FilmMattic

      This video above is taken from the opening scene of Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs .  This scene is a perfect example of how to effectively construct believable and exciting dialogue.  The camaraderie of the actors on display here is palpably refreshing.  You get the idea that these guys hangout on a regular basis and this is just another morning at the local diner for them.  The beautifully rhythmic, real life conversational back-and-forth among the actors is superbly rendered.  Even the little physical machinations of the characters such as the way Madsen's character maneuvers his cigarette is impeccably executed.  Any aspiring screenwriter should take a page from Tarantino's book when it comes to creating true-to-life conversational dialogue that is engaging, exciting, and flows as fantastically as a well-told poetry reading.  Happy New Year to everyone who reads my blog! 2011 should be a heck...

Top 10 Films of 2010       If you're like me, then it is always a good practice to quantify things by developing top ten lists.  Maybe ten is an arbitrary number, but for most, it is a uniformly agreed upon starting point for valuing highly competent works.  Realizing that standards may inevitably differ across the overwrought cyberspace of film critiques, I am preparing to field off an onslaught of contentious debate regarding my selections.  The staunch lines of sensibility have been irrevocably drawn.  Opinions have been readying for my impending execution.  Target acquired.  Unleash the vitriol.       Before any formal attacks can be mounted though, I must provide a little more insight into the formation of my list.  Quite frankly, the first ... really two-thirds of 2010 have offered up a fairly sobering array of movies—which unrequited film fans like myself forcibly and painfully must endure befo...

The Coen Brothers Bloom-ing and Gritty Career Track       For the first time with my "Person of the Week" segment, I will shine the illustrious spotlight on a non-actor.  In fact, I will highlight the extraordinary achievements of two talented filmmakers more fittingly known as the "two-headed director," Joel and Ethan Coen.  In recognition of their latest critically acclaimed hit, True Grit -- a derivative story of the western genre that has a non-derivative technically and visually staggering arrangement—the Coen Brothers have continued to provide compelling, artistic, quirky and effectual films that deliver widespread praise and on occasion, reasonably strong box office numbers.       The Coen Brothers may not match Spielberg or Lucas with box office receipts, but in terms of masterminding a distinctive and smartly executed mise-en-sc è ne , they are every bit as prodigiously effective.  A Director's primary responsibilit...

      Review: The Fighter      Seldom does a film that is constrained by a hackneyed premise leave one with an indelible feeling of jubilation once the end credits roll.  The cumulative result of a highly gifted actor's performance and age-old storytelling with the hero overcoming insurmountable odds style-pathos, The Fighter creates this jubilant effect and positively sends a euphoric tingle down just about anyone with a warm heart's spine.

Review: Black Swan       Nina Sayers farewell remark to The Gentleman sums up Black Swan as beautifully as the artistry of the ballerina dancers ... "I was perfect."  Indeed, Darren Aronofsky, you were perfect.

True Grit Opens Today       True Grit —a remake of the 1969 original of the same name—opens up today in both the United States & Canada in wide release.  The enormously talented Coen Brothers have enlisted their directing expertise in this remake of a classical Western.  What the Coen Brothers ultimately do with this distinguished property is all the more intriguing.         Late December is usually a time for Hollywood to test its Oscar mettle.  I will be watching the film in the coming days and will post a review.  We shall see if True Grit is as truly firm and unyielding as it's parent name suggests.  Of course, John Wayne earned his only Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role as Marshall Rooster Cogburn in the original film that opened in 1969.       It is very fitting that Jeff Bridges has been tapped to follow in Wayne's immortal footsteps by taking...

       Sequel for Rounders has been Confirmed              The often talked about sequel for Rounders has finally caught some traction.  The Weinstein Company and Miramax have agreed to a deal that would bolster much of Miramax's past film properties and allow for the creation of sequels, most notably Rounders.         For those unfamiliar with the film, it stars both Matt Damon and Edward Norton as two buddies who set upon a precarious path that leads to the biggest high-stakes poker game of their collective lives.  Rounders takes an engrossing look at the underground world of Texas Hold'em poker and it's embittered effects on friendship, trust, love, and ambition.         I am often dubious of film studios that attempt to recreate some box office magic with a cult-level film, which has a certain standalone quality....

MVP of Sports Acting        I was recently watching the Knicks/Celtics game on ESPN and the camera panned across the arena highlighting a Murderer' Row of celebrity actors attending the game.  I got to thinking.  What happens when celebrity actors and sports collide?  Generally, a simple premise for a sports film.  And no, I'm not going to drop a Kardashian Sister's name here because none of them can act.  So other than an inane premise, where am I going with this? I asked the question and started furiously pondering in my head for answers: Who is the best sports movie actor of all time? Here are my nominees, in no particular order: 1).  Mark Wahlberg 2).  Dennis Quaid 3).  Wesley Snipes 4).  Kevin Costner 5).  Denzel Washington 6).  Paul Newman 7).  Chelcie Ross 8).  Robert De Niro 9).  Sylvester "Sly" Stallone 10).  Woody Harrelson *Just missed the cut: Robert Redford ( The...

       In a purposeful effort to establish a familiar trend with my "Person of the Week" selections, another actor scores the coveted title.  Instead of finishing up my last minute Christmas shopping yesterday afternoon, I ventured to the Cinema and watched The Fighter.         If you are part of the fortunate early few to have seen this film, then you can quickly infer who my selection is ... without turning any heads, congratulations Christian Bale.  Such an ingenious master of his craft, Bale thoroughly owns his character in The Fighter. His absorbing rendition of real life professional Boxer/Trainer, Dick "Dicky" Eklund, is fully engrossing.         The realization of Bale's on screen charisma is as potent a force of memory as the physical charisma of any gifted athlete.  Witnessing Bale perform on the screen is equivalent to witnessing Michael...