Movie Trailer: Christopher Nolan's Inception

The second trailer for the forthcoming Christopher Nolan thriller, Inception, hit the web today. It definitely reveals a lot more of the movie than the first teaser did, but still left me bereft of any idea of what this movie is actually about. Either way, between the graphics and what looks to be high caliber acting on the part of Leonardo DiCaprio, I am definitely looking forward to this film, which hit theaters summer 2010.

Movie Trailer: Kevin Smith's Cop Out

The trailer for Kevin Smith's new film Cop Out has hit the internet. I've been a long time fan of Smith, as most of us internet nerds are. I think this looks funny and can't wait to check it out.




This film was originally titled A Couple of Dicks, but for marketing reasons the film's title had to be changed. Kevin Smith does a good job of explaining to circumstances here in this article to EW.com.

Movie Trailer: The Karate Kid

Here's the trailer for the new Karate Kid "remake", starring Jackie Chan and child of Will Smith, Jaden Smith. Looks alright, I'd "rent" it.

'Karate Kid' Theatrical Trailer @ Yahoo! Video

R.I.P. Britney Murphy

TMZ.com and People.com are both reporting that Britney Murphy passed away yesterday morning due to cardiac arrest. Murphy was only 32 years old.

This is a surprise to us all, and though Britney Murphy wasn't the next Oscar winner, but her films did include such success as Just Married, Clueless, 8 Mile, Happy Feet, Sin City, and Riding In Cars With Boys.

Many may know her as the voice of Luanne Platter from Mike Judge's Fox series King of the Hill.

According to IMDB.com Murphy still has three films in post production that are listed to be release in 2010. One of them being Sylvester Stallone's action film The Expendables.

Our thoughts go out to her family and friends.

Ryan's Movie Review: Avatar in IMAX 3D

I realize that Devon already posted a review for this film. But here at Heybuddyreviews.com we don't mind sharing from each other's perspective. Perhaps one review might be different from the other, and some films need multiple interpretations. Of our new writers to come on board, Jason White, has also seen the film and we should expect to see his review and take on James Cameron's new film Avatar.

It has been twelve years since James Cameron's last film, Titanic, dominated the box office. Now, finally Cameron has returned with a film that he says is fifteen years in the making. In Avatar, Cameron takes us on a journey to a satellite known as Pandora, a lush and colorful place full of life, mystery, and magic. The narrative is told through the voice of Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington), a wheel chair bound ex-marine who is recruited to the Pandora exploration project because his twin brother was killed and the military needs someone with the same DNA to work the avatar that was created from the twin brother. Sully's assignment is to use the avatar to gather information about the indigenous population known as the Na'vi. He must learn from them and gain their tryst with the intent of relocating them so that the humans can refine a rare and expensive mineral from that area. Sully is successful in completing his task, but soon falls in love with the forest region and with a Na'vi girl Neytri, played by Zoe Saldana. A person could go on for hours describing the film, but than that would defeat seeing the movie.

This film is every bit of the hype that you'll hear about. The animation in this film is beyond incredible as the colors and ingenuity that has been put forth really create a complex and utopia like pallet. People have talked about the film being like a dream, and it is. In large part, most of the film is computer animated, like UP or WALL-E. However, the animation is so detailed and complex that when blended with the live action characters and set pieces, it all seems like one large live action film; except that it is not. They key to the "awe" that everyone has after seeing this film is that the animation doesn't look animated or fake. It is spectacular.

Narratively, the story is that one people most have seen before, and even ripped from the pages of our own American history; aside from the Avatar portion. Cameron uses Joseph Campbell's "Heroes Journey" like a musical template, and he plays every note. Perhaps, the only fault to the film is the lack of original narrative. However, all this is matched ten fold with the way it unravels on screen and the technology behind the film. This film has many of Cameron's signature pieces. Like his Terminator films, the story is told from a character's voice over. The helicopters and human guided robots are remintuants of the Terminator films and Aliens. There is even a part when Sully slides off the wing of a flying copter and grabs hold of the guided missile as so not to fall, which reminded me of True Lies. And like his other films, Avatar pushes the envelope of film technic and technology. Something that many people over look about film making is that it is a process that is both artistic and technical; it relies on art and technology. Cameron is a master at both, and Avatar is truly his opus.

As for the 3D and the IMAX. You could probably get away with seeing the film not in IMAX. Unlike The Dark Knight, this films does not have full picture 70mm scenes in it. Seeing it in IMAX is certainly incredible, but it is not an experience that would be missed having not seen it in IMAX. However, the 3D is an absolute must. If you have already seen the film in 2D, you honestly have only experience half of the film. This film is not a Disney ride that uses 3D for jokes and quick gimmick's. The 3D gives the film a such a depth, that it actually feels like a third dimension is present in viewing the film. With as much flying, jumping, running around, and the overall aesthetic of the film the 3D is a necessity. As James Cameron has said, "This is a movie about a voyage not just to another planet, but to anther state of perception."

This film is amazing. The colors, the story, and the world developed are truly magical. Cameron has done a wonderful job. However, when asked if I consider this film as his master piece, I still have to say, "No." I believe Terminator 2: Judgement Day, is still his masterpiece, and if you disagree than please comment below. I can't imagine this film on DVD or pay-per-view. And unfortunately, one day it will make it to those windows of exhibition. Hopefully, Blue-ray will still hold a little of the magic from the film and I hope that 3D glasses come with it. The poster for the film says, "Experience it," and the film is certainly something that is experienced and not just viewed. The hype is real, the film is amazing, and Cameron has again delivered.

Grade: A

Devon's Movie Review: James Cameron's Avatar

Beautiful. Astonishing. Hypnotizing. Smart. Breathtaking. Spectacular. Stunning. Epic.

These are just a handful of words one could use to describe James Cameron's science fiction magnum opus, the long-awaited and critically acclaimed, Avatar. Without a doubt in my mind, every one of the words I listed is accurate to a fault, with the only downside being that when I walked out of the film, I couldn't even put it in to those words. I was essentially speechless. In fact, I made an ill-fated attempt to watch a second movie later at home, but could not concentrate on it at all, due to the fact that my mind was still back on Pandora... the beautiful Earth-like planet on which this film takes place.

From the opening shot you're rewarded by finding the characters of this story en route to Pandora, leaving behind a desolate Earth we're never subjected to seeing. Pandora appears to actually be a moon revolving around an enormous gas giant, and I can't recall if they ever actually say it's a planet or not... although I guess that's the definition of a hunk of space matter in which life is ever present. Pandora is as much a character of the film as anyone else, and for me it's what I came away from the movie remembering the most. I was fortunate to see the film in IMAX 3D, and I have to recommend to you to do the same, or at least see it in 3D. Avatar is not like other 3D films in the way that things come flying out at you or pop out from the screen, but rather you see that Cameron used the technology to make you feel like you're IN the movie. I believe he wants the viewer to feel as if they are standing on the side of the action on screen, watching as it all unfolds. I also believe that James Cameron wants the viewer to grow attached to Pandora, as it is his masterpiece, and you should! You should grow attached to this planet, you should feel what it's natives feel, and it's in that notion that the magic of Avatar really comes to life.

Pandora is an incredibly lush paradise, full of creatures the likes we've never imagined. The Na'Vi are just a small part of what makes this planet so different. The flora and fauna on the other hand, are the big part. Cameron and his team not only created the most beautiful planet you'll ever see, but they created literally thousands of species of plants and animals, unlike anything we've ever seen on Earth. I tried at times to see what certain plants reminded me of, just out of curiosity, and time and again it was like he created something brand new, unlike anything we know.

I know I'm 4 paragraphs in and haven't even talked about the cast yet... and they do deserve the accolades. While the plot of the film in general isn't exactly new (it's been compared to the likes of Dances with Wolves, and Ferngully) it is deeper than most people expect. The actors picked to star in this film are both well-known and not so, but they are equally committed to the job, and in such are what bring this film together. Sam Worthington again proves to me that he has the acting chops to be the next big action star, after Terminator Salvation and now this. Zoe Saldana is stunning, as Neytiri, the Na'Vi princess Worthington's character, Jake Scully, falls in love with. Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi, and Michelle Rodriguez all round out the supporting cast and did an excellent job. I was especially impressed with Sigourney Weaver, whom I've enjoyed for many years and was glad to see back in the sci-fi genre. She's a beautiful woman, and a wonderful actress. CCH Pounder and Wes Studi were excellent picks as the "king and queen" of the Na'Vi, I recognized both of their voices as soon as I heard them, and I think they were perfect picks for the roles. Lang and Ribisi play the "evil" human enemies, Lang as the head of "The Company's" security, and Ribisi as the general overseer of operations on Pandora. If you don't know by now, Avatar takes place in the 22nd century, the years 2144 and 2145 to be exact, and we learn that The Company is stationed on Pandora to mine a very expensive and valuable mineral, that apparently has become a major fuel source for Earth.

I really don't want to give away any other plot details, because it's the DETAILS that make this plot not as cliche as the internet-fanboys would have you believe. Sure, it shares some traits with Ferngully or Dances with Wolves, but this is not those movies. This is not anywhere near those movies. This is Avatar, and it's unlike anything you've ever seen. If you can see Avatar in 3D you should. If you can see Avatar in IMAX 3D you definitely should. It's worth the price of admission, twice and that's why I'm going to see it again tomorrow. I were to do a Best of the Decade list, this film would surely sit atop. I give Avatar a resounding 10 out of 10.

Hangover Blu-Ray Review

Well we all know the movie is hilarious and definitely a solid A rating as far as comedies go. But here is a first for me and as far as I know for the site, we are doing a Blu-Ray review of a movie.

Most comedies are not Blu-Ray worth and this is true. But for someone such as myself since I have a Blu-Ray player it is sometimes like buying a Dvd is like buying aVhs tape. Not to say that up-scaling doesn't make dvds look sharper, but if you have the best why buy the last model?
I'll tell you why, not every movie is Blu-Ray worthy.
The colors in The Hangover make it a welcome addition to Blu-Ray. The colors stay bright and the black levels are good and not pixilated. If you have a player and you can find this movie for $15-20 on Blu-Ray I say go for it (I bought my copy at Best Buy and they matched their online price of $15.99)!

If you have the dvd you really aren't missing out on much. The special features are pretty weak and the gag real was about the best part. The missing 100 photos were a big let down. I laughed at a few but most we already saw at the end in the credits. As far as the Unrated edition goes (the regular dvd is rated and the special edition is unrated like the Blu-Ray) you really can't tell a difference. There is no additional raunchiness or nudity or really any noticible difference.

Final Verdict: C

If you need to own the movie (like most of us do) feel free to pick up a copy, Actually I encourage you to do so even if you haven't seen it. As far as the Blu-Ray goes, if you have a player and can get a good deal do so. If you don't, don't worry because you aren't missing out on much. In fact I would advise you pick up the rated dvd and save yourself some jingle this busy holiday season.

Boondock Saints 2 Review

Do you like drinking? Crude humor? Irish men with guns? If the answer is no then do not go see Boondock Saints 2. The second movie picks up about ten years after the first one ended. We see our favorite vigilantes working on a sheep farm with their father in Ireland. Someone frames them for a murder so now we have a reason for a sequel and the boys head over to the states to bring revenge to those who would sully their good name. From here on out we get the cast of characters from the first movie back minus the sorely missed Willem Dafoe.

Willem's replacement is not nearly as talented or welcomed. The female agent is played by Julie Benz who has her shining moments but more than anything she seems to try to be Dafoe a little too hard. One such line that sticks out as painful is her comment to some detectives about how, "I'm so smart I make smart people feel retarded!" The dialogue feels retarded.

There is also some lackluster acting from Clifton Collins Jr. but really what can you expect? Collins Jr. often plays over the top characters and this one is no different. He is introduced as a total badass that can't be defeated in a fist fight and from there takes over the bumbling sidekick role from the first movie. He has some shining moments but there are times I start to question his acting abilities.

Anyone who has seen the first movie will probably enjoy this movie. I am a fan of the first movie but even I was a little put off by the trailer. I will say I was pleasantly surprised but as much as I liked the movie I will say to you that it is not an award winning film. Truly it is the guilty pleasure that Saints fans have been waiting for for ten years. We got what we wanted, a fun movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you are looking to relive the magic of the first movie you will find it here. There are some rough spots where the first film is trying to be recreated or duplicated but it did not take away from my enjoyment too much. Also look foward to some big names that are uncredited for a pleasant surprise (by the way it is not who you were looking foward to sadly).

Overall Grade: B-

Movie Trailer: Iron Man 2

Check out the new Iron Man 2 trailer. It looks awesome!

What do you think?

The 10 Best Films of the Decade: Ryan's Picks

In last weeks issue of Entertainment Weekly, they presented a list of the top 10 films of the decade. Though their list is respectable, I couldn't agree with it fully heartedly. But that is why these list are made; To generate discussion and bring about conflicting ideas and opinions. So with their list, and in the spirit of Devon's post on The Top 15 Video Games of His Life, I've compiled together what I believe to be the best American films of the last decade.

1. The Dark Knight - There is no sympathy vote here for Heath Ledger. In fact it doesn't matter to me that he is gone, no offense to his loved ones. Christopher Nolan's follow up to Batman Begins is not just a create comic book film, but also an amazing film. This film have both marketability and playability; meaning people will see it because it has an A list cast performing 70 year old characters and it is good enough that an audience will see the movie play again and again. This film sets a standard that other giant tent pole event films should follow. Unfortunately, many won't. In which case The Dark Knight will continue to be at the top of it's class for a while.

The Departed - Martin Scorsese's remake of Internal Affairs takes the good story from over seas and effectively adapts to make it better. Again, we're talking about an A list combination of actors; Jack Nicholson, Leonard DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, and even Mark Walhberg earns an Academy Award Nomination. This film finally earns Martin Scorsese his first Oscar win and the film takes Best Picture. As Ew.com noted Scorsese has at least one film in each of the Best of Decades over the last 40 years; 1970'2 - Taxi Driver. 1980'2 - Raging Bull. 1990's - Goodfellas. 2000's - The Departed. This movie is suspenseful, violent, vulgar, and everything else I love about movies.

Wall-E - Pixar has been dominating the animation field ever since Toy Story, and can really do no wrong. But Wall-E is the real pride and joy of the bunch, a movie about a isolated and alone robot on a broken planet earth. This film is more than just a kids movie. It has various levels of ideals about industrial pollution, consumerism, technology. In a sense it does more than just make people laugh and cry, it also carries a message.

No Country For Old Men - Joel and Ethan Coen picked up

both Best Director and Best Picture awards for their adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel. Their adaptation is spot on to the book, which are both shockingly violent. I think in ten years there will be two villains that we will always remember from this decade. One being Heath Ledger's Joker and the other being Anton Chigurh. Like Fargo, the Coen's have effectively tapped into that sense of lifestyle and culture of a west texas border town. This film inspired me to read the book, and I still don't understand the ending; But I love it still.

Children of Men - Director Alfonso Cuaron had a heck of a decade by going from Y Tu Mama Tambien to Harry Pottery and the Prisoner of Azkaban to the bleak future of Children of Men. Honestly, this film is wonderfully gritty and shot very well and the final near 10 minute long one take shot makes the hallway scene in Oldboy look like a walk in the park.

The 40 Year Old Virgin - Absolutlely, my favorite comedy of the decade. This film changed romantic comedies away from unsuccessful female oriented films and made the male oriented hundred million dollar hits. My favorite of the Judd Apatow films, though I haven't seen Funny People. Steve Carrell is perfectly cast as a 40 year old virgin who, with the help of his co-workers, tries to loose his virginity any way he can. It has the right amount of dirty sex jokes and just enough romance to not make it campy or corky.

Sicko - Love him or hate him, Michael Moore's third documentary of the decade is a much needed examination of the state of health care in this nation. There are moments in this film that are not only shocking, but almost disgusting. I can't imagine anyone who has seen the film and is still opposed to a health reform in the United States. This film is a documentary, and yes it is allowed to be subjective. However, I think everyone should watch this film and allow it to inspire us all to do our own research about the issue in order to make an informed decision. But without going to far on a political stand point, if nothing else the film raises questions; which they all should do.

Brokeback Mountain - I realize that a gay cowboy movie often isn't the most popular genre, and that most men I talk to haven't and plan to never see the film. It seems that heterosexual men are afraid that if they see the film, some how they suddenly become gay. Which is actually why this movie is on my list; because it challenges cultural conventions and pushes people's boundaries. And people need to be pushed out of their comfort zone. I had a professor at UCF tell me that if a film isn't challenging, risky, and pushing the envelope then what is the point? Ang Lee won a well deserved Oscar for Best Direction as the film is really well put together.

Up in the Air - I realize that this movie just came out, but I've seen it twice already and absolutely love it. It is really my favorite of the three Jason Rietman films. This film is this decades Jerry Maguire. It is romantic, dramatic at times, and funny. George Clooney is really great here. Anna Kendrick is completely different from her Twilight role. But also, this film speaks to the culture of today and is relevant to the world we live in. Economy crashing, Corporations downsizing, new technologies being implemented, and the the new meaning of getting older. It may be too soon, but I really think this is one of the decades best films. It is the best film I have seen so far this year.

Man On Fire - Tony Scott's masterpiece film is both dramatic and action packed as Denzel Washington seeks revenge on those who kidnapped the young girl he swore to protect. The structure of the film is brilliant, as it delivers an hour of Dakota Fanning onscreen time before kidnapping her. This hour allows the audience to experience the bond that Washington and Fanning develop together and also help fuel our anger as we enjoy the sweet taste of revenge that Washington acts out. Scott is a great director and this film is his masterpiece. Clearly one of the best of the decade.

Some contenders - Adaptation, Crash, Zodiac, Million Dollar Baby, There Will Be Blood, Inglorious Bastards, Munich, Up, Clerks II, Batman Begins, Gangs Of New York, Snatch, Shaun of the Dead, and The Fountain.

What do you think of the list? Do you think I am spot on or way off? Let us know what you would have picked!

Inception: Movie Poster

In an earlier discussion with Devon, we were talking about how neither of us know what Christopher Nolan's new film Inception is about. It seems that it is the marketing departs idea to keep us in dark until the last minute. And honestly, it is working for me. I love how little the trailer reveals and yet how much I love it at the same time.

Here is the poster for Inception.

Movie Trailer: Alice in Wonderland - Full Trailer

This is the new trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

I'm still not impressed with the way this film looks to have turned out. But I am sure I am alone and many of you think it looks great. Which is fine, and I hope that it is good and that you enjoy it.

Movie Trailer: Robin Hood directed by Ridley Scott

This film looks like mashup between Gladiator and the Robin Hood Mythology. Russell Crowe stars as the lead and Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian.

Honestly, if this movie was directed by anyone else I would care less to see it at all. But Ridley Scott has been on a pretty good role since Gladiator, which makes me interested to see this film.

Trailer Addicts video is a little glitchy, but until a good version pops up on Youtube, this will have to do.

Movie News: Dicaprio to star in Mel Gibson film.

Ew.com is reporting that Leonardo DiCaprio has signed on to an untitled project to be directed by Mel Gibson. The film is to be a period drama set in the Viking culture. William Monohan, writer of The Departed, is penning the script which is expected to shoot in the fall of 2010.

This will be the first film with DiCaprio and Gibson collaboration, and currently the film doesn't have a distributor. Personally, I am excited to see how this turns out. DiCaprio, who I didn't care for much after Titanic, has really pushed hard and succeeded at changing his image from teen romance actor to just a real actor. I have enjoyed many of his films over the last decade. I also have enjoyed all the directorial efforts by Gibson (Man Without a Face, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ, Apocalypto).

In the mean time Gibson is set to appear in Edge of Darkness and DiCaprio, who just finished Christopher Nolan's Inception, is in Shutter Island this February.

Hopefully, this new film will be as good as the others.

VGAs: Batman Arkham Asylum, & Force Unleashed Sequels Announced!

Check out these clips from last night's live Video Game Awards on SpikeTV, where a sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, as well as Star Wars: The Force Unleashed were announced!

Movie Review: A Serious Man

In Joel and Ethan Coen's (No Country For Old Men, The Big Lebowski) new film A Serious Man, Michael Stuhlbarg plays Larry Gopnik; a university professor in Minnesota who experiences many of lives difficulties in a short period of time. Larry Gopnik, is an ordinary man in the 1960's suburbia, but in the matter of one week a student bribes him, his wife leaves him, he is up for tenure, his neighbor is a racist ex-Korean War vet, his brother gets investigated by the FBI, his children hardly respect him, and etc. Gopnik, is a widely an over looked character, who is of course a serious man, however he has been too passive in his previous lifestyle and it is not until his wife decides to leave him for a long time friend that Gopnik sees the error his ways, and the communities.

Let me just say that I absolutely love the Coen brothers, and I don't know that I could ever not like one of their films. (Though some of their earlier films this decade, like Intolerable Cruelty really test this theory.) The Coens could direct a movie about dirt and I would still be interested. With that said, this movie in large part is enjoyable, but may not appeal to all audiences. This film is loaded with Jewish cultural references, and honestly most of it probably went over my head.

This film resembles the same style as the Coen's brother's earlier film Barton Fink. It is very slow and lengthy in dialogue without much action (or action from characters on screen). But as a Coen brother's fan I love it. This film reminds me of some of Luis Bunuel films (Belle De Joir, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), a film that doesn't have a lot of obvious narrative direction, but pokes fun at a particular type of demographic of society. The ending is very ambiguous, and yet I love it at the same time.

This film does not even come close to being one of the Coen's brothers best films, and I wouldn't say it is a Best Picture contender either. However, when the film is over you love it because it is their film and they have stamped with the authorship that we come to love from them. I had a fun time with this film, though it may not be for everyone. If you enjoy dry (very dry) humor, than you will enjoy this film. But if dry humor is not your bag, than perhaps wait till DVD or maybe never.

None the less, I still love the Coen brother and can't wait for their version of True Grit. This film is playing in very select locations, but I say that if you are a fan of the Coen's and it is playing anywhere close to you, than you have to go see it.

Grade: B

More Movie Trailers: Kick Ass, The Lovely Bones, and Clash of the Titans

2010 is shaping up to be an awesome year for movies. I don't even know if I could put together a Top 10 list of films I want to see next year, but after these trailers I know I'd have at least 3 spots filled.

Kick-Ass


The Lovely Bones


Clash of the Titans

What about you readers? Are you looking forward to these movies as well? What other films are you anticipating in 2010?

Movie Trailer: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

In The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Balthazar Blake (Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. 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.



I like Nicholas Cage much better when he plays someone slightly off-kilter, funny, and eccentric. I have high hopes for this movie, and it looks like 2010 will be a good year for Disney epics, with this, and then The Prince of Persia, all leading up to Pirates of the Carribean 4 the following year. Exciting!

Video Game Demo Review: Bayonetta

Frenetic, frantic, insane, inane... uniquely Japanese... these are just a few words to describe the new game from Sega, Bayonetta, due out in stores early January. The demo came out last week for X-Box 360, and lets you play through two levels, which is enough of a taste of what's in store. The game, about a witch who has guns in her hands, and on her feet, not to mention a body suit made out of her own hair, is reminiscent of the Devil May Cry series, for which it shares creators.

The demo includes a quick tutorial to help you get the hang of the controls, but let's face it, once you're in-game it won't really matter. Bayonetta is most definitely a button masher, not requiring TOO much strategy, so long as you're dominating. The enemies are numerous and dangerous, but they don't stand a chance against your barrage of bullets, magic, and sometimes their own weapons. That's right, if you defeat an enemy with a decent weapon, you can pick it up and wield it ten times better than they ever did. From the one big boss fight I had, it looks like they have weapons you get to take along with you as well. Overall, the controls are easily manageable, the graphics are superb, and the game play is flat out fun.

Expect that when Bayonetta hits the store shelves, there will be a full review here on Hey Buddy Reviews.

Iron Man 2 Poster: Mickey Rourke as Whiplash!

The second Iron Man 2 poster has been revealed, this one featuring Mickey Rourke as Whiplash!

Movie Trailer: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Teaser

Wow, November 2010 seems so far away... I can't wait.

Movie Review: Transylmania

I saw a free advanced screening for this film last night, and it is easily one of the worst films that I have ever seen.

Grade: F

Movie Review: The Road

Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Cormac McCarthy, The Road is about a father and son who fight to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic future. For the main characters, food is scarce and the probability of coming across cannibalistic gangs is high. The world has been torched. Everything is burnt and damp and the weather is cold and wet. The father and son are a symbol for humanity, but as the father struggles to stay alive he looses his way about what is right and what is wrong. Innocence is left in the hands of a child who has no memory of the world that lived before him. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, and Molly Parker.

The adaption doesn’t take much liberty away from the novel, and does a good job of following along with the narrative set by the book. The first one third of this film is powerful, especially in the scenes with Charlize Theron. She does a wonderful job, and the filmmakers made good decisions with painting a grey murky pallet that can be contrasted to the colorful and sunny images of Viggo Mortensen’s memory.

However, it felt like the movie got a little lost along the way somewhere near the end. The sotry line stays intact, but some the underlining feelings of paranoia and the pain of starving are not as illustrated as perhaps they could be. In the book, the characters are much more lost and the fear of death is much more present. It is hard to view the film separate from the book. But the film is so close to being spot on. It is like a well served dish that needs just a little extra pepper.

None the less, the film does have the bleak tones and saturated colors and mood that the book represented. Anyone who sees the film and enjoys it should defiantly read the book as well. There is a trailer out now for the film that makes it look like an uplifting feel good movie of the year. Don’t be miss lead by this type of advertising. People who go to the film with that type of mind set will surely be disappointed. People who have read the book, or are just looking for a different and thought provoking film with certainly enjoy it.

This film is in very limited release, opening at only 111 screens. But last weekend it managed to take in $1.5 million dollars. I hope that it's platform release does well and that it opens in more areas.

Grade: B

Assassin's Creed 2 DLC Announced.

In somewhat of a surprise, Ubisoft has gone ahead with plans to announce the upcoming downloadable content for their new game, Assassin's Creed 2:

• Battle of Forli: The first downloadable AC 2 content comes out in January.
• Bonfire of the Vanities: The second portion of AC 2 DLC comes out in February.

Both will be for the X-Box 360 and Playstation 3 versions of the game, with prices still to be determined. Unfortunately, that's all of the information they've released at this time.

Final Fantasy 13 Box Art Revealed.

In continuing with our ongoing coverage of Final Fantasy 13, on it's way to shelves in March 2010, here is the newly revealed box art, which you can see is for the X-Box 360 version. This is the first time a Final Fantasy game has been on X-Box.

Movie Review: 2012

2012 is the latest disaster film from director Roland Emmerich (Godzilla, The Day the Earth Stood Still). In 2012, John Cusack (wearing his Gross Point Blank uniform) is a has been novelist who now is a divorced limo driver with two kids and an ex- wife, played by Amanda Peet, that is dating a successful plastic surgeon. On a camping trip with his kids, he meets Woody Harrelson who explains about everything Cusack needs to know about the Mayan myth about 2012, and only days before it actually happens. The film has many subplots and intertwining characters that revolve around all the world’s powers knowing about the disaster and preparing for it in advance by building ships with open seats that range up to one billion dollars. This film also stars Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, and Danny Glover as the U.S. President.

Surprising enough, the best part about this film is the special effects. Not every special effect shot is great. But many of the wide shots of the city falling and crumbling around the main characters have great detail, and even find a way to look great without being cheesy. Some may argue that the filmmakers should have resorted to the traditional miniatures and models. But if that was the case, what would be the point of making another disaster film with miniatures and models again? The CGI team did a good job, or at least a better job than expected.

However, the story in the film is either ludicrous or boring or maybe both. Obviously, the global disaster is fictional, but the narrative that I am referencing is the one of the Cusack’s character, the ex-wife, the kids, and the boyfriend. It is almost literally the same setup as Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds. A divorced dad with two kids, the daughter who loves him unconditionally and the son who hates him, are having a custody weekend when disaster strikes. Only, here instead of the main character fighting to return to the kids to their mother, Cusack does so at the beginning of the movie. He then picks up the ex-wife and her boyfriend for a plot device that is only served so that the boyfriend can fly the plane around. (Again, another film where annoying characters are picked up and never dropped off). Amanda Peet’s character is as useless as an astray on a motorbike, and the boyfriend won’t die soon enough.

It is interesting how a limo driver and a guy with barely any flight time experience are suddenly the greatest stunt drivers/pilots in the world once disaster strikes. It is too bad that with the level of special effects in the film that the filmmakers didn’t spend a little more time on script, acting, and over all just take themselves more seriously. Not that the film has jokes or is corny, because it isn’t. But there is just a little bit too much optimism in the air when even the dog survives the disaster. With all the people that die in the background in this film, not enough of the characters in the foreground get killed off, and in time to save the movie.

Grade: C-