JEFF & KEVIN AT THE MOVIES

[JCVaughn]

Okay, Uncle SIKO may have wussed out, but I'm here to talk about movies. That's what this category will be about, so hey, if you want to talk about Mike Solof, I'm afraid you're in the wrong thread.

JEFF & KEVIN AT THE MOVIES is a title Uncle SIKO and I came up with a long time ago.

And frankly my opinion is far more important than that of someone WHO DOESN'T SHOW UP.

I'll save KILL BILL for if he were to actually show up.

First entry, coming up next. Welcome aboard.

[JCVaughn]

This, quite simply, is a darn near brilliant film. While I quite frankly think that the language is a bit overdone (swearing as if to prove it can be done in film -- not news here, boys, try again next week), LOVE ACTUALLY features some sparkling dialogue and a fairly clever pattern in which the seemingly disperate plot threads are woven together.

Most of the performances are great, although a few are only good. At least none of them were phoned it.

Nicely done.

Very romantic. Kevin will love it.

JCV RATING: 4.5 (out of 5)
Okay to pay full price
Okay to take a date
Not so cool for young children (thought idiots will take them)

[JCVaughn]

There are two camps when it comes to Sofia Copola. There are those in the larger camp who don't think she's all that. And those in the other camp, the smaller one, who think she's just stunning.

I think she's just stunning. Too bad she's not in this film!

Instead, she directed it. And it's cool.

LOST IN TRANSLATION is Bill Murray at his finest, which is to say looking a lot like he's not acting when in fact he's turning in a rather wonderful, understated performance.

Elvis Mitchell --  of the always reliable NY Times  ;) -- wrote, "The director Sofia Coppola's new comic melodrama, 'Lost in Translation,' thoroughly and touchingly connects the dots between three standards of yearning in movies: David Lean's 'Brief Encounter,' Richard Linklater's 'Before Sunrise'" and Wong Kar-wei's 'In the Mood for Love.' All three movies are, in their way, about a moment of evanescence that fades before the participants' eyes - as is 'Translation.' ('Translation' also exhibits the self-contained, stylized lonesomeness found in post-punk, like New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle.')

What they heck does that mean? Seriously, aside from the fact that Elvis is way, WAY too in love with his own words and no editor is apparently powerful enough to trim his text, what they heck is he saying?

Only someone working for the Jason Blair Paper of Record could be so pretentious. So, ya know what, forget him.

This movie was blindingly oversold by the critics to the point where it couldn't possibly support its own PR. That said, don't worry. If you go in expecting a good movie, you'll get it and more. It' a really good movie. It might even be really, really good.

The trouble is that every time -- and it's pretty rare -- that we get a really good (or even really, really good) movie, it's been so long that the critics just go nuts and proclaim it the next ALL ABOUT EVE or CITIZEN KANE when it's really just the next SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL. In other words, it's good, not the best thing ever.

Well, this one's not the best thing ever, but if you'd like to see a thoughtful, warm, honest, thought-provoking film, see LOST IN IN TRANSLATION.

JCV RATING: 4 (out of 5)
Okay to pay full price
Okay to take a date
Not so cool for young children (thought idiots will take them), but really only 'cause they'll be bored.

[JCVaughn]

Really gripping battle scenes. Made me want to attack France (which is, like, the same reaction I have to warm weather, a good football game, or a Twinkie). Good performances (not great, but solid and good). Beautiful camera work. Cool ships.

I found myself bracing as the ship prepared for battle. That was unexpected and a wonderful surprise.

JCV RATING: 4.0 (out of 5)
Okay to pay full price
Okay to take a date (though it's a man's film)
Not so cool for young children (thought idiots will take them and if it's put in contect I don't really hate the idea)

[Doc Furious]

Did you see where Elvis Mitchell rapped about all the source music in "Kill Bill"?  Man, where's that link --too funny.

So where's Kevin? ???

[JCVaughn]

I love Michael Crichton's books, I like his movies, but I don't like that many movies made from his books.

This is an odd case, though, because I haven't read Timeline.

That doesn't mean that I couldn't see this one coming. The plot is fairly predictable, but it's the kind of predictable that could still be awesome with the right script and the the right cast (and maybe the right budget).

No one was really bad. No one was dreadfully awful. But no one was great either. At one point Rosina asked me, "9-11?" What she meant, of course, was "4-12?" She gets confused like that, but that's a series of columns (if not a novel) unto themselves.

"4-12" is the universal code for overacting (Thank-you, Stan Freberg). And she was sort of right.

It was sort of boring. And it shouldn't have been.

JCV RATING: 2 (out of 5)
Okay to pay mantinee
Okay to take a date  
Not so cool for young children (because it will insult them).

[BillyTucci]

This topic's a bust
:P

[JCVaughn]

This topic's a bust
:P

If you lose some weight, you won't have to worry so much about your bust.

[JCVaughn]

Did you see where Elvis Mitchell rapped about all the source music in "Kill Bill"?  Man, where's that link --too funny.

So where's Kevin? ???

Kevin is a putz.

Much like Elvis Mitchell.  :o

[JCVaughn]

I only wish I was kidding. This is him.  :o

[flerk]

I only wish I was kidding. This is him.  :o

Let's be supportive and hope he at least has a nice pair of shoes and some clean underwear.

[Weldon]

I only wish I was kidding. This is him.  :o

I don't know what was the saddest part...
The fact that was REALLY HIM, or the fact that the Destro costume at the show was better!

[JCVaughn]

{Here's what I put in Scoop today}

Well, I liked it.

I am stunned to admit it, but I liked the new Battlestar Galactica. Vividly remembering the first time I saw the original, I never expected to say that.

They simply did a horrible job in how they chose to promote it. Having spoken with many other fans of the original, we as a group were pretty much expecting the worst.

The story was great. The dialogue was so-so. Whether intentionally or not, they fell back on the Star Trek shtick of repeating catch phrases until they were sure the idiot audience (us, that is) got it. The characters were good and many cases more rounded than the original, with the exception of the guy playing Apollo (They must have spent millions finding someone who is actually stiffer than Richard Hatch).

They also fell into one other typical Star Trek routine, and it was pretty annoying. This shouldn't be surprising considering where the production team came from, but they took the revered founders from the original, the Lords of Kobol, and elevated them to gods (modern Star Trek loves alien gods, but there are no Jews, Christians or Muslims in space, apparently). The original show was definitely monotheistic and even fairly spiritual. In a time where family entertainment is sorely lacking, it would have been better to retain this element of the original. It really dimmed the ending of the mini-series from great to merely enjoyable.


Here's a report on how it did and maybe more to come:

http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/3998.html


We'll see if wussy Kevin, who didn't like it, will join us.

[JCVaughn]

[BillyTucci]

JCV,

But I'm sure more along the lines of seeing an old favorite.  I've always loved the storyline and it was lots of fun watching the recreation.  Many little tidbits and complaints (the brig was WAY too large for a ship where space is at a premium), but overall the basic premise and retelling was very exciting.  Damn, they had to use the old Vipers (and that Galactica was so formidable) because the antiquated machines weren't on the current defense link.  

I liked the idea of the tough female pilot, but they should've dropped the "Starbuck."  Also it would have been nice to have Richard Hatch as "Apollo" in the present tense who perhaps became President and dies.  

My biggest gripe was that Boomer is a Cylon.  They gave her much too many emotional moments, but I would like to see her naked spine glow...

But overall, loads of fun and I've watched it twice.

[Delvie]

RETURN OF THE KING

This movie was incredible. The scenery of this movie was beyond epic. It was the perfect culmination of the LOTR Trilogy.   Even if you hadn't seen the preceeding movies, this movie could stand alone on it's merits. Yes, the plot is predictable, but rarely are movies not a little predictable these days.

PRO:
         

• The soundtrack to this was magnificent.
           
• I was in awe of the mountain city of Minas Tirith from the 1st view  & each consecutive view afterwards.
             
• The Olifants! Wow. Who needs horses when you have Olifants? Why would you want horses when you could import Olifants? These beasts of burden were unbelievable.  Originally, I thought the cave trolls (from the 1st movie) were impressive, but these Olifants by far dwarfed cave trolls & the amount of damage a battle trained Olifant did was nothing short of startling.  Olifants are 4-6 tusked Eliphants whose size rival the AT-AT walkers from the snow dunes of The Empire Strikes Back..
             
• Battles. There might be an occasional battle in this movie. If you look close, you'll see them.  
             
• The battle @ the gates of Mordor. There are many moments & scenes of valor in the movie. None are as humbling & awe inspiring as Borimor's last gasp defense of Merry & Pippin (my fav battle scene from ANY movie)[1st movie], but seeing the remaining remnants of the Gondor & the Rohan Armies encircled by an Orc army outnumbering them 20 to 1 & then the final defiant charge took my breath away.
             
• The Gate of Gondor. The foam carved architecture throughout this movie is phenomenol, but the gate has me lusting & planning one for my future home.

CON:
           

• Gaps. There are many unexplained gaps in info in this movie. ie. How Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas & the Living Dead end up on the Corsairs' ships. (These will be explained in the DVDs(another rant for another time).
             
• Chemistry. Ok. Suspending my imagination to cover animals & hominid races that don't exist in this world should allow me to overlook the obvious things like 2 hobbits being IN a volcano as well as being trapped on the side of a volcano completely surrounded by lava flows & not suffocating from sulfer & carbon dioxide fumes, but I still found myself saying... "but they should be dead!"
  

RATING: 4.5 (out of 5)
Okay to pay full price  
Okay to take a date (& a supply of Kleenex)  
Okay for young children but toddlers will likely be frightened by loud noises. The biggest problem that this movie could pose for young children is the fact that this movie is 3.5 hrs long. It's hard for adults not to get ADD if not interested, I imagine a child not interested drag to this movie might not enjoy it.



 The one thing that I have long griped about concerning the movie industry & DVD production is the extra or unused scenes. FINALLY, Peter Jackson & Co come along & do the obvious thing. Instead of having deleted scenes on a menu separated from the movie like everyone else has done, he has re-inserted ALL the scenes back into the movie. This not only extends the movie into a more enriching experience,  but also answers many questions asked  & fills in the gaps after the theater experience. It is my hope that this is a catalyst for the future of DVD production.

[Doc Furious]

Great - so now I gotta pay for a flick twice esp if I wanna see Chris Lee's death scene?  Fooey - tighten up the editing, Pete.  Ease up on the kleenex inducing false endings.

[JCVaughn]

Really liked RETURN OF THE KING. Saw it with Uncle SIKO, who also liked it but is like a freightened young fawn when it comes to posting.

Loved the preview for Spider-Man 2.

More detailed report when I'm back from Texas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanuka to all concerned.

Happy New Year, too!

[JCVaughn]

Kevin is still a wuss. Called out by Solof, called out by Weldon, geez...

The Uncle SIKO I knew would never do that.

And yeah, I called him up and he promised to post an experience had with a Iraq vet...

and still nothing.

The silence continues.

If we, collectively, were an abusive ex girlfriend, he'd still be posting.

(What that means, I don't know.)

Anyhow...

What movies have you seen?

[JCVaughn]

Don't know how long this has been out on DVD, but it's one of my favorite B-grade '80s films. Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfiefer are great. Loads of cameos. BB King soundtrack (written by Ira Newborn).

Limited extras.

(Scene selection is NOT an extra, and neither is a "collectable booklet.")

[JCVaughn]

Originally aired on MTV, 13 episodes, 2 disks, picked it up at Best Buy for about $22.

Wow! I didn't watch much of this series when it was on -- I think anyone surprised by MTV's classless Super Bowl halftime show either hasn't watched MTV or is a congenital idiot -- but again, WOW!

Great plots, good dialogue, very interesting visuals, good sound effects and over all superior voice talent.

I watched the entire series in two sittings. That's pretty compelling stuff!

Anyone else seen this? What are your thoughts?

[JCVaughn]

Robert Rodriguez is truly an inspiration.

This guy is liberating the filmmaking process from Hollywood. Many will not survive the liberation.

The extras on the DVD are worth the price of admission.

*10 Minute Flick School (see also El Mariachi, Desperado, Spy Kids 2)

* 10 Minute Cooking School (watch the movie first, you'll get it, and yes, seriously)

* Tour of Troublemaker Studios (AWESOME!)

There's more... and it's all interesting.

I didn't like the movie as much as I loved Desperado (it is growing on me, though), but it's very hard to overstate Rodriguez's contributions to guerilla filmmaking.

Viva Rodriguez!

[JCVaughn]

Rosina doesn't keep reminding me that she likes many movies. This one, though, keeps coming up again and again.

Guys, it's a chick flick that is not only funny, but it's a pretty solid movie over all.

Gals, it's a chick flick that will not produce squirming, mumbling or even longing looks at the remote.

Whenever it arrives on DVD, enjoy it.

[JCVaughn]

Haven't seen the disk yet (going after work), but I'd recommend this one on the movie alone.

Well, not really, unless it's cheap. I hate disks with no extras. Sometimes even if they're cheap.

[JCVaughn]

Okay, this is a limited thumbs up.

Ed (now Edward) Burns made The Brothers McMullen and She's The One. Neither of them is incredibly brilliant, but they are both really good films.

This one is a lot more not incredibly brilliant, and that's frustrating because it definitely has flashes of brilliance.

The dialogue is great. At times Burns is clearly mainlining Woody Allen. The trouble, for me, is that I can't tell if he means to be doing so.

I think he is, but I just can't tell. And I haven't read enough about this film to say.

Regardless, GREAT casting. Good performances (or better) all the way around. The characters all have good voices.

The hang-up for me is that all the characters have distinct voices, except that all of them come across as lapsed Catholics, which only one character makes a point of expressing.

This, to me, is Burns putting his own voice on each of thes characters. I've been to New York. There are a lot of different people there. Heck, I've been to my life, there are a lot of different people there. If the story was supposed to be a story of lapsed Catholics, okay then, that's the story. Hollywood is very limited in its spiritual outlook (alien religions are okay, but no Jews, Muslims or Presbyterians in space, please) and Burns doesn't find it within himself to have his characters think differently on this type of thing.

It's not that I'm looking for a sermon here. I'm looking for the underpinnings of the characters, which otherwise seem very interesting, but he's fostering his own bleakness on all of his characters. This tacit agreement between them, unspoken, in a way limits the natural confict.

I would still recommend this for film fans... just that after She's The One I expected more.

Anyone know if this is the only film he's directed since going Hollywood?