Inception HYPE: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page

It's doubtful that I need more reasons to see Inception, since I've been beyond psyched for this film. Dreams, DiCaprio, action, crumbling buildings and things turn-sideways - what's not to love? Nevertheless, after peeping at another interview from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page, my internal hype meter ticked up a notch.



Film Trailers by Filmtrailer.com

JGL has definitely been pumping up his portfolio and I like what he's selling.

Trailer Check: 'The Dry Land'

Check out the trailer for Ryan Piers Williams film, The Dry Land. It stars Ryan O'Nan, who I swear has been on a few CSI eps that I've seen and America Ferrera, Williams' real-life fiance', which really isn't news because they've been together for like ever. I actually am friends with Ryan from USC. We bonded over a love of film and Texas pride. I haven't seen him in awhile since I've moved to London and his lady's occupation took him to NYC. Nevertheless, I'm pleased as punch to see he's finally done a feature. It won best international feature at EIFF last week and praise at Sundance. The cinematography looks amazing, since Ryan has always been a prodigy with the camera.

Trailer Check:


Not sure when to expect a wide release in London/LA/NYC etc, but I'm sure it's to be soon. His success makes a teensy bit less resentful of my pricey education at USC Film School. It has proven near worthless for me, but seems to have done wonders for some of my fellow alumni like Ryan and Ace Norton. ;)

The Living Wake - Opens in LA today!

The Living Wake is new indie comedy starring Mike O'Connell and Jesse Eisenberg from Zombieland fame. It opened in NYC last friday and today in Los Angeles (Sunset 5).

Synopsis:

Trailer check:


LA Weekly Interview with Jesse Eisenberg
Nylon Magazine Interview with Jesse Eisenberg
Facebook

Lane Meyer, Cinematic Soulmate

Technically, yes I am a child of the eighties. But that was eons ago when I could barely speak or walk on two legs. Recently I was asked to review a non-auteur film. I wracked my brain and out of sheer love (and laziness), I decided to churn out a small love letter to Better Off Dead (1985).

The film was directed by Savage Steve Holland. It stars John Cusack as Lane Meyer, a Colorado teen pushed to a series of unsuccessful but extremely comic suicide attempts after his perfect girlfriend Beth dumps him. It was originally written as a drama, but when the script was shown to people, they succumbed to fits of laughter. Its deadpan tone and surrealistic animation sequences (especially the hamburger stop-motion sequence) makes this a unique gem from the eighties film vault. I don't care if John Cusack doesn't want to talk about this film; nonetheless, it will make you laugh until you cry. And it has a happy ending, proving true love is out there for everyone, even hapless dreamers that can't ski the K-12. 

Find the youtube of the hamburger sequence below for your enjoyment. :)



Where is my modern day Lane Meyer, a hopeless romantic willing to mold hamburger puppet sequences for me?

Top of the Pops: My haphazard list of 2008 favorite pop items

Here are my faves from the year:

Movies

1. The Dark Knight. I loved it from start to finish. Batman voice and all. The scene where he flips a semi over the Joker is cinematic bliss. The sound design, the cinematography, Heath Ledger's acting, it all just came together. It exceeded my own personal hype and that's saying something.

2. Let the Right One In. This film was amazing. So subtle and engaging. Despite the violence, this was a tender love story of two lost souls coming together.

3. Slumdog Millionare. Just see it, mmmkay.

4. Iron Man. RDJ still has that magic touch. I thought it was gonna be another throwaway comic book movie. Boy was I wrong. It was entertaining from start to finish, even with Gwenyth Paltrow as the female lead.

5. In Bruges. I re-watched this on xmas. Colin Farrell excels in this black comedy. Who knew he could be funny? But the film isn't just about humor, it's about atoning for what you've done and realizing life doesn't end up as planned.

Honorable Mentions: The Fall, Forgetting Sarah Marshall

TV

1. "The Wire" - Best crime drama ever!
2. "Doctor Who" - There's a good reason it's the longest running tv series.
3. "30 Rock" - MILF Island. That is all.
4. "Venture Bros"
5. "Stargate: Atlantis" - Yeah, I'm a sci-fi geek. But seriously, give it a chance.
6. "Lost" - I was substantiantly less angry at the tv this season.

Honorable Mentions: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles", "True Blood", "Law & Order", "Supernatural", "The Office"

Albums (.i.e cds I actually made an effort to buy)

1. Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours. They're one of my fave bands, so not too surprising they're my number one pick.

Key Tracks: "Out there on the Ice", "Far Away", and "Unforgettable Season"

2. Friendly Fires - Friendly Fires. This is my 2008 new music discovery. I'd listened to their cover of "Your Love" for over a year. Then, they got sorta lost in the noise. On a whim, I went to see them open up for The Virgins. Needless to say, I was blown away. These guys have tight, funky and dance-electric set that kept me coming back for more (4x so)!

Key Tracks: "Jump in the Pool", "Paris", and "White Diamonds".

3. The Presets - Apocalypso. More musical genius from down under! My birthday gift to my best friend was tix to their gig at the Glasshouse. After two songs, she was an instant fan. These guys are professional electronic music artists. This album is techno/electro perfection. They pump you up from start to finish. Forget Justice, it's all about these synth heroes.

Key Tracks: "My People", "A New Sky", "Kicking and Screaming"


4. Does it Offend You, Yeah? - You Have No Idea... These fellas got me excited for dance rock again. Remember that first time you heard "Banquet", but had no idea who sung that song, but you were determined to find out. That's how it was with me and DIOYY. And then I heard "Dawn of the Dead". Game, set, match. Fan for life.

Key Tracks: "Dawn of the Dead", "Let's Make Out", "We Are Rockstars"

5. Santogold – Santogold. I waited for this album with baited breath. See this girl in concert and you'll find out quick she's no M.I.A. imitator. She's the real deal. She'll make you her dance slave and be your electronic queen. For real, son.

Key Tracks: "Creator", "L.E.S. Artistes", "You'll Find a Way"


6. M83- Saturdays=Youth. I was always a bit "meh" about M83. Thought it was too instrumental. Saturdays = Youth changed my tune with a quickness. Mr. Gonzales reminds you that singles are good, but albums are better. It's a cohesive blend of gentle, synth melodies and distortion that are searching for memories of days gone by.

Key Tracks: "We Own the Sky", "Kim & Jessie"

7. Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke
8. TV on the Radio - Dear Science
9. The Teenagers - Reality Check
10. Lykke Li - Youth Novels EP

Honorable Mentions: Jamie Lidell - JIM, Hot Chip - Made in the Dark, Bloc Party - Intimacy, Hercules & Love Affair

Singles (I make no apologies for a good tune)

1. "Dawn of the Dead" – Does it Offend You, Yeah?

2."Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)" – Beyonce

3. "Sex on Fire" – Kings of Leon

4. "American Boy" – Estelle featuring Kanye

5. "Dance Wiv Me" – Dizzee Rascal featuring Calvin Harris

6. "Day n Nite" Crookers Remix – Kid Cudi

7. "I'm Not Over" – Carolina Liar

8. "I'm Good, I'm Gone" – Lykke Li

9. "Far Away" – Cut Copy

10. "Jump in the Pool" – Friendly Fires

11. "Black & Gold" – Sam Sparro

12. "Great DJ" Calvin Harris Remix – The Ting Tings

13. "Live Your Life" – T.I. featuring Rihanna

14. "Leavin" MSTRKRFT Remix – Jesse McCartney

15. "Ready for the Floor" Jesse Rose Remix – Hot Chip

16. "Universal Mind Control" – Common

17. "Hold On" – Holy Ghost!

18. "Electric Feel" – MGMT

19. "Paris is Burning" - Ladyhawke

20. "Blind" – Hercules & Love Affair

21. "Little Bit of Feel Good" – Jamie Lidell

22. "Hip Hop Saved My Life"/"Superstar" – Lupe Fiasco

23. "Kim & Jesse" Montag Remix – M83

24. "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your BF How To Dance With You" – Black Kids

25. "This Boy's in Love" – The Presets

Honorable Mentions:, "Mrs. Officer" - Lil Wayne feat Bobby Valentino, "Golden Age" - TVOTR, "Love No" - The Teenagers, "Heartbreak" - Metronomy, "4 Minutes" – Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake, "Damaged" – Danity Kane, "Vanished" – Crystal Castles, "Electric Feel" Justice Remix - MGMT

Happy NYE! I hope 2009 is better than 2008.

Death Note II

The devil aka Time Warner Cable ruined my "Death Note" recordings of the anime on Adult swim. It would record like 10 minutes of the middle or only one minute of an episode. After awhile,I got too behind in the story. Thus, I missed the first live action Death Note when it was released in theaters last spring. Thanks to the magic of hulu, I can catch up on the anime lickety split before renting the movie from Netflix.



Death Note II: The Last Name will play at select US theaters next week for two days only! October 15th and 16th in select cities.

Thank Pop Candy for the heads up (and for making my day!)

Hellboy 2 - Out Today

Unless you live under a rock, you know Hellboy II: The Golden Army is out today.

Check his hilarious tv spot with NBC's "Chuck".


Definitely will be seeing this instead of that terrible Meet Dave.

If you're unfamiliar with the first movie, you can still enjoy the second. But watching the first flick couldn't hurt.

Wanted: McAvoy and Jolie Sandwich

An action movie with James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, and Angelina Jolie? And it’s directed by the the guy who gave us Night Watch and the sequel Day Watch, the highest grossing Russian movies of all time?

Sign me up, please.




Forget about iron men, racers, lions of Narnia, or sexy girls in the city. I think Wanted is a summer blockbuster I can get behind. The assassin frenzy hits theaters on June 27th.

source: digitalcamcorderredux

Russian Dolls

Russian Dolls - Directed by Cedric Klapisch




This movie made my heart melt when I watched it on IFC the other day. It reminded me of the goodtimes I had in London and Barcelona. Plus, the director never hits you over the head with his agenda. He slowly and steadily reveals a true observation about life and love: Stop worrying about how you'll end up or who you'll end up or you'll miss out on all the best parts.

John Cusack interviews Diablo Cody

Artist on Artist John Cusack - Diablo Cody


A simulcast of The Who? Damn, JC is old...

I hate Sarah Marshall buzz

Forgetting Sarah Marshall didn't really need much of an ad strategy to win me over, but it's actually kinda cool. They got a tongue in cheek blog written in the voice of the main character, Peter Bretter. And it is hilarious! I wonder if Jason wrote them himself. Doubtful.

He did on the other hand make the youtube video confessions that are so sad, almost too realistic to watch.


Plus, I love the simplistic billboards with "My mom always hated you, Sarah Marshall". A-wesome! Great writing Jason Segal, and nice producing, Judd.

Tarsem's 'The Fall'

Tarsem Singh, the director of The Cell and REM's "Losing My Religion" has a new movie coming out on May 9th. It's called The Fall and stars Lee Pace, the cute piemaker from "Pushing Daisies".

Trailer Check:


I saw this amazing movie at the Filter Mag/Hammer Museum party last night. It's beyond beautiful and the little girl, Catinca Untaru, is mesmerizing. I could watch a whole movie of just her asking questions.

Apparently Tarsem thought she was perfect despite the fact she knew little english. So to get her to perform, Tarsem told her (and the rest of the cast and entire crew) that Lee Pace was really in a wheelchair for the first half of shooting. Tarsem has some brass balls to pull off a stunt like that. Of course, he had to come clean, which understandably freaked that poor little girl out for like three days. Luckily, she got over it and had a wonderful time.

The movie took four years to film and was filmed in over 24 countries! Tarsem had the idea for this thing for like 23 years, he said. So overtime he'd collect images of the locales and developed the story. But if he ran out of funding or hired a new actor, he would simple change everything to make it work! Talk about thinking on your feet and having it turn out okay. Thankfully it was all worth it. Now go and see this movie so he doesn't have to sell his house to finance his next film.

AV Club interviews Cusack for 'Grace is Gone'

The AV Club got a decent interview with Mr. Cusack. He's promoting his new movie, Grace is Gone, which I hope is as good as they say.

Uhura wasn't that light

Zoe Saldana as Uhura? Come the fuck on?!

Did they pick Zoe simply because she's happens to be African-American and is semi-known? Ok, she is beautiful, but she doesn't seem to have enough charisma. In most of her roles, she comes off as kinda bland.



Sylar at least has some some personality, a bit of depth, so Zachary Quinto as Spock sorta makes sense.

After the travesty of 'Nemesis', JJ Abrams is gonna have tons of doubt and nay-saying from the audience. My advice (not that he's asking) is to tread lightly with casting. I guess the producers think all the "Lost" fans will see the Trek movie, simply because he's directing. I think not, it will be the die-hard Trekkies and sci-fi fans, if they're lucky.

Don't you just love him?

John Cusack gave a very candid interview to the Guardian this week. His honesty only makes me love that guy more. He actually admitted that he makes crap romantic comedies. He goes as far to say that he's only made ten good films, and most people know which ones those are.



And yet, the interview made me more curious to learn about him. He does keep his personal life relatively in the dark. Cusack explains his reasoning behind this: "It seems like common sense to me. When I was growing up, I never wanted to know what my favourite musicians or artists ate for breakfast, or who they were dating. I found out what they felt about the world from their work."

Isn't he just wonderful? I have own pretty much all of his movies (bad and the good). It's sorta a hobby of mine. But I will be the first to say, 'Must Love Dogs', was just horrid. That is one that I have held off on buying.

Here's my top ten John Cusack films:

1. Grosse Pointe Blank
2. Better off Dead
3. Being John Malkovich
4. The Grifters
5. High Fidelity
6. The Sure Thing
7. 1408
8. Say Anything
9. True Colors
10. Pushing Tin

Mother Alice

Milla Jovovich is pregnant? When did this happen?



And it seems she's been engaged to the director, Paul W.S. Anderson since Resident Evil came out. Now, it all makes sense. Plus, it's not like she hasn't married one of her other directors, Luc Besson, before. But see, Luc's talented, so that was okay in my mind. Paul's not a hack, since I do own some of his movies (*hangs head in shame), but he's still not that good either.

Guess he must be doing something right to bed and impregrenate a top model/singer/actress like her. I don't know why it suprises me. This is old hat for the entertainment industry. Tons of directors marry their actresses/muse... Spielberg, James Cameron, Rachel Weisz and Darren Aronofsky even.

I just thought maybe Milla had a few crazy suprises left for me...maybe record another album. Nope, just another Resident Evil movie. Check the trailer for Resident Evil: Extinction. I hate to say it looks kinda fun. I see myself going drunk to the theater and enjoying the hell out of it.

It may be from lack of sleep or the fact that I drank a Trader Joe's energy drink just before entering the theater, but I fucking loved Transformers!



Granted, the script was terrible. Some of that dialogue was simply awful, "there's more to you than meets the eye" as a pickup line. Sheesh. And that girl, Megan Fox, can't act for shit. What was with the end with them kissing on top of Bumblebee? Isn't that weird to make out on top of your so-called friend/robot?

Nevertheless this movie seriously entertained me. Megatron was quite the firecracker when he awoke from his slumber. And as always Optimus was my favorite. I missed some of the final showdown when i was forced to slip out to the bathroom (damn energy drinks, like a double-edged sword). I still saw all the important parts.

I think I was just in the mood for some mindless fun, and this movie really did the trick. Michael Bay actually didn't piss all over my fond memories of the cartoon. I see them as two different entities, since these robots are so high tech from the outset. Shia makes box office gold once again! Damn is that a lucky ass kid.

Homer is a genius!

"The Simpsons" mania is ramping up, and I think I like it. Check out The Sun to find a pretty good compilation of jokes from the show. This movie is gonna blow my mind (hopefully).

Here are my favorites from the list:

Homer: Just once I'd like someone to call me 'Sir' without adding 'You're making a scene.'
Homer: Don't you ever, EVER talk that way about television.

Homer: That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!

Homer: I'm in no condition to drive...wait! I shouldn't listen to myself, I'm drunk!

Homer: Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try

Homer: Here's to alcohol, the cause of—and solution to—all life's problems.

Homer: I want to share something with you: The three little sentences that will get you through life. Number 1: Cover for me. Number 2: Oh, good idea, boss! Number 3: It was like that when I got here.

Bart: There's no such thing as a soul. It's just something they made up to scare kids, like the boogeyman or Michael Jackson.

It's about time

Sunshine is finally coming out in the US next Friday, July 20th! I'm so psyched about this movie. It looks dark, intelligent, and thrilling. And it doesn't hurt that it's directed by one of my favorite directors. Plus, Cillian Murphy is pretty easy on the eyes. I'm easy like that.



Saturday's looks to be action packed for me:
Matinee screening of Sunshine
Modular Party at the Standard
and then...DAFT PUNK!



Damn will I be a hot mess at work on Sunday...

Irked

How come Jennifer Aniston telling you to brush your teeth in the shower is some sort of revelation? This busy bitch right here has been doing that for the last 10 years!

I expected more from you IMDB news. Get a human editor, please. If you need to hire one, I'm available...