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NMF #19: Mega Shark Vs. Crocosaurus

Title: Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus

Year Released/Rating: 2010 R

Starring: Jaleel White, Gary Stretch, Sarah Lieving, Robert Picardo

Written By: Micho Rutare, Naomi L. Selfman

Directed By: Christopher Ray

Genre: Action, horror, scifi

Star Rating:  1/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia: The ship in the beginning of the movie, the USS Gibson, is a battleship. At present there are no battleships serving in any navy, including the United States Navy.

Summary: Do I really need one?  Shark vs. croc, huge size, enough said.

Review: The sequel to Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus.  I didn't think it was possible to get worse than the first one, but the sequel accepted that challenge and passed with flying colors.  This is just horrid.  The CGI is bad.  The acting is horribly over dramatic.  The plot line is ludicrous.  And the dialogue is just plain unbelievable.

tags: 1 star, action, horror, New Movie Month, science fiction
categories: Movies
Tuesday 02.19.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

NMF #18: The Warrior's Way

Title: The Warrior's Way

Year Released/Rating: 2010 R

Starring: Dong-gun Jang, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush

Written By: Sngmoo Lee

Directed By: Sngmoo Lee

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Western

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

  • The painting in the saloon is a parody of Edouard Manet's famous "Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe" (itself a copy of Raimondi's engraving "The Judgment of Paris"), with the setting changed to the prairies, and buffaloes and tepees in the background.

Summary: A warrior-assassin is forced to hide in a small town in the American Badlands after refusing a mission.

Review: A very strange movie, but I liked it.  A master swordsman in the Old West.  Cowboys versus ninjas, just an awesome, interesting idea.  The movie is just gorgeous.  I love the settings and the overall look of the movie.  It has a surreal quality.  The side characters are all way too fun, especially Eight-Ball.  There are some beautiful shots in this movie.  A definite must see.

Best Bits: 

  • Lynne: [throwing knives blindfolded] You dead?   Yang: Not yet.
  • Yang: We are called sad flutes because when you cut the throat, the last sound is like a sad flute.   Lynne: Dang! Skinny, you sure know how to throw a dang cat in a party room, don't cha.
  • Lynne: By saving me we've ruined every new thing you've found here.   Yang: This new world without you, not so new.
  • Ronald: You've done good on this garden - for a laundry man.  Yang: You do good shooting - for a drunken man.
tags: 4 stars, action, New Movie Month, Old West
categories: Movies
Monday 02.18.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

NMF #16: Immortals

Title: Immortals

Year Released/Rating: 2011 R

Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans,

Written By: Charley Parlapanides, Vias Parlapanides

Directed By: Tarsem Singh

Genre: Action Fantasy

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

  • Director Tarsem Singh described the film as being "done in Renaissance painting style".
  • Luke Evans plays Zeus - he appeared a year earlier as Zeus' son Apollo in Clash of the Titans.

Summary: Theseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.

Review: The story and characters aren't anything spectacular, but I must say it is pretty. Singh knows how to make a movie look real and unreal at the same time.  It's just beautiful.  The play of light and shadows set the right tone for the movie.  It was an entertaining two hours spent while job searching.  I guess that's really all I can ask for in a movie: it entertained me.

Best Bits: 

  • Zeus: It's not living as such that's important, Theseus. It's living rightly.
  • Phaedra: To those whom much is given, much is taken away.
tags: 4 stars, action, fantasy, greek and roman myths, New Movie Month
categories: Movies
Saturday 02.16.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Fire Storm by Rachel Caine

Title: Fire Storm (Weather Wardens #5)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2006

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 320

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: What's in a Name - Fire; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Bingo -- 4 from series

How I Got It: I own it

Putting aside the personal chaos that has plagued her, rogue Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin must rally the remnants of the Weather Warden corps against a double threat-the Djinn who have broken free from Warden control, and a cranky Mother Earth who's about to unleash her full fury against the entire world.

Every time I get about halfway through one of these novels, I start to lose interest.  And then I really get back into it and race towards the end.  I love the twists and turns Caine infuses this series with.  Every time I think I know where the story is going, she throws in something new.  I love Joanne and her journey.  Plus, we get the reappearance of some other great characters: Rahel, Lewis, Cher, Kevin, etc.  This particular volume ends on such a huge cliffhanger, I can't wait to get to the next book.

Weather Warden:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
SeriouslySeries02 (1920).jpg
Whats-in-a-Name-6 (1920).jpg
Mount-TBR (1920).jpg
tags: 4 stars, action, paranormal, Rachel Caine
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 02.16.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

NMF #15: Seven Samurai

Title: Seven Samurai

Year Released/Rating: 1954

Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima

Written By: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni

Directed By: Akira Kurosawa

Genre: Action, Drama

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

  • Toho pulled the plug on the project several times when it ran over budget, forcing director Akira Kurosawa to go back and personally argue with the board of directors who were convinced they were making a flop.
  • First use of a scene which is now commonplace in cinema: The approaching horde coming into view as they crest a hilltop, specifically when Kikuchiyo sees the mounted bandits approaching.
  • Akira Kurosawa did not get along well with actor Yoshio Inaba, (Gorobei), deriding and yelling at him for most of the shoot. Although Inaba worked once more appeared in a minor role in Kurosawa's Throne of Blood, Inaba apparently found the experience of shooting Seven Samurai so stressful that he limited the amount of film work he did after it.
  • Akira Kurosawa's ancestors were samurai, roughly up to a hundred years before he made this film.
  • Kurosawa designed a registry of all 101 residents of the village, creating a family tree to help his extras build their characters and relationships to each other.

Summary: A poor village under attack by bandits recruits seven unemployed samurai to help them defend themselves.

Review: This movie is shot beautifully.  Every scene is stages exactly with lighting, scenery, and blocking.  Kurosawa even adds the quiet still shots to give us a scope of the film.  Each of the characters has a sense of history and purpose, even the village extras.  This isn't just a story of the seven samurai, but an entire culture.  We see the struggles and triumphs of the people.  I'm glad I finally watched this movie (J's been bugging me for ages).  It is truly a cinematic masterpieces.  Kurosawa was the Orson Welles of his day and place.

Best Bits: 

  • Gisaku: Find hungry samurai.
  • [on taking Katsushiro as a student] Kambei Shimada: You embarrass me. You're overestimating me. Listen, I'm not a man with any special skill, but I've had plenty of experience in battles; losing battles, all of them. In short, that's all I am. Drop such an idea for your own good.  Katsushiro: No Sir, my decision has been made. I'll follow you sir.  Kambei Shimada: I forbid it. I can't afford to take a kid with me.
  • Kikuchiyo: You fool! Damn you! You call yourself a horse! For shame! Hey! Wait! Please! I apologize! Forgive me!
  • Gisaku: What's the use of worrying about your beard when your head's about to be taken?
tags: action, drama, foreign film, New Movie Month
categories: Movies
Friday 02.15.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

NMF #14: The Black Hole

Title: The Black Hole

Year Released/Rating: 1979 PG

Starring: Maximillian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster

Written By: Jeb Rosebrook, Bob Barbash, Richard H. Landau, Gerry Day

Directed By: Gary Nelson

Genre: Action Adventure

Star Rating: 5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

  • To film the special effects, Disney originally wanted to rent the Dykstraflex camera system that was created for Star Wars (the first computer-controlled camera) from Industrial Light & Magic. However, the price and rental terms were unacceptable so Disney created its own version instead. What resulted was Disney's A.C.E.S. (Automated Camera Effects System), which was radically superior to the Dykstraflex system; the Mattescan system, which enabled the camera to move on a matte painting (that was previously impossible); and a computer-controlled modeling stand.
  • Dr. Reinhardt's ship was originally called the Centaurus. It was renamed Cygnus after the constellation where the first known black hole was discovered in 1964.
  • At the time of its release, the movie featured the longest computer graphics sequence that had ever appeared in a film: the "green grid" sequence that appears under the opening titles.
  • Almost all of the dialog in the film was re-recorded by the cast during post-production looping (ADR) - with the exception of only a couple of lines.
  • This was regarded as the last big special effect production to be made under the "old studio system." All of the elaborate special effects were created within the Disney studio and not farmed out to outside special effects companies.

Summary: A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole.

Review: This is one of those movies that J was amazed that I haven't seen.  Of course, we had to rectify that tonight.  This is a treasure.  I loved the story, the design, the effects, the actors.  For 1979, this just looks amazing.  Dr. Reinhardt is a mix between a James Bond villain and Captain Nemo.  In fact, the entire Nemo is a lot like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but in space.  The rest of the crew are fun and very logiacl in their behavior.  Plus the dialogue is a lot of fun.  And the sets look great for the year.  There is a great consistency to the universe.  I can't believe I've never seen this.

Best Bits: 

  • Dr. Hans Reinhardt: Some cause must have created all this, but what caused that cause?
  • Lieutenant Charles Pizer: Vincent, were you programmed to bug me?  V.I.N.CENT: No, sir, to educate you.
  • Kate McCrae: If there's any justice at all, the black hole will be your grave!
  • [after first seeing the black hole]  Lieutenant Charles Pizer: Every time I see one of those things I expect to spot some guy dressed in red with horns and a pitchfork. Dan Holland: It's a monster, all right. V.I.N.CENT: A rip in the very fabric of space and time.
  • Lieutenant Charles Pizer: When I volunteered for this mission, I never thought I'd end up playing straight man to a tin can.
  • Dan Holland: It's only dinner.  V.I.N.CENT: Said the spider to the fly.
  • V.I.N.CENT: A wolf remains a wolf, even if it has not eaten your sheep.
  • Dr. Hans Reinhardt: Maximilian, the time has come to liquidate our guests.
tags: 5 stars, action, adventure, Disney, New Movie Month, science fiction
categories: Movies
Thursday 02.14.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

NMF #11: Centurion

Title: Centurion

Year Released/Rating: 2010 R

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Dominic West, Olga Kurylenko

Written By: Neil Marshall

Directed By: Neil Marshall

Genre: Action, adventure, drama

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Where I Got It: Netflix

Trivia:

  • German archaeologists have found evidence of the 9th Legion on the banks of the Rhine River and carbon-dated them long after these events took place, suggesting that rather than being wiped out, the reason that there is no evidence of the 9th Legion being in Scotland after these battles is that they moved to Germany.
  • The Picts in the film are speaking Scots Gaelic. No written record of the Pictish language exists, but historians believe the modern language most similar to theirs is Welsh. However, director Neil Marshall thought viewers would be confused by a tribe in Scotland speaking Welsh.
  • Neil Marshall shot the film in such hard conditions that some cast members suffered health problems. As written in the Independent: Noel Clarke recovered from frostbite.JJ Feild quit smoking because of hypothermia. Michael Fassbender survived shirtless sprinting in sub-zero temperatures to become the next Daniel Craig".
  • The Picts were generally thought to not have worn any clothes. However, seeing as the film was being shot in the wilds of Scotland in the depths of winter, it was decided that they should wear something.

Summary: A splinter group of Roman soldiers fight for their lives behind enemy lines after their legion is decimated in a devastating guerrilla attack.

Review: 

I'm such a sucker for these pseudo historical movies.  I always like to see how filmmakers portray events in history.  Thankfully for Marshall, there is very little evidence of what happened to the Ninth Legion in Britain.  I enjoyed the movie.  I enjoyed the storyline.  I enjoyed the characters.  Nothing knocked my socks off, but it was a good afternoon's viewing.

Best Bits: 

  • [first lines]  Centurion Quintus Dias: [narrating] My name is Quintus Dias. I am a soldier of Rome, and this is neither the beginning nor the end of my story.
  • Carlisle Messenger: I have a message for your general. Now, point me in his direction before I have you flogged. General Titus Flavius Virilus: Who are you? Carlisle Messenger: I'm the personal envoy of Governor Agricola. General Titus Flavius Virilus: I suggest you get down off that horse and give me your message before I have you flogged!
  • Arianne: [trying to fish downstream of Quintus as he urinates] Is that fer bait? Centurion Quintus Dias: [startled] Where I come from it's considered rude to interrupt a man mid-flow. Arianne: Where I come from it's considered only fair to warn a man when he's pissin' on his breakfast.
  • Centurion Quintus Dias: Brick, put the fuckin' knife away.
tags: action, historical fiction, New Movie Month
categories: Movies
Tuesday 02.12.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

Windfall by Rachel Caine

Title: Windfall (Weather Wardens #4)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2005

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 342

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Genre - Paranormal; What's in a Name - Up/Down; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W7

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin's stormy personal life is taking its toll on her patience-and her powers. But when the truce between the Wardens and the mystical Djinn starts to self-destruct, Joanne finds herself forced to choose between saving her Djinn lover, saving her Warden abilities-and saving humanity.

The fourth novel in the Weather Warden series and I'm still into it.  I was feeling a bit rocky after Chill Factor; not quite sure where the series was going, and not sure I want to stay with it.  Thankfully the fourth book has gotten back on track with new characters and new twists and turns.  The additions of Cherise and Sarah livened up the general storyline and setting.  Plus we get tons more mystery as to what is really going on with the weather.  I won't spoil the surprise, but I was intrigued.  I must definitely read the next book to see how this plays out...

Weather Warden:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
Genre-Variety (1920).jpg
Whats-in-a-Name-6 (1920).jpg
Mount-TBR (1920).jpg
52-books (1920).jpg
SeriouslySeries02 (1920).jpg
tags: 4 stars, action, paranormal, Rachel Caine, Wicked Valentine's
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 02.11.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

NMF #2: Ip Man

Title: Ip Man

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Donnie Yen, Simon Tam, Siu-Wong Fan

Directed By: Wilson Yip

Written By: Edmond Wong, Chan Tai-Li

Genre: Action, Drama

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia: Although it's the first film centering around Yip Man, the idea of doing a Yip Man biopic have been conceived for as long as 30 years. Donnie Yen was actually slated to play Yip Man in the supposed first biopic that was about to go into production in 1997. The film would've also featured Stephen Chow playing an adult Bruce Lee. However, only one day of shooting took place before the project was canceled.

Summary: A semi-biographical account of Yip Man, the first martial arts master to teach the Chinese martial art of Wing Chun.

Review: 

I was in the mood for something actiony...  and J suggested this movie.  He has introduced me to many martial arts movies and I must say that this has been my favorite so far.  I love the storyline.  The history of the story is so poignant.  This isn't a mystical land, but something based on a true story.  But it's the action scenes that make this movie amazing.  I loved seeing all the different styles of fighting.  Now I want to see Ip Man 2.  It looks great.

Best Bits: 

Miura: [after witnessing Ip Man single-handedly defeat ten Japanese fighters at once] What's your name?  Ip Man: I'm just a Chinese man.

tags: 5 stars, action, Day Zero Project, New Movie Month
categories: Movies
Saturday 02.02.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

James Bond Movie Month(s)

#12 on my Day Zero Project is to watch all of the James Bond movies.  I haven't seen that many of the old ones.  Thankfully, we own all of them.  I insisted that we watch them chronologically with regard to release date.  Originally this was going to take place during the month of January.  As you can see, that just didn't happen.  And so James Bond Movie January became James Bond Movie Months.  Instead of full reviews of each movie, I'm just going to list, comment, and rate them.  All in all, it was an enjoyable time watching Bond through the years.

  1. Dr. No (1962) -- Set in Jamaica.  A great introduction to Bond and Mr. Connery.  Of course there are cheesy lines and improbably circumstances.  But I love all of it.  Extra points for Dr. No's unbelievably amazing island lair.  And that Ursula Andress, too perfect to look at. 5/5
  2. From Russia with Love (1963) -- Set in Istanbul.  This one was more political and full of intrigue than the big action sequences.  There are action sequences, just not as many as Dr. No.  I really liked the slower pace and more twists and turns of this one.  5/5
  3. Goldfinger (1964) -- Ohhhh... definitely a fun movie.  Great lines.  A great villan.  Even a great Bond girl.  Definitely one of my favorites. 5/5
  4. Thunderball (1965) -- Not my favorite Bond movie.  Two bright spots: Bond villan Fiona and the big underwater fight scene at the end.  It's a bit ridiculous and not really practical, but crazy enough to fit into a Bond film.  Love it!  4/5
  5. You Only Live Twice (1967) -- Set in Japan.  Volcano lair!  Awesome!  And we get Blofeld.  My only complaint is the women.  They try to not be eye candy, but it ends badly.  4/5
  6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) -- So incredibly cheesy.  Definitely not my favorite.  I doubt this is even going in the top 10.  3/5
  7. Diamonds are Forever (1971) -- Loving this one...  Something about the plot or maybe the characters that I really enjoyed.  5/5
  8. Live and Let Die (1973) -- The first Roger Moore Bond movie.  I love how he plays Bond, much suaver than Connery.  And yes, this really is the best theme song.  5/5
  9. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) -- Really loving the Roger Moore Bond.  He has a way of saying the cheesiest, creepiest lines and somehow they come off sexy.  Love it!  This one was great mostly because of Christopher Lee as the villain.  I could have done without Goodnight.  5/5
  10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) -- Definitely not my favorite... there's just something about it (maybe too cheesy) that didn't sit right with me.  The only redeeming parts were Jaws and the giant aquarium set.   3/5
  11. Moonraker (1979) -- Loved it!!!  So cheesy, but in a very good way.  And that space battle at the end was to die for.  And we get Jaws and the villan is uber evil.  5/5
  12. For Your Eyes Only (1981) -- This one just didn't do anything for me.  No giant villain lair.  No great one liners.  A pretty boring Bond girl.  The only bright spot in this one was Topol.  Even Bond was looking a little old and tired.  It was 81, so we get some horrendous fashions.  The nail in the coffin: the horrible Sheena Easton theme song; definitely one of the worst. 2/5
  13. Octopussy (1983) -- Bond's looking a bit old, but overall I like this movie.  The mystery woman is intriguing for a little while, but then she just feels flat.  And the chase through the Indian marketplace is too amusing.  3/5
  14. A View to a Kill (1985) -- A fitting end for Roger Moore as Bond.  I loved the Duran Duran theme song.  Christopher Walken and Grace Jones as the villans were perfect.  And the final showdown on top of the Golden Gate bridge was full of suspense.  Extra bonus points for the "Bond drives an odd vehicle for the chase" scene was in a fire engine.  5/5
  15. The Living Daylights (1987) -- Our first Timothy Dalton.  And I must agree with J on this one: I like the dialogue but the stunts are way too cheesy.  Dalton plays Bond a lot harsher than Moore, more like Connery. 4/5
  16. License to Kill (1989) -- Uber cheesy Timothy Dalton.  I just couldn't take this one at all.  Glad we've moved on to something better.  2/5
  17. GoldenEye (1995) -- Ohhh  Pierce..  Good but not quite as good as some of the others.  Although I really do enjoy this one.  And Sean Bean dies, who would have guessed?  Although I must agree with J that 006 would never have been a double agent.  5/5
  18. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) -- Not as awesome as GoldenEye, but a respectable showing for Bond.  I love Christopher Price as a villain.  He has the right mix of crazy and evil genius.  And Teri Hatcher isn't bad as a Bond girl (probably because she gets killed fairly quickly in the movie).  But the best part of the movie is the soundtrack.  I love it!  5/5
  19. The World is Not Enough (1999) -- The opening action sequence is just great fun, but then the movie starts to go downhill.  Once I started to suspect Elektra King, I just lost complete interest in the movie.  And then we get the introduction of Christmas Jones.  Ugh!  3/5
  20. Die Another Day (2002) -- Once again, the opening action in North Korea is just beautiful.  The pacing is great.  The character are fun.  And more than anything, it's believable.  The sword fight with Gustav (Toby Stephens -- forever my Mr. Rochester) is a lot of fun.  Unfortunately the rest of the storyline is just blah.  I couldn't really get into it.  An invisible car!  Just kill me now, please. One upside: the use of The Clash's "London Calling" was just a great bit of fun. 4/5
  21. Casino Royale (2006) -- Goodness I so love this one.  Craig has the best mix of sauve and rugged sides.  I usually don't like the Bond girls, but Vesper is a different sort of character.  Overall the movie has great pacing and action sequences.  The addition of Felix is a nice reminder of the old movies.  And the opening credits are just amazing. But the best part is the black and white opening sequence.  5/5
  22. Quantum of Solace (2008) -- At first I didn't think I would like the "starting right where the last one left off" timeline, but this made sense with who Craig's Bond is.  I loved seeing Matthas and Felix yet again.  Fields is just annoying, but she serves her purpose and dies.  I do love the idea of an out of control Bond.  Very nice. 5/5
  23. Skyfall (2012) -- Looking forward to this one...
My Bond rankings:
  1. Sean Connery
  2. Daniel Craig
  3. Roger Moore
  4. Pierce Brosnen
  5. Timothy Dalton
  6. George Lazenby

tags: 101 in 1001, action
categories: Day Zero Project, Movies
Tuesday 05.29.12
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: xXx

Title: xXx

Year Released/Rating: 2002 PG-13

Starring: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Asia Argento

Directed By: Rob Cohen

Written By: Rich Wilkes

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: Stunt player Harry O'Connor was killed when he hit a pillar of the Palacky Bridge in Prague, para-sailing during one of the actions scenes. The accident occurred while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film.

Cheesy action fun.  If we actually start to pick apart the movie, there are so many odd little mistakes and issues, but overall this film makes me smile.  I love the crazy action fun.  And Vin Diesel is too fun as an action hero.  So enjoy.

Best Bits: 

Milan Sova: First you set me up in the bar. Then you shoot me in the back.
Xander Cage: My boss does it to me. I did it to you. It's a vicious circle.
~~
[after a police SWAT team crashes in on his party]
Xander Cage: Okay, I'll turn down the music.
~~
Toby Lee Shavers: [showing Xander the darts to the revolver] Datura knockout darts. POW! Guy goes down for 12 hours, wakes up, doesn't know who the hell he is, and his head's splitting like a cord of firewood.
[starts laughing]
Xander Cage: I was shot twice with those.
~~
Xander Cage: See that guy there? In the suit made out of motel drapes? That's a cop.
~~
[last lines]
Gibbons: Oh by the way, you passed the test. The Gibbons Test.
Xander Cage: You gotta be kidding me.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Wednesday 10.05.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Star Trek

Title: Star Trek

Year Released/Rating: 2009 PG-13

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Written By: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Gene Roddenberry

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: The film's teaser trailer (welders working on the half-built Enterprise starship, amidst narration from U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Leonard Nimoy's Mr Spock) was personally directed by J.J. Abrams. Real welders were brought in to film the trailer. The words of Spock and Kennedy were taken from the 1960s (the decade where Star Trek began) and thus linked past and present, enhancing the film (as well as hinting at the time-travel). According to Roberto Orci, Kennedy's words were also chosen as he was the one who started the "space race," and so would be appropriate for a space film: "If we're going to have a Federation, it makes sense for Kennedy and his words to be in there."

Extra Trivia: To prepare for his role as Captain James Kirk, Chris Pine watched classic episodes and read encyclopedias about the Star Trek universe. However, his research was rudimentary, as he wanted his performance to be original and not an imitation of William Shatner. He based his performance on Tom Cruise's Maverick and Harrison Ford's Han Solo and Indiana Jones, heroes who Pine felt possessed the archetypal hero qualities Kirk has (humour, arrogance, decisiveness).

Once again we skipped Q for the next letter.  And this time we went for action.  I love J.J. Abram's re-imagination of the Star Trek universe.  It's fresh without compromising the original tv show and movies.  I especially love Chris Pine's Kirk.  He plays it as that arrogant bastard that somehow you still like.  It's a perfect fit.  I also love the little nods here and there to the original.  It has a nice nostalgic nod.  As much as I like this one, I am concerned about the sequel being planned.  J.J. Abrams doesn't have the best track record when it comes to continuations  He has great ideas, but then makes the show more complicated and confusing.  Hopefully he has good people to help guide the sequel.

P.S. This also appears on IMDB's Top 250 movies list.  So it's counting for my Day Zero Project also.

Best Bits:

Christopher Pike: I'm Captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking? Nero: Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero. ~~

James T. Kirk: So what type of combat training do you have?

Hikaru Sulu: Fencing.

~~ Spock volunteers for what could be a suicide mission] I'm coming with you. Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it. James T. Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. James T. Kirk: [slaps his shoulder] ~~ Christopher Pike: Russian whizkid, what's your name? Chanko? Cherpov? Pavel Chekov: Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich, sir. ~~ Christopher Pike: Be careful with the ship Spock, it's brand new... ~~ Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp. Scotty: Well... James T. Kirk: Don't answer him. Spock: You will answer me. Scotty: [pause] I'd rather not take sides. ~~ Spock: Get him off this ship.

tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Friday 09.23.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

A to Z Movies: Ocean's Eleven

Title: Ocean's Eleven

Year Released/Rating: 2001 PG-13

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

Written By: George Clayton Johnson, Jack Golden Russell, Harry Brown, Charles Lederer, Ted Griffin

Star Rating:  5 /5 stars

Trivia: During the several takes it took to shoot the scene in which Rusty and Linus are spying on Tess as she is introduced coming down the stairs, Brad Pitt, who plays Rusty eating shrimps from a shrimp cocktail, ate 40 shrimps.

Extra Trivia: The script was sent to Julia Roberts with a $20 bill attached. Included was a note from George Clooney that said "I hear you're getting 20 a picture now". This of course is a joke referencing Julia Roberts becoming the highest paid actress at $20 million per picture.

Classic movie!  I absolutely adore Brad Pitt and George Clooney.  Their banter is just gorgeous.  And the setup is just too fun.  And there's so many interesting people in this movie: Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Casey Afleck, Scott Caan, Matt Damon.  I love, love, love this movie so much. A great night.

Best Bits: 

Rusty: Did someone call for a doctor?
~~
Turk Malloy: I'm gonna get out of the car and drop you like third period French.
~~
Danny: Why do they always paint hallways that color?
Rusty: They say taupe is very soothing.
~~
Rusty: [on Danny walking out of prison in a loosened black-tie suit] I hope you were the Groom.
Danny: [on Rusty's attire for picking him up from prison] Ted Nugent called, he wants his shirt back.
~~
Basher: It will be nice working with proper villains again!
~~
Virgil Malloy: Are you a man?
Turk Malloy: Yes, nineteen. Virgil Malloy: Are you alive? Turk Malloy: Yes, eighteen. Virgil Malloy: Evel Knievel. Turk Malloy: ...shit.
~~
Reuben: What? Did you guys get a group rate or something?
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Monday 09.19.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Title: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Year Released/Rating: 2005 PG-13

Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody

Directed By: Doug Liman

Written By: Simon Kinberg

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: When Jane is going to her first shown kill, she correctly answers a question from the quiz show Jeopardy!. This was unscripted and spur of the moment on the part of Jolie.

Extra Trivia: When the Smiths are holding hostage "The Tank",Adam Brody's character, he is wearing a t-shirt from the 1999 "Fight Club" movie,in which Brad Pitt played one of his most well known roles,Tyler Durden.

J's pick tonight.  I voted for lighter action.  Something not too serious, but with some good dialogue and action sequences.  And we picked Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  I especially love the dialogue and looks in this movie.  Jolie and Pitt have an awesome way of communicating without speaking.  I love it!  And we get Vince Vaughn popping in here and there h some great lines.  Overall, a good fun lighter action film.

Best Bits: 

Eddie: Tell me you got smart and that you killed that lying bitch.
Jane Smith: This lying bitch?
Eddie: Guess that was just wishful thinking. ~~
John Smith: [angry that Benjamin had blown their cover] You burn the picture after you get the assignment! It's the first thing you learn!
Benjamin: Oh, I must have missed that day. Just like you missed the one about not marrying the enemy.
~~
John Smith: Web of lies!
~~
John Smith: [just before running over an assassin with the minivan] These fuckers get younger every year.
~~
Jane Smith: Any last words?
John Smith: The new curtains are hideous.
~~
Martin Coleman: Shame about the red oak.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Friday 09.16.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Jurassic Park

Title: Jurassic Park

Year Released/Rating: 1993 PG-13

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Written By: Michael Crichton and David Koepp

Star Rating:   4.5 /5 stars

Trivia: When the T-Rex comes through the glass roof of the Explorer in the first attack, the glass was not meant to break, producing the noticeably genuine screams from the children.

Extra Trivia: The full-sized animatron of the tyrannosaurus rex weighed about 13,000 to 15,000 pounds. During the shooting of the initial T-rex attack scene that took place in a downpour and was shot on a soundstage, the latex that covered the T-rex puppet absorbed great amounts of water, making it much heavier and harder to control. Technicians worked throughout the night with blow driers trying to dry the latex out. Eventually, they suspended a platform above the T-rex, out of camera range, to keep the water off it during filming.

I remember seeing this in the theater and being scared out of my mind.  I didn't even read the book until later.  And once I did read it, I realized that the book is even scarier.  It's still one of my favorite films from my preteen years.

The opening scene is just fantastic.  There's no explanation.  No exposition.  Just action.  We see an encounter with one of the dinos, we don't really know which one, and the tragic results.  Obviously if we pay attention later in the movie we know that the accident happened at the Raptor cage.  Just a great establishment of tone for the rest of the movie.  Once our scientists get to the island, everything seems nice and happy.  But we should all be remembering the opening scene.  It's just great.  And the score!  Oh the score!  It's just amazing.  My favorite scene has to be with the initial encounter with the T-rex.  The rain, the mud, the Jeeps, the kids.  All so very scary.  Overall, I love it!

Best Bits: Almost all of them come from Malcolm... no surprise here.

Dr. Alan Grant: Oh my God. Do you know what this is? This is a dinosaur egg. The dinosaurs are breeding.
~~
John Hammond: All major theme parks have had delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked!
Dr. Ian Malcolm: But, John. If the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.
~~
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Anybody hear that? It's a, um... It's an impact tremor, that's what it is... I'm fairly alarmed here.
~~
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Remind me to thank John for a lovely weekend.
~~
Dr. Ian Malcolm: God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs...
Dr. Ellie Sattler: Dinosaurs eat man. Woman inherits the earth...
~~
Dr. Ian Malcolm: But again, how do you know they're all female? Does someone gone into the park and, uh... pull up the dinosaurs' skirts?
Henry Wu: No, we control their chromosomes. It's really not that difficult. All vertebrate embryoes are inherently female anyway. They just require an extra hormone given at the right developmental stage to make them male. We simply deny them that.
~~
Dr. Alan Grant: [holding a newly-hatched Dinosaur in his hands] What species is this?
Henry Wu: It's uh, a velociraptor.
Dr. Alan Grant: [in disbelief] You bred raptors?
~~
Tim: [after the tour car falls upside down on them at the bottom of the tree] Well... we're back... in the car again.
Dr. Alan Grant: Well, at least you're out of the tree.
~~
Dr. Ian Malcolm: If there is one thing the history of evolution has taught us it's that life will not be contained. Life breaks free, expands to new territories, and crashes through barriers, painfully, maybe even dangerously, but, ah, well, there it is.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Sunday 09.11.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Iron Man

Title: Iron Man

Year Released/Rating: 2008 PG-13

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Terrance Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Written By: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

Star Rating:   5/5 stars

Trivia: The script was not completely prepared when filming began, since the filmmakers were more focused on the story and the action, so the dialogue was mostly ad-libbed throughout filming; Jon Favreau acknowledged this made the film feel more natural. Some scenes were shot with two cameras to capture lines improvised on the spot;Robert Downey Jr. would ask for many takes of one scene since he wanted to try something new. Gwyneth Paltrow, on the other hand, had a difficult time trying to match Downey with a suitable line, as she never knew what he would say.

Extra Trivia: Agent Phil Coulson repeatedly states he is a member of the 'Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division' (finally shortening it to SHIELD). In the comics, the SHIELD agency originally stood for the 'Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage/Law-Enforcement Division', then in 1991 was revised to the 'Strategic Hazard Intervention/Espionage Logistics Directorate'.

Tonight I wanted some action and not a quirky comedy.  We chose between Indiana Jones (my pick: The Last Crusade) and Iron Man.  Obviously we went with Iron Man.  I think the main reason I love this movie is Robert Downey Jr.  He is Tony Stark.  He's not an actor playing Tony Stark.  He really is Tony Stark.  In interviews Robert Downey Jr.further described his portrayal of Stark as "a challenge of making a wealthy, establishmentarian, weapons-manufacturing, hard-drinking, womanizing prick into a character who is likable and a hero."  That's it, right there.  He's an asshole, you want to hate him, and yet you still really root for him.  And speaking of, Jeff Bridges is the ultimate villain.  He's that slimy businessman that runs a bit of double dealing on the side.  He's making you money, but also has higher aspirations.  Watch out for him!  So nicely done.  I really appreciated it.  Especially since Mickey Rourke's villan in Iron Man 2 is so week.  At least Justin Hammer is fun to watch.  Definitely my favorite of the Avengers movies so far.

Best Bits: 

Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: [walking in on Stark's robots trying to get him out of the Iron Man suit] What is going on here? Tony Stark: Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing. Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Are those bullet holes?
~~
Tony Stark: [reading the newspaper] "Iron Man". That's kind of catchy. It's got a nice ring to it.
~~
Tony Stark: Give me a scotch. I'm starving.
~~
Tony Stark: Hmmm. Your eyes are red. Tears for your long lost boss?
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Tears of joy. I hate job hunting. Tony Stark: Yeah, well, vacation's over.
~~
Agent Phil Coulson: I'm Agent Phil Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: That's quite a mouthful. Agent Phil Coulson: I know. We're working on it.
~~
Agent Phil Coulson: This isn't my first rodeo, Mr. Stark.
~~
Obadiah Stane: [discussing the company's future with Tony] We're iron mongers, we make weapons.
~~
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: Agent Coulson, I just wanted to say thank you very much for all of your help.
Agent Phil Coulson: That's what we do. You'll be hearing from us. Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: From the Strategic Homeland... Agent Phil Coulson: [interrupting] Just call us SHIELD.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Sunday 09.11.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: The Fifth Element

Title: The Fifth Element

Year Released/Rating: 1997 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker

Directed By: Luc Besson

Written By: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: The language spoken by Leeloo was invented by director Luc Besson and further refined by Milla Jovovich. By the end of filming they were able to have full conversations in this language.

So F...  Hmm... We definitely have an odd collection of movies for F.  We sat there for about 5 minutes, I narrowed it down to three, J picked The Fifth Element out of that.  I think it partly has to do with the fact that over dinner we were talking about how many bad movies were made in the 1990s.  There are quite a load of them.  And we happened to pick a good 90s movie for our pick tonight.

You have to take this movie with a bit of camp.  Don't take it too seriously or it comes off as seriously cheesy.  That's why I like it so much.  A fun campy action film.  Complete with cheesy Bruce Willis lines and Chris Tucker being, well, Chris Tucker.  My favorite part has to be all the parallel shots.  We get the fight scene between Leelo and the nasties going on at the same time as Zorg is infiltrating the ship and Korben is watching the opera.  There are others, but that sequence is my favorite.  I just love the cuts in that scene.

Best Bits: 

Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg. Zorg: I know.
~~
[Father Cornelius and Ruby Rhod see the bomb stuck to the door]
Priest Vito Cornelius: It's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a - it's a...
DJ Ruby Rhod: No no no no no no. 'Cuz if it was a bomb, the alarms would go off 'cuz all these hotels have bomb detectors, right?
[the alarms sound]
~~
Korben Dallas: Whoa, lady, I only speak two languages, English and bad English.
[Leeloo continues to talk in divine language]
Korben Dallas: Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for conversation, but maybe you could just shut up for a moment?
~~
Korben Dallas: What's your name?
Leeloo: Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat.
Korben Dallas: Good. That... that whole thing's your name, huh? Do you have, uh... a shorter name?
Leeloo: Leeloo.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Thursday 09.08.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

A to Z Movies: Die Hard 4

Title:  Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard

Year Released/Rating: 2007 PG-13

Starring: Bruce Willis, Justine Long, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Kevin Smith

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Mark Bomback, David Marconi, John Carlin, Roderick Thorp

Star Rating:   4 /5 stars

Trivia: When introduced to an agent Johnson, McClane says: "Johnson, again?", a nod to the two agents Johnson in Die Hard, despite the fact that McClane and the two agents Johnson never spoke or met face to face.

J's choice tonight.  I was learning towards Dogma or Dark City.  He suggested Dave or Die Hard.  So we went with Die Hard.  It's been awhile since I've seen this installment.  Probably since it came out...  I'm almost always up for some good action film and this hit the spot.  I especially love Timothy Olyphant. He always play the creepy bad guy, but also the suave, could possibly be charming, bad guy.  Amazing!  And the stunts are fantastic.  The entire sequence in the refrigeration thing (towards the end) is just impossible.  And that guy, Rand, does almost all his stunts without wires.  That's just crazy!

Best Bits: 

Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car! John McClane: I was out of bullets.
Matt Farrell:[to Lucy] Wow, I know that tone. It's just weird hearing it come from someone... with hair.
John McLane [covering the webcam] You think you can, uh, find a track where he is?
Thomas Gabriel: Detective, covering the camera with your hand does not turn off the microphone.
[after the presidential montage]
Casper:That was creepy.
Trey: I tried to find more Nixon.
Thomas Gabriel: McClane? I thought I killed you already.
John McClane:  I get that sometimes.
John McClane: I know I'm not as smart as you guys with all this computer shit. But, hey... I'm still alive, ain't I? I mean, you've *got* to be running out of bad guys by now, right? Huh? Gabriel? Honestly, you can tell me. I mean, how does that work? Got some kind of service or something? Some kind of 800 number? 1-800-HENCHMEN? Oh, you know what? I bet you're still on hold with, "Can I get another dead Asian hooker bitch over here right away?"
[from the unrated version]
Matt Farrell: You just killed a helicopter with a car!
John McClane: Hundreds of thousands of people get killed by cars every year. That's just like four more.
[after Lucy struggles and shoots Emerson in the foot]
Thomas Gabriel:  Jesus Christ. You got her? [Emerson nods]
Thomas Gabriel: You're sure? It's a nice effort, though.
tags: A to Z Movies, action
categories: Movies
Tuesday 09.06.11
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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