Buddhi Free » Stuff

Simpsons Live Action Movie

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:58:13 +0000

Hollywood seems hell bent on turning everything that’s ever worked into a movie-from pointless sequels to extend franchises well past their primes, to pointless adaptations of TV serials (like the one being mooted by John Stamos for Full House), to even more pointless and silly remakes. But, one series I really, really hope they don’t adapt is The Simpsons. The full length feature offered earlier, though decent, lacked that zing of a Simpsons episode. A live action movie will lose a lot of the impact of the cartoon show, and will just come across as a couple of people trying to be The Simpsons.

I came across fan art (actually, it was a graphic designer showcasing his Photoshop prowess) that has a pretty good poster for a Simpsons live action movie.

All Star Simpsons Movie Poster

I don’t know whether it’s amazing casting, or amazing Photoshop, but everyone looks damn convincing in their roles! Especially Depp, Defoe, Buscemi and Clooney.

First Look: RDJ from Iron Man 2

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:17:00 +0000

What do I think? The lab looks bigger…definitely more number of suits, RDJ again looking the part, cool new gadgetry. All in all, a step up on the previous movie while still maintaining the familiar look and ambiance.
Only doubt I have about the movie, though, is Jon Favreau. Make no mistake, I absolutely loved the first movie…till the last 20 minutes, that is, when we had a robot fight extravaganza, which, of course, has been done better in Transformers. Also, I’m not too convinced by Favreau’s past record–I have a lot of trouble accepting him as a legit director. Anyway, sure do hope they Iron out the flaws and make a kick-ass movie!

Transformers 2, Trailer 2 in HD

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 02 May 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Bigger, better, kick-ass!

Was that the Scorponk theme, from the first movie, played out on electric guitar I hear in the beginning? Linkin Park are rumored to be scoring the movie with Hans Zimmer, so I won’t be all that surprised…

Transformers: Megan Fox audition tape

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:27:00 +0000

Just been crawling around on the net, and what do I find? Megan Fox auditioning for her part in Transformers! And no, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t just include her turning up–the poor girl actually had to recite some lines too…a task she had trouble with in the film too…but who’s complaining?

Transformers 2 Superbowl Spot

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:41:00 +0000

Now THIS looks like the good action flick I mentioned earlier…

This has gotten me drooling no end-it seems bigger, better and more action packed (leave it to Michael Bay to up the ante!) than the first Transformers movie…

G.I. Joe Superbowl Commercial

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:47:00 +0000

I’ve never been a G.I. Joe fan, but when news of the in-development movie came along, I got a little excited at the prospect of watching a good action movie. After seeing this Superbowl spot for the movie, I’ve gotta say, I’ve given up all hope of a good actioner.

Lines like “What did you say your name was? -I didn’t” are just so corny. Plus, Eiffel Tower being attacked by plants?! Please! Which begs the question, what is Dennis Quaid doing in a corny little flick like this!?!

2009 Oscar nominees

Rachit Agarwal — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:42:00 +0000

Now that I’ve (almost) accepted the fact that I won’t be seeing one of the best movies of 2008 win the Best Picture Oscar, I can finally put up the Oscar nominee list…

Best Picture
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Director
David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Ron Howard, “Frost/Nixon”
Gus Van Sant, “Milk”
Stephen Daldry, “The Reader”
Danny Boyle, “Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Actor
Richard Jenkins, “The Visitor”
FrankLangella, “Frost/Nixon”
Sean Penn, “Milk”
Brad Pitt, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Mickey Rourke, “The Wrestler”

Best Actress
Anne Hathaway, “Rachel Getting Married”
Angelina Jolie, “Changeling”
Melissa Leo, “Frozen River”
Meryl Streep, “Doubt”
Kate Winslet, “The Reader”

Best Supporting Actor
Josh Brolin, “Milk”
Robert Downey Jr., “Tropic Thunder”
Phillip Seymour Hoffman, “Doubt”
Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
Michael Shannon, “Revolutionary Road”

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, “Doubt”
Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
Viola Davis, “Doubt”
Taraji P. Henson, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
Marisa Tomei, “The Wrestler”

Best Adapted Screenplay
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Doubt”
“Frost/Nixon”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Original Screenplay
“Frozen River”
“Happy-Go-Lucky”
“In Bruges”
“Milk”
“WALL-E”

Best Animated Feature Film
“Bolt”
“Kung Fu Panda”
“WALL-E”

Best Foreign Language Film
“The Baader Meinhof Complex”
“The Class”
“Depatures”
“Revanche”
“Waltz with Bashir”

Best Documentary Feature
“The Betrayal (Nerkhoon)”
“Encounters at the End of the World”
“The Garden”
“Man on Wire”
“Trouble the Water”

Best Art Direction
“Changeling”
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“The Duchess”
“Revolutionary Road”

Best Cinematography
“Changeling”
“TheCurious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“The Reader”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Costume Design
“Australia”
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Duchess”
“Milk”
“Revolutionary Road”

Best Film Editing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Frost/Nixon”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

Best Makeup
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army”

Best Music (Original Score)
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“Defiance”
“Milk”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
“WALL-E”

Best Music (Original Song)
“Slumdog Millionaire” (“Jai Ho”)
“Slumdog Millionaire” (“O…Saya”)
“WALL-E”

Best Sound Editing
“The Dark Knight”
“Iron Man”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
“WALL-E”
“Wanted”

Best Sound Mixing
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Slumdog Millionaire”
“WALL-E”
“Wanted”

Best Visual Effects
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”
“The Dark Knight”
“Iron Man”

Best Documentary Short Subject
“The Conscience of Nhem En”
“The Final Inch”
“Smile Pinki”
“The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306″

Best Short Film (Animated)
“La Maison de Petits Cubes”
“Lavatory – Lovestory”
“Oktapodi”
“Presto”
“This Way Up”

Best Short Film (Live Action)
“Aufder Strecke (On the Line)”
“Manon on the Asphault”
“New Boy”
“The Pig”
“Spielzeugland(Toyland)”

The ones in italics are my predictions. Wherever I wasn’t decided, I picked the one whose name sounded more appealing (like in Best Short Film-Animated and Best Short Film-Live Action)

PS: Tchch tchch…what a farce! The best adapted screenplay wasn’t even nominated! Nor was the best original soundtrack..!

Bourne the next Bond?

Rachit Agarwal — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:20:00 +0000

In a move that could see the Jason Bourne series becoming Universal’s answer to the Bond series, Universal Studios has signed an agreement with the Ludlum estate that gives them exclusive rights to the Jason Bourne character and first look at other Ludlum novels.
This move paves the way for future installment in the lucrative series, starring Matt Damon in the title role, which has already raked in over a billion USD worldwide.

Originally intended as a trilogy, there’s a fourth flick in the works at present. Damon reprises his role, while Paul Greengrass (who helmed the last two outings), returns as the director. The as yet untitled film is set for a 2010 release.
Personally, even though I’m more of a Bond fan (especially since Craig’s taken over), I also like the Bourne series a lot, and so, really look forward to seeing a whole series of Bourne flicks. That is, only if they can maintain the current (very high) standards….

Dark Knight snubbed

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:57:00 +0000

Variety magazine reports that the soundtrack for Chris Nolan’s masterpiece, The Dark Knight, won’t be eligible for an Oscar nomination. The score, credited to Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, has been disqualified because too many other people were also listed as composers on the score cue sheets.
Besides Zimmer and Howard, three others were listed as ‘composers’-music editor Alex Gibson, ambient music designer Mel Wesson and composer Lorne Balfe. According to Academy rules, for a score to be eligible, over 70% has to be attributed to the principle composer (in this case, Zimmer and Howard). Even though all involved signed a document saying that this was the case, the Academy was left unmoved.
This comes as a real disappointment for me. The soundtrack was one of the most innovative, yet melodic ones I’ve ever heard, and had that special quality of growing on you each time you listened to it. After an Academy snub for the equally wonderful Batman Begins score (incidentally, because of the same reason), I was really hoping to see Zimmer and Howard get the gold statuettes for The Dark Knight….

Angels and Demons teaser

Rachit Agarwal — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:19:00 +0000

The first teaser trailer for Angels and Demons is here. Check it out….

Looks pretty impressive, and from what I can gather, Tom Hanks has done away with the crazy-no-sideburns-hairstyle he had in The Da Vinci Code. I just hope the movie’s as good as that….