About Me

Name: Emmett of the...
Biography
Loading...

Create Your Own Blog Find Other Townhall Blogs

Comments

Blog Roll

Trust the "R" Rating for "Step Brothers"

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Friday, July 25, 2008 8:39:53 PM
Now the first thing you must know is that there are "R" ratings and there are "R" ratings.  For example, one of the sties once bragged to a newspaper that he had seen his first "R" rated movie when he was six.  Of course, what he failed to mention was that it was Major League which is, after all, a baseball movie.

Step Brothers, on the other hand, is not a baseball movie, and its "R" rating should be trusted, believed in and followed.  Unlike most of the other Will Farrell movies, this is a hard, hard "R", and is definitely inappropriate for anyone under 17 -- and for most women until they're about 30 (sexist, I know, but you watch the "Don't touch my drums!" scene and tell me that you'd want your daughter to see it).

But aside from that, this is a funny, funny movie, even if 90% of the humor comes from potty language in unlikely places and potty humor. And the last 15 minutes may be the most surreal piece of comedy ever made.

But what's truly odd about the set up is that these 39 and 40 year old men act like 12 year olds and no one -- least of all their parents – seems to think it's odd.  But you sure will.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

"The Dark Knight" -- a Pardaigm for Terrorism?

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Saturday, July 19, 2008 1:18:24 PM
The Dark Knight is unquestionably a magnificient movie -- even if it is about one character too long.   Introducing and dispatching Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) while introducing Heath Ledger's The Joker probably wasn't the best idea (unless contractual talent limitations gave writer/director Christopher Nolan no other choice).  But there's not a dull moment in it, the acting is excellent, the art direction is spectacular, and Mr. Nolan continues his string of successes, beginning with Memento and continuing with The Prestige and Batman Begins.
 
But what intrigued me most about the movies was Ledger's portrayal of The Joker and what it amy do to the general perception of terrorists.  Much of the media insists on referring to them as "freedom fighters" or justifying their actions as the result of poverty, unemployment, or United States "imperialism".  But The Joker gives a much clearer view of what a true terrorist is really like. 
 
Early in the film The Joker explains how he got his scars, which leads the viewer to conclude that he is the unforturante product of his environment -- until he later tells a completely different story to someone else.  At that point you realize that there is no explanation or justification for his behavior.  The Joker is not motivated by greed, power or politics.  He does not care about money, even though he steals it.  He uses money as more of a motivational tool to get others to act in the way he would like them to.  He is not looking to make a statement, nor is there any evidence that he is aware of, or cares about, the fame and notoriety he gains.  And he clearly does not care whether he lives or dies, as long as his death furthers his mission.  And that mission is to engender anarchy and chaos, and nothing short of death or permanent incarceration is going to divert him from his goal.
 
To those loyal listeners to the Hewitt show, this view of terrorism comes as no particular surprise.  But to the left, it should.  That they embrace this vision is even more surprising.
 
So go see The Dark Knight -- but don't take the kids. Even with its PG-13 rating, it is far too intense and violent for anyone under 11.   And take your liberal friends with you.  The Joker, and what he represents, should make for a good discussion on the way home.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (2) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Top 10 Bilingual Movies of All Time!!

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Monday, July 14, 2008 2:01:51 PM
By now you've certainly heard of Mr. Obama's views on bilingual education.  So we decided to do our July 11 list on the Top 10 Bilingual Movies of All Time!!  And just in case you didn't hear the sho, and it needs explanation, what we're referring to are movies that demonstrate the virtues – or, perhaps, the detriments – of speaking more than one language.  And how difficult it is to predict which one (other than English) will be most beneficial in your future endeavors.  So here they are:

10.    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2005) – After all, you’ll never know when you’ll need to address a snake in Parseltongue
9.    The Great Escape (1963) – If you don’t speak German, sometimes it’s a good idea to keep your trap shut.
8.    Paris, je t'aime (2006) – Proving Obama’s point that if you don’t speak French, you could be missing out on a lot..
7.    The Bourne Identity (2002) – Can you imagine waking up and discovering that you can speak about a billion languages?
6.    Better Off Dead (1985) – A fine movie under any circumstances, but the budding romance between the non-English speaking French foreign exchange student and Lane (John Cusack) is pretty special.
5.    The Dirty Dozen (1967) – Maybe some German lessons would have been a good idea.
4.    The In-Laws (1979) – Alan Arkin’s expression while receiving pre-takeoff instructions from the Chinese co-pilot is classic.
3.    Spanglish (2004) – If Adam Sandler could only speak Spanish.
2.    Finding Nemo (2003) – "I speak whale.”
1.    Airplane (1980) – Barbara Billingsley.  Enough said.

And if you’d like to listen to the podcast of the show, click here.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (1) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Hellboy II: The Golden Army Delivers Visually

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Monday, July 14, 2008 1:09:52 PM
Here’s the thing about Heckboy (well, actually, Hellboy, but you know Salem!) II: The Golden Army.  Nobody who hasn’t already decided to go see it is going to go see it, and there’s little, if anything, that I can do to change their minds.  After all, you either want to see the continuing saga of the boy-with-horns-with-a-gigantic fist-drawn-across-dimensions-by-the-Nazis-to-win-WWII, or you don’t.  Your either a movie creature fan, or you’re not. 

And if you’re not, boy what a fun movie you’re going to miss.

Now no one goes to see Hellboy expecting a brilliant story and a fascinating plot.  Although both are servicable, both are sort of superfluous to the spectacle.  And what a spectacle it is.  Guillermo del Toro has created one of the busiest, most visually dense and creative films to come down the pike in some time.  Ron Perlman, Selma Blair and the always-unrecognizable Doug Jones are all excellent in their respective roles [Hellboy, Liz Sherman and Abe Sapien/The Chamberlain/The Angel of Death], and despite their extensive makeup manage to humanize their characters more than you’d think (the Tecate inspired Barry Manilow homage is a classic).

So if you’re attuned to the Hellboy franchise, comic book movies in general, or if you just want to be visually overwhelmed, go see Hellboy II.  You won’t be disappointed.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

"Tell No One" Is a Great Thriller -- Even If It IS French

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Monday, July 14, 2008 12:35:49 PM
When you’re wedded to someone who speaks fluent French, you are inevitably dragged to each and every French movie that makes its way to these shores.  Sometimes they’re horrid (One Sings, the Other Doesn’t, one of the few movies I’ve ever walked out on in my entire life), and sometimes they’re not (Ridicule, Paris, je t'aime, and any Francis Veber comedy).  But every once in a while you run across a film that is better than any similarly-themed movie that has come out in a long time.

Tell No One is such a film.  Based on a novel by Harlan Corbin (who, incidently, writes in English), the story involves a physician who was assaulted, and whose wife was kidnaped and murdered, eight years earlier.  Although initially a suspect in the murder, he is reluctantly exonerated by the police, and goes on with his pediatric medical practice.  But when other bodies possibly connected to the murder start turning up, the attention turns again to him.  And when he starts getting emails from his previously-deceased wife....

This is an outstanding thriller for those who are willing to take the time to read subtitles.  Just so you’re aware, it also has male and female nudity (after all, it is French), and some profanity (but unless you speak French you probably won’t get a lot of them in their full flavor).  And there’s something so French about a doctor who smokes like a chimney throughout most of the movie.  Highly recommended.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

"Wanted" Is Not For Everyone

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:07:12 AM
So what can you say about Wanted, the latest Angelina Jolie epic.  Oh, and James McAvoy, too, but after all, he's just in it in a futile attempt to drag women into a movie they clearly will not enjoy.  The draw for the target audience -- any red-blooded American male (cross out the American) from 15 to 105 -- is Angelina Jolie.  She is, quite simply, the most photogenic actress in the world, and maybe the most photogenic since Ingrid Bergman and Lauren Bacall.  And you get to see her tattooed and naked from the back.  Not that that matters.
But is it worth seeing?  Sorta.  First, there's Angelina Jolie -- did I mention that you get to see her tattooed and naked from the back?  As Fox, the chief trainer of a gang of assasins called the Fraternity that's been hanging around righting wrongs and curing injustice for a millenium, Jolie gets to establish herself as an action star and does a very good job.  So do McAvoy, as the son of the greatest assasin ever, and Morgan Freeman as the mysterious Sloan.
 
Now if you're looking for a cogent script, a tight plot and logical character development, you're probably looking in the wrong place. But if you're looking for tremendous special effects (I particularly liked the keyboard to the mug scene), nearly constant action, seeing Angelina Jolie naked and tattooed from behind, and that good old ultra violence, Wanted may be the movie for you. And remember, it is rated R, with all that that entails.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

A Sign the Apocolypse is Upon Us

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 1:44:30 AM
So I'm sitting in the theater waiting for Wanted to start -- did I mention that you get to see Angelina Jolie tattooed and naked from behind? -- when the trailer for Step Brothers comes on.   Now, I've probably seen that trailer about 200 times, and it doesn't get any better with age.  Although John C. Reilly and Will Farrell are a pretty good combo, the concept seems both odd and flat.  Why, exactly, would two 30+ men be living at home with their Mommy or Daddy, and why would they have to live in the same room once their respective partentl units get married?
 
Anyway.  So I'm sitting there, half paying attention to the trailer, when I half-hear Farrell say "He better not get in my face.  Because I'll drop the mother!#$%^". Actually, he didn't say the punctuation, but you get the idea of what he did say.  This piqued my interest, and it was followed by, well, a littany of other profanities and off-color comments.  Don't believe me?  You can view it here.
 
Now there have been so-called "green band" and "red band" trailers for some time.  Green band trailers (you can tell them because they start out with a green band across the screen with the words "This trailer has been approved for all audiences" across the screen) is intended for, well, all audiences.  Just like it says.  Probably 75% of the trailers fall into this category, because the studios (and the theaters) don't want to offend the viewing public.  Red band trailers, on the other hand, are for "mature" audiences, and are generally shown only before R rated films (although sometimes a PG-13 will sneak in).  They have more violence, more sex -- but until the trailer for Step Brothers, no profanity.  I've seen a ton of trailers, and reported on many of them, but this is the first time I've ever heard profanity in a trailer.  Ever.
 
I know, I know, Wanted is an R rated movie, and I knew going in that there was going to be lots of violence and lots of bad language -- and did I mention that you get to see Angelina Jolie tattooed and naked from behind?  So I shouldn't be offended by profanity in a trailer that accompanied it.  And yet, somehow, I was.  I can't tell you how many times I've been sitting in a multiplex waiting for an R rated movie to start when a family of 5 with 3 kids under 4 comes in because they've turned in to the wrong theater.  Can you imagine bringing your family to what you think is going to be WALL-E and what you get is Farrell dropping the f-bomb. It just doesn't seem right. So my vote is to keep the profane red band trailers where they belong -- on the Internet. That way if you find it, you deserve it.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

WALL E Hits the Bullseye

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:16:07 AM
WALL E, the new Disney-Pixar collaboration,  is simply a wonderful, wonderful, movie.  The trailer gives you little idea of what the movie is about, or what you have in store.  WALL E is the last remaining Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class on an Earth abandoned by humans 700 yeaers ago.  His only companion is a cockroach.  Each day WALL E does what he was built to do -- compacts and stacks trash -- and somethings he developed himself -- collecting knicnacks.  Until he meets EVE, a much more modern robot sent to Earth to look for one very special thing.

The film owes a great deal to Kurt Russell's Soldier (believe it or not) and Noah should at least be given an "inspired by" credit, and it is probably more geared for older children and any adult than to the very young.  Its long stretches of silence and slow build-up may be hard for little kids to deal with, and any adult shepherding kids to the movie will be inundated with questions.  But for anyone over 10, WALL E will be an absolutely fantastic movie experience.  The animation is spectacular and the characters -- even though mostly robots -- are well developed (who knew you could develop an emotional attachment with a cockroach?).  But it is the simple love story of two robots, one of whose's only desire is to hold hands, that really makes WALL E special.   Even its obvious environmental-pro-Al-Gore-anti-business bias doesn't distract from its entertainment value -- and it does sort of make you want to go out, exercise and cut back on the sweets.

And I liked the Pixar cartoon that precedes it, too.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Rev. Wright Makes the Big Time ...

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Friday, March 21, 2008 1:11:30 AM
   ... because in his honor we'll be doing the Top 10 Preacher Movies of All Time!  So preayerfully put on your thinking caps and give us a call tomorrow at 5 pm Pacific.  Or just give me your ideas now!  It may not get you on the air, or give you any credit, but it'll sure help me.
 
And stay tuned to this page (or if you must, his) for news on the 2009 Movie Cruise.  No details yet, but you just wait.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (1) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Pray for Me

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Wednesday, March 05, 2008 6:39:06 PM
In a classic case of taking one for the team, I will be attending an early screening tonight of College Road Trip, a sure 2008 Oscar® nominee (well, if  Norbit can make it...) starring Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné, and (gasp) Donny Osmond!!  I can hardly wait!!  No, really.  I mean it.  I do.
 
Tune in tomorrow for an early warning.... I mean review.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Obama and the "W" Word

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:50:22 PM
If there was anything interesting about the Ohio Democrat debate last night -- and it was interesting only if you find someone treading water and steadily sinking while desparately trying to grab for a life ring you're holding but won't throw interesting (sort of like William Bendix in Lifeboat or just about everybody in Open Water -- it occurred early on when Hillary was kvetching about the unfairness of Obama's attacks on her.  In his response, Obama said:
 
"But I think it's very important to understand the context of this, and that is that Senator Clinton has -- her campaign, at least -- has constantly sent out negative attacks on us, e-mail, robocalls, flyers, television ads, radio calls.  And, you know, we haven't whined about it because I understand that's the nature of these campaigns....."
 
Yikes!  By saying that he hasn't whined about it, he is of course implying that she has.  And whining, as we know, is not a particularly good characteristic for a Presidential candidate.  And to some -- not me, of course, but some -- the concept of whining has a certain, well, sexist tinge.  One that none of the questioners, nor Clinton, picked up on.  But if McCain said it....
 
And by the way, why do you have to go to the International Herald Tribune to see a transcript of last night's debate?
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

So What Happened Was ...

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:13:44 AM
Actualy, I'm not sure.  For any  of you who've tuned in over the last ten days or so, you may have noticed that all of the left-pane pithy comment on my blog was missing.  And stayed missing, apparently, until today, when my pleas to Townhall were finally heeded.  As best as I can determine, I was placed on the Double Secrer Probation list for some transgression (probably failure to post), and my site was removed.  And with Mr. Hewitt crusin' the amazin' Amazon, my inside source to correct this egregious error was unavailable.
 
But now I'm back.  All is forgiven.  Of course, you missed my pre-Oscar© picks which were, as usual, 100% accurate.  But you can't have everything.
 
By the way, this week I'll be off again, because Michael Steele will be guest hosting, and judging from his resume (and the fact that, to my knowledge, he's never actually heard Mr. Hewitt's show), talking movies with him may not be the best of all ideas.  So I'll be back on March 7 (unless I'm not -- always a possibility).
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

I'm Back in the Saddle Again

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:44:54 PM
And the topic for tomorrow, February 8, is ... 

... Shattered Dream movies!!!  You know, where the hero(ine)'s dreams -- and possibly those of others -- go up in a puff of smoke, for no explicable reason. 

Don't know why I chose this; just somehow seemed appropriate.

So if you have any bright ideas, let me have them.  And if you can't make the show live, you can listen to me banter with Hugh's guest host, Dean Barnett, catch us on the podcast.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Weekend Box Office Results

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Monday, January 28, 2008 12:53:37 PM
In case you care, Meet the Spartans -- an absolutely, colossally stupid movie -- barely edged out Rambo for the weekend box office prize, while Cloverfield took a deep plunge, falling below 27 Dresses.

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)

Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Meet the Spartans (Fox)

$18.7 million | 2,605 | $18.7 million | 1

2. Rambo (Lionsgate)

$18.2 million | 2,751 | $18.2 million | 1

3. 27 Dresses (Fox)

$13.6 million | 3,074 | $45.3 million | 2

4. Cloverfield (Paramount)

$12.7 million | 3,411 | $64.3 million | 2

5. Untraceable (Sony / Screen Gems)

$11.2 million | 2,368 | $11.2 million | 1

My advice:  ignore them all, and go out and see There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men.  You'll be much better served.
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Top 10 First Video Date Movies for Men

Posted by Emmett of the Unblinking Eye on Friday, January 25, 2008 11:18:51 PM
This may well be the stupidest list suggestion that Mr. Hewitt has ever had -- and to spread it out over the next four weeks (next week, the 10 Worst Movies a Man Can Choose For a First Video Date, followed by the same two for women) is just plain cruel.  If not for you, at least for me.

Any why is that?  Because women, contrary to the popular belief of at least one radio host, are not uniform.  They do not think the same, they do not enjoy the same films, the are as different as, well, men are.  And a movie that a certain segment of women might love might well make another group gag (as my list today obviously did).

The best suggestion of how to handle this situation came from one of our callers today.  If you're a man, out to impress a woman, then invite her over for a dinner you'll actually cook and a wine you'll actually choose.  And let her bring the movie.  She'll be happier, you'll be happier (except maybe for the cooking part), and I guarantee you that she'll be more impressed that you cooked than that you chose an appropriate movie.

But I'm kvetching and nobody cares.  So here's the list anyway, mainly light romantic comedies with some more serious stuff thrown in -- but really, any movie will do if you're with someone you care about:

10.    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
9.      When Harry Met Sally(1989)
8.      Notting Hill (1999)
7.      Far From Heaven (2002)
6.      The Philadelphia Story (1940)
5.      The African Queen (1951)
4.      Some Like It Hot (1959)
3.      It Happened One Night (1934)
2.      Casablanca (1942)
1.      The Notebook (2004)
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (1) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive
« Previous12345678910Next »