VideoRama at 2310 Lombard gets a facelift. Gone is the red paint and the blackened windows. Now you can see in to all the wonderful movies just waiting to be watched.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Meet the Cast of Cinematic Titanic
The original cast and crew of Mystery Science Theater 3000 are now known as Cinematic Titanic. They do a live version of the show. They will be doing 2 shows in Portland, and we are lucky enough to have them do a meet-and-greet at our store at 2310 N. Lombard. They will be there to sign autographs, etc on Saturday, May 30th from 1pm - 2:30pm
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Kimchi Westerns
We've seen it before and we'll certainly see it again: Asian Western movies. Most often, they are like nothing you've ever experienced before.
Ji-Woon Kim has given us an incredible film with 'The Good, the Bad and the Weird," an extremely compelling remake of Leone's famous movie, which many refer to as the greatest Western ever made. I generally have unrelenting contempt for remakes, both for the movies themselves and especially for the concept of remakes, but this is definitely the exception. Tremendous filmmaking, a fun story and a healthy dose of humor make this movie damn enjoyable.
I was very interested to see what they kept from the original and what they chucked out. Gone is the "turn in the bandit, shoot the rope he's being hung with" gag, as well as the discovery of the gold's existence from a dying confederate soldier. Remaining is one of the first scenes from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," where the Bad shows his insidious nature by murdering in cold blood the man who hired him. Also, towards the end of Leone's film, the Ugly takes off on a horse towards the graveyard, leaving Clint Eastwood by himself. He casually uses his cigar to light cannon fuses and fire heavy ammuntion comically at Tuco as he rides away. In the South Korean remake, the fleeing-while-being-fired on by artillerary becomes an amazing actual chase sequence. They even used the fact that Lee Van Cleef was missing the tip of his finger as a plot device for the Bad in "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
This is one of the funnest, most bad-ass movies to come out in awhile. And if you're not a Western person, I guarentee that this film has none of the specific qualities that keeps you from the genre.
And check out "A Tale of Two Sisters" and "A Bittersweet Life," two other films by Ji-Woon Kim that are available at our stories.
Ji-Woon Kim has given us an incredible film with 'The Good, the Bad and the Weird," an extremely compelling remake of Leone's famous movie, which many refer to as the greatest Western ever made. I generally have unrelenting contempt for remakes, both for the movies themselves and especially for the concept of remakes, but this is definitely the exception. Tremendous filmmaking, a fun story and a healthy dose of humor make this movie damn enjoyable.
I was very interested to see what they kept from the original and what they chucked out. Gone is the "turn in the bandit, shoot the rope he's being hung with" gag, as well as the discovery of the gold's existence from a dying confederate soldier. Remaining is one of the first scenes from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," where the Bad shows his insidious nature by murdering in cold blood the man who hired him. Also, towards the end of Leone's film, the Ugly takes off on a horse towards the graveyard, leaving Clint Eastwood by himself. He casually uses his cigar to light cannon fuses and fire heavy ammuntion comically at Tuco as he rides away. In the South Korean remake, the fleeing-while-being-fired on by artillerary becomes an amazing actual chase sequence. They even used the fact that Lee Van Cleef was missing the tip of his finger as a plot device for the Bad in "The Good, the Bad and the Weird."
This is one of the funnest, most bad-ass movies to come out in awhile. And if you're not a Western person, I guarentee that this film has none of the specific qualities that keeps you from the genre.
And check out "A Tale of Two Sisters" and "A Bittersweet Life," two other films by Ji-Woon Kim that are available at our stories.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A deep and horrible secret
So I haven't written in awhile because I've been grappling with a soul eviscerating epiphany: I think I love Matthew McConaughey. While on vacation with my girlfriend Laura, we watched a little movie called "Failure to Launch," which I have always kept a contemptible distance from. We start watching it and damn, that is a great movie.
"Failure to Launch" never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a fun lighthearted comedy of manners. Take a well structured script and give it to actors who have great comedic timing, and usually something good will come of it. Combine that with some interesting gender role switching and competent, doesn't-call-attention-to-itself movie making and you're in business.
Anyway, now I'm determined to see any comedy I can with Matthew McGonaughey. Perhaps I'll take home "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" tonight...
"Failure to Launch" never pretends to be anything other than what it is: a fun lighthearted comedy of manners. Take a well structured script and give it to actors who have great comedic timing, and usually something good will come of it. Combine that with some interesting gender role switching and competent, doesn't-call-attention-to-itself movie making and you're in business.
Anyway, now I'm determined to see any comedy I can with Matthew McGonaughey. Perhaps I'll take home "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" tonight...
Saturday, February 21, 2009
FaceBook group just started (2/20/09)
How about everyone that reads this blog goes over to the VideoRama Group and gets this group off the ground. I started a "follow the leader" thread on movie quotes. Now it's your turn. If you're on the VR website, you'll have to click the blog link above before you can get the facebook link.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Joy of "Fireproof" by Chris T. 2/6/09
Let me start by saying I've got nothing against Christianity. Some very dear friends of mine follow those teachings, and their faith and beliefs enrich their lives greatly.
That being said, let me tell you folks about a little movie called "Fireproof." It stars Kirk Cameron, of "Left Behind" and "Growing Pains" fame. It cost $500,000 to make and made $6 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST WEEKEND ALONE!!! And it's some of the funniest camp I've seen in a long time. If you are looking for a movie with which you can get wasted and laugh your ass off, look no further.
"Fireproof" tells the story of a firefighter living in Albany (Georgia, not New York), played by Kirk Cameron. Little by little, his marriage has been falling apart. Divorce is on the horizon, and no one can see any escape from it. In order to save his son's relationship, Cameron's father gives him a book he hand-wrote called "The Love Dare." Inside are forty "dares," the intention being to perform one of these tasks a day for your significant other. Not only does "The Love Dare" free Cameron and his wife of their marital troubles, but it leads him to accept Jesus Christ into his heart.
Where do I begin in describing how terrible this movie is? Production-quality wise (as far as sets, camera work, writing and acting goes), it's basically at expensive porno level, just without any sex. I know we need to see Cameron at his darkest, so his arc and resolution will be satisfying, but the result is a character you cannot sympathize or empathize with. He has all the mannerisms and mentalities of a physically abusive husband, just without any of the hitting. Over the years, he saved $24,000 for a boat he wishes to one day buy, but he refuses to put a dime into home repairs or to aid his mother-in-law, who just had a debilitating stroke. And apparently, this couple had been together for SEVEN YEARS. I had to wonder why she didn't try to get away from this jerk before.
My favorite aspect of the film was the sex content, or rather the lack of it. Sex isn't brought up once (though extremely benign internet pornography, referred to as "trash," pops in briefly). None of the "Love Dares" involve showing your partner how attracted you are to them or attempting to fulfill certain physical needs. If someone ever tells you that sex is not important for a long term romantic relationship, NEVER MARRY THIS PERSON.
"Fireproof" is a shameful money making machine disguised as a work of faith. "The Love Dare" is an actual New York Times Bestseller, written by the screenwriter of the movie. That's right. This guy actually wrote his own book into the plot of the movie, essentially turning the film into one big commercial. Also, the movie ends with a link for "fireproofyourmarriage.com." Naturally, my girl and I had to check it out. On the page were seminars and books, all of which cost plenty of money.
Maybe I'm just jaded and bitter. Perhaps I'm jealous of the vast success that these independent filmmakers have obtained, whereas I can't even get $10,000 to produce my awesome vampire movie. I guess I could make a lame, sugary poorly executed video for the Christian audience, playing up to their beliefs and hopes and swimming in that sweet, sweet sea of cash.
Instead I'll just laugh at it. They might still get all the money, but each one of us who chortles and chuckles at this ridiculousness does our bit in establishing this film as the joke it truly is. The greatest camp is never intentional. "Fireproof" proves this.
That being said, let me tell you folks about a little movie called "Fireproof." It stars Kirk Cameron, of "Left Behind" and "Growing Pains" fame. It cost $500,000 to make and made $6 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE FIRST WEEKEND ALONE!!! And it's some of the funniest camp I've seen in a long time. If you are looking for a movie with which you can get wasted and laugh your ass off, look no further.
"Fireproof" tells the story of a firefighter living in Albany (Georgia, not New York), played by Kirk Cameron. Little by little, his marriage has been falling apart. Divorce is on the horizon, and no one can see any escape from it. In order to save his son's relationship, Cameron's father gives him a book he hand-wrote called "The Love Dare." Inside are forty "dares," the intention being to perform one of these tasks a day for your significant other. Not only does "The Love Dare" free Cameron and his wife of their marital troubles, but it leads him to accept Jesus Christ into his heart.
Where do I begin in describing how terrible this movie is? Production-quality wise (as far as sets, camera work, writing and acting goes), it's basically at expensive porno level, just without any sex. I know we need to see Cameron at his darkest, so his arc and resolution will be satisfying, but the result is a character you cannot sympathize or empathize with. He has all the mannerisms and mentalities of a physically abusive husband, just without any of the hitting. Over the years, he saved $24,000 for a boat he wishes to one day buy, but he refuses to put a dime into home repairs or to aid his mother-in-law, who just had a debilitating stroke. And apparently, this couple had been together for SEVEN YEARS. I had to wonder why she didn't try to get away from this jerk before.
My favorite aspect of the film was the sex content, or rather the lack of it. Sex isn't brought up once (though extremely benign internet pornography, referred to as "trash," pops in briefly). None of the "Love Dares" involve showing your partner how attracted you are to them or attempting to fulfill certain physical needs. If someone ever tells you that sex is not important for a long term romantic relationship, NEVER MARRY THIS PERSON.
"Fireproof" is a shameful money making machine disguised as a work of faith. "The Love Dare" is an actual New York Times Bestseller, written by the screenwriter of the movie. That's right. This guy actually wrote his own book into the plot of the movie, essentially turning the film into one big commercial. Also, the movie ends with a link for "fireproofyourmarriage.com." Naturally, my girl and I had to check it out. On the page were seminars and books, all of which cost plenty of money.
Maybe I'm just jaded and bitter. Perhaps I'm jealous of the vast success that these independent filmmakers have obtained, whereas I can't even get $10,000 to produce my awesome vampire movie. I guess I could make a lame, sugary poorly executed video for the Christian audience, playing up to their beliefs and hopes and swimming in that sweet, sweet sea of cash.
Instead I'll just laugh at it. They might still get all the money, but each one of us who chortles and chuckles at this ridiculousness does our bit in establishing this film as the joke it truly is. The greatest camp is never intentional. "Fireproof" proves this.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Oscar Stuff by Chris T. 1/30/09
Without a doubt the big talk in movies this last week has been the Oscar nominations. On February 22nd, Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Annual Academy Awards. 81 of those suckas. My, how time flies.
Lots of folks are getting uppity because “The Dark Knight” was not nominated for any of the major honors. Sure, it will probably sweep the technical awards, but when Warner decided to re-release their massive-hype-monster again into theatres, I bet they expected a little more.
But seriously, come on. The Oscars almost always have represented a specific side of film. Look at the Best Picture nominees: an adaptation of a play about scandal in a Catholic school. The true story of a murdered major gay rights figure. An adaptation of a play about one of history’s greatest disgraced Presidents, coming out at the tail end of another great disgraced President’s career. An adaptation of a story by one of the twentieth century’s most influential writers. And of course, Nazis. Holocaust pictures and the Oscars are very old and friendly dance partners.
These are all movies of great cultural and historical impact (at least now they are, but we’ll have to check back in another decade). Naturally, there’s the wild card, with “Slumdog Millionaire” taking the place previously occupied by “Juno” last year and “Little Miss Sunshine” the year before. But with the rare exception of a “Lord of the Rings” or “No Country for Old Men,” genre pictures like “The Dark Knight” rarely make it to the Oscar level.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Welcome To Our Blog
At long last... a new Videorama web site! We will use this blog to force upon you our brilliant ideas! Please check back often.
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