Film Review: The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) is a remake that exceeds its original 1974 incarnation in depth and character development. In the original film, what the audience saw was what they got. In Scott’s film, not everything is what it seems initially. In the original, the authorities continually and hilariously antagonize (potentially) the leader of the heist crew through all three acts of that film. They assume he is a “fruit cake” because his accent denotes English heritage. It’s humorous and completely unrealistic. In Scott’s film, the authorities take the situation seriously from the outset when they are made aware of the hostage situation.
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) is an almost by-the-numbers heist film. Unlike The General, we do not get to know the main characters as we seemed to in Heat (especially their home life). The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) does try though, dipping its toe into the current circumstances and what makes certain characters act and behave in the way they do. One of the best moments in the film is such a scene. It involves the truth behind Walter Garber (Denzel Washington)’s current predicament in front of a room full of colleagues that respect him and hostage negotiators. It is the finest, well acted, non-action moment in the film. Read More
Pictures from James Cameron’s Avatar
Many of James Cameron’s fans have been long been awaiting his upcoming film Avatar. Years ago, before he decided that this would be his next film, the script for this was available online to read. If I remember correctly, it was one the proported Ten Best Scripts Never Filmed. The script for I Am Legend was also one of them. Avatar synopsis: “A paraplegic ex-marine war veteran [(Sam Worthington)] is unwillingly sent to establish a human settlement on the distant planet of Pandora, only to find himself battling humankind alongside the planet’s indigenous Na’vi race.” Footage from the film was soon for first time this week. Read More
Michael Jackson has Died (1958 – 2009)
Micheal Jackson has died at the age of 50 “after being rushed to UCLA Medical Center”. Michael Jackson “had been due to start a series of comeback concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010″ and had been rehearsing for two months. This is one sad ass month. First David Carradine, now MJ. I grew up with Michael Jackson. Many have. His music crossed many genres and he was never afraid to experiment. Read More
VOTD: Taylor Swift Rap Video: Thug Story
Country singer Taylor Swift did a rap video spoof at The Country Music Awards 2009 with rapper T-Pain entitled Thug Story. I love the large platinum chain T-Pain is wearing: “Big Ass Chain”. An amusing parody of a rap video but also a commentary on what some of them come down to these days. The deceased rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard said it best when he commented on rap videos he had seen some of his fellow rappers in. Read More
The Last Airbenber Teaser Trailer
The official teaser trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender has debuted. This teaser trailer reminds me of The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (right at the beginning with the water) or Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang but with far better (obviously) special effects. The Last Airbender synopsis: “In a world where the four elements can be controlled by people known as “Benders”, the Fire Nation is waging a ruthless, oppressive war to control the other great nations. The only hope for stopping the brutal war led by the Firebenders rests on the shoulders of a reluctant young boy named Aang (Noah Ringer). The last known survivor of the peaceful Air Nomads, also known as Airbenders, Aang is also the world’s “Avatar”. Read More
Halloween 2 (2009) Movie Trailer 2
Halloween 2 (2009) Movie Trailer 2 is out and gives away too many kills and the circumstances leading up to them for my taste. It is not nearly as bad as the movie ruiner for Friday the 13th (2009) but it gives away at least three or four of them. I am still looking forward to Halloween 2 (2009), especially based on previous the Halloween 2 (2009) Movie Trailer and released footage, but I wish had not seen the majority of this trailer and wish that some of the kills had not been included. Check out the trailer below at your own risk and leave your thoughts. Read More
Box Office: June 19 – 21, 2009
Looks like more than a few people excepted the proposal. The Proposal premiered in the Number One spot at the box office this weekend with $34.1 Million. The Hangover was Second with $26.8 Million for a total of $152.9 Million. Up was Third with $21.3 Million for a total of $224.1 Million. Read More
Copyright © 2008 – 2009 Film-Book dot Com.