Random News: Heath Ledger lives on?

Heath Ledger whose death has been proclaimed as accidental drugs overdose will live on a new plastic doll. The late actor is having his role of Joker in one of his latest big screen projects "The Dark Knight" being immortalized in the form of a toy doll.

Heath's family has approved the release of the Mattel action figure to go with the upcoming movie "The Dark Knight." "Heath was very proud of his work in the film, and his family is aware and supportive of Warner Bros., and its partner's plans for the movie," a family spokesman told the New York Post.

A range of Heath's Joker dolls has been revealed by toy giants Mattel just one week after the Aussie star's funeral. Two versions of the doll will hit stores by May. One which comes with a rocket launcher will be sold for $7.99 and the second which comes with a toy knife, will be sold for $10.99.

Heath had finished playing the Joker in the forthcoming Batman film "The Dark Knight" when he was found dead in his New York apartment back on January 22 by his housekeeper and a masseuse who had arrived for an appointment with him.

"The Dark Knight", which is of superhero-action genre, is slated to be released July 18 later this year.

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I am SO getting this.

Something Funny: There Will be Oscars

from funnyordie.com

Shelf Life: V for Vendetta (2006)

I first saw this film at a preview screening in March 2006 and thought it was pretty cool. It's interesting, stylized, and best of all British. When I watched it again on November 5 of that year, I couldn't believe that it was the same movie. I thought it was more than pretty cool. I thought it fantastic. 

"Adapted from David Lloyd's graphic novel of the same name, "V for Vendetta" tells the story of Evey Hammond and her unlikely but instrumental part in bringing down the fascist government that has taken control of a futuristic Great Britain. Saved from a life-and-death situation by a man in a Guy Fawkes mask who calls himself V, she learns a general summary of V's past and, after a time, decides to help him bring down those who committed the atrocities that led to Britain being in the shape that it is in."

-imdb.com

Along with the movie being just plain awesome, I received a pack of four postcards from the screening, all with original and stylish art:

Every time I see the movie it continues to move me. The last scene, stocked with powerful symbolism is one of the best endings to a movie I've ever seen. Really fine performances from Stephen Rea and Hugo Weaving. And I guess Natalie Portman too, but I don't like her much as an actor and as a person, so whatever. 

The fact that there are several small stories within the bigger picture makes it possible for multiple viewings.

The Wachowski Brothers seem to always have one more thing up their sleeve.

If you haven't seen this, I urge you to do so soon.

Birthday Time: Simon Pegg

HAPPY 38TH BIRTHDAY SIMON PEGG!!

Simon Pegg is my favorite actor. He co-wrote and starred in my favorite film of all time, Shaun of the Dead. 

Not only that, but he co-wrote and starred in my favorite t.v. show of all time, Spaced. So, I guess I owe him a lot.

Many happy returns.

Review: In Bruges (2008)

The very moment I heard of In Bruges I wanted to see it. In my years of developing my own movie taste, I've always loved the British Gangster genre. Naturally, this seemed right up my alley.

When it came time to see it, I was surprised--in the best way. I figured it would be all crass humor and violence aplenty. I don't mind either of those things, and I got them, to a certain extent. The movie is really more of a drama with comedic elements. Incredibly dark and heavy, it deals with moral issues that caused me to have flashbacks of Cassandra's Dream...

Maybe this is because it was the second film in a week I saw Colin Farrell in. He played essentially the same role, except 10 times funnier. I honestly had no idea he was any good at acting. But by god, he is. Playing a hit man whose first assignment goes terribly wrong, he is sent to Bruges to await instructions from his boss. The trouble is, he hates Bruges. The only joy he finds is making fun of midgets and doing drugs and going to the pub. 

Aided by Brendan Gleeson, his fellow hit man and essentially his babysitter, it becomes an eloquent, poetic buddy film. 

The soundtrack is what threw me for a loop. It consists mostly of tranquil pianos and sweet solo violins. Along with the gorgeous cinematography of the Belgian town, you'd think you were looking at a classic drama--hardly the work of an amateur filmmaker.

The filmmaker in question--Irish Playwright Martin McDonagh--has made just one other film; an Academy Award winning short called "Six Shooter". His experience in the theater, though, helps him find a suitable and sensible voice for his characters. The writing is a strong point, but it's not for just theater lovers.

It's so refreshingly Un-PC. If you're easily offended by...Everything, don't see this. The film is beyond offensive, but it's great. I don't mind, so I loved it even more. At last, someone who just don't give a shit.

Overall, I would say it's a black comedic british gangster film with heart. Colin Farrell's boy-like conscience makes him such a unique character, and Brendan Gleeson's father-like presence helps their relationship and makes the whole experience sublimely enjoyable.

Ralph Fiennes co-stars (oh, and he's funny as hell).

Grade: A

Review: Cassandra's Dream (2008)

Woody Allen is not well-known to me, so I apologize if this review is a tad under-educated. 

That said, I don't need to be a Woody Allen fan to know if I liked a movie or not. Anyway, 

Cassandra's Dream is about two brothers (Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell) who need money, so they go to their very rich uncle Howard (Tom Wilkinson). He agrees to help them, if only first they'll help him--by killing a former associate who is going to spill some very bad information on Uncle Howard.

And there you have it. A moral dilemma. They don't want to, but apparently they're just scared little babies, according to Uncle Howard, who takes a sudden turn in demeanor so extreme it's laughable. 

I had trouble with the dialogue. Mostly when said by McGregor and his on-screen love interest. The problem with McGregor is that he sounds awkward on screen. The problem with the woman? The lines are just weird.

"Being rescued is one of my wicked dreams"

Come. On. The film has a few comedic elements, where you're not sure if you're supposed to laugh or not, but there are some moments where it's funny by accident. 

I thought that the execution of building tension was flawless. I was wringing my hands the whole time, when the two brothers are about to "cross the line" as it were, and never return. 

The one performance I did like a great deal was Colin Farrell, who surprised me. His turn as a drunk, scared shitless hitman was spot on and made me feel awful for the things he felt awful for.

Overall, a film that was decent enough, but like I said, I don't know Allen well.

Grade: B-

Review: Persepolis (2007)

Hip hop Persopolis. 

First of all I thought the trailer for this made it look amazing. I guess because there was no story, and just the animation and music was all that got to me. But that was in a trim 2 minutes. 

Persepolis is based on the auto-biographical graphic novels (there should be a faster way to say that. auto-biographic novels?) by Marjane Satrapi. 

From IMDB.com: 

"Poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution."

In this cheeky slice of life tale told by a bitter Iranian-turned-French woman, it isn't quite as enjoyable as it makes itself out to be.

But first, I will say that the animation was very new and interesting. It's certainly a refreshing look, far from the new age of 3D animation (and nothing but). Also, the soundtrack it spine-tingling and catchy. Maybe too catchy? Anyhow, it matched the movie perfectly and is definitely the finer point of this film.

Other than that, there was no real story. It's a girl who is being moved around in life. She falls, she gets back up. She meets a boy, they break up and she's heart broken. She tries to kill herself, then she decided to conquer life instead. That kind of circular story-telling makes me dizzy, and frankly, not too interested in what happens next, because will it really matter?

As I said earlier, the trailer led me to believe that this film would have a happy ending, where she finally gets out of this repressive situation and lives, goddammit, lives! Well, she doesn't, and she's the same, sad, mopey person. And why do I care? I don't know.

Persepolis is up for the Best Animated Film Oscar. 

Grade: C+