Toxic!!!

It's been really friggin heavy at work lately, so much so that I haven't been as vigilant to the one passion (other than the wifey that is...) that rocks my boat

MOVIES!!!

Being blockbuster season, I must confess to have watched most of the pop-corn flicks the past couple of months. I'm trying to get some of that stuff into my usual movie review schtick so that I can post it up here in the near future. Hope you guys drop by again soon.

Iron Man... it's FAVREAU-lous!!!

The man in the iron mask... and iron gloves... and iron boots... and iron underwear... and iron...

Comic book flicks are here to stay. Yep, that's one film genre that's definitely earned it's niche in the industry. The past few years have proven that bringing two-dimensional people in tights can be very lucrative to the high and mighty powerbrokers residing on Mount Hollywood. Marvel Entertainment has definitely benchmarked this trend by steadily transitioning their more popular characters from the funny books to the big screen. With the unquestionable financial success of their Spider-Man franchise, Marvel now presents to the moviegoing public.... IRON MAN.

can you tell which one is Moe, Larry and Curly?... nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk!!!

Iron Man tells the story most comic book geeks know by heart: Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy meets with a life-altering accident which brings him to see the light. After being given a second crack at life, said Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy devotes his time and effort to fighting crime while wearing brightly colored duds. Yep... in another lifetime, that would have been enough for a great movie, but these days a good flick, especially a comic book flick will live or die at the hands of it's director. Thank God for Jon Favreau!

right before he turned to directing films, favreau was a closet serial killer

Jon Favreau is definitely one of the major assets Iron Man has in it's favor. The Fav's love for the genre has enabled the flick to be more than just a hack-movie. He made it FUN. The choice of having Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark (our Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy per se) was inspired right from the beginning. Downey's wit and humor enabled him to flesh-out the title role in a way that is engaging for both moviegoers and comicbook fanboys alike. Kudos to the whole crew for making this flick watchable from start to finish.

"a cool exec with a heart of steel"... hmm... howabout a heart of arc-based energy?

As with most comic book films, getting the first one off the ground would arguably be the hardest (especially if you're gunning for sequels or spinoffs), but Fav's did his homework and brought the story of Iron Man into the 21st century. More importantly, the story was well thought of and paced at just the right speed which gives newbies to Iron Man enough leeway to absorb the what's and why's of the plot. Action-wise, the film makes great use of CGI especially with the flight sequences and good-guy/bad-guy encounters.

"woooo!!!! I can fly!!!".... "but how do I scratch my butt?"

Some supporting characters weren't as developed as they should have been. One good example would be Terrence Howard's portrayal of Jim Rhodes, Stark's best friend and military liaison. I have nothing against the guy, but man!!! This dude's enthusiasm level in the film could have done with a liiiiiittle bit more juice. Jeff "the Dude" Bridges' Obadiah Stone character fared better, especially with that chrome-dome 'do. Gwyneth Paltrow who plays Pepper Potts, Stark's assistant and confidant, had a little bit more screentime which helped define her rapport and relationship with Downey's Stark.

I don't know about Moe and Larry... but I've got your Curly right here!!!

But the defining victory in this movie (at least for me, that is...) is having seen Jon Favreau's dedication to the mediums which he hopes to bridge. DC has it's Nolan.... now Marvel has it's Favreau.

Reign Over Me

You know how I know we're Gay?.... we're two grown men walking side by side on an empty street and looking at each other funny...

How do we deal with loss? Some go through the whole multi-step process: anger, resentment, bargaining, self-pity, acceptance... or whatever the heck ELSE that goes along with it (there are so many steps being added that I'm not sure HOW high the ladder is these days). Now there are SOME people that just don't handle loss all too well. There are those, when faced with loss, teeter on the edge of sanity and can't help but gaze out into the madness beyond. For these individuals who face a loss so great, redemption may be a little hard... and complicated to obtain.

why am I smiling?!? methinks my goofy hair has something to do with it...

Take Charlie Fineman in the movie Reign Over Me... Charlie Fineman (portrayed by a very "Bob Dylan-esque" Adam Sandler) lost his wife and children during the 911 terror attack. Charlie's tragic loss sends him spiralling into a state of grief and despair... which in turn causes him to live in a pale reflection of the almost perfect life he once had with his family. The story gets rolling as a former college roommate, Alan Johnson (played by the always entertaining Don Cheadle) spots Charlie on the street and having heard about Charlie's loss, sets out to re-kindle the friendship between them. This chance encounter did not turn out well for Alan when he discovers that Charlie has been reduced into a gibbering (yep... "Gibbering" IS a word... in MY dictionary at least... HA!), scooter-riding, anti-social, ipod-freak... he makes it his mission to help lift his friend out of the pit of gloom that Charlie has gotten comfortable residing in.

maaan.... I wonder why I cant seem to pick up chicks with my ride?

The cast also includes Jada Pinkett-Smith who plays Cheadle's wife Janeane; Liv Tyler as hottie-shrink Angela Oakhurst and Saffron Burrows as Donna Remar: a gal with issues of the "oral" persuasion who, at different points in the film, develops a fascination with Sandler's character Charlie and Cheadle's Johnson... (Cheadle's Johnson?!?!?! watch the flick... you'll see what I mean... I hope...)

I swear to God Charlie... If you don't take a bath soon, I'm gonna throw you in the Goddamn river!

Reign Over Me is indeed a bold move in attempting to depict what is possibly a very real aftershock of 9-11. Sandler, although not the usual bone-head goof that we are accustomed to seeing on the screen, pulls off a memorable performance. Director Mike Binder manages to paint a deeper image of Adam Sandler as a grieving family man lost in the aftermath of tragedy.

Stardust

hmmm... I've been a very baaaaad girl... (what can you expect from "wicked witches"?)

The best thing about fairy tales is the magical aspect of the story. It has the ability to transport you to places where the possibilities are as endless as your imagination dictates. This is the main reason I am such a fan of Neil Gaiman. His penchant for highly imaginative stories has earned him a cult following all over the world and revived this particular kurly fan's belief in the inspiring powers of an honest-to-goodness fairy tale.

abra-cadabra!!!!

Stardust was originally an illustrated novel that Gaiman did with artist Charles Vess. Although the film is a bit of a "toned-down" version of their original novel, it nevertheless gives us a glimpse of the magical universe that Gaiman has been known for crafting. Targetting family as it's primary audience, Stardust gives us an enchanting journey of discovery for the hero Tristan (as played by newcomer Charlie Cox). The story moves forward as good-natured Tristan tries to win the good graces of the local beauty Victoria (Sienna Miller) by volunteering himself to retrieve a falling star that plummets from the heavens onto the lands bordering their native town of Wall.

Tristan: To prove that I love you... I'm going to get you your own "fallen star"!

Victoria: Did you spike the drinks or somethin? ARE YOU FRIGGIN NUTS? what the heck is in this drink anyway?

Tristan's adventure starts upon crossing the borders of Wall into the magical realm of Stormhold. Upon reaching the "star" and coming to terms that the said heavenly body is in fact a beautiful woman in the person of Yvaine (Claire Danes), Tristan realizes that doing this particular deed for love isn't going to be all that simple. He meets up with various characters, each of whom have their own vested interest in the fallen star. From murderous princes to evil witch queens, Tristan must somehow shed his awkward nature and find the "hero within" (yeah... it's cliche, but believe me... it still works!) in order to make it back to Wall and prove his deed to his so-called "true love" Victoria.

From ZERO...

...to ZERO...

...to ZERO...

...and FINALLY... a HERO...

Good call on casting Michelle Pfieffer as the witch-queen Lamia bent on gaining the secret of the fallen star, although it's Robert De Niro who ends up stealing the show with his suprisingly amusing antics. 'Ol Bobby never ceases to amaze me as he pulls a comedic "fast one" on the audience with his portrayal of Captain Shakespeare, an airship captain who helps young Tristan and Yvaine on their journey back to the town of Wall.

are you talkin' to me??? .....and who are you calling a "whoopsie"?!?!?

The movie provides a good show for the kiddies and the kids-at-heart (that would be me of course... HA!) as well as those people out there who enjoy adventure with a good helping of romantic mush on the side. One particular scene that kurled this humble auteur's ticker (and which I would particularly encourage you to look out for...) would be the one where Yvaine professes her feelings to a currently incapacitated Tristan about their whole adventure together... classic dialogue if I say do so myself... which I do... ummmm.... whatever... just see for yourself, you'll get it... I hope...

watch where you're putting those hands mister!!!!!!

All in all, Stardust a flick for the whole family, and yes... you can even bring your silly relatives (the more the merrier I would think so...).

did I tell you that Michelle Pfieffer was perfectly cast as Lamia the Witch Queen?

I did? well... she IS... I mean perfect... cast that is...

oh dagnabbit!...

aint she a beaut? =)

Now scoot! Go see it already will ya? =)

Shoot Em Up... or "boys having fun with guns..."

"Honey?... I think I'm going to be a little late... I have to take care of a couple of things first..."

Its amazing what kind of stew you can end up with when you combine just the right ingredients. For example: get a perpetually pissed-off loner whose violent tendencies go nuclear at the slightest provocation, add an unbelievably hot prostitute with a matriarchal fetish, mix in one bad ass killer trying to make it home in time for his kid's birthday and one freshly orphaned baby with an ear for heavy metal music. Add them all together and simmer for a little less than 90 minutes in a broth of guns, bullets and carrots (yup! don't forget the carrots)... and what have you got?..... Shoot Em Up.

One of this year's eagerly anticipated action flicks, Shoot Em Up doesn't try to live up to anything other than it's name. Written and directed by Michael Davis (100 girls, Monster Man), the film stars Clive Owen as the mysterious crack-shot "Mr. Smith" who reluctantly plays midwife (yes... midwife) and protector to the previously described rock and roll infant. The said infant which is mysteriously being hunted by a gang of killers led by "Hertz", a ruthless executioner played with exemplary pomp and flair by Paul Giamatti. Onscreen sex-siren Monica Bellucci plays "Donna Quintano", an emotionally scarred prostitute who gets mixed up in the mayhem when Smith asks her help in taking care of the enigmatic baby. What follows is almost an hour and a half's worth of gunfights, car chases, blood, gore, sex; all of which are summed up in two words: mindless fun.

I'm a British nanny, and I'm dangerous

The movie doesn't concentrate into the plot all that much. And I would hazard a guess that that was the whole point! Shoot Em Up is basically one big outrageous action sequence being held together by a weak story. The funny thing about that idea is... it works great that way! In this particular case, the gunfights, the car chases and most everything else in the flick are done in exaggerated proportions, most of the time resulting in over-the-top delivery. The body count alone pays homage to all the classic one-man-army flicks that popularized the invincible gun-wielding hero (Rambo, Commando, etc) of yesteryear. Even dialogue is limited to barely grounding the plot and concentrates mostly in delivering amusing one-liners particularly those exchanged by the characters of Giamatti and Owen. The inclusion of Monica Bellucci wasn't based on her acting prowess (although she did have her share of nominations, awards and accolades for her other works in the past), rather it was because of what she is... one of the hottest babes around... and I think we can all agree on that. She brings the "hotness" factor that is a must-have for any decent action flick.

"What's up Doc?"

"You wascally wabbit..."

"You are the angriest man in the world..."

"If I remember right, you used to like it like that..."

Once in a while, it's refreshing to find a film that delivers with as little pretense of what it was intended to achieve. The film promises to let you lie back and just enjoy good old fashioned action without the usual disguise of a complicated story. And at the end of a long and tiring day, what better way to help you relax than a good old fashioned...

yup, you guessed it...

Shoot Em Up.

Fables... not your usual bedtime stories kiddies...

Most of us when we were but wee lads and lassies, have either read or been told stories filled with magic and monsters, of mighty heroes and evil beasts, of handsome princes and damsels in distress, of knights in shining armour and fire-breathing dragons, of wishes that come true and the ultimate realization of every young romantic... the happily-ever-after. These were stories of "once upon a time..." and "in a land far far away..." that usually finishes off with "and the moral of the story is...".

Fairy Tales... Fables...

Who hasn't heard the story of Snow White and her diminutive companions? Or of the 3 little pigs and their encounter with the Big Bad Wolf? Do you still remember the infamous Jack and his adventures after scaling the giant Beanstalk? How about Goldilocks and the 3 Bears? Timeless tales each and every one, with the ability to entrance readers and listeners as each new generation rolls along.

Cut to the dawn of the new millenium, writer Bill Willingham introduces a new twist on everybody's favorite fairy tales. He writes the regular monthly comic book aptly titled: Fables. Aimed for more mature readers, Fables is a fresh take on those same children's classics we all know and grew up on.

for those who want to catch up on the previous issues... Fables is also available in Trade Paperback editions

Published by Vertigo (sister company of publishing giant DC Comics), Fables took classic fairy tale characters and inserted them into the "real" world. After a mysterious enemy known only as the Adversary systematically conquers the storybook Homeland, the creatures of story and folklore are forced to abandon their respective worlds and journey into ours. The fables (coined by Willingham to denote these characters of myth) establish their own secret community in New York and name it... Fabletown (what else?). With the use of magic provided by their resident witches and wizards, Fabletown manages to look like any ordinary community in New York... at least on the outside. A rural compound located at upstate New York houses The Farm where the more "imaginative" looking fables take up residence which is also protected by the same magic that guards its urban counterpart from Mundane (as the people from our world are called by the fables) eyes.

As far as characters go, Willingham took great creative liberties in re-imagining the histories of the Fabletown residents. The principal players include Snow White long since divorced from the philandering Prince Charming (who was also divorced by succeeding wives Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty), is now the deputy mayor of the community. She manages the day to day workings of Fabletown. The Big Bad Wolf who now goes by the name Bigby has reformed his ways and works for the town as it's resident security officer and sheriff. Now able to change from wolf to human form at will, Bigby Wolf makes sure that everybody in Fabletown keeps the peace. Jack Horner who is more commonly known as-each-and-every "Jack" character in the stories is still trying his luck in any get-rich-quick scheme that comes to mind. Goldilocks is all grown up and still living with the 3 Bears at Fabletown's upstate Farm, although she has developed somewhat of a political left-wing mindset. Bluebeard is one of the town's benefactors seeing that he is one of the few fables that managed to escape into our world with his wealth intact. Many more characters are introduced in the course of the series whose classic and traditional backgrounds are cleverly made-over by Willingham's humorous takes

Bigby Wolf and Snow White

Bill Willingham manages to take these characters and breathe new life into them by portraying their more human side, be it dark or innocent, or even light and amusing. He plays with the idea of how such a diverse group of storybook characters can co-exist in the same reality. How does Little Red Riding Hood feel about having to live in a place where her mortal enemy The Big Bad Wolf is the peacekeeper? Or how would you even try to begin to get Dragons and Giants go about un-noticed in such a media friendly world like ours? How about the sorry predicament most of the fable community are forced to endure? Back in their own respective lands, most of the fables were wealthy and lived in relative luxury. The onset of their relocation to this Mundane world of ours forced them to work to be able to make ends meet. Case in point, although Beauty and the Beast may be Fabletown's poster couple for married bliss, they still have to work their butts off to put food on the table. Beauty works as a clerk in a bookstore and Beast does boiler room maintenance work for the Fabletown buildings. Cinderella, now estranged from Prince Charming, ironically has her own little shoestore which she has to manage herself. The immersion of the fables in these all-too-human experiences often results in entertaining situations.

Such is the picture that Bill Willingham paints for the followers of this innovative book. And by pictures, this book ain't some hole-in-the-wall operation in terms of the visuals either. The art team has included pencillers Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, Craig Hamilton and industry veteran Mark Buckingham. The series has garnered 7 Eisner Awards from 2003 to 2006 that included "Best New Series", "Best Serialized Story" and "Best Cover Artist". Truly a title that is worth looking into, Fables will give readers a chance to revisit their childhood heroes and share new adventures set in our own backyard. Yep... these may not be the bedtime stories that we were used-to... but they make for one heck of an interesting alternative read.

Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange

time for a taste of the good 'ol ultra-violence ya droogs!

I have to admit that A Clockwork Orange is one of the few films of Stanley Kubrick that yours truly has ever had the privelage to watch. As with the films of his that I HAD watched, A Clockwork Orange proved to be one fantastic film experience.

Set in near-future Britain (or what passed for it during the early 70's), the film tells the story of teenage hooligan Alex De Large (as played by a very young Malcolm McDowell) and his less than admirable exploits in the world of, as the film would put it... "ultra-violence".

Naughty, naughty, naughty! You filthy old soomka!

"Ultra-Violence" in this case, is by no means an exaggerated term. Alex and his cohorts participate in all sorts of horrendous acts. Then again, the people from the 70's would probably be as equally horrified with what kids today are capable of... but that's another film discussion all in itself already. Garbed in their trademark derby hats and crotchguard-over-white-overalls, these hoodlums engage in most everything illegal in order to satisfy their need for the ultimate rush... hallucinogens, gang-fights, theft, rape... any horrific crime you can think of, they've either already done it or will very likely consider to do it. The plot intensifies when Alex's so called partners-in-crime (his droogs - as the film's quirky lingo so aptly states) decide that its time for a change in leadership of their merry bunch of misfits. In a freak robbery gone sour, Alex accidentaly kills the owner of a house they planned to pillage and ends up being deserted by his so-called friends to the mercy of the police. Once inside prison, Alex decides to do whatever is necessary to ensure that he gets out in the shortest amount of time... and that means participating in the experimental "rehabilitation" program sponsored by the state.

There was nothing I hated more than to see a filthy old drunkie, a-howling away at the filthy songs of his fathers and going blurp blurp in between as if it were a filthy old orchestra in his stinking rotten guts. I could never stand to see anyone like that, especially when they were old like this one was.

Although the movie outlines violence prevalent in the time period to which the story takes place, one cant help but sympathize with the predicament Alex has gotten himself into. Generally an intelligent character actor, Malcolm McDowell portrays Alex as a charming and charismatic individual. His appreciation of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (or in Alex's words: "the 9th, by Ludwig Van") might reflect one of the few things that are still innocent and good in a mind as deeply disturbed as his. The street-talk that Alex and his droogs consistently spew at each other is a bit hard to understand at first (or would the british have no problem with this? hmmmm....), but during the course of the film, the viewer gets an appreciation of it's almost lyrical and poetic qualities.

What you got back home, little sister, to play your fuzzy warbles on? I bet you got, say, pitiful, portable picnic players. Come with uncle and hear all proper! Hear angels' trumpets and devils' trombones. You are invited!

The highlight of the movie has to be when Alex is actually rehabilitated. Once the transformation from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll takes place, the ramifications of such a radical personality change will make one wonder on whether human nature should be a thing to be so-lightly toyed with.

probably one of the most chilling images in 20th century cinema...

Recommended for mature viewers, A Clockwork Orange gives us a glimpse of the horrific side of human nature and the consequences we must face when it is left unchecked. Kudos to Mr. Kubrick for giving us such a unique vision of the duality that reside in each and every one of us.

Big Trouble In Little China

What do you get when you mix-in Magic, Mayhem and a Menagerie of characters brought to life by the legendary Director John Carpenter? Well, throw-in an insane amount of humor and one fast-talking hero in the person of Jack Burton and you've got yourself a recipe for a cult classic...... John Carpenter's Big Trouble In Little China.

"Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big old storm right in the eye and says, 'Give me your best shot. I can take it' "

A fun filled roller coaster ride loaded with 80's camp makes Big Trouble In Little China a must-see for Kurt Russell fans. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise-cracking Trucker who, while trying to collect on a debt, accidentally gets involved in a supernatural battle between good and evil. This flick has it all, great action sequences, hotties galore (Kim Cattrall in her prime... rowrrrrr!), great special effects.... hey! it's the 80's! shooting lightning bolts from the fingertips was way cool back then!...

"you know what?.... this kinda tickles...."

"tickles?... I have yer 'tickles' right here old man!!!"

Filled with an array of fantastic villains, this movie will surely tickle the imagination. We've got an evil sorcerer in the person of Lo-Pan (as played beautifully by Hong Kong superstar James Hong); his minions, the Three Storms (brought to life by erstwhile kung-fu professionals Carter Wong, Peter Kwong and James Pax) and a whole slew of monsters and supernatural creatures that will keep Jack Burton and the gang on their toes in this thrill-a-minute action-adventure classic!

"I AM LO-PAN!!!!... and I need.... breath mints"

"heads up boss!!!...breath mints comin' up!!!"

So, do yourself a favor... get the popcorn ready, put the beers on ice, fluff up that favorite couch of yours and get ready for some whiz-bang entertainment.... Jack Burton style!

A Comicbook Orange: Frank Miller Time

I just had to post this... take a look at a brief history of one of the greatest innovators in the comic book industry... FRANK MILLER!!!!

Children Of Men

The name's Owen... Clive Owen...

Set against a backdrop of a world gone mad... a world of the not too distant future where society is dealing with imminent extinction due to global widespread infertility... one man must rise against his personal tragedies to ensure the safety of possibly the last remaining hope for the survival of humanity.

This sleeper of a film manages to hit just the right chords with viewers in respect to present day issues. With the world as we know it relatively spiralling out of control, Children of Men poses the important question: "how will humankind react when faced with the possibility of our extinction as a species?". Director Alfonso Cuaron takes the viewers on a journey through the looking glass, giving us a glimpse of a twisted world which may one day be.... our own.

Good lord!!! they've just blew up the last good place to buy coffee!!! we're all doomed!!!

The film highlights an excellent performance by Clive Owen. This one time frontrunner for the James Bond role shines throughout the movie as Theo, an ex-political activist inadvertently tasked with transporting Kee (played by relative newcomer Claire-Hope Ashitey) and the wondrous secret she bears. Julianne Moore and Michael Caine also churn-in wonderful acting prowess as Theo's wife and best friend respectively.

"could you spare some change? I just got fired from Wayne Manor"

"Get away from me you crazy old hippie!"

Recommended for mature viewers, Children Of Men will get one to question the moral direction our planet is hurtling towards. Fictional this story may be, but one cant help but wonder: is humanity it's own worst enemy?... or are we capable of nurturing hope for our own future?