Black Dog Newsletter for Week Ending March 6th

Oh Oscar, how you work so hard to deceive me. You tantalize me with your shiny goldenness, your plethora of well groomed movie stars, the promise of something different, something funny maybe edgy (by Academy standards), the hopes that maybe a film I liked might be recognized for its swellness and the chance for the program to clock in under three hours. And what did we get? Fourteen hours of pre-Oscar vomit, Anne Hathaway and her many teeth, the reanimated corpse of Bob Hope, Celine fucking Dion, The King’s Speech winning everything (bo-ring, although I haven’t seen it) the reanimated corpse of Kirk Douglas and untold hours of tedium. I think that there were only 2 moments I liked – Melissa Leo dropping the f-bomb and James Franco saying “Congratulations, nerds”! when an award was given to some tech guys. And that was about it. You’d think that since they been putting on these broadcasts for over 300 years that they might think about, say, making it humorous and interesting, maybe having some good writing and delivery of said writing or just even changing up the dreadful format they’ve stuck with all of these years. It’s not like the broadcast was sprung by surprise on anyone, they’ve had a year to work on it. Where is Ricky Gervais when you need him?

Just a reminder that the new line of Black Dog T-Shirts are available at both stores for a mere $20 plus the lousy tax. They’re going fast so hobble on down to a store nearest you to snag one of these babies.

Hey I just realized the the Cambie Black Dog turns 15 years old this Saturday the 5th of March! Wow, 15 years. Crazy. That’s like 3 times longer than I’ve ever held onto any job. Drop in on Saturday, say hi, shake hands, do a little dance! Here’s hoping that we can stick around for a few more years and enjoy being the purveyors of fine films for our fantastic customers.

New Releases for Tuesday March 1st

127 Hours – Oscar stud James Franco gets himself stuck in a hole in the middle of the Utah desert and has no choice but to gnaw off all of his limbs to escape. I wasn’t really expecting this to be any good, I mean really, how can you make a film about a guy trapped under a rock interesting for 2 hours? But the funny thing is Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Millions) manages to make it thrilling and surprisingly moving. Kudos, Mr. Boyle (and you too handsome Jimmy). Also on the Blu Ray.

Alamar – A dad and his son fish and hang out on a beautiful little coral island in the Gulf of Mexico. Supposed to be quite lovely, nice and lovely. And nice.

Berlin 36 – Drama revolving around the 1936 Olympic games in Germany when that old coot Hitler refused to have Jews compete under the German flag. The US didn’t care much for this decision and threatened to boycott the games. Enter the best female high jumper Germany has. Problem is, she’s Jewish. What happens next? Well you’ll have to rent the film to find out. Based on a true story as the kids like to say.

Burlesque – The re-animated corpse of Cher (what, she’s not dead? Oops, my bad) dances and sings alongside anthem wrecker Christina Aguilera in this tale of rags to somewhat riches set in the world of Burlesque (hence the title). I haven’t, nor will I, watch this as I was hoping for a Showgirls type exercise in sleaze and ridiculousness. An opportunity lost.

Faster – The Rock plays a driver aptly named Driver and crazy, Gian Gomsehi-hating Billy Bob Thorton plays a cop strangely named Cop in this cops and drivers action flick. Might be alright for those of you (me included) who enjoy this sort of thing. And really, who doesn’t like The Rock? He’s yet to make a bad film! Also on the Blu ray.

Love and Other Drugs – Hunky Jake Gyllenhaal sells Viagra for a living. He meets toothy, and frequently naked, Anne Hathaway who has some sort of disease. Comedy and romantic hi jinks ensue. Word has it that it’s a cut above your average rom-com. But really, is that saying much these days? Also on the Blu Ray.

Transcendent Man – Doc about some dude named Ray Kurzwell, inventor and futurist who presents his bold vision of the Singularity, a point in the near future when technology will be changing so rapidly, that we will have to enhance ourselves with artificial intelligence to keep up. I had this conversation the other night with some friends about how there is too much technology in the world as it is and how fast it is taking away our time and ability to communicate with each other. To me, it seems that we are on a fast moving technology train that is speeding up and getting out of control and something has to give, be it good or bad. Telus is lying, the future is not friendly.

Coming Out Next Week

  • Morning Glory
  • The Next Three Days
  • Tales from Earthsea
  • Jackass 3
  • The Walking Dead Season 1
  • Inside Job
  • A Film Unfinished
  • Lemmy
  • Four Lions
  • Every Day
  • The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia

Recently Viewed and Recommended

  • 127 Hours
  • Unstoppable
  • Let Me In
  • I Spit on Your Grave
  • Monsters
  • Paranormal Activity 2
  • IP Man
  • Get Low
  • Red Hill
  • Hatchet 2
  • Nurse Jackie Season 1 and 2

What’s on the Intertubes?

I only counted one Charlie Sheen joke last night on the Oscars (I will admit, I didn’t watch all of the telecast) so to make up for that here’s some great Charlie Sheen quotes. Delivered by cats. Of course. http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/cats_quote_charlie_sheen1/

And on the flip side – and more fun side – of the Academy Awards is the Razzies, offering the worst in what Hollywood has to offer. The big winners/losers this year? The Last Airbender and Sex and the City 2. Sweet. http://www.razzies.com/

And then there’s the Independent Spirit awards, which seems an awful lot like the Oscars themselves. http://www.spiritawards.com/

And finally here’s a trailer for the sequel to ET: The Extraterrestrial. It’s about time they got around to making this..[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMW3W-G43gI[/youtube]

Have a great week, ya’ll.

Black Dog Video

So I was listening to the CBC yesterday and they were talking to Leonard Schein, who owns the Park Theatre and Fifth Avenue Cinemas, about actors smoking in films and how he would like to change the rating system to throw a restricted rating on films that contained scenes of rampant smoking. I couldn’t help but think how absurd this idea is. I think that there is a big difference between smoking and violence and sex and whatever else might constitute a need for a film being restricted. Yes, its true that cigarette companies sometimes pay the studios to have the actors smoke in some films but a lot of people smoke walking around town. A lot of people don’t have sex and fight in public (not in my neighborhood anyways). I find it hard to believe that kids are that dumb these days that if they see someone light up in a movie that they’ll run out and start smoking. Smacks a bit of censorship if you ask me. I was also surprised that this was coming from someone who owns several theatres as it would hurt his business if this idea is put into movie law. Just layin’ out my two cents.

On a fun note – the new Black Dog T-shirts have arrived! And they look pretty awesome (more two cents). They come in various sizes, three different colours and will be available at both stores in the next day or so for a measly $20. You’ll look fabulous, dawling!

New Releases for Tuesday February 22nd

Black Heaven – Trippy looking French thriller about an online (on the computer via the internets) sexy cyber blond avatar that seduces dudes into committing suicide for some reason. The box says it’s “Dangerously Seductive” so beware.

For Coloured Girls – I was hoping to watch this latest Tyler Perry thing but I am pretty sure that I am not a woman of colour so I can’t (so says the title).

Due Date – Another road -trip type comedy starring Robert Downey Jr. and the ubiquitous Zach Galifianakas. Might be funny. If you want funny watch Galifianakas’ Between Two Ferns. Now that’s funny. Also on the Blu Ray.

Get Low – Funny little drama about an old coot, Robert Duvall, who wants to throw a wake for himself before he kicks the bucket. The always great Bill Murray plays the undertaker (no not the wrestler of the same name). Also on the Blu Ray.

Megamind – Another animated thingy about superheroes and stuff. Has the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill and some newcomer named Brad Pitt. Also on Blu Ray.

My Year without Sex – Ahhh! That’s about all I can say. Actually I’ll say a little more. From what I’ve heard (from the back of the box) it’s a drama/comedy about a family dealing with a bunch of stuff, some of which, I’m led to believe, is the lack of sex between old mum and dad. Kids ruin everything!

Nurse Jackie Season 2 – Eddie Falco returns for season 2 of nursing and drugs. Haven’t seen this show but word on the street is that all the kids are lovin’ it. It is available at the Cambie location but it is late arriving at Commercial. Hopefully in the next few days. Sorry about that folks.

Weeds Season 6 – More shenanigans with those lovable pot dealers. Pretty good show at times I must say. Again it is late at both locations but will be on the shelves no later than Friday. My apologies.

Coming Next Week

  • Burlesque
  • Alanna
  • Transcendent Man
  • Faster
  • 127 Hours
  • Love and other Drugs

Internets!

Ever wonder what Moby’s favorite films are? Me neither. But here they are anyways… http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/waste-land/news/1922059/five_favorite_films_with_moby/

Here’s a fun little article about some underrated sci-fi films. I love me a good sci-fi film I tells ya. http://dvd.ign.com/articles/112/1121032p1.html

There’s a pile of sequels/prequels and whatever rehash they can come up with coming out this year. Here’s a sneak peak. And yes, Hollywood is officially creatively bankrupt. http://www.avclub.com/articles/alltime-record-number-of-sequels-coming-out-in-201,51941/

Lots of stuff happening in Canadian film so says the First Weekend Club – http://www.bigbluesafe.com/email/display.php?M=81692&C=b6cb8cd1b1f1e7648778570ec1f4d974&S=843&L=33&N=588

Yo, have a good week, yo!

Gusism: Everyone likes you

Me: “Gus, I think that everyone likes you”. Gus: “Ya, I think so too. Everyone but the cat. The cat’s a jerk”. He then leans over and whispers, “Don’t tell the cat I said that. She’ll take a swipe at me”.

Black Dog Newsletter for Week Ending February 21st

More big changes happening over here on the Drive. A death and a birth so to speak. Another long standing business has closed its doors – Alpha Video is now defunct. We are about to see the opening of a new pizzeria as well. I know what you’re thinking, another friggin’ pizza joint on a street that is plastered with crappy slice places. Well fear not as I have it on good authority that Pizzeria Barberella, that will be taking over the spot on Victoria and Kitchener formerly occupied by Gelato This Gelato That, is quite excellent. They own a popular joint out in Abbottsford called Ah-beetz Pizzeria. And it’s so close to my house that you may see me in there wearing my robe and slippers on occasion.

And we have another contest for you to enjoy! The prize this time around is a copy of Tony Jaa’s Ong Bak 3! If you are in on what Jaa does, you’ll probably be all over this, if not, get yourself down to the stores and check out the first one. A martial arts extravaganza!

And I just got word of another accolade for the store, even if its a bit of a strange one. Apparently we are one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets according the the fine kids over at Discorder. My plan to have no one know about my business has succeeded!

New Releases for Tuesday February 15th

Bitter Feast – This one sounds kind of fun! A food blogger (guy who writes about food on the internet’s super highway) is taken hostage by a chef who doesn’t take too kindly to the blogger’s blog (love saying blog) The chef then makes him prepare food to perfection and if he comes up short, well let’s just say the punishment ain’t too pretty. Stars great indy stalwart James LeGros and Iron Chef Mario Batelli.

Cactus – Another death and terror flick set in the Outback finds a dude, desperate for cash, who agrees to kidnap a wanted gambler. Things, of course don’t go as planned as crazy people, who seem to litter the Outback, get in his way. As if I needed another reason not to go to Australia.

Hatchet 2 – Can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the first one. Well I could, really. I loved it! Great gore, ridiculous bad guy. From what I hear this one is even better. Can’t get enough of crazy swamp psycho’s hacking and butchering young people.

Ong Bak 3 – Tony Jaa returns for the final installment in, what the back of the box claims, the “most beloved action series of all time” Guess they’ve never heard of James Bond or Lord of the Rings. In this one his faces the ultimate warrior – a supernatural dude named “Demon Crow”! Sounds exciting, right? Also on the Blu Ray.

Red Hill – A young cop – True Blood‘s buff brother Ryan Kwanten – takes a job in the Outback (again with the freaking Outback!) only to have a nasty jailbreak happen on his first day on the job. Word has it that this one has a great bad guy and is a ton of bloody fun to watch. On my list! As if I needed another reason not to go to Australia. But seriously, what’ with all the psycho’s in Australia? See Cactus, Eden Lake, Wolf Creek, Rogue, Animal Kingdom, Mad Max, Stunt Rock, Patrick etc…

Unstoppable Runaway Train! Well it’s not as good as that film but this is a pretty solid exciting effort as Denzel and the new Captain Kirk track down a train going off the rails, as the kids like to say. A good weekend renter for sure. Also on Blu Ray.

Waiting for Superman – Great doc from the director of Inconvenient Truth that takes a hard look at the crumbling US school system. Would definitely have been nominated for an Oscar had they not had a couple of “reenactment” scenes. Word has it that it’s great stuff. You may never send your child to school again.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger – Annual Woody Allen film about love, laughs, infidelity and old dudes chasing younger women stars Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Gemma Jones. Also on the Blu Ray.

Zonad – Crazy fun looking ditty about a couple who finds a really drunk guy dressed up in a red suit and silver helmut passed out in their living room who claims that he’s an alien. Is he really an alien or is he an escaped drunk from a rehab costume party? Do hi jinks ensue? You betcha! From the director of Once.

Coming Next Week

  • Get Low
  • Due Date
  • For Coloured Girls
  • I Am You
  • Birdemic
  • MegamInd
  • Nurse Jackie Season 2
  • Weeds Season 6
  • Black Heaven
  • My Year Without Sex

Recently Viewed and Recommended

  • Unstoppable
  • Hatchet II
  • Paranormal Activity 2
  • Monsters
  • Let Me In
  • Enter the Void
  • Piranha
  • Animal Kingdom
  • Machete
  • Social Network

Internets! What hath thy wrought!

So who wants a copy of Ong Bak 3? Just answer this skill testing question… In which film did Tony Jaa travel to Australia (Australia! I’ve about had it with you!) to rescue his elephant. “I want my elephant!” he may have been heard exclaiming. I have 4 or 5 copies to give away so the first 4 or 5 correct or near correct answers will nab this fine DVD.

The First Weekend Club wants you to know about these upcoming Canadian releases...http://www.firstweekendclub.ca/canada-screens-vancouver

One doesn’t really think of Underworld (among others) when talking about Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Well some of the kids at the Onion do… http://www.avclub.com/articles/never-was-a-story-of-more-woe-15-cinematic-nonshak,51740/

Here’s a fine video, again from the Onion, about some truly ridiculous horror movie adversaries. http://www.avclub.com/articles/ridiculous-horror-movie-adversaries,51591/

Have a great week folks, enjoy the weather if you can, eat well, be well and watch some swell flicks.

Black Dog Video

Opening Credits!

Here’s a nice little video discussion from the AV Club over at the Onion discussing Enter the Void and its opening credit sequence along with their picks for other cool opening credits. Good stuff.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/enter-the-void-the-dying-art-of-opening-credits,51336/