Movie Watchers I Know - Part IV (My Fatal Flaw)

In our final instalment of Movie Watchers I Know, I follow some biblical advice: Judge not lest ye be judged.

Parts I through III involved discussion over the many traits of movie watchers, but it in theatres or at home, many of them being pet peeves of mine. At the end of each introduction, I freely asked readers to admit if they belonged to any category. In order to avoid any hypocrisy, it is only fair that I too admit to any movie characteristics I might show.

Be sure to read Parts I through III before casting your judgment on me.

Part I: In Theatres (Pre-Movie).

Part II: In Theatres (During the Movie).

Part III: At Home.

Now it's time to admit to my fatal flaw.

Movie Watchers I Know - Part III

Part III of this four-part series about the diversity of movie watchers will focus on several traits people have when watching movies at home. In Part I and Part II, we spoke of those that have certain qualities when watching movies in the theatre, be it during the previews or the features presentation. This section will look at those who have movie evenings at home on TV. 

Again, if you belong to any of these groups, don’t be shy and proudly admit to it. Also feel free to add any other types of movie watchers you yourself know.  Let us continue now with Part III: At Home.

The Ultimate Christmas Movie

Christmas time is full of cheer and excitement. Families across the globe are looking for appropriate movies to put them in the right loving mindset with one another. There are a plethora of Christmas movies starring famous comedians looking to present a family-friendly movie.

Tim Allen, the one-time star of Home Improvement, has had box office success for his trilogy The Santa Clause. Will Ferrell, the star of Saturday Night Live during the 90s as well as many motion pictures, had his obligatory Christmas movie, Elf, released in 2003. Ferrell stared as Buddy, a human raised as an elf and, due to his size differential, was seen as an outcast. The success of this Elf has even led to its debut on Broadway this year. 

Will Ferrell in Elf

Vince Vaughan starred in Fred Claus, the story of Santa Claus’ lesser known brother. Jim Carrey has played both Scrooge and the Grinch, Billy Bob Thornton has been a shopping mall Santa, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger has dabbled in spreading the Christmas cheer with Jingle All the Way. The problem with Christmas movies is, however, that people lower their standards for such films. Audiences don’t want to look at these films critically and instead want to simply leave with a happy ending, no matter how poor the movie may be (and many of them are). So this Christmas, what should you watch? The answer is and has always been the same……

Movie Watchers I Know - Part II

In Part II of a four-part series about the diversity of movie watchers, we will discuss the different types of people that watch movies in theatres. In Part I, we already spoke of those that have certain qualities during the movie previews, so this part will focus on viewers of the feature presentation.

Again, if you belong to any of these groups, don't be shy about it. Stand up and admit to it. Also feel free to add any other types of movie watchers you happen to know. Let us continue now with Part II: In Theatres (During the Movie).

Movie Watchers I Know - Part I

Although watching a movie would typically be seen as a solitary activity, in order to have a good discussion of the plot or meaning of certain movies, or even to be ‘in’ on the joke for comedies, watching movies with others increases the socializing benefits of movies once they are done. I am an avid movie watcher, be it in theatres or at home, but sometimes it is difficult to watch movies with others. In theatres, friends are always asking you plot related questions during important times of the movie. At home, movie watching can be difficult too. There’s the constant ‘pause to run for a snack’ guy or the “rewind that, I didn’t understand what he said” guy. Odds are you belong to one of these categories, whether you are willing to admit to it or not. And if you truly are outside these categories, you surely know plenty of friends who fall within these parameters.

The next few weeks will include a list of types of movie watchers I know, but keep in mind that this list not exhaustive. In fact, the variety of types is so widespread that I have filtered these people into three different categories: In Theatres (Pre-Movie), In Theatres (During the movie), and At Home.

Which group do you belong to? Don't be shy and proudly admit to one if you do. Also feel free to add any other types of movie watchers you yourself know. Let us begin with Part I: In Theatres (Pre-Movie).

Black Swan (Credit Where It's Due)

This Friday marks the release of Darren Aronofsky’s new film Black Swan. I was fortunate enough to see this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival, and it did not disappoint. Writing a review of this movie before its official release would be fitting, but another Hutchins writer has already accomplished that. And it’s really good.

Ayalah Hutchins has both written articles and drawn for The Style Notebook over the past year. Her website can be seen here (ayalahhutchins.com) and I implore you to read her wonderful review of Black Swan. And then I suggest you go watch the movie.

Black Swan Review - Ayalah Hutchins

What Ever Happened to Good Martial Arts Movies?

There is a problem with martial arts movies today: they suck. The solution is simpler than one might think. Sometimes it’s tough to find out exactly what makes a Kung Fu movie great, especially when one is subject to so many poor ones over the past, but the key to success is to avoid what makes them bad. Too many of these movies are filled with long drawn out plots that are far from gripping. The stars are not trained actors, making their characters less convincing. So what could be the solution to all of this? Simple. Don’t try to make a storyline designed to draw audiences in. Instead, make the plot so basic, so simple, that it takes minimal time away from the actual meat and potatoes of the movie: the fighting, the stunts, and the action. Get rid of the story.

Answering the Difficult Questions: Salt

I always love a movie poster that really challenges its audience.

Angelina Jolie is... SALT.    Who is Salt?

.... are you serious? You just told us:
Angelina Jolie.

Mystery solved.

"SUPER"? Or A Story Heard Several Times Before

Although the stories of Spider-Man and Batman remain as popular as ever, there has been a new movement towards the 'everyday superhero': the man without any special powers, no special gadgetry, fighting evil with primitive weapons and a plethora of courage. The newest installment of this Superhero genre is James Gunn's SUPER, which recently made its debut at this year Toronto International Film Festival as part of the Midnight Madness program. SUPER follows the story of Frank, played by Rainn Wilson of 'The Office' fame, a middle aged burger flipper, who decides to take up being a superhero to fight all forms of wrong no matter how big or small. Some days his actions are as noble as attacking small time drug dealers in the street and other days the battle is as insignificant as beating up those who butt in line at the movies. While these small time heroics help "The Crimson Bolt," his Superhero alter ego (pictured above), create local fame, Frank's ultimate goal remains the same: defeating the town's main druglord (Kevin Bacon), a man who stole Frank's wife (Liv Tyler) away from him by subjecting her to drugs after years of her attempts at a recovery. Along the way Frank meets Lilly (Ellen Page), a comic book shop clerk, who Frank uses as a resource tool in creating his costumed hero, which helps her grow into eventual role of The Crimson Bolt's sidekick, Bolty. The movie offers many moments of pleasure, from the the silliness of the homemade outfits being worn, to the pure excitement in Lilly's eyes (and the audiences) when she finally beats up the bully who keyed her friend's car. But one cannot help but feel that the story of 'The Crimson Bolt' is one that we've all heard before.