"And like a tunnel under peaceful fire..."

Jon Bovi SNL

I can't be the only one who loves Jon Bovi right?

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Who needs therapy when you have the great outdoors?

Antichrist Trailer

Chances are today you've seen Willem Dafoe's ass. Why? Because today's the day Lars von Trier's Antichrist trailer premiered. The cast consists of Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg and an ark full of animals. And to be honest, watching it made me crawl under my covers and never come out. I don't know how I'll make it through the movie... Everybody's favorite adjective to describe it seems to be creepy, but I'm going to with sinister and shuddersome because they sound better.

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Come back, come back!

In most cases, especially one such as this, Ausiello's word is as good as gold. This isn't the first time I wished he was wrong, but we all know in guts that's he right. Sarah Connor Chronicles. Time of Death, 4:07pm. Official Time of Death, May 18th 2009.

Peace be with you. And also with you.

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Tuesday DVD Release Rundown

• The Reader
  
• The Spirit
  
• Dark Matter
  
• My Best Friend's a Vampire
  
• Lost in Austen
  
• Skins Vol. 2

(For full list go here)

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Jonny come lately

Efronious is set to take on 11 year old Jonny Quest (who'll they'll be skewing older obviously)... Sure it makes sense, but is it exciting? I swear between all the slated cartoon comic remakes and franchises set to release and on the books, it feels like Hollywood is just drawing one big blank.

But with that said Efron is likely better suited to this role than most. So if it has to get made, casting's got my approval.

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Isn't this a conflict of interest?

If you play a werewolf in one vampire franchise, isn't unethical to play a blood sucker in another? Seriously Michael Sheen, how do we know you won't suddenly turn and sympathize with the wolfy ones?

But for real word on the street is that Sheen will be playing head Vampire, Aros, in Twilight's New Moon. The man is addicted to playing the same parts over and over and over. but I'm not one to complain.

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Pebble in your shoe

DEAD MAN'S BONES - "NAME IN STONE" from biz3 publicity on Vimeo.

A Huge thanks to one of my new fav blogs, The Playlist, for alerting me to Ryan Gosling's enormously enjoyable 2 man band. Especially this video, "Name in Stone." Now not only can I enjoy one of the best actors onscreen, but I can also listen to his soothing voice as he serenades me to sleep. It's like falling in love all over again.

Anyways be sure to check out The Playlist. They're great.

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Double Feature!

Ever had a rainy day where you thought, man, I wish I had a convenient way of searching to see what 2 movies were playing successively in my local theaters to make the perfect double feature? Well problem solved. You can thank me later. 

On a totally separate note, SpoutBlog rattles off "10 Likable Tax Agents." Where can I find me a Harold Crick? (Yeah, I'm one of the people that secretly loved Stranger than Fiction.)

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Seasonal Wake-Up

"Please make this into a movie! Please make this into a movie! I'll be good every day for a month. I'll clean my room, make my bed, walk the imaginary dog!"

(/film Twitter bird whispers in my ear)

"Oh really? It's taken care of? Awesome."

Ok, it's not exactly taken care of, but it's on the books.

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Thank Goodness for Twitch

Just watch the trailers and feel happy inside!

Cencoroll Trailers

Movie Review: Clash of the broken-down Titans

"I told you it was 'gotcha' journalism," laughed Ron Howard after effectively being called out by the Jacob Burns' own Steve Apkon. Apkon had just shown a clip of Howard as Opie (The Andy Griffith Show), desperately trying to get his 'pa to listen to some phone conversations he had taped. "I don't even remember doing that scene," said Howard, "but now we know what political party Opie was headed for." The clip was both timely and fitting given that it followed a screening of Howard's newest film, Frost/Nixon. The film centers on a dramatic retelling of the David Frost/Richard Nixon interviews of 1977. Prior to seeing this film, I wasn't aware that these tapes even existed, but now they are everywhere. The historic interviews were then turned into the groundbreaking play, written by Peter Morgan. The title roles were originated by actors Michael Sheen and Frank Langella on stage,  and now they are the stars of the film. Both men come barreling onto the screen in their own way. While Sheen does it with a glittering smile and mesmerizing blue eyes, Langella does it with a shaky fist and booming, era-appropriate voice. Whether you went into the film with this intention or not, you fall in love with both the leads as they march over you with their insecurities. Howard was so aptly able to catch moments of true fragility from both actors, that the simple story became a heartbreaking boxing match. 

The film is beautifully shot and carefully crafted by an artisan who's spent his entire life in the business of film. I've been impressed with Howard before, but Frost/Nixon is an accomplishment by him that people haven't seen before. After the screening, he spoke a lot about how the most gripping moment of the real life Frost/Nixon interviews was a close-up shot of Nixon as he gave into Frost's bantering and apologized to the American people for a terrible mistake. It was this one moment within 30 hours of tape, that changed political history forever. It is the crux of the film. As Langella stares blankly past the camera, you can feel he's been beaten down to nothing, and by a British talk show host at that. You are witnessing the lowest moment of a man's life. It may seem easy, but capturing that on film is anything but. This intimate moment didn't end up feeling like a cheap imitation of the real thing (as I had worried), but instead takes on a life of it's own. 

Frank Langella was not most people's first choice for the film role of Nixon, despite his critically acclaimed performance in the stage play. He and Howard have both spoken frankly, that at a certain point, he seemed almost out of the running entirely. He doesn't look like Nixon for starters, but as he channel's the character, you find yourself believing in him with ease. "I told him that he may not have been high on the studio's list, but he was at the top of mine," said Howard. The director got his way and brought Langella along for the ride. The Queen's Michael Sheen was a perfect fit for the part of David Frost from the start (and he actually did look like the real person). I was a bit skeptical of his performance at first, but Sheen breaks your heart onscreen, both when he smiles and when he completely gives up. There is something so intense about the expressiveness of his face, you feel hypnotized. I actually couldn't say whether Sheen is a gifted actor, or just gifted facially. Either way, his performance as David Frost is memorable (or maybe I'm just under his spell). 

The film has a lot to offer its audience. You are able to delve head first into these rich, meaty characters during the most important time in their lives (whether they knew it or not). Both actors were able to sidestep becoming caricatures, which can often be the downfall of a film based on real life people. As the verbal battle ensues between them, both men fight with all they've got. At a certain point, you don't know who you're rooting for anymore (another cinematic accomplishment by Howard). Frost and Nixon may be the headliners, but they are a part of an all star cast. Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Matthew Macfayden, and Oliver Platt are able to shine, despite what could have easily an been overshadowing presence by the leads. Rockwell in particular does a superb job in finding the humor and nailing it.

I plucked up the courage to ask Howard a question of my own. "Your portrayal of Nixon's Chief of Staff, played by Kevin Bacon, is that he was loyal till the end, and that he felt a deep love for Nixon. From your interviews with Nixon's real staff, was this really the case?" It may not have been the best question of the night, but it was one I really wanted to know the answer to. Howard responded that whatever else they may ultimately feel about Nixon and his choices, one thing is abundantly clear; anyone who worked with him has an unwavering respect for the man. This feeling of reverence resonates strongly throughout the film. Howard spoke of how he felt betrayed by the man he once voted for. However, the film tells a different story. A deeply flawed man tried to make people love him, but failed miserably. But he tried, and as simple as that is, I think it's the whole point. 

Short and Sweet

Beautiful character film about two men who fight with all their might to come out on top. The cast hits all the right notes as a whole and compliment each other. This is a definite must-see, but seeing it in theaters is not critical, so maybe save your $10.75 and wait to Netflix it. 

There's a lot that happened in the Q&A, but I don't want the review to be longer than it is already, so feel free to email me if you want to know more about Howard's discussion of the film. Sorry it took so long to get this up! Reviews of Milk, Slumdog Millionaire and Adam Resurrected coming soon!