This is one of my favourite film songs, and watching Randy Newman perform it live is magical. One of the greats.
This is one of my favourite film songs, and watching Randy Newman perform it live is magical. One of the greats.
There hasn’t been much that I have wanted to talk about on here this week. I’ve been moving house and it has kept my viewing time to a minimum. But today I came across this amazing little video on Pajiba. And just because I wanted to make sure you all know that this blog is really only about Iron Man and The Iron Giant, I have posted it above.
We have passed through the golden pastures of Arrested Development and 30 Rock lost its edge about 20 episodes ago. But when TV comedy is in its darkest hour, when we have Two and a Half Men infecting our TVs twice a night, along comes Community. The ensemble cast, led by mega-babe Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, is every bit as good as that of Arrested Development and the writing is impeccable. I really just cannot say enough good things about this show… you just need to watch it.
Start from the beginning – the first episode is in honour of John Hughes, and there are many references to his films throughout the first season – and you will see that with every episode it all just gets better and better.
I leave you with this clip, where McHale’s Jeff Winger confronts Mike, the bully, fittingly played by one Anthony Michael Hall, star of numerous John Hughes films. Also please note that Donald Glover, who plays Troy, was an executive writer on the first two seasons of 30 Rock. You know, back when it was still awesome.
General assumption time: Most adults loved animated films as kids. EVERYONE does. If you are 7 and you don’t like watching Disney movies then you are actually not a 7 year old kid and are in fact a monkey who is only interested in eating stuff off your brother’s back. Unfortunately, most people grow out of this stage… and I have to admit, I did as well.
But there was one little film that I happened to watch sometime in the mid-2000s that slapped me across the face and made me instantly pay more attention to animation. This film was The Iron Giant, and it is still my favourite animated film. It is a masterpiece in every sense, from the writing to the inspired and spot-on casting, right down to the poster for the film. It is still Brad Bird’s greatest achievement, and showcases some of the most beautiful hand-drawn animation this side of Miyazaki.
And for that, it is The Greatest Movie Ever. It is really quite unfortunate the way that Warner Bros have treated The Iron Giant. We all know the stories about the misguided marketing, and there was talk last year of a 10th anniversary theatre run which never came to fruition, but I am glad that it has become a ‘cult’ film and has finally reached an audience that adores it. Now, how about a bluray release, WB?!
(This is the first in a series of posts title THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER! where every week I post what is actually the greatest movie of all time. You will soon discover that I also love hyperbole.)