Every indie horror flick that climbs it's way up the flagpole gets slapped with the typical hyperbolic labels: "Scariest movie ever!" "The most terrifying movie since The Exorcist!". We've all seen it and have probably grown deaf to it. But there's something different about Paranormal Activity. I only heard about it through my Punch Drunk cohort, John, but after doing some research on the film's history it's struck a chord with me. The initial screenings of the film caused people to leave the theatre, not out of disgust, but out of genuine terror. That's uncommon. The buzz ever since has been universally positive. A campaign was started, urging more showings of the film, and thanks to the word of mouth generated by me...excuse me, all of us here in the DC area we finally have it in our fair city! Ofcourse it's only one showing...at AMC Georgtown...at midnight...but that's fine with me. So if you're planning on attending you better get your tickets now and show up early. We'll be there tonight. If you happen to see us come on up and say hello!
There's something odd about the Coen Brothers' latest dark comedy. It seems to be gaining less and less buzz over the last few weeks. Maybe that has something to do with the critical backlash from their last film, Burn After Reading. Or maybe it has to do with the relatively unknown character actors who make up the bulk of the cast. Whatever it is, I'm eager to get the taste of their last film out of my mouth and back to the usual Coen standard of excellence. The brilliant trailer(don't the Coens always get the best trailers and TV spots?) perfectly captures the building anxiety of the main character, who appears to be struggling to deal with the rapidly changing world around him. It feels like we've been waiting for this movie forever, so why waste time? This'll be first thing on my to-do list Saturday morning.
I used to be a huge fan of roller derby back when it came on TV in the mid to late 80's, when I could count on seeing Mr. T-Bird himself throwin' bows and leap frogging over his opponents to victory. But even then I always more interested in the female skaters, probably because I'm into big tough chicks who can slug it out with the best of 'em. Maybe it's for that reason that I've been looking forward to Whip It, the directorial debut for Drew Barrymore. Ellen Page stars as an outcast teen who finds a sense of belonging when she discovers the world of competitive roller derby. Sounds like a spunky, girl power, coming of age tale, doesn't it? Normally that amount of estrogen would send me scampering for the hills. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age...or I just like watching hot chicks on skates. Either or.
Ricky Gervais. Jennifer Garner. Rob Lowe. Jonah Hill. Tina Fey. Christopher Guest. Jeffrey Tambor. If the amazing talent involved in Gervais's latest comic farce doesn't tickle your fancy, then how about the ingenious idea behind it all? The story takes place in a world where everyone only knows how to tell the truth all of the time. That is until Gervais's character suddenly develops the power to lie, and uses it to hilarious advantage. Did I mention that you can also count on cameos by Jason Bateman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Norton, and others? The potential is there for this to be the funniest movie of the year.
I am an unabashed lover of all of Michael Moore's films, so I've been waiting anxiously for his latest to finally hit theatres. Capitalism: A Love Story, however, seems like his least focused effort to date. Maybe it's because I think it's a film that should've come out last year amidst all of the bail outs and scandals. Moore's penchant for over the top theatrics will turn off most people, but I always maintain that he's a guy who realizes that this is entertainment first. Sure, it's informative and penetrating material, but if you don't present it in a way that catches people's attention then what's the point? Moore hasn't let me down yet, and I don't think he will here, either.
If there's time....
You can read my review of Zombieland here, but I'll just go ahead and say that if I had to pick one movie to recommend this would be it. I'm just hoping there's time to check it out again.
No...just...no...
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Awwww no, you're not getting me with that old trick, Pixar! As if you need more of my money! You've sucked copious amounts of hard earned cash from my bank account every year for well over a decade, and now you think you can trick me by repackaging two movies I've already seen? And then...and THEN...you force me to wear some dorky looking glasses to do it? No. I refuse. I denounce you and your foul greedy efforts. You might hook the rest of these sheep but you will not hornswoggle me! Hmph!
