A company called Prima is planning to offer a service that makes it possible to watch brand new movies in your home the same day they debut in theaters. The price? $20,000 plus $500 per film. Which begs the question, what's the matter with the theater? Hey, the dude in the next row over sucking popcorn butter off of his fingers annoys me, too, but it's not a $20,000 annoyance.
Last week we heard rumblings of "District 9" director Neill Blomkamp and star Sharlto Copley were reuniting to a film called "Elysium." Now it appears Matt Damon is working to join the party. If I wasn't already super interested, I certainly am now.
JJ Abrams, aka the Man of a Thousand Projects, admits that there's still no script for "Star Trek 2." Getting a bit lazy, isn't he?
Weekend Box Office Returns
Wow. If ANYONE needed further proof of how bad 2010 is, look no further than this weekend's returns. I meagerly predicted poor returns for "Narnia" and "The Tourist" but even I didn't think it would be this bad. The "Narnia" franchise is in serious jeopardy at this point, friends.
1. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader" - $24.5 million
2. "The Tourist" - $17
3. "Tangled" - $14.56 ($115.62 million total)
4. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" - $8.5 ($257.69)
5. "Unstoppable" - $3.75 ($74.27)
6. "Black Swan" - $3.33 ($5.61)
7. "Burlesque" - $3.2 ($32.57)
8. "Love and Other Drugs" - $3 ($27.65)
9. "Due Date" - $2.55 ($94.88)
10. "Megamind" - $2.51 ($140.2)
Monday, December 13, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
New Movie Friday
The third chapter in C.S. Lewis' epic masterpiece finds Lucy (Henley) and Edmund (Keynes) journeying back to the land of Narnia without their older siblings. I quite liked "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" but "Prince Caspian" missed the boat on just about every single level. Blerg. "Dawn Treader" takes the franchise to the Fox studio and has a new director and it'll be very interesting to see how the material translates under new leadership. If this film makes a healthy chunk of money, you can expect to see a few more "Narnia" films. If it doesn't, however, this could be the end especially considering the fact that, of the four remaining volumes, only one ("The Silver Chair") really lends itself to the screen. We'll see.
"The Tourist" - Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Paul Bettany
An unwitting traveler (Depp) finds himself dragged into an international man hunt when he becomes involved with a beautiful but dangerous woman (Jolie). So apparently this is getting at least passing mention in Award Show discussion but every time I've seen the trailer I've been thoroughly unimpressed. I mean, sure, there are some outstanding actors here but this just doesn't seem like something I (or the average 18-35 year old) is going to care about. Perhaps I'm wrong but I'm not rushing to the theater.
"The Tempest" - Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou
Based on a Shakespearean play, "The Tempest" finds a duchess (Mirren) exiled to a remote island where she begins a fight with a slave (Hounsou). I would say I follow the movie calendar pretty closely and spend a chunk of time every night looking at various film-related websites. But I have never heard of this movie. Ever. Apparently it's not getting good press and it's not the kind of movie I invest my money in but still, I'm shocked that this late in the year, I see NOTHING about a film until the day before it opens. Wow.
Tremendous Trailer Thursday
"Transformers 3 - Dark Side of the Moon" I'm not going to say that Michael Bay makes a good movie. I'm also not going to say, however, that I'm not intrigued by the trailer for his third "Transformers" film.
"The Beaver" One way or another, I think this is Mel Gibson's last chance. If he can keep himself out of trouble, get some therapy, and find some success at the box office, his career could be on the upswing. Not sure if this will do the trick but I'm interested.
"Source Code" I really can't stand Jake Gyllenhaal. It's not that he's not a good actor, I just hate virtually every movie he's ever been in and there's something slightly off-putting about him that bothers me. That said, one of the highlights of 2009 was Duncan Jones' "Moon" which was a retro piece of sci-fi that really made an impact. So now the anti-Gyllenhaal portion of my brain is warring against the pro-Jones portion and after watching this trailer, Jones is winning.
"The Beaver" One way or another, I think this is Mel Gibson's last chance. If he can keep himself out of trouble, get some therapy, and find some success at the box office, his career could be on the upswing. Not sure if this will do the trick but I'm interested.
"Source Code" I really can't stand Jake Gyllenhaal. It's not that he's not a good actor, I just hate virtually every movie he's ever been in and there's something slightly off-putting about him that bothers me. That said, one of the highlights of 2009 was Duncan Jones' "Moon" which was a retro piece of sci-fi that really made an impact. So now the anti-Gyllenhaal portion of my brain is warring against the pro-Jones portion and after watching this trailer, Jones is winning.
HBO Special - "Adam"
Adam Raki (Hugh Dancy) is a 30 year old man with Asberger's Syndrome. Having recently lost his father and his job, Adam's life is thrown into the kind of flux anyone would struggle with. Things begin to change for Adam, however, when Beth (Rose Byrne), a socialite from a wealthy background, moves into his apartment building. The unlikely pair strike up a friendship that quickly evolves into a romance that neither of them (or Beth's family) are quite prepared for.
My life outside of The Soap Box, my real life if you will, has almost always involved working with kids in some capacity. Often times those kids fell somewhere on the Autism spectrum and I've taken a special interest in those kiddos. Some of them have been insanely difficult and frustrating to manage but many of the most memorable kids I've had ever the chance to work with. I have a special place in my heart for those with Autism, Asperger's, and the like. Very rarely, however, do you see the reality of these afflictions properly displayed in a movie. More often than not an autistic character just leaves me shaking my head.
Thankfully, "Adam" is one of those rare films. Dancy captures the essence of what it means to have high functioning Asperger's in his speech, mannerisms, and behaviors and gives the syndrome a likable if tortured face. Most importantly, Adam never crosses the line between Asperger's and retardation. Perhaps that's an indistinguishable difference for some people but anyone who's ever known an Aspy can tell you what a distinct difference it really is. Adam's affliction is more of a learning disability (really, more of a different way of learning for many) combined with severe social anxiety and an inability to read social cues. Dancy combines these traits wonderfully and his performance truly carries the film.
If the other characters surrounding Adam or the story in which he finds himself were half as well crafted as the title character, this movie would have soared into my "Favorites" list. But while Adam is a near perfect picture of a very complicated sect of the population, the rest of the characters are extremely two dimensional. Byrne and the rest of the cast all do a serviceable job of bringing life to the screen but unfortunately there just isn't a great deal to work with. The story starts out strong but as the film progresses, it begins to falter and finally finds itself trudging through the Land of Generic, resting on the obligatory "disapproving parent" plot line that's been done a million times. It's unfortunate that the surrounding parts of the movie can't match up to Dancy's brilliance but that said, it's still an outstanding look at an often misunderstood disability and more than worth a viewing.
Grade: B+
Thankfully, "Adam" is one of those rare films. Dancy captures the essence of what it means to have high functioning Asperger's in his speech, mannerisms, and behaviors and gives the syndrome a likable if tortured face. Most importantly, Adam never crosses the line between Asperger's and retardation. Perhaps that's an indistinguishable difference for some people but anyone who's ever known an Aspy can tell you what a distinct difference it really is. Adam's affliction is more of a learning disability (really, more of a different way of learning for many) combined with severe social anxiety and an inability to read social cues. Dancy combines these traits wonderfully and his performance truly carries the film.
If the other characters surrounding Adam or the story in which he finds himself were half as well crafted as the title character, this movie would have soared into my "Favorites" list. But while Adam is a near perfect picture of a very complicated sect of the population, the rest of the characters are extremely two dimensional. Byrne and the rest of the cast all do a serviceable job of bringing life to the screen but unfortunately there just isn't a great deal to work with. The story starts out strong but as the film progresses, it begins to falter and finally finds itself trudging through the Land of Generic, resting on the obligatory "disapproving parent" plot line that's been done a million times. It's unfortunate that the surrounding parts of the movie can't match up to Dancy's brilliance but that said, it's still an outstanding look at an often misunderstood disability and more than worth a viewing.
Grade: B+
Movie News Today
Ridley Scott has titled his first "Alien" prequel film "Paradise" and is now looking for a cast.
Because idiots like me went to see "Clash of the Titans", there is now a sequel in the work and Liam Neeson will return as Zeus. Beating.
Yesterday it was Cate Blanchett and today it's Orlando Bloom returning to the Peter Jackson fold to work on "The Hobbit." And again I say, these movies cannot get here fast enough.
Anomalous Material gives us 8 actors who deserve better roles. The list includes the great Barry Pepper and the even greater Nathan Fillion so, yeah, I'm going to pass it on.
I'm not entirely sure why I can't get excited for Danny Boyle's "127 Hours" but A Life in Equinox has and his review pushes me closer to wanting to see it.
Because idiots like me went to see "Clash of the Titans", there is now a sequel in the work and Liam Neeson will return as Zeus. Beating.
Yesterday it was Cate Blanchett and today it's Orlando Bloom returning to the Peter Jackson fold to work on "The Hobbit." And again I say, these movies cannot get here fast enough.
Anomalous Material gives us 8 actors who deserve better roles. The list includes the great Barry Pepper and the even greater Nathan Fillion so, yeah, I'm going to pass it on.
I'm not entirely sure why I can't get excited for Danny Boyle's "127 Hours" but A Life in Equinox has and his review pushes me closer to wanting to see it.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Movie News Today
Director DJ Caruso ("Disturbia") talks about his upcoming sci-fi effort "I Am Number Four." Can't decide if this is going to fall more in line with "Terminator 2" (for teens) or "Aeon Flux."
The Wachowski's ("The Matrix") are working on a modern day version of Robin Hood. Look, kids, I love Robin Hood. LOVE him. The classic story is one of my all time favorites. But it seems like there's a new Hood project in the works every six months and they very rarely work out. Let's give Robin a break, okay?
Cate Blanchett has officially signed on to reprise her role of Galadriel in "The Hobbit" movies. Can't December of 2012 get here, already?!
Michael Mann's last couple of efforts may not have been his best (see: "Public Enemies") but he's still one of the very best directors around. His next project will center around a real-life mob boss and will be written by "Up in the Air" scribe Sheldon Turner.
Metro gives us the top 5 Christmas movie villains of all time. Don't know how they missed the Grinch but any list that includes "Die Hard" as a Christmas movie is good with me.
I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of "Tron" lately to get ready for the upcoming sequel but neither Netflix or Blockbuster keep it in stock. Marshall and the Movies tells me I'm better off for this.
The Wachowski's ("The Matrix") are working on a modern day version of Robin Hood. Look, kids, I love Robin Hood. LOVE him. The classic story is one of my all time favorites. But it seems like there's a new Hood project in the works every six months and they very rarely work out. Let's give Robin a break, okay?
Cate Blanchett has officially signed on to reprise her role of Galadriel in "The Hobbit" movies. Can't December of 2012 get here, already?!
Michael Mann's last couple of efforts may not have been his best (see: "Public Enemies") but he's still one of the very best directors around. His next project will center around a real-life mob boss and will be written by "Up in the Air" scribe Sheldon Turner.
Metro gives us the top 5 Christmas movie villains of all time. Don't know how they missed the Grinch but any list that includes "Die Hard" as a Christmas movie is good with me.
I've been trying to get my hands on a copy of "Tron" lately to get ready for the upcoming sequel but neither Netflix or Blockbuster keep it in stock. Marshall and the Movies tells me I'm better off for this.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
New DVD Tuesday!
The holiday shopping season is upon us and the studios will be putting anything and everything on the market for you gift procrastinators like myself. Enjoy a rich selection this week!Inception (2010) - Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt
It's a shame that this movie had to come out in the summer. By the time award season roles around, I'm afraid its greatness will be all but forgotten. If it's not the best movie I've seen this year, it's the second best and it will undeniably have a major impact on the movie industry for years to come. Truly a masterful film.
Shrek Forever After (2010) - Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy
The final movie in a so-so franchise that has made an absurd amount of money, this installment takes a page from "It's a Wonderful Life" and explores the kingdom of far, far away if Shrek never existed. Certainly better than "Shrek the Third" but not nearly as strong as "Shrek 2," it's a fitting if shallow end to the series.
ESPN 30 for 30 Documentary Series - Volume 1 (2009-2010)
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, ESPN commissioned 30 separate documentaries to highlight some of the best sports stories that have occurred since the network's inception. I have seen 14 of the first 15 and all of them are outstanding pieces of filmmaking. Could not ask for better Christmas gift for a sports fan.Boy Meets World Season Four - Ben Savage, Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel
FINALLY!!! Not sure if I've written much about my absolute obsession with "Boy Meets World" but trust me when I say that it is a very real and more than a little sad fascination. This was without question my favorite show growing up and I'm not ashamed to say that my DVR is set to record two episodes a day at 6 am. I've even got hand signals with a couple of my fellow "Worlders" to signify our shared love. Despite its worldwide popularity, Disney has never released any seasons of this series past number 3 until now and I can't tell you how thrilled I am with their decision. Thanks, Disney!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Movie News Today
I love this post from IO9 if for no other reason than its title: A Guide to Holiday Lightsaber Shopping. Awesome.
The great Dandy Don Meredith died today and while that may seem like a sports note more than anything else, his impact on culture through Monday Night Football is undeniable. Rest in peace, Don.
After the huge success of last year's "District 9", director Neill Blomkamp will reunite with star Sharlto Copley for a new sci-fi movie. "District 9" was a tremendous achievement so you won't get any argument about this pairing from me.
I always loved the Chronicles of Narnia book series. The first movie adaptation was very good in my opinion, the second (also my favorite of the books) was miserable. You can understand my hesitation with the third. However, Marshall at the Movies has seen it and gives it a solid review.
The great Dandy Don Meredith died today and while that may seem like a sports note more than anything else, his impact on culture through Monday Night Football is undeniable. Rest in peace, Don.
After the huge success of last year's "District 9", director Neill Blomkamp will reunite with star Sharlto Copley for a new sci-fi movie. "District 9" was a tremendous achievement so you won't get any argument about this pairing from me.
I always loved the Chronicles of Narnia book series. The first movie adaptation was very good in my opinion, the second (also my favorite of the books) was miserable. You can understand my hesitation with the third. However, Marshall at the Movies has seen it and gives it a solid review.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I"
“Deathly Hallows” drops us rather firmly back into the Harry Potter world, a world that is at war. Having struck a critical blow to their enemies at the end of the preceding film, uber-baddie Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) force of dark wizards grows ever stronger. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), soon find themselves on the run, half hiding, half searching for horcruxs, magical items that allow Voldemort to remain virtually invincible. Meanwhile, Voldemort himself is searching for a set of magical items called the Deathly Hallows which would slant the balance of power even further toward him in his inevitable and final battle with Harry. There is no conclusion to the drama, however, as this is mostly a set up for the ultimate fight that is to come in part two of this film.
I have thought long and hard about this film since taking it in at midnight on opening day. (Nerd, I know.) I have tried to find holes in the finished product and to temper my enthusiasm but truthfully I think any issue a fan of these stories might have would be nitpicking at best. “Deathly Hallows” is, for my money, the best yet in a series of films that has brought me an enormous amount of enjoyment. Every aspect of this film is refined, as if producer David Heyman, director David Yates, and the rest have taken what is great about the first six installments and improved what was lacking.
“Deathly Hallows” also excels in bringing some of the, well, magic of the books back to the screen. As the films have gotten longer and more involved in the maturation and development of the characters (and their relationships), I’ve felt that some of the wonderment of the first few films has been lost. As a tremendous fan of J.K. Rowling’s books, part of the joy of these movies has been the personification of so many wonderful and inventive pieces of fantasy brought to life. That magic is somewhat buried beneath layers of story and drama (and rightly so) in the last two chapters of this series but is wholly recaptured here. Telling the story of the “Deathly Hallows” (a well-known fairytale in this world) through the use of animated shadow theater was an especially nice touch. The spirit of the book, both the ups and the tremendous downs, is gloriously encapsulated in this film and reminded me of why I fell in love with this story in the first place.
The end result is an engrossing, brilliant adaptation that does nothing if not whet the appetite of the viewer for the next and final installment. Breaking up the book into two parts is clearly the right way to go as it allows for a pace that the last few films just weren’t allowed to find. In fact, I was left to wonder how much better these already-strong films could have been if they’d been given the Peter Jackson treatment with an extended cut for DVD/blu-ray. Regardless, it’s a magnificent ride and leaves me hopeful that the last chapter will be the best one of the bunch.
Grade: A
I will now resume my traditional cynical and sarcastic nature,
Brian
Movie News Today
Famed vampire writer Anne Rice wants Robert Downey, Jr. to play the lead in a remake of "Interview with the Vampire" and its sequels. In a related story, everyone wants Robert Downey, Jr. to play the lead in every movie ever.
"The Company Man," which had been getting a bit of Oscar buzz, has been bumped to January. Never, ever a good sign.
The makes of the controversial "documentary" "Catfish" will be pulled into court soon over a copyright issue which could determine once and for all whether or not this was a documentary or the retched, awful prank most people believe it to be.
Will Ferrll and Zach Galifianakis will play rival presidential candidates in a 2012 comedy. In.
Finally, while I was on my writing vacation (aka selling my life to work), two extremely notable deaths took place:
The New York Times provides us with a obituary for the great Leslie Nielsen who made a huge impact on my life (and many, many others) as Dr. Rumack in "Airplane!" Easily one of the 10 (or 5) funniest movies of all time, it is Nielsen's character that holds the movie together and I will be forever grateful for the many, many laughs I have had and will have from his performance. Hollywood Reporter delivers a similar column about the much less celebrated but no less brilliant Irvin Kershner, director of "The Empire Strikes Back." If you've read just about anything on this site, you have to know what a tremendous "Star Wars" geek I am. Kershner is a HUGE part of the success of that franchise. In fact, without Kershner's work, there is a very good chance that "Star Wars: A New Hope" would go down in history as a singularly spectacular film followed by a cheap sequel or two that never measured up. Instead, "Empire" took the "Star Wars" universe to new heights and allowed it to become the international phenomenon that it has become. I cannot begin to express how much Kershner's work meant to me personally. His influence on Hollywood will be sorely missed.
Weekend Box Office Results
1. "Tangled" - $21.5 million ($96.46 million total)
2. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" - $16.74 ($244.24)
3. "Burlesque" - $6.1 ($26.96)
4. "Unstoppable" - $6.1 ($68.89)
5. "Love and Other Drugs" - $5.7 ($22.62)
6. "Megamind" - $5.03 ($136.7)
7. "Due Date" - $4.21 ($90.96)
8. "Faster" - $3.83 ($18.11)
9. "The Warrior's Way" - $3.05
10. "The Next Three Days" - $2.65 ($18.38)
"The Company Man," which had been getting a bit of Oscar buzz, has been bumped to January. Never, ever a good sign.
The makes of the controversial "documentary" "Catfish" will be pulled into court soon over a copyright issue which could determine once and for all whether or not this was a documentary or the retched, awful prank most people believe it to be.
Will Ferrll and Zach Galifianakis will play rival presidential candidates in a 2012 comedy. In.
Finally, while I was on my writing vacation (aka selling my life to work), two extremely notable deaths took place:
The New York Times provides us with a obituary for the great Leslie Nielsen who made a huge impact on my life (and many, many others) as Dr. Rumack in "Airplane!" Easily one of the 10 (or 5) funniest movies of all time, it is Nielsen's character that holds the movie together and I will be forever grateful for the many, many laughs I have had and will have from his performance. Hollywood Reporter delivers a similar column about the much less celebrated but no less brilliant Irvin Kershner, director of "The Empire Strikes Back." If you've read just about anything on this site, you have to know what a tremendous "Star Wars" geek I am. Kershner is a HUGE part of the success of that franchise. In fact, without Kershner's work, there is a very good chance that "Star Wars: A New Hope" would go down in history as a singularly spectacular film followed by a cheap sequel or two that never measured up. Instead, "Empire" took the "Star Wars" universe to new heights and allowed it to become the international phenomenon that it has become. I cannot begin to express how much Kershner's work meant to me personally. His influence on Hollywood will be sorely missed.
Weekend Box Office Results
1. "Tangled" - $21.5 million ($96.46 million total)
2. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" - $16.74 ($244.24)
3. "Burlesque" - $6.1 ($26.96)
4. "Unstoppable" - $6.1 ($68.89)
5. "Love and Other Drugs" - $5.7 ($22.62)
6. "Megamind" - $5.03 ($136.7)
7. "Due Date" - $4.21 ($90.96)
8. "Faster" - $3.83 ($18.11)
9. "The Warrior's Way" - $3.05
10. "The Next Three Days" - $2.65 ($18.38)
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