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What's New Pussycat (1965, Clive Donner)
Liz Bien: You're right. I must face my problems. I can't go through life being a semi-virgin.
Michael James: What, in the name of all that gracious, is a semi-virgin?
Liz Bien: Here, I'm a virgin. In America, I'm not.
Michael James: What do they do? Stamp it on your passport?
A plethora of new posters of Killing Them Softly came out a while back and as we inch closer to it's premiere, here they are! I wonder why they thought they decided to even make this many posters of a BRAD PITT movie. His first name alone would've suffice to guarantee a number one spot at the opening weekend box office. But nonetheless, I always enjoy the creations of Mondo. And I must say, the conceptualization of each poster is thoroughly cleaver incorporating the prominent symbolism of America. I can't wait to see the film! Killing Them Softly comes out this week, November 30th!
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Country of Origin: U.S
Rating: Un-Rated
Time: 67 mins.
Stanley Kubrick's sophomore feature Killer's Kiss displays the first layer of the strikingly visual blueprint of his iconic film styles, foreshadowing the unparalleled and multi-faceted films of a future brilliant auteur. Killer's Kiss is a simple film noir that outshines it's usual mold by the uncharacteristically naturalistic and stylistically immersive depiction of a Boxer Davy Gordon (Jamie Smith) who falls in love with nightclub dancer, Gloria Price (Irene Kane). They make plans to leave New York City but Gloria is lusted after her ex-employer, Vince Rapallo (Frank Silvera) who won't take no for an answer. With a measly budget of 40,000 that Kubrick borrowed from his uncle, this black and white film noir was shot mostly at night and on location. Like a documentary, the events unfold with uncanny realism on the rugged and bustling streets of the New York night. It is clear that Martin Scorsese took some points from Kubrick when shooting Raging Bull (1980) as Kubrick pulled the audience from their secure seats and into the chaotic and freewheeling ring, letting the audience get knocked and bruised right next to the boxer. Kubrick lets the camera run free in his usual iconic voyeuristic style but in a warm-up fashion, penetrating into the confort zones of these two characters to reveal their most withheld secrets and insecurities. The story doesn't go any deeper than two men fighting over a woman but it is the elegantly unique and distinct eye of Kubrick that creates unlikely depth to this simple story. B-
It's that time of the year again: Black Friday! And you know what that means, more DVDs! I decided to do a haul video and boy, it is long! I apologize for only being able to describe the films that I've bought simply as cute or fun and a must. Although, it may be all of these three things, the films are obviously so much more than that. Watch and read what I'm talking about.
I got:
1. Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
2. Die Another Day (2002)3. Goldfinger (1964)
4.Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Good, The Bad, The Ugly (1966), The Magnificent Seven (1960)
5. The Walking Dead (2010-Present)
6. The Fast and the Furious (2001)
7. Australia (2008)
8. Scott Pilgram vs. The World (2010)
9. Wily Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
10. The Social Network (2010)
11. Splice (2009)
12. The Fifth Element (1997)
13. Gone with the Wind (1939)
14. Black Swan (2010)
15. My Week with Marilyn (2011)
16. Biutiful (2010)
17. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
18. Office Space (1999), Super Troopers (2001), Grandma's Boy (2006)
19. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Set
20. The Mask (1994), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Yes Man (2008), The Majestic (2001)
I got some Blu-rays online and after Black Friday
21. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
22. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
23. Alien (1979)
24. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
I'm pretty happy with the quantity and quality of dvd's I got this year. The only thing about this video is that I described The Black Swan (2010) and Red Shoes (1948) to be almost identical which is wrong. Although they both are set in the ballet world and the protagonist both get a little loose in the head, Red Shoes is at it's core a film about love. They are both fantastic films and considering Red Shoes was made in the forties, the sheer eeriness of this classic "horror" film is undoubtedly a nail biter. Out of all the films I got, the top films everyone with good sense should watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Splice, The Social Network, Gone with the Wind, and Biutiful. You will not be disappointed!
In a few years, my DVD collection will be sustainable enough that I'll be able to have my own little movie theatre in Los Angeles. Well, I hope!
(via.soyunum.blogspot.com)
How to Steal a Million (1966, William Wyler)
Nicole Bonnet: I feel like I'm going to faint!
Simon Dermott: Don't, there's no room.
#notforever
Year: 2012
Director: Bill Condon
Country of Origin: U.S.
Rating: PG-13
Time: 115 mins.
The fifth and final installment of The Twilight Saga has arrived and I guess it never too soon to say, thank god that's over! I'm not a hardcore fan but have watched all the films on opening weekend to witness the hype and commotion behind the series. Least to say, I get the "hype" especially, when it's targeted at the female demographics which is a saddening reality when teens are fed to think that all guys should be like Edward Cullen. But blame Stephanie Meyers that ignited and reinforced gender roles to this generation's emerging yet thwarted feminists with the irresistible first installment of Twilight (I totally get it). New Moon quenched my thirst for depressing films that serenaded the inner emo girl in me with the outstanding soundtrack by Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear, and Lykke Li to name a few. The others I forget and disregard in the trash bins of my mind.
So is it a surprise to hear that Breaking Dawn Pt. II is the most brain-numbingly dumb fun you'll have with any of the series? Probably. Bella Swan is finally a vampire who is a quick learner on how to control her thirst for human blood and voila, she even acquires some magical powers. Maybe it is the vampire touch but Kristen Stewart looks the best she's ever looked in all the other four films combined. When it seems like the Cullen clan has everything under control, the presence of Bella and Edward's newborn, Renesmee, causes the Volturi to think that the child was bitten which is a sin in the vampire world and plans to rage war on the Cullens. Oh, these vampires are so dramatic. Time for the Cullens' to gather their friends from the corners of the continents, represented to stereotype perfection to help and convince the Volturi that Renesmee is actually a half-breed. Naturally, the epic climatic fight scene is my favorite scene out of the ENTIRE Twilight Saga. And it is much debated if the shocking "twist" ending is an act of genius or just plain laziness. It does have a bittersweet finale like most series do, But I'm sure I'll get over it sooner than I did with the Harry Potter series. B-
I got a chance to watch a pre-screening of Life of Pi with a Q&A with Ang Lee, lead actor Suraj Sharma, and screenwriter David Magee (Finding Neverland). It was an incredible experience! Ang Lee was extremely humorous especially considering how dramatic and serious most of his films are. Life of Pi comes out November 21.
Detour (1945, Edgar G. Ulmer)
Al Roberts: That's Life. Whichever way you turn, Fate sticks out a foot to trip you.
A Single Man (2009, Tom Ford)
George: It takes time in the morning for me to become George, time to adjust to what is expected of George and how he is to behave. By the time I have dressed and put the final layer of polish on the now slightly stiff but quite perfect George I know fully what part I'm suppose to play.
I went to go see Kim Ki-Duk's most recent film, Pieta (2012) at AFI-FEST this year. He even came and did a Q&A and sang for us! Please go to my youtube channel to be directed to the video of Kim singing! And subscribe!
