Blog Pick Week #9

   For this week, our pick certainly comes with mixed reviews. Some people loved the movie, while others despised it...we are definitely the latter. A phrase that we have used in the past, "a diamond in the rough", pertains to this week as well. This week we pick "Chapter 27".
   "Chapter 27," tells the story of Mark David Chapman, the convicted killer of former Beatle John Lennon. Told from the perspective of the killer, and describing his love of the famous singer, until ultimately plotting and carrying out his heinous act. An unrecognizable Jared Leto plays Mark David Chapman, and does an excellent job showing the deranged mind of the character. Filmed in historic locations such as Strawberry Fields in New York City, and accurate accounts from eyewitnesses, bring out the special qualities in this movie.
   As I have said earlier, this movie is a like or hate type of film. Some claim that it is to slow, I couldn't disagree anymore. There are almost no movies out there telling the story of the assassination of John Lennon. "Chapter 27" does a wonderful job showing Mark David Chapman's path of love to hate, and really demonstrates his isolation from society. It is more of a movie about the convicted killer than one of John Lennon. Take a chance on it, until next week happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

"Chapter 27" trailer


     

An Original Sequel...

   Last week we told you about a movie I made, well this week we are introducing the sequel to that same movie. It is also under ten minutes in length. Here at Webmoviepick, we thank you in advance for taking the time to watch. Enjoy!

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

Blog Pick Week #8

   You would be hard pressed to find someone that never heard of Quentin Tarantino. The Writer/Director, burst onto the scene with his crime drama "Reservoir Dogs" in the early 1990's. Followed by his Oscar winning, and critically acclaimed "Pulp Fiction". Known for writing great dialogue in his films, Quentin has a cult following that seems to be growing everyday. His characters that he creates in each of his films, leave lasting impressions in the minds of audiences everywhere. This could not be more evident in our pick for this week, the third film by Quentin Tarantino, a movie called "Jackie Brown".
   "Jackie Brown", is about a gunrunner named Ordell Robbie, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who is using a flight attendant friend Jackie Brown, played by Pam Grier, to transport his half million dollars he has in Mexico back to the States. In the process an ex-con, beach bunny, bail bondsman, and two ATF agents try and get there hands on the loot. Who will get all that money? Loaded with great actors, Tarantino's stellar dialogue and script, make Jackie Brown a great movie. Throughout the film, you get the perspective of each characters point of view and you see how each sub plot intersects with the main plot.
   "Jackie Brown", may unfortunately find itself in the shadows of his other films like "Pulp Fiction" or "Kill Bill", great films themselves, but "Jackie Brown" is just as good. If you liked any other movie Quentin Tarantino did, or are looking for a good movie to see, then certainly check this weeks pick out. Until next time happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

 "Jackie Brown" trailer

An Original Movie...

   Here at Webmoviepick, we typically give our reviews, and recommend movies for our readers to watch. This time, we are asking you to watch a short silent film that I made a few years ago. Starring my dog and my lovely wife as co-star. It was shot using a home video camera, and edited on our personal computer. Total running time is under ten minutes. Enjoy the show!

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

Blog Pick Week #7

   When you think of the career resume of a great director like Stanley Kubrick, movies like "Dr. Strangelove" "A Clockwork Orange" or "The Shining" may come to mind. For this weeks pick, we have to look a bit further back in time, a time when Stanleys career was just beginning to blossom. It was his second feature film, on a short list of films. This weeks pick, is the 1956 crime drama "The Killing".
   "The Killing" tells the story of a daring horse track robbery. Johnny Clay, played by Sterling Hayden, orchestrates a well planned heist, by enlisting the help of a group of thieves. Each member has one job to do, and each thief doesn't know the master plan, just their small piece of it. Johnny Clay maps out a brilliant plan that seems flawless...or is it? Told through the perspective of each character, Stanley Kubrick shows a glimpse of what made him the legend that he would become. A solid story line,  masterfully acted and directed, "The Killing" is a complete film. Often over looked, but rarely under appreciated when audiences watch it. In fact, I hear more people who are not fans of Kubrick, love it more than any other movie he has ever done.
   Even though this is one of his first feature films, "The Killing" is in no way a movie that was done by an inexperienced director. If you enjoy movies, and want to see a good film, that you may have never seen before, we highly recommend "The Killing". Until next time happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQXokRldBUo 
 
  

Blog Pick Week #6

   Not all plays transition well to the big screen. Movies have the ability to do things a stage performance can't, and vice versa. Occasionally, a simple stage act can come alive on film, without losing it's look and feel. This certainly is apparent in our selection for this week, the 1957 Sidney Lumet classic, "12 Angry Men."

   "12 Angry Men" tells the story of a courtroom jury hearing a murder case. The film begins after both sides have presented their cases, and the fate of the defendant is in the hands of the jury. Most of the jurors just want to wrap things up fairly quickly, and hand down a guilty verdict. One juror, played by Henry Fonda, wants to take things a little slower, and examine the case. The jurors face flaring tempers from one another and have sort of a cabin fever being sequestered for so long. Acting out scenarios throughout the trial and trying to put aside personal prejudices towards one another, the jurors begin to see things in a new light, and come together for the common man.

   Almost the entire movie takes place in one scene...the jurors room. Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and on the AFI's list of Greatest Movies of all time. "12 Angry Men" demonstrates when you combine a solid script with a strong cast, you can produce a superb film. Considered a classic, "12 Angry Men" is a must see. Until next time happy viewing.

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7CBKT0PWFA 

Instant vs Disc

   We are so lucky we live in this time period. Remember the days of waiting on long lines for the highly anticipated new release? Even having to camp out for the die hard fans in us? (not that I ever did) Or when we would go to our local video store to get one of the last copies of the movie we never got to see in the theater, only realizing about a dozen people before beat you to it. How about you get a DVD to rent but your copy has been scuffed and scratched making it unplayable and ruining your night. Times have changed...for the better.
   With the ability to stream directly to your home, it makes all those points moot. Streaming is as simple as it gets. As long as you have a strong Internet connection such as cable or DSL with a router, and an Internet ready device whether it is a TV, Blu-ray or video game console. Add a service like Amazon Prime or Netflix, and you are ready to roll.
   To live in a period in time, that allows us to receive information at our fingertips almost instantaneously, is something our ancestors couldn't even dream of. The capability to watch entertainment instantly goes back to pay per view. Now with the ability to search for and watch movies immediately, is something we should all take advantage of. Especially when it appears that more and more movies are being released this way and bypassing the movie theater all together.
   Movies are such a fantastic form of entertainment, and with so many different ways to watch them, makes it even better. Whether it is at the theater or at home, take advantage of streaming a movie. Then watch another...and another.....

by
Joe Talmage
webmoviepick@gmail.com