Director: Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez; Guest Director: Quentin Tarantino Starring: Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Elijah Wood, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Torro, Michael Clarke Duncan, Josh Hartnett, Michael Madsen, Jamie King, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Nick Stahl, Marley Shelton, Alexis Bledel Producers: Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan Writers: Frank Miller (also creator, Comics), Robert Rodriguez (screenplay)

Plot:Its an adaptation of Frank Miller's Sin City graphic novels. Its all about sex, murder, loyalty, in the darkest most gruesome areas of town.

My Take: It took Sin City to make me come out of the woodwork and post a review on here. I've been looking forward to this movie for quite a well (well over a year), and it has finally arrived. My expectations were high, and the movie lived up to them (and thats a rarity). I own one set of the Sin City series (A Dame To Kill For) and I loved them. The comic is completely black/white no gray at all, but yet still visually stunning, and enthralling to read. The movie was filmed in high contrast black and white, with a selective, specific use of color, and is extremely visually stunning as well. Sin City had all the components I look for in a movie: great shots (cinematography), great editing, great music, and a great story. There were a few issues a had with it (an overuse, I felt, of a black screen). I felt like the sound was off in a few places, but nothing that the average movie-goer would notice or care about.

So about the movie itself: While watching it I felt like a was watching a modern day film nior. It was black and white (mostly), they acting had that sort of still feel, even though it was amazing acting, and some of the dialogue was delivered with that sort of cheesy classic actress feel (like overdramatization, or like that hand up on the forward woe is me...even though that was never used). It was all very intentional, and very effective. Everything about the movie seemed very intentional and well thought out. The plot was strewn with murder and violence, the story sort of relying on those chance encounters, or the overlapping of characters that are so often used in film nior. It was great to see a modern film nior (even if they aren't calling it that)....since film nior hasn't been made in so long now.

The film is presented in segments, although not those literal segments that Tarantino is famous for. It flows more smoothly than that. The movie is a combination of several of the sets (A Dame To Kill For, The Big Fat Kill, and Yellow Bastard...I believe), and it is somewhat obvious how it jumps from story to story, although they are for the most part all mixed together.

I really can't say much more now: both because I'm running out of time, and I don't want to get into the actual story so as not to ruin the movie for anyone. So I will just say:

Be warned: The movie is just over two hours long, it is extremely violent, and sometimes graphic. (although a lot is hidden by the amazing special effects). The movie isn't for everyone, its literally like watching a moving comic book, the movie even switches to frank millers drawing style for a few seconds in some shots. The There are some moments to laugh, there are a lot to cringe at, but if you're up for a well done movie, then go pay to see it, its well worth it. Its the best comic book adaptation so far, I'm assuming mostly because Frank Miller Co-Directed the movie. The characters looked and acted just as they did in the comic book itself, and each shot, and building, and location looked exactly like the comic book. I read that they actually used Frank Miller's drawings from the comic as a story board, and all the effort they put into reproducing the quality of the comic on film, really pays off, and shows.

I'm Feeling: busy

Still not quite in the mood to write a full review....but here is a blurb about ELektra.

Its just about what I expected, based on the trailer, and the fact that they've been over-advertising, doing featurettes and things online. I think I liked Daredevil better, and thats sad. The story in Elektra felt jumpy, I feel that it didnt' explain too much, and things just seemed too....easy. Hokey. I'm disappointed, because I like Rob Bowman, if only for his X-Files stuff, but the movie wasn't all that great, so maybe he is just destined to be a great tv director, and not a film one.

I know I've been horrible about keeping this thing updated, but, I must say:

Million Dollar Baby was fucking incredible. The less you know about it going in, the better, as with most movies. Go see it, its worth every penny. I do believe that Hilary Swank has earned herself another Oscar Nom.

whoa...I just popped onto the-numbers.com and noticed that The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement is number one.

I have two reactions to this:

1. Are the august releases really that bad, Princess Diaries 2 is the best option out there?

2. WHAT THE FUCK??

...when did that happen?? Am I really that behind in movie news???

This might be one of the worst trailers in a while. Not to mention the song in the trailer is terrible, and annoying. But I still want to check out the movie, go figure. (If you know me at all, watch the trailer, and you'll see why)

I have been terrible about updating the list of movies I've seen lately. So i'll try to remember a couple now.

Garden State: Absolutely fantastic. 'Nuff said. I'll try to write a real review at some point.

Under The Tuscan Sun: It actually wasn't as terrible as I thought it was going to be, especially for being a "chick flick". Didn't take the usual route, which is nice to see.

Suspect Zero: Saw this last night. TERRIBLE. Just terrible. There was no tension in the movie, it was horribly boring for being a psychological thriller about a serial killer. It had a great concept, good idea. I just think they went the wrong route with it, and didn't push it as far as they could have.

Stander:The movie was a true story of a South African police captain who turns into a bank robber as his way of opposing apartheid. It was starring Thomas Jane (the punisher), and it was quite excellent. The release dates have been all screwey due to poor box office in NY and LA. But if ever comes to your town, definitely check it out. Its totally engrossing, and very well put together.

...thats all I can think of now, I'll try to update more if I think of anything.

               

Director: Marc Forster  Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie, Dustin Hoffman Producers: Richard N. Gladstein, Nellie Bellflower Writers: Allan Knee (play), David Magee

Plot: Its about the playright J.M. Barrie, best known for his play Peter Pan, and his inspiration to write this timeless classic.

My Take: I was fortunate enough to see this film months in advance (wide release is due for Christmas), and get to hear the director talk about the movie after the screening.

The movie was magical. It was heavily rooted in imagination, making that imagination come to life. Johnny Depp was wonderful (as usual), he played the character very subtly, very soft-spoken, reserved, but also very eccentric and whimsically. We, the viewers, saw Barrie escape from this world into his imagination. It was played brilliantly.

Kate Winslet was Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, widow and mother of four young boys. Julie Christie played her over-bearing mother. Winslet's performance was just as wonderful as Depp's. The viewer really cared about all these characters, and became emotionally involved with the turn of events in all their lives.

The little boy who played Peter (Freddie Highmore) was so adorable. The director said that Johnny Depp loved him so much that he convinced Tim Burton to cast Freddie as Charlie in the Burton's charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The audience went "aww" and "yay" so you can see how cute/good this kid was.

Overall, I thought the acting was great, save a few performances, but thats to be expected, especially in a low-budget indy movie. The cinematography, and editing was great. The imaginary and real world were put together beautifully. Don't expect state-of-the art effects, it was more theater style backgrounds/effects/props, but because it was a story about a theatrical play, it was perfect. Expect to laugh, and expect to feel all choked up.

The movie wants to make you all wide-eyed and want to go back to that naive innocence of a child, and just live through imagination. I loved it, and was just completely consumed by the movie for the entire length of it. That doesn't happen often. Even during great films, there is usually a chance to check your watch.

Afterward Forster fielded some questions/comments from the audience. All were positive feedback (usually if people didn't like it, they just walk out before the director starts talking, only one or two people left). Many were surprised to see he directed Monster's Ball, because these two movies are so completely different in most aspects. He also had some funny stories, including one from Dustin Hoffman and Hook. Apparently during the filming Hoffman (Hook) and Bob Hoskins (Smee) came to the conclusion that their characters were gay, and they should be involved. So they went to Speilberg saying "we figured out that our characters are gay and are going to play them as a gay couple". Speilberg was not amused. I thought that was great.

So in conclusion: Go see this movie when it comes out. Those of you in the NYC and LA markets will get it earlier, but everyone else is going to have to wait for Christmas. Its worth the wait though, and the price of a full-priced admission.

edit: i forgot to mention historical accuracy stuff. Forster mentioned specifically that he wanted to focus on the INSPIRATION to write Peter Pan, rather than the historical fact of the specific way events happened. So there are a lot of historical inaccuracies, but the script was approved by family of the Barrie and Davies familys. If historical buffs are intersted you can contact me, and I can run down a list of ones that I remember specifically, I don't want to accidentally spoil anything.

So when you go, remember this is a film about inspiration, and magic, and whimsy and wonder, not a documentary. The opening credits even state that its INSPIRED by true events. I still think its great, because its not claiming to be about his life, its about his inspiration, and his creativity, based around one timeless piece.

Boston Folk:

Kay Hanley and Loveless are playing the Paradise this Thursday starting at 9pm.

Tickets are only $13

Anyone interested in going? It would be fun with a group of people. And I'm sure weeny has to work or study, or something of that nature. =P

Is there anyone who reads my journal who is a web designer? (Student, pro, whatever) Who wants to either make, or help make a web site for a student group, pro bono? Its a great resume builder!!

Drop a comment if you are! Or if you know someone that might be interested!!

I just saw a commercial for a pregnancy test...

and the final line of the commercial was: "even if you're just a little bit pregnant"


LOL...how can you be a "little bit" pregnant? Wouldn't it be more prudent to say "even in the early stages of pregnancy" or "early detection"...but no...instead "a little bit pregnant". Maybe its for those families who already have 2 children and just need their .5 child quota completed.

I'm Feeling: amused

All journal entries not about movie reviews (or the like) are friends only.  Comment to be added!