Saturday, September 4, 2010

One Bad Costume: Zed in Zardoz

Over the years, science fiction films have featured some of the oddest costuming. To kick off our celebration, we begin with one of the worst. Sean Connery, playing Zed in John Boorman's Zardoz, sports a red diaper, tall boots, a ponytail, and a handlebar mustache. At this point, the jokes write themselves, don't they? The costumes in the film were designed by the director's wife, so perhaps no one was willing to tell him how silly they were.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: The Seven Samurai (1954)

Film: The Seven Samurai
Country: Japan
Director: Akira Kurosawa

I stayed away as long as I could, but finally will visit the world of Kurosawa. The inspiration for countless directors, including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, Kurosawa's work continues to be legendary. If asked to choose the single film which best displays what I love most about his films, I would have a difficult time choosing between The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. I've chosen to feature the former, but consider the latter, as well, if you've not seen it. Either way, Toshiro Mifune's performances deserve accolades.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Film: Pan's Labyrinth
Country: Mexico/Spain/USA
Director: Guillermo del Toro

Wildly stylish. Achingly dramatic. Forebodingly creepy. There are many ways to describe Guillermo del Toro's dramatic fantasy, set in 1944 Spain. Ivana Baquero is perfect in the role of young Ofelia, taking refuge from the horrors of daily life with her fascist stepfather by visiting a vibrant fantasy world. Creature and production designs are top-notch, as is Guillermo's direction. An experience not soon forgotten!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Metropolis (1927)

Film: Metropolis
Country: Germany
Director: Fritz Lang

Few films have been as influential to science fiction as Lang's brilliant silent masterpiece. Eighty-three years after its initial release, it remains stunning and powerful. It's a classic tale of societal upheaval, as workers rebel against the city elite, whipped to a frenzy by a beautiful robotic siren. Too many films to list have been inspired by, or have outright copied from, this movie. See why! You won't forget the experience.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Cavebabble Episode 78: A Taste of Japanese Films

Our movie trip around the globe continues with a feast of four films from the land of the rising sun, Japan. Join us for a look at Onibaba, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Shall We Dance?, and Departures. Also featured is a quick review of Kick-Ass. This episode is brought to you by Sunshine.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Film: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Country: Italy
Director: Sergio Leone

Although I love A Fistful of Dollars nearly as much, the third in Leone's Man With No Name trilogy stands as the quintessential spaghetti western. Clint Eastwood shines, but just as brightly burn Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach, as they fight and scheme their way toward a buried golden fortune. Everything about this film screams classic.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Hero (2002)

Film: Hero
Country: China
Director: Zhang Yimou

Built around the core story of a nameless assassin attempting to get within striking distance of a king, Hero unfolds as a series of flashback narratives told by Nameless at the king's request. Nameless claims to have killed three famous assassins to protect his king, and it is their stories, as well as his battles with them, which are the subject of his tales. The use of color in this film is unmatched, and remains one of the most visually stunning films I've seen. It's also a powerhouse of a martial arts movie, bursting with big names- Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, Ziyi Zhang, and Donnie Yen.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Mad Max 2 (1981)

Film: Mad Max 2 (The Road Warrior in the U.S.)
Country: Australia
Director: George Miller

Max drove into the Outback sunset at the end of George Miller's classic Mad Max. In Mad Max 2, Miller takes the action to the next level, as Max battles Lord Humongous and his post-apocalyptic band of freaks for possession of precious gasoline. This film features some of the best vehicular stunts I've seen, and remains one of my favorite movies from the 80s.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: The Killer (1989)

Film: The Killer
Country:
Hong Kong (yes, I know)

Director:
John Woo


Before being watered down by Hollywood, John Woo was the king of action film directing in Hong Kong, and Chow Yun Fat his greatest star. This is my favorite of their combined efforts. A guilt-ridden hired killer takes one last job in order to afford surgery to restore the sight of a woman he accidentally blinded. A nearly-perfect action film- if only I could get that saxophone song out of my head.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Cavebabble Episode 77: Sims Cubed

Brush up on your Simlish, and join us for a look at the world of The Sims 3, including the World Adventures and Ambitions expansion packs. Along the way, we also review the quirky animated Belgian film, A Town Called Panic. This episode is brought to you by Green Diamonds.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: El Mariachi (1992)

Film: El Mariachi
Country: Mexico/USA
Director: Robert Rodriguez

A case of mistaken identity pits a wandering mariachi against the local drug cartel in a small Mexican town. Famous for being created for $7,000, the film that launched Robert Rodriguez is filled with what would become his trademark humor and style. Worth a look if only to enjoy the fast-motion scene of a mariachi brandishing a cheesy electronic keyboard instrument. Fun!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Russian Ark (2002)

Film: Russian Ark
Country: Russia/Germany
Director: Aleksander Sokurov

A 99-minute filmed tour of the Russian State Hermitage Museum may not sound very exciting. When the tour becomes a trip through history and art, complete with scores of actors, things start looking up. Mention the fact the entire film is one continuous shot, and interest booms. Technical problems stymied the crew on the first three attempts, but in the end, it all went off as planned, and the result is pure magic. It's a technical and artistic triumph which shouldn't be missed.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003)

Film: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior
Country: Thailand
Director: Pracha Pinkaew

When the head of a small village's sacred statue is stolen by a nefarious antiquities dealer, the best fighter in the village must get it back in order to return prosperity to the community. Forget the summary. This is a showcase for Muay Thai master Tony Jaa, and as such, it's a great movie. Jaa directed himself in the followup to this film, which moves the action from modern day to hundreds of years in the past, in an attempt to create a martial arts epic. I prefer this film.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Favorite Foreign Films: Tattooed Life (1965)

Film: Tattooed Life
Country: Japan
Director: Seijun Suzuki

After being double crossed by his yakuza boss, Tetsu flees with his younger brother, Kenji, attempting to reach Manchuria. Unable to book boat passage, they find work at a local mine, hiding both from the authorities and yakuza searching for them. The final twenty minutes of this film are amazingly stylish and brilliantly framed. I want to watch it again right now!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Cavebabble Episode 76: A Taste of German Films

It's time for a film trip around the globe, beginning with a taste of movies from Germany. Tonight, we discuss four stylish titles- The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, Run Lola Run, and Tuvalu. Don't forget your passport! This episode is brought to you by Day-Glo.