The Name of this Blog is The Talking Ed

I have been pondering and wondering and thinking and many other ings as to by what method I’ll get this thing started; alas, nothing whatsoever.  Maybe its just procrastination, or the lack of desire to jot words when I could easily speak them (much better at talking…or talking too much… obviously, look at the blog’s title).  However, I realize that to get this thing going, I have to GET THIS THING GOING.  Therefore, its time to finally open up with something good, great, wonderful, honest, and pure:

             

HI

I’m oblivious as to why I even bothered to say that, so cliché.

This is the Talking Ed speaking (or just Talking Ed, losing the definitive article saves lives) and I'm here to give you my take on films, cinema, new movies, old goodies, cult classics, indies, wings, and if we're lucky, maybe some other things (see what I did there; stick around, there's more fun to come). 

In all seriousness, seriously, I’m hoping to generally review and write about:

• New films about to come out on home video
• Classic/aged gems you may have missed
• Films in a series by director/theme of my choosing (or if you’re good and lucrative in some way, yours)
• Oddities (possibly completely random selection by me…or once again, the somehow-putting-monies-in-my-pocket you)
• I kid about me wanting money from you (lies, I want it, but you don’t have to give it to me in exchange for your participation here; that be FREE)

We’ll just play the rest by ear… or actually, we might be playing it all by ear.  I really do/will encourage any participation (critiques, comments, slander) that you’d like to bestow here.  Hopefully you find some sort of redeeming qualities in the page, and I’ll try hard (maybe my best) to make it worth your while. 

Now, TAKE ME DOWN TO THE RIVER!

…

That was a “Talking Heads” reference; you may find a lot of those, along with references pointing towards a talking horse.  Partially random, but not really (hint: BLOG TITLE).

The Blog is dead, long live the site!

I am sorry.

That is all can really be said about my absence on the Blog-o-sphere. I really loved the Frankenstein-ian experience of creating something but I am sad to say that for the foreseeable future this blog is on hiatus.

Do not feel said though, friend, because my writing on all kinds of movie techno-gadgetry lives on over at JoBlo.com. For several months now I have been getting paid to do what I gladly did here on Cine-a-tech for free (total sell-out, I know!) , but as school starts back up and a myriad of obligations take up my precious little free time some things had to be neglected.

So as of now Cine-a-tech will go dormant, but I would like to thank all of you who read, followed and the few that commented on my humble blog. It was a valuable learning experience that re-affirmed my love for movies and landed me a part-time gig. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me feel free to stop by The Digital Dorm section of JoBlo.com where I post at least a couple of news articles every weekday as well as handle some feature columns.

Thank you all again., maybe someday in the future Cine-a-tech will rise again.

Until then just keep enjoying the films that make you happy and maybe discover some new ones on the way. Happy travels, it is time for me to hit that dusty old trail ...

Yours in cinephilia,

Jake Riley

JoBlogathon: Equilibrium

How can I attempt to describe the 2002 dystopian SciFi action/thriller film Equilibrium, one word: Gunkata!

Before I get into this review I had a one major initial beef with this film. For the first 10 minutes of the movie I couldn't see past the emotionless acting. It felt stale, deadpan and in general I just couldn't connect to any of the characters. But then it hit me that is EXACTLY what this film was going for.

Synopsis:

You see Equilibrium is a portrayal of a not to distant future where man, in an effort to be more humane to their fellow man, have forsaken all feeling. People walk around alive, but they don't truely live. With an emotion sedating substance known as Prozium fascist leaders, known as Tetragrammaton Council, control the populace. Where the drugs fail to control special soldiers known as Clerics completely destroy all resistance using superior fighting skills with extreme efficiency.

The Tetragrammaton Councils top Cleric John Preston (Christian Bale) has always done his job unrepentingly until he accidentally misses one dose and begins to feel. These feelings will turn his world upside down, and in the process maybe humanity will be human again.

My Take:

I loved Equilbrium, and have now watched it twice. The action scenes are amazing well done, and have a very similar feel to watching The Matrix, but without CGI as a crutch. Everything is done practically; shootouts, swordplay and fisticuffs all happen in a rapid flurry of camera pans and hard cuts that allow you to experience them instead of just admiring them. And the aforementioned Gunkata wasn't a joke! The martial art of firearms has never looked so damn good, and is just exhilarating to watch!

The acting is a little trickier to rate, as the majority of the characters are meant to be emotionless, and in that respect they do an adequate job. But the ones that do feel such as Preston, Cleric Partridge (Sean Bean) and Emotional Content violators (Such as Emily Watson) are a sharp contrast to the sedated majority. It is in Christian Bale's performance that we see true acting chops as he slowly transforms from apathetic drone into a real person who feels, loves, hates and questions his own existence.

Equilibrium has something for everyone in it. Intense action (I feel is superior to The Matrix) that is just fun to watch. Social commentary on what it means to truely be human and the importance of emotions. Hell, there is even some heavy hitting drama, especially revolving around Preston's relationship with his young son. Oh, and there is a cute puppy ... you know, if you are into that thing.

Do yourself a favor, and check out Equilibrium today! And just in case you don't want to take my word on it here is the trailer:

You can check out all of the upcoming JoBlogathon Participants over at 24FPS. Or check out these blogs for the entries already completed:

• Sam Inglis of 24FPS reviews 11:14 (Spoiler, he didn't like it!)
• Marcy over at SuperMarcy.com attempts to review Dogtooth
• Aaron Elliot weighs in on Dahmer at his blog Islanded in a Stream of Stars
• I'll post more as they become available!

WTFriday?! - Lost Chaplin Film Found!

Source: THR

The thought to be long-lost short film A Thief Catcher has recently been found.

The 1914 silent film may be only 10 minutes long, but it includes an early cameo of now legendary actor Charlie Chaplin. Film historian; and proud owner of A Thief Catcher, Paul Gierucki after buying the reel at an auction thought it was just another old film reel of no real importance and set it on his shelf for 16 months. Imagine his amazement when upon finally watching it he recognized the iconic bumbling movements of Chaplin!

Now here is the coolest part for you Schmoes in the greater Washington D.C. area, if you want a chance to see the recently rediscovered Charlie Chaplin film A Thief Catcher it is re-premiering (probably the first time since 1914!) at the Rosslyn Spectrum Theater just outside of D.C. during the annual Slapsticon Film Festival THIS Saturday, July 17th at 8pm!

What is your favorite Chaplin film? I know I may get some flack for this seeing as it is one of his later ones, and is a talkie, but I loved 1947's Monsieur Verdoux.