Revival!

I am back. It's been a while. I got into the bad headset that my blog failed. And it kinda did. But what can save it? Shameless self promotion and plugs everywhere!!!! I've also changed things around a little. I felt it needed a lift.

I think I established that this blog will be a cinema/movie commentary forum. However, I will add some little pieces that I stumble across through the peaks and valleys of what is my life.

And here is a little example of a thing that I've found that I find humourous.

UPDATE: apparently this blog was not so failed, as it led to at least two people watching SKINS!!

P.S. WATCH SKINS!!!!!!!!!

Disney is possibly the best thing in the world...

To me, I don't think anything could be better. Let's look at why:

• The Lion King
• Toy Story
• Monsters, Inc.
• Aladdin
• Peter Pan
• 101 Dalmatians (the cartoon one, not that 'average' people version where the animals don't talk, I want my Pongo to speak!)

I mean this is just a few out of a giant list that just keeps on going. These films could make my day. They allow me to go back to my childhood (because it was soooo long ago) and yet still live in it. There is nothing better. Except maybe Disney with ice cream and then chocolate and then maybe lots of money and a nice house and a nice car and nice clothes and good sex and a happy life with lots of close friends and a good love life and lots of laughter, joy and fun. But Disney gives you that, so how could I wish for more?

Adam Sandler: Comedic Genius?

Well, about 10 years ago I would say so. But his body of work since then leaves something to be desired. I think the guy has great talent, but there is something missing within his latest projects. Mind you, I haven't seen them all, but from what I've seen, I've seen enough. Bring back the good ol' days of Adam.

I think Punch Drunk Love (2002) was a potential turning point in his career. It's known to be his break into the potential foray of dramatic roles that eluded him (a la Jim Carrey in The Majestic or The Truman Show or The Man on the Moon) Perhaps it was just me, but it seemed to be a miss, once again, similar to Jim Carrey. I didn't particularly like the film either, which is strange as I usually like P.T. Anderson films. I think I must watch this one again, because it didn't strike me as great, but maybe I needed to pay more attention. While Adam's performance was well received in Punch Drunk Love, a dramatic career in the movies didn't follow. Although, he starred in the drama Reign Over Me in 2007. I have not seen this one, and what I'm gathering from what I'm writing is that if I really wanted to analyse his career, I would need to study his films in great detail, which to me, studying cinema seems quite appealing!

Let's go over his filmography to highlight my points so far:

Firstly you got the good ones...pure gold:
Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996) and The Wedding Singer (1998)

Then there's the questionably good ones:
Little Nicky (1998), The Waterboy (1998) and Big Daddy (1999)

The okay ones:
Mr. Deeds (2002), Punch Drunk Love (2002) and 50 First Dates (2004)

The ones I haven't seen, so can't really comment on:
Anger Management (2003)
The Longest Yard (2005)
Click (2006)
Reign Over Me (2007)
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)
You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)

And then there's Spanglish (2004)
I usually enjoy James L. Brooks films (Terms of Endearment,
Broadcast News, As Good as it Gets) but this one was a rare miss.

Let's hope that a renaissance is coming soon.

Or do you disagree with me and think that the comedic genius has not vanished and has prevailed all along? Or was there ever any comic genius and is he just an overrated tool?

Let me know

Skins

Now, I freely admit to only watching the first season of this show. But....I can safely say that I'm addicted to Skins. So much so that I joined a Facebook group. Mind you, I also joined a Facebook group out of being addicted to Facebook. See my "Crippling Addiction to Facebook" blog on that one, coz it's a whole other story.

This show, beyond being a show about teenagers doing a lot of drugs, has the universal themes of loneliness, betrayal, loss, hurt and the usual angst, horney-ness and frustation that comes with being a teenager and growing up. I'd heard Skins had a lot of disturbing drug references in it. Perhaps its only that I've seen the first season, but I didn't really notice anything that unusual or disturbing, or something worthy of its R rating that it has in Australia. Maybe I'm blind, but I saw something that went just beyond drugs.

My favourite character is Cassie. Amazing character. She lives in such a dream. And her reality is so sad. You just want her to find that happiness. And yet you don't want her to change.

One thing I instantly noticed is that one of the main characters Tony (Nicholas Hault) was in About a Boy with Hugh Grant a few years ago. Boy has he changed. He got like three feet taller and lost about half of his width. How puberty can change a person.

I saw all of the episodes of season one within a few days thanks to the miracle of genius that is the DVD box set. So good not having to wait. And in my opinion it help you get addicted quicker, even if you do lose that feeling of suspense or having something to look forward to all week when waiting for the next episode.

I can't wait to see Season 2. And then 3 and then onwards

My Crippling Addiction....

You know you're addicted to Facebook when you start joining groups called "I'm addicted to Facebook and I need help" or "I'm addicted to Facebook, and I'm in denial about it"

Well, if anyone happened to catch Lesley Stahl's interview with the creator of Facebook on 60 Minutes last Sunday, you would have discovered that there is one thing worst that being addicted to Facebook. And that's being the creator of Facebook.

This guy, Mark Zuckerberg (the Facebook equivalent of the Myspace Tom) may be worth a huge amount of money, and may have turned down a giantic sum of money just to still have creative control over Facebook, but the guy is still a nerd. And I hate him. I hate him for furthering my weak, impressionable, vulnerable, neurotic and paranoid personality with the juggernaut that is Facebook.

It proves that I have no life. When I'm at home alone, I find myself refreshing the Facebook homepage. And for what? No one is messaging me. And the vicious cycle just continues. Then they brought in Facebook chat. Its just like MSN, but worse. And yet, its the best thing ever. Except there is rarely someone good to talk to on it. But thats another sad and lonely story.

For now, I will finish the blog. Go have a milo, turn on my electric blanket and watch some good ol' fashioned tv. And then I will probably check my Facebook again. Why? Because my life is that thrilling, and I just wrote a blog on how crippling a Facebook addiction is.

Released on DVD today

SWEENEY TODD
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Yes, that's right! Tim Burton's latest masterpiece was released on DVD this week, and I have to say that the news actually made me happy. Not all films can do that.

When I saw Sweeney, it was in a big, loud cinema, and so naturally I had a good time. However, I seemed to be in on a perhaps not very well known thing: its a musical.

That factor can be overcome by the great amount of blood and gore it has in it, despite its unnaturally red hue.

Nevertheless, Johnny Depp is great. Helena Bonham Carter is okay. Could have sung better, but she's sleeping with the director, so what do you expect? Gold? But she is a fantastic actor, and apparently underwent extensive vocal training. Pity you can't tell. But Depp sings well. The sets and costumes look fantastic and have that Burton-esque dark gothic tone, which I love.

In Current Release

Then She Found Me

Okay. Let's get this straight. I find the genre of "chick flicks" insulting. It only assumes that women will like these films and therefore in its marketing and promotions, excludes men from even going near it. Well, within my studies of cinema, I aim to shatter all myths and pre-conceptions by going to any damn movie that I want to, without caring who its marketed to.

Helen Hunt's directorial debut is no exception. Part of the attraction to this film was simply the fact that it took Hunt 10 years for the film to be made. She wore the director/co-producer/co-writer and lead character hat and I was interested to see how this would work. That kind of dedication, obvious hard work and persistence (plus a free movie ticket) seemed a good enough reason to see this film.

What resulted is a very subtle and moving performance from Hunt in a movie that is an understated, funny and warm story of betrayal, loss and love. Despite this, I have heard a lot of praise for Hunt's performance simply because she doesn't wear much make up. Since when does not caring about your appearance warrant comments calling you "brave". You don't hear "Helen Hunt was so frickin lazy that she couldn't even be bothered to put on some lippy and some mascara." She's courageous, and a pioneer. Well, maybe thats the case in Hollywood where every second person is a wannabe slut. But most of us live in the real world.

Despite me not minding this film, I do not expect every person (especially male) to have the same opinion. Even though Helen Hunt went without makeup, her performance was good enough for me not to hate her, and there are some funny and nicely played performances from Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick and Bette Midler.

So, this blogger goes out on a limb, not throwing a recommendation down every readers throat, but simply suggesting to see outside the box. You may be surprise what you find.

Something you need to watch:

THE SOPRANOS
(created by David Chase, 1999-2007)

Best friggin show ever.

No new news hear.

But I've been watching it again. So freakin good!

Everyone is so good. Can't get enough. I need to study this show. Or write a frickin paper on it.

What's not to love with this show? You've got your family moral values mixed in with drugs, sex, violence, the mafia, parental issues, psycho-analytical therapy, James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, constant references to The Godfather and Scorsese.

Nothing short of brilliant television!

Weekly Screen Update

New addition for Learning the Lingo: The Weekly Screen Update.

Since this blog is new, I'll do a quick run down of what is out there at the moment. This is not going to be a weekly blog based on what I've seen, as that would be very minimal (I'm a student!). This will be a blog based on what I've heard and the prejudices I hold before even seeing certain films.


Here's a list of the new releases for the cinema week starting 5 June 2008

• Sex and the City: The Movie - Review will come soon.
  
• The Chronciles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - well, I guess this relies on the Narnia factor, i.e. have you read the books, or even did you see the first movie. Well, I did. It was pretty good. Will I spend money to see this? Probably closer nay rather than yay.
  

Here's a list of current releases

• 21 - looks ok. Casino movies I enjoy.
  
• Be Kind Rewind - I'm getting sick of Jack Black. Hahah. Swap his names around....Black Jack!!!
• Deception - haven't heard anything about this. Don't think its got wide release. New thriller with Huge Jackman and Ewan McGregor. Smells bad to me
  
• Edge of Heaven - foreign, won best screenplay at 2007 Cannes. Havent heard much, can't say too much.
  
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall - apparently it's okay. But there seem to be a lot of these Judd Apatow-produced films going around. (Think back to 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad. Yes, it wasn't that long ago.)
  
• Goal 2: Living the Dream - can't say I remember hearing about Goal 1. Enough said.
  
• Gone Baby Gone - Ben Affleck's directorial debut. It's weird writing that. Acting is supposed to be great: Amy Ryan (Best Supporting Actress nominee 2008 Academy Awards.)
  
• Horton Hears a Who - looks okay. But also looks like one of those kids films which makes me think that either I have to be a kid to enjoy it, or they aren't making them like they just to.
  
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - I will eventually see, but so far I've heard it's not as good as it should be.
  
• Iron Man - I came, I saw, and Iron Man conquered. The flying scenes were nothing short of amazing. Great sexual tension between Downey and Paltrow. And good choice with Downey as well, such a great actor. See Chaplin, Robert at his best!
  
• Lars and the Real Girl - (nominated for Best Original Screenplay - 2008 Academy Awards) really wanted to see this, and probably won't be able to. Ryan Gosling is quite the actor. See Half Nelson.
  
• Leatherheads - Looks crap. Clooney is only okay some of the time, and this looks like a bad example. Add Renee Zelwegger and you've got = Shit Mountain.
  
• Love in the Time of Cholera - I know its based on a classic novel by that Spanish guy who has a cool name, but I find the title extremely funny. But why cholera? Why not herpes?
  
• Made of Honour - Hell no!!!! Worst pun ever
  
• Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Hmmm.....no.
  
• Moliere - maybe. But probably not
  
• Nim's Island - Jodie Foster does comedy. Hmmm....I'd rather see her get bashed to a bloody pulp like usual. Typecasting? Maybe, but that's show business kid!
  
• The Orphanage - sounds cheery. Feel good movie of the year, perhaps. Maybe.
  
• The Painted Veil - period piece. Maybe, but on DVD
  
• Shine a Light - ehhh (shudders at the thought). Scorsese's doco about the Stones on tour in 2006. They're great and all, and I admire them for touring at their age, but I don't wanna see Keith Richards face up on a giant screen. Yuk!
  
• Shutter - think the Ring. And you've pretty much got it. Good for getting girls scared and then they end up holding you. Worked for me. Kinda. Don't ask. Kinda scary, kinda not.
  
• The Spiderwick Chronicles - wait til DVD, and it will still probably be shit.
  
• Street Kings - Keanu Reeves. Not a fan. That would stop me seeing this at a cinema. Unless its like Speed. Speed rocks.
  
• Then She Found Me - have seen and will post a review of soon.
  
• What Happens in Vegas... - another one of those Just Married, You Me and Dupree films that you keep seeing these stars and starlets appearing in. Looks very cliche.
  

Bippity Boppity Boo

Hello bloggers.

Here's another take at what seems to be a juggernaut in the current zeitgeist of modern day popular culture. I originally tried writing a blog called "The Milo News", which I now see as an ultimately failed aim. The reason that this blog failed was that I realised to write a blog, you have to be consistent. Not an easy feat. Especially when you feel you have nothing to write about.

So what does this blog promise to be? I don't know. But I know what it won't be:

• A celebrity bitch fest rag
• A personal diary
  
• A snobbish rant of how society is going down the drain
  

I start this blog now as I have many a lonely hour approaching with my university studies ending for the semester. Rather than spent countless hours on the mother that is Facebook, which I do have an obsession with, I could hone my writing skills and do something that is more creative.

So let the fun begin!