URBivore

Heath Ledger troubled by role in "Dark Knight"

This will be a hard film to watch for many movie-goers because of today's death of Health Ledger.

This is posted on the trivia section of IMDB.com, but who knows what bearing it had:

The Joker's character is based on his first two appearances in the comic books, as well as his portrayal in the graphic novel "The Killing Joke." To prepare for the role, Heath Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month researching the character and developing his performance, which he claims is based upon Sid Vicious and the character of Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971). Ledger found the role extremely difficult, and suffered insomnia as a result.

This was also posted as a quote by the director of the film:

When asked, "Why Heath Ledger as the Joker?" Christopher Nolan said, "Because he's fearless."

Oscar nominations announced

Looks like "No Country..." and "...Blood" lead with 8 each. I saw the former, and will not have to catch the latter.

I think I'll pick up some of Cormac McCarthy's works, probably starting with "The Road."

"Atonement" and "Michael Clayton" both got 7. Keira Knightly and James McAvoy both got snubbed for acting noms. I didn't see "Atonement," and I don't think I will since I listened to the audiobook.

Cate Blanchett gets two nominations, one as best actress for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and supporting actress for the Bob Dylan tale "I'm Not There." This probably sets the record for range of roles.

"Sicko" gets a nod, but I don't know if Moore should win again. I didn't think much of the film since it seemed to work on an entirely emotional basis with little serious consideration of a possible solution for health care in the US.

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men, originally uploaded by BKMD.

"And then I woke up."

I just listened to a discussion among Glenn Kenny (premiere.com), Harry Knowles (aintitcoolnews.com), Jen Yamato (rottentomatoes.com) and Jim Emerson (rogerebert.com). Moderated by Elvis Mitchell. Harry says this was a perfect portrayal of West Texas.

"What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?"

Who is the main character? Is it fate? Is this simply about the futility of good intentions on the part of Sheriff Bell? This film most definitely lends itself to discussion.

It's part of the makeover for RottenTomatoes.com.

"I previsioned it."

You can also see a discussion of the movie with the Bros. Coen, Brolin and Badem on Charlie Rose.

"You can't stop what's coming."

Treo Film contest

Palm has a new promo site, PalmThing.com where they are attempting to educate their Treo users and others about the specific features of this smartphone. With the competition from the iPhone and other slim beauties, including the anticipated gPhone, Palm is trying to renew interest in the flagship line.

Now you can't view palmthing.com on your Treo because the browser is not capable of viewing the shockwave file they use for the site. I don't understand why they didn't code in a sniffer for their mobile browser, Blazer, so at least the mobilized could find out about the Treo Film Festival.

They're offering $11,000 in prize money for film makers who produce shorts that can be viewed on the small screen of a smartphone.

You will be able to view the entries via MobiTV beginning September 18th.

Movie trend: running on the rooftops

Both Casino Royale and The Bourne Ultimatum feature the almost impossible looking urban running and jumping skills based on the discipline known as parkour.

David Belle is the originator and his work is featured in the film Banlieue 13 where he plays the main character.

From Wikipedia:

An important characteristic of parkour is efficiency. A traceur moves not merely as fast as he can, but also in the least energy-consuming and most direct way possible. Since parkour's unofficial motto is être et durer (to be and to last), efficiency also involves avoiding injuries, short and long-term.

Sebastien Foucan is a childhood friend of David Belle's, and according to Wikipedia, he's the one, along with a stunt double, being chased by the Bond character. His technique is called "free running," and according to purists is a variant of parkour. Free running emphasizes freedom of movement over efficiency, while parkour is getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible.

Origins of Jason Bourne

I did see the movie "The Bourne Supremacy" this past Friday when it opened. Now, having seen this film trilology, I decided to pick up the paperback and read the original story by Robert Ludlum.

MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ "THE BOURNE IDENTITY" NOVEL BY LUDLUM YET.

I just finished Ludlum's novel The Bourne Identity and it gives the history of the transformation of David Webb, a foreign service officer specializing in Far Eastern affairs who gets caught up in a black-ops project in Cambodia. One of his crew is Jason Bourne who has sold out to the North Vietnamese and was sending intel to them compromising the mission. Ludlum describes him as "...a violent man with a criminal record who was nevertheless highly effective--if the price were high enough."

Webb finds out and kills him. Webb can no longer work in the diplomatic circles because of his reputation, so he goes back to the States to teach in a small college in New Hampshire.

Webb was then called back when Treadstone was being formed. He took the name of Bourne to "fit the requirements of authenticity, traceability."

I'm assuming the severe reconditioning was meant to erase Webb's memories and transform him into the ruthless Jason Bourne character. Bourne's mission was to work under deep cover *pretending* to be Cain, an ambitious assassin for hire who was out to prove he was better than Carlos the Jackal at his trade. In this way, he would draw Carlos out of hiding, and he would be the target. In the opening when Bourne is shot, it's by Carlos' men.

The movie screenplay was updated by Doug Liman, the director of TBI, whose father Arthur Liman, was part of the panel investigating Iran/Contra. This influenced him on how the story was changed from the cold war mentality. (The Conklin character was supposed to mirror Oliver North.) But, all the details from the original story were not updated. In the movie series, Webb as Bourne did indeed act as an assassin, serving Abbott and Conklin in their dirty schemes.