This is great news, hopefully they'll make it available on DVD for us.
Article
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Review: Buster Keaton Collection
A collection of 10 short talky comedies starring Buster Keaton.
General Nuisance: Rich man enlists to impress a woman.
His Ex Marks the Spot: An ex-wife, alimony payments, and a shotgun wedding.
Mooching Through Georgia: Brothers enlist on opposite sides and do anything neccessary to keep each other alive.
Nothing But Pleasure: Trying to save a few dollars on shipping fees, a couple goes to detroit to buy their car.
Pardon my Berth Marks: A novice reporter goes to follow a story and gets caught up in it.
Pest from the West: A hapless millionaire falls for a two-timing (or three-timing) woman while vacationing in Mexico.
She's Oil Mine: An honest plumber duels a charlatan nobleman for the heart, and checkbook, of an oil heiress.
So You Won't Squawk: a lowly employee gets a taste of respect when people mistake him for the big-shot gangster, Louie the Wolf.
The Spook Speaks: New caretakers are hammered by an onslaught of spooky illusions as an old apprentice searches for new tricks.
The Taming of the Snood: A hatmaker almost gets killed when he becomes accidentally involved with a jewel-thief and her drunk maid.
Each has at least one great gag, so worth a go-through. More so if you love slapstick.
General Nuisance: Rich man enlists to impress a woman.
His Ex Marks the Spot: An ex-wife, alimony payments, and a shotgun wedding.
Mooching Through Georgia: Brothers enlist on opposite sides and do anything neccessary to keep each other alive.
Nothing But Pleasure: Trying to save a few dollars on shipping fees, a couple goes to detroit to buy their car.
Pardon my Berth Marks: A novice reporter goes to follow a story and gets caught up in it.
Pest from the West: A hapless millionaire falls for a two-timing (or three-timing) woman while vacationing in Mexico.
She's Oil Mine: An honest plumber duels a charlatan nobleman for the heart, and checkbook, of an oil heiress.
So You Won't Squawk: a lowly employee gets a taste of respect when people mistake him for the big-shot gangster, Louie the Wolf.
The Spook Speaks: New caretakers are hammered by an onslaught of spooky illusions as an old apprentice searches for new tricks.
The Taming of the Snood: A hatmaker almost gets killed when he becomes accidentally involved with a jewel-thief and her drunk maid.
Each has at least one great gag, so worth a go-through. More so if you love slapstick.
Monday, July 7, 2008
DVD Review: Buffalo Soldiers
A decent film, didn't really get me emotionally, but was okay. I was suprised at the rating of G on the box. Seems to me it would be more accurately rated PG. Danny Glover stars as a First Seargent in charge of an all black unit of federal soldiers who are in charge of the new mexico territories. They have to put down an indian uprising. Interesting topic, and worth a gander.
DVD Review: CASABLANCA
I have to leave it to Howard Koch, Philip G. & Julius J. Epstein; they know how to write a witty screenplay. So I finally got around to watching the entire thing. I was suprised. I had previously only caught snippets. There's alot of witty dialog in there. I don't know who put in the real witty bits, but I think I'll track down some of the writers other titles to figure it out. The pacing is relatively slow compared to today's standards; for those who haven't watched it. This is one of those things that, whether it was due to writers, actors, director, or the combination thereof, just worked wonderfully. I hope they won't try another remake.
Here's Looking at you, kid.
Here's Looking at you, kid.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Film Review - WANTED
At first I was going to go because the digital effects shots (or some of them) were filmed with a RED ONE, but after seeing the trailer, I decided it might be worthwhile to catch bigscreen.
On the action, digital effects, I wasn't dissapointed. The rest was an Okay movie as far as action movies are concerned. But as a whole, the plotline is good for a video game, but not for a movie. I am suprised, in fact, that a video game isn't readily available.
I think this will do well, especially among the disenfranchised people in America. There were some flaws that keep it from going really long term in the theatres. But if you want some boom, bang, and digital effects this weekend, then go out and see it now.
Most people either Love it, or Hate it, with only a few in between.
On the action, digital effects, I wasn't dissapointed. The rest was an Okay movie as far as action movies are concerned. But as a whole, the plotline is good for a video game, but not for a movie. I am suprised, in fact, that a video game isn't readily available.
I think this will do well, especially among the disenfranchised people in America. There were some flaws that keep it from going really long term in the theatres. But if you want some boom, bang, and digital effects this weekend, then go out and see it now.
Most people either Love it, or Hate it, with only a few in between.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Unanswered question Meme...
Questions not answered by the UNKNOWN SCREENWRITER.
Should I type FADE IN: at the beginning of my screenplay?
You should use BEAM IN when writing for Paramount.
Should I number my scenes?
yes and use the word SCENE before it; you should also give each one a title.
Generally speaking, about how many parentheticals should I have in my screenplay?
One less than you put in.
Can I just type FIN at the end of my screenplay?
WTF? Are you Quebecois or French?
Do you use Celtx?
Yep, but that probably has to do with being near Boston.
If I use Celtx to write my screenplay will I have a better chance of selling it?
Yes, but a crayon is better and cutting words from newspapers and pasting them onto paper is the best.
Should I sign my screenplay?
Yes, with a quill.
Should I include my email address on my screenplay?
You should use paper watermarked with your E-mail address.
Why do I have to put my character’s name in caps througout my screenplay?
The other option is to give each one a unique color.
What do I do with my screenplay when I’m finished with it?
Use it to line the birdcage.
Can you take a look at page 69 of my screenplay and tell me if it’s correct?
Is that the one with your gay oral sex scene?
Should I send my screenplay to you in a box or an envelope?
Aluminum case with a lock. Keys should be mailed seperately.
If I pay you $5000, will you help me sell my screenplay?
Of course. I guarantee it.
If I pay you $10,000 will you help me sell my screenplay?
Again. I guarantee it. It will happen twice as fast.
Will you marry me?
I'm willing to take offers from any female millionaire nymphomaniacs.
What font should I use to write my screenplay?
Battlestar Galactica Font.
Can I just write my screenplay in Word?
Most screenplays are longer than one word.
How many pages should my screenplay be?
Depends on what genre it is.
How long should each act of my screenplay be?
Depends on what gender it is.
Is it okay if my hero and villain both have the same name?
And I'm sure someone someday will think that's brilliant.
Is it okay if my Protagonist is Hillary Clinton?
Only if it involves a strap-on.
Is it okay to thank my Mom in my screenplay?
You can thank her by getting her the part of a street walker.
Is it okay to thank my husband in my screenplay?
You can thank him by having him star against Hillary with her strap-on.
Is it okay to thank YOU in my screenplay?
If you do, I have lawyers available.
Do you accept credit cards?
If your credit limit is high enough.
Do you live alone?
Only when my luck holds.
What’s your favorite color?
Greenbacks.
What’s your favorite food?
Weinkraut
What’s your favorite drink?
Non-alcoholic : Venti White chocolate Mocha with whip cream
Alcoholic : Slow Comfortable Screw Up Against The Wall
Do you smoke?
three cigarettes a day, but going to quit soon.
Do you drink?
Only about twice a year now.
What color are you eyes?
Ice Blue
When’s the last time you had sex?
Four times today, all by myself.
Should I type FADE IN: at the beginning of my screenplay?
You should use BEAM IN when writing for Paramount.
Should I number my scenes?
yes and use the word SCENE before it; you should also give each one a title.
Generally speaking, about how many parentheticals should I have in my screenplay?
One less than you put in.
Can I just type FIN at the end of my screenplay?
WTF? Are you Quebecois or French?
Do you use Celtx?
Yep, but that probably has to do with being near Boston.
If I use Celtx to write my screenplay will I have a better chance of selling it?
Yes, but a crayon is better and cutting words from newspapers and pasting them onto paper is the best.
Should I sign my screenplay?
Yes, with a quill.
Should I include my email address on my screenplay?
You should use paper watermarked with your E-mail address.
Why do I have to put my character’s name in caps througout my screenplay?
The other option is to give each one a unique color.
What do I do with my screenplay when I’m finished with it?
Use it to line the birdcage.
Can you take a look at page 69 of my screenplay and tell me if it’s correct?
Is that the one with your gay oral sex scene?
Should I send my screenplay to you in a box or an envelope?
Aluminum case with a lock. Keys should be mailed seperately.
If I pay you $5000, will you help me sell my screenplay?
Of course. I guarantee it.
If I pay you $10,000 will you help me sell my screenplay?
Again. I guarantee it. It will happen twice as fast.
Will you marry me?
I'm willing to take offers from any female millionaire nymphomaniacs.
What font should I use to write my screenplay?
Battlestar Galactica Font.
Can I just write my screenplay in Word?
Most screenplays are longer than one word.
How many pages should my screenplay be?
Depends on what genre it is.
How long should each act of my screenplay be?
Depends on what gender it is.
Is it okay if my hero and villain both have the same name?
And I'm sure someone someday will think that's brilliant.
Is it okay if my Protagonist is Hillary Clinton?
Only if it involves a strap-on.
Is it okay to thank my Mom in my screenplay?
You can thank her by getting her the part of a street walker.
Is it okay to thank my husband in my screenplay?
You can thank him by having him star against Hillary with her strap-on.
Is it okay to thank YOU in my screenplay?
If you do, I have lawyers available.
Do you accept credit cards?
If your credit limit is high enough.
Do you live alone?
Only when my luck holds.
What’s your favorite color?
Greenbacks.
What’s your favorite food?
Weinkraut
What’s your favorite drink?
Non-alcoholic : Venti White chocolate Mocha with whip cream
Alcoholic : Slow Comfortable Screw Up Against The Wall
Do you smoke?
three cigarettes a day, but going to quit soon.
Do you drink?
Only about twice a year now.
What color are you eyes?
Ice Blue
When’s the last time you had sex?
Four times today, all by myself.
Friday, April 11, 2008
DVD Review - A History of Violence
The public Library has been good to me. Currently it is saving me alot of money I don't have by being able to check out DVDs.
My latest borrowing was A History of Violence. Overall, not a bad movie. The ending was inconclusive, but is otherwise good. The pacing of the movie is somewhat slower. The nice thing about watching this on DVD is getting the extras. The featurettes are worth watching, the Director's commentary is very similar to what you'll get out of just watching the featurettes. If you're in a hurry, skip the commentary, and just do the featurettes.
Personal notes:
I like the rough 'street-fight' style of fighting that was done. Real fights tend to toss out pretty styles for what works. No 'Rambo-isation' of the Protagonist, he gets injured almost as much as the bad guys. About the only thing that felt missing from this is a father-son talk. There occurred at least twice in the film where I expected it. It was well shot, with only one scene that I really disagreed with the lighting.
My latest borrowing was A History of Violence. Overall, not a bad movie. The ending was inconclusive, but is otherwise good. The pacing of the movie is somewhat slower. The nice thing about watching this on DVD is getting the extras. The featurettes are worth watching, the Director's commentary is very similar to what you'll get out of just watching the featurettes. If you're in a hurry, skip the commentary, and just do the featurettes.
Personal notes:
I like the rough 'street-fight' style of fighting that was done. Real fights tend to toss out pretty styles for what works. No 'Rambo-isation' of the Protagonist, he gets injured almost as much as the bad guys. About the only thing that felt missing from this is a father-son talk. There occurred at least twice in the film where I expected it. It was well shot, with only one scene that I really disagreed with the lighting.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Underated flicks
There are several older good films to catch, and since the ones in the theaters have been pretty lame. I'll post on these.
Ladyhawke - A relatively well known flick, based off medieval french romance, about the only thing that truly ruins this movie is the helmets at the end. They look appropriate to sci-fi not medieval history. You should see this.
Flesh+Blood - More medieval and less romanticized, the criticisms are a DaVinci-esque siege engine and the plague that works too quickly. But it is worth seeing.
Wanted: Dead or Alive - A film that is appropriate to today's audience: going after terrorists. A grenade scene near the end makes it more than worthwhile.
Blind Fury - White guy learns from oriental master and kicks ass. Popular genre of the time. Good flick.
Split Second - Automatic shotguns?! YES! that makes this film alone worth watching. The story is okay also.
I Come in Peace - Seems listed as Dark Angel on IMDB now. Drugs, aliens, and a bad-ass cop.
The Last Starfighter - I was annoyed at the time that they did not come up with this as an arcade game. Merchandising cross-marketing was not what it was then. Good flick.
Escape from New York - good action of anti-hero Snake Pliskin.
Mad Max - The beginning of the Mad Maxx series. Great car.
Dune (1984) - I still like most of it better than the more modern version.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai - Still a classic.
The DEATH WISH series - Bronson killing badguys, a vigilante classic.
First Blood - The best story of the rambo series, though later ones have a higher blood and guts ratio. Alot of the younger crowd haven't seen the first one.
Dirty Harry, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact -and all the Dirty Harry movies with clint eastwood, though some are better than others.
Red Dawn - WWIII flick, america invaded.
Streets of Fire - urban action-adventure. Check it out.
The Dirty Dozen - WWII behind enemy lines, killing nazis
RAN - japanese medieval war scenes with lots of colorful armies.
Big Trouble in Little China - action comedy.
The Five Deadly Venoms - Foreign Martial Arts flick.
Better Off Dead - teen love comedy of the eighties, not as well known as others.
Ladyhawke - A relatively well known flick, based off medieval french romance, about the only thing that truly ruins this movie is the helmets at the end. They look appropriate to sci-fi not medieval history. You should see this.
Flesh+Blood - More medieval and less romanticized, the criticisms are a DaVinci-esque siege engine and the plague that works too quickly. But it is worth seeing.
Wanted: Dead or Alive - A film that is appropriate to today's audience: going after terrorists. A grenade scene near the end makes it more than worthwhile.
Blind Fury - White guy learns from oriental master and kicks ass. Popular genre of the time. Good flick.
Split Second - Automatic shotguns?! YES! that makes this film alone worth watching. The story is okay also.
I Come in Peace - Seems listed as Dark Angel on IMDB now. Drugs, aliens, and a bad-ass cop.
The Last Starfighter - I was annoyed at the time that they did not come up with this as an arcade game. Merchandising cross-marketing was not what it was then. Good flick.
Escape from New York - good action of anti-hero Snake Pliskin.
Mad Max - The beginning of the Mad Maxx series. Great car.
Dune (1984) - I still like most of it better than the more modern version.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai - Still a classic.
The DEATH WISH series - Bronson killing badguys, a vigilante classic.
First Blood - The best story of the rambo series, though later ones have a higher blood and guts ratio. Alot of the younger crowd haven't seen the first one.
Dirty Harry, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact -and all the Dirty Harry movies with clint eastwood, though some are better than others.
Red Dawn - WWIII flick, america invaded.
Streets of Fire - urban action-adventure. Check it out.
The Dirty Dozen - WWII behind enemy lines, killing nazis
RAN - japanese medieval war scenes with lots of colorful armies.
Big Trouble in Little China - action comedy.
The Five Deadly Venoms - Foreign Martial Arts flick.
Better Off Dead - teen love comedy of the eighties, not as well known as others.
My list of films for the next 6 months
A list of films I'm considering and why:
April 4th
Nim's Island: hearing mixed reviews, but sounds interesting.
April 18th
Forbidden Kingdom: Jackie Chan AND Jet Li ... no more needs saying.
May 2nd
IRON MAN: This looks good, though they really should have done the suit in aluminum or used a metallized paint, it looks plastic in the stills, maybe it'll look better on screen. But since I've read the comic as a kid (though my best friend at the time was more into it), I am going to see it. Then again I liked Ghost Rider.
May 16th
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian : Big special effect film which (due to DFX not being finished) was pushed to summer release from this past christmas. I hope they kept a bit truer to character than the last one. Then again it's been Disney-fied.
May 23rd
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: I've watched the first three, and I might as well finish it, though we've been told that it will probably piss us off how they finish it. Like that's something new in Hollywood?
May 30th
Sex and the City: Yes, I am going to see this. Either I am going to be on a date, or looking for more sexually liberated women. We'll have to see. Yes, there is a difference between sexually liberated and slut. Way too many male and female sluts out there as opposed to sexually liberated.
June 6th
Kung Fu Panda: Animated safe flick, maybe get my mother out for a change.
Mongol: I generally don't go for films in other languages, but they're haven't been alot of Mongol films since the John Wayne version flopped.
June 24th
Wall-E: Again safe family film, probably will take my mother out in the second week.
WANTED: Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman ... nerdy nobody gets trained to be superhero and saves the world. Always a popular theme. Some scenes shot with Red Camera and I want to see how it looks.
July 11th
HB II (Hellboy 2): Not high on my list, but if I need to do something.
July 18th
The Dark Knight: It's a batman flick ... which means usually good. I expect alot of Heath Ledger fans will propel this one to #1 even if it is bad.
August 1st
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (a.k.a. The Mummy 3): Well, again the first two went well, so I'll give 3 a shot.
August 15th
Star Wars: The Clone Wars I'll catch this because I generally like Star Wars and because I can get someone else to pop for the ticket for my birthday.
August 26th
Babylon A.D.: Vin Diesel, Action, Sci-Fi ... enough said.
September 12th
Punisher: War Zone: Punisher flick, it had better have a good body count, or it can't be considered a Punisher flick.
September 26th
Death Race: Remake based on the 70's film. pretty low on the list of things to do. Might improve as we get closer.
October 3rd
Valkyrie: WWII film ... depends ... have to see when it gets closer.
October 10th
City of Ember: Family Adventure flick ... we'll see as it gets closer.
October 17th
Max Payne: Based off video game. Depends on how much big-screen action over small-screen action ... not high on list.
November 7th
Madagascar sequel: maybe ... day out with mother or something.
November 21st
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: As the books get worse, the movies will probably be better. Since the first four books that were good were badly hacked to make mediocre films.
November 26th
The Road: I got out of post-apocolyptic films years ago, but Viggo Mortensen & Robert Duvall, hmmm .... might be interesting, I'll keep an eye out as it gets closer.
December 12th
The Day the Earth Stood Still: Remake of the classic 50's film. I personally think they'll screw it up, but then again it might be fun.
--------------------
You might notice that most are fantasy/sci-fi and not much comedy or drama or romance, etc. Now if I add in DVD to this, it would have plenty. At least FX can make it worth paying the exorbant fees that they want at the theaters. If I were dating regularly, there might be some rom-coms and drama tossed in, but where I'm not, I go for what is most visually spectacular. That's why I've put films that are not as large in story but are action heavy, and sometimes both. I also have alot in the fantasy because they don't put enough money into it as compared to sci-fi, though there is a definate market for it.
April 4th
Nim's Island: hearing mixed reviews, but sounds interesting.
April 18th
Forbidden Kingdom: Jackie Chan AND Jet Li ... no more needs saying.
May 2nd
IRON MAN: This looks good, though they really should have done the suit in aluminum or used a metallized paint, it looks plastic in the stills, maybe it'll look better on screen. But since I've read the comic as a kid (though my best friend at the time was more into it), I am going to see it. Then again I liked Ghost Rider.
May 16th
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian : Big special effect film which (due to DFX not being finished) was pushed to summer release from this past christmas. I hope they kept a bit truer to character than the last one. Then again it's been Disney-fied.
May 23rd
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: I've watched the first three, and I might as well finish it, though we've been told that it will probably piss us off how they finish it. Like that's something new in Hollywood?
May 30th
Sex and the City: Yes, I am going to see this. Either I am going to be on a date, or looking for more sexually liberated women. We'll have to see. Yes, there is a difference between sexually liberated and slut. Way too many male and female sluts out there as opposed to sexually liberated.
June 6th
Kung Fu Panda: Animated safe flick, maybe get my mother out for a change.
Mongol: I generally don't go for films in other languages, but they're haven't been alot of Mongol films since the John Wayne version flopped.
June 24th
Wall-E: Again safe family film, probably will take my mother out in the second week.
WANTED: Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman ... nerdy nobody gets trained to be superhero and saves the world. Always a popular theme. Some scenes shot with Red Camera and I want to see how it looks.
July 11th
HB II (Hellboy 2): Not high on my list, but if I need to do something.
July 18th
The Dark Knight: It's a batman flick ... which means usually good. I expect alot of Heath Ledger fans will propel this one to #1 even if it is bad.
August 1st
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (a.k.a. The Mummy 3): Well, again the first two went well, so I'll give 3 a shot.
August 15th
Star Wars: The Clone Wars I'll catch this because I generally like Star Wars and because I can get someone else to pop for the ticket for my birthday.
August 26th
Babylon A.D.: Vin Diesel, Action, Sci-Fi ... enough said.
September 12th
Punisher: War Zone: Punisher flick, it had better have a good body count, or it can't be considered a Punisher flick.
September 26th
Death Race: Remake based on the 70's film. pretty low on the list of things to do. Might improve as we get closer.
October 3rd
Valkyrie: WWII film ... depends ... have to see when it gets closer.
October 10th
City of Ember: Family Adventure flick ... we'll see as it gets closer.
October 17th
Max Payne: Based off video game. Depends on how much big-screen action over small-screen action ... not high on list.
November 7th
Madagascar sequel: maybe ... day out with mother or something.
November 21st
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: As the books get worse, the movies will probably be better. Since the first four books that were good were badly hacked to make mediocre films.
November 26th
The Road: I got out of post-apocolyptic films years ago, but Viggo Mortensen & Robert Duvall, hmmm .... might be interesting, I'll keep an eye out as it gets closer.
December 12th
The Day the Earth Stood Still: Remake of the classic 50's film. I personally think they'll screw it up, but then again it might be fun.
--------------------
You might notice that most are fantasy/sci-fi and not much comedy or drama or romance, etc. Now if I add in DVD to this, it would have plenty. At least FX can make it worth paying the exorbant fees that they want at the theaters. If I were dating regularly, there might be some rom-coms and drama tossed in, but where I'm not, I go for what is most visually spectacular. That's why I've put films that are not as large in story but are action heavy, and sometimes both. I also have alot in the fantasy because they don't put enough money into it as compared to sci-fi, though there is a definate market for it.
