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16 articles
Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side trailer exclusively on iTunes
29 November 2009 1:21 PM, PST
The saga continues … whether you like it or not.
News release from 20th Century Fox …
“Family Guy” and Star Wars fans continue to see the bright-side as an all-new extended trailer for “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side” premieres today exclusively on the iTunes Store and Apple.com/trailers. Fans can experience a nearly exact remake of the original trailer from the 1980 classic The Empire Strikes Back on iTunes, available directly for download at www.itunes.com/FamilyGuySSSDarkSide and on Apple.com/trailers.
“Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side” will be available beginning December 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on iTunes the same day it’s available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. The Blu-ray Disc will include a portable digital copy of the film from the iTunes Store.
The saga continues as Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the »
- Jeff Bayer
Up in the Air – interviews with Jason Reitman, Danny McBride and Jason Bateman
29 November 2009 1:14 PM, PST
I get to see Up in the Air on Tuesday, December 1. You don’t. That’s just one of the few highlights of being an extremely low paid journalist.
Paramount has made interviews with Jason Reitman, Danny McBride and Jason Bateman available. No, I don’t know why George Clooney isn’t in this mix.
Depending on what city you live in, here’s the possible dates for when you can see Up in the Air.
December 4, 2009 limited
December 11, 2009 expansion
December 25, 2009 wide
Jason Reitman – director (Thank you for Smoking, Juno)
Danny McBride (”Eastbound and Down,” Land of the Lost) as Jim Miller
Jason Bateman (Extract, Juno) as Craig Gregory
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- Jeff Bayer
James Cameron’s Avatar – Interactive Trailer
29 November 2009 12:58 PM, PST
James Cameron’s Avatar can’t do anything the normal way.
Here’s the interactive trailer to the film opening on December 18. Now, here’s the thing, it’s an application that must be downloaded.
This application gives you exclusive supplementary videos to the Avatar trailer. It also keeps you tapped into Avatar news and updates from Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.
Click here to download the Avatar Interactive Trailer
Here’s a description of the film …
Avatar takes us to a spectacular world beyond imagination, where a reluctant hero embarks on an epic adventure, ultimately fighting to save the alien world he has learned to call home. James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of “Titanic,” first conceived the film 15 years ago, when the means to realize his vision did not exist yet. Now, after four years of production, Avatar, a live action film with a new generation of special effects, delivers »
- Jeff Bayer
Box Office Review – Nov. 29 – New Moon beats The Blind Side
29 November 2009 10:59 AM, PST
Weekend Top 5 Studio Estimates, November 27-29, 2009
Rank. Movie Title – Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #
1. The Twilight Saga: New Moon – $42.5 million | 4,042 | $230.7 million | 2
McLaughlin’s Tsr – 8/10
Allen’s Tsr – 4/10
Bayer’s Quickcard – 5/10
He Said – She Said … The Twilight Saga: New Moon
2. The Blind Side – $40.1 million | 3,140 | $100.3 million | 2
Bayer’s Tsr – 7/10
3. 2012 – $18.0 million | 3,444 | $138.8 million | 3
Bayer’s Tsr – 3/10
4. Old Dogs – $16.8 million | 3,425 | $24.1 million | 1
Allen’s Tsr – 3/10
5. A Christmas Carol – $16.0 million | 3,013 | $105.4 million | 4
Bayer’s Tsr – 6/10
Source: Box Office Mojo www.boxofficemojo.com
The Twilight Saga: New Moon is still in first, but not by much. The Blind Side sneaked up and almost caught the vampire/werewolf love triangle by surprise. The New Moon drop off is large, but it’s still been able to gobble up more than $230 million over the Thanksgiving holiday. Both movies will actually have a chance to be on top of the box office next week when Everybody’s Fine, Brothers, and Armored »
- Jeff Bayer
James Cameron’s Avatar – Featurettes
29 November 2009 9:43 AM, PST
Here are three featurettes about the hotly anticipated film by James Cameron, Avatar. There’s a good chance I will eat my words about being more excited about the look of Disney’s A Christmas Carol compared to that of Avatar. Yeah, that could be embarrassing.
The first featurette for Avatar shows some of the extensive work that goes into creating a single scene for the film. This clip focuses on what director James Cameron calls his favorite scene, which involves our title characters flying on Pandora’s winged creature.
This featurette looks at one of the design aspects of the film, the A.M.P. suit. Included with the recent interactive trailer, the clip shows never before seen footage while describing the vehicle used by the humans on Pandora.
This final featurette for Avatar looks at one of the design aspects of the film, the Thenator. Included with the recent interactive trailer, »
- Jeff Bayer
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
28 November 2009 2:16 PM, PST
Quickcard Review
Directed by: Chris Weitz
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Michael Sheen
Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Plot: Edward (Pattinson) decides he must leave Bella (Stewart) to keep her safe. Bella finds a new relationship with Jacob (Lautner), a family friend, who turns out to be a werewolf.
Who’S It For? If you’re a twi-hard then you have already raced to the end of this review to see if I’m on the team that hates or loves this franchise. And the stereotype is that you are a teenage girl. Or wish you still were.
Complete coverage of The Twilight Saga: New Moon
McLaughlin’s Tsr – 8/10
Allen’s Tsr – 4/10
He Said – She Said … The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Overall
Let’s get past the fan obsession. Let’s get past dreamboats, and who is dating whom. »
- Jeff Bayer
Shorts – Blu-ray
28 November 2009 9:32 AM, PST
Blu-ray
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: Jimmy Bennett, Trevor Gagnon, Jolie Vanier, Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, James Spader
Running Time: 1 hr 15
Rating: PG
Due Out: Nov. 24, 2009
Buy Shorts [Blu-ray] on Amazon
Plot: A wishing rock wreaks havoc in the hi-tech community of Black Falls when it falls in to the hands of the children of the area.
Who’S It For? Kids who have a tough time sitting still and wish that anything, anything is possible.
Movie:
Shorts flies fast and that’s probably the best part for parents. It will seem like it will go by quickly. As far as making sense, it’s just not going to happen. A pause and fast forward button can pop up at any time for Jimmy Bennett as Toe Thompson. He doesn’t seem like a bad kid actor, but he’s not ready for the narration that goes along with the role. »
- Jeff Bayer
Old Dogs
28 November 2009 8:33 AM, PST
Directed by: Walt Becker
Cast: Robin Williams, John Travolta, Seth Green
Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Plot: Dan and Charlie (Williams and Travolta) are two business partners who have been best friends for thirty years. Their life is thrown for a curve when they find out that Dan has two twins with “the one who got away” from seven years ago.
Who’S It For? Children will be educated clichés, and adults will get some kicks watching respectable actors subject themselves to thoughtless wacky humor. In modern comedy terms, fun for the whole family!
Expectations: Walt Becker directed Wild Hogs and the trailer had as many wacky situations as it could cram into a two minute spot. Signs were not looking good.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Robin Williams as Dan: Making an ass out of himself comes easier to him than Travolta, but he does »
- Nick Allen
Gogol Bordello Non-Stop
27 November 2009 7:43 AM, PST
Directed by: Margarita Jimeno
Cast: Eugene Hutz
Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins
Rating: Not Rated
Release Date: November 27, 2009
Plot: Eugene Hutz forms a band to combine the aesthetic of gypsy folk music with the passion of punk. Filmmaker Jimeno documents the creation of the band in New York through it’s ascendance in popularity.
Who’S It For? Fans of Gogol Bordello or people interested in finding out what Gypsy Punk is.
Expectations: I’m a fan of the band and was hoping for a film that could rival the excitement and passion of a live Gogol Bordello performance.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Eugene Hutz as himself: Though Gogol Bordello is a band and I wouldn’t want to suggest that each member doesn’t make a contribution, the heart and soul of this film and the group is Hutz. The film shows home video of Hutz as a kid in the former Ussr, »
- Megan Lehar
Getting Home
27 November 2009 7:38 AM, PST
Quickcard Review
Getting Home (Luo Ye Gui Gen)
Directed by: Zhang Yang
Cast: Zhao Benshan, Hong Qiwen, Song Dandan
Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: November 27, 2009
Global Lens 2009
Plot: An older man brings his dead friend to his home in the Three Gorges Dam region to be buried and reunited with his ancestors. It’s a buddy movie between a man and a corpse.
Who’S It For? People who like foreign films, not fans of Weekend at Bernie’s.
Overall
I had to draw the Weekend at Bernie’s comparison early on because although this isn’t a wacky ’80s comedy, it does involve a relationship between a living man and one who is dead. Zhao (Benshan) carts his deceased friend, Liu, home across much of China because of a promise he once made. The film walks a fine line between buddy comedy between a living and »
- Megan Lehar
The Twilight Saga: New Moon is breaking more records
26 November 2009 8:36 AM, PST
Not many film critics have put a positive spin on the blockbuster The Twilight Saga: New Moon starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.
We have one critic who really like it, the other … not so much.
McLaughlin’s Tsr – 8/10
Allen’s Tsr – 4/10
He Said – She Said … The Twilight Saga: New Moon
New Moon already beat one box office record, making $72.7 million on it’s opening Friday, besting Dark Knight. And now there is another record it can claim. This one of the online variety.
According to Visible Measures, the New Moon internet spot drew 32.6 million views since last Wednesday, up 63 percent from the previous frame. That was tops with Avatar and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel coming in second and third.
The heavy traffic for New Moon is not shocking with it making $142.8 million over three days. My theory still hasn’t been disproved …
There is »
- Jeff Bayer
Fantastic Mr. Fox
25 November 2009 9:44 AM, PST
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Bill Murray
Running Time: 1 hr 27 mins
Rating: PG
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Plot: Based on the novel by Roald Dahl, and written for the screen by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach comes the tale of Mr. Fox (Clooney). He tried to change his ways, but still wants to steal chickens and his actions get all the animals in town in trouble, even his own family.
Who’S It For? This film has the rare chance to impress the parents and entertain the kids. If you’re a Wes Anderson fan, you won’t be disappointed. I cuss you not.
Expectations: Rushmore is my favorite Anderson film, and I figured added voice work by Clooney and Streep couldn’t possibly be a negative. Yeah, I was excited.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
George Clooney as Mr. »
- Jeff Bayer
Ninja Assassin
25 November 2009 9:42 AM, PST
Directed by: James McTeigue
Cast: Rain, Naomie Harris
Running Time: 1 hr 35 min
Rating: R
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Plot: After a hardened Ninja (Rain) refuses to kill for the boss, he is ostracized from the clan and hunted by his former brothers.
Who’S It For? Fans of martial arts movies, and we’re talking old school, 1970’s style blood n’ guts.
Expectations: It has to be dumb with a name like Ninja Assassin, because it’s trying way too hard. It’s like naming a movie Kick Ass Cowboys or Machete B*tch (dibs).
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Rain as Raizo: Rain’s real name is Ji Hun Jeong, but you have to have a lead actor that’s as obnoxiously glitzy as Ninja Assassin. So, I guess when I finally get around to making Machete B*tch, I’ll have to cast someone with a stage name like Razor or Sunrise. »
- Morrow McLaughlin
The Road
25 November 2009 5:00 AM, PST
Directed by: John Hillcoat
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall
Running Time: 1 hr 53 mins
Rating: R
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Plot: Based on the bestseller by Cormac McCarthy, The Road is a post-apocalyptic tale of a man (Mortensen) and his son (Smit-McPhee) trying to survive by any means possible in a world where plants and animals are dead and people are eating people to survive.
Who’S It For? This is a dark, bleak drama about survival in an awful future. Does it sound like you can get through that? If so, it’s worth it. Really good performances and some powerful visuals will be your reward. Clean freaks, be careful.
Expectations: I knew I was sitting down to a “quality” movie based on the buzz, but otherwise I really knew nothing about the twists and turns of The Road.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Viggo Mortensen as The Man: He has hope, »
- Jeff Bayer
Planet 51
24 November 2009 7:25 AM, PST
Directed by: Jorge Blanco, Javier Abad, Marcos Martinez
Cast: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Justin Long, Jessica Biel, Seann William Scott
Running Time: 1 hr 30 min
Rating: PG
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Plot: An American astronaut lands on an inhabited planet where the aliens resemble 1950’s Americans. Once he lands, he needs the help of Lem (Long) to hide from the alien army that wants to dissect his brain.
Who’S It For? Kids. Though there are a lot of jokes aimed at adults that will go right over most children’s heads.
Expectations: Not high, the premise seemed kind of like it hinges on one joke, based on the trailer.
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Dwayne Johnson as Captain Charles T. Baker: The Rock continues his assault on children’s movies with this role as the handsome, charismatic, and slightly dim astronaut, Charles Baker. Johnson’s voice is a great fit for this vain, »
- Megan Lehar
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
23 November 2009 1:12 PM, PST
Directed by: Chris Weitz
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Michael Sheen
Running Time: 2 hrs 10 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: November 20, 2009
Plot: After her emotionally distant vampire boyfriend (Pattinson) ditches her, (literally, in the woods), freshly 18-year-old girl Bella (Stewart) finds a new relationship with a family friend who doesn’t wear shirts often (Lautner) because he is also a werewolf.
Who’S It For? The fans. Only. Outsiders will face numerous reminders of why they weren’t into the series to begin with.
Expectations: At 130 minutes long, was this highly anticipated sequel going to be drawn out, and would an overwhelming amount of cheese make it suck even more than the first one? How would a film with vampires and werewolves balance high school drama?
Scorecard (0-10)
Actors:
Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan: She used to be boy crazy, and now Bella has »
- Nick Allen
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