Media Blitz deleted scenes

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NMR: Family Guy Presents - It's a Trap

So even though this has been out for months, Netflix finally decided to send me this final part in Family Guy's take on the Star Wars trilogy. It's interesting as this installment opens how forthright the writers are about not being enthused about doing one for Return of the Jedi and that this is a pure money grab. And while some fatigue is apparent on some of the jokes, I'm not sure how much different this one is from the previous two installments. I'll leave it up to you to decide whether that says more about the quality of this one or the first two. I still found a lot of the jokes to be funny and also unexpected, which given the number of Star Wars parodies there have been, isn't always easy. However, since I took the time recently to rewatch the original trilogy, I was also surprised at scenes from the film they omitted or observations about events that they chose not to make. On the plus side, there are a few surprise guests, as well as some integration of characters from some of Seth McFarland's other shows. In general, this is still very funny and should be seen by anyone who enjoyed Blue Harvest and Something Something Something Dark Side. However, you may want to avoid trying to get it through Netflix if you do want to watch it. It's likely you'll see it on TV sooner than you would get it in the mail if the delivery time it took for me to get is any indication. Rating: ****

Wolfpack attack

Here's your first look at The Hangover sequel due out this May (and yes I recognize the hypocrisy of posting this right after making a post complaining about the lack of originality in filmmaking these days, so sue me).

Patching the Silver Screen

With another dismal weekend at the box office (what messed up world do we live in when Gnomeo and Juliet is #1), it appears that Hollywood is in a funk with no signs of recovery. Many people grumble and complain about why they never go to the theater and most of their gripes are valid. In response, this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly offered a list of 10 things the film industry could do to recapture viewers. While some of these are new or revolutionary ideas, I really like the list because of the way it addresses so many of the problems while offering up rational (rational to everyone outside of Hollywood, sadly) ideas. Here then is the list:

1. For every jumbo-size, CGI-filled, action-adventure extravaganza a studio greenlights, it should commit to one modestly budgeted drama or comedy.
2. Don't remake good movies; remake bad ones
3. Stop killing us with your popcorn; offer healthier, higher-quality concessions
4. Treat 3-D like the good silverware: Only bring it out for truly special occasions
5. Embrace the on-demand button - more mid-budget grown-up dramas should be given a simultaneous theatrical and cable on-demand release
6. Admit you're jealous of TV and start hiring its best writers
7. Before a film gets a green light, someone involved with the project - the director, the star, the boom-mic operator - has to belive it will be a good movie
8. Can the commercials
9. No more than four screenwriters per script (unless the fifth is Aaron Sorkin)
10. Create seperate screenings for schmucks; if there are special screenings for parents with kids, perhaps there should also be seperate showings for adults who act like children.

Agree? Disagree? Have more that should be added to the list? Feel free to chime in below.

Ron and Tammy Part 2 deleted scenes

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NMR: Paranormal Activity 2

While still not a big horror fan in general, I found myself enjoying this one for what it was. I think it's a moderate improvement over the original, although some of that could be that I didn't watch this one on a weekday morning like the original, thus adding a more scary tone to the viewing experience. What also helped this one was an improved cast. While they weren't tremendous actors, they were much more likeable than the couple in the first, so I was more invested in their fate. One thing that I did find odd about the story is that it seems this family doesn't really take proper precautions despite mounting evidence that there is a ghost in their house. They get scared whenever anything freaky happens, but then the following day they go back to business as usual. That took me out of the realism of the film that they try to portray with their security camera style footage. Still, if you want some easy thrills without the vulgar gore that's found in films like the Saw franchise, this is worth a rental. Rating: ***

Finally!!

So The Rock returned to Monday Night RAW last night and produced the most entertaining 20 minutes of WWE television since....well, pretty much since The Rock was last in the WWE. Check out his awesome promo below.

I've made a huge mistake

Check out this hilarious article where Arrested Development creator, Mitch Hurwitz offers his suggestions on how to get your television show cancelled quickly.

Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz's guide to getting a sitcom cancelled

Class warfare

Here are a pair of trailers that couldn't pony up the money to air during the Super Bowl, but still hope to make a significant impact at the box office when they're released later this year.

Triumph of Will?

The Night Shift - Quick, Who's Funnier: Will Forte's Ted Turner, or Any Current SNL Character?

This was an interest op-ed piece from Time Magazine which speculated if Will Forte's leaving SNL has left a void on the variety show resulting in the show's decline in quality. While I certainly agree that the work Forte has been doing on Conan O'Brien's new show, posing as Ted Turner, has been outright hilarious (and if you haven't seen these appearances, videos of them are embedded in the article linked above), I'm not sure if he's leaving really has had an impact on SNL. At worse, SNL has maintained its level of mediocrity that it's had since more significant cast members like Will Ferrell and Tina Fey left. And in some ways, I think there's been a number of strong sketches this past year thanks to them highlighting guys like Jason Sudekis and Bill Hader. Now if only they could cut back on Kristin Wiig screen time the show might have a chance at being really good once again. I'm not sure what the rest of you think, but regardless, I think the article is worth a read.

Time Capsule delete scenes

Eventually I'll get caught up on these...

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What are Friends for?

Oh man, nothing brightens my day more than a new edition of Between Two Ferns. This time Zach invites Tila Tequila and...some other girl to the show. Jennifer something, I think.

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Tila Tequila from Between Two Ferns

NMR: The American

I didn't want to believe the negative reviews that were attached to this assassin thriller starring George Clooney when the film came out last fall. The previews made it seem engaging and Clooney typically chooses interesting project. However, the critics were right in this case as this film is a major dud. It really felt like Clooney just wanted a working vacation in Italy and didn't care how good the film was. At its best, it's merely a routine thriller about an assassin who wants out. But it can barely maintain that as the plot is flimsy and without much suspense. The film introduces several characters who end up having no impact in moving the story forward. I don't blame Clooney for wanting to do a film from the, admittedly, beautiful locale, but don't force us to spend our money to watch a film that is nothing more than a gritty travel video. Definite recommendation to avoid. Rating: **

The Flu deleted scenes

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I just blue myself

We've heard similar promises before, but let's hope this latest news on the prospects of an Arrested Development turn out to be true this time. Here's the story from EW.com:

The myth of the Arrested Development movie has started to seem like a protracted Andy Kaufman-style prank being perpetuated by the show’s producers and cast, endlessly dropping on-again, off-again hints that the movie is indeed, possibly really coming.

Well, here’s creator Mitch Hurwitz with one of the firmest statements on the subject yet:
“We’ve started that process and it is our sincere hope to shoot it this year and get it out this year,” Hurwitz said to Digital Spy.

Wha-wha-what?

Could fall 2011 really see the Bluth family in theaters?

Of course, nobody makes an Arrested movie proclamation without some hedging:

“That’s what we’re hoping,” he continues, “but a lot of things have to fall into place for that to happen… I don’t like to toy with the affections of our fans. They’ve been so supportive and we’re so grateful, so I kind of hate to answer the question until I can say, ‘Yep, we’ve shot it, it opens next week’. Otherwise it feels like we’re toying with people and we do not mean to do that. It has just taken a while to get it going.”

No, we’re not feeling toyed with. No, no, not at all.

Go Big or Go Home deleted scenes

Sorry The Office, I still enjoy you, but Parks and Recreation is where it's at these days, so I've decided to give them some extra publicity by posting their episodes' deleted scenes from now on. Here are a few clips from their season opener.

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NMR: Buried

If you're not familiar with this film, I'm not surprised. Despite a unique premise and a known star in the lead, this film about a man (Ryan Reynolds) discovering he's been buried alive barely got a theatrical release last year. Now on video, I've gotten a chance to see it and while I think it deserved a wider release, I can understand the studio's trepidation about the film's mainstream appeal. Be forewarned that the entire film takes place inside the coffin. Those who are claustrophobic will probably become anxious within the first 10 minutes of the film. Even I was starting to feel uneasy as the film went on. Credit to the director for being inventive enough to find ways of filming this cramped quarter and not have it be boring. I don't think I would ever watch this film again, but I'm glad I initially sought it out. This isn't for everyone, but if the premise intriques you at all, I would suggest you give it a look. Rating: *** 1/2