Moviefone has dropped the teaser trailer for the October 23, 2009 film adaptation of the anime classic Astro Boy. The film stars the voices of Nicholas Cage and some other rubes.
This is sure to be as big a disappointment and bastardization of many people's childhoods as Speed Racer was, though it's saving grace may be that it's not helmed by the Douchekowski Brothers. Sorry, siblings.
My guess, it'll be some smoothly animated CGI kids/family flick that is devoid of artistic linework, flaw, innocence, humor, and good story telling and will instead be a bunch of shiny, bobbleheaded CGI children drafted into some ridiculous plot with a lot of forced jokes that fail.
Oh, and it's in 3-D. Another shitty film trend replacing the far superior traditional animation.
See ya opening night.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Con Air 2: Escape From The Rock or "Assault On Amos & Andrew"
Secret agent guinea pigs and Ghost Rider 2 got ya hatin' on The Cage? Kick-Ass and Astro Boy not enough to whet your appetite? Well try this on for size:
Oh yeah. A movie so extreme, they turned the actors name into a pun for the tagline. Now that's star power. /film has revealed this poster for the upcoming John Carpenter project Riot starring Nicholas "You Can't" Cage "Me." The plot involves "a troubled youth who is sent to the Scared Straight crime-prevention program. But when a riot breaks out and the prisoners take him hostage, a lifer (played by Nicolas Cage) is forced to help the young man out."
Do I even need to continue. No.
Oh yeah. A movie so extreme, they turned the actors name into a pun for the tagline. Now that's star power. /film has revealed this poster for the upcoming John Carpenter project Riot starring Nicholas "You Can't" Cage "Me." The plot involves "a troubled youth who is sent to the Scared Straight crime-prevention program. But when a riot breaks out and the prisoners take him hostage, a lifer (played by Nicolas Cage) is forced to help the young man out."
Do I even need to continue. No.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
NICHOLAS CAGE HAS A MUSTACHE!
You heard it here first (because I heard it from somewhere else and told you): Nicky boy has grown a mustache (a fake one by the looks of it) for his role as Big Daddy in the upcoming film adaptation of Mark Millar's graphic novel Kick-Ass.
You can see more pictures here and you can read Millar spastically discuss the filming including bits about Mr. Cage if you're nasty here.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Cage Kicks Ass
The Ragin' Cagen' has reportedly joined the cast of Matthew Vaughn's (Layercake) adapatation of Mark Millar's (Wanted [the comic, not the shitty movie]) Kick-Ass.
Peep it.
Peep it.
Knowing
What could be greater than Jim Carrey and Numerology?
How about Nick Cage and Numerology?
Surely you jest. I've been lead to believe that true utopia is unattainable.
Well you're wrong my friend. Get ready to know.
How about Nick Cage and Numerology?
Surely you jest. I've been lead to believe that true utopia is unattainable.
Well you're wrong my friend. Get ready to know.
Adaptation
I am finally back on track.
I watched Adaptation (the other night) and I have to say, I fuckin' loved it. Poppin'! This flick was the shit. Shwing!
Anyway, I really enjoyed it, every fat, twinned, chompin', shootin', humpin', metaphysical part of it. Nick Cage is fantastic. I feel like this was the most recent role where he really gave it his all. It was dramatic, hilarious, nuanced, and had so many damn levels. That Kaufman critter sure is a character. Literally. And quite a fine screenwriter. There's talent associated with that surname.
Anywho, if you haven't peeped it, check er out.
33 Nicholas Cage films left.
I watched Adaptation (the other night) and I have to say, I fuckin' loved it. Poppin'! This flick was the shit. Shwing!
Anyway, I really enjoyed it, every fat, twinned, chompin', shootin', humpin', metaphysical part of it. Nick Cage is fantastic. I feel like this was the most recent role where he really gave it his all. It was dramatic, hilarious, nuanced, and had so many damn levels. That Kaufman critter sure is a character. Literally. And quite a fine screenwriter. There's talent associated with that surname.
Anywho, if you haven't peeped it, check er out.
33 Nicholas Cage films left.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Movie Log: May
May 1: The Butterfly Effect
I had been reading about a film called The Lathe Of Heaven and The Butterfly Effect was noted for having similar themes (though many years later) and I wanted to watch it again as I hadn't seen it since it was in the theater. Within minutes of it starting I wanted to turn it off. I kept watching it only because of the shear train wreck of it. The writers subject these kids to some of the most traumatic things one could dream of, all before they're 13 years old. And it is impossible to take Ashton Kutcher seriously.
May 2: Iron Man
Amazing. This is what a super hero film should be. The perfect balance of action and comedy that suit (no pun intended) the character. Robert Downey, Jr. is amazing and this certainly will be giving the Batman franchise a run for its money. If you haven't seen it, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
May 5: The Matrix
I had been wanting to see this again for some time. It was disappointing. I was never a huge fan but watching it again made me realize how ridiculous the story and plot is. And Keanu is unbearable, even with his emotionless role. Even the special effects, save a few instances, were horrible.
May 8: A Scanner Darkly
A lot better than I expected, especially for a Richard Linklater film. It still maintained many of his dumbass, vague, pseudo-philosophical bullshit, but most of it was balanced with a good story of a big brother like future and a harmful drug addiction. And, god help me, I actually thought Keanu was good in the role.
May 10: The Weather Man
This was the second time I've seen this Nick Cage flick (so it doesn't count for the goal) and I was disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time I saw it, but this time I failed to see the character transformation that I remembered being so pivotal the first time around.
May 19: The Matrix: Reloaded
After seeing the first film, I felt compelled to finish the series even though I knew the second two were horrible. I was right. This film was even cheesier and more pea-brained than the last. All the bad and none of the good, save a few mediocre fight scenes. I was left completely uninterested in seeing the last film as I knew it would be too unbearable.
I had been reading about a film called The Lathe Of Heaven and The Butterfly Effect was noted for having similar themes (though many years later) and I wanted to watch it again as I hadn't seen it since it was in the theater. Within minutes of it starting I wanted to turn it off. I kept watching it only because of the shear train wreck of it. The writers subject these kids to some of the most traumatic things one could dream of, all before they're 13 years old. And it is impossible to take Ashton Kutcher seriously.
May 2: Iron Man
Amazing. This is what a super hero film should be. The perfect balance of action and comedy that suit (no pun intended) the character. Robert Downey, Jr. is amazing and this certainly will be giving the Batman franchise a run for its money. If you haven't seen it, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
May 5: The Matrix
I had been wanting to see this again for some time. It was disappointing. I was never a huge fan but watching it again made me realize how ridiculous the story and plot is. And Keanu is unbearable, even with his emotionless role. Even the special effects, save a few instances, were horrible.
May 8: A Scanner Darkly
A lot better than I expected, especially for a Richard Linklater film. It still maintained many of his dumbass, vague, pseudo-philosophical bullshit, but most of it was balanced with a good story of a big brother like future and a harmful drug addiction. And, god help me, I actually thought Keanu was good in the role.
May 10: The Weather Man
This was the second time I've seen this Nick Cage flick (so it doesn't count for the goal) and I was disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time I saw it, but this time I failed to see the character transformation that I remembered being so pivotal the first time around.
May 19: The Matrix: Reloaded
After seeing the first film, I felt compelled to finish the series even though I knew the second two were horrible. I was right. This film was even cheesier and more pea-brained than the last. All the bad and none of the good, save a few mediocre fight scenes. I was left completely uninterested in seeing the last film as I knew it would be too unbearable.
Movie Log: April
Apr. 13: Walk Hard
Surprisingly funny. The music was dead-on for the time periods represented and that made the film that much more enjoyable. The constant rock 'n' roll references were great for a music history junkie like myself.
Apr. 23: That Thing You Do!
Another great film about a fake music group. Great songs and story. Tom Everett Scott and Ethan Embry are still amazing after all these years.
Apr. 25: Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay
This first film was hilarious. This tried too hard and lacked the magic of its predecessor. Not very good at all.
Apr. 27: Walk Hard
Had to show it to some friends.
Apr. 29: Walk The Line
After watching Walk Hard so many times, I had to see the film that inspired so much of it again. It had been some time since I had seen it and though it wasn't as good as I remembered, it was still entertaining and Joaquin still does a phenomenal job as Johnny Cash.
Surprisingly funny. The music was dead-on for the time periods represented and that made the film that much more enjoyable. The constant rock 'n' roll references were great for a music history junkie like myself.
Apr. 23: That Thing You Do!
Another great film about a fake music group. Great songs and story. Tom Everett Scott and Ethan Embry are still amazing after all these years.
Apr. 25: Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay
This first film was hilarious. This tried too hard and lacked the magic of its predecessor. Not very good at all.
Apr. 27: Walk Hard
Had to show it to some friends.
Apr. 29: Walk The Line
After watching Walk Hard so many times, I had to see the film that inspired so much of it again. It had been some time since I had seen it and though it wasn't as good as I remembered, it was still entertaining and Joaquin still does a phenomenal job as Johnny Cash.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Bangkok Dangerous
In reference to the article where Mr. Cage states his growing weariness in acting, I think this trailer is proof. Aside from it looking like every other action movie ever, The Cage is just recycling the same old sometimes bored/sometimes witty character he always utilizes, only this time the fire's gone out in his eyes. Oh Nicky boy, won't you come back to us.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Movie Log: March
Mar. 1: American Movie
I've been aware of this film for several years due in part to glowing recommendations from my friends Wyatt and Tom, but nothing compares to witnessing it first hand. The filming of the two movies, the commitment of Mark's friends and family, and the stupidty/comic genius of these Northwestern rednecks never failed to amaze me. Watching it with two Swedes made it more entertaining as they revealed that many Swedes settled in Northwestern areas such as Wisconsin (including Mark's family)giving its people their unique accent. I was even occasionally surpirsed by the intelligence Mark had which was more often outshined by his naivety and backwoods education (or lack thereof as he dropped out of school). But the most arresting character is not Mark, but his best friend and his uncle. Mark's best friend Mike provides the beautiful acoustic metal music that is the film's sole soundtrack and regals us with tales of drug abuse juxtaposed with his firm anti-drug stance of the past year and a half, all delivered with his trademark blank stare and dead brain cell droll. Mark's uncle Bill serves as the executive producer to Coven because of his financial contribution that appears to be aquired through Mark tricking this near-senile man who provides comic relief through the fact that he hates the movie and everything about it, is one of only two characters who don't believe in Mark (the other being an old friend who views Mark's dreams as pathetic), constantly discusses with Mark how near death he is, and is the one character who's nature is so hilarious that even the rest of the people in the film find him comical. The only downfall of the documentary is that you don't get to see Coven or Northwestern in their entirety. More than anything else I've said, my sole justification in recommending this film is due to the fact that myself and the four other people watching found it so funny at first that we swore it was a scripted mockumentary and was too funny to possibly be real. But it is!
Mar. 7: Alvin & The Chipmunks
This film was playing on the plane as Alisha and I flew to New York. I started watching Juno, but found it dull and full of junior high humor, so I opted for the much more high brow Alvin & The Chipmunks. How was it? Exactly how you think it was. The worst part was actually the editing and how poorly the plot flowed together because of it. Dave and the Chipmunks went from obscurity to international superstardom within the span of a 5-minute montage. I'd add that is was better than Garfield: The Movie and that David Cross was occasionally funny, although still a total tool for doing the movie. Also, we had a great deal of turbulence during the flight and each time we went through a violent patch of it, I wondered what it'd be like if the plane crashed and we died and the last thing I saw was Alvin & The Chipmunks.
Mar. 15: D-War: Dragon Wars
The movie starts in the present day, then to a flashback that goes into a story from 500 years ago that then itself goes into a flashback. This was followed by about 5 minutes where I thought it was the greatest movie I had ever seen. What followed was the worst movie I've ever seen, and I've seen You Got Served. It was the first movie since the new King Kong that I fell asleep before the end. I think Korean film critic Kim Bong-sok summed it up best when he said it was "below criticism."
34 Nicholas Cage films left.
I've been aware of this film for several years due in part to glowing recommendations from my friends Wyatt and Tom, but nothing compares to witnessing it first hand. The filming of the two movies, the commitment of Mark's friends and family, and the stupidty/comic genius of these Northwestern rednecks never failed to amaze me. Watching it with two Swedes made it more entertaining as they revealed that many Swedes settled in Northwestern areas such as Wisconsin (including Mark's family)giving its people their unique accent. I was even occasionally surpirsed by the intelligence Mark had which was more often outshined by his naivety and backwoods education (or lack thereof as he dropped out of school). But the most arresting character is not Mark, but his best friend and his uncle. Mark's best friend Mike provides the beautiful acoustic metal music that is the film's sole soundtrack and regals us with tales of drug abuse juxtaposed with his firm anti-drug stance of the past year and a half, all delivered with his trademark blank stare and dead brain cell droll. Mark's uncle Bill serves as the executive producer to Coven because of his financial contribution that appears to be aquired through Mark tricking this near-senile man who provides comic relief through the fact that he hates the movie and everything about it, is one of only two characters who don't believe in Mark (the other being an old friend who views Mark's dreams as pathetic), constantly discusses with Mark how near death he is, and is the one character who's nature is so hilarious that even the rest of the people in the film find him comical. The only downfall of the documentary is that you don't get to see Coven or Northwestern in their entirety. More than anything else I've said, my sole justification in recommending this film is due to the fact that myself and the four other people watching found it so funny at first that we swore it was a scripted mockumentary and was too funny to possibly be real. But it is!
Mar. 7: Alvin & The Chipmunks
This film was playing on the plane as Alisha and I flew to New York. I started watching Juno, but found it dull and full of junior high humor, so I opted for the much more high brow Alvin & The Chipmunks. How was it? Exactly how you think it was. The worst part was actually the editing and how poorly the plot flowed together because of it. Dave and the Chipmunks went from obscurity to international superstardom within the span of a 5-minute montage. I'd add that is was better than Garfield: The Movie and that David Cross was occasionally funny, although still a total tool for doing the movie. Also, we had a great deal of turbulence during the flight and each time we went through a violent patch of it, I wondered what it'd be like if the plane crashed and we died and the last thing I saw was Alvin & The Chipmunks.
Mar. 15: D-War: Dragon Wars
The movie starts in the present day, then to a flashback that goes into a story from 500 years ago that then itself goes into a flashback. This was followed by about 5 minutes where I thought it was the greatest movie I had ever seen. What followed was the worst movie I've ever seen, and I've seen You Got Served. It was the first movie since the new King Kong that I fell asleep before the end. I think Korean film critic Kim Bong-sok summed it up best when he said it was "below criticism."
34 Nicholas Cage films left.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Mr. Cage Leaves Hollywood
Here are some comments the Cage recently made about his future in the film world:
“Some movie stars look like they are having a ball, but I’m tired of it. It has made me reclusive. That is an increasingly gnawing feeling in my body. When I first started I loved it. One of my frustrations is I have no control. I haven’t worked in a while, and it will be eight months before I start my next picture. I know for the first time which direction I’m going in and what changes I want to make.”
“For some reason, I piss off the audience. People who like one type of film don’t like to see me in another. Things I did and said early on still haunt me. I started acting at 17, but I’m 44 now and have grown up. I wonder if I am still interesting to watch if I didn’t drink or raise hell, but it’s obnoxious to keep drinking.”
If Ed Harris couldn't stop the Cage, nothing can.
“Some movie stars look like they are having a ball, but I’m tired of it. It has made me reclusive. That is an increasingly gnawing feeling in my body. When I first started I loved it. One of my frustrations is I have no control. I haven’t worked in a while, and it will be eight months before I start my next picture. I know for the first time which direction I’m going in and what changes I want to make.”
“For some reason, I piss off the audience. People who like one type of film don’t like to see me in another. Things I did and said early on still haunt me. I started acting at 17, but I’m 44 now and have grown up. I wonder if I am still interesting to watch if I didn’t drink or raise hell, but it’s obnoxious to keep drinking.”
If Ed Harris couldn't stop the Cage, nothing can.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Movie Log: February
Feb. 8: Across The Universe
This was the first time I had watched it since the first time I watched it in the theaters. I liked it even better. It's the only musical I not only don't hate, but love. And that's because the songs actually drive the plot forward instead of just being filler. Plus, they're Beatles songs. Now, some people thought it was too corny or it wasn't true to the Beatles. Those people are dumb, gay, and not real Beatles fans. If you take the Beatles too seriously, you don't get them at all. It was the perfect blend of romance, youth, psychedlia, humor, and social relevance. I think it captures the Beatles essence in a way that a straight biopic never could, just like I'm Not There did with Dylan. If you haven't seen it, see it. And if you have seen it, see it again (I recommend getting in the right state of mind first).
Feb. 12: Valley Girl (NC)
Hilariously dated. The Clueless of the '80s. These were my initial thoughts upon beginning Valley Girl. Both are negative. And not because Clueless was bad, because it wasn't. It's the '80s part. Like virtually every comedy of the 1980s, this revolved around high school and relationships. That's it. If they ever try to make it about more, it never is. Bad music, disgusting hair and makeup, ugly girls, guys that dress how I remember my Dad dressing when I was a kid, and parents that are barely distinguishable in age from their kids. On top of that, the whole Valley Girl speak was uncomfortably forced and unnatural for the characters who were all awful actors. Even the Ragin' Cage(n) couldn't save this. I couldn't get over his buck teeth, the horrible excuse for a "punk scene" involving a bunch of kids in vests and khaki pants listening to New Romantic (parents beware), and I kept thinking I was watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape? the way Cage kept acting like a retard. No exaggeration. The bottom line America: this movie sucks. I couldn't watch it in one sitting, the whole 'wrong side of the tracks' deal barely works since Deborah Foreman's parents are ex-hippies who don't give a shit what she does, and despite help from my little green friend (that's weed), every 5 minutes I wanted to turn it off until I remembered that I had to watch it as per my resolution.
(Highlights: Nicholas Cage with hair, a prom full of Valley kids dancing to "Johnny Are You Queer?," and Deborah Foreman lookin' fine in a pre-American Apparel one-piece.)
Feb. 14: Jumper
Bad acting. Poor writing. Tons of plot holes. All in all, one of the coolest action movies I've seen. I went in knowing the acting would be awful, I left thinking it wasn't so bad in the context of the film. As for the writing, I'm sure the book was better (they always are; I would like to see how Gould describes the teleporting though), but frankly, I was so swept up in the effects and action scenes that I didn't realize how little it made sense until it was over. If you can put aside your inner movie snob (I mean film snob) and enjoy some cool SFX and some good old fashion bus surfing, I'd say go see it.
34 Nicholas Cage films left.
This was the first time I had watched it since the first time I watched it in the theaters. I liked it even better. It's the only musical I not only don't hate, but love. And that's because the songs actually drive the plot forward instead of just being filler. Plus, they're Beatles songs. Now, some people thought it was too corny or it wasn't true to the Beatles. Those people are dumb, gay, and not real Beatles fans. If you take the Beatles too seriously, you don't get them at all. It was the perfect blend of romance, youth, psychedlia, humor, and social relevance. I think it captures the Beatles essence in a way that a straight biopic never could, just like I'm Not There did with Dylan. If you haven't seen it, see it. And if you have seen it, see it again (I recommend getting in the right state of mind first).
Feb. 12: Valley Girl (NC)
Hilariously dated. The Clueless of the '80s. These were my initial thoughts upon beginning Valley Girl. Both are negative. And not because Clueless was bad, because it wasn't. It's the '80s part. Like virtually every comedy of the 1980s, this revolved around high school and relationships. That's it. If they ever try to make it about more, it never is. Bad music, disgusting hair and makeup, ugly girls, guys that dress how I remember my Dad dressing when I was a kid, and parents that are barely distinguishable in age from their kids. On top of that, the whole Valley Girl speak was uncomfortably forced and unnatural for the characters who were all awful actors. Even the Ragin' Cage(n) couldn't save this. I couldn't get over his buck teeth, the horrible excuse for a "punk scene" involving a bunch of kids in vests and khaki pants listening to New Romantic (parents beware), and I kept thinking I was watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape? the way Cage kept acting like a retard. No exaggeration. The bottom line America: this movie sucks. I couldn't watch it in one sitting, the whole 'wrong side of the tracks' deal barely works since Deborah Foreman's parents are ex-hippies who don't give a shit what she does, and despite help from my little green friend (that's weed), every 5 minutes I wanted to turn it off until I remembered that I had to watch it as per my resolution.
(Highlights: Nicholas Cage with hair, a prom full of Valley kids dancing to "Johnny Are You Queer?," and Deborah Foreman lookin' fine in a pre-American Apparel one-piece.)
Feb. 14: Jumper
Bad acting. Poor writing. Tons of plot holes. All in all, one of the coolest action movies I've seen. I went in knowing the acting would be awful, I left thinking it wasn't so bad in the context of the film. As for the writing, I'm sure the book was better (they always are; I would like to see how Gould describes the teleporting though), but frankly, I was so swept up in the effects and action scenes that I didn't realize how little it made sense until it was over. If you can put aside your inner movie snob (I mean film snob) and enjoy some cool SFX and some good old fashion bus surfing, I'd say go see it.
34 Nicholas Cage films left.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Movie Log: January
January 3rd: Jurassic Park
Myself, Alisha, and Tom watched this for all of ours umpteenth time while on vacation at Tom's River House. I still think it is a great movie and has some of the best special effects I've ever seen, even by today's standards which is saying something since it is 14 years old.
January 11th: National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets (NC)
The first Nick Cage film of the new year. It boasted a noticeably similar plot to the first film, but was still vastly entertaining. I preferred the first film, but Charles and Thom favor the second. The other nice thing is that it has almost nothing to do with the first film other than character relationships so you can watch them out of order.
January 14th: Wedding Crashers
I was bored and felt like watching this again. Funny. Hot babes. Boobs.
January 17th: Leaving Las Vegas (NC)
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Though it is a romance movie, which I despise, it of course is separated from the pack because of Nick Cage being the most intense alcoholic I've ever seen on screen and Elisabeth Shue being a prostitute, and one of the hottest ones I've ever seen. It had a great soundtrack, mostly composed by the director, who also adapted the screenplay from the book. I really enjoyed the storyline and the cinematography. It also serves as one of those handful of Cage performances where he doesn't play the usual self-assured, witty leading man. He's extremely damaged and vulnerable throughout the film. I'd highly recommend it assholes.
January 18th: Cloverfiled
Though I've been anticipating this film for a long time, I still did not expect it to be as good as it was. The special effects are flashy, the 9/11 allusions are obvious, and the actors are sub par, but what is so effective, is the utter realism of this film. In the context of "What if a monster attacked New York?", it is extremely effective in illustrating the panic of it all. The fact that you don't see much of the monster and it focuses on the destruction and the fear of the people we follow, makes it all the more compelling. The cinematography, the suspense, and the fact that you have one fixed perspective the entire time, makes this one of the best action and/or monster film I've ever seen. Plus, Thom got so sick that he had to leave. Granted, it was motion sickness, but any movie that makes you nauseous is good in my book.
January 19th: The Rock (NC)
As a kid, I had always wanted to see this film but never got around to it. Though it was entertaining to a degree, I was overall disappointed by this movie. I like Sean Connery more than I usual do, but I felt Ed Harris was weak and Nicolas Cage's character was one of the worst I've seen. He had his cocky, funny moments, but they were really breaking character as he was more often a nervous, unsure personality who doesn't find his strength till the end. The best part of the film is the end which blew me away how similar it was to National Treasure. I propose a sequel to The Rock that is a prequel to National Treasure.
January 20th: Pleasantville
The WB was showing this last night and my curiosity of how it held up led me to watch the whole film (commercial breaks and all). At first, I scoffed at how corny it was (not the 1950s setting, but the film's depiction of high school students in the 90s which topped Clueless in cheesiness). The deeper I got into the film, the better it got. I forgot how absolutely stunning it looked when they add color to certain things in the black and white world. On top of that, where several great shots of J.T. Walsh as Big Bob, the mayor of Pleasantville. One sets him in front of a giant lit bowling scoreboard where he gives an impassioned speech on the tragedy of wives not making dinner and burning shirts with irons that came off as a mix between Patton in front of the American flag and Hitler in front of the Nazi one. This is repeated when he gives a court room speech with an askew shot straight from Triumph of the Will. The fascists elements and the comparisons to 1950s and 60s America where the "coloreds" aren't allowed in certain stores and sit in separate seats in the court, added story elements I had either forgotten or completely missed as a kid. If you haven't seen this film in awhile, I suggest you do. And though I've already written more about Pleasantville than any other movie, I have to add one of my favorite nerd moments: At the beginning, Tobey Maguire's character is shown talking to a girl he likes. It shows repeated cuts to her as if she is listening and responding, but we soon find that she is across the way talking to her boyfriend (who is wearing a flannel button-down shirt that is wide open and has the sleeves cut off). This is almost exactly what happens 4 years later in Spider-Man between Peter and Mary Jane. On top of that, Maguire's 1950s character is named Bud Parker.
January 21: The Tiger and The Snow (UF)
Though I'd wanted to see this film for awhile, after 30 minutes I just couldn't take it. It's not a bad movie, but there was just something utterly boring about it. Perhaps it was my mood, but more likely it was the fact that the whole atmosphere of the film is that of a happy dream. Roberto Benigni's character is hilarious and cameos by Jean Reno and Tom Waits seem like the perfect formula, but the plot weaved in and out of so many situations and relationships and every time there should have been conflict, there was some happy circumstance. I'd love to finish it, but for now I need something a little less whimsical.
January 22: Resident Evil: Extinction
It could be that it's the film version of a video game; not in the sense of Tomb Raider or Super Mario Bros. being adapted into awful films, more like Crank and Shoot 'Em Up being the equivalent of a video game on the big screen. It could just be a gorgeous woman in combat boots and a red dress with no bra running around destroying zombies. Whatever it is, I like the Resident Evil films. Well, the first two. The third film started with the promise of the same action/horror of the first two but eventually fell victim to psychic powers and tentacle fingers that, along with the ever weakening plot and the poor characters and actors (including Ali Larter who's already reeked havoc on Heroes), drove the film quickly down hill in the second act. Upside: Milla Jovavich in sexy post-apocalyptic/Western garb wielding twin machetes. Downside: Everything else.
Myself, Alisha, and Tom watched this for all of ours umpteenth time while on vacation at Tom's River House. I still think it is a great movie and has some of the best special effects I've ever seen, even by today's standards which is saying something since it is 14 years old.
January 11th: National Treasure 2: Book Of Secrets (NC)
The first Nick Cage film of the new year. It boasted a noticeably similar plot to the first film, but was still vastly entertaining. I preferred the first film, but Charles and Thom favor the second. The other nice thing is that it has almost nothing to do with the first film other than character relationships so you can watch them out of order.
January 14th: Wedding Crashers
I was bored and felt like watching this again. Funny. Hot babes. Boobs.
January 17th: Leaving Las Vegas (NC)
I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Though it is a romance movie, which I despise, it of course is separated from the pack because of Nick Cage being the most intense alcoholic I've ever seen on screen and Elisabeth Shue being a prostitute, and one of the hottest ones I've ever seen. It had a great soundtrack, mostly composed by the director, who also adapted the screenplay from the book. I really enjoyed the storyline and the cinematography. It also serves as one of those handful of Cage performances where he doesn't play the usual self-assured, witty leading man. He's extremely damaged and vulnerable throughout the film. I'd highly recommend it assholes.
January 18th: Cloverfiled
Though I've been anticipating this film for a long time, I still did not expect it to be as good as it was. The special effects are flashy, the 9/11 allusions are obvious, and the actors are sub par, but what is so effective, is the utter realism of this film. In the context of "What if a monster attacked New York?", it is extremely effective in illustrating the panic of it all. The fact that you don't see much of the monster and it focuses on the destruction and the fear of the people we follow, makes it all the more compelling. The cinematography, the suspense, and the fact that you have one fixed perspective the entire time, makes this one of the best action and/or monster film I've ever seen. Plus, Thom got so sick that he had to leave. Granted, it was motion sickness, but any movie that makes you nauseous is good in my book.
January 19th: The Rock (NC)
As a kid, I had always wanted to see this film but never got around to it. Though it was entertaining to a degree, I was overall disappointed by this movie. I like Sean Connery more than I usual do, but I felt Ed Harris was weak and Nicolas Cage's character was one of the worst I've seen. He had his cocky, funny moments, but they were really breaking character as he was more often a nervous, unsure personality who doesn't find his strength till the end. The best part of the film is the end which blew me away how similar it was to National Treasure. I propose a sequel to The Rock that is a prequel to National Treasure.
January 20th: Pleasantville
The WB was showing this last night and my curiosity of how it held up led me to watch the whole film (commercial breaks and all). At first, I scoffed at how corny it was (not the 1950s setting, but the film's depiction of high school students in the 90s which topped Clueless in cheesiness). The deeper I got into the film, the better it got. I forgot how absolutely stunning it looked when they add color to certain things in the black and white world. On top of that, where several great shots of J.T. Walsh as Big Bob, the mayor of Pleasantville. One sets him in front of a giant lit bowling scoreboard where he gives an impassioned speech on the tragedy of wives not making dinner and burning shirts with irons that came off as a mix between Patton in front of the American flag and Hitler in front of the Nazi one. This is repeated when he gives a court room speech with an askew shot straight from Triumph of the Will. The fascists elements and the comparisons to 1950s and 60s America where the "coloreds" aren't allowed in certain stores and sit in separate seats in the court, added story elements I had either forgotten or completely missed as a kid. If you haven't seen this film in awhile, I suggest you do. And though I've already written more about Pleasantville than any other movie, I have to add one of my favorite nerd moments: At the beginning, Tobey Maguire's character is shown talking to a girl he likes. It shows repeated cuts to her as if she is listening and responding, but we soon find that she is across the way talking to her boyfriend (who is wearing a flannel button-down shirt that is wide open and has the sleeves cut off). This is almost exactly what happens 4 years later in Spider-Man between Peter and Mary Jane. On top of that, Maguire's 1950s character is named Bud Parker.
January 21: The Tiger and The Snow (UF)
Though I'd wanted to see this film for awhile, after 30 minutes I just couldn't take it. It's not a bad movie, but there was just something utterly boring about it. Perhaps it was my mood, but more likely it was the fact that the whole atmosphere of the film is that of a happy dream. Roberto Benigni's character is hilarious and cameos by Jean Reno and Tom Waits seem like the perfect formula, but the plot weaved in and out of so many situations and relationships and every time there should have been conflict, there was some happy circumstance. I'd love to finish it, but for now I need something a little less whimsical.
January 22: Resident Evil: Extinction
It could be that it's the film version of a video game; not in the sense of Tomb Raider or Super Mario Bros. being adapted into awful films, more like Crank and Shoot 'Em Up being the equivalent of a video game on the big screen. It could just be a gorgeous woman in combat boots and a red dress with no bra running around destroying zombies. Whatever it is, I like the Resident Evil films. Well, the first two. The third film started with the promise of the same action/horror of the first two but eventually fell victim to psychic powers and tentacle fingers that, along with the ever weakening plot and the poor characters and actors (including Ali Larter who's already reeked havoc on Heroes), drove the film quickly down hill in the second act. Upside: Milla Jovavich in sexy post-apocalyptic/Western garb wielding twin machetes. Downside: Everything else.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
R.I.P. Heath Ledger
Though this site is supposed to be about my New Years Resolution and Nick Cage, it is also about movies and actors I admire. Heath Ledger is one of my favorite contemporary actors and its a goddamn shame that he died today of a drug overdose. The tragedy far out reaches him being young and attractive as he was a talented actor more than anything. Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan et al continue forcing drugs into themselves day in and day out and just won't die. It's comforting to know that before he died. he did finished I'm Not There, one of the best films of 2007 and the best biopic yet, and The Dark Knight, sure to be one of the best films of 2008 as well as the best comic book movie to date. Hopefully, Nicholas Cage will do a biopic on Heath Ledger and if Christian Bale dies anytime soon, so hekp me god, Lindsay Lohan will be number 3.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Make Money - Money
Tom sent me this article on The Cage's film choices:
Nicolas Cage, Aiming to Repeat History
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 21, 2007; Page WE31
Perhaps you can't quite make up your mind about Nicolas Cage.
Serious, high-caliber actor? Or mainstream Hollywood hack?
It's okay. He can't decide either.
"I've noticed that I've really polarized my career into down-and-dirty dramas and Disney adventure fantasy pictures," the 43-year-old says matter-of-factly by phone from the Los Angeles Hilton hotel.
It's the latter category that has him talking today. In 2004, Cage made "National Treasure," and it, in turn, made $347 million. Little wonder that a sequel about Ben Gates, the treasure-hunting history buff, was given the green light just months after the release of the original.
But it has taken three years to put out "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." (See synopsis on Page 33.) And Cage will tell you that's partly his fault.
"I was very careful with it, before I said 100 percent yes. I wanted to make sure it was as good as it could be," he explains, "that the movie doesn't just rest on its laurels."
So while the Declaration of Independence is stolen in the first flick, the president of the United States is kidnapped in the second. Along the way, caper clues -- sought to clear the name of Ben Gates's great-great-grandfather from the implication of involvement in the Lincoln assassination -- are picked up at Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress, the Oval Office and Buckingham Palace.
"My favorite thing about Ben Gates is that his only super power is that he's read some history books," Cage says. Part of the appeal of "National Treasure," he adds, is that both movies have the potential to spark a similar interest in audiences, kids in particular. "Children are enormously impressionable, and you want to give them something you can feel comfortable with."
This from the man who won his Oscar for the chilling portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic (1995's "Leaving Las Vegas") and made his directorial debut with an indie film about a male prostitute (2002's "Sonny").
Next up? Another Disney flick, "G-Force," expected to be released in 2009. He lends his voice to an animated mole who works for good rather than evil.
Seems a bit professionally bipolar, no?
Maybe, but Cage does have his reasons. "I think both are good energy, both are healing, both have a place," he says. "It's good to make movies that are tragedies, where people can think about things in life that are undeniable, that everyone has to deal with. . . . But at the same time, it's also healing to make movies that are entertaining, that are a lot of fun -- where you don't have to think about your problems."
That more people are likely to see Cage in a film like "National Treasure" than, say, "The Weather Man," a small but critically well-received 2005 drama, is, he insists, not a point of frustration. More aggravating is the suggestion that it would be.
Some movies "don't lend themselves to enormous box office," he says. "I mean, that's just the way it is -- and that doesn't mean you don't want to make the movie anyhow. . . . I just think it's unfortunate when people perceive it as though the filmmakers thought the movie was going to make $100 million. When you don't have the expectations, you're fine."
And worse, he adds, is the assumption that commercially oriented films are somehow less taxing for actors. "They're both equally difficult in terms of the amount of work that goes into it -- to make sure they both serve the needs of the audience."
In the next few years, Cage will probably be serving the needs of the audience a tad less frequently. His youngest son is about to go into preschool, and, he says, "I think it's time for me to take a little more time off from filmmaking."
But if this "National Treasure" does as well as the last, it's probably a safe bet that the studio gurus won't let Cage keep Ben Gates out of retirement for too long. There are, after all, a lot of ways to strike gold.
END
They should write an article on Ellen McCarthy's choice of corny ending lines. Oh well, I guess it's okay since this article appeared in Highlights For Children and not The Washington Post.
Nicolas Cage, Aiming to Repeat History
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, December 21, 2007; Page WE31
Perhaps you can't quite make up your mind about Nicolas Cage.
Serious, high-caliber actor? Or mainstream Hollywood hack?
It's okay. He can't decide either.
"I've noticed that I've really polarized my career into down-and-dirty dramas and Disney adventure fantasy pictures," the 43-year-old says matter-of-factly by phone from the Los Angeles Hilton hotel.
It's the latter category that has him talking today. In 2004, Cage made "National Treasure," and it, in turn, made $347 million. Little wonder that a sequel about Ben Gates, the treasure-hunting history buff, was given the green light just months after the release of the original.
But it has taken three years to put out "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." (See synopsis on Page 33.) And Cage will tell you that's partly his fault.
"I was very careful with it, before I said 100 percent yes. I wanted to make sure it was as good as it could be," he explains, "that the movie doesn't just rest on its laurels."
So while the Declaration of Independence is stolen in the first flick, the president of the United States is kidnapped in the second. Along the way, caper clues -- sought to clear the name of Ben Gates's great-great-grandfather from the implication of involvement in the Lincoln assassination -- are picked up at Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress, the Oval Office and Buckingham Palace.
"My favorite thing about Ben Gates is that his only super power is that he's read some history books," Cage says. Part of the appeal of "National Treasure," he adds, is that both movies have the potential to spark a similar interest in audiences, kids in particular. "Children are enormously impressionable, and you want to give them something you can feel comfortable with."
This from the man who won his Oscar for the chilling portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic (1995's "Leaving Las Vegas") and made his directorial debut with an indie film about a male prostitute (2002's "Sonny").
Next up? Another Disney flick, "G-Force," expected to be released in 2009. He lends his voice to an animated mole who works for good rather than evil.
Seems a bit professionally bipolar, no?
Maybe, but Cage does have his reasons. "I think both are good energy, both are healing, both have a place," he says. "It's good to make movies that are tragedies, where people can think about things in life that are undeniable, that everyone has to deal with. . . . But at the same time, it's also healing to make movies that are entertaining, that are a lot of fun -- where you don't have to think about your problems."
That more people are likely to see Cage in a film like "National Treasure" than, say, "The Weather Man," a small but critically well-received 2005 drama, is, he insists, not a point of frustration. More aggravating is the suggestion that it would be.
Some movies "don't lend themselves to enormous box office," he says. "I mean, that's just the way it is -- and that doesn't mean you don't want to make the movie anyhow. . . . I just think it's unfortunate when people perceive it as though the filmmakers thought the movie was going to make $100 million. When you don't have the expectations, you're fine."
And worse, he adds, is the assumption that commercially oriented films are somehow less taxing for actors. "They're both equally difficult in terms of the amount of work that goes into it -- to make sure they both serve the needs of the audience."
In the next few years, Cage will probably be serving the needs of the audience a tad less frequently. His youngest son is about to go into preschool, and, he says, "I think it's time for me to take a little more time off from filmmaking."
But if this "National Treasure" does as well as the last, it's probably a safe bet that the studio gurus won't let Cage keep Ben Gates out of retirement for too long. There are, after all, a lot of ways to strike gold.
END
They should write an article on Ellen McCarthy's choice of corny ending lines. Oh well, I guess it's okay since this article appeared in Highlights For Children and not The Washington Post.
Movie Log 2008
For those who don't know, my New Years Resolution was to see every Nicholas Cage film I hadn't seen up to that point. I had 15 under my belt out of 58 total. I've decided in order to keep all interested parties updated on my New Years Resolution and to track how many movies I watch all together this year, I am going to keep a movie log. An "(NC)" after a film will denote one for the Resolution. Feel free to judge, criticize, add your 2 cents, and offer suggestions.
The basic log will appear here, while this will serve as a more detailed account of my year in movies and my quest to witness the entirety of Nicholas Cage's body...of work.
The basic log will appear here, while this will serve as a more detailed account of my year in movies and my quest to witness the entirety of Nicholas Cage's body...of work.
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