(Baileys + Friends)x 7.4 = Good Holidays

Almost New Year's so there is still time to sneak in a few matinees if you plan it right. Yesterday my father-in-law and I decided to take a break from the Baileys and chocolate Bark to catch Valkyrie. 

This was a solid three out of five "pops" on the movie scale. Good performances all around in a star studded cast, costuming and set design were intricate and engaging, and all of this in a very compelling story.  This episode from WWII is something more people should hear about. I and my Father-in-law were both familiar with the story surrounding the final assassination attempt on Hitler's life in 1944. Due to our prior knowledge the film lacked a certain level of tension  that would have made the film a little more thrilling.  Even though the film is a real collection of talking heads the pace of the movie keeps it moving along briskly. If you have already seen  Synecdoche, New York Valkyrie is not a bad way to wile away a couple of hours.

In home video news...

The true end of the stunted man child films has arrived (of course I have yet to see Role Models ) Step Brothers. If you enjoyed the chemistry between John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights you will love Step-Brothers. This is a truly absurd film that seems to appeal to a wide variety of people I have talked to. A good friend of mine who we will call Lil' Ripper (to protect his anonymity) -who is himself a stunted man child- enjoyed it enough to insist on being called Night Hawk throughout our Christmas vacation together. It is funny and over the top, but the genuine belief apparent on each character's face in what they are doing or saying is enough to convince me to recommend this movie.   

Hopefully when I return to the ranch today we will have the interwebs again and I can maintain this blogging pace.

Happy New Year

Sean

A Nation of Step-Brothers

I hope everything went swimmingly for everyone yesterday and many glad tidings were wassailed your way. In my own case I've had two Christmas so far and am in for one more turkey dinner tomorrow. I know, I know your all thinking in the words of Napoleon "Lucky!". Let me regale you with a lovely piece of home video news. My always thoughtful sister-in-law gifted me with my very own copy of Pierre Perrault and Michel Brault's stunning NFB documentary from 1963 Pour la suite du monde. 

This is a very narrowly focused film dealing with regionalism and changing times. As with most movies that deal with disappearing modes of being/speaking/thinking/doing it is at times a bittersweet experience. Although the lively residence of the Ile-aux-Coudres are filled with a joie-de-vie that provides more sweet than bitter making this film uplifting and joyous in many ways.

The reality of this documentary is a little constructed because at the behest of the filmmakers the residence of the island resurrect an old and abandoned whale hunting tradition. This tradition had lain dormant for years and the younger men of the island had to relearn the process from the older residents who dimly recall the hunts of their youth.

I found this film to be a moving, interesting investigation of part of our nation's past. The spirit and humour evident in this film is a truly enjoyable experience. Seek this out at the Public Library, order it from the NFB, beg your local video store to order it, or if your nice you can borrow mine.

Until next time "Call me Dragon"

Sean

Christmas!!!???

Seasons Greetings from the interweb. Let's get the yuletide business out of the way up front.

Two (maybe three) must sees over the holidays.
1. Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas- Jim Henson creates a vibrant and sweet tale of yuletide spirit plus it has a jug band! Tremendous for all ages.
2. Santa Claus- a non-traditional tale of redemption and temptation from Mexico. Quick synopsis Santa with the help of his good friend Merlin battles the Devil and his minions for the soul of lil' Lupita. Mexican Christmas Madness must be seen to be believed.
3. A tie between It's a Wonderful Life and Home Alone for the more traditionally minded.

All of the above are available at your favorite video store give yourself a present this Christmas and come see us at Alternative Video.

Now on to some other business. Bullitt, those of you who know me are already rolling your eyes. (Great Sean's going to talk about Bullitt again.) In my defense I have a new co-worker here at MHS who wants me to lend him some films over the break and Bullitt is one of these.

So here is my simple attempt at explaining my fanatical fascination with Peter Yates' film.

I find this one of the most electrifying films of that very fertile period in Hollywood that lasted from 66 until roughly 74. This time produced Easy Rider, The Godfather, and The Wild Bunch classics all. Each of these films produced many imitators and provided clear signposts for other filmmakers to follow. Easy Rider was the birth of independant filmmaking, The Godfather reestablished the perfection of the Hollywood apparatus to create fully realized worlds, and The Wild Bunch signaled the end of an era and spoke in a new way about violence, Vietnam and the fluid nature of a culture's ideals

What did Bullitt bring to the table? A dynamic new sense of action and drama. The one thing most often mentioned in conjunction with Bullitt is the “car chase”. While the chase is awesome (and uses montage editing borrowed from silent soviet cinema), and McQueen did all his own driving this is not the reason I fell in love with the movie. The film plays out with long sections that contain no dialogue. These silent spaces are filled with information and characterization that Yates lets you see for yourself. This is a show-don’t tell movie in the most visual of art forms.

The other reason this film lasts is the effortless ease McQueen brings to the no nonsense role of Frank Bullitt. Polite and determined this is a cop that does his job. No flying off the handle, no yelling at the stupid chief, no swearing and demanding everyone capitulate to his every whim, he just efficiently does his job as does the film.

"Look Chalmers, let's understand each other... I don't like you."

S

PS- sorry about the varied font sizes. I don't know how it works...Goodbye Folks.

An Epistle from an Apostle

An Open Letter to Mr. Michael Myers.

Dear Michael, 

Perhaps its my fault and I am willing to shoulder some of the blame. I willingly spent money and saw Austin Powers in Goldmember in a theatre. I even went to the first two Shrek movies and rented The Cat in the Hat. That probably was when I should have written you instead of putting it off for so long (like this blog...sorry Mr. Grywul). It is clear in retrospect that you had to be crying out for help. You need to rest. Just stop a moment and think. Each movie I make is getting less and less funny, and Lord knows the last thing anyone wanted was a Shrek Christmas special. 

Maybe its working with the black hole of comedy Eddie Murphy (post 1988) that forces you to don the garish and unfunny makeup that serves as an increasingly present crutch to prop up your jokes. 

Mr. Myers as a fellow Canadian it pains me to say this but just stop. It is clearly over when you make a film that puts our sport (what our American friends refer to as "ice hockey") front and centre in the plot and manage to completely screw that up. I understand if you live in LA and Rob Blake is your buddy. Fine. Put him and the Kings in the film, but what in in the name of Bob Cole and Harry Neale is he doing taking a face off at all- let alone in the crucial final moments of the Stanley Cup final! Of everything that was oh so wrong about The Love Guru this may have been its most egregious misstep. You have lost it and me. Go home, pick up a six of a good Canadian beer and watch So I Married an Axe Murderer  a couple of times and ask yourself where it all went sideways on you.

I hope you understand that I must be cruel to be kind.

Sean

"Plan 9 from Planet Mediocre" or "Beige of the Monster"

Remember when people had opinions, or movies could be great or terrible? Today I actually managed to sneak a little peak at the Edmonton Journal we get for the library at Mayerthorpe Jr. Sr. High (Go Tigers!).

What did I have the pleasure of reading? I ,of course, flip to the sports section (Go Oilers!) and then on to the "Culture" section to see what movies are opening or playing as I may get a chance this long weekend to catch a flick.

What to see? City of Ember, The Express, Body of Lies, The Duchess hmmm decisions, decisions. Let's see... out of seven films reviewed today six have three star reviews! (Sprinkling a 1/2 star on a review is just putting lipstick on a mediocre pig)

Only 1 movie actually engaged a reviewer and that was An American Carol it got a 1 star drubbing. MOVIE FANS!!! GO SEE AN AMERICAN CAROL, at least it has the courage and bravery to fail mightily and maybe make you feel, instead of lulling you into a semi-conscious state that only makes you wonder where all your time and money went. Added incentive-it is Ed Wood's birthday today, what better way to celebrate that pillar of cinematic virtue.

Instead of renting or watching movies that are "okay" or "fine" challenge yourself and Hollywood by seeing something that enrages you (for me it's Forces of Nature...deep breathes class starts soon) or moves you to ecstatic levels of imagination and discussion (Bullitt- unbelievable nearly dialogue free and compelling). We and our wallets deserve better from our filmmakers.


"Now, don't you worry. The saucers are up there. The graveyard is out there. But I'll be locked up safely in there."


S

A little word from the little bird

David Mamet has written some fairly good films ( The Verdict, The Untouchables, Homicide, Oleanna, The Spanish Prisoner, Wag the Dog, Glengarry Glen Ross and of course Hannibal- well you can't hit home-runs with every swing of the bat) and even directed a couple of keepers (Spartan and State and Main). But just last night I watched a fascinating little movie called Redbelt. 

This film centred around a ju-jitsu instructor and his student who become embroiled in the high-stakes world of fixed mixed martial arts competitions. The tone and tempo of this movie are as tightly controlled as the moves of an expert fighter. Everything is connected and set in motion by something else. Action Reaction. Just as each punch has a counter or every hold an escape each act or line a character gives forces the others to counter in a specific way. The competent loner with the intractable code of ethics or behaviours has a long and glorious history in cinema (Thief and Le Samourai are just two that leap immediately to mind here).

Redbelt is a fascinating exploration of the martial world and its place in a modern setting, as well as the honourable man who will not veer from his path no matter the consequences. 

"Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty."-Ghost Dog

S

 

It's been a while II: The Pajama Jam

Well it is official I am now a teacher and the first week raced past me and I could hardly remember my own name let alone the names of 100 different kids. Whew.

What have I been up to on the ranch movie wise you may be asking yourself. Well let me tell you what is playing the most in the quiet quiet night. Prime Suspect. Helen Mirren is compelling to watch. Relentless and driven to succeed, she is not a person to be messed with. Mirren's Tennison does not suffer fools gladly and it shows. The mysteries and politics combine to give a very complete portrait of life in the London police force. This is one police drama that actually begins to approach the sanctity of The Wire. The first 3 seasons are extended cases from start to finish, in season 4 the show switchs to a more traditional case an episode formula that said howevereach episode checks in at about an hour and a half. This makes each episode a movie in and of itself.

The supporting cast is always varied and interesting and brings to bear on Tennison various aspects of her own personality reflected back to her. This makes Tennison occasionaly pause and consider her course of action and the impact it may have on someone. That is refreshing after seeing countless renegade cops who can't work within the system but get things done regardless of the cost paraded out by the Hollywood stereotype machine over and over again. There is a certain melancholy that hangs in the atmosphere around each of the stations we find Tennison solving crimes in as she works her way up the ranks.

Prime Suspect makes for very compelling viewing as you try to work out the truth along with the detectives on screen. Rent this once the snow begins to fly and stay in huddled up and enjoy the chase, because you need to see each season as close to start to finish as you can manage. Now that The Wire is done what have you got to lose?

"I like to be called Governor or The Boss. I don't like Ma'am - I'm not the bloody Queen."
and thankfully so as the show would likely be completely differnt if she were.


Sean

P.S. We now have the interwebs out at the ranch and so these posts should be occuring a little more frequently. Now you don't all have to thank me at once, I do it for the love of the game.

It's been a while...

Hey everyone, I hope you are all enjoying the summer Folk Fest, Fringe, and any other little get together you can name. Moving to the country has had its perks-silence, no neighbours- and its drawbacks-no tv, no internet, no movie theaters or rental places within blocks- but somehow I will solider on. When I wrote last I claimed to be done with bad movies, welll a guy can only resist so much.

When you make a movie with George Takei as a ninja master who runs a strip club what's a boy to do? The answer: watch Ninja Cheerleaders. It's as bad as it sounds in that special kind of way that makes you laugh and wonder where your evening went. Three cheerleaders, all straight A students, train as ninjas (ninji?) in the afternoon when not fending off sexual advances from students and faculty at their school. By night they "dance" at the Strip Palace where they have to fend off sexual advances by the Navy. Why are they dancing you might ask? WHy to raise money for tuition at Brown University of course. This film is amazing for its lack of nudity and violence the film makers' show a lot of restraint and class because the film should always be about a terrific story. Ooops, they forgot to add that as well. This is a must rent for die hard Trishelle Cannatella fans only. If you know who that is with out looking her up then I am talking to you.

Meanwhile on the good movie front I just rewatched the stunning and boggling epic There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day-Lewis is mesmerizing and the visuals of the film never fail to delight the eye. A strange and compelling story that unfolds over years about a man as driven and focused as Captain Ahab. I'm finished.

Also good news, The Wire Season 5 is now out on video, how does a show this rich and compelling get overlooked for so long? After I became a convert intent on swaying others to my viewpoint I cannot think of a single person I persuaded into watching this gem who has come back disappointed. Right from the gfet go in season 1 the tension begins to build and a desire to see these characters, who are fully rounded and flawed, through to the end. Even the unpleasant aspects of Sgt. Jay Landsman grow on you. Rent season 1 and tap into The Wire ...get it?

Hopefully the Mrs., the boy and I will be getting Interwebs hooked up sometime soon so these transmissions will not have to be dictated to my assistant from a pay phone on the side of the Yellowhead at a rest stop any longer.

So until next time remember what Omar tells us.

"The game's out there, and it's play or get played. That simple."

Will Herodotus write of me?

Hello to all my rabid readers, I apologize for being away from the keyboard for so long. First up a word, or two, about Meet the Spartans. Yes I watched it, and it has caused irreparable harm to my ability to revel in the straight to video DVD movie the way I once did. Before Meet the Spartans I could happily watch movies like Impact Point and find some enjoyment or entertainment in them. Now post-Spartans I find myself unable to go on if the movie stinks. The Spartans have defeated me they made a movie so unfunny and dull that it actually killed my sense of humour.

In light of the death of my sense of humour let us proceed to three films that showed me the young carefree Sean died that day at Thermopylae. 

1st- Diamond Dogs- Dolph Lundgren in Mongolia as a ex-special forces officer (of course). Really what's not to like. I could only bear 5 minutes of this movie. The voice over is terrible, the 'acting' worse, and the editing of the fight sequences unwatchable. 

2nd- Twin Daggers- strictly amateur hour it looks like it was made for a grand total of $2.78. Now a low budget does not equal a bad movie (for example  Primer, Clerks) but in this case it certainly does. I am an admitted sucker for martial arts movies but I had to bail out when the killer mime (that is not a typo) shows up to kill some vague mafia stereotype and laughs out loud. What made anyone think that was a good idea? The editing is so rapid and choppy during any action sequence you lose all sense of character and place. Bad bad bad.

3rd- Finishing the Game- the "mockumentary" genre is finished. This is about finding the next Bruce Lee so some film makers can finish "Game of Death". Not that funny guys. Justin Lin also directed a gritty first feature called Better Luck Tomorrow that was both praised and reviled for its portrayal of Asian American students and their foray into crime that quickly spirals out of control. Unfortunately Lin also directed The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and is finishing production on the next installment of that franchise.

I will from now on be writing to you only about more serious and thoughtful film fare like Anchorman and Semi-Pro.

"Farewell, Adieu... remember me."-Master Thespian

Hi, hi, hi, Mr. Deltoid!

Recently I have been to the movies as much as I've rented.  I have hidden from the heat (or the rain depending) in the theatre for both WALL-E and Hancock . Each of these summer flicks is entertaining and enjoyable in their own ways.

WALL-E is one of the most marvelous and moving films I have ever seen. The animation is exquisite and memorable, the story is serious and grave yet weighs on you as light as gossamer. Be forewarned gentle viewer if you have a heart or any romantic sentiment in your soul the theatre will get a tad dusty. Again this is a 'children's' movie that dispenses with the overly glib and ironic pop-culture references (though there are a couple of nods to some classic sci-fi films sprinkled throughout) and let's the jokes stand alone within the context of the narrative. WALL-E is a complete joy to behold an amazing film. Pixar just keeps knocking them out of the park.

Hancock is an interesting film that seems a little confused as to what it wants to be. Is Hancock a super-hero blockbuster or intimate drama exploring the alienation of the outsider in a modern disconnected society. Peter Berg (The Kingdom, The Rundown, Very Bad Things) is a director with an interesting sensibility focusing the story on the human and emotional side and sprinkling in the action set pieces here and there. Unfortunately in the action scenes there is a heavy reliance on the CGI. When the special effects kick in it really becomes hard to tell what the heck is going on, if Berg had stuck to the action model he used in The Rundown it would have matched better with the narrative of Hancock. All in all Hancock is at least an interesting take on the idea of 'super-hero', but it will be a better rental than a night out.

This week there are a couple of straight to DVD movies to discuss. The first is in keeping with the super-hero theme Batman: Gotham Knight . This is an animated anthology made up of five smaller stories that take place in between Batman Begins and this summer's The Dark Knight. Each of the chapters is animated in a different style and explores different aspects of the Batman's character and personality (or personalities if you prefer). The first chapter tells a single story Rashomon style from the viewpoint of three kids and reflects several ways of looking at the Batman. I found this chapter the most rewarding and the animation style familiar it reminded me of the anime sequence in Kill Bill. I would recommend this to Batman/animation diehards only.

The second movie I watched this week was the lethargic and crushingly poor Impact Point. A stalker attaches himself to a pro beach volleyball player. The film is an excuse to showcase women in impossibly tight swimsuits yelling at each other. Now I am aware there are blocking schemes and signals used in the sport, but when they are not explained in the least it becomes an excuse to show close-ups of women's posteriors. Of course it does star Brian Austin Green for you diehard 90210 fans in a role that will surprise you or more likely disappoint. Simply put DO NOT RENT. Sometimes there is a reason a movie is released straight to video.

Finally, there is the film Charlie Bartlett. You may have missed this one when it came through the city theaters. A lonely kid just wants to fit in at his new school so begins selling prescription medication to the other students.  Funny at times but a little too precious, if this had taken a darker approach to the material a la Pump Up The Volume it would have been way more effective. The cast are likable and the film is just okay and at times comfortingly familiar, which may have been the point.

Let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts and musings.

Until next blog...

 Viddy well, little brother. Viddy well.

What do you mean it's not all Asian action films?

Let's get some of the new stuff out of the way first.

Drillbit Taylor- This stars Owen Wilson as a homeless deserter from the army who is paid by three dorky kids to be there bodyguard at school. The plot moves along exactly as we have all seen a thousand times. People meet. One of them lies about something. Deception is discovered. Friendship/Romance damaged. The liar has fallen for/changed their original position. Redemption. That is not to say the movie doesn't provide some laughs along the way. A right down the middle movie, not great not terrible just there.

Vantage Point- The assassination of a President...or is it? The movies clever little conceit to show us all the action and pieces of the plot simultaneously gets tired the second time we see it. The characters have no motivation for their actions. Matthew Fox I'm looking at you. It's like 24, but not as good. Some of the action is well shot, but the story is poorly told. Characters appear out of nowhere and then are gone (Sigourney Weaver I hope your cheque cleared. Is there no-one else who could have played the role of the news director for the whole 4 minutes she is on screen?) The film is a mess. Better assassination movies to watch instead JFK, The Manchurian Candidate (the original-not the remake), the classic Day of the Jackal even Shooter is a better watch than this.

So those are 2 of the new releases this week. Now I want to tell you about a film of only slightly older vintage.

Broken English- I watched this movie last night and was moved by Parker Posey's performance. Posey plays a disconnected self-sabotaging woman alone in New York. While at times the film feels like it is approaching maudlin something about Posey keeps the film anchored and watchable. Slowly we see Posey's various efforts to begin to develop meaningful relationships with people and in doing so get to know herself. The last half of the film takes place in Paris and reminded me at times of Agnes Varda's masterpiece Cleo from 5 to 7. Broken English is subtle, touching, and real. If your looking for something with a little more substance and intelligence than most romantic comedies (most, not all and don't mind a little darker comedy with your romance) watch Broken English. 

In closing "He's fat, he's a dork, and I'm awesome"

Sean

Shut up, Mr. Burton! You are not brought upon this world to get it!

or.... "Something old, something new, something rented , something viewed."

-From the Catalogue-

The Lavender Hill Mob- Delightful and funny, a great little heist flick. Alec Guiness is always terrific in these Ealing comedies. The story is entertaining and the photography is at times beautiful. Hurry and see this before it gets remade the way The Ladykillers was ....not a pretty sight.

Police Story- Jackie Chan is truly remarkable. Again. Eye-popping (and bone-breaking) stunts. Movies like this are why he is an international superstar not stuff like The Tuxedo.

-New Releases-

Les Formidables- An excellent Korean police action film. It stars Joong-hoon Park from the unforgettable Nowhere to Hide. If you are a fan of action films, or just looking for something different, Nowhere to Hide is a must rent.  Ask Sandy where to find it and tell him Sean sent you he'll make sure you don't miss out on this movie.

The Walker- An interesting film by Paul Schrader. Slowly and steadily  the mystery unfolds, gentle gentle, as befitting the southern dandy at the heart of the story. A good turn by Mr. Woody Harrelson.

The Beast with a Billion Backs. If you are curious about Futurama rent the series instead to start. the movie is funny but somehow lacked a little zip. This is for fans of the series only as there are refrences to details from early in the narrative arc of the show that could alienate the newcomer. 

In Theatres Now

Kung Fu Panda- Fun and enchanting. The animation is vivid and sucks the viewer in to this world. My one complaint would be Dustin Hoffman as Shifu. His voice lacked a certain something (wisdom, weariness, depth) for the role, on the other hand James Hong was "Indeeed" a treat to hear as Po's father. This movie is a sure fire hit with the whole family, take the kids and the grandparents and everyone will enjoy it. It has a refreshingly positive body image spin as well as doing away with the constant pop-culture references that seem to be bogging down a lot of other contemporary animated kids/family films (Shark Tale ironically enough, Cars, Shrek 2, Happily N'Ever After.)

Speed Racer- I saw this at the dollar theater and was completely blown away. It really was a live action cartoon. I loved it. Visually inventive and kinetic capturing the spirit of the cartoon without disparaging the simplicity and good hearted nature of the original. RUN AND SEE THIS.... or wait and rent it its your choice but make sure you see it. 

Thats right, Egg Shen. The best of two worlds... DVD and Theaters. 

Lo Pan

Phone's ringing, Dude.

This week at Alternative Video we were blessed to receive some new releases of a couple of true kung fu classics in addition to our usual array of fantastic arrivals.  The movies I had a chance to lamp this week (so far) were Definitely, Maybe , The Spiderwick Chronicles, Heroes of the East, and Come Drink With Me. 

The Spiderwick Chronicles was a really scary (for kids) kids movie. The special effects were pretty good and well conceived. It is a fun action packed and tightly paced little family film. The nonmonster portion of the story revolves around strained relations between Fathers and their families. 

Definitely, Maybe is the rare romantic comedy that I enjoyed. The performances are all good and believable, the way the story unfolds is interesting and kept me guessing. Abigail Breslin can at times be a little precocious but there are a few scenes near the conclusion where her earnest performance really pays off. A good time will be had by the romantics in the audience and even a few of the more jaded (myself included). 

Come Drink With Me is a classic kung fu epic. The heroine Cheng Pei-pei will be familiar to fans of Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon where she appears as Jade Fox. The director is King Hu who directed more than a few classics including the brilliant and must see A Touch of Zen (available for rent). 

Heroes of the East stars Gordon Liu (Kill Bill 1&2, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin) and is a fantastic depiction of the differences between Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Each of the action sequences is brilliantly shot to really highlight the subtleties of each style and weapon showcased. A great movie for martial art movie fans it is at times funny, compelling and eye-popping action throughout.

Each of these movies is really worth watching for different reasons. Give them a shot and let me know what you thought.

Coming soon  Grave of the Fireflies an anime film from Japan dealing with the struggles of some children to survive World War II.

Thank you, Donny

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

I hope everyone enjoyed the solstice this weekend. The days just get shorter from here which means more dark to enjoy movies in. Hurray! It has been a busy couple of days-yard work, traveling, job interviews, and of course I found time to watch a few movies.

Two new releases at the store that I watched recently were both Asian films. The movies were Ghost Delivery and Vexille .

Vexille- is an animated feature length film that reminded me of Tetsuo: the Iron Man a little (very little). Japan is experimenting with robotic technology that has been banned by the UN for years. Vexille and the rest of the SWORD team of super solider types are sent into Japan to investigate. The animation in this movie is great until you look at the people. The backgrounds and all the robots and machines are fantastic but for some reason the people seem more artificial and stiff than the robots. There are some interesting elements to the story but it felt incomplete

Ghost Delivery- This is a Thai comedy that mixes Hellraiser, Ghost, The Sixth Sense, The Net and Ghost Busters (except instead of catching ghosts they deliver them-like pizza). Funny and strange for fans of Asian comedies only. I found it interesting as it explored different types of ghosts and there folk history. If you do rent this be aware that the subtitles are not the most accurate I have seen. Light-hearted and different worth a look especially on a Thursday (2 for 1).

I also had the chance to finally see Manhattan.  This was the first time I had seen the whole thing and not just bits and pieces. Funny and unsettling (the 17 year old girlfriend is a little off putting seeing as how... well you know). Hemingway aside loved this movie. Funny and beautifully shot. 

I feel I should tell everyone that reads this that this Tuesday (June 24th) the movie Persepolis gets released on DVD. A beautiful animated retelling of Marjane Satrapi's autobiographic graphic novel of the same title. The story tells of Satrapi's experiences growing up in Iran before during and after the revolution. Animated in a beautiful and comedic way, the movie is a delightful and moving coming of age story. It is rated 14a so almost the whole family can enjoy. I was lucky enough to see this film at the Telluride International Film Festival last August and to meet Satrapi herself. This women exudes intelligence and humour, both characteristics are on full display with our charming young heroine throughout the movie. Everyone should make the time to see this movie. 

Remember if someone asks if you are a god you say, "yes!"

Winston Zeddemore.

The New Movies Are Here! The New Movies Are Here!

Arriving this Tuesday are new movies. Surprise! Of course every Tuesday is the new release day down at the old Alt Vid. Three of the myriad of titles coming out today are Be Kind Rewind, Fool's Gold, and The Grand. 

Disclaimer- The opinions in this blog are mine and do not represent the views or opinions of Alternative Video Spot, its management or ownership, the other employees or even that of anyone else who has or will see the movies discussed herein.

Signed- Sean

I mention these three movies because I have seen them and can tell you a little about them.

First up- Fool's Gold- A new romantic comedy/adventure film starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. The movie is about a divorcing pair of treasure hunters who share a passion for a legendary lost treasure called the "Queen's Dowry". The movie has wonderful locales and an interesting reason for moving along (treasure). However it also has one of the worst scores- not the soundtrack, who doesn't like a little Marley to liviley up with now and then?- the music is at times inappropriate, very often irritating and worst of all obtrusive like the loud guy on his cell phone on the bus.  Fool's Gold tries to capture the spark and dynamic of earlier screen couples, Bogey and Bacall, Grant and Hepburn, Powell and Loy, or more recently Douglas and Turner, but the pairing of Hudson and McConaughey falls woefully short of achieving a small measure of the humour, tension, and chemistry of any of their predecessors. If you are looking for a good and rewarding romantic comedy/adventure movie rent Romancing the Stone or one of The Thin Man movies. Both Romancing... and The Thin Man have coupled leads who are witty, smart, and believable as couples. 

Secondly- The Grand- an improved comedy about a high stakes poker tournament luckily enough named The Grand. The movies subject matter would have been a little more popular two years ago but with poker still appearing nightly on T.V. it just might find an audience on home video. The movie is funny in a low key way, unfortunately there are to many spots that drag between the laughs. Most of these involve Ray Romano. Film geeks will be pleased to see Werner Herzog  director of Grizzly Man and Rescue Dawn playing a world renowned gambler who goes by the name "The German". Poker geeks will like the inclusion of several poker stars to add that touch of authenticity. For me the best parts of the film involved David Cross as Larry Schwartzman this guy is flat out funny. It was also nice to see Gabe Kaplan as Larry's dad in the movie. Welcome back Mr. Kaplan.

Last but certainly not least on the list of new releases is the Michel Gondry movie- Be Kind Rewind- Gondry's recent films include The Science of Sleep and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This film has the same inventiveness as both of these movies. Be Kind Rewind is a movie about movies and the love and passion that they can inspire. It is a sweet and gentle piece of work that relates the ups and downs of a local video store in a historic neighbourhood- sound familiar to any of our regulars?  This is a PG rated film that families can enjoy together. Ideally you will laugh, cry and laugh again when you sit down to watch Be Kind Rewind. You get a real sense of just how in love Gondry is with the movies and hopefully it will remind you why you love them to.

Navin R. Johnson

What happened to my $12.50?

The Happening-  For a quick capsule review see the title of this blog entry. For the longer version read on.

My wife and I were looking forward to this movie as we are both M. Night fans (Yes we even liked Lady in the Water). We are aware there exists a limited return on the twist ending, but thought the visuals and semi-surreal qualities and dreamlike nature of his stories were always compelling. 

This however was a big disappointment. We felt the film was lacking the tension and suspense of his other works. (The following could be a SPOILER) The message of the film is way to heavy handed especially since everyone and their other has seen An Inconvenient  Truth. The film felt as flat as the books on the shelves of the model home Mr. Wahlberg is handling at one point in the story. 

If your interested in an atmospheric comic book film this weekend (more on The Incredible Hulk in a later post) instead of going to the cineplex rent Shyamalan's Unbreakable.  Unbreakable was Shymalan's second film and probably the best of the lot. The colours, lighting and the camera work are excellent and capture that comic book mood. The movie tells a great story that if you are a fan of comic books and comic book movies (who else is pumped for Hellboy II: The Golden Army??) like I am you will really appreciate the attention to detail and care that went into this story. 

Tell me what you think of The Happening or any of Shymalan's other films so I know I'n not the lone voice in the interwebs.

This transmission can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.

In like Kevin Flynn!

Hello from somewhere in the w's. Now that I am retired from front line duty I have been sent here Master Control style to inform and hopefully entertain in some small way. It has come to my attention that I watch a lot of movies so I have been directed to use that power for the good of the people.

As this blog progresses I will be letting you know about new arrivals (not just the new releases) at Alternative Video, as well as pointing out films of interest that may have been overlooked. I have been given the green light  by Master Control to write about whatever it is that is currently sparking my interest. I'll be reporting on movies I see in the theaters as well. 

I hope that anyone interested will post comments on this blog as often as you see fit to give me some idea of what you want me to look at and discuss here.

I am finished.

Clu (a.k.a. Sean)

in like a lion

It's March! More sunlight hours and even the occasional warm breeze is upon us. Need an excuse to stay inside and watch movies?

We've got lots of great new back catalogue stuff to report!

Criterion Collection

Army of Shadows (Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville)
Pierrot Le Fou (Dir. Jean-Luc Godard)

Cult

Escape From L.A (Dir. John Carpenter)
Draughtman's Contract (Dir. Peter Greenaway)
A Zed and Two Noughts (Dir. Peter Greenaway)

Musical

Help! (Dir. Richard Lester)
Annie (Dir. John Huston)

Science Fiction

Starship Troopers (Dir. Paul Verhoeven)

Foreign

The Michael Haneke Collection: The Piano Teacher, Code Unknown, Franz Kafka's The Castle, 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance, Benny's Video, Funny Games, The Seventh Continent

The Films of Sergei Paradjanov Boxset: The Color of Pomegranates, Ashik Kerib, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, The Legend of Suram Fortress

Silent Films

Sunrise (Dir. F. W. Murnau)
Hand of Orlac (Dir. Newt Arnold)
Secrets of a Soul (Dir. G. W. Pabst)

your opinion

what are we missing? send us an email at altvid@interbaun.com, and let us know what movies you think we need.

twothousandandeight

Happy New Year, everyone! A few new additions to the store of note:

Criteron

The BRD Trilogy by Rainer Werner Fassbinder: Marriage of Maria Braun, Veronika Voss, Lola

Canadian Films

When Night is Falling (Dir. Patricia Rozema)
Atom Egoyan Boxset - Family Viewing, Speaking Parts, Calendar, Next of Kin

Documentary

Punck Rock Movie (Concert. Dir. Don Letts)
Microcosmos(Dir. Claude Nuridsany, Marie Parennou)
When We Were Kings (Dir. Leon Gast)

Foreign

Susana (Dir. Luis Bunuel)

Cult

O Lucky Man! (Dir. Lindsay Anderson)

On The Way

Michael Haneke Boxset

Army of Shadows (France. Criterion. Dir. Jean-Pierre Melville)