Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Machete
Just saw this matinee on Saturday at the Hadley Mall. It was wonderful; basically everything I could hope for in a movie. I suppose at this point it goes without saying that some CGI moments bugged me, but that's life in 90s, or 00s, or teens.
The rousing opening sequence involving Machete's attempted rescue of a nude babe from the clutches of fat Steven Seagal sets the tone firmly in Cannon Films territory. One-liners, lack of logic or subtlety, naked babes and sleazy vilians continue to punctuate the film throughout it's overstuffed/overlong running time. That's fine by me as I enjoyed every convoluted plot twist, every new character, every body heaped onto the pile. I have to admit, this almost operatic web of sleaze leaves behind some of the effervescent fun of seeing the "fake trailer" way back in the Grindhouse days.
The message of Immigrant empowerment comes in thick broad strokes, and I admire the propagandist adherence to a ideology. There isn't a moral tacked onto the end here, or much complication in character to get in the way. In Machete you have brutal violence and hot babes (actually, very hot babes) fused to a real need on the part of film makers to give a big fat "FUCK YOU" to xenophobia aimed towards Mexicans. Oh and don't worry, the hot babes dole out a lot of the punishment. Cool.
As a prerequisite for a good action movie, you need Heavy heavies, and that's where Machete really shines. As good as Trejo is as the titular fucking badass, it's Segal, Robert DiNero, Jeff Fahey and especially Don Johnson that give the film it's real flash. To say they chew the scenery is putting it lightly...chewing the film sprockets is more like it. And we've also got Cheech Marin who is fantastic as Machete's brother, some Cholo chicks at a chop shop, gnarly henchmen/women and a bunch of other cool stuff. Overstuffed with cool stuff, it's no lean mean machine, but it's still pretty awesome.
I've encountered criticism of Machete that the "joke is that the film is supposed to bad, but so what?" The problem with this criticism is that it's total bullshit. This is pure action cinema for action fans...hey, I'll even say that I liked Planet Terror more, but that's no real issue for me. I want a world where I can go to the movie theater and have the option of seeing a fine piece of trash...or 2 pieces of fine garbage...or 3 pieces of shit...whatever.
The rousing opening sequence involving Machete's attempted rescue of a nude babe from the clutches of fat Steven Seagal sets the tone firmly in Cannon Films territory. One-liners, lack of logic or subtlety, naked babes and sleazy vilians continue to punctuate the film throughout it's overstuffed/overlong running time. That's fine by me as I enjoyed every convoluted plot twist, every new character, every body heaped onto the pile. I have to admit, this almost operatic web of sleaze leaves behind some of the effervescent fun of seeing the "fake trailer" way back in the Grindhouse days.
The message of Immigrant empowerment comes in thick broad strokes, and I admire the propagandist adherence to a ideology. There isn't a moral tacked onto the end here, or much complication in character to get in the way. In Machete you have brutal violence and hot babes (actually, very hot babes) fused to a real need on the part of film makers to give a big fat "FUCK YOU" to xenophobia aimed towards Mexicans. Oh and don't worry, the hot babes dole out a lot of the punishment. Cool.
As a prerequisite for a good action movie, you need Heavy heavies, and that's where Machete really shines. As good as Trejo is as the titular fucking badass, it's Segal, Robert DiNero, Jeff Fahey and especially Don Johnson that give the film it's real flash. To say they chew the scenery is putting it lightly...chewing the film sprockets is more like it. And we've also got Cheech Marin who is fantastic as Machete's brother, some Cholo chicks at a chop shop, gnarly henchmen/women and a bunch of other cool stuff. Overstuffed with cool stuff, it's no lean mean machine, but it's still pretty awesome.
I've encountered criticism of Machete that the "joke is that the film is supposed to bad, but so what?" The problem with this criticism is that it's total bullshit. This is pure action cinema for action fans...hey, I'll even say that I liked Planet Terror more, but that's no real issue for me. I want a world where I can go to the movie theater and have the option of seeing a fine piece of trash...or 2 pieces of fine garbage...or 3 pieces of shit...whatever.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Well Jesus Fuck, here we go.
hello one follower.
I quit my full time job that combined with my part time dj gigs killed most of my time and energy...maybe now I'll write some shit in here and on paper or some shit!
Drink some coffee and write!
Why did they illegalize ephedrine in Massachuesetts? Whatupwithat?
I'm listening to the JSBX "Extra Width" DBL Disc reissue...it's really good. I was convinced for a couple years that this band would never be considered cool again...I guess I was wrong, and I'm lovin it...great to both hearing those old faves and drivin up to an unknown spot in eastern MA.
Welfare Records in Haverhill, Ma...highly reccommended. Thanks for Jon D. for giving me the heads up on this...pulled my normal stylee at indie record store i.e. buying against the specialty..normally this means cheap hip hop and dance in a punk store...today it meant reasonably priced hip hop and dance in a punk store. damn you internet! (jk jk jk).
Picked up the Fearless Four single written about in my fave book of the year :howtowreckanicebeach.com:(not quite the name of the book, but I ain' t no hyperlinker).
Tapper no longer appears to be in residence at Salem Willows...almost all the videostores are closed...I hope some fellow movie weirdos picked up the vhs before any destruction happened.
Photographics in Beverly had basicly every movie I am glad I saw, and a bunch I didn't get around to checking out...fugggg....also a few that I didn't appreciate at the time>>>>not quite at the bottom of the barrel yet. SOV was not for me yet, Splatter: Archetects of Fear? I'd love to see you again. I guess I should get back on this torrent shit, eh?
When the Newbury comics opened in Peabody in 94 or 95 I would buy 7"s often on how many inserts and weird stuff came with it...I could never get enough of that Shellac "The Admiral" 7" with the photo on it and the key to all items in Todd's room. Thusly I picked up the Capitalist Casualties/MDC split 7" cuz it felt so thick....must have a zine in it or something. Actually had the JSBX jukebox 45 with the afforementioned songs jammed inside. Glad I wasn't arrested for unknowingly shoplifting...luckily I ended up with one of my new favorite records. What a boon for a 15 year old! Thief with good taste setting you up!
p.s. I've never had a goatee.
I quit my full time job that combined with my part time dj gigs killed most of my time and energy...maybe now I'll write some shit in here and on paper or some shit!
Drink some coffee and write!
Why did they illegalize ephedrine in Massachuesetts? Whatupwithat?
I'm listening to the JSBX "Extra Width" DBL Disc reissue...it's really good. I was convinced for a couple years that this band would never be considered cool again...I guess I was wrong, and I'm lovin it...great to both hearing those old faves and drivin up to an unknown spot in eastern MA.
Welfare Records in Haverhill, Ma...highly reccommended. Thanks for Jon D. for giving me the heads up on this...pulled my normal stylee at indie record store i.e. buying against the specialty..normally this means cheap hip hop and dance in a punk store...today it meant reasonably priced hip hop and dance in a punk store. damn you internet! (jk jk jk).
Picked up the Fearless Four single written about in my fave book of the year :howtowreckanicebeach.com:(not quite the name of the book, but I ain' t no hyperlinker).
Tapper no longer appears to be in residence at Salem Willows...almost all the videostores are closed...I hope some fellow movie weirdos picked up the vhs before any destruction happened.
Photographics in Beverly had basicly every movie I am glad I saw, and a bunch I didn't get around to checking out...fugggg....also a few that I didn't appreciate at the time>>>>not quite at the bottom of the barrel yet. SOV was not for me yet, Splatter: Archetects of Fear? I'd love to see you again. I guess I should get back on this torrent shit, eh?
When the Newbury comics opened in Peabody in 94 or 95 I would buy 7"s often on how many inserts and weird stuff came with it...I could never get enough of that Shellac "The Admiral" 7" with the photo on it and the key to all items in Todd's room. Thusly I picked up the Capitalist Casualties/MDC split 7" cuz it felt so thick....must have a zine in it or something. Actually had the JSBX jukebox 45 with the afforementioned songs jammed inside. Glad I wasn't arrested for unknowingly shoplifting...luckily I ended up with one of my new favorite records. What a boon for a 15 year old! Thief with good taste setting you up!
p.s. I've never had a goatee.
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