Showing posts with label Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Show all posts

February 10, 2012

The Jeremy Renner Thing

The story of the Hollywood superstar who enjoys a meteoric rise from small timer to big leaguer is a timeless one. We all love to hear about how you started in a small indie, got noticed, and now are headlining one of the most anticipated new franchises of the year.

Wait, this post isn't about The Hunger Games. Damn it, Jennifer Lawrence! Get out of my head!

No, today we'll be talking about the guy who, up until two years ago, was a relative nobody. Then he headlines an Oscar winner, gets two nominations in a row, but it isn't until now that the craziness begins. Now, he's poised to take over two of the most popular action franchises currently going, and is an integral part of another. 

Did you guess who it is?

Could just turn off the swagger? Please?

January 5, 2012

2011: The Retrospect: Top 5 Best Scenes

Beware! There's a seriously red band clip concealed within!

You all have it on the mind as you stroll on out into the light of the real world. That one thing. That one scene. 2011 had tons, literally, TONS of great scenes. But THERE CAN ONLY BE FIVE HIGHLANDER!!! Wait, what? That's the wrong line. Anyway, from elaborate sequences depicting the creation of the universe, to crazy feats of absurdity, to lot's and lot's of blood! These are the five best of those. Here they are, Films From the Supermassive Black Hole's Top 5 Best Scenes of 2011!

5. Scaling the Burj Khalifa (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol)

Christ, this scene is intense. Traditionally, the action in the Mission Impossible movies was fun, but nothing special. But then Brad Bird, and animation director, stepped in. He directs this installment in the franchise as if it were animated. Nothing is out of the questions, and the laws of physics have no say! The scene sees Ethan Hunt climbing along the side of the world's tallest building, while the rest of his team scramble to intercept a series of targets. Awesome by itself. Throw in the inclusion of a slowly approaching sandstorm, and you have action movie gold!



4. The Gods vs. The Titans (Immortals)

Tarsem Singh's eyegasm of a Greek epic really goes for broke in this finale. Theseus has done all he can to stop Hyperion from releasing the Titans. He fails, but all is not lost. Now that Titans have entered the picture, the Gods can finally join the fight. What follows is the most gleefully violent and gory scenes of the year!



3. Caesar Speaks (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

Caesar was already a compelling character, easily the most interesting of this reboot?, remake?, of the classic franchise. As the film progressed, we were fully on his side as he gradually came to turn against humans. When he finally reveals the ability to speak, it's absolutely chilling. What follows is really great!



2. The Prince's Tale (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2)

My God, this scene is heartbreaking. The Battle of Hogwarts has come to standstill, but it is clear that Voldemort is winning. Having taken a memory from the dying Snape, Harry is finally told the extent of what he must sacrifice in order to defeat the dark lord. In addition, he finally learns Snape's true motivations. Alan Rickman is achingly good here! This scene is just beautiful!

Quality on this sucks! It's the best I could find. Sorry!



1. The Opening Getaway (Drive)

I'm gonna call out that woman from Michigan again cuz I really don't see how she could have misinterpreted the film like that. This opening scene sets the tone and the style of the film with quiet grace and steely confidence. Driver is one well put together individual, never even breaking a sweat as he effortlessly dodges cop cars, choppers, and other obstacles. SO! FRIGGIN'! SWEET!



One more day of silliness before the important stuff. Thanks for the feedback so far, folks. You are quite swell! And, as always, check back at 2011: The Retrospect for all your 2011 memories! See y'all tomorrow! Brush your teeth!

December 19, 2011

RUN, TOM CRUISE! RUN!

There's no excuse. I'm not gonna talk about it. I'm back. Let's leave it at that!

So, if there was a trend that I could put my thumb on for this cinematic year, it would odd yet interesting choices for the director of a big budget action movie. We had Kenneth Branagh, bringing his larger than life and Shakespearian Thor. We had Tarsem Singh, infusing gonzo violence with high art in Immortals. And now, we have Brad Bird, the man behind such animation classics as The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and Ratatouille. What's he directing? Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, the first M.I. movie since JJ Abrams reinvigorated the series five years ago. Abrams returns as a producer, but the main point of interest is seeing how Bird, fresh to the live action style, fares. And while Ghost Protocol fails where all other Mission Impossible movies have usually failed (lack of interesting plot, a main character who doesn't grow, and an over reliance on action set pieces over espionage), it does manage to showcase that Bird definitely has the chops to make in the live action world. M.I.G.P is tightly paced, very tense, with a ton of great action and set pieces, and a sensational use of IMAX format. It's not setting the world on fire anytime soon, but for holiday thrills, this one more than suffices.

Just chilling. Waiting for the mothership...