Friday, January 30, 2009

Now that's a super bowl



I may have to hold a party just to have an excuse to create the above.

via Holy Taco

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Monday, January 26, 2009

Most Anticipated of 2009

While I'm on this movie kick, I thought I'd mention some films coming out this year of the Ox.

10. The Wolfman
Benicio del Toro may play a great Che, but based on the picture above he may become the new Hannibal Lecter.

9. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This was the only picture I could find online. I was a huge fan of this story as a kid and look forward to seeing what they'll do to it for a film. It's about a town that doesn't have groceries, their food comes from the weather. It rains pancakes, snows mashed potatoes, and foggy pea soup. Two big problems, one it's computer animated. I wished it could've been live action. Imagine seeing actual food falling from the skies. The other problem is based on this photo I'm seeing nothing about food and that doesn't make me too happy.

8. The Brothers Bloom

I was a very big fan of Brick and look forward to seeing what this director can do with a story about some con men that may have gotten themselves into something deeper than they think.

7. I Love You, Man

Jason Segal was great in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I really look forward to him teaming up with Paul Rudd in a film about a guy getting married who has no guy friends and needs a best man.

6. Inglorious Bastards
Quentin Tarantino's lastest film involves the Nazis somehow and Brad Pitt. I'm a fan of all his movies, yes even Jackie Brown, and look forward to see what he does with a film not set in the 1970s.

5. Public Enemies
Not only was I able to watch this being filmed in Chicago, just a few blocks north of where I live, it also stars Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Oh and it's Directed by Michael Mann. So it's pretty much Heat in the the 1920s. Yeah, sounds amazing.

4. Where the Wild Things AreA classic children's story, made using live action, directed by Spike Jonze, and scripted by Dave Eggers. Excuse me while I wipe the tears from my face and the urine from my pants.

3. Terminator SalvationSay what you will, but Terminator 3 stunk and I didn't want anymore Skynet robots to be in a film However, after seeing the trailer and my boy Christian Bale as the lead, I'm very pumped.

2. Star TrekJJ Abrams not only recreated TV with Lost, he also brought the Mission Impossible series back to life with MI:3. I can't wait to see what he does with one of the most loved series alive.

1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine

No pictures/posters for this film yet, but the trailer is online. X-Men 3 stunk, I'm sorry, it stunk. And that really upset me. The first two were so great I was hoping they released one every year. Well instead, they're going to delve into each charater's past and they're staring with the bread and butter, Wolverine. Not only does Hugh Jackman return, but Liev Schrieber stars as his brother (also known as The Beast) and we have a guest appearance by Gambit.

Oscar Buzz

Seeing as I do a podcast about films, my Netflix queue is almost 500 movies deep, and every time I see my friends I'm asking what the last movie they saw was, I've been getting a lot of questions on my thoughts of the Oscar nominations. So here they are, each of the "major" categories.

Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
I'm excited about this one as Mr. Jenkins has always been someone I appreciate in films as a character actor and for him to receive such high kudos is great.

Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
I've yet to see this film but have read that he put a lot of time into this film. I think it's a little handicapped in his favor as he also played this part in the stage production.

Sean Penn - Milk
I felt he was robbed the year he played in I Am Sam and not glad he won for Mystic River. Although I haven't seen the film, I've heard he's amazing.

Brad Pitt - Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This one surprised me and I'm not too happy about it. Of all the actors in this film, he was my least fave. No mannerisms, too simple, almost a blank slate. Not sure how that warrants good acting.

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
This is the one I'm rooting for. I've yet to see this film but for all the praise it's receiving and to see the return of Mickey Rourke makes me happy.

Missing: Clint Eastwood and Colin Farrell

Actor in a Supporting Role
Josh Brolin - Milk
Haven't read enough about him in this film so I'll be surprised if he wins.

Robert Downey Jr - Tropic Thunder
I think this is the academy's response to people saying year after year that comedies get screwed at the Oscars. No chance he'll win, but glad to see him nominated.

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Another film I've yet to see but have been told is amazing and well acted by all.

Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
The runaway favorite and, I hope, winner. After just re-watching this in IMAX, I'm amazed at how I completely forget it's Heath Ledger and can only see him as The Joker.

Michael Shannon - Revolutionary Road
Another film I really want to see, but have yet to, and a role that I've been reading/hearing about as one of the best.

Missing: Eddie Marsan from Happy-Go-Lucky. You'll never look at your rearview mirrors the same again.

Actress In a Leading Role
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
I hate to keep typing this, but another film I've yet to see. From what I've read an amazing performance that I could see taking home the statue.

Angelina Jolie - The Changeling
After not enjoying Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's prior film, I didn't have an interest in this. I've heard Ms. Jolie is amazing, but not strong enough to take the win.

Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Much like Mr. Jenkins for The Visitor, this is a role that I'm glad to see nominated. As this film was only released to 3 theaters I don't think I would've had a chance to see it but have heard nothing but rave reviews. She's the Cinderella story.

Meryl Streep - Doubt
If Meryl Streep is nominated for an Oscar, wait, she's always nominated. She's just that good.

Kate Winslet - The Reader
Looking forward to seeing this film and glad to see Ricky Jervais predicted it right on Extras by saying that she would have to do a holocaust film to be nominated.

Missing: Sally Hawkins from Happy-Go-Lucky. A role that you'll either love or hate, but won't forget.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams - Doubt
I love that she's becoming more and more respected, but I don't think she'll win this one.

Penelope Cruz - Vicky Christina Barcelona
From what I've been reading, she's apparently the clear winner. Didn't see the film so can't say much.

Viola Davis - Doubt
Also from what I've been reading, she should be the winner but her time on screen is so minimal it might not win many votes.

Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I loved her in Hustle and Flow and thought she did a good job in Button, but not sure if she can win it.

Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
How far we've come since My Cousin Vinny. Having not seen the film, I can't really comment but I don't see her name coming up much.

Missing: Mila Kunis in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Say what you will, but I found her charming and beautiful in this role.

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Great film but not ground breaking enough to merit the win IMO.

Frost/Nixon
I'm surprised with the so-so reviews how well this is doing, but I don't think it'll win.

Milk
From what I've read, just a beautiful film that I could see winning.

The Reader
Haven't heard much about this except for the acting, so no reaction from me.

Slumdog Millionaire
Another film that everyone and their brother is talking about. Easily could take it all, but there may just be a surprise this year.

Missing: Wall-E. Although it chose to go with Animated Feature (gauranteeing an Oscar) this film was so great it should've been nominated here. Also, The Dark Knight. Based on reviews alone, this has to be better than Frost/Nixon. I don't recall seeing scars on our former president.

Other thoughts:
Chistopher Nolan should've been nominated for best director and The Dark Knight should've been nominated for best original screenplay.

I hope Man on Wire wins best documentary and is a must-watch.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Opening Weekend #32

This week Garrett and I discuss the problems of marriage. Whether if you're ready for kids, if your best friend has their wedding on the same day, and if your evil twin that died in the womb wants to take over your body. I think those are related. Check it out!

Opening Weekend

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Traveler IQ Challenge


My highest is around $195,000. How good are you?

Thursday, January 01, 2009

My Top Ten Films of 2008

As another year comes to an end, and every other website on the planet is having their "Best Of..." lists, I thought I would join in as well. Becasue, as everyone knows, bloggers think their opinions matter more than everyone else's. So feel free to comment and let me know if there are some obvious omissions.

10. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, and Lee Pace have some fun at a lingerie showing in old timey England.

9. Be Kind Rewind

Sweded films have become a new obsession of mine and I hope to do a Fight Club version myself.

8. Happy-Go-Lucky

This movie will make you think "Man, I wish I was as happy as her" or "She is so goddman annoying!" Either way, it leads to a good post-movie conversation. Oh, and you'll never think of your car's mirrors the same again.

7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Never heard of Russell Brand prior to this and he has the best line in the film. Also, any film that can make me think Mila Kunis is a good actress has done something right.

6. Man on Wire

A film about the twin towers that doesn't even mention 9/11 but can still cause me to get teary eyed is just plain beautiful.

5. Ghost Town

Ricky Gervais proves that not only is he a great lead for films, he also can play a lovable character. And extra kudos for taking The Sixth Sense and actually making it funny.

4. Iron Man

I thought Robert Downey Jr was a badass back when he was doing Elton John music videos, this just confirmed it for the rest of the world. Also, an actual decent love story is brewing here.

3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A great story of one man's life that is also shown with amazing visuals. You'll question whether you're living the life you wanted to as well as your sexuality when you see Brad Pitt with his shirt off 17 times.

2. Wall-E

After Ratatouille I was nervous Pixar had lost me, but they came roaring back with an amazing film that had me in awe for the first 20 minutes, laughing after that, and then wiping tears from my face in the end. +10 extra points for a great song by Peter Gabriel

1. The Dark Knight

Call me a fan boy or claim I have bias for living in Chicago and my response will be "Why so serious?" Having watched it in IMAX and being blown away by the visuals, the opening bank robbery is one of the best heists in a long while and the many scenes with the Joker are just excellent.

Films that didn't make the list that I also saw:
Pineapple Express - Not that funny except when Danny McBride is on screen, which is very little
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Why were there CGI gophers? WHY?!
Definitely, Maybe - I thought with a great cast would come a great movie. I was definitely wrong, maybe.
Flash of Genius - Not bad, just predictable. Greg Kinnear plays these roles well.