movie.geeek

BABYLON A.D. TRAILER - VIN DIESEL

2008-06-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

"In the near future, Toorop (Vin Diesel) is a mercenary who takes the job of escorting a woman from Russia to Canada. While he thinks this is just an ordinary mission, he gradually finds out that his guest is carrying an organism that has the potential to become the next Messiah — and everybody wants to get their hands on it."

Based on the novel Babylon Babies by Maurice Georges Dantec, Babylon A.D. will be released on August 29, 2008 in the United States. The film stars Vin Diesel and Michelle Yeoh and is directed by French director Mathieu Kassovitz.

NEW "DARK KNIGHT" FEATURETTES

2008-06-06T18:17:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to the DARK KNIGHT website and check out two new featurettes! The first new one is about filming for the IMAX Experience (The way that I'll definitely be seeing DK when it opens!), and the second is about the creation of the Joker's gang's Clown Masks.

REVIEW - SPIDERMAN 3

2007-05-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I’ve been putting off this review for days.
There have been numerous reviews here and abroad talking about how inferior Spiderman 3 is to the other films. I figured, would anyone even hear a positive in a sea of negatives? Then I decided, well, just maybe someone will! So I decided to yell it loud and proud:
I LOVED SPIDERMAN 3!!!!

At this point I’m sure you all have read a bunch of reviews and know the basic premise. So I won’t go into too much detail here.

While not the best out of the three SPIDERMAN films (in my book that honor goes to S2), S3 was fun, enjoyable and hugely entertaining! The special effects were amazing and impressive, although they should be for $258 million!!
It takes a little bit to get going, but it’s worth the wait. The main theme of this installment is Peter parkers internal struggle, a modern Jekyll & Hyde if you will.

The film begins with everything going Peter Parker’s way, highly unusual. He is becoming a bit arrogant and self-important, much to MJ’s dismay. One night, while Peter and MJ are on a date on a web, a meteor crashes nearby emitting a gooey black symbiote that attaches itself to Peter’s bike and goes home with him. This symbiote thrives on negativity, hatred, jealousy and the like. After Peter and his Aunt are told that the real killer of his uncle is still at large (Flint Marko), the symbiote attaches itself to Peter. Feeling vengeful and angry, Peter is consumed by this substance, which covers him and forms itself into a snazzy Spidey suit. Black Spidey is born! Personally I think that Black Spidey/Dark Peter was an awesome segment of the movie, and the funniest! In fact, the first time Dark Peter looked at his reflection and combed his hair down, he reminded me of a creepy Crispin Glover. It is at that moment that Peter begins his spiral out of control, in a very “Campy Peter Parker” kind of way. Peter can only see things in relation to himself, causing him to neglect MJ and her failing career. This sends MJ straight into the arms of Harry who is suffering short-term memory loss, not remembering his disdain for Peter. Because of his affliction, New Goblin comes and goes, but is really the least of Spidey’s worries.

I felt pretty lucky when watching this installment, mainly because there wasn’t as much MJ in it. It’s not the character, it’s the portrayer. I can’t stand to watch Kirsten Dunst. In anything. Her half-open, droopy, expressionless eyes. Not moving her jaw when she speaks. Can’t they find someone else to play MJ in S4? At the very least, please don’t let her sing in the next one!

The Sandman was a little disappointing. The effects concerning the character were top notch, his background story was good and set himself up for inclusion in the next film. There was something about it/him that left me feeling a bit wanting.
Now, saving the best villain for last, Eddie Brock/Venom. Eddie Brock is a freelance photographer trying to snatch away the staff position from going to Peter. He sabotages him and gets caught. His jealousy and hatred attract the black symbiote, just when it needs a new host and whaa-laa, Venom! Now, I had been looking forward to Venom on the big screen since I was a kid. He did not disappoint! He was a beautiful creation in his oozing, fang-y, screeching Venom-ness. By far my favorite alter ego in this movie! My only qualm, however, is that his wrath was all too short. I would have loved to see him emerge sooner in the movie. A little less Sandman, a little more Venom! It would be fantastic if he could come back somehow for S4, but the villains have been said to be Carnage and Lizard, possibly Black Cat, and adding another would be just too convoluted and messy.

Bottom line: I loved this movie. I’m going to see it again. And when it comes out on DVD, I’ll buy it.

SPIDER-MAN WEEK IN NYC!

2007-05-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . SCROLL DOWN FOR TRAILER! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It's Spidey Week in NYC! The whole city is transforming to celebrate the release of Spiderman 3 (Fri 5/4 @ midnight). There was a special premiere of the new flick in Astoria, Queens. The first movie premiere ever there! There are events all around town from the Bronx Zoo to Museum of Natural History to Spiderman sightseeing tours and FORBIDDEN PLANET, the ultimate comic book destination in NYC!

SPIDERMAN MOVIE MARATHON:

SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-MAN 2
Introduced by one of the stars, Elizabeth Banks (aka "Betty Brant") plus behind-the-scenes featurettes of Spider-Man 3 all in one sitting!

THURSDAY, May 3, 5 p.m., BMCC TribecaPac 1
$18/double feature

An awesome way to gear yourself up for the midnight release of SPIDERMAN 3!
(Hope to see you there!)

For more information, updates and ticketing go the Tribeca Film Festival Film Guide.

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Go to SPIDEY WEEK to check it out and make your plans!
Have fun and enjoy the movie!

REVIEW - THE INVISIBLE

2007-04-28T20:43:00.003-07:00

There are three facts about THE INVISIBLE that should suggest not getting your hopes up:

1. It's a remake of a Swedish film (Den Osynlige)
2. It was not screened for critics before release.
3. It's a remake of a Swedish film.

It's not a horrible movie, but it not a good one either. In fact, I'm sure that as the days, or even hours, pass, I'll forget that I even saw it.

Here's the premise: Nick Powell (Justin Chatwin) is another sullen, moping, "no one listens to me" brat with good hair. He also writes poetry that "no one gets", which means he's "so misunderstood". Marcia Gay Harden plays his emotionally distant mother. Annie (Margarita Levieva) is a bully from the wrong side of town. She's neglected by her dad and stepmother and dates a twenty-something car-thief on parole. (Stop me when it gets interesting...) Annie and her 2-man crew literally beat Nick to within an inch of his life and leave him for dead. The problem is, Nick isn't dead, as he figures out thanks to a bird. He's stuck in a state of limbo between the living and the dead and must figure out how to let people know he's still alive and where he is before it's too late.
(Keep going? Ok.) Apparently, Annie, the one who got him onto this unfortunate situation is the only one who can hear him and save him, thereby possibly redeeming herself by doing "one good thing" in her miserable little life.

Here's yet another movie that fails to come through. It is billed as a supernatural thriller. Is it supernatural? Yes, but it doesn't even come close to thrilling. There is not one on the edge of your seat moment. No real suspense. And, contrary to the movie poster in the theatre, there is no mystery either. From the start, we know what was done, why it was done, when it was done, how it was done and who did it. There are no questions left to answer. Nothing to keep you interested. Not to mention that there is no real character development. The only moments indicating that any of these characters are not made of cardboard are Marcia Gay Harden grieving over her son's disappearance and Annie's ending scenes. Margarita Levieva, not having much to work with, is really the only shining point in this film, save for Marcia Gay Harden.
And even the always extraordinary MGH can't save this movie from it's own painfully slow death.

On the bright side, the soundtrack's pretty good!

REVIEW - NEXT

2007-04-28T19:55:00.002-07:00

Why does Nicolas Cage insist on wasting his time and efforts with crappy films that not only are unworthy of his talents, but that also challenge me not to go to the movie theatre manager and demand restitution?

In NEXT, a small-time Las Vegas magician, Chris Johnson (a.k.a. Frank Cadillac) was born with a with a unique ability to see two minutes into the future. This rule has an exception where a premonition of a mystery woman (Jessica Biel) is concerned. When envisioning her there are no constraints of time, leading Chris to believe that she's "the one". When a Russian nuclear weapon goes missing, FBI terrorist expert Callie Ferris (Julianne Moore, completely wasting her talents here) "recruits" him to use his gift to save America! Oy vey.

I would say that this film borders on the rediculous, if it hadn't already drowned itself in it. There were times where I actually laughed out loud at moments that were supposed to be tense and serious. Moments where I think I was supposed to respond with "Wow!" or "That's so cool!". For example, a scene where Chris psychically "clones" multiple versions of himself to search a plant for the enemy, this trick is beat to death throughout the movie. Another laughable instance occuring frequently throughout the film, is Chris closing his eyes and concentrating REALLY HARD to focus on his visions.

Jessica Biel gave us a promising glimpse of what she can do in "The Illusionist". In this film, there's nothing more for her to do that be a damsel in distress. Oh, and exit the bathroom in a skimpy towel wet from a shower. Julianne Moore, a 4 time Oscar nominee, is a complete waste of talent here. Does she really a paycheck this badly?

While Nicolas Cage still has an attention-capturing presence on screen and is still one of my favorite actors (I'll go see anything he's in), his recent string of unfortunate film choices my begin to incline filmgoers to expect nothing but the least from him.

Plus, the ending REALLY sucks.

REVIEW - HOT FUZZ

2007-04-28T19:55:00.001-07:00

Hot Fuzz is without a doubt one of the funniest movies I've seen in a long time that doesn't aim to insult the audience's intelligence. Just the opposite, the boys of "Shaun of the Dead" lived up to and above my expectations. I will be buying this movie the day is comes out.

Nick Angel (Simon Pegg) is London's top cop. In fact, he's so good that he makes the rest of the police force look terrible. To remedy this, he is reassigned to a small town outside of London, Sandford. Sandford is a quiet, crime free village that hasn't had a murder in decades. Nick's partner is the police chief's son, Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). Danny is addicted to action movies, *cop action movies in particular, like "Bad Boys" and "Point Break" and is desperate for the chance to emulate them in real life. When gruesome accidents begin to occur with an odd frequency, Angel suspects that Sandford is not what it seems and Danny's desire for exciting car chases, gunfights and kick-ass action just may be fulfilled.

Hot Fuzz builds gradually and then explodes with action. A true and skillful pairing of comedy and action is at work here. Sight gags and film references abound, it is relentlessly funny and entertaining with exciting over-the-top action once bloody hell finally breaks loose. Simon and Nick's chemistry is great, natural and on point. There is an awesomely stellar supporting cast, including Cate Blanchett in an uncredited cameo.

RUN, don't walk, TO SEE THIS BRILLIANTLY AWESOME MOVIE!!!

Soundtrack --> Great!

REVIEW - IN THE LAND OF WOMEN

2007-04-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

I did not expect to like this movie. Yet, like all the women in Carter Webb’s life, I’ve completely fallen in love.

In the Land of Women is a refreshingly original story from freshman director/writer Jon Kasdan, brimming with emotional texture.
After being dumped by his beautiful actress girlfriend, L.A. based scriptwriter Carter Webb (Adam Body) temporarily transplants himself to suburban Michigan to care for his grandmother (Olympia Dukakis) and put his life back together. He stumbles into the lives of the women living across the street: Sarah Hardwicke (Meg Ryan) and her two daughters, Lucy (Kristen Stewart) a typical angst ridden teenager who hates her mother and Paige (Mackenzie Vega) the precociously sweet little sister. Carter forms distinctly unique bonds with each of them, impacting their lives “forever”. And they, of course, do the same for him, unknowingly aiding in his proverbial “rebirth”.

In the past, I have read accounts of Meg Ryan claiming she’d never do another of the romantic comedies she’s become known for, seemingly playing the same character over and over. While ITLOW is not technically a romantic comedy, there were several scenes where Ryan’s inner Sally Albright (When Harry Met Sally) shines through (the supermarket scene in particular). That aside, Ryan’s turn as a mother of two battling breast cancer was one of the best I’ve seen from her since 1994’s “When a Man Loves a Woman”.
The casting of Olympia Dukakis as Phyllis, Carter’s Grandmother, was pitch-perfect and her performance nothing short of scene-stealing perfection. While an ornery cranky grandmother isn’t altogether a unique character, I can’t imagine anyone else playing this part as effectively. Dukakis has never disappointed me, even when in a film that doesn’t have much to offer, such as “Picture Perfect”.

This film, as I’m sure has been said by others, belongs to Adam Brody. I must admit I have NEVER seen a single episode of “The OC”. To me it seemed like this generation’s “90210”, which I found insufferable the first time around. Given my prejudiced opinion, I hardly expected any real talent to rise from the former teen drama’s ashes. Well, Adam Brody has spent this entire movie proving me wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he is talented enough and more than capable of carrying his weight in a leading film role. If he properly navigates away from the pitfalls of the “young tv-star” to “seriously-taken-film-actor” transition, Brody can realize his full potential and grow into a truly great actor.