Barack-Etology

March Madness began today and everyone is watching their brackets to see how they do this year.

Even our President, Barack Obama got in on the action.




The Tar Heels huh...not exactly going out on a limb.

Tyson Movie Trailer

Love him or hate him Mike Tyson is a fascinating person.

A new documentary film by director James Tobeck will attempt to shed light on the troubled ex-champion.











Also in case you haven't seen it yet. Mike Tyson appears in the film The Hangover directed by Todd Phillips.

Seriously, some hilarious stuff.

The Face of Shakespeare?

Apparently this is the face of William Shakespeare.




The portrait is dated around 1610, which would mean it was done about six years before his death. It was unveiled today to the press. It is believed to be the only painting of Shakespeare made during his lifetime. The image also reportedly sheds some more light on who the Bard actually was. According to experts, the image contradicts previous notions that he was a struggling artist. Reportedly the garment that Mr. Shakespeare is wearing in the portrait is the clothing of someone of upper class, not working class. The intricate lace on the collar supposedly being the main clue of his wealth.

Also Shakespeare has previously been seen in portraits as balding. Such as this famous drawing which was made AFTER his death.



Maybe people remembered him wrong? Jealousy maybe?

Who knew? Turns out Shakespeare did resemble Joseph Fiennes after all.



Which should make the ladies happy.

Here's the full pic.



Handsome devil. Don't you think?

The Watchmen - Review

I've acknowledged in the past that I have a soft spot for comic book movies and westerns. So it shouldn't come as any surprise to the reader that I enjoyed The Watchmen.

Except it WAS a surprise...to me.

If there is such a thing as an unfilmable graphic novel, The Watchmen would be it. Originally a 12 issue limited-series, The Watchmen novel has an unprecedented following. The book is considered by most comic book aficionados as the Hamlet of the industry and as such, any alteration or compression of the story is usually considered sacrilege.

Although probably unbeknownst to most comic book fans, Shakespeare's works are routinely edited, re-arranged, and brutally altered for presentation on stage and film. We're talking poetry too, iambic pentameter. So cutting a line can have a tremendous impact on the flow of the script.

As an actor and stage director I've experienced the success and failures of Shakespeare adaptations multiple times.

So when I heard the criticism and buzz about literary aspects changed in the film. I considered it Much Ado About Nothing. I've learned through experience that the editing and the changing of a literary work isn't necessarily a bad thing.

That was the least of my concerns.

Judging from leaked footage and trailers, the look of the film seemed too bright, attractive and glossy for The Watchmen universe. The assembled cast seemed like a group of network television mini-series guest stars. I also was not a huge fan of Zack Snyder's previous film 300. Then of course, on top of all that there is the obvious visual and story telling challenges that the work presents.

Suffice it to say I went into the movie with low expectations.

I even attended an IMAX screening for my initial viewing of the movie so that if I were disappointed by the film, at least I wouldn't be disappointed by the presentation.

I am happy to report that the movie is the first legitimate GREAT film of the year.

The motion picture succeeds and triumphs on most fronts. The griped about changes in the plot did not compromise the overall powerful themes of the piece.

My only complaint is that I wanted more.

But that is a situation that is going to be remedied in the Blu-Ray release of the film.

As for the cast, much of the positive buzz has landed on Jackie Earle Haley.

Which is deserved.

But the performance that stood out for me the most was the work of Billy Crudup. Crudup was faced with the challenge of portraying a character with little emotion, not to mention the challenge of working behind the most special effects of any character in the film. Crudup couldn't even work with his eyes. Dr. Manhattan's eyes are a consistent white glow. Despite all these obstacles Dr Manhattan's story arc and Crudup's performance was the most powerful aspect of the film for me.

The simplicity of his performance, the way he was able to transition from childlike wonder and naivety to emotionally cold, distant and pompous within the same scene was just stunning.

For me it was the key to the character and perhaps the entire film.

I am also happy to report that previous knowledge of the plot did little to spoil the entertainment value of the film. I admit I was turned into a gleeful nerd, anticipating certain classic sequences from the novel.

Simply put the project delivers in every way.

Of course I can't vouch for the experience of the uninitiated. But I suspect if one goes into the film NOT expecting The Dark Knight, they will be pleasantly surprised.

Just like me.

Chris Paul dribble through Jason Terry's Legs

Some things don't need a comment or a description.

Just a witness.



Nasty.

Star Trek Trailer #3

The buzz has been generally positive for this third Star Trek trailer.

But in my humble opinion this trailer worries me. It feels too pretentious, almost bordering on melodramatic.




I know the trailer isn't the movie. So I'll continue to reserve judgment.

The Limits of Control Trailer

Looks like 2009 is shaping up to be a fantastic year in movies.

Easily on my list for most anticipated films of the year is The Limits of Control



The film marks the return of one of my favorite directors, Jim Jarmusch. Not only that, the film features cinematography by the talented Christopher Doyle.

Great cast, great look, great premise, can't wait.

Comes out May 22, 2009.

Public Enemies Trailer

I think if someone had a way of going into the deepest recesses of my mind and plucking out an idea for a movie that I'd love to one day watch, Public Enemies would probably be the film to pop out.



The film stars two of my favorite actors, Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. It has guns, action, 1930's period gangsters and oh yeah....it's directed by Michael Mann.

If that doesn't sound like a dream line-up, I honestly don't know what is.

Will Ferrell in Bat Fight

Here's a fun video for sports AND film fans.

Looks like they filmed this during the shooting of an episode of Eastbound & Down. Will Ferrell is sporting the ridiculous blonde wig of his character on the show. The video also stars Craig Robinson who makes appearances on the HBO comedy.

Tetro introduction by Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola has recently released a video introduction to his website for his upcoming film Tetro.

Coppola also started a Tetro YouTube Channel.




Francis Ford Coppola is one of my all-time favorite directors and I've missed watching his movies for the better part of a decade. I enjoyed Youth Without Youth. But it might have been too artsy for its own sake.

Tetro sounds like something that could be more commercial and still personal enough to appeal to his new sensibilities.

Adventureland - Red Band Trailer

I really enjoyed Superbad. The film had a edge and a danger that isn't in the typical Frat-Pack film. I think credit has to go to director Greg Mottola, who seems to find the darkness in sentimentality.

Adventureland looks like it has that same kind of comedic balancing-on-a-razor-blade tone.

I Love You Man -Red Band Trailer

I think I Love You, Man looks pretty damn funny... in the three minute trailer form, like all the Frat-Pack movies.

Hopefully, it won't end up being three hours long and overly sentimental like the rest of these Judd Apatow inspired films.

Rickey Henderson being Rickey Henderson

Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson stopped by the Mike and Mike radio show on ESPN this morning and confirmed some interesting urban legends.

For instance, Rickey Henderson once framed a million dollar check from the Oakland Athletics...without cashing it.




Classic stuff.

Say what you will, Rickey Henderson was indisputably the greatest lead off hitter ever in Major League Baseball. For those who had the privilege of watching him in his prime, Henderson was a one man offensive machine. He'd hit for average, power and draw bases on balls better than anybody.

I wish there was a player I could compare him to in today's game but there is simply no equivalent.

He was a player that when he got on first base, he might as well be on third, cause he was going to steal second and third and there was nothing anybody could do about it.

He'd steal bases on pitch outs.

He was simply the best.

Agora Trailer

I haven't heard much about Agora. Apparently it stars Rachel Weisz and Max Minghaella and it's directed by Alejandro Amenábar who directed The Others and the excellent Abre Los Ojos.



Looks pretty great.

According to IMDb the movie takes place in ancient Roman governed Egypt. A slave boy falls in love with a famous female philosopher, named Hypatia against the backdrop of the fall of the Roman Empire in Egypt and the rise of Christianity.

Scheduled for release December 18, 2009.

Update:
According to reports, the Hypatia in the film is Hypatia of Alexandria, who was brutally murdered by a Christian mob.

When I say brutal...I mean really brutal.

Apparently, she was stripped, dragged through the streets to a church where she was skinned alive with oyster shells, then just in case she wasn't dead yet, she was set on fire.

Those are some angry Christians....if you can call them that.

Wow.

This film is setting up to be a real tragedy.

I'm thinking that the movie is possibly an indictment of the justification of violence through religious doctrine.

Something that is extremely relevant today.

Although you can spare me the visuals of a violent death. My anticipation for the drama in this film just went through the roof.

Dwight Howard Full Court Shot

Here's some footage of Dwight Howard fooling around before a game. In one clip he shoots from half court, in the next clip he shoots from full court.

What's crazy is the arch Dwight Howard has on the shots and also that he swishes both shots.




Where amazing happens.

Devin Harris Buzzer Beater

I'd be hard pressed to come up with a more impressive half court shot to feature on this site.

Lots of things are happening here.

1.8 seconds left, Nets down by one, Devin Harris loses the ball for a split second, Andre Iguodala in his face, hail mary...

Bucket.

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Poster

A photo of a teaser poster for Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has been released on various movie rumor sites and I have to say the poster looks pretty impressive.




I'm really looking forward to this film. I'm interested in seeing how Gilliam was able to restructure this film after the death of Heath Ledger.

Honestly, the movie already sounded fascinating. Then the unfortunate tragedy of Heath Ledger's death unavoidably affected the film's plot. Although for most films this could have been seen as disastrous, the circumstances have forced Gilliam to use even more creativity and visual artistry in telling his tale. Which in my opinion, can turn this troubled project from something potentially really cool into something potentially genius.