WTF: The Busey of Oz

For those who don't yet have nightmares, but would like to have some...

Review: Lockout (2012)

I was so excited for this movie when the first trailers came out (HERE), but when I finally got a chance to watch it this weekend I slowly became more and more disappointed... especially considering it was my #14 most anticipated movie of the year (HERE).  It had all the markings of another cool Luc Besson film with Guy Pearce at his badassiest, but it quickly became evident that this was just another shoot-em-up action no-brainer.  The premise of the movie involves a falsely accused man (Pearce) on his way to a highly secure space prison to serve his sentence in a suspended animation sleep (eh erm, Demolition Man).  But when the president's daughter (LOST's Maggie Grace) is trapped in the prison during a violent revolt the government's only hope is sending in Pearce to rescue her (cough, cough, Escape from New York).  Not original, but cool, right?  Kind of... but not entirely.

The opening scene where Guy Pearce's character Snow is being interrogated (the part in the trailer that really hooked me) was sadly the best part of the whole movie.  From there we are welcomed into the film with some really questionable special effects and then one cliche line of dialogue after the next.  I realized that there was some risk with first time feature co-director/writers Stephen St. Leger and James Mather, but was hoping Luc Besson would have played a bigger mentoring role.  There is enough guns, explosions and witty (though unoriginal) one-liners to keep the average movie watcher happy, but in the end this was unfocused, unoriginal and just plain predictably boring.  Too bad for a movie with such potential.

I'm not saying don't watch this, but I am warning that it's not the "something special" I had hoped for.

My Score:  6/10
IMDB Score: 6.1/10

News: With A Friend Like Harry Getting Unnecessary Remake

Director Kimberly Peirce is currently filming an expected remake with Carrie but has already determined her following project in a much more unexpected (and unnecessary) remake with the French psychological-thriller With A Friend Like Harry.  I'm certainly not attempting to defend the original as a perfect movie, but with its slow boil suspense and indie feel, I just don't see how anyone could make this movie any differently... except in English, of course.  The story involves two men, Michel and Harry, who meet (seemingly) by coincidence after not seeing each other since their school days together.  Michel invites Harry to his summer home where Harry recalls Michel's great poems in school and is genuinely distressed that he hasn't written anything since.  Harry attempts to change that by removing everything in Michel's life that is preventing him from writing again... everything.

No word on any type of casting yet, but what makes the original work is its relatively small scale and if they try to make this remake any bigger it will cave in on itself.  You might as well rent the original instead.  It's the kind of movie for audiences that appreciate foreign movies.  If that's not you, the remake probably won't interest you much, either.

Trailer: Cloud Atlas (2012)

Knowing this book was being adapted into a movie this year I made an unsuccessful attempt to read it first.  I struggled through a hundred pages or so, but found the writing too stuffy and wreaking of pretentiousness (whether it was from the voice of the character or the author, I can't say).  Now, with the first trailer for the movie being released, it makes me wish I would have stuck with it.  Epic in nature and hard to efficiently explain the premise, filmmakers Tom Tykwer (Run, Lola, Run) and The Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix Trilogy) have provided an extended trailer to help visualize it (which is truly the best way to absorb this high-concept story).

And what better way to celebrate my 400th post than with a trailer for a true movie-lover's type of movie.  Set aside 5 minutes of your day and watch this:

News: The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete Starts Filming This Week

I had the pleasure of meeting screenwriter Michael Starrbury this past November when he graciously agreed to sit down for MiYF's first real interview.  One of the things I learned about him was that apart from being a family man (which if you are, you know how much time that takes alone), Michael was also extremely busy juggling multiple projects and now even more so as he's taken on the adaptation of the action-comedy The Great Unknown for New Line.  Not too shabby for a guy who doesn't live in Los Angeles or New York, eh?  But the project that he considers to be his breakthrough was The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete, which he confirmed has just started filming this week in Brooklyn.  The story involves two inner city kids who must rely on each other through the summer after their mothers are taken away by the authorities.  Not only is his movie being directed and produced by George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food, Men of Honor, Faster), but he's also got an impressive cast to bring his vision to life.  Pretty amazing considering most young filmmakers must rely on a cast of part time actors, friends and family to star in their movies.  Instead Mister and Pete will feature Anthony Mackie (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, The Hurt Locker, Million Dollar Baby), the criminally underrated Jeffrey Wright (Angels in America, Casino Royale, Basquiat - and the list goes on) as well as ex-American-Idolers Jordin Sparks and headliner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls, The Secret Life of Bees).  I'm still waiting to confirm how all of these actors interact with the titular main characters of the movie, but will post an update once I have it.

Though a bit out-dated you can also check out my profile on Michael HERE if you missed it back in December.  As a wannabe writer, his story has certainly inspired me (and hopefully other hopeful writers) by proving that no matter where you live there are opportunities out there.

Fitz and The Tantrums Sets Music Video to Old Horror Movie

Fitz and The Tantrums: like.  Covers of "Sweet Dreams": like.  1960's horror flick Carnival of Souls: like.  Throw all of those things together and you have this!  Enjoy:

Trailer: The Possession (2012)

Based on a "true story" (yeah, right), the only thing that really sets this cliche possession movie apart from the others is that it is produced by horror master Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead trilogy).  Basically a young girl becomes cursed after buying a creepy old box at a garage sale... that's about it.  If you buy into all of that ghosty BS you can prime yourself for the movie by reading up on all the "facts" of the Dibbuk Box legend HERE.  Otherwise you can just check out the trailer below for a movie that doesn't look all that original, but does look like it could be good for a couple scares.

News: J.J. Abrams and Edgar Wright Team Up for Sci Fi Project

Yes, you read that correctly.  In what is sure to be a geek-boy's fantasy filmmaker team-up, two of the biggest names in movies are joining forces to work on a sci fi project currently titled Collider.  Besides a title and genre, there were no other details given about this movie... but who cares?  It's a movie with flippin' J.J. Abrams and freakin' Edgar Wright!  Also joining the dynamic duo will be screenwriter Mark Protosevich who is best known for J-Lo's The Cell, The Fresh Prince's I Am Legend as well as Spike Lee's upcoming Oldboy remake and Jurassic Park IV (which we're being told is still happening).  So he'll definitely bring his own awesomeness to the group, too.  Consider me officially "jazzed" and will post more information about this crazy cool project as I find it.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan In Real Life

OK, so not really Morgan the actor, but rather his character from little seen movie The Resident in which he owns an apartment building and stalks new renter Hillary Swank.  Not sure if this man has seen the movie, but a 25 year old New Zealander was sentenced this week following his April arrest which revealed the elaborate hideout he built inside his ex-girlfriend's house to spy on her (skin crawling yet).  He was discovered when she was visiting with another man in the house and they heard a noise outside.  They investigated and found a note telling the man to leave in 3 minutes or "me & Charlz be bak".  They raced to lock windows and doors when she found her ex-boyfriend standing in her daughter's closet with a garden spade (oh snap).  He then fled the scene but was arrested the same day after police found him back at the house in his hideout under the stairs.  Scarily enough the man was only sentenced to three years and seven months (so he'll be out before he's 30) with the judge stating that he was a young man who held some promise despite "an emotional breakdown and addiction to methamphetamine"... say what now?  No word on if he was using her toothbrush ala Jeffrey Dean Morgan, but you can check out the rest of the creeptastic story HERE.  See the layout of his creeper's den below.  Sleep tight.

News: Jurassic Park 4 Not Extinct Afterall

This has been one of those projects that seemed like a sure thing, then disappeared, then more news, then nothing... and now producer Frank Marshall says that it is still inching forward.  In fact he stated in an interview with Collider recently that if pre-production stays on schedule the movie will be in theaters within 2 years.  He also clarified that he would like to keep as much of the prosthetic and puppet effects from the original, but will undoubtedly rely heavily on CGI (much like the original).  The screenplay is currently being polished by Rise of the Planet of the Apes writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, so there is hope that we should be seeing more news about this movie soon.  Steven Spielberg stated earlier in the year that he will not direct, but will still play a heavy role in bringing this sequel to the screen.  And with all of this talent involved, we can continue to hope that this will be more like the original than the gratuitous sequel or the unnecessary third movie in the series.

Teaser Trailer: Man of Steel (2013)

The first organized footage from Zach Snyder's gritty Superman reboot Man of Steel has finally been released and although it doesn't show much, it certainly promises something greater.  It only hints at Snyder's amazing visual style, but should match (or exceed) his other efforts including Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen and Sucker Punch.  Honestly, I'm kind of at my breaking point with all of these gritty superhero movies, but there's enough here to keep my attention.  Check out the teaser below and let me know what you think:

Trailer: The Master (2012)

Teasing with a couple of ambiguous mini-trailers, set photos and the recent release of the movie's first poster, anxious fans finally have a polished trailer to go with Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master.  And it appears that the real master is that of the movie's writer/director.  Ethereal, hypnotic and looks to be Anderson's best effort to date.  Feast your senses on this:

Short Film: Scary Smash (Written by A Kid - Episode 1)

Will Bowles and Josh Flaum have started a web series in which they bring a child's imaginative story to life.  The debut episode is young Brett's monster story Scary Smash featuring Kids in the Hall alumni Dave Foley, Raising Hope's Kate Micucci... oh, and a little known guy named Joss Whedon, creator of Firefly, Buffy, Angel and director of the $1.5 billion - with a B - blockbuster The Avengers.  Sorry but I need to point out the significance of that, just try to imagine ego-maniac directors James Cameron or Michael Bay crouching around against a green screen for a comedy bit.  THIS is why Whedon is the man!  And in this short film Brett is the man, too.  Check it out:

News: Fred Willard Caught With His Pants Down

You'll recognize him from comedies like Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman and tons of other smaller cameos.  Now Willard has taken fate (eh, em...) into his own hands by inadvertently casting himself in a bigger spotlight.  It was reported today that the 72 year old actor was arrested at an adult movie theater in Hollywood on Wednesday night for "lewd conduct" during an undercover inspection of the joint - ala PeeWee Herman.  One of Willard's all-time best lines was from Best in Show where he said, "You know what they say about blind prostitutes:  you've really got to hand it to them".  No word if Willard had any "help" in the theater, but that would be a classic turnabout.  Fittingly his next movie is titled The Yank (seriously), so maybe he was just doing some research for the role.  In any case, this is a bizarre story that he's likely to just laugh off, but bizarre none-the-less.

First Dreamy Poster for Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master

Let it soak in...

Humor: The Dark Knight Inquires... A Little Too Much

The guys over at Wood Head Entertainment bring this notable gem in the treasure chest that is Batman parodies.  Props to the quality of the comedy short, which I actually thought was a doctored clip at first.

Humor: Darth Vader Interviewed by Anakin Skywalker

As a parody to the pretty hilarious on its own Conversation with My 12-Year-Old Self (which you can also check out HERE), YouTuber... uh, DrCoolSex uploaded this equally as hilarious rendition with Darth Vader and his younger self.  A great end of the day for anyone's Monday blahs.

(Fan) Trailer: The Shining (1980)

I'm watching The Shining on Spike right now and it has inspired me to find and post this.  If you've never seen this classic horror movie something is seriously wrong with you.  But in the rare instance that you haven't and the only thing holding you back is the age of the film, here is a fan film that has re-edited the trailer and set it to the Radiohead "Creep" cover by the Belgain girls choir Scala conducted and accompanied on piano by the Kolacny brothers (you'll recognize the music from The Social Network trailer).  Goosebumps.

News: Ghostbusters III Won't Die, Hires New Writer

Despite Bill Murray's old age crotchety-ness or sour grapes or whatever his deal is, Ghostbusters III is moving on whether he likes it or not.  What has spiraled into a war of works between co-stars Dan Akroyd and Murray, has been calmed a bit by some actual facts around the upcoming sequel.  It was announced this week that writer Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder, Men in Black III) has been hired to pen the script for GB3 (as it would be marketed as in the late 90s).  Still no budging on Murray holding out for coming back to reprise his role of Dr. Venkman so Cohen will probably have to find a creative way to kill him off.  Now that they have a writer, this "ish" just got real and you can be assured that more news will be on the way shortly in the form of directors and stars.

Ambiguous Movie Poster of the Day: Godzilla

It tells us absolutely NOTHING about the impending remake/sequel/reboot of the Godzilla franchise, but the poster was released at Comic Con this year boasting it's director Gareth Edwards (Monsters) and damn it, I still think that's pretty cool!

News: Harry Potter Getting Devilish for Joe Hill's Horns

Easily one of my favorite all-time reads, Joe Hill (Stephen King's son, though he doesn't want you to know that) creates a crazy engaging story about a down-trodden man who wakes up one day from a hell of a hangover and realizes that he's starting to sprout horns.  In a panic, he soon realizes that only he can actually see the horns... oh, and they seem give him the power to force those around him to tell him the honest, brutal truth.  Removed from all the BS people have been feeding him, he uses his new powers to investigate the mysterious murder of his girlfriend that has haunted him.  I learned a while back that they were planning on adapting his book Horns into a movie and now they've cast their main character, Ig Parrish, with Daniel Radcliffe.  He wasn't necessarily the first actor I pictured for the role, but am interested to see how he fits it.  Not a bad casting, but I can't say I've been overly impressed with his post-Harry Potter performances - namely The Woman in Black.  I'm not expecting much, at least not more than my imagination while reading the book, but am intrigued.  Certainly more casting announcements to come soon... let's just hope they don't round out the cast with Rupert Grint as friend Lee Torneau and Emma Watson as girlfriend Merrin.

Trailer: Oz: The Great and Powerful (2012)

Legendary cult director Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead Trilogy, The Spider Man Trilogy) channels a little Tim Burton in the first trailer for his upcoming Oz prequel starring James Franco as the infamous man behind the curtain.  Looks like a visually amazing movie, but still no excuse why Raimi isn't making an Evil Dead 4.  Check it:

News: Ed Helms to Play Rusty Griswold in Unnecessary Vacation Sequel

As a fan of the original series of Vacation movies, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried on how this overripe sequel is going to turn out.  The story focuses on the Griswold son, Rusty, who is all grown up and about to take his own family on a vacation, sure to be filled with the same hijinks he experienced as a kid.  While the producers are still trying to find a way to get Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo to reprise their roles, they have at least hired their Rusty with Ed Helms.  The Rusty character was always a little mischievous, if not outright nerdy, but I'm not sure if Helms' awkward dorkiness will be able to hold up in this movie.  We shall see...

Review: Dear Zachary (2008)

It is difficult to speak of this movie in a positive light and in a convincing manner without giving too much of it away (I can see why they had such a hard time marketing this).  But trust me when I say that if you like documentaries this one is definitely worth the leap of faith.  Admittedly I put this one off for too long not really knowing what to expect, but am glad that I finally made time to watch it.  Probably one of the most depressing, heart-wrenching documentaries I've ever seen and yet the story is told in such an engaging way that the audience cannot seem turn away - though you'll want to more than once.

Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne is compelled to create a memorial of a childhood friend after his senseless murder by capturing his true spirit through interviews with family and friends.  Pieced together with those interviews, home videos and old footage from when the friends made movies together as kids, the film creates a portrait of a young man with so much potential, a man with a self-deprecating wit and a man who was loved by many.  Those involved seem to use the movie as a way to come to terms with his untimely death by remembering the good times as well as venting their anger and pain.  But it quickly becomes much more than just a bunch of talking heads as Kuenne also digs into the circumstances around his friend's murder including the flawed legal process that surrounds it and the way it has forever changed those in his life.

Without saying any more I will tell you that this is a movie that stays with you.  It is filled with twists and turns, moments that will make you laugh and moments that will crush your soul a little bit (not much of an endorsement, I realize).  Feel free to look up the story if you want to know what you're getting yourself into, but I would recommend going into it as naive as I did to really get the most out of this very well made documentary.  Somber yes, but also masterfully engaging.

My Score:  8/10
IMDB Score:  8.6/10

Humor: If George Lucas Had Planned Out Star Wars

Not even the best sci-fi franchise ever is impervious to some plot holes.  Andrew Bridgman over at Dorkly.com has replaced some scenes from Star Wars with much more appropriate dialogue.  Here are some of my favorites, but you can click over HERE to check out the rest.  And to my friend who says I've never mentioned her in my blogs, this one is for you Anne... the queen of Star Wars she-geeks!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Adds Philip Seymour Hoffman

You've heard of the saying "too little, too late", well this is a case of "too late, wrong role".  Hoffman is one of those amazing performers that dances back and forth from character actor to classically trained actor.  A lot of his fans thought he would have made a terrific Haymitch (as would have John C. Reilly), but instead the producers went with Woody Harrelson who fell absolutely flat.  In an attempt to maybe serve some kind of penance, they've now cast Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee the gamesmaker who takes over for Seneca Crane in Catching Fire.  Sadly the second book didn't really feature much of Plutarch, but his character does get a widely expanded role in the final book (or last two movies).  Among the few rare casting decisions the filmmakers did get right, they've also hired the underrated Jena Malone to play friend-or-foe Johanna Mason, but probably only because she kind of looks like a rich man's version of Kristen Stewart.  Not really looking forward to any more miscasting for this series, but am excited to see a real actor get at least a little bit of screen time in the sequel.

R.I.P. Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012)

As an actor the man was a machine having over 200 television and movie credits to his name.  Though his best work was done in the 50's and 60's he continued working up until his passing today.  What's even more impressive is that Borgnine's on-screen career didn't even start until he was 34 years old after serving 10 years in the Navy and then trying to make a living with random factory jobs.  In his off screen life he seemed almost as prolific being married 5 times including a record setting marriage to Ethel Merman for a month and a day in 1964.  But his final marriage to Tova seemed to be the right fit as they were together almost 40 years.  To pay tribute to the actor, here is a list of some of his best movies:



The Wild Bunch (1969)
From Here to Eternity (1953)
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Marty (1955) - Won Best Actor Oscar
Escape from New York (1981) - My favorite of the bunch
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)

Though I'll probably remember him best for his work on the cult classic 80's show Airwolf that I watched religiously as a kid.

Ron Pearlman Fulfills Make-A-Wish as Hellboy

I've never had the chance to meet actor Ron Pearlman, but I've always thought of him as a pretty cool, down-to-Earth kind of guy.  The fact that he donned his Hellboy makeup and costume to fulfill Zachary's Make-A-Wish request, then buying him and his family burgers, fries and shakes proves it.  You can check ou thte full story and more pictures over at the Spectral Motion makeup studio Facebook page, but here are some of the highlights.  Awesome deed by Pearlman and Spectral Motion, awesomer request by Zachary!

RoboCop Viral Marketing Features Omnicorp

Following in the footsteps of Prometheus' faux company information videos, the marketers for the upcoming RoboCop redux have released their own for villain Hugh Laurie's defense corporation Omnicorp.  Not outrageous and no robotic cops (yet) but still pretty cool:

Trailer: The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

Seriously WTF?  This movie is produced by Quentin Tarantino, co-written by Eli Roth and Wu Tang Clan's RZA, directed by RZA, stars RZA and co-stars Lucy Liu and Russell Crowe (yes, THAT Russell Crowe) and this is the first I'm hearing about this movie?  After watching the crazy trailer I have to admit how much I love the premise as it pays homage to some great old kung fu movies, but will say I'm not that crazy about RZA as an actor.  This could have been epic had he put his ego aside and hired a real actor.  That said, when can I see this crazy movie?

Trailer: Django Unchained TV Spot

You've seen the pictures, you've seen the trailer... now the first TV spot has popped up the for movie and shows summary of the plot and finally some Samuel L. Jackson.  Not sure if I could be more excited for this movie:

News: First Clean Look at Matt Damon in Elysium

With the plot of Neill Blomkamp's sophomore film Elysium recently revealed HERE we now also finally have a clean look at the movie's star.  It doesn't show much, but certainly elicits a few good questions like what is with that mechanical exoskeleton thingy, why does he have wires plugged into his head and who is he fixin' to shoot?  Certainly a trailer (or at least some set footage) should be following shortly to answer some of those questions, but still looks like an awesome movie.

Summer Blockbuster: The Trailer

This is why Hollywood sucks, nuff said.

Happy 4th: Celebrate with Some Movie Fireworks!

Hopefully most people are at a cabin or on a lake or at a beach or hanging out with friends and family, but for those who are beating the heat inside (and online), here are some movies with fireworks you can watch to  get into the spirit of Independence Day (for my US readers, of course):

The Naked Gun (1988)



Mary Poppins (1964) - You can listen to the whole song or just skip to the 6:00 minute mark



To Catch a Thief (1955) - Great scene with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly in Hitchcock classic



Star Wars Episode VI:  Return of the Jedi (1983) - Ok, so this was an alternate ending, but still...



Final Destination 3 (2006) - Warning: disturbing (and deceptive) use of fireworks



Flight of the Navigator (1986) - See you later, indeed...



Have a happy and safe 4th!

(Faux) Trailer: Christopher Nolan's James Bond

YouTuber Mr88668866 (yep) has edited together clips from various movies to re-imagine Michael Fassbender as James Bond in a Christopher Nolan-esque style.  And with the freedom of fan editing why not include an all-star supporting cast.  With the next Bond reportedly being Daniel Craig's last (thank God), maybe the Broccoli camp and production company will see this as a preliminary screen test for their next leading man.

How to Ruin A Classic: Psycho Edition

What is creatively challenged level underneath reality TV and lazy remakes?  Apparently it's taking great movies and turning them into TV prequels.  It was announced earlier that Silence of the Lambs was getting not one, but two TV prequels (one from Hannibal's POV and the other from Clarice Starling... completely unrelated).  Now it appears that Psycho will be getting the TV prequel treatment as well.  Carlton Cuse of LOST fame will continue driving audiences nuts by taking a look at Norman Bates' formative years and his relationship with his mother - at least he doesn't have to worry about making up an ending for this show.  And to top it all off, it will be set in present day... because why not at this point.  Hitchcock must be spinning in his sizable grave as it was always the unknown mystery behind Norman Bates that made him such a macabre and fascinating character.  The one ray of light to come out of this news is that they've only ordered 10 episodes to start and if 3 horrible Psycho sequels didn't ruin the original, maybe this won't have any effect either.  Or maybe it will.  Damn.

Kids Swede Movies: Alien Chest-Buster Scene

Oh how... cute?  Well half cute and half disturbing, this web series has kids reenacting famous movie clips and I just had to share this one.  Enjoy: