I've seen a lot of movies in my life; most of them were crap! I've also suggested a lot of movies to people and was told that they had never heard of them. Here, now, is where I am going trough this same process with you, the reader.
Top 8 movies you might have never heard of that are actually good:
8- Sunset Park
Hmm, what's it about?
Coach Carter, but with a woman coach (actually well played by Dany Devito's wife, Rhea Pearlman) and a very similar story line where a young basketball team must overcome adversity. If you liked Coach Carter, you'll like this movie! It also stars a young Terrence Howard working a sweet KidnPlay fro.
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
Well, it was a low budget movie and it gained some following in the basketball world but was never marketed to the general audience. If you're into sports movies I highly suggest it! The basketball sequences are half decent as well (so hard to find in movies).
7- District B13
Hmm, what's it about?
One cop, one criminal, one nuclear bomb protected by an army of bad guys and a whole lot of action sequences.
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
First of all, its French (but please, PLEASE, don't let that put you off) and as most of you know, you've probably never watched a French movie before. If you've never heard of Parkour, watch this movie. Parkour is slowly gaining popularity in this world we live in and this movie jump started it in Europe. The action sequences are worth it alone. If that didn't convince you, Luc Besson wrote and produced (Fifth Element, The Professional, etc...)
6- Sunshine
Hmm, what's it about?
In the future, a small group of scientists/astronauts are sent to re-ignite the sun using a nuclear warhead (more nuclear bombs, I know).
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
Well it had a very limited theatrical release and was directed by Slumdog Millionaire oscar winner himself Danny Boyle. The average per theater was very strong however but it never got a major release. Dany has a way of making movies that mess with your head (Trainspotting, 28 days later). This one does as well; you really feel like you're part of the crew and feel their problems as they strive towards getting their job done amidst all the obstacles that come their way. It also stars a bunch of "that guy" or "that girl", ie: that guy from Fantastic Four (Chris Evans), that girl from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Michelle Yeoh), that dude from Die Hard 4 (Cliff Curtis), that bad dude from Batman Begins (Cillian Murphy) and that hot girl from Damages (Rose Byrne).
5- Bye Bye Love
Hmm, what's it about?
Paul Reiser, Matthew Modine and Randy Quaid are three divorced fathers who only get to see their kids on the weekend... Their situation forces them to deal with their issues in their own ways.
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
It's actually almost a chick flick for guys, especially if you're divorced father (I can only imagine this, not being divorced or a father myself). The story is very touching and it's more of a movie to be watching with your girlfriend and you can both enjoy it. This is for a more mature audience because the subject matter deals with adulthood -> I have no clue how I ever got to seeing this movie to be honest but I liked it! (No, no one is paying me write this).
4- Night Watch & Day Watch
Hmm, what's it about?
Two movies that follow each other about magicians, witches, shape shifters, vampires and werewolves living among us and fighting a secret war where us humans are trapped in the middle. Sounds sweet doesn't it!
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
Well, they are Russian movies and Night Watch never got a theatrical release in North America. Day Watch enjoyed a limited release in North America where no one went to see it (except me). The story is based on a series of books (Night Watch, Day Watch, Twilight Watch and The Last Watch) and the movies are just wonderful. The character development is very good; the action sequences are original and inventive. Both movies are directed by Timur Bekmambetov (that dude that directed Wanted) and the visuals are amazing. I highly suggest renting both and watching them back to back. Remember, night comes before day...
3- Memento
Hmm, what's it about?
A man with no long term memory tries to piece together the murder of his wife as the story is told in reverse (starts at the end and ends at the beginning).
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
Well, imagine pitching this movie to hollywood big shots: "So you see this guy can't remember anyting so he tries to piece together how his wife died but we show it to the viewer in reverse..." Yeah, so they didn't really market it but they did release it and some people went to see it but most people didn't get it. It gained a strong following once DVD's became popular because you could watch it again right after watching it (cuz you need to see it twice in a row to understand it). It was Christopher Nolan's (yes, the guy that MADE Batman what he is today) first major picture.
2- Southland Tales
Hmm, what's it about?
Pfff, I can't even start to describe it; but lets just say you're following the lives of some random people in the not too distant future and everything comes together in the end.
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
Well, it did get a lot of buzz for not meeting expectations. You see it was Richard Kelly's follow up movie to Donnie Darko. So everyone in the world was expecting a Donnie Darko II and this is isn't Donnie Darko II so many people were disappointed (including movie execs who didn't market it). However, all things considered it's actually a great movie and some people show some serious acting skills (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Sean William Scott & Justin Timberlake). The music used in the movie is amazing and if you don't mind some random dance sequences you'll enjoy it. I like a director that's not afraid of taking chances and this is one of those movies.
1- True Romance
Hmm, what's it about?
The tittle says it all; two crazy kids fall in love and violence soon follows as they accidently end up with a lot of dope!
Huh, why haven't I heard of it?
There's a chance you have heard of it, if you haven't I'll give you the following reasons to watch it:
Director: Tony Scott
Written by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Samuel L Jackson, James Gandolfini and other people you'll recognise (Saul Rubinek, Michael Rapaport, Bronson Pinchot).
If that is not enough to get you to see this movie, I can't help you! :)
That's it, more lists to come later!
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
A Random Tuesday Night in London... with Clive Owen
So I went to a pub next to work last night once my day was over and had a few beers. Just as I was about to leave, Clive Owen walks in and decides to come take a seat right next to me and watch the Liverpool vs Real Madrid game (Liverpool won 4-nil). Turns out Clive is a real Liverpool fan and enjoyed the game.
I must admit, the man looks exactly like he does in the movies. He was also wearing a nice suit and was incredibly nice to anyone who asked him for an autograph. The man can also drink quite a bit; he drank 3 pints of Guiness during the first half alone...
I'd like to think all celebrities are this nice in person. It's nice to see that he hasn't been warped by Hollywood culture. The man gives multimillionaire actors a good name!
More lists to come soon!
I must admit, the man looks exactly like he does in the movies. He was also wearing a nice suit and was incredibly nice to anyone who asked him for an autograph. The man can also drink quite a bit; he drank 3 pints of Guiness during the first half alone...
I'd like to think all celebrities are this nice in person. It's nice to see that he hasn't been warped by Hollywood culture. The man gives multimillionaire actors a good name!
More lists to come soon!
Monday, 9 March 2009
5 Chick Flicks that are OK to like as a guy and 5 Chick Flick that are NOT OK to like as a guy!
As men, we all have to endure the occasional "chick flick". If we never had to we would probably be missing out on some sex so it is a necessity at some point. So I've compiled a short list of 4 movies that OK to enjoy as a guy without in any way questionning your own sexuality or manliness. In the essence of fairness and ying/yang I've also defined the 4 movies that are NOT OK to like as man.
Just to be fair, the 4 movies that are NOT OK to like do not make you less of a man in anyone's eye; they are just bad movies for guys. If you do like them I am not questionning your manliness but only your taste in movies.
Top 4 chick flicks that are OK and NOT OK to like as a guy:
OK 4- Father of the Bride
Why is it a chick flick?
Story of a father who loses his first daughter to marriage and deals with it in a very deep and personal way.
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Two words: Steve Martin! Yep, the jerk himself makes this movie OK to watch as a guy because he's just funny in the way he handles himself. It's also not too much of a chick flick and almost more of a comedy (and that, my friends, is only because of Steve Martin). Anyone else in that title role would have made this movie a total chick flick.
NOT OK 4- When Harry Met Sally
Why is it a chick flick?
Story of two lovers across time and differences who end up together after blah blah blah...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
Two words: Meg Ryan. Nuff said!
OK 3- WALL-E
Why is it a chick flick?
One cute little robot falling for another cute little robot and then they save humanity with their cuteness = Total chick flick!
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Pretty simple; it's actually a good movie with laughs and Wall-E is THE MAN! He's like the sole survivor of the robot race and in such is like a robot Clint Eastwood. A robot Clint Eastwood is ALWAYS OK for guys. Especially when they save the world. A ROBOT Clint Eastwood!!!!
NOT OK 3- You've Got Mail
Why is it a chick flick?
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fall in love through email...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
See above answer: email, c'mon!
OK 2- Roxanne
Why is it a chick flick?
A modern retelling of the story of Cyrano De Bergerac where a long nosed man falls in love with a beautiful woman and helps someone else fall in love with her only for her to fall in love with his words after she blah blah blah...
Why is OK for me as a guy to like it?
Again, Steve Martin (can you tell there's a pattern here people) plays the modern version so it makes it funny but most importantly he's a friggin FIREMAN! That's right, the man is a FIREMAN. Movies with FIREMEN are always cool for guys!!!
NOT OK 2- Sleepless in Seattle
Why is it a chick flick?
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fall in love because she heard him speak on a radio show blah blah blah...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
It's just too much! Any real man would have called bull**it about halfway trough the movie. It's just too impossible and it also stars Meg Ryan.
OK 1- The Notebook
Why is it a chick flick?
A couple fall in love despite all sorts of obstacles and problems and blah blah blah...
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Well, the guy in it is not a panzy (as in most chick flicks) but a real man and he gets the girl without really trying so that makes him cool. Also, I liked it alot so it must be OK for guys and Meg Ryan never got near it.
NOT OK 1- Pretty Woman
Why is it a chick flick?
A hooker and a John (yes, that's what you call people that hire hookers) fall in love despite being a hooker, and her client.
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
Just read over that last sentence. It's a hooker who falls for her client and the client who falls for the hooker. In what universe does this take place again?
Tune in for more this week!
Just to be fair, the 4 movies that are NOT OK to like do not make you less of a man in anyone's eye; they are just bad movies for guys. If you do like them I am not questionning your manliness but only your taste in movies.
Top 4 chick flicks that are OK and NOT OK to like as a guy:
OK 4- Father of the Bride
Why is it a chick flick?
Story of a father who loses his first daughter to marriage and deals with it in a very deep and personal way.
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Two words: Steve Martin! Yep, the jerk himself makes this movie OK to watch as a guy because he's just funny in the way he handles himself. It's also not too much of a chick flick and almost more of a comedy (and that, my friends, is only because of Steve Martin). Anyone else in that title role would have made this movie a total chick flick.
NOT OK 4- When Harry Met Sally
Why is it a chick flick?
Story of two lovers across time and differences who end up together after blah blah blah...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
Two words: Meg Ryan. Nuff said!
OK 3- WALL-E
Why is it a chick flick?
One cute little robot falling for another cute little robot and then they save humanity with their cuteness = Total chick flick!
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Pretty simple; it's actually a good movie with laughs and Wall-E is THE MAN! He's like the sole survivor of the robot race and in such is like a robot Clint Eastwood. A robot Clint Eastwood is ALWAYS OK for guys. Especially when they save the world. A ROBOT Clint Eastwood!!!!
NOT OK 3- You've Got Mail
Why is it a chick flick?
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fall in love through email...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
See above answer: email, c'mon!
OK 2- Roxanne
Why is it a chick flick?
A modern retelling of the story of Cyrano De Bergerac where a long nosed man falls in love with a beautiful woman and helps someone else fall in love with her only for her to fall in love with his words after she blah blah blah...
Why is OK for me as a guy to like it?
Again, Steve Martin (can you tell there's a pattern here people) plays the modern version so it makes it funny but most importantly he's a friggin FIREMAN! That's right, the man is a FIREMAN. Movies with FIREMEN are always cool for guys!!!
NOT OK 2- Sleepless in Seattle
Why is it a chick flick?
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fall in love because she heard him speak on a radio show blah blah blah...
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
It's just too much! Any real man would have called bull**it about halfway trough the movie. It's just too impossible and it also stars Meg Ryan.
OK 1- The Notebook
Why is it a chick flick?
A couple fall in love despite all sorts of obstacles and problems and blah blah blah...
Why is it OK for me as a guy to like it?
Well, the guy in it is not a panzy (as in most chick flicks) but a real man and he gets the girl without really trying so that makes him cool. Also, I liked it alot so it must be OK for guys and Meg Ryan never got near it.
NOT OK 1- Pretty Woman
Why is it a chick flick?
A hooker and a John (yes, that's what you call people that hire hookers) fall in love despite being a hooker, and her client.
Why is it NOT OK for me as a guy to like it?
Just read over that last sentence. It's a hooker who falls for her client and the client who falls for the hooker. In what universe does this take place again?
Tune in for more this week!
Friday, 6 March 2009
Top 7 sick day movies you should own on DVD to watch when sick...
Lets face it -> TV Sucks! Most daytime TV shows are quite boring unless you need some gardening tips (God knows most of us do) or enjoy watching someone who has died, returned to life, killed his twin, survived brain cancer and married his cousin in order to steal her money (God knows most of us don't).
So, when you happen to be sick (or just playing hookie) I would suggest you go out and buy at least one of these DVD's to watch on your sick day. Each movie is there for a different reason so please bare with me as some reasons may not work for you. However I am confident that at least one will tickle your fancy and you can go out and probably get it in the 10$ or less bin...
Top 7 sick day movies:
7- Hudson Hawk
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, I know this is a God awful movie to watch on a regular day. However, when you're not feeling well and you just don't feel like concentrating because you have a headache; this is the film to make you smile. The "it's so bad it's good because you can tell they had fun making this movie" vibe is just what the doctor ordered to get a cheap laugh out of you. Just don't take two of these and call me in the morning. I suggest watching it once only...
6- Waiting
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, this movie is about a group of young people not heading anywhere in life and working in a horribly tacky chain restaurant. It's not very well known but stars Ryan Reynolds, Anna Farris and Justin Long as the tittle characters. The entire movie is just one normal night at the restaurant and if you work in the service industry you'll understand just what everyone goes through on a daily basis. Since you're sick, at home and NOT dealing with these people at the moment; seeing them cope and enjoy themselves on screen will make you appreciate your sick day just a little more and probably have you forget any responsabilities you might be thinking about during the day.
5- Batman Begins
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, you've probably seen this unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past 4 years. Now, why watch it when you're sick is simple -> this is a feel good movie. While you're sick and not feeling strong; seeing Batman begin his training and then taking on Gotham's underworld and ending the movie with justice prevailing will give you some hope. The hope feeling is always good when you're not feeling well. Batman/Bruce Wayne will give you that hope!
4- Any of the first 4 Rocky movies
IMDB Link (Rocky III)
Why watch them when I'm sick?
Fun and inspiring are the first 4 Rocky movies. When you're not feeling well inspiration is key and Rocky will inspire you to get stronger and get faster. All of these movies present an adversity that Rocky has to overcome with training (usually shown by using a great montage to show months of progress in 3 minutes). Seeing him get better/stronger/faster will make you feel like getting/stronger/faster and get you off your crease on the couch.
3- Anyone of the Bourne movies
IMDB Link (Bourne Identity)
Why watch them when I'm sick?
Just because they are all awesome! Really, these movies are just pure awesome so it doesn't matter how you're feeling. However if you're feeling down and out you'll notice that so does Jason Bourne in all three movies and he still manages to kick some major butt.
2- The Princess Bride
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
The entire premisse of the movie is a grandfather telling this story to his grandson to make him feel better while he is sick. It's the perfect sickday movie to watch because it has adventure, pirates, true love, giants, swords fights, chases and anything else the grandfather mentions at the start of the movie. It will also make you smile because of the happy ending and you'll spend the rest of your sick day answering the phone with "Hello, my name is Inigo Montaya, you killed my father, prepare to die"!
1- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, this is the "playing hookie" movie. Right after you've called in sick even tough you're not so sick you need to watch this movie. After which you will feel like you must make the best of this day! So this movie will help you make sure your sick day was totally worth it. One of the best movies of the 80's.
So that's it for now! Enjoy your sick day!!!
So, when you happen to be sick (or just playing hookie) I would suggest you go out and buy at least one of these DVD's to watch on your sick day. Each movie is there for a different reason so please bare with me as some reasons may not work for you. However I am confident that at least one will tickle your fancy and you can go out and probably get it in the 10$ or less bin...
Top 7 sick day movies:
7- Hudson Hawk
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, I know this is a God awful movie to watch on a regular day. However, when you're not feeling well and you just don't feel like concentrating because you have a headache; this is the film to make you smile. The "it's so bad it's good because you can tell they had fun making this movie" vibe is just what the doctor ordered to get a cheap laugh out of you. Just don't take two of these and call me in the morning. I suggest watching it once only...
6- Waiting
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, this movie is about a group of young people not heading anywhere in life and working in a horribly tacky chain restaurant. It's not very well known but stars Ryan Reynolds, Anna Farris and Justin Long as the tittle characters. The entire movie is just one normal night at the restaurant and if you work in the service industry you'll understand just what everyone goes through on a daily basis. Since you're sick, at home and NOT dealing with these people at the moment; seeing them cope and enjoy themselves on screen will make you appreciate your sick day just a little more and probably have you forget any responsabilities you might be thinking about during the day.
5- Batman Begins
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, you've probably seen this unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past 4 years. Now, why watch it when you're sick is simple -> this is a feel good movie. While you're sick and not feeling strong; seeing Batman begin his training and then taking on Gotham's underworld and ending the movie with justice prevailing will give you some hope. The hope feeling is always good when you're not feeling well. Batman/Bruce Wayne will give you that hope!
4- Any of the first 4 Rocky movies
IMDB Link (Rocky III)
Why watch them when I'm sick?
Fun and inspiring are the first 4 Rocky movies. When you're not feeling well inspiration is key and Rocky will inspire you to get stronger and get faster. All of these movies present an adversity that Rocky has to overcome with training (usually shown by using a great montage to show months of progress in 3 minutes). Seeing him get better/stronger/faster will make you feel like getting/stronger/faster and get you off your crease on the couch.
3- Anyone of the Bourne movies
IMDB Link (Bourne Identity)
Why watch them when I'm sick?
Just because they are all awesome! Really, these movies are just pure awesome so it doesn't matter how you're feeling. However if you're feeling down and out you'll notice that so does Jason Bourne in all three movies and he still manages to kick some major butt.
2- The Princess Bride
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
The entire premisse of the movie is a grandfather telling this story to his grandson to make him feel better while he is sick. It's the perfect sickday movie to watch because it has adventure, pirates, true love, giants, swords fights, chases and anything else the grandfather mentions at the start of the movie. It will also make you smile because of the happy ending and you'll spend the rest of your sick day answering the phone with "Hello, my name is Inigo Montaya, you killed my father, prepare to die"!
1- Ferris Bueller's Day Off
IMDB Link
Why watch it when I'm sick?
Well, this is the "playing hookie" movie. Right after you've called in sick even tough you're not so sick you need to watch this movie. After which you will feel like you must make the best of this day! So this movie will help you make sure your sick day was totally worth it. One of the best movies of the 80's.
So that's it for now! Enjoy your sick day!!!
Watchmen hype and the top 5 overhyped movies of the internet generation
As the Watchmen movie is about the come out, I'm seriously overwhelmed with the amount of advertising they went through. It seems I couldn't turn on a TV or visit a website without seeing ads for the movie.
It's even hit webcomics and such:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20090306
I've made plans to go see it on IMAX but only in a few weeks because they were not good seats left before then. So if you've clicked on the link above, you know I'll be complaining about it being not true or too true enough to the comic.
Now, the other stuff; I've decided to list the top 5 overhyped movies that I can remember (please keep in mind that these are not bad movie in any way but the hype was so great that it was impossible to satify most fans after this much hype):
5- Superman Returns
From about Janurary 1st 2006; all anyone talked about was the new Superman movie. When the first preview hit the fan base was over excited. Around early June the preview was running on every TV channel. I remember seeing the preview on Home & Garden Television... There were also a bunch of ads on the steets of Montreal advertising the movie.
4- Watchmen
As I've mentioned above; all internet sites have ads and the TV won't stop showing the preview without showing any of the story.
3- The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions
This one is a bit different. In 2003 you couldn't visit an internet site without having someone discuss one of the Matrix sequels. This was amazing because the hype came totally from word of mouth. The original movie had established something so great that a nation of geeks were expecting this to be their generations "Star Wars". Which brings me to my next point...
2- Star Wars Episode 1, The Phantom Menace
This hype started in 1997, a full two years before the movie actually came out. And I mean everything about this movie; from casting to filming locations to fan art became popular. It seems as tough when anything happened about this movie; it hit the internet and chat rooms and bunch of nerds, unknowing that the Matrix sequels were about to get a greenlight, probably were having amazing wet dreams just thinking that they got to see a shot of Tatooine 2 years before they saw it at the theaters wearing their store bought Storm Trooper costumes...
1- Batman (1989)
The summer of 1989 was all about Batman. People were cutting the Batman symbol into the back of their heads. Burger King had transformed into a Batman store and all tourist shops all over the world were selling Batman t-shirts. Batman was just everywhere that year and I believe it made expectations that the movie just couldn't deliver.
If you notice one thing about all these movies; they were good but not great. Do you think the overhype had something to do with it? I think so!!
It's even hit webcomics and such:
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20090306
I've made plans to go see it on IMAX but only in a few weeks because they were not good seats left before then. So if you've clicked on the link above, you know I'll be complaining about it being not true or too true enough to the comic.
Now, the other stuff; I've decided to list the top 5 overhyped movies that I can remember (please keep in mind that these are not bad movie in any way but the hype was so great that it was impossible to satify most fans after this much hype):
5- Superman Returns
From about Janurary 1st 2006; all anyone talked about was the new Superman movie. When the first preview hit the fan base was over excited. Around early June the preview was running on every TV channel. I remember seeing the preview on Home & Garden Television... There were also a bunch of ads on the steets of Montreal advertising the movie.
4- Watchmen
As I've mentioned above; all internet sites have ads and the TV won't stop showing the preview without showing any of the story.
3- The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions
This one is a bit different. In 2003 you couldn't visit an internet site without having someone discuss one of the Matrix sequels. This was amazing because the hype came totally from word of mouth. The original movie had established something so great that a nation of geeks were expecting this to be their generations "Star Wars". Which brings me to my next point...
2- Star Wars Episode 1, The Phantom Menace
This hype started in 1997, a full two years before the movie actually came out. And I mean everything about this movie; from casting to filming locations to fan art became popular. It seems as tough when anything happened about this movie; it hit the internet and chat rooms and bunch of nerds, unknowing that the Matrix sequels were about to get a greenlight, probably were having amazing wet dreams just thinking that they got to see a shot of Tatooine 2 years before they saw it at the theaters wearing their store bought Storm Trooper costumes...
1- Batman (1989)
The summer of 1989 was all about Batman. People were cutting the Batman symbol into the back of their heads. Burger King had transformed into a Batman store and all tourist shops all over the world were selling Batman t-shirts. Batman was just everywhere that year and I believe it made expectations that the movie just couldn't deliver.
If you notice one thing about all these movies; they were good but not great. Do you think the overhype had something to do with it? I think so!!
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