Author Archive
Netflix This: ‘The Secret of Kells’
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As you may recall, I recently posted an article about the wonders of animated films. Not Disney or Pixar 3D but more old fashion, hand drawn animation. As sort of a happy medium, I present to you The Secret of Kells, a 2009 French/Belgian/Irish production seeped in Celtic lore. It follows young Brendan, the future abbot of Kells, as he works to complete a book which will enlighten mankind and hopefully save his home from an attacking Viking army. While gathering supplies to make ink he finds Aisling, a fairy with knowledge about the forest that is vital to his mission. The film has the same older aesthetic that I spoke of, but still utilizes computer animation to tell Brendan’s story.
The New ‘Black Swan’ Site is Amazing!
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We all know The Movie Mash is a work of art, that goes without saying, but is it possible for other websites to be art? I propose that the new official site for Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, www.ijustwanttobeperfect.com is just such a site. I came across the website (thanks to Slashfilm) a few days ago and have been exploring it ever since.
The Lost Art of Hand-Drawn Animation
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It’s hard to say where animation is going these days. Most the animated movies seen now are computer generated 3D and made by either Pixar or DreamWorks in hopes of getting the Best Animated Film Academy Award or breaking the box office. Personally, I miss the old school Disney cartoons. Aladdin, The Lion King, Oliver and Company, some of my favorites from when I was a kid, movies that created a world out of pure imagination from the human hand. Okay, sounds cheesy but it’s true. But as an adult, those films don’t do quite as much for me as they used too and as a cinephile, I’m looking for more refined animated films. Enter Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.
More ‘Oldboy’ Remake Rumors
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The man pictured above just found out about the Oldboy remake.
Speculation abounds, and has for some time. Ever since I first saw Oldboy there has been vague speculation about a remake. Speculation that makes fanboys shudder and foreign film fanciers cry in a corner. Oldboy could get remade… in English. Spotty reports have come in (via Slashfilm) basically saying the same things that we have known before. Remake possible, Steven Spielberg possibly at the helm with Will Smith possibly starring. The only new stuff we got is that Matthew Vaughn or Danny Boyle could pick it up if Spielberg decides to pass and that Mandate Pictures, a small company owned by Lionsgate, is showing interest in a script by The Cell, I Am Legend and Thor scribe Mark Protosevich.
Mark Wahlberg Talks to a Bear
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In perusing the movie news mill as I tend to do, this article caught my eye. Mark Wahlberg is likely going to star in a Seth McFarlane buddy comedy called Ted (via Slashfilm). What’s really interesting is that Ted is a walking, talking, pot smoking, womanizing, foul mouthed teddy bear that Wahlberg’s character brings to life. I’m going to just unload the plethora of pop culture and movie reference that ran through my mind at the news; Monkey Bone meets Chucky minus the murder (and Rose McGowan as a sexy anthropomorphic cat), SNL’s skit Mark Wahlberg Talks to Animals, What am I? What am I?, the video game Naughty Bear and that X-Files episode with the creepy talking doll. Okay back on topic.
‘The Troll Hunter’ is Coming to America
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It takes a lot to get me excited about a movie. I’ve seen more than enough mediocre films over the years to make me a bitter husk at a young age. But André Øvredal’s The Troll Hunter has me all kinds of giddy. It was reported that Magnet, a branch of Magnolia Pictures, is going to distribute the Norwegian faux documentary (via Slashfilm). The premise is along the lines of Cloverfield meets The Blair Witch Project. Ever see those power lines stretching far out to the horizon in deserted Norway? Neither have I, but according to the amateur documentary crew from the film, that’s actually an electric fence designed to keep trolls at bay. The crew hears about very rural farms being damaged and livestock being taken in the night. Few explanations are given but the locals have spotted large beings and know that trolls are responsible. Helped by troll hunters and hindered by the Norwegian government, the young film makers are determined to tell one hell of a story.
Netflix This: ‘The Critic’
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This one is for my peeps. Are you a movie buff? Fanboy? Film snob? Message board troll? The guy/gal with all the movies in your circle of friends? I know how you feel. I fall into a few of these categories myself. More than a few times I have been chastised by friends and relatives because of my views on some “classic” movie. Dumb and Dumber? Hilarious! Good? Not by a long shot. Commence calling me names. Inception? (Here I know I am walking on thin ice because most of The Movie Mash staff loves this film.) I think it is not even close to as smart as it could have been and was simply a well done summer action flick. I expect my car to be in flames by the end of the day. So, for all of my fellow overly critical critics, those who champion expressions like “Eh, it was okay,” or “I wouldn’t say good,” or the classic “It stinks,” I present to you, for your viewing pleasure, The Critic!
Sam’s Review: ‘Let Me In’ is a Very Solid American Remake
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GRADE: B+
A few weeks ago I posted a rant about a movie trailer for the film Let Me In, which hit theaters Friday. In said rant I criticized the fact that the film was being marketed as just another fantasy thriller but remained hopeful in director Matt Reeves’ ability to stay true the love story at the heart of the narrative. I was right on both counts. The film has been advertised as something it’s not and Reeves pulled it out. So, now to the movie review proper.
Rant: ‘Let Me In’ TV Spots Seem to be Very Misleading
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As we have all seen over the past few years, vampires are freakin’ everywhere. Television, books, movies, there is no escaping the bloodsucking fad and that has some people out there really peeved. I cannot say that I blame them when I see most of the schlock that is coming out with vamps as moody, whiney emo kids. However, every craze has its silver lining and for the vampire fad that came a few years ago with a little Swedish film called Let the Right One In.
Korean vs. Hollywood Cinematic Violence
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As many of my friends know my filmic interests are not bound by our national borders. In fact, four of my ten favorite films listed on my Movie Mash profile are foreign films. One of my favorite countries for cinema with subtitles is South Korea. Pretty much anything done by director Chan-wook Park is bound for my DVD collection. To name a few of his amazing works, please check out Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Lady Vengeance and Thirst. The first three films are all from Park’s Vengeance Trilogy, three movies connected by betrayal and lust for revenge. The last one is about a priest turned vampire who must grapple with his new hunger for blood and an attractive young woman. If giant mutant fish are more your style, check out The Host, a monster movie that has something to say. The Chaser was my most recent viewing; a detective turned pimp has to find the guy who has been killing his girls.
