behold the power of legos. [clip of the week. 11.26.08]

trailer park tuesday. 11.25.08

The Wrestler

“I’m an old broken down piece of meat, and I deserve to be all alone. I just don’t want you to hate me.”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Writer: Robert D. Siegel

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

What is it?: Mickey Rourke is an aging professional wrestler making his way through the independent circuit. He is a man dealing with the passage of time, the consequences of his decisions, and looking for the hope of redemption and new life.   

Why I’m Interested: I seriously thought about letting this trailer stand alone this week. The buzz is sensational, and it looks like Mickey Rourke will again remind us of what could have been had his life gone differently.

Star Trek

“Buckle up.”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: J.J. Abrams

Writer: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, (based on the work of Gene Roddenberry)

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho…

What is it?: In the age of re-imagined franchises, Star Trek is the latest to get the treatment. We start from scratch for the first voyage of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise.     

Why I’m Interested: The beginning of the trailer is pretty lame in my opinion, but J.J. Abrams is running the show in this audacious undertaking, and that’s at least worth something. I’d probably have to be given a reason not to see this one as opposed to the other way around.

For those of you, like myself, who are novices to all things Trek, you might want to check out this lovely article over at Cinematical.

Coraline

“You could stay here forever. There’s one tiny thing you need to do.”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: Henry Selick

Writer: Henry Selick, Neil Gaiman

Voice Cast: Dakota Fanning, Ian McShane, Teri Hatcher

What is it?: A young girl who dreams of finding a better world stumbles upon a doorway to an alternate version of her own life. At first, it seems this world might be exactly what she was hoping for, but (to borrow a line from True Blood), it just might be Satan in a sunday hat.    

Why I’m Interested: Make an imaginative film where the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas tells a darker fairy tale, then throw in the involvement of Neil Gaiman as a bonus, and what you’ve got is me buying a ticket to see your movie.

Astro Boy

Who’s Involved?:

Director: David Bowers

Writer: Osama Tezuka, Timothy Harris

Voice Cast: Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Bill Nighy, Nicolas Cage

What is it?: Based on the popular Japanese manga and cartoon series which has had many manifestations from the 50′s right up until the 2000′s, Astro Boy is about a robot boy who fights bad guys… that’s about all I know.    

Why I’m Interested: There is a good chance my interest will wane as time passes and I learn more, but there is a cult following that loves the old cartoons, and I’m a sucker for slick animation. So, for now, color me interested.

holding it down.

You know what makes me excited?

This: (sorry the quality isn’t great)

tragedy in reverse. [clip of the week 11.19.08]

Here, with some more music video goodness, is Coldplay’s “The Scientist”. An interesting engagement with telling a story backwards. It plays with our perceptions and responses, and the meandering beauty of the video takes on a different meaning as the story’s ‘beginning’ unfolds.

Enjoy!

trailer park tuesday. 11.18.08

Special

“Are you on drugs?”

“Yeah, I am.”

Who’s Involved?:

Writer/Director: Hal Haberman & Jeremy Passmore

Cast: Michael Rappaport, Jack Kehler, Josh Peck, Paul Blackthorne

What is it?: A man involved in a prescription drug trial starts to develop super powers as a side effect. Unfortunately, they only exist in his head.   

Why I’m Interested: It looks funny, and has some good buzz, even if it has taken a really long time to see the light of day outside festivals.

Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father

“So I pointed the van east toward Newfoundland and set off on a quest to bring a man back to life.”

Who’s Involved?:

Writer/Director: Kurt Kuenne

What is it?: After his best friend, Andrew, is murdered by a jilted lover who then gives birth to Andrew’s son, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne made this documentary.    

Why I’m Interested: In tragic circumstances, the film looks beautiful and honoring of its subject. It speaks to the immortality of loving family and friends well. I’m really looking forward to it.

five things. 11.14.08

1. The New Watchmen Trailer -

Thanks to Jesse’s comment on this week’s Trailer Park Tuesday I was able to see the new Watchmen trailer. I know, I’m slipping this last two weeks.

Anyway, it obviously needs to be included in this week’s ‘five things’.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/watchmen.html?showVideo=1

2. Drunk History –

If you’ve already been blessed by the hilarity of Drunk History then this is just a refresher. However, if you are still a virgin to this wonderful world then today your life changes for the better.

It’s just like the History Channel, but the historians are drunk and the actors recreating the scenes are talented individuals like Jack Black and Michael Cera, among others.

Here is where I insert the language warning as a courtesy to my readers, the ‘gloaming and dawn’ equivalent of the parental advisory sticker. Then, with that out of the way, it’s on with the show.

Drunk History: Vol. 1

Drunk History: Vol. 2

Drunk History: Vol. 3

Drunk History: Vol. 4

Bonus:

Drunk History: 2.5

3. TNF -

My hope this year before the football season started was to invite as many people as would come to our place on Monday nights to enjoy some Monday Night Football on ESPN. Sadly, my friends and I quickly realized that the counseling students had a class on Monday nights, making our MNF dates impossible.

That led to plan B, Thursday Night Football. We had to wait a while since Thursday night games weren’t starting on NFL Network until Week 10, but alas, the time has come.

Two weeks ago we had two guests to watch Brady Quinn’s debut against the Broncos, but last night our numbers grew to six guests for the Jets/Pats game. It was a great night of beer (including the tasty Rogue Dead Guy Ale), football, Drunk History, laughter and great company. I hope there is more to come!

4. Quantum Of Solace And The New Cinerama Seats –

At the time of this writing, I still haven’t experienced either of these yet. That will come later this evening. However, Em and I have been looking forward to this for some time. We’ve been excited about the new seats at Cinerama since word came that they were on their way, and I myself have been excited about the new Bond since the moment the credits rolled on Casino Royale the first time I saw it.

I suppose there is always the potential for disappointment in both respects, but I can’t wait until tonight either way.

5. Brian’s Interview At The Art Institute -

Brian had a good first experience at The Art Institute and he seems really excited about what the opportunity might mean for him. Em and I are excited on his behalf, hoping that the potential of this moment bears fruit and that Brian moves further into his vocation.

It’s an exciting time to see someone you love on the verge of something exciting and new, and I’m grateful for it.

jumping into puddles. [clip of the week. 11.12.08]

No one has music videos that transcend the genre quite like Sigur Rós. I didn’t include my favorite Sigur Rós video, Glósóli, because I’ve already written about it at length. So instead, here is my second favorite video by the boys from Iceland,  Hoppípolla. 

trailer park tuesday. 11.11.08

Up

“Oh, alright.”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: Pete Docter

Writer: Bob Peterson

Cast: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, John Ratzenberger

What is it?: Pixar follows up the brilliant Wall-E with this story of a seventy-something man traveling the globe in his flying house, along with a young wilderness ranger.  

Why I’m Interested: You had me at Pixar. I love imaginative, insightful, inspiring storytelling, and no one does that better, or more consistently, than Pixar. As far as I can tell from this short trailer, there is another home run on the way.

The Reader

“How wrong can you be?”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: Stephen Daldry

Writer: Bernhard Schlink (novel), David Hare (screenplay)

Cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross

What is it?: In post-WWII Germany, a young man has an affair with an older woman who ends up on trial for war crimes.  

Why I’m Interested: What looks to be a strong cast in a film that looks like it may lead to some substantial and interesting conversations.

Cadillac Records

“You sing the blues, you don’t have to live ‘em.”

Who’s Involved?:

Writer/Director: Darnell Martin

Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Beyonce Knowles, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union

What is it?: Based on historical events, the film follows the story of the rise of Chess Records in 1950s Chicago. 

Why I’m Interested: The realm of biopics and such in the musical realm is obviously well trodden by now. While the genre can often be lackluster, it has also given way to some great performances in the past. I still want to hear how closely the film ties to history, but I must admit a soft spot for films that give me insight into the story behind great songs from before I was born.

Plus, Mos Def as Chuck Berry has to make you at least curious. No?

Milk

“Can two men reproduce?”

“No, but God knows we keep trying.”

Who’s Involved?:

Director: Gus Van Sant

Writer: Dustin Lance Black

Cast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James Franco

What is it?: The story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to major office, who was assassinated by Dan White.  

Why I’m Interested: A timely story in light of recent events. While I have read some criticism for glossing over Milk’s faults, what biopic isn’t guilty of that to some extent. From Sean Penn and Josh Brolin on down,  the performances look to be electric.

Bonus Trailer:

Monsters vs. Aliens

I’m calling this a bonus trailer because I don’t feel like doing all the normal work.

it’s a tom waits day.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling meloncholy. I’m tired, and the darkness comes early in Seattle this time of year. Yet, the majority of the time the rain and darkness doesn’t feel like an enemy, just another part of the rhythm of life. Thus, instead of fighting the feelings of meloncholy, I instead try to embrace them. There is beauty in the downbeats, and I can be thankful for them much of the time. Moments like these spur me on to self-reflection and thoughtfulness in a way the more euphoric moments do not.

Days like today are Tom Waits days, when I’m reminded of the beauty that can only be found in the rough places, and the hope that is always present even in the darkness. So, it is in honor of this Tom Waits kind of day that I offer you the suggestion of taking a few minutes to single task, to stop surfing the internet, listening to music, watching tv, and getting work done all at once. Try just staring out a window, or writing a poem in silence, or taking a walk without your ipod. Or, as I like to do, sit and listen to a song, not as a distraction or accompaniment to whatever else you are doing, but with your eyes closed, concentrating only on the song and the thoughts and feelings that come along with it.

“You Can Never Hold Back Spring” was my weapon of choice:

new mhgs video.

Hey everyone, check out the new MHGS video. It’s got some of my favorite people in it, and it is well worth the five minutes.

What No. 2