The Dark Knight Rises

Yesterday I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 for the sole purpose of seeing the Dark Knight rises trailer. After seeing a leaked version on the internet (it has been taken down since then) I had to see it in the cinema. As luck would have it they did not play it before Harry Potter, because Balston is the worst. The last time I went to this theater I was carded and they did not let me purchase a ticket to a rated R film, despite it being clear that I am over 17.

Now in a fit of rage I will post what is available online. First thedarknightrises.com featured insane chanting and blackness. Second through the darknight twitter page fans were given the first image of Tom Hardy as Christopher Nolan's Bane:

A couple days ago the official movie poster was released. Some people have heavily criticized it for being too similar to the Inception poster. I think it looks awesome, and much grungier than the poster of Inception. Clearly they both are similar in the way they use the city to show an image, but I think it still works extremely well. 

Between these releases, the little I have seen of the trailer, and the cast list it is safe to say that I am more than greatly excited for the summer of 2012. The end of the trilogy looks much darker than the previous two films and I am sure that Christopher Nolan will make it completely amazing. 

Lady Crushes

1. Marion Cotillard (Actress)

Why I like her: she appeared in some of my favourite films (Inception and La Vie en Rose) she is an incredibly gifted actress.

What I look forward to: her role in The Dark Knight Rises the third Batman movie in Christopher Nolan's masterpiece. 

2. Shakira (Singer)

 Why I like her: I grew up listening to Laundry Service and dancing to "Hips Don't Lie." She is also very active in the soccer world, appearing as the musical guest for World Cup 2006 and 2010. I enjoy her more recent CD's She Wolf and Sale El Sol.

What I look forward to: She just recently began dating Barcelona and Spain NT player Gerrard Pique, so her presence in soccer will no doubt increase.

3. Tina Fey (Comedian)

Why I like her: She is one of the greatest comedians of all time. We share a Greek heritage and she has been the writer and star of my favourite TV show 30 Rock. 

What I look forward to: Reading her new book Bossypants and the upcoming seasons of 30 Rock.

4. Anne Hathaway (Actress)

 Why I like her: She is intelligent and seems to be one of those celebrities who would be cool to hang out with. She was amazing in The Devil Wears Prada and did a good job as the Oscar host in 2011.

What I look forward to: Her role as Selina Kyle in the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises.

My Favourite Quotes

1. "Il faut cultiver notre jardin.

(Let us cultivate our garden.)"

-Volitare (Candide) 

We must always cultivate thoughts and grow in knowledge. In order to cultivate our thoughts we must also weed out nonsense in our lives that prevents us from thinking critically. The garden is our world and we must cultivate it so that the good in humanity can flourish and the evil parts can be weeded out and composted. 

2. " L'homme est la seule créature qui refuse d'être ce qu'elle est.

(Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.)"

-Albert Camus 

We are so reflexive as a society that we desire to be what we are not. We constantly wish that we are different in appearance, personality and prosperity. Other organisms are content to be what they are and it is uniquely human to question ones own existence and to desire something different.

3. "When you get right down to it, on the inside, aren't we all just midgets dressed in felt?" 

-Jon Stewart empathizes with the Teletubbies February 11, 1999

 

Empathy is at the core of humanity and it is important to see that we are all derived not only from the same ideas but what is truly inside us all is the same.

4."A lie is more comfortable than doubt, more useful than love, more lasting than truth."

— Gabriel Garcia Marquez. 

It is true that telling lies is easier than explaining the truth. With lies we can get things accomplished, we can persuade others and persuade ourselves. They are more useful than the truth because they show in their way true intentions of people. I am still trying to understand what this quote means.

5. "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."
-V for Vendetta

Honey Badgers.

Honey Badgers are delightful animals.

I want one for a pet.

They are not only cute but they are awesome.

They eat poisonous snakes.

None one will mess with a honey badger.

Cinema of 2010

As the Oscars approach and the nominations have been decided, I like many internet bloggers I will give my own opinions on the few films I saw despite my lack of impact on the decision of who actually wins. So with out further a do, in chronological order based on release date the films I have seen in 2010.

1. Shutter Island 

Oh Martin Scorsese, with your crime thrillers. Shutter Island was everything I expected it to be it was good film, had its twist in the end and can be confused with Inception by some people. :P

I liked this movie, it wasn't one of my favourites but I did enjoy the idea that Leonardo DiCaprio was the patient in the end. 

2. Alice in Wonderland 

Not what I expected I disliked this film immensely. I used to like Tim Burton when I was a young teen full of angst. Is that because his older films are arguably better or just because I simply out grew them, I will never know. If you would like to see a good interpretation of Lewis Carrol's story I recommend instead Alice directed by Neco z Alenky in 1988. It is to be frank fucking scary and bizarre as shit, but it is surely a film I can stand behind. It is not for the weak of heart however. 

3. How to Train Your Dragon 

Adorable, the dragon was adorable, the plot was foreseeable but altogether heart warming. My vote is torn between this film and Toy Story 3. I will never be able to decide. 

4. Date Night 

With the every lovely Tina Fey and the always amiable Steve Carrel this movie was bound to have some funny moments. It made me laugh but it is not a film I would ever see again. I think they are both more suited to their roles on 30 Rock and The Office. 

5. Iron Man 2

Besides being a fan of Robert Downy Jr.  and of super hero movies I mostly like this film because of the swinging sticks kinetic energy sculpture. So fucking cool. 

6. Toy Story 3

Growing up with Toy Story made this film more emotional, going off to university at the same time as Andy made many in my grade cry upon seeing the film. I liked it and although it was similar to the previous two Toy Stories it did have some scenes that made me altogether very happy. For instance the Spanish Buzz parts and the fact that the Gypsy Kings sang You've got a Friend in Me in Spanish. !Muy Bien! 

7. Despicable Me

It was my least favourite animated movie that came out this year but it was still very good. The thing that I hear quoted most often "its so fluffy" which makes me like it less. 

8. Inception 

What can I say? Inception was a masterpiece. Christopher Nolan by far my favourite director and this highly anticipated film did not disappoint. I loved every aspect of it and if it were up to me it would win best picture. I am still up in arms about the fact that Christopher Nolan did not get nominated for best director. He has been robbed year after year and the academy clearly has something against him.  

9. The Social Network 

This film was well made with amazing dialogue and an interesting and culturally relevant plot line. I enjoyed watching it despite my hatred for Jesse Eisenberg. It is the front runner for best picture and it is my personal opinion that it will indeed win. While I think that some other films are more deserving I will not be upset if it does win.

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

 Harry Potter is a book that my family has been fascinated with since the we were introduce with the first book. I have never been a huge fan of the film and this one was no exception. I did however enjoy everything that went along with the Harry Potter films. I went to see it with my family and everyone was dressed up. I thought I made a delightful Snape.

11. Tangled 

Based on the fairy tale this heart warming Disney has cute animals, a romantic side plot and the main characters learn something about themselves and expand their horizons. While I liked it I still can not comprehend how it was able to be the second most expensive film ever to make. They apparently used all this new technology to make it cooler, but I honestly did not see the difference between previous Disney films so I am not sold on it being completely necessary or worth it. 

12. Black Swan 

Natalie Portman was a sensation. The film was good and exactly what it was advertised to be -- a psycho sexual thriller. It was not without its uncomfortable moments. There were many crotch grabs and now I will forever associate Natalie Portman with having someone awkwardly grab my crotch during a theatrical performance of some sort. I think it deserved the hype it received but in my opinion it was no where near as good as Inception, The Fighter and True Grit.

13. The Fighter 

I loved The Fighter, it was a movie about sports, family and Lowell Mass. Christian Bale was amazing the film was made in good taste and it was extremely well made. I would consider watching the film a second time and would like to see it do well. My Dad particularly felt connected to the film seeing as he grew up in Lowell and knew the brothers the film was based on.

14. True Grit 

I haven't seen many westerns but True Grit as far as I can tell is very good. I would be interested in seeing the original. Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld were all quite good. I am sure that Hailee will win best supporting actress and she deserves it. 

And thus concludes my small sampling of 2010 films. I congratulate anyone with the fortitude to read through it all.

Jamie Schefen is an Amazing Person.

Today I spent indoors fearing the wrath of the weather. When I woke up it was -4 when I awoke later in the day Boston warmed itself up to a nice 6 degrees, but with the wind chill it felt like -16. Now in most humane climates it should never reach such temperatures. I like my climates warm and balmy, but Boston has a climate more similar to the arctic tundra. 

Right now it is 12 degrees and I am hungry. My beautiful roommate Jamie and I are hungry despite already having consumed our dinner. Jamie braved the bitter cold night to go to Northeastern Universities finest dinning establishment to obtain the nutritious meals of spaghetti and meatballs and chicken tenders. For this I will be in debt to her always. It just makes me happy to know that there are good people in the world who still exist, and they want to make this earth a better place for everyone. For this I thank you Jamie Schefen you have changed my life. 

The Dark Knight Rises

Christopher Nolan, the love of my life, having finished the masterpiece that is Inception has delved into the masterpiece that is the Batman films. The third film, The Dark Knight Rises. While there is excitement to see old favourites return, the idea of new cast members created a media frenzy yesterday. It was announced that Tom Hardy would make an appearance as Bane and Anne Hathaway would take the role of Selina Kyle. Both choices make me very confident in the quality of the upcoming film. Thank you Christopher Nolan for being so awesome.