Movies From the Last Few Years I Wanted To Like But Didn’t (Or They Fell Short of Expectations) Part 2 of 3

I left one movie off my previous post from 2007, which was my Part One list of Twelve Movies From The Last Few Years That I Wanted To Like But Didn’t.  Remaining are the movies from 2008 and 2009 that made (or didn’t make, if you look at it that way) the cut.

2007

American Gangster

This one hurts some. This movie was built up to be pretty big in the minds of those that love a gangster film. I fit that role.  You have Denzel, Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott directing, a Jay-Z-laden soundtrack, and comparisons to the classic film Scarface, then…ehhh.  The movie was just okay. It wasn’t along the same lines of the Pacino/DePalma classic, it didn’t really move me, nothing about it was very memorable, even though it was a solid film.  It was just another movie and that was disappointing. I still haven’t seen it since. I suppose this is due for a re-look, but at the time, in the theater, I left scratching my head a bit.

"Who do I trust? Me!" Who put this together? Ridley Scott. Who speaks in this? Not Common.

2008

Be Kind, Rewind & Blindness

Be Kind featured Mos Def and Jack Black, an odd and intriguing pairing, mixed with the directing talents of Michel Gondry, and the result was one of the weakest movies of the year.  Mos was almost impossible to watch (in particular, to listen to him), the lo-fi film recreation storyline should have been a lot more fun, and it really amounted to a schlocky, underwhelming piece, that made me further question the talents of those involved, and have highly soured me on Gondry as a director. He has to earn back the good will that he built with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I don’t know that he is up to the task. from what I gather, his Green Hornet effort was a disaster, so that is not promising at all.

Blindness turned out to be the biggest rip-off ending in a film that I have seen in years.  With Fernando Meirelles helming one of my favorite films of the past decade and a high-ranking personal favorite of all-time, in the amazing City of God, this was an opportunity to see him take the next huge step as a director and reap the rewards that fans of City (go Manchester!) wanted for him. Instead, he didn’t take advantage.  The movie kept your attention (though not easily) for the duration and then yanked the rug out from beneath your feet in a horrendous ending.  I don’t know that I will ever forgive him.  BTW, Fernando, call me – because in truth I don’t remember the ending, I just know I absolutely hated it. I won’t put this all on him, since he didn’t write it, and his latest 360 gives me renewed hope that Fernando is still worth watching. We’ll see.

2009

Bronson, Watchmen, The Hangover & Public Enemies

Bronson was a film built up as A Clockwork Orange type of film, but was nothing more than a weird, sordid tale about a guy, told in an odd, and rather uninspiring way.  I was very high for the film before I saw it only to be incredibly let down. It was actually hard to make it through. I know it was based on a true story, but it didn’t redeem it at all for me. I hoped for a lot more. Then, the director – Nick Winding Refn – goes and makes Drive and you wonder even more about why Bronson was lame. Tom Hardy is legit, but this one just missed.

Watchmen was a film that had a great trailer. Normally I wouldn’t have had much interest in a film like this, but it was built up to be perhaps one of the biggest movies ever, and landed with a rather resounding thud.  This wasn’t a horrible work, but if you counter it with a movie like The Dark Knight, which more than matched the hype, it only exaggerated the difference of what this film might have been.  I think Zack Snyder may be able to be an interesting director (Sucker Punch was visually damn cool), but he also might be the next Michael Bay. After this movie, the meter was swinging in the “Bay” direction. Not good.

"If we have sex in this film, people will watch." "Worth a shot." #Fail

I don’t really like comedies that much, so The Hangover might have been up against it to start. Rarely, do they ever live up to my expectations, which are, I don’t know, how do I say this, to….laugh during the movie.  Is that too much to ask?  Absolutely, it is, and this film proved that. I chuckled two to three times during the film.  That does not a good movie make, nor is it worthy of being the biggest comedy of all-time.  This movie exemplifies how different the tastes of mainstream America and mine are.  I envy you, mainstream audiences.  To derive enjoyment from such average work must be nice. I wish I was as easily entertained, but alas, I am not. I’d rather be hung over, than watch The Hangover.  I’ve had hangovers/blackouts (my first script was based on this concept) that needed to be recreated and were more worthwhile that this. It was not believable, nor very fun. Zack Galifianakis earned his way onto my shit list for this one. He’s yet to work his way off of it, despite the remains of his father being drunk in Due Date. I have not seen the sequel to Hangover, nor do I plan on it at this point.

I have to include Public Enemies on the list – much to my dismay – because we did a dedication week to Michael Mann here on The Film Nest, and I (essentially) had breakfast with the man a few months ago. I was hoping for another movie along the lines of his previous actioners such as Heat and Collateral.  Those are two all-timers. This did not match that.  I don’t think that this is a bad movie by any means, it just wasn’t great, and I thought it had the potential to be that.

Casting Johnny Depp (a feminine man in a masculine role) was the starting point of this heading down the wrong path.  The action felt ordinary and you didn’t care enough about the characters to engage in the story.  It was a movie you simply watched but didn’t interact with. For that, it makes the disappointing list.  And Michael, next time we are at breakfast, easy with the staring at me brother, I’m just trying to eat and mind my own business.  Don’t use me for your script inspiration, unless of course, you really, really needed it. On a side note, I have just decided to re-visit this film, since I respect Mann so much, I am giving it another shot. My fingers are crossed.

There is one more part of this list forthcoming, the last segment of movies I wanted to like but didn’t. Stay tuned.

Less than a week ago, we mentioned that Warner Brothers had a list of names it was looking at to direct their planned tent-pole film franchise, a reboot of the shortly dormant Superman franchise, to be produced by The Dark Knight and Inception helmer Christopher Nolan.  In that post, we mentioned that Ben Affleck (The Town) was “out” and that my first choice from the list was Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler).

Well, Warners has quickly made up their mind, and has decided to move forward with Zack Snyder of Watchmen fame.  HVB reports that they’ve been in love with Snyder since 300 and that they are expecting production to begin next year.  Negotiations with Snyder are underway and should close soon.

WB felt the need to rush on the move to get Superman going because of rights issues that they have with the DC property.  Snyder is their guy, like it or not.  I personally would have liked any number of choices from their list ahead of Snyder.  Stylistically, he can do it no question, but from an emotional, humanity, and storytelling standpoint, I don’t have the faith in him. I’m not expecting Superman to be a major needle-mover for me, considering I have seen and read the story so many times before that I am not highly anticipating seeing it told again. But, in the enxt few years, perhaps my reluctance will change.  What do you think of this choice?  Share.

I left one movie off my previous post from 2007, which was my Part One list of Twelve Movies From The Last Five Years That I Wanted To Like But Didn’t.  Remaining are the movies from 2008 and 2009 that made (or didn’t make, if you look at it that way) the cut.

2007 continued

American Gangster

Common = Gangster in RIdley Scott's American Gangster.

This movie was built up to be pretty big in the minds of those that love a gangster film.  You have Denzel, Russell Crowe, Ridley Scott directing, a Jay-Z-laden soundtrack, and comparisons to the classic film Scarface, then…ehhh.  The movie was just okay. It wasn’t along the same lines of the Pacino/DePalma classic, it didn’t really move me, nothing about it was very memorable, even though it was a solid film.  It was just another movie and that was disappointing. I still haven’t seen it since.

2008 – Be Kind, Rewind & Blindness

Be Kind, Rewind

Be Kind featured Mos Def and Jack Black, an odd and intriguing pairing, mixed with the directing talents of Michel Gondry, and the result was one of the weakest movies of the year.  Mos was almost impossible to watch (to listen to him), the lo-fi film recreation storyline should have been a lot more fun, and it really amounted to a schlocky, underwhelming piece, that made me further question the talents of those involved, and have highly soured me on Gondry as a director. He has to earn back the good will that he built with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and I don’t know that he is up to the task.

Blindness

This turned out to be the biggest rip-off ending in a film that I have seen in years.  With Fernando Meirelles helming one of my favorite films of the past decade and a high-ranking personal favorite of all-time in the amazing City of God, this was an opportunity to see him take the next huge step as a director and reap the rewards that fans of City of God wanted for him. (Fernando, feel free to mix in a Lil’ Dice cameo).  Instead, he didn’t take advantage.  The movie kept your attention (though not easily) for the duration and then yanked the rug out from beneath your feet in a horrendous ending.  I don’t know that I will ever forgive him.  BTW, Fernando, call me – because in truth I don’t remember the ending, I just know I absolutely hated it.

2009 – Bronson, Watchmen, The Hangover & Public Enemies

Bronson

Tom Hardy was Bronson, pre-Inception.

Nicolas Winding Refn’s film built up as A Clockwork Orange type of film, but was nothing more than a weird, sordid tale about a guy, told in an odd, and rather uninspiring way.  I was very high for the film before I saw it only to be incredibly let down. It was actually hard to make it through. I know it was based on a true story, but it didn’t redeem it at all for me. I hoped for a lot more.

Watchmen

This was a film that had a great trailer. Normally I wouldn’t have had much interest in a film like this, but it was built up to be perhaps one of the biggest movies ever, and landed with a rather resounding thud.  This wasn’t a horrible work, but if you counter it with a movie like The Dark Knight which more than matched the hype, it only exaggerated the difference of what this film might have been.  I think Zack Snyder may be able to become an interesting director, but he also might be the next Michael Bay. At this point, the meter is swinging in the “Bay” direction. Not good.

The Hangover

I don’t like comedies. Rarely, do they ever live up to my expectations, which are, I don’t know, how do I say this, to….laugh during the movie.  Is that too much to ask?  Absolutely. I chuckled two to three times during the film.  That does not a good movie make, nor is it worthy of being the biggest comedy of all-time.  This movie exemplifies how different the tastes of mainstream America and mine are.  I envy you, mainstream audiences.  To derive enjoyment from such average work must be nice. I wish I was as easily entertained, but alas, I am not. I’d rather be hung over, than watch The Hangover.  It was not believable, nor very fun.

Public Enemies

I have to include this movie on the list, because we did a dedication week to Michael Mann here on The Film Nest, and I (essentially) had breakfast with the man a few months ago. I was hoping for another movie along the lines of his previous actioners such as Heat and Collateral.  This did not match that.  I don’t think that this is a bad movie by any means, it just wasn’t great, and I thought it had the potential to be that.

Casting Johnny Depp (a feminine man in a masculine role) was the starting point of this heading down the wrong path.  The action was ordinary and you didn’t care enough about the characters to engage in the story.  It was a movie you simply watched but didn’t interact with. For that, it makes the disappointing list.  And Michael, next time we are at breakfast, easy with the staring at me brother, I’m just trying to eat and mind my own business.  Don’t use me for your script inspiration – unless of course, you really, really needed it.

I hope all movies I see are entertaining, but the odds are stacked wildly against me.  In the next five years, if I lower my expectations, perhaps there won’t be a need to compile such a list. I’m counting on you Hollywood, to bail me out.  If not, my pen (or keyboard in this case) is ready. Good luck.

Every year, Comic-Con in San Diego is one of the biggest events for studios to unleash the latest in upcoming films.  The event has grown from a pequeno little event for comic book fans to an industry extravaganza where studios and stars come out to hype the latest in films, whether they are in production, have wrapped, or are still at the very early planning stages.  Various announcements are made with regards to casting (the big one this year was with regards to Mark Ruffalo’s replacement of Edward Norton as the Hulk in The Avengers upcoming movie) and general hoopla, panels and parties are held. It all sounds so, well, like so much hype.  I have never attended.

That being said, I still try to keep you abreast of the most significant of happenings there.  Usually, those are an announcement or two and some footage in regards to trailers.  Last year, there was probably a little more info, due to Avatar having a presence, but there are still some interesting pieces to report on from this year.

I have read a few things on what the “results” of this years event are.  By results, I mean, what films came out ahead, what got left behind, or what stayed about the same on the expectation meter.  So, I give you win, lose or draw from Comic-con, primarily based on the piece done by Steven Zeitchik of the LA Times.  I will add my own thoughts based on what his takes are of the events proceedings with regards to films we are ready to see, this year or next, and maybe in a case or two, even 2012.

The Winners:

Cowboys & Aliens

This makes sense given that Jon Favreau has been known to be incredibly fan friendly and interactive at Comic-Con (and other events for that matter).  He can do no wrong in fans eyes, given the popularity and success of both his Iron Man films.  Additionally, bringing Harrison Ford out for a public display during the Cowboys & Aliens panel, only served to heighten the experience.  That being said, this 2011 movie is one of the farthest from release/earliest stages of production, of about any film that was discussed at Comic-Con. SZ said bringing Ford out is “precisely the kind of Comic-Con moment that’s long forgotten when a film finally comes out.”  I couldn’t agree more, but this is off to a good start.

The Expendables

This was kind of being looked at as a potentially nice action film, a trip down memory lane for all the big names involved, but Sylvester Stallone‘s movie gained the most goodwill from the event it sounds like.  SZ says “Comic-Con has sealed its fate: “The Expendables” (“Explodables?”) is destined to open big.”  I am not surprised by this, when Sly rolls out several other cast members for a butt-kicking good time.  But to me, the film may not offer enough to get me excited. I am still on the fence as to whether this will be a cheesy good time or just a boring clunker with big names.  If I had to put my money on it, it would be both.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

This is one of those movies that visually looks wholly original, which is a good thing.  Fans ate up the media blitz at Comic-con.  Whether that will translate into box-office success remains a question mark though.  This seems similar to Kick-Ass which generated buzz in San Diego last year, only to see middling (small) box office results.  Star Michael Cera is the x-factor; a make or break film in a sense I believe.

Draw:

Let Me In

This is a remake of an underseen Swedish “horror” film from two years ago, Let The Right One In.  It seems as if fans basically want the same movie, but in English, if this is to work.  I think positioning the film in the horror genre means it needs to deliver more jumps and scares than the original, which actually was more of a character vampire piece.  I am curious to see how this goes.  I liked the original enough to have an interest, but will US audiences as a whole feel the same? SZ saw this one as a potentially slightly positive churning film.

Sucker Punch

Director Zack Snyder‘s 300 and Watchmen earned him hype for this female-centric film.  Rolling out a half-dozen cast members was only going to work in the film’s favor for this event.  But whether or not the movie will draw women (or enough men) remains to be seen.  Watchmen was a disappointment on release, so I can’t help but think that Sucker Punch, even with its lower expectations, won’t wow at the turnstiles.  Hmmm.

Tron: Legacy

Hype was already pretty high for this one, so #sdcc did nothing to diminish that.  It will be interesting to see if the old generation of cult fans for the original turn out for the new spin from Disney.  The footage didn’t wow me, but I still expect this to be well-received.  SZ says it is “well-positioned” as a December release this year.  Probably so.

The Losers:

Thor

This has been one of those films that continues to look like a failure thus far and Comic-Con’s presentation didn’t do enough to sway that opinion, here or there, it seems.  SZ says “it was impossible not to hear the dissenting voices questioning, perhaps fairly, the histrionic costume-drama of the exposition and the generic explosions that followed. For some reason we have a feeling these voices will only grow louder.” This one just has looked generic to me thus far, but it is Marvel so there is still hope that this will turn in the right direction in the next year before its release.  I remain skeptical though.

The Green Hornet

I read elsewhere a piece on the question of what director Michel Gondry had done to warrant such fanboy lust.  After reading the piece and thinking about it myself, I had to concur.  I mean, he has done some great things visually in commercials, and I really enjoyed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but honestly, his resume beyond that film as a director is pretty bad.  A list of movies you’d like to like, but didn’t.  Ditto for star Seth Rogen in my book.  A fresh face in Knocked Up, has really turned into a one-trick pony incapable of being a lead and carrying a film on his own.  Add that to the fact this is supposed to be an action movie, and I can’t help but think this will bomb.  SZ says “The panel was vexed by the same problem as the trailer: the inability to choose, or find the right space, between comedy and the more serious business of superhero mythology. This one made few inroads at Comic-Con.”  Not a good sign.

Share your thoughts on what films on this list you are excited about and which maybe, you are not as thrilled about.  I’m listening.

Here is my list of the film’s released in 2009 in order of preference.  You must realize how difficult it is to put together a true order of films, as so many of them start running in to one another and so much time has passed between viewing some films in the theater and others on DVD or Blu-Ray.  Nevertheless its a task I set out to do and therefore, present that list to you now.  They are in listed in order from best to worst, top to bottom, in my opinion.  I’ve given a little bit of reasoning on some of my picks, scattered throughout the list, for reference.  Click on any of the bolded/italicized titles for original reviews.  Let me know what you think, agree or disagree. (Please note that several of these reviews were done by other previous writers to the site, despite what some name consolidation would suggest – hence there may be some situations where a better review was given to a low ranking picture for me and vice versa.)

Where The Wild Things Are

This was my favorite film of ’09 based on the achievement of taking a book with so few words and making it a full-length film.  I think it was the ultimate in creative achievement for the year and perfectly captured the feelings of wonder and imagination a boy has, and translating for adult consumption.  Spike Jonze is officially a genius and Maurice Sendak should be tickled pink over this.

The Road

After reading the book, this adaptation perfectly captured the post-apocalyptic vision that I saw in my head while reading the novel and enhanced it where it could.  A difficult film, a challenging subject, but one that rewards the viewer (primarily those with the book as a frame of reference in my opinion).

Avatar

A creative and technical achievement, even if the story telling is not top notch.  There is a good reason this is the most seen film of all time (based on B.O. dollars).

Up In The Air

More Than A Game

Three of my top-8 favorite films this year were documentaries. This one chronicling a young LeBron James meant the most to me I suppose.

Tyson

Inglourious Basterds

Capitalism: A Love Story

State of Play

Crazy Heart

Bruno

I enjoyed this in the theater, but probably would continue to drop it down the list if I were to re-watch it a few times. Crass, but it was still amusing and Sacha Baron Cohen has brass balls.  He could probably sell real estate in Glengarry Glen Ross.

District 9

The Hurt Locker

The Escapist

Sugar

Moon

This one continues to grow on me. Actor Sam Rockwell and director Duncan Jones deserved more recognition for their work. A great score by Clint Mansell, the man behind the infamous score from Requiem For A Dream.

Facing Ali

Anvil: The Story of Anvil

Uplifting final scene. One for the underdog in all of us.

Precious

Duplicity

The Cove

Makes you care about dolphins. Pathetic, senseless slaughtering might lead some to anger and activism.

Nothing But The Truth

Rachel Getting Married

The Vicious Kind

Sherlock Holmes

Brothers

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Two Lovers

Michael Jackson’s This Is It!

Law Abiding Citizen

Notorious

Whatever Works

The Brothers Bloom

I wasn’t that impressed with this when I first saw it, but I get the sense I might appreciate it more in time if I were to see it again.  It’s been two years since I have seen it as it was a very advanced screening at the time.

The Informant

Potential ditto on the above comments.

The Messenger

The Soloist

Zombieland

A Serious Man

(500) Days of Summer

The Box

Didn’t deserve to get bashed as much as it did. It’s a strange film but J.R.Kelly is a unique voice in film today. I hope he gets more opportunities to utilize it.

Shrink

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

The Blind Side

Not remotely close to a top-10 film.  Oscars really lack credibility.  While I was rooting for the likable Bullock, I wasn’t that blown away by her performance here either. Sorry.

Funny People

Gentlemen Broncos

Public Enemies

Invictus

This film makes me feel like Eastwood is losing it.  Really a jumbled mishmash of scenes meant to be uplifting and educational.

World’s Greatest Dad

The Girlfriend Experience

Thirst

Taken

Completely cheesy and implausible, but fun to see Liam Neeson play this role.

Bronson

Downloading Nancy

Taking of Pelham 123

Last Chance Harvey

In The Loop

Wolverine

Watchmen

Push

The Lovely Bones

The Hangover

So overrated I can’t begin to break it down. Nothing remotely special in this one and I would have loved to enjoy it. Maybe 3 laughs throughout. Plus, a little bitter since it “stole” (used) one of my script’s premises/film ideas.

My One and Only

I Love You, Man

Powder Blue

Swayze is a genius in one of his last film roles. Still a pretty weak film.  And yes, we’re leaving out the obvious reason why I would sit through this drivel. You can figure it out on your own.

Away We Go

Sunshine Cleaning

2012

Long and overwrought, disaster flick puffery.  Horrendously mixed dialogue alternating between dead serious and ridiculously over the top.  Amazing it not only got made but was seen as much as it was.

Post Grad

The Ugly Truth

Big Fan

Couples Retreat

The Proposal

I propose you never suffer through this film. The reason I rarely see rom-coms. Ocassionally I submit to a woman’s filmic desires for some reasons my subconscious would need to explain, but I am continually reminded why I choose what movies I should see.

The Great Buck Howard

Complete lack of chemistry between the lead male/female (C.Hanks and E.Blunt). A slice of life that just didn’t work for me.

The Limits of Control

I hate to have Jarmusch’s movie in this spot, but I can’t justify having this any higher. Boring and unmoving.

Written and compiled by The Film Nest guest contributor “FightinIrish” (peep him in the Comments section)

It seems like the inundation of holiday-themed Blu-ray releases has subsided, at least for this week. There aren’t many new BD releases this week, but as the saying goes, it’s quality, not quantity and there are some high-quality releases this week, starting with two new Pixars.  There’s a Michael Mann crime-genre classic without which The Dark Knight wouldn’t exist in its final form. There’s an ultimate cut of one of this year’s most anticipated comic films and plenty more.

Please know anything you buy through use of the attached links goes toward supporting us at The Film Nest. Thanks in advance.

Up

By far one of my favorite films of the year and one of my most anticipated Blu-ray releases as well. It would have been nice to have a true 3D version for home viewing that matched the theaterical experience, but that’s not to be the case. However, this movie works without the 3D add-on. The story is, in my opinion, one of Disney/Pixar’s most emotional stories, as well as something that probably works better with adults than children. As with all Pixar and Disney Blu-rays, expect this to have top-notch video, crystal clear and booming audio, and be loaded with special features. I must say, I love Disney for offering a DVD and Digital Copy with their Blu-rays. That’s how you’ll get more people to buy Blu. Bravo!

Read our review of the film here.

Supplements: Cinexplore with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson, Adventure is Out There!, Dug’s Special Mission, Documentaries, The Many Endings of Muntz, DVD of film, Digital Copy, The Egg, Russell: Wilderness Explorer, Geriatric Hero, Canine Companions, Alternate Scene: Married Life, Homemakers of Pixar, Our Giant, Flightless Friend Kevin, Balloons and Flight, Composing for Characters, Worldwide Trailers, Up Promo Montage, Global Guardian Board Game, Partly Cloudy animated short, Theatrical trailer #2, Theatrical trailer #3

Monsters, Inc.

This might be my favorite Pixar film, or at least tied with The Incredibles. This film, with the previously mentioned film and Cars, are the “boys” Pixar films, ones that appeal to the Dennis the Menace in all us males, dealing with superheroes, racing, cars, monsters, and the like.  I am also a huge fan of the voice talents in this film: John Goodman, Billy Crytal, Jennifer Tilly, and Steve Buscemi.

Supplements: Filmmakers’ Audio Commentary, Short Films: “Mike’s Car,” “For The Birds”, Hilarious Outtakes and The Monsters, Inc. Company Play Enter The “Monster World” and Become an Employee at the Monsters, Inc. Factory, “Human World” Tour at Pixar Animation Studios, Digital Copy, Featurettes: “Filmmakers’ Roundtable,” “Go Seek: Building Monstropolis in Tokyo”, Original Story Treatment, BD-Live

SAVE $10 OFF  SALE PRICE WHEN BUYING UP AND MONSTERS, INC AT AMAZON.COM.

Watchmen: Ultimate Cut

Here’s your chance to get the kitchen sink version of this film. I currently own the director’s cut which came out earlier this year and I’m a big fan of that film in its current form, so I find it hard to quantify purchasing this version. This seems to me like the version that the most die-hard fans will want to own. Make sure you get it quickly, as it’s limited to only 70,000 copies!

Read our review of the film here.

Supplements: Audio commentaries with Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons, The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed the World, Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes, Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World, Watchmen: Video Journals, My Chemical Romance Music Video, BD-Live, 4-Disc Set, Watchmen: Director’s Cut (w/Tales of the Black Freighter woven in), Under The Hood, Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic, Digital copy, Limited edition of 70,000

The Ugly Truth

As we have seen recently, Gerard Butler has a very big and vocal following and we all know you’ll be picking up this film on disc. I appreciate this film trying to take the traditional rom-com formula and making it a bit more adult-orientated. Still, Gerard Butler needs to work on that American accent. He must be going to the same school as Gov. Schwarzenegger and Ewan McGregor.

Supplements: Select scenes filmmaker commentary, Deleted and extended scenes, Alternate endings, Gag reel, The Truth Is Ugly: Capturing the Male & Female Point of View, The Art of Laughter: A Making of Hilarious Proportions, MovieIQ, BD-Live

Godzilla (1998)

Matthew Brodrick, Jean Reno, and two of “The Simpsons” best vocal artists (Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer), combine with the world-class direction of Roland Emmerich and CGI monsters. What else could you expect but this “masterpiece?”

Supplements: Featurette: “Behind the Scenes of Godzilla with Charles Caiman”, Montage: “All Time Best Of Godzilla Fight Scenes”, Music Video: “Heroes” by The Wallflowers, Visual Effects Commentary, MovieIQ, The Ultimate Godzilla Trivia Game

Heat

The first time an audience gets to see Al Pacino and Robert De Niro share the screen together and what a film, courtesy of director Michael Mann. The shootouts are what we all remember, but this is a quality film all around. If you haven’t seen it, do so, and if you have, get it on Blu-ray and enjoy it even more.

Supplements: Commentary by writer/producer/director Michael Mann, 11 additional scenes, True Crime: Recalling the real-life Chicago Cop and criminal whose exploits inspired the movie, Crime Stories: The screenplay’s 20-year history and how the movie finally got greenlit, Into the Fire: Filming in L.A., cast training, shooting the climactic downtown heist and post-production, Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation: anatomy of this historic on-screen showdown, Return to the Scene of the Crime: revisiting the film’s real-life L.A. locations years later, Theatrical trailer

Logan’s Run

Considered a classic in the 70s era of Sci-Fi films, pre-Star Wars, where everything in the future is oddly bland, everyone wears the same clothes and we all live in giant communal dwellings. A future where everyone has a time limit on their life and once it’s up, you best report. The hunter turns into the hunted in this film and “Basil Exposition” now must survive until he can get to his paradise outside the dome.

Supplements: Commentary by Michael Anderson, Michael York & Bill Thomas,

A Look Into the 23rd Century, Theatrical Trailer

Red Heat

So you thought Jingle All the Way was the first time that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Belushi worked together on a film? Wrong. You forgot all about Red Heat, one of the many forgotten 1980s-era Schwarzenegger action films. Yet, this is surprisingly enjoyable, even if you have to believe that Arnie is now a Russian and Jim Belushi is a serious action actor.

Supplements: Three featurettes, Making-of TV special, Original trailer, TV spots

The Negotiator

Who wants to see Sam Jackson and Kevin Spacey in a gritty, hostage film?  Anyone?  Well, if you don’t remember this film or haven’t seen it in a good while, then buy it on Blu-ray and watch it again. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the follow up to his ever-great Set It Off, and one doesn’t have to wonder why he didn’t direct a film between 1998 and 2003.  Again, I have to ask Warner, why do we need audio tracks in not only English, but French, Spanish, and Italian, as well as subtitles in those languages as well as Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish?  If this is a US only release? How about saving some space on the disc and giving the fans of this film some more features?

Supplements: Featurettes, Theatrical Trailer

A guy who is definitely everywhere nowadays has found his name in one more place. This time, it’s at the top of the list of potential actors to play villain Sinestro in the Ryan Reynolds-starring Green Lantern film.

Ain’t It Cool News broke the story, which was provided by an anonymous scooper who apparently works on the film. Nothing has been signed or announced as of yet, and according to a video interview with Haley, conducted by Collider, he has no knowledge of such things, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t happen.

I can readily admit to knowing zero about Green Lantern, except that he wears a ring. That means I know even less about Sinestro, but here’s some information for you: “Sinestro wields a yellow power ring that has powers comparable to that of a Green Lantern’s ring (creation of yellow constructs, space flight, etc.). Built on Qward, it is powered by the emotional energy of fear, and its wielder must be an expert in inspiring and manipulating fear to use it.” What I do know is Jackie Earle Haley is awesome. He was absolutely deserving of a Best Supporting Actor Oscar as Ronnie in Little Children (which he lost to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine), his Rorschach stole the show in Watchmen, he’s part of a great cast in Shutter Island and he’s the only reason I want to see the A Nightmare on Elm Street remake. If he gets cast here, it’s safe to say I’ll be on board for this film, too. What do you think of Haley as Sinestro?

UPDATE: This film has been pushed back to February 19th, 2010.

Like Sergio Leone with westerns or Alfred Hitchcock with thrillers, Martin Scorsese has become synonymous with the crime genre. Such movies like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino and The Departed have easily become the most movies of the genre.  However, it’s unfair to simply label Scorsese with crime movies when he has a proven track record of doing other things like dramas (The Aviator), documentaries (The Last Waltz) and historical epics (Gangs of New York). Easily his best non-crime movie would be Raging Bull, sometimes considered his best overall. I’m glad to see Scorsese change it up yet again, with a thriller called Shutter Island, his first thriller since the remake of Cape Fear in 1991. It actually even borders the horror genre, which would be a first for Scorsese. Shutter Island stars Leonardo DiCaprio making it the fourth time they’ve worked together (like DeNiro before), the others being, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. Shutter Island was adapted from a book of the same name, written by Dennis Lehane in 2003.  Lehane’s other work includes the adapted Gone Baby Gone and Mystic River as well as having been a writer for HBOs great “The Wire.”

Ashes, ashes, we all fall DOWN.

Set in 1954, DiCaprio plays Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal investigating the vanishing of a patient from a mental hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, much like Alcatraz.  Joining him is his partner, U.S. marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo, Zodiac). They are looking for an escaped patient named Rachel Soldano (Emily Mortimer, Match Point), who just disappeared a mere 24 hours after they got there.  Helping with the investigation is Dr. John Cawley, (Ben Kingsley, Sexy Beast) the hospital’s administrator and main physician. While searching for Rachel, they get suspicious of what Dr. Cawley is telling them and soon question his story. Before they can start a truthful investigation, the island is struck by a hurricane, which traps the marshals and a cell riot ensues. They now have to deal with their own sanity amongst the insane and find the real truth behind Shutter Island.

The movie will also co-star Michelle Williams (Synecdoche,  New York), Max Von Sydow (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April), Elias Koteas (Shooter) and the Zodiac killer himself, John Carroll Lynch (Zodiac). Martin Scorsese (obviously) directs Shutter Island and works from the adapted screenplay written by Laeta Kalogridis (Pathfinder).

"The better to shoot inmates with, my dear."

This looks sweet and you can count on me seeing it. Scorsese is a legend and is still one the best directors going. I’ll probably enjoy this a little more than normal because it brings the horror element into it. Since his last movie, The Departed, was such a commercial success, I think this should do well having Scorsese’s name on it. Plus, the horror/thriller genre has always been popular with audiences. Lock me down, because I’m ready to visit Shutter Island.

Shutter Island opens October 2^nd.

Lionsgate, the studio behind such films as the Saw franchise (which is supposedly going to get two more sequels) have picked up U.S. distribution of Matthew Vaughn’s live action adaption of Mark Millar’s graphic novel “Kick-Ass”. Lionsgate plans on giving the film a wide release next year. From Variety:

“Kick-Ass” is based on a comic book by Mark Millar (“Wanted”) and John Romita Jr. about a comics-obsessed teenager who decides to become a real-life superhero, Kick-Ass, despite a decided lack of superpowers. Vaughn co-wrote the script with his “Stardust” writing partner Jane Goldman. (The scribes also have John Madden-helmed “The Debt” in post at Miramax.)

The cast for the film, which premiered its trailer at Comic-Con last month, includes Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Aaron Johnson will play the title character in the film.

I haven’t read the series Kick-Ass was based on, but I have read Millar’s graphic novel that last year’s Wanted was based on. It was probably my favorite graphic novel I have read besides “Watchmen”. After I read “Wanted”, which was after I saw the screen version, I wondered why the movie wasn’t more like the book.  It’s probably because you could never get away with the stuff in the comic, in a live action version. The book was great, very twisted and put the film version to shame. The director of Kick-Ass, Matthew Vaughn, is also responsible for one of my favorite gangster films, Layer Cake. He and Millar are also supposedly looking at “American Jesus.” What do you say? Are you as pumped for this as I am?  I hope it delivers.

Just over a month ago we conducted our inaugural “Michael Mann Week,” only to be let down by his highly anticipated Public Enemies upon its release.  We liked the idea of looking at a director or actor over their career and focusing on them for a week, so we have decided to continue on that route despite Mann’s mediocre thrill-ride.  Now with the release of the new movie Shorts, The Film Nest Crew is celebrating another artist whose career achievements are many.  Writer, producer, and director (even sometime actor!), Robert Rodriguez is feted/objectively looked at for his contributions to the cinematic medium.  Here we will take a brief look at several of his movies and as you have been able to see already with our First Features post on El Mariachi, as well as our Classic Scene of From Dusk Till Dawn we will continue to examine his work throughout the week.

Desperado (1995)

After the success of El Mariachi Rodriguez decided to revisit that world again with 1995’s sequel. It could be said that the film is not only a sequel, but also a remake of the first film, as it shares many similar scenes with its predecessor. Robert Rodriguez once again wrote, directed and edited Desperado, a film that picks up after the events of Mariachi. This time Antonio Banderas plays the nameless mariachi (similar to Sergio Leones” Man with no name”). The story revolves around the mariachi seeking revenge for the death of his lover from the first film. Once again, the mariachi comes to a small town and gets involved with bringing down a drug dealer. He also gets involved with a beautiful bookstore owner, played by the stunning Salma Hayek. Does the plot sound familiar to the first? Yes it is but, in a movie like this the plot is second fiddle to the action scenes and tongue in cheek humor. Desperado is a very fun movie, and Robert Rodriguez benefitted greatly from his increased budget, which was still only $7 million. All his trademarks are here, over the top action, humorous dialogue, and sexy women. If I had to pick one movie that is signature Rodriguez, this would be it.

A sweet explosion behind the even sweeter Selma Hayek.

From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

From Dusk Till Dawn has Rodriguez continuing his crime/action pace, but adding the horror element to offer an interesting take. It features two criminal brothers, Seth (George Clooney) and Richard Gecko (Quentin Taratino), who are on the run from the law after robbing a liquor store and murdering two people. While making their way to Mexico, they kidnap the Fuller family, Jacob (Harvey Keitel), Kate (Juliette Lewis) and Scott (Ernest Liu), so they can hide in their RV to cross the border. Once they get over the border, they arrive at a remote club called “The Titty Twister.” Once they enter the club, they realize they are secretly in a hive of vampires.  They soon find themselves in a struggle to stay alive.

"Harvey don't play that."

This marked the second collaboration between Rodriguez and Tarantino (the first being the segmented Four Rooms), with Tarantino co-starring and co-writing the screenplay with Robert Kurtzman. Judging by the sudden change of tone to the movie, it seems Tarantino concentrated on the first half with Kurtzman handling the second.  Despite the mid shift in the movie, Rodriguez really made this engaging with awesome action sequences mixed with Evil Dead-type gore (Kurtzman did the make up effects for Evil Dead 2) and an excellent performance by Clooney.  This is probably the most bad-ass you’ll ever see him, and he has Rob Rod to thank.

The Faculty (1998)

The loner geek (Elijah Wood), the goth “lesbian” (Clea DuVall), the jock (Shawn Hatosy), the overachiever (Jordanna Brewster), the 5^th-year senior (Josh Harnett), and the new girl (Laura Harris), are the high school clichés who discover something is amiss with the teachers at their school. It seems to start with the football coach, spreads to their principal, the nurse and even the beloved science teacher. It’s discovered an alien parasite is causing problems, in a concept similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers. They must stop the spread before the town – or more – is overtaken.

The definition of "rollin' thick," with Hartnett at the wheel.

The Faculty is only the second time to-date Rodriguez had directed a film not from his own script (the first being From Dusk Till Dawn). The script belongs to Kevin Williamson, who 8 months later directed the similar-themed Teaching Mrs. Tingle. The film is very much similar to the high school horror films from the late 90s, but the replacement of an alien invasion instead of a killer with a knife is a welcome one. A lot of big name actors arose from this film and there are some subtle Rodriguez touches, like introductory freeze-frames for the main characters, but you can’t help but think Rodriguez did this project in order to gain freedom elsewhere.

Spy Kids (2001)

Gregorio (Antonio Banderas) and Ingrid (Carla Gugino) Cortez are one-time spies who fell in love and retired from the business. They have two young children, Carmen and Juni, to whom they’ve never revealed their secret, past lives. The star of Juni’s favorite TV program, Fegan Floop, has plans for world domination through robotic children he terms “sky kids.” Gregorio and Ingrid hold the key to making the “spy kids” work correctly and they are kidnapped by Floop and his cohorts. It’s up to Carmen and Juni, two kids of no discernable to talent to help get their parents back.

Spy Kids was the first kids film Rodriguez wrote and directed, having later turned Spy Kids into a trilogy. He had three children of his own when he made the film and presumably, he wanted to make a movie they could watch and enjoy. It’s definitely a child-like fantasy to wish your parents led secret lives of some sort and some of the spy-like inventions (the acid crayon) are more creative than any Bond film. It’s a decent adventure for younger audiences. Interesting note: The character of Machete, which received his own fake trailer as a part of Grindhouse and will soon get his own film, actually originated from this film.

Once Upon A Time In Mexico (2003)

After directing a teen horror flick (The Faculty) and a couple of children’s movies (Spy Kids 1 & 2) Robert Rodriguez once again returned to the series that brought him acclaim. In 2003, Rodriguez “wrote, chopped, and shot” Once Upon a Time in Mexico. Mexico would mark the last chapter in what is known as the “Mexico Trilogy”. The plot for this installment finds the Mariachi (Banderas) being recruited by a CIA agent (Depp) to kill a general, who has also murdered the gun toting singer’s family.

Three guys, since it is the third of the trilogy.

This film also marked the directors first time shooting with HD cameras, something he has continued to do ever since. Rodriguez has said that he wanted this final chapter to evoke Sergio Leone’s classic spaghetti western The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and it certainly does. Financially, the film was the most successful of the three films, but the plot for me, was a little convoluted.  Antonio Banderas as the Mariachi is really only a supporting player in this film. The real star of Mexico in my opinion was Johnny Depp. Hot off the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, Depp as the double crossing, disguise wearing, Agent Sands stole the show. The film once again features slick action scenes and editing, but I would’ve liked a more coherent plot and less of a reliance on graphic violence to bring an end to the trilogy.

Sin City (2005)

This is quintessential Rodriguez, perhaps not for anything specifically, but rather for his continuous innovation and exploration of the medium of filmmaking.  His adaptation of Frank Miller’s comic is stunning.  He pioneered the use of AMD64 technology here, shooting entirely in digital. You see its use in stunning form, with black and white offset by glimpses of brilliant color, whether it is lipstick, skin tone, or clothing.  While the movie’s graphically violent subject matter is clearly not for everyone, Robert also got brilliant performances out of many of his actors/characters (Mickey Rourke pre-The Wrestler being one of the most notable), really making a comic book come to life.  Helping to usher in the era of Hollywood comic book adaptations being all the rage, Sin City is still the gold standard by which all others are measured, succeeding where a movie like Watchmen failed.  A grand feat in and of itself, the film is a remarkable achievement for that alone if nothing else.

This still of Rourke doesn't do the AMD technology justice. Amazing.

Grindhouse / Planet Terror (2007)

A scientist releases a deadly biochemical agent into the air during a botched business transaction, turning a majority of a town’s population into zombies or “sickos” as they’re referred to here. Dr. Block (Josh Brolin) and his anesthesiologist wife, Dakota (Marley Shelton), try to help them at a local hospital – to no avail. “Cherry Darling” (Rose McGowan), a go-go dancer, teams up with her ex-boyfriend “El Wray” (Freddy Rodriguez – no relation) and the few uninfected cops and townspeople, to ward off the sickos in their fight for survival.

Robert found Rose's machine-gun leg such a turn-on, they would become an item off screen.

Planet Terror was originally released as one of two features in Rodriguez and Tarantino’s Grindhouse, but was split off and expanded for overseas and home video releases. The objective of Grindhouse was to bring exploitation films back to the cinema and Rodriguez brought tons of little touches to his zombie flick to help him achieve his goal. He digitally graded the film stock with nicks and scratches, giving the appearance of an old, beat-up workprint. A reel is missing, thus causing a jump in time and story. All his tricks help to serve the exploitative subject matter. A number of people consider this the better half of Grindhouse, but it works best not individually, but as part of the entire Grindhouse experience.

Our full review of double R’s new film Shorts will be up later this week, he has the aforementioned Machete getting ready for next year, and Sin City 2 is in production.  Rodriguez, love him or hate him, truly is a pioneering talent in the industry who continually pushes the boundaries of filmmaking and has progressed throughout his career as any true artist would want to do.  He will be a director that we continue to watch here at The Film Nest, and we were happy to take a closer look at the man and his works for this piece.  The entire Film Nest Crew contributed to the writing of this post.  Share your thoughts on some of his work below.