Archive for the ‘Hollywoodiots’ Category

Posted on December 21, 2009 - by OP40

Avatar: More of the same? Or renewed Brilliance?

Here’s a newsflash, “Avatar”, yeah, you’ve seen this movie before. You’ve seen every scene, every character, every situation, every consequence, every moment, every everything. One could say the movie is certified as “green” due to how much recycled material makes up the bulk of the movie’s content. But with that said, it is also safe to say that you have never SEEN a movie like this one. It truly is ground breaking visually, and for that, deserves a closer look.

Now, unlike what many people have said, the movie is not so groundbreaking that you will be “blown away”. Chances are most of us have already seen 3D movies and already know what to expect. In Avatar, there are few 3D tricks that stand out or seem out of place. Although I will say that Cameron’s choice of placing his characters in these very elevated locations, throughout the movie, at times does seem superfluous as one big 3D trick on its own. But we have seen so many advancements in cinema that it takes much to truly amaze. Cameron’s own “T2” and Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” did way more to amaze than does “Avatar”. Heck, “Titanic” also had more of a “wow” factor than this movie did.

To say Avatar “borrows” from other sci-fi flicks is another understatement. It recycles everything from “Aliens’” humanoid forklift/robot to Minority Report’s interactive, super responsive touch screens. But it does it on its own and fits well in the movie. Then again, it could be that both are examples of super cool futuristic porn that Cameron knew could make us feel right at home with his sci-fi romp.

Regarding the storyline, it’s pompous, arrogant, over-the-top, simplistic and overall very basic. Yet we accept it because the story is so out there that we care little past the gorgeous visuals Cameron sends our way. It’s a trade-off I think. And I for one am cool with it. Anyone who tries to sell this movie’s story as anything deeper than some politically inspired diatribe thinks you might be interested in some swamp land for purchase as well. It’s all about some made up sounding thing called “unobtanium” (i.e. unobtainable?), which I don’t know is a character nickname for this foreign mineral, but it’s surely a metaphor for oil, that evil thing we all kill for, yet can’t live without. I’d like to see Cameron make a movie without plastics, explosives or oil burning vehicles on his set. That in itself would be ground breaking on its own.

But politics aside, ‘Avatar’ is a must see movie, but only at a 3D showing. If anything to see the kinds of creatures and world’s Cameron creates in Pandora, the alien planet where the movie takes place. A world of lit walking surfaces similar to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” video and plants that light up at night. All the while reminding us how bland our Earth really is. It’s a wonder why anyone wants to save such a boring planet. Nothing compared to Pandora really, especially with 6 legged mammals and ride-able flying creatures. It really is comical to see all these creatures Hollywood likes to create when given a powerful enough computer. Once again, our own world offers little competition to these way more wonderful worlds.

I could go on indefinitely with this movie, both pro and con, but overall it’s an enjoyable movie that you must see, again in 3D only. Leave the kids at home though, they will grow bored with this world of “Avatar”, only us grown-ups should be subjected to its colorful visuals, accompanied by its bland storyline.

Posted on January 27, 2009 - by OP40

‘El Che’ running scared…again

UPDATED:

A controversial new biopic about Cuban revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara is awakening old passions and provoking vigorous defenses and denunciations of the iconic revolutionary and – in the case of an interview with The Washington Times – a dramatic walkout.

“I’m getting uncomfortable,” Benicio del Toro said after fielding a question about his new movie’s portrayal of the Bolivian and Cuban revolutions. “I’m done. I’m done, I hope you write whatever you want. I don’t give a damn.”

With that, the Oscar-winning actor walked away, abruptly terminating an interview conducted late last week to discuss director Steven Soderbergh’s “Che.”

Heated discussion has inevitably followed this almost 4 1/2-hour film’s portrayal of the revered and reviled figure who sought to spread armed insurrection throughout Latin America and became a romanticized icon of rebellion in the process.

Yet its star seems ill at ease in the hot seat.

Hunched over a plate of guacamole in the backroom of gourmet Mexican restaurant Oyamel in the District, Mr. del Toro seemed excited to discuss the picture, which he co-produced with Mr. Soderbergh and Laura Bickford. Though the movie has received mixed critical reception, Mr. del Toro won top acting honors at Cannes this year. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to Guevara.

The film was screened in Cuba, to much applause.

“Del Toro is spectacular in the role of Che, not only in his physical resemblance but also in his brilliant interpretation,” wrote Granma, the official newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party. “After more than five hours of screening, the Cuban public gave its endorsement with a strong ovation.

Posted on January 26, 2009 - by OP40

Damon vs. Kristol I

Iraq War Showdown: Bill Kristol Agrees to Debate Matt Damon After Actor’s “Idiot” Slam

by Andrew Breitbart

On Sunday afternoon Weekly Standard editor and New York Times columnist Bill Kristol — in an email exchange with Big Hollywood — agreed to debate Matt Damon on his Hollywood home turf after being informed the 38-year old actor ridiculed Kristol in an interview in the Miami Herald.

“He’s an idiot — he wrote that we should be grateful to George Bush because he won the Iraq war. We! Won! The! War!”

As the sponsor of the event, Big Hollywood is offering $100,000 to Damon (or to the charity or carbon credit of his choice) to publicly debate Kristol at a mutually agreed upon time, date and venue.

During the last election cycle the liberal activist Damon — who briefly attended Harvard University — also heaped scorn on John McCain’s vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin:

“You do the actuary tables, there’s a one out of three chance, if not more, that McCain doesn’t survive his first term, and it’ll be President Palin…. It’s like a really bad Disney movie, ‘The Hockey Mom.’ Oh, I’m just a hockey mom from Alaska, and she’s president. She’s facing down Vladimir Putin and using the folksy stuff she learned at the hockey rink. It’s absurd.”

Damon is no stranger to left-wing politics. His Oscar-nominated screenplay, “Good Will Hunting,” co-written with Ben Affleck, was inspired by anarchist Boston University historian, Howard Zinn.

According to Wikipedia:

Damon included a reference to A People’s History in his film Good Will Hunting. In a confrontation with his psychologist, played by Robin Williams, Damon’s character tells him: “If you want to read a real history book, read Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States. That book will knock you on your ass.” Damon also read the latter half of People’s History for an audiobook released February 1, 2003.

If Damon agrees to participate, Big Hollywood will work with both parties to secure mutually agreed upon parameters for the debate (e.g., Did We Win the War in Iraq?)