Zodiac-A Review

(Taken from my Blue Mag review)

I get the impression that my Blue Mag colleague (who shall remain nameless in honor of the "Zodiac Killer" himself) didn't have the best two hour and forty minute film-going experience of his life when he saw "Zodiac". In defense of this thriller/mystery directed by David Fincher, it does its darndest to illustrate the lives of at least three protagonists over a thirty year span who are all trying to achieve the same goal, which is to find the "Zodiac Killer".

To me, "Zodiac" moved at a rapid pace, only slowing down to heighten the suspense during the inevitable and gruesome Zodiac murders. The protagonists, namely, the newspaper cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), the reporter (Robert Downey, Jr.), and the investigator (Mark Ruffalo), are each very interesting, and surprisingly well fleshed out characters. I found each to be equally engaging and didn't mind a bit when the story shifted from one character to the other to advance the plot. The supporting cast is a who's who in Hollywood, from Brian Cox to Chloe Sevigny to Anthony Edwards, each turning in commendable performances.

I have to disagree with Fred's (oops!) comment about a conscious lack of style to the film. Fincher's style is more subtle in this film yet is very evident, especially in overhead shots where the camera follows traffic down busy streets. And in a very deliberate move, the cinematography adheres to a style that recalls the era of films of the 60's and 70's, when the bulk of this story takes place. If Brian DePalma hasn't yet seen "Zodiac", someone should warn him that Fincher again did what he has been attempting for over thirty years, and that is to make a thriller with as much grace and style as the master of suspense (and chubby cheeks), Alfred Hitchcock.

On a side note, compare "Zodiac", a story that takes place in the time before cell phones and the internet, to a film such as, say, "The Departed". Our heroes in "Zodiac" are constantly restrained to land lines when corresponding, and breaking news is only accessed via big old Cathode Ray televisions. It was a bit nostalgic and humorous, for me anyway.

I highly recommend "Zodiac", as both a history lesson about one of the most chilling and interesting cases in U.S. history, and as a finely directed and acted film of the thriller/mystery genre. Eat your heart out, DePalma.

My 2006 Movie List

Well, this is what I saw in theatres in '06. The only exception to the rule is 'Bubble', a Soderberg movie that was an industry experiment, released in theatres, on DVD, and on HD satellite, all on the same date. It's called "Day and Date release", and I'm sure we will be seeing more of it in the coming years.

It was a year of disappointment and surprise. Ethan Hunt went on his best mission yet. The X-Men, their worst. Mel, besides being a general SOB behind the wheel, is still thoughtful and talented behind the camera. And thank God for Borat, because there was little else to laugh about in '06. Very Nice!

Eragon
Babel
Apocalypto
Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny
The Fountain
For Your Consideration
Casino Royale
Fast Food Nation
Borat
The Prestige
Flags of Our Fathers
Marie Antoinette
49 Up
All The King's Men
The Science of Sleep
Flyboys
The Wicker Man
The Illusionist
Little Miss Sunshine
World Trade Center
Miami Vice
Clerks II
Lady in the Water
You, Me, and Dupree
Pirates of the Carribean II
An Inconvenient Truth
Superman Returns
The Proposition
The Lake House
Nacho Libre
Cars
A Prairie Home Companion
The Break-Up
Poseidon
The Notorious Betty Page
X-3: The Last Stand
Over the Hedge
The DaVinci Code
Art School Confidential
Friends with Money
Mission Impossible III
American Dreamz
The Sentinel
Thank You for Smoking
16 Blocks
Slither
The World's Fastest Indian
V for Vendetta
Trisdam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada
The White Countess
Mrs. Henderson Presents
Eight Below
Transamerica
Bubble
Match Point
The New World
Brokeback Mountain
The Family Stone
Fun with Dick and Jane
The Producers

ACME/Retcon Comics Pilot starring The Super Kearney Bros!

Tim and Matt learn that their manager is "different"

Here is our latest project, RETCON Comics, as it is tentatively titled. I think it's a great start. Consider it a rehearsal taping with a rough edit. I really found a talented group this time who are ready to produce. Todd Fisher and The Kearney Gang are the new black.

Anyway, here is the definition of RETCON, something Tim had in mind from the start. The establishing shots of the store may be confusing, we just haven't made the signage to replace ACME.

View the video in the "View My Projects" Flash section at the top.

The Great Director Debate

I just need to mention Erin's and my pet project 'The Great Director Debate', in hopes that this line of text will show up in a Goooooooogle search soon.

It's a great (hence the title) blog where director's whose careers started no earlier than '89-'90 are matched up to see who will be the next Spielberg or Lumet. We've had some real battles for almost six months now, sorting the hacks from the heroic, and pushing our favorites up the list.

Check it out and if you feel you may have an opinion on the matter, write me and I'll send you an engraved invitation.

So far, I am secretly plotting to have Ang Lee take the top honors but his 'Hulk' misstep (not my opinion) has cast him in a negative light.

We'll see...

'A Scanner Darkly' remix

Here's my version of the trailer for 'A Scanner Darkly', the latest Richard Linklater project featuring rotoscoped animation. I entered it into a contest, and hopefully I will get something, anything!
click here

The '06 List is Now Autonomous

My 2006 movie viewing list grew in size large enough that it broke
off and separated itself from the "half of '05" list and has settled over there
on the right column. Who knows where it will wind up next?

And let me just proclaim that MI:III has finally kicked off the summer
movie season after months and months of tepid viewing experiences.
So far, 2006 makes 2005 look like the golden age of Hollywood.

My Movie List for half of '05

Just for posterity, I've been logging my movies since the fall of 2005 in MySpace. Since I've liberated myself from MySpace, I'll keep the list updated here, on my true space.

2005

Munich
Memoirs of a Geisha
KING KONG
Syriana
Duma
The Chronicles of Narnia
First Descent
The Ice Harvest
RENT
Walk The Line
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Jarhead
Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang
Capote
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride
North Country
Everything Is Illuminated
Mirrormask
Elizabethtown
Good Night, And Good Luck
Thumbsucker
Domino
Serenity
A History of Violence
Junebug
Rollbounce
Lord of War
The Aristocrats
The Constant Gardener
Red Eye
Oliver Twist

TRON vs. DEPECHE MODE

If you're looking for TRON vs. Depeche Mode, go to ifilm or click here (It's also in the Flash section of My Projects at the top of the page updated 7/07).

Movies I Can't Find

There have been a few elusive films this year that never made it to a theater near me. And I can't figure out why. I live in (or near) a city that hosts some of the finest movie houses in the country, no, the world! There's AMC Pleasure Island, Universal Citywalk, Muvico, Cinemark at Festival Bay, etc, etc.

Here's the short list:

2046

The Chumscrubber

The Passenger

The Squid and the Whale

Okay, so maybe that last one I could give damn about. But still, every film ever made in 2005 should have been at my disposal. Even if I went to a movie and lost interest, there would still be the opporunity to yell at old ladies.

My Top 10 List For 2005

Of the movies I got to see in '05, here are the ones that I believe were the most engaging, thought-provoking, and riveting (or just plain entertaining):

10. Oliver Twist - For my money, it was superior to the other movies this year that starred kid actors, namely, Charlie and the CF, Narnia, and Harry Potter and the GOF. Yeah, I said it.

9. Cinderella Man - Could have really been an over-the-top cheesefest, but everyone, including America's sweetheart director Ron Howard, played it just right. I think it's Ron Howard's finest and was, ironically, overlooked by everyone. It should have been released in the Fall.

8. Wedding Crashers - What could have easily been a SNL sketch stretched to 120 minutes had an engaging narrative overflowing with laughs. A perfect mix of slapstick and rapid-fire wit. And finally, thank God, a comedy for adults who are way out of the PG-13 demo.

7. A History of Violence - Suspenseful as Hell! Viggo playing it cool. This is Cronenberg showing M. Night how it is REALLY done.

6. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - It's finally over, and I'm not sure if Lucas could have done a better job, considering the corner he digitally painted himself in to. Hayden turned up the heat (yes, a pun), and Ewan McGregor and Ian McDermont were in full form. In the action/adventure category, this one knocks it out of the park.

5. Good Night, and Good Luck - The story here, recounting Senator McCarthy's communist witch-hunt, shows just how maligned our government can be, which still rings true today. Shot in black-and-white, and seamlessly using historical news footage, Straithairn and Clooney take us back to that era without question.

4. Walk the Line - A love story that spanned decades. The performances (including the singing by the two leads) were extraordinary. And the cameos of Elvis, Merle, and Roy Orbison were fun, too.

3. The Constant Gardener - A terrific script with twists and turns, full of suspense and sadness. Such a natural performance by Fiennes, it almosts seems real. Also, beautifully shot and directed.

2. Syriana - Fact or fiction, there is truth in this story somewhere. Probably the most thought-provoking and topically important movie in a long time. As just a movie, great turn for Clooney (take that Russell Crowe), and wickedly shot.

1. Munich - This one is still sticking with me, days later. I'm obviously a sucker for political thrillers. Now throw in action, interesting and colorful characters (Eric Bana and Daniel Craig on fire), and a bit of factual history, and I'm sold. Oh, and Spielberg directed it.


What?! You left off:

KING KONG: Never been a fan of the gorilla movies. Too long, and too self-indulgent on the part of Peter Jackson. Did we really need that 10 minute bug scene? I was patiently waiting for more Adrien Brody screen time. And everyone is harping how a CG monkey made them cry. You have officially been manipulated.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin: I love Steve Carrell. I liked this movie. Liked. Some of the scenes just wandered on and some had no point at all. (i.e. tranny date scene?) Tight script? See ..8. Granted, it does have one of the greatest closing credit sequences of all time.

Honorable mentions that almost made my top 10:
Batman Begins
Serenity
Millions
Everything Is Illuminated
Duma
Thumbsucker
Downfall
L4YER C4KE

Dear Movie-Luvin'-Baby Boomers,

Here's a heads up to you "Golden Oldies" out there. Growing old has not given you the right to disregard the concept of common courtesy when going to the movies. For the second time in two months, I have had to scold a pair of old ladies at the theatre for talking, not whispering, talking, as the movie fades up. Shame on you ladies, shame on you. You should know better.

It is my theory that malicious and rude behavior by old ladies is a key factor in the loss in movie revenue this past year. Stastically, 2 out 10 of my most recent movie going experiences have been violently tarnished by some old bag leaning over to her leathery friend saying something like "What kind of filth is SHE doing these days? Oy!" No one wants to hear your running commentary for the price of a movie and tub of popcorn. What could you possibly have to add to the film that Stephen Gaghan didn't already put in the script to 'Syriana'? Do you think Clooney's performance is enhanced when he "hears" you complimenting his choice of attire?

Ladies, this isn't Bridge Club, this isn't your living room. This is a place where people go to get away from it all (i.e. you and your friends), to enjoy a moment away from harsh reality and to be someplace else.

And to you ma'am I say, "Yes. Yes, I am overly sensitive when I go to the movies." It's a shame I wasn't there to ruin things for you when 'Birth of a Nation' first opened.

"Thumbsucker’s surface is melancholy, but it’s leavened by mordant humor and a kind of Zen-like fatalism."

Just when I am beginning to think I'm at a point in life where things are starting to make sense, I go and read a movie review for the upcoming 'Thumbsucker' with this sentence: "Thumbsucker's surface is melancholy, but it's leavened by mordant humor and a kind of Zen-like fatalism."

Oh my God.

I'm nearly halfway through with my life and I still can't read a review such as this without scratching my head, looking out of my office window and exclaiming, "I've wasted my life." How many years does one have to sit in a classroom to acquire the necessary skills to describe a low budget indy such as 'Thumbsucker' with such pinache, flair and elitism? Okay, sure, I'm good with melancholy. I read Poe in middle school. Leavened? Heard that word at church a few times. But mordant humor? I don't have time to go to dictionary.com to look up mordant. And the worst part of it all? Not only is it "zen-like fatalism", but it's "a kind of Zen-like fatalism". But which kind? And how many kinds are there?

I stumbled onto this review via some subversive counter-culture media site (I was actually just shopping for a t-shirt featuring G.W. with a Moe Howard haircut), so my guess is the author is probably catering to the extremist-left Berkeley College senior lit major. That's not you either?

Oh, well. A very special thank you to Roger Ebert for keeping it simple with the whole thumb rating system. I know what a thumb is.