list ChrisThilk's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ ChrisThilk's Recent Activity - Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg ChrisThilk's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Spout Group:Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here! http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Customer_Care/420/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Customer Care - Get answers to your questions here!
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Have a general question? Need help with some thing on the site? Have a bug you would like to report? Well then, you have come to the right place. No matter what you are having trouble with, we would like to help you find a solution. And maybe, through your own experience with the site, you will want to help other users too. That's what communities are all about. 


Created: 8/1/2007
Number of Members: 79
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]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTSpout Customer CareWed, 01 Aug 2007 09:06:04 GMT790513Group Spout Group:HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES http://www.spout.com/groups/HORROR_MOVIES_101/222/default.aspx Group Name: HORROR MOVIES 101 - FOR ALL WHO LOVE HORROR MOVIES
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:53:17 GMTHORROR MOVIES 101Sun, 17 Dec 2006 01:20:09 GMT41462333Group Spout Group:foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts. http://www.spout.com/groups/foureyedmonsters/338/endorsed.aspx Group Name: foureyedmonsters - Talk to Susan & Arin about the movie and those addictive podcasts.
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:31 GMTfoureyedmonstersMon, 04 Jun 2007 15:28:43 GMT322056Group Spout Group:Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety" http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/default.aspx Group Name: Weekly Theme - "Fighting off boredom with the Iron Fist of Variety"
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]]>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:20:23 GMTWeekly ThemeMon, 30 Jun 2008 15:13:45 GMT5212701Group Spout Group:Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited. http://www.spout.com/groups/Spout_Mavens/366/default.aspx Group Name: Spout Mavens - Spout's best movie reviewers. Membership is limited.
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A group of Spout's best reviewers.
Read the requirements.


Created: 6/20/2007
Number of Members: 36
Number of Lists: 9
Number of discussion posts: 451
]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:10:52 GMTSpout MavensWed, 20 Jun 2007 10:13:29 GMT369451Group Spout Group:missing a film - we'll help you find a film http://www.spout.com/groups/missing_a_film/263/default.aspx Group Name: missing a film - we'll help you find a film
Created: 3/5/2007
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]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:30:05 GMTmissing a filmMon, 05 Mar 2007 16:37:43 GMT1311234Group Spout Group:Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American. http://www.spout.com/groups/Friends_of_Foreign_Flicks/591/default.aspx Group Name: Friends of Foreign Flicks - Discussions of all films not American.
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At some point you just want more than what's right in front of you.


Created: 4/24/2008
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]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:05:26 GMTFriends of Foreign FlicksThu, 24 Apr 2008 11:44:11 GMT30192Group Spout Group:The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary. http://www.spout.com/groups/The_Documentary/79/default.aspx Group Name: The Documentary - A place to talk about the much overlooked genre of the Documentary.
Created: 4/2/2006
Number of Members: 49
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:05:39 GMTThe DocumentarySun, 02 Apr 2006 00:58:55 GMT49453Group Spout Group:Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more. http://www.spout.com/groups/Sound_on_Sight/529/default.aspx Group Name: Sound on Sight - Podcasts, movie reviews, interviews, news and more.
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Sound on Sight proudly brings you two podcasts each week. Voted best podcast in 2008, these hard working hosts cover everything from mainstream Hollywood films to noir, horror, science fiction, cult cinema, documentary film making and more. Look out for a new show added every Tuesday and Thursday morning.

http://www.soundonsight.org/

 

 


Created: 1/6/2008
Number of Members: 104
Number of discussion posts: 150
]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:03:03 GMTSound on SightSun, 06 Jan 2008 21:24:34 GMT1040150Group Spout Group:Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too. http://www.spout.com/groups/Worst_Movie_Ever/104/default.aspx Group Name: Worst Movie Ever - The Group is dedicated to uncovering the bombs, so you don't have too.
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:43:26 GMTWorst Movie EverFri, 05 May 2006 20:20:45 GMT20010412Group Spout Group:Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Polls/657/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Polls - Vote in weekly polls and discuss
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Each week I will post a new poll.  Please vote in the poll and reply to the discussion thread to discuss the question.  Please do not vote more than once.


Created: 11/25/2008
Number of Members: 66
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]]>Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:42:29 GMTMovie PollsTue, 25 Nov 2008 16:54:38 GMT660414Group Spout Group:Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite! http://www.spout.com/groups/Zombie_Obsession/329/default.aspx Group Name: Zombie Obsession - Zombie Lovers, Unite!
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Join us to discuss your favorite or most horrifying Zombie Movies or just your most memorable Zombie Moments.  From Funny to Scary to Gory to Bizarre...

 


Created: 5/28/2007
Number of Members: 104
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]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:29:56 GMTZombie ObsessionMon, 28 May 2007 02:04:45 GMT1041594Group Spout Group:A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We? http://www.spout.com/groups/A_World_of_MSTies/590/default.aspx Group Name: A World of MSTies - Thank You, Won't We?
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Glorify the best show ever (MST3K) with wit, wisdom and downright wackiness!


Created: 4/23/2008
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]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:25:25 GMTA World of MSTiesWed, 23 Apr 2008 20:21:48 GMT10223Group Spout Group:It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys http://www.spout.com/groups/It_s_a_Wonderful_Night_for_Oscar/46/default.aspx Group Name: It's a Wonderful Night for Oscar! - Devoted to everything nominated or snubbed by the Academy of Golden Guys
Group Description: Year after year, movie lovers and non movie lovers alike discuss ad nauseum the fate of films nominated for the utmost honor, the Academy Award. Some people watch it for the fashion. Some people watch for the haute couture. Some people watch for their fill of celebrity sightings. If you are a member of this group, you love everything about the Super Bowl of movies, especially the movies themselves! You love to make predictions, guess at the politics, discuss and dissect who should have been nominated and who should have won...or, you're just an avid movie lover that likes to pay attention. Come join the group!
Created: 3/4/2006
Number of Members: 41
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]]>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:11:33 GMTIt's a Wonderful Night for Oscar!Sat, 04 Mar 2006 15:24:32 GMT4158226Group Spout Group:Movie Marathons http://www.spout.com/groups/Movie_Marathons/693/default.aspx Group Name: Movie Marathons
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This is a group for members to start and organize movie marathons. Its primary purpose is to get more people exposed to more film. And to watch these films and discuss them as a group.

Anyone can start a marathon and marathons can be organized in many different ways to showcase the films of a director, actor, genre, theme etc...

Check the Guidlines and Suggestions discussion for ideas.


Created: 7/22/2009
Number of Members: 15
Number of discussion posts: 22
]]>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:33:02 GMTMovie MarathonsWed, 22 Jul 2009 01:35:58 GMT15022Group Spout Group:Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies! http://www.spout.com/groups/Movies_we_do_not_want_to_see/70/default.aspx Group Name: Movies we do not want to see - Try to convince us to see these movies!
Group Description: Want to be a member? Send me a message with a list of at least 5 movies that you do not want to see. There are many movies that I do not want to see. I'm not sure if its right of me to decide never to see a movie without seeing it. You know...like when a kid says they hate mushrooms even though they admit never trying them. So maybe this is a good spot for people to display movies they don't think they want to see, and see if anyone can convince us to try them out.
Created: 3/22/2006
Number of Members: 20
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Number of discussion posts: 190
]]>Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:31:56 GMTMovies we do not want to seeWed, 22 Mar 2006 14:27:50 GMT203190Group Spout Post: Movie Journal: Gigantic http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/4/2/41410.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 4/2/2009 3:01:36 PM
Body: I watched Gigantic after taking a look at its marketing campaign, so my immediate question that had to be answered was: Did the campaign accurately portray and sell the finished film? The answer is yes, absolutely. The movie is funny and offbeat without ever descending into parody or a portrayal of quirk for the sake of quirk. Instead, while all the characters act in what would be considered odd ways they never go over the edge into being just ridiculous. More to the point, they all stay true to their motivations and remain grounded in the reality of this film’s universe, which is even more important and the lynchpin of such directors as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Dano and Deschanel have obvious chemistry and - and this is essential to the movie’s success or could have been a cause of its failure - are able to deliver the highly stylized dialogue in a way that’s natural and believable. That’s a testament to their skills as actors as well as to the accuracy of the casting. The campaign lays out the movie’s story pretty well so I won’t rehash it again. But let me say there’s a twist that comes in the movie’s last 10 minutes or so that makes you rethink some of the basic assumptions about the characters. It’s an interesting twist but is the one thing about the movie that doesn’t work for me and actually takes away from everything that’s preceded it. I dig, in general, things like that which shake up your beliefs but this movie didn’t need it. Aside from that, though, Gigantic is a very good flick that, if you’re in one of the areas where it’s screening, is well worth going and checking out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:01:36 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog4/2/2009 3:01:36 PMI watched Gigantic after taking a look at its marketing campaign, so my immediate question that had to be answered was: Did the campaign accurately portray and sell the finished film? The answer is yes, absolutely. The movie is funny and offbeat without ever descending into parody or a portrayal of quirk for the sake of quirk. Instead, while all the characters act in what would be considered odd ways they never go over the edge into being just ridiculous. More to the point, they all stay true to their motivations and remain grounded in the reality of this film’s universe, which is even more important and the lynchpin of such directors as Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach. Dano and Deschanel have obvious chemistry and - and this is essential to the movie’s success or could have been a cause of its failure - are able to deliver the highly stylized dialogue in a way that’s natural and believable. That’s a testament to their skills as actors as well as to the accuracy of the casting. The campaign lays out the movie’s story pretty well so I won’t rehash it again. But let me say there’s a twist that comes in the movie’s last 10 minutes or so that makes you rethink some of the basic assumptions about the characters. It’s an interesting twist but is the one thing about the movie that doesn’t work for me and actually takes away from everything that’s preceded it. I dig, in general, things like that which shake up your beliefs but this movie didn’t need it. Aside from that, though, Gigantic is a very good flick that, if you’re in one of the areas where it’s screening, is well worth going and checking out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Appaloosa http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/27/41285.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/27/2009 1:01:35 AM
Body: I really, really like Appaloosa and even began, shortly after watching it, that it might be my second favorite modern Western, behind only Unforgiven. Appaloosa is the story of two lawmen-for-hire, played by Ed Harris (who also directed) and Viggo Mortenson. The pair come to the small town of Appaloosa to help the locals with the problems they’re having with a local powerful rancher, played by the fantastic Jeremy Irons. One complication after another comes into the story (including a few that involve a woman who moves to town shortly after them and who’s played by Renee Zellweger) but the two come through as partners despite being the only morally clear people in the entire story. What I dug about Appaloosa was the stoic attitudes displayed by the two stars. While everyone is getting all emotional around them these two lawmen just shrug and move along, never betraying any emotion they don’t need to and meeting every challenge with a quiet certainty. The performances by these two are simply pitch-perfect without being showy or anything like that. Even Irons doesn’t go over the edge in his role as the “villain” of the film, a role that he easily could have hammed up. The single-disc edition of the movie comes with a handful of bonus features, including a batch of deleted scenes that you can view with or without commentary by director and star Ed Harris and screenwriter/producer Robert Knott. Both Knott and Harris also provide commentary on the feature film itself. The disc also has a few featurettes that dive into the production of the film and the recreation of the titular town. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:01:35 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/27/2009 1:01:35 AMI really, really like Appaloosa and even began, shortly after watching it, that it might be my second favorite modern Western, behind only Unforgiven. Appaloosa is the story of two lawmen-for-hire, played by Ed Harris (who also directed) and Viggo Mortenson. The pair come to the small town of Appaloosa to help the locals with the problems they’re having with a local powerful rancher, played by the fantastic Jeremy Irons. One complication after another comes into the story (including a few that involve a woman who moves to town shortly after them and who’s played by Renee Zellweger) but the two come through as partners despite being the only morally clear people in the entire story. What I dug about Appaloosa was the stoic attitudes displayed by the two stars. While everyone is getting all emotional around them these two lawmen just shrug and move along, never betraying any emotion they don’t need to and meeting every challenge with a quiet certainty. The performances by these two are simply pitch-perfect without being showy or anything like that. Even Irons doesn’t go over the edge in his role as the “villain” of the film, a role that he easily could have hammed up. The single-disc edition of the movie comes with a handful of bonus features, including a batch of deleted scenes that you can view with or without commentary by director and star Ed Harris and screenwriter/producer Robert Knott. Both Knott and Harris also provide commentary on the feature film itself. The disc also has a few featurettes that dive into the production of the film and the recreation of the titular town. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Quantum of Solace http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/25/41253.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/25/2009 9:01:46 PM
Body: For some reason Quantum of Solace, the most-recent outing of super-spy James Bond, got lukewarm reviews when it came out in theaters. I’m not sure why that was since I actually quite enjoyed it and even thought it was an improvement over 2006’s Casino Royale. Picking up right, more or less, where that previous movie left off, Daniel Craig once again stars as the new stripped-down and highly intense version of Bond the first movie introduced us to. He’s on a mission to not only uncover some shadowy, nebulous organization that specializes is toppling governments and exploiting natural resources but also to - although he doesn’t admit as much - to avenge the death of Vesper, the girlfriend he lost in the previous installment. The nature of the plot doesn’t really matter though. Quantum of Solace needs to be viewed as the second half of a single film, one who’s primary purpose is to introduce this version of James Bond and give him a mythos of his own as someone who is emotionally damaged and brutal in pursuit of his goals, which often seem personal but which also have the advantage of meshing nicely with those of Queen and country. Watching Craig as Bond is even more enjoyable this time than it was in Casino Royale. We know better who this guy is now and can read more into his aggressively passive expressions. It’s also more interesting to see him in the movie’s series of chases and action sequences. I found myself thinking over the course of the movie that he reminded me of Indiana Jones in how he escapes not because of some master plan he’s worked out, but instead because he just happened to survive from one moment to the next, not thinking about anything beyond the next ledge he’s going to leap to and he’ll figure out the next move once he’s there. There’s never really a moment that doesn’t work in Quantum of Solace. Not only are the action scenes great to watch but the quieter moments (if you can call them that) - especially the ones with Dame Judy Dench as M - are pretty good as well. Dench is basically given the same two things to do over and over again - scold Bond and remind him of his duties or look up information based on Bond’s latest discovery - but she sells them with her usual class and talent. Quantum of Solace comes with a host of bonus features on the two-disc special edition DVD, including: Bond on Location: All about the exotic locales and how they play into the story of the movie. Start of Shooting: Very brief featurette about the shooting of the movie. On Location: More about the settings. Not sure why this wasn’t just rolled into the 20+ minute first bit. Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase: Covering one of the key action sequences in the film. Director Marc Forster: How the man behind the camera did on his first time out. The Music: Self-explanitory Crew Files: Likewise. As I said, Quantum of Solace needs to be viewed as the second half of a single story and it works as just that. Well worth checking out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:01:46 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/25/2009 9:01:46 PMFor some reason Quantum of Solace, the most-recent outing of super-spy James Bond, got lukewarm reviews when it came out in theaters. I’m not sure why that was since I actually quite enjoyed it and even thought it was an improvement over 2006’s Casino Royale. Picking up right, more or less, where that previous movie left off, Daniel Craig once again stars as the new stripped-down and highly intense version of Bond the first movie introduced us to. He’s on a mission to not only uncover some shadowy, nebulous organization that specializes is toppling governments and exploiting natural resources but also to - although he doesn’t admit as much - to avenge the death of Vesper, the girlfriend he lost in the previous installment. The nature of the plot doesn’t really matter though. Quantum of Solace needs to be viewed as the second half of a single film, one who’s primary purpose is to introduce this version of James Bond and give him a mythos of his own as someone who is emotionally damaged and brutal in pursuit of his goals, which often seem personal but which also have the advantage of meshing nicely with those of Queen and country. Watching Craig as Bond is even more enjoyable this time than it was in Casino Royale. We know better who this guy is now and can read more into his aggressively passive expressions. It’s also more interesting to see him in the movie’s series of chases and action sequences. I found myself thinking over the course of the movie that he reminded me of Indiana Jones in how he escapes not because of some master plan he’s worked out, but instead because he just happened to survive from one moment to the next, not thinking about anything beyond the next ledge he’s going to leap to and he’ll figure out the next move once he’s there. There’s never really a moment that doesn’t work in Quantum of Solace. Not only are the action scenes great to watch but the quieter moments (if you can call them that) - especially the ones with Dame Judy Dench as M - are pretty good as well. Dench is basically given the same two things to do over and over again - scold Bond and remind him of his duties or look up information based on Bond’s latest discovery - but she sells them with her usual class and talent. Quantum of Solace comes with a host of bonus features on the two-disc special edition DVD, including: Bond on Location: All about the exotic locales and how they play into the story of the movie. Start of Shooting: Very brief featurette about the shooting of the movie. On Location: More about the settings. Not sure why this wasn’t just rolled into the 20+ minute first bit. Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase: Covering one of the key action sequences in the film. Director Marc Forster: How the man behind the camera did on his first time out. The Music: Self-explanitory Crew Files: Likewise. As I said, Quantum of Solace needs to be viewed as the second half of a single story and it works as just that. Well worth checking out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Being There http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/25/41252.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/25/2009 7:01:33 PM
Body: Have you ever watched an acrobat and marveled at the control they have over their bodies? Just sat there and been amazed at how they can move their limbs in ways that you just can’t considering you count every time you don’t trip while walking up the stairs as a massive, massive success? That’s kind of what it’s like watching Peter Sellers in Being There. If you’re unfamiliar with Being There here’s a quick synopsis: A simple man named Chance serves as the gardener for an old man in Washington, DC. Chance has never left the house and has the intellect of a child, as well as being able to neither read nor write. One day the old man dies and Chance is cast out, only to find himself taken in by another rich old man who thinks Chance is some sort of nuts-and-bolts genius who’s able to take the most complex situation and reduce it down to its core elements. As part of that Chance winds up meeting the President, being quoted in newspapers he can’t read and making lots of influential friends who don’t realize he’s that slow. The movie, in all honesty, kind of hits that same joke over and over again. With anyone else playing the role of Chance it likely wouldn’t work nearly as well as it does with Sellers there. He brings it an incredible amount of genuine emotion that other actors simply couldn’t. It turns the character from someone to be pitied into someone you come to respect and root for. Being There received a bare-bones DVD release back in the early days of the format but now it’s gotten a Deluxe Edition release as well as appearing on Blu-ray. Even so, the only new addition to the disc is a “Memories of Being There” featurette that has interviews with the cast and crew. It’s worth watching but it might not be up to a “Deluxe” labeling. Still, Being There is a classic film that deserved a better release on disc and I’m glad Warner Bros. has provided just that. Definitely recommended. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:01:33 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/25/2009 7:01:33 PMHave you ever watched an acrobat and marveled at the control they have over their bodies? Just sat there and been amazed at how they can move their limbs in ways that you just can’t considering you count every time you don’t trip while walking up the stairs as a massive, massive success? That’s kind of what it’s like watching Peter Sellers in Being There. If you’re unfamiliar with Being There here’s a quick synopsis: A simple man named Chance serves as the gardener for an old man in Washington, DC. Chance has never left the house and has the intellect of a child, as well as being able to neither read nor write. One day the old man dies and Chance is cast out, only to find himself taken in by another rich old man who thinks Chance is some sort of nuts-and-bolts genius who’s able to take the most complex situation and reduce it down to its core elements. As part of that Chance winds up meeting the President, being quoted in newspapers he can’t read and making lots of influential friends who don’t realize he’s that slow. The movie, in all honesty, kind of hits that same joke over and over again. With anyone else playing the role of Chance it likely wouldn’t work nearly as well as it does with Sellers there. He brings it an incredible amount of genuine emotion that other actors simply couldn’t. It turns the character from someone to be pitied into someone you come to respect and root for. Being There received a bare-bones DVD release back in the early days of the format but now it’s gotten a Deluxe Edition release as well as appearing on Blu-ray. Even so, the only new addition to the disc is a “Memories of Being There” featurette that has interviews with the cast and crew. It’s worth watching but it might not be up to a “Deluxe” labeling. Still, Being There is a classic film that deserved a better release on disc and I’m glad Warner Bros. has provided just that. Definitely recommended. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: Movie Journal: The Manhattan Project http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/24/41230.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/24/2009 9:01:48 PM
Body: I don’t know about you but I always think of The Manhattan Project in the same vein as Wargames. You know, two movies about some kid in the mid-80s who’s smarter than adults around him and who uses those smarts to blow up the world, or at least Ithaca, New York and the surrounding states. The movie doesn’t hold up nearly as well as some others from that era, unfortunately. It’s still fun to watch, though mostly at this point simply for the memories it evokes of watching it on VHS countless times while spending summer days at my grandparents’ house. It’s especially bad when you realize that John Lithgow’s character basically causes his own problems when he gives the kid a tour of his lab - where he’s making highly unstable weapon’s grade plutonium - because he wants to sleep with the kid’s mother. Good job on that, big guy. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:01:48 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/24/2009 9:01:48 PMI don’t know about you but I always think of The Manhattan Project in the same vein as Wargames. You know, two movies about some kid in the mid-80s who’s smarter than adults around him and who uses those smarts to blow up the world, or at least Ithaca, New York and the surrounding states. The movie doesn’t hold up nearly as well as some others from that era, unfortunately. It’s still fun to watch, though mostly at this point simply for the memories it evokes of watching it on VHS countless times while spending summer days at my grandparents’ house. It’s especially bad when you realize that John Lithgow’s character basically causes his own problems when he gives the kid a tour of his lab - where he’s making highly unstable weapon’s grade plutonium - because he wants to sleep with the kid’s mother. Good job on that, big guy. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: Movie Journal: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/24/41229.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/24/2009 9:01:45 PM
Body: For whatever reason I had never actually seen A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum before coming across it on Hulu a little while ago. I certainly knew of it but had just missed it time and time again. Forum, though, is not to be missed, especially if you’re a fan of old-school comedy. Between Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton and a variety of other faces and names you’re likely to recognize if you know your comedic history, it’s a light little piece of entertainment that is funny and fresh and entirely enjoyable. There isn’t much physical comedy, at least not as much as I was expecting. Instead, as truly befits the talents of those involved, it’s mostly about the word play, about mistaken identities and about pulling one over on your neighbor because he’s probably about to pull one over on you. If there’s one thing that comes through on watching this, it’s that Mostel truly was a force of nature. He blows through every scene like a whirlwind, leaving half-thought through schemes, confused servants and frustrated masters in his wake. It is, quite frankly, impossible to take your eyes off of him while he’s on screen, even more so than in The Producers, a role he’s well known for in most people’s minds. Maybe because ancient Rome is a bigger canvas for him to wreak havoc on than modern New York City. He’s extraordinary. The movie is on Hulu for anther week or so so by all means carve out a couple hours or so and watch it while it’s there. If you don’t have the time then add it immediately to your Netflix queue and check it out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:01:45 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/24/2009 9:01:45 PMFor whatever reason I had never actually seen A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum before coming across it on Hulu a little while ago. I certainly knew of it but had just missed it time and time again. Forum, though, is not to be missed, especially if you’re a fan of old-school comedy. Between Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton and a variety of other faces and names you’re likely to recognize if you know your comedic history, it’s a light little piece of entertainment that is funny and fresh and entirely enjoyable. There isn’t much physical comedy, at least not as much as I was expecting. Instead, as truly befits the talents of those involved, it’s mostly about the word play, about mistaken identities and about pulling one over on your neighbor because he’s probably about to pull one over on you. If there’s one thing that comes through on watching this, it’s that Mostel truly was a force of nature. He blows through every scene like a whirlwind, leaving half-thought through schemes, confused servants and frustrated masters in his wake. It is, quite frankly, impossible to take your eyes off of him while he’s on screen, even more so than in The Producers, a role he’s well known for in most people’s minds. Maybe because ancient Rome is a bigger canvas for him to wreak havoc on than modern New York City. He’s extraordinary. The movie is on Hulu for anther week or so so by all means carve out a couple hours or so and watch it while it’s there. If you don’t have the time then add it immediately to your Netflix queue and check it out. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Watchmen - The Complete Motion Comics http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/18/41121.aspxPost By: ChrisThilk
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Post Date: 3/18/2009 6:01:26 PM
Body: Months before the release of Watchmen into theaters, Warner Bros. - specifically their Warner Premiere division - made the first chapter of something called “Watchmen Motion Comics” available as a free download through iTunes. The format of the video was just what is sounds like, literally the panels of the Watchmen graphic novel put in rudimentary motion and with voice work. It was quite interesting to watch but the future episodes, which weren’t released for quite a while after the first one, weren’t free and so I didn’t continue watching them. But now Warner Premiere has released all 12 chapters on the two DVD set Watchmen - The Complete Motion Comic. Unlike the big-screen movie adaptation there’s nothing new or altered from the source material here. Most every panel, including The Black Freighter sub-story and everything else, that appeared in the graphic novel is brought to motion. Dave Gibbons’ artwork is rendered faithfully, with moving limbs and objects being the only alteration. It’s interesting to watch the whole story unfold like this. I can’t say it’s preferable to reading the printed novel. It’s not. But despite its exact duplication it does provide an alternate way to enjoy the story and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Occasionally things seem silly, but those are few and far between. For the most part it works and is certainly something that fulfills its primary duty as a promotional tool for the feature film. More than anything, this “version” of the story makes it seem filmable. It’s one thing to look at the amazingly dense graphic novel and say it can’t be translated to film. But this does just that, without any interpretation. The five hour running time of the 12 episodes is just about how long the movie would need to be told. It doesn’t seem like so high a hurdle. While watching it hasn’t impacted my feelings about that feature film, it does make me view the opinions circulating around its making differently. The two-disc DVD contains only one special feature, a 10-minute featurette on the making of Warner Premiere’s next DC Comics animated feature, Wonder Woman. There’s no finished footage in the segment (which is a bit surprising) but instead it’s made up of cast and crew interviews, with rough sketches from the film giving a glimpse of what it will look like as well as plenty of background on the history of Wonder Woman in the comics. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:01:26 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/18/2009 6:01:26 PMMonths before the release of Watchmen into theaters, Warner Bros. - specifically their Warner Premiere division - made the first chapter of something called “Watchmen Motion Comics” available as a free download through iTunes. The format of the video was just what is sounds like, literally the panels of the Watchmen graphic novel put in rudimentary motion and with voice work. It was quite interesting to watch but the future episodes, which weren’t released for quite a while after the first one, weren’t free and so I didn’t continue watching them. But now Warner Premiere has released all 12 chapters on the two DVD set Watchmen - The Complete Motion Comic. Unlike the big-screen movie adaptation there’s nothing new or altered from the source material here. Most every panel, including The Black Freighter sub-story and everything else, that appeared in the graphic novel is brought to motion. Dave Gibbons’ artwork is rendered faithfully, with moving limbs and objects being the only alteration. It’s interesting to watch the whole story unfold like this. I can’t say it’s preferable to reading the printed novel. It’s not. But despite its exact duplication it does provide an alternate way to enjoy the story and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Occasionally things seem silly, but those are few and far between. For the most part it works and is certainly something that fulfills its primary duty as a promotional tool for the feature film. More than anything, this “version” of the story makes it seem filmable. It’s one thing to look at the amazingly dense graphic novel and say it can’t be translated to film. But this does just that, without any interpretation. The five hour running time of the 12 episodes is just about how long the movie would need to be told. It doesn’t seem like so high a hurdle. While watching it hasn’t impacted my feelings about that feature film, it does make me view the opinions circulating around its making differently. The two-disc DVD contains only one special feature, a 10-minute featurette on the making of Warner Premiere’s next DC Comics animated feature, Wonder Woman. There’s no finished footage in the segment (which is a bit surprising) but instead it’s made up of cast and crew interviews, with rough sketches from the film giving a glimpse of what it will look like as well as plenty of background on the history of Wonder Woman in the comics. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Marley & Me http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/18/41110.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
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Post Date: 3/18/2009 9:01:22 AM
Body: When the movie was about to come out you probably weren’t able to go anywhere or watch anything without encountering an ad for Marley & Me. The ads played up the antics of the dog whose name is featured in the title or, because it was coming out around Christmas, showed you a cute little puppy with a bow around his neck. The campaign caught a lot of flack after the movie opened because it’s very much not a “cute dog” movie that’s great for the whole family but instead features a bevy of very adult issues and themes. And that’s what I really dug about Marley & Me. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play a young married couple whose life we’re following through a handful of very real moments both good and bad. From the enthusiasm of starting their life together through the tragedy of miscarriage to the joy of starting a family to struggling with jobs and self-identification issues, these are all moments that a lot of people have gone through. To their credit, Aniston and Wilson do their level best to not be overshadowed by the dog or the kids and not only do the pair provide some laughs but also some very real drama. There are a handful of those expected “cute dog” moments within the movie but they’re honestly few and far between. More often than not, actually, the kinds of antics the dog engages in that in other movies would be played for laughs are in this one used to move the story along by providing a point of tension and/or bonding between the humans in the film. That’s a pretty unique role for the dog - which is setup to be the focal point of the movie - to play and it’s a credit to the screenwriters that they managed to create a movie that works as more than fluffy entertainment. I’m not saying Marley & Me is a cutting portrait of disillusionment. It’s not. The characters - based on real people since the movie is based on a non-fiction book about life with and around this unruly dog - are more or less optimistic and use the tragedies and hardships they face as launching pads for doing it better the next time. So if you’re into dark character studies that deconstruct the suburban mythos you’ll be disappointed. But it also doesn’t shy away from showing that life, even with a larger-than life mess of a dog, isn’t always sunshine and flowers. The DVD release of Marley & Me comes with a whole batch of bonus features that range from pretty interesting to mildly entertaining fluff. Deleted Scenes - Pretty self explanitory. Nothing relevatory here but there are some interesting character moments. Gag Reel - Not the traditional gag reel you might expect. This is a pretty highly polished montage of people mugging for the camera. Finding Marley - The search for the dog. Breaking the Golden Rule - Wilson and Aniston discuss breaking the rules about never working with animals and/or babies. On the Set with Marley - About working with the dog. Animal Adoption - Again, you can guess what this is about. Purina Dog Chow videos - A couple features about a video contest Purina, a promotional partner in the movie’s marketing and featured prominently in the movie, ran when the movie was about to hit theaters. When Not to Pee - Yep. Trailers I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised by Marley & Me. I expected a mildly entertaining romantic comedy, but the realistic portrait of struggles of the characters that the movie actually contains wound up being not only far more entertaining but far more interesting than I presumed it to be. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:01:22 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/18/2009 9:01:22 AMWhen the movie was about to come out you probably weren’t able to go anywhere or watch anything without encountering an ad for Marley & Me. The ads played up the antics of the dog whose name is featured in the title or, because it was coming out around Christmas, showed you a cute little puppy with a bow around his neck. The campaign caught a lot of flack after the movie opened because it’s very much not a “cute dog” movie that’s great for the whole family but instead features a bevy of very adult issues and themes. And that’s what I really dug about Marley & Me. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson play a young married couple whose life we’re following through a handful of very real moments both good and bad. From the enthusiasm of starting their life together through the tragedy of miscarriage to the joy of starting a family to struggling with jobs and self-identification issues, these are all moments that a lot of people have gone through. To their credit, Aniston and Wilson do their level best to not be overshadowed by the dog or the kids and not only do the pair provide some laughs but also some very real drama. There are a handful of those expected “cute dog” moments within the movie but they’re honestly few and far between. More often than not, actually, the kinds of antics the dog engages in that in other movies would be played for laughs are in this one used to move the story along by providing a point of tension and/or bonding between the humans in the film. That’s a pretty unique role for the dog - which is setup to be the focal point of the movie - to play and it’s a credit to the screenwriters that they managed to create a movie that works as more than fluffy entertainment. I’m not saying Marley & Me is a cutting portrait of disillusionment. It’s not. The characters - based on real people since the movie is based on a non-fiction book about life with and around this unruly dog - are more or less optimistic and use the tragedies and hardships they face as launching pads for doing it better the next time. So if you’re into dark character studies that deconstruct the suburban mythos you’ll be disappointed. But it also doesn’t shy away from showing that life, even with a larger-than life mess of a dog, isn’t always sunshine and flowers. The DVD release of Marley & Me comes with a whole batch of bonus features that range from pretty interesting to mildly entertaining fluff. Deleted Scenes - Pretty self explanitory. Nothing relevatory here but there are some interesting character moments. Gag Reel - Not the traditional gag reel you might expect. This is a pretty highly polished montage of people mugging for the camera. Finding Marley - The search for the dog. Breaking the Golden Rule - Wilson and Aniston discuss breaking the rules about never working with animals and/or babies. On the Set with Marley - About working with the dog. Animal Adoption - Again, you can guess what this is about. Purina Dog Chow videos - A couple features about a video contest Purina, a promotional partner in the movie’s marketing and featured prominently in the movie, ran when the movie was about to hit theaters. When Not to Pee - Yep. Trailers I have to say I was more than pleasantly surprised by Marley & Me. I expected a mildly entertaining romantic comedy, but the realistic portrait of struggles of the characters that the movie actually contains wound up being not only far more entertaining but far more interesting than I presumed it to be. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: Movie Journal: Nobody’s Fool, The Stranger, Hoffa http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/16/41077.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
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Post Date: 3/16/2009 4:01:53 PM
Body: I went on a movie-watching spree on Hulu recently and wanted to catalog some of the flicks I caught on the site. Nobody’s Fool: I saw this movie when it first came out and remembered quite liking it so I thought it was cool that it showed up on Hulu and I had a chance to revisit it. Paul Newman, unsurprisingly, gives a great low-key performance as a small town curmudgeon who tries to come to terms with the life he’s lead as he meets his grandchildren, tries to hold down a job and other everyday tasks. There’s no big emotional arc he goes on - he winds up in much the same place at the end of the movie that he started out in - but Newman is always worth watching and he never makes the one long, sustained note he’s asked to hold out boring. The Stranger: Orsen Welles plays an on-the-run Nazi who has managed to integrate himself into a small town in the U.S. but who is eventually tracked down by Nazi-hunter Edward G. Robinson. Not the best film from either one but definitely worth watching if you can track it down. Hoffa: I know it’s popular to trash the 1992 Danny DeVito-directed biopic of the union legend, but I like it. It’s another movie I saw around the time of its first release and, upon re-watching, I stand by my assertion that DeVito makes some interesting choices and that Jack Nicholson does a pretty good job in the title role. It’s obviously not going to be a complete story of the man’s life but it hits many of the high points and does so in an entertaining way. OK, now I’m all caught up. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:01:53 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/16/2009 4:01:53 PMI went on a movie-watching spree on Hulu recently and wanted to catalog some of the flicks I caught on the site. Nobody’s Fool: I saw this movie when it first came out and remembered quite liking it so I thought it was cool that it showed up on Hulu and I had a chance to revisit it. Paul Newman, unsurprisingly, gives a great low-key performance as a small town curmudgeon who tries to come to terms with the life he’s lead as he meets his grandchildren, tries to hold down a job and other everyday tasks. There’s no big emotional arc he goes on - he winds up in much the same place at the end of the movie that he started out in - but Newman is always worth watching and he never makes the one long, sustained note he’s asked to hold out boring. The Stranger: Orsen Welles plays an on-the-run Nazi who has managed to integrate himself into a small town in the U.S. but who is eventually tracked down by Nazi-hunter Edward G. Robinson. Not the best film from either one but definitely worth watching if you can track it down. Hoffa: I know it’s popular to trash the 1992 Danny DeVito-directed biopic of the union legend, but I like it. It’s another movie I saw around the time of its first release and, upon re-watching, I stand by my assertion that DeVito makes some interesting choices and that Jack Nicholson does a pretty good job in the title role. It’s obviously not going to be a complete story of the man’s life but it hits many of the high points and does so in an entertaining way. OK, now I’m all caught up. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: Movie Journal: Watchmen http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/16/41076.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
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Post Date: 3/16/2009 4:01:52 PM
Body: I did see Watchmen opening weekend but haven’t had the strength/time to write up anything approaching a review of the film and, quite frankly, still don’t. But I did want to share my overall impression of the film. Unlike my brother-in-law, who saw it with me, I didn’t completely hate it and want to start attacking those involved in the film with pointed sticks. In fact I quite liked it and felt that while it’s still largely impossible to completely adapt the sourch graphic novel into even a 2:45 film, the filmmakers did a pretty good job of accomplishing what they could. High points include: Jackie Earl Haley’s portrayal of the detective Rorschach: Filmspotting’s Adam or Matty (I can’t remember which said it) were right when he said it was a performance that approaches what Heath Ledger did as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian: Yeah, he exists only to provide motivations of one form or another to the rest of the characters - he is the Macguffin - but he sells it. The moments when Zack Snyder departs from the source material but remains true to the story: No squid? No problem. The idea that Ozywhatever would try to accomplish his goal by turning the world against Dr. Manhattan completely works within the movie’s logic and gets around the problem created by 1) the fact that a giant alien squid would have looked ridiculous and 2) the fact that its creation would have been impossible to tell without including The Black Frieghter and about 35 more minutes of footage involving an artist’s colony. Low points include: Malin Ackerman as Silk Spectre II: Oh just kill me now. I’m convinced she wasn’t actually on the set but that Snyder just filmed her at the first table read and dropped the footage into his digitally-created sets. “That scene” on the Owlship: Yeah, you know the one I’m talking about. If Snyder were looking for minutes to cut from the film I can show him about six that could be lifted easily. Despite those few problems with it I did like it and am looking forward to seeing it again, when I can be free of all the expectations and hype that surrounded its release, something that without a doubt colors everyone’s perceptions of the finished product. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:01:52 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/16/2009 4:01:52 PMI did see Watchmen opening weekend but haven’t had the strength/time to write up anything approaching a review of the film and, quite frankly, still don’t. But I did want to share my overall impression of the film. Unlike my brother-in-law, who saw it with me, I didn’t completely hate it and want to start attacking those involved in the film with pointed sticks. In fact I quite liked it and felt that while it’s still largely impossible to completely adapt the sourch graphic novel into even a 2:45 film, the filmmakers did a pretty good job of accomplishing what they could. High points include: Jackie Earl Haley’s portrayal of the detective Rorschach: Filmspotting’s Adam or Matty (I can’t remember which said it) were right when he said it was a performance that approaches what Heath Ledger did as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian: Yeah, he exists only to provide motivations of one form or another to the rest of the characters - he is the Macguffin - but he sells it. The moments when Zack Snyder departs from the source material but remains true to the story: No squid? No problem. The idea that Ozywhatever would try to accomplish his goal by turning the world against Dr. Manhattan completely works within the movie’s logic and gets around the problem created by 1) the fact that a giant alien squid would have looked ridiculous and 2) the fact that its creation would have been impossible to tell without including The Black Frieghter and about 35 more minutes of footage involving an artist’s colony. Low points include: Malin Ackerman as Silk Spectre II: Oh just kill me now. I’m convinced she wasn’t actually on the set but that Snyder just filmed her at the first table read and dropped the footage into his digitally-created sets. “That scene” on the Owlship: Yeah, you know the one I’m talking about. If Snyder were looking for minutes to cut from the film I can show him about six that could be lifted easily. Despite those few problems with it I did like it and am looking forward to seeing it again, when I can be free of all the expectations and hype that surrounded its release, something that without a doubt colors everyone’s perceptions of the finished product. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Ashes of Time (Redux) http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/16/41073.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
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Post Date: 3/16/2009 3:01:18 PM
Body: It’s more or less impossible for me to adequately explain the plot for Ashes of Time, a film from director Wong Kar-Wai, so let me just paste the official synopsis here: The film is set in five parts, five seasons that are part of the Chinese almanac. The story takes place in the jianghu, the world of the martial arts. Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) has lived in the western desert for some years. He left his home in White Camel Mountain when the woman he loved chose to marry his elder brother rather than him. Instead of seeking glory, he ends up as an agent. When people come to him with a wish to eliminate someone who has wronged them, he puts them in touch with a swordsman who can do the job. Now let’s be clear that this brief description of the film doesn’t come close to doing justice to the film itself. Broken into five parts, the loose center of the film is the man, mentioned above, who finds people for clients who need problems solved. But what it’s really about is the visual palette that Wong Kar-Wai works with throughout the film. In addition to the highly dramatic - also melodramatic - performances from all the lead actors and actresses the colors and tones the director works with are a character in and of themselves. It’s absolutely gorgeous to look at and behold. I mean absolutely fantastic. Aside from the visuals, though, Wong Kar-Wai gets some fantasticly deep performances from the actors he uses. The subtleties of those performances - despite the over-the-top emotions they’re asked to portray - are simply outstanding and a joy to watch. This “Redux” version is meant to be the ultimate version of the film, originally released in 1993 but since disseminated - both officially and unofficially - in various versions. This Redux release, then, is meant to set the record straight and be “definitive” in the eyes of the director. Not being familiar with the original or any of the subsequent iterations I can’t rightly speak to what’s different but I can tell you that if the original was half this moving it has to be fantastic. The DVD release contains just a couple special features, a Q&A with Wong Kar-Wai and a featurette on the making of the film. Ashes of Time is full of fantastic visuals and emotive performances and well worth checking out if you’ve heard of the movie or not as it’s a richly rewarding experience. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:01:18 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/16/2009 3:01:18 PMIt’s more or less impossible for me to adequately explain the plot for Ashes of Time, a film from director Wong Kar-Wai, so let me just paste the official synopsis here: The film is set in five parts, five seasons that are part of the Chinese almanac. The story takes place in the jianghu, the world of the martial arts. Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) has lived in the western desert for some years. He left his home in White Camel Mountain when the woman he loved chose to marry his elder brother rather than him. Instead of seeking glory, he ends up as an agent. When people come to him with a wish to eliminate someone who has wronged them, he puts them in touch with a swordsman who can do the job. Now let’s be clear that this brief description of the film doesn’t come close to doing justice to the film itself. Broken into five parts, the loose center of the film is the man, mentioned above, who finds people for clients who need problems solved. But what it’s really about is the visual palette that Wong Kar-Wai works with throughout the film. In addition to the highly dramatic - also melodramatic - performances from all the lead actors and actresses the colors and tones the director works with are a character in and of themselves. It’s absolutely gorgeous to look at and behold. I mean absolutely fantastic. Aside from the visuals, though, Wong Kar-Wai gets some fantasticly deep performances from the actors he uses. The subtleties of those performances - despite the over-the-top emotions they’re asked to portray - are simply outstanding and a joy to watch. This “Redux” version is meant to be the ultimate version of the film, originally released in 1993 but since disseminated - both officially and unofficially - in various versions. This Redux release, then, is meant to set the record straight and be “definitive” in the eyes of the director. Not being familiar with the original or any of the subsequent iterations I can’t rightly speak to what’s different but I can tell you that if the original was half this moving it has to be fantastic. The DVD release contains just a couple special features, a Q&A with Wong Kar-Wai and a featurette on the making of the film. Ashes of Time is full of fantastic visuals and emotive performances and well worth checking out if you’ve heard of the movie or not as it’s a richly rewarding experience. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: How to Lose Friends and Alienate People http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/3/2/40778.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 3/2/2009 6:04:37 PM
Body: If there’s a bright shining light to How to Lose Friends and Alienate People it’s star Simon Pegg. As the main character Sydney Young, Pegg is given a good deal of latitude to be, at turns: irritating, entertaining, obnoxious, endearing, clueless and nostalgic. The movie follows Pegg’s Young from his beginnings as the publisher and head writer for his own British celebrity tabloid through his hiring by an upscale New York-based glossy lifestyle magazine. Young is constantly in search of movie and other stars as he tries to find the tawdry details of their lives, even while seemingly being the only one in any give room that’s willing to call them on their narcissistic worldview. When he arrives in New York he meets a young woman who, though he doesn’t know it at the time, will wind up being his primary co-worker at the magazine. Their story arc is all too predictable but the game performances by both Pegg and Kirsten Dunst as his comedic and romantic foil make it an enjoyable ride. Young gets break after break despite antics that should, by any right, get him fired time and time again and eventually seems on the verge of achieving his ultimate goals: The celebrity access he craves as well as the opportunity to have sex with a young up-and-coming actress played by Megan Fox. But when it’s all within his grasp he decides to stay true to himself and not completely compromise his ideals. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is an enjoyable movie, even if it is sometimes painful to watch in a way that seems to be unique to British comedies. The pace never really wavers for very long, keeping a light and consistent tempo that mixes comedic and emotional elements very well, something other movies like this don’t often achieve. The DVD comes loaded with two commentaries, one featuring just director Robert B. Weide and one with Weide and Pegg. There’s also a featurette on the film’s making that features interviews with the principle cast and crew, as well as the man whose true-life book the film is based on. There are also a couple trailers for other Fox Searchlight releases. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:04:37 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog3/2/2009 6:04:37 PMIf there’s a bright shining light to How to Lose Friends and Alienate People it’s star Simon Pegg. As the main character Sydney Young, Pegg is given a good deal of latitude to be, at turns: irritating, entertaining, obnoxious, endearing, clueless and nostalgic. The movie follows Pegg’s Young from his beginnings as the publisher and head writer for his own British celebrity tabloid through his hiring by an upscale New York-based glossy lifestyle magazine. Young is constantly in search of movie and other stars as he tries to find the tawdry details of their lives, even while seemingly being the only one in any give room that’s willing to call them on their narcissistic worldview. When he arrives in New York he meets a young woman who, though he doesn’t know it at the time, will wind up being his primary co-worker at the magazine. Their story arc is all too predictable but the game performances by both Pegg and Kirsten Dunst as his comedic and romantic foil make it an enjoyable ride. Young gets break after break despite antics that should, by any right, get him fired time and time again and eventually seems on the verge of achieving his ultimate goals: The celebrity access he craves as well as the opportunity to have sex with a young up-and-coming actress played by Megan Fox. But when it’s all within his grasp he decides to stay true to himself and not completely compromise his ideals. How to Lose Friends and Alienate People is an enjoyable movie, even if it is sometimes painful to watch in a way that seems to be unique to British comedies. The pace never really wavers for very long, keeping a light and consistent tempo that mixes comedic and emotional elements very well, something other movies like this don’t often achieve. The DVD comes loaded with two commentaries, one featuring just director Robert B. Weide and one with Weide and Pegg. There’s also a featurette on the film’s making that features interviews with the principle cast and crew, as well as the man whose true-life book the film is based on. There are also a couple trailers for other Fox Searchlight releases. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Zack and Miri Make a Porno http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/2/13/40455.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 2/13/2009 6:01:04 PM
Body: Zack and Miri Make a Porno might be director Kevin Smith’s most accessible movie to date, even while it also seems like the one that least carries many of Smith’s defining characteristics. The story takes two childhood friends, Zack and Miri, who have known each other since grade school and who currently live with each other - though in a non-sexual manner - as they find themselves in the middle of a financial problem. With little income and a lot of bills the two find inspiration to their difficulties at a horrendously uncomfortable high school reunion. That solution? They’ll make a low-budget porno. Hence the movie’s title. They recruit a hodge-podge of friends to help them make their movie. A co-worker of Zack’s becomes the producer because he’s the only one with money. A high school friend with a video camera becomes the cameraman. And a couple of ladies - portrayed by actual porn stars - become the stars in the movie. In-between the problems with production that provide much of the movie’s comedy Zack and Miri provide the movie with it’s heart and emotional resonance. These two have known each other for 20+ years and never had a romantic relationship but decide, of course, that it’s going to be the least weird if they have sex on-screen. They just need to convince themselves that it’s not going to impact their friendship. But of course it does and it’s not hard to predict where the story will lead them to. Zack and Miri doesn’t play like a Kevin Smith movie. By that I mean many of Smith’s verbal ticks are downplayed in the writing, or at least they’re less prevalent in the hands of the actors he’s cast here. While there’s an abundance of jokes about people’s private parts and a huge-honking Star Wars reference, it’s handled a little bit more deftly than is usually the case in his movies. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, portraying the titular couple, bring their own style to the characters and makes Smith’s dialogue flow in a way that it hasn’t really been able to in prior films. That’s not a knock against them - I’m a huge Smith fan - but it just works on a different level in Zack and Miri than it has previously. The movie is now available as a two-disc DVD set. On disc one you’ll find just the movie. On disc two you’ll find a wealth of extras, including the “Money Shots” webisodes that were released on line during the film’s production and a collection of bloopers, ad libs and other fun outtakes. The best part of the extra features, though, is “Popcorn Porn,” an hour-and-a-half documentary that chronicles the film from inception through the much-documented battle over ratings with the MPAA. This is absolutely the best thing (other than the movie) included in the set and I definitely recommend watching it after you watch the feature. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:01:04 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog2/13/2009 6:01:04 PMZack and Miri Make a Porno might be director Kevin Smith’s most accessible movie to date, even while it also seems like the one that least carries many of Smith’s defining characteristics. The story takes two childhood friends, Zack and Miri, who have known each other since grade school and who currently live with each other - though in a non-sexual manner - as they find themselves in the middle of a financial problem. With little income and a lot of bills the two find inspiration to their difficulties at a horrendously uncomfortable high school reunion. That solution? They’ll make a low-budget porno. Hence the movie’s title. They recruit a hodge-podge of friends to help them make their movie. A co-worker of Zack’s becomes the producer because he’s the only one with money. A high school friend with a video camera becomes the cameraman. And a couple of ladies - portrayed by actual porn stars - become the stars in the movie. In-between the problems with production that provide much of the movie’s comedy Zack and Miri provide the movie with it’s heart and emotional resonance. These two have known each other for 20+ years and never had a romantic relationship but decide, of course, that it’s going to be the least weird if they have sex on-screen. They just need to convince themselves that it’s not going to impact their friendship. But of course it does and it’s not hard to predict where the story will lead them to. Zack and Miri doesn’t play like a Kevin Smith movie. By that I mean many of Smith’s verbal ticks are downplayed in the writing, or at least they’re less prevalent in the hands of the actors he’s cast here. While there’s an abundance of jokes about people’s private parts and a huge-honking Star Wars reference, it’s handled a little bit more deftly than is usually the case in his movies. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, portraying the titular couple, bring their own style to the characters and makes Smith’s dialogue flow in a way that it hasn’t really been able to in prior films. That’s not a knock against them - I’m a huge Smith fan - but it just works on a different level in Zack and Miri than it has previously. The movie is now available as a two-disc DVD set. On disc one you’ll find just the movie. On disc two you’ll find a wealth of extras, including the “Money Shots” webisodes that were released on line during the film’s production and a collection of bloopers, ad libs and other fun outtakes. The best part of the extra features, though, is “Popcorn Porn,” an hour-and-a-half documentary that chronicles the film from inception through the much-documented battle over ratings with the MPAA. This is absolutely the best thing (other than the movie) included in the set and I definitely recommend watching it after you watch the feature. Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: You know, for kids http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/2/9/40362.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 2/9/2009 6:01:37 PM
Body: Quick game: Take a look at this leaked image of the toy version for The Fallen, the main villian in the Transformers sequel and see if you can guess which component is going to come under fire from concerned parents organizations across the country. Some quick thoughts about this: Did anyone at any point in the toy’s development use the phrase “Big f***ing robot schwanz?” What does that transform *from*. Is he naturally bow-legged or is that just a side effect from his…condition? Am I the only one who looks at this and thinks “He’s going to very popular” in the same voice Marty Feldman uses in Young Frankenstein?        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:01:37 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog2/9/2009 6:01:37 PMQuick game: Take a look at this leaked image of the toy version for The Fallen, the main villian in the Transformers sequel and see if you can guess which component is going to come under fire from concerned parents organizations across the country. Some quick thoughts about this: Did anyone at any point in the toy’s development use the phrase “Big f***ing robot schwanz?” What does that transform *from*. Is he naturally bow-legged or is that just a side effect from his…condition? Am I the only one who looks at this and thinks “He’s going to very popular” in the same voice Marty Feldman uses in Young Frankenstein?        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: Movie Journal: Opportunity Knocks http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/1/30/40106.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 1/30/2009 6:01:23 PM
Body: Dana Carvey is, as you’d expect, the primary reason to watch Opportunity Knocks. The movie, released in 1990 (which was actually around the time his popularity on SNL was beginning to wane) casts Carvey as a con-man who goes around pulling small time jobs to keep him and his partner out of debt to a mobster. On the run from that mobster Carvey’s character winds up getting involved in a much bigger con by taking on the identity of an in-demand businessman, a situation that results in him falling in love and eventually forsaking his lay-about lifestyle. It’s not a great movie - sometimes it can be downright painful to watch and it’s not aged well in the 19 years since its release - but it is funny more often than not and Carvey is quite charming in the role. It’s essentially an outlet for him to pull out a handful of impressions and voices, but that’s exactly what the audience was asking from him at that point. When the humor drops, though, Carvey seems oddly capable of expressing some genuine emotions. Like many of the movies I’ve been watching lately, Opportunity Knocks is available on Hulu right now so if you’re one of those that saw it when it came out and want to revisit it, now’s your chance.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:01:23 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog1/30/2009 6:01:23 PMDana Carvey is, as you’d expect, the primary reason to watch Opportunity Knocks. The movie, released in 1990 (which was actually around the time his popularity on SNL was beginning to wane) casts Carvey as a con-man who goes around pulling small time jobs to keep him and his partner out of debt to a mobster. On the run from that mobster Carvey’s character winds up getting involved in a much bigger con by taking on the identity of an in-demand businessman, a situation that results in him falling in love and eventually forsaking his lay-about lifestyle. It’s not a great movie - sometimes it can be downright painful to watch and it’s not aged well in the 19 years since its release - but it is funny more often than not and Carvey is quite charming in the role. It’s essentially an outlet for him to pull out a handful of impressions and voices, but that’s exactly what the audience was asking from him at that point. When the humor drops, though, Carvey seems oddly capable of expressing some genuine emotions. Like many of the movies I’ve been watching lately, Opportunity Knocks is available on Hulu right now so if you’re one of those that saw it when it came out and want to revisit it, now’s your chance.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Post: DVD Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona http://www.spout.com/blogs/christhilk/archive/2009/1/21/39766.aspx Post By: ChrisThilk
Post To: ChrisThilk Blog
Post Date: 1/21/2009 6:01:11 PM
Body: I’m not going to get into the whole discussion of writer/director Woody Allen’s career in this review of his latest movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It’s kind of useless and puts VCB unfairly up against Allen’s classic films. Judged on its own merits, then, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a very enjoyable and entertaining movie with a handful of top notch performances and a story that, while you can probably easily see what’s coming, still holds your interest throughout. Vicky and Cristina are two friends who, for their own reasons, wind up taking a two month vacation together to Barcelona, where they’ll be staying at the house of one of their distant relatives. Vicky is a tragic romantic, always looking for the drama in a relationship and always seeking excitement. Cristina, on the other hand, is more sensible about love and is engaged to a nice, safe, reliable and successful guy back in New York City. While in Barcelona the two meet Juan Antonio, an artist who they find out has an ex-wife who is emotionally unstable, with whom he had a torrid romance filled with great passion both good and bad. While Vicky is immediately drawn to him, Cristina wants nothing to do with him, especially since he’s so forward about his intentions to get both of them into bed. To map out the path these characters take would necessarily spoil the plot of the movie. While some moments seem a bit contrived most of the story follows a path that, at least for these characters, seems genuine and that helps the viewer’s enjoyment. Most all of the performances, especially that of Javier Bardem, are great and they all seem to inhabit the characters, something that helps their actions seem very natural. The one glaring exception, as usual, is Scarlett Johansson as Vicky. The poor girl…she really can’t do a single thing. The narration that is heard throughout the film, I’m convinced, was deemed necessary solely because Johansson is not capable of actually expressing an emotion. She’s just blank. She stares off into the distance and, were it not for the narrator explaining her character’s emotions, it would be hard to tell if she were longing for a more exciting romantic adventure or just wondering if she should have Ranch of Italian dressing on her salad at lunch. I’ve never been a huge fan, but this movie is probably the most glaring example in her filmography of just how incapable she actually is of expressing her character’s emotional journey. In other films she’s been helped by her other actors that have prodded things along and picked up the slack and here it’s the narrator that carries her water. Other than my problems with Johansson’s performance - and your milage may vary depending on your tastes - Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a very good film that shows Allen as a writer/director still has a lot of life left in him. The movie’s DVD release contains just the film. That’s been the case with all the DVDs from the director, who apparently feels extremely strongly about including no bonus material that would go inside the filmmaking process or anything along those lines. Still well worth picking up if you’re a fan of Allen or are just looking for a good exploration of romance and relationships.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk
]]>Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:01:11 GMTChrisThilkChrisThilk Blog1/21/2009 6:01:11 PMI’m not going to get into the whole discussion of writer/director Woody Allen’s career in this review of his latest movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It’s kind of useless and puts VCB unfairly up against Allen’s classic films. Judged on its own merits, then, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a very enjoyable and entertaining movie with a handful of top notch performances and a story that, while you can probably easily see what’s coming, still holds your interest throughout. Vicky and Cristina are two friends who, for their own reasons, wind up taking a two month vacation together to Barcelona, where they’ll be staying at the house of one of their distant relatives. Vicky is a tragic romantic, always looking for the drama in a relationship and always seeking excitement. Cristina, on the other hand, is more sensible about love and is engaged to a nice, safe, reliable and successful guy back in New York City. While in Barcelona the two meet Juan Antonio, an artist who they find out has an ex-wife who is emotionally unstable, with whom he had a torrid romance filled with great passion both good and bad. While Vicky is immediately drawn to him, Cristina wants nothing to do with him, especially since he’s so forward about his intentions to get both of them into bed. To map out the path these characters take would necessarily spoil the plot of the movie. While some moments seem a bit contrived most of the story follows a path that, at least for these characters, seems genuine and that helps the viewer’s enjoyment. Most all of the performances, especially that of Javier Bardem, are great and they all seem to inhabit the characters, something that helps their actions seem very natural. The one glaring exception, as usual, is Scarlett Johansson as Vicky. The poor girl…she really can’t do a single thing. The narration that is heard throughout the film, I’m convinced, was deemed necessary solely because Johansson is not capable of actually expressing an emotion. She’s just blank. She stares off into the distance and, were it not for the narrator explaining her character’s emotions, it would be hard to tell if she were longing for a more exciting romantic adventure or just wondering if she should have Ranch of Italian dressing on her salad at lunch. I’ve never been a huge fan, but this movie is probably the most glaring example in her filmography of just how incapable she actually is of expressing her character’s emotional journey. In other films she’s been helped by her other actors that have prodded things along and picked up the slack and here it’s the narrator that carries her water. Other than my problems with Johansson’s performance - and your milage may vary depending on your tastes - Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a very good film that shows Allen as a writer/director still has a lot of life left in him. The movie’s DVD release contains just the film. That’s been the case with all the DVDs from the director, who apparently feels extremely strongly about including no bonus material that would go inside the filmmaking process or anything along those lines. Still well worth picking up if you’re a fan of Allen or are just looking for a good exploration of romance and relationships.        Originally posted on:Chris Thilk Spout Member:The_MOW - Mickey Micklon http://www.spout.com/members/148616/default.aspx Identity: The_MOW
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMTArgueta0Beginner (<10)Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:52:15 GMTMember Film:Funny Games http://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspx Title: Funny Games
Year: 2007
Director: Michael Haneke
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]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:47:00 GMTFunny Games2007Michael Haneke27Tag Target (>10)241483http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288707.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Funny_Games/288707/default.aspxFilm Film:The Dark Knight http://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspx Title: The Dark Knight
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:13:34 GMTThe Dark Knight2008Christopher Nolan149Tag Target (>10)98156554http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s288704.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Dark_Knight/288704/default.aspxFilm Film:H2 http://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspx Title: H2
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Director: Rob Zombie
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 08:45:58 GMTH22009Rob Zombie111http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s397884.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/H2/397884/default.aspxFilm Film:Eleanor: First Lady of the World http://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspx Title: Eleanor: First Lady of the World
Year: 1982
Director: John Erman
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]]>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:47:51 GMTEleanor: First Lady of the World1982John Erman1http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Eleanor_First_Lady_of_the_World/10331/default.aspxFilm Film:Black Test Car http://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspx Title: Black Test Car
Year: 1962
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:01:54 GMTBlack Test Car196224http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u37747stl5z.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Black_Test_Car/328181/default.aspxFilm Film:Dumpster Baby http://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspx Title: Dumpster Baby
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:53:10 GMTDumpster BabyJames Bickert1http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t76920jjhow.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Dumpster_Baby/273527/default.aspxFilm Film:Rick http://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspx Title: Rick
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:32:48 GMTRick2002Curtiss Clayton1Slightly Tagged (1-5)12http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t51978e8qnf.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Rick/235722/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:21:45 GMTSpeed Racer2008Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski90Tag Target (>10)1641163http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s297765.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer/297765/default.aspxFilm Film:Speed Racer [Anime Series] http://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspx Title: Speed Racer [Anime Series]
Year: 1967
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:20:43 GMTSpeed Racer [Anime Series]19671113http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Speed_Racer_Anime_Series/32330/default.aspxFilm Film:The Raven http://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspx Title: The Raven
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]]>Sat, 29 Aug 2009 04:13:53 GMTThe Raven2007Ulli Lommel21http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u08974fjkcg.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Raven/317289/default.aspxFilm Film:The Ballad of the Sad Cafe http://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspx Title: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:25:24 GMTThe Ballad of the Sad Cafe1991Simon Callow22http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t54643em1b1.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Ballad_of_the_Sad_Cafe/2239/default.aspxFilm Film:New York, New York http://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspx Title: New York, New York
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:22:40 GMTNew York, New York1977Martin Scorsese23Tag Target (>10)125722http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/u47828gvtpe.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/New_York_New_York/24524/default.aspxFilm Film:St. Nick http://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspx Title: St. Nick
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:01:06 GMTSt. Nick2009David Lowery3Slightly Tagged (1-5)255http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s402616.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/St_Nick/402616/default.aspxFilm Film:We Are the Strange http://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspx Title: We Are the Strange
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:25:52 GMTWe Are the Strange2007M dot Strange334http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s314016.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/We_Are_the_Strange/314016/default.aspxFilm Film:The Sadist http://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspx Title: The Sadist
Year: 1963
Director: James Landis
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:08:29 GMTThe Sadist1963James Landis43http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t27402rl1sl.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Sadist/29811/default.aspxFilm Film:The Alligator People http://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspx Title: The Alligator People
Year: 1959
Director: Roy Del Ruth
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]]>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:04:19 GMTThe Alligator People1959Roy Del Ruth212http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t46806zj8ua.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Alligator_People/50507/default.aspxFilm