Some Movie News

Image courtesy of movies.popcrunch.com

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 will end at the end of the book's 24th chapter.

   I would just like to say, "Called it!" I re-read the book last month, focusing on what I think would/would not be in the movie, and when this chapter ended, I said, "Yeah. This is where the movie will end." It is so obvious. Harry talks to Ollivander and Griphook and the Deathly Hallows and how to break in to Gringotts. This builds anticipation for the next film. And the movie will end with Voldemort breaking into Dumbledore's grave and stealing the "Elder Wand." This final scene will induce dread and, for those who only see the movies, make them feel as if Voldemort will be victorious. There is no better way to end part 1.

Image courtesy of anime-cell.com

Bugs Bunny movie to come out, feature live action, CGI

   And the beat goes on. This is like the billionth old cartoon made into this type of movie. I don't particularly like these films because there is a reason it was a cartoon. It kind of creeps me out to see only a handful of CGI characters in a real world (especially Scooby-Doo. Downright freaky looking). With The Smurfs and Yogi Bear both being relased by year's end, the trend sees no end in sight. Magilla Gorilla the movie cannot be too far off.
   And why is it only Bugs Bunny?? It is the other Looney Tunes that make Bugs...well Bugs. How can you make a movie where Elmer Fudd isn't hunting him down and Daffy Duck isn't yelling "RABBIT SEASON!" It seems to me that a Looney Tunes movie without the majority of the Looney Tunes will end up being pretty melancholy.

Image courtesy of comingsoon.net

Toy Story 3 the highest grossing animated film of all time

   And finally, order is restored to the world. Since 2004, Shrek 2 has held that title. Now I have nothing against the first two Shreks, but having a non-Disney film as the top animated film feels a little off. In a time where imagination has been thrown by the wayside, it is nice to see that a movie filled with as much heart as nostalgia can still be successful.

Image courtesy of eonline.com

How Do You Know trailer released

   This movie looks pretty good. It stars Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, and Reese Witherspoon, as a professional softball player. In the film, she looks exactly like Jennie Finch. Can't complain there. I love her in romantic comedies and Wilson and Rudd are hilarious. I have only seen 3 minutes of this film and I already have a new favorite line: "Are you going to make me literally run from bad news?" Oh Paul Rudd, you.
   Watch the trailer here.

Off the Shelf

   I have hundreds of DVD's and I am absolutely anal about them. I have them alphabetized and catalogued in my computer. I know when someone is borrowing a DVD because I have it highlighted in red in the catalogue. It is twisted, but it is because I value them.

   This is a new weekly feature I'd like to start. In "Off the Shelf," I will be choosing a movie from my collection and explaining why it I own it. If you have also seen it, feel free to comment about it, agreeing why it's great or disagreeing. If you haven't seen it...SEE IT!!

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
   "I'm Bill S. Preston Esquire! And I'm Ted Theodore Logan! And we're...Wyld Stallyns!!"
I first saw this movie at a friend's house when I was 10 years old and fell in love with it on the spot. There was a point where I could quote the first 10 minutes, word for word. It is laugh out loud funny from beginning to end and nothing short of genius.
  
   Now let's be clear: This is not an Oscar-worthy movie. Hell it's probably more Razzie-worthy than anything. But it is its simplicity and movement that makes this film work. There is never a dull moment to make you stop and question what you're watching. If there were, you probably would've shut the movie off pretty early.

   The plot is totally unrealistic but hilarious nonetheless. In the future, the music of Wyld Stallyns will create world peace. However, in the present (circa 1989), Bill and Ted are a failed history project away from being split up forever. It is up to Rufus (the late George Carlin) to help them ace the project. With the use of a phonebooth time machine, the dense Bill and Ted bring back some of history's most notable figures, from Socrates to Abraham Lincoln, Genghis Khan to Joan of Arc. They even fall in love with some beautiful babes from England.

   Keanu Reeves is outstanding as Ted, who only knows Napoleon as "a short, dead dude." He plays dumb so well (hmm...). The film's historical figures are great and their interactions with each other and the present day are hilarious. I think that the mall sequence is one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history (AFI might not think so, but watch Genghis Khan destroy a sports store and tell me otherwise). Throw in the fact that every single line is quotable and you have yourself a grade A, top drawer, off the hook movie.

   This film represents a time in Hollywood where a teen movie didn't have to focus on sex or vampires. Bill & Ted is a buddy comedy and an action adventure combined, with as much heart as stupidity. You won't find parties, booze, or naked girls anywhere in it. All it is is a classic story about two friends who want to make a difference. You'll laugh, you'll laugh so hard you'll cry, and by the end, you too will want to "reach out and touch somebody."
 

Lebron James the Next MJ? Space Jam Says No

   I watched this video this morning. It shows Lebron James playing basketball with a bunch of little kids. Now we know that this is supposed to show that LBJ is one of those athletes who truly cares...right?

WRONG! He is DUNKING on LITTLE KIDS!! Did you see him steal the ball, as if this were the playoffs?!

The video got me thinking about this question: Is Lebron James the next Michael Jordan?
The answer, plain and simple? NO!

   Because this is a blog for movie and TV lovers, I will explain why LBJ is no MJ with the help of one of my favorite movies: SPACE JAM

   In the movie, Michael is retired from basketball and is struggling to have a baseball career. The Looney Tunes needs Jordan's help to save themselves from the Monstars and from becoming slaves on Moron Mountain. Michael agrees to play for their team and stays loyal to his team and to himself. He then returns home and continues his incredible career, winning 3 more titles with the Bulls.

   Now here is where the Lebron/MJ comparison comes into play. Lebron just ditched his loyal team and fans in Cleveland to go play for the Miami Heat with other superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He doesn't care about the Bugs' and the Tweety Bird's of the world; he just wants to win and he doesn't care how he does it or who he spurns on the way. Yes, Lebron James belongs on the Monstars.

   It's obvious, no? In Space Jam, the Nerdlucks know they cannot beat the Looney Tunes, so they cheat. They steal the talent of the best players in the NBA: Barkley, Ewing, etc. They become these gigantic monsters and form a superskilled team that would crush anybody. Lebron is a member of that team. He and the rest of the "Big Three" stole all of the best talent in the game and put it in one spot. The Heat are now almost too good. It seems that nobody is fit to beat them. But that's not how Space Jam ends now is it?

   In the final moments of the big game, it is not talent or skill that helps the Tune Squad. It is heart, motivation, and loyalty to each other. They trust in eachother. In real life, Michael Jordan was that guy. Sure, he was cocky but he stayed true to his teammates and his fans through and through. He didn't have to surround himself with superstars to win; the Bulls won 6 times because they trusted in eachother. Lebron did not trust Cleveland so he left to secure himself a ring solely on the basis of talent. When three starting players are putting up double-doubles nightly, who needs trust. But we all know that, in the end, the bad guys will get their due.

   So Lebron, by simply watching a kid's movie, you would understand that you are destined for failure and you are most definitely not the heir to the "Air." Jordan literally stretched himself to save his squad. What are you willing to do?

I'll Take "Problems" for $400

   The greatest show on television does not have award-winning actors, stylized action sequences, sidesplitting humor, or steamy sex scenes. All it has is an earworm of a theme song and a formerly mustachioed man. That’s right: What is Jeopardy!
   There is nothing I like better than to sit in front of my TV at 7:30 and give my brain a workout. Occasionally I’ll pick up a new fact or two, but mostly it is to stroke my own ego. Whenever I watch with family or friends, it turns into a no-holds barred grudge match. Words are exchanged and feelings are hurt, but it’s all in the name of friendly competition and the moment the winner is announced, all is reconciled. That's right, Jeopardy is like a pickup basketball game for smart people.
   They say you criticize the ones you love. I have a lot of critiques about Jeopardy. Sometimes they make me want to clock somebody. Below are just a few of the problems:

1. The contestants: Okay, so I am partially biased against all contestants for the fact that I have been trying, unsuccessfully to get on the show for the last few years. But honestly, is anyone screening these people?! There have been so many nutjobs recently that I feel like I’m watching American Idol auditions. You can tell within the first 30 seconds who they are too. During the opening credits, they’re the ones who have no idea what to do for 5 seconds while Johnny Gilbert introduces them. They will sheepishly smile and glance off to the side, wondering if they’re still on camera. Of course, you are! You made it on Jeopardy. Soak it up, dammit!

2. The meet & greet: Here is where your assumptions about the psychos are proven correct. Alex talks to each contestant individually about a personal anecdote. What follows is most often the contestant bumbling through a stupid story like how they found out they are allergic to bees. You got stung by one. Didn’t need to waste my time to figure that one out. Know one knows you. Make up a great story. It doesn’t have to be true. On the latest edition of Kids Jeopardy, a boy told Mr. Trebek that when he grows up, he wants to be, I kid you not, a falconer. Okay…um, what?! 1) Did you know what a falconer was when you were 10? and 2) Is that even a profession anymore? I thought that died out when the Medieval Ages ended.
   This segment is however, my personal favorite because of the reactions of Alex. You realize that he is a sarcastic, cocky genius. He once called a female contestant a “groupie” and inclined that she was basically a whore because she followed a band around on tour one summer. Touche, Trebek.

3. The game itself: It starts with the categories. I’ve watched the game enough to know that they follow a basic system. Most are pretty straightforward and one of them will be an “in quotations” category. At this point, Alex will explain it this way: “You’ll notice the and in quotations. Each correct response will have the word and in it.” This is helpful for anyone who hasn’t seen Jeopardy before, but is that a population worthy of explaining to every day? Who has not seen the show at least once?
   The flow of the gameplay depends on the contestants; sometimes it goes smoothly and other times, the results are painful to watch. Why do they insist on saying the full name of the category when it’s something like “American One Hit Wonders of the 1990s?”
   What aggravates me even more is when someone answers and then stands there until either they realize or Alex tells them that they have to pick again. Wait, did you really just forget how to play Jeopardy??? You know "German Politics," but you can’t remember to pick again? Get off the show please.
   And what REALLY grinds my gears are Daily Doubles. It drives me up a wall when someone says, “I’ve always wanted to say this Alex. Let’s make it a true Daily Double.” Oooh real daredevil you are, wagering your whopping $2000. I guarantee that if you have more than $5000 you won’t have the cajones to do it. That’s why I love the Teen Tournament Edition. Teenagers have no concept of playing it safe and will wager all that they have, regardless of the amount. Some kid ended last week with over $50,000, and he probably could’ve gotten more.

   I understand that these are all functions of the show that have kept it going for decades, but like the guitar riffing intro, it’s time to update. Maybe pass over a few of the weirdest. I’m not saying get rid of them completely, but maybe it’s not such a good idea to have the world’s most socially awkward man on just because he knows the population of Uganda. Just sayin’.
   But in the end, the show is what it is and I will watch it regardless. And hopefully one day, I can rectify all of the problems when I am a contestant. My smile will be flawless, my story amazing, my wagers outrageous, and my title? Champion!

Coming to Theaters Friday, August 6th

   Two big movies are coming to theaters this weekend and it looks like you won’t be disappointed.

   First, is The Other Guys, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Directed by Adam McKay, the guy who gave us Talladega Nights and Step Brothers, the film follows what happens when an unlikely duo in Detectives Allen Gamble (Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg) must solve a case.

   Okay, so the trailers are pretty funny. I like Will Ferrell. He plays the smart dumb guy persona perfectly. And he’s kind of missed on his last couple projects, Land of the Lost and Semi-Pro, so he’s due. It’s nice to see Mark Wahlberg take himself too seriously too (He was Marky Mark after all). Also, I cannot think of a better team to play “The Guys” than Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. I’m really excited to see them in action.

   This movie looks pretty damn good. My only concern is, Can Will Ferrell continue playing the same type of character? We’ve seen him be funny so many times. His repertoire of quotes can short-circuit a computer and his deadpan delivery is hilarious. But can he keep doing it successfully or will everyone catch on and grow weary of it. However, he still seems pretty pleasing here. Any character that is refers to his smokin’ hot wife (Eva Mendes) as his “ball and chain” has got to be worth a few laughs.

   The Verdict: See it now so you can and your friends can quote it for weeks come school time.

   The other big release is Step Up 3D. In the film, a group of street dancers, including Luke (Rick Malambri), Natalie (Sharni Vinson), and Moose (Adam Sevani) compete in a gobal dance competition.

  I won’t lie. I have never seen Step Up or Step Up 2 the Streets, but based on the trailer I just watched for this new installment, I’m definitely going to be putting those in my Netflix queue. I really like dance movies like this. They make me to want to dance, until I realize that I suck at it. Step Up 3D looks to be another one of those kinds of movies. The dancing looks intense and awesome and Sharni Vinson is incredibly gorgeous. The fact that she is in a side ponytail for a good chunk of the movie sends me over the edge. I LOVE girls with side ponytails. They’re adorable. And I am digging Flo Rida’s new song, “Club Can’t Handle Me.”

   Is it predictable? Probably. Did it need to be made? My guess is no. And why the hell is it in 3D?! Like I said, I love dance movies, but 1. I don’t need to be reminded that I can’t dance in 3D and 2. Seeing a breakdancing body jump put at me doesn’t make me want to spend $8 extra. I’m almost positive studios are greenlighting threequels just so they can make it 3D. However, I am intrigued by this movie and I do hope that it is good.

   The Verdict: Go see it if you’re hanging out with friends or have nothing to do, but if you don’t, it won’t kill you. Just wait for the DVD. Oh, and don’t waste your money for 3D; 2D will do.

What the Heck Happened to Hef & Harv?

   Last weekend, the film Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore was released, which got me thinking, What the heck is wrong with Hollywood? First of all, the first Cats & Dogs movie didn’t do well a decade ago. Did they just think, "Hey slap some 3D on there and watch the money roll in??" Secondly, it hurts me as a lifelong movie lover to think that potentially extraordinary movies are just sitting on the shelf, collecting dust. Case in point: Harvey and the Hugh Hefner biopic, Playboy.

   Harvey is a timeless play written by Mary Chase in 1944. It chronicles the friendship between Elwood Dowd and his friend, Harvey, a 6 ½ foot white rabbit, and those who doubt them. The play is so wonderfully written and such an uplifter. I know firsthand; I played Elwood in my high school’s performance of the show. I loved being happy all the time. Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of that same role is classic. The wit and heart he gives Elwood and, in turn, Harvey, puts a smile on my face every time I watch it.

About a year ago, there was news that the film was going to be remade. Now I’m a remake skeptic because they never seem to be as good as the original but I had high hopes for this one. The story, set against today’s fast-paced, negativity driven society, would remind everyone of the simple joys of life, love, and friendship. Oh, and Steven Spielberg was set to direct it. Yeah, THAT Steven Spielberg. You can smell the success.

   However, a few months later, it was reported Spielberg was backing out of the movie. C’mon Stevie! The last big movie you directed was Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. You owe us a great movie!
   We’ve talked rabbits, now let’s talk bunnies, Playboy bunnies. About 5 years ago, I developed a deep admiration for Hugh Hefner. There were the naked women of course, but I also respected his work ethic. Playboy was and is his baby. He has slaved over that magazine for soooo many years. Not only that, but he has done so much in terms of women’s rights and desegregation. Hef also saved the Hollywood sign (He own’s the Y).

   It seems that creating a biopic would be a no-brainer. And it was…for a while. The movie, titled Playboy was, at one point, on the fast lane to production, with Brett Rattner directing and Diablo Cody writing the script. There were even talks that Robert Downey Jr. was going to play the man in silk pajamas himself (My vote was for Aaron Eckhart. The guy looks just like him!). But somehow, the project is still in limbo.
   For now, all we can do is question why. Why does Hollywood ignore these sure to be masterpieces? In the meantime, enjoy a heavy helping of Twilight. Sigh.

Kids Movies, Now vs. Then

   A couple of weeks ago, the sweltering heat of the summer subsided for a day. The heavens opened and the rain fell to the ground. It was a perfect day for a movie.

   I decided to see Despicable Me. The trailers were pretty funny and those minions are adorable. They’re like the anti-Oompa Loompas. For the next hour and a half, the film gave me a couple laughs and kept my attention, but that was it. They should’ve called it, Dismissible Me, because it was just…okay. Not good, not bad, just average. I left asking myself, What happened to kids movies?

   Every generation claims that theirs is the best, but when it comes to kids movies and TV shows, I can firmly state, as an 18 year old, that my childhood was spoiled with great showings. I grew up during the golden era of Disney and witnessed Nickelodeon at its finest. These films and cartoons were funny and beautiful and most of all, memorable. I have not seen The Lion King for years, but I can recall the plot play-by-play, I can recite dozens of quotes from the film on command, and I can sing almost every song from start to finish, right down to the chilling African yells of the “Circle of Life.” I watched Despicable Me two weeks ago and I can’t even tell you the names of the orphan girls.

   You are probably thinking, But you’re not a kid. Of course you won’t like it. Perhaps so, but watch Beauty and the Beast followed by G-Force, or Planet 51, or really any kids movie not made by Pixar in the last 7+ years. You’ll notice the difference.

   I feel that children today just have to sit there and the movie will tell them what to do. They will laugh when the joke is obvious, but fail to notice the wit in the subtle, but far more hilarious humor. With 3D, they don’t even have to imagine themselves in the movie, the movie comes to them. They don’t feel anymore, they only absorb. I can still recall the agony I felt as Simba nudged his father, trying to wake him as Mufasa lay there, lifeless. It was if it were my own father. It’s hard to feel those same emotions when there is debris flying out at you.

   Yes, there is definitely a lack of creativity in today’s movies for children. Where there was once laughter, there is silence; where there was once emotion, there is now indifference. All I can do is hope that the problem will rectify itself and all will be well. Because you know what they say, “Hakuna Matata.”