Archive Page 515
June 29th, 2012 by Mary Welms
Admit it, how many of you out there growing up had a teddy bear, bunny rabbit or some sort of stuffed animal or doll as your bff? Imagine that favorite toy coming to life, holy crap how awesome would that be, right? Well Seth MacFarlane, creator/writer of Family Guy, has done such that and even better…he has brought it to the big screen. Fueled with the goofy and profane style that the TV show has, Seth pushes his insane comedy to the edge, but he doesn’t make you feel like you want to jump. I think it is one of those movies that with each subsequent viewing it gets funnier and funnier. Of course this is an R rated movie, but Ted is a booze drinking, pot smoking, burping, farting, Flash Gordon lover and a sex-crazed teddy bear that emailed Hasbro about not giving him a penis. Continue reading ‘Ted (Movie Review)’
June 28th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
How about a Princess Bride post? Well here you go: Scale the cliffs of insanity, battle rodents of unusual size, face torture in the pit of despair, and join Princess Buttercup and Westley on their spell-binding journey to find true love when The Princess Bride 25th Anniversary Blu-ray debuts October 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. A classic fairy tale complete with heroes, villains, trickery, mockery and death-defying miracles, The Princess Bride captured audiences young and old with its brilliant, memorable dialogue, enchanting story line and bewitching characters. From celebrated director Rob Reiner (The Bucket List) and Oscar®-winning screenwriter William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) comes “an enchanting fantasy” (Time) filled with adventure, romance and plenty of “good-hearted fun” (Roger Ebert). Featuring a spectacular cast that includes Robin Wright (Forrest Gump), Cary Elwes (No Strings Attached), Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”) and Billy Crystal (Tooth Fairy), this wonderful fairy tale about a Princess named Buttercup and her beloved is “a real dream of a movie” (People). Continue reading ‘The Princess Bride 25th Anniversary Edition Arrives on Blu-ray October’
June 28th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
I really don’t have anything against this movie for what it tries to be. Given that someone already went ahead and called pull quote credit by proclaiming People Like Us as “The feel good movie of the summer,” I get the feeling that anyone that is going into this movie will probably have a good idea as to what to expect. It is a simple story that is full of sentiment and characters that don’t reveal all of the info they have to others, even though everything would be cleared up in a matter of minutes if they were to do so. The film is well cast, but everyone gets their moment with monologues delivered, while on the verge of tears. It does have some clever moments and other factors that make it decent, but it is also overlong and quite flashy in its filmmaking. Continue reading ‘‘People Like Us’ Is Sentimental Stuff’
June 28th, 2012 by Blu-ray Brian
You know how they used to and still do introduce Kiss as the hottest band in the world? Well, the same can be applicable with every housewife’s favorite S&M book title, Fifty Shades of Grey. Next month, E L James, the author of the Fifty Shades trilogy, will be signing books July 12, 4-5:30 at the San Diego Convention Center. The ticketed afternoon event is free. This is the author’s first book signing on the West Coast. First published in May 2011, Fifty Shades of Grey follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. Subsequent novels in the series, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed explore the couple’s deepening relationship. Since Vintage Books acquired the books in March 2012, the trilogy has sold 16 million copies in the U.S. in all formats. I guess my question is legitimately, how are they going to make these movies with even a an R-rating? Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2012: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Book Signings’
June 26th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
In June of 1981 director Steven Spielberg and executive producer George Lucas introduced the world to Indiana Jones when the unforgettable Raiders of the Lost Ark debuted in theaters. Exploding to instant acclaim, the film has now been carefully restored, alongside remastered versions of the archaeologist’s other thrilling adventures—Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Prepare for excitement, adventure and snakes—why did it have to be snakes?—all with pristine picture and sound when INDIANA JONES: The Complete Adventures debuts on Blu-ray September 18, 2012 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Media Distribution. Continue reading ‘Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures on Blu-ray September 18th’
June 26th, 2012 by David Freedman
Teenager Donny fathers a son, Todd and raises him as a single parent. But after being estranged for years, Donny suddenly shows up before Todd’s wedding. So Todd tries to keep his crazy father from destroying his life. This broad comedy stars Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg and Leighton Meester. Directed by Sean Anders and written by David Caspe. Produced By Allen Covert, Jack Giarraputo, Heather Parry, and Adam Sandler. Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘That’s My Boy – Just Seen It Movie Review’
June 25th, 2012 by Brian White
Have you ever seen E’s Talk Soup with Joel McHale? Pretty hilarious, huh? Well if you have, then the format of Tosh.O is going to look pretty darn familiar to you, at least to me it does. I’m not really crazy about the title Hoodies, but nonetheless it’s a collection of episodes from Season One of the Comedy Central show that my buddy Gregg Senko (staff writer here) has been encouraging me to watch for quite some time now. Are you happy with me now, Gregg? Hoodies refers to the article of clothing comedian Daniel Tosh adorns each episode, but I’d be fine with a title of just “Season One.” What say you? Continue reading ‘Tosh.0: Hoodies (Blu-ray Review)’
June 25th, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
I went into Beasts of the Southern Wild with no idea as to what I was going to see. I had only heard about it being very well received at Sundance and Cannes, but little in the way of what the film was actually about. Vague descriptions used key words like “fantasy” and “Katrina”, but I still did not have much of an “in”, before sitting in my seat getting to watch the film for myself. To my delight, ‘Beasts’ turned out to be one of the most unique films I have seen this year. With elements of Spielberg and Terry Gilliam, combined with the use of a sort of documentary-style grittiness, the film is creative, affecting, and nontraditional in many ways. ‘Beasts’ deals with what it takes to be a survivor and how to handle grief, but serves as a fable of sorts as well, with a great performance from the young girl at the center of the story. Continue reading ‘Take A Walk On The ‘Beasts Of The Southern Wild’ Side’
June 25th, 2012 by Gerard Iribe
Back in the director’s chair (naturally) is the great Werner Herzog, flying high after his last critical hit, The Cave of Forgotten Dreams. This time out, Werner Herzog tackles the subject of the death penalty. Wow, Herzog, the death penalty, and existential cinema collide? I’m there! One has to go into something like Into the Abyss with an open mind due to the subject matter at hand and check any preconceived notions at the door. Will we choose sides, will we remain locked in neutral? It’s good to know that we have Captain Herzog at the wheel, but depending on what you may think of his past works, is that necessarily a good thing? Keep reading after the jump to find out. Continue reading ‘Into the Abyss (Blu-ray Review)’
June 25th, 2012 by Gregg Senko
There are a few vacations I’ve taken that greatly overshadow any others I’ve been on. Ilha Grande, Brazil. Red Rocks National Park in Colorado. The San Diego Comic-Con. Ah Comic-Con, the only man-made stop of the aforementioned trio. After attending three Cons (’08-’10), I can honestly say I was extremely disappointed on missing last year’s and have been suffering from withdrawal ever since. So when a book came across my desk to review, aptly titled Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture, I took notice and gladly accepted the task to cover its content. What started out as a literary whetting of the convention appetite, turned into one solidly educating and entertaining read.
Continue reading ‘Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture (Book Review)’
June 23rd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is kind of fun to reference To Rome with Love as “this year’s Woody Allen film”. Allen seemingly works non-stop, releasing new films on a near yearly basis and has a pretty strong batting average overall that most other filmmakers would kill to have. Especially given his creative freedom, Allen has enjoyed plenty of success, but that also tends to find him running hot and cold at times. To Rome with Love feels like “lesser Allen”. It’s certainly not “bad Allen”, as the film has plenty of enjoyable aspects to it, but especially after coming off of the very warm reception from Midnight in Paris (Review, Essay), this film felt problematic. There’s a new locale and a strong cast, but the film has issues with how to utilize its assets and ends up lighthearted, but overwritten and messy. Continue reading ‘Woody Allen Meanders ‘To Rome’’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Salim, Greg and Aaron discuss all the possibilities of the new Spiderman movie with both anticipation and apprehension! Abandoned by his parents as a boy, Peter Parker is raised by his Aunt and Uncle. But when he finds a mysterious briefcase, it leads him to his father’s former partner. Seeking the answers to his past, Peter must also stop an unimaginable terror. Starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans. Directed by Marc Webb. Based on the Marvel Comic created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Produced by Avi Arad. Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘The Amazing Spiderman – Just Seen It ‘Preview Review’’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Princess Merida defies custom and her mother’s wishes to be married. But her recklessness unleashes a horrible curse on her family. With the future of her kingdom is jeopardy, only she can break the curse. This new release from Pixar/Disney Features the voices of Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson. Written and Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Purcell. Produced by Katherine Sarafian and John Lassiter. Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘Brave – Just Seen It Movie Review’
June 23rd, 2012 by David Freedman
Based on the Broadway musical, a small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip. Both have dreams of singing careers while paying their dues working at the most famous rock club in LA. But when the city boy gets his big break, it threatens their love. This movie boasts a fantastic ensemble cast with Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand and Paul Giamatti. Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo and Allan Loeb.Based on the Musical Book by Chris D’Arienzo.Produced by Jennifer Gibgot, and Jennifer Gibgot.Follow us on Twitter: @justseenit Continue reading ‘Rock Of Ages – Just Seen It Movie Review’
June 23rd, 2012 by Brian White
I guess the world didn’t have enough with the 2010 redux of Clash of the Titans. That’s a good thing in my opinion. In many ways, especially in the visual effects category, I thoroughly enjoyed the remake much more than the 80’s odyssey. I was young and naïve back then. Heck, back then I thought those effects were the sh1t. Well I guess in hindsight they really were, but whether you like it or not, Wrath of the Titans picks up a decade after the events of Clash, but sadly without the beautiful Gemma Arterton. Boo in that respect! How does it stack up to its 2-year old brother? That’s what we’re about to address below. Ready to come on this magical journey to hell and back with me and feel the wrath? Continue reading ‘Wrath of the Titans (Blu-ray Review)’
June 23rd, 2012 by Brian White
Can you believe it? I have never seen the 80’s television show 21 Jump Street in my 37+ years of living on this land and water filled planet. I’m a virgin! That’s horrible! I should be dragged down the streets by my ugly hair or publicly pelted and stoned in the middle of town square for admitting that, right? Well whatever capital punishment you decide for me, rest assured I will do my very best to bring justice to this Blu-ray review of the 2012 action comedy of the same name. Ready or not, here I go… Continue reading ’21 Jump Street (Blu-ray Review)’
June 22nd, 2012 by Aaron Neuwirth
Sometimes I just really like it when things work out the way I expect them to. In the lead up to Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, I had a pretty exact image of what my response was going to be upon seeing the film and it ended up being more or less everything that I wanted out of it. Should that sully my feelings toward it, given that I predicted my own reaction to the film? I don’t think so. Should I be disappointed that the film did not surprise me by going in a different direction than what I expected? I don’t think so either. I was initially intrigued by the film based on the setup and who was involved and got what I wanted. ‘Seeking a Friend’ presents a premise that is inherently dark, but adds on some sensibilities of a romantic comedy and a likable cast, which makes it a rewarding film to see. Continue reading ‘I Found Joy During ‘Seeking A Friend’’
June 22nd, 2012 by Brian White
The wait is FINALLY over! One of my favorite fictional books of 2010 has been adapted and now for very first time…officially presented on the big screen in eye-popping 3-D, if you so choose. Hip, hip hooray! Of course, I’m talking about none other than Seth Grahame-Smith’s mashup novel, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, a combination of two things that I love the most in life…history/historic figures and blood sucking/curdling vampires! How can you possibly go wrong with this combo subject matter? I’ll pause for a brief second. Good. I didn’t think I would hear any complaints. And by the way, anyone who is curious about the aforementioned literacy piece of work I referenced can read my full book review and learn all about it over here, but be warned…the rest of this review is going to focus solely on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter…the 2012 Timur Bekmambetov action horror film. Continue reading ‘Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Stakes Itself (Movie Review)’
