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More on this one soon, but before it gets too far into 2008, I at least wanted to get it jotted down:
10. Hairspray- I can’t say that it was the best movie I saw of 2007, but it was the most fun, for sure, and I don’t even like musicals that much. Such a blast, and I, too, am a sucker for Cutie McCute Zac Efron, though not as much as I am a sucker for Christopher Walken. Wowie wow wow wow!
9. Waitress- Sweet, good-natured, and it made you crave pie. Bake that together with some adorable Keri Russell and it’s a win-win.
8. Hot Rod-Do you like Andy Samberg? Do you like (or in my case have wildly fantastic fantasies of) Bill Hader? Do you appreciate and enjoy SNL Digital Shorts? Well, what are you waiting for? I didn’t think this movie was going to be as funny as it was, and it took me by surprise. It’s kind of like Nacho Libre meets Napoleon Dynamite starring Andy Samberg. Really? You need more reasons? It’s the friggin bayyst, GOSH!
7. Sunshine- Even if this movie wasn’t staring King of my Heart Cillian Murphy, it still would have made the list. Why? It’s science fiction, set in space, with a totally spooky premise and it’s executed BEAUTIFULLY. There was a major plot point that got under my skin, but I’m ignoring it because I loved the rest of the movie that damn much. A definite DVD purchase and you should probably check it out, too.
6. The Kingdom-This was the hardest movie to watch in 2007, but totally in a good way. Disturbing and tough to get through at times for subject matter alone, but all around brilliant, edge-of-your-seat goodness from top to bottom. And Jason Bateman the Action Star? Fan-friggin-tastic.
5. Bourne Ultimatum-The perfect ending to one of the most perfect trilogies in the history of movies, ever. All the parts that needed to be here were and in full force. Perhaps my favorite of the three if only because of the bad assity that was Joan Allen. I’d normally be upset that such a good series came to an end and I don’t have another Bourne to look forward to, but with the ending that we had, it’s impossible to feel anything but totally buzzed on Bourne.
4. Michael Clayton-Probably the most suspenseful and smart and incredibly involving movies I’ve seen in a long time. And while George Clooney is at his best and Tom Wilkinson is incredibly creepy and brilliant, Tilda Swinton is fierce and overflowing with bad ass awesomeness.
3. Superbad- I got to see this one as a free preview in the summer with my cousin Nia and LOVED it. Read what I said then, now! All still applies. Especially the bit about being in love with Bill Hader.
2. The Darjeeling Limited-
1. Juno
Honorable Mentions: Ocean’s Thirteen, Sweeney Todd, Hot Fuzz, 300, Knocked Up!, American Gangster
Movies I Wish I Saw And Surely Would Have Been At Least Honorable Mentions If I Had Seen Them: The Kite Runner, The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford, 3:10 to Yuma, The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Rescue Dawn and I’m Not There.
Worst movie of 2007 goes to Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World’s End.
Hey, Interns.
I’ve been workin’ hard at not workin’ at all in my lovely week long vacation in good old Los Angeles. It’s been fun and exciting and tiring and excellent.
Fun has been had by all parties and I will soon get around to sharing photos and the like.
The past few days have been filled with friends and family in full holiday frenzy and I’ve definitely been enjoying myself.
I’ve been able to see a few movies that have been on my list and must share little snippets of their goodness with you.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street- This was my dad’s pick for a good, wholesome, family fun flick and being that my family tends to have a general appreciation for both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, it seemed to be a win-win for all parties involved. I thought this film was a lot of fun. Not having known the story of the original play, or any of the music, I was spellbound by Burton’s as always creepy attention to aesthetic details. Depp is phenomenally hilarious and, intriguing and Helena Bonham Carter is a psychotic riot. I was a big fan of this flick, and that’s coming from the girl who would rather do A LOT of things before she watched a musical. However, those who aren’t fans of Burton, Depp or musicals beware. If you’re not already a fan of Burton and his cinematic stylings, beware. This might be one excruciating blood bath for those who aren’t already on board.
Hot Rod- Holy crap. You dogged this one in theaters, didn’t you? Don’t worry, I did, too and so did the rest of America and I’m kicking myself for it. Seriously, Hot Rod is one of the most absurdly funny movies I’ve ever seen. At times reminding me of Napoleon Dynamite with a moped and others of a really fantastic SNL sketch (go figure), this movie had everyone in my family in stitches over the funny. Andy Samberg is hilarious and I’m pretty sure I’m in love with Bill Hader. I can’t even really describe the movie in a way that’s going to make you want to see it, but the selling point is that if you’re a fan of Samberg and his SNL Digital Short antics (and really, how are you not?), you absolutely must check out this movie. As in, right now.
Juno- LOVED IT! It’s brutally honest and smart, but equally hilarious and sweet. Ellen Page plays quick-witted-16-and-prego-by-George-Michael-Bluth, Juno. Quick witted and adorable, Juno is the coolest 16 going on 35 year old you could ever imagine knowing. After a late-night armchair encounter with her best friend Paulie (Michael Cera), she finds out she’s been accidentally sperminated through a series of pregnancy tests sold to her by Rainn Wilson. Young Juno faces all the challenges of her teen pregnancy, adoption versus abortion, telling her folks the news and eating obscene amounts of food from her school cafeteria, with grace and hilarity and more often than not proves to be one of the only adults on the screen. Her quick wit and smarts on everything from classic punk rock to history makes her easy to fall in love with and adore. Jenny Garner and Jason Bateman play the potential adoptive parents (Vanessa and Mark Loring) and the relationship that blossoms between the Lorings and Juno adds a deeper shade to this otherwise sweet and quirky comedy. All parties involved, well done. Juno delivers on all fronts and truly should not be missed.
Mr. Bean’s Holiday-Paulie Shore and Mr. Bean are my two greatest guilty pleasures when it comes to movies. I am very well aware of the arguments that people have against both of these gentlemen, but truly cannot help but enjoy myself immensely whenever they’re on the screen. Katrine and I have a special bond when it comes to Rowan Atkinson playing Mr. Bean, or any stupid comedic character, and promised that we’d watch this summer’s Bean installment together upon our next reunion. Well, we did and it was hilarious and incredibly entertaining (for us). So, if you like Mr. Bean, do check out this film. If not, don’t, you probably wouldn’t get it anyway 
After Thursday night’s Countdown with Keith Olbermann, I was pretty sure that I was in love with Mr. Olbermann, again. Mainly because of the video contained in this link. I’m asking you, nay, begging you to watch it. Keith’s “Special Comments” are always intelligent, inspiring, passionate and everything we need to hear at that moment in time. This one is the best one I’ve ever seen, and that’s no lie.
But then, last night, as if it was some sort of signal to me that he and I are in fact meant to be, he did a “Special COME ON” about the return of my favorite family, The Bluths, not to my living room, but in fact to a movie theater near me. Seriously, watch this video. RIGHT NOW!
Keith! Baby! It’s meant to be! We’ll totally invite our friends, The Bluths.
COME ON!
One of the greatest television shows ever made is Arrested Development. And no one watched it (including me, until it came to DVD) so it didn’t stay on the air long at all. But it’s brilliant and hilarious and I am actually glad that it’s not on the air right now because with the WGA strike, my heart couldn’t handle more loss.
But! Michael and George Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman [who I would have NO PROBLEMS marrying right here, right now] and Michael Cera [who I could also without question marry]) are back in action in the new comedy due out this winter, Juno (Also starring Jenny Garner and Ellen Page!).
And if that doesn’t get you excited enough, watch these two interviews with Bateman and Cera. And laugh. And cry. The movie looks adorable and hilarious and after this I’m definitely counting down the minutes until…
You can go see the movie for free!!!!! It’s going to nearly every city I can think that I have friends living in, so go! Check it out! For no dollars!
That’s better than a corn dog with all the crucifixins.
Tonight I went and saw one of your more recent multi-multi-million dollar productions, American Gangster. Truly a recipe for brilliance and phenomenon, starring Russel Crowe, Denzel Washington and directed by Ridley Scott. I’ve been waiting for this one for a while, guys, and really could not wait to hand over my hard earned dollars for almost 3 hours of intensity.
Really, the movie was excellent. Washington and Crowe are perhaps two of the most talented actors of all time and the brilliance with which they executed their roles was the stuff of legend. The opposing natures of their two characters (Washington, the drug dealer with a soft spot for family, and Crowe, the good cop who’s pretty stinkin’ at the family part) is thoughtful and makes the story rich and compelling. The plot was tight and the intensity level almost never gave up. I really, thoroughly enjoyed this movie, Hollywood.
And while people may want to have whisperings of Oscars for Denzel and Russel, I think we need to give credit where credit is due. That’s right. I, Chelsea Graham, would like to take this chance to officially throw in my two cents and nominate Boom Mic A for it’s supporting role in this film. Truly a commanding presence in at least 10 of the most intense scenes in this movie, when he was on screen, it was hard to notice anything else. You can’t find that kind of charisma and screen presence just anywhere. No, sir, look no further than a metal pole and some foam. Oh, and the arrogance of an entire crew of people working on a film. I will say this, Hollywood. I bet you drastically over-paid for this little feature. In fact, I’ll tell you what. Pay me half. Nay. Twenty-five percent of what you paid the people who worked on this movie and I promise you will have a boom mic in every single scene, if your heart so desires. Or, if you decide it might not be the best idea to overlook such glaring technical errors during some of the most intense scenes in your movie, go ahead and FedEx me over a copy on DVD. I’ll screen it and report back when you mess up as badly as this so you can fix it before it’s showing in every movie theater in the country. It might be less embarrassing, but I don’t know, like I said, maybe you guys were going for that high school film class effect.
Either way, call me. Let’s talk business.
Yours truly,
Chelsea Graham
(Dear Interns: I’ll get around to more substantial comments on the film eventually, but I couldn’t go to bed without getting this off my chest first.)
Taking a break from convention blogging to bring you guys this nugget of glorious video.
MySpace (Oh, MySpace) does this awesome feature called ArtistOnArtist where two musicians, actors, directors or creative beings have an intersation (that’s an interview and a conversation) about, well, the fact that they’re musicians, actors, directors or creative beings. I love the Fiona Apple and Zach Galifianakis one.
But! Check out the Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson one! I love them!
Space?!
The Darjeeling Limited left the station yesterday for its wide release. Are you on board?
Yesterday, if you caught any NPR, you might have heard Terry Gross’ excellent, exciting and (like everything Terry does) extremely well done interview with Wes Anderson and Jason Schwartzman about the extremely soon release of The Darjeeling Limited. Click here to check it out. You won’t be sorry. In fact, I think you’re going to really like it a lot. I know I did.
There’s a story involving Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, drinking and Rushmore that you’ve gotta hear to believe. To me, it epitomizes my idea of what it is to be Bill Murray.
Guys, I need this movie. And I’m really excited to have it in my life. I hope you are, too.
(Also, at the bottom of that page, there are links to a bunch of other related interviews. Totally check those out, too.)
And it is THIS!
What timing! Especially considering that my Bottle Rocket poster came in the mail just yesterday! Fabulous!
If you’re like me, there’s a good chance that you’re absolutely dying to get your senses on The Darjeeling Limited. How about a little app-e-teaser in the form of a beautiful, vivid and poignant short film/Darjeeling prelude titled Hotel Chevalier.
I think it sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea. Go here.
I’m loving this. It’s everything we love about Wes Anderson and more. Sparse, smart and sharp dialogue, a heaping eyeful from the cameras and set design and a dry and brilliant wit that clenches your heart as well as your funny bone. And in the background, he’s drawing out the most bizarre and unusual form of empathy from the viewer. You’ve never literally been where these characters are, or experienced what they’re experiencing, but you don’t have to, because it’s written so perfectly, that you just get them. And they get you. And it’s beautiful.
It’s all kind of magical and I can’t quite shake it.
Happy Monday!
Jason Schwartzman, Natalie Portman and Toothpick
As previously reported, festival audiences are getting an extra special treat when they head out to see The Darjeeling Limited. And that is, as previously reported, Wes Anderson’s short film, Hotel Chevalier. While Darjeeling may be revceiving mixed reviews at the festivals (on par with all other Anderson films when they’re released), one thing that isn’t getting mixed reviews at all is Chevalier. Not only are millions of bloggers and the like falling over themselves for an apparently “steamy” and “revealing” sex scene involving one of the short’s stars, Natalie Portman, but it’s been rumored to be quite a beautiful and extremely well done departure from what we’re used to with Anderson projects. Needless to say, reading this L.A. Times article made my morning in knowing that we’re going to be rewarded a stay in the Hotel much sooner than expected! And for a deep discounted rate!
Look!
“‘Hotel Chevalier’ is being shown in conjunction with ‘Darjeeling’ at film festivals — the Venice Festival earlier this month, the New York Film Festival on Friday and the London Film Festival in November — before being rolled out digitally. The short will make its public premiere Tuesday at Apple stores in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Then on Wednesday, the film will become available for free download on iTunes (and later on the ‘Darjeeling’ DVD).”
I’m also a fan of this part, too (In discussing Portman’s conditions for being in the film):
“‘Smoking. She didn’t want to smoke,’ he remembered. That’s why, in the final scene, ‘we changed it to Jason giving her a toothpick. I think it’s better.’”
Me, too, Wes. I love it!
Let’s meet back here Wednesday to discuss.
I didn’t watch the VMA’s.
But, I’m not quite immune to the buzz surrounding Britney Spears’ performance last night at the awards show that took place in Las Vegas. Though I wish I was.
Here’s the video. You decide. You’ll either laugh, or cry, or lose your breakfast. I guess the spectacle of it all is kind of enjoyable. But only if you’re deaf. And have really bad eyesight.
And really, if you watch a few of the videos that come on after Britney’s Bomb, it’s pretty on par with the rest of the evening.
UPDATE: Again, I didn’t watch the show. But. Really? The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? “Her?” I’m not crazy about it.
UPDATE: PART TWO: I did a little Wikipedia action on “Crystal Skull” and here’s what we came up with. So, I feel a little bit better about this whole operation. I still wish it was Indiana Jones and The Chelsea Graham Caper.
The good news is that this video from the Air Guitar World Championship might redeem your Music Monday.
Back in July, my eyes nearly shot out of my head when we got the first glance at the BEAUTIFUL poster for The Darjeeling Limited. John posted it on his site, too, and in response to his questioning of what was located in the pirate box, Vin Diesel himself visited the site and told us that it was a deadly snake. I didn’t want to believe him, so I convinced myself that it was something innocent and Wes Anderson-y, like childhood trinkets and whatnot, but… I, once again, come to the realization that you should never doubt Vin Diesel.
There are a few more videos if you follow that link. I like this one. It’s kind of like a collage.
Also, again, here is a shotfrom Anderson’s short film, Hotel Chevalier which will accompany Darjeeling at the opening night of the New York Film Festival. It’s also going to be playing at the Sunset 5 down on Laurel and Sunset in Hollywood around the middle of September. As far as the rest of the world, I highly doubt it’ll come our way until the Spring 2008 DVD release of Darjeeling, if that. The short stars Schwartzman and Natalie Portman who was early rumored to be starring in Darjeeling, but it appears that she may just have a small role in the film.
Two for three on my Wes Anderson news ain’t bad.
I’ve had this weird crush on Jason Schwartzman ever since I saw Rushmore. The kind of crush where all you want to do is sit over a bottle of wine and talk for hours about anything. It doesn’t help that he’s terribly handsome, a great actor, and as were going to see in September, a wonderful writer, too. I never really got into Phantom Planet, though I was always sure his musical abilities were stellar, just like everything else he does.
WELL! Proof that he’s freakin’ totally talented and worthy of my undying love and affection!
Check out this interview with Jason. First thing that should pop out to you is the grace and intelligence with which he discusses Darjeeling.
“Years ago, Wes said to me, “I’d like to do a movie about brothers on a train,” and he wanted me to be one of the brothers. We ended up living together in Paris when he was promoting “The Life Aquatic” and I was filming “Marie Antoinette,” and the story crystallized. We’d walk around and tell each other stories about our lives, and we’d ask each other what these brothers were doing on the train and where they were going. It felt like a murder mystery that we were trying to figure out.”
I think one of the coolest things to hear about a movie before you watch it is the writing process. I love hearing about the things that inspired the wit and humor or the soul crushing drama. It’s good to see the enthusiasm on their end and see how well it translates to the finished project. I’ve seen too many movies with lazy and careless screenplays, it’s refreshing to know that there’s still a writing process out there, somewhere.
But! What I thought was cooler than cool about this whole thing, was the revealing of his solo-project, Coconut Records!! His multi-tracking is freakin’ awesome and all the songs I’ve heard so far are just super catchy (”West Coast” is my favorite!). I smell a ‘One Track Mind’ post in our near future…
Love it. Can’t wait to get the album and listen to it on my way to the theater to see The Darjeeling Limited!!!!
(Also! If you go to the official site for the movie, you can get eyefulls upon eyefulls of behind the scenes videos from shooting! Watch them! And then don’t tell me what happens.)
A few months ago, there was no movie I wanted to see more than License to Wed, starring Mandy Moore, Robin Williams and Future Husband John Krasinski. Not like I was especially psyched to get out to see a formulaic romantic comedy or any Robin Williams movie, for that matter, but I figured there be some good, quality ga-ga time between me and the Mister. And while there was a fair amount of ga-ga, believe me, this movie had more than enough gag-gag to last a lifetime, or at least until I can cleanse my cinematic palette.
Meet Ben. Meet Sadie. Watch Ben and Sadie embark on a typical, yet very sweet, movie romance. They’re young, hip and getting close to tying the knot. I should have known how incredibly doomed we were when Ben proposes to Sadie at her parents’ 30th wedding anniversary party after Sadie’s father gives a toast in which he thanks everyone individually for coming to the party except for Ben. Naturally, Ben decides this is the best time to propose to Sadie. Does this sound like a good idea to you? Not painfully awkward at all? Well, congratulations, Hollywood is apparently hiring. The awkward and painfully uncomfortable feeling of this scene stays with you throughout the entire movie, and we haven’t even met Reverend Frank yet.
That being said…
Meet Reverend Frank, who isn’t so much a Reverend as he is just Robin Williams, so I’m just going to refer to him as that. I mean, really, who are we kidding here?
Williams ”plays” the inappropriate/unfunny/disgusting/Robin Williamsy Reverend of the church that Sadie’s family has attended and has a deep history with for many years. And while Ben might have been anxious to skip off to the Caribbean to get married right away, Sadie was insistent that she gets married in her family’s church, which means meeting with Robin Williams. Within a few moments of Ben and Sadie’s first meeting with Robin, they learn of the Marriage Preparation Course that they have to take, and pass, before he officiates the ceremony which is conveniently in three weeks. As one could imagine, the course is trying and to use a total cliche (and like you didn’t see this one coming), reveals the true colors of all parties involved. I’m not going to tell you how it ends, because you already know that part, but I will tell you that one of the final scenes of this movie is one of the most awful scenes ever put on film, on all counts. Cinematography, script, direction, acting, extras, catering. Literally, all counts. Just awful.
I found License to Wed painfully boring, predictable, flat and most of all, uncomfortably immature. While it was nice to see cameos from three of John’s Office co-stars (Brian Baumgartner, Angela Kinsey and Mindy Kaling), it hurt me to see Christine Taylor so in need of a cheeseburger and a job. But as expected, Mandy Moore is an absolute doll and Robin Williams continues to frustrate and irritate me to the Nth degree. All in all, I think I’d rather take a 3 dollar nap and dream about the Graham-Krasinski wedding than watch this movie again, especially since my dream does not come with Robin Williams narration.
Sweetpea, I know it’s not your fault, but I just didn’t like this one. It’s okay though. I still love you more than yesterday and loving you means loving you at your best and not-so-best. Which I do. Let’s just go to sleep and forget this ever happened and count down the days til Leatherheads.
Dear Universe,
I’m really sorry. Whatever I did, I didn’t mean it. But dude, seriously. Anything I did couldn’t have been bad enough to merit this.
Let’s just talk it out next time, okay?
Will you get Chinese take-out with me tomorrow from that place that stuck a menu in my door today and watch this movie with me? You will?! Wonderful!
Apparently it was released a few years ago, but comes out tomorrow on DVD! It looks Bottle Rockety! And it’s starring my Esposo Futuro Numero Uno!!
The Darjeeling Limited’s IMDB page has quite certainly gotten its fair share of new information!!
Including: character names, a few new photos and an extended plot summary!!
“Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other — to become brothers again like they used to be. Their “spiritual quest”, however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins.”
Indian cough syrup? Eleven suitcases? A laminating machine?! Can you see how incredible this is going to be?!
Can’t wait! September 29th! It’s a date!
As I told you guys last week, Superbad comes out tomorrow and you HAVE to check it out. Unless you’re going to the movies with your parents. Or you’re babysitting. Or you don’t like ridiculously funny movies. Then you shouldn’t check out Superbad. But! If you are the opposite of all of these things, then go see it tomorrow!!
In celebration of the glorious event, Rotten Tomatoes has an exclusive interview with Jonah Hill, Michael Cera and Chris Mintz-Plasse. It’s an absolutely hilarious interview with mention of: Comic-Con, Iron Man, Rushmore, Bill Murray, Lindsay Lohan and a joke about Crash that I’m still laughing at. Go read it and get your hearty laugh in for the day. You won’t be sorry!
The last two movies I saw in theaters cost me zero dollars. And the only thing better than free movies, is free movies that are also pretty awesome. The Bourne Ultimatum (which I have yet to get around to writing anything substantial about because every time I try to find the words, my brain goes numb and all I see is Jason kicking 27 kinds of ass, including mine), was the first, and tonight I had free passes to see Superbad. So, my cousin Nia and I hit up the Showcase Theaters in Norwood for our free sneak preview flick. Superawesome.
(Yep, that really is Dave Krumholtz. I know. I know.)
Written by Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, The 40-Year Old Virgin) and Evan Goldberg, and directed by Greg Mottola (who directed three episodes of blog famous Arrested Development), Superbad is a funky fresh teen sex comedy that takes it way past second base on the first date, but come morning after, you’re pretty glad it did.
I went into this movie with absolutely no idea of just how raunchy it was going to be. And I guess I forget some of the bawdy, lowbrow humor from Virgin and Knocked Up, but we all know it was there, and sometimes, you just need that guilt-filled, borderline shocking laughter that can sometimes come all too easy. It’s one of those movies that takes place over the course of one long day and at the end of the evening is, of course, a massive party where the ultimate goal of high school is to be carried out in full. That goal of course being, getting the hot girls drunk enough to sleep with you and send you off to college a well weathered sex god. And it goes without mention that the sex gods to be should be played by none other than Michael Cera (Arrested Development) and Jonah Hill (Knocked Up). Cera plays Evan, who to adults and those around him, is exactly like I would imagine George Michael from Arrested Development. Suit-wearing, well mannered, Quicken deducting George Michael in all of his nerdities, but when you get him anywhere near his best friend since elementary school, Seth (Hill), the profanity and obscenities fly far and free. Egg would not approve. And to be totally honest, if it wasn’t coming from Cera, it would have just been awkward. But both boys deliver the most crude and explicative lines with the grace and, oddly enough, maturity of dirty, grown up men. In fact, I’m not entirely convinced that Michael Cera isn’t really 37 years old.
Heck, even if he isn’t 37 years old, he’s one of the most talented young actors I’ve ever seen and you can take that to the bank.
Because as one can imagine, life is anything but easy when you’re 17 and trying to accomplish your “goals”, the entire day is filled with scenarios and obstacles that take them through some of the most terrifying and hilarious situations that one could imagine, including becoming tragically separated from and losing their third amigo, Fogel, aka McLovin from the previews (newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse), to the best cop team I’ve ever seen, Officers Michaels and Slater, played by Bill Hader (SNL) and Rogen. Together, these three gave me the heartiest laughs of the whole movie and I’d love to see the buddy cop movie of Michaels and Slater’s patrol around town. The two of them made my face hurt from laughing so hard and there are not enough good things to say about how hilariously and awesomely Mintz-Plasse was able to compete with these two. Together, the three of them were by far my favorite part of the movie and I’m still all tickled just thinking about it.
For a while, you’re sitting there wondering how they can possibly end this movie with the crass humor that’s being thrown at you from left and right, but in an effort to avoid spoilers, I’ll just let you know that it ends in a way that’s perfect for what it is and keeps the spirits high long after the credits roll.
From top to bottom this movie is hilarious. From the shadowbox dancing of Cera and Hill at the beginning, the incredibly raunchy laughs that you have throughout and the stellar and fantastic performances of everyone involved, it’s just a good, dirty, supergreat time.
Superbad gets superreleased nationwide on August 17th. Check it out.
(Oh! And if you’re interested, I put a link on the blogroll over there, but, Michael Cera and his friend Clark Duke (who has a minuscule role in the movie) have an absolutely hilarious website that features videos and further proof that Michael Cera really is a) 37 and b) funnier than you.)
True Story: In front of us in the theater, there was this older couple, probably in their seventies. I imagine that their conversation at home went something like this: (For the sake of the story, their names are Max and Erma.)
Max: Erm, I went to that place that all the young folks go, Ha-bah-ner-o’s near the University today for lunch.
Erma: Oh?
Max: Yes, and at the counter, I noticed they were giving out free passes to go see a movie called “Super-Bad,” so I picked us up a pass. It’s for two people, so we could make it a date.
Erma: (Looks at the pass) Oh! It’s staring that lovely boy George Michael from Arrested Development! What a charming young man! Oh! And look! It’s that adorable little girl from the Pepsi commercials, all grown up! She’s put on a few pounds, but it’s her. I’d know those curls anywhere. Let’s go to bible study and then the movie. I think it sounds like a lovely evening, Dear.
Poor Max & Erma. Max was hard of hearing so he had to rent one of those headsets from the theater so he could hear the movie better, and I almost wish he hadn’t. A lot of the awkwardness in the movie was knowing that *beeeeeeeeeeep* was being pumped into Max’s head at a very high volume, just so he could hear every little last profanity and slur for female anatomy. Needless to say, they didn’t quite stay until the end. So much for Thursday night dates.
When I was a kid, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, chances are my answer wouldn’t be something like “an astronaut,” but rather an array of fictional characters, top of the list being Samantha Stephens from one of my all time favorite TV shows, Bewitched (I still think that Elizabeth Montgomery is one of the most beautiful women to ever have lived.). Also, pretty close to the top of that list would be Get Smart’s Agent 99 (played by Barbara Feldon), Maxwell Smart’s smart, sassy and and adorable secret agent wife and sidekick who was more often than not was the one who saved the day while dealing with husband and partner Maxwell’s zany antics and dumb luck. Even when I watch it now, I find this show to be totally fun and enjoyable.
There have long been rumors of a Get Smart big screen adaptation, and while I think this is a totally awesome idea, I was nervous of who they’d find to try and play Maxwell and 99. I didn’t want someone too goofy for Maxwell, or too wimpy for 99. When I found out that one of my all-time favorites Steve Carell would be playing Maxwell, I knew we were in good hands. Even if Anne Hathaway, who I am less than crazy about, would be playing 99.
Carell is going to be incredible, and I’m sure Hathaway is going to be fine. It’s not that I especially don’t like her, I just don’t think she’s anything special. Sue me.
Anyway, the movie looks hilarious, as you can tell by this preview. Don Adams, who is infinitely missed and adored, would totally approve. Barbara Feldon, might not approve of the massive amount of eye makeup they’ve slapped on 99, but whatever. The Rock is an odd choice, but apparently he’s a real actor now, so I’ll let that slide. And Alan Arkin!!! As The Chief!! That’s how you cast a movie, right there!!
But, perhaps the coolest little rumor I’ve heard yet about this movie is that my all-time comedy hero, Bill Murray, will be playing Agent 13, the odd undercover agent who was always stationed in some weird location like a mailbox. If you ask me, Murray is perfect for it, will execute it with brilliance and hilarity and I cannot wait, as always, until 2008.
(I also have been seeing previews for Dan In Real Life, another Steve Carell film that’s due out this fall and looks to promise massive amounts of comedy and heart that only Carrell can deliver in the style that he does.)
(Newsflash! Newsflash, Applejack!! Apparently, TDL will be premiering at the Venice Film Festival alongside a 12 minute short film of Anderson’s co-starring Schwartzman and Natalie Portman! Awesome! And, contrary to previous rumors/beliefs, Portman’s part in TDL is only a cameo.)
Fox Searchlight has posted the official Darjeeling Limited site, and while there isn’t much up there yet, it is still pretty cool.
There are some production photos you can look at, my favorite being this one, a section with links to information about and photos of India, and lots of other interesting little things to play around with.
Can’t wait for this one, gang. It opens the New York Film Festival on September 29th and then will slowly, but surely make its way into a theater near us.
Owen, Jason, Adrien, Bill, Anjelica… Can you see how incredible this is going to be?
This afternoon I decided to head down to massively awesome and beautiful Newport on the Levee for an afternoon lunch and movie date. After a pretty good lunch at Moe’s Southwest Grill, I headed up to the AMC Theater for my 2:40 matinee of Danny Boyle’s new sci-fi thriller, Sunshine.
I’m a big fan of science fiction, especially when it deals with outer space. And, I think that creative apocalyptic story lines, when done correctly, are impossibly cool and engrossing. To be totally honest, I wasn’t expecting Sunshine to be anything to write home about. I saw the preview and it was Cillian Murphy that threw my senses in a frenzy, whereas the concept and story made me nervous. But with all the excellent reviews I had been reading, I figured it might be worth the time and money to check it out. Let me tell you that Sunshine was worth my dollars and hours and ended up being an outstanding, well-paced and beautiful sci-fi thriller that didn’t let up.
The premise of the film is that some years from now, the Sun is dying out. While the earth is in solar winter, a team of astronauts are headed to try and reignite the Sun aboard Icarus 2, an odd space station looking thing attached to the bomb or “paylaod”, which can only be described as a large satellite dish looking thing. The first Icarus mission took place seven years prior and had failed for some unknown reason.
The film opens with a poetic narration by Capa, played by my Blue Eyed Baby Boy, Cillian Murphy, who we learn was the physicist who designed the device that is transporting them 50 plus million miles away to try and save the world. He’s accompanied by Cassie, the Pilot (Rose Byrne, Troy), Searle, the Medical Officer (Cliff Curtis, Live Free or Die Hard), Mace, the Engineer (Chris Evans, Fantastic Four), Harvey, the Communications Officer (Troy Garity, Barbershop), Kaneda, the Captain (Hiroyuki Sanada, The Last Samurai), Trey, the Navigator (Bebedict Wong) and Corazon, the Biologist (Michelle Yeoh, Tomorrow Never Dies, Memoirs of a Geisha).
The ship is absolutely incredible. There’s a room where Corazon is growing plants so they can have renuable oxygen, a room called “The Earth Room” where they can go and have an experience like standing in the middle of a forest or watching crashing waves for therapy when they’re homesick, and let’s face it, the technology is all just pretty darn awesome. In fact, there’s this one room that is pretty much like the front window of the ship. The crew can go and sit in there and use some protective screens to get some beautiful glances at the Sun as they approach it. Searle takes a particular liking to it and he describes being so close to it as taking a bath in the light. In fact, many of the images and sounds of the sun in the movie are really the Sun, courtesy of SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, one of my favorite science websites. And for the record, I think that the sounds the sun makes are some of the most terrifying and humbling sound clips to ever exist. Truly breathtaking.).
At the beginning (of course) the mission is going off beautifully, in fact they’re making better time than they thought and are informed that they’re going to be entering the magnetic field of the Sun and will no longer have communication with Earth, so that they need to send their, possibly final, messages home. Cue the lump in my throat as Capa spills out a goodbye that can only be described as perfect. It really carries through in the rest of the film as so much of the dialogue and Capa’s monologues truly are beautifully written.
As the mission continues, Cassie spots Mercury on the computer screen and they all gather in the observation deck to watch it pass in front of the Sun (more totally stunning actual footage.) Later in the day, Harvey discovers that there was an odd transmission that was sent while Mercury was passing, only to later learn that it is a distress signal from Icarus I that is suspended close to the sun, not too far from their projected course. Though it’s unlikely that any of the crew members are still alive, they decide to go and see if they are going to be able to possibly take their undetonated payload to use as a backup in case their’s fails. As this causes the crew to have to change their course, they encounter problems almost immediately.
It truly becomes an intense, heartbreaking and exciting journey and I was almost always on the edge of my seat. As the crew deals with a drastic cut to their oxygen supply, the mental state that comes from their delicate situation and a mysterious extra crew member, you’re truly hoping that the “particularly beautiful day” that Capa was talking about actually comes true.
I have one complaint, but it’s unfortunately a huge spoiler if I leave it here, so we’ll discuss it after you’ve seen it.
Even that complaint aside, I walked away from Sunshine pretty satisfied. The direction and cinematography was beautiful and I was truly impressed all around with the performances from all the actors. If you’re in the mood for some pretty awesome sci-fi thriller action, check out Sunshine, you won’t be sorry.
Oh! And! The Darjeeling Limited trailer! On the big screen! If you thought those colors were pretty on your computer screen…whew!
(That was SeaBabble’s 200th Post!!!)
The Darjeeling Limited trailer is officially online!!!!!
Right here! Please watch it!
The first Wes Anderson movie I ever saw was The Royal Tenenbaums. Drawn in originally by a cast that to this day cannot be beat, I stuck around for a style of film making and storytelling that became my absolute favorite. Since that day in 2001, Wes Anderson has been the number one filmmaker in my heart and there are so many reasons why. Probably first and foremost is the characters he uses to tell his stories. It’s rare to turn on a Wes Anderson movie and find a tale of triumphant people headed to the top of their game. Whereas so many other movies develop the character into something great, Anderson takes the next step and shows what happens after they peak at their greatness. Max Fischer, from Rushmore, is president or founder or involved in nearly every club on campus, wrote a “little one act” about Watergate at the age of seven, and is an alternate for the wrestling team. But he’s also “one of the worst students” at a school that clearly means more to him than anything, Rushmore Academy. The downward spiral of Max’s journey is painful, to say the least, and while that sounds tragic and sad (and believe me, it can be), it’s truly a gift to be able to tell that story with humor and sweetness like Wes does. Another thing I really love about his movies is that they show the power of the people around you. It’s like a Beatles’ song, or something. When the world sticks it to the main characters and they’re thrust down in to the most painful of painful lows, friends, loved ones, and even the people you might have considered enemies are there to pick you back up to a place where you’re okay. And that’s a very beautiful thing. There’s an overwhelming amount of heart at the pit of all these stories, and it fills my heart to the brim, every time.
Also, the way that Anderson portrays a love story is absolutely gorgeous and touching. Anthony and Inez in Bottle Rocket? When you step back and really look at it, this should be the most awkward love story to have ever come to pass, and really, it is. But when you’re wrapped up in hotel sheets and in awe of how incredibly sweet and wonderful it all is to be in love like that, awkwardness doesn’t even come to mind. (One of my favorite scenes in that movie is when Anthony makes another attempt to call Inez from the party he’s at. “So… uh… word on the street, or should I say, rumor has it… that, well, you love me.” “Yes, I do.” And that’s my heart in a puddle on the floor, right there.)
Another thing that constantly mesmerizes me about his films is his careful attention to detail and set design. I think some of the most beautiful scenes that have ever been captured on film are in Wes Anderson’s movies. Probably my two favorite examples of this come from Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. In the Criteron Collection of Tenenbaums, the insert has a floor plan of 112 Archer Avenue, showing each room and little crevice in great detail. Every single thing is thought of and planned out how it should look, and that attention to detail is infinitely appreciated when you’re in awe of the design of each little thing on the screen. One of my favorite scenes in Zissou is when Steve very casually says (in a way that can only be done by Bill Murray) “Let me tell you about my boat.” and the screen pulls up to reveal this cut away vision of The Belafonte and Steve takes us on a tour of the ship that displays Team Zissou at its very best and most shameful. The brutal honesty that comes through in the set direction truly makes The Belafonte a character of its own. And I love that. When you can bring the inanimate objects around you to life with the life and vibrancy that Anderson does.
See what I mean? When I saw it in the movie, I felt like a little kid overwhelmed with Christmas for the very first time.
The reason I had to talk about all of these things is because it’s easier to say that I can see all of these things poking through in The Darjeeling Limited, and are all the reasons that it’s the movie I am currently most anticipating. I can see the tragedy and sadness of Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody’s brotherhood and characteristics. You can tell that this journey is going to take them through the highs and lows of everything under the Indian sun. And I like that. I like that I know this is going to hurt, but I know that the heart we’re going to find at the root of it all will be well worth it. His use of color and that careful attention to detail here is exactly what I’d expect from a movie like this and it’s going to be wonderful. I know I’m going to have to see it more than once to make sure I am able to take it all in.
Anderson’s films speak to a reality that is going to take you on an adventure of the highest degree. And it might hurt, it will definitely make you laugh, but in the end it’ll promise pick you up and embrace you like you’ve never been embraced before, all set to an amazing soundtrack and the most beautiful and whimsical colors and settings your brain can imagine.
So, that’s that. In a nutshell, it’s why I can’t wait to pay however much it costs to see The Darjeeling Limited.
As Steve Zissou put it best, “This is an adventure.” It always is, Steve. It always is.
This past Friday saw the release of Sunshine, the sci-fi thriller about the expiration of the sun, directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Trainspotting, Millions). My original motivation to see this film was the fact that it’s starring Future Husband Cillian Murphy. As an astronaut. In space. With science fiction. And thrills. Which is friggin’ cool. The film is getting some pretty decent reviews, so the fire under my butt to get out and see it has been slightly increased.
Well, let’s call that one full blast as reports are flying in that The Darjeeling Limited has a trailer attached to this film. I think I’m going tomorrow. For those that can’t make it out to the movie, you had better believe that I am watching like a hawk for this thing to pop up online.
In other “go see this movie because of the trailer,” news, John’s been reporting on The Dark Knight’s teaser trailer being attached to some copies of The Simpsons Movie that’s being released to some very anxious crowds this Friday. Oh, and there are a bunch of people who want to see the movie, too.
AWESOME!!
Batman isn’t even this good of a detective. Batman is envious and wants to recruit these detective skills for his team. Because, ladies and gentlemen, John Bierly has rocked it and socked it to The Moon with his discovery of what lies beyond this link.
It’s beautiful!!! And so colorful!!! And there are elephants on the wall!!! And I can’t waaaiiiit!!!!!
Not really a huge news update, but a news update, and an excuse to post this photo:
According to the good people over at The Rushmore Academy, we’ve recently learned that Personal Favorite Filmmaker Wes Anderson’s fifth full-length film has a new release date of OCTOBER 5 instead of the previously thought, “sometime in December, 2007.” Darjeeling Limited will open the New York Film Festival the week before, accompanied by a limited release.
The film follows three brothers played by Eli Cash, Max Fischer and The Pianist that battles Kong, on a journey across the Indian subcontinent after the death of their father (rumored to be played by and later reincarnated as a white tiger voiced by none other than Herman Blume.). Etheline Tenenbaum and Natalie Portman also star in the film that’s already getting quite a flurry of fantastic whispers from around the internet. (For a little more info, check out this scan from Entertainment Weekly.)
Speaking of Fantastic…
The Rushmore Academy is also reporting that the release date of Wes Anderson’s sixth full-length film, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, will be November 2009. Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same title, Fox will also be Anderson’s first animated film. Early rumors of some voice actors? The Cloon and Cate Blanchett. As you well know, Blanchett played the extremely lovely and very preggers reporter, Jane Winslett-Richardson, in 2004’s whimsical underwater adventure, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.
What will I be doing with myself until October 5? Well, for one thing, I need to confront my inner desires to see Hairspray after I caught Christopher Walken on The Daily Show last night.
Iain and I went to Newport on the Levee last night to see Knocked Up. Luckily, I was able to put away my soul-searing anger for Izzie Stevens to really enjoy Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen as two good-natured, polar opposite people trying to make good with a baby on the way. The movie had the raunch and debauchery of a run-of-the-mill “frat boy movie”, but the sweetness and heart of solid gold that I especially loved in The 40 Year-Old Virgin. Judd Apatow is an incredibly talented guy who knows how to crank out the absolute best and worst of people in the funniest and sweetest ways possible.
Speaking of sweetest ways possible…
The Office hasn’t even been over for two weeks and already I’m missing the hell out of Thursday night Scrantics.
That being said, I really cannot wait to see Evan Almighty, starring everyone’s favorite Regional Manager alongside everyone’s favorite Blood Analyzer and Receptor Compound/Carbon Based Catalyst Isolator. (Don’t worry, you’re not supposed to know what that means. I just wanted you to know how smart Morgan Freeman is.)
In honor of the flick, DotComedy.com is showing daily clips of Mr. Steve in some of his funniest roles and best interviews. We’re already two weeks and one day behind, but if you’ve got time and need a fix, you should check it out.
I am so done with trilogies.
“Yes, he is.”
Oh, yes. He is. And I am. Terror-fied.
Thank John for the scoop, but I had to make sure my Unpaid Interns got a glimpse of this, too.
For what it was, I thought Grindhouse was a lot of fun. I found both films pretty entertaining and though I had a few problems with each, it wasn’t anything major enough to make me dislike it at all. However, perhaps the most entertaining part of the whole movie was the trailers they showed at the beginning and in between both movies. My favorite of those trailers being Edgar Wright’s (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) Don’t and Eli Roth’s (Hostel) Thanksgiving. Upon leaving the theater one of the first things on my mind was how awesome it would be if they were to make those two into actual movies. I’d be there in a heartbeat.
Well… lookie here! It doesn’t look like anything is confirmed yet, but the possibility is making me happy enough.
I have yet to bring you an actual “why Spidey 3 sucked it up” post… but… in the meantime…
I present to you, the witty genius of Topher Grace.
(Note: Do not read that last sentence unless you know my sarcastic internet tone when you read it.)
It may be because I’m tired.
It may be because it’s 3:24 in the morning.
But it’s probably because I just got home from seeing Spider-Man 3.
In any case, I’m not a happy camper.
I’ll blog about the movie later, but I just wanted to tell you that if you go to the theater this weekend and Spidey’s sold out, don’t be upset. Go and give a hug to each person standing in line and thank them for saving you and your dollars.
Okay. I’m clearly cranky and angry and need my nap. Excuse the gripe session. I’ll probably fix this in the morning with something less angry and more productive
We have the trailer from my Future Husband John Krasinski’s new movie License to Wed. (Previously covered here.)
My heart is all fluttery and I fainted all 87 times I watched the first thirty seconds.
If you love the 1995 instant classic Houseguest starring Sinbad and the late, great Phil Hartman, then you’ve often fantasized about the only way that you’d ever set foot on a golf course, and that is if Kevin Franklin is challenging you to 18 holes of speedgolf (SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDGOLF, for those in the know.). I know I have.
Well, since I saw the movie, I always imagined that Kevin Franklin actually invented the sport in an effort to hurry through a game of golf with Gary and his rich golf buddies.
WELL, Wikipedia Brown… you’ve done it again!
According to Wikipedia, speedgolf was actually invented in California in 1979. No doubt by a man posing as a houseguest in a yuppie suburb while hiding out from a man named Happy, who was potentially about to become not happy.
Furthermore, the Wikipedia post will guide you to many other interesting links, including one to the official page of the sport and a map for an ideal speedgolf course.
I must admit, I am slightly saddened to learn that Kevin Franklin was not the originator of the sport and should have taken Jeffrey Jones more seriously in the film when he had said he heard of it, instead of writing it off as him trying to sound important and hip on the lingo.
Well I just about screwed the pooch on this one, didn’t I? What with our construction and all I completely forgot that Saturday night was filled with Brits, blood, and Timothy Dalton!
That’s right, Interns, Brother Iain and I ventured down to the Promenade AMC 16 Theaters (where regular price of admission is now a scolding $12 per!) and saw the newest piece of British comedy to hop across the pond, Hot Fuzz. Brought to you by the minds behind 2004’s zombie hit flick Shaun of the Dead, director Edgar Wright delivers an entertaining film filled with action, comedy, murder mystery and all-around spoofery that seals the deal on this dry-witted knockout of a movie. Co-written by Wright and the film’s star Simon Pegg (Mission: Impossible III, Shaun of the Dead), this film touches on action movie stereotypes that we all recognize and even gives nods to some of the “greats” of the genre, including Point Break and Bad Boys 2.
At the start of the film we meet Pegg’s character, Sgt. Nicholas Angel. An extremely accomplished police constable serving the Metropolitan Police in London, Angel is perhaps too good at what he does. Such an impressive resume, in fact, that his co-workers feel it does nothing but make every other PC at the station look bad. So, he is volunteered by his boss, the ever hilarious and brilliant Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest), to be relocated to a small, charming village out in the country that has won “Best Village of the Year” for as long as some of its residents have been alive. Angel is less than thrilled about the transfer, being that he feels his supreme policing and fighting skills will not be put to proper use in a village where one of the largest crime concerns is a street performer who imitates a statue.
(Side note: The person who originally informs Angel of his transfer is a Sergeant played by Martin Freeman, aka my sweet boy’s British counterpart on BBC’s version of The Office.)
Upon arrival in the village, everyone knows who he is and why he’s there and on his first night out in town he meets Shaun co-star Nick Frost who plays Police Constable Butterman and son of the town’s Chief Inspector Frank Butterman, played by the prolific Jim Broadbent. The supporting cast of townies is absolutely outstanding, especially the rather smarmy and suspicious local grocery store owner, Simon Skinner, played by none other than Mr. Timothy Dalton.
Life in the small village seems to be rather ho-hum and normal until a brutally graphic and vicious string of killings staged as accidents throw Angel and PC Butterman hot on the trail of whoever is carrying out this murderous rampage. As they get closer to solving, in typical murder mystery fashion, details are switched and some of the most important informants fall victim to the accidents that seem to be taking the lives of so many others in the village. Like in a good game of Clue, you may *think* you know who done it, but until you can see the entire picture painted in front of you, you can never be too sure.
Big laughs are shared throughout and in similar fashion to Shaun of the Dead, the violence is absolutely brutal and extreme, but in the same token, very well done. Furthermore, I think that any fan of action films will get a kick out of Fuzz’s continuous nods to some of the cornerstone films (and some not-so-cornerstone films) of the genre.
So, if you’re a fan of action movies and dry Brit wit, I’d highly recommend this flick. I think you’ll find that Hot Fuzz is the best kind of Hot Fun.
The Fugitive is truly one of the greatest movies ever made. It’s presently 12:37 AM and I just finished catching up on my Thursday night television (That got started late because I got sucked into X-Files. One of the episodes guest starring a very swarmy Michael McKean. A pretty sucky episode, too. But I still watched.) and as I turned on the TV, like some sort of weird psychic event, The Great Harrison Ford was being stopped by Tommy Lee Jones right before he dives off the edge of the dam into the waters below. Whammy! I’m hooked! I couldn’t turn it off now, even if I wanted to.
I think Richard Kimble is the fourth greatest Harrison Ford character of all time ever, and Tommy Lee Jones (almost) never lets me down. I saw this movie for the first time with my parents at the drive-in and remember being scared then. I’ve seen at least a dozen times in total and I’m still on pins and needles every time I see it. (I watched it about six months ago and caught Jane Lynch for the first time!)
Action. Suspense. Drama. Heart. Ford. Jones. Moore (who looks like Dana Scully’s long lost sister here). Timeless.
But that’s enough of that. I don’t think a review for a 14 year old movie would be very fun for anyone to read
Okay. The Fugitive is over. There’s more X-Files on TNT. And I’m not tired yet. Lovely.
TV talk in the morning.
One of the movies I am most anticipating this summer is the third installment in the Shrek series, Shrek the Third. If you haven’t seen them because you’re just not that into animated movies, I think you need to reconsider your position for this series. In my opinion, Shrek 2 was better than Shrek (The dialogue between Shrek and Donkey about the land of “Far, Far Away” still cracks me up every time I think about it), but they’re both still worth checking out, as will be Shrek the Third. Anyone who was ever a kid who loved to read and loved to hear stories will be instantly drawn to these movies. The writing is brilliant, the jokes are hilarious and the story is sweet and has the strongest sense of heart. Not only does this newest installment see the return of some of my comedy heroes from the earlier films, Mike Myers, John Cleese and Eddie Murphy (and Ms. Julie Andrews!!!!!), but some new voices, too.
Including: Justin Timberlake (LOVE the reference to him in Shrek 2), ERIC IDLE, Amy Sedaris and, and, and, and…. F.H. John Krasinski playing Sir Lancelot.
(Breathing, breathing, breathing.)
This summer, I’m prepared to fall head over heels in love with an animated character.
This playful and sweet photo is officially one of my favorites ever. To read the article, go here and click on the photo to make it gigantic. I know I did.
This photo was probably taken shortly after our third honeymoon. We went to Scotland and rode horses through the countryside on our way to Loch Ness. Every few minutes he would pose like that and do a hilarious William Wallace impression and then we’d both have giggle fits for like 20 minutes. It was awesome.
With the start of my summer a mere month away, it is safe to say that this is going to be the best summer ever. We’re talking Wetter, Hotter, Americanner and filled to the brim with action, airports and… archaeology?!
You read right, friends. On June 15th at 12:30 AM, Your Humble Narrator is leaving on a jet plane to La Blanca, a Mid-Preclassic site in Guatemala to do research with one of her favorite archaeology professors, Dr. Michael Love. It’s going to be an incredible experience and I can’t wait to be able to share it with all of you.
I’ll be sure pass more details as I get them, but for now this is what I’ve got, and I wanted to let you all know.
Also, please check out my brother Iain, now blogging on WordPress. It’s not much now, but he’s one of the funniest people I know and the blog is sure to be brilliant.
And! And! And! Awesome.
My goodness! Apologies for my lack of any sort of attention to this blog these past few days, but my home time has been minimal. And I’ve missed you all.
Friday saw the Anthropology Adventure of 2007 (Thus far… more on this as I am given liberty to discuss… but there’s something brewing offshore… down Central America way…), which consisted of myself, Lupe and Erica Jean packing up the Highlander and heading East to Fantastic (no… um…) Wonderful (err… no… Ah!) Dirty Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ve never been a fan of Las Vegas. Kind of a suck hole for all the stuff I think is wrong/immoral/unfun. Though it has its highlights, it’s just not my kind of town (Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go ahead, call me a prude).
ANYWAY, after a “brief” shopping stop at Primm (Old Navy AND Gap Outlets? Dirt cheap yet totally rocking clothes? Chelsea’s in trouble), we were on our way into Vegas. Our hotel was out near Nellis AFB and though it stunk having to drive into the strip, it was redeemed by the massive amount of fighters that would be flying overhead. So totally kick ass awesome.
We got to grab dinner with my cousin Greg and his lovely fiancee Stacy at Bahama Breeze, which was lovely and then it was off to the strip for fun, fun, fun. I played slot machines and didn’t win a cent. On the other hand, Lupe played slots and won 77 bucks! Go figure!
We walked around, went to a club called “Roadhouse” but decided that we had better get back to the hotel in order to be up for our Archaeology trip in the morning.
Well, we were supposed to go with the kids from UNLV’s Anthro Student Association, but due to some unfortunate lack of communication, we never got to meet up with them and instead hiked around Red Rock by ourselves. We got to see some pictographs which was totally awesome, and I got sunburned. Which hurts. And is not totally awesome.
After a short stop at Whole Foods to grab snacks, we headed off to home and made it back in plenty of time for me to see Adam and meet his girlfriend who is in town from Iowa, Leah.
Yesterday was a day of work, school and nursery and I grabbed dinner with my good friend Amanda who is in town from school in Boston for a wedding. We ate at The Farm. The food was good, but that was the most expensive salad I’ve ever eaten. Unless I win the lottery, I’m not going back there ever again. Or at least not going back and ordering a salad with chicken which bumps up the already expensive price by $6.50. No, thank you.
And last night my brother Iain and I watched Brick. It stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt (the forever young boy from 3rd Rock from the Sun and 10 Things I Hate About You) as a very smart, very daring, old soul who is hot on the case as to why his ex-girlfriend was mysteriously murdered two days after making contact with him since their break up three months prior. Well, what I thought was just going to be a rip on film noir, was written by someone who actually truly understands the genre. The dialogue was perfect and almost awkward being that their high school students, but think along the lines of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and having to get used to the Elizabethan English in Miami, Florida. After a while you stop trying to understand every metaphor and just look for the general plot line. They slow it down and back off on the lexicon when it’s something really important you need to understand. I like film noir, especially the dialogue, but I was thrown when it was coming from the mouths of 17 year olds who act 30 something. If you can get past that, it’s a pretty good flick, slightly disturbing but mostly entertaining and spiced with a few good laughs and fun cinematography. It’s a rental. Check it out.
And big thanks to Iain for making me watch it.
FINALLY, to round up the headlines, you need to go look at this. This chick digs these scars. Especially when you caused them yourself making your creepy grin ten times more creepy. Can’t wait.
Look at what Future Husband John Krasinski has been up to!!!!
Besides locking lips with Mandy Moore… (And really, for a minute here I just want to say that I’d love to be her. She’s drop dead gorgeous, gets to record/write with Rachael Yamagata *and* gets to make out with John Krasinski. I’d make out with John Krasinski. For hours. And you wouldn’t even have to pay me millions of dollars. Ya hear that, Warner Bros.??? I’d do it for free. F-R-E-E.)…He’s making movies galore! Leatherheads, Shrek the Third and License to Wed. And I am so proud of my darling.
I’ve gotta learn photoshop.
Though this one is my favorite.
How! Adorable! Oh, John. Is this the garden we’re getting married in? Are you just checking it out? Because I approve.
I’ll take care of him. And grill him salmon. I’ll even practice and try really hard to keep it in once piece. And sneak surprise presents in his suitcase when he travels. And we can go on drives to random roadside attractions and listen to good music and then at the end of the day tell eachother stories by the fireplace. It would really be the best thing ever. I promise. Someone give him my number.
(Limited-Time Offer: July 4, 2007… I know everyone (including me) wants to see Transformers… BUT! If someone goes and sees License to Wed with me, I’ll go see Transformers the very next day! AND I’ll buy your ticket and snacks. How about THEM apples.)
I wanna post a link to some pretty cruddy, yet still cool, photos of F.H. John Krasinski (here and here) on the set of The Cloon’s new project Leatherheads, a romantic comedy starring The Cloon, John, and Renee Zellweger set around a football team in the 20’s. The pictures aren’t anything spectacular, but the costume is cool.
Speaking of Krasinski…
I really enjoyed Jarhead, and for reasons beyond the obvious arsenal of Future Husbands. It’s the story of a platoon of Marines being called to “action” during Desert Storm and finds itself being a sobering look at war and politics laced with some bitter comedy, I enjoyed it and was pretty entertained throughout. I suggest you see it.
Anyway, I had read somewhere that John had a small role in Jarhead but couldn’t remember who he was for the life of me. I’m sure I would remember if he were one of the main guys in the platoon, and I was fairly sure he wasn’t. (By the way, if you go on YouTube and type in John Krasinski and Jarhead, you get some silly home video style footage of him and some of the other “extra” marines on the set killing time in between takes. It’s entertaining once you’ve seen the movie)
A few weeks ago I caught it on HBO and was tuned in to find Krasinski, which I did. Later to research and find that he actually wrote some of the dialogue himself. All the more reason for you to check it out!!!
I am so proud.
Lavender! COME ON, PEOPLE!!!
I almost never ever watch, but when I do I usually get my butt kicked puh-rhetty darn bad. It’s refreshing when I get 10% of the questions right. I feel like I have some sort of greater purpose in life.
Anyway, no news to report so far. I really just wanted an excuse to post this picture somewhere.
It’s from a NYT article about facial yoga which is *kind of* interesting. I mostly just find that picture really funny.
And this:
A Darjeeling Limited Update, which has both old and new, somewhat interesting information. Like this:
But there are not that many laughs in The Darjeeling Limited, which in Anderson’s usual quirky style, features talking animals, lost parents and slightly deranged siblings. The brothers believe their father, played by Bill Murray-who went remarkably undiscovered in the two weeks he was shooting in Jodhpur-has been reborn as an albino leopard, and trace their mother to a convent where she teaches poor children.
Talking animals? Bill Murray as a talking animal? Bill Murray as Garfield in a Wes Anderson movie? Oh. Okay. This is the first I’ve heard of Murray, and it is yet to be confirmed on his imdb, but investigative reporting shall commence perhaps later or tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Or you can let me know. (So far my only confirmation is from a Livejournal post that contains the same article.)
Anyway, that’s all I have for you now. It’s time to watch The Guardian. Kevin Costner is bottom of the list for me and Ashton Kutcher is too goofy to be taken seriously sometimes. Should be excellent.
UPDATE: You know what was NOT excellent? The Guardian.
Those who know me, know that Mr. Bean has long been one of my greatest guilty pleasures.
So imagine my excitement at the sight of these fine photographs from Mr. Bean’s Holiday, which is to be released September 28, 2007.
Who’s coming with me? I know it’s a sacrifice for some. But I’ll even buy you your ticket. And movie snacks.
(Thanks to Unpaid Intern Katrine for the link.)
Why do I feel like everyone and their mother has had a visit to the set of The Office except for me?
And this happened to be the next video on my playlist. (Do yourself a favor and hit stop after AC) A) Um… Yummy. B) Future Husband Anderson Cooper’s such a dork. But he’s my dork. And I couldn’t love him more.