Film Review : Let Me In

Film Review:Let Me In

A film remake of the Swedish film , Let the Right One In, by Matt Reeves. The same director of Cloverfield. Takes place in the early 80s in New Mexico during winter. A young boy befriends a new new neighbor that happens to be a very well aged vampire whom falls in love with later in the film. Chloe Moretz plays Abby, the vampire. She's the same actress the portrayed Hit girl in Kick Ass. I see a bright future for this young actress with her choice of films and her acting ability. The film was pretty much on point from the original. A very cold dark lonely horror drama. There were a few cute scenes in the film such as the young boy asking her out on a date and giving a her a copy of Romeo and Juliet. I found that heart warming even for such a dark film. The effects in the film were suttle yet to the point. The score was produced by Academy Award winner Micheal Giacchino. The camera work was superb to bring the element of cold isolation in a very film noirish type of setting. This is a great film for that perfect bloody date. I found it romantic at times but this is me though... Overall a horror film finally worth watching.

Film Review: Kick Ass

Film Review: Kick Ass

Nice to see the theme of vengeance in a comic book adapted film but would you expect anything less besides costumes? Directed by Matthew Vaughn and co produced by Brad Pitt. The film is filled with explosive scenes and story line that works. The character build up in the film was on point also the music selection for certain scenes. The film is basically about this patsy that decides to fight crime in an outfit to win attention via social media sites. He finds himself meeting more than he expected. The film is a little bit on the violent side of things and a bit graphic but it's a film with Vengeance?! My favorite character in the film would be Hit Girl. I can see a film staring her.

Film Review: The Last Exorcism

Film Review: The Last Exorcism

Not just another film filled with head turns and watered down guac but a film made to bring you at the edge of your seat in wonder. Shot in a moch documentary style by Daniel Stamm and produced by Eli Roth. Tells the tail of a preacher that performed Exorcisms and decided after a while to exploit his last one via a documentary to show the false promises that he made in the past due to regret. Reading a letter that requested his services for a young farm girl in Louisiana which leads to his last Exorcism. The camera work in the film was shot in the same style of other mockmentary type films but the story of the film caught me by surprise and left the theatre in goosebumps. I rarely get goosebumps from horror films these days but this film surely did the job. I highly recommend to watch this film after the sunset anything less would be surely lame.

Sarah Silverman's favorites

Sarah Silverman's Favorites

I don't really think these are all of her favorites but maybe just her favorites from Borders. I agree with most of her choices. I did like the Squid and the Whale. Here's more from her.

Introducing: Manikin

Introducing: Manikin

A band that I really enjoy watching and listening to in Austin. A post punk vibe with a unique sound that is peppered with other sounds. Had a moment to share a few words with Alfie from the band. I highly suggest you check them out and catch one of their shows in the area.

How long has the band been together and how did it form?

We form the band out of boredom- it's been almost a decade in the making and there's seem to be nothing to cover the void we all feel inside.

Where are some the most memorable places that Manikin have played at and why?

One memorable show was at Emo's where there was only one guy at the front dancing like he was doing the P90X commercial. it was a little show in it self. I almost forgot we were playing- it was that cool to watch.

What are some of the influences of the band, also any favorite local bands that you enjoy playing with?

Early Siouxsie and Joy Division, The Avengers, Prince and Michael Jackson, the Adolescence, The Vibrators, Madonna, the Normals, maybe Lydia Lunch and Richard Hell. Lots of stuff. We enjoy paying with The Hexie, Bottle Service,

On your most recent album, Stop the Sirens, how long did it take to record and write the songs for the album?

like five minutes- it comes to us in a dream and completely ornamented and ready to be disastered.

Can you elaborate on what the song Sirens is about?

it's about escaping but getting caught. Also Perfect Picture is another song that grabs my attention, can you tell a little bit more about? Our struggle is the same in any generation. The message is the same but with different author. We are not any better.

Do you have songs that are not released yet that you didn’t find to fit on the last three albums, any thoughts of working on a B-Side compilation cd?

We're breaking that mold actually. Soon we'll be as free as a caged bird.

How many albums do you have out and how do they differ from one another?

3 albums- they're different because the were made from different places in our lives. We're changing constantly.

How does the band develop songs? Do usually come up with a concept or just work off from each other jamming?

In a dream- I heard this question before or was I just dreaming again.

What are the upcoming plans for the band and thoughts about working on another album?

Focusing in making good songs- better songs.

Who does the art work for Manikin?

global consciousness does it

More info on the band can be found at:

http://www.myspace.com/manikin

http://www.themanikin.com/

Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox

The first stop motion picture from Wes Anderson based on Roald Dahl's children novel. Tells the tale of a Fox with his lady, Felicity, getting busted while stealing chickens on a farm also found out she is pregnant with a cub. Felicity convinces Mr. Fox if they live that he will find safer employment. Time passes, currently living in a hole and decided to find shelter in a new home at the base of a tree. Right in the front yard of the new home are three farmhouses which rekindles old habits and leads to them being chased down by the three farmers. With his new copilot the possum, he steals from all three farms. Many other characters are portrayed, such as the Badger ( voiced by Bill Murrary), Felicity (Meryl Streep), Mr. Fox ( voiced by George Clooney) and much more. The film is very uplifting and has the Wes Anderson quirks and dry humor.

Jarvis Cocker (Britpop band Pulp) makes a guess cameo as a song writer towards the end of the film while the farmers are in pursuit. Another brilliant soundtrack that's worth listening to over and over. The film over all is great and worth watching over a few times. I would consider this a borderline family type movie that's enjoyable. It was nominated for the 82nd Academy Awards for best Animated Feature and original score. I really felt it should have won both, well at least the Animated Feature Academy Award.

Director Guillermo del Toro's book series

Director Guillermo del Toro's book series

The Strain is the first novel of a vampire trilogy to be co-authored by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.
The book was released on June 2nd, 2009 and the second installment, entitled The Fall, is to be released in September 2010. I'm going to to have to catch up on some reading real quick. I found this to be very interesting since one of his influences is H.P. Lovecraft.

Here is a link for more information on the series.
http://www.thestraintrilogy.com/