list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around A Scanner Darkly on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/A_Scanner_Darkly/244842/default.aspx Title: A Scanner Darkly
Year: 2006
Director: Richard Linklater
Plot: The war on drugs has been lost, and when a reluctant undercover cop is ordered to spy on those he is closest to, the toll that the mission takes on his sanity is too great to comprehend in director Richard Linklater's rotoscoped take on Philip K. Dick's classic novel. With stratospheric concern over national security prompting paranoid government officials to begin spying on citizens, trust is a luxury and everyone is a suspected criminal until proven otherwise. Bob Arctor (Keanu Reeves) is a narcotics officer who is issued an order to spy on his friends and report back to headquarters. In addition to being a cop, though, Arctor is also an addict. His drug of choice is a ubiquitous street drug called Substance D, a drug known well for producing split personalities in its users. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 40
Number of Lists: 61
Number of blog posts: 18
Number of discussion threads: 7
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:58:10 GMTA Scanner Darkly2006Richard LinklaterThe war on drugs has been lost, and when a reluctant undercover cop is ordered to spy on those he is closest to, the toll that the mission takes on his sanity is too great to comprehend in director <a href="/players/P____99850/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Richard Linklater</a>'s rotoscoped take on Philip K. Dick's classic novel. With stratospheric concern over national security prompting paranoid government officials to begin spying on citizens, trust is a luxury and everyone is a suspected criminal until proven otherwise. Bob Arctor (<a href="/players/P____59355/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Keanu Reeves</a>) is a narcotics officer who is issued an order to spy on his friends and report back to headquarters. In addition to being a cop, though, Arctor is also an addict. His drug of choice is a ubiquitous street drug called Substance D, a drug known well for producing split personalities in its users. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide40Tag Target (>10)611873http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u32806y3n4j.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/A_Scanner_Darkly/244842/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/Re_What_is_your_favorite_movie_based_on_or_inspire/657/42023/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: laurabot
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 5/4/2009 7:26:20 PM
Body: A Scanner Darkly
]]>Mon, 04 May 2009 23:26:20 GMTlaurabotMovie Polls5/4/2009 7:26:20 PM A Scanner Darkly http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/What_is_your_favorite_movie_based_on_or_inspired_b/657/41490/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: Risselada
Post To: Movie Polls
Post Date: 4/7/2009 2:53:17 PM
Body: Please reference this thread for the rules of this group. I'm seeing that there are actually several more movies based on Philip K. Dick works to be coming out just in the next couple year including what looks lik a biopic on his life staring Paul Giamatti as Dick called The Owl in Daylight. His works are certainly full of ideas, often sci-fi and psychological that attract filmmakers and story tellers. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Blade RunnerConfessions d'un Barjo (Confessions of a Crap Artist)ImpostorMinority ReportNextPaycheckA Scanner DarklyScreamersTotal Recall
]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:53:17 GMTRisseladaMovie Polls4/7/2009 2:53:17 PMPlease reference this thread for the rules of this group. I'm seeing that there are actually several more movies based on Philip K. Dick works to be coming out just in the next couple year including what looks lik a biopic on his life staring Paul Giamatti as Dick called The Owl in Daylight. His works are certainly full of ideas, often sci-fi and psychological that attract filmmakers and story tellers. Please vote only once in each poll. Movies referenced in this poll:Blade RunnerConfessions d'un Barjo (Confessions of a Crap Artist)ImpostorMinority ReportNextPaycheckA Scanner DarklyScreamersTotal Recall http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/Holiday_movies_Cartoon_mice_Jim_Carrey_s_face_a/216/38422/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: spout
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 12/15/2008 7:02:54 PM
Body: WEDNESDAY 12/17 The Wrestler -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. Looks like this is a sports movie with guts. I love Mickey Rourke, and I can't think of anyone who knows more about being called a "beat-up piece of meat." Hey, that makes me think of a list... Art Imitates Life: When Actors Barely Have to Act 5. Reservoir Dogs -- Mr. Blue is played by ex-convict and heist veteran Edward Bunker. 4. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 -- Keith Richards, the pirate of rock, is the perfect choice to play Jack Sparrow's dad. 3. A Scanner Darkly -- Tie for third place: Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson, who lend this "drug movie" loads of authenticity. 2. The Wrestler -- I wanted to put it at #1, but I haven't seen it yet. 1. Unforgiven -- Clint's portrayal of a reformed murderer gives me goosebumps. When characters talk about how bad he used to be, I think of the Dollars trilogy, and how different they could've been if he was an outright villain. Another Documentary About an Eccentric Artist, but this one looks worthwhile. Scott Walker: 30 Century Man -- Watch the trailer. I'm a music nut, but I hadn't heard of Scott Walker until today. Considering the musicians he's influenced (David Bowie, Brian Eno, The Smiths, Radiohead), I don't know how he's escaped my attention. He looks intense. "I have a very nightmarish imagination. I've had very bad dreams all my life, so everything in my music is very big." -- S. Walker in Scott Walker: 30 Century Man. FRIDAY 12/19 Nothing But the Truth -- Read the review. Inspired by the Valerie Plame/Scooter Libby CIA leak, Karina said this was the most fun she had at the Toronto Film Festival 2008. Starring Vera Farmiga and featuring Matt Dillon, Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale, and...(are you ready for this?) David Schwimmer. The Tale of Despereaux -- Watch the trailer. This looks good, but it's getting chilly reviews. I don't know, the mouse is pretty cute... Yes Man -- Watch the trailer. Looks a lot like Liar Liar, but it could be fun. I do have to say though, these days I have a pretty low tolerance for Jim Carrey's facial shenanigans. Seven Pounds -- Watch the trailer. Will Smith is an IRS agent who mysteriously assumes the identity of his younger brother and tries to change the lives of seven strangers. Also starring Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson, and from the director of Pursuit of Happyness.
]]>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:02:54 GMTspoutComing Soon12/15/2008 7:02:54 PMWEDNESDAY 12/17 The Wrestler -- Watch the trailer. Read the review. Looks like this is a sports movie with guts. I love Mickey Rourke, and I can't think of anyone who knows more about being called a "beat-up piece of meat." Hey, that makes me think of a list... Art Imitates Life: When Actors Barely Have to Act 5. Reservoir Dogs -- Mr. Blue is played by ex-convict and heist veteran Edward Bunker. 4. Pirates of the Caribbean 3 -- Keith Richards, the pirate of rock, is the perfect choice to play Jack Sparrow's dad. 3. A Scanner Darkly -- Tie for third place: Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson, who lend this "drug movie" loads of authenticity. 2. The Wrestler -- I wanted to put it at #1, but I haven't seen it yet. 1. Unforgiven -- Clint's portrayal of a reformed murderer gives me goosebumps. When characters talk about how bad he used to be, I think of the Dollars trilogy, and how different they could've been if he was an outright villain. Another Documentary About an Eccentric Artist, but this one looks worthwhile. Scott Walker: 30 Century Man -- Watch the trailer. I'm a music nut, but I hadn't heard of Scott Walker until today. Considering the musicians he's influenced (David Bowie, Brian Eno, The Smiths, Radiohead), I don't know how he's escaped my attention. He looks intense. "I have a very nightmarish imagination. I've had very bad dreams all my life, so everything in my music is very big." -- S. Walker in Scott Walker: 30 Century Man. FRIDAY 12/19 Nothing But the Truth -- Read the review. Inspired by the Valerie Plame/Scooter Libby CIA leak, Karina said this was the most fun she had at the Toronto Film Festival 2008. Starring Vera Farmiga and featuring Matt Dillon, Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale, and...(are you ready for this?) David Schwimmer. The Tale of Despereaux -- Watch the trailer. This looks good, but it's getting chilly reviews. I don't know, the mouse is pretty cute... Yes Man -- Watch the trailer. Looks a lot like Liar Liar, but it could be fun. I do have to say though, these days I have a pretty low tolerance for Jim Carrey's facial shenanigans. Seven Pounds -- Watch the trailer. Will Smith is an IRS agent who mysteriously assumes the identity of his younger brother and tries to change the lives of seven strangers. Also starring Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson, and from the director of Pursuit of Happyness. http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/Time_Travel_Aliens_and_Biopics_New_movies_12/216/38083/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 12/8/2008 4:30:05 PM
Body: TIME TRAVEL: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Bad Guys Will Always Have Time Travel, so Good Guys Should Have It Too -- 5 Movies That Prove This Argument 1. Timecrimes (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Read the review, listen to the interview. 2. Time Bandits (1981) -- Watch the trailer. My good friend Kevin (porcupine) loves this flick. That's good, because his parents named him after one of the characters. Would it be less cool if he were named after Kevin McAlister from Home Alone? Something to ponder. 3. Time Cop (1994) -- Watch the trailer. I remember this Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle was pretty violent and included some gratuitous nudity; I was only 13 when I saw it in '95, and that's all I remember. Are there fans who've seen it more recently? 4. Back to the Future Part II (1989) -- Watch the trailer. Remember how future Biff went back in time to give the gambling results book to 50's Biff, then 50's Biff became rich by never losing a bet at the horseraces? Who besides me wished they could do that? 5. And of course, there's the mo-fo'ing Terminator series. Man, I can't wait for Terminator: Salvation. Read the notes from the Comic-Con press conference. WHOA: KEANU REEVES, ROCKIN' IT 3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (NEW) -- Read about the press conference with Keanu and Jennifer Connelly. I won't lie, I'm excited for this one! Not only am I nuts about Jennifer Connelly, I also think Keanu could be fantastic at playing a non-human. (Just like how Swarzenegger was always best at playing a robot.) Recast the original, you might win a t-shirt. 2. A Scanner Darkly (2006) -- Really good movie from Richard Linklater. It's rotoscoped like Waking Life, but it has a story! It's funny and sad and paranoid (it's about narcs and drug addiction). The trio of Keanu, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. make it a buddy tragi-comedy. 1. Point Break (1991) -- Watch the trailer. Time to watch it again. When Hot Fuzz came out, I'm so glad they paid homage to this lovable turkey. CHE & OUR FAVORITE BIOPICS Che (NEW) -- Read Karina's review and the Steven Soderberg press conference. This is not one of Karina's favorite biopics. Find out why Karina's review pissed off older bloggers. What are your favorite biopics? I asked some friends at Spout about their favorites, and one said, "Does Braveheart count?" Here are some others they listed: 6. Gandhi -- Watch the trailer. I dig that Ben Kingsley. I haven't seen this though, what do you guys think of it? 5. Into the Wild -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen this one either. 4. Evita -- The musical with Madonna. I don't know if I could handle it. 3. A Beautiful Mind -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen it. 2. I'm Not There -- Watch the trailer. Careful with this one, because if you don't know a lot about Bob Dylan's life, the film will just be confusing and frustrating. If you do know your Dylan, this is beautiful and a real heart-breaker. 1. Amadeus -- Watch the trailer. This one I need to watch again. I remember it as an interesting movie for anyone who feels like a Salieri when they meet a Mozart. GOOD MOVIES THAT COME FROM PLAYS 3. Doubt (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Great cast, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. 2. My favorite Shakespeare movies: for the comedies, Love's Labour's Lost and The Merchant of Venice. For the tragedies, I really like Titus and Roman Polanski's Macbeth. How about you guys? 1. Rope (1948) -- Jimmy Stewart is great in this thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It all takes place in one apartment. WEIRD-ASS LOOKIN' ANIMATED MOVIE Delgo (NEW) -- Watch the weird-ass trailer. OTHER NEW MOVIES You know something juicy about these? Hit us with it!What Doesn't Kill You -- ..."makes you ugly." That's the saying, right? Stars Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo, who play old friends trying to dodge gangs and a detective (Mark Wahlberg) in South Boston.Nothing Like the Holidays -- Watch the trailer. Alfred Molina! Where God Left His Shoes -- Stars John Leguizamo, who's trying to find an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve, after they've lived in a homeless shelter for a few months. Dark Streets -- Watch the trailer. I love that guy Elias Koteas. While She Was Out -- Kim Basinger's a housewife fighting for her life out in the woods (looks like some young men are trying to get her).$9.99 -- Stop-motion animation, starring Geoffrey Rush.
]]>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:30:05 GMTSkyPilotComing Soon12/8/2008 4:30:05 PMTIME TRAVEL: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Bad Guys Will Always Have Time Travel, so Good Guys Should Have It Too -- 5 Movies That Prove This Argument 1. Timecrimes (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Read the review, listen to the interview. 2. Time Bandits (1981) -- Watch the trailer. My good friend Kevin (porcupine) loves this flick. That's good, because his parents named him after one of the characters. Would it be less cool if he were named after Kevin McAlister from Home Alone? Something to ponder. 3. Time Cop (1994) -- Watch the trailer. I remember this Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle was pretty violent and included some gratuitous nudity; I was only 13 when I saw it in '95, and that's all I remember. Are there fans who've seen it more recently? 4. Back to the Future Part II (1989) -- Watch the trailer. Remember how future Biff went back in time to give the gambling results book to 50's Biff, then 50's Biff became rich by never losing a bet at the horseraces? Who besides me wished they could do that? 5. And of course, there's the mo-fo'ing Terminator series. Man, I can't wait for Terminator: Salvation. Read the notes from the Comic-Con press conference. WHOA: KEANU REEVES, ROCKIN' IT 3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (NEW) -- Read about the press conference with Keanu and Jennifer Connelly. I won't lie, I'm excited for this one! Not only am I nuts about Jennifer Connelly, I also think Keanu could be fantastic at playing a non-human. (Just like how Swarzenegger was always best at playing a robot.) Recast the original, you might win a t-shirt. 2. A Scanner Darkly (2006) -- Really good movie from Richard Linklater. It's rotoscoped like Waking Life, but it has a story! It's funny and sad and paranoid (it's about narcs and drug addiction). The trio of Keanu, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. make it a buddy tragi-comedy. 1. Point Break (1991) -- Watch the trailer. Time to watch it again. When Hot Fuzz came out, I'm so glad they paid homage to this lovable turkey. CHE &amp; OUR FAVORITE BIOPICS Che (NEW) -- Read Karina's review and the Steven Soderberg press conference. This is not one of Karina's favorite biopics. Find out why Karina's review pissed off older bloggers. What are your favorite biopics? I asked some friends at Spout about their favorites, and one said, "Does Braveheart count?" Here are some others they listed: 6. Gandhi -- Watch the trailer. I dig that Ben Kingsley. I haven't seen this though, what do you guys think of it? 5. Into the Wild -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen this one either. 4. Evita -- The musical with Madonna. I don't know if I could handle it. 3. A Beautiful Mind -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen it. 2. I'm Not There -- Watch the trailer. Careful with this one, because if you don't know a lot about Bob Dylan's life, the film will just be confusing and frustrating. If you do know your Dylan, this is beautiful and a real heart-breaker. 1. Amadeus -- Watch the trailer. This one I need to watch again. I remember it as an interesting movie for anyone who feels like a Salieri when they meet a Mozart. GOOD MOVIES THAT COME FROM PLAYS 3. Doubt (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Great cast, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. 2. My favorite Shakespeare movies: for the comedies, Love's Labour's Lost and The Merchant of Venice. For the tragedies, I really like Titus and Roman Polanski's Macbeth. How about you guys? 1. Rope (1948) -- Jimmy Stewart is great in this thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It all takes place in one apartment. WEIRD-ASS LOOKIN' ANIMATED MOVIE Delgo (NEW) -- Watch the weird-ass trailer. OTHER NEW MOVIES You know something juicy about these? Hit us with it!What Doesn't Kill You -- ..."makes you ugly." That's the saying, right? Stars Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo, who play old friends trying to dodge gangs and a detective (Mark Wahlberg) in South Boston.Nothing Like the Holidays -- Watch the trailer. Alfred Molina! Where God Left His Shoes -- Stars John Leguizamo, who's trying to find an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve, after they've lived in a homeless shelter for a few months. Dark Streets -- Watch the trailer. I love that guy Elias Koteas. While She Was Out -- Kim Basinger's a housewife fighting for her life out in the woods (looks like some young men are trying to get her).$9.99 -- Stop-motion animation, starring Geoffrey Rush. http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/New_Movies_Week_of_9_19/216/35149/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 9/15/2008 12:26:39 PM
Body: We are rolling now, look at all of these new movies! Some of the more interesting stuff will only be in limited release this Friday, but some of the films seem worth the wait. WIDE RELEASE 1. Ghost Town -- I think Ricky Gervais is hilarious, but this movie seems like something his character in Extras would be forced to do for money. The poster feels like a parody of ghost movies: The story is that Gervais' character dies for seven minutes, ennabling him to see and communicate with dead souls. What is the best ghost-talk movie out there? I haven't seen Ghost. 2. Igor -- John Cusack provides the voice of Igor in this animated feature (from MGM, not Dreamworks or Pixar). Igor's a lowly lab assistant to a mad scientist, but he apires to win first place at the annual Evil Science Fair. It's supposed to spoof a lot of monster flick cliches, which could be interesting. 3. Lakeview Terrace -- I've never seen Samuel L. Jackson so creepy or anal retentive. To me the trailer makes the movie look very intense and unfulfilling, which would make it the second intense/unfulfilling movie starring Patrick Wilson. Anyone see Hard Candy? Holy crap! So draining I burned about 1000 calories just sitting there watching it, but that's not necessarily a recommendation. However, Lakeview Terrace is directed by Neil LaBute, who despite a recent stinker (the Wicker Man remake) is an interesting filmmaker. What do you guys think, are Nurse Betty and In the Company of Men also unfulfilling? 4. My Best Friend's Girl -- When Dane Cook takes out your ex, he shows her such a horrible time that she comes running back to you. With this movie and Good Luck Chuck, it looks like Cook is carving out his own niche -- romantic comedies in which he's a lucky charm. I'll pass. LIMITED RELEASE 5. Towelhead -- Written by the screenwriter of American Beauty, Towelhead is a coming-of-age story about 13 yr. old Jasira, Arab-American, as she struggles with racism, hypocrisy, and her own raging hormones. Also with Aaron Eckhart and Maria Bello. This looks like a winner to me. 6. The Duchess -- Keira Knightley plays the Duchess of Devonshire, the original "It Girl." 7. Appaloosa -- I'd see any western starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, but even more enticing is that Harris directs. Anyone see his first film, Pollock? It was very sad, but now I don't see how a movie about Jackson Pollock could be happy. That got me thinking...has anyone seen an artist biopic that's more happy than sad? Seems like artists in movies are usually doomed. 8. Hounddog -- I never would have guessed that I'd be interested in a movie starring Dakota Fanning. She plays a southern girl dealing with poverty and an abusive father, but finds inspiration in music, particularly Elvis Presley. 9. Battle in Seattle -- Feature about the 1999 protest against the World Trade Organization. I didn't even know this event happened, so I'm going to look into it. One thing going for the movie is Woody Harrelson, who's very worth watching in his recent rolls. (No Country for Old Men, A Scanner Darkly, Prairie Home Companion Even more in limited release. Anyone excited about these films? A Thousand Years of Good Prayers Whiteout Quilombo Country Talento de Barrio Keith Smother
]]>Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:26:39 GMTSkyPilotComing Soon9/15/2008 12:26:39 PMWe are rolling now, look at all of these new movies! Some of the more interesting stuff will only be in limited release this Friday, but some of the films seem worth the wait. WIDE RELEASE 1. Ghost Town -- I think Ricky Gervais is hilarious, but this movie seems like something his character in Extras would be forced to do for money. The poster feels like a parody of ghost movies: The story is that Gervais' character dies for seven minutes, ennabling him to see and communicate with dead souls. What is the best ghost-talk movie out there? I haven't seen Ghost. 2. Igor -- John Cusack provides the voice of Igor in this animated feature (from MGM, not Dreamworks or Pixar). Igor's a lowly lab assistant to a mad scientist, but he apires to win first place at the annual Evil Science Fair. It's supposed to spoof a lot of monster flick cliches, which could be interesting. 3. Lakeview Terrace -- I've never seen Samuel L. Jackson so creepy or anal retentive. To me the trailer makes the movie look very intense and unfulfilling, which would make it the second intense/unfulfilling movie starring Patrick Wilson. Anyone see Hard Candy? Holy crap! So draining I burned about 1000 calories just sitting there watching it, but that's not necessarily a recommendation. However, Lakeview Terrace is directed by Neil LaBute, who despite a recent stinker (the Wicker Man remake) is an interesting filmmaker. What do you guys think, are Nurse Betty and In the Company of Men also unfulfilling? 4. My Best Friend's Girl -- When Dane Cook takes out your ex, he shows her such a horrible time that she comes running back to you. With this movie and Good Luck Chuck, it looks like Cook is carving out his own niche -- romantic comedies in which he's a lucky charm. I'll pass. LIMITED RELEASE 5. Towelhead -- Written by the screenwriter of American Beauty, Towelhead is a coming-of-age story about 13 yr. old Jasira, Arab-American, as she struggles with racism, hypocrisy, and her own raging hormones. Also with Aaron Eckhart and Maria Bello. This looks like a winner to me. 6. The Duchess -- Keira Knightley plays the Duchess of Devonshire, the original "It Girl." 7. Appaloosa -- I'd see any western starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, but even more enticing is that Harris directs. Anyone see his first film, Pollock? It was very sad, but now I don't see how a movie about Jackson Pollock could be happy. That got me thinking...has anyone seen an artist biopic that's more happy than sad? Seems like artists in movies are usually doomed. 8. Hounddog -- I never would have guessed that I'd be interested in a movie starring Dakota Fanning. She plays a southern girl dealing with poverty and an abusive father, but finds inspiration in music, particularly Elvis Presley. 9. Battle in Seattle -- Feature about the 1999 protest against the World Trade Organization. I didn't even know this event happened, so I'm going to look into it. One thing going for the movie is Woody Harrelson, who's very worth watching in his recent rolls. (No Country for Old Men, A Scanner Darkly, Prairie Home Companion Even more in limited release. Anyone excited about these films? A Thousand Years of Good Prayers Whiteout Quilombo Country Talento de Barrio Keith Smother http://www.spout.com/blogs/jakestevens/archive/2008/8/13/33955.aspx Post By: JakeStevens
Post To: JakeStevens Blog
Post Date: 8/13/2008 1:28:24 PM
Body: Hmmm...now that this style of animation has become somewhat passe (I could only think of GTA and car advertisements while watching this film), I think I enjoyed it less than I could've had I seen it when it first came out. The highlights: Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson's characters. Even in animated form, they seem to elevate the film to a higher level than it would have achieved without their performances. Not only that, but the storyline is fantastic (I appreciate most of Philip K. Dick's work). The lowlights: Keanu Reeves. One of my least favorite actors of all time...how does he continue to get these fantastic roles? I hate to break it to you folks, but he's one of the worst high-paid actors alive today. Well, there's my two cents. Take it for what it's worth.
]]>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:28:24 GMTJakeStevensJakeStevens Blog8/13/2008 1:28:24 PMHmmm...now that this style of animation has become somewhat passe (I could only think of GTA and car advertisements while watching this film), I think I enjoyed it less than I could've had I seen it when it first came out. The highlights: Robert Downey, Jr. and Woody Harrelson's characters. Even in animated form, they seem to elevate the film to a higher level than it would have achieved without their performances. Not only that, but the storyline is fantastic (I appreciate most of Philip K. Dick's work). The lowlights: Keanu Reeves. One of my least favorite actors of all time...how does he continue to get these fantastic roles? I hate to break it to you folks, but he's one of the worst high-paid actors alive today. Well, there's my two cents. Take it for what it's worth. http://www.spout.com/blogs/shaunhuston/archive/2008/6/18/31392.aspx Post By: ShaunHuston
Post To: ShaunHuston filmblog
Post Date: 6/18/2008 9:01:57 PM
Body: The animation top ten was the first list and it got the evening off to a shaky start. The problems with this list run much deeper than its rather uninspired roster of, almost exclusively, Disney “classics”. Most fundamentally, animation is not a genre; it's a medium. However, it is also the case that in Hollywood, animation verges on being a genre, but the American animation genre of the 20th century is not the same as the genre in the 21st century except insofar as animation is treated as a medium for children's, or “family”, films. In the 20th century, as ably shown by the list, animation was more or less the new medium for musicals. In this millenium, music remains an important part of animated films, but they are less often actual musicals. They are, however, characterized by hyperreal computer animation and dialogue rich with “clever” asides and pop culture references. Does that make a genre? Maybe, but not one that has much in common with the prior century. The larger point is that in other parts of the world, and outside of the American corporate mainstream, animation is used to tell all kinds of stories, including those directed at adults. Even if one were to be biased towards older films in this “genre”, shouldn't there have been room for at least one film by someone like Ralph Bakshi? I don't know about anyone else, but seeing Wizards (1977) was, politically and aesthetically, an earth shattering experience for my eight or nine or ten year-old self, more profound, I would say than the original Star Wars. And certainly American Pop (1981) is enough of a cultural document, and marker for the form, to have been seriously considered for inclusion on the AFI's Top 10. I would also have looked to include one of Richard Linklater's forays into animation on the list (indeed, either Waking Life, 2001, or A Scanner Darkly, 2006, would have been nice companions to American Pop). But, staying within the scope of children's or family films, the lack of either of Brad Bird's eligible films, The Iron Giant (1999) and The Incredibles (2004), seems like a critical oversight, and perhaps reflective of the fact that many of the voters were, undoubtedly, simply mining their own childhoods when making their selections. (I'm not going to suggest specific alternate selections here because, as indicated above, I think that this list is inherently misconceived, and because I think most of the selections on the AFI list are more or less interchangeable in any event). Link to introduction. Originally posted on:Short-Circuit Signs
]]>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:01:57 GMTShaunHustonShaunHuston filmblog6/18/2008 9:01:57 PMThe animation top ten was the first list and it got the evening off to a shaky start. The problems with this list run much deeper than its rather uninspired roster of, almost exclusively, Disney &ldquo;classics&rdquo;. Most fundamentally, animation is not a genre; it's a medium. However, it is also the case that in Hollywood, animation verges on being a genre, but the American animation genre of the 20th century is not the same as the genre in the 21st century except insofar as animation is treated as a medium for children's, or &ldquo;family&rdquo;, films. In the 20th century, as ably shown by the list, animation was more or less the new medium for musicals. In this millenium, music remains an important part of animated films, but they are less often actual musicals. They are, however, characterized by hyperreal computer animation and dialogue rich with &ldquo;clever&rdquo; asides and pop culture references. Does that make a genre? Maybe, but not one that has much in common with the prior century. The larger point is that in other parts of the world, and outside of the American corporate mainstream, animation is used to tell all kinds of stories, including those directed at adults. Even if one were to be biased towards older films in this &ldquo;genre&rdquo;, shouldn't there have been room for at least one film by someone like Ralph Bakshi? I don't know about anyone else, but seeing Wizards (1977) was, politically and aesthetically, an earth shattering experience for my eight or nine or ten year-old self, more profound, I would say than the original Star Wars. And certainly American Pop (1981) is enough of a cultural document, and marker for the form, to have been seriously considered for inclusion on the AFI's Top 10. I would also have looked to include one of Richard Linklater's forays into animation on the list (indeed, either Waking Life, 2001, or A Scanner Darkly, 2006, would have been nice companions to American Pop). But, staying within the scope of children's or family films, the lack of either of Brad Bird's eligible films, The Iron Giant (1999) and The Incredibles (2004), seems like a critical oversight, and perhaps reflective of the fact that many of the voters were, undoubtedly, simply mining their own childhoods when making their selections. (I'm not going to suggest specific alternate selections here because, as indicated above, I think that this list is inherently misconceived, and because I think most of the selections on the AFI list are more or less interchangeable in any event). Link to introduction. Originally posted on:Short-Circuit Signs http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/5/14/29187.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 5/14/2008 6:01:10 PM
Body: Waltz With Bashir, the first official trailer from cinemascopian.com on Vimeo. Jeff Wells points to Cinemascopian, where blogger Yair Rave has posted the Vimeo trailer for Cannes competition entry Waltz With Bashir. This film wasn’t on my tentative must-see schedule (which I’ll be posting here before I get on a plane tomorrow), but I might find a place there, thanks to my Sita Sings the Blues-rekindled love of grown-up animation. Cinemascopian calls it an “animated quasi-documentary”; style-wise it looks a lot like A Scanner Darkly meets Persepolis, with an element of, like, Grand Theft Auto: Beirut. An aside: does any location for the next GTA seem *more* logical than the Holy Land? Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 14 May 2008 22:01:10 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com5/14/2008 6:01:10 PM Waltz With Bashir, the first official trailer from cinemascopian.com on Vimeo. Jeff Wells points to Cinemascopian, where blogger Yair Rave has posted the Vimeo trailer for Cannes competition entry Waltz With Bashir. This film wasn’t on my tentative must-see schedule (which I’ll be posting here before I get on a plane tomorrow), but I might find a place there, thanks to my Sita Sings the Blues-rekindled love of grown-up animation. Cinemascopian calls it an “animated quasi-documentary”; style-wise it looks a lot like A Scanner Darkly meets Persepolis, with an element of, like, Grand Theft Auto: Beirut. An aside: does any location for the next GTA seem *more* logical than the Holy Land? Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/5/14/29182.aspx Post By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 5/14/2008 5:01:16 PM
Body: Waltz With Bashir, the first official trailer from cinemascopian.com on Vimeo. Jeff Wells points to Cinemascopian, where blogger Yair Rave has posted the Vimeo trailer for Cannes competition entry Waltz With Bashir. This film wasn’t on my tentative must-see schedule (which I’ll be posting here before I get on a plane tomorrow), but I might find a place there, thanks to my Sita Sings the Blues-rekindled love of grown-up animation. Cinemascopian calls it an “animated quasi-documentary”; style-wise it looks a lot like A Scanner Darkly meets Persepolis, with an element of, like, Grand Theft Auto: Beirut. An aside: does any location for the next GTA seem *more* logical than the Holy Land? Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth
]]>Wed, 14 May 2008 21:01:16 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog5/14/2008 5:01:16 PM Waltz With Bashir, the first official trailer from cinemascopian.com on Vimeo. Jeff Wells points to Cinemascopian, where blogger Yair Rave has posted the Vimeo trailer for Cannes competition entry Waltz With Bashir. This film wasn’t on my tentative must-see schedule (which I’ll be posting here before I get on a plane tomorrow), but I might find a place there, thanks to my Sita Sings the Blues-rekindled love of grown-up animation. Cinemascopian calls it an “animated quasi-documentary”; style-wise it looks a lot like A Scanner Darkly meets Persepolis, with an element of, like, Grand Theft Auto: Beirut. An aside: does any location for the next GTA seem *more* logical than the Holy Land? Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth http://www.spout.com/blogs/unclefestering/archive/2008/5/8/28344.aspx Post By: unclefestering
Post To: unclefestering Blog
Post Date: 5/8/2008 1:21:51 AM
Body: I have to admit that I think Richard Linklater’s work runs hot and cold for me. I loved his early works like Dazed and Confused (1993) and Before Sunrise (1995). I love some of his more experimental work like A Scanner Darkly (2006). But some of his movies just fall completely flat. Sadly, Fast Food Nation is in this last category. I think part of it is that the subject is just too big for a dramatic movie like this. He just didn’t find a way to get a plot in his polemic against the fast food industry. Also some poor casting choices like Greg Kinnear hamper the movie. It almost seems that Linklater agrees, since his character disappears in the second half of the movie. I wanted to like it. The subject of the movie is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the plodding pace and painful exposition just made me keep checking my watch. .
]]>Thu, 08 May 2008 05:21:51 GMTunclefesteringunclefestering Blog5/8/2008 1:21:51 AMI have to admit that I think Richard Linklater&rsquo;s work runs hot and cold for me. I loved his early works like Dazed and Confused (1993) and Before Sunrise (1995). I love some of his more experimental work like A Scanner Darkly (2006). But some of his movies just fall completely flat. Sadly, Fast Food Nation is in this last category. I think part of it is that the subject is just too big for a dramatic movie like this. He just didn&rsquo;t find a way to get a plot in his polemic against the fast food industry. Also some poor casting choices like Greg Kinnear hamper the movie. It almost seems that Linklater agrees, since his character disappears in the second half of the movie. I wanted to like it. The subject of the movie is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the plodding pace and painful exposition just made me keep checking my watch. . http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspxfunny
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