Comments for Movie Man http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman When film critic Will Pfeifer isn’t watching movies, he’s reading about movies, talking about movies, thinking about movies or dreaming about movies. Now he shares that unhealthy obsession with you. From Hollywood hits to Japanese obscurities, from Oscar night to the summer season, he’s got movies on the brain — and on this blog. Mon, 12 May 2008 11:14:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.4 Comment on Friday Morning — make that Afternoon — Videos by Will Pfeifer http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/friday-morning-make-that-afternoon-videos/#comment-489 Will Pfeifer Sat, 10 May 2008 19:00:59 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/friday-morning-make-that-afternoon-videos/#comment-489 Jerry, I couldn't agree more. From his visual instincts to his use of music to the way his movies have these very powerful emotional moments that sneak up on you, he's one of my very favorite directors. Jerry, I couldn’t agree more. From his visual instincts to his use of music to the way his movies have these very powerful emotional moments that sneak up on you, he’s one of my very favorite directors.

]]> Comment on He’s gaining on you, so you’d better look alive by Brian M http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-479 Brian M Sat, 10 May 2008 05:20:57 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-479 p.s. Will, Studio 60 was NBC ;) p.s. Will, Studio 60 was NBC ;)

]]> Comment on He’s gaining on you, so you’d better look alive by Brian M http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-478 Brian M Sat, 10 May 2008 04:27:44 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-478 Well, I gave it a chance. Tried to go in with an open mind, even. But Speed Racer is a strong contender for WORST movie of the year. Holy crap, did that suck. Well, I gave it a chance. Tried to go in with an open mind, even. But Speed Racer is a strong contender for WORST movie of the year. Holy crap, did that suck.

]]> Comment on He’s gaining on you, so you’d better look alive by Jerry http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-476 Jerry Sat, 10 May 2008 03:06:30 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-476 Not too interested in seeing this one. The live action actors seem so out of place with the over-the-top digital backgrounds. Looks too much like a lame video game and not a good film. <a HREF="http://movies.yahoo.com/summer-movies/Star-Wars-Clone-Wars/1809991325/trailers/133/880" rel="nofollow">This all-animated tale however looks to be a solid bet this summer.</A> Not too interested in seeing this one. The live action actors seem so out of place with the over-the-top digital backgrounds. Looks too much like a lame video game and not a good film.

This all-animated tale however looks to be a solid bet this summer.

]]> Comment on Mr. President by Brian M http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-475 Brian M Sat, 10 May 2008 02:07:59 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-475 I think Banks looks slightly young to play Laura at THIS age, but I think they had to cast young to make them convincing when they are portraying them in their younger years. After all, Brolin is 22 years younger than George, too! ...and despite all his great work in recent years, Brolin will always be Brand Walsh from the Goonies to me. I think Banks looks slightly young to play Laura at THIS age, but I think they had to cast young to make them convincing when they are portraying them in their younger years. After all, Brolin is 22 years younger than George, too!

…and despite all his great work in recent years, Brolin will always be Brand Walsh from the Goonies to me.

]]> Comment on Friday Morning — make that Afternoon — Videos by Jerry http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/friday-morning-make-that-afternoon-videos/#comment-474 Jerry Sat, 10 May 2008 00:08:43 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/friday-morning-make-that-afternoon-videos/#comment-474 Thanks for bringing this one up Will. I feel Wes Anderson is a filmmaker without comparison in American Cinema today. Years ago he was even praised by Scorsese in Esquire magazine as the next <i>him</i>. (I guess he should know.) Whether you appreciate his work or not, all of Anderson's films are made with top-notch skill, knowledge and true film craftmanship. He also packs his work with tons of detail and rich characters that never disappoint. Some rumble that his films "aren't for everyone" or are too complicated. In my eyes that's a good thing and he should wear it as a badge of honor. Too many filmmakers try and please everyone or wallow in tired cliches. They may achieve financial success with that formula, but the films usually aren't any good and they never hold up over time. And while Anderson may have had his own missteps (though I don't think he really has) at least all his films have been interesting and different. And don't forget "Hotel Chevalier". It is one of the best short films I've ever seen. Thanks for bringing this one up Will.

I feel Wes Anderson is a filmmaker without comparison in American Cinema today. Years ago he was even praised by Scorsese in Esquire magazine as the next him. (I guess he should know.)

Whether you appreciate his work or not, all of Anderson’s films are made with top-notch skill, knowledge and true film craftmanship. He also packs his work with tons of detail and rich characters that never disappoint.

Some rumble that his films “aren’t for everyone” or are too complicated. In my eyes that’s a good thing and he should wear it as a badge of honor.

Too many filmmakers try and please everyone or wallow in tired cliches. They may achieve financial success with that formula, but the films usually aren’t any good and they never hold up over time. And while Anderson may have had his own missteps (though I don’t think he really has) at least all his films have been interesting and different.

And don’t forget “Hotel Chevalier”. It is one of the best short films I’ve ever seen.

]]> Comment on Let’s get ready for Raaaaaaaaambo by Will Pfeifer http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/07/lets-get-ready-for-raaaaaaaaambo/#comment-471 Will Pfeifer Fri, 09 May 2008 21:45:40 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/07/lets-get-ready-for-raaaaaaaaambo/#comment-471 I honestly think FIRST BLOOD is a sharp, smart little suspense movie, with some beautiful cinematography (those north woods!) and a simple but undeniably intriguing story. Plus, before he became a cartoon version of himself, Stallone made an interesting underdog back in those days. I'm a lot less of a fan of RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2 and RAMBO III, but I've heard nothing but good things about RAMBO (the fourth movie), which is apparently a crazy, gory over-the-top violence fest. Believe me, I'm not all about the highbrow. I like my CITIZEN KANE, but I like DEATH RACE 2000 (also starring Stallone!), too. I honestly think FIRST BLOOD is a sharp, smart little suspense movie, with some beautiful cinematography (those north woods!) and a simple but undeniably intriguing story. Plus, before he became a cartoon version of himself, Stallone made an interesting underdog back in those days. I’m a lot less of a fan of RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART 2 and RAMBO III, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about RAMBO (the fourth movie), which is apparently a crazy, gory over-the-top violence fest.

Believe me, I’m not all about the highbrow. I like my CITIZEN KANE, but I like DEATH RACE 2000 (also starring Stallone!), too.

]]> Comment on He’s gaining on you, so you’d better look alive by Will Pfeifer http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-470 Will Pfeifer Fri, 09 May 2008 21:41:53 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/08/hes-gaining-on-you-so-youd-better-look-alive/#comment-470 It really is a good way to get people interested. In a related method, I remember getting into the ill-fated drama STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP after watching the pilot on ABC.com. Though the show went downhill, I still think that pilot was brilliant -- and it got me to tune in. It really is a good way to get people interested. In a related method, I remember getting into the ill-fated drama STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP after watching the pilot on ABC.com. Though the show went downhill, I still think that pilot was brilliant — and it got me to tune in.

]]> Comment on Mr. President by Will Pfeifer http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-469 Will Pfeifer Fri, 09 May 2008 21:40:20 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-469 True -- that MILK movie looks interesting. It's been in the works for decades in one form or another. I remember when Robin Williams was attached to it. Brolin is really having a career renaissance these days, which is nice to see. He's got some real talent, and seems to be choosing his roles carefully. True — that MILK movie looks interesting. It’s been in the works for decades in one form or another. I remember when Robin Williams was attached to it.

Brolin is really having a career renaissance these days, which is nice to see. He’s got some real talent, and seems to be choosing his roles carefully.

]]> Comment on Mr. President by RC of strangeculture http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-468 RC of strangeculture Fri, 09 May 2008 21:25:32 +0000 http://blogs.e-rockford.com/movieman/2008/05/09/mr-president/#comment-468 And actually this is on slate now for 2008, not 2009. Brolin also has a very unique role in the upcoming film "Milk" as well, which has the chance to get him and Sean Penn some critical acclaim in 2008. And actually this is on slate now for 2008, not 2009.

Brolin also has a very unique role in the upcoming film “Milk” as well, which has the chance to get him and Sean Penn some critical acclaim in 2008.

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