, but for me, this stands out as one of the greatest cinematic experiencesof the year. The world premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival this summer was just <em>crazy<br /></em>Darren Lynn Bousman was there, the cast too, the crowd was insane, it was a hot summer night, I met some nice people. A very fun night to remember.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>9. Iron Man<br /></strong>(Jon Favreau. 2008) </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290747288975585746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWyCoLPAMdI/AAAAAAAAAy4/u7PlD1ooZpE/s400/ironman-08preview-lg.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">This is the movie that launched the summer now officially know, and thus, for the end of times, as The Summer of the Comic Book Movie. And as far as I'm concerned, while this wasn't the best one (that being TDK and we <em>all </em>know it), this definitely was the most comic-book-ish, and let alone, the best fucking Marvel movie I've seen. It paved the way for the Avengers, introduced Marvel's very own studio, put Robert Downey Jr. back on the map (for me anyways) and was just pure comic gold.<br /><strong></strong></p><p align="center"><strong>8. Cloverfield<br /></strong>(Matt Reeves. 2008) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290748807233983746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWyEAjMA1QI/AAAAAAAAAzA/H85_qt3hJAo/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /> Certainly one of the most hyped and anticipated movies of 2008, I remember it coming out in January and boy, was I excited. I've had practically spent the whole summer going all over the Internet looking for clues and shit. And when I got to finally see it, I got definitely what I wanted : an action-packed, thrilling, hand-held <em>kaiju </em>flick. It is also one of the rare movies I went to see twice in theaters. It's not a <em>grand </em>film but it's pretty damn entertaining. </p><p align="center"><strong>7. Tokyo Gore Police<br /></strong>(Yoshihiro Nishimura. 2008)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290752777125290130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 236px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWyHnoL24JI/AAAAAAAAAzI/74p295u7mmY/s400/tokyo-gore-police.jpg" border="0" />This movie makes the list for being the single most fucked up thing I have ever seen. <em>Ever</em>. Trust me. It is not an amazing movie, so to speak, but it sure is a cinematic experience you're likely to never live (or want to live) again. In all seriousness, this movie is intense. Hear my words : <em>intense.</em> There's a limit of blood you can show in a movie. This movie basically says fuck you and utterly <em>destroys</em> those limits. For the gore fans out there only: Trust me, you will never, ever see something like this. This a one-in-a-lifetime movie. My eyeballs still hurt.<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><strong>6. Jack Brooks : Monster Slayer<br /></strong>(Jon Knautz. 2007)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290758905603986018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWyNMWjCkmI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/ZrwXcotnw1Q/s400/Jack_Brooks_Monster_Slayer_Englund_transform.png" border="0" />This shouldn't be on this list right? Well it is. The reasons ? It's Canadian and I'm kinda proud it is. And it was SO MUCH FUN. This a Halloween Party kinda movie. A throwback to the eighties when CGI didn't exist. A movie full of slime, goo and blood, latex and monsters. Plus, watch with a cheering crowd at a film fest : fun time garantied. And it stars Robert Englund. This isn't one of the <em>best</em> films I've seen this year, no way, but I had such a good time watching it. Highly recommended.</p><br /><p align="center"><strong>5.The Fall<br /></strong>(Tarsem. 2006)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291348462682429394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 323px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SW6lZFz-19I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/hiUr7V1dsfM/s400/the_fall_movie_image_lee_pace.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">I've already reviewed this movie but let me remind you : this movie is amazing. Amazingly beautiful, great characters, one of my favorite actor (Lee Pace from Pushing Daisies)as a pistolero, some of the greatest imagery you'll ever see in a non-blockbuster flick (it was shot in over 22 countries and it shows), this movie is as epic as it is heart-moving and really really good.<em> </em><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><strong>4. Who is K.K. Downey?<br /></strong>(Darren Curtis & Pat Kiely. 2008)<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291350729619347954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SW6ndCz3GfI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/1Vd66i7uEnc/s400/kkdowney.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">I am not a comedy guy. Look at the list, I don't usually see a lot of comedies. It's not a genre I love very much. But this, guys, this was seriously one, if not the single greatest comedy I've seen. And, maybe that is impairing my judgement but it's from Montréal, and this movie made me want to make movies myself, like you wouldn't believe.<em> </em>It's about those hipster guys, one is in a band and another wants to publish a book but they all fail miserably. They then decide to create this icon. K.K. Downey and basically fool everybody in thinking he's the one who wrote the shitty book. This movie is juste pure comedic gold. That's all I'm going to say. Now, if a DVD could come out so I could spread the love...<br /></p><p align="center"><strong>3.The Dark Knight<br /></strong>(Christopher Nolan. 2008) </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291498518395161698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SW8t3e5zDGI/AAAAAAAAA1w/tTPNuOsD_Dk/s400/dark_knight_18.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Don't act like you didn't expect this to be on the list. This movie is a dark and gripping thriller <em>and </em>it is a superhero movie. Wait what? Yes. Heath Ledger delivered the performance of his career (or sadly, of his life) and Christopher Nolan blasted his way in the summer blockbuster league, while keeping all the intelligence and intrigue of his previous films. I you haven't seen this yet, you've either lived under a rock all year, or you must have a hell of a reason.If not, I don't want to know you.<br /></p><p align="center"><strong>2. The Darjeeling Limited<br /></strong>(Wes Anderson. 2007)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291500777357077330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SW8v6-MSa1I/AAAAAAAAA14/gF1gAGKzI-w/s400/darkeeling.jpg" border="0" />I know this came out quite a time ago, but this movie is so great, so perfect that it had to be on this list. Of course, I was expecting an amazing film from Wes Anderson, but when I got to see this movie, I was blown away. I know he's made <em>The Royal Tenenbaums</em> which is regarded as his masterpiece and I'm no one to argue with that, but <em>Darjeeling</em> stuck with me a lot more afterwards. This movie moved on so many levels. It's smart, funny and beautiful, so beautiful. The characters alone are some of the greatest stuff I've seen on the big screen. I could write a thousand word repeating how good this is but please do yourself a favor and see this movie. And all Wes Anderson's while you're at it.<br /></p><p align="center"><strong>NUMBER ONE - LET THE RIGHT ONE IN<br /></strong>(Tomas Alfredson. 2007)<br /><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292079144308095394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SXE98W-8uaI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Oo29WhQVSyw/s400/lettherightonein-1.jpg" border="0" /></em></p><p align="center">This movie is undescribable : my words couldn't even begin to explain how good this was and how much I enjoyed it. But what makes this the definitive most amazing film I've seen this year (at this point, you get that the top 3 is pretty much the best films I've seen this year) is how it grew on me. How it stayed with me and haunted me for days. How I wanted to see it again, and couldn't. This is a true example of an awaken dream, a movie that got me and didn't let me go, for two hours long. Forget everything else you know about vampires and cold and snow : this movie is the definitive vampire movie for me. Everything in this movie is amazing and it has one of the most satisfaying endings you'll ever see.</p><p><br />That is it folks.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-75797774097486134292009-01-11T13:31:00.008-05:002009-01-13T20:56:13.925-05:00The Curious Case of Benjamin Button<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWo8-D2rDWI/AAAAAAAAAyo/23uZCsygCBg/s1600-h/3162460696_77d3706439_o.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290107749184245090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 169px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SWo8-D2rDWI/AAAAAAAAAyo/23uZCsygCBg/s400/3162460696_77d3706439_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As you all may know by now, I'm a huge David Fincher fan. I remember seeing the trailer for this movie and being absolutely mesmerized. And I remember thinking : this is going to be Fincher's masterpiece. I know Fincher doesn't write his movies, and I think that technically speaking, this is his greatest achievement yet. But I'll get to that later. I really liked this movie. Not as much as I thought I would when I saw the trailer, but I'm glad I, after reading a bunch of reviews, reajusted my expectations, and went to see it. As you may all know by now, this movie is about Benjamin Button who ages backward.<br /><br />What kept me from absolutely adoring this movie was some little details here and there. It didn't ruin anything, its exactly the kind of long love story I really like, but it kept it from becoming my new Fincher favorite.<br /><br />I feel that he really improves from movie to movie and I think that as a director, Benjamin Button is the culmination of his career. The mood, the tone, every scene is spot on. It's warm, it's thrilling, and touching, and for that, Fincher is my hero. Every single of his movies has this dark and eerie undertone which is just perfect. But it is not my favorite of his. Why ?<br /><br />Well, the script had those little details that bothered me just a little. First, the story's as a journal, I was fine with that but I felt that the Katrina subplot wasn't necessary at <em>all</em>. And also, halfway through the movie, he just got stuck at the same age for a while because I felt that was kinda convenient story-wise.<br />That bothered me a bit.<br />A friend of mine said she found the movie to be a bit cliché, but that didn't bother me this much. See it like this : this is an archetypal Hollywood movie. In a box, ready for the Academy Awards. It doesn't make it bad, far from that, it really is a great film, but it sure has the romance and the scenes going with it that may be a bit cliché.<br /><br />In all seriousness, I can't wait for his next one. They are rumors about a Black Hole adaptation, a Torso adaptation (both acclaimed graphic novels) and a Heavy Metal live-action with Zach Snyder, Guillermo Del Toro and Gore Verbinski all directing segments (Fanboy moment : OMFG!!!!!). I think that since Zodiac, Fincher's really on the top of his game.<br /><br />All in all, a very good movie. Not his best, not his worst, but a very welcome addition to his amazing filmography.<br /><div> </div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-67982459969085779172009-01-01T15:33:00.005-05:002009-01-01T16:01:59.002-05:00How to celebrate New Year's eve?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SV0upelxiwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/VLUyo0r10qI/s1600-h/armageddon_ver4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286432827723844354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SV0upelxiwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/VLUyo0r10qI/s400/armageddon_ver4.jpg" border="0" /></a> By watching Michael Bay's epic sci-fi over-the-top extravaganza that is Armageddon.<br /><div></div><div>I mean, this movie is what it is right? It's a Michael Bay, so it's what you can expect.</div><div></div><div>In this movie, Michael Bay blows up <em>a lot</em> of shit up. And I mean A LOT. China, New York, an oil-rigging platform, asteroids, bits and pieces of the moon, Paris, a Russian space station, and so on. He manages to infuse his movie with as much not-so-subtle political messages as you would expect and man, if you're looking for EXPLOSIONS like you wouldn't believe, this is what you need. It's a Michael Bay film after all. This movie is plain, epic, badass and brainless entertainment. You won't get better than this. And Bruce Willis is God, too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you expect a grand film, this is not for you. If you want to be ridiculously entertained, look no further, Michael Bay is the man. I have not a big bunch of respect for the guy, actually, but I can tell that with Armageddon, he manages to entertain (read : this movie is hilarious, cheesy and epic) the hell out of you. I can't believe the screenplay was partially written by J.J. Abrams. Hahaha.</div><br /><div></div><div>Actually, this movie is worth watching. There's an epic sequence, somewhere in the middle, just before they get on the space shuttle, and you have the President giving a huge speech to the population of the Earth. Priceless, believe me.</div><div></div><div>Also, this is waay better than Transformers, as far a explosions get.</div><br /><div>But, is this worth a place in the Criterion Collection, alongside Wes Anderson's and Kurosowa's films. I don't think so. I most definitely don't think this is "cinema at its finest" . Its a classic in its own genre, yes. But not an "important classic" as Criterion claims to distribute.</div><div></div><div>But it is the kind of movie I'll consider buying if it is less than 10$</div><br /><div></div><div>Brains : 0</div><div>Explosions : 10</div><div>Entertainment 10+</div><div>Bruce Willis : 10++</div><div></div><div>Its sums up the whole thing.</div><div>Oh, and Happy New Year, too.</div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-33951798824853708892009-01-01T03:29:00.003-05:002009-01-01T03:34:06.022-05:00HAPPY NEW YEARI'm about to watch : ARMAGEDDON. Yeah, that's right. Michael "I blow shit up" Bay.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-86441300633242183602008-12-26T14:21:00.005-05:002008-12-26T14:39:27.344-05:00Favorite Holiday Film (flash-review #12)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVUwRSRwj8I/AAAAAAAAAyI/wE2U-3FHsVQ/s1600-h/se7en1995ld.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284182811311378370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVUwRSRwj8I/AAAAAAAAAyI/wE2U-3FHsVQ/s400/se7en1995ld.gif" border="0" /></a> Talk about an appropriate Christmas movie. I'm almost didn't put it in the LIST because I thought it was already there. Looks like it isn't...<br /><br />Anyways, Seven is one of my all time favorite movies. I received the DVD for Christmas and watched it with my cousins. This movie is so good. Everything about it is amazing. The acting, the direction, the script, the mood. It's so gritty and dark and perfect, I just love it.<br /><br />For those unfamiliar with this movie, its about two inspectors, portrayed by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt and their investigation of a serie of murders related to the seven deadly sins. The ending is amazing. Every murder is absolutely horrible and perfect. Everything about this movie is spot on. If you haven't seen it, see it right now. Believe me, this movie has an ending you do not forget.<br /><br />Absolute classic? I think so.<br />A perfect family film for the holidays (haha, no)Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-50677634686103042472008-12-22T23:54:00.004-05:002008-12-23T00:19:38.184-05:00flash-review #11<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVBwNiZDaSI/AAAAAAAAAx4/7PeP_LomXTE/s1600-h/trainspotting.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282845740778088738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVBwNiZDaSI/AAAAAAAAAx4/7PeP_LomXTE/s400/trainspotting.jpg" border="0" /></a> Trainspotting is, simply put, a brilliant movie. This movie entirely deserves its cult status. The actors are good, the direction is amazing. This being my first Danny Boyle film, I'm impressed. Following the life of heroin addicts, this movie is dirty, gritty, and realistic while remaining funny and captivating. Its above all a character piece, and its done really well. I really don't know what to say, because there's not much to write about, I mean : this movie is really great, see it! Although it contains some pretty hard sequences, I mean, this is first of all a drug movie, its not as heavy as, lets say Requiem for a Dream. Its way more optimistic and cheerful, while remaining realistic.<br /><br />It's late. I have <em>Michael Clayton</em> and <em>The Game</em> on my watch-pile. So, tomorrow.<br /><br />This was short.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-77085085258815525802008-12-18T21:24:00.002-05:002008-12-18T21:26:23.693-05:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SUsGDw6wOKI/AAAAAAAAAxw/rokJW0serc0/s1600-h/AZN7wsuV4hncoa3xjfkX8RnFo1_400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281321649762744482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 340px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SUsGDw6wOKI/AAAAAAAAAxw/rokJW0serc0/s400/AZN7wsuV4hncoa3xjfkX8RnFo1_400.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm....screwed.<br />Haha, review coming soon. And this time, <em>I mean it.</em><br /><div></div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-47835942438194413592008-12-14T19:01:00.007-05:002008-12-23T00:02:14.244-05:00flash-review #10 : Hell Ride<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVBww1kc_hI/AAAAAAAAAyA/oxEmryHPiLE/s1600-h/hellride_m.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282846347221597714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SVBww1kc_hI/AAAAAAAAAyA/oxEmryHPiLE/s400/hellride_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wow, this movie kinda failed. Maybe it was because my expectation were too high- I mean, just look at that : Tarantino produced, starring Vinnie Jones, David Carradine and Michael Madsen, among others - but man, is this movie a blatant exemple of style over substance. The story can be summed up in one sentence, and the movie spends more time showing tits than actually moving the story - thin story, that is - forward. Okay, I get it, its an hommage to biker flicks and all, but it could've had a compelling story. Instead, its just badass. At least, the movie succeeds at that, it's pretty fucking badass. But, it stops there. Tits, bikes and guns. Okay, enough.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>At least the actors were good. Its always a treat to see Michael Madsen being badass. But instead, do yourself a favor and see Reservoir Dogs. </div><br /><div></div><div>It's messy, it tries too hard, and finally, falls short. Sad really.</div><br /><div></div></div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-32564425531852292082008-12-04T23:41:00.004-05:002008-12-05T00:44:16.590-05:00flash-review #9 : Australia<div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/STiy_aDsjOI/AAAAAAAAAxE/2T01RygzBUc/s1600-h/australia-april-02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276163765860863202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/STiy_aDsjOI/AAAAAAAAAxE/2T01RygzBUc/s400/australia-april-02.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sorry guys (i'll never get tired of this, speaking as if I have readers. ha!), I know I promised this a while back but man, the last few weeks have been crazy, a shitload of homework, no time for myself, not much movie watching either. God. At least, this long weekend will make up for some of that. On Sunday, a friend and I are throwing a mini-film fest so we'll maybe watch two or 3 films. Probably rewatch Oldboy - which isn't on the List, so that will be good rewatching to do, that movie kicks asses -, maybe watch Memento again too- I love this movie so much, I can't even start to explain - and man, I need to see David Fincher's <em>The Game</em>. Anyways, this weekend is way more smooth so I'll watch movies! Surprised? I'd also like to finish <em>Pushing Daisies </em>First Season and start Alias Season 3 sometime soon. Wow, so much with my watchlist. Lets get to the actual reviewing.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>Australia</strong>, <strong>Baz Luhrmann</strong>'s 4th movie. I really didn't know this filmmaker at all, I mean, he's famous for Moulin Rouge! - which I really want to see -, but really, I just heard he had an amazing visual style. So that kept me from comparing with his other films, which I guess is a good thing.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">(Man I just realised how much I overuse the word "which", its terrible, really. I'm sorry, I really am. My english vocabular falls short a bit, but I'm trying!)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So, with Australia. At first, I was kinda surprised by the tone of the movie. I didn't expect it to be comedic at all, just good ol' drama. But it really tried to be funny - succeeding sometimes, failing at others. The comedic tone really helps dealing with the cheesy stuff - because there's <em>plenty. </em>Although it might annoy some persons, it didn't bother me <em>so </em>much. All things considered, its the kind of movie you just sit back and enjoy and laugh <em>with</em>, not <em>at. </em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">This films has some flaws though. It really tries to be <em>a lot.</em> Its actually near 3 hours long and it's not that it's boring or anything, it really isn't, but the balance isn't quite there. It feels as if some things were cut to make the running time more convenient. Take per exemple : the movie starts off as a western. It's light, it's fun, it's epic, it's beautiful (beautiful is really the word. The cinematography is beyond words.) and all. So when you actually get to the romance, you've already forgot about its supposed to be a romance film and it just seems rushed. The pace is nice and thats the problem : it actually slows down when the romance element is introduced and I don't think it should have. Thinking about it, you can really feel that Mr. Luhrmann tried to make this his big epic <em>magnum opus</em> or something, but it just did not expand to its full potential. I would've like to see more romance, but I didn't, and in the end, although the movie is pretty fucking long, I felt that something was lacking something, some extra scenes. I heard somewhere there was about 6 different ending to the movie, so maybe the dvd will have extras that'll make the romance seem less rushed. I know my mom is planning on buying it, and I'm glad she does, because it really is an entertaining film with a great rewatch quality to it, but I'm just sad it has so much apparent flaws.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">But then it ends with a bang. Last 40 minutes or so, it turns into a full-blast war epic. And it gets really fun and thrilling again. The ending is pretty satisfaying for that reason, and it makes you forget some of the lacking middle part.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">All in all, the film isn't as bad as some critics say. Its ligh, its beautiful and its entertaining. I was hoping for more, but I was fairly entertained. The acting was great, I mean, neither <strong>Nicole</strong> <strong>Kidman</strong> or <strong>Hugh Jackman</strong> have anything to prove. So yeah. Pretty cool film, too much flaws but I have this feeling in my stomach that the director's cut will deal with a few of those. </div><div align="left">Also, I almost forgot to mention, but this movie had to much CGI for its own good. And that really bothers me. Otherwise, a nice mother-and-son entertainment.</div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-24762382072610654582008-11-26T16:40:00.002-05:002008-11-26T17:03:13.291-05:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SS3Csmz9tsI/AAAAAAAAAwM/uuVaEi8R4gA/s1600-h/australia_ver4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273084810309252802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SS3Csmz9tsI/AAAAAAAAAwM/uuVaEi8R4gA/s400/australia_ver4.jpg" border="0" /></a> Wow, I rarely go to theaters. I'm talking mainstream theaters. Popcorn and stuff. Last time, jeez, I think it was for Hellboy II, back this summer. (I'm not counting film fests or stuff like that), so yeah, it's way back. It's not that I don't want to go, it's just that when I look at my ten bucks and think I could see like 6 films for that price, I don't go...except of course when its something I highly anticipate - well, take for exemple the upcoming Watchmen, or Star Trek. Those I'm not going to miss.<br />But usually, what I do is hope a movie comes out, that can please my mom and I so she can invite me.<br />Yeah, I'm like that...haha.<br /><br />So at 6:30, we're going to see Australia, and I gotta admit, I'm pretty excited for it. I love Australia, and I just love those epic love stories, I guess they hit my buttons just right. I've read a lot of mixed reviews and I really hope this movie is as good a some say. I've heard it's a mess, that it's too long and shit, but really I'm expecting a great, epic and touching film. I mean, if <em>Oprah </em>likes it! Haha, just kidding.<br /><br />I know I've promised a review of Zodiac (pretty solid flick!), but man, have I been busy. But don't worry, I'll make up something , and review Australia tomorrow or this weekend. Anyway, take care, I'm still alive - (<em>man, nobody reads this.</em>)<br /><br />Oh, crap, I have to study too. Ok, see ya!Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-69041177290167693522008-11-19T07:31:00.003-05:002008-11-19T07:38:04.898-05:00Steet Trash @ Off the Hook, Montréal, QC.<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SSQHc_bGawI/AAAAAAAAAvk/zmqaXb5L-tI/s1600-h/street+trash.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270345658573155074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SSQHc_bGawI/AAAAAAAAAvk/zmqaXb5L-tI/s400/street+trash.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was a pretty nice evening, actually. The movie was trashy as hell. If you don't know it, rent it or something. I really is a true 80's cult gem. DJ set and grindhouse trailers, I couldn't ask for more, seriously. Now I totally have to see <em>Nazi Surfers must Die </em>and <em>Rage of a Ninja. </em>God. </div><div align="justify">(That's me with the yellow scarf, along with my friend Mathilde, black coat, white scarf. On the walls, you can see Vampirella. They was also an exhibit of Donald Caron's artwork. Which just added to the greatness.)<br /></div><div align="center"></div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-29439999414417235282008-11-07T00:27:00.010-05:002008-11-09T16:16:30.574-05:00flash-review #8 : Pi<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SRPTu5Q-zzI/AAAAAAAAAoc/rEzACyOWjnI/s1600-h/PDVD_006.BMP"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265785191925731122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SRPTu5Q-zzI/AAAAAAAAAoc/rEzACyOWjnI/s400/PDVD_006.BMP" border="0" /></a> Pi - <u>Darren Aronofsky</u> is a talented filmmaker. There's no doubt about it. Actually being able to make your viewer as crazy as the character in your movie, by the end of it, is not something everything can achieve. I have a headache. Like seriously. Maybe its the fact that I'm tired as hell and that it's forty past midnight... but no, its actually the movie. Crazy sound effects - and I mean <em>headache-inducing </em>crazy -, heavily contrasted black and white, hard to watch, a downward spiral into obsession. Crazy shit, really. The story's hardly about 3,1416 either. If you're like a math afficionado, too bad for you. This one goes in the "really genuine cinematic experience" drawer of my brain. I'm tired. This movie was pretty good. In a really art-house, expresionnist kind of way, but I know good when I see it. I give up. Go to bed, get some rest. Or I'm going to start obsessing on Shemhamphorasch, the true name of God. Oh man. See it. But in the morning. For the sake of your brain.<br /><br />Now enough with flash-reviews. A true one coming up, I promise. Probably Fincher's <em>Zodiac </em>or Lynch's <em>Mulholland Dr.</em>, I don't know yet.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-88474892095983155322008-11-06T20:39:00.003-05:002008-11-06T21:51:09.344-05:00flash-review #7 : The Tracey Fragments<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SROcwvzpDqI/AAAAAAAAAoM/xHYRVZgS_4w/s1600-h/PDVD_056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265724750606962338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SROcwvzpDqI/AAAAAAAAAoM/xHYRVZgS_4w/s400/PDVD_056.jpg" border="0" /></a> For those who are not familiar already with the concept, the whole movie is edited in split-screens. And <u>The Tracey Fragments</u> is all about pushing the concept really far (as you <---- can see right here ) while telling a compelling story about teen angst and all that stuff. Basically, the movie's about this girl, Tracey Berkowitz, 15 years old, naked under a flowery shower curtain in the back of a bus, telling her story, in this very - <em>very</em> - unlinear way. And it's quite interesting. Overall, it made me think of a way trashier <em>The Catcher in the Rye </em>kind-of teen movie with an amazing - as always - performance by one of my favorites, Ellen Page. She's just <em>great.</em> An interesting movie, worth the watch for the curious ones out there.<br /><p> </p>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-43783002945823767672008-10-28T07:25:00.002-04:002008-10-28T07:37:21.150-04:00flash-review #6 : The Fall<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SQb3MSHU8qI/AAAAAAAAAnM/lxEXjApar_A/s1600-h/tarsem-the-fall-stills-07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262165005022065314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SQb3MSHU8qI/AAAAAAAAAnM/lxEXjApar_A/s400/tarsem-the-fall-stills-07.jpg" border="0" /></a> <u>The Fall </u>is a-friggin-mazing. On every level. So beautifully shot - in over 22 countries!!! - well acted, amazingly directed, fun story, engaging characters and heart. A whole lot of heart.<br /><br />It's about this guy, stuntman in the 1920's portrayed by a favorite actor of mine, Lee Pace (from <em>Pushing Daisies</em> previously), that after a bad stunt, ends up paralyzed. He becomes friend with this cute little girl and basically tells her this story. There's more to it, of course, but I don't want to tell too much. And my god, it's the most beautiful story ever. Not the most original, I'll admit - you could say the film borrows elements from Big Fish, or Wizard of Oz or something - but it's so damn touching and beautifull to watch. Think about it. An epic tale of revenge, set in those amazing landscapes, an explosives expert, and ex-slave, a gunslinger (<em>I love gunslingers</em>), Charles Darwin and his monkey, and Indian guy and an ex-slave wearing horns. Amazing.<br /><br />See it, buy it, rent it, I don't care, but see it. Truly amazing.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-14985917682764982112008-10-20T06:38:00.004-04:002008-10-23T21:55:14.604-04:00flash-review #5 : A Tale of Two Sisters<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPxgm-XLSfI/AAAAAAAAAms/tUXMeKWCz2U/s1600-h/Tale-of-Two-Sisters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259184687553399282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPxgm-XLSfI/AAAAAAAAAms/tUXMeKWCz2U/s400/Tale-of-Two-Sisters.jpg" border="0" /></a> I just hate when that happens. You take a movie that's well acclaimed, you rent it and after almost two hours, you're like : what the fuck did I just see...?? And not in a good way.<br /><br />It also makes you feel dumb. All over the internet, everybody seems to have understood the whole thing, and actually enjoyed it. I'm sorry, this was <em>seriously</em> unclear. Ok, some people might say it is open to interpretation, but really, I just don't see what the fuss is about. The movie is so slow - I've got nothing against slow-paced movies, but when it gets boring... It sure wanted to set an eerie mood, but I wasn't impressed by all the J-Horror (or should I say in this case K-Horror, damn, I hate does hair) bullshit. Then the plot twist(s). Been there, seen that. Wait what? Then my brain started functioning full speed. Ah, fuck it. This movie just didn't get me to care that much. I just watched it roll down and found myself thoroughly unimpressed.<br />And judging by the poster, I was expecting something really nice. Korean cinema is actually so good.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-58906795664604097612008-10-12T16:32:00.020-04:002008-12-19T19:45:04.297-05:00Double treat : #3 & 4No screenshot for this double-review, since I saw both movies at a friend's birthday party. Two films today, <em><u>Pathology</u> </em>and <em><u>Rogue</u>, </em>both horror flicks. I'll start with the good stuff.<br /><br /><div></div><div>- Note : I originally posted this, but it disappeared into thin air, litteraly and I can't get my post back. Which is infuriating since I have to write it all again. This once happened, and the lost post appeared again, days later...so if it does reappear in a day or two...I'll have it twice, since I'm rewriting it now. Argh. - </div><div> </div><div></div><div>So, <u>Pathology</u>, an horror flick that went almost unnoticed, directed by <u>Marc Schoelermann</u>, previously from...absolutely nothing it appears. Looks like some sort of director-on-hire or something...</div><div></div><div>It stars my biggest man-crush ever, Milo "Petrelli" Ventimiglia and I got to admit, its a sick twisted, fucked up and entertaining movie. While not being a masterpiece, the movie is fun and strange enough to keep you watching all along. What stood out the most was how great-looking it was. For a) an amazing photography and b) Milo is gorgeous - being said in a totally un-gay way, don't get me wrong. The movie was quite predictable but watching it with a bunch of friends sure was some fun time. It borrows a lot from a lot of places - from Cronenberg, Saw-like editing or even CSI (actually, talking of CSI : while watching the movie, I actually found myself thinking that the premise would make an amazing tv show, one that would be really violent and sexually explicit, but awesome like hell) - but in the end, its a fun ride, well shot, and creepy.</div><div></div><div>For some sick reason, the aesthetics of this movie really appealed to me. Which is something I really value while watching a movie. Like, yesterday, I watched <em>Speed Racer</em> and it almost gave me an headache. I really like when a movie is nice to actually <em>watch</em>, you know when there's some attention to the color of everything - yeah, <em>Speed Racer </em>had hell-of-a-kind special effects, but too much is still too much - or to the details, etc. A great exemple that comes to mind is <em>Hard Candy. </em>Ok, what was I talking about again? Yeah, Pathology is a nice medical-horror flick and if you're looking for a cool movie to rent - or you just love to see Peter Petrelli elsewhere than Heroes, go for it, its quite cool.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPN-JhDz9JI/AAAAAAAAAmM/MG6SLRerK8s/s1600-h/pathology.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256683892029781138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 221px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px" height="340" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPN-JhDz9JI/AAAAAAAAAmM/MG6SLRerK8s/s400/pathology.jpg" width="213" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPN-JhByfTI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Bc3dLjIDyxY/s1600-h/pathology_ver2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256683892021296434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px" height="356" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPN-JhByfTI/AAAAAAAAAmU/Bc3dLjIDyxY/s400/pathology_ver2.jpg" width="206" border="0" /></a></div><div>For lack of images, I'll put the posters. I especially love the polaroïd-skull one.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Wait, does it say "from the creators of Crank"??</div><div><br /></div><div>The movie with Jason Statham that look horrible as shit? Hrm...now I guess I have to see it too. Crap.</div><div>Ok, now to the next one. (Seriously, rewriting is a pain in the ass. I just hope this post turns out better than the original.)</div><div><u></u></div><div><u>Rogue</u>. <u>Greg McLean</u>'s second movie. I have not seen Wolf Creek and I don't know if I should - even if I shouldn't, I'll probably get to it - just for the sake of watching every movie the unnofically called <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1549299,00.html">Splat Pack</a> has made - and I mean, there's a whole bunch of movie I shouldn't have seen. For my eye's sake. Battlefield : Earth - yeah, that one - or Insecticidal - look that up on Wikipedia - yeah there's a wiki page, all-surprising it seems - and you'll tell me how good it looks... - just to name a few. For those actually wondering why Battlefield : Earth and Insecticidal are not on the list, its just because I've seen them prior to April '08. I don't exactly recall when my love for movies - especially genre movies - got serious, but April was definitely the month I decided to keep track of it. So, if I ever watch them again - WHY IN HELL WOULD I??? - the'll make the list, don't worry....anyways, my point here was that, yeah, nothing can <em>be </em>that bad, so I'll probably get to Wolf Creek someday...or Crank...</div><div></div><div>Now, lets get to the actuall movie. Rogue. Who doesn't love a good old Giant Killing Crocodile Slasher movie, once in a while. You expect to see some blood, nice reptilian action, sweat, giant crocodiles and all that shit that makes the genre great. A Giant Crocodile - or Reptile for all that matters - flick is always great. Except when it lacks everything mentionned above.</div><div></div><div>The movie differs from a normal low-class movie in the way it's shot. I mean, god some shots are gorgeous, but GODDAMN, its not like I want to watch Discovery Channel. The first half of the movie made me feel like I was watching "Australia, a country of Natural Wonders" if there's such a thing.<br />NO!</div><div></div><div>Its so damn long before anything actually happens. I'm watching Rogue, I don't give a fuck about the damn wildlife! I want to see Crocodile Killing Humans. As childish as it seems, its true. That what you expect when you rent such a movie. To be entertained. To see the giant crocodile tearing some things apart. Sure it happens, but so rarely. Even the last confrontation is long and boring. I mean, I don't blame McLean for trying to make a show less, suggest more kind of movie...ah fuck it.<br />I DO BLAME HIM. How can you think that you're good enough to make a GIANT KILLER CROCODILE - hear this : giant. killer. crocodile - that is actually more character driven than crocodile driven?! It doesn't work that way at all, I'm sorry!! See, in life there are some line you do not cross. There are some rule you do not break, some genres you do not fuck with, AND THE GIANT REPTILE IS ONE OF THEM. There's a limit at how much you can let down you gore-fans. So I'll just say this. To every young filmmaker out there that wants to tackle the genre : keep the guts and the blood and/or the cheesyness and sweatyness. I don't care about those fancy underwater/just over water/animal shots. During the movie, a friend of mine actually said "Hey, I feel like watching Anaconda." and we all agreed. Yeah, the Ice Cube and JLO one, no kidding.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPOGj5sa4uI/AAAAAAAAAmc/RMXxrby6ljI/s1600-h/rogue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256693141412176610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 366px" height="371" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPOGj5sa4uI/AAAAAAAAAmc/RMXxrby6ljI/s400/rogue.jpg" width="258" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPOGkKkE-qI/AAAAAAAAAmk/Xb2DAi3xSbc/s1600-h/rogue_ver2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256693145940589218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="367" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SPOGkKkE-qI/AAAAAAAAAmk/Xb2DAi3xSbc/s400/rogue_ver2.jpg" width="239" border="0" /></a>And I mean. Look at that badass poster right here</div><div><--- How could this be a letdown?? How????</div><div></div><div>Anyway. All it does is remind of how bad I want to see Primeval.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-41245532089155853852008-09-26T11:44:00.013-04:002008-12-19T19:37:28.791-05:00Thunder Bolt/Death Proof<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250357008826349554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SN0D4ccTt_I/AAAAAAAAAjk/l1sOah7HHIM/s400/PDVD_048.BMP" border="0" /><br /><div><div align="justify">I just don't get why people don't like this movie. Ok, if you don't like Tarantino, you're screwed. But if you've enjoyed his other films...I don't know. It's quite surprising.<br /><br />This movie is a double feature in a double feature. Shown in theaters alongside Rodriguez's <em>Planet Terror</em> - wich is some truly mind-blowing, amazing zombie extravaganza - Death Proof (cause it's really <em>Death Proof</em>, not <em>Thunder Bolt</em>) feels like two movies, one being the prologue to the other, each one really different and both wildly enjoyable. When I talk to people that didn't like it, they all say it started out well, then it got bad. Why ? Because of the second half ? The crazy-ass car chase ? Man, who doesn't love a car chase ? I guess a lot of people do.<br /><br /><em>Death Proof</em> is really a love letter to the car chase genre of the 70's. It's plain and simple, and if people can't wrap their head around that concept, maybe they'll dislike the film. For myself, it made me want to run and rent <em>Vanishing Point </em>or <em>Faster Pussycat Kill Kill</em>. Its really a shame I haven't rented them yet, must be the third time I see this one. Another thing the movie did was prove me, yet again, that Tarantino is a master at absolutely everything. Pull out an old-school, no CGI, 20 minute car chase that isn't boring one bit - altough some people might find that arguable - is just genius.<br /><br />So ;<br /><br />Death Proof<br />USA<br />2007<br />Directed by Quentin Tarantino,<br />starring : Kurt "badass" Russell, Zoë "I did all the stunts in Kill Bill and have a gorgeous accent" Bell, Rosario Dawson, Eli "yeah, I'm the one that directed Hostel" Roth, Tarantino himself, the crazy twins from <em>Planet Terror</em>, Vanessa "I sure know how to lapdance" Ferlito and Rose McGowan, just to name a few.</div><div></div><div>About the title "Thunder Bolt" : it's juste a joke that Tarantino put in the movie where the title <em>Thunder Bolt </em>flashes for half a second just before the title Death Proof shows up, as if the title was changed for American audiences, as it was often the case in the 70's. I just decided to keep the title cause it's fun. </div><br /><div>Lets talk about the first half. The movie starts great, with another reference to Tarantino's foot fetishism, and follows a group of gorgeous girls - the first group, wich consists of Jungle Julia, Butterfly portrayed bt a terribly sexy while not so beautiful, but oddly smoking hot Vanessa Ferlito, and Shanna, a cute little blonde. They plan to go to Julia's lake house but first meet up with some other friends at a bar, run by Tarantino - yup that's right. We meet our villain, the badassest man alive, Stuntman Mike, portrayed by Kurt Russell, and the whole scene is just superb fun, amazing dialogue, all ponctuated by glorious music and an amazing atmosphere. </div><div><br /></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250859163017722210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SN7MlqlGuWI/AAAAAAAAAjs/UJHWgT-wojQ/s400/PDVD_004.BMP" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Butterfly and Tarantino (forgot the name of his character)</div><br /><div>The scene is just amazing and ends with the hottest - dressed, that is - lapdance ever, by Butterfly. Word.</div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250860346847713394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SN7NqksK2HI/AAAAAAAAAj0/x_ws0UhYm00/s400/PDVD_038.BMP" border="0" />Now let's talk about Kurt Russell. He's just out of this world. Amazingly badass, amazingly good, just insane. Twice in the movie, he smiles at the camera, I mean, <em>directly </em>at the viewer and he's just great. His scar - ok, Kurt Russell doesn't really have a scar, but still - is so amazing. He just has the perfect face for the role. Every scenehe's in is frame worthy. It got me thinking, "man, if Andy Warhol could be alive to do a Kurt Russell serie of paintings, that would be GREAT" Ok, maybe I like Kurt's face too much, but it's just so badass.<br /><br />They then - of course - die. In the most well-shot carcrash in history. And Butterfly - ok I liked her - gets it worse than anybody.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250865387566067538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SN7SP-1E71I/AAAAAAAAAkM/PJF8Wuv7MSs/s400/PDVD_122.BMP" border="0" /> The second half of the movie takes place 14 months in the future. It's basically the same thing - Kurt finds girls, Kurt chases girls - but what makes it a load of fun are the characters. I just LOVE Zoë Bell. She's great. And I don't know, there was something oddly sexy about seeing her struggling on the top of that car for 20 minutes. Or maybe that's just my fucked up mind. Anyway, without rambling too much about the last half, suffice to say that it was pretty fun. That whole car chase - no CGI, just real cars! - was so much fun. Plain and simple. I didn't get bored one second, and just the way the whole thing was shot, it just proved me - again! - how much of a genius Tarantino is.<br /><br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254737291135500978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyTubohQrI/AAAAAAAAAk8/dlRzv1HaQas/s400/PDVD_170.BMP" border="0" /></p></div><br /><br /><br /><p>For that one people reading this blog out there, sorry this post took me so long, I had other things in mind all week long and I was pretty busy watching Heroes Season 2 - that I could do a flash-review of, now that I think about it. I have really no idea what I'm going to review next, been a couple of weeks since I've rented a movie myself and I have absolutely no money to go to the theater - although those would be quick-reviewed. Fun movies are coming out in the following weeks and I'd really like to see <em>The Blindness. </em>Looks tremendous. As usual, I'm gonna finish this slightly rushed review by adding some poster. Which are awesome by the way.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254739275792281138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyVh9DkbjI/AAAAAAAAAlE/I_gZJ2heVv4/s400/grindhouse+double+poster.jpg" border="0" />This one, which is absolutely gorgeous, both for the composition and Ferlito's - hrm -hips.<br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyWHXvZtJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/j15MioySua0/s1600-h/death+proof+poster.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254739918610609298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyWHXvZtJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/j15MioySua0/s400/death+proof+poster.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyWHEKCrsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/w_gW2saiCJE/s1600-h/grind_house_ver3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254739913353637570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SOyWHEKCrsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/w_gW2saiCJE/s400/grind_house_ver3.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><br />And those two, who are probably those most people have seen. The're still pretty amazing I think.</p><p>I want to see a grindhouse sequel, I have to admit. Pretty badly.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>See you next time.</p>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-44323340464138146432008-09-19T06:33:00.005-04:002008-12-19T19:29:51.259-05:00flash-review #2<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNOCk6OMPoI/AAAAAAAAAic/AMinB0Js3jU/s1600-h/102_sameoldstory_141.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247681561432440450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNOCk6OMPoI/AAAAAAAAAic/AMinB0Js3jU/s400/102_sameoldstory_141.jpg" border="0" /></a> "All you trekkies and tv addicts Don't mean to diss, don't mean to bring static. All you klingons in the fucking house, grab your backstreet friend and get loud ."<br /><br />Now, I've got to admit, I'm a huge tv addict. Sucker for new shows, especially when the're sc-fi related, and/or created by <u>J.J. Abrams</u> and his crew.<br /><br /><u>Fringe 1x02 : Same Old Story</u>, was, in my opinion, a much better episode than the pilot, even though it sometimes bothered me, because of some lines of dialogues, or corny stuff like that. All in all, it was like watching a really cool and improved episode of <em>CSI.</em> I know this is said to look a lot more like the X-Files, but I couldn't say, I must've watched like 3 episodes, something like 5 years ago, so I couldn't really remember. I'm looking forward to next week, and I'm starting to love those character - and I never thought I'd said that - especially Joshua Jackson's one. If it keeps getting better each week, I'm in for the ride.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-36826581593089212722008-09-14T21:40:00.016-04:002008-12-19T19:28:27.455-05:00Phenomena<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246058435572683394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM2-WjNAUoI/AAAAAAAAAhE/AHNe14cvgz0/s400/PDVD_020.BMP" border="0" />Hrm, how do I tackle this review. I saw this, wait, sunday, or monday, I'm not too sure anymore, and I have to say, I'm not too eager to get to this review, because, I'm going to put it quite plain and simple, this movie bored me, and I don't really care about it.<br /><div><div><div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">But, I'm true to my word, so this review is going to get written -at a really slow pace, because I'm doing so much stuff at the same time, but written it will be.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Well, well, well.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Phenomena - also know as Creepers in the United States.<br />Italia<br />1985</div><div align="left">Directed by Dario Argento, </div><div align="left">starring Jennifer Connelly, Daria Nicolodi and Donald Pleasance,</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Now I realise that probably nothing could top how much fun was <em>Tenebrae. </em>But the fact that halfway through the movie, I was chatting with friends - yeah, I watched the movie on my computer - indicates pretty much how I felt about the thing<br /></div><div align="left">Ok, it wasn't that bad. It's the story of Jennifer - yeah, the girl's called Jennifer, guess they didn't find a name - which is the daughter of a big movie star. She has to stay at a school for girls while her dad is shooting or something, I don't quite remember, and it doesn't matter. She loves insect, she sleepwalks and most importantly she can communicate with insects. That's cool.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The film opening was quite cool too, with the theme, composed by "ohgodallmighty" Goblin. But it was a huge dissapointment to see that it was the only badass theme composed by Goblin and the rest of the time, Argento went for Iron Maiden and Motorhead. It's nice, but not as badass, for sure. You get to see the first murder, and a nice waterfall and flying scissors and its all quite eery, and kinda of nice to watch. Actually the first half was fun. With the entomologist and his absolutely fun and crazy chimpanzee assistant. No kidding.</div><br /><br /><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247506481291600722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNLjV53yI1I/AAAAAAAAAiM/SKFwlsYy0Lg/s400/PDVD_011.BMP" border="0" />The first half is fun but my excitement fell flat the moment that we didn't see the monkey and the professor anymore and that Jennifer went on her solo quest for the killer. I didn't even care about the killer, all I wanted to see was more insect communication and stuff like that. The scenes at the school were ok, especially this one, because of that Chinese girl and her t-shirt but really, nothing more.</div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247506480953356114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNLjV4nI71I/AAAAAAAAAiE/h1fx-9_woIU/s400/PDVD_004.BMP" border="0" /></p><p>Ok, seriously. THANK GOD FOR THE EIGHTIES. Having Barry Gibb - I wikipedied that, I'm <em>not </em>a Bee Gees fan - face, on your tshirt is, I got to admit, really cool. And the line that goes with that picture was absolutely ridiculous, making me whisper a "oh christ" of desperation.<br />And with no relation whatsoever, it made me want to watch a good old kaiju flick.</p><p>Ok, don't ask why.</p><p>The ending got me really bored as I said before, with a twist ending with zero impact and some long scenes, rather unscary. The movie had however a better backstory to offer than Tenebrae, but nothing extraordinay. </p><p>The movie offered cool scenes of decapitation, and gruesome insects/maggots related stuff. Great impact, gross and appropriate. Especially a scene towards the very end - the climax was nice, I've got to admit - which was very gross and graphic. What made me like the movie was little details here and there, like the monkey or the Bee Gees t-shirt, so all in all, this movie was nothing fantastic, not really, and I'll probably never watch it again. At least now, when people talk about the downfall of Argento's, I know what the're talking about.</p><p>I'm going to finish this right here, I have better things to do than write about a rather ordinary movie. And for my two and a half readers out there somewhere that wonder what I'm going to review next, well I have no idea. I've just watched three movies with friends, perpetuating the tradition of watching terribly bad movies - trust me. when I mean bad, its's bad - except for Evil Dead II which was totally awesome. But I won't review it either so...next review will probably be next week. Take care 'till them, and don't hesitate to leave a comment. Posters as always.</p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNbol9FiMTI/AAAAAAAAAis/6hbN5jjTaY8/s1600-h/phenomena.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248638154497470770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px" height="382" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNbol9FiMTI/AAAAAAAAAis/6hbN5jjTaY8/s400/phenomena.jpg" width="268" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNbp01nM3PI/AAAAAAAAAi0/JPj8kUuYG-Y/s1600-h/192838~Creepers-Posters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248639509700861170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SNbp01nM3PI/AAAAAAAAAi0/JPj8kUuYG-Y/s400/192838~Creepers-Posters.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here you have the french poster, which I thought was really great visually talking, but what the fuck with the red eye ? Anyway...the poster feels like a dream and I think its really great.</div><div></div><div></div><div>And at the right, the U.S. edition of the poster, which is cool too but what's with the tagline. She uses like ONE fly in the whole movie. And we don't see a single grasshopper, if that is what it looks like it is...but anyway.</div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-48608512908842827492008-09-14T18:36:00.005-04:002008-12-19T19:23:12.981-05:00flash-review #1<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM2SEPIiiAI/AAAAAAAAAg8/j5OEdNMzBVg/s1600-h/The_Big_Lebowski_1998_Screenshot_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246009742435977218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM2SEPIiiAI/AAAAAAAAAg8/j5OEdNMzBVg/s400/The_Big_Lebowski_1998_Screenshot_2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <u>The Big Lebowski</u> may be a cult classic, with amazing dialogues, a great direction and a quirky story, I don't feel like doing an elaborate review for it.<br /><br />If you love the <u>Coen Brothers</u> and some crazy dialogues, rent it, it's a must-see.<br /><br />Somewhere this week, I'll review <em>Phenomena</em> for my one(?) reader out there, and we'll call it Argento's week.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-75880508455653364142008-09-13T21:22:00.008-04:002008-12-19T15:57:57.138-05:00Tenebrae<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxnxVMu4SI/AAAAAAAAAgU/qXyg1mlCTPI/s1600-h/PDVD_001.BMP"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245681763181584674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxnxVMu4SI/AAAAAAAAAgU/qXyg1mlCTPI/s400/PDVD_001.BMP" border="0" /></a>I have this thing with what people call "horror classics". You know like, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Thing, Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, etc, (actually, since Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Thing were - respectively - a HUGE letdown - I know, I should like The Thing, but sorry, while it wasn't bad, it didn't feel that good either.) I always get to those movies with no expectation whatsoever and a slight fear that its going to suck hard.<br /><br /><div>I hope this huge sentence made sense.</div><div></div><div>Well, I've got to admit...Tenebrae...</div><div align="left">DID NOT SUCK.</div><div align="left">Oh no, it was actually pretty fun. As fun as an 80's giallo movie can get, I'm pretty sure.</div><br /><div align="left">Tenebre* </div><div align="left">Italia</div><div align="left">1982</div><div align="left">Directed by Dario Argento,</div><div align="left">starring Anthony Franciosa, John Saxon and Daria Nicolodi, whoever they are.<br /><br />*- or Tenebrae, depending on who you talk to, which poster or vhs copy you own, etc. But according to the movie itself, its Tenebrae. But not according to the dvd cover so, whatever.</div><br /><div>That was a fun movie. The movie, while actually being italian, was all shot in english to increase the chances of successful international exportation. But the accents were absolutely hilarious and some actors had their voice dubbed over since they didn't talk english, which made it like watching a good Hong-Kong movie...except its set in Roma. </div><br /><div>The film is about Peter Neal, an american writer, in Roma to promote his new book <em>Tenebrae.</em> He then gets involved in this murder affair where the murderer is inspired by his book and stuff, and you meet this whole cast of characters which transpire the 80's and all. Not original you'll say, but who gives a fuck, it's a giallo!! Its not supposed to be original!! So yeah, the story was rather cheap. Complex, with a lot of twists and turns, but cheap all over. Probably just an excuse to stage some of the best murder sequences I've ever seen on screen, and show some amazing camera sequences too. Both the editing and the camera work was great. </div><br /><div>So with the murders. Nice editing, sexy gals, and blood. Personally, its all I expected and I got it. Great murder sequences, not much shown but still had a great impact.</div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245902005811396098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM0wFI7lvgI/AAAAAAAAAgc/kh9laGwjn2A/s400/2016027941_f265610c36_o.jpg" border="0" />The lighting and sets was also a big deal in this movie. A lot of white, bright lights. So when the red hits, it hits harder. A great creative choice. As I said earlier, this movie featured a lot of innovative editing, which I hope is a recurring thing in Argento's movies, because I really loved it.</p><p>The movie itself sure had some flaws, pretty big ones, but the good and the fun overshadowed the bad and the cheap. It was pretty funny sometimes too.</p><p>I mean, there's a scene where a girl is chased by this crazy-ass dog, that litteraly does backflips on walls! No kidding! What dog can jump that high? Its crazy. And then, after that crazy chase, she magically ends up at the killer's house..I mean, what are the odds?? Its not like Roma is one neighborhood big...? Anyway. Those details just made the experience better, adding a comedic level which I'm sure is not supposed to be there but that you love anyway. Like watching Hawaii Five-O, or something like it.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245904196607839522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM0yEqSKjSI/AAAAAAAAAgk/f8wL4jPkfgQ/s400/PDVD_005.BMP" border="0" />That's the crazy dog I'm talking about. He's like Spider-Dog for christ's sake.<br /><br /><br />And I've got to admit. I got scared twice in the movie. Which happens rarely when I'm watching an horror film. Graphic horror and gore don't scare me at all, and the only time I recall getting scared a lot was while watching [Rec°] at Fantasia this year - please, for the sake of that awesome movie, boycott the american remake.<br /><br />The end twist was rather cheap and I saw it coming, but it didn't ruin anything since the last scenes were really fun to watch.<br /><br />And finally. What made the movie so great : The MUSIC. WAS. AMAZING. BEYOND. WORDS.<br /><br /><br />I never like a soundtrack that much. All the music was composed by the legendary italian prog-synth-rock band Goblin, and now I understand why they rock so hard. The main theme is nothing less than the original version of the now-remixed-by-Justice song <em>Phantom</em> which is just amazing. The music was just so great, I can begin to explain how much I liked it. It was like old-school techno, a lot, if not only synthetizers and amazing beats. From now on, I'm just going to hunt each and every movie (Dawn of the Dead - really?!? - Suspiria, Deep Red, Phenomena - which I have right here on my pile of things to watch - and more.) they've made a soundtrack for, because it rocked hard.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245907925929820770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM01dvF0AmI/AAAAAAAAAgs/nGsyZe9ncKM/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" />Now, I just absolutely hate myself for missing the Maurizio Guarini show while he was in Montreal. Damn.</p>So yup, great movie, great fun. And amazing music. I want that soundtrack.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVHtTs6oG4Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVHtTs6oG4Y</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PAYif_Pg&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3PAYif_Pg&feature=related</a> just so you see what I'm talking about. Man I love this so much. <p>So that's it folks. I'm maybe out of my mind for loving this movie like I did, but...I did anyway. </p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM024AWvnsI/AAAAAAAAAg0/jBw72nQFMcM/s1600-h/POSTER%2520-%2520TENEBRE%2520(TENEBRAE,%2520UNSANE).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245909476752465602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SM024AWvnsI/AAAAAAAAAg0/jBw72nQFMcM/s400/POSTER%2520-%2520TENEBRE%2520(TENEBRAE,%2520UNSANE).jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm maybe going to watch the Big Lebowski today. Maybe post a review later this week....or another Argento...Phenomena maybe.<br /><br />Anyway.<br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-36606841085021496502008-09-13T18:58:00.015-04:002008-12-19T15:49:39.753-05:00Lost In Translation<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxGvzq1PsI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Fj9VjC-cYXE/s1600-h/LostinTranslationtitlescreen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245645453117439682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxGvzq1PsI/AAAAAAAAAfs/Fj9VjC-cYXE/s400/LostinTranslationtitlescreen.jpg" border="0" /></a> Now, don't get me wrong, this has nothing to do with Scarlett's cute hips, it just happened that it's the title screen of the movie, and I'm going to try to start each review with a picture of the title screen, thanks to <a href="http://www.shillpages.com/movies/index2.shtml">Steven Hill's Movie Title Screens Page</a>.<br /><br />So yeah :<br />Lost in Translation.<br />USA<br />2003<br />Directed by Sofia Coppola,<br />starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.<br /><br />About two years ago, I had a really hard time with <em>Marie-Antoinette. </em>Maybe because it was a school thing and I spent the whole screening shoving marshmallows in my mouth, or because I don't particularly like Kirsten Dunst...but whatever. So when my stepmother recommended me this movie (she's japonese, so) and when I saw the name of Sofia Coppola next to <em>Directed by, </em>my teeth made a bad noise. Now thinking about it, I got to admit that she is talented, especially with color and composition. And with the music. What I noticed the most in <em>Lost in Translation </em>was how good and appropriate and well edited was the music. I just love those movies where the music is as equally a part of the movie than the images and story (see ; Wes Anderson)<br /><br />So the story itself : the film follows 2 strangers, a once-big movie star Bob Harris (Bill Murray which is amazing, also in <em>The Life Aquatic</em>) and Charlotte something (Scarlett Johansson, which I absolutely love too, she's amazingly talented and beautiful) in Tokyo...god, Tokyo.<br /><br />That's the premise. It's funny and dramatic, and it's above all beautiful. The story is about people, about loneliness and how some relations can evolve into something more - but at the same time, painfuly short. I absolutely love Tokyo too, had the chance to go there twice, and this movie brought back great memories. Because, let me tell you, Tokyo <em>is </em>widescreen. Not only in this movie, in real life too. You are litteraly eaten by all the light and people and life. And you can easily feel lonely. The scenes where Charlotte is wandering in arcades and shrines and <em>pachinkos</em> are just great because they reflect all that, the're well shot and beautiful to watch. The characters were great, I mean, Bill Murray is such a great actor, so fun to watch, you want to hug him and call him grandpa, or whatever.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245659028573905186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxTGAL34SI/AAAAAAAAAf0/4SfBSmfIl7w/s400/lost_in_translation_movie_image_bill_murray_and_scarlett_johanson.jpg" border="0" />Both characters discover Tokyo and japanese traditions and strange customs - I can tell - through their own ways and then they meet, and their trip takes a different direction, for both of them. Love and friendship and loneliness, I've said it but this is really what it is about.<br /><br />My favorite scene remains the one in the karaoke where the're all drunk and singing and stuff, it all felt strangely familiar - really? - and so much fun.<br /><br />I would definitely recommend this movie. To everybody out there that loves Japan, or Johansson, or Murray, that's a movie for you. For me, fitting in those three categories, this was a treat, for the eyes and ears. A free trip (well, minus the cost of actually renting the movie) to Japan, delightful.<br /><br />It's really a film you have to watch on a big tv, widescreen with good speaker. Its also a film I would condider buying, because I feel like I'd want to watch it again very soon.<br /><br />Now I definitely have to rent <em>The Virgin Suicides </em>and try to forget <em>Marie-Antoinette.</em><br /><br />I don't rate movies. Because it's a really hard thing to do. Because movies grow on you, and you could like it one day, and adore it the next day. The only exception is when a movie sucks, then, it just sucks.<br /><br />I'll also try to include posters in my reviews. I just love the concept of a poster. Its just great.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxUY3b_EBI/AAAAAAAAAf8/viH3-2payGs/s1600-h/lostintranslationposter2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245660452154707986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxUY3b_EBI/AAAAAAAAAf8/viH3-2payGs/s400/lostintranslationposter2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxWLFVOgzI/AAAAAAAAAgM/U4eXrek8jAU/s1600-h/lostintranslationposter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245662414389543730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxWLFVOgzI/AAAAAAAAAgM/U4eXrek8jAU/s400/lostintranslationposter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What's next? Dario Argento's <em>Tenebre</em> which I fear is gonna suck...but well. It's a classic of horror, and a horror fan like I am has to watch the classics.<br /><br />See ya.Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7641342867887436714.post-63454070444428972712008-09-13T17:41:00.002-04:002008-12-19T15:38:44.923-05:00about ;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxELfnhKjI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KwUeY2-gAJM/s1600-h/babiesbylaurence.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245642630236285490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5P1g8Qa19XI/SMxELfnhKjI/AAAAAAAAAfc/KwUeY2-gAJM/s400/babiesbylaurence.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've had a <a href="http://tittomworld.blogspot.com/">blog</a> (mostly in french) since, hrm, maybe a year or so. No, two years to be exact, where I talk about all the unimportant stuff that happens in my life, comics or books or whatever. So this is my second one.<br />Since april last year, I've been keeping a list of movies - now up to 89 movies - that I've watched or rewatched since. With notes and reviews and shit. Never really tought about making a movie blog, but I tought this would be a good time to do it. I watch a lot movies and tv series and I aboslutely love writing about them, so why not, right? I'll try to post, maybe, a review a week, but I'm sure I'm going to end up putting more, so...<br /><br />This blog is in english, since almost every movie I watch is either in english or subtitled in english. Again, my written english is far from perfect so if you spot any obvious mistake, feel free to say so in the comment section.<br /><br />I'm also on Ifanboy.com under <em>tittom</em>, for you comic geeks out there.</div><div></div><div>(That's me on the picture. All the credits go to [Laurence], look her up on Flickr, she's great.)</div>Ariel Esteban Cayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02249078131547916812noreply@blogger.com0