Three Movies I'm Dying to See: Part Three

No poster for this one yet, but Paul Thomas Anderson is one of those directors I'd follow anywhere -- even into a theater with Adam Sandler's name on the marquee. And I was damned glad I did, given that the movie was PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE, one of the strangest, best romantic comedies I've seen. That was his last film, and it came out five years ago. Now he's finished THERE WILL BE BLOOD, a drama based on the novel OIL! by Upton Sinclair. Haven't read the book, so I don't know much about the movie, but judging by the trailer, it's dark. Really dark.



Can't really go wrong with Daniel Day Lewis, can you? Coincidentally, this is scheduled to hit limited release the same day as NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. It's been a long time since I've done a double-feature in Chicago (for obvious reasons), but this might be too good to pass up.

Three Movies I'm Dying to See: Part Two

Though I'd put several Coen Brothers movies on my all-time-best list (RAISING ARIZONA, MILLER'S CROSSING, BARTON FINK, FARGO, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE and especially THE HUDSUCKER PROXY), I agree with most fans who think they've been in a bit of a rut lately. INTOLERABLE CRUELTY and THE LADYKILLERS weren't exactly bad, but they were a definite step down from previous efforts. However, their latest, which debuted at Cannes this spring and is due to open in the States in November, looks good. Damned good. Here's the poster, with Javier Bardem looking really scary.

Don't think he looks scary? Then check him out in this trailer:

See? I told you.

Three Movies I'm Dying to See: Part One

As someone who loves THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS, is waiting for Criterion to eventually release BOTTLE ROCKET on DVD (Guys? Please?), counts RUSHMORE among his all-time favorite films and thinks THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU looks even better every time I pop in the DVD, it's safe to say I'm a fan of Wes Anderson's movies -- and I'm dying to see his latest, THE DARJEELING LIMITED.

Here's the poster...

And here's the trailer.



Won't be able to catch it at the New York Film Festival, where it's making its debut, but as soon as it slips into local theaters, I'm there. Battling brothers, family secrets, tragic revelations, lost love and a long journey, gorgeous widescreen compositions and impeccable art direction. Sounds good to me -- and the train itself looks like the landlocked cousin of Steve Zissou's Belafonte.

Oh, not in Utica, no. It's an Albany expression.

Here, inspired by a link over at the Onion AV Club, is one of the funniest scenes in SIMPSONS history -- and it doesn't even feature Homer.



And, while we're at it, here's a very funny -- and very short -- Homer clip.

Buy my comics, make me rich: CATWOMAN #69 and AMAZONS ATTACK #4

Hey, true believers! It's a double-dip week, with two (count 'em) two comics by yours truly hitting the stands. First, there's CATWOMAN #69, which (despite what the tease says on the official Web site), is not the conclusion of "Catwoman Dies" (that was last issue), but is instead "Life During Wartime, Part 1," first of a two-parter tying in with AMAZONS ATTACK. Here's a panel from the issue that has nothing to do with Amazons or attacking, but is pretty swell in its own right, if you ask me. Art, as always, by David and Alvaro Lopez.

But if you do want to read about Amazons attacking things, check out this week's other release, AMAZONS ATTACK #4, with art and cover by Pete Woods. It's an especially compelling cover this month, too...

Naturally, I hope you'll be compelled by this sales pitch (and by the quality of the comics themselves) to pick up both books. As always, bring your feedback here and I'll do my best to respond.

Gather the kiddies! It's movie time!

Courtesy of Slate.com, here's a short feature on, of all things, the K. Gordon Murray version of "Little Red Riding Hood," one of the worst (or at least strangest) kiddie movies ever made. The host is a little too self-satisfied, but the clips are priceless. I especially like the kissing couple that turns into chimps.