The Name's Bond...James Bond.

Well, the wait is finally over, Skyfall has arrived, marking the 23rd film in the Bond franchise, starting with Dr. No.  I have seen it and let me tell you, it is phenomenal.  While I was visiting the theatre (attending a showing of Wreck-it Ralph, a fantastic film in it's own right) a friend who was accompanying me found there was a midnight showing of Skyfall, (a full day before we even thought it was released), so we decided to stay and watch.  I loved Skyfall so much, and found it to be such an impressive return to what made me love James Bond in the first place all those years ago when I first watched them with my father.  Recently the Bond series seems to have been "rebooted", with the release of Casino Royale back in 2006 (a film that blew me away, especially in the wake of the travesty that was Die Another Day) and then in the follow-up film (that was, sadly, nowhere near the caliber of greatness presented in Casino Royale), Quantum of Solace.  But where Casino Royale brought a freshness, as well as, a seriousness back to Bond (when it was plunging back into the depths of 'camp' and ridiculousness, not entirely unlike the end of Roger Moore's stint as the beloved hero), Quantum of Solace brought a mopey, revenge-driven Bond that behaved more like a Jason Bourne than a James Bond.  Now, don't get me wrong, Quantum of Solace has some incredible moments in it and displays a talented filmmaker, but it had no business being called a James Bond film, it did the opposite of what Casino Royale did, which is why I was skeptical when I first heard that this new "Bond 23" was being made.  Little did I know, they had everything under control.

Skyfall is directed by Sam Mendes (a director I am fond of and a good one at that, my first reassurance) and photographed by Roger Deakins (cinematographer for such films as: No Country for Old Men, Revolutionary Road, also directed by Mendes, and The Shawshank Redemption, my second reassurance).  The film opens differently than many of the past Bond films, saving the down-the-barrel-shot for the end of the film, but much like the Bond of late, instead throws us into the action.  It's good action and well crafted, and leads perfectly into the theme song (a Bond staple), a fantastic theme that harkens back to the older Bond films, performed by the ever wonderful Adele.  This feeling of familiarity that I got with the tone of the theme would not be a one-time thing.  All throughout this film is a return to the way things were, a return to the past, but all at the same time, a leap forward.  This film takes Bond into the present and makes him, and the idea of what he does, relevant for today.  Much of this film is about the old, or even antiquated, being entirely necessary and incredibly relevant, both in plot and in actuality.  The characters make a return to the old, but so does the film.  It returns to almost the same form and function the past films followed, and as a (near) lifelong Bond fan, I can honestly say, I was blown away.  When the film ended I wanted to get up and yell "Now THAT'S a Bond film!"  Because that's what it was, a pure Bond film that joined the ideas and (albeit formulaic) structure of the old films with the new ideas, pacing and style of the recent films.  We have a Bond that is charming without being smarmy, dangerous without being driven purely by revenge, and funny but not ridiculous, and he is joined by a whole new cast of fresh faces that feel right at home in the roles played by many others throughout the years.  This is the beginning of a new era of Bond, one that will hopefully follow the example set by Skyfall.  I have heard they are already working towards another Bond film and if they have one shred of intelligence or common sense in their collective brains, they will pay close attention to this film and take notes diligently, because THIS film is a success, a wonderful success.

I don't say this lightly, but Skyfall may be the very best James Bond film I've ever seen, if not, it's definitely in contention for the top.  If you're a fan (and even if you're not) do yourself a favor and see this film, in IMAX if you have the budget for it, because it is stellar.

Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kw1UVovByw

and if you're like me and couldn't wait to hear the theme, here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeumyOzKqgI

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.....

As many of you know (or maybe don't know) Disney has purchased Lucasfilm from George Lucas (the sole shareholder) for 4.05 billion (with a "b") dollars, and have announced Star Wars Ep. 7 for release in 2015.  

Initiate nerd-rage.

When I first read the news that this transaction had gone down I was at a loss for words...I stared at the screen but my brain wouldn't register what it was reading.  "George Lucas sells Lucasfilm...to Disney...for 4 billion dollars...Disney plans Episode 7 for 2015 release..." I re-read the lines multiple times, not really knowing how to feel.  Then the emotions started.  I was angry.  DISNEY?!  DISNEY bought the rights to the entire Star Wars franchise AND they're already planning another Star Wars film?!!???  GAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! How dare they?  I grew up with Star Wars!  I remember the exact moment I first learned of the existence of Star Wars with perfect clarity.  I was sitting in front of the TV watching some nonsense (it doesn't even matter anymore) with my younger sister, when my dad walked through the front door.  I don't know what prompted him to do this, but wherever he was, he had purchased the original remastered trilogy on VHS.  I remember walking over to him, curious what this exotic box of tapes could possibly be, looking up at him as he just...handed them to me.  He said, "This is the Star Wars series...wanna watch it?"  It was as simple as that...I became, immediately obsessed with Star Wars.  It's one of my fondest memories, and one which will always be burned into my recollection.  Since then, I've accumulated the DVDs, action figures, vehicles, posters, clothing, etc.  (I'm only slightly nerdy...)I couldn't get enough.  I lived and breathed Star Wars.  I learned from my father that he had seen the films in theatre...when they were released, starting in 1977.  He spoke about the films with such a wonder...he said no one had ever seen anything like that in film before, it had a reality that was beyond it's time (effects-wise).  When that Star Destroyer comes over the screen at the beginning of Star Wars, you're powerless, you have no choice but to stare in awe of it.

This memory popped into my mind as I read the distressing headline...then I let myself think.  I've lived through the prequels.  I've lived through the endless, atrocious, changes Lucas has made to the original trilogy, the films from my childhood.  I've watched this man (Lucas) do absolutely NOTHING worthwhile with this beloved series, but ruin it time and again, and I thought, "You know what....good.  This might be the best thing to happen to Star Wars since 1980 (with the release of The Empire Strikes Back, a film that, thankfully, Lucas neither wrote, nor directed)."  Disney has recently purchased the rights to Marvel as well, and so far, has done nothing but good with it (in my opinion.  Sure, all the films aren't gold, but they're pretty good).  I now see this as an opportunity for competent writers and directors to get involved with an established story I already love, and make something good.  Disney has the money to make anything they want, and if they play their cards right, they might just make something good, possibly even great.

If I could request one thing, JUST ONE thing from Disney, as a fan, I would ask them to release the original trilogy on Blu Ray, unaltered and unscathed.  I'm talking Han shot first, no worm Sarlacc, no digital Jaba, regular Obi-Wan Krayt Dragon call, no digital, inexplicable rocks in front of R2-D2 while hiding from the Sand People, no Darth Vader "NOOOOOOOOO", ORIGINAL Star Wars films.  The films the loyal fans deserve.  The films George Lucas denied us.

In short...This is a big change.  This is a lot of new revenue for Disney (which also gained rights to ILM, Skywalker Sound, and LucasArts games).  This is also a new opportunity.  An opportunity to do something that hasn't been done in nearly 30 years:  Make a good Star Wars film.  So, I'm optimistic...I'm looking forward to seeing what Disney does with this newly obtained goldmine, hoping that they give the series the respect it deserves but hasn't had in a long time.  I'm hoping they honor the originality and wonder that made Star Wars so appealing to begin with.  I'm hoping, with a 2015 release date already planned, they don't rush this next film and ruin it. I'm hoping they make a return of some practical effects, rather than ONLY green screen effects (seriously guys, practical effects look AMAZING, trust me).

I look forward to returning to that galaxy far, far away, and the wonder that grabbed me and wouldn't let go.

November Film Club

Hey everybody.  As October comes to a close (which, really doesn't seem possible) so does our Horror Fest presentation of "The Films of Alfred Hitchcock".  Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to any or all of the films, we really appreciate your patronage.
The film I've selected for November is something completely different that I think you'll enjoy.

We will be watching Jeff Nichols': Take Shelter

Take Shelter is a 2011 American drama-thriller film written and directed by Jeff Nichols and starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain.  Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father (Shannon) questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.

In Lagrange, Ohio, Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon) has apocalyptic dreams of being harmed by people close to him, but he keeps them from his wife Samantha (Jessica Chastain) and their deaf daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart).  He focuses on building a storm shelter in his backyard, but the strange behavior strains his relationship with his family.  Curtis goes to see a counselor at a free clinic, with whom he talks about his family's psychological history.  His mother (Kathy Baker) suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, which presented about the same age that Curtis is now.

Film club will meet Thursday, Nov. 15th at 6:15pm.  Hope to see you there!

Check out the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5U4TtYpKIc

Film Club

Hey there!  Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out last Friday for our showing of Vertigo, we had 20 people attend!  A Film Club record.  If you would like to come see an Alfred Hitchcock film but haven't been able to make it yet, don't worry, there are still TWO more films coming this month!  This Thursday, Oct. 18th at 6:15pm we will be showing the chilling thriller: Psycho.  Hope to see you there!

Horror Fest 2012

Hey folks, here is the update on the Horror Fest lineup for October.  Unlike last year, where we showed different types of films from the horror genre, this year our theme will be:

"The Films of Alfred Hitchcock"

Friday, Oct. 5th- North by Northwest
Friday, Oct. 12th- Vertigo
Thursday, Oct. 18th- Psycho (Film Club)
Friday, Oct. 27th- Rear Window

Unlike last year, not all these films are, strictly speaking, "horror" films (except Psycho) but they are all incredibly suspenseful.  Alfred Hitchcock was probably the greatest filmmaker to have ever lived and his legacy as "The Master of Suspense" lives on.  Come and join us for the month of October as we view just a sampling of his overwhelmingly brilliant filmography.  You will not be disappointed.  All Friday shows will begin at 5:15pm after the library closes, Psycho will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 18th at 6:15pm for Film Club.

Here are the trailers:

North by Northwest

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk0GbTMMbP0
Vertigo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0bV2gh4E7Y
Psycho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps8H3rg5GfM
Rear Window

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kCcZCMYw38
Hope to see you there!

October Film Club

Hello everybody, thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to The Artist, we had a good crowd.  As you know, next month is October and that means Horror Fest.  Last year we screened a variety of different horror films from different sub-genres and it turned out well.  This year we are going to spotlight the films of the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.  Every Friday in October, except the third, we will be staying after the library closes to watch a film.  The third week we will hold the film when we would normally hold Film Club, so Oct. 18th will be when Film Club meets and we will be watching Psycho.

Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Janet Leigh.  The screenplay by Joseph Stefano is based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch.  The novel was loosely inspired by the crimes of Wisconsin murderer and grave robber Ed Gein, who lived just 40 miles from Bloch.

Psycho depicts the encounter between a secretary, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who goes to a secluded motel after embezzling money from her employer, and the motel's disturbed owner and manager, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), and the aftermath of their encounter.

The film initially received mixed reviews, but outstanding box office returns prompted a re-review which was overwhelmingly positive and led to four Academy Award nominations.  Psycho is now considered on of Hitchcock's best films and is highly praised as a work of cinematic art by international critics.  It is often ranked among the greatest films of all time and is famous for bringing in a new level of acceptable violence and sexuality in films.  In 1992, the film was selected to be preserved by the Library of Congress at the National Film Registry.

I will post the final Horror Fest schedule soon, hope to see you there!
Here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps8H3rg5GfM

In Search of Ecstatic Truth

This past week I had the outstanding opportunity to go to Bloomington, Indiana for a lecture series centered around the work of German filmmaker, Werner Herzog (with Herzog in person!).

Monday- I attended a screening of Aguirre, the Wrath of God (a film we watched for Film Club a few months back) about the Spanish conquistadors on their quest to find El Dorado, lead by the madman Aguirre, with a special Q&A following the film.

Wednesday- I attended a screening of Fitzcarraldo, the story of a man obsessed with the Opera (specifically, Caruso) who dreamt of bringing it to the Amazon, and ended up hauling a 320 ton steamship over a mountain to accomplish this dream (a feat Herzog actually performed while filming), also with a Q&A.

Thursday- I attended a lecture given by Herzog entitled "The Transformative Role of Music in Film" where he talked about the marriage of music and the moving image, giving many examples from his own films and some from the films of other filmmakers.

Friday- I attended a midnight showing of his impressive remake of the classic F.W. Murnau 1922 silent masterpiece, Nosferatu the Vampyre.

(all these screenings were brand new digital transfers of the films and they looked absolutely beautiful)

There were some other events I missed due to bad planning on the school's part, but, I did have the staggering privilege to meet Herzog and shake his hand.  All in all the week was a blast.

I already made a post, basically gushing, about how much I love Herzog's films so I'll spare you that, but I will say, this series was a fantastic opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind and personality of Herzog, to get to know the man behind (and sometimes in front of) the camera.  He is a very charismatic speaker full of unbelievable stories that he tells with pride and a touch of humour.  Herzog is a very big inspiration to me personally and this was an unrivaled event that will always remain with me.