_
"For a moment there
I thought we were in trouble"
"For a moment there
I thought we were in trouble"
Best Christopher Walken Cameos
Christopher Walken has to be one of the coolest actors around. Always surprising and never predictable. He's known for his small cameo roles these days. This has been difficult to pick just five of my personal favourites but here goes:
5. Mouse Hunt. One of his more bizarre cameos. He plays an expert exterminator who meets his match when he comes face to face with a clever and cunning mouse. 4. Catch Me If You Can. He plays Frank's father. That speech "two little mice...fell in a bucket of cream..." is just brilliant. Proving once again that no one could have pulled this off like Walken did. 3. Annie Hall. He plays Annie's brother, his part only lasts about one minute but it's genius all the same. 2. Pulp Fiction. Captain Koons enlightens little Butch about the story of his fathers watch. He delivers the story in only a way that Walken can do. 1. No surprises that it's his role as Vincenzo Coccotti in True Romance makes number one. This is perhaps one of cinemas most memorable scenes. Some of which was improvised! The music, the dialogue, just beautiful man! |
Nick Cage... where did it all go wrong?Nick Cage seems to be at the receiving end of a lot of jokes these days. He's in danger of becoming the next Chuck Norris. Sure he's easy to joke about with his amusing face and real life antics but let us not forget such classics such as Raising Arizona and Leaving Las Vegas, not to mention other gems such as Lord of War and Matchstick Men. He's an actor who isn't taken too seriously but I'm not ready to give up on him yet, I think he still may have a few great roles in him yet. Here are some interesting facts about Nick Cage:
1. He's the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola 2. He was once married to Patricia Arquette 3. He got Johnny Depp his first acting role 4. He is a massive comic book fan, hence his stage name was from taken from Marvel comics: Luke Cage and his son is named after Superman's birth name: Kal-El |
Movies of the 70's
The 70's is no doubt my favourite era in movies. Some stand out ones for me are Chinatown, Taxi Driver and Dog Day Afternoon. It was the time when some of Hollywood's finest actors were emerging, movie content became more liberal and a new generation of movie makers were coming on the scene. The movies were a reflection of the times when there was great social unrest and a great change was coming about, a time of war and protest and an explosion in creative freedom. Of course every great movie has a great soundtrack and what better era for music than the 70's. And there's also those beautiful muted colours that is so symbolic of that time...the true golden age in Hollywood.
Quotes of the month
"We don't sell Tic Tacs, we sell cigarettes. And they're cool, available, and *addictive*. The job is almost done for us."
-BR, Thank you for Smoking "The more scribbled the name, the bigger the fame" -Rupert Pupkin, King of Comedy |
What ever happened to.... Richard E Grant
Richard E Grant made his mark in his debut role as Withnail in Withnail and I back in 1987. One of the funniest performances I have ever seen, it's no wonder this became a British cult classic. I don't think the movie would have been the same without him. Where did he go after this? I remembering seeing him appear in adverts for Argos a couple of years ago. How could such a remarkable actor come to this? He appeared in various supporting roles in: The Age of Innocence, Henry and June and dare I say it...Spice World. Grant has been working on various projects over the years which include: TV work, writing and theatre. Shame we haven't seen him in more lead roles but thank god for the many classics quotes he gave us in Withnail and I, including "I must have some booze, I demand to have some booze!"
|
Great Music Movies
There are a couple of music movies that are really dear to me. They've been played so many times now it's a miracle the DVDs still work. Whether they are documentary movies, concerts or movies about rock and roll here are a few of my favourites.
1. The Last Waltz. A historic concert by the Band with legendary special guests. Directed by Martin Scorcese. Heart warming music and great tales of being on the road. 2. This is Spinal Tap. Documentary about fictional rock band Spinal Tap. Laugh out loud funny as the band aren't the sharpest tools in the box. 3. Oliver Stone's The Doors. His best work to date in my opinion. Val Kilmer has Jim Morrison down to a T. 4. Almost Famous. OK it's a bit cheesy but I still love it. A great story and fantastic music especially Elton John's Tiny Dancer. Others worth mentioning: Wildstyle, No Direction Home, Pink Floyd The Wall & Woodstock |
Tribute to Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L Jackson isn't the most versatile actor on the planet.... in fact he's just great at playing Samuel L Jackson. That's why people love him. He played small parts in movies like: Jungle Fever and Jurassic Park but his role as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction really put him on the map. The most quoted movie lines EVER like: "You think you're 25:17." and "Say what again!" just wouldn't have the same effect if someone else said them. He adds a certain comic value to a movie without necessarily meaning to. Jackson may also be seen to be one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, staring in over 140 movies! This man is adored by millions and anything he does or says is super cool. LONG LIVE SAMUEL L.
|
Quotes of the month:
"Mmmmmm, Juicy Fruit"
-Will Sampson, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest "There's a tiny door in that empty office. It's a portal, Maxine. It takes you inside John Malkovich's eyes, then, after about fiffteen minutes, you're spit out into a ditch on the side of the The New Jersey Turnpike." -John Cusack, Being John Malkovich |
Greatest female superheros
Sometimes it takes a woman to do a mans job. Sure there's a need for the likes of James Bond and Superman, but some situations need a womans touch. It's hard to pick just a few heroines but here goes.
1. Storm - X-men. Power: Has the ability to control the weather and is also a master theif. Style: Storm is been rocking white and silver hair long before anyone else 2. She-ra - The secret of the sword. Power: Being the twin sister of He-man she's also inherited super strength and is super fast. Style: She-ra's known for her long yellow hair and her golden winged crown 3. Pam Grier AKA Foxy Brown Power: She's a whole lot of woman! Style: Super reveling outfits and gold hoop earrings. 4. Wonder Woman. Power: Ability to fly, super strength and can make people tell the truth (which can come in very handy) Style: A raven haired beauty with a star tiara and an outfit that leaves little to the imagination. |
The Tarantino Jukebox
Like all of Tarantino's upcoming movies, I can't wait to see what Django Unchained is going to be like. Not just to see what fresh ideas he brings to the big screen or what actors he resurrects from Hollywood's long forgotten but also because of his song choices for the soundtracks. He is second to none when it comes to picking that perfect song for the moment. He's some of my favourites:
- Stuck in the middle with you- Reservoir dogs. Playing just when Michael Madson slashes a cops ear off. Can't listen to that song without thinking of that scene. -Across 110th street- Jackie Brown. Played at both the opening and end scenes of the movie. Love it when she starts singing it to herself in the car at the end. You go Jackie! -Down in Mexico- Death Proof. Kurt Russell gets a strip tease to this very cool song. -Girl, you'll be a woman soon- Pulp Fiction. Tarantino even manages to make Neil Diamond sound cool with the help of the super cool Uma Thurman. |
The Evolution of Netflix
There was a time when people would flock to their local movie theaters to watch a movie. It was really a special event. The typical movie theater has adapted over the years to the iconic American drive-ins, the IMAX and smaller art-house movie theaters. It was in the 80's that movie rental came about. The movie rental industry has seen a lot of changes since then. From VHS to DVD and now Blu-ray. The industy has had to adapt to various changes during the years but their biggest threat has got to be the explosion of the internet. No company has been more innovative and sucessful than Netflix. It was created in 1997 as a online movie rental company by Marc Randolph and Reed Hastings. Originally you paid a monthly subscription, then placed your order and within 2 or 3 days your red envelope would arrive.Netflix have reinvented themselves again in recent times. You can now stream the movie online from their website. No waiting necessary. Netflix is now the Don Corleone of the rental world...and to think this may have never happened if Hastings wasn't charged a late fee on Apollo 13!
|
Quotes of the month:
"I think someone should just take this city and just... just flush it down the fuckin' toilet"
-Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver Uh, well, Sir, I ain't a f'real cowboy. But I am one helluva stud! -Jon Voight, Midnight Cowboy |
Quotes of the month:
"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster."
-Ray Liotta, Goodfellas "And I guess that was your accomplice in the wood-chipper." -Frances McDormand, Fargo |
Movie remakes coming soon...
You know that saying: if it ain't broke don't fix it? This is never so true when it comes to Hollywood remakes. Heres a list of some new remakes in the works:
1.The Evil Dead. How can you make that movie any better? Not only that but Bruce Campbell won't star in it.... hmmm not impressed. 2. Rebecca. This Hitchcock masterpeice based on the Daphne du Maurier novel is set to get an overhaul but it looks promising as Tinker Tailor Soilder Spy producer Eric Fellner is on board. 3.Teenage mutant ninja turtles. Directed by Michael Bay.... pass the bucket... 4. Scarface. Whhhyyyy????? 5.Oldboy. The hollywood version. Set to star Josh Brolin and directed by Spike Lee (what the hell?) Can't see it being better than the Korean version but ya never know |
Movie Villains
A movie isn't complete without a good old villain. The villains are the one's we remember the most. They make the Heroes what they are.Theres the good: Max Cady, Nurse Ratched, Norman Bates and Annie Wilkes (right). The bad: Freddie, Jason and Michael Myres. And the goddamn ugly: Darth Vader and Pinhead. Disney have managed to create a franchise out of their villains. A disney villain are usually: middle aged or older, they usually have black hair and they always have a sidekick . And no Disney villain is complete without their own sinister song. Villains come and go but in my opinion no one comes close to Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men...unstoppable
|
What ever happened to... Predator
AKA Kevin Peter Hall who plays him. This week a photo was shown of Arnold Schwarznegger being re-aquainted with his old nemisis predator. This wasn't the original predator as Kevin Peter Hall passed away in 1991. Hall was a whopping 7'2" tall. He's famous for playing monster roles in movies such as: Harry and the Hendersons, Monster in the Closet and Without Warning. However he will always be best known for playing Predator in this classic sci-fi. Not only did he play the Predator but he also played the helicoptor pilot in the same movie. Sadly Hall contracted HIV from a blood transfusion and died at the age of 35. His legend will always live on through this iconic villian.
|
What ever happened to... Michael Keaton
_
Michael Keaton was going places after his unforgetable role as Beetlejuice back in 1988. Then he joined forces with Tim Burton again when he was cast as Bruce Wayne in Batman and again with Batman returns. I'm pretty sure his agents phone was ringing off the hook after these roles but he wasn't appearing in too many movies. The next notable role came in 1997 when he played a small role as a cop in Jackie Brown. Since then he's been playing random roles in the movies and on TV. More recently he did the voice for Ken doll in Toy Story 3. They don't come much cooler than Micheal Keaton.Come back Michael we need you!! |
Top 5 Boxing Movies:
_5. The boxer. Daniel Day Lewis plays a guy who just gets out of prison and continues boxing. With his past IRA life behind him he runs and non sectarian boxing club. This infuriates the IRA and a series of feuds begin. Makes for excellent watching.
4.Million Dollar Baby. There's a good reason why this movie was critically acclaimed. Because it's a God damn masterpiece, thats why! It's about a washed up boxing trainer who ends up training a girl who turns out to be a real contender. Her boxing career ends abruptly when a dirty fighter gives her a sucker punch which leaves her paralyzed. 3. Raging Bull. True story about the decline of the professional and private life of Jake LaMotta. This is about the life of a screwed up middleweight boxer who destroys his life through jealousy and rage. De Niro is so terrifying in this. One of my favourite Scorsese flicks. 2. Rocky. One word: Adrian!!!!! 1. On the Waterfront. What can I say about this movie but that it's an absolute masterpiece. About a boxer who takes a stand against the mob who run the unions. A role that Brando was born for. |
|
__
Quotes of the month:
"We're on a mission from God." -Dan Aykroyd, The Blues Brothers "I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is." -Ben Stiller, Zoolander |
Movies for guys and girls:
In general it's hard to pick a movie that makes everyone happy. Not every girl is into chick flicks (like myself),but if find yourself arguing over what movie to watch I've concocted this list that'll make everyone happy.
-True romance. Romance, drugs, an all star cast and a killer soundtrack. Can't go wrong... -The last of the Mohicans. Will bring a tear to even the toughest of men -Enemy at the Gates. Nothing screams love like the battle of Stalingrad -The Princess Bride. One word: Inconceivable! -Casablanca. Old skool love story, who doesn't like this |
What ever happened to...... Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer was once hot property in Hollywood after roles in Topgun, The Doors and Heat but where is he now? The truth is Kilmer is still around although you may not recognise him as he once was. Never one to conform to Hollywood he has gained a considerable amount of weight since his Iceman days. He has continued to make movies such as The Traveller and Bloodworth but hopefully he'll play another memorable leading role soon. 5 reasons to love Val Kilmer:
5. He turned down Dirty Dancing 4. His favourite band are Rage against the Machine 3. His role as Elvis in True Romance 2. He did all the singing in The Doors movie 1. During the filming of Top Gun he hated Tom Cruise and it has been said that he knocked him out during a fistfight between them |
Quotes of the month:
|
Hi there! I'm Aisling and welcome to my blog where I shoot the breeze about movies and TV: past, present and future. I'm gonna kick this off with my top 5 favourite comedies:
5. Sideways. Gets me every time. With a combination of Paul Giamatti's depressed face and Thomas Haden Church's crazy antics, it's a recipe for hardcore laughter. 4. Burn after reading. This made the list purely because of that scene where Pitt calls Malkovich saying 'is this Osborne Cox?' Malkovich's reaction is priceless. 3. This is Spinal Tap. So many funny moments and really catchy songs, but Stonehenge (or should I say Stone'enge) really takes the biscuit! 2. Withnail and I. Every line is a classic! Danny is the funniest character EVER created without a doubt. (See picture on the left.) 1. Airplane! Never a dull moment. True genius, I tell you. "Joey, have you ever been in a... in a Turkish prison?" Love old Lady who speaks Jive. "Jus' hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da' rebound on da' med side." Possibly the best movie to come out of the eighties. I also have to include this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27R79_Mi5Hk |