Nothing really looks exciting for this weekend, although Make-Out with Violence could be an interesting change of pace. This is an undead coming-of-age story of the comedy romance horror genre that was made in 2008 and has been touring the film festival circuit ever since. It has picked up a few awards, so if you are near one of the theaters this limited release is playing in, it might be worth checking out. The other film that looks interesting this weekend is not sci-fi or strictly fantasy, but straight historic adventure: Centurion. This film is an excellent example about how film making works, for it is based on a true story. The true story is that in the year 117 the 9th Legion of the Roman Army marched across what would become the UK, and was never seen again. Since that march was the start of the movie, they made the rest of it up; looks like it could be a fun adventure film.
Not a lot out this weekend, but there are a few that might be worth seeing. Vampires Suck is silly fun poked mostly at the Twilight franchise (OK, pretty much totally at the Twilight franchise). For the first time ever I can honestly say that the parody was better than the film it was making fun of, at least in terms of acting, cinematography, believability, scriptwriting, and a few other details. I suspect that has less to do with how good the parody is and more to do with how bad the original was, and I will be seeing the parody if someone pays me enough to make wasting my time that completely worthwhile (and only then).
While on a more serious topic, and with far superior actors, What If… still bears a noticeable resemblance to the other film in one respect; it is a modified remake of another movie. This time around, the original I associate this with is one of the true classics of film making: the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart legend It’s A Wonderful Life, itself a modern day retelling of the Scrooge story. From what I can tell from the write up and the trailer, other remakes like Mr. Destiny or What Women Want may be better representations of this film, but I am always willing to check out a new Paratime story, and so few of them make it to the big screen.
For those of us not in one of the 5 cities it opens in today (and it is worse then that; only a single theater per city!), here is the Japanese trailer for the Goro Miyazaki version of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Tales of Earthsea. The other killer movie out today, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, is in every theater in North America, so at least we only have to wait to see one of them.
This is the best August movie this year: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. This is an epic Comic Book classic, and should not be missed; it hits the theaters this weekend. Also this weekend, Tales from Earthsea is the US release of a Miyazaki animation of an Ursula K. Le Guin classic story. Except this time it is Goro Miyazaki, son of genius filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, in the directors chair. The bad news; it is only hitting 3 theaters in the entire country.
There are a few good films coming out in August, starting with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, a comic book movie I have been waiting about a year to see. The premise is simple; if it is really love, you will be willing to fight for it. The style is anything but simple; full blown comic book reality mode for this one.
Also in August, Tales from Earthsea is the US release of a Miyazaki animation of an Ursula K. Le Guin classic story. Except this time it is Goro Miyazaki, son of genius filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, in the directors chair. It took this Anime four years to make it to this country, but the wait is worth it.
I am somewhat curious as to just who thought a remake in 3D would salvage this film? I am referring to Piranha 3D, of course, also due out this month. I hold out a bit more hope for Vampires Suck, but only a bit. It is, after all, a spoof of the Twilight franchise, which was pretty bad before anyone decided to poke fun at it on film.
Over the last decade I have linked to the Boilerplate website a number of times, since it embraces the Steampunk Robot movement, or even helps lead it. It looks like they are finally getting their just due; according to Heat Vision, JJ Abrams is doing the Boilerplate movie. I have a difficult time imagining what that will be like visually, but I look forward to finding out. On a completely different note, Pink Raygun has a good article and review of the Her Universe booth at Comic-Con. It comes with an online store, and is run for and by female sci-fi fans; great job!