It’s been a long time, but they’re back. Now in a different and easy to read and easy to prepare mode. I hope you enjoy.
1. EMPIRE #207
Britain’s unstoppable film magazine is conistently the best read on the market even though they only mention this site once every couple of years, partially due to their amazing worldwide grasp and partially because British folks are better writers who don’t hesitate to say fuck and shit in their coverage.
This issue’s strong points:
- A bad ass shot from the sure-to-be-a-blast Smokin’ Aces from Joe Carnahan.
- They nail Miami Vice with a four star rating, which is just about right.
- They don’t just rip the new Shyamalan as would be expected by the media, the kind of bandwagon jumpers. They call it what it is; a decent flick but nothing life-changing.
- Solid Watchmen coverage.
- That picture of Jaime Pressly on p.45.
- Amazing Casino Royale coverage almost gives me hope.
- Terrific Fall/Winter preview.
- EMPIRE film school insert is solid stuff.
- Loaded DVD section.
This issue’s weak points:
- ‘Top Ten Movie Titles’ doesn’t seem all that well thought out.
- A little late to get on the Snakes on a Plane bandwagon.
- Star Wars flashback article. Why now?
- Almost as many ads as a fashion mag.
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
2. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY #890
The mainstream entertainment magazine covers film, tv, music, video, literature, and sometimes the theatrical stage with broad strokes as only they can do. Owned by Time/Warner and proud to remind you of such, the magazine is capable of the highest highs and the lowest lows, often within a few pages of each other. Try as we might, we can’t rid ourselves of its addictive and vindictive pages.
This issue’s strong points:
- Large pictures of Flavor Flav.
- They cover the Mel Gibson fiasco well, complete with a photo that makes the man’s face look like a relief map of Nevada.
- Very nice Little Miss Sunshine coverage.
- Somewhat candid Oliver Stone interview.
- Nice to see them appreciating Rome, although a little too much.
This issue’s weak points:
- ‘Kenan Thompson. Coverage why. COVERAGE WHY?
- Oliver Stone interview is way too short.
- The Descent is an A-? Your mother is an A-.
- They’re mean to Eureka. Don’t they realize the creator of Eureka is a friend of the site?
Overall: 7.0 out of 10
3. CREATIVE SCREENWRITING VOL. 13, #4
The long running magazine (still under the leadership of my fellow bearded web old-timer Den Shewman) comes at the readers with insider sensibility and a ton of content. The most reliable screenwriting magazine currently killing trees for our newstand fodder.
This issue’s strong points:
- Nice to see Heat getting a little love without provocation. They choose to share a lost scene, another coup.
- Nice little write-up for The Science of Sleep.
- Interesting Monster House coverage, especially since it covers two different writing teams.
- Great bit on Implied Contract Implications by Steve Ryfle.
- The cover Shyamalan piece is quite solid.
- Good bit on World Trade Center illuminating the genesis of the project and the relationship between the writer and Oliver Stone.
- Billy Wilder transcript.
This issue’s weak points:
- The Screenwriting Expo insert constitutes the bulk of the magazine.
- Who the fuck wants to hear Steve Oedekerk’s writing advice? Aside from Nothing to Lose, he’s a blight on humankind.
- Clerks II coverage has a little too much sugar in the mix.
- Article on 36 Ways to Jump-Start Your Career is boderline offensive. Bullshit happens.
Overall: 7.5 out of 10
4. GIANT #13
This American magazine came out of the gate swinging with original content, aggressive voices, and a more critical and cynical eye. Then it got really polished and generic out of nowhere. Thanks for nothing, Giant!
This issue’s strong points:
- Very solid Mike Judge article.
- Reviews section is very strong.
This issue’s weak points:
- Overdesigned like a mofo.
- Their choice of cover girl illustrates how far they fell how fast they fell.
- First 48 pages are way too heavy on pictures and low on actual text.
- Way shameless ‘Coolest Things in the World’ piece.
Overall: 3.0 out of 10
5. PREMIERE SEPTEMBER 06
The biggest American film magazine sometimes treads the line between mainstream and for the cinephile delicately, but often errs on the former but with typically entertaining results. It’s as good as we get until EMPIRE comes to the states full bore.
This issue’s strong points:
- Solid reviews section. Nice to see an early Hollywoodland review.
- Good Cannes recap, though where the heck is Pan’s Labyrinth?
- Fall Movie Preview is very, VERY good.
- Trainspotting retrospective. Always a good idea.
- Their DVD reviews tend to be more readable than most.
This issue’s weak points:
- ‘Hugh Jackman cover story does little to move me.
- Not as meaty a read as it used to be.
Overall: 7.0 out of 10