Friday, August 29, 2008
Contest: Black Sheep Goes Postal
Hello all ...
Black Sheep is giving away a few Uwe Boll signed posters and DVD copies of the film that has a 3.7 on IMDB, POSTAL! If you or someone you know whats in on the contest, please refer them to this link.
Black Sheep is giving away a few Uwe Boll signed posters and DVD copies of the film that has a 3.7 on IMDB, POSTAL! If you or someone you know whats in on the contest, please refer them to this link.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Black Sheep's Fall Foliage (Part 3)
Here it is, folks .. the last installment of my fall movie preview. Looking at November .. More specifically QUANTUM OF SOLACE, THE SOLOIST, AUSTRALIA, MILK and TWILIGHT. Well, more like laughing at TWILIGHT, really. Anyhow, be sure to catch Black Sheep's Fall Foliage: November.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Film Analysis or Moviegoer Experience?
When it comes to writing film reviews, there are two types of content to include. One is film analysis, in which the reviewer breaks the film down into its individual elements and goes into detail about each one. Another is moviegoer experience, in which the reviewer describes his or her emotions and thoughts going on during the movie. As far as I'm concerned, you pretty much need both to have an interesting review. Different film review styles may emphasize one over the other. Some critics have education in film and/or journalism and may be more capable to analyzing a film parts. Other critics may focus more on the experience of watching the film.
For me, I'm more in the latter category but I do my best with analyzing the film, even if it doesn't always go all the way. Keep in mind that I have no training in film or journalism. In real life, I have a science background but I love to write and watch movies.
This is just something I've been thinking about lately. I don't know if it's necessary to even discuss it, but I thought I'd see what you all think. So with that, what's your review style? Do you think certain ways of reviewing a film are better than others?
For me, I'm more in the latter category but I do my best with analyzing the film, even if it doesn't always go all the way. Keep in mind that I have no training in film or journalism. In real life, I have a science background but I love to write and watch movies.
This is just something I've been thinking about lately. I don't know if it's necessary to even discuss it, but I thought I'd see what you all think. So with that, what's your review style? Do you think certain ways of reviewing a film are better than others?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Anthony Delivers a Double-Dose of Ben Stiller
My latest reviews are of two movies with Ben Stiller, one in current release and one from ten years ago.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
There's Something About Mary (1998)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Black Sheep's VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA review
It is here and just as lovely as I had hoped. Penelope Cruz deserves an Oscar nomination! Check out Black Sheep's VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA review.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Vicky Cristina Barcelona review forthcoming
My review of Woody Allen's new movie is coming soon. Just got back from seeing it today and I'm very impressed. I'm thinking an A right now.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Black Sheep's Director Series: Woody Allen
In honour of Woody Allen's 40th feature, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA, I give you HANNAH ANNIE MANHATTAN ... a look back at 3 of Allen's best works.
Oh, and I added a blog poll on the side of the site so be sure to vote for your favorite summer blockbuster!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
FYI - Blog Action Day
A friend just emailed me about Blog Action Day. She writes:
"Blog Action Day is coming around again on October 15th. Last year [the first year they did this] 20,000 bloggers took one day to post on a common topic -- last year it was the environment, this year it's poverty.www.blogactionday.org
I just registered Film Gecko and will likely do a list of films about poverty, starting with Madonna’s wonderful documentary about poverty in Malawi, www.iambecauseweare.com.
They list all of the blogs, so another good way to get the word out, too.
http://blogactionday.org/en/blogs
"Blog Action Day is coming around again on October 15th. Last year [the first year they did this] 20,000 bloggers took one day to post on a common topic -- last year it was the environment, this year it's poverty.
I just registered Film Gecko and will likely do a list of films about poverty, starting with Madonna’s wonderful documentary about poverty in Malawi, www.iambecauseweare.com.
They list all of the blogs, so another good way to get the word out, too.
http://blogactionday.org/en/blogs
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Jane's "Clone Wars" Review
David - Sounds like we're on the same train of thought with "Clone Wars."
My review at Film Gecko
jane
My review at Film Gecko
jane
David's Clone Wars review forthcoming
Just got back from "Clone Wars" and I'll be writing my review tonight/this weekend.
Here's what I'm planning for the letter grade (and a hint for the approach I'll take for my review):
As a Film: D
As (as it should have been) a Direct-to-DVD or first six episodes of a children's TV show: B
Here's what I'm planning for the letter grade (and a hint for the approach I'll take for my review):
As a Film: D
As (as it should have been) a Direct-to-DVD or first six episodes of a children's TV show: B
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Black Sheep looks forward to the fall
Morning all ... Here is my first attempt at a Fall Movie Preview. The series is entitled BLACK SHEEP'S FALL FOLIAGE and this is the first piece, looking specifically at September.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Anthony FINALLY reviews The Dark Knight!
Well, I'm late, but it's about time. I've reviewed The Dark Knight after a month (I think it's a month) since its release. At least I can say that I liked it a lot.
Anthony's Film Review - The Dark Knight (2008)
Anthony's Film Review - The Dark Knight (2008)
Friday, August 8, 2008
"Pineapple Express" review forthcoming
Just saw "Pineapple Express." I'll probably be giving it an A- when I write my review tomorrow or Sunday. :-)
Olympic-Related Movies
In celebration of the 2008 Olympics, I thought I'd see if anyone has reviews of movies related to the Olympics that they wouldn't mind sharing here.
So far, I only have one.
Miracle (2004)
So far, I only have one.
Miracle (2004)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Black Sheep Reviews PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Directed by David Gordon Green
Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride and Rosie Perez
Private Miller: I feel like a slice of butter melting all over a big ol’ pile of flapjacks … yeah.
I’m pretty sure my mother always told me that smoking pot was bad for you. She’s my mother so, naturally, I always believed her. Now, I’m not so sure though. She couldn’t possibly have seen PINEAPPLE EXPRESS before making this assertion. If she had, then she would know that smoking only leads to hilarity and kinship. At least that is one of the many valuable life lessons I learned while watching the latest Seth Rogen vehicle to come off the Judd Apatow assembly line. I also learned that paranoia can be a very good thing, that friends who smoke together stay together and that James Franco actually has a drastically different side to his usual stoic, dry presence. I think most importantly though, I learned that stoner movies, when they’re done right like this one, don’t require the audience to smoke up heavily beforehand in order to have a good time. Albeit, I’m sure a whole other kind of good time would be had if you did.
You could see this movie as an opportunity for Rogen to push his pot smoking agenda onto unsuspecting youths that think of his as some sort of demi-God after last year’s one-two punch, KNOCKED UP and SUPERBAD, or you could just drop the act and enjoy the trip. Besides, smoking is hardly over glorified in this film. Every time Rogen, as Dale Denton, a crafty process server, lights up, he finds himself in a whole heap of trouble. He makes stupid mistakes that lead to his deeper and deeper into despair. And while watching Rogen alone is certainly entertaining, watching him get goofy with a buddy is even better. The buddy here is the unexpected Franco. Franco plays Saul Silver, the drug dealer to Dale’s drug doer. Get these two in a forest and give them a little herbal amusement and there is no telling how stupid they will get and how far out in space their minds will go. There is one sure thing though, weed brings these two together and their lives are better for it.
Thank goodness these two have each other because they could never endure what they need to go through all alone. Saul sells Dale some of his highest-grade bud, called pineapple express. It’s so rare, so exclusive, that after Dale witness a homicide and dumps his roach at the scene, he believes that it can be tracked back to him. Saul must then get involved as he is the sole distributor of pineapple express and therefore the whole thing can be traced back to him. In order to get out of their unfortunate bind, the two must go to the source and get the bad guys, including a feisty Rosie Perez as a crooked cop, before the bad guys, and gals, get them. Many a stoner has inhaled and embarked on zany adventures before these two but how many find themselves in high speed car chases or live-or-die bang-up’s or even fleeing scenes of explosive proportions? Well, I can’t say actually but I can say that none have been this funny in what feels like a very long time (what feels even longer if you actually are stoned).
Dale and Saul are the new stoner buddies, the new Harold & Kumar, if you will. They are accidental action heroes whose pot smoking both gets them in and out of trouble. Unlike the punks responsible for the most recent Harold & Kumar disaster, the people behind PINEAPPLE EXPRESS are actually interested in making a solid film, one with an engaging story and consistent character development. Director David Gordon Green (SNOW ANGELS) knows that just because his characters are stoned out of their heads 99% of the time does not mean his audience will be necessarily. The audience might want to shut off and have a great time, either naturally or enhanced naturally, and that does not mean that you don’t actually have to try. When I want to shut off, I like to be around good people and let the laughs roll. Watching PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is like hanging out with the guys and I already want to hang out with these guys again next weekend.
GRADE: B
Directed by David Gordon Green
Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride and Rosie Perez
Private Miller: I feel like a slice of butter melting all over a big ol’ pile of flapjacks … yeah.
I’m pretty sure my mother always told me that smoking pot was bad for you. She’s my mother so, naturally, I always believed her. Now, I’m not so sure though. She couldn’t possibly have seen PINEAPPLE EXPRESS before making this assertion. If she had, then she would know that smoking only leads to hilarity and kinship. At least that is one of the many valuable life lessons I learned while watching the latest Seth Rogen vehicle to come off the Judd Apatow assembly line. I also learned that paranoia can be a very good thing, that friends who smoke together stay together and that James Franco actually has a drastically different side to his usual stoic, dry presence. I think most importantly though, I learned that stoner movies, when they’re done right like this one, don’t require the audience to smoke up heavily beforehand in order to have a good time. Albeit, I’m sure a whole other kind of good time would be had if you did.
You could see this movie as an opportunity for Rogen to push his pot smoking agenda onto unsuspecting youths that think of his as some sort of demi-God after last year’s one-two punch, KNOCKED UP and SUPERBAD, or you could just drop the act and enjoy the trip. Besides, smoking is hardly over glorified in this film. Every time Rogen, as Dale Denton, a crafty process server, lights up, he finds himself in a whole heap of trouble. He makes stupid mistakes that lead to his deeper and deeper into despair. And while watching Rogen alone is certainly entertaining, watching him get goofy with a buddy is even better. The buddy here is the unexpected Franco. Franco plays Saul Silver, the drug dealer to Dale’s drug doer. Get these two in a forest and give them a little herbal amusement and there is no telling how stupid they will get and how far out in space their minds will go. There is one sure thing though, weed brings these two together and their lives are better for it.
Thank goodness these two have each other because they could never endure what they need to go through all alone. Saul sells Dale some of his highest-grade bud, called pineapple express. It’s so rare, so exclusive, that after Dale witness a homicide and dumps his roach at the scene, he believes that it can be tracked back to him. Saul must then get involved as he is the sole distributor of pineapple express and therefore the whole thing can be traced back to him. In order to get out of their unfortunate bind, the two must go to the source and get the bad guys, including a feisty Rosie Perez as a crooked cop, before the bad guys, and gals, get them. Many a stoner has inhaled and embarked on zany adventures before these two but how many find themselves in high speed car chases or live-or-die bang-up’s or even fleeing scenes of explosive proportions? Well, I can’t say actually but I can say that none have been this funny in what feels like a very long time (what feels even longer if you actually are stoned).
Dale and Saul are the new stoner buddies, the new Harold & Kumar, if you will. They are accidental action heroes whose pot smoking both gets them in and out of trouble. Unlike the punks responsible for the most recent Harold & Kumar disaster, the people behind PINEAPPLE EXPRESS are actually interested in making a solid film, one with an engaging story and consistent character development. Director David Gordon Green (SNOW ANGELS) knows that just because his characters are stoned out of their heads 99% of the time does not mean his audience will be necessarily. The audience might want to shut off and have a great time, either naturally or enhanced naturally, and that does not mean that you don’t actually have to try. When I want to shut off, I like to be around good people and let the laughs roll. Watching PINEAPPLE EXPRESS is like hanging out with the guys and I already want to hang out with these guys again next weekend.
GRADE: B
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
PG-13 Violence
This question is mainly directed toward Jane since she writes a column on family movie reviews.
In general I tend to not have a problem with violence in cinema. Whether it be the gore of the "Saw"/"Hostel" genre or the stylized action of a "Kill Bill"/"Wanted" genre I'm not one to wag my finger at filmmakers. I'm quite the opposite, I tend to be almost an apologist for such genres, explaining how the violence of hardcore horror films is used to generate a primal, almost animalistic, instinctual reaction in the viewer and the violence of some action films can be interpreted and appreciated as one would consider a dance. (The genre pioneered by John Woo is called "bullet ballet" for a reason.)
Where I see a moral question is rather in the violence in PG-13 films. I remember when I saw the first "Mummy" movie and being somewhat taken aback by the amount of violence and the number of people killed. The thing that bothers me is when we have violence without consequences taken in by children and adolescents. If you're an adult then you have the mental capacity and responsibility to understand what you're seeing. Not so if you're a child.
Now this isn't the filmmaker's responsibility, it's obviously the parent's. And the libertarian in me doesn't want to see any kind of government or authoritarian "solution" to the problem that would end up restricting or chilling filmmakers as artists. And part of me even questions how big of a problem it really is. Anyway... Thoughts?
In general I tend to not have a problem with violence in cinema. Whether it be the gore of the "Saw"/"Hostel" genre or the stylized action of a "Kill Bill"/"Wanted" genre I'm not one to wag my finger at filmmakers. I'm quite the opposite, I tend to be almost an apologist for such genres, explaining how the violence of hardcore horror films is used to generate a primal, almost animalistic, instinctual reaction in the viewer and the violence of some action films can be interpreted and appreciated as one would consider a dance. (The genre pioneered by John Woo is called "bullet ballet" for a reason.)
Where I see a moral question is rather in the violence in PG-13 films. I remember when I saw the first "Mummy" movie and being somewhat taken aback by the amount of violence and the number of people killed. The thing that bothers me is when we have violence without consequences taken in by children and adolescents. If you're an adult then you have the mental capacity and responsibility to understand what you're seeing. Not so if you're a child.
Now this isn't the filmmaker's responsibility, it's obviously the parent's. And the libertarian in me doesn't want to see any kind of government or authoritarian "solution" to the problem that would end up restricting or chilling filmmakers as artists. And part of me even questions how big of a problem it really is. Anyway... Thoughts?
Two Retro Reviews
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Jane's "Flash of Genius" Review
This is pretty cool. Had the opportunity to screen "Flash of Genius" at the Traverse City Film Festival today. It doesn't hit theaters until October, so I'll have the first review on IMDB.com. I don't think that's ever happened before. Just listed it, but probably won't show up for a day or two.
Here's the review (I loved it):
http://www.filmgecko.com/flash-of-genius-review-traverse-city-film-festival/
And if anyone's on Digg, appreciate any Diggs or Stumbles:
http://digg.com/movies/Flash_of_Genius_Review_Film_Gecko
jane
Here's the review (I loved it):
http://www.filmgecko.com/flash-of-genius-review-traverse-city-film-festival/
And if anyone's on Digg, appreciate any Diggs or Stumbles:
http://digg.com/movies/Flash_of_Genius_Review_Film_Gecko
jane
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Next review: the new Mummy movie
Just saw the new Mummy movie, I'm writing the review now. It's clearly the best in the series, that's not saying much, though.
David Swindle's Cinema Diary Volume 1
Hey everyone, I told you I was working on something big film criticism-wise. Here's a link to the first volume of my collected reviews. It includes all the reviews I wrote for WTHR from May '06 to April '08. Also included are some thoughts on my critical biases and philosophy on film ratings. I'd very much appreciate any of your thoughts. :-)
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