5 posts tagged “movies”

Many things to talk about. This weekend was a fun one.

First Nate, Andy and I went to see the Hulk. Over all I enjoyed the movie a lot. It was a good story, plenty of homage points and full of cameos. Liv Tyler was the only let down. I just dont like her in serious roles. The romantic comedies might be the target for her career. The CGI was better than the last one and the action scenes we nice. Ed Norton never lets you down as an actor!

Afterward we went out to Capital Ale House (West End). We had a lot of fun talking and catching up. We met some Improv Comedians from NYC. Most of them were nice and interesting to talk to. We met a woman that has done a lot of voice overs for Anima. That was cool. Yet one of the guys a real idiot. He trashed VA and us for being from Richmond. After a few jokes we started to fire back about snobby New Yorkers. He was a major putz. I have lived in many different settings. From Ghettos to farms. From apartments to million dollar houses. Yet I still value the benefits of whoever and where ever I am.  Comedians have liscenes to dish dirt. When your not on that stage AND you keep repeating the same (tired) joke, it means your not funny just being an asshole.

Sunday I spent at work. If something says it's not in stock for god's sake dont call and confirm. It's out of stock, deal with the fact that you missed it and move on. As usual my theroy of the call center is that we get the idiots calling us, becuase the smart people know what to do.

Some things I hear, that make me worry about people.

"What is High Definition Television", I don't care how old you are. Unless you have been under a rock or a deserted island its been around for years.

"I see it's out of stock online and not available in stores. How can I get it." You can't. Out of stock usually means it ..... wait for it..... OUT OF STOCK!

"If its out of stock, why don't you get more." Well the theory is that our company wants to sell things. It doesnt want to have things out of stock. Why not ask that of the manufacture???

"Can I pay cash online?" MMMM (I wish I could say the following - "Yes, place the money in the cd tray of your computer. Close it. If you re-open it and the moeny is gone then we have accepted your payment." but I can't)

My last little gripe. Why are we so lazy? Why do you call into a call center and go through all the prompts, the hold music, and the ads. Just to ask someone where the local store is??? Lets look at time management. 2-5 mintues to to call, wade through and then ask the question. Or you could google the local store, call 411 (which answers imediately) or use a yellow pages. These options take a minute or so and well your done. Oh well like I said ony the idiots call.

So I was watching "Be Kind Rewind". What a gem, and I mean that truly. When it came out I had wanted to see it. I have always liked both Jack Black amd Mos Def. Both have great skills as actors, producers and directors.

This movie was not a let down. I do know that it didn't do well at the box office, thats not surprising. Lately movies that make it are exteremly action oriented (most likely escapism from reality), or indy (most likely do to the low budget apeal). I still feel this fell into to the second category and was just over looked.

The acting, the story and the timing was great. It should have made a splash, it should have done well. Watch it and you will see what I mean.

Every once in awhile you find that hidden treasure of an Indy film that while not a "sundance" quality, is an awesome little flick.

"50 Pills" is a film that has that great idea and was executed well. The story is about a freshman student that gets caught up in being thrown out of school due to parties his roommate has. The roommate leaves him 50 pills of X to sell and make his tuition. One of the reason why I like the movie might be that it has Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars). Now not to sound like the old perverted man but I wish women would have looked like her in my days. Big hair never seemed to turn me on.

The story is fun and light hearted. Different views on the big bad "drug dealers", a comical view that really was refreshing. The acting was good, not note worthy but enough to get the story told in a fashion to make me want to share it with others.

So if you are looking for a good comedy and something that isn't taking itself to serious then check out "50 Pills"

I was highly reluctant to even go to the new movie. I know every new Bond is a chance to get it right. Dalton was ok, Moore I was never impressed about, Lazenby was in the best (but not the best), Brosnan was a joke, and COnnery was king (until now).

Daniel Criag brought out a whole new Bond. One that I might add had dimensions that now other actor or director has tried to reach. Lazenby had his chance with the best written of the Bond films, but fell short.

What can I say about this film. GO SEE IT! By far the best Bond flick for many years. What encourages me to make this statement? First that lack on non-stop action was the best. While I am a junkie for the fights and the car driving, I found the story was able to really replace the need for that and did it in trumps.

The acting was good, strong preformances from most fo the cats made this a movie that was exciting and plot driven. Unlike some of the past  Bond movies where the action drives the plot into the grave.

My only flaw with the movie was use of Texas Hold'em over Baccarat. This was the Bond game. It is also a game of man vs man, while Hold'em is a watered down common game. Baccarat was the princes way of playing the game and looking good while doing it. This is a trivial thing and I was able to overlook it with the stunning back grounds, good plot line and strong character acting.

Go See this movie!

In the last week I have seen some really good movies that i would like to pass along to everyone that reads my ramblings.

 
The Protector - Tony Jaa is the next Jackie Chan, Jet Li or even Bruce Lee. I have seen one of his other movies called, "Ong Bak Warrior". Not to go into the story line or the background, but what I should focus is the fight chorography. By far this movie has some of the best fight scenes in an Americanized foreign film. At times I would swear that the impacts were real. Fights were fast and realistic, which means quick and dirty. The story add another dimension, a young Maui Thai guardian has his family kidnapped. His family is elephants! The story follows the Thai origins of the elephant being a mystical creature of kings. If you're a fan of martial arts film I would suggest this in highest regards. If you're a Quentin Tarrentino fan then take a look, he was the Executive Producer (which means he was the one who funded the movies American debut).

 
Unleashed - Jet Li movie. So don't kill me because I watch a lot of martial arts flicks. I have been interested in this movie for awhile. The problem, I have been too busy to either buy or rent it. So I was pleased that I was able to TiVo it. The movie is not you typical martial art flick. Bob Hoskins plays a Shylock that uses Jet Li as a dog. Collar on means the "dog" is tame and innocent, collar off and the "dog" becomes a killer. Jet Li's character has been regressed due to his "brainwashing" and upbringing by his "keeper". Morgan Freeman plays a blind piano tunner, which helps Jet Li open up and break away. The only problem I have with this movie is that too many times I have seen a Jet Li matched with some "teen-aged" woman. Jet Li is over 50, why do they think his boyish look will pair him with 20 something?? Besides this fact, the movie is a good watch and I would recommend it to anyone.

 
Brick - By far I have to say this is the best movie I have seen in awhile. Rian Johnson is brilliant. The acting is by far some of the richest and most developed I have seen in ages. What's the story about? High School and drugs. Now you're asking what makes this so special? Well the entire movie dialogue is done in 30-40's noir film style. I don't want to go into the story too much because it's so crucial to the plot line. So GET THIS MOVIE and enjoy!