Movie Review: Beowulf IMAX 3D by CD

Title: Beowulf in IMAX 3D
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone, Robin Wright Penn, John Malkovich
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis
Produced By: Martin Shafer, Roger Avary, Neil Gaiman
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Animation
Release Date: November 16, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sexual material and nudity.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures International, Paramount Pictures


In the age of heroes comes the mightiest warrior of them all, Beowulf. After destroying the overpowering demon Grendel, he incurs the undying wrath of the beast's ruthlessly seductive mother, who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing epic battle resonates throughout the ages, immortalizing the name of Beowulf. -Yahoo Movies


First let me start off by saying I popped my 3D cherry with this film. I had been to the IMAX previously to see Transformers, but I had yet to experience the awesome power of 3D. This film was meant to be see in 3D, no doubt in my mind. The whole world comes alive and you really do feel as if your part of the movie.

That being said, on with the movie review! I am sure you have all read the story/poem of Beowulf. So there is no need to go into the story line in this review. It is a classic story that needs no explanation. So, lets delve right into what everyone has been talking about. No, I don't mean Ms. Jolie's enhanced chesticles. I am talking about the graphics.

When watching CGI films there are 4 things that show you whether or not the rendering is top notch or not. 1. Hair: Usually in CGI movie's they try to get the hair as realistic as possible, but still fall short of realism. This is not the case in Beowulf. Every strand of hair can be seen, even in the facial hair of the characters. 2. Grass: This is another tough one to pull off because grass is a chaotic element. The scenery in this film looks so real you almost feel as if your looking out a window into your back yard rather than watching a movie on the big screen. 3. Water: Realistic looking water is a big challenge for programmers. It is another instance of a chaotic element, with the way water flows and how transparent and reflective it is. Finally 4. Fire: In the past what was done to create the fire effect was simple taking video of a fire and then placing it on top of the scene. As far as I know this was not done in the movie. You could tell it was actually rendered yet, at the same time, it still looked real.

The soundtrack was decent. Nothing all that spectacular to report on it. Just your basic dramatic sweeping orchestral fare. It all fit into the world the movie created. I was enjoying the drunken ballads song by both the king's men and Beowulf's men.

Casting wise I think they did a superb job and got a class A list of actors to bring this epic to fruition. Sir Anthony Hopkins as King Hrothgar was a great choice. It was funny to see him playing a drunk. Ray Winstone played Beowulf to perfection. Another perfect casting choice was Cripsin Glover as Grendel, when you need a creepy freaky dude to play a creepy freaky character look no further than Mr.Glover. Finally, Angelina Jolie was the embodiment of the wicked and twisted temptress that was Grendel's Mother.

Now onto what I didn't like about this film. (Insert dramatic twist music) The first thing was the nudity of Beowulf. I didn't mind him being naked, but the lengths they went to in concealing his mini me bordered on hilarious. At one point I had to remind myself that I was watching a classic piece of literature brought to life and not another installment in the Austin Powers series. Another thing was the incessant need to use motion blur. I get it, the friggen camera and object are moving! I mean really, is their intent to give the viewers motion sickness? I dig seeing the action, not seeing something that vaguely resembles action. It kind of reminds me of when I was younger trying to watch scrambled porn.
Lastly this movie should NOT have been rated PG-13. Rating the film as such just goes to show how far out of whack the MPAA is. This movie is laden with sexual content and gruesome deaths. They seem to think that just because it is animated violence that it is less ugly. Newsflash, animated just means they can really get in there a make it look the best/worst.

I do give a word of warning though, 3D is not for everyone. The technology used to bring the film into the eye popping 3D world may have ill effects on some people. I started getting a headache half way through the flick, but put on my big boy pants and dealt with it. I mean come on it's Beowulf.


Final verdict? Go see it, in IMAX 3D.


I AM “NOT” BEOWULF!

Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Bee Movie by CD

Title: Bee Movie
Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Kathy Bates, Chris Rock, Matthew Broderick
Directed By: Stephen Hickner, Simon J. Smith
Produced By: Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Spielberg, Christina Steinberg
Genre: Comedy and Animation
Release Date: November 2nd, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG for mild suggestive humor.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Barry B. Benson is a graduate bee fresh out of college who is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a rare trip outside the hive, Barry's life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans are mass consumers of honey and decides to sue the human race for stealing bees' honey. -Yahoo Movies.

What can be said about a kid's movie filled with talking bees? Well your gonna find out my friends.

My wife and I took our son to see this film for 2 reasons, 1: he really wanted to see it and had been good. 2: My wife loves bees, so much so that she is actually a bee keeper. So this movie was like heaven for them both. I on the other hand had a real difficult time disconnecting from reality enough to enjoy this movie. Certain things just seemed TOO fantastical. Case in point, bees in my opinion shouldn't need to drive cars. Also because of this movie my wife has been over heard plotting on how to borrow 500,000 bees to see if they really can lift,fly and land a jumbo jet.

There isn't too much that makes this film stand out from all the other animated talking animal movies. The animation is average. Which is to say it's not horrible, but its nothing ground breaking. The soundtrack was the normal Disney instrumental fare. The only differences were Sheryl Crow sang a song for the end of the movie and they played Sugar Sugar by The Archies towards the mid point of the film.

One part I did enjoy was right in the beginning, you get a black screen with the fact that bee's shouldn't be able to fly. Their bodies are to fat and their wings are too small, so it is scientifically impossible for them to be able to fly. The reason given as to why they can fly was...”Bee's don't care what humans think is impossible”.

Another humorous element was the mention of “Bee Jesus” which sparked a very spirited bit of commentary on the way home. This movie is rife with the ability to make bad bee puns for weeks. Which as of yet has not stopped in my home.

I have sat and watched the previews again to see why I didn't enjoy this film that much, I think it could just be I wasn't in the right mindset. It has what it needs to make it watchable by the adults, but it isn't on the same level as some of the other kids movie's this past year.

This is definitely a movie I would recommend for your kids, but you might want to wait till it comes to DVD. That way if you don't dig it, you can read a book or something while it is on.

Awaiting the second Buzzing of Bee Jesus

Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Transformers IMAX by CD

Title: Transformers IMAX
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Bernie Mac, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson
Directed By: Michael Bay
Produced By: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Release Date: September, 21st 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: di Bonaventura Pictures, Inc., Paramount Pictures

Ok, so I know we put up a Transformers review already, but now we get to see it in glorious IMAX. Let me tell you, it was glorious. Big @$$ robots on a big @$$ screen. When I had originally seen the movie I had a few complaints about how the “motion blur” effect was overused. At times, the action was hard to see due to the fast pace of the camera work.

All of that is gone in the new IMAX release. The picture was crisper and smoother, and the action was just plain beautiful. Of course I am sure most movies would look great on a 60 by 80 foot screen. Thats at least double the height of a normal screen.

Then you tap into the soundtrack of the movie, even Lincoln Park sounded good to me. 12,000 watts of sound from over forty speakers really helps to put you inside the film. At a couple of points in the movie Ironhide shoots off his EMP cannon and the sound just resonated through my bones and teeth.

Also there was an additional 5 minutes added to the IMAX version. Now I warn you, I dunno how much of it you will notice. Only two scenes stand out profoundly in my head that were added. Plus they slowed down one a bit so it looked a lot better.

If you have the means, go see it in IMAX. It's worth it.

Oh, I almost forgot. I saw a wicked trailer for Beowulf on the IMAX screen.

It is going to be in 3D . Thats right, get your geek on. This movie looked slicker than snot up on the IMAX screen, I can't even begin to imagine it in 3D up there.

Till we meet again,

Bong bah weep granah mini mimi nini

C. Robert Dunham

DVD Review: Superman Doomsday by CD

Title: Superman: Doomsday
Starring: Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, James Marsters
Directed By: Lauren Montgomery. Bruce W. Timm
Produced By: Bruce W. Timm
Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure and Drama
Release Date: September 18th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for action violence.
Distributors: Warner Home Video


When LexCorps accidentally unleash a murderous creature, Doomsday, Superman finally meets his greatest challenge as a champion. Based from the award-winning "The Death of Superman" trilogy. -IMDB.com

Unfortunately that synopsis by IMDB is pretty much it. 70 mins wasn't long enough, this film just felt rushed. Throw in how Superman looks, the fact that Anne Heche is one of the worst Lois Lanes ever and the almost homosexual attraction that Lex Luthor seems to have towards Kal-el and this movie quickly becomes a steaming pile.

The main stuff happens in the films first 20 mins, Doomsday attacks after being released. Superman flies in and tries to save the day, alas he ends up being killed bin the fight. Metropolis mourns and then we begin to see the inner workings of this story. Which, I am sad to say, is less complex than the inner workings of a finger puppet.

Superman has these severely pronounced cheek bones. It almost makes him look older than Mrs. Kent. He appears to have been on the losing end of a face caving contest. It just doesn't look right. Anne Heche falls flat as the fast talking ace reporter Lois Lane. She just isn't up to par with the Lois I have come to expect in Bruce Timms stories. Usually I watch the Justice League on DVD and I have grown to like Dana Delany's interpretation of Lois. So that may be why I can not enjoy this performance. Finally we come to Lex....who as I mentioned above...seems to be in love with the man of steel. in a catty drag queen type of way. James Marsters plays Lex well...I think it was just the script that was the problem.

My say on this film....If you have the trilogy to read, don't bother with this one.

The only cool extra on this DVD is a Sneak Peek at Justice League: The New Frontier. Pulling from the DC Comics miniseries DC: THE NEW FRONTIER by Darwyn Cooke, Justice League: The New Frontier takes us back to the 1950s, Centering around test pilot Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) and the Martian Manhunter. The movie will also including Barry Allen (the Flash), Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. I think it great that they will be showing some lesser known heroes from that age of the DC Universe. “Who?” You may ask....I'll never tell.


-C. Robert Dunham
C.Robert Dunham

Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie by CD

Title: The Simpsons Movie
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Pamela Hayden
Directed By: David Silverman
Produced By: Hyejoon Yun, David Mirkin, James L. Brooks
Genre: Comedy, Animation and Adaptation
Release Date: July 27th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for irreverent humor throughout.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox

When Homer mistakenly pollutes the river with toxic waste from his "Pig Crap" silo, he causes the EPA to encase Springfield in a glass dome, and must save them before President Schwarzenegger gives the order for the town to be destroyed. - IMDB.COM

Okay, let me try and put away my inner fan boy. I will admit being a fan of The Simpsons and trying to write an unbiased review is almost a futile as Homer attempting to solve quantum equations. Anyways let's get to this review.

I was initially worried that it wouldn't translate well from tv screen to movie screen. That for some reason, I would be let down as I have been with certain superhero movies that shall go unnamed ::cough:: Spiderman 3 ::cough:: Fantastic 4 ROTSS; but I kept hope in my heart and did my best to put on my big boy pants and deal with whatever came across the screen.

Matt Groening delivered big time. From the opening credits till the end credits, it was one big side splitter of a film. I don't want to give anything away, so it will be a bit difficult to tell you anything about this film. Let me just say that I haven't laughed so much or so hard at a movie in quite some time.

Visually the movie surprised me due to how good the 2-D animation looked. Of course, they added some 3-D animation in for certain scenes, but it was done in a seamless fashion. This is also one of the movies where you have to keep your eyes open for all the little sight gags in the background.

Some may be surprised to see such a short running time for this movie. 87 minutes doesn't seem like much of a movie in a world of big epic 2 and 3 hours movies, but it was a perfect harmonious match for the film. You didn't end up feeling like it was getting boring. I actually wished there had been a little more, but if you take into account the end credit gags, it seems like there is more movie.

Bottom Line? Go see this movie. It is worth the ticket price.

I am going to borrow Mitch's way of ending a review with a snappy line, only because I thought of one for a change.

Until Harry Plopper and the Half Mud Rinse comes out.
Read on!

C.R.Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Coyote Funeral by CD

Title: Coyote Funeral
Starring: Jono Young, Zach Freeman, Nikole Salas, Elizabeth Wilson
Directed By: Phelps Harmon, Jason May
Produced By: Jason May, Sherng-Lee Huang, Taten Sheridan
Genre: Drama
Release Date: June 19, 2007
MPAA Rating: NA
Distributors: Coyote Funeral Productions

When Casey Cannon sees the Texas road sign that proclaims 857 miles to El Paso, he takes it as a challenge to traverse the giant state on foot. His brother Dustin can only follow to protect him. Whether or not they make it will depend less on braving the elements than surviving each other. -IMDB.COM

This film caught my attention from the minute I read the tag line. “In a walk across Texas, the greatest distance is between two brothers” I am not entirely sure why that tag line caught me. I am glad it did though, otherwise, I would have missed a really good story.

Casey Cannon (Jono Young) is a normal loving son and brother, until he sees something “No boy should ever know about his momma”. He takes off to where ever the wind may blow him. Leaving behind his older brother, Dustin (Zach Freeman), to deal with helping out at their family ranch. Time jumps ahead a bit and Casey comes home just in time to take a trip with Dustin. They set off to head back home. Although Casey is strongly protesting going home, he stills uses the trip as an opportunity to bond a little bit and get to know his brother again. Along the way they pick up Nancy Kate (Nikole Salas) who Casey thinks is just what Dustin needs to snap out of his sadness over his woman giving him the boot.

This film started off kind of choppy, The transitioning from scene to seen in the first few minutes of the movie seemed like the editor was still trying to get a feel for this film's flow. By the time they reach the El Paso sign things begin to move more fluidly. Even though it is a drama it had a few entertaining moments in fights between the two brothers. Plus you have to love some of the terminology that Texans use.

Casey can get on your nerves at times with how brash and vocal he is on his views on life and women, but so can Dustin with his whining and pining for his ex. These two are almost the quintessential idea of brothers. Two opposites that when combined work well, that is if they can stop arguing. Through course of the movie both Dustin and Casey end up finding something inside them they didn't know was there. I love these kinds of movies, where the audience gets to grow with the character.

All in all this was a pretty good showing for an Independent film. It kept me involved and wanting to know where the story was going through the entire 87 minutes. Both myself and my wife enjoyed this film, and I will be recommending it to a few friends as well.

Visit the official Coyote Funeral Website.

Keep sending me those Indie films!
C.R. Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Shrek the Third by CD

Title: Shrek The Third
Starring:Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Amy Sedaris, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph
Directed By: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Produced By: Andrew Adamson, John H. Williams, Aron J. Warner
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Animation and Sequel
Release Date: May 18th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Being king isn't for everyone--especially if you're a prickly ogre who smells like the shallow end of a swamp. When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he'll be royally screwed for the rest of his days. -Yahoo movies

Poor Shrek, all he wanted to do was spend a nice evening in his swamp. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to achieve. Now after finally being accepted by Fiona's father, he is set to head back home, but the king is ill and Fiona is next in line. BRING ON KING SHREK!

These are words that Shrek fears. Try as hard as he might, he is just unable to fill those shoes. So before the king croaks (get it, he is a frog). Shrek is told of a cousin named Artie who could fill the royal flippers should Shrek find it to overwhelming.

In my humble opinion the Shrek franchise has yet again made a great traveling buddy film. It might not be perceived as being as funny as the the previous 2 films, but it shows a lot of heart and growth from Shrek. Still battling the Ogre stigma, he learns that he has to have a softer touch.

You see that with his interaction with the young would be king Artie. Acting as more of a father figure trying to help him see that he can do anything if he sets his heart to it.

I personally am a father and these are concerns that we all feel. Will I be the right kind of dad or for that matter even the right kind of man for the job. It is a good thing too that Shrek is working on this. Because as he sets sail for his mission, Fiona drops a bomb shell on him. Fiona is pregnant.

Now to the villainous element. What, you didn't think this film was all sunshine and rose petals. Did you?

Prince Charming rounds up all the fairytale villains and talks them into fighting for him to become the new king. As they storm the castle, the princesses defend the kingdom of Far Far Away until Shrek gets back.

They really did try to have more of a story in this film. The jokes are there, but they are a bit more subtle than in the previous 2 films.


Memorable quotes:

[M.C. at Artie's school pep rally]
“Remember kids, JUST SAY NAY!”

Prince Charming: You! You can't lie! Where is Shrek?
Pinocchio: Well, uh, I don't know where he's not.
Prince Charming: You don't know where Shrek is?
Pinocchio: On the contrary,
Prince Charming: So you do know where he is!
Pinocchio: I'm possibly more or less not definitely rejecting the idea that I undeniably
Prince Charming: Stop It!
Pinocchio: Do or do not know where he shouldn't probably be. If that indeed wasn't where he isn't!

Donkey: [Donkey and Puss in Boots have switched bodies] I've been abra-cadabra'd into a Fancy Feasting second-rate sidekick!
Shrek: Donkey...
Donkey: I feel all exposed and nasty!

It's been Odd
C.D.
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Good Night, and Good Luck by CD

Title: Good night, and Good luck
Starring: David Strathairn, Robert Downey Jr., Patricia Clarkson, Ray Wise, Frank Langella
Directed By: George Clooney
Produced By: Steven Soderbergh, Jennifer Fox, Ben Cosgrove
Genre: Drama and Biopic
Release Date: October 7th, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.
Distributors: Warner Independent Pictures


Taking place during the early days of broadcast journalism in 1950's America, a chronicle of the real-life conflict between television news man Edward R. Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee. -Yahoo movies.com

So the other night I was sitting up watching the news and I got sickened. Not by the news segments themselves, but more by the fact that the news is no longer the news. So I put it in my head that I wanted to witness a telling of when the news was still “news”.

Good night, and good luck is just that. A peek into an era that 90% of America today couldn't live in. Edward R. Murrow was a man who believed in shooting straight and telling the people what needed to be said. Senator McCarthy was a man bent on criminalizing anyone who thought that the country was being run the wrong way. Granted the communist element was present and needed to be addressed, but McCarthy resorted to “Witch Hunts”.

This movie reminded me of what I learned in History class. If we don't pay close attention to history we are doomed to repeat it. If you look at todays media and pay close attention to the events taking place in our country and the war on terror it's not too dissimilar.

Murrow was a man conflicted. He wanted to uphold his own personal standards in telling the viewing public the truth. Unfortunately, speaking your mind or the truth in those days made you, your family, and you bosses a target. He was however backed by the president of the network, a very rare thing. Granted he was told that if anyone in his staff even possibly had ties to the red party in any way that they would be fired. Murrow had a great team and he didn't want to see anyone go, but he understood the position it would put him and the network in.

All parties involved acted wonderfully in this film. Say what you may about Clooney, but I think his view of what took place was pin point perfect. You can tell that there was a relationship between the actors and that they all understood the time period and the turmoil that was in the air.

Biopics are not everyones cup of tea, but if you would like a better understanding of what was going on in our country at that time this movie is defiantly worth seeing. Especially since they used a lot of stock footage for the courtroom scenes and the scenes where McCarthy was trying to attack Murrow and crew.

Only a few scattered special features. Commentary tracks by Clooney and his producer Grant Heslov. Also there is a companion piece that shows more of what was happening during the trials and news casts.

I am only gonna put up one quote from this film, but I believe it speaks volumes.

Edward R. Murrow: “We will not walk in fear of one another. “


It's been Odd

Chris Dunahm
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Stranger Than Fiction by CD

Title: Stranger Than Fiction
Starring: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman
Directed By: Marc Forster
Produced By: Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Eric Kopeloff
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance and Science Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date: November 10th, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing, Mandate Pictures, Sony Pictures International



One morning, a seemingly average and generally solitary I.R.S. agent named Harold Crick begins to hear a female voice narrating his every action, thought and feeling in alarmingly precise detail. Harold's carefully controlled life is turned upside down by this narration only he can hear, and when the voice declares that Harold Crick is facing imminent death, he realizes he must find out who is writing his story and persuade her to change the ending.-Yahoo Movies


Let me first start off by saying I am not a Will Ferrell fan. I think 90% of his work is pure and total crap. He just isn't funny, I think he tries way to hard and forces the comedy. That being said, I really enjoyed this film. It was nice to see him not going over the top. He plays Harold Crick brilliantly, the seemingly solemn but rather complacent cubicle captive.

Harold lives his hum drum life by the numbers, and I mean that quite literally. Right down to how many brush strokes while cleaning his teeth. He very well could be the poster child for O.C.D., but that all changes once he starts hearing a voice narrating his life. Due to the stress from hearing this voice, Harold begins acting out of the norm and is given a puff case to investigate. Personally I would welcome some narration, especially if it led me to meeting Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Emma Thompson plays neurotic writer Kay Eiffel beautifully, the strung out yet still witty creative genius is a hard act to pull off convincingly. Her and Queen Latifah play offer each other very well. Some of the funnier moments are dead panned by these two very talented ladies. Also a quick little fun fact about Emma Thompson, she started as a stand up comic.

Dustin Hoffman plays Dr. Jules Hilbert who Harold goes to in order to try and get a grasp on what is happening to him. Dr. Hilbert is an English professor and has a great understanding of writing and writers, he tells Harold to pay close attention to the details of his life and to those described by his narrator. If he does he just may figure out why he has to die.

This story was a great concept. As a writer myself I felt drawn to this film, my only apprehension was Ferrell. I am glad I was wrong. I have been trying to think since last night, who could have played Crick better and have yet to come up with anyone. I also really enjoyed the open sequence where the Narrator is explain Harold's existence to the viewers. It kind of reminded me of the scenes in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy when the book was talking. I love movies where you can clearly see the character growth. At the beginning of the film we see Harold as meek and kinda trapped in his own existence, then as the film progresses we see him breaking out of his routines and become more spontaneous and enjoying the new him.

The look of this movie is very different from any other film out there. This is mainly due to the use of G.U.I. (pronounced goo-E), it stands for Graphic User Interface. It is how Harold sees his world, and it really shows the extent of his obsessiveness. From counting the steps it takes to get to the bus stop to plotting out the trajectory of him sliding a coffee cup. The use of this element brings a better understanding of Harold to the viewers.

Special features on this disc, making of featurettes. Two deleted/extended scenes. Nothing all that spectacular, with exception of the “making of” on the G.U.I. Which I found pretty interesting. No commentaries on this film which is a bit odd, but hell I hardly ever listen to it anyways.

Best Lines
Kay Eiffel [narrating] This is a story about a man named Harold Crick and his wristwatch.

Penny Escher: And I suppose you smoked all these cigarettes?
Kay Eiffel: No, they came pre-smoked.

Kay Eiffel: I went out... to buy cigarettes and I figured out how to kill Harold Crick.
Penny Escher: Buying cigarettes?
Kay Eiffel: As I was... when I came out of the store I... it came to me.
Penny Escher: How?
Kay Eiffel: Well, Penny, like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method.

Dr. Jules Hilbert: Aren't you relieved to know that you're not a golem?
Harold Crick: Yes. I am relieved to know that I am not a golem.

Penny Escher: [Seeing Eiffel smoking a lot of cigarettes] You know there's something called a patch.
Kay Eiffel: I don't need a patch. I smoke cigarettes.

Dr. Jules Hilbert: Hell Harold, you could just eat nothing but pancakes if you wanted.
Harold Crick: What is wrong with you? Hey, I don't want to eat nothing but pancakes, I want to live! I mean, who in their right mind, in a choice between pancakes and living.... chooses pancakes?
Dr. Jules Hilbert: Harold, if you pause to think, you'd realize that that answer is inextricably contingent upon the type of life being led... and, of course, the quality of the pancakes.


It's been Odd
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: American Splendor by CD

Title: American Splendor
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis, Judah Friedlander, Harvey Pekar, James Urbaniak
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini, Bob Pulcini
Produced by, Ted Hope, Julia King
Genres: Drama, Animation, Adaptation and Biopic
Release Date: August 15th, 2003 (LA/NY, Cleveland)
MPAA Rating: R for language.
Distributors: HBO Home Video

American Splendor is the story of a little-known working-class everyman, and first-class curmudgeon Harvey Pekar. Pekar finds love, family and a creative voice through the underground comic books he creates, but still can't manage to find the quicker supermarket checkout line. Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff. - DVD Case

The film opens with a scene from 1950 of a bunch of kids on a porch at Halloween. You see Superman, Batman, Robin, The Green Lantern, and a child with out a costume. When asked who he is supposed to be he replies, “I'm Harvey Pekar, I ain't no superhero lady. I'm just a kid from the neighborhood.” This sets the tone for Harvey's life and for the film.

Paul Giamatti plays Pekar to perfection. At times it is very hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Pekar is an interesting man if only for the fact that he doesn't seem happy, even when he is.

Harvey works as a file clerk in a VA hospital, drowning himself in his work and his compulsions. He collects Jazz records and comic books, scours garage sales for new treasures, and just lives his life.

During one of his excursions through the tables at a sale, he bumps into a buddy who offers to introduce him to a guy named Bob, saying that they have a mutual love for comics and jazz. This is when Harveys life is forever changed. “Bob” happens to be Robert Crumb, the soon to be “King” of underground comics.

Harvey has no notions of being famous, his comics reflect the real life. A poor schlub just trying to get by in a mundane world filled with normal people and their interestingly uninteresting lives.

This movie is more of documentary than it is a biopic, mainly due to the cut scenes with the actual Harvey Pekar narrating. You see a lot of the real Pekar and his wife Joyce through out the film, they become the foundation for which Giamatti is able to build his performance from. An interesting take on the whole biopic genre.

Special features include a making of entitled Road to Splendor, which is a look at the films debut at the Sundance Film Festival to its premier. There is also some downloads and commentary tracks, also there is a song by Eytan Mirsky called American Splendor.

It's been Odd
C. Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Farce Of The Penguins by CD

Title: Farce of the Penguins

Starring the voice talent of: Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Saget, Lewis Black, Christina Applegate, Monique Imes
Directed by: Bob Saget
Produced by: Jeff Sackman, Randy Manis, Bob Saget
Release Date: Jan 30th, 2007
Genres: Comedy
Running Time: 1 hr. 20 min.
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive crude sexual content and language.
Distributors: Th!nk Film

“What Happens In Antarctica... Stays in Antarctica “

A mockumentary that illuminates penguin survival and mating rituals, as well as one bird's search for love while on a 70-mile trek with his hedonistic buddies -IMDB

Farce: n. A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.

Oh boy...so what can I tell you about this film without offending the censors? Carl (Saget) and Jimmy (Black) are on the trek of life, a penguins life that is. It almost sounds like a story an old person would tell you. “I had to walk X number of miles to do Y!” Along the way they meet other penguins and they discuss the subtle ironies of life. Oh, and Samuel L. Jackson narrates....while himself and everyone else drops the F bomb like its going out of style. Another interesting fact to point out, this movie was almost a Full House reunion. Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, John Stamos, and Jodie Sweetin are all in this movie.

The comedy is crude and rude just like that which was in The Aristocrats. I love seeing films like this where comedians are let off their leashes and allowed to be as wrong as their filthy little minds allow. Although its not all fun and enjoyment, it does stall out at times. I really had no use for the penguin love song, that Carl sings to his newly met and mated girlfriend Melissa (Applegate).

Special features aren't that impressive. Some making of stuff that was a little boring, even with the gratuitous swearing. Several deleted and extended scenes, beware of GPC (the censors won't allow me to tell you what that means). Plus the typical commentary tracks again with a lot of crude language and bad jokes.

My final thoughts for this DVD?
While your waiting for it to load, you should get “loaded” yourself.

Its been ODD,
crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Drop Box by CD

Title: Drop Box
Starring: David Cormican, Rachel Sehl
Directed By: Anesty & Spiros Carasoulos
Produced By: Anesty & Spiros Carasoulos
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: October 30, 2006
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Distributors: Echelon Studios

''Drop Box'' is a comedy about a spoiled pop princess (Rachel Sehl) who accidentally returns her sex tape to a local video store, then must try everything to get it back from an uncooperative clerk ( David Cormican ). Fearing that if she fails, her next big hit won't be musical. -IMDB.com

Indie films are usually touch and go. You're never sure whether or not your going to like them. Sometimes they have a decent plot, but horrible acting. The opposite is also true, not to mention that they just aren't shot correctly. Scene for scene they seem to just drag along never really getting anywhere exciting.

With Drop Box this is is not the case. It's fairly witty and kind of believable. Especially given all the “accidentally” released sex tapes out there. The two main characters bounce nicely off each other and with all the freaks and geeks that haunt this local rental place. It is sprinkled with satire and pop cultural references.

It kind of reminded me of CLERKS in a way, but if it were centered around RST Video (respectively). Tom, the video store clerk, is played very convincingly with a certain level of disdain as well as a pinch of elitism over his customers. So much so that he started a “employee favorites” shelf simply to force people to watch horrible movies. He is the kind of guy you'd hate to run into at a store, but would love to have as a friend. The pop princess is kinda Diva-esque in the beginning, but eventually you come to like her. I personally can't blame her for being overly forceful about trying to get her tape back.

The film makers managed to do a seemingly difficult task for most; take you on a journey that shows personal growth and change of the players, as well as make the film enjoyable. To often today you see forced dialog and almost nonexistent scripting. It was a welcomed change to see a writer and director who took time to craft their film, and make it the best it could be on a barely there budget.

Some may feel the film is lacking in either depth of plot or locales, but for what this film is about I think they nailed it. Definitely worth checking out.

It's been ODD,
Chris Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Beerfest by CD

Title: Beerfest
Starring: Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan, Jay Chandrasekhar
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Produced by: Michael Beugg, Thomas Tull, William Fay
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: 2006
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive crude and sexual content, language, nudity and substance abuse
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

When American brothers Todd and Jan Wolfhouse travel to Germany to spread their grandfather's ashes at Oktoberfest, they stumble upon a super-secret, centuries old, underground beer games competition--"Beerfest," the secret Olympics of beer drinking. The brothers receive a less than warm welcome from their German cousins, the Von Wolfhausens, who humiliate Todd and Jan, slander their relatives, and finally cast them out of the event. Vowing to return in a year to defend their country and their family's honor, the Wolfhouse boys assemble a ragtag dream team of beer drinkers and gamers: Barry Badrinath, the consummate skills player with a dark past; Phil Krundle (aka Landfill), a one-man chugging machine; and Charlie "Fink" Finklestein, the lab tech with a PhD in 'All Things Beer'. This Magnificent Five train relentlessly, using their hearts, minds and livers to drink faster, smarter and harder than they ever have before. But first they must battle their own demons--as well as a bunch of big, blond, German jerks who want to destroy the team before they can even make it back to Munich. -Yahoo! Movies


Broken Lizard is back and better than ever. After the success of Super Troopers it was sad to see them fall off a bit with the abysmally lack luster Puddle Cruiser and Club Dread. It is nice to see them going back to their roots of just letting the comedy flow naturally. This movie is for those who want a good laugh and most certainly for the drunk buddies we all have. The T&A lovers will be pleased as there is is an abundance of nudity...even in the deleted scenes.

Which leads me to the Special Features. The normal commentary tracks and deleted scenes are present, but two interesting featurettes were Party Foul and Beer 101. Party Foul is a description of what exactly a Party Foul is and a few stories from the BL guys of their own Party Fouls. Beer 101 gives a lesson in the History of beer, where even I learned something. The saying mind your P's and Q's came from Pubs where the bartender in order to stall out a fight before it got started would holler out “Mind your pints and quarts!”. And, incidentally, one of the characters names, Schniedelwichsen, is a combination of two vulgar German words meaning c*ck jerking. Go figure.

All I have to say is that just when you think that the boys are down and out remember “Their not that drunk!”

It's been odd,

Chris Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Best Lines:

Steve "Fink" Finklestein: Drunken recall. I gave my subjects massive quantities of alcohol and then I taught them things while they were blacked out. When they woke up the next morning, they couldn't remember anything. But when I got them drunk again, they remembered everything that I taught them the night before. I got it published.
Landfill: Where?
Steve "Fink" Finklestein: In Maxim Magazine under the tile of "E=MC Hammered".

Barry Badrinath: I was in Thailand playing ping-pong in Ding-Dang. A high stakes game in some Opium den. Turns out, these aren't the types of guys who like to lose. When I beat them, they beat me. And this is hard to say. They held me down and shoved a ping-pong paddle up my a**.
Steve "Fink" Finklestein: Ah geeze Barry! I don't know what I'd do if someone shoved a paddle-handle up my a**!
Barry Badrinath: It wasn't the handle! I've been sh***ing pancakes ever since!
Great Gam Gam: You and I are not so different Mr. Badrinath. I've had all kinds of things shoved up my a**. But I got over it!