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JeremyConnors
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The Fast and the Furious (1954)
Fast Makes Furious
Dodging the cheap blows of why cars can't jump between buildings, or how flames from the exhaust pipe of an economy-sedan means more problems than performance, let's instead look under-the-hood of what started the original 1954 The Fast and the and the Furious and later 2001's The Fast and the Furious. (Omitting Warner's unrelated 1934 "Fast And Furious" {named more for it's also comical prequels "Fast Company" and "Fast & Loose" than anything} This saves us time in the quarter mile. :wink:)
Film Rights: What's in a name? The almighty dollar. That's it, Universal. Vroom.
The Fast And The The Furious 1954: A lead-role-produced sexy crime-drama that happens to co-star a Jag roadster thickening the plot with references to a race that viewers are rewarded with later while an unlikely pair comprised of the fiercely-independent Beauty and a crass cop-killer (allegedly) Beast get away from the law, one canyon turn at a time.
The Fast And the Furious 2001: The reason you hate that section of Auto Zone, Pepboys and O'Reilly's that somehow says "Boy Racers Welcome" with all those LED interior lights, dinner tray spoilers and cheap plastic fake hood-scoops and fender-vents. Franchising. Even big-block Walmart can't escape it. Suddenly, Go-Fast stickers (barring those who pay homage to O.G. drag racing parts Hooker Headers, Competition Cams, etc.) are everywhere and mean nothing. Yet Summitt, JEGs, NAPA, Advance Auto Parts -- they don't fully succumb..
All unintended consequences aside, the early-aughts started the most successful franchise in film sequel history. While that is saying a lot, many car-guys are asking the same question, "Is that it?" The F&F films have been excellent babysitters for the lot of us, and there's so many of them now, outlasting even the tragically short lifespan of at least one cast member, that this holds true for 2 generations now! Just picture a child with his toy car making sounds as he sets the wheels on the wall, the table, rolling on the bathtub -- this is the imaginary innocence that we're all supposed to suspend our disbelief for. What's the payoff? A rap video memorial for Paul Walker.
At least in 1954, while a race and criminal activity, both on the road and off, are present, there's a true love story; a learn-to-love story, really. The best kind of hard-earned relationship that evokes the love/hate relationship between a driver and the ride they themselves maintain. This may or may not be an accident. Clever writing did not include any of the old Jaguar's famous mechanical issues. Perhaps, Jaguar had a word or 2 to say once funding for the film began.. In fact, word has it that on the sub $50,000 budget was why a local Jaguar dealer donated the lead car. Far from the highest of the modern F&F franchised budgets, what with duplicate cars getting parachuted from planes over and over to get the perfect shot..!
So here we have two seemingly drastically different films with one thing in common: cars guys. OR maybe 2.. Turns out that while the mid-1900's self-started indie didn't destroy exotic automobiles totaling a quarter million for one scene, only to later double that at opening box office overseas like today's franchise, Roger Cormin was hedging his position to win as director all the while with that 50 grand and clever writing..
Road (2014)
unexpectedly visceral
First moto doc that had me considering just how dangerous these machines, and what we do with them, really can be.
A real tear-jerker. And what impressed me the most was the editing -- complimented by shots of crashes through P.O.V.'s and helicopter footage, (not too mention the vintage reels) -- you can't help but *feel* what you're experiencing as a viewer. Quite an achievement as documentary format goes, if you ask me.
The story is beyond compelling, albeit slow at times. Proverbial celebrity-with-euro-accent- narration was in no way distracting or over the top. Liam fit right in with rest of the micks just fine. :)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Better than a nap
Got into this one early -- Thursday afternoon at my favorite matinée theatre with balcony seating. Naturally, I was excited to see two of my favorite comic heroes duke it out.
Highlights: Batman + guns = *dead* bad guys..! Superman + flaws = a priceless stupid look on his face! Not even Kevin Spacey or the legendary Gene Hackman's performance had such blatant disregard for human life as Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor!
There's good, there's bad and there's unexpected x2. Do yourself a favor and watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y8iRvQdSGA to get prepared for what's coming! ;)
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
One of the most disturbing films I've ever seen.
I had a hard time getting through this one. And not because the piece is no good, or even hard to follow. This film is less about entertainment and more about shedding light on a most uncomfortable subject.
Hats off to the Kevin's! Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell and even young Rock Duer commit w/o any hint of hesitation. How they found it within them to empathize with writer Lionel Shriver's Kevin Khatchadourian character is beyond me. The entire cast is phenomenally well suited, an perhaps what makes this feel so real in addition to relevant. And Jonny Greenwood finds another way to put a moody soundtrack in your head without you knowing it.
Questioning what makes certain kids murderers and others athletes, we've heard and seen that. Questioning the very idea of giving childbirth and the "lottery" of what you'll bring into the world, now that's a challenge for audiences. And what's possibly more upsetting than the brutal reveal scenes are the moments of what life is like for a mother after her son has committed a school shooting. One more clever features of this story is the choice of weapon... Watch it, if you can.
Ex Machina (2014)
One word: Solipsism
^^Defined as the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.
What is it w/ films about dating robots that captivates us?
Between a close encounter w/ a borderline personality and increasing affections for those on the spectrum, I find this sort of subject to be eerily familiar to my dating history. <3
Maybe you're into the idea of super sex bots too -- just take a warning about what comes w/ the other side of balance, that is, batsh!t crazy..! -Just like w/ us feeling people. :)
And on a seriously serious note, this peace of audio-visual art brings about heated discussions on race, gender and politics -- all signs that there's little chance the viewer walks away merely entertained. More beautiful to look at than Zoltan Istvan and just as likely to scare you as it is to turn you on, Ex Machina is part music video, part horror and part psychological thriller.
"Engage intellect."
Gone Girl (2014)
A POWERFUL statement on marriage and media
Summer flicks be gone! Now that we have a palate-cleanser for 2014, let's look at what happens when all the ingredients of a modern classic are combined.
* Soundtrack draws an unforgettable mood.
* You will laugh when you least expect it.
* BEST ending of anything in ages.
Ben Affleck has finally found his perfect role. And he plays it straight, with one unexpected character trait... The leading lady will scare even the biggest horror fans with how far she's willing to go.
Without giving anything away, I'll say that this is a film that will challenge what you trust..! Expect to be amused and uncomfortable.
Her (2013)
Close to home
I could not help being reminded of my last relationship while watching Her (a lonely relationship at times, that one). Is this movie about my Ex and me? No. But it is about 'us' today, as a technology -- the way we interact, and what constitutes as intimacy.
The finality I wanted so badly at the end of this film comes in the same vain as when the expectations of any one person or event, far removed from anything personal, leaves the other disappointed. What an excellent lesson of sorts! Left this viewer feeling contemplative, if that is a thing that can be felt..
-JC