Mr. Cellophane

In a location adjacent to a place in a city of some significance, what comes out of my head is plastered on the walls of this blog.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

My Favorite Themes - Part XVII

Score: The Rundown by Harry Gregson-Williams (Team America: World Police)

About the film: Before he can get from under his boss's thumb and open his own restaurant, an enforcer (The Rock) must locate the man's son (Seann William Scott) who's searching for a rare treasure in the South American jungles. Problem is that a mining town operator (Christopher Walken) also wants it. This is a fairly enjoyable action-comedy laced with a number of peculiar (but effective) touches. Good non-think entertainment for those in the mood, well-directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights).

Title: "Hatcher and His Men". Let me be straight with you: this theme is pretty much a leftover from the composer's Media Ventures days. A repetitive, pounding melody with no real variations to it beyond its synth and intermittent horn blast base...but damned if my blood isn't pumping every time I hear it. It's a real 'I wanna kick some ass' kind of tune, no more cool than in the climatic "Whip Fight".

Other themes of interest: This isn't really a 'thematic' score, per se, so much as it is one of ambience and atmosphere, with lots of (cool) ethnic percussion and some fine guitar playing. There is, though, a neat (albeit one time only) anthem-like theme in the rock-tinged "Guns".

Availability: Varese Sarabande...enough said.

Monday, February 26, 2007

Of course I watched the Oscars.

- Ellen did a fantastic job. It should be a good sign that I was hoping she'd host again within the first few minutes.

- The number about comedians and Oscars was a riot. Will Ferrell (who deserved recognition for Stranger Than Fiction), Jack Black and John C. Reilly were terrific and, yes, Marc Shaiman (who co-wrote the song) on piano. It'd be nice to see him return to film scoring.

- Speaking of film scoring, loved the orchestra's take on the Pirates of the Caribbean music. Now if only they used an actual orchestra for the film itself.

- Ennio Morricone's acceptance speech was very lovely (even if I had no real clue what he said), though Clint Eastwood's intro was rather clunky. I know he's not one for speeches, but there were more than a few ill-at-ease moments. Still, the amusement at seeing Exorcist II: the Heretic and Orca mentioned among the credits helped offset the awkwardness.

- Alan Arkin for Best Supporting Actor. I have no complaints. Though not the favorite (Eddie Murphy, and anyone who says that Norbit sabotaged his chances is a mouth-breathing idiot) or my personal pick (Mark Wahlberg), Arkin was terrific and a deserved win.

- Those two Best Picture winners I saw walked away with screenwriting awards. Couldn't be happier.

- Given all the recognition it received, perhaps I should finally check out Pan's Labyrinth. I just hope it's not ruined for me by the hype.

- Honestly, I thought the universe would fold in on itself if Scorcese lost. Thankfully, we're all still here. And how about the presentation of the Best Director Oscar? If he branches out, Lucas could still win one.

- Jack Nicholson...bald. No, really. Holy shit!

I'm sure I'll be adding more later, but these were the main points in my mind. Here's to more fine films celebrated next year.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Self-improvement thingy.

And so here I am on another Fat Tuesday, ready to fast for Lent just like last year. With the same two ills to be sacrificed.

Don't know what more to say.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Valentine's day posting.

If you have someone, cherish every minute you spend with them.

If you don't have someone, take heart. There is someone out there for you. Take pleasure in the fact that one can show one's self a great love.

And if this is too cheesy for you, dig this.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

That's life.

Failed my road test yet again. Poor turning, poor steering, almost hit a pole... I think it would be better for me to step back from the whole 'road test' thing for a while.

On a lighter note, I just learned that one of my ten most wanted shows on DVD is available through a limited time offer.

Hint: it's not live-action.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Back-talk for talkbacks.

Now I enjoy reading talkbacks for Ain't It Cool News, but I've recently discovered something very shocking. Apparently, the talkbacks are archived up to a certain point, so if one wishes to read a talkback from, say October of 2004, that individual would be shit out of luck.

As someone who has mentioned the humorous power of these talkbacks in the past, I find this truly disturbing. Imagine if every copy of every Richard Pryor album were destroyed. You purists can boo and hiss all you like; yes, I did just compare the talkbacks to the work of Richard Pryor. They are that fucking funny.

I suppose I can understand from the standpoint of not having enough space on the site, but it still sucks.