Cool News
Harry's DVD Picks & Peeks - 2nd Wk of March: Pinocchio, Milk, Brokeback Mountains, Demme, Holocaust, Statham badassery and more!
Hey folks, Harry here… This is a fantastic Tuesday of releases. Lots of great stuff – and we should head straight into it. As usual – the box art and the clickable title will take you to Amazon where you can learn more and possibly purchase the title in question – which would send a portion of that purchase to continue to support the best efforts of this column. Anyway – here we go…
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
MILK
Ok – yes, I know. FUCK MILK and FUCK SEAN PENN! That’s how many of you feel after the Academy Award for BEST ACTOR went to Sean Penn and not Mickey Rourke for his amazing performance in THE WRESTLER… But let me ask you something… Have you seen MILK and Sean Penn’s performance in that film? Because if you haven’t… I absolutely must advocate that you immediately check this film out. This isn’t simply a sympathetic or political choice for the Oscar to go to Penn for this in the aftermath of a certain proposition passing in California. I’m certainly not going to say that didn’t have something to do with it, but frankly.. Critics around the country were suggesting Penn for BEST ACTOR the second they got out of the movie. That wasn’t a vast gay conspiracy, it was the fact that Penn completely transformed himself into the character of Harvey Milk. He changed the way he walked, the way he talked, the way he gestured, the twinkle in his eye… In fact, he completely disappeared into the role – and the film. The film is easily one of the absolute best movies that Gus Van Sant has yet made. Brolin is amazing in the film as well as Emile Hirsch, James Franco and well… the entire cast. This is one of the best films of last year.
PINOCCHIO (Blu Ray)
This is my favorite vintage Disney film and this Blu Ray is exquisite. The art is perfectly reproduced in motion here. The extras are exquisite and even the Gepetto’s through history special is kinda fun. The real jewel is the transfer and the quality of this Blu Ray. I have an IB Tech 16mm film print that is gorgeous, but this Blu Ray actually looks better. This is the second Vintage Disney Blu Ray Animated release. Next up is SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS. An absolute must for animation lovers! THE release of the week! My favorite extra is “THE SWEAT BOX” which is a recreation of an “animation critique” by Walt Disney himself in a room filled with the animators and the director. It is kind of like those released notes of Spielberg, Kasden and Lucas talking about Raiders – but with actual voices and video to go with it of the images they’re talking about! Really great!
Bonus Features include the Pinocchio Knows Trivia Challenge, an all-new Making Of Pinocchio, the Sweat Box, Walt Disney's Artistic Review Process, Disney View, Expand Your Viewing Experience Beyond The Original Aspect Ratio Of The Film, Cine-Explore, Disney BD-Live: Connect, Explore And Interact, all-new When You Wish Upon A Star; Music Video Performed By Meaghan Jette Martin, Pinocchio's Puzzles Game, 18 Puzzles In A Multi-Tiered Game, Pinocchio's Matter Of Facts Discover More About Pinocchio's World With Pop-Up Trivia, Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
Massawyrm went all ‘gaga’ over this film – and Anne Hathaway’s performance is special – but frankly. This just wasn’t for me. I love Jonathan Demme – and nothing about his direction really puts me off. It’s just I have trouble relating to this level of dysfunctional lunacy within a family. My mother’s side of the family was kind of whacked – but while I appreciated the film, I didn’t enjoy the story or the characters. It just didn’t float my cork.
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS
Fantastic film about how the Holocaust could really put a damper on one’s childhood innocence. Wonderfully made, filled with incredible performances and well… a fantastic ending. Here’s the Bonus Features which include Deleted Scenes, Friendship Beyond the Fence Featurette, Feature Commentary by Writer, Director Mark Herman and Author John Boyne. Really solid film.
TRANSPORTER 3
Not up to par with the original TRANSPORTER, but I did enjoy this edition more than the second in the series. The gal is hot – but you know what. I feel CRANK kinda killed the TRANSPORTER series, because the entire time I was watching this movie, I found myself wanting to see Statham do something fucking absurdly insane – and while the action is fun, the girl is hot… it just wasn’t as over the top as the first film, much less the insanity from CRANK or the trailer for CRANK 2. But it’s fun.
SOUTH PARK: THE COMPLETE TWELFTH SEASON
Actually my personal favorite season of SOUTH PARK. The HEAVY METAL, the HIV episode, the Britney episode, China, the historical recreation theme park and more. The Indiana Jones episode. It’s just a fucking fantastic season. AND this is the first time to get SOUTH PARK on Blu Ray. And yes, there is a very appreciable difference in Standard Def to this. I was sent both – and tested episodes on both formats – and what I really got was an appreciation for the paper textures and zero artifact issues on the Blu Ray. Of course, I’m watching this stuff on a High Def screen 9ft by 12ft and every problem that a standard def image has can be seen OBVIOUS AND UGLY!
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
The best film of last year. Seriously. I fucking love it. And I love it even more since getting the Blu Ray! Of the current releases being released today this is the MUST BUY for all Genre fans. One of the great Vampire films. Beloved by everyone from Guillermo Del Toro to Stephen King to everyone at AICN. Brilliant simple filmmaking. If you love Guillermo’s CRONOS or DEVIL’S BACKBONE – this is a film that’s every bit as great as those. And this is being remade, sadly. I say sadly because I honestly feel there is no way it will be translated anywhere near as effectively as Tomas Alfredson did with this film. This is the right one to buy!
HOWARD THE DUCK
This was the very first time I had my love of Lucas damaged. HOWARD THE DUCK. God, I remember trying to conceive of how they could bring Howard to screen from the books. I was hoping for a great Stop-Motion character that talked. I had decided it would require substitution animation and would be amazing. The idea of turning Howard the Duck into a hideous looking retarded fourth Nephew of Donald Duck never crossed my mind. I know it sounds insane to think a talking anthropormorphized talking duck movie would work – but of all the Eighties films to remake – I would most love to remake HOWARD THE DUCK and do it straight from the comics. That type of satire and wit. Alas – none was found here. The main reason to love this movie is Lea Thompson, the music and Phil Tippet’s work. However, as much as I love those elements – I scream at the screen when I watch this film.
ROLE MODELS
I didn’t think I’d love this movie, but I sure did. David Wain did a great job by giving us real kids and real immature adults dealing with them. Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott are great as the two adult leads, but the real jewels are Bobb’e J. Thompson and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. What I really love is the way they treat SCA style geeks. They show how much people make fun of their ways, but then show how that alternative lifestyle is awesome too. The extras featuring bloopers, deleted scenes, alternate takes, on set stuff, the feature on role-playing and much more are all quality work! Really fun stuff!
BATMAN ANTHOLOGY ( Batman / Batman Returns / Batman Forever / Batman & Robin ) (Blu Ray)
Perfectly done. Commentaries on all discs. Extras out the wazoo. Beautiful transfers. The BATMAN blu – has one of my all time favorite extras. The original SAM HAMM script is a thing of legend. People like myself and Quentin Tarantino consider that first draft to be amongst the finest scripts we’ve ever read. That film. LEGEND. What it got turned into, I’ve never ever been happy with. I hated Nicholson’s PRINCE scenes. Hated the high camp mixed with Film Noir aesthetics. Loved the design, the score. But anyway – the extra I love is a sequence from an early draft (not the first) that was storyboarded. Then they hired voice actors and did sound work to bring the sequence somewhat to life. Specifically, they hired Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill to be the voice of Batman & The Joker – and BLISS! Just BLISS! Just fantastic.
Yes, I’m aware that the two Schumacher Batmans are on here – and yes… I really really hate those. But I sat down one night and watched all 4 back to back – and I could see how it happened. The first film Burton was on a tight leash. The second one, he was given enough freedom to make a great COMIC BOOK feeling Batman movie. It is stunning. Very theatrical – like something you could see on Broadway. Then Schumacher took the series to Vegas and ultimately Tijuana/Vegas. You need to see these films to remind yourself of just how far we’ve seen the Comic Book genre come on film. And hopefully we’ll never see it return to the second half of this set.
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
I love Mike Leigh movies… and this is no exception. I honestly feel this is an impossible movie to make sound appealing, but it’s really really good! Sally Hawkins’ Poppy is a wonderful creation – one that should live a little in all of us. I know there’s a bit of her in me.
CADILLAC RECORDS
I’m not a music history buff, but Yoko tries desperately to educate my movie obsessed mind. This is the story of Chess Records… Adrien Brody is Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright is Muddy Waters, Cedric the Entertainer is Willie Dixon, Mos Def is an excellent Chuck Berry and then you have Beyonce Knowles as Etta James. Most people seem to have a problem with Adrien Brody’s Chess, but I liked the character quite a bit. Jeffrey Wright is great – as is most everyone in the film. Here’s the early days done well. If you like the history of Rock N Roll, this is a fun movie to check out.
SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK
Charlie Kaufman’s debut work as a director is a masterpiece. The film is an impossible mind fuck of a visionquest for great art. Absurdly self-loathing and brutal and emotionally bare. Philip Seymour Hoffman is amazing. Everyone in this is great. The production design, the way the film unfolds, everything about it is fascinating. I’ve watched this film 3 times now and you pick up so much each time you see it. Layered and nuanced. Wonderful!
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
The jokes that have followed in the years since this film has been released have possibly dated what is a great film. The four key performances in the film are all exquisitely crafted. Gorgeous cinematography and a wonderful heart-aching romance… that just wasn’t allowed to really be. I love my Gay Cowboy Movie!
ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (Special Edition)
The original ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN and its sequel are wonderful movies. They weren’t simply movie excuses for visual effects. John Hough cared about building these two kids’ character. They have powers, discovering more about those powers as the film progresses. They’re lives are a mystery to themselves. And they’re scared the way kids would be in this situation. I also love Eddie Albert as the man that helps them on their way. He’s not an action hero, but a regular guy that tries his best to help two lost kids on their way. The bad guys played by Donald Pleasance and Ray Milland are wonderful. I didn’t have the previous special edition, but here are the extras on this edition: All-New Pop-Up Fun Facts, Making The Escape, Conversations With John Hough, Disney Sci-Fi, Pluto's Dream House, Disney Effects Something Special, 1975 Disney Studio Album and Audio Commentary
RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (Special Edition)
Ok – the casting of Christopher Lee and Bette Davis really really knock this sequel out of the park. This film is actually quite a bit disturbing – with Christopher Lee trying to actually TAKE OVER THE WORLD via some exquisitely disturbing mind control and terrorist activities. John Hough is again directing and again – here are the extras: All-New Pop-Up Fun Facts, Making The Return Trip, The Gang's Back In Town, Disney Kids With Powers, The Eyes Have It, Lost Treasure: Christopher Lee: The Lost Interview, 1978 Disney Studio Album and Audio Commentary. That Lee interview is a trip. Completely in Spanish – you can watch Lee be incredibly charming in one of the MANY languages he speaks. That is one brilliant man!
PRIMAL FEAR (Blu Ray)
The brilliant performance that put Ed Norton on the map. This film hasn’t aged a day in my opinion – and the performances by Gere, Linney and McDormand are still as solid as ever. I’m very glad to have this be part of my High Def library.
Max Fleischer’s GULLIVER’S TRAVELS (Blu Ray)
Sadly half-assed. I dearly love GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. I had a 16mm copy of this film that my parents had access to in the pre-Video days – This film deserves a real restoration and re-mastering process. This is not it. BUYER BEWARE – this is halfassed.
We’ll be back next week with a look at TWILIGHT, 3 Stooges Vol 5 – 1946-1948, BOLT, PUNISHER 2: WAR ZONE, ELEGY, PRINCESS BRIDE (Blu), QUO VADIS (Blu), THE ROBE (Blu), Travels With Hiroshi Shimizu, Murnau’s FAUST, THE COMPANY OF WOLVES (Blu), CHRYSALIS, THE MATADOR, ARC, THE DUEL OF THE CENTURY, LOST SOULS, RULES OF ATTRACTION (Blu) and that’s about it. Every week can’t be as strong as this one, sadly.
Bonus Features include the Pinocchio Knows Trivia Challenge, an all-new Making Of Pinocchio, the Sweat Box, Walt Disney's Artistic Review Process, Disney View, Expand Your Viewing Experience Beyond The Original Aspect Ratio Of The Film, Cine-Explore, Disney BD-Live: Connect, Explore And Interact, all-new When You Wish Upon A Star; Music Video Performed By Meaghan Jette Martin, Pinocchio's Puzzles Game, 18 Puzzles In A Multi-Tiered Game, Pinocchio's Matter Of Facts Discover More About Pinocchio's World With Pop-Up Trivia, Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes, Alternate Ending
Yes, I’m aware that the two Schumacher Batmans are on here – and yes… I really really hate those. But I sat down one night and watched all 4 back to back – and I could see how it happened. The first film Burton was on a tight leash. The second one, he was given enough freedom to make a great COMIC BOOK feeling Batman movie. It is stunning. Very theatrical – like something you could see on Broadway. Then Schumacher took the series to Vegas and ultimately Tijuana/Vegas. You need to see these films to remind yourself of just how far we’ve seen the Comic Book genre come on film. And hopefully we’ll never see it return to the second half of this set.
-
+ Expand All
-
Gotta love it!!!
-
Harry, has Sam's script hit the internet? Would love to read it. Agree with you on Anton's design of that film. Wished Burton would have stayed on with it. I blame Peters for the breakdown as well with Superman Returns.
-
give me au pair 3... mmmmmm
-
The only tim robbins movie I can stand
-
Shows up in most the Capra flicks of that era-You Can't Take it W/ you and Mr Deeds Goes to Town. Pretty interesting character actor.
-
Good to know that the U.S. are now suffering from it too.
-
was the best movie of 2008, with The Fall, Speed Racer, and yeah, Let thr Right One In following close behind.And I love Pinocchio. Fuck I need to get paid.
-
Brokeback is a great great film, but DAMMIT, I just saw RIDE WITH THE DEVIL again this weekend and it was totally fantastic. The UK DVD is a horrible transfer, looks worse than VHS, but the film still shines through. As with many of his best movies, Ang Lee finds a very rich context - and inserts a story which really resonates in that context. (LIke most of his movies it's an adaptation of a book.) When I saw this movie in the cinema I thought it was BORING! God, how wrong I was. It's as good as ANY of his films. BLU-RAY PLEASE!
-
I just realised that the girl from Escape to Witch Mountain is the girl who is shot dead by the icecream truck in John Carpenters Assault on Precinct 13. Woo hoo!
-
God that's depressing. UGH ITS FOREIGN AND THEY DONT SPEAK ENGLISH! Let's remake it for the fucking idiots that refuse to have to REAAAAAAAAD at a cinema.
And they wonder why america is getting stooopider? Give me a break.
What next? Remake of the Godfather? -
Mar 10, 2009 6:34:39 AM CDT
Isnt there a petition we can sign to stop fucktard remakes?
by stooopider
Seriously, it's getting fucktarded
-
I haven't seen it since I was 13 and I remember loving it...but I was 13...and I still remember it had some cool effects...
-
Mar 10, 2009 6:45:50 AM CDT
"the Holocaust could really put a damper on one’s childhood inno
by soylentmean
AND HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
movies. What a wonderful mix of camp and violence. I've been a long time defender of Burton's Batman films and I still think they're quality movies. To think, people thought it was Burton who was going to return Batman to his 1960s incarnation. Without Burton's Batman films, as well as the first Superman movie, superheroes would still be stuck in the 1960s.
-
I didn't know that. Sold.
-
the overwhelmingly positive recommendations and me finally getting to see a trailer for the film have convinced me that this is going to be a blind buy. That trailer had me really thinking about Tobe Hooper's 'Salem's Lot, in a good way.
-
but I'm seriously considering getting Pinnochio in Blu (at least the one that comes with an extra standard def dvd). I know I want that movie in Blu-Ray and would eventually upgrade anyways, so it actually seems to make sense.
-
i hear since widescreen ratio didnt exist then, this movie is 4:9 and to "avoid those evil black bars on the side" they added a feature that fills in those sides with fancy colors and crap. my question is why? you can just stretch the image to fit your screen if its that big of an issue. maybe it's just me but i find animation doesn't suffer as much being stretched like live action can. also, if disney includes a dvd in the blu package, then why sell an individual dvd? i mean there's probably a 3-5$ difference between the two so just buy the blu and get both.
-
and loved it. Lots of beautiful little details, a great ending, and some perfect artistic design to match the setting. I loved it despite the big scenes like the cat stint and the flashy affect. But i loved the little touches like the digital effects on the girl's eyes and face. And keep an eye out for that great shot of the nurse outside the hospital.And I gotta admit, I am not excited for, but am curious about the remake. Supposedly, they wanna stick closer to the book, which I hear is a great deal battier. Like for one thing...SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKKnow the old guy that's helping the little vampire in the first half of the movie? I guess he comes back as a zombie or something.
-
I might pick up Howard The Duck for some 80's cable TV memories.
-
I'm not really sure why people keep comparing these two. They are different genres. Sure, Crank involves a lot of physical comedy, but it's still overtly a tasteless comedy. The purpose of it is to humiliate Statham in as many ridiculous situations as possible, how is that an action movie? Anyway, I love both Crank and all three Transporter movies.
-
For some reason my parents wouldn't let me watch that back in the day. Apparently they thought it might warp my fragile mind. Now that I'm older and warped beyond all hope I figure it's time to give Howard the Duck a whirl.
I can't imagine what was so bad about the movie that made my parents censor it from my kidbrain. -
Eff the naysayers- I love this flick, always have since I was a kid. Now I finally get to retire my VHS copy and get this bitch on widescreen DVD.
-
Mar 10, 2009 7:26:02 AM CDT
Jeffrey Jones, Lea Thompson in pink panties, and Duck Tits
by shut the fuck up donny
...how could you NOT love that movie?
-
That might explain my parents adamant refusal to allow me to watch the film. That's fuckin' hilarious!
-
Loved that movie on cable back then just for some Lea nudity.
-
Mar 10, 2009 7:44:19 AM CDT
SoylentMean, It's towards the beginning of the film
by shut the fuck up donny
Howard is being sucked into a space portal,and he's being pulled through different apartments in his building. One of the rooms has a female duck taking a bath with her Mallard Mammaries in full view (as patently ridiculous as that is). It's pretty funny.
-
Now my anticipation is even higher. So are the ducks supposed to somehow be mammalian? Or are the humanoid ducks really more closely related to say, the platypus? I haven't even seen the movie yet and it's already blowing my mind!
-
"Comic book" is not a film genre. That's like calling all literary adaptations of a single genre, when some are comedies, some are crime films, some are dramas, etc. Howard the Duck, Ghost World, Road to Perdition, Spider-Man... all the same genre? No. Genre is not the word here. And as for not wanting to return to the age of comic book adaptations like Batman & Robin... perhaps you missed The Spirit?
-
Is there?
-
I traded a copy of Avengers #4 for a copy of Hamm's script and a still of Keaton in the suit. (And what is that copy of Avengers worth now, featuring the return of Captain America?).
BTW, the girl from "Witch Mountain" shows her boobies to James spader in "Tuff Turf".
And Damn Amazon to Hell for shipping my Howard the Duck DVD, but NOT my LTROI Blu-Ray! -
I would suggest that...if you're in the market to buy a stand-alone Blu-ray player, then take a look at the latest Panasonic models (and read reviews). Make sure you get a more recent model of whatever brand you chose (mostly in hope that you won't ever have to "update" with a disk or download). (Note: We picked up a sweet Panasonic model that includes BD-Live, which is a feature you may find on the latest models.) Anyway, PINOCCHIO is a FINE place to start, with the included "free" DVD. (I told my wife, "THAT is how you do a Blu-ray release! You include the dvd!") We love High Definition and it took us a while to switch from HD-DVD,...but I did my research before buying. It was THE DARK KNIGHT that ultimately convinced us to purchase a blu-ray player. And we're now buying, on average, 2 or 3 blu-rays a month (depending on what is available). We still buy dvds, as some are too cheap to ignore. Disney/Pixar and Warner Bros. have, for the most, been leading the way in HD transfers to blu-ray (in my opinion). As you need to know, not all blu-ray transfers are the quality they should be (which only slows the format's success). And in addition to doing research for a player, you should find a favorite site(s) that does blu-ray reviews...so that you are in the know, before buying. It's only the smart thing to do.
-
I've been doing some research at Bluray.com to see what Blu-Rays are actually worth the upgrade. It's disconcerting to know that not all Blu-Rays are better than DVD. I would have thought the studios would have learned by now (or alternately the consumers) that cheaply produced home video for a new media format is not the way to go.
I'm looking at you Warner Bros. and your piece of shit cardboard snapcases for first run DVDs!
I think a lot of people are buying Blu-Rays and expecting them to be a far superior quality and I suspect and even larger amount of those people don't even know how to tell the difference. -
It sounds like torture. Did you notice yourself becoming more homo-ish as the night progressed?
-
The first one was boring. They fucked up the 2nd one with the Penguin. Why did they make him a disgusting freak? I really like the educated, well mannered Penguin from the comic. That would have been an interesting character.
-
She tried to seduce a cross-dimensional duck in her underwear and then say she was "only kidding" after he got all turned on. What a fucking tease!! I still don't know if jerking off to that scene was the right thing to do, but fuck it- I was inthe 8th Grade.
-
I own the first pressing dvd(no extras just the movie is a card board tuck box. Man that movie just gets weirder weith every viewing. but ultimately it's just foreplay compared to batman begins IMO. Jack did a great job as joker but ultimately he was just wrong for the part.
MILK was average,Penn did fine but he never dissappeared into the role. Most everyone else in the movie did though. The script was far from oscar worthy, so I'd rather have had penn win best actor if that freed up the oscar for wall-e's brillant screenplay.
Let the right one in, and SYNECDOCHE NEW YORK are masterpieces and easy buys for me. -
My collection is COMPLETE! Seriously though, Howard The Duck is a coat hanger abortion of a movie. I remember seeing it as a kid and even thinking then that it was a hunk'a shit.
-
Remember when LotR was being filmed, and many of us feared Christopher Lee might not survive the entire project because of his age? And based on interviews with him at the time we all got this awesome impression of the man that "God damn! This man is deliberately staying alive just to finish this movie!" Now it's a decade later and he's STILL going... possibly set to do an appearance in the second Hobbit movie. He was an elder man (or looked it) when Return from Witch Mountain was made! That's at the very least one of the cool reasons he's earned the honorary middle name "Fucking".
-
Your basically just sinking yourself into cliche's and expected maneurisms. Its not very difficult.
-
Of "first script" syndrome. Cliched. Typical "play within a play" art house cliche's. Kaufman does a fantastic job directing his worst script. Frankly I'm shocked more people don't see right through this movie. Its riddled with cliche's I mean it should have ended with the word "FIN" just to complete its spiral into film school mediocrity. When your characters are dull...give them illnesses. Want to "be deep" create a play within a play. Come on now. Its insultingly simple and hardly meaningful.
-
As a kid I loooooved Tim Burtons Batman even though I hated how campy the Joker was. I had just discovered via some punks in summer school that Batman was not like the 60's tv show or cartoons in the comics. As i've gotten older,i kind of hate it. I hated Howard the Duck though,upon first viewing so what do I know?
-
At least it was when I was a kid.
-
Ok Harry. You sold me. I'm going to give this a look. But if this turns out to be another "May" I'm going to piss in your dead skull. That movie you fellated for months tossed donkey salad...in a bad way.
-
Aka: "Howard The Duck"
-
...like to have waffles for breakfast.
-
...heard that THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS was one of the worst film of the year...but it's good you say? Now I'm a little intrigued...
-
Holy christ is this a big dvd day.
-
...can't wait to see ROLE MODELS...probably not going to be great, but that kid yelling "...I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE OFF MY PANTS!!" continues to amuse...
-
Edward Norton is the real reason to see it. He's brilliant in it, and the whole film could have been brilliant, too, if they'd been more faithful to the original book. Richard Gere was completely miscast in a role that should have been as unusual and exciting to watch as the one played by Norton.
-
Mar 10, 2009 10:10:53 AM CDT
south park season 12 was horrible
by supercowbell4therequestformorecowbell
HORRIBLE
-
It has to be worth at least that, just for the sake of adding it to my film knowledge. Right? Right?
-
Mar 10, 2009 10:18:32 AM CDT
"People like myself and Quentin Tarantino" haven't seen...
by flickapoo
...HOWARD THE DUCK. We sunned that shit.
-
Ha! I can't believe someone brought that film up. I saw that film in the theater as a young laddy.
The boobies rule. -
I went with some of my art school friends to go see "Howard the Duck" on a special preview night. (We must have been B-O-R-E-D!) The guy selling tickets told us that they didn't actually HAVE the movie yet, as Lucas needed to add some "last-minute special effects." I didn't know at the time that it was code for "he doesn't want early reviews getting out." Not a good sign. Saw it later on video, declared it to be "not worth the wait."
A year later, we went back to the same theater for a sneak preview of "Raising Arizona." We were again told that the movie had not arrived yet, but no reason was given. Thankfully, that movie proved to be far superior to HTD upon later viewing.
Lesson learned: A movie not arriving to the theater on time is not always an indication of quality - or lack thereof. -
"If you can't take the heat, GEEEEET out of the kitchen!"
-
you'd be checking out a Blu of Escape From New York. Was that pushed back? Can't find it anywhere...
-
Mar 10, 2009 10:58:56 AM CDT
"I’m not a music history buff, but Yoko tries desperately to edu
by iamlegolas
Hilarious. If Yoko, who's in her early 20's, is looked to as the music guru on this site, we are all in trouble.
-
Got my money in hand.
-
So, how come it didn't make your top 10 films of 2008? Especially when a film like Pineapple Express did which like it or not is not a masterpiece or even in the same league as Synecdoche, NY. It is the most underrated and overlooked film of '08. I just think that most people don't get or appreciate surrealism. I would put it on par with Fellini's 8 1/2 as far as film's about the artistic process.
-
Once again AICN is completely out of the loop. The film being made isn't a remake. It is based on the source book and its called "Let Me In". It was in production BEFORE LTROI.
-
And Tuff Turf hit DVD a few months back! Now Kim Richard's boobies rule in DVD-quality!
And Howard The Duck falls into that "So bad you gotta' see it" category. -
...for example, what is so "halfassed" about Gulliver's Travels?
-
nuff' said.
-
It had Val Kilmer and a very hot Nicole Kidman to stare at.
-
body doubled.
I'd rather keep the sweet memory alive. Heh. -
Holy Ducktits.
-
What specifically did anyone like about this movie without just saying it was a good vampire movie? How is it better than other movies like this one? It was just bland and mediocre to me. It's exactly what I would expect a foreign horror movie to be like. I didn't see anything unique as far as horror (scares) or story. Just throw some children and sex in a movie and this site will love it. Disguise it as horror and it's art, don't disguise it and it's just SO wrong. Hypocritic pedophiles.
-
Batman Forever is far worse than B&R. At least B&R is complete camp from the very beginning. Forever trys to pretend it still has some Gothic elements and then goes and completely fucks up Two-Face and the Riddler. Kidman is hot, though.
-
My local FYE is filled with retarded employees and managers so they always put stuff out whenever they get it. Four days ago they had the Batman Anthology on Blu-Ray for sale... for $129.99, full price.
-
uh..you mean projected HD right? not an actual HD screen. words mean things harry.
-
Steve Gerber original, but is cheesy fun, nevertheless.
-
more name dropping...sigh.
-
the same thing.
-
Harry, that's not a tv, that's a wall! zer0cool2k2, Avengers #4 would get you about $1200 - $2000 today, depending on its condition; if it is a reprint you'd get a couple hundred dollars. Of course, like any collectible, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay.
-
*shudder* there was talk of remaking scarface (which was a remake anyway) with the rapper cuban linx. if you know who he is, you should be rolling on the floor with a mixture of laughter and pain. i see star wars getting remade a 7-10 years from now.
-
I'm going to see it, goddammit, but if you keep telling me that it's the greatest fucking movie ever made and it will change the way my eyeballs process visual information with its quiet genius there's just no way it'll end up being anything but a disappointment. Jesus Christ, it just came out on DVD today and I'm already sick of hearing about how brilliant it is. You oversell things, Harry, to their detriment.
-
Are there any plans to release the other 'Witch Mountain' movies?
-
It was a good movie. Norton was terrific.
-
...to have some lunch now. I'm thinking fish sandwich. Hope it's good...I'll keep you posted.
-
They fucking lopped the top and bottom off so it would "fit" widescreen tellies. Great. The days of pan-and-scan are here again. OAR all the way, fuckers.
-
I'm still on the fence about milk and let the right one in.i'll decide when i get to the store.and i've decided to start buying my new releases at the local record store as opposed to best buy or target.i might save a few bucks there but i'd rather support and indie recrod/movie store
-
...at least People like myself and Quentin Tarantino thought so...I'm not sure if the rest of you could have appreciated it...
-
....the icy cold of space."
-
..to reap a bitter harvest."
-
... and call me in the morning."
-
Harry that is the most saddest thing you have ever written.
-
Good performances? Yeah, sure. But when the movie is this mind numbing rhythm of "speech-march-gay sex-speech-march-gay sex" and it never fucking stops pontificating, it gets old quickly. Of all the inventive, original movies released last year, how does that film reach outside of it's basic genre box to become anything original? Is Penn good? Yes, very. Is it a great movie of 08? Hell no. Also, aside from the goodly martyr mayor, are there any straight people in the entire movie who aren't either A) repressive caricatures or B) assholes C) Flat-out murderous? It has it's moments, but nowhere near enough. There's only so many times you can watch people marching down the street enraged until it loses all power. Also, what the hell was the bit with the kid in the wheelchair? That was the hackiest piece of writing I've seen. Go watch Rachel Getting Married if you want to see an interesting and different movie. Hathaway was the true person who was robbed at the Oscars this year.
-
Here are the 3 movies this week to get: Rachel Getting Married, Let the Right One In, Role Models.
-
for I Love You, Man. Mr. Rudd is on a roll. Replace all Seth Rogen parts with Paul Rudd.
-
no, in "in the name of the king: a doungeon seige tale" he rode a horse.
-
Pinocchio Milks Brokebacks Mountains, then he Holocaust Stathams bad ass! (Harry's secret post title)
-
Didn't know this site peddled gay porn
-
Bought it today and am going to rewatch it tonight. Christ Kaufman is a genius.
-
Did it make tire squealing sounds?
-
Mar 10, 2009 6:24:16 PM CDT
Rules of Attraction finally getting the blu treatment
by detective_fingerling
cant wait to pick it up. Will it have the extended Victor experience?
-
Thank you Harry for your clarity on these two films. Interesting how Tallboy's criticism of Milk focuses on gay vs. straight issues. As most of you will soon find out, the real snore is Rachel Getting Married. Long improv scenes of rehearsal dinner toasting or people dancing that have no connection or conflict. It's like sitting through a long embarassing wedding you can't believe you got invited to. Add some convoluted sister issues, and Hathaway still manages to shine above it all.
-
Mar 10, 2009 7:21:53 PM CDT
where the hell is my lords of dogtown bluray!?!?
by supercowbell4therequestformorecowbell
god fuckin damn it...they put space buddies on bluray but not lords of dogtown!?!? GO FUCK A GOAT
-
Wehn I watched my copy of LTROI today, I noticed that the subtitles had changed from the theatrical version!!! The translation was horrible....Oskar says "Do I have a chance with you?" instead of "Will you be my girlfriend?" I am wondering if it is the same on the Blu-Ray version, and will they realize this and put out another edition? Or maybe a Criterion release of it?????
-
I hate when they misspell his last name. It's Pleasence. Thank you.
-
Why not just go all the way and put "i'm 12, wanna fuck?"
Shurely shome mishtake -
and my copy is already in the mail.
-
a few friends and I just recently started up "The Film Blog With No Name". if any of you guys are interested, here's the link:
http://thefilmblogwithnoname.blogspot.com/ -
this site is the best joke on the interwebs
-
I'm actually scared of watching these films, now. I loved them so much as a kid that I don't want my memories being ruined by seeing them through an adult's eyes. I hope they hold up. And I had such a crush on Kim Richards as a kid, too! (not so much, anymore...)
-
Penn played the gay guy like a retard, hell he almost looked full retard at certain points. i found it insulting to fags everywhere!
he was great in Mystic River and deserved the award.. but not for this. -
I kind of loved it on the first viewing, but really loved on the second. A lot of what seemed to be throw away lines carried much more weight knowing the whole story. Plus, I think Demme's direction is outstanding, as he made the whole thing feel so real. I mean, I felt as if I really attended a wedding upon leaving the theater.
-
Just a really good time. Authentic as heck and just loved the characters as messed up as they were. It felt pretty real to me in the best way possible. I saw 4 films in one day a few weeks back those being Rachel Getting Married, Frozen River, The Reader and Happy Go Lucky. All films I really thought were great.
-
and it was amazing....there's too much to say about it to know where to start, except that I'll definitely have to watch it again. Not sure how much it would appeal to the younger folk, though. Maybe younger folk that are really depressed and already believe they're getting old.
Pinocchio, oddly, I watched the other day. Still as beautiful and fucked up as ever. -
Lend me your copy of Let the Right One In, it hasn't even hit cinemas in Australia yet. And the Blu Ray is going for over $60 on eBay. That's bullshit.
-
Between the fucking namedropping bullshit, and write-ups that are blatantly written like an ad ("the feature on role-playing and much more are all quality work! Really fun stuff!"), these god damn DVD Picks articles are best to just scroll through without reading. Fuck you, Harry. And Quinten.
-
I don't understand where all the Howard The Duck hate comes from. That was an awesome movie. Even when I watch this movie today it's still better than most crap released the past few years.
-
I still like Burton's take on the series over Nolan's, while Nolan's tries to remain grounded and realistic like if it was in real life, ends up bland and snooze inducing. i just don't give a shit about anyone here and the fake ass wisdomy monologues someone breaks out with every 5 minutes, shut the fuck up!!! and the camera is right near everyone's faces like Nolan is getting ready to kill them with an attached knife at the end like Peeping Tom.
-
Solid movie to be certain, but does anyone need to see a 12 year old girl's pussy? That part really pissed me off, and ruined the rest of it for me.
-
Arse! ESPECIALLY if it's the sort of thing to ruin the rest of it. Hopefully you're just spinning a lame joke. It DOES put a different spin on the title of the movie though if that's true...
What the hell is going on with the disc anyway? There's an English sub, one for the deaf & hard-of-hearing, and another called "English Narrative"? What is going on?
It shits me if it's that bad (check out Appleseed Ex Machina for completely conflicting Sub & Dubs) a mistranslation. 'Cause I can see any mention of an Oz theatrical release either and yes, I've already ordered it. -
It sounds like the English and Oz BD discs are different quality transfers (I only want the first two so I didn't buy the American box) from the sound of things as redundant and stupid as that is when it comes to HD, and they seem to have the same extras as the previous DVD release.
But Harry says there are other new extras like the Hamm script. What's the fucking story? Thank God I haven't opened them yet... Might return them and get the U.S. release. But I don't wanna pay for the last two. Only thing I liked was that awesome Rick Baker created vampire bat in the third one. Because it reminds me of the shot/pic in McKean's Arkham Asylum. -
I liked it the best of all the series until Bats II: Heath's Ledger. Back then Jim Carey was in whatever he wanted and you hadda like the casting. There's no reason to ever watch Bats and Robin again though, and I'm sure that goes ditto for Bats and Penguin from '92. That one-zzzzzz
-
I feel gay now.
-
I mean come the fuck on with your English skills. "Anne Hathaway’s performance is special – but frankly. This just wasn’t for me." How is 'but frankly' the end of a fucking sentence? Another: "but you know what. I feel CRANK kinda killed the TRANSPORTER series" Harry, do you know the difference between a period and a question mark? It's great that you degrade both journalism and the English language at the same time.
-
I only saw it once years back, but from memory the twist at the end negated everything that had come before. Was I imagining things?
-
He was paraphrasing Heathers, silly monkey! So much for your film geek knowledge!
-
SPOILERS FOR LTROI!!!!!
that wasn't female genitals -
Also, Fuck Lucas
-
Not a life-changing event and certainly not the best film of 2008, but it was a truly excellent vampire film. Stylistically, it reminded me a bit of Larry Fessenden's vampire entry, HABIT, creating an atmosphere in which you could actually believe a vampire could exist in our real world. It's directed with great restraint but offers some wonderful horror goodies at unexpected moments. I really liked it.
-
I know this will cause a small firestorm, but while I love Ledger's Joker(well deserved Oscar win), Nicholson's Joker is, at this time, the definitive one. As awesome as Ledger's performance is, it's not the Joker of the comics. It's not. Nicholson was over the top, yes, but the Joker is over the top. The scene where Jack has just roasted the mafia guy with his joy buzzer and talks to his corpse, THAT'S the Joker. I agree that the Prince stuff blew, but that's not Jack's fault.
-
but at the same time nicholson wasn't joker he was nicholson playing himself doing wacky things. The definitive performed joker is teh joekr from the animated series voiced by mark hamil.
-
I hear this is a mediocre restoration, but I'm quite keen on seeing the film itself. However, with what I hear about the aspect ratio...
-
is indeed jack nicholson. He's basically the Joker in real life anyway so he didn't have to fake it and act like Deadger did.
-
Damned foreign movies.
-
me namedropping Quentin and others, then I strongly suggest all you whiny fucking nerds shut the fuck up and go to Chud or some other crap site! Me and Quentin are buttbuddies, and we often roleplay that Gay Cowboy Movie together! You dont like it, then fuck off!
-
don't be so sure that's what you are seeing
-
I love that it tells a fairly classic coming of age story in such a unique way. i have not seen one like this. I love that it doesn't go into any long explanation about vampires and their mythology or any nonsense like that. They exist and thats about it. I love the little things like when she says she is"12...more or less". I think the swimming pool scene at the end is one of the finest scenes of the decade. Both of the children in it are fantastic and give great performances. I am able to deal with some of the sexual themes and ideas without making a big deal out of it. the film has so much going for it and that is just a small part of the overall story and i can deal with it. obviously some of you can't. I love the scene where she SPOILER shows him what happens if she was to come in uninvited. I love the story of her "helper" and the way he collects blood for her. I thought the cinematography was amazing. i love every frame and every minute. it was my favorite film of last year.
-
Mar 11, 2009 5:25:10 PM CDT
senn penns best performance was on viva la bam
by supercowbell4therequestformorecowbell
-
a whoo whoo! http://tinyurl.com/bvw7lc (may want to turn sound down)
-
of Milk & Brokeback than watch another Transporter movie.
-
Always had a crush on her as a kid, hell prolly still do..surprised no mention of her name Harry while talking about the Witch Mountain movies....I also still get a shock of seeing her get blasted in Assault on Precint 13.
-
The Joker in the comics isn’t goofy and funny; he’s methodical, mean, unpredictable and homicidal. He’s the only guy in the room laughing, which makes him all that more disturbing. Sometimes he is portrayed as over-the-top, as Hamil played him in the animated series, but generally speaking, the way Ledger played him was essentially how the character has been depicted for most of his run in the comics. The Joker is basically the world’s most prolific serial killer and Nicholson channeled none of that menace into his performance. Nicholson’s Joker also lacked the physical threat of Ledger’s Joker, who in Dark Knight actually has the balls to throw down with Batman and who is happy to take a beating. By contrast, Nicholson’s Joker, in response to an impending ass kicking, puts on a pair of glasses and asks “You wouldn’t hit a guy with glasses?” The Joker was never that kind of pussy in the comics and he’s actually one of the few villains that gives Batman a decent fight simply because of how psychopathic and unpredictable he actually is. I think Nicholson’s Joker is entertaining and funny but as a viable representation of the character from the comic, he’s as off base as Devito’s Penguin or Jim Carrey’s Riddler.
-
I find it interesting that people seem to use "The Killing Joke" as the starting point for the Joker. Read a Batman, Brave and the Bold, Detective, Joker, or any other comic pre-1990 and you have Nicholson. The Joker has never been a physical threat. he looks like he weighs 90 lbs. soaking wet. He is a coward, a psychotic coward, but a coward. Nicholson's interpretation in 1989 was the culmination of almost 50 years of Joker history. You can't just pick and choose which Joker to consider the "definitive" if you only look at mid 90's on. The Joker had the Ha-Hacienda, the Joker mobile, Joker toxin, etc. As much as people(read:comic book fans, of which I am one) want to bitch, they need to read a comic book. They ARE cartoony with a modern sensibility that reflects the era they are released in. Oh, and for the record, love him or hate him, Jim Carrey was pretty close to dead on as well(minus the whole brain-drain thing).
-
Let's face it, if the Flash ever gets a movie, we're all going to have to deal with the fact that other than Professor Zoom and maybe Heat Wave, his Rogue's Gallery will look absolutely retarded on the big screen. I mean really: Golden Glider, Captain Boomerang, The Top, Rainbow Raider, the Wizard. Maybe Mirror Master could look okay, but my point is if you want comic book movies to be true to the comics, be prepared for some goofy shit. That's one of the reason comics are fun.
-
The Killing Joke was never my reference point. The Joker is actually a bit of a pussy in that story, though I love it regardless. As to looking for a pre-1990 Joker story, how about his debut, where he actually gives Batman a serious fight? I’ve actually read plenty of Batman comics over the years, both old and new, and while I agree that the Joker has been shown in many different ways he’s always retained a certain style and manner in the vast majority of those stories and few really mark him as a coward. He is prone to flee when the odds are not on his side and he knows that Batman isn’t somebody he can match in a straight fight but regardless, there have been countless times when Joker engaged in all manner of physical violence. I certainly don’t see the Nicholson Joker as a culmination of 50 years of the character when he bears very little resemblance to the Joker either physically or mentally. Also, you’ll have to be more specific regarding the Riddler because I can’t recall him ever being portrayed like Carrey. The closest thing I can come up with is his portrayal in Kingdom Come, where he is a smartass, annoying the rest of the assembled villains.
-
Good points, i think each new director's take on it is influenced by a different era of the comics, i recall reading somewhere that the Burton Batmen was like the 30s/40s style which though colorful was still serious at the same time while the Shumacker was the 50s/60s during the Code era when it was all campy and the Nolans are obviously the ones inspired by the 90s stuff which are all for serious gritty. I think the best is the Burton 30s/40s, which walks the fine line between teh other eras.
-
I sat through Rachel Getting Married. I have to agree that Anne Hathaway's performance was its only saving grace.
Yoko teaching Harry about music history? Egad. -
Girl From Escape To Witch Mountain Is Kim Richards. She was the little girl in the TV show NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR. Later she was the teen (age 15?) daughther in HELLO, LARRY with Maclean Stevenson from MASH. I remember watching TUFF TURF just to see her. She plays Sandy in BLACK SNAKE MOAN, but I have yet to see that film. I wonder how she looks today? Google Images should answer that.
-
Paris Hilton.
-
Very good movie. At times very tender and I appreciate movies that demonstrate adolescence in a brutal manner. I also like the fact that stuck pretty close to vampire lore. A couple of minor quibbles though (and maybe the book explained them) but why don't they work out a deal with a hospital worker to blood from a bag? The movie pretty much establishes that the blood doesn't have to come from the vein since the old man was draining it into a bucket. Does blood have an expiration date for vampires? Plus I don't see those kids being on the run for very long. A massacre in a swimming pool in the day of the internet leads to quite the paper trail. It wouldn't shock that as soon as that train stops the police are already there waiting for him.
-
just do it
hype or no hype
it rocks and does not suck balls -
And we'll never see its like again. Good-hearted entertainment has given over to snark and pop-culture jokes. Beautiful and accomplished animation has given over to computers and Flash. Damn. I wonder if Disney could ever make a 2D animated film that matches Pinocchio in sheer quality. Doubt it. It'd be nice to see them try though...
Readers Talkback
User Login
Top Talkbacks
- Baz's THE GREAT GATSBY explodes with one helluva dazzling trailer! -- 171 total posts 154 posts
- G.I. JOE: RETALIATION Delayed Nine Months...Thanks To A Force More Sinister Than Cobra!! -- 141 total posts 141 posts
- UPDATED!!! A Six-Pack Of New Character Posters For THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Forecast A Lot Of Gotham Rain And Snow!! -- 265 total posts 129 posts
- Who Is The Voice Of Batman In WB's Animated Two Part THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS? -- 129 total posts 129 posts
- Cats Beware!! An ALF Movie May Soon Come Our Way... -- 126 total posts 126 posts
- Zach Galifianakis Is Ignatius J. Reilly? -- 81 total posts 81 posts
- AICN COMICS REVIEWS: INCREDIBLE HULK! DANGER CLUB! CLiNT 2.1! JAMES BOND! BATMAN INC.! AND MORE!!! -- 62 total posts 62 posts
- The Behind the Scenes Pic of the Day… the horror… the horror… -- 45 total posts 45 posts
- Quint has seen Andrew Dominik's crime thriller KILLING THEM SOFTLY starring Brad Pitt! Cannes 2012! -- 41 total posts 41 posts
- The Next Season Of DOCTOR WHO Was Delayed To Fall Just To Build Anticipation?? -- 68 total posts 38 posts