DVD/Movie Reviews - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Sarkin Froode!!  This movie, based on the best selling novels by Douglas Adams, is another in a long history of versions of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  There have been radio shows, BBC TV series, and now in this 2005 movie we see a great host of the characters in their best realm.  Unfettered by television limitations.  On this scale, the movie was intended to show the very colorful language and ideas that filled the stories written only 30 years ago.

Garth Jennings has directed a wonderful story with fantastically visualized characters portrayed by Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Alan Rickman (at least his voice), John Malkovich, and our main character played by Martin Freeman.

But "Don't panic", there's plenty of great story even though our planet is destroyed in the first few moments of the movie, we can still enjoy the additional features on the DVD that include additional scenes that were cut out of the theatrical feature, behind the scenes of the movie, and if that's not enough, there is an improbability drive on the main menu so you will have a surprise every time you use it.

I highly recommend this movie for a great laugh and there are some underlying social commentary that isn't heavy handed.

Check out the trailer from IMDb.com: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2445345049/

And don't forget your towel!!!

DVD/video review – Charlie Bartlett

Most of you may know who Anton Yelchin is by now, being is that his portrayal of Chekhov in the New Star Trek and Reese in Terminator: Salvation, but not many people recognize him as the smart talking, piano playing, entrepreneurial minded Charlie Bartlett.  He is one of many characters in this fantastic story about rebellion from authority that is vastly different than ordinary high school dramas.  They have all been well thought out and every one in the movie plays an important role.  I think this movie was a bit mis-marketed to the teenage crowd even though the R rating.  I’ve seen it a few times and it still makes me laugh a lot. 

The special features include two audio commentaries and a music video for the Spiral Beach song “Voodoo”.  My favorite feature is the Bathroom Confessional featurette where they have the cast sit in the toilet seats from the movie and talk about whatever they want to.  They’re really funny although a little too short.

I'll try and find a trailer for this soon.  So far all the sites I'v looked at don't have one to share here.

Things we're doing - First Video Resume

So my partner Kanya is working on getting herself a part-time job as a Lifestyle Correspondent at a winery and the company she is looking to work for wanted a video resume.  Perfect!! Something she and I wanted to work on with OUR company.  They end up being short movies too.  You have to edit them together, right?  So we spent the weekend (when I wasn't at my part-time gig) filming her resume and taking pictures that would go perfectly with her one minute of glory.

Now's when I get to "Work my magic" and make small production value look and sound BIG!!!  When I am finished, I will be posting a link to the site so she can have us look at her resume and vote her up so she can take on this amazing job in the wine country and help our  company get some recognition!

I'll be publishing the link once we're done editing the resume.  Her video needs us to vote for her before the 1st of June, 2009.

Film Reviews - Star Trek (2009)

For those of you reading this, I am admitting something that I wouldn't say in public:  I am a Star Trek fan.  The William Shatner Star Trek was amazing to me growing up.  True, I only saw them in syndication because I was born in the late 70's so I'm a child of the 80's.  Having said that, I do enjoy the latest incarnation brought to us by Director J.J. Abrams who has many producer and writer credits, but has only directed a few episodes of television and one feature movie (Mission Impossible 3).

With this version of Star Trek we begin at the origins of the crew of the USS Enterprise, which weren't even through Starfleet Academy yet.  I won't spoil anything more, but our first scene with James T. Kirk is when he's a baby.  We end up seeing all of the original crew members (not cast) from their beginnings and how the friendships were forged.  The special effects and character make-up was amazingly accurate with an updated look.  Go check this one out if you haven't already!

The trailer found at www.IMDb.com : 

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi381354521/

Film Review - Drag me to Hell - Trailer

Sam Raimi returns to his roots with this horrific tale of a woman put into her most difficult position at work.  The special efx look great and the cast is perfect.  I enjoy Alison Lohman and Justin Long playing opposite each other as a couple and relative newcomer to the big screen Lorna Raver (she's only been in a few movies, but has done television spots for almost two decades) plays the antagonist for Lohman's character at work.  Check this movie out when it comes out this month. 

Here is the trailer from IMDb.com : http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3899917081/

Also, check out the official website for more tidbits at: http://www.dragmetohell.net/

Film Reviews - X-Men Origins: Wolverine

This will be the first post in a long time about a movie that we've gone and seen.  Our team didn't get the chance to go see it on thursday night like we wanted to.  We'll be going this evening to see it with some friends.  This should be interesting.  There will be a few things to consider when entering the theater tonight:  This isn't a continuation of the first three, it's the stuff that happens BEFORE Logan becomes who he is and how he gets there.  In no way were we sueded by any of the press that this movie got for the leaked version.

More to come...

Check out the trailer on IMDb.com at:

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3012297497/

Film Reviews - Taking of Pelham 123 Trailer!

Okay, so this is a movie that looks like a great one already. Two super actors in a head - to - head for control of the major transportation in a major city. John Travolta and Denzel Washington are the headliners of this movie with James Gandolfini as a supporting role. As far as I'm seeing, this could be another resurgence in popularity for the stars.

Check out the trailer I found at www.imdb.com

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1348535065/

So Many Sites, So Little Time - New Button

So, my partner and I have been thinking of ways to have people donate to our company in order to build a budget for our first few films.  Now we have included a new button at the sidebar for people who would like to see an emerging film company put together their first short film.  For your donation, we will be putting together a credit list of people who donated to our project and putting in a huge thank you credit title in the end credits of the movie.  As well, if you include your address, (or an address you want us to send goodies to) we will be putting together a thank you gift.

The button is getting set up in the next few weeks and we will be updating the blog with any news on what we may have for "Thank You" goodies.  Let us know how you would like us to credit you in our film.

Keep independent films alive!

DVD/Videos Reviewed - The Matador

As a fan of the TV show, Remington Steel when I was a kid, I never once thought that Pierce Brosnan could ever play the role of being Broken, Sleazy or Desperate. He plays all of these roles almost a little too well, in a watched-it-through-my-fingers kinda way.

Brosnan plays an assassin who's on the brink of disaster as his cold-hearted nature for his job is coming to an end. He freezes at the moment he’s supposed to take out one of his last marks before his "retirement". Meanwhile, there is a relatable character who Greg Kinnear plays. He is a husband who is worried about his life's future with his wife (Hope Davis), being that he sees his entire career balancing on a business deal where he's not favored.

Brosnan's broken-natured spy & Kinnear's broken-natured business man/husband meet at a bar (no bad jokes inserted here) and their meeting benefits the other in their business and personal lives.In the end, the mild-mannered Kinnear helps empower Brosnan, in an amusing out of character way, with the killing of his final mark. Brosnan helps Kinnear mend his teetering relationship with his wife by assisting in "taking out the competition" of his business dealings.

The two are an unlikely pair who find that their individual business needs bring them together and on accident, they become unlikely friends.I would suggest renting this, especially for the painful moments when Brosnan is either strutting through the hotel lobby in nothing but a speedo and cowboy boots, or him dressed in a cheerleader uniform with pop pops in a slow-mo cheer!

Film Reviews - Confessions of a Shopaholic

*possible spoiler*

Over the weekend I took my partner out to see the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic", which I must say was a nicely filmed movie. I was not let down to the amount of times I was watching the movie through my fingers because of the idiotic things the main character put herself through to get her next shopping fix. Sadly to say, I am that way with two things: DVDs and CDs. I have a pretty decent collection of both because when I get the chance, I can spend more than I want to on them. But, back to the movie, Isla Fisher is easily convincing as the troubled shopper. But the things she gets away with, even for the movies, is a bit too far fetched.

The other actors/actresses in the movie were very strategically placed to thwart her attempts at shopping until her debt was erased, including her parents (played by two favorite actors of mine: Joan Cusack and John Goodman [He will most likely be in a future DVD review of mine, Big Lebowski]).

*SPOILER* The main character goes through this wonderful transformation and ends up selling her belongings to clear her debt in the end by having a garage sale and auction of her things very much like the sales she was regularly attending in the beginning.

Cute, scary, funny, and then some. Just don't think too deeply about the plots or you'll be disappointed. Enjoy a matinee with a loved one, and save room for some popcorn.

Film Reviews - Fanboys

We just got back home from watching "Fanboys" in it's limited release glory 20+ miles away from my house. This film has been over two years in the making. I remember seeing one incarnation of the poster for it well over a year ago personally.

Acording to IMDB's webiste the film began principle photography in 2006.

So the premise is pretty cool, as far as a road trip and a love letter to a most beloved series in cinematic history. The story reminds me of something my friends and I would have joked about doing when the movies actually came out. There were a few parts of the film that were a little too far fetched, but other than those, a very believable coming of age story. 

The comedy was consistent and the one-liners kept coming. Tons of movie references and cameos by fans of the Star Wars series. 

Overall cute movie, but if you were looking for a saga a la, Trekkies, it's not there.

May the force be with you.

Film Reviews - Taken

So, we saw the movie on Saturday. Let me tell you, Taken is a very well put together story/movie. Not to go into too many details, cause I don't want to spoil it, the main character was presented very believable and the plot was very well developed (despite the comments from a fellow that was last to leave the theater with us) and well timed.

From a film makers standpoint, the rapid pace of the shots was very well used and the stunt work was developed in a way that can give the audience a reason to believe that Liam's character could in fact be the guy they described him to be.

Your thoughts, comments, arguments are welcome here.

DVD/Videos Reviewed - Grindhouse Double Feature

Grindhouse Double Feature: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. One, double feature means two movies for the price of one. Two, Grindhouse Features are throwbacks to the 60's and 70's double feature films that showcased buxom females and macho males. Three, raw action and horrific zombies.

I only watched the Quentin Tarantino feature "Death Proof" this morning, but let me tell you, even this feature solo has a double feature to it. there is a great car crash separating the two halves of this very enjoyable car chase filled adrenaline rush. Kurt Russell is the car chaser in both halves chasing after two groups of women (including one of my favorites, Rosario Dawson) on their own journeys. Like I said, the action is great, the acting is very much reminiscent of the over acted 60's and 70's movies, and the stunts were done as real as they come. The special features on disc two show just how they got the cars to do what they did in the movie, and how the actors (and stunt people) stayed safe the whole time.

Awesome! This movie was written, produced, directed, and acted in by Mr. Tarantino himself. Good for more than one viewing, check this out if you enjoy a good action flick.

DVD/Videos Reviewed - Dazed and Confused

Today I watched a movie that spawned a few Hollywood careers: Dazed and Confused. Released in 1993, this movie came out when Bennifer hadn't been anywhere near the minds of Movie columnists, Matthew McConaughey wasn't playing a film actor's agent, and Cole Hauser has just severed his "School Ties" a year prior. This movie was written, produced, and directed by Richard Linklater at the start of what would be a very courageous career spanning now 18 years and counting. As a coming of age story, this puts us in the shoes of a late 70's junior high graduate into High School on his last day before summer. The local High School seniors plot an initiation the incoming freshmen will never forget. As the story progresses (all in one day, no less) the young boy goes through an entire plethora of events towards manhood learning how to tell friends from foes really quickly.

The Criterion DVD set includes screen tests, outtakes, commentaries, and much more on the 2 disc set. I enjoy the replay value of this movie a bunch. It's "totally boss" cover art is a tribute to the styles of the era showcased in the movie, complete with macrame designs drawn by bored students on their notebook.

Film Reviews - Watchmen

*possible spoiler alert*

WATCHMEN

12am showing in order to see it first?...I'm so there!

Your first question will be, "Did she read the novel?"
Answer: No. Now that we've got that settled, I give you my P.O.V.

You know that pre-movie "turn off your cell phone & no texting" sign that flashes on the screen?...Well, to that JACK-HOLE who was in my theatre, one row behind me & 4 seats to my left: Dublin, CA Hacienda Crossings, Theatre #20...you must have MISSED that obvious message since you were so friggin busy on the phone & texting! ASS! Last thing I need to hear in the middle of a sex scene is your stupid phone saying, "message sent". Again, I say it: ASS!

Okay...I've vented & I feel better now.

**Beware of spoilers**

The movie trailers had me wanting for the main event of the much coveted midnight release. It was impressive showing of graphic delight, however the movie was (after so MUCH hype) mostly just LONG & BORING!!!! Yes, there I said it. It really sucks for me to say that too. Especially because there's an awesome preview & movie poster of the sexy lighting-the-cigar-with-a-flame-thrower bit by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. (No, it's NOT Robert Downey Jr., but it's a really easy to confuse the two).

I was bored by over-narration, over-CGI, over-dramatic, under-acted, over-the-top...ugh! Where do I begin? Every time I thought the movie could be ending at this pivotal moment, it kept going...and going...and going. It was a helluva long movie to be bored at! The fight scenes were bass-filled, to where my seat vibrated...that became a little less boring. Hmmmm....

The effects were done to death and the monotone narration made me feel like the movie was dead. And it just kept dragging from there. It was missing the kick-in-the-head that I was expecting. I was looking for that edge-of-my-seat anticipation, but was stuck leaning on the arm rest with my arms folded in disappointment.

*sigh*

Know that there is a LOT of naked bootie in this movie…and not of the female persuasion! The costumes were fun. The numerous story lines were hard to follow. The sex scenes were convincingly good and sexy (not like in the crappy Underworld Evolution where it looked like the guy was screwing her belly button!). The character relationships were flimsy and hollow. I hated the fact that I never really cared enough for any character, to where their death actually bothered me.

One of the best things I can say for this movie is that is had an AWESOME soundtrack! One of the worst things I can say is that it did the neat little 5 minute wrap up, where things were just TOO perfect & completely absurd in an "aw shucks" kinda way. Not even Hallmark would have condoned that cutsie family-feel ending that would make anyone dry heave.

Film Reviews - Fanboys

*special limited release*
*possible spoilers*

I just saw "FANBOYS" this evening and no, I didn't go kicking and screaming. I had higher expectations than I should have, but it's probably my inner-geek that was hoping and wishing.

Though there was suppose to be a touching underlying story, it never came through. In full feature length, it looked the same as in the previews: road trip to Lucas Ranch and toss in some poignant (and totally random) characters that all geek freaks know of; mix in a little misunderstanding, escorts and mayhem and POOF!...Let there be “FANBOYS”. I enjoyed how this was a Star Trek vs. Star Wars movie. What can I say, I’m a Shatner fan! (And that’s PRE-Priceline.com!)

This had underdeveloped subplots that I unfortunately tried to pay attention to, and they got completely lost in the shuffle. It was a cute ending, but a little too easy of a wrap-up.

I’d recommend renting this one with friends (who will share in the laughter and cringing) rather than travel to pay full price. I can’t say whether I laughed more or cringed more, but in the end, I was amused and amazed that they were able to get so many big actors to cameo. (Moreso, I think I was amused that we traveled over 40 miles round trip to check out this special release.)

May the force be with you as you live long and prosper!

DVD/Videos Reviewed - The Goonies

Okay, so I'm a fan of the 80's movies. Good, bad, or otherwise. With that, I share with you "The Goonies". I saw this in drive-in movie theatre with my parents. Seeing the pirate ship on a big screen had me awestruck. I wanted to be there & to be them!

It's many years later now, but I can still identify with the same adventure that came from the muffled-sounding speaker box that clipped to my parent's car window. Today on my much smaller screen, I love it for both the thrill of the adventure and the wonder of the "what if" that exists in all of us. It's a rush. The little kid inside of me is fascinated every time I pop open the CD.

This is an adventure story for several kids who have lived in their neighborhood all their lives, but a realtor is trying to buy the land out from under their parents, which will ensure the tearing apart of their families and lives. After a chance find of a treasure map in an old attic & in a desperately hopeful adventure, 4 kids take off to try & find the treasure of "One-Eyed Willy". It's an amazing adventure for our main characters & their friends, Mikey (Sean Astin), Brand (Josh Brolin), "CHUNK" (Jeff Cohen), "DATA" (Jonathan Ke Quan), "MOUTH" (Corey Feldman), Andy (Kerri Green) & Stef (Martha Plimpton).

Just like any good treasure-hunting kids' movie, it's only appropriate that they jump over every hurdle that gets thrown at them. From the Fratelli family who wants to kill them, to the (un-credited) policeman (Director Richard Donner) who wants to call these kids a liar for "supposedly" finding the famed treasure & pirate ship, these kids showed them all! And that's when the pirate ship that came out of nowhere, floated across the horizon & had me completely awestruck. It's a Hallmark ending that I'm not going to go into, but I'm sure you can predict.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm a bit of a fan.

And I give you all this without demanding that you do the truffle shuffle first!

DVD/Videos Reviewed - Severance

*limited release*

I'm going to start this DVD review section with a movie I almost didn't get to see in the theaters at all. The movie is called "Severance" directed by Christopher Smith, written by Mr. Smith and James Moran. When I got the chance to see this movie, it was on the last day of it's limited local release in Berkeley.

From the beginning of the film there is a mysterious feeling of a horror film. Once the credits are over it takes a turn for the comedic side for a while, then for the rest of the film we switch between the two rather nicely (in my opinion). I will do my best to describe the movie without giving it away. There is a group of weapons manufacturers that work together in an office go on a team building weekend and end up having to test their skills outside the office.

DVD extras include behind the scenes, deleted scenes, and some other features on some special, or "Not-so-special" effects. As well as the movie, the special features are pretty good and worth checking out more than once.

Check out the trailer from IMDb.com:  http://pro.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi746717465/

DVD/Videos Reviewed

Okay,

So when we can't make it to the movies, my partner and I will be reviewing the movies that we own as another outlet to demonstrate what tastes we have or what inspires us to do what we are doing.

Also, any movies that are out on DVD that you may want to recommend to us to view, by all means, let us know.

Film Reviews

Having no full length films of our own, Can Be Directed will begin our site reviewing movies that we have seen, giving you a taste of what we like. We are a non-partisan reviewing group, not getting paid by any companies to promote their films over another. Just what we like (or get the chance to see). So this weekend we are going to see Liam Neeson's new film, Taken. From the trailer this looks to be an awesome story of revenge.

Now, Andrew has been known to spoil a few films for friends. So we will do our best to warn ahead of time if you don't want to know details about the movies watched. Mostly our posts will be an overview of what Kanya or I liked.