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453 days ago
Really, you're setting yourself up for failure when you call yourself "Disaster Movie." It's another movie in the long line of "Made by 2 of the 6 guys who brought you Scary Movie 3!" movies. It's awful, everyone knows it's going to be awful, there's just a cross section of dumb America who keeps going back to these things. It's the same group of people who go to the video store and rent the movie with the most well-endowed babe on the box cover, it's the people who rent "real bum fights volume 6," which includes none of the following: people over the age of 17, people with an IQ over 90, people who work for a living, pacifists, people who have been to college, women. The sad thing is, there's really a lot of room to make a good parody movie. The Brits are doing it just fine, what with Shaun of the Dead being such a big hit. I'd like to see the American version. Unfortunately the same old tripe pops up twice a year, and we're expected to keep on ...
504 days ago
Yep, that's what I'm doing. I freelance as a script consultant and writer (bleh! Isn't that too Hollywood?!) and I recently was commissioned to do a little upkeep on a script that is currently already two weeks into shooting. That's not a good sign. Usually the script is finished by the time the cameras begin rolling. And if any last minute changes are made, they are usually made by the writer who completed the polish or latest draft. Furthermore, I'm not allowed to mention the movie, but let's just say it stars a few actors of ill repute. Who knows if the film will actually become a major motion picture, with independent films you never know. But, judging by the script, I don't think this one has a chance. And that's saying a lot, since I usually take pride in the stuff I write. Anyway, how does one go about improving something if it is already covered in the finality of doom? The best one can, I suppose. Which is what I did, though in this case, I'm not sure my best was good ...
537 days ago
Typcially the summer is ripe with great flicks for me to tear apart. Inplausible sequels, the most grown-worthy of romantic comedies. Action movies that forget to have dialogue, and of course, the token super hero movie and sword and sandal epic. However, this year I must honestly say I've been pleasantly surprised by the hit releases. Iron Man had it's typicalities, but it also had a due amount of charm, it was a touch more grown-up, and Robert Downey Jr. was great. Indiana Jones delivered what it promised, lots of adventure, a thrill ride, and dashing wit from the dashiest and wittiest of reluctant scholarly heroes, even the trippy "extra-dimensional" ending wasn't without its goofy appeal. Sex and the City rose above the TV show and delivered and well groomed package of a film, enjoyable by more than the over-thirties female quadrant. Narnia was battleriffic and still cute enough to smile at with some good acting chops lifting up the film in supporting roles. Even Speed ...
565 days ago
This Island Earth, a classic sci-fi film. But, classics aren't necessarily good movies. They are just remarkable in some aspect. This Island Earth was a grandiose, spectacle of a movie. "Over 2 and a half years in the making!" boasts the trailer. It was in full color back in the 1950's which was rare for any movie without an A-list star or a cast of thousands. The draw? Aliens. America had sensationalized flying saucers, paranoia was everyone's favorite parlor game, and a movie about traveling to aliens with giant foreheads was just the ticket for summer. The movie is unbearably awful, the acting, the writing, the way the plot creeps along without much of a through line. The showdown between horrified girl and rubbery brain/insect/beast at the end is particularly funny, the way the woman runs cavalier in a circle while the alien pursues. The costumes a good bit of ridiculous too. This film is the paragon of the summer blockbuster. I'm sure teens were gabbing away back ...
585 days ago
Does Judd Apatow Fail? Hailed as the current King of Comedy, he is box office and critical gold, and rare thing in today's dichotomous world of popcorn blasters and artistic mincers. The 40 Year Old Virgin was a raging success, and Knocked up was the (cliche alert) runaway hit of the summer. He's got an earmark for raunchy R comedy with lots of heart. And his films are usually dabbled with an assortment of his friend actors and/or wife. I laughed as hard as anyone at the 40 year old virgin, and Knocked up had me chuckling, even if the plot wasn't particularly fulfilling. Superbad wasn't quite as rewarding, though admittedly I missed it in the theater and nothing beats a large audience to amp up the laughs in a comedy. And now there is "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Essentially the same cast as his previous films, essentially the same plot, this is essentially the same film you've seen for the last two years. Schleppy guy is still a man/boy. He finds a girl, screws things ...
