Wes Anderson’s debut of Moonrise Kingdom has gone over extremely well at the Cannes Film Festival but he’s already got his sights set on his next feature. It’s probably fitting that the announcement came which Moonrise is playing in France because Anderson has stated that his as-yet untitled next project is to be “a film I want to make in Europe, a Euro movie,”. Having finished the script not long ago he goes on to say that the new film is, in a way, inspired by the time he spends living in Paris each year. “Well, I think I got more of the French sensibility in my work from watching French movies, probably, than living…
-
-
Off the Shelf…’Cars 2′
In a case of mistaken identity, similar to The Man Who Knew Too Much, Lightning McQueen’s affably oblivious best friend Mater is swept up in a dastardly and ingenious plot that would make Ian Fleming smile. John Lasseter has a fondness for spy films (as described in his very informative commentary with co-director Brad Lewis). He and his whole family are huge fans of the Bourne series so he felt making Cars 2 a throwback spy film was the best way to approach this sequel. There are lots of amazing sequences and intriguing plot devices that make this like 007-lite as secret weapons, mysterious villains and action packed sequences abounded. However, like any kid who takes all their toys out and plays with them at once there’s a…
-
G-S-T Review…Cars 2
Cars 2 improves on a sequel in every way possible. Sure, many cite 2006’s Cars for being the weakest link in the Pixar chain so making a better sequel was hardly going to be a Herculean effort. Still while Lasseter’s nostalgic trip down memory lane may have been too simple for fans of the animation powerhouse, Cars 2 finds itself more in company with The Incredibles, Wall E and even Finding Nemo with its rousing story, action pieces and tons of eye candy. Much less a look back at his own past, Cars 2 becomes a purely cinematic nostalgia trip, one whose influences find themselves making more than passing homages…
-
Off the Shelf…'Cars'
Let’s just come right out and say it. Cars was not up to par with the rest of the Pixar catalog. Sure it has tons of fans, most of whom are in the 6 to 8 year old age bracket, but something felt like it was beneath what they’re capable of producing. Yet while people, myself included, have called it the weakest link in the Pixar chain, there is a significant message that gets hidden behind the giant cartoonish eyes of Lightning McQueen. It’s on that merit the film has more going for it than the story of the toy car who lost his way.
-
G-S-T Top 10 – Favorite Rain Day Flicks
“April showers bring May flowers” and a few hours on the couch can certainly help get you through it all. Below is a breezy list of 10 films that don’t usually provide anything more than a diversion when it’s too rainy to go outside and play. This list ain’t all guilty pleasures, these aren’t even bad films. No, most are quite enjoyable on some level or another it’s just that none of them have high replay value or are very memorable. So here are some of my suggestions for something to throw in your DVD/Blu Ray player on rainy days as I find they’re just the ticket to beat the…
-
Sweet Trailer…'Hall Pass'
Here we have the trailer Owen Wilson’s latest film Hall Pass. While I do like the guy I think his novelty has worn off. Personally speaking he’s just not making anything of value anymore; merely collecting paychecks with his quirky humor. But in this economy, a job is a job and we should all be so lucky right? However this is a Farrelly Brothers film and looks like his brand of humor could be a good fit for their style of writing. While their films have been more and more disappointing, this one may just work. Anyway have a look and let me know what you think… Owen Wilson and SNL’s…
-
G-S-T Top 10 – Buddy Flicks
First off, let me preface this by saying that trying to compile a great buddy flick list is going to be hard enough. There are so many movies that fit this description it’s almost it’s own genre. To widdle it down to 10 was near impossible so at the bottom I have some very deserving entries in the “Honorable Mention” Category. Next, and probably more importantly, let me tell you all that this list is devoted to my favorite movies out there that have impressive, memorable and hysterical “buddy” plot lines. As you will see in the entries below, some films are formulaic “buddy flicks” but others are indeed not…