Baltimore filmmaker Jimmy Traynor launched his latest project on the web – it’s a 11 minute short called “The Reading.” How he manages to produce so many films in a year, I’ll never know. Check it out.
From the category archives:
Movies
It is not unusual for us here at Eclipse to have opposing opinions on the same topic, and “The American” is no exception, especially since there still seems to be misunderstanding in regards to what moviegoers expect to see. This movie is the perfect example of what happens when the previews basically trick you. Previews and commercials are designed to increase excitement about an upcoming release and give you just a taste of what to expect. That quick little morsel has done its job if it makes you want to go in for the entire feast. But moviegoers partaking on this particular feast are being left with a bad aftertaste.
Based on the trailer, you get the feeling that you will see a touch of Bond, maybe a little touch of Bourne, and definitely a touch of Clooney charm. In reality you get a film that is practically the antithesis of that and instead might have been better had it been making the rounds at summer film festivals with its artsy, noir-ish presentation and countless unanswered questions left open for discussion. Or at least advertised itself as such. But this isn’t a summer film festival; it is a feature film starring mega-star, humanitarian, and all-around nice guy George Clooney, and the audience is led to believe it will experience an exciting espionage-type thriller. In that regard, and a number of other reasons, “The American” was disappointing. What one expects to be the last bang of the summer blockbusters, turns out to be a weary fizzle.
Grade: C
If you love exploitation flicks, there’s a very good chance you’ll revel in Machete. It’s got an iconic hero, gunfights, fist fights, sword fights, missiles, Gatling guns, some very impressive lo-riders, evil villains, hot women and more blood guts and veins in one’s teeth than any movie in recent memory – at least one that wasn’t a pointless horror/slasher flick with no plot.
Grade: B+
The American is being promoted as a thriller and that is not entirely inappropriate. The film is the story of an aging assassin/specialty weapon maker called Jack – when he isn’t going by Edward – who realizes that he’s losing his edge and wants out. Of course, when you’re a master assassin and weapon maker, it’s not that easy.
Grade: A
In all the hoopla over Apple’s boring, lame, pointless “Music Event” today “Ooh, .99 Cent TV Downloads, iOS Update, OMFG!!!” Don’t forget Netflix’s new deal with Paramount Pictures kicks into gear today, now on Instant Watch you can watch all the Paramount Hits including: The Godfather Trilogy, G.I. Joe, Star Trek, The Transformers and more coolness. But when are we going to get Paramount TV Shows like Numbers, Ghost Whisperers, NCIS? I’m still waiting for the day users get the supposed benefits from the Warner Home Video screw job from earlier this year. Remember the line at the time was Netflix signed the deal to delay DVD/Blu-ray releases because it meant more Content from Warner Brothers would be available for Instant Streaming? I’m waiting……..
The North American rights to Seres: Genesis, an alien invasion movie written, directed and produced by Angel Mario Heurta, have been picked by the distributor 24 frames, which will release the film in late October [it will be released in Mexico on September 17th]. The American release will be a limited and staggered one with the intention of building word of mouth and positive critical response.
Check out the trailer:
It probably doesn’t help that Takers follows the strangest and most ambitious heist flick ever made [that would be Inception], but it still manages to be smart and hold one’s interest until the wheels fall off [almost literally] in the last act.
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