Here are my Oscar predictions
I know Up is going to win, but Fantastic Mr. Fox was better. Look into your heart, you know it to be true.
Also, they expanded Best Picture to 10 nominations, but yet they miss Star Trek, Adventureland, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. You let me down, Oscar.
Get your own ballot at the only movie blog that matters, Ultra Culture.
So you’ve heard of that new movie The Boat That Rocked, right?
Wait – you haven’t? That’s right. It’s called Pirate Radio here in the states.
Well, in England, it’s called The Boat That Rocked
Apparently, Americans demand straightforward movie titles. And we don’t understand Beatles references.
But at least it isn’t being advertised as a sequel
Or a videogame tie-in
We Are Keeping Netflix Profiles Dear Raishad, You spoke, and we listened. We are keeping Profiles. Thank you for all the calls and emails telling us how important Profiles are. We are sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused. We hope the next time you hear from us we will delight, and not disappoint, you. -Your friends at Netflix
Yep, my blog is powerful. So far it’s saved 30 Rock, Pushing Daisies, and now Netflix Profiles.
Sadly, I just couldn’t save Arrested Development, or Speed Racer. But I’m ahead though, and that’s what matters.
Speaking of Speed Racer – not one person asked for a ticket refund. This either means that no one reads this OR that everyone who felt compelled to see Speed Racer after my post, loved it. I think it’s the latter.
Sadly, it looks like Speed Racer is out of theatres. Until I’ve seen Hancock and The Dark Knight, Speed Racer remains the Summer Movie of the Summer.
I’m saving Speed Racer. I did it with 30 Rock, Pushing Daisies, and I’m doing it again.
I mean, Speed Racer only making 2 million this weekend is one of the most disappointing things this side of Hillary Clinton’s Primary Race.
Go see Speed Racer. Out of all the movies I’ve seen this summer, it’s winning Movie of the Summer. For the record, I’ve seen Iron Man, Indiana Jones, and Speed Racer.
It’s filled with so much joy and entertainment. The visuals are amazing. It’s not cheap and annoying some would have you believe. It’s like pop rocks for your eyes. There probably won’t be a movie like this again. You owe it to yourself to see it in a theatre. The blending of live action with CGI just works so well.
And you know what, I believe in Speed Racer with such conviction – I’ll offer a money back guarantee. That’s right – if you watch Speed Racer, and don’t enjoy it – I’ll refund you the cost of your ticket. And just so this won’t end up on digg and result in me going to the poor house – I have to know you personally. And also, I can refuse to pay up if I feel like it or feel like you’re lying.
I’m gonna go out on a limb, and say that just because I love Arrested Development, doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll love the 2007 Documentary, War Dance.
Try again, Netflix
If “Falling Slowly” from Once doesn’t win for “Best Original Song”, it’ll be a shame
As for the rest of the categories, I can’t complain. I’ve seen all the “Best Picture” nominations except for “Atonement” and “Michael Clayton”. And as I understand it, both are fine movies that I don’t hate. Yep, not a “Crash” in the bunch.
Bonus Youtube Link: I’ll never get tired of the phrase “I Drink Your Milkshake”
Keith Olbermann uses it every so often on Countdown and it’s always entertaining. Long even has, what I think, a decent Daniel Plainview impersonation.
…a little Sunshine, maybe?
Sunshine, the new movie by Director Danny Boyle and Writer Alex Garland, is one of the 2 great movies I saw this weekend. The other was Stardust, but I don’t think it needs my help, Sunshine does though. Last time, I saved 30 Rock, now I’m directing my efforts towards Sunshine.
I’ve tried to describe the plot of Sunshine to others, but they always say, “Oh, it’s like The Core then?” My answer is no. The Core was bullshit, Sunshine is amazing. Admittedly, it’s a similar idea, restarting the Sun/Earth with a huge fuckoff bomb.
“The premise of SUNSHINE,” explains producer Andrew Macdonald, “is that in 50 years from now the Sun is dying. It is no longer providing the energy and the light that mankind needs to survive on Earth. The entire global community pools its resources to send a mission into space to deliver a bomb to reignite the part of the Sun that is failing. Our story concerns the eight astronauts and scientists who lead this mission. On their journey towards the Sun the crew stumble upon the ship that was sent on the same mission seven years previously, the Icarus I, drifting in space. From this point on things start to go very wrong and it’s about how the crew react under the enormous pressure of their endeavor to save mankind.”
Sunshine, like Hot Fuzz, is one of those films that get “released” in the US last. I put “release” in quotes, since at its widest release 2 weeks ago, it was playing at 461 theatres. It wasn’t very successful, and so it’s on it’s way out. It’s down to 116, so it might be difficult to find. I know in Dallas, it’s only playing at the Angelika. And as we know, just because a film is popular doesn’t mean it’s good – see Rush Hour 3.
And yes I know on Rotten Tomatoes it’s sitting at 74%. I won’t lie to you, it won’t be for everyone. But it’s a lot better that the shit that’s out there, you know like Rush Hour 3.
You can view the trailer here.
So this weekend, if you’re not at my cousin’s wedding and Superbad is sold out, seek out Sunshine. You won’t be disappointed.
Hot Fuzz is coming out this week. Ordinarily, I would be celebrating. But, America is getting screwed. Screwed by the evil Universal Pictures, a subsidiary of the awesome NBC Universal.
See, the American release of Hot Fuzz is nerfed. In the UK, they get a 2 disc Special Edition. A 2 disc Special Edition of Awesomeness. The US release is missing the 2nd Disc and some assorted commentaries.
From Wikipedia –
Disc two contains 22 deleted scenes with optional commentary, a making of documentary, 13 video blogs, featurettes, plot holes and comparisons, special effects feature, galleries and some hidden easter eggs. The DVD also features Wright’s last amateur film Dead Right which he described as “Hot Fuzz without the budget”. A making of Dead Right is also included on the second disc.
You believe that? All that is missing from the US release…….unless you get the HD DVD release. That’s right. Universal, the only major distributor that isn’t releasing Blu-Ray titles, has made it so I’ll only see all the special features only if I buy the HD DVD version. Yep, I call it extortion.
And anyways, HD DVD’s time on earth is limited. Blu Ray will eventually win. I’ve seen it.
[Knocked Up][1]
Everything else can’t compete. Spiderman 3 turned into WWE Summer Slam: Rage In The Cage. Pirates 3 was better than Spiderman 3, but it wasn’t as “fun” as Pirates 2. Pirates 2 was just awesome following awesome, Pirates 3 was just a cool slow motion explosion (and some other cool bits).
I know the Summer Movie Season just started, but I feel pretty confident about naming Knocked Up the Best Summer Movie of 2007.
Transformers will be a let down. The last “good” Michael Bay movie was The Rock. And that was because Sean Connery was such a badass. And face it, it will never meet your expectations. You’ve had 20 years to construct the perfect Transformers movie. Michael Bay only had like a year. Ocean’s 13 might be entertaining. I think it has to be by default. Usually the 2nd movie in a trilogy is the best, but Ocean’s 12 was pretty forgettable. Hopefully it was the kick the pants Steven Soderbergh needed. Fantastic Four, Jessica Alba. Live Free or Die Hard, pass. The Simpsons Movie, all I have to ask is where is my Futurama Movie. The Bourne Ultimatum could be good. Rush Hour 3 will be like Rush Hour 2 which was like Rush Hour which was like every other Fish out of Water/Buddy Cop movie ever. Superbad will probably be super entertaining, sort of like Knocked Up, but I don’t think it’ll top it.
Stardust could be good. Like really good. I hope it’s good. Like really good.
So, Knocked Up wins. Simple.
Well turns out I didn’t need a reason for week number 3. I made an executive decision – go on a Thursday (Last Thursday 1/18). And it’s a good thing too. Saturday was AcDec, and Sunday was spent putting out fires at work. There wouldn’t have been any time to see Children of Men! I’m such a leader, maybe I should form an exploratory committee.
Anyways, Children of Men. It was delicious, like eating some amazing cake. Watching it, I could feel love.
It may just be the best movie of 2006. If not, definitely the best Science Fiction movie of 2006.
Twitter: raishad