411 Movies Roundtable: December 2007 (Part I)
Posted by Chad Webb on 12.05.2007
Check out the thoughts on all the November news from the 411 movie zone staff!
Welcome back to the monthly movies roundtable discussion. The end of the year is winding down, and the yearly top 10 lists are starting to take shape. All that is left is the December rush of ambitious Oscar contending films. What will shock us, and what will disappoint us? Only time will tell. In this issue, the staff vocalizes their feelings on the writer's strike, most people are looking forward to I Am Legend, while others have already started bashing Alvin and the Chipmunks.
The theme this month goes with Alien vs. Predator: Requiem. We can expect to see some aliens in that movie, so enjoy the pictures of aliens below. It is safe to say that in December I become a crazed film fanatic, cramming in as many films as I can so my top 10 list is as accurate as possible. I hope some of you will take a chance on some of the odd releases hitting theaters. Have fun!
The Month That Was
Jerome Cusson
Biggest Winner of the Month:The Coen Brothers. Whether or not No Country for Old Men is an Oscar contender is up for debate. They have, however, created a film that's generated a lot of positive buzz from movie fans and critics. Classic films are hard to come by these days, and after Fargo, there should have been no way for these guys to top themselves. They may just have done that.
Biggest Loser of the Month: The entire Hollywood community. I sympathize with the writers, but I think they fail to understand that there are so many people dealing with home foreclosure, and the realities of a poor economy. At this point, people want their television shows. If they don't get the, then at this point there are so many other options that shows like Heroes and Lost can easily be replaced with DVD's, the internet, and reality shows. And that's just the short list.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: All the delays due to the strike, some better than others. Justice League appears to be on the shelf for now, which is likely for the best. Angels and Demons, expected to be a big summer release in 2009, could also be put off indefinitely. The strike has also ruined a big reunion between Ed Norton and Brad Pitt. I this strike continues, who knows how many other films will be ruined?
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: Tough choice here as I'll be seeing a lot of films this holiday season. The big winner is There Will Be Blood. Paul Thomas Anderson is a great director and Daniel Day-Lewis is one of our best actors who never gets the credit he deserves from mainstream audiences. Plus, this is easily one of the best trailers I've seen this year too.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month:Superbad. A number of good options here, most notably The Simpsons Movie. That film was slightly better, but there are nineteen seasons worth of all of Homer's hijinks. Superbad is one of the most original awkward comedies of the year, and I loved just about all of it. Definitely a great companion piece to Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Classic Movie of the Month: Since, it's Christmas, I'll go with a personal favorite of mine, Scrooged. This is a bit of a precursor to Bad Santa as Bill Murray delivers a great comedic performances. There is also a heartwarming speech at the end given by Murray that is one of the best I've ever seen. Definitely check this one out in all its' over-the-top glory.
Movie Quote of the Month: The great Alan Rickman from another Christmas classic, Die Hard. Hans Gruber: When they land we blow up the roof, they spend a month sifting through rubble, and by the time they work out what went wrong, we'll be sitting on a beach, earning twenty percent.
Owain J. Brimfield
Biggest Winner of the Month: Rough Draft Studios and fans of Futurama, unquestionably. Not that I'm displaying my outrageous bias towards the show or anything. However, the show's resurrection should be enough, along with Family Guy, to prove that in this day and age TV shows may be gone, but they're never dead and buried. A welcome return for one of those shows that really should never have been cancelled.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Fans of TV, thanks to writers who appear to hold more loyalty towards the dollar bill than to their own creative output or their fans. Newsflash: if it weren't for the people who enjoy and consume your work, you'd be getting fuck all monetary compensation for your writing anyway, so quit your whining you materialist pigs [note to the righteous: yes, I am in prime position to judge who is and isn't a materialist pig, due to the fact that I am a big, fat, stinky biznatch of one myself] Get your priorities straight. As a writer, my own priorities are a) pleasing myself and b) pleasing the fans. And I don't have too much of b) to worry about, so I have to do a looooot of self-pleasuring. Ahem. The point being, quit striking already.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: Much as I'd like to put Futurama here as well, I don't want to run roughshod over all the other movie happenings of the month. What's that, there weren't any? Bender's Big Score it is, then.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:I Am Legend, without a doubt. Whether or not they're claiming the movie as a faithful adaptation is probably a moot point, given the casting of Will Smith in the role of a blond, white racist. However, the story itself is strong enough to withstand many permutations (as evidence, may I present The Omega Man), and the trailer does a good job of playing on the suspense and paranoia that should be at the film's heart, rather than dubious action sequences that could threaten to overwhelm. Plus, the Fresh Prince is always good value for money.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month:FUTURAMA, BABY!
Classic Movie of the Month:Kids, Larry Clark's hard-hitting expose of what da yoof culture is all about on da street, yo, nigga, yo, nigga, nigga, nigga, etcetera. As contrived and vacuous as some of the dialogue is, though, and as irritating as the opening twenty minutes or so can be, this is a supremely confident take on twenty four hours in the lives of some of New York's lost souls, with some brutal irony in its closing scenes and some lovingly etched characters. Great cast, too, although you have to wonder if there are laws against getting ten year olds to smoke on screen.
Movie Quote of the Month: "I have no legs, I have no legs" - the man on the subway with, yes, no legs, sings his song in one of Kids' most effective scenes.
James McGee
Biggest Winner of the Month: I haven't seen the flick yet, but I'm frankly shocked that Beowulf has been doing so well both financially and critically. While it isn't an Oscar contender by any means, people seem to be digging it in general. I just hope this funky quasi-animated/quasi-live action deal doesn't become the norm.
Biggest Loser of the Month: It has to be all the people affected by the strike. It isn't just the actors and studio peeps here: think about all the little guys like caterers that make a living off these shows. Then, of course, you have the fan side of things. As our favorite shows start dwindling away, it opens the doors for crappy reality programming and whatever rot the networks can throw together without benefit of a writer. These are dark times indeed…
Biggest Movie News of the Month: Not to sound like a broken record, but the strike wins hands down.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: After a bit of a dry spell, there seems to be a lot of promise this month. It's a close one between Sweeny Todd and I Am Legend, but I'm giving the edge to Will Smith. I'm a huge fan of the Fresh Prince, and this movie just looks to be twelve kinds of awesome.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: On December 11, we get The Jason Bourne Collection, which brings together three films filled with so much explodey, car chasey, face punchy goodness, it should be illegal.
Classic Movie of the Month: It's Christmas time, and that can only mean 24-hour marathons of A Christmas Story. It doesn't get old. It just doesn't. As an alternate, I recommend another Christmas classic: Lethal Weapon…hey, it counts!
Movie Quote of the Month: You used up all the glue on purpose!" The Old Man, A Christmas Story
Bryan Kristopowitz
Biggest Winner of the Month: The Coen Brothers hit it big with critically with "No Country for Old Men." People aren't complaining as much about "Ladykillers" anymore. And Patrick Dempsey, Mr. "Dr. McDreamy" on "Grey's Anatomy" had a hot movie. That's got to count for something.
Biggest Loser of the Month: Vince Vaughn. "Fred Claus," a movie that had a full year of marketing buzz, died a quick and painful death at the box office. When was the last time Vaughn had a bomb this big?
Biggest Movie News of the Month: The WGA Strike actually happening. Everything, from TV shows to movies, is in a kind of limbo. It doesn't get much bigger or more important than that.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: "I Am Legend" looks good, as does "Alvin and the Chipmunks." "Sweeney Todd" should be fun. "There Will Be Blood" and "Charlie Wilson's War" look good, too. And, of course, there's "AVP2." I'll definitely see that.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: "Eastern Promises," "The Simpsons Movie," and the 5-disc "Blade Runner" suitcase set. Who the heck wouldn't want that? I bet people who don't even like "Blade Runner" will want to pick that up.
Classic Movie of the Month: "Trancers 4: Jack of Swords" (1994): Tim Thomerson is back once again as Trancer hunting, time travelling cop from the future Jack Deth, and this time he's fighting medieval Trancers. Basically, they're soul sucking vampires. The Trancer leader is Caliban (Clabe Hartley), a sorcerer of sorts who rules the shot-in-Romania village Deth landed in. Deth teams up with the "Tunnel Rats," the local resistance, and the fight between Trancer hunter and Trancer begins. For a low-budget direct-to-video movie, it's not half bad. Thomerson rocks once again as Jack Deth (watch Deth sword fight. It's hilarious). Hartley is a decent villain. If you do happen to catch this flick, also find "Trancers 5: Sudden Deth," which completes the story started in part 4. Yeah, part 5 isn't as good as part 4, but it's Jack Deth. The real Jack Deth.
Movie Quote of the Month: "You're knocking at Death's door and I've got the goddamn key!"- "Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson)- "Trancers 4: Jack of Swords" (1994)
Arnold Furious
Biggest Winner of the Month: Ridley Scott. After the double failing of Kingdom of Heaven and a Good Year it's a return to success for Ridley. American Gangster was well received, for the most part, and was rewarded with an enormous box office of $115M (to time of writing). KA-CHING! As he produced the movie as well that makes it a double win for Mr Scott.
Biggest Loser of the Month: If we're talking money then it's Noah Baumbach. His second effort Margot at the Wedding did miserably despite good reviews. It could also be bad news for Nicole Kidman who hasn't had a big hit in some time. Probably not since Cold Mountain. Some questionable movies since then.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: The first shots of the sets for Watchmen have been released and they look fantastic. It looks like they've made the graphic novel a reality. Maybe my worst fears were misplaced. I especially like the Richard Nixon campaign photo with MOTHERFUCKIN' RORSCHACH strolling past it.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: Charlie Wilson's War. Really looking forward to this one. Tom Hanks is good in most things and has plenty to get his teeth into here. There are high hopes this could well be one of the year's best pictures.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: The 5-disc Bladerunner set looks pretty swank and I don't even like the movie that much. I've only seen one version so it'd be pretty neat to get that whole ‘complete film' deal.
Classic Movie of the Month: Usual Suspects. I happen to be watching it while I type this. I remember it being good but I don't remember it being this good. I remember a mate of mine telling me it was rubbish without the twist. If you take the twist away nothing happens. Not true sir. The lies upon lies all come with their own character development. And of course the ending leaves you with chills up the spine.
Movie Quote of the Month: "How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?"
Jason Chamberlain
Biggest Winner of the Month:Fans of Futurama! Yet another show comes back from the grave due to fan support! But why couldn't it have happened to Angel.
Biggest Loser of the Month: The writer's strike is still on, so... all of us. All of us.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: The writer's strike. The god damned writer's strike. I'm not cursing the writers. Some of these guys are doing what I'd love to be doing, and they do deserve a lot more respect than they get. But missing out on my favorite TV shows, it flat out sucks! And the longer this goes, the more it's going to hurt the people who make an every day living in the entertainment industry.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month: I Am Legend. I can't wait to see Will Smith kick some zombie ass in a deserted New York!
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: SUPERBAD! I can't wait to get my hands on this movie when it comes out. If you haven't seen it yet, go get it the day it comes out. I'm serious. This movie is laugh-a-minute!
Classic Movie of the Month: White Christmas. It's Christmas time, and this story of a pair of war buddies turned Broadway stars and their plan to turn their old General's failing hotel around is my all time favorite. Bing Crosby. Danny Kaye. Vera Ellen. Rosemary Clooney. And that unforgettable song!
Movie Quote of the Month: "Home by 10. Pants off in front of the computer by 10:05."- Chris Brander's assistant describes his date night in 'Just Friends'.
Ben Moser
Biggest Winner of the Month: Reality TV and Prime Time Game Shows. With the writers strike in full effect, the number of these types of programs have pushed into production is staggering. While I can't wait for the January return of American Gladiators, most of these(including winners like Donald Trump Presents: Lady or a Tramp) make me want to leap off of a tall building.
Biggest Loser of the Month: I totally agree that it's the folks on the outside of the WGA strike that are going without jobs because of it. Many(if not all) are supportive of the writers, which suggests that they're suffering nobly. That doesn't however, make them in any less a tight spot during this holiday season.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: If the WGA strike can make the biggest winner and the biggest loser, it's obviously the biggest news.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:Sweeney Todd may not have me convinced that it's going to be great, but I still am wicked curious about how this is going to turn out.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: If you're at all supportive of the WGA, I recommend not buying any DVD's until the strike is resolved. It's going to make my Christmas list harder to write up, but the studios get no more of my money until the writers are satisfied.
Classic Movie of the Month: Here's what happens when you come in so late with your part of the December roundtable, Scrooged and A Christmas Story get taken. However, they're both superior Christmas movies and I'll probably watch each of them at least 11 times between now and New Year's day.
Movie Quote of the Month: "You left Claire for Frisbee the Dog?" - The Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged
Chad Webb
Biggest Winner of the Month:Going along with what everyone else said, The Coen brothers and Futurama fans are the big victors this month. The unjustly cancelled show returned with a great film, and the Coens have scored what is so far the best film of the year with No Country for Old Men.
Biggest Loser of the Month: I guess it has to be all of us suffering through the writer's strike. Until negotiations actually go somewhere, it can only get worse for television and film.
Biggest Movie News of the Month: Unfortunately I must agree with my colleagues and say that the writer's strike since it happening right now. The last one in 1988 lasted like 22 weeks, so hopefully this one doesn't go that long.
Your Most Anticipated Movie of the Month:Charlie Wilson's War hands down. Tom Hanks is the man in my view, so I can't wait to see what he has in store this year. Other than that though, National Treasure: Book of Secrets for some escapist entertainment, and There Will Be Blood because Paul Thomas Anderson rules.
Recommended DVD Release of the Month: I'm going with Braveheart since a new collector's edition is on the way. Once and Eastern Promises hit stores as well.
Classic Movie of the Month: Since it is December, I will go along with the Christmas movie theme and say Miracle on 34th Street, the 1947 version, since I watched it for the first time a few weeks ago. I had seen parts of the remake, which doesn't hold a candle to this, but the original is truly a delightful motion picture. The films strength rests on the shoulders of Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle. He must be a believable person in this role. He can't seem over the top or artificial. Gwenn succeeds in making just about any viewer think he is Santa. He is warm and amusing, and his Oscar was well deserved. Maureen O'Hara is of course outstanding as Doris Walker, a mother who does not believe in anything fantasy, and has taught her daughter the same. Writer/Director George Seaton approaches the subject with a lighthearted stroke, while raising numerous thought-provoking questions at the same time. That is why this is so revered by all ages. Anyone can find enjoyment by watching it, even the harshest critics.
Movie Quote of the Month: From Miracle on 34th Street: Kris Kringle: "Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it."
