This is a film that reminds you to always fight the good fight.
http://www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com/
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Great Debaters
Eastern Promises
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Every sin leaves a mark.
Two thumbs up! I'm a huge Cronenberg fan and this is one of his best. So much research went into every detail, down to the smallest tatoo. This is a great follow-up to A History of Violence.
IMDb: "The film follows the mysterious and ruthless Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen), who is tied to one of London's most notorious organized crime families. His carefully maintained existence is jarred when he crosses paths with Anna (Naomi Watts), an innocent midwife trying to right a wrong, who accidentally uncovers potential evidence against the family. Now Nikolai must put into motion a harrowing chain of murder, deceit, and retribution."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Promises
American Gangster
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Sit down and strap in as director Ridley Scott takes you into the world of kingpin Frank Lucas in the 1970s.
IMDb: "Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. Based on a true story."
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Last Legion
I had such hopes for this film, but was deeply disappointed. "The Last Legion" is the last film you should think about renting. A decent cast and wardrobe cannot make up for pithy dialogue and a choppy storyline.
AMG: Based on "Valerno Massimo Manfredi's best-selling book comes to life ... [as an] epic set during the fall of the Roman empire. The year is 470 A.D., and as rebels overtake the city of Rome, twelve-year-old emperor Romulus Augustus escapes to join up with a small band of survivors who make their way to Britain in search of the diminutive ruler's ultimate legion."
Thursday, December 27, 2007
'There Will Be Blood' is a masterpiece
By Christy Lemire
Associated Press
(AP) -- Someday, we're probably going to look back at "There Will Be Blood," Paul Thomas Anderson's epic about greed, lies, manipulation and insanity, and call it his masterpiece.
Which is incredible because, except for the inescapable intensity, it's nothing like his previous films; if Anderson's name weren't on it, you'd never know it was his. It's thrilling to see him reinvent himself this way, applying his formidable directing talents in a totally different fashion.
Gone are the film-school tricks he made his name with in "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia" (and this critic loved those movies). Anderson has moved out of contemporary L.A. and away from the histrionics of the carefully orchestrated ensembles he set there. He now seems more interested in storytelling and character development.
What a character he's created in Daniel Plainview -- and what a performance he's gotten out of Daniel Day-Lewis.
As a turn-of-the-century oil man, Day-Lewis gives one of the more terrifying turns of his long and eclectic career. He just completely dominates. He can be charming and cruel in the same breath, and with an accent reminiscent of John Huston, he says and does whatever he must to get his way.
That includes taking over a chunk of the central California coast and building a town there so that he can drill. (Anderson based his script very loosely on Upton Sinclair's 1920s muckraking novel "Oil!") A one-time silver miner, Plainview accidentally finds gold one day and sets his sights higher; this all takes place at the film's start, which stunningly lasts 15 wordless minutes.
... Just as Plainview enjoys his greatest success, though, he also suffers his greatest heartbreak. He gets his gusher but the spectacular derrick explosion leaves H.W. without hearing. This also marks the beginning of the end of Plainview's sanity, which at best was tenuous. The more money he makes, the more his mind and morals deteriorate.
Could this be Anderson's cautionary tale about the evils of greed and wealth? Hardly. He's never judged his characters before (porn stars, junkies) and he's not about to start now. It's more like a character study of a fascinating and deeply flawed man during a time of great change in our country. Reading much more into his intentions would be foolish.
... the climax is a jaw-dropper, one that hopefully hasn't already been ruined for you through news reports -- you may have a hard time getting out of your seat. It'll knock you out.
It's worth the emotional investment. "There Will Be Blood," which is both a threat and a promise, is one of those movies that will stick with you and change your mood for days.
"There Will Be Blood" is rated R and runs 158 minutes.
Associated Press
(AP) -- Someday, we're probably going to look back at "There Will Be Blood," Paul Thomas Anderson's epic about greed, lies, manipulation and insanity, and call it his masterpiece.
Which is incredible because, except for the inescapable intensity, it's nothing like his previous films; if Anderson's name weren't on it, you'd never know it was his. It's thrilling to see him reinvent himself this way, applying his formidable directing talents in a totally different fashion.
Gone are the film-school tricks he made his name with in "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia" (and this critic loved those movies). Anderson has moved out of contemporary L.A. and away from the histrionics of the carefully orchestrated ensembles he set there. He now seems more interested in storytelling and character development.
What a character he's created in Daniel Plainview -- and what a performance he's gotten out of Daniel Day-Lewis.
As a turn-of-the-century oil man, Day-Lewis gives one of the more terrifying turns of his long and eclectic career. He just completely dominates. He can be charming and cruel in the same breath, and with an accent reminiscent of John Huston, he says and does whatever he must to get his way.
That includes taking over a chunk of the central California coast and building a town there so that he can drill. (Anderson based his script very loosely on Upton Sinclair's 1920s muckraking novel "Oil!") A one-time silver miner, Plainview accidentally finds gold one day and sets his sights higher; this all takes place at the film's start, which stunningly lasts 15 wordless minutes.
... Just as Plainview enjoys his greatest success, though, he also suffers his greatest heartbreak. He gets his gusher but the spectacular derrick explosion leaves H.W. without hearing. This also marks the beginning of the end of Plainview's sanity, which at best was tenuous. The more money he makes, the more his mind and morals deteriorate.
Could this be Anderson's cautionary tale about the evils of greed and wealth? Hardly. He's never judged his characters before (porn stars, junkies) and he's not about to start now. It's more like a character study of a fascinating and deeply flawed man during a time of great change in our country. Reading much more into his intentions would be foolish.
... the climax is a jaw-dropper, one that hopefully hasn't already been ruined for you through news reports -- you may have a hard time getting out of your seat. It'll knock you out.
It's worth the emotional investment. "There Will Be Blood," which is both a threat and a promise, is one of those movies that will stick with you and change your mood for days.
"There Will Be Blood" is rated R and runs 158 minutes.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Scholastic Plans to Put Its Branding Iron on a Successor to Harry Potter
By MOTOKO RICH
Published: December 18, 2007
With the Harry Potter series now completed, Scholastic, the United States publisher of those wildly successful books by J. K. Rowling, is moving forward with what it hopes will be its follow-up blockbuster series.
Called “The 39 Clues,” this series will feature 10 books — the first of which is to go on sale next September — as well as related Web-based games, collectors’ cards and cash prizes. The project demonstrates Scholastic’s acknowledgment that as much as the publisher heralded the renewed interest in reading represented by the Harry Potter books, many children are now as transfixed by Internet and video games as they are by reading.
... The series, to be officially announced by Scholastic on Tuesday morning, will be aimed at readers 8 to 12 and offer mystery novels telling the story of a centuries-old family, the Cahills, who are supposed to be the world’s most powerful clan. According to the books, famous historical figures ranging from Benjamin Franklin to Mozart were members of the family. The plots will revolve around the race by two young Cahills, Amy, 14, and Dan, 11, against other branches of the family to be the first to find the 39 clues that will lead to ultimate power.
Rick Riordan, the best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series, which includes “The Lightning Thief” and “The Sea of Monsters,” mythologically themed books aimed at preteens, has written the first title in this new series, “The Maze of Bones.” He has also outlined the story arc for the next nine installments.
The books will come out once every two or three months, and the publisher has already signed Gordon Korman, the author of “Swindle” and “Schooled,” aimed at middle school children, to write Volume 2. Peter Lerangis, who created and wrote all the Spy-X and Watcher series of books, and has ghostwritten for The Baby-Sitters Club and Three Investigators series, will write the third title; Jude Watson, who has written several “Star Wars” prequels, will write the fourth.
An online game will allow readers to search for the 39 clues themselves, while solving puzzles and playing mini-games that will be refreshed daily. Mr. Levithan said the site would include blogs written from the points of view of characters, and maps, treasure hunts and videos, many with historical and geographical content.
... Mr. Riordan was drawn to the series partly because of the gaming component. “I’m a gaming geek from way back,” he said, recalling his passion for Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager. Now he plays online games like World of Warcraft with his two sons.
But he said he didn’t try to write the first book with specific gaming outcomes in mind. “My main concern was crafting an adventure novel that would stand on its own, even if kids never access the Internet at all,” Mr. Riordan said.
Click title for full article.
Published: December 18, 2007
With the Harry Potter series now completed, Scholastic, the United States publisher of those wildly successful books by J. K. Rowling, is moving forward with what it hopes will be its follow-up blockbuster series.
Called “The 39 Clues,” this series will feature 10 books — the first of which is to go on sale next September — as well as related Web-based games, collectors’ cards and cash prizes. The project demonstrates Scholastic’s acknowledgment that as much as the publisher heralded the renewed interest in reading represented by the Harry Potter books, many children are now as transfixed by Internet and video games as they are by reading.
... The series, to be officially announced by Scholastic on Tuesday morning, will be aimed at readers 8 to 12 and offer mystery novels telling the story of a centuries-old family, the Cahills, who are supposed to be the world’s most powerful clan. According to the books, famous historical figures ranging from Benjamin Franklin to Mozart were members of the family. The plots will revolve around the race by two young Cahills, Amy, 14, and Dan, 11, against other branches of the family to be the first to find the 39 clues that will lead to ultimate power.
Rick Riordan, the best-selling author of the Percy Jackson series, which includes “The Lightning Thief” and “The Sea of Monsters,” mythologically themed books aimed at preteens, has written the first title in this new series, “The Maze of Bones.” He has also outlined the story arc for the next nine installments.
The books will come out once every two or three months, and the publisher has already signed Gordon Korman, the author of “Swindle” and “Schooled,” aimed at middle school children, to write Volume 2. Peter Lerangis, who created and wrote all the Spy-X and Watcher series of books, and has ghostwritten for The Baby-Sitters Club and Three Investigators series, will write the third title; Jude Watson, who has written several “Star Wars” prequels, will write the fourth.
An online game will allow readers to search for the 39 clues themselves, while solving puzzles and playing mini-games that will be refreshed daily. Mr. Levithan said the site would include blogs written from the points of view of characters, and maps, treasure hunts and videos, many with historical and geographical content.
... Mr. Riordan was drawn to the series partly because of the gaming component. “I’m a gaming geek from way back,” he said, recalling his passion for Dungeons and Dragons as a teenager. Now he plays online games like World of Warcraft with his two sons.
But he said he didn’t try to write the first book with specific gaming outcomes in mind. “My main concern was crafting an adventure novel that would stand on its own, even if kids never access the Internet at all,” Mr. Riordan said.
Click title for full article.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Quote of the Day
"Now I'm in Wal Mart (DON'T ASK) and it's straight hell on earth in here. I just saw Beezlebub . . . he's stuck in a checkout line with a cart full of stuff."
- JJJ on Shopping Hell
- JJJ on Shopping Hell
Peter Jackson to produce 'The Hobbit'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."
Jackson, who directed the "Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer for "The Hobbit." A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.
Relations between Jackson and New Line had soured after "Rings," despite a collective worldwide box office gross of nearly $3 billion -- an enormous success. The two sides nevertheless were able to reconcile, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) splitting "The Hobbit" 50/50, spokemen for both studios said Tuesday.
"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," Jackson said in a statement. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."
Two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three "Lord of the Rings" films were made. Production is set to begin in 2009 with a released planned for 2010, with the sequel scheduled for a 2011 release.
Jackson, who directed the "Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer for "The Hobbit." A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.
Relations between Jackson and New Line had soured after "Rings," despite a collective worldwide box office gross of nearly $3 billion -- an enormous success. The two sides nevertheless were able to reconcile, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) splitting "The Hobbit" 50/50, spokemen for both studios said Tuesday.
"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," Jackson said in a statement. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."
Two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three "Lord of the Rings" films were made. Production is set to begin in 2009 with a released planned for 2010, with the sequel scheduled for a 2011 release.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Johnny Depp: 'I don't want to be a product'
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- To Johnny Depp, freedom means simplicity and anonymity.
Johnny Depp's new film is "Sweeney Todd," which opens Christmas Day.
"I'm sure it will be a possibility someday again. Maybe when I get old. They get tired of you," the actor tells Esquire magazine in its January issue, available Friday. " 'Didn't you used to be Johnny Depp?' That will be the clincher."
The 44-year-old star of "Sweeney Todd," which opens Christmas Day, talked with the magazine about the lessons he's learned over his two decades in Hollywood.
His friend and mentor Marlon Brando taught Depp to keep his private life private.
"That's your world and it's nobody else's business," he recalls Brando saying. "It's not anybody's entertainment."
A self-described people-watcher, Depp says he's learned to enter restaurants through the kitchen and hotels through the parking garage.
"It'll definitely make you a little weird if you're constantly being stared at," he says.
While he loves his work, Depp says he's "not a great fan of all the stuff that goes along with it."
"I don't want to be a product," he says. "Of course you want the movies to do well. But I don't want to know ... who's hot now and who's not and who's making this much dough and who's boffing this woman or that one. I want to remain ignorant of all this. I want to be totally outside and far away from all of it."
Johnny Depp's new film is "Sweeney Todd," which opens Christmas Day.
"I'm sure it will be a possibility someday again. Maybe when I get old. They get tired of you," the actor tells Esquire magazine in its January issue, available Friday. " 'Didn't you used to be Johnny Depp?' That will be the clincher."
The 44-year-old star of "Sweeney Todd," which opens Christmas Day, talked with the magazine about the lessons he's learned over his two decades in Hollywood.
His friend and mentor Marlon Brando taught Depp to keep his private life private.
"That's your world and it's nobody else's business," he recalls Brando saying. "It's not anybody's entertainment."
A self-described people-watcher, Depp says he's learned to enter restaurants through the kitchen and hotels through the parking garage.
"It'll definitely make you a little weird if you're constantly being stared at," he says.
While he loves his work, Depp says he's "not a great fan of all the stuff that goes along with it."
"I don't want to be a product," he says. "Of course you want the movies to do well. But I don't want to know ... who's hot now and who's not and who's making this much dough and who's boffing this woman or that one. I want to remain ignorant of all this. I want to be totally outside and far away from all of it."
Bonham Carter, Burton Welcome Baby Girl
NEW YORK (AP) - Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton have welcomed their second child, a girl, in London, the actress' representative told a magazine.
The star and director of the upcoming musical film "Sweeney Todd" are "absolutely delighted," Karon Maskill told People for a story posted Sunday on the magazine's Web site.
"It's a lovely Christmas present for the family," Maskill said.Bonham Carter, 41, had joked before the birth that the baby might grow tired of listening to musical rehearsals."
Maybe the baby's going to come out with his hands on his ears: 'Shut up!'" she said.
The actress and Burton, 49, also have a 4-year-old boy, Billy.
"Sweeney Todd" hits theaters this week.
The star and director of the upcoming musical film "Sweeney Todd" are "absolutely delighted," Karon Maskill told People for a story posted Sunday on the magazine's Web site.
"It's a lovely Christmas present for the family," Maskill said.Bonham Carter, 41, had joked before the birth that the baby might grow tired of listening to musical rehearsals."
Maybe the baby's going to come out with his hands on his ears: 'Shut up!'" she said.
The actress and Burton, 49, also have a 4-year-old boy, Billy.
"Sweeney Todd" hits theaters this week.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Chicago Ranks 4th Most Eventful City
BUT WE ALREADY KNEW THAT.
12/8/07
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - For singles, New York is the place in the United States to find events. For pet lovers, it's San Diego and bookworms should head to Los Angeles.
The first annual 'Most Eventful Cities' ranking by Web site Eventful.com has listed 2007's 25 most happening U.S. locations based on millions of events listed in cities with a population of 100,000 or more while also looking at certain categories.
12/8/07
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - For singles, New York is the place in the United States to find events. For pet lovers, it's San Diego and bookworms should head to Los Angeles.
The first annual 'Most Eventful Cities' ranking by Web site Eventful.com has listed 2007's 25 most happening U.S. locations based on millions of events listed in cities with a population of 100,000 or more while also looking at certain categories.
Here is the list of the top 25 '2007 Most Eventful Cities:
1. New York, New York (pop. 8,214,426)
2. Los Angeles, California (pop. 3,849,378)
3. San Francisco, California (pop. 744,041)
4. Chicago, Illinois (pop. 2,833,321)
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (pop. 1,448,394)
6. Tucson, Arizona (pop. 518,956)
7. Houston, Texas (pop. 2,144,491)
8. Phoenix, Arizona (pop. 1,512,986)9. San Diego, California (pop. 1,256,951)
10. Washington, District of Columbia (pop. 581,530)
11. Boston, Massachusetts (pop. 590,763)
12. Miami, Florida (pop. 404,048)
13. Seattle, Washington (pop. 582,454)
14. Atlanta, Georgia (pop. 486,411)
15. Dallas, Texas (pop. 1,232,940)
Click title for full article.
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