YEAR END TOP 10!

Welcome to Now Showing’s first YEAR END TOP 10!

Before I go into my top ten there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. Though I tried to watch as many films as I could this year, you can only spend so much before you start slipping on your rent! Just because I haven’t previously reviewed it on my site, it doesn’t necessarily mean I didn’t see it. I do have a life… sort of. And now, in no particular order, the 2009 YEAR END TOP 10!


1.An Education- The buzz around this gem has been Carey Mulligan’s breakout performance as a sixteen year old girl who gets involved with a much older man who gives her a life a young woman could only dream of. You’ll fall in love with this pre-Beatles era picture!

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.



2.Public Enemies- Michael Mann’s film about John Dillinger may have divided critics when it came to the technology that was used to film this period piece but there is no dividing anyone when it comes to the sheer energy its cast displays on screen. Johnny Deep leads an all star cast featuring great performances by Billy Crudup, Marion Cutillard and Christian Bale.

To read my full review on this film
CLICK HERE.
3.Star Trek- I never, ever thought that a Star Trek film would come out and cream the Star Wars franchise! J.J. Abrams and company got us all excited for space operas again! May the force… I mean, live long and prosper!






4.Up- Pixar can do no wrong in my eyes. Who knew that an animated story about a house floating on balloons and a cranky old man could bring tears to those who watch? Only Pixar.

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.



5.(500) Days of Summer- This is not a love story. It’s a break up story. But you’re going to watch it anyway because we are all suckers for a good breakup story, or is it just me? Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschannel are irresistible as the doomed couple!





6.Invictus- I know that the promotional posters for Clint Eastwood’s latest project put Matt Damon front and center, but it is Morgan Freeman who carries the film as Nelson Mandela (In the role he was born to play), during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. This is an inspiring look at the man who was not willing to allow his past to dictate how he viewed others and how a rugby team brought a whole nation together.


7.Red Cliff- John Woo’s epic about the battle at Red Cliff is brilliant. His work in this film has been compared to Akira Kurosawa’s own masterpieces. If you like sword and sandal films like Braveheart and Gladiator, look no further than Red Cliff!

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.



8.Where The Wild Things Are- This Royal Rumpus tugged at my heart with a warm performance by Max Records as the child who his mother called, “WILD THING!” Spike Jonzes was determined to make this an experience that reminds us of our own youth and how fragile we were at one point. Well done.

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.


9.The Damned United- “Those dirty, dirty Leeds!” Michael Sheen stars as the man who lasted only forty- four days as the Leeds manager, Brian Clough. Peter Morgan’s script, who’s past work includes The Queen and Frost/ Nixon, is brilliant and brings a dimension to The Damned United that would not have been possible through anyone else.

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.

10.Terminator Salvation- People can hate on this film all they want but the reality is that it WAS a great action movie! It may not have James Cameron’s hand print but it does respect the world he created. I really am hoping this is not the last we see of the war against the machines.

To read my full review on this film CLICK HERE.


Honorable Mentions: District 9, The Men Who Stare at Goats

Box Office Results

December 25th- 27th


1/ Avatar $75,000,000

2/ Sherlock Holmes $65,380,000

3/ Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel $50,200,000

4/ It's Complicated $22,114,000

5/ Up In The Air $11,755,000

The Karate Kid Trailer

Jaden Smith stars in the role that put Ralph Macchio on teen magazines and in the hearts of millions of 80's kids around the world. Joining him to fill the shoes of our favorite wax on wax off karate master is none other than Jackie Chan. While I honestly want to despise the fact that they are even attempting to remake this classic, you can't deny that at least the trailer doesn't look half as bad.

Smith stars as Dre (not Daniel son), a game buff who relocates with his mother to China for an opportunity at a new life only to find that the folks there ain't too friendly. After being bullied, he meets Mr. Han (Chan), a maintenance man who teaches Dre how to kick butt!

The Karate Kid will Crane Kick into theatres June 11, 2010.

Bryan Singer Returns To X-Men!

During the Avatar world premier, Bryan Singer confirmed that he will be back to direct the next X-Men film, X-Men: First Class. Apparently the good folks at Fox learned their lesson after the tragic event that was "X-Men: The Last Stand". The First Class is an origins story of how the X-Men came to be, and also chronicles the relationship between Professor Xavier and Magneto. I think after the third X film and the horrible Wolverine spin-off, we NEEDED Singer back to save the franchise from becoming a complete joke. We missed you sir.

Brittany Murphy 1977- 2009

Brittany Murphy died December 20th, 2009 after going into cardiac arrest. She was known for her roles in Clueless, Girl Interrupted, Uptown Girls, 8 Mile, Happy Feet, and Sin City. She was a rising star that sadly burned out to soon.

Roy E. Disney 1930- 2009

Roy E. Disney passed away on December 16th, 2009 in Newport Beach, CA after a year's battle with stomach cancer. During his time as the head of the animation department, the company went through what is now called the "Disney Renaissance", which brought us films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King, just to name a few. Roy was the last active member in the Disney family to be working for the company that was started by his uncle Walt and father Roy Disney.

Don't Terminate Salvation!

So much negative criticism has been given to the latest installment in the Terminator franchise. Everything from Bale’s inability to leave the Bat-Growl behind to the machines being more human than the humans themselves to the “all action, no heart” reviews from critics, Terminator Salvation just can’t seem to get a break. While it did manage to make 371 million at the box office (246 million of that total coming from overseas sales), it was still considered a financial failure. It’s sad that all this had to occur to a movie that in my opinion was, after T2 Judgement Day, one the best entries in the Terminator saga.

I wrote my review on Terminator Salvation a while ago, which you can read by CLICKING HERE!

Give this film a chance people! This is the story that the whole franchise has lead up to and it does a wonderful job at telling the beginning of THAT story! Some may dismiss Salvation as the “milking of the cow” in the series when in fact it is the complete opposite. Not only was director McG (Dude, start using your FULL NAME if you want people to start taking you more seriously!) trying to continue a story that had already laid the groundwork for him, but he also wanted to give us a brand new vision of this world, this time dedicating it’s attention solely on the future that up until this film, we had only been teased with. I just don’t see anyone who has seen the previous Terminator films or is an action fan NOT liking what they see. If there is no fate but what we make, let’s make the war against the machines story continue! Buy it now on Blu Ray and DVD.

Iron Man 2 Poster With War Machine!

Have I been living in a cave recently? I had no idea War Machine was expected to be in the sequel to last year's heavy metal extravaganza! I guess this means a trailer should be coming soon (Wait, am I foaming in the mouth?). Iron Man 2's release date is May 7th, 2010. Sucks to be you Terrence Howard...

New Alice In Wonderland Posters!

How far down the rabbit hole will Tim Burton's adaption of Lewis Carrol's Alice In Wonderland go when it opens in theatres March 5th, 2010?



















(Pictured on the left: Alice (Mia Wasikowska), White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), and Mad Hatter (Johhny Depp). Pictured on the right: The White Queen (Anne Hathaway), The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), Twiddledum and Twiddledee (Matt Lucas), and Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry).)

(Pictured above: Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), and Caterpillar (Alan Rickman).)

The Men Who Stare at Goats (Review)

The Men Who Stare At Goats

Directed By: Grant Heslov
Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey


What’s It About

Things aren't going so well for reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor). Recently divorced because his wife has decided to shack it up with his Editor, Bob decides to go to Iraq, but ends up in Kuwait, in an attempt to find some sort of purpose, a good story, and a way to impress his now ex wife. During this journey, Bob meets special operations officer Lyn Cassidy (George Clooney). Lyn is on a mission and is willing to take Bob along with him. Did I mention that Lyn is a “Jedi Warrior” for the United States Army? Yeah… things aren’t going so well for Bob.

Thoughts

“What’s a Jedi Warrior?” Apparently our Army’s fascination with Star Wars back in the 70’s went just a bit too far. Within the narrative of the main story, the genesis of the “New Earth Army”, a program started by our nation’s army to produce super soldiers that could vanquish the enemy through psychic methods which were not limited to running through walls, is told by Lyn Cassidy. Lyn also recounts his initiation into this program through a series of flashbacks. I honestly did not know what to expect from this smartly written adaption of Jon Ronson’s book, but once the lights turned off, my questions were answered right away with a soldier starring vigorously at a wall.

“You think you can’t dance, because someone once told you that you can’t!” Funny is the word to use when describing The Men Who Stare at Goats. George Clooney and gang will have you laughing and having a great time with all the craziness that unfolds before your eyes. Scenes that “showcase” George Clooney’s hippie dancing skills is worth a ticket price alone. Jeff Bridges as Bill Django, the father of the “New Earth Army” was a riot! I always enjoy his work and this is no exception. Stephen Root’s cameo as Gus Lacey, a man who believes he could kill hamsters by just starring at them, reminded me of his role in Office Space as Milton! Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey were also wonderful in their respective roles. I just wish Spacey would have had more time on screen since he really seemed to enjoy his role.

Sporting a great ensemble cast, a great script and carefully directed by Grant Heslov, The Men Who Stare at Goats is a psychic powered comedy that should not be missed!

Memorable Moment

Lyn’s big revelation to Bob is he’s a Jedi. Bob has no idea what a Jedi is! If you've seen the Star Wars prequels with Ewan McGregor, you will be on the floor LYAO!

FYI

According to Paul Lister (one the film’s producers), the US Army did not offer their help in any way shape or form. I wonder why…?

Score

7 out of 10

Box Office Results

November 6th- 8th


1/ A Christmas Carol $31,000,000

2/ Michael Jackson's This Is It $14,000,000

3/ The Men Who Stare At Goats $13,309,000

4/ The Foueth Kind $12,521,000

5/ Paranormal Activity $8,600,000

Toy Story 3 Trailer

The boys are back in town for their third adventure! When Woody and the gang are accidentally picked up by a garbage team and sent to a daycare center, they find themselves in toy hell! Together, they must find a way to get back to Andy, who has started his own adventure, college. Now is it just me, or should Andy have grown out of his little toy faze a long time ago before college? Dude, find some new toys... they're called females.

Red Cliff (Review)

Red Cliff
(Scheduled to be released November 18, 2009.)

Directed by: John Woo
Starring: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi


What’s It About

Cao Cao’s leads a massive army with the intent of wiping out rebel forces and taking over their lands. Knowing that without uniting with other neighboring armies, they are sitting ducks, Zhuge Liang sets off to build an alliance with other forces in order to stand a chance against Cao’s men. Once the stage is set, both sides go to war.

Thoughts

What do you get when you combine a turtle and thousands of soldiers in a field? One of the most spectacular action sequences in recent cinema history! John Woo’s latest film, Red Cliff, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. After a number of changes to its cast, plagued production, injuries on the set, and having to trim down more than half of his film to please western audiences, we finally have the end result… and it’s GOOOOD!

Having used thousands of extras to generate the massive battles that take place, a number of ships that could rival those seen in Troy, and a budget that has allowed this film’s special effects and CGI teams to enhance the visuals splendor, Red Cliff boasts one of the best productions seen on the screen in some time! Watching a labyrinth like attack by the allies on Cao Cao’s men had me lifting up my jaw from the floor! When ships lit on fire were used as battering rams against an enemy fleet, I kept thinking this is why we go to the movies. Even with all the action though, it is Red Cliff’s story about honor, loyalty and friendship that truly drives the film. I was relieved to see that the western cut wasn’t completely butchered in a way that would make Red Cliff seem primarily like an action film (As is the case sometimes when Asian films are brought over to the US.) In addition to everything else, Lu Yue’s cinematography work is just compelling. You will fly by beautiful blue rivers, reach the peaks of China’s mountains and be amazed as you walk through military fortresses all thanks to Yue’s keen eye for detail. Makes one wonder why a film of this caliber could not be made in the US without having to spend over 200 million when this film was made for just 80 million.

The cast was just pitch perfect. Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun-Fat’s last minute departure from the film must have added pressure on the production since their names would have helped to sell the film to a western audience, but thankfully their replacements not only give solid performances, they make their roles memorable. Tony Leung (Hero, Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Lust/ Caution) takes charge as military strategist, Zhou Yu. A traditionalist in fighting techniques, Yu believes that art and war are one and the same. Leung is a ball of talent and I hope this film helps him get attention in the same manner that Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon helped Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh’s career here in America. Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine) plays warlord Cao Cao as a ruthless man who will stop at nothing to eliminate the allied forces. Fengyi played the character of Cao in such a convincing manner that whenever he showed a lighter side of him, it almost gave me the creeps. Strategist and scholar, Zhuge Liang, was played by Takeshi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers) and was by far my favorite character. One of the best scenes involved Liang tricking the enemy camp into shooting arrows into boats he constructed from straw in order for the allies to gain more arrows. He spends the whole time in one of the straw boats drinking tea while waves of arrows fly right past him!

John Woo has created his magnum opus with Red Cliff. Too few words can describe the sheer beauty that unfolded before my eyes during its two and a half hour running time. I would almost dare to compare this work to one of Akira Kurosawa’s gems because in my humble opinion, it’s just that good. And with that, I think I just gave Mr. Woo’s epic the biggest compliment it could have gotten.

Memorable Moment

When Zhou Yu sends a messenger dove out to Cao Cao’s fort, the camera tracks the bird's flight for 3 minutes, uncut, all the way through. Though the bird and parts of the scenery are CGI, it is still an impressive sight.

FYI

The original uncut version of Red Cliff was split into two separate films and had a total running time of 280 minutes. The western cut of the film which combines both films runs for 148 minutes.

Score

9 out of 10

Where The Wild Things Are (Review)

Where The Wild Things Are

Directed By: Spike Jonzes
Starring: Max Records, Catherine Kenner
Voices By: James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Forest Whitaker, Chris Cooper, Catherine O’ Hara


What’s It About

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind, and another, his mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” He then ran away, got in a boat and sailed off through night and day to where the wild things are. And when he came to where the wild things are they roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws till Max said “BE STILL!” They then declared him the king of the wild things. “And now,” cried Max,”let the EMO rumpus start!”

Thoughts

I never thought I would see Max and his wild things on the big screen. I mean, how do you make a film based on a book which only contains nine to ten sentences? Thankfully Spike Jonzes and company had a bigger imagination when adapting this well received and beloved children’s book into a 101 minute feature. While Where The Wild Things Are comes off more emotionally charged than anyone would have expected, it is an achievement in giving us a real mature, heartfelt story that, given the opportunity, could be enjoyed by adults as well as older children.

Max has issues. His dad is out of the picture, mom can’t give him the attention he needs due to her own problems, older sis ignores him, and he has no friends. Max reacts to all this by being bad… really bad! When sis doesn’t stand up for him after his igloo is destroyed with him in it, he goes into her room and TEARS it apart! Mom is dating again and Max doesn’t like the boyfriend so what does he do? He becomes loud and obnoxious to the point where he ends up biting his mom, runs away into a boat and sails off! Upon reaching an island inhabited by monsters, he witnesses one of them going berserk and immediately has a connection with him. When we are finally introduced to all these creatures, we realize that they each embody one of Max’s emotions. So Carol for example, represents Max’s anger while Bull represents his loneliness. It’s at this point that Where The Wild Things Are may lose some of its audience. I’m talking about the ones who were expecting a lighthearted kid’s fare complete with song and dance numbers and lovable, huggable and colorful monsters. This is a story about a little boy learning to deal with real emotions and issues through these creatures. There are parts in this flic that are going to be really scary and somewhat violent.

The performances were just fantastic! Max Records did a phenomenal job as Max, the boy who needs to see a shrink! I balled up when he came out of his snow fortress crying after it was destroyed with him in it and I was scared for him when one of the wild things wanted to harm him. He really gets to you, especially if you’re a parent. I was very satisfied with some of the wild things voices. James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) was warm and scary as Carol, Max’s confidant. Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) plays KW, a female that doubts whether to stay with her group of wild things due to Carols outbreaks. She’s the window to Max’s mom’s world and she helps Max understand what mom has to deal with. The rest of the cast did a great job and as a side comment, I’m glad the filmmakers decided to go with actual costumes instead of CGI for the wild things. It just helps you believe in their world that much more.

Though I don’t think this film is for everyone, it is definitely for those who want something more than just a typical happy go lucky kid’s film. It’s a great story with some fine performances, especially from Max Records. I took my eight year old son with me to a showing and he absolutely loved it. In fact, he understood the message and we ended up talking about it for hours! Spike Jonzes showed respect to Maurice Sendak’s original story all while adding his own vision which worked great for a film like this. I can honestly say I ate this film up, I loved it so!

Memorable Moment

During the rumpus, the wild things decide to all pile up on Max. Afterwards, instead of getting off of him, they fall asleep.

FYI

Back in the 80’s, Where The Wild Things Are was being adapted into an animated film by Disney. That idea got dropped after unsuccessful screen tests.

Score

8 out of 10

Different Editions for Transformers 2

This years mega blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will finally be released on Blu Ray and DVD this Tuesday, October 20th. Here is a quick rundown of the different versions that will hit shelves:

Standard DVD
This is the bare bones version. No
Special Features.








2 Disk Special Edition DVD & Blu Ray
One disk contains the film and the
other has all the special features.








Target Exclusive DVD & Blu Ray
Just like the regular 2 Disk Special
Edition except that it is cased in a
transforming Bumblebee case.







Wal Mart Exclusive IMAX Edition Blu Ray
This is the one that fans will want to hunt
down. The film will include all of the
extended scenes that were shot with IMAX
cameras. This plus all the other special
features contained in the other versions.

Box Office Results

October 16th- 18th


1/ Where The Wild Things Are $32,470,000

2/ Law Abiding Citizen $21,250,000

3/ Paranormal Activity $20,163,000

4/ Couples Retreat $17,949,000

5/ The Stepfather $12,300,000

The Damned United (Review)

The Damned United

Directed by: Tom Hopper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meany, Jim Broadbent


What’s It About

This is a fictionalized take on a real event that focuses on Brian Clough’s short lived time as United Leed’s manager and his relationship with his assistant Peter Taylor during the early seventies. Your probably trying to figure out who these people are and what or who the United Leeds are. Well, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor are considered in Europe as the best Manager and Manager Assistant Dou to ever to grace the field with a European Soccer League and the United Leeds were Europe’s best soccer team around that time.

Thoughts

If The Damned United was based on fictional characters and situations, it would still be a highly recommended film. I want to say this from the start because some people might be turned off at the thought of not knowing ANYTHING about these people. Trust me, it does not matter. Oh, and it’s not a sports film a la Remember the Titans or Hoosier. It’s more along the lines of Rocky in that it concentrates on the study of characters, not the sport itself. TDU asks, “What happens when you go from managing the worst soccer team in the entire league one day, to managing the absolute best team the next? What can it do to your ego? How would that change your treatment towards those around you? How much of your success can be credited to you?”

Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) steps into the shoes of Brian Clough, and sharing the screen as his assistant and best friend, Peter Taylor, is Timothy Spall (Enchanted, The Last Samurai, Harry Potter films). Describing their performance together as magnificent is really an understatement. There is an organic chemistry between the two that makes their onscreen bromance real (and not in a Brokeback Mountain kind of way). Also joining them are Colm Meany as Coughs rival, Don Revie, who is such a jerk to Clough without him even saying a word to him. When Revie shows up with his team to play against Cloughs team and you see all the work Clough put into making sure Revie and his boys had a good welcome, just to have Revie completely ignore him upon entering the gates of the stadium, your blood will boil. Stephen Graham (Public Enemies) also shows up in a minor role as the Leeds captain, Billy Bremmer, a character I wish would have had more time to develop since he helps create some of the mess you see.

Along with the great cinematography,which takes advantage of the murky gray scapes of England, one other aspect in TDU that was neat is how it jumps back and forth in its timeline. When Clough talks about how much he hates Don Revie, former manager of the United Leeds, it’s not enough for us to just know that. The screen goes black, a year clock counts down to the year the rivalry started, and then you are thrown into that storyline. It does this A LOT, but it never gets old and in fact, it makes for better storytelling! You won’t be left wondering who was who and why that and this did or did not occur.

Boy, I really enjoyed The Damned United. Peter Morgan, whose works include The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and last year’s Frost/Nixon, has once again turned in a script that is sure to garner some recognition come awards season. It’s a smart drama film with great funny moments and even if you don’t know who the people this movie is based on are, it won’t matter. It’s just a great film, period.

Memorable Moment

During one game, Brian Clough spends the whole time in his office which is lit only by the sunlight that comes in through his window. As he paces back and forth, nervous about what the outcome might be, the light is blocked and a loud noise follows. When he turns his head towards the window, he sees the shadows of fans standing to their feet celebrating.

FYI

This is Michael Sheen's seventh film in which he is portraying a real life character.

Score

9 out of 10

The Damned United Trailer

From famed writer Peter Morgan comes this great film about Europes best soccer league manager, Brian Clough. Starring Michael Sheen, who I just recently had the privilage of meeting at a screening, stars as Clough. I will have a full review ASAP! Almost forgot, in theatres this Friday, October 9th! Don't miss it.

An Education (Review)

An Education
(Scheduled to be released October 16, 2009.)

Directed By: Lone Sherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson


What’s It About

Jenny (Mulligan) is a young girl who has a lot going for her academically until she meets an older man named David (Sarsgaard). They begin a romance that allows Jenny to see the world in a whole new light. She ditches her chance at Oxford to travel, eat at fine restaurants, and dance the night away, all thanks to the clever ways of David. Having the opportunities that neither her parents nor teachers ever had, she begins to question,” What’s an education worth if you’re not living?”

Thoughts

There is no reason why anyone should skip An Education. Like the old saying goes, “They don’t make them like this anymore!” Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has crafted a smart film based in the 60’s that will seduce its audience just as the main character becomes entangled in the lifestyle that many of us could only dream of having. Since we are seeing the world through Jenny’s point of view, we are only allowed to know as much as she knows and to feel only what she feels. This is done through tight story telling that really doesn’t allow for any leaks.

Carey Mulligan is wonderful in this film. She plays Jenny with an innocent ignorance that can easily translate over to any young free spirited girl, who is too eager to grow up when in love. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say that Carey could very well be the Audrey Hepburn of our generation. Just looking at the pics should give you an indication of her strong resemblance to the late great actress. This was a great performance from someone who we will be seeing a lot more of.

Aside from Carey, the rest of the cast does a fantastic job. It is always a treat to see Alfred Molina onscreen. He plays Jenny’s weak minded, high tempered father in a role that will both have you laughing and feeling sorry for the old man. Peter Sarsgaard as David was hypnotizing. He charms his way through every scene he’s in and you’re just as charmed by him as Jenny is. Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike are great together as Danny and Helen, David and Jenny’s close friends and there is a performance by Emma Thompson that’s short but descent.

The cinematography for the most part is kept at arm’s length of the characters so you have this sense that you’re hanging out with them as everything is unfolding. That doesn’t mean that there are no beautiful scenes to be seen, there are, but part of what works for a film like this is feeling close to the characters and the camera work helps keep that illusion.

There is a lot I would like to say in respect to the storyline, but a big part of this journey is experiencing everything at the exact same time as our main character. An Education has won awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and has been receiving critical acclaim from critics. Do you really need another reason to go see this opening day?

Memorable Moment

Montage of a day in Paris with David and Jenny.

FYI

Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike both starred together in the film adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins, and Dominic Cooper all played roles in films based on Jane Austen’s literary works.

Score

8 out of 10

This Is It Trailer

What would have been Michael Jackson's amazing comeback tour is now a documentary that is being released in theatres for a two week only engagement beginning October 28th. Watching the trailer alone gives you an indication that Michael was far from calling it quits. The man still had the moves after so many years. It's a shame that the curtains had to fall so early on the world's most gifted performer.

Patrick Swayze 1952- 2009

Patrick Swayze died at the age of 57 yesterday, September 14th, after a hard battle with pancreatic cancer that lasted twenty months. He is best known for his films Dirty Dancing and Ghost. Other films worth noting though include The Outsiders, Red Dawn,Point Break, and Donnie Darko. Besides his life as an actor, Swayze enjoyed raising Arabian horses,flying planes, but most importantly, spending his time with his wife of 35 years, Lisa Niemi. Considered the "Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine, Swayze was loved by so many. Rest in Peace.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Review)

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Dennis Quaid


What’s It About

A military program called M.A.R.S has built a missile that will revolutionize the way wars are fought. Two soldiers, Duke (Tatum) and Ripcord (Wayans) are given the task of getting the missiles to a safe location, but when their convoy is attacked by an unknown terrorist organization, (Oh please, don’t act like you didn’t know this was coming!), their rescue comes from a group of super soldiers known as the G.I Joes. Hell bent on finishing their task and finding out who was behind the attack, Duke and Ripcord eventually join this elite group of men…err, and women.

Thoughts

Did these “Real American Heroes” ever have a chance of having a really good film made about them? Let’s think about this for a second. Here are some of the characters names: Snake Eyes, the Baroness, Storm Shadow, Heavy Duty, and Cobra Commander. The name of the agency is G.I Joe. This was a toy line first, then a cartoon which was more like a 30 minute commercial for the toy line. On top of all of this, once the movie was green lit, the studio decides to hire the man responsible for “The Mummy” franchise to direct this. Have I burst a couple of bubbles?

Watching G.I Joe is like watching the cut scenes for a video game. The cut scenes are just there to justify the action. With that, the storyline in Joe only serves to get you from one action sequence to the next. Now, if you grew up playing with the figures and watching the cartoons, then you should know what to expect. I say this because last time I checked; little boys don’t make up intricate storylines while playing with their Joes and the cartoon never inspired to dig deep. Neither does this film and the couple of times that it tries to, it fails.

Though it may sound as if this film is horrible, truth is, it isn't. When you look at Joe for what it is trying to be, you begin to have fun with it. It wants to be campy, silly, and cool, but most importantly, it wants to entertain, and during the 118 minute run time, you will be. Much like the Transformers films, as long as you go in knowing what to expect, you’ll be fine. Oh yeah, and don’t worry about there being a lack of actions scenes here. Joe is chock full of them! From the convoy attack in the U.S., to the chase in Paris, all the way to the Arctic for the final showdown, the Joes and the Cobras know how to tear it up! To top it off, performances are decent all the way around, and there is a great opening for a sequel.

For the casual guy… or gal, who just wants to watch a fun action flick that doesn’t require much thinking, or for anyone who grew up watching or playing with these Joes, this really isn’t such a bad movie, if anything it’s a fun trip. Just remember, it wasn’t meant to be serious or bigger than what it is. And knowing that is half the battle!

Memorable Moment

The chase scene in Paris. Marlon Wayans is funny in it.

FYI

Brendan Fraser makes a guest appearance as Sgt. Stone!

Score

5 out of 10

Fox Is Rebooting Fantastic Four!

It seems that rebooting is the new botox in Moneywood. Fox didn't say too much but did state that Michael Green has been hired to write the script and Akiva Goldsman to be the exec producer. No word on when it will be released. All I got to say is, THANK GOD! Jessica Alba as Sue Storm? Really?

Box Office Results

August 28th- 30th


1/ The Final Destination $28,335,000

2/ Inglourious Basterds $20,041,000

3/ Halloween 2 $17,405,000

4/ District 9 $10,700,000

5/ G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra $8,000,000

Disney Is Buying Marvel

The Walt Disney Company announced earlier this morning that it would be buying the comic book company Marvel for 4 billion dollars. When it comes to the films, Fox will still own the X-Men, Paramount will still have Iron Man and Sony will keep Spiderman until their deals expire. Disney has stated that this move will help them gain a broader male audience, since their recent successes have been catered mostly to young females, (Hannah Montana and the Princesses). Here's hoping that this move doesn't screw the fans over when it comes to the films. The last thing we need is a song and dance number coming from Captain America!