Chick 1 says:
Love this new spot for Nickelodeon! It has great music and fantastic editing & pacing. The energy and charisma of the actors show why they are leads on Nick programming. And I love seeing the physics of the slime in slomo. Interesting that only one of these stars has the sense to keep his mouth closed when being slimed. Gross. Makes me wonder what it tastes like.
Chick 1 says:
A few days ago I reported that Robert Downey Jr had dropped out of the scifi-western Cowboys & Aliens due to a scheduling conflict with the Sherlock Holmes sequel. His replacement has been announced and it is…. (drum roll)… Daniel Craig. I’m a fan of Daniel Craig’s. I had never been a huge fan of the James Bond series but Craig & director Martin Campbell won me over when they rebooted with Casino Royale &, in my opinion, Quantum of Solace was even better. But I’m not sure how this will work with Cowboys & Aliens. Craig always seems very stern & broody, which has worked for him but it seems that this project might require a sense of humor that is more in line with Downey’s persona. I’m certainly willing to give Craig the benefit of the doubt and see what he turns out. Also, I’m willing to trust Jon Favreau who has proved himself a capable director. Cowboys & Aliens is due to be released in 2011.
Chick 1 says:
(I know everyone else is done with “year in review” articles but it is still January…just barely.)
Following a canon-destroying scene, the title card comes up with Michael Giacchino’s magnificent score underneath it. I am about to watch one of the best scifi movies in a long time. (Star Trek)
Pixar creates a perfect 10 minute film with a delightful 86 minute sequel attached. (Up) Read more
Hamm the Piggy Bank (John Ratzenberger)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
(In honor of the Nashville snow)
Chick 2 says:
I have been excited about this new Fox TV show because it comes from the producer, Simon West, and star, Mark Valley, of the short lived Keen Eddie. Keen Eddie was brilliant conceptually, but most likely got cancelled after only 13 episodes because its script couldn’t keep up with the high bar set by its production value. Ultimately the great characters and slick flash cuts were not enough to keep it on the air. I had high hopes for Human Target, thinking perhaps Simon West had brought along better writers. Read more
Chick 1 says:
Hans Zimmer is one of my favorite composers and I know I’m not alone in that feeling. He’s an incredibly prolific and varied writer. From Twister & Driving Miss Daisy to The Lion King & Prince of Egypt to Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean, his work is really amazing. Gladiator & Pirates are two of my favorites of his and I tend to associate him with big epic scores. But his work is not as easily identified as John Williams or James Horner (whom I can sometimes identify by a single chord). Read more
Chick 1 says:
Ever get a giggle at the completely-not-connected-with-reality computer screens that are often shown in the movies? I’m looking at you, Mission Impossible. Remember the screen when Ethan is sending emails to Job. It’s awful. Granted, it was 1996 and the internet & email were still relatively new but most folk knew it looked nothing like that.
Sometimes the unrealistic screens work within the world of the movie. In The Matrix, the computer interface is obviously an important part of the script and we’re willing to believe that the strange characters and the falling green columns are meaningful to the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar. Read more
Queen Adelaide (Harriet Walter)
The Young Victoria (2009)
Chick 1 says:
The Golden Globes were Sunday night and while I didn’t do a blow by blow blog (& probably won’t for the Oscars either) I will offer a few scattered ramblings.
First off, of course I’m thrilled that my boy Downey Jr won Best Actor in Comedy/Musical for Sherlock Holmes. It’s great to see him so happy & his charming speech was one of the highlights of the night. But while his performance was awesome, I’m not sure he should have won. Read more
Chick 1 says:
This little British pic has been wandering around Europe and the festival circuit for over a year now. Very glad to see it as award season kicks off.
The Basics: While there are plenty of movies about the later years of Queen Victoria, this one covers – Surprise! – her younger years, especially the first three years of her reign. Read more
