Profound Nonsense

Watched "Let the Right One In" last night (the original Swedish film, not "Let Me In," which is the American remake). Nice creepy little vampire film. A bit slow in spots, but it did a good job of reminding me that Sweden is dark for a lot longer in the winter than much of the continental U.S., so a vampire can survive quite well for a long time.

( Spoilers cut )

If you like quiet, creepy films and don't have a problem with slow action and subtitles, I recommend you find a copy of this one. It's not the sad, poetic justice of a Benicio del Toro ghost story like "The Devil's Backbone" or "The Orphanage," but it does have a nice feel to it and some interesting characters.

This sounds absolutely fascinating....

Evidently, David Tennant had to drop out of the cast of "Burke & Hare" (currently in post-production). Due to scheduling difficulties, Andy Serkis will be playing opposite of Simon Pegg. Still, sounds like it'll be entertaining.

Back here, I made a comment about the trailer for "Dead Snow," a Norweigan horror film featuring Nazi Zombies. This weekend, I saw it on Netflix's streaming download at badnoodles' house.

It was, in a word, awesome.

This is the kind of movie that should make Joe Bob Briggs come out of retirement, just so he can review it. I mean, it starts with Nazi Zombies, which is full of awesome and win to begin with. And then it grabs the horror movie tropes and proceeds to abuse them mercilessly.

Fast Zombies ... Check.
Creepy Dude Who Tells Backstory and Then Gets Killed ... Check.
Expert on Horror Movies Who Gets Killed ... Check.
Couple That Gets Killed After Having Sex ... Check.
Party Gets Split Up and Then Gets Into Serious Trouble... Check.

And then, everything gets lampshaded. The ditz that the monsters always kill? She survives until the very end. The geeky dude that is the endless fount of knowledge? Kills most of the zombies. The annoying comic relief? Survives far beyond you would expect. And the zombies? Naaaaasty, scary smart.

There are references to "Night of the Living Dead" and "Evil Dead." There are moments where you're honestly wondering if this is supposed to be funny or scary. There is a never-seen-before "UR HED GOES SKWISH" kill (Well, I haven't seen one like this before). And there are - and it bears repeating - NAZI ZOMBIES.

Eb Bob Says, Check this motherfucker out. If you like survival horror films at all, you will be mightily entertained.

I watched the "Get Smart" movie Wednesday night, and I have to say that I was quite pleased with it. I'm an old fan of the original TV show, having caught it in syndicated reruns for many years. I like Steve Carrell, and I had heard good things about the movie when it came out. I have to admit, though, that I was a little wary, and was pleasantly surprised. It had the following excellent points:

1. Many of the movies made off of old TV shows are parodies of the original shows, taking the conceits of the shows and the attitudes of the 70s or 80s (or earlier) and making fun of them. Some times this works, but mostly they're pretty stupid. "Get Smart" isn't one of these parodies, but rather a movie that is true to the original show, lampooning the spy movies and shows in the same way, as well as making fun of the intelligence agencies. The gags are reminiscent of the original show, and Carrell delivers the trademark lines of Maxwell Smart with humor, despite lacking Don Adams' nasal tone. It's a good example of a movie that you would like if you liked the original show.

2. They avoid the cheap shots. There are a couple of spots in the film where you can see the opportunities for the easy jokes that make fun of a certain type of people. Outside of a few jokes about the CIA and pokes at the Bush Administration, they avoid the cheap jokes. I was waiting for the rash of fat people jokes when I saw the clip of Steve Carrell tangoing with the fat woman in the previews, but they go that way with the scene (I won't spoil the scene for those who haven't seen it, but I found it to be quite entertaining and not belittling of the obese or larger people at all). In addition, they don't beat any joke to death by overuse. Maxwell Smart is goofy and inexperienced, but not incompetent; they could have made him a total clown. The restraint made it a more entertaining film.

3. The cast is marvellous. Every person they got works perfectly. The rapport of the actors is reflected in the characters, and they are clearly having fun. Even the minor cameos (including Bernie Koppell, Bill Murray, James Caan, and Patrick Warburton) are great. And Anne Hathaway is smoking in this movie.

Seriously, if you liked the TV series, or even the idea of the TV series, go see this movie. You'll enjoy it.

Watchmen trailer.

'Nuff said.

Pointed out by Wil Wheaton on his blog:

HBO is developing a one-hour series based on the popular 1990s Vertigo comic series Preacher, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Mark Steven Johnson, who directed the comic-book adaptations Daredevil and the upcoming Ghost Rider for the big screen, is writing the pilot. Howard Deutch (The Whole Ten Yards) is set to direct. Johnson and Deutch will executive-produce along with Michael De Luca, George Agusto, Chris Bender and J.C. Spink.

More info can be found here.

I must join Wil in his mantra of pleasedontfuckitup pleasedontfuckitup pleasedontfuckitup....

Join us, won't you?