Coming Soon

Lets take a look at some fall releases which only means one thing, Oscar contenders anyone?


Brothers

You really can't go wrong with a strong young cast like Gyllenhal, Maguire and Portman. Looks like a very powerful story. Release Date: December 3, 2009

Amelia

Hilary Swank may be on an Oscar role with this bio-pic. The fascinating story of one of the 20th Centuries most iconic females, Amelia Earhart. Release Date: Oct 23rd, 2009

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra

It's true, sometimes the trailers for a movie look way better than the film itself. Sadly, when I saw the first G.I Joe preview I was like WTF is this? Are you kidding me? I completely dismissed the movie from my summer viewing options. After some disappointing films like Wolverine and Transformers 2, I thought that I might as well give the Joe's a chance. I'm happy I did.

After an unnecessary opening back story scene, we are thrust into this fantastical, glossy, action packed, live action cartoon world. What works here is that they have literally brought the 80's cartoon to life. There is absolutely no basis in reality. It's not dark and gritty and it doesn't take itself too seriously. It free's your brain from being too critical or even rational. This is the G.I. Joe world.. not ours. If you are a "techy" or gadgetry freak you'll love this movie. Its full of cool stuff like sleek vehicles and high tech weapons that do cool shit. It's like being a little kid in your backyard playing with your G.I. Joes. There were no limits to what you could do.



Sadly the actors don't really matter in the movie. The characters are throw-aways if anything. Cheesy dialogue, shoe-horned sentiment and unexpected twists kind of weigh down character moments. Its simple, Sienna Miller as the Baroness is hot and delightfully cold however missing the Russian accent from her cartoon counterpart. Channing Tatum is Duke and lets face it.. he's hot and does his best to act with the material given. Marlon Wayans borders the token black character as Ripcord. I didn't find him as offensive as those two "Step n Fetch It" robots in TF2 but he was still funny. Cobra Commander isn't that menacing. Destro's evolution is kinda cool...very Fate of Anakin (for my SW geeks out there) type of deal. The two real standouts as far as actors goes are Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes. Wow these two are just awesome. They get the best fight scenes and the coolest back story (with some talented young actors/fighters).



Lastly, the special effects and cgi are killer. There are scenes so big and action packed its like visual overload. Stephen Summers directed this movie just like his previous ones (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns). Big effects shots and hyper kinetic action push the movie along without really slowing down. The movie goes by fast for being 2 hours long. The last battle is everywhere. In the air, underwater, on land.. I mean just everywhere. It makes for a satisfying popcorn flick and a fun night at the movies and I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel. My Grade: B

Coming Soon

Some love for Foreign Cinema and a new wild things trailer!!

Coco Before Chanel

I love Adrienne Tatou and this looks like a beautiful movie. Tres Chic!

Taxidermia

Twisted Russian movie. Lots of imagination at work here to tell what seems like a gruesome story.

Where the Wild Things Are - Trailer 2

Great second trailer. hurray for more Wild Things. This looks like such a special movie. OCT 16th can't come soon enough!

Rich-It Rental Bites 8/4/09

Frozen River
Melissa Leo plays Ray, a recently single mother looking to make ends meat. She meets a coarse young Native American woman who forces her into a human trafficking job. When Ray sees how good the money is, she finds herself in a moral downward spiral. This movie was fantastic. Melissa Leo's performance makes the movie. As the story unraveled, I was glued to the screen. I can't imagine what some people go through and the sacrifices they make morally to survive. A fascinating and heart wrenching story. My Grade: A-


Race to Witch Mountain
Holy crap. What a movie! Oh Disney how could you rape your own fabulous franchise from the 70's. Bette Davis must be spinning in her grave. lol Quick recap: Earth is in trouble, Aliens need their spaceship back to go home, The Rock is hot, Effects are pretty cool, queue really bad musical score. My Grade: D


Fanboys
Its 1999, 4 Friends from Ohio decide to steal the first print of Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace from Skywalker Ranch in California. I know silly premise right? Well its a silly road trip movie. I think the only people able to appreciate it are star wars fans, sci-geeks, or high as hell star wars fans. Its like the geek version of Harold and Kumar. Occasionally funny if only because of the thousands of SW references. The are some great cameos by many sci-fi film veterans. The story isnt very coherent but who cares... My Grade: B-


Zona Rosa
A defunct documentary about gay clubs in Mexico City's Zona Rosa gay-borhood. However, the filmmakers get lost in there own narrative. We go from gay clubs in a conservative city to the life of straight male strippers who perform in them to one particular stripper with a heart of gold. In the end, its the full frontal nudity and hot guys that keeps your interest( well if your female or queer).. other than that. avoid it..My Grade: D