Special thanks to ArcLight Cinemas for the heads up on these Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy interviews. Be sure to check out my review of the film here.
Gary Oldman
Mark Strong
Director Tomas Alfredson
For more visit ArcLight Cinemas YouTube page.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Interviews
January 31st, 2012 | Posted by in Movies | The Post - (0 Comments)
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Lights A Fuse
December 20th, 2011 | Posted by in Featured Posts | Movies | Reviews - (0 Comments)
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED BRAD BIRD… FOR THE MOST PART
J.J. Abrams‘ Mission Impossible 3 is by far my favorite in the series but I had high hopes that Ghost Protocol would raise the bar even higher for the franchise. The truth is, this new installment does raises the bar on multiple levels but it also falls short in a pretty major way…
When Ethan Hunt says ‘Light the fuse’ and we are treated to a gorgeous opening sequence. I was thrilled. Brad Bird is an amazing director and you can tell immediately that he is right at home in a live action world. From there we get tons of awesome action sequences and stunts that make this series great. The entire sequence in Dubai is absolutely remarkable and especially brilliant on the IMAX screen. When Ethan steps out to scale a giant skyscraper, you definitely feel like you’re over 100 stories in the air. It’s pretty cool.
And then to follow it up with a sweet car chase in the middle of a vicious sand storm? Not too mention a great prison escape in the opening act. Well done Mr. Bird.
XTRA | Inside the Edit: Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol Trailer
The rest of the film is full of action and a couple twists I highly enjoyed. Everyone on Hunt’s team fits in although I did miss Luther’s humor. Thankfully, the film more than makes up it with Simon Pegg’s Benji who is in fine form once again here. The big addition to the franchise is Jeremy Renner. I thought they did an amazing job incorporating him into the story and making his character more than just a member of the team.
What I really loved about Ghost Protocol were the constant glitches in the team’s plan. Literally, nothing goes right and they are constantly forced to improvise with the threat of nuclear war imminent. In the past, Ethan would outline an impossible stunt involving an aerial leap of some kind and then we would watch it play out. That worked in the previous 3 films but this time they are out of their element with no support. It makes sense that their plans would be flawed. I thought it was a great way to introduce the different stunts.
GREAT ACTION. GREAT LAUGHS… BUT…
What I did NOT love about the film was the villain. Part 3 brought us Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s brilliant Owen Davian. Mr. Davian was ruthless and his battle with Ethan Hunt was as personal as it gets.
‘What’s his name?’ from this new movie is barely involved in the film. He rarely speaks and is disconnected from the tale. While his plot to start a war between the U.S and Russia is believable, movies like this are only as strong as the villain. That is where Ghost Protocol fell short for me.
Perhaps I put too much pressure on the film to surpass moments when Davian screamed;
“You don’t think I’ll do it?!”
There is nothing like that in M:I4. Nothing except a random middle aged man with superior fighting skills and ONE henchman who has little to do. It’s sad but it doesn’t completely break the movie. I just think it would have been better if I cared about the villain instead of trying to remember what his name was. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a worthy addition to the franchise and a fun action movie. It rarely slows down and looks gorgeous on the big screen.
Paranormal Activity 3, Teddy Ruxpin & the Theater Experience
October 23rd, 2011 | Posted by in Featured Posts | Movies | Reviews - (1 Comments)
IS PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3 THE BEST IN THE SERIES?
The first Paranormal Activity was easily one of the best theater experiences I’ve ever had. Every single soul in that packed theater was at the edge of their seat and everyone jumped at the same time. Because of that amazing crowd, the film became my favorite of 2009.
I think it was a little too much to ask for a similar experience last year when the sequel/prequel was released. The film itself was just as frightening and entertaining as the first but the experience was lacking because of several jerks sitting nearby. A few ignorant idiots managed to ruin just about every good moment with their pointless commentary.
When we were planning our trip to the theater to see Paranormal Activity 3, we decided that Cineplex Ultra AVX was the way to go. We got to pick our seats, there is plenty of leg room and we figured, the higher price might scare off the losers who deserve a smack for talking during movies.
Sadly, repeating the amazing experience I had watching the first wasn’t meant to be.
On our left, an oblivious couple who talked without being courteous enough to at least whisper. In addition to their conversations, the man had several nervous ticks and never stopped moving while making odd ‘fart’ sounds at random. On our right, next to me, there was two girls who encapsulated the very essence of a ‘sense of entitlement’. I knew I was in trouble when they arrived. One of them gave me a completely unnecessary dirty look as I moved my jacket from ‘her’ seat. That’s when they sat down and immediately began checking their phones and gossiping about people I don’t care about.
Still, I was willing to ignore their constant chatter once the film started but their narration and obvious remarks quickly became unbearable. And then the man to our left twitched and ‘farted’ again. Weak audience… weak.
THE MOVIE
Note: If you enjoy moments from this trailer I’m sorry to report that virtually non of them made into the final film.
Regardless of the distractions, I still managed to enjoy the film because Paranormal Activity 3 was definitely created for and dedicated to fans of the first two. It’s just as suspenseful and fun as one could hope for and expands on the back story we’ve been curious about since Katie got dragged out of her bed two years ago.
Along the way, the film also managed to completely ruin Teddy Ruxpin for me. I had so many fond memories of Teddy, Newton & Grubby and their adventures in Grundo. There is one random shot of a Teddy Ruxpin doll that will probably give me nightmares at some point. It could be tonight or it could be 27 years from now but it’s going to happen…
Teddy… Ruxpin…
The third film has some of the best scares of the entire series and I couldn’t have asked for much more than that. The fun of these movies is the tension created while you wait for something to move or jump out at you. Although, the experience is ruined when you have people all around you wondering the same things out loud… The whole time!
The final 15 minutes were promoted as the craziest in the whole series. It’s definitely intense but I didn’t think it beat the finale of the Paranormal 2. It’s freaky as hell and adds to the mythology of the series but I think it was built up too much.
WHY TALK? WHY TALK DURING THE BEST PART?
During the ending, the chatter got worse and worse until I finally said something to the girls on my right.
“Seriously, can you at least whisper please?”
I figured that was a perfectly reasonable request on my part. I was polite with only subtle hints of sarcasm. The response I got was completely uncalled for. Before I could even finish the word ‘please’ the bitch jumped all over me.
“Shut up, if you wanted to see the movie in a quiet place then you should have waited until it came out on video and rented it. Everyone is talking.”
We went back and forth for a bit but the ending was intense enough to snatch our attention again. When the movie was over, I couldn’t stop thinking about two things.
- Who are you to go to a theater, talk the entire time and then justify your actions because other people are talking? Who cares if other people are talking they are jerks too! How does that give you an excuse to ruin the film for my group of friends? Who is that ignorant?
- Renting movies isn’t the same anymore… I miss Blockbuster.
I love the Paranormal Activity series but my fiance brought up a great point when we were on our way home. People talk when they are nervous and scary movies make people nervous. It’s a defense mechanism to hide the fact that they are terrified. That and packed theaters on opening weekend are always full of people who don’t care about the theater experience. The people that talk during movies are there because it’s a night out not because they love films. And so it pains me to admit that I came to a sad realization that night.
I will never see another Paranormal Activity film in theaters.
It’s not worth it. People know what to expect now and they will never stop talking. If there is a fourth film, I will regrettably wait until it is released on video and watch it in the comfort of my own home. To be honest, I’m actually looking forward to it as it’s a completely different experience.
For those of you looking to see it in theaters regardless, I wish you all the best in your search for that elusive audience that makes these movies fun to watch. I’ve been cheated out of that experience for two straight years and I’m bitter about it now.
However, I’m in a tough place because Paranormal Activity 3 is a fun movie with tons of scares and amazing moments. (I’m a huge fan of the ‘Fan Cam’) So I’m still going to recommend you see it as soon as possible before those same jerks that talk in movies ruin it for you at work…
They have to be the same people right? Have some respect for movies idiots!
Good luck on your search for the perfect theater experience. At the end of the day, that’s the main reason why Paranormal Activity 3 isn’t the best in the series. The original remains the champ.
PS: I’m also officially frightened of packs of united elderly women…
XTRA | Here is what I thought Paranormal Activity 3 was going to be about.
The People vs George Lucas vs Me
October 16th, 2011 | Posted by in Featured Posts | Movies | Reviews - (1 Comments)
If you live in Canada, chances are you love hockey. More specifically, if you live in Toronto, chances are you love the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are millions of ‘casual’ fans out there but I want to focus on the hardcore. The people who bleed blue and white and have been craving playoff hockey for 7 years. The hardcore fans.
There are two types of hardcore fans: The people who plan the parade route after every win and those who simply enjoy it as a game well played and a step forward. Both groups adore the Buds but there is a clear separation between the two. This applies to all sports teams but it also applies… To Star Wars.
To me, Star Wars fans share the same division amongst it’s hardcore fans. There are some people who live and die by the force and others who are simply obsessed with the films. The line between these two groups is fairly fuzze but there is a simple way to determine which side you are on. Just answer this one innocent and uncontroversial question:
DID GREEDO SHOOT FIRST?
Are you angry right now? Or can you look past it?
This is what The People vs George Lucas is all about.
The documentary is about George Lucas’ never ending ‘revisions’ to the original Star Wars trilogy and the backlash against Episodes 1-3. I was born in 1983 so George Lucas really didn’t ‘rape’ my childhood because I didn’t see the films until at least 10 years after they were released. I was absolutely blown away by the films even though ‘I am your father’ was firmly entrenched into our pop culture thus ruining one of the greatest twists of all time. If anything bothered me about the ‘special editions’ and the new trilogy it was the utter disregard for that powerful cinematic moment. It’s not a twist anymore.
The first copy of the Star Wars trilogy I owned was the gold special edition on VHS. So my memory of Star Wars always included Greedo shooting first. I understand that Han Solo isn’t as bad ass as he once was but that’s not in the movie anymore. I don’t know why Lucas decided to change it but I certainly wasn’t stewing about it while practicing with my home made double lightsabre at home. It was Star Wars and I had a home made double lightsabre!
The main debate at the center of the film is whether or not a film belongs to it’s fans once released. Where do you stand? Can an artist still retain the right to change his work after the fact? Unfortunately, fans weren’t given a choice and have been forced to endure countless changes that altered the story.
Personally, I think Mr. Lucas can change the films all he wants. It’s his work and he has that right but I DO think he owes fans a release of the original versions. That’s ORIGINAL George! Han shoots first, Jabba is only seen in Return of the Jedi and Ewoks don’t blink!
Until that happens the collective sound you’ll hear from every fan’s basement will be:
“Noooooooooooooo”
The Star Wars franchise is a merchandising empire and the fact is, people will still consume. The recent blu ray release of the series proves that no matter what he changes, people will still buy the films. Imagine the sales if he would have included a few extra discs containing the original releases.
The truly hardcore fans will probably ban this blog once they read my next statement but I believe in honesty so here goes… I didn’t mind Episode One.
I’m also a fan of the third mostly because I found a way to ignore Hayden Christensen terrible acting. (I won’t mention Attack of the Clones because that movie doesn’t exist.) The one thing about Episode 3 that angered me was how quickly Anakin devotes himself to the Emperor. Just like that? The rest of the film was full of incredible battles and fights that Star Wars fans adore. At the end of the day, Episodes 1-3 were entertaining but I don’t HATE them because they weren’t as good as A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back & The Return of the Jedi. (And they weren’t)
I will say this, I sympathize with the people who grew up with Star Wars only to have it changed and altered. It’s like watching a trailer and falling in love with a moment only to realize it didn’t make the final cut of the actual film. It’s distracting and disappointing. Add years of devotion to a franchise and you can see why people are angry.
The People vs George Lucas is all about the line between the love of Star Wars and the hatred of George Lucas. (And by hatred I mean adoration)
It doesn’t matter if you’re a casual fan, a hardcore fan or a HARDCORE fan of Star Wars, this was definitely a great documentary full of the references we love because we all love Star Wars.
XTRA | 10 Flicks: Awesome Looking Movie Villains
XTRA | Why special features inspire filmmakers.
XTRA | If you could only recommend ONE Science Fiction film what would it be?
DID SUPER 8 JUST JUMP INTO MY TOP 10 ALL TIME?
Now that’s why I love movies!
We live in a world where movies are constantly spoiled in trailers. Plot points are given away and sometimes, entire mysteries are revealed before you get a chance to experience them for yourself.
Leading up to a major film release, there are literally thousands of blog posts and features that speculate on every single detail. This is especially true when it comes to movies based on existing properties like comic books.
However, every once in while a movie like Super 8 comes along. A true original.
J.J Abrams and Steven Spielberg set out to recapture the magic of film’s like E.T. That’s no east task in a world where the curtains are pulled back so easily. But it’s THAT magic that audiences will never stop craving. Magic that only works if it’s kept a secret.
XTRA | 10 Flicks: Movies Like Super 8
Make no mistake, Super 8 has a secret and I wanted to experience it for myself.
Thankfully, the trailers and clips for this movie really don’t give anything away. The filmmakers behind Super 8 built their marketing campaign on a simple promise. A promise to deliver something wonderful and unique. They asked audiences for their trust. These days, it’s a risk but I’m happy to tell you that they kept their word.
SUPER 8 IS EVERY BIT AS MAGICAL
AS THE MOVIES YOU LOVED AS A KID.
Remember the summer days when you grabbed your bike and spent long afternoons on adventures with your friends? It was all about our imaginations then and Super 8 will reminded me of those inspiring days. But more than that, Super 8 reminded me that it never has to end.
I can’t believe I’m saying this as I’m only 28 but Super 8 made me feel young again.
J.J Abrams didn’t just make a monster movie. He created a touching story about friendship, family and loss. A story about a group of kids who witness something remarkable while making a movie of their own.
I grew up making movies. We spent hours in the bush with toy guns throwing ourselves off of dirt hills and laughing every step of the way. We were heroes and villains. We ran from monsters and confronted evil. Every shot was inspiring. Every punch that looked ‘real’ was an incredible rush.
I learned to love filmmaking as a kid. Super 8 was made for me.
OPERATION: AVOID SPOILERS AT ALL COST
It wasn’t easy for me to see Super 8. The only show that didn’t interfere with my shift was at 10:30 AM and the theater was far away.
But I had to see it on opening day! I couldn’t bare to have the movie spoiled over the weekend. So I made the decision, woke up early and traveled over an hour to see it. It took two buses and a subway but it was worth every second. Super 8 is an amazing movie full of moments I’ll remember long after today. It took a lot of effort to see it spoiler free and so my gift to you is a spoiler free review.
Go and see Super 8 and discover the secrets for yourself.
It’s an experience the kid inside you will thank you for. I know I’m still smiling.
IT’S EASILY ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES OF 2011!
Click here for more Reviews like this!
-
Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved.Designed by
