Random Mexican's Movie Review Extravaganza

[Trailer] Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

2012-02-13T12:34:00.000-06:00

Since the film adaptation of Pride, Prejudice and Zombies died on the vine I took some small solace in knowing the Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter was still a go.

A few hiccups along the way we finally have a trailer for it and it looks like all kinds of delicious genre fun I’d hope it’d be, a tad too much slow mo for my taste but that’s to be expected with Bekmambetov at the helm…..

MOVIE REVIEW: SAFE HOUSE

2012-02-12T10:04:00.000-06:00

IN THEATERS

SAFE HOUSE

A rookie CIA operative goes on the run with a rogue former intelligence officer after a South African safe house comes under attack by heavily armed mercenaries. Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a CIA agent just waiting for the perfect opportunity to prove himself. But that's no easy task when you've been cooped up in an empty Cape Town safe house for a whole year. Weston realizes that a prime opportunity is headed his way, however, when he learns that former agent Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) has been captured after nearly a decade on the run. Frost is about to become Weston's one and only guest at the safe house, and the fledgling agent is determined to handle the situation like a true professional. But by selling U.S. secrets to countries like North Korea, Frost has made more than his fair share of enemies in high places, and shortly after he arrives at the safe house, all hell breaks loose. A small army of gunmen are determined to see Frost dead. Meanwhile, Weston will do everything in his power to protect Frost, regardless of his crimes. Now Weston's only hope for getting out of this alive is to find out who's gunning for them, and seek out someone he can trust before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard

Release Date: Feb 10, 2012

Rated R for violence and some language

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Safe House is the type of film you keep expecting to surprise or excite you but it never really can. Incredibly generic and predictable it never rises above better films of its ilk. Daniel Espinosa directs his film like a muted Tony Scott, the action is chaotic and loud but nothing seems to illicit the response intended. To his credit, Espinosa does pace his film steadily and never lets it lag too much, as a result this 2 hour film doesn’t feel any longer than it should. Denzel Washington is clearly having a good time; he’s always the most interesting person on screen both as an actor and character. Sadly the character is underwritten and you can’t help feeling like you’ve just scratched the surface. Ryan Reynolds should make for a perfect action star but he just never believable especially when delivering a punch. It doesn’t help that his character is a moron who makes the absolute worst decisions in every situation. The supporting cast is made up of top tier actors and strong character actors which could enhance the overall experience but they are all terribly underused and underwritten. The plot itself is straightforward and generic, nothing really surprises you and any of the turns or surprises are telegraphed in such an obvious manner that they might as well have street signs announcing them. Still, it’s all easily digestible with its Bourne style action even if it’s instantly forgettable.

C

[Teaser Trailer] The Bourne Legacy

2012-02-08T12:02:00.000-06:00

To say this film is a risk would be an understatement. Some franchises are associated with certain actors and once Matt Damon decided to skip the next entry due to behind the scenes issues most assumed the Bourne series would be dead in the water expect the studio of course.

Deciding to create a new story line, with Jeremy Renner in the lead as a different character, within the same world is an interesting approach. It’s intriguing enough for me to be interested and this teaser, along with the amount of talent assembled along with some returning stars, make this teaser all the more intriguing…..

MOVIE REVIEW: CHRONICLE

2012-02-04T16:16:00.000-06:00

IN THEATERS

CHRONICLE

Andrew (Dane DeHaan) is a socially awkward, introverted teen whose main form of escape and expression is a video camera. But things begin to change when Andrew, his cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and popular classmate Steve (Michael B. Jordan) discover a mysterious substance that leaves them with incredible powers. As their abilities become more powerful, the teens' lives spin out of control when their darker sides begin to emerge. Andrew's camera captures the unfolding events.

Director: Josh Trank

Cast: Dane DeHann, Michael B. Jordan, Alex Russell

Release Date: Feb 03, 2012

Rated PG-13 for some Language, Sexual Content, Intense Action and Violence, Teen
Drinking and Thematic Material

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Sometimes what sounds like a bad idea on paper can turn into something terribly impressive. The “found footage” over exposure is only exceeded by the super hero fatigue the majority of the movie going public has felt for the better part of the last few years. Combining the two should be a recipe for disaster but Chronicle exceeds expectation and delivers an experience far better than anybody could have expected. The story hits plenty of the usual hallmarks of the super hero origin story but it keeps the film grounded throughout, a result of the handheld footage, allowing the dramatic slope to work as well as it does. Dane DeHann offers up a believable performance as the tragic protagonist of the piece. DeHann’s expresses his character’s pain and suffering throughout with impressive ease. Michael B. Jordan and Alex Russell fare well in the supporting roles even if they more muted. The finale feels like something ripped out of Japanese Anime Akira. As a whole, the film is an impressive feat from start to finish with a level of complexity to its storytelling that enhances the overall experience.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: GRAVE ENCOUNTERS

2012-02-04T06:35:00.000-06:00

ON DVD / STREAMING ON NETFLIX

GRAVE ENCOUNTERS

A team of phony paranormal investigators has their skepticism put to the test in this mockumentary-style horror opus. Collingwood is a mental institution in Maryland that has been closed for more than half a century. Local legend had it that the hospital is haunted, and the former caretaker (Bob Rathie) and a number of folks who live nearby claim that they've seen and heard signs of paranormal disturbances in the night. Jerry Hartfeld (Ben Wilkinson) is a television producer specializing in reality shows who arranges for a team of basic cable ghost hunters, led by host Lance Preston (Sean Rogerson), to shoot an episode of their show Grave Encounters at Collingwood. It doesn't take long for Preston and his crew to tip their hands as fakes who are happy to stage phony interviews and set up special effects "disturbances" for the cameras. But they discover Collingwood really is home to forces beyond their understanding, and they're in very real danger as the night wears on. The first feature film from the writing and directing team of Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz (aka The Vicious Brothers), Grave Encounters was an official selection at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Director: Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz aka The Vicious Brothers

Cast: Sean Rogerson, Juan Riedinger, Mackenzie Gray, Arthur Corber, Luis Javier

Release Date: Sep 09, 2011

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Grave Encounters is one of those low rent horror films that “borrows” from tons of sources even lifting some inspiration from a certain Travel Channel ghost hunting show. It’s a hodgepodge of assorted ideas think Blair Witch, Paranormal Activity, [REC] and Sci-Fi cult film Cube thrown into a blender. It starts off almost as a satire on the whole ghost hunting as a show idea with characters that generally unlikable. There is a certain level of enjoyment and good laughs to be had watching these guys get beat around by the ghostly apparitions. In fact, for a certain amount of time it’s kind of a fun ride before it redirects in an odd but interesting tangent. The center portion of the film throws out some fun idea which it never full explores or explains as it degrades into a series of funhouse style antics which become more outlandish and ridiculous. By the film’s final act, any fun has been sapped by the director’s turning actors who were originally annoying into something more grating. The film beats the same drum so many times that it makes it feels incredibly longer that it is and has you hoping they’d just kill off the remaining cast as quickly as possible as it stumbles towards an increasingly nonsensical finale.

D+

MOVIE REVIEW: UNDERWORLD AWAKENING

2012-01-21T15:43:00.001-06:00

IN THEATERS

UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D

The Underworld franchise continues with this fourth film, bringing the action horror hybrid franchise into 3D for the first time. Kate Beckinsale returns to the series after taking the third outing off. Filmmaking duo Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein (2010's Shelter) direct from a script by John Hlavin and J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Bjorn Stein, Mans Marlind

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt

Release Date: Jan 20, 2012

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and for some language

Genres: Action/Adventure, Horror

Review:

Somewhere along the long it might strike you how strange the entire Underworld franchise is. Kate Beckinsale somehow became an action star after seemingly being set on a career in forgettable rom-coms. The first Underworld was the brain child of a soon to be director (Len Wiseman), former stuntman (Kevin Grevioux) and Danny McBride. It’s became a certified hit for a variety of reasons including the fact that Beckinsale looks quite fetching in latex and blue contacts. I’ve been a fan since the first film and I’ll never claim it’s anything more than derivative flotsam, albeit enjoyable. This far into the series you know what these films are about, a loose mythology with more slow-mo action than you can shake a stick at. Whether you enjoy any of it will depend on whether you enjoy the previous ones, as mindless fun its quick loud and bloody. Character development in this new one never bothers with things like motivations or explanations, supporting characters simply help Selene because the script says so. In all honesty all that story malarkey tends to slows down the proceedings but luckily the directors keep the film moving at a steady pace throwing up some fun action sequences, the 3D rotates from unnoticeable to impressive to frenzied, which keeps the eyes and ears fairly entertained. Before you know it you’ve reached the end, personally I was surprised at it’s good sense of fun. Like decent candy, it’s not good for you all the time but occasionally a taste can really hit the spot.

C+

[Trailer] Re5ident Evil: Retribution

2012-01-19T10:44:00.002-06:00

Resident Evil is one of those franchises that has been a guilty pleasure of mine even though it occasionally makes me wonder why I paid to watch it at the same time, especially during the last one.

A huge cash cow especially overseas means that sequels will keep coming until the horse has been beaten into a bloody pulp.

Paul W.S. Anderson returns to direct this 5th entry along with star/wife Milla Jovovich.

Like the Underworld series, I’m a sucker each time and this teaser looks like it could be a lot of fun especially since it shows some of our first looks at characters from the video game series and the return of some “dead” characters from the series.

MOVIE REVIEW: A DANGEROUS METHOD

2012-01-15T09:36:00.001-06:00

IN THEATERS

A DANGEROUS METHOD

Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender star in director David Cronenberg's adaptation of Christopher Hampton's play detailing the deteriorating relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. The year is 1904. Carl Jung (Fassbender), a disciple of Sigmund Freud (Mortensen), is using Freudian techniques to treat Russian-Jewish psychiatric patient Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley) at Burghölzli Mental Hospital. But the deeper Jung's relationship with Spielrein grows, the further the burgeoning psychiatrist and his highly respected mentor drift apart. As Jung struggles to help his patient overcome some pressing paternal issues, disturbed patient Otto Gross (Vincent Cassel) sets out to test the boundaries of the doctor's professional resolve. A Dangerous Method screened at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: David Cronenberg

Cast: Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Cassel, Sarah Gadon

Release Date: Nov 23, 2011

Rated R for Sexual content and brief language

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

David Cronenberg’s A Dangerous Method is a possibly his most elegant film in his illustrious career. A true life tale that covers so much territory about human nature that it can take a while to have it all settle in. The film’s restrained façade is a perfect setting for the film’s subject matter. He’s interested in showing us how people can’t discuss and dissect any topic without actually getting your feet wet and looking in the mirror. His cast delivers the kind of impressive turns you’d expect with each commanding the screen in turn. Michael Fassbender career year continues here as he plays Jung in a steely straight laced manner but exemplifying his simmering conflicted nature. Fassbender’s turn isn’t as showy as the other 2 primary roles but it’s just as effective. Keira Knightley, showing she’s master the art of teeth and neck acting, displays some real talent in her role which starts off as overblown but settles into a more effective turn as the film proceeds. Her character is fascinating even if Knightley’s idea of a Russian accent is a combination of her usual British tenor with the occasional deep voiced inflections. Viggo Mortensen’s role could have been larger but his performance as a cigar chomping Sigmund Freud is incredibly impressive. Mortensen and Fassbener’s woefully limited screen time together is one of the film’s many highlights. If there is a complaint it’s the fact that the focus seems misplaced on Jung and Spielrein’s relationship as opposed to Jung and Freud’s. It’s hardly enough to make it a failed endeavor though and while it might leave you wanting for more what we get is fairly impressive.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: SENNA

2012-01-14T06:16:00.000-06:00

ON DVD / NETFLIX STREAMING

SENNA

The most exciting driver to ever race Formula One, the handsome, charismatic Ayrton Senna became a Brazilian national hero and an icon to racing fans worldwide. But you don't need to know the first thing about racing to be thrilled and moved by Asif Kapadia's high-octane documentary, composed entirely from archival footage. It's an edge-of your-seat documentary that explores the backroom politics, bitter rivalries and the glamour of a sport that leaves no room for error. At the same time, it's a character study of a near-mythic genius who was a man of uncompromising humanity and grace.

Director: Asif Kapadia

Cast: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Frank Williams

Release Date: Aug 12, 2011

Rated PG-13 for some language

Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.

Genres: Documentary

Review:

The best documentaries can take subjects that you are mostly unfamiliar with and still make them thoroughly engaging. Outside of passing mentions in the sports world, I can honestly say I know very little about F1 (Formula 1) racing even less about the actual drivers who compete. Asif Kapadia thoroughly engrossing documentary makes the sports easily accessible and digestible to non fans like me. At its core Senna is story familiar to anyone who follows sports, exemplifying the traits found in a multitude of great champions across the world. We see the endless drive to succeed, the toll losses takes on the individual especially when it’s a result of outside influences and rivalries. Kapadia does an excellent job of showcasing all this via Senna’s life, shown almost entirely through archival footage. Additionally, Kapadia explores his effects on his country and his place as national hero. There’s something inevitable and poignant about the final act. Whether you know how the story ends or not it packs an emotional punch.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE DEVIL INSIDE

2012-01-07T16:15:00.000-06:00

IN THEATERS

THE DEVIL INSIDE

A young woman learns that her mother committed multiple murders while undergoing an exorcism, and she travels to Rome with a film crew on a mission to uncover the truth about that horrific incident in this found-footage-style possession shocker from director William Brent Bell. As a young girl, Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade) had been led to believe that the killings were committed after her mother flew into a psychotic rage. But when Isabella finds evidence indicating that an exorcism was being conducted on her mother at the time, she enlists a film crew to follow her to Italy in search of the truth. In order to gain a better understanding of the spiritual plight that her mother endured, Isabella and her crew attend a series of unsanctioned exorcisms that become increasingly terrifying. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: William Brent Bell

Cast: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth

Release Date: Jan 06, 2012

Rated R for language, Grisly Images, Disturbing Violent Content and Some Sexual
References

Runtime: 1 hr. 27 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

“The Vatican does no endorse this film.” So in the Catholic Church does care about your soul because even they know that subjecting yourself to this kind of derivative garbage would be bad for your spiritual wellbeing. The Devil Inside borrows from liberally from so many sources that it’d be nearly impossible to sue the film for plagiarism due to the length of the time it’d take to name them all. Still its biggest sin is not doing any of these “borrowed” elements well in any matter of speaking. There are a few mildly inspired sequences of exorcism craziness which keep things lively but it’s never consistent or sustained. The cast is uninspired with barely competent work that tends to ruin films that purports itself to be “real footage.” The plot itself is a mess of illogical stupidity filled with head scratching situation and actions. The ending hurdles towards silliness with a capper that’s a proper send off for a truly terrible film, even by January standards.

D-

MOVIE REVIEW: YOUNG ADULT

2011-12-23T19:40:00.001-06:00

IN THEATERS

YOUNG ADULT

Upon returning to her small Minnesota hometown to win back her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), now a happily-married father, divorced young adult fiction author Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) forges an unexpected bond with another former schoolmate (Patton Oswalt) who's had a particularly difficult life. Juno collaborators Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody re-team for this Paramount Pictures production. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jason Reitman

Cast: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser, Collette Wolfe

Release Date: Dec 09, 2011

Rated: Language and some sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min.

Genres: Art House, Comedy, Drama

Review:

Young Adult is the kind of film that’s won’t give you tidy answers complete with a happy catch all lessons learned ending. It’s stark, occasionally dark and impressively authentic. Setting aside most of the more zingy dialogue from her previous efforts, Cody’s script feels closer to home and more personal. Reitman’s ability to make the mundane interesting is perfect to capture this woman’s constant state of arrested development. He drops clues throughout about Mavis’s state of mind and the dark comedy works well but when we dip into the further depths it gets pretty dark. Charlize Theron puts on the type of performance that just as raw and effective as her Oscar Award winning turn in 2003’s Monster. Theron has a masterful way of showing the character’s general state of entitlement and disgust while she’s in her old home town. As her character enters the abyss you expect a certain revelation to occur but it doesn’t. Patton Oswalt is perfectly cast as Mavis’s former classmate, an equally damaged but less delusional counter part. Oswalt has an effect everyman type truth to his deliver and here it works perfectly. Looking at this film as a whole, it’d be easy to feel that Reitman and Cody are making a statement about those lost Gen X-ers who seem to have a happier life but are ultimately vapid and unfulfilled.

A

[Trailer] Prometheus

2011-12-22T16:28:00.004-06:00

Trailer for Prometheus is out and the question about whether it’s a prequel for Alien or not seems to be a big yes even though Scott has said that it won’t contain an actual xenomorph.

Either way, this trailer hints at an epic story line with Ridley Scott at the helm set expectations to mile high…..

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

2011-12-22T15:12:00.000-06:00

IN THEATERS
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

A discredited journalist (Daniel Craig) and a mysterious computer hacker discover that even the wealthiest families have skeletons in their closets while working to solve the mystery of a 40-year-old murder in this David Fincher-directed remake of the 2009 Swedish thriller of the same name. Inspired by late author Stieg Larsson's successful trilogy of books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gets under way as the two leads (Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara) are briefed in the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, whose uncle suspects she may have been killed by a member of their own family. The deeper they dig for the truth, however, the greater the risk of being buried alive by members of the family, who will go to great lengths to keep their secrets tightly sealed. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Steven Berkoff, Stellan Skarsgård

Release Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rated R for brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Runtime: 2 hr. 38 min.

Review:

Remaking a foreign film that came out in 2009 still kind of boggles the mind but if somebody was going to do it and do it well, David Fincher is probably the right guy to helm it. Personally I’m a fan of the Swedish film trilogy which I found sleek and impressively shot, not to mention the cast with Noomi Rapace leaving the biggest impression. So while it’s hard to not compare and contrast, I’ll try and avoid it as much as possible but it’s unavoidable. Fincher’s film sizzles with his trademark visual style which gives his film an oppressive and grim atmosphere throughout. Fincher seems to be reaching back to his own film, The Game, when dealing with the Vanger’s. A few things change here and there but for the most part, to its detriment, Fincher sticks to the general structure of the Swedish film. Sadly, some of the plot issues that bothered me previously seem amplified here with a choppy story structure especially in the final act which seems to have more ending that the last Lord of the Rings. Still, Fincher does a good job of pacing the film at a steady pace even if there isn’t much tangible action. Fincher handles Lisbeth’s more explicit scenes with impressive style, making it just as shocking even if you’ve seen the Swedish version. Rooney Mara in the role of Lisbeth is a revelation, while I loved Noomi Rapace’s take on the character she had a bit of an issue showing the character’s fragile side. Mara deftly deals with this through simple facial movements, typically with no dialogue. She also plays her rage like a sort of wild animal pushed into a corner; just listen to her manic yelping when restrained. Daniel Craig fills the role of Mikael Blomkvist with a more believable sense of self than Michael Nyqvist in the Swedish version. Some of the issue with Blomkvist is that comes off as kind of aloof, it’s more of an issue with the source material than anything else but Craig does a solid job. Christopher Plummer’s small but pivotal role is well done as he’s clearly on task and having a ball. Stellan Skarsgård seems slightly off and understated for some reason. David Fincher brings it all together and delivers a strong film that, like the original film, works much better off the films leads especially the showcase role of Lisbeth which Mara nails.

B+

[Trailer] The Hobbit

2011-12-21T08:03:00.001-06:00

Continuing the blockbuster season of trailers, the first trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit was just released and it can best be described in the cheesiest of ways but it is in fact a return to Middle Earth…..

[Trailer] Wrath of the Titans

2011-12-19T14:29:00.000-06:00

Being overshadowed by the massive new of The Dark Knight Rises trailer’s release, the sequel to the redux of Clash of the Titans has released its first trailer.

Personally, Clash of the Titans was one of my least favorite remakes of recent memory. It just seemed to get everything wrong on so many levels.

This one looks a bit more promising, probably because of the higher amount of CGI and hair conditioner, and the trailer gives off a noticeable God of War video game feel.

They might deliver a more enjoyable experience, especially since they are removed from the first films requirement to adhere to part of the originals plot.

Then again it might just be more garbage….

[Trailer] The Dark Knight Rises

2011-12-19T12:40:00.005-06:00

The full trailer for The Dark Knight Rises is finally out on the web. I saw it on IMAX this weekend before Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and after watching it again I’ve had the same reaction.

The hairs on my arm just stand up as I witness the epic-ness that on display…..

MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL

2011-12-18T09:58:00.002-06:00

IN THEATERS

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL

Academy Award-winning director Brad Bird (Ratatouille) makes his live-action feature directorial debut with the fourth installment of the massively successful Mission Impossible series. The Kremlin has been bombed, and the blame has fallen on the IMF. As a result, the president initiates Ghost Protocol, and accuses Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team of placing the bomb in an attempt to incite a global nuclear war. Now, in order to clear the IMF of terrorism charges, Ethan assembles a new team to uncover the truth by using every high-tech trick in the book. But this time they're on their own, and should they be caught, the entire world could be plunged into a nightmare from which there is no waking up. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Michael Nyqvist

Release Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence

Genres: Action/Adventure

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Review:

The Mission Impossible franchise has been a study in variety with each film bringing a different cinematic flavor. Ghost Protocol is simply fun from start to finish. Brad Bird, who also had directed The Incredibles & The Iron Giant, has tapped into that sweet spot for action films. Simplistic and bombastic, Bird delivers an adrenaline filled series of huge action set pieces that would serve as a climaxes in most films. Each is well planned and plotted, always keeping the audience in a white knuckled stance. The cast seems to be having just as much fun as the audience. Tom Cruise is about as relaxed as I’ve seen him in a long time. Cruise provides a steady cool and is always believable as super agent Ethan Hunt, a character that’s really defined his action career. Jeremy Renner is equally at ease in his role, he’s being prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise, and the two share a fun sense of chemistry on screen. Paula Patton is adequately sexy and powerful, while Simon Pegg shines as one the best comic relief role seen in a long time. Michael Nyqvist is appropriately sinister as the villain not that he’s asked to do much in the first place. There’s a small subplot involving a Russian cop that feels like it could have been excised and streamlined the run time but it’s a minor quibble. As a whole, Ghost Protocol is probably one of the best action films in recent memory but those that have seen Bird’s animated film shouldn’t be surprised.

A

[Trailer] Rock of Ages

2011-12-13T13:37:00.004-06:00

I’ve been a big fan of movie musicals because I fell in love with Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.

Before that I can say I was generally disinterested in most musicals, since I just can’t get enough of them.

The teaser for Rock of Ages looks like it could be lots of fun with a nice dose of self aware cheese……

[Trailer] G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation

2011-12-12T21:31:00.004-06:00

Can't say I could ever bring myself to watch the first one. This one looks like it's over the top to the point where it might be fun. That might is a big might, either way, watch Dwayne Johnson flex and everybody else pose their way through the trailer....

[Trailer] MEN IN BLACK 3

2011-12-12T07:10:00.003-06:00

Men in Black is probably one of my favorite summer films. I can remember watching in the theater multiple times, something I rarely do. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith comedic chemistry was perfect and the sci-fi comedy took itself just serious enough.

The sequel was an example of excess as it just doubled everything with a grating effect, not to mention some of the most obvious marketing ploys in the history of film.

The trailer for the 3rd film gives me hope that we might see a return to the fun of the first….

MOVIE REVIEW: THE CAPTAINS

2011-12-09T15:19:00.000-06:00

ON DVD / NETFLIX STREAMING

THE CAPTAINS

The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors whom have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.

Directed by William Shatner.

Starring: William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Chris Pine

Runtime: 97 min

Genres: Documentary

The Captains is the kind of documentary that’s required viewing for Trek fans like me. Your enjoyment of it may depend on how much you enjoyed William Shatner. Shatner directs and produces this insightful and occasionally emotional peek at the actors that have occupied the captain’s chair in Star Trek’s various iterations. While the documentary is supposed to be about the actors, Shatner never allows the spotlight to shine to far from him. Shatner as an interviewer is always interesting to see as he can be funny and terribly self aware while being incredibly self-centered. Personally, I found him enjoyable as he listens to various anecdotes from Patrick Stewart, Avery Brook, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula and Chris Pine. Shatner covers a wide range of topics mostly from the actors point of view, so those expecting deep musings into Trek story lines will be disappointed. Those who have interest in what it like as an actor to deal with a franchise will find lots to enjoy. Thing get very personal when the subject of divorce and family comes up, giving the film an unexpected emotional kick. The Captains is a Shatner production through and through, albeit a very personal one, but excellent viewing for any fan who’s interested in the people behind the characters.

B

[Trailer] The Cabin in the Woods

2011-12-07T08:24:00.000-06:00

The long gestating Joss Whedon produced horror project recently got a release date and the trailer has come out.

I’ll admit I only knew a little about the actual film but after watching the trailer I’m a lot more interested than before as it hints to some fun genre bending intrigue.

By the time it hits the screen it’ll be 3 years since it wrapped filming, maybe it’ll be worth the wait.

MOVIE REVIEW: 30 MINUTES OR LESS

2011-12-03T06:19:00.001-06:00

ON VIDEO

30 MINUTES OR LESS

Small-town pizza delivery driver Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) stumbles into an elaborate crime scheme when he's abducted by a pair of ambitious criminals (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson) who coerce him into robbing a bank on a strict timeline. Desperate, Nick implores his former best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari) to help him out of the predicament. But with each attempt to thwart the would-be criminal geniuses, Nick and Chet find their dire situation spinning faster out of control. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, Dilshad Vadsaria, Michael Pena

Release Date: Aug 12, 2011

Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudit and some violence

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy

Review:

30 Minutes or Less is breezy easily digestible comedy that speeds by provides a handful of laughs and doesn’t over stay its welcome. To say the plot is simplistic is an understatement, it’s about as barebones as you can get. Director Ruben Fleischer uses that to his advantage and crafts a lean film that focuses on his assembled talent and lets them shine. Jessie Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari make up an over caffeinated and manic pair. Both work well together and share a similar comedic energy. Danny McBride and Nick Swardson work just as well as a pair. Both pairs of actors fit so perfectly that it’s easy to overlook some of the more obvious flaws of the plot. Michael Pena is always fun in small roles and he’s his usual scene stealing self here as well. 30 Minutes or Less is the kind of movie that has a singular mind, it aims to bring some crude laughs your way then head out as quickly as it came and all in under 90 minutes.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL

2011-11-26T09:01:00.001-06:00

ON DEMAND

TUCKER & DALE VS. EVIL

Director Eli Craig and co-screenwriter Morgan Jurgenson poke fun at horror clichés with this genre-bending comedy about a pair of harmless backwoods hayseeds who are mistaken for vicious serial killers. Dale (Tyler Labine) and Tucker (Alan Tudyk) are checking out their newly acquired "summer home" (read: dilapidated cabin) when they save the life of a gorgeous college student (Katrina Bowden) who's camping in the woods with some friends. When a series of misunderstandings leads to Dale and Tucker being labeled psycho killers by the vacationing students, the situation takes a sudden and ghastly turn for the worst. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Eli Craig

Cast: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden, Jesse Moss, Philip Granger

Release Date: Sep 30, 2011

Rated R for bloody horror violence, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 26 min.

Genres: Art House, Comedy, Horror

Review:

Eli Craig’s debut film is a hidden horror comedic gem. While he doesn’t quite achieve the satirical greatness of something like Shaun of the Dead, he does get pretty damn close. Playing off all killer hillbilly clichés, Craig delivers a steadily funny film that’s sure to please genre fans without being inaccessible to the general public. It’s funny, goofy, gory and generally likable across the board. A lot of the credit has to go to his 2 leads. Tyler Labine, whose like a lovable grizzly bear, and Alan Tudyk are on task right from the start. Their screen presence is perfect for the roles and both have comedic chops. They play off each other easily and naturally. 30 Rock’s Katrina Bowden is equally likable even if she’s asked to do a lot less. The remaining cast plays roles that are purposely one note but they fill the required clichés needed for these type of films. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is steady until the final act where it has to deal with wrapping up the plot and it’s not nearly as enjoyable as everything that preceded it. Still, it’s hardly enough to take anything away from the experience as a whole. The film has been out in limited release for a few years now and on most cable and satellite on demand systems, its worth looking for and deserves a bigger audience.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: J. EDGAR

2011-11-19T16:46:00.001-06:00

IN THEATERS

J. Edgar

Acclaimed actor Leonardo DiCaprio stars in Academy Award-winning director Clint Eastwood's richly detailed biopic exploring the life and career of controversial FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. For nearly 50 years, Hoover (DiCaprio) fought crime as one of the most powerful law enforcers in America. During Hoover's extended stint as Director of the FBI, however, his penchant for bending the law in the name of seeking justice and using the secrets of high profile leaders to gain personal leverage won him just as many supporters as detractors. Little did many other than his loyal colleague Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer) and faithful secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts) know, however, that Hoover himself was a man with many secrets to hide. Josh Lucas, Judi Dench, and Stephen Root co-star in film written by Oscar-winning Milk scribe Dustin Lance Black. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Clint Eastwood

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Armie Hammer, Josh Lucas, Judi Dench

Release Date: Nov 09, 2011

Rated R for brief strong language

Runtime: 2 hr. 17 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar is a solid biopic even if it occasionally turns into a chore to watch as it slowly recounts the highlights of Hoover’s life. Eastwood work on screen is precise and deliberate but surprisingly detached as well. Usually Eastwood has a strong emotional connection with his subject matter but it’s strangely missing here. What he delivers is a slightly unfocused hodgepodge of snippets from Hoover’s life, bouncing around from the past to the present, not always with a clear purpose. The script comes off as more informational than thought out; the main characters are fleshed out but only to a certain degree. The audience is kept at arms length for the most part; a few scenes allow us into Hoover’s psyche a bit more but not enough. In the titular role Leonardo DiCaprio is impressive, working a strong accent throughout, breaking out of his traditional mold. His performance showcases the massive contradictions of the man and he tries to give us as many layers as possible. A well groomed Armie Hammer is the film’s heart and soul. It’s a shame the script doesn’t allow him to do more because I’m sure he could have really expanded on this role if he’d been allowed to. His and DiCaprio’s interactions lay the ground work for so much of the inner turmoil that Hoover experience, one can’t help but feel that it could have been explored more thoughtfully. Naomi Watts is left on the sidelines for the most part, more of a spectator than an actual player in the grand scheme of things. The real crime is that her character, especially in the final years of Hoover’s life, seemed fertile for exploration. Since this is one of those films that travels across nearly half a century, heavy make up and prosthetics play a prominent role. DiCaprio and Watts seem to have the best luck with the make with poor Armie left with some the looks like a bad burn victim with liver spots. As a whole J. Edgar engages but lacks the emotional punch you’d expect.

B-

[Trailer] MIRROR, MIRROR

2011-11-16T08:06:00.001-06:00

About as far removed from the tone of last week’s Snow White and the Huntsman, Tarsem Singh's Mirror Mirror has an almost comedic tone with Julia Roberts chewing up scenery like a crazy. Lily Collins does seem like a more suitable Snow White in my opinion.

Singh’s visuals, as usual, are incredibly impressive but it’s a totally different genre on the same material, should be very interesting to compare and contrast when both projects come out…..

MOVIE REVIEW: IMMORTALS

2011-11-11T21:20:00.000-06:00

IN THEATERS

IMMORTALS

A brave young stonemason assembles a fierce band of warriors to prevent an evil king from acquiring the artifact that will permit him to rule the world in this epic mythological fantasy from visionary filmmaker Tarsem Singh. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Tarsem Singh

Cast: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Stephen Dorff, Kellan Lutz

Release Date: Nov 11, 2011

Rated R for sequences of strong bloody violence and a scene of sexuality

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure,Fantasy, Mythology

Review:

Those looking for that singular Greek Mythology film will probably have to keep looking. Immortals is a visually impressive film that never bores the eyes but never matches its visual intensity with narrative punch. Loosely based from Greek Myths, i.e. they’ve used the time period and some names; the story is an overly complex and occasionally incoherent jumble that doesn’t ever really find any sort of rhythm. Tarsem Singh visual flair is enough to make the film watchable and enjoyable for the better part of its runtime. Singh paints incredible cinematic images that your eyes and mind are occupied for the better part of the run time. Unfortunately with the threadbare script, the dead zones are noticeable and drawn out. The cast isn’t much help as they aren’t asked to do much but show off impressively toned and oiled bodies only occasionally whispering some dialogue. Mickey Rourke chews scenery like he’s angry at it, while Henry Cavill and Freida Pinto are incredibly stiff. The secondary and tertiary, sadly the Gods included, have maybe one or two lines to dialogue to define them. It’s not unexpected and Singh’s films share a lot in common with Julie Taymor and both are far more enjoyable as impressive visual feast for the eyes if not the brain.

C+

[Trailer] Snow White and the Huntsman

2011-11-10T16:40:00.002-06:00

While I have to say I’ve been hearing about this for a good while, my interest was pretty damn low.

This trailer hits me as a bit of a surprise, looks impressively dark and epic. Still don’t care for Kristen Stewart but Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth make up for it, looking forward this now…..

[FULL TRAILER] UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D

2011-11-04T07:56:00.002-05:00

2nd trailer is out and while I have my reservations I can’t help but say I’m kind of looking forward to it, however I can’t help but laugh a bit as Beckinsale literally burns rubber sans car……

MOVIE REVIEW: LAKE MUNGO

2011-10-31T10:08:00.000-05:00

MOVIE REVIEW: LAKE MUNGO

ON VIDEO

Sixteen-year-old ALICE PALMER drowns while swimming in the local dam. When her body is recovered and a verdict of accidental death returned, her grieving family buries her. The family then experiences a series of strange and inexplicable events centered in and around their home.

Directed by Joel Anderson

Cast: Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin Sharpe, Talia Zucker

Release Date: Jan 21, 2010

Rated R for a scene of sexuality, and brief gruesome images

Runtime: 89 Minutes

Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Lake Mungo is a hidden gem of a horror film. It’s not a horror film in the most standard definition; instead it’s a serious mocumentary that explores ghostly goings on with a family along with their grief and sense of loss. It all done with some a deft hand that it feels real for the better part of it’s run time. Director Joel Anderson really hits on some interesting nerves as he gives his film an emotional center that feels authentic and realistic. Slow to start the plot really finds its footing as the central mystery unravels. Unlike the recent Paranormal Activity series which places you in the actual house for the duration, Lake Mungo makes great use of blurry videos and photos intermixed with talking head interviews with the people involved. It feels like an actual documentary you might see on TV. The plot itself is strong but leaves a lot of open threads that remain unanswered through the films conclusion. It’s the kind of ghost story that really simmers in your mind, percolating well after the film is over.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: ATTACK THE BLOCK

2011-10-29T06:58:00.001-05:00

ON VIDEO
ATTACK THE BLOCK

A group of London teens find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion and fight to defend their tower block from some evil extraterrestrials in this stylish sci-fi romp from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Joe Cornish

Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Franz Drameh, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost, Jumayn Hunter

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for drug content, pervasive language and creature violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Art House/Foreign, Comedy

Review:

Some movies instantly bring a strong sense of energy to the screen. It permeates through the screen the instant it starts. While it doesn’t always mean it’s the best filmed or plotted story out there, it does have that palpable sense present throughout. Attack the Block is that kind of film, far from perfect but imbued with enough cinematic energy to make you over look some of the more glaring flaws. First time director Joe Cornish has an interesting style which gives his low budget alien invasion dramdy a fun sense of itself. Cornish moves the film along at a brisk pace but it never feels rushed. Some of the characters are a flimsily written but the performances from the young cast really helps make it easier to watch. Front and center is John Boyega, his performance is fascinating throughout. Believable for the better part of the film, he has a quiet strength that’s a real treat to watch. Luke Treadaway is a good fun as stoner college student along for the ride. Jodie Whittaker does solid work but fairly forgettable as the female lead. Attack the Block is kind of a modern day amalgam of 80’s type kid adventure films, mix with some 90’s street films, remixed and blended with aliens and a dose of self aware comedy.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3

2011-10-23T09:42:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 3

The Paranormal Activity franchise continues with this third outing from Paramount Pictures. Oren Peli and Jason Blum return to produce the highly secretive feature, with Catfish's directing duo of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman taking on the helming duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Christopher Nicholas Smith

Release Date: Oct 21, 2011

Rated R for some violence, language, brief sexuality and drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 25 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

The fact that Paranormal Activity is a franchise is an achievement in of itself. From the humblest of beginnings it’s brought us some of the best scares of the last decade. The sequel was pretty impressive in that it expanded the mythos of the original story and upped the scares. This third entry follows the same general pattern as the previous films. We hear things, see things fly around and watch as terrified people try to figure what’s going on. This third entry goes back to Katie and Kristy’s childhood to show the start of the whole thing. Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman are right at home, they directed the possibly real / fake Catfish, in this setting. They set up some interesting scares and while the film keeps with the previous film’s mantra of being subtle, they show more of what goes bump in the night. It’s all done well, even if it makes you wonder if along with demonic possession a need to document everything on film is a family trait. Sadly, something is missing here. There are a few jump scares but it lacks the pop of the first two. As a result it all feels very like you are going down a road well traveled and the scares all come at fairly obvious moments. The bigger sin is that the mythos isn’t expanded all that much, most of the plot has been mentioned in the previous films so there is no massive reveal to make the whole thing worthwhile.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: RED STATE

2011-10-22T15:12:00.003-05:00

RED STATE

Kevin Smith steps his foot into horror territory with this politically tinged fright flick starring Michael Parks (From Dusk Till Dawn, Grindhouse) as a controversial Fred Phelps-ish reverend who brings his own brand of zealotry to a wayward group of teens. Smith directs from his own long-in-development script. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Kevin Smith

Cast: Michael Parks, Melissa Leo, John Goodman, Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano

Release Date: Jan 23, 2011

Rated R for disturbing content, some sexual content, strong violence, pervasive language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

You have to give Kevin Smith credit for stepping outside of the box and trying something different. Red State is a messy message movie that has Smith painting with really broad strokes, creating something that feels rushed and terribly underdeveloped. Watching Red State, you can see where Smith’s mind is but he never achieves a fully realized vision. Instead Red State is a choppy film that has strange tonal changes throughout, with some weird comedic asides. Wonderful character actor, Michael Parks, is placed front and center and Smith gives him free reign with the character which succeeds to varying degrees. Parks is impressive and mystifying in his opening appearance, a nearly 15 minute monologue/ sermon but as the film wears on he should have been reigned in a tad to avoid the caricature the ends the film. Smith has the scaffolding of a film dealing with religious zealots like Fred Phelps, Jim Jones or David Koresh but it turns into something closer to satire. John Goodman and his group of ATF agents are a prime example of this, playing more as types than actual characters. Melissa Leo and Stephen Root show up and barely register. The finale is an almost silly tangent into the bizarre that leaves you scratching your head wondering what Smith intention in this splatterfest was.

C-

[Red Band Trailer] American Reunion

2011-10-13T09:40:00.001-05:00

I’ve never been a big time fan of the series but the first 2 were pretty funny then it just went into a head spin down ending in craptastic Direct to Video entries.

All that being said, this reunion of all the original cast looks like it might capture was funny about the original, looks pretty funny….

MOVIE REVIEW: THE THING (2011)

2011-10-12T09:40:00.000-05:00

IN THEATERS

THE THING (2011)

An American paleontologist and a team of Norwegian scientists fight for their lives against a shape-shifting extraterrestrial that can perfectly mimic any living creature in this prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic. Upon receiving word that the Antarctic research team has unearthed an alien craft, paleontologist Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) joins the group to explore what secrets the ship might hold. Though by Kate's estimation the creature inside the spaceship has been dead for centuries, it has actually just been lying dormant in the ice. Perfectly preserved, it has awaited the day when it would finally be freed from its frigid prison; now, after eons of lying in wait, that day has finally come. Suddenly revived during a crucial experiment, the malevolent alien begins methodically mimicking each member of the crew undetected. By the time Kate realizes the frightening implications of the creature's unique ability, it may already be too late. As paranoia among the crew begins to intensify, it's up to Kate and the crew's helicopter pilot, Carter (Joel Edgerton), to make sure the extraterrestrial menace is exterminated before it has the opportunity to escape -- for, should it manage to make its way to a heavily populated area, humanity's days may be numbered. Matthijs Van Heijningen Jr. makes his feature directorial debut from a script by Eric Heisserer and Battlestar Galactica's Ronald D. Moore. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton, Ulrich Thomsen, Eric Christian Olsen, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje

Release Date: Oct 14, 2011

Rated R for Strong creature violence and gore, disturbing images and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min.

Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

REVIEW:

The Thing prequel was always going to be a dicey subject for me since Carpenter’s remake from the 80’s is one of my top 3 favorite horror films of all time. I’ve tried to keep an open mind but I am only human and I’m sure my prejudices infect this review more than it should. This prequel feels a lot like a remake especially in the first act. It plays very similarly but first time director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. seems more interested in getting to the creature effect as opposed to building up suspense. The story also changes the creature’s logic, making it more aggressive where as Carpenter’s version reacted in a more defensive manner. The effects in of themselves are impressive and pay homage to the Carpenter film but the CGI is of variable quality, occasionally looking very good then looking incredibly bad in others. Heinjinigen turns this prequel more into a standard creature feature with characters that could barely be called paper thin. The characters, including the lead, feel like nothing more than fodder for creature. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is terribly miscast her and she reads lines about as flatly as they can be read. Her performance and character are never engaging or interesting instead a general sense of bland throughout. The remainder of the cast is simply asked to replicate versions of characters from the Carpenter film, with Joel Edgerton and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje doing their best Kirk Russell and Keith David impersonations. There are a few scares here and there but with the lack of any tangible suspense they are all telegraphed making them fairly obvious. The final act plays more like something from the Aliens franchise. The ambiguity of the Carpenter film is missing right through the end. A nice wrap up scene, setting up the Carpenter film, during the credits is well done but doesn’t do much but put the final pieces in place. Fans of the Carpenter film will find things to like here and there and will probably walkout with the desire to watch the Carpenter film as soon as they leave the theater, quickly forgetting this prequel.

C

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7

2011-10-11T13:59:00.001-05:00

TV SHOW REVIEW: WEEDS SEASON 1 - 7

Synopsis:

Dark comedy about a single mother who makes ends meet by selling marijuana in the fictional suburb of Agrestic, California. The series exposes the dirty little secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes in the of this gated community. Mary Louise Parker stars as the suburban mom who resorts to selling weed to support her family after her husband unexpectedly dies

Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Hunter Parrish, Alexander Gould, Kevin Nealon, Justin Kirk

Weeds is an interesting show, for a dramedy it’s incredibly risky and bold, not just because of the subject matter either. Jenji Kohan has to be given credit for taking massive risk throughout the series’ 7 season run. Most shows stick with the status quo and stick with what works. Weeds, for better or worse, likes to stir the pot (pun intended). At its center is the lovely and snarky turn by Mary-Louise Parker. Parker has an interesting screen presence and an uncanny ability to deliver lines in a funny & sarcastic way. Her biggest talent is turning a character that becomes increasingly reckless, selfish and self centered likeable some how. It’s a daunting task to keep the audience on Nancy Botwin’s side and there are plenty of times that it’s impossible but regardless Parker make her interesting. Justin Kirk has a slightly easier time with Andy Botwin who starts off as kind of a mooch be really turns into the shows heart and soul. Andy functions nicely a passive stand in for the audience. Hunter Parrish and Alexander Gould really grow into their roles both literally and artistically as the series goes on. Gould’s character in particular takes an interesting but decently foreshadowed turn as the series goes on. Kevin Nealon really flexes his comedic muscle as stoner / once well respected bureaucrat and accountant, like everybody else’s character his story line takes many a twist and turn. An assortment of excellent character actors and actresses pepper the series all leaving lasting impressions which are especially noticeable when their characters disappear from the series. Elizabeth Perkins, Allie Grant, Tonye Patano and Romany Malco in particular do fine work and causally tossed aside during various seasons. I’d be a liar if I said that Weeds wasn’t occasionally frustrating and maddening. Things change a lot over the course of the series. Season 1 is vastly different from Season 7 but then again the characters would be incredibly boring if they stayed the same forever. Wouldn’t they? If Season 7 is the end and a massive cliffhanger we’re left with is the end, part of me feels like its oddly fitting. Time will tell if we get a proper end or not.

B-

[Official Trailer] The Avengers

2011-10-11T09:18:00.003-05:00

Official trailer is finally out and it’s pretty damn Geektastic, watch it for yourself.

You get a nice sense of the scale that Whedon is going for and some nice action shots of all the heroes, of course Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark gets the best line in the trailer…..

MOVIE REVIEW: TROLLHUNTER

2011-10-01T08:06:00.001-05:00

ON VIDEO

TROLLHUNTER

Three student filmmakers venture into the most isolated region of Norway on a mission to confront a notorious bear poacher, and discover that the elusive hunter's true prey is something far more extraordinary. Though Kalle, Thomas, and Johanna thought they were pursuing a criminal, after locating Hans (Otto Jespersen) with the help of some local hunters, they learn that bears are not his true target but a mere smokescreen to obscure what he's really after -- trolls. A secret government agency has been conspiring to cover up the existence of these massive monsters, but occasionally the trolls manage to break their containment area. Now, if the group can just survive long enough to get their incredible footage to the outside world, they could be responsible for revealing the most impressive cryptozoological discovery in the history of humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: André Øvredal

Cast: Glenn Erland Trosterud, Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg, Knut Nærum

Release Date: Jun 10, 2011

Rated PG-13 for some sequences of creature terror

Runtime: 1 hr. 43 min.

Genres: Art House/Foreign, Horror

Review:

There is an incredible sense of fun and adventure at the heart of this “found footage” mockumentary. It benefits the film which never really takes itself overly seriously and serves the premise perfectly well. This low budget creature feature is an interesting film that feels more like a road movie which takes full advantage of the wonderfully mythical looking Norwegian landscapes. Director André Øvredal gives his film a surprisingly polished feel. So much so that it really doesn’t feel like a lot of “found footage” genre films. The CGI is impressive considering the minuscule budget; most of it is wisely hidden in the dark or night vision. His cast is fairly naturalistic and come across as authentic. Glenn Erland Trosterud, in particular, just nails his grizzled hunter who’s over the crap job he’s been tasked with. Watching Trosterud and knowing that an American remake is already in the works, remake deal was announced the day it was released internationally, I couldn’t help but think of Tommy Lee Jones in the role. I digress, the film is a lot of fun but it does have some flaws. A few portions of the film just seem like filler and the last act feels like it’s building up to an impressive climax but it doesn’t come through. Instead the film ends abruptly and certain parties portrayed previously suddenly become dangerous. It’s a strange finale but there is a funny little bit near the end with reminds you of the tone that makes Trollhunter easy to enjoy.

B-

[Full Trailer] Paranormal Activity 3

2011-09-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

Full trailer for Paranormal Activity 3 is out and it appears that this entry will be a lot more aggressive and left subtle than the first 2.

By the third entry in this franchise, which I’ve enjoyed, it’s almost required that you go all out since the audience already knows rules of the game.

We’ll see if it works in October……

MOVIE REVIEW: MONEYBALL

2011-09-25T08:50:00.002-05:00

IN THEATERS

MONEYBALL

Brad Pitt stars in the real-life tale of Major League Baseball general manager Billy Beane, who built up a winning team despite a decreased budget thanks to his sly use of statistical data to calculate the best -- and cheapest -- players for his roster. Aaron Sorkin updates Steve Zaillian's adaptation of Michael Lewis' fly-on-the-wall novel for Columbia Pictures, with Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman co-starring. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Bennett Miller

Cast: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright, Chris Pratt

Release Date: Sep 23, 2011

Rated: Some strong language

Runtime: 2 hr. 6 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

To call Moneyball a baseball movie is kind of a disservice. Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of sports films mainly because they follow such a predictable pattern and are filled with genre required benchmarks. Moneyball forgoes most of that and explores the business of the sport but doing so in a manner that people who are well versed in sports and those who barely know the difference between and out and a touchdown can enjoy it. It’s engaging from the start and the character piece pops in a way few films can. It’s a slow and organic film that allows scenes to gestate long enough to achieve their desired effect. Bennett Miller provides a strong guiding hand making his film feel like jock version of The Social Network. Miller does such a strong job of giving his film an air of authenticity, the scenes all ring true, even to a sports fanatic like myself, but never spilling over into parody. Brad Pitt is spot on as Beane. Pitt masterfully and subtly displays Beane cocksure bravado and private self doubts that drive the man. It’s the type of performance that brings his character to life especially in character scenes that showcase the man’s mind at work. Jonah Hill playing against type provides an excellent counterpoint to Beane. Hill’s quiet and measured performance is perfect for the character’s persona. Phillip Seymour Hoffman rounds out the cast with an impressive turn as A’s Manager Art Howe, his interaction with Pitt’s Beane is the kind of stuff most sports fans know all too well. The film might overstay it’s welcome near the end but just barely.

A

[Trailer] David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2011-09-23T15:24:00.003-05:00

This new longer, close to 4 minutes, trailer for David Fincher’s remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo really hits up on a lot of the major plot points of the story.

Most should seem fairly familiar to those that have seen the Swedish films, which I thought were fairly strong, and while the style is all Fincher I don’t really see all that much derivation is terms of story or character.

Rooney Mara does seem to give off a stronger tough but wounded vibe than Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth. Still think Rapace will be a tough act to follow personally. Daniel Craig does seem like a good fit for Mikael Blomkvist so we shall see, I have a lot of faith in Fincher so I’m very curious to see the final product.

[Red Band Trailer] The Thing (2011)

2011-09-19T13:37:00.003-05:00

The first trailer hardly instilled a lot of hope in me for this prequel but this Red Band Trailer and the amount of CGI which looks to dominate the creature effects are really making me feel more than a little depressed.

Still trying to keep an open mind but it’s getting harder and harder……

[Trailer] [REC]³ Génesis

2011-09-16T10:04:00.004-05:00

After I finished watching [REC]2 I was just begging for a 3rd part, thankfully we’ll be getting one!

The teaser trailer for the 3rd part seems to be taking a different approach from the first 2 films but this still looks like an excellent addition to the Spanish horror franchise, hopefully we in the states won’t be left waiting for years like with the 2nd part…..

MOVIE REVIEW: CONTAGION

2011-09-10T14:22:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

CONTAGION

Steven Soderbergh presents this look at what happens when an infectious disease threatens humanity through varied viewpoints from an ensemble cast, including Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, and Kate Winslet. The Informant's Scott Z. Burns provides the script. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow
and Kate Winslet

Release Date: Sep 09, 2011

Rated: Disturbing content and some language

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The easiest test of how effective Contagion is how quickly you start to consciously think about touching your face, grabbing a door handle or holding hands with a loved one. Contagion is the type of film that maintains such a close proximity with reality that it feels like an extravagant “what if” documentary. Steven Soderbergh is the perfect director for this germaphobic waking nightmare. Soderbergh reins this film in, keeping the flights of fancy that countless other similar films take so easily, while maintaining his usual detached sensibility and faux naturalism. It’s a different kind of horror film that makes the mundane and common look horrific and vaguely terrifying. The assembled stars are all game even if more than a few get shafted in screen time or fulfilled story lines. Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne and Jude Law leave the biggest impressions each for very different reasons. The plot itself does waver a bit in the last act and it kind of stumbles towards the finish line, feeling more exhausted than accomplished. Still it’s leaves enough of an impression that it’ll make you think about touching the door on your way out of the theater.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: APOLLO 18

2011-09-04T13:08:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

APOLLO 18

NASA's canceled trip to the moon in the 1970s is the basis for this found-footage-style picture exploring the urban legend surrounding that mission -- what if Apollo 18 actually did occur and the proof of extraterrestrial life exists on film? Wanted's Timur Bekmambetov produces the film, with Spanish director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego taking on helming duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego

Cast: Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie

Release Date: Sep 02, 2011

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing sequences and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 26 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

I’m generally a big fan of the “found footage” films; the genre is just a lot of fun for me. Typically though the films are done on a very small budget and really kind of hit some primal nerve that really digs deep. Apollo 18 sounds like an interesting concept but once we get into the meat of the film it just meanders along, hitting very obvious points and providing maybe one or 2 jump scares. I’m not sure if it could have worked with a better set up or if the antagonist of the film just come off as too silly to be scary. The concept works and I appreciated the mixing of actual archival footage with the film giving it’s a semblance of authenticity. The cast does what’s it’s asked and they fit their parts well but the roles are all terribly underwritten. The story is fairly straightforward and just feels like Blair Witch NASA. It never grabs you and is only mildly interesting making a short film feel incredibly long.

D

MOVIE REVIEW: [REC] ²

2011-08-31T10:26:00.001-05:00

ON VIDEO

[REC] 2

Picking up just a few short minutes after the first film left off, Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's adrenalized action horror sequel follows a heavily armed SWAT team and a tight-lipped medical officer as they venture into the quarantined tenement building to uncover the origins of the bizarre outbreak. Their helmet-mounted cameras capturing every nerve-shredding moment of the mission, the team must fight for their lives when they're beset by rampaging victims of the demonic virus. Now, with each new attack, the infection grows, and the horde gains power. Should the virus somehow manage to spread outside, the result would be a disaster of apocalyptic proportions. But there's still hope; the medical officer seems to know something about this infection that he hasn't yet shared with the others. Somewhere in the building, an antidote to the virus waits to be discovered. But in order to find it, these terrified soldiers will have to fight their way through a true hell on Earth. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Directors: Paco Plaza, Jaume Balagueró

Cast: Jonathan Mellor, Ariel Casas, Alejandro Casaseca, Pablo Rosso, Manuela Velasco

Release Date: Jul 09, 2010

Rated R for Strong bloody violence, disturbing images and pervasive language

Runtime: 1 hr. 25 min.

Genres: Drama, Horror, Suspense/Thriller

REVIEW:

Jaume Balaguer and Paco Plaza's follow up to their dizzyingly wonderful first person zombie film [REC] is more a continuation than a straight up sequel. Picking up just moments after the first one ends, the directors continue the look and film of the first, via a SWAT team this go around with helmet cams. The multi camera aspect presented this go around is effective in giving the audience a different perspective during action sequences that get you even more close and personal during some of the encounters, it’s a great effect even if it feels like a video game from time to time. The story itself is beefed up, giving us more information on what’s going and what’s caused the whole thing all with a decidedly more religious and supernatural tenor. It works well since it’s something that was hinted at near the end of the original film. A minor issue comes about halfway through the film as the directors decide to stop everything and retrace the steps of another group from the very beginning. It’s not the best decision because it kind of kills the flow of the film. While the entire sequence is interesting there’s only very little of consequence that happens. Once this storyline catches back up it continues it path providing enough scares, thrills and surprises to make any horror fan happy and hoping for a third go around.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: SUPER

2011-08-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

ON VIDEO

SUPER

An average guy reacts to the frustration of losing his wife by adopting a crime-fighting persona known as the "Crimson Bolt," and targeting any criminal who crosses his path -- no matter how minor their infraction may be. Frank (Rainn Wilson) is husband to former alcoholic and drug addict Sarah (Liv Tyler), and he loves her with all his heart. Their wedding day was one of but two perfect moments in this Frank's life, but when Sarah runs away with charismatic drug dealer Jacques (Kevin Bacon), the loss was just too much for her mild-mannered husband to take. Subsequently transforming himself into the Crimson Bolt, Frank reasons that if he can take down Jacques along with the rest of the city's scum, his beloved wife will soon come running back. With his homemade suit and his handy pipe wrench, Frank goes to work cleaning up the streets and starts making headlines. But just as the Crimson Bolt becomes the talk of the town, sociopathic comic-store clerk Libby (Ellen Page) reinvents herself as "Boltie," and makes a play to become the controversial street hero's trusted sidekick. Perhaps by working together, the Crimson Bolt and Boltie can make an example of Jacques, and keep the streets safe for average citizens. But real life isn't like comic books, and sometimes when an average person tries to be a superhero, things can go very bad, very fast. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: James Gunn

Cast: Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, Liv Tyler, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker

Release Date: Apr 01, 2011

Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, sexual content
& drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min.

Genres: Art House, Comedy, Superhero

REVIEW:

James Gunn has shown a talent for a twisted sort of humor and a love for fanboy genres. His 2006 film Slither was a wonderful homage to classic 80’s creature features that people like me just loved. Super tries something similar with superheroes, it suffers from a variety of issues first and foremost Kick Ass having recently and successfully traversed the same path beforehand. At this point it’s almost impossible to avoid the comparisons. Still taken on its own merits Super just misses more than it doesn’t. You get the sense the heart of a good strong idea is in there somewhere but it never comes to fruition. The film just lacks any sense of rhythm or cohesion. It’s a real shame because there’s a strong cast assembled and everybody seems game. Rainn Wilson turns in a believable performance throughout. Ellen Page is mildly unhinged and kind of fun in limited screen time. Kevin Bacon and Nathan Fillion are criminally underused, a shame since more screen time for both of their characters might have helped the film. Liv Tyler and Michael Rooker show up but aren’t really asked to do much. While I’m sure Gunn’s heart was in the right place Super just feels like a massive misfire.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WARD

2011-08-29T14:42:00.002-05:00

ON VIDEO

THE WARD

A young girl named Kristen (Amber Heard) awakens in a psychiatric hospital after setting a farmhouse ablaze, and finds herself stalked by a malevolent ghost in this psychological shocker from celebrated horror director John Carpenter (Halloween). Badly battered and seemingly stricken with amnesia, Kristen forges a fragile friendship with fellow patients Sarah (Danielle Panabaker), Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca), Emily (Mamie Gummer), and Zoey (Laura-Leigh) as her compassionate therapist, Dr. Stringer (Jared Harris), works to uncover the source of her mysterious condition. Later, at night, when the lights in her remote ward go dim, Kristen is confronted by an imposing phantom that seems intent on dragging her screaming into the darkness. Eventually, the other girls in the ward begin to vanish, one by one. Now, the harder Kristen fights to avoid falling prey to her shadowy pursuer, the more convinced she becomes that no patient who's checked in to North Bend Psychiatric Hospital ever comes out alive. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: John Carpenter

Cast: Amber Heard, Danielle Panabaker, Mamie Gummer, Lyndsy Fonseca, Jared Harris

Release Date: Jul 08, 2011

Rated R for violence and disturbing images

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

John Carpenter took a 9 year hiatus from feature filmmaking after making the dreadful Ghost of Mars. Carpenter’s return was mildly anticipated because he’s created a handful of favorites including one of my favorite horror films ever, his remake of The Thing. That being said, even the most diehard fan can’t ignore his obvious decline during the 90’s even though I am one of the few that liked Vampires. The Ward unfortunately just continues the decline, it’s biggest sin is that’s it not really a mess on the scale of Ghost of Mars but it’s just so bland and uninspired that you are left wondering why he chose this project to break his hiatus. The film is directed decently and it flows nicely but it’s just about as vanilla as it gets. Nothing about it has any identity or soul, it’s a mindless run through a plot that’s rudimentary and never really all that engaging. Amber Heard is incredibly easy on the eyes but her performance along with the rest of the cast, outside of Jared Harriss who looks like he’s really trying, is bland and nondescript. At best I can see it as a throwback to the “woman in cages” exploitation films from the 70’s but even that is kind of a stretch. It’s still better than Synder’s horrid Sucker Punch but that’s not really much of a compliment. Carpenter’s general sense of disinterest is so palpable that you can almost here him yawning in the background or maybe that’s you.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE

2011-08-28T08:22:00.002-05:00

IN THEATERS

THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE

Dominic Cooper (An Education) headlines director Lee Tamahori's fact-based docudrama centering on the nightmarish experiences of an Iraqi army lieutenant whose life became a living hell after he was hand-selected to be a "fiday" (body double) for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's ruthless son Uday. Baghdad, 1987: Iraqi soldier Latif Yahia (Cooper) becomes privy to the inner workings of the royal family after receiving an offer he can't refuse. Desperate to protect his family and terrified of making any fatal missteps, Latif studies Uday's every personal tick in order to become the spitting image of the so-called "Black Prince." While some Iraqis might have been honored to be presented with such a unique opportunity, Uday's unparalleled sadism and debauched lifestyle quickly began to eat away at the very core of Latif's soul. As war with Kuwait looms on the horizon, Latif finds himself increasingly drawn to Uday's ravishing mistress Sarrab (Ludivine Sagnier), a woman with her own terrifying tales to tell about time spent with Iraq's cruelest son. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Lee Tamahori

Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ludivine Sagnier, Raad Rawi, Philip Quast, Mimoun Oaissa

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for strong brutal violence and torture, sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and pervasive language

Runtime: 1 hr. 48 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

Review:

The Devil’s Double is a showcase in a lot of ways but first and foremost it’s about Dominic Cooper. Dominic Copper stars in duel roles, doing excellent work on both and making a complex story into something digestible and enthralling. This is Cooper’s film and it’s the kind of stage that most actors pray for. As Uday, Cooper is unhinged psychotic and incredibly watchable throughout. In this part of the role, he’s a living embodiment of the ID released onto the world. It’s a fascinating performance that’s mirrored, quite literally, by his turn as Latif. Cooper as Latif is somebody else entirely, a calm reserved man who’s simply in a bad situation. Cooper is able to balance both characters deftly throughout, with Uday bordering on caricature occasionally. Ludivine Sagnier is a striking vision but she’s mostly wooden mainly because of a thinly written role. Director Lee Tamahori handles the decadence and opulence involved with a steady hand but he occasionally gets a tad heavy handed. Tamahori only superficially glances over some of the more interesting relationships but never digs deeper. Regardless, this is an actor’s wet dream and Dominic Cooper shines.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: FRIGHT NIGHT

2011-08-20T15:39:00.003-05:00

IN THEATERS

FRIGHT NIGHT

A suburban teenager realizes that his new neighbor is a charismatic vampire in this remake of the 1985 horror comedy hit. After years of climbing to reach the top of the social ladder, high school senior Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally rules the roost. Just as Charley ditches his best pal, "Evil" Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), and starts dating the most popular girl in their class, however, a handsome new face appears in the neighborhood. It belongs to Charley's new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell), an outwardly amiable guy with a quick smile and a sharp wit. But when Charley sees a side of Jerry that everyone else seems to miss, he quickly becomes convinced that the nice-guy act is a cover for something truly sinister. Unable to convince his charmed mother (Toni Collette) that Jerry is a genuine bloodsucker, the suspicious teen turns to Las Vegas magician Peter Vincent (David Tennant) to help exterminate the demon before he drinks the entire neighborhood dry. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Craig Gillespie

Cast: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, David Tennant, Imogen Poots

Release Date: Aug 19, 2011

Rated R for bloody horror violence and language including some sexual references

Runtime: 1 hr. 46 min.

Genres: Comedy, Horror

Review:

The Fright Night remake is one those of those remakes that could have gone terribly wrong. Luckily with a strong script, cast and director it succeeds in properly updating a cult classic respectfully but giving it enough new shine to entertain. Craig Gillespie directs his film with the right sense of horror and comedy, something the original did fairly well. He also gives the film a brisk feel that keeps the proceedings moving at a steady pace and never lets the film lag. Anton Yelchin is solid if somewhat unmemorable in his general blandness, it’s not overpowering or detrimental just noticeable. Colin Farrell though is magnetic and electric throughout. He exudes charisma, masculinity and a primal ferocity, it’s an impressive turn that the rest of the film revolves around. Christopher Mintz-Plasse is strong in the limited but pivotal role of Ed. David Tennant is also lots of fun as Peter Vincent, he leaves you wishing he was given more screen time. The 2 talented ladies that make up the rest of the cast, Toni Collette & Imogen Poots, are fairly underused and in all honesty anybody could have played either role. While I watched the film in 2D there was a noticeable sense of 3D set ups using some incredibly tired popout at you techniques. I’ve never hate the 3D thing as much as most but it looks like a massive ripoff here. As for the film itself, it’s fun and well executed showing that if you must remake films at least makes sure all parties involved are bringing their A material.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: PRIEST

2011-08-20T06:52:00.005-05:00

ON VIDEO

PRIEST

In a world ravaged by wars between humans and vampires, a renegade priest fights to rescue his niece from the legions of bloodsuckers who seek to transform the young girl into one of them. A battle-weary veteran of the last vampire war, warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) now resides in a heavily fortified city where the ruling Church is a greater menace than any creature of the night. When a pack of vampires abduct Priest's niece (Lily Collins), the vengeful holy man breaks his vows and promises to save the young innocent from a fate worse than death. He can't do it alone, but with a powerful warrior Priestess (Maggie Q) and his niece's boyfriend, a sharp-shooting sheriff (Cam Gigandet), on his side, Priest may have a fighting chance. Stephen Moyer, Karl Urban, and Brad Dourif co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Scott Charles Stewart

Cast: Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q, Lily Collins, Stephen Moyer,
Christopher Plummer, Brad Dourif

Release Date: May 13, 2011

Rated PG-13 Intense sequences of violence and action, disturbing images and brief
strong language

Runtime: 1 hr. 27 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Priest is kind of like a dollar store Frankenstein monster of a film. It’s made up of so many sources that it’s hard to keep track of them. Occasionally, director Scott Charles Stewart hits the sweet spot with a few cool visuals or ideas that look like they could spring into something but just never do. Instead, you are left to trudge through a Blade Runner-esque world before heading into a Western-esque post apocalyptic world mixed with as many clichés as you can think of, throw it in a blender and call it a day. Paul Bettany string of truly questionable role selections, he’s really a fine actor, continues here as he looks like a holy roman Jedi while carrying the same demeanor he had in the woeful Legion, also directed by Stewart. Bettany looks like he came straight from that set and just had a quick wardrobe change and went right to work. Not that there’s much he can do given the script but he tries, in fact he’s so serious throughout that he could be passing a diamond as the movie progresses. Cam Gigandet is tasked with being his partner in their heroes quest and he distractingly bad in a bad film. Gigandet reads lines like a first year acting student, leaving you wondering if that was really the best take they could possibly get from him or if everybody was just in a rush to go home. The lovely Maggie Q looks lovely and cool in limited screen time. Karl Urban is mostly wasted as the villain here, in the sparse amount of time he’s given he looks like he’s begging to do some actual work but just isn’t ever asked. Christopher Plummer and Brad Dourif pass through on their way to other films. The strange thing and probably biggest sin Priest commits is that’s its actually fairly watch able, helped by it’s scant run time and brisk pacing, if it actually had any sort of worthwhile script it might have made for a solid B movie.

C-

[Trailer] UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D

2011-08-18T09:56:00.002-05:00

I have a handful of franchises that are guilty pleasures, the Resident Evil franchise comes to mind but that seems more like sadomasochism at this point, and the Underworld series is always one that drags me in.

I wish I could say it was cinematic reason but it’s not, Beckinsale looks amazing in these movies and third prequel had one of my favorite genre hotties, Rhona Mitra.

This trailer looks like more of the same along with the terribly passé wirework action but its got Beckinsale looking hot again, vampires and werewolves and some other nonsense.

It comes out in January, studios dumping grounds for crap filmmaking, and I’ll be there opening weekend!

MOVIE REVIEW: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

2011-08-06T14:04:00.002-05:00

IN THEATERS

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

The Escapist director Rupert Wyatt takes the helm for this Planet of the Apes prequel centering on genetically engineered chimp Caesar (Andy Serkis), who was created in a San Francisco lab by an ambitious scientist (James Franco), and who uses his powerful intellect to lead an ape uprising against all of humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Cast: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Brian Cox, David Oyelowo, Tom Felton

Release Date: Aug 05, 2011

Rated: Violence and intense/frightening sequences

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

The original Planet of the Apes is such an iconic film that it leaves a legacy that still rings through this most recent reboot. Winks and nods to the original pop up here and there throughout Rise of the Planet of the Apes, some subtle and others more obvious and forced. It’s a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things, especially when so much care and effort was put into making this more than just another money grabbing reboot. Rise has something missing from most reboots; it’s got plenty of heart and a strong sense of itself. The story feels authentic with a set up and follow through that flows nicely. Director Rupert Wyatt shoots his film with a steady hand, moving his film at a steady pace rarely lingers in any section too long. James Franco, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow all have paint by the number roles. Franco offers some heart to his character but like the rest he’s simply a tool for the plot. David Oyelowo and Tom Felton are given cheesier clichéd roles which border on goofy, Felton in particular seems like he was transported from an 80’s flick sans a Cobra Kai patch. The real star of the show though is Andy Serkis, whose become the motion capture “man behind the mask”, who’s performance capture work is even more impressive than his work in the Lord of the Rings. His role is mostly visual but he’s able to emote such a massive range of emotions that’s you can relate with Caesar’s situation throughout. The CGI work is excellent, delivering photo realistic creations that rarely scream CGI. There are a few scenes that will either work for you or not, depending on how invested you are by that point in the story. While Rise will never leave the lasting legacy of the original film it’s still an impressive effort all around.

B

First look at Anne Hathaway As Catwoman From The Dark Knight Rises

2011-08-05T07:10:00.005-05:00

First shot of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman from The Dark Knight Rises is out, kind of straight forward but high tech looking, would need to get a full look at the outfit to make a final decision.

From this it just looks kind of ho hum, a high tech jumpsuit. Less impressive than the Bane reveal if you ask me….

Below are some better looks at the outfit from the set while they are shooting....

First Photo of Henry Cavill As Superman from Zach Snyder's Man of Steel

2011-08-04T09:10:00.002-05:00

First official photo of Henry Cavill as Superman in Zach Snyder’s Man of Steel is out.

Right off the bat I’ve never been a big fan of Superman in general but being a child and growing up with the Christopher Reeve’s films, it was kind of hard to escape.

I actually enjoyed the Bryan Singer reboot but that probably had more to do with it reminding me of the Donner films but I digress.

Snyder is a visual filmmaker and while I loved Watchmen and hated Sucker Punch I was still looking forward to see what he was going to do with this property.

Still am but first impressions on the new look, what’s up with the scales on the suit and I guess this Superman has super hair??

MOVIE REVIEW: COWBOYS AND ALIENS

2011-07-30T14:50:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

COWBOYS AND ALIENS

Based on the graphic novel by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, Cowboys & Aliens starts in 1800s Arizona, where the local cowboys, headed by gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig), and the indigenous Apache tribe have been feuding fiercely for quite a while. Their skirmish is interrupted, however, by the appearance of a spaceship, commanded by an alien creature that's bent on enslaving the human race. It's time for a six-gun shoot-out between these cattle rustlers and space invaders, and there might even be a temporary peace between the cowboys and Indians as they both take aim at these extraterrestrial uninvited guests. Jon Favreau directs from a script by Star Trek scribes Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, with help from Lost's Damon Lindelof. Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, and Sam Rockwell fill out the headlining cast. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference

Runtime: 1 hr. 58 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Cowboys and Aliens is the type of film that should just reek of fun. A galloping mash up of genres that keeps you excited and thrilled throughout. Instead, Jon Favreau delivers a dour film that rarely thrills and occasionally falls into motionless boredom. As a film, it’s mostly inert moving forward only because it must. The characters are all variations of classic film characters and there’s not much of a twist brought to them here. There’s nothing interesting about any of the characters or particularly deep. This would be entirely forgivable if the spectacle of it all was rousing and exciting. The cast assembled is an impressive collection stars and stellar character actors. Daniel Craig is a sight in his full cowboy get up but he’s not asked to do much but pose and occasionally say something. Harrison Ford seems barely interested in the film or role. His lines are delivered like he’s in a hurry to get off the set. Olivia Wilde isn’t asked to do much but look out of place and then really be out of place in the latter half of the film. Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Adam Beach, Keith Carradine, Walton Goggins and David O’Hara would all make a hell of a film in their own right but here’s they’re mostly wasted in pointless bit parts that could have been filled by mannequins. With the assembled talent behind and in front of the camera you’d expect a somewhat passable film by default. Sadly this overlong comic adaptation is devoid of any fun or originality.

D

MOVIE REVIEW: THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

2011-07-30T06:18:00.001-05:00

ON DVD/BLURAY

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

The budding romance between a rising U.S. congressman and a gifted ballet dancer is unexpectedly complicated by otherworldly forces seeking to drive them apart by altering the very fabric of reality in this high-concept sci-fi thriller based on a story by famed author Philip K. Dick. David Norris (Matt Damon) is a rising New York congressmen whose everyman charisma has earned him a loyal following among locals. One night, after suffering a crushing political defeat, David is rehearsing his concession speech in a hotel bathroom when out of a stall wanders Elise (Emily Blunt), who was hiding out from security guards after crashing a wedding. The chemistry between David and Elise is instant and electric. But as fast as she appeared, Elise has vanished, leaving David to wonder if he will ever see her again. A few days later, as if by chance, David is boarding a bus for work when he spots Elise in a window seat. Though he manages to get her number this time, David is terrified when he arrives at his new job and discovers a mysterious group of men performing an unusual procedure on his paralyzed co-workers. Informed by the imposing and sharp-dressed Richardson (John Slattery) that he has just seen behind a curtain that few will ever know even exists, David agrees never to tell anyone of their encounter or talk to Elise again lest his entire memory be completely erased. But three years later, when David spots Elise walking down the street from the window of a city bus, he can't resist the urge to rekindle their romance. Unfortunately for the two young lovers, the mysterious agents at the Adjustment Bureau are determined to keep them apart at all costs in order to ensure there is no deviation from the master plan drawn up by "The Chairman" for the future of all humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: George Nolfi

Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, Michael Kelly, Terence Stamp, John Slattery

Release Date: Mar 04, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Brief strong language, some sexuality and a violent image

Runtime: 1 hr. 39 min.

Genres: Romance, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The Adjustment Bureau is a high concept film that’s wonderfully shot that tries to be a lot of things all at once. First time director George Nolfi seems unable to focus his film. It’s as if we are watching his mind visually being projected on to the screen. The film takes so many thematic turns that’s it’s hard to get an actual feel for it. Nolfi’s heart is in the right place and there are plenty of high concepts rumblings at work, freewill vs. destiny, in the story here but he can’t seem to decide how to address it. As a result we get a shotgun approach. This film could easily be called a romance, Sci-fi, thriller, and even spiritual film. I don’t think anyone can question Nolfi’s eye behind the camera, he give his film a wonderful Kafkaesque feel to the whole proceedings while framing some shots with impressive talent. Matt Damon delivers a strong performance here but he really shines when he shares screen time with his costar. He and Emily Blunt have such wonderful chemistry on screen, their interactions are so strong and authentic that it really breathes life into the film. John Slattery and Terence Stamp, who apparently replace each other half way through the film, do fine work as the fedora wearing master planners. I would have liked to get a bit more from the characters but they aren’t really written that way, they merely serve the story. Anthony Mackie is given a bit more to work with and he’s enjoyable in the limited screen time he has, mostly in the last act. The last act feels a tad rush and not only because it becomes a chase film. Sadly, the finale feel artificial, removing any pop the story might have had if it’d finished on a more ambiguous tone. It’s a shame because there are parts of this film that work so well but it never quite reaches the heights of something like Dark City.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: SOURCE CODE

2011-07-30T05:39:00.002-05:00

ON DVD/BLURAY

SOURCE CODE

Jake Gyllenhaal headlines this sci-fi time-travel thriller directed by Moon's Duncan Jones from a script by Ben Ripley and Billy Ray. A bomb explodes on a Chicago train, derailing the locomotive and killing hundreds. In an attempt to identify the bomber and prevent another, larger attack on downtown Chicago, Captain Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) agrees to take part in a clandestine government experiment dubbed "Source Code," which allows him to enter the body of a male passenger during the eight minutes before the man is killed. But during his first trip back, Capt. Stevens fails to gather enough clues to prevent the second attack. With time quickly running out, he repeats the mission ad nauseam in a desperate race to head off one of the most deadly terrorist attacks ever to take place on American soil. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Duncan Jones

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Michael Arden

Release Date: Apr 01, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Some violence including disturbing images, and for language

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Duncan Jones is an interesting filmmaker to say the least; with Moon he crafted a perfectly claustrophobic mind bending meditation on freewill. With Source Code he broaches the same subject matter from a different point of view, various actually. Using a conceit that’d be familiar to any Star Trek or comic book nerd, alternate realties/multi-verse, Jones creates an impressively engaging Sci-fi tome that has headier themes going on in the background. Jones finds a nice balance by never having these themes overpower his film allowing viewers to enjoy it simply as a thriller with a Sci-fi slant. Jones has a wonderful eye for his film and here his talent is readily apparent as he makes the same scenes interesting throughout even with the amount of repetition. Jake Gyllenhaal is tasked with carrying the film and he does an admirable job. His character is manic, confused and occasionally slightly unhinged. The character serves as a good stand in for the audience as they get their footing with the story and concept. Sadly, the rest of the cast is given very little to do. Michelle Monaghan does what she can with her character and she does bring a nice sincerity to her but it can only be developed so far in the confines of the story. Vera Farmiga is stuck being a talking head on a video screen for the better part of the film. Jeffrey Wright gives one of his hammiest performances in memory, he plays his character in such a stereotypical fashion that it’s kind of distracting, very strange choice for a talented actor. Source Code does have a plot holes throughout and leaves lingering questions even after the film closes. Regardless, this hybrid of Groundhog Day and Johnny Got His Gun will please any Sci-fi fan.

B

[Trailer] Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

2011-07-28T12:35:00.001-05:00

Hilariously gory and right up any horror fans ally, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil feels like a hilarious satirical mash up of Final Destination and any Red Neck Horror movie.

I’m a big fan of Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk’s comedic talent so this can’t come soon enough for me!

Check out the Red Band trailer for a peek at the bloody fun….

More Tucker %26 Dale vs. Evil Videos

[Trailer] KNIGHTS OF BADASSDOM

2011-07-27T15:55:00.001-05:00

Pretty sure I’m late to the party, mainly because of all the trailer news from last week, on this one but I finally gave it a look.

Trailer seems to scream that this looks squarely aimed at nerd fanboys with a cast cherry picked from various nerd-rific sources.

It looks funny enough but then again so did the trailers for Your Highness…..

MOVIE REVIEW: CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER 3D

2011-07-23T14:52:00.002-05:00

IN THEATERS

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER 3D

Director: Joe Johnston

Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell

Release Date: Jul 22, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action

Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Captain America was among the list of superhero films that worried me going into this summer. It’s the type of property that’s hard to pull off because so much of the characters soul is trapped in a by gone time that might not translate to the big screen. Joe Johnston’s luckily was given a script that firmly places this origin story in its proper time and place. Shooting it with the look and feel of a WW2 propaganda film, Johnston captures so much of what makes the character and what he stands for without being overly jingoistic. Johnston paces his film methodically; taking his time with the characters and allows them to breathe. As a result, Chris Evan’s is given ample time to flesh out the scrawny runt Steve Rogers by giving him an earnestness that carries over to the Captain America version of Rogers. Hugo Weaving is good fun as the sinister Red Skull, even if the characters written a bit broad for my taste. Thanks to Johnston’s patience, secondary characters played by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, having a ball, Hayley Atwell, Stanley Tucci and Dominic Cooper don’t come off as one dimensional as they could have. Johnston also has to be given a lot of credit for well staged action sequences which keep pepper the 2nd half of the film, some of the larger set pieces giving a decidedly Raiders of the Lost Ark to them somehow. The 3D, if you those like me who enjoy the novelty, is effectively used for effect but some of the action sequence can sort of bombard your eyes with information.

B+

[Trailer] Paranormal Activity 3

2011-07-21T14:44:00.004-05:00

While some hate this franchise and the genre in general, I don’t. I’ve always been a fan of the “found footage” films.

Paranormal Activity and its sequel were impressive outings and I’ve felt they’ve been quite clever in their approach to the story. 2nd one was a prequel meshed with action from the original.

This one looks like an overall prequel to the story as a whole, going back to the sister’s childhood, something referenced in the 2nd one.

Directed by Catfish Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman, who know a bit about blurring the line between the real world, it should be an interesting entry into the horror franchise….

[Trailer] The Amazing Spiderman HD - Official

2011-07-20T10:45:00.004-05:00

After all the bootlegs running around as of late, it looks like Sony has just done the smart thing and just release the teaser for the Spiderman reboot officially.

I’ll have to be honest, Spiderman has never been my favorite character and the Sam Raimi films, the first 2, were enjoyable but never did much for me.

Considering this whole story has just been done 10 years ago, I can’t say I’m looking forward to this and after watching it, I’m fairly underwhelmed.

I like the cast a lot but it just doesn’t peak my interest very much, of course I’ll still watch it when it comes out next year….

[Trailer] The Avengers

2011-07-18T12:56:00.005-05:00

After last weeks The Dark Knight Rises bootleg now it looks like another bootleg of a hotly anticipated comic book film has hit the internet.

The teaser to The Avengers, which is going to play before Captain America, is out and kind of cool looking, at least from what little I could see, quality is pretty shoddy and will probably be pulled down sooner than later…….

I’ll post the official one as soon as it’s out…..

MOVIE REVIEW: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

2011-07-16T14:59:00.002-05:00

IN THEATERS

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

The final adventure in the Harry Potter film series follows Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) as they prepare for a final battle with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), who is determined to destroy Harry once and for all. In order to defeat the powerful wizard, they must find and destroy Voldemort's last and most elusive Horcrux -- that is, the enchanted piece of soul allowing him to remain immortal -- before his nefarious plans come to fruition. David Yates directs. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes

Release Date: Jul 15, 2011

Rated: Some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Finishing a series a series I originally thought would end up like some kind of cinematic fad is a strange thing. I’m one of those folks that’s never read one chapter of the novels, never been a big fantasy fan in any medium, so I started the cinematic versions as a chore. The first few films I found light and mostly dismissible, I kept with it and slowly but surely the films and character matured. The films became more complete works as a cinematic experience even if some of the jargon still sounds like some alternate version of Star Trek tech speak. In all honesty, I became found of the characters but can’t say I ever adored them. Radcliffe’s Potter has all the calling cards of a typical hero’s journey and coming of age story. This finale completes both sides of these plot threads with wonderful vigor. Radcliffe brings earnestness to the character that just transcends the screen. His ability to ably display quiet strength and growing maturity is an underrated talent. It’s really something incredible to witness, with Radcliffe starting as a green child actor to an impressive performer who can carry the weight of this monolith sized story. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson each show similar growth and are able to reach a similar level of achievement, even if they do kind of fall into the background here more than in Part 1. The film is filled with character moments for series favorites some making sacrifices while other rise to surprising heights. Ralph Fiennes who’s held a restrained check on his character’s evilness is finally allowed to spread his wings and he does so with fantastic results. Director David Yates deserves an untold amount of credit as he’s steered the franchise for the better part of its trek. Here, Yates maintains a strong pace filled with impressively lavish and dour set pieces that impress throughout. He’s fine tuned everything by this point that’s it’s easy to enjoy and easier to overlook how incredibly difficult Yates job was. While I still felt like it might have help to have a scorecard to keep track of some of the secondary and third level characters are, it’s the kind of finale a franchise of this size deserves.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

2011-07-15T10:44:00.001-05:00

MOVIE REVIEW: HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

A train rolls into its final stop. From one of the freight cars jumps a weary-eyed transient with dreams of a fresh start in a new town. Instead, he lands smack-dab in the middle of an urban hellhole, a place where the cops are crooked and the underprivileged masses are treated like insignificant animals. This is a city where crime reigns supreme, and the man pulling the strings is known only as "The Drake." Along with his two cold-blooded and sadistic sons, Ivan and Slick, he rules with an iron fist, and nobody dares fuck with The Drake, especially not some hobo.Director Jason Eisener’s blood-soaked return to the Sundance Film Festival is more than just a nod to the grindhouse flicks of the 1970s and ’80s; he ups the ante in a major way, and Rutger Hauer’s performance is a legendary display of brutal ass-kicking and meticulous name-taking that is not to be missed.
Director: Jason Eisener

Cast: Rutger Hauer

Release Date: May 06, 2011

Unrated

Runtime: 1 hr. 26 min.

Genres: Action / Grindhouse

REVIEW:

Hobo with a Shotgun is a fun little film, far from perfect but not fatally flawed. Jason Eisener’s first major film, after winning a faux trailer contest, is full of impressive promise and style. Eisener clearly loves the genre he’s emulating and he shoots his film like a Technicolor nightmare that’s occasionally kind of beautiful. He’s got a keen eye and knows how to frame shots with a keen precision. His casting of Rutger Hauer is also a major bonus to the film. Hauer is clearly committed to the role which is over the top but heartfelt and honest at the same time. He does most of the heavy lifting here, probably with good reason, and the performance alone is worth watching this film. Sadly, the film as a whole does have its issues, the script does seem kind of thrown together which considering the film’s genesis isn’t a huge shock. My biggest issue with it is that it leaves too many dead zones in between the crazy blood spurting mayhem everybody came to see. It’s strange to say this but I kind of felt they didn’t go far enough with some of the insanity, leaving a choppy feel to the flow of the film. The final battle with some nicely designed armored killers is fun but just kind of ends, just like the movie shortly there after. Not quite the quality of something like Machete or Grindhouse but still lots of fun for fans of the genre.

C+

[Trailer] The Thing (2011)

2011-07-14T14:06:00.001-05:00

Finally a proper trailer for this prequel has arrived. After some bootleg footage last year we hadn’t heard a whisper about this project outside of it getting moved back and back.

The Thing is my favorite Carpenter film and one of my favorite horror films in general.

While this trailer is for a prequel, the Norwegian camp’s story, to the original it sure does feel like a remake, lots of shots of things familiar to fans.

Not sure it’ll work just feel like something attempting to be the real thing……

[Trailer] John Carter of Mars

2011-07-14T10:57:00.004-05:00

I have to admit I know very little about the Edgar Rice Burroughs’ series this is based on, so this trailer for the new film is a tad confusing.

That being said it does kind of peak my interest with it’s epic scope, and fine production values, so it'll probably be something right up my ally.

[Trailer] The Dark Knight Rises - OFFICIAL

2011-07-13T10:12:00.007-05:00

Poor quality bootleg verison of the teaser trailer for those of you who can't wait like myself.

I'll put up the offical version of the trailer as soon as I have it.

7/18/11 - OFFICIAL VERSION NOW UP...

[Trailer] SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHAWDOWS

2011-07-13T09:33:00.003-05:00

Trailer for the second Sherlock Holmes film directed by Guy Ritchie, trailer gives off that good fun feel of the first.

Hopefully the plot will be better than the first but the chemistry between Downey and Law is still worth the price of admission.

Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris coming on board should make for an interest cast and an all around fun film.

MOVIE REVIEW: HORRIBLE BOSSES

2011-07-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

IN THEATERS

HORRIBLE BOSSES

Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Charlie Day star in this workplace comedy about three frustrated employees who hatch a plan to kill their micromanaging bosses, only to find their murderous plot snowballing into disaster. Seth Gordon (The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters) directs a screenplay written by Michael Markowitz, Jonathan Goldstein, and John Francis Daley. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Seth Gordon

Cast: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey

Release Date: Jul 08, 2011

Rated: Crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Horrible Bosses isn’t perfect but ultimately it’s a fairly good time, a testament to the strong cast assembled. Seth Gordon sloppily directs this film. His biggest fault is never finding a steady rhythm to the proceedings, after a strong start he just seems disinterested as he’s more than happy to leave all the heavy lifting to the cast. Luckily the cast is game. Bateman, Sudeikis and Day have wonderful chemistry together. They breathe life into a mediocre script. All three bring a certain kind of energy to the film and it works very well. The trio’s energy keeps the film alive throughout with Charlie Day being the real standout of the group. His manic energy is really something to behold, no shock to fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Colin Farrell has more of a cameo than an actual role. Kevin Spacey the primary antagonist here and he’s clearly having a ball. Jennifer Aniston delivers dirty lines with the conviction of a 3rd grader but she’s limited to a small role. Most of the jokes are fairly pedestrian which is kind of surprising considering the subject matter but it does find a solid footing in the second half but I don’t think it’s the kind of comedy that’ll hold up after repeat viewings as it never reaches the heights of 80’s film 9 to 5.

C+

TV SHOW REVIEW: GAME OF THRONES SEASON 1

2011-07-08T15:48:00.002-05:00

Synopsis: Kings, queens, knights and renegades use schemes and swords to battle for the The Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms.

Cast: Lena Headey, Jack Gleeson, Sean Bean, Michelle Fairley, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Mark Addy, Jason Momoa

I’ve never been much of a fantasy fan so it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that I’d never heard of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy book series. In all honesty I came to Game of Thrones, the HBO series, as green as you could possibly come. I was aware of it simply because I’d heard other people talking about but never quite knew what it was actually about. I watched the first episode and I was still fairly confused as to what it was all about, not to mention being bombarded with family names, locations and story mythology. If you come to this series as green as I did then don’t be surprised if you feel like you are already trying to catch up with what’s going on right from the start. That being said, once you get a better handle of story’s dynamics, 2 to 3 episodes in for me, Game of Thrones just drags you into it’s gritty devilishly delicious story of intrigue and backstabbing. It’s the type of series that wonderfully produced, acted and executed. The plot contains enough twist and turns to leave you in knots after major events; this is especially true in the final episodes of season 1. The cast is filled with top notch actors and actress working off strong scripts that really pack some punch. Multiple intertwined storyline create an epic scope that’s incredibly engrossing. As I mentioned earlier the cast is top notch, so much so that attempting to explain how each actor impresses would read like some sort of shipping manifest. Sean Bean stars and he’s more than capable as the honor bound Ned Stark. Other truly impressive performances are turned in by Emilia Clarke, Maisie Williams, Aidan Gillen and Mark Addy. Peter Dinklage truly shines as Tyrion “The Imp” Lannister, he’s simply magnetic anytime he’s on screen. As a whole, the first season is a perfect hook and one that’s sure to leave you wanting more after you watch the open ended season finale.

A

TV SHOW REVIEW: CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: THE COMPLETE FIRST AND SECOND SEASONS DVD

2011-07-08T11:51:00.001-05:00

TV SHOW REVIEW: CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: THE COMPLETE FIRST AND SECOND SEASONS DVD

Synopsis: Short parodies of medical dramas.

Cast: Rob Corddry, Rob Huebel, Megan Mullally, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino, Michael Cera, Lake Bell, Henry Winkler, Malin Akerman, Zandy Hartig, Nick Offerman

Review:

Children’s Hospital is an incredibly funny rapid fire show. First season is comprised of the 4-5 minute “episodes” which shoot medical drama parody jokes at you at an amazing rate. It’s hilarious for the most part, when it doesn’t quite hit the mark it helped by its format because nothing ever lingers too much on screen. The 2nd season offers up longer 11 minute “episodes” which still have the same effect but occasionally linger a tad to long when a joke isn’t working. The cast is a collection of wonderful comedians who are all in throughout. Nothing is off-limits and they aren’t afraid to go for the cheapest laughs while setting higher concept laughs either (such as mocking every type of behinds the scenes, live shows, TV show deaths, etc..). There’s a very loosely connected overall plot but its sparse and fairly unnecessary since it’s not really the point. Satire and parody are the name of the game here and its down quite well.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

2011-07-03T10:21:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

The interstellar war between the Autobots and Decepticons shifts into overdrive following the discovery of Sentinel Prime (voice of Leonard Nimoy) in this sequel from director Michael Bay. Only a precious handful of officials in the government and military realize that the 1969 moon mission was the result of an event that threatened profound repercussions for the entire human race. When the Apollo 11 astronauts discover the wrecked remains of Sentinel Prime on the surface of our natural satellite, they bring him back to planet Earth. But Sentinel Prime wasn't the only alien object on the moon, and when a malevolent new enemy makes its presence known, only the Autobots can save humankind from certain destruction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Michael Bay

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, John Malkovich, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Release Date: Jun 29, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo

Runtime: 2 hr. 37 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

A literal orgy of action, Transformers Dark of the Moon shows that Michael Bay can adjust his style, to a certain extent at least. Dark of the Moon doesn’t correct a lot of the issues that over took Revenge of the Fallen as much as he just limits them a bit. He’s still Bay and there’s never much subtlety in anything he does. Michael Bay has always been an action maestro but the human element has always been lacking. The first third of Dark of the Moon is mostly a dreary trek through Sam’s struggle finding a job which is incredibly boring especially since you are just waiting all hell to break loose. Shia LaBeouf delivers a performance that look like it was sponsored by cocaine; he’s manic and unhinged throughout. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a Victoria Secret model and Bay treats her as such, her acting is comprised of pervy shots of her thighs and her lower portions. She also blessed with more costume changes than a Lady Gaga concert, apocalypse be damned! John Malkovich has an interesting cameo part but is gone as soon as he shows up. John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and Alan Tudyk all show up for small roles each reminding you they are in fact alive. Of course this is all pointless; Dark of the Moon is about robot on robot action. In stunning 3D the carnage that is the last act of the film is truly impressive. A couple of the set pieces, the building collapse in particular, are insanity to the nth degree. Bay doesn’t even bother moving the story forward anymore; he just stops it to film all this madness. It’s a feast for the eyes and Bay is smart enough to move back the camera enough so that you’re always aware of what’s happening, a major change up from Revenge of the Fallen. Unfortunately it just end, the narrative just kind of stops. Credit roll but it doesn’t feel like there’s a sufficient wrap up for the level of stakes posed throughout the movie. It’s a bit of shame but not enough to detract from it all.

B-

TV SHOW REVIEW: LOUIE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD / BLURAY

2011-07-01T13:08:00.003-05:00

Synopsis: Louis C.K. as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father raising two daughters in New York.

Cast: Louis C.K., Hadley Delany and Ursula Parker

REVIEW:

If you haven’t seen any of Louie C.K.’s stand up, I’d recommend it first and foremost. That way you’ll have a solid understanding of the type of humor C.K. offers up. Personally, I find his stand up hilarious and I’m hardly in the minority as Louie C.K. is considered one of the best stand up comedians in the biz. He’s had bit roles here and there in films and TV shows but this show is entirely him. He writes and directs every episode so this is firmly his vision. While I expected the show to be funny, which it is more so than not, it’s also incredibly elegant and even poignant at times. The episodes are written and directed with a deft hand really highlighting the level of talent that C.K. posses. It’s simplistic but complex at the same time. The show is a mixture of his stand up and narrative parts which are semi autobiographical. The show stays grounded in reality most of the time but occasionally it’ll drift into the reaches of fantasy and visual hyperbole. It’s wonderfully done and even though there are some big tonal shifts throughout the season but it never fails to surprise, impress and crack you up all at once.

A

[Trailer] MISSION IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL

2011-06-28T20:55:00.005-05:00

The Mission Impossible series got a bit of boost after a stronger 3rd entry, the less that’s said about the over stylized super slow-mo second film the better. This fourth entry feels more like the original Brian De Palma film.

Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are joined by series new comers Josh Hollaway and Jeremy Renner who’s rumored to be prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise.

This first teaser trailer looks like good old fashion spy fun with Brad Bird at the helm, I always felt he gave The Incredibles a very 70’s era Bond feel, I’m kind of optimistic.

TV SHOW REVIEW: PARTY DOWN: SEASON 1 and 2 DVD

2011-06-28T10:44:00.005-05:00

Synopsis: A group of actors move to LA to make it big, but end up working as caterers.

Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy Caplan, Megan Mullally, Jane Lynch

REVIEW:

Party Down is the type of show that leaves you wondering why it didn’t get a long run than it did. Sadly there are only 20 episodes of this hidden gem that showcases some excellent comedic talents from people who’ve moved on to bigger things. First and foremost you can’t walk away from this series without a new found appreciation of Adam Scott, presently working on the excellent Parks and Recreation. Scott’s is perfect straight man to cast of misfits. His reaction and delivery is just spot on throughout the series. Lizzy Caplan also shines as his primary love interest. Caplan just captures the Gen X sensibility so well I’m almost positive it’s not an act. She and Scott have great chemistry together and while the “will they won’t” isn’t anything new to sitcoms it’s never really a hindrance here. Ken Marino gets to stretch his comedic legs a bit as his character undergoes the biggest changes throughout the series. Ryan Hansen and Martin Starr are both solid as secondary characters which each getting moments to shine through. Jane Lynch is gold in her limited run, before Glee came a calling. Jennifer Coolidge replaces her for a short run, probably a good thing as her character could have gotten grating, and then Megan Mullaly takes over the better part of the 2nd season. Mullaly takes a little while to settle in but she fits right in by the second half of the season. The 2nd season does experience a bit of a rocky start, mainly because some of the dynamics have changed from the 1st along with new characters coming in. Its take while for them to hit their stride but they do with hilarious results. By the end of the 20th episode you’ll be forgiven to feel a bit disappointed that it’s over but it’ll be quickly replaced by a desire to watch the whole thing again.

B

[Trailer] Immortals

2011-06-27T09:05:00.003-05:00

New trailer is out for this film, which is quickly going up my list of must sees. My love for Greek Mythology has been kind of slapped around by recent Hollywood films (Clash of the Titans Remake, Troy, etc…)

This looks like it’s taking the proper approach when dealing with the subject matter. It’s also one of those films I don’t have any issue with the overly stylized visual since it’s perfectly fine with the Gods and mythos.

Trailer shows off a lot more of the Gods in play and overall look of the film.

MOVIE REVIEW: BAD TEACHER

2011-06-26T11:24:00.001-05:00

BAD TEACHER

A booze-swilling, pot-smoking, hard-swearing seventh-grade teacher rallies to get out of the classroom for good by wrangling a rich substitute teacher into marriage in this comedy from director Jake Kasdan (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story). Cynical teacher Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz) hates her job. She can't wait for the day she finds a man who makes enough cash to let her walk away from her life of middle-school misery, and when her fiancé cancels their wedding plans, her frantic search intensifies. Just when it starts to look like Elizabeth will have to muscle her way through another semester of skull-crushing hangovers, however, handsome substitute Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) shows up at school sporting a fancy wristwatch and the promise of a care-free future. But in order to earn her meal ticket, Elizabeth will have to out-cute perky fellow teacher Amy (Lucy Punch). And it won't be easy, because Scott is crushing on Amy hard. Now, if Elizabeth can just motivate her students to study so that she can win a state contest to earn enough cash for some new breast implants, perhaps she can finally find a means of diverting Scott's gaze. Meanwhile, much to Elizabeth's chagrin, wisecracking, self-effacing gym teacher Russell (Jason Segel) refuses to admit defeat despite being turned down for a date by his gold-digging colleague time and again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jake Kasdan

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Lucy Punch, John Michael Higgins

Release Date: Jun 24, 2011

Rated R for some drug use, nudity, sexual content and language

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Bad Teacher is supposed to be crass, rude and outlandish. While it’s hardly kid friendly the biggest shock is how incredibly unfunny the entire way through. Cameron Diaz is game throughout so it’s hard to lay the blame on her. She plays the superficial gold digging teacher with great gusto but she’s limited by a script that’s peppered with cartoon characters. A prime example of this is Lucy Punch’s character whose like so sort of freakazoid valleygirl which supposed to serve as a foil to Diaz. It never works and it provides some of the biggest dead spots in the film, it doesn’t help that Punch looks like some sort of Lady Gaga mannequin come to life. Justin Timberlake is handicapped in similar fashion. Jason Segel is the only supporting player that allowed to shine. Various others talented comedians pepper the film but it almost feels like window shopping since their never allowed to actually be funny. Jake Kasdan directs it all with incredibly broad strokes and he never finds a good rhythm for it. As a result the movie feels like it goes on forever, aimlessly without any narrative force and even worse no laughs.

D

[Trailer] Captain America: The First Avenger

2011-06-24T09:24:00.004-05:00

New more action packed trailer has come out and it appears this film maybe decent but I still have serious reservations.

I’ve been wrong about Thor and X-Men First Class so far but those at least had excellent directors at the helm, personally I don’t have much faith in Joe Johnston.

Still it looks like it can be a fun period comic book piece.

Screen Captures, Scene & promo from the Failed Wonder Woman pilot

2011-06-22T12:24:00.006-05:00

Well it’s been a little over a month since NBC passed on David E Kelly’s Wonder Woman pilot.

Personally I can’t remember an unshot and ultimately unaired pilot get so much attention, mostly bad.

It’s a strange thing to say the least. I had a hefty dose of interest because I grew up with Lynda Carter series.

With the pilot’s failure it’s unlikely any studio is going to touch the property for a long long while, it’d already taken over 10 years to get a pilot actually shot and countless writers and scripts.

A crafty online blogger from Ifanboy.com got his hands on the pilot and reviewed it ( http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/REVIEW__Wonder_Woman_Pilot ) pointing out some big differences from the script that was online before shooting started and brought on a lot of the negative criticism.

In addition he took a handful of screen captures showing off Adrianne Palicki in a much more traditional WW outfit which is a lot closer to the Lynda Carter original.

It’s a post mortem but still interesting to see for anyone who had interest in it in the first place, it’s a shame because both Adrianne Palicki and Wonder Woman deserved better…

Super quick promo....

Quick pre effects fight scene from the pilot....

[International Trailer] RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

2011-06-22T11:20:00.002-05:00

A new International trailer for Rise of the Planets of Apes is out and I’m kind of biased but I think it looks amazing.

It shows a lot more story than the US trailer. I’m getting a good vibe about this prequel and hope it doesn’t let me down.

[Trailer] A Dangerous Method

2011-06-21T12:54:00.003-05:00

David Cronenberg directs Michael Fassbender, Viggo Mortensen & Keira Knightley in a story of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung and a woman that came between them.

This trailer is incredibly impressive and is totally something that right up my alley, personally I can’t wait!

MOVIE REVIEW: GREEN LANTERN

2011-06-18T14:10:00.003-05:00

IN THEATERS

GREEN LANTERN

A test pilot embraces his destiny as a cosmic superhero in Casino Ropyale director Martin Campbell's adaptation of the popular DC Comics series. Ever since he saw his fearless father perish in a tragic aviation mishap, all Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) could think about was flying -- it was the only thing the brash, cocky, and irresponsible test pilot ever truly excelled at. Little did he realize he was destined for something much bigger. Somewhere out in space, a powerful force of evil known as Parallax is spreading fear and destruction; the only hope for defeating Parallax is the Green Lantern Corps, a group of intergalactic warriors powered by the force of will. When legendary Green Lantern Abin Sur (Temuera Morrison) is sent hurtling toward planet Earth after a deadly encounter with Parallax, his ring chooses Hal to continue the fight. The ring spirits our hero away to the Green Lantern’s home planet of Oa for training. The first human ever to receive the honor of becoming a Green Lantern, Hal is viewed with scorn by the league’s leader, Sinestro (Mark Strong), who trains him alongside the hulking Kilowog (voice of Michael Clarke Duncan). Later, on planet Earth, frail scientist Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) becomes infected with Parallax’s evil while performing an autopsy on Abin Sur, and uses his newfound powers to stake claim on Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), Hal’s lifelong friend and fellow test pilot. When Hal learns that Parallax plans to consume all life on Earth to gain the energy needed to conquer Oa, he begins looking inward for the courage to defeat the malevolent force and embrace his destiny as a super-powered peacekeeper. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Martin Campbell

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins, Jay O. Sanders

Release Date: Jun 17, 2011

Rated Pg-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Green Lantern is a film that feels bloated from the start. A fool’s errand gone wild, the budget was reported to have ballooned to 300 million dollars +, like blob like the primary villain in the film. Martin Campbell tries his best to steer the ship in an enjoy fashion but is left with just the most basic of comic book movie tropes and clichés. As a result, everything feels incredibly familiar and unexciting. It’s an inert film that rarely thrills or excites. Ryan Reynolds tries his best to give life to a character that’s so poorly written that he’s an enigma throughout. Reynolds does deliver his usual charm and wit when the script allows him to actually breathe which is incredibly rare. He never gets a good footing and the character kind of just movies along because he has to but not out of a natural sense of evolution. Blake Lively carries all the emotional weight of an invisible barbell. Her lines are delivered in the same wooden fashion throughout, not that there’s much she could do with a terribly underwritten and archaic female character. Peter Sarsgaard fairs no better as he’s handed an incredibly underwhelming role which serves no purpose in the long run other than run a tired dual daddy issues subplot into the ground. Mark Strong’s Sinestro is far and away the most fascinating and intriguing character, sadly he’s in the film for a criminally shortly amount of time. Tim Robbins and Angela Bassett suffer through some of the most embarrassing paycheck roles in recent memory. Their casting is a perfect example of how mishandled the entire enterprise is. The film stumbles and drags as it reaches its climax which feels more like an afterthought. Green Lantern works best when it’s in space, the FX are impressive and the characters there are far more interesting than their human counterparts, sadly most of the film takes place on generic comic book Earth.

D+

[Trailer] Moneyball

2011-06-16T16:34:00.002-05:00

From this new trailer Moneyball looks like an interesting film that might draw in some sports fans like myself especially with Pitt all in as Billy Beane and Jonah Hill giving a more serious role a shot.

Sports fans know how this plays out but the performances might be worth the price of admission.

MOVIE REVIEW: SUPER 8

2011-06-12T09:16:00.004-05:00

IN THEATERS

SUPER 8

Writer/director J.J. Abrams teams with producer Steven Spielberg for this period sci-fi thriller set in the late '70s, and centering on a mysterious train crash in a small Ohio town. Summer, 1979: a group of young friends are filming a Super-8 movie when a pickup truck derails a speeding train. When the locals start to disappear and even the inquisitive deputy can't come up with answers, suspicions emerge that the incident was anything but an accident. As the truth finally begins emerge, no one is prepared to learn what now stalks the unsuspecting citizens of this once quiet community. Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: J.J. Abrams

Cast: Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Noah Emmerich, Ron Eldard, Katie Lowes

Release Date: Jun 10, 2011

Rated PG-13 Intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min.

Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Super 8 is an ambitious homage that tries incredibly hard to pay respects to Steven Spielberg’s 80’s films like ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. J.J. Abrams never reaches those levels, instead delivering a hodgepodge of clichés that lacks any real thrills. Abrams borrows from a variety of sources with ET and The Goonies being the most obvious. Thematically he set his film up nicely and the child actors used are all impressive with Elle Fanning delivering an impressive performance. The main issue that permeates this film is a sense of pandering to the children of the 80’s. Yes the nostalgia is nice but if you are going to try and emulate the films from that era at least give the audience something new and fresh. Abrams, along with his trademark lens flare, directs the film with impressive gusto and keeps a steady pace throughout. Once the trip down memory lane ends, Abrams takes up down another familiar road with a Cloverfield, which Abrams produced, type second half which is watchable but lacks the thrills you’d expect. The creature itself, which is hidden for the better part of the film, even looks like the Cloverfield monster to a certain extent. Like the first part of the film, that latter is all very familiar territory stacked with macguffins that even the casual movie goers will recognize. Super 8 isn’t a bad film it’s just not a very original film, that being said the children in the cast are all very impressive and be sure to stick around during the credits to see the kid’s finished film.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: X-MEN FIRST CLASS

2011-06-05T16:43:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

X-MEN FIRST CLASS

Set in the era before Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr became mortal enemies as Professor X and Magneto, respectively, director Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class follows the two former allies as they lead a powerful team of mutants on a mission to save the planet from nuclear annihilation. Charles (James McAvoy) and Erik (Michael Fassbender) were just young men when it began to appear as if the world was careening toward destruction. And as the Doomsday Clock ticks faster toward midnight, the time comes to take action. In the process of saving humanity, however, Charles and Erik clash. In the years that followed, Professor X would lead the X-Men in the fight for good, as Magneto and the Brotherhood spread chaos and destruction throughout the land. Kevin Bacon, Caleb Landry Jones, Nicholas Hoult, January Jones, and Lucas Till star in a film directed by Matthew Vaughn and adapted from a story by Bryan Singer. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence

Release Date: Jun 03, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Intense sequences of action and violence, some sexual content including brief partial nudity and language

Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

X-Men First Class is a movie that I had serious skepticism about from inception. Matthew Vaughn being given the directing reigns quelled some of those fears but not all. Any fan of the franchise would be hard pressed to have any sort of hope after X-Men The Last Stand and the criminally atrocious Wolverine X-men Origins film. This prequel faced plenty of challenges and somehow someway it overcame them all. Vaughn delivered one of the best superhero movies ever, just shy of The Dark Knight. A stellar cast working from a strong script brings a thoroughly engaging experience that rarely drags. Michael Fassbender leads the cast with a performance that brings all the rare and pain that his character suffers. Fassbender’s matched by a spot of James McAvoy who’s performance as Charles Xavier is respectful of Patrick Stewart’s original run yet singular in of itself. Jennifer Lawrence taking up the reigns as Mystique is a more than capable and its always good to see certain characters get fleshed out a bit more, ditto for Beast. Kevin Bacon is appropriately sinister and nefarious as the villain. January Jones, who can’t seem to stretch beyond the stepford wife persona, has perfected the art of acting via blinking and cleavage. Vaughn stages the action in epic fashion and even with a few questionable musical choices they never cease to impress. The scale and scope of the story are huge and impressive, A perfect way to restart the series.

A

PostScript

How I paid 90 dollars to see X-men First Class

In case if wasn’t terribly obvious I’m a bit of a nerd. So in perfect nerdish fashion I looked for the first showing of First Class in Las Vegas where I’d be for the week. Nothing says Vegas more than checking out the latest superhero movie afterall. Through a series of missteps and google confusion thing became terribly confused and expensive. I boarded a taxi and handed the cabby the directions. I should have been worried that he wasn’t familiar with the address but not enough to do anything about it. The cabby punched the address into his phone and headed off, still unsure of where he was taking me. Down the strip and on to the freeway, he rushed to try and make my 10am deadline. The more he drove the more I became worried there might have been a slight mistake. 20 minutes later and 40 bucks later he dropped me off at the theater quite literally in the middle of nowhere, later in the weekend I would walk by about 4 theaters that were pretty close to Caesars which we were staying at. Watched the movie which was a first showing so that saved a little cash because I like being thrifty when possible. Once the film ended, I had to ask the manager for a taxi cab number which he happily gave and waited a good 20 minutes for and then paid another 40 dollars to get back to The Strip. One the bright side I did get to see a lot of the Rocky Mountains in my extended trip around the outer reaches of Vegas…..

[Trailer] The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Remake

2011-05-29T11:19:00.004-05:00

The first trailer, bootleg of the overseas Red Band version, the David Fincher directed remake of The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo is out and the shots look fairly familiar but intriguing at the same time. Fincher at the helm makes me feel better but Rooney Mara’s got some serious shoes to fill, Noomi Rapace just owned the role in the original trilogy. It appears to keep the tone and spirit of the original films which will work in its favor. This is purely a tease but a good one of the “Feel bad movie of Christmas.”

6-1-11

International Poster and Official trailer added as Sony has pulled down there Redband Traier.

MOVIE REVIEW: THE HANGOVER PART 2

2011-05-29T11:09:00.001-05:00

IN THEATERS

THE HANGOVER PART 2

A modest bachelor brunch devolves into a wild weekend in Bangkok when the gang travels to Thailand to see Stu get married. Still traumatized by memories of the Las Vegas fiasco, Stu (Ed Helms) vows to keep his pre-wedding partying to the bare minimum. But when Phil (Bradley Cooper), Doug (Justin Bartha), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) show up, Stu's low-key brunch makes their previous Vegas fiasco look like a family trip to Disneyland. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong

Release Date: May 26, 2011

Rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images

Genres: Comedy

Review:

“Classic Stu.” That statement should tell you everything you need to know about this sequel. Todd Phillips doesn’t raise his game in this sequel, instead he just changes the background and changes a few things. Déjà vu all over again. I’ll admit I laughed during a parts of films, there are a few high points that reach a manic level but it never sustains it, but my overall enjoyment of the film was hindered by the fact that this is about as lazy a follow up as you can imagine. The writing team seems to have literally taken the original script and just changed names and places. Galifianakis is grating this go around and just feels like he’s trying too hard. Ed Helms is given more to do and his comedic talents are given more room this go around. Bradley Cooper is just as douche baggy as he was the first time and doesn’t do more than he needs too. Ken Jeong is fun but the expanded role makes his one note character more obvious. Cameos and scenes don’t surprise because you are just waiting for them because Phillips telegraphs them to such an extent only a simpleton would be waiting for them. Hangovers suck especially when you recount the same night over and over again.

C-

MOVIE REVIEW: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

2011-05-22T10:02:00.003-05:00

IN THEATERS

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

Flamboyant seafarer Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) lands himself in a bit of a bind after being lured onto Blackbeard's (Ian McShane) ship by enigmatic siren Angelica (Penélope Cruz), and forced to seek out the Fountain of Youth. Trapped on the Queen Anne's Revenge with the most nefarious pirate in history, Captain Jack reflects on his past with the elusive Angelica while embarking on his wildest adventure to date. With shambling zombies on deck and gorgeous mermaids beckoning sailors into the icy waters below, this time Jack Sparrow has his work cut out for him. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Rob Marshall

Cast: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Stephen Graham

Release Date: May 20, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Intense sequences of action/adventure violence, some frightening images, sensuality and innuendo

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy

Review:

I remember watching the first Pirates of The Caribbean, enjoying it mostly, but wondering why it was so bloody long. The sequels all followed suit but they were fun, convoluted for sure, and propped up with strong performances from all involved with Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Deep being my personal favorites. A trilogy is typically a good stopping point, by the third turn it’s usually a fair bet the characters and story have been expend and there’s very little left to show the audience. In lieu of a massive reinvention there’s really no point for another entry. On Stranger Tides should have been called the Quest for Treasure, yours. This entry is lifeless boring and overlong. A massive list of characters and storylines over powers the film while adding very little to the actual story. The story itself is straightforward but terribly convoluted at the same time. It’s a jumble of mythos, mermaids and zombies. None of which add any semblance of meat to the film. Instead we are given action set piece 1, 2, 3, interlude, 4, 5….rinse and repeat. Director Rob Marshall does his best but he’s entirely out of his element and it shows. To his credit most of the action sequences are impressively staged and occasionally epic but shocking lacking in any actual fun. I can say I chuckled once or twice throughout the entire film. The cast seems equally disinterested in the film and their roles, aside from the usual stalwarts. Johnny Depp is front and center, he does an admirable job but there are occasions were you can tell he’s just phoning it end. Geoffrey Rush is always fun in this role and he chews every scene with great vigor. Ian McShane turns in a decent performance which isn’t a surprise since the role is just an extension his Deadwood character on a boat. A terribly pregnant Penélope Cruz stays out of the way for the most part since she saddled with on of the many pointless subplots. The main crux of this film is finding the Fountain of Youth something which I doubt this franchise as a whole can ever find.

D

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MECHANIC

2011-05-21T09:13:00.001-05:00

THE MECHANIC

Seasoned hitman Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) sets out to avenge the brutal murder of his mentor, Harry (Donald Sutherland), and finds himself joined by Harry's vengeful son (Ben Foster), who is eager to follow in his late father's footsteps, in this remake of the 1972 action thriller starring Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent. Harry taught Arthur how to be a detached killer who always hits his mark. Now Harry is gone, and for the first time in Arthur's career it's about to get personal. As lone-wolf assassin Arthur prepares to hunt down Harry's killers, he is approached by his fallen mentor's vengeful son, Steve, who is eager to take up the lethal tools of his father's trade. Unadept at working with a partner yet compelled to help Steve carry on the family tradition, Arthur agrees to take him on as a protégé. Later, the duo begins to methodically eliminate their targets, forging a partnership born of blood with each new hit. The closer Arthur and Steve get to the name at the top of their list, however, the more apparent it becomes that his job will be anything but business as usual. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Simon West

Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwyn, Donald Sutherland, Jeff Chase

Release Date: Jan 28, 2011

Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

To say this film feels familiar is a tad of an understatement, not just because it’s a remake of the 70’s Charles Bronson film of the same name. Jason Statham has made a career of churning out mindless action flicks. The quality of these films varies wildly but Statham is consistent and seems more than happy to stick to the formula. The Mechanic, directed by Michael Bay Jr., Simon West, is a hollow superficial ride which never tries to be more than it sets out to be. It’s bloody occasionally gory sprinkled with nudity and sex. Ultimately it’s easily digestible and enjoyable for the most part. At times it feels like this would have been perfectly at home in the 80’s which a plot that feel like nothing more than excuse to propel the action. There’s a tad bit of pathos there enough to make it feel like they could go deeper into these characters but nobody involved, outside of Ben Foster, seems terribly interested in doing so. Jason Statham delivers his usual tough guy persona, gravelly voiced with the perfect amount of stubble. By this point Statham can play this type of character in his sleep, so much so that it leaves you wondering if he ever gets confused as to which movie he’s actually shooting at anyone time. Ben Foster brings a bit more depth to his character. Foster gives his character greater depth, showcasing the simmering tortured persona of his character. That being said it’s never explored to great depth, along with the fact that the character becomes a master hitman in the span of a few days. These aren’t the kind of films that are terribly interested in that kind of stuff and that’s alright as long as they deliver enjoyable action set pieces. The Mechanic has plenty to like with inventive settings and impressive looking locals. If there is one nitpick it’s that the last big action piece leaves you feeling a tad disappointed since the film seems to be building to a nice action crescendo.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE RITE

2011-05-21T06:39:00.001-05:00

THE RITE

Inspired by author Matt Baglio's nonfiction book of the same name, director Mikael Håfström's supernatural thriller traces the experiences of a young seminary student who discovers the true power of faith after being drafted into the Vatican's Exorcism School and confronted by the forces of darkness. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Mikael Håfström

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga, Ciarán Hinds, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer

Release Date: Jan 28, 2011

Rated PG-13 for Disturbing thematic material, sexual references, language, frightening images and violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

Anthony Hopkins’ character asks, early on in this insipid and horribly clichéd film, “What were you expecting? Spinning heads and pea soup?” At that point in the film, that’s exactly what I wasn’t hoping for and with such a garish dismissal of the usual exorcist genre tropes it leaves you wondering if perhaps we’ll see something new and fresh. Sadly, it doesn’t take The Rite long to fall into an all too familiar pattern. A young priest lacking faith, an elder priest who’s been battling the devil for his entire life, standard contortions and demonic sounding voices, etc, etc…. Throw in some shoddy and thoroughly unnecessary CGI just for good measure. So if we don’t get a fresh take on this genre then at the very least the film should frighten us. Even here it fails, using the cheapest of scares while never getting within shouting distance of any sort of tension. The character’s barely register and carry all the emotional weight of a paper bag. Colin O'Donoghue doesn’t bring much to the table and is instantly forgettable. Alice Braga is thoroughly self serious throughout while being given very little to do. Anthony Hopkins seems to sleep walk through most of his scenes only to pull out a faux version of his Lecter character in the final act which borders on parody. Strangely the only actor who brings any level of creepiness is Rutger Hauer who’s in the film for a total of 5 minutes. Director Mikael Håfström tries to dress this all up as much as possible but in the end it’s like putting make up on a hog.

D-

Tom Hardy As Bane From The Dark Knight Rises

2011-05-20T11:32:00.002-05:00

First image of Tom Hardy as Bane has been released and it’s an interesting shot to say the least.

Kind of a tease but enough to give you an idea of what Nolan is doing which is pretty much what’s he’s done the whole series, bring the more “comic” parts to the real world.

I personally think it's pretty cool looking but would love to get a straight up shot of him and that mask....

[Trailer] THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN

2011-05-17T09:45:00.003-05:00

I’ll admit that I’ve got very limited knowledge of the books this is based on. That being said with the star power behind the film (Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson) it’s kind of hard to dismiss it.

Motion capture, Avatar aside, has been kind of hit or miss but this seems to keep with the art style of the books giving it a more stylized look than say Beowulf, A Christmas Carol or The Polar Express.

Regardless it looks like an interesting endeavor even if this teaser doesn’t really show much.

MOVIE REVIEW: BRIDESMAIDS

2011-05-15T12:02:00.005-05:00

IN THEATERS

BRIDESMAIDS

Director Paul Feig and producer Judd Apatow team with co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo for this comedy about a devoted maid of honor whose life falls into ruin as she plans her best friend's dream wedding. Upon hearing the news that Lillian (Maya Rudolph) has gotten engaged, ecstatic Annie (Wiig) leaps at the chance to plan the perfect wedding. With the big day rapidly approaching, Annie struggles to put her romantic and financial woes aside in order to give her dearest friend a day of memories that will last a lifetime. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Paul Feig

Cast: Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Release Date: May 13, 2011

Rated R for some strong sexuality, and language throughout

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Bridesmaid is a funny movie but it delivers a lot more than you might expect and while it might be shackled with being a “chickflick” it most avoids a lot of the worst clichés of the genre. Starting with a raucous sex scene, Bridesmaids seems like it’d settle into being a Hangover type film with women. In reality it’s something much meatier and even thoughtful. Kristen Wiig, who cowrote this film, is center stage and she truly impresses. Playing a frazzled neurotic woman who’s moments away from a nervous breakdown, she delivers the comedic portions with ease but where she’s truly shines is her ability to deal with the dramatic part. Her performance is the best thing in the film and she’s on key throughout. TV director/actor Paul Feig lets his cast do the work and kind of stays out of the way for the most part. It’s a smart move since the cast is populated with funny women who all shine with limited screen time. Melissa McCarthy is given some of the best lines in the film and leaves a strong impression. Jon Hamm and Chris O'Dowd, as the requisite romantic interest, both have limited roles but are funny with the latter being extremely charming. While the film is strong for the most part, it’s overlong and lags from time to time with the romantic subplot that feels a tad out of place. Even with those issues it’s still an impressive film that really shows off the talents of the cast, Wiig in particular.

B-

[Trailer] Fright Night

2011-05-13T16:13:00.004-05:00

Trailer for the Fright Night remake has hit and it’s looks to stick fairly close to the 80’s cult classic, have no feel as to whether or not it’ll be any good……..it looks alright but can't say I saw enough to say it'll be an upgrade in anyway.

[Trailer] Horrible Bosses

2011-05-13T14:45:00.007-05:00

From the look at this trailer it’s almost impossible to figure out how this film could disappoint.

An allstar cast, Jennifer Anniston thrown in there as well and according to chatter she might go topless...desperation anyone...

Anyway back to the movie, it looks like it'll be a more twisted version of the 80’s flick 9 to 5.

TV SHOW REVIEW: NIKITA SEASON 1 (2010)

2011-05-13T11:52:00.000-05:00

TV SHOW REVIEW: NIKITA (2010)

Nikita is a trained Assassin gone Rouge trying to stop a secret U.S. agency known only as Division for trying to requite deeply troubled teenagers and train them to be Assassins.

Starring Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

REVIEW;

I’ll be the first to freely admit that the only reason I started watching this show was because of the endless promo of Maggie Q in a killer red bikini kicking some serious butt. I’ve had a crazy crush on Maggie Q since I first saw her in Mission Impossible 3 so I was an easy sell. All that being said, I’m no fool, this property had been done 3 times now (La Femme Nikita 1990 French original, La Femme Nikita TV series 1990s series, Point of No Return American Remake) and the chances of it doing any exciting or interesting were decidedly low. I didn’t expect much outside of some mindless entertainment. For the first handful of episodes that pretty much what it delivered, nothing terrible complex outside of a seemingly indestructible Nikita foiling Division’s plans on a weekly basis, it was enjoyable but just generic fast food. Around the mid point of the season something funny happen, the mythology of the show expanded. The supporting cast (Fonseca, West, Stanford & the wonderful Melinda Clarke) really found their footing and the characters were fleshed out. Maggie Q was totally in her element right from the start but once the story and supporting characters followed suit it become so much better. The latter half of the first season is just full of wonderful pulp melodrama and secret spy intrigue. Twist and turns abound as it all comes to a raucous finale that sets up the next season, hopefully it’s renewed, extremely well. There are a handful of drawback of course, as mentioned the start of the series is pretty formulaic even with Maggie Q strong presence and it’s the type of show that doesn’t want you to think about anything for too long otherwise you’d find plenty of logical gaps and happy coincidences to rack your brain. Then again you are watching a show that about a super secret government agency, so how hard you want to think about any of this is up to you. That being said it’s really one of those shows that surprise you as it goes on and is worth picking up whenever it hits video.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THOR 3D

2011-05-06T15:50:00.004-05:00

IN THEATERS

THOR

Exiled to Earth after his arrogance fans the flames of an ancient conflict, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) of Asgard discovers the meaning of humility when a powerful old foe dispatches a destructive force to crush humanity. Only when the banished prince has defeated an opponent capable of crushing him in battle will he learn what it takes to be a true leader. Anthony Hopkins}, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, and Tadanobu Asano co-star in a comic-book adventure from acclaimed director Kenneth Branagh. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård

Release Date: May 06, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi action/violence

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

REVIEW:

Thor is one of those properties that sounded like a looming disaster from the outset. A comic book property that included a Norse god that some how had to be meshed into an Earth setting. Hiring Kenneth Branagh, Shakespeare cinematic stalwart, to direct seemed like an April fool’s joke. This turned out to be a master stroke with Branagh in the director’s chair the story hits the screen in a believable but not overtly serious manner that’s first and foremost fun. Branagh give this property enough standard Shakespearean light turns to make the Asgard set pieces entertaining and intriguing. The earth set pieces are funny but occasionally feel flat when compared to the grandeur of Asgard. Chris Hemsworth in the title role is spot on perfect. Initially cocky rash and arrogant, Hemsworth doesn’t overplay the role and allows it to feel natural and organic. In doing so the character’s growth over the course of the story rings true, all a testament to Hemsworth’s work. The rest of the cast is fine but very few standout, mostly due to unwritten parts. Tom Hiddleston is given a fairly generic role to play as a double dealing underappreciated sibling. To Hiddleston’s credit he gives the character a bit more depth in the 3rd act. Natalie Portman is equally handcuffed by a paper thin role that’s a romantic interest simply because there must be one. Portman and Hemsworth have very little chemistry together and the entire romance feels shoehorned and forced. Thor’s Asgard cohorts, The Warriors Three and the Lady Sif, are terribly under development and underused. The film itself is strongest in the 1st and 3rd acts with a noticeable lag in middle which, unsurprisingly, Earth centered while the others are mostly set in Asgard. Still as fun mindless summer fun Thor delivers the goods more than it doesn’t.

B-

TV SHOW REVIEW: SPACED THE COMPLETE SERIES [DVD]

2011-05-05T12:21:00.003-05:00

Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner rent a flat pretending to be a couple. There, they meet Marsha, the alcoholic landlady; Brian, the disturbed and troubled painter downstairs; Mike, Tim's war-crazy best friend; Twist, a fashion designer and Daisy's best friend; and Colin the dog. What follows is the group's crazy and comical adventures.

Starring: Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, Julia Deakin, Nick Frost

Director: Edgar Wright

REVIEW:

Being a late a party can typically be a terrible thing but on occasions if you are late you still showed up and had a good time. Having heard of Spaced through reputation over the years had left me longing to see it but after they released it on DVD, I figured I’d wait for a high definition Blu-ray release. Sadly, that release never came and doesn’t seem to be on the horizons so I went ahead and picked up the DVD set. First off, I’m a huge fan of Pegg, Frost & Wright so this was required viewing, it was never a matter of if I’d like it but how much. So after finishing the series in short order recently I’m left kicking myself wondering why it took me so long. Any 30 something nerd slacker needs to watch this series. Besides its general comedic greatness it served as something so much more, a time capsule of me in my mid to late 20. So much of the show rings so true that it’s almost scary. That in of itself is enough for me to love the series as a whole. Add to that seeing the genesis of Wright, Pegg & Frost’s collaboration is just film nerd nirvana. Honestly, it’s almost scary at how good everything works from the start and its always fun to see the evolution continued over the 2 films they did together and what was sorely missing from Pegg & Frost’s Paul. The rest of the cast is all stellar with Jessica Hynes & Julia Deakin leaving the biggest impression on me. The series as a whole is short sweet and outside of a few references, Star Wars Episode 1 and a PS1, it’s kind of timeless as well. The minute the sadness washed off from having finished the last episode I had a need to watch it all again, ala Extras, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Seinfeld & Arrested Development.

A
[DUH!]