It’s not been easy for the United States this year, but at least there is one positive aspect of the country’s weak currency: Because the US Dollar is at a low, exporters find themselves in a better situation than before. This includes major film studios from the US as well as movie production companies and independent producers. All of them see their sales soaring in Europe due to the favorable USD/EUR exchange rate. Additionally, these companies usually fund their movie projects in USD but then sell them overseas for EUR, GBP and other currently strong currencies, which means they might even be able to rake in a premium. However, higher profits due to currency exchange rates are everything but sustainable, so demand must always be driven by quality of the movies being thrown onto the market rather than their price. Quality of content will always remain king.
Archive for the 'Movies' Category
#26 Lost in Translation (2003)
Director: Sofia Coppola
Actors: Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Giovanni Ribisi
This lovely movie won Sofia Coppola, who also directed the movie, an Oscar for best original screenplay. The movie was also nominated for best direction, best actor in a leading role (Bill Murray) and best picture, but lost out to other movies in these categories. Lost in Translation tells a quiet love story between a famous but aged actor and a young girl, who happens to find herself in a troubled relationship with her sought-after photographer husband. It is perhaps the movie’s deep atmosphere, the superb acting and soundtrack that made this one of my all-time favorites - in combination with the great presentation of whiskey and cigars, maybe. Difficult to say as the movie is pretty good in its entirety. Besides, Lost in Translation features some of the best city shots ever put on film, making Tokyo a character of its own.
Movie trailer:
That’s what I’ve been asking myself way too often lately… What happened to two of my favorite actors? Both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are undoubtedly two of the most talented actors who have ever been in a movie and they’ve participated in high-quality political movies. However, it seems that, at some point, they decided to pick movie parts for the money, not for quality. Despite the fact that they’re far beyond rich. They’re getting older, sure, but they could still choose to play older characters in good movies. I mean, neither of them has financial problems, so why don’t they wait for a good part to come along their way? If they want to work they can produce or finance movies if they want. Well, it doesn’t make any sense to ramble about this any longer… Just thought I should express my feelings after reading this LA Times article by Patrick Goldstein today:
I thought Francis Ford Coppola was being cranky last fall when he badmouthed Al Pacino and Robert De Niro — the stars of Coppola’s immortal “Godfather” films — for taking parts for the money and losing their passion for doing great work. “I met both Pacino and De Niro when they were really on the come,” Coppola told GQ magazine. “Now Pacino is very rich, maybe because he never spends any money; he just puts it in his mattress. . . . They all live off the fat of the land.”
Coppola was right on the money. The two icons of ’70s New Hollywood, heroes to a generation of young actors and filmmakers, have become parodies of themselves, making payday movies and turning in performances that are hollow echoes of the electrically charged work they did in such films as “Serpico,” “Dog Day Afternoon,” “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver.”
#27 We’re No Angels (1955)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Actors: Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray, Peter Ustinov, Joan Bennett
Movie quotes:
Albert: If crime showed on a man’s face, there wouldn’t be any mirrors.
Joseph: We came here to rob them and that’s what we’re gonna do - beat their heads in, gouge their eyes out, slash their throats. Soon as we wash the dishes.
Joseph: I’m going to buy them their Christmas turkey.
Albert: “Buy”? Do you really mean “buy”?
Joseph: Yes, buy! In the Spirit of Christmas. The hard part’s going to be stealing the money to pay for it.
Albert: Tell him there’s a deadly poisonous snake inside of the cage. Tell him.
Joseph: [Leaves the room. Re-enters a few seconds later]
Albert: You didn’t tell him.
Joseph: He knows already.
Joseph: I’ll say one thing about prison. You meet a better class of people.
You gotta love US news stations:
I’m watching MSNBC as I write this, and they’re twenty minutes into live helicopter coverage of NY Governor Eliot Spitzer’s SUV driving across Manhattan so he can theoretically resign. Forget all the other issues involved… my question is, do these news folks really think there’s a chance Spitzer’s gonna run?
Is it just me or is following a governor in a helicopter for twenty minutes totally insane? Wake up, America!
(via Mark Verheiden’s blog)
Here it finally is, the first teaser trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:
I couldn’t help but smile while watching this. The music works every time again. I just hope the movie will be as good as the trailer. Looking forward to this! 
Movie poster artist John Alvin has recently passed away. Although only few people know John Alvin by name, I’m sure about ever moviegoer knows his incredible artworks. So, I’d like to start this new smoky/glass series off with an Alvin poster:
BLADE RUNNER (1982)
“I don’t get the torture porn films. They’re lacking metaphor. For me the gore is always a slap in the face saying: ‘Wait a minute. Look at this other thing.’” - George A. Romero (on gore franchises like “Saw” and “Hostel”)
#28 Being John Malkovich (1999)
Director: Spike Jonze
Actors: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Orson Bean, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Movie trailer:
Call me a wacko, I like crackpot movies. So, by definition, I like movies written by Charlie Kaufman. Being John Malkovich is a good movie; it’s weird, but there is an underlying message embedded that you can explore, if you want.
Movie quotes:
Lotte Schwartz: Don’t stand in the way of my actualization as a man.
Craig Schwartz: You see the world through John Malkovich’s eyes. Then after about 15 minutes, you’re spit out into a ditch on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike!
John Malkovich: This portal is mine and must be sealed up forever. For the love of God.
Craig Schwartz: With all respect, sir, I discovered that portal. Its my livelihood.
John Malkovich: It’s my head, Schwartz, and I’ll see you in court!
[Malkovich trudges off along the shoulder of the turnpike]
Craig Schwartz: [calling after him] And who’s to say I won’t be seeing what you’re seeing… in court?
