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Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Movies I've watched (April 2011)
This month I am not going to write a short summary any further than what I have below. Usually I pick one or two, and I will write long blogs about some of these fims I know, because of their directors. But I wanted to say that I will be doing there listed again back by popular demand. I was sick this month and went to a film festival so the list is a little thicker than usual. Also I will leave a LINK to my blog about the festival in which I discuss several of the films from this month. There are a lot of MUST SEE's which is always a nice way to spend you free time. For those of who you don't know I am basically an insomniac who works on computers constantly writing or producing. I watch films in my downtown and watch films I have seen while working. Letting them run in the back ground, I am very hyper and can tell you the entire films so don't think I am "not really watching these". I am. its sad... But I am addicted. For this reason if you look over my p;d lists and compare you may notice films repeat, this is because I do watch the DVDs I own especially, over and over. . Please feel free to write comments or questions. I link the films as I can to IMDB so you guys can find more details on the films.
1. 13 Assassins (A+) --- A MUST SEE. Takashi MIIKE, You strike again. You get better like fine wine.
2. Films of Fury (A+) OK, You want to say you know about the history of film, or you like kung fu films? A MUST SEE. BUY the Book.
3. The Expendables (C-) I was sick.......... i needed mindless action.
4. Premonition(B+) A Good Japanese ghost story. Good date movie for the right chick, not a gore fest. just classic erie.
5. Last Exorcism (B-) ---- good, end sucks
6. Eagle (C) OK, the fight scenes, what happened? Cameramen, BACK UP! please. Stop shaking the camera just to shake the camera.
7. Black Swan (A+) Go see Swan Lake on stage. Then watch this. This is GREAT film making.
8. Little Big Soldier (A+) ---A MUST SEE. Jackie Chan first writing credit and starring and all... not really a comedy. JACKIE, Bring It On! Love it. Classic Chinese story.
9. Gozu (B+) David Lynch and Miike fans have to watch this. Has great special features. These are interesting Directors, taking chances and doing thing like no one else.
10. Scott Pilgrim VS the World (C-) OK, I was supposed to like this. Every one "my age" said I would..... To long, way too long. My friend Castro said it best, 3 X's would have been enough. And the lead kid, come on man, time to change the act.
11. French Connection (B+) Cop Drama must see. Great Car chase.
12. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (B) Western Must See
13. The Hustler (A) Paul Newman fans MUST SEE. Great stuff. then watch color of money
14. Rumble in the Bronx (B+) Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
15. Police Story 1 (A)Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
16. Police Story 2 (A) Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
17. Soylent Green (B+) I love sci fi stuff, especially stuff like this. Has a famous last performance
18. Platoon (B-) OK, come one every one likes this one a little.
19. Down With Love (C) female request. watched, bore through it. not my thing. but ok.
20. Mommy Dearest (A+) MUST SEE for filmmakers and movie lovers
21. The Runaways (C) JOAN JET, You are an icon and legend... you deserved better. The Runaways deserved better
22. Nurse Betty (C+) Weird yet entertaining, not a Zelweger fan.....
23. Serial Mom (A) John Waters. Great Stuff
24. Rio Bravo (A) MUST SEE WESTERN, The story behind this is it is a response from the director and wayne to the film, High Noon
25. The Man Who SHot LIberty Valence (A) Classic Must See. John Wayne. Jimmy Stewart
26. The Lord of the Rings (Two Towers) (C+) too long too many of them we could have done this in one, two ok.....
27. Inception (A) good but could be cut down.....
28. In Bruges (A) I really don't like Colin Ferral movies, but this is him at his best, great movie, his co-star steals the spot light
29. Gun Crazy (asia) (C) OK not a good movie, but if you have seen a lot of moves this is a scene by scene rip of from classic stuff... FIND the Tarantino reference. If you guess it, You are obsessed...
30. Kitchen Stories (A) So Good! Great Indie Foreign Film!
31. Hard Candy (A-) GOod.... but guys how many times is he gonna get away and get caught again? When you try to cut my balls off I am going to try and escape harder than any other time in the film.... ?come on
32. Shogun Assassin 2 (A) Classic
33. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (D) Random find in video store.... trying too hard
34. Suicide Club (B-) Asian Extreme must see for fans of AUDITION, same lead actor.
35. Phone (A-) Korean Horror. Excellent, fooled me with the twist, and enjoyed dark evil little girl. Great Actress
36. City on Fire (A-) Chow Yun Fat Hong Kong action
37. Iron Monkey (A) Kung Fu Must See
38. Shogun Assasins 3 (B+) Still good and classic. But loosing its gusto
39. Fists of Legend (B+) Jet Li fans Must See
40. the hangover (C) Too Long. Obvious. Only Black guys a drug dealer, Asian guy is femante comic relief antagonist..... All pretty obvious so let move it along. Nothing against main cast
41. Slammin Salmon (C-) Super Troopers..... where are you?
42. Yakuza Election (A) Random Find in video store, love it.
This month I am not going to write a short summary any further than what I have below. Usually I pick one or two, and I will write long blogs about some of these fims I know, because of their directors. But I wanted to say that I will be doing there listed again back by popular demand. I was sick this month and went to a film festival so the list is a little thicker than usual. Also I will leave a LINK to my blog about the festival in which I discuss several of the films from this month. There are a lot of MUST SEE's which is always a nice way to spend you free time. For those of who you don't know I am basically an insomniac who works on computers constantly writing or producing. I watch films in my downtown and watch films I have seen while working. Letting them run in the back ground, I am very hyper and can tell you the entire films so don't think I am "not really watching these". I am. its sad... But I am addicted. For this reason if you look over my p;d lists and compare you may notice films repeat, this is because I do watch the DVDs I own especially, over and over. . Please feel free to write comments or questions. I link the films as I can to IMDB so you guys can find more details on the films.
1. 13 Assassins (A+) --- A MUST SEE. Takashi MIIKE, You strike again. You get better like fine wine.
2. Films of Fury (A+) OK, You want to say you know about the history of film, or you like kung fu films? A MUST SEE. BUY the Book.
3. The Expendables (C-) I was sick.......... i needed mindless action.
4. Premonition(B+) A Good Japanese ghost story. Good date movie for the right chick, not a gore fest. just classic erie.
5. Last Exorcism (B-) ---- good, end sucks
6. Eagle (C) OK, the fight scenes, what happened? Cameramen, BACK UP! please. Stop shaking the camera just to shake the camera.
7. Black Swan (A+) Go see Swan Lake on stage. Then watch this. This is GREAT film making.
8. Little Big Soldier (A+) ---A MUST SEE. Jackie Chan first writing credit and starring and all... not really a comedy. JACKIE, Bring It On! Love it. Classic Chinese story.
9. Gozu (B+) David Lynch and Miike fans have to watch this. Has great special features. These are interesting Directors, taking chances and doing thing like no one else.
10. Scott Pilgrim VS the World (C-) OK, I was supposed to like this. Every one "my age" said I would..... To long, way too long. My friend Castro said it best, 3 X's would have been enough. And the lead kid, come on man, time to change the act.
11. French Connection (B+) Cop Drama must see. Great Car chase.
12. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (B) Western Must See
13. The Hustler (A) Paul Newman fans MUST SEE. Great stuff. then watch color of money
14. Rumble in the Bronx (B+) Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
15. Police Story 1 (A)Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
16. Police Story 2 (A) Jackie Chan fans MUST SEE
17. Soylent Green (B+) I love sci fi stuff, especially stuff like this. Has a famous last performance
18. Platoon (B-) OK, come one every one likes this one a little.
19. Down With Love (C) female request. watched, bore through it. not my thing. but ok.
20. Mommy Dearest (A+) MUST SEE for filmmakers and movie lovers
21. The Runaways (C) JOAN JET, You are an icon and legend... you deserved better. The Runaways deserved better
22. Nurse Betty (C+) Weird yet entertaining, not a Zelweger fan.....
23. Serial Mom (A) John Waters. Great Stuff
24. Rio Bravo (A) MUST SEE WESTERN, The story behind this is it is a response from the director and wayne to the film, High Noon
25. The Man Who SHot LIberty Valence (A) Classic Must See. John Wayne. Jimmy Stewart
26. The Lord of the Rings (Two Towers) (C+) too long too many of them we could have done this in one, two ok.....
27. Inception (A) good but could be cut down.....
28. In Bruges (A) I really don't like Colin Ferral movies, but this is him at his best, great movie, his co-star steals the spot light
29. Gun Crazy (asia) (C) OK not a good movie, but if you have seen a lot of moves this is a scene by scene rip of from classic stuff... FIND the Tarantino reference. If you guess it, You are obsessed...
30. Kitchen Stories (A) So Good! Great Indie Foreign Film!
31. Hard Candy (A-) GOod.... but guys how many times is he gonna get away and get caught again? When you try to cut my balls off I am going to try and escape harder than any other time in the film.... ?come on
32. Shogun Assassin 2 (A) Classic
33. Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (D) Random find in video store.... trying too hard
34. Suicide Club (B-) Asian Extreme must see for fans of AUDITION, same lead actor.
35. Phone (A-) Korean Horror. Excellent, fooled me with the twist, and enjoyed dark evil little girl. Great Actress
36. City on Fire (A-) Chow Yun Fat Hong Kong action
37. Iron Monkey (A) Kung Fu Must See
38. Shogun Assasins 3 (B+) Still good and classic. But loosing its gusto
39. Fists of Legend (B+) Jet Li fans Must See
40. the hangover (C) Too Long. Obvious. Only Black guys a drug dealer, Asian guy is femante comic relief antagonist..... All pretty obvious so let move it along. Nothing against main cast
41. Slammin Salmon (C-) Super Troopers..... where are you?
42. Yakuza Election (A) Random Find in video store, love it.
Lights, Camera, ACTION FEST!
Lights, Camera, ACTION FEST!
By Jack Eagen April/2011
This year I had the opportunity to attend action fest. I didn't just get to go as a film-goer, but I volunteered myself to what turned out to be a surprisingly amazing experience. I have not had so much fun at a film festival ever. I genuinely beleive that this is a unique film festival that rivals to entertain patrons more than any other. I heard about the event when a friend mentioned he was going. A film festival fan, he had purchased a package to see every single film. I asked what was playing and discovered that some of my favorite film makers had projects playing. Namely, Takashi Miike, and Jackie Chan. The festival included a stunt show on sundays. As I represent a production company, including a stunt and fight choreographer Billy "Wylde" Wolcott, I emailed the people listed as being the organizers. I received a quick response and was please to get Robert Bradley and his Ghost Town Gun Fighters involved. Billy was able to participate and I got to work with John Cann, who was in charge of supplying the stunts. He brought his one of a kind, state of the art, crash bag completing two jumps. One down town at the ARCADE as a pre-show buzz builder. He brought his air ramp and was set on fire by Buddy Joe Hooker.
They included motor cross stunt bikers that came with their own ramp, doing jumps forty feet up, in front of the Carolina Theater front marque. There was a martial arts exhibition from Ho Sin Sool Dojang, Traditional Martial Arts Center, and to my excitement my friends from Robert Bradleys Gun Fighters kicked the entire show off with a classic wild west show comedy bit. Robert Bradley hims self did an impressive death roll back on pavement and the under taker to one to the keaster.
The highlights this year at the screening was the winner of best film, A Lonely Place to Die, and the new Film by Miike, 13Assasins. Lonely was an excellent twist on a climber story, by a British director and company. I had a chance to speak with him and he was kind enough to discuss some of the difficulties he had. He mentioned they shot on the RED One camera, and that some of their most expensive shots were entirely due to a safety cable crossing in front of the lead actresses face during key moment. They digitally removed the cable, hence the cost increase on their shots. The final product is a triumph for any director on the independent scene.
Colin Geddes and Peter Kuplowsky are doing a fantastic job, and can you use all the volunteers they can get. Colin is an organizer from the Toronto Film Festival, and his experience is paying off. Peter not only ran a tight ship but I appreciated that when he spoke before the final screening, 13Assassins, he mentioned Gozu, a not often referenced film by Miike. A sign that he is a true fan, and film lover. With guys running the show that have such a personal connection with the screenings, the festival is about love for the films. This is a festival about fun. Something often lacking in film festivals.
Because the Action Fest is focused towards the Action, it seems to draw out some interesting visitors. Chuck Norris came to the first year, and they this year it was gonna be tough to top. Buddy Joe Hooker, Stunt Man Legend, stepped in to fill the shoes with no problem. Again, this is a good sign because people who are Action Buffs, or Film Fanatics know the name Buddy Joe Hooker. The easiest way to explain is to say he one of the members of Stunts Unlimited, he holds the record for the most rolls in a vehicle (22), and most recently infamous was his driving in Death Proof by Quinton Tarantino. Listing out everything else about him would take forever, but I seriously recommend anyone who claims to love film to make sure they know these names.
The Life Time Achievement award this year went to Russel Towery, who absolutely deserved it. He was the stunt stand in on all the Robo Cop films, a Fight Choreographer on Pirates of Caribbean films and Machete, but mostly he was a very nice guy that was extremely approachable. Other visitors included the fighter choreographer for Troy and Sherlock Holmes, Michael Jai White who played Spawn and Black Dynamite, and Larnell Stovall who is the fight choreographer for Bunraku and The newest in the Mortal Combat films. All three of which where on a panel with guest writer, specialist, film consultant, Kung Fu "know it all" Ric Meyers. Who was attending the festival to promote his new film and book "Films of Fury". Ric was also someone who I got the chance to talk with on multiple occasions. Besides knowing more about the history of Asia, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Film, Kung Fu than anyone I have ever met, he is also a brilliant writer. I bought a copy of his book and cant put it down.
If that isn't enough, when I was talking with him about the difficulties of getting so much important information into a 2 hour movie when the book is over three hundred pages, I mention a DVD I have watched many times. I got it in a bundle with something else, what I cant recall, it is called The Art of Action. It is hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, and until Films of Fury, I have never seen a more in depth and in lighting review of the history of Kung Fu films. It has wonderful interviews that opened up to much interesting details that never seem to get covered in film school history classes. Turns out that was one of Ric's first attempts to getting this information out in front of the public. He was a consultant on that very same DVD. The new film, Films of Fury, is as Ric described it, an attempt to do something more entertaining for an audience that might have no interest in Kung Fu films, but also to more respectfully cover some of the most important topics. Ric Meyers seemed fairly pleased with the screening, which he pointed out he had not yet seen. Previously they had shown him a rough cut of the film which he hadn't been ecstatic with. It is a long, complicated topic to try and cover in front of an audience with an increasingly short attention span.
Mostly, I would say that this festival is the little, big secret. It is a big idea and they are just getting started. The turn out seems small compared the massive space they cover, opening the parking lot up for the stunt show. I expect the word will pass quickly and the turn out will expand exponentially over the following years. The theaters wonderful and although the Carolina is not positioned close to the downtown area, it really is the perfect space. Besides having a layout including a good VIP room, concessions including the alcohol, but the also have a private parking lot that allow them to meet all safety and zoning needs. This is very important when you are setting people on fire and throwing them off platforms over 35 feet up. I will definitely see you all there next year and those who missed out this year ,don't stress, Action Fest is here to stay.
By Jack Eagen April/2011
This year I had the opportunity to attend action fest. I didn't just get to go as a film-goer, but I volunteered myself to what turned out to be a surprisingly amazing experience. I have not had so much fun at a film festival ever. I genuinely beleive that this is a unique film festival that rivals to entertain patrons more than any other. I heard about the event when a friend mentioned he was going. A film festival fan, he had purchased a package to see every single film. I asked what was playing and discovered that some of my favorite film makers had projects playing. Namely, Takashi Miike, and Jackie Chan. The festival included a stunt show on sundays. As I represent a production company, including a stunt and fight choreographer Billy "Wylde" Wolcott, I emailed the people listed as being the organizers. I received a quick response and was please to get Robert Bradley and his Ghost Town Gun Fighters involved. Billy was able to participate and I got to work with John Cann, who was in charge of supplying the stunts. He brought his one of a kind, state of the art, crash bag completing two jumps. One down town at the ARCADE as a pre-show buzz builder. He brought his air ramp and was set on fire by Buddy Joe Hooker.
They included motor cross stunt bikers that came with their own ramp, doing jumps forty feet up, in front of the Carolina Theater front marque. There was a martial arts exhibition from Ho Sin Sool Dojang, Traditional Martial Arts Center, and to my excitement my friends from Robert Bradleys Gun Fighters kicked the entire show off with a classic wild west show comedy bit. Robert Bradley hims self did an impressive death roll back on pavement and the under taker to one to the keaster.
The highlights this year at the screening was the winner of best film, A Lonely Place to Die, and the new Film by Miike, 13Assasins. Lonely was an excellent twist on a climber story, by a British director and company. I had a chance to speak with him and he was kind enough to discuss some of the difficulties he had. He mentioned they shot on the RED One camera, and that some of their most expensive shots were entirely due to a safety cable crossing in front of the lead actresses face during key moment. They digitally removed the cable, hence the cost increase on their shots. The final product is a triumph for any director on the independent scene.
Colin Geddes and Peter Kuplowsky are doing a fantastic job, and can you use all the volunteers they can get. Colin is an organizer from the Toronto Film Festival, and his experience is paying off. Peter not only ran a tight ship but I appreciated that when he spoke before the final screening, 13Assassins, he mentioned Gozu, a not often referenced film by Miike. A sign that he is a true fan, and film lover. With guys running the show that have such a personal connection with the screenings, the festival is about love for the films. This is a festival about fun. Something often lacking in film festivals.
Because the Action Fest is focused towards the Action, it seems to draw out some interesting visitors. Chuck Norris came to the first year, and they this year it was gonna be tough to top. Buddy Joe Hooker, Stunt Man Legend, stepped in to fill the shoes with no problem. Again, this is a good sign because people who are Action Buffs, or Film Fanatics know the name Buddy Joe Hooker. The easiest way to explain is to say he one of the members of Stunts Unlimited, he holds the record for the most rolls in a vehicle (22), and most recently infamous was his driving in Death Proof by Quinton Tarantino. Listing out everything else about him would take forever, but I seriously recommend anyone who claims to love film to make sure they know these names.
The Life Time Achievement award this year went to Russel Towery, who absolutely deserved it. He was the stunt stand in on all the Robo Cop films, a Fight Choreographer on Pirates of Caribbean films and Machete, but mostly he was a very nice guy that was extremely approachable. Other visitors included the fighter choreographer for Troy and Sherlock Holmes, Michael Jai White who played Spawn and Black Dynamite, and Larnell Stovall who is the fight choreographer for Bunraku and The newest in the Mortal Combat films. All three of which where on a panel with guest writer, specialist, film consultant, Kung Fu "know it all" Ric Meyers. Who was attending the festival to promote his new film and book "Films of Fury". Ric was also someone who I got the chance to talk with on multiple occasions. Besides knowing more about the history of Asia, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Film, Kung Fu than anyone I have ever met, he is also a brilliant writer. I bought a copy of his book and cant put it down.
If that isn't enough, when I was talking with him about the difficulties of getting so much important information into a 2 hour movie when the book is over three hundred pages, I mention a DVD I have watched many times. I got it in a bundle with something else, what I cant recall, it is called The Art of Action. It is hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, and until Films of Fury, I have never seen a more in depth and in lighting review of the history of Kung Fu films. It has wonderful interviews that opened up to much interesting details that never seem to get covered in film school history classes. Turns out that was one of Ric's first attempts to getting this information out in front of the public. He was a consultant on that very same DVD. The new film, Films of Fury, is as Ric described it, an attempt to do something more entertaining for an audience that might have no interest in Kung Fu films, but also to more respectfully cover some of the most important topics. Ric Meyers seemed fairly pleased with the screening, which he pointed out he had not yet seen. Previously they had shown him a rough cut of the film which he hadn't been ecstatic with. It is a long, complicated topic to try and cover in front of an audience with an increasingly short attention span.
Mostly, I would say that this festival is the little, big secret. It is a big idea and they are just getting started. The turn out seems small compared the massive space they cover, opening the parking lot up for the stunt show. I expect the word will pass quickly and the turn out will expand exponentially over the following years. The theaters wonderful and although the Carolina is not positioned close to the downtown area, it really is the perfect space. Besides having a layout including a good VIP room, concessions including the alcohol, but the also have a private parking lot that allow them to meet all safety and zoning needs. This is very important when you are setting people on fire and throwing them off platforms over 35 feet up. I will definitely see you all there next year and those who missed out this year ,don't stress, Action Fest is here to stay.
Down Poor Update (Down Poor is On)
Recently had many exciting turn of events. The new computer is ready and working. Ringside Rosary is going to be done asap and while I work that in the day I will be working the rewrites for our next new film CORNERS! TO be shot around mid July!!!!!! So much is happening so fast. So I will be doing two kinds of editing for the month of May, literary and digital.
Our main objective is to continue to push our new "campaign". Which is Produce! We are encouraging any and all projects we can help, to increase the output of material from the East Coast of the United States. We are assisting with music projects, web series, and Films! We are putting our time into helping anyone any way we can. More films will eventually mean more film jobs! This is not a substitute for quality, but an increase in productivity. Quantity and quality, with innovative stories.
We try to encourage an attitude of "why start another small weekend project, when you can work on a bigger film by giving up your weekends for a month..." So many people will work for free at home alone, but when asked if interested in working for differed payment or credits, they respond with "Pay me." Why? You were gonna do this for free at home on a short project you aren't going to how to anyone? Doesn't make sense?
We are hoping more and more people will join the on going conversations. I have found multiple FaceBook groups and Co-ops all over the east coast discussing this via blogs or what have you. Good to talk to everyone! Happy Mothers Day to Mothers Every Where from Sam and I! Love you mom.
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