MMM: You Can't Read My Mind

Another week is afoot, stargazers! There are big happenings afoot at Reel Whore, long long overdue happenings that will finally begin later today. As my wife kept reminding me, "folks can't read your mind, so get off your duff and get to writing!"

That said, it made me think of the song by the Killers, Read My Mind. As a fan, I enjoy their music and I enjoy their videos even more. This particular video was filmed in the place I'd most like to visit; Tokyo, Japan and makes me want to go even more. Guess I should look airfare while prices are low!!!

The Killers - Read My Mind

I don't know which is my favorite; the Killers as geisha, the Elvis impersonator, or Gachapin!What did you like the most?

BTW, only one day left to vote on the poll!

Oscar Noms are Here!

I'm sure you've all heard the Oscar nominations by now. If not, check out the complete list.

I'm excited to see Slumdog Millionaire get so many nods as well as The Dark Knight. However, my hands down favorite nomination, one I told my wife should happen but probably wouldn't is Robert Downey, Jr. for Tropic Thunder!

I'm the dude playing the dude disguised as another dude!

Congratulations Robert Downey, Jr.!

That is all.

Eastwood: Still Packing the Horsepower

Gran Torino


Release: 01.09.09
Rated R
1 hour, 56 minutes


Full Price ($$$$)



After the recent loss of his wife, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood, Heartbreak Ridge) wants little to do with his family or his neighbors. Actually, the grizzled, grumpy Korean War vet had little use for them even before his wife's passing. When a local gang shakedown spills into his finely kept yard, Walt's actions make him sort of a neighborhood hero. His straight-forward, charismatic neighbor Sue (Ahney Her) coaxes craggy Walt out of his shell. As Walt accepts the company of his Hmong neighbors, the jilted gang becomes increasingly aggressive, leaving folks to turn to him for answers and action.

Fans of Clint, this is a must-see performance. Eastwood revives Sgt. Gunny Highway's gravelly voice and Dirty Harry's disdain for most everyone in his portrayal of Walt. Walt is far from one-dimensional; he's full of regrets and an equal amount of charm. He enjoys a good case of beer and is quite personable in his own brusque way. Watching and coming to understand him is the crux of Gran Torino.

It's the motivations of the supporting cast which aren't as clear. The slimness of the Hmong neighbors' background, Father Janovich's (Christopher Carley, Lions for Lambs) persistence and Walt's children's absence may create an unbalanced story for some audiences. I enjoyed the solitary focus, and as always, appreciated Eastwood's attention to the details.

Dirty Undies
Another thing that may bother some audiences is the excessive use of racial epithets. Whether Walt is speaking to or about his Hmong neighbors, the gang or even his barber ("That Guy" John Carroll Lynch, Zodiac), there's a slang term that is sure to offend someone. Eastwood's portrayal tints Walt's foul mouth with palpable disdain or joking affection, depending on the recipient. While still totally inappropriate by today's politically correct standards, it reminds us it is sometimes more important to listen to how things are said instead of what is said.

Gran Torino also dishes out a fair amount of violence. The elderly vet holds his own on more than one occasion with the gang. Don't let the blood and beatings steer you away; it's not gratuitous.

The Money Shot
I'm a huge fan of Clint Eastwood as an actor and director, so it should be no surprise that I enjoyed Gran Torino. It's a well-crafted tale of redemption with the kind of saltiness I always enjoy in my movies. If you're like me, take a ride with some vintage Eastwood.

A Quickie: Max Payne

Max Payne

Release: 10.17.08
DVD Release: 01.20.09
Rated PG-13
1 hour, 40 minutes


Group Rental ($)

Today, Max Payne releases on DVD. Since some of you will be swinging by your local rental store, Redbox or rearranging your NFQ, here's the gist. Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg, Shooter) is a NYC DEA agent out for revenge against the brutal murder of his family. During his investigation, Max encounters Mona Sax (Mila Kunis, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), an assassin out to avenge her sister's murder by the same conspirators. As Payne hunts, the cops, the killers and the mob seek to shut him down.

Four Brothers, The Departed, Shooter. Wahlberg's film career was looking up until 2008. Then came M. Night Shyamalan's "The Crappening" and things turned sour. I came out of that film thinking, at least he's got Max Payne coming. It did turn out better...barely.

After the dark and dreary opening, audiences are treated to a sexy, slinky Natasha (Olga Kurylenko, Hitman) trying to seduce the single-minded Payne. That scene really gets the blood pumping for greater things to come; things that never come. What does follow is a plodding story in which Wahlberg mostly sulks in the rain. But that's more than we get from Kunis, who just stands and stares and stares. The few action sequences are bloated by slow- motion visuals and effects which steal even more minutes from your life you'll never get back.

It was nice to see Donal Logue (Blade) working. I'd have liked to see Kurylenko and Kunis actually been given something to do. 2009 is all about hope. Let's hope Wahlberg's future films aren't like this.



P.S.- The Unrated DVD adds only three minutes to the runtime. Director John Moore made Max Payne with the PG-13 rating in mind so don't expect much. Moore was actually quite miffed when it initially received an R-rating from the MPAA. Read more.

MMM: To the Mountaintop

Heavens to Murgatroyd! With the wifey home today, I kept thinking it was Sunday and not Monday. Specifically, it's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the reason why she, like many, were not at work.

One of the things we did today was watch the Presidential Inaugural Opening Ceremony DVR'ed from Sunday in anticipation of Tuesday, when President-Elect Barack Obama can officially drop the 'Elect' and get down to brass tacks.

In observance of the holiday and the events of this week, I chose an artist who is not only one of Obama's musical heroes, but who wrote Happy Birthday honoring Dr. King (FYI: the song was written to campaign for the creation of the national holiday).

However, I'm not queuing up that song for today. Instead I chose the song Stevie Wonder performed on Sunday with Shakira and Usher. It's a song he's performed with many other fellow artists over the years. It' s a song covered by many artists over the years. Now here's Stevie Wonder, from many years ago, with a solo performance:

Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground

It's going to be a great week!

Huh, huh, You Said "Poll" (01.14.09)

I'm think my frequent readers were probably sick and tired of the sidebar's closed poll adornment so I FINALLY removed it. For those who missed it these past few months, I wanted to know "How will The Spirit move you?" I was referring to how you thought you'd react to the Frank Miller film, if you ventured out to see it over the Christmas holiday.

My intent was to view the flick and reveal which group was closest to correct, by my standards. However, due to my holiday ailments and general disinterest; The Spirit has dropped off my radar until it reopens at the $1.50 theater down the street. Best of intentions squashed, here's your opinions on:

How will The Spirit move you?

1 person voted: Totally Rad! Awesome!
1 person voted: Not Too Shabby!
2 people voted: At Least the Women Were Hot!
3 people voted: Sucked Major Donkey Balls!
2 people voted: Frankly Whore, I don't give a damn!

Out of 8 people, myself included, the consensus was not promising. Given the buzz and how quickly it has vanished from local screens, methinks we may have been right!

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Now on to new and more pressing questions! I promise, no Oscar/Award inquiries...at least not this time. If you're not interested in the lame January 2009 releases or the Oscar hopefuls littering theaters, you're probably renting. Since I'm still a homebody, I've been burning up the NFQ (FYI: Netflix Queue). The following movies release over the next couple of weeks and I want to know;
Which of these flicks would you most like me to queue and review?

Repo! The Genetic Opera (01.20.09)
Saw V (01.20.09)
Lakeview Terrace (01.27.09)
Pride and Glory (01.27.09)
RocknRolla (01.27.09)


The poll will be up until the last film releases. In the case of a tie, I will review both films. Sally forth! Your vote will shape my NFQ!

MMM: ...Whispers Through the Gran Torino

If you've been following the last few selections, you know Prince has reigned supreme. My intention was for him to continue to dominate the January mood music scene. Then I saw Gran Torino and another favorite artist of mine grabbed my attention by performing the title song.

I was going to post the official music video for the Gran Torino title track, but it gave away too much of the story. Luckily this artist, though young, has a ton of song choices. I started to choose the jazzy title track from the album twentysomething that put him on the map in the US. I scratched that, deciding instead to upload my favorite tune, Photograph, from his album Catching Tales. Finally, I thought it in my best interest to select Jamie Cullum's cover of What a Difference a Day Made which, coincidentally, is my wife and I's wedding song.

Jamie Cullum - What A Difference a Day Made

If you don't know who British singer, songwriter and pianist Jamie Cullum is, where have you been?! We've seen him live and it was easily one of my Top Five concerts of all time - and I've seen a lot of concerts! His entire catalog is far from this mellow, so give him a listen.