Friday, July 29, 2011

Vertigo (1958)


John 'Scottie' Ferguson (James Stewart) has been hired by an old college chum to keep an eye on his wife (Kim Novak) who's been acting a little strange lately.

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There are a million things Vertigo makes me want to talk about. I want to talk about cinema, about art, about love, about obsession and about blondes - but I just don't know how to make it into a coherent whole. It is then that I realize that all these ideas have already made into a coherent whole, by Hitchcock, in the form of this film.  In some of his other films you  have to search a bit to find the subtext, but not here. This time it's all  text and it's all up there on the screen in beautiful VistaVision. This is what a magnum opus looks like.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Mystery Men (1999)


Champion City has a fabulous superhero by the name of Captain Amazing (Greg Kinnear). Except he's kind of a jerk, but that's no matter. When he goes missing, it's up to a group of misfit superhero wannabes (headed by Ben Stiller as Mr. Furious) to save the city from the evil Casanova Frankenstein (Geoffrey Rush).

This movie is so fun and ridiculous. The Blue Raja (Hank Azaria) throws forks. The Bowler (Janeane Garofalo) throws a bowling ball with her dead father's skull inside. The Shoveler (William H. Macy), well, he hits people with a shovel. And the Spleen (Paul Reubens) farts. Really. Oh, and Tom Waits plays a weapons designer! It's amazing. The movie looks a lot like a music video (think Spice Girls in space) and everything is very over-the-top, but it all works. You just have to go with it. It's pretty underrated, and it might be stupid, but I absolutely love it.

It's a lot of fun and it's one of those movies that gets me giggling just thinking about it. Have a good time with this one, it's pure silliness.




Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Schizopolis (1996)


Any attempt to describe the plot to this film would result in the frying of not only my brain but yours as well. You are welcome.

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The mid 90s was not a good time to be Steven Soderbergh. His career was stalled and his marriage had fallen apart. But rather than unloading on a shrink, Soderbergh chose to unload on us the viewing public. This film is literally the director's id poured out on film without a filter. Oh and did I mention that he stars in it too with his ex-wife? Entire scenes play out in gibberish without subtitles and there is an extended scene of him making faces in a mirror. Some might call this film "masturbatory" and I think Steven would agree with them. There is a scene of him compulsively masturbating. I don't think it gets much plainer than that.

I don't think my review has done the film any justice. But then again I don't think any review could. You either end up making it sound too profound or too silly and this film is both. Definitely not for all tastes, but worth a watch. Arsenal. Nose army.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)


Gidget Goes Hawaiian is the sequel to Gidget, with almost entirely different actors. This time Deborah Walley jumps on the surfboard as redheaded Gidget (and although I love both the original and this sequel, it's hard to say who whines more!). Gidget has gotten in a ridiculous argument with boyfriend Moondoggie (James Darren again) and goes on a Hawaiian holiday with her parents to clear her mind. He follows her there, she meets the bitchy and jealous Abby and the suave Eddie Horner, and drama ensues!

This movie is pretty campy at times, and focuses more on Gidget's relationships with those around her than surfing, although there's a bit of that too. There are a few memorable musical moments (Michael Callan as Eddie Horner has a whole dance number) and Moondoggie sings again, *swoon*! The main thing I really like about this film is that Gidget's parents (Carl Reiner and Jeff Donnell) (Jeff Donnell is a woman, calm down) have a LOT of screentime. While her parents were mere cardboard cutouts in the first Gidget film, they have a lot of personality and provide plenty of laughs in this installment.

So yes, it's silly, it's campy, but it's a fun little summer movie. And now I feel like taking a plane to Hawaii, don't you?
Quick aside, ladies: give some love to Abby's wardrobe. It's darling!





Monday, July 25, 2011

Double Bill: Author/Auteur

They say directing is storytelling. So then it would stand to reason that a great novelist would make a great director right? Not so fast...

See what happens when Michael Crichton and Stephen King are allowed to sit in the director's chair. Neither are masterpieces, but this double feature sure makes for a fun night!

Westworld and Maximum Overdrive

Comic-Con Post-Mortem

If you're looking for an inside scoop on all the big news that went down at this year's San Diego Comic Con...you've come to the wrong place. You can find that pretty much anywhere else on the web. If you're looking for a highly personal account of 2 nerds and their friends spending a crazy fun day in geek Valhalla - step right on up!

Be forewarned: This is a long one but there are at least a lot of photos to break up the text.



Friday, July 22, 2011

San Diego or BUST!


Sorry. No film recommendation today since we will be in SAN DIEGO FOR COMIC CON! where we plan to see the likes of Kevin Smith, William Shatner, Adam West and Los Bros Hernandez!

Will we get into all the panels we want to see? 
Will we bump into random celebrities? 
Will we find parking?

Find out all this and more when we post our post-Con wrap-up! Is the anticipation just too much to bear? You might want to see a doctor cause seriously man, this is just a dodgy little film blog.

Excelsior!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Drive


Though the beautiful and meditative The Tree of Life walked away with the Palm d'or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, it was Danish wunderkind Nicolas Winding Refen who sped off with Best Director. Check out the awesome trailer below for a hint at why:

Mermaids (1990)


Ahh, Mermaids. This is one of those movies that was on TV all the time when I was younger so I *have* to adore it, naturally.

The year is 1963 and the Flax family is moving in. Daughter Charlotte (Winona Ryder) is a devout Catholic (despite being Jewish) and she is our beloved neurotic narrator. Little sister Kate (Christina Ricci in her debut!) is a swimmer destined for the Olympics. And mother Rachel Flax is a flaky, fabulous, flirty single mom who constantly runs away from her problems until she meets her match in Lou (Bob Hoskins). They are way cute together, seriously.

Anyways, I adore this movie. Winona Ryder's constant lusting after Jake Ryan (errr...I mean Michael Schoeffling...who does he play again?) is hilarious, Christina Ricci is adorable, Cher is fab, and there are a few standout scenes that are really touching (the under-the-sea bedroom, Rachel and Charlotte's showdown, the dance at the end).

Hooray for: Cher's hair! Oh my god, it's unstoppable. I adore her in this movie.
Boo to: Michael Schoeffling. Gawd. I know you hate acting and all, but at least TRY to look engaged in your role!

That's it! Pop some popcorn, curl your hair, and enjoy.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Milk (2008)


A touching bio-pic about the all too short political life of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) the first openly gay elected official in America.

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For over a decade Gus Van Sant had been attached as director to a bio-pic on Harvey Milk. So what was holding him up? Oh just the long shadow of a little Oscar-winning documentary called The Times of Harvey Milk.  How do you make your film anything more than actors re-staging the legendary moments that were already so vividly captured in the documentary? By showing us the moments when there were no cameras.

I don't care who you are: when a camera is on you, you're never your real self. Sure the re-staged rallies and marches are amazing (Gus had lots of practice re-staging iconic moments from his Psycho remake) but it's the small moments that really sell this film. Scenes of Harvey and his boyfriend Scott and scenes of back-room political deal making, this is where we really get to see Harvey. Van Sant and Penn are able to take us inside these private moments. They are even able to take us into Harvey's most private moment - his death.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 (2011)


I've seen the last Harry Potter film twice now, as I'm sure many many other people have. It just doesn't seem real that it's over. 10 years, 8 films, (mostly) same cast. It's amazing, really.

The film opens with some very striking imagery. Hogwarts surrounded by motionless dementors, their cloaks swaying in the breeze. Snape, silhouetted in a window. His face, almost blank. What is he thinking?

There is superb acting all the way around, surprisingly from the main trio (whose acting I used to giggle at...Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have actually gotten pretty good), but the best performance by far was Alan Rickman as the morally ambiguous Professor Snape. He knocked it out of the park.

The film definitely has its confusing moments...the plot can get a little complicated (I recommend seeing it with somebody who has read the book to clarify any confusion). I don't want to reveal much about the plot. If you've seen the previous films, you've probably already seen this one too, or plan to. If you haven't, then you won't know what I'm talking about, haha. But really, what made this movie for me was the emotional resonance. This group really outdid themselves.

For those of us who grew up reading these books and watching these films, imagining what house we'd be sorted into, what kind of wand or magical pet we'd have, and crying over characters we really felt we knew, it was a bittersweet ending to a very magical era.

Let's just hope the next group of kids start lugging around books as good as Harry Potter, and not Twilight.

Monday, July 18, 2011

The Grandmasters


When Wong Kar Wai makes a film, he really takes his time. Famously he doesn't use a script and develops the film day by day from a rough outline. And once shooting is complete, there is still the editing process. As difficult and wasteful as this process sounds, you cannot deny that it yields ASTOUNDING results:



It has been well over 5 years since Wong first announced that he was going to make a film about Yip Man. In the mean time actor Donnie Yen has starred in TWO films about the life of this martial arts master. Thought I may be biased, I have a feeling that The Grandmasters will be the film that goes down as the definitive biopic.

Double Bill: Dubb-le Feature

Though Chinese kung-fu films and Japanese monster movies are probably the most synonymous with dubbing, it's the Italians who are the real dubbing masters. Even their domestic productions are dubbed

(a) Because shooting on location is noisy
(b) To hide regional accents
(c) So that international stars don't have to learn Italian

And for my money the two greatest Italian genres are the Giallo horror film and the Spaghetti Western so for this week's Double Bill we are recommending two masterpieces of those respective genres!

Bonus connection: Both films were written by Dario Argento with music by Ennio Morricone!

The Bird With The Crystal Plumage and Once Upon A Time In The West

Thursday, July 14, 2011

For Your Consideration

It's that time of year. No we're not talking about beaches and barbecues. We're talking about movie trailers!

With the fall/winter fast approaching, it is time for movie studios to begin debuting the trailers for what looks to be a pretty awesome end to 2011! 

So wallet permitting, this is what the remainder of 2011 looks like for a Cinema Nerd, in chronological order of release:

The Help (8/10)


Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)


Summer continues! Apparently people in the 50s and 60s were absolutely wild about beach movies, especially if they starred Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. These movies were crazy, silly, campy as hell, but definitely fun. Beach Blanket Bingo is no exception.

Dee Dee and Frankie are a young couple who hang out at the beach with all their friends...which is pretty much what all beach movies are about. The plot's all over the place. Let's see...we've got sky diving, a singer named Sugar Kane, a goofy motorcycle gang led by Eric Von Zipper, and a mermaid named Lorelai. Add some songs thrown in here and there (my favorite being Donna Loren singing "It Only Hurts When I Cry" while roasting marshmallows!) and a bizarre cameo by Buster Keaton and you've got yourself a good time!

Frankie and Annette made many beach movies together, but this was my first and has a special place in my heart. Give it a chance!





Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Y Tu Mamá También (2001)



Two teenagers (Diego Luna y Gael García Bernal) and an older woman (Maribel Verdú) set out on a road-trip through Mexico to a beach that might not exist.

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After American Pie hit in 1999, teen gross-out movies were all the rage. Road Trip, Scary Movie, etc. Now I'm not completely certain, but I think this might have lead to Y Tu Mamá También getting a green-light. On the surface it fits the mold. Horny teenage boys, older woman, road trip, semen, etc. But as soon as that narrator kicks in for the first time, you realize this will in fact be something else entirely. It's personal, it's political, it's sexual, it's funny, it's sad. This film runs the gamut without even breaking a sweat. Alfonso Cuarón had made several wonderful films prior, but this is the one that ushered him into my personal  pantheon of the greatest working directors. ¡Viva México Cabrones!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Crazy 4 Cult



Last Saturday, the Cinema Nerds (along with our awesome friends Aaron, Becky, and Chris) went up to LA to see the 5th annual Crazy 4 Cult art show at Gallery 1988. The drive was long and hot, but certainly worth it!

Last year was our first time going, where we bought these fabulous prints by Dave Perillo:




Aren't they are faaabulous?

Anyways! We were determined to buy some art again this year, even if we weren't quite sure where to fit it in our groovy pad (more on that in a future post!)




The art was amazing as always. Cheeky and artistically breathtaking, sometimes you forgot there was even a film being referenced. Of course, nothing beats that superior little chuckle that comes out when you "get it". Nerds are so cool, dontcha know?









We were torn between a few pieces, including a piece by Dyna Moe (of ""Mad Men Yourself"" fame) inspired by Ed Wood (one of my favorite movies EVER), and all of the "Showdown" pieces by Scott Campbell.




Still undecided, I thought I'd look at the prints for sale near the register.
And oh! There he was!




This adorable Iron Giant print by Mike Mitchell was on display last year. While we ended up going with the Perillo prints, I always regretted not getting the Giant too. I love him! My mind was made up. We were taking him home!

Had a good laugh with the owner Jensen Karp about how The Iron Giant is easily the best thing that Vin Diesel has ever done, and we were on our way.




Awww I love it!
The moral of the story is: GET YOURSELF TO THAT ART SHOW!  Or at the very least, browse the art on the website and see if something strikes your fancy! Being Cinema Nerds means that we have a lot of film-based art in our home, and filling your home with things you love makes you SO much happier!


(photos by Craig Duffy)

Monday, July 11, 2011

Spike Lee Rising


Well I guess this will mark our first ever sequel to a post. Very recently we were lamenting the fact that Spike Lee had not made a theatrical feature in 3 years. Well here we are 10 days later and out of the blue Spike tweets:

Wake Up. I been up since 430am. On the way to the set of THE NEW SPIKE LEE JOINT.Today is 1st Day of Shooting.Awwwwwwwwwwww Sheeeeeeeeeeeeet

So what is this mystery project you ask? Well according to blackfilm.com it's called Red Hook Summer and will also feature Spike in FRONT of the camera...as Mookie...from Do The Right Thing. Awwwwwwwwwww Sheeeeeeeet is right son.

And if all that wasn't enough: Spike has officially been confirmed as the director for the Oldboy remake. I guess when it rains it pours and thank God cause Spike was due for a sprinkle. Ya Dig? Sho nuff!

Swingers (1996)


Mike (Jon Favreau) is having trouble getting over his ex. Thankfully he has a gang of wild hipster friends to take him out and help him get through it all.

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Oh the 90's. It's hard to imagine that circa 1994/95 THIS is what it meant to be a hipster/scenester: suits, chain wallets and swing dancing. They even played swing music on KROQ! And while the scene has since moved on to PBR and LCD Soundsystem, this film has miraculously not dated at all thanks to its' amazingly human script. The lingo, the clothes, the bars, etc are all just window-dressing for a story about friendship. This might be the original "bro-mance". You either have friends like these guys, or at the very least, you want these guys to be your friends. Yeah they'll bust your balls, but they'll also push to get you out on that dance-floor so you can maybe meet someone special. Now THAT is so fucking money baby!

Double Bill: Brooksfilms

Another in our continuing series of double feature recommendations...

So why these two movies? Well...both films were directed by prematurely grey directors named David, both of these films feature astonishingly grotesque makeup effects and lastly...they were both produced by Mel Brooks. Hollywood really does make strange bedfellows.

The Elephant Man and The Fly

Friday, July 8, 2011

Gidget (1959)



It's July. Our apartment is a sauna. It's too hot to sleep. Naturally, I've got summer movies on the brain!

Today's offering is the original Gidget, starring Sandra Dee. Francie's friends are busy spending the summer boyhunting while the, erm, lesser developed and somewhat tomboyish Francie would rather spend her time at the beach snorkeling. She's a bit of an outcast. When she gets tangled in some seaweed and is rescued by a dreamy surfer, she becomes immediately addicted to the thrill of surfing. She befriends the local surf-bums who call her Gidget (girl-midget, get it? GET IT??) and the rest writes itself.

This movie is kitschy, cute, and even a little creepy sometimes (old beach bum, STAY AWAY from Gidget! She's, like, fifteen or something!) but it's definitely fun. Gidget has about a thousand different swimsuits, James Darren as Moondoggie is totally adorable and even has a little song, and the luau scene is just too hokey and fun. Good times by all!

Also, a heads up that I'll be writing about Gidget Goes Hawaiian soon...it's the sequel and probably my favorite in the series, but I thought I'd start at the beginning!

Happy summer!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

AKIRA (1988)


31 years after WWIII, Neo-Tokyo is a crime ridden city filled with rival gangs. One day...man I don't even know how to attempt a plot description of this film. Just see the damn thing.

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I know this sounds irresponsible but: I think this is a film that needs to be seen when you're young so that it can make a maximum impression on your psyche. Even if the plot is a little hard to follow/incomprehensible, the power of Akira cannot be denied. From the opening bike chase to the final climactic showdown at the stadium, this film has you glued to the screen. The sheer visual power of this film is astounding. The images effortlessly wedge themselves into your brain. And let's not forget that score! This movie hits you on a primal level.

For years there has been talk about making a live-action adaptation. Let's not and say we did. I mean we kind of already went down that road with Kanye West's Hype Williams directed Stronger video.


Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Sandlot (1993)


This one is a summer CLASSIC. Just about everybody has seen it, but if you haven't, I suggest you rent it posthaste!

Scotty Smalls is the new kid in town. He's kinda nerdy, kinda awkward, and desperately wants to make some friends before school starts. He attempts to join some boys that play baseball together, but they think he's a loser and want nothing to do with him until their "leader", Benny, gives him a chance and welcomes him to their game. They spend the summer having all sorts of misadventures and becoming close friends.

But you already knew all that, didn't you?

Watch it for the insult slingfest ("You play ball like a GIRL!"), the urban legends ("For..eh..vurrrr"), the chewing tobacco puke, the lifeguard fakeout, and "Baby" Ruth! It's a classic for a reason, watch it and embrace your inner kid! WATCH IT FOR WENDY PEFFERCORN!


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Black Dynamite (2009)


The film's tag line really says it all: He's super bad. He's outta sight. He's...BLACK DYNAMITE!

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I absolutely guarantee that this movie will make you forget that I'm Gonna Git You Sucka even exists. That's right Black Dynamite is now THE preeminent blaxploitation parody for the ages. It gets EVERYTHING right. The look, the production values, the action and most importantly - the music. Every joke lands like an expertly executed karate chop. After years of shitty spoof movies (Date Movie, Scary Movie, Meet The Spartans) it is refreshing to find a parody film that is authentically hilarious and that everyone can enjoy.

Double Bill: Unwanted Pregnancy

In the early days of cinema, seeing 2 features in one evening (along with a cartoon and a newsreel) was par for the course. And when most major theaters switched to showing just a single feature, drive-ins and grindhouses were around to keep the tradition alive. Sadly today in the age of the multiplex, the idea of a double bill is nearly extinct. It has fallen on art house theaters like Los Angeles' New Beverly Cinema to keep the torch burning.

Unfortunately Cinema Nerds does not own a theater (yet?). Luckily for you readers, we are starting a regular column where we suggest some cool double features for you to try out in your own little home theaters!

Rosemary's Baby and Knocked Up

Monday, July 4, 2011

Uncle Sam (1997)

An angry Desert Storm Vet returns from the grave to kill unpatriotic citizens over 4th of July weekend. Need I say more?

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By no stretch of the imagination is this film "good", but it sure as heck is FUN! And seeing as I know the kid who played Jody (Chris Ogden woot woot!) I am far more familiar with this film than anybody should be. Boy William Lustig sure knew what he was doing. Eye-catching poster, cheesy tagline, ludicrous plot, "name" actors and a whole mess of crazy kills. Oh yeah and P.J. Soles is in it too! INSTANT cult hit! This film is worth at least ONE viewing in your life. Why not celebrate the birth of our country by popping this in the old DVD player?