The Artist 2011 Movie Trailer

The idea is so simple…one wonders why haven’t they thought of it before. Anybody want to watch a good old fashioned silent film?

Look no further than the upcoming The Artist. A black and white, old fashioned themed silent film. The film isn’t a parody either. It plays it straight as an earnest non-talking picture with the performance style and movie look of the Silent era. The film has already earned dramatic awards. Specifically, Jean Dujardin was named Best Actor at the 2011 Cannes Film festival for his performance in the film.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. I can picture the film becoming a huge hit just on the novelty alone. Could this spark a Hollywood trend of silent films? Can you imagine? Remakes are all the rage…imagine silent film remakes of classic Harold Lloyd films or Buster Keaton movies.

The Artist stars Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo,  John Goodman, Malcolm McDowell, Missi Pyle, James Cromwell and Penelope Ann Miller. The film is directed by Michel Hazanavicius. It is scheduled for release November 23, 2011.

Official Synopsis:

Hollywood 1927. George Valentin is a very successful silent movie star. The arrival of talking pictures will mark the end of his career. Peppy Miller, a young woman extra, becomes a major movie star.

Top Ten All-Time Greatest NBA Players1 Comment

 With the potential of a lockout spilling into the season likely, I thought I’d try to quench my NBA basketball thirst with this opinion piece.

There have always been debates about the greatest players of all-time and although there has always been opinions, it’s rarely backed up with facts. That’s because people argue with their hearts. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s human. We all have favorite teams and it’s hard to overlook that bias. It’s also hard to argue statistics since players played in different eras with a different talent level.

Here is my attempt to stay unbiased, using facts as arguments rather than my heart. Of course in the end this list is assembled from my own opinion. I don’t claim to be an expert or an authority. But I believe I’ve laid out some strong points here in my arguments.

So without further ado, here are the ten all-time greatest Basketball Players to ever play the game… in order.

Honorable Mention:

Moses Malone, Julius Erving, Jerry West, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Elgin Baylor, Scottie Pippen.

 

10. Shaquille O’Neal

The big diesel lands at number ten for  simply being one of  the most dominant players to EVER play the game. In his prime Shaq was un -guard-able. Literally. The only defense was to foul him (or should I say mug him) lest he run amok and score 100 points. His dominance forced the NBA to change the rules of the game to compensate. CHANGE THEM. Seriously. He literally played most of his career with two players guarding him at all -times… sometimes three. Even with that handicap Shaq was able to win four NBA championships, with two different teams. Other stats include 3-Time NBA Finals MVP. 15 time NBA All-Star, 2 time NBA scoring Champion, 8 time All-NBA First Team, Three Time NBA All-Star Game MVP.

 

9. Oscar Robertson

Before Magic Johnson made Triple Doubles famous there was Oscar Robertson. Robertson just didn’t lead the league in triple doubles. He averaged it for an ENTIRE SEASON in 1961 -62. Averaged it! It’s almost impossible to even fathom. What’s even most impressive is that he almost averaged one in his ROOKIE year. 30.5 point, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. The only reason why he doesn’t rank higher is that he only managed to win one championship in his illustrious, impressive career. More an indictment of the talent of his supporting cast than his efforts. Based on stats alone he has to be considered one of the greatest if not THE greatest all-around players to ever play the game.

 

8. Larry Bird

The truth is many players can be plugged into this spot. One can argue that Jerry West should be here, or Elgin Baylor. One can even argue that Scottie Pippen and his six championships belong here. All legitimate arguments. Larry Bird lands here for his value and contribution as an ambassador to the overall game of basketball. Together with Magic Johnson they turned the NBA from a fringe sport to one of the world’s most popular games on the planet. There’s no debating that. If that wasn’t enough his Hall of Fame statistics should be enough. 3 time NBA champion, 3 time NBA Most Valuable Player, 12 time NBA All-Star, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, NBA Coach of the Year.

 

7. Tim Duncan

For years critics have claimed Duncan is playing out of position and is a real center. It’s true as a center he would not be considered one of the 10 greatest. But the truth is he’s NOT a center. He’s a power forward, a power forward who could also play center and if he’s truly a power forward than his statistics would make him the greatest power forward to ever play the game. Since he’s played his entire career as a power forward…than…he’s a power forward. The greatest ever. 4 time NBA champion, 3 time NBA Finals MVP, 2 time NBA Most Valuable Player, 13 time NBA All-star, 9 time ALL-NBA First Team, 8 time all-defensive team.

 

6.  Michael Jordan

Look no further. Michael Jordan will rank no higher.  The greatest marketed player ever belongs right here. Sure it would be easy to bump him up. But first one has to devalue the facts and points I’ve made below. Which one realistically can’t. The only fact that Jordan fans can argue as superior to the players I’ve mentioned below are the 6 NBA Finals MVP awards. Impressive…yet more an indication of his popularity than his actual value. Who was more valuable to the Bulls? Pippen or Jordan? People love to point at Jordan’s intangibles. His leadership abilities. His drive and desire. All immeasurable and circumstantial. Was Jordan a better floor general or all-around player than Magic Johnson? A better scorer than Kareem or Wilt? Better defender than Bill Russell? Would Kobe have won at least 6 NBA championships playing on the Bulls with Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen?  You’re lying to yourself if you say no. He would have won 8… cause he would have never retired  from the NBA to play baseball. How about that for drive and determination. Not to say Jordan is a scrub. He is legitimately one of the greatest players EVER to play the game. Just not one of the five greatest. 6 Time NBA Champion, 5 time NBA MVP, 14 time NBA All-star, 6 time NBA Finals MVP, 10 time scoring champion, 10 time All-NBA First Team 3 time NBA All-Star Game MVP, NCAA Champion.

5. Kobe Bryant

Shocked? Surprised? This isn’t a typo. The truth is Kobe’s value to the Lakers is equal to what Jordan’s value was to the Bulls. Correct? That’s not debatable right? But my main argument is that Kobe Bryant ranks ahead of Michael Jordan because of  his five championships. What’s that? Six beats five? True… but Michael Jordan never won a championship without Scottie Pippen. Kobe Bryant has won two without Shaquille O’Neal and can POTENTIALLY win even more. What’s most intriguing about Kobe Bryant’s career is that if he remains healthy, he can realistically play for 6 to 8 more years. What will his statistics look like after that? He doesn’t just land ahead of Jordan simply on potential either. He also ranks ahead for his drive and desire. What’s that? Nobody had more desire than Jordan? I don’t remember Kobe retiring in the middle of his prime or retiring earlier than he needed to. That’s cause Kobe would NEVER consider that. His drive and desire are insatiable. Kobe played even when he was on trial for rape. With his freedom on the line! When it’s all said and done I predict Kobe’s stats will be superior to Jordan’s. But IF he retired today, it would STILL be hard to argue not having Kobe ahead of Jordan. Based on that he ranks ahead of Jordan. Here are some of Kobe’s stats at the time of this publication. 5 time NBA champion, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, 13 time all-star, 2 time NBA scoring champion. 9 time all-defensive first team, 4 time NBA all-star game MVP.

 

4. Magic Johnson

In terms of player versatility, there’s nobody greater than Magic Johnson. The only player on this list who could realistically play all five positions at an all-star level caliber. Many dock him for simply being a point guard and not more of a scorer. But he was the greatest point guard ever. Which makes him the greatest floor general in the history of the game. If the Lakers wanted him to play center full-time and been more of a scorer he could have done that… and still been a Hall of Famer. The truth of the matter is, if Magic Johnson had not been forced to tragically retire early he would most likely be at the top of this list. That being said his statistics still make him an NBA Hall of Famer. But they should all be mentioned with an asterisk. 5 time NBA Champion, 3 time NBA Most Valuable player. 12 Time NBA all-star. NCAA Champion.  9 time NBA First team.

 

3. Wilt Chamberlain

As far as individual play, it’s impossible to find a more dominant player than Wilt Chamberlain. 7 time scoring champion, 11 time rebounding champion. 4 time NBA Most Valuable player, 7 time NBA First team. 13 time all-star. Oh yeah and he won 2 championships. Have I mentioned that he also scored 100 points in a single game. 100 POINTS!!!!! Some records will never be broken. That stat is probably one of them.

 

2. Bill Russell

If championships are the measurement of a player’s value than nobody is as valuable as Bill Russell and his 11 championships. Need more stats? How about 5 time NBA Most Valuable player, 12 time NBA All-Star. 3x All-NBA first team and 2 time NCAA Champion. He is also the undisputed greatest defender in NBA history. The popular argument for him not being #2 is Russell’s playing era had less athletic talent . Ridiculous. Defense is defense. I don’t care what era a player played in. Nobody is going to go down the middle if Bill Russell is standing there. No matter what era he’s playing in. If one can defend the post back then they could certainly defend now.

 

1. Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Often overlooked as the number 1 player on most all-time lists, it’s mind boggling that the all-time scoring leader should be considered anything less than NUMBER 1. Shouldn’t the all-time leading scorer be considered the greatest scorer in NBA history? Yet most critics always list a certain North Carolina Tar Heel alumni as the greatest scorer. The argument being Jordan had the “intangibles”. Ridiculous.  How about these tangibles in favor of Kareem as the greatest basketball player of all time.  6 NBA championships, 3 NCAA Championships, 6 Most valuable player awards. 19 time  NBA All-Star, 5 time first team all-defense.  #1 all-time in scoring. If you think Kareem was just a scorer he is also #3 All-Time in career rebounds and #3 all-time in career blocks. Many point to Kareem’s longevity as a reason for his impressive statistics. And since when is longevity considered a negative??? Absurd. Go away with the ignorant, unsubstantiated bias. Kareem Abdul Jabbar is the greatest player ever. Period.

 

Obviously , these opinions are mine and mine alone. But I welcome a healthy debate in the comments down below. I believe I’ve laid out some relevant and substantial points in the justifications of my arguments. But let me know what you think. Let’s hear your list!!!

Straw Dog 2011 Trailer Reaction

 I’m a HUGE Rod Lurie fan.

He’s one of my favorite directors working today. I particularly enjoy the films that he has also written. His film The Contender is one of my five all-time favorite films. His most recent movie Nothing But the Truth was one of my favorite films of the past decade. His first film, Deterence is an under-rated political drama, that raises fascinating, thought provoking and timely questions of morality and government. So when it was announced that he’d be remaking the Sam Peckinpah film Straw Dogs , I was extremely excited. To be completely honest, I’m not a big fan of the original film. The piece has some unusual and distracting Peckinpah artistic choices that I don’t think serve the overall story well. I also feel that some of Peckinpah’s personal misogynistic views creep into the film unnecessarily. I do, however, love the general premise and plot of the film about a man losing his humanity in the face of extreme adversity, when his masculinity is questioned.

I think Rod Lurie is the perfect director and writer to bring out the true themes and brutality of this piece. Much of the slow boiling of the film requires intimate and pointed interactions between the characters and Lurie has an uncanny ear for provocative, realistic, and painfully honest dialogue.

Straw Dogs is scheduled for release September 16, 2011. The film is written and directed by Rod Lurie. Based on an earlier screenplay by Sam Peckinpah and David Zelag Goodman. The film stars Kate Bosworth, James Marsden and Alexander Skarsgard.

Anonymous – 2011 Movie Trailer Reaction

What if someone else wrote the plays of the greatest writer to ever live, William Shakespeare?

That’s the theory being dramatized in the Roland Emmerich film Anonymous.

Of course, this isn’t a unique theory. There’s always been a debate about whether or not Shakespeare did indeed write all of his plays. The main argument of him not being the author being that a simple, unexceptional, working class actor could have never written such amazing work.  That the author of such political and fantastical material as Hamlet, The Tempest, and Romeo and Juliet must have been born of nobility, with an outstanding education, and had a life of adventure full of remarkable experience and culture.

A pretty weak argument in my opinion.

I’ve always felt it’s the underprivileged that have the most creativity and artistry. Because that’s all they have. They have to work to earn their success because nothing will come easy to them.

One need only look at Quentin Tarrantino as a modern day example of an immensely talented story telling artist from a humble, unimpressive upbringing.

In any event Anonymous puts forth the popular conspiracy theory that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford was the author of Shakespeare’s plays. Apparently he has some life experience which parallels the characters in some of Shakespeare’s plays. I’m pretty shocked that Shakespeare veterans Derek Jacobi and Vanessa Redgrave appear in the movie. I’m not positive, but I think their appearance in the film seems to be an endorsement of the argument of Oxfordian theory of authorship.

I’ll probably check the film out. If only out of curiosity and because I’m a sucker for conspiracy films.

Anonymous stars Jamie Campbell Bower, Rhys Ifans, David Thewlis, Joely Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave and Derek Jacobi. It is directed by Roland Emmerich. It is scheduled for release October 28, 2011.

First Look: Anne Hathaway as Catwoman

Today Warner Bros decided to release the first official photo of Anne Hathaway as Selena Kyle aka Catwoman, for the upcoming Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight Rises. The strategic release of the first photo of Anne Hathaway in Catwoman costume was made in anticipation of photos that are sure to leak as Anne Hathaway begins to film outdoor scenes of her role on set in Pittsburgh.

My initial reaction to this photo is relief.

I’m not one of those hardcore comic book geeks that needs a full on costume to establish a character.  This obviously signals that Christopher Nolan is sticking to the realism of the world his characters inhabit from the first two films. I admit I’m intrigued by the Catwoman googles. Not sure what purpose the glowing blue light on the side of her glasses serves. I hope that it’s not for cosmetic reasons to create a cat like resemblance. Overall I like the look she’s sporting here. I don’t need her looking like a full-on cat. Realistically, what purpose would a cat themed mask/headgear serve a cat burgler anyways?

I already think it’s a little strange that Bruce Wayne is dressed as a bat…but Nolan has established important and vital reasons for the bat suit design. However, I’m not naive, there are sure to be criticisms for this incarnation of Catwoman.

My reply is get over it. With Christopher Nolan in the driver’s seat we shouldn’t be concerned by any aspects of this production. We just have to wait and enjoy when the film is finally released.

The Dark Knight Rises stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. The Dark Knight Rises is directed by Christopher Nolan. It is scheduled for release July 20, 2012.

First Look: Henry Cavill as Superman in Man Of Steel

 

Here’s Superman!

Impressive right? Yeah… I know… not really.

This is obviously a promotional photo of Henry Cavil as Superman in the upcoming film Man of Steel. Which is a reboot / origin story of the classic Superman story. I’m curious to see how this turns out. A major problem that I’ve always had with the whole Superman story is that he’s too damn tough. All villans really don’t stand a chance. Yeah I know he has his kryptonite but that never seems to work. He’s basically perfect. He has the perfect genetics, raised by perfect foster parents, with good wholesome values. He’s super smart and physically invincible. It’s hard to tell a dynamic story about a character like that.

But Superman is arguably the most recognizable and popular super hero of all-time. So Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan are going to give it a shot.

I actually admired what Bryan Singer was hinting at in his attempt at the character in Superman Returns. Rather than focusing on an external villain as an antagonist, he focused on Superman’s conflict of being almost a religious savior to the world vs. his own ambition of just having a simple family life.

Of course…nobody agreed with me, which brought about this reboot.

I have faith in Christopher Nolan to tell an engaging story. The guy rarely makes a mis-step. With him overseeing the project we can pretty much guarantee good quality stuff.

Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill, Laurence Fishburne, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon. It is directed by  Zack Snyder and produced by Christopher Nolan.

Twixt Movie Trailer Reaction

First off a disclaimer… Francis Ford Coppola is my all-time favorite director. When he’s at his best, I don’t think there are any directors working that can blend art house vision with mainstream sensibilities as well as him.  The key to his success is that generally, his films are all intensely personal. When he is criticized for choices they are usually for issues where he refuses to compromise. I’ve always admired that about his films. Lately, however, he has been in full art house mode. His last two efforts, Youth without Youth and Tetro were  films produced with little regard for a mainstream audience. Basically, he had an artistic itch and he needed to scratch it. So when his latest film was announced, titled Twixt, it was  surprising that the story would be told in the horror genre.

Based on this initial trailer…TWIXT isn’t your typical horror film. Bits and pieces have even begun to slip out about the presentation of Twixt and rumors suggest that the screenings  will include a live component and even some audience participation?

Awesome.

TWIXT  stars Val Kilmer, Elle Fanning, Ben Chaplin, Joanne Whalley, Bruce