good evening - earlier today i finally saw the movie i've been anticipating for months ... inglourious basterds - written and directed by the incomparable quentin tarantino - and now i can safely say - it was well worth the wait - it's a complete cinematic masterpiece - especially if you happen to be a fan of tarantino's past films - i've enjoyed them all but this is definitely his tightest piece of work ever! now if you're not particularly fond of his style - then this movie probably isn't for you - but fans of quentin are going to eat this film up - it's well-written with plenty of snappy dialogue and the pacing was perfect - it's long at 2.5 hours but i didn't think to look at my watch once plus it's actually less violent and bloody than i thought it would be! (it was also the top-earning film this weekend - raking in $37.6 million bucks!) the entire ensemble cast was superb - especially christoph waltz who plays an evil high-ranking official in the third reich (nicknamed the 'jew hunter') brad pitt (leader of the nazi killin' 'basterds') was also quite good - and i loved the performances from the ladies - mélanie laurent and diane kruger (who also both happen to be totally gorgeous) i'm hoping this film might garner some oscar nominations - i think it's definitely time for quentin to take home the best director statuette! (perhaps even one for best original screenplay) popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo
PS below you'll find the italian poster - it's much better looking than the domestic one!
good evening y'all! so i just finished watching revolutionary road - i've been meaning to see it for ages and as suspected - it was excellent! both kate winslet and leonardo dicaprio were amazing but it was definitely a bit heavy for a saturday evening ... certainly not the most uplifting material but highly engaging nonetheless! anyways yesterday (during my lovely day off) i saw something much lighter ... julie and julia - which i'd been dying to see - i had no choice but to go the day it came out! i really liked it and of course meryl streep shined (as per always) in the role of infamous chef julia child - it tells the tale of ms. child bringing her cookbook mastering the art of french cooking to store shelves (released in 1961 - now in its 49th printing!) juxtaposed with a true modern day tale of clerk turned writer julie powell - who decided to cook her way through the book (365 days, 549 recipes) and blog about her adventures (the julie/julia project) in a NY queen's tiny kitchen with 'julia' by her side in spirit! the blog ended up becoming a huge hit (read it here) and eventually led to a book deal - which was then turned into this movie! (adapted for the screen and directed by nora ephron) although i did enjoy ms. powell's story - it's really ms. streep as 'julia' who steals the entire show! everything that lady does is top-notch - i won't be surprised at all if she garners herself yet anotheroscar nomination! i'd highly recommend seeing this at the movies - it's probably more of a 'chick flick' but i think guys will like it enough plus all the food looked so damn tasty & delicious - it totally left me wanting to go home and cook something fancy up (like beef bourguignon) i was famished from simply looking at all the tasty delights whipped up in the film! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
hey hey! so earlier this afternoon i caught brüno over at arclight cinemas - overall i really liked it - i wouldn't say it was offensive (some people would probably disagree with me) it was just really over the top - and bit crazier & racier than i thought it would be ... the film definitely pushes the boundaries of the R rating! i must say star sacha baron cohen is truly an amazing comedic actor - i love how he totally gets into character - but if i was forced to choose between brüno or borat - i'd have to go with our pal from kazakhstan - although i did totally laugh my ass off today! towards the end it dragged just a little bit yet i'd highly recommend catching it at the cinema - it was super fun watching it with a bunch of other people who were laughing as hard as i was! i wonder what's up next for mr. cohen? i'd still love see more of borat or perhaps an ali g. movie could be fun or maybe a brand new character all together! i hope everyone is enjoying their weekend - popbytes over & out for tonight ... xoxo
SACHA BARON COHEN DOES BRUNO AT THE HOLLYWOOD PREMIERE (06/25/09)
hey y'all! this morning i finally got around to seeing UP (in 3-D) which i've been dying to see ever since i started hearing such excellent things being said about it - i wasn't let down at all - i LOVED the film! the story was so very sweet - and sentimental - for those of you who've already seen it - i totally got emotional in one part - i'm sure you know which sequence i'm talking about! pixar always come up with the best movies - although i do think i like WALL-E just a drop better - this is right 'up' there with it! although older kids will definitely love this movie but i really think adults will appreciate it best (i adored the main character of carl (voiced by ed asner) it was so refreshing to see an older man as the main protagonist plus the boy russell was asian ... something you don't see too often) if you haven't seen UP yet - please do yourself a favor and go see it! i can't even think of one criticism - it's literally like a perfect movie! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
hey everyone! first off i must say happy mother's day to all you moms out there! earlier this morning i took in a screening of star trek in imax over at universal studios (the screen was huge - almost too big but it did look incredible and the sound was astonishing) i was worried my expectations might be too high since i've only heard great things about the film - now normally when i build myself up over something - i usually find myself disappointed - but this was not the case at all - i liked it even better than i thought i would - what an amazing film! it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time - kudos to super talented director j.j. abrams for successfully helming the resurrection of the sci-fi franchise - i can't wait until they start making another one! i'm sure many of you have already seen it but if you haven't - get your ass over to the movies right now! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
good evening! i've had a totally busy day but it was well worth it - tonight i attended the los angeles premiere of a new documentary by filmmaker kirby dick (sick, this film is not yet rated, derrida) called outrage and centers around the hypocrisy of closeted politicians - such as former idaho senator larry craig and florida governor charlie crist - who both denounce gay rights and have consistently voted against legislation dealing with such things as gay marriage, HIV/AIDS support, anti-discrimination, and gay adoption - all while leading a secret double life - dipping into the lifestyle that supposedly disgusts them! now we all know politics is probably my least favorite topic and often i get so wrapped up in the absurdity of the celebrity / entertainment world but there sure is a lot of absurdity going doing in washington DC! (and not just in regards to this particular topic) the film also touches on politicians who have come out of the closet like former NJ governor jim mcgreevey and former arizona representative jim kolbe - i was thoroughly fascinated by the whole topic which i really didn't know much about - kudos to kirby dick for tackling the topic - along with producer amy ziering!
when i first moved to los angeles about eight years ago - i worked with both kirby and amy on derrida which was my first exposure to the world of indie filmmaking - an experience i'll never forget and we've managed to stay in touch over the years - they both know they can count on me for anything they might need (especially where the internet is concerned) i was very excited to see my name listed in the end credits under the 'thank you' section - a totally nice gesture - i was honored - especially considering how amazing the film was! on friday outrage opens here in los angeles and new york city (may 8th) i'm urging everyone out there to go and see this film (watch the trailer below) it's a true eye-opener and raises an important issue that needs to be discussed 'out' in the open! hopefully someday all the hypocrisy and lies will come to an end - and i'm not just saying that because i'm gay - it comes down to basic principles of 'live and let live' - the fact that i still can't legally marry my boyfriend ivan of almost nine years makes me sad - but i know eventually things will change - i just hope sooner rather than later! popbytes over & out for tonight - xoxo
From Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick (This Film Is Not Yet Rated) comes OUTRAGE, a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to. Boldly revealing the hidden lives of some of the United States' most powerful policymakers, OUTRAGE takes a comprehensive look at the harm they've inflicted on millions of Americans, and examines the media's complicity in keeping their secrets.
With analysis from prominent members of the gay community such as Congressman Barney Frank, former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey, activist Larry Kramer, radio personality Michelangelo Signorile, and openly gay congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (Representative, Wisconsin 2nd district), OUTRAGE probes deeply into the psychology of this double lifestyle, the ethics of outing closeted politicians, the double standards that the media upholds in its coverage of the sex lives of gay public figures, and much more ...
hey y'all! last night i decided to get out of the house and went to see a 12am screening of watchmen over at arclight cinemas (on their cinerama dome screen) the movie is about three hours long - and then with the time change (did you remember to turn your clocks forward?) i didn't get home until 4am - but it was well worth it - i really enjoyed it! to be honest i wasn't all that familiar with the graphic novel upon which the film is based on (i think i need to read that) however i do have a copy of watchmen: the complete motion comic on blu-ray which i'm watching as i write this post - it's a digital version formulated with limited motion, voice & sound - the production was overseen by co-creator & illustrator dave gibbons - from what i've seen so far the film was pretty faithful to the original material! the special effects in the movie were incredible - i loved the whole gritty look & feel - i actually liked it better than the last superhero movie i saw the dark knight (which to be honest i wasn't all that crazy about) i'd recommend seeing watchmen if you're up for an engaging story filled with plenty of action - then this is a movie right up your alley! (i also need to pick up a copy of the film's soundtrack - there were some great tracks like simon & garfunkel's the sound of silence) i'm glad i decided to see it during opening weekend - usually if i don't see a movie when it first opens - i end up catching it on DVD and this is definitely one to catch in theaters! popbytes over & out for now ... xoxo
good evening! i finally made it to the movies (something i always intend to do but i don't as much as i should) after all the good buzz i heard about the reboot of the friday the 13th series - i knew i had to go see it (along with a bunch of other people ... the film has already raked in over $42 million bucks) i love the character of jason voorhees and i was really curious to see him back in a 'serious' setting after all the ludicrous sequels he endured (like going to space) there was ten in all plus freddy vs. jason which was semi-decent - today i jumped probably close to eight times in my seat - overall it was better than most remakes of horror films i've seen (by the time the title screen appeared (after a long kick-ass opening sequence) everyone was clapping & cheering) and it gave a couple of hat tips to the original plus it provided (besides lots of tits) a small drop of hope that perhaps justice will be served for freddy krueger - my favorite scary villian of all-time - a nightmare on elm street is getting the remake treatment too! being a big fan of the freddy's franchise - make sure you see 1994's wes craven's new nightmare which was an awesome addition to the series' six films! the ending of friday the 13th of course lent itself to a sequel - with all the money its raking in - i bet the next one is going to get fast tracked! next time around i'd like to see more flashbacks with mrs. pamela voorhees who only made a brief but memorable appearance in the new film - she's totally gives me the willies! popbytes over & out for tonight - i'm stoked i have another day off tomorrow - xoxo
good morning! oh the day after xmas is always on the depressing side plus i actually have to go to work today which i'm totally dreading but the weekend isn't far off at all! last night i decided to drag myself to the movies to see the curious case of benjamin button (nominated for five golden globe awards) which i had been dying to see ever since i posted the trailer back in june! although i'll warn you it's a bit on the long side (clocking in at like two hours & forty-five minutes) i'd definitely recommend seeing the film - i thought brad pitt & cate blanchett were both excellent (she's gorgeous and he's oh so sexy) plus the whole concept of someone being born old and dying young was really interesting and thought provoking - it for sure makes you think about getting older and how important it is to live in the moment! (of course i got teary eyed in a few parts) kudos to director david fincher who crafted a visually stunning & sweet film (destined to become a classic) there's a number of great sequences in the film - there's so much to take in - i'm still processing it all - i'd probably have to see it again (when it comes out on DVD) popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
good evening y'all! this past weekend i had the opportunity to screen the new movie doubt (nominated for five golden globes - including best drama) from the convenience of my own home - i was totally planning to go see it in the theaters but once i heard i could get a press screener - i was stoked! if you're looking for an intense drama with incredible dialogue and brilliant acting - this film is right up your alley! as much as i enjoyed the film - i'd love to see a stage production of the play - which the movie is based upon - written by john patrick shanley - who adapted his work for the big screen - and also played director! (the film was great but i think it probably works better on the stage...) of course it goes without saying - meryl streep was amazing - along with semi-newcomer amy adams and acting veteran philip seymour hoffman but i fell in love with actress viola davis (pictured below next to ms. streep) who only really has one scene in the movie yet it's such a powerful scene - i was blown away (the writing was so well done & engaging) she needs to win a best supporting actress oscar (she's already nominated for a golden globe for her kick-ass performance)
i'd definitely recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see it - i don't think i would talk anyone into it (like i doubt my mom would be into it...she likes lighter & more upbeat entertainment) i'm curious to see what awards doubt picks up as awards season kicks into high gear - for sure it made me glad to have renounced my catholic upbringing - i still can't believe the church doesn't allow priests to get married - oh my gosh - don't even get me started - i have a laundry list of issues! popbytes over & out for now...xoxo
