It’s no secret that one of my favorite films of 2011 was Scorsese’s excellent HUGO – this popped up online a few days ago. It looks like someone attached a wide angle go-pro-like device on the steadicam rig, to give you a nice perspective into the great tracking shot in the end of the film. Walls open out, props are moved, all for a great, uncut effect. This is definitely not as complicated as the amazing steadicam tracking shot in Goodfellas, but never the less, an awesome video.
May 29, 2012 Leave a Comment
November 28, 2011 1 Comment
Film Review: Hugo
‘Hugo’ is director Martin Scorsese’s first foray in a long while that is in complete unfamiliar territory. For starters, this is his first film absent of Leonardo DiCaprio in 10 years. Secondly this is the first Scorsese picture intended for all ages. Notice I didn’t say “intended for kids.” I don’t think Scorsese set out to make a kids movie, I think he definitely set out to make a movie that could be enjoyed by anyone of any age (kids included!).
Adapted from the novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick, the film tells the story of a boy who lives alone in a Paris train station, and a curious toy shop owner. Hugo (Asa Butterfield), orphaned at a young age lives in secret, running around in the background keeping the station’s clocks in order – a job he took over from his drunken Uncle who adopted him after the passing of his father.
The one possession he still has from his father is a mechanical man, an automaton. A project he was working on with his father. Hugo believes that the automaton holds a secret final message from his father, and is working tirelessly to fix it.
Hugo acquires parts by stealing them from the toy shop, owned by Papa Georges (Ben Kinglsey). When Papa Georges takes Hugo’s notebook as payment for what he’s stolen, Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz), Papa Georges goddaughter, begins to help Hugo – beginning their wonderful adventure.
Scorsese films are known for their amazing cinematography and camera work. Whether its the long tracking shots in ‘Goodfellas,’ or the swooping shots of planes in ‘The Aviator,’ Scorsese and his DP Robert Richardson love moving the camera. In the opening of this film, they use every trick in the book. It’s mind-blowing. The seamless movement through practical, and CG sets, all while closely following Hugo looked amazing – this scene alone is worth the price of admission.
Asa Butterfield proves himself to be a talented, wonderful actor. The emotions he displays, especially in the pivotal moments of them film are quite believable. Moretz, who at a young age already has a great catalog of work under her now has another amazing film under her belt. It was also great to see Sacha Baron Cohen in something other than his own characters.
I’m not the greatest proponent of 3D films. I don’t like it for a lot of reasons. But I have said, if there is any director who could do anything amazing with the medium, it’d be Scorsese. I was right. This film is hands down, the greatest 3D film I’ve seen. The way the depth and dimension is used exceeds what we saw in Avatar. Subtle things like dust in the train station, or light from a film projector surrounding a characters head – everything looked amazing.
When I first heard that Scorsese had signed on to direct this film, I was scratching my head. Having now seen it, its obvious why he was the perfect director for this film. Not just because of the advanced themes and amazing story – the film calls back to one of Scorsese’s greatest passions, the cinema of yesteryear. The film features, and is inspired by so many great films, from ‘The Great Train Robbery,’ and ‘Safety Last,’ to ‘Intolerance.’
There is no reason why every single person of any age should not see this movie. Amazing cast, amazing story, amazing cinematography, this film is a great reminder that, yes, there still can be great films that can be enjoyed all.
November 25, 2011 Leave a Comment
Preview Review: November 25, 2011
A DANGEROUS METHOD
David Cronenberg is the best director working that has never been nominated for a Best Director Oscar. He has always made movies that totally fuck Hollywood in the ass. Videodrome, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, Scanners, The Fly…on and on and on are all movies that are highly regarded, yet fly under the radar. It’s a shame. He has found some critical respect lately for his last two films, A History Of Violence and Eastern Promises, which are both excellent but nowhere
near as terrific as his old classics. His new film is about Freud, which is a bizarre departure for his usual fare. It looks good, but is not blowing me away compared to what I expect from this amazing
filmmaker. However, previews can be deceiving and I have a great feeling that this could be something special. However, I will always lament the lost grossness of his older movies, but maybe it’s finally time to give this man an Oscar nomination. Time will tell.
PREDICTION: 3 stars
ARTHUR CHRISTMAS
What amazes me is that every single year, someone pumps out an ”original” movie about Christmas. How much fucking content can this holiday hold?? We have people becomming Santa Claus, we have people being Elves, we have people trying to rescue lost reindeer. Blah blah
blah. I don’t even really know what this movie is really about. Some kid fucks up Christmas or something…I don’t know. The preview goes so fast it makes me feel like some fucking ADD ridden 7 year old trying to read War And Peace. It just looks like another cheaply animated turd that the ass of Christmas has spread open ready to plop on our faces. Open wide. Give me Scrooged anytime.
PREDICTION: 1 1/2 stars
HUGO
I am a Martin Scorsese whore. I don’t care. He can use me and abuse me and not even leave me cab fare so long as he keeps making shit like Goodfellas. Now, I will admit, when I saw the first trailer for Hugo, I was underwhelmed…very underwhelmed. It looked fucking retarded, I’ll say it. But I was confident that it was a scam and that the machine had pumped out a trailer to try to get parents to take their screaming kids. I mean, it looked terrible. Like some generic Tim Burton ripoff where Borat goes flying into a giant cake…DERP!! But from what I’ve read, my suspicions of false advertising were correct. I’ve read some stellar classic Scorsese movie moments, and that the
film altogether is an ode to classic 20s and silent era cinema. Sure, it might go over kids and most parents heads, but I think this has classic film written all over it. I wouldn’t expect anything less
from the best living filmmaker around. Highly anticipating this one!!
PREDICTION: 4 stars
THE MUPPETS
This will be good. No matter what, this will be good. Even if this movie is stupid as hell, it will be good. I have never seen anyone happier to be in a movie as Jason Segel. If you watch the trailer,
every scene he has a giant grin like “Yep, I’m in a Muppet movie that I wrote.” It’s like literally watching a dream come true. As most people are, I’m a fan of the Muppets. I love most, pretty much all, of their movies and I love Muppet Babies (remember that awesome show??), so you pretty much can’t go wrong with the Muppets. If you hate them, you must have a heart made of the darkest volcanic glass. You’re pretty much a complete asshole if you hate the Muppets. I’m sure this movie will be goofy and stupid, but why would I want anything less from a Muppet movie? I sort of wish there were more celebrity cameos though, like the old days of the Muppet Show. Jason
Segel doesn’t really carry a movie for me, and aside from whipping out his dick, he really isn’t all that funny…but I’m sure he and Amy Adams will be mostly in the background for Kermit, Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie and all the others. Trust me…this will be good.
PREDICTION: 3 stars
Happy thanksgiving!
July 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
Trailer: Martin Scorsese’s Hugo
I’ve been looking forward to the Scorsese’s adaptation of ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret” since I first heard about it. Despite my general reservations for 3D, if there is one filmmaker that can truly do something unique with it, its Scorsese. The film stars Chloe Moretz, Asa Butterfield, and Sacha Baron Cohen
The trailer is a little on the goofy/sappy side with its titles, but I’m not the target market for it. I do think this is going to be a great kids film, I get a great vibe from the sweeping shots in the trailer that if anything, it’ll be a beautiful looking film. I can’t wait!
February 25, 2011 1 Comment
Ben’s 2011 Oscar Picks
So it’s Oscar time again, and I guess the little experiment of having 10 Best Pictures worked from last year. Once again, they have taken a crappy year in general and milked 10 movies from it. I have mixed feelings on this 10 Best Picture thing. On one hand, I like it because it gives some great, great movies that probably wouldn’t have cracked the top 5 (i.e. True Grit) a chance at glory. On the other hand, however, 10 movies don’t seem to have the prestige that 5 movies had. You had to be really, really good to make the top 5 (with the exception of Juno). So I’m mixed, but all in all I don’t mind it too much.
Last year you could tell there was a lot of filler. The Blind Side, are you kidding me? That said, this year actually has 10 movies I really enjoyed! I would say all 10 of them had a legit shot at a Best Picture nomination even if there were only 5 this year. Some are stronger than others, of course, but all 10 really gave me something this year, and that is rare, trust me.
I’m betting on The Social Network to take the top prize. Even though when I first heard about it, I was like “wha-?” Who wants to see Facebook the Movie if you are over 22? But as soon as Fincher signed on, I knew this was going to be a little different, and, of course, it was. Excellent movie.
Now out of these 10, my favorite would have to be Black Swan. I was expecting a mind fuck, yes, but not THIS much of a mind fuck. It had all the classic elements that made old school David Cronenberg and David Lynch so terrifying. Meaning, you didn’t know what the fuck was going on. It captures the confused atmosphere so well, that I was on the edge of my seat. I love body horror, and this was body horror I have not seen since The Fly. Loved it! It won’t win, and to be honest, I’m glad. A movie like that shouldn’t be shared with any idiot who sees “BEST PICTURE WINNER” on the box. This is a special movie, and should only be viewed by people who will appreciate it.
However…it was not my favorite movie of the year. In fact, my favorite movie wasn’t even nominated. Now I am a self confessed Martin Scorsese whore, I know this. But we had our differences for a few years. In fact, I felt that The Departed, while good, was immensely over-rated and not even close to his best movie. One of his
bottom movies, I would have to say. It just felt like he wasn’t trying, and he pretty much admitted that in multiple interviews. But, I don’t want to get into a 10 page ramble of The Departed. I’m talking about the forgotten movie of 2010, Shutter Island. Even though this was his highest grossing movie to date, the February release destroyed it. What a stupid idea to release it in Feb. Yes, I understand that their strategy was to mimic Silence of the Lambs
success, but that was fucking 20 years ago!! (Holy shit, it was, wasn’t it??) I feel that Shutter Island would have been given a bit more Oscar love if it had stuck with its original release date of October 2009. People don’t like this movie. That’s fine. People say the “twist” was predictable. I say, the movie wasn’t about the “twist”. I say the movie was much much MUCH more than that. This isn’t going to be a Shutter Island review, but if anyone hates this movie because of the supposed “twist” ending, then please go back to enjoying The Mechanic, because this is simply not for you. The movie had style that I haven’t seen in a movie this century. It just had so much going on…the music being my favorite part. The musical buildup to them arriving at the island almost gave me a heart attack. I loved it!! Every bit of it!! And it has my vote as Best Picture of the Year!!!!! But watch…King’s Speech will take it all. Bummer.
My Predictions:
BEST PIC: The Social Network
BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth – King’s Speech
BEST ACTRESS: Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right
BEST S. ACTOR: Christian Bale – The Fighter
BEST S. ACTRESS: Melissa Leo – The Fighter
BEST DIRECTOR: David Fincher – The Social Network
June 9, 2010 Leave a Comment
DVD Review: Shutter Island
‘Shutter Island’ Scorsese’s latest masterpiece is a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane.
Set on Shutter Island in Boston Harbor, 1954, the film begins with two Federal Marshals on a boat, heading to Ashecliffe Hospital to assist in finding an escaped patient. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is paired up with a new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) whose been sent to the department from Seattle.
They arrive on Shutter Island just as a storm is approaching and meet with Dr. Cawley (Kinglsey) the chief administrator of Ashecliffe. Daniels immediately senses that he is being lied to, that the people their interviewing are hiding something, and that there is something terrible happening at this hospital.
Throughout the film, we flashback to Daniels in the service, a soldier in WWII, as well as to dream sequences with Daniels late wife. Daniel’s character is haunted by the horror he witnessed at Dachau, a concentration camp, as well surreal scenes of Daniel’s dead wife, who died in an apartment fire. Due to what he saw at Dachau, Daniels feels that this is what is happening on Shutter Island. He’s seen what horror man is capable of, and he’s there to stop it.
The mood of Shutter Island is haunting. I had an uncomfortable feeling from start to finish. It wasn’t a scary film per-say but the mood was tense, you felt an uneasy weight on your shoulders that you couldn’t shake because of what was being played out on the screen. The music (from longtime collaborator Robbie Robertson) only added to the films haunting atmosphere. Honestly, the music as Daniels and Aule arrive to the island will give me nightmares the rest of this week.
As far as the acting goes, DiCaprio has become quite comfortable with his Boston accent, and nothing really stood out as overly ridiculous as is normally the case (maybe I’m biased because I’m from Boston). His performance was the best I’ve seen in all his collaborations with Scorsese. Everyone shined, from the background patients up. Mark Ruffalo continues to be one of my favorite actors to this day. He has this presence that makes him stand out in everything he pops up in.
‘Shutter Island’ was tightly crafted and extremely fine tuned, nothing felt out of place, and despite its 138 minute runtime, I never felt it drag, not once. The story was tight, the script was tight. The editing was absolutely perfect.
The movie has been received with mixed feelings, critics and audiences seem to be either completely loving it, or completely hating it. I definitely feel like its going to be one of those films that will get its complete respect decades from now. Will it be remembered by Oscar season next year? I really hope so, because I really do believe it was that good.
March 16, 2010 Leave a Comment
Scorsese Talks Sinatra & Casting for Invention
Lonely Reviewer contributor Ben has been waiting as long as he’s heard about it for Martin Scorsese’s Sinatra biopic.The Oscar winning director said recently that the project is proving to be a difficult challenge due to the sheer size of Sinatra’s life.
He told Shortlist.com that “It’s very hard because here is a man who changed the entire image of the Italian-American. And that’s just one thing. Along with his political work, civil rights, the Mob.”
The film apparently will be much like “The Aviator,” by only focusing at certain points in his life.
He tells the site that you could “have three or four different Sinatras. Younger. Older. Middle-aged. Very old. You cut back and forth in time – and you do it through the music. See what I’m saying? So that’s what we’re trying for.”
I’m confident if anyone can build an amazing film out of an amazing life, its Martin Scorsese.
In other Scorsese related news, Sacha Baron Cohen and Ben Kingsley have been cast in his next film, an adapation of the children’s book ‘Invention of Hugo Cabret.’
February 21, 2010 Leave a Comment
Review: Shutter Island
‘Shutter Island’ Scorsese’s latest masterpiece is a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane.
Set on Shutter Island in Boston Harbor, 1954, the film begins with two Federal Marshals on a boat, heading to Ashecliffe Hospital to assist in finding an escaped patient. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is paired up with a new partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) whose been sent to the department from Seattle.
They arrive on Shutter Island just as a storm is approaching and meet with Dr. Cawley (Kinglsey) the chief administrator of Ashecliffe. Daniels immediately senses that he is being lied to, that the people their interviewing are hiding something, and that there is something terrible happening at this hospital.
Throughout the film, we flashback to Daniels in the service, a soldier in WWII, as well as to dream sequences with Daniels late wife. Daniel’s character is haunted by the horror he witnessed at Dachau, a concentration camp, as well surreal scenes of Daniel’s dead wife, who died in an apartment fire. Due to what he saw at Dachau, Daniels feels that this is what is happening on Shutter Island. He’s seen what horror man is capable of, and he’s there to stop it.
The mood of Shutter Island is haunting. I had an uncomfortable feeling from start to finish. It wasn’t a scary film per-say but the mood was tense, you felt an uneasy weight on your shoulders that you couldn’t shake because of what was being played out on the screen. The music (from longtime collaborator Robbie Robertson) only added to the films haunting atmosphere. Honestly, the music as Daniels and Aule arrive to the island will give me nightmares the rest of this week.
As far as the acting goes, DiCaprio has become quite comfortable with his Boston accent, and nothing really stood out as overly ridiculous as is normally the case (maybe I’m biased because I’m from Boston). His performance was the best I’ve seen in all his collaborations with Scorsese. Everyone shined, from the background patients up. Mark Ruffalo continues to be one of my favorite actors to this day. He has this presence that makes him stand out in everything he pops up in.
‘Shutter Island’ was tightly crafted and extremely fine tuned, nothing felt out of place, and despite its 138 minute runtime, I never felt it drag, not once. The story was tight, the script was tight. The editing was absolutely perfect.
The movie has been received with mixed feelings, critics and audiences seem to be either completely loving it, or completely hating it. I definitely feel like its going to be one of those films that will get its complete respect decades from now. Will it be remembered by Oscar season next year? I really hope so, because I really do believe it was that good.
January 22, 2010 1 Comment
Scorsese Picks ‘Invention’
Scorsese has announced his next film, an adaptation of ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret,’ to begin lensing in June.
The book tells the story of a child orphan, who was working to fix a Mechanical Man. After his death, Hugo, attempts to complete is fathers work in a 1930s Parisian train station. Written by Brian Selznick the childrens book has won numerous awards, including the 2008 Caldecott Medal, and a finalist for a National Book Award.
Scorsese has a lot of films in different stages of development, like ‘Silence,’ ‘Wolf of Wall Street,’ and a Sinatra biopic, but ‘Invention’ will definitely be his next project.
It sounds like a very interesting story, and I can’t wait to see Scorsese’s vision of this interesting illustrated story. Perhaps this will be the first film Scorsese makes that is for all audiences, now that is something I’m interested in seeing.
September 30, 2009 Leave a Comment
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