DVD Rundown

Today is practically a RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY at your local video store. I'm sure if JESUS were alive today he might show up at a Best Buy, WalMart, or a mall near you to drive out all the money changers listed below! It's just that awful. Remember this beatitude: Blessed are the greedy... for theirs is the hugest bank! (I guess I should remember this beatitude: Blessed are the judgmental... for they have the best soap boxes!)

The Passion of The Christ (R)
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, and Monica Bellucci
Director: Mel Gibson

We'll not fault Mel for the greed factor this week. Admittedly, his marketing campaign for The Passion was brilliant, but I suppose it had to be since most of the funding for this film came straight from his own pocket. You can read my full review here.

Jesus Christ, Superstar (G)
Starring: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Yvonne Elliman
Director: Norman Jewison

And so the greed begins with this classic. Somebody has had the video distribution rights for this film all along. So, why did they wait until this week to put on our shelves? You guessed it! GREED! They can make more money selling it this week than they could have six months ago.

NBC News: The Last Days of Jesus (NR)
Starring: Stone Phillips

But this one takes the cake, my friends! How many made for television documentaries do you see on DVD at your local video store? I'd wager there isn't a single one and yet, for some strange reason, NBC News decides they wanna put one out this week. Gee... I wonder what that reason could be? Oh, yeah! GREED!

South Park: The Passion of The Jew (NR)
Starring: Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Director: Trey Parker

Now you might be wondering why I'd even bother listing this one considering it is bound to border on irreverent. Well, I'll tell ya'! At least Parker and Stone have the guts to admit they are trying to cash in on Jesus this week! They make absolutely no pretense. I have way more respect for them than I do for NBC and the keepers of Jesus Christ, Superstar.

Twisted (R)
Starring: Ashley Judd, Samuel Jackson, and Andy Garcia
Director: Philip Kaufman

The title of this film sums up this weeks releases in a single word! TWISTED! Regardless, Judd plays a detective who is after a serial killer that strikes too close to home. Hey, at least its a normal movie, perhaps the only one this week.

Slacker (R)
Starring: Richard Linklater and Nobody Else You Ever Heard Of In Your Entire Life
Director: Richard Linklater

Linklater's ground-breaking celluloid meandering that led to so many bigger and better things. There's not really a great way of explaining what the film is about except to say it is really about nothing. It's more like a series of conversations caught on film rather an actual story, but it does draw you in. I lived about a block away from The Drag in Austin so most of the locations in this film bring back a memory or two.

The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (NR)
Starring: A Whole Bunch of Sell-outs!
Director: Does it matter?

A better title would have been: The Lion King 2: Simba's Complete Lack of Pride. At least The Lion King 1 1/2 was and original concept (filling in the gaps of The Lion King from Timon and Pumbaa's perspective) but this hunk-of-junk from 1998 will now have its run on DVD. I guess if your desperate for home entertainment good for all ages, it might be worth your twenty dollar bill.

The Star Wars Trilogy hits DVD in 21 days.

The Passion of The Christ (R)

A REVIEW (Written February 2004)

New to DVD Tomorrow
BY M. CHAD DURHAM

I knew the time would eventually come for me to sit down and write a review of Mel Gibson’s treatise of Christ’s sacrifice for all mankind and now that it is here I just don’t know where to begin. Those who have yet to see the movie have their preconceived notions while those who have seen it have already formulated some very strong opinions. This is dangerous territory for me as a minister of The Gospel, a Bible teacher at a Christian school, a writer, and as a reviewer for GCM. Should I write another analytical movie review? Beautiful camera work, incredible make-up, mesmerizing performances, and the like? Do I write this as a minister picking it apart piece by theological piece, the same way some preachers have done with every movie about Jesus from “The Greatest Story Ever Told” to “The Last Temptation of Christ?” Could I tackle this review as an aspiring filmmaker? The teardrop from heaven was a little over-the-top, don’t ya’ think? And what was with that Shroud of Turin nonsense?

Or should I write as a man wrought with sin living under the amazing grace of God?

I've heard people describe feeling sadness, anger, shame, and even hatred after viewing this film and if story telling is about soliciting emotional response, then this film is truly one of the greatest stories ever told. But let me suggest something here. Is it possible that the startling images portrayed in “The Passion” target whatever emotional baggage we bring into the theatre with us? Is it possible that the kind of emotional response we experience will be based on what we take into the theatre with us?

It just depends on your point of view. If you are the type of person who blames other people for your problems in life, then you will probably leave blaming The Jews or The Romans for what they did to Christ. Some folks walked in seeking points of contention and they left taking issue with Gibson’s audacity. Those who have felt the sting of human cruelty in their lives probably left feeling overwhelming sadness at the sight of man’s great capacity for cruelty. Still many more carry the enormous weight of their own guilt, and/or conviction of sin with them; they will invariably leave feeling anger or sadness because it is so personal to them—they crucified Jesus with their sin. Whatever emotional baggage we bring into the theatre will dictate our emotional response, but rest assured, this film will invoke some kind of emotional response.

Indulge me as I share mine with you.

1. Jesus prays in agony, knowing what is about to come, only to return to find his three closest friends asleep.

2. Judas hides under the bridge. As the guards cross over above, they hit Jesus so hard he goes flying over the edge, dangling from the chains, just inches above the ground right in front of Judas.

3. Peter, lost in the sea of the angry mob, struggles to flee the scene. Somebody recognizes him, but he denies he knew Christ. His fight to escape continues. Again, he denies Christ. Then they seize him, put him on the spot, but suddenly he swears and curses that he did not know the man. Jesus looks at Peter and Peter remembers what The Master told him just hours ago—you will deny me three times.

4. Jesus bends down, drawing in the sand. Men ready to stone an adulterous woman throw their rocks to the ground one by one, and Mary Magdalene crawls to The Saviors feet. Her life is changed forever.

I could quibble with the fact that we don’t for sure if the woman caught in adultery was Mary Magdalene, or gripe about the addition of things not discussed in scripture, or I might take issue with the fact that this movie had a curse word in the subtitles. But of all the scenes in this film, these four moved me the most.

I identified with James, John, and Peter because I fall asleep all the time when I know I should be keeping watch. I let Jesus down all the time. I identified with Judas because I spent so much of my life hiding from Jesus because I betrayed him. I identified with Peter because I deny Jesus all the time with my sin. And I identified with Mary Magdalene crawling on the ground more than I hope anybody ever knows.

No doubt many will disagree and say I missed the point. What about the scourging? What about the crucifixion? Didn’t these disturb you? Perhaps I’ve just seen one too many behind the scenes specials that told how they made it all look so real, or maybe I just know too much about how movies are made period. Either way, there is a detachment I feel from things that I know for the most part are smoke and mirrors.

Don’t get me wrong. There was one point during the scourging when I closed my eyes and flinched. Behind me I could hear the gasps of horror and in front of me I could see the tears flowing. That’s when I realized that everybody will react differently to this film and there is truly no safe way to handle a review.

Make no mistake; “The Passion” is a film; complete with a beginning, middle, end, and flashbacks that provide us with some relief from the brutal drama unfolding before our weary eyes. I found most of Gibson’s dramatic license to be appropriate, especially that of Satan tempting him in the garden and the allusion to Genesis 3:15, although there were other things that left me scratching my head. Not that I didn’t get them, but simply because I didn’t understand why he bothered. I have no problem with the recurring presence of Satan throughout because Luke tells us that Satan left him in the wilderness for a more opportune time (Luke 4:13). I can think of no more opportune time than during the final hours of Jesus life. I stand in awe of James Caviezel’s performance and Gibson’s willingness to drop the notion of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, fair skinned Jesus. Monica Bellucci is perfect as Mary Magdalene, but I do wish the film had ended with Jesus asking her, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Maybe that’s why the scenes of life touched me more than the images of his death while viewing this film. You see… that’s what I took into the theatre with me. His life is still changing lives 2000 years after his death.

Why seek the living with the dead?

Hot Off the Wire

Since I haven't been to a movie in almost a month, I'll just have to tide you over with some news again this morning.

Kevin Smith has started work on a low budget sequel to Clerks entitled The Passion of the Clerks. We'll see if that working title sticks. All the buzz about Mel Gibson's flick, which hits video shelves next Tuesday, will be long gone by the time Smith's ditty hits the big screen.

Bruce Willis just has been slapped with a $21,000 fine by the EPA. You can read all about it over at USA Today and make up your own mind about the fairness of it all.

Sandra Bullock is out of her Prime and Uma Thurman might be stepping into her Prime.

Mister T and the Muppets? Director Quentin Tarantino will have a cameo in the Muppets next great television adventure.

Spike Lee has wrestled control of his cyber namesake back from pornographers.

ET has an interesting bit of PR on Monica Belluci.

There's some kind of LOTR connection brewing with an upcoming animated feature called Flushed Away.

Here's some publicity on Josh Hartnett's upcoming film Wicker Park and some buzz about Lucy Liu as a possible co star for his next film, Lucky Number Sleven.

And finally, here's an article confirming what we've all been thinking for the past month--every film coming out this time of year is just about worthless.

Waiting on Deck

Now playing at a theatre near you!

Anacondas (PG-13)
Starring: Johnny Messner, KaDee Strickland, and Matthew Marsden
Director: Dwight H. Little

Wasn't it bad enough somebody made Anaconda? Have you no mercy?

At any rate, in this pitiful flick unworthy of sequel, a scientific expedition heads to the jungle looking for a black orchid said to hold the key to immortality and youth. Gag! Unfortunately, when they finally find this mystical flower they realize somebody else is already using its potency. You guessed it--a whole bunch a big snakes. Go figure.

Just the title is the most awful thing I've read all week, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid. Yeah, like that's gonna gloss it all up and make us forget that the original was strictly B-rate material.

Excluding the three men who authored the first Anaconda, there are three more who came up with this brainchild of a story and four who actually penned the screenplay. Oh well, at least an entire army of writers were gainfully employed these past few years putting this hunk-of-junk together.

Suspect Zero (R)
Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Ben Kingsley, and Carrie-Anne Moss
Director: E Elias Merhige

A serial killer is on the loose hunting... other serial killers. However, the FBI is reluctant to capture this particular killer because he just might lead them to Suspect Zero, a guy responsible for hundreds of murders. Eckhart is a G-man and Kingsley a former Hoover-boy suspected of killing the killers.

I must say that this premise for this film is at the very least something new and different. That and the prospect of seeing Kingsley as a killer has captured my interest. I may try to talk the wife into the taking me this weekend.

You Just Don't Get It

An Editorial
By M. Chad Durham

Let’s face it—some folks just don’t get it. My parents never understood my desire to write about the things I like to write about. I remember letting them read a rough draft of a short story I wrote my freshman year of high school. Mrs. Hines, my English teacher, told me, “This is the finest story I’ve ever read from a kid your age.” By contrast, my Mom's reaction just three days earlier was this: “You’re not actually going to turn in that awful story are you?”

Like a lot of pivotal moments from my childhood and adolescence, my parents would argue until they were blue in the face, look me square in the eye, and declare that the moment I just shared never happened. Now I love and respect my parents, but let's be clear--it did happen. I know it did because I swore I’d never allow them to read my fictional work ever again. Why else would I have sworn such an oath?

I guess it was about a year a year ago when I finally relented and let them read a short story I’d written about football. Actually, the story I shared to them was a revision of that short story I’d written almost twenty years before. In my own sly way I suppose I was testing them… feeling them out… giving them a second chance. I was just trying to see if things had changed. Dad said, “It’s a little wordy, don’t you think? And you really need to proof it better.”

(My Dad, Sentence Diagramer Extraordinaire! Misplace a preposition, even intentionally, and it’s right back to study hall... if you can find where it's AT! How unfortunate for a world-renowned grammar expert like my father to have a dyslexic for a child!)

When it comes to my love of film, most folks just don’t get it. My fellow Christians don’t get it because they think Hollywood is responsible for every sin committed in America since 1969. My family doesn’t get it because they think it’s a waste of time. Still others don’t get it because I suspect that secretly they are jealous that I am actually trying to accomplish something in a field a truly love.

In all fairness I must share one more story about Dad. A couple of months ago we were sitting together in his office when out of nowhere he said, “Son, I don’t care what you write about as long as you give people hope. Tell stories that give people hope.” Even now, as I type these words, tears are streaming down my face. As I watch my Dad grow frail I understand that our time is limited. He won’t always be around, but he wanted to set the record straight—he does get it! He understands that I like to write about human frailty and in the past two years I’ve been delighted to learn that he does have a profound understanding of human frailty.

I wish more people could get it. I do wish more people would see what I see. I’ve written nine screenplays. Every one of them is rough and in desperate need of a wholesale rewrite, but I’ve penned them nonetheless. The stories are all mine. As I reflected recently I realized that slowly my writing has become more and more hopeful.

I wanna be like The Postman, remember him? Probably not. People were pretty hard on Kevin Costner for making that one, but during the course of the film a woman observes that The Postman gave out hope like it was candy from his pocket. That's what I want to do! I want to pass out hope like its candy from my pocket.

How can a minister be a movie buff? A film critic? How can a Christian be a screenwriter and a filmmaker?

If you have to ask, you just don’t get it.

Maybe better to ask—why am I a minister? Why am I a Christian?

Even so, if you have to ask, you probably just don’t get it.

Going Long

Here's some more headlines for you today.

The Toronto Film Festival is boasting 100 world premieres and a grand total of 328 films for their flick-fest slated September 9-18. As the co-chair for The Desert Reel Film Festival--I can dare to dream, can't I?

Danny Glover was arrested yesterday for his beliefs. You have to look closely to see him in the picture that accompanies the article, but that's him in the background wearing a blue shirt.

Speaking of political beliefs, compare the Democrat's lineup of stars to the Republican's.

Finally, along the lines of what was mentioned yesterday about lust and all that, apparantly the American public is pretty starved after all.

A 5-4-3 Double Play

This week's Double Play begins with a hard hit to take--a remake of The Longest Yard. Burt Reynolds is back, this time playing the old-timer coach, while Adam Sandler takes over Burt's old role. Chris Rock plays Caretaker.

Lust of the flesh seems to be a sin folks only worry about when it comes to the Super Bowl and Janet Jackson. Or is it the Lust of the Eyes? I'm so confused, but not as confused as the FCC. The revealing clothing worn at the 2004 games, including the outfits modeled above by our dynamic gold-medal-winning beach volleyball duo, Misty May and Kerri Walsh, haven't even raised an eyebrow, much less a bony index finger or a slap on the wrist. Could it be we Americans have double standards? The FCC certainly does.

Nudity doesn't seem to bother Neve Campbell anymore, either. (Editor's Note: I'm just reporting it, not endorsing it.)

The Star Wars Trilogy hits DVD in 27 days... and here's a bit of Star Wars gossip to tease you along the way.

And that's a 5-4-3 Double Play!

DVD Rundown

Dogville (R)
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany, Lauren Bacall, Patricia Clarkson, and Stellan Skarsgard
Director: Lars von Trier

A woman on the run hides out in small town. This one will probably find its way into Bull Durham's DVD player before weeks end.

The Girl Next Door (R)
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Emile Hirsch, and Timothy Olyphant
Director: Lee Greenfield

Essentially every teenage boys... er... uh... fantasy. Yeah, that's the word. The new girl next door just happens to be a porn star. Not much desire to see this one.

Ella Enchanted (PG)
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Patrick Bergin, Minnie Driver, Parminder Nagra
Director: Tommy O'Haver

How has the parent of seven year-old child managed to escape watching this flick so far? Talent! I assure you, it is pure unadulterated talent my friends. Anne Hathaway stars in a flick that seems too much like a cross between The Princess Bride and Shrek. The Bull says go rent The Princess Bride or Shrek and forget to inform your seven year-old about this film's transition to in-home mode.

Laws of Attraction (PG-13)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Julianne Moore, Parker Posey and Michael Sheen
Director: Peter Howitt

A couple of tough New York divorce attorneys finally take all that latent heterosexual energy and channel it into a marriage. Sounds intriguing.

Highwaymen (R)
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Rhona Mitra, and Frankie Faison
Director: Robert Harmon

In an un-Christ-like manner, Caviezel plays a man out for revenge of Mel Gibsonian proportions! He's searching throughout America looking for the psychotic who murdered his wife and happens to drive a 72 Caddy. Can you hear the sarcasm dripping from my keyboard?

Shaolin Soccer (PG)
Starring: Stephen Chow and Vicki Zhao
Director: Stephen Chow

I'd much rather watch this one than most of the aforementioned, however, I must say that it looks pretty lame, too. Martial arts and soccer. Two things that are about as enjoyable as watching the pain dry on an indoor swimming pool wall in West Texas with no air conditioning in 100+ degree whether. Now that just doesn't say much for the competition now, does it? Of course we all know that "mass genocide is the most exhausting activity one can engage in...

next to soccer."

Purple Rain (R)
Starring: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, and Jerome
Director: Albert Magnoli

The Kid has talent, but can he avoid turning into his father? Or maybe he's just like his mother? She's never satisfied.

This flick is one I'm ashamed to admit I really like.

The Star Wars Trilogy hits DVD in 28 days.

Weekend Sweep

The Exorcist: The Beginning swept the box office on a very slow weekend, Open Water went strong nationwide and it paid off big, while The Bourne Supremacy continues to hang around. Another Indie film in limited release, Garden State, virtually doubled its box office take from the past three weeks to crack the Top 10.

Napoleon Dynamite continues its rise. The PG-rated flick's success is discussed in this USA Today article.

Hot Off the Wire

Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Hero) will be taking on her first major English-speaking part in Memoirs of a Geisha.

One of the only two television shows I watch (Alias) was instrumental in getting its creator J.J. Abrams the director gig for MI3.

ET has some PR for two highly-anticipated flicks; the Bridget Jones sequel and Bernie Mac's Mr. 3000.

Waiting on Deck

It promises to be a most forgettable week at the box office. As for me and my kin, we'll be heading out to a live performance of the musical Chicago. Considering what's out there, I'd suggest you look for something along the same lines. But in case you're a glutton for punishment, or just have nothing better to do, here's what's coming to a theatre near you this weekend.

First up is Benji: Off the Leash. I can't say anything about this movie because I couldn't even find a movie poster. I never even liked the original Benji when I was kid, why on earth would I want to subject my child to a horrible sequel... that's not even worthy of a movie poster of its own!

The Exorcist: The Beginning (R)
Starring: Stellan Skarsgaard, James D'Arcy, and Izabella Scorupco
Directed by: Renny Harlin

Aside form Stellan Skarsgaard, nothing about this flick looks remotely appealing to me in any way. Why can't we just let the classics be the classics they are?

Without a Paddle (PG-13)
Starring: Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, and Dax Shepard
Directed by: Steven Brill

Undoubtedly this flick should be rated R. I don't even have to watch it to tell you that this flick should be rated R because if you put Seth Green and Matthew Lillard together you have to make the film rated R, otherwise you're just dumbing it down to try and get the teenagers in the audience. Oh! That's what's going on here. I was so confused. I predict this flick will be a complete waste of comedic talent! Lillard and Green are brilliant but this film certainly won't be reflective of their true talent.

Hero (PG-13)
Starring: Jet Li and Ziyi Zhang
Directed by: Yimou Zhang

If you're luck enough to live in a big city, this movie might be worth a look. It is a limited release.

Open Water (R)
Starring: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, and Saul Stein
Directed and Written By: Chris Kentis

On the other hand, Open Water is now branching out heading to so-called "select cities." If you're fortunate to live in one of said "select cities" this might be worth your time and effort. The buzz is pretty high on this flick.

But since I'm not living in a so-called, said, "selected city" I'll just have to settle for that live performance of Chicago.

A 5-4-3 Double Play

The Double Play begins on a couple of sad notes. Elmer Bernstein, the gifted composer who gave us the theme from The Magnificent Seven, passed away. Also cinematographer Neal L. Fredericks, best known for his work on The Blair Witch Project, died in a bizarre plane crash down in Florida. Don't sell Fredericks short--his style is purported to be mimicked in the current Indie smash hit Open Water.

Sofia Coppola ups the ante with an ambitious new subject--Marie-Antoinette.

The GoodFellas reunited over some Veal, Lasagna, and Cannoli. Always remember this piece of advice: "Leave the gun; take the cannoli."

21,000 folks gathered in D.C. for a shot at American Idol! Let's hope at least one of them can sing better than Fantasia. Yes! I said it! Maybe you'll recall that Simon himself once described her best as sounding like "Donald Duck on helium."

Somebody is still owed some serious Elvish coin.

Here's a scary report about the soap opera surrounding the latest Exorcist saga.

And that's a 5-4-3 Double Play!

DVD Rundown

It's a busy week at your local video store so let's get started!

Taking Lives (R)
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, and Kiefer Sutherland

Cliched story line for this flick--poor loner FBI profiler gets romantically involved with somebody and then she has a hard time catching the bad guy. Sounds a bit like Profiler: The Complete First Season to me. In all fairness I have yet to see this film, but I'm in no rush to do so.

Godsend (PG-13)
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, and Robert De Niro

Spawn-of-Satan type flair with a stem-cell twist.

GoodFellas (R)
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci
Directed by: Martin Scorsese

I can forgive the powers that be for coming out with this Special Edition DVD. GoodFellas was one of the earliest films available on DVD and the truth is that I don't think anybody knew how to capitalize on the format back in those days. There's a difference between giving the public what it wants (a special edition of a top-notch film) and taking advantage of the public (releasing a stripped-down version of the film, maybe even call it a special edition, and then release a fully-loaded DVD six months later. Like I said, the former is forgivable, but that doesn't make it any easier on the pocket book.

After watching this film you will never listen to Layla the same way again. Maybe that's why Clapton released another version a few years back. GoodFellas has stood the test of time and is one of the greatest gangster movies of all time. The performances are outstanding and this flick even gave birth to one of my favorite cartoons--The GoodFeathers on The Anamaniacs.

It's a HOT DATE kind of film.

Mean Streets (R)
Starring: Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel
Directed by: Martin Scorsese

I suppose that some marketing guru was having a colonic one day and said to himself, "Self. There's this De Niro movie coming out on DVD. That'd be a great time to bilk his fans out of a few more bucks."

Verily, they gaveth the masses a double-does of Scorsese and De Niro shalt be sold thrice. Thrice shall be the number and the number shalt be thrice. Nay will the number be more or less than thrice. Neither shall it be two nor shall it be four. De Niro wilt be sold and he wilt be sold thrice.

Bon Voyage (PG-13)
Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Isabelle Adjani, and Peter Coyote

Haven't heard too much about this one, set in Paris right at the start of WWII.

Bill Cosby: Himself (PG)
Starring: Bill Cosby (of course)

A classic in every way! This is Cosby at his absolute best. Make sure you grab it if you've never seen it before because it is definitely a HOT DATE.

Dinner For Five: The Complete First Season headlines a slew of Complete First Seasons--Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and Alf to name a few. Oh! I'm sorry. Alf is actually called Alf: Season One, but its not like that will help us forget that it was the worst show in the history of television. We've seen every episode of Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley at least a dozen times each so only you hardcore fans might be interested in owning them. However, Dinner For Five was so difficult to find on television I never saw a single episode and the parade of stars that lined up for this show was endless. It might be worth a rental if your a movie buff and lucky enough to have a video store that really cares about that sort of thing.

Weekend Sweep

Alien Vs. Predator took the weekend, but the sequel to The Princess Diaries took home a healthy amount for a five-day take. Here's the whole story!

I read a superb article about Spike Lee over the weekend in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. It's worth signing up for and it won't cost you a dime. That Christopher Kelly is one talented guy. There's also a great story about Wesley Snipes if you take the time to find it.

Zhang Ziyi, one of my favorite up-and-comers, teams up with Jet Li in Hero.

Did Jason Lee get cut out of Lords of Dogtown? The former skateboard pro's name is dubiously absent from this article on ET. If you know something more let me know!

MI3 has officially crossed over into production Hades to make way for Spielberg's next opus.

This Italian is making a flick about this French chic.

Waiting on Deck

Alien Vs. Predator (R)
Starring: Lance Henriksen, Raoul Bova, Ewen Bremner, Sanaa Lathan

The title of this film lacks something to be desired, though I do realize there is a comic by the same name. Neither the title nor the fact that it comes from a comic book sparks my interest at all, but the trailer finaly won me over. I'll probably go see it sometime soon if I have a chance. I'm still hesitant to think this concoction will be very good, but I've been known to be wrong. Aliens and Predators and theatres, oh my! Heading your way tomorrow, Friday, August 13th.

Hiatus

Greetings!

As they say Down Under, I'm going on holiday this weekend and I'm not too sure I'll be able bring you any updates for the next three days. Little bro is singing the national anthem at The Ballpark in Arlington Friday night and the entire Durham clan will be on hand to witness this extraordinary event. If you're in the area, why not come check him out? I'll return to The Hot Corner Monday morning for sure with the Weekend Sweep. Maybe Hendricks will have something up his sleeve for your leisure, after all, that's why I pay him the big bucks! I hope you all have a great weekend!

M. Chad Durham

Now Playing

Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (G)

The Princess Diaries was a surprisingly charming little flick. The wife and kid just got back from a screening of this one and the consensus is that it wasn't quite as funny as the first and totally predictable. Ah, well. It's not often you have G-rated flicks out and about so go ahead and take the family to a matinee. What harm could it do.

Batman Begins now has an official site and on that official site you will find the first official teaser trailer!

Hot off the Wire

Reuters is reporting all sorts of turmoil over at Disney. There's talk that Harvey Weinstein will be leaving Miramax films. Maybe you don't like the H half of the Weinstein's because of his politics, but you have to admit one thing--the guy knows how to make great movies. Considering recent events, there's very little hope of ever seeing a decent animated film from Disney ever again now that Pixar is going its own way and if their grown-up guru disappears too I guess we'll just be stuck with great ideas like Cinderella 3 and The Mighty Ducks go to Japan.

James Caviezel as Superman? Brian Singer is still looking for his leading man.

Ben Kingsley (Ghandi) and Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3) inked to BloodRayne, a film adaptation of the popular video game about vampires.

Quentin Tarantino has some minor regrets about splitting the plot to Kill Bill, but only when it comes to vanity. I'm sure his pocketbook (and Harvey Weinstein's for that matter) has no regrets at all.

The plot is twisting once again, but this time it doesn't look good for The Village director M. Night Shyamalan. Simon & Shuster are considering legal actions due to the similarities between The Village and their children's novel, "Running out of Time." This could get very interesting but, as J.K. Rowling can attest, it's pretty tough to get pinched for plagiarism when you're raking in the big bucks.

ET is offering a look ahead at the fall movie line up here, which include, Mr. 3000, Sky Captain and the World of tomorrow, Finding Neverland, Alexander, and the Bridget Jones sequel to name a few.

Welcome to The Hot Corner's Newest Writer!

Bull Durham's Hot Corner officially added its first staff member today, Brady Hendricks. Brady brings a youthful enthusiasm and love for movies to this forum and we are delighted he has agreed to hop aboard. And he's getting compensated so well! Having another writer on staff will enable The Hot Corner to cover more films as we strive towards becoming the best movie blog on planet earth!

Kill Bill Vol 1 & Vol 2

By M. Chad Durham

Violence in film has been the subject of much controversy this past year with the release of Mel Gibson’s The Passion. Indeed The Passion was explicitly brutal, but not more so than Quintin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 (now available on video). The first installment of this flick is so over-the-top I have to wonder—just where were all the censorship Nazis for that film?

Does a Samurai movie have to be so bloody? Consider Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, arguably the best martial arts film since The Seven Samurai: beautiful, stunning, and wholly believable minus the gore. A river of blood does not necessarily make a film more realistic. Of course, the same argument could be made about The Passion. But for most of us born and bread in the post-Vietnam era, its no longer that much of an issue. We’re so perfectly desensitized to violence these days we seldom take note except to say, “Wow! How’d they do that?” Tarantino employees some interesting filmmaking techniques to alleviate the burden we feel watching this sadistic foray.

The most vicious segment, the chapter about O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu, shown above), is presented in classic Japanamation style. Unfortunately, this section was the one I disliked the most. The battle with The Crazy 88 is shot mostly in black and white with the latter part of the tussle taking place in the shadows.

Putting Vol. 1 alongside Vol. 2, the two hardly seem like they were once part of the same movie. The violence seems almost subdued in the second part. Almost.

Beyond the mêlée and the hype it should be said that Tarantino is a cinematic genius. Obviously he knows the Samurai genre well, inserting humorous and playful nods to those cheesy foreign imports throughout both flicks. He’s a true student of film. Period. He steals from the great directors past, while telling his story in his own unique way. But enough about Tarantino and how great he is—the last thing he needs is one more person telling him so. He doesn’t come across as a guy in need of daily affirmation.

What drives Vol. 1? I mean, besides Tarantino? Uma Thurman, that’s what! It pains me to say this because I’ve never been much of a fan; however, she is downright fetching and intimidating as The Bride.

She’s Tarantino’s favorite girl and he always brings out the best in her.

The Bride is working her way down the “Death List Five” as she seeks to exact revenge on the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, the group responsible for killing everybody in her wedding party. Presumably this massacre included her unborn child. This ferocious crew of mercenaries leaves her for dead and The Bride awakens four years later to embark upon a Mel Gibson-like quest for revenge. The story is told in chapters rather than acts and the chapters do not occur in order.

For instance, Vernita Green (Vivica Fox, shown above) has settled into her role as loving wife and mother just fine until The Bride shows up at her door. But when the knives stop flying and Green is dead, her name is the second one crossed off the list. Yet, she is first we see killed on screen. So it is with Tarantino and it is hard to keep up sometimes unless you’re a hardcore movie buff. The plot is surprisingly intricate considering it all really centers on just one thing—killing Bill.

Which brings us to Vol. 2 and here it is David Carradine who steals the show. It was wonderful to watch him play a character that somehow made me forget he was Grasshopper on Kung Fu. Such a nice guy, right? Never meant anybody harm, right? That’s what’s so amazing about his performance in Kill Bill. He’s the villain. He’s the bad guy. He’s the one who ordered the wedding slaughter. That makes him the antagonist so we must hate him. Yet, Carradine is so slick in his performance that Bill becomes almost affable, even borderline heroic in an anti-heroic way. Bill is despicable in every way, but in the waning moments of the film, I found myself hoping The Bride wouldn’t Kill Bill. But the name of the movie is Kill Bill and the trailer did say he would die in 2003. Since they split the movie in two we had to wait an extra year but it was worth the wait. I just hope that when it comes time to pass out statues next year folks will remember Carradine.

Tarantino films aren’t for the general movie-going audience, much less sensitive viewers. They are Rated R with good reason. Some of the dialogue is crass, foul language abounds, and as I mentioned from the get-go, they are vicious affairs. Vol. 1 in particular is not for the squeamish, Vol. 2 to a lesser degree.

You didn’t think this review was going to be that easy, did you?

Silly Rabbit. Tricks are for kids.

For Carradine’s outstanding performance, I’ll give Vol. 2 my highest rating—HOT DATE, but due to what even a desensitized Gen-Xer like myself thought was excessive in Vol. 1, I have to offer it my second best rating—MATINEE. If you can stomach the violence, Kill Bill is a fun ride and if Tarantino’s your bag, you’ll certainly want to see this one at the theatre.

This copyrighted article was originally published in Grace-Centered Magazine - A daily publication for Christians that examines tradition and aspects of living the Christian life.

DVD Rundown

Kill Bill Vol. 2 (R)

This one will runaway from the competition this week. I'm conflicted about it all myself as evidenced by my prior post and the review that follows. Kill Bill Vol. 2 is the best film of 2004 so far and definately worth a look on DVD.

Good Bye Lenin (R)

This promising import features a young man trying to protect his mother. She just happened to sleep through the fall of the Berlin wall due a slight case of coma, so her son concots all these schemes to try and convince her that all is well in her red corner of the world. The trailer for this foreign film had me laughing out loud so we'll be looking for it at Big Choice Video tomorrow night!

The Prince & Me (PG)

This horrible film is back to terrorize us again. If not for her five minute appreances in the last two Bourne films, I wouldn't even know Stiles could act. Her choice of roles lacks something to be desired and this awful flick drags on and on and on until you really don't want her to be with that idiotic prince anymore. The film would have been more aptly titled, The Dullard and Me. I rate this one FORGEDABOUDIT! If given the choice between watching this sorry excuse for a film and a pair of cement shoes--take the shoes and swim with the fishes. It's just that bad.

Johnson Family Vacation (PG-13)

Cedric might be an entertainer, but Clark W. Griswold? I think not. Still, this one might be worth a giggle or two.