http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587707/

Quirky. Strange. Engaging.

EXIT offers up a documentary experience that will hold your attention even if you are not familiar with its subject matter. It tells the story of Thierry Guetta – family man turned videographer – and his journey from video hobbyist to celebrity street artist. His story is amazing. He ventures into the world of street art and hooks up with Shepard Fairey. He video tapes night art raids and documents the life of street artists in California, London and France leading all the way up to the street art God himself, BANKSY – the director of this very film. Guetta changes from the viewer to the viewed as his manic efforts drive him to make art himself.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/2011/01/03/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world/

I was remiss in seeing this film in the theater and, after viewing the DVD at home, I was crushed that I missed it there with an audience. I have not read the comics it was based on, but want to after all the crushing fan rush dies down a bit.

SCOTT PILGRIM was a fun and kinetic thrill. It had me locked in from the very start – it’s opening titles sporting video game references and top notch motion graphics fun. But, you’re not left out in the cold if you’re not a gamer. The film offers some fun performances, imaginative visuals and romance that everyone can enjoy.

Michael Cera is the films lead and is his usual, nutty, whispering self. It works well in a classic example of “the right tool for the right job”. Anna Kendrick of UP IN THE AIR fame even makes a showing as Scott’s sister.

If you’re able to see the fun in the absurd, love a little imagination in your movies and enjoy the cinematic magic of film and motion graphics, you should check out PILGRIM at once.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1084950/
Directed by Jonathan Demme

When I watched Rachel Getting Married the first time, it ran over me like water. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, it was just a little more than I thought it was going to be and, frankly, it bummed me out a bit. I thought I was in for a comedy. Something along the lines of Father of the Bride that would have me giggling, laughing, and a little misty at the end as the syrupy sweetness dripped from the screen. But, RACHEL is not that film. When you are expecting big laughs and giggles,  chuckles, tension and good drama can be a bit of a downer at first. But, after sitting with it a while, it’s grown on me a lot.

While the movie does have some funny moments, it’s a real look at a family with some troubles in their past presented in a real, almost documentary style at times. Rachel is getting married, her sister Kym is coming back from a rehab facility to attend, and there are some skeletons in the family closet that are definitely getting ready to fall into the open.

Rosemarie DeWitt is both charming and horrid as Rachel. Not quite “bridezilla”, but not a saint either, she plays the character well and managed to illicit both contempt and sympathy from the audience.  It a hard role to play and she does a great job riding the thin line between wanting to pity her and wanting to slap her.

Debra Winger is back as the estranged mother of Rachel and her sister Kym and is fantastic. I had not seen her in a movie in a very long while and she rolls right into this part with a fury. She’s absent and distant and all together bitter – removed from her daughters and their lives.

And, last but certainly not least – Anne Hathaway is amazing as Rachel’s sister Kym. She has come a very long way from The Princess Diaries, making the role of the rehab sister hers completely. She does a fantastic job and is believable as she tries her best to give her sister her day in the sun, but fails at several turns. She’s hard to love, but she had my sympathy by the middle of the film and I was pulling for her to snap out of it, come to her right mind, deal with the serious issues at hand, and prevail.
What I liked most about the film is that it didn’t fall back on familiar cliches – something it could have with this content in a heartbeat. It dealt with some major issues and came close to the “über-drama”, but skimmed across it with a balance and maturity that made it a well rounded and real drama with some cute comedy and romance dashed over it here and there.

Well worth checking out.  It was a very touching and interesting film on many fronts.

Stalag 17 (1953)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046359/
Directed by Billy Wilder ( Some Like It Hot, The Apartment )

STALAG 17 is set in a P.O.W. camp during World War II. The prisoners manage to help certain key prisoners escape. But, it seems there’s a spy in their midst and they need to find out who it is before their system collapses into rubble.

Wilder is able to mix wartime drama with some cute comedic pressure relief in a brilliant way. The tone of the film is fantastic and the characters are some classic 50’s good and bad guys. Tension runs high and the film keeps you rolling right through the the exciting reveal. The writing is amazing and still holds up today save the few 50’s expressions and style of acting.

Fans of war films of this era should check it out at once if they have not seen it. Film lovers in general will like the film’s style, characters and dialogue. It’s a fabulous film.

If you’ve seen the TV show HOGAN’S HEROES then you’re already somewhat familiar with this classic prisoner of war epic – they based the TV show off this movie, boosting the comedy to sitcom levels.

Waiting (2005)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348333/
Directed by Rob McKittrick

Slipping into the realm of AMERICAN PIE and the many knock offs it spawned, WAITING turned out to be a fun little no brainer comedy with lots of bawdy, beer party humor. The movie follows the exploits of a group of youngin’s that are working at a Chilli’s or Applebee’s style “big box” restaurant and doing what they can to while away the hours of boring work. This includes nasty games, revenge on evil customers and trying to get their coworkers to go on “dates”.

While it’s mostly silly and goofy, it does provide a grand staging area for some nutty fun. The cast seemed to have a good time making it and it has some genuine giggles throughout.  Ryan Reynolds – aka “not Dane Cook” - locks in his usual persona and knocks it out of the park yet again with his particular brand of GQ fun. The humor – while low brow for most of the movie – can be smart and witty while delivering the chuckles. The actors are at the top of the teen comedy food chain, so the performances hold up.

WAITING is well worth checking out if you’re in the mood for some laughter a la potty mouth humor.
Save some awesome blossom fried goodness for us!

PETE’S DRAGON (1977)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076538/

Directed by Don Chaffey

I was a mere eight year old when PETE’S DRAGON first came out in 1977. I remember going to see it with my mother not really knowing what the heck I was about to see. I hear the songs now and I get misty eyed. It really was a huge hit for me when I was a kid. My parents really helped to foster my love of films by taking me to them often. PETE’S DRAGON was a magical, musical ride.

It tells the story of Pete and his magical dragon friend Elliott. Pete and Elliott are best friends and spend lazy afternoons having fun. Everything isn’t perfect, however. Pete has an evil adopted family and an wicked snake oil salesman after him and his dragon friend. Only Helen Reddy and Mickey Rooney really care about Pete and his good will.

This musical is a load of fun and fantasy as Pete adventures with the lovable Elliott in this live action plus animation childhood hit. This film was nominated for 2 oscars, believe it or not. I remember listening to the soundtrack as a child, playing side A and side B of the record (yes, a RECORD) over and over while I sang and danced around the room.

If you’re looking for something for the kids, try out this fun little romp through childhood fantasy! I find movies like this to be SO FAR SUPERIOR to what kids are being fed these days. I think a lot of it is just my personal relationship to the films, of course, but it just seems like most of the kid movies out now are just eye candy and fluff.

Try out Pete’s Dragon for yourself and let me know what you think!

Now…how about a song?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHboMLW-Zn0

“Dude! It was a rad year! No DUH! I feel like such an airhead sometimes, but this list will TOTALLY help me remember stuff BIG TIME. These are some of my fave films, homefry. Bitchin’!”

Ah, the 80’s. These films are like a time capsule of my high school years. The music, the times, and the clothes.

Weird Science (1985) Two teens create a woman one night. Go figure.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Matthew Broderick talks his best friend and girlfriend into taking a well deserved day off from high school.

The Breakfast Club (1985) Saturday detention. A mix of high schoolers. A whole day to themselves in a library. Discuss. The beginning of the BRAT PACK years.

Better off Dead (1985) John Cusack fails at killing himself, but succeeds in falling in love.

One Crazy Summer (1986) Cusack is back and falling in love with Demi Moore in this wacky comedy.

Pretty in Pink (1986) I think he loves her, but she loves him, and he wants her, but isn’t nice, but this guy is super nice…but…she doesn’t notice him…and…um…wrong side of the tracks…uh…clothes?  Something like that. Oh, and there’s a duck boy in it….I think.

16 Candles (1984) Who will remember Molly Ringwald’s birthday when her sister is getting married?

Real Genius (1985) Val Kilmer classic about a genius high school kid who skips to college. He meets the other genius’ and comedy ensues!

Machine Girl (2008) -Kataude mashin gâru-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1050160/
Machine Girl Lite (2009) -The Hajirai Machine Girl-
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1319567/

Remember The Road Runner cartoon? Of course you do. Well, MACHINE GIRL and MACHINE GIRL LITE are the live action, Japanese action, deadly schoolgirl versions of the same. These films are candy for the fans of over the top, cartoon style gore and violence. It’s so damn silly that the violence becomes second to the pure comedy goodness of the absolutely silly plot and story. It’s a hoot.

A schoolgirl named Ami Hyuga has a brother who is being harassed for cash by the son of a violent crime lord. Not being able to take it anymore, he and his good friend kill themselves. She, in turn, goes to seek revenge. However, the yakuza crime lord has many many people on his side and the girl is defeated and….de-armed. Half dead, she goes to seek help from her brother’s buddy’s parents, but the mother is still grief stricken and wants nothing to do with her until her shop is attacked by some crime lord goons.
The parents of the dead schoolboy create a weapon arm for Ami – a deadly machine gun with a seemingly unending supply of bullets. Together, the mother and Ami go to seek revenge. And so begins the geysers of blood, severed body parts and meat chunk madness that is the beauty of MACHINE GIRL.

This manga inspired cult hit is pure, over the top gore madness that sends gallons of blood streaming over everything and everyone. Insane martial arts and exotic, fantasy weapons take their toll on everyone and everything in the scene.

Drill bras, decapitation chains and lots and lots of bullets make this movie a must see for fans of Japanese gore-gore action and is the best in the group, in my most humble opinion. While the overall is silly and strange, it does have some somewhat decent acting (for what it is) and is well shot and directed. Other movies like it tend to lean toward the “we filmed this in a week” realm and really tend to look even more cheap than they already are.

But, what do you do when you have actors and makeup left over when making a film like this? Why, make an epilogue, of course! MACHINE GIRL LITE/ Shyness Machine Girl is a small short made after filming of MACHINE GIRL ended. Ami’s friend finds herself alive again (spoiler!) and needs to defend herself against the yakuza boss and his henchmen.  The shop father helps her by making her a special machine gun, however it only becomes available when her shyness peaks. What better way to activate the Shyness Machine Gun (that comes out of your tailbone area, by the way)  than to stand around in a bikini or to flash your panties at the bad guys while squealing, “NO! Don’t look! I’m SHY!” So very, very bizarre. I love it!

You know you are curious now! Pick up MACHINE GIRL for good, splatter fun and MACHINE GIRL LITE for….well…a girl with a machine gun butt. Ideal for parties!
Machine Girl Trailer – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCpSqqPwPDQ
Machine Girl Lite Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhJ_W9Kiz-s

Other films like this include:
Ichi the Killer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haiSf60UsPQ
Tokyo Gore Police – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajMcAyCRwgg
Stacy: Attack of the Schoolgirl Zombies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX4t8XYJgS0
Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAGMzxhk3Hg
Samurai Princess – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ctXBVbbDWo
Bikini Zombie Slayers (game) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtAghxuu7n0

ZOMBIELAND (2009)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156398/
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
Rhett Reese (written by) & Paul Wernick (written by)

Those of you who know me know that I can sometimes go off on a rant about crap movies having no problem getting a wide, theatrical release while good films crawl around under cover of “Mom and Pop”, small screen venues or after hours purgatory…if the see the light of day at all. There are movies that get rave reviews during test screenings that are still battling it out to even get a DVD release. So, seeing a zombie genre film that is this much fun, this entertaining, and this original in wide release is just so damn refreshing.

“Columbus” (Jesse Eisenberg) is a loner with compulsions who is trying to get back to his home in…Columbus…after the zombie plague has ravaged the world. He’s worked out certain rules to help himself stay alive in this dangerous, new environment. On the road, he meets “Tallahassee” (Woody Harrelson), “Wichita” (Emma Stone), and her sister “Little Rock” (Abigail Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame) and the four of them work together to make their way towards a safe spot where there are no zombies. The basis for a classic, road trip scenario.

When I first saw the trailer for ZOMBIELAND, I wanted to love the film. I wanted it to be an amazing, 2 hour fun park ride. However, we all know trailers can be utterly deceiving, tricksy and false! However in this case, just like GRINDHOUSE before it, Zombieland had everything it promised – fun, comedy, horror, interesting story and, of course, ZOMBIES.

Zombieland walks the fantastic line of horror and comedy. Not since the likes of SHAUN OF THE DEAD have I had so much fun in a horror film.  The story is a vehicle for situations to arise and little more, but it’s a zombie film and that’s all it needed to be. The main four characters are grand in their roles and bring enough to them to make them interesting without getting too muddy or clichéd.  The movie never takes itself too seriously, but also avoids becoming silly. One minute you are giggling at a sight gag and the very next second you are startled by a sudden zombie mishap. Witty writing and attention to the story arc made it all work well together.

This is a very smart horror film as well. Someone has done their research on both the genre and it’s fans. I am a huge zombie fan. I’ve seen many a zombie film. Reese and Wernick gave me fantastic zombie action while calling out things that drive me crazy when I watch lesser zombie fair. They play with genre norms, cliches and lore to bring a truly witty and engaging story to the screen.  Clever visual gags and some fun cameos and setups had me wanting more and more of what this film had to offer.

If you’re a fan of zombies, comedy, and some fun scares, this is SO the movie for you. Don’t wait, just go see it and enjoy! We need to reward the efforts made to bring smart horror to the main stream audience and keep the turn key, shock, “set ‘em up to be killed” horror pablum at bay.

A+

Senior Editor Jeff Goldsmith interviews co-writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick about Zombieland. Awesome interview, as usual!

http://creativescreenwritingmagazine.blogspot.com/2009/10/zombieland-q.html

~

What’s Up, Tiger Lily?  1966

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061177/

Woody Allen
Senkichi Taniguchi

This film is just a silly, goofy, and fun no brainer and it’s worth every bit of your time. Woody Allen debuts by taking the Japanese action film “International Secret Police: Key of Keys”, stripping out all the dialogue, and re-writing the spy thriller so that it revolves around…wait for it…a egg salad recipe. The original film was made in 1965, so it has a look of the time already with crazy action and impossible scenes, so the addition of wacky comedy works extremely well.
The film is a wacky journey into the slapstick world of early Allen. He let’s it all go and the humor is silly, bawdy, and risqué in a fun and innocent way. If you love Woody Allen’s earlier, slapstick-filled films, you’ll enjoy this little romp.

Phil Moscowitz: I’d call him a sadistic, hippophilic necrophile, but that would be beating a dead horse.

Yup….just silly! Check it out! Available on Netflix.

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1089536537/