Bloom, IN ______MOVIES__(edit to include TV)__opinions and news.

Hi

thought I might try to start a thread on movies in general
that could help all us HA Star Wars fans stay in touch.....no matter where we are

Visiting the Bloomington area and hanging out with Star Wars fans,
helped make the following special viewing possible.

It is SPOILER FREE..........so, to learn more details, if you like
please feel free to send me a pm.

Ed

___________________SERENITY_____________________

06-23-05___Indianapolis, Indiana

The theatre was near I69 and 96-th street.

$10.00 ticket cost (thank goodness for/and to fan/friends everywhere on this
as many were on ebay for 5 times this cost and more)
..........and there were fans there from Florida, so imagine there costs.

and, without these boards and Star Wars fans who follow many many things,
I would have never even been interested in this in the first place.

Thus, I have never seen Firefly and really knew very little about this story and fan base.

The film was work in progress and a Josh Whedon (filmed) 5-minute presentation,
prepared the audience for this.

We were introduced to someone from Universal, who then told us that this was a "secure" print,
and that they would start exactly on time due to union rules for the projectionist, and that
we had better visit the concession stand.

We were then introduced to a "security" (plan cloths) agent and warned about the high cost and
jail time that was associated with trying to pirate any part of the film,

oh, did I mention that two guys were at the entrance searching all bags and other suspicious objects.

Later during the film, I noticed that this guy was wandering around the perimeter with some kind of
high tech/ infrared light beamed scope. He was very carefully checking out the audience.
Made me think of Luke?s macro-binoculars.

We were then told that no stars could make it to this performance, unlike others
throughout the country.

Since it was Josh Whedon's birthday, 06-23-1964
several fans had a large birthday card in the lobby for us to sign,
and led the audience (just before the film) in singing Happy Birthday.

We were told that this was a nationwide activity for where ever their was a sneak preview showing on this day..

Then we just sat talking when the entire audience roared to their feet in a standing ovation,
no, the film had yet to start,
but it turns out the the Universal rep had deliberately mis-lead us as one of the Stars of the TV show/film was now in front of us.

It was Ron Glass, (I remember him from the TV show, Barney Miller), who's character is ...Shepherd Meria Book

He would stick around and visit with us for about 30 minutes after the show, but did not sign anything.

oh........

The movie itself.............I think most of you are really gonna like it,

for me, this showing was missing a full musical score, (there were no end credits at all)
and also some sound effects.

There was also an exit poll, but not the full audience analysis forms that I thought might
be part of this event.

Everyone in attendance got some free promo materials concerning the film
(a flyer and a tri-fold, each page letter sized, and a keychain)
which basically say,

"In Theatres September 30, 2005 and www.cantstopthesignal.com
?which if you are a ?Browncoat?, you know what this means.

 

Saw BEWITHCED,

Michale Caine was GREAT in Batman, and as a Warlock, he is lots of fun here as well,
and, if you are a fan of the original Bewitched TV show,
well, this movie really got a lot of stuff right,
for me it was a fun way to pass my last evening here
in beautiful downtown Bloomington,

also, much thanks to all who suggested I try,

LiTTLE LaGREB for steak dinner,

pricy, that's true, but my last night here while visiting,
I wanted to go out with a BANG, and so had a GREAT time there,
and with everyone here as well,

I plan on returning for Homecomming for sure, and hope to
turn that Fall visit into a longer one, and/or a couple of
weekend visits, which means, I will very much try to make
another meeting and/or event during those time frames.

thanks again,

Ed

 

Took In "Land of the Dead
We'll ,All I can say is Wait for cable!!!
This was a HUGE let down compared to last springs very well made Dawn of the Dead.
And as far as Dennis Hopper being in it..The second I seen his face I wanted a zombie to eat it of right away..That guy has become one of the worst single " Cheater" actor I've seen in a long time. The one decent thing about it is the effects are there for the shock & all but the Direction,story,acting very flat.Really...Wait till USA network or Sci-Fi shows it.

My two credit's.

Eric

 

Eric,

Thanks for the Land of the Dead views,

I have read mixed views on other boards and some really like it.

but, having seen Batman with you, let's me know, that
if ever I can not get to sleep late at night at some day
in the far future, and this is on, it might help me get
back to bed....or this would be the best time to watch this,

Ed

 

Ed
I'll just sum it up like this.

Acting D
Story F-
F/X B+


Worth $6.00 or more to see it = F----

Free to see it = D+

E-

 

Yeah, Land of the Dead was a big disappointment. All Romero's other flicks in the genre had great story and great plot but were rather low budget. I thought maybe now that he did a mainstream flick with the more expensive effects and makeup etc that would only add to the coolness factor. But when I was watching it I felt somewhat embarassed for having spent 6 bucks on it. There was a high degree of cheesiness like zombies displaying emotions other than the strong desire to eat my brain. There were some really cool things in the movie and the IDEA behind the story is great. But it just didnt come together in the end. It was a very big letdown, I had high expectations and this didnt really come close. It didnt even have any big jump moments.

 

War of the Worlds

ok summer fun film,

severl plot lines and story lines and charactor lines,
left me wanting to make several corrections

but for your Star Wars Connection,

ILM did a lot cool special effects,

and

John Williams did the music.

and so,

the book is best (film does pays a lot of respect to this)

radio version (I still really like the way the country
actually fell for this)

Gene Barry version ( great ships and sound effects)

current version ( great tripods and sound effects
and and and........a really good solution to show
the deaths of many many people by some kind of
sci-fi beam)

 

news and gushing first this time.

takes a deep breath......and.....

WOW, am having the best time posting on the Bloomington boards,
and reading them too.....much thanks!

movies/etc next

QueenMother......LOTR trip to INDY/museum, sounds great,
no flaming allowed......or pursuit of prop and costume
knowledge can always be put to use with fellow Star Wars
fans......wishing I could join,
but always difficult to see, the future is

CatCF, at IMAX Chicago, please keep me in mind, I am always,
hopeful to be with my fellow Star Wars fans,
though the INDY museum looks more likely.....
gosh, I must visit again soon......all I have to do
is convience FedEx, that I need 52-weeks a year of vacation

Fantastic Four......well, I am really waiting on Fan opinion
for this.......Roger Ebert has tried stabbing this film in
the heart with his review......and my view of the trailers,
are that this is going be a fun film!

FIREFLY....on DVD.....well, you have probly seen
my report on the special screening of Serenity and this
along with freinds in INDY (thanks Shelli and Erik) and in
Chicago (thanks Haz) .....the report here is, if you get
a chance to rent or see some of this (start at the begining please)
...I think you will find some pretty good Sci-Fi stories and ideas
.....especially is you are a Joss/Buffy fan....just some fun stuff.


Lastly, with all the news going on in the world,
....try this link if you would like to send some support
to our fellow fans in England

http://boards.theforce.net/London_UK/b10419/20621024/p3/?50

missing the outer rim.........a lot!

Ed

 

Ok so I swear I'll have a better review for you after I get some sleep but I just wanted to say, if you're bored today (Saturday) and want to go to a movie, go to a (later) showing of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If you liked the book, you'll like this version. I hated the first version of the movie. I found Gene Wilder to be down right creepy and not really funny at all. Now I'm sure I hold a great biased because of my fangirling Johnny Depp *looks around her room at the JD posters and callender a friend sent her * but I found his Willie Wonka was a lot closer to the book that Gene's. He was a lot more escentric and odd, like in the book. There are no golden geese (thankfully) and instead they have a giant army of adorable squirrels. The glass elevator was wicked cool and I don't think I'd even smiled that much though a whole movie in a long time.

It's a great treat for kids although some of it they might just be like Hua... but it's also great for adults to. My mom loved it and she's a HARSH critic (if it was made past 1970 it ain't no good... or something like that). It's a great ride for adults and something you walk out of with a warm, happy feeling to counter all the sad, depressed feelings you get leaving RotS. I can't think of anything I didn't just abhore.

The Oompa Loompa songs are totally different. Each of the four songs for the kids are in a different muscical style. You have a kinda tribal, hard to describe song for Agustus, a techno version of Violet's song (her becoming a blueberry is kinda like... ), a 70's love child, hippie theme for Vercua and rock version for Mike (who was an annoying git... wonderfully played). I knew that much going in and the girl I talked to (she got an advance screening in Chicago a few weeks ago) hated the new songs but I kinda liked them.

You could TELL when there were special effects. Some of them were clean some were kinda so, so. I'm sure you've heard that only one guy plays all the Oompa Loompas and he's digitized many times over. Well there are also animatronic OL at times that you can tell aren't live people. Don't hold that against the movie though. After all it is for kids. Just alerting you to that fact.

*thinks some more* Oh the story of WHY Willie Wonka is so strange is very nice with a little apperence from Count Dooku himself. Mom and I went back and forth with different Christopher Lee characters... she won. Oh well.

Ok this was longer than I thought it would be but whatever. It's a great movie and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Johnny fan. Freddie Highmore was darling and the PERFECT Charlie Bucket. The ending (which is added onto from the book which kinda ends abbruptly) was very heart warming and pro-families sticking together which was nice. And you really do fall in love with Charlie and his family. Or maybe it's just me cause I'm a girl... ANYWAY.

Ok go see it I have some White Castles to eat and some new Harry Potter book to read. Talk to you guys later!


Sara D

 

I am really starting to "Not" want to see this.The 1970 virsion is one of my all time favorite movies and every review I read or hear on the JD vision makes me just want to turn away . Im just old school I guess.

 

Hi,

I posted the following on the CHICAGOFORCE.ORG boards,

The new Willy Wonka movie....

from the promo trailers, thought it would be dull
but, I liked the gosh darn silly thing....

The guy (Deep Rob?) playing the oompa guys,
was GREAT, and should get an oscar

Danny Elfman, also did a great job
with the music,

and the "2001" jokes worked for me.

oh, and count Dooku (a dentist!)
as Willy's father,
....hhhmm...ok by me.

Ed

ps, I am also a sucker for most squirrel humor


_________and then read reviews on the HA fanforce boards.

I really like the old version, except, the oompa guys,
as they are an exact re-creation of my all time
child-hood night-mare........which I was still having
well into my teens.....but was pretty much over
by the time I saw the 1971 version
...tho, no longer a kid, I found them to be a chilling
reminder of the little orange men who would come after
me in my dreams.

But the new film does cross the line at times
and for a childrens film makes me think

"what the heck were they thinking"

for example (spoiler alert)

Whipped Cream.............if only they had been
whipping cream .....using rodeo whips....and splashing
cream all over......that would have been funny,

instead, they were whipping a cow which looked to be held
up in the air in some kind of s and m bondage ritual thing.

but, even with that low point for me, this was actually a fun
film, I loved the "Willy Wonka" music

oh.....Sara......ok to be a Johnny Depp fan.....so am I,
His Ed Wood, was amazing...(ok, he's darn cute as well)

as always,
wishing everyone the best,

Ed

 

Yeah the cow things was kinda like.... um.... I came home and tried to hug the cows I live by... they thought I was nuts...

And I still have yet to see Ed Wood. The Bloomington Blockbusters seem to think it's ok to purchase 100 copies of the new release films but it's a waste of time to get one copy replaced of an older movie that was stolen. So in turn I have yet to find Ed Wood in Bloomington. I guess I should try the Cinemat downtown...

Alright back to reading the new Harry Potter book. It's very good so far.

 

This isn't exactly a new movie, but it's kind of new to DVD, however I watched it this weekend with my sister and thought I'd post about it:

Be Cool
Vince Vaughn and Cedric the Entertainer definantly made the movie, without them I would have been sorely dissapointed. It made me even more of a Vince Vaughn fan (apologies if I'm mis-spelling his name, at work I don't have the liberty of spending time on imdb.com). Which wasn't hard to do because I just love watching him act! Going to have to see Wedding Crashers.

The main story thread was almost too far fetched from the begining, and then when Aerosmith stepped into the mix, it went downhill quickly! My sis and I (both Aerosmith fans) were surprised that the band would have done a (really bad) movie role playing themselves. Really, if Aerosmith wasn't in the movie at all, maybe they just refrenced the concert, it would have bumped the movie up...but they weren't and Steven Tyler looked really old all of a sudden in it.

But it's worth renting, if only for the Vince Vaughn and Cedric the Entertainer story threads. I enjoyed it, probably give it a B/B+, and my parents said they loved it.

 

Okay, well, I haven't posted here in a while so I thought I should just so everyone would know I was still alive.

Since we're talking about "other" movies:

Jennifer and I saw "War of the Worlds" (we actually won passes to see it at the Celebrity filled premiere at Mann's Chinese Theater!) and we both thought that while it was a technical masterpiece it was missing...something. I don't know what I wanted...but it left me feeling a little like..."Ehh...". Mediocre, I guess. But Spielberg's camera work in the film was INCREDIBLE!

"Fantastic Four" was a fun film. Jennifer and I got a lot of laughs out of it and we both thought they did a great job with the make-up, effects and music. Michael Chiklis (Ben Grimm/The Thing) is an astounding actor with great range and very emotional eyes. I thought his performance was really, really amazing. I was very impressed with him.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"...I thought this film was a masterpiece as well. The visuals were astounding and Johnny Depp's performance was, althought different from Wilder's, spot-on to the true nature of the character in the book. At least, I thought. Tim Burton's visual magic always leaves me feeling very childlike in the sense that it always fills me with awe and wonder. I highly recommend this film to anyone if only for the visuals. And, yes, it is funny too!

'Til next time...

Lito

 

___BE COOL_______

have not seen this, but a movie where THE ROCK, plays a gay body guard......yikes!

and this is suppose to be the sequel to GET SHORTY?

sure has a lot of stars........but have not heard of it until now,

ref AEROSMITH...........

Walk this way, talk this way
Just give me a kiss


or, I too am a fan


ref, Wedding Crashers.........if I get a chance, this is on my to see list,


ref Fantastic Four........I thought this was pretty good, I use to read the comics,
regulary.......ok, it was during the sixties (circa 1960 to 1968)

anyway, I thought the did a GREAT job with MR. Fantastic, and DR. DOOM, was pretty good
too.......the thing could really have been done very wrong, so, their choices here wer
a relief........and the Human Torch, well, perhaps a little over the top, but I liked it.

oh.......and do to others, the version of this film that I saw was
subtitled.....for the hearing impaired.......

so it was fun, knowing background dialogue that I could not hear, or may even
have been edited out of the final version......also fun to know when
there was......"driving rock music"

a car/truck thing

wishing you all the best as always,

Ed

 

____________MUST LOVE DOGS____________


ok, kinda a "chick flick",

but very well done and fun and funny.

very much looking forward to

ICE AGE 2

as the promo-trailer just kills me

Ed

 

I just got back from March of the Penguins. It was wonderful. The cineamatographers stayed with the group the whole winter to film the birth of the chicks and it was amazing. Morgan Freeman narrates and it's not just full of him talking. I thought the visuals were nice, the dialogue that was there was well suited and the images were stunning. IF you're sick of shot 'em up, bang bang flicks (ok who really is?) and want a nice calming (and actually kinda romantic from a certain point of view) flick to go to I'd suggest it. Totally Oscar worthy.

Sara

 

Thanks for the review Sara,

March of the Penguins......was the film I was suppose to see,
but got to the theatre to late and went to Must Love Dogs instead.

Ed

 

Ed, it was great. You should make the time to go!

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (GoF) news... The Leaky Cauldron.org has some new high res photos from the new movie. I don't see them as spoilery having read the book a couple of times (but I'm a sucker for spoilers anyway so what does that matter to me...) but I thought some of you might enjoy it seeing as how there was a seeming enthusiasim when the teaser trailer (which I'm still not a big fan of even though I fell outta my seat and stood up clapping for it today in the movie... I'd had a large drink with dinner at Cheesburger in Paradise to celebrate my Aunt's engagement har har).

So clicky clicky for some nice big photos. And I think the men of the group will enjoy the first photo titled The Second Task. Fluer is a blonde after all so we gotta give her some credit.

Ooooo the ticker is working again! haha You know you love me.

Sara

 

ref

You know you love me.......

yes, we know

Ed

thanks for the "clicky clicky" link

 

Wedding Crashers was actually halfway decent.

 

well, got to the show on time this time and got to see,

March of the Penguins.....thanks Sara for the review
and the urging

It was a little shorter than I thought it would be,

but.......oh my, the photography.......

It really drove home the point that special effects can be fun,
but doing it for real and reality.....well, when done right,
as in this film, CGI has a real long way to go.

also, I always stay for the credits....and.....the out takes,
of the guys who hauled all this high teck photo-equipment around
the ice....above, on, and below.......WOW, how did they do that,
only the live video feed of the Astronauts repairing the shuttle,
in orbit was close......

which, to mention the Astronauts, I set my TIVO to record a large
part of the repair job.......watched at normal speed, it was kinda
tedious......but, at fast forward, you could get a much better
idea of the motions in space.....which were amazing.

recomend both of these to any film student or film maker,
there are many ideas on many levels......even how the music,
which was much better than I expected for the penguid movie,
made a great contribution.....along with Morgan Freeman, who seemed
to be really into this project.

Am considering the soundtrack for this one.

In other news, just got the last Item I ordered from the C3 store,
today.......hhhhhmmmmmmm......over 3 months........go GEN CON...not!

take care to all,
hope your summer in beautiful Bloomington goes well,
I know I miss everything as always,
an hope to get a chance to visit soon,

IU Homecoming weekend for sure!

Ed

 

March of the Penguins was a very good doc. that my wife and I really enjoyed. The story was interesting, the shots were stunning as was the landscape. If you are doc. fan like we are, you will enjoy it. My only problem was the number of kiddies sitting in the theater with us. So many were talking and being loud and we missed some dialog of Morgan Freeman. It is well worth seeing and the kiddies will really like it...but, there was some dying penguins that were kind of sad to see.

Dennis

 

very much agree with Dennis,

there are some pretty sad moments, or,
this is a documentary....not a fairy tale,

and those moments, really help to drive home the point
of how unbeleivable and amazing it is.....that they
servive at all, much less use the Dead of winter
in the Antartic (80 below and worse) as the best time
to reproduce........a very delecate balance where
even the slightest miscue means disaster,
but for me it becomes inspiring

these penguins have all these possible barriers to life,
and have found a way to go on....

I like the idea, that you should not have any barriers
to living life, by finding a way to persavere,

Truely, these penguins have found a way to use THE FORCE,
to survive and carry on......

think I will see something more lighthearted next time.....

current TV shows include,
Good Eats, Monk, StarGate, Numbers

 

I know I am looking foward to seeing The great Raid This weekend. You guy's know the huge WWII fan I am.