Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I've moved!

For the seven or so people who stumble upon this blog by accident and may happen to read it on a whim, I'd like to announce that I'm moving this blog to Wordpress, as I fancy their setup alot. Blogger's been a great home these past years and I've thoroughly enjoyed blogging here.

Wordpress allows me to migrate all of my posts, since the inception of this blog in July 2004, over there.

So follow me and spread the word...black market wit has moved!

http://blackmarketwit.wordpress.com

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Summer Movie Thoughts...

Alright, here we go...

Shrek The Third - a funny movie (I loved the part where we see The Gingerbread Man's life flashing before his eyes) but it's missing a plot and just feels like a direct-to-DVD movie. No rip on the film's enjoyability factor; it's merely a lesser film than the other two.

28 Weeks Later - Yawn. After a high-energy opening which could induce heart attacks in those prone to heart issues, the film reveals itself to be nothing more than a gore reel with cardboard characters with no definition whatsoever. The first film is a masterful look at humanity on the edge, with well-articulated characters and a storyline that resonates. This sequel is a big letdown.

So far, the summer movie season - adding in Spider-Man 3 has been 0 for 3 for me. Three sequels, all have been sub-par. I was not a fan of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, finding the comedy to be far too prevalent. From what I understand, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End is darker, with less hijinks and more plot. I sincerely hope so.

But most of all, I'm really looking forward to seeing Bug this weekend. William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection, Sorcerer) directed it, it's based on a play by Tracy Letts (he also wrote the film's screenplay), and looks to be a truly terrifying piece of psychological horror. It'll be nice to see a smaller budgeted film amongst the maelstrom of summer movie mania now taking over movie theaters. Also, Waitress finally comes out here this weekend! Yay! The late Adrienne Shelly's writing and directing debut stars Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion and is a movie I've been very eager to see. Poor Mrs. Shelley was murdered by an illegal immigrant construction worker after she'd complained of the noise the construction crew was making. From all accounts, this film is a lovely slice of cinema and to support her vision and also the career of Nathan Fillion (Captain Malcolm Reynolds on the very awesome Firefly and Serenity), I'll be seeing this the very first chance I get.


Monday, May 14, 2007

My "Spider-Man 3" Thoughts...

So I finally saw Spider-Man 3. I'd give it two-and-a-half out of four stars. To quote the song from the musical episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, it just felt like everyone was "going through the motions". Granted, the action was superb and there was more Venom than I thought there'd be (Raimi and company got the look and the feel right; I just wish there'd been more Venom.) but alot of it felt like a retread (the whole MJ/Peter I love you-get away from me-come here-I'm sorry game they play) and the actors looked like they were ready to hang it up. Has anyone seen the actors doing press for the film? They're bored! When the interviewers ask about a fourth film, you can see Tobey/Kirsten/James Franco's eyes glaze over and then they give that generic response, "Well, you know...let's just see how this one does...I mean, we just finished this one so let's wait and see." (Translation: We were contracted for three films and that's it.) So yeah, it's the least of the three. It's worth a watch but don't expect the emotional resonance of the second or the spectacle of the first.

A few thoughts...

*spoilers below*

When Harry was killed, I thought, "Well, there's once actor that didn't want to come back for a fourth film." Also, so the Alfred-clone butler has let Harry sulk and be all melancholy for years, allowing him to mope about the mansion and blame Peter, but only when the plot calls for it does he say, essentially, "Oh by the way, Peter had nothing to do with your father's demise...your dad killed himself. Sorry I waited five years or so to let you in on that fact. It's just, you know, I've been busy...what with the dusting and the cooking...and this *is* a big ass house, you know...it took me this long just to find where the hell you were."

So does anyone see Raimi getting back in the director's chair for Spider-Man 4? I don't. I suspect he'll go make a modestly budgeted horror/thriller to return to his roots. I just hope Marvel and Sony don't pick some idiot to replace him. I think that Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy was brought in for Spider-Man 3 to be a potential replacement for Kirsten lest she not return for a fourth film. And to touch on another point that others have made, I think Jake Gyllenhaal would be excellent as Spider-Man should Tobey opt out of returning; I also think Jake's a better actor than Tobey.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

I also saw The Ex, which is a very enjoyable comedy starring Zach Braff, Jason Bateman, and Amanda Peet. Not a rush-out-to-the-theater movie, but still one worth your time, I thought.

My mother received a $25 gift card for Regal Entertainment Group. So now I can save the 2 passes for Trademark Cinemas. Decisions, decisions...

Thursday, May 10, 2007

change of plans...

Thanks to a super cool connection, I'll be able to see Spider-Man 3 without using my passes. I've decided to use my two passes to Trademark Cinemas' Victory Square Stadium 9 for this film, which comes out tomorrow. It's getting rave reviews as a beyond intense and very unsettling experience...




I thoroughly enjoyed the first film, Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later. This sequel draws upon that film but branches out into its own entity, from what I've read. Plus Robert Carlyle's in it and he's awesome in anything. I can't wait to see this. I've not yet finalized when I'll be seeing it but I figure I'll treat my horror movie-loving mother as a belated birthday present/Mother's Day present.

Monday, May 07, 2007

So...Spider-Man 3 And Ice Cream...

Thanks to....



I'll be seeing this soon...



You see they have a Sunday morning feature they call their "Beatles Block". You can submit three Beatles songs for them to play during that time. If selected, you win a large three-topping pizza from Papa John's (which I already redeemed a week and a half ago) and a certificate for two passes to Trademark Cinemas' Victory Square Stadium 9 to see a film of your choice. This particular theater had been closed for almost ten years. Then in November, Trademark Cinemas re-opened it, after spending $1 million renovating and refurbishing it with stadium seating and digital sound. Plus it has a soda fountain and a butter station. I'm eager to see what they've done with the place. Regal owned it way back when but closed it after declining sales and rowdy crowds (at night it can be an unsafe environment) forced them to. Thankfully, this new company has a strict policy - children 16 and under *must* be accompanied by an adult. So I look forward to seeing Spider-Man 3, even if the reviews have been lukewarm at best, and seeing it at this new theater.

I've done it! I finally caught up with Heroes! I had a marathon early Sunday morning, and finished watching all of the episodes I'd stockpiled on my TiVo. From "Godsend" (episode 12) all the way through the most recent episode, "Five Years Gone" (episode 20). Now I'm all ready for tonight's episode, "The Hard Part". This show constantly amazes me with how great it is. I can't
wait to see where it's going!

I vacuumed the living room about an hour and a half ago, then made scrambled eggs and toast for my mother and I. She's currently sleeping, a few feet away here in the living room - in the recliner, per her doctor's orders, as she had surgery last month on her right arm to help alleviate her fibromyalgia pain; while they were in there they removed a bone spur. She's healing nicely but can't sleep in her bed for a while; her first physical therapy appointment is tomorrow.

Groceries will invade our house tomorrow and if I am not able to procure this...



I will become a whirling dervish of ass kickery. I have longed to try this culinary colossus but no stores in the area have had it. Boo! What the hell?! I mean it, area supermarkets - you'd better have this in stock or it'll be my wrath you'll have to deal with!

More thoughts will tumble out later...for now, it's time for sleep.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters - IN MOVIE PLACE ROOMS TODAY! GO SEE IT!

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters


This came out today. At that place with the tasty popcorn, the cup holders, and stadium seating. No, I'm not talking about the truck stop showers. I'm talking movie-watching buildings. You need to go see this. Awesome things need to be shown love. Like the 1984 Henry Thomas/Dabney Coleman movie Cloak And Dagger. And this movie. So go see it. Now. I mean it. Get your lazy ass up and go. It's your duty as an American to see this movie. You can do that thing you were going to do later. So, in summation, go see Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theaters now. And also click on the above poster to go to the movie's official website. You don't want to be called a name for not doing either of those things. Names like "feeny" or "dorkula". Or "Kevin's Mom".

Still not certain, well sink your ocular orbs into this!

Critics are talking...with words they speak!

"...don't expect a coherent plot..."

- Claudia Puig, USA Today

"Succeed[s] enough of the time to make a perversely entertaining movie."

- Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

"Crudely animated, tasteless, and totally pointless, which I'm sure the filmmakers would say is the point."

- M. K. Terrell, Christian Science Monitor

"The big question for fans is does Aqua Teen Hunger Force have enough gags and giggles to translate to 86 minutes on the big screen? And the answer is ... yeah, sort of, well, maybe."

- Bob Townsend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Narrative's beside the point in a movie created by two guys who gorge on pop culture's high-fat diet and regurgitate it into something approaching . . . art? Close enough."

- Robert Wilonsky, The Village Voice

"If George W Bush could prove that Saddam Hussein had funded this movie I would reverse my stance on the Iraq War and say that every single civilian casualty was justified."

- Devin Faraci, CHUD.com

"You have to give these guys this much: They remained true to their twisted vision, and that's exciting to see."

- Christy Lemire, The Associated Press

"By the end, you may feel as if you've been ballroom dancing with a live, exposed electric guitar cord for an hour and a half. At peak performance, it's wired, chaotic madness."

- Jan Stewart, Newsday

Thursday, April 05, 2007

I've seen Grindhouse!!!


Wow.

I do believe my ass got handed to me.

I echo the sentiment of others, that Planet Terror feels more Carpenter-esque (especially Rodriguez's excellent score) than '70s grindhouse but that makes it no less enjoyable. I thought Jeff Fahey's BBQ joint owner was a terrifically quirky character.

As for Death Proof, I found it to be a different animal altogether. I've read comments that it's a bit too talky for its own good, and that's a valid point; however, it never felt like I was watching a series of boring monologues. Death Proof is a diametric opposite to the over-the-top mayhem of Planet Terror, and when the final third of the movie starts, it's white knuckles all the way. Kurt Russell is great as always; Stuntman Mike is a crazy psychopath and Russell is full of maniacal glee throughout.

And the fake trailers? Edgar Wright's Don't was the best faux trailer; the packed crowd I saw this with loved every moment: the "scratchy print", the "commercials", the "motion picture ratings" and every "missing reel". The 3 hours and 15 minutes flew by.

This weekend, you can see a kick-ass double feature that'll make you rediscover how much fun going to the movies can be...or you see a founding member of N.W.A. in a remake of Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.

Grindhouse
is an exhilarating experience, one I can't wait to enjoy again.




(Plus I received a free Grindhouse poster.)






Sunday, March 25, 2007

I'll be seeing "Grindhouse" on the 4th...


So thanks to a very cool connection, I'll be seeing the latest cinema creation from the minds of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, the double feature Grindhouse, at a private screening on April 4th. The flick opens on the 6th. A review WILL be posted. I'm eagerly anticipating this one and have been for quite some time now but I think it'll fly right over the heads of most people; fuck them -- Wild Hogs is still playing; they can have at that shit.

More blogging later. Sleep is calling me.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

well better late than never...here are my Oscar picks...

Well, better the last minute than never.

As usual, here are my Oscar picks...

Best Performance by an actor in a leading role

Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond

Ryan Gosling - Half Nelson

Peter O'Toole - Venus

Will Smith - The Pursuit Of Happyness

Forest Whitaker - The Last King Of Scotland

My pick: I would sincerely love for O'Toole to finally get the just desserts he's been
ignored for so many decades. He's a film legend and the fact that he hasn't won cinema's highest honor is appalling. Despite my thoughts and feelings on this matter, seniority matters not to the Academy. Playing the game is what it's all about and O'Toole doesn't do that sort of thing. He's his own person and won't be confined by the societal norms the Academy likes its nominees to adhere to.
Will win: Forest Whitaker. A great actor will still take home the trophy.

Best Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine

Jackie Earle Haley - Little Children

Djimon Hounsou - Blood Diamond

Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls

Mark Wahlberg - The Departed

My pick: Alan Arkin was fantastic as the no-nonsense grandfather in Little Miss Sunshine. But in my mind, Jackie Earle Haley's performance in Little Children is a revelation. He gives that character depth and personality; a lesser actor would have gone into the wrong areas with it but Haley embues Ronnie with a sadness and fragility that is haunting and tragic. Not only is his acting phenomenal, Haley's own life story is Cinderella all the way. He richly deserves this award and to see him on stage winning tonight would be awe-inspiring and wonderful.
Will win: Eddie Murphy. While Dreamgirls was a good film, Murphy's performance was not the tour-de-force many have proclaimed it. Since the film was shut out in the major categories at this year's Academy Awards, they'll throw the film a bone here. Murphy is talented, no doubt about it, but this performance was nothing merit-worthy, in my humble opinion.

Best Performance by an actress in a leading role

Penélope Cruz - Volver

Judi Dench - Notes On A Scandal

Helen Mirren - The Queen

Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada

Kate Winslet - Little Children

My pick: For years now, Pedro Almodovar has been crafting heartfelt stories of love and loss centering around strong, empowering female characters. While she has not made huge strides in America cinema, Penelope Cruz comes alive in Spanish cinema and a win here would be a validation for her strength in the craft and for Almodovar's ability to draw terrific performances from his lead actress.
Will win: I could be a millionaire tomorrow if I were to place this bet tonight, as there's no contest. Helen Mirren's frosty, aloof, and brilliant performance in The Queen will win here.

Best Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Adriana Barraza - Babel

Cate Blanchett - Notes On A Scandal

Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine

Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls

Rinko Kikuchi - Babel

My pick: Adriana Barraza was incredible in Babel. Her harried housekeeper breaks your heart in several places. Rinko Kikuchi was a revelation in Babel as the sexually confused deaf mute with no self-esteem whatsoever. But my pick is Abigail Breslin. Olive is a terrific character and Breslin did a remarkable job conveying the uncertainty and wonder that children always provide. The transformation the character goes through is a joy to watch and Breslin makes the role her own.
Will win: Jennifer Hudson will win this. Her performance was great but again, I hate American Idol and thought Dreamgirls was not an award-worthy film.

Best animated feature film of the year

Cars

Happy Feet

Monster House

My pick: Please. No other animated film this year matched the intelligence and creativity of Monster House. Read my review of it here. The film harkens back to '80s films like The Goonies and Cloak and Dagger. It doesn't insult the viewer's intelligence or play to the small fry; instead it seeks to entertain all and it does with a refreshing sense of dark mischief and heart.
Will win: While George Miller's Happy Feet raked in the dough, Pixar is loved by the Academy and this year will be no exception. Cars, Pixar's least entertaining and most vapid of all of their releases, will very undeservedly take home the award here.

Achievement in cinematography

The Black Dahlia

Children of Men

The Illusionist

Pan's Labyrinth

The Prestige

My pick: Children Of Men was the best science fiction film in many, many years. A large part of that film's success was Emmanuel Lubezki's expert lens. While the film starts out with a conventional approach, by the end of it Lubezki's camera throws us into the film as the cinematography grows increasingly frenzied and chaotic. A top-notch job by one of the best in the business.
Will win: Wally Pfister. He did a great job with Nolan's Batman Begins and the Academy will honor him for his work on this crafty magician tale.

Achievement in costume design

Curse Of The Golden Flower

The Devil Wears Prada

Dreamgirls

Marie Antoinette

The Queen

My pick: Marie Antoinette. Sofia Coppola's film was a decadent look at the opulance and apathy of a government too in love with itself to rule properly. Some called this film a vapid truffle; I adored it and it would not have been able to show the incredible lavishness of the ruling class had Milena Canonero's costumes not been a part of the equation.
Will win: Marie Antoinette. The costuming in this film takes on a life of its own.

Achievement in directing

Babel - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

The Departed - Martin Scorsese

Letters From Iwo Jima - Clint Eastwood

The Queen - Stephen Frears

United 93 - Paul Greengrass

My pick: All films here were directed by masters of the craft. That being said, Paul Greengrass' United 93 was a harrowing experience and his ratchet-the-tension direction is the cause of that.
Will win: Martin Scorsese will finally take home his long-deserved Oscar gold here.

Best documentary feature

Deliver Us From Evil

An Inconvenient Truth

Iraq In Pieces

Jesus Camp

My Country, My Country

My pick: Jesus Camp. This was scarier than any horror film and showed the world the dangers of any type of religious fanaticism.
Will win: An Inconvenient Truth. Al Gore has committed his life to educating others about global warming and this terrific documentary does an excellent job of letting us know what we're doing to our planet and how we can all pitch in to make this planet cleaner and keep it that way. A win here will be deserved, and to clinch that win on stage I'd love to hear him announce his candidacy for President in 2008, as would alot of Americans.

Achievement in film editing

Babel - Stephen Mirrione and Douglas Crise

Blood Diamond - Steven Rosenblum

Children Of Men - Alex Rodríguez and Alfonso Cuarón

The Departed - Thelma Schoonmaker

United 93 - Clare Douglas, Christopher Rouse and Richard Pearson

My pick: United 93. The noose-tightening experience of that film would not have happened if it were not for the editing.
Will win: Babel. Oscar voters love an expansive, layered tale that folds in on itself and editing is a big part of that puzzle.

Best foreign language film of the year

After The Wedding (Denmark)
Days Of Glory (Indigènes) (Algeria)
The Lives Of Others (Germany)
Pan's Labyrinth (Mexico)
Water (Canada)

My pick: I've been a fan of Guillermo del Toro's since his first film, the unique vampire tale Cronos in 1992, and Pan's Labyrinth is his masterwork, blending the fantastic imagination of youth with the harsh and unforgiving darkness of human nature and potential other worlds.
Will win: Pan's Labyrinth. The film is a dark and disturbing fairytale and one worth rewarding.

Achievement in makeup

Apocalypto - Aldo Signoretti and Vittorio Sodano

Click - Kazuhiro Tsuji and Bill Corso

Pan's Labyrinth - David Martí and Montse Ribé

My pick: David Martí and Montsse Ribé made the labyrinth come alive in Pan's Labyrinth, with creations normally found only in the darkest recesses. A superb makeup job was done here and these two deserve all the accolades they can get.
Will win: Much like Marie Antoinette in the costume design category, Pan's Labyrinth is the only film in this category whose makeup designs are elaborate and thorough. As I stated above, these designs are magnificently creepy and will be rewarded for the craftsmanship and time they took to construct.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

Babel - Gustavo Santaolalla

The Good German - Thomas Newman

Notes On A Scandal - Philip Glass

Pan's Labyrinth - Javier Navarrete

The Queen - Alexandre Desplat

My pick: Javier Navarrete's moody and evocative score for Pan's Labyrinth expertly treaded the fine line between the real and the surreal and is a towering composition.
Will win: The Queen. Alexandre Desplat is a great composer and his brilliant score was a note-perfect reflection of the isolation and insulation of the main character.

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

"I Need To Wake Up" from An Inconvenient Truth
Music and Lyrics by Melissa Etheridge

"Listen" from Dreamgirls
Music by Henry Krieger and Scott Cutler
Lyric by Anne Preven

"Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Siedah Garrett

"Our Town" from Cars
Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

"Patience" from Dreamgirls
Music by Henry Krieger
Lyric by Willie Reale

My pick: "I Need To Wake Up". Melissa Etheridge's song is a powerful plea for the world to pay closer attention to the world around them and to start taking action to preserve the environment. A brilliant song that does a terrific job reflecting the themes of the film it was written for.
Will win: "Love You I Do". Dreamgirls will pick up yet another undeserved win here.

Best motion picture of the year

Babel - Alejandro González Iñárritu, Jon Kilik and Steve Golin, Producers

The Departed - Graham King, Producer

Letters From Iwo Jima - Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz, Producers

Little Miss Sunshine - David T. Friendly, Peter Saraf and Marc Turtletaub, Producers

The Queen - Andy Harries, Christine Langan and Tracey Seaward, Producers

My pick: Little Miss Sunshine. Some have moaned and groaned that this film is a boring cliche, a typical dysfunctional family film that offers nothing new. They're wrong. The performances in this film hit every note of Michael Arndt's amazing script perfectly, from Paul Dano's insular teen to Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear's harried yet doting parents to Steve Carell's quiet relative who becomes more than he thought he was capable of. Others can call this whatever they want; I saw this in the theater upon release. I loved it then, I love it now, and it's sad that now that it's garnering awards and kudos, others are tearing it down. Well, so be it. A great film is a great film. I've long been a fan of husband and wife directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who've directed some of the most significant music videos of the past 20 years, and with their first feature they didn't go Michael Bay. They went Hal Ashby and the result is a wonderful motion picture that is a testament to the family dynamic, however dysfunctional it might be.
Will win: Last week I would have said Babel. The week before that, The Departed. But serious, serious buzz has been building these last few weeks and sometimes Oscar wins are decided at the very end of ballot casting, so I think that Little Miss Sunshine will be the surprise win here and take home the Academy Award.

Achievement in sound editing

Apocalypto - Sean McCormack and Kami Asgar

Blood Diamond - Lon Bender

Flags Of Our Fathers - Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Letters From Iwo Jima - Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Christopher Boyes and George Watters II

My pick: In war films, sound is everything and this Letters From Iwo Jima, the more praised of Eastwood's two WWII films, deserves the win here.
Will win: Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Yet another undeserved win from a very overrated movie.

Achievement in sound mixing

Apocalypto - Kevin O’Connell, Greg P. Russell and Fernando Cámara

Blood Diamond - Andy Nelson, Anna Behlmer and Ivan Sharrock

Dreamgirls - Michael Minkler, Bob Beemer and Willie Burton

Flags Of Our Fathers - John Reitz, Dave Campbell, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Paul Massey, Christopher Boyes and Lee Orloff

My pick: Blood Diamond.
Will win: Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Achievement in visual effects

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - John Knoll, Hal Hickel, Charles Gibson and Allen Hall

Poseidon - Boyd Shermis, Kim Libreri, Chas Jarrett and John Frazier

Superman Returns - Mark Stetson, Neil Corbould, Richard R. Hoover and Jon Thum

My pick: Superman Returns. Technology has come a long way in making us believe a man can fly, and the visual effects team on this film outdid themselves. The visual effects in Superman Returns are a tremendous technical tour de force and deserve to be rewarded.
Will win: Here's an award that will be given to another film that isn't very good, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The effects were dark, muddled, and unimaginative yet because of the extent of them, the Johnny Depp film will win here. Yawn.

Adapted screenplay

Borat Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer
Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips

Children Of Men
Screenplay by Alfonso Cuarón & Timothy J. Sexton and David Arata and Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby

The Departed
Screenplay by William Monahan

Little Children
Screenplay by Todd Field & Tom Perrotta

Notes On A Scandal
Screenplay by Patrick Marber

My pick: I would have picked Little Children, but the ending was changed for the film. While not ruining the film, it shifts the dynamic in a lessening way. That being said, I think Children Of Men really stands above the rest. It is a truly excellent and mesmerizing science fiction tale and one deserving this award.
Will win: The Departed. A great movie and a great screenplay full of twists and turns, Boston native William Monahan will win the award here.

Original screenplay

Babel
Written by Guillermo Arriaga

Letters From Iwo Jima
Screenplay by Iris Yamashita
Story by Iris Yamashita & Paul Haggis

Little Miss Sunshine
Written by Michael Arndt

Pan's Labyrinth
Written by Guillermo del Toro

The Queen
Written by Peter Morgan

My pick: As I stated earlier, Michael Arndt's excellent screenplay displays a family trying to stay on the mend, relationship-wise, yet not able to do so until they come to grips with each other, good or bad. Arndt's writing isn't showy or full of lame posturing -- it's the real deal -- and a triumphant piece of writing that should definitely win the Oscar here. I can't wait to see his next film (Toy Story 3) and what else he has in store for us moviegoers in the future.
Will win: Peter Morgan's masterful definition of a noblewoman uncertain of her place in the world and how others react to her and that position will definitely win this award.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

NBC Universal's Horror Channel - Chiller - Has Announced Its Launch Schedule!!!





All I can say is...goodbye remote control! :) I CANNOT WAIT for this channel to launch! Sure its initial launch schedule is a bit repetitive but most channels are when they launch. Plus, unlike its sister channel, Sleuth (dedicated to crime/mystery/suspense), Chiller will feature content from other companies beside NBC Universal. That should make for a more diverse lineup in time.

Not only is The 101 (channel 101 on DIRECTV) doing a Chiller preview this Friday and Saturday night starting at 8PM Eastern...

http://tvlistings5.zap2it.com/tvlistings/GridAction.do?method=getSingleStation&stnNum=49432&lineupId=DITV507:-&zipcode=31419&channel=101

but Sleuth is airing a 14-hour movie marathon dubbed "Chiller on Sleuth" next Sunday...

http://www.sleuthchannel.com/Schedule/daily.bravo?start_date=2007-02-25&end_date=2007-02-25


And now without further ado, here's the initial launch schedule for Chiller...


http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3466131


Chiller TV (from NBC Universal Cable)


Launches March 1, 2007 with special programming (see Specials and Stunts)

Regular Schedule
Starts Monday, March 5, 2007:

Weekdays
6:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
6:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7:00AM Night Gallery
8:00AM Friday the 13th: The Series
9:00AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
9:30AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
10:00AM Tales from the Crypt
10:30AM Tales from the Crypt
11:00AM Movie
1:00PM Movie
3:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
3:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
4:00PM Movie
6:00PM Friday the 13th: The Series
7:00PM Tales from the Crypt
7:30PM Tales from the Crypt
8:00PM Short Lived Wheel: G vs. E (Monday); American Gothic (Tues); Monsters (Wed); Freddy's Nightmares (Thurs); Twin Peaks (Fri)
9:00PM Movie
11:00PM Short Lived Wheel: G vs. E (Monday); American Gothic (Tues); Monsters (Wed); Freddy's Nightmares (Thurs); Twin Peaks (Fri)
12:00AM Movie
2:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
2:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
3:00AM Movie
5:00AM Night Gallery

Saturdays
6:00-9:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
9:00AM-12:00PM Night Gallery
12:00PM Movie
2:00PM Movie
4:00PM G vs. E
5:00PM Monsters
5:30PM Monsters
6:00PM Twin Peaks
7:00PM American Gothic
8:00PM Freddy's Nightmares
9:00PM Movie
11:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
11:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
12:00AM Movie
2:00AM Movie
4:00AM Movie/Various

Sundays
6:00-9:00AM Night Gallery
9:00AM Friday the 13th: The Series
10:00AM G vs. E
11:00AM Monsters
11:30AM Monsters
12:00PM Movie
2:00PM Movie
4:00PM Twin Peaks
5:00PM American Gothic
6:00PM Friday the 13th: The Series
7:00PM Tales from the Crypt
7:30PM Tales from the Crypt
8:00PM Freddy's Nightmares
9:00PM Movie
11:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
11:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
12:00AM Movie
2:00AM Movie
4:00AM Movie/Various




Specials and Stunts

- Launch Weekend:
Thursday, March 1 through Sunday, March 4
See various marathons and first episodes! Along with movies like The Shining!

Thursday, March 1
6:00AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
6:30AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
7:00AM Night Gallery
8:00AM Friday the 13th: The Series
9:00AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
9:30AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
10:00AM - 3:00PM Tales from the Crypt Marathon
3:00PM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
3:30PM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
4:00PM - 9:00PM Tales from the Crypt Marathon
9:00PM Movie: The Shining (Commercial Free)
11:30PM Movie: The Shining (Commercial Free)
2:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
2:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
3:00AM Movie: Werewolf of London
5:00AM Night Gallery

Friday, March 2
6:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
6:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7:00AM Night Gallery
8:00AM Friday the 13th: The Series
9:00AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
9:30AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
10:00AM Tales from the Crypt
10:30AM Tales from the Crypt
11:00AM - 3:00PM Friday the 13th: The Series Marathon
3:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
3:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
4:00PM - 8:00PM Friday the 13th: The Series Marathon
8:00PM Twin Peaks Pilot
10:00PM Movie: The Watcher
12:00AM Twin Peaks Pilot
2:00AM Movie: The Watcher
4:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
4:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
5:00AM Night Gallery

Saturday, March 3
6:00-9:00AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents
9:00AM-12:00PM Night Gallery
12:00PM Movie: Nightmares
2:00PM Movie: Stephen King's Cat's Eye
4:00PM G vs. E
5:00PM Monsters
5:30PM Monsters
6:00PM Twin Peaks Pilot
8:00PM American Gothic
9:00PM Movie: Dial M for Murder
11:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
11:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
12:00AM Movie: Dial M for Murder
2:00AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
2:30AM Movie: Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy
4:00AM Movie: Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man
5:30AM Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Sunday, March 4
6:00-9:00AM Night Gallery
9:00AM Friday the 13th: The Series
10:00AM G vs. E
11:00AM Monsters
11:30AM Monsters
12:00PM Movie: Stephen King's Cat's Eye
2:00PM Movie: The Legacy
4:00PM Twin Peaks Pilot
6:00PM American Gothic
7:00PM Tales from the Crypt
7:30PM Tales from the Crypt
8:00PM Friday the 13th: The Series
9:00PM Movie: The Legacy
11:00PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
11:30PM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)
12:00AM Movie: The Andromeda Strain
2:30AM Movie: Abbott & Costello Meet the Invisible Man
4:00AM Movie: Werewolf of London
5:30AM New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)


- Monsters Marathon
Saturday, March 24 from 4-6pm and again Sunday, March 25 from 10am-12p

new posts are up...

at my Myspace page.

http://www.myspace.com/blackmarketwit

Fret not, for I will not be abandoning this blog.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Hey Boston...guess what? He's doing this as hard as he can...



There are t-shirts with the above logo and the one below for sale online. Check it out on eBay.





http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16902707/


That's BS the artist was arrested.


As all well know, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Methinks the ATHF movie's going to do much better when it's released March 23rd.

I think the funniest aspect of all of the reporting on this is the utter detachment of the reporters from Aqua Teen Hunger Force and their general cluelessness. Too much hairspray in their ears, perhaps. It sadly illustrates the divide and disconnect between generations, when viral marketing (it's a fricking mini-Lite Brite, for crying out loud) is proclaimed to be an act of terrorism. I want those t-shirts.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Are *you* on the list?...



That's right - Heroes returns from its hiatus with an all-new episode tonight at 9/8C on NBC.

If you're not up on the details, then by all means go to heroes.nbc.com
At the site you can catch up on past episodes and there's all sorts of
Heroes-related goodies to be found. Also, the official unofficial fan site is at 9thwonders.com

what a haunting, creepy, dark, intense, beautiful film...



If you value great cinema, see this movie. This may just be my favorite film of the year. I still have several more potential Oscar nominees to see. In any case, click the Pan's Labyrinth poster to read my review.

Monday, January 15, 2007

I cannot wait until March 1st!!!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957250.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

Chiller - Dare To Watch - Coming March 1st, 2007



Click the logo to head to Chiller's official website, ChillerTV.com.

NBC Universal Launches Horror Channel - Chiller - On DIRECTV March 1st

This was certainly unexpected. NBC Universal states that Chiller will cull their programming from not just the NBC Universal vaults but the vaults of other studios (Lionsgate, 20th Century Fox, Sony, and Warner Brothers, to name a few). Series that they'll be debuting with include Twin Peaks, Freddy's Nightmares, Alfred Hitchock Presents, and Friday The 13th: The Series. Plus they'll be airing movies, of course. It'll be cool to see all of those old shows and I hope they dig deep into the vaults of their content providers. But I have to remember to temper my excitement just a tad when I see what NBC Universal's done with SCI FI through the years, Battlestar Galactica and the occasional miniseries excluded. Hopefully Chiller can avoid that and it will as long as Bonnie Hammer's nowhere near it.

I sincerely hope that NBC Universal really puts a considerable effort into Chiller. Look I'm not naive. I know that both Sleuth (NBC Universal's mystery/crime-themed cable network) and Chiller are basically, for the moment, a way for NBC Universal to make money off of the thousands of hours of programming in their and other companies vaults. And that's just fine with me, as long as the lineup is programmed with diversity and character. As I stated on messageboard, Chiller might turn into SCI FI by 2013, with shows like WWE Fear Fights and Who Wants To Be A Serial Killer?. I'm crossing my fingers it doesn't and until it does I plan to watch Chiller and enjoy the repurposed programming, alot of which haven't been on TV in a long time.

tonight you'll see stars...

Well as is tradition, I'll now give my Golden Globe picks. I've still yet to see several of these but am trying to play catch up.

Here we go...



The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards

FILM

Best Picture, Drama

Babel
Bobby
The Departed
Little Children
The Queen

My pick: Although I've not seen any of these yet, I'd like to see Babel get the nod, as I absolutely loved Iñárritu's Amores Perros and 21 Grams.
Who will win: While Scorsese's getting tremendous accolades for his remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, The Departed won't win here. He's a lock for Best Director and an Oscar, however. Little Children's release and the subsequent promotional fumbling by New Line Cinema have locked it out; it's the dark horse here. Bobby was primed for gold, be it of the Golden or Academy Award persuasion. As it stands now most seem to have written it off as a garish cameo party. Much like Scorsese's Director win, Mirren will take home Best Actress. That leaves Alejandro González Iñárritu's Babel.

Best Actress, Drama

Penelope Cruz - Volver
Judi Dench - Notes On A Scandal
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Sherrybaby
Helen Mirren - The Queen
Kate Winslet - Little Children

My pick: I'd absolutely love to see Gyllenhaal get this, as she's one of my favorites and proves time and again just how versatile an actress she is, no matter what the role calls for.
Will win: As previously stated, the movie royalty will take this home. Helen Mirren has it in the bag.

Best Actor - Drama

Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Departed
Peter O'Toole - Venus
Will Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland

My pick: In all honesty I would be elated to see Peter O'Toole get this and I think he will. After almost fifty years on screen, he sure deserves it. I also think he, much like Scorsese, are going to get nominated after being unjustly snubbed for so very long and will be clutching Oscar gold on the night of February 25th.
Will win: Peter O'Toole. No contest.

Best Picture, Musical Or Comedy

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
The Devil Wears Prada
Dreamgirls
Little Miss Sunshine
Thank You for Smoking

My pick: Little Miss Sunshine was a brilliant dysfunctional tale of a family growing closer after growing apart.
Will win: Sacha Baron Cohen will win Best Actor so this one's going to Dreamgirls.

Best Actress, Musical Or Comedy

Annette Bening - Running With Scissors
Toni Collette - Little Miss Sunshine
Beyonce Knowles - Dreamgirls
Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada
Renee Zellweger - Miss Potter

My pick: Toni Collette's performance as a harried mom trying to do her best was wonderful.
Will win: Streep could read the White Pages. She won raves for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada and she'll win this award.

Best Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Sacha Baron Cohen - Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Johnny Depp - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Aaron Eckhart - Thank You for Smoking
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Kinky Boots
Will Ferrell - Stranger than Fiction

My pick: Aaron Eckhart was terrific as a slimy tobacco lobbyist. I'd like to see Ejiofor win, as I've been a fan of his for a long time.
Will win: If this were any other year, Depp would walk away with the win here. However, only ONE performance in this category became a cultural phenomenon. Cohen will win this hands down.

Best Actress, Musical Or Comedy

Adriana Barraza - Babel
Cate Blanchett - Notes on a Scandal
Emily Blunt - The Devil Wears Prada
Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
Rinko Kikuchi - Babel

My pick: I have no opinion here.
Will win: Plucked from obscurity, Jennifer Hudson will garner the gold.

Best Supporting Actor, Drama

Ben Affleck - Hollywoodland
Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
Jack Nicholson - The Departed
Brad Pitt - Babel
Mark Wahlberg - The Departed

My pick: Again, no opinion.
Will win: Focus Features released Hollywoodland far too early for it to register with the awards voters (September?!). Brad and Mark will split the vote and even though Eddie's performance has gotten good ink, Jack rules the roost and everyone, even The Hollywood Foreign Press, loves to see him play a villain. As this is the first time he's done so in quite a while, he'll be on stage tonight to accept this award.

Best Director

Clint Eastwood - Flags of Our Fathers
Clint Eastwood - Letters from Iwo Jima
Stephen Frears - The Queen
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - Babel
Martin Scorsese - The Departed

My pick: As a fan I'm torn between Inarritu and Scorsese. However, Inarritu's career has just begun whereas Scorsese is a filmmaking legend who's been shut out for far too long. I'd love to see him get this award.
Will win: Martin Scorsese

Best Screenplay

Guillermo Arriaga - Babel
Todd Field and Tom Perrotta - Little Children
Patrick Marber - Notes on a Scandal
William Monahan - The Departed
Peter Morgan - The Queen

My pick: Yet again as a fan I'd like to see Arriaga get it and I think he will, for the sweeping multi-layered types of films he writes are always adored by the awards voters.
Will win: Arriaga

Best Foreign Language Film

Apocalypto (USA)
Letters From Iwo Jima (USA/Japan)
The Lives Of Others (Germany)
Pan's Labyrinth (Mexico)
Volver (Spain)

My pick: I'm this close from seeing Guillermo del Toro's fantasy horror epic. As much critical acclaim as Almodovar gets this time each year, I think the world that Pan's Labyrinth created will let Mexico win this one.
Will win: Pan's Labyrinth

Best Animated Feature

Cars
Happy Feet
Monster House

My pick: Not one other animated film this year was as well-written, intelligent, articulate, and thoroughly entertaining as Monster House. It was a throwback to the style of '80s films both animated and otherwise that the whole family could watch and not feel as if they'd gotten dumber after watching it.
Will win: I was going to say Pixar grabs the gold here but George Miller's Happy Feet was a runaway success, no pun intended. The penguins will waddle away with this one.

Best Original Score

Alexandre Desplat - The Painted Veil
Clint Mansell - The Fountain
Gustavo Santaolalla - Babel
Carlo Siliotto - Nomad
Hans Zimmer - The Da Vinci Code

My pick: No contest. Clint Mansell's haunting, ethereal score for Darren Aronofsky's brilliant The Fountain was a key part of immersing the viewer in this beautiful poem of a film.
Will win: I believe the world cultural aspects of Babel no doubt played a part in the creation of the score. It'll win.

Best Original Song

Unfortunately I've no opinion here at all, as I've not heard any of these songs at all.


TELEVISION

Series, Drama

24 (Fox)
Big Love (HBO)
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Heroes (NBC)
Lost (ABC)

My pick: I love 24 with a fiery passion. But I'd love to see the freshman get some attention here. C'mon HFPA! Give it to Heroes. They won't, as it's not even through its first season yet, which is sad as no new series this season has been so far so consistently good.
Will win: 24. Jack Bauer and the gang at CTU won the Emmy (finally!) and now they'll pick up the win here as well.

Actress, Drama

Patricia Arquette - Medium
Edie Falco - The Sopranos
Evangeline Lilly - Lost
Ellen Pompeo - Grey's Anatomy
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

My pick: For two seasons now, Patricia Arquette has been terrific as the harried mom and the harried psychic who someone manages to balance both. Her Emmy win was well warranted. She deserves this one.
Will win: Ellen Pompeo will win for Doctors Screwing. Harsh? Maybe. But after giving this show every chance, it has finally chosen to be about who the doctors are sleeping with and everything else be damned. Because all hospitals have their doctors making out in stairwells and supply closets, right? Um, don't you guys have...PATIENTS?

Actor, Drama

Patrick Dempsey - Grey's Anatomy
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Hugh Laurie - House
Bill Paxton - Big Love
Kiefer Sutherland - 24

My pick: Michael C. Hall's turn as the serial killer with a heart deserves this.
Will win: Kiefer Sutherland, in an echo of the Emmys.

Series, Musical or Comedy

Desperate Housewives (ABC)
Entourage (HBO)
The Office (NBC)
Ugly Betty (ABC)
Weeds (Showtime)

My pick: I really want to give this to Entourage, as it is consistently addictive and *such* a well-written series. However, The Office continues to amaze me.
Will win: America Ferrara was the talk of the town as the fall season started. I've seen an episode or two and Ugly Betty is fun and breezy. But I think the Emmy win will repeat itself here, especially since they gave this award to the original British version of The Office in 2003.

Actress, Musical or Comedy

Marcia Cross - Desperate Housewives
America Ferrera - Ugly Betty
Felicity Huffman - Desperate Housewives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures Of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds

My pick: As I stated above, America Ferrara has been the breakout star of the new season, aside from Masi Oka of NBC's Heroes. She deserves to win.
Will win: America Ferrara

Actor, Musical Or Comedy

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock
Zach Braff - Scrubs
Steve Carrell - The Office
Jason Lee - My Name Is Earl
Tony Shaloub - Monk

My pick: Jason Lee and Steve Carell are solid as always. Each of these nominees is terrific. But Alec Baldwin has surpassed my every expectation. His Jack Donaghy is a live wire, as you never know what's going to come out of his mouth.
Will win: I think Lee will grab this, as Carell won last year (not that repeats don't happen) and I think 30 Rock might be a bit too inside for the HFPA. Sadly.

Best Miniseries Or Movie

I have no opinion here as I've not seen these. I'm rooting for Bleak House. I'm a Charles Dickens fan.

Best Actress, Miniseries Or Movie

No opinion yet again.

Best Actor, Miniseries Or Movie

No opinion. I'm rooting for Ejiofor, though.

Best Supporting Actress, Miniseries Or Movie

Emily Blunt - Gideon's Daughter
Toni Collette - Tsunami, The Aftermath
Katherine Heigl - Grey's Anatomy
Sarah Paulson - Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
Elizabeth Perkins - Weeds

My pick: I guess this is Heigl and Paulson are thrown in here as the HFPA wanted to recognize them but ran out of room in the major category. Sarah Paulson has been stellar as Harriet Hayes and the exchanges between she and Matthew Perry's Matt character. The claws have been extended towards the show but I'm thousands of miles from Hollywood and I love Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip. The dialogue is great and I've never seen an entire episode of an Aaron Sorkin show prior to this one.
Will win: With all of that being said, look for Heigl to win for Doctors Screwing...oh, I'm sorry....I meant Grey's Anatomy.

Best Supporting Actor, Miniseries Or Movie

Thomas Haden Church - Broken Trail
Jeremy Irons - Elizabeth I
Justin Kirk - Weeds
Masi Oka - Heroes
Jeremy Piven - Entourage

My pick: Piven is electric as the acidic and viciously caustic yet endearing-at-times Ari Gold. But Oka has, as I've stated, gotten alot of buzz. Either way I'll be happy but I'm going with Piven. He's so damn fun to watch.
Will win: Piven lost to one of the masters of the medium last year, Paul Newman (Empire Falls). This time will be a charm for him.