By: Greg Payne
Chase scenes in Hollywood movies are often known for the heart-racing music that plays over them, whether it's hard rock/punk instrumental (think Pretty Handsome Awkward by The Used in Transformers), an eclectic mix of electronica and orchestral (think Mona Lisa Overdrive by Juno Reactor in The Matrix: Reloaded), or a score meant to reflect the environment the chase is set in (think African Rundown by David Arnold in Casino Royale).
Well, I'm convinced that a film that includes a fast-paced foot chase, preferably in a city setting, needs to utilize Incubus' Anna Molly for its musical selection.
If you haven't heard the song, take a look at the official video below (you might get redirected to YouTube):
I'm not crazy, right? This song is perfect, isn't it? Can't you picture the setting being a bit city like New York or Chicago, the protagonist needed to reach the woman/man that he/she loves, when they look behind them and realize that the villain and his/her minions are hot on their tail? Cue the opening of this song, with the furious symbol tapping and the guitar, as the protagonist begins to move at a faster pace, not sure if the villain has spotted them yet.
Slowly we build up and up, the pace getting a bit faster, the sound a bit heavier. Then, at the 23-second mark, the protagonist is spotted, the minions are dispatched, and that's when the real chase begins, just as the song breaks open. Now the protagonist is flying down the sidewalk, weaving between the many walkers with briefcases and newspapers. He hurtles into the street, dodging taxi cabs and buses, his pursuers slowly gaining on him.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
'Ted' and 'Magic Mike' Reviews Begin to Surface
By: Greg Payne
Early reviews are cropping up for a host of films set for theatrical release this Friday, June 29, including Seth MacFarlane's Ted and the male stripper comedy Magic Mike. As early as last night Magic Mike stood at a flawless 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after five reviews, but today RT has posted the film's first 'rotten' review from Crave Online which claims its cliche-ridden, bringing its total score down to 83 percent.
I was much more encouraged by Ted's uptake in score. Just last night it was barely hovering over 50 percent, but five more reviews have rolled in and it now stands at a much more solid 75 percent. I still think a viewer's ability to enjoy Ted will depend largely on their level of appreciation for Seth MacFarlane's brand of humor. Many of the reviews have already noted that his devoted Family Guy following will most likely love the film, which doesn't come as much of a surprise.
While I'll never root for a movie to be poorly received by critics or underwhelm at the box office, I'm definitely rooting more for Ted to succeed than Magic Mike, which is why I was a bit disappointed last night when I saw Magic Mike with a flawless score and Ted already appearing to flounder. But over the course of a few short hours both of their scores shot in the opposite direction, with Ted not trailing far behind now. We'll be in for two entirely different types of comedy with these films, so it's entirely possible that they'll both draw mostly positive reviews from critics when all is said and done, and do just fine at the box office.
I'll keep monitoring the scores of Magic Mike and Ted throughout the week and report the final numbers on Friday, when both movies land in theaters. Which one are you most likely to see this weekend?
(All RT figures as of 8:30am on Tuesday, June 26)
gregpayne0@gmail.com
@Greg_Payne
Early reviews are cropping up for a host of films set for theatrical release this Friday, June 29, including Seth MacFarlane's Ted and the male stripper comedy Magic Mike. As early as last night Magic Mike stood at a flawless 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes after five reviews, but today RT has posted the film's first 'rotten' review from Crave Online which claims its cliche-ridden, bringing its total score down to 83 percent.
I was much more encouraged by Ted's uptake in score. Just last night it was barely hovering over 50 percent, but five more reviews have rolled in and it now stands at a much more solid 75 percent. I still think a viewer's ability to enjoy Ted will depend largely on their level of appreciation for Seth MacFarlane's brand of humor. Many of the reviews have already noted that his devoted Family Guy following will most likely love the film, which doesn't come as much of a surprise.
While I'll never root for a movie to be poorly received by critics or underwhelm at the box office, I'm definitely rooting more for Ted to succeed than Magic Mike, which is why I was a bit disappointed last night when I saw Magic Mike with a flawless score and Ted already appearing to flounder. But over the course of a few short hours both of their scores shot in the opposite direction, with Ted not trailing far behind now. We'll be in for two entirely different types of comedy with these films, so it's entirely possible that they'll both draw mostly positive reviews from critics when all is said and done, and do just fine at the box office.
I'll keep monitoring the scores of Magic Mike and Ted throughout the week and report the final numbers on Friday, when both movies land in theaters. Which one are you most likely to see this weekend?
(All RT figures as of 8:30am on Tuesday, June 26)
gregpayne0@gmail.com
@Greg_Payne
Monday, June 25, 2012
First 'The Amazing Spider-Man' Reviews Are In
By: Greg Payne
When I'm a famous screenwriter I hope I get to meet Marc Webb. Webb came through with a glorious directorial debut with (500) Days of Summer, starring the wonderful Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the charming Zooey Deschanel. It's easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last five years, exhibiting a sincere sweetness and an honest portrayal of human emotions in the midst of a failing relationship.
But, quite frankly, it was probably pretty difficult to be Webb over the last two years or so. He was named the director of The Amazing Spider-Man, a reboot of the web-slinging superhero franchise that many weren't really clamoring for. After all, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, concluded in 2007 with the very lackluster Spider-Man 3 (images of an emo-haired Parker hip-thrusting on the sidewalk are forever burned into my brain).
Nevertheless, a reboot was put in place, giving Webb the very difficult task of recreating the character and putting a fresh spin on a story we had already seen (many times, actually, if you count the innumerable other super hero origin movies in recent years). Oh, and he had to make it work in July of 2012, stuck in the middle between two guaranteed box office superhero behemoths: The Avengers, which dropped in May, and The Dark Knight Rises, which lands in theaters on July 20. The Avengers shattered like every box office record, ever, and The Dark Knight Rises is poised to meet the same challenge.
But Webb's a comic book nerd, believe it or not, so his vision for Peter Parker, played this time around by Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), was crystal clear. He's matching Spidey up against one of his most well-known and ferocious villains in the Lizard, otherwise known as Dr. Curt Connors, and he's framing the story around Peter trying to uncover the mystery of his parents and why they deserted him when he was such a young boy.
When I'm a famous screenwriter I hope I get to meet Marc Webb. Webb came through with a glorious directorial debut with (500) Days of Summer, starring the wonderful Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the charming Zooey Deschanel. It's easily one of the best romantic comedies of the last five years, exhibiting a sincere sweetness and an honest portrayal of human emotions in the midst of a failing relationship.
But, quite frankly, it was probably pretty difficult to be Webb over the last two years or so. He was named the director of The Amazing Spider-Man, a reboot of the web-slinging superhero franchise that many weren't really clamoring for. After all, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, concluded in 2007 with the very lackluster Spider-Man 3 (images of an emo-haired Parker hip-thrusting on the sidewalk are forever burned into my brain).
Nevertheless, a reboot was put in place, giving Webb the very difficult task of recreating the character and putting a fresh spin on a story we had already seen (many times, actually, if you count the innumerable other super hero origin movies in recent years). Oh, and he had to make it work in July of 2012, stuck in the middle between two guaranteed box office superhero behemoths: The Avengers, which dropped in May, and The Dark Knight Rises, which lands in theaters on July 20. The Avengers shattered like every box office record, ever, and The Dark Knight Rises is poised to meet the same challenge.
But Webb's a comic book nerd, believe it or not, so his vision for Peter Parker, played this time around by Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), was crystal clear. He's matching Spidey up against one of his most well-known and ferocious villains in the Lizard, otherwise known as Dr. Curt Connors, and he's framing the story around Peter trying to uncover the mystery of his parents and why they deserted him when he was such a young boy.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
'Suits' Reaction: The Choice Part 2
By: Greg Payne
Episode 2 of Season 2 of Suits, 'The Choice,' left us with a host of things to analyze and discuss, including the rocky terms Harvey and Jessica seemed to be on for the majority of its run time.
Here's a closer look at Mike and Rachel's long-awaited union and subsequent falling out -- the most promising, yet briefest, relationship on television.
But let's stick with Harvey and Jessica. Basically, Jessica 's nervous about Daniel Hardman being inbound for the firm again, fearful that he'll be gunning for her current (and his former) position as managing partner. So, she needs to get as many of the prominent people within the firm on her side as quickly as possible, and she dispatches Harvey to woo the bow tie-wearing Paul Porter, who's at the top (or very close to the top) of the bankruptcy wing.
Porter's trying to get one of his clients, Tom, to declare bankruptcy on a large-scale construction project, Madison 25, so he sends Harvey in to persuade Tom to call it quits and live to fight another day. But Tom, despite owing a quarter of a billion dollars in two days, refuses to fold, which leads Mike and Harvey to the manager of the bank that dished out the loan to Tom, in the hopes that they can get it renegotiated. But the manager isn't exactly welcoming or reasonable, leaving Madison 25 and Tom very much on the ropes.
Harvey's determined to find a solution, but Porter doesn't want him to come up with a miracle. He wants Tom to declare bankruptcy and not risk more money in the future. Jessica wants what Porter wants because she needs Porter's vote of support when things come to a head with Hardman.
Episode 2 of Season 2 of Suits, 'The Choice,' left us with a host of things to analyze and discuss, including the rocky terms Harvey and Jessica seemed to be on for the majority of its run time.
Here's a closer look at Mike and Rachel's long-awaited union and subsequent falling out -- the most promising, yet briefest, relationship on television.
But let's stick with Harvey and Jessica. Basically, Jessica 's nervous about Daniel Hardman being inbound for the firm again, fearful that he'll be gunning for her current (and his former) position as managing partner. So, she needs to get as many of the prominent people within the firm on her side as quickly as possible, and she dispatches Harvey to woo the bow tie-wearing Paul Porter, who's at the top (or very close to the top) of the bankruptcy wing.
Porter's trying to get one of his clients, Tom, to declare bankruptcy on a large-scale construction project, Madison 25, so he sends Harvey in to persuade Tom to call it quits and live to fight another day. But Tom, despite owing a quarter of a billion dollars in two days, refuses to fold, which leads Mike and Harvey to the manager of the bank that dished out the loan to Tom, in the hopes that they can get it renegotiated. But the manager isn't exactly welcoming or reasonable, leaving Madison 25 and Tom very much on the ropes.
Harvey's determined to find a solution, but Porter doesn't want him to come up with a miracle. He wants Tom to declare bankruptcy and not risk more money in the future. Jessica wants what Porter wants because she needs Porter's vote of support when things come to a head with Hardman.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
'Suits' Reaction: The Choice
By: Greg Payne
Harvey Specter loves his sports analogies when he's negotiating with a client, so I'll employ one on his behalf. Suits is like that rising second year NBA prospect, who's coming off of a stellar rookie season, has had a terrific start to his follow-up campaign, but still has the potential for a sophomore slump.
Suits has delivered two fine episodes to begin its second season, with the latest, Thursday's, 'The Choice,' taking a closer look at some of the most pivotal relationships within Pearson-Hardman, and how important loyalty is when careers are potentially on the line. As with every episode, I can write endlessly, so I'm going to break this up. We'll discuss Mike and Rachel here and I'll be back later with a post dedicated to Harvey and Jessica.
Finally after 13 episodes, they've reached the point we've been clamoring to see them at for so long. Mike and Jenny are history, he's received Rachel's message (and apparently plays it over and over again on his way to work), she's clearly still interested, and Mike is finally ready to do something about it. One thing we love about Suits is that Harvey and Mike always end up being men of action, which is why, when Mike asks Rachel to chat for a minute and Louis, the prime minister of awful timing, demands her presence, he doesn't settle for words to get his point across, opting instead for firmly embracing her, whirling her around, and kissing her long and good. I can hear Johnny Most narrating this scene:"It's all over! It's all over! What a play by Ross!"
It was a great scene. I was smiling. Weren't you smiling? I bet you were. Rivaling it was Mike's ecstatic fist pump just before the opening credits sequence rolled.
Harvey Specter loves his sports analogies when he's negotiating with a client, so I'll employ one on his behalf. Suits is like that rising second year NBA prospect, who's coming off of a stellar rookie season, has had a terrific start to his follow-up campaign, but still has the potential for a sophomore slump.
Suits has delivered two fine episodes to begin its second season, with the latest, Thursday's, 'The Choice,' taking a closer look at some of the most pivotal relationships within Pearson-Hardman, and how important loyalty is when careers are potentially on the line. As with every episode, I can write endlessly, so I'm going to break this up. We'll discuss Mike and Rachel here and I'll be back later with a post dedicated to Harvey and Jessica.
Finally after 13 episodes, they've reached the point we've been clamoring to see them at for so long. Mike and Jenny are history, he's received Rachel's message (and apparently plays it over and over again on his way to work), she's clearly still interested, and Mike is finally ready to do something about it. One thing we love about Suits is that Harvey and Mike always end up being men of action, which is why, when Mike asks Rachel to chat for a minute and Louis, the prime minister of awful timing, demands her presence, he doesn't settle for words to get his point across, opting instead for firmly embracing her, whirling her around, and kissing her long and good. I can hear Johnny Most narrating this scene:"It's all over! It's all over! What a play by Ross!"
It was a great scene. I was smiling. Weren't you smiling? I bet you were. Rivaling it was Mike's ecstatic fist pump just before the opening credits sequence rolled.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Four Solid Movies Look to Close Out June
By: Greg Payne
We're a little over a week away from July, which will promise us intriguing titles like Oliver Stone's Savages, franchise continuations like Ice Age: Continental Drift and Step Up Revolution, another entry in the Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg comedy cannon with the alien invasion flick, The Watch, a pretty-much guaranteed blockbuster with The Amazing Spider-Man, and an absolute box office monster game-changer in The Dark Knight Rises.
But June hasn't had her final say yet. It's been a so-so month for the halfway mark of the year, with titles like Snow White and the Huntsman, That's My Boy, Rock of Ages, and, even, to an extent, Prometheus, all being somewhat underwhelming, although Snow White and Prometheus did post strong opening weekend box office numbers, each making it over the $50 million hurdle.
There are four movies set for nationwide release remaining in June that could, collectively, help us remember this month as a positive one for movies: Disney/Pixar's Brave, Seth MacFarlane's motion picture debut, Ted, Alex Kurtzman's first directorial effort, People Like Us, and Steven Soderbergh's male stripper venture, Magic Mike.
Brave (Friday, June 22):
The latest addition to the wonderful collection of Disney/Pixar films is set in Scotland and focuses on the fiery-haired Merida, who's desperate to blaze her own trail. Visually, Brave looks dazzling, as the Pixar crew are always upping the stakes when it comes to animation. Fortunately for us, their storytelling is usually right on par with their artwork. Brave lands in theaters today, and currently sits at a very solid 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While that rating isn't quite at the level of some of Disney/Pixar's masterful efforts like any of the Toy Story films or WALL-E, it seems pretty safe to say Brave will offer us a quality blend of heart and humor, mixed with some rousing action and adventure.
We're a little over a week away from July, which will promise us intriguing titles like Oliver Stone's Savages, franchise continuations like Ice Age: Continental Drift and Step Up Revolution, another entry in the Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg comedy cannon with the alien invasion flick, The Watch, a pretty-much guaranteed blockbuster with The Amazing Spider-Man, and an absolute box office monster game-changer in The Dark Knight Rises.
But June hasn't had her final say yet. It's been a so-so month for the halfway mark of the year, with titles like Snow White and the Huntsman, That's My Boy, Rock of Ages, and, even, to an extent, Prometheus, all being somewhat underwhelming, although Snow White and Prometheus did post strong opening weekend box office numbers, each making it over the $50 million hurdle.
There are four movies set for nationwide release remaining in June that could, collectively, help us remember this month as a positive one for movies: Disney/Pixar's Brave, Seth MacFarlane's motion picture debut, Ted, Alex Kurtzman's first directorial effort, People Like Us, and Steven Soderbergh's male stripper venture, Magic Mike.
Brave (Friday, June 22):
The latest addition to the wonderful collection of Disney/Pixar films is set in Scotland and focuses on the fiery-haired Merida, who's desperate to blaze her own trail. Visually, Brave looks dazzling, as the Pixar crew are always upping the stakes when it comes to animation. Fortunately for us, their storytelling is usually right on par with their artwork. Brave lands in theaters today, and currently sits at a very solid 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. While that rating isn't quite at the level of some of Disney/Pixar's masterful efforts like any of the Toy Story films or WALL-E, it seems pretty safe to say Brave will offer us a quality blend of heart and humor, mixed with some rousing action and adventure.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
'Taken 2' International Trailer Now Online
By: Greg Payne
You'd figure all the bad guys would know by now: You don't mess with Liam Neeson. I guess they watched Love, Actually, saw him cooking chicken kabobs for Sam, and figured he went soft. But clearly they forgot about Star Wars, Batman Begins, and, most importantly, Taken. I say most importantly, because it's the same bad guy ring from Taken, albeit with some new faces, that will be pursuing Mr. Neeson and his very particular set of skills in Taken 2 (we couldn't call it Taken Again?). Yup, Neeson will reprise his role as aging badass Bryan Mills in the sequel to the breakout 2008 hit. Check out the international trailer below:
Are we supposed to feel bad for the bad guys who lost relatives who were heavily involved in the trafficking of teenage girls? Because I don't. And don't play the whole, "They might not have know what those guys were doing," card. Those are some shady looking non-American dudes standing over those graves. They knew exactly what was happening. Sorry your son was killed for having a hand in abducting someone's daughter. And I'm even more sorry it happened to be the daughter of Bryan Mills, more force of nature than human being.
But you're right, shady-looking wrongdoers, taking his daughter worked out so well for you guys the first time, why not go for broke and take the man's wife this time around? Surely he won't give a shit and kill any of you. He'll wish you all a job well done and go back to making chicken kabobs for Sam (if you haven't seen Love, Actually, do so soon).
What sucks even more for the bad guys this time around is that Mills is fully embracing how much of a badass he is. In the first Taken he was kind of a quiet, reserved, humble, killing machine. Like even when he had to kill people, he wasn't boastful about it. He was still pretty modest even as he was breaking arms, forcing people to get run over by big trucks, and, of course, shooting people.
But in Taken 2 his confidence no longer seems to be internalized. Kim asks: "What are you going to do?"
His response: "What I do best."
BOOM.
I can't wait to see all the bad guys get axed yet again in Taken 2, which should further remind us that you never mess with Liam Neeson or his family. At this point, I wouldn't even look at his mailman the wrong way.
You'd figure all the bad guys would know by now: You don't mess with Liam Neeson. I guess they watched Love, Actually, saw him cooking chicken kabobs for Sam, and figured he went soft. But clearly they forgot about Star Wars, Batman Begins, and, most importantly, Taken. I say most importantly, because it's the same bad guy ring from Taken, albeit with some new faces, that will be pursuing Mr. Neeson and his very particular set of skills in Taken 2 (we couldn't call it Taken Again?). Yup, Neeson will reprise his role as aging badass Bryan Mills in the sequel to the breakout 2008 hit. Check out the international trailer below:
Are we supposed to feel bad for the bad guys who lost relatives who were heavily involved in the trafficking of teenage girls? Because I don't. And don't play the whole, "They might not have know what those guys were doing," card. Those are some shady looking non-American dudes standing over those graves. They knew exactly what was happening. Sorry your son was killed for having a hand in abducting someone's daughter. And I'm even more sorry it happened to be the daughter of Bryan Mills, more force of nature than human being.
But you're right, shady-looking wrongdoers, taking his daughter worked out so well for you guys the first time, why not go for broke and take the man's wife this time around? Surely he won't give a shit and kill any of you. He'll wish you all a job well done and go back to making chicken kabobs for Sam (if you haven't seen Love, Actually, do so soon).
What sucks even more for the bad guys this time around is that Mills is fully embracing how much of a badass he is. In the first Taken he was kind of a quiet, reserved, humble, killing machine. Like even when he had to kill people, he wasn't boastful about it. He was still pretty modest even as he was breaking arms, forcing people to get run over by big trucks, and, of course, shooting people.
But in Taken 2 his confidence no longer seems to be internalized. Kim asks: "What are you going to do?"
His response: "What I do best."
BOOM.
I can't wait to see all the bad guys get axed yet again in Taken 2, which should further remind us that you never mess with Liam Neeson or his family. At this point, I wouldn't even look at his mailman the wrong way.
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