The Early Days of Taylor Lautner

The pug-faced wonder boy known by teen girls all around the world, and their moms (of course) as Jacob. A Native American Werewolf in Washington. But, before he went to the Matthew McConaughey's Shirt Rehab, he was a music video enthusiast. And not too long ago, either -

That's him. If you read the description of the video, he made this with his high school ex-sweetheart for a class project. Not only does this speak volumes about Lautner, but also for our public education system. 

Why I Love Film - #5

There seems to be a pattern with this series in that every other one is n(ot) s(afe) f(or) w(ork). So in keeping with that coincidental pattern, this one is pretty family friendly. Enjoy with the kids.

It would make sense to assume that a film's advertising has a lot to do with the anticipation of said film. That's just logic. So, it would make sense to also assume that there are certain advertising ventures that have stayed with filmgoer's over the years. Some are tacky, sure - like United 93's senselessly tacky For Your Consideration ad -

sure.

Great film, but not exactly something I, or anyone I know, would consider relevant past 2006. One of two September 11th movies that came out that year (the other being Oliver Stone's surprisingly calm World Trade Center) but this film got all the attention. It's more focused than Stone's, but both are about specific events from that terrible day. Not just that day. Yes, a film can matter. But, a film that matters doesn't presume its importance and just unfolds over time. This came, missed a Best Picture nomination, and went. 

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In Theaters This Weekend

You'll have to forgive the semi-late posting of this, but I'm dealing with a ripped open fingertip while typing this. Note that the wound is covered and I'm not bleeding all over my precious laptop. But, since all is held together by glue (quite literally), we can bask in the glory of the films opening this weekend - Rango - the Johnny Depp animated flick from Gore Verbinski, The Adjustment Bureau - a Matt Damon thriller, Beastly - Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens' take on Beauty and the Beast... with Mary-Kate Olsen, and Take Me Home Tonight - Topher Grace's trip back to '88.

This makes me laugh. So hard. 

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God Save the King, Book IV

In conclusion of this series, taking a look back at the contributions that Stephen King has made to the world of cinema, in four parts, from Carrie on down, in anticipation of The Stand being adapted for a feature film... we're at the end. We've covered the good, the bad, and the wtf, and that's just the feature films. We're on to his mini-series, in part four.

"Be gentle."

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The President's Speech - Starring Mike Tyson

And George W. Bush.

I guess that after re-editing The King's Speech for a PG-13 rating... this was the next logical step.

All thanks be to Jimmy Kimmel for that. 

127 Hours, Love and Other Drugs, and Others on DVD This Week

Let the Oscar films begin to roll out! They might have lacked serious chemistry hosting the Oscars together, but James Franco and Anne Hathaway each offer one of their best performances separately onto DVD shelves today. Also, Christina Aguilera and Cher in Burlesque and Dwayne Johnson in Faster. I've seen the first two, but haven't gotten around to the last two yet. But, honestly, my hopes aren't high.


127 Hours wasn't an Oscar winner, but it should have been. Franco gives the performance of his career, and one of the best I've seen in years, as Aron Ralston - the modern adventurer who gets his arm caught underneath a boulder during a canyon exploration. His performance puts us right underneath that boulder with him, but Danny Boyle's loving direction lets us feel as the raven that passes overhead of Ralston every morning. It's a touching, inspirational, and divinely made film. For the full review, click here.

Danny Boyle brings his Slumdog Millionaire team back to the table, with a beautiful musical score by A R Rahman, a delicate and tense screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, and meticulous editing from Jon Harris.

The balance and urgency of that balance between living and dying have rarely felt more tangible in any film that I've seen - and I'm still amazed by how fluid and affable Boyle got the film to feel. It's about a man stuck under a rock, and it's one of the most free movie-going experiences of last year.

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Rest In Peace, Jane Russell and Gary Winick

Very sad news today as screen siren Jane Russell and indie-god Gary Winick have passed away. 

Let's look back at their illustrious careers. 

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The 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Anne Hathaway: 1. James Franco: 0.

Or, as it will come to be called, The Kirk Douglas Variety Special. 

For full nominees and winners, click here.


And special thanks to Amanda from America's Next Top Model Addiction for all her help in creating this post!

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The Indie Spirits clash with The Razzies

Probably the most useless award

For those who didn't catch the subtle difference, that, above, is a golden raspberry. That award, commonly known as a "Razzie" is designated for the worst of the worst in film releases and is meant to be the antithesis of the Oscars (which air tonight). Traditionally, or it has been so for the last handful of years, both the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Razzies are held the day prior to the Academy awards. The Razzies honor what everyone hated, and the Indie Spirits honor - as John Waters once prophetically stated - "the movies that come in sixth at the Oscars". Since the expansion of the Academy's Best Picture category to ten nominees, he was apparently exactly right. Not long before they're relegated to honoring what comes in eleventh.

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