The Movie Blog

Documentary Review: Afgan Star

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:26:34 +0000

Thanks for checking out our Afgan Star review

Afgan Star is a 2009 Sundance Film Festival Winning documentary tkaing the Cinema Audience and Cinema Directing award. And now the film will be on HBO tonight at 9:30.

I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a copy thanks to HBO and it was a thought provoking and enjoyable if not disturbing at times.

THE GENERAL IDEA

After 30 years of war and Taliban-rule, pop culture has returned to Afghanistan. Afghan Star – a Pop Idol-style TV series – is searching the country for the next generation of music stars. Over 2000 people are auditioning and even three women have come forward to try their luck. The organizers, Tolo TV, believe with this programme they can ‘move people from guns to music’.

But in a troubled country like Afghanistan, even music is controversial. Considered sacrilegious by the Mujahiddeen and outright banned by the Taliban (1996-2001), music has come to symbolize freedom for the youth. While the conflict still rages many of those taking part are literally risking their lives.

Being a documentary review, I have to approach this differently, as it is a presentation of opinions – something that cannot be wrong. I wont lay out a good/bad of this as much as an overall review, with my rating settling how good or bad it does at delievering its message.
Overall

This is a brutal and harsh look at how people are being moved by this entertainment. Its a dramatic sway to both sides of the pendulm. While some are expressing that these contestants should be murdered for singing on TV (literally) others are so enthusiastic and it represents a shining light in their otherwise unhappy lives.

I can’t help but think that this is a big part of why there is no peace. (Not the show – but a bigger picture) The people are at war socially as well as with other countries. While their leadership is taking a political stance based entirely on their religious beliefs, within their own country they have their own people, professing to share those beliefs but then actively participating against it. I imgine that is very frustrating.

And this is not just a look at what is happening in Afganistan, as we can see a parellel of what is going on with this and our own North American culture. This is not just a “what’s happening there” but there is a bigger subtle message for our own lifestyles. We teach our kids that drugs, sex and violence is inappropriate for them to watch, but enjoy music, films and TV that glorify it somewhat openly, making them curious about that which we try to shelter them from.

The documentary makes you THINK, and it makes you feel. There is no greater compliment for a documentary than to have it spark ideas, thoughts and emotions.

So in closing, I give Afgan Star a 9 out of 10.

The film will be presented TONIGHT on HBO. Check your local listings for times and channels.

Peacock Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:14:02 +0000

Now this looks downright creepy. Cillian Murphy always does a great job playing someone a little unhinged so he works great in this role, but who would have guessed that his other talent is that he would make a wonderful cross dresser?

Peacock is a psychological thriller where a quiet small town man has a cross dressing fascination and one day he is spotted in his female persona, and the town suddenly confuses him as his own wife (that he doesn’t have) and as the coverup for “Emma” gets deeper and deeper, the lies get more complex.

This looks seriously creepy and awesome at the same time.

Via

Hank Azaria joins The Smurfs as Gargamel

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:00:45 +0000

An update on the live action adaptation of The Smurfs has hit the net announcing that Hank Azaria will be giving voice to Gargamel. Wait? Voice?

The story follows a couple expecting their first child who find their lives turned upside-down when they meet the miniature blue creatures in New York City’s Central Park.

Neil Patrick Harris and “Glee” star Jayma Mays will play the couple. Filming kicks off next month for an August 2011 release.

So… the Smurfs live in Central Park in modern day New York?

Gargamel will be “voiced” by Hank Azaria? I thought this was going to be a live action mixed with CG Smurfs? Is Gargamel going to be a toon person?? I thought NPH was voicing Brainy Smurf?

I am confused.

But I love NPH, and Jayma Mays is awesome too (Side note: NPH will make an appearance on Glee this season) so I have been keeping an eye on this.

But I am so confused about what they intend to do with this. I still say that Jeff Goldblum would have been a PERFECT Gargamel, but if not, I can deal with Azaria.

The Greatest Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:53:56 +0000

The Greatest is a story about a girl and a boy who fall in love and when he is tragically taken from her in a car accident she reveals to his family that she is pregnant with their dead son’s baby. They take her in and get to know her while they deal with their loss.

After seeing her in the seriously scary Blink episode of Doctor Who I am completely in love with this girl (but she is far prettier with long hair). And then seeing this trailer I realize she is a completely different girl, and it just speaks to her ability to act. I suspect big things for this girl.

But with Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan in it as well? I will be giving this a shot!

The Mechanic Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:31:18 +0000

Jason Statham was suspected to be taking over as the next big action hero, but then he quietly slipped away while Sam Worthington took that job. But now he appears to be back with a vengence his this hard and gritty remake of Charles Bronson’s The Mechanic.

Check out the Trailer:

Interestingly enough its not Statham’s asskickery that I am looking forward to, its Ben Foster that I want to see. I am REALLY liking Foster lately. So far he has yet to disappoint me.

New Scott Pilgrim Vs The World Teaser Poster Online

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:23:30 +0000

Scott Pilgrim vs The World has a cult like following that are just drooling to see the stylized comic book come to life on the big screen. So far its all been positive news to the fans, including this new poster:

img src=”http://themovieblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/scott-pigrim-teaser.jpg”>

The epic poster of epicness, has been making the rounds today paying solid homage to one of Scott Pilgrim’s book covers with the live action character.

Via

Star Wars Babies Coming to TV?

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:15:57 +0000

Looks like Papa Smurf is at it again, and is starting to develope a Muppet Babies take on Star Wars. George Lucas is gearing up to transport the iconic characters of the franchise into baby versions of themselves all interacting in a day care… or something.

io9.com says:

George Lucas beginning pre-production on another animated SW series. But this time it’s for pre-scoolers and Kindergarteners. Rumor has it, the toy line Star Wars: Galactic Heroes is what they are basing the premise around. And the working title is “Squishies.”

George, I love ya more than any grown man should. You have created a universe that has impacted me on so many levels but seriously.

Stop.

Stop trying to milk that cow. You have more money than the Vatican, you can do ANYTHING you want. But stop.

Maybe we are over reacting and this toon will be super fun like the Muppet Babies were for us back in the day. (Shut up, I know you watched it)

And frankly those Galactic Heroes toys are made of awesome. I have the stubby Falcon and a littering of big eyed squat figures on my desk as we speak.

Eat Pray Love Trailer Online

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:01:49 +0000

Julia Roberts just oozes with appeal. She is a beautiful woman, a bold presence and her greatest trait isn’t that goose laughter… its her vulnerability. And that is why I want to see this movie.

Based on a true story (Based on the memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert) about a woman on a world tour of self discovery, Eat Pray Love follows a woman as she tries to figure out what is wrong with her life, if anything.

Hell, even in the trailer she can make my sympathetic to her struggles. This looks touching.

Reitman might be Replaced to Direct Ghost Busters 3?

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:50:01 +0000

Just like it is speculated that Ghost Busters 3 will have the old team passing the torch to a new younger group of Busters, so art imitates life. The studio wants Reitman to step away from directing Ghostbusters 3 in favour of a younger newer director.

Bloody Disgusting says:

“The studio’s strategy is to revitalize the franchise for next year by having the original ‘busters train a dramatically younger crew in Ghostbusters III, while a correspondingly younger director handles things behind the camera,” writes Vulture. “However, Reitman’s old contract — made at the height of his and Ovitz’s powers — still gives him exceptional creative control over the series, including director approval.”

Even more interesting, some of the stars can kill the project with a raise of their hand.

“In fact, a source tells us that Reitman and all three original principals (Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis … sorry, Ernie Hudson!) have a deal that says that if any of the four of them don’t like any element of a new Ghostbusters, they can singlehandedly veto and kill the project; it has to be unanimously approved before going forward.”

While I can see how the studio would feel about passing the torch with a new director. Reitman might be the right man for the job because his contract says he gets to pick the director, but can he pull off a Ghost Busters movie that will have a broad appeal to newer audiences, kickstarting a new generation of Ghost Busters? Or will he simply deliever a movie that would appeal to existing fans of the franchise.

But the big scary is that if the studio stands there ground – and that ground rubs Reitman or any of the Old Busters the wrong way, then there will not be another Ghost Busters.

I hope they settle this amicably, and we get to see another Ghost Busters film, and Zod willing, a re-ignited franchise for a whole new generation.

Singer and Schuler Donner talk X-Men 4 and First Class

Rodney — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:30:49 +0000

Recently in an interview with Bryan Singer and producer Lauren Shuler Donner with the LA Times they got to talking about X-Men First Class, and the possibility of X-Men 4.

ComingSoon shares:

“Just doing younger mutants is not enough. The story needs to be more than that. I love the relationship between Magneto and Xavier, these two men who have diametrically opposite points of view but still manage to be friends — to a point. They are the ultimate frenemies.”

Shuler Donner also has pitched Singer on doing a fourth installment of the previously established “X-Men” franchise and Jackman had lunch with Singer to coax him into a project as well, which may or may not be Wolverine 2. Jackman has said the sequel will be set in Japan and released in 2011.

In the interview, Singer turned to Shuler Donner and said of X-Men 4: “Hold that one off for just a little, I’m fixated on the other one right now.” She nodded and answered, “I will, I will … I’m holding it open with high hopes. It’s totally different [from 'First Class'] and it will be so interesting for you.”

I love hearing all these little bits, and hearing that they intend to do something more than just “younger X-Men” for First Class is encouraging too. I loved both of Singer’s X-Films. Hearing that he is back in the comfy seat calling the shots on set makes me happy.

That he might be in charge of Wolverine 2 as well? Lets hope that speculation comes true too. Then maybe he can save us from the mess that was Origins Wolverine.