Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant’ #9: This Fish Stinks!

I admit that I was pretty intrigued after seeing the trailer to the new “documentary” Catfish, so I went to see it this past week.  In addition to being a complete disappointment of a movie, I could not help but feel duped and manipulated by the misleading marketing campaign. Rather than write up a standard * ½ film review (which is what I would rate it), I thought I would voice my displeasure and annoyance in a Video Web Rant. I know everyone is doing a “No Spoiler Alert” in writing about the movie — but to me, this is pointless and silly. Despite what the studio would like you to believe, there is nothing to give away here…no big secret or dark mystery unfolded. Those who have already seen it know what I’m talking about. I’d love to get your comments on this movie — and, more specifically, how you feel the trailer does a service or tremendous disservice to it.

To view my “Video Web Rant” on the new film Catfish, please click here or look on the top of this web page for “Video Rants.”

Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant #8′: More Thoughts on Mel Gibson

A few weeks ago, I posted some thoughts on the whole mess that has been swarming around Mel Gibson (see article here). Since then, the coverage has gotten progressively worse, with more obscenity-laced audio tapes coming out little by little (six to date) by a website looking to make a name for itself — and more photographs of a badly bruised Oksana Grigorieva (though the source of these bruises has not yet been proven). I am certainly not condoning such behavior, but I can’t help but feel nauseated over the media coverage this story has received — not so much the fact that they are covering it (I get that), but how they are covering it is what repulses me. I’m sick of people pretending that they know Mel or Oksana; that they know all of the facts concerning this debacle — because that is utterly ridiculous. I’m sick of all of these holier-than-thou, pious people condemning Mr. Gibson without knowing all of the facts involved. I’m sick of that portion of the public that can’t wait to pounce on the man based solely on what the media decides to leak. Let’s not rush to any inane, half-assed conclusions, people. That’s just reckless. I have no idea what went on between these two people, and neither do you. Let’s wait and see how this all plays out before breaking out the torches and pitchforks, shall we?

I am aware that this is a pretty controversial topic, so I encourage you to give me your own thoughts and opinions on the subject — and leave your comments. Tell me where I am out of line, off the mark — or anything in between!

To view my new “Video Web Rant” on actor/director Mel Gibson, please click here or look on the top of this web page for “Video Rants.”

Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant’ #7: The Awful “Grown-Ups” Movie

I was kind of excited to go and see the new comedy Grown Ups last week. I figured with a cast of comedic talent that included the likes of Kevin James, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Colin Quinn, Steve Buscemi, Maya Rudolph and others that it would, at the very least, provide a bunch of laughs. But boy, was I dead wrong. This wasn’t just a bad movie — but worse…an un-funny movie! Rather than write up my 1-star review for this insult of a film, I figured I’d get back to the “Video Web Rant” and project my protestations vocally. If you have seen the film, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this movie, so please leave your comments – if you agree with my sentiments or if you actually liked it. To those who actually enjoyed it, I would very much like to know — why???

To view this “Video Web Rant” please click here or look on the top of this web page for “Video Rants.”

Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant’ #6: Honoring Dennis Hopper

On May 29, 2010 we lost one of our most gifted actors, Academy-award nominee Dennis Hopper. He died at his home of complications from prostate cancer at the age of 74. Spanning a career that included over 115 films in over five decades, Mr. Hopper created some of cinema’s most memorable performances in films such as the iconic “Easy Rider,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Hoosiers,” “Giant” and “Speed.” In David Lynch’s masterful “Blue Velvet” (1986), he brought to life the psychopathic killer Frank Booth, a character that Time magazine film critic Richard Corliss described as possibly “the vilest sadistic creep in movie history.” I wanted to spend a few minutes here honoring a true Hollywood rebel, great talent and eternal easy rider, Dennis Hopper.

To view the Weekly “Video Web Rant” please click here or look on the top of the homepage for “Video Rants.”

Peter Eramo Web Rant #5: Bad Films Adapted From Crap TV

So I posted this “Pet Peeve List” of mine a couple of days ago — elements of a movie that will most likely keep me from ever seeing it. One that I should have added to this esteemed list was seeing shitty movies that are based on dreadful television shows. Have you taken a look at “The A-Team” trailer (due out next month)? I have no idea what it’s even about. Does “Sex and the City” honestly need a sequel or is it Hollywood once again not being able to resist the temptation of appealing to an already existing fan base (though I can’t for the life of me imagine why this would have a fan base to begin with). 

Somewhere in the middle here, for reasons I am not sure of, I go off on some tangent about what actually is out there on television for us to begin with. Thank God I can say with absolute honesty that I don’t sit down to watch one mindless sitcom, any hour-long formulaic dramas (including pretentious ones filled with self-contradictory nonsense on an island somewhere), no reality shows or anything of that nature. I’m not even sure what an Emmy is, though I know I wouldn’t have much of a life if I set aside my valuable time to watch them.

To view the Weekly “Video Web Rant” please click here or look on the top of the homepage for “Video Rants.”

Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant’ #4: Defending the Sacred List!

OK, so I posted a Top 10 List earlier this week (one of many that will be featured on this site). The subject was “The Top 10 Worst ‘Best Picture’ Oscar Winners of All-Time.” I thought it made for a fun, interesting topic; certainly one that’s been done many times in the past. And whenever I would read these, I would agree with a few and disagree with a handful — so I decided to finally create one of my very own. As always, these lists are meant to begin interesting discussion about the films we love and the ones we dislike. To me, it’s all in good fun.

In any case, the List was posted on the ListVerse website (http://listverse.com/2010/05/12/top-10-worst-best-picture-winners/) and in a matter of a few hours, over 300+ comments were posted, critiquing my wonderful, glorious List. I was shocked at the response and have read all of the comments, responding to many. There were many positive comments and many (oh-so-many) negative. “This is great,” I thought. “Just the kind of heated online debate I was looking for when I started this blog.” There were a number of highly insightful & thought-provoking comments which I greatly appreciated. However, I was surprised to see such vitriol in many of them. And some with such inane comments like: “This list is very opinionated.” Or, “This whole list is completely biased. None is fact-based.” Well, not to burst your bubble or anything, but every single one of these lists is subjective and predicated on one person’s opinion. How on earth can you base such a list on fact?!

So this week’s ‘Video Web Rant’ is dedicated to and aimed at all of the film-lovers out there who have read this Top 10 List and took the time to make their comments. Thank you for fighting the good fight….

To view the Weekly “Video Web Rant” please click here or look on the top of the homepage for “Video Rants.”

P.S. (1) Running is a sport and (2) “Forrest” is still so undeserving…. :-)

Peter Eramo ‘Web Rant’: Bambi vs. Godzilla

 

In his weekly video “Web Rant,” film blogger Peter Eramo, Jr. sounds off on Hollywood’s classic example of Bambi versus Godzilla: the total number of screens the big-budget blockbusters get for the movie-going public — demolishing independent films (and everyone else in their paths). The sure-to-be-mega-hit “Iron Man 2” – due out this week — is opening on over $4,000 screens! Is this necessary?! Not only does it hurt the smaller films fighting for a wider audience, but Eramo contends that it also ends up hurting that very same blockbuster in the long run.

To view the Weekly Video “Web Rant“  please click here or look on the top of the homepage for “Video Rants”

To view the actual 1969 classic 90-second animated short, “Bambi vs. Godzilla” please click here

Peter Eramo’s ‘Web Rant’ Against DeNiro, Nicholson & Walken

Check out Magic Lantern Films’ second “Video Rant” installment — Peter Eramo, Jr. speaks about Francis Ford Coppola’s criticism of acting legends Robert DeNiro, Jack Nicholson, and Al Pacino (from a GQ magazine interview)…and sides with the Oscar-winning director!

To view the “Video Rant,” click here.

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