Ron mentality

While audiences are laughing at the latest antics of anchorman Ron Burgundy, let us stop and remember that a lot of that comedy is rooted in truth. Here for your entertainment is a collection of some of the greatest news bloopers from 2013.

Ronning the show

The Anchorman 2 media blitz continues. This time Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy helps anchor an actual newscast in North Dakota. Check out some of the highlights from his appearance below.

Breaking Halloween news!

I've been trying my hardest to avoid most previews and trailers for Anchorman 2, but I think I can make an exception for this special message from Ron Burgundy.

2013 Fall Movie Preview (December)

AMERICAN HUSTLE (December 13)
Plot: A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock the States, "American Hustle" tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that�s as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. Like David O. Russell's previous films, "American Hustle" defies genre, hinging on raw emotion, and life and death stakes.

Quick thoughts: Every year there always seems to be one film that I do not identify on my yearly preview that I end up being really excited for when I then do my fall movie preview. This is easily that film this year. Director David O. Russell has basically merged the casts of his past two films, thrown them into the 1970s and let the good times roll. Given how well his past two films have done come awards season, I would expect more of the same for this thriller.


SAVING MR. BANKS (December 13)
Plot: Two-time Academy Award��winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar�-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney's "Saving Mr. Banks," inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney's classic "Mary Poppins" made it to the screen.

Quick thoughts: By the time this film comes out, we will already have a pretty good idea of whether or not we can expect Tom Hanks to be competing with himself for a Best Actor nomination. If I had to guess, I'll bet his work in Captain Phillips is better. That certainly does not diminish my anticipation for this film which looks like it could be the most charming movie of the year. Even if this film does not do much during the awards season, I believe it will still do big business with families during the holiday season.


THE MONUMENTS MEN (December 18)
Plot: Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, "The Monuments Men" is an action-thriller focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys � seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1 � possibly hope to succeed?�But as the Monuments Men, as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements.

Quick thoughts: I marked this in my top 5 most anticipated for 2013 and seeing the trailer for this a few weeks ago has not diminished my expectations for it in the least. The term 'all-star cast' is reserved for movies like that. If it can successfully blend the high stakes of adventure of Ocean's Eleven with the gritty realism that comes with covering World War II, this will be one hell of a movie.


ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES (December 20)
Plot: With the 70's behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also back for more are Ron's co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) - All of whom won't make it easy to stay classy, while taking the nation's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Quick thoughts: This is the movie that I am most nervously anxious for. On one hand, the first Anchorman movie is one of my all time favorite comedies and I would hate to have the franchise tarnished in any way with a disappointing follow-up, but these characters are too great not to have had them make a return. Let's just hope this turns out to be the best Christmas present ever and not the equivalent of milk on a hot day in San Diego.


OTHER POSSIBLE FILMS OF INTEREST
Out of the Furnace (December 6)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (December 13)
Foxcatcher (December 20)
Jack Ryan (December 25)

Delivering the news bit by bit

Of course, we all cannot wait until Anchorman 2 arrives in theaters later this year. In the meantime, why not look back at the first movie from a unique perspective. Someone has recreated the film by turning the cast into 8 bit characters. It's pretty funny and it'll have you reciting your favorite lines all over again.

Legend...wait for it...ary

Great Odin's raven! It's actual footage from Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. No more teasers folks. Sit back, put on some jazz flute, and take in your first look at the new adventures of the Channel 4 News Team.

News promo

Attention all San Diegans? Diegoians? Diegos? Everyone! Here's the newest teaser trailer for Anchorman 2. The setup is the same as the teaser that came out around this time last year, but the Channel 4 news team has some new (stupid) stuff to say.

2013 Movie Preview (#6 - 1)

#6. Elysium (August 9)

Plot: In the year 2159 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard line government official will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn't stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

Personal Opinion: After District 9 was the surprise hit of 2009, everyone has eagerly anticipated what director Neill Blomkamp has in store for a follow-up. While this was originally set to be released in March, fans will now have to wait until August to see this sci-fi thriller. What puts this one over the top for me as it relates to anticipation is the fact that Matt Damon stars, someone who's work I always enjoy and who has become the hallmark of consistency recently with the films he's starred in.


#5 Anchorman: The Legend Continues (December 20)

Plot: A sequel to 2004's "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." Will Ferrell, will return to the title role with supporting cast members Steve Carell and Paul Rudd said to be involved as well. The original film also starred Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Fred Willard, Fred Armisen, Chris Parnell and many more.

Personal Opinion: I cannot understate how much I loved the original Anchorman film. It is one of the best comedies ever. I'm beyond thrilled that the Channel 4 News Team is reuniting, but like any fan there's always that trepidation that the sequel won't be able to live up to the original's greatness. Given that it's taken so long for this sequel to happen and the passion that those involved have for making this good, I've got faith that fans won't be disappointed with the latest adventures of Ron Burgundy.


#4. Monsters University (June 21)

Plot: Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn't always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn't stand each other. "Monsters University" unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. Screaming with laughter and fun, "Monsters University" is directed by Dan Scanlon ("Cars," "Mater and the Ghostlight," "Tracy") and produced by Kori Rae ("Up," "The Incredibles," "Monsters, Inc."). The film opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013, and will be shown in Disney Digital 3D� in select theaters.

Personal Opinion: The last sequel Pixar did was the worst film in the studio's history and then they followed that up with the lackluster Brave. So why the high anticipation for this one? It's real simple. To begin, this sequel is working from better source material. Second, the trailer that's already been released provided more laughs than the last two Pixar films combined. I really love the idea of watching these characters within the setting of college. This one definitely has a great chance of appealing to parents and kids equally.


#3. Monuments Men (December 20)

Plot: "Monuments Men" is an adaptation of Robert Edsel's 2009 book by Robert Edsel, which is described as follows: At the same time Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe. The Fuehrer had begun cataloguing the art he planned to collect as well as the art he would destroy: "degenerate" works he despised. In a race against time, behind enemy lines, often unarmed, a special force of American and British museum directors, curators, art historians, and others, called the Momuments Men, risked their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. Focusing on the eleven-month period between D-Day and V-E Day, this fascinating account follows six Monuments Men and their impossible mission to save the world's great art from the Nazis.

Personal Opinion: I can't see how anyone wouldn't have at least some interest in seeing this film after reading that synopsis. It's almost like a real life Ocean's Eleven. It should come as no surprise then that George Clooney is not only starring in this, but also directing it as well. He's also surrounded himself with a fine cast of supporting actors including Daniel Craig, Bill Murray, Matt Damon, and Cate Blanchett. I expect this one to do big business at the box office and during the awards season.


#2. Star Trek into Darkness (May 17)

Plot: In Summer 2013, director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes "Star Trek Into Darkness." In the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization, the crew of The Enterprise is called back home to Earth. In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Personal Opinion: I think everyone was caught off guard by how good Abrams' first Star Trek film was, so now the expectations are sky high. A lot of speculation has been made as to who exactly the villain for this film is. Could it be Khan, another villain from Star Trek history, or someone completely brand new. Given that I was never a fan of the original series, that doesn't concern me as much. As long as the story, acting, and action are on par with the 2009 film, then I'll be one happy moviegoer.


#1. Iron Man 3 (May 3)

Plot: Marvel Studios' "Iron Man 3" pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?

Personal Opinion: So we've finally made it to the end of the list and of course, Tony Stark is #1, as he believes he always should be. Just like with Thor, everyone is eager to see how they go about following up on The Avengers. Based on the first trailer, this looks like it's going to be awesome. We know Robert Downey Jr. will bring it again and I'm really looking forward to seeing Sir Ben Kingsley ham it up as the Mandarin. You better believe I'll be there for this one on opening weekend.

Anchor dropping

From EW.com

Get ready for more bad hair, mustaches, funky leisure suits, and laughs.

Paramount Pictures has set the theater release date for the sequel to 2004′s Anchorman for Dec. 20, 2013.

Will Ferrell will be back as deep-voiced newsman Ron Burgundy, along with Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner in the comedy directed by script co-writer Adam McKay. McKay has hinted that the sequel will have whole song sequences, and we can only imagine Ferrell’s thick Burgundy mustache fluttering in the breeze during a diva number backed by the Channel 4 News gang.

Dope for a better tomorrow

As the presidential campaigns kick into high gear, the nation's attention is firmly entrenched in politics, so what better time than now to poke fun at the election process? The Campaign sets out to do just that as funnymen Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis square off as opponents vying for a North Carolina Congressional seat. With a comedic pairing like that, you would expect big laughs, but like most politicians, these two are unable to make good on their promises.

Ferrell plays Cam Brady, a four-time Congressman who doesn't think twice about his actions since he believes he'll be running unopposed. Enter Marty Huggins, a Southern simpleton who gets coaxed into running by the nefarious Hotch brothers, who want a man they can control in office so that they can get away with running sweatshops in the U.S. The brothers are played with mustache-twirling evilness by Dan Ackroyd and John Lithgow. They are a thinly veiled parody of the real-life Koch brothers, but I found myself comparing them more to the evil rich old men from Trading Places

Both men begin to go all out in order to make sure they win. This should have made for some comedic gold, but in this Olympic year, its a bronze, at best. Part of the problem is one that plagues so many comedies - advertising fatigue. Several of the film's best jokes have been played to death in trailers and television ads. Half the fun in a good joke is the surprise it provides and that gets taken away when you've seen 40 times before. Something like Will Ferrell punching a baby felt fresh seeing it in the trailer, but comes off flat by the time you see the movie.

The bigger issue though is the film's attempts at mocking the political process. If you pay any attention to the nation around you, you not only know how politics work, but you also know the humor that can come from people trying to run for office. Hardly anything offered in The Campaign feels fresh or original. Shows like The Colbert Report offer more biting satire and witty insight into election coverage on a nightly basis than this film can muster up throughout its entire runtime.

Perhaps the film's biggest misfire is focusing on how political candidates are mere puppets for people with real power and wealth. That's not necessarily the wrong approach but when you've got Ferrell and Galifianakis as your leads, the focus should be on them and the characters they create. We really don't get much insight into who these men are or why they behave the way they do. I think this could have been a much sharper film if they had made these two campaigning against each other for a smaller, local office. This past season of Parks and Recreation proves that small-town elections can produce big laughs. Taking that approach not only yields good laughs, but it also allows you to focus more on the characters and the community, whereas the approach they took here just makes you depressed as you realize that too much of what they're doing here is actually happening in real campaigns.

Perhaps I'm being too hard on the movie. After all, despite my criticisms about the choices they made, Ferrell and Galifianakis are still very funny here. Even when a script isn't as sharp as it could be, these two talented guys find a way to milk laughs out of everything. Those who are less concerned with political commentary and just looking to laugh should have no reservations about checking this out. You'll likely also enjoy the efforts of a lot of the supporting cast, including Galifianakis wife, kids, and pets who have some hilarious skeletons in the closet.

Like most candidates that we support, The Campaign is flawed and far from perfect. But you also realize that it's a better choice than most other options. That said, we also cannot be complacent and just blindly accept everything that's offered to us. We know these guys can do better and we should always demand the best from them. I think that's a platform we can all support. Grade: B-

RBR: Casa de mi Padre

Try to follow me on this one...Casa de mi Padre is a Spanish langauge film (with subtitles) about a pair of brothers trying to take over their father's estate while dealing with a murderous drug dealer that stars Will Ferrell. The film uses a standard Mexican melodrama plot while parodying the genre. OK, now if you're still with me, then it's likely that you'll want to check out this movie. This is one of those high-concept, lowbrow films that will only speak to a very small portion of the population. I can appreciate what they were going for here and give Ferrell a lot of credit for choosing such an anti-mainstream picture. With that said, the film pulls its punches. Yes it mocks the cheesy visual effects typically seen in these films and contains endless songs that may or may not be connected to the story, but ultimately it's too respectful of the genre to truly be considered a parody while being too irreverent to actually pay homage. A film like this certainly works better on the small screen as it feels like an extended SNL skit. The film has it's share of laughs but in the end you feel somewhat ambivalent and confused as to what you actually saw. If you're willing to put up with reading for 85 minutes, then you may want to give this a rental but the film is so inconsequential that you won't be missing anything if you opt to skip it. Rating: ***

60% of the time, a sequel works every time

The Channel 4 News Team is back baby! Check out both the American and international versions of the teaser trailer for the sequel to Anchorman

Political dogfight

Leslie Knope and the folks at Parks and Recreation aren't the only ones involved in comedic political campaigns. Later this summer, Will Ferrell and Zack Galifianakis will be squaring off in the political comedy, The Campaign. Here's your first look at the film via two fake political ads.

I'm in a glass case of emotion!!

Great Odin's Raven...could it be? It appears an Anchorman sequel will finally happen. Here's Will Ferell as Ron Burgundy making the huge announcement on Conan Wednesday night.

Slumming it

Here's a pair of trailers for distinctively low-budget, independent films that somehow managed to rope in big name stars. Both show promise, but ultimately may be too odd to draw in large crowds.

2012 Movie Preview (#6 - 1)

6. The Amazing Spider-Man (July 3rd)

Plot: Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

Personal opinion: This is in a similar situation as The Bourne Legacy in that a popular franchise is getting a complete makeover. Both could be disasterous or they could be a breath of fresh air that these films needed. While the decision to reboot this franchise is questionable, I certainly can't argue with their casting decisions. After The Social Network, Andrew Garfield is a star in the making and you know how much I love Emma Stone, so I'm totally for her being chosen as Gwen Stacy, even if it meant her eschewing her red hair for a blonde mane. As long as they don't completely ruin the character with the script, this should keep Spidey crawling along just fine.


5. Dog Fight (August 10th)

Plot: Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis will play rival politicians in a small congressional district in South Carolina.

Personal opinion: All they had to say was Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis together and I was immediately sold. The fact that they are putting them in a plot that sounds rife for comedic gold only sweetens the pot. Given that 2012 is an election year will probably help this film gain even more viewers. The only thing that concerns me is that the film is being directed by Jay Roach, who has a spotty track record. He's had some great films like Austin Powers and Meet the Parents, but he's also had some duds like the sequels to those films. I would have prefered if Ferrell's longtime collaborator, Adam McKay had directed it, but I digress. The comedic strength of these two leads should have no problem carrying the film to prosperity.


4. The Gangster Squad (October 19)

Plot: Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and--if he has his way--every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It's enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop...except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen's world apart. "The Gangster Squad" is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the LAPD's efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time.

Personal opinion: As you can see by reading the plot description that this has some acting heavyweights in the cast. I always enjoy the gangster genre and feel its underutilized in Hollywood today. It's interesting to note that this action drama is being directed by Reuben Fleischer, who directed Zombieland This is uncharted waters for him, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Emma Stone is also part of the cast. That instantly improves things in my book. Ultimately as long as this one avoids being as dull as Public Enemies, it should be a winner.


3. The Avengers (May 4th)

Plot: Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Marvel's The Avengers" is the superhero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

Personal opinion: Our patience finally gets paid off here. After sitting through several single character comic book films, the band finally comes together as the supergroup our world needs. At this point, we know all the central players, so let's hope this film doesn't dwell too much on establishing them and just gets right to the action. Joss Whedon was a bit of a surprising choice to direct such a monumental film, but I think he's got the geek cred to do this group justice on the big screen.


2. Skyfall (November 9th)

Plot: In "Skyfall," Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Personal opinion: I went through great deliberation over what to put at #1 and this one came very close to getting that spot. It's no secret that I am a huge Bond geek and the wait for this film has been excruciating given the delays thanks to MGM's financial problems. But the wait is over and I'm eager to see Daniel Craig back in action. Ultimately, I put this at #2 just because it has a few more uncertainties surrounding this one. First of all Quantum of Solace was a bit disappointing so it's not a given that this one will be great. There's also the Sam Mendes factor. While he's an accomplished director, he has never really done an action film before, so we'll see how he handles that side of this movie. These are minor quibbles though as this should be an excellent return for everyone's favorite superspy.


1. The Dark Knight Rises (July 20th)

Plot: Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' "The Dark Knight Rises" is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale ("The Fighter") again plays the dual role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose"), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine ("The Cider House Rules") plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby") reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

Personal opinion: Do I really need to say anything here? After the HUGE success of The Dark Knight, is there any one in the world not anticipating this film? I am equally anxious for this and the new Bond film, but the fact that everyone is back for this film and then some makes it the surer bet. It's a little sad knowing that this movie will be the last Batman that Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan do, but that only builds the intrigue as we wonder how they will choose to end this. The trailer that was released last week already left me breathless, so now we just have to anxiously count down the days until next summer to see the full thing. So there you have it. The best of the best. I hope it's clear to the rest of you as it is to me that next year's slate looks a hell of a lot better than the offerings we got this year. Whether it's actually true or not remains to be seen. Thankfully we don't have long to wait. Let's bring on 2012! Happy New Year everyone and remember to keep visiting this blog throughout the year to read more updates and reviews for all of these films and more.

NMR: Everything Must Go

This is a somewhat historic review as it is the last movie that I'll watch from Netflix on DVD. Like many Americans, I was not pleased with Netflix's decision to raise their subscription prices. It's a move that clearly seems designed to phase out the hard disc side of their business. For now, I'll remain a streaming customer, but since most of the movies available on their streaming service are older films, I'm not sure how many of them I'll actually bother reviewing on the blog. If they don't improve and update their library, Netflix could be losing me as a customer altogether. So from now on, all of the new movies I rent will come from Redbox. As a result, I'll begin using the code RBR (Redbox Review) in the titles of these reviews.

As for this movie, if you're not familiar with the title, this was a small dramedy that was screened in theaters last May starring Will Ferrell as a man who's losing everything in his life. On the same day he gets fired, he comes home only to learn that his wife has left him and placed all of his possessions on their front lawn. Frustrated and mad, Ferrell decides to simply live on his lawn as a form of protest against everything that's happened to him. Of course, in doing so we see him engage and talk with people who show him a reason to go on and have a happy life. Ferrell, a man mostly known for his comedic roles, does a nice job here pulling off the drama, although I wasn't as sold that he was as big of an alcoholic as the movie claimed he was. I also liked the smaller performances from people like Rebecca Hall, Michael Pena, and Stephen Root. Overall though, I just felt as if there was nothing here. There wasn't a deep enough exploration into either any of the characters nor the story hook about living on the lawn. It's as if we see the whole story from some unseen neighbor living on the street who's watching these events unfold from afar. If you like smaller independent films, you may find this appealing, but I would imagine those who are fans of Ferrell's films like Anchorman or Talladega Nights will likely be bored by this. Rating: *** 1/2