Tantalizing Trivia: Bowie's Crystal Balls Revealed

Apparently this is something everyone realized at the age of ten that I only learned (after Chantale berated me for being a dunce) at the age of 24.

 

In Labyrinth (1986) Bowie's goblin-king-crotch-bulging character Jareth has a knack for ummm... swingin' around crystal balls and making it look all magic-y. Yeah. That's what it's called. But in the reality that everyone knew existed except me until fairly recently, it was a guy named Michael Moschen, a professional juggler, working behind D-Bow with his arm inserted into the jacket. Geez. I knew Jareth had magic up his sleeve, but wow! BWAHAHA oh Lord I am hilarious. *crickets* No? Ok I'll just go sit in the corner over there and entertain myself with puns. Nobody appreciates me. 

Quotable Quote: Grease

 

"You can't just walk out of a drive-in."

 

~ John Travolta as Danny Zuko in Grease (1978)

Memorable Monologue: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

 

"When I came to, the general back-alley ambience of the suite was so rotten, so incredibly foul. How long had I been lying there? All these signs of violence. What had happened? There was evidence in this room of excessive consumption of almost every type of drug known to civilized man since 1544 AD. What kind of addict would need all these coconut husks and crushed honeydew rinds? Would the presence of junkies account for all these uneaten french fries? These puddles of glazed ketchup on the bureau? Maybe so. But then why all this booze? And these crude pornographic photos smeared with mustard that had dried to a hard yellow crust? These were not the hoofprints of your average God-fearing junky. It was too savage. Too aggressive."

~ Johnny Depp as Raoul Duke in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

Tasty Tagline: WALL-E

 

In space, no one can hear you clean...

Good Virus, Kindness is Contagious

Over the past couple years, we've been asked to review many independent films. As film-fanatics we always go in with positive attitudes. Sadly, we don't always come out of each experience feeling so positive.

I recently had the great pleasure of kicking back and watching David Gaz's film Good Virus, Kindness is Contagious. For the first time in a while I found myself smiling throughout an entire movie! This documentary is the definition of 'feel-good-flick'.

The purpose of Good Virus is:

1) to illustrate that—contrary to what you may see, hear and read in the news—kindness is all around us (THE GOOD) and 2), to inspire people to spread that kindness (THE VIRUS). Good Virus is all about the small things, tiny acts of kindness that don’t cost a lot of money or oblige praise. The essential premise of this project is that many small acts of kindness may make more of a difference than a few big ones.

We are asking people two surprisingly difficult questions:

1) What is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for you?

2) What is the nicest thing that you have done for someone else?

The goal of the project is to assemble an archive of hundreds (or even thousands) of nice acts, then to present this archive in the form of a book and a film with the express intention of creating a laundry list of kind acts in order to inspire people to be aware of the kindness that is all around them, induce the aforementioned transcendental state and inspire people to likewise be kind to others. GoodVirus

I asked David Gaz a couple questions and here's what he had to say:

1. What inspired you to create this film?

My wife was telling me that all my projects (although still being social commentaries) were very dark in nature and she was worried that it was affecting my happiness. She suggested that I start looking at the positive things around us, so, being an extreme person, I decided to do a film all about being nice!!!!

2. What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I graduated from college, I had a job offer in San Francisco, but knew no one there. So I drove up with all my things in my car (including an 8ft boa constrictor) and started working with the intention to live in my car until I collected my first paycheck and then find a place to live.
Well on my second day at work, one of my classmates went to apply at the place I was working and asked me where I was staying. I told him my plan, and Erik Adigard, the creative director, over heard me from behind my cubicle. He immediately offered to put me up at his house (I accepted) and then, right after I moved my stuff in, went to Paris for a month. I was blown away, not only by his generosity, but by his trust.

He has since become one of my best friends and my mentor (not to mention the godfather to my son).
And it gets better. After I moved out, he had a friend, named Carlos, who was visiting from Paris, who needed a place to stay and I let his Carlos stay in an empty room at my new place (rent free of course, inspired by Erik).

When Carlos moved out, he offered to return the favor and let me stay with him in Paris rent free. I accepted, and wound up living in Paris for the next seven years (only six months or so with Carlos though).

Living in Paris was one of the most formative things in my life! So it's kind of a Good Virusey story. How one good deed by my friend Erik entirely changed my life and the way that I look at the world!!!!

Awesome. So great to have the filmmaker himself answer these questions!

Last year we lost a very dear friend of ours, Tammy. It was sudden and tragic and left us devastated. During the funeral, friends and family all spoke about her kindness and generosity. It was her sister's words that impacted me the most.  Her sister spoke about the many times her and her sister would frequent the Tim Hortons drive-thru (the most popular coffee hot-spot for Canadians). Tammy would reach the window and pay for her coffee, and also pay for the person behind her. Tammy told her sister that performing this random act of kindness made her feel good, and hoped it would inspire the people she touched to pay it forward.

There are days, on my way to work, that I think of Tammy while grabbing my morning coffee. I pull up to the window and pay it forward just like Tammy did. It feels good to be nice.  

Donate to the production HERE!

Tasty Tagline: Mirror Mirror

One Bad Apple.

LOL = POS

Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus star in LOL, a tale about relationships, love and Facebook status updating. Well, that's what the trailer implies anyways...

In a world connected by YouTube, iTunes, and Facebook, Lola and her friends navigate the peer pressures of high school romance and friendship while dodging their sometimes overbearing and confused parents. IMDB

After watching the trailer I have decided that this movie will more than likely suck... LARGE. Watch it and tell us what you think!

PS - Angie here. Chantale, how could you possibly fail to point out the horrible double-entendre of the title. I almost puked when I watched this and she goes "I'm Lola but everyone calls me Lol." *gagging sound* Who writes this schlock?!

P-P-P-POKER FACE P P POKER FAAACE!

We recently discussed our fave casino flicks, which turned into a more specific convo between us about awesome poker scenes.  This age-old card game has been featured in many flicks, and it often turns into a scintillating scene.

Ocean's 11 (2001)

This scene stuck out for us because it featured some celebs at the time, and we also enjoyed the irony that the biggest celebs in the room were actually supposed to be the nobodys. What's also amusing, watching this now, is that the poker students were young hot stars at the time, and now... well... where are they? Although, I maintain to this day, Barry Watson is haawwwt.

And for the boys, there's strippers in the background of this scene too, so enjoy.

I Love You Man (2009)

This scene from I Love you, Man is just the bestest. Poor Peter is trying to make friends in his sweet non-threatening way (Stones or Beatles?) and is so brutally shot down by the d-bags at the table who don't even want him there. Sweetypie Peter is even congratulating others on their great hands, unbeknownst to him that he's creamed them. He even sincerely apologizes for beating them. How could you not fall in love with this character? This is also followed up by the priceless projectile vomit scene.

A cameo by Jay Chandrasekhar also makes me giddy.

How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003)

Kate Hudson is a great commedianne and this scene is a perfect example. Benny is trying to have poker night with the guys and in comes conniving Andie to muck it all up and embarrass the bejesus outta him.

How do you ruin poker night? Easy. Take away the greasy food (and insert cucumber sammiches), snuff out the cigars, blow his nose like a 4 year old, announce people's cards, and throw a hissy fit. Check, check, and check. She nails it. Or blows it, however you wanna look at it.

What else is great, looking back on this '03 gem, is getting to see Thomas Lennon before we knew how freakin' awesomely hilarious he is.

Maverick (1994)

You can't mention poker without talking about this game in its hayday when people got shot routinely during games. This is one hell of a poker tournament, with some greats like James Coburn and Alfred Molina. I'd be intimidated, that's for sure. Hell, Coburn's voice alone would be enough to make me fold.

This is the kind of scenario that almost never happens, but this movie sure was good at making the game exciting.

What to Expect When Your Hollywood Expectations Are Low... the answer? This Movie.

Hollywood Producer Guy: "Geez, we're really running on fumes here since we tapped out the comic book market! We've even done board game movies in our desperation. What's next for us?"

Guy #2: "I got it, boss! This book has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for 791 years and nobody's made a movie yet!"

Hollywood Producer Guy: "But it's an informational book. There's no story."

Guy: "Your point?..."

Hollywood Producer Guy:"Get the authors on the phone! I have movie rights to buy!"

______________________________________

At least that's how I imagine it went down when this dipshit idea came into being.

When I saw the poster with J-Lo on it I thought it was a cleverly photoshopped joke. A quick google search told me it was sadly a reality. Fo' realio, Jennyfromtheblock? You already did the horrible panned pregnancy flick. A flick that my movie-lovin' sis and I walked out of. Yeah, that's right. We just couldn't make it to the end, a sentiment I'm sure was shared by many cinema patrons.

The latest movies Hollywood is pumping out are shameful, based on anything they can buy the rights to, and What to Expect When You're Expecting (to be released in May) will most likely be another lame-ass multi-storyline POS that boyfriends everywhere will roll their eyes about and be dragged to go see, and girls with small brains will shriek to their friends "Oh my gaawwddd we have to go see that! GIRLS NIGHT!"

Sorry, I don't mean to come across all hostile and shit, but it's true. Check out this jaw-dropping synopsis:

A look at the lives of five couples as they prepare to become parents.[IMDB]

Whoa whoa whoa there, not so much information! You can bet every stereotype will be represented here, from the fertility-treated couple, possibly a lesbian couple, the older couple, the young inexperienced couple, the accidental solo-pregnancy, the "loves being pregnant" Stepford wife, the angry "losing my career" business woman, etc., etc., etc.

Other celebrities who stooped low enough to be a part of this are Anna Kendrick, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Brooklyn Decker, Megan Mullaly, Chace Crawford, and Mr. Schuester Matthew Morrison.

How do you feel about every single thing that exists in pop culture being made into a film?

More posters featuring other knocked up female celebs after the jump..

Delightful Dialogue: Bridesmaids

Megan: I fell off a cruise ship.

Annie: Oh, shit.

Megan: Yeah, oh, shit. Took a hard hard violent fall, kinda pin-balled down hit a lot of railings, broke a lot of shit. I'm not gonna say i survived I'm gonna say I thrived. I met a dolphin down there and I swear to God that dolphin, looked not at me, but into my soul, looked into my Goddamn soul.

~ Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids (2011)

Tasty Tagline: Bobby

He saw wrong and tried to right it.

He saw suffering and tried to heal it.

He saw war and tried to stop it.

Quotable Quote: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

"Maybe you can find yourself a nice antique rocking chair to die in."

~ Kate Winslet as Clementine in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

It's been a while folks, but I'm here today to tell you about an upcoming flick. After our piece on our favie Casino gems, I thought it appropriate to follow it up with a movie about a Vegas magician! Abracadabra, synopsis-bo-bopsis!

The film follows Las Vegas magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) as he attempts to reunite with his former partner Anton Lovecraft (Steve Buscemi) to take on dangerous street magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey). Wikipedia

I likey. I likey a lot. Cast members also include James Gandolfini, Olivia Wilde, Brad Garrett, Jay Mohr, Alan Arkin and a rumoured David Copperfield as himself. Awesome. How can this go wrong?

Cha Ching Cha Ching! Casinos on Film!

Angie here!

When you enter a casino do you get that tingly feeling all over? Do the sounds of the slot machines light a fire in your soul that makes you go “ HERE! Take my money for the infinitesimal chance that I might come out richer!” No? Is it just me? Should I go to some “meetings?” Damn, ok.

I probably go to a casino once a year, if that, but I do get my fix from movies (in fact, movies cater to many of my vices that I don’t dare indulge in in the real world), and the occasional online casino. Stop looking at me like that... I have a slight blackjack addiction. Casinos are akin to their own character in many films, being the perfect setting for many plot devices. They set the stage for financial ruin and success, corruption, greed, social status, crime, business, drinking and debauchery, shenanigans, the list goes on.

So which casino flicks have captured my heart? Which have made the best use of casinos for storytelling? I thought you’d never ask.

Jane Austin’s Mafia! (1998)

Let’s start off with a spoof. All y’all Cin-Obs know we love a good parody, and this one encapsulates almost all of the mafia flicks we know and love with a tone of light-hearted mockery and ricidulousness.

This whole movie is not set in a casino, but there is an unforgettable montage involving one that sticks in my memory. Whenever I lose money gambling, I think back to the scene where people put their money on the table and the dealer just goes “no sorry, you lost” and takes it. Or when people just give up and mail their money in. Or the scene in the back room where the employees are sucking up the money with giant vacuums because they just can’t handle the volume of incoming cash.

When things go bad for the owner, there’s also a great scene that should deter you from cheating. And it involves a cattle prod.

Casino (1995)

I know the real movie snobs will want to bash my skull in for placing Mafia! over Casino (1995) but I just had to. When I think of casinos my brain first goes to fun and comedy, then after to dark depressing real-life scary stuff.

This Scorsese flick is renowned for the actors’ performances, and it also epitomizes the concept of the Casino as a character in the film. It’s an inside look on the life of a casino boss, and you can’t help but feel that this is probably fairly accurate. That’s probably because it’s based on real events and real people. Which blows the mind when you think about the violence and corruption taking place. Even though the Sam Rothstein character (played by De Niro) is a total baddie crime guy, you sympathize with him. You want him to do well. You feel sorry that he has to deal with that putz Nicky (Joe Pesci).

Filming took place in the Riviera in Las Vegas, so you’re not looking at a sound stage. Regardless of the drugs, the mob presence, and murder, you can still feel the glitz and glamour that is the casino experience. After all, no matter who’s running the show behind the scenes, a casino still represents the hope of striking it rich. It can happen to anyone. It usually doesn't, but hey - it could happen.

_________________________________

Chantale here, ready to discuss some classic casino movies. I started thinking about all the flicks I love that involve gambling. My list was long, then I realized that it wasn't so much about gambling, but more about the fact that they were set in Vegas. I've had a love affair with Vegas since I was a child. What? Don't all kids dream about Sin City? Stop looking at me weird. I always had a thing for Vegas growing up - perhaps it was bright lights, or the magicians, either way, I loved it and still do.

One of my all-time faves is Ocean's 11 (2001). 

Now please don't judge me when I tell you that I have not actually seen the original 1960 version with some of the greats. I will see it one day, but for now, my heart pitter patters for the remake. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up his gang of charismatic, multi-talented crooks for the biggest heist any of them have ever seen. Robbing 3 casinos at once is not easy feat and requires 11 skilled criminals. I loved every one of them! We had Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon) - pickpocket extraordinaire, Basher (Don Cheadle) - blower-upper extraordinaire and Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner) - Master of disguise. Honourable mench goes out to Andy Garcia who played Terry Benedict. Well done Andy, you played one very unlikeable arsehole. Such a great flick with a perfect amount of humour sprinkled throughout. SPOILER ALERT - Every time I watch it, I'm so excited and moved that they pull it off in the end. Fuck Benedict.

Another favie of mine is Vegas Vacation (1997). 

Clark Griswold is one effing loveable character I will watch time and time again. Some Cin-Obs may argue that this Vacation flick was a disappointment, but I will have to disagree. I would take Vegas Vacation over European Vacation anyday. I don't care if the Griswold kids change every movie. It don't matter. As long as we have Clark, Helen and cousin Eddie, we're all good.

Where to start? It's an hour and a half of shenanigans in the city that never sleeps. Clark immediately gets the gambling bug and is on a mission to lose all his money from the get go. After losing their life savings, Clark borrows money from cousin Eddie (that they have to dig up all over Eddie's desert property) and they visit the most ridiculous casino eva. Games include 'Pick a Number Between 1 and 10', 'Coin Toss', 'War', 'Rock, Scissors, Paper', and 'Guess Which Hand'. Ahhh classic. We also saw Helen fall for Wayne Newton, and Rusty Griswold (played by Ethan Embry.. swoon) assume his new identity as Nick Papagiorgio. Awesome. This movie, in my mind at least, does not disappoint in the Vacation series. If you haven't seen it, I do recommend.

There are so many great Vegas/casino/gambling movies out there. Are the Cin-Obs surprised by our top picks? Probz not. You know what we like!

The Hobbit in Halves

Several more exclusive promotional images from the upcoming Hobbit films have been released to the general public, depicting the movie’s all-star cast costumed up as the 13 dwarves (yes, 13, not 7) who drag unwilling hobbit Bilbo Baggins all the way to the Lonely Mountain.

The British contingent is particularly impressive, with Irish actor James Nesbitt taking on the role of Bofur, Being Human’s Aidan Turner cast as Kili and Robin Hood star Richard Armitage playing Thorin Oakenshield. The latter is the dwarf prince who leads the party on their quest to reclaim his home from the dragon, Smaug, who will be played via motion capture by Sherlock’s Benedict Cumberbatch. Quite an impressive line-up, wouldn’t you say?

Of course, there are also several even bigger names reprising their roles having featured in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sir Ian McKellan is back as Gandalf (many cast members claimed they would have boycotted the film had he declined the role), whilst Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving and Elijah Wood return as Gollum, Elrond and Frodo respectively.

Filling the shoes of Bilbo himself (although actually hobbits don’t wear shoes) is Martin Freeman, who director Peter Jackson feels is perfect for the role. On announcing his casting decision, Jackson said, “He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave, exactly like Bilbo, and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit.”

It seems old news now that, in the transition from book to film, the Hobbit has been split into two, but some are still struggling to come to terms with the idea. If The Lord of the Rings succeeded with only one film each, why should Tolkien’s shorter prequel story get two films dedicated to it? However, on speculation, The Hobbit actually lends itself quite effectively to a two film format. Like the final installments of the Harry Potter franchise, it seems likely that the first Hobbit film will be somewhat of a journey movie whilst the second will be more action-packed and feature the story’s conclusive epic battle.

The Hobbit films, An Unexpected Journey and There and Back Again, will be released in cinemas in December 2012 and 2013 respectively. All three of the Lord of the Rings films, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King are available for rental or purchase on Blu-Ray or DVD from LOVEFiLM.

Well Hello There...

Howdy ho, Cin-Obs!

Hope you're all still out there. Let us formally apologize for the lack of content lately (does anyone care?). Chanty and I took a blogging break this summer, and real life took hold of us during the early fall. We want to thank you for your continued support and messages of "Where the hell are you?!" and "Come back, I'm withering away without you!" Ok that last one was exaggerated, but you still poked your heads in from time to time to see where we was at, and it was much appreciated.

We've had many discussions amongst ourselves about the future of the blog, what to do next, and expressions of our absolute GUILT for abandoning our baby for so long. So onward march.

We feel our incessant obsessive updating may have been a bit much, so we're going to continue... not on a "fill all the time slots!" basis, but more of a "post when there's something cool to say" basis. We love blogging, we looooove film, and we love the Cin-Obs and the community around this site.

So it's been a while since we last chatted. And I have to ask....  

Seen any good movies lately?

The Inbetweeners Movie

 

There are several films which have successfully crossed the pond and now it is up to The Inbetweeners to make an impression state-side. The idea has already been taken to tinsel town and the television programme is being adapted for the US market; back in March MTV ordered a full season of the US version of The Inbetweeners.

For those unfamiliar with the British television programme, there have been three series with plot lines focusing on a socially awkward group of four boys. The comedy series documented the lives of the boys through six-form and the film follows the characters’ holiday to Malia after their A-Levels. Simon, Neil, Jay and Will head to Malia, Crete for sun, sea and most importantly clunge. The film catalogues their escapades in the resort as they meet girls and experience the underbelly of the party town.

The media have a love hate relationship with the film, some see it as condescending others think that the film comments of the idiocy of youth. For me, it is just a bit of fun. Of course there were moments during the film when I couldn’t bear to watch, but the cringe worthy nature of the group of boys is the reason the series was so successful.

Having broken the box office record for a UK comedy by taking £13 million in its opening weekend, the film has proved a massive success with the Brits. But whether the quintessentially British nature of both the film and the television programme will translate to the American market remains to be seen. People in Britain are already lamenting the loss of the programme and will avidly await replays so that they can put their Freeview recorders into action.

Tasty Tagline: Timecop

They killed his wife ten years ago.

There's still time to save her.

Memorable Monologue: Legend

"You think you have won! What is light without dark? What are you without me? I am a part of you all. You can never defeat me. We are brothers eternal!"

~ Tim Curry as The Lord of Darkness in Legend (1985) 

Guest Post! Bad Teacher, a Review

Written by Matt of Raging Blog

Recently, there has been a spate of major movies which have failed to completely explain the premise of said movie through their titles. Films like The Green Lantern, for example; for someone unaware of the comic book series, The Green Lantern could be about literally anything, from an eerie horror story to product recall information from B&Q. Thankfully, Columbia have decided enough is enough, and brought us the imaginatively named Bad Teacher.

In Bad Teacher, Cameron Diaz plays Elizabeth Halsey, a (wait for it) bad teacher who finds herself embroiled in an extremely convoluted plot. Her rich fiancé leaves her, forcing her to remain a teacher (and a ‘bad’ one at that). She sets herself the goal of finding another rich man who will ‘take care’ of her, and this goal is quickly achieved upon the arrival of substitute teacher Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake). However, she becomes convinced that her repeated failures to snare Scott and thus the future of her dreams are due to her lack of cleavage, therefore meaning she must raise as much money as she can to fund cosmetic surgery.

Often with films which deal initially with unlikeable protagonists, they can become bogged down in a moral quagmire, as the hero undergoes a life-changing transformation over the movie’s duration to reach the end a more endearing, well-rounded, happy human being. Writers Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg generously and thoughtfully avoid the moral high road and make next to no effort at character development whatsoever. Throughout, Elizabeth remains crude, vacuous, superficial, and one whose complete disregard for actually teaching her class goes inexplicably unnoticed and unpunished.

Rather than showing the audience the error of Elizabeth’s ways, Bad Teacher sets out a rather different set of moral guidelines; moral guidelines such as ‘drugging people is fine, as long as you can cover yourself by blackmailing them’ and ‘remember to cause as much harm to others as possible, especially if it advances you towards what you want’. It also takes a fairly dim view of teaching as a profession, showing the five main teachers as being idiotic, spineless, uncaring liars (especially if they try and appear anything other than the scum of the earth than they so obviously are). Elizabeth questions with a co-worker, ‘what went wrong in your life to make you a teacher’, and this is the message of the entire film.