Rss

  • linkedin

Archives for : June2013

Movie Review: White House Down

The White House is under attack!  And it’s nice to see the president himself actually fight back.

I’m sure a lot of you are wondering if this film is just some cheesy action flick that gives Channing Tatum another reason to be shirtless.  That’s what I thought.  Surprisingly enough Channing Tatum doesn’t take his shirt off once!  Sorry ladies…But I’ll tell you what he does do, he kicks ass!  And unlike most films that are about taking down the president, so does the Commander-in-Chief.  This is what makes White House Down a heart-pounding thrill to watch!

John Cale (Tatum) brings his political obsessed daughter, Emily (Joey King), along with him to a job interview at the White House.  After blowing his interview and lying to his daughter about it, they decide to tag along one of the tours. While on the tour, a bomb goes off.  Like the film says “it’s a sh** show!”  At this point in the film, I’m hooked.  I don’t know how it happened, but even throughout the predictable plot lines, I was taking deep breaths as each scene went by.

There are still some surprises and twists in this film.  But the biggest surprise is how much fun it is watching Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum partner up to fight the bad guys.  The best part of this movie was the fact that the president didn’t act like some damsel in distress.   Usually when a movie has a fictional president, they are hardly a character and have minimal dialogue.  I should have known with Jamie Foxx as president that would not be the case, thank goodness!  As if I was worried Jamie Foxx could do wrong in this film.  I was a little unsure of Channing Tatum, but it was nice to see the new dad in a father figure role.

But if we’re talking scene-stealers, that title belongs to the back talking, brave young Emily.  She is played by Joey King.  Who would have known that while watching her 2010 comedy, Ramona and Beezus, she would become such an evolved actress.  She recently appeared in films like, Oz the Great and Powerful and The Dark Knight Rises.  This girl has some real acting chops, and I would keep an eye out on her from now on.

Never thought White House Down would be on my summer must see list.  But, I haven’t felt that kind of excitement in a movie since the airport scene in Argo.

White House Down hits theaters everywhere today. It’s worth it, go watch!

White House Down – Official Trailer #3 (HD)

Coming Soon: Jobs

Could this be the “job” that finally breaks Ashton Kutcher away from his romantic comedy stereotype?

Film Synopsis: The story of Steve Jobs’ rise from college dropout into one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century.

Directed by Joshua Michael Stern and Written by Matt Whiteley

Stars: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, Dermot Mulroney, James Woods, J.K. Simmons and Amanda Crew

 

First Impressions: Based on this trailer alone, it looks like we’ll get to see a whole new side to the guy from That 70’s Show. We did get a glimpse of a more serious side to him in ​Butterfly  Effect ​ and The Guardian.  But that didn’t last too long, and he quickly reverted back to the genre he felt the most comfortable.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy What Happens in Vegas and No Strings Attached.  I just knew he was capable of more versatility.  This is what he seems to be showing in the first trailer of the anticipated Steve Jobs bio pic, Jobs.

If the film’s release date was closer to Oscar season, I would even say he has a big shot for that Best Actor nomination.  Oscar history has shown that actors who play real-life roles, only up their chances at taking home that golden statue.  In the past ten years alone, six of the Best Actor winners were from portrayals of real people.  Including Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles(2005), Sean Penn as Harvey Milk(2009), and of course most recently Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln(2013).  But all those actors gave strong performances that earned them a much deserved win.  So we will just have to wait and see how compelling of a performance Ashton Kutcher gives when the movie is released August 16, 2013.  For now, you be the judge…

JOBS Official Trailer HD – Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs

“Blood and Ice Cream” at Alamo Drafthouse

The Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson,TX open’s this August, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until till then for the fun events they will be hosting!

184481_466768603418146_1839540616_n

 

  • Richardson, TX, June 25, 2013—On Thursday, July 25, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Richardson (http://drafthouse.com/dfw/richardson) will host a very special FREE advance screening of THE WORLD’S END inside the yet-to-be-open Alamo Drafthouse Richardson followed by a FREE double feature of the classics SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004) and HOT FUZZ (2007) outside in the Alamo parking lot on the 40-foot Rolling Roadshow screen. THE WORLD’S END is in the tradition of the earlier movies as the final film in the “Blood and Ice Cream” Trilogy.
  • The Trilogy’s director Edgar Wright and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will be in attendance to introduce the films and take part in a special Q&A. Trilogy fans are encouraged to come dressed as a giant Cornetto ice cream cone, zombie, cop, or a zombie cop!
  • Alamo Richardson’s programmer, James Wallace had this to say about the event: “We could not be more excited to host the ‘Blood and Ice Cream’ Trilogy in its entirety as a part of our pre-grand opening festivities…and having the guys here to present it is just the chocolate sauce on top. When I think of filmmakers that ARE Alamo, Wright, Pegg, and Frost are at the top of that list. It’s going to be a bloody awesome night that no movie nerd will want to miss.”

             1013403_474689455959394_1639235600_n

 

 
 
Thursday, July 25:
  • 7 pm: THE WORLD’S END screening, followed by Q&A with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost
  • 9 pm: Rolling Roadshow Double-Feature: SHAUN OF THE DEAD followed by HOT FUZZ, with introduction by Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost
  • Food trucks and an outdoor bar will be on hand in the parking lot for the screenings.
  • Gates for the Rolling Roadshow screenings open at 6:30 pm. Outdoor films roll once the indoor screening is finished.
  •  The indoor screening has a limited seating capacity. Passes for which will be required and are to be distributed online in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned to Alamo Drafthouse DFW’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/alamodrafthousedfw) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/alamodfw) for information on getting passes.
  • The outdoor screenings are first come, first serve until capacity for the fenced-in area is reached. No pass is needed for admittance for the outdoor screenings only. It is BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair).
“Blood and Ice Cream” Trilogy synopses:
  • SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004) – A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.
  • HOT FUZZ (2007) – Exceptional London cop Nicholas Angel is involuntarily transferred to a quaint English village and paired with a witless new partner. While on the beat, Nicholas suspects a sinister conspiracy is afoot with the residents.
  • THE WORLD’S END (2013) – Five friends reunited in an attempt to complete an epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind’s only hope for survival.
  •  The Alamo Drafthouse is a lifestyle entertainment brand with an acclaimed cinema-eatery, the largest genre film festival in the United Sates and an online collectible art store. Named “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events.

Movie Review: This is the End & Man of Steel

Last week I got watch the two films I’m sure are at the top of everyone’s summer must see list.  One of these movies soared into heaven, while the other didn’t fly quite as high.

Lets start with the film that marks the directorial debut of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, This is the End.  The film is based off a short that Rogen had made with fellow cast member, Jay Baruchel, Jay and Seth Versus the Apocalypse.  The premise is simple. During a party at James Franco’s house, the Apocalypse strikes and only the good ascend to heaven. Most of the Hollywood stars drop straight to hell within the first 20 minutes, leaving only six of them to try and stay alive.  If they are good enough and prove to be selfless, they still have a chance at that golden ticket into heaven.

The most unique factor in this film and the biggest risk, is the fact that all these actors are playing selfish, versions of themselves.  I wasn’t sure how this would play out or if it would even be that funny.  But I was so happy my doubts were wrong.  This movie was HILARIOUS!  And is now officially right up there with Goldberg and Rogen’s other classics, Superbad and Pineapple Express.  The constant jabs that these actors make at each other, and the real chemistry that this cast has is what makes them so enjoyable to watch.  Like we’re getting a glimpse of a warped friendship.  All six contribute to laugh out loud moments, but I have to say Craig Robinson really stood out for me in this film.  Maybe it’s because we don’t usually get to see Robinson in lead roles, or maybe its because I’m still missing anything related to The Office.

Craig-Robinson-This-is-the-End-e1365613702361

I do think most everyone will enjoy the film and leave with many quotable lines.  I only like to give a heads up to audiences, if you don’t care for these actors already or you’re not a fan of really dry and crude humor; then this will not be the film for you.  Otherwise, purchase that ticket and get ready to laugh!

Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen made a red carpet appearance in Dallas at the Northpark Mall to promote the film and they were a blast to interview!  Click on the link below to watch.

This Is The End; a red carpet interview with Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen

One of the most anticipated films of the year, Man of Steel, finally hit theaters.  From the moment I heard Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer were behind the story idea for the film, I was convinced it would be better than The Dark Knight trilogy.  I am also a little bias, considering Superman is my all time favorite superhero.  Either way, my first advice to audiences (especially hard core Superman fans) is don’t go in with high expectations.

It pains me to say I was disappointed with this movie.  Don’t get me wrong the film wasn’t by any means “Bad.”  And to say it was better than the 2006, Bryan Singer film, Superman Returns, would be an understatement.

henry-cavell-e-amy-adams-no-papel-de-super-homem-e-lois-lane-ela-definitivamente-e-uma-figura-e-se-envolve-em-muitos-problemas-disse-a-atriz-sobre-sua-personagem-1370346416889_70 th

I hope everyone knows the story of Superman before going into this film.   Man of Steel‘s main goal was to tell a version  that we hadn’t seen before.  And I will say they achieved that goal.  I just cant say that this was a version I wanted to see.  I get that they were wanting to make up for the lack of action in Superman Returns, cause there was more than enough action for both films.  But in doing so, there is a serious lack of character development with the supporting actors which led to not caring about most of them.  The film’s main focus was the battle between the infamous, General Zod and Superman.  And when I say battle, I mean BATTLE.  There are so many fight scenes between the two, that I just remember it all blurred together as one giant fight that lasts for the entire second half of the film.  As I’m sure you guys have read on other sites, there are many things in the movie that don’t follow the original story.  But what kills me the most is the relationship between Lois and Clark.  I’m not saying we need their love story to play a huge part.  But it certainly didn’t need to be rushed and not have any real growth.

There is still some really good parts to Man of Steel.  The flashbacks of Clark growing up and learning how to control his powers were by far my favorite parts of the film.  Though they may be redundant to people who have seen this story many times, they are necessary for us to connect to Superman on the human level.  I did like the dark tone of the film.  The casting was great, and all the actors owned their roles, especially Amy Adams.  I just wish that for someone who had tried out for Lois Lane three times, she could have gotten to exude more of Lois’ fiercely/fun side which I know Adam’s would have nailed.  Instead we got a seriously good, “Pulitzer Prize winning reporter.”

Having said all this, I still recommend audiences go watch the movie and get their own opinion.  I know a big part of my let down was that I had predetermined what I was about to see.  I’m actually thrilled it did so well in the box office, and I am really looking forward to a sequel.  There’s a lot they didn’t cover in this film and knowing now how they are telling the story, a sequel will be much more enjoyable.  I guess I will always root for Superman no matter what the circumstances.  And hey, I do love this trailer!

Man of Steel – Official Trailer HD