Review: Hannibal Retrospective (1991-2002)

Short walk through of the progression of the Hannibal Lecter franchise. Man Hunter poster is the property of: De Laurentis Entertainment Group Silence of the Lambs poster is the property of: Orion Pictures Hannibal poster is the property of: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Universal Pictures Red Dragon poster is the property of: Universal Pictures Hannibal Rising poster is the property of: The Weinstein Company and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures

Review: What The Peeper Saw (1971)

What The Peeper Saw (1971)
Directed by: James Kelly
Starring: Britt Ekland, Hardy Krüger, Mark Lester,

Elise, the second wife of Paul, a well known author, begins to suspect that her 12 year old stepson Marcus murdered his mother, who is said to have passed away from a heart attack.

My Thoughts: The film has a Gialloesque Hitchcock like quality to it. We follow along with the story of Elise, a woman who is half the age of her husband. She deals with scrutiny from family friends as well as from her stepson. Elise cannot seem to get a straight answer from her husband Paul or stepson Marcus in regards to the death of Sarah, Paul's first wife.

It is also obvious Marcus is sexually interested in Elise and wants her for himself. He is intellectually mature for a twelve year old, and it is also clear that he is emotionally disturbed. The situation is so well crafted by Marcus, that practically everyone is eating out of his hands and taking his word over Elise.  At this rate it isn't long before Elise is hospitalized. By the end both stepmother and stepson seem to have reached an understanding, and then the double cross.

I've always preferred older films regardless of genre and I really did enjoy the Hitchcock like feel to this film. Granted it is obvious who was responsible for the death of Sarah, but the real journey is not in the how or why, but rather what happens afterward.

Stars Moves Forward With 'Evil Dead' Show

Bruce Campbell is set to reprise his role as Ash in an upcoming 'Evil Dead' series which has just received a greenlight from Starz to move forward with production. According to the program description, it does not appear much has changed for the iconic character originally portrayed by actor Bruce Campbell in the 1981 feature film The Evil Dead. The character of Ash appears to have remained an S-Mart employee living a fairly mediocre life; that is until the deadites show up and Ash must once again set aside his cowardly ways in order to save himself.

Sam Raimi is set to executive produce the series, as well as writing and directing the first episode. Robert Tapert will be also be joining the project as executive producer.

The 'Evil Dead' series also marks the second time Starz will be working with Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert; the first partnership was on 'Sparticus'.

The original announcement for an 'Evil Dead' series had come during Comic Con as Sam Raimi gently teased about the development of a possible show in development.

Jared Leto to Play The Joker in Suicide Squad?

According to The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap; Actor and singer, Jared Leto has been in talks with Warner Bros. about playing The Joker in the upcoming Suicide Squad. The film has been set for an August 5, 2016 release date. The role of The Joker is speculation at the moment as representatives for Leto or Warner Bros. have yet to confirm whether or not the actor will be playing the role.

The Suicide Squad is a group of super villains turned vigilante on a kamikaze mission for an opportunity to be pardoned for their crimes. Director David Ayer may be rewriting the script originally penned by Justing Marks; rumor is, this version of the script is to include The Joker.

Ryan Gosling had originally been considered for the role, but opted not to sign of for the project. Leto had also previously expressed an interest in Marvel's Doctor Strange, but it seems consideration for the role is being given to seasoned actors.

It is also inevitable, if Jared Leto were to accept the role, that his portrayal of The Joker will be compared to that of Heath Ledger. Perhaps that is something to be wary of, but this Joker would clearly be of a different time and place and it should not be assumed that these two Jokers are one and the same. Whether or not Jared Leto chooses to accept the role, his version of The Joker will clearly be his own creation and it will be interesting to see another take on such a well known character.

Thoughts on The Life of John Lennon

After recently having viewed John Lennon: Love is All You Need, I can't help but feel a tinge of dissatisfaction with the documentary. I am vaguely familiar with the music of John Lennon and The Beatles; having been born in the early eighties and the younger sibling of recovering hippies; the music was rather enjoyable, but the band members themselves remained an enigma.I was hoping this documentary would have shed to light some of my curiosities regarding this once living legend.Unfortunately the documentary veers into a very strange direction as soon as mention of Yoko Ono is made.

The film has a very strong start and is rather entertaining and enjoyable.The archival footage featuring Lennon and The Beatles was very interesting and it was nice gaining some insight into the lives of these former giants. Seeing them being themselves and carrying on as regular people was very refreshing considering my only conception of them was nothing more than a bunch of drugged out rock stars.I genuinely did gain a lot more insight than I thought I would have taken from the film, but it would have been nice to see more on the bands cultural impact not only in England, but across the pond as well.

It was also enjoyable seeing and hearing from Lennon's former wife. I honestly was unaware of the fact that Lennon had been married previously and for such a considerable amount of time.Cynthia Lennon struck me as a very real and humble person who was not at all impressed with her husband's fame, but simply wanted to be with the man she loved.Mrs. Lennon's and thoughts also seemed very pleasant and uneventful of the events that occurred following the breaking of their union. 

The documentary however does take a strange turn once Ms. Ono comes into the picture, and these events are also very reflective of the times Lennon and she were living in.The main focus from there on out seems to have become how Lennon changed drastically as a person, whether choosing different forms of artistic expression or becoming more reserved with his British sense of humor.I get the impression that the film became a smear campaign against Yoko Ono from there on out.The focus should not have been the changes she may or may not have brought upon John Lennon, but rather the positive influences she brought into the union and in his musical career. I don't feel Ms. Ono should constantly be seen as a scapegoat for The Beatles demise.She was merely a misunderstood person who happened along at an awkward moment within a talented man's life.

My main complaint against the documentary is that it does not seem to have been very well produced or thought out. The majority of the interviewees are not always named as they speak on screen, nor is their relation to Lennon disclosed.Cynthia Lennon for example is not referred to as Lennon's former wife, but rather must be deduced via context clues.This is very much the case with various other persons who appear throughout the film.

The Importance of Media in My Life

Movies have always been a big part of my life; even as a child, family time consisted of sitting around the TV and watching Friday the 13th: The Series, Married With Children, or which ever program happened to be going on at the time... As I grew older movies gradually became a way of recalling certain periods during my childhood. Music has the same effect on the majority of the people I know, it may bring them back to a certain memory or event they had experienced or remind them of a certain period during their lives.

Film has always had this effect on me. I could literally walk through isles at the local video shop, point at a title and state what was going on in my life while that movie was in theater. Films have also been a great coping mechanism for me. Movies like 'Closer' or 'Moulin Rogue' have helped me get through heartaches and potential breakups. Sometimes a person needs time away from others in order to heal, but the emotional support these stories provided, prevented me from being completely alone. Its this aspect of communication which interests me most about cinema. The fact that a filmmaker can tell a story and may potentially touch the life of someone they have never met. To me, a movie is more than something to sit and watch while trying to till time.

Film throughout my life has served as a means to connect with others, whether trying to strike up conversation or make new friends; being provided with something to think about or give emotional support whether dealing with sadness, grief, or joy. Film and media in general in a very large part of everyone's life whether or not they may realize it. The film score is just as import as the film as it really helps to set the mood and may further enhance the emotional experience of the production. The film score for 'Candyman' for example is one of the most excellent film scores that I have ever heard and really makes the movie and can really illicit an emotional response. Music, film, and memories truly are a perfect union. 

My time on this site has been brief and I have already quickly familiarized myself with the majority of the sites functions. I am no stranger to social and blog sites though. The majority of my early post was done via Live Journal, and later Blogger, Word Press, Twitter, and Facebook. I am looking forward to a long and successful term posting on this site as well.