Mark Vader Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 I got advance screening tickets for "Cowboys and Aliens" tonight. Can't wait ! Cool. I've been looking forward to that one for awhile.
boyst Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 I watched Captain America last night and was not as blown away - however I have seen Xmen first class, thor, and Green Lantern in the last 4 weeks. It will be interesting to see the big tie in to the Avengers - because the other movies tying in were pretty great!
CowgirlsFan Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 I saw "Captain America" this afternoon. Mark was right Tommy Lee Jones did have the funny lines but others in the film did too!! I am new to the superhero movie scene and this was my first one to see. I look forward to "The Avengers"!
Fan in Chicago Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Cool. I've been looking forward to that one for awhile. Not a spectacular movie but an adequate popcorn flick. Could have been hugely better than it was given the premise, actors and director involved. But, worth a watch. Was quite cool that Ebert was sitting in our row during the screening.
UConn James Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 (edited) I'm surprised how that got made considering the plight of the Will Smith/Salma Hayek dud "Wild, Wild West." Then again, never discount Hollywood's penchant to keep stuffing genre-fusion plots into the cannon, firing, and seeing what they hit. Edited July 27, 2011 by UConn James
ajzepp Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 (edited) Not a spectacular movie but an adequate popcorn flick. Could have been hugely better than it was given the premise, actors and director involved. But, worth a watch. Was quite cool that Ebert was sitting in our row during the screening. I know Ebert is as sharp as ever, but I hate seeing him in that condition physically, particularly with his face. Poor guy just got eaten alive by the cancer I grew up looking forward each week to Siskel and Ebert, and I always had that awkward feeling whenever they got into a "fight" during the show...lol Ebert has always been my favorite reviewer, even though I don't often get to see his takes on films much anymore. I've pretty much started paying the most attention to Harry Knowles and a guy from AVS named Ralph Potts. Also, I'm with you guys who really enjoyed Captain America. I thought Hugo Weaving was excellent, as was Chris Evans. And I had never heard of that female lead before, but she sure was purdy. My only gripe with the film was that it wasn't worth the extra money for the 3D version. I thought a copule of the 3D effects during the previews were fantastic, and the spider man trailer had a really intense 3D sequence, but the captain america film wasn't really impressive in that regard. I'm just about ready to resort back to seeing the 2D versions from now on unless reviews indicate a particular need to see the 3D one. But the film itself was really good, and I can't wait to see them all come together in the Avengers next year BTW, this is unrelated, but if anyone wants to see a really good character driven drama, check out Barney's Version with Paul Giamatti. I finished it up last night and thought it was excellent acting and filmmaking. Edited July 28, 2011 by ajzepp
UConn James Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I know Ebert is as sharp as ever, but I hate seeing him in that condition physically, particularly with his face. Poor guy just got eaten alive by the cancer I grew up looking forward each week to Siskel and Ebert, and I always had that awkward feeling whenever they got into a "fight" during the show...lol Ebert has always been my favorite reviewer, even though I don't often get to see his takes on films much anymore. I've pretty much started paying the most attention to Harry Knowles and a guy from AVS named Ralph Potts. Also, I'm with you guys who really enjoyed Captain America. I thought Hugo Weaving was excellent, as was Chris Evans. And I had never heard of that female lead before, but she sure was purdy. My only gripe with the film was that it wasn't worth the extra money for the 3D version. I thought a copule of the 3D effects during the previews were fantastic, and the spider man trailer had a really intense 3D sequence, but the captain america film wasn't really impressive in that regard. I'm just about ready to resort back to seeing the 2D versions from now on unless reviews indicate a particular need to see the 3D one. But the film itself was really good, and I can't wait to see them all come together in the Avengers next year BTW, this is unrelated, but if anyone wants to see a really good character driven drama, check out Barney's Version with Paul Biamatti. I finished it up last night and thought it was excellent acting and filmmaking. The one thing about Captain America was that it was heavily British in the casting. And as much as it paralleled American involvement in WWII WRT commercialism about war bonds and USO-type stuff, wasn't that covered sufficiently in "Flags of Our Fathers"? Wasn't a big problem, and it served a common plot purpose, but.... That was Hayley Atwell, who's been in several PBS Masterpiece films as well as a pretty good turn in "Pillars of the Earth." Agreed on "Barney's Version." (It's Paul Giamatti, BTW.)
shrader Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 I know Ebert is as sharp as ever, but I hate seeing him in that condition physically, particularly with his face. Poor guy just got eaten alive by the cancer I grew up looking forward each week to Siskel and Ebert, and I always had that awkward feeling whenever they got into a "fight" during the show...lol Ebert has always been my favorite reviewer, even though I don't often get to see his takes on films much anymore. I've pretty much started paying the most attention to Harry Knowles and a guy from AVS named Ralph Potts. Also, I'm with you guys who really enjoyed Captain America. I thought Hugo Weaving was excellent, as was Chris Evans. And I had never heard of that female lead before, but she sure was purdy. My only gripe with the film was that it wasn't worth the extra money for the 3D version. I thought a copule of the 3D effects during the previews were fantastic, and the spider man trailer had a really intense 3D sequence, but the captain america film wasn't really impressive in that regard. I'm just about ready to resort back to seeing the 2D versions from now on unless reviews indicate a particular need to see the 3D one. But the film itself was really good, and I can't wait to see them all come together in the Avengers next year The 3D stuff is really starting to annoy me. I'll always go to a standard showing unless the scheduling doesn't work out. The scenes where it is so blatantly obvious that they were designed for 3D really bug me. The couple times that Cap through his shield directly at the camera? Really, is that necessary? If they're going to use 3D, please come up with better ways of utilizing it instead of just going for that wow factor. And since you mentioned the spiderman trailer, I assume those 3D sequences you mentioned are the ones where they show his point of view while swinging through the buildings. I hope that's a 3D thing, because it looks really cheesey if it's not. I'm going to get turned off by that movie really quickly if there's a ton of those shots, especially since I'll avoid a 3D showing like it's the plague.
ajzepp Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 The one thing about Captain America was that it was heavily British in the casting. And as much as it paralleled American involvement in WWII WRT commercialism about war bonds and USO-type stuff, wasn't that covered sufficiently in "Flags of Our Fathers"? Wasn't a big problem, and it served a common plot purpose, but.... That was Hayley Atwell, who's been in several PBS Masterpiece films as well as a pretty good turn in "Pillars of the Earth." Agreed on "Barney's Version." (It's Paul Giamatti, BTW.) Thanks, I fixed it. He has taken a spot next to my favorite actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as two of the greatest character actors of their generation. I read a Roger Ebert review and he summed up Giamatti perfectly...he said he plays unremarkable characters that he makes memorable. Sideways is one of my favorite films of all time, and I loved his role in that. Just a fantastic actor. The 3D stuff is really starting to annoy me. I'll always go to a standard showing unless the scheduling doesn't work out. The scenes where it is so blatantly obvious that they were designed for 3D really bug me. The couple times that Cap through his shield directly at the camera? Really, is that necessary? If they're going to use 3D, please come up with better ways of utilizing it instead of just going for that wow factor. And since you mentioned the spiderman trailer, I assume those 3D sequences you mentioned are the ones where they show his point of view while swinging through the buildings. I hope that's a 3D thing, because it looks really cheesey if it's not. I'm going to get turned off by that movie really quickly if there's a ton of those shots, especially since I'll avoid a 3D showing like it's the plague. Yep, the trailer was in 3D so that first person sequence ended up being pretty effective. It reminded me of those films they have at Disney World where you stand in the middle of a 360 movie and it puts you in the position of riding a roller coaster, driving a boat, racing a car, etc...kind of fun. I was watching the trailer, though, and I just didn't have any interest in seeing the peter parker/spiderman origin story again. I know it's been since like 2003, but honestly it feels like I just saw this with Toby Maguire. It will definitely be a rental for me...just not interested in seeing it in the theater.
Mark Vader Posted July 28, 2011 Author Posted July 28, 2011 Here are this months Independent Films, and boy are there plenty to choose from. In the sci-fi "Another Earth", On the night of the discovery of a duplicate planet in the solar system, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident. Starring Brit Marling & William Mapother. Keeping with the sci-fi theme, albeit in a much lighthearted approach, comes "Attack the Block". Moses and the rest of his teen gang look to protect Wyndham Tower -- their housing estate -- from an alien invasion. Starring John Boyega, Jodie Wihttaker, Alex Esmail & Nick Frost. Coming from Sundance is the comedy "The Guard". An unorthodox Irish cop is paired with a straight-laced FBI agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring. Starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle & Mark Strong. In the period piece "Ironclad", In 13th-century England, a small group of Knights Templar fight to defend Rochester Castle against the tyrannical King John. Starring James Purefoy, Derek Jacobi, Brian Cox, Kate Mara & Paul Giamatti. "Terri" is, A comedy centered on the relationship between oversized teen misfit Terri and his well-meaning vice principal who takes an interest in him. Starring John C. Reilly & Jacob Wysocki. In "The Ledge", A police officer looks to talk down a young man lured by his lover's husband to the ledge of a high rise, where he has one hour to contemplate a fateful decision. Starring Terrence Howard, Charlie Hunnam, Liv Tyler & Patrick Wilson. In "The Chameleon", An FBI agent investigates a young man's mysterious reappearance after a four-year absence. Starring Famke Janssen, Marc-Andre Grondin, Emilie de Ravin & Ellen Barkin. In "Lucky", Lottery-winner Ben gets hastily married to Lucy, his childhood crush. What he doesn't know: Lucy is a thorough gold digger. What she could never anticipate: Ben's winning ticket actually belonged to a woman that Ben killed because she reminded him of Lucy -- just one of his pastimes. Starring Colin Hanks, Ari Graynor & Jeffrey Tambor. In "The Perfect Host", Injured and on the run after what was supposed to be a foolproof bank robbery, John cons his way into the home of Warwick Wilson as he prepares for a dinner party. Over the course of the evening, the true nature of both men is revealed, but who has the darker intentions? Starring David Hyde Pierce, Clayne Crawford and Nathaniel Parker. In "Salvation Boulevard", Deadhead-turned-Born-Again-Christian Carl Vanderveer finds himself framed for murder by his town's beloved pastor, who accidentally shot his ideological rival, Dr. Paul Blaylock and left him for dead. Starring Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly & Marisa Tomei. In "The Devil's Double", Forced to become the body double of Uday Hussein, Latif Ahmed bears witness to daily life under Saddam Hussein's reign, from lavish extravagances to sadistic acts of brutality. Starring Dominic Cooper & Ludivine Sagnier. In "The Future", When a couple decides to adopt a stray cat their perspective on life changes radically, literally altering the course of time and space and testing their faith in each other and themselves. Starring Miranda July, Hamish Linklater & David Warshofsky. In "The Myth of the American Sleepover", On the last night of their summer vacation, four young people cross paths as they all search for love and adventure. Starring Claire Sloma, Marlon Morton & Amanda Bauer. From director John Carpenter comes "The Ward", In the isolation ward at the North Bend Psychiatric Hospital, a troubled new arrival is spooked by a ghostly presence that no one else will admit to seeing. As her peers begin to disappear, she takes it upon herself to uncover the ward's dark secret. Starring Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer & Danielle Panabaker. In "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan", A two-tiered story set in present-day Shanghai and 19th century China. As longtime friends Nina and Sophia balance careers, husbands, and families, they look to the past to understand their ancestral connection as evidenced by the story of Snow Flower and Lily, a pair of seven-year-old girls who are matched as laotong -- or "old sames", friends who are closer than husband and wife and are bound together for eternity. Starring Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun & Vivian Wu. Three foreign films are released this month. From France comes "Sarah's Key", In modern-day Paris, a journalist (Kristen Scott Thomas) finds her life becoming entwined with a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942. Starring Kristen Scott Thomas, Melusine Mayance & Niels Arestrup. From South Africa & Germany comes "Life, Above All", In the wake of her infant sister's death, young Chanda (Khomotso Manyaka) watches as a rumor shatters her family and causes her mother to leave their village near Johannesburg. Amassing considerable strength, Chanda leaves home in search of her mother and the truth. Starring Khomotso Manyaka. And from Argentina comes "Phase 7", As a pandemic spreads across Buenos Aires, Coco looks to protect his pregnant wife Pipi inside their quarantined apartment building by joining forces with his neighbor Horacio, who is stocked to the teeth with weapons. Starring Daniel Hendler, Jazmin Stuart & Yayo Guridi. Finally there are several documentaries this month. In "Life in a Day", A documentary shot by people all over the world that serves as a time capsule to show future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010. "Tabloid" is a documentary on Joyce McKinney, a former Miss Wyoming who was charged with the 1978 kidnapping of a young Mormon Missionary with whom she became obsessed. "Project Nim" is a documentary on a 1970s experiment that aimed to show that a chimpanzee, if raised and nurtured like a human child, could learn to communicate with language. "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest" is a documentary on legendary hip-hop troupe A Tribe Called Quest, from their formation in the mid-1980s, through their 1990s heyday, to their troubled reunion and unclear future. "Crime After Crime" is a documentary on two land-use attorneys who take the case to free Debbie Peagler, a woman who has been imprisoned for 26 years due to her connection to the murder of her abusive boyfriend. And in "The Undefeated", A documentary that chronicles Sarah Palin's pre-political life; her tenure as Governor of Alaska, and her time spent as John McCain's running mate. Calendar with trailers. Note: These dates are for Exclusive or Limited release. These films may arrive in your area at a later date. 7/1 "Terri": http://terri-movie.com/ "The Perfect Host": http://theperfecthostmovie.com/ "Crime After Crime": http://crimeaftercrime.com/ 7/8 "Project Nim": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1835048217/ "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1420860441/ "The Ward": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2544999449/ "Ironclad": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4273052697/ "The Chameleon": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi33004569/ "The Ledge": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2065669401/ 7/15 "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi749182233/ "Tabloid": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi899914777/ "The Undefeated": http://victoryfilmgroup.com/theundefeatedmovie/ "Salvation Boulevard": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi596024345/ "Life, Above All": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2899811609/ "Phase 7": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4194147353/ "Lucky": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi262380569/ 7/22 "Another Earth": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1915264281/ "Sarah's Key": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1186176025/ "The Myth of the American Sleepover": http://americansleepover.com/ 7/29 "Attack the Block": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3155205401/ "The Future": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2507775257/ "The Devil's Double": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4213939481/ "The Guard": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3384187929/ "Life in a Day": http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3867843609/ That's all for now. I'll have the August movies up soon. Enjoy!
CosmicBills Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 I'm surprised how that got made considering the plight of the Will Smith/Salma Hayek dud "Wild, Wild West." Then again, never discount Hollywood's penchant to keep stuffing genre-fusion plots into the cannon, firing, and seeing what they hit. It got greenlight because Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford said yes. Stars determine (far more than the script, concept, director, producer) whether or not a film gets made. That and Wild Wild West was 10 years ago. All the studio execs that even remember that movie have long been fired and replaced by the next crop. Not that I'm cynical
Mark Vader Posted July 28, 2011 Author Posted July 28, 2011 Thanks, I fixed it. He has taken a spot next to my favorite actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as two of the greatest character actors of their generation. I read a Roger Ebert review and he summed up Giamatti perfectly...he said he plays unremarkable characters that he makes memorable. Sideways is one of my favorite films of all time, and I loved his role in that. Just a fantastic actor. Yep, the trailer was in 3D so that first person sequence ended up being pretty effective. It reminded me of those films they have at Disney World where you stand in the middle of a 360 movie and it puts you in the position of riding a roller coaster, driving a boat, racing a car, etc...kind of fun. I was watching the trailer, though, and I just didn't have any interest in seeing the peter parker/spiderman origin story again. I know it's been since like 2003, but honestly it feels like I just saw this with Toby Maguire. It will definitely be a rental for me...just not interested in seeing it in the theater. I just posted the Independent Films for the month and Paul Giamatti is in "Ironclad". Take a look.
ajzepp Posted July 28, 2011 Posted July 28, 2011 I just posted the Independent Films for the month and Paul Giamatti is in "Ironclad". Take a look. Very cool, that actually sounds like a film I'd be interested in. In fact, a lot of those indy films sound good to me... Great job on that list!
Mark Vader Posted July 28, 2011 Author Posted July 28, 2011 Very cool, that actually sounds like a film I'd be interested in. In fact, a lot of those indy films sound good to me... Great job on that list! I agree. "The Chameleon", "The Ledge", & "Lucky" look good as do a few of the documentaries.
Recommended Posts