"Sex and the City 2"

Even as a fan "Sex and the City" show I pretty much hated The Movie. It was just so much worse than any single episode of the series, and also three times as long. Acting was extremely affected, especially in case of Kristin Davis, and the dialogues were dumb. The writers for the movie seemingly pulled the lame story out of their asses and threw in some toilet humor for good measure.

I predict that the sequel won't be much different. The newest "Sex and the City 2" trailer shows off lots of chic, glamour, pretty dresses and passionate kisses. One can only wonder how stupid the drama part will be this time. So far it looks like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda will just keep on parading their posh lives in front of our envious (they wish) eyes. However I'm sure we can still find a way to enjoy the "Sex" sequel - as long as we view it as a catalogue of latest and trendiest fashions.

View trailer here.

"Cop Out" is so out

Roger Ebert just confirmed what I suspected - newest Kevin Smith's flick "Cop Out" is complete crap. When I first saw its poster on Smith's twitter page, I thought: another white cop/black cop action comedy? Bruce Willis playing yet another cop? Why did Smith bother with that? I was neither impressed much by the trailer - it hardly contained a single really funny joke or anything remarkable at all. The presence of Sean William Scott, whom I consider among the lamest American comic stars of today, was even more disappointing. And now Ebert completely trashed the film.

My conclusion is: Smith is really in need of the money. And no matter how much he would defend this creation on twitter, I would keep on hoping that he really knows it sucks. After all I liked his previous "Zack and Miri." So I keep on believing that Mr. Smith is not "out" just yet and his next project will be worthy of my attention.

Here's Roger Ebert's full review.

"Zoolander": take two

Who would have though it - nine years later, Ben Stiller's Derek Zoolander is coming back! Stiller will co-write the screenplay with Justin Theroux, writer for "Iron Man 2" and "Tropic Thunder," who will also direct. Jonah Hill is in talks as villain for "Zoolander 2" - and that I would really love to see. Owen Wilson hasn't signed up yet, but I don't believe he'd miss a chance to be "Hansel" again. And clearly Stiller will call up some celebrity buddies to add in quite a few cool cameos in the movie.

"Zoolander" was hilarious in its utter idiocy. Stiller's typically affected representation there felt like a trademark - you almost started to "believe" in Zoolander. After all don't we consider models completely and hopelessly dumb - until they prove otherwise? But all those years later, Zoolander can surely no longer model - he's just an unbelievably clueless middle-aged man in love with his "handsome" looks. So let's see how they will squeeze him back into the fashion industry - as a designer, perhaps?

Read more details here.

Kurt Cobain movie in the talks

So it's been partially confirmed - Kurt Cobain biopic may be happening. Actually, its surprising that Hollywood with its passion for exploiting lives of all iconic personas, especially those who have died a tragic death, haven't tried to film Nirvana's frontman story until just now. Of course there was Gus Van Sant with his "Last Days" about a musician who looked just like Cobain, but mainstream audience requires a much more clean & clear life and death story. Oren Moverman was picked out as the most fitting director - as the writer of Bob Dylan biopic "I'm not There," he may be just the right man for the job. However the writer here is David Beinoff, who had his Cobain screenplay ready since a couple of years. Beinoff has written "Troy" and more recent "Brothers." But for fans the most crucial question is who will play Kurt and that's still unknown.

MTV movies blog has more details here.

A Classic Moment: "Freaks" (1932)

Viewing the cult films chart today, made me think of how much I love talking about "Freaks." Truly one of the freakiest films ever made, it's unique for so many reasons. In the early 1980s Stephen King wrote in his "Danse Macabre" that many people would talk about "Freaks" but very few of them have actually seen it. A lot has changed since then and in this internet era anyone can see "Freaks" if they so choose. Still, in this part of the world where I live, very few people would even talk about this movie - they have no idea what it is.

A truly unprecedented experiment, "Freaks" lacks outstanding acting and dialogue. But it is a real slash of history. Never again a movie featuring bearded woman, Siamese twins and a man missing all his limbs will be made unless its a documentary telling about their difficult lives.

But while "Freaks" was made in the time where such characters were among common circus attractions (all "freak" actors and extras were circus celebrities of their time), it turned out that audience wasn't at all ready to see them in a cinema - acting in a Hollywood production.

Moreover, the movie was released in 1932, right when the newly adopted Hays Production Code was being put into force - and there was oh so much to censor in the "Freaks." The film was so severely cut that many scenes now look carelessly glued together with no regard to the story. Many sex-related lines and moments were removed, as well as those directly referring to the "normal" but evil circus artists as the true freaks. And the happier ending with the reunion of the midget couple (brother and sister in real life) was also added later - to make the film more appealing.

Yet, all those efforts didn't save the "Freaks." The movie was soon banned in the English speaking world and stayed that way for many years. By the time it was rediscovered, it was pretty much forgotten.

"Freaks" was a daring enterprise. In what turned out to be a career-ending move, Browning chanced to make a horror movie with some genuine, nature-made horror. And he did that in a country where black people were played by the white just some 15 years ago. The fashion for faking prevailed in Hollywood then as it still does. Nowadays, when horror movies are all about graphic violence and fake blood, "Freaks" still looks almost just as ominous as it did 80 years ago. Its just way too non fake.

"Big Lebowski" and the other 33 top cult movies

I couldn't help but totally agree with Total Film's latest chart - the 34 Greatest Cult Movies of All Time (see full list here) - "Big Lebowski" IS The Main Cult Movie. And that despite the fact that "Shawshank Redemption" is "officially" my personal favorite and, thankfully, it was also on the list. As well as my second favorite from Coen Bro's filmography - "Barton Fink" ("Between heaven and hell there is always hollywood..." - is my fav tagline). And "Clerks" and "Brazil" are deserving of the Cult title each in their own right.

"Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "Showgirls" are likewise icons - they are just so bad, that you can't help loving them all the more for it. And of course "Freaks" is simply unique as the kind of film that can never be made again.

I've only one question - what's with "Mamma Mia?" Yeah its kinda bad too, but not bad enough to make much of a difference. Yeah there are some pleasing performances, but it's essentially an all-commercial venture exploiting ABBA's musical heritage in such a foul manner that makes you wanna start throwing things at the screen. All because the majority of actors singing in the movie shouldn't be allowed to ever sing - even in the shower.

Must see: "Shutter Island"

So looks like "Shutter Island" is a must see after all. The reviews are rather mixed and conflicting: just compare the piece by the NYTimes and a rather flattering one by Roger Ebert here.

Myself I've always found Scorsese and DiCaprio collaborations worthwile if not more. In fact, I wasn't so crazy about "The Departed," but both "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York" proved to be quality entertainment. I also often found myself defending DiCaprio whenever someone suggested that he "couldn't act." I was never a big fan of his, but I know for a fact that he's a good actor and his film career is not defined by starring in "Titanic."

While $40 million collected by "Shutter Island" in first opening weekend doesn't guarantee it's a great movie, I have a gut feeling (based on all I've read and heard) it will be worth my time. And when it comes to films, my gut feeling is usually right.