Happy New Year!!

I just wanted to send the best of wishes to everyone in this new year and decade. Thanks to all who have been reading this blog. I know I've had a glut of posts in the past few days, but I was working hard to match the number of posts I had this year to last year. I didn't want to seem like I've been slacking. Here's hoping I won't until the last minute to match this year's total again next year.

Anyways, I hope everyone is safe tonight and continues to prosper in 2010!

2010 movie preview (#6-1)

#6 Robin Hood (May 14)

Plot: The story of an archer in the army of Richard Coeur de Lion who fights against the Norman invaders and becomes the legendary hero known as Robin Hood.

Personal opinion: Robin Hood films have never particularly interested me before, but when you say that Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott are attached, suddenly you've got my attention. The first trailer has been released and it looks like we can expect the same thrilling action from these two like they gave us in Gladiator.


#5 Dinner For Schmucks (July 23)

Plot: An extraordinarily stupid man possesses the ability to ruin the life of anyone who spends more than a few minutes in his company.

Personal opinion If you thought Due Date had an embarassment of riches when it came to comedic talent, you haven't seen anything yet. The cast here includes Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Zach Galifinakis and it's being directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents). This seems like a can't miss. The only thing that concerns me is that the film is a remake of a French comedy and let's face it, the French aren't known for great humor. There's no trailer yet, so only time will tell whether or not Roach and co. will be able to successfully translate this for American audiences.


#4 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 (November 19)

Plot: Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for them, so everything they do must go as planned.

Personal opinion: You know the story here. By now, either you're ready for this or not. For fans, everyone is eager to see not only this next installment, but where the producers are going to choose to end it. I still have no clue of a good spot, so I'm very interested to see what they choose. Regardless, this is a big deal and should set us up nicely for part 2 coming summer 2011.


#3 Toy Story 3 (June 18)

Plot: Woody, Buzz, and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.

Personal opinion: Despite being some of their ealiest efforts, the first two Toy Story films remain two of Pixar's strongest efforts. I absolutely love these film (so much so that I've actually written a paper on them). Based on the premise and the initial trailer, this once again seems like an absolute can't miss here. The only thing that could potentially ruin this is the 10 year lapse between films. However, knowing Pixar, I'm sure it will seem as if the second one had just been released last year.


#2 Iron Man 2 (May 7)

Plot: With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances -- and confront powerful enemies.

Personal opinion: High expectations here after everyone fell in love with the first one and Robert Downey Jr.'s performance. Most of the comic book sequels have managed to build on their original film, so let's hope the same holds true for this one. I liked the teaser trailer, but like most initial ones, it didn't give us a true sense of what the story will be. What we do know is that they have brought on Mickey Rourke, which was an inspired move. The big question mark is if people will accept Don Cheadle taking over for Terrance Howards as Rhodes.


#1 Inception (July 16)

Plot: A CEO-type becomes involved in a blackmailing scandal.

Personal opinion: Despite two trailers already being released for this, no one still really knows what this film is about. For me, it doesn't really matter. When I heard 'directed by Christopher Nolan', I was already sold. In my opinion, Nolan has yet to make a dud and I don't anticipate him to make one here. This movie looks all sorts of mind-blowing crazy. It's also boasting a strong cast and looks visually stunning. You better believe I'll be there seeing this on opening night!

A history of violence

My final movie review of 2009 ends up being one of the most unique movie experiences I've had in a while; watching Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds. I believe this was my first time actually seeing a Tarantino film (I know, I know, don't shoot me) so I didn't know quite what to expect when I saw this.

What I saw was a bloody, intense, sometimes humorous film that was anything but factual. Many probably already know this, but if you're unaware, please do not think that this is meant to be in any way historically accurate. While many of the 'main players' from World War II are used here, their fates are completely altered. That doesn't really detract from the film, but I felt it needed to said as a public service so no one confuses this for actual history.

That's not to say that Tarantino is not a history buff; it's just that his love of history falls in a particular area; film. Throughout this movie, you can see his love for the history of film. While it's most obvious in the fact that he centers his plot around people trying to assassinate Hitler while he's attending a Nazi propaganda film, there are other smaller moments that only true film buffs can appreciate. Some of them are direct nods to past films, others references are more in the stylistic choices he makes as a director. All of these references enhance the film without becoming overly meta.

Not only does Tarantino's style pay homage to films of a previous era, it also provides the film with a sustained level of intensity. There are several scenes in this film where you are completely on edge realizing that there are so many combustible elements that something graphic or extreme could happen at any second. Tarantino does a wonderful job of building up these scenes to their boiling point as the audience watches with dread (but a good kind of dread, if that makes sense), unsure of what will happen. This is where not adhering to history works for the film, because you have no real sense of who will end up dead or alive.

One man who singlehandedly creates suspense everytime he was on camera was Christoph Waltz, who plays Nazi officer Hans Landa. Nicknamed 'The Jew Hunter', he's the only Nazi portrayed with any sort of intelligence in the film. Every time he is on screen, you get a knot in your stomach, unsure of what sort of pain and agony he's going to unleash on those around him. He has been generating Oscar buzz for his performance and deservedly so. He will go down in film history as one of those great villains that you love to hate and hate to love.

There are two basic plotlines in the film that end up intersecting as the film progresses. One involves a Jewish girl named Shoshana, who has managed to avoid capture and now lives in France as a theater owner. Her theater has been chosen to host the Nazi propaganda film and she sees it as her opportunity to assassinate Hitler. Meanwhile, there is also the titular Basterds, a group of American, mostly Jewish soldiers, led by Brad Pitt, who are out to collect as many Nazi scalps as possible. Soon, they too see Hitler's appearance at the theater as the prime opportunity to take him out. In telling this story, Tarantino opted for a five chapter structure. Using this method, he basically creates five extended scenes. It may seem a bit basic, but Tarantino utilizes this method to the fullest.

After watching this film, however, I was troubled by one major question; what was the point of this? I usually enjoy deconstructing films in order to identify their themes or messages. With this movie, I was having difficulty doing that. Yes, you could interpret the film in a variety of ways - it's an attempt to destroy the Nazi mystique, or it's an attempt to illuminate that Americans are no different than Germans in our savage violence. But none of these themes seem strong enough or at least they don't seem to be the ideas Tarantino wants us to take away from this film. The most likely option may be the most troubling one of all, in that he has no central thesis with this film. He simply created a cowboy Western film only had it set during World War II. For me, it somewhat cheapens the experience and for others only gives them another example of 'new violence' that is so over the top it loses all of its meaning and significance.

Even if Tarantino had no intended message with this film, I encourage those that do see it to hold a dialogue about it afterwards so that these captivating moments that he provides can be unpacked in a way that's useful to us all. Given that this film now seems to be a lock for a Best Picture nomination at this year's Oscars, I'm hopeful that more people will go out and see it so that it can be explored further. I think this is an expertly made film, but one that will leave you feeling dirty unless you take the steps to (figuratively) wash the blood off your hands. If we don't explore films like this further, than we become the bastards. Grade: B+

PPVs of the decade (Part 2)

July - Vengeance 2003: Not a lot of strong choices here. However, this one had a really excellent tag match between The World's Greatest Tag Team and Mysterio/Kidman, the emergence of John Cena as a main event player as he took on The Undertaker (a match we may finally see again this Wrestlemania), an entertaining bar room brawl that featured Doink, Brother Love, and the Easter Bunny, and a solid triple threat main event that involved Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and the Big Show.

August - Summerslam 2002: There were some good choices here. I could have picked 2006 for the fun DX/McMahons and Edge/Cena matches. I also liked 2000 for the first TLC match. However, I opted for 2002 since it had the most complete package. You had a hot opener between Angle and Mysterio, the momentous return of Shawn Michaels as he took on HHH in a street fight and ending with the beginning of the Brock Lesnar era as he defeated the Rock in an entertaining main event.

September - Unforgiven 2006: Of the second half of the year, this was the easiest month to pick. This show stood out from all of the other Unforgivens in a big way, thanks to three big matches. You had a really excellent TLC main event between Cena and Edge (despite the fact that Edge lost). A bloody brawl between DX and the McMahons/Big Show. Finally, you had one of the best retirements ever as Trish Stratus defeated her longtime rival, Lita, to win the Women's Championship for an unprecedented seventh time. A thoroughly entertaining and satisfying show, which was a rarity for the second half of this decade.

October - No Mercy 2002: Slim pickings here, but I went with the 2002 show since it had some notable moments. First, you had The Undertaker bleeding like a stuck pig in order to get Brock Lesnar over in their Hell in a Cell match. You also had the brief retirement of the Intercontinental Championship occur as Triple H had beaten Kane to merge the title with the World Heavyweight Championship. Finally, this show had one of the best matches of the decade as Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle took on Edge and Rey Mysterio for the new Smackdown tag team titles. Not only was the match a classic, it also signified the beginning of the 'Smackdown Six' era.

November - Survivor Series 2009: Perhaps an unconventional choice, but I've actually been disappointed with the treatment this show has gotten in recent years. Nothing can match the classic Survivor Series matches of the 80s and 90s. Anyways, this year's show was extremely enjoyable. You had two entertaining triple threat matches as your main events. Then the Survivor Series style matches actually had some significance as it featured the future of the company (Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Shaemus, and Drew McIntyre) picking up big wins in their respective matches. This show may prove to be a pivotal turning point in the company within a few years' time.

December - Armageddon 2007: Wow, not a lot to choose from here at all. What was I supposed to pick? The December to Dismember show? The 2005 Armageddon show, in which Tim White supposedly killed himself? A lot of dreck to end the year. I went with 2007, primarily for the great match between HHH and Jeff Hardy that finally allowed Hardy to burst through the glass ceiling. It also had solid matches involving Edge/Batista/Taker and HBK/Kennedy. Not a perfect show by any means, but the best from a lousy bunch.

So there you have it. The seemingly best of the best, although I'm sure many of you may disagree. I think we can all agree that the first half of the decade was a lot stronger than the second half. And we can all hope that things continue to improve for the company as they head into another new decade.

Holiday traffic hint

As everyone heads out onto the roads this holiday season, the DOT has come out with some helpful 'advice' in case you get stuck in traffic.


Tired Of Traffic? A New DOT Report Urges Drivers: 'Honk'

2010 movie preview (#12-7)

#12 The Social Network (October 15)

Plot: A story about the founders of the social-networking website, Facebook.

Personal opinion: There is little known about this film and I'll admit simply reading the plot above probably isn't going to generate much interest in this film. However, there are three words that make this an instant draw for me: director David Fincher. Zodiac was one of my favorite films of the past decade, so I'm very interested in seeing what he does for a follow up. This could easily turn out to be an utter bore, but I'm betting otherwise.


#11 Green Zone (March 12)

Plot: Discovering covert and faulty intelligence causes a U.S. Army officer (Damon) to go rogue as he hunts for Weapons on Mass Destruction in an unstable region.

Personal opinion: Seeing Matt Damon team up again with his Bourne director, Paul Greengrass makes this a must see. I know Iraq War films are exactly popular right now, but if anyone will draw them in, I think it'll be Damon. Based on the trailer, it appears as if this might be Jason Bourne in Iraq. Depending on who you are, that may or may not sweeten the deal. At the very least, we should get a decent action flick at a time of the year when there typically aren't many.


#10 Despicable Me (July 8)

Plot: A trio of orphan girls cause the normally deplorable Gru to rethink his plan to steal the moon.

Personal opinion: It may not be clear by the plot listed above, but this seems similar to another computer animated film I covered already, MegaMind. Both seem to be focused on superhero villains trying to change their ways. This one also boasts some decent voices, with Steve Carell playing the lead character, Gru. I've ranked this one higher simply for the fact that I've already seen trailers for it and have been amused with what I've seen. We shall see if the final product matches the quality of these early teases.


#9 Due Date (November 5)

Plot: A high-strung father-to-be is forced to hitch a ride with a college slacker on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time.

Personal Opinion: Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifinakis star in this comedy by director Todd Phillips (The Hangover). Looking at those three names could this film have three more popular people than these guys attached to it. The sheer star power associated with this film is going to make this huge. Yes, the plot doesn't sound like it would appeal to young men that much, but I have to believe they'll find a way to make this road trip just as enjoyable as Phillips' other films.


#8 Shutter Island (February 19)

Plot: Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.

Personal opinion: I feel like this is the twentieth time I've previewed this movie. If you've read this blog before you no doubt know why this film is worth checking out. Let's just hope for all of our sakes, it actually gets released on its scheduled date this time.


#7 Hot Tub Time Machine (March 19)

Plot: After a night of drinking Red Bull and vodkas, a group of guys travel back in time to when they were younger cads.

Personal opinion: If you saw my post a few weeks ago with the trailer for this film, then you saw why I find it so appealing. This seems bizarre, outrageous and downright hilarious. This film could potentially make stars out of Craig Robinson and Rob Corddry. Let's just hope this doesn't turn out to be a Snakes on a Plane where the hype is better than the actual film.

Only six slots left...what will make the top of the list?!?

Secret Santa producer's cut

They didn't release any deleted scenes for the Christmas episode of The Office. Instead, they released this producer's cut instead, which includes about 10 more minutes of new footage. Enjoy!

PPVs of the decade (Part 1)

Yes, it's another list. I can't help enjoying writing them and the end of the decade lends themselves to their creation. This time I'm going to focus on my favorite WWF(E) pay-per-views over the past ten years. Since there has been so many changes to names and times for their shows, I'm going to do my favorite show from each month.

January - Royal Rumble 2003: This was probably the month that I had the most difficulty choosing from since the Rumble usually produces a good show. For my choice, I tried going beyond the Rumble match and pick the show that has the most complete show. On top of a typically good Rumble match, the 2003 show featured one of the best matches of the decade - the Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle title match. It also features a HHH/Scott Steiner match that is so bad, you have to see it to appreciate it. Honestly, though you could make an argument for a different Rumble and I could easily agree with you as well.

February - No Way Out 2001: At the top of the card, you have a pair of really great main events with Rock/Angle and Austin/HHH in Three Stages of Hell. If that weren't enough, there's also a way better than it should be match between Trish Stratus and Stephanie McMahon. Throw in a Fatal Four Way between Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, X-Pac, and Chris Jericho and you have one heckuva good show.

March - Wrestlemania X-7: Technically, I'm cheating here since this show happened on April 1st, but I'm considering March to count for all Wrestlemanias. And based on that criteria, this one is a no-brainer. This would be my pick for pay per view of the century. So many wonderful matches here, it's an embarassment of riches. There's something for everyone whether you're a fan of technical masterpieces (Angle/Benoit), big time main events (Austin/Rock), garbage matches (Vince/Shane) or wrestlecrap (Gimmick Battle Royale). Just an amazing show and in some ways the end of the boom period for the WWF.

April - Backlash 2004: It's great when big matches deliever and its even better when the rematch manages to be just as good as the original. Benoit, HHH, and Shawn Michaels managed to keep up the quality in their rematch here while also making the match seem fresh. Having the match in Benoit's hometown only added to the energy. On top of that, you actually have a good match between Mick Foley and Randy Orton. Any show that features a good Orton match has to be recognized.

May - Judgment Day 2000: The Iron Man match between The Rock and HHH is one of my personal favorite matches. Those two can wrestle for mulitple hours and I wouldn't tire of it. When you add in Shawn Michaels as the referee and the return of the Undertaker, you have the making for a truly electric match. I also am fond of the opener featuring Angle, Edge, and Christian vs. Too Cool and Rikishi. Team ECK's 5 second pose (The Jug Band) is worth the price of admission alone.

June - ECW One Night Stand 2005: I had to go with an unconventional choice since June typically doesn't offer much. This show felt so fresh and different from everything else that WWE was offering at the time, you can't help but like it. This may not have the workrate that some of the other shows I pick have, but I was still marking out throughout the three hours. It's a shame that the WWE's insecurity couldn't allow more shows like this to happen.

Maligned Muppets

I stumbled across this interesting article today from a blog called Gunaxin Media. One of their writers has come up with a list of the Ten Worst Muppets of all time. It's a cool read that's sure to spark some debate amongst Muppet fans. Some of the author's choices are spot on, others are of the 'Who?' variety and then there are a couple which are just plain wrong. How in the hell did Dr. Bunsen Honeydew make that list?!? Anyways, check it out and feel free to share your thoughts on the best and worst of our felt friends.

Afterwards, feel free to check out this awesome version of Bohemian Rhapsody performed by the Muppets that was all the rage on the Net a couple of months ago.

2010 movie preview (#18-13)

#18 Megamind (November 5)

Plot: A satirical take on superhero movies, in which a notorious villain loses his oomph after he accidentally kills his nemesis.

Personal opinion: This is yet another computer animated film (you'll be seeing a few more before this list is over) that makes the list based on a strong concept. I always like alternative takes on the superhero genre, so I was instantly attracted to this film. Helping its cause is a strong voice cast including the likes of Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, and Tina Fey. With it not due out until next November, I haven't seen any footage of it yet, but it's coming from the Dreamworks people who has been consistently improving their computer animated features.


#17 The A-Team (June 11)

Plot: A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

Personal opinion: I'm sure everyone is humming the theme song right now as they read this. I was a little too young to watch the original TV show, but I liked the concept and am interested to see how it will translate to the big screen. I was disappointed to hear that Mr. T will not have a cameo in this, but here's hoping that means the producers felt the film was strong enough not to resort to cheap cameos like that. No trailer has been released, so until then this promotional photo of the primary cast (including Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson) will have to suffice.



#16 Date Night (April 9)

Plot: In New York City, a case of mistaken identity turns a bored married couple's attempt at a glamorous and romantic evening into something more thrilling and dangerous.

Personal opinion: The combination of Steve Carrel and Tina Fey (who play the married couple here) seems like a dream team. However, the first trailer for this film left a lot to be desired. The comedy seemed a bit more broad than I would have hoped. I worry since Tina isn't the writer of this film if the quality will suffer like it did in Baby Mama. Still if anyone two can rise above mediocre material, it's these two. I'd like to think that there will be enough here to make this more tolerable than say Did You Hear About the Morgans.


#15 Unstoppable (November 12)

Plot: A rail company frantically works to prevent an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train carrying combustible liquids and poisonous gas from wiping out a city.

Personal opinion: On paper, this plot sounds pretty lousy and more likely something more fit for a made-for-TV movie. However, when you consider that this is a Tony Scott directed film starring Denzel Washington, suddenly I'm a bit more interested. While their previous collaborations have not yielded Oscar winners, they typically deserve good popcorn fare. Adding to the film's appeal is the fact that Chris Pine is co-starring. After his wonderful turn as Kirk in this year's Star Trek, reboot. I'm very curious to see what he'll do for an encore.


#14 Saint John of Las Vegas (limited January 29, wide February 12)

Plot: An ex-gambler is lured back into the game by a veteran insurance-fraud investigator.

Personal opinion: This is the type of film where if it had come out later in the year, I probably would have ignored it since it's more small and independent. But since it's coming out in a few weeks, I've gotten to see the trailers and find myself charmed by both the cast and the plot. Steve Buscemi is one of those reliable actors that never gets the credit he deserves. It would be nice if this film allowed his star to shine a bit brighter, but I'd imagine it'll likely only be seen by a small audience. Hopefully, my plug will grant it a few more viewers.


#13 Hereafter (December TBA)

Plot: A supernatural thriller centered on three people -- a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy -- who are touched by death in different ways.

Personal opinion: Again, this is a film that has a late release date, so I'm only working on limited information. What we do know is that it's being directed by Clint Eastwood and Matt Damon is set to star in it. That's enough to sell me right there. After seeing their work in Invictus, I'm sure we can expect another solid effort here. And it should be very interesting to see Clint potentially delve into supernatural territory (supposedly Damon plays a medium who is uneasy about using his talents). Before all is said and done, we could be looking at one of the contenders for next year's Best Picture.

Wild blue wonder

I just got back from seeing Avatar in 3D and figured I would immediately do a review with the film still fresh in my head.

Before I get into any other aspect of the film, I cannot stress enough that if you see this movie, you must see it in 3D, if not IMAX. This is a visual masterpiece that needs to be seen in these advanced forms. Unlike so many films before it, this movie does not use the 3D technology as some sort of gimmick. It's not just a bunch of random objects being shoved in your face. All of the technology is natural to the story and really enhances the movie-going experience. Director James Cameron has done a remarkable job of finding a way of immersing you into this strange new world.

That world is Pandora, a distant planet that Earthlings have travelled to in search of 'unobtainium', a rare mineral that is highly valuable. The problem being is that the planet is inhabited by the Na'vi, who have no intention of moving to allows humans to destroy it for mining purposes. At this point, it should be apparent that Cameron has created a story that has some not so subtle parallels to the Iraq War. This is where the film falters a bit. It's disappointing to see this type of movie be bogged down with liberal preachiness. The film is the equivalent to one of those time share weekends. They lure you in with some wonderful vacation, or in this case the visual effects, only to ruin it with their pitch/message.

I fully recognize though that the film needed a central conflict and for that reason, I'll give the film some slack for its overt liberal agenda. After all, the battle scenes provide just as much visual 'wow' as the scenes where we're introduced to the creatures and wildlife of Pandora. Everything about this movie just pops off the screen. As you watch the events unfold, you begin to forget about the conventionalities of the story and just keep realizing that you're watching an epic moment in filmmaking. I've heard others say that watching this film is akin to those who saw Star Wars for the film time. I now see how that is true. Watching this film you realize you're seeing something special.

In terms of fleshing out the story, Cameron does his best to create an epic within one film. Having said that, I thought there were a lot of aspects of the story that were not fully explored. In particular, I think it would have been interesting to know more about the mythology of the Na'vi people, as well as more about the Avatar technology that allowed Jake (Sam Worthington) to integrate himself into the Na'vi culture.

I haven't really talked about the acting yet, mainly because the acting isn't an essential aspect of this story. With so many of the characters being computer generated, it is difficult to truly critique the performance. However, I will make a point of saying how nice it is to see Sigourney Weaver in a major picture like this. Back with her familiar director, she does a nice job as the scientist who is interested in studying the Na'vi culture.

I'll close this review going back to my original point regarding 3D. This was my first experience seeing a film in theaters with 3D. I'm not sure I would want to watch movies like that on a regular basis. But with what Cameron was able to do here, it was worth spending the extra money. You will be in awe with how much you will feel like you are right there amongst the characters. For so many films, it's easy for me to simply suggest you wait and watch it at home when it comes out on DVD. This is not one of those times. Whatever shortcomings the film may have with regard to its story, this film deserves to be see in the theaters. It is a truly magical experience that will engage everyone, even if on paper the story wouldn't interest you. After all these years, James Cameron has once again proven he is king of the (filmmaking) world. Grade: B+

'Busting back into theaters soon

We interrupt our 2010 movie preview for some quick news on a film you can look forward to in 2011 - Ghostbusters 3. We've been hearing rumors about it for a while and now it seems like it's becoming a reality. Here's a quote from director Harold Ramis regarding the film's status:

Something's going to happen. Dan [Aykroyd] did write a spec GB3 screenplay a few years ago, but no one was motivated to pursue it. Now, 25 years after the original, there seems to be some willingness to proceed and apparently a substantial public appetite for a sequel. We'll introduce some new young Ghostbusters, and all the old guys will be in it, too. Think Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future...GB3 is progressing with plans to shoot next summer and release in 2011.

I'm glad to hear there is progress and I eagerly await further news with regards to casting. You can believe that if I hear anything more, I'll be sure to share it with you here.

Shhh!

Just wanted to give a quick plug to probably the funniest show you're not watching, Silent Library. Based on a Japanese game show and airing in the afternoons on MTV, the concept is 6 guys work as a team and compete in various gross out stunts, with the object being to not only complete the tasks but remain quite while doing so. Some of the things that they have these contestants do are outrageous. Check out for yourself a sample of the show below.

2010 movie preview (#24-19)

#24 The Expendables (August 20)

Plot: A team of mercenaries head to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator.

Personal opinion: It's a veritable who's who of action stars here, both old school (Stallone, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren and others) and new school (Jet Li, Jason Statham, and Steve Austin, just to name a few). Also directed by Stallone, this film seems to harken back to the glory days of 80s action films. Stallone has already shown he can still make decent action films with his most recent Rambo film and the first trailer seems to indicate more of the same here. Looks to be a bloody good time.


#23 The Other Guys (August 6)

Plot: Set in New York City, "The Other Guys" follows Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), a forensic accountant who's more interested in paperwork than hitting the streets, and Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), who has been stuck with Allen as his partner ever since an embarrassing public incident with his quick trigger finger. Allen and Terry idolize the city's top cops, Danson and Manzetti (Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson), but when an opportunity arises for the Other Guys to step up, things don't quite go as planned.

Personal opinion: Little is known about this movie at this point, but all of the principle participants seem strong. True, Ferrell has had a string of duds lately, but being back with director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) bodes well for him. It'll be interesting to see how this compares with Cop Out, the other police comedy due out this year.


#22 Shrek Forever After (May 21)

Plot: A bored and domesticated Shrek (Myers) pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona (Diaz) have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

Personal opinion: What began as a creative twist on fairy tales, the Shrek franchise is now starting to get a little long in the tooth. The film's first trailer offers a few chuckles, but doesn't strike me as a particularly original story. Since they are offering this in 3D and billing it as the final chapter, here's hoping they are able to finish this franchise on a high note.


#21 Salt (July 23)

Plot: As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt's efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: "Who is Salt?"

Personal opinion: Based on the trailer, this seems to be a fairly run of the mill action thriller. However, Angelina Jolie seems to know which action films to allign herself with and they usually end up being good films with inventive stunts (ala Wanted), so that has me more hopeful here. Interestingly enough, Tom Cruise had been originally tapped to play Salt, so we'll see how much of a difference it makes have Jolie in the role instead.

#20 The Book of Eli (January 15)

Plot: A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

Personal opinion: I'm sure many may be getting weary of the post-apocalyptic films, but if anyone was going to make one worth watching, I have a feeling it's Denzel Washington. And I will admit to being curious as to why the book he is protecting is so important. The wild card here is the Hughes brothers, who are directing their first film since From Hell. I never cared for that film, but many seem to think these two are very talented behind the camera. For that reason, I'm curious to see what they do here.


#19 MacGruber (April 16)

Plot: A comedy based on Will Forte's bumbling secret agent whose lack of skill and abundance of personal problems serve as a detriment to him -- and those around him.

Personal opinion: If you have never seen the SNL skits that this film is based on, I highly recommend watching them here. I fully know that the odds are against this film in terms of it being any good. Rarely have SNL skits been successfully turned into good full length movies. Having said that, I love these skits so much that I'm just praying they can somehow turn out a winner. At the very least, it can't be any worse than The Brothers Solomon.

Prepare to have your mind bent

The second teaser trailer for Christopher Nolan's Inception has just hit the interwebs. You can better believe I'll be talking more about it later this week in my countdown.

2010 movie preview (#30-25)

As the days in December dwindle, we must begin to look forward to the new year and with that a whole slew of new films to get excited about. Over the next five days I'll be previewing the top 30 films I'm most looking forward to as we start a new decade. So without further ado, let the counting begin...

#30 Little Fockers (July 30)

Plot: The Focker and the Byrnes families brace themselves for the arrival of a baby.

Personal opinion: Meet the Parents was one of the best comedies of the decade, while Meet the Fockers only had moments of greatness. I worry this will be another case of the Law of Diminishing Returns. Still, all signs point to the main cast all returning for this one and when you have that kind of talent, I've got to believe there will still be enough here worthy of giving this a look.


#29 Kick Ass (April 16)

Plot: Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.

Personal opinion: This appears to be Watchmen meets Mystery Men. The idea of average people trying to be superheroes is appealing (look what it did for Batman), but I wonder if it may be a bit too graphic to appeal to a large audience, especially considering that a lot of the violence is being committed by young children. If that is your cup of tea, though, this movie seems like it will be perfect for you.


#28 Grown Ups (June 25)

Plot: Thirty years after their high school graduation, five good friends reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Personal Opinion: If you like the Adam Sandler gang (Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade, etc.) then you'll probably enjoy this one as they're all featured here. The trailer can already be seen here. Lets hope that having all of Sandler's friends in this makes it a great film and not a case like in Ocean's 12, where the actors seem to be having more fun making the film than we are in watching it.


#27 Daybreakers (January 8)

Plot: In the year 2019, a plague has transformed most every human into vampires. Faced with a dwindling blood supply, the fractured dominant race plots their survival; meanwhile, a researcher works with a covert band of vamps on a way to save humankind.

Personal opinion: You would think that being a vampire movie would immediately eliminate this film from contention on this list, but unlike that wretched Twilight series, this movie seems to have a unique and interesting take on the genre. Given it's release date, it may turn out to be a sci-fi dud, but if it's at least halfway decent, we could be looking at the first big hit of the new year.


#26 Cop Out (February 26)

Plot: A comedy about two cops whose adventures include locating a stolen baseball card, rescuing a woman, and dealing with gangsters and their laundered money.

Personal opinion: I was all ready to put this film much higher on my list based on the cast (Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan play the cops) and the director (Kevin Smith). However, the trailer for this was just released and left me underwhelmed. Tracy Morgan's wackiness seems to be better served in small doses, like on 30 Rock, so this film may suffer from an oversaturation of his antics. The one thing going for this is that Kevin Smith fell in love with the script so much he wanted to direct it (He's never directed a film before that he hasn't also wrote). For him to like someone's else work that much seems like the trailer may be just misleading and we're in for some big laughs and action here.


#25 Knight and Day (July 2)

Plot: An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.

Personal opinion: Considering how much I don't care for Tom Cruise or his acting skills, he's once again attached himself to a film that has me intrigued. The trailer won me over displaying a nice mix of comedy and action without exactly tipping its hat to what's really going on. Given the release date, the studio clearly has high expectations for this one, so lets hope it's able to meet them.

Attention lovers of good TV

The third season of Chuck returns January 10th! I obviously don't need to remind fans, but it doesn't hurt to tell everyone else. It's no secret that NBC is hurting when it comes to viewers and this show hasn't been a ratings juggernaut in the past, so any sort of bump in the ratings for this awesome spy comedy can ensure this show's survival. If you need more of an enticement, check out the promo video below.

A list 10 years in the making

It seems to be the 'in' thing right now to make a Best of the Decade list, so I thought I would join in the fun and present to all of you my personal list for the Best 10 films of the decade. So here we go...

10. The Bourne Trilogy - Yeah, I'm already cheating here, but I don't think it's fair to seperate one over the others. This is an amazing action frachise that turned Matt Damon into a bona fide box office star. Both Doug Liman and Paul Greengrass did a phenomenal job creating inventive and exciting action scenes for each film.

9. Memento - A mind-bending film, the likes of which we've never really seen before. Every time I watch this film I catch something new that I never saw before. Like for many, my love of Christopher Nolan's work was established with this movie.

8. The King of Kong - Just an awesome documentary that immediately sucks you in. While the film may unfairly pigeonhole some of the people into archetypes for the sake of narrative, it produces a great hero and villain in the process. Even people who have never put a quarter into a coin-op machine before will be enthralled with this movie.

7. I Love You Man - A late entry into the list, but one that I feel will stand the test of time. This film I believe has created the perfect romantic comedy that provides an equal balance of entertainment/story for men and women alike. The film also has a wonderfully rich cast that each provide humorous moments, regardless of how big or small their part is. This may prove to be the film that finally established Paul Rudd as a box office draw.

6. A Beautiful Mind - The only Best Picture winner to make it on my list. Even though I studied communications in school, I've always had a fondness of math, so I find all the scenes where Russell Crowe is calculating to be fascinating. The film runs the gamut of emotions and everything is held together by the fine performances of Crowe and Jennifer Connelly.

5. Zodiac - The fact that this film did not receive more attention during awards season is a crying shame. David Fincher creates a capitaving film that chronicles the Zodiac serial killer without having to resort to mindless gore. Being someone who can compulsive obsess over certain things, I totally bought into Jake Gyllenhaal's character. Credit also to Robert Downey Jr.'s great performance here in a role that actually kick-started his return to superstardom in Hollywood.

4. The Prestige - Christopher Nolan makes his second appearance on my list. Yet again, he's created a film that practically demands you watch it repeatedly to catch all of its nuances. In addition to its intriguing premise you get to see Batman and Wolverine face off. Not to mention stellar supporting work from the likes of Michael Caine, Scarlett Johanson, and even David Bowie in a bizarre turn as Nicholas Tesla. The film's ending can create quite the debate, but I think that just adds to the film's greatness.

3. The 40 Year-Old Virgin - So many careers were launched as a result of this comedy; Steve Carrell and Seth Rogen became household names, while Judd Apatow became the 'it' comedy director that everyone wants to work with. Most importantly this is just a flat out funny movie. I've watched it a bazillion times and still laugh at everything. Everything just works here and I easily could have put it higher on my list.

2. The Dark Knight - Really, I should lump Batman Begins with this because both films were wildly successful at bringing the caped crusader back to the big screen thanks to the efforts of Nolan and the cast. However, this one gets the special recognition because of Heath Ledger's Joker. Just a transcending performance by Ledger that is riveting to watch over and over again. To think that this film managed to skillfully also work in a Two-Face storyline as well just shows you how phenomenal this movie truly is.

1. Casino Royale - The Bond geek in me probably unfairly pushed this to the top of the list, but I can't help myself. This movie could have easily bombed given that they tried to reinvent the iconic spy and did so with such an unconventional choice like Daniel Craig. However, the film overcame all those odds and produced not only one of the best Bond films, but also a terrific action movie in general. Now that this movie has reached basic cable, if it is on, I will always stop what I'm doing and watch it.

So there you have it. Agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts and your own personal lists here.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Here's hoping everyone that reads this blog has a wonderful holiday season and are excited about everything that Santa brings them, just like the kid below.

It's Uncomplicated

I had to stay in Dayton a few extra days waiting for my final Amazon purchase to arrive, so I decided to take in a movie at the theaters. Hoping to choose something worth my money, I ended up picking Clint Eastwood's latest, Invictus. The film follows Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) in his early days as president of South Africa.

To the surprise of probably no one, Freeman is wonderful as Mandela. Having played political leaders before, Freeman knows how to capture an audience both on and off screen. He easily embodies Mandela focusing on both the forgiving, gentle side of him as well as the determined workaholic. Too often recently Freeman has been relegated to supporting or narrator roles, so it was nice to see him front and center here delivering a typically strong performance of such an interesting political figure.

The story centers around Mandela's quest to unite the white and black people of South Africa through rugby. Prior to his presidency, the country's team had been predominantly white. Mandela believed he could unite his country by expressing his support of the team as they prepared for the World Cup. In another excellent performance, Matt Damon plays Francois, the captain of the rugby team who makes the initial efforts to work with Mandela. Once again, Damon continues to prove he is one of the most reliably consistent actors of his generation. He once again turns in a quality performance here that has already yielded him some awards buzz.

Invictus is interesting as it is a sports movie while trying its hardest not to be. The film does not go to great lengths to explain the game of rugby (although it probably would have helped to do so). Since the film is based on a true story, it's also able to avoid criticism of providing the happy ending that is typically associated with sports films. Yet, for all of its efforts to rise above the sports movie genre, it has difficulty doing so. The reason why rugby is featured here at all is because it's meant to illustrate the racial tensions that existed in South Africa at that time. However, those tensions are never truly explored. We get some glimpses of it through Francois' family and the mixed race security staff of Mandela. These examples merely pay lip service to the issue and never provide any real conflict for the movie.

This is the film's sole problem. It never gets the audience truly invested in the country's problems. Aside from having a general sense of knowing bigotry is wrong, we never really see it occurring for the film's central characters. To the unknowing, the film may actually serve as a disservice because every character's goals seem to come so easily. Mandela wants racial harmony? You got it! Francois wants to win the World Cup? Done! I guess it's fitting that this film come out at Christmas time since everyone gets what they want all wrapped up with a nice little bow.

While the big picture may be a bit simplistic, I did appreciate the film's smaller moments. I'm thinking particularly of the scene where the rugby team visit's a group of poor black children. The scene is touching and heartfelt without crossing the line and become schmaltzy. It's in these moments where Eastwood's skill as a director really shine. He really has a fine touch at showing humanity in its most primative form.

In the end this a very nice film. It's got great acting, looks beautiful, and has an uplifting climax. However, what prevents this film from getting any serious awards consideration or lasting recognition is its complete lack of impact that it will have on you. You'll leave the theater thinking 'that was nice' and not really having a lot more to say beyond that. For such an important historical figure like Mandela, it would have been nice had that importance been reflected in the film. Don't see this for a history lesson, but if you need an emotional pick-me-up this will suit just fine. Grade: B+

There's thrills in them thar hills

Here's a simulation video of Cedar Point's new ride, Shoot the Rapids, opening next summer:

Into the second Night

As I continue to catch on the big summer movies on DVD, I'm surprised at how backwards everything has seemed lately. Very few films have met my expectations. Some have soared above them (Star Trek) and others have signficantly failed to meet them (Funny People). We know come to another example of that and fortunately in this case, it's a pleasant surprise; Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian

While the first film was a big success, I was rather underwhelmed by it. Despite an interesting premise and some good comic actors in the cast, the original felt about as fresh as most of the relics in the titular museum. While the basic premise remains the same (Ben Stiller, playing a night watchman has to deal with all of the exhibits coming to life at night), this sequel is brimming with energy thanks to some key additions to the already impressive cast.

The story this time around focuses on many of the exhibits from the original film being moved to the Smithsonian and encountering some of the other existing exhibits there. One of the two key additions is Hank Azaria, who plays the villainous Egyptian ruler Kahmunrah, who wants the tablet that allows the exhibits to come to life (Azaria also voice Rodin's The Thinker and Abraham Lincoln in the film). He has some really funny interactions with virtually everyone in the cast, whether he's antagonizing Stiller or Owen Wilson (back as cowboy Jedidiah) or attempting to recuit other historic villains like Al Capone, Napoleon, or Ivan the Terrible. Azaria brings a wonderfully dry humor to the character that makes him engaging to kids and adults alike.

The other important new role is Amy Adams' Amelia Earhart. I've never been fond of Adams' work, mostly because I find her performances to be so saccharine that I feel a cavity developing. Here, though she plays Earhart with such moxie and gusto, that she adds rather than detracts from the film. Speaking like she's still living in the 30s, her observations and excitements for everything that's happening around her make her such an appealing character that you could almost buy her as a love interest for Stiller's protagonist.

While Adams and Azaria have the meatier roles, there are several known comic actors who appear briefly throughout the film bringing some extra zest to their thankless roles. Actors such as Jonah Hill, Christopher Guest, Jay Baruchel, Bill Hader (doing a hilariously vain and cowardly General Custard), and many actors from The Office and 30 Rock all show up for funny cameos. So you have all of these new people, in addition to the returning cast members like Wilson, Robin Williams, and Steve Coogan. In some cases, this might feel like 'sequel bloat', but this film manages to balance all of these characters nicely, allowing them to have a moment to shine without overstaying their welcome.

The story here isn't particularly new or inventive - Stiller's character has to once again keep the living relics in check and restore order before the sun rises. However, this time the film moves at a quick enough pace that you don't mind the conventions. There is perhaps one too many 'battle' scenes near the end that really served no purpose other than to give the primary characters one final opportunity to interact with each other, but for the most part this is a light, breezy affair.

Given that most who read this are in their 20s or older, I can't exactly say this family-friendly film is a must rent. It'll most likely be of little to no importance to you. However, do not dismiss this film simply because of the original. This is one of those rare times where the sequel is actually better than the original. And while it's no Godfather II, this film works by giving us what the original should have; a madcap romp that provides us with some unconventional depictions of some historical characters. If you're gathering with your family during these holidays, you may just want to give this one a viewing. Grade: B

The following takes place between December 24th and December 25th

Check out this awesome mash-up video. Ho Ho Oh No You Don't Santa!

Rage against the machine

The Terminator franchise has been posing to its fans, tantalizing questions regarding time travel and destiny for years. With its latest entry, Terminator: Salvation a different type of philosophical question is posed: What happens when there is a ton of explosions and gunfire and no one who hears it cares. This new film, directed by McG, proves to be an utterly meaningless entry in this classic sci-fi franchise.

The plot, if you can call it that, centers around John Connor's (played this time by Christian Bale) quest to take down SkyNet, the robotics company which has built the terminators. In addition, he's out to make sure his father, Kyle Reese(played by Star Trek's Anton Yelchin), who's just a teenager at this point stays alive, so as not to disrupt time. The two storylines eventually converge, but not in any particularly engaging way.

We're also introduced to Marcus Wright, a convict on death row, who somewhat gets a second lease on life after he turns himself over to Skynet. His allegiance during this war between humans and robots is constantly questioned. This could have been an interesting dilemma, but to sufficently explore it would have meant taking time away from blowing more stuff up, which clearly wasn't going to happen here.

McG's might have had the best intentions with taking over this franchise, but clearly does not have a sense of what made this franchise appealing in the first place. Like many of the machines seen in the film, he has assembled all of the necessary parts to make this a Terminator film, but it lacks heart or any emotion whatsoever. I sat there blankly absorbing it in wondering why any of this mattered. By the time the film ends, I questioned what had been gained by making this film. I'm still trying to come up with an answer.

Of course, the one big question everyone had about this film centers around the Arnold factor. I won't spoil it for the few people who haven't heard yet how it's addressed. All I'll say is that the manner in which it is addressed produced the lone highlight for the film. It's a shame it plays such a small factor in the film, because this film could have used more engaging moments.

While the film falters on many levels, I don't find myself getting too upset by it since I've never been a big fan of the franchise. It's doubtful I would have even seen this one had it not been for the Bale factor. Given my appreciation of a lot of his recent work, I was really curious if he could provide some added prestige to this series. Sadly, he's not given a whole lot to do here (even though according to reports, the role was significantly beefed up once it was decided he was going to play Connor). Bale does a lot of his typical glaring and growling, but not much more. Everything about this film seems like a cash grab, so I'm glad to see it did not really succeed in that regard.

McG has stated that he wants to do yet another Terminator film, but I see no reason to give him the green light after this affair. He added nothing to the franchise for the fans and failed to produce an engaging action film to draw in new faces. This one is just one loud misfire. If you really want to completely shut off your brain and passively look at a bunch of fire balls and metal, then be my guest and enjoy this. For everyone else who would like to keep their brain cells, you're better off giving this one a pass. Instead let's all rise up and request that this franchise be terminated before its reputation is tarnished any further. Grade: C-

Early Christmas Presents

We've got three brand new trailers for some of the big films for 2010, including the first one for Iron Man 2. You'll be able to read more about these and several other major movies for the new year, when I do my big 2010 preview in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for that, but until then, check out the video clips below.

Does Vince McMahon have a Hart?

Some big rumors/news circulating the net today...

WWE and Bret Hart have agreed to a short-term talent contract for Bret Hart to appear on WWE TV during WrestleMania season, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Hart reportedly signed a deal that will last from January 1 to April 10. According to the report, there is a "good chance" Hart will make his return on the January 4 Raw up against TNA Impact's three-hour special.

Also included in the contract is a DVD deal with a tentative focus on the Hart Foundation due out in 2010. WWE previously worked Hart on a Bret Hart-themed DVD in 2005, but Hart did not appear on TV to promote the project.

The prospects of Hart hosting the Jan. 4 edition of RAW is certainly tantalizing. I am going to be at that show live in Dayton. We originally heard that The Rock might host that show, which would have been amazing. Hart's return might be a bigger deal since he hasn't been in a WWE arena in over 10 years, but as you may know, I've never been a big fan of Bret's. Still, if this does happen, I'll gladly be a part of major history. As they say, more on this story as it develops.

Perdidos? Ole!

It seems that the producers of Lost have put a gag order on promo videos for the upcoming final season in the U.S. But for some reason, they created one for its Spanish viewers and it's AWESOME. This thing is a work of art all on its own and fills me with anticpation for the new season to get here. Check it out below...

Know comedy no Funny

It should have been abundantly clear if you read this blog with any regularity that I have been a big fan of Judd Apatow's work and was looking forward to his latest directorial effort, this past summer's Funny People. So it came as a shock to me to see it do so poorly at the box office. However, I was in for an even bigger let down now that I've finally got a chance to see it myself.

Starring Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen, the film centers around a successful comedian (Sandler) who receives news that he has a rare form of leukemia. Suddenly worried about his mortality, he forms a friendship/working relationship with an up-start comic (Rogen). If you haven't figured it out yet, despite the film revolving around the world of stand-up comedy, this is anything but a laugh-out loud movie. The attempt at a more serious subject matter produces Apatow's most uneven work to date.

I'm not sure if it was greed or ambition, but Apatow attempts to do too much with this film and he ends up failing to make any of it work. Sandler's character is too much of an oddball loner to make him sympathetic enough as you watch him deal with his potentially limited future. Rogen's character is seemingly well-intentioned, but he's so weak and nonconfrontational that it makes it difficult to respect him. Then in amongst these heavy handed themes we have moments of classic Apatow one-liners and pop culture references. In a vacuum, these would typically be hilarious, but here they just feel out of place. Instead of the characters responding realistically to the situation, they're still riffing on each other with immature humor that was more appropriate for The 40 Year Old Virgin.

A large part of the film's excess problem is its length. Clocking in at over two and a half hours, it is just too long of a time to be spending with characters you're not particularly engaged by. This is most notable by the dramatic shift in story that takes place midway through the film. When Sandler visits his ex-girlfriend (played by Leslie Mann), it feels like the beginning of a whole new film. I actually liked a lot of the scenes at this point, particularly any involving (of all people) Eric Bana, who plays Mann's current husband. The problem was that by that point the film had already lost so much steam it made it difficult for me to really care what was happening.

As per usual for an Apatow film, the supporting cast is stellar. Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman play Rogen's roommates. We also get to see a lot of standup comics, young and old ranging from Parks and Recreations' Aziz Ansari and Aubrey Plaza to familiar faces like Andy Dick, Paul Reiser, and Ray Romano. Everybody pops in briefly and usually brings a spark to the film, but then are fleeting gone sending us back into the dreariness.

One of the best qualities in Apatow's previous two films was that for all the man-boy tendencies displayed by the main character, there was always evident maturity displayed by them by the film's end. That growth went a long way to making those films feel rewarding. Here the attempt at having Sandler's character display growth is feeble at best. For as long as the film is, the payoff is wholly unsatisfying. Overall, the film plays like someone's poor attempt at telling their version of the Aristocrats joke. So desperate to cram as much in and go as long as possible in building it up, the punchline is a letdown, bordering on an afterthought.

I imagine my grade will probably be lower than what the film may deserve based on its technical merits. Since I don't have to be held to the standard of most professional critics, I can let personal disappointment affect my judgment. I was looking for another classic here, but was severly let down. As unfair as it is, I'll attribute it to Apatow going outside of his usual gang and having Sandler as the lead here. Let's hope next time, Judd goes back to basics and uses some real funny people. Grade: C

Hallowed territory

Here's your first look at Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 due out next November...

The secret word is...comeback

From EW.com

The Pee-Wee Herman Show is back. Paul Reubens, who created Pee-Wee and played him on stage, TV and film between 1980 and 1991, is bringing his goofy-geeky man-child to the Los Angeles stage for a limited live-performance run at Club Nokia next month. “It’s going to be really, really good! I swear!” Reubens said, wearing Pee-Wee’s signature gray suit and bow tie, at a press conference today.

The full-scale stage performance, produced by Tony Award-winner Scott Sanders (Elaine Stritch: At Liberty) and directed by Alex Timbers (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) will revive the character Reubens first brought to life on stage in a comedy act and then spun into HBO’s The Pee-wee Herman Show in 1980. That show gave rise to two feature films, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985) and Big Top Pee-Wee (1988), and the CBS children’s program, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse (1986-1991).

After Reubens’ arrest in 1991 for indecent exposure and the subsequent media frenzy, CBS pulled Pee-Wee’s Playhouse off the air. Over the years, Reubens has tried to resurrect the character and the show. In fact, this production is the first step in his dream of a full-scale Pee-Wee comeback. “I want to make a big, giant, epic adventure movie based on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, ” Reubens said. “This [stage] show is what I did originally to have a career, so why not [do it again]?”

So last summer Reubens approached Sanders, his friend and producer, about mounting a Pee-Wee theatrical production. The result: A 4-week engagement that will reunite the Playhouse gang– e.g. Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, and puppets Chairry the chair, and Pterri the pterodactyl–in a new plot about Pee-Wee’s hope that he can fly. “It’s really going to be a feast for the eyes,” director Timbers said. The show, which will have a limited run in LA from January 12 through February 7, will feature flying puppets, original songs, and “many, many ticks and surprises,” he said. Plus, because it’s been almost 20 years since Pee-Wee went off the air, this show will be “a little less kiddy,” Timbers said. “If this were a movie, it’d be PG.”

Part comedy show, part play, this stage version of The Pee-Wee Herman Show will be very similar to Pee-Wee’s Playhouse in terms of design (the set is elaborate and colorful) and comedic tone, Reubens said. Social commentary is guaranteed. (Pee-Wee, for instance, is wearing an abstinence ring.) “It’s going to be dazzling,” Reubens said. “It’s 80ish minutes of puppets talking and flying, and doing all kinds of technical things. No one’s ever seen this before.” Fans can expect Miss Yvonne’s hair to be extra tall, a new bear character, and sets that look homemade. “I think its gonna blow people away,” Reubens said, and then added, “I hope I’m right. Ha ha!”

Looks like if the CSI gig doesn't work out, Laurence Fishburne can just dust off his Cowboy Curtis gear.

Scott's Tots deleted scenes

#4


#3


#2


#1