…gibt es auf einer Seite namens Golden Age Comic Book Series, die ich heute grade via Nerdcore entdeckt habe. Übrigens ist das hier grade eine Premiere: Der erste Blogeintrag, den ich aus der Uni, ganauergesagt von einbem Stabi-Computer schreibe. Und das alles nur weil eine gewisse Person mir verboten hat nach Hause zu gehen Aber zurück zum Film. Neben Bildern von sehr interessanten Vintage-Comics  oder auch von Marilyn Monroe gibt es hier auch extrem coole alte Filmposter zu finden, z.B. alte Horror-Schinken mit Bela Lugosi und Boris Karloff oder aus dem (S)Exploitation-Genre (zu deutsch frei übersetzt etwa:  Softporno mit künstlerischem Anspruch) . Beispiele für beides siehe unten. Allesamt sehr künstlerisch gestaltete Poster zu Filmen, von denen man nicht gadacht hätte, das es sie geben könnte. Leider ist kein Shop dabei, wo man die Dinger kaufen könnte – muss ich doch wieder auf’m Flohmarkt am Sonntag schauen.

Mehr gibt’s unter: http://goldenagecomicbookstories.blogspot.com/

Zum Beispiel die hier:

Und zum Exploitation-Genre:

Tim Burton este personajul real, care pentru mine inseamna mai mult decat i aspiratie. Pentru a ajunge la nivelul lui de nebunie, chiar paranoia, iti trebuie ani de risc si de creatie continuua. Si sunt dispusa la multe incercari. Un stil nevrotic de a fi acceptat. Filme de un real succes international. Pictura de imensa imaginatie. Jocuri de cuvinte, nebunie si o doza mica de psihoza au facut dintr-un baiat care in anii de liceu aducea a tocilat, intr-unul dintre cei mai mari si neintelesi genii in viata. Caractere ale unor personaje care par atat de naturale, dar in spatele carora stau ani de creatie si de sudoare. Filme atat de fascinante, diferite si unice, dar totusi cu un numitor comun, un stil demonic si rece in spatele unor comedii de inceput de secol 20 in spatii comune dar totusi imune in fata trecerii timpului.

Filme:

• The World of Stainboy
• Lost in Oz
• Mars Attacks!
• James and the Giant Peach
• Batman Forever
• Ed Wood
• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Batman Returns
• Edward Scissorhands
• Corpse Bride
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Sleepy Hollow

Din pacate nu am putut si nu am avut de unde sa iau poze ale picturilor sale, dar va indemn catre site-ul sau, unde acestea sunt prezentate www.timburton.com.

Vizionare placuta

Yam yam gimme some…

1.Johnny Depp – From 21 Jumpstreet to crazy barber and mumbling pirate, this is one beautiful man.

2.Alexander Skarsgård – Put your teeth in me mister Vampire

3.Ryan Kwanten – The boy next door

4. Eric Dane – McSteamy / Patrick Dempsey – McDreamy

 5.Gerard Butler – Every girl loves a bad guy

by The Great White Gypsy

The Box – Written and Directed by Richard Kelly
The premise of this film sounds like a bad teenage horror story. A strange man gives a box to a couple having money problems. They will get money every time they push the button, but every time, someone they don’t know will die. Though it’s riding on Cameron Diaz’s acting skills (um…), if anyone can make it cool, writer/director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) will have no problem.
Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, James Rebhorn
November 6

Endgame – Directed by Pete Travis, Written by Paula Milne
Another slow, patient South African political film? Meh. I mean, I really like Hurt and Ejiofor, but Pete Travis directed Vantage Point, which sucked asshole. I really, really want it to be good, I’m just scared it’s going to be really, really bad.
William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Johnny Lee Miller, Mark Strong, Derek Jacobi
November 6

The Men Who Stare at Goats – Directed by Grant Heslov, Written by Peter Straughan
Actor Grant Heslov hasn’t done much directing. Same goes for Peter Straughan and writing. But if you look at this cast, you really can’t go wrong in a story about Telekenisis/Psychic programs in the army. Hell yes.
George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Robert Patrick, Stephen Root
November 6

Precious – Directed by Lee Daniels, Written by Geoffrey Fletcher
I hate the fact that the full title of this film is “Precious: Based on a novel by Sapphire”. I also hate the fact that Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey are “presenting” this one. However, cliché and cheesy as it most likely is, I seriously almost cried watching the preview. This has the potential for two hours of raw emotion that leaves you speechless. Or two hours of horrible acting and bullshit storyline. I’ll wait for cable.
Gabourey Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
November 6

The Fantastic Mr. Fox – Written and Directed by Wes Anderson
I hate, I hate, I hate Wes Anderson. However, there are always a couple elements of his films that impress me, and his attempts at stop motion animation intrigue me. Will I like it? Probably not. Will I see it? Of course.
George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Michael Gambon
November 13

Pirate Radio – Written and Directed by Richard Curtis
When I saw the preview for this, I thought, “Hey, that looks exactly like that movie advertised last year called “The Boat that Rocked”. Wait… I have no idea why this film took so long to release, or why they changed the title, but after waiting so long, I’ve built it up to possible “Almost Famous” level in my head. I really hope I’m not disappointed.  About a boatful of radio DJ’s who broadcast banned music over British airwaves in the ‘60’s. Curtis directed Love Actually.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Frost
November 13

The Messenger – Written and Directed by Oren Moverman
Foster and Harrelson play a very overlooked part of the military in this new drama about the officers who deliver the horrible news to KIA soldiers’ families. Foster starts to care too much…you see where this is going. Moverman’s first film, looks good.
Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson, Samantha Morton, Jena Malone
November 13

2012 – Directed by Roland Emmerich, Written by Roland Emmerich and Harald Kloser
When I want to see an action packed explosion film with weak story, I’ll catch the new Michael Bay flick. When I want to see a really entertaining film with great special effects that will leave me dumber for having watched it, I’ll go see a Roland Emmerich film (Independence Day, Stargate, Godzilla, 10,000 BC). If you don’t know what this film is about, you should probably look into it, cause we’re kinda running out of time, dude…
John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Oliver Platt
November 13

That Evening Sun – Written and Directed by Scot Teems
I think Clint Eastwood had a scheduling conflict playing a grumpy old man in Gran Turino, so Holbrook stepped in. This is a perfect example of a cookie-cutter Midwest drama starring a senior citizen afraid of change that might not be very good, but will definitely get nominated for at least 2 Oscars. Don’t get me wrong, Hal is great, but the story has the potential to be full of holes.
Hal Holbrook, Ray McKinnon, Mia Wasikowska, Carrie Preston
November 13

Uncertainty – Written and Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel
At the risk of sounding like a douchebag, I am very uncertain about this movie. Part romantic comedy, part drama, part action thriller? So confused. McGehee and Siegel have written and directed three other films together, and I’ve never heard of any of them. But Gordon-Levitt hasn’t let me down so far, and Thirlby and Collins are sexy. I’ll flip a coin.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Collins, Olivia Thirlby
November 13

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans – Directed by Werner Herzog, Written by William M. Finkelstein
Controverial old-school director Werner Herzog (Encounters at the End of the World, Grizzly Man) is remaking the 1992 drama (starring Harvey Keitel) about a gambling/drug addict cop, and he’s setting it in post-Katrina New Orleans. They say it’s Cage’s best performance since Leaving Las Vegas (not really hard), and Kilmer’s presence is reassuring. Looking forward to it.
Nicholas Cage, Val Kilmer, Eva Mendes, Michael Shannon, Fairuza Balk, Xzibit, Shawn Hatosy
November 20

Chi Bi (Red Cliff) – Directed by John Woo, Written by John Woo and Khan Chan
This is an epic film in the style of Hero and House of Flying Daggers. John Woo started out with some good films (A Better Tomorrow, Killer, Hard Boiled), he even had some good American movies (Hard Target, Face/Off), though there were bullshit ones too (Windtalkers, Paycheck). However, his dramas, like Last Hurrah for Chivalry, have gone largerly unnoticed by American audiences. And, of course, it’s been out in China for two years, and we’re just getting it now. Tarantino needs to step his game up.
Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Wei Zhao
November 20

Fix – Directed by Tao Ruspoli, Written by Charles Castaldi and Paul Duran
Documentary filmmaker Ruspoli blends styles in this fictional documentary about a convicted drug dealer and his friends, who are attempting to raise enough money to put him in rehab before 8pm so he can avoid jail time. I can already tell that Andrews’ over-the-top personality is going to steal the show, and Wilde is kinda cute. When’s it coming to Netflix?
Olivia Wilde, Tao Ruspoli, Dedee Pfeiffer, Shawn Andrews
November 20

The Missing Person – Written and Directed by Noah Buschel
Modern noir about a private detective (Shannon in a lead role…nice) searching for a missing person after 9/11. Elements of drama and comedy make it appear a little disjointed, but Shannon and Ryan are solid. Kinda surprised it didn’t go straight to DVD, but whatever.
Michael Shannon, Amy Ryan, Frank Wood
November 20

Me and Orson Welles – Directed by Richard Linklater, Written by Holly Gent Palmo
I can’t see Efron’s name on anything without thinking Highschool Musical, which makes me want to punch everyone under the age of 17 in the eye. However, this film is a little more dramatic, a lot less musical, and Christian McKay looks like the best Orson Welles since D’onofrio in Ed Wood. And if that still doesn’t convince you to see this period film about Welles directing stage plays, I have three words for you: Richard motherfucking Linklater (Scanner Darkly, Waking Life, Dazed and Confused). There you go.
Zac Efron, Claire Danes, Christian McKay, Ben Chaplin
November 25

Ninja Assassin – Directed by James McTeigue, Written by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski
The directors of The Matrix are producing this balls-to-the-wall violence-fest about…are you ready? A Ninja Assassin. Crazy right? Just think blades, bullets, blood, and nonstop special effects. I can’t freaking wait.
Sung Kang
November 25

The Road – Directed by John Hillcoat, Written by Joe Penhall
I must admit, I didn’t care for Cormac McCarthy’s award winning novel. The fact that writer and director are inexperienced worries me. Whether the acting, cinematography and effects can save it or not, the story makes me think no one will like this no matter what.
Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Garret Dillahunt
November 25

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN

Metropia – Directed by Tarik Saleh, Written by Fredrik Edin
Anything with Vincent Gallo attatched generally gets my attention (Buffalo 66 was fucking weird). In this animated social commentary, Gallo’s character goes nuts when he starts hearing voices in the expansive underground tunnels Europe was forced to build after gas prices went too high. The animation looks pretty damn cool, so we’ll see.
Vincent Gallo, Udo Kier, Juliette Lewis, Stellan Skarsgard, Alexander Skarsgard
November 6 (Sweden)

Harry Brown – Directed by Daniel Barber, Written by Gary Young
Michael Caine hasn’t really been a badass since Get Carter, but this one may change that. Granted, it’s another cranky old man pissed off at street hooligans, but they did kill his friend…and he is ex-military. Comes out in the UK this month, possible limited releases in US.
Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Iain Glen
November 11 (UK)

Los abrazos rotos (Broken Embraces) – Written and Directed by Pedro Almodovar
Almodovar is huge in Spain, and the last time he teamed with Cruz was Volver, which was damn good. This film is about a writer/director telling a young man the story of why he changed his name after an accident took the life of his true love 14 years prior. Limited release this month, but expect it to be everywhere in time for the Oscars.
Penelope Cruz, Lluis Homar
November 20 (Limited)

Mammoth – Written and Directed by Lukas Moodysson
Husband and wife with a “perfect” life are put to the test when he takes a business trip to Thailand and decides to let loose a little. It looks very similar to parts of Babel, but more focused. Bernal and Williams have grown on me the last couple years, and Moodysson has done good work in Sweden.
Michelle Williams, Gael Garcia Bernal
November 20 (Limited)

So November 4, 2009, I gained another year of experience in life. Throughout my day of yearly reflection and festivity, I wondered what my dear friends would do for me on this particular day of days. One of my fellow editors here chipped in with a few others and handed me an origami card. Upon opening it, I found a picture of the inimitable Léon Theremin working his magic and a speech bubble coming out of his theremin and saying: “I am coming for you in the mail.”

What is a theremin, you might ask? It’s a box (mine is white) that senses the position of its players hands relative to two antennae, one vertical, the other horizontal and looped, and emits sounds at varying frequencies and volumes to correspond to it.

The theremin is well-known for being the instrument used to make those really weird, oscillating noises in scary movies. Its filmography includes The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Red House, Spellbound, Ed Wood, The Machinist, and Hellboy. Moreover, pop musicians the world over have used it throughout music history, including The Beach Boys, The Flaming Lips, The White Stripes, Pink Floyd, Pixies, and Of Montreal, among others.

Because of the method behind its operation (waving your hands around the antennae), the theremin is notorious for being difficult to play properly. I know I can’t wait to start learning!

– Eric Vilas-Boas, Managing Editor

Iedere liefhebber van het fantastische werk van Tim Burton moet ‘m straks in huis hebben: de ‘Burtonbijbel’. Voor het eerst wordt al het artwork dat Burton heeft gemaakt (privé en voor al zijn projecten) gebundeld in een 430 pagina’s tellend boek.

Liefhebbers opgelet: de Burtonbijbel gaat verschijnen! (c) Tim Burton.

The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Meer dan duizend illustraties laten de sprookjesachtige wereld van de schepper van Jack Skellington, Frankenweenie en Edward Scissorhands zien. In het boek tref je artwork aan van onder meer de volgende films en projecten: Alice in Wonderland (2010), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory en Corpse Bride (allebei 2005), Big Fish (2003), Planet of the Apes (2001), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Mars Attacks! (1996), Ed Wood (1994), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Batman Returns (1992), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Family Dog (1987), Batman (1989), Beetlejuice (1988), Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Frankenweenie (1984), Vincent (1982) en Hansel & Gretel (1982). De Burtonbijbel bevat ook nog ander tekenwerk. Zo wordt er werk getoond uit het eerder verschenen boek The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories (1997). Ook is er plek voor grafisch webwerk (The World of Stainboy).

Ook deze 'gedrochtjes' staan in de Burtonbijbel. (c) Tim Burton.

‘Beroepsdracula’
Het boek bevat tekstbijdragen van ‘mevrouw Burton’ Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Danny DeVito, huiscomponist Danny Elfman, ‘beroepsdracula’ Christopher Lee en Winona Ryder. Wanneer het boek gaat verschijnen en wat het gaat kosten, is nog niet bekend. Wel zeker is dat de Burtonbijbel deze herfst het levenslicht gaat zien. Wie meer wil weten en wie nu al een exemplaar wil reserveren, moet de supergeweldige website van Tim Burton maar checken!

Timothy William “Tim” Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American film director, producer, writer and artist. He is famed for his dark and quirky films, such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas, which he co-wrote and produced. He is also famous for being the director of several blockbusters including Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Since directing his first feature (Pee-wee’s Big Adventure) in 1985, he has gone on to direct and produce numerous films, many of which have won Academy Awards. He frequently works with close friend Johnny Depp, musician Danny Elfman and partner Helena Bonham Carter.

Burton’s most recent film was 2007’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. His most recent production is the Shane Acker animated sci-fi fantasy 9, a co-production with Timur Bekmambetov. His next film Alice in Wonderland is due for release March 10, 2010.

Image by nouQraz via Flickr

Image via Wikipedia

So it’s that time of the year again, when Spain celebrates its Autumn festival with regional variations such as the Castanyada here in Catalonia: get-togethers, sweet potatoes, cava and the ubiquitous chestnuts and marzipan sweets. At the same time, a growing number of people are celebrating Halloween American-style and a small number, like yours truly, celebrate both!

Whatever you celebrate, the key is having fun and learning about the traditions, so here are some links to help with both of those:

A History of the Magosto or Castanyada tradition – from Spanish Wikipedia

History of Halloween- from History.Com.

Free Horror movies to stream or download – from the Internet Archive

The start of one of the worst horror / sci-fi movies ever made – Ed Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space

And if you ever wondered what happened to the Transylvania Twist – it’s now the Monster Mash. Classic shock-rock!

Finally, some tasty photos from the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration.

HAVE FUN!

Tim Burton i Henry Selick van representar de forma perfecte el que és, i significa, la festivitat de Halloween, Dia de Tot Sants a Catalunya, en la seva excel·lent Pesadilla Antes de Navidad, mostrant-la com l’altre cara del Nadal, com la visió canalla i gamberra de la celebració per excel·lència.

Nascuda fa molts segles com a una cel·lebració celta, i sota el nom de Samhain (déu dels morts), coincidia amb el darrer dia de l’any (el 31 d’octubre segons el calendari celta) i representava el final de l’estiu. Aquell dia s’encenien grans fogueres per allunyar els mals esperits, ja que es creia que aquests acompanyats de bruixes visitaven les antigues llars, en busca d’un nou cos. Per aquest motiu no s’encenia cap llum i la gent es vestia de bruixes o dimonis per tal que cap esperit els posseís.

Amb l’arribada de l’era cristiana, el dia 1 de novembre va passar a denominar-se Dia de Tots Sants i el 31 d’octubre Vigília de Tots Sants, en anglès All Saints Eve. Amb el temps aquesta denominació va anar mutant fins anomenar-se, All Hallows Eve. D’aquí va néixer la paraula Halloween.

Amb el temps aquesta celebració ha anat agafant un caràcter més inofensiu i s’ha creat tota una iconografia, al voltant de la carbassa com a element representatiu que s’ha acabat estenent per arreu del món. Ha arribat a ser tota una icona de la cultura popular, influenciant el món de la música (Misfits, White Zombie, Marilyn Manson, The Horrors o The Cramps) i sobretot el món del cinema, i marcant de forma clara el cinema de terror més pulp, un gènere que ha trobat en el Halloween un gran aliat.

Aquí us proposem cinc títols perfectes per qui el dia 31 vulgui tancar-se a casa seva, sense llum i vestit de bruixa o dimoni, i celebrar sol o en companyia aquesta nit tant terrorífica. La nit ideal per posar-se la màscara més aterradora possible, amagar-te en una cantonada i donar-li un bon ensurt al burro del teu “jefe”.

	ED WOOD de Tim BurtonBiopic del pitjor director de l’història del cine. Amb una estètica i narració més propera al cinema de terror de serie B que no pas al cinema més estàndard.
	LA CASA DE LOS 1000 CADÁVERES de Rob Zombie Un festival pels amants del cinema de terror, barrejant de forma perfecte la cultura pop amb el terror més gore. Una pel·lícula plena d’homenatges i brutals assassinats.
	HALLOWEEN de John CarpenterLa mare de tots els slashers. Un film sanguinari i aterrador, amb la celebració de Halloween com a rerefons. El naixement del mite de Michael Myers, l’home del sac modern.
	AQUELLA CASA AL LADO DEL CEMENTERIO de Lucio Fulci Tombes, portes que grinyolen, presències infantils aterradores i una casa maleïda construïda al bell mig d’un cementiri que acull les desgràcies d’una família fins les últimes i fatals conseqüències.
	LA NOCHE DEL CAZADOR de Charles LaughtonInquietant i terrorífic conte infantil. Una parella de nens i la seva mare es veuen perseguits per la malèvola figura d’un fals predicador amb el rostre de Robert Mitchum.

Has anyone else heard of 1950s B Movie director Ed Wood? Famed for being the worst film director of all time and the maker of the ‘worst’ film of all time, ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’. I have to say before I saw Tim Burton’s excellent film, ‘Ed Wood’, I’d never heard of him. But watching that film and the way Johnny Depp, who played Ed Wood, managed to bring the late director ‘back to life’ as it where with his childlike enthusiasm for film making, I wanted to check out some of his films. I finally bought a VHS copy of ‘Bride of the Monster’, a film so bad it is actually very good.  When VHS went out of fashion and DVDs took over (I think I must’ve been the only person to have not seen that coming) I re-bought ‘Bride of the Monster’ on DVD with 5 of Wood’s other films. I’ve also got his biography, though it’s really more a collection of the individual memories of people who knew him, titled ‘Nightmare of Ecstasy’ by Rudolph Grey. What really makes me sad though is that Wood never really made it in his chosen profession during his lifetime. In the years before he died of alcoholism aged just 54 in 1978 he’d descended into making monster ‘nudie’ movies and turning out pulp novels to earn a living. I think it’s a real shame that Wood didn’t live for just a few more years to see his films finally achieve the recognition that he always hoped they would. Thanks for reading.

Mistress Lyn at your service with a few songs to scare the hell out of you, some that are just plain silly and all of which celebrate Halloween. Welcome to the dark side.

We opened the show with THE GRAVEYARD BY MOONLIGHT, a spine-chilling instrumental piece from one of the most commercial goth bands out there, Cradle of Filth. Then it was a track that can either be seen as very creepy or extremely silly (or both): HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES, from Rob Zombie’s album The Sinister Urge. Named after Ed Wood’s 1961 film of the same name, Rob used the track as the opening credits for his own horror flick, made in 2003, also called HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES. Check out the trailer for the film which looks like my favourite kind of horror film – very dark and extremely camp.

We caught our breath with Talking Heads’ deceptively funky PSYCHO KILLER, with lyrics that get into the head of a serial murderer. And then it was The Specials with GHOST TRAIN. More a political statement than anything, but still very creepy.

Nox Arcana’s BRIDES TO DARKNESS is from their Transylvania album and is the band’s tribute to the most famous and influential of all vampire novels, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. 

Screamin Jay Hawkins is absolutely hilarious when he splutters out  I PUT A SPELL ON YOU. Recorded in 1956, Hawkins has been reported as saying that he was so drunk when he recorded the song, that he can’t remember doing so. I believe him. Then it was a more controlled Bo Diddley with BO MEETS THE MONSTER, followed by Jazz singer, Herb Jeffries with THE DEVIL IS A WOMAN. Jeffries sang for many years with Duke Ellingon and this track, which was recorded in 1953, is on that crazy list of songs that was banned by the BBC. Go Figure. 

We couldn’t leave out MONSTER MASH by Boris Pickett and the Cryptkickers, now could we? But the need for real Goth was overwhelming and who better than Concrete Blonde with BLOODLETTING (THE VAMPIRE SONG) from their Still in Hollywood album. Excellent.

There’s lots of spooky music associated with the Blues: Howlin’ Wolf warned us about all the EVIL that’s goin’ on out there and Blind Willie Johnson condenses all of human misery into a wordless, incomprehensible moan in DARK WAS THE NIGHT, COLD WAS THE GROUND. It was up to Otis Spann to elevate our mood with IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE DEVIL followed by the equally rockin’ Leon Redbone with THE WITCH QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS.

I resisted the urge to play Michael Jackson’s THRILLER because I think we’ve all heard a lot of it lately. But there’s one of his that doesn’t get as much airplay and that’s GHOSTS. As usual, he knew how to make a great video:

More silly than sinister is David Bowie’s SCARY MONSTERS AND SUPER CREEPS and The Who’s BORIS THE SPIDER. I reckon only the Cure know how to frighten the bejezzes out of us when it comes to spiders though. Take a look at LULLABY. Haunting and beautifully dark.

Only Nick Cave can possibly surpass The Cure’s Robert Smith when it comes to Goth. Here’s Nick and the Bad Seeds performing THE CARNY from the album Your Funeral…My Trial, originally released in 1986, and recently remastered and re-released as a CD/DVD set. The clip was filmed for Live and Loud on MTV on 18 May 1997 after Cave had been nominated for the best 1996 male artist and refused the honor (see his letter to MTV on www.nick-cave.com).

I love Tom Waits album Rain Dogs and the track, SINGAPORE, from that album is a fitting song for this show, with its sinister warning to those setting sail for unknown places. Can’t wait to see Terry Gilliam’s latest film, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS, starring the late Heath Ledger and featuring Toms Waits as, (what else?),  the Devil. Check out the trailer:

Perfect follow up to that was Robert Palmer’s CASTING A SPELL from his Heavy Nova album of 1988. And to close the show, a beautifully benign tune, after all those scary songs, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band’s take on the Frankenstein myth: LOOK OUT THERE’S A MONSTER COMING. 

I’m happy to say that Theme Park will be back for another season on BayFM so next Tuesday wlll be our first anniversary and it’s also the day that Australia’s biggest horse race takes place: the Melbourne Cup. Like last year there will be a sweep, lots of prizes and we’ll cross to Flemington for the big race. And the music? I’ve decided that as last year’s was HORSES, this year it will be LUCK. Wishing you all good fortune.

Here’s this week’s playlist:

The Graveyard By Moonlight – Cradle of Filth 

House of 1000 Corpses – Rob Zombie 

Psycho Killer – Talking Heads

Ghost Town – The Specials 

Brides to Darkness – Nox Arcana 

I Put A Spell On You – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 

Bo Meets the Monster – Bo Diddley 

The Devil Is A Woman – Herb Jeffries 

Monster Mash- Bobby (Boris) Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers

Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) – Concrete Blonde 

Evil – Howlin’ Wolf  

Little Red Riding Hood – Sam the Sham 

Plan 9 From Outer Space – Movie Clip

Ghosts – Michael Jackson 

Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground – Blind Willie Johnson The Blues – A Musical 

It Must Have Been The Devil – Otis Spann 

The Witch Queen of New Orleans – Leon Redbone 

Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) – David Bowie 

Boris the Spider – The Who 

Lullaby – The Cure 

Jeepers Creepers – Siouxie and the Banshees

The Carny – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 

Abbott and Costello Meet the Wolfman – Movie Clip

Hells Bells – ACDC 

Singapore – Tom Waits 

Casting A Spell – Robert Palmer 

Look Out, There’s A Monster Coming – Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band 

Next Week: LUCK (Suggestions always very welcome!)

Listen to Lyn McCarthy at the Theme Park on BayFM, Tuesdays 2-4pm, Sydney time.  

Also streaming on http://www.bayfm.org

Tragically also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/maccalyn

No shock here.  The virtually unbroken string of bad biopics apparently continues with Amelia. I will see it out of almost unqualified admiration for director Mira Nair, but nothing in the many reviews I have seen suggests that the film transcends  standard, tired biopic conventions.

Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” probably came the closest to reviving the whole genre. In fact, Van Sant may have fully succeeded (your call). But there are, I think,  some good reasons that biopic screenplays usually stink up the house:

including every obligatory “sacred”  historic moment,  regardless of  how well they fit  into a coherent story or how true they might be

the over-investment in making sure the actors look and sound like the people they are playing. I have always felt that  physical resemblance only works when the effort put into makeup, however precise,  is exceeded by the even greater  performance of a brilliant actor.  It makes perfect sense that the two best “look-alike” performances I have ever seen were by actors who are consensus members of the pantheon — Bruno Ganz in Der Untergang and Sean Penn in Milk. )

the unavoidable hagiography

the drive to be so exhaustively complete  that the story sinks from the weight of its self-conscious authority

a director so obsessed with a character that he or she seems to get lost in the confusion of who the filmmaker is and who the character is. (Kevin Spacey and Bobby Darin?) Rare but spooky.

The baffling thing here is that a great filmmaker like Mira Nair took on Amelia.

Mira Nair. The Mira Nair who made Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake. The brilliant, luminous Mira Nair.

We need to remember that authenticity and accuracy are historical, not dramaturgical, concepts.

The very best films about lives don’t take on the heavy and weighted obligation of completeness. They pick an episode in a life and, through the unfolding of events and character during that episode, reveal aspects of a complex life. Capote, Henry and June, and Downfall (Der Untergang) are three good, random examples. These films also succeed by embedding the main character in a world of comparably interesting ,  and maybe even more  interesting,  characters.

I’ll leave you with one admittedly unconventional recommendation and one worry.

Recommendation: My favorite biopic really isn’t a biopic at all.  But with its crazy sensibility, hilarity, cast of grotesque characters, and overwhelming quirkiness, Tim Burton’s Ed Wood is my favorite “life-story” of them all.

Worry: Spielberg, as you may know, is doing Lincoln. I believe Liam Neeson got the part. My fear is that Lincoln’s  complex, even anguished , life could be buried beneath “Private Ryan” schmaltz,  expensive costumes, overwrought John Williams music,  the flood of signature close-ups of Lincoln’s face, and the quest for accuracy.  None of these equal compelling drama and conflict.  In fact, all this nonsense often hides a lack of compelling narrative.

We’ll see.

It’s my favorite time of the year. The time when I get to bundle up on the couch, turn off the lights, and put in a good ol’ horror flick. There are countless classics, and I want to know what your favorite is.

Men dressed like women are everywhere- in every country. We in the US will see a ton of them in a couple weeks.

Besides Ed Wood, secretly every man wants to try on women’s clothing. I’m positive of it. I had neighbors in college who were supposed studs, but loved having parties where they got to dress like girls- you know- they typical pimp & ho parties, but they made the girls dress like the p-i-m-p-s.

Role reversal is the stuff of giggles.

Got tranny fluid? No? Well, ask your local car mechanic.

For reference, see Julian Fleisher’s definitive guide on drag queens.

Welcome, friends, to the first of two very special weeks here at The Steve Austin Book Club.  This week, we focus on the life-challenged brain-cravers everyone loves – ZOMBIES!

And, to start us out this week, a special micro-hero from EG.  For those of you that have not seen the cinema masterpiece known as Plan 9 From Outer Space, you have lived far too sheltered a life.   Rectify this missing part of your life as soon as possible.

For those of you that have seen this epic film, we are proud to present one of the greatest zombies of all time – Tor Johnson as Inspector Daniel Clay:

Stay tuned throughout the week for more zombie fun!

☺☺☺☺☺

Tim Burton e la sua dichiarazione d’amore verso il cinema, eccola su pellicola fotogramma per fotogramma. Ed Wood (l’onnipresente Johnny Depp) è il protagonista , è il personaggio realmente esistito, è il regista peggiore del mondo ancor oggi a detta di molti ma anche colui che vive di un amore sincero per il cinema e che nella sua semplicità e a volte banalità (sempre in senso positivo) è disposto a dare tutto per i suoi film. Film appunto creati con tecniche imbarazzanti e che si reggono in piedi a stento, dai fotogrammi ritagliati e talvolta rubati eppure ricordati ancor oggi. Il padre dei B-Movies? Ebbene sì.

Avvertenze:

Il film ha vinto due premi oscar e fotocopia è l’interpretazione di Bela Lugosi da parte di Martin Landau, benchè forse sia il film più sottovalutato di Burton ahimè. Una perla per gli amanti del Cinema e per coloro che non si spaventano del bianco e nero (che di per sè è puro romanticismo eh). Ultima considerazione, chissà quanti registi d’oggi senza l’aiuto e l’abuso di mirabolanti e iperbolici effetti speciali sarebbero considerati alla stregua del povero Wood?

Alla prossima pillola. 

****

One of my favorite movies of all time would have to be Tim Burton’s ‘Ed Wood’. Unfortunately not many people have seen this one, mainly because they don’t know what it’s about. So I thought: “Let’s write a little review on this movie and maybe that will convince more people to watch it!” So here it goes…

First let me tell you something about the person Edward D. Wood Jr. He lived from 1924 till 1978 and he was known as ‘the Worst Director of All Time’. And if you watch his movies, you’ll totally understand why he has been given this title. He made movies for all kinds of genres and independently produced, wrote, directed and sometimes even starred in them. He worked incredibly fast and cheap, which resulted in some of the worst movies ever made. His movies contained all kinds of technical errors, unconvincing special effects, weird dialogue, bad actors and bizarre plot elements.  His most famous movies are ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’ (starring Dracula-star Béla Lugosi) and ‘Glen or Glenda’. That last one is semi-autobiographical, starring Ed Wood himself. He played a character with a fetish for cross-dressing and angora sweaters. Wood himself was a transvestite too.

It’s actually pretty sad that Wood was never taken seriously, while all he wanted was recognition as a serious filmmaker. But recognition he finally got when the 1994 movie ‘Ed Wood’ by Tim Burton came out. This movie is mainly about Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) and Béla Lugosi (Martin Landau) and the making of their three movies: ‘Glen or Glenda’, ‘Bride of the Monster’ and ‘Plan 9 from Outer Space’. Martin Landau actually won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this part, which in my opinion he completely deserved. The movie also won an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

I remember first seeing this movie, I was so overwhelmed. Of course I had to see it, because it’s a Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie, and I love those. And this one is no exception. It’s shot in black and white, which looks gorgeous. Johnny Depp is fantastic as Ed Wood, he plays the part with warmth and enthusiasm and he’s funny too. Ed Wood just had to make movies and loved what he did so much. He really fought to get his movies made. It makes him a very loveable character.

The sets are also incredible. They are perfect replicas of the real movie sets Ed Wood used. I didn’t even know that at first, because I hadn’t seen any of Ed Wood’s movies yet. But when I did, I just loved this movie even more.  

Conclusion: Everyone should see it. You don’t have to know Ed Wood to fall in love with this movie. It makes fun of him but also celebrates him. It’s both funny and dramatic and it’s just an all-round great movie that I could recommend to anyone.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icUJwlh5-Cs

Sinema dünyasında bana göre en başarılı karakter oyuncularının başında gelir çok sevgili Johnny Depp(JD:)).1963′lü oyuncu 84 yılında ilk filmi olan “Elm Sokağı Kabusu” adlı filmle sinema dünyasına adım attı.Vücudundaki dövmeleri hayatının bir senaryosu olarak gören aktör, genç kızların hayran olduğu biri olarak yaşamaktan hoşlanmadığı için bundan öncede oynadığı “24 Jump Street” adlı tv dizisini de bırakan oyuncu sinema kariyerinde yakışıklılığından çok canlandırdığı karakterlerle anılarak hedeflediği kariyere ulaştı.İşte şimdi sizlerle bu her yaşa hitap eden yelpazedeki filmlerin birkaçını paylaşıyorum…İçinde izlediğiniz ya da izlemek istediğiniz filmler mutlaka olacaktır…

İşte Filmler…

#1 Elm Sokağı Kabusu (1984)-A Nightmare on Elm Street-Oyuncu: Glen Lantz rolünde
#2 Private Resort (1985)-Oyuncu: Jack rolünde
#3 Müfreze (1986)-Platoon-Oyuncu: Lerner rolünde
#4 Sulugöz (1990)-Cry-Baby-Oyuncu: Wade ‘Cry-Baby’ Walker rolünde
#5 Edward Makaseller (1990)-Edward Scissorhands-Oyuncu: Edward Makaseller rolünde
#6 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)-Oyuncu: Gilbert Grape rolünde
#7 Benny & Joon (1993)-Oyuncu: Sam rolünde
#8 Amerikan Rüyası (1993)-Arizona Dream-Oyuncu: Axel Blackmar rolünde
#9 Ed Wood (1994)-Oyuncu: Edward D. Wood, Jr. rolünde
#10 Nick of Time (1995)-Oyuncu: Gene Watson rolünde
#11 Don Juan DeMarco (1995)-Oyuncu: Don Juan rolünde
#12 Dead Man (1995)-Oyuncu: William ‘Bill’ Blake rolünde
#13 Köstebek (1997)-Donnie Brasco-Oyuncu: Donnie rolünde
#14 The Brave (1997)-Yönetmen, Senarist, Oyuncu: Raphael rolünde
#15 Vegas’ta Korku ve Nefret (1998)-Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-Oyuncu
#16 Hayalet Süvari (1999)-Sleepy Hollow-Oyuncu
#17 The Astronaut’s Wife (1999)-Oyuncu: Spencer Armacost rolünde
#18 9. Kapı (1999)-The Ninth Gate-Oyuncu
#19 Karanlıktan Önce (2000)-Before Night Falls-Oyuncu: Bon Bon rolünde
#20 Erkeğin Gözyaşları (2000)-The Man Who Cried-Oyuncu: Cesar rolünde
#21 Çikolata (2000)-Chocolat-Oyuncu
#22 Cehennemden Gelen (2001)-From Hell-Oyuncu: Müfettiş Frederick George Abberline rolünde
#23 Beyaz Şeytan (2001)-Blow-Oyuncu: George Jung rolünde
#24 Lost in La Mancha (2002)-Oyuncu
#25 Karayip Korsanları: Siyah İnci’nin Laneti (2003)-Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl-Oyuncu: Jack Sparrow rolünde
#26 Bir Zamanlar Meksika’da (2003)-Once Upon a Time in Mexico-Oyuncu: CIA Ajanı Sands rolünde
#27 Gizli Pencere (2004)-Secret Window-Oyuncu: Mort Rainey rolünde
#28 Düşler Ülkesi (2004)-Finding Neverland-Oyuncu: Sör J. M. Barrie rolünde
#29 Ölü Gelin (2005)-Corpse Bride-Seslendirme: Victor karakterinde
#30 Charlie’nin Çikolata Fabrikası (2005)-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-Oyuncu: Willy Wonka rolünde
#31 Karayip Korsanları: Ölü Adamın Sandığı (2006)-Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest-Oyuncu: Kaptan Jack Sparrow rolünde
#32 Sweeney Todd: Fleet Sokağının Şeytan Berberi (2007)-Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street-Oyuncu: Sweeney Todd rolünde
#33 Karayip Korsanları: Dünyanın Sonu (2007)-Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End-Oyuncu: Jack Sparrow rolünde
#34 Halk Düşmanları (2009)-Public Enemies-Oyuncu: John Dillinger rolünde

Şimdi haklı olarak hiç üşenmeden bunların hepsini tek tek yazdın ama sen kaçını izledinde bu kadar şiddetle tavsiye ediyorsun dersen listedeki koyu renkli kısımlar size sorunuzun cevabını verecektir… [hımm sonuca bende şaşırdım açıkçası... ]
Hepinize şimdiden iyi seyirler diliyor ve izledikten sonra yorumlarınızı bu başlığın altına eklemeyi lütfen ihmal etmeyin diyorum…

85 anni fa, il 10 ottobre 1924, nasceva Edward D. Wood Jr., l’uomo passato alla storia come il peggior regista di tutti i tempi. In questi 85 anni, molti sono stati i candidati pronti a strappargli il poco ambito titolo. Eppure Wood ha sempre dimostrato di avere qualcosa in più dei suoi tanti, pessimi colleghi: un amore incondizionato per il cinema, e per il raccontare storie. Il fatto che non ne fosse assolutamente capace, non fa che aggiungere fascino ai suoi brutti film.

Per quanto tecnicamente risibili, infatti, le sue pellicole hanno un sapore naif che è difficile trovare altrove: se  di registi negati,  anche peggiori di Ed Wood, si potrebbe forse riempire un elenco del telefono, nessuno avrà mai l’amalgama inimitabile riscontrabile nelle sue pellicole.

Film orrendi per palati fini e per cinefili, le sue opere tentano maldestramente di inserirsi nel filone degli shockers degli anni ‘40 e ‘50, quando il genere era già ormai in declino. A partire da Glen or Glenda, del 1953, con povertà di mezzi, una tecnica inesistente, e basandosi su idee e plot quantomeno infantili, Wood continuò ad inanellare una serie di film definibili soltanto dall’espressione inglese so bad it’s good (talmente brutti da essere belli).

Non staremo qui a parlare ancora di Plan 9 From Outer Space, ritenuto il suo capolavoro, con i celeberrimi dischi volanti che penzolano dai fili di nylon o con la controfigura di Bela Lugosi più improbabile della storia; ormai, anche grazie al biopic di Tim Burton del 1994, quasi tutti conoscono le peculiarità dell’opera. Lasceremo invece la parola al film stesso, in questa selezione di citazioni dalla sceneggiatura.

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Criswell: Saluti, amico mio. Siamo tutti interessati al futuro, perché è là che io e voi passeremo il resto della nostra vita.

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Criswell: Amico mio, hai visto questi fatti basati su testimonianze giurate. Puoi forse provare che non siano successi? Magari sulla strada di casa passerai di fianco a qualcuno, nel buio, e non lo saprai mai, perché verrà dallo spazio profondo.

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Lt. Harper: Una cosa è sicura: l’Ispettore Clay è morto – assassinato – e qualcuno deve esserne responsabile!

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Criswell: [voce narrante] Al funerale del vecchio, nascosta dagli sguardi dei partecipanti, la sua MOGLIE MORTA stava guardando!

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Col. Edwards: Questa è la storia più fantastica che io abbia mai sentito.
Jeff: Ed è vera, anche, fino all’ultima parola.
Col. Edwards: Quella è la parte fantastica.

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Becchino: Hai sentito niente?
Becchino: Mi è sembrato di sì.
Becchino: Non mi piace sentire rumori, specialmente quando non dovrebbero essercene.

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Paula Trent: Non ti ho mai visto in questo stato d’animo, prima d’ora.
Jeff Trent: Immagino sia perché non sono mai stato in questo stato d’animo prima d’ora.

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Col. Tom Edwards: Perché è così importante che volete contattare i governi della nostra Terra?
Eros: Per via della morte. Perché tutti voi della Terra siete idioti.
Jeff Trent: Aspetta un attimo, amico.
Eros: No, aspetta un attimo tu. All’inizio era il fuoco d’artificio, un esplosivo innocuo. Poi la vostra granata: avete cominciato a uccidervi tra di voi, pochi alla volta. Poi la bomba. Poi una bomba più grande: molte persone venivano uccise in un solo momento. Poi i vostri scienziati capitarono sulla bomba atomica, e divisero l’atomo. Poi la bomba ad idrogeno, con cui fate esplodere l’aria stessa. Ora potete organizzare la distruzione totale dell’intero universo che ruota attorno al nostro sole: l’unica esplosione che vi rimane è la Solaranite.
Col. Tom Edwards: Macché, non esiste neanche.

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L’Alieno Imperatore: Piano 9? Ah, sì. Il Piano 9 si occupa della resurrezione dei morti. Elettrodi a lunga distanza inseriti nelle ghiandole pineali e pituitarie dei morti di recente.

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General Roberts: [il Generale sta spiegando perché la trasmissione da parte alieni è caduta] Il contatto è perso definitivamente. Le condizioni atmosferiche nello spazio profondo spesso interferiscono con le trasmissioni.

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Eros: [rivolto alla sua collega aliena] Sai, è una cosa interessante se ci pensi bene… la gente della Terra, che può pensare, è così spaventata da coloro che non possono farlo: i morti. Be’, la nostra navicella dovrebbe essersi ricaricata. E’ meglio se cominciamo.

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Col. Tom Edwards: Per un periodo abbiamo cercato di contattarli via radio ma nessuna risposta. Poi attaccarono una città, una piccola città, lo ammetto, ma comunque una città di persone, persone che sono morte.

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Lt John Harper: Era un disco.
Patrolman Larry: Un disco volante? E cosa glielo fa dire?
Lt John Harper: Ti ricordi il rumore che abbiamo sentito l’altra notte?
Patrolman Larry: Ci ha gettato a terra, come potrei dimenticarlo?
Lt John Harper: Esattamente, ma non ti stai ricordando il suono vero e proprio.
Patrolman Larry: Si sbaglia, Tenente. Sono d’accordo con lei che questo suono è simile, ma che mi dice della luce accecante?
Lt John Harper: Be’, non l’hai mai sentito dire? Tante volte un disco volante non brilla, e non ha nessuna luce.
Patrolman Larry: Questo prova che lei ha ragione! Cosa facciamo ora, Tenente?

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Paula Trent: Caro, non preoccuparti. I dischi volanti sono lassù. Il cimitero è là fuori. Ma io sarò chiusa a chiave qui dentro.

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Air Force Captain: Visite? Questo implica dei visitatori.

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Eros: Non vi serviranno le pistole.
Jeff Trent: Be’, forse noi pensiamo che ci servano.

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Eros: [con estremo disgusto] Vedete? Vedete?! Le vostre stupide menti! Stupide! Stupide! Stupide!

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Frasi di lancio del film:

• Indicibili orrori dallo spazio profondo paralizzano i viventi e fanno risorgere i morti!

• Alieni resuscitano i morti! Dischi volanti su Hollywood!

Glen or Glenda, de 1953, dirigido pelo célebre e polêmico Ed Wood. Um filme que, nos anos 50, fala sobre um assunto que, ainda hoje, é tido como tabu, a transexualidade, bem como de tolerância também. Além do fato de ter Béla Lugosi como “O cientista” um personagem, com ar divino, que faz diversos comentários sobre a humanidade, com sua famosa frase “Pull he String !” que, segundo histórias, ele inventou na hora da filmagem e Ed Wood achou tão bom que manteve.

OBS: Ed Wood é tido por muitos como o pior diretor do mundo, dado o seu estilo bizarro de criar roteiros, bem como a óbvia falta de verba, que o fazia produzir filmes de baixissimo orçamento e com grandes limitações. Porém, há uma grande diferença ai. Ed Wood, obviamente, era apaixonado pelo que fazia e não via o cinema simplesmente como forma de ganhar dinheiro. Ele o via como arte e, mesmo enfrentando muitas dificuldades e peconceitos, conseguiu fazer varios filmes que são, no mínimo, divertidos. Muito diferente de enganadores como Uwe Boll, que fazem flmes ridículos, sem pé nem cabeça, estragando grandes idéias.

Em 1994, Tim Burton produziu uma Biografia dele, muito bem feita, com Johnny Deep no papel de Ed Wood e Martin Landau como Béla Lugosi, papel este que lhe rendeu o oscars de Melhor ator Coadjuvante neste ano, bem merecido. Quem não assistiu, deve assistir !

Movie Review Part I

Rating System – MS = must see, R = recommended, G = good but not recommended,  M = meh, A = atrocious

I am going to start posting movie “reviews” of the ones I watch on here.  When I get bored I might go back and do some I have seen in the past.

G – Ed Wood – IMDB – A biographical history of the “worst director” ever, Edward D. Wood Jr.  The movie is well acted (Johnny Depp as Ed Wood) and interesting at some points, but is flat at others. The story essentially lacks a film-length plot, and I think it suffers from that; however, as it is a biographical movie this may have been the best possible storyline. After watching this movie I tried I was intrigued enough to watch one of his movies–Plan 9 from Outer Space; I think it was the first film I couldn’t sit through in its entirety since Battlefield Earth.

G -The Elephant Man – IMDB – It is a story about John Merrick, the deformed “Elephant Man”.  It is a touching story and a well-made movie, but I didn’t really like it that much.

R – All About Eve – IMDB – Great story about an obsessed fan who becomes a part of her idol’s life.  I didn’t really like the Eve character in the first half of the movie…but the 2nd half was great–I love the ending too.

M -Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem – IMDB -  A “music video”, if you will, of Daft Punks album Discovery. I like anime, and Daft Punk is alright; however, the storyline isn’t that great.

G – The Adventures of Prince Achmed – IMDB – This movie is the oldest remaining animated movie (1926). I’m not sure how it was done (all silhouetted), but the visuals are awesome at some parts. It is a “silent” movie and I played it on 4x speed + muted because I didn’t want to watch the whole thing that slow. Stories are based on 1001 Arabian Nights.

M – Neo Tokyo – IMDB – The first two segments of this movie sucked; the last one was decent. One of the few animes so far that I haven’t liked.

R – Barefoot Gen – IMDB -  A movie from a Japanese boy’s point of view of WWII. It’s not pro-Japanese or anti-America but anti-war (it does preach at some parts but not enough to be annoying). This movie is pretty intense and sad (I cried a few times); however, I felt alright at the end.

MS – Persepolis - IMDB – The coming of age story of an Iranian girl.  The movie is fun, semi-educational, and well-paced. I love the simplicity of the animation.

Omdat het al anderhalve maand geleden is. In die tijd schrijft Paul Baeten Gronda een half boek of zo. Mad Men Season 2 was dé kijkervaring van de zomer, maar er viel nog fraais te bewonderen. On y va:

• Crank (Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor, 2006). Beetje vergelijkbaar met de gemiddelde Vlaamse rockster: stijf van de coke, in handen van goeie marketeers, veel flash en geen kloot te vertellen. Maar die hersenloze manie is net ook de film z’n troef. Crank zorgt met z’n opgejutte snelheid, zelfrelativerende humor en over the top shoot-outs à la Shoot ‘em Up dat het al net zo’n guilty pleasure is als Doomsday. (***)
• When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts (Spike Lee, 2006). Monumentaal project van Spike Lee, die ermee wil laten zien wat een humanitair fiasco Hurricane Katrina met zich meebracht. Het is Spike Lee, en natuurlijk weet je dan dat er met de vinger gewezen gaat worden, en ook naar wie, maar dit blijft toch een schrijnende documentaire die moeiteloos meer dan vijf uur (!) weet te boeien. Het intrigerende is dat de insteek niet direct van Lee komt: er is geen flauwe voice-over, geen vertelstructuur die aangepast wordt aan verwijtende argumenten, etc. In plaats daarvan wordt het hele verhaal verteld door de mensen wiens verhaal het meest relevant is: de betrokkenen, de inwoners van New Orleans en omstreken, zij die hebben, houden en vaak ook naasten kwijtraakten. Het loopt grotendeels chronologisch, van de alarmerende weersvoorspellingen tot de voorbereidingen en evacuatie. Natuurlijk liep het daar al snel mis: de toestand werd niet ernstig genoeg genomen, te veel mensen hadden niet de tijd, de mogelijkheid of de middelen om de stad te ontvluchten. Sommigen waren ook te koppig. Uiteindelijk kwam het er op neer dat de stad de kracht van de orkaan had kunnen overleven. Datzelfde kon niet gezegd worden van de dijken, die van inferieure kwaliteit waren en ervoor zorgden dat ze stad in geen tijd onder water stond. Veel tijd wordt gespendeerd aan de diensten die normaal zorgen voor de bouwwerken en de gevolgen die de krakkemikkige structuur van de dijken voor de inwoners had. Meest ophefmakend van al was natuurlijk het feit dat het dagen duurde voor er van overheidswege ingegrepen werd. Bush en zijn kabinet leken de ernst van de situatie pas te begrijpen toen het al veel te laat was en inwoners het al begeven hadden in de hete temperatuur, zonder medische aandacht en andere voorzieningen. Opnieuw pijnlijk om vast te stellen dat de grootste, machtigste natie tere wereld, een player die een budget spendeert aan militaire rotzooi dat volstaat om een half continent van alle noodzakelijke middelen te voorzien, niet het benul heeft om in te grijpen als zijn eigen burgers liggen te verzuipen, geen plan heeft voor noodsituaties in eigen land. Het is op dat moment dat When The Levees Broke zijn meest verontwaardigde posities inneemt, en de inwoners, gaande van muzikanten, lokale politici, brandweerlieden en gewone burgers, kunnen dan ook niet geloven dat deze gigantische fuck up had kunnen gebeuren in hun natie. Families werden (letterlijk en figuurlijk) uit elkaar gerukt, gedeporteerd naar andere staten en aan hun lot overgelaten. Deprimerende kost, maar tegelijkertijd ook een bemoedigend document dat veel mooie, kleine verhalen te bieden heeft, van loyaliteit, onbaatzuchtigheid en verenigdheid, de menselijke wil om zich een weg te banen uit de misère. Met dank aan Batarang. (****1/2)
• The Sin Eater (Brian Helgeland, 2003). Ook bekend als The Order in sommige contreien. Gaat lopen met de titel van slechtste, meest overbodige film die ik dit jaar zag. Suf verhaal, amateuristisch acteerwerk, visueel flauw. Slaapverwekkende brol. Niet te geloven dat dit kwam van de scenarist van LA Confidential. (1/2)
• The Painted Veil (John Curran, 2006). W.S. Maugham-verfilming met Edward Norton en Naomi Watts. Beide acteurs doen uitstekend hun best en vooral Watts maakt opnieuw indruk. (***1/2)
• The Dam Busters (Michael Anderson, 1955). Leutige oorlogsfilm over een geleerde die een plan bedenkt om de Nazi’s een loer te draaien door hun stuwdammen met een nieuwe techniek te bombarderen. Boeiend om verschillende extra redenen: 1) het laatste half uur van de film (de bombardementen) zouden van rechtstreekse invloed geweest zijn op het einde van de eerste Star Wars (als ze die metalen bol vaneen blazen, etc; 2) er staat naar verluidt een remake aan te komen van Peter Jackson (en u hoopt natuurlijk met mij dat die beter is dan zijn veel te lange King Kong,) en, meest opmerkelijk: 3) er loopt een hond rond die Nigger heet. U leest dat goed. (***1/2)
• Such Hawks, Such Hounds (Jessica Hundley & John Srebalus, 2008). Bij mijn weten de eerste ’serieuze’ poging om een documentaire over doom(metal), stonerrock en heavy psychedelica te maken. Maakt een beetje een overbodige omweg via veertig jaar hardrock/metal-geschiedenis, door vooral bands erbij te slepen die in de underground verkeerden, maar wel cultfavorieten werden; Pentagram, Groundhogs, Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, het zijn allemaal bands die een essentiële rol speelden in het ontstaan en de evolutie van enkele nauw verwante genres. Uiteindelijk gaat het echter om een exploratie van de hedendaagse scènes, waarbij enkele bands/artiesten meer belicht worden, zoals Comets On Fire, Wino, Sleep, High On Fire, Nebula, Dead Meadow, Sunn 0)), Om, etc. Het gaat over het belang van artwork, de concerten, drugs, sound, kleinschaligheid, nostalgie, etc… Er komen heel wat relevante betrokkenen aan het woord (Brant Bjok, Scott Reeder, Matt Pike, Greg Anderson, Joe Preston, etc) en het is goed om te zien dat enkele halfvergeten bands eindelijk het krediet krijgen dat ze verdienen (Fatso Jetson). Je kan zitten klagen over het feit dat er met bijna geen woord gerept wordt over Queens Of The Stone Age of The Melvins, maar het is duidelijk van het begin dat het vooral de underground wil belichten. Deze bands en muzikanten zijn iconisch binnen het genre, maar uiteindelijk spelen de meesten van hen nog steeds in kleine clubs. Tenzij Roadburn zich weer aandient, natuurlijk. Van Roadburn gesproken: Goatsnake doet een reunie,  en ik ben er blij om.  (****)
• Alfie (Lewis Gilbert, 1966). Klassieker van de Britse cinema, die de tand des tijds niet al te best doorstaan heeft. Hier en daar wat gewaagde grapjes en Michael Caine is bij momenten echt geweldig, maar het is ook allemaal zo statisch en stijf dat het aanvoelt alsof je naar en toneelstuk zit te kijken. En toneel, da’s natuurlijk voor mietjes. *wink* (***1/2)
• Fargo (Joel Coen, 1996). Nog eens gekeken. Funny stuff, yah! (****1/2)
• Ed Wood (Tim Burton, 1994). Ongetwijfeld het hoogtepunt uit het oeuvre van Tim Burton en waarschijnlijk een van m’n favoriete films van de voorbije twintig jaar: grappig, creatief, visueel aantrekkelijk, met gewéldig acteerwerk van Johnny Depp en Martin Landau en, belangrijk, very quotable. (*****) Dit is slechts een van de vele onvergetelijke scènes:
• Carlito’s Way (Brian De Palma, 1993). Op elk vlak de meerdere van Scarface, met uitzondering van de overacting. De Palma slaagt er maar niet in om een relatie vlees en bloed tussen man en vrouw op het scherm te krijgen, maar het verhaal wordt verteld met zo veel flair (grotendeels natuurlijk dankzij de vrij ingehouden, klasserijke performance van Al Pacino) en zoveel visuele extravaganza (dat laatste half uur!) dat je niet anders kan dan bewonderen. (****1/2)
• Kes (Ken Loach, 1970). Vroege film van de gelauwerde Britse moralist. Eenvoudige film, overduidelijk gemaakt met een minuscuul budget en met amateur-acteurs, maar zo effectief als maar kan. Vergeet Billy Elliott. Weemoedig, pijnlijk en charmant en een pareltje van de sociaal-realistische cinema. (****1/2)
• Missing In Action (Joseph Zito, 1984). Yep, de film met Chuck Norris, de Amerikaanse Freddy De Kerpel, die als stoere militair Braddock (hey!) een groepje vergeten soldaten gaat bevrijden uit een of ander kamp in Zuidoost-Azië. Slechte muziek, slecht geacteerd, lullig verhaal, ongeloofwaardige explosies, standaard B-film camerawerk. The works! Misschien zelfs slechter dan Rambo II. (*1/2)
• David Murray – I’m A Jazzman (Jacques Goldstein, 2008). Documentaire over de man die in de Penguin Guide to Jazz nog de belangrijkst saxofonist van zijn generatie genoemd werd. Ik kan alleszins het machtige drieluik Ming / Home / Murray’s Steps aanbevelen: intense, passionele, woelige jazz die beweegt tussen de swing van Ellington, de broeierige structuren van Mingus en de free jazz van anderhalf decennium ervoor. Sindsdien is er een en ander gebeurd, heeft Murray in Europa gewoond en is hij een ware wereldburger geworden, die de wereld rondreist om culturen te absorberen in een poging om meer begrip te krijgen over zijn identiteit als zwarte Amerikaan. De livebeelden zijn stuik voor stuk de moeite – vooral de scènes met Milford Graves in zijn jonge jaren (die vurigheid!) en zijn spel in een afrikaanse funkband die ronduit verschroeiend uithaalt, maar de interviews vormen geen coherent verhaal, zijn vaak te algemeen, blijven op de vlakte en geven weinig inzicht in de motieven van de man. Een aanrader voor de fans, maar ook een gemiste kans. (***)
• The Sting (George Roy Hill, 1973). Al geleden sinds mijn kindertijd, en toch kon ik me naast de muziek (Scott Joplins rags) ook nog heel wat herinneren. Steeds een goed teken. Entertainend van de eerste tot de laatse minuut. (****)
• Milk (Gus Van Sant, 2008). Opmerkelijk conventionele biopic die het experimentele randje van Van Sants vorige films volledig mist. Gelukkig is er de performance van Sean Penn, die kameleongewijs weer een totaal ander figuurtje neerzet. Indrukwekkend om te zien wat hij doet met intonatie, energie en tics. Het is een grote performance. (***1/2)
• There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007). Machtig epos met een trager ritme en een meer sobere stijl dan ’s mans meesterwerken Boogie Nights en Magnolia, maar met al even veel klasse. Meeslepend is het kernwood, zowel visueel als qua verhaal en vertolkingen. Daniel Day Lewis is waanzinnig intens als bezeten oliebaron die in predikant Paul Dano zijn tegenstander vindt. Een onvergetelijke film over ambitie, eenzaamheid, misantropie, fanatisme en gulzigheid, met bijna Bijbelse proporties en opnieuw een paar vijfsterrenoneliners. I DRINK YOUR MILKSHAKE! is er slechts een van. (*****)
• In the Mood For Love (Wong Kar Wai, 2000). Totaal andere kost, drijvend op subtiele hints, weemoedige beelden en voorzichtig sensuele muziek van Nat King Cole. Esthetisch sterk gestileerd en vol nostalgie die vast ook zal aanslaan bij al die fragiele Murakami-liefhebbers. (****)
• Teeth (Michael Lichtenstein, 2007). Boeiend concept, die vagina dentata, en het leidt onvermijdelijk tot enkele wansmakelijke scènes, o.m. bij de gynaecoloog (“I ain’t gonna bite”) en enkele bloederige vrijpartijen. Heeft qua stijl vooral veel weg van de tienergriezelprenten die mega waren aan het einde van de 90’s, maar weet zich toch te onderscheiden door een aantal onweerstaanbare grappen. (**1/2)
• Quantum Of Solace (Marc Foster, 2008). De actie is nog geconcentreerder dan in Casino Royale en de film oogt nog geschifter. Hypernerveuze, naar adrenaline stinkende prent met een adembenemend eerste kwartier en overdonderende scènes die keer op keer flirten met de chaos. Daniel Craig ziet er belabberd uit, vindt het toch niet nodig om te slapen en te eten en mag wat coole wisecracks uit z’n mouw schudden, en hij geraakt er mee weg ook. Verstand op nul (want dat verhaal, daar raakt geen mens wijzer uit) en vlammen maar. (***)

NP: Dinosaur Jr. – Beyond