COL Movies

In this 52nd Reel, the boys go back in time to revisit “Hackers”. Does it still hold up today? As for what’s currently in the theater, they tackle “Thor” (and they like it! – haha!). Does it hold up to the plethora of comic book movies that are out there and coming up? Then, speaking of comic book movies, the boys check out the multitude of trailers for “X-men: First Class”. Do any of them actually excite the guys? All this and movie news including updates on the plot of “Expendables 2”, David Hasselhoff in he next “Piranha” movie, “Amityville Horror” goes 3-D, and “Dinosaurs vs. Aliens”? Pikachu…we choose you!!

MOV052: “ZeroCool” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• The expendables 2 has a plot! Why? the first one didnt need one…
• Spoilers! Mickey Rourke is killed… and his comrades are out for revenge
• still no word on director..other than its not Stallone
• David Hasselhoff intertwined with a whole new set of Double D’s! Piranha 3DD that is.
• Joins the previously announced cast of Ving Rhames, Christopher Lloyd, Paul Scheer, Gary Busey
• Hannibal Classics plans another spin off of Amityville
• Amityville: The Legacy 3D
• Based on the book Amityville: The Evil Escapes
• This will be the 10th film in the series.
• Barry Sonnenfeld planning to direct ‘Dominion: Dinosaurs vs. Aliens’
• director of Men in Black franchise
• The project is said to chronicle a secret prehistoric world war battle where an alien invasion attacks Earth in the age of the dinosaurs. The prehistoric lizards end up being the planet’s only hope and it turns out, they may be a lot more intelligent than previously realized.

The Past: Hackers (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes: 32% Rotten; 66% Audience

Raising Arizona

Price: $12.72

(193 customer reviews)

77 used & new available from $2.65

Director: Iain Softly

Starring: Jonny Lee Miller, Matthew Lillard,Lawrance Mason, Angelina Jolie, Fisher Stevens

Trivia:

• The high school scenes were filmed at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, one of a few elite, exclusive high schools for students gifted in math, science and computers. Real school seniors were extras in many scenes. In the real school, the pool is on the first floor.
• The computer they break into is a fictional mainframe computer called a “Gibson” – a homage to cyberpunk author William Gibson.
• The character name “Emmanuel Goldstein” is taken from George Orwell’s novel “Nineteen Eighty-Four”. It is also used as a pseudonym by Emmanuel Goldstein aka Eric Corley, who publishes the magazine “2600, The Hacker Quarterly”. Corley was an uncredited consultant for this film.
• The “Hacker Manifesto” read by Agent Bob was actually written by a hacker of great renown in the 1980s named Loyd Blankenship, who went by the name of The Mentor. It was published in PHRACK magazine, issue 07, file 03 in 1986.
• Eugene Belford uses the pseudonym Babbage at the end of the film. Charles Babbage was the inventor of an early form of the computer.
• Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie were married shortly after the making of the film, and then were divorced four years later.
• Around the movie’s release, the official website was modified by its webmasters to appear that it had been “hacked into,” and digital graffiti and instructions to “see ‘The Net’ instead” was added to the site’s graphics.
• All of the hacker handles proposed by the Joey were actual handles already used by real hackers.
• The game being played in the arcade is a high-quality prototype of the Playstation game “Wipeout” by Psygnosis. It is done on a high-end SGI server and allowed the development team to try out tracks and gameplay, before porting it to the Playstation. As a result, there are features and graphics in the movie that do not exist in the actual game, including the “high score smashing” sequence.
• The “hacking”-sequences – the scenes where you see the “inside” of a computer – are mostly motion-controlled models, because director Iain Softley thought that actual computer graphics would look too artificial.
• The poster for this movie shows Acid Burn and Crash Override with various words and ASCII symbols transposed on their faces. Amongst the words are: – 1. Names of hackers in the movie, including Lord Nikon, Acid Burn, and Crash Override – 2. Some of the commonly-used passwords, according to Plague, such as God, Sex, Love, and Secret – 3. Phreak – a “phone freak” – a hacker who concentrates their knowledge on telephone systems. (Phantom Phreak was the main Phreaker in the hacker group)
• Cyberdelia was built from scratch in an abandoned indoor swimming pool on the outskirts of London, with the center of the club in the depths of what was the pool. Producer Ralph Winter notes, “We never knew why, but the pool was designated an historic landmark, so great care had to be taken not to damage anything and to return it to its original state.”
• The part of Kate “Acid Burn” Libby was originally offered to Katherine Heigl, but due to prior commitments to Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) had to turn it down. The director auditioned Hilary Swank, Heather Graham and Liv Tyler for the role which ultimately went to Angelina Jolie.
• At the beginning of the movie when Dade phones the security desk of the television station he is hacking in to he gives the name of Eddie Vedder, the singer of the rock band Pearl Jam.
• The distinctive ring Kate Libby wears is the “Original Armour Ring” by jewelry designer Marche’ Noir.
• The film’s writer, director, and some cast members attended the New York City 2600 meeting, a monthly hangout of the local hacker community, to observe and talk with real-life hackers.

Talking Points:

• The competition

What We’ve Learned:

• God gave men brains larger than dogs so they wouldn’t hump women’s legs at cocktail parties
• Spandex is privilege not a right.
• You wanna be elite you gotta pull a righteous hack
• Hacking is more than a crime, its a survival trait
• It’s in that place where I put that thing that time
• There is no right and wrong, only fun and boring
• Hackers used a lot of hard copy back in 1995.
• HACK THE PLANET.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Totally unrealistic nerdy film. I adore it. Way dated though.
Ray: The Movie that made it “Cool” to be a computer nerd…. love it, although the tech aspect of this movie really dates it
Steve: Dated, but not as cool as other early computer-based movies like WarGames. To be honest, is early EMO to me. Not my fav, but others may like.

Intermission: Top 5 Computer Themed Films

1. Tron
2. WarGames
3. The Matrix
4. 2001: A Space Odessey
5. Hackers

The Present: Thor
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% Fresh; 83% Audience

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Stellen Skarsgarrd

Trivia:

• Comic writer Stan Lee who created Thor in 1962, appears as the truck driver who attempts to tow Mjolnir out of the crater it landed in… and fails miserably.
• This is Anthony Hopkins’s first comic book film. He was previously offered the role of Alfred in Batman Begins (2005).
• The Eye of Agamotto, a very powerful magical amulet, can be seen in Odin’s treasure room. This was a weapon wielded by a Marvel hero, Doctor Strange the Sorcerer Supreme.
• According to producer Kevin Feige, the Bifrost bridge is the films’s most interesting set: “In the comics, it’s literally a rainbow that extends out from Asgard and pops down on Earth. We’re not necessarily doing that; we’re not having the big hard solid lines of colors. We’re saying it’s some sort of energy, almost a solid quartz bridge that as the light catches it and flows through it, you get some of that rainbow-esque quality to it.”
• Anthony Hopkins signed on as Odin despite never reading a “Thor” comic or knowing anything about the Thor mythology. It was the concept of the father and son relationship that intrigued him about the role.
• To prepare for his role as Loki, Tom Hiddleston trained in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira.
• Thor holds a drawing of a crossroads with nine orbs in it. This is his perception and representation of Yggdrasil, in Norse mythology a great tree around which the nine worlds are tethered, making up the universe.
• A model of the Infinity Gauntlet, an all powerful weapon capable of controlling aspects of reality (soul, time, space, power & mind) in the “Marvel Comics” universe, was constructed for this film. The model is made from bronze and copper (with jewels made from resin) and weighs 60 pounds. It was built to be operational so that animatronics could be built on it.

Talking Points:

• There was very little exposition for a origin story film
• Story – what you expected?
• Natalie Portman…good or bad?
• Loki looks like Johnny Weir
• Chris Hemsworth..hottie or nottie?

What We Learned:

• What you need is a rainbow bridge
• I need sustenance!
• A pet store is not the place to get a horse

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: I really liked it, not the best Marvel movie but not bad at all.
Ray: Tolerable, one of the weaker marvel movies as far as story goes. Don’t waste your money on 3D. Can we have the Avengers already?
Steve: Enjoyed it…was much more pleased than I thought I would be going in. Definitely worth a look…3D unnecessary.

The Future: X-Men: First Class

Director: Chris Miller

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Kevin Bacon, Lucas Till, Zoë Kravitz, Jason Flemyng, Edi Fathegi

Trivia:

• Bryan Singer, who directed X-Men (2000) and X2 (2003), was approached to direct this film in October 2009, but in March 2010 declined due to his commitment to Jack the Giant Killer (2012) and was replaced with Matthew Vaughn in May 2010. Singer however stayed on as producer.
• Taylor Lautner was considered to play Hank McCoy (aka Beast) but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Nicholas Hoult was later cast.
• The uniforms the X-Men wear are colored blue and yellow, in homage to the original blue/yellow suits the X-Men wore in the comics from 1963 (their debut) to 2001 (when X-Men (2000) inspired a change to black leather).
• Filming was originally to take place on Tybee Island, but a producer browsing on the online map program Google Earth found Jekyll Island to be a more suitable location.
• Sirs Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were considered to appear in the film as the elder Professor X and Magneto, but the idea was rejected as the filmmakers wanted to start a new X-Men trilogy, without any connection to the previous films.
• A telepathic battle between Professor X and Emma Frost was going to be in the film, but upon the release of Inception (2010) the concept was scrapped.
• This is the first X-Film without Wolverine or Cyclops.
• Matthew Vaughn instructed the cast to do away with all accents in their performances. James McAvoy had planned to copy Patrick Stewart’s voice (since McAvoy was going to play a younger version of Stewart’s Xavier), but Vaughn quashed it; Vaughn also told Rose Byrne that Moira MacTaggart would not have her trademark Scottish accent in the film (to the Scottish McAvoy’s mild disappointment).

Talking Points:

• How many versions of this trailer are there?
• Trailer at least acknowledges the previous films, which I’m surprised at.

Summary:

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-MEN.

Trailer:

TRAILER #1:

TRAILER #2:

TRAILER #3: International

Excitement:
Jeff: Stoked, but I’m easily stoked when it comes to comic book movies.
Ray: I am skeptical.. X3 really left a bad taste in mouth.. hopefully by going back to the past they can fix what they mucked up in the future.
Steve: Seems like it’s something I’ll like…origins of several characters versus a single movie on one. I’m down for it!

Coming Attractions

The Past

The Fifth Element (Ultimate Edition)

Price: $12.51

(931 customer reviews)

150 used & new available from $1.41

The Present

The Future

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The boys head back in time to ride along with Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal in “Throw Momma From The Train”.  Despite Anne Ramsey’s Academy Award nominated performance, are there any other reasons to buy a ticket on the 80’s express?  Then they continue the trip to N’awlins to check out all the crazy undead action with “Dylan Dog: Dead of Night”.  Is this Italian comic book adaptation worthy or should it just be staked?  Lastly, they head to the kingdom of Far Far Away to discuss the teaser trailer for the Shrek prequel, “Puss In Boots”.  All this, movie news, and much, much more in this 51st reel of COL Movies!

MOV051: “Go Bury Him In The Yard Before He Stinks Up The Place” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Justin Lin Spill some info about the next terminator.
• Could possibly be completely ignoring the previous 2 movies and the TV show
• All the talks have been between the ex Gov and himself
• Are you ready to get your Gleek on?
• Glee! Live 3D coming to select theatres August 12 for a Two week limited engagement!
• Its as if a million fanboys cried out and were suddenly silenced
• Lucasfilm announces full detail of Star Wars Blu Ray Set
• Releases Sept 16 in the USA
• 9 Disc’s 40+ hours of special features
• Special editions of the original trilogy only
• Bradly Cooper goes from The Crow to.. The Devil!
• Paradise Lost – Based on the 17th century Milton epic poem of the same name.
• Action flick! with plenty of aerial fighting and maybe in 3D!

Feedback: 5 star review on iTunes from indyca “So fun. Give it a try, you’ll be delighted.”

The Past: Throw Momma from the Train (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes: 60% Fresh / 50% Audience

Raising Arizona

Price: $12.72

(193 customer reviews)

77 used & new available from $2.65

Director: Danny DeVito

Starring: Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, Kim Greist, Anne Ramsey, Kate Mulgrew

Trivia:

• The title comes from the Patti Page song “Throw Mama From the Train, a kiss, a kiss, Wave Mama from the train a goodbye…”
• Anne Ramsey’s speech impediment was caused by operations she underwent in order to treat throat cancer. She received a best-supporting actress nomination for her role in the film in 1987.
• ‘Danny Devito’ once noted in an interview with Playboy Magazine that the scene where Owen shows his coin collection to Larry, was inspired by his childhood habit of sharing things with friends that involved whatever he was into at the time. It was his insistence as a director to include a sequence like this in the movie. Writer Stu Silver then wrote the scene.
• The frying pan used on Billy Crystal by Danny Devito was made of rubber.
• Larry on the train talks to Owen about the perfect beginning of a novel and mentions Charles Dickens’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities’. “It was the best of times it was the worst of times..”. Momma then says, ‘The night was sultry’. This is a variation of the line,’The night was so very sultry.’. A quote from the same novel.
• It was inspired by the 1951 Alfred Hitchcock thriller Strangers on a Train, which also plays a role in the film.

Talking Points:

• Is it just me or is Danny DeVito always eating in this movie?
• Anne Ramsey’s performance – nominated for Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress & done while she was suffering from throat cancer

What We’ve Learned:

• Criminals and Dick Clark don’t age
• a writer writes, always
• Eliminate the Motive and Establish an alibi
• You don’t answer the phone when your dead
• The night was humid, no – moist, no – SULTRY!

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: This movie is unwatchable for me. Fortunately, I still can recommend it to other people. I just don’t like hiding for half the movie.
Ray: Great Movie – although it doesn’t really start getting good till Ann Ramsey is on screen
Steve: Love, love, love Anne Ramsey! This movie makes me laugh out loud. A total cult movie that is worth a look.

The Present: Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 6% Rotten / 43% Audience

Director: Kevin Munroe

Starring: Brandon Routh, Anita Briem, Sam Huntington, Peter Stormore, Taye Diggs, Kurt Angle

Trivia:

• This was the second time Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington co-starred in a film together, the last film being Superman Returns.
• The film is loosely based on the Italian comic book Dylan Dog created by Tiziano Sclavi and published by Sergio Bonelli Editore.
• Luca Raffaelli (la Repubblica), after watching the movie said “it’s a good B-movie inspired to a great top-league European comic”, and points out that the character of Brandon Routh “is void” while the original comic character “uses the horror to talk about modern society problems”.

Talking Points:

• Why don’t the critics like it? Audiences? (expecting a horror movie?)
• Horror movie vs Monster movie?
• Felt more like a screen-length “Kolchak: The Night Stalker”
• Did the friend feel oddly similar to Will Ferrell?

What We Learned:

• Being undead is manageable.
• Its never pretty when love dies
• Werewolf hair doesn’t lie
• It’s pretty easy to find spare parts when you’re a zombie.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Not bad. It was alright. I enjoyed myself. I do think it’s underrated though.
Ray: While happy that it was more than a Vampire Vs Werewolf movie, I found myself comparing it to things like Blade and True Blood and wondered who was ripping who off
Steve: I enjoyed it a lot. Thought it was predictable, but then I got a few twists I didn’t expect. I liked their take on the underworld in New Orleans. Worth a watch for monster movie fans, but not really a “horror” movie in my opinion.

The Future: Puss In Boots

Director: Chris Miller

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Billy Bob Thornton, Amy Sedaris, Salma Hayek

Trivia:

• The film has been in development since 2004, when Shrek 2 was released. As a Shrek 2 spin-off, it was originally planned for release in 2008 as a direct-to-video film, but this was changed in 2006 in favor of a theatrical release.
• Production on the film began after the release of 2010′s Shrek Forever After. Banderas said in an interview in early 2010 that he had completed the first recordings of his character.
• Except for Puss, the film will feature all new characters.
• The film was teased in Shrek Forever After when Shrek finally put the book of Shrek away and put it next to a book titled “Puss in Boots”.
• Co-writer, David H. Steinberg says, “It doesn’t overlap with Shrek at all. Partly that was done to tell an original Puss story, but partly because we didn’t know what Shrek Forever After was going to do with the characters and we couldn’t write conflicting storylines.”

Talking Points:

• Is this necessary? Why continue the stories when it supposedly ended?
• Are there other characters from this universe you’d like to see with a film?

Summary:

The film is based on and follows the character of Puss in Boots from Shrek and his adventures before his first appearance in 2004′s Shrek 2. The prequel’s story centers on the swashbuckling cat and how he comes to meet Shrek and his friends, while introducing new characters as well.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Meh.
Ray: Not sure about it, feels like maybe it should have been a direct to video, but cant say for sure without a better trailer.
Steve: I like the music in the trailer – fits the personality of Puss. I like the idea, just not sure if I’m willing to go out and see it at the theater. I feel I need to see a full-length trailer first.

Coming Attractions

The Past

Hackers

Price: $11.83

(325 customer reviews)

121 used & new available from $1.55

The Present

The Future

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The boys go back in time to revisit the Coen Brother’s classic “Raising Arizona”? Does the ensemble still hold up today? Then they spend…um, waste…their money and hour and a half of their lives watching “Your Highness”. Ooops…guess that review is already spoiled, so let’s just move on. They also review the teaser trailer for Kevin Smith’s “Red State”. Is the unique distribution model going to get this movie enough exposure so that we can all see it when it comes out in October? All of this and movie news about the Governator, post-apocolyptic Zorro, the re-release of LOTR at AMC, and ANOTHER Beiber movie?

MOV050: “The ones with Yodas and shit on ‘em” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Is it a sign of the endtimes? Mark Wahlberg and Justin Bieber teaming up
• Zorro reboot?
• Arnold’s Back!
• 11 hours to watch them all!

The Past: Raising Arizona (1987)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% Fresh / 82% Audience

Raising Arizona

Price: $12.72

(193 customer reviews)

77 used & new available from $2.65

Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson, John Goodman, William Forsythe, Sam McMurray, Frances McDormand

Trivia:

• Fifteen babies played the Arizona quintuplets in the film. One of the babies was fired during production when he learned to walk
• Kevin Costner turned down the lead role
• The Coen brothers wrote Holly Hunter’s character specifically for her.
• Nathan, Jr. doesn’t cry at all throughout the entire movie. But all the other main characters do at some point.

Talking Points:

• Was the biker H.I’s father?
• Maricopa County Jail – check out Lock Up on MSNBC

What We’ve Learned:

• If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his ass a’hoppin
• With chairs you got a dinette set. No chairs, you got dick.
• When preparing crawdads, be sure to add sand
• When digging yourself out of prison, it’s always a good idea to scream really loud. Nobody will hear you.
• It’s customary for the Tempe police department to shoot aimlessly into a residential neighborhood, even if their suspect is an unarmed diaper bandit wearing ‘hose over his head.
• When robbing a bank, make sure to check the bag for exploding canisters of paint
• Keep your grenades secure to avoid accidental pulling of the pin.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Classic Coen Brother’s movie, so good but not for everyone. Occasional rental for me but may be worth a buy to others.
Ray: Good movie if your into Coen Bro’s type of comedy… sometimes dark, almost always bizzare
Steve: Probably my favorite Coen Brothers movie. I’m a big Holly Hunter fan. Worth a rental!

The Present: Your Highness
Rotten Tomatoes: 24% Rotten / 49% Audience

Director: David Gordon Green

Starring: Danny McBride, James Franco, Rasmus Hardiker, Natalie Portman, Justin Theroux, Toby James, Zooey Deshanel

Trivia:

• Although the film was written by writer Ben Best and actor Danny McBride, the dialogue is heavily improvised. Director David Gordon Green said there was never a script used on-set. Only the plot outline and written notes were used

Talking Points:

• Would this have been a better movie if they didn’t try so hard to be funny?
• Who the hell did Natalie Portman piss off to get stuck in this?
• Stoner movie?
• Will the Razzies even consider this one?

What We Learned:

• You know a movie is going to be high class when it has boob jokes in the opening credits.
• Beating off in front of a Pegasus is elementary
• What the potentially worst movie ever made may look like
• If you can’t take the horns, take the penis.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: While it had it’s funny moments, not a good movie. But that’s Danny McBride for you.
Ray: I don’t think its possible to smoke enough weed to make this movie funny.
Steve: Absolutely hated it. Enough said. Don’t waste your time or money.

The Future: Red State

Director: Kevin Smith

Starring: Michael Parks, John Goodman, Kevin Pollak, Melissa Leo, Stephen Root

Trivia:

• The Westborough Baptist Church planned to protest Red State at its premier at the Sundance Film Festival. Kevin Smith in turn planned a counter protest which he and his fans took part in. At the premier the counter-protesters heavily outweighed the handful of Westborough protesters who showed up. This occurred 12 years after Smith’s first film to tackle religious controversy, Dogma (1999), drew protests from certain sects of the Catholic Church. One of which Smith jokingly took part in himself.
• There is no score for this film. The entire soundtrack consists of songs sung within the film itself.
• Smith has an quick off-camera cameo at the end of the film, as a prison inmate, yelling the last line in the film.
• Kevin Smith’s lowest budget film since Chasing Amy (1997).
• Kevin Smith wrote the role of Abin Cooper for Michael Parks after seeing his performance in From Dusk Till Dawn. Smith has said that if Parks had not agreed to be in the film he would have dropped the project entirely.

Talking Points:

• What do you think of Kevin’s distribution model?
• Did you check out the website?

Summary:

Three teenagers come across an online personal advertisement from an older woman looking for kinky group sex. But what begins as a fantasy takes a dark turn as they come face-to-face with a terrifying fundamentalist force with a fatal agenda.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: I want to see it, but still not sure if I’d like it.
Ray: I’m excited, simply because I want to see how Kevin does a horror flick.
Steve: Looks good to me…even though it’s just a teaser trailer, it packs some awesome images that really draw me in.

Coming Attractions

The Past

The Present

The Future

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In the 49th reel, the boys go back in time to check out the musical about working in a 1950’s pajama factory.  Yes, that’s correct..working in a 1950’s pajama factory!  Does “The Pajama Game” still fit today?  (Ba-dum-dum)  In current film, they FINALLY check out the ILM animated feature “Rango”.  Did they find any redeeming qualities in the random cast of desert animals searching for water or should they have just died of thirst?  Lastly, the boys check out the trailer for the upcoming “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”.  Is Jack Sparrow still relevant or should he just down with the ship?  All of this and movie news about remakes of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Crow” (yeah, that’s what we thought too!), along with updates on the sequels to the not yet released “Thor” and “Captain America”, and what’s going on with George Takei (rhymes with gay).  Don’t pass up this “jammy” packed episode!

MOV049: “This Is Our Once A Year Day” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Since they obviously have not hit rock bottom yet.. another Texas Chainsaw massacre movie?
• The 2003 Remake has 36% rotten on RT
• The 2006 sequel has 12% rotten
• Not happy about “The Crow” remake? Neither are The Weinstiens
• Counting your chickens before they hatch? Thor sequel confirmed, and Captain America sequel will be set in present day
• Help Mr Sulu save Akira from white people

The Past: The Pajama Game (1957)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% Fresh / 66% Audience

The Pajama Game

Price: $13.93

(89 customer reviews)

57 used & new available from $6.59

Director: George Abbott, Stanley Donen

Starring: Doris Day, John Raitt, Carol Haney, Eddie Foy Jr., Reta Shaw, Jack Straw, Ralph Dunn, Barbara Nichols, Thelma Pelish

Trivia:

• 39% of the cast is from the original Broadway production.
• The soundtrack LP, released by Columbia Records, vaulted to ninth position among “Billboard”‘s popular albums.
• A song written specifically for Doris Day, “The Man Who Invented Love” (music and lyrics by Richard Adler), wound up on the cutting-room floor. Currently, the recording can be listened to on the soundtrack CD from Collectables, and the footage can be watched on the DVD from Warner Home Video.
• The original Broadway production of “The Pajama Game” opened at the St. James Theater in New York on May 13, 1954, ran for 1,063 performances and won the 1955 Tony Award for the Best Musical. Shirley MacLaine was in the ensemble and was an understudy to Carol Haney. Miss MacLaine did go on for Miss Haney at least once during the Broadway run, allowing her to perform the popular songs “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway”. John Raitt, Carol Haney, Eddie Foy Jr., Reta Shaw, Thelma Pelish, Ralph Dunn, Ralph W. Chambers, Mary Stanton and Buzz Miller were in the original cast and recreated their roles in the movie version.
• Frank Sinatra turned down the lead role in The Pajama Game (1957), which would have paired him up with Janis Paige, who played the role on Broadway. As a result, Paige lost out on playing the part to Doris Day, who was considered a bigger box-office draw

Talking Points:

• What does this say about the state of society at the time it was made?
• Undertones of Romeo and Juliet?

What We’ve Learned:

• The second hand doesn’t understand that your back may break and your fingers ache and your constitution isn’t made of rock
• 7½ cents doesn’t buy a heck of a lot
• Its not ok to hit employees, but its ok to shove them
• Not only is free beer at a company picnic acceptable its encouraged!
• Just knock 3 times and whisper low that you and I were sent by Joe

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: There’s a special place in my heart for this movie as I had an amazing time being in the play in High School. Best shape I’ve ever been in.
Ray:I dig musicals, but this one was a no go for me.. I kept falling asleep
Steve: I am a huge fan of musicals…especially many classics in film. However, it was difficult for me to get into this one, despite knowing it was highly successful.

The Present: Rango
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% Fresh / 72% Audience

Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Stephen Root

Trivia:

• This is the first animated feature produced by special effects company Industrial Light & Magic.
• Rattlesnake Jake was modeled after Lee Van Cleef.
• Ned Beatty based his performance on that of John Huston’s in Chinatown (1974).:
• Johnny Depp character Rango was modeled after Don Knotts character Barney Fife from “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960).
• The first cat that Beans talks to in Dirt is an obvious vocal impression of staple western actor Pat Buttram.
• Spirit of the West was modeled after Clint Eastwood.
• The wanted posters in the sheriff’s office offer rewards for “Lockjaw Smith” and “Disco Lovejoy.”

Talking Points:

• Anyone catch the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas reference?
• Lots of facial close ups.
• Does knowing how this movie was filmed make you appreciate it any more or less?
• What do you think about the animation itself?
• Did you have a favorite character?

What We Learned:

• If you want to find water you must find Dirt
• The desert and death are the closest of friends
• Cactus root is a natural laxative

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: A couple of funny reference moment, but the movie overall was just okay. Amazing animation though.
Ray: Kudos to ILM for amazing visuals… Story was ok, but I felt it went on way too long.
Steve: I thought it looked great, although some of the characters were creepy looking (Dark Crystal). Not sure that I feel it’s a kid’s movie – kind of in the vein of Nightmare Before Christmas – but I overall liked it. The voice acting was very good.

The Future: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane

Trivia:

• The title was revealed by Johnny Depp in character as Jack Sparrow, at Disney’s D23 Expo on September 11, 2009.
• Disney’s Head of Production Oren Aviv said that this would “hopefully be the first of another trilogy.”
• Johnny Depp said he agreed to star in this, before “there was a script or anything”.
• This film is loosely based on the 1988 pirate novel ‘On Stranger Tides’, by Tim Powers. The novel’s protagonist is a pirate named Jack, but his character is significantly different from Jack Sparrow
• In May 2010, Disney announced that this movie will be filmed using 3-D cameras. The special effects, however, will be rendered in 2-D then converted to 3-D to keep the budget lower.
• This is the only “Pirates” film to not be directed by Gore Verbinski.
• Penélope Cruz was pregnant during the filming of the movie

Talking Points:

• Penelope Cruz – draw or detraction?
• Is this franchise worth our time or has it “jumped the shark”?

Summary:

When Captain Jack Sparrow crosses paths with the enigmatic Angelica, he’s not sure if it’s love — or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard, Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know whom to fear more: Blackbeard or Angelica, with whom he shares a mysterious past.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Yes, we do need another Pirates Movie. I like the idea of just making each one an individual story.
Ray: I have really no interest in this series anymore, it’s hard to get excited about it.
Steve: I am not particularly interested in the franchise anymore…but I do admit that this one looks better than any of the previous to me.

Coming Attractions

The Past

Raising Arizona

Price: $12.72

(193 customer reviews)

77 used & new available from $2.65

The Present

The Future

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The boys go back to 1985 to check out the Eddie Murphy “classic” (used liberally), “The Golden Child”. Once they recuperate from that experience, they take on the James Wan’s “Insidious”. Did Jeff jump under his seat? Only he really knows… Finally, they review the trailer for “Captain America: The First Avenger”. Is everyone ready for one of many, many superhero movies that will hit big screens soon? In news, the boys talk about the 20 most common box office misconceptions and the Superman reboot. All this is much, much more!! Tiptoe through the tulips with us!

MOV048: "Chunky Asses" Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• 20 Common Box Office Misconceptions
• Superman has a villain.. and its Zod?

The Past: The Golden Child (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes: 26% Rotten / 49% Audience

The Golden Child

Price: $6.49

(61 customer reviews)

116 used & new available from $1.74

Director: Michael Ritchie

Starring: Eddie Murphy, J.L. Reate, Charles Dance, Charlette Lewis

Trivia:

• John Carpenter was offered the job as director.
• Originally intended as a serious adventure drama with Mel Gibson in the lead role. After Gibson turned the film down and Eddie Murphy replaced him, the script was rewritten as a partial comedy.
• Although the Golden Child is referred to as a boy throughout the film, the character was actually played by a girl.
• John Barry was originally hired to compose the score, but backed out of the project during production. Although Michel Colombier completed the score, a few cues by Barry remain in the film, and one, “Wisdom of the Ages” was released on the soundtrack LP.
• According to an early-1990s interview with Eddie Murphy, a love scene between him and Charlotte Lewis was filmed, but cut from the final print.
• The Aja-Yee Dagger Chandler Jerrold goes to Nepal to find, later defeating Sardo with, was named after fellow comedian Franklyn Ajaye.
• George Miller was Eddie Murphy’s first choice for director.

Talking Points:

• Eddie Murphy.. the action star? do you think this would have been more successful without the comedy?
• Some people credit this movie with killing eddies career.

What We’ve Learned:

• Always lock the Temple door before partaking in your reincarnation ceremony
• Secret to long life? Get raped by a dragon
• You should always give a woman two chances to say no
• Bikers like glam metal
• Always check your oatmeal for blood before eating

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Okay, so not as bad as I remember it, but still only okay.
Ray:..I’m with the audience and Roger Ebert on this one.. the movie is stupid and silly, but entertaining
Steve: Absurd, but that’s why I..I..I..I..like this movie. Cheese!

The Present: Insidious
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% Fresh / 79% Audience

Director: James Wan

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Sympkins

Trivia:

• This is the second movie where Ty Simpkins plays the son of Patrick Wilson’s character.
• In the scene where Josh is dismissing his class, director James Wan’s name can be seen on the blackboard, underlined twice.

Talking Points:

• Were you getting what you expected?
• What was up with the matching monkey pajamas?
• Husband? annoying? Hey babe.. hey buddy.
• Poltergeist?
• Saw franchise connections to this movie….Wan (Blackboard in school room)

What We Learned:

• Tiny Tim…always scary.
• People just standing there can be hella scary.
• Just freak the audience out by using screechy dissonant sounds and creepy font.
• If you can astral project, don’t get lost!

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: While not like a school girl, I did scream at a couple of points. I applaud the film makers.
Ray: It made me jump, I thought the last 20 minutes of the movies was ..odd
Steve: Two thirds of this movie was awesome…a little Paranormal Activity-ish…but the last 20 mins or so just went wackadoo. Still better than The Last Exorcism and I would definitely watch again.

The Future: Captain America : The First Avenger

Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell

Trivia:

• Jon Favreau was originally chosen by Marvel Studios to direct this film, but he chose to direct Iron Man (2008). Nick Cassavetes, was also considered to direct this film, and had been set as a director for Iron Man (2008) in December 2004.
• Despite being “The First Avenger”, it is the last solo Avenger film to be released before the team-up film, The Avengers (2012).:
• According to producer Avi Arad: “The biggest opportunity with Captain America is as a man ‘out of time’, coming back today, looking at our world through the eyes of someone who thought the perfect world was small-town America. Sixty years go by, and who are we today? Are we better?”
• Joe Johnston was chosen as the film’s director for his work on the period adventure films The Rocketeer (1991) and October Sky (1999).
• Louis Leterrier viewed some of the concept art for the film, and was impressed enough to offer his services, but Marvel Studios turned him down. However, his film The Incredible Hulk (2008) features a small appearance by Captain America: a deleted scene set in the Arctic features his body hidden in a slab of ice.
• Screenwriter David Self, who wrote a draft of the script, claimed Captain America was his favorite childhood superhero: “My dad told me I could one day be Captain America.”
• Sam Worthington and Will Smith were in early talks for the role of Captain America. Later on Garrett Hedlund, Channing Tatum, Scott Porter, Mike Vogel, Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Wilson Bethel, John Krasinski, Michael Cassidy, Chace Crawford and Jensen Ackles were on the final shortlist for the role. Kellan Lutz, Ryan Phillippe and Alexander Skarsgård carried out auditions, but ultimately the role went to Chris Evans.
• Alice Eve and Keira Knightley were considered for the role of Peggy Carter. Emily Blunt turned down the role.
• Tommy Lee Jones who plays Colonel Phillips in this film, also appeared as Two-Face/Harvey Dent in Batman Forever (1995). Both Captain America and Batman faced off in the Marvel vs. DC crossover in 1996.
• This is the fifth live-action adaptation of the superhero. The first was the serial Captain America (1944); the second was the TV movie Captain America (1979/I) (TV) and its sequel Captain America II: Death Too Soon (1979) (TV); and the fourth was the theatrical film Captain America (1990).
• Chris Evans was attracted to the role of Captain America by its character: “Even if it wasn’t a comic book. I think the story of Steve Rogers is great. He’s a great guy. Even if it was just a script about anybody, I would probably want to do it. It wasn’t necessarily about the comic itself. He’s a great character to play; he just happens to be a comic book character.”
• Hugo Weaving based the Red Skull’s accent on renowned German filmmakers Werner Herzog and Klaus Maria Brandauer.
• To prepare for her role as Peggy Carter, Hayley Atwell trained six days a week.
• Originally cameo appearances were planned in the film for James Logan Howlett (Wolverine) and Erik Lensherr (Magneto), who were present during World War II (Logan was a soldier and Lensherr was a prisoner of war). These cameos were scrapped due to rights issues.
• Chris Evans fifth comic book movie after the two Fantastic Four movies, The Losers (2010/I), and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010).
• The final Paramount Pictures film produced with Marvel Studios. Disney bought the rights to The Avengers (2012) and Iron Man 3 (2013).
• Chris Evans declined the role three times before accepting the part. After that, he had a meeting with the director and the producers who convinced him to take the role.
• Originally cameo appearances were planned in the film for Namor the Sub-Mariner, the Prince of Atlantis, but this was scrapped.
• Sebastian Stan was considered for the role of Captain America, but got the role of Bucky instead.
• Hayley Atwell based her performance as Peggy Carter on Ginger Rogers: “She can do everything Captain America can do, but backwards and in high heels.”
• To prepare for his role as Bucky, Sebastian Stan watched many World War II films/documentaries, and drew inspiration from “Band of Brothers” (2001).
• Stanley Tucci took the role of Dr. Reinstein because the role enabled him to use a German accent, which he always wanted to do.
• The film was originally meant to be a standalone film, but after Joss Whedon was hired to direct The Avengers (2012) he was given a copy of the film’s script and made a few rewrites to tie it in to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: “I just got to make some character connections. The structure of the thing was really tight and I loved it, but there were a couple of opportunities to find his voice a little bit – and some of the other characters – and make the connections so that you understood exactly why he wanted to be who he wanted to be. And progressing through the script to flesh it out a little bit.”
• Joe Simon, who created the “Captain America” comic in 1941 (before Stan Lee revived it in 1964), was approached to make a cameo appearance in the film
• The Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) searches for a powerful artifact, the Cosmic Cube. In Transformers (2007), Weaving voiced the villain Megatron, who also searched for a similar cosmic cube-shaped relic (the AllSpark).

Talking Points:

• Anyone see any of the other Captain America Movies?

Summary:

After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America’s ideals.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: I’m always up for Super Hero movies.
Ray: Looking forward to this exponentially more than thor
Steve: I didn’t know some of the stuff about CA’s background until I saw the trailer. Looks good to me!

Coming Attractions

The Past

The Pajama Game

Price: $13.93

(89 customer reviews)

57 used & new available from $6.59

The Present

The Future

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This week we check out the classic Nine To Five, the present Jake Gyllenhaal film Source Code, and look the Kung Fu Panda 2 trailer. This plus movie news all in this reel of COL Movies.

MOV047: “You're A Sexist, Egotistical, Lying, Hypocritical Bigot.” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Wanna see Top Gun on the big screen? AMC Theatres is showing it again to celebrate the films 25th anniversary (and promote its release on Blu-Ray) April 30th and May 2nd Check for showtimes and locations near you.
• Tron Sequel almost a no brainer
• Chicago ousted as Gotham City – The Dark Knight Rises……. In Pittsburgh
• Bill and Ted sequel still on according to Keanu
• Hangover 2 Trailer pulled
• Sean P Hayes to play Larry in the Three Stooges

The Past: Nine to Five (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Fresh, 69% Audience

9 to 5 – Sexist, Egotistical, Lying Hypocritical Bigot Edition – Widescreen

Price: $9.47

(119 customer reviews)

62 used & new available from $4.34

Director: Colin Higgins

Starring: Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman

Trivia:

• Dolly Parton’s first film
• The TWA flight shown taking Roz to the Aspen Language Center was used in reality on the ill-fated TWA 800, which exploded off of Long Island, NY
• Violets Fantasy Characters were to reference Snow White, and Robin Hood
• A VHS Release was planned the same day as the Theatrical release, but was pushed back 3 months due to complaints from Theater owners.

Talking Points:

• What 3 women would you cast if this movie was made today.

What We’ve Learned:

• Xerox Machines can be operated by morons
• Always check for a skull and crossbones when making your bosses coffee
• Smoking in a hospital is always acceptable
• Doctors don’t talk to candy stripers… piss off
• Corpse Stealing, Kidnapping, Hostage Taking, Trespassing, Signature Forging, Credit Card Stealing are all OK as long as you get your boss promoted.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: It’s a wonderful movie. Had a bunch of parts where I wanted to run and hide but in this case, it’s all good parts of the movie. I think I need this for my collection.
Ray: Another movie I watched over and over in my childhood…
Steve: One I hadn’t watched in a long time. Definitely smiled and reminds me of the female comedies of the 80s like Outrageous Fortune, Big Business, and similar.

The Present: Source Code
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% Fresh, 87% Audience

Director: Duncan Jones

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright

Trivia:

• The Voice of Colter’s father on the phone was none other than Scott Bakula, from TV’s “Quantam Leap” and he started off his conversation by saying “Oh Boy” his catch phrase from the show.
• Colter Keeps saying “Everything is going to be ok” a line he also spoke in the Alternate Reality mindbender “Donnie Darko”

Talking Points:

• Not that you guys would notice, but I kept getting distracted by the things in Chicago that were “not quite right”
• Quantum Leap on a Train?
• The Doctor’s character…annoying?

What We Learned:

• Chicago has WAY fancy commuter rail lines with huge bathrooms!

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: It’s a nice way of doing the Groundhog’s Day thing. Everything was well put together and enjoyable, just not great.
Ray: Although a bit predictable in certain respects.. it was an entertaining film.
Steve: It’s alright. Entertaining. Jake acted well.

The Future: Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom

Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Gary Oldman

Trivia:

• The teaser trailer was shown with both 2D and 3D versions of the films Megamind, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Tangled, and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. The trailer was then released on the Internet on November 7, 2010. Three posters have been released so far.
• The trailer was shown numerous times during the commercial breaks of the 2011 Kids Choice Awards.
• On December 30, 2010, DreamWorks released a fifteen second TV spot for the film.
• On February 4th, 2011, a thirty second TV spot was released on the internet, and was aired during Super Bowl XLV, on February 6th, 2011.
• A full length theatrical trailer was shown in front of screenings of Rango and Hop. This was later uploaded on DreamWorks Animation’s YouTube page.

Talking Points:

• Jack Black is like Will Ferrell

Summary:

Po (Jack Black), now a kung fu master, is fighting to protect the Valley of Peace alongside with Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the Furious Five; Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Mantis (Seth Rogen), when a new evil, the emperor albino peacock Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), emerges to take over China with a weapon so powerful, it threatens the existence of kung fu itself. Po sets out with the Furious Five to vanquish this threat, but must first confront his own mysterious past in order to find the strength to succeed

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Skadoosh!
Ray: Yes Yes Yes!
Steve: Loved the first movie…so I’m going to take the chance on this one, despite Jack Black.

Coming Attractions

The Past

The Present

The Future

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The boys go back in time to review the childhood classic, “The Last Starfighter”. Does it hold up to all the shoot ‘em space and video game movies of today? They finally get to check out Zach Snyder’s “Sucker Punch” and see if the hype is worth it. Lastly, they look at the screen adaptation for Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged: Part 1”. Does it really predict the death of the American economy? Guess we’ll have to see! All this and movie news…in this week’s COL Movies!

MOV046: “Don’t Wake The Mother!” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Monsters Inc 2 has a Title “Monsters University”
• Prequel – set where they met in college
• Goodman, Crystal, Buscemi all rumored to be returning
• Any new “Pirates” movies will be standalones
• Oh god theres 2 more of these in the works!
• Trek First Ryan Later
• Any Jack Ryan Fans? There will be a new Ryan movie.. but Trek will come first
• There’s another avenger in “Thor”
• Marvel released a sizzle reel at CinemaCon this weekend.. which has confirmed that Hawkeye is indeed in Thor..and its not a cameo
• From the “Really?” department, Batman Reboot Being Planned After Dark Knight Rises

The Past: The Last Starfighter (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% Fresh, 65 % Audience

The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition

Price: $8.78

(244 customer reviews)

67 used & new available from $3.83

Director: Nick Castle

Starring: Lance Guest, Robert Preston, Dan O’Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart

Trivia:

• Robert Preston’s Last Movie
• Director Nick Castle played “The Shape” in Halloween
• The Star Car is based on the Delorean
• The First movie to do all of its special effects inside a computer on a Cray X-MP
• The game was actually developed by atari and was to be released on home systems, but never made it past the prototype stage
• The scenes shot with the “Beta Unit” were shot after the main fiming was complete, Lance Guest had to wear a wig for these scenes as he had cut his hair
• In 2007 a musical based off the screen play was performed as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival
• In addition to the major “Star Trek universe” roles later played by “Starfighter” cast members Wil Wheaton and Marc Alaimo, several others in the movie’s cast guest starred in various “Star Trek” franchises. They include Dan Mason, Barbara Bosson, Norman Snow and Geoffrey Blake. But notable among them is Meg Wyllie (“Granny Gordon”) who played one of the Talosian “keepers” in the “Star Trek” (1966) pilot, “Star Trek: The Cage (#1.0)” (1966).

Talking Points:

• Very “Tron”-inspired, don’t you think?
• Do you think Doc Brown’s car may have bit a little off the car in this movie?

What We’ve Learned:

• You never know when a video game may be testing you!
• When your chance comes, you have to grab it by both hands and hold on tight.
• Who wouldn’t want a Beta unit?
• Always wait till your at cruising altitude before removing your face.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Total classic, so glad I finally bought it.
Ray: I spent the remainder of my childhood trying to be The Last Starfighter
Steve: Always loved this movie as a kid. First time I’ve watched it in years…still think it holds up.

The Present: Sucker Punch

Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Scott Glenn

Trivia:

• Amanda Seyfried was the first choice for Babydoll, but she dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
• Emma Stone was in early talks to star as Amber, but dropped out to star in Easy A (2010).
• Evan Rachel Wood was the first choice for Rocket but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and Jena Malone replaced her.
• Zack Snyder told Vanessa Hudgens that this feature would be his first action movie, despite the fact that 300 (2006) is considered an action movie.
• Vanessa Hudgens says she’s looking forward to being seen by a whole new audience that might not necessarily be familiar with her work in the “High School Musical” films.
• Olivia Thirlby was at one stage rumored to replace Amanda Seyfried as Babydoll before Emily Browning replaced her.
• Eric Dane was one of the choices to play High Roller.
• Zack Snyder’s first film that is not based on another work. Dawn of the Dead (2004) was a remake of a 1978 film by ‘George A. Romero’. Both 300 (2006) and Watchmen (2009) were based on graphic novels. And Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010) is based on a children’s fantasy book. However, the film does heavily feature motifs from Lewis Carroll’s book ‘Alice in Wonderland’ – the movie’s logline while being pitched to studios was even “Alice in Wonderland with machine guns.”
• Tim McGraw was considered for the role of High Roller.
• Before Jamie Chung replaced Emma Stone as Amber, Freida Pinto was considered to play the role.
• The two banners beside Scott Glenn’s character as shown in the trailer are a famous couplet from ‘The Art of War’ by Sun Tzu: “Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.” This was later made into a famous battle standard by the Japanese warlord Takeda Shingen.
• Zack Snyder’s first live action film to not receive an R rating in the U.S.

Talking Points:

• The new Matrix? Is this title deserved?
• Did this movie Gel for you?
• Did some things move very quickly? (Got that the exposition moved quickly to get to the point – then all of the characters started dying so fast!)
• Supposedly there were 18 minutes cut out of this film along with a musical number
• Did anyone stay for the credits?
• Music!

What We Learned:

• Baby Doll can dance!
• Men are pigs.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: I can see where the bad reviews come from, but it’s a great popcorn movie. Loved it.
Ray: I really don’t understand where all the hate is coming from this movie, I liked it.. I saw it twice already!
Steve: I liked it a lot! I love a good kick-ass girl movie.

The Future: Atlas Shrugged Pt. 1

Starring: Taylor Schilling, Paul Johansson & Annabelle Gurwitch

Trivia:

• Based on the 1957 novel by Ayn Rand.
• Rand, a former Hollywood screenwriter herself, began writing her own screenplay, but died in 1982 with only one third of it finished.
• According to Variety, The Godfather (1972) producer Albert S. Ruddy spent years trying to bring the novel to the big screen, attracting the interest of Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway along the way.
• In the late 1970s, NBC had plans to bring the novel to television as one of the multi-part mini-series popular at the time. Ayn Rand wanted Farrah Fawcett to star, but the project never materialized.
• Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron and Maggie Gyllenhaal were among the actresses considered to play Dagny Taggart, with Brad Pitt being considered to play John Galt.

Talking Points:

• Who is going to see this movie? Who is it geared toward?
• Considering the “point”, will this do well or are we too concerned about escapism at this time?

Summary:

It was great to be alive, once, but the world was perishing. Factories were shutting down, transportation was grinding to a halt, graineries were empty–and key people who had once kept it running were disappearing all over the country. As the lights winked out and the cities went cold, nothing was left to anyone but misery. No one knew how to stop it, no one understood why it was happening – except one woman, the operating executive of a once mighty transcontinental railroad, who suspects the answer may rest with a remarkable invention and the man who created it – a man who once said he would stop the motor of the world. Everything now depends on finding him and discovering the answer to the question on the lips of everyone as they whisper it in fear: Who *is* John Galt?

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: I’m going to see it just because it’s Ayn Rand
Ray: ??? I don’t know what to make of this trailer.. i feel i should be more interested than I actually am.
Steve: It took me watching a couple documentaries on line to understand this trailer. A little too existential for me.

Coming Attractions

The Past

9 to 5 – Sexist, Egotistical, Lying Hypocritical Bigot Edition – Widescreen

Price: $9.47

(119 customer reviews)

62 used & new available from $4.34

The Present

The Future

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The boys hit up the classic John Carpenter flick “Big Trouble In Little China”. Can Kurt Russell hang in a kung fu flick these days? They head to the theater to check out “Red Riding Hood”. Should the village just have let the wolf eat her? Lastly, they look into the future at “Scream 4”. Is the franchise still relevant or should Syndey just die already? All this, movie news, and more Flickchart!

MOV045: “It’s All In The Reflexes” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79
• National Velvet (12 Years Old)
• Cleopatra
• First Oscar In 1960 2nd in 1967
• The Brothers Strause have a new movie
• War of Ages
• …an ancient artifact is uncovered, time is shattered and the seven greatest war leaders in history have to battle each other out. It’s sort of like The Lord of the Rings meets Gladiator. You have Napoleon vs. Julius Caesar vs. Attila the Hun vs. Genghis Khan vs. Alexander vs. Hannibal. So, there you go. It’s going to be in 3D and it’s a big sword-and-sandal epic.”
• World War Z on the Ropes
• Paramount can’t seem to find someone to share in the making of the $125 million dollar production
• with an R rating that this production REQUIRES.- Paramount making it PG-13
• produced by Brad Pitt who also stars in the film

Feedback: N/A

The Past: Big Trouble In Little China (1986)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Fresh, 78% Audience

Director: John Carpenter

Starring: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong, Victor Wong, Kate Burton, Donald Li

Trivia:

• According to John Carpenter and Kurt Russell in the DVD Commentary, the story was originally written as a western but Carpenter decided to set it during modern times. They even mention that instead of Jack Burton’s truck being stolen, it was originally his horse.
• The Brides of Lo Pan must have green eyes. Yet both Kim Cattrall and Suzee Pai had brown eyes in real life. Both wore green contacts for the movie. This is very obvious in the hi-def version of the movie.
• According to John Carpenter on the audio commentary that the opening of the film with Egg Shen (Victor Wong) in the lawyer’s office was added in as a request from 20th Century Fox because to make Kurt Russell’s character Jack Burton to be more heroic
• Both John Carpenter and Kurt Russell explain on the audio commentary that the test screening was so overwhelming positive that both of them expected it to be a big hit. However, 20th Century Fox put little into promoting the movie and it ended up being a box office bomb. However, it went on to be a huge cult hit through home video. Carpenter and Russell explained that the reason the studio did little to promote the film was because they didn’t know how to

Talking Points:

• Kurt Russell channeling John Wayne?
• Who knew this was a John Carpenter movie?
• Did you have a favorite storm?

What We’ve Learned:

• Chinese girls don’t come with green eyes
• Green Eyes are like leather bucket seats
• Pretending to be a repairman will get you past security every time
• It’s all in the reflexes
• John Carpenter shouldn’t be allowed to write songs

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Really enjoyed it, classic 80’s action movie.
Ray: Love it, when I watch this I turn into the 12 year old boy I was when it came out.
Steve: Have always loved this movie…can watch it constantly.

Intermission: Flickchart

The Present: Red Riding Hood (Released 3/11/11)
Rotten Tomatoes: 12% Rotten, 55% Audience

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Virginia Madsen, Lukas Haas, Julie Christie

Trivia:

• Under Appian Way Productions, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Ireland, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Alex Mace and Julie Yorn produced the film.
• Director Catherine Hardwicke had to persuade her Red Riding Hood star Amanda Seyfried to work with newcomer Shiloh Fernandez, “Amanda had met Shiloh before and did not like him, so when I told Amanda I was going to bring him in to audition, she made a face. But she tried it, and they hit it off.”
• The film was filmed in Vancouver.
• Early into production, the film was originally titled The Girl with the Red Riding Hood.
• A novelisation of the film, written by Sarah Blakely-Cartwright, was released on 24 February 2011, prior to the film’s release. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List.. However, the ending has received criticism for not including the story’s final chapter, which instead was only made available for download online following the release of the film.
• The teaser trailer and the poster were released in November 2010, featuring “The Wolf”, a new song written exclusively for the film by Swedish act Fever Ray.

Talking Points:

• Slow…slow…slow
• The “Look” of the movie,,, made it feel like a syfi channel movie to me (ray)
• (Steve) My major pet peeve – pick an accent people!
• Did you figure it out?

What We Learned:

• Werewolves can’t step on holy ground
• Better the wolf takes the pig than you
• All sorrows are less with bread

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: It was alright, melodramatic, but alright. That’s about it though.
Ray: Snoozer – unless you have a hardon for the fairy tale, avoid like the plague
Steve: Melodramatic is a great word for it. But I didn’t hate it.

The Future: Scream 4 (04/15/11)

Starring: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Anthony Anderson, Alison Brie

Trivia:

• With four installments, this landmarks the Scream franchise as being one of the only horror franchises to have its main characters return for all its sequels.
• Due for release almost 15 years after the original Scream (1996/I).
• Wes Craven stated he was not going to return as director unless the script was as good as the first Scream (1996/I).

Talking Points:

• Is this just milking a dead cow?
• Who is the target audience for this?

Summary:
Sidney Prescott, now the author of a self-help book, returns home to Woodsboro on the last stop of her book tour. There she reconnects with Sheriff Dewey and Gale, who are now married, as well as her cousin Jill and her Aunt Kate. Unfortunately, Sidney’s appearance also brings about the return of Ghostface, putting Sidney, Gale, and Dewey, along with Jill, her friends, and the whole town of Woodsboro in danger.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Really? I mean, really?
Ray: I loved the first scream.. the sequels have never done anything for me though.
Steve: Love that they’re coming up with new rules. And Sookie has a cameo! Rental.

Coming Attractions:

The Past

The Last Starfighter 25th Anniversary Edition

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The Present

The Future

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The boys go back in time to check out 1980’s “Flash Gordon”. Is it still an inspiration or just a old flash in the pan? Then they head to the present to check out “Battle: Los Angeles”. Will it get a “oorah” or “wah-wah”? In the future, the boys look at the trailer for “The Tree of Life”. Was anyone able to figure what the hell this film is about? All this, including movie news and much more in this 44th reel of COL Movies!

MOV044: “Pathetic Earthlings, Who Can Save You Now?” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Japan
• Sylvester Stallone will not write or Direct The Expendables Sequel
• Arnold returning for a bigger role?
• Willis returning as well maybe…
• Arnold to announce his return to movies in late March, Early April
• Johnny Knoxvile to play Moe in The Three Stooges
• Trailers Trailers Trailers
• Super 8

• Sucker Punch – 4 new international trailers – pop music vs rock
• The Smurfs – Lord help us
• Conan the Barbarian – Teaser – Underwhelming

The Past: Flash Gordon (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Fresh, 63% Audience

Flash Gordon: Saviour Of The Universe Edition

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(283 customer reviews)

49 used & new available from $2.89

Director: Mike Hodges

Starring: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Ornella Muti, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed

Trivia:

• There is a rumor that the monitor behind Hans Zarkov (Topol) as he is having his memory dumped shows scenes from Topol’s previous movies.
• Dino De Laurentiis originally hoped that Federico Fellini would direct this film. The director had actually contributed to the original Flash strip cartoon during WWII.
• Kurt Russell auditioned to play Flash Gordon. According to an interview with Russel in Starlog magazine from August 1981, Dino De Laurentiis really wanted Russell for the part, but he ultimately turned it down because Russell thought the character was lacking in personality.
• Sam J. Jones was cast in the role after being spotted by the mother-in-law of Dino De Laurentiis on an episode of “The Dating Game” (1965)
• At one point Ming the Merciless says when he destroys a planet, he calls upon “the great god Daizan”. Daizan is Japanese for “great cruelty”.
• Max von Sydow’s Ming costume weighed over 70 pounds and he could only stand in it for a few minutes at a time.
• The psychedelic color effects throughout the Ming universe were accomplished by swirling multicolored dyes through creatively-lit tanks of water.
• One of the feast items in the Hawkmen’s Kingdom was Twinkies colored with food dye.
• Nicolas Roeg was originally going to direct, but didn’t due to creative difference. One of his proposals was to excise the trademark cliffhangers and melodrama, seeing Flash as more of “a metaphysical messiah.”
• Dennis Hopper was considered for the role of Dr Zarkov.
• Mike Hodges was the eighth director chosen.
• Director Mike Hodges, referring to the numerous production problems that plagued the film, once called it “the only improvised $27-million movie ever made”.
• The insignia on Klytus’s uniform is based on Masonic symbols.
• Princess Aura’s “pet” is named Fellini. Production Designer Danilo Donati worked on a number of Federico Fellini films.
• George Lucas had hoped to remake the original Flash Gordon (1936/I), but when he learned that Dino De Laurentiis had already bought the rights, he wrote Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) instead.
• Mike Hodges considered commissioning Pink Floyd to compose the music.
• First film of Jim Carter.
• The backstory of Flash’s T-shirt was that it was a gift from an anonymous female fan. Flash wore it a lot in the hopes that he would eventually meet the woman.
• In the original script, when Flash is sentenced to death by Ming, Dale bursts out that Ming is “absolutely merciless”. Ming is enthralled with the description, and immediately starts calling himself “Ming the Merciless”.
• According to the original storyline, when Dale is entranced by Ming’s hypnotic ring, she is having a vision of being on an erotic picnic with Ming in a 1920′s setting.
• Klytus and Kala, Ming’s two chief henchmen, were competitors for their ruler’s favor. Ming played them off against each other to keep them from teaming up against him. This was downplayed in the film to keep the storyline fluid.
• In the original script, Flash and Dale first meet at a Canadian resort called Dark Harbor. Although they flirt with each other, they don’t become acquainted until they’re sharing the ill-fated plane ride to New York City. Dale later talks briefly about Dark Harbor during her tear-filled meeting with Flash before his execution.
• Dr. Zarkov’s backstory was that he was a NASA scientist who was fired for his paranoid fantasies that Earth was going to be attacked from outer space. Sixty Minutes derided him as “A Poor Man’s Billy Mitchell”.
• Ming’s attack on Earth was accomplished by bombarding the moon with force beams, knocking it out of orbit. The meteors which disrupt Flash’s airplane flight were burning chunks of lunar debris.
• Sam J. Jones’ dark hair was bleached blonde for this role, and Melody Anderson’s blonde hair was dyed brown. Flash was also supposed to have blue eyes, but Sam could not wear the contact lenses.
• Ming’s symbol (which Klytus also wears on his gauntlets) is borrowed from the Freemason’s square and compass. Ming also makes a Masonic gesture during the course of the movie.
• The wristwatch Flash is wearing in the early scenes of the film is a Seiko automatic chronograph, model 6139-6002. The watch disappears when Flash gets to Mongo.
• All the main actors were signed for multiple films but the sequels were never made since the first movie didn’t do as well as expected.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger was turned down for the lead role because of his impenetrable Austrian accent.
• Most of Sam J. Jones’s dialog was dubbed. This was down to the fact that Jones had had a falling out with producer Dino De Laurentiis over lack of payment and refused to go into the recording studio to loop his lines.

Talking Points:

• Production value? (just above Barbarella or Star Trek…with techniques from Wizard of Oz)
• Lots of Wizard of Oz connections – short people, flying, people melting when dying, over the “rainbow”, meeting the wacky characters that help him defeat Ming, “If I only had a brain…but I had it all the time”
• Were early 80s movies all this bad? Not that it was BAD, but meaning looking
• Deliberate rip off of Star Wars elements?
• Dale’s role = women’s lib?

What We’ve Learned:

• Don’t forget your toothbrush as you get on a rocket to counterattack an attack from space.
• Ming’s storm troopers yell like Ewoks when they are shot
• Becoming a man on Arboria involves a lot of grunting, men beating their sticks in a circle and thrusting your extremities into a dark mysterious hole.
• Imperial War-Rockets are great at spotting 5 people 400 mongo miles away, but they will miss that Rocket Jet Ski thats right next to them.
• You know you have a cult movie when Riff Raff from Rocky Horror shows up

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: A classic old style serial film. Love it.
Ray:Classic, I think the production values perfectly match the tone of the movie! This one would be hard to remake!
Steve: Not the best production value in the world, but who doesn’t like a home town boy helping save the world from evil oppressors who are out to destroy it? Cult classic…so don’t expect Shakespeare.

The Present: Battle: Los Angeles (Released 3/11/11)
Rotton Tomatoes: 32% Rotten, 71% Audience

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ramon Rodriguez, Cory Hardrict, Gino Anthony Pesi, Ne-Yo, James Hiroyuki Liao, Noel Fisher, Adetokumboh M’Cormack, Bryce Cass, Michael Peña, Neil Brown Jr., Taylor Handley

Trivia:

• The film is inspired by the real life incident known as the Battle of Los Angeles, during World War II. On the night of 24-25 February 1942, unidentified aircraft were allegedly spotted in the airspace above Los Angeles. Suspecting it to be the Japanese, a blackout of the city was ordered and over 1,440 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition was fired. Upon finding no evidence of the existence of any enemy aircraft, the incident was declared to be a “false alarm”. The event has since been chalked up to as being a result of “war nerves”, likely triggered by a lost weather balloon and exacerbated by stray flares and shell bursts from adjoining anti-aircraft batteries.
• Very little of the film was actually shot in Los Angeles. Tax incentives brought the production to Louisiana where sets of Los Angeles streets were constructed.
• Marines from Camp Pendleton helped train the actors for their roles, educating them in the Marine lifestyle. A number of actual marines also appear as extras in the film. To thank them, a sneak preview of the film was shown at Camp Pendleton on March 3rd, 2011.
• The movie was released on 03/11/11. 0311 is the Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) for Infantry Riflemen.
• Liebesman drew inspiration from YouTube videos of marines fighting in Fallujah for the look of the film. As a result the film was not shot in 3D as the director felt that combined with the handheld camera style of shooting would make the audience “throw up in two minutes.”
• The film was shot for a PG-13 rating, as the director felt making the film overly gory did not suit the more suspenseful tone they were trying to achieve.
• Sony Pictures Entertainment investigated the possibility of legal action against the filmmakers Greg and Colin Strause, who were hired to do visual effects work on Battle: Los Angeles through their special effects company Hydraulx. Sony Pictures suspected the Strause brothers had created their own Los Angeles-based alien invasion film Skyline, which would compete with the Battle: Los Angeles release, by using resources they had gained while working on Battle: Los Angeles without the consent of Sony Pictures. A spokesman for the Strauses responded by saying, “Any claims of impropriety are completely baseless. This is a blatant attempt by Sony to force these independent filmmakers to move a release date that has long been set by Universal and Relativity and is outside the filmmakers’ control.”

Talking Points:

• Was this a 2 hour long commercial for joining the Marines? Or a timely/sympathetic reminder to show the world the hardships that our troops face? What do you think?
• Michelle Rodriguez’s performance = is this her niche?
• Elements of District 9, Cloverfield, and V, with better production value than Skyline
• Would it have been better documentary style?
• Shaky Cam! OMG

What We Learned:

• Join the Marines! Hooah!
• Veterinarians can autopsy aliens.
• If you’re from Jersey, you can hotwire a bus.
• If they are chasing and shooting at you.. they are probably not friendly.
• Michelle Rodriguez is a bad ass.
• Make sure that the exit is intact before you get on the freeway!
• Marines don’t quit

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Not bad. Much better than Skyline, but sometimes got confusing on who was who.
Ray:This movie is ok, much better than Skyline which is seems to be compared to..if I had to give it a rating, 2 out of 4 stars.. but it gets an extra star for letting me watch LA burn.
Steve: I liked it. Saving Private Ryan with aliens. I just let go and went with it.

The Future: The Tree of Life (limited May 27, 2011)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain

Trivia:

• Heath Ledger was originally slated to play Mr. O’Brien. Brad Pitt took over the role.
• In 2005 Terrence Malick had talked to Colin Farrell about starring in the lead role.
• Mel Gibson was considered for a role in this film.
• The origin of this film goes back to the late 1970s, when after Days of Heaven (1978) director Terrence Malick was working on a project named “Q”, that would explore the origins of life on earth. He abandoned the project, but this film contains elements from it.
• Production designer Jack Fisk drew inspiration from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• VFX supervisor Mike Fink described the film’s scenes of the birth/death of the universe as “not narratively connected, but thematically complementary pieces.”
• The tree of life that appears in the film is a gargantuan 65000-pound live-oak tree situated at Smithville, Texas.

Talking Points:

• WTF?

Summary:
The story centers around a family with three boys in the 1950s. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence

From the Director :

We trace the evolution of an eleven-year-old boy in the Midwest, Jack, one of three brothers. At first all seems marvelous to the child. He sees as his mother does with the eyes of his soul. She represents the way of love and mercy, where the father tries to teach his son the world’s way of putting oneself first. Each parent contends for his allegiance, and Jack must reconcile their claims. The picture darkens as he has his first glimpses of sickness, suffering and death. The world, once a thing of glory, becomes a labyrinth. From this story is that of adult Jack, a lost soul in a modern world, seeking to discover amid the changing scenes of time that which does not change: the eternal scheme of which we are a part. When he sees all that has gone into our world’s preparation, each thing appears a miracle—precious, incomparable. Jack, with his new understanding, is able to forgive his father and take his first steps on the path of life.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: The trailer has great imagery and is beautiful but still confused on what the movies is about.
Ray: The first time I saw this trailer, what immediately sucked me in was some of the awesome imagery I saw in the Trailer, and the content is just bizarre enough to make me want to see it.
Steve: I have absolutely no idea what this movie is about from the trailer.

Coming Attractions:

The Past

Big Trouble in Little China

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(329 customer reviews)

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The Present

The Future

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The boys look at a wacky collection of films in this week’s episode. First, Steven Speilberg’s 1987 family-friendly alien invasion movie “*batteries not included”. Next, we wonder if even the aliens from the past movie could fix Nicholas Cage’s performance in “Drive Angry 3D”…that is, until he’s shot in the face! And lastly, we look into the future and discover “Hanna”, a film about a sweet little girl who could kick your ass and feed it to you for dinner. Scrumptious! All this and Gary Oldman talks Batman, Doom 2, and Bond in drag in movie news. You never know what you’re gonna get…and you know you love it!

MOV043: “I Liked Him After He Got Shot In The Face.” Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

News:

• Gary Oldman claims that “Dark Knight Rises” will contian yet another classic Batman Villain
• Doom Reboot in Early Stages of Ripping you off? – Universal is entering into this production based on the success of G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. I repeat, success of G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
• Daniel Craig does James Bond… In Drag? – Video Produced in honor of International Women’s Day

The Past: *batteries not included (1987)

Director: Matthew Robbins
Starring: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Frank McRae, Elizabeth Peña, Michael Carmine, Dennis Boutsikaris
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% Fresh

Trivia:

• Was originally to be a short story on TV’s “Amazing Stories” But Spielberg liked the story so much he wanted it made into a feature film
• The building that housed Hume Cronyn’s lunch counter was a unique old building that was the only one on the block. Twenty-five years earlier it was used for the Judy Holliday musical Bells Are Ringing (1960) with the block in the same condition.
• The opening montage shows pictures of Frank Riley in a Navy uniform circa World War 2. Later in the movie when his wife pulls out his pocket watch it has a leather fob attached with a gold anchor with a silver “USN” on it, signifying Frank achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer during his time in the service.
• The guy who played Carlos died of heart failure 2 years later at the age of 30.

Talking Points:

• Did anyone think the Mom and Dad robots resembled the ships from CEOTTK?
• The gang guys – did they come of very West Side Story to anyone else?
• Dark?
• Lots of plot holes/brief info

What We’ve Learned:

• Robots can have sex.
• Plugs from outerspace can fit in American outlets, so why can’t ours fit in European outlets?
• Use water balloons full of gasoline to hide signs of arson – not that we condone arson

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: Sweet adorable family fun. I thought the effects held up IMHO
Ray: Great Family Film.. Effects are starting to show their age
Steve: Enjoyable. Has lots of holes in plot and not well strung together, but overall good family fun.

The Present: Drive Angry 3D

Director: Patrick Lussier

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner, Billy Burke, David Morse
Rotten Tomatoes: 46% Rotten

Trivia:

• The name of Nicolas Cage’s character is John Milton. This is likely a reference to Paradise Lost, an epic about Satan’s expulsion from Heaven and the creation of Hell, which was written by John Milton.

Talking Points:

• Is a “Bad” film, a “Good” Grindhouse film?
• 3D = worth it? Did the “obvious” 3D effects help?
• Nicolas Cage = good actor?
• Ke$ha was really good in the movie – no it wasn’t her, just kiddin’
• Felt very Buffy to me…the last season, that is
• Indiscriminate killing = equality in film?

What We Learned:

• 2 days is a decade in horny fucker years
• It’s amazing the way that car talk can give you a hard on.
• No one ever reaches the end and says I wish I hadn’t fucked so much
• Never be naked before a gun fight
• It’s completely possible to have sex, and be involved in a shootout all at the same time
• Jesus prefers short hair
• Fire isn’t the worst part of hell it’s the videofeed
• Fbi = federal bureau of get the fuck Out of my way
• Satan is actually quiet and well read, sacrificing children annoys him.

Trailer:

Recommendations:
Jeff: One badass 3D gimmicky action extravaganza. It’s awesome. I didn’t think the acting was too bad.
Ray: Blood, Bullets and Boobs! Oh MY! If I had one complaint.. it would be that there were not enough cars in this… This is a no holds barred Grindhouse flick, that knows exactly what it is, and doesn’t apologize for it… Loved it.
Steve: Went in expecting to hate it but I actually enjoyed it. Besides Cage being Cage, I liked him after he got shot in the face. It was worth it.

The Future: Hanna (4-8-2011)

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana

Trivia:

• Danny Boyle was developing Hanna with screenwriter Seth Lochhead in early 2009, but eventually left the project.
• Alfonso Cuarón was rumored to be circling the project just weeks before Joe Wright signed on to direct.
• The script was listed on both the 2006 and 2009 Black List, an annual list of the best unproduced screenplays of the year.
• Seth Lochhead wrote the original story and script on spec in 2006. He returned for production work in 2010.
• According to Joe Wright, Saoirse Ronan specifically requested that the studio bring him on-board to direct the film.

Talking Points:

• Kick Ass meets The Bourne Identity?

Summary:
Hanna (Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a soldier; these come from being raised by her father (Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Ms. Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

Trailer:

Excitement:
Jeff: Curious, but rental to me.
Ray: Sorta Interested.. but most likely a rental for me.
Steve: I like a good kick-ass girl movie. I’m likely to see…but rental.

Coming Attractions
The Past

Flash Gordon: Saviour Of The Universe Edition

Price: $2.89

(283 customer reviews)

49 used & new available from $2.89

Flash Gordon [Blu-ray]

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(283 customer reviews)

35 used & new available from $9.81

The Present

The Future

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