Sinister Trout Speaks

Alright folks - its time to get serious for a moment. 

I know that is not the norm around here, but this is important.

What is the price for admission for a movie where you live?  $7.50?  $9.00?  How about $14??  Lets just say for the sake of argument that its $11.

Did you know for some people $11 is what they make a day?  Do you think they would spend that amount on a the latest summer blockbuster? 

Better yet do you think they could?

Poverty is a real issue, not only in America, but around the world.

Just over 37 million people live below the poverty line in America alone.

Lets put that number in a context  that we can relate to.  A megaplex movie theater has the capacity to fit 6000 people. 

That means the amount of people living in poverty could fill 6,167 megaplexes.  Startling isn’t it?

This is where the power of film comes into play. 

Directors, artists and actors can and have been taking an active role in building awareness and addressing poverty.  On the big screen or small they are doing there part to bring poverty into the lime light.

Awareness is key - ignorance only give poverty strength and I applaud any film maker bring this and similar issues to our attention.  But don’t let titles and credentials intimate you. 

Grab a video camcorder and make your statement!

Their efforts along with our voice can make poverty disappear like so many Martha Stewart holiday specials!

This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty

Want to learn something?

Too bad!  The next movie in your queue should be a movie called Helvetica.  No, its not a B-rated horror movie about a town in hell - yes someone thought it was!

Its a film that studies probably one of the most used and celebrated fonts in design history - Helvetica.  Trust me, I thought this was going to be a waste of an hour and a half of my life, however, this movie was pretty cool.

If you like graphic design or into that sort of thing, then you would really enjoy this movie.  If you are someone who is just a geek and likes nerdy stuff - then you’ll like it too!

Helvetica:  Funny, I don’t even know the font my blog uses!  Do you?

Because it’s Halloween time I thought I’d dedicate a post a week to some sort of horror movie.

OK - you laugh that I’d suggest The Exorcist is scary.  I would simply suggest your mother dropped you on your head.

The stabbing/masturbation with a cross?  That chilling demon voice?  360 head turn?  Oh an lets not forget the spider walk down the stairs!!

There is something that is just terrifying when it comes to the true powers of good and evil.  And this flick captures that perfectly.

I think what makes The Exorcist a spine chiller, is that it was filmed in the 70’s.  Its "horror" is not deflated with over the top gross out effects or useless CGI.  Its almost like you are watching a documentary.

When it was re-released in the theaters, I jumped at the chance to see it.  I don’t think I witnessed more people screaming and jumping.  A true classic!!

The Exorcist: If you want to talk about gross out torture devices.   Just take a look at the spinal tap machines that Regan went through!

This could very well be one of my favorite movies.  I need to watch it again to make sure but DAMN!!!

Two brothers -  bored simply decide to go on a killing spree of their rich neighbors.  That’s about it.  Simple really.  Just how I like it!

Best scene- boy cornered in the upstairs hallway.  His tormentor tells him, in a quiet and clam manner, to fire the shot gun pointed at him.  The kids expression is priceless!!

This movie could easily be the sequel of A Clockwork Orange.  Its difficult to describe this movie - just see it.  Its great.  Breaks rules and freaks you out!!

Funny Games:  Apparently an exact remake of the 1997 original foreign film (I should see that one too).  Plus its great to see Tim Roth play a helpless character.

I’m actually listening to the making of Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring as I write this. 

It got me thinking about those Hobbit cartoon movies that would come out during the holidays.

One of those I’d like to forget is Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings.

Man…. what a pile.  I mean I know it was made in the 70’s and all, but seriously what’s the deal??

If you are familiar with Mr. Bakshi’s work then you know he pushes the medium and his stories to sometimes the point of being offensive just to be offensive.  I respect that!  Check out "Fritz the Cat" and you’ll get a clear idea of his "vision".

So it is very surprising to me that he choose to tackle The Lord of the Rings.

Quite simply, this movie sucks.  Its boring and most of the animation is rotoscoped - something I’ve never been a fan of.  Plus the movie makes Tolkien’s already complicated story even more confusing.

The Lord of the Rings:  The only highlight of this piece of crap is John Hurt voicing Strider/Aragorn.  Oh yeah you also get to see a Balrog wearing bell bottoms… so that’s a plus!!