CineMANIAC

SLICES OF LIFE (2010) I just saw the trailer for this movie and...

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:48:36 -0400

SLICES OF LIFE (2010)

I just saw the trailer for this movie and all I have to say is:

1. I really don’t like too many scarry movies-ESPECIALLY zombie movies. Ever since Night of the Living Dead “I smaell brains”…sigh

2. I really don’t think I can stomach watching this one by myself.

Somebody watch it and tell me what it like.

I REALLY WANT TO WATCH IT THOUGH…SIGH.

Photo

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:53:10 -0400

TRAILER THURSDAY!: RISE OF THE PLANET OF APES Can’t wait...

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:03:28 -0400

TRAILER THURSDAY!:

RISE OF THE PLANET OF APES

Can’t wait for this one!

The Loved Ones (2009) Australia Oh Wow!…Really. The Loved...

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:07:05 -0400

The Loved Ones (2009) Australia

Oh Wow!…Really.

The Loved Ones left me speechless. This story is about Brent (Xavier Samel) who is just trying to deal with the ill-fated day, just moments shy of getting his drivers license, he got into a car accident that killed his father six months earlier. Luckily he has his girlfriend and his best bud to keep his mind occupied from the tragic accident but it doesn’t help that his mother is obviously distraught from the event and has become a bit over protective and paranoid. However there is a school dance that is coming up that his girlfriend Holly (Victoria Theine), and best friend Jamie (Richard Wilson) try to rev him up for. A few days before the dance a classmate Lola (Robin McLeavy) asks him to take her to the dance. He politely declined, careful not to be rude. The plan…Holly is to pick up Brent they go the dance…happily ever after…right? Wrong. Everything goes terribly wrong when Brent gets snatched up by some man while Brent is trying t meditate by himself.

Lets just say that The Loved Ones is along the lines of Misery (with Kathy Bates) but The Loved Ones is way more creepier. This movies kept me one my toes. There were parts of it that I would have never expected like cannibalism…YES cannibalism.

My favorite scene: The way that the camera shakes every time the GUY is subjected to excruciating pain.

This movie is defiantly a “Whow”, “Nooooooo”, “Don’t go up there” type of movie. I cringed the whole way through.

You got to love when the muppets do imitations…its so...

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 11:58:02 -0400

You got to love when the muppets do imitations…its so flattering. :)

zainyk:

Annie Hall. Amazing.

I like the simplicity of this movie poster. Might have to check...

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:27:06 -0400

I like the simplicity of this movie poster. Might have to check this movie out just off the basis of the design.

peter-noster:

Dogtooth

This is one of my favorite directors. John Waters, being a from...

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:20:21 -0400

This is one of my favorite directors. John Waters, being a from my home state, I always felt a special kinship to his films. He always catches the quirkiness of Maryland. I think as a kids i can remember watching a lot of his films. So as an adult I am always feeling nostalgic for his work. As an artist he embodies the attitude of just going for it no matter what.

bohemea:

John Waters’ AnOther Man Proust Questionairre

What are you thinking of right now?
The homework of publicity.

What makes you laugh?
Wit, and even more so – accidental wit.

What makes you cry?
The fact that there is obviously no such thing as karma-look at the assholes in your life who walk the earth in good health and then think of your amazingly great friends who are dead.

What do you consider to be the greatest invention?
Eyebrow pencil.

Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
My book Role Models mentions all of them! Sorry, I’m a travelling salesman by trade.

Where do you feel most at home?
In un-ironic Baltimore.

Where are you right now?
In my beautiful apartment in San Francisco reading an hilariously grumpy book, My Prizes: An Accounting by Thomas Bernhard.

What is your proudest achievement in work?
I guess that my films can’t be stomped out over time..at least not yet.

What is your proudest achievement in life?
Many friendships that have lasted thirty to forty years.

What do you most dislike about contemporary culture?
Reality shows made for the lowest common denominator of viewers so even they can feel superior to somebody.

What do you most like about the age we live in?
Free porn online.

At what points do life and work intersect?
I’m lucky-almost always for me. Even if I go to a monster redneck bar on a Friday night, I’m looking for material that I can turn into comedy.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Don’t be afraid to ask. A “no” is free.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Without knowing it, smoking cigarettes.

Recommend a book or poem that has changed your perspective on life?
Again, I pick my favourite five books in Role Models but if I had to pick just one of those it would be In Youth Is Pleasure by Denton Welch. Let’s hope all children’s neurotic fantasies can be as pleasurable as his were to the reader. And hopefully to this weird little author himself.

What is your earliest childhood memory?
Being in my crib and listening to the radio soap opera Helen Trent with my Mom.

What’s the most important relationship in your life?
Friends who give me intimacy without romantic drama.

What’s the most romantic action you’ve taken?
Well, I once gave a boyfriend a raw chicken heart gift wrapped for Valentine’s Day. He was the type of guy who actually liked the idea.

What’s the most spiritual action you’ve taken?
A general day-to-day believe in the basic goodness of people.

If you could wish for one change in the world what would it be?
An end to all wars based on religion.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011) LOVE vs FATE vs DREAMS vs LIES vs...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:22:25 -0400

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

LOVE vs FATE vs DREAMS vs LIES vs THE TRUTH. We walk around everyday contemplating what is real and what is not. We question things every once and awhile…Do we really have free will? Can we take destiny in our own hands. Or are things given to us in a predetermined nature?

“The chairman has a plan, we only see part of it” is an idea that is presented in this film. I notice while watching this film the rebellious spirit in me what to scream out…NOOOO. Life is what you make it, F~ the way society tells us we should be. I have to say I really liked this movie because it allows the audience to think outside the box.

The story also gives the audience a look at happiness vs success. Often times in life we wonder if the movements we make are the right ones. Do we choose happiness over what we think is success. Do we really see or even want to the truth?

Dance of the Dead (2000) Corny but great on the special effects...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:18:58 -0400

Dance of the Dead (2000)

Corny but great on the special effects and makeup. Classic “I smell brains” that has me terrified from zombie movies. You keep thinking (screaming) GO GO GO! Lol There is even a young Cardinal Official in the movie as an extra who at the prom. In this zombie take most of the most hated teacher and the principal are the first to go at the prom. Love it! There is a character who is a WWF YouTube wannabe who goes ape shit on the zombies…hilarious. In this version the town rock band that is an out cast among their peers figures out that music calms that savage beast. Dem son of bitch ate my dog…best bitch I ever had” Hahahaha! First ever zombie sexy scene…

Brothers (2009) Oh my God!…When I first watched the...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:14:20 -0400

Brothers (2009)

Oh my God!…When I first watched the previews for this movie I knew it would be a banger. And it is! This story is about two brothers, it’s about fathers and sons, husbands and wives, children of war, and more. Brothers is a great testament to those who think that today’s war vets should move on and cope like World War I or II vets. Today’s vet has different circumstances to deal with, or is it that in today’s society everything is so out in the open that we are able to see everything for face value. Brother is a good movie that is not what you think the typical veteran’s story looks like, its not what you think the typical dysfunctional family story looks like, it’s a story of what our society looks like. How we cope with terror, death, an love. I would recommend this movie to anyone who can relate to the craziness of family and society.

Samson and Delilah (2009) Samson and Delilah’s world is...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:10:36 -0400

Samson and Delilah (2009)

Samson and Delilah’s world is small- an isolated community in the Central Australian desert. When tragedy strikes they turn their backs on home and embark on a journey of survival. Lost, unwanted and alone the discover that life isn’t always fair, but love never judges.

Ok so this film on the surface is a bit odd, but the underlying message to take away is that there is always love and sometimes it’s really not pretty. I love watching independent films especially when they involved unknown actors or characters you don’t normally get to see in the theatres. This is a story about two young people living on an Aboriginal reservation. They don’t have much and through out much of the story they seem to me living two separate lives. Delilah is on the reservation taking care of her grandmother. And Samson is a fume-sniffing addict who lives with his family. The move doesn’t have much dialogue but has a lot of human interaction and body language that can be seen with out words.

Delilah’s grand knew from the beginning that Samson would be her granddaughter’s husband and is constantly teasing her about it. In the beginning he set eyes on her and attempts to get close to look after his future partner. Unfortunately life comes along with it twists and turns and both end up leaving the reservation for the city where they become homeless and befriend an elderly homeless man. This story is filled with a lot more twists and turn that are really unbelievable. Take my word for it! Like most love stories this one has a happy ending. Check it out search for it. You actually might enjoy this REAL LIFE love story…and it is REALLY REAL.

BIG LOVE The era of Big Love is finally over. This last ever...

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 22:52:00 -0400

BIG LOVE

The era of Big Love is finally over. This last ever episode of Big Love was a little weird to me. I really didn’t want it to end. Who would have thought that 5 years ago a show about polygamy would work? Over the years talking about this show to others would reciprocate an odd look. But you know what over the years it has brought excitement to my Sunday night.

The last episode was partially fulfilling. This last episode gives everyone major changes and some unanswered questions. But you know if life there are a lot of unanswered questions. It was good to see that things never turn out perfect, but there is always BIG LOVE as life goes one.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:26:00 -0500

It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:25:00 -0500

When this movie was out in the theatre I have to admit I wanted to see it but I didn’t want to be bogged down with the issue of depression and anxiety. But as I watched it what I saw was this film told the story of something so simple…Human Nature. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The main character, teen Craig, checks himself into the hospital’s psychiatric ward for a week. At first he is uncomfortable about being around people who really need to be in the psych ward. By the middle of the week though he comes out of his shell a bit and begins to interact and care for his fellow ward mates. During his stay he discovers things about his life and his talents. Craig soon beings to really take a look at the other people who were already there and realizes that we are all a little bit crazy sometimes. In the end though he develops a knack for giving his ward mates things that they need.

This movie is one that reminds me that life is kind of a funny story. And even though things aren’t exactly the way you may want them to be, you can still some try to look forward to the good things that you might get to do. This movie reminds you to be you and just breath.

I recommend this movie for any and everyone. This movie is rated PG-13 and whit the content and message you can understand why. I have teenagers in my life. As an adult in their lives I often sit back and watch them go through their growing pains I would defiantly recommend this movie to them in particular.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story was defiantly better that what I thought it would be. It’s the kind of movie that you have to watch every once and awhile to remind you that everybody is sort of messed up.

Oh and also before I forget. The sound track was pretty good as well. Especially the end segment of the movie where Craig has his enlightened moment and the tune playing is the melody of “Under Pressure” (by Queen) better known to me as Be (by Common).

The Sunset Limited (2011) After a week or so of blasting the...

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 01:11:00 -0500

The Sunset Limited

(2011)

After a week or so of blasting the coming of this movie I had to watch. What can I say…there are so many levels to this film. First of all the concept of this film is simple two men dialoguing about life. Very rarely in our life to any of every get true gritty dialogue/conversations with other individuals such as this. So the fact that it was put on screen for us to see with out interrupting the conversation is amazing and brilliant.

Two men Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones take the characters of a “Preacher Man” and a “Professor” to a whole other level. In so many words you can say the dialogue is between good and evil, the faithful and the intellect. It reminds me of a line in Erykah Badu song “Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear Him just the same”. But don’t think that this movie is all about religion. It can be taken in so many different ways. This dialogue can basically be applied to any conversation. Especially when there most conversations can have many sides. Can everything be as white and black as some may want to think?

One would wonder though how exciting can a film with one setting and only two characters are. Very! The cinematography of the film takes you far. The camera angles are infinite. Not to mention that the backgrounds with the use of small changes in the brightness given by the windows incorporated change that is greatly significant.

Anyway this is a must see. BRILLIANT work by the ALL individuals involved. I expect this film to get multiple awards!

Lords of Dogtown (2005), USA So I stumbled on this one like I...

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:19:00 -0500

Lords of Dogtown (2005), USA

So I stumbled on this one like I do all the others. This movie is based on true events and tells probably one of many stories on the subject of the beginning of skateboarding. In the beginning of the movie I just thought it was a story about skateboarders back in the 70’s. But watching the movie you start to see how skateboarding (pre Tony Hawk) came about. (And a little on how the progress on it became commercialized or a money maker.)

The Lords of Dogtown is a group of kids from Vinice Beach, California who started of having a love for the wave while at the same time trying to catch that perfect wave on land.

This movie reminds me of the dreams that all of us have. Or how you can take the simplest thing…your passion and make money. It also reminds me that during the process if you “make it or not” there will be pitfalls, jealousy, among many things that might prolong the process. But it’s still a process non the less.

I think one of the reasons why I got so stuck on stupid when I turned to this movie is the cast. The movie puts together young actors who are very skilled and go one to do great things like America Farerra (pre Ugly Betty), Nikki Reed (creator the cult film Thirteen), Heath Ledger, and Victor Rasuk (more recognizable from HBO’s series How to Make In a America).

Oh and by the way the soundtrack for this movie is ULTRA DOPE. I love soundtracks that remind you of your own soundtrack listing for your own life.

“Half Breed”  Cher

“Cat Scratch Fever” Ted Nugent

“Old Man”  Neil Young

“Death or Glory” Social Distortion

“Hair of the Dog” Nazareth

“I Just Wanna Make Love to You”  Foghat

“Fox on the Run”  Sweet

“Motor City Madhouse” Ted Nugent

“Turn to Stone”  Joe Walsh

“One Way Out”  The Allman Brothers Band

“Fire” Jimi Hendrix

“Space Truckin” Deep Purple

“Success” Iggy Pop

“Suffragette City” David Bowie

“Iron Man” Black Sabbath

“Nervous Breakdown” Rise Against

“20th Century Boy” T-Rex

“Maggie May” Rod Stewart

“Voodoo Child”Jimi Hendrix

“Steppin’ Razor” Peter Tosh

“Wish You Were Here” Sparklehorse

“Daydream” Robin Trower

“Loose” The Stooges

“Jackie Blue” Performed by The Ozark Mountain Daredevils (as Ozark Mountain Daredevils)

“Long Way to Go” Alice Cooper

“Shambala” Three Dog Night

“Sidewalk Surfin’”  Jan & Dean (as Jan and Dean)

“Walking in Rhythm” The Blackbyrds

“The Red & The Black” Blue Öyster Cult

“Mongoloid” Devo

“Too High” Stevie Wonder

“Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl” Looking Glass

“Super Stupid” Funkadelic

“Crash Course in Brain Surgery” Budgie

“Fire” Ohio Players

“Stay with Me” Faces

“T.V. Eye” The Stooges

“Strange Brew” Cream

“It’s Slinky” Written by Homer Fraperman and Charles Wragley

“Also Sprach Zarathustra” (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968))  Eumir Deodato

“Solitary Confinement” The Weirdos

Note: You can find this one on YouTube…Start Here its good Quality viewing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL4AeTfDVOE&feature=related

BOY (2009) New Zealand I wanted to start of this blog by...

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:28:00 -0500

BOY

(2009) New Zealand

I wanted to start of this blog by presented a gem. Boy is a glimpse of a coming of age story. Set in 1984 this hilarious story of a boy named Boy is a simple story with great cinematography. If you are looking for a laugh this is the movie for you! Boy is left alone to look after his brother and cousins when his father comes back from jail. Boy’s life is wrapped around his relationships and his idol Michael Jackson.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE. I watch it every time I need a laugh.