Random Factoid #345

8 07 2010

After following some links, I wound up on Movie Mistakes, a site that charts all the technical errors made in a movie.  They’ve been keeping track of 2010’s most mistake-filled releases, and in case you didn’t want to click the link, I’ll list the top 10.

  1. Iron Man 2
  2. Shutter Island
  3. The A-Team
  4. Kick-Ass
  5. Alice in Wonderland
  6. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
  7. Hot Tub Time Machine
  8. Sex and the City 2
  9. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
  10. Robin Hood

And “Iron Man 2” has a solid 11 mistake lead over “Shutter Island!”  Jon Favreau should give his production team a big slap on the back.

I know I’ve caught errors in movies before, but they aren’t something I actively seek.  If something is really glaringly obvious, I can probably catch it.  But I usually trust the filmmakers to catch that stuff before they send it out to audiences.

Have YOU ever caught an error in a movie?  Perhaps you’d enjoy looking at the list of the best mistakes of 2010.


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Origins: Encore Entertainment

8 07 2010

Today’s edition of “The Origins Project” comes to you courtesy of Andrew at “Encore Entertainment.” He’s a contributor to the LAMB in charge of my personal favorite feature, LAMBcasting. But aside from that, he runs a great blog of his own. He’s been a good reader and commenter here since November 2009, and I’m certainly very honored every time he drops by and leave an intelligent comment.

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

I can remember liking movies for some time but that “aha” moment when I really fell for movies was with “The Aviator” in 2004. It was the first time I found myself prepared to defend a movie I liked strongly; incidentally it was also the first time I started taking the Academy Awards seriously though that didn’t work out too well with The Aviator. Still despite that disappointment and all the people claiming it was overlong and plot-less The Aviator was that turning point.

When did you start blogging?

I started a blog some time in July 2008. I wrote one post on the Emmy Awards and subsequently forgot the login information. I started again in January 2009, and I’m still here.

Why did you start blogging?

The first time, it was just boredom but I’ve always had a tendency to be like Professor Calamitous from Jimmy Neutron (i.e. completing nothing) and the blog was something I could write and actually finish. I don’t really know where I got that idea from, though; blogging is a bit like the Myth of Sisyphus – never ending.

What has kept you going?

Hmmm, after going for the first few months comment-less, I can’t really say, it was probably just blind folly. The eventual comments did give me that “finally” feeling – somebody was out there listening. Of course, meeting people in the community, too. You want to see how they develop and you develop yourself. At this point it’s been 19 months and I can’t quit now. All of that droning and then quit? No! I think the fact that I’ve lasted so long will be keep me going – until the end.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

Other than my alter egos…I think the first blog I read was Nathaniel at The Film Experience so though he wasn’t speaking to me alone that was a “help”. And of course the community, Anahita was one of my first few friends in the blogosphere, and though school keeps her from blogging as much she’s still there. And of course noteworthy contributors (and friends) over the months – Danny, Univarn, Jose, Luke and all those other lovely folks – you know who you are!

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

The Best: Taking part. Not to sound all mawkish, but it’s nice to think of blogging and of a particular crowd of bloggers. There’s that solidarity that’s always a plus and, really, that’s about as great as you can get doing something that’s not exactly a “lost art”.

The Worst: Bloggers’ Guilt. I don’t know if I’m just neurotic, but I feel like I’m always blogging and when I’m not blogging I feel guilty. “Oh my god, I didn’t post today…or I didn’t comment on X’s post!” And then your priorities get all messed up and you say things like – I would have studied for that linguistics test…but I was blogging. For shame!

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

Is this like an egg or chicken, as in which came first, question? I don’t know. Maybe my growing love has made me continue blogging or maybe it’s vice versa. It hasn’t diminished it, certainly. It’s made me more knowledgeable. Nick of Nick’s Flicks Picks is one of the smartest people I’ve read and even though I end up disagreeing with him (like I do with everyone) reading his thoughts, like many others, gives you a new perspective and I become more interested in the trade.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

Hmm. I’m not sure. My first commenter was a proud moment. After months of talking to myself Nathaniel of The Film Experience graced me with two comments – that was surprising and it being the first you got that warm feeling and all. I could probably turn to the musical blog-a-thon I had two months ago which was really well received. In the end, though, every time someone leaves an insightful comment or something like “this is a good post” I feel proud.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

To anyone: Try to assess why you want to follow that path and make sure it’s for you. If it’s not chances are you won’t be too enthused when the tough times come.

To bloggers: I know these things should be spontaneous, or so I heard, but take a month and plan before you start a blog. So many get in over their heads and can’t sustain. Start out slowly, seek out fellow bloggers and take it from there….and don’t worry about good or bad writing, salient or trivial points – just write.

Stay tuned into “The Origins Project,” which will feature Darren of “The M0vie Blog” in the next installment.


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Random Factoid #344

7 07 2010

Thankfully I wasn’t anywhere near a movie theater whenever Teams Edward and Jacob united to watch “Eclipse.”  I refuse to talk about the series on my blog; in fact, I avoid mentioning the word at all in case I were to draw traffic of girls thinking they were getting “Twilight” gossip.

Most people just hate the series on principle.  Don’t get me wrong, I most definitely do.  Chelsea Handler, in her piece from Entertainment Weekly‘s decade wrap-up edition called “The Vampire Craze? It Kind of Sucks,” sums up so much of what I feel about the series:

I don’t quite get this whole lusting-after-vampires thing … thisTwilight/True Blood craze is being taken a little far. I recently read that grown women were stealing cardboard cutouts of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner from Nordstrom. I don’t understand how; the wind resistance alone should slow them down. Security can’t be to blame; obviously those women were on a mission. I for one would certainly get out of the way of a crazy cougar running down the street with a cougar cosmo and a fake vampire …

… I worry more about the younger girls that are ”Twihard” fans. For the record, I did not come up with that name, nor do I feel good about the fact that I just used it. I don’t know if the Twilight stars are very good role models. They always look exhausted, and none of them seem to be very happy about being famous. Although I sympathize with anybody who is forced to stay up all night and is deathly allergic to the sunlight, I would think the $12 million paycheck they’re supposedly getting could boost their spirits. I also don’t know if girls should be aiming to find a guy who only wants to suck on their neck. That usually results in a hickey, and the only way to cover one up is with a turtleneck, which I don’t recommend under any circumstances, including the Olympics.

Unfortunately, I also hate the series out of experience.  Before my freshman year, I read “Twilight” for summer reading.  I bought in sixth grade before I knew what a sensation it would become with tween girls.  So, seeing it on my shelf, I figured it might make a nice read.

Worst.  Decision.  Ever.

Unlike a movie, which can be over in the relatively painful lifespan of two hours, I spent prolonged periods of time reading about the two star-crossed lovers showing affection in fields.  It didn’t get horrible until about 200 pages in, and by that point, there was no turning back.

So you can call me a hater, but you can’t call me ignorant.


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Origins: Where The Buffalo Roam

7 07 2010

“The Origins Project” continues with a look at what makes Dreher Bear of “Where the Buffalo Roam” tick.  He’s a recent addition to the blogging scene, but he learned quickly the skills that it took most of us months to acquire.  We’re very happy to have him now, and I hope his answers prove enlightening as to why he blogs.

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

The movie that began my love affair with cinema was Pulp Fiction. Even though I saw the film on DVD it was the first film that completely blew my mind as a teenager. Ever since then I’ve been fascinated with films and cinema in general.

When did you start blogging?

I started my blog back in February 2010.

Why did you start blogging?

In November 2009, I started writing for my school’s newspaper as a movie critic. I felt like my newspaper reviews could reach a bigger audience since my college is relatively small. So I started a blog and posted my reviews and as time went on I started to provide original content to it.

What has kept you going?

The community, hands down. I love reading comments that are made on my blog. If it wasn’t for the community, I probably would have given up after a month or so.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

It’s almost impossible to pinpoint just one particular person that helped me. I know it’s not the answer you’re looking for, but it really was a number of blogs that helped me along the way.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

Best part of being a blogger is that I’m able to have the ability to express my opinion on films on a worldwide scale. The worst part is the constant pressure of providing quality content every week.

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

It has definitely increased my passion for movies. Before I started a blog, I usually preferred to just watch a movie when it came out on DVD instead of going to the theater. Now, I try to attend as many movies as I can during its theatrical run so I could write a review for it.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

My proudest moment (so far) as a blogger would have to be my Kick-Ass movie review. On May 15th, it received 152 hits in just one day and I was so ecstatic to see my first large response.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

If you love something, go for it and don’t slow down. If you’re starting a blog, stay dedicated. Keep providing a constant flow of quality material and naturally people will start to notice you and continue to go to your blog on a daily basis.

Check out “The Origins Project” tomorrow when Andrew of “Encore Entertainment” shares his roots.


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What To Look Forward To in … August 2010

7 07 2010

It’s the day after three days after (didn’t finish the post quite in time) July 4th, which means that summer is basically half-over. Everyone make a sad face.

It’s also July, which means it’s time for me to make my August preview post for some movies that few people want to see. Everyone make a sadder face.

But I think there is some potential for some hits in August, some fueled by estrogen and others by testosterone.

August 6

And the winner for the most unnecessary 3D treatment in the history of movies is “Step Up 3D!” Honestly, Hollywood, stop making the third installment of every series in 3D just because it sounds nice in the title. Who wants to see people breakdancing in 3D? I’m just waiting for the straw that will break the camel’s back on the technology … getting closer …

It’s make or break career-wise for Will Farrell with “The Other Guys.” After last summer’s “Land of the Lost” tanked hard, it’s up to this movie to help him save face in the industry. Thankfully, he has Mark Wahlberg, The Rock, and Samuel L. Jackson to help him. My bet is on the latter, though, to provide the most laughs.

The last two decades were not exactly good to Rob Reiner, so maybe “Flipped” can turn the tables in his favor again. This is the man that gave us “This is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride,” and “When Harry Met Sally.”  It’s time for a return to form, and I think his adaptation of Wendelin Von Draanen’s book can do it for him.  I read the book as a kid, and it still to this day is one of my favorites.  I’ll forgive him for the slap in the face to my generation though – he moved its setting to the 1950s because it is more “innocent.”

On the indie side of things, the most interesting release looks to be “Middle Men,” which chronicles the birth of the Internet pornography industry. It’s a curious choice for Luke Wilson, former comedic star.

There’s also the quiet “Cairo Time” with Patricia Clarkson, the film festival hit “Lebanon” that provides hard-hitting war drama, and “The Oxford Murders” which seems to have little to offer aside from Elijah Wood.

August 13

“Eat Pray Love” is this year’s “Julie & Julia,” that is, a late summer movie aimed at the oft looked-over women. Particularly middle-aged and older women, AKA not the kind that lined up for “Twilight.” With Julia Roberts, a huge star who makes herself pretty scarce, and a literary phenomenon to its name, this could be poised to reap in some big money.

But all the guys seem to be hungering for “The Expendables,” Sylvester Stallone’s new movie that features just about every ’80s action star, be they fresh or washed up. All I can say is thank goodness it is rated R.

And then aiming somewhere in between is “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” a different kind of comic book movie. The usual hero is someone awesome; here, the hero is pathetic Michael Cera fending off seven evil ex-boyfriends of his new girlfriend. Anna Kendrick makes an appearance in the movie in some aspect, so that’s probably enough to get me to see it. Don’t be surprised if this is an out-of-nowhere smash hit. The style looks pretty irresistible.

These movies are probably not opening anywhere else other than New York or Los Angeles this day, but look for them in late August or September. Hopefully “Animal Kingdom,” a foreign crime drama released by Sony Pictures Classics, isn’t the new “Gommorah.” And then there’s “Tales from Earthsea,” the latest Japanese anime movie. One of these days I’ll get around to watching “Spirited Away”…

August 20

“Lottery Ticket” would fall in a pile with other urban movies I don’t pay much attention to if it weren’t for one tiny detail: Ice Cube is playing an old man. He was a hip father only five years ago … it’s a little soon for a grandpa role.

“The Switch” is in an interesting place. Jennifer Aniston was once a draw, but her rep has taken some hits after a series of movies that were not very well received. Jason Bateman is still a rising star, still looking for that movie to really put him on the A-list. Can they meet in the middle? A comedy with a serious concept could do it for them.

I don’t get excited for documentaries, but “The Tillman Story” looks great. A little un-American, sure. But it’s a movie about the truth, and that’s usually a good thing.

Maybe your local megaplex will keep “Toy Story 3” in its 3D theaters to save you from “Piranha 3D,” yet another unnecessary movie looking to profit off the premium ticket prices.  And “Nanny McPhee Returns” because apparently we didn’t get enough of her the first time.

I really hope that “happythankyoumoreplease” finds its way to Houston sometime. It’s directed by Josh Radnor of “How I Met Your Mother” fame and stars the gorgeous Malin Akerman. I love me some indie comedy, and the movie found some love at Sundance. But since no real trailer is out there and it’s being released by some distributor I’ve never heard of, I have my doubts.

August 27

And now we get to those crummy last official week of summer releases.  “Takers,” despite a fairly impressive cast, just looks dumb.  “The Last Exorcism” provides enough chills to tide that crowd over until Halloween.

Indeed, the only movie that looks redeemable this weekend is “Going the Distance,” the rom-com starring real life couple Drew Barrymore and Justin Long.  The movie explores a long-distance relationship, territory that has seldom been tread.  If the women have seen “Eat Pray Love” too many times, they could make this a hit.

So, whatcha wanna see in August?  Lemme know in the poll.


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Random Factoid #343

6 07 2010

A random moviegoing pet peeve that I can’t believe I haven’t shared.

I can’t stand whenever the picture is off the screen. The projectionist can change the size of the screen, so why don’t they?

This factoid prompted by my experience watching “Knight and Day.”


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Origins: The List

6 07 2010

“The Origins Project” today looks at Kai, affectionately known as Kaiderman, of “The List.” He’s been searching for a name for a while, but he’s hardly short of a voice.  He’s a great writer with a killer sense of humor, as well as a great reader and commenter on this blog for two months now.

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

I’ve loved films all my life but decided I wanted to become a screenwriter after seeing the film (and reading the book) Fight Club. I had gone through a bad depression and emerged full of anger. The movie connected with me because it shows both sides of that coin and, ultimately, the path that lies between.

When did you start blogging?

December 2009.

Why did you start blogging?

It was my wife’s suggestion. I had gotten out of the habit of writing my scripts regularly. I think I had gone a year without writing a word. It’s hard when you have kids, a wife and a full time job. My wife suggested the blog as a way to get back in the habit of just writing. It started as a blog where I’d just make lists about whatever popped in my head but after my 3rd post it just became a movie blog. Movies are how I spend most of my time and what I talk about most of the time so it just made sense.

What has kept you going?

Well, honestly, I love the sound of my own voice and I think I’m brilliant. Aside from that, my wife (my biggest supporter). The readers (because what’s the point without them). And the bloggers who encouraged me early on… I’ve gotten to know and befriend so many more bloggers but Paul from Paragraph Film Reviews (the first stranger to comment on my site), Castor at Anomalous, M. Carter from @ the movies, Aiden from Cut the Crap, Heather from Movie Mobsters and, of course, the Rosses were real supporters that visited the site early on and often.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

See the above… haha. Truthfully, this whole thing is nothing without the blogging community. Sometimes I fear they’re the only ones who are reading… at the same time, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing because we all feel the same way and have the same passion! I think everyone on my blogroll has contributed to the growth of THE LIST.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

BEST: Having a voice… no matter how inconsequential.
WORST: Content. Content. Content. Everyone needs a break every now and then and bloggers don’t take one!

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

My love of films cannot be diminished. I don’t do reviews because I don’t want to judge films. I want to enjoy them. That’s one of the reasons why I started my new ongoing REASONS MOVIES RULE post. So I could just talk about stupid little things that make lame little films (like Karate Kid or Road House) awesome! After all, at the end of the day, this is supposed to be fun.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

I have 3:
1. I didn’t get any LAMMY noms but Dylan told me I got a few votes for funniest writer. I love making people laugh so I’m glad I caught someone’s attention. P.S. I’m getting that nomination next year if I have to verbally slip on banana peels for the next 10 months!
2. My Step-Dad told me he heard my Mom laughing out loud in another room one day. He went in to see what was making her laugh and she was reading my blog on her phone. She doesn’t care about writing or movies so that made me real proud.
3. Finding you site on someone’s blogroll… always an honor!

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

1. Keep your eyes fixed on the stars, no matter how many walls you may run into as a result!
2. Don’t worry about your layout and all the bells and whistles. In the end, the only thing that matters is the content and your voice. If you have that, people will find you!

Stay tuned to “The Origins Project,” tomorrow covering Dreher Bear of “Where the Buffalo Roam.”


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REVIEW: Valentine’s Day

6 07 2010

As much as I wanted to say that all these stars couldn’t save a movie, I can’t. Much to my surprise, “Valentine’s Day” was a relatively charming and very entertaining look at just about every kind of love that might exist. And given the day it is set on, all the love stories are as pumped up on steroids as the size of the cast.

The line-up is like a romantic comedy all-star team, and to top it off, they’ve even peppered in some serious actors. Oscar winners Kathy Bates, Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts (who falls into the rom-com category as well), and Shirley MacLaine all make appearances. “Grey’s Anatomy” fans can rejoice at getting McDreamy AND McSteamy together outside of Seattle Grace hospital. Teen idols for both boys and girls are represented through Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner. In case you had any doubt, you can find at least one star to make your valentine in the cast.

And there’s every kind of love story you can imagine. The movie rounds all the bases and covers all the definitions of the L word that keeps the world spinning. There’s young love and old love, pure love and cheating love, parental love and physical love.  And of course, because you can’t have love without it, there’s heartbreak.

Now, just because it tells all these stories doesn’t mean that they are all told well.  There are plenty that are just plain boring to watch or so horrifyingly predictable that the movie would have done well to shuck it and lose a few minutes off a pretty bloated running time.  At over two hours, it’s a marathon romantic comedy.  You can feel the fatigue starting to set in as it crosses the hour mark, dragging along under the weight of too many characters and storylines.  Most are wrapped up with class, albeit in a fairly typical and predictable fashion.  Be sure to stay tuned until the very end because there are some nice and touching twists up its sleeve.  Turning it off would be a big mistake.  Huge.  B /


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Origins: A Life in Equinox

5 07 2010

“The Origins Project” continues today with Ryan, also known as Univarn, from “A Life in Equinox.” We only recently discovered each other, but as some little-known movie called “Casablanca” says, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

I’ve always been in love with movies, but the one film that really solidified it for me was Edward Zwick’s 1989 film GLORY. The real, honest, connection to fictitious (on some level of portrayal given artistic freedom with historical events) characters, wrapped in a meaning. In many respects it became the template by which I judge most movies.

When did you start blogging?

I started blogging way back in 2003 over at Rotten Tomatoes. I did that, off and on, for a handful of years, but A) The community had way too much turn-over and B) They removed all the personal aspects of it. It became a feeding ground for such anger. So, in 2009 I started up A Life in Equinox, and have been rolling along nicely every since.

Why did you start blogging?

For the ladies, obviously! Oh, ok, fine, not for the ladies (*wink*). I started it when I was 16, and very much in that “ugh, nobody’s listening to me phase” and felt like I needed a medium. Movies were a growing passion, and so I felt film blogging would be a perfect fit for me.

What has kept you going?

Comments. I know it sounds weird, but every time I get back from going some place and see a comment from one of my fellow bloggers, or someone whose never commented before, it just gears me up. It’s the equivalent of getting an energy drink. Just the knowledge that someone’s taken the time to read what I wrote, and respond, makes me feel great. No comments always leaves me a bit *sad face*

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

Well, despite how silly blogging can sound to others, my family’s always been very supportive of my blogging over the years, and have grown to appreciate, and cheer me on. In the blogging world TheAnswerMVP2001, Hollywood Spy Dezmond, and every one’s favorite Mad Hatter have been especially supportive in their own way (helping to keep me in check at times). But it’s great to get such support.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

Best: Discussion. I love a good discussion. And here, with the LAMB, and everyone, so open to sharing opinion, discussing film, and arguing over whatever… ah, it’s just great. Makes me perk up with anticipation for each reply to my comment. Worth it every time for that freedom.

Worst: Running into the occasional film absolutist. Film scoring is opinion, you’re not the supreme judge of all that qualifies as cinema, bugger off!

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

My passion for movies as a whole, most definitely not. If nothing it’s strengthened my love for the history, and influence cinema has had onto itself throughout the last century! I would say over time it has greatly influenced my taste in movies, but I’m thinking that’s probably for the best.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

Well that would be very recently when I got 5 nominations for the LAMMY! Still not sure how that happened, but it did, and I’m eternally grateful for it. The fact that with 500+ bloggers, even a select handful thought of me when listing 5 of their favorites in any category, made it just incredibly special.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

It’s always hard starting a new blog, but you’ve got to understand the crucial factor: You. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, allow your opinions to be open for attack, respected, and always be looking for new ways to grow, both as a person, and as a blogger. Comment, allow for people to comment. Agree, disagree. If you do it enough, and put real, valuable, points into every post and comment, people will find their way to you.

Tomorrow, “The Origins Project” continues with a look at what got Kai of “The List” started and what keeps him going.


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Random Factoid #342

5 07 2010

Another Real Life Movie Moment, a factoid-type I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for that darned “M. Carter at the Movies.”

The movie: “Toy Story 3”

The moment: The last fifteen minutes … look, I don’t want to spoil the movie, but you need to see it now if you haven’t already.

The correlation: During some summer cleaning, my brother decided to give away some stuffed animals.  My mom told me to go in and look through the garbage bag to see if there were any of them that I wanted to keep.  Of course, going through the bag brought back a flood of old memories … oddly enough, I couldn’t get the score from “Up” out of my head.


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REVIEW: Knight And Day

5 07 2010

What’s silly, somewhat corny and contrived, and stuffed to the gills with action?

That would be “Knight And Day.” But my real question is this – so what? It provides that shot of summer adrenaline that we all crave without the eye-rolling and moaning on the side. As a sort of hybrid action-romantic comedy, the movie favors the former (which is probably for the better), but the blend really does allow it to be entertaining for more than just the guys who light up inside watching something blow up.

We’re never really meant to take the movie seriously – well, at least Tom Cruise doesn’t, so I sure as heck didn’t. His rogue CIA agent Roy Miller is part insane, part parody of all the outrageous characters Cruise has played in nearly three decades on screen. And he’s as willing to make fun of himself and his career choices as he is to don a fat suit and bloated makeup. There’s plenty of Cruise being mysterious in the corner, playing with the sunglasses, delivering ridiculous lines, making corny romantic gestures, and running to the point where it looks painful. It’s his boundless playful energy that lifts “Knight And Day” off the ground.

Read the rest of this entry »


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Random Factoid #341

4 07 2010

A last second e-mail over a week ago has turned into a contribution on a blog post, so I thought it might make a good factoid.

Right before I left for Wilderness, I got an e-mail from Frank Mengarelli, the “Pompous Film Snob,” asking me what my favorite trailer ever was.  I instantly replied because I knew my answer, but on the way to the airport, I saw his reply asking for a bit of a write-up.  I scribbled down some rationale for my choice, and while I was gone, he ran the favorites.

It’s some of my favorite bloggers who contributed, so the whole post is worth checking out.  Here’s what I wrote about my favorite trailer ever, the teaser for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

I love the teaser for “Benjamin Button” because it perfectly captures the magic of the movie.  It shows the aging process without ruining anything except the breathtaking cinematography.  The “Carnival of the Animals” playing in the background only adds to the sense of wonder.  I hadn’t even heard of the movie when I first saw the trailer, and it absolutely knocked me off my feet.

Coming in at a close second is probably the “Up in the Air” teaser.


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Origins: Foolish Blatherings

4 07 2010

Today, “The Origins Project” focuses on Branden of “Foolish Blatherings.”  He has been a great commenter since November when he discovered this blog through my review of “Precious.”  He stepped away from the blogosphere for a few months in the spring for training camp in the military, but now he is back in full force.  Needless to say, we are all glad to have him back.

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

It would have to be “Brokeback Mountain.” I wished I had my blog back then to tell about the visceral expierence I had when I saw that film at the local indie theater in town. The line going around the building, the theater being packed, completely sold out, everybody going on a journey with the characters.

When did you starting blogging?

I started writing for “Foolish Blatherings” in September 2008.

Why did you start blogging?

A couple of my friends had their own movie blogs and I loved reading their words about the movies they have seen. I wanted to get my opinion of movies myself. I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did.

What has kept you going?

I think what kept me going in the dialogue that I have with fellow movie bloggers. The comments kept me motivated to continue to evolve and make my writing better.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

I think being a part of LAMB has opened my eyes to different people and different styles of writing. We support each other even if we disagree on certain things.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

The best part of being a blogger is having my work out there for tens of people to read and enjoy. The worst thing is the stigmata that bloggers have. People think that the word “blogger” is bad word. Grouping everyone into the Perez Hiltons of the world. I don’t think it’s fair.

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

I believe that blogging has increased my passion for movies, because it pulls me to movies that I might not get the chance to see if I wasn’t blogging. I’m very grateful for that.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

My proudest moment is when a friend of mine, Tassoula — who writes her own movie blog — recommended me to write an article about Kathryn Bigelow and her success with “The Hurt Locker.” I was honored.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

My advice would be to make absolutely sure that you are ready. Do you have a thick skin? When you put my opinions out there, people will give you nasty comments. You have to take it with a grain of salt. If you could set aside that, then you could be a movie blogger. You never know what opportunities could be around the corner if you do take that step.


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Random Factoid #340

3 07 2010

Back from Wilderness. Thanks for continuing to visit and comment even without me to moderate! It made me feel good to get that flood of commenting e-mails as soon as I hit service again.

I learned a lot from my trip, and I’ll have more on that at a later date. But one quick thing I learned relating to movies: I really need to brush up on quotables from the low-brow comedies of the 2000s. As my group rattled off quote after quote from “The Benchwarmers” and “Mr. Deeds,” I was left kind of helpless. I was not a fan of those movies and decided not to waste my time memorizing lines from them. My “Knocked Up” and “Role Models” knowledge was practically useless.

And just for kicks, here’s a photo I took from my plane ride to Denver with my new iPhone. See if you can guess the inspiration!


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Origins: The Dark of the Matinee

3 07 2010

“The Origins Project” continues today with some insights from the Mad Hatter, the author of the award-winning “The Dark of the Matinee.” He finished second for Best Blog at the LAMMYs and won for Best Podcast, Best Awards Coverage, and Best something else. He’s one of the smartest writers out there, something that shows in his answers below.

What movie began your love affair with cinema?

THE TERMINATOR was the first movie I can remember watching over and over. It scared me and thrilled me all at the same time. Of course, our copy was taped off TV so I didn’t know just HOW violent it was until way later…ditto the sex scene.

When did you start blogging?

August 2007.

Why did you start blogging?

I’d already been writing a personal blog for three years by that point, but wanted to see if I could reach a bigger audience. My passion for film seemed like a natural platform. Plus when it came to talking about the movies I saw, I got tired of repeating my opinions over and over.

What has kept you going?

In short, stubbornness. Seeing the site grow into something I’m very proud of, meeting so many great people through it, and getting the opportunity this year to cover a pair of festivals as actual media.

Has there been a particular person (or people) that has helped you along the way?

Three above all others. Shannon the Movie Moxie who introduced me to a lot of other movie bloggers locally. Fletch who has been very encouraging where all things LAMB are concerned. And of course, my wife, for supporting this crazy project.

What’s the best part of being a blogger? The worst?

The two best things are being able to meet other great people, and to spread the word of great lesser-known film. The worst is the delicate balancing act of deciding whether you’re watching to blog, or blogging because you watch.

Has blogging increased or diminished your passion for movies?

Increased it immensely. My tastes have broadened and now there are always dozens of titles on the must-list at any given moment.

What’s your proudest moment as a blogger?

Talking to directors at Hot Docs and having them be so encouraging of what I am doing.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow their passion? To someone starting a blog of their own?

Following your passion can define you. You can be working the most mundane desk job in the world, but that will never define who you are if you focus your energies on your passions. Your job will always be what you *do* – your passion is who you *are*.

To start a blog of your own, make sure you write about something you’re passionate about. For starters, you’re more likely to talk about it anyway, and further, it will give you the opportunity to meet other like-passion’d people.

The hitch is not getting discouraged when you spend days, weeks, or months getting four readers a day. Building an audience takes time – stick with it, join communities, and be pro-active.

Join “The Origins Project” tomorrow when Branden of “Foolish Blatherings” talks about his humble beginnings in blogging.


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