I was scanning through this website when I came across this list. The list arranges what this site believes to be the best comic book movies of all time. Let me know what you think and I will write my top ten list later in the week.
http://www.filmjunk.com/2008/07/17/iron-man-schmiron-man-these-are-the-10-best-comic-book-films-of-all-time-3/
Sunday, July 26, 2009
New Kid on the Block
Steven Speilberg is the undisputed top dog of Hollywood filmmaking. However, when it comes to historical films, there’s a new kid on the block. His name is Edward Zwick, and he has made four historically based films that rival some of Speilberg’s best. I went through the director’s films and picked out the four historical films from each director that I think are best. Here is what I came up with:
Speilberg
Schindler’s List (1993)
Amistad (1997)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Munich (2005)
Zwick
Glory (1989)
The Last Samurai (2003)
Blood Diamond (2006)
Defiance (2008)
This astonishing list of films is difficult to decipher because each film is so unique and interesting in its own way. However, if I had to choose one from the list it would be Saving Private Ryan. I absolutely love this film. Saving Private Ryan is in my opinion, the greatest war movie of all time. The opening is one of the most visually stunning sequences of film to date. The way Speilberg captured the feeling of actually storming the beach was unbelievable. The audience got to experience what it was like to tread through the bloody sand with mortars and bullets narrowly missing them. Not surprising that Speilberg took home the academy award for best director in 1998.
Despite all of my praise for Speilberg, I have to say that Edward Zwick’s list of historical films is overall more consistent. The only respectable historical piece from Speilberg in the last decade was his film Munich in 2005. I say respectable,” because Munich was decent, but was certainly nothing to write home about.
Ever since his triumphant return to directing with his film The Last Samurai, Zwick has been on a roll. In my opinion, all of his last three films are absolutely amazing. His best film so far came with the release of Blood Diamond in 2006. He was able to elicit amazing performances from both Leonardo DiCaprio and his supporting actor Djimon Houndou. This film will keep your attention fully locked in from start to finish. Not only that, it is one of those films you keep thinking about for weeks.
Zwick’s most recent masterpiece came with the release of Defiance in 2008. This movie flew under the radar in a lot of respects. Despite having a big name like Daniel Craig in the leading role, the film did not do as well as expected. I think a big reason for this is because of when it was released. It stayed in the shadow cast by the talked about films such as Gran Turino and The Wrestler. Commercial success or not, Defiance was a great film. The directing and acting in this film are absolutely top class. Zwick elicits what is easily the finest performance of Daniel Craig’s career.
Defiance is a true story that takes place in Holland during WWII. The touching and heroic tale follows three Jewish brothers, who start a community in the woods for Jews trying to avoid the wrath of the Nazis. The story is so intense and overwhelming that it is difficult to believe that the film is actually based on a true story. Depending on how you look at it, the story may even be more dramatic and heart wrenching than that of Speilberg’s 1993 film, Schindler’s List.
Although Steven Speilberg’s body of work is absolutely insurmountable, it is clear that Zwick is making his move in a big way. When it comes to directing historical pieces, he is clearly the man to beat. His last three films have catapulted him into a league made up of Hollywood’s greatest filmmakers. As usual, I can’t wait to see what will come next from these two amazing directors.
Speilberg
Schindler’s List (1993)
Amistad (1997)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Munich (2005)
Zwick
Glory (1989)
The Last Samurai (2003)
Blood Diamond (2006)
Defiance (2008)
This astonishing list of films is difficult to decipher because each film is so unique and interesting in its own way. However, if I had to choose one from the list it would be Saving Private Ryan. I absolutely love this film. Saving Private Ryan is in my opinion, the greatest war movie of all time. The opening is one of the most visually stunning sequences of film to date. The way Speilberg captured the feeling of actually storming the beach was unbelievable. The audience got to experience what it was like to tread through the bloody sand with mortars and bullets narrowly missing them. Not surprising that Speilberg took home the academy award for best director in 1998.
Despite all of my praise for Speilberg, I have to say that Edward Zwick’s list of historical films is overall more consistent. The only respectable historical piece from Speilberg in the last decade was his film Munich in 2005. I say respectable,” because Munich was decent, but was certainly nothing to write home about.
Ever since his triumphant return to directing with his film The Last Samurai, Zwick has been on a roll. In my opinion, all of his last three films are absolutely amazing. His best film so far came with the release of Blood Diamond in 2006. He was able to elicit amazing performances from both Leonardo DiCaprio and his supporting actor Djimon Houndou. This film will keep your attention fully locked in from start to finish. Not only that, it is one of those films you keep thinking about for weeks.
Zwick’s most recent masterpiece came with the release of Defiance in 2008. This movie flew under the radar in a lot of respects. Despite having a big name like Daniel Craig in the leading role, the film did not do as well as expected. I think a big reason for this is because of when it was released. It stayed in the shadow cast by the talked about films such as Gran Turino and The Wrestler. Commercial success or not, Defiance was a great film. The directing and acting in this film are absolutely top class. Zwick elicits what is easily the finest performance of Daniel Craig’s career.
Defiance is a true story that takes place in Holland during WWII. The touching and heroic tale follows three Jewish brothers, who start a community in the woods for Jews trying to avoid the wrath of the Nazis. The story is so intense and overwhelming that it is difficult to believe that the film is actually based on a true story. Depending on how you look at it, the story may even be more dramatic and heart wrenching than that of Speilberg’s 1993 film, Schindler’s List.
Although Steven Speilberg’s body of work is absolutely insurmountable, it is clear that Zwick is making his move in a big way. When it comes to directing historical pieces, he is clearly the man to beat. His last three films have catapulted him into a league made up of Hollywood’s greatest filmmakers. As usual, I can’t wait to see what will come next from these two amazing directors.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Game Review: Call of Juarez - Bound in Blood
Your hand slowly creeps toward your pistol. Staring into your opponent’s eyes as you wait for what may be the last bell chime you will ever hear. Oh yes folks. I’m talking about a good old fashion Wild West showdown. This is just one of the many exciting elements in the new video game Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. If you are a fan of westerns, who enjoys first person shooters, this is the game for you. This is the sequel to the original entitled Call of Juarez. I played the original as well, and I can say that the sequel is a better, more refined version of the first game.
As the story of Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood unfolds we find ourselves following three brothers on their search to find the lost gold of Juarez. For the majority of the story missions the player has the option of choosing to play as either Thomas, or his older brother Ray. Each player offers different abilities and skills that the other does not. For example, Thomas is faster, better with a rifle, and can use both a bow and a lasso. Ray is slower but can take more damage. He is better at close range and can wield two pistols at once. Both characters have abilities that allow the player to slow down time after earning a certain amount of kills. This is great for times when you turn the corner, and are suddenly starring down the barrels of six different guns.
The story mode of the game was quite well done. I would say that besides maybe a train robbery, this game gives the player a chance to experience all of the greatest aspects of the old Wild West. For example: shooting Yankee boats with a cannon, mowing down waves of Indians with Gatling guns, shooting enemies while on horseback, on a stage couch, and even from a moving canoe piloted by a rogue apache. There was also free time between missions when you can visit the gunsmith to upgrade your weapons, grab a wanted poster to make some extra doe, or simply jump on your horse and take a ride through the countryside. The scenery and backgrounds are absolutely stunning throughout the entire game.
The multiplayer was also quite enjoyable. As you kill enemies, you take their money (or bounty). As you rack up kills you slowly increase not only your money stash, but also the price on your own head. The most exciting and original type of multiplayer was called Wild West Legends mode. In this game type, teams of up to six compete in real historical situations. For example, one map is called Tombstone. In this map the player is either assigned as an outlaw or a lawman. This is a reenactment that takes place on October 26, 1881 in the town of Tombstone. Players assigned as lawmen are playing as the infamous Earp brothers trying to protect the town. The outlaw’s objective is to take the town by bombing three weapons catches located in different areas. The outlaws only have a certain amount of time to complete their bombings. After one round the players switch sides and go again. I had a lot of fun playing all eight of the historical scenarios online.
I may be biased due to my love of westerns, but I would say that anyone who enjoys games such as Halo and Call of Duty would have a good time with this game. The story mode has a pretty high replay value due to the fact that once you are finished, you still want to play the game again as the other brother. The contrast between the two character’s abilities and story lines keep the game fresh on the second play-through. Add the Very Hard difficulty to the mix, and this game will keep you coming back for more and more.
As the story of Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood unfolds we find ourselves following three brothers on their search to find the lost gold of Juarez. For the majority of the story missions the player has the option of choosing to play as either Thomas, or his older brother Ray. Each player offers different abilities and skills that the other does not. For example, Thomas is faster, better with a rifle, and can use both a bow and a lasso. Ray is slower but can take more damage. He is better at close range and can wield two pistols at once. Both characters have abilities that allow the player to slow down time after earning a certain amount of kills. This is great for times when you turn the corner, and are suddenly starring down the barrels of six different guns.
The story mode of the game was quite well done. I would say that besides maybe a train robbery, this game gives the player a chance to experience all of the greatest aspects of the old Wild West. For example: shooting Yankee boats with a cannon, mowing down waves of Indians with Gatling guns, shooting enemies while on horseback, on a stage couch, and even from a moving canoe piloted by a rogue apache. There was also free time between missions when you can visit the gunsmith to upgrade your weapons, grab a wanted poster to make some extra doe, or simply jump on your horse and take a ride through the countryside. The scenery and backgrounds are absolutely stunning throughout the entire game.
The multiplayer was also quite enjoyable. As you kill enemies, you take their money (or bounty). As you rack up kills you slowly increase not only your money stash, but also the price on your own head. The most exciting and original type of multiplayer was called Wild West Legends mode. In this game type, teams of up to six compete in real historical situations. For example, one map is called Tombstone. In this map the player is either assigned as an outlaw or a lawman. This is a reenactment that takes place on October 26, 1881 in the town of Tombstone. Players assigned as lawmen are playing as the infamous Earp brothers trying to protect the town. The outlaw’s objective is to take the town by bombing three weapons catches located in different areas. The outlaws only have a certain amount of time to complete their bombings. After one round the players switch sides and go again. I had a lot of fun playing all eight of the historical scenarios online.
I may be biased due to my love of westerns, but I would say that anyone who enjoys games such as Halo and Call of Duty would have a good time with this game. The story mode has a pretty high replay value due to the fact that once you are finished, you still want to play the game again as the other brother. The contrast between the two character’s abilities and story lines keep the game fresh on the second play-through. Add the Very Hard difficulty to the mix, and this game will keep you coming back for more and more.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Go See This Movie
Michael Mann has done it again. The director of classic films such as The Last of the Mohicans and Heat has again produced a masterpiece in his new film Public Enemies. Similar to Heat, Mann has again found a way to blend the perfect amount of action and drama into a stunning film. I missed the beginning in the theatre so I will save my full review for a later time. Without giving anything away I will simply say that Johhny Depp absolutely steals the show in his portrayal of the infamous bank robber Jonh Dilllinger. This is the first Mann/Depp picture, and I have a feeling it will not be the last.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I am usually one to defend Michael Bay from critics who say that his films are shameless and childish. After all, I grew up watching great action films like Bad Boys, The Rock, and Armageddon. These films are still great, as long as you go into them with the frame of mind that allows you to overlook certain unbelievable aspects. This is the reason why the original Transformers worked so well. The audience was in this mind set from the opening credits simply because they had already paid money to see giant alien robots wreak havoc on our gentle planet Earth. I had a similar mindset when I sat down to watch the sequel entitled, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Let me start off by saying that it was one of the most unrealistic and overdone films I have ever seen. Let me explain. The first film was well done because it gave the transformers a certain level of power and sophistication that was well beyond our human capabilities. This was evident from the very first scene as a single decepticon (evil transformer) literally tore through a U.S. military base with little resistance.
The unrelenting power and sophistication of the transformers was completely absent in the second film. This is evident from the opening credits as we find out that the humans and transformers have begun working together. Why do the transformers need humans in battle? These are the same humans who were completely helpless against transformers in the first film. Where is the consistency between the two films?
Between the first and second film, the transformers seemed to be less like alien robots, and more like humans. Not only that, we all of a sudden find out that the transformers not only act like humans, but age like humans as well. This was one of the dumbest aspects of the film. Mid way through we meet an old decepticon living in a museum. He is remarkably human-like as he is somewhat senile and walks with a cane. We also meet transformers who seem to be teenagers judging from their crude adolescent toilet humor that is prevalent through the entire film.
I know that Michael Bay has a target audience that is somewhat younger, but that is no excuse for making such a childish and over the top movie. “I make movies for teenage boys. Oh, dear, what a crime,” said Michael Bay. The crime is not appealing to a target audience, it is making a film that only twelve year olds can enjoy. One might say that films like X-Men, Spiderman, and Ironman are for teenage boys as well. However, these films had great commercial success because they contained a level of realism that appealed to adults. Michael Bay had this in the first Transformers, but somehow lost it along the way. Let me finish by saying that Michael Bay has the ability to make great action films. I am not writing him off yet because despite a few standouts, the majority of his films are well done. He has already turned down the next Transformers movie, and I hope he can rebound with something that blows us away.
The unrelenting power and sophistication of the transformers was completely absent in the second film. This is evident from the opening credits as we find out that the humans and transformers have begun working together. Why do the transformers need humans in battle? These are the same humans who were completely helpless against transformers in the first film. Where is the consistency between the two films?
Between the first and second film, the transformers seemed to be less like alien robots, and more like humans. Not only that, we all of a sudden find out that the transformers not only act like humans, but age like humans as well. This was one of the dumbest aspects of the film. Mid way through we meet an old decepticon living in a museum. He is remarkably human-like as he is somewhat senile and walks with a cane. We also meet transformers who seem to be teenagers judging from their crude adolescent toilet humor that is prevalent through the entire film.
I know that Michael Bay has a target audience that is somewhat younger, but that is no excuse for making such a childish and over the top movie. “I make movies for teenage boys. Oh, dear, what a crime,” said Michael Bay. The crime is not appealing to a target audience, it is making a film that only twelve year olds can enjoy. One might say that films like X-Men, Spiderman, and Ironman are for teenage boys as well. However, these films had great commercial success because they contained a level of realism that appealed to adults. Michael Bay had this in the first Transformers, but somehow lost it along the way. Let me finish by saying that Michael Bay has the ability to make great action films. I am not writing him off yet because despite a few standouts, the majority of his films are well done. He has already turned down the next Transformers movie, and I hope he can rebound with something that blows us away.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Mission Statement
I have developed this blog as an entertainment resource. My goal is to offer film and video game reviews to audiences, before they go out and spend money. I cannot offer an unbiased perspective, but I can promise that my posts will be consistent day in and day out. This blog will not have a specific form, but I will use a general structure when writing. Reviews will begin by giving a short unbiased description of the film or video game. From there, I will give my own personal review as well as citing any outside resources I used. I will finish off with some sort of interactive element that gives the reader a chance to voice their opinions, and see what other people thought as well. For example: On the scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate the film Terminator Salvation? Or: Rate the four terminator films from best to worst. I want this blog the be fun as well as informative. I will try to focus on new films and videogames when they are available. However, I may also write several reviews on classic films or videogames that I feel warrant the extra attention. I hope that one day this blog will become a useful resource for people seeking entertainment through movies or video games. Save your money. Before going to see a new movie or buy a new game, stop in here to find out the real deal from Mr. Entertainment.
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