Review: Zonad

Zonad is the story of an “alien” man who “mysteriously” lands in the small Irish town of Ballymoran. The town hopes he will stay with them, but trouble soon finds Zonad and the residents of the sleepy town.

Zonad is another great addition to the tradition of Irish comedies. It is wildly ridiculous and unabashedly humorous. It is wonderfully campy. Almost painfully campy but hilarious thanks to the costumes, characters, and music. The jokes are way over the top and they are great. This film is tons of fun. Entertaining to the point of uproarious laughter. Brilliantly unique and original. The humor is sophomoric and unapologetic, which will turn some people away, but I thought it suited the movie really well.

The story is far and above over-the-top. There are some vulgar scenes, which are still funny, but not everyone will think so. Most of the humor is simply ridiculous and sophomoric. The storyline is scarcely believable and it unfolds in a great way. Similar to the way an episode of South Park unfolds events get more ridiculous as the story continues along. The pacing of the movie was perfect. The story does not linger on any one gag for too long, which does the movie a huge favor.

There are many colorful characters that are very well played. Simon Delaney plays the part of Zonad. He is boisterous and very funny. If the film were shot in the ‘70s the part would have been played by John Belushi and Belushi would be funnier, but not a whole lot funnier. The rest of the cast is awesome as well, and they are very well placed. The character of Guy Hendrickson (Rory Keenan) is like Steve McQueen straight out of The Blob. The rest of the side characters are awesome too. Benson the Butler (David Murray), Bonad (David Pearse), Jenny (Janice Byrne), and the Police Sergeant (Don Wycherley). None of these actors are very famous or well known, which helps the movie a lot. Having these minor actors adds to the campiness and keeps it legitimate.

The music is great. Composer Brian Byrne creates a soundtrack that adds a great level to the campiness of the movie. It is eclectic and almost ironically used. The original musical numbers are great also. The songs and lyrics are funny interludes in the storyline.

It may be hard for a lot of American audiences to receive this film. Unless they already appreciate over-the-top Irish and British comedy. It is easy to tell that the cast and crew had lots of fun making the movie, and that fun is terribly contagious. This is a great movie to just sink into and enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet with one of the directors and some of the actors. I talked for a short time with John Carney, Simon Delaney, and Rory Keenan. They were very courteous and they seemed pretty nervous about how the movie would be received. I hope it does well. I know I will want to watch it again and again.

Rating: 4/5

Review: Thieves by Law

Thieves by Law is a wonderful documentary. It is the inside-story of the Russian mafia and their operations throughout the world. Thieves by Law was the first movie I saw at the Tribeca Film Festival and it kicked off the festival for me right. This was also the world premiere of Thieves by Law.

It has lots of personality, heart, and character. It’s unabashed, blunt, and unforgiving. The film unravels shocking revelations about the Russian mob. It is a great look into a rare but prominent world. This world is inhabited by genuinely unique individuals that are very charming and disarming, yet you never forget the power and influence they wield. There are four main characters that the filmmaker follows. Three are former mob bosses and one is a current foot soldier in the Russian mob. Each has friends, a following, and a story that is unique and colorful.

The filmmaker gets access into the private lives of some very wealthy and ferocious men who have earned their livings. They tell their stories with simplistic eloquence. They relate stories of brutality with stone-cold faces. They are deep and brooding and yet very relatable. Amazing characters and well edited to show their personalities.

The movie is very violent. Most of the violence comes from the words spoken by the mafia men. There are some very brutal and powerful images. Great use of stock footage and old news footage showing the results of their actions. The greatest shock value comes from the subjects and how plainly, even comedically, they tell their stories. The violence is very glorified but that is only from the subjects’ words and charm. They suck you in and keep you interested like and Tarantino protagonist.

The standard, bland documentary style emphasizes the stories in stark contrast. I only have one big knock against the film; it can feel a little repetitive at times. The editing style makes certain sections feel very similar. There is a shocking event in Russia’s history, the mobsters give their accounts and inside stories, and then they have their laughs. Not that that’s a terrible set-up, but it can get to feel familiar.

A brutal and sincere film in every great way. A great glimpse into a world seldom seen by outsiders. The characters are well spoken, self-assured, and self-imposed. They are very impressive individuals. The film displays these men in a great way. It is well executed, but it isn’t great.

After the film there was a short question and answer. The director was as disarming as his subjects. Very funny and charming. After meeting him it’s plain to see where the movie got its voice. He was asked about his subjects and he replied simply “we have our rules, they have theirs.”

3.5/5

Tribeca Film Festival: Day One

Day one at the Tribeca Film Festival was eventful to say the least. Our group got in to our lovely accommodations at the Howard Johnson in New Jersey just fine. The movie selection was a little slim so some of the group decided to just attend one screening. We decided to see Thieves by Law, a documentary about the Russian mafia. I will have a full review of that later. Had an interesting Q & A after the screening.

We walked around the city a bit. Went to the Strand bookstore, visited a Thrift shop, and got very lost. All in all not a bad day. A very good start. I look forward to the rest of the festival. Tomorrow we will be attending the Beach Lane pilot taping. Possibly seeing a movie before then, maybe Lola. There is also a talk being given about the future of film distribution that seems interesting.

Review: Clash of the Titans

I did not see Clash of the Titans in 3D. This might have made the movie a little less entertaining. If you don’t see it in 3D you are not going to miss a lot, the movie was not originally made for 3D, just converted.

This movie is a remake of the 1981 movie of the same name. The story is that of Perseus, a demi-god and son of Zeus. Perseus, played by Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation, Avatar) is found as an infant by fisherman Spyros played by Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects). As Perseus grows, his life becomes more difficult and Spyros is questioning of the mercy of the gods. While fruitless fishing trip Spyros and his family are capsized, but Perseus survives. He travels to Argos where the king and queen have angered the gods. Zeus, played by Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List), allows Hades, played by Ralph Fiennes (the Harry Potter series), to punish Argos. When Hades visits the royal chamber to foretell of the release of the Kraken he sees Perseus and identifies him as the son of Zeus. This sets off a chain of events that sends Perseus on an epic journey.

The story stays pretty close to the original movie, but it is not the same as the original mythology. There are lots of great mythological elements in the story. The gods, the monsters, and the characters are interesting and mostly authentic. There are some discrepancies with the mythology, but it’s excusable, rarely are the movie versions 100% authentic.

The most notable part of this movie is the Art Direction. The sets and environments are beautiful. The monsters are intricate and well designed. The Kraken is a departure from the original film, but it is very impressive. The other creatures in the story, notably the Djinn and Stygian Witches, are well designed also. The Witches especially have a Pan’s Labyrinth appearance and tone. The costumes are interesting and colorful; they help to build the mythical environment.

Most of the acting is good. Most of the minor characters seem like they belong in a Greek epic. Liam Neeson is a great Zeus. Ralph Fiennes adds another great performance to his already impressive villain resume as Hades. Sam Worthington is distracting. He is a good lead for action movies, just not period-action movies. He fit in Avatar very well, even though he didn’t give a stellar performance. I liked him in Terminator Salvation. But he just doesn’t suit this role.

This movie is wildly inconsistent. The story has great roots but it falls well short in the end. There are plot holes and awkward dialogue exchanges. Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes are on a whole separate level from the rest of the cast. The effects and costumes are interesting, but not entirely unique. It is fun to watch, especially for fans of mythology. Though it is easily forgotten and will not be missed.

Rating: 2/5

Conan to TBS

This is a bit of TV news, but it is big TV news. Conan will be gracing late night television once again.

Conan O'Brien will be returning to television in November. He will not be returning to Fox, as many predicted, but he will be headed to TBS. The Fox was just not the right fit due to time and financial constraints. He will take the 11:00 PM time slot, bumping "Lopez Tonight" hosted by George Lopez to midnight. The show will air four times a week, Monday - Thursday. Lopez is excited for the move, stating "I can't think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in." The cable channel may just be what Conan needs.

Cable allows for a lot of comedic personalities to stretch a bit more. The most notably being Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central. Conan was at his best when he was allowed to just play. TBS could be a great place to allow him to do what he wants, the kind of comedy he wants to manufacture. It seems like a lot of effort and financial backing is put into "Lopez Tonight", this same kind of support would be doubled for Conan. Or I would hope so.

I'm sure this business deal will work out very well for both parties. Having Conan can do nothing but good for TBS. It will ultimately boost ratings for "Lopez Tonight" and it could draw more people to TBS. I used to watch TBS fairly regularly for movies and re-runs, but now I will have to watch. Conan brings credibility and experience to the network. TBS gives Conan a great venue where he make a show his way.

I miss watching Conan O'Brien. He is funny. He can keep up with any celebrity, even Robin Williams which is nearly impossible. He makes anyone seem interesting. He stands in the middle of the ridiculous chaos that ensues around him and simply smiles. He is the late night host for my generation and it will be good to have him back.

Movie Picks by Year - 1970s

I posed a challenge to myself. If I were only able to pick one movie from each year since 1930, which ones would I choose? I went through each and every year and I managed to select one per year, although there are some honorable mentions from each decade.

This is all about personal preference; in the end there is some variation but it’s all about what movie from each year do I enjoy the most.

If you’re a movie fan I highly recommend this fun little exercise. It’s a good way to pass the time. Plus, in your research, you might find some interesting movies you’d want to check out. I did.

I started with the year 1930 and went all the way into this year. Here are my picks 1970 – 1979:

1970. Woodstock - My favorite documentary about some of my favorite musicians. One of the biggest music events in history Woodstock brought together some of the biggest bands of the day for a 3 day concert. The concert drew 400,000 people and closed the New York State Thruway due to traffic. It is a truly unique event caught on film in a way fitting the festival. The interviews and shots are informal and yet effective. The musicians are the biggest draw with this movie, among them; Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, Joe Cocker, Sly & the Family Stone, Richie Havens, and Arlo Guthrie. But there are some very interesting scenes and interviews with other individuals, such as a maintenance man. A great look into the past, long but well worth the watch.

1971. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory - It is not exactly the same as the story, but it left quite a mark. Charlie is an unfortunate young boy who wins a contest with four other children to tour the mysterious chocolate factory of Willy Wonka, the greatest candy-man in the world. Then the journey gets strange. A great 70s flick, it was remade by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp in the lead, but that cannot touch the magic of this movie. The songs are catchy, the sets are magical, and Gene Wilder is perfect as the unusual Wonka. He brings the character alive, but retains a startling darkness that is very subtle. Wonderful kids movie that is still enjoyable today.

1972. The Godfather - The greatest of all gangster films, Francis Ford Coppola's epic based on the Mario Puzo series is one of the best films ever. With an all star cast featuring the iconic Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone with the likes of Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. This film is deep, violent, and elegant. It would feel confusing and long at times if it weren't so masterfully crafted. Second on the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest Films of all Time. It is an essential film.

1973. The Sting - In contrast to deep and dark mob epic of The Godfather, The Sting is a bright, colorful, and fun. The vibrant environment is a wonderful backdrop for the story of two con men who attempt to take a mob boss. The two con men are wonderfully portrayed by the classic film duo Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Featuring notable performances by Robert Shaw and Charles Durning. The story is well done, with good directing by George Roy Hill, and a jaunty soundtrack from Marvin Hamlisch featuring the best of Scott Joplin's ragtime songs. A very fun and enormously entertaining film.

1974. Blazing Saddles - Probably my favorite comedy of all time, number 6 on the AFI's 100 Funniest American Films of all Time, Blazing Saddles is hilarious. One of Mel Brooks' finest parody films. This time Brooks takes on the classic American Western and he leaves no cliche unturned. The cast is great from top to bottom; Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, Madeline Kahn, Dome Deluise, and Brooks himself. The gags and jokes are plentiful but never overbearing. Funny in the finest of ways, Blazing Saddles is a classic.

1975. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Monty Python's first real feature film is a spoof on the classic story of King Arthur and his knights in the search for The Holy Grail. The film is very bit based, the jokes come from specific scenes or characters, very characteristic of Monty Python. Jokes about swallows, coconuts, a Trojan rabbit, a killer rabbit, shrubbery and more are at this point legendary. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin make up the Pythons who deliver a hilarious tale of hapless knights on a journey and at no point does the film stop being funny.

1976. Taxi Driver - One of Martin Scorsese's first feature length films. Taxi Driver follows the iconic and insane Travis Bickle in his downward journey into madness. Robert De Niro masterfully portrays the troubled Bickle. With a supporting cast the envy of any director; Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Kitel, Peter Boyle, and Albert Brooks. Undoubtedly one of Scorsese and De Niro's best. Dark, depressing, but strangely entrancing. It tells a story that is hard to swallow but it is so well executed that it is endlessly watchable.

1977. Star Wars - The best science fiction franchise around. Star Trek has nothing on this. This is where it all began. The story of a young man on the search for something greater than his ordinary life. The characters are well known. The story is timeless. The movie is great. Simply put, it is Star Wars.

1978. Animal House - Not the first or the last college comedy, but probably the best. Animal House is the story of a wayward fraternity and its haphazard attempt to remain together. John Belushi heads the misfit cast and he is in peak form. Brilliantly physical, unabashed, and manic, Belushi gives the film its energy and drive. Funny and a great watch for any age.

1979. Monty Python's Life of Brian - My favorite of all the Monty Python movies. It is a story set in Biblical times. It tells of Brian, a man who was born in the manger next to Jesus'. The story is very well written and unlike The Holy Grail the comedy is very organic and comes from the story line, it does not seem like bits sewn together. It brilliantly parodies religion, society, and humanity. It is funny and very sophisticated for a Monty Python project.

Honorable Mention:

1972. Harold & Maude - Not too much to say about this one. It is a must for any awkward outsider or teenage outcast. It is disturbing and quirky, macabre and melancholy, bittersweet and loving. From director Hal Ashby and starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort, Harold & Maude is a funny and charming movie and well worth watching.

Quick News: Stephen Daldry directing Jonathan Safran Foer

Just some quick news. Stephen Daldry, director of The Reader, will be directing the film adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Being produced by Scott Rudin, Paramount, and Warner Bros. The adaptation was written by Eric Roth. Roth is a great screenwriter; his credits include Forrest Gump, Ali, Munich, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This is an impressive group of creative minds and it appears that Foer's unique story is in a good hand.

His other novel, Everything is Illuminated, was turned into a great film adaptation. It was colorful and very entertaining. Hopefully, this adaptation will hold up as well. The novel is definitely worth reading. It is very well written, it is about a young man who goes on a journey of discovery after losing his father on 9/11.

Captain America's Sidekick Found

A candidate for Bucky, Captain America's sidekick, has been found; Sebastian Stan. Stan is a young actor with some experience, but most of his film work is not out yet. He has a part in Hot Tub Time Machine and in Darren Aronofsky's newest production Black Swan. He has some television experience with Gossip Girl. I have not seen any of his acting work, and I certainly will not be watching Gossip Girl to find out. I will just have to wait for the new Aronofsky flick.

He certainly has the look. He looks strikingly similar to a lot of the earlier Bucky sketches. His square jaw and his boyish looks are perfect. So, from a pure aesthetics standpoint Stan is a great choice. Director Joe Johnston

and the production team were both interested in bringing in young talent, and this role is

definitely one of the areas where they can explore that. There is a decent chance that this can

work out alright, but there is one big factor working against everyone involved.

Not many sidekicks have made their way into this new generation of superhero movies. For the most part these sidekicks are more colorful and animated than their counterparts. This can be a big drag on a production, especially if the look of the movie is dark and gritty.

For Captain America, it is impossible to avoid Bucky's contribution. In the Captain America canon Bucky has been with the Cap since the very first

comic in March of 1941. Bucky has potential to make or break this movie. There are several good reasons why Robin has not been in this new version of Batman. Now, Bucky is much tougher than Robin, but he is still a boy and his costume is a bit goofy. Bucky also develops a romantic connection with Peggy Carter. This could put

a drag on the movie, with scenes of awkward tension.

I am still optimistic about the final project, but now I am cautiously optimistic. A sidekick has not really been tried in this new generation of superhero movies. Let's hope Bucky is the right kind of sidekick to prove the cynics, like myself, wrong. Romantic tension between all the main characters can derail the established feeling, or it can flow together nicely. We will just have to wait and see how the casting and pre-production continues.

Water for Elephants

This is a bit of local news for the friends. The film, Water for Elephants, was originally going to film on the campus of Cornell University. The location has been moved, but even though it won't be twenty minutes away from my house, it still catches my interest.

Besides the location change there has been a change in cast. The part August Rosenbluth was originally going to go to Sean Penn, but due to contractual disagreements the part is now going to Christoph Waltz. Waltz is a great choice, having just won the Oscar for supporting actor as Nazi Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds, he's got momentum. He is a great actor and this sounds like a vert interesting movie for him to do.

Also among the cast are Robert Pattinson (Twilight) and Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line). Director Francis Lawrence has previous experience with I Am Legend and Constantine. So, this is no rookie director.

Water for Elephants is a novel by Sara Gruen. It is a story of a young man, Pattinson, who leaves Cornell University and joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Witherspoon will play a stage performer Marlena and Waltz will play August, her husband and head animal trainer.

I am still interested in reading this novel and watching the movie. Even though it's not being shot locally the story still holds some local interest. Besides that it sounds like an intriguing story and an interesting read. The movie could have potential but I would have to read the novel first before I could really be able to tell.

Movie Picks by Year - 1960s

I posed a challenge to myself. If I were only able to pick one movie from each year since 1930, which ones would I choose? I went through each and every year and I managed to select one per year, although there are some honorable mentions from each decade.

This is all about personal preference; in the end there is some variation but it’s all about what movie from each year do I enjoy the most.

If you’re a movie fan I highly recommend this fun little exercise. It’s a good way to pass the time. Plus, in your research, you might find some interesting movies you’d want to check out. I did.

I started with the year 1930 and went all the way into this year. Here are my picks 1960 –

1969:

1960. Psycho - Very likely Hitchcock's most intricate film. The symbolism in every shot is stacked up in layers. One of my favorite films to analyze, for a very good reason. Hitchcock made this movie with such a clarity and attention to detail. The story is of a woman who takes some money from her boss and runs into more trouble with the owner of the Bates Motel.

1961. West Side Story - Much like Psycho there is a lot watch for with West

Side Story. A lot of attention and effort went into making and shooting this film. It was only after I learned about its creation that I began to appreciate it more. When I first saw it, it just a musical about racial tension, gangs, and growing up in New York City. Office Krupke

1962. The Man who Shot Liberty Valence - My personal favorite western for several reasons. It is a John Wayne/John Ford team-up, which are always golden. Secondly, Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin are also very strong presences in the film. All three play very stereotypical roles, their characters are not a big stretch. Lee Marvin is the unflinching villain, John Wayne is the roughneck local who doesn't take any crap, and Jimmy Stewart is the educated idealist who won't back down. And they are the best in each of their cinematic niche. More than just a western, it is the story of what makes a man.

1963. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - The best ensemble comedy of all time. From top to bottom there are amazing comedians and comedic actors. It would be nearly impossible to assemble this kind of group again. Spencer Tracy, Buster Keaton, The Three Stooges, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Phil Silvers, Jimmy Durante, and Jerry Lewis among countless others star in various capacities. The comedy itself is decent, not anything special, but the joy comes from being able to see this multitude of comedic talent in one movie.

1964. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb -

Stanley Kubrick weaves a twisted tale about the fragility of the Cold War. Peter Sellers stars several times and he is a standout in every scene. This movie is iconic and it has spawned a lot of imitation. A great political satire, many memorable scenes, and "gentleman there's no fighting in here, this is the war room."

1965. Doctor Zhivago - Another David Lean classic. This time he takes on the Russian epic by Boris Pasternak. Great visuals in Lean's standard style, the scope is large and at the same time remarkably

personable. The cast is great; Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, and Alec Guinness.

1966. The Good, the Bad & the Ugly - In the original Italian it is Il buono, il cativo, il cattivo; but the American title is The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly. A masterful western from director Sergio Leone, it is the final in his Dollars triology. A brilliant display of brute force

1967. Cool Hand Luke - Cool Hand Luke is just one of those really cool movies from the '60s. It has that vintage '60s look. Paul Newman delivers a strong and gripping performance as Luke, a convict always trying to prove

himself and escape. Plastic Jesus and "what we have here is a failure to communicate."

1968. The Producers - This is Mel Brooks' first movie, and it is one of his best. Though it is not a parody, it is a very funny story of two men who want to produce the worst play ever and make lots of money off of it. Zero Mostel plays the old, washed-up Broadway producer and Gene Wilder plays the innocent account that gets taken into Mostel's schemes. Their chemistry on screen is perfect. They play off of each other so well, in the grand old comedic duo fashion. One of my favorite comedies.

1969. Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid - Paul Newman and Robert Redford in a great buddy western about the real life Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid. One of the first big Hollywood movies to display the new style of filmmaking. A great team up, it set up how buddy comedies were to be made even to this day.

Honorable Mentions:

1960. The Apartment - A wonderful romantic-comedy from Billy Wilder starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley McClaine as a man and woman who work in the same building and begin to build feelings for each other. Their chemistry is at times touching and tender and at other times very emotional. Their interplay, the dialogue and the perfectly professional way its shot are all great positives.

1962. To Kill a Mockingbird - A great courtroom drama, I'd say second best only to 12 Angry Men. One of the best film adaptations from a book, it stays very true to the original novel by Harper Lee. Gregory Peck in his finest performance plays a lawyer who is defending an African-American man in a murder trial. A very powerful movie.

1967. Guess who's Coming to Dinner - A wonderful film about the clash of generations and of racial tension. Real life married couple Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn must deal with their daughter brining home her new African-American fiance. Terribly touching not only because of the subject matter, but also because this was Spencer Tracy's final movie. He and Hepburn were aware of this, so their chemistry is much more emotionally driven.

1969. True Grit - The movie that won John Wayne his Oscar. A story about a young girl who must befriend two gunslingers to find her father's killer. A great western, it does have more of a liberal, relenting feel than nearly all John Wayne movies. A clear sign of the times. John Wayne is the man.

Movie Picks by Year - 1950s

I posed a challenge to myself. If I were only able to pick one movie from each year since 1930, which ones would I choose? I went through each and every year and I managed to select one per year, although there are some honorable mentions from each decade. Of which there are several for this decade, some tough choices had to be made.

This is all about personal preference; in the end there is some variation but it’s all about what movie from each year do I enjoy the most.

If you’re a movie fan I highly recommend this fun little exercise. It’s a good way to pass the time. Plus, in your research, you might find some interesting movies you’d want to check out. I did.

I started with the year 1930 and went all the way into this year. Here are my picks 1950 – 1959:

1950. Father of the Bride - A very funny movie, with a nearly comparable remake. A father must cope with losing his daughter to marriage. I love Spencer Tracy as the father, he is one of my favorites, and he shines in this movie. His opening monologue is great. Joan Bennett and Elizabeth Taylor are great as mother and daughter also. From the musical director Vincente Minnelli, this old-fashioned comedy is timeless.

1951. An American in Paris - Back-to-back years for director Minnelli. This is one of the greatest triumphs of American musical movies. Minnelli masterfully crafts this beautiful movie about American artists displaced in the city of love. Gene Kelly is at the top of his game. His songs and dances are fun and impressive. Leslie Caron gives her break-out performance and Oscar Levant is funny as the cynic.

1952. Singin' in the Rain - Back-to-back Gene Kelly. His two best movies in two years. Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds deliver good performances too. Arguably the best musical ever. Great songs, dances, and art direction.

1953. Julius Caesar - Powerfully performed on all accounts. Marlon Brando, James Mason, John Gielgud, Louis Calhern, Edmund O'Brien, Deborah Kerr, and Greer Garson. Adapted from Shakespeare and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this is one the best Shakespearian film adaptations out there.

1954. Rear Window - My personal favorite Hitchcock film. A great suspense story. Jimmy Stewart is brilliant as a temporarily invalid photographer who suspects a neighbor of murder. Grace Kelly delivers one of her most elegant and fierce performances as well. Hitchcock says a lot in his camera shots, the story is brilliantly told through the script and his work.

1955. Marty - A perfect slice-of-life movie. It tells the story of a man trying to deal with issues of being a single-aged male. It does not take camera angles, symbolism, or brilliant writing to see the struggle of this man; it is the Oscar-winning acting of Ernest Borgnine. The story simple, but it works so well. Winner of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor.

1956. The Court Jester - This is one of the years where I went off the map a bit. The Court Jester is one of those movies that just gets me. Danny Kaye is funny, charming, and he has great presence on the screen. One of the most underrated song and dance men of this era. The story is of a showman who must go undercover as the royal jester to try and dethrone the wrongful king. A whimsical musical that is lots of fun.

1957. The Bridge on the River Kwai - A unit of British soldiers take it upon themselves to do a better job of building a bridge for their Japanese jailers, meanwhile a plot to blow up the bridge is being hatched. Winner of 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, this is David Lean at his best. A wonderfully large epic, with a unique story. There are some great side performances, but this is Alec Guinness' movie. As the Lieutenant Colonel of the unit he is refined, dignified, and a symbol of resolve to his men.

1958. Vertigo - Another Hitchcock essential. Subtle, powerful. Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak journey through the mystery and suspense with ease. The film is now receiving the recognition it was denied during its initial release.

1959. Some Like it Hot - American Film Institute dubbed this the funniest movie of all time, the case is very easy to make. The story of two musicians who finally find work but only after dressing like women is hilarious. The ending is my favorite ending in a comedy. The dialogue is brilliant and it is delivered well by Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe. Directed by the incomparable Billy Wilder.

Honorable Mentions:

1950. Harvey - Hilarious and heart warming comedy of a man, Jimmy Stewart, whose best friend is a six-foot three-and-one-half inch invisible rabbit.

1951. The African Queen - Humphrey Bogart's one and only Best Actor win. He and Katherine Hepburn have incredible chemistry in this adventure story.

1954. On the Waterfront - Marlon Brando is amazing and Karl Malden is a great highlight also. A statement about the blacklisting era from director Elia Kazan and writer Budd Schulberg.

1957. 12 Angry Men - My favorite courtroom movie. An all star cast headed by Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb, this movie is the story of a criminal jury who must decide the fate of a young man on trial for murder. A very striking movie in black and white, the setting is unique because it is nearly the entire movie takes place in the jury room.

Orson Welles is Back

The Hollywood Reporter has a story that states that Orson Welles will be back in the motion picture business. Five old reel-to-reels of the famous filmmaker have been kept by friend and author Robert X. Leed. In 1985, Leed wrote and published "Christmas Tails" which he had Orson narrate. The tapes have resurfaced and will be used in an upcoming production.

Drac Studios, the studio behind the visual effects for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, will turn the story into a 3-D animated feature. The voice elements of Orson Welles will be used extensively in the project.

This is a great story. There has been a lot of speculation about using new digital capture technologies to resurrect actors. Forbes has an article exploring these possibilities and capabilities. While I am still a little adverse to having the images of olden-day actors used in modern movies, this is different.

Drac Studios will not be using Orson Welles visually, just through these lost reels. Bringing back lost material from a famous actor's past would be a great utilization of this kind of technology. Using this kind of technology to remake Casablanca would be inadvisable. Creating a dream-team ensemble piece would also be frowned upon. However, using such technology to revive lost film pieces sounds very appealing to me.

While "Christmas Tails" is not going to that extent, it could be a testing ground for using classic actors in modern-day movies. Orson Welles looms largely over the landscape of classic movies, no pun intended. The end of his career, however, was riddled with voice performances and cameo appearances in sub-standard movies. While this seems like more of the same, it is an extraordinary opportunity for everyone involved. To have your name roll in the same credits as Orson Welles is an entirely unique opportunity. It should draw a lot of attention, it is quite the intriguing project.

Slated for a potential Christmas 2011 release, this movie could ultimately become something very special.

Movie Picks by Year - 1940s

I posed a challenge to myself. If I were only able to pick one movie from each year since 1930, which ones would I choose? I went through each and every year and I managed to select one per year, although there are some honorable mentions from each decade.

This is all about personal preference; in the end there is some variation but it’s all about what movie from each year do I enjoy the most.

If you’re a movie fan I highly recommend this fun little exercise. It’s a good way to pass the time and learn more about movie history. Plus, in your research, you might find some interesting patterns in the movies that you like. You might surprise yourself.

I started with the year 1930 and went all the way into this year. Here are my picks 1940 – 1949:

1940. His Girl Friday - Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell have great comedic chemistry. The finest example of snappy, witty dialogue in cinema.

1941. Citizen Kane - The best movie ever made. I love it. End of story.

1942. Casablanca - If I had to pick my favorite movie, it would probably be Casablanca. This movie has everything; an amazing cast, some of the greatest lines in cinema, romance, action, and even some comedy. This is how movies should be made.

1943. Sahara - Great ensemble war movie. Bogart heads up a diverse cast on a unique adventure-within-a-war movie.

1944. Arsenic and Old Lace - A Capra classic. At times hilarious, Cary Grant stars as a man whose Aunts have a very dark habit, and he must hide this to protect them. A great comedy and lots of fun.

1945. Caesar and Cleopatra - A great, old-fashioned epic movie. Standout performances by Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh as the title characters. This movie is just a great example of old style Hollywood filmmaking.

1946. It's a Wonderful Life - One of Frank Capra's best. Masterfully acted by Jimmy Stewart, this story of the significance of life is one of the most uplifting movies of all time. "Merry Christmas Movie House!"

1947. The Bishop's Wife - Another Cary Grant appearance, this time with David Niven and Loretta Young. It tends to get overlooked, but it is a very good movie.

1948. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - A John Huston film with his father Walter as one of the lead roles. Humphrey Bogart also stars in this wonderful western that has some great intrigue and twists. "Badges... we don't need no stinking badges."

1949. White Heat - Arguably James Cagney's best performance of his career, his character is fierce and unrelenting. A very powerful performance, a necessary gangster film. "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!"

Honorable Mention:

1941. The Maltese Falcon - Bogart again. This time as Sam Spade. Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, and Mary Astor round out a stellar cast in this classic film-noir about greed. If it weren't going up against Citizen Kane it would definitely make the list. "It's the stuff that dreams are made of."

Movie Picks by Year - 1930s

I posed a challenge to myself. If I were only able to pick one movie from each year since 1930, which ones would I choose? I went through each and every year and I managed to select one per year, although there are some honorable mentions from each decade.
This is all about personal preference; in the end there is some variation but it’s all about what movie from each year do I enjoy the most. If you’re a movie fan I highly recommend this fun little exercise. It’s a good way to pass the time. Plus, in your research, you might find some interesting movies you’d want to check out. I did. For example, in 1986 there was an animated Transformers movie that featured voice talents from Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, Scatman Crothers, Casey Kasem, and in his second to last role; Orson Welles. Yeah, Orson Welles.
I started with the year 1930 and went all the way into this year. Here are my picks 1930 – 1939:

1930. Animal Crackers - A Marx Brothers Classic. Their second major release, and one of their best. "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he

got in my pajamas I don't know."

1931. Little Caesar - Edward G. Robinson's breakout movie. It established him as one o

f the top gangster actors for the '30s and all time.

1932. A Farewell to Arms - A great story based off of Ernest Hemingway's timeless war novel, with a young Gary Cooper and a good performance by Adolphe Menjou.

1933. King Kong - The original monster invades Manhattan movie, great

technicals for its time

and a fun story.

1934. It Happened One Night - From one of my favorites, Frank Capra, this movie won a slew of awards. It almost didn't happen as Clark Gable was not interested in taking the role. He and Claudette Colbert do a great job. One scene even inspired the creation of Bugs Bunny.

1935. A Night at the Opera - Another great from the Marx Brothers. The stateroom scene is one of the funniest scenes of all time. Great physical comedy and awesome timing, what the Marx Brothers do best.

1936. Modern Times - One of Chaplin's best, comedy with a message. Great social drive

and good

sketches.

1937. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Disney's first full length feature film, one of the most influential animated movies of all time, it is essential.

1938. Angels with Dirty Faces - a great gangster movie with James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. Awesome ending.

1939. Wizard of Oz - A timeless American fantasy classic. One of the best American films ever made. It still stands today as a great display of set creation, costumes, and imaginative work.

Honorable Mentions:

1938. The Adventures of Robin Hood - A great adventure with Errol Flynn. There are many versions of Robin Hood, but this is still the best.

1939. Gone with the Wind - Another one of America's best. 1939 was a really tough year to pick. I like Wizard of Oz better, but Gone with the Wind is great also. One of the best years for movies.

Chris Evans is Captain America

The news has been made official. Chris Evans will play Captain America for The First Avenger: Captain America, The Avengers, and the other Marvel movies beyond. This does not worry me because I think that he is a good pick for Captain America. The other frontrunners did not really stand out to me, I was not really impressed with anyone, not even Chris Evans. He is a safe pick. With his previous superhero experience, his working relationship with Marvel, and his "everyman" looks he is a safe pick. He should do fine. He's the kind of selection that does not have fans going crazy in a good or a bad way.

This definitely makes me want to check out what Chris Evans has done. Yes, even watching Fantastic Four again... okay maybe not Fantastic Four. But I do want to see Sunshine. Directed by Danny Boyle the story is about a team of astronauts that have to re-ignite a failing sun. It sounds interesting and Evans has an interesting role in it. I'm sure once I see some more of his work I will have a better idea of his true potential as the Cap.

Now that the lead has been settled it's on to more rumor news. There are some minor characters that are still undecided. One is Betsy Ross. Betsy Ross serves in a military capacity and with the FBI during World War II and she also develops a romantic relationship with Steve Rodgers before he becomes Captain America. This could be a pretty prominent role in the movie. The rumored actress for the part is Kiera Knightley. I do not like Kiera Knightley in anything after the turn of the century. She might have potential, but she hasn't been impressive in any action roles so far. Who knows, she could take full 360 from her terrible performance in the last Pirates movie and really shine. That is if she gets the part.

Another character with casting rumors is Peggy Carter. Peggy Carter is a young, American woman who joins the French Resistance to fight the Nazis. She has a romantic relationship with Captain America. There are two candidates that have been rumored for this part; one is Emily Blunt and the other is Alice Eve. Alice Eve is most recognizable from her most recent work as the lead in She's Out of My League. I would be rather adverse to her getting the part. Emily Blunt is a different story.

I really like Emily Blunt. I think she would be great for this part. She did a great job in Sunshine Cleaning, The Young Victoria, and in The Wolfman. Her having been in The Wolfman gives her an edge over Eve, because it establishes a working relationship with director Joe Johnston. She can be very fierce, but she does have that indie-girl look and that is hard to get rid of. However, I think that in the end it would help the movie loads to have Emily Blunt in the cast.

Cinematic Connections

I was going through some old notes and I found these treasures. For a while my friends and I at school would play this little game. It is known by some as 'Connect the Actors' I will call it 'Cinematic Connections' for our purposes. It is where you take two actors and try to connect them through other actors they have worked with. These are two of the most unusual connections we managed to do last semester. The first one finally came true with the completion of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I'll complete a third connection off-the-cuff after these two.

Vincent Price to Andy Dick

Vincent Price

-Edward Scissorhands-

Johnny Depp

-Alice in Wonderland-

Crispin Glover

-Charlie’s Angels-

Tom Green

-Road Trip-

Andy Dick

Forest Whitaker to Neil Patrick Harris

Forest Whitaker

-Good Morning, Vietnam-

Robin Williams

-Good Will Hunting-

Matt Damon

-Stuck on You-

Greg Kinnear

-Little Miss Sunshine-

Abigail Breslin

-Definitely, Maybe-

Ryan Reynolds

-Van Wilder-

Kal Penn

-Harold & Kumar go to White Castle-

Neil Patrick Harris

Alec Guinness to Russell Brand

Alec Guinness

-Star Wars-

Billy Dee Williams

-Fanboys-

Kristen Bell

-Forgetting Sarah Marshall-

Russell Brand

Just as a side note, I cannot stand Russell Brand. I think he is painfully unfunny. And he will be starring the remake of the 1981 classic Arthur. A wonderful comedy, that will be destroyed through a remake with a terrible comedian. Hurrah!

Chris Evans as Cap?

An update on the Captain America casting front. The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Chris Evans has been offered the part of Captain America. As I said in an earlier post, I thought that Evans already having been the Human Torch would hurt his chances, but I guess it helped him. It shows that he already has superhero experience, he was also in Push, and he already has a working relationship with the Marvel family. The deal has not been inked yet. There are some hitches to be worked out first. Evans has to be prepared to commit himself to this role because he is signing on for the role, not just this movie. Playing Capt

ain America will involve being in at least three movies; The First Avenger: Captain America, The Avengers, and a came

o in another Marvel movies. So he will have to clear his schedule for the shootings.

This leads to another hitch in Evans picking up the shield, he is scheduled to shoot another movie this summer. This conflicts with the Captain America scheduling, The First Avenger: Captain America will begin filming this summer in order to meet its release date.

This is an issue, however, the movie is What's Your Number?, so it's not a big issue. The movie is a romantic comedy with the female co-star being Anna Faris. It sounds like Chris Evans could duck out of this production and do some Captain America stuff. It's not as if the makers of What's Your Number? couldn't just take any number of young, attractive, generic male leads for this. It doesn't sound special or unique. The role of Captain America however, is very special.

In recent weeks rumors and speculation have been swirling. Now there is some resolution. The potential casting of Chris Evans is a good choice. He's not the ideal choice, but this is a good choice. He's certainly one of the best options from any of the other potential candidates. He has superhero experience, even though it was in the forgettable Fantastic Four series, he

could very well have the Captain America look and he does have potential. His possibly casting is not a disappointment by any means. It can add stability and finally put a cinematic face to the well-known hero.

I have been updating on the casting rumors because I am very concerned with the way this

movie turns out. Spending this much time and energy on an Avenger series is a gamble for Marvel, but they are doing a great job so far. One of the key pieces to this grand plan of Marvel's is Captain America. He will most likely be the leader of The Avengers once the movies get to that point. Finding the right Captain America is important for the whole franchise to succeed.

As I have mentioned before, Captain America is my favorite superhero. When this movie comes out I will be in line at the midnight showing with my Captain America hat and shirt on. And from what I have seen so far, I will not be disappointed.

Tribeca Film Festival: Top Ten 6 - 10

This year, I will be attending the Tribeca Film Festival with a group from my school. We will be going for three days over a weekend. I’m not sure which movies I will be able to see, but I looked over all the movies that will be showing. I made a list of the top ten movies I am most in anticipation of. Some of the movies have trailers, and some do not. For the descriptions I simply took the description from the Tribeca Fesitval’s website. Here are my picks 6 - 10:

10. Keep Surfing, directed by Björn Richie Lob. (Germany) – International Premiere, Documentary. This kinetic and fast-paced documentary will put you right on the Eisbach in the heart of Munich, where river-surfing was invented 35 years ago. Stunningly shot with cameras literally on the surfboards, you can sense the exhilaration as they take to the water. With cameos by surfing legends like Nick Carroll and Kelly Slater, Keep Surfing will make you want to hit the waves! In English, German with English subtitles.

There is no trailer, but here is the Internet Movie Database profile.

9. Metropia, directed by Tarik Saleh, written by Fredrik Edin, Stig Larsson, and Tarik Saleh. (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) – New York Premiere. In the year 2024, all of Europe is united by a vast web of underground railways, populated by an army of downtrodden worker bees. When one such cog starts hearing voices and encounters a femme fatale shampoo model who seems to hold some answers, he finds himself unearthing a vast Orwellian conspiracy in this visually arresting animated noir. With the voices of Vincent Gallo, Juliette Lewis, Udo Kier, Stellan Skarsgård, and Alexander Skarsgård. A Tribeca Film release.

There is a trailer here, there is a lot of other content on YouTube as well.

8. Just Like Us, directed by Ahmed Ahmed. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. First-time director Ahmed Ahmed takes us on a hilarious tour from Dubai to Beirut, Riyadh to New York with a gaggle of other stand-up talent, including Maz Jobrani, Tom Papa, Ted Alexandro, Tommy Davidson, and Omid Djalili (The Infidel). Along the way, taboos of culture and geopolitics are exploded, and a younger generation of both comedy talents and audiences is born.

There is no trailer, but here is the Internet Movie Database profile.

7. Doctor Zhivago, directed by David Lean, written by Robert Bolt. (USA, UK, 1965) David Lean’s romantic Russian Revolution epic, adapted from Boris Pasternak’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, captured five Academy Awards® (including Best Adapted Screenplay) and five additional nominations after its 1965 release. In honor of its 45th anniversary, we welcome a magnificent state-of-the-art restoration of Doctor Zhivago, shown theatrically for the first time at Tribeca and available from Warner Home Video on Blu-ray disc May 4. Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness and Tom Courtenay star. In English, Russian with English subtitles.

This could be a really cool showing. I have never seen Doctor Zhivago in its entirety, but the pieces I have seen kept me interested. David Lean is an amazing filmmaker, among his resume; The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia. Plus, Alec Guinness is in it. Score. The original trailer is here.

6. Gerrymandering, directed by Jeff Reichert. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. This wake-up-call doc exposes the hidden history of our country’s redistricting wars, mapping battles that take place out of public scrutiny but shape the electoral landscape of American politics for decades at time, posing a threat not just to Democrats and Republicans, but democracy as a whole. Featuring stories from nine states, Gerrymandering takes a hard look at the framework of our democracy and how it provides our politicians a perfectly legal way to control electoral outcomes.

A preview on the documentary is here.

Here is the full list of films that will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Tribeca Film Festival: Top Ten 1 - 5

This year, I will be attending the Tribeca Film Festival with a group from my school. We will be going for three days over a weekend. I’m not sure which movies I will be able to see, but I looked over all the movies that will be showing. I made a list of the top ten movies I am most in anticipation of. Some of the movies have trailers, and some do not. For the descriptions I simply took the description from the Tribeca Fesitval’s website. Here are my picks 1 - 5:

5. Micmacs (Micmacs aÌ tire-larigot) , directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, written by Anne Wermelinger. (France) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Bazil (Dany Boon, Joyeux Noël) is a gentle-natured but unlucky man with a bullet lodged in his brain. Together with a motley crew of wacky new friends, he exacts an intricate revenge plot against the giant weapons manufacturers responsible for his lowly lot in life. From the inimitable and hyper-imaginative director of Delicatessen and Amélie comes a wild and whimsical underdog story, a David and Goliath tale by way of Buster Keaton. In French with English subtitles. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

The trailer is here, you'll have to go in 1:05 to see it. There is other movies news before the trailer.

4. The White Meadows (Keshtzar haye sepid), directed and written by Mohammad Rasoulof. (Iran) – North American Premiere. Poetry, mythology, metaphor, and the absurd are expertly woven to tell the fable-like story of Rahmat, who sails from island to island off the coast of Iran to collect tears. Moody and elegant, The White Meadows is acclaimed writer/director Mohammad Rasoulof’s (Head Wind, TFF ’08) mesmerizing cinematic statement on conformity, social norms, and the collective condition of Iran. In Persian with English subtitles.

No trailer but here is the Internet Movie Database profile on it.

3. Get Low, directed by Aaron Schneider, written by Chris Provenzano and C. Gaby Mitchell. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. In 1930s Tennessee, backwoods recluse Felix Bush (Robert Duvall) is feared and shunned by the local townsfolk. Then Felix decides to plan a living funeral to lay his own legend to rest. But behind this surreal plan lies a devastating secret that must get out… Academy Award® winner Aaron Schneider makes a confident feature debut with this engrossing and slyly funny folk tale of forgiveness and redemption. With Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, and Lucas Black. A Sony Pictures Classics release.

A short, but poor quality, clip of the movie.

2. sex & drugs & rock & roll,

directed by Mat Whitecross, written by Paul Viragh. (UK) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Mat Whitecross (codirector of The Road to Guantanamo) paints a stylized, ripsnorting portrait of mercurial British punk rock pioneer Ian Dury (flawlessly portrayed by BAFTA nominee Andy Serkis). From a troubled childhood and a battle with debilitating polio to the effects of fame on relationships and fatherhood, here are the highs and lows of a life lived sneeringly, unapologetically out loud. With Olivia Williams, Ray Winstone, and Naomie Harris. A Tribeca Film release.

The trailer is here.

1. Zonad, directed and written by

John Carney and Kieran Carney. (Ireland) – International Premiere, Narrative. In this cheeky comedy from brothers Kieran and John Carney (director of Oscar® winner Once), the Cassidy family lives cheerfully in a small Irish town where the 1950s, it seems, never ended. Then one night a portly brute dressed sorta like an alien arrives at their house. His name is Zonad and he’s from outer space—or so he claims—and soon his cynical, 21st-century attitude begins disrupting this seemingly idyllic little hamlet.

The trailer is here.

Here is the full list of films that will be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.