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Stop going for the easy buck and start producing something with your life. Create, instead of living off the buying and selling of others.

The timing was right for Gordon Gekko’s return, because economically speaking, it wouldn’t have made sense for him to come back during the Clinton Administration. You know the old saying, sympathy for the devil? I think we say that because while we treat the devil as an antagonist for everything, we really feel for a guy that can take it without question. Despite that, we return to the Father of Lies because it’s comforting knowing lies can be a commodity for gain, even when the truth is muddled. We turn to the devil because while he might represent evil, we ultimately respect his advice in some twisted way, and that’s Gordon Gekko and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

Oliver Stone has another mortality tale to tell, and while it doesn’t have the bite the original did, I think that’s more because this movie is in its time, where as the first was ahead of its time. But let’s not be too discouraged for that. The film adds heart to the devil, Gekko (in another stellar Michael Douglas performance), even if Stone gets a little too cute visually with the film. Mortality tales are heavy-handed, so it comes to no surprise that is what Money Never Sleeps is. The plot might be about revenge, dressed up in a familiar outline like 1987′s Wall Street but like Capitalism, it’s always the same old story just with different names. Maybe this film’s lack of a bite is from the nature of the market itself. Surplus. Recession. It comes, it goes, it is what it is. Whether we like it or not, we’re all drinking the same Kool-Aid, but this is just a little sweeter since it’s coming from Gordon Gekko.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Film:

The funny thing about Oliver Stone’s 1987 film, Wall Street, is that while at the time it was a keen cynical look at the backhanded dealings that make or break a company and all just for greed, but this bit a shading capitalism is as true then during the Reaganomics as it is now in our current Recession. What’s changed? Most of America believe Wall Street owns the country anyway, so in certain regards, Wall Street feels like a prequel to the economic turmoil we’re currently facing as a nation. But whether you’re a liberal Democrat or a conservative Republican, you both can agree than Wall Street is wholly American.

Now you’re not naive enough to think we’re living in a democracy, are you buddy?

While Gordon Gekko dominates the picture, but the film is really Bud Fox’s story. Okay, we know Gekko’s one liner’s (That greed, for lack of a better word, is good) and that Michael Douglas recieved a deserved Oscar for the performance, looking at the film again, especially in the Great Recession eyes (well, some felt as if it ended in July 2009, but tell that to the millions still unemployed), Carl Fox (Michael Sheen) has an interesting, yet small, but pivotal statement in the film. In fact, just maybe this was what Oliver Stone wants to say, since we know how politically outgoing he is. Carl Fox is a hard-working, 9-5 type of guy, who believes in his Union, his pension, and a hard day’s work. Gekko is the antithesis of this idea, and Bud is the blank slate, who can be manipulated into either ideal. Gekko represents to many a symbol of why our economic system, at times, swings in the favor of the haves. Carl Fox is the voice of the middle class, and no matter what, in the end, his middle class ideals really wins out, even if his living will always be modest.

What you see is a guy who never measured a man’s success by the size of his wallet!

These dueling ideals in Wall Street are tantalizing. As a film, it’s a great drama with a good script and superb performances. But whatever the economic upswing or downfall of our economy when we’re watching the film, Wall Street really isn’t about what’s right, wrong, or how to change things. The story is about the morality of men, yet much more, Wall Street is 100% American. Stop going for the easy buck and start producing something with your life. Create, instead of living off the buying and selling of others.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: This certainly isn’t one of Fox’s better catalog titles, but nor is it a complete bummer. I chalk up some of my issues with the source print, but we get a hazy picture, Details are okay, yet not as defined as other titles. Colors are drab, too. For some, the difference between an up-converted DVD and this HD picture will be hardly noticable. The DTS track is rather flat, but what do you expect from a dialogue driven film from ’87? As that, it’s servicable and the dialogue is crisp and clear. Music is a little flat, with the lack of a strong low end.

The extras have been ported over from both DVD releases, the 2000 edition and the recent 20th Anniversary Edition, and are in standard definition.

Commentary: Oliver Stone goes solo here, and he (when he wants too) offers up some great insights, for a film many felt was a commercial endeavor. But he goes silent here and there, making it for a average track. For fans only.

The Making of Wall Street: Running nearly an hour, offers interviews with the main cast and crew and some behind-the-scenes footage, for a decent featurette. This was made in 2000.

Greed is Good: Another hour long documentary, coming from the recent 20th Anniversary DVD, and while there’s a bit too many film clips in the running time, the new interviews and insights from real Wall Street brokers offer enough to watch.

Deleted Scenes: Over 24 minutes worth, and outside of an extended “Greed is Good” speech, mostly focus on Bud. Stone does offer optional commentary.

Some non-Wall Street trailers round out the extras.

Conclusion: A great film on a decent, if average Blu.

The Film: Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Film:

And he came to a door…and he looked inside…

The 1960s was a tale of two mentalities for America; there was a counter-culture happening, a love movement, and then there was the death of that being, a violent, radical tonal shift into an aggression led backlash. The sex, the drugs, the Bay of Pigs. Everywhere one turned, their eyes were stained with blood and their voice harsh from screaming into deaf ears. That decade exposed the facade of the 1950′s, with the JFK assassination, the Civil Rights Movement, Viet-f*cking-Nam, Charles Manson, LSD, Nixon, Kent State, more assassinations with MLK and RFK, which by decade’s end, was a collective ball of bloody lines drawn into the sand. Where to go? Where to turn? And all of this was echoed in the most vibrant and unique bands ever in rock and roll history: The Doors.

Is everybody in?

Director Tom DiCillo’s documentary is much like the band itself. It never compromises and never follows conventions. This isn’t just a standard entry into the rock and roll documentary category, it’s a lyrical beast, who’s power not only draws from the music and the era, but the mentality that The Doors represented. When You’re Strange: A Film about The Doors is incredibly emotional and captivating, and the key reason is DiCillo eliminates the talking-heads style of documentary telling, and uses a much more powerful tool. The entire film is a collection of footage of The Doors, from rock shows, to television appearances, to candid recording booth sessions, to even a film with Morrison. Adding the silky, unobtrusive voice of Johnny Depp to string ideas and narration, when needed, together anchors the film.

In the background is the music of The Doors, but this film isn’t just about how great the band was, it’s a deeply focused look at the members and the story of the band. There’s been much criticism from hardcore fans and the surviving members about Oliver Stone’s 1991 film for the bending of facts to serve a dramatic purpose, maybe even an exploitation purpose, but DiCillo never follows Stone’s route. He can’t. The film is essentially The Doors story, told through the eyes of The Doors. That’s why When You’re Strange is mesmerizing and marvelous. Growing up, my father and I used to sit outside in our driveway looking at the stars, drinking, listening to The Doors’ blend of poetry, jazz, and rock and roll blues. Within the music and Morrison’s voice, we were transported as the lyrics led us like a shaman into looking at ourselves, our lives, and society. It was purely subconscious, but that’s what this film does, like all of those dark and cool Saturday nights with my dad. When You’re Strange takes you by the hand and breaks you on through to the other side.

Are you still here?

The DVD:

Audio/Video: Eagle Vision releases the film on a solid DVD, all things considered. It is a documentary, told visually through rare home movies, television appearances, and concert footage, so expect a varying degree of looks. Some of damaged, others look fine. But when it comes down to it, this really doesn’t matter. Also, don’t expect concert level sounds. The doc is mostly just their music and Depp’s narration, and while those are clear and perfect, don’t expect to be blown away with bass or audio effects. Remember, this is a doc not a concert.

Conversations with…is a fascinating 10 minute interview with Jim’s sister and father, who has rarely ever publicly spoken about his son. They talk about his home life, his rock star life, and his death, with earnest and truth. Within these few minutes, we get a lot to digest, especially from the father, considering fans of The Doors, know Jim dismissed him and often claimed he was dead.

A Trailer and a cool Fold-Out Poster round out the disc.

Conclusion: The Doors fans will be in love with the film, and there’s some great stuff for just documentary fans as well. A beautiful ode to one of the best bands to ever record music.

The Film: Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The DVD: Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader (LaBeouf) partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Douglas) on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader’s mentor.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps including the talents of Frank Langella, Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon and Josh Brolin. Stop reading and check out the new clips on the link below.:

Two clips from Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

In the film, Charlie Countryman (LaBeouf) was just a normal guy… until he fell in love with the one girl who will probably get him killed. When Charlie meets the absolutely irresistible Gabi she’s already been claimed by Nigel, an insanely violent crime boss with a gang of thugs at his disposal. Armed with little more than his wit and naïve charm, Charlie endures one bruising beat down after another to woo Gabi and keep her out of harm’s way. Finally his exploits of blind valor create such a mess that he’s left with only one way out; to save the girl of his dreams, must Charlie Countryman die? (Coming Soon)

Shia LaBeouf will be co-starring with Michael Douglas in the anticipated Oliver Stone sequel Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, set to be released this September 24th from Twentieth Century Fox.

Stone is striking on the big screen once again with grabbing a topic that’s very hot at the moment. The Mexican drug cartel has been one of the near permanent parts of the news for those cities in the States that straddle the Mexico border, having to deal with random shootings or kidnappings that tend to result in the death of persons from either side in an apparent territory war that has no end in sight at the moment.

Don Winslow and Stone will work together with making a big screen adaptation of the novel, but no word yet of who could possibly hover around this picture to act as director. Stone is in the middle of post-production on Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps which is poised to be released on April 23rd of this year.

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader’s mentor.

The film stars Michael Douglas along with Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin and Frank Langella. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps comes out in theaters on April 23rd. Check out the brand new trailer below.:

International Trailer for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Emerging from a lengthy prison stint, Gordon Gekko finds himself on the outside of a world he once dominated. Looking to repair his damaged relationship with his daughter, Gekko forms an alliance with her fiancé Jacob (Shia LaBeouf), and Jacob begins to see him as a father figure. But Jacob learns the hard way that Gekko – still a master manipulator and player – is after something very different from redemption.

Right down below is the official first teaser trailer from IMDB for the Twentieth Century Fox feature along with a brand spanking new poster that shows off LaBeouf and Douglas in their sharpest suits.

As the global economy teeters on the brink of disaster, a young Wall Street trader (Shia LaBeouf) partners with disgraced former Wall Street corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) on a two-tiered mission: To alert the financial community to the coming doom, and to find out who was responsible for the death of the young trader’s mentor.

The feature clearly stars Michael Douglas back in his famous 1987 role of Mr. Gekko along with Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan and Frank Langella. The Twentieth Century Fox feature comes out in theaters, as previously stated, on April 23rd.:

The upcoming film Shadowland is a “Blair Witch Project”-like movie about the mental hospital where Rosemary Kennedy was lobotomized. Sean, who appeared in his dad’s JFK, stars in “Shadowland,” in which Oliver also appears as his father. Monique van Vooren, who had a part in Oliver’s first film, Sugar Cookies (1973), also has a part in Sean’s project.

Oliver Stone is currently knee deep in post-production on Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps that’s slated for a April 23rd release date. Stone is also attached onto the Antoine Fuqua directed biopic Pablo Escobar, serving as executive producer.

BEFORE

AFTER

Source: InContention

The rest of the cast includes Shia LaBeouf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon and Michael Douglas. Although Bud Fox was a central character in the original film, Sheen will only be making a cameo appearance in the sequel.

Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps begins shooting this week in New York and will be released by 20th Century Fox next April.

SOURCE: Fused Film

South of The Border is currently playing the Venice Film Festival, where the President appeared to show his appreciation of the director’s work.

Source: You Tube

Money Never Sleeps is still starring Shia Labeouf and Michael Douglas reprising his Oscar winning role.

Source: Forbes