Cheex Incarnate

My pick is definately Pulp Fiction (Tarantino>>>>>>>>>>Kevin Smith), followed by Forrest Gump, then Leon. Here's the thing about Natural Born Killers (for me anyway). Going in, you know that Oliver Stone is trying to get across that people (americans in particular) are horrible because they are captivated by violent people in the media. Then he shows you the film, as if to say, "see! you loved that movie! and it was about horrible, violent people! shame on you!" Sorry, but im not diggin' his self indulgence. If anyone read the original script of NBK, you would know it was supposed to be an exploitation-type homage to movies like Switchblade Sisters or Across 110th Street, or Bone. Stone read the script, figured out a way he could pervert it to fit his agenda, and put it forth to the public. It's a horrible show all around. That said, the casting of the two major parts (Mickey and Mallory) are great. Tom Sizemore is pretty decent in it, as well as Robert Downey Jr. But Dangerfield and Tommy Lee Jones don't really fit with the gist of the whole movie. -Cheex

Whoever thinks John Wayne sucks has no idea what they're talking about. The Cowboys, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, True Grit, and How the West Was Won are some of the greatest movies ever made. Period That said, I do prefer Spaghetti Westerns to the classic formula. The Man With No Name Trilogy is just the tip of the iceberg in this genre, though. Django, The Great Silence, El Companero, If You Live...Shoot! are all great spaghetti westerns too. Leone, Corbucci, and John Ford are true masters of cinema. If you ask me the best western ever is Once Upon a Time in the West. The best one to come out in recent years is Open Range (the only problem I have if it is that its a tad long, and the credits are in cursive....cursive?! in a western!) -Cheex

I'm almost 100% sure its Michael Richards doing the Joker. Joker = Kramer...i guess -Cheex

The new Punisher blew hard, but that song that Mark Collie sings (i think his character's name was Harry Heck, or something) is awesome. I bought the soundtrack just to listen to that over and over since its not on any other Collie CDs. Do any of you listen to Collie, and if so, what do you recomend? -Cheex

wasnt Bradshaw European champ for a little bit?

Michael Jai White filmed a fight scene with Carradine. I think that was supposed to be the first time we see Bill's face. If you read the screenplay, the fight scene would have gone in place of the "Can She Bake a Cherry Pie" chapter. I was furious when I heard they had taken out the scene for the final cut. Nearly all (and I mean ALL) of the trailers for Kill Bill had a snippet of the fight, whether it be Bill putting his sword into the ground after winning or a shirtless Jai White twirling some kind of weapon. I'm glad they're including it with this release. Also, last I heard the barebones Vol. 2 was supposed to coincide with the release of Special Edition Vol. 1, any news on that front? -Cheex

Ain't nothing wrong with country. I myself was surprised I hadn't heard of Mark Collie, being a fan of the scene myself. MY personal favorites are Charlie Feathers, the Twangbangers, Alabama, and Johnny Cash (if you want to call him country) -Cheex

This isn't really an example of over selling, but I love the way Terry Funk kinda just meanders around the ring like he's a drunken uncle. He even gets in the "put up yer dukes" stance with his legs wobbling and spread out passed his shoulders. Classic -Cheex

Wow, Tarantino just threw quite a curveball. In a recent interview he gave (i can't find the link right now, but you can get to it through www.tarantino.info ). QT talks about an idea he has for the Vega Brothers movie. He also brings up a Godzilla-esque flick, and the fact that he'll be guest directing Sin City (yes! GOD YES!) with Rodriguez. Anyway, interesting to hear, but a Vega Brothers movie? Madsen has been wanting him to do this for years, but i never bought the idea. I mean, Madsen is too fat to be Vic, and Travolta is too old to be Vincent. Plus, it'd have to be a prequel (both bros. died in their movies), so they'd have to look even younger. But, he and Madsen say the idea could work in a movie universe, so who knows. Cheex out.

Quentin has expressed interest in doing a Casino Royale Bond movie, sine the other two made from that name have sucked balls. I doubt it'll ever come to fruition though. -Cheex

If this is the case and retarded Nick Dinsmore is on my television screen every monday , I say this to you Mr. McMahon....... BRING BACK RUSSO THIS SECOND! I mean, he got D'lo over.....honest to God.....D'LO! -Cheex

I don't think Logan's Run was bad, just a comment on the overall camp and cheesiness of some of it (which some peolpe mistake for bad). Let it be known that Cheex loves Logan's Run (Michael York owns). -Cheex

Logan's Run -Cheex

Great movie, all three main actors are at their best. Benicio looked like he put on some weight for the role. I was going to pick it up, but at the last second the studio pulled all of the special features off, so its bare bones now. -Cheex

I can stand Get Shorty, but what I'm really excited about is that they're making a movie out of Shorty's sequel, Be Cool. Listen to this cast; John Travolta Uma Thurman Harvey Kietel Vince Vaughn Cedric the Entertainer Christina Milian The Rock Steve Perry and possibly a return of James Gandolfini (even though his character he played in Get Shorty wasnt in Be Cool) -Cheex

Finally! Someone who shares my Leonard love! -Cheex

NO! NO GO JOHNNY DEPP! NO!!!!!!!! GO BEN KINGSLEY!

Elmore "Dutch" Leonard....biatches -Cheex

Best Picture: Mystic River Everyone thinks LOTR will win, but i'm just not sold. The Academy ALWAYS picks movies with good acting (Sean Penn over Viggo Mortenson) and NEVER picks fantasy movies. So, this makes the most sense. Best Director: Peter Jackson Think of it more an award for all three movies, rather than ROTK. If it were really the "Best director" award, it would go to Peter Weir Best Screenplay (Original): Lost in Translation, Sopphia Coppola Bar none.....well, maybe 21 Grams Best Actor: Bill Murray He will win to be this year's Frances McDormand. Although, if i may, Ben Kingsley is without a doubt the best actor of this year (and i've seen all the nominees). Johnny Depp being nominated over Paul Giamatti and Russel Crowe is a joke (how he won the SAG award i'll never know). Best Actress: Keisha Castle-Hughes WAY WAY WAY better than Charlize Theron. Ebert should clean off his jizzed pants and pay better attention. Supporting Actor: Tim Robbins Not as good as Benicio in 21 Grams, but he's more of the favorite and his performance was good enough to warrant the award. Supporting Actress: Renee Zelweiger Patricia Clarkson should win, but whatever

The first i read was Tishomingo Blues, and I'd suggest that for a new reader of Leonard. If not that, then definately Gold Coast, which is now ultimately my favorite. Also, he has written many a top notch western (Valdez is Coming being my favorite) that i recomend to anyone. -cheex

This topic was probably posted here before...by me.....but I just must say that I love Elmore Leonard. I'm reading Gold Coast right now, and its slowly replacing Tishomingo Blues as my favorite (we'll have to see how it ends). How can anyone on this board not like him? Get Shorty, Be Cool, The Switch, Rum Punch, Valdez is Coming, The Hunted, Out of Sight, Touch, Unknown Man #89....the list goes on! Elmore Leonard is by far the BEST crime novelist working today. Bar none. Anyone read any of his stuff...whaddya think? -Cheex

I sure have. Way better than the movies (especially the post Goldfinger Brosnan outings). If you're not familiar with them, I recomend Casino Royale by Ian Flemming (the first, and my favorite), Colonel Sun by Kingsley Amis (good quality villian, way better than gay ass fucking diamond face guy) and Man With the Red Tattoo by Raymond Benson. Casino Royale has a pretty brutal torture scene that would just scare, confuse, and anger any fans of the newer films. -Cheex

I was looking around the AVP thread in the movie section and evidentally, there are copius amounts of books/novels for both Predator and Alien franchises. I was aware of the comic books, but not actual novels. Can anyone give me the 411 on what htey deal with, im interested enough that i might pick up a few. thanks -Cheex

Wow, the Academy is freaking out this year. Albert Finney and Paul Bettany getting SNUBBED for supporting actor, while Baldwin (who was, admittedly, good, but not as good as the other two). Cold Mountain getting SNUBBED for best song....thats just insulting Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribean getting a nod over; Paul Giamatti (also, American Splendor should be nominated for ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, its not really adapted from anything) Russel Crowe, his character had nuances and certain things that he had to transfer over from the book, whereas Depp's portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow was an impersonation of Keith Richards (even Johnny admitted to that) Sean Penn (in 21 Grams), yes i know he's already nominated for Mystic River, but his performance in 21 Grams is even better Also: no nod for sound or editing with Kill Bill Finding Nemo nominated for screenplay? Over 21 Grams? Excuse me? and the biggest insult of all: SEA'FUCKING'BISCUIT?! WHAT THE FUCK? I mean, I would have understood a supporting actor nod for Cooper or Bridges, but picture? Over Cold Mountain, 21 Grams, Big Fish, American Splendor, In America, and City of God? What...the fuck?

Best Picture: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Cold Mountain Lost in Tranlsation Mystic River Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World Actor: Ben Kingsley, House of Sand & Fog Bill Murray, Lost in Translation Jude Law, Cold Mountain Russell Crowe, Master & Commander Sean Penn, Mystic River Director: Sophia Coppola, Lost in Translation Peter Jackson, LOTR: Return of the King Clint Eastwood, Mystic River Peter Wier, Master and Commander Anthony Minghella, Cold Mountain Actress Diane Keaton, Somethings Gotta Give Naomi Watts, 21 Grams Charlize Theron, Monster Nicole Kidman, Cold Mountain Jennifer Connolly, House of Sand & Fog Actor, Supporting: Benicio Del Toro, 21 Grams Albert Finney, Big Fish Jeff Bridges, Seabiscuit Tim Robins, Mystic River Paul Bettany, Master & Commander Supporting Actress: Maria Bello, The Cooler Renee Zellweger, Cold Mountain Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River Jessica Lange, Big Fish Scarlett Johanson, Lost in Translation Screenplay (original): Lost in Translation 21 Grams The Cooler In America American Splendor (it wasn't really adapted from anything) Screenplay (adaptation): Mystic River LOTR: Return of the King Cold Mountain Master & Commander Seabiscuit Score: Last Samurai Cold Mountain Master & Commander Seabiscuit LOTR: Return of the King