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Archive for October, 2008 Page 2 of 3

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Movie Merchandise: WALL-E Mask – Birds Halloween Costume – Grinch Plush Draft Dodger

Published by
vincente
at October 14, 2008 in Fun, Gadgets and Merchandise. 2 Comments

Functional Bat Signal Replica

batman signal projector

This is a must-have on the wall or ceiling for the ultimate Batman fan! With the flick of a switch, this metal-encased device projects a light-up Bat-Signal an impressive 16 feet! Powered by a plug-in, UL adapter and two ultra-bright bulbs, the piece also includes a fan to keep it cool. With a swivel feature enabling the Bat-Signal to pan across the room, the Dark Knight is sure to come to the rescue no matter where he is when he’s beckoned. This prop replica measures approximately 12-inches tall x 2 1/4-inches wide x 9-inches long. It’s Bat-tastic!

More info: Room Bat Signal Replica

Grinch Plush Draft Dodger

angry grinch

It’s been over 40 years since Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas first aired on TV! Relive those classic moments with The Grinch preventing dastardly drafts from entering under your door! He’s fun displayed throughout your home, too!

More info: Grinch Plush Draft Dodger

Star Wars Bobble Heads

star-wars-wobble-head

The three most iconic heroes that inspired a generation to dress up for the cinema queues are coming to a desktop near you from a galaxy far, far away. Hold the dark side in the palm of your hand with the menacing Darth Vader and Clone Trooper Bobble Heads, ready to guard your PC the way only megalomaniac space-men can.

More info: Star Wars Bobble Heads

When Birds Attack Adult Costume

hitchcock birds costume

Run for cover… When Birds Attack! Try all you like, but there’s no stopping an attack from the skies! Our When Birds Attack costume includes: green dress with a coordinating belt, matching jacket with black birds attached, two wristbands with black birds attached, and attacking bird headpiece.

More info: When Birds Attack Adult Costume

WALL-E Masks

wall e mask

This mask is perfect for people who hate to dress up on Halloween. Each package includes 8 WALL-E masks. Masks have attached elastic band for a secure fit and measure 6 7/16"w x 3 15/16"h.

More info: WALL-E Masks

- Most amazing artist: Face-Paint in Motion

Quantum of Solace = A Li’l Bit of Comfort!

Published by
mpowell
at October 13, 2008 in Coming Up. 0 Comments

quan·tum /ˈkwɒntəm/ – 1. quantity or amount
sol·ace /ˈsɒlɪs/ – 1. comfort in sorrow, misfortune, or trouble

Aww… when you think about it, the new Bond film sounds like it’s going to be a real weepy! Feeling rejected and lonely, Bond puts his guns to the side in search of a “quantum of solace”… A Li’l Bit of Comfort from this, mean unforgiving world [cue Indigo Girls soundtrack]. Yeah?

Nope. Watching the trailer should dispel you of any such notion. The title comes from an action-less Ian Fleming short story, in which Bond plays a bit part. Apparently, that story has nothing to do with the film, so how are they explaining the title? Confused.

Over at the Criticker forums, user Yoshiking has alerted everyone to the new Bond theme song, by Jack White and Alicia Keys. That’s right: Jack White and Alicia Keys. The forum community has given it a nearly unanimous drubbing… but what do you think?

Heroes of Contentiousness #13: Girl, Interrupted

Published by
mpowell
at October 12, 2008 in Heroes of Contentiousness. 5 Comments

Although Winona Ryder has the starring role, Girl, Interrupted is mainly known as the film which unleashed The Angelina on an unsuspecting world. Perhaps that’s why the film has as many starry-eyed devotees as haters. But whatever one’s opinion of The Angelina, it’s hard to deny that She was luminescent in this role. She is good at crazy, and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work.

But the film as a whole? It’s received a high Film Contentiousness Quotient of 45.36 (details on the math here), which means significant and equal numbers of users hated and loved it, without many in between. Some saw it as an honest and powerful examination of mental illness, though many critics derided its dependence on cliche and uneven storytelling.

Personally, this is a film that I didn’t really like, but I also didn’t hate. Boring, yes, and meandering, but also inoffensive. Perhaps the vitriol towards Girl, Interrupted is an exaggerated reaction to the eagerness of some to hail it as an instant classic. But, we’ll leave it to you:

Girl, Interrupted

  • Great! (78%, 7 Votes)
  • Terrible! (22%, 2 Votes)

Total Voters: 9

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Here are a couple battling opinions from Criticker users.

virgored: “Excellent film, amazing performances and heart-wrenching example of the bonds we form regardless of environment.”

wig: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest never needed to be watered down with estrogen.”

Last week’s poll is closed and by a huge margin, Contact is redeemed. I… can’t believe it! Fine, Juergen, this time you win.

 

And here’s our up-to-date list of the top 10 most contentious films at Criticker:

1. Eyes Wide Shut – FCQ 58.76 – Poll Result: GREAT!
2. Dumb & Dumber – FCQ 52.62 – Poll Result: GREAT!
3. King Kong – FCQ 51.11 – Poll Result: GREAT!
4. I Am Sam – FCQ 49.77 – Poll Result: TERRIBLE!
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – FCQ 49.31 – Poll Result: TERRIBLE!
6. Saw – FCQ 49.23 – Poll Result: TIE!
7. Stay – FCQ 48.46 – Poll Result: GREAT!
8. Brotherhood of the Wolf – FCQ 48.08 – Poll Result: GREAT!
9. I Heart Huckabees – FCQ 47.86 – Poll Result: GREAT!
10. Contact – FCQ 46.79 – Poll Result: GREAT!


Send Halloween cards on BlueMountain.com

Neglected Gems: La Cérémonie

Published by
mpowell
at October 10, 2008 in Neglected Gems. 1 Comment

Neglected Gems are films we’ve found in Criticker’s database which (a) very few users have seen & (b) have received extremely high marks. Today’s selection definitely fits the bill: Claude Chabrol’s La Cérémonie. Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire star.


La Cérémonie depicts a seemingly well-worn tale of class conflict, but does so with a rare intelligence and cruelty. Sophie (Bonnaire) is a maid hired on by a wealthy family, and tensions spark up after she begins a friendship with a trouble-making postal clerk (Huppert). Throughout his intensely unconventional film, Charbol manages to keep the suspense high, methodically advancing the plot towards a devastating climax. This was Charbol’s forty-ninth feature and is hailed as one of his best.

The New York Times says La Cérémonie “has a chilling, lethal inevitability from the very start. But the artistry is in Mr. Chabrol’s precise control of his material and in the way an intricate, unnerving bond is seen growing between Sophie and Jeanne … ‘La Ceremonie’ is beautifully and wickedly made.”


DVD Report – October 7th

Published by
mpowell
at October 8, 2008 in DVD. 2 Comments

Oh man, what has happened to M. Night Shyamalan? The Happening, his latest grand concept flick, is this week’s biggest new release on DVD and also the most reviled amongst users of Criticker. Maybe he should start making romantic comedies, just for a change of pace. Mercifully, there is better fare in stores today — two films that not too many users saw, but are good enough to officially recommend: Boy A, about a young ex-con, and The Visitor, about a professor who finds a couple living in his apartment.

The Happening – 312 Rankings – Average Tier 2.93
A paranoid thriller about a family on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. The Happening @ Amazon

Paranoid Park – 158 Rankings – Average Tier 6.68
A teenage skateboarder’s life begins to fray after he is involved in the accidental death of a security guard. Paranoid Park @ Amazon

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan – 156 Rankings – Average Tier 3.06
A Mossad agent fakes his death so he can re-emerge in New York City as a hair stylist. You Don’t Mess with the Zohan @ Amazon

Criticker Pick!
Visitor, The – 54 Rankings – Average Tier 7.07
A college professor travels to New York to attend a conference and finds a young couple living in his apartment. Visitor, The @ Amazon
Criticker Pick!
Boy A – 20 Rankings – Average Tier 7.00
The story of a young ex-con Jack, newly released from serving a prison sentence for a murder he committed as a child. Boy A @ Amazon

Casting & News: Law as Watson? GL Greenlight!

Published by
mpowell
at October 6, 2008 in Coming Up and News. 2 Comments

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have been cast as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson respectively, in Guy Ritchie‘s upcoming take on the original dynamic duo. Jude Law as Watson?! That is simultaneously horrifying and promising. No one would expect Mr. Ritchie to produce a predictable, traditional version of Holmes, but casting handsome Mr. Law, pretty much the epitome of the lithe, smooth metrosexual, as portly, bumbling Watson… well, anyway, we’re interested. Even money that the film will be a train wreck.

Meanwhile, Ridley Scott has dipped once more into well of Russell Crowe, and cast his fiery muse in another big-budget historical fantasy: Robin Hood. This choice makes more immediate sense than Law/Watson. It’s not hard to picture a scruffy Russell Crowe leading his band of merry men against the Sheriff of Nottingham.

And lastly, Green Lantern has been given the green light, and is set to commence filming in 2009. That’s exciting news to me, as GL was always my favorite comic book hero — hopefully the film will do justice to him, a la The Dark Knight. There is no word yet on who will play Hal Jordan — who do you think would best fill the role? David Boreanaz is an early front-runner. In my opinion, he has the right look but is kind of boring. Gil Kane originally based the character’s appearance on Paul Newman… too bad we can’t go back in time.


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Tags Gone Wild: Criterion Collection

Published by
mpowell
at October 3, 2008 in Tagging. 2 Comments

It’s been just over a week, since Criticker went live with tagging, and the response has been staggering. Over 300 tags have been created by our rabid users, with over 5500 films tagged.

So, it’s time to introduce another recurring feature at the Criticker Blog, in which we highlight specific tags that warrant your attention. First up: the Criterion Collection. Some good souls have tagged every film included in the Criterion Collection, meaning that the list can now be browsed & sorted on PSI.


Criterion.com

The Criterion Collection is “a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films on DVD”, and thanks to the high caliber of the DVDs and excellent selections, has become shorthand for “quality” among cinephiles. A couple things I immediately notice browsing the list of over 450 films: they’re all classics, and I haven’t seen nearly enough of them yet.

This is just one of the astounding ways our users have been utilizing tagging. We are not afraid to say that this is one of those features that is fundamentally improving the experience of using Criticker. A thousand thanks go out to everyone who has contributed!

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