So's Reel Thoughts

I dont know about you but thinking about seeing de niro and pacino in the same screen gives me the chills and the fever. i know they were in heat (1995) together but their legacy has grown since then and they're actually on the same side this time (or so they say). Righteous Kill is coming out next week (Sept. 12) at the same time burn after reading and i hear a movie hop session calling me... i won't go into details till later but i just wanted to share my excitement with you guys...

and im starting my netflicks on monday even though im utterly broke and burning holes in my pocket. im going to start watching films from the 60s and 70s which include titles such as blow up, bullit, dirty harry, soylent green, the odd couple and on and on and on... man, 68' was a good year for film. movies of the 60s and 70s allowed more freedom to directors who took risks and inevitably became influenced by the political and social generation of their time. they say that when one watches a film, one should immediately tell which time period and generation the story is about. and in those times, thats what directors did. like the way we were (1973), it wasnt just a love story, but a story that dealt with love during that time which intertwined relationship problems with politics. it's strange but it worked. it got me thinking that if i were to make a film, i would certainly incorporate the period and events and possibly strengthen the story. i completely went off from rambling on about righteous kill to the 60s, odd.

p.s. and in no way was it my intention to relate the title to the film.. hahah but very interesting that i unconsciously did...

Japaneses' most controversial director Takashi Miike is coming out with a new film this week by the name of Sukiyaki Western Django, starring none other than the spit-firing and king of kick-ass films, Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino plays a very minor character as Ringo. Miike has made the most outrageous movies in the past like audition and ichi the killer; it wouldnt be a complete surprise if Django was a disgusting blood bath. i imagine it'll be something like...the good, bad, and the ugly with a kick of kill bill. i havent watched many samurai films nor westerns so i dont know if i can make any critique about how this western will be compared to the classics. but i know just by watching the trailer that it's going to be one hell of a ride...

or go here...

i just dont like it how its is dubbed in english. i really wouldnt mind watching it with subtitles as i have have for many foreign and american films already. i just know the public will dread watching something where they'll be required to read the dialogue. it used to irritate me but it's ok now. what irritates me now is tarantino's acting. i dont think he should allow himself to act. at first in pulp fiction, it was quite entertaining but it just became old and annoying..

and what i just realized is that i have Django in my computer right now. my friend let me borrow his black box and i didnt realize i had it until this moment. so what i will do is tell you if its good or not after i watch it. but honestly, you dont need me to tell you if itll be good or bad. the trailer was enough to know that miike has the abilities and vision to make any film of any genre look effortlessly stylized and entertaining...

edit: im watching a portion of it right now and i guess it wasnt dubbed in english considering how the actor's struggling and slurring speech is disconnected at times.. and honestly, what i really need now is subtitles... cause i cannot understand a single word...

my obsession with brad pitt is rapidly increasing these days with his new film, burn after reading, coming out in merely weeks. and i have said time and time again that i would actually sit down and watch all his films. well, that time has come again and i will now set another mission for myself that i may or may not finish once again. (the whole harry potter mission ain't going to work out.) and my obsession with brad isn't due to his digustingly good looks or the media's obsession with his ever growing family. but because after years of hating him for being such an idolized pretty boy by both men and women, i finally decided to sit down and watch one of his films. and now, i can't really say ANYTHING bad about him. every one of his character has such originality and versatility because of pitt's abilities to wholly envelope himself in his roles. now, let's list how many more films i have to view to complete his filmography.

What i have watched:

1) Quentin Tarantino's True Romance. (1993) minor role as lazy pot-head, floyd.

2) Annie Rice's infamous book, Interview with a Vampire, adapted into a film. (1994) Tom Cruise's sidekick vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac.

3) His first partnership with David Fincher for Se7en. (1995) Detective David Mills

4) Terry Gillaim's Twelve Monkeys!!! (1995) Psychotic Mental Patient and Leader of Twelve Monkeys, Jeffrey Goines. This is when he really caught my eye. and the eye of the Golden Globes when he won his first nomination.

5) Sleepers. (1996) Michael Sullivan

6) Meet Joe Black. (1998) This is the only role of his i would not want to watch over again. im sure he only took this role cause anthony hopkins was in it...or that's what i'm going to keep telling myself...

7) FIGHT CLUB (1999) Tyler Durden. Two is the magic number here. the second time pitt is working with fincher. my second favorite role of his next to jeffrey goines. and possibly my first or second favorite film.. EVER.

8) Snatch (2000) a boxer with a killer punch with an irish? accent, Mickey O'Neil.

9) That Friends' Episode. As Ross' friend from high school. HILARIOUS.

10) Ocean's Eleven. Rusty Ryan. this is more of what i thought i would see him playing, the goofy and cocky playa.

11) Mr. and Mrs. Smith. (2005) John Smith. i watched this because of the hype of the whole Aniston-Pitt-Jolie scandal. and was pleasantly surprised that the story and action was very good due to most studios reason to combine these two superstar actors to generate buzz and mula. well it did both! and now, everyones happy. (except, maybe aniston)

12) Babel (2006) Richard Jones. This was heartbreaking and touchingly good to see pitt in this kind of state as his wife, Cate Blanchett, is dying after being shot.

13) The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. (2007) i really thought his role of jesse james would've won him an oscar nomination. he was so convincing and was unbelievably good in a very subtle way. casey affleck was also good in a cringe-worthy way.

now, i didnt expect to have watched so many brad pitt films but every one of them was so different: in their story, roles, and direction.

What i haven't watch:

1) Thelma and Louise. (1991) as the hunk J.D. and it was this debut that got him noticed in hollywood.

2) Johnny Suede. (1991) & Cool World. (1992) these two, he just reallllly needed money. and im shocked. cool world has a 4.2 on imdb. wow..

3) A River Runs Through It. (1992) Paul Maclean.

4) Kalifornia (1993). Early Garyce. I'm actually going to watch this today. HAHA. supposedly its a gangsta fick with David Duchovny as the bad guy. i just dont think that believable. but we'll see.

5) Legends of the Fall. (1994) Tristan Ludlow. i always see this at target but looks incredibly boring so i never even bother to pick it up..

6) The Devil's Own. (1997) Alongside Harrison Ford as sdgkjhsldghsjg (too long, but he has two roles)

7) Seven Years in Tibet. (1997) Heinrich Harrer.

8) The Mexican and Spy Games (2001) Both with big names: Julia Roberts and Robert Redford respectively.

9) Troy. (2004) NOOOoOoOOoOOooo. i would only watch this out of sheer boredom cause i already know he's kind of bad in this. there i said it.

10) The Oceans' Trilogy. Twelve (2004) and Thirteen (2007).

What he's doing next!!:

1) Burn After Reading (2008) as a energetic gym worker, Chad Feldheimer

2) His third David Fincher film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. (2008) as who else but Benjamin Button. and i'm planning on reading both the book and the script before i watch this in Dec.

3) Tree of Life. (2009) i heard that Aronofsky wanted this but made the fountain instead. but it basically has the same kind of concept.

4) Tarantino's Inglorious Bastard!!! (2009) i love how tarantino is tackling every genre. now, its WAR! with pitt as Aldo Raine.

5) The Fighter. (2009) as what else but the fighter.

6) Chad Schmidt. (2010) i love this one. he is playing Chad Schmidt, who moves to hollywood to pursue his acting career but because of his uncanny resemblance to brad pitt, he becomes a punchline instead of a star.

7) Dirty Tricks (2010) John Dean.

he has a lot of films coming out next year and i cant wait! and he has such a variety of roles coming his way from an army sergeant to a boxer to himself. i'm all very giddy right now.

Woody Allen is undeniably one of the most cynical writer/director i have come across. but inside every cynic, secretly there is a hopeless romantic inside. and thats just what woody allen is. almost all his films deal with relationships of some sort (annie hall, manhattan, match point). whether it is the mishaps, chances, or the downfalls of relationships, its all there...and really, vicky cristina barcelona is no different.

vicky (rebecca hall) and cristina (scarlett johansson) go on a trip to barcelona and become infatuated by a spanish painter (javier bardem), unaware of his ex wife (penelope cruz) who is about to re-enter the picture.

Allen shows true depictions of the hardships that come with each relationship. What is so unusually appealing about Bardem and Cruz’s relationship is that, through their undying love, Johanssan is the medium they need in order to create a healthy relationship. Threesomes are not considered "traditional" but when i saw this, it made sense. Vicky on the other hand, is realistic and plans to marry a guy back at home and inevitably falls for someone else who becomes a bigger problem than she ever thought would be.

woody allen consistently deals with regret, guilt, chance, and the behavior of people and while his recent films have been a let down to allen fans, this film never ceases to please. it is a classic woody allen film. it has everything any fan needs: cynicism, relationships, and some new york! (sorry no classic woody acting) so for all cynics out there, it will be an enjoyable film and will make one rethink about that standards of love. some may feel dissatisfied but thats what one has to expect when watching a woody film. he talks and lives about truth and thats what he reflects in his films: that life is not always picture perfect.

p.s. i thought it was cleaver how they made the title... hence three is the magic number...

it turns out that due to the writers' strike, the sixth installment of the harry potter franchise, will be postponed till july of 2009. Half Blood Prince was suppose to be released this November but warner bros thinks that due to the strike and lack of writers, 2009 films will not be prepared till later on, which will leave the harry potter film to fill that gap...

i guess we're all just going to have to go see twilight instead....

this is a complete dream come true. my favorite actor and director are coming together and making a uberviolent WWII film called inglorious basstards, with pitt as protagonist Lieut. Aldo Raine. Simon Pegg (hot fuzz), eli roth (dir: hostel), and b.j. novak (the office) has joined the cast as im assuming, as part of pitt's army. it is due out june 2009.

Tim Burton has decided to recreate the classic Lewis Carroll fairy tale, Alice in Wonderland in 3-D. and who else would burton cast as of one the characters none other than depp? depp will possibly star as the mad hatter which does sound like a complete trip. the 1999 tv debut version of wonderland, as i can recall seemed imaginative and well cast. but i have no doubt that burton will really capture the imagery and story of carroll's story. i wonder who will be the cheshire cat because i can vaguely remember whoopi goldberg being pretty fitting for that part. regardless of the cast, i know with burtons name on any project, itll result in dark (yet colorful) imagery and induce a trip on the audience when the film comes out in 2010. (and duuh, its going to be in 3-D!!!!)

every two years we have the pleasure of watching the olympics or the world cup, and i could not be happier. im not that into sports but something about these worldly events get me so riled up. day four of the olympics: which is why, i havent been updating as much as i would like to. my apologies. im completely enthralled and enveloped with the swim competitions as i was once a swimmer myself in my golden years. but really, back to the subject, i shall update soon. bear with me...

the 400 meter freestyle relay was just unbelievable to watch. if you havent watched it, then go to nbc.com and do because that single moment went down in history. phelps now has two gold medals. two down and six more to go!

but in all seriousness, i have so much to talk about. so i will try not being a laziass and write.

Douglas Haddow wrote an article in the august/sept? issue of adbusters about the new generation of hipsters and this is what he said...

"...have become shameless clichés of a class of individuals that seek to escape their own wealth and privilege by immersing themselves in the aesthetic of the working class."
"Hipsterdom is the first “counterculture” to be born under the advertising industry’s microscope, leaving it open to constant manipulation but also forcing its participants to continually shift their interests and affiliations. Less a subculture, the hipster is a consumer group – using their capital to purchase empty authenticity and rebellion. But the moment a trend, band, sound, style or feeling gains too much exposure, it is suddenly looked upon with disdain. Hipsters cannot afford to maintain any cultural loyalties or affiliations for fear they will lose relevance. An amalgamation of its own history, the youth of the West are left with consuming cool rather that creating it. "
"We are a lost generation, desperately clinging to anything that feels real, but too afraid to become it ourselves. We are a defeated generation, resigned to the hypocrisy of those before us, who once sang songs of rebellion and now sell them back to us. We are the last generation, a culmination of all previous things, destroyed by the vapidity that surrounds us. The hipster represents the end of Western civilization – a culture so detached and disconnected that it has stopped giving birth to anything new."

to read the entire go here....

i must agree with most of his points on how this generation is pretty much a copy of a copy of a copy [of one another.] and reading this, i thought of thousands of faces that fit into this "hipster" category (& im sure you can to.) i mean, there are some others that just like to chill and hang out at clubs who just happen to possess attire that are considered "in." but despite that fact, we cannot dismiss the reality of this generation all becoming clones of one another... or rather shall i say army? as haddow was explaining... and let me quote..

"Take a stroll down the street in any major North American or European city and you’ll be sure to see a speckle of fashion-conscious twentysomethings hanging about and sporting a number of predictable stylistic trademarks: skinny jeans, cotton spandex leggings, fixed-gear bikes, vintage flannel, fake eyeglasses and a keffiyeh"

and as im reading this, i look down and i began to realize that this article applies to me as i was there reading an article from adbusters and wearing the epitome of what is deemed as total hipster wear: a vintage flannel and black skinny jeans. sure, i will admit that i might be a perfect example of this epidemic but im not as bad as others, you have to admit. most people would never even admit to being a product of hipsterdom but thats because they are self-absorbed with taking pictures at every kickback they go to, wear unappealing headbands, and have faux glasses attached to their "how-to-be-cool" faces. and as i feel ashamed and retarded for subconsciously following a trend, i dont regret dressing the way i do because really, i wear the same thing everyday and shouldnt be judged by my lack of originality and laziness. i wanted to say more things but... i cant think of anything. all i can do is claim that i dont have originality and style, but at the same time admit that i am not like those girls who say this to seem like a "know-it-all" or "insightful" or be "faux cool." (haha, wouldnt they really though?) really, there is no way winning this argument...

p.s. sorry if i offended anybody who is like this. i was actually thinking of two particular people that are the epitome of fake-hipsters.

ive decided that i should stop blabbing about films that are mainstream and just stick to the independent ones. initially, i wasnt going to talk about mainstream cinema cause there are an abundance of film magazines out there that can give you the same information that i will. so, from now on, i solemnly swear that i will try to talk indie and foreign films around the globe.

and i got a new job at forever 21, which is both exciting and awkwardly painful. but im going to try to update at least everyday. *and if you guys want me to talk about anything, let me know...

p.s. best buy is having (not a HUGE, but!) a decently big sale right now. i want to get...

1) planet terror

2) death proof

3) im not there

4) stranger than fiction

5) darjeeling limited

6) across the universe

7) live free or die hard?

8) transformers?

p.p.s. im insanely tired. i woke up at 7 today, which is just simply insane, considering how i usually wake up at 12:30 in the afternoon... so i shall update with real news tomorrow...

Cheesy much? what are they going to do now, make sailor moon? James Wong--the director of final destination 1&3--is actually going to attempt to make the classic japanese anime, Dragonball Z. its not even going to be titled dragonball Z, its just dragonball. though i shouldnt say much because i didnt watch the series as a child. but! unless, wong uses incredible CG and the same techniques as the comic/series, its just going to be downright bad.

Justin Chatwin who was in 2007's the invisible--that no one seemed to have seen--is going to star as Goku. and the unrecognizable emmy rossum is bulma. and of course, in a hollywood blockbuster, the lead actors are almost always going to be caucasian. other than those two, wong tried to get every asian actor/actresses as possible for the other roles. Yun-Fat Chow Gasp! as master rochi. (im surprised that michelle yeoh isnt in it.) Jamie Chung, that asian girl that was on real world: san diego is chichi. do you guys remember her? apparently she turned into an actress. and even Joon Park, who was just in speed racer and part of the korean r&b? band g.o.d. is in it as yamcha.

i can't say much about it, so you guys discuss...

i was watching Charlie Bartlett the other day and i kept thinking about teen flicks. in these kinds of films, theres always a simple concept but behind it, underlies the themes of trouble teenage life. (ie: drugs, pregnancy, psychological problems.) films such as saved, breakfast club and many others seem like a pretty corny teenage movie that unexpectedly turn out to be a story with some truth and heart. and i still think it couldve been darker but then again, it is just a teenage movie aimed at tweens.

anton yelchin stars as charlie bartlett--who's the next big thing next to shia lebeouf--with upcoming roles in 'terminator salvation' 'star trek', 'new york, i love you'. i became in instant fan when he was in alpha dog in 2006. Nick Cassavetes' alpha dog was based on a true story of the kidnapping and events of nicholas markowitz (yelchin's character). so check it out.

in bartlett, yelchin's love interest--kat dennings--is starring in a new teen comedy coming out soon called nick and norah's infinite playlist (oct. 3) and house bunny (aug.22). playlist is based on a book by david levithan and rachel cohn. the movie seems cute and all but by no comparison will it deal with the serious problems of teenage life (and no, love and relationships don't count in this) kat dennings seem to play the same character is all her roles. (ie: the whiny, constantly irritated, rebellious daughter) she doesn't shine to me, she seems like the typical wannabe actress in hollywood. and as much as her upcoming film looks like an indie flick, it certainly does not have the feel to it. possibly because the voice of movie-fone is narrating it.

or go here...

regardless of its typical boy meets girl story line, playlist seems like its going to be fun. and i always love watching aaron yoo act.

ive been listening to the dark knight soundtrack and it reassured my theory that when making a movie, if the music isn't good, the entire film can be a hit or a miss. im not saying that having bad music will make a film necessarily bad, but it won't evoke the same kind of emotions that the director intended the audience to have. there are so many great soundtracks but these are the only ones that come into mind right now...

1) garden state. while i was watching the movie, i knew it was good. but didnt know how good it was till magazines after magazines kept lauding it. so i sat down and listened to the music alone without the visuals and it was very... liberating and calming in many ways. zach braff has a knack for these things. he also picked the songs for the last kiss and it was amazing as well..

( listen to: coldplay - dont panic, zero 7 - in the waiting line, frou frou - let go, theres so many other ones, just dl the whole soundtrack)

2) once. sweeny todd. hairspray. moulin rouge. but theyre all musicals so enough said.

3) she's the man. yeah, i know it's not one that comes to mind when thinking of great soundtracks but it has really catchy tunes. im not going to lie, it's a guilty pleasure...(listen to: the faders - no sleep tonight, dave lichens - let go)

4) there will be blood. anything jonny greenwood does is mesmerizing. it was like i was in heaven--i was watching d-day but also listening to radiohead, it really cant get better than that!

5) juno. jason reitman must really like the folk genre because he picks similar songs for all his movies. in thank you for smoking, the music was folkish and in juno, it was folk/acoustic.

6) all quentin tarantino films. he picks the most unique songs that get stuck in your head and makes sure that you dont visualize anything but his films when you hear the songs elsewhere. for kill bill, RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan produced and orchestrated it and you can hear it.

7) THE DARK KNIGHT. im so impressed its crazy. its like requeim for a dream, if it wasnt for the music, the whole film wouldnt have the right mood to it. Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard who worked on Kung-Fu Panda and The Happening, respectively--before collaborating together to create the dark knight soundtrack--formulated a marvelous and almost disgustingly impressing series of songs for the film. (listen to: like a dog chasing cars, the dark knight)

or go here...

im ashamed to say that i havent read any of the books but im extremely excited for the harry potter movies. i have nothing more to say, im too excited..

p.s. ive attempted to read the books over the past years but failed every time due to my laziness but! even though, im a insanely slow reader, im going to attempt to read all 7 books by nov. 21 once again.. i think ill be able to do it..!!

gad, i cant wait to go to new york. i have still yet to buy my tickets.. i should get on that soon... i took this picture on my way to vegas and let me just say, i dont want to go back for a very long time. i was thinking that vegas is a joke and how its a such a fake place. its a made up city made of real cities. the people, the place, the events are all fake, as well as things in los angeles. when they say, "what happens in vegas, stays in vegas", it is completely true. things that happen in vegas does not necessarily relate to the realities of the outside world. i guess, this is why i want to go to a place outside socal. i dont know socals good but theres just something missing. some realness. some darkness. some life.

im trying to learn to become more decisive considering how at times i cannot even decide if i want to go left or right. and i think that taking photos will help me. i mean like they say in my best friend's wedding, theres always a moment and when that moment passes, the tone and feeling is gone. photography takes a certain skill in capturing the right moment or like everything else, the moment passes. and i hate fumbling with my camera and trying to decide when to take the picture. and with this picture above, i had to hurry because i wasnt so sure if he was going to wake up at any moment. but, im glad that he didnt wake up... he was probably taking a break after a long half-day at work... poor man... sleep well..

Brad Pitt has some awesome films coming out and its really strange that im actually obsessed with him. i dont want to like him because hes the epitome of what every girl wants but honestly, hes such a versatile actor that i cant help but drool and adore him. the coen brothers' are coming out with a new film called burn after reading staring none other than brad pitt!! (sounds all good to be true.) along with pitt--george clooney, john malkovich, tilda swinton, and frances mcdormand co-star beside him. i cannot believe that they assembled such an A-list cast. and i have no doubt that this film will get an oscar nom. im sure that even though they are the coen brothers, they just cannot manage to win best picture two years in a row. its just not possible. that'll just be insane. on the other hand, brad really needs to get a oscar nomination for something. (hopefully he gets a nom for his role of benjamin button, who knows) every role he's played, he did it with perfection. k, im being biased kind of but its truly mesmerizing to see him act. just watch...

or go here...

quick post. the dark knight made 155.34 million on friday and saturday alone. which makes it the dark knight the biggest debut in u.s. box office history. EVER!!! it just beat out spider man 3 when it made 151.1 back in 2007. RIDIC!!!

KNIGHT COUNTDOWN: 1 day.
holy crap. today at 12:00am the dark knight comes out and i bet that everyone from across the states are in the same position that i am in. yeah.. thats right, im so excited i might just pee in my pants rah now. and im not joking. this whole week ive tried to brush up on my batman knowledge by watching multiple episodes of batman beyond and reading batman: the killing joke, and yet, i dont feel prepared to see this movie. and im not just overreacting. its quite and accomplishment on behalf of christopher nolan to be able to have this much creative freedom and yet please the money-hungry studios. its been a very long time since someone was able to do that. i was browsing and stumbled upon another batman poster and like my friend jennifer leung said, the ratio to the amount of batman to joker poster is significantly larger. try like 1:5 larger, batman to joker. i mean, its a good promoting strategy to have heath ledger on every possible billboard out there but seriously, bale isnt getting any love, and i love bale. and yeah, i must admit that in the dark knight, heath ledger is completely going to steal the show and outshine possibly every villian on the face of this planet (including fiction and non-fiction villians, that is if the joker was actual real) and make them look like little fucking red-riding hood. this is the newest poster i came across.

i'd say that i liked the other joker poster much better. but this next one (whether it is fake or not, i think not) is a chiller..

and i honestly dont want to spoil the movie but i found these two images that completely gave me the chills. and i MUST share.

like honestly, for the joker to go out of his element and go to this extent scares me. and i feel like some psycho teenagers are going to see this movie and think its "cool" what the joker is doing and cause havoc in their own city. ( i dont know, im just saying) heath has said numerous times that he was inspired by alex from a clockwork orange and that back in its day, the film influenced kids to create chaos in the uk. and alex is possibly the best person anyone can emulate to present that sheer insanity and anarchy.
THIS FILM IS GOING TO BE EPIC. and im not just saying this cause im a fan. i know christopher nolan wouldnt do anything short of completely mind-fucking amazing. with such high demand, theatres even added a 3am and 6am screening and is estimated to at least make 130 mil in its opening weekend. but i think it might just blow everything from titanic to spiderman and gross an ungodly and disgusting amount of money and make history.
p.s. if you see me in my jokers outfit.. say hi. hahha

i seriously cannot wait for the dark knight to come out on friday. i managed to get tickets to the midnight showing at amc 20. trying to get tickets to the imax was too much trouble. and this whole week, im going to have a batman marathon. i plan to watch tim burton's batman and batman returns and christopher nolan's batman begins. ive even bought all my favorite childhood batman series that i also plan to watch such as batman beyond and batman: the animated series. and then i went to borders to purchase batman: the killing joke by alan moore and brian bolland. i dont think im over doing it. i feel as if im not doing ENOUGH. i dont want to see or read any sneak peeks or reviews till the actual movie comes out so i can watch it fully without any knowledge of whats going to happen. but there is a clip that is out that i simply refuse to watch. so, i intend to share it with you guys. enjoy!

or go here...

and if anyone wants to have a batman marathon. im sooooo there. im planning on dressing up kinda like the joker on friday. so if you see a short girl with white face paint and red lipstick, dont be scared, its just me...

Ugh, ive literally been sleeping and eating all day for about a few weeks now and have become a complete lazy-ass. and i feel as if i am a novice film buff once again and that i bear no knowledge of the thousands of films ive watched and studied in the past years. and i apologize for not updating and reviewing the movies i have watched. i got my netflicks back and im trying to get into my crazy film mode again.

things i must discuss:

1) city of lost children

2) anthony burgess

3) the most disturbing films

4) federico fellini

5) my photography class and my film projects

Knight Countdown: 8 days!!!!

im pretty sure i want to go at 9 am considering how going at 3 am is not an option...

but i cant fucking wait. like,

I KNOW.

I KNOW. ITS GOING TO BE AMAZING.

and anything you would like me to discuss, feel free to tell me... cause i will...

Guy Richie is coming out with a new film on Halloween (odd..) called Rocknrollla. haha, its an interesting choice for a movie name and its funny cause they spelled it out like how englishmen pronounce their words. they dont say "water", they say "wat a." hhahah. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch was practically the same movie, so hopefully this one will be different. Rocknrolla still deals with the same idea of a lucrative item that goes missing and its up to a bunch of nobodies to get it back. Richie managed to get the most badasses ever. I mean, he got Tom Wilkinson, Gerald Butler, Jeremy Piven, Thandie Newton, Ludacris. if Brad Pitt was in it, it would've been a cherry on top of the most perfect sundae. enough talking, check out the trailer.

START ROCKNROLLING HERE.

So, i went to the LA Film Festival and watched a prescreening of Clark Gregg's adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's book, Choke. And to be a good director, one doesnt necessarily need professional schooling or anything but the fact that it was directed by an actor turned director, it just made me feel kind of uneasy. it seems like they couldve done more with it and gregg just ended it a bit abruptly. oh whatever.

The story and actors were exceptional and wonderful. Gregg couldnt have assembled a better cast with such a low budget film. Anjelica Huston was simply so entertaining to watch as the cynical mother of Sam Rockwell's character. People love Kelly Macdonald, but i didnt really feel like she really brought the character to life. maybe it was all part of the character but i didnt really picture her playing that character.

and after the screening they had a q&a with clark gregg. and he said beforehand that someone special was going to come and speak and in the back of my mind i had a idea of who it was but i was in denial and when he came out, i almost burst into tears. CHUCK PALANIUK CAME OUT! IT WAS WILD. THE AUDIENCE WAS JUST GOING CRAZY. (I WAS GOING CRAZY!) he is such an amazing person. he shared some of his influences to his stories and his real-life experiences that transcended to the pages of his books. it was just an entertaining and gratuitous night for me...

honestly, the film itself is entertaining due to palahniuk's wicked humor and dialogue, but the direction seemed kind of whatever. i dont know thats just my opinion... maybe its cause im so used to such exceptional direction from the likes of kubrick, fellini, and scorsese that i cant really see the decent work of clark gregg.

*pst: if you want more details on Chuck, just ask me..

So, i watched Funny Games, the 2008 version directed by Michael Haneke. and seriously... seriously put it on top of your Netflicks queue because it broke all the rules and its unconventional methods surpassed my expectations for this film. usually, when one tries to be unconventional and attempt to do something different, the result can be brilliant or just down right hideously bad. luckily, in this case, it was refreshing and sheer genius. Michael Pitt was great but Brady Corbet was a real shiner to me. His coyish smile, voice, and body language was kind of uneasy but entertaining to watch. Tim Roth and Naomi Watts are always great and this movie should be no exception. Naomi Watts is seriously really GREAT. shes so underrated...

sidenote: i fucking knew they were going to pull this shit and i knew Watts would even be great for it. i'm talking about Martin Campell--director of numerous B-list movies--is remaking Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds with Watts as Melanie Daniels. fucking crap. i hate that shit.

Listen very carefully to the dialogue because everything from the direction to the actors to the dialogue was brilliant. and it just seemed like everyone and EVERYTHING just danced to the sound of the boys' drum. i dont want to say why it was so unconventional because i want you guys to watch it and be shocked by what Haneke did. the kind of techniques' Haneke used can seem a bit D-rated, but in the way that he did it with which ties in the dialogue and everything together, makes it acceptable. Therefore, making this film mind blowing and completely not anything like the same kind of horror used in the pitiful Saw and Hostel movies.

Knight Countdown: 5 weeks.

or go here...

Looks freaking siiiiiick man. i get chills everytime i

watch it... AHHHHHHH! i cant wait.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG

Ok, now i got that outta my system. i would just like to say that Spike Jonze is a genius and that i love him for life. He never ceases to amaze me with every project he pursues. And i know this is going to be disgustingly awesome. Now with that said, this is a leaked clip of Where The Wild Things Are which will premiere in 2009.

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!

This is just a glimpse of all the magical things yet to come. So... what do you think?

P.S. I hate how the movie companies always want to take over the filmmakers' vision by reshooting everything. I guess Warner Bros and Legendary are not happy with the actor playing Max Records' role. And they think the film is "too weird" and "too scary" and that the character of Max isn't likeable. Like are you freaking kidding me? They can't possibly expect Jonze to do something thats NOT innovative and weird. Come-freaking-on!

AAAAAAND, i got Choke tickets for the LA Film Festival. So you guys should all gooooo.

UPDATE!: Spike Jonze and WB were upset about the leaked footage (of course) so he released this statement.

* This was a very early test with the sole purpose of just getting some footage to Ben our vfx (visual effects) supervisor to see if our vfx plan for the faces would work. The clip doesn't look or feel anything like the movie, the Wild Thing suit is a very early cringy prototype, and the boy is a friend of ours Griffin who we had used in a Yeah Yeah Yeahs video we shot a few weeks before. We love him, but he is not in the actually film...Oh and that is not a wolf suit, its a lamb suit we bought on the internet. Talk to you later... - Spike Jonze

such a cutie...

I'm all talk and no action. I say i'm going to update as soon as i have time but i feel myself getting increasingly lazier as the hot days past. But i will cause i want people to know about these things i'm going to talk about.

The CineVegas Film starts on June 12th - June 21st, which will screen all these new experimental, arty, flashy, new films such as The Wackness, Choke, Explicit Ills, and Your Name Here to name a few. and guess what? I'M GOING. yeah thats right, i'm going to the CineVegas festival. Damn, i'm thinking if i didn't look at the newspaper while i was at Chili's i wouldn't have known about this. It makes me think that if it weren't for Chili's i just wouldn't be the happiest person alive right now.

But anyway, sadly i could not get tickets for the Chuck Palahniuk book adapted film, Choke and The Wackness starring Josh Peck, Method Man, Olivia Thirbly, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Aaron Yoo. These films are going to be siiiiick. Too bad i'm just watching Your Name Here and Deficit. Your Name Here is directed by Matthew Wilder, starring Bill Pullman, Taryn Manning, and a bunch of other people. And Deficit is directed by Gael Garcia Bernal. Yes, THAT, Gael Garcia Bernal. Both of them are going to be really cool. and i'm about to go crazy right now considering how the LA Film Festival is so close too.

The LA Film Festival takes place June 19 - June 29th. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Alrighty, i'm going to have to work my magic and try to get all the tickets for that with the negative dollars i have in my bank account. What to do? What to do?

Anyway, i'll give up all the updates about the whole experience and what not. i just cant think right now from all the excitement. and did i tell you how i just discovered the Katy Perry song "I Kissed a Girl" and real freaking addicted to it. YYYYEAAAHHHHHHH...

Andy, ( practically my only avid reader ) i will update my blogs with bunches of new info on upcoming films and projects once school is over. Which is done in about two weeks. Sorry, seriously there's so much going on in my life right now that i don't even have time to think about new film ideas like i usually do. And thanks for reading and bearing with my crazy thoughts.

Watch this.

The Strangers (May 30)

or go here...

and don't even think about watching it if you didn't even want to watch Funny Games... and it's very strange because supposedly, Gemma Ward is one of the strangers. Yes, Gemma Ward the model.

Considering how Forgetting Sarah Marshall is being advertised from everywhere from the television to the bus stops to the radio, i will not watch it. However, i will watch these upcoming films. See what you think.

Pathology (April 18)

or go here...

This is freaking great. You don't see movies like these anymore. People either want to see action, comedy, or romance films. This movie is in theaters now but it's very limited so if you don't want to drive at least 30 minutes out of your way, you're going to have to wait till it comes out on dvd. I'm really surprised they didn't advertise it more seeing how Milo Ventimiglia is deemed a fairly big star, thanks to the success of Heroes. And it's weird to see Alyssa Milano actually on the big screen, i think she's alrighhhtt.... This film looks like its going to be extremely twisted and fun.

Deception (April 25)

or go here...

I thought this film would be too good to be true, only because they have Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, and Michelle Williams in it. Even though it looks interesting, it seems like a combination of an array of mystery movies we've all seen before. Even the poster reminds me of the poster of Double Jeopardy. I doubt the film will gross to the top 5 of the movie charts with Baby Mama and Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay coming out that week.

All i gotta say, is that i really miss these dark films. We really do need more of them...

I was thinking that if i were to make something, it would look like this Epik High music video. It's intensely creepy and i love it. So, hopefully that will help me stand out from the other hundreds of aspiring auteurs. And i have just started taking photographs to practice storyboarding my ideas. And even though, they seem like nothing, hopefully they can tell a story. But here, take a look at the Epik High video.

or go here...

And uh yeah, im a freak.

If you haven't seen the new exclusive 'The Incredible Hulk' trailer starring Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler, William Hurt, and Robert Downey Jr, check it ouuuuuuuut. I didn't understand why people thought that last Hulk was so horrible. It was OK. I like Liv Tyler but Jennifer Connelly was so much better as Betty Ross. We'll see how Tyler does though. This is such a great cast, it kind of frightens me. I mean it's Tim Roth! And it's kind of unknown why Downey is in it as Tony Stark. I mean, his own movie is coming out, no need to take over another multi-million dollar franchise. Ok, no more talking, just watch it and see for yourself. I'm confident that this film will be very promising.

or go here...

Any thoughts?

Even though i had to work on Oscar night once again! I managed to get a glimpse of it right before Daniel Day-Lewis won for Best Actor. I was squealing, jumping, and hypnotized by the television. All the customers thought i was pretty much crazy until i told them that this was my version of the Super Bowl or the World Series. No one seemed to understand but i was ecstatic and full of ecstasy. (Click here for the winners of the Oscar's 2008)

And a friend had told me that there was a skit on SNL about There Will Be Blood, so check it out.

or go here...

Bill Hader's portrayal of Daniel Plainview is astonishing and hilarious. It amazes me how he managed to sound EXACTLY like him. And Amy Poehler as H.W. is hysterical.

Then you should watch this movie. It's called Funny Games. Even the title exudes sadism. German director, Michael Haneke is remaking his 1997 film by the same name but with American actors. Its needless to say anymore. Just watch the trailer and see for yourself...

or go here...

Some may say that its a rip off of A Clockwork Orange. But honestly, Funny Games can never be like A Clockwork

Orange. I truly feel like this movie is solely concentrated on the pleasures of torture without redemption or remorse

unlike Stanley Kubrick's classic. And for those of you, who have a strong stomach, watch this movie because it looks

like it can be the blueprint of many more sadistic movies to come...

Once is like nothing you've ever seen before. It is a contemporary musical, written and directed by John Carney. It is about two struggling musicians in Dublin, who meet one day and collaborate with each other and within a week, record a demo. What is fascinating about this little indie film is that it seems like a documentary and we are taken on a trip with these two lost souls, who have their own problems much like everyone else. And its relatable in that they deal with universial issues such as money and relationships. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova--who wrote and sung all their songs--give chilling performances as their song "Falling Slowly" are nominated for an Oscar and 2 Grammy awards. So, buy the dvd or rent it and watch what the buzz is all about. And if you're not convinced enough, here are video clips from Once set to the multi nominated song...

or go here...

-Forgetting Sarah Marshall (April 18)

Producer Judd Apatow never lets me down. And once again he is bringing a new comedy about love in a new perspective: in the guy's point of view. It is known that females are the emotional ones in relationships but i think that guys are much worse than girls in some cases as shown in this comedy starring Jason Segal, Kristen Bell, Paul Rudd, Bill Hader, and Jonah Hill (oh yeah, i forgot to mention, Mila Kunis)! If you got the cast of Knocked Up and Superbad and Jason Segal just thrown in there and you'll get this movie. Considering how Segal is the writer and actor of this movie, i think its safe to say that he has experienced embarrassing break ups such as the this one displayed in the movie. And I dont think I've seen Jason Segal since his awkward stage in Freaks and Geeks. ( I just cant get that scene outta my head when he takes his gf down to his basement. If you know what i mean...) For a second he reminded me of Judge Reinhold. God, they look alike..

And normally, i wouldnt like this kind of comedy cause most comedy seems to be very slapstick but there is something undeniably real and funny about Apatow produced films (Superbad, Knocked Up) and that's why i'll always be an avid fan.

or go here...

and its weird to think that Kristen Bell is suppose to be hot in this movie. Sometimes i feel like Jonah Hill isnt even acting. He's just so good at being the obnoxious teenager even though hes really 27. This movie looks like its going to be fun. I will let you know if Apatow ever lets me down...till then, i will enjoy Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Pineapple Express (Aug 8).

I have seen all of Wes Anderson's film but Bottle Rocket, till now. This Anderson debut film is one of the most realistic and funniest one out of all his movies (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited). Not only is it Luke and Owen Wilson's first time acting together, but it shows the relatable situations people go through in life. The Wilson's characters are two friends who are directionless in life. And like most people, they resort to ridiculous plans to take the easy road out (ie: robbing bookstores and their own homes). Its a new and refreshing first movie for Anderson. And James Caan stars in it as the role of Mr. Henry, the gang leader. And really, it doesn't get better than that.

The Oscars are just right around the corner. And the nominees were announced this month and the competition couldn't be any tougher. (click here to find out the nominees) With No Country for Old Men and Atonement going against There Will Be Blood for the the best picture, it is hard to decide which way the AMPAS (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) will sway towards. There Will Be Blood has a total of 8 nominations and I'm sure they will go home with at least two for best actor and best adapted screenplay. The other categories will be tough to determine who will win for best director, best picture, best editing, best art direction and best cinematography. None other than Jon Stewart will be hosting this year's Oscars yet again on Sunday, February 24, 2008. So tune in to see who will go home with a little something or with nothing at all. I will write my Oscar predictions a little later. Till then, tell me who you think is going to snag an oscar.

P.S. im really hoping that they settle the writers' strike so the show will go on... oh please god...