Comments for Commentary Track http://commentarytrack.com movie reviews, news and discussion Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:26:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on DVD of the Week – Runaway Brides by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/21/dvd-of-the-week-runaway-brides/#comment-8500 Nir Shalev Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:26:30 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20280#comment-8500 Wow. I only know the first title, "It Happened One Night" because it's one of the greatest comedies ever made. Top 5, easily. Nice post, though. :O) And speaking of Johnnie To, last week I rewatched Mad Detective on blu-ray. It's a region free UK import and it's awesome; and the movie's also awesome. One of my favourite Johnnie To films. Wow. I only know the first title, “It Happened One Night” because it’s one of the greatest comedies ever made. Top 5, easily.

Nice post, though. :O)

And speaking of Johnnie To, last week I rewatched Mad Detective on blu-ray. It’s a region free UK import and it’s awesome; and the movie’s also awesome. One of my favourite Johnnie To films.

]]> Comment on Photo Play: Returner by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/20/photo-play-returner/#comment-8486 Nir Shalev Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:12:55 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=19523#comment-8486 This was an awesome movie. It was first time that I was introduced to Takeshi Kaneshiro and the bad guy, played by Gorô Kishitani was awesome. He's also terrific in Takashi Miike's tough but great Graveyard of Honor. This was an awesome movie. It was first time that I was introduced to Takeshi Kaneshiro and the bad guy, played by Gorô Kishitani was awesome. He’s also terrific in Takashi Miike’s tough but great Graveyard of Honor.

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Mike http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8481 Mike Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:30:02 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8481 Also, it isn't that often these days that a theatrical distributor (outside of Sony Pictures Classics and the much less active Funimation) mentions an Indianapolis theater as one of the locations at which their film will be playing in future weeks or months. So it struck me as noteworthy that Art Takes Over says that their upcoming crime comedy/drama Thin Ice- from co-writer/director Jill Sprecher (Clockwatchers, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing), and starring Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Billy Crudup- will be at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis starting March 2. There isn't anything on Landmark's Indianapolis page about this as of yet- A Separation is the only title slated to start at the KAC on March 2, as of now- so that may turn out to be wishful thinking on the distributor's part.... And by the way- don't look too closely at the cast list/character names for this one on the IMDb, as I did- there's an apparent spoiler buried there.... http://thinice-movie.com/theaters/ Also, it isn’t that often these days that a theatrical distributor (outside of Sony Pictures Classics and the much less active Funimation) mentions an Indianapolis theater as one of the locations at which their film will be playing in future weeks or months. So it struck me as noteworthy that Art Takes Over says that their upcoming crime comedy/drama Thin Ice- from co-writer/director Jill Sprecher (Clockwatchers, Thirteen Conversations About One Thing), and starring Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin, and Billy Crudup- will be at the Keystone Art Cinema in Indianapolis starting March 2. There isn’t anything on Landmark’s Indianapolis page about this as of yet- A Separation is the only title slated to start at the KAC on March 2, as of now- so that may turn out to be wishful thinking on the distributor’s part…. And by the way- don’t look too closely at the cast list/character names for this one on the IMDb, as I did- there’s an apparent spoiler buried there….

http://thinice-movie.com/theaters/

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Mike http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8479 Mike Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:11:04 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8479 According to the Movietickets.com page for the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis, the theater is holding over Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos for another week. There's a showing tonight at 9:40; otherwise, the screenings are at 12:45 (including today). And the documentary Naptown Rock Radio Wars- mentioned above for the screening on Monday night at the Yes Cinema in Columbus- also will have a three-day run starting this Wednesday (Feb. 22) at the IMAX Theater in downtown Indiananpolis. A preview for the doc can be found here: http://www.videopolis.tv/ According to the Movietickets.com page for the Georgetown 14 in Indianapolis, the theater is holding over Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos for another week. There’s a showing tonight at 9:40; otherwise, the screenings are at 12:45 (including today).

And the documentary Naptown Rock Radio Wars- mentioned above for the screening on Monday night at the Yes Cinema in Columbus- also will have a three-day run starting this Wednesday (Feb. 22) at the IMAX Theater in downtown Indiananpolis. A preview for the doc can be found here:

http://www.videopolis.tv/

]]> Comment on Movie Review – Chronicle (2012) by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/15/movie-review-chronicle-2012/#comment-8475 Nir Shalev Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:37:06 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20231#comment-8475 !!!DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE FILM!!! @3guys1movie, Andrew isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and we all know that anger clouds our judgement. When things go awry, Matt decides on inflicting rules so that the three of them don't stand out but Andrew doesn't want to follow rules. When his descent into madness commences, you'll notice that he plucks a school bully's teeth straight out of his mouth and in front of a crowd of people. At that moment, Andrew was terribly angry and didn't mind his surroundings. But in the later scene when he needs money for his mom's drugs, although he was upset, clearly he was of sound mind. He wanted to go in and out quickly and it backfired on him. Andrew's third act meltdown was appropriately within his characteristics; he went berserk and caused a tremendous amount mayhem. But that's who he is and it came back to bite him in the end. The aspect of Andrew controlling his camera with his mind was indicating progression, as explained by Matt when he read that their powers are similar to a rubber band: you stretch it more and more, developing more telekinetic powers and eventually make yourself stronger. Now here's he one thing that I dislike about found footage films: when it comes of horror films or thrillers that are based on true stories, at least one person needs to remain alive at the end so that they can tell their story to the public. But when it comes to found footage films, the very idea behind the film style allows the writers to kill off the entire cast because their footage is going to be found at a later date by a third party and is going to be edited together to produce a product that tells, coherently their tragic tale. The very idea of found footage films tells the audience from its genesis that the main cast is going to die, or at least most of them. Look at Trollhunter: the film opens with captions telling the audience that the film was reedited into it proper shooting sequence and that after many careful studies the footage appears to be 100% genuine. That's the screenwriter having fun with found footage storytelling and tells the audience right from the start that it's all just a big, fun joke. Look at Blair Witch: all three main characters died by its end, and inexplicably; also, everybody died in The Last Exorcism and also in Paranormal Activity, which is why every subsequent film in the PA series is a prequel to the previous (the third one, apparently goes into the 1980s). And lastly, it is possible that in their universe some students that don't watch a lot of TV and aren't nerds are unfamiliar with telekinesis. Believe me, it's possible. I hope that I've managed to clarify the film a bit more and tweaked what may seem like problems (and I'm glad that you didn't use the word plot holes because it'd be grossly misused). I also hope that you give it a second chance when it's on DVD/Blu-ray. I noticed that many people find Chronicle to be idiotic and I feel that they seem to confuse found footage films and reality; and that sucks because they're polar opposites. !!!DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE FILM!!!

@3guys1movie, Andrew isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and we all know that anger clouds our judgement. When things go awry, Matt decides on inflicting rules so that the three of them don’t stand out but Andrew doesn’t want to follow rules. When his descent into madness commences, you’ll notice that he plucks a school bully’s teeth straight out of his mouth and in front of a crowd of people. At that moment, Andrew was terribly angry and didn’t mind his surroundings. But in the later scene when he needs money for his mom’s drugs, although he was upset, clearly he was of sound mind. He wanted to go in and out quickly and it backfired on him.

Andrew’s third act meltdown was appropriately within his characteristics; he went berserk and caused a tremendous amount mayhem. But that’s who he is and it came back to bite him in the end.

The aspect of Andrew controlling his camera with his mind was indicating progression, as explained by Matt when he read that their powers are similar to a rubber band: you stretch it more and more, developing more telekinetic powers and eventually make yourself stronger.

Now here’s he one thing that I dislike about found footage films: when it comes of horror films or thrillers that are based on true stories, at least one person needs to remain alive at the end so that they can tell their story to the public. But when it comes to found footage films, the very idea behind the film style allows the writers to kill off the entire cast because their footage is going to be found at a later date by a third party and is going to be edited together to produce a product that tells, coherently their tragic tale.

The very idea of found footage films tells the audience from its genesis that the main cast is going to die, or at least most of them. Look at Trollhunter: the film opens with captions telling the audience that the film was reedited into it proper shooting sequence and that after many careful studies the footage appears to be 100% genuine. That’s the screenwriter having fun with found footage storytelling and tells the audience right from the start that it’s all just a big, fun joke.

Look at Blair Witch: all three main characters died by its end, and inexplicably; also, everybody died in The Last Exorcism and also in Paranormal Activity, which is why every subsequent film in the PA series is a prequel to the previous (the third one, apparently goes into the 1980s).

And lastly, it is possible that in their universe some students that don’t watch a lot of TV and aren’t nerds are unfamiliar with telekinesis. Believe me, it’s possible.

I hope that I’ve managed to clarify the film a bit more and tweaked what may seem like problems (and I’m glad that you didn’t use the word plot holes because it’d be grossly misused). I also hope that you give it a second chance when it’s on DVD/Blu-ray.

I noticed that many people find Chronicle to be idiotic and I feel that they seem to confuse found footage films and reality; and that sucks because they’re polar opposites.

]]> Comment on Movie Review – Chronicle (2012) by 3guys1movie http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/15/movie-review-chronicle-2012/#comment-8473 3guys1movie Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:23:39 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20231#comment-8473 We reviewed this a few weeks ago and my two partners in crime enjoyed this film much more than I did. I found the found footage annoying. As you described Andrew begins to make the camera float above him shortly after getting his powers. If they were going to do that then whey even bother bother with found footage? While I agree that typical high school kids would get into some hijinx, I felt the characters were dumbed down quite a bit. For instance they have to look up telekinesis in a dictionary and Andrew despite having the power to fly and knock down walls decides the best score to get some cash is the local gas and sip, really? We reviewed this a few weeks ago and my two partners in crime enjoyed this film much more than I did. I found the found footage annoying. As you described Andrew begins to make the camera float above him shortly after getting his powers. If they were going to do that then whey even bother bother with found footage?
While I agree that typical high school kids would get into some hijinx, I felt the characters were dumbed down quite a bit. For instance they have to look up telekinesis in a dictionary and Andrew despite having the power to fly and knock down walls decides the best score to get some cash is the local gas and sip, really?

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Mike http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8463 Mike Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:48:11 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8463 Sort of last minute-ish, but my first chance to post- the film Video Stop screens at the Imax in downtown Indy tonight at 7 PM; more info here: http://www.grillbust.com/index.html Sort of last minute-ish, but my first chance to post- the film Video Stop screens at the Imax in downtown Indy tonight at 7 PM; more info here:

http://www.grillbust.com/index.html

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Helen http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8446 Helen Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:19:14 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8446 @Doc: That's a high recommendation! Based on the consistently good reviews (and year to year good reviews), the animated shorts are one of the few areas where the Academy gets it right. @Ken: Thanks for the good wishes- I'll try my best. :-) The DVD of "The Godfather" is in the mail from Netflix. Now I just have to find time to watch it.... @Doc: That’s a high recommendation! Based on the consistently good reviews (and year to year good reviews), the animated shorts are one of the few areas where the Academy gets it right.

@Ken: Thanks for the good wishes- I’ll try my best. :-) The DVD of “The Godfather” is in the mail from Netflix. Now I just have to find time to watch it….

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Ken http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8425 Ken Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:55:18 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8425 I hope to join for the showing of Charade, but there is a chance I may be stuck in a meeting. It's been a long time since I've seen it, but it's good if you ask me. On another front, I checked to see if Netflix streams The Godfather, but no luck. Old tech will have to do. Good luck with the work/life balancing act in these coming weeks. I hope to join for the showing of Charade, but there is a chance I may be stuck in a meeting. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, but it’s good if you ask me. On another front, I checked to see if Netflix streams The Godfather, but no luck. Old tech will have to do. Good luck with the work/life balancing act in these coming weeks.

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Helen http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8424 Helen Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:47:11 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8424 @Michelle: lol As alluring as Reese is (to say nothing of Chris and Tom), I think I'll stick with Arrietty. We've missed you at the museum but don't worry, it's a lifetime membership. :-) @Michelle: lol As alluring as Reese is (to say nothing of Chris and Tom), I think I’ll stick with Arrietty. We’ve missed you at the museum but don’t worry, it’s a lifetime membership. :-)

]]> Comment on Thinking Outside the Multiplex in Indiana (February 17, 2012) by Doc http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/17/thinking-outside-the-multiplex-in-indiana-february-17-2012/#comment-8418 Doc Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:26:06 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20246#comment-8418 This year's animated shorts have a number of American and Canadian entries, and no French or Third World. Entries are joined by recommended items. The shorts program is a highlight of the year, showcasing talent and reminding us of both the technical skill of contemporary animators and the delight of the short film. My personal pick is the remarkable library entry, which is both technically sophisticated and emotionally moving. The session I attended applauded it, and the applause was deserved. This year’s animated shorts have a number of American and Canadian entries, and no French or Third World. Entries are joined by recommended items. The shorts program is a highlight of the year, showcasing talent and reminding us of both the technical skill of contemporary animators and the delight of the short film. My personal pick is the remarkable library entry, which is both technically sophisticated and emotionally moving. The session I attended applauded it, and the applause was deserved.

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8417 Nir Shalev Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:17:43 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8417 Oh, and I watched The Borrower Arrietty on Blu-ray about a half a year ago. It's pretty awesome. So if you can, see it in theatres. :O) Oh, and I watched The Borrower Arrietty on Blu-ray about a half a year ago. It’s pretty awesome. So if you can, see it in theatres. :O)

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8414 Nir Shalev Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:29:47 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8414 @Michelle, good. Because its version of Klaatu (played by Keanu Reeves), and I'm not making this up, comes down to Earth in order to destroy all of man kind because... here it comes: we have, apparently destroyed the environment and Klaatu believes that we're killing the planet. Now, if Klaatu was an intelligent being it would realize that the Earth was here for a very long time before there was any life on it (this goes against the Bible, I know :O)) and it would continue to exist without us for many more millenia because IT'S THE EARTH!!! It's nowhere near as frail as human beings! ...I don't even want to know who wrote that script... So yes, it's quite an awful film. :OD @Michelle, good. Because its version of Klaatu (played by Keanu Reeves), and I’m not making this up, comes down to Earth in order to destroy all of man kind because… here it comes: we have, apparently destroyed the environment and Klaatu believes that we’re killing the planet. Now, if Klaatu was an intelligent being it would realize that the Earth was here for a very long time before there was any life on it (this goes against the Bible, I know :O)) and it would continue to exist without us for many more millenia because IT’S THE EARTH!!! It’s nowhere near as frail as human beings!

…I don’t even want to know who wrote that script…

So yes, it’s quite an awful film. :OD

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Michelle http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8411 Michelle Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:56:02 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8411 That's what I hear. I don't plan on seeing the remake! That’s what I hear. I don’t plan on seeing the remake!

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8410 Nir Shalev Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:12:02 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8410 Re The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), having watched the remarkably and pathetically terrible remake it's safe to say that the original film is still more relevant today than the remake. There is simply no excusing it for sucking so much. Re The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), having watched the remarkably and pathetically terrible remake it’s safe to say that the original film is still more relevant today than the remake. There is simply no excusing it for sucking so much.

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Michelle http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8409 Michelle Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:57:15 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8409 Oh, and yes I can guess your pick for the week! Who can resist Reese Witherspoon? (HA, totally kidding). :) Oh, and yes I can guess your pick for the week! Who can resist Reese Witherspoon? (HA, totally kidding). :)

]]> Comment on Keeping Track (February 16, 2012) by Michelle http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/16/keeping-track-february-16-2012/#comment-8408 Michelle Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:55:09 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=20173#comment-8408 Ugh! I hate that I'm missing all of these gems at the IMA with the film crew. Phooey! I've been working into the evenings, and early Saturday mornings...like, arriving-at-5-a.m. early. When work slows down, I shall return. I hope membership doesn't expire. ;) This week, I did squeeze in Chronicle at the theater and loved it. That was such a nice surprise, because I didn't know anything about it, nor had I heard any reviews. It was one of those whims that paid off. At home, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Wow, the propaganda in that film! There was a dvd extra that showed a movie news reel that was played with the film, and it was so laughable! It's inderesting to see what attacks our sensibilities these days but just seemed normal then. God On Trial--a PBS Masterpiece special from awhile back about men in Auschwitz who put God on trial for the abuses they were suffering. Great cast, including Stellan Skarsgard. And Little Shop of Horrors AGAIN, because Sammy Terry hosted it on Valentine's night. :) Ugh! I hate that I’m missing all of these gems at the IMA with the film crew. Phooey! I’ve been working into the evenings, and early Saturday mornings…like, arriving-at-5-a.m. early. When work slows down, I shall return. I hope membership doesn’t expire. ;)

This week, I did squeeze in Chronicle at the theater and loved it. That was such a nice surprise, because I didn’t know anything about it, nor had I heard any reviews. It was one of those whims that paid off.

At home, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). Wow, the propaganda in that film! There was a dvd extra that showed a movie news reel that was played with the film, and it was so laughable! It’s inderesting to see what attacks our sensibilities these days but just seemed normal then.

God On Trial–a PBS Masterpiece special from awhile back about men in Auschwitz who put God on trial for the abuses they were suffering. Great cast, including Stellan Skarsgard.

And Little Shop of Horrors AGAIN, because Sammy Terry hosted it on Valentine’s night. :)

]]> Comment on Photo Play: Time After Time by Nir Shalev http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/13/photo-play-time-after-time/#comment-8407 Nir Shalev Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:21:32 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=19319#comment-8407 Why IBM? Why can't people take down Apple! Grr... I hate Apple! Why IBM? Why can’t people take down Apple! Grr… I hate Apple!

]]> Comment on Photo Play: Time After Time by Helen http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/13/photo-play-time-after-time/#comment-8405 Helen Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:46:49 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=19319#comment-8405 No, thank goodness! Civil cases for me. I'm providing trial presentation support in the state v. IBM contract case. No, thank goodness! Civil cases for me. I’m providing trial presentation support in the state v. IBM contract case.

]]> Comment on Photo Play: Time After Time by Richard Winters http://commentarytrack.com/2012/02/13/photo-play-time-after-time/#comment-8404 Richard Winters Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:31:02 +0000 http://commentarytrack.com/?p=19319#comment-8404 So, Helen, what kind of trial are you going to be working on? Is it some juicy murder case ala Perry Mason? So, Helen, what kind of trial are you going to be working on? Is it some juicy murder case ala Perry Mason?

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