Movies Link

Stop-Gap

I've been terrible with film writing here lately, but rest assured, more articles are upcoming. The Dallas VideoFest is coming up in a few weeks and I've been given a unique opportunity to cover that this year for Dallas Film Now. 125 features, shorts and special programs should be amazing!

Also, I have been reviewing alot for the above mentioned site so head over there for a dozen or so reviews including "Cop Car", "Ashby", "Sleeping With Other People" and "Z For Zachariah".

Final Cut 2014 - Movie Mashup

 Is there anything more thrilling than the perfect final shot of a movie? Watch and let it soak in.

Randomtivity

As for the last post of 2013, I think this heartbreaking story is well worth the finale of the year. Happy New Year everyone.... The Stunning Sacrifice.

Masterfully Done Again.... the year in film

major bow to David Ehrlich at Film.com for another stunning best of the year edit. I really hope these become necessary viewing for years to come.

Shorts

More in honor of baseball....

While I typically abhore commercials and fast forward thru them whenever I can, this spot by Dick's sporting goods chain, currently running every two minutes on MLB Network caught my eye. While I do agree that sometimes commercials make good, they're few and far between. This one is different.

Michael Mann at 70

To commemorate one of my very favorite directors turning 70, here's a random link that exudes coolness... something Mann often excels at within his neon, crime-ridden worlds.

I Love These Things

The way a Best of list should be done....

Disturbing, Haunting

On JFK and Dallas

A bit late in posting this on that dreaded anniversary here in the Dallas metroplex, but see the link below for Errol Morris' short but stunning documentary about the swirling conspiracy (or lack thereof) of one of the more unusual footnotes to the JFK assassination.

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2011/11/21/opinion/100000001183275/the-umbrella-man.html

Random Thoughts

First off... new television. I'm not sure how I got turned onto AMC's new show "The Killing". I rarely watch AMC for their butchering of classic movies with commercials. Maybe it was advertised on the last season of "Breaking Bad" I watched on DVD. Regardless, a fantastic show after just two episodes. The choice of basing its harrowing and sad tale of a pretty 17 year old girl's murder in dreary Seattle is somehow fitting and takes the atmosphere to a whole new level. Lead actress Mireille Enos perfectly portrays a female detective drawn back into the murder on her last day before retiring and starting a new life in San Francisco. The faces she makes when her new partner makes the family a promise to find the killer.... the tired way in which she questions a witness... the lackadaisical strut in which she carries herself establish the character as a new spin on old genre tropes. Set the DVR's.

New music. Two old dogs have resurfaced to make some new noise. First, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr fame just released a blistering solo album that combines melancholy acoustic numbers mixed in with his heavier trademark slurred guitar. Admittedly, Mascis really always was Dinosaur Jr. so any new work from him makes me very happy.



Unlike Dinosaur Jr, its debatable whether Thurston Moore was the singular driving force behind Sonic Youth's wall of sound. His latest solo album entitled "Demolished Thoughts", due to be released in May, knocked me over with the first song introduced last week. I can't wait for this one.





And finally, RIP to the great Sidney Lumet. I'm extremely glad I completed a retrospective of his work a few years ago. He will be missed on the cinematic landscape.

Links and Nonsense

First up, some high-res movie stills I came across. I have to admit they don't look so grand here in this form, but if you save them to your desktop and use them as background, they really pop with color.










Secondly, some points of interest.

The blog Rupert Pupkin Speaks is a great site for all things old and new, especially his weekly tip of the hat to new releases available on Netflix's Instant View program. They also include some snappy movie posters for select films mentioned.

Furious Cinema is another site I've been directed to lately. Not only does it have Quentin Tarantino's stamp of approval, but the entries range across the map from grindhouse stuff to soundtracks to just good old fashioned edgy films.

Blogger and online acquaintance Bob at Eternal Sunshine of the Logical Mind lists his eclectic ten best.


So, all of this to say I really have nothing new to say lately. I need to catch a couple more films before I feel comfortable stopping at the 142 film mark this year and create my own favorites of the year. But no worries, my almost decade old tradition of the Moments of the Year will resume shorty, so everyone can stop holding their breath.

A Strange (and Finally Great) Week

First, the Dallas metroplex experienced this.

And now, Cliff Lee!!!!!!

Probably sold our souls and young Justin Smoak- who has looked a bit lost, offensively, for the past 2 months or so- may come back to haunt the Rangers in their 20 games a year against Seattle, but at least it shows the team is committed to making things happen this year. With Lee, Lewis, Wilson, Holland and Feldman making out the rotations, a lot of us fans feel comfortable with post season chances in a short series. God... I can't believe I'm saying the Rangers have a chance with the 4th lowest payroll in baseball this year..... and alot of high falootin ESPN folks agree to.


Finally, how awesome is this commercial:

Dennis Hopper and the Texas Connection

The passing of Dennis Hopper over the weekend brought out alot of RIP pieces... and rightly so. Hopper was a maverick of his generation, a laid back provocateur and diverse actor who (mostly) infused every role with something fierce. Even in some of his very bad direct to video releases, he maintained an edge that is always watchable.

One of the more illuminating pieces on his lifetime was this article in the Dallas Observer, detailing the decades long pissing match between Hopper and Dallas wild child native writer Terry Southern over some copyright issues with the breakthrough late 60's film "Easy Rider". Along the way, the article links out to some rare Dallas photos when Hopper visited in the early 70's for an appearance to the USA Film Festival and details some out of control actions by Hopper during his time here. If one is looking for accolades, look elsewhere. What this excellent article does give is a wide-eyed view of a man kinda lost in the haze of the 70's and unwilling to admit any mistakes after emerging from that haze. As an all encompassing addition to the index of lovingly recreated RIP articles, this one lays out the bad and sometimes ugly. It's only fair that a man's life is remembered in all its aspects.

Blogathon Note

One blogathon of note (these things are really slowing down, no?)- run on over to He Shot Cyrus for three days of great reading as various bloggers post links to the entries they feel are their best.

Feeling the Sting

This was one of those weary-inducing weeks, where real life seemed to take over and shove aside any moments of relaxation or joy... which means I didn't see a whole hell of a lot movies. The Netflix pile has been sitting there untouched and a few new Blu Ray discs have gone unopened. I did manage to get out on the golf course with some buddies, though, enjoying the first round of golf in 2 and a half months because the weather was finally above 50 for the first time in ages (this is Texas remember.... we had a brutal winter).

Still, there are moments of brightness. Baseball season is just around the corner and I scored my customary opening day tickets to the Rangers. Pre-season is in full swing and my fantasy league has been started. After a disastrous 9/10 finish last year, I look forward to redeeming myself. Still, it's always a good time with like-minded baseball fiends regardless of the outcome. I learned my lesson last year. Offense wins fantasy baseball, not pitching.

A few other links of note:

The latest LAMB director's chair blogathon is about to hit, focusing on new Hollywood "it" girt Kathryn Bigelow and fellow feminist Jane Campion.

1920's reporter guy strikes again.

And "A Prophet" opened this week, and that's a must see. "The Ghost Writer" is still lingering out there and I can't ignore the strong buzz its received. Hopefully, next week will quiet down.

What Better Way To Say Happy Holidays....

....then with one of those kick ass retrospectives of the year in movies? Enjoy.