The Flickcast

War Movie Mondays: ‘First Blood’

Posted on October 3, 2011

This week’s pick is the classic 1982 Ted Kotcheff war/thriller First Blood a.k.a Rambo: First Blood (1982), the first installment in the legendary Rambo series. The film stars Sylvester Stallone (John Rambo), Brian Dennehy (Sheriff Will Teasle), and Richard Crenna (Col. Sam Trautman).

First Blood was based on David Morrell’s 1972 classic novel about a Vietnam veteran trying to adapt to civilian life after his horrific experiences during the war as a member of an elite special forces unit. Kotcheff’s film serves as a study into the psyche of veterans and shows the audience the harsh realities that were still facing many vets by the turn of the 1980s.

Stallone stars as John Rambo, a man haunted by his past who is back packing through the Pacific northwest of the United States in search of an old Army buddy, Delmare Berry. Rambo arrives at his friend’s home to discover that he had been dead for over a year due to cancer as a result of Agent Orange, a defoliant used by the U.S. military in Vietnam to spot the enemy from the air (this was an issue that was just now becoming known to the public). Realizing he is the last surviving member of his unit, Rambo once again hits the open road and wanders into the town of Hope, Washington.

Film Review: ’50/50′

Posted on October 3, 2011

There wasn’t much going on this Saturday, so I figured I might as well take the Brown Line up to the Western stop, then catch the 1:10 viewing at the Davis Theatre. I wasn’t much in the mood to head downtown to one of the AMCs, so I decided to venture uptown.

The Davis is one of those theaters that looks like it’s been around for years. It has the old-style theater sign with the letters descending in vertical order. I’d been there once before to see The King’s Speech with a friend who lives around the area, but I didn’t remember the distinct smell of urine that pervaded everywhere, from the box-office to the screening room itself.

Box Office: People Love Morgan Freeman & His Dolphin

Posted on October 3, 2011

Just when you thought things couldn’t get more bizarre than seeing a film that was originally released in 1994 making #1 in the box office two weeks in a row, how about a film about a dolphin hitting #1 after it’s second week.

That’s right, Warner Bros’ Dolphin Tale managed to pull together $14.2 Million this weekend, bringing it in as the #1 winner for the three days. The film has only hit a total gross of $37.5, just slightly more than its production budget.

In second this week, Brad Pitt’s Moneyball came in with an estimated $12.5. All the while, Lion King in 3D is still creeping up on $100 Million, with an estimated $11 Million this weekend, bringing it to a total of $79.6 for the re-release.

Film Score Friday: “The Muppets: The Green Album” by Various Artists

Posted on September 30, 2011

The Muppets are coming! The Muppets are coming!

This holiday season the Muppets are back in the aptly titled movie, The Muppets. I am a second generation Muppet fan, I grew up on the Muppet Babies and my first cinematic exposure to Jim Henson’s genius was A Muppet Christmas Carol. So, for me, the classic era of the Muppets was discovered after the fact, meaning that most of this music I love but don’t have that same childhood bond with it that most fans possess. I like to feel this gives me a more objective look on this album.

Like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Disney has released an album collection of classic songs, covered by hots bands of today. This actually happened twice for Nightmare and was splendid both times. The Muppets seemed like a natural next step for this trend with a new movie coming out and a stable of classic songs to choose from.

The collection isn’t as strong as the Nightmare release, but it does have some excellent versions of some of my personal favorite songs. This concept excels when you have a perfect blend of franchise and band, Marylyn Manson and Jack Skeleton are perfect together, unfortunately The Green Album doesn’t offer enough of that kind of perfect mix.

TV RECAP: ‘The Office: The Incentive’

Posted on September 30, 2011

Yeah, so I missed the season premiere of The Office, too (again, Sister’s wedding last week, combined with a total ignorance of the show’s return—I’ve seen tons of ads for the new “comedy” with the two sisters from that one show and the other “comedy” with Zooey Daschenel, but nothing about The Office or Parks and Rec). Has NBC put the kibosh on advertising for their shows?

Still, I watched last week’s episode “The List” to catch up, and, writing out this recap, I can safely say that don’t remember much of it outside of there being a list made up by Robert California (I love that name) and everyone worrying about what it signifies. I can’t say it was very good, but it didn’t seem particularly bad either. More ho-hum.

Film Review: ‘Tucker & Dale VS Evil’

Posted on September 30, 2011

I finally got to see Tucker & Dale VS Evil. It played last year at SXSW, and I didn’t have a chance to see it then—even though I interviewed the director Eli Craig following the premiere. The first thing he said to me:

Eli: So, how’d you like the movie?

Me: Uhh. I didn’t have a chance to see it.

Eli: Really? Oh man!

Me: [thinking how bad that sounds and how much of an idiot he must think I am for interviewing him about a movie I haven’t actually seen] Well, everyone who’s seen it seems to have liked it.

Eli: Really! Cool!

The interview picked up from there, thanks to the fact that Eli’s a really nice and enthusiastic guy who was perfectly content to talk horror movies. The fact that it was a gorgeous day in Austin and we were seated on the patio of one of its most pleasant restaurants—I forget the actual name, but it overlooks some water, has the décor of an old saw mill, and I believe has either the word “Tractor” or “Goat” in the title”—helped.

Jeremy Clarkson and James May Discuss ‘Top Gear Live’ 2011

Posted on September 30, 2011

If you’re a fan of cars and outrageous stunts you’re probably a frequent watcher of the BBC’s very popular series Top Gear. After a relaunch in 2002, the show has taken off and is now one of the most popular motoring series in the world.

Fortunately, we get it here in the States as well and have become big fans of those funny, crazy and occasionally controversial presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. With the new season of Top Gear in full swing the boys are set to try something new this year to further entrain their fans.

That something is Top Gear Live. In short, it’s a live version of the show featuring the presenters and, of course, The Stig. It wil also feature a huge indoor track and racing, explosions and more.

But really, why listen to me talk about it? Let Jeremy and James explain it to you instead. Click through for a video that does just that.

Top Gear Live is in Birmingham from the 11th – 13th of November and in London from the 24th – 27th. Yes folks, that’s in England. Sorry Top Gear fans in the U.S. and elsewhere, there’ no plans for a Top Gear Live in your area . . . at least not yet.

First Trailer for ‘Contraband’ with Mark Wahlberg Arrives

Posted on September 30, 2011

Say what you will about Mark Wahlberg but his movies are often entertaining and he does know his way around an action sequence. Case in point is his latest upcoming film Contraband.

In the action thriller, which is based on the 2008 Icelandic film Reykjavic-Rotterdam, Wahlberg plays a security guard trying to go straight who must return to his old life of high-stakes smuggling to settle a family member’s debt with a ruthless former boss. Naturally, things don’t go exactly as planned and, you can bet, stuff ends up blowing up.

Starring with Wahlberg are Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale, Lukas Haas and Ben Foster. Check out the trailer after the jump.

Look for Contraband to hit theaters early next year.