________________________________________________________________________________
 Pulse
<< READER SUBMITTED EDITORIAL*
Dimension Films
OPENING:
07.14.06
At first, I thought I had
seen a very bad movie. Later, I realized I had witnessed an
awesomely bad movie. Now I believe that I have been blessed
by the heavens to have viewed an awesomely bad movie. When
Pulse comes out on DVD, we should have a Pulse party. Maybe
we could go see it again while it is still in theaters dressed
up as our favorite characters. In fact, I'd like to do a Shakesperian
re-enactment of the man deathdustmelding into the wall scene,
or re-create the upload virus scene as a Grecian tragedy.
In fact, we should all mark the date we got together at the
O.P. Mall to see Pulse and mark it on our calenders. From
now on, I'm declaring August 21 "Pulse Day."
Ben - Disembodies Voices
*MOVEMENT
says: AMEN!
________________________________________________________________________________
 SUPERMAN
Returns
Warner Bros.
Now Playing
The long awaited sequel (the unofficial #5 in the series)
to the Christopher Revees rendition of SUPERMAN flies into
theatres this June. It is not a bird, not a plane, but a visual
spectacular filled with planes spiraling out of control, buildings
buckling, ships smashing apart and mountainous alien land
masses rising up and threatening to destroy SUPERMAN and America
as we know it. Set in the bustling New York-esque town of
Metropolis who, along with the rest of the world is just getting
over the five-year absence of the man-of-steel. Newcomer Brandon
Routh fills Reeves shoes (and his costume) brilliantly! He
nails the shy and clumsy awkwardness Reeves brought to mild
mannered reporter Clark Kent and kills as the alien powerhouse
vulnerable not just to Kryptonite fragments of his doomed
home planet but also his emotions for the franchises’ signature
heroin Lois Lane as well. Lane is played by Kate Bosworth
who does not carry the raspy gruffness of former Lane Margot
Kidder but make the role her own. My biggest fear was that
actor Kevin Spacey would be too ‘Hollywood’ to be a convincing
villain, but he breezes through the film as the diabolical
madman, Superman’s arch nemesis Lex Luthor. Plus there are
some great plot twists that set the story up for many, many
sequels to come. I had the very highest hopes for Brian Singers
take on this addition to the SUPERMAN legacy, and though it
is constant visual eye candy and some of the best special
effect to date, not even a $200 million dollar budget could
make this film any less predictable or anti-climactic. But
regardless, it is worth seeing, and the second time was even
better than the first because I got to catch. If possible,
try and see it in an iMAX theatre.
www.supermanreturns.warnerbros.com
A
= See it in the theatre, see it opening weekend. Its that
good!
________________________________________________________________________________
 Nacho
Libre
Paramount
Now Playing
Jack Black saves this film. Libre is the latest film from
Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess and it is obvious with
the loads of off center bizarre characters that line this
film. From Nacho’s horse faced ferrile monkey-boy wrestling
partner, to the massive muscle wall "Ramses." They
must battle the huge wrestler and concur him to help the orphan
children he cooks for as a friar and be at the top of the
heap in the corrupt, forbidden, yet lucrative Luchador wrestling
community. If not for Black’s take on this bizarre character
I think the film would have fallen well short of the #2 spot
at the box office. Worth going to see, but don’t pay full
price.
B
= Great movie,
but don't rush to the theatres.
________________________________________________________________________________
 The
Omen 666
20th Century Fox
Now Playing
This is one of the better remakes in the rash of 70’s horror
film upgrades. The kid who plays the devil’s son is creepier
than his predecessor and it features one of the best decapitation
scenes to date. Worth checking out on the big screen, but
would probably be just as good on DVD. I’m crossing fingers
that it will do well enough to warrant the remaining to films
to complete a full remake of the original trilogy.
B
= Great movie,
but don't rush to the theatres.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Devil Wears Prada
20th Century Fox
OPENING: 06.30.06
A naive young woman comes to New York and scores a job as
the assistant to one of the city's biggest magazine editors,
the ruthless and cynical Miranda Priestly
________________________________________________________________________________
 Pirates
of the Caribbean 2
Walt Disney Pictures
Captain Jack Sparrow is back! Pirates 2 is a swashbuckling
spectacular that trumps the first film and leaves you cliff
hanging for the third installment. Go see it opening weekend!
________________________________________________________________________________
Pulse
Dimension Films
OPENING:
07.14.06
After one of their friends commits suicide, strange things
begin happening to a group of young Tokyo residents. One of
them sees visions of his dead friend in the shadows on the
wall, while another's computer keeps showing strange, ghostly
images. Is their friend trying to contact them from beyond
the grave, or is there something much more sinister going
on? Based on the Japanese horror movie "Kairo",
"Pulse" centers on a group of college students who
discover a website, which at first appears to be merely a
scary hoax with an irresistible marketing ploy, but turns
out to be run by a sinister and deadly force. As people repeatedly
tap into the site's frightening images of the dead, the supernatural
force begins controlling their lives.
www.pulsefilm.com
________________________________________________________________________________
 Lady
in The Water
Warner Bros.
OPENING:
07.21.06
In "Lady in the Water," a story originally conceived
by Shyamalan for his children, a modest building manager named
Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues a mysterious young
woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from danger and discovers she
is actually a narf, a character from a bedtime story who is
trying to make the treacherous journey from our world back
to hers. Cleveland and his fellow tenants start to realize
that they are also characters in this bedtime story. As Cleveland
falls deeper and deeper in love with the woman, he works together
with the tenants to protect his new fragile friend from the
deadly creatures that reside in this fable and are determined
to prevent her from returning home.
www.ladyinthewatermovie.warnerbros.com
________________________________________________________________________________
MONSTER HOUSE
Sony Pictures
OPENING: 07.21.06
Three teens discover that their neighbor's house is really
a living, breathing, scary monster.
________________________________________________________________________________
 My
Super Ex-Girlfriend
20th Century Fox
OPENING: 07.21.06
When a regular guy (Luke Wilson) dumps a superhero (Uma Thurman)
because of her neediness, she uses her powers to make his
life a living hell.
________________________________________________________________________________
 CLERKS
II
Weinstein Company
OPENING: 07.21.06
A calamity at Dante and Randall's shops sends them looking
for new horizons - but they ultimately settle at Mooby's,
a fictional Disney-McDonald's-style fast-food empire.
________________________________________________________________________________
 The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
New Line Cinema
OPENING: 10.06.06
On one last road trip before they're sent to serve in Vietnam,
two friends (Handley and Bomer) and their girlfriends (Baird
and Brewster) get into an accident that calls their local
sheriff (Ermey) to the scene. Thus begins a terrifying experience
where the teens are taken to a secluded house of horrors,
where a young, would-be killer is being nurtured.
________________________________________________________________________________
JET
LI’S FEARLESS
opens
nationwide August 4 from Rogue Pictures
Story: Superstar Jet Li headlines this action-packed film,
his final martial arts epic. The film reteams him with producer
Bill Kong (“Hero”) and action director and choreographer Yuen
Wo Ping (“Unleashed”). Li plays real-life martial arts legend
Huo Yuanjia, who became the most famous fighter in all of
China at the turn of the 20th Century. Huo faced incredible
personal tragedy but ultimately fought his way out of darkness
and into history, forever defining himself at a tournament
for the honor of his country and the true spirit of martial
arts.
“I believe JET LI’S FEARLESS is my most personal and
important martial arts movie. This film captures the martial
arts beliefs and philosophies I have learned and experienced
over the past 30 years.” Jet Li
Director: Ronny Yu (“Freddy vs. Jason,” “The Bride with White
Hair”)
Writers: Chris Chow and Christine To
Cast: Jet Li, Betty Sun, Dong Yong, Nakamura Shidou
MPAA Rating: PG-13
________________________________________________________________________________
THE
RETURN
opens
nationwide September 1 from Rogue Pictures
Story: A new supernatural thriller starring Sarah Michelle
Gellar (“The Grudge,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) as Joanna
Mills, a tough young Midwesterner determined to learn the
truth behind the increasingly terrifying supernatural visions
that have been haunting her. Joanna has made a successful
career for herself, as sales representative for a trucking
company. But her private life has been difficult; estranged
from her father (Sam Shepard), stalked by an obsessed ex-boyfriend
(Adam Scott), and with few friends, Joanna fears that she
is losing control. She sees and feels the brutal murder of
a young woman she’s never met, at the hands of a heartless
killer a man who appears to be making Joanna his next target.
Determined to fight back, Joanna is guided by her nightmares
to the murdered woman’s hometown. Once there, she will discover
that some secrets can’t be buried; some spirits never die;
and that the murder she is trying to solve may be her own.
Director: Asif Kapadia (“The Warrior”)
Writer: Adam Sussman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kate Beahan, Peter O’Brien, Adam
Scott, Sam Shepard
________________________________________________________________________________
 Spider-Man
3
Columbia Pictures
OPENING: 05.07
A specimen from the moon gives Spider-man new powers and a
black suit, while Spider-man must battle the second Green
Goblin, Sandman, Venom, and other dangers
For
more info and trailers visit
www.apple.com/trailers/
www.imdb.com
________________________________________________________________________________
The
Omen 666
20th Century Fox
John Moore, the director from "Behind Enemy Lines"
and "Flight of the Phoenix" signs another deal with
20th Century Fox. This time, Moore is set to helm a remake
of the 1976 horror classic "Omen 666", based on
a story about the arrival of the Antichrist in the home of
an unsuspecting family.The script is written by Dan McDermott,
who is in charge with bringing the tale directed by Richard
Donner in 1976 to a contemporary level. Hollywood legend
Gregory Peck played the main part in the original movie, based
on a story about an ambassador whose dark secret - allowing
a baby to be substituted for the one his wife (Lee Remick)
lost in childbirth - comes back to haunt him when the hellish
prodigal son begins to hit his evil stride. Moore's "Omen
666" is set for release on June 6th, 2006.
www.theomenmovie.com
________________________________________________________________________________
X-Men
III
20th Century Fox
The X-Men, mutant heroes sworn to defend a world that hates
and fears them, are back! This time, with the help of new
recruits The Beast and Angel, they must face evolution itself
in the form of their former teammate, Jean Grey. Possessed
with the cosmic power of the Dark Phoenix, the resurrected
Jean Grey has become a danger to herself, her mutant comrades,
and the entire planet. To stave off this imminent threat to
humanity, a potential cure is discovered and processed to
treat -- and ultimately eliminate -- genetic mutations, once
and for all. Now, as the battle lines are drawn, the X-Men,
led by Professor Charles Xavier, must contend with both Jean
Grey's world-consuming powers, as well as the malevolent Brotherhood,
a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier's former
ally, Magneto. In X-Men: The Last Stand, the final chapter
in the X-Men motion picture trilogy, a "cure" for
mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the
first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness,
though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers
and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders
Charles Xavier (Stewart), who preaches tolerance, and Magneto
(McKellen), who believes in the survival of the fittest, are
put to the ultimate test -- triggering the war to end all
wars.
www.x-menthelaststand.com
________________________________________________________________________________
 NIGHT
WATCH
20th Century Fox
The first in what promises to be the next great fantasy trilogy.
From what we’ve got to see in the first installment they may
just reach their mark. Combining all the best supernatural
elements like vampires, shape shifters, and sorcery this Russian
tale calls a truce between the forces of dark and light who
both watch over each other to keep the balance of the pact.
But there is one who can shift the balance of power and his
time has come. A 12 year old boy (Dmitry Martynov) holds the
fate of who wins in his own decision to choose the side of
light or the deceptive side of evil. This is just part one
so brace yourself! Playing in one one Jacksonville area theatre
- AMC Regency behind the Regency mall. Visit amc.com for showtimes.
Final
call: A
See it
in the theatre, see it opening weekend. Its that good!
www.foxsearchlight.com/nwnd/
WHILE
SUPPLIES LAST MOVEMENT IS GIVING AWAY A LIMITED EDITION
NIGHT
WATCH WIND-UP SPIDER BABY DOLL TOY (upon
request)
WITH
EVERY MAGAZINE ORDER! CHECK THE LINK FOR OUR MALL FOR
DETAILS.
________________________________________________________________________________
 Silent
Hill
April 21, 2006
TriStar
Rose cannot accept the knowledge that her daughter Sharon
is dying of a fatal disease. Over the protests of her husband,
she flees with her child, intending to take the girl to a
faith healer. On the way, she ends up driving through a portal
in reality, which takes her to the eerie and deserted town
of Silent Hill. Sharon disappears in Silent Hill, and Rose
follows what she thinks is her daughter's silhouette all over
town. It's soon clear the town is not like any place she's
ever been. It's inhabited by a variety of creatures and a
living darkness that descends and literally transforms everything
it touches. The human inhabitants - the ones who are left
- are trapped and fighting a losing battle against the Darkness.
Joined by a cop named Cybil, who has been sent to bring her
and Sharon back, Rose searches for her little girl while learning
the history of Silent Hill and that Sharon is just a pawn
in a larger game. To save her daughter, Rose makes a deal
with a demon in the form of a little girl.....
www.sonypictures.com/movies/silenthill
________________________________________________________________________________
 The
Notorious Bettie Page
March 10, 2006
Picturehouse/HBO film
The HBO/Killer Films' production "THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE
PAGE", stars Gretchen Mol as 1950's model 'Bettie Page',
one of the first dark-haired sex icons in America and target
of a government 'witch hunt' based on her posing for 'bondage'
pin-up photos. Born April 22 1923, in Nashville, TN., the
real Bettie Page had a difficult childhood including a stint
in orphanage. But she did well in high school and voted 'Most
Likely to Succeed'. In 1950, while walking along the beach
at New York's Coney Island, she was approached by Jerry Tibbs,
a police officer and amateur photographer who put together
her first portfolio. Bettie evolved into an an underground
sensation and in 1955 became a "Playboy" magazine
centerfold. In 1957, Bettie quit modeling, had a failed marriage,
then entered a religious seminary, where she worked as a Christian
missionary. Eventually she was institutionalized for mental
problems. Now in her 80's, Bettie Page lives in southern California.
In retrospect, she says, "I wasn't trying to change society,
or to be ahead of my time. I didn't think of myself as liberated
and I don't believe that I did anything important. I was just
myself. I didn't know any other way to be ..." Filmed
in New York City and Miami. Florida, "NOTORIOUS BETTIE
PAGE" also stars Lili Taylor, Jonathan M. Woodward, David
Strathairn, Cara Seymour, Tara Subkoff and Kevin Carroll.
Directed by Mary "American Psycho" Harron and written
by Harron and Guinivere Turner, "NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE"
is produced by Lori Keith Douglas, Pamela Koffler, Katie Roumel
and Christine "Boys Don't Cry" Vachon. John Wells
is executive producer.
www.thenotoriousbettiepage.com
________________________________________________________________________________
See
No Evil
Lions Gate Films
Seven feet tall. Four hundred pounds. A rusty steel plate
screwed into his skull and razor-sharp fingernails that pluck
out his victims' eyes. Reclusive psychopath Jacob Goodnight
is holed up in the long-abandoned and rotting Blackwell Hotel,
alone with his nightmares until eight petty criminals show
up for community service duty along with the cop who put a
bullet in Jacob's head four years ago. When one of their own
is kidnapped by the killer and her fate uncertain, the remaining
lawbreakers must fight this indestructible force of nature
with a violent score to settle.
www.seenoevilthemovie.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Hard Candy
Lions Gate Films
This is a film about a girl of 14 years old and a 32 years
old guy. It is a movie about Hayley (more than excellent Ellen
Page) and Jeff, about pedophilia and about how a pedophile
must feel. Or maybe it is only a history of vengeance. You
won't know until the end of the film. It sure is a difficult
subject for a movie, but the script is excellently profiled
in the psychological horror and does not turn to be obscene
or anything than can visually or verbally hurt the sensibility
of anyone. It is more like disturbing to hear a teenage girl
speak how she does, and it is fascinating how your feelings
will go from one character to the other during the movie until
you realize that no matter what the end is, everyone is guilty
of something and it is not to us, humans, to decide what bad
actions can be justified by other bad actions.
www.hardcandymovie.com
________________________________________________________________________________
Slither
Universal Pictures
Slither is an edgy blend of heart-stopping terror, wry humor
and surprising humanity from genre-bending screenwriter James
Gunn, whose Dawn of the Dead became one of 2004's most surprising
hits. The sleepy town of Wheelsy could be any small town in
America somewhat quaint and gentle, peopled with friendly
folks who mind their own business. But just beneath the surface
charm, something unnamed and evil has arrived…and is growing.
No one seems to notice as telephone poles become clogged with
missing pet flyers, or when one of the town's richest citizens,
Grant Grant (Michael Rooker), begins to act strangely. But
when farmers' livestock turn up horribly mutilated and a young
women goes missing, Sheriff Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion) and
his team, aided by Grant's wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks),
uncover the dark force laying siege to their town… and come
face-to-face with an older-than-time organism intent on absorbing
and devouring all life on Earth. Slither is the feature film
directing debut of screenwriter James Gunn (the recent hit
re-envisioning of Dawn of the Dead) and stars Nathan Fillion,
Elizabeth Banks, Gregg Henry and Michael Rooker. It is also
written by Gunn. Slither a Universal Pictures and Gold Circle
Films presentation of a Strike Entertainment Production
is produced by Paul Brooks and Eric Newman.
www.slithermovie.net
________________________________________________________________________________
WAIST
DEEP
opens
nationwide June 23 from Rogue Pictures
Story: An urban action thriller with a sexy 21st-century Bonnie
and Clyde. Ex-con O2 (Tyrese Gibson) is suddenly plunged into
a life-or-death situation; trying to go straight for the sake
of his young son Junior, O2 is forced to go back outside the
law when Junior is kidnapped in a carjacking. His son is now
in the hands of a vicious criminal leader, Meat (hip-hop superstar
The Game). O2’s shady cousin Lucky (Larenz Tate) is caught
between loyalties, and so the only person who can or will
help O2 now is wily street-smart hustler Coco (Meagan Good).
With the clock ticking down, the heat between them rises as
they become a lawbreaking couple, on an action-packed tear
through town to save Junior and outwit the underworld.
Director: Vondie Curtis Hall (“Redemption,” “Gridlock’d”)
Writers: Screenplay by Vondie Curtis Hall and Darin Scott;
Story by Michael Mahern
Cast: Tyrese Gibson, Meagan Good, Larenz Tate, The Game
MPAA Rating: R
________________________________________________________________________________
SCOOP
opens
in select cities July 28 from Focus Features
Story: In Woody Allen’s new contemporary comedy, a student
journalist (Scarlett Johansson) for a college paper visiting
friends in London happens upon the scoop of a lifetime. Along
the investigative trail, she finds magic, murder, mystery
and perhaps love, with a British aristocrat (Hugh Jackman).
Writer/Director: Woody Allen (“Match Point,” “Hannah and Her
Sisters,” “Annie Hall”)
Cast: Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Ian McShane
MPAA Rating: PG-13
________________________________________________________________________________
 KING
KONG
Universal
Pictures
This
modern update of the 1933 classic is Lord of the Rings director
Peter Jackson’s homage to the film that inspired him to become
a filmmaker. The unlikely directorial choice for the
JRR Tolkin stories delighted fans of the books as well as
those who had never delved into the pages of those fantasy
worlds. His follow up is no less spectacular. It is truly
breathtaking, emotional and moving. Kong himself is
one of the most amazing feats of computer generated movie
characterization ever. The seamless flow between actor
and special effects make this film an immersive experience
of excitement, anticipation, love and sorrow. The one
experience you are sure to remember and will definitely send
chills up your spine, are the scenes with the giant prehistoric
bugs including a couple of giant curious centipedes.
Jackson also captures depression era New York as well. It
truly feels as if you have been sent back in time to this
setting of poverty, industry, and discovery. It’s hard
to tell what is CGI and what is real. The excitement
of unexplored territory and hidden dangers are also displayed
with horrifying beauty on Skull Island, with it’s crazed cannibalistic
natives, prehistoric dinosaurs, monster insects, blood thirsty
giant bats and of course Kong himself. The acting is superb
as well. Naomi Watts and Jack Black are spectacular, and this
could possibly be their best roles yet. In our opinion it
is the best film of the year, a masterpiece that can be summed
up in one simple word … “Beautiful.”
-
Max Micheals and Craig Harvey
Final
call: A
See it
in the theatre, see it opening weekend. Its that good!
________________________________________________________________________________
The
Chronicles of Narnia:
The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Walt
Disney Pictures
C.S.
Lewis's classic series is brought to life this winter as the
two sons of Adam and the two daughters of Eve step through
the Wardrobe and find them selves in the mythical world of
Narnia. The fab four are the subject of prophecy in
Narnia and their arrival and the return of the Aslan (the
Lion, and true lord of Narnia) heralds the coming of a war
to overthrow the White Witch, or "Ice Queen" and
break her frozen spell over their land.
One
of our personal favorite actors, Tilda Swinton (Gabriel in
Constantine) plays the part of the ice queen bent on destroying
the young foursome and hold Narnia in her clod clutches forever.
Newcomer and one-to-watch William Moseley fills the largest
shoes of the film as Peter Pevensie, the reluctant savior
of Narnia and care taker of his three siblings Lucy (Georgie
Henley), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes)
his rebellious younger brother that just can't seem to do
as he's told.
Throughout
Narnia they experience a wide variety of creatures, all who
talk, from beavers, wolves, and foxes to Fauns, Centaurs,
and Gryphons. Wherever they go in the land of Narnia
offers visual wonder and spectacle all brought together by
director Andrew Adamson. Since I've seen it I've been
asked if it is as good as Lord of the Rings. For the
record LOTR is pretty much untouchable as a whole for some
time to come. And keep in mind Narnia is a Disney film
and is geared toward a younger audience. There are some
extreme battle scenes but sadly no blood or gore, and that
lack of realism for me made it just a little less exciting.
Regardless, it is a superior film, an out-of-the-box classic
that will be treasured for generations to come. Don't
hesitate to go experience the land of Narnia for yourself,
but expect some packed theaters this opening weekend, it will
be the #1 film.
Final
call: A
See it
in the theatre, see it opening weekend. Its that good!
________________________________________________________________________________
AEON
FLUX
Paramount
A
decent film if it were only to stand on its own, but compared
to the erie edge of the MTV backed animated series it falls
far short of the mark. It has been suggested that Tilda
Swinton (Gabriel in Constantine) or Mila Jojovich (Resident
Evil/The Fifth Element) would have made a much better casting
choice. Lucky for us Swinton was busy in the land of
Narnia.
Final
call: D
wait
to see it on DVD.
________________________________________________________________________________
Corpse
Bride
Warner
Brothers
The
highly anticipated non-releated sequel to Tim Burton's ground
breaking animated spectacle The Nightmare Before Christmas
falls just shy of my great expectations. I think this
brilliant director may have brilliantly repacked his successful
formula and simple resold it to us. The hero of Burton's
new nightmare has more skin that his predecessor Mr. Skelington,
but he is just as tall and stick thin. The Bride is
as blue as Sally, and as prone to bits and pieces of herself
falling off, augmented by a dog made of bones instead of the
more endearing Zero, Skelington's translucent handkerchief
with a head he called his pet. They are all backed up
by Nightmare dopplegangers that sing, place, ooze and slither
in and out of the story. Overall great cinematic eye
candy, but not worth the trip to the theater.
Final
call: C
See
it at a matinee.
________________________________________________________________________________
SAW
II
Lions
Gate Films
The
sequel to SAW does not disappoint, taking us further into
the mind of the sadistic serial ... something, since he has
never technically murdered anyone we can't label him a killer.
So as not to divulge any of the fun situations he puts a new
group of victims into we will only suggest that if you are
squeamish around needles .. brace yourself.
Final
call: B
Great
movie, but don't rush to the theatres.
________________________________________________________________________________
 A
Sound of Thunder
Warner Brothers
Opens: September 2nd
So far the worst movie of the year. The special effects were
laughably worse than most network TV series like CSI or even
such bland Saturday morning fodder like Power Rangers. How
this sad excuse for cinema got funding, not to mention how
it hurdled even the lowest bar of Hollywood big studio release
standards is beyond comprehension. If someone could actually
invent time travel as depicted in this interpretation of the
Ray Bradbury short story they should use it to go back in
time and stop the producers, directors, cast and crew from
making this utterly embarrassing film.
Final call: E
If
its on TV, watch something else. With
a side note: Everyone knows how much we
hated The Forgotten, Dark Water, and Van Helsing and I can
safely say I'd rather watch that triple
threat with our eyelids propped
up by toothpicks than watch this waste of celluloid.
________________________________________________________________________________
 Lord
of War
Lions Gate Films
Opens: September 16th
Not being a Nicholas Cage fan I was reluctant to even go to
Lord Of War. That said, I could honestly tell you this is
one of his best roles and his best films. This could be one
of my favorite films of the year. Lord Of War is the high
paced explosive narrative of Cage’s character Yuri Orlov and
his rise to power in the global
black market arms trade. MOVEMENT's August cover star, 30
Seconds to Mars lead vocalist and accomplished actor Jared
Leto plays Cage’s high maintenance younger brother. Chillingly
based on true events.
Final call: A
See it
in the theatre, see it opening weekend. Its that good!
________________________________________________________________________________
 The
Cave
Screen Gems
Opens: August 26th
Having seen Alien, or any
of its franchise breeding sequels, The Cave offers little
suspense, surprise, or fear. Here’s the rundown: giant CGI
bat-winged Alien-esqe creatures attack a team of underground
cave explores who are mapping the "Amazon of the underwater
rivers" via a giant hole found under an old Abbey in
the mountains of Romania who’s shattered mosaic seal depicting
warriors battling demons down and sealing them in didn't seem
to phase anyone. Whew! What follows is scene after scene of
improbable escapes and near misses that are less than jump-out-of-your-seat
scary.
Final call: E
If its
on TV, watch something else.
________________________________________________________________________________
 The
Constant Gardener
Focus Features
Opens: August 31st
Excellent cinematography
accents this international drama when two lovers become entwined
in the controversial and deadly politics of big drug companies
testing medication on the impoverished people of Africa.
Final call: C
See
it at a matinee.
________________________________________________________________________________
Firewall
Harrison Ford/Paul Bettany/Virginia Madsen/Robert Patrick/Alan
Arkin
Warner Brothers Pictures
Firewall is one of those
films that is sure to win over a large audience and do exceptionally
well at the box office. Just having Harrison Ford in a film
brings people to the theatre in vast numbers regardless of
the plot. Plus you have Robert Patrick, Alan Arkin, and
Paul Bettany (who plays a well manered British villian)
to boot. Still, with all the talent and a half way decent
idea for a story, it's not all that original. Ford is definitely
showing his age, and to be honest, he has done this type of
role several times in the past with better results. Go back
and watch his film "Frantic" and you'll see what
I mean.
With "Firewall" you never once think that he won't
turn the tables on the bad guys in the end, or that his family
will not survive. There is not enough tension or suspense
for my taste. Ford plays Jack Stanfield, a security specialist who
works for a Seattle based bank. A group of thieves
(let by Paul Bettany) manages to infiltrate Jack's
personal information finding out where he lives, and holds
his family hostage in exchange for helping them steal
money from the bank he so preciously guards against this very
kind of sabotage. It's a play by the numbers type of
film, that works in theory, but as I said earlier, it's nothing
new.
It's not a terrible film, and it has it's moments here and
there (there is one small red herring which I won't give away)
but I thought it was very average for Ford. One nice thing
was seeing Mary Lynn Rajskub in another role besides
the computer wiz Clohe in the hit tv series "24."
She plays Fords secretary, who manages to help him later
on in the film when he is desperately fighting to get his
family away from the villians. Overall I would say wait
for DVD, or if you must see this on the big screen pay the
matinee prices.
Craig Harvey
________________________________________________________________________________
LAST
DAYS
Michael Pitt (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bully, The Dreamers)
stars in Gus Van Sant’s Seattle-set rock & roll drama.
Pitt plays isolated young rebel musician “Blake” whose life
and career is reminiscent of and inspired by the late Nirvana
lead singer Kurt Cobain. Pitt has always proven himself to
be a powerful screen presence. one of our personal favorites,
and this role seems custom fit to express two of his favorite
talents of acting and playing music.
________________________________________________________________________________
Mirror
Mask
From the mind of renowned writer Neil Gaiman and surreal visual
guru Dave Mckean comes MirrorMask. MirrorMask centers on Helena,
a 15 year old girl in a family of circus entertainers, who
often wishes she could run off and join real life. After a
fight with her parents about her future plans, her mother
falls quite ill and Helena is convinced that it is all her
fault. On the eve of her mother's major surgery, she dreams
that she is in a strange world with two opposing queens, bizarre
creatures, and masked inhabitants. All is not well in this
new world - the white queen has fallen ill and can only be
restored by the MirrorMask, and it's up to Helena to find
it. But as her adventures continue, she begins to wonder whether
she's in a dream, or something far more sinister.
________________________________________________________________________________
V for Vendetta
Based on the DC Comic by Alan Moore & David Lloyd, V for
Vendetta is a story where Germany won a future World War and
Great Britain is now a fascist state, a masked vigilante (Hugo
Weaving) known only as "V" conducts guerrilla warfare
against the government. When he rescues a normal young woman
(Portman), she joins his struggle against the forces of oppression.
This comic turned big screen film is brought to you by the
Matrix creators the Wachowski Brothers.
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