Paul Blart: Mall Cop stars Kevin James from King of Queens as an out-of-shape mall cop named Paul Blart. There are no recognizable co-stars. A police academy drop out, Paul’s physical and mental limitations (read: obesity and metal retardation) prevent him from not only being a successful police academy cadet but also a mall cop and perhaps a fully functional member of society.
The trailer basically shows Paul struggling in the Police Academy, performing daily mall cop duties which he takes all too seriously, and eventually trying to thwart a bank robbery at his mall.
With the exception of the very end of the trailer where a small dog chases Kevin James and is eventually run over by his Segway, this comedic trailer could not force a smile out of me. Physical comedy was definitely a goal of the movie, sadly, it was never achieved. Kevin James’ character and performance can only be described as an unfunny Chris Farley on mild sedatives. I liked Chris Farley and his outlandish characters but when toned down, it simply does not work. I also liked Kevin James in King of Queens but not here.
The movie is rated PG so maybe a lot of little kids who like to watch obese idiots running around acting like a fool will find this enjoyable. My advice: stay away.
Opens: January 16, 2009
Trailer: *
Movie: *
But that's just my take, what do you guys think?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Quantum of Solace
Its here! Bond #22 is finally close to theatrical release. With Daniel Craig's surprisingly well-played performance of James Bond in Casino Royale, the expectations have been turned up a notch after Die Another Day's lackluster review and weak box office results. Quantum of Solace, aside from providing a confusing title for a majority of movie-goers, sets itself up as a sequel to Casino Royale. Daniel Craig returns as James Bond to exact revenge for his betrayal and the murder of his beloved Vesper.
Quantum of Solace promises plenty of action and adventure. The film visits a variety of locales and offers plenty of solid story to back up Bond's latest mission. The trailer appears to show some focus on Bond's character and development a little more closely this time emphasizing his struggle to keep his personal feelings in check.
Casino Royale surprised many with a stellar performance and Mr. Craig proved himself worthy of donning the title of '007.' If you were living under a rock when 'Casino Royale' made its debut, now is an excellent time to watch it with its release on DVD and Blu-Ray! All in all, lets hope director Mark Forster delivers with the latest installment in the series. I am thoroughly excited for this film and cannot wait until it is released!
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: * * * * *
Film: * * * * *
Get ready for Quantum of Solace by watching Casino Royale:
Quantum of Solace promises plenty of action and adventure. The film visits a variety of locales and offers plenty of solid story to back up Bond's latest mission. The trailer appears to show some focus on Bond's character and development a little more closely this time emphasizing his struggle to keep his personal feelings in check.
Casino Royale surprised many with a stellar performance and Mr. Craig proved himself worthy of donning the title of '007.' If you were living under a rock when 'Casino Royale' made its debut, now is an excellent time to watch it with its release on DVD and Blu-Ray! All in all, lets hope director Mark Forster delivers with the latest installment in the series. I am thoroughly excited for this film and cannot wait until it is released!
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: * * * * *
Film: * * * * *
Get ready for Quantum of Solace by watching Casino Royale:
Friday, October 24, 2008
17 Again
17 Again is a comedy about a 37 year old family man (played by Matthew Perry) who wishes he could go back to high school and do it all over again. He gets his wish when he falls into a river and becomes, you guessed it, 17 again. Young Mike (played by Zac Efron of ‘High School Musical’ fame) finally gets the chance to rewrite his life.
This film is essentially a remake of the 1986 TV movie ‘Young Again’ starring Keanu Reeves. My love for that flick drew my interest to this movie, as well as the return of Matthew Perry. And the trailer doesn’t disappoint. It was funny and gave a pretty good idea of the kind of humor and story you’ll get. It’s more of a family comedy, with the main character taking full advantage of being the cool new kid in school not only for himself, but his kids as well.
The family moral tale could very well keep the film grounded, but could also hold the comedy back as well. If the movie gets too bogged down in drama as it reached the climax, it could lose a lot of humor in the process. No one wants an hour of comedy and 30 minutes of wishy-washy drama. With a lot of potential and a loaded comedy cast, here’s wishing it avoids that mistake.
Opens: April 17, 2009
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * *
What do I know? Tell us your opinion!
This film is essentially a remake of the 1986 TV movie ‘Young Again’ starring Keanu Reeves. My love for that flick drew my interest to this movie, as well as the return of Matthew Perry. And the trailer doesn’t disappoint. It was funny and gave a pretty good idea of the kind of humor and story you’ll get. It’s more of a family comedy, with the main character taking full advantage of being the cool new kid in school not only for himself, but his kids as well.
The family moral tale could very well keep the film grounded, but could also hold the comedy back as well. If the movie gets too bogged down in drama as it reached the climax, it could lose a lot of humor in the process. No one wants an hour of comedy and 30 minutes of wishy-washy drama. With a lot of potential and a loaded comedy cast, here’s wishing it avoids that mistake.
Opens: April 17, 2009
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * *
What do I know? Tell us your opinion!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Seven Pounds
Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is depressed and guilt-ridden about mistakes from his past. He sets out to make amends by helping seven strangers. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with a heart condition, he falls in love with her, thereby complicating his plans.
This trailer is very well done. The character interactions, the mysterious storyline, the inspirational swell of music, all of it. Given the sappy trailer and being released less than two weeks before the deadline, this film is obviously pushing for an Oscar. The mystery is what intrigues me the most. What has Ben done that is so horrible? How is he able to help these people?
That’s where I see a potential downfall in the actual movie. With all these big questions the movie hinges on, the answers could be lackluster. The mystery could also take away from the dramatic elements. What I worry about the most is the message becoming overbearing, which is a common ailment around Academy Awards time.
Smith and Dawson are two of my favorite actors, and considering there’s a side role played by Woody Harrelson, I do have some hope for this film.
Opens: December 19, 2008
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * * 1/2
That's just my opinion. What do you guys think?
This trailer is very well done. The character interactions, the mysterious storyline, the inspirational swell of music, all of it. Given the sappy trailer and being released less than two weeks before the deadline, this film is obviously pushing for an Oscar. The mystery is what intrigues me the most. What has Ben done that is so horrible? How is he able to help these people?
That’s where I see a potential downfall in the actual movie. With all these big questions the movie hinges on, the answers could be lackluster. The mystery could also take away from the dramatic elements. What I worry about the most is the message becoming overbearing, which is a common ailment around Academy Awards time.
Smith and Dawson are two of my favorite actors, and considering there’s a side role played by Woody Harrelson, I do have some hope for this film.
Opens: December 19, 2008
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * * 1/2
That's just my opinion. What do you guys think?
Friday, October 17, 2008
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is exactly that: two roommates who need money try to make a porno and hilarity ensues. There’s really nothing else in terms of the plot, except that the preview hints to the possibility Zack has buried feelings for Miri but that’s to be expected.
In the preview, we see Zack and Miri run into money problems, have their water, power, and heat cut off, decide to make a porno, and shoot some intro porno scenes. It doesn’t seem too exciting described here but, Kevin Smith writes and sets up hilarious lines and scenes and all the actors deliver. Seth Rogen has associated himself with nothing but hilarious productions in the past few years and to my surprise, Elizabeth Banks has carried herself well in this leading role.
Written and directed by Kevin Smith, the movie also includes Justin Long, Jason Mewes, and Craig Robinson from The Office. Fortunately and unfortunately, the movie is rated R. This will definitely mean more cutting edge humor that a PG-13 movie could not provide but also reach a smaller audience. This is a super amalgamation of Superbad, Knocked Up, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. Although a Kevin Smith movie, it seems to be missing the diatribes pervasive in his past movies and simply focus on maximizing the number of laughs per minute, a definite plus. There is no doubt this will be one of the funniest movies released this year.
Opens: October 31, 2008
Trailer: *****
Film: *****
But that’s just my take, what do you guys think?
In the preview, we see Zack and Miri run into money problems, have their water, power, and heat cut off, decide to make a porno, and shoot some intro porno scenes. It doesn’t seem too exciting described here but, Kevin Smith writes and sets up hilarious lines and scenes and all the actors deliver. Seth Rogen has associated himself with nothing but hilarious productions in the past few years and to my surprise, Elizabeth Banks has carried herself well in this leading role.
Written and directed by Kevin Smith, the movie also includes Justin Long, Jason Mewes, and Craig Robinson from The Office. Fortunately and unfortunately, the movie is rated R. This will definitely mean more cutting edge humor that a PG-13 movie could not provide but also reach a smaller audience. This is a super amalgamation of Superbad, Knocked Up, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. Although a Kevin Smith movie, it seems to be missing the diatribes pervasive in his past movies and simply focus on maximizing the number of laughs per minute, a definite plus. There is no doubt this will be one of the funniest movies released this year.
Opens: October 31, 2008
Trailer: *****
Film: *****
But that’s just my take, what do you guys think?
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Role Models
In Role Models, the behavior of two energy drink reps' (played by Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott) forces them to enroll in a community service program where they mentor two young boys.
I’ll come right out and say it. This movie looks funny as hell. The cast looks great, with several smaller roles by actors you may recognize from recent Judd Apatow films. While he is not involved, the film certainly has that Apatow feel. The kids, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin) and Bobb'e Jaques Thompson, are great foils to Rudd and William Scott.
The actual trailer made me laugh out loud, which is a good sign, since this isn't even the Red Band trailer. I see a lot of potential for more hilarity and even some character arcs by all leads, including Elizabeth Bank as Rudd’s love interest.
Of course, it is always possible that this film could fall into the pitfalls that many comedies do, including the only good jokes being in the trailer, the plot being weak and not forward moving, etc. But, given the cast and the upside to the film, I doubt anyone will leave the theater disappointed.
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * * *
That's our take, what do you guys think?
I’ll come right out and say it. This movie looks funny as hell. The cast looks great, with several smaller roles by actors you may recognize from recent Judd Apatow films. While he is not involved, the film certainly has that Apatow feel. The kids, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin) and Bobb'e Jaques Thompson, are great foils to Rudd and William Scott.
The actual trailer made me laugh out loud, which is a good sign, since this isn't even the Red Band trailer. I see a lot of potential for more hilarity and even some character arcs by all leads, including Elizabeth Bank as Rudd’s love interest.
Of course, it is always possible that this film could fall into the pitfalls that many comedies do, including the only good jokes being in the trailer, the plot being weak and not forward moving, etc. But, given the cast and the upside to the film, I doubt anyone will leave the theater disappointed.
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: * * * *
Film: * * * *
That's our take, what do you guys think?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Changeling
Angelina Jolie stars in a Clint Eastwood-directed film about a mother fighting a corrupt police force in an attempt to find her lost 7 year old son. After a 5-month search, the police come up with the boy and return him to Christine Collins (Jolie's character). There's only one problem, the child isn't Christine's...A priest, played by John Malcovich, comes to her aid in fighting for her cause only to have the both of them find out a shocking truth about what is really going on.
The film is set in 1928 and depicts a surprisingly true story of a corrupt LAPD (shocking, I know..) in the 1920s. In a time when women's rights issues and a corrupt local government were the heated topics of political debate, the setting of this movie sets up the tensions and the emotional pull very well in this trailer.
Angelina Jolie is said to have a terrific performance of the lead character and the trailer does her justice. John Malcovich provides excellent support acting and the overall story looks like it flows rather smoothly and promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are not familiar with the controversy that took place in 1928 regarding this case, I urge you to try holding off reading about it until you watch the film. I guarantee it will definitely be worth it. Clint Eastwood has proven his mettle before with his directing capabilities and this is sure to be a box-office hit as well as an award-winning performance for Angelina Jolie!
Opens: October 24, 2008
Just the Trailer: * * * * *
Film Potential: * * * * *
That's our take, what do you guys think?
The film is set in 1928 and depicts a surprisingly true story of a corrupt LAPD (shocking, I know..) in the 1920s. In a time when women's rights issues and a corrupt local government were the heated topics of political debate, the setting of this movie sets up the tensions and the emotional pull very well in this trailer.
Angelina Jolie is said to have a terrific performance of the lead character and the trailer does her justice. John Malcovich provides excellent support acting and the overall story looks like it flows rather smoothly and promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are not familiar with the controversy that took place in 1928 regarding this case, I urge you to try holding off reading about it until you watch the film. I guarantee it will definitely be worth it. Clint Eastwood has proven his mettle before with his directing capabilities and this is sure to be a box-office hit as well as an award-winning performance for Angelina Jolie!
Opens: October 24, 2008
Just the Trailer: * * * * *
Film Potential: * * * * *
That's our take, what do you guys think?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
In Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, we once again see the familiar wacky zoo castaways however this time they’re leaving Madagascar onboard a dilapidated plane piloted by the maniacal penguins. After a big send off by the extremely cute lemurs, the group is flung into the air by a sling shot and the plane starts off into the horizon. However, they, predictably, don’t get very far, running out of fuel and crash landing in Africa.
No new characters are introduced in the trailer, leaving us to think that we’re stuck with those who we’re familiar with: a lion, giraffe, hippo, zebra, penguins, and a horde of lemurs. Again, like the first movie and like all animated features, the movie is filled with quick one-liners and quirky characters which make the film’s simple plot of returning home more bearable and interesting. Personally, I liked the first movie. I thought the lemurs were really cute and the conflict between the characters believable and somewhat interesting. The question here is whether DreamWorks has been able to build upon and top the previous movie. The answer to that is most likely not since that rarely ever happens, and also because the majority of the lemurs are left behind in Madagascar, a major minus in the cuteness category. However, they did not show very much in the preview, lending to the possibility that additional characters will either join them on their journey or at least be encountered, filling a cuteness void left behind by the lemurs.
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: ***
Film: ***
But that’s just my take, what do you guys think?
No new characters are introduced in the trailer, leaving us to think that we’re stuck with those who we’re familiar with: a lion, giraffe, hippo, zebra, penguins, and a horde of lemurs. Again, like the first movie and like all animated features, the movie is filled with quick one-liners and quirky characters which make the film’s simple plot of returning home more bearable and interesting. Personally, I liked the first movie. I thought the lemurs were really cute and the conflict between the characters believable and somewhat interesting. The question here is whether DreamWorks has been able to build upon and top the previous movie. The answer to that is most likely not since that rarely ever happens, and also because the majority of the lemurs are left behind in Madagascar, a major minus in the cuteness category. However, they did not show very much in the preview, lending to the possibility that additional characters will either join them on their journey or at least be encountered, filling a cuteness void left behind by the lemurs.
Opens: November 7, 2008
Trailer: ***
Film: ***
But that’s just my take, what do you guys think?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Bolt
In the world of Hollywood make-believe, Bolt is television’s biggest hero, constantly using his superpowers to save his owner and the world from evil destruction. The only problem is he doesn’t know it’s a TV show. In his determination to save his owner at the end of an episode, Bolt is accidently separated from his handlers and runs free in the real world where his powers are ordinary but his resolve to save his owner from evil is stronger than the man of steel. Teamed up with an emotionally unstable Hamster fan and a cat who he suspects is an accomplice to his TV nemesis, Bolt begins his fearless journey through the real world to save his owner. Along the way, he encounters sharp reality checks as to his lack of superpowers.
Starring John Travolta as the voice of Bolt and Miley Cyrus as his owner Penny, Bolt seems like nearly all Disney and Pixar animated productions, filled with cute characters, quick lines, and goofy scenes. The trailer itself is adequate and does its best to sell a movie with a limited amount of action and mildly interesting scenes between the characters.
Although the trailer depicts a fast paced movie with Bolt and his Matrix style superhero moves during the filming of the TV series, the rest of the movie where Bolt searches for his owner Penny seems filled with long dreadful uninteresting scenes of an overconfident dog and his equally flawed, uncharismatic, and comedically lacking sidekicks. All of the exciting action depicted in the trailer will likely only be a small fraction of the actual movie leaving us at the mercy of the lackluster quirky antics and dialogue between the characters.
To be honest, I’ve always had a soft spot for cute animated animals. However, I can’t help but think that a movie that depicted Bolt as an actual superhero dog would’ve been more exciting and interesting.
Opens: November 21, 2008
Trailer: ***
Film: **
But that's just my take, what do you guys think?
Starring John Travolta as the voice of Bolt and Miley Cyrus as his owner Penny, Bolt seems like nearly all Disney and Pixar animated productions, filled with cute characters, quick lines, and goofy scenes. The trailer itself is adequate and does its best to sell a movie with a limited amount of action and mildly interesting scenes between the characters.
Although the trailer depicts a fast paced movie with Bolt and his Matrix style superhero moves during the filming of the TV series, the rest of the movie where Bolt searches for his owner Penny seems filled with long dreadful uninteresting scenes of an overconfident dog and his equally flawed, uncharismatic, and comedically lacking sidekicks. All of the exciting action depicted in the trailer will likely only be a small fraction of the actual movie leaving us at the mercy of the lackluster quirky antics and dialogue between the characters.
To be honest, I’ve always had a soft spot for cute animated animals. However, I can’t help but think that a movie that depicted Bolt as an actual superhero dog would’ve been more exciting and interesting.
Opens: November 21, 2008
Trailer: ***
Film: **
But that's just my take, what do you guys think?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Splinter
It’s almost Halloween, so you know what that means. Scary movies.
Splinter is your standard indie-horror flick. A couple on a camping trip and an escaped con are trapped in a convenience store by a monstrous creature using splinters to do horrible things to people.
Simply put, the trailer is underwhelming. Most good horror previews are scary by themselves (SEE: The Strangers), but not Splinter. In place of eerie or frightening scenes, there are quick jump cuts, generic roars, and lots of yelling. The few snippets that are disturbing are so short you can’t even see them.
That being said, the film does have some potential. While there are no big name actors or even crew, that is not uncommon for horror films. It allows for an “anybody’s at risk” mentality that has served the genre well. The monster and its effects are only hinted at, so we may get the scares we missed in the trailer.
Opens: October 31, 2008
Trailer: **
Film: ***
But that's just my take, what do you guys think?
Splinter is your standard indie-horror flick. A couple on a camping trip and an escaped con are trapped in a convenience store by a monstrous creature using splinters to do horrible things to people.
Simply put, the trailer is underwhelming. Most good horror previews are scary by themselves (SEE: The Strangers), but not Splinter. In place of eerie or frightening scenes, there are quick jump cuts, generic roars, and lots of yelling. The few snippets that are disturbing are so short you can’t even see them.
That being said, the film does have some potential. While there are no big name actors or even crew, that is not uncommon for horror films. It allows for an “anybody’s at risk” mentality that has served the genre well. The monster and its effects are only hinted at, so we may get the scares we missed in the trailer.
Opens: October 31, 2008
Trailer: **
Film: ***
But that's just my take, what do you guys think?
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