The Expendables 2

 
Plot Summary: (It is kinda superfluous, but, I digress anyways... )

Bruce Willis reunites the old team for what should be a 'walk in the park' sorta job, but when one of the boys is murdered, their quest for revenge places them deep in - yep, you guessed it - very bad guy territory. Sly, Arnie, Bruce, Chuck, Dolph and others return for another paycheck, shooting, yelling, blowing up, wounding, well practically annihilating everything before them. This is a good thing. 
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As you can read from the accompanying picture with this review, when you have so much mega-wattage star-power in your films lineup, you can be assured of a certain amount of interest before you actually see it. Sometimes, a stellar cast is all you need. Any semblance of a plot would obscure this films true intent - to provide as much onscreen carnage for the running time!

Within the first 15 minutes of this movie, my friends & I were giggling like very naughty school boys, completely & utterly amused at how ridiculously entertaining this sequel was. To say Expendables 2 is over the top is an understatement - and a half. Totally absurd from whoa to go, this is a train you just want to keen on riding. We gave up on counting bullets and the body count after 5 minutes! My one wish for part three (Trust me, at this time of writing, its already made nearly 240 Million. It has made its money back. Probably already written into a few key players contracts about coming back for a 3rd time around) is that they bring back one of the key guys who was instrumental in Arnold Schwarzenegger's success in the eighties, Steven E De Souza. This guy wrote many of the iconic lines from the hit movies of that period. I'm thinking of gems like "Let off some steam Bennett!" "Yippee Ki-Aye, MuthaF@%$#r!" "You bastard! Drop dead! I don't do requests" "What happened to Buzzsaw?" [after Richards cut Buzzsaw in half with a chain saw] "He had to split" etc etc. 



With Movies like this, really there is no point to a critical evaluation of its relative merit - or lack thereof. All depends on how you view these kind of specific types of films. Its not intended to be a genre defining classic is it? Expendables 2 aims squarely in one direction. Let me entertain you!

In the words of my good friend Johnny Jags... "S*%H GOES BOOM!" 

Sometimes, that's all you want from a film :)

J for... Job

ON THE ROAD: 3 Verses but... NO CHORUS!

 On the Road is a novel by American writer Jack Kerouac, written in April 1951, but published in 1957. It is a largely autobiographical work based on the spontaneous cross-country adventures of Kerouac and his friends during the middle of the 20th century. It is often considered a defining work of the postwar 'Beat Generation' that was inspired by jazz, poetry, and drug experiences. It has finally been made into a movie in 2011 by Walter Salles, starring Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Kirsten Dunst & Viggo Mortensen.

OK then, where the hell do ya start? Ya start fueled with good old fashioned nourishment that is the finest that America has offered to the world. Coke and Mcdonalds. Like love and marriage, they go together like a horse and carriage. So, with that sweet fuel in my belly, where do you start when confronted with an iconic piece of art that defied the typical literary conventions of its day - manifesting itself casually on an unsuspecting American public way back then? And now, in the modern era, it finally is deemed worthy enough to translate its idiosyncratic musings into another medium that too, can be manipulated into whatever some insignificant suit deems necessary to achieve that upmost of desired goals that begets all others, the pursuit of the almighty dollar. if it aint pitched to the middle, then how the hells it gonna make any ROI? Thats Return On Investment for all you non business folks out there.

Happy to report that the long wait has been well worthwhile, this is more than great. It's an evocative, dramatic, rambling, mysterious, heady, swirling, languid, passionate ride through a critical time in American history. Coming not long after the the second world war, the country was just starting to regroup itself, socially, morally, and possibly most crucially - artistically. From this came a group of people determined to see things differently. Determined to throw off conventional societal norms, this ultra talented bunch dreamed up new forms of expression that couldn't have come from your average Joe bound by the staid straitjacket fit of the times. Jazz, Poetry, Art, Movies, these and many other forms of artistic endeavour were being twisted, reformed, re-calibrated, re-sprung into initially uncomfortable, but strangely compelling pieces that not just intrigued, but mesmerized the public. For good.

With any great movie, the two things that make it so are a great story - and the cast to realize it. Without these, sayonnara folks. It ain't gonna be much chop. The two key cats, Sal & Dean are brought to life with just the right amount of panache by Sam Riley & Garrett Hedlund. Damn, these guys are good! Sold by their effortless cool in inhabiting Kerouac's vivid Sal Paradise & Dean Moriarty, its more than easy to go along for this glorious ride into wild abandon across the American heartland. Part of you wants to experience life the way they did: Mad for adventure, mad for craziness, mad for love, mad for sex, mad for drugs. Mad for life itself. OD'd On Life Itself?

OK then, the key question? (Of course. Do'h!) Is this cinematic journey more than worthy of 137 minutes of your most precious time. My answer -if you haven't figured out by now - is... Hell yeah! But, the caveat is this: Its not the destination that's real important, its how you gets there. Ha, that's where the fun is, my friends...

And, the following is inspired by Kerouac. It aint anything like him, but ya know, I just felt creative. Just had to go with the flow. Its cribbed blatantly from a few different sources, see if ya can guess which ones!

Lunch is on me if you can pick 'em all. You have my word on that. Seriously...



People are strange, people are strange when you're a stranger but remember this. Then I saw her face - now I'm a belieber! Its not art for arts sake, money for gods sake. Money, that's what I want! If Jim-bob, the Okie from Muskogee don't git it? Then whats it any good for? Huh! Whats it any good for? Say it again! And I can't wait to get on the road again. On the road again - Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway, We're the best of friends. Insisting that the world keep turning our way. Exit light! Enter night! Off to never never land. Like rust never sleeps, is this not paradise city? Where the grass is green? And the girls are pretty? Take me home! But, don't come around here no more, yer so bad! But you the best I ever had! Just... Beat it, beat it! Hit the road jack! Don't you come back no more no more no more! I know this much is true...

So, hello Mary-Lou, you shook me! YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG!!!  And she wore a pearl necklace, she wore a pearl necklace! Might as well.. JUMP! Keep on chooglin, keep on chooglin! Somewhere down that lazy river with Rosanna. Rosanna! - I didn't know you were looking for more than I could ever be? Ain't no sunshine when she's gone, It's not warm when she's away. But the waiting? The waiting is the hardest part. You take it on faith, you take it to the heart, yes-siree, the waiting is the hardest part! C'mon everybody!, everybody's got a hungry heart, lay down your money and you play your part. Honey I want the heart, I want the soul, I want control right now. So, you go back, Jack, do it again. Wheel turnin' 'round and 'round. And let it roll! Down the highway! Roll! Roll! But, like a bat out of hell, I'll be gone when the morning comes, But when the day is done - And the sun goes down - And moonlight's shining through. Then like a sinner before the gates of heaven - I'll come crawling on back to you. I know I could be happy - the rest of my life. With a cinnamon girl. 

No, I'm not losing my religion, I know everybody hurts - sometimes. But hey, don't fear the reaper - you don't have to live like a refugee, 'cause tramps like us? Baby we were born to run. Running on empty, living life in the fast lane (surely makes you lose your mind?). But hey, don't think twice, its alright! You're forever young, said the jokerman to the thief. There's too much confusion, I cant get no relief. There's no way out of here, When you come in - You're in for good. There was no promise made - The part you played, The chance you took. What we got here is a failure to communicate, Sweet child o' mine. But you break - just like a woman. STOP! In the name of love! Before you break my heart. Don't get tangled up in blue, i know things have changed, but someday baby, you gotta serve somebody. Otherwise you'll be stuck inside of mobile - with the Memphis blues again. Or maybe a hard rains gonna fall? Who cares alot? I say live and let die. It aint me babe, I'm as free as a bird now, in my sweet home Alabama, where the sky is oh so blue. Lord I'm coming back to you...

How does it feel? To be on your own? Like a complete unknown? So put me on a highway - And show me a sign. And take it. To the limit. One more time..

This one goes out to the one I love, and for the ones who had a notion - a notion deep inside - that it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive...

Keep on rockin in the free world! 

Neil Young. Horseback video

Having just seen the new Neil Young Documentary tonight at the NZ film festival (Which was superb btw - but that review is for another time - this will have to suffice for now :), I really needed another dose of an electrified Neil before I went to bed. This is what I found...

37minutes & 25 seconds of NY & the reformed Crazy Horse doing what only they can do best. Jam. And jam. And jam. You do get a change at around the 21 minute mark though - when they break into an extremely loose and meandering version of "Cortez the Killer".

So the rule is this. No breaks (Go to the toilet first, make yourself a cuppa etc), sit down, get comfy - and let Neil & his Crazy Horse take you on a ride like no other!

http://www.neilyoung.com/crazyhorsevideo.html

Enjoy people!
Feedback is good!

And, most importantly...

Play it loud!

R.I.P Jon Lord, Hammond B3 Wizard

And so another esteemed rock musician heads for the ultimate gig - The great gig in the sky.

News has broken today of the passing of the much lauded keyboardist for Deep Purple, Jon Lord. Lords' classical training was a major factor in his inimitable sense of playing what was right for the song - and for improvising when the occasion called for it. Which, during the 1970s especially, meant plenty of opportunities to trade lines with virtuoso guitarist Richie Blackmore. Their interplay at times, was breathtaking. It also was at times, completely self indulgent! But hey, it was that kind of era when budding muso's looked to flex their new found positions as purveyors of a new musical form. Wittingly - or unwittingly, Lord was a pivotal element of this new thing called "Progressive Rock", rapidly moving away from the formulaic constraints of the pop song format (Songs over 3 minutes? Verboten!) into uncharted waters. Songs were now exploratory, even mimicking classical structures with symphonic touches previously unheard. Some even dared to last a whole side of vinyl! Some even had the audacity to tell a story! (Concept albums. For the record, I plead extremely guilty to this most heinous of charges. Well, I have to when one of my very first purchases was the dazzling Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" - Still sounds great today FYI :)

Although I saw Deep Purple many times on TV, I only every saw them once live. That was in 1984, at Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. This was on the "Perfect Strangers" tour, reforming after 9 years apart - They imploded in 1976 after a calamitous last tour with replacement guitarist, the vastly underrated Tommy Bolin. Now, years later with Blackmore & the much vaunted "Mk2" lineup intact again ( Lord, Blackmore, Roger Glover, Ian Gillan, Ian Paice) and a new album to boot, they ended back down in NZ for one epic gig, albeit with the still erratic & twitchy Blackmore once again letting something get under his skin. For the encore, the expected playing of "Smoke on the Water" started not with that infamous guitar riff, rather it was Lord valiantly pounding out that signature on his battered but trusty Hammond organ. Then the thunderous rhythm section locked in unison with Lord, next up? Not Blackmore, but singer Ian Gillan, wailing away in his distinctive rock voice, but still... No friggin Blackmore!*&%$#$! 40,000 fans were getting rather frustrated, but on planet Blackmore? Hello, no-one home. In fact, he opted out altogether of this classic, presumably heading back to a groupie/alcohol/drugs - or all three for all we know! The rest of 'em plowed on through the song, shaking their heads (again) at the latest shenanigan that he was renown for throughout the previous decade. Up until that point it had been a revelatory experience, marred only by the man in black's petulance/reluctance to front up for the supposedly triumphant last song. Hey, I guess that's why they call it Rock 'N Roll!

Irrespective of that black spot, the one lingering image I carry to this day is Lord giving a tour de force performance in rock keyboard playing. He pummeled his poor old much-abused B3 relentlessly, rocking it backwards/forwards with increasing motions that had us fans seriously concerned for his welfare. Thought the bloody hefty thing was going to bury him at any given point in the nights entertainment! However, he was nothing but a total professional, so you kinda suspected that just maybe, he had done this specific activity once or twice previously.

Its been a real pleasure listening to your immeasurable contributions to the world of music Jon Lord, thanks for all the wonderful musical memories.

May you rest in peace - and rock on in heaven!

PROMETHEUS. A Masterpiece

The weight of expectation is a fickle beast at the best of times, filling you up on waves of euphoric heightened emotions, but obviously tempered by the grounding realisation that it mightn't live up to your own internal hype (That would be the massive disappointment that was Star Wars episodes 1-3. Hey, I'm not alone with that thought either!). I've been in a state of extreme anticipation since I first caught the merest sniff of this much fabled project, very very eager for the awaited day to arrive. So, being finally able to actually view this event that I've been obsessing about for a long while beforehand is not so much a relief, more like a revelation. That, pretty much describes me before Prometheus! After Prometheus? Read on for my thoughts as to why you too, should make this a must see movie.

I love Prometheus. It has, in my eyes, already attained classic status.

Classic movies do one thing exceedingly well. They ask questions - and give you no easy answers. They leave you to fill in the blanks. If you're talking about a movie afterwards, the filmmaker has done their job. After watching movies intensely for more than 20 odd years, I relish the thought of viewing a film where I can interpret it - the way I see it, not just because the director has spelled it out on how I should feel & think about it. Some movies telegraph every single development because... Well, because the audience generally likes to have all potential situations to have a familiar resolve that comforts them. The hero needs to live, the couple fall in love, the killer gets caught, justice is served etc etc! Conversely for me, one of the best things in life is for some, the most frustrating. Mystery. Just imagine life without the eternal mysteries that keep the brightest of minds highly focused on vainly trying to solve those burning questions such as... Is there life on Mars? The Bermuda Triangle, UFO's, Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, Yeti's, Atlantis.

With one tagline proclaiming "They went looking for the beginning of mankind", you know this is not going to be your average - everyday - run of the mill - science-fiction movie. Indeed, when redefining the exact nature of this epic tale, Ridley Scott instinctively knew that hastily creating the easy option (making a direct Alien prequel) was in fact, way too obvious - and would have only really catered for the die-hard (But damn hard to please!) fan base. Its a giggle to read some of the repetitious whining that is going on on various sites across the web, constructive intelligent discussion is sorely lacking in a major way, but I digress...

Establishing your story is critical, but so too is getting a  good cast to bring the scenes and dialogue to life. Sir Ridley has struck cinematic gold with the key person in this film, actor Michael Fassbender is note perfect as the every so slightly shadowy android David. Omnipresent in virtually every scene, David's motives increasingly get murkier by the minute, you're never entirely sure of whether he is helping or hindering at any given time. Fassbender reputedly studied videos of diver Greg Louganis to better understand a person who's chosen vocation required inordinate amounts of micro adjustments to concentrate on the specific tasks at hand. Look at any clip of a great diver, then compare them to what Fassbender has accomplished. In the pantheon of definitive movie paranoid androids, Fassbender's mesmerizing performance will be one remembered for eons. In a real world, Fassbender would be 'rewarded' with an Oscar, but alas, the academy is generally not one to recognize great performances in sci-fi movies. Maybe this time around folks? Regardless of that minor detail, Fassbender will instinctively know that he has done great work in this seminal film. Big things do have small beginnings indeed. The other key players are Noomi Rapace as naive but optimistic scientist Elizabeth Shaw, and the talented Charlize Theron as the requisite Weyland company representative Meredith Vickers. Rapace is well cast as the 'Ripley' type character and, although her role is similar to Sigourney Weaver's in the Alien movie series, the situations presented on screen are quite different to the challenges that Ellen Ripley faced originally. Shaw starts out as an idealistic person guided by the rather tantalizing thought of finally getting an answer to the biggest question for humankind. Who created us? But, after landing on that far flung rock at the edge of the universe, she gets way more than she bargained for, in fact what they all discover is a scenario of incredibly horrific proportions, with extremely dire consequences for mankind. Her journey is a compelling one, hopefully we'll see her again (If Sir Ridley gets his wish!). My only complaint with Charlize Theron's Vickers ice queen is that I wish she had more screen time, her glacial demeanor, curt manner, and lack of empathy made for a character that was fascinating to watch, in particular her interactions with Idris Elba's weary captain Janek were disappointingly short but equally memorable (Especially the "Love the One Your With" segment). Although this revelation might be a 'spoiler' for some, if her character didn't get killed, then it would have been very interesting to see how Ridley Scott  could have used this fledgling 'Thelma & Louise' coupling for the next installment (Yes Virginia, there will be a sequel - or two - depending primarily on how well this film does, box office wise - worldwide).

The score by Marc Streitenfeld is well suited to Prometheus, its dramatic, powerful, intense, and very complementary - all seperate pieces working well with the various scenes they are attached to. My only complaint as such, is the non appearance of the brooding music used in the trailer, they could have utilized that specific segment in many places throughout the film. Sadly, this seems to be an all too familiar trend these days!

The real star of any Ridley Scott movie is not the story or the cast. Its the supreme visual depictions where Scott stands at the very top of his field. His background training as a commercial artist has enabled him to  storyboard all his various films - adding absolute and complete clarity for all the other talented subordinates to work their magic with ease. Famed for his atmospheric and stunning urban environments in movies such as Blade Runner, Someone To Watch Over Me, Black Rain, Kingdom Of Heaven, Scott can create worlds which are have now attained a signature about them. Working with talented Directors of Photography such as Harris Savides, Dariusz Wolski, Adrian Biddle, Jordan Cronenweth have also helped Scott immensely in translating the vision in his head to the silver screen. The visuals in Prometheus are impressive beyond reproach. The opening sequence is one of many that justifiably needs to seen on a large movie screen. The scenes inside the alien temple were created on life size sets, adding a depth that possibly might not have been attained by using CGI. The actors all commented on how easy it was to act on this set, having a 'real' set to interact with - as opposed to the more commonplace computer based 'green screen' sets that are all too prevalent in this day and age.

With any great movie, you can have impressive visuals, a fantastic cast, a powerful score, but above all else, you need a story. A story that people can relate to, interpret as they want, but leaves you wanting more. Prometheus achieves this with complete conviction. For me, this is as compelling as it gets. When I go to a movie, I definitely want to be totally immersed in the filmmakers world, to believe that it actually could be real - and not just a figment of someones imagination. That's one of the joys of loving movies - to be transported to another world. Except, in this case, its not really a place you'd want to visit anytime soon. Well, if you have slightly masochistic tendencies - or a death wish, then hey, LV223 is your dream destination!

Irrespective of the mixed reactions from both critics & attendees to this seminal film, I'll state this. Prometheus will be regarded as a classic, but not for now, that will happen in the future. Me? The future is just that.

Prometheus is a classic. Now.

Game Change

Synopsis: Based on the controversial book by political journalists John Heilemann & Mark Halperin, this entertaining movie gives us a small glimpse into the murky backrooms of American politics & how they created a veritable Frankensteins monster - Sarah Palin. With America's never-ending fascination with the cult of celebrity, Palin recognized that her star was on the rise, eclipsing her senior running mate, respected US senator John McCain. This film convincingly portrays this transformation from hockey mum to serious contender for the highest office one can attain to. Wasilla to Washington? Made it Ma, top of the world!
 
Anchored by a superb doppelganger performance by the very talented Julianne Moore, and ably backed by an extremely supportive cast (Ed Harris, Woody Harrelson, Amy Adams to name a few), Game Change offers a peek into the desperate selection process for the running mate for senator John McCain's bid for president in the 2008 elections. Clearly aware that their race is becoming all about the cult of personality (Obama's stratospheric rise partly courtesy of the media's growing anticipation that he could indeed, be the very first Black president), McCain's team became increasingly convinced that the only thing that could make a significant difference to their faltering campaign would be to introduce a candidate who would be a potential 'game changer'. Someone who could excite the base constituency, someone who wasn't another crusty grey male that wouldn't easily connect with the women & youth of America.

After a brief search, finally a real possibility enters the frame. A small town mayor who then won the governors post in Alaska, Sarah Palin was viewed as the candidate with the necessary X-factor that been missing in the other alternatives. She spoke from the heart, with a rogue conviction, reminding McCain of his own similar character traits. Perfect they all sighed, here's our celebrity to counter the democrats rising star, lets get her out there - and show America that this fight is not over yet!

However, when you invariably thrust someone into the unflinching gaze of the intense media spotlight, you had better hope that they have the strongest personality that can withstand the oncoming storms of speculation, innuendos, gossip, and fabrications that can knock the self belief & confidence of even the most battle hardened political warriors. Politics isn't for the faint of heart. This film needed an actress who could express all these conflicting emotions and more. That Julianne Moore does with considerable aplomb, using all of her supreme acting talent to get us into the mindset of a person who entered rather naively in retrospect, but emerged at the end of the journey acutely aware of her status as a name - and force to be reckoned with.

In wisely choosing to focus on one aspect of the book that it is based on (Ignoring the Obama/Clinton battle & Republican battle for their candidate), this film is a reminder of the brutal nature of politics, the republicans desperate need for a star to counter the rise of Barack Obama. They nearly got what they wanted, frightening when you consider just how ill prepared Palin was for a job of this significance. With its assured cast, finely honed script, Game Change is a most worthwhile entry into the genre of film based on a book, entertaining us with a rather accurate story of how a nobody became a somebody. Somebody who could still have a major part to play in the future of American politics yet.

Before Prometheus

 

Official Synopsis:  Ridley Scott, director of “Alien” and “Blade Runner,” returns to the genre he helped define. With PROMETHEUS, he creates a groundbreaking mythology, in which a team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a thrilling journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

If I was told to make a choice about only one movie to watch this year, then this new film from Ridley Scott is the one I'll crawl over broken glass to watch! Just why do I sound so excited about this particular movie? Especially when you factor in the minor detail that I haven't even seen the damn thing yet!

Consider this...

A) Its Ridley Scott directing.
B) Its Ridley returning to SciFi!
C) Its set in a similar 'universe' to the one he created 30 odd years ago
D) The script is co-written by Jon Spaihts (The 'go-to' guy at the moment)
E) HR Giger has some involvement (Hey any will do fine by me!)
F) The cast is damn near perfect

These are just a few of the reasons why, but let me elaborate in far greater detail. Get a hot drink before you start reading further though. It might take me a wee while to explain just why you too, should make this a must see movie on the big screen!

While the sequels to the original Alien movie made for varying degrees of entertainment, Ridley always felt they missed a fairly significant opportunity to explore the mysterious 'Space Jockey' (Which HR Giger created from that genius imagination of his) and specifically answer these seemingly vital questions: Who was he? Where did he come from? And why was he there - (Crash landed?) on LV426? Ridley lamented that these sequels could have at least attempted to even hint at this beings otherworldly origins, but in acknowledging this oversight, it gave him time to think about finally answering those burning issues that needed some kind of closure.

With that seed planted firmly in his visionary mind, he started on the track to formulating a prequel (Alien 5) that would provide the exact answers he himself was looking for. However, not long into this project it became rapidly apparent that this approach was possibly short sighted. The more he thought about his intended central idea for this project, the more he realised that a bigger story was of greater merit. Just explaining about the Space Jockey was the easy route, increasingly he said to himself, what if... what if...what if indeed? So he came into contact with the new hotshot script doctor, Jon Spaihts (who was the golden boy in 2010 for his unfilmed screenplays that were at the top of the pile to be made into films) to jointly explore the different path that this new project could continue on. Immediately, they both agreed that telling the Jockey's back story was not challenging enough. What if they delved into another universe completely? And explore grander themes? Themes that would more than likely tie back into the crash landed Jockey's origins, but ask bigger questions about the exact race of beings that had such a  deadly cargo on-board. Enthused by this fresh & invigorating development the pair collaborated frequently, passing the storyline between each other, adding/deleting various scenarios until they were confident that they had a storyline that would both complement all the previous work presented onscreen, but take the intended film to another level entirely.

Enter Damon Lindelof. Sensing that both he & Spaihts had reached a point where they needed a fresh pair of critical eyes to be cast over this epic deviation, Scott brought in the 'Lost' wunderkid, immediately putting his finely honed & inimitable myth telling abilities to work - eager to see if Lindelof could find anything they might have missed - or not thought of, least their enthusiasm overtook them. Indeed, getting Lindelof on the good ship Prometheus was quite possibly a master stroke, for he was undoubtedly fired up with a respectful desire to work with a master director of Ridley Scotts calibre. Who wouldn't pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity? Certainly not Lindelof, injecting/infecting the established pairing with various new ideas/concepts that most definitely have made their presence felt in the shooting screenplay.

As any film fan will know, the two most important aspects regarding a new films success or failure rest upon these critical elements. A fantastic story - and a brilliant cast to translate that story convincingly. If you don't get these absolute fundamentals right, well... you end up with a big pile of unwatchable crap that pleases no-one, and makes no money. Having got the story to a point where all the major players concerned felt more than happy with, the next step was to see which actors could bring these characters to life as they had envisaged them on paper. And if you've seen any of the many trailers & previews out there, then you'll know that the executive team have chosen well. Very very well in fact, particularly when it came to casting who would play the ships veritable paranoid android 'David'. Michael Fassbender is without doubt, an inspired choice, his mannerisms/behavior/actions seem eerily real, not unreal in any sense whatsoever. The other casting that I'm intrigued with is Charlize Theron. From what I've seem thus far, I suspect that her role as the shadowy corporate Weyland suit, sent to keep things in line on this expedition, will be of immense interest.  The later stages of the movie hint at major developments for her Meredith Vickers character, possibly not in the most benevolent of ways either!

Another critical factor in convincing an audience is the authenticity of the set/s which depict the environment in which the story is unfolding. Thankfully, Ridley Scott is hardcore old school when it comes to matters like this and made the fortuitous decision to create life sized sets for his cast to work in. The feedback from the key actors thus far are more than encouraging, suggesting that we too, will be blown away by the visual aspects of this seemingly seminal sci-fi film. Indeed, when Lindelof first visited Ridley, he got a privileged sneak peek behind the curtain, peering into the room where long time Scott collaborator Arthur Max was beavering away with a small but select group of dedicated disciples, creating the foundation stones of this fantastic new epic tale.

The score is increasingly becoming an integral part of the movie experience, centering the audience in the films environment is a key factor in delivering the intended realism that great directors clamor for. Choosing the right composer to complement the sublime images that Scott & his talented team have produced will significantly enhance the film goers experience. So, upon hearing a preview on iTunes, the scary & dramatically imposing score by Marc Streitenfeld  has stoked my anticipation immensely. Immediately, you get an absolute sense of the intended feel of the movie, not a note seems out of place. Of course, this is all before the fact of actually viewing the film in the first place, but hey, our gut instincts are usually right in matters like this!

In fact, that is the best way to end this preview. My gut instinct is this. For me, without shadow of a doubt, Prometheus will become the following...

ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT MOVIES!

It will be of the greatest interest (Not just for me, ok!) to revisit this statement not only after watching the movie, but in the years to come, to see whether I'm unequivocally right - or absolutely wrong on this specific matter. Time will tell. We shall see, etc, etc!

My money is on myself being proven right of course...

Taxi Driver

One of the great pleasures in attending any film festival is the chance to see older movies that haven't been seen on a cinema screen in a long while. So, when perusing the festival booklet beforehand, I was flicking through the pages and stopped when I saw that this much celebrated American classic was going to be playing at the festival. Excellent news for a film fan like me!

It has had a major spruce up (Remastered at 4K) for the digital age, for its introduction onto possibly the last physical format, Blu-ray disc. Thankfully, the cinema gods insisted upon brand spanking new 35mm prints as well, and goddamn, the film has never looked better! New York just jumps off the screen and assaults you in every way possible, so gritterly realistic is Martin Scorsese's & Screenwriter Paul Schrader's vision of a cesspit of human waste & misery. At least, as depicted by the main protagonist, Travis Bickle.

Speak of Bickle, and rather obviously, its the actor Robert De Niro who brings him to life, in a way that possibly Scorsese & Schrader couldn't have even envisaged. De Niro, famous for his intense preparation for movies, duly threw himself into this role, driving real New York taxi's to get a better sense of what taxi drivers see in their line of work. This work ethic manifests itself with a star making performance that made many take notice of the intensity that De Niro would bring to most roles in his early career. As to why he has now seemingly gone 'missing in action' these days? Only De Niro can answer that question properly!

While revisiting this classic, it was also refreshing to watching early career defining roles for a young Jodie Foster, a radiant Cybill Shepherd, and a disturbingly long haired pimp played by Harvey Keitel. I say disturbing, only because he just doesn't look right with long hair! Seen too many movies from the 80's onwards where Harv only had shortish hair. Of course, this POV is in retrospect, so it probably wasn't as jarring back in 1976 for cinema goers as it is for us fans these days.

Everything else about the movie is damn near perfect. The skillful direction, the masterful acting, the eclectic edgy Bernard Herrmann soundtrack, the superbly written screenplay, the nervy cinematography, all combine to create a movie that is justifiably, an American classic.

Buy it, or watch it at the least. A movie you must see - before you die!

New Zealand International Film Festival 2011: Day 1, Movie 1

How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster?


First cab off the rank for me was this entertaining & informative doco on one of the worlds leading architects, the peerless Sir Norman Foster. With projects such as the Millau Bridge in France, the 'Gherkin' in London to name just two, he truly has stamped his personality on these iconic testaments to mans ability to create something that is not just on the landscape, but seemingly, an integral part of it. Great and influential architecture is more than just good design, it doesn't happen without vision from the person most responsible, the architect.

Although this film runs in at a brisk 78 minutes, it covers enough ground to give one a great sense of the background, events & circumstances that put Foster in a position to create unique & highly functional buildings for his clients, buildings that went beyond what they needed. Foster has produced over his long working career, seminal pieces of architecture that are testament to his ability to see past the mere nuts and bolts as it were, he could more than effectively visualize how any given building would function with the upmost efficiency for those people who had the great fortune to work in a Norman Foster building.

My only slight criticism is that the movie could have been longer! More time to wallow in the talent on display would have been great. More 'money shots', in slow-motion could have elevated this movie higher in my rankings. But, since great doco's on architects are reasonably thin on the ground, I'll have to grateful that at the very least, in this age of communication, we are making strident efforts to celebrate those people whose creativity makes this world of ours a much more enjoyable place to live in. That ain't such a bad thing, is it?

78 Minutes? That's not much of your time to put aside and enjoy the work of Sir Norman Foster...

http://www.mrfostermovie.com/





















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New Zealand International Film Festival 2011

Has it been that long between drinks? March 2010? Just what happened inbetween?

Lots of stuff... But that's irrelevant here. Main thing is, I'm back. For good. So, here we go. Again...

I've got a few movies planned for this festival, but this time around in 2011, I'm gonna pick some up on the fly -  rather than buy tickets for all of 'em beforehand. That's the theory...

My choices this time around are pretty much as my blog title suggests. Eclectic. All over the bloody place in fact! That is the joy of a festival like this, there are many varied gems waiting to be discovered. Some will surpass expectations, others will merely pass the time...

Tickets brought beforehand are as follows:

How much does your building weigh, Mr Foster?; Taxi Driver; Hot Coffee; Bobby Fischer Against The World; Something Ventured; 13 Assassins; The Tree Of Life; The Trip; Martha Marcy May Marlene; The Guard; The Future; Pina (3D).

Other movies that I am going to see are...

Take Shelter; Silent Souls; Elena; Medianeras; Happy Happy; Let The Bullets Fly; Norwegian Wood; Shut Up, Little Man!; Tiny Furniture; Snowtown; Sleeping Beauty; My Joy; I Saw The Devil; The Man From Nowhere;  Fire In Babylon; Senna; Metropolis; Melancholia; Cave Forgotten Dreams; Troll Hunter; The Mill And The Cross; Magic Trip-Ken Kesey's Search For A Cool Place. Just to name, but a few. Phew... Still, I probably wont beat my record from 2009 though. 50 Films in 2.5 weeks. I'll be happy if I make it past the 30 mark this year.

If you want to get more info on my choices, then here's a handy link to 95% of the trailers from a well recommended  Kiwi site:

http://www.flicks.co.nz/features/trailer-special-nz-international-film-festival-2011/

Back again soon with my first review....