DECEMBER07

Photo Courtesy © MGM

The Mist

Directed by: Frank Darabont

Written by: Frank Darabont (screenplay), Stephen King (short story)

Starring: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher, Toby Jones, William Sadler, Alexa Davalos and Sam Witwer.

This movie turned out to be way more exciting than I originally expected. And it wasn’t because of the superb filmmaking or the wonderful storytelling; nope, it had more to do with the movie going audience in my theater. I’m sure you know what happens whenever a guy calls another guy a “pussy”—all of a sudden everyone goes “Oooohhhhhh.” Yes sir, a fight broke out about 30 minutes into The Mist. For all of you out there that have witnessed such an event all I can say is “Man, that was fun,” especially when the fucker deserved to get the shit kicked out of him. I just wish that it had happened after the movie and not during a crucial plot development scene.

The reason why I’m condoning theater violence all of a sudden is because the guy getting beat up was also the guy that wouldn’t shut the fuck up half an hour after the movie had started. You know what I’m talking about? That annoying couple that thinks the movie theater is an extension of their living room. Unfortunately, they had to find out the hard way that if you are going to act like tough guys and dare someone to shut you up, expect that your wish might come true. This time around a 6’2 man with a very impressive build granted their wish. (Note to all pubescent movie hecklers: think twice before calling someone a pussy in the dark!!!)

Considering all of the commotion, it’s a good thing that I read the short story before watching the film otherwise I would have been really pissed. The Mist is based on an amazing short story by renowned fiction writer Stephen King. Sadly, the movie falls short (much like previous attempts to adapt other Stephen King stories for the screen). The story deals with a town that is taken over by a mysterious mist. Hidden inside the mist are creatures that seem to come from another dimension—all of them are deadly, some more gruesome than others. Trapped inside the town’s main grocery store, more then 40 people fight to stay alive. Inside that supermarket their wills, morals and survival instincts are put to the test. In a hopeless situation only a few are able to find the strength to survive.

I love the story, which is why I had my hesitations when I heard that they were adapting it into a film and Steven Spielberg wasn’t directing it. I’m not saying that the movie was terrible, I’m just saying that it falls way short of the story it’s based on. My biggest complaint with the film has got to be the crappy CGI effects. Someone in Hollywood-land should really write a law that says “Only the following directors are allowed to use CGI in their films: Steven Spielberg, Guillermo Del Toro, Tim Burton and Peter Jackson—everybody else has got to go back to film school and learn how to use special effects to compliment (not destroy) their film.”

A good friend of mine pointed out that in the short story the mist looks just like a wall that moves in a straight line and since there are no straight lines in nature one automatically assumes that this was not your everyday mist. Unfortunately this is not used in the film version; instead the director chooses to use a cheesy CGI mist that engulfs everything in the town all at once. The director also changed the ending but don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it for you (instead ill let you decide which is the better ending). Fortunately those are the only two things that writer-director Frank Darabont changed from the original story—everything else stays true to Stephen King’s vision.

Frank Darabont is no first timer when it comes to adapting and directing Stephen King stories. Both The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption are his earlier King-related successes (as well as underrated The Majestic which is not a Stephen King story but still a great film).

I think this is the reason why The Mist is not a total washout, because the director is able to recreate the tension and desperation felt in the book, and the casting was dead on. Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden and Andre Braugher were particularly great.

Darabont does drama very well but he fails to recreate both the terrifying look of the creatures and the magnitude of their presence on the screen. Personally, I would have shot the film using more of a documentary feel—less like a movie and more like The Blair Witch meets 28 Days Later. But even though the director drops the ball with the special effects, I still think that you will enjoy the film if you give it a chance. And who knows? Maybe a fight will break out in your theater.

NOVEMBER07

Photo Courtesy © Focus Features

Lust, Caution (2007)

Directed by: Ang Lee

Written by: Eileen Chang and James Schamus.

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Wei Tang, Joan Chen, Lee-Hom Wang, Chung Hua Tou, Chih-ying Chu, Ying-hsien Kao, Yue-Lin Ko, Johnson Yuen and Kar Lok Chin.

Lately, I’m beginning to notice a pattern in the quality of work directed by Ang Lee.

The pattern is very simple to understand: he makes one very good film followed by one not so good. Brokeback Mountain sits in the very good category; Lust, Caution, unfortunately, finds itself in the not so good section.

Now, before you cancel any plans to see the film because of my previous statements, I want to make sure you understand my reasons for not loving the movie. The primary reason why I’m labeling the movie mediocre at best is due to my high expectations of Ang Lee. In a way, you could say that the fault lies equally with us both—it is his fault for making awesome movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain, Eat Drink Man Woman, The Wedding Banquet, just to name a few, and mine for thinking that every new film he makes will be his next masterpiece.

Lust, Caution, in theory, has all of the makings of a masterpiece but when the film ends you feel like there was still so much more to be said. The actors are superb, the cinematography beautiful and the mood is just right, but the story lacks substance or direction. There are not enough twists and turns to make the film a full-blown suspense movie and yet there is not enough romance for it to be labeled truly “erotic.” These have been the film’s two main selling points in Lust, Caution’s marketing campaign and yet in the end neither succeeds.

NOVEMBER07

Radiohead – In Rainbows

With six albums and a countless number of hits under their belts, our daring musical heroes have come back to give us a pot of gold at the end of In Rainbows. In a move that can only be called visionary, Radiohead has decided to use this new release as an opportunity to cut out “the middle man” (i.e. the record label) and bring you their music direct. So what does this mean to the eager consumer like you and me? Well, simply put, you name your own price. After fulfilling their record contract with Emi/Capitol, our favorite English lads have become free agents, masters of their own domain, so to speak. While this doesn’t mean that they will never go back to a label, temporarily they are the ones calling all of the shots.

Radiohead’s 7^th studio album, In Rainbows, is a beautiful collection of feelings and emotions that opens with a rush of electronic beats that take you to a world called “15 Step,” where dream-like landscapes are filled with the cheer and approval of little children. From a great opening we move on to the catchiest guitar riff on the album, the classic Radiohead formula of blood, sweat, tears and great rock and roll. “Bodysnatchers” will cause your body to perform strange sudden movements know in the medical world as dancing. After such an energetic pair of songs there’s nothing better than letting yourself drop and relax in the “Nude,” a meditation in bass lines, vocals and the wonderings of strumming that slides between the guitar strings filling your life with reason. This is by far one of my favorite Radiohead tracks ever, quite possibly a perfect song.

Picking up the pace, an arpeggio leads the way in “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi,” a rhythm delicacy that gets eaten by the worms and weird fishes. Guitar and orchestra strings playfully contrast Thom Yorke’s angelic voice in “Faust Arp” and “Reckoner” is a gradual melodic buildup that leaves the orchestra with the final word. In “House Of Cards” you will be transported to an intimate setting that puts you in the room with the band. This is one of Thom Yorke’s classic vocal performances—simply amazing. “Jigsaw Falling into Place” is the last rocking song on the album, with a catchy drumbeat and a smooth bass line and one last reminder of why Radiohead is the band of our generation.

Just like with any great story, “Videotape” is the song that provides the great ending. As the piano resonates to a sad farewell, a rainbow slowly fades and the curtain starts to come down. The last bit of lyrics sung provide us with some comfort and closure: “no matter what happens now you shouldn’t be afraid, because I know today has been the most perfect day I’ve ever seen.” Regardless of what critics might say, “In Rainbows” is Radiohead’s most personal and musically mature album to date. It is a perfect example of how a great band can continue to reinvent itself, choosing to move on and boldly go where no band has gone before rather than sticking to the same formulas and sounds that gave them commercial success. So go ahead, name your price, download In Rainbows and enjoy.

http://www.inrainbows.com/

OCTOBER07

“Dexter” (Season One)

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, Lauren Vélez, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Devon Graye

Since our three favorite cable shows “Entourage”, “Flight of the Conchords” and “Big Love” are all wrapped up for the season, you could say that we were in desperate need of something new to fill the void in our TV weeknights. Up to now there was no reason to justify the addition of Showtime to our DirecTV package (yes, admittedly, “Weeds” is a very good reason but we needed at least one more). Of course, all of that changed once “Dexter” came into the picture for the second time.

Let us explain. Originally, we saw the first two episodes when they first aired last year; unfortunately we weren’t convinced of the show’s potential so we chose to forget about “Dexter.” Which leads us to the change of heart we experienced just weeks before the beginning of Season 2 when we gave the show a second chance and guess what? This time around it grew on us and by the end of the second Netflix disc, one of us (guess who?) was already online hitting the “Buy now” button at Amazon.com.

So, without further ado here are some of the reasons why “Dexter” now has a place on our TiVo. For starters, not only is the premise of the show unlike anything that’s ever been on TV, but Michael C. Hall renders the performance of his life, giving the character of Dexter an entirely new spin on the common serial killer. We can attest that Hall carries the show from beginning to end and there is no one that can play this role quite like him (after all, he already made death interesting once before). Dexter follows his own “moral” code when choosing his victims, which was instilled by his stepfather, who was an ever-present influence in his life, thus setting him apart from any other serial killer on film or TV.

Dexter lives a double life and the show balances this in a seamless way as he attempts to have an intimate relationship for the first time in his life at the same time that he’s committing cold-blooded murder on a weekly basis. Dexter is never just one thing, and despite his admission that he feels nothing, he’s sarcastic, he’s shy, he’s witty, he’s caring, he’s smart, he’s neat, and he’s deadly. Although having a narrator on the show isn’t an original idea, on “Dexter” it adds humor and lightness to some very heavy, dramatic moments, providing insight into the thoughts of this modern day executioner of sorts.

The show’s only weakness lies in some of the supporting cast members’ characters, primarily the homicide detectives and forensics specialists. But give them a chance and you will start to like them despite the initial cheesy, unbelievable factor that they give off in the first couple of episodes. Did we mention that “Dexter” is set in Miami, FL? It is a serial killers paradise—full of beautiful bodies, warm weather and lots and lots of inept police officers. The most memorable twist in the show comes early on with the introduction of Dexter’s nemesis/admirer, the vicious Ice Truck Killer, and the cat and mouse game that ensues will keep you entertained until the closing moments of season one.

One fair warning is that Dexter is not for the faint-hearted or anyone with a queasy stomach. There is definitely blood and violence involved, but once you are hooked you will start seeing things the way Dexter does: blood is just another fact of life. He lives and breathes blood, it is his life and work, and being a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department seems a fitting day job for our favorite serial killer.

Juan Marcos Percy

Marta Canaan

SEPTEMBER07

The Assassination of Richard Nixon

Directed by: Niels Mueller

Written by: Kevin Kennedy and Niels Mueller

Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Don Cheadle, Jack Thompson, Brad William Henke, Nick Searcy and Michael Wincott.

“Samuel Joseph Byck (January 30, 1930 – February 22, 1974) was an unemployed former tire salesman who attempted to hijack a plane flying out of Baltimore-Washington International Airport on February 22, 1974. He intended to crash into the White House in hopes of killing U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. Byck first came to the notice of the Secret Service in 1972 when he threatened Nixon, whom he had resented ever since the Small Business Administration had turned him down for a loan. Byck had also sent bizarre tape recordings to various other public figures including Jonas Salk, Abraham Ribicoff and Leonard Bernstein, and tried to join the Black Panthers. However, the Secret Service considered Byck to be harmless, and no action was taken.” (According to the Samuel Byck page on Wikipedia).

In order to understand Samuel Joseph Byck and what he did, you must first try to understand how he got to that point. After all, this is the reason for the film—not to pay tribute to the man or to linger in the retelling of a failed assassination. More importantly, the film is insight into the life of a man who had had it with the system—one more forgotten citizen of a great nation.

I think everyone can relate to the circumstances that eventually drive Sam over the edge. This is why the film is so powerful (and the reason why you understand while not necessarily approve his actions)—a tragic story brought to life by the powerful performances of Sean Penn and its wonderful supporting cast. Naomi Watts plays Marie Andersen Bicke, Sam’s ex-wife and mother to four of his children. It’s their separation that causes the greatest strain on Sam’s psyche. Don Cheadle plays Bonny Simmons, the only person that still believed in Sam and pays the price for it. Sam uses Bonny Simmons’s gun to take the plane hostage and it’s the rejection of funds for their startup company by the Small Business Administration that causes Sam to finally loose it.

Even thought Sam Byck was an emotionally troubled individual, his life proved a very important point. You can’t expect to keep crapping on people and hope that they will just take it simply because you think that they are afraid to speak up. The movie is full of memorable quotes but my favorite by far is “Slavery never really ended in this country. It just gave it another name. Employee.” In a way Sam’s story is as relevant today as it was back in the 70s (which is probably one of the reasons why Penn took on the role), but we can only hope that Mr. Bush and his cronies don’t inspire a million Sam Joseph Bycks.

AUGUST07

Photo Courtesy © Fox Searchlight Pictures

Sunshine (2007)

Directed by: Danny Boyle

Written by: Alex Garland

Starring: Cliff Curtis, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rose Byrne, Benedict Wong, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, and Mark Strong.

Everyone needs a little bit of sunshine in their lives. I know I do, since good Sci-fi is so hard to come by these days. Of course, by now it’s no secret that I’m a hardcore science fiction freak (notice I said freak and not geek, there is a difference). It’s also no secret that I love Danny Boyle and everything he puts on film, and on a CD. Which brings me to Sunshine, Danny Boyle’s latest attempt at revitalizing a seemingly forgotten genre.

This time he’s tackling “Science Fiction;” a couple of years ago he managed to do something similar for zombie films with 28 Days Later. The film opens with a chilling monologue by the ship's resident physicist, Cappa, played by Cillian Murphy, 50 years into the future as Icarus II races to the sun on a last chance mission to save the dying star. Our brave crew is now entering unknown territory and the constant reminder of the failure and disappearance of the Icarus I mission is making everyone very uneasy. The ship’s bomb is meant to cause a disruption and the eventual decay of what scientists call a "Q-ball, a super symmetric nucleus, left over from the big bang that is disrupting the normal matter of the sun” (according to the Sunshine page on IMDB).

Seven years earlier, Icarus I departed from earth to perform the task that was going to save humanity from the dying sun. For reasons unknown the mission was lost along with the whereabouts of the crew and any chance to contact the ship. As Icarus II approaches the unforgiving sun they stumble on a distress signal that was sent seven years earlier by the failed Icarus I mission. Curious to find out what happened to the failed mission the crew starts to make the necessary preparations to intercept Icarus I and its valuable payload (figuring that two bombs are better than one). This is the point in the movie where the pace takes a drastic change and the director puts into play all of the elements he’s been building up. Suddenly you are thrown into a non-stop thrill ride with an unforgettable climax.

Another interesting tidbit from the IMDB Sunshine Trivia page, and one that ultimately shapes how you view the movie: “Alex Garland wrote the film as a "love letter" to psychologically-minded science-fiction, and also a film about atheism and "meeting God.” He and director Danny Boyle differed in their interpretation of this aspect of this film, but found this did not affect the content of the movie. Garland remarks that they had reached "the same two interpretations that could be made from the world around us.” Playing God and fighting forces that we do not understand are the underlined themes that lead us to the film’s climax. It is therefore important to understand the symbolism of the name Icarus and the role that good and evil play in the movie. Most critics criticize the movie for its disappointing ending but I can guarantee that if you see the film with an open mind then you will love the ride. This of course is the key to enjoying the film—after all, it is science fiction.

Sunshine opened to only 10 screens in the U.S. on its opening weekend. Unfortunately, this is something that continues to happen to Danny Boyle’s movies. But we can take comfort in the fact that the movie grossed a whopping $242,964 dollars that first weekend (per screen average). Just to give you an idea of the magnitude of that accomplishment: per screen average for Spiderman 3 was $315,545 on 318 screens and Shrek 3 grossed $384,110 on 408 screens. Let’s hope that these impressive numbers give the movie a wider release here in the U.S. I can’t wait for the next Danny Boyle feature, until then I will gladly enjoy the series of sci-fi movies that will get green-lighted thanks to the success of Sunshine.

“Battlestar Galactica” (2004 – 2008)

Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Grace Park, Katee Sackhoff, Aaron Douglas, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh Penikett, Kandyse McClure, Alessandro Juliani, Nicki Clyne, Bodie Olmos, Leah Cairns, Paul Campbell, Michael Trucco, Kate Vernon, Lucy Lawless, Dean Stockwell, Matthew Bennett, Callum Keith Rennie and Richard Hatch.

(My wife and I decided to write this review together since we are both obsessed with the Sci-Fi Channel’s “Battlestar Galactica.”)

“Battlestar Galactica,” a truly epic sci-fi TV show in the making and you’re just in time to catch the dramatic series conclusion. The 4^th season of BSG is scheduled to begin at the end of this year; for hardcore BSG fans, the 4^th season will unfortunately be its last (that frakkin’ sucks). The silver lining for the rest of you is that this is an opportunity to catch up with the first three seasons and be ready for the last one. Although the first two seasons went quietly unnoticed at our house, I decided to give the show a try right at the start of the third season. It was during the midseason break that I got a chance to catch up with the first two.

I have to admit: originally I wrote it off as just one more sci-fi drama, like the many “Star Trek” and “Stargate” spin-offs. Fortunately I was able to see that I was missing a great show and now I am all caught up and ready for more. I remember growing up watching the great Lorne Greene as Commander Adama, Dirk Benedict (pre “A-Team”) as Lt. Starbuck, Richard Hatch, the only returning cast member of the original series, as Capt. Apollo, and a very deceptive, sad little man named John Colicos—the Baltar of the time. Of course there was a cheesiness factor to it but the great characters, witty humor and interstellar story lines kept it from becoming pointless and outdated. Even with that in mind I can honestly say that this show blows the original “Battlestar Galactica” out of the water.

It’s only fitting that we share with you a couple of reasons why we love the show and why we think it will also become one of your favorites (hopefully). Although the survivors aboard the BSG face a cosmic power struggle, there is always a genuine sense of hope when the credits roll at the end of each episode. The writers succeed in balancing the threat of pending doom with insights into what drives the whole of humanity and what keeps us united, namely, love. In typical sci-fi fashion, the lines between good and evil are blurred, and Cylons (the bad guys) intend to end the human race in service to God. In case you were wondering, Cylons are a race of robots created by man, who then rebelled and are bent on destroying all men. To make matters worse, the newest models look like you and me, which makes for very interesting TV.

There’s action, drama, mystery, humor, and superb special effects in each episode, coupled with fine acting and great story lines. It will make you wonder why you’ve gone so long without it. We can honestly say that this is one of the best TV shows that we have seen in a long time. Not since Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” have we felt so satisfied and excited about a sci-fi show, and we can only hope that you will come away from it feeling the same way.

Juan Marcos Percy

Marta Canaan

JULY07

Photo Courtesy © idealterna

Sicko (2007)

Written and directed By: Michael Moore

So here we are three years after Michael Moore’s powerful film Fahrenheit 9/11 and things are exactly the same. One can say that change just happens if given enough time, but does it really? Or are we the only ones that can influence a change? I can honestly say that Sicko has opened my eyes, not that I wasn’t aware that the heath care system in this country is a disgrace but it’s the extent of the corruption that will leave you speechless. First, here are some facts on our health care system that you should know. “The United States is ranked #37 as a health system by the World Health Organization.” “There are nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance.” “18,000 Americans will die this year simply because they're uninsured.” (Visit www.michaelmoore.com for more information on the state of our health care system.)

Sicko is a collection of interviews and testimonials from individuals across the nation that have been ignored and taken advantage of by the health insurance companies. Among the people interviewed for the film are hardworking Americans that can’t afford or do not qualify for health insurance, 9/11 rescue workers that can’t get any money for medical attention for complications brought on by their heroic efforts at the World Trade Center, and people who currently live in countries with universal health care. You will also see shocking confessions from people inside the health insurance industry as well as refreshing views from doctors in countries with universal health care. The facts cannot be ignored: this is your health in the hands of corrupt corporations. Both the pharmaceutical and health care industries have a monopoly on how you, your kids and your parents will deal with sickness.

I myself have dealt with the shocking blows of getting sick in this country, to the tune of ($10,000) Incidentally, that’s how much it will cost you to pass a kidney stone in America. Let me break that down for you: One CAT scan, 2 shots of morphine and 3 hours of waiting in a hospital hallway. All I needed was some pain killers but as you can guess I didn’t have too many options since I wasn’t insured. Back in Colombia (where I’m from) you can just go to any pharmacy, get a shot and end of story, total cost U.S. $.50 fucking cents. This film highlights the price we are paying for not having universal health care. In my opinion, Sicko is the most important film that Michael Moore has made to date.

JULY07

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

Here’s something that sounds great and just happens to be good for the world. Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is the latest John Lennon tribute album. The most notable difference between this collection and others in the past is that this record has a great cause in mind, something that John Lennon would have been proud to be part of. “Saving Darfur” is the important cause that has united such a talented group of musicians to record a tribute double-album in honor of the man responsible for a musical revolution.

This is one of the best benefit albums that I’ve heard in a long time. Usually benefit albums are collections of leftover songs that artists, for one reason or another, didn’t end up putting on their own albums. Or weird collaborations between artists that should never be put in the same room together let alone in a recording studio. But of course we let all that slide because they’re doing it for a good cause. The only thing I ever ask of a tribute album is that the artists take the time to re-envision the songs—not just re-record them. This gives us a whole new perspective without —hopefully—compromising what we liked about the original song in the first place.

Which brings me to this latest effort to open people’s hearts, ears and wallets to the desperate situation in Darfur. There are a couple of disappointing tracks: “Instant Karma” performed by U2, “Cold Turkey” performed by Lenny Kravitz and “Power to The People” performed by Black Eyed Peas. But overall I give this tribute benefit album a B+, and that means you should definitely go out and get it. Plus, if you decide to get it on iTunes, and are willing to spend a couple of extra bucks, you can splurge for the special edition with 11 additional tracks.

Here is my breakdown of the good and not so good songs. (I’m using the (LAME) and (SWEET) scale to rate them.)

DISC ONE

1. “Instant Karma” -- U2 (LAME)

2. “#9 Dream” -- R.E.M. (SWEET)

3. “Mother” -- Christina Aguilera (SWEET)

4. “Give Peace A Chance” -- Aerosmith with Sierra Leone Refuge All-Stars (SWEET)

5. “Cold Turkey” -- Lenny Kravitz (LAME)

6. “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” -- Los Lonely Boys (SWEET)

7. “I'm Losing You” -- Corinne Bailey Rae (SWEET)

8. “Gimme Some Truth” -- Jakob Dylan Feat. Dhani Harrison (VERY SWEET)

9. “Oh, My Love” -- Jackson Browne (SWEET)

10. “Imagine” -- Avril Lavigne (REALLY REALLY LAME)

11. “Nobody Told Me” -- Big & Rich (LAME, because I’m not a fan of Country)

12. “Jealous Guy” -- Youssou N'Dour (SWEET)

DISC TWO

1. “Working Class Hero” -- Green Day (SWEET)

2. “Power to the People” -- Black Eyed Peas (MAJORLY LAME)

3. “Imagine” -- Jack Johnson (SWEET)

4. “Beautiful Boy” -- Ben Harper (SWEET)

5. “Isolation” -- Snow Patrol (SWEET)

6. “Watching the Wheels” – Matisyahu (SWEET)

7. “Grow Old With Me” -- Postal Service (LAME)

8. “Gimme Me Some Truth” – Jaguares (LAME)

9. “(Just Like) Starting Over” -- The Flaming Lips (SWEET)

10. “God” -- Jack's Mannequin feat. Mick Fleetwood (LAME)

11. “Real Love” -- Regina Spektor (SWEET)

JUNE07

Photo Courtesy © Fox Atomic

28 Weeks Later (2007)

Directed by: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.

Written by: Rowan Joffe, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Jesús Olmo and Enrique López Lavigne.

Starring: Catherine McCormack, Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Imogen Poots and Mackintosh Muggleton.

Yes, it’s the sequel. But not like Aliens, more like Alien 3. Not like Terminator 2, more like T3. Not like Jaws 2, more like Jaws 3. You get the idea. It seems like the creators of 28WL decided to skip the sequel writing and go directly to the third installment-let downs. So what does this mean for those that have not paid for the price of admission yet? Well, if you are a fan of the 28 Days Later franchise like I am, then you should do the right thing and take yourself (and a date) to the next showing of 28WL. If you are not a fan then you should stop reading right about now because you don’t need any more reasons not to see the film. (But you can’t ignore the fact that 28WL is (at the time that this review was written) the number three film in America with half the number of screens as Shrek the Third and Spiderman 3.)

If you are a fan then this is what you should expect: A great first half hour (this is where the creators spent all of their brain cells) and a less than average conclusion to the film. In the introduction (which is set in the time and space of 28 Days Later) we are shown a group of people that have survived the initial infection and somehow managed to stay hidden. Two of the people in the group will be key players in this new story—husband and wife Don (Robert Carlyle) and Alice (Catherine McCormack). After a great sequence of complete zombie domination we are transported to 28WL, and this is where we meet the rest of our fearless cast. Rose Byrne as Scarlet, the primary infection specialist for the Army (she looks great in uniform); Jeremy Renner as Doyle, a hot shot soldier that follows his heart instead of orders; Imogen Poots as Tammy, the oldest of Don and Alice’s children (beware her beautiful green eyes); Mackintosh Muggleton as Andy, the youngest of Don and Alice’s children and last but certainly not least, Harold Perrineau as Flynn the helicopter pilot (who has a soft spot for Doyle).

The plan is to repopulate Britain, starting with the city of London. The one flaw with this great idea is that for some odd reason the Americans are in charge. Now, I’m not sure if this was intentional or not, probably the former, but when the shit hits the fan the Americans drop the ball, so to speak. (I guess that’s how it goes in most disaster movies, and, oh yeah, in real life as well.) The Americans are trying to bring people back to London and everything is going as planned, that is until Tammy and Andy do the opposite of what they are told and venture into the “DO ENTER BECAUSE THERE IS ZOMBIE SHIT ALL OVER” zone. As you probably guessed, this is the point in the film when we lose the writers, along with everything the first half of the movie was trying to achieve. Blood, gore, explosions and zombie-on-human violence take over the movie here on in. Not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with that but it’s just that 28 Days Later is the thinking man’s zombie movie and the second half of 28WL just stops thinking. Unfortunately, they gave us the shitty sequel now instead of later but who knows? Maybe the third installment will not disappoint—cause you know there’s totally going to be a 28 Months Later.

JUNE07

Dumplings (2004)

Directed by: Fruit Chan

Written by: Lilian Lee

Starring: Ling Bai, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Miriam Yeung Chin Wah.

It’s been a while since I’ve been truly disturbed by a film. I guess that’s thanks in part to the American horror genre and all of its ineffective gore: Hostel, The Hills Have Eyes, House of 1,000 Corpses and House of Wax, just to name a few. Japanese horror flicks like Ringu and The Grudge do, however, have an effect on me (it’s that little kid thing, man, it freaks me out) but the overall willies feeling hasn’t really happened to me in a long time. I guess I should be thanking the Chinese director Fruit Chan for achieving what others have failed to do.

I originally saw Dumplings in its short film version as part of the Three Extremes, an Asian horror film collection. I highly recommend the collection but “Dumplings” was by far the best of the three short films (Chan-wook Park’s short “Cut” came in a close second and the last one, “Box,” directed by Takashi Miike, was my least favorite). Recently (late at night, as usual) I happened to be browsing through the Sundance channel and discovered that the full-length version of “Dumplings” was playing. Originally when I saw the shorter version I concluded that the story was great but I felt that it had been rushed—now I know why. The endings are also very different; I’m not sure which I like better but they are both interesting in their own way.

The story deals with youth and the things that we are willing to do to retain or recover it. The three main characters in our sick tale of vanity are Mrs. Li, Auntie Lei and Mr. Li. Mrs. Li is an aging soap-opera star looking for a way to preserve her youth and regain the love of her rich, unfaithful husband. Auntie Lei is a sixty-year-old woman that sells homemade dumplings and promises youth to whomever wants to pay for it. Of course, the fact that she looks 30 (thanks to the special ingredient in her dumplings) also helps to attract plenty of business. Mr. Li is the aforementioned rich, unfaithful husband that has noticed a change in his wife but his curiosity leads him right to Auntie Lei and her secret of youth. As the story progresses things become more and more desperate for everyone except Auntie Lei. She seems to be the source of evil in their lives, granting her customers both their greatest wish and their greatest nightmare. At the end of the film you are left asking one very important question: What are you willing to do to regain your youth?

MAY07

Soylent Green (1973)

Directed by: Richard Fleischer

Written by: Harry Harrison (novel) and Stanley R. Greenberg (screenplay).

Starring: Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young, Brock Peters and Edward G. Robinson.

A Boy and His Dog (1975)

Directed by: L.Q. Jones

Written by: Harlan Ellison, L.Q. Jones and Wayne Cruseturner.

Starring: Don Johnson, Susanne Benton, Jason Robards and Tim McIntire.

Two virtually unknown Sci-Fi classics, each filled with bits of genius that helped them to become visionary achievements in their own right. The first film, Soylent Green, stars Charlton Heston as New York Detective Robert Thorn, a cop of the future in a time when overpopulation, pollution and global warming has caused the world’s food supply to be wiped out. After a high official is murdered, Detective Thorn begins an investigation that puts him in the middle of a government conspiracy that will reveal, drum roll please, Soylent Green. 

Back in the 70s when this movie was made, this story line might have seemed far-fetched, but now this is the very problem that our generation is facing. Unlike most of the Sci-Fi movies of the time, which dealt with the threat of nuclear attack, Soylent Green uses the environmental issue to show us a world post-climatic change. The flaws in the film lie in the obvious special effects limitations of the time and the lack of a better-written script, and yet regardless of those two factors the movie is still fun to watch.

The second film, A Boy and His Dog, is a low budget film that inspired the Mad Max movies. After the world is ravaged by nuclear holocaust, few people are left and each must do what they can in order to survive. The film stars a young Don Johnson as Vic and his canine sidekick Blood, a super smart dog that can communicate with Vic using telepathy thanks to the effects of radiation from the war.

Together Vic and Blood are in a constant search for food and the one thing hard to come by in this post-apocalyptic world, women. Blood’s keen sense of smell keeps them out of trouble but it’s the ability to detect a woman from miles away that interests Vic. The real trouble begins after Blood and Vic find and lose an attractive female, Quilla June Holmes, played by Susanne Benton. Ignoring Blood’s many pleads for Vic to forget her, Vic decides to go underground alone to find her. Once underground Vic discovers what seems to be paradise, but he later finds that things are not as they seem and is taken hostage where he faces a very cruel fate.

The real highlight of the movie is the ending, which I will not spoil for you. The special effects and budget limitations are evident but the imagination of the script more than makes up for it. A Boy and His Dog is an entertaining yet deeply dark film that will leave a smile on your face and leave you wanting more. Both films are a part of Sci-Fi movie history—landmark movies from a period when films still encouraged you to think.

MAY07

Air – Pocket Symphony

Being the long time Air fan that I am, you could say that I was fairly excited about the recent release of their 4^th studio album, Pocket Symphony. Unfortunately once I got it in my hands and gave it a dedicated listen I was surprisingly let down.

The latest work from the French pop-lounge duo is a collection of soft ballads filled with melancholic string and percussive arrangements. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But isn’t that Air’s signature sound?” While the answer to your question is yes, in my eyes Air was always one of those bands that was pushing the envelope with each new album. Since their debut with the critically acclaimed Moon Safari, Air has managed to create a sound that takes elements from Vocal, Lounge, Electronica, Classical and Pop music.

This is the formula that has given Air the cutting edge, and until now each of their previous albums showed just how far you can go with a sound that borders on monotonous. I’m not saying that Pocket Symphony is not worth a listen (although it’s definitely coming in last on my list of best Air albums) but I do hope that you check out Air’s previous albums. Each is a gem filled with wonderful pop melodies guaranteed to take you to that French lounge in the sky.

APRIL07

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Written By: Nikos Kazantzakis (Novel), Paul Schrader (Screenplay)

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, David Bowie, Verna Bloom.

In keeping with the spirit behind the Oscar triumph of The Departed, I have decided to go back in time and write about Scorsese’s most controversial film, The Last Temptation of Christ, ranked #6 of the 25 most controversial movies of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

I guess you could say that everything got started after actress Barbara Hershey gave Martin Scorsese a copy of Nikos Kazantzakis novel “The Last Temptation of Christ.” The finished script sat inside the desk of Scorsese’s attorney for five years, however. After several failed attempts to begin production, the film was finally set to shoot on location in Israel but due to budget cuts and financing problems the production had to settle with shooting entirely in Morocco.

As expected the movie stirred up a whole lot of criticism from the religious communities, and it’s because of this controversy that I chose to write about this film. First and foremost, I would like to encourage all of the people that refuse to see this movie because of the controversy to give the film a chance. To be honest with you, I wasn’t all that interested in watching the film either; for a long time Scorsese’s film lingered somewhere at the bottom of my list of “must-see” controversial movies. Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange is more controversial in my opinion. Yes, Jesus having sex is a no-no, but the question of “why should I care to see this movie?” always seemed to keep me from it. That is until a couple of weeks ago, when I finally saw the freaking film and to my surprise it wasn’t as bad or controversial as I had been led to believe (thank you Christian left and right).

It’s not a movie for the kids (especially since they would be really confused) and it can’t really be categorized into the typical genres of action, romance, erotica, drama, and comedy or even foreign. But there is an important lesson to be learned from the story: Jesus was human and sometimes we seem to forget that. I’m sure Jesus of Nazareth was nothing like the character played by Willem Dafoe, but I can pretty much guarantee that Jesus had to deal with the same feelings, urges and temptations that we have. He was just a man on a mission that chose to behave like the Son of God.

But why then should you see this movie? You should see this movie to experience a bit of cinema history and to be able to say “I saw it and I’m not going to hell.” With that in mind, The Last Temptation of Christ actually makes some interesting points. Unfortunately both the author and the director turn the character of Jesus into an irrational individual that spends most of the movie lost, confused, scared and alone. The movie doesn’t really go anywhere until about the middle, then it starts to make a bit more sense and by the end you’re like “Oh shit! So that’s why!!”

The actors do a good job of carrying the confused and terrified Jesus throughout all of the biblical pit stops, but its Judas, played by Harvey Keitel, and Mary Magdalene, played by Barbara Hershey, that give the strongest supporting performances. Overall I feel that this film is not a grand achievement, and the same controversy against the film has given it a place in film history. Regardless, Martin Scorsese’s venture into the world of religion proved to be a direct challenge of faith that still resonates on TV screens all around the world.

Hud (1963)

Directed by: Martin Ritt

Written by: Larry McMurtry (Novel), Irving Ravetch and Harriet Frank Jr. (Screenplay).

Starring: Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neil, Brandon De Wilde and Whit Bissell.

This movie is for all of you out there that think that life just keeps getting harder. Maybe you think that everything would be so much easier if only you had grown up on a Texas cattle ranch. Well, if so, then I think it’s time for you to pick up a copy of Hud.

Yes, I said Hud. I know it doesn’t seem like much of a title but believe me—it will make more sense after you see it. It’s been a couple of days since I saw this great piece of Americana, and yet it’s still fresh in my mind. The movie has a quality very similar to The Last Picture Show (understandably so as McMurtry wrote that novel as well)—a black and white film that brings an era of hardship and struggle to the big screen.

One of Paul Newman’s best performances, Hud is a classic movie made in a period where films seemed to be just as good as the novels they were based on. The story takes place in the middle of Texas cow country, as a family struggles with the realities of hatred and misfortune. The story revolves around four main characters: The only surviving son Hud Bannon (Paul Newman), a reckless out of control playboy; his father Homer Bannon (Melvyn Douglas), a man of honesty and hard work that has given up on his son and devotes all of his time to his cattle; young Lonnie Bannon (Brandon De Wilde), Hud’s nephew, a young man struggling with the choices in front of him; and Alma Brown (Patricia Neil), the woman that keeps the family together but has the unfortunate luck of attracting the worse kind of men.

It’s the combination of all these great characters that makes Hud an unpredictable and unforgettable story. In the end, the contrast of what happens to the cattle and the turmoil between the Bannon family forces the viewer to accept that there is no happy ending to this story. They can however take comfort in the fact that someone does learn a valuable lesson, ultimately making the whole journey worthwhile. The raw power and emotion of this movie remains in my thoughts to this day; I definitely hope that it affects you in the same way.

Juan Marcos Percy – Importer/Exporter

MARCH07

Jorge Drexler – 12 Segundos De Oscuridad

The last time you heard his name, he was winning an Oscar for “Best Song in a Motion Picture.” His name is Jorge Drexler; the winning song was “Al Otro Lado Del Rio” from Walter Salles’ The Motorcycle Diaries.

His latest work, 12 Segundos De Oscuridad, is a musical stroke of genius. A blend of melancholic tracks that include his signature percussive layers along with great pop songs filtered through Latin America’s most influential sounds.

Jorge Drexler has created an album that reflects his maturity. After giving up a career as a doctor to follow his musical dreams, he quickly gained high acclaim for his work. He first became known as a composer, writing songs for other artists before finally recording his own songs. With more than nine records under his belt, this Uruguayan-born musician proves to all of us that he belongs among the best that South America has to offer. A wonderful acoustic version of Radiohead’s “High and Dry” is the album’s only English track, but don’t let this keep you from experiencing one of the best albums I have heard in a long time.

Juan Marcos Percy – Importer/Exporter

FEBRUARY07

Babel - Music from and inspired by the Motion Picture (2006)

A soundtrack, a film score, music to a film, music from a film, anyway you write it, a soundtrack holds as much significance as the script, the actors or the cinematography. Unfortunately, this art form is just as complex for composers as it is for directors. The end result is a very short list of capable artists that have mastered the discipline. A director with vision and love for music is needed to give the soundtrack a place in the film; a composer with the same vision and the love for film is needed to give the score life.

Among the list of directors with this love, passion and appreciation for music we find Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu. Few people are aware that he composed the music for six Mexican films before becoming a feature film director. It’s thanks to this understanding of the musical process that he is able to orchestrate and collaborate with the gifted musician that for years has helped to realize his vision, Gustavo Santaolalla. I still remember the day that I bought the Amores Perros soundtrack, in what used to be the Esperanto Music Store on Miami’s famed Lincoln Road. The soundtrack was incredible, a mix of Gustavo Santaolalla’s hypnotic score along with a collection of hit songs from the top artists in Latin music. It’s that same formula that keeps Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu’s movie soundtracks innovative and enjoyable.

The director’s latest film Babel uses music as effectively as his previous films, reuniting him with Gustavo Santaolalla and taking us on a journey through Mexico, the U.S., the Middle East and Japan. Fresh off of the success of Brokeback Mountain, Gustavo Santaolalla brings his signature style, along with a collection of new instruments and provocative compositions, to the film’s soundtrack. The double album has over 36 tracks that will satisfy the music lover in all of us—with eardrum-pleasing songs like World Citizen’s “I won’t be disappointed;” a great new remix of Earth Wind & Fire’s  “September;” Gustavo Santaolalla’s brilliant theme “Deportation/Iguazu; Nortec Collective’s “Babel;” and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s hauntingly beautiful unofficial theme “Bibo no Aozora.”

Take my advice and pick up a copy of the Babel soundtrack, and if you happen to have some extra cash leftover, treat yourself to both the Amores Perros and 21 Grams soundtracks, music education Latin-style. It only seems fitting to end my review of the Babel soundtrack with a few words from soon-to-be-Oscar-winning director Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu. “For me, Babel is a simple testimony of my life experience, of my virtues and endless limitations…an extension of myself. I only hope that when you listen to these CDs, that combine the songs of this great internal and external journey, that you can also feel the distant winds and the planet caressing your skin as it spins around.”

Juan Marcos Percy – Importer/Exporter

JANUARY07

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Written and directed by: Guillermo Del Toro

Starring: Ivana Baquero, Maribel Verdu, Sergi Lopez, Ariadna Gil, Doug Jones, Alex Angulo, Roger Casamajor, Cesar Vea.

What a year and what a race we have Mr. Oscar ©. First off, I should mention that The Namesake was a very hard movie to top; taking that into consideration I can confidently say that Pan's Labyrinth (El Laberinto del Fauno) is my new favorite movie of the year.

Of course there are still a couple of movies that might have a shot at the title including:  Apocalypto, Children of Men, The Prestige and The Fountain (all of which, at the time of this review, I have yet to see). Until this critic gets a taste of the competition, I will give the top prize to Guillermo Del Toro’s beautiful dark masterpiece.

Although this is a fairy tale of sorts, I would advise parents to leave the children at home. I remember the first time I saw The NeverEnding Story. I must have been 6 or 7 years old, and I was scared shitless. Yes, I know that I was too young to know what scared shitless even meant but at the time, seeing Wolfgang Petersen’s fantasy-adventure film was probably the most amazing moment of my young life. Superman was close, but the rock eating giant, the flying corn dog and the beautiful princess took the prize in my book.

While sitting in the theater watching Pan's Labyrinth, I started to feel just like that day 22 years ago when I was both amazed and scared shitless for the very first time in my life. Fairy tales are mostly known for creating those beautiful worlds that use child-friendly images and loving characters to teach and entertain the masses. In reality, fairy tales are stories of trial and tribulation, used as tools to teach us and our children, using lessons set in fantasy but based on reality.

Set in northern Spain right after Franco’s victory over the leftist government, Pan's Labyrinth tells the story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a young girl that easily drifts back and forth between a world of fantasy and the reality that her mother Carmen (Ariadna Gil) has chosen for them. On their way to a secluded house in the woods where Carmen’s new husband Capitán Vidal (Sergi Lopez) waits impatiently, Ofelia discovers that something is trying to make contact with her. Once Capitán Vidal’s true intentions for bringing Carmen and Ofelia are revealed, all hell breaks loose in the house and in the surrounding forest were the leftist rebels are hiding, jeopardizing his pregnant wife’s chances of survival. In the meantime Ofelia has made a new friend in Pan (Doug Jones), the magical fauno that has the key that can return Ofelia to her kingdom, provided that she complete 3 tasks that will prove without a doubt that she is the princess.

With time running out, the story reaches its climax at the end of the film; will our princess find her way home to the magical kingdom or will the rebels be crushed once and for all by our heartless Capitán Vida? A true homage to Spielberg, Petersen and Cronenberg, writer-director Guillermo Del Toro takes all of these influences and creates something completely new with Pan’s Labyrinth. An incredible blend of fantasy and reality purposely set in the middle of a war to show us that the scariest things we dream up never come close to the evil that reality can conjure.

Juan Marcos Percy – Importer/Exporter

JANUARY07

Breaking & Entering Soundtrack – Underworld and Gabriel Yared

Those that don’t know me too well are probably unaware that Underworld forms a part of that very select list of “My Top Bands of all Time.” They are definitely my favorite Electronica band, and without a doubt one of the best concerts I have ever been to.

Released at the end of October in the U.K. and at the beginning of December in the U.S., the Breaking & Entering soundtrack still remains fairly unnoticed. Of course that is probably due to the fact that Anthony Minghella’s latest film was just released a week ago here in the U.S. As with most soundtracks, their success falls mainly on how well the movie does, so we shall have to see if Breaking & Entering will cause a stir among a group of outstanding films released this year.

Regardless of how well the movie does, you should definitely give the soundtrack a listen. Now, Underworld is no stranger to soundtracks, being that they have achieved their biggest exposure by using the genre to their advantage. Most famous for the Trainspotting soundtrack, Underworld has contributed a hit song to nearly all of Danny Boyle’s films. Breaking & Entering, however, marks the first time that they go behind the scenes and actually create original songs for a soundtrack. Academy award winner Gabriel Yared is also no stranger to soundtracks—his award winning compositions for over 86 film soundtracks include: Cold Mountain, Sylvia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, City of Angels and The English Patient (my personal favorite), just to name a few. He has become part of a selected group of composers that shape the way we listen to the movies.

Both Underworld and Gabriel Yared have contributed to the creation of a sound whose end result is a mix of textured layers filled with soaring string arrangements and just a hint of the percussive, bass driven creations that have made Underworld pioneers in their field. In the words of Anthony Minghella: “Witnessing Gabriel, Karl and Rick in a room together was a revelation. Musicians instinctively understand each other through playing together, and some early sessions at Abbey Road, of experiment and investigation, led to a growing mutual respect and a great deal of pleasure. A contract of generosity was established. Underworld found a new, if temporary, member. Gabriel discovered two co-composers who offered a thoroughly modern perspective on his process. For all their apparent differences, they were completely relaxed in the studio.”

A soft, delicate blend of sounds that will heighten the scenes from everyday life, my favorite tracks from the album so far are: “A Thing Happens,” “St Pancras,” “Hungerford Bridge,” “Happy Toast,” “Will and Amira,” “Mending Things” and  “Counterpoint Hang Pulse.” I hope you enjoy this first attempt by Underworld to score a film and, please. if you get a chance, pick up a copy of Underworld’s Beaucoup Fish. It will change your life.

Artist Website: http://www.dirty.org/underworld/

Juan Marcos Percy – Importer/Exporter