13 posts tagged “2009”
I'm totally digging the music from Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack. I love the little kids' voices meshed with Karen O's (from the Yeah Yeah Yeah's) on "All is Love."
I have often seen Tucker Max's book I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell at Barnes & Noble and even Urban Outfitters (if that isn't telling of what the book's about). Hell is a collection of short stories (personal accounts from the author) that basically depict drunkenness, casual sex, and ignorance, all from a beer-buzzed state of mind.
I can recall actually reading a few stories from this book and being appalled. It takes a lot to gross me out in most cases. And when it comes to good literature, I believe that even the grossest, most disgusting story can have value. Yet, I never understood what the big deal with this book was. It's kind of like the one book you know a fratboy will have in his collection.
Naturally, a feature film has been made starring Matt Czuchry of Gilmore Girls fame. I always wondered what Logan Huntzberger was up to after he left Rory at Yale graduation. Now, I know he's been drowning his sorrows in beer and loose women.
I'm actually a little interested in the movie based on the kickass casting. If there's anyone who can play a sex fiend, douchebag, it's Matt Czuchry. And I'm excited to see him in the spotlight again. Although, part of me is pained to think that any success from this movie will directly benefit the writer and "liver" of these escapades, Tucker Max. He really isn't lying by the title of his book. If you read only one story from the collection, you'll realize he's an awful person (and I rarely say that about people I don't know). For Tucker's sake, I hope they do serve beer in hell -- followed by a hangover for eternity.
When I first read about the film Valentine's Day (starring Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Bradley Cooper, and a slew of other annoying people), I thought, "This sounds terrible." Now, the trailer is out to prove that it looks terrible, too.
There are about thirteen things wrong with this trailer. Can you spot them?
1. Jessica Alba would NEVER have a problem finding a date on Valentine's Day.
2. Neither would Jessica Biel.
3. Furthermore, the workaholic career woman-theme (ala Jessica Biel in VD) has been overdone in romantic comedies. Really, how many times do we as an audience have to watch a woman have a relationship with her Blackberry?
4. Also, I think the abbreviation VD is PERFECT for this film.
5. Isn't this film just a water-downed version of He's Just Not That Into You (if that's possible), which was just a country bumpkin, "supersized" version of Love Actually?
6. You know Emma Roberts only got the part in this movie because of Aunt Julia.
7. Do we really need a Stealth reunion (Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx)?
8. Bradley Cooper and romantic comedies mix like Ashton Kutcher and class (see [or don't see]: All About Steve, He's Just Not That Into You, Failure to Launch).
9. From the way the trailer is cut, it appears Eric Dane will romance teenager Emma Roberts. Ewww.
10. Does Ashton Kutcher's name really appear second to last before the "And. . ." billing of Julia Roberts???
11. Can we really fit anymore people into this movie? The trailer doesn't mention it, but Queen Latifah, Taylor Swift, and George Lopez also appear in VD.
12. The song in the trailer is just not working. At least He's Just Not That Into You used The Cure affectively. What is this? One of Jamie Foxx's new singles?
13. Speaking of which, whom will Foxx be paired up with? If we're going by romantic comedy formula, because he is black, he has to be paired up with a hispanic (see: Hitch) or with someone set up by Madea.
This is one valentine I won't be pursuing.
I was really excited to see Jennifer's Body last night (I feel so naughty as I type this). Not only was it Diablo Cody's follow-up script to Juno, but it was also a return to bitchy-form for the horror genre ala Heathers (one of my favorite movies).
I'll admit, the trailers to the movie were a lot more exciting than the film itself, but Body does deliver. I found myself fully engrossed in the film (emphasis on "gross"). I've never seen a horror film like it. I walked out of the theatre with a feeling similar to when I saw Drag Me To Hell. While Jennifer isn't as consistently good as Hell, it is imaginative and twisted with a story unlike any other.
Without giving too much away, Jennifer becomes a demon because of an Indie rock band's desperation to become popular (seriously). You've got to see it to believe it. I found myself laughing while simultaneously being terrified during Jennifer's death scene (which is always the true test of a great horror flick).
I've also finally discovered why everyone makes such a big deal about Megan Fox.
I know probably 40% of her is fake, but her surgeons did a great job. She's beautiful. I only wish her acting abilities were a little better because I think the role of Jennifer could have been even more evolved if performed by someone with better acting chops.
Speaking of chops, I wonder what Diablo Cody will do next. This film's dialogue wasn't much different than Juno's ("Move On Dot Org!"), except with the added conflict of murder and death. I'd like to see her write something that doesn't conjure up a pop culture reference in every scene. She's definitely got the imagination for a great story.
Here's the new cover for Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, in line with the movie release later this year. What an ominous cover. Seriously, I love Stanley Tucci, but he looks so creepy in this film. When I watch this, I'll just have to try to remember him as Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada and Mr. Julia Child in Julie & Julia.
Fall is the time of year when more qualified movies are released. When people bring up "Oscar" and "Awards." One movie that is getting a lot of praise at the Toronto Film Festival and with critics is Jason Reitman's Up in the Air, the story of a man who reaches ten million frequent flyer miles in a job where he breaks the bad news to people who've been downsized. Ebert has already put this movie at the top of his 2009 list.
Jason Reitman is an interesting director because all of his films are different from one another. Thank You For Smoking took on the tobacco industry, Juno had something to say about marriage and teenage pregnancy. Now it appears that Reitman is taking on timely issues like unemployment, mirroring it with the way people employ themselves in relationships.
The Up in the Air preview is interesting because it consists of a montage of shots over one long monologue from George Clooney, culminating in the claim that we are all "sharks."
Mad Men premiered last night, and woo, what an episode! Score one for alternative lifestyles in the 1960's.
I was kinda hoping that the show would have jumped forward in time a little bit further, but it was nice seeing Betty miserably pregnant (it's good to have her back and still horrible to her kids!). I know I keep saying this, but I can't wait to see what little Sally does down the road. I smell 1970's therapy sessions!
Although there were a lot of shakeups with the British merger at the end of last season, our favorite peeps at Sterling Cooper (is it still called that?) were up to their same old tricks. Pete Campbell is still as ruthless and competitive as ever. I thought that maybe the storyline with both Campbell and Cosgrove getting promoted would be very Three's Company situational-comedy, but it turned out to be rather interesting, especially since Cosgrove was excited to be sharing the promotion with Campbell (I figured they'd both do the Mr. Furley "Whaaat?" face and get mad at each other).
One drawback with the episode: not enough Peggy or Joan (of course, we only had an hour, so it's understandable). However, I think Joan is going to have a romantic storyline with Mr. Hooker.
But the moment of the night for me was when Sal finally succumbed to his innermost desires and kissed the bell boy. Hot! And Don didn't even call him out on it (well not totally), instead speaking of the London Fog ad: "Limit your exposure." Other Sterling Cooper employees would have totally been freaked out by what Don saw through the fire escape. However, Don Draper is used to keeping secrets.
When I first saw the trailer for the new film The Goods, I thought, "What's the title? The Goods or Live Hard, Sell Hard." My second thought was, "I think this film was already made with Kurt Russell in 1980."
The only difference now is that they've replaced Russell with a very unlikeable hero. How can you root for a mercury fiend who may or may not still be in a feud with long-time friend Lloyd Dobler (aka John Cusack)?
I loved the Comedy Central show "Stella," so when I heard about "Michael and Michael Have Issues" (starring Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black), I was pretty stoked. I have loved Michael Ian Black since his days on NBC's "Ed" and Michael Showalter since Wet Hot American Summer.
"MMIH" is kinda like "30 Rock" (it even has a Liz Lemon-esque character!), with the show revolving around what goes on behind the scenes of writing a sketch comedy show. Yet, it isn't a carbon copy of the beloved NBC show. It's a little more demented and to put it bluntly, Michael and Michael are total toolbags. They were especially tools in last night's episode when they got involved in an office relationship.
It seems like every so often Showalter and Ian Black release a new show. I say, "Keep em' coming." I'll keep watching.
While I was in Florida, in the area where the show Nip/Tuck was supposed to take place (before they jumped the shark and moved to L.A.), I discovered that even the mannequins are bigger and more "beautiful."
