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Demand to see Iron Sky

Movies, Unexplained by
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Following a tip from io9, I’ve come across a fascinating new movie-in-progress called Iron Sky.  It is purported to be a comedy but it seems to have taken quite seriously some of the more out there conspiracy theories about the end of the Nazi party (beyond just “Nazis fled to Argentina.”)  There’s a brief teaser trailer that should get your up to speed on the premise.

I haven’t seen Star Wreck, the filmmakers’ first effort, but I do love a good parody and am pretty excited for Iron Sky to hit theaters.  (I see “research” in my future, too.)  If you are impressed by the trailer, take a few seconds to demand that the movie come to a theater near you.

Read: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? comic

Art, Books, Movies by
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On a recent excursion to Annapolis’s Capitol Comics, I stumbled upon a lovely hardcover collection of a comic I never knew existed: a graphic version of Philip K. Dick’s Do Android’s Dream of Electric Sheep? Having always intended to read the book anyway, I figured I’d pick this up and give it a go.

Volume One – only published in December 2009, as it turns out, so I don’t feel that out of touch – covers the first four issues of the series and does so with a lush style and impeccable attention to detail that makes every single panel look like a photograph. As the four essays by science fiction authors included in the back are quick to point out, this is not Blade Runner. The original story never was, offering up more than Scott ever put in the film. With the addition of slick, poignant art, I think that the comic goes one step further than any version so far has (sorry, PKD.)

I’ll definitely be crossing the bridge again for Volume Two.

I want to see Monsters

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io9’s analysis of the forthcoming film – just given a distribution deal – makes me far more intrigued than the initial “Mexican District 9” buzz. The movie clip above completes the excitement needed to at least get me to preemptively queue it. Which is smart, since the Chester 5 will more than likely never pick this one up. Or will for like three days, if it does.

Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century

General Entertainment, Movies by

In Halloween-time tradition, the DVR has been recording seasonal programming like the amazing Halloweentown films (Halloweentown, Halloweentown 2: The Awakening, Halloweentown III: How Marney Got Her Groove Back and the newest, Tyler Perry’s Revenge of the Cromwells.) The Disney Channel really knows how to make cinematic gold time and again.

This got me thinking about my all-time favorite Disney Channel disaster, Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century. Enjoy the first 10 minutes!

The tale of a learning-challenged, neon PVC bedecked space-troll, Zenon follows our eponymous heroine from her rotating research station that orbits somewhere between Earth, the moon and Claire’s discount bin. The visionary futurism (everyone drives Beetles!) and hard-hitting soundtrack (“Zoom, Zoom, Zoom,” anyone?) combine with a plot that may or may not have showed up during filming to create an instant classic.

What’s your favorite Disney Channel film mockery?

Downhill for 100 miles

Food/Drink, Movies by

Did you know that you can essentially plan on coasting the entire way from State College to Lancaster because it’s like 99% downhill? I do, because I just returned from a weekend at home with Kate.

The reason?

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Clarion’s Autumn Leaf Festival 2009, of course.

“Why go home for such a thing,” you are no doubt wondering. Well, my sister was crowned Miss Teen ALF and, despite the fact that she wore her crown the entire time we were home, we needed to see the spectacle of her in the Saturday parade.

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Squint hard, you can see her throwing candy off the back of a Sebring.

My mom – infinitely wise – reserved seats in the front row and brought along daiquiris.

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No idea why we never thought of this in high school.

And speaking of drinking, the drive home also afforded us a chance to hang out with both Dusty and Hoover. We went to Cozumel (in the Quality Inn) and saw Zombieland (during which the line “thank god for rednecks” got a round of applause from the locals.) It was stupendous, but not as much so as Dusty’s massive margarita:

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Movie trailer roundup

General Entertainment, Movies by

Sometimes I think I like movie trailers better than movies. Chalk it up to the post-MTV attention span, the TRL-level of information consumption. Actually, don’t – I hated TRL for cutting off my favorite videos. No, it’s probably just the excitement of an unknown film, the snippets of a plot yet to be unfolded and the (usually) spotless editing techniques that build tension. In any case, here’s my current list of movies I’m excited for:

  • 2012 – Holy freaking yes! I doubt this is what the Mayans were getting at with their prophecies, but look at the plane flying out of a chasm of doom! Government arks? John Cusack? YES.
  • 500 Days of Summer – Okay, I’m not as excited about this one, but still. Zooey Deschanel is in it. Really, she could just stand on screen for two hours and stare and I’d probably still go to the theatre, plunk down $8 and come out loving it.
  • Herb and Dorothy – These are probably the most adorable people I’ve ever seen – and truly what I aspire to be in my old age. How they were affording so much art on their income is beyond my grasp, but thankfully they found a way.
  • Cold Souls – A new Being John Malkovich? I certainly hope so – this film looks trippy, quirky and almost detestable. I’ll probably love it.
  • The Road – Just the trailer makes me immensely uncomfortable. The actual movie is probably two hundred times more suspenseful. I’m not sure I’ll make it through, but I sure do want to try.
  • Moon – And then, of course, there’s this gem. With Sam Rockwell (Zaphod!) losing his shit as the only man on the moon. Beyond 2001 levels of creepiness. Hooray!

Honorable mention (will probably watch it, just have to find it:)

  • Yesterday Was a Lie – Scifi. Noir. Worked for Blade Runner, didn’t it? Amateur actors might bring this combination down, but I doubt it.

      • Update! How could I forget: District 9 – Peter Jackson puts his skills to use directing a movie about an alien refugee camp. Looks very BSG meets V.