The External World.
“Remember: this is merely a cartoon. None of this is real. This is a purely fictional occurrence, in no way based on reality. This is not happening in this universe or any other. Neither are these words. Neither are you. There is only a silent emptiness spreading infinitely in all directions.” -The External World by David Oreilly For about 17 minutes I was taken to another place that was a brilliant, hypnotic nothing filled with fantastic events and sick humor that forced me to leave my social reservations behind. What does it all mean? Does it mean anything? In this alternate and nostalgia-filled world, my morals...Read more
Blue Valentine brings avant-garde aesthetic to very aptly titled film
Blue Valentine, the first widely released feature by Derek Cianfrance, follows the course of a young couple's relationship as it moves from carefree romance to strained marriage. “What does it feel like to be in love?” This is a question posed by Cindy as she struggles in her relationship with the charming but mercurial Dean. The answer eludes her, as it does for so many of us all. The film succeeds for many reasons: strong performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in the lead roles, Cianfrance’s artful camerawork, cinematography, and storytelling technique (he studied at the University of Colorado under avant-garde film legends Stan Brackage and Phil Solomon).&nbs...Read more
Coppala Still Lonely with
During the opening sequence of Sophia Coppalla’s fourth feature, Somewhere, protagonist Johnny Marco’s black Ferrari moves in and out of frame, at varying distances, not giving away what is in store for the audience. Those familiar with Coppalla’s work, however, will recognize this as another stanza in the visual poetry that has become Coppalla’s signature style. Much as in Lost in Translation, Coppalla allows the environments in which her characters inhabit to live and breathe, becoming characters in and of themselves. While Tokyo and Los Angeles ultimately impart very different emotions, the...Read more
The Social Network
After seeing this movie I did something that I don’t normally do before writing a movie review - I read other blog reviews. Normally I try to develop my own opinion about a film before I write about it, but as I walked out of the theatre after seeing The Social Network, I heard a very distinct separation between the cinema patrons. Those who liked the flick really liked it and inevitably spent days dreaming about how to become the next Mark Zuckerberg (I know this, because I myself did so) and those who didn’t all had the same two complaints, which mirror the reviews I have read. The first thing I heard coming out of their displeased mouths was that this movie had too mu...Read more
Movie About Banging Natalie Portman Now Available on DVD
First thing's first. When I think of brothers, I think of my brother, Jim. And then I think about Legends Of The Fall, and Brad Pitt screaming “Samuel!” a lot and telling his older brother that he’s already let him run his mouth about this particular subject one time, “Just once!”, but if he says it again, so help him Dear God, they are no longer brothers. Coming in at number 3, I think of the movie Brothers, and how one tends to see both characters' (one brother played by Jake Gyllenhaal and the other byToby Maguire) perspectives. They both bang Natalie Portman, but not at the same tim...Read more
Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus: an intimate review
Greatest Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus movie ever made. Lorenzo Lamus is "Refreshing. A breath of douched air." And Debbie Gibson "Makes Tiffany's performance in the off-Broadway version of "Working Girl" look like "a freakishly sweatered gerbil, attempting to pull off a really bad impression of Boris Karloff attempting to sweet talk a freakishly sweatered gerbil into taking it off."In summery: Helen wants nothing to do with me. and also, Watch this movie, now!Sincerely,Get in the car, Helen ...Read more
Phoenix Hype
Just to insert a quick blurb before I critique the new Joaquin Phoenix film, I'm Still Here: I rarely tell an audience not to see a film. To me, most possess some thematic or technical element worth experiencing. And this one is definitely an experience. I can’t say that I am well-versed in Casey Affleck’s filming style, so overall, this documentary-style piece was new to me. The film was an emotional roller coaster ride. It appeared to be a pseudo-glimpse into what Hollywood directors and actors must perceive as an “indie documentary". It is, at minimum, a high-budget look into a social experiment. It’s not what I expected, to s...Read more
filed under: film
tags: Joaquin Phoenix Casey Affleck Film Experience When Herzog Rescued Phoenix
Eat Pray Love Movie Trailer Review
Helen used to love the book Eat Pray Love. She’ll probably also enjoy the movie. Me, not so much. I find the entire tone of the goddamn thing insulting. Food will kill you. God will kill you. Love will kill you. This thing should be placed in the horror section of your local Borders. Instead it’s been embraced as the feel-good ride of the year. But it’s not. During the film, when the guy who played the killer in No Country For Old Men is taking a ‘romantic’ walk beside a bunch of street venders and Julia Roberts asks him what this crazy new fruit tastes like that SHE’S NEVER EXPERIENCED IN HER ENTIRE LIFE UP UNTIL THIS POINT! (Oh, the fuc...Read more
Tonight! Ill Film Artist Series: Ravi Zupa
In addition to his work as a painter and sculptor Ravi Zupa is also a filmmaker directing music videos for acclaimed musical acts such as Why?, Sole, cLOUDDEAD, Themselves and Ghengis Tron. Join Illiterate for a screening and discussion of a selection of Zupa’s music videos, kicking off the beginning of the Underground Music Showcase in Denver. The screening begins at 8PM FREE!...Read more
Thursday July 15 its Pick the Flick Night: Burning!
In honor of Ravi Zupa's solo exhibition at Illiterate during the hottest month of the year, this Pick the Flick's theme is BURNING. Vote here by leaving a comment with the you'd like us to screen or leave a comment on the event's Facebook page.This Month's contendersRaising Arizona (picked by challenger, Scout Finch, Manager of the Mayan Theater) vsStreets on Fire (picked by last month's champ, David Coccagna) ...Read more