So, it’s been quite some time since I’ve sat down and shared some things with the vast population of readers that have graciously hung on for dear life, waiting for the day that BDogg posts something (phsych!). Anywho, as 2009 ended and 2010 began anew, there have been some wonderful cinematic pieces that have wooed us and some...well, that have left us wanting. All in all, I feel 2010 should be a promising year for the film industry. To describe all the choices I have would take many a blogs. Lets just start with the best shall we?

Avatar

Can someone say amazing?! Because Avatar was nothing short of that. I know that there are a lot of people who feel that Avatar was nothing more that a visual spectacle without an original story. Well I hate to break it to you, originality in Hollywood is quickly becoming as scarce as a steady job in today’s economy: few and far between. Sure James Cameron tapped into similar themed stories but no one can deny the breathtaking visual excursion this film takes you on. James Cameron has done what Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings…he raised the visual bar of coolness and now future films will only benefit. With the new venture film is taking with the 3D aspect, a whole wide range of possibilities open. Personally, seeing Avatar in 3D is the ONLY way to see it. 2D is still amazing, but I suggest you splurge a bit and experience the wonder of Pandora and its lovely blue inhabitants. If you’re one of the five people in the world who haven’t seen Avatar yet…I pity you. See it! Love it!

Honorable Mentions

Brothers (2009)
Up In The Air (2009)
Invictus (2009)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Is This Really It?

So, Michael Jackson. Who here has heard more than their fair share of info regarding the late king of pop? Who's annoyed at the fact that not a day goes by that you can't find something on TV regarding the late singer? Show of hands? Everyone? Well, now I don't feel so bad. Personally, the guy's gotten more publicity since he went six feet under than in that last who knows how long...and ironically enough it's been mostly positive. Why is it that death seems to conjure up the dough? That's an open-ended question with tons of answers. Without going into them all, I'll just share my opinion that I think it's crazy. I was in a glass shop/lock smiths this last week and one of the workers there noticed my Cinemark Theaters work shirt and asked if I had seen the new Michael Jackson movie. I answered that I hadn't but many have (this being the day of its release). He shared with me his thoughts on the amount of money that celebrity dead rake in. Specifically he mentioned the King of Rock himself, Elvis Presley. Last year alone apparently Elvis' estate brought in over $50 million. Can you believe that?! Now Elvis has been dead for years and he's still makin' the bacon. Not to worry, Jackson is already giving Mr. Blue Suede Shoes a run for his money. So far, Michael Jackson has made, since his death...about $72 million. Holy freakin' crap.

Don't get me wrong, I am definitely a fan of the guy. He changed the pop music world forever; practically wrote the book on how to do pop right and kick major arse doing so! His music is obviously still selling, and with a $101 million intake worldwide for the release of his documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It", it appears that even though he's gone, he hasn't left us yet. I have yet to see the movie myself but plan to do so. I'm interested to see what my thoughts on the matter would be after viewing it. It's my pick of the week not because it was number one in the box office over this week and into the weekend, but because it just might be worth-wile to see. If you're a Michael fan, go see it. If anything it'll spur in your bosoms the fond memories you may have of this iconic figure in the history of music. Or it'll suck.

So yeah...

If anyone reads this and happens to know who I am, you'll know that I am a married man, college student and avid movie lover. Of these three things, I'd like to take some time to address them all.

I've been married for 19 months, and of those 19 months, 19 of them have been wonderful...truthfully. Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. In every relationship you have your ups and downs. For me, I feel like I carry a majority of the problems in our marriage, or in other words my wife puts up with a lot. I'm lazy, sometimes irresponsible and I have a spending issue...my DVD collection can attest to that. Now, if you're reading this and asking yourself "why the heck is Brandon ranting and raving about his marriage", trust me, I'm getting to a point.

I'm currently going to college and I'm suffering from chronic laziness. I can't seem to focus on the tasks at hand and I have lost the desire to move forward on assignments. It sucks but...well, I don't know what to say to that.

In light of all this, I love movies. Weird turning point I know. But it's because of this affection of film that I write this here blog entry. Just the other night my wife and I went to see "Couples Retreat", a funny film that looks at three couples' relationships at different points through out. I try to gain something from every film I see. Not so much a "life lesson" but something interesting or maybe worthwhile. You see, films for me (as I think they should be) are an opportunity to escape from our own lives and take part in another. I try to lose myself in the moment. While watching "Couples Retreat", I couldn't help but but think about my own relationship, my own downfalls (who does that?!) and it made me realize (though I'm still a greenie at this whole marriage thing) that I, too can improve. I don't find myself as funny as Vince Vaughn or as witty as Jon Favreau, but I do find myself in similar situations and I do know that things can improve...and I have my undying, unconditional love for the cinema to thank for that. Okay, enough with the sappiness!

P.S.
Go see "Couples Retreat"...it was hilarious!

"Orphan", "Paranormal Activity" Top of the Week

With a host of new films out over this last weekend, consisting of "Astro Boy", "Cirque De Freak: The Vampire's Assistant", the wide release of Chris Rock's "Good Hair", "Amelia", and "Saw VI", there's plenty of visceral eye candy and happy endings for all movie-lovers. I'll have to say, granted with the pending release of "Michael Jackson's This Is It" due out in theaters this week, "Paranormal Activity", if you have yet to see it is still my pic of the week. I'll be commenting on a few others throughout the week and into the weekend, but I assure you that "Paranormal Activity" is the one to catch...that's not saying you shouldn't see anything else, that's just my opinion. It will be interesting to see how well it does against the late pop king's film after such an amazing run. It blows my mind how one little project can quickly become an icon. Some might say that it's to early to say whether or not it has reached that potential...I would just say read the news. Pants down it's the coolest phenomenon in quite a while.

Due out on DVD this week, "Orphan" is my choice of film to buy, Netflix, whatever. It's creepy, disturbing, visceral, ugly...and everything you would want from a good freaky movie going into Halloween! Might not be suitable for the youngins, but will make for a great time-filler during trick-or-treating!

Paranormal Activity...Holy Shiz What Was That?!

It’s been a couple of weeks now since the sudden, spooky phenomenon “Paranormal Activity” has graced the world with its eerie presence. Audiences around the world have been scared out of their wits and claim that this little project is one of the scariest movies of all time. So, the question arises: Is it truly the most terrifying cinema experience one would ever imagine to partake of? Or is Paranormal Activity just another gaudy attempt to bestow cheap scares and annoying headaches to you movie-goers?

I waited for some of the buzz to fizzle down before I ventured on to see it. As maybe most viewers, I came into the experience with some anticipation and not much excitement. When it comes to “scary movies”, I tend to think or classify them, if you will, into two categories: Killers and Chillers. “Killers” would consist of your typical teen-slasher, gore infested, bloddy flicks that keep you either on the edge of your seat or jumping right out of it; highly entertaining, yet lacking sustained fear. “Chillers” on the other hand do the opposite. They mess with your mind, play around with your senses, and usually leave you helpless in your seat, far outside your comfort zone; not a lot of blood and dismemberment, but will chill you to the bone. Again, this is movie classification according to Brandon. Paranormal Activity lands clearly in the Chiller category…and for me, it worked wonders on my brain and left me totally vulnerable. AND I PRACTICALLY PEED MY PANTS!! Ok, not really, but you get the drift!

Apparently I wasn’t the only one affected this way. According to the Internet Movie Database, Paranormal Activity in its fifth weekend in theatres (the first real wide release opening just last weekend), beat out the sixth installment in the Saw franchise with an estimated $7.6 million. The Saw franchise, which through the first five films has brought in roughly $342,510,598 according to Yahoo, has established itself as a legitimate horror franchise, but could not match up to the little unstoppable horror film that has audiences freaked out of their minds.

So, is Paranormal Activity the scariest movie of all time? My answer is no…but it’s the scariest I’ve seen in quite a while! If you have yet to see it or haven’t really decided whether you should or not, I say to you go. Go and lose yourself in the experience. If you do, I’m not saying you’ll leave the theatre with peepee pants or you’ll be psychologically damaged for life…but if you’re like me, you’ll start sleeping with your door closed! SEE IT!

Hello Movie Fans!!

Greetings movie-goers, my name is Brandon and I...am not your average movie critic. This blog is merely a facet for me to express my love, hate, desires, thoughts, feelings, and love (did I say that already?) concerning film, movies and all things like unto it. I hope that anyone who feels inclined in some way to take time out of their busy lives to read my ramblings will find that, if anything, they won't be bored out of their minds. Some people think that today's film critics are not even worth listening to, and I feel that's completely idiotic. A critic's review is nothing short of mere evidence of what makes this country the great place it is: freedom, freedom to speak your opinion about other people's work and (in some lucky instances) get paid for it!

Anywho, I'll be talking about new films, old films, films I've never seen before, films I have no desire to see and why, films I have yet to see and want to see, film art, actors, directors, whatever and whoever I please! Buwahaha! So, without further adieu, I'm Brandon...and I'm not your average movie critic. Thanks for stopping by.