Absence explained!!

My few a meager followers must have been dying to know why I dropped off the radar last week.  The reason is a little baby!!  My wife and I welcomed Kiley Elizabeth into the world on March 23rd.  That is her and my wife in the picture.  I have been watching a lot of movies while I have been up with her so be sure to look for a few reviews this week!!

Soundtrack for "Hanna"

On a whim I was looking through iTunes yesterday and noticed the soundtrack for the upcoming movie "Hanna" was available.  To my surprise it was created by The Chemical Brothers!  I have always been hit or miss on their albums but I still own them all.  So of course I had to download this immediately.  I listened through it this morning and I must say I think it will be a great addition to the film.  It already seems to be a movie that is fighting to be interesting.  This soundtrack only adds to that.  It is mostly mellow with the signature rich electronic sound the Bros. are known for.  There is a nice light subtlety that has seeped into a lot of their music and that also comes across.  I'm super curious to see how this fits in with the movie when it hits screens later this year.

Hit the jump for a preview of the film!!

"Let Me In" is beautiful and dark

Having seen the original, I was both excited and leery to watch this film.  I think of the original as one of the best vampire movies I have ever seen.  I had heard that Matt Reeves ("Cloverfield") actually did a pretty good job.  I still had my doubts.  The original was a slow paced, bleak look at the awkwardness of adolescence.  Not exactly the type of film you would expect to come out of a director who had made a killer summer action movie.  An impressive cast made it all the more intriguing.  However there was still this lingering doubt in my mind.  Well I finally got around to watching it last night.  I am glad to say I was very wrong to doubt.

Another alien invasion film?!  From the producer of "Shaun of the Dead"?!  Yes please!!!!  You must check out this great looking preview from this writing-directing debut film maker.  It looks really funny, intense, and unique.  I will for sure be seeing this one.

Hit the jump to watch the first preview!!

Jennifer Lawrence gets role of Katniss

So I read a lot of young adult novels.  I don't have a lot of time to read and I like science fiction.  I also like to plow through a book in a short amount of time.  These books allow me to do that.  So enough about me defending my silly book obsession!

"The Hunger Games" based on the teen novel has found it's lead actress according to themockingjay.net.  It is none other than Academy Award nominee Jennifer Lawrence.  Yes she is older than the lead character by a few years and that bugs me.  I'm not saying she won't be great at the part, I just wish they would at least try and get the right age.  There were a number of talented actresses up for the part that were much more age appropriate.  I am guessing one of the main reasons they did this was so they could cast an older male lead.  In fact this story needs two and they need to be hunky.  Not just good looking but hunky.

Have you read the books?  What do you think about this casting?

Hilarious "Star Wars" remake

The great guys over at FirstShowing.net have found this little gem made by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.  Apparently, they took a little time off on the set of "Paul" to film this.  Hit the jump to watch the hilarity.

"Battle: L.A." was close to making me mad...but not quite

Anyone who reads this blog has known I have been stoked for this movie to come out.  I was itching to go see it all weekend, but it never happened.  I started to hear a few reviews on it and many of them were not positive.  I was absolutely determined to go into my viewing with an open mind and a want to see this movie still.  Well I got the opportunity last night.  I do have to say that many of the reviews are correct, but I still don't agree with them.  Yes this movie is flawed, but it in no way is the end of cinema as some reviewers would have you believe.

Seriously Neil Patrick Harris?

I know I am late to the party on this one but I just watched the latest trailer for "The Smurfs", the big tent pole film that is supposed to be HUGE this summer.  I personally beg to differ.  After watching the preview I had serious questions I would love to ask NPH.  Mainly...WHY?!

Hit the jump to see for yourself.  If you don't have to hold your hand down from gouging your eyes out, we may need to talk.

Who saw "Battle:L.A." this weekend?

So I never got out to see this.  I am actually kind of bummed about it.  However I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend so I can't complain too much.  Anywho, I have heard so many mixed messages about this film I am wondering what you all thought?  Is it a fun, mindless action romp that is actually funny because of the bad script?  Or is it really the end of cinema as some critics have called it?

Let me know!!!!

"Super 8" is here!!!!

If you haven't seen it yet, the trailer for "Super 8" was revealed via Twitter today.  It looks stunning.  A story idea from Spielberg with a script written and directed by J.J. Abrams.  How amazing does that sound?!  This throwback sci-fi film is definitely tops on my list of must see movies this year.  Watch the trailer below and tell me what you think!!

Fantasy Film Friday #3

Is it Friday already?!  This past week went by fast.  Anyway we are here to discuss a brand new film that may or may not ever be made.  This is the place to discuss why or why not a film should be made.  This week in the arena...."Ender's Game"!!

For those of you not up to speed on this amazing science fiction classic written by Orson Scott Card, here is a quick break down of the plot: A young school age boy enters Battle School were he learns all about the art of war.  He turns out to be very good at it.  But in the end, what is REALLY going on at the school?

This of course leaves much out because I never like to give too much of the plot away.  This movie has been in development hell for the better part of 10 years now.  It actually has a writer/director attached now (Gavin Hood) so we shall see.  What do you think about this movie being made?  What do you expect from it?  Is there any way it could live up to your expectations?  You can see my thoughts below, but please comment and let me know what YOU think!!

"The Adjustment Bureau" makes a strong case for love

Love is truly an amazing thing.  It can cut through all boundaries and sometimes time and space.  You have heard the stories that people say about being drawn to each other only to find out they were in love in a past life.  That is surely one strong bond.  There are many strong cases to say that if true love is apparent between two people nothing can keep them apart.  This is the theory behind George Nolfi's sci-fi drama "The Adjustment Bureau".

"The Hobbit" news from a great source!!

First Showing has given everyone a tip on how to get great news about the filming of the highly anticipated film "The Hobbit".  Non other than Sir Ian McKellen himself is going to be blogging about the experience.  Just head on over to his official website to read up on it.  I'm sure this will be a great source to get insights from as the filming goes on.

Did you know Peter Jackson is filming in 3D?  This could be the next great 3D film to use it properly.  You can find out about all the goings on up to date right now.  Sir Ian certainly has a nice patter to his writing...

Still excited....

Not much to say today folks.  I am still really amped to see "Battle: Los Angeles" this weekend.  That is of course if my baby doesn't come before that.  My ability to see movies in the theater will be hampered.  However since I am now getting paid to do this I may be able to talk my wife into letting me go out to theater every so often :)

What about you?  What is your take on going to the theater vs. seeing a film at home?  I personally LOVE the whole theater experience.  If I could I would see everything out.  Let me know what you think!!!

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is ok if your standards are low

Have you ever seen a movie that you were sure was going to be horrible so you had no expectations whatsoever?  Then when the movie was finished you went "well that wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be"?  This was one of those movies for me.  Oh don't get me wrong, there are some major faults with this film.  I just was way more entertained than I figured I would be.

Fantasy Film Friday #2

So we missed out on last weeks debate due to illness on my part.  So this week I had to come up with a doozy of a movie that we should debate on a sequel to.  I think I have come up with just the thing!!  There have been false rumors that Keanu Reaves has said there may be a Matrix 4 & 5.  I want to know what would make these worth watching for you!!  Give me some ideas on how these movies would get you out to the theater.  Also, let me know why these movies should never be made.  I don't want answers like "the last two sucked so they should just quit".  Let's get creative and see what we can come up with!!

My answers are after the break...

Great new movies this weekend

Anyone else as excited as I am to see "Rango"?!  The previews have looked amazing and the animation looks top notch.  I am and always will be a fan of Johnny Depp.  It was directed by Gore Verbinski.  What more do I have to say?  It looks charming and funny and I cannot WAIT to see it.

Also, I am super stoked to see "The Adjustment Bureau".  I have been following this sci-fi thriller since they announced it last year.  Then it got bumped to this spring and I got worried.  80% of the time if something gets bumped, it has to do with reshoots.  That is usually not a good thing.

Anyways, hit the jump for a preview of both of these great films!!

"Tick Tock" is a great short!!!

Ever wonder what you might do with your life if you thought you only had five minutes to live?  "Tick Tock" is a short I found on SlashFilm that attempts to answer that.  It all takes place in one take and is filmed backwards.  A pretty cool 5 minute short.  Check it out after the jump!

Gah!!! Late Oscars recap

Life and sickness overtook me the last few days!!  Sorry for the late post.

So the Oscars happened, huh?  There really wasn't that much of a surprise in the winners.  There really wasn't anything too exciting about the telecast, either.  Most of the jokes were so clean and light that they didn't even make the audience laugh.  It was so frickin' polite!!  I still think Anne Hathaway did as good a job as she could.  She is really great at making something sweet and innocent seem sincere.  And damn can she sing well.  I hope that gets used in movies in the future.

My biggest disappointment?  I would have to say it was when Hailee Steinfeld didn't win for True Grit.  Especially since Melissa Leo's speech was completely insincere and phony.  I hated her so much afterwards.  Granted, I didn't get to see "The Fighter" yet, but it really made me not want to.  I'm sure I will, so don't get all angry at me.

Kurt Douglas was adorable.  That is all.