Review: "14 Blades" is Martial Arts with Western and Persian Stylings

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 41 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

14 Blades (2010)
Jin yi wei – original Chinese title
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Hong Kong/China; Language:  Mandarin Chinese
Running time:  113 minutes (1 hour, 53 minutes)
Rating:  MPAA – R for violence and bloody images
DIRECTOR:  Daniel Lee
WRITERS:  Daniel Lee, Kwong Man Wai, Tin Shu Mak, and Ho Leung Lau; from a story by Daniel Lee and Siu Cheung Chan
PRODUCERS:  Xiang Dong, Zhang He-Yun, Zhang Hong, Si Jian-Jun, Zhao Ping, Xu Ping-An, Wang Qi-Shun, Yi'an Sun, Susanna Tsang, Tianyun Wang, and Cui Xiao-Wen
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Cheung Tung Leung
EDITORS:  Ka Fai Cheung and Man To Tang
COMPOSER:  Henry Lai

MARTIAL ARTS/DRAMA/HISTORICAL

Starring:  Donnie Yen, Wei Zhao, Chun Wu, Kate Tsui, Yuwu Qi, Ma Wu, Kar-Ying Law, Xiang Dong Xu, Chen Zhi Hui, Sammo Hung, and Loi Kwan Kam

14 Blades is a 2010 martial arts (wuxia) and historical drama from director Daniel Lee.  The film, a co-production of China and Hong Kong, received a limited theatrical release in August 2014 after making a film festival appearance in 2011.  14 Blades focuses on an imperial secret agent who is hunted while he tries to stop a conspiracy against the Emperor.

14 Blades opens in China during the late Ming dynasty (a period taking place from 1368 to 1644).  It is a time when the imperial court is plagued by corruption, and the young emperor is incompetent and seems more interested in pleasure than in governing.  He is protected by the Jinyiwei (the Brocade Guard), a secret police force and clandestine royal guard.  They ensure peace and stability and have the authority to execute almost anyone.  Their leader is called Qinglong (Donnie Yen), and he carries with him the Fourteen Blades, a box containing 14 different steel blades with which he executes his duties... and people.

Far from the imperial Forbidden City, the Emperor's uncle, Prince Quing (Sammo Hung), hatches a conspiracy with the traitorous royal eunuch, Jia Jingzhong (Kar-Ying Law).  Their plot involves taking control of the Jinyiwei and betraying Qinglong.  They succeed, and Qinglong soon finds himself wounded, hunted, and on the run.  He finds shelter with Boss Yong Qiao (Ma Wu) and his men in the Justice Escort Agency.  Boss' daughter, Hua Qiao (Wei Zhao), becomes attracted to Qinglong and is determined to assist him in his fight to protect the Emperor and the country from chaos and destruction.

My summary of 14 Blades does not do this epic film justice.  There are enough supporting characters with their own causes and motivations to turn 14 Blades into a television miniseries.  However, the film's core, Qinglong, remains strong, and when the beautiful Hua is added, 14 Blades suddenly has heart, an emotional center to go with the lust for revenge and the film's blistering marital artist action.

Donnie Yen and Wei Zhao give heartfelt, deeply emotional, thoughtful, and strong performances.  They make everything about their respective characters:  external conflicts, internal struggles, motivations, ideals, wants, and love seem genuine and honest.  They are believable and likeable; they draw the viewer to this film.  In fact, like a superstar athlete does for his teammates, Yen and Zhao make their fellow actors betters.  Their characters make the other characters even more interesting and engaging.  I would love to see these two actors in another movie similar to 14 Blades or in a romantic drama.

14 Blades is obviously a martial arts film, but the film also has suggestions of an Ancient Persian romance and an American Western film.  The former comes through in some of the locales, in the costumes, and in certain musical strains in Henry Lai's score.  The latter is also suggested by some of the settings, but also by the staging of some scenes and sequences and in the poses and attitudes of both heroes and villains.  Most notable is the Clint Eastwood-like pose and attitude that Donnie Yen frequently strikes.

That makes 14 Blades something different, even if the story occasionally becomes a bit muddled.  Still, its colorful characters and lavish costumes; to say nothing of the flashy fight choreography makes this movie thoroughly enjoyable.  With its attractive lead couple, 14 Blades, while different enough to stand out from other marital arts films, tells a familiar story of love and bravery that will captivate audiences.

7 of 10
B+

Saturday, September 6, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in IMAX 3D for One Week Only - Beginning September 12, 2014

PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND NICKELODEON MOVIES’ HIT FILM “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” TO BE RELEASED IN IMAX® 3D THEATERS FOR A ONE-WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ blockbuster film “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES,” directed by Jonathan Liebesman and produced by Michael Bay, will be released in IMAX® 3D Theatres nationwide for a special one-week run beginning Friday, September 12th.

The limited engagement will kick off with advance screenings on Thursday, September 11th at 7:00 p.m. local times nationwide. The first 300 ticketholders at each of these advance screenings will receive one of three special Legends of the Yokai Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector’s Artist Posters, while supplies last.

Tickets for “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” in IMAX 3D are available at www.IMAX.com/NinjaTurtles and participating theater box offices.

The IMAX release of “TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

“TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES” debuted in theaters on August 8th, earning more than $270 million worldwide to-date. The film is a modern-day iteration of the popular franchise that has captivated audiences of all ages for decades. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and her wise-cracking cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) to save New York City and unravel Shredder’s diabolical plan.  Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, written by Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec and Evan Daugherty, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is produced by Michael Bay (director and executive producer of the blockbuster Transformers franchise), Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Galen Walker, Scott Mednick and Ian Bryce, and directed by Jonathan Liebesman (“WRATH OF THE TITANS”).

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of March 31, 2014, there were 840 IMAX theatres (707 commercial multiplexes, 18 commercial destinations and 115 institutions) in 57 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, IMAX Is Believing® and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

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2014 Urbanworld Film Festival to Offer Exclusive Look at the Film, "Addicted"

Urbanworld® Adds Lionsgate/Codeblack Films’ Evening with Zane and the Men of Addicted: Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford, William Levy and Director Bille Woodruff for Q&A and Exclusive Look at Scenes from the Film to Their 2014 Festival Line-up

Nation’s Premiere Showcase For Multicultural Cinema To Be Held in New York September 17 – 21, 2014

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 18th Annual Urbanworld® Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks with founding sponsor HBO, announced the addition of an exclusive look at scenes from the upcoming Lionsgate/Codeblack Films release, Addicted and a Q & A with the stars and filmmakers today.

    “More than ever, we recognize the importance of technology as it relates to content creation and distribution”

Addicted, based on the best-selling novel by Zane and a screenplay by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion. Successful businesswoman Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) appears to have attained it all - the dream husband she loves, two wonderful children and a flourishing career. As perfect as everything appears from the outside, Zoe is still drawn to temptations she cannot escape or resist. As she pursues a secretive life, Zoe finds herself risking it all when she heads down a perilous path she may not survive. Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford and William Levy star in the film and will join Zane and director Bille Woodruff at a Q & A and exclusive look at scenes from the film on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 7:45pm at Manhattan's AMC Loews 34th Street 14. Addicted will open nationwide on October 10.

Also of note, the four finalist scripts selected for the best screenplay competition are Just Downsized – written by Pauline Gray, The Jumbie – written by H.M. Coakley, Noor – written by Nijla Mumin and Summer Break – written by Cathleen Campbell. In addition to awarding $5,000 to the winner, BET Networks will review the finalist scripts with an eye for potential development at the network.

Spotlight films and programs at this year’s festival also include Urbanworld® Digital, which will be hosted by HBO for the fifth year. “More than ever, we recognize the importance of technology as it relates to content creation and distribution,” said Dennis Williams, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility at HBO. “We are proud to support Urbanworld Digital, as it provides a unique opportunity to connect content creators and industry influencers within a rapidly evolving digital landscape.” The program will feature workshops and sessions presented by HBO, Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Interactive One, Seed & Spark and Project Catalyst, among others in the digital space.

Issa Rae, best known for her hit web-series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, is a featured guest for the Urbanworld® Digital Fireside Chat with Roland Martin sponsored by NewsOne. Rae will also premiere her latest venture, Issa Rae Presents: ColorCreative.TV, at the festival. Through Color Creative.TV, Issa Rae – along with her producing partner Deniese Davis, who will also join her in the Urbanworld® Digital Fireside Chat – strives to discover new writing talent and diverse stories via national workshops, improve the TV pilot development process; and produce and package low-cost TV pilots with an indie familiarity.

The festival’s nightlife will feature special editions of Urbanworld® Music presenting a mix of eclectic live performances in partnership with Que Bajo?! and Everyday People — two leading NYC event franchises – to create unique after-dark experiences for festival goers. On Saturday, September 20, Urbanworld® Music and Everyday People will present the 8-piece rock/soul band, Condola and the Stoop Kids, in an edgy, live performance that features lead singer and Tony® nominated actress Condola Rashad.

Additionally, Urbanworld® will host free community screenings on Sunday, September 21 in Brooklyn, Queens, and Harlem to engage the broader New York community with the Urbanworld® experience. In partnership with Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, The Museum of Moving Image in Queens, ImageNation and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, Urbanworld® will curate customized evening screening programs for each community. The full schedule will be announced on the festival website next week.

Along with presenting sponsor BET Networks and founding sponsor HBO, another key supporter of the nation’s largest competitive multicultural film festival September 17-21, 2014 in New York is premiere sponsor Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo. Industry circle supporters include Fox Global Directors Initiative, Cinemax, Interactive One, Panavision, MoviePass, Moguldom, RLJ Entertainment, the Directors Guild of America and AMC Theatres.

For the complete slate of films, film synopsis, ticket information, additional Urbanworld® Digital and Urbanworld® Music details and daily updates, visit www.urbanworld.org.

ABOUT URBANWORLD® FILM FESTIVAL
The Urbanworld® Film Festival, founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, is the largest internationally competitive festival of its kind. The five-day festival includes narrative features, documentaries, short films, spotlight screenings, events, live staged screenplay readings, the Urbanworld® Digital track focused on digital and social media panels and workshops and Urbanworld® Music, which highlights emerging talent in live performances during after party events. Over the last 18 years, Hollywood studios, indie film distributors, and established and emerging filmmakers have consistently chosen Urbanworld® to premiere box office and award-winning hits. Urbanworld® has also provided a platform for some of today's leading brands seeking to reach key influencers across the industry and within the consumer marketplace. The Urbanworld® Film Festival is an initiative of the Urbanworld® Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization that endeavors to consistently manifest its mission of redefining and advancing the presence and impact of the multicultural community in cinema and cross-platform media. By implementing initiatives that actively support and develop content creators of color, Urbanworld® significantly contributes to the evolution of the media and entertainment landscape and the diversity that it reflects. Gabrielle Glore serves as Executive Producer & Head of Programming for the Urbanworld® Film Festival. The festival website is www.urbanworld.org.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of August 31st to September 6th, 2014 - Update #18

NEWS:

From Variety:  Halle Berry's upcoming thriller, "Kidnap," gets U.S. distribution through Relativity Studios - announced at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

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From EW InsideMovies:  There will be a companion series to AMC's hit, "The Walking Dead."

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From YahooMovies:  Johnny Depp's daughter, Lily-Rose, is starring in a Kevin Smith movie.  Entitled Yoga Hosers, the film also stars Smith's teen daughter, Harley Quinn Smith.  Depp also appears in the film.

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From Variety:  Michael Wright will replace Stacey Snider as CEO of DreamWorks.

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From the HuffingtonPost:  Remember The Little Rascals movie from 1994?  There has been a cast reunion.

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From TheChristianPost:  "Ghostbusters 3" gets a release date (2017), supposedly...

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From YahooCelebrity:  Actor Evan Ross married singer Ashlee Simpson on Sunday, August 31, 2014.  Ross (birth name Evan Olav Naess) is the son of legendary singer Diana Ross and shipping magnate, Arne Naess Jr.  Ross is set to appear in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Parts 1 and 2.  Simpson is the sister of singer Jessica Simpson.

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From Variety:  Guardians of the Galaxy wins the four-day Labor Day weekend box office, August 29th to September 1st, 2014, with an estimated take of $22.2 million take.  It has been the #1 film at the weekend box office for three of its five weeks in release.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  Actually, I think the Emmys have been broken for a long, long time.

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From YahooMovies:  The Labor Day weekend does not have to be a dumping ground for movies expected not to perform big at the box office.

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From Variety:  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is currently #1 at the foreign box office.

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From The Hollywood Reporter via YahooMovies:  Guardians of the Galaxy leads sluggish Labor Day 2014 weekend.


COMIC BOOKS - Movies and Comics:

From InternationalBusinessTimes:  Various rumors about "Captain America 3."

From EpochTimes:  New set photos from "Batman Vs. Superman."  Also Warner Bros. registers domain names the hint at the corporations next four superhero movies.  Those names include domains for Shazam, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.

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From The Hollywood Reporter via YahooNews:  Marvel vs. DC Comics in "Super Hero September."

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From CinemaBlend:  Fugly but talented actor, Benedict Cumberbatch (of whom I am not really a big fan) is apparently being considered for one of two roles in a DC Comics.  Could be the Martian Manhunter or a villain.  He was previously mentioned for Marvel's Doctor Strange movie.

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From TheWrap:  "Prison Break" stars, Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell, will guest star as villains in the first season of The CW's "The Flash."

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From CinemaBlend:  Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) talks about the three Marvel characters that should have their own movies.  One of them is Black Widow.

From TheWrap:  Where is the Scarlett Johansson superhero movies, asks Jessica Chastain.

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From CinemaBlend:  Apparently, J.J. Abrams was once considered as the writer/director of a Superman movie.  The changes he was allegedly to have made are a doozy.


STAR WARS:

From Mashable:  A new Star Wars Universe is born today with the release of the novel: Star Wars: A New Dawn.

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From CNN:  Filming resumes after a break caused by Harrison Ford's leg injury.

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From TheHollywoodReporter:  Episode 7 to film on tiny Irish island of Skellig Michael.

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From BBCNews:  "Game of Thrones" actor, Miltos Yerolemou, has reportedly joined the cast of Episode 7 in a small role.

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From CinemaBlend:  Check out these cool Episode 7 posters from fan artist AndrewSS7.  I wish they were the real deal.

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From CinemaBlend:  I hope Episode 7 is better with less CGI.


REVIEWS:

From the VillageVoice:  Stephanie Zacharek on The Last Days of Robin Hood with Kevin Kline and Dakota Fanning.


OBIT:

From Variety:  Joan River dies at 81 years of age

From Variety:  Andrew V. McLaglen, the director know for such westerns as McLintock! and Shenandoah, died on August 30, 2014 at the age of 94.


MISC:

From SBNation:  The Dallas Cowboys have signed Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team, to their practice squad.  He was cut last week by the St. Louis Rams, the team that drafted him.

Review: I Can't Help But Love "HER"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 40 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Her (2013)
Running time:  126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)
MPAA – R for language, sexual content and brief graphic nudity
WRITER/DIRECTOR:  Spike Jonze
PRODUCERS:  Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze, and Vincent Landay
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Hoyte Van Hoytema (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Jeff Buchanan and Eric Zumbrunnen
COMPOSER:  Will Butler and Owen Pallett
MUSIC:  Arcade Fire
Academy Award winner

SCI-FI/DRAMA/ROMANCE

Starring:  Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson (voice), Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Matt Letscher, Olivia Wilde, Gracie Prewitt, Laura Kai Chen, and Brian Cox (voice)

Her is a 2013 romantic drama and science fiction film from writer-director Spike Jonze.  The film focus on a lonely writer who develops an unlikely relationship with the new operating system he bought for his computer and hand-held device.

Her is set in an indeterminate near-future and focuses on Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely, introverted man.  Theodore works for BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com, a business that writes heartfelt, intimate, and deeply personal letters for people who cannot write such letters.  Theodore is struggling with an impending divorce from his wife, Catherine Klausen (Rooney Mara), who was his childhood sweetheart.

To help get his life in order, Theodore buys a new operating system (OS) from Element Software.  This OS is an artificially intelligent operating system that is designed to adapt and evolve.  Taking on the persona of a human female, the OS names itself “Samantha” (Scarlett Johansson).  [Of note: actress Samantha Morton originally provided the voice of the OS, before Jonze replaced her, with her consent.]  Her ability to learn and to grow psychologically fascinates Theodore.  Samantha and Theodore bond over discussions about love and life, and Samantha is constantly available and is designed to meet his every need.  She is always curious about Theodore and is interested in him and his life; she is supportive and does not make demands... at least for a while.  Theodore is in love with her, but, as she changes, can Theodore sustain this relationship?

Her is one of the best movies of 2013, and, after watching it, I can certainly see why some thought it was the best picture of 2013.  I think what Her does best is to evoke feelings in the viewer; it is as if director Spike Jonze wants viewers to feel his movie.  I did.

There is a lot that goes into making a special movie, and several people made this movie one of the best.  In Her,  Joaquin Phoenix does not give one of his best or most adventurous performances, but his subtle and nuanced take on a puppy-love struck, lonely man is endearing.  He carries this picture, as well as the viewers' expectations, so his performance is so good that even if it isn't his best, it is still better than most by other actors.

The film's score by Will Butler and Owen Pallett is oddly compelling and queerly futuristic without feeling too far-flung.  The score was apparently performed by the Grammy-winning band, Arcade Fire, of which Butler is a member.  Hoyte Van Hoytema's gorgeous cinematography is curiously in sync with the score, and it also seems like it belongs to another day.  In fact, the art direction and set decoration helps to maintain that almost futuristic, edge-of-tomorrow vibe.

The foundation of Her is Spike Jonze's screenplay, which earned him an Academy Award.  It is deeply romantic, heartfelt, and sentimental; it is like a romance novel without melodrama and schmaltz.  The writing is thoughtful and provocative, one of the best examples of a screenplay that takes on science fiction without being taken over by sci-fi genre trappings.

I often wonder if science fiction is still relevant; some of it seemed clueless about the lives that many people lived in the late 20th century.  I don't know how much science fiction can address pertinent issues in the early 21st century, but I know one science fiction film that did.  I think that by plot, by the issues it tackles, and by what it depicts, Her is relevant now and will be in the future.  With Her, Spike Jonze does not do science fiction prediction.  Instead, he addresses the unchanging aspects of humanity as it grapples with a changing world and evolving environment.  What a way to bring new life to the love story.

9 of 10
A+

Wednesday, September 3, 2014


NOTES:
 2014 Academy Awards, USA:  1 win: “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Spike Jonze); 4 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year (Megan Ellison, Spike Jonze, and Vincent Landay), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score” (Will Butler and Owen Pallett), “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song” (Karen O-music and lyrics and Spike Jonze-lyrics for "The Moon Song"), and “Best Achievement in Production Design) “K.K. Barrett-production design and Gene Serdena-set decoration)

2014 Golden Globes, USA:  1 win “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Spike Jonze); 2 nominations: “Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” and “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Joaquin Phoenix)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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Book Signing Celebrates "The 101 Best Film Noir Posters"

Film Noir Poster Exhibition at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery

Seattle, WA. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is pleased to host an exhibition of posters featured in the new boo,k 101 Best Film Noir Posters from the 1940s-1950s. The show opens on Saturday, September 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Editor Mark Fertig will be available to discuss the work and sign copies of the book. The exhibition continues through November 10, 2014.

The film noir genre holds a special place in American cinema and the posters reveal a lot about mid-century aesthetics. As director William Friedkin observes in the book's introduction, "he posters convey the style and content of the movies they were designed to advertise, and yet they represent an art form of their own. They are a valid and important school of American art." These posters depict the biggest stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood in some of their most memorable roles. The book includes both a synopsis and fascinating analysis of the films depicted by the posters.

Mark Fertig will attend the opening to discuss and sign copies of the book. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Art Attack, featuring visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic arts community. Fantagraphics Bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.), just minutes south of downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

Also, don't miss appearances by Seattle native Charles Burns signing his new graphic novel Sugar Skull on Friday, September 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Chris Wright signing Black Lung on Sunday, September 21 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Film Noir 101: The 101 Best Film Noir Posters from the 1940s-1950s

Listing information:

Film Noir Posters from the 1940s-1950s
Mark Fertig gallery talk and book signing Saturday, September 13, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Exhibition continues through November 10, 2014
Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street | Seattle, WA | 206.658.0110
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM

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"Sailor Moon" Virtual Slumber Party Announced

VIZ MEDIA CELEBRATES PREMIERE OF REMASTERED ENGLISH DUB SAILOR MOON EPISODES ON NEON ALLEY AND HULU WITH A SPECIAL “MOONLIGHT PARTY” 

September 5th Virtual Live Stream Event Includes Real Time Q&A And Trivia Contest With Valuable Prizes

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, invites fans to celebrate the very special premiere of the re-mastered classic SAILOR MOON anime series Episodes 1-4 – featuring the brand new English cast – available to stream on Neon Alley and Hulu beginning Friday, September 5th at 8:00pm (PST). Exclusive dubbed episodes will be available for a limited time only!

Fans are invited to join company members as VIZ Media and Neon Alley present Moonlight Party: A Celebration of SAILOR MOON Reborn! The virtual “slumber party” will take place as an unique live stream event on VIZ Media’s YouTube channel at: http://bit.ly/MnLtPty95 beginning at 8:00pm (PST) on Friday, September 5th.

Viewers can simultaneously watch the live, uncut SAILOR MOON Episodes 1-4 during their premiere on Hulu and join the VIZ Media staff on its YouTube channel for a lively evening of witty commentary, inside facts and tons of fun from the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.

Throughout the Moonlight Party fans may submit their SAILOR MOON questions via YouTube in the comments sections of the livestream, on the official VIZ Media Facebook page, and Twitter by using the special hashtag, #MoonlightParty for a real-time Q&A with VIZ Media staff that will run throughout the event. Fans can interact with members of the VIZ Media SAILOR MOON team, which will be participating in the live stream to answer questions and offer lively commentary and little known information about the series and the premiere episodes. A SAILOR MOON trivia contest also will take place and fans are invited to participate and submit answers via Facebook and Twitter to win special prizes. Sailor Moon fans nationwide are also encouraged to share pictures from their own Moonlight Parties by using the hashtag #MoonlightParty on their favorite social media platforms.

VIZ Media’s first-ever Moonlight Party kicks off the premiere of a host of new SAILOR MOON content that will air exclusively on Neon Alley and Hulu beginning in September for a limited time. In addition to the premiere of Episodes 1-4 on Friday, September 5th, viewers can catch more of SEASON 1 of the classic, uncut SAILOR MOON featuring the new English dub as Episodes 5-23 become available to stream beginning at 12:00am (PST) on Sunday, September 7th. Brand new subtitled SAILOR MOON Episodes 35-36, which present the entire Sailor Guardian team together as one for the first time, along with the Princess they seek, also will premiere on Hulu and Neon Alley, for a limited time only beginning at 12:00am (PDT) Monday, September 8th to celebrate the weekly Moonday.

Fans can also catch the brand new SAILOR MOON reboot – SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL – with the premiere of Episode 5 (subtitled), which introduces the fan favorite character Makoto Kino, Sailor Jupiter, on Hulu and Neon Alley beginning at 3:00am (PST) on Saturday, September 6th.

“The first weekend in September will deliver plenty of excitement to anime fans with a chance to join us for our first-ever Moonlight Party, celebrating the premiere of the uncut re-mastered SAILOR MOON English dub,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “We also will be sharing fun facts about the production, giving out prizes for a special SAILOR MOON trivia contest and having fun with viewers nationwide as we celebrate the return of this legendary anime series. We hope this also might inspire some fans to share in the fun and join us with SAILOR MOON Moonlight Parties of their own!”

The smash hit SAILOR MOON anime series is inspired by the bestselling manga (graphic novel) series created by Naoko Takeuchi (published in North America by Kodansha). In the series, Usagi Tsukino is a clumsy but kindhearted teenage girl who transforms into the powerful guardian of love and justice, Sailor Moon. Meeting allies along the way who share similar fates, Usagi and her team of planetary Sailor Guardians fight to protect the universe from forces of evil and total annihilation! 

SAILOR MOON Set 1 limited edition DVD/BD combo pack and standard edition DVD will be released on November 11th, 2014. Preorders are now available.

For more information on SAILOR MOON, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

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