Every year those who make us laugh and have been there when we cried have passed on but are not to be forgotten. Here are some of the greats that left us wanting more. (Next to the person's name will be just a brief titled of something they have appeared in but is not limited to their entire body of work.)
Harry Morgan
Harry Morgan-M*A*S*H
Patrice Oneal-Comedian
Ken Russell-Director
Anne McCaffrey-Author
Bill Keane-Comic "Family Circus"
Heavy D- Rapper
Andy Rooney- 60 Minutes
Charles Napier- Rambo, The Blues Brothers
Frances Bay-Happy Gilmore, Seinfeld
Andy Whitfield-Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Cliff Robertson-Spider-Man
Bubba Smith-Police Academy
Peter Falk-Columbo
Ryan Dunn- Jackass
Andy Whitfield
Jeff Conaway-Grease
Mia Amber Davis-Road Trip
Arthur Laurents-Playwright, Screen Writer and Director
Dana Wynter-Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Jackie Cooper-Superman
Yvette Vickers-Attack of the 50-Foot Woman
Sidney Lumet-Director
Elizabeth Taylor-Cleopatra
Michael Gough-Batman
Jane Russell-Gentleman Prefer Blondes
Peter Yates-Director
Pete Postlethwaite-James and the Giant Peach
Anne Francis-Forbidden Planet Dolores Fuller-Glen or Glenda
The 1960's brought forth some grand moment in our history as Americans. Some of them brought us joy and others help bring the end to horrible times. Mississippi was a hot bed of racial tension and the civil right movements were boiling all over the United States. The Help sets to drive us straight into it all as we follow Skeeter as she comes to find herself and the voice she thought she would never have.
In order to find herself, she decides to write The Help after becoming disgusted with the racial issues in her hometown. Befriended the local African American maids, Aibileen and Mini, she begins to tell their tales and horrors of all the comedic and tragedies that their White employer have stumbled through with them.
Powered by an amazing cast and spellbinding script, you'll fall in love with the characters and feel as they feel. Laughing and shedding a few tears along the way, this is one you shouldn't pass up. It deserves its praise and will be seen for many years to come.
Directed by Tate Taylor
Written by Tate Taylor and Kathryn Stockett (Novel)
Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer
Its that time again and thousands of folks are getting ready to celebrate the holiday season. To get everyone in that all time cheer, I thought it would be nice to post The Top 25 Holiday Films by The Moviefone Blog. Weather you love them or hate them, weather they make you laugh or make you cry, hopefully they brighten your New Year!
25. The Polar Express (2004)
24. We're No Angels (1955)
23. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
22. Joyeux Noel (2006)
21. Gremlins (1984)
20. The Santa Clause (1994)
19. Bad Santa (2003)
18. The Dead (1987)
17. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
16. Die Hard (1988)
15. Love Actually (2003)
14. The Bishop's Wife (1947)
13. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
12. Holiday Inn (1942) 11. A Christmas Carol (1951)
10. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
9. Babes in Toyland (1934)
8. Home Alone (1990)
7. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
6. Elf (2003)
5. White Christmas (1954)
4. Scrooged (1988)
3. Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
2. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
1. A Christmas Story (1983)
Cult films earn a certain place in our hearts and generate massive amounts of devotion from fan boys around the world. The Conan (1982 &1984) films were a bit cheeky but found their fan base non the less. I happened to be one of those fans. I saw the original films years ago as young lady with my dad and fell in head over heels for the magic and sorcery. When word of a update version of the Conan films reached my ears, I was devastated and for good reasons.
I wanted to see the new version of Conan the Barbarian without judgement. With an open mind, I began to watch the tale of the Cimmerian warrior and found myself lost and without that special wonderment that its genre should bring. The acting was dull, the script lacked luster and the story was flat. I went in with an open mind and I left pissed off!
I know when Hollywood looks back at the classics and tries to update them, that it isn't suppose to be a word for word remake but a new interpretation of the greats. This might of been a fresh look at the tale of Conan but it was certainly the wrong direction. If you have to fortune to stay clear of this poorly acted film, please do so and spare yourself. I would normally say "I would love to see what was left on the Editor's Floor?" but I'm not sure there is anything that could of helped this one.
Directed by Marcus Nispel
Written by Thomas Dean Donnelly & Joshua Oppenheimer
Starring Jason Momoa, Ron Perlman & Rose McGowan
As we grow up we get to pretend what are grown up lives will be like: fast cars, tons of money and an amazing job. For the lucky few that dream does come true, but for the rest of us, its just a slippery slop to wishing you had someones life. Two lucky souls featured in The Change-Up got just the chance.
Meet Dave. A married man with a young daughter and infant twins who is supported by his ever loving wife. Dave's a lawyer by day and super Dad by night or so you think. He's life seems perfect from the outside but by one fateful night we all get to see things a little differently.
Meet Mitch. A single fellow that smokes pot, has random sexual encounters and make soft core porn. He and Dave have been friend since childhood. Mitch's life seems to be tons of fun for outsiders like Dave but they will find all the dirty secrets to one another once they have to pee!
The best way to make a transformation happen in a grown up film. Two guys drink a bit to much and have to pee while walking back to their car. Lighting never strikes twice but for these guys to understand why their own life has it all they get transformed and they switch bodies. After a funny freak out these two guys figure out ways to make this work until they can switch back.
One hilarious jab after another, this is surely one to see. I didn't stop laughing from start to finish. Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds prove to be quite the pair for comedy heaven.
P.S.
Watch the unrated version for tons more laughs!
Directed by David Dobkin
Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde
Since Halloween came and went and all things went bump in the night, I thought it a grand idea to see the latest in horror films. Looking to find a film that would leave me wanting to keep the lights on, so I sought out Paranormal Activity 3.
The first to films in this trilogy brought in big numbers at the box office and tons of chills for the audience. I myself found them to be refreshing and loved the first person point of view. Paranormal Activity 3 was designed to take us back to the very first haunting of the two young sisters Katie and Kristi. Befriending an invisible friend, they begin to have odd things happen around the house. Hair gets pulled, scratches develop and kitchen appliances fly through the air.
The best part about this film was the new "fan cam". The step father, Dennis, decides to built several camera rigs in order to capture the entity that makes his young daughters fear the night. He comes up with a great idea to mount a video camera to a rotating fan. This proves to bring forth some of the biggest thrills in the whole movie!
As much hype as the movie trailers generated around the ghostly activity in this film, I saw none of it in the damn movie!
I was highly disappointed in this one! Every scare that was suppose to be in the film wasn't there. What a joke! Its as if they made to entirely different films. Every scene ending differently or had different characters interact in the scene.
I would love to see what was left on The Editor's Floor. And I would also like to know what the hell they did with those other scenes? It would seem they would have something on the BluRay release that explains why they did what they did. If anyone has any clue, leave a comment and let me know please.
WARNING: Nothing in the trailers is found in the movie
Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman
Written by Christopher B. Landon and Oren Peli
Starring Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Lauren Bittner, Dustin Ingram and Christopher Nicholas Smith
Plotting to kill your boss, hypothetically, seems to come with the job now-a-days. We've all had those bosses that were just horrible and deserved every bit of rude you could muster. These three lucky bastards got to have a bit of fun in the process. One by one we meet the poor gents and discover why their bosses totally suck ass!
One is a complete ego freak (Kevin Spacey) that claims he owns this sad man after he denies him the promotion he has waited several years for. The next boss that goes up on the chopping block is put into power after his upper nice father dies of a heart attack. The coke head maniac(Colin Farrell) goes a hundred miles a minute and take down everyone in his way or at least tries to. Last but not least, there's the sex crazed dentist (Jennifer Anistion). Which for most guys doesn't sound so bad, but then the black mail kicks in and its all down hill from there. Being drugged and out of it, she takes a few racy photos of him and her together and threatens to destroy his relationship with his fiancee.
With all the guys in a drunken stoop they play the "What Would You Do Game?" and hypothetically discuss killing their bosses. Having no clue as to what they're doing, they seek out a hitman on Craigslist!
Not the best of ideas when they learn that the guy for hire is there to pee on them in their shady back road motel. On to round two!
Now that the Pee Pee Hitman won't work the boss abuse victims find a dicey bar, thanks to the navigation system, where they almost find the right man for the job. This so called "Hitman" charges five large just to give the three stooges of murder some advice. Its all madness from here on out!
Not a film for the whole family but one the adults are sure to laugh out loud at. The blooper reel during the credits is even funny as hell! These guys have a direct line to the funny farm and I'm jumping on the train! Toot Too!!
A great scrip, amazing cast, wonderful camera work and lovable antics makes Horrible Bosses a must see for your movie lineup.
Bonus, Jennifer Aniston is amazing eye candy in this film and makes you laugh so hard you almost piss your pants.
Directed by Seth Gordon Written by Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein Starring Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, and Jamie Foxx
When I recently went to the theater I saw several previews for upcoming movies but on made me just shout WTF!? Spiderman was released in 2002 starring Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst. Its final film and third film Spiderman 3 released in 2007. Being that its so soon it makes me wonder why the remake?
Has Hollywood truly run out of ideas? It is said that Sony Pictures wants a second go at the franchise in a chance to reboot their ties to the movie world.
The Amazing SpiderMan (I hate the name) is set to release on the bis screen just in time for the summer blockbuster season of 2012. Starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/ SpiderMan, Denis Leary as George Stacy, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, Martin Sheen as Ben Parker, Sally Field as May Parker, and Stan Lee as Stan the Man. Kinda seems like they attached some high power names and called it a day.
I normally don't care to pick up "B" movies, even if its just to poke fun at the over done acting, but my husband is another story. Each time he visits a RedBox he comes home with these outlandish films. This was the case with The Traveler.
Its Christmas eve, its rainy and six Police officers stand guard over one lonely town jail. (The rain is super over done!) Getting very little back story, two bullies of officers cram through the front door only to throw jabs at the overweight desk officer. He keeps a hand written log of everything that takes place (very old fashion) even the playground cop bullies. A few wise cracks the officers move us through the broken down horror story jail. Introducing us to paint chipped walls and what appears to be broken lights.
We soon meet all the stereotypes among the other officers: The hot blond, the jock, the dope, the crazed, the one we all "like", and the one we all "hate". With each one of the players we find them to hiding one big secret that about to find the light.
The thunder cracks and a strange man unveils himself from the rain drenched darkness. The desk cop calls to him, with no response, he draws his weapon out of fear. His fellow officers move fast at the sound of his shouting echoing through the halls. No name is given, no words are spoken, but they call him Mr. Nobody.
Lead by the pissy detective with the chip on his shoulder from his daughter's murder, they begin to poke and prod at Mr. Nobody as if he were a fine oyster. Trying to get answers, they begin to think hes a simple homeless man seeking shelter on Christmas eve. A little rough around the edges, Mr. Nobody gives one answer "A Confession". He wishes to confess to six murders, only he keeps the details to himself.
Once he begins to speak of his gruesome deeds, the mix of cops have their nasty secret played out right before us. It turns into a long night with gore galore and tones of bumps in the night!
The Traveler is a films set for revenge, but for all the wrong reasons. Secrets unfold and bad acting plague a fairly descent story. It pulls in a few twist-n-turns but I kept finding myself distracted but the low budget quality. I'm not even sure if seeing what was left on the Editor's Floor could even help this one. Watch at your OWN RISK!
Directed by Michael Oblowitz, Written by Joseph C. Muscat, Starring Val Kilmer, Dylan Neal and Paul Mcgillion
The superheros are in full swing at this years box office and Captain America puts the sparkle in the marque. Superheros are awesome on their own in print form and small screen, but putting them on the monster screen with surround sound was the best idea ever. Captain America: The First Avenger introduces us to a man who doesn't know the meaning of the word quit. A simple man, a scrawny man, from Brooklyn, who only wants to defend the country that he loves so dearly. This scrapper is non other than Steve Rogers(Chris Evans).
The great war to stop Hitler is on and Steve only wants to do his part and join Uncle Sam's Armed Forces. Sadly, his just to small and weak to be recruited. Not one to back down, he forges his enlistment papers every chance he gets and gets shot down every time. Down-n-out, his friend James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes(Sebastain Stan) comes to his rescue and brings him on a double date to the World's Fair(pay close attention to the car show, you'll get introduced to Tony Stark's(Iron Man) father).
With Uncle Sam's gaze peering through the roaring crowd, Rogers, slips threw to try and enlist once more. The looming warning of punishment is every where regarding falsifying papers. The doctor slips out of the tented room and the MPs step in, followed closely by Dr. Abraham Erskine(Stanley Tucci). After a few questions, hes in! Thrown head first into a testing boot camp, Rogers never gives in and proves himself the perfect specimen for the scientist's ultimate human experiment to take down the Nazis power house.
A new age super hero growing into his skin and high power action trumps all in this fast paced thrill ride. Tons of explosions and fire power prevails in this intense roller coaster. Amongst all the madness, a love story blooms with a date that can't be kept. Captain America: The First Avenger stands the test of power house blockbusters with its cunning whit, amazing characters we can all love, and great camera work. With all the grands that this movie has, I only found one fail amongst the film. The CGI work. I'm not sure what causes it, but when the characters need to run at super hero speed, the CGI seems to stretch them to odd lengths. The green screen work also didn't seem to flow as well as I would have liked. Watch your lighting angles boy! Us fan boys/girls notice the smallest of mistakes.
Overall, its a hell of a time and it makes you want more! This is a summer movie that everyone should see. There is a bit of sexual humor, but I don't thing the young-ins would get the joke. I also really appreciated the subtle references to the other Avengers. See if you can find them and let me know what ones you saw.
P.S.
Stay through the ENTIRE Credits to get your first look at The Avengers due out in May 20112.
Directed by Joe Johnston, Written by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely, Joe Simon(comic book), Jack Kirby(comic book), Starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Stanley Tucci and Samuel L. Jackson
Here it is folks, our first look at the beginning of the end for the Batman journey. It is said that the third instalment to Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy will the the final one. It is set to release in summer of 2012. They are currently in filming in both the US and the UK. It is being offered in IMAX as well as a regular film.
We already know that Tom Hardy is playing Bane, Anne Hathaway is Selina Kyle/ Catwoman, Christian Bale is Bruce Wayne/ Batman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is John Blake, Gary Oldman is Jim Gordon and is rumored that Liam Neeson will reprise his role as Ra's al Ghul.
Have a look and tell me what you think? Any predictions on what will become of the ledendary Batman?
I know I can't wait to see this one!! I will be in my favorite seat in the back row with a full bucket of popcorn! I am also fully in love with The Dark Knight Rises movie poster! Amazing!
Dudley Moore first captured out hearts as Arthur in the 1981 release of this lovable characters drunken antics, but now there's a new Arthur for a much newer generation. I watched the original film and was instantly in love with the crazed boy like billionaire. This remake wasn't one I had wanted to see in the theater, so I waited for it to come out on On Demand for Comcast.
Arthur (Russell Brand) is a ridicules man child that has to much time on his hands and too easy a access to billions of dollars. Proved by his crazed need to give things away. Having no time spent with his real mother, Arthur is raised by his nanny, Hobson (Helen Mirren). They continue their love, hate relationship until the end and push off jokes like no other.
Beyond the great one lines, I find Russell Brand's rants to be a bit unnerving. Sad to say, but with his accent, I find it hard to understand him when he starts to go a hundred miles a minute. Just slow down a bit, we'll still get the joke, I swear. Now that I've seen Brand in several movies, I'm finding myself to come upon mixed feelings. On one hand I find his jokes to be fucking hilarious. In the other hand, I find his acting to be a bit dull. He falls into the same roles time after time. He's starting to become just like his wife, Katy Perry, a one trick pony.
However much I missed of the vocal exchange was happily made up by Greta Gerwig. Gerwig played Arthur's love interest Naomi Quinn. She was cute in all the right ways. Bubbly and a bit off center. It was kinda interesting to see her interact with Arthur's forced loved interest, Susan Johnson (Jennifer Garner). The whole bitch and saint comparison comes to mind.
Despite Gerwig cute performance, Garner proved to be quite a bitch. I think she has this down to an exact art form by now. She too seems to be a bit type cast as the overbearing mean one. Who knows, maybe its all that bent up anger from Ben.
Overall, the jokes where funny as hell, but you get a lot of down time. The acting was a bit under pare and it just lacked a little something extra. I would watch it for a quick laugh but it isn't something I could see over and over. I would have liked to see what was left on The Editor's Floor.
Most of us love the thrills of being scared to pieces. That massive endorphine rush when someone jumps out of nowhere and yells like a mad man! If it isn't Halloween, we turn to the big screen to find all of our chilling excitment. My intertions were just that when I checked out The Rite.
Directed by Mikael Hafstrom and written by Michael Petroni and Matt Babilo(book). Starring Colin O' Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciaran.
The Rite begins by taking us on a personal journey of faith when Michael Kovak begins to question his path in life. Having grown up in a funerall home, Michael (Colin O' Donoghue) feels the pressure to join the family business as an undertaker. Not wanting to follow in his father's foot steps, Michael opts to join the "other family business", priesthood.
When the time draws close for him to take his final exams to join the clergy, Michael faces great doubt within himself. Having sent in his letter to drop out, he is quickly blackmailed back into it all by his head teacher. Seeing great potential in Michael, he is sent off to Italy to finish his studies at the Vatican. At the heart of all things Catholic, he partakes in a class that covers the right of exorcism. Micheal begins to questions what is perceived to demonic possession and finds it even harder to believe in anything at all.
Wanting to know if these demonic people are simply suffering from a psychological disorder or really are taken hold, Michael is sent to meet Father Lucas Trevant (Anthony Hopkins). Meeting Father Trevant proves to be the ultimate test of faith and brings out all that haunts our dear Michael.
Not being a person of faith myself doesn't allow me to find this to be at all believable but I was hoping to find just a bit of a scare. Instead of being horrified, I was a bit bored. To much talking, not of enough oogie boogie. Waiting for something to happen and wishing the pace would pick up.
Being a fan of the legendary Anthony Hopkins, doesn't mean its gonna be a great movie. What made it even worse was the lack luster cast that didn't seem to jive at all. It seems as thought it was all thrown together at the last minute. Beyond the odd on screen chemistry, The Rite did have some very talented make-up artist on board. The job done with Anthony Hopkins was fantastic!
Over all I can't say I would really recommend this film to anyone. It didn't have that spark that made me shout, "Wow, I want to see that again!". I would like to see what was left on The Editor's Floor.
The almighty Netflix announced earlier today their plans to raise their prices for overall product. They will no longer have the lovely $9.99 deal. You have the option of getting just DVDs for $7.99 ( but you get no streaming videos) sent in the mail or just streaming video for $7.99. In order to get both, DVD and streaming, it will cost you $15.98. The new prices will take effect on September 1st of this year.
Netflix had this to say about their price hike:
"Given the long life we think DVDs by mail will have, treating DVDs as a $2 add on to our unlimited streaming plan neither makes great financial sense nor satisfies people who just want DVDs. Creating an unlimited DVDs by mail plan (no streaming) at our lowest price ever, $7.99, does make sense and will ensure a long life for our DVDs by mail offering."
I personaly think Netflix just gave their customers a reason to switch to Redbox! I did and I couldn't be happier. I did the whole Netfilx bit and got tired of their lame streaming movies from the '80s and it took to long to get the newest movie. Redbox is EVERYWHERE! Its at all the shopping centers and it is super easy. You also get a movie when you want it, not when the post comes.
I don't see this price hike as being a good thing for Netfilx, but I would like to know what you think. Comment below and to see the full article, check out the link.
To be granted the chance to have your own movie theater would be out of the world, but to do it like this is just awesomeness! A Pirates of the Caribbean inspired home movie theater would be the icing on the cake and this place has it. This pirate madness can be found in a Florida home. It also comes with its own bar, just incase you want some of that yummy pirate rum! Check out these photos and for more on the home theater click on the link.
The wild and crazy man from Jackass (television series on MTV and the movies) died early Monday morning in a car crash in West Goshen Township, Pa. He was with an unidentified passenger, who was also lost during the crash. The car caught fire during the crash around 3 am and it is unclear who was driving the car. It is still unsure if booze was involved but Dunn did tweet a pic of himself drinking early that night. There was nothing left of his car.
Besides the Jackass series Dunn also starred in MTV's Viva La Bam and Homewrecker. He was 34 years old.
"Today I lost my brother Ryan Dunn," Johnny Knoxville Tweeted. "My heart goes out to his family and his beloved Angie. RIP Ryan , I love you buddy."
Can guys and girls really be friends with nothing more to come of it? How just trying to be sporking buddies and not letting it turn into a full blown relationship? That's the exact question posed by No Strings Attached starring Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Kline. Directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Elizabeth Meriwether and Michael Samonek.
You first meet the two odd balls, Emma (Portman) and Adam (Kutcher), while they are away at summer camp. Coming off as awkward ducklings they seem to be seamlessly made for one another. Having split down the path of life, they are yet again reunited during their college years at Adam's frat party. Emma puts up a overbearing wall to protect herself from any feelings and keep her distance. Having met by chance time and time again the pair are brought back together by friends where they find their attachment starting to go haywire!
No Strings Attached is a simple, yet cute "date" movie. Its quick to give a few one liners with happy laughs in between. However, it does presents the issue of a lot of dead time while the one liners wait their turn.
Besides the cutesy laughs and the sex jokes, it was nice to see Ashton Kutcher not being such a douche bag! He seem to be a bit more down to earth and not yearning to make everything a slapstick joke. Maybe its that older woman hes being seeing.
Overall, the time I spent witnessing these two characters come together was a descent time. I found jokes that spread like wild fire and a few hit and misses. It turned out to be a bit predictable but
Weather its a iPhone, a Blackberry or a Windows phone, everyone seems to have a smart phone these days. So I thought it would be a great idea to post some of the best movie apps. Take a look and see what you come up with. I personally like fandango and IMDb. Its just crazy to think that we can do so much with our phones, even watch a super kick ass movie! I'll keep working on this list and see if I can't bring you more apps to look up.
Flixter's Movies -Most commonly used for movie times and listings
-Can save your favorite movie theaters
-User ratings
-Facebook connect
-Ticket purchase
-FREE
Internet Movie Database (IMDb) -2 apps, 1 is FREE the other is $1.99
-User Ratings
-No offical iPhone App
-Movie tracking
-Huge database
-Movie news & reviews
-My Favorite
Thanks to my husband, I was forced to watch this movie. I warned him that it wouldn't be dazzling and he didn't want to listen to me. This review will be very short and a bit off putting. Now that I've seen Drive Angry, I want my time back! Too bad this story just sucked major balls!! Its hard to believe that Nicholas Cage was considered a great Hollywood actor after seeing him in this piece of crap. What I saw was so bad that I don't even want to know what was left on The Editor's Floor, I just want it to go AWAY!
Besides the movie itself just being plain awful, it was acted poorly and there was tons of mess ups. Magical bruisers that are there one minute and gone the next, odd wardrobe changes that come out of no where and a plot that will drive you crazy!
Directed by Patrick Lussier and written by Todd Farmer and Patrick Lussier. Starring Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard and William Fichtner.
I had absolutely had no intention on seeing this crazy ass film but my husband talked me in to it. After watching the mini preview that ran on demand, I thought it might have a little something to get me through. I was totally wrong. It had more than a little something, it had a whole lot of everything!
Directed by Jason Eisener and written by John Davies (story) , Jason Eisener (story) & Rob Cotterill (story). Starring Rutger Hauer (Hobo), Gregory Smith (Slick), Nick Bateman (Ivan/Rip) & Molly Dunsworth (Abby). Hobo With A Shotgun has all the mixing to be a huge cult classic by every means. Its got tons of gore, swearing galore, nudity, gun fights and tons of witty banter! I was expecting another gun slinging guy film that would just set me off my rocker but instead I found myself laughing so hard my sides hurt! Even the blood filled spatter scenes had their funny bone moments.
Bringing homeless vigilantes to the big screen, Hobo With A Shotgun brings a rustic traveler into one wild town where he finds everything gone wrong. The cops are being paid off, women are being violated, children have no hope and drugs are the focus of every one's life. Disgusted with what he sees, the Hobo becomes armed and works to restore justice to this small town that filled with sick pervs and even a pedophile Santa! This is street justice at its best with the help from a 20 gauge shotgun.
This is one I could watch again and again until I had the whole thing memorized. I wouldn't watch it if you have a iffy stomach but if gore is your special treat, then this is a must see!
This video is a bit violent and filled with gore. Watch at your own risk!
I first heard about I Love You Phillip Morris when it first came out in 2009, but I didn't hear much and it quickly fell off my radar. Lucky me, I stumbled upon it once more during my latest trip to my local Redbox. I thought I would give it a shot but I wasn't expecting much. Thank goodness I rented this one! What an underdog of a movie! It truly was an unexpected true love story.
Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Written by John Requa, Glenn Ficarra and Steve McVicker (book). Starring Jim Carrey (Steven Russell), Ewan McGregor (Phillip Morris) Leslie Mann (Debbie) and Rodrigo Santoro (Jimmy).
We are first introduced to Steven Russell as an ordinary everyday man who is "happily" married to his wife Debbie with one daughter. He seems to be living his dream life until an accident brings out the best in him, so to speak. After the dramatic reassessment of his life, he comes out of the closet and announces to the world that he is a proud gay man. Once he realizes how expensive it is to keep his partner happy, he turns into a talented con artist. Conning his way through almost anything, the law soon catches up with him and throws his ass behind bars. Once in the big house, Steven finds his true love the very sweet Phillip Morris. Love burst threw every jailed wall and Steven Russell cons his way to spending everyday with Phillip.
Through out the movie we find ourselves asking what is love and why do we do the things we do for love? Its almost timeless in the way it carries out such heartache with a bit of smile. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor give stunning performances as these two gay lovers who only want to be with one another. They prove to be quite a laugh riot when needed and it all balances out when you see the tears flowing. I Love You Phillip Morris is quite the journey and I would recommend this film to anyone. Its like Brokeback Mountain with a smile. (I would just watch it to see the cons this man got away with!) Its sure to keep you laughing and to make you cry after you fall in love with Steven and Russell. I can't wait to see more from Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.
Having seen each one of the previous Pirates of the Caribbean films in theaters, I couldn't pass up the chance to see the newest one as well. This was the one I thought I would wait to see when it came out on Blu-Ray, but I'm quite happy I saw it on the big screen. Pirates boast amazing special effects, tons of sword fighting action, dramatic music, mermaids and a few stoleing kisses as well. The film, like most of the other ones in the franchise, can be summed up in one word, fun!
Directed by Rob Marshall and written by Ted Elliott (screenplay, characters & screen story), Terry Rossio (screenplay, screen story & characters), Stuart Beattie (characters), Jay Wolpert (characters) and Tim Powers (novel "On Stranger Tides") (suggestion). Starring Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow), Penelope Cruz (Angelica Malon), Geoffrey Rush (Barbossa), Ian McShane (Blackbeard), & Keith Richards (Captain Teague). On Stranger Tides brings a sense of closer to the story of Captain Jack Sparrow. Although, this Pirates didn't seem to let Johnny Depp move with the character as much as he had before. I was left wanting his wild and crazy antics but instead they made him more sexual in his nature. Sparrow is thrown about when his long time love interest Angelica Malon (Penelope Cruz) is added to the mix.
Angelica Malon (Penelope Cruz) is found wrangling up a crew under the self made name of Captain Jack Sparrow. After a few squabbles, it is revealed that she is the daughter of formidable Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Here you get introduce to the Queen Anne's Revenge and its zombie like crew. All of them together and with a few friends from the other films embark on a quest to find the legendary fountain of youth. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides made me feel like a little kid again. Just the joy of adventure and never knowing what may come about the next day. Its over all fun and wise cracking jokes will keep you entertained but some of the movie is very suggestive. All in all, I would say this should be the last of the Pirates of the Caribbean and this was the one to sum it all up.
I saw this film at the Regal Cinemas Everett Mall Stadium 16, where do you see your favorite movies at?
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has been revamped and taken over by David Fincher and so far the marketing campaign is leaving little to the imagination. The wildly popular book series written by the late Swedish writer Stieg Larsson has been transformed into film for the 2nd time. (I'm hoping this one will prove to be a bit better.) Fincher's version is proving have quite the buzz already by having a movie trailer that may or may not have been bootlegged and now a movie poster that shows a bare breast! Its about time! Have a look for yourself and tell me how you feel about seeing a boob in their ad campaign. All I can say is this " You go Daniel Craig!".
For those of us who couldn't wait to see the trailer premier on the MTV movie awards for the west coast here it is! The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Official Movie Trailer! Eat your heart out!!
X-MEN First Class (2011) is the reason we want to go to the movies! Hands down it takes on the rest and leaves you in awe. If you're not a fan of the other films or even the comic books, you should see this film just to see the special effects.
Directed by Matthew Vaughn and written by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn. Story by Sheldon Turner and Bryan Singer. Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones and Oliver Platt.
This film takes us back to the childhood of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr and shows you how they became some of the greatest archenemies of all time, Professor X and Magneto. Working together to stop the start of WWIII, a rift begins to form between the twos close nit friendship. Its the beginning to the end of their friendship and the start of Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.
Beyond the great special effects and amazing make-up, there is some fairly descent acting going on as well. I was rather nervous when I heard that Kevin Bacon (Sebastian Shaw) would be joining the cast of First Class, but after seeing him work the big screen I say he earned his keep. He seemed to have just enough villain to balance out his character Sebastian Shaw.
James McAvoy (Professor X) also surprised me. Having read the comic books, watched the cartoon and the movies, I knew Professor X in every way that I was allowed to. I was worried that he might not be able to capture the Professor as Patrick Stewart had in the previous films. After watching him as the younger Charles Xavier, I found him to handle it all very well. Having James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender play the younger versions of Professor X and Magneto was very believable. You could envision them turning into their older counter parts. The rival between these two has been a long time in the making and turns for an amazing on screen adventure.
I can't wait to see what they do with this franchise. There are so many more mutants to unveil and tons of story lines that they could pursue. This is one that everyone should see and you don't have to see the other films or be a fan of the X-MEN to get mesmerized by their tales!
How could anyone not be excited by this! Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) is directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by Pierre Boulle (suggested by novel "La planete des singes"), Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver. Starring James Franco as Will Rodman, Andy Serkis as Caesar and John Lithgow. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is set to take us to present day San Francisco, where a man's experiments with genetic make-ups leads to a intelligence in apes. Once the intelligence is gain, it brings forth a war for supremacy! It is set to release August 5, 2011.
Bridesmaids (2011) was short a few sparkles and fizzled out fast then I ever would of thought. The tag line read "Its the Hangover for Women", but I beg to differ. Its biggest laughs came during the opening awkward sex scene, the airplane drug usage, and the dress fittings from hell. After the first 30 minutes or so, the jokes didn't have a pay off and they fell flat as a pancake. Snap, Crackle and No POP!
Bridesmaids was directed by Paul Feig and written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo. Starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Rose Byrne.
As much as I loved the idea behind the movie, I don't think it was brought to the big screen in the right way. Bridesmaids seemed to find to much dead air in between the jokes that were even slightly funny.
The film was designed for us to follow Annie (Kristen Wiig) after being picked to be her best friend's (Maya Rudolph), maid of honor. The mix and match bridesmaids find themselves in an expensive and bizarre wedding rituals that would even make me want to cry! Annie turns our to be a bit whinny and lack total self confidence. I love how Hollywood sees women.
Having always been a big fan of Saturday Night Live, I was in some ways looking forward to seeing Bridesmaids. However, all I could do was sit in the back of the theater and wish for the end of the movie.
The ladies seemed to being trying to hard to get a laugh. It all seemed a bit to forced. Funny women are awesome but if your not Tina Fey, don't try to be.
To sum up this film I can simply say this, PMS gone awry! I expected crazy antics and drunken mishaps, instead I was left watching bitch fits and crying feasts. Not impressed ladies! The film did seem to prove just how caddy and dramatic women really are. I would love to see what was left on The Editor's Floor.
P.S.
If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland (2010) look for Matt Lucas in Bridesmaids (2011). Matt plays the role of Gil, Annie's weirdo roommate. If your not sure who he was in Alice in Wonderland he was Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
The teaming of these two names are icons all on their own but when they come together movie magic transpires. A relationship that spans beyond a decade has enabled Burton to find his muse within the character acting of Depp. The dynamic pair brought us these wonderful delights over the years: Edward Scissorhands (1990) (their first film together), Ed Wood (1994), Sleepy Hollow (1999), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Corpse Bride (2005) (Animation), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), and Alice In Wonderland (2010).
Tim Burton's new project places Johnny Depp into a soap opera entitled Dark Shadows. The original Dark Shadows soap opera aired to television from 1966 to 1971. Its a rather Gothic soap opera that follows the strange dealings of the Collins family and the inner circle. The original show had everything from vampires to witches and werewolves! Burton did announce that the project will not be in 3D (I'm so over this 3D craze)!
Depp is scheduled to play the role of vampire Barnabas Collins. He will be joined by Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Bella Heathcote, Michelle Pfeiffer, Thomas McDonell, Helena Bonham Carter, and Jonny Lee Miller.
Tim Burton had this to say about the project:
"It's been hard to kind of come here because I'm just starting, and it's a weird tone and it's a lot of actors and, you know, we're not starting with the simple stuff; we're sort of getting right in there. You like to kind of sneak up on it a little bit, but this one we just kind of slammed right into it. I'm early into it because it's a funny tone, and that's part of what the vibe of the show is, and there's something about it that we want to get. But when you look at it, it's pretty bad. I'm hoping that it will be -- it's early days, let's put it -- I'm very intrigued by the tone. It's a real ethereal tone we're trying to go for and I don't know yet." Movie Web
As per a friends suggestion, I decided to rent the drama that is Blue Valentine (2010). I really have to be in the mood to deal with such heavy hitting back and forth but this was well worth it. It stars Ryan Gosling (Dean), Michelle Williams (Cindy) and a sweet little girl named Faith Wladyka (Frankie). Directed by Derek Cianfrance and written by Derek Cianfrance, Cami Delavigne and Joey Curtis. Blue Valentine centers around a modern married couple and takes us through the ordeals that formed them together.
Dean (Ryan Gosling) is your everyday blue collar worker who never wanted to get married or have children. Cindy (Michelle Williams) works a nurse at a doctors office and has a young daughter named Frankie. It begins with our first look into what seems to be a somewhat normal family's everyday outs and ins. You soon get emerged into the tension that centers between the two. As soon as you see how their love has eroded with time, you are then whipped back to when it all began.
When the first look back into Dean's life came about, I felt a tad confused. It wasn't a clear switch between the two eras but you soon realize what is abroad and get taking right back into it all. After seeing how they met and how they fell for one another you see that they both come from dysfunctional backgrounds proven to be problematic for them both. Cindy does her best not to have a relationship like her parents and turns to her grandmother for advice. One of my favorite lines from the movie was simple and short. It was said by Cindy after she had an advice session with her grandmother. "How can you trust your feelings if they fade away?"
Ryan Gosling is truely a leading man and can hold his ground in Hollywood. His performance was raw and biting at every line. Michelle Williams is also another one to watch a she starts to bud. Her performances have yet to disappoint and will keep you mesmerized. Williams was nominated for an Oscar (2011) for her performance as Cindy, it was giving to Natalie Portman for Black Swan.
Overall, I feel that Blue Valentine makes us realize that you never really know what two people share. The little things in life remind us that we once loved and were loved and the film is hands down one to see.
This weekend was a holiday weekend for the U.S., which left tons of time for those of us who didn't have to work to catch a flick at our local cinemas. Just in case you were wondering where your favorites fell in this weekend's box office sales summary, I'm posting the top ten as recorded by IMDb. I knew The Hangover Part II would take the lead but I'm not that thrilled to see it at number 1.
USA Weekend Box-Office Summary week of 27 May 2011
This Tuesday, May 31, will also mark the release of A Clockwork Orange (40th Anniversary Edition) on Blu-Ray, Drive Angry, Biutiful, and Once Upon a Time in the West. I will put together a new list of what movies will be release to Blu-Ray/ DVD in the next day or so. Look out for it, so you can keep up to date with whats new!
