Hi.
This is Jeff Bayer, and I don't update this site very often. If you'd like to listen to my current movie podcast you can find it at MovieBS.com.
This is Jeff Bayer, and I don't update this site very often. If you'd like to listen to my current movie podcast you can find it at MovieBS.com.
All in Articles
The movie studio executives play God around this time every year. Don't listen to mother nature ... summer starts May 1. The blockbusters are upon us, and it looks like May might just be THE big month of movies this year. Sure, we have to wait for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, but we've already been waiting for that last one for a while now. And it looks like each week we will have a new box office winner ... my hunch is Wolverine will have the biggest opening weekend, but when it's all said and done, Star Trek will be box office king. Let's get to the films.
Movie of the Week X-Men
DreamWorks CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg is excited about, Monsters vs. Aliens. So excited in fact that he traveled the country to show clips and discuss the new 3D technology DreamWorks employs in this animated film. In December, Katzenberg made the trip to Seattle despite the unusually snowy weather. Before the clips roll, Katzenberg gives a brief presentation on his view of 3D. He recalls two major revolutions in film to date. The first was when films went from silent to “talkies” in the 1920s, the second was the arrival of color in the 1930s. Katzenberg believes 3D might be the next great revolution in film.
Katzenberg remembers the old 3D movies as, “my father's 3D,” with the blue and red filter glasses, also known as anaglyph. He goes on to explain the first
TSR running diary - 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009 Oscars) PREGAME - Though they may seem obvious, the awards are never certain until the gold statues are placed in the hand of the actual winner. Mickey Rourke may seem like a shoo-in for Best Actor, but in a world where Crash can win Best Picture, we must remember that nothing is certain. Going against what Slumdog preaches - these awards are NOT written. Certainly, the technical awards are up for grabs. Will the Academy give Dark Knight a boat load awards? Will The Curious Case of Benjamin Button earn any technical recognition?
Regardless, here’s hoping for a few surprises and correct praise for the best films of 2008.
PREGAME - jeff bayer - I'm playing the sidekick for Nick Allen. Any time you
With leaves changing, the weather cooling and football fully caked into the air (and weekend plans) it's time to start thinking ahead of the spend your time in the theaters. Here's a quick guide to October movies, but before we get to that, let's talk about the biggest disappointment this fall. "Saturday Night Live." Currently 0-2, with Michael Phelps and James Franco hosting the first two episodes there has been one great sketch (Tina Fey as Sarah Palin), and one great idea (James Franco as Agent 420). That's it. How could they not spend the entire summer thinking and planning? If nothing else every single season premiere should have a sketch of all the things they missed making fun of during the summer.
The good news ... Anna Faris is hosting 9/28
Epilogue: I am happy to report dealing with my insurance company went smoothly. Mainly because my wife keeps receipts, so that's another reason to get married for all you unorganized guys out there. I only lost the last six months of my life as that was the last time I backed up my computer. Now it's just a matter of deciding if I should upgrade to the MacBook Air and iPhone or not. As for SXSW. It was a great first festival. There weren't as many stars walking the streets as I had expected, but I've decided that is a good thing. This film festival really is about the movie fan. Every person that sat down was really pumped to see a film. At first, this was disturbing when "21" kept
Austin OK, it's actually the night of Day Four. We pick up with me making a decision. Either go see "Frontrunners" or go to a party with my brother-in-law. I chose the party. Some people were dressed up in costumes (though I was unsure why), I had a couple PBR's and met a Chicago film producer. Then we headed back to his car... My life was stolen. That's an exaggeration. Everything that was important to me was stolen. His car was broken in to. Computer,iPod , notes, voice recorder (with my interviews), keys and additional items only I would find important such as the key chain I received went I went to nationals in '98 for Ultimate Frisbee. All gone.
Three days earlier I had told someone I don't get surprised, that
Austin It was a big day. One interview and four films scheduled. It all began with the documentary "Crawford." It was all about the city that George W. Bush made famous by moving there before his run for presidency. The film is definitely slanted a little to the left and the political conversation has been done before, but it does a good job of capturing the people of the small town and the time when Cindy Sheehan decided to set up her protest. Next I grabbed a bite at Joe's to enjoy the greatest tuna melt sandwich of all time, then I sprinted over to the Four Season's to interview Seann William Scott.
Ouch. Scott didn't show, it's all part of the business and I quickly shrugged it off and prepared to
Austin I have been excited about day light savings time for a while. In fact, I think it's George W. Bush's second best move as president. Here's my entire list of great things Bush has accomplished. 1. Gave more money toBono than any other president for AIDS in Africa. 2. Shorten day light savings time. That's it. That's the list.
Well, SXSW has a way of making someone forget about the rest of the world. I woke up at 9:15 a.m. which quickly became 10:15 a.m. once it dawned on me, and luckily I was able to make it to my 11 a.m. screening of "Some Assembly Required."
It's a documentary about middle school kids creating and designing a toy for a national competition. About 20 kids and teachers were in the audience
Austin I know you think Chicago does Mexican food well, but you're wrong. El Chilito is the perfect example of why. A small place just outside of the city and it has the best breakfast tacos and pork tacos I've ever had. Breakfast tacos are a standard out here, not a rarity. So the day started with El Chilito, and then I was off to interview Doug Benson, the pot-smoking star of "Super High Me."
Just like pot, and just like the movie, he was nice, relaxing, but really nothing was accomplished. Good times. He asked where I was from, and when I told him Chicago he said, "I'll be there performing April 4 and 5." And while I responded with a sorry, that I would be out of town (taking down
Day One - SXSW (film festival in Austin, TX) I am popping my film festival cherry. I've been reviewing films for a couple years now and getting paid to attend a fest was a goal of mine. Plus, Texas in March, avoiding the hellacious Chicago winter... what could be better?
I arrived to 38 degree temperatures, rain, and an insane wind. It felt better in Chicago. Everyone I have met up with so far has said, "Thanks for bringing the weather with you." It's like there was a memo sent out, and that's the joke they all decided to go with.
Luckily Friday, with the start of the film festival came 60 degree temperatures. I was a beaver that was eager so I was one of the first in line to register. After