95. Bound - (1996)
Before the Wachowski siblings created The Matrix, they made this tight, tough crime thriller with lipstick lesbians (Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly) as the heroes. Beautifully shot and composed, the deep shadows comment on the characters' situations and risky decisions. Joey Pantoliano provides excellent dramatic and comedic support.
94. Die Hard 2 - (1990)
The first (and best) sequel upped the language and the body count but was smart enough to keep the same basic plot as its predecessor (the best action film of all-time). The snow is a terrific addition, but several characters (like Dennis Franz) are unnecessarily annoying. William Sadler would be considered a great bad guy if it weren't for Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber.
93. In the Line of Fire - (1993)
Clint Eastwood plays the only active Secret Service Agent who was working in Dallas on 11/22/63. A new assassin (John Malkovich) taunts him as he plans to kill the current president. Their interactions both as characters and actors is first-rate. But Dylan McDermott's roll as the martyred partner is predictable at best. Rene Russo and John Mahoney bring life to their small roles, and director Wolfgang Petersen keeps things moving briskly and intelligently.
92. Affliction - (1998)
Nick Nolte and James Coburn go head to head as one of the screen's greatest father-son rivalries. Sissy Spacek and Willem Dafoe turn in equally impressive, but much more subtle performances. Coburn won a well-deserved Oscar and Nolte should have won as well. A lawyer favorite, this one climbs a little higher each year.
91. Shakespeare in Love - (1998)
Smartly written by Tom Stoppard and Marc Norman, this "behind-the-scenes" look at a then-struggling Shakespeare finding his voice (and his muse) is not only endlessly entertaining and wittily performed, it gives every struggling person out there (artist or not) hope that they may achieve greatness one day - with the right set of circumstances.
100. Glengarry Glen Ross
99. Dead Again
98. Ed Wood
97. True Romance
96. The Commitments
Friday, September 10, 2010
Best Films of the 90s - 95-91
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Song of the Day - Bleecker Street
By Simon and Garfunkel
If you caught the latest Mad Men episode last Sunday ("The Suitcase"), then you saw the series's best episode ever and TV's best hour in 2010. Don and Peggy working all night with one revelation and connection after another. Brilliant songs from the era often play over the closing credits and this folk classic hit the mood absolutely perfectly as the camera rolled away from Don's office.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The American, B+
In Theaters, 103 minutes, Rated R
Everything you’ve heard about The American is true. It’s slow, especially for a summer film marketed as a thriller. Release it in December and call it a drama, and you might not be hearing those complaints. It feels way more European than Hollywood. It’s gorgeous. George Clooney is playing it minimalist down the line. And the story arc is a bit tired. But, for my money, it still packs a punch. Of course, redemption’s the name of this game. Call me a priest, but I’m a sucker for that, as I am for George Clooney, Italian women, and European films shot on location. The American’s got all that in spades, so it’s no surprise I was smitten.
You might know director Anton Corbijn for his first film, the universally hailed biopic of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis Control. It’s more likely you know his photographic work for U2 (think the cover of Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby) or his videos (U2’s "One", Nirvana’s "Heart-Shaped Box"). Here, his photographer’s eyes pay dividends in every meticulously framed shot, wringing an austere beauty equally out of winter landscapes or a mechanic’s workbench. It doesn’t take a photographer’s touch to see the allure in electric Italian beauty, Violante Placido, but it’s hard to imagine how she could look better then she does through his lens. If Corbijn’s pacing is on the slow side, it’s never monotonous, but used to turn the screws on the tension until the springs pop and the violence rips through his carefully constructed world.
George Clooney plays Jack (or Edward, depending), an assassin and specialized firearm designer who’s laying low in an Italian village until his handler (Johan Leysen, I knew him from Swing Kids) can figure out who wants him dead. Clooney has never dialed it down this far before, stripping himself of almost everything but his looks and intelligence. Don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s not acting. Watch him closely and you’ll see the exact rhythms of a highly organized brain on display in every nuanced motion. The way he picks up tools, lays out metal, arranges his life. And notice the haunted, hunted look that never leaves his eyes. While in town, he makes an unlikely friend with a local priest with a past and starts frequenting, then dating, a local prostitute, the fore-mentioned Ms. Placido. Placido is perfection here, bringing a jolt to every scene, and, more importantly, making the closing scenes of the film plausible.
Corbijn’s symbolism can be a tad heavy-handed (calling Jack Mr. Butterfly TWICE, for instance), but he wants you to know that he’s interested in redemption and transformation-- that none of us is fully defined or limited by our pasts. Not an assassin. Not a prostitute. Not even a priest.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
DVD and Blu-ray Releases 9/7/10
Killers - #
MacGruber - #
Solitary Man - #
That Evening Sun - #
Chuck: 3rd Season - #
Criminal Minds: 5th Season
The Office: Season 6 - #
Smallville: 9th Season - #
Supernatural: 5th Season - #
Click below for this week's Blu-ray releases
The Black Dahlia
Forbidden Planet
In Cold Blood - *
Lost in Space
Mars Attacks!
The Matrix Reloaded - *
The Player - *
Poltergeist - *
A Scanner Darkly
The Skeleton Key
Stardust
THX 1138 - *
Tommy
# - also on Blu-ray
* - Doctor approved
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Weekend Box Office: 9/3-9/5/10
The American beat the Mexican but both are likely to have poor word of mouth in the following weeks: one for being slow and tedious; the other for being a racist gore-fest. The Drew Barrymore-Justin Long love-fest never got out of the starting blocks.
Title/Gross/%Change/Total
1. The American: 13 mil / NEW / 16 mil
2. Takers: 11.5 mil / -44% / 38 mil
3. Machete: 11.3 mil / NEW
4. Last Exorcism: 7.6 mil / -63% / 32 mil
5. Going the Distance: 6.9 mil / NEW
6. Expendables: 6.6 mil / -31% / 92 mil
7. Other Guys: 5.4 mil / -14% / 107 mil
8. Eat Pray Love: 4.9 mil / -29% / 69 mil
9. Inception: 4.5 mil / -7% / 277 mil
10. Nanny McPhee: 3.6 mil / -24% / 22 mil
11. The Switch: 3 mil / -33% / 21 mil
12. Vampires Suck: 3 mil / -43% / 32 mil
13. Despicable Me: 2.8 mil / -1% / 240 mil
14. Piranha 3D: 2.3 mil / -47% / 22 mil
15. Avatar: Special Edition: 2.3 mil / -43% / 7.8 mil
16. Lottery Ticket: 2.3 mil / -41% / 21 mil
17. Toy Story 3: 1.9 mil / +88% / 408 mil
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Song of the Day - Misery
by Maroon 5
Another catchy tune with lyrics that belie the pop sensibility. The video, featuring a masochistic Adam Levine, doesn't do the song justice. Yes, I acknowledge that my last 2 picks are unusual, being from the 21st century.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Song of the Day- Passion Pit
I know these guys aren't exactly new, but they're opening for Muse here in a month, so I figured I oughta brush up. Perfect for the beautiful weather we're having in my neck of the woods. Check out Little Secrets here. (and, for a bonus, here's their cover of Cranberries' classic Dreams)
Continue reading this postThursday, September 2, 2010
Best Films of the 90s - 100-96
This may take a while to get through, but if I don't start it, I won't feel obligated to finish it.
100. Glengarry Glen Ross - (1992)
David Mamet's play attracted one of the decade's best casts (Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, and a never-better Alec Baldwin) and sufficiently deconstructed male bonding, honor, survival, revenge, and conformity. One of Pacino's 5 best performances. And easily director James Foley's best film by a wide margin - though he probably never received a screenplay this good in his whole career. Tons (!) of language, as evidenced by this NC-17 trailer mash-up about Tourette's syndrome.
99. Dead Again - (1991)
Fresh off his Oscar nominated Henry V, Kenneth Branagh took a multileveled script from Scott Frank and created an exciting, suspenseful thriller. Branagh and Emma Thompson seem equally at home in modern day and the 1940s era. Andy Garcia and Robin Williams give excellent, frequently hilarious support. The Citizen Kane reference is a great moment, but the film never slows down to draw attention to all the film references Branagh throws at you.
98. Ed Wood - (1994)
It's faint praise to call this Tim Burton's best film. He certainly benefitted from Martin Landau's Oscar-winning performance. Casting Bill Murray in a bit role never hurt anybody either. All of Burton's nauseating, epileptogenic visual nonsense in his other films is put out to the pasture due to the stark black and white cinematography. Johnny Depp is hilariously stupid in the title role.
97. True Romance - (1993)
Drops farther down the list the further you are out from college because Clarence is essentially a impulsive screw-up breaking the law. But Tarantino's script still delivers terrific line after line and the unbelievable cast has a great time spewing it out. Brad Pitt is perfect as Floyd as is Gary Oldman as Drexyl. The Hopper-Walken scene is a stand-out, but I find the scene with Tom Sizemore and Chris Penn talking to their boss equally great.
96. The Commitments - (1991)
A cast of unknowns (including Glen Hansard on guitar) get together for the time-worn story of a group of musicians putting on one last great show for money. The humor is terrific but is just interstitial for the outstanding music numbers featuring the amazing voice of 16 year old Andrew Strong. Love the "Mustang Sally" and "Try a Little Tenderness" covers the most.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
HBO Sunday Night - 8/29/10
Entourage:
Porn Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Season 7, Episode 9
Johnny finally agrees to become a cartoon gorilla. Turtle offends his Mexican tequila contact by getting Mark Cuban interested in the business. Peter Berg decides to direct "Airwalker". And Vince professes his love for Sasha Grey. Adrien Grenier has been surprisingly great the latter half of the season - expressive and honest. Kevin Dillon is equally great, but he always has been. His question to Arnold (the dog) was priceless. So was Billy Walsh's pink bathing suit, tattoo and final line of the episode. Ari's public breakdown was tough to watch, but I did love the Godfather homage. B
Hung:
Fat Off My Love or I'm the Allergen
Season 2, Episode 9
I've only seen one public breakdown in my life - my very own on Christmas Day 2002. HBO gave us 3 in one night. In addition to Ari, Tanya and Ronnie ruined their professional and personal lives, respectively. Tanya beating her boss with a cheap pink belt was memorable but unrealistic. Ronnie humiliating himself to his colleagues and family was unbelievable and ridiculous. The best moment of the show occurred at the old Tigers' stadium when Ray discussed how the heart of Detroit had been torn out by money. The show stays relevant by addressing the economic hardship the country remains in. Tanya is near rock-bottom, but Ray appears to be getting the only thing he really wants - his whole family back. B
Monday, August 30, 2010
DVD and Blu-ray Releases 8/31/10
Harry Brown - #
Marmaduke - #
Once an Eagle
Red Riding Trilogy - #
Why Did I Get Married Too? - #
Brothers & Sisters: 4th Season
House, MD: Season 6 - #
NCIS: Los Angeles: 1st Season - #
Parenthood: Season 1
Sons of Anarchy: Season 2 - #
Vampire Diaries: 1st Season - #
Click below for this week's Blu-ray relases
Anchorman
Bad Lieutenant
Blair Witch Project
Deep Blue Sea
The Evil Dead
Hard Candy
High Tension
Open Water
Resident Evil: Extinction
The Score
Secretary
Wonderland
# - also on Blu-ray
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Emmy Awards
The Emmy Awards were tonight? Temple Grandin swept the TV movie part. Mad Men won its third straight best drama series. Modern Family and Glee won most of the comedy awards. Haven't seen either. Al Pacino won for his terrific performance as Jack Kevorkian. Jimmy Fallon hosted. The full list is after the jump.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
ERIC STONESTREET as Cameron Tucker Modern Family
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
JANE LYNCH as Sue Sylvester Glee
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
RYAN MURPHY, Director Glee
Pilot – Director’s Cut
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
STEVEN LEVITAN, Writer CHRISTOPHER LLOYD, Writer
Modern Family, Pilot
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
JIM PARSONS as Sheldon Cooper The Big Bang Theory
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
EDIE FALCO as Jackie Peyton Nurse Jackie
OUTSTANDING REALITY – COMPETITION PROGRAM
TOP CHEF BRAVO
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
MATTHEW WEINER, Writer ERIN LEVY, Writer
Mad Men Shut The Door. Have A Seat.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
AARON PAUL as Jesse Pinkman Breaking Bad
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
ARCHIE PANJABI as Kalinda Sharma The Good Wife
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
BRYAN CRANSTON as Walter White Breaking Bad
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
STEVE SHILL, Director Dexter The Getaway
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
KYRA SEDGWICK as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson The Closer
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
DAVE BOONE, Writer PAUL GREENBERG, Special Material Written By
63rd Annual Tony Awards
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL
BUCKY GUNTS, Director Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony
OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES
THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
JULIA ORMOND as Eustacia (Temple's Mom) Temple Grandin
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
DAVID STRATHAIRN as Dr. Carlock Temple Grandin
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL
ADAM MAZER, Writer You Don't Know Jack
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
CLAIRE DANES as Temple Grandin Temple Grandin
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR A DRAMATIC SPECIAL
MICK JACKSON, Director Temple Grandin
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR A MOVIE
AL PACINO as Dr. Jack Kevorkian You Don't Know Jack
OUTSTANDING MINISERIES
THE PACIFIC
OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE
TEMPLE GRANDIN
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
MAD MEN
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
MODERN FAMILY
Weekend Box Office: 8/27-8/29/10
Title/Gross/%Change/Total
1. Last Exorcism: 21.3 mil / NEW
2. Takers: 21 mil / NEW
3. Expendables: 9.5 mil / -44% / 82 mil
4. Eat Pray Love: 7 mil / -42% / 61 mil
5. Other Guys: 6.6 mil / -35% / 99 mil
6. Vampires Suck: 5.3 mil / -57% / 28 mil
7. Inception: 5.1 mil / -35% / 271 mil
8. Nanny McPhee: 4.7 mil / -44% / 17 mil
9. The Switch: 4.6 mil / -45% / 16 mil
10. Piranha 3D: 4.3 mil / -57% / 18 mil
11. Lottery Ticket: 4 mil / -62% / 17 mil
12. Avatar: Special Edition: 4 mil / NEW
13. Despicable Me: 2.7 mil / -42% / 236 mil
14. Scott Pilgrim: 2.5 mil / -53% / 26 mil
15. Salt: 1.9 mil / -44% / 113 mil
16. Dinner for Schmucks: 1.8 mil / -49% / 69 mil
17. Get Low: 1.7 mil / +145% / 3.7 mil
18. Step Up 3D: 1.2 / - 60% / 39 mil
19. Toy Story 3: 1.0 mil / -29% / 406 mil
Song of the Day, Betty Davis Eyes, Brandon Flowers
I know, I know, enough with the BF already. This is great, though.
Continue reading this postFriday, August 27, 2010
Em's back
Yes, I realize he's got the number one album and song (or did until this week), but Marshall's rap in the middle of this track is in a class by itself. Lil Wayne's none too shabby, either. And here is the rest of it.
Continue reading this postThursday, August 26, 2010
Song of the Day, When You Were Young (Acoustic), Brandon Flowers
Brandon Flowers sang this Killers classic last night in New York. Can't wait for his album to come out on September 14.
Continue reading this postA Prophet - A-
On DVD (2009). Rated R, 156 minutes. Trailer.
A Prophet is a French film about a low level criminal, Malik El Djebena, and his Darwinian ascent to the top of the French criminal system. Nominated by the Academy for Best Foreign Film in 2009, the film is a 'think-piece' that will require more than 1 viewing to fully digest. Malik enters prison and his plan to keep to himself is quickly disrupted when the ruling gang (the Corsicans) issues him an ultimatum: either he kills someone for them, or they kill him. After he agonizes over his task, he is slowly accepted by the Corsicans while being spurned by the muslims. He is a French Arab, which means that neither group really accepts him, but that he has a little bit of street cred with each sect. Click below for more on a gritty and lyrical film.
The film is bookended by Malik's entry and exit from prison. His gradual ascent is achieved through hard work, ruthlessness, luck and brains. In that way the film feels like an ode to survival. The film moves into "A" territory with its artful analysis of the impact of his actions on Malik's soul. Throughout the film he is haunted by his first victim, and his best friend's bout with cancer and his young family keep Malik tethered to who he is. 
The best sequences are on all of Malik's "day passes" where he gets to leave prison for 12 hours at a time and do the bidding of his Corsican leader and his own empire on the side. All of his interactions (especially the search at the airport) are first rate and show his uncanny knack for survival and strength.
I need to watch this again to really do this review justice. The film started at a B+, but rose quickly to an A- after thinking and reflecting on the film. Several sequences are stuck in my brain and I have grown very fond of Malik's character. One interesting note is how nice and humane the French prisons are. Worth the 2.5 hours.
P.S. Will Priest post in August?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Song of the Day - Corner of My Room, Turner Cody
Great Dylan-esque bluesy song with super-great lyrics. "I'm counting Lincolns and living in the corner of my room."
Continue reading this postNew Trailers
1. 127 Hours -
Director Danny Boyle tells the tale of the hiker (James Franco) who had to cut off his arm to save himself. Also with noted actress Kate Mara.
2. Conviction - Hilary Swank, Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo and Sam Rockwell star in this wrongful conviction/courtroom drama that looks cliched and great at the same time. Good trailer with excellent music.
3. Fair Game - Director Doug Liman (Swingers/Bourne Identity) directs Sean Penn and Naomi Watts in the story of Valerie Plame - looks great, but not sure I can get over the politics to enjoy it. The real life Plame is a joke.
4. Morning Glory - Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford in an odd couple dramedy that again looks cheesy but also good. Love prickly Ford.
5. Waiting For Superman - I must be going soft - this looks great. A documentary on education in America from the director of An Inconvenient Truth.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Song of the Day - I'm In Love With You, Jared Evan
Rap/Rock combo is reminiscent of Beastie Boys with a taste of Oasis(!?). Great chorus and delivery.
Continue reading this post