Speaking of The Office, if you did not catch this pass week's episode, you missed the first ever meeting between Steve Carell's Michael Scott and the boss from the original UK The Office, David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais). It's short, sweet, and absolutely awesome. Check it out...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Newsteam assemble!
It looks like Steve Carell and Will Ferrell will be working together once again. Sadly, it won't be for an Anchorman sequel (yet), but rather at Dunder-Mifflin. Ferrell has signed on to do a four-episode arc that will run through Carell's exit on the show. Now if David Koechner's Todd Packer shows up, we could have 3/4ths of the Channel 4 newsteam. Here's more info on Will appearance from EW.com:
With Steve Carell stepping out of NBC’s The Office, producers have enlisted Will Ferrell to help boost the show’s numbers during the season’s home stretch.
Ferrell will reunite with his Anchorman co-star in a four-episode arc later this season. He’ll play a branch manager who arrives from the home office and proves to be just as inept as Michael Scott.
“We found Steve Carell when he was nothing but a movie star and we turned him into a television star,” says executive producer Paul Lieberstein. “We are proud to continue The Office‘s tradition of discovering famous talent, and we hope that once America gets a good look at Will, they’ll see what we see: tremendous raw sexuality.”
Three episodes will feature Carell and Ferrell together (they’re not co-workers, they’re co-people), then Ferrell will have one episode working with the Office gang solo after Carell departs (he’s leaving the show four episodes before the season finale, you’ll recall).
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Kept on the down Lowe
Here's a hilarious video of Rob Lowe reacting to the news that Parks and Recreation had been kept off the fall schedule and is just returning tonight. This is very funny, but WARNING, language is not safe for work. By the way, I don't want to have to resort to begging, but PLEASE watch this show! I promise you won't be disappointed.
NMR: Despicable Me
In some ways it is a shame that Toy Story 3 was so good this past year because it overshadowed some other good animated films. First you had How To Train Your Dragon tell an effective story and be entertaining and now we have Despicable Me, another excellent entry that works for kids and adults alike. What I liked about this film is that it wasn't afraid to be cartoony. Many of the well received animated films have tried to be more realistic, but not here. A lot of the humor in this film harkens back to jokes that you would find in a Road Runner/Wylie Coyote cartoon. And while the comedy is silly, it's not so hyperactive or noisy like so many of today's Saturday morning cartoons are, that it gives you a headache. But while the file has plenty of goofy fun, it's also able to root itself with heart thanks to a trio of orphaned girls. These kids are sweet without being cloying. It's easy to see how they are able to melt the cold heart of evil villain Gru (voiced wonderfully by Steve Carell). The film works for audiences of all ages. Adults will enjoy the voice work from a lot of their favorite comedians. Children will love the battle between Gru and Vector (voiced by Jason Segal) and everyone will love Gru's goofy minions, who steal the show with every scene that they are in. This one is definitely recommended for rental. Rating: ****
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Knight call
We've finally gotten some scoop on the newcomers for the next Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Check out who has been cast in two big roles below in this article from EW.com:
Warner Bros. announced via press release this morning that director Christopher Nolan has cast Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle in his third and final Batman opus The Dark Knight Rises. For those who don’t know their Batman lore, Selina Kyle is Catwoman’s alter-ego, although curiously, the press release makes no mention of the word “Catwoman.” And in something of a surprise, Nolan also announced today that his Inception actor Tom Hardy will play the villain Bane, a more recent addition to Batman’s storied rogues gallery. He made a big splash in the Batman comics by breaking Bruce Wayne’s back in 1993. Hardy’s participation in The Dark Knight Rises has been previously reported (although never confirmed by the studio until today), but the widespread speculation was that he’d be playing Hugo Strange or Clayface.
Snug as a bug in a rug
This for all of those people out there for feel the Snuggie is too complicated and that Pajama Jeans are only for rich snobs.
Best western
I apologize if this review ends up being shorter than most of my current film ones are. The reason it might be is that when I saw True Grit, I was fighting a cold so my head wasn't fully into the movie. I may end up doing another more in-depth review at another point in time if I get to see this again. But for now, this will have to suffice.
In a lot of ways, the quality of this film was a no brainer from the get-go. Even though some may view re-making this John Wayne classic as akin to desicrating sacred territory, it's clear that the Coen brothers have nothing but the utmost respect for not only the original film, but also the novel which the film is based on. Rangling up great actors like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin to fill the primary roles in the film was enough to guarantee this would not be an insult to its predecessor.
While many will, it really is unfair to try and make a comparison between The Duke and Jeff Bridges' portrayal of U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn. Wayne's certainly has its charm, but Bridges once again delivers a great performance. This is by no means an imitation. If anything Bridges channels more of The Dude than the Duke for his performance. By now, it should be clear to anyone familiar with Bridges' work that he has no problem coming off looking disheveled, lost, and just plain out of sorts in many of his roles. But no matter how rough of an exterior, he finds a way to always bring a level of humanity to his characters and this one is no different.
And for as crusty as Cogburn is, he's balanced nicely by Matt Damon's slick portrayal of a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf. Damon delivers some great lines in the film no matter who he's in the scene with. He does a nice job of sliding back and forth between slimy and heroic. It's a shame he's not getting more recognition as it relates to awards because he actually may have been my favorite character in the film. As for Brolin, he doesn't show up in the third act, but certainly does the most with his limited time. Through his performance, he's able to ratchet up the intensity to the appropriate level.
What many are quickly realizing, however, is that while these gentlemen are getting the initial recognition based on their star power, the true highlight of the film is young Hallie Steinfeld, playing Mattie Ross, the girl who hires Cogburn to find her father's killer. She has tremendous poise and comes off appearing to be a seasoned actress when involved in scenes with these screen legends, even though she was only 13 when the film was shot. I hope this isn't a one shot deal for her, because she definitely has a bright future ahead of her in the field of acting.
If I had a criticism of the film, it's that I had actually expected it to be a bit more, well, gritty. While there are gunfights and bloodshed, this is far from the gorefest that it could have been. Given that the Coens, who have directed films like Fargo and Burn After Reading, were helming this film, I certainly anticipated more violence. In retrospect though, the film didn't need it. It was just misguided expectations on my end. The focus here is more on the story. And while the Coens' trademark violence may not be fully on this display in this picture, their signature dialogue still is there. There are a number of great scenes of back and forth banter that are clever, funny, and engaging. At times, it was tough to catch all of it; yet another reason I want to watch this film again.
There is nothing flashy about True Grit. This is just old fashioned storytelling at its finest being brought to life by some terrific actors. I love that it has been able to find an audience whereas so many Westerns before it couldn't. This is an excellent film that moves along at a fast pace. It was hard to believe how quickly the two hours flew by. If you're one of the few who hasn't watched it yet, set your sights on it and saddle up for a fun ride. Grade: A-
In a lot of ways, the quality of this film was a no brainer from the get-go. Even though some may view re-making this John Wayne classic as akin to desicrating sacred territory, it's clear that the Coen brothers have nothing but the utmost respect for not only the original film, but also the novel which the film is based on. Rangling up great actors like Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin to fill the primary roles in the film was enough to guarantee this would not be an insult to its predecessor.
While many will, it really is unfair to try and make a comparison between The Duke and Jeff Bridges' portrayal of U.S. Marshall, Rooster Cogburn. Wayne's certainly has its charm, but Bridges once again delivers a great performance. This is by no means an imitation. If anything Bridges channels more of The Dude than the Duke for his performance. By now, it should be clear to anyone familiar with Bridges' work that he has no problem coming off looking disheveled, lost, and just plain out of sorts in many of his roles. But no matter how rough of an exterior, he finds a way to always bring a level of humanity to his characters and this one is no different.
And for as crusty as Cogburn is, he's balanced nicely by Matt Damon's slick portrayal of a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf. Damon delivers some great lines in the film no matter who he's in the scene with. He does a nice job of sliding back and forth between slimy and heroic. It's a shame he's not getting more recognition as it relates to awards because he actually may have been my favorite character in the film. As for Brolin, he doesn't show up in the third act, but certainly does the most with his limited time. Through his performance, he's able to ratchet up the intensity to the appropriate level.
What many are quickly realizing, however, is that while these gentlemen are getting the initial recognition based on their star power, the true highlight of the film is young Hallie Steinfeld, playing Mattie Ross, the girl who hires Cogburn to find her father's killer. She has tremendous poise and comes off appearing to be a seasoned actress when involved in scenes with these screen legends, even though she was only 13 when the film was shot. I hope this isn't a one shot deal for her, because she definitely has a bright future ahead of her in the field of acting.
If I had a criticism of the film, it's that I had actually expected it to be a bit more, well, gritty. While there are gunfights and bloodshed, this is far from the gorefest that it could have been. Given that the Coens, who have directed films like Fargo and Burn After Reading, were helming this film, I certainly anticipated more violence. In retrospect though, the film didn't need it. It was just misguided expectations on my end. The focus here is more on the story. And while the Coens' trademark violence may not be fully on this display in this picture, their signature dialogue still is there. There are a number of great scenes of back and forth banter that are clever, funny, and engaging. At times, it was tough to catch all of it; yet another reason I want to watch this film again.
There is nothing flashy about True Grit. This is just old fashioned storytelling at its finest being brought to life by some terrific actors. I love that it has been able to find an audience whereas so many Westerns before it couldn't. This is an excellent film that moves along at a fast pace. It was hard to believe how quickly the two hours flew by. If you're one of the few who hasn't watched it yet, set your sights on it and saddle up for a fun ride. Grade: A-
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Castaway call
Being sick last week I never got the opportunity to post the announcement of the new Survivor cast for next season's, Survivor: Redemption Island. If you haven't heard, the twist for the upcoming season involves contestants who have been voted out having the opportunity to re-enter the game at a later point if they are able to defeat other tribe members who have been eliminated in a challenge. The idea of contestants having the ability to re-enter the game makes some Survivor fans uneasy, but Jeff Probst promises everyone will enjoy this new twist. Below is the cast photo. However, you'll notice that there are only 16 people there, but there will be 18 playing the game. The other two are a pair of familiar faces: Boston Rob and Russell Hantz. This will be Russell's third time plays and Rob's fourth. This again is a twist that I'm on the fence on. On one hand their rivarly that started in last year's Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains made for some classic television and they are easily the two best players never to win the game. However, I also feel that they've both had their opportunities and having them back may be overkill. We'll find out how everything plays out when the show returns on February 16th.
Going up to Eleven
I rarely talk about music on here, but I just came across a song that has become a major earworm for me and I wanted to share it with the rest of you. This is Living in a Dream, by Finger Eleven (which happens to be the theme song for this year's Royal Rumble).
NMR: On the next Geraldo: Whores and the people who hate them
After a pair of films featuring ladies as the hero, here's a pair of films where women are victimized for their supposed loose nature...
The Contender: I picked up this 2000 film because I've been on a Jeff Bridges kick lately and his portrayal of a president here earned him an Oscar nomination. While good, he takes a back seat to the film's primary plot about a woman (Joan Allen) who is going through the vetting process in an attempt to become the first female vice president. The acting is solid throughout the film thanks to a talented cast that also includes Gary Oldman, Sam Elliott, and Christian Slater. However, the whole story felt very dated. In the wake of Hilary Clinton and other prominent female politicians, the 'good ol' boys' club that Washington is portrayed as here just doesn't resonate in the same way anymore. In addition, I've been spoiled by other political films and television shows where the dialogue is much more snappy and lively than what is seen here. Still, if you like political thrillers and/or the actors seen in this film, I would suggest renting it. Everyone else probably won't care for this. Rating: *** 1/2
Easy A: This one really caught me by surprise. Usually I dismiss high school comedies because they're complete junk, but I heard enough positive things about this one that I decided to give it a chance and I'm glad I did. While the film's story isn't really anything special (a girl gains noteriety in her high school after pretending to sleep with a bunch of guys in order to help their credibility amongst their friends), the film's lead, Emma Stone, turns in a star-making performance here. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she delivers a number of great one liners. She also nicely dances that fine line of coming off as sophisticated and mature, while still seeming like a real teenager. She totally makes this film bearable. It also helps when the film casts people like Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as her daffy parents. They add another level of energy to each scene they are in. Sharp dialogue and a wonderful cast make this the best high school movie since Mean Girls or perhaps even 10 Things I Hate About You. Rating: ****
The Contender: I picked up this 2000 film because I've been on a Jeff Bridges kick lately and his portrayal of a president here earned him an Oscar nomination. While good, he takes a back seat to the film's primary plot about a woman (Joan Allen) who is going through the vetting process in an attempt to become the first female vice president. The acting is solid throughout the film thanks to a talented cast that also includes Gary Oldman, Sam Elliott, and Christian Slater. However, the whole story felt very dated. In the wake of Hilary Clinton and other prominent female politicians, the 'good ol' boys' club that Washington is portrayed as here just doesn't resonate in the same way anymore. In addition, I've been spoiled by other political films and television shows where the dialogue is much more snappy and lively than what is seen here. Still, if you like political thrillers and/or the actors seen in this film, I would suggest renting it. Everyone else probably won't care for this. Rating: *** 1/2
Easy A: This one really caught me by surprise. Usually I dismiss high school comedies because they're complete junk, but I heard enough positive things about this one that I decided to give it a chance and I'm glad I did. While the film's story isn't really anything special (a girl gains noteriety in her high school after pretending to sleep with a bunch of guys in order to help their credibility amongst their friends), the film's lead, Emma Stone, turns in a star-making performance here. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she delivers a number of great one liners. She also nicely dances that fine line of coming off as sophisticated and mature, while still seeming like a real teenager. She totally makes this film bearable. It also helps when the film casts people like Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as her daffy parents. They add another level of energy to each scene they are in. Sharp dialogue and a wonderful cast make this the best high school movie since Mean Girls or perhaps even 10 Things I Hate About You. Rating: ****
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
James Bond Will Return
Seeing 007 back in action was never in doubt, it was just a matter of when. Well question no more, we finally have a date confirmed by MGM. From EW.com:
James Bond’s vacation is over.
After the financial wrangling over the fate of MGM led the family that produces the 007 films to halt development of their 23rd installment last year, the project is back on track with plans for a Nov. 9, 2012 release date, MGM confirms to EW. (Deadline first reported the story.)
Daniel Craig will return for his third run as the superspy. What was more in question was whether Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, who had been attached to the movie before it was put on hiatus, would still be participating.
The announcement today from MGM and EON Productions confirms Mendes will remain as the filmmaker, with a script from Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. EON is run by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, children of the late producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, who launched the franchise with Sean Connery’s Dr. No in 1962.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
NMR: A lethal dose of heroine
Here's a pair of recents films I saw featuring ladies trying to save the day...
Alice in Wonderland: This was surprisingly already on Instant View for Netflix. Once again Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up here, but the magic is nowhere to be found. Being a Disney film, Burton doesn't go twisted enough with the source material and the insanity that he does bring to the film just comes off as annoying rather than engaging. And for being a place a wonder, this environment that he creates is rather murky and bland. All in all, the visuals were disappointing, however, my story might be different had I seen this in 3D as it was intended. Nothing about this film was terrible, rather it just felt unnecessary. I don't think this latest incarnation of the classic Carroll novel added anything that we hadn't already seen before. Rating: ** 1/2
Salt: They really tried to make this film a female Bourne franchise, but they don't quite get there. While appreciate them not holding back on the action, most of the sequences and stunts seen in this film are utterly preposterous. Jolie's Evelyn Salt does things in this film that would kill burly men, let alone her petite frame. The film moves along at a good clip and has some interesting twists that are not completely transparent, which I appreciate. I was ready to give this a higher rating, but then the film had a horrendous ending. It reeked of the studio pushing for a ambiguous ending to leave things open for a sequel when this film didn't need it. As an interesting side note, on the Blu-Ray version, which is the one I saw, they offer two alternate endings and one of them was excellent. I really wish they would have gone with that one instead, but oh well. Rating: ***
Alice in Wonderland: This was surprisingly already on Instant View for Netflix. Once again Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up here, but the magic is nowhere to be found. Being a Disney film, Burton doesn't go twisted enough with the source material and the insanity that he does bring to the film just comes off as annoying rather than engaging. And for being a place a wonder, this environment that he creates is rather murky and bland. All in all, the visuals were disappointing, however, my story might be different had I seen this in 3D as it was intended. Nothing about this film was terrible, rather it just felt unnecessary. I don't think this latest incarnation of the classic Carroll novel added anything that we hadn't already seen before. Rating: ** 1/2
Salt: They really tried to make this film a female Bourne franchise, but they don't quite get there. While appreciate them not holding back on the action, most of the sequences and stunts seen in this film are utterly preposterous. Jolie's Evelyn Salt does things in this film that would kill burly men, let alone her petite frame. The film moves along at a good clip and has some interesting twists that are not completely transparent, which I appreciate. I was ready to give this a higher rating, but then the film had a horrendous ending. It reeked of the studio pushing for a ambiguous ending to leave things open for a sequel when this film didn't need it. As an interesting side note, on the Blu-Ray version, which is the one I saw, they offer two alternate endings and one of them was excellent. I really wish they would have gone with that one instead, but oh well. Rating: ***
Sunday, January 9, 2011
What a load of crap!
I caught this commercial while watching tonight's SNL and couldn't believe my eyes. Fittingly enough, while watching it, I was reminded of one my favorite lines from an SNL skit - Who are the ad wizards who came up with that one???
Thursday, January 6, 2011
NMR: The A-Team
Technically, I saw this on Amazon On Demand since I had a free credit with them and those stupid release date rules have prevented this film from being available on Netflix yet, but who's counting? I have to say that I was actually somewhat disappointed in this. This was loud and noisy and lacked the fun that I was expecting to see. That's not to say that it didn't appear that the actors were not having fun. Every other scene seemingly had them laughing like they were all mental patients, not just Murdock, over the destruction that they were causing. It felt like they modernized the wrong elements of this film. I wanted the cheesiness of the original show from the 80s intact and instead got a much more serious, high stakes and high octane mood here. On the other hand, there was absolutely nothing fresh about the storyline. How many times have we see the longtime friend turn out to be the traitor because he was 'doing what was best for the country'. It felt so tired and played out. In addition, I would have preferred a story where the A-Team had already been established and not an origin story. That may work for comic book movies, but it was unnecessary here. At times the film does pop with energy, but overall this was lacking. Perhaps I had the wrong expectations going into this film, but I just wasn't eating what they were serving. Rating: ** 1/2
Knope, can't wait
We're just two weeks away from the return of Parks and Recreation and the wait is killing me! If you're like me, here's a nice little season 3 preview to tide you over in the meantime.
Monday, January 3, 2011
NMR: Crazy Heart
With Jeff Bridges having two prolific films out in theaters now (neither of which I've gotten a chance to see yet, grrr), I decided to check out the film that finally earned him a Best Actor Oscar last year, Crazy Heart. For the most part this is a paint-by-numbers tale of the degredation of fame. It's basically just like The Wrestler, only change the profession to country music singer. Thankfully though, what would have been a rote story is elevated thanks to Bridges' terrific performance. This is the type of role meant for him and you can see him relish in it. Playing Bad Blake, a musician who's knocking on death's door thanks to the years of booze and smoking, Bridges finds a way to still emit charm that not only engages his fans, but us viewers as well. It's easy to see why a young reporter (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal) would be smitten with him despite his outward appearance and age disparity. While country music is not a genre I typically enjoy, the songs created for this film have a poignancy that make them instantly listenable. Credit to Colin Farrell, who takes on a low key role as a collaborator/friend of Blake's, who's star has now risen higher than Blake's ever did. Overall, this is a very charming movie, even if the story feels very familiar. I'm glad to see that Bridges got the recognition he did for this role because he was not only great here, but has had a terrific career playing multiple iconic roles. If you enjoy his work or if you're a country music fan, I'd definitely recommend checking this out. Rating: ****
Friday, December 31, 2010
2011 Movie Preview (#6 - 1)
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)