Blog Directory CineVerse: January 2011

Last call for best of the bad guys

Friday, January 28, 2011

This is your last call to vote for your favorite movie villain in our CineVerse January online poll. Currently, we have several characters tied for the lead, but we need someone's decisive vote to break the tie! If you've not yet voted, now's your chance to help us determine who is the baddest of the bad! Vote on the poll located on the left sidebar of our home page.

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Taste a Swedish delight

Monday, January 24, 2011

You're invited to play a game of chess--with death! Join CineVerse on January 26 for a World Cinema Wednesday special from Sweden: "The Seventh Seal" (1957; 96 minutes), directed by Ingmar Bergman.

Plus, we'll have time to watch a fascinating 35-minute documentary on Bergman recently produced by the BBC immediately preceding the movie. If you've ever been intrigued by the mastery of Bergman, you won't want to miss either the documentary or "The Seventh Seal," so please arrive promptly, as we'll start the documentary right at 7 p.m.

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Don't forget to vote for your villain!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Just a reminder to cast your ballot for CineVerse's latest poll, which asks "Who is your all-time favorite movie villain?" The poll closes Jan. 31, so get your vote in soon! Check out the left sidebar located on our home page to vote now.

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From the South Pacific to China

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

A new "Not Coming Soon to a Megaplex Near You" write-up by Erik Martin has been posted on Patch.com. This installment focuses on Cast Away and Blind Shaft, two films about loneliness, isolation and survival.

To read Erik's latest film column, click here.

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Get blown away by "Cast Away"

Monday, January 17, 2011

If you're a fan of rousing adventure and Tom Hanks, join CineVerse on January 19 for "Cast Away" (2000; 143 minutes), directed by Robert Zemeckis, chosen by Rose.

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One chilly picture

Friday, January 14, 2011

In fitting with the bone-chilling season, now's a perfect time to rediscover a film from the eighties that certainly left its stamp on that decade: It's "The Big Chill," directed by Lawrence Kasdan, which is considered a baby boomer classic.

Just seeing the all-star cast–including Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum, Glenn Close, William Hurt, JoBeth Williams and the gang –in their younger days makes this a worthwhile home rental. The current version on DVD includes up‑to‑date interviews with the cast and filmmakers and behind‑the‑scenes footage. And crank up the home theater sound system: Motown music lovers will appreciate the toe-tappin’ digitally restored soundtrack featuring the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and all the rest.

CineVerse dissected "The Big Chil" back in the summer of 2008, and many cogent observations and insights were recorded. To listen to a podcast of that discussion, click here.

–Erik J. Martin

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Come smell the "Lillies"

Monday, January 10, 2011

Come savor the sweet smell of "Lilies of the Field" (1963; 94 minutes), directed by Ralph Nelson and starring Sidney Poitier. That will be the CineVerse film on Jan. 12. Plus, we'll also have time for a trailer tribute to Sidney Poitier prior to the film.

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Rental-worthy: "Ghost Dog"

Friday, January 7, 2011

Looking for a good, under-the-radar flick to rent on a cold, wintry night? How about a mob movie that’s completely different?

“Ghost Dog” has to be one of the strangest and most oddly intriguing efforts to come out of Hollywood in many a year—a kind of cross between “The Professional” and the 1970’s TV series “Kung Fu.”

Forest Whitaker stars as Ghost Dog, a loner who becomes indebted to an Italian Mafioso named Louie (John Tormey) after Louie saves his life one day. Ghost (who is a stern disciple of the way of the samurai) vows to repay the favor by serving as a hit man for the mob—a killing machine who carries out his grisly work with disciplined, unemotional precision. But eventually Louie wants Ghost rubbed out.

Only problem is that Ghost lives like one—he’s a silent drifter who dresses like a homeless man and can only be reached via carrier pigeon (his preferred method of receiving an order for a hit). Can the G-Dog escape the mob’s attempt to put him to sleep?

This highly stylized philosophical thriller/character study, directed by Jim Jarmusch, is definitely worth a rental.--Erik J. Martin

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Of mind games and film noir dames

Monday, January 3, 2011

A new film column by your CineVerse moderator has been published by OakLawnPatch.com.

This time around, Erik dissects "Sleuth" and "Sudden Fear," two studies in suspense.

To read his new column, click here.

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It's no mystery: "Sleuth" is coming

If you enjoy a good mystery/suspense film, you'll want to make plans to join CineVErse on January 5 for "Sleuth" (1972; 138 minutes), directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and chosen by Norm.

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New CineVerse poll: greatest movie bad guy

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Happy New Year! For January, CineVerse asks the question: Who is your all-time favorite movie villain? There's the Lord of the Sith, of course, plus the wicked witch from Wizard of Oz, not to mention Hannibal Lecter--so many bad guys and gals to choose from, so little time. Take part in our new online poll, featured in the left sidebar on our home page, and get your vote in before Feb. 1.
By the way, the results of our last poll, which asked: "What is the greatest film score?" are as follows: Star Wars, Gone With the Wind, and The Godfather each tied for first with 21% of the vote apiece; High Noon, The Adventures of Robin Hood, E.T., and The Pink Panther each scored 7% apiece.

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