Chick 1

Casting Notes: Bond to Fight Aliens

Chick 1 says:daniel-craig

A few days ago I reported that Robert Downey Jr had dropped out of the scifi-western Cowboys & Aliens due to a scheduling conflict with the Sherlock Holmes sequel.  His replacement has been announced and it is…. (drum roll)… Daniel Craig.  I’m a fan of Daniel Craig’s.  I had never been a huge fan of the James Bond series but Craig & director Martin Campbell won me over when they rebooted with Casino Royale &, in my opinion, Quantum of Solace was even better.  But I’m not sure how this will work with Cowboys & Aliens.  Craig always seems very stern & broody, which has worked for him but it seems that this project might require a sense of humor that is more in line with Downey’s persona.  I’m certainly willing to give Craig the benefit of the doubt and see what he turns out. Also, I’m willing to trust Jon Favreau who has proved himself a capable director.  Cowboys & Aliens is due to be released in 2011.

Posted on by Chick 1 in Casting Notes 1,273 Comments

2009: Best Moments in a Theater

Chick 1 says:star-trek

(I know everyone else is done with “year in review” articles but it is still January…just barely.)

Following a canon-destroying scene, the title card comes up with Michael Giacchino’s magnificent score underneath it. I am about to watch one of the best scifi movies in a long time. (Star Trek)

Pixar creates a perfect 10 minute film with a delightful 86 minute sequel attached. (Up) Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Year in Review 4 Comments

Quote of the Week

Turn into the spin, Barbie!!!

Hamm the Piggy Bank (John Ratzenberger)

Toy Story 2 (1999)

(In honor of the Nashville snow)

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Review: Human Target

Chick 2 says:humantarget

I have been excited about this new Fox TV show because it comes from the producer, Simon West, and star, Mark Valley, of the short lived Keen Eddie.  Keen Eddie was brilliant conceptually, but most likely got cancelled after only 13 episodes because its script couldn’t keep up with the high bar set by its production value.  Ultimately the great characters and slick flash cuts were not enough to keep it on the air.  I had high hopes for Human Target, thinking perhaps Simon West had brought along better writers.  Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Reviews, TV 41 Comments

Randomness: Interview with Hans Zimmer

Chick 1 says:hans-zimmer

Hans Zimmer is one of my favorite composers and I know I’m not alone in that feeling.  He’s an incredibly prolific and varied writer.  From Twister & Driving Miss Daisy to The Lion King & Prince of Egypt to Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean, his work is really amazing.  Gladiator & Pirates are two of my favorites of his and I tend to associate him with big epic scores.  But his work is not as easily identified as John Williams or James Horner (whom I can sometimes identify by a single chord).  Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Randomness 870 Comments

Randomness: Wow…what a realistic computer screen.

Chick 1 says:mission-impossiblecabledrop

Ever get a giggle at the completely-not-connected-with-reality computer screens that are often shown in the movies?  I’m looking at you, Mission Impossible.  Remember the screen when Ethan is sending emails to Job.  It’s awful.  Granted, it was 1996 and the internet & email were still relatively new but most folk knew it looked nothing like that.

Sometimes the unrealistic screens work within the world of the movie.  In The Matrix, the computer interface is obviously an important part of the script and we’re willing to believe that the strange characters and the falling green columns are meaningful to the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar. Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Randomness 69 Comments

Quote of the Week

You’re confusing stubborness with strength, my dear.

Queen Adelaide (Harriet Walter)

The Young Victoria (2009)

Posted on by Chick 1 in Movie Quotes 2 Comments

Randomness: A Few Thoughts on the Golden Globes

Chick 1 says:joseph-gordon-levitt

The Golden Globes were Sunday night and while I didn’t do a blow by blow blog (& probably won’t for the Oscars either)  I will offer a few scattered ramblings.

First off, of course I’m thrilled that my boy Downey Jr won Best Actor in Comedy/Musical for Sherlock Holmes.  It’s great to see him so happy & his charming speech was one of the highlights of the night.  But while his performance was awesome, I’m not sure he should have won.  Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Randomness 19 Comments

Review: The Young Victoria

Chick 1 says:the-young-victoria

This little British pic has been wandering around Europe and the festival circuit for over a year now.  Very glad to see it as award season kicks off.

The Basics:  While there are plenty of movies about the later years of Queen Victoria, this one covers – Surprise! – her younger years, especially the first three years of her reign. Read more

Posted on by Chick 1 in Reviews, The 2010s 6 Comments

Casting Notes: Spidey and Iron Man Both Bail

Chick 1 says:

Some shocking and not so shocking news from the roster of upcoming films.

tobeymaguireSpiderman 4 is not happening.  Director Sam Raimi has left the project and the franchise and as a result, so has Tobey Maguire et al.  Sony and Columbia plan to reboot the series, sending Peter Parker back to high school.  There’s a nice article about these developments over at Cinematical.com

I have to say I’m relieved.  I really enjoyed the first two movies and Maguire was a perfect Parker.  But it was obvious in Spiderman 3 that the franchise was falling prey to the Hollywood machine.  The script was all over the place and performances seemed phoned in. 

Now the comment boards are abuzz with fan based ideas on who should be the next Spidey.    Among the contenders are Zac Efron(I think he can act but he might be too pretty), Jim Sturgess (he’s got the look), Anton Yelchin (a personal fav but don’t steal him away from Star Trek!), Daniel Radcliffe (hmmm…I don’t know, not sure he wants another franchise or to go back to high school), Robert Pattinson (just stop it now), Jake Gyllenhaal (who almost replaced Maguire before but I think hes’ too old now), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (LUV him…maybe),  and Josh Hutcherson (whom you’ve seen in kid roles like Bridge to Terabithia, he might be ripe for a high school role).

Who do you think should be the next Spiderman?

Posted on by Chick 1 in Casting Notes 68 Comments