If there's one theme that we can take away from this summer's crop of films, it's that everyone seems to want to play it safe and revert back to their regular old roles. There's the 80s nostalgia films, the endless sequels, multiple movies involving computer generated animals talking, and even Russell Crowe reverted back to historical action pieces. So it should come as no surprise to see Tom Cruise jump on the bandwagon by doing once again what brought him to the dance - playing the macho action hero. From Top Gun to the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise has spent nearly 30 years succeeding at wowing audiences.
In his latest, Knight and Day, Cruise once again comes out guns ablazing with a whole lot of stuff blowing up around him. For a long time, I never understood Cruise's appeal. I always had an odd disconnect with his films where I would typically love the story but absolutely loathe his character. Here, I was pleasantly surprised by the likability of his Roy Miller character; a man who's intentions are unclear throughout most of the film. Is he a spy for the government, a traitor, or someone just mentally unstable?
Cameron Diaz, who plays June Havens, asks herself these same questions as she unwittingly globetrots around the world with him trying to avoid danger. While there are many points in the film where it seems unlikely that she would continue to just go along with everything that's happening, Diaz has a winning chemistry with Cruise, so you're happy to see her play a happy (albeit sometimes drugged) camper.
Your enjoyment of the film will likely hinge on whether you buy into their relationship. The plot is barebones and used to basically loosely connect the multitude of action sequences in the film. If you care, Cruise is trying to protect the first perpetual motion battery from falling into the wrong hands. Never once did I really care what happened to the battery, but I found myself consistently entertained by the various perilous situations it led to for the two leads as they try to keep it safe.
Director James Mangold, who also did 3:10 to Yuma, keeps the film moving along nicely. Just as he did in his western, he knows how to set up a decent action piece and then just let his actors do the rest.
Perhaps a weak summer movie season this year has allowed me to see this film as being better than what it is, but I'm not going to let that bother me. This is pure escapism, which is perfectly acceptable in my book for a summer movie. It doesn't strive to be anything more than to keep you entertained for two hours. While this material could have suffered with weaker talent on screen (as proven by Killers), Cruise and Diaz still have enough star power to make this an enjoyable romp. Cruise, in particular, seems to be having fun playing a slightly askewed version of past characters. He doesn't take himself as serious here and accepts the preposterous nature of the events unfolding. It's just a shame that it took for everyone else to stop taking him seriously for him to stop himself. That aside, this is fun time at the movies and a better option than most of the dreck that's being offered in theaters right now (Yeah, that's right I'm looking directly at you Twilight!) Grade: B
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
NMR: Splice and dice
Since I saw Splice a few weeks ago, I decided to check out a couple more films featuring its stars, Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley; both of which were available for instant view on Netflix.
The Jacket: I remember when I first saw the advertisements for this back in '05 that I was really intriqued and thought it could be a decent thriller and yet somehow I never got around to seeing it. Sadly, I probably was better off skipping it as this is a major disappointment. The film squanders it's potential and comes off very hokey. It's never made clear whether Brody is actually time-travelling or just hallucinating when he's in the jacket. Keira Knightley is also horribly miscast here and gives a poor performance. Her relationship with Brody never comes off as believable. The only interesting thing here is an early appearance by Daniel Craig. However, it took me almost the entire movie before I even realized it was him. Rating: **
Go: Sarah Polley is part of a large ensemble from this 2000 film that has fun with its narrative. Instead of telling a linear story, it tells the same story three times from three different perspectives. When a film does something like this, it lives and dies by its gimmick. Luckily this one holds up nicely and doesn't really leave any gaps or continuity errors that I could pick up on. The film also features a wide array of actors who were relative unknowns then, but have gone on to more successful careers. I also liked a lot of the sly humor that's sprinkled throughout the film. My biggest complaint about the film is that the context with which the film takes place in is heavily rooted in sex and drugs. A large rave is a central location for the movie. While I'm no prude, I didn't really appreciate it here and felt it was part of a culture that I'm not really associated with. Given that it is a rave that most of the characters attend, the film already feels dated too. Big points for its inventiveness, minus points for its crass culture, which results in a rating of ***.
The Jacket: I remember when I first saw the advertisements for this back in '05 that I was really intriqued and thought it could be a decent thriller and yet somehow I never got around to seeing it. Sadly, I probably was better off skipping it as this is a major disappointment. The film squanders it's potential and comes off very hokey. It's never made clear whether Brody is actually time-travelling or just hallucinating when he's in the jacket. Keira Knightley is also horribly miscast here and gives a poor performance. Her relationship with Brody never comes off as believable. The only interesting thing here is an early appearance by Daniel Craig. However, it took me almost the entire movie before I even realized it was him. Rating: **
Go: Sarah Polley is part of a large ensemble from this 2000 film that has fun with its narrative. Instead of telling a linear story, it tells the same story three times from three different perspectives. When a film does something like this, it lives and dies by its gimmick. Luckily this one holds up nicely and doesn't really leave any gaps or continuity errors that I could pick up on. The film also features a wide array of actors who were relative unknowns then, but have gone on to more successful careers. I also liked a lot of the sly humor that's sprinkled throughout the film. My biggest complaint about the film is that the context with which the film takes place in is heavily rooted in sex and drugs. A large rave is a central location for the movie. While I'm no prude, I didn't really appreciate it here and felt it was part of a culture that I'm not really associated with. Given that it is a rave that most of the characters attend, the film already feels dated too. Big points for its inventiveness, minus points for its crass culture, which results in a rating of ***.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
In for a Harry ride
You're probably sick of trailer posts by now, but this is one I couldn't pass up. Here's the first official trailer for both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Will The Office soon be Scott free?
From eonline.com:
If you happen to see Steve Carell in the next few days, knock him over the head, will ya? Out of love? 'Cause clearly his brain has gotten all jumbly.
One of TV's best comedic actors of all time has just confirmed to us that he is indeed leaving The Office this May—argh!—and get this, seems to think no one will care...
E! News hit the red carpet for Steve's new movie Despicable Me last night, and Steve made it clear he was not joking when he told BBC Radio he would leave The Office after the coming 2010-2011 season.
"I just think it's time," Steve told our Kristina Guerrero. "I want to fulfill my contract. When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go."
But according to Steve, The Office could go on without him. "It doesn't certainly mean the end of the show. I think it's just a dynamic change to the show, which could be a good thing, actually. Add some new life and some new energy...I see it as a positive in general for the show."
A positive that Michael Scott could be leaving Dunder Mifflin for good? Anyone else having a problem seeing that? Still, Steve, doused in Eau to Humility, had this to say about the attention he's receiving for his exit: "I didn't see it as a huge thing and I certainly didn't anticipate any sort of hubbub over it. I'm just not going to extend my contract, but I didn't see it as a huge deal. And the show is great, and the ensemble is so strong, and the writers are great, so it's just one part of that ensemble drifting off. They've incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it'll continue as strong if not stronger than ever."
Color me gullible, but that sure doesn't sound like the usual bargaining ploy to me. So file this one under Dammit! 'Cause Steve Carell sure seems dead serious he plans to leave The Office.
Anyone else not agree with Steve that this is no big thang? Can you see the show living on without him?
Like
Yet another trailer for you to enjoy. This time it's David Fincher's (Zodiac, Seven) latest. It's a biopic about the founders of Facebook. It doesn't sound like it would translate well into a whole movie, but if anyone's capable of doing it, it would be Fincher.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Handle With Care
You'll forgive me if I begin to gush during this review for Toy Story 3; I have a tendency to do so when I see films that are this good. It should come as no surprise that Pixar has once again delivered an amazing product. While I may not have appreciated all of their recent films equally, I have always been impressed with the care that is put into each film. Whether it's the heart-breaking tenderness of Up, the poignant themes of WALL-E, or the visual majesty of Ratatouille, each Pixar films finds new ways to dazzle the eye and move your heart.
This time around, we once again see growth; both figuratively and literally. Near the beginning of the film we learn that Andy, child owner of Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear, has now grown up and is ready to head off to college. This is not only a major moment in Andy's life, but for his toys as well. They now face a change of scenery as well either leaving with Andy for college, being sent to the attic or gasp possibly being thrown out. Dealing with this change becomes a major focal point of the film and is handled well. It doesn't seem silly at all for the audience to be invested in the fates of these toys. Having two previous great films before it, we know the bond that exists between Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang with Andy. Both the characters and the viewers quickly realize that it's difficult to let go even when its necessary to move on.
The film also shows growth in the sheer size of its cast. Along with all of our favorite toys from the past two films, we meet an entire new crop of playthings when the gang gets sent to Sunnyside Day Care Center. There they meet Lotso-Huggin' Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty), who is the de facto leader of all the toys there. We also meet some other interesting characters including a deformed baby doll, a sassy octopus, and a Ken doll (voiced by Michael Keaton in a terrific performance). As we begin to get to know these new characters, we learn that they aren't as cheerful as they appear. The movie soon turns into a prison break caper that is a lot of fun, thanks primarily to its ability to take a plot mostly seen in adult thrillers and have it work so seemlessly in this children's movie.
Despite the large voice cast, I was pleased to see that it did not result in any one character getting the shaft. All of the terrific voice actors have the opportunity to contribute to the story and provide some great one-liners. Everyone seems to be having a great time returning to these characters, which doesn't surprise me in the least. And while it can be a thankless role, I definitely want to point out Tom Hanks' performance as Woody, which remains the emotional core of the film. He finds the perfect way to blend youthful exuberance with touching pathos as he interacts with everyone and organizes the plan to reunite them with Andy.
I mentioned the sentimentality of the film a couple of times now, which is one aspect that is getting brought up in national news. Many adults are finding themselves becoming emotional during the film, particularly in the film's closing moments. I too will admit to getting a little misty as I watched these toys progress to the next chapter in their lives. We learn that while individuals may grow up, there will always be a love for toys whether you're 8 or 88. While they may just be hunks of plastic or fabric, they have the ability to unlock our imagination and let us reclaim that youthful spirit. Thankfully, this film has been able to do the same thing.
One thing I want to point out is that I saw this film in standard 2D and loved it. While I can't personally attest to it, I have read other reviews, which said they felt that the 3D version really didn't add anything to the experience. It's up to you how you want to view it, but it seems you may want to just save yourself the few extra dollars and see it on a normal screen.
In hindsight, it would have been easy for the Pixar people to return to this franchise simply for the money grab. Instead, they maintained their level of quality and maturity and developed a worthy close to this franchise. I'll need some successive views to determine if this one is the best of the three, but I can say for certainty right now that it is as good as the first two entries. If you have seen and enjoyed their first two outings, I strongly encourage you to seek this one out as well. And if you've already seen it, consider going a second time. From what I've read, there are several easter eggs sprinkled throughout the film referencing Pixar films of the past and future (you can seen an image of a new character for the upcoming Cars 2 on a poster in Andy's bedroom). No matter what age you are, you're never too old for toys and you won't be too old for Toy Story. This is once again another masterpiece from our friends at Pixar. Grade: A
This time around, we once again see growth; both figuratively and literally. Near the beginning of the film we learn that Andy, child owner of Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear, has now grown up and is ready to head off to college. This is not only a major moment in Andy's life, but for his toys as well. They now face a change of scenery as well either leaving with Andy for college, being sent to the attic or gasp possibly being thrown out. Dealing with this change becomes a major focal point of the film and is handled well. It doesn't seem silly at all for the audience to be invested in the fates of these toys. Having two previous great films before it, we know the bond that exists between Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang with Andy. Both the characters and the viewers quickly realize that it's difficult to let go even when its necessary to move on.
The film also shows growth in the sheer size of its cast. Along with all of our favorite toys from the past two films, we meet an entire new crop of playthings when the gang gets sent to Sunnyside Day Care Center. There they meet Lotso-Huggin' Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty), who is the de facto leader of all the toys there. We also meet some other interesting characters including a deformed baby doll, a sassy octopus, and a Ken doll (voiced by Michael Keaton in a terrific performance). As we begin to get to know these new characters, we learn that they aren't as cheerful as they appear. The movie soon turns into a prison break caper that is a lot of fun, thanks primarily to its ability to take a plot mostly seen in adult thrillers and have it work so seemlessly in this children's movie.
Despite the large voice cast, I was pleased to see that it did not result in any one character getting the shaft. All of the terrific voice actors have the opportunity to contribute to the story and provide some great one-liners. Everyone seems to be having a great time returning to these characters, which doesn't surprise me in the least. And while it can be a thankless role, I definitely want to point out Tom Hanks' performance as Woody, which remains the emotional core of the film. He finds the perfect way to blend youthful exuberance with touching pathos as he interacts with everyone and organizes the plan to reunite them with Andy.
I mentioned the sentimentality of the film a couple of times now, which is one aspect that is getting brought up in national news. Many adults are finding themselves becoming emotional during the film, particularly in the film's closing moments. I too will admit to getting a little misty as I watched these toys progress to the next chapter in their lives. We learn that while individuals may grow up, there will always be a love for toys whether you're 8 or 88. While they may just be hunks of plastic or fabric, they have the ability to unlock our imagination and let us reclaim that youthful spirit. Thankfully, this film has been able to do the same thing.
One thing I want to point out is that I saw this film in standard 2D and loved it. While I can't personally attest to it, I have read other reviews, which said they felt that the 3D version really didn't add anything to the experience. It's up to you how you want to view it, but it seems you may want to just save yourself the few extra dollars and see it on a normal screen.
In hindsight, it would have been easy for the Pixar people to return to this franchise simply for the money grab. Instead, they maintained their level of quality and maturity and developed a worthy close to this franchise. I'll need some successive views to determine if this one is the best of the three, but I can say for certainty right now that it is as good as the first two entries. If you have seen and enjoyed their first two outings, I strongly encourage you to seek this one out as well. And if you've already seen it, consider going a second time. From what I've read, there are several easter eggs sprinkled throughout the film referencing Pixar films of the past and future (you can seen an image of a new character for the upcoming Cars 2 on a poster in Andy's bedroom). No matter what age you are, you're never too old for toys and you won't be too old for Toy Story. This is once again another masterpiece from our friends at Pixar. Grade: A
Seeing Red
The trailers keep rolling in. This time it is for a comic book adaptation starring a bunch of wise old veteran actors that could be a lot of fun.
Friday, June 25, 2010
NMR: Edge of Darkness
This was touted as Mel Gibson's return to acting since he last starred in Signs back in 2002 and I would imagine most people were disappointed with it. While it's a perfectly fine revenge thriller, there's nothing really special here. The title is particularly misleading I feel, since Gibson's character never really comes close to hitting the 'edge of darkness' in his quest to find his daughter's killer. I was expecting more Jack Bauer levels of anger and torture as he sought revenge, but they weren't forthcoming here. Instead, we get another shady Blackwater-esque government-funded organization as the villain and Gibson dutifully hits all the right beats in obtaining justice. I liked Martin Campbell's (Casino Royale) direction here as he made the film more lively, rather than another one of these washed-out, murky, film noir wannabes. I also appreciated Ray Winstone's performance as a man hired to help cover-up the incident. Edge of Darkness is an enjoyable enough 2 hours making it all right for rental, just don't expect an instant classic. Rating: ***
What the Fock?
Here's your first look at the latest Meet the Parents sequel, Little Fockers, due out this Christmas.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
It Blinded Me With Science
A few weeks ago, I actually saw the film Splice. It's not a movie I would typically see, but I had a friend who was excited about it and I decided to be a good friend and tag along. Since this is already quickly vanishing from theaters, I figured I better hurry up and do a review for this.
Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley star as a couple of scientists (and lovers), who, in response to their funding being cut, decide to attempt to develop a creature that has a Heinz 57 mix of DNA, including some from humans. Their experiment leads to the creation of Dren (that's 'nerd' backwards) an awkward creature that the couple decides to secretly tend after since they can't make their discovery public. The commercials for this film mislead you to believe it is a standard creature feature where the experiment would begin terrorizing everything in sight until it can finally be killed.
Instead, the film becomes a psychological exploration into the two lead characters and how their history has an impact on the way they attempt to domesticate this creature. As we learn more about these two, we begin to see Dren as more human than either one of them. This results in seeing both lead characters display some odd and, at times, uncomfortable actions and interactions with Dren. All of this may not appeal to mass audiences, but it certainly is thought-provoking. So much so, that I was actually appreciating the film for its unconventional approach to familiar material.
Unfortunately, things go awry in the film's final act where the film seemingly works itself into a corner that it can't escape. As Dren grows, it develops new abilities and the film begins to take on more of that creature feature film. With only a few human characters introduced throughout the film, the impact of Dren's terror is obvious and uninteresting. The film then takes a really wild turn with its final twist that comes off as hokey and insulting rather than the poignancy that they were hoping for. This last part of the movie really ruins what had been a solid thriller.
The film's overall premise is too strange for me to give a general recommendation, even if the climax had been stronger. However, it does provide a number of watercooler moments that make it a film worth talking about afterwards if you're one who is inclined to see it. Since the film basically bombed in theaters, if you have any interest in seeing it, wait for it to come out on DVD. However, most people can skip this odd film experiment that went horribly wrong. Grade: B-
Adrian Brody and Sarah Polley star as a couple of scientists (and lovers), who, in response to their funding being cut, decide to attempt to develop a creature that has a Heinz 57 mix of DNA, including some from humans. Their experiment leads to the creation of Dren (that's 'nerd' backwards) an awkward creature that the couple decides to secretly tend after since they can't make their discovery public. The commercials for this film mislead you to believe it is a standard creature feature where the experiment would begin terrorizing everything in sight until it can finally be killed.
Instead, the film becomes a psychological exploration into the two lead characters and how their history has an impact on the way they attempt to domesticate this creature. As we learn more about these two, we begin to see Dren as more human than either one of them. This results in seeing both lead characters display some odd and, at times, uncomfortable actions and interactions with Dren. All of this may not appeal to mass audiences, but it certainly is thought-provoking. So much so, that I was actually appreciating the film for its unconventional approach to familiar material.
Unfortunately, things go awry in the film's final act where the film seemingly works itself into a corner that it can't escape. As Dren grows, it develops new abilities and the film begins to take on more of that creature feature film. With only a few human characters introduced throughout the film, the impact of Dren's terror is obvious and uninteresting. The film then takes a really wild turn with its final twist that comes off as hokey and insulting rather than the poignancy that they were hoping for. This last part of the movie really ruins what had been a solid thriller.
The film's overall premise is too strange for me to give a general recommendation, even if the climax had been stronger. However, it does provide a number of watercooler moments that make it a film worth talking about afterwards if you're one who is inclined to see it. Since the film basically bombed in theaters, if you have any interest in seeing it, wait for it to come out on DVD. However, most people can skip this odd film experiment that went horribly wrong. Grade: B-
What to see from E3 on Wii
Last week's E3 convention had its share of big news regarding the video game industry. While many may be talking about the Microsoft Kinect or Playstation Move, I was more interested in what Nintendo had to announce for their system. Below are trailers for two of their more interesting titles.
First is Wii Party, which is a mixed blessing. On one hand it finally brings a new party game to the system, but sadly it's not with Mario characters, but rather your Miis. In addition, it doesn't appear to have online capability, which is what this genre of games is sorely needing. Still, it's hard to mess up a party game, and if the gameplay is solid, I'll most likely be picking it up. Check it out below:
Then the big news was the announcement of a brand new Goldeneye game for the Wii. As the trailer below indicates, Goldeneye 64 is one of the greatest shooter games ever, particularly for multiplayer. I never really had much of a chance to play the 64 version, but being the Bond fanatic that I am, I am especially excited to pick up this version. And unlike Wii Party, this will have online capability, which has everyone chomping at the bit to get their hands on this. The video below offers you a sneak peek at what you can expect.
First is Wii Party, which is a mixed blessing. On one hand it finally brings a new party game to the system, but sadly it's not with Mario characters, but rather your Miis. In addition, it doesn't appear to have online capability, which is what this genre of games is sorely needing. Still, it's hard to mess up a party game, and if the gameplay is solid, I'll most likely be picking it up. Check it out below:
Then the big news was the announcement of a brand new Goldeneye game for the Wii. As the trailer below indicates, Goldeneye 64 is one of the greatest shooter games ever, particularly for multiplayer. I never really had much of a chance to play the 64 version, but being the Bond fanatic that I am, I am especially excited to pick up this version. And unlike Wii Party, this will have online capability, which has everyone chomping at the bit to get their hands on this. The video below offers you a sneak peek at what you can expect.
This post is brought to you by....Christ I can't find it. To hell with it.
News hit today that there is discussion about reviving the Major League franchise. Given how terrible the Indians have become again, I'd say it's about time. Here's the story from Comingsoon.net:
David S. Ward, writer/director of Major League, tells Moviehole: "We're actually talking about doing one right now. I've written, what I see, as 'Major League 3.' We're putting that together as we speak - in fact, next week I'm off to talk to James Robinson at Morgan Creek about it.
"It's 20 years later, and Wild Thing comes out of retirement to work with this 19-year-old player," Ward added. "We've actually got three new characters in the new film. And if the new film is popular, they could carry the franchise on."
Though Ward hopes to get Tom Berenger, Corbin Bernsen and even, Wesley Snipes back for Major League 3, he's so far only spoken to Charlie Sheen about it.
"He's excited to do it if and when it happens," said Ward. "But he can't shoot it this year, because he's back doing 'Two and a Half Men,' but we could potentially shoot it next year - in his hiatus from the show."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Stiller silliness
I'm not sure how I missed this when it was first released back last March, but here's the latest installment of Zack Galifianakis' awesome series Between Two Ferns, with special guest Ben Stiller.
NMR: The Road
I initially had high hopes for this film when I first learned about it. However, my anticipation for it waned with every delayed release to the point. Even with my low expectations, this one still managed to underwhelm me. On a positive note, the cinematography depicting a post-apocalyptic world is impressive. Nothing else really works here. The story doesn't feel orignial and also feels underdeveloped. This is most likely due to it being an adapatation of a popular novel (by author Cormac McCarthy). There were many points where I felt the book most likely developed the characters better to make you care about them. Here, I never felt a vested interest in whether the man (played by Viggo Mortensen) and his son survived their perilous situation. Perhaps worst of all is the film's attempt to bludgeon its themes over our head. We didn't need multiple scenes involving the son asking his father if they were still the 'good guys' to tell us that armageddon causes people to develop shades of grey personalities. This really deserves only about two and half stars, but since Netflix doesn't offer that option, I'll be kind and say Rating: ***
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I smell a rat
So The Price is Right unveiled a new pricing game today called Rat Race. I think it's unique while borrowing strong elements from past games. You can see the debut playing of it below and if you're interested in seeing what into making this game, you can check out this video on priceisright.com
Can't myth moments
Tonight Mythbusters ran a 2-hour special celebrating their 25 Best Busted Myths. If you didn't catch the show, here's the list along with the episode in which the myth aired:
25. Can a 1967 Chevy take off with JATO rockets? (Jet-Assisted Chevy, 1st myth ever)
24. Can a tree be cut down using a machine gun? (Viewer's Special 2)
23. Can a bullet fired straight up in the air kill someone on the way back down? (Bullets Fired Up)
22. Can a JATO rocket launch a car through the air? (Special Supersized Myths)
21. Can an unamplified human voice shatter a wine glass? (Breaking Glass)
20. Did the Confederates really build a lethal steam-powered machine gun? (Confederate Steam Gun)
19. No myth, just a montage of the crazy costumes the crew has worn over the years
18. How can someone escape from a sinking car? (Sinking Car)
17. Can a sonic shock wave shatter glass? (Curving Bullets)
16. Do bulls in a china shop really cause complete destruction? (Red Rag to a Bull)
15. Is it possible for pants to spontaneously explode? (Exploding Pants)
14. Will duct tape plug holes in the bottom of boats and can you create a working sail-boat out of it? (Duct Tape Hour)
13. Can an airplane toilet create enough suction to cause a person to become stuck on it? (Biscuit Bazooka)
12. Theories that the Apollo moon landing was faked are tested (NASA Moon Landing)
11. Will a pack of sharks ignore a person who is playing dead? (Shark Week Special)
10. Can you ignite your own flatus? (Never before seen on air, but done as part of the Franklin's Kite episode)
9. Is it possible to water ski behind a rowing eight? (Break Step Bridge)
8. What caused the Hindenburg to explode? (Hindenburg Mystery)
7. No myth, just a montage of the crew's favorite one-liners
6. Was it possible to survive an escape from Alcatraz? (Alcatraz Escape)
5. Will a car dropped from 4,000 feet fall faster than a speeding car? (Demolition Derby)
4. No myth, just a montage of all the accidents/injuries the crew has suffered over the years
3. Two revisted myths tied: Is the compact conundrum of a two-truck head-on collision a myth? (Demolition Derby) and Can a rocket powered snow plow split a car in two? (Myth Evolution)
2. Can a lead balloon fly? (Lead Balloon)
1. Can hardened cement be removed from a cement truck using explosives? (Salsa Escape)
No surprise what came in at number one. I'll also note that while these myths were singled out, they mentioned many more myths along the way. Some of the omissions that I would have liked to see mentioned include Pop Rocks and Soda and the Phone Book friction myth. I know everyone has their favorites though, so please share your own below.
25. Can a 1967 Chevy take off with JATO rockets? (Jet-Assisted Chevy, 1st myth ever)
24. Can a tree be cut down using a machine gun? (Viewer's Special 2)
23. Can a bullet fired straight up in the air kill someone on the way back down? (Bullets Fired Up)
22. Can a JATO rocket launch a car through the air? (Special Supersized Myths)
21. Can an unamplified human voice shatter a wine glass? (Breaking Glass)
20. Did the Confederates really build a lethal steam-powered machine gun? (Confederate Steam Gun)
19. No myth, just a montage of the crazy costumes the crew has worn over the years
18. How can someone escape from a sinking car? (Sinking Car)
17. Can a sonic shock wave shatter glass? (Curving Bullets)
16. Do bulls in a china shop really cause complete destruction? (Red Rag to a Bull)
15. Is it possible for pants to spontaneously explode? (Exploding Pants)
14. Will duct tape plug holes in the bottom of boats and can you create a working sail-boat out of it? (Duct Tape Hour)
13. Can an airplane toilet create enough suction to cause a person to become stuck on it? (Biscuit Bazooka)
12. Theories that the Apollo moon landing was faked are tested (NASA Moon Landing)
11. Will a pack of sharks ignore a person who is playing dead? (Shark Week Special)
10. Can you ignite your own flatus? (Never before seen on air, but done as part of the Franklin's Kite episode)
9. Is it possible to water ski behind a rowing eight? (Break Step Bridge)
8. What caused the Hindenburg to explode? (Hindenburg Mystery)
7. No myth, just a montage of the crew's favorite one-liners
6. Was it possible to survive an escape from Alcatraz? (Alcatraz Escape)
5. Will a car dropped from 4,000 feet fall faster than a speeding car? (Demolition Derby)
4. No myth, just a montage of all the accidents/injuries the crew has suffered over the years
3. Two revisted myths tied: Is the compact conundrum of a two-truck head-on collision a myth? (Demolition Derby) and Can a rocket powered snow plow split a car in two? (Myth Evolution)
2. Can a lead balloon fly? (Lead Balloon)
1. Can hardened cement be removed from a cement truck using explosives? (Salsa Escape)
No surprise what came in at number one. I'll also note that while these myths were singled out, they mentioned many more myths along the way. Some of the omissions that I would have liked to see mentioned include Pop Rocks and Soda and the Phone Book friction myth. I know everyone has their favorites though, so please share your own below.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Crowd control
Man, the wave has nothing on what these Korean soccer fans can do. I may hate soccer, but even I have to admit this is pretty darn cool.
NMR: A Serious Man
Boy did I struggle with this one. In recent years I've gained an appreciate for the Coen brothers' films after enjoying both Burn After Reading and No Country For Old Men. However, this one was a different case. A lot of the same themes (dark humor, the random nature of life, idiotic people) all remain here and the film is expertly made, its subject matter was just too narrow for me to appreciate it. Centered around a Jewish man and the struggles he endures in both his personal and professional life, I just found myself unable to relate to the character or the context. If, however, you can relate to their culture and you have an appreciation for the Coens' work, then you'll probably really enjoy this. This is a total skip for everyone else though. Rating: **
Monday, June 14, 2010
Lost in space
For those of you who were unsatisfied by the way Lost ended, maybe this video, a smash-up of Lost and Star Wars, will suit you better.
Lost Wars: Because Adding Jedis Can Fix Anything -- powered by Cracked.com
Lost Wars: Because Adding Jedis Can Fix Anything -- powered by Cracked.com
Monday, June 7, 2010
Wahoo Wrap-Up (Week 9)
Record: 21-34, Last in the AL Central
So things seem to have hit rock bottom this week. We were beat soundly in our recent series with the Yankees and the Tigers, showing just how far away we are from competing against the American League's top teams. Of course, one of those games was the "imperfect game" which was the epitome of pathetic offense. If that wasn't bad enough, news then came that Grady Sizemore's surgery will keep him out for the rest of the season. Thankfully when things looked bleakest, along came the Chicago White Sox which seems to the cure for what ails us. We took the first two of the series against them and should have won today had the bullpen not blown it. It's pretty sad though that more than a third of our wins have come against the White Sox. If only we could play them all season long. Instead, this week we have a four game against the nasty Boston Red Sox and then officially open up interleague play with the Washington Nationals. There's a possiblity we may even see last year's #1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg in that series and if he's as good as many people think, we may be on the wrong end of another perfect game. Still though, I gotta remain loyal to my team and I gotta say, Go Tribe!
So things seem to have hit rock bottom this week. We were beat soundly in our recent series with the Yankees and the Tigers, showing just how far away we are from competing against the American League's top teams. Of course, one of those games was the "imperfect game" which was the epitome of pathetic offense. If that wasn't bad enough, news then came that Grady Sizemore's surgery will keep him out for the rest of the season. Thankfully when things looked bleakest, along came the Chicago White Sox which seems to the cure for what ails us. We took the first two of the series against them and should have won today had the bullpen not blown it. It's pretty sad though that more than a third of our wins have come against the White Sox. If only we could play them all season long. Instead, this week we have a four game against the nasty Boston Red Sox and then officially open up interleague play with the Washington Nationals. There's a possiblity we may even see last year's #1 draft pick Stephen Strasburg in that series and if he's as good as many people think, we may be on the wrong end of another perfect game. Still though, I gotta remain loyal to my team and I gotta say, Go Tribe!
Hallow victory
So here's a nice two for one...a pair of previews for the upcoming final Harry Potter film(s). The first is an unoffical trailer that I somehow missed when it hit the net late last year. The second debuted tonight on MTV's Movie Awards show. Both seem to adequately show the epic nature that the book had. Time will tell whether it's able to successfully finish off the series.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
NMR: Daybreakers
Clearly anyone that knows me knows that I want nothing to do with the stupid vampire craze that has disturbingly swept the nation. However, when I had seen the previews for this film earlier this year, the concept of this blood-sucker film was so unique, that I couldn't help but be intrigued. The premise here is that the majority of the population has become vampires and they're quickly running out of human blood to keep themselves alive. Some are hunting down the remaining humans, while Ethan Hawke joins up with Willem Dafoe to try and find a cure. The film presents a lot of clever allegories for real-life issues; dependency on oil, immigration, scientific ethics, and military power just to name a few. I found all of them to be very thought provoking and made it seem that this film would be something special. Unfortunately the second half of the film devolves into a gore-fest instead of following through on its themes. It's a shame the film decided to take that route. It cheapens the film for those, like me, who wanted something provoking and the violence comes too late in the film to appease the people that wants to see an all-out blood fest throughout. Still I think it has enough to make it worthy of a rental. While it does not completely suck, I wish it would have had a little bit more bit. Grade: B
Second helping
Here's the second trailer for the new comedy, Dinner For Schmucks, starring Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd that opens next month.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Avenger? I barely know her!
Here's a couple of images of concept art for the two Marvel superhero movies coming out next summer. Both Thor and Captain America will be part of the Avenger initiative that was mentioned in the Iron Man films.
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