Tag Archives: Movies

Spring Breakers (review)

springbreakers
I’ve been anticipating this flick for quite sometime, not because of the Riff Raffesque James Franco but because I’m a fan of Harmony Korine. I saw Spring Breakers this weekend, Korine’s style is mad unorthodox but wicked good. Some scenes blew me away namely the Piano scene and the Billiards scene, were great and wonderfully shot and both different ends of the spectrum. One showed a frightened young church girl begging to go back home breaking down and biting off a bit more than she could chew. And the other scene showing he girls with no fear and living for the moment, for the experience. The acting by the girls and Franco were really top notch at times. Franco was on point the whole flick, he’s an incredible actor but spots by Gucci Mane weren’t great and seemed forced he had no emotion(it’s possible this is what they were going for). The film was shot great but I think the slow motion party w/ nudity montages were cool at first (the intro) but as the film went on it got a lil old we don’t need to see 10 minute party scenes shot in slow motion but i loved seeing the crotch, ass and titties (kinda).

This movie was overall really “cool” but I’ll be honest I felt uncomfortable and old watching it. The music matched the film well but I’m not a “club guy” so not really my shit. For the first time in my life I felt guilty about looking at women’s crotches and tits and it made me feel like Korine might be a pedo. But I kept thinking these girls are over 18 it’s ok, it wasn’t ok. One thing I learned while watching this movie is that Selena Gomez has really nice lips. The movie went a 1000mph but seemed real slow at times. So in the end I’d say the movie had some positive and negatives.

Positives:
Hot Chicks, Crotch, ass, lips, and titties.
Drugs, alcohol, sex
violence, gangster ass James Franco
Britney Spears piano scene
Soundtrack fit the movie well
Guns, Guns, Guns!

Negatives:
Slow moving
Feeling like a creep
Gucci Mane’s sub par role
Slow motion party scenes were one too many
Repetitive script, in other words they’d repeat a narrative multiple times, why I dunno? It was odd.

So there’s a breakdown of some positives and negatives of the movie IMO. It was good and the editor probably had the best job in the biz doing this flick, but it wasn’t great. Not a movie I’d tell everyone to see. I give it a 3/5.

nnn

Film School with R.A. The Rugged Man (part 1)

R.A. droppin’ knowledge. Funny story, I was once listening to R.A. fairly recently inparticular his verse of Ruste Juxx’s new album Hard Body HipHop. R.A. had a line saying he was playing death at chess, which I had immediately known that was a Seventh Seal reference and if you’re like me, and into foreign films and classic then you knew it was about the Ingmar Bergman classic. So being the dork I am I hit him on twitter like great reference you dropped in that new track about Seventh Seal and R.A. hit me back with this.

Slaine Quitting The Music Business?

Apparently the other day Slaine posted on his Facebook page that he’d be quitting the rap game within the next 18 months to pursue his acting career. While many fans might be quick to say “what the fuck, man!” Let’s look at it from a working mans perspective…. Slaine a rapper/actor….. Music is in the shitter right now if youre selling albums which many people arent you arent making too much money off it these days, you make money off touring and merchandise which is cool but it’s a lot of work, touring. You’re away from family, wife and kids etc. for most of the year if you want to keep the dough rolling in. Now if youre an actor, either acting in feature films, tv shows, you get paid a decent amount for a few days work in a small roll. You get paid big bucks if youre in a serious roll which requires you to be away for a few months unless youre shooting in your home town and seeing that Slaine is attached to the Aflecks he could probably drive himself to work everyday and have a home cooked meal every night. So you do the math. I wanna say peace to Slaine and I wanna wish him much luck in whatever he does and here at TheCrypt we’ll keep following. Slaine if you need a cameo by a big Mexican and you cant get in touch with Trejo give me a call.

Here’s the official word,

“These tours and albums Im doing over the next 18 months will probably be my last. Im more and more into making movies and sick of touring”

Bostons Films @ The Gate 2010

FATG

One of my favorite times of year is late August for this yearly event, we cover it every year and once again we gotta get the word out. Chinatown is once again hosting Films @ The Gate this week I suggest you get down there get some excellent food and a great seat. Below is the schedule of films and events and more info can always be checked out FILMS AT THE GATE.

Before the films:

PERFORMANCES, THU-SAT 8/26-8/28. As in past years, we’ll use the vacant lot for performances and demonstration classes before the sun goes down. Thursday’s film (8/26) will be preceded by a lion dance at 7:45PM by Gund Kwok, the only Asian Women Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe in the United States. Friday’s film (8/27) will be preceded by a lion dance, a demonstration class, and a Kung Fu demonstration from approximately 7:15 PM to 7:45PM by the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association. Saturday’s film (8/28) will be preceded by a Tai Chi demonstration from approximately 7:15 PM to 7:45PM led by members of Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association.

WALKING TOURS 6:00-6:45PM, THU-SUN 8/26-29. Explore Chinatown on a special 45 minute walking tour led by youth from the Asian Community Development Corporation. Get an in-depth look at Chinatown and its transformations over time, and connect with dynamic community workers who are working to preserve and revitalize this unique community. Learn about Chinatown’s unique urban environment, visiting historic sites that serve as connection points across generations and languages.  Suggested donation $5, all proceeds support Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE). Meet 6PM at the Chinatown Gate (Google Map). For more information contact avoyce@asiancdc.org.

8PM Films

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (2009)
Thursday, Aug 26 2010, 8 PM
Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Simon Yam. Director Teddy Chen. Choreography Wei Tung.
Location: our traditional space, the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

An all-star cast in a stirring action adventure, the story is loosely based on a visit to Hong Kong by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the first president of China, in 1906. The Manchu government sends assassins to wipe out the revolutionary leader, who is protected by an informal alliance of partisans and martial artists. Starring Boston’s own Donnie Yen. Best Actor (Wang Xueqi), 4th Asian Film Awards. Best Actor (Wang Xueqi) and Film of Merit, 16th Hong Kong Critics Society Awards. Best Film & Director, 29th Hong Kong Film Awards.


DRUNKEN MASTER (1978)
Friday, Aug 27 2010, 8 PM
Starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tin, Hwang Jang Lee. Directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Choreography by Yuen Woo-ping.
Location: our traditional space, the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

Jackie plays a trouble-prone teenaged version of the martial hero Wong Fei-hung, but he meets his match in the Drunken Master (played by director Yuen Woo-ping’s father). This is considered one of the best kung fu movies ever made. Learn more about Drunken Master from Films at the Gate Curator, Jean Lukitsh. As we have in past years, Friday’s film will be preceded by a lion dance, a demonstration class, and a Kung Fu demonstration from approximately 6:30 PM to 7:30PM by the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association.


HAVOC IN HEAVEN (1961)
Saturday, Aug 28 2010, 8 PM
Animated film directed by Wan Laiming, Wan Guchan, and Wan Chaochan.
Special Location: Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

The Wan brothers were China’s version of Walt Disney. Starting in 1922, the brothers made a series of short cartoons, then created the first animated Chinese feature film, PRINCESS IRON FAN, in 1940. HAVOC IN HEAVEN, a fantasy based on the Monkey King epic, is their best known work. Saturday’s film (8/28) will be preceded by a Tai Chi demonstration from approximately 7:00 PM to 7:30PM led by members of Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association.


CHILDREN OF INVENTION (2009)
Sunday Aug 29 2010, 8 PM
Starring Cindy Cheung, Michael Chen, and Crystal Chiu. Directed by Tze Chun.
Special Location: Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

Two young children living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother disappears. Filmed in Boston’s Chinatown, CHILDREN OF INVENTION made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, played over 45 film festivals, won 16 festival awards incuding 7 Grand Jury or Best Narrative Feature prizes, and was released theatrically in 8 cities in 2010. Film web site.


Directions and Details

Language

All movies have Chinese language audio and English subtitles. If subtitles are unavailable, bilingual summaries will be provided.

On the Lot

Folding chairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Feel free to bring your own seating. Nearest public restrooms are in South Station, a short walk from the site. Take out food is welcome at the movies—please help us support local businesses. (Open alcoholic beverages and smoking not permitted.)

Getting Here

This year, movies are showing at two locations:

  • On THU 8/26 and FRI 8/27 we’re at our traditional location on the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street between Beach and Kneeland Streets, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)
  • On SAT 8/28 and SUN 8/29 we’re in the Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

By MBTA:

  • Orange Line to Chinatown Station.
  • Red Line to Downtown Crossing or South Station.
  • Green Line to Boylston Street

By Car:

  • Take I-93 or the Mass. Pike to the South Station exit.

Parking available at nearby lots in Chinatown, including the Beach Street Garage. Additional parking at the South Station Bus Terminal.

In case of Rain

Check the Films at the Gate home page for updates.

 

Bostons Films @ The Gate 2010

FATG

One of my favorite times of year is late August for this yearly event, we cover it every year and once again we gotta get the word out. Chinatown is once again hosting Films @ The Gate this week I suggest you get down there get some excellent food and a great seat. Below is the schedule of films and events and more info can always be checked out FILMS AT THE GATE.

Before the films:

PERFORMANCES, THU-SAT 8/26-8/28. As in past years, we’ll use the vacant lot for performances and demonstration classes before the sun goes down. Thursday’s film (8/26) will be preceded by a lion dance at 7:45PM by Gund Kwok, the only Asian Women Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe in the United States. Friday’s film (8/27) will be preceded by a lion dance, a demonstration class, and a Kung Fu demonstration from approximately 7:15 PM to 7:45PM by the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association. Saturday’s film (8/28) will be preceded by a Tai Chi demonstration from approximately 7:15 PM to 7:45PM led by members of Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association.

WALKING TOURS 6:00-6:45PM, THU-SUN 8/26-29. Explore Chinatown on a special 45 minute walking tour led by youth from the Asian Community Development Corporation. Get an in-depth look at Chinatown and its transformations over time, and connect with dynamic community workers who are working to preserve and revitalize this unique community. Learn about Chinatown’s unique urban environment, visiting historic sites that serve as connection points across generations and languages.  Suggested donation $5, all proceeds support Asian Voices of Organized Youth for Community Empowerment (A-VOYCE). Meet 6PM at the Chinatown Gate (Google Map). For more information contact avoyce@asiancdc.org.

8PM Films

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (2009)
Thursday, Aug 26 2010, 8 PM
Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Simon Yam. Director Teddy Chen. Choreography Wei Tung.
Location: our traditional space, the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

An all-star cast in a stirring action adventure, the story is loosely based on a visit to Hong Kong by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the first president of China, in 1906. The Manchu government sends assassins to wipe out the revolutionary leader, who is protected by an informal alliance of partisans and martial artists. Starring Boston’s own Donnie Yen. Best Actor (Wang Xueqi), 4th Asian Film Awards. Best Actor (Wang Xueqi) and Film of Merit, 16th Hong Kong Critics Society Awards. Best Film & Director, 29th Hong Kong Film Awards.


DRUNKEN MASTER (1978)
Friday, Aug 27 2010, 8 PM
Starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tin, Hwang Jang Lee. Directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Choreography by Yuen Woo-ping.
Location: our traditional space, the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

Jackie plays a trouble-prone teenaged version of the martial hero Wong Fei-hung, but he meets his match in the Drunken Master (played by director Yuen Woo-ping’s father). This is considered one of the best kung fu movies ever made. Learn more about Drunken Master from Films at the Gate Curator, Jean Lukitsh. As we have in past years, Friday’s film will be preceded by a lion dance, a demonstration class, and a Kung Fu demonstration from approximately 6:30 PM to 7:30PM by the Wah Lum Kung Fu Athletic Association.


HAVOC IN HEAVEN (1961)
Saturday, Aug 28 2010, 8 PM
Animated film directed by Wan Laiming, Wan Guchan, and Wan Chaochan.
Special Location: Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

The Wan brothers were China’s version of Walt Disney. Starting in 1922, the brothers made a series of short cartoons, then created the first animated Chinese feature film, PRINCESS IRON FAN, in 1940. HAVOC IN HEAVEN, a fantasy based on the Monkey King epic, is their best known work. Saturday’s film (8/28) will be preceded by a Tai Chi demonstration from approximately 7:00 PM to 7:30PM led by members of Bow Sim Mark Tai Chi Arts Association.


CHILDREN OF INVENTION (2009)
Sunday Aug 29 2010, 8 PM
Starring Cindy Cheung, Michael Chen, and Crystal Chiu. Directed by Tze Chun.
Special Location: Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

Two young children living illegally in a model apartment outside Boston are left to fend for themselves when their hardworking mother disappears. Filmed in Boston’s Chinatown, CHILDREN OF INVENTION made its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, played over 45 film festivals, won 16 festival awards incuding 7 Grand Jury or Best Narrative Feature prizes, and was released theatrically in 8 cities in 2010. Film web site.


Directions and Details

Language

All movies have Chinese language audio and English subtitles. If subtitles are unavailable, bilingual summaries will be provided.

On the Lot

Folding chairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Feel free to bring your own seating. Nearest public restrooms are in South Station, a short walk from the site. Take out food is welcome at the movies—please help us support local businesses. (Open alcoholic beverages and smoking not permitted.)

Getting Here

This year, movies are showing at two locations:

  • On THU 8/26 and FRI 8/27 we’re at our traditional location on the vacant paved lot on Hudson Street between Beach and Kneeland Streets, just south of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)
  • On SAT 8/28 and SUN 8/29 we’re in the Chinatown Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, just north of the Chinatown Gate. (View Google map.)

By MBTA:

  • Orange Line to Chinatown Station.
  • Red Line to Downtown Crossing or South Station.
  • Green Line to Boylston Street

By Car:

  • Take I-93 or the Mass. Pike to the South Station exit.

Parking available at nearby lots in Chinatown, including the Beach Street Garage. Additional parking at the South Station Bus Terminal.

In case of Rain

Check the Films at the Gate home page for updates.