Review: Somewhere

Sofia Coppola returns to familiar territory with her latest film, “Somewhere.” More rewarding than the somewhat disappointing “Marie Antoinette,” “Somewhere’s” simplistic and intimate storyline about a lost A-list actor is very refreshing. While some may not enjoy the movie’s unhurried pace, I found the film fascinating. Sofia Coppola’s long and intrusive shots made “Somewhere” feel like a case study — the subject, a man who has everything yet is seemingly unhappy. Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) is a Farrari-driving playboy who lives in the Chateau Marmont where he is often entertained by twin pole dancers. An action star, Marco is a part of...

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Under Review: ‘The Fighter’

Not since “Rocky” have I been moved to tears by a movie about a boxer. “The Fighter” managed to leave me shattered — but in a good way. A true-life account of two brothers, the powerful boxing movie directed by David O. Russell is not your typical sports film. In fact, I would venture to say it’s a picture about family dynamics with well-choreographed fighting sequences peppered throughout. Sure to hold the intellectual’s interest, there is enough emotional strife without becoming melodramatic and for the action enthusiast the boxing scenes are pretty brutal without being gratuitous. Set in Lowell, Mass., the story is about brothers Dicky...

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Seth MacFarlane Throws Party to Celebrate ‘It’s a Trap!’ Release

Seth MacFarlane sure knows how to throw one heck of a party. To commemorate the Dec. 21 release of “Family Guy’s” latest “Star Wars” spoof “It’s A Trap!,” MacFarlane and Fox celebrated in style at the Supperclub in Hollywood Dec. 14. The red carpet was littered with paparazzi, each of course wanting to take photos of MacFarlane and other notable talent, including Dr. Drew, Bill Maher, Nathan Fillian (“Serenity”), Jerry Ferrara (“Entourage”) and Jake Busey (“The Good Guys”). Who knew they were fans of “Family Guy”? Everyone at the event was in great spirits. Not only was this shindig in honor of MacFarlane and his successful series,...

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Review: True Grit

Normally, I’m against remakes. As a rule, I cannot stand them. But, unfortunately, Hollywood views the re-inventions of prior source material as an easy way to make a buck. I call this lazy film-making. But when I discovered The Coen Brothers were trying their hand at the John Wayne classic I was intrigued. Although great, I always felt the original “True Grit” could have been, well, grittier — improved upon. The Coen Brothers manage to do both here. Not to say I didn’t enjoy the original, but for me it was dated and from my understanding deviated quite a bit from the novel written by Charles Portis. The story in “True Grit” is pretty...

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Test Screening Review of Paul

Since the entertaining 30-minute presentation of “Paul” at this year’s Comic-Con, I’ve been anticipating the film’s arrival in theaters. The panel at Geek mecha was comprised of Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jason Bateman, Seth Rogen, Jeffrey Tambor and the illustrious Sigourney Weaver. The banter amongst the talent was amusing; not only was I clued in on how fun it was to work on the project, but also the film’s quality, which I assumed to be fantastic since all involved had total faith I wouldn’t be let down. I was impressed by what little was teased. Knowing what Pegg and Frost were capable of from their previous work, I expected...

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Warner Bros. Re-Booting ‘Buffy’ Without Joss Whedon

In the latest news of wtf-ery, Warner Bros. plans to remake “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” without Joss Whedon. The studio, which is celebrating “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow’s” huge box office success, purchased the rights from director Fran Rubel Kuzui and Sandollar Productions. Whit Anderson, an actress turned screenwriter whose credits are quite slim, wrote the script for the Slayer reboot. Although Charles Roven of Atlas Entertainment says that Anderson’s approach to the iconic vampire slayer is “pretty compelling and a lot of fun,” I don’t see this working. The only Buffy fans want to see on the big screen is Whedon’s — not...

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‘Harry Potter’: Seven Films Down, One to Go

My world has been forever changed since J.K. Rowling introduced me to “The Boy Who Lived” back in 1998. It is through Harry Potter that I’ve discovered witches and wizards and learned of a special academy that trained them. Like many, after finishing the first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” — or “Philosopher’s Stone,” as it is so rightly named in the U.K. — I became immediately transfixed with the World of Wizardry. “Chamber of Secrets” couldn’t have been written fast enough and although I found it to be the weakest of the series, I still enjoyed it. Then came “The Prizoner of Azkaban”; different in tone, it alluded to the...

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‘Wolverine’ Sequel Gets a New Title

So, the sequel to “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” won’t be called “Wolverine 2.” Instead Darren Aronofsky confirmed that the new title will be “The Wolverine.” Upon hearing this news, I’ve decided to erase any remnants of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” from the recesses of my brain because, let’s face it, that film was pretty bad. Even Hugh Jackman conceded to fan disillusionment, admitting it could have been better. Thankfully, with Aronofsky directing the sequel, there is hope. The title change alone alludes to not only a change in tone but quality. Finally, we will get to see the ass-kicking, full of rage Wolverine from the comics. Set in Japan,...

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Trailer Talk: ‘Kung Fu Panda 2′ (Teaser Version)

One word comes to mind after watching the teaser trailer for “Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom”: HILARIOUS. Just as the trailer dictates, the awesomeness returns next summer and if the sequel is as amusing as this teaser, the second film will be as funny as the first. The characterization of Po is as vibrant as ever and his movements, fluid. Perhaps another Academy nomination is in the future for his Dreamworks. Kung Fu staring contest! Oh, those witty writers. I wonder if Jack Black came up with that bit himself. Speaking of which, of course he’s back to voice Po and also returning is The Furious Five voiced by Angelina Jolie (Tigress),...

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A New TV Spot for ‘The Tourist’ Makes a Visit

A new TV spot for “The Tourist” debuted Friday and it’s slightly different than the trailer. Removed from the 30-second teaser is any sequences which could be misconstrued as comedic and the music isn’t a rock song by Muse. Even with these changes, I’m still not jazzed about this film when I probably should be. The Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck film stars two of the most sought-after actors working — Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie — and a good portion of the movie was shot in beautiful Venice. Still, despite these tantalizing factors, the film hasn’t won me over. Maybe the reason behind my disenchantment is the fact that both principal...

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About two weeks ago, James Cameron was rumored to direct Angelina Jolie in yet another film about the Queen of the Nile – In 3D. Because of the purportedly brilliant script, written by Bran Helgeland, Sony co-chair Amy Pascal wanted to fast track production on and with Cameron at the helm the film had big box office potential. But even with the talent attached to this project, as well as the rumored fantastic screenplay, I didn’t think Cameron would sign on, simply because I didn’t feel he’d direct something that wasn’t of his own design. “Cleopatra” is Angelina Jolie’s vanity piece. It has her written all over it. She would have creative control,...

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Under Review: ‘The Exorcist’ Extended Director’s Cut’ on Blu-ray

The moment I popped in “The Exorcist Extended Director’s Cut” on Blu-ray, I was reminded of what I was in for. To greet me was Linda Blair’s possessed face painted in an eerie green glow accompanied with demonic noises. Immediately, I remembered how frightening this film is. The first time I watched it, I was around 12 or 13. Raised Catholic, I had nightmares for days and slept with a rosary. Eventually, the unsettling dreams faded and I was able to get a good night’s sleep, but the unsettling imagery from “The Exorcist” is unforgettable. I’m sure if you ask anyone which scenes freaked them out most, they’d be able to tell you without batting...

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Under Review: ‘Hereafter’

Clint Eastwood doesn’t waste any time grabbing the audience’s attention. In the opening sequence of “Hereafter,” the viewer is swept into a tsunami. Death and destruction in its wake, we are introduced to the first character of the film, Marie LeLay (Cecile de France), a television anchor from France on vacation with her boyfriend. While shopping for gifts, the tsunami strikes, dragging Marie underwater and nearly killing her. Near death, Marie experiences the hereafter. Consumed by a white light, she experiences weightlessness and envisions ghostly silhouettes, which represent those who have passed on. This is a powerful sequence in what...

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Trailer Talk: Paranormal Activity 2

I watched “Paranormal Activity” in midst of the hype and before the ending could be spoiled for me. Like many who watched the low budget horror flick, I was scared out of my mind. Even worse, I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep for at least a week because as a kid I was afraid of things that went ‘bump’ in the night. I’m not entirely sure if director and writer Oren Peli realized he’d induce nightmares amongst the millions who watched the low budget horror flick, but I’m positive he’s happy he was able to do so. Mission accomplished. A year later, we now have “Paranormal Activity 2.” Because of the original’s huge success, ($193 million...

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