Reel News
Ticket of Click It? 'Bruno' Gets Caged
It's high summer. The Fourth is behind us and Labor Day is still in the distance. What's your best bet to cool off and relax this week? A trip to the theater or a movie at home?Welcome to “Ticket or Click It?” our weekly look at what’s new in theaters and what you’ll find this week On Demand, and which one is the better use of your entertainment dollar.
What's On Demand?
PUSH
You can tell she's all edgy now cuz she has pink streaks in her hair: Growing child star Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans star in this fill-in-the-blank flick. The Division, a typical sinister government agency, wants to control psychic spies. Nick, a Mover, and Cassie, a Watcher, fight the Division by searching for Kira, a Pusher.
Our Take: Watchable, even fun at times, if you can suspend your natural human desire for things to make sense.
KNOWING
An "A" for penmanship on those numbers: John (Nicolas Cage) discovers a prophetic list of numbers that predicts a global apocalypse. As John tries to protect himself and his son, the movie takes an unusual and thought-provoking turn.
Our Take: This sleeper hit slid into theaters almost without people knowing it was there. You'll either love it or hate it, but at least "Knowing" is well-made with a provocative premise.
CROSSING OVER
Would Chewbacca qualify for resident alien status? This disaster starring Harrison Ford was an attempt to create an insightful ensemble film, in the style of "Crash," about immigrants in the United States. The result is somehow heavy-handed and choppy at the same time.
Our Take: An interesting and complex topic deserves higher quality treatment.
What's in theaters?
BRUNO
We're un-friending anyone who starts quoting Bruno on Facebook: Sacha Baron Cohen strikes again. The man who brought us the squirm-inducing, side-splitting controversy of "Borat" now runs amok as a gay Australian fashion reporter, leaving a trail of destruction, confusion, and lawsuits in his path.
Our Take: It's funny because it's (sorta) true. But we're already getting tired of the shtick.
HUMPDAY
Another sign of the downfall of civilization: Bro-mance meets porn-omedy. Two men-children reunite and rekindle their friendship by daring each other to make a porn film – with each other.
Our Take: Um, ewww.
I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER
Save the Nerd, Save the World: That perky cheerleader from "Heroes," Hayden Panettiere, makes her first attempt at headlining a motion picture. It's a dork's fantasy. Right after graduation, the hottest girl in school shows up to give the nerdiest guy the best night of his life.
Our Take: This end of high school fantasy has been done many times, and mostly done better.
Ticket or Click it?
Click It! "Knowing" is a metaphysical discussion wrapped in a thriller, with a sense of wonder thrown in. You probably missed it at the box office, but it will give you a chance to flex your sleepy summer-lulled brain.
What do you think? |
Message Edited by RebeccaKelley on 07-08-2009 06:13 PM…
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:07:35 GMT | RebeccaKelley
'Baywatch: the Movie'?
Germans, men of all ages, you will be pleased to note that the rumors are true. “Baywatch” is bounding, in slow motion, onto the big screen.No word on whether Herr Hassellmeister or Pamazon Anderson will be returning, but Variety reports that director Jeremy Garelick plans to bring the comedy back to the beach.
"It felt like the template to do a movie that was similar to 'Stripes' and 'Police Academy,' the comedies I loved growing up," Garelick said. "Rather than trying to pitch the tone, I figured it would be easier to write the first act to convey who these characters were," Garelick said.
According to Variety the “script now focuses on two unlikely lifeguard candidates trying to catch on alongside the buff bodies that will be as abundant in the film as they were in the TV series.”
Thank god, Garelick had me worried for a minute. I thought he might actually be spending time on the story, when all he really needs to worry about is setting up a good running shot.
What do you think? |
Message Edited by SaraC on 07-08-2009 04:02 PM…
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:55:57 GMT | SaraC
Ask Harry Potter a Question
Muggles, listen up! I will be talking to the stars of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” later this week and I want to know your burning questions.All you have to do is post your question to any of the following participants below:
- Daniel Radcliffe (Harry)
- Emma Watson (Hermione)
- Rupert Grint (Ron)
- Tom Felton (Draco)
- Bonnie Wright (Ginny)
- David Yates (Director)
*Please do not request any autographs or signed material. We only have a short window of opportunity to chat with the cast and there is no opportunity to have them sign or mail any items to fans. Please do not post private contact information in a public forum!
What do you think? |
Message Edited by SaraC on 07-06-2009 12:16 PM…
Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:46:35 GMT | SaraC
Fancast Movie of the Week: 'Modify'
Once a week, I’m going to pick out one of Fancast’s many full-length free feature films to spotlight. Sure, you’ll check out the big stuff like "Prelude to a Kiss," "Moon Over Miami" and "The Taking of Pelham 123," but the smaller movies need shout-outs, too.The Fancast Movie of the Week is "Modify," a fascinating and unflinching documentary about the art and process of body modification - this includes everything from tattoos and scarring to implants and transgender surgeries. Learn what drives people do change their bodies so drastically to express themselves, but be warned that this is not for the faint of heart.
Check out "Modify" right here, and a Q&A with filmmaker Jason Gary below.
Q&A with “Modify” Director/Producer Jason Gary
Q: How did you first decide to make a film about body modification? Who or what was the catalyst that made you know you had to dive deeper into this world?
Jason Gary: My co-director Greg Jacobson first came to me with two books and the desire to make a film. The books were Modern Primitives and Modcon. I was shocked at how little knowledge I had about this culture and knew myself and others needed more! Greg and I decided that we wanted to cover all forms of Body Modifications. That’s how this wild journey began.
Q: How difficult was it to get these folks to open up to you and the camera? Did you find that they were mostly eager for the attention, as some would claim, or that they were reluctant to talk about their personal expression?
Gary: Greg booked the talent, I filmed them. Greg spent a lot of time getting the trust and the right people to be in Modify. Never has so many stars in the Body Modification world been put together in a film. Of course there were some people dying for attention and to be in the flick.
Q: Which modification featured in the film did you find the most bizarre? Or did they start to lose their stunning effect once you delved into this community? How about which one was regarded as the most painful?
Gary: The two most stunning modifications for me were the transgender surgeries and the tongue split. We were lucky to be the first to show Dr. Gary Alters male to female procedure - think about that for a second. Greg passed out during a large skin removal. Yes, I did get a little numb after awhile.
Q: Is there any modification you saw in making this film that you’d really like to have done yourself?
Gary: If I get any work it will be a full back piece by Jen Davis, who is in the film and is the most talented tattoo artist I have ever seen.
Q: What would you say to someone sitting down to watch this film for the first time to get them ready for what they’re about to see? What cool or interesting things should they look out for specifically, or what winds up being the most talked-about part of the film in your experience?
Gary: For someone watching it for the first time, I promise you will not be bored! This is the most complete, open, inside look at Body Modification you can have. 47 original tracks, so crank it up because the film is cut to the beat of music. You will learn something new - everyone who
watches it does. Also it moves fast, so pay attention or you will miss something.
Q: What would you say is the overall message an audience should take away from “Modify?”
Gary: The film’s poster says “No one should dictate to me what I can or cannot do to my body” This film speaks to your freedom to do and be who and what you want to be. Thanks for watching!
What Do You Think? |
Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 07-02-2009 02:37 PM…
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:18:13 GMT | Andy_at_Fancast
Ticket or Click It? Fedora Face-Off: Depp vs. DiCaprio
You've got fireworks, your cousin's barbecue, and that thing with people from work. It's all part of a busy Fourth of July weekend. What's your best bet to catch a break from the festivities? Is it something On Demand at home or is it time for a trip to the theater?
What's On Demand?
"REVOLUTIONARY ROAD"
Suburban ennui is SO 1990s: "Titanic" superstars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunite in this drama about a marriage unraveling under the weight of life in the suburbs of the 1950s.
Our Take: Without a boat sinking around them, Leo and Kate just come off as whiney. We'd like to think Jack and Rose would have been happier.
"DEFIANCE"
Oy Vey, and pass the ammunition: During World War II, a hardscrabble group of Russian Jews hides out in the forest and fights back against the Nazis. Starring Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber, this film tells another side of the Holocaust.
Our Take: I once had the honor of hearing the story of a Polish-Jewish Resistance fighter at a friend's wedding. It was amazing. If you can't hear stories of heroism first hand, this film is a good second option. And it reminds us of the value of freedom on a weekend that’s all about it.
"12 ROUNDS"
"Speed" meets "Die Hard" meets "Saw" meets, well, everything: A movie that borrows from everything except, perhaps, "The Muppets," "12 Rounds" stars WWE wrestler John Cena as a police officer who has to win increasingly demented games against his nemesis in order to save his girlfriend.
Our Take: A fun ride if action is more important to you than plot or believability. A good after-fireworks flick.
What's in theaters?
"ICE AGE, DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS"
A way to get the kids out from underfoot while the wife is making Red, White, and Blue Jello cake: All the Ice Age characters are back, including that neurotic squirrel chasing that darn acorn.
Our Take: Nothing new here, which is the way kids like it. The rugrats will be entertained on a long weekend and you can get some shut-eye in an air conditioned theater.
"PUBLIC ENEMIES"
But did that on-set expletive-filled rant keep Bale off the poster? Johnny Depp (without his pirate wig) and Christian Bale (without his bat suit) square off. Depp is iconic '30s gangster John Dillinger and Bale is FBI man Melvin Purvis. Bank-robber Dillinger, clever and charismatic, caught the fancy of a public disgusted with the banks because of the Depression. (Sound familiar?) Purvis, smart and photogenic in his own right, was an even match for the outlaw.
Our Take: Their epic chess game is the stuff of legend and the film is one of the best of the year.
Ticket or Click It?
Ticket! "Public Enemies" is one of those movies you can't miss. It's a classic American story, well-told. What could be better for America's birthday?
What Do You Think? |
Message Edited by RebeccaKelley on 07-02-2009 12:39 PM…
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:37:52 GMT | RebeccaKelley
See It Here First! Johnny Depp Makes My 'Most Wanted' List
Watch an exclusive clip from the moody gangster film "Public Enemies," starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Check out Johnny as the infamous mobster John Dillinger, who has just been taken into custody by police. Cool cars, great period garb, antique machine guns and a very dapper Deppman. It doesn’t get much better. Watch the clip below and see it in theaters tonight!
What do you think? Will you see the movie? What's your favorite gangster flick? Click here to comment!
Message Edited by SaraC on 07-01-2009 11:02 AM…
What do you think? Will you see the movie? What's your favorite gangster flick? Click here to comment!
Message Edited by SaraC on 07-01-2009 11:02 AM…
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:58:03 GMT | SaraC
