OFF TO PARIS, FRANCE 2012

June 9, 2012 by Keith Garlington

I love the months of June and July because for my family that means VACATION TIME! We’re doing something special next week. My wife and I are going on a trip to Paris, France as an early 20th wedding anniversary celebration. Sooo, that means no movies (and obviously no movie reviews) for the next several days. But I do have a couple of cool posts planned including my “Prometheus” review (posted earlier today) and a special Phenomenal 5 Sunday that will tie in nicely to our trip.

I’ve got a great wife and this should be a great trip. It is gonna be weird being away from our children for so long. We’ve never been away from them this long and I’m definitely going to be thinking of them. God has blessed me beyond measure and this trip is a celebration of that as well. We live in a big world and anytime we have the chance to see it, we should take advantage of it.

But I do plan on checking in and maybe even sharing a cool photo or two during our stay. So keep your eye out for a “Live from Paris, France” post or two! Until then…

“DJANGO UNCHAINED” – Breaking down the trailer…

June 7, 2012 by Keith Garlington

Everyone has probably seen the new “Django Unchained” trailer that is supposed to hit big screens in front of tomorrow’s “Prometheus”. It’s the new film from Quentin Tarantino that’s set to be released this Christmas. This is a highly anticipated trailer from a highly anticipated film. In fact it’s #8 on my “Most Anticipated Films of 2012” list. But I have to admit, I have mixed feelings when it comes to Tarantino and I also had mixed feelings after seeing the trailer.

Some view Tarantino as a visionary and a filmmaking genius. For me, he has an undeniable style. His visual presentation is very impressive and the way he crafts his stories show off a slick and unique flare for storytelling. But while I think Tarantino is a solid director in terms of style, I’ve never seen him as the writing genius that others have. I think he is a case of style over substance. Now don’t misunderstand me. Not ever movie has to be thick with complexity. There’s nothing wrong with making simple but stylish films. Some have made the case for the underlying themes found in many of Tarantino’s pictures. Some I can see while others are a bit of a stretch. If their were more deeper meaning to his films, they didn’t connect with me. I tend to see his movies as hyper-violent exercises broken down by clever and unique forms of storytelling. In other words, a simple story told with a slick visual style.

This brings me to “Django Unchained”. I was really anxious to see this trailer for several reasons. First, I was interested to see how Tarantino would present the “old west”. Say what you will about him, but Tarantino is a film lover first so the fact that he would invest in creating a modern-day spaghetti western really appealed to me. That brings me to the second reason I was excited about this trailer (and film). I love the spaghetti western genre. Sergio Leone remains one of my favorite directors of all time and his spaghetti westerns remain my favorite westerns of all time. “A Fistful of Dollars”, “For a Few Dollars More”, “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly”, and “Once Upon a Time in the West” are wonderful films and seeing Tarantino tip his hat to them is great.

That being said, the trailer left me feeling mixed. Now let me preface this by saying that I know you don’t judge a movie by a trailer. Just look at the first trailer for “The Avengers”. It was slow and pretty lifeless yet the movie was a fun action romp that I loved. But there were things with the “Django Unchained” trailer that really left me scratching my head. One key issue I had was the jarring shift in tone after Django is, well, unchained. The James Brown music kicks in which I thought was a little self-indulgent. The movie seemed to be flaunting it’s cleverness and style at the cost of setting the mood and tone. I was also surprised at some of the cheesy lines that, again, seems more aimed at a comedy that a spaghetti western. On the flip side, the production value looks fantastic and it doesn’t look as if Tarantino is going to shy away from the grit you’ll find in many of the great spaghetti westerns. Then there’s the fun assortment of characters. Let’s take a look at the big three:

DJANGO – (Jaime Foxx)

My biggest question mark for this entire production was the casting of Jaime Foxx. It’s said that originally Will Smith was sought after for the part but I’m not sure he would be a big step-up from Foxx for this type of role. Foxx is a decent enough actor. I liked him in “Ray” but not as much as most people. I actually thought he was better in “Collateral Damage” and in his sketch comedy work on the TV show “In Living Color”. There are elements to each of these past performances in the “Django Unchained” trailer. But the trailer did nothing to really sell me on Foxx as a genuine western buttkicker. At times it seemed like he was doing straight parody and it didn’t really work for me. Can Foxx handle this role remains the biggest question for me moving ahead.

DR. KING SCHULTZ – (Christoph Waltz)

I love Christoph Waltz. He was the very best thing about Tarantino’s last film “Inglourious Basterds”. So naturally I was drawn to the idea of him playing a German bounty hunter in the wild west. Waltz seems to have a wide range and I have no doubt he will be able to handle this material. He looks right at home with the Schultz character and even with his exposition-heavy contribution to the trailer, I found myself drawn to him. Unfortunately he looks to be softer and friendlier than I hope he turns out to be and he features a gun draw so slow that he would never live through a Sergio Leone duel. But Schultz looks to be an intriguing character and it’s still unclear whether he’s to be trusted or not.

CALVIN CANDIE – (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Talk about an actor that has really shown a range. DiCaprio has proven to be more than capable of handling a wide assortment of roles and he certainly was an interesting choice to play the evil plantation owner Calvin Candie. The first thing we quickly notice is that DiCaprio is having tons of fun with this role. He clearly has a ruthless side but there is a suave and sophisticated charm about him as well. In the trailer DiCaprio shows us a character that seems completely self-absorbed but yet mesmerizing. Plus he has the best line of the entire trailer: “Gentlemen, you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention”. Of all that I saw in this trailer, DiCaprio’s character and performance excited me the most.

So there’s a few thought’s on the trailer so many are talking about. Have you seen the “Django Unchained” trailer yet? What were your thoughts?

It’s Official…I’m 3D’d Out

June 6, 2012 by Keith Garlington

3D technology in movies dates back to the 1920’s and really found an audience during the 1950’s. It made several reappearances often times finding and wowing audiences. But the technology is also known for it’s dissappearances as the interest fades in what some view as a fancy gimmick. Right now we are in the middle of one of those 3D waves. But have they finally gotten it right and made it a viable storytelling tool that will stick around for a while? Or has the high ticket prices and mediocre transfers already driven off movie fans?

James Cameron and “Avatar” was the movie that really brought 3D back and I have to say it impressed me more than any other previous attempt at 3D movie making. While his unoriginal, paper-thin plot and political/environmental preachiness killed “Avatar”, it was still a technical marvel and his use of 3D was a sight to behold. It was the first time I could really say the 3D grabbed me and pulled me into a movie. It wasn’t just about “pop out of the screen” moments. Cameron truly made his movie come alive with clever camera work and an amazing depth.

One of the things that made “Avatar” work visually was that from the start it was shot for 3D. It didn’t take me long to see that it makes a world of difference. Before long several post production 3D transfers started hitting theaters with noticeably lesser results. As with many things, the studios saw dollar signs and started putting out more and more of these underwhelming 3D productions. After seeing several movies where I felt ripped off by the higher prices I’ve moved back to 2D. Unless a movie is getting rave reviews for it’s 3D by other reviewers and if given the choice, I’m going with 2D.

So has this reemergence of 3D reached it’s apex and now heading downhill or is there still more on the horizon? There’s no denying that 3D has shown itself to be a very effective way to tell a story. But with so many lackluster 3D movies coming out, it seems that the technology could be doomed to fail. In a way it will be sad if it does fall by the wayside simply because it looked like they finally got it right. They simply didn’t know when enough is enough.

What are your thoughts on today’s 3D?

MEMORIAL DAY… A DAY TO REMEMBER

May 28, 2012 by Keith Garlington

Instead of doing a Phenomenal 5 today, I thought it much more appropriate just to say thank you to all the men and women who have served our country to defend the precious freedoms we experience today. So many have sacrificed so much. Families are still feeling the loss of loved ones who were willing to give all. As I’ve watched several war pictures over the last couple of days it’s reminded me of the cost to maintain liberty and freedom. Movies can be a powerful source of information and reflection and Memorial Day is a prime example of that.

My grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel in the Army during World War 2. He took part in the North African campaign before moving into Italy as the Allies fought through Europe. As a teenager (and into my early 20’s), I appreciated his service and had a few conversations with him about it. But I don’t think I appreciated it as much as I do now. He’s not here today. He passed away in 1995. He sent so many interesting things back home to my grandmother from his time at war and we still have some of the most amazing photos of his time there. But I would give anything to have the opportunity to sit down with him now and just listen. He gave me so many reasons to be proud to be called his grandson. His service to his country is one of them.

So many people have similar stories. So many have relatives or friends who served their country with honor. This is a special day where we can remember and say thank you. Whether it be a day at the lake, a cookout with the family, or enjoying patriotic war movies – enjoy the day. But remember exactly why you’re able to do so. Think about those who have served and take time to say a prayer of thanks to God for giving us those men and women who sacrificed so much.

WORLD WAR 2 MOVIES: Blogger Buddies Speak…

May 18, 2012 by Keith Garlington

All week I have been looking at movies based on World War 2. I’ve already shared reviews and a Phenomenal 5. So I thought it would be cool to hear the thoughts of some of my movie blogging buddies. There are literally hundreds of World War 2 pictures and so many of them are great movies. But there are also a handful that stand out as true classics as you will see by the picks below. I asked some of my movie-loving friends to share their favorite World War 2 movie with a brief explanation of why they love it so. I got some great choices and great defenses and I appreciate everyone who chimed in.

From my buddy Mark over at Marked Movies:

“THE THIN RED LINE”

“The brutality of war is ethereally and philosophically handled by Terrence Malick. Beautifully shot with an endless cast of familiar faces. War, captured as a meditation and a surprisingly poetic baptism that was based on the novel by James Jones.”

Adam from one of my favs “3 Guys 1 Movie” agreed:

“THE THIN RED LINE”

Without a doubt my favorite WW2 film of all time is Terrance Malick’s The Thin Red Line. This film was released in 1998 and was overshadowed by another small WW2 film also released that year, Saving Private Ryan. While both films are deserving of great praise, for me the Thin Red Line is a far superior film.

I would describe this film as, a thinking man’s war film. Malick presents us with a war movie from the perspective of an Emersonian philosopher. He also allows us a look inside the heads of several of the main characters, so you can see their thoughts and motivations for their actions.

This is a beautifully shot film, with the Eden like beauty of the tropical islands juxtaposed with the brutal horror of war. If you are looking for a war film that will leave you with more questions than answers, about the nature of man and his place in the world, this might be a film you would enjoy.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the amazing performances in this film by Nick Nolte, Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson and John Cusack to name a few. It’s a star-studded film with lots powerful performances and small cameo appearances. If you get a chance to check out The Thin Red Line I urge you to give it a watch, after all, it’s my favorite WW2 film.

Pete from the always fun “I Love That Film” :

“SAVING PRIVATE RYAN”

“Saving Private Ryan” feels more like an experience than a film. Never has a battle scene been more immersive than the opening assault on Omaha Beach. The rest of the film pales in comparison but still delivers some heart breaking characters and perfect cinematography.

However it is the opening thirty minutes that grabs the viewer; putting them in the terrified faces of puking, trembling soldiers before showing them being ripped apart and torn to shreds by enemy gunfire. The handheld point-of-view style camera puts us right there on the beach and changed war films forever. It is a scene you can never forget; a terrifying experience.

Overall, it may not have a complex narrative or be overly ponderous and thoughtful about the life of a soldier, but it does leave viewers with a brutal sense of the horror and the heroics of World War 2.”

Sharing the same view is my friend Kristin from the wonderful “All Eyes on Screen“:

“SAVING PRIVATE RYAN”

“Well, I’m going to be cliché, or boring, or predictable, and say that my favorite WWII film is Saving Private Ryan. Partly because I haven’t seen a ton of war films, but the reason I primarily chose it is that I love the film. The story is moving, and there isn’t a hint of realism–the film is rooted in realistic combat, dialogue, and action. Tom Hanks leads a strong cast in a film that as many have said–and many more will say–was cheated at the Oscars. I did watch Shakespeare in Love in order to see what was so good about it that it was able to beat out Saving Private Ryan, and in my humble opinion, Shakespeare in Love didn’t come close.”

Marc from “Love Your Movies” added cool twist:

“THE READER”

“With a different slant on a WWII film, The Reader tells the story of a woman and former prison guard for the Nazi party. An illiterate woman who was just trying to serve her country and make a living is later put on trial for crimes against humanity along with the other women guards she worked with. They soon conspire to have her take the fall for them all and with her ailment she is unable to refute the accusations.

Having had an unusual relationship with a young high school student whom she lost touch with over the years, he soon discovers her again when she is on trial and he is a young law student. After he is grown he begins to search her out in prison and helps her unknowingly learn how to read and write. Knowing she was innocent of the certain charges and that she is genuinely a good person he can’t lose touch with her.

With career changing performances from Kate Winslet and Ralph Finnes, it is an emotional powerhouse of a film that shows a side of one time Nazi’s that hasn’t been shown before. Quite a few soldiers and others involved were just trying to make a living and thought they were doing the right thing for their country as do most servants of their countries. While it’s not considered a traditional WWII film it is still a necessary story none the less.”

Great choices and great comments.

THIS WEEK IN MOVIES (May 11th)

May 11, 2012 by Keith Garlington

“DJANGO UNCHAINED”

“Django Unchained” is the highly anticipated next movie from director Quentin Tarantino. The director has had the ability to line up all sorts of acting talent to star in his films….at least until now. The movie has been plagued with cast members dropping out of the project. Early it was reported that both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Kevin Costner had to drop out of the film due to conflicts. This week we found out that Sacha Baron Cohen has left the film. It turns out his role was fairly small but the other bit of news is a bigger problem. Kurt Russell (who has signed on to replace Costner) has now bowed out of the movie. No reasons were given but his role was much more important than Cohen’s. This is pretty unusual since Tarantino is known for his great casts. I’m anxious to see how this affects the film and it’s release.

“THE AVENGERS”

Well, I can’t help it. I have to throw in another bit of Avengers news. “The Avengers” shattered the record for biggest opening weekend previously held by the last Harry Potter picture. It brought in a domestic total of $200.3 million shattering the previous record. Those are monster numbers but that doesn’t even consider the money it’s brought in overseas. The movie has made almost $750 million worldwide easily justifying it’s $220 million budget. Is it any surprise that news also came out of the planned sequel?

NEW IN THEATERS (May 11th)