Tag Archives: James Franco

Podcast

MOV042: “Latrine!”

What’s the top Spoof movies of all time? Is going crazy a good storyline? Can Jeff stand Danny McBride? This, Oscar Talk, Top Secret and more on this episode of COL Movies.

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News:

  • First real good look at the Red Skull? http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Witness-The-First-Real-Look-At-Captain-America-s-The-Red-Skull-23469.html
  • Blade Runner Reboot in the works http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Blade-Runner-Reboot-Close-To-Becoming-A-Reality-23453.html
  • Alcon Entertainment Quote “This is a major acquisition for our company, and a personal favorite film for both of us. We recognize the responsibility we have to do justice to the memory of the original with any prequel or sequel we produce. We have long-term goals for the franchise, and are exploring multi-platform concepts, not just limiting ourselves to one medium only.”
  • Help save “The Kings Speech” by not going to see it. http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Help-Save-The-King-s-Speech-By-Refusing-To-See-It-23385.html
  • Oscars talk.

The Past: Top Secret! (1984)

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Director: (s) Jim Abrahams;David Zucker;Jerry Zucker
Starring: Val Kilmer, Peter Cushing, Lucy Gutteridge
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% Fresh

Trivia:

  • The Latin spoken by the priest at Fleurgendorf Prison on the way to the execution room is just random phrases, borrowed partly from the religious, medical and legal professions
  • After receiving an order, one of the German officers replies with, “Ich liebe Dich, mein Schatz,” which translates to “I love you, honey.”
  • The surfing sequences were filmed at Holywell Bay, Cornwall, UK (a few miles down the coast from Newquay, a popular surfing town). The palm trees were fake, and the surf shack was in fact the actual lifeguard’s hut (which is still there). The beach is recognizable by the two large rock formations located at the left of the beach, approx 100 meters out to sea.
  • German dub version uses next to no Yiddish, opting instead on either Saxonian accent or High German. Several jokes are rewritten to spoof the GDR to make up for the fact that the script did not excel in research of GDR specifics. It also dispenses with the film’s notion of portraying the East German (GDR) regime as “born-again Nazis”
  • Val Kilmer’s first feature film
  • Cows Hate having things on their feet so the bottoms were cut out of the wellington boots, and are attached to the cows legs
  • The scene in which Lucy Gutteridge looks down from the balcony onto the street to see hamsters and mice was in fact a miniature from Superman (1978). The Zucker Brothers and Jim Abrahams stated in their DVD commentary that they found it in the old Shepperton studios and thought it would be a great idea to use it in somewhere in the movie.

Talking Points:

  • I love how Peter Cushing gets top billing in this movie.. for being in one scene

What We’ve Learned:

  • Never order the Ripple
  • Swedish is essentially English backwards.
  • The East Germans Hated the Montgomery Wards Catalog
  • Never use the “Anal Intruder” unsupervised
  • Remember European power outlets have a different voltage.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: One of my favorite comedies. Subtle but silly, and absurd.
Ray: This is probably one of my least favorite spoofs… the movie just doesn’t work for me, I don’t find a lot of it funny, and I just don’t get the Nazi take on East Germany
Steve: Has it’s moments – like the East German women’s wrestling team – that just remind me of growing up in the 70s and 80s. Not the best, but not the worst.

Intermission: Top Spoof movies

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The Present: Black Swan

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Fresh

Trivia:

  • The script took around ten years to make it to the screen
  • Darren Aronofsky offered Mila Kunis the role of Lily over Skype, without an audition
  • The soundtrack, composed by Clint Mansell is a variation on Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” ballet, but played backwards and in a distorted manner.
  • Nina’s cell phone ring tone is the Theme of the Black Swan.
  • The overhead shot of Nina in the bathtub is an exact replica of a shot in the Japanese anime thriller Perfect Blue (1998). Prior to Requiem for a Dream (2000), Darren Aronofsky bought the remake rights to the film just to use that one sequence.

Talking Points:

  • Was there a point this movie was trying to get across?
  • Holy cow! That’s Mila Kunis!?
  • Ballerina Fight Club!
  • Wynona Rider’s character/performance?

What We Learned:

  • Natalie did a convincing job as a prima ballerina
  • These Bitches Be CRAZY
  • Always make sure your mother is not in the room before you start masturbating

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: A definite thinking film. With the one viewing, I didn’t like it but kept me thinking after the show, I feel like multiple viewings will get me to like it better. Well done.
Ray: A Darren Aronofsky film that deals with a person who has an obsession/addiction in their lives that 4slowly causes them to self destruct? Never seen THAT before!
Steve: I got lost…but enjoyed the movie for it’s visuals and the performances. Maybe I’m just not smart enough for this one. 🙁

The Future: Your Highness (4-8-2011)

Starring: Danny McBride, Zooey Deschanel, James Franco, Natalie Portman

Trivia:

  • Although the film was written by writer Ben Best and actor Danny McBride, the dialogue is heavily improvised. Director David Gordon Green said there was never a script used on-set.
  • For the green band (appropriate audiences) trailer a shot of Natalie Portman’s back (that was also used unaltered in the red band trailer) was digitally altered to turn a thong into a more substantial and less revealing garment.

Talking Points:

  • I wouldn’t mind seeing Natalie Portman as Lara Croft after seeing this.
  • James Franco?

Summary:

  • When Prince Fabious’s bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her… accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Kill me.
Ray:Feels like “A Princess Bride” I’d go see it
Steve: Looks hokey, but enough interest for me to give it a shot on DVD.

Coming Attractions

The Past

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The Present

The Future

 

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MOV022: “Well, Ray, you appear to be dead.”

Adam Sandler in Drag! A Yellow Submarine remake? You won’t have to kneel before Zod. The Frighteners, The Social Network, and Jeff wants to kill himself (figuratively, not literally) for 127 Hours.

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News:

The Past: The Frighteners

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Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Jake Busey, Jeffery Combs, Dee Wallace, Trini Alvarado

Trivia:

  • R. Lee Ermey (Sgt. Hiles) spoofs his own role as drill sergeant in Full Metal Jacket (1987).
  • Was originally planned as a “Tales from the Crypt” (1989) feature, but producer Robert Zemeckis liked the script so much, he decided it should stand on its own and not be part of a series.
  • Michael J. Fox repeatedly blew his lines by calling John Astin’s character “Doc”

Talking Points:

  • This Movie didn’t do so hot at the Box Office
  • M.J.F’s last feature film
  • Has the CG Held up?
  • Full length behind the scenes film shot along-side the movie

What We’ve Learned:

  • Ghost’s shouldn’t have sex…ever…its creepy
  • Sometimes, people are scarier even than ghosts
  • When you die, make sure you’re not wearing something trendy, otherwise you’ll be in it forever.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Excellent movie, Worth a rent to determine if you want to buy it. I recommend the director’s cut Although not sure what was added.
Ray: Its an interesting movie, definitely worth a rent.
Steve: Enjoyable! I’d forgotten about this movie.

The Present: The Social Network

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Rooney Mara, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Andrew Garfield

Trivia:

  • Jesse Eisenberg’s cousin actually works for Facebook, apparently near the real Mark Zuckerberg.
  • The opening breakup scene with Jesse Eisenberg and Rooney Mara ran eight script pages and took 99 takes.
  • The Winklevoss twins were both played by actor Armie Hammer. However, Ralph Lauren model Josh Pence played one of them strictly from the neck down. His face was digitally replaced with Hammer’s to make them appear identical, as the two men are unrelated and look nothing alike. The two spent 10 months in twin boot camp to match one another’s subtle movements and rapport
  • Justin Timberlake was the only actor who met his real-life character (Sean Parker) before the founding of Facebook and this film. Armie Hammer and Josh Pence met their real-life characters, the Winklevoss twins after filming. The twins enjoyed Hammer and Pence’s performance so much they attended to a couple screenings of the film.

Talking Points:

  • Trent Reznor Soundtrack
  • Do you think Zuckerberg did it for the girl?
  • Do you think he was purposely portrayed as a douche?
  • Gag order? What gag order?

What We Learned:

  • Don’t Drink and Blog
  • Sometimes you just have to take the bitter with the better
  • Girls dig cats that look like Hitler
  • As the Countess says, “Money can’t buy you class!”

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Great movie! Just don’t think it’s a documentary. This is fictionalized.
Ray:. Who knew a movie about Facebook would be so Interesting!? go see it.
Steve: I was surprisingly interested in this movie once it got going. I went in assuming I’d hate it, but walked away liking it.

The Future: 127 Hours

Starring: James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn, Sean Bott

Trivia:

  • Aron Ralston filmed a daily video diary whilst he was stuck in the canyon; the footage has only been shown to close friends and family and is kept in a bank vault for safety. Before shooting began both Boyle and Franco were allowed to view the footage in order to accurately portray the events in the movie.

Talking Points:

  • What is this movie trying to be? documentary/scripted/docu-drama?

Summary:

  • A mountain climber becomes trapped under a boulder while canyoneering alone near Moab, Utah and resorts to desperate measures in order to survive.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Kill me now.
Ray: Yikes! Dont know if im scared or intrigued by this film…
Steve: Hmm…is it a docu-drama or a high budget feature? Nothing’s drawing me to it.

Coming Attractions

The Past: Halloween
The Present: RED
The Future: Unstoppable

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MOV013: “We Are All Monkeys”

James Cameron talks about the Avatar re-release, sequels and the future of 3D, Kevin Smith is working on a new movie, some cool promo stuff comes out for Scott Pilgrim, 12 Monkeys, Cats & Dogs, Looney Tunes return, and Howl

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News:

Feedback:

  • iTunes Shout Out – Vizshuns

This is one of the few movie podcasts that gives you great reviews, news, and film trivia all in one package! They do their research and it shows. Stop readying this and go listen already!

The Past: 12 Monkeys

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Director: Terry Gilliam

Staring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

Trivia:

  • Director Terry Gilliam first met Bruce Willis while casting his film The Fisher King (1991). He was impressed by the sensitivity shown by Willis in the scene from Die Hard (1988) where McClane (Willis) talks about his wife while pulling glass from his feet. Talking to Willis, Gilliam discovered that this part was ad-libbed by Willis. Gilliam remembered this, and was convinced to cast him in this film
  • Bruce did the movie for free. It was only after the movie was released that he was paid
  • Terry Gilliam’s first choice for the lead role was Jeff Bridges, whom he had enjoyed working with on The Fisher King (1991), but the studio wanted a bigger star, so he cast Bruce Willis. Ironically, Willis had originally auditioned for “The Fisher King”, but lost out to Bridges.
  • A tagline originally suggested for this film was; “The future is in the hands of a man who has none.” This was considered to be a confusing tagline, as it made it sound as though he had no hands, as opposed to having no future.
  • Brad Pitt was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, but lost to Kevin Spacey in The Usual Suspects.
  • In the beginning of the movie, James is brought into the interrogation room and told to sit in a chair which is attached to a vertical rail on the wall. A sphere supported by a metal armature is suspended directly in front of him, probing for weaknesses as the inquisitors interrogate him.Architect Lebbeus Woods filed a lawsuit against Universal Pictures in February 1996, claiming that his work “Neomechanical Tower (Upper) Chamber” was used without permission. Woods won his lawsuit, earning over $1 million from Universal, and allowed the studio to continue distribution of the movie.

Talking Points:

  • Brad Pitt plays good crazy…and the addition of the funky eye was good

What We’ve Learned:

  • Were all monkeys
  • The People on the outside are just as crazy as the ones on the inside
  • Monkeys Make very good sandwich delivery systems.
  • Foot tapping in the airport bathroom always gets you into trouble
  • Airport security was a Joke in 1996

Trailer:

Recommendations:

Jeff: Definite buy. Although you might want to rent it first.
Ray: Love it, proof that an inception like movie doesnt have to be over complex
Steve: I’m still confused, but I think I enjoyed it.

The Present: Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Director: Brad Peyton

Staring: James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams, Bette Midler, Neil Patrick Harris, Sean Hayes, Roger Moore, Wallace Shawn, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan, Chris O’Donnell

Trivia:

  • Coincidentally, Chris O’Donnell (Shane) and Sean Hayes (Mr. Tinkles) were both born on June 26, 1970.
  • Former James Bond star Roger Moore plays a character named “Lazenby”. George Lazenby played James Bond before Moore took over the role.

Talking Points:

  • Looney Tunes short.
  • Odd looking 3-D at times (or poorly done CGI?)

What We’ve Learned:

  • its been 12 years…the hamster dance is still not funny.
  • Wile E Coyote and Roadrunner cartoons are still Hilarious after all these years.
  • Those naked cats are creepy looking

Trailer:

Recommendations:

Jeff: Worth seeing for rental at least but even better in the theater just to see “Coyote Falls” before the show in 3D!
Ray: Skip it.
Steve: I should have brought my nieces and nephew just to watch their reactions. It is tolerable.

The Future: Howl

Starring: James Franco, Mary-Louis Parker, Jon Hamm, Jeff Daniels

Trivia:

  • Principal photography of the film took place in New York City
  • The film consists of three interwoven aspects: the early life of Ginsberg (James Franco) in New York City and his evolution as a writer and poet; an animated re-imagining of the poem “Howl”;[4] and the obscenity trial San Francisco poet and City Lights Bookstore co-founder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti (Andrew Rogers) faced after publishing the titular poem, in which Ginsberg made references to drug use and homosexuality (the latter of which in the 1950s was still considered taboo).

Talking Points:

Summary:

The story of how poet Allen Ginsberg’s seminal work broke down societal barriers in the face of an infamous public obscenity trial. In his famously confessional style, Ginsberg – poet, counter-culture icon, and chronicler of the Beat Generation – recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to HOWL, the most timeless work of his career. HOWL interweaves three stories: the unfolding of the landmark 1957 obscenity trial; an imaginative animated ride through the prophetic masterpiece; and a unique portrait of a man who found new ways to express himself, and in doing so, changed his own life and galvanized a generation.

Trailer:

Excitement:

Jeff: I’m interested, we’ll see what happens when it releases.
Ray: Ginsburg seemed like an interesting guy, id probably check this out
Steve: So not my kind of movie. Not something I’d see on my own.

Coming Attractions

The Past: Evangelion 1.11: You Are Not Alone

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The Present: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

The Future: RED

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