Howl at the moon

Universal pictures is releasing a remake of the 1941 classic Wolfman next year (trailer here). So far, I can't find anything to criticize. I like the 19th century Europeon setting. And it looks like (gasp!) it might actually have a plot. I hope so. I'm tired of overdone computer FX in my monster movies (see The Mummy, Van Helsing, and Underworld movies).

Avatar

James Cameron's long awaited film Avatar (trailer here) will finally come to theaters in December. Apparently he had to wait fifteen years for the technology to reach a place where he could use the visual effects he wanted, including a breakthrough 3D experience. The VFX do look amazing, but it appears that Cameron, like many of his contemporaries, has decided to get on a soap box.

The movie looks like an allegorical sermon on the destruction of the environment. Evil military industrial complex seeks to exploit the natural resources of a pristine, unspoiled wilderness and only the noble, peace-loving natives living in harmony with nature stand between them. It's like "Aliens meet Dances with Wolves," or a science fiction version of Pocahontas. Spare me. I don't don't go to the theater to get preached to by a bunch of Hollywood elitists, especially when I've heard it before a million times. But maybe I'm overreacting.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

A shark warning was issued at Cannon Beach Sunday after a partially eaten porpoise was found washed ashore Saturday night and a dorsal fin was sighted. Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon, anglers towed a 12' Great White Shark to the boat ramp that apparently died after getting tangled up in a crab pot off Depoe Bay. Here's the video which includes them pulling a baby porpoise out of the shark's stomach.

Why the sudden presence of Carcharodon Carcharias so near the the shore? Warm water has moved closer to the shore, according to the experts, bringing with it seals and porpoises, which in turn attract the sharks.

Now, I don't go swimming off the Oregon Coast. It's the frigid water that keeps me out, so my lifestyle hasn't been affected. But I wonder how all all those surfers are reacting to this? Or scuba divers? Or fisherman in little 10' foot boats with lawnmower engines on the back?

The folks over at the Discovery channel have tried their darndest to convince us that sharks don't really pose any danger to humans (despite their sensationlist advertising for Shark Week), and that fear of these animals is just paranoia. Maybe.

Care to try your luck?

John Hughes (1950-2009)

Writer/Director John Hughes died Thursday morning of a heart attack while walking in Manhattan. He was 59, far too early for a guy who created so much enjoyment for so many people. For whatever reason, only Hughes was able to capture the plight of the 1980s teenager. One reason I loved his movies was the sympathetic treatment, not only of jocks and princesses, but of nerds like me. Films such as Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club and Weird Science convinced me Hughes knew what it was to be less than cool in high school.

He also made other great coming of age movies that I can still relate to now like She's Having a Baby. It didn't hurt that his movies were also hilarious. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a classic teenage fantasy movie and I laughted pretty much non-stop through Plains, Trains and Automobiles. Strangely, Hughes seemed to disappear suddenly in the early 1990s, writing the occasional script, shunning media and interviews.

Rarely has an artist had his finger on the pulse of a generation. In fact, I cannot think of another like him. His passing brings back the same genuine bittersweet emotions of growing up that his films were famous for. He will be missed.

Tron again? OK.

Tron Legacy (trailer), a sequel to the 1982 film Tron is slated for release next year. I don't know what the record is for time elapsed before a sequel is made, but at 28 years, this has to be up there. My first thought was the Color of Money (1986), a sort of unofficial sequel to The Hustler (1961), but that was only 25 years.

Despite my griping about all the sequels, adaptations and remakes that make up the majority of movies today, I won't complain. I loved Tron as a kid, and still think it holds up as one of the most unique and underrated movies of all time. I just hope they do it well. The SFX look fantastic, as one would expect (in fact, this isn't so much a trailer as it is a promo), but hopefully they won't mail it in.

I miss the old Tron arcade games.

Top Five Christmas Movies of All Time

Christmas movies have become an industry unto themselves. I narrowed the list to five because ten seemed to be stretching it. Although lots of movies take place during the holidays, films like Die Hard and Gremlins hardly epitomize the holiday spirit. However, I did have to leave some good ones off the list, like Scrooged and Miracle on 34th Street. So here are the best, according to me (Sorry Charlie Brown - no Christmas specials).

5. A Christmas Story (1983)

This family classic follows a 9-year old boy (Ralphie) as he desperately tries to convince everyone that he should get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Ralphie battles playground bullies, imaginary bandits, and the dreaded fear by adults that he will shoot his eye out. Steeped in nostalgic Americana and full of quirky characters, this movie gets funnier with age.

Memorable line: "Only one thing in the world could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window."

4. Elf (2003)

Will Farrell gives a stand out comedic performance as Buddy, a human raised as an elf in the North Pole, who travels to New York City in search of his real father. Buddy, who exudes Christmas spirit, has difficulty adjusting to the cynical life of the big city. With great performances by the likes of Bob Newhart as Papa Elf and Ed Asner as Santa, Elf has established itself as a Christmas favorite.

Memorable line: "I'm a cotton-headed ninny muggins."

3. A Christmas Carol (1984)

The best adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, this film features the best ever portrayal of Ebeneezer Scrooge by the great George C. Scott. His cruelty, and later repentence, are truly palpable. I recommend this to anyone who has yet to see it.

Memorable line: "These are garments, Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly. There will be no more coal burned in this office today, is that quite clear, Mr. Cratchit?"

2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)

This movie has become a staple of the holiday season. Chevy Chase is in top form as Clark W. Griswold who wants nothing more than to create the perfect Christmas for his family. He invites all their cranky, oddball relatives to his house. He goes overboard with the Christmas tree and lights. But he is unprepard for the arrival of his cousin Eddie. Unfazed, he continues to labor for a great family holiday, but the result of course, is mayhem.

Memorable line: “Surprised, Eddie? If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am right now.”

1. It's Wonderful Life (1946)

When events in his life threaten to ruin him, George Bailey begins to see his life as a meaningless failure and considers suicide on Christmas Eve. A guardian angel named Clarence is sent to save him and shows George what his hometown of Bedford Falls would have been like had he never been born. George quickly realizes how his sacrifice and generosity have blessed everyone he knows. In the end, George's family and friends come to his rescue, and he realizes that he truly is a "rich man." This movie is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever, but one the great films of all time. They absolutely don't make them like this anymore.

Memorable Line: "Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!"

Honorable Mention: The Nativity Story (2006)

I would be remiss if I didn't include one movie about the real meaning of Christmas. It's amazing that it took this long to tell this story on film, and The Nativity Story does not disappoint. It faithfully recounts the accounts of Christ's birth from the gospels of Matthew and Luke without the stiffness and preachiness of a church-produced nativity film. The film centers on the relationship between Joseph and Mary as they try to understand the great task set before them. This is the movie's emotional core and serves to make the story more personal. The Nativity Story is a much needed family movie for this (or any) time of year.

Man Crush still in effect

Don't look now, but we are witnessing the emergence of Brandon Roy as a superstar in the NBA.

Last night the Blazers snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Phoenix Suns, winning 124-119. Roy, who scored a career-high 52 points, had never beaten the Suns and was determined to get a win. His 52 points is the second highest point total in the NBA this season and the second highest in Blazer history.

Over the last five games Roy is averaging 36.4 points, 5 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Blazers are 17-10, second place in the Northwest Division with an 8-2 home record. Not bad for the second youngest team in the NBA. Credit Roy, whose leadership and ability to take over games has placed him among the elite players in the league.

So if you haven't seen Roy or this young Blazer team play, TUNE IN! Just be careful. You might end up like me -- with a Man Crush.

Posted also at West Coast Bias