I am an avid watcher of movie trailers. I love them. In fact, the only reason why I make it to the movie theatre on time is so that I don't miss the trailers. 2 minutes of condensed romance, action, comedy, horror, etc. set to catchy music and with spitfire editing. I dig it. In fact, these days a lot of my love for trailers is attributed to the music selection. The other day I watched the trailer for the remake of Wes Craven's "The Last House on the Left". I loved Bergman's "The Virgin Spring" and so was itching to see Wes Craven's 1972 version of the ol' Swedish ballad, but have yet to find it anywhere. When I heard that it was to be remade I became wary. Not because I have any sort of loyalty to the original, as I've yet to see it, but because these horror remakes generally pale in comparison to the originals, and even when not being compared side-by-side, tend to be severely lacking in terms of quality film-making. After watching the trailer for the remake, however, I found myself itching to see it. Those clever little trailer editing folk used a lovely cover of Sweet Child o' Mind by Guns N' Roses by Swedish pop/folk singer Taken by Trees. What a beautiful, beautiful choice! It's certainly not an original idea to have the carnage and brutality of these horrific events heightened by having them juxtaposed next to a sweet, innocent, classic song (in fact, I'm under the impression that Wes Craven's film featured light and fun songs), but this particular song couldn't have been better selected in my opinion. I won't say much more, but post the video and a couple of other trailers where I was taken in by the music.
-Popcorn
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Lovely Trailer Music
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?
Lots of Reasons to Go to the Theatre in 2009
I've come across a lot of blogs that are now posting "Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2009" lists, and I thought I would do something similar too. This post is going to be dedicated to the films that I am looking forward to seeing in 2009. I also think it will be fun to look back at this list come 2010 and see what was great and what was terrible. However, this post does come with a warning because I think it is going to be a very long one (edit: I have decided it is probably a better idea to do this in a series of smaller posts), so only trudge ahead if you are committed. (And I also want to hear what films I've left off of this list that you are looking forward to!)
First up, we have one of my most anticipated films of the year, Ponyo on the Cliff. This film is directed by animated-film legend Hayao Miyazaki and animated by his studio, Studio Ghibli. Do I really have to add anymore? This is the guy who brought My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind into existence (and many, many more classics... too many to list them all here). Miyazaki has also been considering retiring from directing and animating since 1997, so any more films that we get from him should be considered blessings.
And even though I generally HATE English dubs of foreign films, I must say that Walt Disney (who is in charge of releasing Studio Ghibli films in North America) usually does a fantastic job with dubbing Studio Ghibli films, and has assembled an amazing cast of actors to lend their voices to the film. The assembled cast includes (but is not limited to) Cate Blanchett, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin, Betty White, and Cloris Leachman. If that is not enough to get you go to see this film in theatres, there is no hope left for you... Okay let's pretend you are living in a fantasy world where you are still not convinced to go see this film, here is my final argument to convince you. The exceptionally talented composer Joe Hisaishi is back to compose the score of Ponyo, and you can watch a clip of him conducting a piece of the score below.
The link to the High Definition trailer is here.
The Youtube trailer is below.
-Cigarettes
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Being Annette
"I've lived in the theatre since I was a kid, what I don't know about acting isn't worth knowing. Now, you may be 20 years old and just beginning, but I think you're a genius. You've got magnetism, but no idea how to use it. You have to grab the audience by the throat and say "Now, you buggers, you pay attention to me!" and remember this, when you're on the stage acting, theatre is the only reality, everything else, the world outside, what civilians call the real world, is nothing but fantasy and I bloody well won't let you forget it."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Rinko Kikuchi in The Brothers Bloom
A little side-note before we begin. The film The Brothers Bloom was originally supposed to be released on October 3rd, 2008, but Summit Entertainment in their infinite wisdom, decided to push back the release date to December 19, 2008. It was then delayed again from December to May 15, 2009 (limited) and May 29, 2008 (wide). I was fortunate enough to catch this gem at the Toronto International Film Festival, and so I hope all of you readers can bear with me while I gush about a supporting actress that no one else has likely seen. One of the reasons I chose Rinko (other than her being the most memorable supporting actress I've seen in 2008), is because I hope that this post will convince at least one reader to go out and see this film (and wonderful performance) when it does eventually come out in theatres. I will try to keep this post as spoiler free as possible.
Rinko Kikuchi plays Bang Bang, superb con artist and accomplice to the Brothers Bloom. The job that is given to her by director Rian Johnson is not an easy one. She has to share the screen with the likes of Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, and Mark Ruffulo, not to mention that her character is almost completely silent throughout the film. However, above all of this she still manages to steal the show right out from under them.
As I said before the character is almost completely silent throughout the film (territory I'm sure Ms. Kikuchi is familiar with), and Rinko must completely rely on glances, facial expressions, and gestures to express anything and everything she is feeling. Of course Rinko goes far beyond physical mannerisms and nuances, she creates a being that seems to be operating on a level higher than any of the con men in their troupe, and perhaps the audience as well. I am almost certain that Bang Bang is in absolute control of almost every situation that she is put in, and is generally able to maintain her composure at all times. This could have been a problem with a less talented actress because playing a character that always maintains composure and sees and knows everything, could have turned out quite dull. Lucky for us Rinko knows how to maximize her opportunities.
Although Bang Bang seems to be completely capable to do anything and everything, Rinko plays her with a certain sense of improvisation and openness. Any task that looks as though it required much planning and construction seems to be done on a complete whim by Bang Bang. This leaves a sense of playfulness when we see her onscreen that keeps the audience wondering what she will do next. When we see her working alongside the other actors, she adds touches of humor to every scene through her actions and reactions, which elevates and adds dimensions to the scenes she is in. She gives off energy that the other actors are clearly aware of and react to, which is generally the job of a supporting actress, no?
There is also the fact that Bang Bang is so damn cool. Just take a look at her wardrobe. She is easily the most awesome looking con man alive. This part could have been played in a way that made the character completely cold and inorganic, but Rinko plays her in such a way that even if the audience isn't playing at the same level as Bang Bang, we still end up wanting to know her or be friends with her. Or be her.
I know I left the movie theatre after the screening of The Brothers Bloom thanking whoever it was who had the great idea of casting Rinko Kikuchi in this part. I'm sure when you see her performance, you will be thinking the same thing.
- Cigarettes
[This post is part of the Supporting Actress Class of 2008 blog-a-thon happening over at StinkyLulu. You should head on over there if you haven't already and check out more of the entries from all the other bloggers. I know that's where I'll be.]
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Year in 4 Minutes
Above is a video made by Matt Shapiro (aka oyguvaltshappy) which pieces together some great moments from films that came out in 2008 (if you like the video above, you can also find his video chronicling 2007 here). I'm posting this video for a few reasons. First of all, I am a sap for this kind of thing so I thought I would share it with you all. Secondly it is also an easy way to inform you guys that a huge post about what I am looking forward to in 2009, is on its way shortly.
Lastly, this post is also here to remind any of you readers out there who might be interested that I will be participating in StinkyLulu's Supporting Actress blog-a-thon in a mere two days! So make sure you stick around long enough to see that. All of the details about the blog-a-thon can be found in my previous post or at the StinkyLulu's blog here.
P.S. If you have a blog too, you should also think about participating. It doesn't matter what the focus of your blog is, as long as you can dedicate one of your posts to a supporting actress in 2008. Think about it.
-Cigarettes
