This weeks pick is a Korean film from director Chan Wook Park, who was also behind the excellent film JSA: Joint Security Area. The name of this film is Oldboy. It is a gritty hardcore revenge film.
The story follows a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years for some unknown reason. At the end of those 15 years, he is released and now he has 5 days to find out why he was imprisoned. What follows is violent, dark, at times humorous, and probably different than what you are used to. It is filled with some great performances and is sure to leave you cringing. This is one not to be missed.
Also coming out this week:
- Audition. The quietly shocking Takashi Miike film is getting re-released this week, I am guessing to cash in on the current J-horror craze. Besides that, it is a very good film.
- Beauty Shop. Spun off from Barbershop comes this Queen Latifah vehicle. It is funny, but ends before it really gets going, almost like a pilot to a sitcom.
- The Card Player. The first of two Dario Argento films coming out this week. Not familiar with it, but with Argento's name attached, I am willing to try it.
- Trauma. The second Argento, for the rest see above.
- Futurama: Robot Maniac Fun Collection. I already have all the sets, but this looks like a good set for those looking for a taste. This a hilarious, well written, and underrated series.
- The Gladiator: Extended Edition. I loved the theatrical cut, I look forward to giving this version a try.
- Harakiri: The Criterion Collection. Another one I am not familiar with, but willing to give it a shot.
- Layer Cake. This was a good entry in the Brit-gangster genre. It features a fine performance from Daniel Craig. For those who liked Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.
- A Lot Like Love. Complete misfire of a romantic comedy with Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet. For as talented, or potentially talented, as they are, this is sad.
- New Jack City: Special Edition. Mario Van Peebles gangsta film. I've sadly never seen it.
- The Ring 2. Such a letdown after the original remake.
- Ringu 2. Hopefully better than the US version.
- Ringu: Anthology of Terror. The original series from Japan, includes Ringu, the first sequel Rasen and the other second film Ringu 2(these two are independent in their relation to the first), plus the prequel Ringu 0.
- Samurai 7 Vol. 1. Futuristic anime series inspired by the classic Akira Kurosawa film.
- Orgy: Trans Global Spectacle. An interesting touring document of the first phase of Orgy's life cycle.
- Transporter: Special Delivery Edition. Not sure what is different from the first release. This is a very fun action film.
- The Truman Show: Special Edition. This was the start of the transformation of Jim Carrey away from straight comedy. Written by Andrew Niccol, who also did the excellent Gattaca.
- WWE: Tombstone - The History of the Undertaker. Who doesn't love the Undertaker? Here is a 3 disk collection of his matches and history.
That is all, I hope there is something here for you.
Also at Blogcritics.
1 comments:
Web site:www.AtlantaMusicProduction.com
INDEPENDENT BAND SELLS 70,000 CDs THROUGH WEB SITE
August 29, 2005 (Atlanta, GA) -- Amp Camp, an urban R&B/Hip Hop
band from Atlanta, GA, is about to turn a new page in the
history of non-mainstream music marketing. Their current CD “The
Arrival” is expected to ship it’s 70,000th unit through an
independently promoted web site this month. The album contains
16 tracks of raw and candid hip-hop. Amp Camp is comprised of
three professional talented visionaries, Jonathan "G-Lover"
Glover, Kimmeth "De'Kim" Harden and Ariel Glover. Each member of
the group brings an essential creative musical component that is
significant to the groups overall existence. Furthermore, the
band members have teamed up as an independent music production
company and record label. AtlantaMusicProduction.com is their
cyber home and 70,000 copies of “The Arrival” have all been sold
through the web site.
“We specialize in hip hop/ R&B, pop, inspirational and Jazz
music,” Ariel Glover, co-founder and CEO of the cmpany says.
“Our distinction in this music industry is that we possess a
very professional unique blend of hip hop, R&B, jazz and pop
that connects the modern new school styles with the old school
styles. Today’s new school is very beat oriented and that’s
great. However, the old school was more musical and melody
inclined, and that was great for the time. Atlanta Music
Production has a clear and well defined understanding of both
musical eras, and we’ve devised a very creative method of
combining both the new and the old school into our own unique
style.”
Apart from taking good care of everyday business, Ariel devotes
much of his creative manpower to Amp Camp, probably the most
successful indie band in terms of online sales. Along with his
brother Jonathan and cousin Kimmeth, he has come up with a
dynamic creative style, which all of the band members believe
“is positioned to set the musical standard of the future.” They
are predicted by many to lead the next generation music greats.
“The music industry has a lot of good songs but, it’s lacking
great songs, songs that are timeless, songs that reach across
social, ethnic, culture and economic barriers that speaks to the
hearts of men, women, and children around the world,” Ariel
says. “When Ray Charles did “Georgia On My Mind” and his
rendition of “America The Beautiful” those songs were timeless,
those songs were great. When Marvin Gaye song “What’s Goin On”
when thousands of American young men were dying in Vietnam for a
causes that they did not clearly understand at the time, and the
social desperity in America was still at a all time high, that
song was timeless, that song was great. We will bring back the
greatness to the music.”
Post a Comment