Archive for April 2nd, 2009
April 2nd, 2009
Richard Linklater’s 1993 film DAZED AND CONFUSED is one of the best teen movies ever made, perfectly capturing the feeling of goofy freedom that comes with the last day of school. I was too young to be one of the high school kids the movie focuses on, but I grew up in the 1970s, and take it from me — the movie rings true.
And now, at long last, Linklater is returning to that sort of movie, in spirit if not specifically. According to this report from CHUD.com, he’s completed a script for what he calls “a spiritual sequel” to DAZED AND CONFUSED, with different characters (and, obviously, a different cast) experiencing their first weekend of college life, circa 1980. Assuming he gets funding (and I can’t imagine this movie will cost much to make), he’ll begin shooting in (where else?) Austin, Texas, this summer.
April 2nd, 2009
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE doesn’t hit theaters until May 1, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see the movie — if you know where to look, and if you don’t mind being involved in something illegal.
A copy of the eagerly awaited movie has made its way online. Here’s what 20th Century Fox had to say about the matter in a press release. It’s no surprise that they’re not happy about this:
“Last night, a stolen, incomplete and early version of X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE was posted illegally on websites. It was without many effects and had missing scenes and temporary sound and music. We immediately contacted the appropriate legal authorities and had it removed. We forensically mark our content so we can identify sources that make it available or download it.The source of the initial leak and any subsequent postings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - the courts have handed down significant criminal sentences for such acts and the last person who committed such a crime is still in jail.
The FBI and the MPAA also are actively investigating this crime. We are encouraged by the support of fansites condemning piracy and this illegal posting and pointing out that such theft undermines the enormous efforts of the filmmakers and actors, and above all, hurts the fans of the film.”
April 2nd, 2009
This week’s entry in the Onion AV Club’s New Cult Film Canon is IRON GIANT, the 1999 animated film directed by Brad Bird (later famous as the guy behind THE INCREDIBLES and RATATOUILLE). It’s a truly great film — funny, exciting and profound — and it has an ending that never fails to make me shed a tear (specifically, when the big robot says the word that’s the title of this post).
If you’re a fan of the movie — or, better yet, if you’ve never seen it — be sure to check out this write-up. And, if you’ve got time, read some of the (many, many) comments that follow. You’ll find out that virtually everyone cries during this movie. (And you’ll see a surprising amount of love for Disney’s THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE.)
