Posts published under “Sneak Preview”
Wigs for All, Pants for None
Warning: Photo may cause epileptic seizures.
BURLESQUE (2010/IN THEATERS) The siren song of a potential camp classic compelled me to make the trek out west to Chesterfield (home of a mile-long strip mall of horrors) for a preview screening of this somewhat mysterious Christina Aguilera/Cher musical.
I don’t think I was disappointed? It’s certainly not bad–the plot was thin (we have to band together to save the old burlesque house from evil developers!), but moved quickly and there were enough strobe lights, high kicks, and scenes of Aguilera strutting down the street practicing dance moves while fellow pedestrians looked on admiringly to keep the audience happy. But where was the camp? The only Showgirls worthy line came about 3/4 of the way through when Cher reminded Kristen Bell (really sweating it here to play a humorless, self-destructive bitch [and, well, to dance], with a chirpy delivery that gives away the Doris Day within) about “How many times I held your hair back while you threw up everything but your memories!” Now that’s what I’m talking about. More please. Read more »
Blowing Your Mind One D at a Time
MEGAMIND (2010/PREVIEW: IN THEATERS 11.5.10) Thanks to my new best friend, the free and awesome Gofobo.com, I have attended several free sneak previews recently, all films of which I knew nothing whatsoever before viewing. This has paid off for me big time, especially for a recent Saturday morning screening of Dreamworks Animation’s upcoming 3D spectacular, Megamind. Holy cow, did I love this movie. And boy was I happy to have missed the film’s ad campaign, whose trailer idiotically gives away most of the film’s many fun plot twists. I heartily recommend you plug yer eyes ‘n’ ears when those suckers come on, and schedule a night at your local cineplex for a 3D DIGITAL PRESENTATION (don’t forget the integral 3D and DIGITAL PRESENTATION parts!) of this delightfully entertaining film.
Let’s just say that the story follows two alien babies, sent by their parents into space via escape pods a la Superman, who both crash land on Earth—one pod gliding directly into the living room of a wealthy family’s Xmas morning mansion, the other crashing disastrously into a prison yard, to be raised collectively by the criminals. The pair eventually grow up to be superhero Metro Man and supervillian Megamind (guess which landed where), whose rivalry plays out amongst the skyscrapers of Metrocity, whose citizens are decidedly gaga over their superhero to the point of erecting a worshipful skyscraper statue/museum in his honor. But let’s stop there—you’ll appreciate this fun thrill ride so much more with an open mind unsullied by preconceived notions. (Unsullied!)
Cross and Farrell go blue.
Megamind is an exhilarating visual experience, and an amazing leap forward in 3D (whether that leap is in technology or application, I’ll let the nerds battle that point out) that left me gape-mouthed and giddy. Remember the first time you looked into a ViewMaster as a kid, and each image looked surreal as hell but every bit as real as the world around you? This film is ALL that, but somehow without overwhelming the story or characters. No small feat! Read more »
Let’s Talk About…Youth in Revolt
The St. Louis International Film Festival takes place this month, so a few of our editors visited the lovely (and, once again, independent) Hi-Pointe Theatre for a showing of Youth in Revolt, scheduled for wide release on January 8, 2010. Please enjoy their spirited and exclamation point–heavy discussion. Feel the love.
YOUTH IN REVOLT (2010/IN THEATERS)
Those pants are painted on, Francois!
From: Faulhaber, Kimberly
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 10:11 AM
To: Gremillion, Sarah; McClelland, Brian
So, Youth in Revolt! I didn’t think the novel could be condensed into a movie, but this was not bad! In fact, I think I enjoyed the movie more than the novel, possibly because the dearth of doggy death and rape. Good editing choices, Miguel Arteta! Although I rated it 3 out of 5 on my SLIFF ballot, this morning I’d give it a slightly more generous 3.5.
Have you guys watched a lot of Hal Hartley movies? The tone of Youth felt similar to Trust—particularly the deadpan dialogue/acting and the various American grotesqueries…also, the pouty actress who played Sheeni was so reminiscent of the late Adrienne Shelley that I wondered if Arteta was a fan. Anyway, it would have fit in quite nicely with a lot of movies I saw during the early ‘90s indie boom.
Hopefully this will show audiences (and casting directors) that Cera can play more than just a hoodie-wearing teen—his take on Nick Twisp’s alter ego, Francois, was much more subtle than I feared, but still hilarious. Who knew he could look so at ease in white pants that left nothing to the imagination, loafers, and a pinkie ring? When the two characters interacted it really did look like two different actors (Francois being slightly older, even). Carlotta on the other hand… Read more »
