Archive for month: June, 2012

So the wife and kid beat it out of town for a few days last week. How did I celebrate this unusual freedom? I watched movies. Lots of movies (9 in 5 days!). I even managed to make it to the theatre a couple of times. I have always loved going to the movies but every now and then I get a reality check on what a chore it can be. Case in point; I travelled to the far reaches of Richmond to catch Prometheus on the IMAX 3-D (great entertaining terrible film). The first sign of things to come was the $19.50 price tag. Twenty dollars to see a movie?! Whatever, I was there and really, was I going to not see it on principal? Get my ticket and sit down just as the film is starting. Perfect timing. I even have the entire row to myself with nobody in front of me. In fact I can’t even see another human being. Until…some weirdo comes in and sits one seat away from me. Why dude?! Fine, not a big deal really until about 15 minutes later he falls asleep and starts snoring. Fucker. So I move a few seats away. A short while after I feel something on my cheek. Turns out a small spider or fly or lizard made it’s way between my glasses and my face! How does this happen in the theatre?Not the best thing to have happen to you during a horror film. Anyways, suffice to say, it wasn’t the best movie going experience I’ve had. I also got bit on the wrist by something while I was there (probably said lizard). Oh and they left the light on in the projection booth which inflicted a glare onto the screen. Bah. Will I ever be back to the movies? You bet.

New Releases for Tuesday June 26th

The Artist – Yes, finally the much ballyhooed Oscar winner finally hits the shelves. I haven’t brought myself to check this out yet and I’m not entirely sure I even want to see it. I have a feeling that it’s exactly what I think it is and that’s enough for me to not watch it. Also I’m always disappointed with whatever flick wins the best picture Oscar and I just feel that this will be no different. I can’t even remember the last winner that I liked. That said, a lot of folks loved this black and white silent thing so don’t just take my opinion, if you could call it that. Also on the Blu Ray. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK7pfLlsUQM[/youtube]

Damages Season 4 – Love this show. Glenn close is so perfect as the icy, nasty, creepy lawyer and there’s always a great supporting cast to help things along. Although I think that Rose Byrne really needs to eat a hamburger or two. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wo-mGH85j4[/youtube]

Gone – The lovely, big-eyed Amanda Seyfried stars as a woman who was abducted by a psycho and escapes her captor only to have him return and take her sister. Maybe. Of course no-one believes her for some reason. Haven’t heard a lot of good things about this but you may like it. Also on the Blu Ray. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHtujmoqqnI[/youtube]

Michael – Heavy German number about a freak who keeps a 10 year-old boy in his basement. I keep a bunch of beer I just made in my basement. I prefer beer. I imagine that this number is light on laughs and heavy on Michael Haneke inspired unpleasantness. Sounds intriguing, no? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUg0Mok8TTQ[/youtube]

Mirror Mirror – One of two Snow White flicks to come out this year. Julia Roberts stars in this one as the evil queen. Directed by the guy who made Immortals, The Cell and The Fall so it will at least look real nice. Also on the Blu Ray. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CHXHEIGb7A[/youtube]

The Sound of Noise – I really like the sound of this Swedish musical terrorist film! A cop who hates music has to track down a group of guerilla percussionists whose anarchic public performances are terrorizing the city. If they were a roving pack of hand drummers I would be behind him all the way. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSYQ0IbNsBw[/youtube]

A Thousand Words – Oh Eddie Murphy, why do you even try anymore? All you turn out is crap. Do you enjoy shitting in our eyeballs year after year, film after film? Maybe you could team up with Adam Sandler and produce something truly epic. This may be one of his more idiotic premises – Eddie Murphy finds an unusual tree in his yard after an encounter with a spiritual guru. After somehow discovering that with each word he speaks a leaf drops off of the tree, Eddie Murphy thinks that if he doesn’t speak anymore he’ll be able to stay alive along with this magical tree. Hilarity, I presume, ensues. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2MO_ID4ltA[/youtube]

21 Jump St. – For what it is, this flick ain’t half bad. Some older, lame cops go back to high school to infiltrate some drug ring. There’s even a funny cameo by you-know-who near the end. It’s pretty slick, fast paced and I actually laughed a number of times. Not bad for a Hollywood action comedy these days. Also on the Blu Ray. Red Band trailer – [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLoKtb4c4W0[/youtube]

Wrath of the Titans – Perseus goes undercover at a high school to infiltrate a drug ring and…wait, that’s not it. In this Oscar winning black and white silent film, Perseus must endure the transition from silent to talkies…wait that’s not it. Perseus keeps a 10 year-old boy in his father’s (Zeus) basement..wait. I don’t really know or care what this is about but I bet there’s lots of monsters and special effects and guys jumping around in short skirts. Enjoy! Also on the Blu Ray. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq8wMRtog1A[/youtube]

Coming Next Week

Seeking Justice
Joe and Belle
Some Guy Who Kills People
God Bless America
The Hunter
Jesus Henry Christ

Recently Viewed and Recommended

Woman in Black
Louie Season 2
Wanderlust
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
The Woman
We Need to Talk About Kevin
Guilty
The Prey
Chronicle
Goon
Safe House
Reykjavik to Rotterdam

In keeping with my thoughts about going to the movies, here’s how our friend, The Oatmeal, thinks movie theatres should be laid out….http://theoatmeal.com/comics/movie_theater_layout

And just one more dealy. For those of you who saw Prometheus watch this and laugh. Spoilers so don’t watch it if you haven’t seen the film….[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x1YuvUQFJ0[/youtube]

Have a great week ya’ll. It’s summer so get outside, enjoy the clouds and sporadic sun, drink some wine, watch some films. You know what to do.

Black Dog Video

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who’s signed our Boycott Disney petition. We’ve had hundreds so far! Keep it up, drop by the store or you can go here – boycottdisney.ca – and voice your displeasure with this greedy corporation. Don’t know what will come of this adventure but it’s worth trying.

Also of note – we’re having a little Blu Ray sale at the stores – Commercial is up and running, tomorrow at Cambie. Lots of older Blu Rays up for grabs at only $10 a pop – buy 2 and get one free! What are you waiting for?

Also of note: part II – It’s car free day this Sunday on the Drive. Let’s hope it’s better than last week’s Italian Days. I find the Car Free days to be more fun and festive and creative so I’m still holding out hope. So many people though…I’m just getting old.

New Releases for Tuesday June 12th

Accident – Well regarded Chinese crime thriller that finds troubled assassin, whose specialty is creating “accidents” for his targets, suspects that an accident that happens to his team is not an accident at all. It’s no accident that he tries to find the cause of the accident. It should be no accident that you take this home and check it out.

Dog Bites Man: Complete Series – Excellent, hilarious faux documentary style TV show that follows a hilarious excellent news team. Stars Matt Walsh and Zach Galifianakis who seems to show up in just about everything right now. In fact he’s in my kitchen at the moment. “Hey Galifianakis, get out of my house!”

Entourage Season 8 – More of the same from the Entourage crew. I still haven’t seen this program but I hear it’s worth a look. Maybe some day. So many shows/films, so little time. Wish that I didn’t have to sleep so I could just catch up on so many fabulous programs. Stupid body.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – I don’t remember anyone asking for a sequel to the original banal film about Nic Cage, who’s head is a flaming skull for some reason, who goes around solving crimes and taking revenge on various folks. I believe he also pisses fire in this film – he should really get that checked out. From the team that brought you the Crank films. No need to say anymore. Also on the Blu Ray.

In Darkness – Polish drama/thriller about a guy who helps out some Jewish refugees in the tunnels and sewers of a town called Lvov (you say it) during WWII. I believe this was nominated for an Academy Award. Directed by Agnieszka Holland.

Metal Evolution – Three part doc about the history of Heavy Metal (music, not actual metal that weighs a lot). Word has it the it gets 4 banged heads out of 5. (That means it’s really good)

Monsieur Lazhar – Algerian immigrant is hired to replace a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. Yikes. I wonder if that may scar some of the kids, oh say, for the rest of their lives. Acclaimed Canadian (yes I said Canadian) film was up for an Oscar earlier this year. On the shelves at Commercial today and tomorrow at Cambie.

Mutant Girls Squad – Can’t go wrong with a title like that! Rin, a sixteen-year-old mutant girl meets a gang of rebel mutants who aim to take revenge on humans for persecuting their race. Why can’t mutants and humans just get along? Also on the Blu Ray. To give you an idea if this is your kind of flick or not, may I present for your consideration the trailer… [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTz_XwJ3IUg[/youtube]

My Perestroika – Excellent doc that chronicles the story of five people from the last generation of Soviet children who were brought up behind the Iron Curtain. Just coming of age when the USSR collapsed, they witnessed the world of their childhood crumble and change beyond recognition. I imagine that would be a pretty crazy weird experience. I love the Russian language – the words have numbers in them!

The Prodigies – Cool sounding French animated sci-fi flick about some teenage “prodigies” – kids who have some sort of special abilities – who take revenge on someone that needs revenging taken on. Might make a good double bill with the Mutant Girl Squad.

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows – Didn’t really care for the first one – I can’t remember a thing about it – and I’m not all that interested in watching this one but there are fans of Robert Downey Jr and Guy Ritchie out there and you know who you are and I’m not going to stop you from renting this. Also on the Blu Ray.

Superman vs The Elite – Animated geek love fest finds Superman battling some new enemies. What else would it be about? Superman’s foray into the advertising world? Maybe hosting his own reality cooking show?

Coming Next Week

Rites of Spring
Mutantes
Jeff Who Lives at Home
Big Miracle
Project X
Cat Run
Wilfred Season 1
Louie Season 2
Polisse
Wanderlust
Romeo 11

Recently Viewed and Recommended

The Prey (French)
Guilty (French)
Chronicle
Goon
We Need To Talk About Kevin
True Blood
Safe House
The Woman
Reykjavik to Rotterdam
Merantau

Before I sign off for the week I pose a question to you good readers; I posted a link to a trailer for Mutant Girls Squad in this week’s edition. Would any of you like it if I posted trailers or reviews for the week’s offerings in upcoming newsletters? Cool. Have yourselves a fine week. Stay warm (summer is coming, right?), eat well, drink even better, get down, get back up again and keep watching.

Black Dog Video