Blog

  • Les Miserables

    les_miserables_ver11So yea. I watched a musical, and it was not horrible, but that was largely because of the CGI and interesting camerawork. I literally had to turn on the captions because it was really hard to hear the lyrics despite having the television volume raised to deafening levels.

    It was also a Blu-Ray copy, so the visuals were stunning, although I was left quite confused throughout the entire thing.

    It was watchable, but I was left wondering the following:

    • Why did Anne Hathaway get an Oscar for basically 10 minutes of screen total screen time?
    • The entire star-studded cast was largely unrecognizable, almost “cracked-out” (especially Hugh Jackman)
    • Sacha Baron Cohen may have been the best actor in the movie, since he got to play a character he has already developed in his other work. (see 19th century Borat…)
    • Why does everyone have an English accent when this is supposed to be a French movie/play?
    • Why can’t France do anything right? (sorry, that’s just not fair.)

    I’d give it a 3.5/5.
    Go watch the play/musical live if that’s your thing…

    You should also watch this, because it accurately describes a lot of the problems that I ended up having with this movie:httpv://youtu.be/9KETiiptWKM

  • Riddick Franchise receives new entry

    So, there IS another Riddick film planned, and I can’t quite figure out where it falls in the chronological order of the mythos. It looks more like a sequel to Pitch Black, where Riddick has to fight off both scary night-based predators as well as a rather large group of well-armed bounty hunters.

    After reading some youtube comments (which I know is not a great way to glean facts, but it’s all I have to go off of) some are saying that this film takes place after the Chronicles of Riddick, but others are saying that this film occurs between the first and second film.

    Wherever the true story is, it looks promising. I’m sure we will all learn more the closer the movie makes it to completion.

    httpv://youtu.be/tDxDEjDMreA

  • Futurama cancelled for second time

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    It’s not necessarily ‘new’ news, but it is sad nonetheless. After being resurrected from the dead by Comedy Central in 2010, Futurama is once again headed to gray, static pastures. It will continue its last ordered season – the seventh – and then will cease to exist once more.

    Futurama originally aired on Fox from 1999-2003, and then was revived through the awesomeness that is the Adult Swim programming block on Cartoon Network from 2004-2007. Does anyone else remember the Futurama episodes? I want to say that they appeared in the first hour timeslot on weekdays, where King of the Hill currently sits.

    I am a HUGE fan of Futurama, and I like it considerably more than the 20+ year old behemoth that is The Simpsons (although I do like the show, I just don’t follow it). Maybe us fans can make enough noise to save it, or at least get another home for this truly transcendental animated series.

    How do you feel about the loss of Futurama?

    http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/22/futurama-not-renewed-comedy-central/#more-130256

  • Official Trailer for Horror Convention Documentary FANTASM Now Online

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    Filmmaker Kyle Kuchta is proud to present the official trailer for his horror convention documentary FANTASM:

    http://youtu.be/bvzZRoh1g90

    Fantasm analyzes the tight-knit community that attends horror conventions in an exploration of how the genre brings fans together. “Fantasm was filmed over six conventions, and I felt myself growing closer and closer to the genre that we all love so much,” says Kuchta. “It means a lot to be able to share that love with people, and that’s what Fantasm is all about.”

    In addition to a variety of devoted fans, Fantasm features insight from popular horror actors and filmmakers, including Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Tom Atkins (Escape from New York), Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2), Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic Avenger) and more.

    With production complete, Kuchta is currently focused on editing Fantasm. The documentary will be submitted to film festivals in the fall, with an official premiere to be announced. An abridged version of the film will screen for free at Syracuse University’s Shemin Auditorium as part of the school’s Class of 2013 Film Showcase on May 4th.

    Learn more about Fantasm on Facebook and Twitter.

  • Hot Tub Time Machine

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    A big thanks to Shaun Rowe for the guest review!

    I found Hot tub time machine to be a pleasant surprise when I watched it for the first time, a film that doesn’t only consist of a few laughs here and their but a one that has a deeper meaning within all the gags and one liners.

    The 4 main characters being Insurance salesman Adam (John Cusack). A once budding musician Nick (Craig Robinson). Violator of the group Lou (Rob Corddy) and finally, Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clark Duke). After drifting apart and their life’s not turning out how they expected the gang are reunited after Motley Crue fanatic Lou ends up in hospital after attempting suicide; although Lou denies this Adam and Nick decide it would be a good idea to go back to the 3’s old getaway ‘Kodiak Valley Ski Resort.’ On Arrival the group soon realizes that things have changed at K-Val for the worst. After checking in the gang make another discovery in the form of their deserted party going nature or ”momentum” as they put it, when all hope seems to be lost they decide to get into the Hot Tub. Copious amounts of alcohol later, they wake up in what seems to be the dreaded ‘morning after’ feeling – as they slowly progress through the day the gang soon realize they are back in 1986!
    With the whole gang too scared to put a foot out line in fear of affecting their future lives – the biggest being the possibility of Jacob not being born – will they remain grounded or will they try to change the past in order to improve the future and their so far lackluster lives?

    On a whole I found Hot Tub Time Machine to be very enjoyable, although not the funniest film you’ll ever see it has enough to keep you more than satisfied. With cameo appearances  form 80’s legends Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover and William Zakba it most certainly delivers on nostalgia. As I mentioned above the deeper meaning is one in which we all can relate to. Whatever choices we make in life whether they be good or bad it will ultimately affect us as we get older; difference being will be able to go back in time and rectify our mistakes.

    Final Verdict:
    8.5/10
    (4.25/5)

    Main Cast:
    John Cusack as Adam Yates
    Craig Robinson as Nick Webber
    Rob Corddy as Lou Dorchen
    Clark Duke as Jacob Yates
    Collette Wolfe as Kelly Yates
    Lizzy Calpan as April Drennan
    Sebastian Stan as Blaine
    Crispin Glover as Phil Wedmaier
    William Zakba as Rick Steelman
    Chevy Chase as Father Time/Hot Tub Repair Man
    Kellee Stewart as Courtney Agnew-Webber

    Budget $36 Million
    Box Office $61 Million

    Directed by Steve Pink
    Story by Josh Heald

  • Man of Steel should be the Superman Movie we’ve all been waiting for

    The title should speak for itself. I cannot believe there have been so many failures to bring perhaps the most iconic of all comic book superheros to life on the big screen in the modern era.

    Thank you Christopher Nolan, for knowing how to make superheros super!

    Trailer:

  • Never Giving Up – Once A Week Online Film Festival

    SquidFlickians! I need your help this week – a film I was in has been accepted as an entry for the Once A Week Online Film Festival. For us to win an audience award, we have to get the largest number of likes, shares, retweets, pins, etc.

    Please check it out and place your social media votes today using the links on the page. And more importantly, enjoy the movie! =)

    http://www.onceaweekfilmfest.com/never-giving-up.html#.UV2ZdFtVQ_8

  • Richard Griffiths aka Uncle Vernon, dies following complications from surgery

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    Sad day, Harry Potter fans – Richard Griffiths, better known as Harry’s Uncle Vernon Dursley, died at the age of 65. The cause was complications after a heart surgery.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/mar/29/richard-griffiths-harry-potter-dies

  • Bigfoot-Themed Horror/Comedy STOMPING GROUND Launches Finishing Funds Kickstarter Campaign

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    Indie Film Features Theresa Tilly from Sam Raimi’s THE EVIL DEAD

    Producers Brad Lavery and Mike De Trana, along with award-winning director Dan Riesser, have launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign seeking finishing funds for their independently-financed feature film Stomping Ground. The campaign began on March 11th and runs until April 9th. Nearly half of the $15,000 goal has already been raised. The film is seeking financing to aid with editing, color correction, sound design and visual FX.

    Stomping Ground can best be described as a “scary relationship comedy about love and Bigfoot hunting.” It tells the story of Ben and Annie, a couple living in Chicago, on a weekend trip to Annie’s small North Carolina hometown. At the local bar they run into Paul, an old friend of Annie’s, and Ben learns something he never knew about his girlfriend: She believes in Bigfoot. In fact, she and her friends used to “hunt” for the creature when they were kids. Before Ben knows it, he’s off on an impromptu Squatchin’ trip deep in the Carolina backwoods. Amidst the Squatch calls, campfire stories and beers, Ben quickly realizes that Paul may have an ulterior motive in bringing Annie to the woods. And something else out here seems to be after her as well. Everyone but Ben thinks its Bigfoot. But it can’t be, can it? After all, Bigfoot isn’t real…

    Stomping Ground is was shot in October 2012 in North Carolina, mostly in the Uwharrie National Forest, an area well known for its Bigfoot sightings. The film stars an amazing cast including John Bobek, Tarah DeSpain, Jeramy Blackford and Justin Giddings. It also features a special appearance by Theresa Tilly, who is best known for her role in Sam Raimi’s horror classic, The Evil Dead. Among the exciting prizes, Kickstarter pledgers have the opportunity to receive a signed piece of Evil Dead memorabilia from the actress. Read an update regarding Tilly’s involving in Stomping Ground here.

    Director Dan Riesser is a filmmaker and television producer whose short films have played at festivals across the world. His 2010 short film Night of the Punks was an official selection at over 25 film festivals including Screamfest LA. His producing and directing work can be seen weekly on E! Entertainment’s The Soup with Joel McHale. Stomping Ground is his first feature film.

    To support the film and the Kickstarter campaign, log on to: http://kck.st/14McuuI

    For additional information about the film, visit stompinggroundfilm.com

  • The Lifespan of a Television Show

    I think that this is incredibly well done. I can certainly chart some of the TV series I’ve watched faithfully over the years on this scale.

    Are there any shows that have bucked this trend? I’d say that the Simpsons has lasted pretty well, at least into it’s late teens. Let me know what you think!

    TV-Show-Life-Span