Sunday, July 20, 2008

THE DARK KNIGHT
Okay, so even though I couldn't wait for this film to come out, I still wasn't completley sure about it. All the hype surrounding it really made me unsure that it would live up to it. For example last year's Spider-Man 3, which I didn't hate, but didn't exactly live up to the hype it was said to be, made me weary about The Dark Knight, but as the weeks began to pass, the date became closer, positive reviews kept coming out I couldn't help but not get back into HYPE mode. As I sat in the theatre and the lights went down all I kept saying to myself was "Please don't suck", and boy did it not.
This is the best comic book movie I've ever seen, and not only the best film of the year, but maybe one of the best films I've ever seen. I know that when people usually list their favorite films they gotta be like 30 years old, but films like this further prove my point that we are living in another golden age of cinema. But enough about that lets get back to the film.
Christopher Nolan, one of my favorite directors has now edged his way higher on my list. The film was not only directed by him but he co-wrote it with his brother Jonathon. His vision of Gotham was so one the money, it would make Tim Burton blush. The way he shot this film was beautiful, one of my problems with Batman Begins was how he shot the fight sequences. He used too much steady cam and it made everything kinda blurry, but the fight scenes in this film were some of the best action sequences I've ever seen. I knew exactly where I was and where to look. His persistence to shoot things on set and in the camera instead of relying on CGI is so rare and is so effective. After every fight scene I cheered, because it was so well-done. Everything was there and for real especially a very impressive seen involving the explosion of a real hospital.
Everyone knows that the biggest hype around this film is surrounding Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker, and it is the best portrayal of any villian, comic book or regular film. But before I get into Heath I wanna say something about the rest of the cast. Reprising his duel role of Bruce Wayne and Batman is Christian Bale. This time around Christian got more into the detective side of Batman and made him more smarter and worthy of his title as a detective. He also showed an more vulnerable side of Batman, paralysed with the choice of taking a live to save the lives of others. Aaron Eckhart who plays Harvey Dent .a.k.a Two Face was also another great addition to the cast. He played Harvey Dent great and really made us sympathize with him until he turns into the psycho two-face, which I wont spoil here so go watch the film and see for yourself. One thing I wasn't so fond of was Maggie Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Rachel Dawes. I think both her and Katie Holmes were miss-cast. I think an actress like Kate Bosworth or Carla Gugino would have played Rachel more effectively, but it still wasn't a bad performance it just felt out of place. The supporting characters like Alfred (Michael Caine), Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) and Lieutenant Gordan (Gary Oldman) were each given more screen time and were more part of the story this time around, especially Gary Oldman as Gordan who gave one of the best performances in a long time. Okay now onto Heath. I still love Jack Nicholsan's portrayal as the Joker in 1989's Batman, but this was a totally different thing. Everyone is saying that he deserves an Oscar for this part, and before seeing this film I wasn't sure if it was a pity vote due to his death earlier this year, but after seeing this film I think not only should he get nominated he should get the Oscar. In fact this whole film should get nominated for Best Picture. Ledger played the Joker in a way I don't think anyone would have thought to play him. He was a slimy, psychopathic, intelligent creep with a hint of Alex from A Clockwork Orange and Hannibal Lector. I think this is one of the best portrayls of a villain in the history of cinema.
So if you don't know by now I really loved this film and I recommend you all go see this film, heck see it two or three times. I didn't get to see it in Imax, but what I saw in regular theatres was pretty damn good, so i assume Imax would be even better. Bravo Mr. Nolan, and I cant wait to see how you will top yourself if you choose to do a part three.
5 outta' 5

Thursday, April 24, 2008

MY TOP TEN FAVORITE VIDEOS OF ALL-TIME
You wont find videos like Thriller or Smells Like Teen Spirit on this list, even though they are great in their own right I picked some of the lesser know videos that people ten to forget. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally found the time to do it, so enjoy My pick's for the top ten videos of all-time. Of course in about two years this list is gonna change, but whatever this is where I stand now.
1. Typical
By:Mute Math
Okay, so to start off the list I have Mute Math's Typical, which is probably the newest released video on my list, but I don't know why whenever people list the 'best of...', they think everything good happened over 20 years ago. I don't think just because something is new it can't be better than anything previous. Mute Math is a small band from New Orleans who broke out with a video that was so interesting it had over 5 million hits on You Tube. Why you ask? Because the entire video was shot backwards. I know that's nothing new, but the way they did was totally unique. No one had ever done a band performance backwards, or the lead singer never sang the song backwards. The video is just plain fun and totally blew my mind.

View Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAtXKS9ZxvM
2. D.A.N.C.E
By: Justice

My second pick is a great video by the group Justice. The video is simple, two guys just walking towards the camera, the real cool thing is what going on with their shirts. During the course of the video the two men's shirts begin to change designs to the beat of the song. The video is shot in black in white all except the t-shirt deigns which makes them more vibrant, especially with the colors they used. The song is catchy and the shirts are so cool to look at you'll wanna buy one yourself.

View Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8bwZf3vXjg


3. Here it goes again

By: OK GO

This video was on my list last year as one of my top videos of the year, but its so good it made it onto my all-time best list. OK GO's video is just so inventive and brilliant that its hard to not include. This video became such a phenomenon that it spawned so many copycat videos, but none can hold a candle to the original. The most amazing part is that it was all done in one take, its just a straight shot. Also the idea is just so original, no one has ever done something the ambitious or crazy. It's fun to watch and no matter how many times to see it, you cant help but asking yourself "how did they do that?"

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

4. Seven Nation Army

By: The White Stripes

When this video first came out I couldn't take my eyes off it, it was just so cool. The beautiful black and red colors, the dizziness of the constant images flying by you and of course one of the greatest guitar riffs ever makes this one of the best rock videos ever made. The White Stripes always make great videos, but this one is they're best yet.

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j7huh5Egew&feature=related

5. Crazy

By: Gnarls Barkley

Similar to Seven Nation Army, this video is about images coming at you, the way it's done is totally different. The use of graphic art and the band members singing at you through paint blotches makes just a trippy cool video. The way the shapes fall into each other and form into is something so eye popping, and the song is also really catchy. Does putting this at #5 make my CRAZY?!

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w

6. Da Funk

By: Daft Punk

I first saw this video when I was really young, but I loved it even then. The Spielberg of Music Videos Spike Jonez made something completely unique with this video. The funny thing is that video doesn't even make reference to the song, it follows around this half man half dog with a broken leg around the city. The video makes you ask so many questions, first off why is he a dog? Why does no one care that he's a dog? Why is his leg broken? Why is he carrying the radio around? It's a strange plot, but you can't help but not get into it. The video is also so epic it almost feels like a mini movie the way that it's shot. The character of the dog is so lovable you feel sorry for him as things don't exactly go as planned for him, especially when he meets an old girlfriend.
View Video
7. Sabotage
By: The Beastie Boys
Not only are they one of my favourite artists out there, they make some of the weirdest videos around. This is another Spike Jonez classic mocking the old 70's cop dramas. The way this video is shot and the crazy the costumes the guys wear makes this video so funny. The quick cuts, the bad 70's hair and the car chases all add to the cheese of this video. The boys sell these characters by going totally into it and acting totally ridiculous. Pure Genius!
View Video:
8. Sledgehammer
By: Peter Gabriel

Being an animator/filmmaker I know how hard it is to do stop motion animation, but this video just takes the cake. Not only did Gabriel himself have to stand still for days on end, they had to put crazy stuff all over him. This is the greatest video of the 80's and one of the best animated things ever done.

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNdMi-Vw2N0&feature=related

9. Keep Fishin'

By: Weezer

The Muppets and Weezer, what's not to like? This video is just plain fun, that's it. There's nothing revolutionary about it, its just fun. The song's great, the story is funny and they managed to bring back the muppets to a starving audience.

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nQWTMaNII4

10. Just

By: Radiohead

Not only is this one of my favourite songs, it's one of my favorite videos. The whole video grabs you in right from the beginning. Why is this guy on the floor? and why can't he get up?When a large crowd begins to surround him they beg him to tell them why he's there, when he finally says it, the subtitles stop and all we see is his mouth moving, now unless you can read lips you'll never know what he says. That's whats so good about this video it keeps you guessing and just when you think you're gonna find out, you don't and it sticks in your head forever.

View Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5X7HKxpiQA

FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL
Now if you know me you'll know that I am a huge fan of Mr. Apatow's films. I have "The 40-year old virgin", "Knocked up" and "Superbad" all on my favorite films list, but they're gonna have to make room for one more, cause I absolutely loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This film comfortably sits on the shelf in the Apatow library. After being kinda disappointed with his last film "Walk Hard" I thought maybe his success is starting to wain a bit, but this film proved me wrong.
Right off the bat I gotta give big props to Jason Segel, the films star and writer. You may remember Mr. Segel from the failed TV-series "Undeclared" and as one of Ben's roommates in "Knocked up", but he's had a bit of trouble getting his own career off the ground. Segel himself said he was Un-employed for 5 years until he got things going with this script, which he says is actually a bit autobiographically. After seeing him in this film I have no doubts he can reach the same heights of his friend Seth Rogen. The script, like the other Apatow films is totally hilarious, with great dialouge and great character arcs. The lead character Peter played by Segel goes from being a depressed ex-boyfriend to learning how to become a independent man. Segel sells his character so well that you can't help not feel bad for the guy, he also bares it all literally in one of the funniest break up scenes in movie history. Kristen Bell of course plays TV-superstar Sarah Marshall, the girl we come to hate, but are still are somewhat in love with. Kristen's sweetness and beuaty made me truly feel Peter's struggle to let her go. Another great addition was that of Mila Kunis, who you may know best as Jakie from "That 70's Show". She plays a different type of character here named Rachel, a hotel manager who becomes a love interest for Peter. The character of Rachel differs from Sarah in the way they both treat Peter. Rachel challenges Peter to do what he wants and find out who he is, where as Sarah justwants Peter to grow up. Mila does a great job sheding her spoiled-brat character on That 70's Show that's made her so famous and really brings a heart to this character. However, the real scene stealer here is Sarah's new flamboient 'rock-star' boyfriend Aldous Snow played hilariously br Russell Brand. This guy is probably the funniest and most outrageous character in a movie I've seen in a long time. This guy is definetly on my radar, I look forward to see what he does next because he was just so damn funny. His character was a perfect fit for Sarah, becuase we find out during the course of the film how wrong they are for each other. Like every other Apatow film the usual hilariuous players show up like Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and Bill Hader in tip top form. I appreciate that Apatow is so close with these guys that they all stick together, I never get tired of seeing them cause frankly they are just generally funny. I was kinda sad however that Seth Rogen didn't make an apperance, but he's having a crazy year as it is I mean you can't turn around without seeing him somewhere.
The actuall filming aspect of this film was actually really well done. The choice to set this film in Hawaii was a great opportunity to get some really nice shots, and the Director Nicholas Stoller did a great job exploring the island and making it feel like a great escape for Peter. Stoller also did a great job showing Peter and Sarah's past relationship with funny and intresting flashbacks including some funny scenes at movie premieres and such, showing how Sarah was the big star, and Peter was always just hanging back out of the picture. It really showed that even than they didn't work well with each other, even if Peter chose to ignore it and continue to think everything was fine.
Overall I would say that this was a great first effort of Jason Segel and another great film for the Apatow library. I can't wait to see this move again, and am looking forward to seeing what Segel has in store for us in the future. This film was a pleasent surprise and I loved every mintue of it.
5 outta 5!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

SPIDEY
STRETCH GIRL
STRETCH GIRL
MYSELF DRAWING

Thursday, March 20, 2008

JUST SOME DESIGNS OF THE SPIDER-MAN CAST.
COLORED IMAGES TO COME SHORTLY.
PETER PARKER

GWEN STACY

HARRY OSBORNE

J. JONAH JAMENSEN

SPIDEY

Friday, March 14, 2008

Monday, March 10, 2008

NEW STUFF
Just another incarnation of my Kira character.
It's really just an excuse for me to do more Illustrator work.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

RATATOUILLE WINS "BEST ANIMATED FEATURE"
AT THE 80th ACADEMY AWARDS!!

RATATOUILLE TOOK HOME "BEST ANIMATED FEATURE". EVEN THOUGH I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE, IT WAS STILL AN ACOMPLISHMENT TO SAY THE LEAST, AND WELL DESERVED. CONG'RAT'AULATIONS TO BRAD "THE MAN" BIRD AND THE REST OF THE GENIUS' AT PIXAR FOR THEIR THIRD BEST ANIMATED FEATURE WIN. THEIR PREVIOUS WINS WERE FINDING NEMO (2003) AND THE INCREDIBLES (2004).
EVEN THOUGH I'M GLAD BRAD AND THE GANG WON, IM STILL PISSED OFF AT THE NOTION OF "ANIMATED FILM" CATEGORY. ANIMATION IS NOT A GENRE, ITS AN ART FORM LIKE ANY OTHER MOVIE. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE PUT IN ITS OWN CATEGORY, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH ANY OTHR FILM. WHY IS THAT RATATOUILLE WAS NOMINATED ALONG SIDE OTHER FILMS FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, BUT COULDN'T BE NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE. I THINK THIS IS COMLPETE BULL#*%*! I THINK THE FILM THAT WAS THE BEST REVIEWED FILM OF THE YEAR (RATAOUILLE) SHOULD BE NOMINATED FOR BEST PICTURE. NOTHING AGAINST THE NOMINEES FOR BEST PICTURE, I LOVED JUNO AND I WANNA SEE NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, BUT I THINK RATOUILLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN UP THERE.
THAT'S MY COMMENT. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.



Friday, February 15, 2008

NEW SUFF!





Monday, January 14, 2008

RATATOUILLE TAKES HOME A
GOLDEN GLOBE!!

Our favourite rat took home the Golden Globe last night for Best Animated Film. Congratulations to Brad Bird and the rest of the artist genius' at Pixar Animation Studios. It was well desereved, now lets just hope we take it again at the Oscars, let's not have another 'Happy Feet' fiasco please. I'm looking at you Beowulf!

THE BEST SONGS OF 2007
1. ICKY THUMP -THE WHITE STRIPES
2. STARLIGHT - MUSE
3. YOU KNOW IM NO GOOD - AMY WINEHOUSE
4. BOILED FROGS - ALEXISONFIRE
5. TYPICAL - MUTE MATH
6. BORN LOSERS -MATTHEW GOOD
7. PRAYER OF THE REFUGEE - RISE AGAINST
8. TAKE ME TO THE RIOT - STARS
9. BACK TO BLACK - AMY WINEHOUSE
10. BODYSNATCHERS - RADIOHEAD
11. HARD SUN - EDDIE VEDDER
12. BACKED OUT ON THE... - KEVIN DREW
13. CHAOS - MUTE MATH
14. NEVERENDING WHITE LIGHTS - ALWAYS
15. NATURE OF THE EXPERIMENT - TOKYO POLICE CLUB
16. EFFECT AND CAUSE - THE WHITE STRIPES
17. ST. ANDREWS - BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH
18. HIP HOP IS DEAD - NAS
19. LAZY EYE - SILVERSUN PICKUPS
20. WALLS FALL DOWN - BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH
21. 1234 - FEIST
22. GRAVITY - JOHN MAYER
23. DIG - INCUBUS
24. LOVED STONED ( I THINK SHE KNOWS) - JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
25. NOTHING SPECIAL - ILL-SCARLETT
26. SHAKETRAMP - MARIANA'S TRENCH
27. ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU - THE MOLDY PEACHES
28. CAPITAL G - NINE INCH NAILS
29. READY TO FALL - RISE AGAINST
30. YOUNG FOLKS - PETER, BJORN AND JOHN
31. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT LOVE IS, YOU JUST DO AS YOU'RE TOLD - THE WHITE STRIPES
32. REHAB - AMY WINEHOUSE
33. SHADOW OF THE DAY - LINKIN PARK
34. THRASH UNREAL - AGAINST ME!
35. THIS AIN'T A SCENE IT'S AN ARMS RACE - FALL OUT BOY
36. GIVE IT TO ME- TIMBALAND FT. NELLY FURTADO AND JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
37. WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG - THE KILLERS
38. COMIN' HOME - CITY AND COLOUR
39. MOVE AWAY - THE KILLERS
40. LEVEL - THE RACONTEURS
41. NO HEAVEN - CHAMPION
42. PASSING THE HAT - COLD WAR KIDS
43. SOBER - KELLY CLARKSON
44. NO CARS GO - ARCADE FIRE
45. CLUMSY - FERGIE
46. THE WAY I ARE - TIMBALAND
47. YELLOW BRICK ROAD - RAINE MAIDA
48. THE GOOD LIFE - KANYE WEST
49. ANNA MOLLY - INCUBUS
50. DASHBOARD - MODEST MOUSE
THE BEST ALBUMBS OF 2007
1.ICKY THUMP - THE WHITE STRIPES
2. BACK TO BLACK - AMY WINEHOUSE
3. MUTE MATH - MUTE MATH
4. IN RAINBOWS - RADIOHEAD
5. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK
6. HOSPITAL MUSIC - MATTHEW GOOD7. IN OUR BEDROOM AFTER THE WAR - STARS
8. SHOCK VALUE - TIMBALAND

THE BEST TV SHOWS OF 2007
1.SMALLVILLE (THE CW)
2. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
3.FAMILY GUY (FOX)
4. THE HOUR (CBC)
5. WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
6. THE OFFICE (NBC)

THE BEST FILMS OF 2007
1.RATATOUILLE
2.SUPERBAD

3. JUNO

4. KNOCKED UP

5. HARRY POTTER

AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

6. THE SIMPSONS MOVIE


7. SURF'S UP

8. SWEENEY TODD:
THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

9. 300

10. I AM LEGEND