Rise

I’ve always felt that a people’s movies provide a hidden glimpse into their collective consciousness. It would seem that the equalization of humanity with other intelligent forms of life on this planet, and an appreciation for that belief’s consequences, has begun.

Rise is a character study of a super-intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar, beautifully realized by motion-capture maestro Andy Serkis, who rebels against his human masters. Not only will you be cheering him on, but you’ll also be left asking hard questions about the future of Homo sapiens and the ethical ambiguities of science. Rise is a delicious combination of humble, B-movie flimflam and genuine brilliance.

Unlike its predecessors in Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes isn’t about time travel or alternate history. But what it does share with that franchise is a preoccupation with the mistreatment of animals, and what happens when humans are forced to confront animals as our equals.

Caesar is not a clumsy stand-in for black civil rights leaders the way he was in 1970s flick Battle for the Planet of the Apes. He is a chimp. His struggle is with a world where humans think they are the only animals who really matter. And thanks to gene therapy, he’s a chimp who has figured out that humans may not deserve their place at the top of the food chain. When we enter the world of science from Caesar’s perspective, we see forcefully how even the most benevolent impulses in medicine can spawn animal cruelty that is unnecessary and horrifying.

And thus begins Caesar’s unhappy journey into the world that many animals inhabit on a planet ruled by humans. Abused and neglected by his handlers at the shelter, Caesar comes to realize that his place is among his fellow apes — and his mission will be to liberate them.

Source io9

You Worry Too Much

It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one that still has these themes rolling around in their mind:

It (Gotham) needs Harvey Dent to remain pure, and for Batman to become a tarnished hero. Partly, he reasons, the city needs this because vigilante justice is not justice. But partly it’s because people need hope more than truth.

Falling Down

Can anybody tell me what’s wrong with this picture? Anybody? Anybody at all?

Across the L.A sprawl, D-FENS shares a series of darkly humorous interactions with thieving gang members, a pesky bum, a raging neo-Nazi and an unwilling shop owner — but it’s the scene with the smug fast food worker most people can relate to. The burger joint also provides a platform for him to express his woes about the dwindling quality of customer service and food preparation, but we know those things are a stand-in for his feelings about the decline of … everything.

Still relevant, still potent and still as frustrating as hell.

Source Cinematical

Damaged Goods

 

Do you want to know what power is? Real power? It’s not ending a life, it’s saving it. It’s looking in someone’s eyes, and seeing that spark of recognition. That instant, they realize something they’ll never forget… They owe you.

And all you have is scars..

Time and Passion: Modern Times

Excellent short film from BC2010.

Made with no money, just a little time and a lot of passion.

Source Vimeo

The Frustration of a Reticent Man

A great scene from an underrated movie.

Source Youtube

The Tree of Life

Father, mother, always you wrestle inside me, always you will.

First trailer for Terrence Malick‘s new film. Interesting juxtaposition of the macro and the micro, the universal and the mundane. Could be just a well-made trailer, but I think this is going to be something special.

My Favorite Fictional Ladies

Another excellent piece by Monika Bartyzel. I’ll never forget the look on Hamilton’s face as she turned to greet her psychiatrist, “Good morning, Dr. Silverman. How’s the knee?” The transformation was jarring, and unlike any I had seen before. She was a force of nature that set the bar for future, hardcore female leads.

What’s remarkable about Sarah Connor is not what James Cameron dreamed up, but how Linda Hamilton embodied the character. Rather than her strength coming from storytelling, it came from real physical transformation. Sarah Connor morphed from the innocent and seemingly frail young woman into a hardened fighter in body and plot. Her strength wasn’t shown in some careful beads of sweat and a painted-on six pack. It came from Hamilton’s own physical transformation.

 

Then, there is Celine. Intelligent, beautiful, neurotic, alive. Just watch the clip. You have to see this character in action to appreciate her.

Jesse quickly becomes enamored with Celine because of theoretical discussions and recollections that delve into all manner of discussion. Whimsical revelation flows into crass discourse into idealized dreams and chatter about harsh realities. The two-part series is romantic not because of the romance, but because the respect and lust comes from each character peeling through the other’s mind. Neither has to present themselves as some strange and questionable ideal to be romantically liked. They simply have to be honest and smart.

Source Cinematical

Don’t Poke the Tiger

 

Todd Gilchrist offers some keen insight into Christian Bale as part of an interview for his new movie, “The Fighter”.

Without a doubt, there are some actors who, in interviews, seem to behave like a sort of caged animal: They’re mellow and mostly accommodating because they know they’re not going anywhere, but it’s best not to provoke them any more than necessary because, well, they’re formidable.

Although Christian Bale has sometimes been categorized as a “difficult” interview, it has been my experience that he is simply the tiger that doesn’t like to be poked; it isn’t that he won’t answer tough questions, or offer real insights, it’s simply that he likes doing better than discussing, and that he doesn’t suffer fools (or foolish questions) easily.

Source Cinematical

Pixies: Where Is My Mind (8-bit Remix)

You met me at a very strange time in my life.

And the inspiration…