Jake's Blog

Sup peeps?

Don't know if you know this, but I've been in the great state of Minnesota for a while now, but I'm coming back to LA! WOOT! So now instead of just reading my words, you'll see my pretty face (not) all over this site! Word!

But, alas, I am saddend by the fact that I'm leaving my once and future home state. So I decided to make a list of Minnesota movies that you should know about...

Number one, well that should be obvious. Fargo, written and directed by the Cohen Bros. Violent. Loaded with snow. Ya, sure. Ya betcha. And no, not everyone talks like that, but trust me there are a lot of us out here that'd suprise ya. Pick up the DVD with the special doc called "Minnesota Nice". Good times there...

Number two, well, this one ya'll should actually avoid. It's called Feeling Minnesota, starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz. Just...pretend like I didn't say this. I could have just as easily been called Feeling Nebraska or something. EW.

Number three, well, this is very art-y, but I love it.  A Prarie Home Companion, directed by Robert Altman (his last film). Tells the half true story of a group of radio show performers and the fateful last night of their show. I say half true because the show does exist (I've been, it was amazing), but it hasn't been cancelled. Still going strong. The movie is pure Minnesota, check it out tonight!

K, so that's all I can think of for now, but check back later. I know I'll think of more as soon as I hit post...

Promise me one thing. Don't stay out too late after the Dark Knight tonight. Just go home afterward and sleep. Dream about Batman. If you're seeing it tonight. Me? I'm gonna wait. See it with some friends in a couple weeks when I can actually get tickets.

Anywho, there are a few good movies coming out in the next couple months, and my personal choice is the Cohen Bros. Burn After Reading, which tells the story of a gym employee who finds a disk containing protected info from a CIA agent. I put the trailer in here, so watch it and look forward to it.

Also Igor, which stars the voice of John Cusak as one of many Igor's, who decides he's had enough of being the slave. Very good animation, not sure about the funny, but not everything can be funny...

So if you are seeing the Dark Night just like everyone else on your block, then take a nap now. Sleep! *shakes hands in general direction of computer/monitor*

SKELLY OUT

For those of you who haven't heard, Mr. George Carlin, comedy legend, died this last sunday, June 22nd. He will be truly missed.

His illustrious career started back in the 60's as a comedy duo with Jack Burns, but broke that off and started his own stand up career. He's most known for his "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Radio or Television" routine, which got the attention of the FCC and set the stage for the long debate on censorship.

He was the host for the first Saturday Night Live in 1975; he starred in 11 HBO specials, released 23 albums--4 of which won Grammy's for Best Comedy Album (1973: FM&AM, 1992: Jammin in New York, 2001: Brain Droppings, 2002: Napalm and Silly Putty), as well as starred in several films, including Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, Dogma, Jersey Girl, and Cars, as well as the narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

He is a legend in the comedy community, and will be truly missed. Like many in his craft, i.e. Richard Pryor, Mitch Hedburg, he is gone too soon.

R.I.P., Mr. Carlin. R.I.P.

 So last weekend I headed to my local movieplex and excitedly bought tickets for M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening. I paid $20, plus about $15 for the food I snuck in. As the lights dimmed, I tried to prepare myself for anything. Anything at all. I said, Self--don't be too excited. Don't expect anything. Just watch the movie. Get into it. Decide later what you think.

Well, I sat there. And I watched it. For one hour and fourty-some odd minutes I sat and watched.

And what do I think?

Oh.

My.

God.

Before I go on, I must remind you that this is my opinion. You may feel differently. See it. Don't see it. It's your life. And money. So what do I think?

I think I wasted $20 dollars.


Normally, a "bad" movie has some redemable qualities to it, such as a good script that was badly acted or maybe some good camera work even though the script sucked, etc. This film=nothing good at all. The script was poor and weak, the acting couldn't have been worse (although, with that script, can ya blame them?), and there wasn't enough camera work to make the story flow evenly. It's Night's first rated R film in his almost 15 year career, and for a very good reason. The film is very violent. And it didn't need to be. Night is known for not showing everything to the audience so that they can imagine how bad things get. Well, for this film, he didn't give us the chance. He went for the shock value, and even I was disgusted. Oh man.

Spoilers? No. I won't tell you what's happening. PM me if you really wanna know. Suffice it to say that the point is pointless. I know that's vague, but like I said, I don't want to overly influence your decisions.

So go see it. Form your own opinions. As you do, let me know what they were. Be nice. Be mean. Free speech. But don't say I didn't warn you.

So, I don't know how many of you heard, or even know, but famed director Sydney Pollack died last week at the age of 73.

 (imdb.com)

Mr. Pollack's career spanned almost 50 years as both actor and director. In an interview, Pollack once said he started his career as an actor, but when he realized how bad he was, he started directing.

His illustrious career as director led him to Oscar glory with his film Out Of Africa, for which he won Best Director and Best Film. His other achievements include Tootsie , the classic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman as the cross-dressing soap opera star, Three Days of the Condor , and They Shoot Horses, Don't They?  Keen eyed viewers will also see his acting chops in films like Tootsie as Dustin Hoffman's agent, Changing Lanes with Ben Affleck as Affleck's boss and father in law, and in Death Becomes Her as the hard drinking ER doctor.

Funny, kind, and master film maker, Sydney Pollack, you will be missed.

SKELLY OUT

So last night there was a TORNADO in my town! I got it on tape, and the local news put it on the air. www.kare11.com has it on the front page--check it out!

I'm fine, my family and friends are fine, and there was only one death, which is unfortunate, but it could have been much worse.

But this got me thinking tonight...severe weather...movies...hand in hand? Yes! So to go with the tornado theme, the Top 3 Severe Weather Films (as made by the moviewiz Skelly) are:

1) Twister

2) The Perfect Storm

3) Volcano

Okay, so if you haven't seen this films, I strongly advise you do!

Twister, starring Hellen Hunt and Bill Paxton (with a great and hillarious performance by Phillip Seymor Hoffman--gotta look out for him!) is about a group of storm chasers running around Kansas and Oklahoma chasing storms to get new scientific data. Directed by Jan De Bont of Speed fame, this film is action packed and full of fun! The special effects still look amazing, even by today's standard (remember, this was in 1996). Check it out--it just got re-released on DVD and Blu-Ray!

Perfect Storm, which stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and John C. Reilly, tells the story of off shore fishermen who go out to sea and become part of the most unprecidented weather event in recent history. Great perfomances, and even greater special effects, make this film a must see!

And finally, Volcano. This film is very cheesy. But I love it. I'll tell you why. The Earth is made up of layers. One of the layers is liquid hot magma. Very hot, very distructive. Imagine this force tearing through Hollywood...crazy right? Well, that's basically what this movie is all about. Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Hache star in this far fetched, cheesy acting, imposible getaways, but all in all good Saturday afternoon type movie. Great effects, but c'mon. Have you ever seen someone stand a foot away from an active volcano and live to tell about it? Maybe you have. Maybe I should get out more...

Well, that's enough. I've talked a lot. See the movies. Let me know what you think.

SKELLY OUT

So the other night, I looked at my DVR and noticed a nice suprise inside...an old film from 1956 called East of Eden.

East of Eden is a typical "slice of life" movie, which, at first glance can seem boring, but trust me, it's good. It was James Dean's first film, and he does a fantastic job. For those of you who don't know who he is, check out Rebel Without A Cause. He was a great actor who only made three films, all of which were filmed in the same year, and tragically died of a motorcycle car accident while shooting his last film, Giant.

So check out James Dean and his body of work, starting with East of Eden.

ROCK ON!

JDSIII

P.S. Only 15 more days till Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!!!!!!!!!