G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the summer action flick now has its Super Bowl spot online. Opening August 7th, starring Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Said Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid.Saturday, January 31, 2009
Yo, Joe!
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, the summer action flick now has its Super Bowl spot online. Opening August 7th, starring Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Said Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid.January Comic of the Month
Incognito #1
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips put their cult hit Criminal on hold to premier a 5 issue mini series titled Incognito. It has that noir feel that Brubaker’s writing and Phillips’ pencils mesh perfectly to create another surreal world. We follow Zack Overkill, an ex-super villain who is hiding out in the witness protection program. All Zack wants is to get back to the days when he roamed free and could be the badass he wants to be.
Brubaker presents us with the ending first, slowly working his way backwards and giving us Zack’s origin story. Capturing Zack’s “file clerk” job in a paperless world is exactly how desk jobs really are. Making us have sympathy for a super villain isn’t easy and right away you have a hard time
pulling for Zack. But Brubaker does make it work with ease by presenting the world and everyone in it as complete pricks. Why should Zack care about anything when he attempts to lead a some what normal life only to be harassed and spit on by the world? Zack is frustrated with his place in society and eventually turns to drug use. While using, Zack realizes that these “fun” drugs are causing a reaction with his medication from the Feds. More importantly they cause the drugs which inhibit his powers to sto
p working. Now that Zack is free we find ourselves back at page one. With the story completed and now we can jump head first into issue two Brubaker doesn’t just leave us without a cliff hanger. That final page alone brings many possibilities of where the story can go. The only thing I didn’t really like was the story telling Brubaker used, it felt like if you read it in chronological order it would have worked just as well if not better.
Sean Phillips’ art is meshed wonderfully with the Val Staples colours, bringing a sense of realism and mood to the comic. While never using bright colours to offset the tone of the book, Phillips’ stark contrast brings a beautiful shade of grey throughout the entire book.
And a bonus is the back matter material, which many people know from Brubaker and Phillips’ Criminal. It is a quick history lesson on pulp magazines, written in an essay form accompanied by a Phillips art relating to it. We are treated to “The Shadow” by Jess Nevins.
4 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips put their cult hit Criminal on hold to premier a 5 issue mini series titled Incognito. It has that noir feel that Brubaker’s writing and Phillips’ pencils mesh perfectly to create another surreal world. We follow Zack Overkill, an ex-super villain who is hiding out in the witness protection program. All Zack wants is to get back to the days when he roamed free and could be the badass he wants to be.
Brubaker presents us with the ending first, slowly working his way backwards and giving us Zack’s origin story. Capturing Zack’s “file clerk” job in a paperless world is exactly how desk jobs really are. Making us have sympathy for a super villain isn’t easy and right away you have a hard time
pulling for Zack. But Brubaker does make it work with ease by presenting the world and everyone in it as complete pricks. Why should Zack care about anything when he attempts to lead a some what normal life only to be harassed and spit on by the world? Zack is frustrated with his place in society and eventually turns to drug use. While using, Zack realizes that these “fun” drugs are causing a reaction with his medication from the Feds. More importantly they cause the drugs which inhibit his powers to stop working. Now that Zack is free we find ourselves back at page one. With the story completed and now we can jump head first into issue two Brubaker doesn’t just leave us without a cliff hanger. That final page alone brings many possibilities of where the story can go. The only thing I didn’t really like was the story telling Brubaker used, it felt like if you read it in chronological order it would have worked just as well if not better.Sean Phillips’ art is meshed wonderfully with the Val Staples colours, bringing a sense of realism and mood to the comic. While never using bright colours to offset the tone of the book, Phillips’ stark contrast brings a beautiful shade of grey throughout the entire book.
And a bonus is the back matter material, which many people know from Brubaker and Phillips’ Criminal. It is a quick history lesson on pulp magazines, written in an essay form accompanied by a Phillips art relating to it. We are treated to “The Shadow” by Jess Nevins.
4 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Friday, January 30, 2009
Joe Hill Writes a Fantastic Comic Book
and that is, Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft
BY COLIN ENQUIST
The main enjoyment for me on any horror film or book is the atmosphere. You can scare a person with the moments of blood splatter and random killing. Or making you jump with a quick scare tactic that isn’t really making you frightened but just caught off guard. But if you are actually making a person quiver while they are reading it takes some talent. At times I feel Hill has that talent, but other times not so much as Locke & Key doesn’t quite deliver consistent atmosphere. Now that does not mean the book was a failure. The pace of the story worked well like any great story. Jumping from each characters perspective over each issue brought us more details towards the big picture and helps bring the story together.
Gabriel Rodriguez pencils are good and very descriptive of catching the characters emotions from panel to panel. Jay Fotos who provides the colours really helps sell certain pages. When Bode first walks through the magical door that “kills” him you see a colour change in his skin which was very creepy. We see Bode’s skin change become its natural colour as he “lives” again. The panel layout made the book very easy and quick to read, never getting confused on what panel comes next.
The book does tell a complete story but it leaves lots of questions for future volumes (which Hill has stated this is the prologue to a three act story with act one and two being 24 issues total and the final act will be an original graphic novel). I would recommend this book but knowing that the next mini series is just around the corner means more reading in your future.
3 out of 5 stars
BY COLIN ENQUIST
The main enjoyment for me on any horror film or book is the atmosphere. You can scare a person with the moments of blood splatter and random killing. Or making you jump with a quick scare tactic that isn’t really making you frightened but just caught off guard. But if you are actually making a person quiver while they are reading it takes some talent. At times I feel Hill has that talent, but other times not so much as Locke & Key doesn’t quite deliver consistent atmosphere. Now that does not mean the book was a failure. The pace of the story worked well like any great story. Jumping from each characters perspective over each issue brought us more details towards the big picture and helps bring the story together.
Gabriel Rodriguez pencils are good and very descriptive of catching the characters emotions from panel to panel. Jay Fotos who provides the colours really helps sell certain pages. When Bode first walks through the magical door that “kills” him you see a colour change in his skin which was very creepy. We see Bode’s skin change become its natural colour as he “lives” again. The panel layout made the book very easy and quick to read, never getting confused on what panel comes next.
The book does tell a complete story but it leaves lots of questions for future volumes (which Hill has stated this is the prologue to a three act story with act one and two being 24 issues total and the final act will be an original graphic novel). I would recommend this book but knowing that the next mini series is just around the corner means more reading in your future.
3 out of 5 stars
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
DVD Vault: The Interpreter
An assassination attempt on the foreign president of Matobo is overheard by Sylvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) who tells the Secret Service about what she heard. Tobin Keller (Sean Penn) is assigned the task of keeping the Matoban president safe during his address to the United Nations. Keller also leads the investigation into finding out the truth, in the process he interviews Sylvia and cannot decide if she is a victim or a suspect in this case. This was also the final film directed by Sydney Pollack, who convinced the Secretary General to allow filming inside the U.N. for the first time. The language “Ku” spoken in the fictional country of Matobo was also created from scratch for this film; it is a cross between Swahili and Shona.
With the film juggling politics, racism, change and aloneness it is sporadic yet intriguing. With a little misdirection the film takes you along for a few twists and turns. Stalling briefly for a few scenes between Kidman and Penn’s characters which show they have very little chemistry together after the first couple scenes. Penn seems to be forcing his acting throughout the entire film mainly due to a very limiting script. Kidman on the other hand was strong showing the fear and strength of Sylvia’s character. The end has a few illogical moments that can’t be overlooked even using certain information that proves it could be possible. Clever films use seeds of little information early on only to bring it all together near the finale. This is a film that does that but not as well as it could have. But after the lacklustre ending drags on longer than it should we are left with a question. What was the point of all the themes early in the movie? Yes it juggled a lot of themes in the end but all it really shows us how much anything can change, in the span of 20 years or 20 days. With a few holes in the plot this film could have been cut down by about thirty minutes and been a great film, but with the longer run time and unnecessary subplots we are left with an average film filled with promise.
3 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Duel of Frost/Nixon
A history lesson that is given by the way of a Hollywood feature film, Frost/Nixon (Michael Sheen/Frank Langella) describes the Watergate incident and the Nixon resignation. We are then treated with the lead up and the interview that helped define David Frost’s career. Ron Howard is the director of this adapted British play. This movie is showing David Frost’s side of the interviews and while it is successful, Frost just is not that interesting. A far cry from a bad film but you can only riveted when the talk is about Nixon or Nixon is actually on screen. Frost shows no backbone during most of the film and looks nervous and scared, but in the end he is fearless. Never backing down for a moment during the final interview until he gets Nixon right where he wants him. Sheen pulls off the acting as the believable playboy, talk show host with the guts to put his career on the line for a chance to get his interview. Sam Rockewell, Mathew McFayden and Oliver Platt play the “crack” investigative team David Frost hires to help research and bring down Nixon. Sam Rockewell’s character James Reston stands out above the rest but tones down when Sheen or Nixon is on screen.Langella, although he does not look much like Nixon his demeanour bring us a performance that embodies the former president and after a few minutes of screen time Langella becomes Nixon. Acting arrogant when needed and bringing to the surface the former presidents mannerisms and voice inflection perfectly. Nixon is intimidating and commands respect with only his presence in the room and Langella does this splendidly. Nixon is brilliant at toying with Frost during their interview which is treated like a duel. Kevin Bacon also has minor supporting role as Nixon’s aid that portrays admiration, pity and embarrassment never sure what to do when Nixon is confronted. Hans Zimmer provides us with another fantastic score; it does not overpower but just sits idly in the background adding dimension to the film. Although a few dull moments in the middle of the film don’t make this a perfect film, but since the ending is already known and the story is fairly basic it proves that Howard is still a director that knows his way around a movie set. This movie is up for a few Academy Awards and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Langella accepting best actor or the film walking away with best editing.
4 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Friday, January 23, 2009
Ted Philips reports on Dr. Manhattan
A nice teaser for all the Watchmen fans out there. This only brings raises my expectations for the film.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ong Bak 2 and the anticipation
If you have not watched Ong Bak starring Tony Jaa, well then I may just have to ask what is wrong with you!? The 2003 Thailand martial arts film gained quite a bit of praise for the high quality stunts and fight scenes. This was Tony Jaa’s breakout feature. Jaa has since starred in Tom-Yum-Goong (distributed as the Protector (US) or Warrior King (UK)). Aside from some minor roles and a few small projects before Ong Bak, Jaa doesn’t have much of a resume. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check the films out though. If you like martial arts there are great quality, not much story but the action is worth it. Using various styles of Muay Thai, the fights scenes are elegant and vicious. Although Ong Bak 2 was delayed with many production troubles it is now finished and was released in Thailand on Dec. 8th 2008. This is a brief trailer that doesn’t describe much of the story, but shows us a few action sequences. It has me pumped and anxiously awaiting the North American release.
Colin Enquist
Plot: In this prequel to Ong Bak, Tony Jaa play Tien a man who was born into nobility but had it stripped from him after his parents were brutally murdered. Tien is forced to live on the streets where he is eventually captured by a group of thieves who take him in and teach him how to steal and fight. A competition is being held to find the best knights to serve under the very man who had killed Tien's parents all those years ago. Tien passes the tests easily and is made Lord Rachasana's 2nd Knight. Now, he has his opportunity to strike but he will have to use all his skill and ingenuity if he is going to get his revenge on the man who killed his parents.
Red Band International Trailer
Return to splendor
The wrestler, touted as a comeback for Mickey Rourke, although he came back
with Sin City, didn't he? Whatever it may be, this is Mickey's finest moment.
He put in lots of time and effort into creating this character, with the putting on
weight, and training with a professional wrestler, it's not too hard to find his
portrayal as a wrestler, very believable.
The story in a nutshell is about a wrestler who is still clinging onto his faded
fame, kind of living off his past glories. He has a hard time leaving this world
behind, thriving off any cheering he gets wrestling in smaller community wrestling
shows.
Having followed wrestling for many long years, I know the subject all too well,
and have seen first hand wrestlers who continue wrestling well into their 50s,
some still for the love of the sport, others like Mickey's character Randy, still
clinging onto faded glory.
The whole movie was well written, well directed, and of course well acted
by Mickey and Marisa Tomei, who in her own way is hanging onto her glory being
an aging stripper trying to live off her fans, trying to compete with the younger women.
Randy is one of Marisa's customers, but he wants to be more, and she has a hard
time separating work from personal life. She does make an attempt to leave her
stripping life behind her, and perhaps start something with Randy, but he cannot leave
the wrestling behind him, even with his failing health.
His career has put it's toll on his life, his failing health, and relationship with his
daughter, whom he has had virtually no contact for many years, preferring his fame
over anything else.
This movie is almost a Hollywood version of the documentary Beyond the Mat,
where they followed certain wrestlers and their life in wrestling. Randy's life parallels
that of Jake the snake Roberts, who has wrestled his own demons with drugs and
alcohol, and a strained relationship with his daughter who he hasn't seen in many
years, and tries to reconcile with her, just like Randy tries with his daughter.
A very realistic movie, finally a movie about wrestling that is totally believable,
and shows how hard it is to leave fame behind.
I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Comeback Kid
'80s bad boy Mickey Rourke brings own personal lows to a familiar character in The Wrestler
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
It looks as though Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler has become more of a comeback vehicle for its star Mickey Rourke, than anything else, and deservingly so, as the former "it guy" mounts one of the most refreshing revivals in recent years.
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
It looks as though Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler has become more of a comeback vehicle for its star Mickey Rourke, than anything else, and deservingly so, as the former "it guy" mounts one of the most refreshing revivals in recent years.Rourke, 52, is cast as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a mullet-sporting professional wrestler who reached his peak back in the Eighties, though this film focuses on the man two decades after his glory days. This older Randy Robinson is battered and beaten, physically and emotionally, alone in a bitter shadow of himself. He still wrestles, but with fellow has-been's, at smaller venues, and for paycheques that has him moonlighting at a local deli and living in a run-down trailer just to make ends meet.
Robinson is victorious only when he steps into the ring, to partake in low-key, premeditated fighting matches, which results in a near-fatal heart attack. When Robinson is forced to retire from wrestling he temporarily--and half-heartedly--rekindles his relationship with his only daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood), and finds solace in a kinship with a local stripper, played by Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei. Rourke and Tomei's characters are steadily similar, as lost souls and single parents who degrade themselves to entertain others, parading around onstage, near-naked, performing worn-out routines for what seems like spare change. That is why they always seem to come back to one another, when no one else gives a damn.
Robinson is victorious only when he steps into the ring, to partake in low-key, premeditated fighting matches, which results in a near-fatal heart attack. When Robinson is forced to retire from wrestling he temporarily--and half-heartedly--rekindles his relationship with his only daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood), and finds solace in a kinship with a local stripper, played by Oscar-winning Marisa Tomei. Rourke and Tomei's characters are steadily similar, as lost souls and single parents who degrade themselves to entertain others, parading around onstage, near-naked, performing worn-out routines for what seems like spare change. That is why they always seem to come back to one another, when no one else gives a damn.
The movie culminates in a 20th anniversary rematch that a destitute Robinson can't turn down, despite the risk to his ailing heart. But before we find out whether "The Ram" triumphs over his opponent or succumbs to the one thing that truly makes him come alive, Aronofsky pulls the plug and the credits begin to roll, leaving us only to guess. Perhaps we're better off.
The role was made for Rourke to play, reminding us of his real-life struggles that had him almost obsolete amongst the Hollywood elite. Like Robinson, Rourke's heydays were in the Eighties, with memorable roles in hit movies like Diner (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), and Nine and a Half Weeks (1986). But filmmaking was put on the backburner when Rourke took up semi-pro boxing in the Nineties, using Guns 'N Roses' "Sweet Child O'Mine" as his entrance song, just as Robinson does in The Wrestler. In 2005 a delapitated Rourke returned to his prime with a lead role in the cult favourite Sin City, and then took center stage with last year's The Wrestler. Earlier this month Rourke's resurrection earned the aging actor a Golden Globe statuette for Best Actor, perhaps his most deserved honour since winning a Worst Actor Razzie Award for 1991's Wild Orchid.
Looking back at The Wrestler I couldn't help noticing its semi-autobiographical story, pulling Robinson and Rourke together so that ends could finally meet, by breaking away from the standard sports films to deliver its point. The only thing standing in the way of giving this movie a perfect rating was not knowing what happens with "The Ram" in the end, although this same reason is why I avoided giving it a '4-out-of-5' as well.
Sometimes its the not-knowing that leaves us content and settled, a feeling I left with when The Wrestler ended, with none other than Bruce Springsteen setting the tone with one of his melancholy rock ballads. Now lets just pray Rourke will build on this role, bending the bar with stories that comebacks are made of.
Sometimes its the not-knowing that leaves us content and settled, a feeling I left with when The Wrestler ended, with none other than Bruce Springsteen setting the tone with one of his melancholy rock ballads. Now lets just pray Rourke will build on this role, bending the bar with stories that comebacks are made of.
4.5/5 stars
The Wrestler And His Fight
This is a very simple and basic film. Although it is an encompassing tale of a pro wrestler who is far past his prime, it is a story about being alone. Mickey Rourke plays Randy “the Ram” Robinson, who was a giant in the wrestling business in the 80s. Only to be fighting for crowds in gymnasiums and community halls for miniscule amounts of money 20 years later. The money is so little that Randy is required to work in a supermarket to hopefully pay all his bills at the trailer park which he lives. We witness the rise and fall of Randy during the opening credits. Empty and alone is how Randy lives his life but makes an effort to change his ways after suffering a heart attack after a fight. Though Randy does not change, attempts are made. Randy tries to fill his empty life with the only people who he feels may care for him.
Marisa Tomei’s role as the stripper-mom portrays a parallel to Rourke’s character. She opens Randy’s eyes enough for him to realize that some mistakes will be given a second chance. This is the only meaningful relationship that Randy has during the whole movie and is his only chance not to be left alone. While trying to reconcile with his daughter, Rourke gives us some spirited moments and shows us the difference between being alone or with someone you love. From being a hard nosed fighter to a loving father in just a few scenes, Rourke brings us to believe that Randy could lead a normal life.
Just as Rourke and director Darren Aronofsky bring Randy the most happiness he has had in many years when not inside the ring they deconstruct it back to square one. As everything comes crashing down around him, Randy realizes his only true family is his fans. Randy’s emotional words echo before the final fight as he points to the fans “In this life you can lose everything you love, everything that loves you. A lot of people told me that I'd never wrestle again, the only one that's gonna tell me when I'm through doing my thing, is you people here."
Aronofsky shoots the film almost like a documentary and uses the most basic of backdrops. All gritty, grim and raw like the characters throughout the film. Aronofsky does do one thing very well; he doesn’t make fun of the sport of wrestling. Showing exactly how a fight is tabulated and the pain caused by it afterwards. Aronofsky also treats us with another score by long time collaborator Clint Mansell as well as a new Bruce Springsteen track while the credits roll.
5 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Marisa Tomei’s role as the stripper-mom portrays a parallel to Rourke’s character. She opens Randy’s eyes enough for him to realize that some mistakes will be given a second chance. This is the only meaningful relationship that Randy has during the whole movie and is his only chance not to be left alone. While trying to reconcile with his daughter, Rourke gives us some spirited moments and shows us the difference between being alone or with someone you love. From being a hard nosed fighter to a loving father in just a few scenes, Rourke brings us to believe that Randy could lead a normal life.
Just as Rourke and director Darren Aronofsky bring Randy the most happiness he has had in many years when not inside the ring they deconstruct it back to square one. As everything comes crashing down around him, Randy realizes his only true family is his fans. Randy’s emotional words echo before the final fight as he points to the fans “In this life you can lose everything you love, everything that loves you. A lot of people told me that I'd never wrestle again, the only one that's gonna tell me when I'm through doing my thing, is you people here."
Aronofsky shoots the film almost like a documentary and uses the most basic of backdrops. All gritty, grim and raw like the characters throughout the film. Aronofsky does do one thing very well; he doesn’t make fun of the sport of wrestling. Showing exactly how a fight is tabulated and the pain caused by it afterwards. Aronofsky also treats us with another score by long time collaborator Clint Mansell as well as a new Bruce Springsteen track while the credits roll.
5 out of 5
Colin Enquist
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Shangri La and what went wrong.
When I started this story I was going in a completely different direction but I felt it wasn’t going to work for this short story. I don’t want to give it away because I plan to use the idea in the future maybe with another short story or something else entirely. The idea of using a found diary to tell the story was one thing I planned on using for this short story and sticking to that, it restricted what type of story I could tell. My stubbornness of changing it only ruined the story completely.
One thing I did was seem to have put too much emphasis on Shangri La itself and not the character. That is what I find the big weakness about the story. I was treating the city as a character itself, but that character wasn’t holding the story up but dragging it down. I used quite a bit of diary entries describing the city itself but it wasn’t working towards any story. Once I realised this and changed directions it worked a little better. Yet it still failed, as I only have the one real character and no real conflict. Bouncing off the rails I tried to save it with another major edit and rewrite. Still I was coming out with a bad story. So I live and learn, hoping the next story will work much better.
Colin Enquist
One thing I did was seem to have put too much emphasis on Shangri La itself and not the character. That is what I find the big weakness about the story. I was treating the city as a character itself, but that character wasn’t holding the story up but dragging it down. I used quite a bit of diary entries describing the city itself but it wasn’t working towards any story. Once I realised this and changed directions it worked a little better. Yet it still failed, as I only have the one real character and no real conflict. Bouncing off the rails I tried to save it with another major edit and rewrite. Still I was coming out with a bad story. So I live and learn, hoping the next story will work much better.
Colin Enquist
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The January Short Story
Each month one of us will write a short story and post it. Here is your January short story and in a few days I will post my own critique of the story.
The excerpts of the following diary pages were found in the Kunlun Mountains. The pages were scattered across what looks like a campsite that may have been used by the diary’s writer. Some of the pages are missing and others look like they were used for kindling to start a fire.
Diary Entry #341: I found it! I found it! Shangri La is in the Kunlun Mountains. I am this much closer to living forever. There are two of the three guides who were hired to show me around the mountain range still with me. One is leaving as he thinks we will upset the gods of the lost city and be given immortal life only to be tortured.
Diary Entry #346: We have made our way into the outskirts of the city. We have come across a handful of creatures thought to be extinct. One of the guides left for fear of the unknown creatures from myths attacking us. I am not sure if he is just being paranoid.
Diary Entry #355: We are just outside the city walls now, I see people down there. My last guide isn't sure if he wants to follow me into the city. At this point I have to agree with him, but I have been waiting my whole life for this. The city seems to be dazzling with the misty rain falling. My eyes are either playing tricks on me or I actually see the end of a rainbow in the heart of the city.
Diary Entry #356: I am alone, on the way into the heart of the city; my guide took off. I am now walking through this magical city by my lonesome. All of the people I was watching from afar seem to have disappeared. I am not sure what to think of this, the city looked like it was bustling with life and looked like something out of a fairy tale. And now, with all that life vanishing from sight it almost seems like it has been deserted for centuries. The buildings look older than they first appeared, all made from what I believe is hand carved wood.
Diary Entry #357: I don’t remember what happened. I came to Shangri La, now I am locked up in a prison. Could I still be in the city, just locked in some dungeon? Nobody has come to talk to me, I am not sure if they plan to leave me here to die. Did I do something to threaten them?
Diary Entry #385: If my day count is correct, I have been locked up for 23 days. Still no word from anyone and I am sure they are leaving me here to die. No food left in my pack. I am almost out of the water I was carrying with me as well.
Diary Entry #386: Last night I was startled from my sleep. I think someone was watching me in my cell. A shadow moved away when I woke, I could also be going insane from lack of food and water that I am imagining it. I need to find away out of here, not going to survive much longer without food.
Diary Entry #387: I stayed up all night tonight; I was laying there hopefully looking like I was asleep. Waiting for the unknown person(s)? watching me while I slept. Not one person came, so either they knew I was awake or I am really going insane and my eyes were playing cruel tricks on me.
Diary Entry #388: Day 25 and I have officially run out of water. I can barely move and don’t expect to make it past the night. This could be one of my last entries and if this diary is ever found hopefully you can piece together what happened to me here.
Diary Entry #414: Shangri La in the myths always talks about immortal life, the fact that I am still alive a week with no food and water could mean I am still in the fabled city. Maybe I have immortal life while in the city? But I am still so very weak I am not sure if I had immortal life would I still be this weak?
Diary Entry #415: I woke up this morning to a gallon of water and some bread. Clearly I am not alone, but I just wonder why they waited this long to give me water and food? And why haven’t they showed themselves.
Diary Entry #416: The food and water have given me some strength back. Still weak but there was more water left again last night along with an apple. Assuming they still give me some food I could be back on my feet soon.
Diary Entry #417: Today there are clothes left for me, as well as a loaf of bread and some kind of jam. I wonder when they will show themselves to me. At this rate of them giving me bigger rations and much better rations as well as clothing they must not find me threatening.
Diary Entry #418: I am feeling much better, probably the best I have since I started the climb up the mountains. That jam was probably the best thing I have ever eaten. Not sure if that is because I haven’t had anything with flavour in the past month or it was really that good.
Diary Entry #419: My cage has been unlocked, I am free. But am I suppose to leave the city or introduce myself to them.
Diary Entry #429: I have waited in this cage for a week and they still bring me bread and water while I sleep. Tomorrow if nobody shows themselves I am leaving to venture into the city without their consent. I just hope that won’t be a mistake.
Diary Entry #430: As I leave the bars that have confined me a man approaches. He is tall and wearing a robe that a monk might wear. Long black hair tied into a pony tail almost looks funny next to his pale white skin. The nameless man brings me to a hut made with a straw roof and lots of hand carved wood furniture. It is uninhabited and says “Here is your new home and welcome to the city of Shangri La”
Diary Entry #431: My new friend leaves me to look around and I notice a letter on the small wood table. (The letter was stapled to this page)
Dear lost soul,
You have come looking for our lost city and found us. We wonder if you are here to stay or leave. We understand that you may have a family and friends that you may want to contact, but we cannot allow that. You have a pure heart and that is what kept you alive during your days locked up. It was a test that all must endure to become part of Shangri La. Only those with a pure heart can get eternal life while still in Shangri La. You may live our forever lives with us if you choose, but we cannot allow you inviting anyone into our city. To protect ourselves we will keep you here for 1 year as to create an alibi if you do choose to leave. Lost in the mountains for a year or so will make you sound crazy enough for others not to believe your story. Magical things happen in our city and we can keep the magic going outside the city if you were to ever get close again…..
The bottom of the letter had burn marks and was brittle to touch; we believe this was tossed into the fire just before we arrived.
Diary Entry #567: 6 months have passed and I have come no closer to a decision. I can stay and live life for eternity. Or I can go back and attempt to figure out a way to bring others to this place. I have made a few friends here but none that seem to enjoy living in this wonderful city for as long as they have.
Diary Entry #568: Could it be that living forever isn’t for me. Though I wanted it when I came here, I expected a little more. My days consist of hard labour preparing crops to grow or hunting the wild animals. Fetching water from the brook and cleaning my clothing downstream. That is all everyone does, nobody is different they all pull there own weight.
Diary Entry #569: I won’t have much time to write in my diary for the next month due to a hunting trip outside the walls that give us our eternal life. I know now that they leave for periods of time to bring down some great beasts in the mountain to feed us. I felt this strange feeling come over me the moment we left the city but it seems normal when all that live there leave. Could it be us aging again?
Diary Entry #570: The great beast we are stalking are gigantic, strong and travel in small herds. It is going to be tough to take one down let alone the whole herd as we are planning to do. Time is of the essence for us, I was told we are aging rapidly while out of the city. They do not know how fast you age, but I am told it varies person to person.
Diary Entry #571: Gorged by the horns of the beast, thrown over the cliffs or trampled by there giant legs are one of the fates waiting for us if the plan does not work. Picture a bull three times the normal size, with long straight hair walking on two legs. Massive arms like a gorilla could tear us limb from limb. How in the hell do they think they can take down a pack of seven of these creatures. Seven of these large beasts against fifteen of us with bows, arrows and spears as weapons. Here is me wishing I brought some new technology to these people.
Diary Entry #572: Tactics are key I am told, we have laid low long enough. Like the hunters of the Buffalo in the 19th century all the shots from the arrows must pierce the lungs as you would not have enough force to break the skull most of the time. Covered in mud, leaves and branches should get us close enough to spring our trap. I am told to stay back as it is my first hunt and only if needed will I attack.
Diary Entry #573: It was magnificent, pure poetry watching how the beasts were taken down. A half circle perimeter around the herd and we waited almost until the sun was almost down before we attacked. Split off into five groups, I watched as the arrows sprung forward. Knocking one of the beasts down fast as all three arrows fired pierced his lung. As the beasts scrambled in there confusion two more were taken down with well placed shots. Another two beasts rushed one of the groups and was put down with spears but they took one of our own. A total of six of the beasts fell with the final beast running away.
Diary Entry #580: Maybe less is more. Everything I can do in this city can be done out in the normal world. Could I lead a normal life? I could make a nice living myself, farming and making wine with the knowledge I have learned the past year. Tilling the fields all day and relaxing with friends in the evenings. The more I see of the life I will live here the more I want to get….
The rest of the entry above was cut off due to being burned in the fire.
Diary Entry #601: Time to make the big decision, I need to let them know by the end of the week. I am the last person to stumble upon Shangri La in 500 years. That means I have met everyone living here, and I may not see another new face again for 500 or so years. Also they do not know how much society and the rest of the world have changed. I may be able to escape and bring others back to this land. I miss certain aspects of life, small things really. Reading a novel in the park, sleeping in on weekends and flirting with a cute girl you just met. I can’t do anything like that while I live in this city.
Diary Entry #602: My plan is to leave this city. I have informed the council that watches over Shangri La. Once they leave me outside their walls I plan to never come back myself, but I do plan on showing others where it is. Hopefully my body lasts a few years outside of this city. If I do age faster then I may not have long left. But it is a trade worth taking. I am trading eternal life in the wonderful city that never changes for a small life in world that is always changing. It is freedom compared to Shangri La,
Diary Entry #603: On my out of Shangri La, leaving the city is easy. Finding my way back to civilization won’t be that easy. It will be a long hike down the mountains with only a little fruit and some water. I will set up a camp and my escorts will abandon me from that point on. I believe they may try to take my diary from me, or at least remove the pages about Shangri La. Here is hoping I get “home” again.
Colin Enquist
Shangri La
The excerpts of the following diary pages were found in the Kunlun Mountains. The pages were scattered across what looks like a campsite that may have been used by the diary’s writer. Some of the pages are missing and others look like they were used for kindling to start a fire.
Diary Entry #341: I found it! I found it! Shangri La is in the Kunlun Mountains. I am this much closer to living forever. There are two of the three guides who were hired to show me around the mountain range still with me. One is leaving as he thinks we will upset the gods of the lost city and be given immortal life only to be tortured.
Diary Entry #346: We have made our way into the outskirts of the city. We have come across a handful of creatures thought to be extinct. One of the guides left for fear of the unknown creatures from myths attacking us. I am not sure if he is just being paranoid.
Diary Entry #355: We are just outside the city walls now, I see people down there. My last guide isn't sure if he wants to follow me into the city. At this point I have to agree with him, but I have been waiting my whole life for this. The city seems to be dazzling with the misty rain falling. My eyes are either playing tricks on me or I actually see the end of a rainbow in the heart of the city.
Diary Entry #356: I am alone, on the way into the heart of the city; my guide took off. I am now walking through this magical city by my lonesome. All of the people I was watching from afar seem to have disappeared. I am not sure what to think of this, the city looked like it was bustling with life and looked like something out of a fairy tale. And now, with all that life vanishing from sight it almost seems like it has been deserted for centuries. The buildings look older than they first appeared, all made from what I believe is hand carved wood.
Diary Entry #357: I don’t remember what happened. I came to Shangri La, now I am locked up in a prison. Could I still be in the city, just locked in some dungeon? Nobody has come to talk to me, I am not sure if they plan to leave me here to die. Did I do something to threaten them?
Diary Entry #385: If my day count is correct, I have been locked up for 23 days. Still no word from anyone and I am sure they are leaving me here to die. No food left in my pack. I am almost out of the water I was carrying with me as well.
Diary Entry #386: Last night I was startled from my sleep. I think someone was watching me in my cell. A shadow moved away when I woke, I could also be going insane from lack of food and water that I am imagining it. I need to find away out of here, not going to survive much longer without food.
Diary Entry #387: I stayed up all night tonight; I was laying there hopefully looking like I was asleep. Waiting for the unknown person(s)? watching me while I slept. Not one person came, so either they knew I was awake or I am really going insane and my eyes were playing cruel tricks on me.
Diary Entry #388: Day 25 and I have officially run out of water. I can barely move and don’t expect to make it past the night. This could be one of my last entries and if this diary is ever found hopefully you can piece together what happened to me here.
Diary Entry #414: Shangri La in the myths always talks about immortal life, the fact that I am still alive a week with no food and water could mean I am still in the fabled city. Maybe I have immortal life while in the city? But I am still so very weak I am not sure if I had immortal life would I still be this weak?
Diary Entry #415: I woke up this morning to a gallon of water and some bread. Clearly I am not alone, but I just wonder why they waited this long to give me water and food? And why haven’t they showed themselves.
Diary Entry #416: The food and water have given me some strength back. Still weak but there was more water left again last night along with an apple. Assuming they still give me some food I could be back on my feet soon.
Diary Entry #417: Today there are clothes left for me, as well as a loaf of bread and some kind of jam. I wonder when they will show themselves to me. At this rate of them giving me bigger rations and much better rations as well as clothing they must not find me threatening.
Diary Entry #418: I am feeling much better, probably the best I have since I started the climb up the mountains. That jam was probably the best thing I have ever eaten. Not sure if that is because I haven’t had anything with flavour in the past month or it was really that good.
Diary Entry #419: My cage has been unlocked, I am free. But am I suppose to leave the city or introduce myself to them.
Diary Entry #429: I have waited in this cage for a week and they still bring me bread and water while I sleep. Tomorrow if nobody shows themselves I am leaving to venture into the city without their consent. I just hope that won’t be a mistake.
Diary Entry #430: As I leave the bars that have confined me a man approaches. He is tall and wearing a robe that a monk might wear. Long black hair tied into a pony tail almost looks funny next to his pale white skin. The nameless man brings me to a hut made with a straw roof and lots of hand carved wood furniture. It is uninhabited and says “Here is your new home and welcome to the city of Shangri La”
Diary Entry #431: My new friend leaves me to look around and I notice a letter on the small wood table. (The letter was stapled to this page)
Dear lost soul,
You have come looking for our lost city and found us. We wonder if you are here to stay or leave. We understand that you may have a family and friends that you may want to contact, but we cannot allow that. You have a pure heart and that is what kept you alive during your days locked up. It was a test that all must endure to become part of Shangri La. Only those with a pure heart can get eternal life while still in Shangri La. You may live our forever lives with us if you choose, but we cannot allow you inviting anyone into our city. To protect ourselves we will keep you here for 1 year as to create an alibi if you do choose to leave. Lost in the mountains for a year or so will make you sound crazy enough for others not to believe your story. Magical things happen in our city and we can keep the magic going outside the city if you were to ever get close again…..
The bottom of the letter had burn marks and was brittle to touch; we believe this was tossed into the fire just before we arrived.
Diary Entry #567: 6 months have passed and I have come no closer to a decision. I can stay and live life for eternity. Or I can go back and attempt to figure out a way to bring others to this place. I have made a few friends here but none that seem to enjoy living in this wonderful city for as long as they have.
Diary Entry #568: Could it be that living forever isn’t for me. Though I wanted it when I came here, I expected a little more. My days consist of hard labour preparing crops to grow or hunting the wild animals. Fetching water from the brook and cleaning my clothing downstream. That is all everyone does, nobody is different they all pull there own weight.
Diary Entry #569: I won’t have much time to write in my diary for the next month due to a hunting trip outside the walls that give us our eternal life. I know now that they leave for periods of time to bring down some great beasts in the mountain to feed us. I felt this strange feeling come over me the moment we left the city but it seems normal when all that live there leave. Could it be us aging again?
Diary Entry #570: The great beast we are stalking are gigantic, strong and travel in small herds. It is going to be tough to take one down let alone the whole herd as we are planning to do. Time is of the essence for us, I was told we are aging rapidly while out of the city. They do not know how fast you age, but I am told it varies person to person.
Diary Entry #571: Gorged by the horns of the beast, thrown over the cliffs or trampled by there giant legs are one of the fates waiting for us if the plan does not work. Picture a bull three times the normal size, with long straight hair walking on two legs. Massive arms like a gorilla could tear us limb from limb. How in the hell do they think they can take down a pack of seven of these creatures. Seven of these large beasts against fifteen of us with bows, arrows and spears as weapons. Here is me wishing I brought some new technology to these people.
Diary Entry #572: Tactics are key I am told, we have laid low long enough. Like the hunters of the Buffalo in the 19th century all the shots from the arrows must pierce the lungs as you would not have enough force to break the skull most of the time. Covered in mud, leaves and branches should get us close enough to spring our trap. I am told to stay back as it is my first hunt and only if needed will I attack.
Diary Entry #573: It was magnificent, pure poetry watching how the beasts were taken down. A half circle perimeter around the herd and we waited almost until the sun was almost down before we attacked. Split off into five groups, I watched as the arrows sprung forward. Knocking one of the beasts down fast as all three arrows fired pierced his lung. As the beasts scrambled in there confusion two more were taken down with well placed shots. Another two beasts rushed one of the groups and was put down with spears but they took one of our own. A total of six of the beasts fell with the final beast running away.
Diary Entry #580: Maybe less is more. Everything I can do in this city can be done out in the normal world. Could I lead a normal life? I could make a nice living myself, farming and making wine with the knowledge I have learned the past year. Tilling the fields all day and relaxing with friends in the evenings. The more I see of the life I will live here the more I want to get….
The rest of the entry above was cut off due to being burned in the fire.
Diary Entry #601: Time to make the big decision, I need to let them know by the end of the week. I am the last person to stumble upon Shangri La in 500 years. That means I have met everyone living here, and I may not see another new face again for 500 or so years. Also they do not know how much society and the rest of the world have changed. I may be able to escape and bring others back to this land. I miss certain aspects of life, small things really. Reading a novel in the park, sleeping in on weekends and flirting with a cute girl you just met. I can’t do anything like that while I live in this city.
Diary Entry #602: My plan is to leave this city. I have informed the council that watches over Shangri La. Once they leave me outside their walls I plan to never come back myself, but I do plan on showing others where it is. Hopefully my body lasts a few years outside of this city. If I do age faster then I may not have long left. But it is a trade worth taking. I am trading eternal life in the wonderful city that never changes for a small life in world that is always changing. It is freedom compared to Shangri La,
Diary Entry #603: On my out of Shangri La, leaving the city is easy. Finding my way back to civilization won’t be that easy. It will be a long hike down the mountains with only a little fruit and some water. I will set up a camp and my escorts will abandon me from that point on. I believe they may try to take my diary from me, or at least remove the pages about Shangri La. Here is hoping I get “home” again.
Colin Enquist
Friday, January 2, 2009
Upcoming movies that could knock our socks off in the first half of 2009
While a few of these movies won’t be big box office hits. These are the movies I am most looking forward to watching coming up this New Year. It looks like May will be the busiest month with a movie every week. Guess I should go get my popcorn ready! I would also like to thank Trailer Addicts for making the movie trailers easy to place for your viewing pleasure. Check back shortly after the movies come out as there more than likely will be a review for it.
The Unborn – Jan 2 – David S. Goyer hasn’t succeeded as a director as he has a screenwriter, but the trailer looks good enough that I will check it out.
The Plot: Haunted by strange dreams and recurring ghostly visions, Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) turns to a spiritual advisor (Gary Oldman) for help. Together, they learn that Casey had a twin brother who never made it to term, and that her intended sibling is tied to a curse that requires Casey's death in order to manifest itself in our world.
Notorious - Jan 16 – A bio pic of the West Coast rapper looks good from the strong cast and with newcomer Jamal Woolard playing a young Notorious B.I.G. looking to make a name for himself. Derek Luke plays Sean “Puffy” Combs who I was surprised didn’t play the role himself.
The Plot: A chronicle of Christopher Wallace's (Woolard) rise from the streets of Brooklyn to become Notorious B.I.G., one of biggest and best rappers of the 1990s, under the tutelage of mentor/producer Sean Combs (Luke)
Watchmen – Mar 6 – Another comic book based film that looks like it could be really good given the director loves the material and didn’t want to do a disservice to it. But with a lawsuit between WB and Fox on who owns the rights the movie has a possibility of the release being pushed back.
The Plot: Set in an alternate vision of the year 1985, the murder of an ex-superhero causes a vigilante named Rorshach (Haley) to look into the matter, an investigation that reunites him with his surviving old colleagues -- all of them former superheroes themselves -- and gradually unveils a conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – May 1 – With Hugh Jackman returning as the character who made him a household name and his arch nemesis Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) returning in this prequel we could be looking at another great X-related film. Although the first trailer didn’t make it look fantastic, it definitely looked better than X3.
The Plot: An origins story that follows the early life of James Howlett (Jackman), also known as Logan, and best known as Wolverine. The chronicle of his younger years as a mutant connects to his relationship and eventual falling out with Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Schreiber), and his fateful entry into the Weapons X project, the governmental program that turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons.
Star Trek – May 8 – I have never been a huge Star Trek fan but after hearing JJ Abrams was going to be taking the helm I was intrigued. And after seeing the first trailer I will be going to see this one in the theatres.
The Plot: The origin story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before.
Angels and Demons – May 15 – May will be a busy month already without the sequel to The Da Vinci Code being released. I enjoyed Angels and Demons the book over The Da Vinci Code so I have high hopes for this movie.
The Plot: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) finds himself in Rome, where he has to race against time to prevent the Illuminati, a secret society, from putting in motion a terrorist act that could destroy the Vatican. He's aided in his quest by the beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria Vetri (Ayelet Zurer).
Terminator Salvation – May 22 – Christian Bale looks like he is more than ready to step into John Conner’s shoes, with McG at the helm and a solid supporting cast of Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin and others. Another movie franchise I was never fond of looks like it could draw me in for a look see.
The Plot: John Connor (Bale) is joined in his attempt to defeat Skynet and its army of Terminators by Marcus Wright (Worthington), a man who apparently has been rescued from the past, though Connor wonders if instead he's been sent from the future as a foil to his plan. As Connor and Wright push deep into the heart of Skynet, they get closer and closer to learning the secret behind the organization's mission to wipe humankind off the planet.
Up – May 29 – Another Pixar movie taking to the skies, this one literally. Until Pixar makes a bad film I don’t think you can go wrong walking into the theatre to see this movie.
The Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Public Enemies – Jul 1 – Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in this Micheal Mann film base of the real life gangsters of the 1930s. Also has a fantastic supporting cast.
The Plot: The incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp)the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoovers fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Jul 3 – Not much is known about the plot yet and no trailer or poster has even been released at this point. But with everyone from the original reprising there roles I don’t think you can not go see this unless the trailer looks god awful.
The Plot: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – Jul 17 – I have liked each movie more and more in this franchise so my hopes are rather high for this movie. After being pushed back from a summer 08 release it will finally see the light of day.
The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same.
Colin Enquist
The Unborn – Jan 2 – David S. Goyer hasn’t succeeded as a director as he has a screenwriter, but the trailer looks good enough that I will check it out.
The Plot: Haunted by strange dreams and recurring ghostly visions, Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) turns to a spiritual advisor (Gary Oldman) for help. Together, they learn that Casey had a twin brother who never made it to term, and that her intended sibling is tied to a curse that requires Casey's death in order to manifest itself in our world.
Notorious - Jan 16 – A bio pic of the West Coast rapper looks good from the strong cast and with newcomer Jamal Woolard playing a young Notorious B.I.G. looking to make a name for himself. Derek Luke plays Sean “Puffy” Combs who I was surprised didn’t play the role himself.
The Plot: A chronicle of Christopher Wallace's (Woolard) rise from the streets of Brooklyn to become Notorious B.I.G., one of biggest and best rappers of the 1990s, under the tutelage of mentor/producer Sean Combs (Luke)
Watchmen – Mar 6 – Another comic book based film that looks like it could be really good given the director loves the material and didn’t want to do a disservice to it. But with a lawsuit between WB and Fox on who owns the rights the movie has a possibility of the release being pushed back.
The Plot: Set in an alternate vision of the year 1985, the murder of an ex-superhero causes a vigilante named Rorshach (Haley) to look into the matter, an investigation that reunites him with his surviving old colleagues -- all of them former superheroes themselves -- and gradually unveils a conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – May 1 – With Hugh Jackman returning as the character who made him a household name and his arch nemesis Sabertooth (Liev Schreiber) returning in this prequel we could be looking at another great X-related film. Although the first trailer didn’t make it look fantastic, it definitely looked better than X3.
The Plot: An origins story that follows the early life of James Howlett (Jackman), also known as Logan, and best known as Wolverine. The chronicle of his younger years as a mutant connects to his relationship and eventual falling out with Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Schreiber), and his fateful entry into the Weapons X project, the governmental program that turns willing and unwilling beings into living weapons.
Star Trek – May 8 – I have never been a huge Star Trek fan but after hearing JJ Abrams was going to be taking the helm I was intrigued. And after seeing the first trailer I will be going to see this one in the theatres.
The Plot: The origin story of Captain James T. Kirk, Spock and the crew of the USS Enterprise before they had boldly gone where no man had gone before.
Angels and Demons – May 15 – May will be a busy month already without the sequel to The Da Vinci Code being released. I enjoyed Angels and Demons the book over The Da Vinci Code so I have high hopes for this movie.
The Plot: Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) finds himself in Rome, where he has to race against time to prevent the Illuminati, a secret society, from putting in motion a terrorist act that could destroy the Vatican. He's aided in his quest by the beautiful Italian scientist Vittoria Vetri (Ayelet Zurer).
Terminator Salvation – May 22 – Christian Bale looks like he is more than ready to step into John Conner’s shoes, with McG at the helm and a solid supporting cast of Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin and others. Another movie franchise I was never fond of looks like it could draw me in for a look see.
The Plot: John Connor (Bale) is joined in his attempt to defeat Skynet and its army of Terminators by Marcus Wright (Worthington), a man who apparently has been rescued from the past, though Connor wonders if instead he's been sent from the future as a foil to his plan. As Connor and Wright push deep into the heart of Skynet, they get closer and closer to learning the secret behind the organization's mission to wipe humankind off the planet.
Up – May 29 – Another Pixar movie taking to the skies, this one literally. Until Pixar makes a bad film I don’t think you can go wrong walking into the theatre to see this movie.
The Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. Right after lifting off, however, he learns he isn't alone on his journey, since Russell, a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior, has inadvertently become a stowaway on the trip.
Public Enemies – Jul 1 – Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in this Micheal Mann film base of the real life gangsters of the 1930s. Also has a fantastic supporting cast.
The Plot: The incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp)the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoovers fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen – Jul 3 – Not much is known about the plot yet and no trailer or poster has even been released at this point. But with everyone from the original reprising there roles I don’t think you can not go see this unless the trailer looks god awful.
The Plot: Decepticon forces return to Earth on a mission to take Sam Witwicky prisoner, after the young hero learns the truth about the ancient origins of the Transformers. Joining the mission to protect humankind is Optimus Prime, who forms an alliance with international armies for a second epic battle.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – Jul 17 – I have liked each movie more and more in this franchise so my hopes are rather high for this movie. After being pushed back from a summer 08 release it will finally see the light of day.
The Plot: In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter discovers even more about the evil Lord Voldemort's past, thanks to his mentor Dumbledore and mysterious textbook marked "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince." By the end of the year, nothing will ever be the same.
Colin Enquist
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Keeping in "The Spirit" of Things
Miller's take on the graphic novel breaks the mould
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
It seems that we've become immune to movies that venture off the beaten path, films that don't fit squarely into an applicable genre. They must follow a cookie-cutter script and directorial manifesto in order to even be considered a "must see," such as with most of the "Americanized" movies that we watch year-round. This rings true with one film currently in theatres, The Spirit, which dares to reconfigure the norm, with offbeat humour, unorthodox cinematography, and subtly alluring characters that don't need to win Oscars in order to captivate us into hoping for a sequel.
Set in what seems an ambiguous time period (characters play with Blackberry-type gadgets, yet drive around in old-school cars and use vocabulary that was probably common in the '30s or '40s), in a New York-styled metropolis known as Central City, Frank Miller's The Spirit is shot in the same vein as another recent comic book adaptation, Sin City, though this one uses a lighter tone to convey its plot. Not surprisingly, Sin City was Miller's directorial debut, in a joint endeavour with Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.
Little-known Gabriel Macht does come off generic at times as a former by-the-book cop who mysteriously parishes only to resurrect as the film's heroic namesake, but graces us with an unusual charisma at others, and co-star Samuel L. Jackson lends his one-of-a-kind screen presence as The Spirit's nemesis The Octopus. And let's not forget about the ladies that keep The Spirit on its toes. Latino vixen Eva Mendes dominates every scene she's in, and Scarlett Johansson braves the cold with a stiff, yet enjoyable, role as Jackson's evil sidekick. Even Stana Katic, who plays an underestimated rookie cop, brings subtle charm to her short time onscreen, as do the countless simple-minded clones portrayed by TV vet Louis Lombardi.
I'm sure that Miller--who also adapted the screenplay--never set out to capture awards or garner excessive critical praise when he agreed to bring The Spirit to the big screen, but rather to maintain a trend of off-colour comic book-based features that offer an alternative to the Spider-Man's and Batman's of the Hollywood machine (both of which are superb franchises). And in the case of The Spirit, I'm glad he is.
4/5 stars
BY EMIL TIEDEMANN
It seems that we've become immune to movies that venture off the beaten path, films that don't fit squarely into an applicable genre. They must follow a cookie-cutter script and directorial manifesto in order to even be considered a "must see," such as with most of the "Americanized" movies that we watch year-round. This rings true with one film currently in theatres, The Spirit, which dares to reconfigure the norm, with offbeat humour, unorthodox cinematography, and subtly alluring characters that don't need to win Oscars in order to captivate us into hoping for a sequel.
Set in what seems an ambiguous time period (characters play with Blackberry-type gadgets, yet drive around in old-school cars and use vocabulary that was probably common in the '30s or '40s), in a New York-styled metropolis known as Central City, Frank Miller's The Spirit is shot in the same vein as another recent comic book adaptation, Sin City, though this one uses a lighter tone to convey its plot. Not surprisingly, Sin City was Miller's directorial debut, in a joint endeavour with Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.
Little-known Gabriel Macht does come off generic at times as a former by-the-book cop who mysteriously parishes only to resurrect as the film's heroic namesake, but graces us with an unusual charisma at others, and co-star Samuel L. Jackson lends his one-of-a-kind screen presence as The Spirit's nemesis The Octopus. And let's not forget about the ladies that keep The Spirit on its toes. Latino vixen Eva Mendes dominates every scene she's in, and Scarlett Johansson braves the cold with a stiff, yet enjoyable, role as Jackson's evil sidekick. Even Stana Katic, who plays an underestimated rookie cop, brings subtle charm to her short time onscreen, as do the countless simple-minded clones portrayed by TV vet Louis Lombardi.
I'm sure that Miller--who also adapted the screenplay--never set out to capture awards or garner excessive critical praise when he agreed to bring The Spirit to the big screen, but rather to maintain a trend of off-colour comic book-based features that offer an alternative to the Spider-Man's and Batman's of the Hollywood machine (both of which are superb franchises). And in the case of The Spirit, I'm glad he is.
4/5 stars
The Spirit
Since I only know of the Spirit of what I have seen just by passing it in the comic book store,
I know of the character, but have never read any of the books. Thus, going into seeing the
movie, I really didn't have anything to compare it to. I found the movie quite entertaining,
quite funny during many moments. The dialogue was a bit off I would say, but all in all
it was well done. Almost looked like a sequel to Sin City because of the way it was shot
with all the colors they had used. It was over the top at times, but saved by many of the
sexy ladies in the movie, especially Eva Mendes. She may have saved the film, except
maybe for the clone characters that kept dying but had many more to replace them.
I give this film 3 out of 5 stars.
Emotionless Spirit
When I heard Frank Miller was going to write and direct The Spirit, I wasn’t sure what to think. The story of a cop that died yet mysteriously resurrected as the Spirit (Macht) trying to protect Central City from the villainous Octopus (Jackson). The first trailer made me curious about it but the next one lost me. Still with the style of 300 and Sin City, how could I not go check the film out?
The Spirit was shot just like Frank Miller’s collaboration effort Sin City. And the cinematography was absolutely gorgeous. From the opening scene of the Spirit running through the city, with his white shoes and red tie you could tell this movie was going to be a beauty to watch. The design of the city and costumes fit well in the film. I really didn’t know what to think after the opening sequence was finished though. Is the movie making fun of itself? The film looked like it was being shot so dark and serious, but how can you take it so serious with the dialogue being delivered? Snappy one liners and over the top acting takes you out of the film. Some of the one liners are quite funny and work but for everyone line that works two more fail. As the plot moved forward or in this case 6 directions at once you weren’t sure what you were watching. I couldn’t tell if it was going to be a love story, action film, crime drama or a mix of all three. And the lack of emotion makes you care nothing about what happens to the characters. In a few scenes where there is an awkward meeting there should be a lack of emotion, but later in the film you want that emotion on screen between the characters and it just isn’t there. The pacing of the movie was off as well. When you get a little pace going it was thrown off due to long dialogue between characters of flashback scenes.
The casting is one of the few things done well. The femme fatale that Eva Mendes played steals the show away from Samuel L. Jackson and Gabriel Macht, not that they failed in there parts. While Jackson and Johansson seemed to have good chemistry together, it wasn’t there for Macht and Mendes or Macht and Jackson. Louis Lombardi also played a cameo as the many clones of the Octopus quite well albeit his shtick was overused right until the credits rolled. The movie wasn’t a complete failure but after it finished I still didn’t understand the reason for a good chunk of the scenes I had just watched. Maybe a directors cut will come out on DVD that could make more sense of the jumbled plot, but until that time I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone unless you like watching crisp visuals and over the top acting.
2 out of 5 stars
Colin Enquist
The Spirit was shot just like Frank Miller’s collaboration effort Sin City. And the cinematography was absolutely gorgeous. From the opening scene of the Spirit running through the city, with his white shoes and red tie you could tell this movie was going to be a beauty to watch. The design of the city and costumes fit well in the film. I really didn’t know what to think after the opening sequence was finished though. Is the movie making fun of itself? The film looked like it was being shot so dark and serious, but how can you take it so serious with the dialogue being delivered? Snappy one liners and over the top acting takes you out of the film. Some of the one liners are quite funny and work but for everyone line that works two more fail. As the plot moved forward or in this case 6 directions at once you weren’t sure what you were watching. I couldn’t tell if it was going to be a love story, action film, crime drama or a mix of all three. And the lack of emotion makes you care nothing about what happens to the characters. In a few scenes where there is an awkward meeting there should be a lack of emotion, but later in the film you want that emotion on screen between the characters and it just isn’t there. The pacing of the movie was off as well. When you get a little pace going it was thrown off due to long dialogue between characters of flashback scenes.
The casting is one of the few things done well. The femme fatale that Eva Mendes played steals the show away from Samuel L. Jackson and Gabriel Macht, not that they failed in there parts. While Jackson and Johansson seemed to have good chemistry together, it wasn’t there for Macht and Mendes or Macht and Jackson. Louis Lombardi also played a cameo as the many clones of the Octopus quite well albeit his shtick was overused right until the credits rolled. The movie wasn’t a complete failure but after it finished I still didn’t understand the reason for a good chunk of the scenes I had just watched. Maybe a directors cut will come out on DVD that could make more sense of the jumbled plot, but until that time I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone unless you like watching crisp visuals and over the top acting.
2 out of 5 stars
Colin Enquist