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Scenes We Love: 'Adventureland'

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Feb 22nd 2011 7:00PM
Filed under: Columns, Cinematical


Most moviegoers mainly know Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, the self-centered and manipulative genius at the heart of David Fincher's 'The Social Network.' Eisenberg's Oscar-nominated performance in Fincher's Facebook flick hasn't exactly made him a household name (Some people have actually mistaken him for the real Mark Zuckerberg), but it's certainly made the public finally take notice of his talent.

'The Social Network' is easily Eisenberg's most financially successful movie to date, and it's also one of his most critically acclaimed films, but it's certainly not the first great film he's starred in and made better with his unique brand of awkward self-awareness and manboy matter-of-factness; there's 'Zombieland,' the incredibly fun horror-comedy, and 'The Squid and the Whale,' director Noah Baumbach's funny and emotional indie family drama, to name a few. And somewhere in between the broad appeal of 'Zombieland' and the art house aura of 'Whale' is 'Adventureland,' writer-director Greg Mottola's 2009 semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy.
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SciFi Squad Movie Club Discussion: 'Night Watch'

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 14th 2010 1:05PM
Filed under: Features, Discussion Posts, Movies We Love, Sci-Fi


In the words of Fred Kwan from Galaxy Quest: That was a hell of a thing!

I hope you enjoyed watching Night Watch, a fascinating and visually inventive film full of ideas. Timur Bekmambetov's breakthrough movie artfully mines history, gothic literature, pop culture and the horror and fantasy genres to create a strikingly original mythology, stunning visuals, and a compelling story in which the fate of the world hangs in the outcome. But, according to Bekmambetov, the real magic happened in the editing room.

In the DVD commentary track for Night Watch, the Russian director likens film editing to painting and composing music. Where the painter or musician has brushes or notes, the filmmaker's tools are scenes. "Editing is the movie," Bekmambetov says.

Night Watch is full of stirring visual information and complex concepts. It would be a chore to sit through the movie if not for good editing, but Bekmambetov and his crew manage to pull it off. The filmmakers even artfully weave animated subtitles into the visual thread to help move the story along. They secure an energetic pace that's never too busy or too lethargic. That's a tough thing to do when you're making a crazy ass movie about conflicted mystical beings battling oppressed vampires in dank, modern day Moscow.
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SciFi Squad Movie Club: 'Night Watch'

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 10th 2010 5:15PM
Filed under: Features, Movie Reviews, Discussion Posts, Reviews, Sci-Fi
night watch

I've been looking for a reason to pop my copy of Night Watch in the ol' DVD player again and pick the flick apart from start to finish; so thanks, SciFi Squad Movie Club, for making my dreams come true!

For those who've never seen Night Watch, you're in for a dark, strange and mind-frakkin' trip down the lesser traveled streets of Moscow where vampires and other creepy creatures face off in a never-ending battle between the light and the dark. Director Timur Bekmambetov's first flick in a planed trilogy (the sequel Day Watch was released in 2006) mixes horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action and comedic elements and boasts some truly inventive cinematography and editing. It's a fun and dizzying piece of pop moviemaking that's a must-see for genre fans. So check it out or watch it again, and head back here on Monday to dicuss the movie. If all goes well, we'll tackle the sequel next time my number comes up for Movie Club duties.

Check out the Night Watch trailer after the jump:
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Will 'Bill & Ted' Go on Another Most Excellent Adventure?

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 6th 2010 10:02AM
Filed under: Movie News, News/Reactions, Sci-Fi
bill & ted's bogus journey alex winter keanu reeves

Last time rumors of a new Bill & Ted movie hit the web, the talk centered on a new creative team wanting to take us on a most bogus journey with new actors rebooting the franchise for a new generation. Keanu Reeves countered those claims by telling reporters that he was looking to reprise the role of Ted in third film with the original Bill, Alex Winter. Now Winter is the one talking about a possible third movie in the series that gave us Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) and its dark and twisted follow up, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991).

Speaking at a recent New Beverly Bill & Ted retrospective (seriously), Winter told the crowd that plans for another Bill & Ted flick are "currently being ironed out," according to Movieweb.

Winter said that he and Reeves came up with a new storyline for a third movie with Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, the writers of the first two movies, that was "far too dark for children to see."
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What We're Watching: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 2nd 2010 6:05PM
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Reviews, Sci-Fi
scott pilgrim cera

Synopsis: Edgar Wright's exuberant adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's celebrated comic book series centers on unambitious indie rock dude Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) and his elaborate video game-informed battles against the seven evil exes of his new love, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead).

My Take: Let's stop talking about why Scott Pilgrim vs. the World "failed" at the box office and start talking about its unrivaled awesomeness (this summer at least) and creative success. First, this is the movie Edgar Wright was born to direct. O'Malley's clever story is only improved upon by Wright's unique visual style, hyper-paced storytelling, and gift for sly comedy and pop culture references. Second, this is the role Michael Cera was born to play. Scott is a slight and lazy milquetoast, but Cera brings a rush of energy, commitment and sensitivity to the role that makes you root for him all the way to the end, especially during the brain-melting fight scenes.

I've read complaints that the love story between Scott and Ramona isn't fleshed out enough and that it feels like nothing is really at stake during the fight scenes. That might be true on paper, but the romantic relationship on the screen feels real – it's casual, messy, floundering and ultimately refreshing. A lot of that has to do with the great performance (Winstead is believable and unforgettable as Ramona) and the movie's deft balance of video game and comic book fantasy with more traditional indie rom com tropes. And the fight scenes? At first, Scott's single motivation to fight is survival as he keeps getting jumped by a never-ending parade of douchebags. But he later finds a greater meaning in the battle, and it's not just to win Ramona's heart.
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'Star Trek's' George Takei and Wil Wheaton Heading to 'The Big Bang Theory'

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 2nd 2010 11:09AM
Filed under: Movie News, News/Reactions, Fan Shows, Sci-Fi
wil wheaton george takeiMuch like Chuck, The Big Bang Theory aims to please its core audience with a steady stream of geek-friendly guest stars. Battlestar Galactica vet Katee Sackhoff is returning to the show this season, and executive producer Bill Prady has confirmed that Star Trek alums George Takei and Wil Wheaton have also signed up to appear in upcoming episodes.

Takei will pop up alongside Sackhoff as part of Wolowitz's conscience.

"George Takei plays himself, and he's the other person guiding Wolowitz in his thoughts as he tries to figure out what to do about Bernadette," Prady told our sister site TV Squad.

Wheaton returns to the show to terrorize everyone as Evil Wil Wheaton. In a scene reminiscent of his first appearance on The Guild, Wheaton and three pals will cut in front of Sheldon and crew in line to see a one-time-only screening of a classic geek movie (possibly Raiders of the Lost Arc) with restored footage.
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Is Natalie Portman Oscar Bound?

By Mike Moody (Subscribe to Mike Moody's posts), Posted Sep 2nd 2010 10:30AM
Filed under: Movie News, Coming Soon
natalie portman oscar buzzNatalie Portman, Oscar winner? It could happen if early buzz and reviews coming out of the 67th annual Venice Film Festival are to be believed. The raves are for Portman's lead performance in 'Black Swan,' director Darren Aronofsky's ('The Wrestler') latest mindfrack about dueling ballerinas (Portman and Mila Kunis).

According to Deadline, the film received a standing ovation after an opening night screening at the fest, and the Times of London calls Portman's performance "astounding" and gushes that "awards are sure to follow."
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