“A Night out the movies would have been nice..and then the Muppets had to go out and ruin it.” – Statdler and Waldorf
I am very glad that this final Muppet Parody trailer is dropping. Partly because while I love the parodies, it’s time to get on with the movie and other part is because…well, it’s time to get on with the damn movie.
To say I am eager about this film is an obvious understatement as readers of this site know, I love me these Muppets something fierce.
So far, all the marketing has been exemplary. The frenzy that it has whipped up has made everyone a believer and should translate well into box office numbers.
This latest and last trailer definitely brings it. We get parodies of Twilight, Puss In Boots, Happy Feet, a pretty awesome Paranormal Activity one and the best one of all, a parody of its own parody trailer.
You still with me?
Well on to the trailer. (btw..how brilliant is Kermit‘s reaction at the very end?)
Takeshi Koike already has an impressive resume of work which includes directing the “World Record” segment of “The Animatrix” and being the lead animator on “Ninja Scroll“. His full length directorial debut is nothing short of a high paced, adrenaline fueled foray into a universe where a deadly race is held every five years. Working at Madhouse ( Ninja Scroll, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time), he has taken the lessons learned there and applied them well with this feature.
“Redline” starts fast and furious with a race – The Yellowline. The winners of this race determines who will be the new contestants in the infamous Redline race. It only serves to be a taste of what is to come. We meet “Sweet” JP, a racer known for his sense of fashion and spectacular and frequent crashes at the end of each of his races – Yellowline being no exception. We discover that it may be due to race fixing as his partner is actively working with a mob boss altering the odds as the race plays out. Disqualified from Redline for his loss, he later discovers the planet where the race is to be held is going to actively try to kill anyone willing to race there. After two racers drop out, “Sweet” JP is given his chance to race Redline and eagerly takes it. While the plot is minimalist and anime fans will see clichéd characters, it only really serves as a backdrop to the real point of the film – racing.
Redline took seven years to develop and production included 100,000 hand-made drawings. It shows, as the movie is a visual representation of high octane racing at its best. With bright, bold colors in every shot, you are never left guessing what you saw or confused about what is happening. The subtitles can be a little distracting during the action, as you have to either watch or read, but this is only for some brief periods during the race itself. It paces itself with a visual style inherent to Japanese animation, but this very different from anything else. It’s Speed Racer on Meth. Visually stunning and unique.
The techno soundtrack meshes perfectly with what unfolds onscreen – thumping, fast paced, driving as hard and as quick as the cars themselves while also being light and unobtrusive when it needs to be. There is nothing subtle about the movie though. While minor plot elements hint at politics, crime, war and corrupt governments, at no point do these become either explained or distracting. There is something in every scene, every frame that moves brightly with a kinetic energy that only serves to build in intensity to the final checkered flag.
And when you get there…yeah, it is a fantastic payoff.
I recommend this to anyone who likes anime, or racing, or spaceships, or explosions. Well, you get the idea. If at all possible, see it in a theater on a big screen as loud as you can, as that is what the movie itself is, big, loud, and demanding to be seen.
Mike Kellerman (Michael McKiddy) awakens during a zombie outbreak. Horrified at what he sees, he starts running for his life. However, as he is running it slowly dawns on him that they are not attacking him. It is not until he comes across Brent Guthrie (Ross Kidder), he realizes what the audience already knows, they are both zombies.
Thus begins DeadHeads by brother directors Brett and Drew T. Pierce. While thinking, talking zombies may seem an odd backdrop to use for a buddy picture, the directors use the idea very well and to great effect with a wry humor that belies the serious nature of being one of the undead. The two newly found friends decide that Mike needs to find the woman he was to marry. So with hunters trying to capture them and a third zombie aptly named Cheese (Markus Taylor) in tow, they set off in search of love.
Trailers can mislead an audience in regards to the content of a film or the quality. It is now common practice that a film that isn’t very funny will often times put the best jokes in the trailer. So after seeing the trailer for Dead Heads, I went in with some hesitation. Not only was I pleasantly surprised that the jokes in the trailer were not the best ones, they were by no means the only ones.
The jokes come fast and timely, keeping well within the constraints of what the filmmakers set out to achieve. Not only are the situations unique and funny, the running commentary of perennial jokester Brent only enhances what could have been an otherwise pedestrian movie. It is a tribute to the actors and the director to have put together this story in such a way as it has. Every scene has purpose and intent, fitting well within the entire plotline. The ending may be predictable, however like every good road trip movie, the destination isn’t really the point.
The cinematography is well done. While not visually stunning, it is not meant to be and that makes it an easy film to watch. The soundtrack is in the same vein. Sleek and professional, it gives just the right touch to the comedy on film. And let me say, if you are a fan of dark humor, you will find this very funny. I find myself wanting to compare this to iconic and beloved “Shaun of the Dead” as I’m sure some might want to do because the humour is just as good. It is a bit different though, more North American.
There was gore aplenty to satisfy horror fans mixed with more than a few jokes about appendages not staying attached to our heroes and other complexities of being undead. We are also peppered with more than a few 80′s references, and they come fast and without warning. So pay attention.
The real fun is the witty banter between the two leads with Ross Kidder in many cases stealing the show. The idea of two zombies walking to find true love is too farfetched and whimsical to be taken very seriously, yet the actors and directors know this and have embraced this by simply telling it as one long farcical joke. At no pint do you find yourself laughing at it, only with it.
DeadHeads will not go down in history as one of the best comedies ever made, but it will give you a good laugh and a fun time. What else do you need from a comedy?
I like how the Toronto International Film Festival rolls. Not only are they showcasing the most extensive collection of Princess Grace of Monaco memorabilia (who was the stunningly talented Grace Kelly before she was married), they have just announced that members of the Monegasque Princely family will be attending the grand opening festivities.
OK, that is pretty damn cool.
Oh Look! A Press Release:
MONEGASQUE PRINCELY FAMILY TO OPEN TIFF’S
GRACE KELLY EXHIBITION
Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène of Monaco scheduled to attend grand opening event on November 2
Toronto – Piers Handling, Director and CEO, TIFF, and Noah Cowan, Artistic Director, TIFF Bell Lightbox, announced today that members of the Monegasque Princely family will join in the grand opening festivities for Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess. On November 2, 2011, Their Serene Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Monaco will visit TIFF Bell Lightbox to officially open the exhibition and attend a private reception. The exhibition opens to the public on November 4, 2011.
“It is an honour to welcome members of The Monegasque Princely family to TIFF Bell Lightbox. Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess is a tribute to the life and style of one of the world’s most beloved stars and to have Prince Albert and Princess Charlène open the exhibition is a great privilege,” said Handling.
Additional information on the event will be available in the coming weeks.
Exhibition Information Running to January 22, 2012, Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess features rarely-displayed items and artifacts ranging from Grace Kelly’s days as a leading lady in Hollywood to a princess of one of Europe’s oldest royal families. The exhibition features many of her original dresses, a special exhibit around an exact replica of her iconic wedding gown, her signature “Kelly bag” and tiara, along with photos from her childhood scrapbooks and high school yearbooks, letters signed “Affectionately, Hitch,” telegrams from Prince Rainier and her Academy Award® statuette for The Country Girl. Kelly’s personal home movies—shot on Super 8, and featuring her famous friends and family—provide visitors with an extremely rare glimpse into her personal life. Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess is based on the Grimaldi Forum’s “The Grace Kelly Years” exhibition in Monaco, and the Victoria and Albert Museum’s “Grace Kelly: Style Icon” exhibition in London. TIFF Bell Lightbox is the only venue in North America to host elements from these landmark shows and to complement the exhibition with dedicated film programmes.
Launching in conjunction with the exhibition on November 4, TIFF Cinematheques’s film series Icy Fire: The Hitchcock Blonde is a fascinating exploration of the great director’s obsession with the cool, regal blonde goddesses that Kelly played for him in Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief and Rear Window, and December brings a Grace on Screen programme which surveys Kelly’s brief but spectacularly successful screen career from her first small appearances to her most famous starring roles.
Tickets for the exhibition and film programmes are on sale now. TIFF Members get free access to Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess and can purchase additional tickets at non-member prices in person, by phone and online. Non-member tickets are $15 plus tax (child/student/senior discounts available). Combo exhibition / film discounts are offered on the phone and in person only. Tickets for the exhibition are timed-entry. Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday – 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday to Saturday – 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday – 12 pm to 6 pm, Monday – closed.
Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess, Icy Fire: The Hitchcock Blonde and Grace on Screen are made possible by Presenting Partner, the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess Media Partners are FashionTelevision and The Toronto Star. World MasterCard® is the Opening Night Sponsor.
TIFF is generously supported by Lead Sponsor Bell, Major Sponsors RBC and BlackBerry, and Major Supporters the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the City of Toronto.
It’s the middle of the Second World War and a group of American and Finnish soldiers are sent to attack a German bunker. In doing so they stumble upon one of the most horrible and closely guarded secrets of the Nazi regime. The unit’s mission having now changed, the small band of men try to both survive the onslaught and destroy the bunker from which they sprang as they now face an enemy more terrible and terrifying – the undead.
This is a dark film. Literally and figuratively. The movie takes place over a single night with the final shot being the first light of the next morning. The lighting is such that you can (mostly) see what is unfolding onscreen. Except for the bunkers, I was never sure if what I saw was soundstage or built set. I found the sets to be accurate, almost to the point of distraction as the director seemed to want to show every type and style of period setpiece he could come up with.
The acting is competent with veteran British actors Andrew Teirnan (Survivors) and Mark Winggett (The Bill) working alongside Finnish actor Samuel Vauramo and strongman Jouko Ahola. If their performances fail to deliver, I find fault with the writer and director first as I didn’t find myself caring about any of them.
Save Magdalena Górska’s brief and confusing foray into the film’s narrative, there isn’t much that one can find sympathetic about the plight they find themselves in. The problem is twofold – the first one being the characters themselves are relatively humorless. Soldiers tend to joke, even when the situation is hopeless. This movie desperately needed some comic relief in it somewhere. The second problem is that the Nazi-Zombies were neither Nazis or Zombies but captured Russian soldiers who were experimented on.
The opening shot is of a solider of unknown origin, in a frock, getting shot and turning into undead. The rest of the movie they are in uniform, side cap and all attacking our heroes. Most have been given special powers of speed, strength and endurance, but seem unable to speak. Still they manage coordinated attacks, leaping from the ground to the top of a building in a single leap, breaking doors and windows yet somehow unable to keep up with a car moving at a walking pace.
“Dead Snow” this is not. It isn’t “Outpost” either. It really isn’t comparable to any of sub-genre of Nazi-Zombie films even though that is the impression the trailer gives. The narrative is a bit hard to follow as the main characters tend to wander aimlessly for a bit. After dying one by one, the final few then decide to call in an airstrike from the middle of the bunker full of super undead. Even as a horror fan I found this quite hard to accept as a legitimate way to handle the problems the plot gave itself. Much of it felt forced, out of place and fake. Even though, the gore is well done it is not enough to save this film from itself.
I’d wait for it to come out on cable.
Alright all my rockheads. Seems that the Prince Of Darkness himself had a documentary made about him that has been getting some great buzz and really being embraced by the true fans.
Sure you can wait and buy a DVD and watch it at home. However if you are true fan, you can check out the doc on the big screen as the good folks at Cineplex are having a special one day screening at cinemas across the country.
Oh Look! A Press Release:
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne Brings the Story of Rock’s “Prince of Darkness” To Participating Theatres Across Canada Documentary features exclusive interviews and performances
Toronto, ON, (TSX: CGX), October 18, 2011 – Cineplex Entertainment, via our Front Row Centre Events, Omniverse Vision and Eagle Rock Entertainment, today announced God Bless Ozzy Osbourne will be presented at participating movie theatres across Canada for one night only. This acclaimed documentary tells the life story of Ozzy Osbourne, as seen through the eyes of his son Jack. This special presentation can be enjoyed on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. local time.
“Ozzy Osbourne continues to be one of the biggest names in rock music today after many years as the lead singer of Black Sabbath before embarking on a hugely successful solo career,” said Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “Fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to see this career-spanning documentary that features rare footage and live performances from around the world.”
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne examines many vital moments of the famed performer’s life beginning with his troubled youth, through his career with Black Sabbath, his battles with fame and addiction, and his life as a family man with Sharon. The documentary will also provide unprecedented behind the scenes clips of Ozzy on and off stage as well as interviews with Tommy Lee and others.
Tickets for God Bless Ozzy Osbourne can be purchased at participating theatre box offices, through the Cineplex Mobile Apps and online at www.cineplex.com/events or our mobile site m.cineplex.com.
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne will play at the following theatres:
BRITISH COLUMBIA Chilliwack Galaxy Cinemas Chilliwack, 8249 Eagle Landing Parkway Coquitlam SilverCity Coquitlam Cinemas, 170 Schoolhouse Street Kamloops Cineplex Odeon Aberdeen Mall Cinemas, 700-1320 Trans Canada Highway Langley Colossus Langley Cinemas, 20090 91A Avenue Nanaimo Galaxy Cinemas Nanaimo, 213-4750 Rutherford Road North Vancouver EMPIRE Esplanade 6, 200 West Esplanade Richmond SilverCity Riverport Cinemas, 14211 Entertainment Way Surrey EMPIRE Studio 12 Guildford, 15051 101st Avenue Vancouver Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver, 900 Burrard Street Victoria SilverCity Victoria Cinemas, 3130 Tillicum Road
ALBERTA Calgary Cineplex Odeon Sunridge Spectrum Cinemas, 400-2555 32nd Avenue Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, 6455 Macleod Trail SW EMPIRE Studio 10 Macleod Trail, 100-16061 MacLeod Trail SE EMPIRE Studio 16 Country Hills, 300-388 Country Hills Blvd NE Edmonton Cineplex Odeon South Edmonton Cinemas, 1525-99th Street NW Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton, 8882-170 Street EMPIRE Theatres City Centre Edmonton, 10200 102nd Avenue Lethbridge Galaxy Cinemas Lethbridge, 501-1st Avenue SW Red Deer Galaxy Cinemas Red Deer, 357-37400 Highway #2
MANITOBA Winnipeg SilverCity Polo Park Cinemas, 817 St. James Street
SASKATCHEWAN Moose Jaw Galaxy Cinemas Moose Jaw, 1235 Main Street N Regina Galaxy Cinemas Regina, 420 McCarthy Boulevard N Saskatoon Galaxy Cinemas Saskatoon, 347 2nd Avenue
ONTARIO Ajax Cineplex Odeon Ajax Cinemas, 248 Kingston Road Ancaster SilverCity Ancaster Cinemas, 771 Golf Links Road Barrie Galaxy Cinemas Barrie, 72 Commerce Park Drive Belleville Galaxy Cinemas Belleville, 160 Bell Boulevard Brampton SilverCity Brampton Cinemas, 50 Great Lakes Drive Brantford Galaxy Cinemas Brantford, 300 King George Road Burlington SilverCity Burlington Cinemas, 1250 Brant Street Caledon EMPIRE Theatres 7 BOLTON, 194 McEwan Drive East Cambridge Galaxy Cinemas Cambridge, 355 Hespeler Road Guelph Galaxy Cinemas Guelph, 485 Woodlawn Road W Kingston Cineplex Odeon Gardiners Road Cinemas, 626 Gardiners Road Kitchener EMPIRE Theatres Kitchener, 135 Gateway Park Drive London SilverCity London Cinemas, 1680 Richmond Street Midland Galaxy Cinemas Midland, 9226 County Road 93 Mississauga EMPIRE Studio 10 at Square One, 100 City Centre Drive Newmarket SilverCity Newmarket Cinemas and XSCAPE Entertainment Centre, 18151 Yonge Street Niagara Falls Cineplex Odeon Niagara Square Cinemas, 7555 Montrose Road Oshawa Cineplex Odeon Oshawa Cinemas, 1351 Grandview Street N Ottawa Coliseum Ottawa Cinemas, 3090 Carling Avenue SilverCity Gloucester Cinemas, 2385 City Park Drive EMPIRE 7 Ottawa, 111 Albert Street, 3rd Floor Peterborough Galaxy Cinemas Peterborough, 320 Water Street Sarnia Famous Players Lambton 9 Cinemas, 1450 London Road Sault Ste. Marie Galaxy Cinemas Sault Ste. Marie, 293 Bay Street St. Catharines EMPIRE Theatres Pen Centre, 221 Glendale Avenue Sudbury SilverCity Sudbury Cinemas, 355 Barrydowne Road Thunder Bay SilverCity Thunder Bay Cinemas, 850 North May Street Toronto Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas, 22 Lebovic Avenue Cineplex Odeon Queensway Cinemas, 1025 The Queensway Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 259 Richmond Street W SilverCity Fairview Mall Cinemas, 1800 Sheppard Avenue E Vaughan Colossus Vaughan Cinemas, 3555 Highway 7 W Waterloo Galaxy Cinemas Waterloo, 550 King Street N Windsor SilverCity Windsor Cinemas, 4611 Walker Road
QUEBEC Beauport Cineplex Odeon Beauport Cinemas, 825 rue Clemenceau Brossard Cineplex Odeon Brossard Cinemas, 9350 boul. Leduc Kirkland Coliseum Kirkland Cinemas, 3200 rue Jean Yves Laval Colossus Laval Cinemas, 2800 rue Cosmodôme Montreal Scotiabank Theatre Montreal, 977 rue Ste-Catherine O Sherbrooke Galaxy Cinemas Sherbrooke, 4204 rue Bertrand Ste.Foy Cineplex Odeon Ste. Foy Cinemas, 1200 boul. Duplessis
