Some news...

Hey guys! Today is a packed day for me with dinner and a movie with some friends...Tropic Thunder...should be good, and you all will know if it was tomorrow...so here are the big headlines for this Thursday, the 14th of August...

- The quircky holiday themed horror film, Mother's Day, is set to get a remake, with none other than Saw 3 and 4 helmer Darren Bousman is looking to direct...what the fuck are they thinking???

- There will be no sidekick in the upcoming Evil Dead 4...

- There will be a Kung Fu Panda 2, as well as a Madagascar 3...

- Finally, the alleged Justice League film has been CANNED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!! Fucking brilliant. Looks like DC can make a right choice. Seriously. The biggest problem was that they were going to create two parrallell universes in which two seperate Batman (Batmen?) and two seperate Superman would exist. They did not have Christian Bale or Brendan Ralph as the two iconic heroes, and now, they were thinking of doing a Teen Titans film, which would be perfect, but not two seperate DC Universes. What do you guys think???

Alright, so, I'll have a review of Tropic Thunder tomorrow, so come back for that...

Go see something good!

Top 10 War films...

So, in honor of Tropic Thunder, out now, I have come up with a top 10 list that may be a little controversial. Let me just get this out of the way. I don't like war or war films. Never have, never will. HOWEVER, I have seen my fair share, and like enough to make this a credible list. So here it is...

10. Black Hawk Down
9. Letters From Iwo Jima
8. Platoon
7. The Deer Hunter
6. All Quiet on the Western Front
5. The Battle of Algiers
4. Apocalypse Now
3. Paths of Glory
2. Three Kings
1. Full Metal Jacket

Now, what are your favorite war films??? How about protest films (possible top 10 later)??

Go see something good!!!

Some News...

Hey guys! So, I'm still sort of getting used to my new townhouse, so I may not have the same amount of posts this week, but I definitley will try. Here are the headlines for this Tuesday, the 12th of August...

- Amy Winehouse will star in "Escape From Rehab", a new videogame to promote Disaster Movie...
- With the loss Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac, and just like with Heath Ledger, it brings up their unfinished, or just finished work. In November, the two will star in Soul Men...thanks to the NYDaily for pointing this out...

The upcoming comedy, set to be released in November, features both comedian Bernie Mac and singer Isaac Hayes, who died within one day of each other this weekend. And eerily enough, the movie’s plot is about death.

In “Soul Men,” a rhythm-and-blues band reunites 20 years after their acrimonious breakup following the death of the band’s lead singer. Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac play the group’s two main members, while Isaac Hayes portrays himself.


Sounds like a fun little film. Can't wait to check it out....

- The Special Olympic are boycotting Tropic Thunder for the use of the word "retard" on a promotional website...
- Finally, heres a new poster for the upcoming Star Trek film...


I am stoked for this film, and Simon Pegg as Scotty...PERFECT. What are your thoughts on the film?

Alright, come back tomorrow for more news and notes...

Go see something good

She and Him...

Just good music...Zooey Deschanel and indie troubadour Matt Ward's group called She and Him, and the Album is called Volume 1. If you like folky music...just stuff you through on in the background, then check them out.

Go see something good!

Weekend Wrap Up...

You guys know what this is about, so lets get down to it, I've got packing to do...

Box Office top 10...

1.The Dark Knight
2.Pineapple Express
3.The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
4.The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
5.Step Brothers
6.Mamma Mia!
7.Journey to the Center of the Earth
8.Hancock
9.Swing Vote
10.WALL-E

The Dark Knight WINS AGAIN. The thing about that is, The Dark Knight beating these films, means that people are going out to see TDK MULTIPLE TIMES before even thinking about seeing these other films, including a sure fire, or thought to be surefire hit with Pineapple Express. HOWEVER, I believe Tropic Thunder this week will beat it, and gross over 60 million bucks, even though it may blow it's load a little early, as it, like PE, is opening on Wednesday...

There are the only three real noteable DVD releases..

- CJ7...Comes to us from Stephen Chow, the mastermind behind Kung Fu Hustle, and Shaolin Soccer...kind of like E.T., just much more crazy and cartoony...I haven't seen it, so this is definitley something I will be renting...
- Smart People...I think one of my first reviews over on my blog, and I really enjoyed this film. It's funny and includes one of my favorite male performances from the brilliant Thomas Hayden Church. HOWEVER, if you want to see an Ellen Page film, go to Hard Candy or The Tracey Fragments first. SM is a bit better than Juno, Citizen Kane compared to the first 20 minutes of Juno, but not as good as either of those films...so give it a shot...

PICK OF THE WEEK
- Brand Upon the Brain...
Two reasons why you should be excited for this film...
1) Guy Madden is behind it...
2) It's a Criterion release, for it's FIRST RUN...
It's a small film with Madden narrating over footage, so it may be a little out there, as most of his films are, but it's at the top of my queue, as it should be for you...

So this week sees 4 major releases that I am pretty interested in...However, I am not sure which ones I should review...I am positive that I will be seeing the Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, Jack Black war comedy, Tropic Thunder, yet I don't know what else to check out. We have Vicky Christina Barcelona, Woody Allen's new film about two women who meet a seductive Spanish painter and stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Scarlett Johannson, and features a threesome between those actors, so bonus points there...We also have the horror film Mirrors starring Keifer Sutherland which is directed by Hills Have Eyes remake helmer Alexandre Aja, in which people are tortured by their images in mirrors...and finally we have Star Wars: the Clone Wars, the animated Star Wars film...so what should I see?? What looks the most interesting to you, and what are you interested in checking out? I'm leaning towards all but the Star Wars film, but if enough people want to hear what I have to say about, I may give it a shot. Expect a TT review on Friday though...

Alright, that's all for now, come back later for the usual...

Go see something good!!

The MPAA...is it needed??? Plus...some early Joker Concept Art...

Kevin Smith is not a shy guy. Kevin Smith, as many of you know, or should know, is the director of such comedy classics (at least in my mind), Clerks, Dogma, and the brilliant Clerks 2. Now, in many of his films, he had a run in with the MPAA, the ratings board for this fine medium. His newest film, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, was no different. Just as of two weeks ago, it looked as though the cut Smith gave to the devil, umm, MPAA was going to recieve the dreaded NC-17 rating. However, KS has won his battle, and it looks as though it will recieve the all important R rating. So, that brings me to my question. In Clerks 2, he has a man have sexual relations with a donkey, and in this film, he is basically all on the table in saying that this will be about two friends making a porn film. So, is there really a point to the MPAA? Should it even exist? Or is there a point, but it just needs an overhall? Should it stay the same? I'm a really liberal guy, so you can expect what I will say, but I really want to get into this. I want to hear what you guys think, so post some comments.

The other thing I would like to talk about, are these really interesting photos from the book, the Art Of The Dark Knight, which features early pre production information, the shooting script, and some really interesting pics...





What do you guys think? I'm suprised with how tame the final version they went with was. Would these have made the film to dark for it's own good???

That's all I've got for now...come back for more news and the weekend wrap up....

How can they do a Pineapple Express/Superbad crossover when Rogen is in both films??? I want your theories people!

Go see something good!!!

R.I.P. Bernie Mac...

Lets put some rumors to rest...

So, as you all know, I normally talk about some big rumors, and a few times, they don't pan out. However, the following two rumors that I've talked about have been fufilled...

- Brad Pitt has OFFICIALLY JOINED INGLORIOUS BASTARDS!!! Thanks to The Movie Blog for the info....

Today we get word that Brad Pitt has signed on the dotted line and will star in Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards and joining him in early casting are Eli Roth (director of Hostel) and B.J. Novak (”The Office”, Knocked Up).

Pitt will play a Tennessee hillbilly who assembles a team of eight Jewish-American soldiers. Eli Roth will play the role of Sgt. Donnie Donowitz, and Tarantino is locking in the other seven American actors who make up the Bastards team. Novak is expected to play PFC Utivich, described as a soldier of slight build who comes from New York.


That is huge news, and makes me just more excited for this film. QT's been writing this thing for about 20 years now, and the scripts been floating around and getting rave reviews, so expect this one to be huge. Shooting starts later this year, and it will open next years Cannes Film Festival...Oh, and Nastassja Kinski is in talks to join the film...yes, Kinski, the daughter of the brilliant Klaus Kinski...call me excited...

- The second rumor, and we saw this coming, was that Johnny Depp would be staring as the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Well, it's 100% true. No information has been leaked about the possible shooting schedule, so more news on this as it develops...

In other news...
- Indy 5, yes, Indiana Jones 5, which is allegedly in the works, will NOT be based around Mutt Williams, at least if George Lucas has any control (and I must say, I wish he wouldn't...)
- The feature film adaptation of Flash Gordon is back in production...


That's all I have for now, so come back later for more news and a possible review of either Mummy 3 or X Files: I Want To Believe...

Go see something good!!!

Craziest. Thing. Ever.

Thoughts?!?!?!

Top 10 Movies about Friendship...

Alright. So, in honor of this past wednesday's release of the stoner comedy, Pineapple Express, which centers around two guys and their growing friendship, I have decided to make a list of the top 10 Buddy films, or films featuring a group of friends, or based around their friendship. Here's the list...

10. Sideways/Wayne's World (no real reason for a tie, just couldn't pick...)
9. Rain Man
8. Of Mice and Men
7. Bottle Rocket
6. The Deer Hunter
5. Swingers/ Made
4. Ghost World
3. Y Tu Mama Tambien
2. Clerks
1. The Big Lebowski

What's your favorite film about friendship???

Go see something good!

Pineapple Express...

I hate moviegoers. No, I hate teenage movie goers. I walk into the local Star theatre to watch a screening of Pineapple Express at 9:30, and as I walk over to the screening room, I am followed by the group of people I am with, and a group of about 10-15 teenage guys dressed in Aeropostale tshirts, plaid shorts, and flat brimmed hats. So, right away, I get a really bad feeling, which is inevitably what happens. It was a pretty packed theatre, which could be expected, and of course, I get stuck next to and behind people who have an affinity for texting and talking. That's why I wish, instead of legalizing pot, they need to legalize blow darts so I can take bitches out. Alas, I still saw the film, so here are my thoughts...

Pineapple Express is a stoner chase film (oxymoron, I know), and stars Seth Rogen and James Franco. It is directed by the great David Gordon Green and is about a process server, Dale Denton, who, after a meeting with his dealer, Saul, goes to serve a subpoena to Saul's dealer's dealer, Ted Jones. However, instead of serving the subpoena, he gets served with the sight of a murder. He runs into a couple of cars, and in his rush, leaves a roach of Pineapple Express, which his dealer is the only one in the city to have. This little problem eventually leads to a city wide chase featuring car crashes, exploding buildings, and awkward male bonding. This is a pretty interesting premise, however, does it make it a good film??

Sort of. The best part of this film comes from the lead performances, particularly James Franco. From his look to his delivery, he epitomizes the role, and is probably the best part of this film. Seth is really just playing himself in a way, so it's nothing impressive. Works for the film, but sort of lacking. Also, Danny McBride who plays Red, Saul's dealer, is amazing as well. There are a lot of funny performances in this film. However, it just seems to fall into the realm of convention. It really is just a basic stoner comedy, with some violence thrown in.

It's shot in a skillful way, with many shots stamped to the t with Gordon Green's style, particularly some of the slow mo shots, such as the scene where Saul and Dale sell some weed to a few high school kids. There's even a subtle cameo from the Eddie Rouse, the guy who played Damascus in George Washington. However, I inevitably became bored with the film. It was a tad bit long, a bit redundant and ultimately a conventional film. It's like having three Double Cheeseburgers from Burger King. It fills you up, tastes good, but ultimately makes you feel empty. Empty calories. If you get rid of one or two of the three or four action set pieces, this thing would fly. The interchanges between Saul and Dale, and then Dale, Saul and Red are comedy gold, but these great scenes are ultimately undone by a slow middle, and a conventional storyline.

That all said, McBride, Franco, and the direction of Gordon Green are worth a RENTAL. I wish they just would have dropped the action set pieces, or just one of them, and spent more time with the three friends. Worth a rent...

Pineapple Express: 6.5/10

Alright, I kept the review kind of short, because it is a comedy, and I really want to hear what you guys have to say about it.

Also, I would like to hear what you guys have to say about this summer's slate of films. I am pretty much blockbustered out right now. However, I move into my new apartment on Monday, so not only can you expect more reviews, but more independent reviews. Still, what do you guys think about this summer? Has it been good, or is it to one note?

Go see something good!!!

They want to make a Pineapple Express/Superbad crossover sequel...thoughts?

What's a good comedy to you???

So, this Wednesday sees the release of Pineapple Express, the newest film from what is currently the reigning champs of on screen comedy, the Apatow collective. However, there seems to be something different with this otherwise basic stoner comedy. I'll get to that in a minute, but first let me get off my chest some of my thoughts about the current state of American comedy...

The U.S. makes dumb comedies. That may come off as a little condesending, but it's not meant to. Today's comedy films are, to me, a basic SNL skit, but lengthed for 90 minutes. They have no real plot line to them, and seem to have more joke based humor, than character based. It's like watching a live action Mad Magazine, especially with films like Meet The Spartans. They are shot as though some one sat a camera on a counter and just left it there, and when a joke doesn't hit, the overall momentum of the film is destroyed. It's akin to watching a film like Paris Je T'aime, or a simmilar vignette style film, or a collection of shorts, and throughing in some student films inbetween films by the Coen Brothers or Alexander Payne. Here, let me give you some examples. Here is a list of some of the major theatrical comedy releases from this year...

- First Sunday
- 27 Dresses
- Mad Money
- Meet The Spartans
- Over Her Dead Body
- Strange Wilderness
- Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
- Fools Gold
- Be Kind Rewind
- Charlie Bartlett
- Semi Pro
- Step Brothers

That is a good example of what for me makes a good comedy and a bad comedy. My favorite comedy this year so far is probably Smart People (have any of you seen that? If so, I want to hear what you guys have to say...)and there are many good things about that. The plot is great, the performances are solid, and most importantly, it's really funny, but without going for jokes. It's R rated and instead of being an American Pie, it's more of a Rushmore, and that's something I admire.

Now, that brings me to Pineapple Express...To me, this film has the chance to be one of the best comedies in years, and it's one that I am really looking forward to. Sure, I despise stoner comedies, but this looks like it's adding something new to the genre. It's hanging out with Brad Pitt's character from True Romance for an hour and a half, and that's something I want to see. Plus, with such a skilled director behind it, it's one that I'm really excited about.

So, this brings me to my question. What makes a good comedy to you? Are laughs the only thing that matters, or do you need something more? What is your favorite comedy of the year? Of all time?

I can't wait to hear what you all have to say...

They are going ahead with Justice League, and it's set to restart shooting next year...thoughts?

Go see something good!!

Two pieces of sad news...

Hey guys...I have two pieces of news that are a little bit on the sad side, so here are the headlines...

- Morgan Freeman is currently in serious condition after he was involved in a car crash in Mississippi last night...CNN has the story...

CNN affilliate WMC of Memphis reported that he was in a car accident in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, about 100 miles south of Memphis, late Sunday.

According to The Associated Press, Mississippi Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Ben Williams said Freeman was driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima belonging to Demaris Meyer of Memphis when the car left a rural highway and flipped several times shortly before midnight Sunday.

“There’s no indication that either alcohol or drugs were involved,” Williams said, according to the AP. Both Freeman and Meyer were wearing seat belts, Williams reported. The woman’s condition was not immediately available.

“They had to use the jaws of life to extract him from the vehicle,” Clay McFerrin, editor of Sun Sentinel in Charleston, Mississippi, told the AP. “He was lucid, conscious. He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point.”


It looks as though he will pull through, and lets hope he has a full and speedy recovery!

- The last piece of news that is noteworthy is that Christina Applegate, probably most famous for playing the sex pot daughter in Married With Children, but many people will remember her as the love interest to Will Ferrell in Anchorman, has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The cancer was detected early, so there should be no life threatening complications.

Now, that's all I have for news today, so come back tomorrow for some news and a top ten or some DVD recommendations...

Go see something good...

George Washington...DVD Review...

George Washington was the first President of the United States. We all know this. However, most people do not know about this true gem of a film that shares the same name. George Washington was the first film from director David Gordon Green, who later this week will be releasing The Pineapple Express starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. So, in honor of that upcoming release, and my recent viewings of Undertow and All The Real Girls, I decided to revisit one of my favorite films of the past decade, and boy was it even better on a second viewing...

George Washington is a story about a group of kids who live in a small, decrepit rural town who are brought together through a horrible accident. A young, African American boy is dumped by his girlfriend, Nasia, who then becomes involved with the shy boy, George. George is a young kid who can't fully live his life as his head hasn't fully hardened yet. He has a skull similar to that of a young infant. However, these three kids, and the rest of their friend's lives will be changed after a horrible accident and then cover up.

As I said in the intro to this, this film is directed by the great David Gordon Green whose most recent film was Snow Angels, which will be released on DVD later this month. He may best be known for All The Real Girls, and his infatuation for realism and naturalism. This film is a perfect example. Each character is fleshed out and the performances behind them are really amazing. The script is delivered by these young actors so perfectly and honest that it almost gives the film a surrealistic feel to it. It's shot so that the visuals don't overrule the performances either. Sure, there are tracking shots and all of the Green staples, but they are used in an artistic way. It's based around a rural town, and the pallet fits that perfectly. It's very rustic and earthy, and feels almost like a smaller, less sprawling Terrence Malik film. Also, and this may be the biggest positive, is the story is completely compelling and will keep you glued to your t.v. set. The biggest surprise however, was Paul Schnieder as Rico Rice. He was Ryan Gosling's brother in Lars and The Real Girl and was also in last years Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and proves here why he is one actor every needs to look out for. If there is one negative that I must get into, it is that during some of the parts it can't get a little slow. However, it's simply character introductions, and their interchanges, which makes the film all the more powerful. Please, before you see Pineapple Express, or any other film for that matter, please, check out George Washington...

9/10

Alright guys! So, in the next few days, you can expect some news, a top 10, some recommendations and possibly a DVD review or two (Harsh Times???)!!

Go see something good!!

Brief Weekend Wrap Up...

Hey guys, this post is going to be shorter than normal, and you will find out why in a minute...but first, here is the box office top 10...

1.The Dark Knight
2.The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
3.Step Brothers
4.Mamma Mia!
5.Journey to the Center of the Earth
6.Swing Vote
7.Hancock
8.WALL-E
9.The X-Files: I Want to Believe
10.Space Chimps

SPACE CHIMPS!?!?!? SPACE CHIMPS!?!?!?! TDK grossed ANOTHER 44 million bucks to lead this week...Pineapple Express....GOOD LUCK!

Alright, this is why I am going to have this shorter than normal...there is NO DVD worth mentioning...Even the geniuses over at Criterion aren't releasing anything this week!!! That all said, on either Monday or Tuesday, I'll have a top 10 so you all can check out some of those, and I will also recommend some others...

Now, this week is not only a mediocre one for DVD sales, but it also sees the release of some less than hotly anticipated films, well, save for one...first there is Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2...and moving on...the second and final film is Pineapple Express, which for those of you who may not have a TV with you at the rock you've been living under, is about two stoners who witness a murder, and their story of running from the said murderers. Now, the fact that it's a Judd Apatow production gives me pause, but then knowing that David Gordon Green, yes, the George Washington/Snow Angels/Undertow/All The Real Girls, David Gordon Green will be helming this stoner epic gives me relief. Go see this flick! I know I will...

So I said I would have a Mummy 3 review this weekend, but I steered clear of that mess, so you can fully expect a PE review this Friday...also, I feel kind of bad about not having anything up this week, so in the upcoming weeks, with the mass of new releases (Vicky Cristina Barcelona anyone???), and the fact I'll be back at school, you can expect a ton of reviews of films in wide release...In the mean time...

I still want to hear about your choices for character's and the actors/resses playing the character for the inevitable third Batman film...

Go see Brideshead Revisited this Friday...I hear it's a good flick...

Go see something good!!

Don't Believe the Hype...

Alright guys, the Dark Knight is a massive hit, critically acclaimed, and loved by everyone, including yours truly. That said, the inevitable thing is that people will start to talk about the next one, as most of the cast has signed on for one more. However, recent rumors that Johnny Depp and Phillip Seymour Hoffman have been offered roles as the Riddler and The Penguin, are just that, rumors. Also, take your belief down another notch, as the originiating source is The National Enquirer...yes, the National Enquirer. Finally, a lot of personal preferences will play into the next film, just as they have in the past two, as Christian Bale dislikes Robin, Christopher Nolan dislikes Robin as well, and he also has said that he will never use the Penguin as a villian. I'm not trying to ruin your dreams as I want to see the Riddler and or the Penguin just as much as the next Batman fan, I'm just saying, don't believe the hype....

HOWEVER! If you could choose any batman character to place in the next one, who would it be and who would play them. Who would be YOUR Riddler...who would take the reigns as Robin? Who would suggestively suduce the Caped Crusader as Poision Ivy or Catwoman? Pick your characters and cast 'em...

DVD Review of George Washington tomorrow maybe, review of Mummy 3 coming in the next two days, so come back later for more news, notes, and possibly a couple of reviews...