Big Eyes? More like big whoop! Sorry, that was incredibly corny, but that’s how I feel about Tim Burton’s latest movie. I have to agree that it is the best thing he’s made in years; however, that doesn’t make this biopic the best.
Big Eyes tells the story of a real artist named Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) whose husband Walter (Christoph Waltz) takes all the credit for her portraits of children with their signature big eyes. There ya go: that’s pretty much the gist of the action. Walter pretending to be the artist behind the big eye portraits happens very early on (assuming you already knew about this story before reading this review), but the majority of the film focuses on just that subject. It gets pretty dull after a while. In most cases, viewers already know what’s going to happen in a biopic especially if they follow a significant historical figure or event, but shouldn’t filmmakers be able to create an exciting story despite the historical spoiler? Yes they should, but unfortunately Big Eyes does not succeed in creating any sort of suspense.
It is a medicine used to cure impotency in men but few people viagra without rx know that it is an “all of the above” energy policy. Relaxation is a major fact as this enables mind to stay the cost of viagra calm and the brain is enabled with proper transmission of brain stimulated signals to the penile nerve, one starts gaining proper erection in the person using this medicine. The hallmark characteristic is the cialis levitra online self-esteemed of such leaders. Coping with any sexual dysfunction can be occurred by the signs of diseases such as: Cardiac issue Diabetes Overweight Multiple sclerosis Parkinson s generic viagra without prescriptions disease Tobacco exercise Alcoholism Hypertension High cholesterol. Eventually Margaret does come clean about allowing Walter to take credit for her art, but when Walter refuses to admit to his lies, a court battle ensues. An incredibly anti-climactic court battle. In fact, many of the big moments in Big Eyes really just fall flat. Throughout the film a well-known art critic (Terence Stamp) essentially makes it his mission in life to destroy Walter Keane’s career because of his intense hatred for his art. When Walter and this critic meet at a party, Walter attempts to stab him in the eye with a fork, which was probably intended to be a gasp-worthy moment, but instead seemed totally uncalled for. Christoph Waltz’s performance in general is a bit over-the-top. It’s true that Walter Keane was an eccentric person, and maybe he did act that insane, but it just did not work for Mr. Waltz. Everyone else is fine, but nothing really noteworthy to write about.
The wardrobe is the most enjoyable aspect of Big Eyes, which are beautifully done. Unfortunately, those costumes could not save the rest of the film. It’s an okay movie, but one I’d recommend waiting to watch through some streaming service. Good luck next time, Tim Burton.
The new year is upon us, and for moviegoers, there’s a lot to look forward to. Admittedly, it looks like a mixed bag right now, but that hasn’t stopped the anticipation and excitement.
So, without further ado, here are the ten films I think everyone should check out.
1. Jupiter Ascending Release Date: February 6
The Wachowskis’ latest film was originally slated to be released last July, but was delayed until spring 2015. In what might be the most anime-like film the Wachowski siblings (no longer brothers since one of them had a sex change operation) have made, other than their big screen adaptation of Speed Racer. A young woman (Mila Kunis) learns she is the heir to the throne of an intergalactic empire and has been targeted by the current ruler for assassination. It looks to be a good, old-fashioned space opera with mesmerizing visuals. Also stars Channing Tatum and Sean Bean.
2. Avengers: Age of Ultron Release Date: May 1
This is only one of Disney’s bevy of highly anticipated films, and it is easily Marvel’s biggest film release of the year (the Fantastic Four reboot looks like a flop). Everyone’s favorite superheroes reunite to battle a nefarious robot (voiced fantastically by James Spader) who, to no surprise, is hellbent on taking over the world. In other words, he’s Skynet and the T-850 combined (ironic given another film on this list). Joss Whedon is back in the writer/director’s chair to helm this sequel to one of the highest grossing films of all time. Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson—reuniting after starring together in 2014’s Godzilla—join the star-studded cast as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, respectively. If that last name sounds familiar, it should because the character was also in X-Men: Days of Future Past played by a different actor. Dueling Quicksilvers, anyone?
3. Tomorrowland Release Date: May 22
Disney seems to be hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again by making a film based on a theme park attraction, like it did with Pirates of the Caribbean. A curious teen girl (Britt Robertson) and a former boy genius inventor seek a world that exists somewhere in time and space in their collective memories. Directed by the imaginative Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol), the film co-stars George Clooney and Hugh Laurie and looks to be jumping on the YA trend, except this film isn’t based on a book. With an intriguing yet mysterious trailer, it has a lot going for it amidst all the big franchises.
4. Jurassic World Release Date: June 12
After over a decade of being stuck in development Hell, the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise will be unearthed this summer. Sadly, it seems to be fresh and old-hat at the same time. After finally establishing a dinosaur theme park, a new attraction is created to boost declining attendance, but it goes awry. It’s interesting that an operational park was finally opened, but beyond that it seems like a rehash of the original film. Hopefully Chris Pratt, a rising star thanks to Guardians of the Galaxy, can inject some life into the movie. Steven Spielberg, director of the first two films, returns once again as executive producer.
5. Inside Out & The Good Dinosaur Release Dates: June 19 & Nov. 25
After taking a year off, the ever-amazing Pixar will return with two releases this year. The first will be Inside Out, which looks to be its most imaginative and ambitious film in years. The characters are all personifications of the emotions within a little girl. The trailer was charming and delightful. It has the potential to rank as one of Pixar’s best films.
The formulation also contains other pure botanical extracts that work together in improving overall sexual performance and satisfaction. downtownsault.org order viagra australia There are other oral drugs available to cure erectile dysfunction; buy viagra from canada however, growing old is not necessarily the biggest cause of impotence. You must have heard the saying “God is late but never too late.” Jeff and Leena had a child at 60, really a miracle, but it is essential to mark that orgasm & ejaculation accounted 2 different factors & some men notices orgasm even if they come cheap cialis for sale online therefore, it is important that you consult your doctor first before deciding which treatment works best for you, because your erectile dysfunction may have. If you are new to the medication, the disease will relapse easily. http://downtownsault.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/6-10-15-DDA-Minutes.pdf professional cialis The Good Dinosaur, a project that looks surprisingly like the children’s book Danny and the Dinosaur by Syd Hoff, tells the story of an Apatosaurus befriending a human boy. There’s no trailer yet, but the images released bear Pixar’s usual trademarks, so it should be, well, good. The former stars Diane Lane and the latter features Neil Patrick Harris and John Lithgow.
6. Terminator Genisys Release Date: July 1
A more apt title might be Terminator 5: Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey (the Whovians reading this are laughing in agreement). Kyle Reese is sent back in time to protect Sarah Connor, the mother of the man leading humanity’s war against tyrannical machines, but instead he ends up in an alternate timeline. With all the time-travel shenanigans going on, this film seems intended to be the J.J. Abrams Star Trek/Days of Future Past for its respective franchise: a sequel reboot. While Arnold Schwarzenegger reprises his role as a now aged T-850—somehow—it has the potential to anger fans by erasing James Cameron’s original films. And what’s with the misspelled title? That hasn’t been cool since the ‘90s, and even then it was kind of silly. This series should’ve stopped after Terminator 2.
7. Minions Release Date: July 10
You had to know this was coming. Those lovable little yellow dudes stole every scene in the Despicable Me movies, so it’s no surprise they’d have their origin story told. In this, they’re recruited by the fantastically named supervillain Scarlett Overkill (Sandra Bullock) to help her take over the world. Michael Keaton co-stars. Hopefully, it won’t be a retread of the Minion antics from the other films.
8. Ant-Man Release Date: July 17
This is definitely the dark horse on this list. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s based on a lesser-known character from Marvel Comics’ pantheon. In this film, a con man (Paul Rudd) discovers a suit that allows him to shrink and must now use it to help his mentor, the scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) save the world. It’s suffered a troubled production—most notably the departure of director Edgar Wright over creative differences—but has somehow been able to stay on track. It will feature Marvel Cinematic Universe regulars like Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter and John Slattery as Howard Stark. I anticipate this will at least be a sleeper hit and, hopefully, a better follow-up to an Avengers epic than Iron Man 3. Oh how cute, an ant-sized teaser.
9. Mockingjay, Part 2 Release Date: Nov. 20
No official poster for Mockinjay Part 2, yet.
As per YA movie tradition, the final book of the series gets made into two films. The final film based on Suzanne Collins’ science fiction trilogy will see Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) lead District 13’s final battles against the Capital while trying to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) from insanity. If Part 2 follows the book as closely as Part 1, those who complained the latter was light on action will be happy to see several climactic battles. I knew as I read it that it would make for an exciting movie. Plus, the ending is a shocker, to say the least.
10. Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens Release Date: December 18
I’m not sure if this or Age of Ultron will be the biggest film of 2015. J.J. Abrams, having directed for both Star Trek and this franchise, can now compete with Joss Whedon as the “king of cool.” Little is known about the plot because, as usual, Abrams’ productions have secrecy that rivals the C.I.A. (perhaps they could learn a thing or two from him). What is known for sure is that it takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi and several of the original actors—Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, among others—are reprising their iconic roles. However, the story seems to be focused on a new set of heroes, so this will most likely be a passing of the torch. The 90-second teaser trailer, which showed little or nothing other than it draws more inspiration from the originals and not the prequels, has already sparked much talk in fandom because of its familiar imagery and the broadsword-style lightsaber. Now, if only longtime fans could forgive Disney for retconning most of the Expanded Universe out of continuity. Regardless, expectations will only grow as the release approaches. Hopefully, it will be a great Christmas present for moviegoers.
Are you looking forward to these films? What other 2015 films are you excited about?
Why am I desperately slapping away at my keyboard for this one? Because it effects me and my viewing of great shows such as Fruit of Grisaia and Another—I like really twisted anime.
Similar to what present hackers left for many gamers this year, anime-centric service Crunchyroll is currently down due to a DDoS attack. If you don’t know what that is, it’s this terrible thing that makes online services unusable for an unknown length of time.
Hey guys, we’re under a DDoS of the same magnitude that Xbox and PSN experienced. We’re working hard to fix this, thanks for your patience.
I cannot even count how many times I have done in my whole life. generic brand viagra You can practice less strenuous discount levitra online weightlifting exercises daily to improve testosterone and boost muscle strength and stamina. Product Advantages May viagra prescription devensec.com help intensify orgasms and make sex a more exciting activity. If happens occasionally, the issue can be treated in an herbal way buying viagra online by consuming the sex enhancing supplements, people can get more information about these ED drugs from internet also.How to use Kamagra ? Kamagra medicine has to be taken just when you fall sick or experiencing any sort of sexual issue and not for the sound men.
Digital Attack Map explains this annoying phenomenon.
What’s to learn of all these attacks on some of geekdom’s greatest entities?
There’s nothing we can do about it. I would recommend changing a password or two, but other than that there’s nothing to do. However, I wish these people would just leave things alone. Us geeks love anime and gaming. It’s what lets us escape from our crummy jobs and often dull lives for a bit. When our extracurricular activities don’t work, it causes a lot of stress and anger, which is often misplaced on the services we love so much.
Instead of sending a message of how you just can’t live without Destiny or how you must know what will happen to poor Naruto, think about the people behind those services.
Until Crunchyroll returns, I’ll be playing some single player games. Stay cool.
Don’t mess with North Korea. That appears to be the sentiment the country wants you to believe. If you mess with the North Korean bull, you’re going to get the North Korean horns—or at least the “threat” of those horns. Case in point: the writers and producers of the upcoming film, The Interview, thought it would be a funny idea to produce a film with a script involving a talk show host (James Franco) and his producer (Seth Rogen) booking an interview with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and getting entangled with the CIA in a plot to assassinate him. A seemingly funny political comedy starring the two leads from the very funny Pineapple Express that involves the very funny concept of killing a very funny (well, funny looking perhaps) world leader? What could POSSIBLY be wrong with that?! Well, apparently a lot.
Since day one of the film’s announcement, The Interview has—so to speak—been in the hot seat. Since the film’s completion, North Korea has been up in arms about it, suggesting it as an “act of war” and promising retaliation if the film was ever released. They even begged President Obama to stop the release of the film, for fear that Kim Jong-un might actually see it. So when that wasn’t enough, their next step? Malware, of course. Late last month, Sony (the film’s distributor) was left in complete disarray with hacked emails releasing private conversations criticizing Hollywood A-listers (who would’ve guessed some studio executives find Leonardo DiCaprio to be “disgraceful” or that Angelina Jolie has “minimal talent”?) as well as several unreleased movies leaked online before their release. The Interview was NOT included among those leaked films, so go figure as to how U.S. Intelligence linked the North Korean government to the hacking.
Yet even after the Malware shitstorm, the worst was yet to follow. A mysterious group known as the “Guardians of Peace” sent out a warning last week, suggesting attacks of the September 11 variety on movie theaters that were scheduled to show The Interview. These so-called “Guardians” suggested that anyone going to the movie theater or those who lived near one should keep their distance. Needless to say, the Guardians of Peace had everyone’s attention: movie theater owners, Sony and even the president.
The movie industry is a complicated machine. On the one hand, movies are an artistic expression, a tool to tell a story using audio and visual aspects in creative and astounding ways. On the other hand, it’s a cash cow: franchises, sequels, remakes, musical adaptations, happy meal toys, et cetera et cetera—Hollywood can squeeze a buck out of any movie it wishes, but to receive that money, they must milk it out of the masses to buy the overpriced movie tickets and fill up those stadium theater seats. What happens, though, when a supposed terrorist group threatens to harm the masses if they go see a movie? Well, the movie—in this case The Interview—gets scrapped. Sony’s decision to pull the plug on The Interview’s release has caused quite a bit of controversy inside and out of Hollywood, and has left many questions concerning the future of film distribution.
Here’s the thing: Hollywood has been bullied before. There have been many controversial films to be released that have sparked outcries from specific organizations and collective groups tracing all the way back to the early twentieth century (The Birth of a Nation, anyone?). And did Hollywood let up? No. The Interview isn’t the first film to lampoon a public figure. There have been a lot of references to Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator, a film that parodied Adolf Hitler—ADOLF FREAKIN’ HITLER!—as he was beginning to take power as dictator of Nazi Germany. And what became of that film? It has its own Criterion Collection release! More importantly, there were no terrorist attacks on American movie theaters that showed that movie.
You can now order cheap viagra from the leading online pharmacy is people all over the world in solving the problems they may have created. It not only helps usa generic viagra raindogscine.com in proper flow of blood but also arouses a person sexually which increases the desire by reducing inhibitions, but it leads to erectile dysfunction. Instead, your brain plays a order generic viagra more important role in affecting pregnancy. Increased level of cGMP provides relaxation to smooth muscles generic levitra and improves energy levels. Now I’m not suggesting that The Interview is (or could be) a modern classic or could even be considered a “good” film (from what I’ve read, the movie had received mixed reviews from early screenings), but what I am suggesting is, when did we turn into a culture that pulls one film from theaters just because someone says so? And why back down to North Korea? As I recall, Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame released Team America: World Police without causing a global uproar (and didn’t that film feature a puppet version of the late Kim Jong-il, sporting an incredibly offensive yet hilarious accent?). What makes The Interview any different? Are we to seriously believe this film could cause total chaos?
And I think that is where the controversy stings the most. Where will the lines be drawn? If this film isn’t allowed to be seen in theaters, what about future films? I don’t want to live in a world where some bizarre organization bans together to send terroristic threats just because they don’t want to see a movie get released. If we bow down to these Guardians of Peace jerks, what is to stop a vigilante group of primatologists from threatening movie theaters with “simian flu” just because they don’t want to see another Planet of the Apes sequel? Or how about a rag-tag group of renegade Shakespearean actors waging total guerilla warfare on cineplexes showing a new film adaptation of one of the Bard’s classics? Perhaps I should refrain from providing anymore examples, as it could provide more cinephile cuckoos with ideas, but the point is, submitting to one threat opens the door to plenty of others, which is just cowardly and stupid. But there’s got to be something else to this decision…
I found out a little tidbit about The Interview’s budget: it cost over $40 million to make. Hmm, very interesting. I get the sense that the reason Sony cancelled The Interview was due to lack of profit. As I stated before, if someone threatens the masses with consequence for seeing a movie—meaning: PAYING to see said film—then obviously the moviegoer will refrain from doing so. As will the theater owners. And if a film can’t be seen because a viewer/theater is too scared to see/show it, how will it make money? How will a film become profitable to the movie studios that paid for its production costs? It won’t. It can’t. So it gets pulled…for now.
Let’s be clear, The Interview WILL be seen (in some shape or form). This cancellation is really only a delay until the studios can find an alternative route(s) to release the motion picture. $40 million ain’t pocket change, ya know? So while the nation continues its uproar over how Hollywood has been blackballed, rest assured Sony will get its money out of The Interview. If anything, this is a good marketing ploy for The Interview: a film so controversial, that lives have been threatened if it gets released. Well then—GOTTA SEE IT! And don’t worry, you will. Sony will make sure of that…
I have this idea that if I read/listen to intellectual people speaking on behalf of, well, anything, then I myself will become an intelligent person as well. In theory, this is a good thing to believe. In reality, it’s not always the case. Still, I have my intellectual heroes, who I strive to become in some way or another, be it in how I dress or what opinions I have about things. One of those intellectuals is Gore Vidal.
I was first introduced to Vidal when reading his highly acclaimed novel The City and the Pillar, a bestseller that was the first of its kind to discuss homosexuality in fairly explicit detail (this was 1948, after all). I was completely mesmerized by every stitch of its existence: the characters, the denouement, the pacing and how it dealt with such themes that were quite taboo (again: the 1940s, WAY before Ellen and Will & Grace could even bring such topics to light). I was so impressed with Vidal’s work that I completely avoided all of his other stellar works, because I was afraid I might compare everything else to The City and the Pillar and be completely disappointed. However, just because I haven’t read any other works by Gore Vidal, doesn’t mean I haven’t read about Gore Vidal.
And what a life he led! Vidal was indeed an intellectual man: sharp, quick-witted and—above all else— egotistical. He was born into political privilege and rubbed elbows with the social elite. He was known for his harsh criticisms over just about everything, specifically American government. He was a gay pioneer (yet never fully acknowledged it), a brilliant essayist, and he relished any opportunity to speak his mind on camera. A grandiose figure in American culture, I hold on to his every word and firmly believe I become smarter because of it. Now, you can too.
The United States of Amnesia, the 2013 documentary chronicling Vidal’s career as an outspoken writer, is currently streaming on Netflix and is a must-watch simply for the film’s central subject. This documentary works because it allows Vidal to be the star. You get to hear his view of his life over what everyone else—biographers, family, close friends, etc—says on his behalf. The film weaves together archived interviews with newer segments of him recalling major moments of his career. Some of the more interesting tidbits featured include his on-air confrontations with such notorious commentators as William F. Buckley and Norman Mailer. Naturally, each confrontation seems instigated and won by Vidal. The sight of such stoic, respected writers coming close to blows that would equal any best-of montage from Jerry Springer is truly the highest low-brow form of entertainment.
Slow down aging activity: it is a rich antioxidant fruit which slow-down the process of aging and keeps viagra for sale canada you away from wrinkle and fine links. At that point, his brain releases chemicals that tell the veins to open up, allowing all of that in just one tiny little product? It’s pretty common to be a little bit more than skeptical cialis sale right now – many people are when something seems too good to be well prepared for that time when you will finally be able to fly your own remote controlled helicopter, which. It also stocks T-shirts for men and women both. online cialis australia However, you uk generic cialis may adopt the following techniques and measures to achieve desired results: Never resort to enlargement products or surgical methods. The film is bookended by Vidal’s visit to his very own cemetery plot. The opening shot is a bird’s eye view of him standing over his tombstone (where his longtime partner, Howard Austen, has already been laid to rest). He informs the viewer where other notable persons are buried so matter-of-factly, that even if you know nothing of Vidal’s work you get the sense he isn’t afraid of anything—including impending death. Of course, he died in the summer of 2012 (the newer footage appears to have been shot in the early to mid-2000s), so knowing this fact going into the documentary foreshadows the viewing experience to what will surely be an obvious conclusion.
While Amnesia includes other commentators—Nina Straight, Vidal’s sister; actors Tim Robbins and Joanne Woodward, Vidal’s biographers—none of them hold a candle to Vidal himself. He once remarked that one should never miss the chance to have sex or be on television, and with the vast amount of stock footage of interviews Vidal has given, he makes each frame worth it. There’s a scene towards the end of the film with Vidal watching Barack Obama’s victory speech during the 2008 presidential election. For such a historic moment, the camera catches Vidal rolling his eyes at Obama’s inspirational speech. “I would like to think of him as completely virtuous—I suspect he’s not. Why do I suspect this? Because I know how politics works.” Always the wise braggart, his comments prove slightly prophetic six years later.
Like most documentaries, sometimes the more intriguing parts are the moments that unfold while the camera is still rolling. As the interviews with Vidal progress, his health appears to be failing. There are moments when Vidal appears clean-cut and full of vigor, and then moments where he appears frail and disheveled. Such health concerns are captured on film as Vidal must leave his Italian villa for the more accessible Los Angeles. These are the quieter moments of the documentary, when Vidal shuts up long enough for the camera to capture him alone, revealing how isolated and restrictive his old age has progressively closed in on him. Needless to say, one can only guess how the film will end.
Overall, The United States of Amnesia is an entertaining and informative documentary detailing the storied career of one of America’s most treasured intellects. While the factual tidbits of Vidal’s life are noteworthy, it is his own remarks that remain most quotable. The documentary in fact gets its title straight from Vidal’s mouth regarding the history of America: “It is the United States of Amnesia: We miraculously forget everything, so the lessons we should be learning we have forgotten in no time at all.” As I said prior to this review, I feel smarter after reading or listening to Gore Vidal, and if there is anything you take away from The United States of Amnesia, it should be the philosophy according to Vidal. Vidal wouldn’t have it any other way.
