Watch the Watchmen!

Over the weekend I went with a few people to check out the Watchmen. We saw it at the cinema dome at Arclight Hollywood, which was a cool experience in itself. That theater is huge! Anyway, theres been a lot of opinions thrown around about this film from the very beginning of its production. It was deemed unfilmable and even scrapped after a few false starts. Its based on a very influential graphic novel of which I read the majority. So coming into the film I had the perspective of someone familiar with the characters and the themes from the graphic novel but also the curiosity of a newcomer. The real question was how do you make a film for both groups of viewers? The ones who want to see their beloved comic book come to life true to form, and those who just wanted to see a super-hero movie. In the end, I think it was difficult to satisfy both. As a movie goer, I really actually enjoyed this film. I think its easy to get caught up in the back story of a film production and miss the point of movies in the first place - entertainment. I decided to put aside what I knew about the film and just come into it with an open mind. Sure some parts could have been better. The subtle nuances of the novel's subplots are lost, and certain performances leaving you disappointed. If you just sit back and enjoy the visual aspect of the film and invest what you can into the characters, (Rorsach was great!) then you will enjoy this film more. I would say to go see it despite what you've heard. Yoou might be surprised.

Coraline: Review

I finally had the chance to catch Coraline with Melissa on Saturday night. All I can say is uhhh-mazing! This film is beautiful and entertaining. Its worth seeing in 3d too, it wasn't too distracting. The detail in the facial animation blew me away. And as a side note, I found it funny that she's from Michigan. Go see it, you wont be disappointed!
Also, check out the panel discussion about the crew's creative process on the film:

Oh yeah, and the Dark Knight...

I went to see the latest Batman installment a couple weeks ago when it opened. I even got to see it in IMAX in Las Vegas with a bunch of friends. I didnt write anything about it because it seems pretty pointless... theres so many reviews and stuff about it online already that it really didnt make sense to do another one. So I'll keep it real short. Lets just say that I liked it. A lot. And the IMAX was awesome. Well worth it. I'm just waiting to see what kind of records it breaks next..

Hulk Opens Strong

I had a chance to check out the film yesterday for the first time on opening night with the whole family. We enjoyed it and critics have been giving it decent reviews. I worked on the University Raid sequence and also a shot in the final fight where Hulk stabs the Abomination. Heres the trailer and some other stuff..




2 o'clock Critics - The Incredible Hulk from RedFence on Vimeo.

Go check it out! I hope everybody enjoys it, we all put alot of work into this one.

Bigger Faster Stronger

I had the chance to check out a screening of this documentary film at the Arclight in Hollywood last night. Bigger Fast Stronger takes a hard look at steroid use in American culture and how it affects our self image. Its a very thought provoking and well laid out story told through one family's struggle with the moral and ethical implications of doping. Its a very socially responsible film which allows the viewers to really make up their own minds about the issues presented. It had 100% on rotten tomatoes yesterday when it opened in LA and New York, which is amazing. I really feel like it earned this mark and I'm not just saying that because one of my good high school friends Brian Singbiel was the editor on this project. It really is eye opening. Everyone should check out this film. Here is the trailer:

DA da DA DA!! Indy makes his return to the big screen

I went into this movie really excited. I had high hopes. Maybe too high. I mean come on - its been 20 years since this franchise was in theaters, but the impression it left on my generation is profound. Would it live up to my expectations?

I went to see this film on Friday, a day after its long anticipated release. It opened well, everything felt right, but then, it happened. About 3/4 of the way through the picture, after stretching the already loose sense of reality that is the Indiana Jones legacy, Shia LeBouf got snarled in a dense tangle of vines and began to swing from one vine to another, along with a family of monkeys. At that point, I was taken out of the film. Really? He's really swinging like Tarzan above the jungle? And he lands perfectly amidst an ongoing car chase/battle? Give me a break. I had to laugh. At that moment, the movie jumped the shark and the rest of the ocean and never really looked back. The plot continued to get more and more ridiculous and as much as I enjoyed watching it, I dont think I would sit through it again. Or maybe my hopes were a little too high.

Go Speed Racer

(image: yahoo movies)

In keeping up with the summer movie season, I went to check out Speed Racer this past weekend, the new anime adaptation from the Wachowski "siblings". Although it got a good deal of bad press and only pulled in a lousy 20 Million at the box office over the weekend, I actually like this movie quite a bit.

The pure imagination that went into this film is what really struck me about it. I was thinking to myself while I was watching it - "This is so impossible. A car could never do that, the G force would be too much, gravity doesnt work like that...etc." But thats what makes it so great! If you are going to go over the top on a movie, go all the way. And thats just what the Wachowskis did. You dont go to see an action adventure movie like this hoping that it could all take place in the real world. Its an escape. A glimpse into another universe.

Speed Racer was fun and worth seeing in the theater if not for the colors, then for experience of the speed and danger that it brings to the screen. Don't take my word for it though, you can watch the first 8 minutes online courtesy of yahoo movies.

Iron Man

I've been pretty excited to see Iron Man for a little while now, at least a couple months. On friday night I finally had the chance to see it with a bunch of friends, and it didnt disappoint! I loved this movie. It was action packed from start to finish, with enough of a storyline to keep it going. I had the feeling that this movie was going to be big. It turns out the it did around 100 million in ticket sales this opening weekend. I can only hope Hulk, Marvel's second movie produced will do as well. The new trailer played in front of Iron man and it got a pretty good response. Its gonna be a great summer movie season with Indiana Jones and Speed Racer coming up as well. I cant wait!

The Orphanage

I dont usually go to the movies on Monday night. Last Monday night was different. I went to see this film at the West side Pavillion with Melissa and a few other people from work. I have to say it was well worth it! What a film. It is produced by the same guy who directed Pan's Labrinyth and carries alot of the same intensity. The story is a dark twist on the Peter Pan fable. It does a great job of creating a scary and intense experience without resorting to obscene violence and gore. Eli Roth should take note. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Go see this one!

Into the Wild: Review

So last Friday, desperate to make something of a weekend which I had to work the entirety of, Melissa and I decided to check out the new film from Sean Penn called into the wild. The trailer and website looked great, and the story seemed interesting. The basic plot revolves around a guy named Chris who gets fed up with the materialistic society he lives in and drops everything to hitchhike across the country, ultimately landing in Alaska. Halfway through I realized that this is was the story about what my dad had talked about doing for years - just going into the woods and living alone amongst nature.
With a running time of almost 3 hours, this picture began to drag right after it becomes obvious that there is no real conflict in the film. The main character, although based on real life events was hard to sympathize with. Just like a roman candle that shoots sparkles and dies, this movie traveled in a pretty straight line to the end where I felt a little enlightened, but also really tired. I think this one is better as a rental. Interesting philosophy but dry entertainment. I'd give it 2/5 stars, that is if I had a rating system of my own.