Comedy has got to be the toughest genre of film to be in. The main reason for it? A good joke is only funny once. This could be argued of course, but originality is definitely important. Judd Apatow has been, remarkably, at the top of his game for a decade or more...it just took American moviegoers ten years to realize it. Most comedy teams peak and crash in less than five years: Todd Phillips of 'Road Trip', 'Old School', and 'Starsky and Hutch'; David Zucker of 'Police Academy' and 'Naked Gun' (some would argue he is back with all those, 'Date Movie', 'Epic Movie', 'Disaster Movie' things people call comedies. Personally, I find them insulting and believe the world would be a better place without them). Even the Farrely brothers stuck around for longer than I expected. But Mr. Apatow has been making people burst their bellies for awhile now. Most recently with 'Pineapple Express', a stoner, buddy, and surprisingly good action flick about two losers who get caught up in a world of murder, drugs, and corrupt cops. It was, in the words of James Lipton: "A delight!" I'll get back to Judd Apatow in a minute, but let me recognize a few other comedy movie mainstays.
Adam Sandler. Who would have thought the star of 'Billy Madison' and 'Happy Gilmore' would have such longevity? I love his two earlier movies a lot, because I more or less grew up with them, but he continues to adapt to moviegoers needs, and that's why 'You Don't Mess with the Zohan' was really funny, 'Click' had the perfect mix of laughs and emotion (Christopher Walken certainly helps), and 'Mr. Deeds' was a delightful re imagining of an old classic. Even his company, Happy Madison Productions, has put out several hidden gems...most notably 'Benchwarmers' and 'Grandma's Boy'. Unlike Mr. Mike Meyers or Eddie Murphy, Sandler doesn't need to recycle old jokes or play every character to be funny.
Mel Brooks. Sure, he hasn't really done a lot lately, but his work speaks for itself: 'Blazing Saddles', 'Young Frankenstein', 'History of the World Part One', 'Spaceballs', 'Robin Hood: Men in Tights'...and the original movie based on a play based on a movie about a play, 'The Producers'. Mel Brooks is the king of parody, and in his own words: "It's good to be da King!"
Woody Allen. He is an acquired taste, no doubt, but if you like him, you love him. Go see 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' or go rent 'Sleeper' or 'Curse of the Jade Scorpion' and decide for yourself, but 30 years of film making and he can still make me laugh.
Joel and Ethan Coen. Yes, it's violent, but I've never laughed harder. That's what I would say about 'Fargo'. Sure, my hometown is bordered with Fargo, but I know just as many people from the area who disliked it for the same reasons I loved it. 'Raising Arizona', 'O Brother Where Art Thou', and the unforgettable, endlessly quotable 'The Big Lebowski'. The Coen's are true artisan masters in any genre, but dark comedy seems to be their most frequent playing ground. 'Burn After Reading' is one of the best character driven films I've seen in years, you won't laugh all the way through it, but it's absolutely hilarious. The best part about these guys? They did it, and they did it their way.
Judd Apatow is definitely on my list now. 'Anchorman', '40 Year Old Virgin', 'Knocked Up', 'Talladega Nights', 'Step Brothers', 'Superbad', and most recently 'Pineapple Express'. If you haven't familiarized yourself with any of these movies, I suggest you do so immediately. There is something in there for everyone, you just have to find it. Before the weekend is out, get in a good laugh, it might just be what you need!
The Movie Doc
10.24.2008
10.22.2008
Comics and Movies
Who is your favorite superhero? Personally I like The Flash because I identify with the character, and also because he's unique. The number of people I've seen with Superman tattoos is beyond counting, but I could probably count the number of Flash tattoos I've seen on one hand. Comics and movies have evolved together, from the hayday of comic superheroes 50 years ago to the resurgence of comics today. Sorry, I meant to say graphic novels (that is what they call them now right?). What I'm enjoying most about the new films is really how different they are. Nobody is going to argue that 'Batman Begins' and 'Sin City' are very different, especially when it comes to style. What most moviegoers don't realize is that 'Year One', the comic the new Batman series is inspired by, and 'Sin City' were both done by Frank Miller. What makes them different is how the films were executed. Films like 'Sin City', '300', and the upcoming 'The Spirit' and 'Watchmen' have given us a brand new style of film that I for one hope continues. These filmmakers have taken a more literal approach in order to make their films look and feel more like you're watching a world that couldn't exist within our own. They are able to transport you to different eras, and places straight out of imagination or a dream.
Some superhero movies take place in our world, but have a much more adventuresome feel, like 'Iron Man', 'The Incredible Hulk', and the 'Superman' franchise. In my opinion these films give us the feeling of the classic hero, the kind of things you want on your pajamas or bedsheets. The thing these films have in common above all else is their improbability: it's unlikely an alien from another world will crash land on Earth and become the world's foremost fighter of injustice. The same could be said of the 'X-Men' or even of my favorite, 'The Flash'.
Probably the best comic franchise out today is the Batman series. Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale have created a realistic world where evil is so prevalent, that one man takes it upon himself to clean up the city. While the city itself and the characters in it are fictional, the filmmakers and actors have created such real environments and personalities that at times it doesn't seem fictional. Heath Ledger's powerful turn as the anarchist psychopath Joker in 'The Dark Knight' is so profound and real it's actually scary. Christian Bale as the multi-faceted Bruce Wayne/Batman is also really fun to watch, especially his take on Bruce Wayne trust fund baby, and Bruce Wayne the man. And lastly, Christopher Nolan's ability to turn a fictional city into a believable playground of evil is second to none. It's no wonder other film franchises are changing (unnecessarily) to be more like these two movies.
Based on their history, it is only fair to assume that the future of film and the future of comics will forever be intertwined, continuing to give us new stories, new characters, and new styles altogether. Tune in next time for another exciting entry, same Bat time, same Bat channel!
The Movie Doc
Some superhero movies take place in our world, but have a much more adventuresome feel, like 'Iron Man', 'The Incredible Hulk', and the 'Superman' franchise. In my opinion these films give us the feeling of the classic hero, the kind of things you want on your pajamas or bedsheets. The thing these films have in common above all else is their improbability: it's unlikely an alien from another world will crash land on Earth and become the world's foremost fighter of injustice. The same could be said of the 'X-Men' or even of my favorite, 'The Flash'.
Probably the best comic franchise out today is the Batman series. Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale have created a realistic world where evil is so prevalent, that one man takes it upon himself to clean up the city. While the city itself and the characters in it are fictional, the filmmakers and actors have created such real environments and personalities that at times it doesn't seem fictional. Heath Ledger's powerful turn as the anarchist psychopath Joker in 'The Dark Knight' is so profound and real it's actually scary. Christian Bale as the multi-faceted Bruce Wayne/Batman is also really fun to watch, especially his take on Bruce Wayne trust fund baby, and Bruce Wayne the man. And lastly, Christopher Nolan's ability to turn a fictional city into a believable playground of evil is second to none. It's no wonder other film franchises are changing (unnecessarily) to be more like these two movies.
Based on their history, it is only fair to assume that the future of film and the future of comics will forever be intertwined, continuing to give us new stories, new characters, and new styles altogether. Tune in next time for another exciting entry, same Bat time, same Bat channel!
The Movie Doc
10.16.2008
The Soundtrack to my Life
Music and film have been intertwined since film's inception. Silent films should not be undermined because they are old and you can't hear what the actors are saying. The musical scores of silent films are what drove the emotion, 'The Phantom of the Opera', 'Wings', 'Nasferatu', 'The Tramp', these are still great movies. They are made well, yes, but they all utilize music in the best ways possible. Scores throughout time have made us cry, as with 'Casablanca' and they've made our hearts beat out of our chests a la 'Psycho'. In the last 30 years one man has made himself known to us all, even if you don't know his name. John Williams is the king of the musical score, if you don't believe me try watching any of these on mute:
JAWS
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Superman
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Harry Potter
Heck, the 'Superman' DVD has a feature where you can watch the movie with only the musical score. John Williams is also the most nominated living person in the history of the Academy Awards. Other composers, like Danny Elfman (Batman, Pee-Wee, Spiderman) have also moved us with their thrilling scores. They are, in my opinion, our Beethoven's, our Mozart's. These movies would be far less superior without the pivotal role of the musical score. But does a movie need an original score to be great? Of course not.
When Quentin Tarentino utilizes a song, you'll remember it forever: 'Reservoir Dogs', 'Pulp Fiction', and most recently his 'Death Proof' are great examples. Other films are made by the use of generational soundtracks, like 'American Graffiti' or 'Dazed and Confused'. They are basically the same movie, only twenty years apart, and nothing makes them more different than the music. I know I'm not the only person who thinks: 'If my life were a movie, this song would be in it.' You can be visually moved in one way, but music can enhance that, and vice versa. If someone mentions 'Singin' in the Rain', I could think of Gene Kelly and smile...or I could think of 'A Clockwork Orange' and shudder. I would touch on musicals, but that's another post altogether, just remember to enjoy the music in a film as much as you enjoy the soundtrack to your own life.
The Movie Doc
JAWS
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Superman
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Harry Potter
Heck, the 'Superman' DVD has a feature where you can watch the movie with only the musical score. John Williams is also the most nominated living person in the history of the Academy Awards. Other composers, like Danny Elfman (Batman, Pee-Wee, Spiderman) have also moved us with their thrilling scores. They are, in my opinion, our Beethoven's, our Mozart's. These movies would be far less superior without the pivotal role of the musical score. But does a movie need an original score to be great? Of course not.
When Quentin Tarentino utilizes a song, you'll remember it forever: 'Reservoir Dogs', 'Pulp Fiction', and most recently his 'Death Proof' are great examples. Other films are made by the use of generational soundtracks, like 'American Graffiti' or 'Dazed and Confused'. They are basically the same movie, only twenty years apart, and nothing makes them more different than the music. I know I'm not the only person who thinks: 'If my life were a movie, this song would be in it.' You can be visually moved in one way, but music can enhance that, and vice versa. If someone mentions 'Singin' in the Rain', I could think of Gene Kelly and smile...or I could think of 'A Clockwork Orange' and shudder. I would touch on musicals, but that's another post altogether, just remember to enjoy the music in a film as much as you enjoy the soundtrack to your own life.
The Movie Doc
Star Wars
Hello there, as I said before I don't have a favorite particular movie, but if it were based solely on number of watches it would definitely be 'Star Wars IV: A New Hope'. This is also due to my mother having a poor bootleg copy that she would watch constantly despite the quality, and my own intrigues toward science fiction and mythology. When it first came out in May, 1977 'Star Wars' blew everyone away. Well I was born the year 'Return of the Jedi' came out, so naturally I didn't have the choice opportunity to see it in theaters...until 1997 with the release of the 'Special Editions'. I enjoy the revamped versions, and am grateful I was able to see it proper on the big screen, but the original version is still the best and for one reason only: It's the original!
Having grown up with special effects and the advancements they've made, I feel 'Star Wars' still holds it's own despite wooden dialogue and generally poor direction. The story itself is timeless and the characters, places, and objects are all so very unique. I know I am a total nerd when it comes to this stuff, but so is George Lucas and nobody is going to fault him for it. What teenager wouldn't want to fly off with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo aboard the 'fastest ship in the galaxy'? A classic tale of good vs. evil, with a wizard, a young hero, a brash cowboy, and a princess. Not to mention the coolest bad guy ever in the form of the mysterious Darth Vader. In my opinion, everyone on this planet should watch 'Star Wars'. You don't have to watch the other five, just watch the original, you will be a better person for it and if you feel up to it, check out the others. Perhaps later I will write about the sequels, and if I do that I'll have to cover the prequels, but for now, take the time to pick up the first adventure of Luke Skywalker, you won't regret it. That's all for now, and 'May the Force be with you!'
The Movie Doc
Having grown up with special effects and the advancements they've made, I feel 'Star Wars' still holds it's own despite wooden dialogue and generally poor direction. The story itself is timeless and the characters, places, and objects are all so very unique. I know I am a total nerd when it comes to this stuff, but so is George Lucas and nobody is going to fault him for it. What teenager wouldn't want to fly off with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo aboard the 'fastest ship in the galaxy'? A classic tale of good vs. evil, with a wizard, a young hero, a brash cowboy, and a princess. Not to mention the coolest bad guy ever in the form of the mysterious Darth Vader. In my opinion, everyone on this planet should watch 'Star Wars'. You don't have to watch the other five, just watch the original, you will be a better person for it and if you feel up to it, check out the others. Perhaps later I will write about the sequels, and if I do that I'll have to cover the prequels, but for now, take the time to pick up the first adventure of Luke Skywalker, you won't regret it. That's all for now, and 'May the Force be with you!'
The Movie Doc
In the beginning...
So every blog has got to start somewhere, and as the self proclaimed 'Movie Doc' I should probably tell you why I am qualified to write these postings. At only 25 years old I have a pretty substantial wealth of movie knowledge in my head and it all began in my hometown of Moorhead, MN, with a store called Video Land. It was the first video store in town and it was owned by my parents, so naturally we watched a lot of films. I was exposed at an early age to everything from Casablanca to The Godfather. I should say, my love of films is also genetic, as my mother's parents owned a drive-in and it was my father's dad that got them into the early video business. My stepdad also was a huge movie fan, and by the time I was in high school our video collection topped the 500 mark. I also worked at a movie theater for over two years in high school and it was a blast. And almost 10 years later, my own DVD collection is at 300+...and I've sold a lot of them that I don't watch frequently, as well as dealing with the occasional thief. (They always take the good ones!)
I can and do quote movies frequently and with stellar accuracy, just ask any of my friends or family. And now, I am pursuing a career in the film business myself. I love to act in, write, direct, edit, and above all watch movies more than I ever did as a kid. Being the kind of guy I am, the most asked question I get is: "What is your favorite movie?" And I am honest when I say I don't actually know, I have varying favorites based on genre, filmmaker, actor, etc. My goal with this blog is to review not only some of my favorites, but also some that I feel don't quite make the grade. I know not everyone will agree with my postings, and feel free to argue otherwise, but individuals are just that and everyone has their likes and dislikes, so don't take mine personally. Other than that, sit back, relax, maybe grab some popcorn and an ice cold Coke, and enjoy!
The Movie Doc
I can and do quote movies frequently and with stellar accuracy, just ask any of my friends or family. And now, I am pursuing a career in the film business myself. I love to act in, write, direct, edit, and above all watch movies more than I ever did as a kid. Being the kind of guy I am, the most asked question I get is: "What is your favorite movie?" And I am honest when I say I don't actually know, I have varying favorites based on genre, filmmaker, actor, etc. My goal with this blog is to review not only some of my favorites, but also some that I feel don't quite make the grade. I know not everyone will agree with my postings, and feel free to argue otherwise, but individuals are just that and everyone has their likes and dislikes, so don't take mine personally. Other than that, sit back, relax, maybe grab some popcorn and an ice cold Coke, and enjoy!
The Movie Doc
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