'Jump Trackers'

I have a very cool idea for a bounty hunter thriller/drama. The genre doesn't have the best reputation, but this flick -- "Jump Trackers" -- has a beautiful throughline.

Dream cast includes Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, and Charlie Sheen. Also seeking Tom Sizemore cause, just so perfect.

Proposed budget: $51,409...so give these guys a heads up if you see them.



James T. Kirk (commander, Starfleet [this sector])

'Laggies' Trailer. Yeah, with Sam Rockwell, Keira Knightley, and Chloë Grace Moretz -- I'll watch. Directed by Lynn Shelton, who has a breezy way with things but also keeps a disciplined frame. Written by Andrea Seigel, who is a total newbie -- which can play either way.

If they get Knightley out of this situation in a way that's believable and smart (or at least not stupid), it'll be a good time at the movies. Oh, and, love the turtle.

'Begin Again' music video. If someone told you it was a professional doing the singing and Keira Knightley was just lip-syncing, would that sound right, would that make sense? If they told you it was Keira Knightley singing, would it sound not as good as it did when you thought it was a professional singer?

Which is it, I wonder. Does not knowing make a difference?

John Carney's handling of these scenes from 'Begin Again' is very confident.



Really like Mark Ruffalo's character's reveal/backstory in this clip. Scene also peels back a couple layers of Keira Knightley's character. Nicely written.




Carney knows this world. He played bass with The Frames (and other bands). There are a few live recordings on YouTube. Here's 'Dance the Devil' by The Frames. It's pretty good.

People Want This

People want this in their lives. They want this kind of thing to happen -- to them. They want the opportunity to do something like this.

'Begin Again' may not make a lot of money at the box office, but it resonates -- should do well on TV/Cable.

It Could Happen...

Why not? Stuff like this happens, right?

Written and directed by John Carney who did almost the same story with 'Once'. With Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo 'Begin Again' is at least a must-rent sometime. Looks charming.

Where Was This Clip Before Ryan Opened?

Gotta say, this car chase is pretty nicely loaded. You can follow the action, there's a good reveal for Keira Knightley's character, the editing is tight but remains engaging, camera work is good, and it doesn't play by-the-numbers -- not bad for yet another car chase.

And, watching this, I'm thinking 'Great, can't wait'. Thing is the movie opened last week (and did pretty poorly) and I didn't go see it because trailers were so lifeless. So then, where, one must ask, was this clip last week? Why didn't Paramount play this ace before the movie opened?

Strange strategy. Are they going for a strong second weekend?

I, for one though, can't wait to see this on disc. I need to know if the rest of Shadow Recruit meets the quality of this clip. Kenneth Branagh has the chops, we certainly know that, and if the whole movie is this good somebody did a lousy job promoting it.

'Ryan' Springs To Life

First trailer was, not to use technical terms but, pretty blah. Don't remember why but, then again, I don't really remember much about the trailer, period. 'Shadow Recruit' came off product-y, jangly, and I wasn't interested.

This edit is much better. I'm loving the look of this and Keira Knightley adds just the right touch. So do Kevin Costner and Kenneth Branagh, for that matter. Balances out that Chris Pine guy-in-line-at-Starbucks vibe.

I'd have to say Branagh has become a trusted director. This looks, dare I say it, tight. And, that Russian accent...