Caution: Spoilers ahead.
It seemed that each character in Transsiberian had something to hide. Jessie had an adventurous past, and despite Roy's good nature he did things in the course of the movie that he would later keep quiet. A seemingly normal couple, Jessie and Roy boarded the Trans-Siberian train after a stint in China and headed to Moscow. On the way, they encountered Abby and Carlos--a much different couple--with much more to hide.
In a pivotal scene, Carlos locked the cabin door with just himself and Jessie inside. He pulled out a bag of Russian Nesting Dolls and showed them to Jessie. He took special care to show her one specifically--the sad doll, with rosy cheeks and no smile--his favorite.
When Jessie discovers that the dolls are holding much more than wood--they are vessels for smuggling heroin--she tries to dump them off the train, flush them down the toilet, and leave them near a pile of burning rubble.
But let's be honest, she's not actually trying to hide heroin--she's hiding something much more serious. Lying dead and frozen in a deserted Russian snow bank was a man who claimed he had a hobby for collecting small Russian dolls--a man that had gone one step too far, and then fell to the ground bleeding. The rosy cheeked doll with the sad mouth wasn't hiding drugs, it was hiding murder.
Each character was their own stacking doll. Each layer had something new--something hidden--something that they wanted to protect. Whether the outer shell of the doll had a smile, a frown, dark makeup, or nerdy-off-brand glasses--each doll underneath had a secret.
Ride the Trans-Siberian with care--you never know what you will find.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Skadoosh
Jack Black has put a hot new phrase on the lips of movie-goers of all ages. In Kung Fu Panda, Po, a fat, noodle-making Panda turned Kung-Fu warrior is about to perform the wushi finger hold on his enemy. Po raises his eyebrow, lowers his pinky, and says the famous catch phrase, "Skadoosh!"
To use the word skadoosh, you don't even have to know what it means. You can make your own context for skadoosh, you can make your own definition. Urban Dictionary has compiled a few defintions, and the second one is most appropriate. It says that Skadoosh means to say goodbye or peace "in the baddest sense" (Urban Dictionary).
According to Jack Black in an interview for CRAVEONLINE.COM, the catch phrase "skadoosh" was improvisation. However, in the movie the character Oogway says, "There are no accidents." We may never know what prompted Black to come up with the word, and we may never know it's true meaning. We can only give it meaning--we can give it our own context and defintion.
The rest of Kung Fu Panda is equally excellent and hilarious. "Skadoosh" is not the only funny phrase. IMDB.com has collected several funny quotes that fill the movie from beginning to end. This movie can be enjoyed by adults, and children--especially those who already have an appreciate for Jack Black's humor. As Po says "There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness," and even though there is a charge to see the movie--it is well worth the money and the time. Go see the movie, go and experience culture in-the-making. Enjoy, and skadoosh.
To use the word skadoosh, you don't even have to know what it means. You can make your own context for skadoosh, you can make your own definition. Urban Dictionary has compiled a few defintions, and the second one is most appropriate. It says that Skadoosh means to say goodbye or peace "in the baddest sense" (Urban Dictionary).
According to Jack Black in an interview for CRAVEONLINE.COM, the catch phrase "skadoosh" was improvisation. However, in the movie the character Oogway says, "There are no accidents." We may never know what prompted Black to come up with the word, and we may never know it's true meaning. We can only give it meaning--we can give it our own context and defintion.
The rest of Kung Fu Panda is equally excellent and hilarious. "Skadoosh" is not the only funny phrase. IMDB.com has collected several funny quotes that fill the movie from beginning to end. This movie can be enjoyed by adults, and children--especially those who already have an appreciate for Jack Black's humor. As Po says "There is no charge for awesomeness, or attractiveness," and even though there is a charge to see the movie--it is well worth the money and the time. Go see the movie, go and experience culture in-the-making. Enjoy, and skadoosh.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Animation Show
Whenever I sit down and watch something with my brother, he never fails to show me something that I have never seen before. This weekend, he introduced me to The Animation Show--something that every serious film connoisseur should see. Whether you watch movies for their literary merit and intellegence, or you just love to kick back with some popcorn, yogurt covered raisins and a good flick--The Animation Show is an excellent pick.
The animations that really made me laugh out loud (as well as the people sitting next to me) were created by Don Hertzfeldt. He provided the opening, intermission, and ending for the animation show. He also had another animation called Billy's Balloon that was disturbingly hilarious. Billy, a small child, has a balloon with a personality of its own--and its sheer simplicity is only part of what makes it so enjoyable.
My favorite animations were much more serious in subject. Adam Elliot did three animations titled Cousin, Uncle, and Brother. They are clay-mations and they are brilliant. Each one of them is depressing, yet fascinating. The narrator tells the story of these three characters, and there seems to be no plot at all until the animation has finished. For an example of his work, Harvie Krumpet--though a much longer film, it is still excellent.
The Animation show is on sale, and I highly recommend watching it--for culture or for entertainment--and both. You'll laugh, and cry--and you will never want to give a child a balloon ever again.
The animations that really made me laugh out loud (as well as the people sitting next to me) were created by Don Hertzfeldt. He provided the opening, intermission, and ending for the animation show. He also had another animation called Billy's Balloon that was disturbingly hilarious. Billy, a small child, has a balloon with a personality of its own--and its sheer simplicity is only part of what makes it so enjoyable.
My favorite animations were much more serious in subject. Adam Elliot did three animations titled Cousin, Uncle, and Brother. They are clay-mations and they are brilliant. Each one of them is depressing, yet fascinating. The narrator tells the story of these three characters, and there seems to be no plot at all until the animation has finished. For an example of his work, Harvie Krumpet--though a much longer film, it is still excellent.
The Animation show is on sale, and I highly recommend watching it--for culture or for entertainment--and both. You'll laugh, and cry--and you will never want to give a child a balloon ever again.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Warren Experience
There is a new theatre in town--or just out of town in Moore, Oklahoma. An outing to the Warren Theatre is much different than the experience at Tinseltown or AMC Theatres at Quail Springs. The Warren has special balcony seating for movie goers who are 21 and over. Dinner is served in the balcony. At your seat there is a menu for appetizzers, salads, entrees, and desserts. There is a call button on the arm rest, and a small flashlight attached to the tray at your seat. At any time before or during the movie, you can press the call button, and a waitor will come and take your order. Your seats are heated, and the screen is enormus.
I went to the theatre on Friday with the girls, and had a great time. The theatre was decorated for Halloween, and we sat under a swinging skeleton while we waited for the door to our movie to open. When the doors opened, we were ushered to our couch-like heated seats. We ordered nachos and quesidillas, and our food came out within ten minutes. A big read curtain pulled up slowly as the previews began. If I needed anything, it was done for me, with the small exception of bathroom breaks.
The luxury of the Warren comes at a price. Balcony tickets can only be bought at the window, and they are $18 a piece. If that is too pricey, but the attraction of the large screen of the Warren is still appealing, you can buy ground tickets for $9. Even if you have to wait until a special occasion, everyone should take a trip to Moore to see a movie at the Warren Theatres.
I went to the theatre on Friday with the girls, and had a great time. The theatre was decorated for Halloween, and we sat under a swinging skeleton while we waited for the door to our movie to open. When the doors opened, we were ushered to our couch-like heated seats. We ordered nachos and quesidillas, and our food came out within ten minutes. A big read curtain pulled up slowly as the previews began. If I needed anything, it was done for me, with the small exception of bathroom breaks.
The luxury of the Warren comes at a price. Balcony tickets can only be bought at the window, and they are $18 a piece. If that is too pricey, but the attraction of the large screen of the Warren is still appealing, you can buy ground tickets for $9. Even if you have to wait until a special occasion, everyone should take a trip to Moore to see a movie at the Warren Theatres.
Enjoy the pictures that I took while I was there this Friday.
Monday, October 20, 2008
New Release: Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was recently released onto DVD and Blu-ray. This is the fourth move in the Indiana Jones series, coming along nearly 20 years after the last movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. George Lucas did not want to wait 20 years, but it took that long for him to convince others that having aliens in an Indiana Jones movie was a good idea. Even after 20 years, when the trailers suggested alien activity viewers were skeptical as to whether the movie would live up to the Indiana legend. Viewers were also concerned with another addition to the movie--Shia LaBeouf. There are rumors that LaBeouf will be taking Harrison Ford's place in the future Indiana Jones movies. Mutt Williams (played by LaBeouf) is the son of Indiana Jones. With this story line, the Indiana legend torch could easily be passed onto LaBeouf. There are no Jones style movies starring LaBeouf that are currently in production, so all we can do is wait.
The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was different than the first three movies, but there were obvious references back to the original trilogy. Before the viewer see's Indiana's face--he/she sees Indy's famous hat, and slowly watches Indiana as he puts his hat back on his head. Mutt tries to save Indiana from quick sand with a snake. Viewers know from previous movies that Indiana Jones is scared of nothing--except snakes. Mutt Williams and his mother Marion bring up past events as well. Indiana was supposed to marry Marion, and Mutt is Indiana's son. Since Sean Connery declined to have a roll in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, his picture had a brief cameo as Indiana explained that his father, Professor Henry Jones had died.
Overall fans welcomed the forth Indiana Jones. The movie had stereotypical Indiana Jones action, surprise, and a hint of romance. The added ingredient of aliens was odd, but the 20 year distance between movies helped the subject ease into the story frame. For the most part, die-hard Indiana Jones fans will not be disappointed.
The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was different than the first three movies, but there were obvious references back to the original trilogy. Before the viewer see's Indiana's face--he/she sees Indy's famous hat, and slowly watches Indiana as he puts his hat back on his head. Mutt tries to save Indiana from quick sand with a snake. Viewers know from previous movies that Indiana Jones is scared of nothing--except snakes. Mutt Williams and his mother Marion bring up past events as well. Indiana was supposed to marry Marion, and Mutt is Indiana's son. Since Sean Connery declined to have a roll in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, his picture had a brief cameo as Indiana explained that his father, Professor Henry Jones had died.
Overall fans welcomed the forth Indiana Jones. The movie had stereotypical Indiana Jones action, surprise, and a hint of romance. The added ingredient of aliens was odd, but the 20 year distance between movies helped the subject ease into the story frame. For the most part, die-hard Indiana Jones fans will not be disappointed.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Nick and Nora
Through the course of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, I never quite understood the notion of the infinite playlist itself. Nora's dad works for the Electric Lady Studio, and Nick made 12 volumes of mix CD's for his ex-girlfriend. However, the majority of the movie had nothing to do with a playlist--infinite or otherwise. It was an infinite search--for Fluffy, for Caroline, for love, and for solutions to the problems that they had made for themselves. If anything, Nick and Nora's playlist was filled with the repercussions of low self-esteem.
Overall, it was a feel-good movie that tried a little too hard to appeal to Juno-loving audiences. The odd quirks, old cars, and music inclined teenagers were reminiscent of the style in Juno. The foreshadowing in the movie was annoying and unnecessary. The sexual relationship between Nick and Nora was forced, and not natural.
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was funny. The movie has laugh-out-loud moments, and a lot of funny quotes. Nick and Nora was definitely not the intellectual film that I expected to see from the trailer.
Overall, it was a feel-good movie that tried a little too hard to appeal to Juno-loving audiences. The odd quirks, old cars, and music inclined teenagers were reminiscent of the style in Juno. The foreshadowing in the movie was annoying and unnecessary. The sexual relationship between Nick and Nora was forced, and not natural.
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was funny. The movie has laugh-out-loud moments, and a lot of funny quotes. Nick and Nora was definitely not the intellectual film that I expected to see from the trailer.
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