Gigantor

4 Stars

Starring Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino (Spy Kids 1-3), Kim Raver (Third Watch & The Nine), Mickey Rooney (It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World), Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), Bill Cobb (A Mighty Wind), Ricky Gervais (The Office - BBC) Dick Van Dyke, & Robin Williams

Very nice holiday film showing a man who is struggling to support himself and impress his son takes on a last minute job that becomes an adventure.

Ben Stiller was entertaining, but Rooney & Wilson stoled the show. Van Dyke did well, too. Attilla The Hun was great as well. This is as definate owner.

Check it out. You'll like it.

No Thank You

3 Stars

Starring Aaron Eckhart & Maria Bello

Movie about a spokesman for tobacco companies all over the nation, who doesn't do it because the love the product, but he can talk and debate well. This movie definately shows a different side to what the promoters of some the most dangerous products go through.

I kind of liked the comedic twist in it. It showed a different side in Aaron's acting abilities. Maria (ER & Cowboy Ugly) also did well as she plays a spokeswoman for the alcohol industry.

One of the best parts was when they argued on who had the most deaths.

Not an owner, but at least worth checking out.

4 Stars

Starring Kevin James (King Of Queens), Courtney Cox Arquette (Friends & Dirt), Danny Glover (Color Purple & Lethal Weapon), Sam Elliot (Tombstone) & Wanda Sykes (Over The Hedge).

Directed by Steve Oedekerk (Kung Pow)

A hilarious flick about a young party cow who learns the hard way that he must grow up and run things. Wanda as usual was great playing Bessy, the blocking best friend to Daisy (Cox). And Sam Elliot did well with that distinctive voice of his playing Ben, the father of Otis (James). If I were to compare this move to another animated flick it would be Hoodwinked. Just as funny.

Definately check it out. OWNER!!!!!!

December '06 Trailers

Starring Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, & Jeremy Piven

A team of U.S. counter-terrorism investigators set out to find the perpetrators behind a deadly attack on Americans in a Middle Eastern country. In order to work through the bureaucracy and cultural hostility, the team enlists a local police officer, but still find itself target for the terrorists.

Written & Produced by Micheal Mann

Music By Danny Elfman

Directed By Peter Berg (Starred In Collateral & Corky Romano)

Releases April 20, 2007

http://www.thekingdommovie.com/

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GRINDHOUSE

From the men who brought to you: Pulp Fiction, Desperato, Resevior Dogs, From Dusk 'Til Dawn, Kill Bill, & Sin City.

Directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez present two full-length movies in a new horror double feature.

In Rodriguez's "Planet Terror," two doctors find their graveyard shift inundated with townspeople ravaged by sores. Among the wounded is Cherry, a dancer whose leg was ripped from her body. As the invalids quickly become enraged aggressors, Cherry and her ex-boyfriend Wray lead a team of accidental warriors into the night.

In Tarantino's "Death Proof," Austin's hottest DJ, Jungle Julia, sets out into the night to unwind with her two friends Shanna an Arlene. Covertly tracking their moves is Stuntman Mike, a scarred rebel leering from behind the wheel of his muscle car, revving just feet away.

Starring Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Marley Shelton, Kurt Russell, Naveen Andews, & Rosario Dawson

Releasing April 6, 2007

http://www.grindhousemovie.net/

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The Earth is caught in the middle of an intergalactic war between two races of robots, the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons.

Starring Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Megan Fox, Tyrese Gibson

Produced by Steven Spielberg & Micheal Bay

Directed by Micheal Bay

Definately a huge flick looking forward by many of Transformer cult fans including myself. Check it out if you are a true fan of the 80's cartoon.

Releasing July 4, 2007

http://www.transformersmovie.com/

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Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who moves the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own.

Starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, with Danny Glover, & Eddie Murphy.

Releasing Christmas Day 2006.

http://www.dreamgirlsmovie.com/

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Check out these flicks if you like. Hopefully they won't be disappointing.

Later..........

KaPow/KaChinga

4 Stars

Starring Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry The Cable Guy, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Jenifer Lewis, John Ratzenberger with Micheal Keaton & George Carlin

Another great hit by Pixar. A young rookie, Lightning McQueen, tries to battle it out to win the Piston Cup, but on the way to L.A. he gets caught up in a small town along Route 66 called Radiator Springs. While there he does a little growing up while enriching the lives of the folks there.

Definately worth checking out. Even owning. I love Pixar and I wish they would breakaway from Disney and do their own thing, but I'm not a businessman, just an avid movie goer.

Check it out..........................No, just buy it.

Oh Bugger!!!!

Movie Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

The saga continues. This was a great movie. Johnny Depp was a great as ever and it was saweet to see Barbosa at the end. I can't say much more about this movie accept that the Kraken was very gross, yet cool.

Here are some comments of some of my friends.

Cynthia Coffman: Arrgh! It was a yo-ho-hoing good time!

Heather Staples: The innuendo's were cracking me up..though I could have done w/o the scary tentale oogie-ness.

Elizabeth Williams: Loved it!!!

Megan Monzel: There should have been tentacle sex. I mean, look at how phallic Davey Jones' head was!!!

Peter Overland: Wonderful!

Kelley Hartsell: loved it! already saw it a second time too. :-)

Winderful Andravin: YO HO! Swash me buckle and tickle me pickle, savvy?

Lindy Rosado: The ending was like a walk down the plank! And now we have to wait a whole year to finish the story?! BOO

Laura Hardison: IT SUCKED

Who's Son Are You?

Movie Review

Superman Returns

After 5 years the man returns. This was a great movie done by Brian Singer (X2 & Usual Suspects) starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, & Kevin Spacey. Spacey was the perfect choice in place of Hackman to play the role of Lex Luthor (very twisted character). A lot of folks would say the story line was pretty lame, but if you think of it. No one thought very highly of any of the Superman movies except for Superman II when he battle General Zod and his partners in crime. People loved that one.

So in the light of that I felt this Superman definately follow the ways of the old movies. Very impressive given how some of the other comic book films that sway or change from the origional story flow.

I definately recommend this movie to any action, sci-fi, comic book fan. You will enjoy it. Check it out.

Whoop That Trick

Movie Review

Hustle & Flow

Starring Terrance Howard, Hustle & Flow is about a pimp (D Jay) who decided to move on with his life and engage the rap arena. He runs into an old friend from school, Kay (Anthony Anderson), who currently does music production for various groups including his own church, and asked him on way he can start the venture.

I felt the movie was neccessary top show, but I felt that it could have had more tecture. Even though I not too much into current hip hop now, I enjoyed some of the tracks D Jay & Kay laid down. It definately shows why some of the lyrics released by some artists are the way they are. They are basically telling life the way they see it in the only language they know. As they would say, if you don't like it don't listen to it.

This movie also stars DJ Qualls, Taryn Manning & Taraji P. Henderson with a short apperance by Ludacris.

I would definately recommend everyone movie appreciator to check out this movie. See Saw on being an owner, but probably not a waste of money. Check it out.

I Believe In Science

Movie Review: Nacho Libre

From the Director of Napoleon Dynamite, Jared Hess drops presents Nacho Libre. This movie stars Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera, & Hector Jimenez and is a hilarious flick about a orphan turned friar who always dreamed of being a luchador (Mexican Wrestler). He recuits Esqueleto (Jimenez), a homeless man who robs anyone on his turf for nachos, and they together take on the many experienced wrestlers in Lucha Libre.

A very entertaining movie with some predictable parts and some wierd twists. The most memorable part in this flick is when Nacho (Black) sings before one of his big matches. Very Tenacious D style.

If you loved Napoleon you'll like Nacho. Peep it. Definate Owner.

Darn Irish

Movie ReviewTristan & Isolde

Starring James Franco (Spider-Man & Annapolis), Sophia Myles (Underworld & Art School Confidential), and Rufus Sewell (Bless The Child, Knight's Tale, & Legend Of Zorro) this movie shows the dark side of the Irish Kingdom after Roman rule.

Not much to say about this flick except the fight scenes were pretty impressive. Other than that the movie was pretty predictable, something I don't like to hear from people, but if it is it is. It wasn't a bad movie, but then again I'm not sure what more could have been done with the story.

Definiately check it out if you are into midevil romance stories. Borderline Owner.

Saw this on DVD so no friend comment, but if you saw it feel free to give a comment.

I'm Always The Car!!!

Movie Review: Over The Hedge


From the makers Of Shrek, Shark Tale, & Madagascar (Dreamworks) comes Over The Hedge. A very cute flick showing the life of animals in the wild surviving after surburbia take over most of their home. This movie starred the voice talents of Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, William Shatner & Wanda Sykes. Some of the best performances were from Nick Nolte (Vincent The Bear), Avril Lavigne (Heather The Possum), and of course Steve Carell (Hammy The Squirrel). Two other people I was pleased to hear in the movie was Eugene Levy & Catherine O'Hara (Lou & Penny, the Porcupine Parents).

Not many people I didn't like in the movie. If I were to rate Dreamworks CGI Movies they will go: Wallace & Gromit, Shrek, Shrek 2, Madagascar, Over The Hedge, Shark Tale then Ants. This movie was very well done and I definately recommend this movie to be seen and bought. Dreamworks is definately giving Pixar a run for their money.

Coming Soon From Dreamworks Animation: Flushed Away (Nov 1, 2006), Shrek The Third (Spring 2007), Bee Movie (Fall 2007), Kung Fu Panda (Spring 2008), & Madagascar 2 (Fall 2008).

Here are some of my friends comments on Over The Hedge:

But...I love the cookie!!!
- Heather S.

It was cute.
- Elizabeth W.

Too adorable! I love the cookie....
- Megan M.

Good fun.
- Andy F.

Love Hammie!
- Heather E.

I found my nuts!
- JCC

Hatsumomo

Movie Review: Memoirs Of A Geisha


Me and my wife checked out this movie a couple of weeks ago and we truly loved it. Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) was as excellent as ever and Ziyi Zhang (Hero, Rush Hour 3 & House Of Flying Daggers) did a lot better than her normal work. There were other legendary asian actors including; Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Last Emporer & Mortal Kombat), Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon & James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies) and Mako (Conan & Seven Years In Tibet), but the best performance in the movie was done by Gong Li.

Gong Li portrayed the role of Hatsumomo, who is the big time Geisha that later sees her rival in Chiyo/Sayuri (Zhang). She looses it all and flees the life of a Geisha forever. This is an actress who had been around for a long time, but I have not seen her in anything before this, but now I will follow her work. Upcoming films include Miami Vice with Colin Farrell & Jamie Foxx and Young Hannibal produced by Dino de Laurentiis (Dune, Red Dragon, & Conan).

Check out this movie and check out Gong Li.

Synagogue Of Marilyn Dean

Movie Review: The Break-Up


This movie starring Vince Vaughn & Jennifer Aniston was an interesting change to your typical romantic comedy. Some say that Vince should not be a serious actor, but one of his earlier flicks includes Return To Paridice with Joaquin Pheonix (Walk The Line & The Village). This film was great and made me follow Vince's career from there on. The movie was pretty light, not much slapstick or lots of jokes. It basically show the phases of a relationship break up with an interesting ending. Most of my friends didn't like the ending, but I thought it was pretty cool. One of my favorite performances was done by Jon Favreau as the troubled, yet wise friend of Vaughn's character.

Check this movie out if you like, but probably not an owner.

Here are some of my friends' opinions:

Cute, predictable, & totally Hollywood
- Sin

Vince Vaughn should not be a serious actor. Blech.
- Heather S.

Not Good
- Elizabeth

Great movie, but didn't care for the ending.
- ltoops

Very realistic on how relationships can be
- Lindy

Crap....oh but Aniston's blurry stunt double butt
- Andy

Great Movie - weird ending!
- Nurse Heather

Could have been funnier, but had real fights and real ending
- JCC

Are They Dead? Who Knows!!!

Movie Review: X-Men: The Last Stand


Great movie, especially seeing the mighty Pheonix rise from the ashes. Man did Jean look ever so scary. As usual Hugh Jackman did a great job as Wolverine being the deciding factor at all times. He may not look powerful, but he is. The battle between Pyro and Iceman was kind of weak and I thought that Magneto would have come of with an even better way to get his brotherhood to Alcatraz. Oh well.

Even though Singer passed this up to do Superman Returns, Brett Ratner did a great job in this movie. If you love Marvel & the X-Men check this one out. Of course it's an owner.

Here are some of my fellow movie friends response:

I'm gonna have to go back and see the first 2 now! It was that good.
- Sin

ROCKED MY WORLD
- Heather S.

Very Cool
- ltoops

X-tastic
- Win

Awesome! But I think there has to be another sequel coming!
- Lindy R.

Furry Stickly Excitable Painted-On Clothes....with claws
- Andy F.

Loved it (even the 2nd time)! Coolest mutation - wings!!!
- Heather E.

I thought this was going to be the last one!
- JCC

All These Jesuses

Fun times. My mother came into town for a week long visit and we decided to introduce her to the Pocket Sandwich Theater (http://www.pocketsandwich.com/). Our good friend Heather also joined us. They were performing Steel Magnolias. Most of you might remember the movie starring Dolly Pardon, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah & Olympia Dukakis. I'm not going to rate this movie, but I will give a brief comment.

When the show started I was bummed to discover that we did get any popcorn. Usually, the audience get to throw popcorn at the performed for fun, but I guess it's not at every show for on the back of the program we notice something that would appear just after the title of the show, "Another Popcorn Tosser". I all made since now.

As the show went on I realize that this was more of their serious comedies (I know oxymoron). Some of their other plays are hammed up for fun. The last show we saw like that was called Phantom Of The Opera (our introduction to Pocket Sandwich). It was great & hilarious. Steel Magnolias was a wonderful performance and definately moved us at the end. Now I have to see the movie again for I mixed up this movie with Fried Green Tomatoes. Common mistake I'm sure.

We will be going back to Pocket Sandwich Theater to see future shows including their improv comedy. Check out the link above if interested and for more information.

So What If.....

Movie Review: The DaVinci Code


Well, I was definately looking forward to this movie until it was a week before I was going to see it and people started to bombard me with reports on how this movie got really bad reviews, people were disappointed, and the greatest thing, religious groups protesting the movie itself.

Here's my story. I sort of organize a movie night outing that happens every Tuesday night at a theater nearby my house that only charges $4 on Tuesdays. Things were going great and the group grew, but then we hit a little shakey situation. We vote every week on what to see and this past Tuesday, The DaVinci Code won. With this report some folks of the group decided to not go to see the code, for religious reasons, and decided to see "Over The Hedge", another movie I wanted to see. I wasn't really upset, but was thrown off. This kind of thew a small wrench in the plan, but as the great MLK said or sang rather, "we shall overcome".

Here is my opinion on this and movie. I really enjoyed the movie. I looked at it as being similar to a treasure hunt (Indiana Jones, National Treasure, & Sahara). I like watching these type of movies and kind of going along trying to solve it. I thought I figured it out 3 times until the movie actually ended. It definately kept my attention. Robert Langdon (Hanks) character seemed a bit subdued, but Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) kept things going. My favorite character was Leah Teabing (Ian McKellen), he was very entertaining. Actually when Teabing first appeared someone in the audience loudly said "Magneto", which made a lot of us laugh. Overall it was a good movies. Not sure if I would buy it yet.

So what if all of those things they state in the movie & book is true. I don't think it would really affect that much of current religion anyway. I actually thing it might enrich our faith, but who knows. IT FICTION!!!!! As many people say.

Definately check it out, but see it with a very open mind.

Here are some of my friends opinions:

"eh, a good fictional romp through history" - Sin

"Had some good...but that monk was scary as balls!!!!" - Da Staples

Strathmore's Finest

MOVIE REVIEW: ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL


This was an interesting movie starring Max Minghella (The Interpreter). My favorite character was Vince, the student filmmaker, portrayed by Ethan Surplee (My Name Is Earl & Remember The Titans). Other actors include some legends: John Malkovich (Dangerous Liaisons), Anjelica Huston (Lonesome Dove), & Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rogue) who had king of smaller roles in this movie, but of course performed well.

I won't go in too much into a review on this flick, but I will share some of my friends comments on the movie:

"Keeps Your Attention" - Wil C.

"Awkward Laughable Thinker" - Win A.

"Watch Don't Buy" - Andy F.

"Oddly Entertaining" - Jenny C.

"Boring" - Elizabeth W.

"Peed My Pants Funny" - Julie R.

I do recommend this movie to everyone interested in independent films. Definately worth watching, but not an owner.

Strickly For My Ninjaz

MOVIE REVIEW: BENCHWARMERS


Following the ways of Necessary Roughness (Scott Bakula) & The Replacements (Keanu Reeves), The Benchwarmers is another story about a somewhat professional has been who gets a team of flunkies some how overcome the odds and become heros. This latest installment by Happy Madison Productions (Adam Sandler) was very much predictable, but still entertaining. The only thing that still upsets me is that actors like Rob Schneider, David Spade, & Tim Meadows can't get any work without the help Master Sandler. I really like these guys and wish better roles for them.

Schneider's role was better than usual (Deuce Bigalow & The Animal) though for he was not the victim of being the comic relief anymore. That fell onto the talents of Spade, Heder, & Lovitz. Schneider was more of the level headed guy who pretty much doesn't take crap from anyone.

Now Jon Heder (Just Like Heaven) was very entertaining as he reprised his character style from Napoleon Dynamite. I see him jumping around like Jim Carrey doing various type of comedic roles.

I don't think it is wrong to work with your fellow SNL Alumns, just don't do too much of it and let it define your acting career. It's almost as sad as the recent Sierra Mist commercials were some funny folks from Mad TV, Comedy Central & Tracy Morgan have to band together to get work.

Well I think that's enough of my 20 cents. Of course feel free to comment.

Sifl & Olly

Sifl & Olly was a short lived program on MTV featuring sock puppets named Sifl & Olly hosting their own talk show. It was a hilarious show and I and looking for the DVD to release so I can get it.

Below is one of their interviews from their show.

Oh, I also own 2 TiVo units and like my some of my other possessions, I named them Sifl and Olly.

Enjoy the blog.