"And now the movie of a wealthy family who lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together"

From EW.com:

Bluth family lovers, unite! Former Arrested Development co-star Jeffrey Tambor confirmed published reports that a movie version of the Emmy-winning Fox comedy is in the works. “After months of speculation. I think we have finally figured out for sure that we are indeed doing an Arrested Development movie," Tambor told EW.com at the premiere of Hellboy 2 on Sunday. "I am very excited about that. I love that cast and crew and I felt like we had more to say."

The series, which aired for three seasons, starred Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Jessica Walter, Will Arnett and Michael Cera. The single-camera comedy was beloved by critics, but was never a ratings bonanza for Fox. The network canceled the show a year after it won the Emmy award for best comedy.

Finally!!! Quantum of Solace trailer

My god does that look awesome! If you want to see it in HD, you can watch it here.

NMR: The Grand

This will be the last Netflix review for the foreseeable future. With my subscription coming to an end, I put a hold on my account until September when paychecks will start rolling in again. But have no fear, once I get back to Raleigh I'll resume the Bond countdown and also have plenty of summer movies to review.

If you're not familiar with this film, it is a mockumentary about a poker tournament that came out earlier this year to little fanfare. It does boast a solid cast that includes Woody Harrelson, David Cross, Ray Romano, Jason Alexander, Chris Parnell, and Cheryl Hines. The cast seems game and their love of poker is evident, but the movie never really comes together to be decent. Too much of the film is spent establishing the characters and all it does is turn them all into one dimensional people. There are a smattering of laughs found throughout, but not enough to justify a recommendation from me. The film fails to produce enough laughs for comedy fans and doesn't contain enough poker to appease poker fans. I've certainly seen worse movies, but this is a pretty weak entry in the mockumentary genre. Netflix rating: **

Good news for Office fans

Amy Ryan is returning to The Office

I thought she was a fantastic addition in the finale and I can't wait to see her back for more episodes this Fall. Looks like we officially have another love triangle (maybe rhombus if you include Kevin) on our hands. Poor Michael can never have things go easy for him. But that's ok, we wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Coming Attractions: Brad Pitt edition

I have a pair of interesting new trailers to share, each of which star Brad Pitt. What is more interesting to me is the pedigree and subject matter of the films.

The first is Burn After Reading (due out Sept. 12), which is the new film by the Coen brothers (who directed last year's Best Picture, No Country For Old Men). This one has an all star cast which including Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, JK Simmons, John Malkovich, and Frances McDormand. While the plot seems complicated, it seems like it's going to somehow combine political thriller with comedy. It sounds twisted, which seems typical for the Coens. Watch the trailer below:


The other is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (due out Dec. 19). This one is being directed by David Fincher (who's done Seven, Fight Club and one of my favorite movies of last year, Zodiac). It's based on a F. Scott Fitzgerald novel and is the life story of a man who ages reversibly (born an old man and slowly becomes a child). I actually saw this trailer in front of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but they've been slow to put it online. You can now finally see it at the movie's homepage. From the trailer, the film has a Big Fish vibe to me, which is a good thing. I think the fantasy element combined with a stellar director and cast gives this film a good chance at some Oscar nominations.

Mario Party...literally

So while reading some video game news, I stumbled upon this story about a bar in Copenhagen that has started having parties based on Mario and all the assorted Mario characters. They've even designed several drinks based on the characters. I always appreciate when creativity and booze get mixed together.

Read about it here: It's-a-me: Mario Bar!

More problems for Hogan

As if the Hulkster didn't have enough drama going on what with his wife divorcing him, his son in jail and his daughter's singing career floundering, there comes news that his Ultimate Grill has been deemed a fire hazard! Thank goodness it got pulled before anyone burned their foot on it.

But this is bad news for me as I had planned on getting some to give out as Christmas gifts. Looks like I'll just have to buy the Tracy Jordan Meat Machine instead...

EW's Top 100 New Movie Classics

Entertainment Weekly has decided to compile a list of what they believe are the best movies of the past 25 years. I'll list them here for all of you to see and possibly debate. I'll also include parenthetical notation for the ones on the list that I have seen.

100. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (seen)
99. The Blair Witch Project (seen)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (seen)
97. Glory
96. Far From Heaven
95. In the Mood For Love
94. Full Metal Jacket
93. Ed Wood
92. Menace II Society
91. Back to the Future (seen)
90. Napoleon Dynamite
89. Breaking the Waves
88. Austin Powers: Internation Man of Mystery (seen)
87. Swingers
86. Y Tu Mama Tambien
85. The 40 Year Old Virgin (seen)
84. Sideways
83. Evil Dead 2
82. Lost in Translation
81. Moonstruck
80. Michael Clayton (seen)
79. Waiting for Guffman (seen)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (seen)
77. Sid and Nancy
76. The Departed (seen)
75. Out of Africa
74. Drugstore Cowboy
73. Office Space (seen)
72. Thelma and Louise
71. Unforgiven (seen)
70. Broadcast News
69. All About My Mother
68. Witness
67. Donnie Brasco
66. Natural Born Killers
65. Dirty Dancing
64. No Country For Old Men (seen)
63. Big
62. Sex, Lies and Videotape
61. Beverly Hills Cop (seen)
60. Scream (seen)
59. L.A. Confidential (seen)
58. Ghostbusters (seen)
57. There's Something About Mary (seen)
56. The Lives of Others
55. Risky Business
54. Fatal Attraction (seen)
53. The Truman Show (seen)
52. The Naked Gun (seen)
51. There Will Be Blood
50. The Piano
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
48. Scarface
47. Men in Black (seen)
46. Children of Men (seen)
45. Rain Man (seen)
44. The Player
43. Gladiator (seen)
42. Clueless
41. Dazed and Confused
40. Speed (seen)
39. The Sixth Sense (seen)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (seen)
37. Pretty Woman (seen)
36. Spider-Man 2 (seen)
35. The Incredibles (seen)
34. Fargo (seen)
33. The Breakfast Club
32. Fight Club (seen)
31. Brokeback Mountain
30. When Harry Met Sally
29. The Bourne Supremacy (seen)
28. Wings of Desire
27. Aliens
26. Hoop Dreams
25. Shrek (seen)
24. A Room with a View
23. Memento (seen)
22. Rushmore
21. Schindler's List
20. The Lion King (seen)
19. Casino Royale (seen)
18. Do the Right Thing
17. Jerry Maguire (seen)
16. Boogie Nights
15. Edward Scissorhands (seen)
14. Crumb
13. Goodfellas
12. The Matrix (seen)
11. This is Spinal Tap
10. Moulin Rouge
9. Die Hard (seen)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (seen)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters
6. Saving Private Ryan (seen)
5. Toy Story (seen)
4. Blue Velvet
3. Titanic (seen)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (seen)
1. Pulp Fiction

This list was done in commemoration of Entertainment Weekly's 1000th issue. They've also done similar lists for TV, music, books and other assorted new entertainment classics. To check out those lists, you can buy the issue or check them out here.

Bond countdown: Dr. No (1962)

So I've always been a big fan of the James Bond films and am eagerly anticipating the new one, especially after being so impressed with the direction Daniel Craig has taken the character. If my math is correct, we are 21 weeks out from the new film (Quantum of Solace is due out Nov. 7). So in preparation for the new film, I'll recall each of the previous 21 official films (Never Say Never Again doesn't count) in chronological order.


Plot: In the film that launched the James Bond saga, Agent 007 (Sean Connery) battles the mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius bent on destroying the U. S. space program. As the countdown to disaster begins, Bond must travel to Jamaica where he encounters the beautiful Honey Rider (Ursula Andress) and confronts the megalomanical villain in his massive island headquarters.

First appearances: M, Miss Moneypenny, Felix Leiter

Other firsts: "Bond, James Bond", Shaken, not stirred vodka, mention of SPECTRE

Girls Bond slept with: Sylvia Trench (presumed), Miss Taro, and Honey Rider (presumed)

Elaborate murder attempt that Bond escapes: Death by tarantula

Personal review: With this first effort, there are lot of things missing that would become stallwarts of the franchise. Still, this a pretty decent effort. The movie kicks off with a mysterious murder that gets Bond right into the investigation. Quarrel is a decent second banana (although Bond's treatment of him wouldn't fly in today's PC era). And Ursula Andress is a quintessential Bond girl. She's hot and isn't annoying in the damsel in distress role. Things drag a bit from the time Bond reaches Crab Key until he meets Dr. No, but then the film ends with some decent action. Not my favorite, but solid nontheless. 8/10

The war is finally over!!

See the announcement here...


U.S. Finally Gets Around To Closing Last WWII Internment Camp

Oh you thought I meant the current war? Sorry, my bad.

NMR: The King of California

Between the fact that my Netflix subscription is almost up and because I'm heading back up to Cleveland next week, I'm not sure when I'll see my next Netflix movie, so I'll just do a quick review for this one one.

This was a nice, sweet story about a father and daughter. Michael Douglas plays the dad who's just been released from a mental hospital and Evan Rachel Wood plays the responsible daughter. Douglas' character believes there is gold buried underneath a Costco and the daughter reluctantly plays along. It has some humorous moments, as well as some touching scenes. It's not groundbreaking or truly remarkable, but it's just an enjoyable movie. The boasts in the trailer that Douglas gives an award-worthy performance were a bit over the top, but it does look like he's having fun with this crazy character. Given the film's subject, there's probably no better weekend than this one to check it out. Overall though, I wouldn't say it's a must-see, but if you do stumble upon it, you'll probably enjoy it. Netflix rating: ****

So many jokes....head exploding!

Take a look at this video for a wonderful new invention:


The thing is a walking punchline, so let me try out a few:

- I'm guessing these fella won't be shaking hands after their 18 holes.
- Pee time is set for 9am
- If the cap comes loose when you swing does that count as a water hazard?
- I think I'll use my number 1 iron.
- Do you tip caddies extra for emptying your clubs?
- This thing is much better than their attempt at the URO Bowling Ball.

OK, I'm spent for now, I'll turn it over to you to provide some additional comedy.

TV casting news

We're still months away from the new TV season beginning, but we're already getting word on some interesting casting news from a few of my favorite shows. For more info on each casting story, click on the name of the show.

24: Jon Voigt (the actor, not the periodontist) has signed on to play the villain next season. Certainly Voigt has done his fair share of villainy on film and TV before and sounds like he'll be an excellent addition. The only thing that confuses me is the fact that it seemed like we already knew who the main villain would be. So either they've changed the storyline or one of the villains is a red herring. Unfortunately we still have to wait until Jan. 09 to find out.

Heroes: Apparently they've hired another Veronica Mars alum (Francis Capra who played Ron/Weevil) to be one of the many villains for next season. I never saw VM, so I can't really comment on the quality of this hire, but if it helps ensure that Kristen Bell sticks around, I can support that.

The Office Spinoff: We still don't have a premise for the show, but the spinoff to The Office has made it's first official hire and it's Human Giant's Aziz Ansari. In my limited viewing of his work, I've found him to be very funny, so I definitely see this as a good pick. On a side note, Ansari will also be appearing on Scrubs next season.

As I said, no official premise for the show has been announced. However, reports now say that it probably won't be an original cast member leaving to lead the new show, but rather a new character will be introduced on the regular show at the beginning of next season and then they will become the main character for the spinoff. If anything new is announced about it, I'll be sure to post about it here.

Time to rock out with your....um, nevermind

Here's the trailer for a new comedy called The Rocker staring Rainn Wilson (Dwight from the Office). The trailer has some laughs, but I've been burned by August comedies before (The Brothers Solomon, Hot Rod, etc.) So I guess I'll have to wait for the reviews before deciding whether this is a theater or Netflix movie. Enjoy.

NMR: Strange Wilderness

I couldn't wait for another movie before writing this review. I needed to get this out as a warning to anyone potentially interested in seeing this. This Happy Madison production (the same company that produced Grandma's Boy) has an impressive cast including Steve Zahn, Jonah Hill, Justin Long, many of Sandler's regular flunkies, Jeff Garlin and Ernest Borgnine. Too bad the movie is absolutely AWFUL. I maybe laughed twice and they were more pity laughs than anything else. I cannot believe how unfunny this was. In addition to being unfunny, the script is terrible and the film is edited poorly. I see no condition under which I could recommend this film to someone, unless I hated that person and even then, I don't know if I could be that cruel. Technically, since I haven't seen 10 total movies yet in 2008, I could put this on my Top Ten list, but I can't even bring myself to do that. I wouldn't want to give anyone a false impression that the film is good in the least. I wish Netflix allowed zero or negative star ratings, because this would get it. Since they don't - Netflix rating: *

The Apocalypse is upon us

So about a year ago this fake trailer was created starring Knocked Up stars Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel and it generated a lot of Internet buzz. Well, now it appears it's actually getting turned into a real movie. You can read about it here and you can check out the orignal short below. (Warning: Video is NSFW)

NMR: Quickies

I've once again fallen behind on my Netflix reviews, so here are some quick thoughts on the stuff I've caught most recently:

The Rainmaker - Decent legal thriller, but for a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it lacked a certain level of gravitas. Nothing really noteworthy here besides Matt Damon in one of his earliest roles. Netflix rating: ***

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - This was actually an animated film that got a theatrical release in 1993. The animation is solid and the storyline is decent, but I thought too much time was spent on Batman's love interest. I understood why they did it, but it really dragged the film down. Love interest subplots belong in Superman and Spiderman, not Batman. Netflix rating: ***

Bowling for Columbine - Typical Michael Moore film (this one is on gun control), aside from the fact that it was made before he truly became famous, so he could still get away with his ambushes against people KMart, Charlton Heston, and Dick Clark. Thought provoking stuff, although I felt some of the material was too tangential and there were too many montages at the beginning. Netflix rating: ****

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead - This one just came out last winter and was directed by famed director Sidney Lumet. A story about two desperate brothers who's failed attempt at a burglary goes horribly wrong. The film starts out really interesting but grows increasingly depressing as it goes on. The lack of a likeable character makes it a real downer. The best part of the film was getting to see a lot of Marisa Tomei here. Credit also to Lumet for making a well-crafted film that directors half his age wish they could make. This film is well-done but doesn't have a lot of rewatchability. Netflix rating: ****

Lost finale thoughts

Yes, I know the episode aired over a week ago, but I figure this way I ensure that I'm not spoiling anything for anyone who hasn't seen it yet (really I've just been lazy).

Anyway, I thought it was a nice capper to an excellent season, but maybe not as good as last year's finale. Part of the problem with this one is that due to the flashforwards, some of the drama was taken away. We already knew the fate of nearly everyone so you knew how things would turn out. That doesn't mean that the show didn't have its share of surprises and of course, has left us with a lot of questions. Here are some of the big questions we're left pondering:

1. Where is the island?

2. What will be the time frame that will dominate the storylines next year; 2004 or 2008?

3. What happened to Faraday and the people on the raft?

4. When Ben says everyone has to return that does include people like Aaron and Walt?

5. Why did Christian Shepherd and the whispers show up on the freighter?

6. Is Jin really dead?

7. How did Locke get in the coffin? And is he really dead?

Speaking of Locke in the coffin, here's an interesting video of some alternative endings that were shot for the finale:


8. What did Sawyer whisper to Kate?

Actually, that one has seemingly been answered:


And for one other interesting tidbit, here's a quality photo of the newspaper clipping regarding "Jeremy Bentham's" death.

Finally, here is my own LOST theory after seeing the finale. Some others may have already speculated on this, but I did not get it from anywhere but my own mind.

Ben says that by moving the island he cannot return to the Island. We also know that he is strongly pushing Jack to have the Oceanic 6 return to the island. Why? I feel that if they return, there is a way for him to return as well.

In addition, I believe all of the freighter folk had been to the island before too (there was hints of that already with Charlotte). What if Widmore needed the freighter folk to return to the island for the same reason that Ben needs to Oceanic 6 to return.

You all can chew on that, and for quite a while too, since Lost won't be returning until Jan. '09. *sigh* I hate the waiting game.

What did you call me?!?

Interesting note: This kid ended up being the winner at this year's Bee.

Hollywood R.I.P.s

The entertainment industry was hit hard this past week with the passing of a number of well known people, including funnyman Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show) and two composers; the man who created the Star Trek theme and the man who created the theme for the Andy Griffith Show.

But the biggest loss this week had to be actor/director Sydney Pollock. His name may not be immediately recognizable, but you've no doubt seen his work either in front of or behind the camera. I could try and list all of his credentials, but instead, I would suggest you click on the link below to see a good example of some of his work.

Sydney Pollock: A retrospective

And in a weird way, we also mourn the loss of some classic Hollywood artifacts as earlier today there was a fire at the Universal studios which caused damage and/or destroyed several sets (including the Back to the Future clocktower) and thousands of videos and film reels. Luckily, there are duplicates of most of the videos and film reels stored elsewhere. Still, it's a shame to see so much cinematic history go up in smoke like that. You can read more about the blaze here.