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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