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Category: Reviews
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Published: Monday, 19 July 2010 17:43
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Written by Lupe Haas
Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Batman Dark Knight) directs an international cast in INCEPTION, an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams.
See An Advance Screening
In this clip from Christopher Nolan's INCEPTION, Leonardo DiCaprio's character Dom explains to his father played by Michael Caine why he needs one of his students as an architect to help out in his plan for inception. Watch video clip above.
Watch trailer
Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction: stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse; their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime.
INCEPTION stars three-time Academy Award® nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond, Aviator), Academy Award® nominee Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose), Academy Award® nominee Ellen Page (Juno), Tom Hardy (RocknRolla, Bronson), Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins), Tom Berenger (Training Day), Dileep Rao (Avatar), and two-time Oscar® winner Michael Caine (Hannah and Her Sisters, The Cider House Rules).
Opening in theatres and IMAX on July 16, 2010, INCEPTION has been rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout.
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Monday, 19 July 2010 17:38
Nicolas Cage
(National Treasure, Kick Ass) is Balthazar Blake, a master
sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his
arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits
Jay Baruchel's (How To Train Your Dragon, Tropic Thunder)
Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden
potential, as his reluctant protege.
The sorcerer gives his
unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and
together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.
It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save
the city and get the girl as he becomes THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.
In this clip from THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE, Nicolas Cage's Balthazar gives his young apprentice (Jay Baruchel) a lesson in wizardry while chasing the bad guy.
Walt Disney Pictures
Release: 07/16/2010
Salt
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Inception
Predators
Despicable Me (Steve Carell)
The Kids Are Alright
| Predators |
| Despicable Me (Steve Carell) |
| The Kids Are Alright |
| The Last Airbender |
| Twilight Saga: Eclipse 1 |
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Friday, 16 July 2010 19:29
Short on action and full of comedy, the sequel to the high enjoyable IRON MAN doesn't live up to it's original.
Tony Stark played by the always entertaining Robert Downey, Jr. is back with a slicker, shinier new suit in IRON MAN 2 but the lackluster story falls short. The industrial tycoon is as pompous as ever (just how we like it), and taking pleasure from his new found superhero stardom. Facing several enemies in IRON MAN 2 including the United States congress, a classic bad guy (Mickey Roarke), and the anti-Tony Stark wannabe (Sam Rockwell), Stark is also in danger of dying from the technology fueling his heart. Wait! There's more. And that's the problem with this sequel -- too much story crammed in a 126 minute movie.
As Tony Stark's birthday approaches, the pressures lead him to destructive behavior including partying a la Lindsay Lohan. Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts has been made CEO of Stark's company, keeping him in check while his best friend Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes (Don Cheadle) threatens to take his Iron Man suit for military use. In the meantime, Iron Man's nemesis Whiplash (Mickey Roarke) builds his own core reactor that rivals Iron Man and seeks revenge against Tony Stark. Stark's competitor Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) hires Whiplash to create Iron Man's suits for the government. Add to the mix Samuel Jackson's Nick Fury as part of the superhero organization (S.H.E.I.L.D.) popping in and out like an Obi-Wan Kenobi guiding Tony on a new path to discovery and planting the seed for a future Marvel movie franchise. Scarlett Johansson also joins the motley crew as Stark's new secretary and eventually becomes the Black Widow.
VIDEO: Watch IRON MAN 2 Trailer & Review
Expectations are high after delivering a very satisfying movie in IRON MAN so it's no surprise some may be disappointed with the follow-up. The sequel suffers from the usual problems facing a franchise film in what CineMovie coined 'Sequelitis' where substance is replaced by quantity. The introduction of four new characters or five (if you count War Machine), poses problems when there is not enough time to explain their origins. Comic book fans may be better clued in than the average viewer when it comes to the new characters, homages and disses to other Marvel comic book characters in IRON MAN 2. (Keep an eye out for a jab at Captain America.) Some non-comic book viewers will definitely be left out of the inside jokes.
VIDEOS: Fans Review IRON MAN 2
War Machine also makes his debut in IRON MAN 2 with Don Cheadle's Rhodey donning an iron man suit with fire power modifications but unlike Stark's Iron Man in the first film, Rhodey masters the suits functionality in an instant, taking on Stark's Iron Man (albeit in a drunken state) in an equal match.
Another unfortunate victim of sequelitis is Mickey Roarke's Russian bad guy who lacks originality, plays out like a caricature and not given enough depth or 'evilness.' The Wrestler's talent is wasted. Paltrow's Pepper also has nothing much to do except playing it cold and whiny as Stark's love interest. However, you don't see any passion between the characters until the very end after he saves her life...again. New viewers to the Iron Man series will have no clue to the relationship until it's revealed in a news piece half-way through the movie.
The strongest new character, however, is Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer in a scene-stealing performance. The uncool Tony Stark wannabe immediately sets the pace for the envious military contractor who not only competes for Stark's technology but life style. Like Robert Downey, Jr, Sam Rockwell always brings a character to life effectively.
Robert Downey, Jr. succeeds in taking Tony Stark's character to another level. The SHERLOCK HOLMES actor never fails to please audiences with his delivery of lines especially when it comes to Stark's pompous, wise-cracking, and fallable nature. It's obvious Downey Jr and crew ad lib-bed a lot of the sarcasm which proved too much at times but Downey's like-ability makes the film still worth watching.
As far as the action scenes, there weren't that many-- surprising for a sequel (ie. Transformers 2). The big number was saved for the very end. The earlier fight scenes with Whiplash and War Machine were more showy than climactic. In the first film, audiences rooted for Iron Man taking down terrorist and saving villagers from the real-life threats. In IRON MAN 2, the two early action sequences are devoid of that peril. Tony Stark is fighting to save himself which doesn't carry the same weight. On the plus side, the special effects and CGI work didn't take over the film and the action sequences were east to follow unlike recent action movies that rely on fast cuts to to masks the stunts. On a side note, during one of Whiplash versus Iron Man action scene, Iron Man makes some robotic gestures reminiscent of the Japanese tv classic Giant Robot (a personal favorite) but whether it was unintentional or not by director Jon Favreau or Downey is not clear.
Compliments to Favreau's musical choices from The Clash and AC/DC to match Tony Stark's rock n' roll attitude.
Despite some of the criticism with the story, viewers will not be bored with IRON MAN 2 and will have a good time watching Robert Downey Jr. in action. The key is to lower your expectations going in and forget about putting it on par with it's predecessor. Make sure to stay in your seats for the end credits for another Marvel surprise.
Iron Man 2 is in theaters May 7th.
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Friday, 16 July 2010 19:26
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Written by Lupe Haas
Babies are fascinating and Babies is mesmerizing. For an hour and nineteen minutes you’ll find yourself enthralled. Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes (Damages) follows the lives of four children from birth until they are able to walk. The first baby is Ponijao of Namibia, Africa. Next we have Bayar of Mongolia. Then, we have Hattie of San Francisco. And lastly, we have Mari of Tokyo, Japan.
It is so interesting watching the contrast between how these babies are brought up. We see them play, interact with animals, fight with other children and witness them being nurtured and educated by their parents. It is a wonderful thing to see. We have more things in common than we realize.
There is no narrative in this film, nor is there very much dialogue. It is pure observation, much like watching a nature documentary. The beauty in this film is the photography and the masterly way it was edited. I’m sure that finding the pace and the unspoken narrative was the most difficult part. They’ve done an excellent job though and Babies keeps your attention throughout. You’ll find yourself charmed, entertained and filled with affirmation. This really is a lovely film.
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Friday, 16 July 2010 18:40
Marmaduke, the world’s most lovable Great Dane, leaps from comic strip fame (appearing in 600 newspapers in over 20 countries) to big screen stardom. In this family comedy, the super-sized dog who never fit in, finally finds a place where it’s okay to stand out. Now living large in Orange County, California, Marmaduke is helping his family make the big transition from the Midwest to The O.C. But he’s also discovering that fitting in with his new four-legged friends isn’t always easy for a 200-pound teenage dog.
Lucky for Marmaduke, he doesn’t have to go it alone because he always has his “step-bro” and best pal, Carlos, a Russian Blue Cat, watching his back.
Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, Meet the Parents) is the voice of Marmaduke and George Lopez (Valentine's Day) voices Carlos in MARMADUKE. Wilson, a gifted comic actor, counts among his recent box-office hits the 2008 holiday treat Marley & Me, in which he played the owner of a mischievous pooch.
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 21:52
Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade are friends, and it is their camaraderie that makes GROWN UPS work. It is not the funniest movie that I have ever seen, but it is sweet, amusing and has plenty of laughs. It is amazing that the film works at all when you consider the balancing act that director Dennis Dugan (Don’t Mess with the Zohan) had to pull off to blend all of these comics together. The film is uneven, but each star gets a chance to shine at least once. And when you add in the wives and the supporting players, that’s a pretty big talent pool.
Fan Movie Reviews
In the film, the grown ups are five men who have been reunited to bury their beloved coach. At age twelve, Coach Buzzer, Blake Clark, led them to a championship victory in basketball and inspired them to take their winning attitude into adulthood. Some have been more successful than others and now thirty years later, they are together again. They fall right back into their childish ways, mocking each other, teasing and cutting each other down. It is a bond of friendship that can never be broken and being back home in the midst of their triumph, the coach’s words ring in their ears. They are retrospective, pensive and wondering if they have let their coach down. Each man is left to examine his own life, but the navel-gazing doesn’t last long. Humor is one fart joke away and the introspection is just a device to fuel the comedy.
If you like prat falls, gassy old ladies, wedgies, cute kids and lots of booby jokes, you are going to like this film. If you require witty dialogue and clever send ups, this film is a little too shallow. But there is enough here to make you laugh and the movie is family friendly. You can take the kids without being bored out of your mind and if the comedy is not your cup of tea you can play the game, Spot the Comedian. This film is full of character actors and comedians from the past. Just scan the crowds and you’ll find the likes of Steve Buscemi, Tim Meadows, Norm MacDonald and many more. The wives alone contain the talents of Salma Hayek, Maria Bello, Maya Rudolph, and Joyce Van Patton. This film is like a shotgun of comedy, it fires both barrels and at least one bullet will hit its mark. It’s comedy with a message, Adam Sandler style. If you are a fan, you are going to love this film.
Melanie Wilson
Visit her blog at LAMelbox.blogspot.com
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 21:47
Let's just preface this review with no matter what is said about ECLIPSE, millions will still flock to theaters with their respective "Team Edward or Jacob" tees and make me eat my words. But, I'm happy to report that despite all the uber hype, ECLIPSE, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, manages to serve up enough drama, romance and supernatural action to satiate most Twihards.
INTERVIEW: Kristen Stewart On Marriage & Her
Vote For Best Kiss
Ironically, it is David Slade, an indie director who delivered the most mainstream installment and in my humble opinion, the best movie of the three films! Don't get me wrong, there are some minor issues with it and Twilight purists might have a few words for Summit. The film is broken down into three universal themes, one being the love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob; the second theme is vengeance, which is a test of everyone's loyalty, and the last theme is Good vs. Evil, which culminates in an epic battle at the end.
Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg condensed the best moments of the book. Jasper and Rosalie's background stories were revealed. The Quileute creation story explains how shapeshifters called Spirit Warriors, were the original werewolves. Some character tweaks can be forgiven like giving Academy Award nominee, Anna Kendrick more face time. Victoria's lackey, Riley was given an expanded role. Unfortunately Ashley Green's Alice was so diminished that it didn't seem as though she and Bella are actually close. It's a shame because freaky Alice is one of the strongest characters of the saga.
Watch 3 Scenes
From ECLIPSE
SPOILER ALERT
But seriously, it was all about Edward and Bella's romance and trust me, there's plenty of it. What I like about Eclipse is that there are finally conclusions to open storylines. Victoria's bloody vengeance comes to an end. Bella makes her final decision to become a vampire after weighing all the consequences. The love triangle comes to a conclusion; Bella chooses Edward, but was there ever really a contest between Edward and Jake? I say no. Taylor Lautner's Jacob (looking hot!) however, was more mature than book Jacob, keeping his obnoxious behavior in check. The much anticipated tent scene lives up to expectation. Jacob has arguably the best line in the movie. When Edward asked him why he was getting into Bella's sleeping bag, he replies "I am hotter than you!" it sent the audience into fits!
TWILIGHT
BREAKING DAWN News
There's something for everyone so if interactions of the amorous kind aren't exactly your thing, then there's plenty of vampire-on-werewolf- blood-sucking-jaw-gnashing action too!!! One area that needed improvement was the dead vampires looking like broken marble statues. They were kinda weird and bordering on the cheese. Even still, Twilighters will be out in droves to show love and adoration for their favorite Forks crew. So here are my final words: Eclipse, I'm in!!!
TWILIGHT PHOTOS
Kasey Murphy
Visit Her Blog at Celebrity Beehive
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Thursday, 02 April 2009 13:28
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Written by Lupe Haas
17 Again On DVD August 11th
What would you do if you got a second shot at life? Class of 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) is a star on his high school basketball court with a college scout in the stands and a bright future in his grasp. But instead, he decides to throw it all away to share his life with his girlfriend Scarlett and the baby he just learned they are expecting.
Almost 20 years later, Mike is given another chance when he is miraculously transformed back to the age of 17. Unfortunately, Mike may look 17 again, but his thirtysomething outlook is totally uncool in the class of 2009. And in trying to recapture his best years, Mike could lose the best things that ever happened to him.
In this movie clip from 17 AGAIN, the young Mike played by Zac Efron returns to high school with outdated ideas of cool.
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New Line Cinema |
| Genres: |
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Comedy And Teen |
| MPAA Rating: |
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PG |
| Starring: |
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Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry, Michelle Trachtenberg, Melora Hardin |
| Directed By: |
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Burr Steers |
| Produced By: |
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Jason Barrett, Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot |
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 20:42
Tom Cruise (Mission Impossible) is funny! At this stage in his career I think it is his most endearing quality. We already know that Cameron Diaz (Charlie’s Angels) can mix action with comedy. The two of them together are delightful. This is a fun, crazy, manic film! I found myself smiling throughout.
Fan Reviews And Video Clip: Knight and Day
NIGHT AND DAY is a clever mix of everything we love about action films with an amusing blend of sight gags and character driven comedy. I love the over the top absurdity of this film which bordered on the line of satire. It thrilled and tickled you at the same time. Thinking back now on some of the visuals still has me chuckling. What should have been menacing becomes ridiculous by the pure improbability of it. I thought that some of the sight gags were brilliant.
Cameron Diaz plays a classic car mechanic who is unwittingly used as a mule by super spy Tom Cruise to get a top secret device past airport security. At first she falls for his charm and is flattered by his attention, but when she discovers his true purpose and the danger she is in, she becomes hysterical and he drugs her to shut her up. She wakes up in her own bed, and for a moment thinks it’s a dream. But when he leaves little notes around her house and she is visited by the FBI, she knows she is in the middle of something big.
I really got a kick out of the running gag which had her constantly being drugged and then waking up in a strange place. It reminded me of when I was a kid traveling across country in a camper. I would wake up and have to look out the window to see what state I was in. But in this film she wakes up in Spain, Austria, South America and other exotic locations. It is a very funny bit that is put to good use.
For villainy we have Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) as a rogue agent, and Jordi Molla (Che: Part Two) as a Spanish arms dealer. Viola Davis (Doubt) portrays FBI Director George, who backs the wrong agent, and Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) plays a young genius who invents a brilliant new technology. He is the one that Cruise is protecting, and it is his invention that everyone is trying to steal.
Besides great car chases, explosions, and hand to hand combat, Knight and Day also takes us all over the world. It is fun, adventurous, charming and cool. What a great summer romp and date movie. Both the guys and the girls will love this one.
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Category: Reviews
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Published: Thursday, 10 September 2009 06:59
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Written by Lupe Haas
When Madea (Tyler Perry), America's favorite pistol-packing grandma, catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the young delinquents to the only relative they have: their aunt April (Taraji P. Henson).
A heavy-drinking nightclub singer who lives off of Raymond, her married boyfriend, April wants nothing to do with the kids. But her attitude begins to change when Sandino (Adam Rodriguez), a handsome Mexican immigrant looking for work, moves into April's basement room. Making amends for his own troubled past, Sandino challenges April to open her heart. And April soon realizes she must make the biggest choice of her life: between her old ways with Raymond and the new possibilities of family, faith... and even true love.
In this scene (Aunt April) from Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself, we meet Aunt April who refuses to help her niece and nephew after Madea catches them stealing in her house.
(Lionsgate)
Release: 09/11/2009
| Genres: |
Comedy, Drama And Adaptation |
| Rating: |
PG-13 for mature thematic material involving a sexual assault on a minor, violence, drug references and smoking. |
| Starring: |
Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian J. White, Hope Olaide Wilson , Mary J. Blige |
| Directed By: |
Tyler Perry |
| Produced By: |
Michael Paseornek, Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon |
