Wall-E

WALL-E
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Starring Fred Willard, Ben Burtt and Sigourney Weaver.

Okay, Pixar…

Okay.

Seriously, you got to stop doing this.

This is the third time I’ve had to find a covert way to catch one of your movies in the theatre. The first time I purchased a ticket for Kill Bill vol. 1 and snuck in the theatre to watch Finding Nemo afterwards. The second time, I feigned interest in The Incredibles so my (then) girlfriend could “drag” me to watch it. Now, I’ve hit an all time low. I’ve used my cousins to watch Wall-E. I, literally, volunteered to take them to the movies so I could watch it. I don’t even know if they wanted to see it…

The fact of the matter is --- I can’t keep living like this. I’m a man of little shame at this point. I’m open about the obsession with comic books. I have the Spider-Man tattoo on my arm. I run to go see stuff like 300, Indian Jones 4, Iron Man and Lord of the Rings the first day it comes out. I’ve denied studying to play Metal Gear Solid until the wee hours of the morning. Hell, I even saw Spider-Man 1, in the theatre, 3 times in 24 hours. I’m not a mature person. I know this. But there is just something about a grown man sneaking off to watch Disney films that is too much to admit.

Now I’m using family just so I can watch Wall-E without hiding my face. But to make matters worse, I liked it so much I want to watch it again in the theatre! Y’know, without those damned little cousins of mine cheering and crying next to me (while I cheer and cry).

You really got to stop making movies this good. What is your secret? Do you write these stories by committee? Because Wall-E is way too good to be from one person’s mind. Like the part where he understands what a fork is and what a spoon is but doesn’t understand a spork! Or how there is no dialogue for the first 30 minutes of the movie! Or the whole subtext about complacency and how humans take things for granted because technology can provide so many solutions! #*@%ing Brilliant!

I’m thinking about it now! I got 3 more cousins! I can make them go see it next!

Wanted

Wanted
Directed by Tim Bekmambetov
Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman

Angelina Jolie’s soapy butt cheeks aside, Wanted is gleefully absurd the first half of the film and lost in the second half. It might have to do with the fact that the film (based off, absurdist-auteur, Mark Millar’s comic series) takes ice cream-sized scoops from the first 2 issues of its source material. The sarcasm and the disdain for compromising are all there, but when it’s left to its own faculties the movie can’t keep up with the books snarky resourcefulness. This probably has to do with the studios decision to green light a comic book property only one issue in. I won’t get into the whole “Assassins vs. Superheroes”-thing, but I will point out that what first starts off as Fight Club-styled revenge fantasy turns into Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle halfway through.

Through an irritating voice narration, Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy, not Eminem), paints a mural of his pathetic life. His girlfriend cheats on him, his boss verbally abuses him, he has no money in his checking account and he’s a hypochondriac. But when Wesley’s, estranged/hitman, Pops gets popped, his dying wish is to have his son take up the reigns and seek revenge on his behalf.

This is all quite amusing, even when cars start flipping over buses like Hot Wheels, but when the film starts initiating its own twist and turns it grows tiresome real quick.
I had the same problem with, director, Bekmambetov’s other films, Daywatch and Nightwatch. Those two films ran on wasted energy, as well. Even if his imagery is quite impressive (I liked the bit with the keyboard and the bits with the long-distance bullet), Bekmambetov starts to rely on over-the-top visuals too much. It makes the film impossible to relate to when it tries to squeeze in melodrama between Wesley and his Father. It also makes it impossible to care about the twist which seem like wasteful exposition.

Mutants!

For the uninitiated, in the convoluted X-Men mythos, there is a character named Doug Ramsey/Cypher. He has a particularly DUMB power that, according to Wikipedia, is "a superhuman intuitive facility for translating languages, whether written or spoken, human or alien."

Whomp Whomp Waaaaah!

Marvel actually got mileage out of this clown.

I always made this admittedly goofy argument that I only like the X-Men with powers that have a direct connection to my limited experience with physical science and biology. Cypher would not pass.

Mutations are nature making changes, changes that share attributes of other examples from nature...

Example:

Cyclops = Energy

Xavier = Brain activity

Colosuss = Metal

Rogue = Energy

Gambit = Energy

Beast = Animal-like dexterity

Magneto = Metal/molecules

Archangel = Flight via feathered wings

Storm = manipulation of molecules etc...

Well, now Wolverine gets a stamp of approval according to nature:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25346676/?GT1=43001

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Rotten Tomatoes has posted this entertaining article about Female action movie stars. It's a list. I have to admit it's quite educational (even if a few of them seem to be reaching).

It's got some great YouTube links (they even make Elektra look good)...

CHAIN LINK FENCE:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wanted/news/1737200/total_recall_the_25_best_action_heroines_of_all_time

DC Gun Ban Rejected!

So the Appeals Courts rejected Washington's proposed ban on guns yesterday. Here in the District it is the #1 news article on all the front pages today.

I've never been assaulted with a gun but I have had a gun pointed at me by a supposed friend of mine who, admittedly, was imbalanced. It's not a fun feeling. I can't even properly describe the stillness of that particular moment. But I can describe my thoughts on guns in general. I may be completely checked out at times and I may find gunplay (on TV) amusing but I grew up in an area where guns and violence are mutual. If there was a schoolyard fight on Monday there was potential for a related shooting by Tuesday. I didn't grow up in Little Rock, but I didn't grow up in Disney World either. I've been lucky enough to only know of people who've been shot, but not have any personal ties to anyone who has.

Regardless, the infatuation with guns (especially amongst adult males) is a concept I can't wrap my circumference around. I also don't understand why it's such a huge issue of controversy amongst politicians. Why do we have pro-gun lobbyists? Why are people so intense about the potential of taking lives? What does a Middle American have to fear that they feel the right to own guns are such a necessity? It’s not like they live in Zimbabwe? (Why do I pick on middle America? Because a gang member in Oakland isn’t hunting down his Congressman for support).

Maybe I sound naive but it is in my nature to simplify matters in order to understand them. And in all honesty most things are better simplified. This DC Gun ban was a simple solution that had been in affect for years. Now anyone licensed can get a gun and it doesn’t have be locked away, unloaded, or disassembled in the process…

Bamn!

Finally made typo corrections on Bamn, so anything that makes the printed page at this point is either intentional or proof that I am retarded. There was a one spelling correction that remains unresolved though...

Is "Butt Buddies" one word or two? Or does a hyphen go in-between like "Butt-Buddies." (How appropriate that a hyphen would go in-between Butt Buddies.)

This is serious stuff.

Anyway, pictured above is what the business cards will (kind of) look like. It's a wrestling ring for those of you that don't get it. (Jay's idea.)

Don't bother going to the link. It's not final.

Bamn!

Bamn is coming along with very few complications (above is a layout page! Not finished art!):

*Jay should be done with drawing the last few pages as your read this.

*I'm behind on correcting typos.

*Bubble placement will be underway this weekend.

*Jay will complete the site once all this is done.

*Business cards are in too. I would have liked a Dotcom but we are using Googlepages for Bamn We will see what the future holds for that. Anyone know how to get a (cheap) Dotcom to link to a page like Google Pages? Who am I talking too?

*We are still setting sail at SPX in October with plans to have Issue #2 at Wizard World Philly next year (yeah, I know. Talk about aiming low, WWPhilly is an entire year from now.)

NETFLIX!

*Fellow hater/oftentimes Friend/sometimes rival, "That Urban Punk" has finally put up a blog page. Like me, he is no longer content with wasting his verboseness on MySpace (I've contemplated dropping MySpace altogether if it weren't for some great, talented and creative "friends" I have there).

UP's a cool guy, a good draftsman, great idea man (still waiting for him to put a story to paper), and a great storyteller. And I mean "storyteller" in the "spin a yarn" sense of the word (which is an art in itself). Check him out. He's a bit delusional for George Lucas so don't judge him too harshly.

LINKING PARK:

http://thaturbanpunk.spaces.live.com/

*Here's what McDonald's commercials are like in Japan...

*Here's why you should vote Republican.

*Here's some Netflix reviews I typed up instead of proof-reading Bamn (shame):

The Mist

A nearby military compound is insinuated to be the cause of mysterious mist that blankets a small Castle Rock-esque town. This causes the towns inhabitants to be trapped in the local grocery store with little explanation of the proceedings as issues of classism, religion, and distrust stir up tension amongst the town folk. Director Frank Darabont (Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption) is no stranger to adapting Stephen King material but seems quite unfamiliar with the mechanics of a horror/suspense story. He ruins some tastefully subtle dramatic moments with some frustratingly naive characters. The Special Effects show the work of a thoughtful director but the plot's cliches show the work of a smart filmmaker stumbling among the fog of conventions.

Sunshine

Sunshine's bad guy is the Sun. Capable of sustaining for 10 billion years or eradicating the entire solar system. The future is now. The sun is about to completely burn out and has caused earth to turn into a wintery wasteland. A team of scientist (particularly, Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans, who makes me wish the FF movies were more like this) take a mentally-taxing trip to re-ignite the sun with a "payload" that contains enough energy/fire power to get it up and running again. Director, Danny Boyle (28 Days Later), keeps everything confined to space (that made sense right?), but never lets you lose touch of what this means for the people back on earth if this mission fails. Idealism and curiousity are the only enemies the scientist face, as they attempt to continue this mission that was failed several months prior. It makes for some tense special effects moments that manages to sustain a good chunk of the movie up until it's last minute, vertigo-inducing, twist. Which seems a litle displaced with the rest of the film but doesn't detract from it. Real quick. Science-Fiction can take a severe beating in the realm of genres. It can be complete tentacled pornographic-fuel for Japanese comics or it can be a biting commentary on humanities lowest points and pitfalls. It's the latter that made science-fiction such a formidable form of literature. It is the latter that tends to be forgotten by the general public. It's the latter that is most underappreciated. Even by me. But Sunshine is Sci-Fi poetry and I actually liked it. Alot.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's best film (even though he didn't direct it) is Nightmare Before Christmas. Bored Jack Skelington lords over the town of Halloween but when a chance encounter has him stumble over Christmastown, he realizes that old Saint Nick has it made and that he wants a piece of the fruitcake. What follows is a film the can only be described as a bewildering trifecta of art, story, and music, as Skelington tries to (forcibly) retire Santa Claus so that he can bring his own brand of misguided Christmas cheer to everyone. I cannnot stress the level of imagination accomplished in this piece as Henry Selick's directorial wit, Danny Elfman's impish music, and Tim Burton's playfully moody designs create a completely hypnotic film.

Long Kiss Goodnight

Inexplicably underrated movie! Screenwriter, Shane Black reminds us why he was the most sought after screenwriter at one time. Geena Davis plays Charlie Baltimore, amnesiac school teacher whose settled into her home life. Naturally, her past starts knocking at her door (with a sawed off shotgun no less). With the aide of private dick, Sam Jackson, she discovers that she was a spy, dealing in the blackest of black ops. The movie is lighting fast with it's humor, a key staple in any Shane Black movie, granting allowances for some of the well-earned action ridiculousness that follows. Davis keeps up with Jackson's quick-wit turn for turn, and the film packs an insane finale. Thoroughly entertaining.

Last Action Hero

Unsuccesfully riffing off of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," Austin O' brien is given a magical ticket that transports him into the screen with his favorite action hero Jack Slater (Arnold). But when Slater's (Don Simpson-esque) villians start stepping into the real world, Slater has to stop them from killing the real Arnold Schwarzenegger because "in the real world, bad guys can win.". The misconception is that "Last Action Hero: is a failure. But that has more to do with the money spent to make the film than the film itself. Underneath it's silly extravagance is an intentionally funny film. Schwarzenegger, wisely, pokes fun of his celebrity persona and the film genre he is most associated with. Austin O' Brien manages to never actually be annoying (which is rare feet for any child actor), Charles Dance is hilarious as Benedict, and there are little bits (like when Schwarznegger's "Jack Slater" meet's O' Brien's mom) that make the film alot of the fun to watch. Despite some entertaining pay offs, the film is a one-trick pony. Never fully commited to executing it's promise of seeing "King Kong" or "Darth Vader" despite it's ridiculous budget.

TokyoPop!

@#$%! I just wrote 6 paragraphs in Blogger about TokyoPop trimming their production to 50%! Then, like an idiot, I hit the back button in my internet browser and lost it all! This is why I write everything in Microsoft Word first! @#$!

Long story short. I was comic shop manager for almost 5 years. Manga was a huge problem for me because it was the only thing I couldn't make move! It's demographic consist of computer geeks and comic geeks (respectfully) that can translate Japanese and download and share non-import Anime/Manga on the internet for free. Hence, not having much use for major or minor retail outlets that sale the stuff (then I wondered how Pandora's stays in business, but a quick internet search showed me why).

I wondered if Tokyopop's shedding is a sign of the times or just a long-needed business manuever.

But now I'm pissed I lost 6 paragraphs---so @#$% it!

CLICKY-CLICK:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16881

Afterthought...

What "Marvel Studios" is attempting to do with this Avengers movie is kind of ballsy. It's also a one-man assault, as DC/Warner Bros. probably won't follow suit until Marvel has got off this train (just like in comics).
It's cool because it has the potential to take this Superhero movie boom of the last decade out of the "Hollywood fad" category and force itselfs into becoming the first new film genre in years (not to mention Marvel is doing this without the aid of any of the big studios...kind of reminds me of Lucas'when he screwed Fox on Star Wars).
For comic fans that's an exciting notion because comics have alot to offer (even just the category of superheroes). For better or worse, this may be the best way to ensure the existence of the comic book medium for another generation 'cause (I hate to say it but) comic books weren't really doing it sucessfully on their own.

And as I was writing this I just found out Stan Winston (Jurassic Park, Predator) has died. Winston was the effects master for, well, everything! Seriously, you name an FX movie since the 80s then Winston probably worked on it! I don't get bothered by celebrities dying (I don't know them personally) but when someone as creative and prolific as Stan Winston passes, well, it sucks. Because you know they are an irreplacable talent.

The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk
Directed by Louis Leterrier
Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, William Hurt and Tim Roth

More than any other Marvel character, the Hulk owes his creation to various influences. The Hulk was already birthed from Jekyll and Hyde, King Kong, Frankenstein, and Godzilla before Jack Kirby and Stan Lee put him to paper in the 60s. Lee and Kirby, in their decade-long fever dream of inspiration, knew this and played off all these previous concepts. Then in the 70s, TV producer, Kenneth Johnson did the same, with the inclusion of elements from The Fugitive, to the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferigno show. The comic books began to follow suit. Then, acclaimed director, Ang Lee, selfishly, made Hulk in 2003. Opting to make his own version of the Marvel character and showing little awareness of any of these things. Collectively, fans scratched their heads.

Now, Marvel takes another stab at what was (for years) their only successful media crossover. The end result is a movie quite at home with mimicking the structure of the TV show, making passing references to the comic book, and has no qualms about being a monster movie. Pretty much what Hulk should be.

In a painfully obvious casting decision, Edward Norton plays Dr. Bruce Banner. “Physician. Scientist. Tapping into the hidden strength that all humans have. Then one day an accidental overdose of gamma radiation altered his body chemistry.” Blah, blah, blah. The movie (in spite of being a franchise reboot) dispenses with all the pleasantries of an introductory story. Instead opting to cut to the chase. Literally. General Ross (William Hurt, appropriately exaggerated) is in hot pursuit of Bruce Banner. Attempting to reclaim the monster within him for Militaristic purposes. But before Banner, looking for help, reignites with his fellow scientist/Ross’ daughter (a dorky and beautiful, Liv Tyler), the General has already subjected, snarky Black Ops soldier, Tim Roth to a Hulk-esque cocktail of the military’s own design.

The movie dabbles in government cover-ups, love triangles, and familial betrayals. But just dabbles. As if trying to make up for the glacial pace of its predecessor. But it’s never quite the primary focus just on that. Instead, director Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2?!?) gives the audience repeated visual intensity. Leaving the competency of clever actors (and a savvy editor) to balloon what is only hinted at. Could this have worked without the aid of the first movie? Maybe not. But with each monstrous step, the film walks with its influences (ranging from Beauty and the Beast to Cloverfield), fully aware and appreciative.

Rewrites!

Some Bamn news:

- In a bizarre moment fueled by warm beer, cigarettes, and a laptop, Dave, Jay, and I sat down and successfully corrected the first 8 pages of Bamn. This is amazing because in 20 minutes I managed to rewrite something that I had been stuck on for 2 months. Initially, I was so irritated with the first 8 pages that I pushed forward and wrote the rest of the issue without it (I have to point out that the first 8 pages were drawn before I came onto the book).
I know it sounds like a recipe for disaster but, I swear, my inebriation allowed me to think clearly here. I also never write with others around me, but the three of us captured the effect we’d been searching for for months. I like it and I’m not touching it. Here’s hoping it makes sense to everyone else. :/

- for awhile now, Jay has had this perfect yet simple business card design. We finally made up some business cards last night and got it shipped off thru VistaPrint. Excellent deals come from them all the time.

Also, The Punisher: War Zone trailer is up. Before you say "who cares," keep in mind that this is actually a dark/violent film coming from the director of Green Street Hooligans. Thomas "Too Clean Cut"Jane isn't in the film instead they've got, surly bastard, Ray Stevenson. I know we've heard it all before but...

N*E*R*D and Darabont!

I finally listened to the new N*E*R*D album (and that’s the first and last time I will spell it with “*”), “Seeing Sounds.” Just wanted to point out that after a great debut and a clumsy sophomore album, this one is kind of in the middle. Like the second album, the trio have an axe they want to grind. But like the 1st album the not-really-rock-not-quite-rap zephyr-like style of NERD keeps it from becoming embarrassing.

And now…

Frank Darabont’s much sought after script for Indy 4 is reviewed at G4! Here’s hoping the actual script begins to circulate.

The Distinctive Matter of Harrison Ford Having the Flu...

Just a random thought.
I was mistakenly, surfing the bile-infested boards of “Ain’t It Cool News” when I came across a review of this Indiana Jones book. Apparently, in the George Lucas tradition of withholding information for additional sellable material, there is a bit more detailed information about the making of the 3 films (What? There was a fourth film?). Turns out that director, Steven Spielberg actually shot the fight between Harrison Ford and the swordsman in “Raiders.” (Of course I’m referring to this quintessential moment in “Raiders” where Indy shoots the bad guy instead of fighting him).

Supoosedly, The story behind the swordfight was that they were going to film it when Ford showed up with the flu on the day of shooting. Unable to do anything elaborate, Ford went to Speilberg (or Lucas. I wasn’t there. What do you want from me?) and simply said “Look, why don’t I just shoot him.” That’s what they went with and it tested so well during screeners that they kept it. (Why they didn’t just use a stuntman, I’m not sure.)

When I sent the YouTube link of the lackluster and unused fight to my friend, Nick, his e-mail response was quite deadpan: “Thank God for the flu, right?”

That’s when I realized there are alot of “swordfight” stories in cinema. More specifically, there are a lot of stories like these before the digital age. Stories of budgetary restraints, technical limitations, or physical impossibilities that resulted in the filmmakers having to think around the problem. Having to roll up there sleeves and utilize pure ingenuity. Now, with the addition of CGI, these little anecdotes are reserved mostly for Indy films (that’s Independent not Harrison Ford). From the unnecessary (Oprtimus and Megatron duking it out on city streets) to the unimaginable (Spider-Man swinging through NYC), anything you can imagine can be put to screen. Hollywood’s response to a problem is, officially, throw some money at it and ILM or Weta will solve it. There are no limitations that create resourceful, happy surprises. Just excess from an already excessive industry. Cameras can digitally swoop through Orc caverns, Hulk can ride a military jet out of the atmosphere, and Yoda can flip around like a gymnastic instructor. In the digital world Greedo shoots first and Indiana Jones wouldn’t shoot at all.

Bamn!

Some Random bits from Jay, Dave and I's “Bamn” meeting yesterday:

At the left are some concept sketches for "Bamn."

-We’ve been meeting every Thursday since the year started. I recall reading an article with QuestLove (not going to even try to spell that with “?”) and Black Thought from The Roots band. The interviewer asked them what was the key to keeping a group dynamic. Maintaining solidarity. One of them said that they meet every Sunday just to watch a movie or BBQ or play music. That seemed like such an obvious and useful answer that it came back to me when we started preparing Bamn. Every Thursday that interview comes to mind. We discuss the book, watch Lost, or the NBA finals, or bitch about movies, talk about hot women that we will never lay down with…you name it. It works.

-Bamn is pronounced “Bam.” By the way. Jay’s idea. I’m not quite sure why he put the “n” at the end. But I like the intentional misspelling-silliness of it. (Probably the only intentional misspelling you’ll find in the entire comic.) I’m over thinking but it gives the indication of the title character having to some sort of fictional ethnicity. Yeah, definitely over thinking it.

-I’m video documenting our creative process for Bamn. Before I took the book (and got a new job subsequently). I was about to embark on year-long film tutorial with the local public access. I had gotten 3 classes in when life took me for a ride (that I’m still not sure I should have taken or not). But the upside is I got to write Bamn! After about 3 months of distractions, I realized I never finished my assignment which was to do a 5 minute documentary on “you community.” Well, my community is filled with drunkards and fanboys. So I had to sort out how to approach this. That’s when I decided to document Bamn. (actually the idea was from a friend of mine). The plan is to give the film to DCTV, the public access channel, for my grade. But it’s also so I can promote the book at SPX with a 5 minute video.

-I got great footage of Dave and Jay arguing about Bamn. I’m definitely going to use it whether they like it or not! Muhahahahaha!!

-Jay finished pages 1-17 of issue #1. The first issue is fixing to be, an uneven, 27 pages. The following issues will be a traditional 22. We’re thinking of sporting a Gaint-Sized label or something humorously not “Giant” to get the point across.

-There is concern about what each issue will costs for the consumer. Unfortunately we will have to play it by ear from our initial sale of issue #1! The more you buy the less it’ll cost in the future!

R. Kelly on Trial!

The Best comedy of the year isn't going to be "The Pineapple Express". Nope. It's the R. Kelly trail. Seriously, MSN is producing some of the funniest coverage of the easiest judgement this side of Michael Jackson.

Enjoy: http://www.slate.com/id/2191876/entry/2191877/

Netflix!

I think it’s fairly unanimous in the scientific community that Netflix is the greatest invention since the millennium started. My queue is at, a ridiculous, 347 movies (I’m quick to point out that I have seen worse).

I’ve always been fascinated by the movie review. I really don’t know why. It’s kind of a masochistic fascination I have. Roger Ebert, Gene Shalit, Pauline Kael, Peter Travers, Desson Howe --- it never stops. I’m fascinated by warring opinions. I find myself at Borders from time to time scanning thru Leonard Maltin’s annual review book just to see if he’s completely out-of-touch or right on the money. It’s not something I’m particularly proud of. Because a movie reviewer is a totally thankless job. Not to discredit their ability to analyze or their wiki-sized movie knowledge. It’s the fact that being a film reviewer is a job that doesn’t pay off until the end. People get so swept into marketing hypnosis during the initial release of a film that a reviewer’s opinion doesn’t matter. At least not until years later. When the career retrospectives clock in, or the AFI does Top 100.

Anyway, I’m using any excuse to write and (if anything), I’ve been writing movie reviews since my high school paper (maybe I can find those and post them here) and, of course, Netflix provides subscribers with an opportunity to post DVD reviews. So, I’m going to start posting them on my blog (I also, as you can see, need practice in not being long-winded at Netflix limits the numbers of words you can type). It’ll Allow myself to create more material for this page that I’ve neglected in favor of Myspace.

Here are some recent bits…

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Honestly, this is a resounding disappointment. Richard Donner's cut of SuperMan 2 is comprised of what can only be assumed as auditions tapes, b roll, and lots of footage that probably would have been edited out of an actual final cut anyway (at least you hope). While the amount of footage assembled is an impressive feat the final product is awkward. The original Lester/Donner version is your best bet.


Blade Runner: The Final Cut
I liked "Blade Runner" but i didn't love it. It's easy to understand why it bombed during it's initial release. It's philosophical nature is worn on it's sleeve. Always murmuring with the sounds of contemplation. It's tone is murky and creepy, it's plot (at first) seems to ramble, It's hero barely a hero, and it's villians are disconcerting and impossible to categorize. It's great science fiction, embodying all the classic concepts (dystopian future, androids, corporatization, etc.) but it is not for everyone. It is, however, worth watching to form your own opinion. Try the Final Cut. From my memory of past viewings it is the most rounded version.


Babel
Just like "Traffic," just like "Syriana," just like "Crash," just like "21 Grams." Everybody has a story to tell. And this one is no diffrent. Director, Inarritu's fascination with interconnectivity of people is well-documented and appreciated. But Babel is pretentious and heavy-handed at points. It's not a bad movie but you've seen it all before.


My Super Ex-Girlfriend
This should've worked, but the film only occasionally breaks free of being an average comedy. Some clever ideas and mischevious humor is completely erased by a quick and convenient finale.


Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
The third Pirates film is too long and uncommited to it's material. Johnny Depp is great but the movie is not interested in following through on any of the ideas of the second film. This films reeks of sequelitis (that is repititon and expansiveness masking a light plot).

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior
The most noticeable kung fu film achievement in years. Tony Jaa barrels his way through the world of street fighting and simultaneously cements his spot amongst Jackie and Bruce! A befuddling physical display of dexterity, speed, and strength. In other words: Ong Bak kicks @$$!

Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Normally, I would say that you have to judge a film on it's own merits. Look at it outside of any behind-the-scenes controversy, or whether it was an adaptation or not. I firmly believe a movie has to exist unto itself. But with something like Star Wars it's impossible to diassociate. For that reason Episode 1 is the most cripplingly dissapointing film in modern cinema. Which also makes it a horrible and unwatchable film. You can make arguments that it is a kid's film. You can argue that it's George Lucas' baby and he could do whatever he wants. You can argue that it's just a movie. But, y'know what? It isn't that simple. It's part of phenomena that altered pop culture history and within the midst of comic books, cartoons, novels, games, and toys that went out of their way to expand on the original trilogy, it has to be asked: Is this the best they could do? Lucas owed his fans something alot better.

Hard Candy
Ellen Page is a far better actress than she has any right to be. If you don't believe that then watch her dangle herself as (jail)bait to get revenge on child-molester, Patrick Wilson. "Hard Candy's" only real flaw is that it seems at times too afraid to commit to it's material. Not willing to showcase the ugliness of Wilson as the unsuspecting prey. It's however quite comfortable with mind-games. Making you question through the entire film who is in the right and who is in the wrong during this exchange...

Equilibrium
A far as cult films go, much has been said about "Equilibrium." But in all honesty it's a Matrix clone. Granted, unlike most films that mimic the Matrix, it has a story that is structured and layered coherently. But it's very dull. That's partially the fault of the subject matter and partially the fault of the direction.