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.

Parody Trailers

Just a little fun post today. I was on YouTube today and I saw a fake trailer for Wes Anderson's version of The Fellowship of the Ring. I though I would share it. Parody trailers and re-cut trailers can be really funny and very creative.

Many classes on editing will have students re-cut trailers for existing movies. This is a great practice because it allows students to creatively re-examine movies. Any movie can have its mood adjusted with a simple music change and some specifically chosen cuts. Taking certain pieces can easily change perceptions; just watch CNN, MSNBC and FOX News try to report on the same story.

Most of these re-cut trailers end up on YouTube. Not all of these trailers were cut from students, but they are all interesting at least.

There are some trailers that change-genres:

A Scary Mary Poppins Trailer

A Romantic Comedy version of The Shining

There are some that take a look at directorial style:

Coen Bros.' version of Wizard of Oz

Wes Anderson’s version of The Fellowship of the Ring

These are my four favorites that I have seen, there are tons more. Titanic re-cuts where Jack gets thawed out, horror version re-cuts of Toy Story and Wedding Crashers, and even a version where Willy Wonka is a drug lord. They are funny and they can take a lot of creativity.

The Smurfs Movie...?

I don’t have much that has been stirring my interest in the movies recently. I did read a bit of news on The Smurfs Movie that caught my eye. Hank Azaria has been cast as Gargamel. There is an inside joke to along with Gargamel, but we’ll just keep that an inside joke.

I am not really looking forward to this movie. It’s part live-action and part computer-animation. This usually turns me away. I don’t usually like those hybrid type of movies. I did enjoy Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, but there hasn’t really been a big movie since that has worked the combination well. However, there is an interesting cast.

The Smurfs will apparently be a bother to a real life couple, played by Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays (Paul Blart: Mall Cop). Hank Azaria of Simpsons fame, will play a live-action Gargamel. Katy Perry will be Smurfette, Alan Cumming (Goldeneye, X-Men) will be Gutsy Smurf, George Lopez as Grouchy Smurf, and Quentin Tarantino as Brainy Smurf. Yes, Tarantino. So at the very least, that will be interesting. The best part of the casting is Jonathan Winters as Papa Smurf, he’s done voices for the Smurfs in past TV specials and besides that he is just awesome. He is one of those great ’60s stand up comedians that are just funny and classy (well… mostly classy). Plus, he was in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The best comedy ensemble movie ever.

I’m most likely not going to see this movie for several reasons:

A) I’m not a huge Smurfs fan.

B) It is probably going to suck.

C) I might see it if I am bored and there is nothing else playing but…

D) …it’s release date is set for August 3^rd , 2011 and the summer is always a busy season for movies. Especially with the last Harry Potter movie slated for a July 15^th release and of course The First Avenger: Captain America will hopefully be released July 22^nd. So, I will not be in want of a good movie two summers from now.

E) Raja Gosnell’s last directional effort was Beverly Hills Chihuahua.

In other childhood memory squashing news; Speedy Gonzalez will be made into a live-action/CG-animation movie. The voice of Speedy, who else but George Lopez. New Line/Warner Brothers will be developing and the script is in the hands of the writers of Garfield. I feel rest-assured, how about you?

Captain America Casting - Cap Contenders & Red Skull

It’s been awhile since I updated everyone on Captain America news. The candidates for the lead role as

Captain America grow in number, and a Red Skull has finally been found.

The casting for the lead has been as complicated and befuddling as it ever has been. The list of candidates has grown by one with rumors of Ryan Phillippe swirling around the Internet. These rumors are as shaky as (insert your own terrible joke here). None of the “candidates” stand out. They are all nondescript actors in their 20s. Blonde, dirty blonde, or light brown hair. All white, fairly fit. They’ve been in action movies, generally, none have had tons of success in the movies.

John Krasinski may have the best career out of the bunch, but he has not done a great job in any lead roles. He’s been in some decent movies, but mostly small roles; Jarhead, Kinsey, and I liked Away we Go but it was not great. Chris Evans has superhero experience in Push and as Human Torch in Fantastic Four, but that hurts his chances. Being that he is already a very recognizable superhero.

The biggest slight against this group is their look. Ironically they all appear to fit the necessary buff “everyman” mold that Captain America has, but it is the context of their “everyman” that hurts them. That generic look of today has one distinct feature that Captain America does not, and should not ever, have. The cocky, confident, and sarcastic smirk. The bulk of these candidates have that smile, that rebellious, devil-may-care attitude. None of these are qualities that the Cap possesses.

Even when he rebels against the government in his recent canon he is dignified. He carries himself with pride and power. He doesn’t crack jokes, he doesn’t have an attitude, and he doesn’t fight without purpose. None of these candidates have that. They’re all a sign of the times. The standard today is to be an action star, with comedic timing, and some romantic sensibility. A vulnerable, approachable James Bond.

This is a very important factor to consider, because it can make or break the movie. It’s fine for the Fantastic Four or Iron Man to be rebellious and witty, but Captain America, and Thor for that matter, needs to have more of seriousness.

None of these candidates are a home run, but that does not mean they can’t find the perfect Captain America somewhere. This is the list of the candidates that have been rumored for the role:

John Krasinski

Chace Crawford

Michael Cassidy

Patrick Flueger

Scott Porter

Wilson Bethel

Mike Vogel

Garrett Hedlund

Jensen Ackles

Ryan Phillippe

Chris Evans

In the meantime there is some great news for The First Avenger: Captain America, it is nearly guaranteed that the role of Red Skull is fulfilled. Hugo Weaving will play Captain America’s arch-nemesis, and this is fantastic news.

Hugo Weaving is amazing. He has been fantastic in The Matrix series, the Lord of the Rings series, V for Vendetta, and most recently The Wolfman. This is important to note because Joe Johnston, who directed The Wolfman, will be directing The First Avenger: Captain America.

This is an awesome pick for the movie. There have been weeks and weeks of rumors and speculation about the lead roles with no resolution in sight. This is a sign of life from the production. A great sign it is. This news makes me feel much more confident in this movie.

True Grit Casting News

Just a quick bit of news. Barry Pepper has been cast as Lucky Ned Pepper for the Coen Brothers’ upcoming remake of True Grit. In the 1969 original, Robert Duvall played the part of Lucky Ned Pepper in the original.

This is a great casting choice. Barry Pepper is a great character actor, and he should do a great job with this. He is easily recognizable from his roles in Saving Private Ryan and The Green Mile. He has done a great job in a number of movies. I really liked him as sniper Private Daniel Jackson in Saving Private Ryan. He is a perfect choice for the Coens' newest. Besides being a good actor, he's got one of those character actor faces that would be perfect for an ensemble western. It would be easy to see him on a horse facing Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn in a gun battle.

I cannot wait for this movie, it is the one movie of 2010 that I am most looking forward to. If the cast continues to turn out like this, the waiting is only going to get worse.

Hollywood Video Store Closing

The Hollywood Video closest to my house is closing down in order to save money they are consolidating locations in the area. This means that everything has become quite cheap. For quite some time they have been selling all rentals.

When they were selling the new DVDs for half price, I bought Revolutionary Road, Big Fan, Rachel Getting Married, Wendy and Lucy, and District 9. Some of these movies I would not have bought if they weren’t on sale. Oh, and I bought a Captain America bobblehead. Score.

When the rentals were 3 for $20, I bought Birth of a Nation, The Third Man, and The Hustler. It’s not cheap to buy old movies, especially something as old as Birth of a Nation. Generally stores like Borders might have it, but only as some massive boxed set with interviews, extra content, and some PBS documentary. So, buying off Hollywood Video or some other closing video store is one of the best ways to expand a classic collection cheaply.

At 3 for $15, I bought Judgement at Nuremberg, the original version of The Ladykillers, and Earth a Russian film by director Alexander Dovzhenko. I am not very well versed in foreign films, but I do love the old Soviet directors.

The company sent the store overflow stock, which the store is still selling for $3.99. Not wanting to miss such an opportunity I spent a good amount of time scouring through these discount shelves for some quality movies. I managed to dig up some real gems.

Gone with the Wind

The Godfather Part III

The Life of Emile Zola

Straw Dogs

Among some others. Some obscure documentaries, Futurama episodes and such. If anyone in the area is reading this, I suggest you check it out. There are still some movies left. I’m sure there’s a little something for everybody. The store should be closing soon, definitely sometime this month.

Best of the Best Picture Races

In the spirit of Oscar season (which is past, yes), I did some research on Oscar seasons past. I wanted to see which of the Best Picture Races were pretty contentious in the past. There were several very competitive years. I compiled a list of what I think are the top five Best of the Best Picture Races. ( ) denotes position in the American Film Institutes Top 100 American Movies.

5. 1962 – 35^th Academy Awards

Winner – Lawrence of Arabia (7)

The Longest Day

The Music Man

Mutiny on the Bounty

To Kill a Mockingbird (25)

1961 and 1962 are both very good years. Both have films which are good and worth watching up and down the list. But 1962 has the edge. The Longest Day is one of those great, old, ensemble war movies. It is so much fun to just watch the multitude of famous faces; John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, and Sean Connery. Mutiny on the Bounty is a great Marlon Brando vehicle. The Music Man is a beloved musical that has yet to be replaced by a Disney remake. It’s the top two films of this race that shine. To Kill a Mockingbird is a great American film. Atticus Finch is one of the best heroes ever, and the movie stays quite true to the spirit of the book. Lawrence of Arabia speaks for itself. It is an epic of the highest rank. One of the best made movies of all time.

4. 1976 – 49^th Academy Awards

Winner – Rocky (57)

All the President’s Men (77)

Bound for Glory

Network (64)

Taxi Driver (52)

The only Best Picture race among these five to contain four movies among the American Film Institute’s top 100 American movies made, the 1976 Best Picture race. All five are very solid, well made movies. The only one that has not made it is Bound for Glory. The only reason being that it is a Woody Guthrie biopic, and generally if the subject has faded then so will his mark on the world. Each and every movie is worth checking out. Most are still very well-watched and have fared the years well. I would not be surprised if some of them continued to thrive twenty years from now.

3. 1994 – 67^th Academy Awards

Winner – Forrest Gump (76)

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Pulp Fiction (94)

Quiz Show

The Shawshank Redemption (72)

The most recent year of the top rankings, the 67^th Academy Awards contained some of the top films from the past 25 years. Both Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction are cultural staples. They were influential both represented great advances for cinema, in their own way. The Shawshank Redemption is a very well made movie as well, but in the years to pass it may fall off below the eyes of the general audience. Quiz Show and Four Weddings and a Funeral are no slouches for nominees, but they have not made enough of an impact to even be recalled by most even ten years later. But the sheer size of the competition for Best Picture in this year makes it a very important Best Picture Race to note.

2. 1967 – 40^th Academy Awards

Winner – In the Heat of the Night (75)

Bonnie and Clyde (42)

Doctor Doolittle

The Graduate (17)

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

This is one of the most influential, and culturally relevant Best Picture races. This is one of the years where a turning point is clearly visible. Most of these movies contain biting and culturally relevant themes. Marking the change among American society in a very poignant way. Whether it is the racial defiance of In the Heat of the Night, the racial acceptance of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, or the youthful rebellion of The Graduate. Hollywood, along with the rest of America, was changing. New styles of directing, acting, and writing had finally won over the old ways. Represented in this race by Doctor Doolittle. Mark Harris’ book Pictures at a Revolution details this race and the way it impacted cinema and America.

1. 1939 – 12^th Academy Awards

Winner – Gone with the Wind (6)

Dark Victory

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Love Affair

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (26)

Ninotchka

Of Mice and Men

Stagecoach

The Wizard of Oz (10)

Wuthering Heights

This was the first of about five years in American cinema that is revolutionary. It shaped the way that movies are made and the way we view ourselves as a country and a society. Not enough can be said about this year. Several of the films are very well-made classic stories based on novels, some of which have been remade; Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men. Dark Victory secures Bette Davis as an actress of extraordinary grit and power. Stagecoach marked a major turning point in the career of John Ford, one of America’s greatest directors. It also launched the career of John Wayne. Frank Capra turned in one of the finest statements about American politics in film with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved children’s movies of all time. It has withstood the test of time, and I know that I’ll be showing it to my kids. And of course Gone with the Wind is a classic. It remains as one of the most well-made movies of all time. It set the bar very high for cinematic epics. It is still a very effective tool for comparison when it comes to that caliber of cinema. Of course it also has one of the most famous lines in any movie; “Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn.” For all these reasons and more, 1939 had the greatest race in American Cinema for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.