Blog Archives
A Lift Back in Time
Sequels, historically, have a mixed record. How about a non-sequel sequel?
The 2011 film Crazy, Stupid, Love starring Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore is a wonderful cinematic achievement. Akin to the Ocean’s Eleven trilogy, the casting, writing and acting was pitch-perfect and clever throughout with fun twists and fantastic settings we wish we could hang-out in on the weekend or on vacation.
Great escapism.
Speaking of escapism…
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s chemistry in Crazy, Stupid, Love is clearly evident. Remember the Dirty Dancing-inspired scene with the famed lift? It’s fitting the two would make a movie that expands their burgeoning romance from that dynamite move.
Despite not being their first reunion on film (Gangster Squad in 2013), the brand new teaser trailer for La La Land is, in terms of tonality, a similar feel-good spirit for the actor and actress as their beloved roles as Jacob Palmer and Hannah. The classical, dreamy aura reminds us of the Golden Age of Hollywood, inviting us into a world that serves as confirmation for why we enjoy movie magic and how this magic is created.
This film is unapologetic in celebrating Hollywood’s bright, shining spotlight elevated on and for the stage of suspended belief.
La La Land doesn’t look crazy or stupid, but full of love.
Hello, America!
That All-American weekend has arrived.
July 1st is not only the first day of the best month (I’m biased), but summer’s (and this country’s) biggest party with friends, family and neighbors is here. In a mere three days, the 4th of July will bring us together to genuinely, and almost exclusively, remember and celebrate the history-defining events of 1776.
In the wold’s history, the American experiment is stunningly young. Based on the current presidential election cycle, America must be entering its teenage years. There’s a lot of communication using abbreviated, generational terminology (social media), a great deal of frustration and unease at its own identity because of their “out of it” parental units (distrust of institutions and its leaders) and their future is frequently declared “over” and ruined because of scary, unknown variables (life) and in-the-moment chaos from every perceived angle.
What quells teenage angst, especially with the weekend upon us?
Normally, a reminder of, well, normalcy will do the trick.
A cheap trick.
Some forty odd years later and we’re still hangin’ out, down the street, doing the same old thing that we did last week.
And, if that’s not comforting enough, we all know what Red can do to motivate us.
That’s One Way to Tailor Suits
Welcome to “Wait, What!? Wednesday.”
This a Jimmy’s Daily Planet special.
This blog already celebrates the first day of the workweek with “Happy Monday!” Then, on occasion, there’s “Throwback Thursday” and “Flashback Friday.” The inspiration behind “Wait, What!? Wednesday” wasn’t to write a paragraph with the most quotation marks, but to add a random midweek surprise. The first name that came to mind was magician extraordinaire David Blaine.
You didn’t see that coming, but he probably did.
Magic has always been difficult to fully believe because strategically-placed distractions, spacial manipulation and slight, yet masterful illusions have been revealed to the public throughout the years. Some of these tricks are for beginners at birthday parties, while a couple elaborate stunts have been given the Wizard of Oz treatment. Even so, most magic tricks cannot logically be explained by even the most perceptive eye.
This is where we cycle back to David Blaine. Arguably, Mr. Blaine’s most famous trick is levitating in mid-air right in front of people on a public street. Pure insanity. Interestingly, the video clip below features the magician embracing the laws of gravity instead of defying them.
Seeing that card trick almost made my heart skip a beat.
Letting Go of Winter
Disney proved they are the kings queens of winter.
Now, they are trying their hand at an island paradise.
The next female heroine will arrive in theaters November 23rd, courtesy of Walt Disney’s Animation Studio, in Moana. Taking place thousands of years ago, Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) and Maui (Dwayne Johnson) battle the rough oceanic waves to save her fellow citizens. Witnessing the powerful response from both girls and boys to Frozen, the warm weather counterpart Moana could potentially spark similar fanfare.
This is, potentially, a very exciting prospect for Disney movie producers, as well as moviegoers.
The plot explores a culture and part of the world during a time that hasn’t seen its ship sail into a movie theater dock. As is the magic with movies, the story locations can inspire escapism, curiosity and, yes, trips to these exotic destinations.
(If you’ve traveled to Hawaii and you like movies, chances are pretty high/100% that you at least asked where they filmed Jurassic Park).
Even though TV fans fondly remember Hawaii from the Saved by the Bell movie and Danny Tanner’s “Clipboard of Fun,” Disney’s Animation Studio will give people a fresh look at this region’s past…very distant past. The teaser trailer didn’t reveal much (obviously, it’s a teaser), but the visual snapshot has given viewers enough to be intrigued at Disney’s post-Frozen potential.
By late November, we’ll know if Moana has melted away Frozen’s icy dominance.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 