Bonus Trailer - Mad Max: Fury Road

Once again, Tuesday has failed me. I pride myself in the alliteration that is Trailer Tuesdays. However, it seems that all major film studios feel the same way, releasing trailers for upcoming blockbusters while giving out free tacos (probably), thus causing my trailer reviews released that very day to already be out of date.

But I say, "No more!". No longer will I be made a fool by showing last weeks trailers. I will stand up and say, "I'm mad as hell! And I'm not going to take it anymore!"

"Unless you have a job for me. In which case GIVE ME A JOB!"

When I saw yesterday's newly released second trailer for "Mad Max: Fury Road", I was excited. I believe whole heartedly that this will be a better, more fun movie than "Avengers 2". Yeah, I said it. What are you going to do about it?!

OH SHIT! DID YOU SEE THAT?!

Unlike "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" which is going the overplayed, dark and brooding root, this film is very obviously taking the we-don't-give-a-shit-and-just-want-to-have-fun-and-make-the-craziest-most-unbelievable-movie-you-ever-saw root. And I think they pulled it off.

This is not a face of someone who is having fun.

Filled with characters who's designs inspired an entire genre of movies, this movie is not afraid to go back to it's roots of the madness that is the apocalypse. Every character has a unique design and a crazy accessory on their costume.

Are those real teeth?

Including the gnarliest chastity belt that gives the medieval times a run for their money.

…. not worth it.

And a guy who totally can't see what he's shooting at.

Helen Keller is a better shot.

Seriously, take a look at these stills I grabbed from the trailer and tell me that this movie isn't going to make you lose your mind…

Wait… is that a guy playing guitar in the bottom left?

Yeah, I guess so...

OH, SHIT IT'S A FLAME THROWER!!!

This movie definitely does not care about reality. And that is what is going to make it great! It knows what it is and owns it to an extent where it goes above and beyond! I for one cannot wait for this movie. I think it has potential to be the best movie of the summer.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" opens on May 15th.

Fitzcarraldo (1982)

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog
Starring Klaus Kinski, Miguel Ángel Fuentes, Paul Hittscher and Huerequeque Enrique Bohorquez

An obsessive rubber baron, intent on building an opera house deep within the Peruvian jungle, he devises a plan to obtain a a region of forest thought to be inaccessible in order to raise money for his passion project. He finds he must move a steamboat over a mountain in order to achieve his goal.

There is a saying in the film industry in regards to post production and the editing of a film. "Cut what you love". This might seem like the rantings of a lunatic at first, but it's meaning is quite true. If a scene does not add to your movie, or slows down the pacing, or in anyway affects the focus of the audience, get rid of it. Leave it on the cutting room floor. This movie is a perfect example of why this phrase exists.

Before I continue with my criticisms of it, know that this movie is fantastic. It is a film that could truly only be directed by Werner Herzog and his crazy ways. His obsessive genius, as well as Klaus Kinski's talent are highlighted and showcased in this film. The sheer scale of this film is one to behold with amazement. As much of a cliché as the word is today, this film is the very definition of the word "epic".

That is due in part by how it was made. How do you make a film in which a 320-ton steamboat is moved over a mountain? Why, you move a 320-ton steamboat over a mountain, damn it! How do you make a film in which said steamboat and it's crew go through some of the most dangerous rapids in South America?

Well, that's tricky. You actually intentionally place the steamboat in some of the most dangerous rapids in South America and roll the camera's as it crashes into the rocks protruding on either side and the cast and crew get flung all over the boat.

Regardless of how awesome this film is, I do have a problem with it's length. That is coming from a man who loves long movies and would rather have had "The Hobbit" series be released as one 9-hour long movie instead of three separate ones. I love long movies. And while with a running time of 2-hours and 37-minutes, this movie isn't terribly long, it certainly feels like it is.

I feel Herzog could have cut certain scenes out and shortened some shots and cut the film down to two hours or less. Perhaps it was the hell he had put himself through creating these insanely captivating images that caused him to be unable to part ways with even a single frame. I could understand that. But I found it's length and pace distracting at times, which is extremely rare for me.

But it is definitely impressive.

That one criticism aside, this movie is a brilliant portrayal of what one man will do in order to obtain his dream. It is a overwhelming display of the enormity of the South American jungle and the human spirit. And yet another example of how German cinema is considered by some to be the best in the world.

My Rating: 8/10