Magic of the Movies: UP IN THE AIR; B-Roll footage

A boating enthusiast would claim there’s nothing like the open water, the rolling of the world beneath, the crisp sea air and the beautiful reliance on your vessel. Well, being a film enthusiast, I assure you, there’s nothing like an open story, the pacing of the world within it, the sinking in of a tale and a filmmaker’s loving reliance on their craft.

This footage joys me immensely to witness. My utter love and appreciation for the craft of filmmaking are only outweighed by desire to share that love with anyone willing to join. And so, for a film which I can only describe as, “bittersweet,” take a few minutes and enjoy the b-roll footage from Jason Reitman’s new film, UP IN THE AIR.

Gag Reel: STAR TREK

No surprise, Abrams’ STAR TREK is one of my favorite’s of this year. There is a lot of good with it and some bad, but very little in comparison. Bluray and DVD for the film just dropped today and if you scan the three glorious hours of bonus footage you will find the always entertaining gag reel. If you haven’t caught the film yet, here’s your chance, you sell back your copy of TRANSFORMERS2 and own a film worth your penny. Watch the gag reel below while I finish up my love letter to Abrams.

SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL trailer

Having studied Rwanda a fair bit, I’m quite familiar with the 1993-95 case of the genocide and I always felt this was ripe for the silver screen but I didn’t expect it to take so long. So with Eastwood’s INVICTUS, and although DEVIL was made in 2007, this makes two African films based on true stories. The film is based on UN General Dallaire’s book of the same name which I believe refers to when he went to meet with Prime Minister Kambanda and noticed blood on his cuff and it struck him that he was “shaking hands with the devil himself.”

Note: the following is unrelated to film

There are several concerns I have with this picture, the least of which being that they do not accept American Express.

• Their use of the word “customer,” and quotation marks in general.

Is this to establish that their restroom, in fact, only allows the necessary space for one customer at any given time to successfully and effectively maneuver inside? Or are they indirectly eluding that their restroom can fit an infinite number of animate beings but their restaurant conversely can only serve for one customer at a time because the lack of occupant space. Perhaps they adamantly refuse to have any more than one customer inside the restaurant. And what exactly does “ONLY” refer to? While the above mentioned customer is using the lavatory, will a random staff member noisily barge in accidentally on purpose. Or are they taunting the customer, almost to dare them into trying to bring another customer into the restroom with them.

• The fact that’s it is not even a sign, it’s a photograph of a sign! 

How is it that the restaurant owner lacked the resources to type up their own sign informing speculative passers-by of their restroom policies but not to take a photo and print out a copy of a sign belonging to that of another business?

New AVATAR clip spoils water FX

Haven’t had enough AVATAR? Itching to spoil even more than the most recent trailer? You’re in luck. Comic-Con attendees were shown a portion of the following clip as well as those who were able to grab seats for Avatar Day but with one glorious difference, it was in 3D.

So, basically, what we were shown at Avatar Day of the above scene started a bit before this clip did. Jake runs ahead of his team and stumbles across a large Pandora-version-of-a-Triceratops. Soon after, this Panther/Raptor charges and starts pursuing Jake and that is where this clip commences. What we weren’t shown was the second half after Jake gets out from under the tree and dives into the waterfall. Personally, the clip gave me before, and still give me now, a feeling similar to that I felt when I first witnessed the T-Rex chase. Also, I cannot anticipate enough watching this in 3D because I remember it looking absolutely stunning at Avatar Day which you can go back and read my thoughts on Avatar Day.

New NINE trailer/music(al) video

So good, I almost feel like buying a handbag. Not a huge fan of musicals but always a fan of film and not to mention D. Day-Lewis. NINE looks fantastic. Rob Marshall really seems to bring the talent in bucket-fulls here and he’s also confirmed to direct the next PIRATES film. Still have a week until we get to watch NINE in theaters but I’m sure to be in line. Trailer below. Enjoy.

First trailer for LEAVES OF GRASS

MTV has a quick lo-res first look trailer at Tim Blake Nelson’s film starring Ed Norton, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss and Keri Russel. Film’s been in production for some time but is finally nearing release. I’m not much taken by this trailer as I am perplexed by his hillbilly accent (see/hear also: the non-comedic version of it in DOWN IN THE VALLEY). I honestly didn’t expect it to be such an outright comedy but I guess it’s refreshing to see Norton doing comedy thanks to the blue moon. Not counting his hilarious cameo in THE INVENTION OF LYING, this will be his first comedic performance since DEATH TO SMOOCHY.

DATE NIGHT trailer

Wait, I’ve seen this one. High-concept, couple in situation of mistaken identity wanted for actions not committed them. High jinks ensue and the audience leaves expecting a MR & MRS SMITH rip-off but getting a casual mix of GET SMART and THE TRUTH ABOUT CHARLIE. So what? Were it not Fey and Carell, I’d pass this off for another WHITE CHICKS. But, this does not excuse it from botched form and half-assed delivery. For now, enjoy the trailer, but TF and SC and Co. know this, I’m expecting a lot from you lot, do not disappoint.