Speed Racer
One of my favorite childhood cartoons, the movie version was almost made several times, but has remained in limbo for years. It has great raw elements- technology, racing, exotic locations, mystery and comic relief. The potential for stories is wide open.
Flashforard
Excellent intriguing, thought provoking book by Robert Sawyer. I can't believe why stories like this get overlooked while Hollywood churns out more TV show remakes and sequels to crappy originals.
Lost Horizon
This classic Frank Capra film is begging for a remake. The original copy of the film was lost, so even that can't stand on its own. Someone tell Spielberg about this. He could do such a good job with it.
Iron Man
If you thought Batman, Superman and Spiderman were cool... Iron Man is all about cool.
The Amiga Story
The Amiga got the shaft when it comes to any documented history of computers. Everyone assumes there were just Macs and PCs. It's such a shame since the Amiga actually has a really interesting story and influenced the lives of so many people including artists, musicians, scientists and people from all walks of life. I think something like Stacy Peralta's Riding Giants would be appropriate.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Movies I'm looking forward to
Aeon Flux (Dec 2)
This was originally a series of short animations on MTV's Liquid TV show over a decade ago. There really wasn't much of a plot, and no dialog (just music and f/x audio). Now it's a full length movie. I'm a little worried, but willing to give it a try.
The World's Fastest Indian (Dec 9)
Just saw the trailer for this on QuickTime. Anthony Hopkins plays a New Zealander who comes to America to break the speed record. Looks cool, quirky and fun.
Chronicles of Narnia (Dec 9)
Everyone's favorite story about the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They better not mess this up!
King Kong (Dec 14)
Peter Jackson does his "dream movie" he's been dying to do ever since he was a kid. What was LOTR?? A warm-up? Return of the King is a hard act to follow, but from the trailers and the bounty of behind-the-scenes footage, this looks pretty damn good.
Munich (Dec 23)
Steven Speilberg switches gears from War of the Worlds to serious mode. This is the story of the 1972 killing of the Israeli Olympic team and the revenge assasinations that followed.
Memoirs of a Geisha (Dec 23)
A best-seller book turned into a movie. Always a good formula.
See description of Memoirs of a Geisha.
X3: X-Men 3 (May 26)
See Mission: Impossible 3.
Superman Returns (Jun 30 2006)
Although it's protrayed as a new story for the blue guy, this is really a tribute to the Superman character, comic, original 1978 movie and especially to Christopher Reeve. Like a multi-million dollar fan film. Bryan Singer was a big enough fan to jump out of X-Men 3 to do this, so he's sure to do a good job. I have good hopes for this one.
Lady in the Water (Jul 21)
M. Night Shyamalan's latest flick about an apartment building superintendent who finds a fairy tale character in the apartment's pool. Stars Paul Giamatti.
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky made his name with the indie movie Pi (which I still can't figure out, perhaps because I fell asleep), and later for Requiem for a Dream (which I hear is really good but depressing). The story spans 1000 years and involves time travel. That's peaked my interest.
Ghost Rider (2006)
A new comic-turned-movie about a stunt bike racer who gives up his soul to become a cool looking vigilante. Starring Nicholas Cage.
This was originally a series of short animations on MTV's Liquid TV show over a decade ago. There really wasn't much of a plot, and no dialog (just music and f/x audio). Now it's a full length movie. I'm a little worried, but willing to give it a try.
The World's Fastest Indian (Dec 9)
Just saw the trailer for this on QuickTime. Anthony Hopkins plays a New Zealander who comes to America to break the speed record. Looks cool, quirky and fun.
Chronicles of Narnia (Dec 9)
Everyone's favorite story about the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They better not mess this up!
King Kong (Dec 14)
Peter Jackson does his "dream movie" he's been dying to do ever since he was a kid. What was LOTR?? A warm-up? Return of the King is a hard act to follow, but from the trailers and the bounty of behind-the-scenes footage, this looks pretty damn good.
Munich (Dec 23)
Steven Speilberg switches gears from War of the Worlds to serious mode. This is the story of the 1972 killing of the Israeli Olympic team and the revenge assasinations that followed.
Memoirs of a Geisha (Dec 23)
A best-seller book turned into a movie. Always a good formula.
Mission: Impossible 3 (May 5)
One had it's moments but was a snoozer. Two was awesome. I hope three keeps up the trend.
See description of Memoirs of a Geisha.
X3: X-Men 3 (May 26)
See Mission: Impossible 3.
Superman Returns (Jun 30 2006)
Although it's protrayed as a new story for the blue guy, this is really a tribute to the Superman character, comic, original 1978 movie and especially to Christopher Reeve. Like a multi-million dollar fan film. Bryan Singer was a big enough fan to jump out of X-Men 3 to do this, so he's sure to do a good job. I have good hopes for this one.
Lady in the Water (Jul 21)
M. Night Shyamalan's latest flick about an apartment building superintendent who finds a fairy tale character in the apartment's pool. Stars Paul Giamatti.
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky made his name with the indie movie Pi (which I still can't figure out, perhaps because I fell asleep), and later for Requiem for a Dream (which I hear is really good but depressing). The story spans 1000 years and involves time travel. That's peaked my interest.
Ghost Rider (2006)
A new comic-turned-movie about a stunt bike racer who gives up his soul to become a cool looking vigilante. Starring Nicholas Cage.
Apres Vous
This is a charming, cute story set in France. Hope you don't mind subtitles.
It's one of those romantic comedies with mistaken identities, role reversals and a few physical gags thrown in. With restaurants, wine and flowers as key plot elements, it really works being in French. The same movie would be horrendous if remade in the US.
The basic plot is a restaurant maitre d' saves a guy who lost his girlfriend from hanging himself, and in attempting to help him get his life back in order, his own life starts falling apart. By the end, the loser is the successful one, but it doesn't turn out all bad for the maitre d'.
On the DVD, we saw previews for Shultze Gets the Blues and The Machinist. Both look like interesting independent films.
Good date flick. Recommended.
It's one of those romantic comedies with mistaken identities, role reversals and a few physical gags thrown in. With restaurants, wine and flowers as key plot elements, it really works being in French. The same movie would be horrendous if remade in the US.
The basic plot is a restaurant maitre d' saves a guy who lost his girlfriend from hanging himself, and in attempting to help him get his life back in order, his own life starts falling apart. By the end, the loser is the successful one, but it doesn't turn out all bad for the maitre d'.
On the DVD, we saw previews for Shultze Gets the Blues and The Machinist. Both look like interesting independent films.
Good date flick. Recommended.
Interpreter
Starring Nichole Kidman and Sean Penn.
Not a bad thriller flick, much better than most. I'd say the same calibur as the Manchurian Candidate remake, but not as intense as the Bourne Identity/Supremacy series.
One thing that annoyed me was that Nichole Kidman's accent seemed to change from African (her character's) to English to Australian (her real accent). That's just nitpicking.
It was great to see Sean Pean actually speak alot. Most movies he's just looking moody and either yelling or crying.
The movie was actually shot at the real UN in New York, and was researched with real life interpreters (who prefer not to be compared to mere "translators"!). These are covered by two documentaries on the DVD.
Recommended.
Not a bad thriller flick, much better than most. I'd say the same calibur as the Manchurian Candidate remake, but not as intense as the Bourne Identity/Supremacy series.
One thing that annoyed me was that Nichole Kidman's accent seemed to change from African (her character's) to English to Australian (her real accent). That's just nitpicking.
It was great to see Sean Pean actually speak alot. Most movies he's just looking moody and either yelling or crying.
The movie was actually shot at the real UN in New York, and was researched with real life interpreters (who prefer not to be compared to mere "translators"!). These are covered by two documentaries on the DVD.
Recommended.
Harry Potter & The Latest Big Movie Title
Last week we saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
This time it's yet another new director, Mike Newell. The first two were by Chris Columbus. I think the third (previous) film (Prizoner of Azkeban, directed by Alfonso Cuarón) has the best overall visual style and pace.
The scene with the dragon was cool. Really physical for a story that usually relies on magic spells to fight challenges. I was hoping to see Harry riding the dragon back to the stadium, but that probably would have required a spell, potion or similar.
The story focuses heavily on Harry and his conflict with Lord Valdemort who is constantly trying to regain physical form after losing it when he killed Harry's parents and failed to kill Harry. Unfortunately this great drama comes at the expense of the secondary characters (teachers, friends, visiting students from other schools, etc.) who are left undeveloped.
If you've been reading the books or watching the movies, this one's worth seeing.
This time it's yet another new director, Mike Newell. The first two were by Chris Columbus. I think the third (previous) film (Prizoner of Azkeban, directed by Alfonso Cuarón) has the best overall visual style and pace.
The scene with the dragon was cool. Really physical for a story that usually relies on magic spells to fight challenges. I was hoping to see Harry riding the dragon back to the stadium, but that probably would have required a spell, potion or similar.
The story focuses heavily on Harry and his conflict with Lord Valdemort who is constantly trying to regain physical form after losing it when he killed Harry's parents and failed to kill Harry. Unfortunately this great drama comes at the expense of the secondary characters (teachers, friends, visiting students from other schools, etc.) who are left undeveloped.
If you've been reading the books or watching the movies, this one's worth seeing.
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