A few months ago, I posted the first trailer to the upcoming movie-musical “Les Misérables.” It’s one of the most well-done trailers that I’ve ever seen. In just a couple of minutes, it captures all the pathos of Victor Hugo’s epic story. How were they able to do this? As the video above explains, the director recorded all the vocals live on set. They were not pre-recorded in a studio. This allowed the actors to act, even as they were singing their lines. If the trailer is any indication, this movie will be one that you won’t want to miss. (HT: Alex Medina)
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Trailer for New Movie about Abe Lincoln
Here’s the trailer for Steven Spielberg’s new movie about Abraham Lincoln.
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First Look at Spielberg’s “Lincoln” Movie
It’s just a teaser, but here it is. The first trailer will be released day on Thursday. (HT: Politico)
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The Bones Brigade
Stacy Peralta’s 2001 documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys” covered the rise of professional skateboarding in the late 70’s in the pioneering Zephyr skating team. I really enjoyed the film even though it focused on the period just prior to my interest in the sport. Stacy Peralta’s new film, however, is a different story. It’s all about the “Bones Brigade”—the skate team sponsored by the Powell-Peralta skateboarding company, the team that was all the rage when I was still skateboarding. These were the days when Tony Hawk of the Bones Brigade and Christian Hosoi of Skull Skates were the best in the sport. They had an amazing rivalry and pushed the sport…
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Trailer Released for Movie about Bin Laden Manhunt
The movie is called Zero Dark Thirty, and it was originally slated to be released in October—just in time for the presidential election. But now the word is that it won’t hit theaters until December. Here’s a description of the film from Entertainment Weekly:
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Willie Nelson in 1965
My aunt came across this old footage of Willie Nelson performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 1965 (see above). It just so happens that the medley of songs that he sings here are some of my all-time favorite Willie Nelson tunes. The medley includes “Hello Walls,” “Night Life,” and “Funny How Time Slips Away.” It also includes what I still consider to be the best version of “Crazy.” In the introduction to “Crazy,” he mentions his thankfulness for the late Patsy Cline. He then gets choked-up while trying to sing the song. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that with him before. All four songs are available on “The…
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My Review of the Oscars
Light. Weightless. Ephemeral. The best line of the night came from Billy Crystal: “Enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting of the world’s economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues.”
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My Favorite Superbowl Ad
There is a deep divide in our country about exactly what it will take to make America great. Our nation’s character is more than the bottom line of its great corporations, but that truth is not communicated very well in this ad. Nevertheless, I appreciate it anyway. I like its optimism and grittiness, and I also like Clint Eastwood. Is it true? I don’t know. You could argue it either way. That being said, this ad strikes a chord because people want it to be true even if it is not. I hope it is.
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Is “Game Change” Movie One-sided?
I’m no shill for Governor Sarah Palin, but the new trailer for the movie Game Change has me scratching my head. This is the third of three teasers, and all three trailers make it look like the entire story is about Palin and her incompetence. I read Game Change when it came out (I couldn’t put it down). The book has three parts. Part one focuses on the Democratic primary, part two on the GOP primary, and part three on the general election. Palin doesn’t enter the story until the middle of part three. The book does not cast a good light on Palin, but neither does it do so…
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Spielberg To Direct New Moses Movie
Here’s the scoop: The two-time Oscar winner is closing in on a deal with Warner Bros. to direct “Gods And Kings,” which is described as a “‘Braveheart’-ish version of the Moses story” mixed with the “gritty reality” of “Saving Private Ryan.” Warner Bros. has been courting Spielberg for the project since last September, and now it appears they are close to nabbing him. That in itself is an accomplishment: the notoriously busy Spielberg always has a full dance card, but will have time for “Gods And Kings” next spring. The director just finished “Lincoln” and will soon start on “Robopocalypse”; “Gods And Kings” would hope to begin lensing in March…