6 The Hangover 2 (May 26)
Plot: In the follow-up to the record-breaking hit comedy "The Hangover," Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding. After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch. However, things don't always go as planned. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can't even be imagined.
Personal opinion: I really enjoyed the first film and am happy to see that this quartet is back again for another round of wacky hijinx. Given the comedic talent that comprises this cast, this film cannot not be funny. My only concern is that it's been only two years since the first. Typically I feel sequels are better when they have a bit more time to percolate. But I understand the 'strike while the iron is hot' mentality. Hopefully, they've got some really good ideas in place and this will be Thai-riffic.
5 Thor (May 6)
Plot: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the epic adventure, "Thor," which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love. It's while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Personal opinion: Yes, it's another comic book movie, get used to it next year. This one kicks off the summer and sets the tone for how well everything else will do. While Thor may not be a household name, it seems to have a pretty good story that try to blend mythic elements (which people seemed to enjoy in last year's Clash of the Titans) with modern day kick ass-ery. While the stuff away from Earth will be important to Thor's backstory, I'm definitely more interested in seeing Thor once he arrives and begins to interact with some of the characters from the Marvel universe that we're already familiar with from the Iron Man and Hulk films. And don't just write this off as some dumb action movie, with acting royalty like Sir Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman involved, along with Kenneth Brannagh directing, this may be the classiest comic book film ever made.
4 Cowboys and Aliens (July 29)
Plot: 1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger (Craig) with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Ford). It's a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he's been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella (Olivia Wilde), he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents—townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors—all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.
Personal opinion: James Bond and Indiana Jones in a film written by the guys who wrote Star Trek and directed by the guy that did Iron Man about an alien invasion during the wild west? C'mon what's not to love about this film. There's an outside chance that it could be really cheesy and stupid, but I'm hoping against hope that that is not the case. People may laugh at the title when they see it appear in the trailer, but I betcha they'll all be there when this thing comes out next summer. I sure know I'll be there.
3 Sherlock Holmes 2 (December 16)
Plot: Guy Ritchie helms a new action-packed adventure, following the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), and his longtime trusted associate, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), as they match wits with their arch-nemesis, the criminal genius Moriarty (Jared Harris).
Personal opinion: While some critics did not care for the first entry, I absolutely adored this film and cannot wait for the sequel. Like The Hangover 2, there is the rush factor to be concerned with here, but I'm hoping that since they have better source material, it won't be an issue for this sequel. I'm disappointed that Rachel McAdams seemingly won't be back in this one, but the cast additions they've made seem inspired. I particularly like the casting of Jared Harris, who played David Robert Jones on Fringe, as Moriarty. With this and the new Mission: Impossible opening on the same weekend, it looks like it will be a big box office come next Christmas.
2 Super 8 (June 10)
Plot: Nobody really knows. All we have to go off of is the mysterious teaser trailer that was released last summer.
Personal opinion: Where J.J. Abrams goes, I will follow. It's tough to judge this one since we know so little about the plot, but that level of mystery just makes me all that more interested in seeing this film. I'm hoping that it's not like Cloverfield, which was a similarly shrouded film that turned out to be horror film schlock. Given that Abrams is directing this one himself, I'm expecting something much better. You can bet that the moment I learn more about this film, I'll pass along the information to the rest of you here on this blog.
1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (July 15)
Plot:
In Part 2 of the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the Wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Personal opinion: To be honest, I was actually hoping this would not be #1. While I'm certainly looking forward to this, it's not the most interesting top choice. Unfortunately, I just didn't feel there was anything else that I could say without reservation that I was looking forward to more. There was nothing on the slate for next year like Inception, where I just knew I had to see the film. So while there may be some disappointment here, I think all Potter fans can agree that this is highly anticipated. I really enjoyed Part 1 and expect nothing less than greatest as we finally saw goodbye to the Hogwarts gang. This will be sad, exciting, thrilling, bittersweet, and every other emotion mixed in and I definitely can't wait.
So there you have it. Did I miss anything? Did I rank anything too high? Too low? Sound off in the comments below.
Friday, December 31, 2010
The 24 movie takes a time out
From EW.com:
Fans of Jack Bauer who were hoping to get a big screen fix of their favorite anti-hero may be in for a long wait: EW has learned exclusively that 20th Century Fox has nixed a script from Billy Ray (State of Play) that would have continued the storyline of the rogue CTU agent from the long-running drama 24.
“As far as I know, it is in suspended animation,” Howard Gordon, the longtime executive producer of 24 who is also expected to produce the big screen version, told EW exclusively. ”There is talk about re-approaching it. I understand (director/producer) Tony Scott is meeting with Kiefer to talk about ideas. People are still talking about it.”
When 24 ended its eight-year run on Fox in May, Sutherland told EW the series finale would tee up the movie. “We wanted to create a definitive end for Jack Bauer,” the actor explained. “Since we do have the intention to make the feature film, it would lead into that and certainly set that up. Something we’ve dealt with in the series is how the crisis always has to come to us because we don’t have time to move anywhere in a real time world. In a two-hour (movie) representation of the 24 world, planes, trains, and automobiles all of a sudden become a factor because you are not required to go scene by scene in real time. That’s something I can say I am very excited about.”
Gordon is certainly keeping busy while Fox decides Jack Bauer’s next play: Besides having two dramas in development at Showtime and Fox, he’s busy promoting his thriller novel Gideon’s War. (And how’s this for staying loyal to the CTU family: Carlos Bernard, aka Tony Almeida, is narrating the audiobook version. For Gordon book signing details, click here). But Gordon remains optimistic that Jack’s days are not over.
“I was disapppointed [Fox] passed on the script but I’m certainly hopeful that the movie will get made at some point,” he said. “Anecdotally, I’ve heard from people who are really missing the show and I do think there is more life in Jack Bauer.”
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2011 Movie Preview (#12 - 7)
12 The Adjustment Bureau (March 4)
Plot: On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt)--a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself--the men of The Adjustment Bureau--who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path...or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.
Personal opinion: I was all gung ho about this movie when it was supposed to come out last July. I was excited when it was supposed to come out in September. Now that it comes out in March, my spirits have been dampened slighly because movies that get pushed back almost never turn out well. However, I really like the cast here. And Philip K. Dick stories almost always are fascinating, so I'm still anxious to check this one out.
11 The Muppets (November 23)
Plot: On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.
Personal opinion: Maybe it's pure nostalgia, but I'm excited to see the Muppets back on screen. What makes this most appealing is the fact that this latest entry isn't intended purely for children. We've already seen Jason Segel's foray into puppetering with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so you know he's passionate about this project. The plot sounds fun (I couldn't help but laugh when I read what the various Muppets were doing these days) and it also sounds perfect for this type of Movie. I predict big business for it come next Thanksgiving.
10 Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22)
Plot: "Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Personal opinion: This is the lynch pin in the future of the Avengers franchise. Despite how successful the Iron Man films are, if this one doesn't fly, it's going to be difficult for Marvel to move forward with their films. I really want to see this origin story, even if I'm not convinced that Chris Evans was the right guy to play Cap. This would be higher up (or lower) if a trailer had been released. Until then, #10 on my list will have to do.
9 Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (December 16)
Plot: J.J. Abrams will be producing the fourth "Mission: Impossible" film. Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec will write the script based on a story Abrams wrote with them.
Personal opinion: It's disappointing to see that J.J. Abrams isn't directing this himself since I enjoying M:I3 so much, but I feel he's left the franchise in good hands by having Brad Bird (The Incredibles) take over the helm. As I've stated already with some of the other films on my list, it's a bit dicey to expect quality with the fourth film in a franchise, but I like a lot of the new blood that they have infused into this film. Actors like Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Josh Holloway will not only add to this film, they make it possible for this franchise to continue on past this one.
8 Cars 2 (June 24)
Plot: Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in "Cars 2" when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.
Personal opinion: The first Cars was not one of my favorite Pixar films, and I know I'm not alone in that assessment. So it was quite a surprise to see that they would choose to make a sequel to it, especially since they typically don't do sequels. This ends up still ranking high for two reasons; first, Pixar has built up enough goodwill that I trust their judgment and believe that they will still do produce a great film, and secondly, the plot for this one seems much more interesting focusing on spy stuff instead of merely catering to the NASCAR crowd. If there's any sure thing on my list, this is probably it.
7 Contagion (October 21)
Plot: "Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.
Personal opinion: This looks like it's going to be a heckuva film. You have a cool storyline, an established director (Soderbergh), and an amazing cast (Matt Damon, Marion Coittard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet). This seems like a can't miss. However, with knowing very little about this beyond what I have posted in the plot description above, I'm hesitant to put it higher. I just hope that these early indications are representative of the greatness of the actual film.
OK, there's only 6 left. What remains? Well, you'll just have to find out tomorrow (although I'm sure you can guess what some of them are).
Plot: On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt)--a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realizes he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself--the men of The Adjustment Bureau--who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path...or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.
Personal opinion: I was all gung ho about this movie when it was supposed to come out last July. I was excited when it was supposed to come out in September. Now that it comes out in March, my spirits have been dampened slighly because movies that get pushed back almost never turn out well. However, I really like the cast here. And Philip K. Dick stories almost always are fascinating, so I'm still anxious to check this one out.
11 The Muppets (November 23)
Plot: On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.
Personal opinion: Maybe it's pure nostalgia, but I'm excited to see the Muppets back on screen. What makes this most appealing is the fact that this latest entry isn't intended purely for children. We've already seen Jason Segel's foray into puppetering with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so you know he's passionate about this project. The plot sounds fun (I couldn't help but laugh when I read what the various Muppets were doing these days) and it also sounds perfect for this type of Movie. I predict big business for it come next Thanksgiving.
10 Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22)
Plot: "Captain America: The First Avenger" will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Personal opinion: This is the lynch pin in the future of the Avengers franchise. Despite how successful the Iron Man films are, if this one doesn't fly, it's going to be difficult for Marvel to move forward with their films. I really want to see this origin story, even if I'm not convinced that Chris Evans was the right guy to play Cap. This would be higher up (or lower) if a trailer had been released. Until then, #10 on my list will have to do.
9 Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (December 16)
Plot: J.J. Abrams will be producing the fourth "Mission: Impossible" film. Josh Applebaum & Andre Nemec will write the script based on a story Abrams wrote with them.
Personal opinion: It's disappointing to see that J.J. Abrams isn't directing this himself since I enjoying M:I3 so much, but I feel he's left the franchise in good hands by having Brad Bird (The Incredibles) take over the helm. As I've stated already with some of the other films on my list, it's a bit dicey to expect quality with the fourth film in a franchise, but I like a lot of the new blood that they have infused into this film. Actors like Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Josh Holloway will not only add to this film, they make it possible for this franchise to continue on past this one.
8 Cars 2 (June 24)
Plot: Star racecar Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in "Cars 2" when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret spy mission, Mater’s action-packed journey leads him on an explosive chase through the streets of Japan and Europe, trailed by his friends and watched by the whole world. Adding to the fast-paced fun is a colorful new all-car cast that includes secret agents, menacing villains and international racing competitors.
Personal opinion: The first Cars was not one of my favorite Pixar films, and I know I'm not alone in that assessment. So it was quite a surprise to see that they would choose to make a sequel to it, especially since they typically don't do sequels. This ends up still ranking high for two reasons; first, Pixar has built up enough goodwill that I trust their judgment and believe that they will still do produce a great film, and secondly, the plot for this one seems much more interesting focusing on spy stuff instead of merely catering to the NASCAR crowd. If there's any sure thing on my list, this is probably it.
7 Contagion (October 21)
Plot: "Contagion" follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.
Personal opinion: This looks like it's going to be a heckuva film. You have a cool storyline, an established director (Soderbergh), and an amazing cast (Matt Damon, Marion Coittard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet). This seems like a can't miss. However, with knowing very little about this beyond what I have posted in the plot description above, I'm hesitant to put it higher. I just hope that these early indications are representative of the greatness of the actual film.
OK, there's only 6 left. What remains? Well, you'll just have to find out tomorrow (although I'm sure you can guess what some of them are).
Cape crusader
So midseason shows are typically not noted for their greatness, otherwise they would have found their way on the fall schedule instead. However, I'll still remain hopeful that NBC's latest entry into the superhero genre may offer up some entertaining television. If you have not yet seen anything yet on The Cape, here's an extended trailer to whet your appetite.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
2011 Movie Preview (#18 - 13)
18 Wanderlust (October 7)
Plot: Wanderlust centers on a couple who, after losing all of their money, take refuge at a commune.
Personal opinion: Clearly by that description above, it would be really tough to make any assessment of this film right now. However, we also know it's being directed by David Wain (Role Models) and stars Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston. That is enough comedy pedigree right there to give me confidence that this will be a funny movie. And while this isn't a wholly original plot, it seems more unique than most movies being released next year.
17 Moneyball (September 23)
Plot: Based on Michael Lewis' nonfiction bestseller "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game," the book's subject is Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who assembled a contending baseball club on a shoestring budget by employing a sophisticated computer-based analysis to draft players.
Personal opinion: This seems like it could be next year's The Social Network. I don't have the same kind of confidence that this will be great, but the subject matter does interest me all the same. Just like The Social Network, I'm not sure how this premise will translate into a feature film, but I'll certainly want to find out whether or not they can do it.
16 X-Men: First Class (June 3)
Plot:
"X-Men: First Class," following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.
Personal opinion: Normally, I'd be very excited about another X-Men film, but this one concerns me. Prequels are always a tricky thing. The Wolverine one worked well enough because the character doesn't age. But in this case, they are asking the audience to accept younger (and frankly not as skilled) actors to portray characters that we've already accepted in a different form. You also run the risk of ruining continuity with a film like this. Still, these are beloved characters and I will want to see what aspects of their origin story they choose to focus on in this new film.
15 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20)
Plot: Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penelope Cruz), he's not sure if it's love—or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the "Queen Anne's Revenge," the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack's longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
Personal opinion: There were several criticisms of the last two sequels, many of which were valid, so my faith in yet another film for this franchise isn't great. Then again, Johnny Depp is so good in this role, I can't say that I'm displeased to see more adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow. I also think that the absence of Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly might be a good thing here. It may make for a more focused film and open up some new storytelling. While I didn't fall in love with it, the first trailer for this latest entry seems entertaining enough to give me hope.
14 Kung Fu Panda 2 (May 27)
Plot: Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five - Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. But Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and The Furious Five to journey across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Personal opinion: The first film was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2008. The story, voice work, and animation was on par with anything that Pixar has done. Because of that, I'm certainly looking forward to this return effort. However, because this is Dreamworks and not Pixar, I don't have the same kind of faith in this. The original Shrek was great, but they failed to recapture that magic with the sequels. I hope that I am wrong here and that this turns out to be another entertaining entry.
13 Green Lantern (June 17)
Plot: In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax...he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.
Personal Opinion: Marvel has certainly expanded their cadre of characters onto the big screen, so I am all for DC to do the same. My biggest concern, which was somewhat confirmed in the film's first trailer, is that I'm not that crazy about Ryan Reynolds as an actor and the smarmy way he plays every single character. I do like the Green Lantern character, even though I really don't know that much about his origins or background. I felt similar about Iron Man before that film came out, so I'm hopeful that this film will turn out as good as that one did.
Plot: Wanderlust centers on a couple who, after losing all of their money, take refuge at a commune.
Personal opinion: Clearly by that description above, it would be really tough to make any assessment of this film right now. However, we also know it's being directed by David Wain (Role Models) and stars Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston. That is enough comedy pedigree right there to give me confidence that this will be a funny movie. And while this isn't a wholly original plot, it seems more unique than most movies being released next year.
17 Moneyball (September 23)
Plot: Based on Michael Lewis' nonfiction bestseller "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game," the book's subject is Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who assembled a contending baseball club on a shoestring budget by employing a sophisticated computer-based analysis to draft players.
Personal opinion: This seems like it could be next year's The Social Network. I don't have the same kind of confidence that this will be great, but the subject matter does interest me all the same. Just like The Social Network, I'm not sure how this premise will translate into a feature film, but I'll certainly want to find out whether or not they can do it.
16 X-Men: First Class (June 3)
Plot:
"X-Men: First Class," following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-Men.
Personal opinion: Normally, I'd be very excited about another X-Men film, but this one concerns me. Prequels are always a tricky thing. The Wolverine one worked well enough because the character doesn't age. But in this case, they are asking the audience to accept younger (and frankly not as skilled) actors to portray characters that we've already accepted in a different form. You also run the risk of ruining continuity with a film like this. Still, these are beloved characters and I will want to see what aspects of their origin story they choose to focus on in this new film.
15 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20)
Plot: Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed adventure. Crossing paths with the enigmatic Angelica (Penelope Cruz), he's not sure if it's love—or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the "Queen Anne's Revenge," the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past. The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack's longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
Personal opinion: There were several criticisms of the last two sequels, many of which were valid, so my faith in yet another film for this franchise isn't great. Then again, Johnny Depp is so good in this role, I can't say that I'm displeased to see more adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow. I also think that the absence of Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightly might be a good thing here. It may make for a more focused film and open up some new storytelling. While I didn't fall in love with it, the first trailer for this latest entry seems entertaining enough to give me hope.
14 Kung Fu Panda 2 (May 27)
Plot: Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five - Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. But Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and The Furious Five to journey across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Personal opinion: The first film was one of the most pleasant surprises of 2008. The story, voice work, and animation was on par with anything that Pixar has done. Because of that, I'm certainly looking forward to this return effort. However, because this is Dreamworks and not Pixar, I don't have the same kind of faith in this. The original Shrek was great, but they failed to recapture that magic with the sequels. I hope that I am wrong here and that this turns out to be another entertaining entry.
13 Green Lantern (June 17)
Plot: In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each Green Lantern wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds). Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax...he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all.
Personal Opinion: Marvel has certainly expanded their cadre of characters onto the big screen, so I am all for DC to do the same. My biggest concern, which was somewhat confirmed in the film's first trailer, is that I'm not that crazy about Ryan Reynolds as an actor and the smarmy way he plays every single character. I do like the Green Lantern character, even though I really don't know that much about his origins or background. I felt similar about Iron Man before that film came out, so I'm hopeful that this film will turn out as good as that one did.
NMR: Exit Through the Gift Shop
This movie really baffled me, but in a good way. I had heard a lot of good things about this documentary on street art, but didn't actually know a lot about it specifically. That lack of knowledge really altered the way I perceived this film. In fact for the first three quarters of the film, I didn't care for it at all. Then, just like a piece of abstract art, I finally started to get the film's purpose. And when I read more about the film afterwards and understood who was behind it and his purpose for making the film, I saw the whole thing in a completely different light. It's one of the few films that I would appreciate more on my second viewing. Like a similar documentary, My Kid Could Paint That, this film takes a critical look at what is art and how hype can change people's perceptions of what is good. If this is a subject matter that interests you at all, I would definitely recommend you check it out. Rating: ****
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
2011 Movie Preview (#24 - 19)
24 The Green Hornet (January 14)
Plot: Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of LA's most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene – until his father (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father's more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. But in order to do this, they decide to become criminals themselves – protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets.
Personal opinion: In what is sadly a theme for a lot of films on this year's list, I'm picking up more on their flaws than I am their strengths. In this case, it's the combination of my disappointment in Seth Rogen's recent films and a sense that I feel like I've already seen the majority of the film thanks to a heavy advertising campaign that included an entire episode of Mythbusters dedicated to the film. The fact that the film is being directed by Michel Gondry may be a detriment as well since he seems to do better with art house fare than mainstream films like this. Still, I am always in support of superhero films and this one has a nice supporting cast with it. I'll be particularly interested to see what Christophe Waltz does as a follow-up to Inglorious Basterds. It's likely not going to be great, but in the dead of winter, it may be our best offering.
23 Crazy Stupid Love (July 29)
Plot: At fortysomething, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream--good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Worse, in today's single world, Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his free evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protege to handsome, thirtysomething player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal's eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can't be found at Supercuts or The Gap. Cal and Emily aren't the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places: Cal's 13-year-old son, Robbie, is crazy about his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica, who harbors a crush on Cal. And despite Cal's makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can't be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading him back to where he began.
Personal opinion: This was a late entry on my list and ended up replacing another comedy that has for now been removed from the schedule. Based on the film's plot alone, I'm not sure if it would merit a spot on my list, but I trust Steve Carell enough to now that this has to be worth a look. This seems like a comedy perfectly suited to his strengths. The casting of Ryan Gosling as co-star is interesting as he's been mostly doing independent films recently. We'll see how he handles co-starring a big summer film like this. Here's hoping though that this movie gets a new title before it actually comes out because it's doing this few no service.
22 Cedar Rapids (February 11)
Plot: To call insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), "naive" is a gross understatement. He's never left his small hometown. He's never stayed at a hotel. And he's never experienced anything like Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sent to represent his company at the annual insurance convention, Tim is soon distracted by three convention veterans (John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who will show him the ropes and push his boundaries. For a guy who plays everything by the book, this convention will be anything but conventional.
Personal opinion: This fills the small independent comedy slot on the list. It likely will be ignored by the masses, but its trailer makes it seem like a lot of fun. Ed Helms is clearly a star on the rise and he's surrounded himself with some very funny people in this film. John C. Reilly, Stephen Root, and Kurtwood Smith always seem to bring the goods in these type of films, so I'll expect nothing less from them again here. If it is as good as the previews suggest, this will likely be a film I'll be promoting for a while on here.
21 Unknown (February 18)
Plot: Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run. Aided by an unlikely ally (Diane Kruger), Martin plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he's willing to go to uncover the truth.
Personal opinion: Just as in Taken, it appears that Liam Neeson is here on a mission to kick some serious ass. This time around, what's been 'taken' is his identity and he's none too happy about it. The answer as to why this is happening to him will likely be eye-rolling bad and/or convoluted, but I'm sure most viewers won't matter. As long as this film can deliver some unabashed action scenes, then this will be a winner.
20 Larry Crowne (July 1)
Plot: When appealing everyman Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is inexplicably fired from his job as a big box store clerk, he realizes it's time fro some meaningful change in his life. Deeply in debt and without direction, he returns to college where he befriends a group of scooter-riding students and eventually develops a real affection for his beautiful speech class instructor, Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts). Charming and smart, "Larry Crowne" reminds us of life's small surprises. Sometimes clouds really do have a silver lining. It's also about the power of new beginnings like the time Larry Crowne, an ordinary man with a gentle heart, was forced to downsize his world... and ended up expanding his life.
Personal opinion: On description alone, this seems like a film that would be better suited for the end of the year awards season rather than the middle of the summer. Since I don't know much about this film beyond the plot summary listed above, I can't really tell if this is a suitable Fourth of July weekend film or not. Regardless, there's no denying the star power that Hanks and Roberts pack when in a film together. It seems like it's been a while since Hanks was starring in a live action film, so I'm excited to check this one out.
19 Transformers: Dark of the Moon (July 1)
Plot: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" features Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. The film centers around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets.
Personal opinion: It's no secret that I have not enjoyed the Transformers films as much as some people have. The enormity of the franchise though practically necessitates that I include this third film on my list. Since I was not a huge fan of the first two and the fact that Shia Lebeouf is still around, I can't put this film any higher on my list. However, the teaser trailer that was released a few weeks ago did pique my interest, which is why it made it this far up the list. The fact that they are trying to connect the space race with the Transformers' war makes it seem that they may be attempting to actually focus on the story this time around instead of settling for loud noises and terrible comedy.
Plot: Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of LA's most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene – until his father (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father's more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. But in order to do this, they decide to become criminals themselves – protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets.
Personal opinion: In what is sadly a theme for a lot of films on this year's list, I'm picking up more on their flaws than I am their strengths. In this case, it's the combination of my disappointment in Seth Rogen's recent films and a sense that I feel like I've already seen the majority of the film thanks to a heavy advertising campaign that included an entire episode of Mythbusters dedicated to the film. The fact that the film is being directed by Michel Gondry may be a detriment as well since he seems to do better with art house fare than mainstream films like this. Still, I am always in support of superhero films and this one has a nice supporting cast with it. I'll be particularly interested to see what Christophe Waltz does as a follow-up to Inglorious Basterds. It's likely not going to be great, but in the dead of winter, it may be our best offering.
23 Crazy Stupid Love (July 29)
Plot: At fortysomething, straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream--good job, nice house, great kids and marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when Cal learns that his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore), has cheated on him and wants a divorce, his "perfect" life quickly unravels. Worse, in today's single world, Cal, who hasn't dated in decades, stands out as the epitome of un-smooth. Now spending his free evenings sulking alone at a local bar, the hapless Cal is taken on as wingman and protege to handsome, thirtysomething player Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). In an effort to help Cal get over his wife and start living his life, Jacob opens Cal's eyes to the many options before him: flirty women, manly drinks and a sense of style that can't be found at Supercuts or The Gap. Cal and Emily aren't the only ones looking for love in what might be all the wrong places: Cal's 13-year-old son, Robbie, is crazy about his 17-year-old babysitter, Jessica, who harbors a crush on Cal. And despite Cal's makeover and his many new conquests, the one thing that can't be made over is his heart, which seems to keep leading him back to where he began.
Personal opinion: This was a late entry on my list and ended up replacing another comedy that has for now been removed from the schedule. Based on the film's plot alone, I'm not sure if it would merit a spot on my list, but I trust Steve Carell enough to now that this has to be worth a look. This seems like a comedy perfectly suited to his strengths. The casting of Ryan Gosling as co-star is interesting as he's been mostly doing independent films recently. We'll see how he handles co-starring a big summer film like this. Here's hoping though that this movie gets a new title before it actually comes out because it's doing this few no service.
22 Cedar Rapids (February 11)
Plot: To call insurance agent Tim Lippe (Ed Helms), "naive" is a gross understatement. He's never left his small hometown. He's never stayed at a hotel. And he's never experienced anything like Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sent to represent his company at the annual insurance convention, Tim is soon distracted by three convention veterans (John C. Reilly, Anne Heche and Isiah Whitlock Jr.) who will show him the ropes and push his boundaries. For a guy who plays everything by the book, this convention will be anything but conventional.
Personal opinion: This fills the small independent comedy slot on the list. It likely will be ignored by the masses, but its trailer makes it seem like a lot of fun. Ed Helms is clearly a star on the rise and he's surrounded himself with some very funny people in this film. John C. Reilly, Stephen Root, and Kurtwood Smith always seem to bring the goods in these type of films, so I'll expect nothing less from them again here. If it is as good as the previews suggest, this will likely be a film I'll be promoting for a while on here.
21 Unknown (February 18)
Plot: Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run. Aided by an unlikely ally (Diane Kruger), Martin plunges headlong into a deadly mystery that will force him to question his sanity, his identity, and just how far he's willing to go to uncover the truth.
Personal opinion: Just as in Taken, it appears that Liam Neeson is here on a mission to kick some serious ass. This time around, what's been 'taken' is his identity and he's none too happy about it. The answer as to why this is happening to him will likely be eye-rolling bad and/or convoluted, but I'm sure most viewers won't matter. As long as this film can deliver some unabashed action scenes, then this will be a winner.
20 Larry Crowne (July 1)
Plot: When appealing everyman Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is inexplicably fired from his job as a big box store clerk, he realizes it's time fro some meaningful change in his life. Deeply in debt and without direction, he returns to college where he befriends a group of scooter-riding students and eventually develops a real affection for his beautiful speech class instructor, Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts). Charming and smart, "Larry Crowne" reminds us of life's small surprises. Sometimes clouds really do have a silver lining. It's also about the power of new beginnings like the time Larry Crowne, an ordinary man with a gentle heart, was forced to downsize his world... and ended up expanding his life.
Personal opinion: On description alone, this seems like a film that would be better suited for the end of the year awards season rather than the middle of the summer. Since I don't know much about this film beyond the plot summary listed above, I can't really tell if this is a suitable Fourth of July weekend film or not. Regardless, there's no denying the star power that Hanks and Roberts pack when in a film together. It seems like it's been a while since Hanks was starring in a live action film, so I'm excited to check this one out.
19 Transformers: Dark of the Moon (July 1)
Plot: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" features Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. The film centers around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets.
Personal opinion: It's no secret that I have not enjoyed the Transformers films as much as some people have. The enormity of the franchise though practically necessitates that I include this third film on my list. Since I was not a huge fan of the first two and the fact that Shia Lebeouf is still around, I can't put this film any higher on my list. However, the teaser trailer that was released a few weeks ago did pique my interest, which is why it made it this far up the list. The fact that they are trying to connect the space race with the Transformers' war makes it seem that they may be attempting to actually focus on the story this time around instead of settling for loud noises and terrible comedy.
Trailing behind
So as I continue my 2011 preview, I thought I might give some recognition to a handful of films that did not quite make the list. While the top films are always easy to select, there are a lot of films that could have fit into the 25-30 slots. Below are trailers for three films that just missed the cut. That's not to say that they don't offer some interest to me. Check out these trailers and see if you think they might be worthwhile.
Monday, December 27, 2010
2011 Movie Preview (#30 - 25)
As we close out another year, it's time to look forward. Over the next week I'll be previewing the thirty film I'm most anticipating in the next 12 months. To be honest though, the slate for next year doesn't wow me in the same way that many of the films did last year. Despite that, I'll do my best sell job to get all of you excited in these films. And without any further ado, away we go...
#30 The Dilemma (January 14)
Plot: Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and happily married Nick (Kevin James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. With Ronny's girlfriend, Beth (Jennifer Connelly), and Nick's wife, Geneva (Winona Ryder), by their sides, they're unbeatable. But Ronny's world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. As the amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. Now, with the clock ticking and pressure mounting on the biggest presentation of their careers, Ronny must decide how and when he will reveal the truth to his best friend.
Personal Opinion: There have already been a lot of previews out for this one and the results have been mixed. While the plot seems a bit flimsy and sitcom-y, what tips the scales in its favors is its two leads, who are both likable and funny guys. The wild card for this film is director Ron Howard. It has been a while since he's directed a comedy, but has had success with this genre in the past. Hopefully his talents can take this seemingly average material and make this film a decent early year offering.
#29 Source Code (April 1)
Plot:
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he's ever known, he learns he's part of a government experiment called the "Source Code," a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the next attack.
Personal opinion: Based on the trailer that was released, the plot, while far-fetched, also seems awfully familiar. The whole idea of getting to replay an event over and over again until you get it right has been done before in films like Groundhog Day and Deja Vu. What earns this film a spot on my list is the fact that it's being directed by Duncan Jones, who's first film, Moon, was an interesting and inventive science fiction film. I'm very curious to see what he's got in store for his follow-up. This will likely prove whether he's the real deal or will simply be a victim of a sophomore slump.
28 Scream 4 (April 15)
Plot: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.
Personal opinion: The first Scream film was a complete game changer for the horror genre. The two sequels that followed were not quite as good, but still fun films. Typically, the law of diminishing returns is even greater for horror films, which would suggest that this might be pretty awful. However, I think that given the time that has passed, may serve this franchise well. Seeing the first trailer, it was fun to see many of the original cast back once again. I would like to think that since so many of the primary players (the leads, plus writer Kevin Williamson, and director Wes Craven) would not all return for this unless they thought they had something special.
27. Arthur (April 8)
Plot:
Closely hewing to the original, the new "Arthur" follows a very rich, happy drunk (Russell Brand) who is told by his mother (Helen Mirren) that he must marry the wealthy girl of her choosing or else lose his inheritance, just as he meets a poor girl (Greta Gerwig) and falls in love. Jennifer Garner is playing an heiress who carries her own secrets and whom Brand must marry. Nick Nolte is her deeply religious father.
Personal opinion: I'll admit I've never seen the original Dudley Moore film, however I'm certainly familiar with the film's plot, as well as the charm it had that made it successful. Knowing that, I have faith that this has the potential for being a rare remake that is good, instead of one merely content on cashing in on a known entity. I'm not sure if there is anyone more suited to play the happy, British drunk than Russell Brand. I enjoy his odd style of humor and I can't wait to see him play off of Helen Mirren, who has proven herself to be just as successful in comedy as in her dramatic roles. Those two alone will likely make this worth the price of admission.
26. Now (September 30)
Plot:
"Now" presents a world where time has become the ultimate currency. You stop aging at 25, but there's a catch: you're genetically-engineered to live only one more year, unless you can buy your way out of it. The rich "earn" decades at a time (remaining at age 25), becoming essentially immortal, while the rest beg, borrow or steal enough hours to make it through the day. When a man from the wrong side of the tracks is falsely accused of murder, he is forced to go on the run with a beautiful hostage. Living minute to minute, the duo's love becomes a powerful tool in their war against the system.
Personal opinion: Of all the films on my list, this one has to have the oddest premise, and yet I can't help but be intriqued. Adding to my interest is the fact that the film is being directed by Andrew Niccol, who has worked on other creative sci-fi films before, like directing Gattaca and writing The Truman Show. This film also has a nice crop of up and coming actors including Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cilian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, and Matthew Bomer. If this film lives up to its promise, this could be a breakout film for each of them.
25 Hall Pass (February 25)
Plot: Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) are best friends who have a lot in common, including the fact that they have each been married for many years. But when the two men begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalizing their marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked. At first, it sounds like a dream come true for Rick and Fred. But it isn't long before they discover that their expectations of the single life--and themselves--are completely, and hilariously, out of sync with reality.
Personal opinion: I've already talked at length about this film based on what I saw in its trailer, so I won't repeat those thoughts here. The previews seem to reveal some critical flaws in the film's storytelling, but I'll hold off judgment until I actually see the film. Those perceived flaws aren't enough to keep this off the list. After all, the film still has some very funny actors involved in it and is directed by the Farrelly Brothers, who have made some comedy classics. Let's hope it was just a bad trailer and the end product turns out much better.
#30 The Dilemma (January 14)
Plot: Since college, confirmed bachelor Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and happily married Nick (Kevin James) have been through thick and thin. Now partners in an auto design firm, the two pals are vying to land a dream project that would launch their company. With Ronny's girlfriend, Beth (Jennifer Connelly), and Nick's wife, Geneva (Winona Ryder), by their sides, they're unbeatable. But Ronny's world is turned upside down when he inadvertently sees Geneva out with another man and makes it his mission to get answers. As the amateur investigation dissolves his world into comic mayhem, he learns that Nick has a few secrets of his own. Now, with the clock ticking and pressure mounting on the biggest presentation of their careers, Ronny must decide how and when he will reveal the truth to his best friend.
Personal Opinion: There have already been a lot of previews out for this one and the results have been mixed. While the plot seems a bit flimsy and sitcom-y, what tips the scales in its favors is its two leads, who are both likable and funny guys. The wild card for this film is director Ron Howard. It has been a while since he's directed a comedy, but has had success with this genre in the past. Hopefully his talents can take this seemingly average material and make this film a decent early year offering.
#29 Source Code (April 1)
Plot:
When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. In an assignment unlike any he's ever known, he learns he's part of a government experiment called the "Source Code," a program that enables him to cross over into another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. With a second, much larger target threatening to kill millions in downtown Chicago, Colter re-lives the incident over and over again, gathering clues each time, until he can solve the mystery of who is behind the bombs and prevent the next attack.
Personal opinion: Based on the trailer that was released, the plot, while far-fetched, also seems awfully familiar. The whole idea of getting to replay an event over and over again until you get it right has been done before in films like Groundhog Day and Deja Vu. What earns this film a spot on my list is the fact that it's being directed by Duncan Jones, who's first film, Moon, was an interesting and inventive science fiction film. I'm very curious to see what he's got in store for his follow-up. This will likely prove whether he's the real deal or will simply be a victim of a sophomore slump.
28 Scream 4 (April 15)
Plot: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.
Personal opinion: The first Scream film was a complete game changer for the horror genre. The two sequels that followed were not quite as good, but still fun films. Typically, the law of diminishing returns is even greater for horror films, which would suggest that this might be pretty awful. However, I think that given the time that has passed, may serve this franchise well. Seeing the first trailer, it was fun to see many of the original cast back once again. I would like to think that since so many of the primary players (the leads, plus writer Kevin Williamson, and director Wes Craven) would not all return for this unless they thought they had something special.
27. Arthur (April 8)
Plot:
Closely hewing to the original, the new "Arthur" follows a very rich, happy drunk (Russell Brand) who is told by his mother (Helen Mirren) that he must marry the wealthy girl of her choosing or else lose his inheritance, just as he meets a poor girl (Greta Gerwig) and falls in love. Jennifer Garner is playing an heiress who carries her own secrets and whom Brand must marry. Nick Nolte is her deeply religious father.
Personal opinion: I'll admit I've never seen the original Dudley Moore film, however I'm certainly familiar with the film's plot, as well as the charm it had that made it successful. Knowing that, I have faith that this has the potential for being a rare remake that is good, instead of one merely content on cashing in on a known entity. I'm not sure if there is anyone more suited to play the happy, British drunk than Russell Brand. I enjoy his odd style of humor and I can't wait to see him play off of Helen Mirren, who has proven herself to be just as successful in comedy as in her dramatic roles. Those two alone will likely make this worth the price of admission.
26. Now (September 30)
Plot:
"Now" presents a world where time has become the ultimate currency. You stop aging at 25, but there's a catch: you're genetically-engineered to live only one more year, unless you can buy your way out of it. The rich "earn" decades at a time (remaining at age 25), becoming essentially immortal, while the rest beg, borrow or steal enough hours to make it through the day. When a man from the wrong side of the tracks is falsely accused of murder, he is forced to go on the run with a beautiful hostage. Living minute to minute, the duo's love becomes a powerful tool in their war against the system.
Personal opinion: Of all the films on my list, this one has to have the oddest premise, and yet I can't help but be intriqued. Adding to my interest is the fact that the film is being directed by Andrew Niccol, who has worked on other creative sci-fi films before, like directing Gattaca and writing The Truman Show. This film also has a nice crop of up and coming actors including Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cilian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, and Matthew Bomer. If this film lives up to its promise, this could be a breakout film for each of them.
25 Hall Pass (February 25)
Plot: Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) are best friends who have a lot in common, including the fact that they have each been married for many years. But when the two men begin to show signs of restlessness at home, their wives (Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate) take a bold approach to revitalizing their marriages: granting them a "hall pass," one week of freedom to do whatever they want...no questions asked. At first, it sounds like a dream come true for Rick and Fred. But it isn't long before they discover that their expectations of the single life--and themselves--are completely, and hilariously, out of sync with reality.
Personal opinion: I've already talked at length about this film based on what I saw in its trailer, so I won't repeat those thoughts here. The previews seem to reveal some critical flaws in the film's storytelling, but I'll hold off judgment until I actually see the film. Those perceived flaws aren't enough to keep this off the list. After all, the film still has some very funny actors involved in it and is directed by the Farrelly Brothers, who have made some comedy classics. Let's hope it was just a bad trailer and the end product turns out much better.
2010 again
Before I begin my preview of the big films coming out in 2011 (which you can read here all this week), here's an interesting video which encompasses all off the films, big and small, that graced the silver screen in 2010. While there are have certainly been a fair share of duds, I think on the whole, it's been a pretty good year at the movies.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
NMR: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
I'll admit I had some reservation upfront about this. While the premise was intriguing, it seemed a bit too hip for its own good. And then when it tanked at the box office, it seemed to support my concerns. Despite this, I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. This is an extremely inventive film, as well as being visually striking. The way director Edgar Wright blends video game imagery with the action scenes creates a wholly unique experience. This is also Michael Cera's best work in quite some time, even if he doesn't completely distance himself from the stereotypical character he's played in virtually every film he's been in. The film does have some flaws, however. I feel like the film tries to pack too much instead. Instead of solely focusing on Scott's fights with the evil exes, there's a bunch of time wasted on other characters or subplots. It also at times has that 'too cool for school' vibe that I was scared of. Thankfully though those moments are kept to a minimum. I also enjoyed a lot of the supporting cast; Jason Schwartzman is perfect as the smarmy 'final boss' and every time Aubrey Plaza was on the screen, I was loving it. This is not a perfect movie, but given its inventiveness, I would have been interested in seeing this continue as a film franchise. Unfortunately since it seems there weren't enough viewers pumping quarters into the box office for this film, it's game over for Scott Pilgrim. Rating: ****
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
No mo Favreau for Iron Man 3
Word came down today that director Jon Favreau will not be back to direct the next Iron Man film. This is certainly disappointing news. Marvel better be careful. If their comic book movies don't do well next summer, that will have an impact on the Avengers film and could ultimately doom this franchise altogether. Here's the story about Favreau's decision from New York Magazine:
The poet Robert Browning once wrote that "a man in armor is his armor's slave." By that logic, director Jon Favreau is now a free man: Insiders tell Vulture that Favreau has just informed Marvel Studios that he won't direct a third Iron Man film.
It's unclear whether the impasse was financial or creative or both. One informed source hears that he was frustrated with Marvel's urge to stuff more of their in-house heroes into the next film in the wake of The Avengers. In a recent interview with MTV News, Favreau explained that based on his conversations with Marvel Studios executives, he had no clarity as to what a third Iron Man film would even be about. “In theory, Iron Man 3 is going to be a sequel or continuation of Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Avengers,” said Favreau at the time, “This whole world … I have no idea what it is. I don’t think they do either, from conversations I’ve had with those guys.”
Still other industry insiders look at Favreau's growing price tag and speculate that he was getting too expensive for the frugal Marvel and its equally cost-conscious parent company, Disney. In fact, one Hollywood player familiar with Marvel's playbook theorizes that the company had been pushing a confusing and packed vision of the third film as a tactic to provoke Favreau into leaving the project. Favreau, after all, is said to have received $10 million for the Iron Man sequel; it's unclear what he'd be seeking for a third film, but reps familiar with these sorts of gross participation deals tell Vulture that he likely would command $12 million to $15 million up front, plus a 15 percent percent of the gross after the film recouped. With star Robert Downey Jr. also participating in the gross (and so far it's a $1.2 billion global franchise), that's an enormous amount of cash headed out the door. Disney has got to be protective of their profits for an IM3: It bought Marvel for $4 billion in 2009, and then this October paid Paramount Pictures $115 million for the distribution rights to The Avengers and Iron Man 3 in order to reunite the titles with their parent company.
Regardless of why, we’re told that Marvel quietly began the process of finding a director to replace Favreau last night. But Marvel’s task is complicated by the fact that Downey Jr. has both contractually negotiated director approval and is currently the hottest leading man in Hollywood with first pick of dozens of "go" movies around town.
Favreau will be staying on the Disney lot, at least for now: His next project will be the studio's Magic Kingdom, about a family trapped in Disneyland and their magical encounters with all sorts of Disney attractions and rides. Marvel currently has no script for a third Iron Man, and while it has no plans to shoot the film until 2012 at the earliest, Marvel execs hope to put a director on the project to guide its development as soon as possible.
Turning the Tides
The trailers for next year's big films keep rolling in. This time it's the fourth installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, subtitled On Stranger Tides (Clearly rivaling Transformers for dumbest subtitle of the year). I certainly have enjoyed (to varying degrees) the previous Pirates films, but I wonder if this is one too many and it's time to tell this franchise to walk the plank. Take a look for yourself.
Rock solid
With awards season upon us, I'm trying to stay as up to date as possible with all the potential nominees and the film I most recently saw, 127 Hours, will for sure be involved in that discussion. The film is based on the remarkable true story of Aron Ralston (played by James Franco), a extreme sport enthusiast who accidentally gets his arm pinned under a rock while climbing in Utah. Ralston managed to survive only after amputating his own arm.
The amputation is likely going to be a determing factor in whether or not people seek out this film. There will be those with a morbid fascination of how it happened and how graphic the film depicts it. I can tell you that it is shown in gory detail - to the point that some people have vomitted while watching it and the friend who I saw it with admitted afterwards that he felt light-headed. The attention to detail will likely limit the film's audience, but if you have the stomach for it is certainly something to behold.
Thankfully there is more to this film than just the gore factor. Franco gives a terrific performance here, one that's likely to earn him a nomination. One of the tragic things about this man's story is that he was the type of person who would go on these adventures without telling a soul where he was going. It's possible that if he had informed someone, he might have been rescued before having to go to a last resort. For this type of character, Franco makes an excellent choice as he epitomizes the adventurous, free-spirit was, while also being able to exhibit the humanity that is associated with the recognition of the error of his ways. Similar to Tom Hanks' performance in Cast Away, Franco is primarily on screen by himself for the majority of the film. As he talks about his situation into the video camera he brought along with him, we see him chronicling his life in fear that he may be at death's door. These conversations are captivating and heartbreaking.
Given the lack of action in this film, a story like this could have come off as rather boring. However, director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) infuses this film, like he does in all of his movies, with a kinetic energy and unique visual style. Boyle blends shots of the vast Utah landscape with close-up shots of the protagonist's anguished face. There are also several shots taken from the perspective of the inside of Ralston's water bottle. You can see the symbolism Boyle tries to convey by having water represent life. By watching is slowly dwindle, we recognize how close Aron is to death. At times, this style really adds character to the film. However, it also was too much at other times. Near the end of the film, Boyle opts to use a quick cut montage to wrap up the story rather than allowing the audience to relish in Ralston's reunion with his family and subsequent media hype surrounding his story. I feel like if you're going to require the audience to sit through Ralston's ordeal and experience it along with him, then we deserve a more cathartic finish. It aimed to be more inspirational rather than emotional, which I was disappointed in.
As much as I appreciated the craft and art that went into this film, it's certainly not the easiest film to watch. You want to see this story, but it's not one you would want to relive multiple times. Unlike say a film like Cast Away, which, despite how much I hate the ending of that film, I could watch repeatedly. I hope this film gets some recognition come awards season and I'd certainly recommend anyone that has an interest in it to seek it out (it's in limited release currently). However, I would not fault anyone who wouldn't want to see it. This is a beautiful looking film that does an amazing job of making you feel as if you are trapped in this spot along with Aron. While Aron was able to escape from his situation, it's unlikely that you'll be able to escape this movie for some time after watching it. The images of this heroic tale are likely to last with you for a while. Grade: B
The amputation is likely going to be a determing factor in whether or not people seek out this film. There will be those with a morbid fascination of how it happened and how graphic the film depicts it. I can tell you that it is shown in gory detail - to the point that some people have vomitted while watching it and the friend who I saw it with admitted afterwards that he felt light-headed. The attention to detail will likely limit the film's audience, but if you have the stomach for it is certainly something to behold.
Thankfully there is more to this film than just the gore factor. Franco gives a terrific performance here, one that's likely to earn him a nomination. One of the tragic things about this man's story is that he was the type of person who would go on these adventures without telling a soul where he was going. It's possible that if he had informed someone, he might have been rescued before having to go to a last resort. For this type of character, Franco makes an excellent choice as he epitomizes the adventurous, free-spirit was, while also being able to exhibit the humanity that is associated with the recognition of the error of his ways. Similar to Tom Hanks' performance in Cast Away, Franco is primarily on screen by himself for the majority of the film. As he talks about his situation into the video camera he brought along with him, we see him chronicling his life in fear that he may be at death's door. These conversations are captivating and heartbreaking.
Given the lack of action in this film, a story like this could have come off as rather boring. However, director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) infuses this film, like he does in all of his movies, with a kinetic energy and unique visual style. Boyle blends shots of the vast Utah landscape with close-up shots of the protagonist's anguished face. There are also several shots taken from the perspective of the inside of Ralston's water bottle. You can see the symbolism Boyle tries to convey by having water represent life. By watching is slowly dwindle, we recognize how close Aron is to death. At times, this style really adds character to the film. However, it also was too much at other times. Near the end of the film, Boyle opts to use a quick cut montage to wrap up the story rather than allowing the audience to relish in Ralston's reunion with his family and subsequent media hype surrounding his story. I feel like if you're going to require the audience to sit through Ralston's ordeal and experience it along with him, then we deserve a more cathartic finish. It aimed to be more inspirational rather than emotional, which I was disappointed in.
As much as I appreciated the craft and art that went into this film, it's certainly not the easiest film to watch. You want to see this story, but it's not one you would want to relive multiple times. Unlike say a film like Cast Away, which, despite how much I hate the ending of that film, I could watch repeatedly. I hope this film gets some recognition come awards season and I'd certainly recommend anyone that has an interest in it to seek it out (it's in limited release currently). However, I would not fault anyone who wouldn't want to see it. This is a beautiful looking film that does an amazing job of making you feel as if you are trapped in this spot along with Aron. While Aron was able to escape from his situation, it's unlikely that you'll be able to escape this movie for some time after watching it. The images of this heroic tale are likely to last with you for a while. Grade: B
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Strange days indeed
Tonight's Video Game Awards on Spike featured trailers for several new video games and the one that had me the most interested is a game that won't even be available on the system I have. Still, Batman: Arkham Asylum was a very popular game and no doubt, this new sequel Batman: Arkham City is highly anticipated. And until the third Nolan Batman film comes out, this is going to have to keep us Bat fans satisfied.
NMR: Shrek Forever After
I, along with many people, took the third film in this animated franchise to task for coming off as tired and uninspired. Despite that, it still made plenty of money and thus, we got another entry this past summer - Shrek Forever After. This time, they tried to ground themselves a bit. They toned down the pop culture jokes and limited the screen times to some of the minor characters who had become grating as the series wore on. The end result is an improvement over the previous film, but still a far cry from the inventiveness of the original. They borrow heavily from It's a Wonderful Life here as Rumplestilskin offers Shrek the opportunity to see what his life would have been like had he not been born. The alt universe offers some interesting takes on some of the main characters, but nothing that is truly memorable. Anyone above the age of 10 will easily be able to figure out how the story will end, but the film does just enough to keep you interested in what's happening. Ultimately, it does a nice job of (hopefully) finishing off this franchise. It's happily ever after for the characters, but for the viewers, they'll just be happy that this one is not as awful as the last film. Rating: ***
Norsing around
We're all familiar with Iron Man, but now it's time to meet some of the other future Avengers. Here's the trailer for next summer's Thor. Just one of the many comic book movies that will likely be featured in my 2011 movie preview that will come in a few weeks.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Fear the mustache!
Check out the Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness. It truly is a thing of awesomeness! January 20th cannot come soon enough.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Apollo oh no
I may hate myself for this, but I'm a sucker for big budget films, not matter how bad they likely will be. So with that said, here's the first trailer for the new sequel featuring our favorite robots in disguise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon (BTW, what kind of title is that?) Admittedly, the trailer does pique my interest, but I have a feeling that has a lot to do with the fact that Shia LeBeouf is nowhere to be found. Too bad, the same won't be true for the actual movie.
More Soup please!
This is certainly good news. From EW.com:
And to help celebrate this happy news, here's a cool clip from The Soup's recent 300th episode with a 'visit' from all of their wacky friends.
Guys, it’s official. Tonight, I’m making myself some chicken tetrazzini. Why? Because EW has confirmed that guilty pleasure TV’s hero, Joel McHale, has signed on for two more years of The Soup. (Deadline first reported the news.) That means two more years of spaghetti cat, two more years of ribbing Mike Hawk, and two more years of good-natured, and well-deserved, mockery of television’s most ridiculous moments. Oh, here go hell come, TV!
Of course, McHale will continue to split his time between The Soup duties and NBC’s Thursday comedy Community, making him just one step below Seacrest (so their heights can match up, of course) when it comes to the hardest-working men in Hollywood. But Soup fans like myself haven’t been this happy since Rod Blagojevich joined The Celebrity Apprentice! And what great timing — the E! program just celebrated its 300th episode, and counted down the viewer-voted best moments. Of course, I have to disagree with their top three. My choices for the three best Soup moments:
3) Whitney Houston tells us to “Kiss my ass!”: The early moment set the tone for Joel’s tenure heading The Soup, and lead to one of the most quoteable lines in Soup history. Enjoy — the Being Bobby Brown scene remains as funny as it was about five years ago.
2) Chicken tetrazzini: I never thought I would say that Maury would make me hungry, but this clip made The Soup universe famished for more and more chicken tetrazzini. And Joel happily obliged.
1) Spaghetti Cat: Most of the time, we TV fanatics are well aware of the clips Joel showcases on The Soup. (Dancing With the Stars‘ Bruno, American Idol‘s Sanjaya, etc.) But it’s when Joel finds a hidden gem that the show really shines. (See also: Donka Doo Balls and anything with I Love Toy Trains.) And, by far, Joel’s most precious gem was spaghetti cat, featured on The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet. It truly was, as Joel said in his introduction of the clip, art.
And to help celebrate this happy news, here's a cool clip from The Soup's recent 300th episode with a 'visit' from all of their wacky friends.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Dream another dream
With the release of Inception on DVD/Blu-Ray, it seems like the right time to post yet another cool video inspired by the film. This time, it's an impressive effort to display all four dreams as they occur at the same time. Check it out for yourself.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
NMR: Male bonding
Here's a pair of films from this past summer featuring guys getting together and causing trouble...
Grown Ups: It appears Adam Sandler went on vacation with his best friends and decided, hey, why not bring a camera crew with us? There's not much of a plot here, but I gather most that will be interested in seeing this really don't care about that. The film basically serves as a random collection of takes and jokes on married life and raising kids while still yearning to be a kid yourself. None of it comes off as being particularly fresh, but give the real life friendship Sandler has with Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, there's an added energy to the humor that makes it a bit more palatable. Grown Ups has a handful of decent laughs, which makes it worthwhile as a rental. If you are a fan of this gang, you'll likely enjoy this one. Rating: ***
The Expendables: Kudos to Sylvester Stallone for amassing quite a collection of action icons both old and new. Shame on Sylvester Stallone for not finding a more skilled director (he directed it himself) to make better use of all that testosterone. Seeing all of these guys together is initially a lot of fun, but that enjoyment only goes so far. The story isn't particularly interesting and thanks to Stallone's poor direction, the action scenes aren't as good as they could have been. It would have been nice if you would have sensed that these guys were in some kind of peril at some point in the film. I mean, if you're going to call the film, The Expendables, then have the guts and make one of them actually expendable. It would have also served them better to have a stronger villain. Eric Roberts is slimy, but he's not main villain material. Having someone on screen that the audience will really hate, makes the ridiculous violence that will be in the film regardless more enjoyable. Again, there's just enough here, particularly for those who were fans of these actors, to make this acceptable as a rental. Rating: ***
Grown Ups: It appears Adam Sandler went on vacation with his best friends and decided, hey, why not bring a camera crew with us? There's not much of a plot here, but I gather most that will be interested in seeing this really don't care about that. The film basically serves as a random collection of takes and jokes on married life and raising kids while still yearning to be a kid yourself. None of it comes off as being particularly fresh, but give the real life friendship Sandler has with Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade, there's an added energy to the humor that makes it a bit more palatable. Grown Ups has a handful of decent laughs, which makes it worthwhile as a rental. If you are a fan of this gang, you'll likely enjoy this one. Rating: ***
The Expendables: Kudos to Sylvester Stallone for amassing quite a collection of action icons both old and new. Shame on Sylvester Stallone for not finding a more skilled director (he directed it himself) to make better use of all that testosterone. Seeing all of these guys together is initially a lot of fun, but that enjoyment only goes so far. The story isn't particularly interesting and thanks to Stallone's poor direction, the action scenes aren't as good as they could have been. It would have been nice if you would have sensed that these guys were in some kind of peril at some point in the film. I mean, if you're going to call the film, The Expendables, then have the guts and make one of them actually expendable. It would have also served them better to have a stronger villain. Eric Roberts is slimy, but he's not main villain material. Having someone on screen that the audience will really hate, makes the ridiculous violence that will be in the film regardless more enjoyable. Again, there's just enough here, particularly for those who were fans of these actors, to make this acceptable as a rental. Rating: ***
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Death becomes him
There is definitely a sense of foreboding with the arrival of the latest film in the Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. This not only holds true inside the film, but for viewers as well as they come to the realization that soon there will be no more films. While we are now seeing less of the whimzy that marked the early films, it doesn't mean that the quality of this franchise has also waned. Instead, this is another excellent outing that has given its three core characters an opportunity to display the acting skills they've gained over the years.
The film gets off to a great start with a montage of everyone preparing for the battle that lies ahead, which then leads into a terrific chase sequence in one of the many attempts by the Death Eaters to capture Harry Potter so that he can be killed by Voldemort. Within the course of this first half hour we are treated to appearances from practically the entire cast of characters that we've come to know and love over the course of this entire franchise. In some ways, it feels like a class reunion. It's wonderful to see this terrific collection of actors, no matter how fleeting their time on screen is.
Things eventually settle down as the film shifts to focus primarily on Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they travel together avoiding Death Eaters and seeking the remaining horcruxes - the talismen which hold the key for killing Voldemort. For some, particularly those who have not read the books, these scenes may test your patience. Personally, I still found these engrossing as they solidify the relationships between the three characters and illustrate what a terrible situation they find themselves in.
I have given director David Yates grief in previous reviews for some of the personal liberties he took with the books in his films. However, now in his third effort he has evolved as a director and has become comfortable in how to move the story along. Given that he had the luxury of seperating this last book into two films, he was able to not only remain more faithful to the original text, he was also able to include more of the specific details associated with pivotal scenes. Of course, things still aren't perfect. For example, the introduction of characters, who had already been well established in previous books, like Bill Weasley and Mundungus Fletcher, are a bit abrupt. However, these are minor offenses and overall I had few complaints about what was and was not included here.
Keeping the same director for these past few films has also been helpful for the film's three young leads. Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all grown up in front of our eyes and in this film they really shine in their scenes with each other. They've gained a familiarity with who these characters are without displaying any complacency in still playing them a decade later. Watson, in particular, has become a great young actress. She, similar to her character, has become the glue that holds things together. I'll be very interested to see how well these three can translate their fame and success into other acting jobs in the future.
If you have not heard yet where they have chosen to stop Part 1, I won't spoil it for you hear. All I will say is that I was perfectly satisfied with the spot they chose. Initially, when I heard that they were splitting this book into two films, I liked the idea but didn't have a clue as to where they would stop this first part. There was no real moment that felt like a mini victory that they could choose to close on. Instead, they opted to have this film end in a The Empire Strikes Back-esque way. The whole 'the night is always darkest before the dawn' concept. Using this method is effective and certainly will make you eager for part 2, which thankfully will come out next July.
Despite the bleaker tone and less than natural conclusion, this is still an excellent film that any Potter fan will love. It finds a nice balance between big-time action and a more intimate character study. While everyone will have their nitpicks, I think most will have difficulty finding major flaws with this latest entry. At the very least, it will do more than enough to whet your appetite for the final showdow. The battle may be between Harry and Voldemort, but the clear cut winners continue to be the fans who get to enjoy each one of these great films. Grade: A-
The film gets off to a great start with a montage of everyone preparing for the battle that lies ahead, which then leads into a terrific chase sequence in one of the many attempts by the Death Eaters to capture Harry Potter so that he can be killed by Voldemort. Within the course of this first half hour we are treated to appearances from practically the entire cast of characters that we've come to know and love over the course of this entire franchise. In some ways, it feels like a class reunion. It's wonderful to see this terrific collection of actors, no matter how fleeting their time on screen is.
Things eventually settle down as the film shifts to focus primarily on Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they travel together avoiding Death Eaters and seeking the remaining horcruxes - the talismen which hold the key for killing Voldemort. For some, particularly those who have not read the books, these scenes may test your patience. Personally, I still found these engrossing as they solidify the relationships between the three characters and illustrate what a terrible situation they find themselves in.
I have given director David Yates grief in previous reviews for some of the personal liberties he took with the books in his films. However, now in his third effort he has evolved as a director and has become comfortable in how to move the story along. Given that he had the luxury of seperating this last book into two films, he was able to not only remain more faithful to the original text, he was also able to include more of the specific details associated with pivotal scenes. Of course, things still aren't perfect. For example, the introduction of characters, who had already been well established in previous books, like Bill Weasley and Mundungus Fletcher, are a bit abrupt. However, these are minor offenses and overall I had few complaints about what was and was not included here.
Keeping the same director for these past few films has also been helpful for the film's three young leads. Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have all grown up in front of our eyes and in this film they really shine in their scenes with each other. They've gained a familiarity with who these characters are without displaying any complacency in still playing them a decade later. Watson, in particular, has become a great young actress. She, similar to her character, has become the glue that holds things together. I'll be very interested to see how well these three can translate their fame and success into other acting jobs in the future.
If you have not heard yet where they have chosen to stop Part 1, I won't spoil it for you hear. All I will say is that I was perfectly satisfied with the spot they chose. Initially, when I heard that they were splitting this book into two films, I liked the idea but didn't have a clue as to where they would stop this first part. There was no real moment that felt like a mini victory that they could choose to close on. Instead, they opted to have this film end in a The Empire Strikes Back-esque way. The whole 'the night is always darkest before the dawn' concept. Using this method is effective and certainly will make you eager for part 2, which thankfully will come out next July.
Despite the bleaker tone and less than natural conclusion, this is still an excellent film that any Potter fan will love. It finds a nice balance between big-time action and a more intimate character study. While everyone will have their nitpicks, I think most will have difficulty finding major flaws with this latest entry. At the very least, it will do more than enough to whet your appetite for the final showdow. The battle may be between Harry and Voldemort, but the clear cut winners continue to be the fans who get to enjoy each one of these great films. Grade: A-
LIVE from Sesame Street, it's Saturday Night!
Apparently, the success of the internet campaign to get Betty White as a host on Saturday Night Live has made everyone believe that with the right promotion, they too can get a hosting job. Most are pretty frivolous, but this latest entry earned my attention. Here is Sesame Street's own, Cookie Monster making his bid for the hosting gig.
NMR: Retro-grade
Here's a handful a films that are (hard to believe) now over 20 years old...
The Abyss: I've continued to be on a James Cameron kick recently, so I wanted to check out this underwater adventure from him. From a visual standpoint, this earns a major wow from me. Back there, he was already doing things way ahead of everyone else and ended up being rewarded with the Best Visual Effects Oscar as a result of this. It's interesting to see some of elements of Avatar already seen both here and his Aliens film. The primary characters are not the most interesting, but the acting is solid enough to keep the story moving. I watched the original theatrical cut, but after reading about what was included in the extended edition, it seems like it's one of the few cases where more was needed. You get a much better sense of the the aliens' inclusion in the film with the added scenes. Regardless of which version you watch though, this is an engaging film. It's not yet available on Blu-Ray and given how strong the visuals are here, I might suggest you wait for that version to come out and then watch this if you have never seen it before. Rating: ****
Robocop: I initially wrote this off as a cheesy 80s action thriller, but once I gave it a chance, I was very impressed. The action and violence in this film is excessive, but done in a way that delivers a message with it. It's overblown in a way to make a commentary on the type of violence that is typically seen in these type of films. You also have director Paul Verhoven's signature satirical take of the media on display here. On top of all that, Robocop is a hero without being corny and the villains are evil without being cool. You're actually rooting for the protagonist and you really enjoy seeing him emerge victorious. Having watched this, I rescind my cynicism and complement everyone involved here on a very entertaining action thriller. Rating: ****
Robocop 2: After enjoying the first and seeing that this was available instantly on Netflix, I gave this sequel a shot. Sadly, this one pales in comparison to the original. What makes it more depressing is that it seemingly didn't have to be that way. This film is a mess because it keeps introducing interesing story ideas and then abandoning them halfway through. Ideas like Robocop reconnecting with his wife, the relationship between him and his partner Lewis, being controlled by the evil corporation, and a child drug dealer are all started but are not developed properly. Instead, the film builds to an uninteresting battle between Robocop and a another robot that has an apparent ending and is not set up properly to make the audience invested in the outcome. While some of Verhoven's touches remain, it's clear that he would have needed to stick around and actually direct this for it to have any chance of being good. Instead, this is just a lazy cash grab that fails on all levels. Given how far the quality dropped here, along with some reviews I've read I don't think it is even worth my effort to watch the third one in this series. This one did enough damage on its own. Rating: **
The Abyss: I've continued to be on a James Cameron kick recently, so I wanted to check out this underwater adventure from him. From a visual standpoint, this earns a major wow from me. Back there, he was already doing things way ahead of everyone else and ended up being rewarded with the Best Visual Effects Oscar as a result of this. It's interesting to see some of elements of Avatar already seen both here and his Aliens film. The primary characters are not the most interesting, but the acting is solid enough to keep the story moving. I watched the original theatrical cut, but after reading about what was included in the extended edition, it seems like it's one of the few cases where more was needed. You get a much better sense of the the aliens' inclusion in the film with the added scenes. Regardless of which version you watch though, this is an engaging film. It's not yet available on Blu-Ray and given how strong the visuals are here, I might suggest you wait for that version to come out and then watch this if you have never seen it before. Rating: ****
Robocop: I initially wrote this off as a cheesy 80s action thriller, but once I gave it a chance, I was very impressed. The action and violence in this film is excessive, but done in a way that delivers a message with it. It's overblown in a way to make a commentary on the type of violence that is typically seen in these type of films. You also have director Paul Verhoven's signature satirical take of the media on display here. On top of all that, Robocop is a hero without being corny and the villains are evil without being cool. You're actually rooting for the protagonist and you really enjoy seeing him emerge victorious. Having watched this, I rescind my cynicism and complement everyone involved here on a very entertaining action thriller. Rating: ****
Robocop 2: After enjoying the first and seeing that this was available instantly on Netflix, I gave this sequel a shot. Sadly, this one pales in comparison to the original. What makes it more depressing is that it seemingly didn't have to be that way. This film is a mess because it keeps introducing interesing story ideas and then abandoning them halfway through. Ideas like Robocop reconnecting with his wife, the relationship between him and his partner Lewis, being controlled by the evil corporation, and a child drug dealer are all started but are not developed properly. Instead, the film builds to an uninteresting battle between Robocop and a another robot that has an apparent ending and is not set up properly to make the audience invested in the outcome. While some of Verhoven's touches remain, it's clear that he would have needed to stick around and actually direct this for it to have any chance of being good. Instead, this is just a lazy cash grab that fails on all levels. Given how far the quality dropped here, along with some reviews I've read I don't think it is even worth my effort to watch the third one in this series. This one did enough damage on its own. Rating: **
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Cowboy up
Laugh at the title all you want, but a film that features James Bond and Indiana Jones guarantees I'll be checking this one out.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Immature arrival
Now that it's Thanksgiving break, I'm able to catch up on my blogging and that includes a couple of movie reviews; first up, the latest Todd Phillips' comedy, Due Date. Phillips' who's on a roll coming off the success of The Hangover, set himself up nicely for this follow up by pairing Zack Galifianakis with Robert Downey Jr. Unfortunately, it seems he felt that this dream team was enough and not enough attention was spent on the story or humor.
The film is basically a retread of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. In this case, Peter Highman (Downey) is trying to head back to L.A. from Atlanta for the birth of his first kid. However, a meeting with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), causes him to be kicked off his plane and placed on the no-fly list. The two then decide to travel by car across the country, all the while Tremblay increasingly annoys Peter with his antics and mannerisms.
How much mileage, no pun intended, you get out of this sort of plot will vary. You have to tow the line of having the antagonist be annoying enough to justify the victim's frustration, but still sympathetic in order to prevent the audience from turning on the character too. In this case, Galfianakis doesn't quite evoke the same pathos that Candy did (a dead wife trumps a dead father in this case), but he's a strong enough comedian to make you laugh at most of what he does, rather than detest the character.
Due Date certainly has a familiar feel, but it's not just because its using a borrowed plot. I also felt like I had seen this movie already because of the volume of commercials and ads that there were for it before its release. As a result of their aggressive ad campaign, there were very few scenes in this film that I had not already seen that were also laugh out loud funny. That's a depressing feeling because you just sit there and you begin to recite the lines with the actors and also identify which scene comes next. If you feel like you have seen a lot of commercials for this film, I may recommend you pass on seeing it; you've already gotten most of the jokes for free.
The fact that most of the jokes were shown on regular television also tells you that the humor here isn't as edgy as in some of Phillips' other films. That is certainly disappointing as I felt that having this pairing of actors would have lent itself nicely to some good blue humor. That is not to say the movie doesn't have its laughs; it is just that you can't expect this to appeal to the same audience that fell in love with The Hangover, Old School, or Road Trip.
Truthfully, if this film didn't star Downey and Galifianakis, it would be a severly underwhelming film. These two, however, have both the acting chops and comedic time to milk the most out of this material. If you're being asked to go for a long drive, then you want to make sure you enjoy your passengers. These guys qualify for that and so that makes this a bit more tolerable. Still, you would have hoped that they could have given these guys more to work with instead of relying on their talents.
Due Date is not a bad film, but its certainly a flawed film. You're likely to get some laughs out of it, but not as many as you would hope. While this is not Todd Phillips' worst film (that would likely be School For Scoundrels), it falls short of being included with some of his modern classics. You may give this a look, but as we near Thanksgiving, you are probably better off revisiting Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and watch how an unlikely pair of travelers can make an uncomfortable ride a lot of fun. Grade: B-
The film is basically a retread of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. In this case, Peter Highman (Downey) is trying to head back to L.A. from Atlanta for the birth of his first kid. However, a meeting with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis), causes him to be kicked off his plane and placed on the no-fly list. The two then decide to travel by car across the country, all the while Tremblay increasingly annoys Peter with his antics and mannerisms.
How much mileage, no pun intended, you get out of this sort of plot will vary. You have to tow the line of having the antagonist be annoying enough to justify the victim's frustration, but still sympathetic in order to prevent the audience from turning on the character too. In this case, Galfianakis doesn't quite evoke the same pathos that Candy did (a dead wife trumps a dead father in this case), but he's a strong enough comedian to make you laugh at most of what he does, rather than detest the character.
Due Date certainly has a familiar feel, but it's not just because its using a borrowed plot. I also felt like I had seen this movie already because of the volume of commercials and ads that there were for it before its release. As a result of their aggressive ad campaign, there were very few scenes in this film that I had not already seen that were also laugh out loud funny. That's a depressing feeling because you just sit there and you begin to recite the lines with the actors and also identify which scene comes next. If you feel like you have seen a lot of commercials for this film, I may recommend you pass on seeing it; you've already gotten most of the jokes for free.
The fact that most of the jokes were shown on regular television also tells you that the humor here isn't as edgy as in some of Phillips' other films. That is certainly disappointing as I felt that having this pairing of actors would have lent itself nicely to some good blue humor. That is not to say the movie doesn't have its laughs; it is just that you can't expect this to appeal to the same audience that fell in love with The Hangover, Old School, or Road Trip.
Truthfully, if this film didn't star Downey and Galifianakis, it would be a severly underwhelming film. These two, however, have both the acting chops and comedic time to milk the most out of this material. If you're being asked to go for a long drive, then you want to make sure you enjoy your passengers. These guys qualify for that and so that makes this a bit more tolerable. Still, you would have hoped that they could have given these guys more to work with instead of relying on their talents.
Due Date is not a bad film, but its certainly a flawed film. You're likely to get some laughs out of it, but not as many as you would hope. While this is not Todd Phillips' worst film (that would likely be School For Scoundrels), it falls short of being included with some of his modern classics. You may give this a look, but as we near Thanksgiving, you are probably better off revisiting Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and watch how an unlikely pair of travelers can make an uncomfortable ride a lot of fun. Grade: B-
A Choo-in to stay in the U.S.A.
This is very good news for Indians fans...
Shin-Soo Choo has his gold medal. That should be enough for the Indians' star outfielder and nine of his South Korean teammates to avoid their home country's required military service.
On Friday, South Korea defeated Taiwan, 9-3, to capture the gold in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, completing a quest to possibly become exempt from military conscription. Ten players from the team will avoid the requirement, so Choo using his bat to win gold may turn out to be a way out of the obligation.
"I am kind of dreaming right now," Choo told Korean reporters. "Honestly, if [I told you] I didn't think about the military service, I might be a liar. But it wasn't the primary reason to join in national team. I love baseball, and whenever I put the national flag on the shoulder, I am really proud of my nation and myself.
"That's why I want to play [for] this team. I am representing all the Korean baseball players."
In the gold medal game against the defending champs from Taiwan, Choo went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Over five games in the tournament, Cleveland's budding star hit at a .571 (8-for-14) clip with three home runs, six walks, eight runs scored and 11 RBIs for South Korea.
Along the way, South Korea went undefeated to reclaim the gold it also won in 2002 and 1998.
"I'm very happy for him," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He is a proud man who cares a lot about winning. Now South Korea is on top of Asian baseball, and he can continue to make them proud with his accomplishments in MLB."
Indians general manager Chris Antonetti was impressed with how Choo performed, considering the very unique circumstances.
"It's hard to imagine a more presure-filled environment than playing under the circumstances Choo was playing in," Antonetti said. "It's certainly a great accomplishment for him and Team Korea to win the gold medal at a very competitive tournament and to perform exceptionally well in helping lead Team Korea to the gold."
That said, the Indians have not received an official declaration from the Korean Baseball Office concerning the status of Choo's military requirment. Antonetti said he anticipates hearing from Korean Baseball officials soon and the Tribe's GM fully expects Choo to be exempt from the mandate.
"We have not received official word from the K.B.O. that he's been granted a military exemption," Antonetti said. "But, based upon our understanding prior to the Asian Games, as well as past precedent, it's our understanding that Choo's military obligation will be waived."
According to the Korea Times, 10 players from the team will receive an exemption from 30 months of military conscription for capturing a gold medal in the Asian Games. All able-bodied South Korean men are required to serve two years in the military by the end of their 30th year.
With the gold in hand, and the possibility of Choo being fitted for a military uniform seemingly removed, attention can be turned on the Indians' attempt to sign the outfielder to a contract extension. Choo -- a client of agent Scott Boras -- is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, but Cleveland plans on exploring a long-term deal.
Choo, who turned 28 in July, hit .300 with 22 home runs, 90 RBIs and 22 stolen bases in 144 games. The outfielder became the only Indians player since 1901 to record a .300 average and at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in consecutive seasons.
Considering the Indians control Choo's contractual rights through 2013, there is no real reason to rush into a deal. The Indians are also working with a limited budget this winter. Antonetti said, however, that he plans on meeting with Boras this offseason to continue dialogue about a long-term deal.
"It's certainly something that we'll explore," Antonetti said. "I think it's important to remember that Choo is under club control for the next three years, but we'll certainly look at the opportunity to extend that relationship beyond that.
"We certainly value him and are hopeful that he'll be a Cleveland Indian for quite a long time."
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Seeing Green
Now that the holidays are here, expect to see a lot of trailers for next year's big movies. Here's a pair of Green themed superhero movies that may be worth checking out:
NMR: Get Him to the Greek
British comedian Russell Brand reprises his role from Forgetting Sarah Marshall as rocker Aldous Snow, however, Jonah Hill, who was also in Marshall, plays someone different here. Needless to say it's not a conventional spinoff movie. While Brand really added something with his first portrayal of Snow, it appears it wasn't a character that deserved to be the central protagonist. The film involves Hill's character attempting to chaperone the rocker from London to LA for a comeback concert. Of course, a lot of shenanigans happen along the way that are supposed to be funny. The problem in these situations is their lack of directions. They hover in the middle ground and fail to either be crudely funny or a poignant look at the fake happiness of a rock star's life. An example of this is a scene where Snow proposes a three way with Jonah Hill and his wife. Leaving it at the suggestion would offer some depth to the characters and allow them to reevaluate their relationships. Having them go all the way with it could have been peversely hilarious. Instead, they start to go forward with it, but then puss out halfway through. The actors try their best to make the material work, but that only goes so far here. If you really enjoy the lead actors, it may be worth a rental, but most will likely be disappointed. Rating: **
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Trailer deconstruction: Hall Pass
First, watch this trailer, the latest film from the Farrelly brothers...
So can anyone else see some fundamental flaws in the set-up and storytelling here? You begin with an average married guy getting caught checking out another woman. Wife gets frustrated and opts to give him a 'hall pass' so he can be with whoever he wants for a week without consequences. OK, fine. It's not the most realistic scenario, but I'm with the premise so far. We then get into the bulk of the trailer where we see how the guy uses his hall pass and it goes completely against convention. If we're to believe that a wife would get so frustrated as to offer such a pass, the guy must frequently have a wandering eye. Yet, in the scenes of him living the single life again, he hardly interacts with women and when he does, it appears he's never talked to a woman before in his life. These two things just don't add up, regardless if the scenes are funny or not, which admittedly some are.
Furthermore, let's do a reality check here. The wives of the two married guys in this film (Owen Wilson and SNL's Jason Sudekis) are The Office's Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate. This prompts a couple of questions: 1) Why would you ever have a wandering if you were married to either one of those two smoking hot women? and 2) How did they ever marry those beautiful women in the first place given their ineptitude around women that we see them display in this trailer.
Now maybe I am being too harsh and the trailer is misleading in some way of the film's actual narrative, but I would guess not. To me, it just seems like lazy Hollywood writing that eschews reality and instead cobbles together a handful of jokes and gags without any consideration for the premise or if it reflects real life.
So can anyone else see some fundamental flaws in the set-up and storytelling here? You begin with an average married guy getting caught checking out another woman. Wife gets frustrated and opts to give him a 'hall pass' so he can be with whoever he wants for a week without consequences. OK, fine. It's not the most realistic scenario, but I'm with the premise so far. We then get into the bulk of the trailer where we see how the guy uses his hall pass and it goes completely against convention. If we're to believe that a wife would get so frustrated as to offer such a pass, the guy must frequently have a wandering eye. Yet, in the scenes of him living the single life again, he hardly interacts with women and when he does, it appears he's never talked to a woman before in his life. These two things just don't add up, regardless if the scenes are funny or not, which admittedly some are.
Furthermore, let's do a reality check here. The wives of the two married guys in this film (Owen Wilson and SNL's Jason Sudekis) are The Office's Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate. This prompts a couple of questions: 1) Why would you ever have a wandering if you were married to either one of those two smoking hot women? and 2) How did they ever marry those beautiful women in the first place given their ineptitude around women that we see them display in this trailer.
Now maybe I am being too harsh and the trailer is misleading in some way of the film's actual narrative, but I would guess not. To me, it just seems like lazy Hollywood writing that eschews reality and instead cobbles together a handful of jokes and gags without any consideration for the premise or if it reflects real life.
Recreation time!!
NBC Pulls the Trigger on Three-Hour Comedy Bloc, Puts Parks and Recreation Back on the Schedule
Happy days are here again! Parks and Recreation finally returns in January and I'm already counting down the days. I love the fact that they have scheduled it after The Office as well, hopefully giving it the best chance at decent ratings. If you aren't already watching this show, do yourself a favor and check it out once it retuns in a couple of months. As for NBC's decision to have a 3 hour comedy block, it's risky, but I hope for their sake it works out. Their network has a lot better programming than what their ratings would suggest.
Happy days are here again! Parks and Recreation finally returns in January and I'm already counting down the days. I love the fact that they have scheduled it after The Office as well, hopefully giving it the best chance at decent ratings. If you aren't already watching this show, do yourself a favor and check it out once it retuns in a couple of months. As for NBC's decision to have a 3 hour comedy block, it's risky, but I hope for their sake it works out. Their network has a lot better programming than what their ratings would suggest.
Friday, November 12, 2010
The return of Coco
So after a 9 month exile, Conan O'Brien finally made his long-awaited return to television with his new late night show, Conan, on TBS and the results were less than what I had hoped for. It seemed like Conan's vacation didn't do a whole lot to produce change. A lot of the problems that I saw with his version of the Tonight Show, still seem there in this new incarnation. I really hope Conan is not trying to be stubborn and prove that that show would work had NBC given him a chance. While I believe NBC gave Conan a raw deal, his show was not perfect and a far cry from his original Late Night, where he gained his reputation as being one of the funniest late night talk show hosts out there. One of his biggest mistake in my opinion was to stay in Los Angeles. The caliber of crowd out there is terrible and the quality of guests is subpar. New York, on the other hand, had a great energy that fed well off of Conan's humor and he had a great cadre of celebrities, both big names and local favorites who would make for entertaining chat sessions. It also didn't hurt having the SNL crew nearby to feed into the comedic energy his original 12:30 show had. Everything thus far feels pre-fabricated and over-produced. Gone is the level of absurdity that made his original show great.
Now it's certainly too early to write Conan off. It may take some time to get back into the swing of things. I certainly feel the NBC jokes will thankfully subside after a while. And it still remains to be seen how much of his old characters and bits he'll be allowed to reuse on this new show. Still, I can't shake the sense that Conan has been so blinded by NBC's ineptitude that he can't properly evaluate the quality of his own show. I certainly hope I'm wrong, because when Conan's on, he can be great. But if things don't improve, I may have to settle for watching old YouTube clips of classic starring contests, If They Mated and visits from friends like PimpBot and Triumph. Grade: B-
Now it's certainly too early to write Conan off. It may take some time to get back into the swing of things. I certainly feel the NBC jokes will thankfully subside after a while. And it still remains to be seen how much of his old characters and bits he'll be allowed to reuse on this new show. Still, I can't shake the sense that Conan has been so blinded by NBC's ineptitude that he can't properly evaluate the quality of his own show. I certainly hope I'm wrong, because when Conan's on, he can be great. But if things don't improve, I may have to settle for watching old YouTube clips of classic starring contests, If They Mated and visits from friends like PimpBot and Triumph. Grade: B-
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Spot the difference
Anyone who can tell me what the difference between these two films, both due out next year, are, aside from the actors in them, wins a prize.
NMR: Batman: Under the Red Hood
As you know, I occasionally like to check out the animated comic book movies. This direct-to-dvd entry came out a few months ago and is already available for instant viewing on Netflix. I'm a big fan of Batman and this film was really entertaining. It digs deep into the motivations of the Batman character, while also exploring the origins of one of Batman's Robins. The main story revolves around a mysterious character named the Red Hood who's trying to take over all of Gotham's mob scene. Even though the focus is on Red Hood, the movie manages to work in appearances from other classic Batman villains including the Joker, the Riddler, Ra's Al Guhl and the Black Mask. None of their appearances feels tacked on, instead they create a more rich story. The voice work here is solid, but nothing spectacular. I did enjoy Neil Patrick Harris' work as Nightwing though. This film is probably only for Batman fans, but if you're included in that category, I would definitely recommend this one. The story is great and they pack a lot into it's brief, 80 minute runtime. It will definitely help fill the void until 2012 when we finally get a new live action Batman movie. Rating: ****
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wheel skills
Check out this shocking achievement on a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune:
Personally, I still think this is the more impressive accomplishment:
Sorry about the video quality of each of these.
Personally, I still think this is the more impressive accomplishment:
Sorry about the video quality of each of these.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
NMR: How To Train Your Dragon
Just as Dreamworks' other animated film, Megamind, comes out this weekend, I'm finally getting around to see their first entry from this year. This is in the vein of Kung Fu Panda as it illustrates (no pun intended) that someone other than Pixar can make a really good animated film that will please children and adult audiences alike. The strength of this film is the relationship between protagonist Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and the dragon, Toothless. The bond that forms between these two is very well done and just as emotionally effective as the connections you see with children and pets in other live action films. In addition to Toothless, the film features a number of different types of dragons, each unique with their own personality without needing to speak. The dragons are just a part of the great look that this film has and I'm saying that based off of watching it on my simple TV. I would imagine being able to watch this on either a big screen and/or in 3D really makes this a visual spectacle. About the only thing that didn't work for me was the relationship issues between Hiccup and his father (voiced by Gerard Butler). That subplot felt very tired, especially since we've seen it a lot in other recent animated films, like Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Overall, this is an enjoyable film and worth checking out, particularly if you enjoy these computer animated efforts. Rating: ****
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