The website came up for "The Dark Knight Rises" today. One hoping for more juicy details about this film would be disappointed to see nothing but an audio file. A file which has nothing but... well, chanting. Of course leaving things at that, some people just wouldn't be satisfied.
So after someone had used some of their special audio programs, they found that the file had more to say, #thefirerises. After realizing this was a twitter tag, he tweeted it to find a picture...
Bane, one of the most dangerous of Batman villains. With a formula of his own creation, he can cause himself grow in size with almost limitless strength and unfiltered rage.
Although he is hard to recognize now, this is Tom Hardy. Who we know as Eames, in "Inception".
We're all excited to see this film. Unfortunately, it's not coming out until next year.... damn.
Sorry I haven't posted in so long. Since I've gotten a job, this blog has suffered. I promise to do better. haha.
Being the nerdy fan I am, I've been keeping my eye on a few movie projects. It seems two of them will be a definite yes. The others, we'll have to wait and see.
The Talisman:
The story of a boy who must travel to another dimension to recover an amulet to save his dying mother.
This one is showing progress as there is a production, art, and visual effects crew in place. But no director or acting cast yet.
I wouldn't expect a hollywood quality on this one, it's expected to be a T.V. mini-series.
Expected to come out some time next year.
The Dark Tower: The story of Roland Deschain, The Last Gunslinger. Roland must find The Dark Tower in order to save his dying world.
This one is more optimistic. Ron Howard has been selected as the director, and many stars have been considered for the role of The Gunslinger. Including Daniel Craig, Christian Bale, Viggo Mortensen and Javier Bardem. Although it looks like it's leaning towards Javier, since he is officially stated so on IMDB.
This one is expected to be a T.V. series, or a trilogy + T.V. special. My opinion, T.V. series is the best choice. There are seven novels(with another on the way), and they are all very long. So long I won't read them, just listen to them as an audio book. This series is what Stephen has set as his "Lord of the Rings" or "Harry Potter". In other words, the stories he was born to write. This story also will crisscross with some of his other books, such as 'Salem's Lot', 'The Stand'(my favorite), 'The Talisman', and a small reference to 'Insomnia'.
This one would be a very, very strange setting. I've only finished the first book, and read a few of the graphic novels, but it brings up some profound things, and makes you think about some things. But I'm really excited, and I think others should be too.
This blog would like to acknowledge the love, and sacrifice that our troops have given to our country. That they stand for the principles, and freedoms that this country has to offer. That we, as a people believe in truth, freedom, and justice. And that those who wish to threaten our freedoms, will not succeed.
Similar to "March of the Penguins" and Disney's "Oceans", comes another nature documentary about the life of two families. One a pride of lions, the other a mother cheetah and her cubs. This story tells how they raise their cubs on the African plains.
Story:
Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this movie tells the story of these animals that are currently living in the Masai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya. South of the river, a pride of lions rules the land. Their leader, the only adult male lion, is Fang. An experienced protector, he must protect his pride from the opposing forces of Kali and his sons. Kali currently rules the lands north of the river, but some land is never enough land.
Also on the north side of the river, lives Sita. Sita is a cheetah, and a mother of five cubs. Raising her cubs alone, she must teach her cubs how to survive the African savannas. This especially becomes difficult when they encounter fierce predators such as the hyenas, and the lions.
Review:
Sita and her nearly full-grown cubs.
This is the first time I have seen a documentary in a movie theater, rather than on television. I wasn't too worried with Disney at the helm, of course. This movie is one that will fascinate you, and help you feel more connected to animals, if you already have a problem doing so.
It's interesting how our struggles are the same, us and these cats(or other animals). How we both have the strong will to survive, the will to protect our familes, how we have such strong bonds between our friends and family members, and the pain we feel from the death of those close to us. Even the small things like personalities. How some people are happier when they are their own, or how some are happier when they are around others like them.
Fang fending off a crocodile
All the emotions aside, it brought a greater understanding to the wildlife in Africa. The cats, after all, aren't the only animals to appear in the film. You see probably over half of all the different species that live in the reserve. Many of them interacting with the lions and cheetahs quite frequently. A memorable scene with an elephant comes to my mind.
Cast:
Plenty of animals made appearances, cheetahs, lions, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, numerous birds, servals, hyenas, elephants, wildebeests, rhinos, warthogs, ostriches, zebras, and antelope. Just about everything you can think of, except one... TIGERS! I was heavily disappointed by this fact. But... I guess we can't always get what we want.
*Note*
Plus, if you like what you saw in the movie, it'll be nice to know that some of the proceeds for the film are being donated to the African Wildlife Foundation. To help preserve Kenya's Amboseli Wildlife Corridor. So there is some extra incentive there.
On October 31, 2003 Bethany Hamilton went for a quick surfing session that resulted in her arm being bitten off by a tiger shark. Without her arm, she overcame life's obstacles and became one of the biggest names in pro surfing. This movie tells her story.
Story:
To retell the story as I usually do is kinda hard for me to do here. Since it was based on a true story, I just feel I'm not the right person to tell it. At least to the detail in which I do with others.
I know I was able to do so in 'The Rite', but similar to what I said in that review, inspired by true events means they took a bunch of elements from a group of stories and put them together. This movie was the real story.
So, here's the really basic version.
Bethany Hamilton at the time was 13-years-old after her arm was bitten off by a shark when she was on a surfing outing with her friends and one of their fathers. She made it to the hospital and survived the attack. Now with an arm gone, Bethany has to relearn how to do even the simplest of tasks. But with strength, determine and love, she shows us that nothing is impossible.
Review:
This was a truly inspiring movie. It was very easy to relate to and reminds you of things you take for granted. Like your arm. It shows the true bond a family can have and how it takes things like friendship, love and service to heal our hearts and make the best of ourselves.
Cast:
Oh man, I loved the acting in this movie. It felt so incredibly real. Especially Dennis Quaid, he totally nailed the father part in this. You could feel all his frustration, and how all that he wanted was what was best for his daughter. Then Helen Hunt! Oh my gosh! You could feel her sadness, fear, and strength! How in tune she was to how her daughter was feeling! Then of course, AnnaSophia Robb her magic is beyond words. She is definitely going to go far.
James Wan. The guy needs some therapy. Known for writing and directing the original "Saw" and "Dead Silence", he gives us a new horror film. This time he avoids all the blood and gore, and delves deep into the paranormal.
Story:
Renai Lambert(Rose Byrne) and her husband Josh(Patrick Wilson) are the loving parents of three children. They have just moved into their new home in hopes of improving their lives. Not long after their stay do things start to happen. Objects become knocked over or misplaced. Doors open themselves. Then the worst happens. After they had put their son Dalton(Ty Simpkins) to bed the previous night, they find he didn't wake up the next morning.
In the next scene, Renai and Josh are told by the doctor that their son is in a coma. Though the coma is not just any coma. It's as if he's gone to sleep and not woken up. After three months, they take him home. In order to keep him alive, they have to insert a feeding tube.
Strange events continue to bother family in greater severity. After a night of a terrible event, Renai begs Josh to have them move.
We next see them when Renai and Josh's mother, Lorraine(Barbara Hershey), are finishing unpacking the last box in the new home. Lorraine is surprised to find a family picture. What was surprising was the fact that Josh was actually in the picture. As he hasn't allowed himself to be photographed in years. After a few supporting words, Lorraine leaves.
Not long after Lorraine has left, Renai has another encounter from a different entity.
When Josh comes home from work, he finds Renai and his mother talking with a priest. The priest leaves, and Lorraine tells her son that she believes Renai. That she had dreamed that something had followed them from the previous house. In the dream, she found she was in their current home. After looking around, she came upon Dalton's room. Inside was the silhouette of a monster. She asked the being what it wanted. With it's clawed fingers it pointed to her grandson, and said, "Dalton".
Review:
It's something different for James Wan to pull out of movie like this. Typically being a man who loves to dish out the blood and gore in one of his horror flicks. He gets you with suspense and the creative design of the entities within the movie. I don't usually jump in movies anymore, but this movie brought a real sense of dread. If your of light-hearted and not used to regularly seeing these kind of movies, I would suggest avoid seeing it. There may be no blood and gore in this movie, but it can still be pretty disturbing.
I was real intrigued with the story. It did kind of pull a 180º on me. I thought I had the plot all figured out, but it went into a direction I didn't see coming. It left many loose ends, with no sight of a sequel. Because of that, some may dislike how the movie ends.
Cast:
I'm surprised I haven't heard of Rose Byrne until this movie. Being the mother, her character received a lot of attention and it was very easy to empathize how she was feeling. This movie has also helped me realize Patrick Wilson exists and I think I'm going to watch some of his movies. Ty Simpkins was good at playing the scary little kid, but he was sleeping throughout most of the movie. That's just lazy.
Note:
There's a clip after the credits that lasts three seconds.
This was something everyone has to see. I mean your brains will explode from your head, because it won't be able to handle all the adrenaline pumping through it. This was also a story that is the first of it's kind. I don't think anyone has put a movie together like this. At least one that was good, visually-striking, and leaving you in awe.
Story:
It begins with the main character, Baby Doll(Emily Browning). She's sitting on her bed waiting to hear to the news. A man approaches the door to her bedroom. He sees her, and sadly lowers his head. Fright is filled in her eyes and she runs from her room, down the hall to her mother's room. She barely sees as the assistant's cover her mother with a linen sheet. She died.
We come to see Baby Doll's step-father(Gerard Plunkett) in his study. He opens a envelope, entitled last will and testament. As he reads his wife's will, he sees that all of her possessions are left to her two daughters. In a fit of rage, he tears the room apart. Still enraged, he makes his way to the bedrooms of his two step-daughters. He comes after Baby Doll, trying to break his way into her room and getting scratched by her in the process. His eyes lighten up, he has a better idea. Instead he locks Baby Doll in her room, and goes after her much younger sister.
Fearful for her sister's well-being, she goes out the window. As she comes back into the house, she's points a handgun at her step-father... and shoots. She misses and the coward scrambles to the floor. She walks past him and goes into her sister's bedroom. She sees her sister lying on the floor. She goes to her side hoping she is alive, but is only saddened to see her sister's blood on her fingertips. She goes back to her step-father, who is in the process of trying to call the cops. She points the gun to his head. Intending to shoot. She doesn't. She drops the gun, and runs from the house. She's later found by the authorities, and returned to her step-father.
We then see her being committed to a mental hospital by her step-father. Who has pinned the murder on her, saying she was violent and dangerous. She's then taken on a small tour of the asylum. Towards the end of the tour, she overhears her step-father talking to an orderly, Blue Jones(Oscar Issac). By being paid by the step-father, the orderly forges the signature of the psychiatrist to have a lobotomy performed. The result would make her unable to do anything. It would make her a zombie.
She has five days to escape the asylum before a doctor comes to perform the lobotomy. With the help of some new friends. She has a chance to be free.
Review:
Last year, Alice in Wonderland blew us away with it's incredible visual effects. This year, Sucker Punch will hold the title. One of the things that makes this movie special is how the genre of the movie changes when different events come to pass. In the beginning, it's a noir genre. Following that it switches back between drama, and action/fantasy.
Now the thing that no one has done before. This movie shows numerous repeated elements that would be found in anime(japanese cartoons). The scenes that take place when Baby Doll "dances", are scenes that are full of non-stop action of anime style combat scenes. Each scene being in a new environment with a new scenario. There is no 2-D cartoon animation here whatsoever. All those jumps, slashes, and kicks are performed by the actors, with the help of CGI of course.
This is a movie that focuses primarily on the bonds of friendship. It goes deep on how people, in this case girls, depend on each other to get out of a bad situation. It shows how dangerous and scary the world can be. I can't tell you how many times I just wanted someone to bust the door down and save those girls from their misery. Especially when it came to the events with the asylum's cook.
Cast:
Emily Browning played the character Baby Doll in this film. The film is entirely focused on her character, and with each expression she gave the character, she pulled the sympathy right out of you. Abbie Cornish played Sweet Pea. The "Big Sister" to all the girls. She brought the strength and responsibility to get things done. Jena Malone played Rocket, the literal younger sister to Sweet Pea. Without her faith, the group wouldn't be and Baby Doll would've been alone in her decision to leave. Vanessa Hudgens was Blondie, and to the contrary wasn't blonde.
Amber was played by Jamie Chung.
This movie was so visually stimulating I thought I was going to explode. It definitely is on my must-see list of 2011.
If the world were to be invaded today, would we be ready? Of course not. Could we learn, adapt and defeat? Of course we could, we're human. And in this movie, we see our strongest breed of human, the marine. We follow this platoon as they rescue a group of civilians trapped in a police station, and how they played their part in resisting an alien invasion.
Story:
In the beginning, we see the point of view of each marine in the story. A story we can each relate to, someone whose lost a loved one, a soon-to-be father, one psychologically being cleared into the field, the rookie, and the one who was close to retirement. When they're all called to report in, they see a newscast on the television. Eight meteors are each landing outside eight major cities, including Los Angeles.
Later, the marines are told that these are not meteors, that objects are slowing down. They're told to prepare for a combat situation. As the meeting breaks up, they again watch the news about the meteors on the television. A reporter is on the scene at the beach where one of the meteors falls into the ocean. After the waves calm, they see hundreds of dark figures walking towards the people on the beach. When people begin to run, shots and explosives are fired upon the beach as they are running away.
The platoon arrives at their base of operations. They're told that their holding a defense line along Santa Monica, and in three hours bombs are to be fired to level the area. They're given an assignment to find and rescue some civilians at a police station who had called for help.
They are to find and secure the civilians, and get out of the blast radius. But the new visitors don't make it so easy...
Review:
This movie would be more correctly defined as a military movie more than an alien movie. An alien movie what was I was expecting and hoping for, but it was still good. The entire point of view was through this marine platoon. I can't remember the last time, if ever, it took that point-of-view in an monster/alien catastrophe film. We've seen the generals, the president ones yes, but not the ones where it's the guy who's told to point and shoot, and they don't know as much as their leaders do.
Anyway, what made this movie special was how close to home the themes were about this group of soldiers. It reminds us how we still have men and women dying out there protecting our freedom, and that they will always do it, be it terrorists or aliens.
Now the aliens were dealt into the movie perfectly. They were very mysterious at the beginning. The first encounters with them, it's very difficult to get a good look at them. Because of that, it's easy to understand how the marine's feel when they are first fighting them. It's not until they finally find one barely alive, where that fear and uncertainty disappears. In order to find out how to kill these things, they literally tear one apart to figure how to kill it. When that's understood, you feel as the marines do. You know what it looks like, how to kill it, and so there's no need to be scared of it. Well, as scared of it.
Needless to say, there is lots o' alien gore in the movie. No human though, save a few acid burns and bullet wounds.
Cast:
No one really stands out in this movie. It's not centralized on one character, but everyone at once. The most recognized people would be Aaron Eckhart, Bridget Monyahan, Michelle Rodriguez and Ne-Yo.
I enjoyed it. Just be prepared for lots and lots of military talk.
Ever wonder if you ever truly had free will? What if someone was actually had the power to make you reason towards a certain decision? What if they had the power to change your life? Those are the kind of things that go on in this movie. Another movie where you begin to question reality. Like how "The Matrix" or "Inception" made you wonder if you were actually in a constant dream state. This element is a good one to push to an audience, because they'll never forget it.
Story:
David Norris(Matt Damon) is running for New York Senator. Having been elected into the House of Representatives at the age of 24, he thought he was going to be the winner. Sadly, due to a photo of a college prank the day before the election, his opponent crushes him. David takes a break and goes to the restroom. After calling out to make sure no one was present in the stalls, he begins to rehearse is speech. When he's nearly finished, he hears the sound of keys dropping, and a voice quietly cursing under their breath. When the person finally reveals themselves, David is surprised to see it's a woman! She(Emily Blunt) explains she was hiding from security, because she had been caught crashing a wedding located a floor above. She felt awkward saying anything when he called out, because she was in the men's room after all. After they talk awhile, they hit it off. They even kiss. By then security was approaching, and she had to split. David never even got her name.
The next morning, we see a group of men in ties and fedoras talking. One of them is Harry Mitchell(Anthony Mackie), and he is instructed to make sure that David Norris is to spill his coffee on his shirt before 7:05 in the morning.
Harry misses his cue, David doesn't spill the coffee on his shirt, and makes it on the bus before 7:05. As David walks down the aisle, he sees his mystery woman sitting by herself. David is blown away at the coincidence and takes the seat next to her. Again they hit it off, like as if they already know each other. He finally learns her name, Elise.
When they depart, David goes to his new job at the law firm. As he wanders the halls, he fails to see how everyone is frozen. When he approaches the conference room. He sees men in suits and fedoras. He sees men dressed in riot armor, using hi-tech devices and doing something to his friend's head. When he asks them what they are doing, one of the men in the fedoras says, "Grab him."
After a long chase, they restrain him, and open one of the doors of the law office. Except what was behind the door, was not one of the other conference rooms. It's a large warehouse. There's a chair, and they set him down. They explain to him that he saw something that he was not supposed to see. That they were the men who made sure everything goes to plan, that they help every person stay on their destined path. And that his path was to continue what he was doing, but to never see Elise again. They say that he can not tell anyone of what he saw, otherwise they will have permission to wipe his mind clean. Clean of memories, personality, beliefs, everything. His mind would be a blank page.
But since when does a hero stay away from his love?
Review:
I loved this one. Like I said before it goes with the kind of movies like "Inception" and "The Matrix". One of those movies that makes you question reality. Unlike "Inception", the story was much easier to follow. Other than that, there's not really much else to say. It's an original story, you can follow it, it's nothing you've heard of before.
Cast:
There were about four noteworthy people here. Matt Damon played a politician that was very down to earth, and I don't think I would've liked the character as much if it was someone other than Matt Damon. This was my favorite role of Emily's, but to be fair I haven't too many from her. I think this was the first time I've seen Anthony Mackie, and I really liked him. Terence Stamp is someone I think everyone has seen once, he's been around forever. He played Thompson, one of the more experienced member's of The Adjustment Bureau, and he was my most favorite actor in the movie.
I've been a fan of Steven King for about... maybe a few years now. I've always loved his stories because of how they're never something you've never heard before, and with a paranormal element thrown in to increase the uncertainty. Since he's been writing these New York Times bestseller's, they've made a few movies here and there. Almost every story he's wrote has made it to the big screen, or the one on your living room television. As I watched these movies, I can't help but think how well they would look these days. Now that computers can keep up with his imagination, I tried to find a few upcoming projects.
Cell:
The story of a comic book artist witnessing everyone around him being fine one minute and then becoming zombie-like beings the next.
It might be a TV movie. Which is disappointing to me because it could make one chaotic Hollywood movie. Loved the book.
Under The Dome:
Everything is fine in this small town in rural Maine. Until from literally out of nowhere a transparent barrier surrounds the border of town. Preventing people from anyone going in, or out.
This one might be a TV series, which sounds like a great idea to me. It took ages for me to finish this book. This is one you could make last at least three years on television. Throw in J.J. Abrams to make it just that more awesome.
Pet Semetery:
A man discovers an ancient graveyard that has the power to bring life back to the dead. When his son dies in a tragic accident, he brings him back. But his son isn't the same boy he was before.
This movie is as old as I am. So when I saw it, I was dissatisfied with the poor element of fear being portrayed in the movie. But with a modern touch, I think I would avoid it entirely.(It's a compliment)
The Talisman:
A boy must go to a parallel dimension to recover a talisman to save his dying mother.
This is the one I'm reading now. So I don't have any commentary.
The Stand:
When a highly infectious plague kills 99% of the world's population, the survivors must come together to face a great evil.
I loved this one, and I think I heard this was the average fan favorite. They made a TV mini-series in '94, which I'm halfway through finishing. So far I'm not a fan of it, but I think a remake with the new abilities in special effects could tell this story the way it was meant to be told.
Although it would've been nice for them to get the author's blessing...
The interview with Steven King about 'The Stand' remake here
The Dark Tower:
Roland Deschain is 'The Gunslinger'. He's pursuing 'the man in black'. He must find him, and the dark tower so that he can save the dying world.
I'm cheating on this one. I'm reading the comic books. Seven books of a series is just too much for me :) But this would be a very, very long string of movies. Like Harry Potter long, but I hear they're going to do it. And this will be a story that is uncommon nowadays, but I believe will be monumental.
Some of these are rumored, but most of them are legit. I would love to see all of them in all their Hollywood glory. Though none of them will be coming out this year... and none of them are finished.
It's been five and a half years since Johnny Depp has done a voice over in a movie. To me that's unsurprising, he must hate it or something. He's only done a voice one other time for "The Corpse Bride". This was also for a character that is VERY unlike his usual characters. It was this main character that made me had a problem for with the movie.
Story:
Rango. That's actually not his name at the beginning. Why not? I'll tell you. We see him in the first scene, narrating his play. The play takes place in a very sunny, very fake environment. His fellow actors are inanimate objects. The damsel in distress, is a barbie doll torso. The damsel's father is a dead cockroach. The character talks to them like they're actual people. He goes on with this until suddenly his whole environment shakes. You see he's actually in a tank, inside a car. The car swerves to avoid a truck and the tank goes flying out the rear window and shatters on the pavement.
He discovers he's in the middle of the desert, on a long stretch of road. You piece together it's the Mojave desert and the road would have to be I-15. As he's walking around he hears the weak distant cry of someone calling out to him. It's an old armadillo, who had gotten ran over and needs help getting up. The armadillo tells him that there's a town farther out in the desert.
After a few minor events, he arrives into the town of "Dirt". His first stop is the town saloon. He enters the saloon, and instantly every eye is on him. They watch as he slowly steps to the bar. The bartender ignores him, until he quietly clears his throat. "Um, bartender? Could I have a glass of... water?" The saloon begins to roar with laughter. The town is in a drought. There is no water. One realizes he's not from around there and asks him what his name is. He realizes that he can change who he is, that he can become the man known as, "Rango."
Review:
I hated how pathetic this character was. This was not a typical Johnny Depp character. It was hard to watch. Especially in the opening scene, he's talking to all these inanimate objects. It conveys that he's a lonely guy, but it is sooo awkward. The character also lies throughout the entire movie about who he is. That was the thing that bugged me the most, how PATHETIC he was. The love interest is also a woman whose name is "Beans". This is a kid movie, and you name a character Beans? When I was a kid, I associated beans with farting and eating something I didn't want to eat. Poor choice for a character like her.
I didn't hate it, because I think I had the attitude that I was going to be as positive as I could about it. So when it came around the part when the character feels a change, is when I began to like the movie. That would mean I liked the ending. There were a few funny gags here and there, but this is one I think you could live without seeing.
This is one I saw with the family, so when my dad asked the family how they had liked the movie the answers came out as, "dumb" "weird" and "I didn't like it". That was from the sisters and the mother. I already told you how I felt.
Cast:
One of two animated characters for Johnny Depp, and this character was baaad. Stick to having your face on the screen. I liked Isla Fisher's character Beans, her voiced blended well with the character. If the movie was about her character it would've been better. Abigail Breslin's character Priscilla was around every once in awhile. She was alright. My favorite character was "Rattlesnake Jake", because he was the one with the most, i guess enthusiasm? Bill Nighy was just good at developing a good voice for the character. And the character looked really good, whatever animator modeled him made him look great.
Not the best Nickelodeon picture, though not many have been incredibly popular in the movie world. You can leave this one alone. I would've rather seen "The Adjustment Bureau" or something.
This one was a kind of unexpected feel to me. I felt like it was going to be something other than how it was portrayed in the trailer. I thought the movie was, I guess the best word would be, okay. I didn't get sucked into it. There were a lot of elements in the movie that that I think we, as an audience, are too familiar with.
Story:
It begins with a weekend party at the beach. It portrays John(Alex Pettyfer), as a very outgoing socialite. All the guys wanna be his friend, and all the girls simply just want him. After an invitation for a private swim with this girl, John feels a sharp pain in his leg. It intensifies to a burning sensation. When John looks down at his leg, he sees a bright glowing circle on the side of his calf. With the people at the party noticing his strange behavior, he runs off into the night.
The next day, John is awoken by his guardian Henri(Timothy Olyphant). The little show John had given his friends had blown their cover and they had to move. The thing with John is, he's not human. He's an alien being who's homeworld was overtaken by another alien race, the Mogadorians. He was one of nine sent to Earth. It was all their destiny to rise together to defeat the Mogadorians. So what the light show meant, was that another one of the nine had died. The third one. Leaving the next target to be John, number four.
Review:
To be honest I wasn't much of a fan of it. The whole atmosphere of it was high school. It had the high school problems, the stereotype "The jock who is loved by all, but is a complete jerk and treats his girlfriend badly". I've seen that character so much I could die the next time I see it. Enough, please. Speaking of which, I found much of the storyline kind of cheesy. For example, the mogadorians were more cheesy than a 1980's crime boss. It was awful to watch. Not to mention the way they hid their identity's is waaaaaay to suspicious to ignore. Whomever wrote this screenplay must have been cheating off everyone else's papers in film school. You've just seen the examples hundreds of times.
Now that I think of it, most of the storyline of this movie, could be 80 percent consistent with the first season of "Smallville". There was only one event in the movie which I found "real", and that scene I really liked. It'll be the one where he hangs out with the girl in her room, after family dinner.
The thing that irked me the most was the high school feel. It was a really bad setting. The atmosphere was a lot of gags you've seen elsewhere. The jock pickin' a fight, the prank on the nerd, or someone sitting in the principle's office. It was because of that, that I think someone in high school would enjoy the movie more than one who has "been there, done that".
One suggestion, if you want the full effect from the movie, don't watch the trailer other than the one posted here. It reveals a character whom shouldn't have been revealed until her spot in the movie. And both trailers show footage that is inaccurate to the movie, and shows footage that didn't occur in the movie.
Cast:
Alex Pettyfer's character was very emotionaless for a being that can love only one person their whole life. So if his acting got in the way of the development of the character, that's a shame. In my opinion, he should have stuck with modeling.
I don't know if I'm qualified to give an opinion on Timothy Olyphant. Ever since he ruined Agent 47 in "Hitman", he kinda ruined my positive thinking toward him. But there was nothing to 'wow' you here.
Most of you would recognize Dianna Agron as Quinn from "Glee". This was the first time I've seen her in something and I thought she was the only good person in it.
Teresa Palmer's character was brought in really late, I think. It hit some points against the movie for me. And I thought her character was "bleh". I can't say why without ruining the plot.
So basically, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you're going to see it expect the high school drama, the misunderstood alien vibe, and something more cheesy than spray cheese. That's right, I said it. Sue me.
Emma Stone - Gwen Stacy Andrew Garfield - Peter Parker/Spider-man Martin Sheen - Ben Parker Sally Field - May Parker Rhys Ifans - Dr. Connors/The Lizard Philip Seymour Hoffman - Venom(rumored) Irrfan Khan - Nels Van Adder/Proto-Goblin Denis Leary - Cpt. George Stacy Julianne Nicholson - Mary Parker Campbell Scott - Richard Parker
I'm sooo happy. As a die-hard fan and researcher on the subject, I really think it's going to be good. And although I've never heard of Proto-Goblin, and since the goblin isn't a Osbourne, I'm wondering if it's like the Hobgoblin. The hobgoblin was the third goblin, but his identity was Ned Leeds. So... we'll see. I'm just happy their putting in the Lizard. To have Dr. Connors in two movies and not turn into the Lizard was a huge tease...
Some photos too:
*Update*
Turns out I'm just an ignorant fan who doesn't know as much as he thought he did. The Proto-Goblin is a guy who was involved in the green goblin project and used the product for his own means.
Also, in my research I found that Emma Stone is actually a blonde. Just thought that was cool.
Also, some villain pics so you know what do expect: (Left to Right)Proto-Goblin, Venom, and The Lizard.
I'm loving this. Second movie this year that is retelling a very old tale into a modern twist and it's awesome. We've become very familiar with it, it's been taught to us in school and we know how it all goes. This movie is filled with humor and adults will love it as much as kids.
Story:
Two neighbors, two yards, and one giant feud. Mr. Capulet and Mrs. Montague have never been the most friendly of neighbors. Strange enough considering their hobbies of gardening and love of gnomes. Little do the home owners know, that when their backs are turned, and their eyes are elsewhere, their little friends the gnomes take the rivalry to a more extraordinary level.
No one knows how this gnomish feud started, because no one can remember. Whenever the Blues avenged for something, the Reds would be quick to follow with retaliation. When Tybalt(Jason Statham), of the red gnomes cheats in a lawnmower race between him and Gnomeo(James McAvoy) of the Blues, Gnomeo follows suit with a retaliation of his own. A midnight stealth operation to deface their lawnmower. Meanwhile, Juliet(Emily Blunt), daughter to Lord Redbrick(Michael Caine) sees a beautiful orchid that would put the blues garden to shame. Despite the over-protectiveness of her father, she dresses as a ninja to take the orchid as a prize, to prove to her father that she isn't "delicate".
After Gnomeo's attempt of retaliation, he is awestruck by a mysterious gnome sneaking about. He follows close behind her and when the two come upon the orchid, it's love at first sight. After a friendly game of keep away with the orchid, both their identities become revealed. But when Tybalt accidentally finds Juliet, she protects Gnomeo from being discovered, and must go away.
When they meet again, they realize the problems that arise. But with these two gnomes, love keeps them from being apart. But love can't save them from the problems that are to come.
Review:
This was a good one, and I liked it better than Shakespeare's version. There, I said it. Sue me. With all the versions of the story so far, this one is the favorite. It's the first kid's movie I've seen in awhile. Typically for adults the kids movie's are a pain, but I found this one enjoyable, and I think other adults would too. Modern kid's movies have those subtle jokes that adults would get, and the ones in this one didn't really get more than a shy smile out of me. The parts where it was funny to anyone though, did get me to laugh a little bit louder. The aim of the movie isn't primarily a comedy though, the aim is a sweet love story that's a bit happier than the original play. With that, I think they delivered well.
Cast:
With having Elton John as the executive producer, you get lots of pull. I mean, Jason Statham is in this movie. You know, the guy who typically drives cars off buildings and kills LOTS of people. They got him to be a gnome who wears a flower apron. I'm amazed. That's not all though. Patrick Stewart is in too, does the voice of a Shakespeare statue. Michael Caine, Hulk Hogan, Dolly Parton, Maggie Smith(Also known as Mrs. McGonagall), Julie Walters(Mrs. Weasley), and even Ozzy Osbourne.
But the headlining talent here is James McAvoy, and Emily Blunt. Neither I'm very familiar with, but they did most of the hard work and played great characters.
In closing, go see it. It's cool, kids will love it.
This one was really intense. You know with Anthony Hopkins you're going to get your money's worth. Exorcism themed movies have been more prevalent lately. Personally I can remember at least one every two years, for the past six years. Anyway, I would put this on your 'To see:' list.
Story:
Michael Kovak(Colin O'Donoghue) is the son of a mortician, and desperately wants to get out of it. His only choices are to continue with the life of meeting plenty of dead people, or to join the seminary to become a priest. Not excited with his current life, he goes on to be a priest.
Four years later, he's completed his class and is ordained a priest. That night, he composes a long email to his superior Father Matthew(Toby Jones). He explains of how he lacks the faith, and that he is resigning. Some time later, he is being chased down by the Father Matthew. In his haste to catch up with Michael, the father trips, causing a bicyclist to be knocked into traffic, and be hit strongly by a passing car. With Father Matthew injured from his fall, and being the only other priest in the area, his first act as a priest is to give this woman her last rites.
After some time had passed, Father Matthew sits down with Michael. He tells Michael that he has refrained from sending the resignation letter. He explains that leaving now would be very costly. He wants him to stay, because he believes that he has potential. He tells Michael that in the past year, the Vatican has received over 500,000 reports of possessions. That the church wants an exorcist in every parish. He wants Michael to go and take the training. He accepts.
Later on, Michael must learn to overcome his lack of faith, and learn that just because you don't believe in the Devil, doesn't mean he isn't there.
Review:
Any story that has a battle of good versus evil involving Christian religions always has my interest. The exorcism movies are perfect examples. One thing that I like about it is that I think anyone could handle this movie. It's not grotesque to level where you want to puke, or anything like that.
What was freaky was I had no idea what to expect. When you get the right lightning on Anthony Hopkin's face, he can be a really, really creepy dude. Personally I wouldn't like to be in a chair when he's standing and yelling scripture at you. And I'll admit, there was a scene in a park where it made me yell "What the hell!?" really loud in the theater.
With movies like these though, they have that one recognizable phrase, "Inspired by true events". In translation, "greatly exaggerated to try to scare you." I believe that the whole movie was accurate, save a few of the happenings in the scenes of the exorcisms. Hollywood has to do that though, otherwise the movie would be boring. My point is, when you see that magic phrase, don't believe everything you see in the movie.
Cast:
Hands down Anthony Hopkins held this movie together. First time I've seen him play a good and and a bad guy in one movie. I understand his strength in characters is his villains, but my favorite roles from him have been the good guys(ex. Hearts in Atlantis).
Colin O'Donoghue's character I found kind of an idiot, but if Colin isn't an idiot then he's a really good actor.
You also know the woman at the end of 'I Am Legend'? Alice Braga? She's in this too. She plays a journalist who is taking the same course on exorcism as Michael. I haven't seen much of her before, but she's cool.
I highly recommend this one. It's messed up, not too gory, and you get too see a new priest make a lot of smartypants remarks.
This one, I felt I had to prepare a little. I rented the previous two movies before I saw this one and was very glad I did. It refers to the previous movies A LOT. So you'll want to do that before you see this one. Since this one is third in it's series, I'm going to skip the story phase of my review.
Review:
I liked it for the most part. It wasn't as original as the first, and there was significant lack of sex jokes compared to the second one. Which is a plus for me, because it's just too damn awkward after awhile. It lived up to it's title in comedy. I started laughing pretty loud at some parts, and that was probably due to having the previous ones so fresh in my mind. So overall I enjoyed it, but the original is the best.
Cast:
Ben Stiller is becoming a new favorite actor of mine. He is just so good at sarcasm, and he knows how to make those awkward situations funny, rather than making you feel embarrassed for him. I really only saw these movies because Robert DeNiro made me laugh so hard on Saturday Night Live.
I can sum this movie up in one word. "lol". Well, an acronym, but who cares? It was funny! It was full of action! I mean, a LOT of action. I was beginning to miss explosions. All the movies I've seen this month have been lacking you'll notice. This is also another superhero movie, which is my favorite genre. It was originally an old radio program and has been adapted to a couple movies back in the forties and and a television series in the sixties.
Story:
Britt Reid(Seth Rogen) is the son of James Reid, a man who owns a large, reputable newspaper named 'The Sentinel'. Growing up Britt's mother had died and he was having a hard time with his father's parenting and being to busy to be there for him. This was the cause of him growing up to be an out of control playboy. One morning, on his way to see his father, he's watching the news and sees a report on the death of his father. He had been stung by a bee and had a lethal allergic reaction to it.
The next morning, he wakes up and finds his usual tasty morning cup of coffee, tastes like crap. Outraged, he finds the maid and asks what is wrong. Frightened to death, she tells him he fired the whole staff who worked for his father. So he rehires Kato(Jay Chou), the mechanic. The two become friends almost immediately. After a hanging out awhile, getting drunk, and finding they both hate Britt's father, they decide to do something crazy. Like decapitating the statue of his father that's overlooking his grave.
So in the middle of the night, while they're desecrating the grave of his father, Britt observes a couple getting ambushed by a group of thugs. Panicked and unsure of what to do, he does the most heroic, and what some could say stupid, things imaginable. He yells 'hey, leave them alone' to a large group of armed, mentally unstable thugs. Naturally, they chase after him. As Britt is running for his life, Kato sees him being chased down and runs to his rescue. Just before Brit get's his face filleted off, Kato pulls some moves that would rival Jackie Chan.
That night, when they're partying for their victories. They see they made it on the news. Not for saving the couple, but for stealing the head of his father's statues. They decided being the good guys felt really good, but they're seen as criminals. So they'll pose as criminals to get to the bad guys, and take them out. The Green Hornet was born.
Review:
Obviously this is a superhero movie, and in every superhero movie you have to see how they came to be. It helps you understand the purpose of the hero even more. If you never heard of the Green Hornet before, it would be kinda backwards to hear of a superhero behaving badly with good intentions. So they build the story to clearly give an understanding why.
*Small Spoiler*What I thought was interesting, was the hero didn't get the girl. She even threatened to use a sexual harassment suit. If anyone is to say someone gets the girl, it's Kato. Even though it doesn't happen, the sidekick prevails more so. *End Spoiler*
I was really happy with this one. The characters felt real, the story was developed, the jokes were funny and not shown in every clip of the trailer. They also stayed true to the storyline, to my understanding. There was also nothing that makes it overbearing in regard to cursing, sex, violence, etc. Aside from final kills in the movie.
Cast:
This movie was co-written, co-produced and co-starred by Seth Rogen. Although he did none of these things by himself, I think he did an amazing job. After watching the older Green Hornet videos, he did take a more comedic approach and think it made the movie all the more better for this day and age. Now I'll admit I've only seen three of his current movies, but to me it seems he puts a little bit of himself in every role he plays. He does so in this and I think it's great. Jay Chou is a prodigy. The guy seeps talent from every pore. Since I can only review him about the movie, here's a link to imdb of how awesome he is. This guy knows how to fight. I like this guy more than Jackie Chan, Jet li, whatever. As for his ability to act, it didn't bother me at all. So he's good. haha. Cameron Diaz had a supporting role. Wasn't really in the movie a lot. Before I never really liked her, but this gave her some cool points for me.
I thought it was a great movie. Anyone can enjoy it. Kids might be okay, dependent on yourself. Personally, if I had any, I wouldn't take them.
First things first, this was not a movie I planned on seeing. But when three nerdy junior high school kids are in line to see "The Green Hornet", and you don't really feel like dealing with that at the moment, you go to the movie that you haven't seen and also starts in ten minutes. Since I was seven minutes late to green hornet anyway, and I really hate missing previews, I saw this movie.
Story:
It's about two guys named Ronny(Vince Vaughn) and Nick(Kevin James.) They're a couple of guys who work in auto design, and have a new idea to bring in front of a car manufacturer. An electric car, that sounds like a muscle car. A fake roar of the engine kinda deal. They pitch their idea and the company is interested, gives them the funding. Ronny who has been dating his girlfriend Beth(Jennifer Connelly) for quite awhile, is pressured by Nick's wife, Geneva(Winona Ryder) to hurry and pop the question. Telling him that if not soon, she might move on. Ronny is feeling the pressure, and he wants it to be great. So when he's planning to pop the big question at this arboretum, he see's Geneva there kissing another man. She's cheating on his best friend Nick.
Ronny has to tell him, but with Nick feeling the pressure from the deadline for their project, Nick explodes at him due to the car not working and Ronny can't get one word in. Through talking to strangers in line at the bank, and creating weird stories of explanations to his sister. He feels like his hands are tied and he can't tell anyone. He can't tell him with the project going on, his sister isn't listening to him, and he can't ask or tell his girlfriend or she would find out that he's planning to pop the question. Quite the dilemma.
Review:
The actors, the theme, the say-so, everything about this movie said it was a comedy. Except I just couldn't find it funny. I honestly couldn't get even a chuckle out. It may just not be my type of humor. Vince Vaughn may be a part of it, but I'll talk about him later. Not to mention, all the jokes in the movie are shown in the trailer. When movies do that, it's like their thinking: as long as they can get you in the theater seat, they got your money and they can move on. For you, that's unfair, and that's what i felt like they did.
Now when you look at this movie in the drama perspective, it's pretty good. You just watch the situation get worse and worse. You wonder how it's all going to play out with that good ending. I was hooked to the movie in that way.
Cast:
Vince Vaughn, to be honest I'm not a fan. I just do not like him. I tried my best to not let it affect my review. So I review his performance due to having no respect for him. Didn't help that the entire point-of-view was centered around him.
I love Kevin James though. I saw "Mall Cop" thought it was funny, though cheesy. He didn't get me to laugh in this one though. He was mostly a drama man.
They said that Jennifer Garner originally got the part instead of Connelly, but she had dropped out. I'm really glad that happened. Personal reasons. I just think Connelly is prettier.
What I'm unhappy about is that Winona Ryder got the part instead of Kate Beckinsale! I can see why. Winona Ryder is better at being an evil person. haha. And she was. She was, she was.
So if you think the jokes in the trailer are funny, then you've seen every joke in the movie. So you'd really be going to a movie just to watch a man writhe in pain as his best friend's wife cheats on him. It's lame sauce.
This was an exciting one, but yet not my favorite. It was full of action, it was gross, and it had you wondering the whole time. Even pulled a fast one towards the end. A fact I thought was funny was the whole thing took place in England and the whole cast is English, except for the two leading roles.
Story:
It takes place in England during the crusades. These two knights named Behman(Nicholas Cage) and Felson(Ron Perlman). The two are best friends and have been so for years and years, fighting side by side, battle after battle. When Behman accidentally kills an innocent woman, and sees many of his fellow soldiers had already done the same, he leaves the army and deserts the church. Felson goes along with him.
A month later, they have been traveling and they reach England once again. When they arrive at a nearby city, they see that all the townsfolk have been gripped with a highly infectious plague. They try to pass through, but when the man selling them horses sees Behman's sword, which bears the crest of a church soldier, he turns them in. The soldiers come to arrest them, but before they are sent to prison, a priest intercepts them. The priest asks them if the sword really belongs to him. He says yes. The priest brings them before the cardinal. He is also sick with the plague. The cardinal tells them that the witch is responsible. That she had brought this plague to them. He asks the two knights to take her to Severac. Where the heads of the church can cleanse her of witchcraft, and release the grip of the plague.
Review:
If you can't handle the infection theme in a movie, you might wanna look elsewhere. They don't specify what the plague is, but it's a really snotty, rotting, black and blue one. haha. Although I'm skeptic on the timing of the plague vs. the crusades. The movie's 'looks' were historically accurate. That's always a plus for me. It's got a fantasy sort of thing going with the action/adventure and i loved that. What I didn't like was the whole movie was built like a slasher film. People die one by one. I hated that. I thought that was a 90's slasher phase. Don't bring that back to the movies!
Something that was surprising to me was, for this kind of storyline, there was no romance whatsoever. And to my guess, that loses about more than half of the female audience's interest in the movie.
One thing i usually like and look for in a movie is a lesson, or a moral. This one didn't have any that I picked up. The only thing i learned was 'Don't ditch God's army or he'll make you take a witch to a distant town who will kill all your friends.'
Cast:
The only ones I feel like mentioning is Nicholas Cage and Claire Foy.
For Nicholas Cage, I will write his review in letter form. So that if he see's it, he can see how mad I am.
Dear Mr. Cage,
I cannot tell you how dry your character was. He was so dry, it was like I could blow dust off and old book and it would go flying everywhere. He lacked flavor, he was not very exciting, and I wouldn't want to see another movie with that character in it. Please don't play him again. I want more like the one in National Treasure, or like the Wicker Man one. You know, where the guy was likeable.
Thanks for your understanding,
Blackjack80
Now Claire Foy, i can describe her performance in one word, WOW! Throughout the whole movie, it made you wonder if she was really a witch or a normal girl, and she sure pulled it off! I was second guessing my second guesses. When I see her track record, it's all these little tv shows, this is her first Hollywood film and she killed it. She's another Hailee Steinfeld! Five gold stars on her forehead.
This may be a guy movie. It's built like one. But I wouldn't rule you girls out. No kids, make them go see 'Tangled' or something instead.
