Reel News
Ticket or Click It? Dinosaurs or Dogs?
It’s Thanksgiving weekend. You’ve gorged yourself on yam casserole and stuffing, discussed Aunt Judith’s bunions and Cousin Erik’s divorce, played a little football and had a spat with your brother. What next? A movie of course! Ticket or Click It is here to help you decide whether to fire up something On Demand or brave the crowds at the theater. Happy Thanksgiving!What’s On Demand?
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Waiting for the satirical “Shawn of the Dinosaurs.” Manny the Mastodon, Ellie his wife, Diego the saber toothed tiger, and Sid the Thing reunite and battle dinosaurs in this third installment of the “Ice Age” franchise.
Our Take: There’s nothing new here that’s worth the time. But the frantic squirrel Scrat is funny. And it might buy you a few moments of peace while putting together that green bean casserole with the little crunchy things on top.
Angels and Demons
I always knew that sinister Leonardo Di Vinci was up to no good. An ancient secret society is going to blow up the Vatican and clues are hidden in artwork all over Rome. But hurry, Tom Hanks has only 24 hours to figure it out and no time to stop for antipasti.
Our Take: Fast-paced but inane if you look too closely. Dan Brown’s book had lots of commentary on organized religion, science and faith. The movie focuses more on scurrying from one crime scene to the next. But, it’s a good film to fall asleep in front of when you succumb to the effects of all that dopamine.
Funny People
Funny People? Watch Paula Deen get hit by ham. Now THAT’s funny. Adam Sandler joins the Judd Apatow team in this movie about a famous comedian whose near-death experience shakes him up.
Our Take: There are funny moments, but also poignant ones. This is a serious meditation on the effects of fame. With body gags. Do not, I repeat, do not watch with your grandmother. She probably won’t be able to take it.
Shorts
This is why you should wear helmets kids. All day. Every day. Magic rocks fall from the sky, miraculously not killing anyone, and grant wishes. But of course, what you wish for might not be what you need.
Our Take: This a movie kids will like and grown-ups will want to escape. A great film to distract the kids while the adults laugh at those skanky “modeling” pictures your unattractive niece had taken.
What’s in Theaters?
Ninja Assassin
Myself, I’m ninja turkey carver. Less money but more delicious. Raizo is an assassin. Who’s a ninja. Will he be able to rescue Mika, elude his enemies and exact revenge for the terrible thing that happened to him, the specifics of which escape my memory? I imagine so.
Our Take: Gleeful and very bloody. People who like to see ninjas assassinate people will enjoy this flick. Leave anyone wearing a sweater embroidered with animals or Christmas trees at home.
The Road
Puts the “black” in Black Friday: This adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s bleak novel “The Road” follows a father and son as they make their starving way through an ash-entombed, cannibal-infested post-apocalyptic world.
Our Take: Cormac McCarthy is one of the best writers of our time. His “No Country for Old Men” is one of the most profound movies in … ever. “The Road” does not disappoint in this company. It shares some of the ethos of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy in that the darkness seems overwhelming, and yet there is the faintest, but all-important, gleam of hope.
Old Dogs
Heck, even this is more entertaining than Adam Lambert. Two middle aged friends, one divorced and one a bachelor, are trying to finish a business deal, but instead get six year old twins to care for.
Our Take: These dogs need some new tricks. Trashy humor, flat performances, and a clunky script make this film stink like a wet dog. On the plus side, you could inflict it on relatives you don’t like.
Ticket or Click it?
Ticket! "The Road" is one of the best films of the year. And you will never be so truly thankful for your Thanksgiving bounty as you will be after watching this harrowing tale of survival.
Message Edited by RebeccaKelley on 11-24-2009 05:27 PM…
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:24:12 GMT | RebeccaKelley
'Tis the Season: Top Holiday Specials You MUST Watch!
Well it's time to stop fighting it, the 2009 holiday season is upon us. So give into the insanity and enjoy some of the smaller pleasures, like watching some of those classic holiday specials that manage to cheer up even the grumpiest of spirits, bring some perspective to the season and maybe even elicit a little tear of appreciation and holiday warmth.
We've got some one stop shopping here for what we think are the best of the best - from hidden gems to the classic that you can't do without.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
He may be a mean one, but how can you hate 'ole greeny?
*Buy the DVD
"The Year Without a Santa Claus"
Santa takes a backseat to the scene-stealing Miser brothers. Da-dum-dum-dum, daaaa-dum...
*Buy the DVD
Interesting note, the Miser's have finally gotten their own special in "A Miser Brothers' Christmas."
*Buy the DVD
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
He's cude, he's cuuuude! Rudolph sure is and so are Hermey the dentist elf, Yukon Cornelius and all those misfit toys.
*Buy the DVD
"‘Twas the Night Before Christmas"
Not everyone is as familiar with this animated tale about a clockmaker and an egghead mouse that really makes Santa angry. It features the vocal work of Joel Grey and some of the catchiest Christmas tunes around.
*Buy the DVD
"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown"
The most recent of the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials, this one is a charmer.
*Buy the DVD
However if you're a Peanuts purist, not much can beat this little speech from Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
*Buy the DVD or Blu-ray
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-24-2009 03:10 PM…
We've got some one stop shopping here for what we think are the best of the best - from hidden gems to the classic that you can't do without.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
He may be a mean one, but how can you hate 'ole greeny?
*Buy the DVD
"The Year Without a Santa Claus"
Santa takes a backseat to the scene-stealing Miser brothers. Da-dum-dum-dum, daaaa-dum...
*Buy the DVD
Interesting note, the Miser's have finally gotten their own special in "A Miser Brothers' Christmas."
*Buy the DVD
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
He's cude, he's cuuuude! Rudolph sure is and so are Hermey the dentist elf, Yukon Cornelius and all those misfit toys.
*Buy the DVD
"‘Twas the Night Before Christmas"
Not everyone is as familiar with this animated tale about a clockmaker and an egghead mouse that really makes Santa angry. It features the vocal work of Joel Grey and some of the catchiest Christmas tunes around.
*Buy the DVD
"I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown"
The most recent of the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials, this one is a charmer.
*Buy the DVD
However if you're a Peanuts purist, not much can beat this little speech from Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas."
*Buy the DVD or Blu-ray
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-24-2009 03:10 PM…
Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:59:23 GMT | TaraDi
Exclusive Trailer 'Season of the Witch'
Remember that Donovan song?
Well, this trailer is a whole lot creepier. Check out Nicolas Cage as a witch-stalking medieval bad boy in "Season of the Witch."
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-20-2009 10:42 PM…
Well, this trailer is a whole lot creepier. Check out Nicolas Cage as a witch-stalking medieval bad boy in "Season of the Witch."
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-20-2009 10:42 PM…
Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:27:33 GMT | SaraC
Ticket or Click It? Megan and Robert Meet Again
Unless you get trampled by a horde of vampire-crazy girls, this is a good weekend for watching a flick. There are lots of choices, whether you’re curling up on your sofa watching a movie On Demand or braving a trip to the theater. Ticket or Click it is here to help you sort out the options.What’s On Demand?
Bruno
I keep seeing these images in my dreams. And not in a good way. Sacha Baron Cohen revisits his over-the-top mockumentary style with the story of Bruno, a gay Austrian model, and his travels through America.
Our Take: Hilarious and disgusting. Which, in Sacha Baron Cohen’s world, is high praise.
My Sister’s Keeper
You know, it’s really hard to say something snarky about childhood cancer. Cameron Diaz stars in this tear-jerker about a sick girl with cancer and her sister who was conceived to save her sister’s life.
Our Take: Raises some interesting ethical questions in this age of medical magic, but dissolves into melodrama and tears. Not that that’s a bad thing. Just be sure to bring Kleenex.
Thirst
Finally a vampire movie for grown-ups. Hey, where are you going? Off to see ‘New Moon’? Any grown-ups here? Anyone? A priest falls victim to a bad blood transfusion and ends up one of the undead. He finds himself beset by desires he cannot control. All of them.
Our Take: If you like your vampire stories less about dreamboats and more about dark desires and black comedy, skip “New Moon” and check out “Thirst.”
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
They Transformed all the way to the bank. Good, kind, and brave Autobots, like technological angels, fight to save humanity and themselves from the evil Decepticons. This second “Transformers” movie from Michael Bay stars Megan Fox, Megan Fox’s body, and some robots. Also, Shia LaBeouf.
Our Take: Part action-packed explosion-fest and part morality tale, this film was reviled and panned by short-sighted critics. Emphatically. Personally, I liked it. At $402 million, it’s the highest grossing movie of 2009. Take that, silly critics.
Year One
Is Michael Cera capable of playing more than one character? I mean, I like the goofy-sweet awkward kid, but I’d like another flavor. Jack Black and Michael Cera fart and bumble their way through Biblical history and the ancient world. Which sounds like it could be funny. But it’s not.
Our Take: This movie was also panned and reviled by critics, which shows that perhaps they do have some relevance in today’s world. Did I mention it’s not funny?
What’s in Theaters?
The Blind Side
Think Peyton Manning would let me adopt him? I’ll give him his own room and go easy on the chores. A sassy, brassy, white Southern woman sees a large, black high school youth shivering in the cold and takes him home, which leads to a few nights of shelter, which leads to him joining the family. The young man grows up to be Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Michael Oher, and this is a true story of loss, humor, and love.
Our Take: This movie was a complete surprise: less sappiness and more laughs than you’d expect. It’s a joy to watch. Sandra Bullock makes the mother character pop, which only makes the throat-lump moments all that much more throat-lumpier.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Kristen Stewart has that soulful, fluttery eye thing down, I’ll give her that. Bella loves Edward the beautiful vampire. Edward loves Bella. Jacob the beautiful werewolf also loves Bella. Edward leaves. Will Bella find love with Jacob? Both vampire and werewolf take their shirts off a lot and everyone emotes.
Our Take: This film does what it sets out to do, which is make “Twilight” fans swoon. For those of us who don’t have the “Twilight” gene, it’s long, angst-ridden and melodramatic. But what we say doesn’t matter as you’re shoving us out of your way to buy your ticket for your third showing.
Planet 51
This planet really needs a Fonzie. An American astronaut lands on a planet occupied by a culture of green aliens stuck in the 1950s in this animated kids’ flick.
Our Take: The problem with this movie is that it doesn’t like its characters. The ’50s are apparently ruled by fear and narrow vision. The American is stupid and boorish. There’s not much to root for. Plus, I’m not sure kids’ flicks and suppository jokes go together.
Ticket or Click it?
Ticket! "The Blind Side" is a must-see. C’mon. You could use a little inspiration and a few laughs.
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-20-2009 05:04 PM…
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:58:11 GMT | SaraC
Exclusive: Volturi Weigh in on Tony Blair vs. Jacob Black
“New Moon’s” most dictatorial vampires sat down to chat about their roles in the “Twilight” saga and dished on everything from potential wrestling matches to weirdest fan tributes.
Find out who is most like their character.
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-19-2009 06:08 PM…
Find out who is most like their character.
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-19-2009 06:08 PM…
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:06:59 GMT | SaraC
Exclusive: 'New Moon' Director Chris Weitz Is Really Quite Girly
The 'New Moon' director dishes on getting dumped and bringing Stephanie Meyer's wolves to life.
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-19-2009 06:07 PM…
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-19-2009 06:07 PM…
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:51:01 GMT | SaraC
