The 81st Academy Awards presentation was quite possibly one of the best awards shows I've ever seen, and I've seen over 20+ years of Academy Awards shows. Usually the popularity of the awards show, viewing wise, is directly related to how successful the nominated movies were in the box office so it will be interesting to see what the numbers were for this years show considering the mega blockbuster, The Dark Knight, was nominated in several categories namely for best supporting actor, which I imagine a lot of fans were rooting for.
I don't know how many other people watched the show but I do know the show had a special appeal and gusto unlike any other before it. One of the many notable touches was the multi award winning presentation for this years best actor/actress and supporting actor/actress nominees. These portions of the program were so tastefully done and the testimonials the winners gave the nominees although most likely were read from a teleprompter truly seemed heartfelt and extremely touching.
When I heard Hugh Jackman was hosting the show, I was skeptical to say the least. So OK, he was voted People's sexiest man of the year, does that really qualify him to host a show? But dare I say it, he not only graced the stage like a gentleman, but an extremely talented gentleman who could sing and dance like a modern day Gene Kelly. And Beyonce was just icing on the song-and-dance-number cake. Although I really felt his opening number was more creative and dynamic showing more of Hugh's vocal and comedic talents.
Hugh wasn't the only one doing the song and dance as John Legend showed a very pleasantly surprising appearance in the best song category appearing with A.R. Rahman who sang the songs he wrote on the Slumdog soundtrack. Their medley together was something that should definitely be reproduced in future shows.
Usually the speeches are what draws people away from the Oscars but this year the speeches were actually somewhat tolerable if not even enjoyable. The most touching speech without a doubt goes to Heath Ledger's family who accepted the best supporting actor award on his behalf. Kudo's goes to Jerry Lewis for keeping his speech short and simple but at the same time humble and more about his cause then for himself. The only thing I found a little redundant about the speeches was how it seemed everyone was mentioning how they grew up so far away from Hollywood and now here they were at the podium accepting the award. Was this transfixed on the teleprompter and someone forgot to take it off? Aside from that, there was not much more to complain about.
And from a biased standpoint there really weren't many disappointments or surprises. All the nominees who won, truly deserved to win this year and I applaud Hollywood for recognizing what an amazing film Slumdog was, especially in all the departments where it garnered those specific awards.
My hope for next year is that with the current president of the Academy stepping down, someone with as much love for film and presentations will step into his shoes and give hollywood the awards show it truly deserves.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Taken by Taken
We live in a new time, a new era. And no I'm not talking about Obama's presidency, I'm talking about action movies. More specifically an era where action films can take you by surprise and completely leg sweep you to the floor. That film is by Pierre Morel and it's called Taken. Taken has ventured into this new style or realm of action movie filmmaking joining the likes of movies such as, MI3, Casino Royale and The Bourne Ultimatum. Honestly I don't even remember the first two Mission Impossibles or the first two Bourne films being this gritty and in your face with the action. I vividly remember turning to my friends after a screening of the Bourne Ultimatum and pondering out loud, "when did Matt Damon become such a badass?". Long gone are the witty quips and one-liners when the good guy dispatches a bad guy. You won't hear a single, "Yippee-Kye-Yay!" or, "I'll be back!" in Taken but let me tell you, this is a very good thing.
Taken revolves around a very simple premise, a former American spy/agent who has "a very particular set of skills" is out to track down and find his kidnapped daughter and will do anything within his disposal to find her. It's thrilling because it seems as though suddenly overnight, every major celebrity in Hollywood has become just as fast as Jet Li and just as lethal as OJ Simpson. Or at least the editors and DP's have managed to use just the right angles and quick cuts to make you believe so. The action is so fast and frenetic and the editing is done so hastily, sometimes it's almost hard to keep up.
Liam Neeson stars as the former spy and Maggie Grace (of LOST fame) plays his daughter. Famke Janssen also has a supporting role as the divorced wife of Liam Neeson's character. I never really thought Liam Neeson could carry the lead action role of a film but he does so in Taken and he does so very well. Although I've always seen Liam as hardly threatening or intimidating, he utterly convinces you otherwise here. Like a timebomb you are just waiting for him to explode and with each second that passes in the film, the talented directing and acting makes you realize he is just getting more vicious and desperate every step of the way.
Yes the action film has hit a new benchmark and it seems each film in this new style of the action genre is trying their best to outdo the last one. Taken has definitely met this new benchmark and I look forward to the next outing from director Pierre Morel.
Taken revolves around a very simple premise, a former American spy/agent who has "a very particular set of skills" is out to track down and find his kidnapped daughter and will do anything within his disposal to find her. It's thrilling because it seems as though suddenly overnight, every major celebrity in Hollywood has become just as fast as Jet Li and just as lethal as OJ Simpson. Or at least the editors and DP's have managed to use just the right angles and quick cuts to make you believe so. The action is so fast and frenetic and the editing is done so hastily, sometimes it's almost hard to keep up.
Liam Neeson stars as the former spy and Maggie Grace (of LOST fame) plays his daughter. Famke Janssen also has a supporting role as the divorced wife of Liam Neeson's character. I never really thought Liam Neeson could carry the lead action role of a film but he does so in Taken and he does so very well. Although I've always seen Liam as hardly threatening or intimidating, he utterly convinces you otherwise here. Like a timebomb you are just waiting for him to explode and with each second that passes in the film, the talented directing and acting makes you realize he is just getting more vicious and desperate every step of the way.
Yes the action film has hit a new benchmark and it seems each film in this new style of the action genre is trying their best to outdo the last one. Taken has definitely met this new benchmark and I look forward to the next outing from director Pierre Morel.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Coming Soon
Here is a short list of movies coming soon to theaters which I'm really excited about and also the reasons why.
Just click on the Title to view the trailer.
Sex Drive - This movie definitely has the potential to be the next Superbad. Like I said in my review for Roger Dodger, this is the decade of the geek/average guy and it looks like this one has two very affable ones. It appears to be a movie about a couple of friends trying to get the girl of his internet dreams by "borrowing" his brother's car and taking a road trip to find her. Oh, and this isn't just any car, it's a '69 GTO. And like the best friend says in the movie, "you roll up in a '69 GTO... she's not gonna care what you look like." Here's to hoping the geek gets the girl. Granted the premise seems a little Eurotrip-ish, but the scenes where the main character is dressed up in a mexican donut costume are reason enough to get me to see this movie.
Knowing - I know many people seem to dislike Nicolas Cage but I feel he performs the role of concerned would be hero pretty well. He did so in Next and it looks like he will play the part again in this movie. Plus it's directed by Alex Proyas who did films like I, Robot and The Crow. Could be promising.
Yes Man - Jim Carrey looks like he may be coming back in true form here where he plays a man who through a self help seminar can only say yes to things he previously said no to. This changes his life in more ways than he or you would think. Looks like a cross between Shallow Hal and Liar Liar.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - This one comes out this weekend and I am pretty excited to see it. It definitely looks like it's in the same genre of comedy as Juno and Garden State. I'm a total sucker for these types of movies.
Role Models - Just call me Ronald McDonald cause I'm loving it! I don't know what it is with this resurgence of crass, crude, in-your-face comedy but it's turning out some great hits. First came School for Scoundrels, then Step-brothers and now this. Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott have great a-hole chemistry together and you can see a little bit of redemption in the end based on the subject matter. I can't wait for this one!
Just click on the Title to view the trailer.
Sex Drive - This movie definitely has the potential to be the next Superbad. Like I said in my review for Roger Dodger, this is the decade of the geek/average guy and it looks like this one has two very affable ones. It appears to be a movie about a couple of friends trying to get the girl of his internet dreams by "borrowing" his brother's car and taking a road trip to find her. Oh, and this isn't just any car, it's a '69 GTO. And like the best friend says in the movie, "you roll up in a '69 GTO... she's not gonna care what you look like." Here's to hoping the geek gets the girl. Granted the premise seems a little Eurotrip-ish, but the scenes where the main character is dressed up in a mexican donut costume are reason enough to get me to see this movie.
Knowing - I know many people seem to dislike Nicolas Cage but I feel he performs the role of concerned would be hero pretty well. He did so in Next and it looks like he will play the part again in this movie. Plus it's directed by Alex Proyas who did films like I, Robot and The Crow. Could be promising.
Yes Man - Jim Carrey looks like he may be coming back in true form here where he plays a man who through a self help seminar can only say yes to things he previously said no to. This changes his life in more ways than he or you would think. Looks like a cross between Shallow Hal and Liar Liar.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - This one comes out this weekend and I am pretty excited to see it. It definitely looks like it's in the same genre of comedy as Juno and Garden State. I'm a total sucker for these types of movies.
Role Models - Just call me Ronald McDonald cause I'm loving it! I don't know what it is with this resurgence of crass, crude, in-your-face comedy but it's turning out some great hits. First came School for Scoundrels, then Step-brothers and now this. Paul Rudd and Sean William Scott have great a-hole chemistry together and you can see a little bit of redemption in the end based on the subject matter. I can't wait for this one!
Movies for that Horrorific Day
That notorious holiday where horror movies are cranked out of the woodwork like geeks to a comic book convention is approaching us very soon. What if any of the new splatterific films should garner your attention? I'm compiled a short list of films you should see in theaters this Halloween and if you'd prefer to spend the night in, I've got a small list of movies well worth the price of a DVD rental. So grab some popcorn, redvines a pillow or arm to hide behind and read on... if you dare.
Please excuse the halloween type puns. I'm a sucker for a good thrill. Bwahahaha!
Quarantine - These types of films really intrigue me. The something is happening and no one knows what is going on until now thing is just plain creepy and suspenseful all at the same time. Chalk it up to brilliant marketing but I really want to know what is going on in this "quarantined" building and what happens to the crew that is sent there.
**Update on Quarantine: If you haven't seen the original Spanish version of Quarantine titled [rec], you really owe it to yourself to check it out, both films are well done but [rec] clues the viewer in to why or how this whole thing happened and it's almost an essential revelation and brilliantly conceived by the writers to show the origin of this pandemic.
Eden Lake - I know, I know, at first sight, I thought to myself why would a couple be afraid of a group of some young rambunctious hooligans? Did any of you see Children of the Corn? How about Village of the Damned?? Well this movie looks to take the insane, sinister children idea to the next level. Why does it seem like every other country but America is coming up with great horror ideas?
Saw V - So I gotta admit, I was one of those who was super excited to watch the first Saw movie. I can't remember if I saw it on opening night but it was definitely opening weekend. I came out of the theater crushed. Throughout half of the movie I was cracking up, which wouldn't have been such a bad thing had I been watching a comedy. Cary Elwes' acting was so laughably bad and the direction of that first film, well, let's just say I wasn't feeling it. So I put a sort of boycott on the rest of the films until just recently and I will admit that I was dead wrong for putting off the rest of the franchise. Saw 2, 3, and 4 were amazing and really set the surprisingly intelligent story into motion. So much so that I cannot wait to see Saw 5. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up the momentum into a final and hopefully climactic Saw 6 or if they will bleed out the franchise now with this one. There's a LOT riding on this fifth installment though regardless, it's debatable that the Saw franchise was responsible for putting Lions Gage Films on the map.
The Haunting of Molly Hartley - This film doesn't scream out to me the way the other aforementioned films do. I don't know, call it a poorly edited trailer. I just don't see what makes this movie special at all. It is the only horror movie coming out ON Halloween day though so maybe it will make all its money on that day. It will probably tank the rest of the weekend and soon after that.
DVD's
Session 9 - If you've never seen it, I suggest you do. I always recommend it to all my friends who question and wonder if there has been a good modern day contemporary horror film to come out in the past decade. Surely there have been some other great ones but they're all well known and you've probably already seen them. Session 9 is about this crew of guys that have to remove the asbestos in an insane asylum. That's pretty much all you really need to know.
Cabin Fever - A surprisingly good debut film by now famous Eli Roth. Cabin Fever is a terrific throwback to the campy 70's horror films which inspired so many of the horror films we all love today. While you've got the DVD, after you've finished watching the film, go to the special features on the disc and watch the little clip of the small girl doing some martial arts. You will be amazed!
The Eye - I had an idea to do a screenplay about pretty much this very same premise. You'd think I'd be upset after watching it, but it was done exactly how I would have done it, so I was pleasantly surprised. Plus, they cast Jessica Alba! Hmm, I guess they really did film it EXACTLY how I would have.
That's about it. Happy Hauntings Ladies and Gentlemen!
Please excuse the halloween type puns. I'm a sucker for a good thrill. Bwahahaha!
Quarantine - These types of films really intrigue me. The something is happening and no one knows what is going on until now thing is just plain creepy and suspenseful all at the same time. Chalk it up to brilliant marketing but I really want to know what is going on in this "quarantined" building and what happens to the crew that is sent there.
**Update on Quarantine: If you haven't seen the original Spanish version of Quarantine titled [rec], you really owe it to yourself to check it out, both films are well done but [rec] clues the viewer in to why or how this whole thing happened and it's almost an essential revelation and brilliantly conceived by the writers to show the origin of this pandemic.
Eden Lake - I know, I know, at first sight, I thought to myself why would a couple be afraid of a group of some young rambunctious hooligans? Did any of you see Children of the Corn? How about Village of the Damned?? Well this movie looks to take the insane, sinister children idea to the next level. Why does it seem like every other country but America is coming up with great horror ideas?
Saw V - So I gotta admit, I was one of those who was super excited to watch the first Saw movie. I can't remember if I saw it on opening night but it was definitely opening weekend. I came out of the theater crushed. Throughout half of the movie I was cracking up, which wouldn't have been such a bad thing had I been watching a comedy. Cary Elwes' acting was so laughably bad and the direction of that first film, well, let's just say I wasn't feeling it. So I put a sort of boycott on the rest of the films until just recently and I will admit that I was dead wrong for putting off the rest of the franchise. Saw 2, 3, and 4 were amazing and really set the surprisingly intelligent story into motion. So much so that I cannot wait to see Saw 5. It will be interesting to see if they can keep up the momentum into a final and hopefully climactic Saw 6 or if they will bleed out the franchise now with this one. There's a LOT riding on this fifth installment though regardless, it's debatable that the Saw franchise was responsible for putting Lions Gage Films on the map.
The Haunting of Molly Hartley - This film doesn't scream out to me the way the other aforementioned films do. I don't know, call it a poorly edited trailer. I just don't see what makes this movie special at all. It is the only horror movie coming out ON Halloween day though so maybe it will make all its money on that day. It will probably tank the rest of the weekend and soon after that.
DVD's
Session 9 - If you've never seen it, I suggest you do. I always recommend it to all my friends who question and wonder if there has been a good modern day contemporary horror film to come out in the past decade. Surely there have been some other great ones but they're all well known and you've probably already seen them. Session 9 is about this crew of guys that have to remove the asbestos in an insane asylum. That's pretty much all you really need to know.
Cabin Fever - A surprisingly good debut film by now famous Eli Roth. Cabin Fever is a terrific throwback to the campy 70's horror films which inspired so many of the horror films we all love today. While you've got the DVD, after you've finished watching the film, go to the special features on the disc and watch the little clip of the small girl doing some martial arts. You will be amazed!
The Eye - I had an idea to do a screenplay about pretty much this very same premise. You'd think I'd be upset after watching it, but it was done exactly how I would have done it, so I was pleasantly surprised. Plus, they cast Jessica Alba! Hmm, I guess they really did film it EXACTLY how I would have.
That's about it. Happy Hauntings Ladies and Gentlemen!
Friday, September 19, 2008
5 Songs You Should Be Listening To
"Damn, these beats are so fresh! Snap!"
The Bravery - Time Won't Let Me Go
The Bravery at one point may have been considered a one hit wonder band, that is until now. This song is a throwback to classic Cure from the early 80's. It's got a touch of soul and should show to the world that they are not 'An Honest Mistake'.
O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn the Car Around)
O.A.R. was another band that was in danger of becoming a one hit wonder but this song, quite simply may be even better than their first hit, "Love and Memories". This song reminds me a bit of Train's musical stylings and evokes a bit more emotion than their first hit.
Metro Station - Shake It
Now I know everyone has already heard this song but I feel it's really not getting enough recognition, at least on the airwaves. Wasn't this an iPod commercial song? If not, it totally should be.
Mandy Moore - Extraordinary
Mandy Moore should be classified as a guilty pleasure but she's not, and it's exemplified very well in this song. She's a remarkable actress and an even more talented musician. The song is completely whimsical and speaks with a certain level of female empowerment which is displayed in the music video. http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--43485267While you're there at Yahoo! Music watching a Mandy Moore video check out the exclusive video of her performing a live studio acoustic version of Rihanna's Umbrella. Truly outstanding.http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--45701948
T.I. - Livin' Your Life w/ Rihanna
Frankly T.I.'s entire album 'Paper Trail', is pretty hot. I haven't heard a consistently good R&B/Rap album in a long time. This track along with many others should solidify T.I.'s spot in the Billboard charts for quite a while.
The Bravery - Time Won't Let Me Go
The Bravery at one point may have been considered a one hit wonder band, that is until now. This song is a throwback to classic Cure from the early 80's. It's got a touch of soul and should show to the world that they are not 'An Honest Mistake'.
O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn the Car Around)
O.A.R. was another band that was in danger of becoming a one hit wonder but this song, quite simply may be even better than their first hit, "Love and Memories". This song reminds me a bit of Train's musical stylings and evokes a bit more emotion than their first hit.
Metro Station - Shake It
Now I know everyone has already heard this song but I feel it's really not getting enough recognition, at least on the airwaves. Wasn't this an iPod commercial song? If not, it totally should be.
Mandy Moore - Extraordinary
Mandy Moore should be classified as a guilty pleasure but she's not, and it's exemplified very well in this song. She's a remarkable actress and an even more talented musician. The song is completely whimsical and speaks with a certain level of female empowerment which is displayed in the music video. http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--43485267While you're there at Yahoo! Music watching a Mandy Moore video check out the exclusive video of her performing a live studio acoustic version of Rihanna's Umbrella. Truly outstanding.http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--45701948
T.I. - Livin' Your Life w/ Rihanna
Frankly T.I.'s entire album 'Paper Trail', is pretty hot. I haven't heard a consistently good R&B/Rap album in a long time. This track along with many others should solidify T.I.'s spot in the Billboard charts for quite a while.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
**Update to 5 songs post**
If any of you happened to catch the series premiere of 90210 last night, they played "Time to Pretend" off of the same album as the song "Kids" by MGMT. One of the 5 songs you should be listening to as seen on my most recent post. Just thought I'd mention that. Oh and it's also in a movie trailer for what looks to be a very funny movie called Sex Drive. I will be discussing the potential of this movie in a future post called, Coming Soon.
Stay tuned.
Taek
Stay tuned.
Taek
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
5 songs you should be listening to...
In honor of a close friends birthday today, this post will be a music review. So here's 5 songs you should be listening to JQ (and everyone else out there looking for something new).
"Damn, these beats are so fresh! Snap!"
Better In Time - Leona Lewis
Let's face it, this girl is "haute" right now. Although her performance in the closing ceremonies of the Olympics wasn't mind blowing, it put her face on an international level. You can be rest assured we will be hearing more from this girl in the next 4 years at the very least! This song in my opinion is even better than her debut single Bleeding Love, off the album Spirit. Thanks again to AT for the recommendation of this song, it has really resonated with me these past couple of weeks.
Kids - MGMT
To be perfectly honest, I can't remember exactly where I first heard this song. All I know is from the first couple of electronic beats I was hooked.
February Air - Lights
OK, I'll admit it. Advertising has a huge effect on me and more often than not, I'll be sitting there with the tv on only to be humming a beat and wondering where I got it from. Take the Winter/Spring Old Navy ads with the songs by a group called Lights. This song has a great wintery escape kind of feel to it and you can't help but to love her whimsical voice. A touch of Frou Frou and a sound similar to Zero 7, you have Lights. p.s. the entire Lights EP is amazing.
Time After Time - Quietdrive
You may recognize this cover of Cyndi Lauper's original hit from the trailer of Prom Night. I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm guessing this song will be the best thing to come out of the film. Regardless, if you're going to do a cover, don't try to one up the original, just do it in your own style. Quietdrive does this and they do it well.
Do You Know (the Ping Pong song) - Enrique Iglesias
Any song with ping pong in the title already has me at hello. I used to hate Enrique Iglesias but this song and oddly enough, Hero, has made me think twice about the latin crooner. This is the type of song where you want to put the top down and sing at the top of your lungs. You'll probably look like a complete idiot but it'll be fun all the same. Check out the Rob n Big youtube video with this song if you haven't seen it yet. You'll see what I mean.
Rock it don't stop it...
Taek
"Damn, these beats are so fresh! Snap!"
Better In Time - Leona Lewis
Let's face it, this girl is "haute" right now. Although her performance in the closing ceremonies of the Olympics wasn't mind blowing, it put her face on an international level. You can be rest assured we will be hearing more from this girl in the next 4 years at the very least! This song in my opinion is even better than her debut single Bleeding Love, off the album Spirit. Thanks again to AT for the recommendation of this song, it has really resonated with me these past couple of weeks.
Kids - MGMT
To be perfectly honest, I can't remember exactly where I first heard this song. All I know is from the first couple of electronic beats I was hooked.
February Air - Lights
OK, I'll admit it. Advertising has a huge effect on me and more often than not, I'll be sitting there with the tv on only to be humming a beat and wondering where I got it from. Take the Winter/Spring Old Navy ads with the songs by a group called Lights. This song has a great wintery escape kind of feel to it and you can't help but to love her whimsical voice. A touch of Frou Frou and a sound similar to Zero 7, you have Lights. p.s. the entire Lights EP is amazing.
Time After Time - Quietdrive
You may recognize this cover of Cyndi Lauper's original hit from the trailer of Prom Night. I haven't seen the movie yet but I'm guessing this song will be the best thing to come out of the film. Regardless, if you're going to do a cover, don't try to one up the original, just do it in your own style. Quietdrive does this and they do it well.
Do You Know (the Ping Pong song) - Enrique Iglesias
Any song with ping pong in the title already has me at hello. I used to hate Enrique Iglesias but this song and oddly enough, Hero, has made me think twice about the latin crooner. This is the type of song where you want to put the top down and sing at the top of your lungs. You'll probably look like a complete idiot but it'll be fun all the same. Check out the Rob n Big youtube video with this song if you haven't seen it yet. You'll see what I mean.
Rock it don't stop it...
Taek
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