Still Here and Never Sane (the Joaquin Phoenix story)

Get this, actor Casey Affleck has decided to direct and release a documentary about Joaquin Phoenix (that guy who played Johnny cash and then lost his fucking mind). It focuses on Phoenix’s decision to retire from the acting world in 2008. However, we all know he retired to do what he really wanted to do with himself. He decided to become a rapper, because somehow after gaining thirty pounds and growing a massive beard, he thought people would be into that, you know? Of course, I don’t think he ever released a full album and i only really know of One Show.

So, this movie is here to detail us on just what its like when somebody goes off the deep end. From what I’ve heard it seems as if it will just do that. New York Magazine had word from sources that, “Phoenix snorts cocaine, orders call girls, has oral sex with a publicist (it’s unclear who was the giver and who the taker), and treats his assistants abusively.” They go on to mention a particular incident in which apparently he gets defecated on by one of his friends. Now, this movie could be something of a shocker piece, but it could also just be another Borat. In which case, they seem to have taken it much farther and do we really need that? But then again, nothing could be more entertaining than an in-depth look of a washed-up actor in his real-life situations … right?

Criterion discount

My first purchase

If you are like myself and enjoy collecting and exploring the fabulous and film-school-in-a-box Criterion Collection DVDs, then this post is most definitely for you. So, check this shit out. Until august 1st, Barnes and Noble has Criterion DVDs 50 % off on every one of their titles. The majority are around 20 dollars, that’s including the blu-ray titles. The essential Art House discs are mostly 10 dollars and the Akira Kurosawa box set of 25 films is cut completely in half (of course, that is $400 dollars down to $200, but that’s a damn good deal). I’ll be spending way too much money in the next month, but at least my collection will grow enough to make me proud to be a fucken film nerd.

For those who do not know what the Criterion Collection is please refer to this: link

Barnes and Noble’s site!

what to be excited for for june 18.

actually, there are lots. Which is nice considering that almost everything released recently (this summer) has been pretty awful and uninteresting. BUT! In looking at the line up, a couple of things strike my attention.

Of course the big one would have to be Toy Story 3, but who wouldn’t have guessed that? Pixar has been putting out so many good films within in the past few years that they can’t possibly fail now. And with a new film to the family classic that wowed people 15 years ago, this weekend will prove to be a lot of fun.

Toy Story 3 isn’t the only blockbuster hitting screens this weekend that sounds like a blast. If you haven’t heard of Jonah Hex, then check out IMDB for a look at this thrill ride of a western. Now, it sure looks ridiculous and almost pointless to be made into a film, but I think that’s what makes it so enticing. It’s the story of a bounty hunter with a scarred jaw who is hired by the US government to hunt down a national threat (also the man who scarred him and killed his family). However, he also does so with intense weaponry and a prostitute side kick. It does sound dumb now, but watch the trailer. So, this movie might prove to be really bad, but with a cast including Josh Brolin in the lead and John Malkovich as the villain, this western-graphic-novel adaptation might prove to be a fun action film.

And now we go to the movies that are releasing this weekend that are supposed to be fantastic films. I am Love and Cyrus are also coming out in theaters … but only in limited release (which means big cities and places unlike where most come from). I am Love starring Academy Award Winning Actress Tilda Swinton is about a family that falls apart after the central member (Swinton) goes into an affair with her brother-in-law’s friend. It looks to be an emotionally fuelled film with lovely cinematography and fabulous talent. However, it looks like I’ll have to wait for a DVD copy. Cyrus, which might be a surprise that it is limited release (Considering it stars John C. Reilly and Jonah Hill). The movie has gotten some great critical reception, especially at the sundance film festival. A man falls in love with a woman and then gets trouble when her 20-someodd year-old son, who still lives with her and is overly protective, comes into the picture.

Find the movie trailers here!