Reel News
Ticket or Click It? Cooper vs. Christmas
As the nation emerges from its Halloween candy sugar coma, what’s the best way to spend your November time and money: a trip to the theater or a movie at home On Demand? We’re here to help you decide. What’s On Demand?
I Love You, Beth Cooper
Hey! No fair! When I stood up in an ‘Up with People’ assembly and shouted my undying love for Brad Fergerson, all I got was a restraining order. “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere trades her role as a hot high school girl fighting evil villains for a turn as a hot high school girl who doesn’t fight evil villains. When a nerd declares his love for her in his valedictorian speech, she makes his evening.
Our Take: This wish-fulfillment comedy is riddled with clichés and disappointingly unfunny.
Food, Inc.
Yeah. I’d rather not know too much about my food. In this documentary, director Robert Kenner takes a hard look at food production in the United States, and doesn’t much like what he sees.
Our Take: Kenner raises some troubling issues, but lays way too many of America’s problems on corporate food production. Dude, obesity is caused by eating too much. Don’t over think it.
The Taking of Pelham 123
Sequel: Robert Kenner takes over a hot dog factory and threatens to show us goes in those things unless we pay $10 million. Bad guys have taken over a subway train. No, not drunk club hoppers or those guys with bucket drums. Hijackers. Fortunately, subway dispatcher Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is a public servant who’s ready to rumble.
Our Take: Um, who would hijack a subway train? Because, you know, they’re on tracks and police pretty much know where they’re going. This remake is mediocre, but fun for a distraction if you can get past the basic premise.
Aliens in the Attic
I had bats in the crawlspace once. Does that count? Kids have to save the world from an invasion by teeny but nasty-toothed aliens. Parents are wholly clueless.
Our Take: Thin characters are covered up with lots of action. The bar for kids’ movies is pretty high these days. This film doesn’t measure up to the rest of the pack.
What’s In Theaters?
A Christmas Carol
Man. This calendar is defective. It says November 6. This film is a retelling of the familiar story by Charles Dickens. A trio of ghosts knock some compassion into old Scrooge’s head at Christmastime.
Our Take: The animation is lovely and the movie is well made. Jim Carrey stars as the voice of several characters. But, seriously, isn’t November 6 a little early?
The Box
The same thing happened to me, but my box gave someone kidney stones and I got $17.99. Totally worth it. If Cameron Diaz and James Marsden push the button inside the mysterious box, someone they don’t know will die and they get $1 million dollars. You’ve got yerself a moral dilemma right there.
Our Take: Suspenseful and intriguing, veering a little into “Twilight Zone” territory.
Fourth Kind
Do you think if we asked nicely they’d take Carrie Prejean? People have been disappearing from an Alaskan town for decades. Polar Bears? Moose gone awry? Sarah Palin gone awry? No, silly. Alien abductions.
Our Take: I’m not a big fan of movies in which you can’t tell what’s unscripted footage and what’s acted (I’m talking about you, BORAT!), and this film is one of those. It delivers a few shocking moments, but wants you to believe more than you want to.
The Men Who Stare at Goats
George? Sweetie? We love you but it’s time to stop making movies about Iraq. This George Clooney military satire tells the supposed story (“More of this is true than you’d care to believe”) of psychics in the military in Iraq. A hippie Green Beret, if you will.
Our Take: Satire is hard. This film, with only a few funny moments, comes off as smug. Those looking for a fun romp will be disappointed; those who haven’t moved on from Bush-era mockery will like it.
Ticket or Click It?
Ticket! We may need to lodge a formal protest with Congress at the timing, but "A Christmas Carol" is the best movie of the week. Ho, ho, ho!
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What Do You Think? What will you watch this weekend? Click here to comment |
Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 11-06-2009 06:00 PM…
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:47:55 GMT | RebeccaKelley
'Precious' Paula Patton...The Next Halle Berry?
She spent years hiding behind the camera happily playing the role of Mrs. Robin Thicke. Then she shocked Hollywood with standout roles in "Idlewild" and "Deja Vu." Now with "Precious," the incredibly beautiful actress is ready for her big moment. Tucked away in a corner of New York City's Hotel on Rivington, Patton has just finished an all-day photo shoot for GIANT magazine, and, instead of a heap of exhausted, sagging shoulders, she's a ball of emotional energy.
In a cream biker-inspired denim jacket, patterned jumper and flowery Chanel flip-flops, Patton maintains direct but friendly eye contact as tears trickle down her cheeks and she discusses the swelling hype surrounding her upcoming film, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."
Watch the complete, behind-the-scenes video here.
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What Do You Think? Have you heard of Paula Patton? Are you excited to see her film "Precious?" Click here to comment |
Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 11-06-2009 03:24 PM…
Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:40:36 GMT | Audrey_Morrison
Guttenberg Confirms 'Three Men and a Bride' To Be
The triumvirate of chest hair is coming back to the big screen -- and this time their little lady is all grown up. That’s right, it looks like Steve Gutenberg, Tom Selleck and Ted Danson will reunite for another installment of the “Three Men…” franchise to walk their now-grown daughter down the aisle.
According to Guttenberg, the film is already in the works.
"Disney's developing 'Three Men and a Bride,” the actor told WENN. “That's going to be a smash. A smash hit. They're bringing everybody back for that. Nobody knows about it. I'm the first to talk about it.”
But that’s not all, Guttenberg is intent on resurrecting nearly all his past roles.
“It’s definitely time for another 'Police Academy.' And I think they could make another 'Cocoon,'” he said. “They’re surefire hits and I think they’re good for the world. They make the world a better place and that’s what it’s all about.”
Oh my god! Does that mean Michael Winslow -- known to many as "that guy who makes all those sound effects" -- will make his triumphant return as Larvell Jones?
What menace could possibly be left for Sgt. Carey Mahoney to fight? Who would you pit the "Police Academy" characters against?
Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 11-05-2009 12:41 PM…
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:00:35 GMT | SaraC
“North By Northwest” Turns Half a Century Old
Believe it or not, but this year Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller classic “North by Northwest” turns the big 5-0. To commemorate the anniversary, Warner Brothers is releasing a 50th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray which comes packaged in their nifty new book-bound format. “North by Northwest” consistently ranks as one of Hitch’s master works, both for his visionary cinematic trickery and for its populace appeal. Cary Grant shines as a “Mad Men” era ad man that’s mistaken for a spy. On the lamb running for his life, he still manages to cozy up to Eva Marie Saint and charm her like the pro he is. The film looks fantastic on Blu-ray and features an array of new and old material including:
- Commentary by screenwriter Ernest Lehman
- New 2009 documentary: The Master's Touch: Hitchcock's Signature Style
- Feature-length career profile: Cary Grant: A Class Apart
- North by Northwest: One for the Ages: explore the movie's innovations and influences
- Vintage 2000 documentary: Destination Hitchcock: The Making of North by Northwest
- Music-only audio track
- Stills gallery
- Theatrical trailers and TV spot
Watch an exclusive clip from “North by Northwest” on Blu-ray:
Take a look at how “North By Northwest” ranks in the AFI’s List of Best Films Ever.
Also, what Grant film is ranked the sexiest according to EW?
Message Edited by TaraDi on 11-04-2009 04:55 PM…
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:49:45 GMT | TaraDi
Ask the Cast of ‘New Moon’ a Question
Twihards listen up! You get another chance to be part of an interview with a vampire. In anticipation of the movie, I will be sitting down with the vamps, wolves and humans from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and I want to know your burning questions.
Whether you’re a member of Team Edward or Team Jacob, it doesn’t matter. Tap into your inner geek and tell me what you’ve always wanted to know about “New Moon.” Please submit any queries you have regarding the book and movie, but try to stay away from asking about the personal lives of the actors (they tend to get a little cranky about those types of questions and we really don’t want to make supernatural beings angry.)
Vamp it up and post your questions to any of the participants listed below:
Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen
Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan
Taylor Lautner – Jacob Black
Ashley Greene – Alice Cullen
Peter Facinelli -- Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Kellan Lutz – Emmett Cullen
Nikki Reed – Rosalie Hale
Elizabeth Reaser – Esme Cullen
Michael Sheen – Aro
Dakota Fanning – Jane
Jamie Campbell Bower – Caius
Cameron Bright – Alec
Chaske Spencer – Sam Uley
Alex Meraz – Paul
Bronson Pelletier – Jared
Kiowa Gordon – Embry Call
Chris Weitz – Director
Message Edited by SaraC on 11-02-2009 05:18 PM…
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:58:40 GMT | SaraC
Ticket or Click It? Proposal vs. Paranormal
Welcome to Ticket or Click It, where we help you find the best use of your money and time this Halloween weekend. Should you take in a movie at home On Demand or make a trip to the theater?What’s On Demand?
Stan Helsing
“Stan Helsing” is no “Shawn of the Dead”: In the grand (or maybe mediocre) tradition of “Scary Movie,” this horror spoof happens on Halloween night when villains from various horror franchises invade a small town. Video store clerk to the rescue!
Our Take: You don’t expect Oscar-caliber performances from spoof movies, but you do at least expect them to be entertaining. This one isn’t.
Orphan
All the adopted kids I know are quite nice. Except that one who roots for the Yankees. A heartbroken couple adopts a little girl who is more “creepy, sinister and everything evil” than “sugar and spice and everything nice.”
Our Take: Not the best malevolent child flick you’ll see, but not the worst either.
The Proposal
Is it just me, or is Bullock in every third movie this year? Sandra Bullock and recent “it-man” Ryan Reynolds headline this rom-com about sexual harassment in the workplace – err, about a boss who forces her underling to marry her for immigration reasons.
Our Take: Bullock and Reynolds make the best of predictable and lackluster material. It’s not life-changing, but the feel-good quality of this flick made it a big hit.
Monsters vs. Aliens
Seems the government was also out of anti-monster vaccine: Susan is a glowing bride who gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day. And, no, we don’t mean the groom’s ex. Susan morphs into a giant. Now her wedding dress no longer fits her and, worst of all, she’s still single. But her freakish size is a blessing in disguise. Her country needs her and the other monsters when an egotistical alien threatens earth.
Our Take: This animated kid’s pic has some great characters and funny moments. Don’t miss Bob, a dim-witted blob, hitting on a Jell-O mold.
Easy Virtue
People still snipe. It’s just moved to Twitter: A son (“Narnia’s” Ben Barnes) of a proper 1920s British family brings home a brash American wife – a wife with secrets, one of which is that she’s Jessica Biel. With a background of elegant parlors and lovely period clothes, the mother and sisters snipe at Biel in elegant and upper-class ways.
Our Take: If you’re one of the women who get their 1870s replica knickers twisted for Colin Firth, this is a must-see. He plays the adventurous patriarch of the family. If you’re looking for explosions or car chases, this isn’t your flick. And Jessica Biel oozes 2009, not 1929.
What’s In Theaters?
Paranormal Activity
I’m even scared by the low-light shots of a terrified audience in the trailer: The film is set around a simple premise: A man sets up a camcorder to convince his girlfriend that her sensation of “something being there” in the night is just her imagination. But of course it’s not. Because then the movie would be really boring.
Our Take: This movie is scary. Like truly scary. Like won’t sleep for days scary. I haven’t actually seen it myself because what with swine flu, boys in balloons, and Lady Gaga, I have enough to keep me up at night. But reliable sources (well … ok … critics) and the public have reacted to it in a big way.
Michael Jackson: This is It
The “Thriller” video also scared me: In the months leading up to his sudden death, Michael Jackson was preparing a huge comeback tour. The footage that was shot of rehearsals is now elevated from DVD bonus feature status to a world-wide theatrical event.
Our Take: There’s no denying that MJ was a genius of an entertainer. The film captures his sometimes brilliant and sometimes confusing creative process. It’s lovingly and expertly put together. The music is timeless. But the whole baby-dangling, Jesus juice, Propofol side of things is still icky as ever.
Ticket or Click it?
Ticket! Two huge cultural events rock the theaters this week. They’re both somewhat creepy, both oddly appropriate for Halloween. All your friends will be talking about “Paranormal Activity” and/or “This is It.” See them both.
Message Edited by RebeccaKelley on 10-30-2009 03:15 PM…
Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:12:20 GMT | RebeccaKelley
