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Movies
I cannot wait for the release of this movie adaptation directed by Spike Jonze of one of my favorite books, Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are." Here's the first official (great) poster:
Maurice Sendak grew up in the Brooklyn! BROOKLYN PRIDE, BABY!
It was originally called "Where the Wild Horses Are," but because Sendak couldn't draw horses, his editor changed the title to "Wild Things," and the rest is history.
[Via]
How can it be dawn of the dinosaurs if the Ice Age followed afterwards?
Sir Nadroj recreated the Watchmen characters using Legos. Yet another thing more awesome than the actual movie.
[Via]
Click here to read the rest. It's a tad more entertaining than the movie. Oh snap.
Someone hacked this Watchmen poster at the West 4th street subway stop.
Calling Posterboy.
[Thanks Melissa!]
The Job is a short written and directed by Jonathan Browning. It's an obvious, but still entertaining twist on day laborers. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XGJq8wrw5I&fmt=18]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWy4Fklp7Cw&fmt=18] Slumdog Millionaire definitely set the bar high for hanging out with my Indian friends. They'd be a lot more fun to party with if they busted out in synchronized Bollywood dance.
[Via]
Based on Philippe Petit's account of his stunning high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974 in his book "To Reach the Clouds," director James Marsh revisits that event in "Man on Wire," which won the best documentary category at this year's Academy Award. Using actual footage as well as interpretive reenactments and contemporary interviews with many of the participants, Marsh succeeds in recreating the tense and suspenseful atmosphere experienced by Petit and especially his accomplices as they case and eventually break into the then recently completed World Trade Center. Paradoxically, it is at the point of no return, when Petit confidently steps onto the precarious wire--seemingly counter to human nature--does the film achieve a peaceful quietness that leaves the viewer in awe and wonder. However, throughout the documentary, one also views snippets of the narcissism and obsessive force of Petit’s exuberant personality. While no one was ultimately physically injured, it is clear that there were emotional casualties, especially in the frenzied aftermath of his walk.
Although it is never mentioned, the specter of 9/11 looms large in the background, and one can't help but make comparisons at times between Petit's crew and the terrorist attacks years later, particularly when they describe the various methods including impersonating a reporter to enter and gain access to the towers' rooftop. Yet the sight of this Frenchman casually resting on his back high above the streets and staring up at the clouds above New York City, provides a cathartic counter to the monstrous and horrifying collapse of the World Trade Center.
I highly recommend this movie. And if you don't believe me, it has a 100% rating with 137 review over at Rotten Tomatoes.
Relatedly, this was the New Yorker cover on the 5th anniversary of 9/11:
[Thanks Kate for Netflix'ng this movie and the New Yorker cover connection!]
I know it was the front runner, but I'm still surprised to see Slumdog Millionaire walk away from the 2009 Oscars with the Best Picture. Of course, I'm giddy about its win and I'm glad I saw the movie early in its release.
I think my astonishment stems largely from a pessimistic skepticism of Hollywood due to its well documented historically prejudiced attitude towards "ethnic" actors and movies. This is a welcomed step in the right direction for the industry, but there's still lots of room for improvement. If you don't think so, just speak to any aspiring actor of color.
Of course, I think it's a travesty that Wall-E was not included in the Best Picture category.
Speaking of room for improvement:
A sobering response came Monday from Dilbur Parakh, who heads a charity-run school where two of the film’s youngest stars, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali Qureshi, 9, are enrolled. The children still live in a sprawling shantytown called Garib Nagar — literally the enclave of the poor. The filmmakers pay for their school fees.
Lastly, A.O. Scott suggests that Slumdog's other wins in "editing, cinematography and score" is more significant.
Its look, its pacing and its sound are not like the competition, and indeed not like a lot of commercial American movies. And yet it is an entirely accessible movie, not so much self-consciously exotic as effortlessly, eagerly eclectic. So the fast editing, the eye-popping colors and textures, the songs and the music may be, to some audiences and Academy voters, a bit unfamiliar, but they obviously work, extending the vocabulary of what we sometimes parochially think of as mainstream moviemaking in some exciting new directions.
Update: This makes me laugh:
If you're too busy to write that acceptance speech for that Oscar you are sure to win then let this speech generator write yours. [Via]
My brilliant friend Brian in Boston sent me this over the weekend with the following caption:
Why don't they call it the martial arts section? And no I'm not in the triple x shop!
It appears he discoverd the motherlode for anyone with yellow fever.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfl9e53LX_U&fmt=18] [Thanks Pooja!]
Funny case of miscommunication on Valentine's Day in this short by Ben Schwartz. [vimeo=http://vimeo.com/2558366]
His Work Has Been Really Stressful Lately Which Is Why He Hasn't Called.He's Sleeping With Your Best Girl Friend, But Doesn't Know How To Tell You.
He's Gay. Seriously.
He Isn't Sure If You Are Into Him Which Is Why He's Been Sending You Mixed Signals.
He's Just Not That Into Fat Chicks.
He Was Into You Until You Mentioned Voting For McCain.
A funny video from my buddies Nick and Otto, the talented duo at Factorii. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dlb-MCf6tc&fmt=18]
Do you want more??? Well, you can check out more of their shorts here, including the famous Facebook Gangsta:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM3PrsNDzW8&fmt=18]
PEACE.
