15 years before the world ended (that would be 1985 for those of you keeping score) Mamoru Oshii gave the us this gem; his directorial debut, Angel’s Egg.

It’s minimalism rivals that of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, and ironically also like Beckett, when he was questioned as to what it was about, he replied “I don’t know”.  It’s my belief that Oshii chose to speak with the image rather than the word. Beckett, of course, was writing a play. Dialogue was something of a necessity. Oshii was under no such limitations however, and one of the true beauties of this film is that the lushness of the landscape, the haunting environment portrayed, speaks in greater volume than the characters would ever need to. As such, the dialog is minimal, serving primarily add appropriate counterpoint to the story already being played out.

In many ways it shares these aesthetic similarities with a much later (though indeed, truly excellent) film  Les triplettes de Belleville. While worlds apart in storyline the two both focus the viewer’s attention on the detail of the portrayed world by honing precisely in on those elements that will bring the most life to it. I find it disheartening that this is one frequently overlooked by fans of anime.

But the best part about all this of course?

It’s simply Art that Had to be Made.

(Warning: Veoh embed. You’ll need their silly player to view the whole thing, I wasn’t able to find a full copy elsewhere.)

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On the Big Screen:

Leatherhead – Romantic comedy – Starring: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger,and John Krasinski . This one is set in the 1920’s and follows an aging football player that rivals a newly hired team mate for the heart of a journalist. (I will give Clooney the benefit of the doubt because I don’t think this one has been done before. Honestly, it seems to be missing something though, say a plot…it does have the guy from The Office!)

Shine a Light – Starring: The Rolling Stones (the band.) This is a documentary on the Stones through the years and follows them up until the year 2006. (Another Stones documentary, do we really need another one? How boring, ugh.)

Nim’s Island – Starring: Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, and Abigail Breslin. The author of a popular adventure series decides to help her number one fan (a young girl) who lives on an exotic island find her father. Alex Rover, the main character in the series comes to life to join the two on the secret island for great adventures. (This sounds a bit like Peter Pan or a girls’ version of Indiana Jones. This could be one for the kiddies!)

The Ruins – Starring: Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, and Jonathan Tucker. A Mexican vacation takes a turn for the worse for a group of Americans when they head into the jungle to look for the missing brother of a fellow traveler. A foreboding encounter with a couple locals is only a hint of the evil that awaits them on a patch of secluded hillside. (If there were a few zombies thrown in I’d say, “See ya at the theater!” This looks to be a netflixer…Although, Jena Malone has become quite the looker these days, huh, boys? hehe!)

Limited Theater Release:

Jack and Jill vs. the World

Sex and Death 101

Meet Bill

Tuya’s Marriage

My Blueberry Nights

Naissance Des Pieuvres

The Flight of the Red Balloon

Jellyfish

Demons Rising

Courtesy of Hollywood.com

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1. New Movies this Week! (warning:  I haven’t done this in a while so forgive...

In this 1943 film, an evil spider tries to capture and eat what looks like a ladybug girl. However, she is given shelter to in a tulip, and the spider is blown off by a sudden strong storm.

I find it interesting that this time period was the same year that Japan was involved in WWII against the U.S. and our allies. Perhaps, the U.S. represents the evil spider and Japan the pretty ladybug girl in this classic cartoon. I still find this strangely beautiful and artistic.

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Semi-Pro : Starring Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Andre Benjamin. Placed in 1976, an ABA basketball team that rivals the NBA is faced with a possible merger Moon (Ferrell) rallies his teammates in an effort to make their far-fetched NBA dreams come true. [Yet, another Will Ferrell movie. Impossible situation in an unrealistic role. I really don't understand this obsession with him. Enough already, we get it, he can be funny...is anyone else getting sick of seeing him in every other movie that sucks...ugh.]

The Other Boleyn Girl : Starring Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, and Scarlett Johansson. Two sisters fight for the attention of King Henry VIII. One sister has genuine feelings for the King while the other is just out to be Queen of England. The Boleyn girls will battle for the love of a King–which could tear England apart. [I am a bit interested in this only because of the era in which the movie takes place. I do like Portman and Johansson. I'm sure the audience will be filled with mostly males with their girls to sneak a peek at the possibility of seeing girl action or a breast!]

Not in All Major Theaters:

Penelope : Starring Christina Ricci, James McAvoy, and Reese Witherspoon. Penelope was born with the curse of a pig’s snout as a nose. The curse can only be broken when she finds true love with a prince. [This sounds like it should be animated. Although, I do like Ricci.]

City of Men : Starring Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, and Jonathan Haagensen. A deep-seeded family secret drives best friends apart and into a culture of violence and rival street gangs. [I'm curious if this is going to be just a long episode of "Prison Break".]

Quick Mention: (Limited Viewing) 

Chicago 10

Bonneville

Unforeseen

Beyond Belief

Vivere

Enjoy the weekend!

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1. New Movies this Week! (warning:  I haven’t done this in a while so forgive...

Vantage Point - Starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, and Sigourney Weaver…Basically this is a look at five different points-of-view that are mixed up together to chronicle an attempt on the life of the U.S. President.  Two secret service agents are assigned to protect the President.  However, when he is shot after his arrival in another country chaos ensues and disparate lives collide.  Two other people have video taped the horrific event and we see it from each persons’ perspective.  There truth of the assassination attempt is found among the mess. [I think I am a bit confused but that's okay, I'm sure the 'truth is out there' right?  This does have a nice cast of people, which make it appeasing but I don't think movie ticket worthy...] 

Be Kind Rewind – Starring Jack Black, Mos Def, and Danny Glover.  Jack Black plays a man that is unaware that he has a magnetized brain.  He ends up erasing every video tape in a store that his friend works at.  In order to keep the store’s only loyal renter, an aging woman with a tenuous grasp on reality, the two men set out to remake all the lost films that she chooses to rent. [I think this one has some great appeal on the original plot idea.  I'm not a fan of all of Jack Black's films but this one seems to be just kooky enough to hold my attention.]

Charlie Bartlett – Starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., and Hope Davis.  In public school for the first time Charlie Bartlett finds himself surrounded by the ‘outcast’ kids that are in need of a shrink.  He decides to become an underground and under-aged shrink who only listens to private confessions of his schoolmates, of course at a price.  He also takes it upon himself to hand out pills he’s proffered from his own psychiatric sessions to solve their crises.  Charlie then falls for the Principal’s daughter, who is desperate to find out just what he is up to.  His life starts to unravel and he learns there is more to life then just handing out pills. [This could be funny but not something I'm going to run, trot or even skip to the theater for.  I think this could be a fun netflixer on one of those drinking nights.  Kinda is in the same genre of "Super Bad."]

Witless Protection – Starring Larry the Cable Guy and Jenny McCarthy.  A small-town sheriff rescues a woman he believes has been kidnapped, only to realize she’s the star witness of a white-collar crime trial.  Now he has to protect both of them from the people chasing her down. [WTF, I'm sorry but this sounds like pure crap to me.  First, you would have to be a fan of Larry the Cable guy to even be able to stand to see his face on the big screen.  I can't believe they made a movie out of this with him...*dies a little inside*]

At limited Theaters…but thought worth mentioning…

The Signal – Starring Anessa Ramsey, Justin Welborn, and Scott Poythress.  This is a horror film explained in three parts from three different perspectives, in which a enigmatic transmission that preys on fear and desire invades every cell phone, radio and TV, turning people into killers.  The city of Terminus was once a city of conformity but is now in turmoil and rebellious state of chaos. [I think if I had to choose one to go see at the theater, this might be the one.  I know I have seen this plot done before but set in a different type of world is what has me intrigued with interest.]

Enjoy the weekend you web zombies!

Source and Internet Movie Data base

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Definitely, Maybe – Starring Ryan Reynolds as a 30’s something father who is going through a divorce. His 10-year old daughter starts to question him about life before marriage. She wants to know exactly everything about how her parents met and fell and in love. He takes her through an idealistic story of a young politician, learning the ways of NYC and his relationships with three different women. However, he changed the names and leaves her guessing which one was her mom. His daughter gives him hope for a happy ending. [Aww, doesn't this one just pull at the heart strings...It's a chick flick to cuddle up on the couch with your sweetie when it rolls out on netflix and the two of you can get cozy.]

The Spiderwick Chronicles- Based on the bestselling book series. Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family leave NY and move into the secluded old owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to find the cause of the strange occurrences in their home, the family blames Jared. As Jared and his twin, along with their sister Mallory try to find out the real cause, they uncover the real secrets of the Spiderwick Estate. [Harry Potter spin off?]

Step Up 2: The Streets – This is the sequel to the wildly teen-popular Step Up. It’s about the rebellious dancer, Andie who struggles to fit in to an elite school of the Arts. She meets Chase, one of the hottest dancers at the school. Most of the original squad is back from the first movie. [I'm sorry but of all the movies to make a sequel to, why oh why did they pick this one?  I wanted to cry for the directors/producers for shear humiliation when the first one came out, but now I'm just appalled at their lack of talent and inability to grasp a good flick.  Hollywood, please come back to your senses...]

Jumper – Starring Hayden Christiansen, Samuel L. Jackson and Rachel Bilson. An adaption of the Steven Gould’s novels of people who can transport themselves through time and space. [I think this one could be interesting...but if not done correctly will go really wrong.]

Vexille- 2077 – 10 years has passed since Japan had decided to leave the UN to go into isolation. They have completely blocked the islands with an ultra magnetic field which prevents anyone from seeing whats going on inside, nor for people to travel in/out of the country. A female commander, Vexille, is sent to investigate what is really happening inside the closed country. [I think this one has some great potential, I mean really...animation, people!]

EZRA – Ezra is a 16 year old former child soldier who spent ten years living and fighting with a rebel faction, is questioned before a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the wake of Sierra Leon’s civil war. Only once Ezra admits his crimes, realizes how he came to the commit them and repents for the suffering he has caused, will he be ready to rejoin society and make peace with himself. [I think this one has some netflixer appeal!]

Enjoy!

Hollywood.com and Netflix

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(Big List this Weekend!)

“In Bruges” – (Comedy/Crime) Starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Clemence Posey, Ralph Fiennes.  This is a dark comedy about two London hit-men Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) who find themselves in an unfamiliar scene.  After a difficult job, they are sent to cool off in Bruges, where they find themselves drawn into the dangerous local scene.  They begin to question their perspectives on life and death.  [I think I am going to have to get my butt down to the theater for this one, finally something worth the $8 bucks!]

“Fool’s Gold” – (Adventure/Comedy) Starring Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Ewen Bremner, Alexis Dziena, Ray Winstone.  Their eight-year search for booty leaves them broke and with a shipwrecked marriage.  Will the clues lead them to the new fortune and salvage their plunged marriage? [It's like "National Treasure" only with married people who don't like each other.  What is in my netflix cue for this weekend?]

“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” – (Comedy) Starring Martin Lawrence, Mo’Nique, James Earl Jones.  RJ Stevens is a talk-show sensation, who left behind his deep south life and family name to transform into a self-help guru dispensing his “Team of Me” philosophy to millions of adoring fans.  When he returns home his family call him on his big-city attitude and challenge him at every turn.  RJ is forced to take a hard look at the man he’s become.  [I'm sorry, is Martin Lawrence that hard up for money?  Com'on people, I'm falling asleep here writing this thing!]

“Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show” – (Stand-up Comedy/Documentary) Starring Vince Vaughn, Justin Long, Dwight Yoakam, Ahmed Ahmed, John Caparulo, Bret Ernst.  This film features footage from “30 days & 30 nights, Hollywood to the Heartland Tour” from producer/actor Vince Vaughn.  He selected 4 up-and-coming comics to join him on his tour.  [Dwight Yoakam the country singer?]

Not Playing Everywhere:

“Military Intelligence and You!“ - (Military Spoof) Major Nick Reed is a military analyst determined to find a hidden Nazi fighter base.  Complicating his efforts is a chance meeting with his former love, Lt. Monica Tasty, and her current beau, Major Mitch Dunning. [Good luck with this one folks...]

“The Band’s Visit” – (Comedy/Musical) A small Egyptian Police band are supposed to play at an ceremony in Israel but instead are left stranded at the airport.  A lost band in a lost town.  [...I wonder if they are still lost?...netflixer?]

“London to Brighton” – (Drama/Thriller/Crime/Foreign)  It’s 3:307 am and two girls burst into a run down London loo.  Joanne is crying her eyes out and her clothing is ripped.  Kelly’s face is bruised and starting to swell.  Duncan Allen lies in his bathroom bleeding to death.  Duncan’s son, Stuart, has found his father and wants answers.  Derek, Kelly’s pimp, needs to find Kelly or it will be him who pays.  Kelly and Joanne need to get through the next 24 hours alive. [Bingo!  Chaos in London with dangerous situations and crime...this one will hold my interest!]

“Bab’Aziz – The Prince Who Contemplated His Soul” – (Drama/Foreign) This is the story of a blind dervish and his granddaughter, Ishtar.  They wander the desert in search of a great reunion of dervishes that takes place just once every thirty years.

“A Walk to Beautiful” – (Documentary) Tells the story of five women in Ethiopia suffering from devastating childbirth injuries.  Rejected by their husbands and ostracized by their communities, these women are left to spend the rest of their lives in loneliness and shame.

“The Poughkeepsie Tapes” – (Horror/Thriller)  10 bodies buried in the backyard of an abandoned house.  Police discover over 800 neatly organized videotapes detailing the torture, murder and dismemberment of the victims.

“Pathology” – (Crime/Horror/Thriller) A group of medical students devise a deadly game: to see which one of them can commit the perfect murder.

“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo” (Comedy) – Nuff’ said!

“The Hottie and the Nottie” (Comedy/Romance) – A Paris Hilton movie…

“Spiral” (Drama/Thriller) – Office Space meets Hitchcock.

“George Romero’s Diary of the Dead” (Horror/Thriller) – A group of young film students run into real-life zombies while filming a horror movie of their own. [mmm, BRAINS and George Romero!]

“How to Rob a Bank” (Comedy/Crime/Thriller) – Caught in the middle of a bank robbery, a slacker and bank employee become the ones who arbitrate the situation. 

Enjoy and Have a Great Weekend!

Hollywood.com / IMBD  / Netflix

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