Cinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.com/media/feedlogo.gifCinematicalhttp://www.cinematical.comen-usCopyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Cinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: The Muscle From Brusselshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-muscle-from-bruss/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-muscle-from-bruss/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/12/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-muscle-from-bruss/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Long ago, before the problems with drugs and fights at strip clubs, Jean Claude Van Damme ripped himself out of the fighting world, oiled up his flesh, and became America's Muscles from Brussels. At first, the process was slow and simple -- breaking into the world of film as "Gay Karate Man" in Monaco Forever, being a background performer in Rue barbare, and then getting some uncredited English work as a spectator in that 1984 classic, Breakin'.

But then came No Retreat, No Surrender, where he played a Russian baddie opposite General Hospital and Guiding Light star Kurt McKinney, and the rest was history. He did all he could do in the action realm -- kickboxing revenge, jail, video game flicks, soldier, and even cracking walnuts with his butt.

These days, he's whipped up an insane amount of positive buzz with JCVD and reinvigorated his career. But it all had to start somewhere. As a well-oiled, good-guy ode to that sexy, muscled Belgian, I give you: Bloodsport and Kickboxer.

*Note: In the interest of good matches, I'm leaving off my all-time favorite Van Damme flick, Cyborg, to get its love another day. Gibson will have his moment to shine!

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]]>BloodsportCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureJean Claude Van DammeJeanClaudeVanDammeKickboxerMonika BartyzelFri, 12 Sep 2008 19:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: That Lovely City Called Torontohttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/05/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-that-lovely-city-call/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/05/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-that-lovely-city-call/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/09/05/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-that-lovely-city-call/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



When you live in downtown Toronto, you quickly become accustomed to the people calendar -- when the streets will be silent, and when they'll be buzzing. It starts when school lets out -- young kids hit the playgrounds while the college kids head home and free up the late-night sidewalks. Every third person is now a tourist, stopping every few feet for pictures or to look at a map. On the weekends, the city often becomes a ghost town, as hordes head up north to cottages. But then it's back to school, often marked by the eager new engineers running around the city painted purple.

And just a few days later, they're joined by slick stars and a million press badges as the Toronto International Film Festival gears up. The stars are out, as are the press, the movie lovers, and the eager onlookers. Teeny boppers buzz like packs of bees around the Four Seasons and other Yorkville haunts for a peek at someone famous. It's movies and fans everywhere.

But reviews don't give you a taste of the city, nor do quick glimpses in films like Chicago and Urban Legend. You can see it retro-style with SCTV, but that city is in the past. The best way to get a taste of Toronto without being here is through Canadian filmmaker Don McKellar. Between the films he's directed and those he's acted in, you can get many tastes of this town, from exotic women to last nights on Earth. In honor of the fest, and of the wonderful T-Dot, I offer you: Childstar and Monkey Warfare.

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]]>ChildstarCinematicalDon McKellarDonMckellardouble featureDoubleFeatureMonkey WarfareMonkeyWarfareToronto filmsTorontoFilmsMonika BartyzelFri, 05 Sep 2008 18:15:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Buddy Copshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-buddy-cops/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-buddy-cops/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/29/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-buddy-cops/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Buddy films. They're an interesting breed of cinema. Instead of finding success in a niche, they appeal to the masses. With buddy flicks, you're served a variety of time periods, races, genres, laughs, and scenarios. If one doesn't appeal, the next is sure to come -- all tapping into the goodness of friendship and camaraderie.

And snuggled nicely into that sector of cinema are the buddy cops. They've made the careers of a few big stars, like Mel Gibson and Eddie Murphy. But I don't want to give you something quite so obvious as Beverly Hills Cop or Leathal Weapon. Since this is all due to my recent purchase of Hot Fuzz, I give you that plus an ol' '80s classic -- Running Scared.

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]]>Cinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureHot FuzzHotFuzzRunning ScaredRunningScaredMonika BartyzelFri, 29 Aug 2008 21:03:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Pumpkins and Honeybunnieshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/22/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-pumpkins-and-honeybun/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/22/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-pumpkins-and-honeybun/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/22/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-pumpkins-and-honeybun/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



I have a confession to make. I used to be a rabid fangirl of Quentin Tarantino -- so much so that I went all sorts of nuts when introduced to my first college poster sale. My poor roommate ... she had to deal with one half of a room adorned with posters of John Travolta, Tim Roth, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. My guns and bad guys were balanced by her posters of funky black and white photos and art prints.

It wasn't that I was a huge fan of ultra-violent films; I just couldn't get enough of a film laden with insanely catchy conversations and even catchier music. I especially loved Pumpkin, and Honey Bunny. So, in honor of bad girls and guys who love each other while wreaking havoc on the world, I give you two Tarantino flicks from 1994 -- Pulp Fiction and Natural Born Killers. (Well, to be fair -- he disowned the latter, but he's still a part of it.)

This is Tarantino we're talking about, so these clips might not be suitable for wee young things and work environments.

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]]>Cinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureNatural Born KillersNaturalBornKillersPulp FictionPulpFictionQuentin TarantinoQuentinTarantinoMonika BartyzelFri, 22 Aug 2008 20:03:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Road Trippin'http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/15/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-road-trippin/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/15/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-road-trippin/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/15/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-road-trippin/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This is the perfect time for a road trip -- the sun is high in the sky, the weather is warm, and the roads are clear. But alas, the responsibilities of adulthood and busy scheduling don't always make the open road a viable option. Luckily, however, there's always the movies -- a million different cinematic road adventures to explore.

For this double feature, I'm giving you a little taste of the '90s and then a little taste of the '80s. One is a feature that helped start the careers of two notable actors, and spawned a terrible copy-cat film with Tom Green. The other made soft, warm pillows seem like more than just a wonderfully relaxing safe haven. Sit back and enjoy Overnight Delivery and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

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]]>Cinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureJohn CandyJohnCandyOvernight DeliveryOvernightDeliveryPaul RuddPaulRuddPlanesReese WitherspoonReeseWitherspoonSteve MartinSteveMartinTrains and AutomobilesMonika BartyzelFri, 15 Aug 2008 21:31:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Dedicated to Papa Robertshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/08/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-dedicated-to-papa-rob/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/08/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-dedicated-to-papa-rob/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/08/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-dedicated-to-papa-rob/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



I discovered Eric Roberts through Nobody's Fool. He played Riley, a stage technician who falls for the wacky but lovable Cassie (Rosanna Arquette). It's one of those flawed movies that's perfectly enjoyable when watched with the comfortable eyes of nostalgia -- it's not the greatest feat of filmmaking by far, but it's a movie of memories and awkward '80s charm. Watching that, Mr. Roberts became my movie hero.

Yesterday, the world belonged to sister Julia, and today it belongs to daughter Emma, but for some of us, it's always been Eric's world. Over the many years of acting, he's amassed controversy, critical feats, and brow-raising stinkers, bringing us a long selection of roles that should always stay on the radar. Tonight, I want to give you a taste of his accomplishments, as well as a little bit of heroics, because these days, he's like the wonderful Christopher Walken -- mostly pigeon-holed into the tough, meanie, or jerky roles. Without further ado, I give you: The Pope of Greenwich Village and The Best of the Best.

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]]>Best of the BestBestOfTheBestCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureEric RobertsEricRobertsThe Pope of Greenwich VillageThePopeOfGreenwichVillageMonika BartyzelFri, 08 Aug 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Alone in the Dark in Greenwich Villagehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/01/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alone-in-the-dark-in/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/01/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alone-in-the-dark-in/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/08/01/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alone-in-the-dark-in/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



While creepy monsters can send chills straight to the spine, there's nothing quite as thrilling as the perfectly simple fright. Thanks to the master Alfred Hitchcock, as well as a number of other filmmakers over the years, we've been showered in an array of scenarios so believable that every shadow becomes eerie, and every noise, threatening. They're the scares that could happen to any one of us on an unlucky day; they are the dangers that await us when we're alone and in the dark.

For tonight's double feature, I wanted to go old school with chills that go back to the '50s and '60s, centered on New York's Greenwich Village. These films might be decades old, but they hold premises that make them worthy, unforgettable classics. Without further ado, I give you: Rear Window and Wait Until Dark.

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]]>Alan ArkinAlanArkinAudrey HepburnAudreyHepburnCinematicalGrace KellyGraceKellyJack WestonJackWestonJames StewartJamesStewartRear WindowRearWindowRichard KrennaRichardKrennaWait Until DarkWaitUntilDarkMonika BartyzelFri, 01 Aug 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Underrated Music Movieshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/18/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-underrated-music-movi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Right off the bat, I must say: While I love music in film, I don't like most of the musicals out there. Try as I might, most just inspire me to daydream through the musical numbers. But those that capture me, I adore. I never get tired of the rapid wordplay from Pirates of Penzance. I love most of the music in Moulin Rouge -- especially the inclusions of Lamb's "Gorecki." If it's done right, I'm a fan forever (Evil Dead: The Musical).

Surprisingly enough, there are two films that came out in the last year that I really dug, even though they really didn't hit the mark with fans. They came, they danced, they crooned, and they fell flat. I sat down to watch both of these expecting disappointment, and in one case, I was digging it from the first minute, and the other, I just couldn't stop giggling. In a very brief journey back in time, I give you: Across the Universe and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

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]]>Across the UniverseAcrossTheUniverseCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureWalk HardWalk Hard The Dewey Cox StoryWalkHardWalkHardTheDeweyCoxStoryMonika BartyzelFri, 18 Jul 2008 20:03:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: When Romance is Done Righthttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/11/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-when-romance-is-done/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/11/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-when-romance-is-done/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/11/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-when-romance-is-done/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



These days, genre has been boiled down into such simplistic forms that it becomes a buzz-worthy feat when a film manages to pull off more than just a basic premise. A superhero film becomes wow-worthy if time was taken to perfect the story and actors. A comedy becomes rare if it includes a lot of smarts with the slapstick. A romance becomes one of a kind if its characters don't fit into the almost-always-used conventions.

This latter one is a true sore spot of mine. For the most part, romance and relationships have been boiled down to such ridiculous stereotypes that all romcoms sound ridiculous and anything with romance gets the "chick flick" badge. But romance isn't all that stereotypes would have you believe. It's not all clutzy or irrational women, fashion, game playing, and vast gender divides. Sometimes, the romance is even infused with smarts, success, and tangible connection. In praise of my favorite romances, I give you: Before Sunrise and Before Sunset.

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]]>Before SunriseBefore SunsetBeforeSunriseBeforeSunsetCinematicalEthan HawkeEthanHawkeJulie DelpyJulieDelpyRichard LinklaterRichardLinklaterMonika BartyzelFri, 11 Jul 2008 19:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Frights for the Fourthhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/04/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-frights-for-the-fourt/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/04/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-frights-for-the-fourt/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/07/04/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-frights-for-the-fourt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It would be easy to offer you appropriately themed movies for the Fourth of July. There is, of course, Independence Day, plus flicks like Yankee Doodle Dandy, or on a more serious note, Born of the Fourth of July. But what's the fun in that? You could come up with those yourself. I could be snarky and offer only British fare, which is actually very tempting, but I have something else in mind: Independence-themed chills.

The two films for this double feature are not centered specifically on the Fourth of July, but the date is important to both stories -- whether it's the tale of tourists and teeth, or parades and creepiness. Do you see where I'm headed? For this double feature, in honor of the Fourth of July, I give you: Jaws and Cape Fear.

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]]>Cape FearCapeFearCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureFourth of JulyFourthOfJulyIndependence DayIndependenceDayJawsMonika BartyzelFri, 04 Jul 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Alternate Realitieshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/27/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alternate-realities/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/27/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alternate-realities/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/27/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-alternate-realities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



.erutaef elbuod thgin yadirF s'lacitameniC ot emocleW*

Whether it's grown men in bunny suits or the addictive giggle of Melissa McCarthy, this week's double feature is all about alternate realities. While I'm not the biggest fan of many science fiction elements, I'm a sucker for a good story about worlds that are just a little bit off. When an eerie twist is mixed into scenes showcasing the life and environment we're all familiar with, a film changes from something we can guess into an intriguing puzzle to figure out, or endlessly argue about. (And it does so without traveling to unrecognizable, fantastical new turf.)

Tonight, we've got a film that really should get more play, plus one beloved cult classic. I give you: The Nines and Donnie Darko.

*Included at the request of a nerd friend of mine.

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]]>CinematicalDonnie DarkoDonnieDarkodouble featureDoubleFeatureGodThe NinesTheNinesMonika BartyzelFri, 27 Jun 2008 21:03:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Life, Love, and College Graduationhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-life-love-and-colle/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-life-love-and-colle/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/20/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-life-love-and-colle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



No more teachers! No more books! No more teachers' dirty looks! When the teacher rings the bell, drop your books and run like hell!

It's the anthem of June, as classes wind down and summer begins. When there's two full months free of school, it's easy to forget the looming dark cloud that is September ... unless you're a lucky college grad (or a high school student not heading off to further your education).

There's a definite twist that happens over those four years, as school falls into a memory. High school grad movies are full of exacerbated partying, getting your last hoorahs, and last chances at childhood love. After college, however, the tone changes a little bit. There's work, the towering pressures from the adults around you, and the bad choices you make in the name of lust and love. The two films for this double feature are almost 30 years apart, but both are classics, known for their stars, music, and adult angst. I give you: The Graduate and Reality Bites.

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]]>Cinematicalcollege graduation moviesCollegeGraduationMoviesdouble featureDoubleFeatureReality BitesRealityBitesThe GraduateTheGraduateMonika BartyzelFri, 20 Jun 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Happy Campinghttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/13/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-happy-camping/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/13/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-happy-camping/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/13/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-happy-camping/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



This week, I have had the fortune of working from a cottage, surrounded by trees, birds, and a large and peaceful lake (as well as insidious horse flies, determined mosquitoes, and about 50 million caterpillars). In between the work and the sun, I've mused about cottages and movies. There's not many cottage-based films out there -- at least not ones that are about the actual experience, rather than something about a scary killer, or maybe a campfire ghost story.

But there are a lot of camping movies. You have color wars, swimsuits, canoes, trees, and all of that big nature-on-the-water stuff. I wanted to include Poison Ivy tonight, the awesome TV-movie camp fest that stars Michael J. Fox and Nancy McKeon, a counselor and camp nurse who team up with the kids to face off against Adam Baldwin's evil Ike Dimick. However, I can't find so much as a trailer for that.

So instead, whip up some smores and check out an old classic and newer gem -- Meatballs and Happy Campers.

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]]>camp moviesCampMoviesCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureHappy CampersHappyCampersMeatballsMonika BartyzelFri, 13 Jun 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Getting Sexy Before School Lets Outhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/06/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-getting-sexy-before-s/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/06/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-getting-sexy-before-s/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/06/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-getting-sexy-before-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



It's June, which means the countdown is on until the cute little rugrats and tempestuous teens get released from school to wreak havoc in the home and on the streets. That means that there is not much time left to make use of the long nights of studying, the friendly sleepovers, and the hours at school. In some places, school's already out, and the mayhem has already begun!

So, tonight's double feature is all about getting a night of sweet silence and cinematic sexiness with your partner of choice. There will be no Mulholland Drive, because a few moments of supreme sexiness don't make up for the overall feel. Instead, this is about movies that have more than one saucy scene, and should get you in the mood for post-film shenanigans. Obviously, it's pretty much impossible to pick the best of, because there are so very many good examples -- Bliss, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Nine 1/2 Weeks, The Story of O, Basic Instinct, Dangerous Liaisons, Crash, Like Water for Chocolate...

But I'm going to go with a little bit of bondage, and a little bit of literature. I give you: Secretary and Henry & June.

And this is your obvious warning: What follows has sexual and adult content and language.



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]]>Anais NinAnaisNinCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureHenry JuneHenry MillerHenryJuneHenryMillerSecretarysexy moviesSexyMoviesMonika BartyzelFri, 06 Jun 2008 21:04:00 ESTRussian Trailer for 'The X-Files: I Want to Believe' - with Translation!http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/03/russian-trailer-for-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe-with-tran/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/03/russian-trailer-for-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe-with-tran/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/06/03/russian-trailer-for-the-x-files-i-want-to-believe-with-tran/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Since Fox has refused to reveal virtually any plot details about this summer's The X-Files: I Want to Believe, I've endeavored to translate the still-cryptic but slightly more informative Russian trailer that hit the interwebs yesterday. It would seem that the story will involve a priest named "Father Joe" (that's the Billy Connolly character) who has nightmarish visions of a woman in trouble that he claims come from God. (In other words, this unofficial summary seems to have been on the money.) We also learn that Mulder is roped into the investigation by Amanda Peet's character, Dakota Whitney.

I had fun translating the cheesy dubbing; you hear bits of this dialogue in the American trailer, but a lot of it is new. Check out the translation after the jump.

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]]>Amanda PeetAmandaPeetBilly ConnollyBillyConnollyThe X-Files I Want to BelieveTheX-filesIWantToBelieveEugene NovikovTue, 03 Jun 2008 10:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: In Memory of Harvey Kormanhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-in-memory-of-harvey-k/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-in-memory-of-harvey-k/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/30/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-in-memory-of-harvey-k/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



At first, this was going to be a post about music on DVD -- in honor of the eleventh anniversary of Jeff Buckley's death, which horribly coincides with my birthday. But then there was another bout of sadness for the 29th -- the death of Harvey Korman. Coincidentally, I'd had a whole conversation yesterday about Abe Vigoda, and old funny men who are still alive. I wish this was the case for the great Harvey.

I'm not going to write a lot about his career -- Scott did that wonderfully in his obituary. And, I've already given you the double feature that covers my favorite Korman film roles -- the Mel Brooks-inspired March double feature of History of the World, Part 1 and Blazing Saddles. But Harvey Korman was really special, and he's given me, and many others, so very many laughs over the years that he deserves the Double Feature tonight.

But things are going to be a little different this week. So much of Korman's work is worth the time that I'm abandoning the two-film format and, instead, giving you a selection of clips and moments from the spectrum of Korman's career. Use this as a jumping point for your own Korman double or triple feature, or enjoy a full Harvey Korman marathon. Enjoy the clips after the jump, and weigh in on your favorite Korman moments in the comments.

Harvey, you will be deeply missed.

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]]>CinematicalHarvey KormanHarveyKormanMonika BartyzelFri, 30 May 2008 19:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Damsels Not in Distresshttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/23/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-damsels-not-in-distre/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/23/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-damsels-not-in-distre/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/23/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-damsels-not-in-distre/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



I wanted to continue this whole week of Indiana Jones, but we've already given you movies reminiscent of the classic adventure series, and we've already given you retro reviews for each of the three films. So, I started to think about what I like about Jones and my favorite of the three, Raiders of the Lost Ark. One of the best gems of that film is Marion Ravenwood.

So, in celebration of how much Ravenwood rules, I wanted to celebrate women who are more than just damsels in distress. The might find themselves captured. They might get beaten down. But they don't wallow -- they fight back. And even better -- they're both old-school. One comes from the '90s, and the other first kicked butt on the big screen 31 years ago. I give you: Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Carrie Fisher's Princess Leia in Star Wars.

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]]>Carrie FisherCarrieFisherCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureLinda HamiltonLindaHamiltonMarion RavenwoodMarionRavenwoodPrincess LeiaPrincessLeiaSarah ConnorSarahConnorStar WarsStarWarsT2Terminator 2Terminator 2 Judgment DayTerminator2Terminator2JudgmentDaytough women in moviesToughWomenInMoviesMonika BartyzelFri, 23 May 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: The Old Angelina Joliehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-old-angelina-joli/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-old-angelina-joli/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/16/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-old-angelina-joli/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



If there's anyone who has pulled off a wickedly impressive image transformation, it's Angelina Jolie. She used to be the wild child who'd wear bloody tees to her wedding (with Jonny Lee), or bloody vials around her neck (as she did with Billy Bob). Then she did a 180, becoming a goodwill ambassador and starting her own multicultural Brady Bunch with Brad Pitt.

I'm happy for her, but I can't help but miss the good ol' days. She might have been wild, and she might have shocked many -- but she had a great spark, one that seems to have disappeared inside the current carefully manufactured icon she is today.

The gleam might be hidden these days, but luckily we're living in a world of DVD entertainment. We can head back to the past whenever we want to. What follows are my two favorite Jolie gigs. They're far from the best movies, but they definitely embody both the old Angelina, and a certain period of '90s rebellion. I give you: Hackers and Foxfire.

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]]>Angelina JolieAngelinaJolieCinematicaldouble featureDoubleFeatureFoxfireHackersMonika BartyzelFri, 16 May 2008 22:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: The Mania of David O. Russellhttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/09/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-mania-of-david-o/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/09/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-mania-of-david-o/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/09/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-the-mania-of-david-o/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Oh, David O. Russell. The man is completely imbalanced: physical confrontations with George Clooney on set, putting Christopher Nolan in a headlock, going on a tirade towards Lily Tomlin, and arguing with James Caan about whether it's possible to choke and cough at the same time. But say what you will about his stability, he puts out some pretty damn good films.

This week's double feature is all about his deliciously talented imbalance. If you're not up for wildly colorful car racing or crappy-looking weddings in Vegas, maybe some Iraq-set comedy and over-the-top existential intervention is more up your alley. Oh yes, I'm talking about the wildly fun Three Kings and one of my favorite giggle-inducing comedies of all time -- I Heart Huckabees.

Continue reading Cinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: The Mania of David O. Russell

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]]>David O. RussellDavidO.Russelldouble featureDoubleFeatureI Heart HuckabeesIHeartHuckabeesThree KingsThreeKingsMonika BartyzelFri, 09 May 2008 20:02:00 ESTCinematical's Friday Night Double Feature: Big Screens and Boozehttp://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/02/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-big-screens-and-booze/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/02/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-big-screens-and-booze/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/05/02/cinematicals-friday-night-double-feature-big-screens-and-booze/#commentsFiled under: , ,



This weekend I get to cat sit the two cutest bengals on earth, but the perks of this gig are much more than sitting around, indulging in cable television, and playing with the furry little beasts. It also means I have a huge selection of liquor, wine and beer at my disposal to cook with and imbibe. So, while my mind is scheming up what sort of exotic drink I will make tonight, it's also thinking of alcohol-laden movies.

For this double feature, I'm giving you two of my favorite movies that are completely intertwined with the love of alcohol. One is quirky, but fairly straight-laced, while the other is just insanity, but in the immensely fun sort of way. I give you: Alexander Payne's Sideways and Guy Maddin's The Saddest Music in the World. (If you're looking for even more choices, check out Christopher Campbell's Cinematical Seven from last December.)

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]]>Alexander PayneAlexanderPaynebeer filmsBeerFilmsbooze on filmBoozeOnFilmdouble featureDoubleFeatureGuy MaddinGuyMaddinSidewaysThe Saddest Music in the WorldTheSaddestMusicInTheWorldwine filmsWineFilmsMonika BartyzelFri, 02 May 2008 21:02:00 EST