Just a couple of Movie Geeks exploring the world of cinema.
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 the rest of this entry »
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 the rest of this entry »
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 the rest of this entry »
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 the rest of this entry »
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 the rest of this entry »
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 the rest of this entry »
Chick 1 says:
Some shocking and not so shocking news from the roster of upcoming films.
Cowboys & Aliens: First, the not so shocking but somewhat sad news that Robert Downey Jr is leaving the scifi-western which is based on a graphic novel. I thought the quirky concept was a great fit for Downey and when Iron Man director Jon Favreau joined the project, I was excited to see how things played out. But the success of Sherlock Holmes is pulling RDJ away as the filming schedule of the Holmes sequel will conflict with this film. Favreau is staying and fans over at EW.com have already pronounced their choice for Downey’s replacement: Nathan Fillion. And I have to say, after just watching Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog this weekend, I quite agree.
Spiderman 4 is not happening. Director Sam Raimi has left the project and the franchise and as a result, so has Tobey Maguire et al. Sony and Columbia plan to reboot the series, sending Peter Parker back to high school. There’s a nice article about these developments over at Cinematical.com.
I have to say I’m relieved. I really enjoyed the first two movies and Maguire was a perfect Parker. But it was obvious in Spiderman 3 that the franchise was falling prey to the Hollywood machine. The script was all over the place and performances seemed phoned in.
Now the comment boards are abuzz with fan based ideas on who should be the next Spidey. Among the contenders are Zac Efron(I think he can act but he might be too pretty), Jim Sturgess (he’s got the look), Anton Yelchin (a personal fav but don’t steal him away from Star Trek!), Daniel Radcliffe (hmmm…I don’t know, not sure he wants another franchise or to go back to high school), Robert Pattinson (just stop it now), Jake Gyllenhaal (who almost replaced Maguire before but I think hes’ too old now), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (LUV him…maybe), and Josh Hutcherson (whom you’ve seen in kid roles like Bridge to Terabithia, he might be ripe for a high school role).
Who do you think should be the next Spiderman?
Chick 1 says:
Loved, loved, loved Nanny McPhee! The perfect blend of whimsy, humor, naughty children, and romance. Emma Thompson adapted the screenplay from a children’s book and also starred.
She returns as producer, writer, and star for Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. The sequel also stars Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Smith (2 good Maggies), Ralph Fiennes, and Rhys Ifans. Great cast but I can’t decide from the trailer how this one is shaping up. Of course, I wasn’t sure about the the first one and it’s one of my favorites.