Superman II

Superman: The Movie is easily one of my favorite movies of all time. There is a sense of wonder and genuine movie magic happening that i cant help but smile throughout the entire thing.

I cant say that i love Superman II as much as the first, but i have always held a soft spot for it. Reeve is still the ideal Man of Steel, and there are quite a few heroic moments to be had. Specifically the scene where Zod and his crew have busted into The Daily Planet looking for The son of Jor-El only to find Lois Lane. The way the theme sneaks up on you and newspapers being blown away by Superman arriving always gives me goosebumps.

Also, Terrance Stamp is bad ass.

For those who don't know, the original films director, Richard Donner, was kicked off of production for the second one even though he had already filmed over half the movie. The studio brought in Richard Lester, who brought a bit more humor and fantasy to Superman, with mixed results.

As i said, I have a soft spot for the original version of Superman II, but there is a lot of stuff going on that really doesn't make sense.

Now, i know, its a superhero movie, and I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but why the hell does Superman become a magician here? Throwing a giant, disappearing 'S' at a bad guy, giving Lois Lane a kiss to erase her memory? It's all a bit silly and really doesn't fit with the first film's more epic tone.

The fact that Marlon Brando isn't in the movie at all doesn't help anything either.

Luckily, in 2006, the studio allowed Donner to put together a rough cut of the movie he would have made. With a lot of creative editing and use of screen tests and long lost footage of Brando, Donner was able to come as close as possible to his original idea for Superman II.

Before I first watched this edition in 2006, I hadn't seen Lester's version in quite some time and was hoping it would allow me to go into this new version as fresh as possible. Turns out that wasn't the case. The nostalgia i had for the original version was much stronger than I expected. It was definitely interesting to see how the sequel was originally conceived, but after it was over it just made me want to watch the theatrical version.

However, having recently watched the original film a few more times, and finally seeing Lester's part II for the first time in years, I found myself revisiting Donner's version. To my surprise i actually ended up preferring his cut, as I appreciated not only the continuity in tone to the first film, but the sense of awe and wonder as well.

That's all i have to say about that.

Toy Story 3

Yesterday marked the beginning of a major life choice i made. Throughout the day i went through a gauntlet of emotion.

First, I was nervous about following through with the choice. Once it was over, I was ecstatic, overjoyed. After i got home and it sank in, I became scared and a little depressed. I realized that the next year was going to be absolutely crucial in getting my life to where I want it to be, and it had all started with the decision i made that day.

Usually when I'm sad and/or depressed my go to pick me up are movies. Although not necessarily Comedies or dumb action flicks. I like to watch something with a little weight to it, to match the emotion I'm already feeling. For me it acts as a release emotionally, and I almost always feel better. And last night that movie for me was Toy Story 3.

It goes without saying that Pixar produces quality films. Since the beginning their films have had great strories, memorable characters and real heart. But it seems in the last few years, specifically with WALL-E, UP and now Toy Story 3 that Pixar have pushed themselves to raise the bar emotionally, and to not be afraid to let kids actually feel something instead of talking down to them.

I know it sounds like this is some deep depressing movie at this point, and of course, its not. It's simply a great film. It has all the humor one has come to expect not only from Pixar but from the franchise itself. I'm just surprised and amazed at how much I connected with this movie. There is a moment where Woody and the gang grab each others hand and face what is to come, but to face it together, as a family. It's a touching, frightening and beautifully put together moment. It made me realize how much i truly cared for these characters.

It's the ending though, that really pushes me to cry baby mode. I won't spoil anything if you have not seen it yet, but it truly is the perfect ending for the trilogy. It reminds Andy, and the viewer, why we love these characters in the first place, and it just makes me cry like a baby. A great big Man Baby.

Long story short, Toy Story 3 was exactly the movie I needed to watch to get me out of my slump, and it might even end up being my favorite movie of the year.

If you like good things, you will love this. WATCH IMMEDIATELY.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World

I really don't understand why this movie didn't do better. I've heard that some people were put off by the video game references and unrealistic fights. I don't know if thats true or not, but if it is then people are really, really stupid.

If you watch any trailer for Scott Pilgrim, it will show you exactly what you are getting when you watch the movie. Scott Pilgrim likes a girl, and in order to be with her he has to fight her 7 evil exes.

That is literally the entire movie in a nutshell, and it is an absolute joy to watch.

Edgar Wright and friends have created something so awesome, so funny, so epically incredible that i don't think there is a person out there who can't get even the smallest amount of enjoyment from it. If they can't, then they are Satan.

One of my particular favorite things about Pilgrim is Chris Evans. Besides the fact that I'm in love with him, he completely owns the film for every second he's on screen. His comedic timing is a thing of beauty and i really hopes he has the chance to do more comedy in the future, especially if its with Mr. Wright.

If you're one of the many people who did not see this movie, then i have judged you. After you have recovered from that ( you won't) then please do yourself a favor and watch it. It will literally make your life better.

I saw Due Date this weekend. So I think I'll talk about it a little bit.

I walked in to this movie with relatively high expectations. Downey has been a hot streak for a few years now and Galifianakis gives me a constant case of the giggles. Thankfully the movie was hilarious. However I was genuinely surprised at how dark and unlikable the characters were, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Robert Downey Jr. is a complete and utter asshole here. He does some truly despicable things to not only Galifianakis's character but to his deceased father, a 10 year old boy and Danny Mcbride in an truly amazing cameo. But of course he pulls it off. No matter how much you want to hate this guy, Downey keeps you on his side. It doesn't hurt that Him and Galifianakis have a couple of serious moments in the film where we really get to see a friendship evolve.

Another surprise here is Zach Galifianakis himself. He brings his usual oddball humor with great results, but he also a few emotional scenes with him dealing with the recent death of his father and Zach knocks it out of the park. I'm truly interested in seeing him do more dramatic roles. He has a great ability to make the crazy characters he plays seem real and not just over the top.

I have a feeling this movie might not be for everyone. Katy and I laughed the entire time, however we were often the only people in the theater laughing. Like I said, it goes to some dark places and Downey really is a prick, but i ate it all up and had a great time.

Hey!

I hate Nordstrom. So close to leaving. Want it to be sooner rather than later.

Miss Texas. Mostly Amber Carns.

Thats all.

i havnt been updating this as much as i should be. oops.

saw iron man 2. i wont go into it since i know a lot of you will be seeing it soon. Enjoy, its worth it.

However, i did watch The Way of the Gun this week, which i have not seen in ages. A truly underseen flick from the writer of The Usual Suspects, in which Benicio Del Toro holds a gun way cooler than you can. That's really all you need to know.



I also watched The Bourne trilogy again. Truly one of the best and most consistent trilogies around. It's actually quite remarkable how well the story unfolds over all three films. Paul Greengrass really took this franchise and ran with it. The action and stakes are continuously raised not only from moment to moment, but movie to movie. Hell, Supremacy and Ultimatum together is practically one long, exhausting film. Granted, the stakes could never have been raised if the bar wasn't set with The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman. Credit where credit is due. But I'll be honest, i just love Greengrass's Bourne more. He made Bourne feel more cold blooded while at the same time made him feel more human, which is where i really get hooked. Some of my favorite action heroes are the ones who seem human, not only physically but emotionally. The fact that Bourne spends almost the entire final act of Supremacy trying to make amends for his first assassination is something that i find truly amazing, especially in such a huge action franchise such as this one.

Ok, I'm done slobbing all over Matt Damon's knob, im gonna go watch Man vs wild.

upon second viewing.

Most of my week consisted of work and drinking. however, i was able to fit in Shoot 'Em Up and Cloverfield.

i had seen Shoot 'Em Up once before. unfortunately i watched it alone and sober.

needless to say i was a little disappointed. It was enjoyable enough, but i had really wanted to love it, as a few of my friends saw it in theaters with booze and an energetic crowd and said it was amazing.

So, for whatever reason, i felt it deserved a second chance. And on Cinco de Drinko, thats exactly what happened.

This movie is the definition of ridiculous. Gunfights during birth. Gunfights during sex. Gunfights during skydiving. Clive Owen liking carrots. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

There's really not much else to say. Have a beer, put this in, and your morning is set.


As i mentioned earlier i also watched Cloverfield, for the third time. I feel as though this flick has experienced a bit of a backlash since it came out. Maybe some people were expecting more, or just something different than what was presented.

I, however, love it. It scared the poop out of me when i saw it theaters. Granted, I'm easily scared ( I'm a tiny man ), but i love when a movie gets such a rise out of me. Hell, its the reason people see a movie like this right? To jump, scream and pucker your butt hole a bit. Just good old fashion fun!

Honestly though, their aren't many horror/thrillers nowadays that really make me squirm and scream in my seat. I really do love that feeling. The only movies that have ever really done that to me are Alien and The Thing.

Now Cloverfield is nowhere near the level of awesome that those films are, but it still has a lot going for it, including holding up after multiple viewings which i was truly surprised with.


I also have to add the marketing of this movie was just brilliant. The first trailer didnt even have a title, just the release date. J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot team have a seriously huge set of balls.