Stop-Loss: Early Review

Stop Loss is a new film by Kimberly Peirce, the indie filmmaker who broke out in a big way in 1999 with her hit Academy Award decorated film Boys Don't Cry. The movie stars Ryan Philippe, Rob Brown, Timothy Olyphant, and the hotness that is...Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film opens up with Philippe as a solider who has just arrived home from his service in Iraq. He is finally ready to settle back home in Texas and spend time with friends and family. However, Philippe finds him self in an unfortunate situation when he is "Stop Lossed".

What is Stop Loss? It's when a soldier's service is beyond their expected term of service and they are called to go back and serve for an additional length of time. Typically this is a contractual obligation that is argued upon by many U.S. soldiers, however they are expected to complete their duties under the authority of the Commander-In-Chief. Peirce for the first time, touches upon this issue in a fictional film and introduces us into the world of soldiers who have gone AWOL and sort of an underground railroad of former soldiers who now "lay low" and have changed their identities to avoid criminal charges as result leaving their base and choosing not to serve in war.

Ryan Philippe gives a strong performance as Brandon King, a gung ho army strong Texan who won't take no for an answer. He chooses not to serve his Stop Loss and decides to go AWOL. Channing Tatum who plays Steve Shriver gives an incredible performance as the solider who is not yet ready to deal with his home life and the girl he left back. Shriver begins having flashbacks of his moments in combat and we see the effects of what war can do to the mind of a human being.

The film also stars JGL as Tommy Burgess who is conflicted when he returns home and suffers from deep seeded issues of alcoholism and figuring out what his place is in this world outside of Iraq. This is an amazing film. It's actually by far one of the best films about the current war situation in Iraq. It also opens your eyes as to what is really happening to our soldiers out there and the effect of the war insurgency called upon by George W. Bush. Stop Loss has passion and will definitely incite controversy on both ends of the spectrum. Whether you are anti-war or pro you will feel strongly about the message in this film. This is another plus for director Kimberly Peirce who directed a film about a woman posing as a man in a small Nebraska town in the film Boys Don't Cry.

Stop Loss is released in theaters nationwide on 3/28/08.

TIN Is Coming Back to NYC!

When: Wednesday March 26 08:30 PM

Where: the Bitter End, 147 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012

Details: $5 cover at the door 8:30PM - Thomas Ian Nicholas

9:15PM - COOPER

10:15PM - Chris Barron (SPIN DOCTORS)

Oscar-Nominated Midgets!

Here in the lovely city of New York at the Directors Guild of America located on 110 W 57th St (5th & 6th) is the 5th Annual Presentation of Live Action and Animated Short Films nominated for the 80th Annual Academy Awards!

Shoo! That was a mouthful.

Reservations are recommended though.

Call 1-888-778-7575

Or click here for more info

Craptacular Flick: The Final Cut

A few years ago a friend recommended this film to me when I was visiting her at a video store in North Hollywood. She wasn't exactly a movie buff like me, but I figured I'd check it out. Well the other night this movie came on and I decided to actually sit down for 2 hours and give this film a shot.

Damn I wish I could have got those 2 hours of my life back....

I mean, the movie isn't HORRIBLE....but it ain't great neither. The script actually has some potential to be a great film, but the story just didn't deliver. The Final Cut is set in a world where implanted microchips can record all moments of an individual's life. The chips are removed upon death so the images can be edited into something of a highlight reel for loved ones who want to remember the deceased.

Sounds like an interesting storyline right???

WRONG. Here are some major mistakes with the plot.

First of all the time period the story takes place is undefined. Are we in the future? Are we in present day? If so, where does this technology come from and how was it developed? None of these questions are ever answered and it leaves very little plausibility that a machine like this can exsist....at least in the world of THIS story anyway.

Second was the fact that these memory chips called "Zoes" are only implanted in a number of human beings. Robin Williams who plays the editor of these memories, mentions that he never realized he has a Zoe and thought his parents couldn't afford one. So therefore one whould have to purchase a Zoe in order for their memories to be captured. If this is the case...how does one purchase a Zoe chip? Where would you buy it? Why?

I know that sometimes with fiction you have to take leave some plot holes to the imagination and check reality at the door. But with this film it just gets ridiculous and then you begin to doze off and wonder why you're even watching this. I liked seeing Jim Caviezel...hadn't seen him in a minute. Robin Williams playing the creepy recluse is something he's good at, but I'd like to see a change a pace for him. Mira Sorvino plays a brief role as Williams girlfriend, but her character isn't really defined so I guess she's an old friend, girlfriend, f*** buddy...I dunno.

Bottom line...this movie sucked. Apparently some people like my friend liked it...but I thought it was a shitty indie. Welcome to the Shitty Indie archive!

Whatever Happened To Jim Caviezel?

Remember Jim Caviezel became the "It Guy" after Passion Of The Christ came out? He was like everywhere. I mean most film buffs already knew Jim from films like Angel Eyes and Frequency. I was watching The Final Cut---a craptacular film by the way that I will blog about later---and I saw Jim Caviezel and immediately thought...hey whatever happened to him? Of course I was prompted to instantly go to my Bible--that is IMDB--pun intended of course, and look for Jim to see what he's been up to. He's got 3 movies updated and 2 are set to be released this year. So we will be seeing more of James in the future months. Thank GOD right???


He is one of those actors that are very talented but low-key. Kinda like the Jeffrey Wrights and Joseph Gordon-Levitts of the cinema world. You hear about them once every few years and then they fall off the radar. I just PRAY that Jim will keep up with the movies, becuz he's amazing to watch. I love it when he plays the disturbed creepy guy roles too....it's kinda sexy. Anyways good to know he's alive and well and still acting. I was getting concerned cuz you gotta admit, it's been a minute since he's come out with anything...the last film he was in was Deja Vu. JC is my homeboy! Oh yea, and that other JC guy is too...hee hee :)

FREE Screenwriting Teleseminar!

REGISTER RIGHT NOW for today's free teleseminar: HOW TO SUPERCHARGE YOUR SCREENWRITING IN 2008! That's TODAY, Wednesday January 30th, 5:30 p.m. Pacific, 8:30 p.m. Eastern...You can register here:

There will be a new site launched LIVE, DURING the call...If you want that url, be LIVE on the call:

Register and all the call details and reminders will be sent to you! The numbers, Bridge, all the detail: If you're getting this, and another "reminder" with a number, it means you've probably already registered.

But try to make it live, ok? Be the first to cast eyes on this web page, LIVE as it goes up on the World Wide Web --AND A FREE GIFT: Months in the making, somthing only a few people have seen! Register now!

It will be announced what it is LIVE on the call. Yes, there will be a recording of the call, but its not sure how many can be given away, so try to make it LIVE if you can!

Guess The Movie...

INT. BOB'S ROOM - NIGHT

Bob opens the door, Charlotte's standing there trying to
look casual, she's happy to see him (she's put some pants on
and flip flops instead of her dumb looking Ugg boots).

She knocks into a low table, bumping her knee as she comes
in.

Bob pours some cold sake, smoothly.

Bob and Charlotte watch La Dolce Vita with Japanese subtitles
on the TV.

BOB
Hans was very attentive to you.

CHARLOTTE
I think he kind of liked me...Is
that so hard to imagine?

BOB
No, its easy.

CHARLOTTE
How'd a Japanese guy get a name like
Hans?

BOB
I don't know.

CUT TO:

Anita Ekberg holds the kitten on T.V.

CUT TO:

Charlotte gets up to pour more sake.

She picks up and looks at a prescription bottle on his night
stand and reads the label : Lipitor.

CHARLOTTE
Do you remember when we met at the
bar? ...You were wearing a tuxedo.

BOB
But the first time I saw you was in
the elevator.

CHARLOTTE
Really?

BOB
Yeah, you don't remember?

She shrugs.

CHARLOTTE
Did I scowl at you?

BOB
No, you smiled.

CHARLOTTE
I don't remember.

BOB
I know, I kind of blend in here.



HINT: In 2003 it won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay

Still not sure??? Here's the answer

WTF??? Another Saw Film???

Aiight guys so get geared up and ready for the "FIF" installment of the Saw franchise. Obviously they are trying to be the next Freddy or Jason franchise....well I guess we now have a movie to look forward to watching every freakin Halloween nite!

And YES...Tobin Bell will in fact be coming back for Round 5 ladies and gentz. In Saw V, he'll be joined by Costas Mandylor and Scott Patterson as Detective Hoffman and FBI Agent Strahm, respectively. David Hackl is stepping up his obligations to the "Saw" series as production designer and is sitting in the director's chair, too. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton penned the script. Shooting begins in Toronto on March 17th and is aiming for an October 24th release date.

I know most of you all think it's pathetic that another Saw film is set to go into production...but I ain't gonna lie...I'll probably spend my 11 bucks to go see it. Part 4 was a piece of shit...but I actually liked the first 3 sequels. So I'll give this movie another chance....

C'mon yall...like yall haven't seen all of the Friday the 13th flicks!

SOURCE: ShockTillYouDrop.com

Burger King Whopper Freakout!

So have any of you SEEN those Burger King commercials where they place a hidden camera in the drive-thru and lie to unsuspecting customers that the Whopper is no longer available??

Well this commercial is an UNCUT version! Well actually its a phony knock off...but the actors were really good...they had me fooled! They should totally air this commercial during Superbowl Sunday. Of course....there will be some heavy editing involved.

Check it out:

Maggie Gyllenhall Gets Involved in a 3-way Lesbian Orgy

Apparently there is this short film out on the net made to support the ongoing Writer's Guild Association's strike and the film stars none other than Maggie GAAGyenhall.

In the clip, the Secretary star turns up to a hotel room to meet a man only to find two other beauties waiting to see the SAME fella. The man called AMPiTePa - short for Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers - has stood them all up. After a spell period of frustration, Maggie takes a swig from her glass of wine and says: "We don't need him. We've got everything we need right here. "Girls - you want to make an interim agreement?" The other ladies join her on the bed, but, as things start to get interesting, the lights fade and the film ends with a sexy pizza delivery girl entering the bedroom.

I guess you can watch the video and judge for yourself. In my opinion, there's nothing hot about Maggie gettin it on with ANYONE. Seein her face alone just makes me wanna gag. The only cool thing about this video is that its 3 and 1/2 minutes long....thank Gawd. We can only hope her screen time in Dark Knight will be as long. Seriously though....with a face like that she shoulda played The Joker.



SOURCE: I Don't Like You That Way

Shia LeBeouf hits us with the "hot beef injection!": TowelRoad

Freddy Kruger's baaaaccck!: Variety

Writer's Guild and NBC play "let's make a deal": Variety

Weeks before shooting Mark Romanek walks away from Wolf Man project: Reuters

Depp is not doing the Heath Ledger film: DarkHorizons