Is Tarantino the best new-age director of our lifetime?

Quite probably.

Is ‘Jackie Brown’ one of his most underappreciated films – regardless of the cult status it’s gained in the years since its inception?

Also, yes.

One of the lesser known Tarantino classics – adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel of the same name, ‘Jackie Brown’ is a story about a woman who’s nearing middle age and has landed herself in a heap of legal trouble. With her wits, charms, and guile – will she get herself out of the jam? Well, when 70s grindhouse star Pam Grier is playing a character; “she ain’t nobody’s sucka”.

See Grier’s other films, ‘Coffy’ and ‘Foxy Brown’ for examples of this.

JACKIE BROWN

Directed & Written by: Quentin Tarantino 

Original date of Release: December 25th / 1997

I’m a sucker for a good arthouse film. 

‘Ex Machina’ is definitely that – and much more.

Directed by Alex Garland in 2015, this film is an introspection on life, love, and creation; through the lens of artificial intelligence. With all the recent advancements in AI – I figured it was time to cover a fine piece of filmmaking that takes an in-depth look at the concept of synthetically created people.

 Once relegated to science fiction; the creation of “Turing tested” androids now seems like a distinct possibility – in the years to come. As of late, every company has begun to invest in AI Language Models, Automated Processes (driver assist, autopilot, Amazon’s Just Walk Out), and fully autonomous robots for personal and commercial use(s).

1. Robert Downey Jr. is one of the highest paid actors in the world; holding the 8th, 9th, and 10th spot for “Highest-earning actors for a single production” (List of highest paid actors - Wikipedia).

2. He is known for his ability to improvise dialogue and for his extended monologues on-screen.

3. When is his birthday? Robert Downey Jr. was born on April 4th / 1965.

4. In Christopher Nolan’s film, ‘Oppenheimer’ he portrayed Former Acting Secretary of US Commerce ‘Lewis Strauss’ one of the first members of the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and a pivotal figure in WW2.

5. He has grossed over 14 billion worldwide from his various projects.

6. Robert Downey Jr. helped to launch the MCU by starring in the first ‘Iron Man’ film (2008).

7. He plays “James Barris” a character in the experiential “A Scanner Darkly”, a groundbreaking indie film based on a story (of the same name) by Philip K. Dick. This movie was shot entirely using rotoscoping; a process in which animators trace over live action footage. 

Well, Harvey Weinstein is in the news again.

I’m sure you’ve heard – a recent appeals court has thrown out Weinstein’s 23 year conviction for sexual assault against three women in 2020. Before everyone floods the streets in a #METOO movement – like the world has never seen, it would pay to keep in mind that the septuagenarian film mogul is still set to serve a 16 year prison term for a conviction from another rape case in 2022.

So there is justice, kind of?

Without getting too into the nitty-gritty of the legal situation: character witnesses were introduced into the 2020 court case to supply background on Weinstein, in favour of the prosecution. At the time – the prosecution was hoping that these witnesses would establish a modus operandi for the jury, and convince them of the defendant’s (Weinstein) guilt. And it was a success – the jury ruled against Weistein, serving him a 23 year sentence in prison.

-James Cameron was born in Kapuskasing, Ontario.

-His films have earned over 8 billion in total gross sales (worldwide).

-James Cameron is one of the most prolific directors of our lifetime.

-His net worth is in excess of 800 million, which makes him the 4th richest director in the world.

-Some of his biggest (and most culturally relevant) releases include ‘Titanic’, ‘Aliens’, ‘Avatar’, ‘Avatar 2: The Way of Water’, ‘Terminator 2’, ‘Terminator’, and ‘The Abyss’.

-James Cameron’s style is bombastic. His pictures tend to incorporate massive set pieces, cutting-edge special effects, and big name actors/actresses.

-In the 90s he almost made a Spider-Man film starring Leonardo DiCaprio as the web-slinger and Schwarzenegger as “Spidey’s” many-limbed foe Dr. Octopus.

-His country of birth is Canada.

-James Cameron has helped to revolutionize the special effects industry, and is seen as one of the most important progenitors of modern science fiction.

-His ability for visual composition is among the top of mainstream Hollywood directors.

Why not an apocalypse themed movie?

Ever wondered what it would be like to hang out with Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, and Jay Baruchel, as they all get blitzed off their asses – during the end of the world?

If your response is “Armegeddon outta’ here!” then please, stop reading.

But if you do have a penchant for these members of the ‘Superbad’ alumni; their gross-out comedy and stoner hijinks, then by all means read on – in fact, you better be prepared for what may be the laziest movie of all-time. Is that a bad thing? No, not necessarily, and at its heart the meta-commentary in ‘This is the End’ about Hollywood slackers wouldn’t be complete unless the film ignores most (if not all) story structure elements; skewering Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero’s Journey’ writing wheel and encouraging an hour and half of improvisational humour.

-Emerald Fennell received her first acting role in 2007, playing “Sheena” on the television series Trial & Retribution.

-Her birthday is Oct. 1st, 1985

-Emerald Fennell’s story is empowering to women everywhere; working hard for years in Hollywood and later being able to showcase her artistique inspirateur (artistic inspiration) for the masses.

-’Saltburn’ is the talk of the town, although the reception was a bit lukewarm in comparison to her last feature — the picture has still garnered praise for being an innovative reimagining of ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’. 

The film examines social hierarchies among the elite and how it affects our societal obsession with status.

Road House (2024)

I was hesitant going in.

Hell, I think we all were.

But thankfully, the pairing of Jake Gyllenhaal and Connor McGregor managed to work, and gave us a smashing update to the 80s classic that we all know and love, ‘Road House’ (1989).

Yet, there will be detractors –- those who prefer Swayze’s take on the beat-em-up action flick — which enthralled audiences with its unabashed update of a revisionist western. Interestingly, the original ‘Road House’ was a retelling of ‘Shane’, a 1957 western – that starred a laconic hero who rolled into town and went head-to-head with the local riff-raff.

Take 1 part milk-toast neurotic (Ben Stiller’s signature character trait)

and mix well with 1 manic-pixie dream girl played by Jennifer Aniston.

The result?

In the end, you get a movie that managed to achieve a level of popularity rarely seen in offbeat romantic comedies. In the early “aughts” (2001-2009) this formula was still fairly fresh, and the way in which John Hamburg directs ‘Along Came Polly’ highlights the importance of character driven comedy over laugh-a-minute antics.

There is a studio that isn’t really that known to the public, and it’s responsible for housing the productions of some major motion pictures. It isn’t a production company in itself, no, rather it is just a space for established film studios to rent out – enabling them to utilize Toronto’s largest modernized  film production facility.

 I know. It’s a tad confusing, isn’t it?

Well, to simplify things – here’s a quote from Wikipedia: “A film studio (also known as movie studio or simply studio) is a major entertainment company that makes films. They may have their own privately owned studio facility or facilities; however, most firms in the entertainment industry have never owned their own studios, but have rented space from other companies. The day-to-day filming operations are generally handled by their production company subsidiary.” [1]

1. Sidney Sweeney was born on September 12, 1997 in Spokane, Washington.

2. She began her acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and short films.

3. Sweeney made her television debut in 2009 on the series "Heroes".

4. She gained recognition for her role as Emaline Addario in the Netflix series "Everything Sucks!" in 2018.

5. Sweeney has also appeared in popular TV shows such as "The Handmaid's Tale," "Sharp Objects," and "Euphoria."

6. In 2019, she starred in the horror film "Countdown."

7. Sidney Sweeney has a strong presence on social media, with over 2 million followers on Instagram.

‘North of 60’

is a desideratum, when it comes to fictional depictions of what life is like for white and indigenous people residing in the truly remote regions of Canada.

The television series debuted in 1992, created by Barbara Samuels and Wayne Grisby for the CBC; (Canadian Broadcasting Network) it was later syndicated worldwide. The show is based on the fictional town of “Lynx River” – located in the Delcho Region of the Northwest Territories. ‘North of 60’ tackles serious subject matter, as well as the ins-and-outs of everyday life in Lynx River.

Well, this isn’t the Denis Villenieuve one.

No, long before the French-Canadian visionary decided to grace us with his reimagining of the renowned sci-fi classic, David Lynch attempted the challenging feat of adapting Frank Herbert's ‘Dune’.

And when I say attempted, what I really mean is -- failed miserably.

David Lynch's version had some constraints due to the tech of the time - however, plenty of other motion pictures of the 80s that featured futuristic settings, managed to succeed where ‘Dune’ failed, suggesting that this film has more systemic flaws than just special FX or believability of setting.

RAGING BULL

a film Directed by Martin Scorsese.

From the splendid opening theme: the Intermezzo from Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana”, we are told by the filmmaker that this picture is one of weight and meaning.

Scorsese utilizes slow-motion shots of Jake LaMotta shadow-boxing to emphasize the amount of training involved in professional fighting, and perhaps, by extension the amount of sacrifice in the craft of filmmaking itself. I don’t believe it’s a huge leap to assume that at least a portion of the characteristics of La Motta may have spoken to Scorsese. Films that feature tough men, with deep character flaws — seem to be his cinematic stomping ground, after-all.

‘Beneath the Planet of the Apes’ is an avant-garde redux of the original Sci-fi epic, Planet of the Apes —- the sequel received a mixed reception upon its release and has never gained the notoriety (and success) of the first film. To some, ‘Beneath the Planet of the Apes’ is a competent retread of the first film, lacking some creative vision but ultimately accomplishing what it sets out to do. However, others have criticized the film for beginning a downward trend of the series and adding little of worth to the overall lore of the Planet of the Apes franchise.

Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. 

I love the guy, yet there’s always been something nagging at the back of my mind about the eternal debate of who is the superior captain – Kirk or Picard?

And it’s this: 

Kirk realistically has no chance in this contest. 

Sure, he’s an awesome action hero, with hugely attractive qualities; generally speaking — he saves the day and manages to do it with a full head of hair and with the swagger and air of a protagonist who’s impervious to hardship. But this question isn’t about “the best sci-fi action hero”, no, it’s a question of who is the best “Starfleet Captain”. 

1. "The X-Files" is a popular science fiction television series that aired from 1993 to 2018, captivating audiences with its blend of supernatural phenomena and government conspiracies.

2. The show follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate unsolved cases known as "X-Files," which involve paranormal and extraterrestrial phenomena.

3. "The X-Files" was created by Chris Carter and became a cultural phenomenon, winning numerous awards and gaining a dedicated fanbase.

4. The iconic tagline of the show is "The truth is out there," reflecting its overarching theme of seeking answers and uncovering hidden truths.

5. David Duchovny portrayed Agent Fox Mulder, a believer in the paranormal, while Gillian Anderson played Agent Dana Scully, a skeptic who provides a scientific perspective.

A modern remake of a 1960s science fiction anthology series of the same name, ‘The Outer Limits’ debuted in 1995 - created by Leslie Stephens, the show was filmed entirely in Canada. Principal photography occurred in (and around) Vancouver, BC. ‘The Outer Limits’ has been heralded as an achievement in televised Sci-fi and manages #91 on RottenTomatoes.com top 100 sci-fi shows of all time. 

While that rank isn’t incredibly high on the list - it still lets us know that someone recognizes this show had to crawl, before future sci-fi properties could leap and bound into worldwide recognition. ‘The Outer Limits’ was an innovator in the field of television special effects.

1) Pedro Pascal is a Chilean-American actor who has featured in many starring roles.

2) In the last decade he has become a household name due to the hit TV show ‘The Mandalorian’ and his starring role on the Netflix drama ‘Narcos’.

-3)His first name is actually José.

4)His astrological sign is Aries.

5)One of his biggest breakout roles was on the hit HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’. He played Oberyn Martell, a much beloved character of the series.

A nice jaunt into the horror-comedy subgenre from Nick Frost (star and co-showrunner), his previous appearances alongside Simon Pegg have always been a hit with the public. Now he’s going it alone with a new(ish) series from Amazon Prime. I put off watching ‘Truth Seekers’ for some time - and now that I’ve finally given it a chance, I’m delighted to say it’s a highly unique tribute to televised ghost stories, urban tales, and the horror genre as a whole. 

Where it really excels is its expert editing and jump-scares. Nick Frost and Simon Pegg helped to create the show with the director Jim Field Smith - and together they’ve made a very funny and offbeat comedy series that lovingly homages horror classics.  

A subway train is taken hostage by a team of criminals sporting automatic weapons. They demand a hefty sum of 1 million dollars US or they will start executing passengers - one every minute. Walter Matheau stars as a Transit Detective named Zachary who ends up with the unlucky job of negotiating with the hostage takers. Robert Shaw is the lead bad-guy, “Blue” an ex-mercenary who leads his team with a deadly poise. Martin Balsam stars as a disenfranchised transit worker, the accomplice - and inside man.

This film was heralded as an accomplishment in scale and for its visual characterization of New York, nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards in 1974. One for Best Supporting Actor (Martin Balsam), the other - a BAFTA for Film Music (Anthony Asquith). 

But I’m going to be blatantly honest…

‘The Taking of Pelham One Two Three’ just didn’t do it for me.

1. Florence Pugh was born on January 3, 1996, in Oxford, England.

2. She made her acting debut in the 2014 mystery drama film "The Falling."

3. Pugh gained international recognition for her role as Dani Ardor in the 2019 horror film "Midsommar."

4. She received critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the 2019 drama film "Little Women."

5. Pugh has a diverse range of accents and can seamlessly switch between different dialects.

6. She is known for her ability to fully immerse herself in her characters, bringing depth and authenticity to her

Oppenheimer begins with a quote from Greek mythology: 

 "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. For this, he was chained to a rock and tortured for eternity." 

It would be an understatement to say that this opening helps to establish the thematic elements of the movie, in truth - this quote sums up the man as much as it does the film. Christopher Nolan directed Oppenheimer, and he ensured that it wouldn’t be your run of the mill biopic. Whereas most biopics choose to be either a celebration of the subject’s life, or a nuanced take on their flaws, Nolan’s film instead opts for something a little more ethereal. I would argue that Cillian Murphy’s, J Robert Oppenheimer isn’t the main focal point of the film - but that his obsession is. 

‘Be Cool’ is a nice return to form, a witty crime dramedy that manages to not only equal its predecessor - but also improves pleasantly upon the thrust of the first film. It adds a much needed layer to Chili Palmer, Hollywood’s most likable wiseguy.

An ex-loan shark and bookie, Chili is always getting himself into situations that he can handle. John Travolta suits the role of Chili Palmer like a tailored glove, ironic, since the shylock tends to don a pair whenever he’s about to “get down to business”. If you’re a fan of ‘Get Shorty’ then you should adore this second entry in the Elmore Leonard duology.

They say you shouldn’t always judge a book by its cover.

A useful fascimile for cinema lovers: you shouldn’t judge a movie by its trailer.

I am very guilty of breaking this unspoken rule when it comes to the brilliant ensemble piece ‘Now You See Me’. It turns out, that it handles its contrasting tones masterfully, and manages to make a rather “out there” concept not only seem believable, but extremely fun - in the process.

The comedic banter in this movie is carried - nay, elevated by the varied and prestigious cast. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Woody Harelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher, Jesse Eisenberg, Mélanie Laurent, and Dave Franco to name a few. Also you get some neat cameos, Common and Conan O’brien being among them. This is the type of film that shouldn’t work on paper, conceptually. But somehow Louis Leterrier ties this neat lil’ bow on it all, using a standard heist script that’s imbued with light satire in addition to a juxtaposition of high-stakes action and jeu d’esprit.

 1.  His middle name is Jerome

2. He worked as an usher at an adult theatre in Torrance. It was called the ‘Pussycat Theatre’.

3. Quentin Tarantino is an Aries.

4. Tarantino traveled to Amsterdam to work on the script for ‘Pulp Fiction’.

5. He’s an avid fan of Elmore Leonard novels, Tarantino’s movie ‘Jackie Brown’ is adapted from the novel ‘Rum Punch’ by the best-selling author. Another film (unrelated to Tarantino) that’s based on Leonard’s work is ‘Get Shorty’ - starring John Travolta & Danny Devito.

Dream Scenario is a uniquely strange feature – and that's a good thing.

Written and directed by Kristopher Borgli and produced by Ari Aster, Lars Knudson, Nicolas Cage, Jacob Jaffke, and Tyler Campellone, this film is an alt-comedy with dark undertones that utilizes surreal imagery in an effort to tell its off-beat story. Released earlier this year in November of 2023, it stars Nicolas Cage playing Paul Mathews; a rather mousy man who teaches Biology at a university but yearns for his time in the spotlight. Specifically, his desire revolves around the publishing of a theory on the formation of ant colonies - a niche subject he’s studied extensively over the years.

His friends are all beginning to have their ‘second peak’ and he seems to be left in the dust, until one day, people around the world start having recurring dreams about Paul - and his life changes irrevocably, overnight. He soon gets all the attention he’s been seeking, and then some.

NEW WRITER: Christopher H.

Zulu – Michael Caine’s First Movie is an Epic Classic

Every great actor has their start. Sometimes it’s a bit part in a television series, a cameo on a sketch comedy show, or a small part in a larger movie. Eventually, an actor get’s his big break for real, earning an important role in a much larger picture.

Michael Caine is one such actor. The renowned British star has appeared in a variety of films, from military dramas to The Muppet Christmas Carol. At the height of epic blockbusters, Caine got a rather prominent role in one such movie.

That movie was called Zulu. This 1964 classic was made back when motion pictures had to put the credits first, and those credits make a point to introduce Michael Caine. The film itself is a military classic that has held up extremely well over the decades.

Intro:

Top notch acting, high octane action; fast paced, well choreographed, and exciting as all hell!

This is ‘Casino Royale’ and we’re just getting started.

Daniel Craig gives hands-down one of the best performances of his career - bursting into this role with a truly awe inspiring amount of vigor and energy. The physicality brought to the screen by this man is epic. It’s easy to feel elated watching these meticulously planned stunts take place, and Daniel Craig really delivers on the goods. He brings a compassionless and cold demeanor to Bond that ensures you are well aware - this movie offers a wholly different 007 then what’s been seen in the past.

In simpler terms, Daniel Craig’s first outing as Bond is a spectacular one!

1.)

It’s the ONLY movie that stars both John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow.

2.)

It’s loosely based on a true story, ‘The 1980 Pennsylvania Lottery Scam’.

3.)

Michael Rapaport is hilarious - he’s in it.

4.)

One of the major roles is played by Ed O’Neil and he’s having a great time! That man is a comic genius. Every time he’s on screen the dialogue had me guffawing like an idiot. 

I’m a big fan of Al Bundy from ‘Married… with Children’. 

Obviously.

5.)

It’s directed by Nora Ephron (Mixed Nuts, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail)