J-Dawg's Pop Blog

"Cowboys & Aliens" trailer brings me out of blog-oblivion

2010-11-17T13:42:00.002-07:00

It's been a long time since we've seen Harrison Ford in a non-Indiana Jones big-budget adventure. Even watching this trailer, I can't quite tell what his role is going to be, but that's one of the things I loved about it. Daniel Craig heads the cast (in the production that I think replaced the postponed James Bond film), and this early look of the movie is slick and just mysterious enough to make me really excited. As I have said before, it's not very often that studios these days give big budgets for scripts that don't come with a built-in fanbase; let's hope Cowboys & Aliens doesn't disappoint.

Shiny new "Harry Potter" trailer

2010-09-23T09:52:00.000-06:00

We're less than two months away from the first part of the epic-looking Harry Potter finale. I just dare you to watch this trailer without getting goosebumps:

Part I of The Deathly Hallows opens on my birthday, November 19. Enjoy!

Fall TV premiere dates

2010-09-09T15:13:00.002-06:00

The summer TV drought is almost over. The hilarious Herc from Ain't It Cool News recently posted the fall premiere dates for all your favorite TV shows. You can view them alphabetically or by date by clicking here.

The ones that are of interest to me, for those of you who are dying to know, are as follows:

Survivor (CBS) Sept. 15 (now on Wednesdays)
The Middle (ABC) Sept. 22
Modern Family (ABC) Sept. 22
The Office (NBC) Sept. 23
30 Rock (NBC) Sept. 23
The Amazing Race (CBS) Sept. 26
The Good Wife (CBS) Sept. 28
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV) Oct. 27 (this won't show up on NBC until the spring...)

Of the new shows that are premiering, I can't say I'm overly interested in any of them. I'll watch the reviews and see if anything noteworthy emerges from the pack.

Enjoy!

Terrorists vs. vampires

2010-06-30T10:46:00.003-06:00

The Onion has a funny (and fabricated) feature today about the terrorists alleged admiration of Stephanie Meyer and her vampire/werewolf saga. Unlike Ms. Meyer's Twilight novels, this video is intentionally funny.

Al-Qaeda Calls Off Attack On Nation's Capitol To Spare Life Of 'Twilight' Author

Ranking Pixar from "worst" to best

2010-06-18T14:20:00.003-06:00

I really can't wait to see Toy Story 3, hopefully soon. The reviews have been unanimously positive, and what else has there been this summer? Anyway, the critics at EW.com did an interesting exercise today, ranking Pixar's first ten movies from "worst" (it's all relative here) to best. The list was interesting, but had some definite head scratchers, such as Monsters, Inc. in the bottom two. Really?

So, keeping in mind that I really love all of these movies, here is my top 10 list (number one being the best):

10. Cars: A fun movie, and beautiful to look at (especially if you're into cars), but still my least favorite because it is a little predictable. I might feel differently if I had a little boy, though.
9. A Bug's Life: A creative look at the grasshopper/ant hierarchy with some terrific moments (I still giggle about Flik's failed "this rock is a seed" metaphor), but really just the tip of the Pixar iceberg of greatness. Plus, the plot feels lifted from Three Amigos.
8: Wall-E: I liked this movie more than most of my family/friends, and Lily loves it, but it is a bit preachy in tone, and the humans-are-lazy subplot is mildly grating. Still, the dialogue-free interactions between Wall-E and Eve are fantastic; pure visual poetry. (Lily occasionally puts her fingers together "like Wall-E" when she's trying to fall asleep.)
7: Up: I've only seen this once, and I really loved the interaction between Karl and the kid, plus the themes of adventure and age, told lovingly and humorously. The talking dogs, while funny, are probably the only reason this doesn't rank higher for me.
6: Finding Nemo: This movie has gotten better with repeat viewings, and it was great movie to begin with. The voice work is stellar, especially from Ellen DeGeneres, and the touching father/son dynamic is powerful. My only minor complaint is that I dislike the plot device where two people who are looking for each other (father/son, boy/girl, etc.) keep crossing paths and missing each other for one reason or another.
5: Toy Story 2: It really is a great sequel, and pays homage to the groundbreaking original without rehashing it. I love how the toys explore such meaningful themes as age, abandonment, and friendship with such good-spirited wit and warmth.
4: Monsters, Inc.: Probably Pixar's warmest; a comedic love letter about the spell that kids can cast on you and the crazy things that you will do for them. If you don't get goosebumps when Sully opens Boo's door in the final frame of the movie, you just don't have a soul. (A sequel is in the works.)
3: Ratatouille: I'm sure I'm in the minority here, as this is probably Pixar's most random film (a rat...who loves to cook...in Paris), but this is one of my favorites. Maybe it's the theme of food, maybe it's the music (one of my all-time favorite soundtracks), or maybe it's because Lily would watch this on a continuous loop...something about it just clicks for me. I love the messages of tolerance, nurturing your imagination, and pursuing your passion. I just love this movie from beginning to end; it never fails to make me smile.
2: The Incredibles: The best action movie to come around in years. Fast-paced, hysterically witty, and emotionally complex. It works equally as satire or homage to comic-book/superhero movies, while deftly tackling the complicated dynamics of family relationships and reigniting the romantic spark in marriage. My favorite Incredibles memory to this day was watching it for the first time with my Eddy nieces/nephews and watching them run alongside Dash as he raced through the jungle from the bad guys. They were CAPTIVATED by the adventure; it was a joy to observe.
1: Toy Story: This is an easy pick, but for me, it's still the benchmark that Pixar will likely forever be trying to recapture. I don't remember another movie being able to so quickly transport me back to a time when I believed that my He-Man action figures would go on battling well after I had gone to bed. This was the first time we'd seen a full movie that was completely rendered in a computer, but it never once feels manufactured or cold (George Lucas could have learned a thing or two). This film remains one of my all-time favorites, and hasn't lost a bit of its relevance or wit even 15 years later.

As cheesy as it sounds, I'm just grateful that the passionate grown-up kids who work at Pixar have so successfully and willingly shared their significant talents with the world. Wouldn't it be amazing if we were all paid to do something we love?

"24" and "Lost" finales

2010-05-24T16:24:00.004-06:00

I'm traveling and thus haven't seen the much-ballyhooed finale of Lost. I'm very interested in seeing how it all turns out, of course, but to be honest, my expectations are a thousand times lower than they were after the first 2-3 seasons. I'll surely be sad to see it go, but honestly the weekly delay of the big answers has taken its toll: I think I'm ready for the end.

Not so for 24, which still manages to pack a wallop when you least expect it. This final season has been uneven, to be sure. The Dana Walsh storyline was never more than dreadful, and President Taylor's late season change-of-personality made no sense. That said, much of the Renee Walker drama was compelling, Chloe continues to be a shining--and grumpy-- star throughout, and Jack's recent death-wish vendetta has been ridiculous, over-the-top, and disturbingly entertaining. But after eight long years of watching this guy have the worst days of his life, I think he finally deserves a break.

24 really was a revolutionary show for its time. It was lucky to survive beyond it's ratings-challenged first couple of years, but once it settled into the January-start-with-no-breaks schedule (later copied by Lost), viewers grew and remained surprisingly loyal for a serialized show in its eighth season. There probably isn't another show on the air that has been as consistently exciting as 24, and I fear that there never will be. It was never a perfect show; it always expected a certain degree of disbelief from its viewers. But then, who wants to watch their hero take potty breaks or sit in LA traffic for minutes at a time?

Together, 24 and Lost made my late winter doldrums just a little brighter. They both changed the way networks produce and program their shows, and the way viewers expected a little more from them. To all of the talented folks who devoted years of their lives to producing these joyfully glossy shows, thank you!

And let me know when you're hiring for TVs next big phenomenon...

"Iron Man 2" mini-review

2010-05-08T11:31:00.003-06:00

Maybe if I make my posts shorter, I'll do them more often...call it the Twitter-method. (Incidentally, if anyone would like to follow me on Twitter, I'm @jaytay96).

Anyhoo, I saw Iron Man 2 yesterday and enjoyed it a lot. Most of it has to do with Robert Downey, Jr.'s cheeky-but-layered take on Tony Stark; he's really creating something memorable with this character. I also enjoyed Sam Rockwell (so great as "Guy" in Galaxy Quest) as Tony's slimy weapons-manufacturing nemesis. The first 2/3 of the movie borders on comic-book greatness, setting the stage for several very interesting and complicated character-driven conflicts. Only some of those stories really bear fruit by the end, but none of them are truly botched either...an amazing feat for a movie that is trying to do so much (anyone remember Spider-man 3?).

As a novice to Marvel's wider repertoire, I didn't really appreciate all the Avengers references, since they occasionally took the focus away from the movie at hand to pimp some of Marvel's upcoming releases (Captain America, Thor, etc.). But it's a small complaint for a movie that never feels like anything less than good old-fashioned, big-budget fun. I'm eager to see what Downey & company have in store for Iron Man 3. (***1/2 out of four)

"Monsters, Inc" sequel announced

2010-04-23T09:17:00.005-06:00

It took Pixar to pull me out of my recent blog-stupor (if only Wendy's blog were so lucky). This news shouldn't come as a huge surprise, seeing as how Disney/Pixar have already announced sequels to Toy Story and Cars, but it was finally made official that Monsters, Inc., the sweet comedy from 2001, will finally get a sequel in the winter of 2012 (assuming the world hasn't come to an end by then...).

It's funny that this news was released today, as it was just yesterday that I pulled the Monsters, Inc. DVD out of the back of our cabinet so that we could introduce Lily to it for an upcoming movie night. Some might complain that they'd rather see an original Pixar movie rather than another sequel (will be the third Pixar sequel in as many years), but sounds like the plan is for Pixar to produce both in a calendar year, so everyone wins. Can't wait!

Roger Ebert: The Essential Man

2010-03-01T08:53:00.002-07:00

Though I often disagree with his reviews and opinions more often than I agree with him, Roger Ebert is still a skilled, entertaining, and thoughtful writer and film critic whom I admire. Esquire recently did an excellent article about the man, who has in recent years lost his voice (and much of his jaw) due to various surgeries and procedures related to jaw cancer. It's really a beautiful article. Print it out and read it on the treadmill.

Roger Ebert: The Essential Man

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"24" update

2010-02-09T09:04:00.004-07:00

Seven hours in, and it's still a little early to tell whether or not 24's 8th season will be one of its better ones, although the tormented-Renee subplot has at least given Jack a believable reason to stay engaged in our nation's latest fictional conflict. The blond CTU agent's shady past feels like a time-killer, and the politics with President Taylor feel a little slow right now, but it's early in the season and I'm moderately pleased with where things are headed overall.

Today Variety announced that 20th Century Fox has hired screenwriter/director Billy Ray to write a script for a potential film version of the popular TV show. This excites me because I have been impressed with almost everything that Billy Ray has been involved with in recent years, including last year's superb political thriller, State of Play, as well as the engrossing dramas Breach and Shattered Glass, both of which suck me in every time I catch them on TV.

The immediate likelihood of a film version depends on whether or not Fox (the TV-side of the studio) decides to renew 24 for a ninth season. That decision is expected in the next few weeks so that producers will know whether or not to write the Season 8 finale as a series finale or simply another season finale. The number of viewers for Season 8 are down a little from last year, and have never reached the highs of Season 5, but are still a far cry from the puny audience that greeted the show through its acclaimed first season (when it was lucky to get a renewal). It's an expensive show to produce, and doesn't repeat well due to its serial nature. But like Lost, it's always been a profitable show, thanks in part to successful DVD sales (which is how many viewers prefer to watch the show).

In any case, whether on the big screen or small, it sounds like Jack Bauer will live to see another day, which is always welcome news. Stay tuned!

Prequel blues

2010-02-01T09:43:00.003-07:00

Is it just me, or has all this prequel business gotten out of hand? I mean really, can you think of one single good prequel? Star Wars: Episode III was decent, especially in comparison to its own crappy predecessors, but seriously, name one prequel that was actually worth retelling a story you already know. You can't do it, can you? Neither can I. (Last year's Wolverine being a perfect example of boring redundance.)

So it's with great disdain that I relate the latest Bourne rumors from Matt Damon. Specifically, he says that the studio will likely make a Bourne prequel with a different actor prior to finally getting around to a new Bourne sequel (which he says may be five years away!). After all, Jason Bourne only became interesting and relatable once he forgot who he was. I mean seriously, who wants to see him become a cold-blooded killer? Anyone else think this is a terrible idea?

This news, coupled with the recent Spider-man franchise reboot (seriously, a reboot already?), really makes me irritated at the lack of original thought coming out of Hollywood these days. Your thoughts?

"Survivor" and "The Amazing Race" premieres

2010-01-22T09:52:00.004-07:00

The next editions of my two favorite reality shows (sorry American Idol) have been announced by CBS. Survivor's 20th season (they do two a year) starts on Thursday, Feb. 11, and is another "all-star" edition with "heroes" and "villains" from the show's first 19 seasons (including the cunning but ultimately-shafted Russell from last season). To take a peek at the entire cast, click here.

As for The Amazing Race, it comes back on Feb. 14 (Happy Valentine's Day!) and includes a wide variety of teams, as usual (click here). This remains one of my all-time favorite shows, but I can't for the life of me understand why CBS still hasn't chosen to film it in glorious HD (which reinvigorated my interest in Survivor).

It would be a dream to be on the The Amazing Race, so if any of my legion of fans has any connections, I'd be willing to give you a shout out here on my enormously popular blog...

"Avatar" review

2010-01-15T10:42:00.003-07:00

Wendy and I snuck away the other day for a late afternoon 3D viewing of Avatar. I know most of you have already seen it and formed your own opinions, so my thoughts here won't necessarily be fresh or unique, but then neither was the movie itself, so I'm in good company.

Don't get me wrong: James Cameron has done a very, very good job of creating a visually convincing world for his epic. If I had to guess, I'd say that 90% of this movie is computer generated (including more than half of the characters), and yet you seldom think to yourself that you are watching an "animated" movie. Initially I resisted the movie because I just didn't think I could identify with lanky weird blue people with tails (or "cat people" as my friend Dan calls them). And I still feel like their characters are relatively underdeveloped, but then so are the human characters. But as for whether or not you believe in the world of Pandora and the tactile existence of the Na'vi peoples, Cameron scores big time.

My biggest problem is with the story itself, which we've seen told a dozen times before. The story takes very few unexpected turns, which is disappointing for a movie that takes so many technological leaps forward. Some have compared it to Dances with Wolves, which is a very accurate comparison. I also found similarities with The Last Samurai, and to a smaller extent, The Lion King and Cameron's own Aliens and Titanic. (My friend John shared with me a funny story from the Huffington Post that humorously compares Avatar to Disney's Pocahontas.)

Some people (especially conservatives) have complained of the "overtly political" message. I thought about that while I was watching the movie, and can't say that I necessarily agree with that criticism. Yes, there is a natural-resource hungry, very militant group that becomes the antagonist in the film. Some have assumed that Cameron was making a not-so-veiled dig at the United States' invasion of Iraq. But my question is this: why would that offend conservatives? If we really believed that the U.S. had invaded Iraq simply to capitalize on its oil supplies and displace the locals, we'd be offended too. But we don't believe that, right? We believe that there is a higher, more noble purpose for our presence there (national security, liberation of an oppressed people, etc.). So either we're offended because we have a guilty conscience, or we should just let it slide because clearly there are no similarities between our military ideologies and those of the movie's villains. I choose the latter.

As for environmentalism, yes, the film regularly praises the reverence and almost-psychic connection that the Na'vi people have with their version of Mother Earth. But again, I don't see the harm here. I know very few people (if any) who truly hate the environment and go out of their way to uselessly contribute to the destruction of our planet. I think that when given a reasonable chance, most normal people will recycle, use energy-efficient bulbs, and plant a tree. And I think that most people locally would pop a proverbial gasket (as the Na'vi people do) if a violent foreign entity arrived and tried to bulldoze, say, Mt. Timpanogos. So again, I don't think a message of respect for the environment is really such a bad thing, is it?

In any case, even people who haven't been able to forgive the movie's message or recycled plot have admitted that it is a visual treat. The scale and spectacle of Avatar is seldom rivaled on film; it's big, lush escapism that is the main reason we go to the movies anyway. So turn off your brain, lower your defenses, and enjoy movie-making at its loudest and splashiest. Judging by the way the movie has been received by worldwide audiences (fast approaching Titanic's record worldwide grosses), you're in good company if you do.

A few "Indy 5" thoughts from Harrison Ford

2010-01-11T09:44:00.002-07:00

I'm an unabashed Indiana Jones fan, as you know. I won't apologize for it. But it's with a bit of embarrassment that it has taken a tiny little bit of news about a yet-to-be-announced Indiana Jones sequel to pull me out of my blog-hibernation. After all, there has been big movie news as of late, including updates on Pirates, Star Trek and Spider-man sequels, plus my thoughts on recent movies such as Invictus (very good), The Princess and the Frog (Lily loved it) and Sherlock Holmes (a lot of fun). So while I won't apologize for my love of all things Indiana Jones, I do apologize that I've been such a sorry blogger in the recent weeks. (Side note: Is it just me, or are blogs going the way of the dinosaur?)

With that caveat, here is a very brief interview with Harrison Ford about the latest Indy 5 rumors. You may complain that the last Indy film was sub-par, but it still put a smile on my face more than 95% of the other movies I saw that year. So bring it on, Misters Lucas, Spielberg, and Ford.

Happy new year!

2009-12-30T10:10:00.002-07:00

I don't spend a lot of time on YouTube, typically, but it's freaking slow here at work today and this made me giggle. So maybe if you're bored today too, this will put a smile on your face.

Happy new year!

"Iron Man 2" and "Clash of the Titans" trailers

2009-12-17T08:24:00.003-07:00

I wish I knew how to embed this on my blog, but since I don't, please click here and enjoy the first footage from this coming May's Iron Man 2. I liked the first Iron Man, but I hope the sequel will really achieve greatness like fellow Marvel sequels Spider-man 2 and X-Men 2 did.
And to paraphrase Will Ferrell in Zoolander: "That Robert Downey Jr. is so hot right now!"

And while we're looking at trailers, check out the new trailer for the forthcoming Clash of the Titans. Looks like a good time!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

2009-12-11T09:38:00.006-07:00

I can't say I'm a Jane Austen fan, although I take pride in the fact that I at least did my homework a few years back in the much-missed book club and read the entire Pride and Prejudice. (I think I was the only male in the book club to do it.) I even watched the entire BBC miniseries, although if I have to watch Jane Austen going forward, I much prefer Keira Knightley in a lead role. Having said this, I doubt I will ever read any Jane Austen again of my own free will...I think it must have been the Twilight of the 19th century.

Recently I started hearing about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a silly retelling of Austen's novel involving, yes, flesh-eating zombies. I've seen the book in bookstores recently and chuckle every time I look at the cover. I even picked it up a few times, thinking that my love of all things zombie might overshadow my boredom of all things Austen. But no, I read a few passages and most of them seemed obsessed with Mr. Darcy's vanity and condescension. The book needs less chat, more splat.

Now comes news that Natalie Portman (Mrs. Darth Vader in the Star Wars prequels) will star as Elizabeth Bennett in the upcoming film adaptation of the zombie/Austen novel, which just might push me over the edge in terms of my interest in the film. Zombieland was a silly, guilty treat, and of course I love the corny Resident Evil movies and video games. I'll be very interested to see how this movie turns out...could be a lot of fun.

So while we're at it, has anyone read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? Surely there's an Arnett girl out there that can chime in?

"Prince of Persia" trailer

2009-11-03T12:04:00.002-07:00

Disney's next big-budget adventure is 2010's Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It's produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, and that's clearly the spirit they are trying to capture in the trailer below:

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Trailer Park | MySpace Video

Not sure quite what to think yet. Jake Gyllenhal with a British accent seems bizarre to me...who cares what his accent is, when either way he's speaking a language that is inaccurate for the time period/setting? Why not just let him speak in his normal American voice? (Kevin Costner's botched Robin Hood accent comes to mind...) And some of the banter in the trailer is pretty lame as well.

That said, the look (sets, visual effects, costumes, etc.) is fantastic, and should help contribute to what Disney clearly hopes will be a big new popcorn-franchise for them. I won't be too picky going forward, just so long as it's the big, fun adventure that the Pirates movies have been.

What do you think? Are you ready for Jake Gyllenhal in full-beefcake mode?

"24" Season 8 trailer

2009-10-29T09:24:00.003-06:00

When we last saw Jack Bauer, he was on his death-bed being watched by a vigilant (and repentant) Kim Bauer, who had agreed to offer her DNA for a controversial and risky procedure that could possibly heal Jack from the effects of the deadly virus that afflicted him through much of Season 7. Fade to black...

Well I guess the procedure worked, because here comes Season 8, with Jack Bauer front-and-center. I have embedded the trailer below:

Looks exciting, and I'm ready for another day of espionage, explosions, and everlasting-cellphone-battery-yielding heroes. This season looks to be set in NYC, which will make a great setting for what could be Jack Bauer's last season of 24. At least we have something to look forward to in dreary January!

"Toy Story 3" trailer hits web

2009-10-12T10:24:00.004-06:00

The long-awaited Toy Story 3 released its first full trailer today, which you can see here. The toys look great, the story hints are vague but promising, and best of all: this is the version of Toy Story 3 that Pixar wanted us to see (as opposed to the rogue version that the Pixar-less Disney tried to put into production a few years ago).

I've already devised a plan to indoctrinate Lily with Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in the months ahead so that she'll be ready for this when it arrives next June. Anyone else psyched about another Toy Story?

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize for...

2009-10-09T10:44:00.002-06:00

It's not very often that Saturday Night Live will dare to mock President Obama, but in honor of his astounding award of the Nobel Peace Prize, I thought I'd offer SNL's observance of just what Obama has done so far in his term.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, I don't hate President Obama. I haven't even taken to complaining about what he has or hasn't done so far in his presidency, because it's an uphill battle and I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. But this timely clip did make me giggle, mocking both the left (for whom Obama can do no wrong) and the right (for whom Obama can do no right) in equal parts.

Well done, SNL.

"The Amazing Race 15" starts Sunday!!!

2009-09-25T09:42:00.005-06:00

It's time again for a new installment of TV's best reality show, The Amazing Race. Believe it or not, this is the 15th edition of the show, which recently won its 7th consecutive Emmy for Best Reality Competition. Many of you know that this is probably my favorite show (depending on the current state of 24 or Lost), and this Sunday we get a two-hour season premiere. I can't wait.

I found this sneak peek (click to make bigger) of the route the racers will be following this year, courtesy of EW.com. While I'm bummed they won't be hitting any South American or Caribbean destinations, reading my grandpa's personal history has increased my interest in Scandinavia. I'm sure it will be good times no matter where in the world they go.

Stephanie Meyer's "The Host" coming to theaters

2009-09-23T08:20:00.002-06:00

I haven't read Stephanie Meyer's first "adult" novel, The Host, but the very concept seems like a little obscure for a big-screen adaptation. Something about a friendly alien who attempts to take control of a friendly human's body, and together they fall in love with the same man (I'm doing this from memory of Wendy's synopsis two years ago). I remember the reviews were generally kind; much more so than for Meyer's polarizing Breaking Dawn. Still, it's not really my cup of tea...it may just be how I feel about all things Stephanie Meyer (bless her heart).

Regardless, the author has apparently finally agreed to sell the rights for her novel, which will be written for the screen and directed by Andrew Niccol, director of the sci-fi classic Gattaca and screenwriter of the terrific The Truman Show. Again, the story itself doesn't really appeal to me, but the talent involved at the very least raises my level of interest just a bit. I'm curious to get casting news, although I'm assuming it will be several months before we get any details.

What about you? Does a big-screen version of The Host get you all tingly like you do about Twilight?

Happy Monday, Jacob-philes

2009-09-14T08:39:00.005-06:00

Though there is an off-putting abundance of shirtless men, I'll be the first to admit that the new trailer for New Moon makes the movie look a lot better than the previous two trailers did. Whether or not this translates into me actually paying money to see it remains to be seen.

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810055802/video/15542134

What do you think? Are you "squealing with delight" as my female coworkers are?

"Pirates 4" gets a title and release date

2009-09-11T16:27:00.002-06:00

This isn't much by way of news, since we knew it was on its way, but Disney today officially announced that the fourth Pirates film will be called Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, with a scheduled release in summer 2011. Johnny Depp is the only one confirmed to be on-board, but rumors are that Geoffrey Rush will reprise his role as Captain Barbossa.

Can't wait!

"State of Play" review

2009-09-08T09:29:00.005-06:00

I'm terribly behind on reviewing the movies that I have seen in recent months, so I'll quickly recap: HP6 was terrific, and one of my favorites from the series. Julie & Julia was breezy and cute, and made me hungry. 500 Days of Summer was a really interesting movie; an equally funny and painful look at what makes relationships begin and end. And Race to Witch Mountain was a harmless adventure for kids that was almost worth the cost of the rental. Almost.

Last night Wendy and I watched State of Play, a suspenseful and intelligent conspiracy thriller set in the intriguing backdrop of the current (dying) state of print journalism. The ensemble cast is fantastic: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Jeff Daniels, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, all of whom are given a moment or two to shine. It's a terrific little mystery and one that--despite a couple of obligatory Hollywood cliches--doesn't insult our intelligence. If you haven't seen it already, it's definitely a nice way to spend an evening.

When all was said and done, what lingered with me the most was what appears to be the pending death of the newspaper industry, which is losing relevance admidst the almost-instantaneous (and free) news currently available via the internet. I've often spoken of my favorite TV critic, USA Today's Robert Bianco. Though he seems to be reluctantly embracing the electronic transition of print journalism, he never misses an opportunity to remind his readers to pony up the $.75 to buy a printed copy of the paper.

I love a good newspaper. I love the smell, the way the print smudges on my fingers, the way I can hide behind its pages and educate myself. But I'm also a pragmatist: I don't like the clutter of having a stack of newspapers that needs to be recycled, and I don't like having to pay for something I can get for free online. And therein lies one of the many conundrums of our modern-day, information-rich generation: we want as much information as we can get, and as quickly as possible (Twitter, anyone?), but we don't want to pay for it. It's a wonder that any newspapers (or magazines, for that matter) are still in business.

Within the context of last night's movie, the real, quality journalism only occurred with the marriage of the traditional vs. the electronic media. But it makes me wonder: is there a price that our society is paying for all the free information we now have access to? Is the product becoming diluted or less trustworthy? Or has the push for urgency made the information the same or even better than it once was?

What do you think?

Dimitri, the ladykiller

2009-09-01T15:44:00.002-06:00

I don't normally post stuff like this, which may or may not be made up. It's the type of thing your annoying cousin or almost-friend from junior high would forward to you by email. But because I love my readers (you know who you are), I'll give you the option to listen to the following answering machine messages, which are allegedly real (though I can promise that you will laugh):

http://melodymaker.posterous.com/the-reason-some-girls-stay-single-very-funny

Dimitri, wherever you are, I hope you find the elegant woman you so clearly deserve.

Spielberg & Crichton's final collaboration

2009-08-26T22:02:00.004-06:00

USA Today is reporting that Steven Spielberg plans to reunite with the late Michael Crichton for one last collaboration, the adaptation of the as-yet-unpublished final novel of Crichton, Pirate Latitudes. Described as "an adventure story set off the coast of Jamaica in 1665," Spielberg is set to produce and possibly direct the film adaptation of the novel, which is set for release in November.

Spielberg and Crichton have worked together several times, most notably on 1993's Jurassic Park and its first sequel. They also co-produced the massive TV hit, ER, and 1996's Twister.

Though far from perfect, I have very fond memories of Jurassic Park, both as a movie and a book. I distinctly remember reading the book the first time as a young teenager and being fascinated by it; it remains one of my all-time favorite reads. The movie was disappointing when compared to the book, but had some then-groundbreaking visual effects and some terrific set-pieces. (The Lost World was disappointing on almost every level.)

I was just talking about Crichton the other day with my friend John, and we agreed that Crichton's later novels grew progressively profane and dull. But some of his earlier novels, including Congo and Sphere, were fantastic books. I didn't care for Timeline or Prey, and never read Next or State of Fear. That said, Crichton was clearly a brainy talent, and I'm encouraged that Spielberg has found some promise in the author's final novel. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Happy Valentine's Day, ladies

2009-08-18T20:10:00.002-06:00

Before you watch this quasi-trailer for the upcoming New Moon movie (coming out in November), just remember that the actor who plays Jacob is only 17. Yes, one year older than my oldest nephew. Adjust your reaction accordingly.

Calling all book club members...

2009-08-15T11:36:00.005-06:00

Well I finally did it. After a loooong reading drought, I finally finished reading two books over the past couple of weeks. I probably shouldn't boast of this accomplishment; it's probably been over a year since I read a book all the way through...it's like the English major in me shriveled up and died. But thanks to our deadly-dull summer TV season, I recently completed Cormac McCarthy's The Road and Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones.

It was really only a coincidence that the two books happened to both be fairly heady and dark. I can't decide which of the books is darker. The Road follows a man and his young son across a desolate, post-apocalyptic countryside fighting off cold and starvation, all the while being persued by savage cannibals. Not light reading. The Lovely Bones, in contrast, displays a lot more color and personality, even some humor. But it's set against the brutal murder (of a young teenage girl) so disturbing that even I had nightmares the first night I read it. Again, not really popcorn literature.

Both of the novels are apparently among the more acclaimed books of our day, and both were #1 bestsellers. The Road even won a Pulitzer Prize. Film versions of both movies are headed to theaters this fall, and I'm mildly curious to see how they'll turn out. I realize I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to literary accomplishment, and both books clearly offer much to admire. But I can't really see myself recommending either book to anyone, and will certainly not be re-reading them. The Road, while captivating and ultimately touching, is just too bleak and disturbing overall for me to revisit. And The Lovely Bones, which presents some fascinating ideas and even a few memorable characters, just felt a little uneven and unfocused to me to be "the next big thing."

I'm glad that I read them both, but I really wish I had my book club (may it RIP) friends to tell me what I'm missing about these two "modern classics." So tell me, book clubbies, what did you think about The Road and/or The Lovely Bones?

"Alien," "Pirates" updates

2009-07-31T15:23:00.003-06:00

I just need a quick break from work, so I'll give a very brief update on two very popular film franchises:

First, Variety reported today that Ridley Scott--director of the original Alien--has agreed to return to the franchise for a prequel to his original film. This is bizarre news, because it is rare for an A-list director to return to a franchise that has pretty much gotten worse with every successive installment. I can't wait to see what he does with this.
Second, rumor has it that Disney is apparently trying to woo Rob Marshall (director of Chicago and Memoirs of a Geisha) to direct the upcoming fourth Pirates of the Carribean film. While I don't really have any opinion about Marshall as a director, I am excited for a new Pirates movie, which the studio is aiming to make smaller and more character-centric than the most recent sequels. Johnny Depp is for sure coming back, but we will not likely be seeing Keira Knightley or Orlando Bloom in this installment. Most of this is unconfirmed by the studio, but I do believe they have said that they are aiming to start filming next spring for a tentative 2011 release. I'll post more info as it becomes available.

Should give us something to look forward to!

Here comes the bride...

2009-07-24T09:12:00.003-06:00

My friend Aaron tipped me off to this YouTube hit: a couple who decided to have an unconventional entrance to their wedding. Looks like something straight out of Runaway Bride or the like.

If Wendy and I had tried the same approach at our wedding, I'm pretty sure we would have seen Jennie doing the running man, Fast Eddy doing the worm, and Ammon dancing to High School Musical.

Will John Williams return to score HP7?

2009-07-14T16:36:00.002-06:00

Everyone who reads this blog regularly knows how much I have enjoyed the Harry Potter films. In some ways, the films just keep getting better and better. I think that I would still rank the movies in the same order I did a couple of years ago (with Prisoner of Azkaban as my favorite and Chamber of Secrets as my least favorite). And there are only two days before I get to see Half-Blood Prince and report how I would rank it with relation to its predecessors (stay tuned). But one of my only complaints about HP4 and HP5 is that the accompanying scores have been forgettable. They did very little to expand the magical canvas that was being painted on-screen for the boy wizard. The missing link? Legendary composer John Williams.

Anyone who knows me will tell you what a huge John Williams fan I am. You all know his music (Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T., Jurassic Park, Home Alone). Less well known are his more subtle (but no less satisfying) scores for artsier films like Memoirs of a Geisha, Schindler's List, or Catch Me if You Can. And while his Harry Potter music (he did the first three films) isn't necessarily his most acclaimed, I can't help but hear it in my mind any time I read the books.

Today comes exciting word from Harry Potter producer David Heyman that John Williams has been approached to finish out the Harry Potter film saga by scoring one or both of the installments for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I believe the official quote was "If we can make work, and that's a big if, for his schedule and ours then yes." That's far from a confirmation of this happening, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

Let's all hope this works out, as having John Williams return to the series after a three-film break would be a lovely bookend to this fantastic franchise. I can't wait to see what he'd do with the broomstick battle in the skies, or the escape from Gringotts bank, or the battle at Hogwarts, or Harry's final confrontation with Voldemort, etc. Keep your fingers crossed!

Roger Ebert vs. "Transformers"

2009-07-02T13:54:00.005-06:00

Roger Ebert is certainly the most well-known film critic in the United States, although I sincerely doubt it is because of his impeccable taste in identifying good and bad movies. Case in point: he gave this year's end-of-the-world travesty, Knowing, a full four stars (did he actually stay through the last 30 minutes?). Likewise to 2005's Flightplan, which he says "delivers a frightening thriller with an airtight plot" (I agree with everything there except "airtight").

That said, the man sure can write an entertaining article, as humorously evidenced by his recent skewering of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which you can read in its entirety here. Needless to say, he hated the movie (an opinion he shares with most of the nation's critics). But at least he hates it with flair. My favorite line from his review: "If you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination."

The irony here is that I'll still go see the movie, along with the rest of the male population of the world. I'm just too much of a boy at heart to resist the sight of ginormous talking machines crashing and exploding before my very eyes. Director Michael Bay has never been known for subtlety (or anything, really, except for explosions), but when he blows things up, the dude BLOWS THINGS UP! And even though no reputable critic will admit to liking this movie, we'll all still plunk down our money to see it. So if no one actually heeds the advice of movie critics, why do movie critics even exist?

If Roger Ebert is any indication, I think it's because sometimes we just like a good read. And like a good explosion, who doesn't love a good read?

Trailer for "2012"

2009-06-30T13:54:00.002-06:00

Ok, I'm not officially a fan of Roland Emmerich, the director of such cheesy disaster trash as Godzilla, The Day After Tomorrow, and 10,000 B.C. Sure, his Independence Day was the eye-candy benchmark for its day, but feels pretty dated anytime I catch a few minutes of it on TV (which seems to be every weekend). After all, most of his movies look fantastic, but are usually paper-thin when it comes to plot or character-development. (One of my favorite moments from The Day After Tomorrow is when Jake Gyllenhal's character actually outruns cold air...yes, AIR!!!)

Having said all this, the latest trailer for 2012 looks pretty exciting, even though I think we all know what we're in for.

What do you think? Will you shell out $10 to see Mr. Emmerich destroy the world again?

Just another reason why we love Pixar

2009-06-19T08:28:00.003-06:00

Wendy and I saw Pixar's latest, Up, in 3D a few weeks ago and couldn't have enjoyed it more. It is sweet, colorful, imaginative, and warm...not to mention funny. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and see it on the big screen (The 3D was nice, but not necessary.)

Today I read the heart-wrenching true story of a bed-stricken, terminally-ill 9-year old girl whose final wish was to see Pixar's latest film. Just read this story and tell me if you're able to make it through without crying. I wasn't.

Seriously, how great is Pixar?

"Indiana Jones 5" in the works?

2009-06-18T09:41:00.004-06:00

Some of you will groan at the very title of this post, but you'll forgive me if I still get the chills just thinking about the possible future adventures of Indiana Jones & Co. It's no surprise to you that I am a self-professed Indiana Jones freak. Let me list a few examples:

One of my favorite gifts of the past few years was my Indiana Jones Legos kit (although it's sure hard to put together with Lily constantly on the prowl)
A brand-new Indiana Jones adventure was just released for the Wii last week, and I can't wait for my copy to arrive in the mail (I sure pre-ordered it like four months ago).
My visit to Petra, Jordan in 2000 was almost entirely consumed by thoughts of walking where Indiana Jones once walked. (Later research revealed that there was also a group of people called the Nabateans who may have lived there 2000 years ago.)
The only thing that could take me away from the hour-long wait for the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland last month was my sister's phone call with some very exciting baby news.
The music--especially the "Raider's March"--is an all-time favorite, and makes me feel like a little kid each and every time I hear it. At one point it was even my ringtone.

Additionally, Wendy (bless her heart) and I rewatched Kingdom of the Crystal Skull again over the weekend, and I've got to say that at least the first 90 minutes or so of the movie is pretty darn good. I didn't mind Shia LeBeouf as Indy Jr. (monkeys notwithstanding), loved seeing Karen Allen again, and didn't even mind the CG ants. I concede that the finale is messy and incomprehensible, but it sure looks great, especially on blu-ray.

Now comes news from both Shia LeBeouf and Frank Marshall (one of the original producers from the series) that a script is in development and that all major parties (George Lucas, Spielberg, Harrison Ford) are interested in continuing the franchise. I realize that they all said the same thing a few years after The Last Crusade, and it ended up taking 19 years before we saw another Indy film. But something tells me the huge global box office receipts for last year's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ($750+ million) will play a factor in how quickly we see another one. And you know what? I'm perfectly fine with Lucas, Ford, and Spielberg making a huge pile of money if they can take us on another fun ride with this character.

Tell me I'm not the only one who gets excited for a new Indy movie?

Oh for the love...

2009-06-16T09:07:00.002-06:00

Forgive me a rare political commentary, but is it just me, or does Sarah Palin just need to shut her pretty little mouth and move on with life? Ever the publicity hound, the way she has turned this David Letterman non-fiasco into her return to the limelight is an ugly, opportunistic overreaction. Obviously, Dave's joke was unfunny. Worst case, it was tasteless and inappropriate. But he's a comedian, and when a comedian makes a bad joke, you don't laugh or you stop listening. But for crying out loud...that Palin has gotten a week full of publicity out of a bad Letterman joke is a terrible, shameful way to stay in the public eye. It's hardly the first time a politician's family has been mocked on late-night TV. And yes, I agree that there's a double-standard in the way that Obama and his family have been spared any cruel jokes. But is this really the dialogue Palin wants to be remembered for?

We already know that we don't expect tact or taste from the entertainment industry. But surely we conservatives should expect more from our prospective leaders, right?

"New Moon" trailer debuts

2009-06-01T12:53:00.002-06:00

Wendy and I fast-forwarded through the crass MTV Movie Awards last night to catch a peek at the debut trailer for New Moon. Needless to say, her reaction was significantly different than mine (although to be fair, both reactions included smiles). Let me know what you think by watching it yourself below:

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

Final "Pushing Daisies" episodes begin this Saturday

2009-05-29T09:04:00.003-06:00

Those of you who have never watched the show won't care, but those of you who have will be thrilled by the reminder that the final three unaired episodes of the late, great Pushing Daisies will begin airing on Saturdays starting tomorrow. It's a shame that this clever, colorful mystery-comedy never caught on with a wider audience, but as USA Today's Robert Bianco reminds us, a little Daisies is better than none.

One suggestion: why not watch Saturday's episode with a delicious piece of pie?

"Wolverine" review

2009-05-01T22:17:00.003-06:00

Let me start by saying that I have been pretty indifferent about this movie ever since I heard it was being made. While X-Men: The Last Stand wasn't as terrible as some think it is, the whole cinematic X-Men universe really peaked at X2, and sadly, Wolverine does little to recapture the magic. That said, it's not a terrible movie (especially if you're paying a matinee price), so I can comfortably give it a mild recommendation to anyone who enjoys Hugh Jackman and/or the Wolverine character.

I do have a few gripes: The special effects look sub-par...especially, for some reason, Wolverine's metal claws, which don't look like real, tangible weapons but rather a digital add-on. (Seems like producers would splurge to get that one effect right, seeing as how it's pretty much the most important trait of Wolverine's character.) The romance between Wolverine and his lady-friend just happens--no build-up, no development--suddenly it was just there. And yet the romance plays a huge part in what happens to Wolverine's character. (Seems like producers would have allowed a few more minutes to make that relationship seem more genuine.)

Finally, my biggest complaint is that this movie doesn't really cover enough new ground so as to warrant its existence in the X-Men movie canon. I mean, we already know this story (at least with the Star Wars prequels, we didn't know how or why Anakin went to the dark side...). And with the exception of a few new faces that helped make Wolverine into the Wolverine we know, the whole movie itself feels superfluous. Didn't producers notice that their entire production is simply a lengthier retelling of something we already saw onscreen just a few short years ago?

It's really great to have the summer movie season upon us, and Wolverine definitely isn't the worst movie ever to open the summer season (an honor that goes to another Hugh Jackman film, the laughable Van Helsing). But even as harmless as this movie is, I can't imagine that moviegoers will be lining up for Wolverine: Episode II anytime soon. (**1/2 out of four)

New Dan Brown book coming in September

2009-04-20T12:51:00.005-06:00

Dan Brown is a great popcorn novelist. I've read three of his four books, and found that the structure and twists of each are reliably unpredictable, if that makes any sense. I wish I knew how to craft a page-turner as well as he does. Today comes news that Brown has apparently finished his next novel, which will be published in September. The novel will feature The DaVinci Code's Robert Langdon character (played by Tom Hanks in the film and in the upcoming Angels & Demons), although it is unclear where the mystery will be set (at one point it was rumored to revolve around U.S. history and/or the Masons). The new book will be called The Lost Symbol (a rather dull and ambiguous title if you asked me).

Update: Columbia Pictures has apparently already begun preliminary work on a film adaptation of The Lost Symbol, weeks before they know if Angels & Demons will be as lucrative to the studio as was The DaVinci Code.

I don't comment about books as often as I should, but I've been in a bit of a reading rut lately. I have at least four abandoned books sitting on my nightstand, just waiting to be finished (including Corman McCarthy's The Road and John Grisham's The Appeal). Last week Wendy and I decided that we'd reserve Tuesdays as a TV-free zone, and I actually got into a new book called The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It has been whimsical and creepy so far; I hope it doesn't end up in the wasteland that is my nightstand anytime soon...

If The Graveyard Book doesn't do it, what book would you recommend to break me of this literary drought?

Final "Harry Potter 6" trailer

2009-04-17T08:57:00.003-06:00

I know I've posted a bunch of these, but this appears to be the official final theatrical trailer for the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I'm curious to know how this movie got away with a PG rating, considering all the dark stuff covered in the book. Everything I've seen so far looks fantastic, so I'm really hoping the movie will capture the creepy/emotional tone of the book's final third.

It was announced a few days ago that HP6 will be released in theaters on July 15, two days earlier than its previous release date. By my calendar, that's less than three months away!

"24" heads to NYC next year

2009-04-14T19:18:00.002-06:00

It's been a great year, overall, for 24. Even last night's return of Kim Bauer didn't ruin the season for me (although the twist at the end of the episode makes absolutely no sense). We've still got six hours left in the current season, but details are already emerging about Jack Bauer's next horrific day. According to EW.com, 24 is headed to NYC. I think it makes perfect sense, since the show has found a renewed energy this year in large part to its new location in Washington D.C. (all previous seasons had been set in Los Angeles). To have a series of potential terrorist attacks take place in NYC is a no-brainer. The article also reports that Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) will be back as Chloe (yeah!).

So if Jack will live to see an 8th terrible day, I guess this means the "experimental procedure" worked...

"New Moon" casting news; "Friday Night Lights"

2009-04-13T14:26:00.006-06:00

Although I sincerely doubt that anything could make me want to watch the Twilight sequel, New Moon, I am curious about some of the casting that has recently been announced. I previously reported that Dakota Fanning had been cast as Jane, but now comes news that acclaimed British actor Michael Sheen (Tony Blair from The Queen, David Frost from Frost/Nixon) has been cast as Aro. Either there is some unseen substance to this teeny-boppy vampire saga, or these actors are looking for a paycheck. In any case, their casting elevates the sequel ever-so-slightly above the original. Let's hope producers get a larger visual effects budget this time around.

Now for the bait & switch: I'd like change the subject to declare that I'm a bit of a closet fan of NBC's critically-acclaimed Friday Night Lights. I bought the first season DVDs when I found them in a bargain bin a year or so ago, and recall watching them during late-night Lily feedings when she was first born. While the show isn't always as squeaky clean as I would like, I am blown away by the first-rate acting and thematic depth from a show that I once blew off as a cheesy teen soap.

I realize it's a tough show to market, but NBC's marketing has completely mischaracterized Friday Night Lights. If I had to categorize the type of show it is, I'd say it's 20% sports drama, 10% high-school soap, 50% family drama, and 20% small-town drama. As funny as it sounds, it often reminds me of a modern-day Little House on the Prairie with a better-looking cast (with the caviat that it is grittier than Little House, but then what isn't?) That may be the oddest selling point I've ever made for a show I'm recommending, but I tell you, FNL gives me the chills almost every week.

FNL ended its stellar third season last Friday. I won't give anything away, in case any of you actually starts watching the show as a result of my recommendation. But let's just say that the show does a masterful job of respectfully sending off some of its beloved characters while setting up some interesting conflicts for the remaining cast. It's such an authentic, easy-going show that it's hard to believe the Dillon Panthers are an imaginary team, and that Coach Taylor and his family are fictional. It's really just great TV.

The best news here is that NBC and DirectTV have worked out a deal to continue their unprecedented partnership that funds the low-rated show for an additional two seasons. So while we get a more abbreviated season (13-episodes) than we're accustomed to from network dramas, at least we're getting more of this terrific show. I own the first two seasons, so if you'd like to RedBox them from me, just let me know; it would be great to have someone to talk about it with when the show returns next season.

I think I can authoritatively say that even Edward Cullen himself would be a fan of Friday Night Lights.

Lost "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone" episodes get airdate

2009-04-08T15:27:00.003-06:00

Although ABC has canceled the low-rated (but beloved) shows Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone, the network will air the remaining new episodes of those shows on Saturday nights starting in the summer. Pushing Daisies returns on May 30 for three weeks, followed by Eli Stone on June 20 for three weeks.

By the way, Pushing Daisies' complete second season (all 13 episodes) will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on July 21. I bought the first season a few weeks ago, and it looks fantastic on Blu-ray. May it rest in peace.

An unbiased opinion

2009-03-28T23:10:00.003-06:00

I finally gave in and watched Twilight with Wendy on Friday night. Before we started the movie, she made me promise that no matter what I thought about it, I wouldn't review it on my blog. So in honor of my sweet wife's wishes, and the tender feelings of Twilighters worldwide (who undoubtedly make regular pilgrimage to my blog), I'll simply say this: Twilight was not the worst movie ever made.

Read that however you'd like.

"Where the Wild Things Are"

2009-03-26T14:08:00.002-06:00

Finally, something worth posting about:

Can't say I really get the choice of music for the trailer, but I've got to admit that I'm fascinated to see how this will turn out.

Trailers for some of May's big releases

2009-03-08T13:28:00.003-06:00

There are quite a few new trailers out there that I haven't posted here, including some nifty ones for Star Trek and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. But since I'm lazy, and these were the only ones I could actually embed into my blog, you get the newest from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Angels & Demons, and Terminator: Salvation, all three of which are set for release in May.

Fox renews "The Simpsons" through its 22nd season

2009-02-26T20:53:00.002-07:00

I'm not really surprised by the news, but find it exciting nonetheless: Fox has renewed its animated institution, The Simpsons, for a record-breaking two more years. Currently in its 20th season, The Simpsons is now tied with Gunsmoke as the longest-running show on television. With at least two more years guaranteed, it will officially break the long-standing record.

I can remember when The Simpsons premiered. It was outlawed by most parents, and thought by many to be the end of civilization as we know it (an honor that now belongs to the gays, apparently). While the show is certainly not reverent, it feels tame compared to many other shows on television today (such as its raunchy Fox cousin, Family Guy), and often continues to have a "moral of the story" narrative that endears it to me even today. While I seldom catch the brand new episodes that air on Sunday nights, last year's The Simpsons Movie had enough charm and humor to make me believe that there's still life in Springfield even after all these years.

Any other shows you'd like to see last 22 seasons?

Critics are digging "Lost" and "24" this year...are you?

2009-02-18T10:45:00.003-07:00

I'll be the first to admit that this hasn't been my favorite season of Lost so far (time travel is a fickle friend), although I'm still watching religiously and will do so to the bitter end. Some people, though, are really loving it, to which I'd like to note that their brains are likely much more developed than mine.

24, however, has been fantastic from the get-go. True, several of the expected plot contrivances remain (ever-present moles, terrorists with unlimited resources, etc.), but the new location and mixture of faces (both fresh and familiar) has made for another wild ride with America's favorite action hero. If you're not watching it yet, tune in on Monday...don't worry about everything that happened in the first nine hours and just enjoy the rest of Jack Bauer's latest crazy day. (Or catch up on Hulu.com).

My favorite TV critic, Robert Bianco from USA Today, comments today on the creative resurgence of both Lost and 24, and calls them "the two best shows on TV." While my enthusiasm for Lost's current direction pales to his, I would agree that 24 and Lost are among the best shows on TV, maybe only rivaled by another great installment of The Amazing Race (flying cheese wheels...brilliant!).

What do you think? Are you as committed to 24 and Lost as I am?

"Transformers 2" trailer

2009-02-17T10:49:00.002-07:00

Michael Bay is the king of explosions and bigger-is-better action sequences. His Pearl Harbor was a visually-arresting disappointment, and Armageddon still gives me motion sickness, but I thought the original Transformers was a great roller-coaster ride, because I wasn't expecting Shakespeare from a movie based on action figures.

Now comes the trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, which frankly looks like a bigger, louder version of the original. And I can't wait. Watch the trailer (as well as the shorter clip that aired during the Super Bowl) here.

By the way, as hinted in the trailer, word is that producers were actually given permission to film on the pyramids near Cairo, which had better be amazing. Revenge hits theaters on June 24.

Joaquin

2009-02-12T08:34:00.002-07:00

He was brilliant as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line and creepy in Gladiator, but I think his performance on last night's Letterman show was right up there with the strangest. Watch portions of it for yourself:

It was David Letterman at his best...makes me want to start staying up late to watch him more often. (Thanks to Aaron M. for telling me about this.)

"We could be going to BROADWAY!"

2009-01-29T15:07:00.002-07:00

Waiting for Guffman fans, click here. NOW.

The very idea of this makes my head spin. Like we needed another reason to be planning a trip to NYC...

"Coraline" trailer

2009-01-28T16:50:00.002-07:00

I have posted this trailer here for Wendy, who saw this advertised with Twilight a few months ago. I love the creepy, artsy look of it, and think it's great that some people are still doing animation in other forms than just CG these days.

So will you shell out $10/ticket (or more if you see it in 3D) to see Coraline on February 6?

Miscellaneous

2009-01-26T11:07:00.002-07:00

Here are a few random things I felt were worth mentioning on a slow Monday morning:

Contrary to some reports, 24 has not announced any plans to end its run after next season. Although Kiefer Sutherland is not formally under contract beyond next season, he says, ""I love making the show, so I'm leaving my options open. And in all fairness, I think the audience will dictate that more than anybody." So don't lose hope, 24 fans! By the way, I'm digging the new season so far, although the President's husband subplot is a dud.
The new edition of The Amazing Race starts on Feb. 15, and the new contestants include the race's first deaf contestant, a couple of stuntmen/almost-midget brothers, and of course several more good-looking dating couples. See all of the teams here.
Wendy and I caught up on a couple of movies over the past couple of weeks, including Ghost Town (pretty funny and more layered than you would have expected), Speed Racer (brainless but breathtaking on Blu-ray), and Prince Caspian (predictable but better than expected). We also saw Marley & Me at the theater, and though it's not really a kid movie, was warm, touching, and funny.
Tom Hanks has "apologized" for his criticisms of Mormons' support of Proposition 8. While I appreciate that he decided to be a little more measured in his disagreement with Prop 8 supporters, sometimes I wonder why self-centered celebrities like Hanks think they have more of a right to shoot off their mouths publicly than normal Americans do at the ballot. I always knew that most of Hollywood disagrees with my political views, but it's really starting to affect my interest in enjoying their talents on the big and small screen.
Finally, for the Twilight fans, Dakota Fanning (War of the Worlds, I Am Sam) is reportedly being courted for the role of Jane in the upcoming film version of New Moon. I don't know anything about the character, but Fanning is a good actress and would add just a tiny dash of credibility to an otherwise corny (in my humble opinion) franchise. Does she meet your vision of Jane?

Oscar nominations; "Lost"

2009-01-22T11:14:00.003-07:00

Oscar nominations were released this morning, to which I'd like to offer a big-fat "who gives a crap?" As you have probably noticed over the past couple of years, my interest in Hollywood's most prestigious award show has waned over the years (may my Oscar party RIP...) as the Academy increasingly chooses to honor the obscure and radical films and talents over the more mainstream fare. This has never been more apparent than this year, where the Academy inexplicably overlooked the critically praised and commercially unstoppable force that was The Dark Knight. Just because it's a comic-book movie or a sequel should have no bearing on its merits as an influential and important piece of filmmaking. I'm happy to see Heath Ledger honored, and not surprised to see the film picking up nominations in the technical categories, but the Academy's choice to ignore the film as a whole (or its visionary director/screenwriter, Christopher Nolan) is a travesty.

Instead we get major nominations for Milk, Frost/Nixon, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, and The Reader? I'm sure these are all very well-made films, and maybe even excellent ones. But with the exception of Button, which is a moderate commercial hit, none of these films has yet been embraced by a mainstream audience. I'm not arguing that awards should be granted based on a film's commercial success, but I sometimes wonder if films like The Dark Knight or Wall-E (two of the most critically-acclaimed and commercially successful films of the year) are snubbed solely because of their mainstream appeal. Could it be that the Academy is a group of elitists that don't feel like they can legitimately honor a "populist" film?

Either way, it's just one more year where I think I'll be skipping the ceremony and reading about it afterward. With the Academy Awards telecast increasingly losing viewers (and arguably, relevance), it's clear that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
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In other news, I watched the Lost season premiere last night and had mixed feelings about it. As excited as I am to see things moving quickly on the show, and as great as it was to reconnect with Hurley, Jack, Locke, Kate, etc., I'm tired of feeling constantly confused by the show. Yesterday's two hour episode was action-packed and good-looking, but almost completely incoherent. I couldn't remember who half the characters were, what they'd been doing, or why I cared. At one point I think we were jumping between 10 different characters/settings/time periods...it just all gets a little overwhelming.

Lost will never lose me as a viewer--I'll stick with it until the bitter end next year--but I would love it if they would try a little harder to keep me engaged without requiring a textbook of notes on previous seasons or a bottle of Motrin for the incomprehensible time-jumps and space-time-continuum ripples. It's a delicate balance, I know: either we're complaining that too little is happening, or we're complaining that too much is happening. And I realize that I'm basing my complaints on one two-hour block, which had the uneviable task of reintroducing the world to the complex universe of Lost without trying to recap four previous seasons of content. So of course I'll be there with bells on next week. I just hope I understand what I'm watching.

Did anyone else feel this way about last night's Lost?

"Harry Potter 6" gets a PG-rating

2009-01-07T13:31:00.002-07:00

This isn't really the most exciting of news, but it's been fairly dead lately with everyone on holiday breaks, so any news is good news. Yes, for the first time since Prisoner of Azkaban, the next film installment of the Harry Potter series (Half-Blood Prince) will get a PG rating for "scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality." It's a bit of a surprise, given some of the book's darker elements and scenes, but I guess I don't really care what it's rated as long as it stays true to the spirit of the book. The last film, Order of the Phoenix, got a PG-13, but wasn't nearly as dark (in my mind) as Goblet of Fire, which also received a PG-13.

I suppose the best result of this news is that some of my nieces and nephews will get to watch this movie before they turn 13, which should give us plenty to talk about at Sunday dinners next July. Can't wait!

2009 Preview

2008-12-30T09:30:00.002-07:00

Courtesy of USA Today, here is a list of interesting/promising movies to look forward to in 2009:

January-February
Bride Wars (Jan. 9). Hoping to tap into the growing power of female moviegoers, Fox begins the year with this Anne Hathaway/Kate Hudson comedy about two friends who become rivals when they schedule their weddings on the same date.

Coraline (Feb. 6). The 3-D animated parade gets into full swing with this cartoon about a young girl (voiced by Dakota Fanning) who walks through a secret door to discover an alternate version of her life.

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience (Feb. 27). It worked for Hannah Montana, so why not for the crooning teen idols?

March-April
Watchmen (March 6). No comic-book movie has more expectations on its shoulders than this dark Zack Snyder adaptation about a band of dysfunctional superheroes. (This movie may be delayed due to a recent legal battle between Warner Bros. and Fox...)

Race to Witch Mountain (March 13). Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson continues his transition to family film leading man with this remake of the Disney classic about two kids with paranormal powers on the run from aliens and shady government agencies.

Duplicity (March 20). Julia Roberts and Clive Owen team up as a pair of corporate spies plotting a con job on their respective bosses.

Fast and Furious (April 3). Vin Diesel and Paul Walker return to the franchise about men who just can't drive 55.

May
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (May 1). Summer kicks into high gear with the latest installment of the mutant franchise, this time anchored by Hugh Jackman's hairy hero with long nails and a short fuse.

Star Trek (May 8). J.J. Abrams revisits the Enterprise with an origins story.

Angels & Demons (May 15). Da Vinci Code star Tom Hanks returns (with better hair) as inquisitive symbologist Robert Langdon.

Night at the Museum II: Battle of the Smithsonian (May 22). Ben Stiller just can't get enough of exhibits that come to life, and this time infiltrates the Smithsonian.

June
Land of the Lost (June 5). Hollywood loves dead TV shows, and Will Ferrell stars in this adaptation about a group that stumbles into a land of dinosaurs and Sleestaks.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (June 12). Denzel Washington and John Travolta star in this remake of the Walter Matthau caper about robbers who target a subway train.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June 26). The shape-shifting robots are back and bigger than ever in this bombastic sequel.

July-August
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (July 1). Our favorite prehistoric ani- mals return for a third installment of a $1.2 billion franchise, this time with a film produced completely in 3-D.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (July 17). The book series may be finished, but the film series has a few installments still to go.

G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra (Aug. 7). Brendan Fraser stars in this story about the heroic squadron in constant battle with the arms-dealing Cobra organization.

September-October
Fame (Sept. 25). A remake of the 1980 musical about aspiring students at the New York Academy of Performing Arts.

Shutter Island (Oct. 2). Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio (The Departed) reunite for this story about a U.S. marshal investigating a murderess who escaped from a mental hospital.

November
The Wolfman (Nov. 6). Benicio del Toro dons the furry costume in this action film about the monster with full-moon anger-management issues.

Sherlock Holmes (Nov. 20). Robert Downey Jr. becomes the plucky British detective whose sidekick Watson (Jude Law) remains by his side.

December
The Lovely Bones (Dec. 11). Peter Jackson leaves the Shire to direct this drama about a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family and her killer from the great beyond.

Avatar (Dec. 18). In his first feature film since Titanic, James Cameron returns with a sci-fi epic about a band of scientists and astronauts who discover a planet populated by diverse life and deadly ammonia-breathing life forms.

Which of these movies gets you excited for 2009?

2008 wrap-up

2008-12-29T14:25:00.005-07:00

2008 was a different year for me in terms of my movie-going habits. I saw a fair number of movies, especially considering the cramp that a newborn puts in your style, but can only remember a couple that I felt like were truly great. Since I'm not sure I actually saw 10 new movies in the theaters, I'll resist the temptation to do a top 10 list, but I will list a few of my favorites for the year:

The Dark Knight: The most challenging, frightening, and rewarding movie I saw this year. I'd be really upset if it didn't at least get some acknowledgement at the Oscars in January, especially for Heath Ledger's amazing performance.
Wall-E: A truly unique experience, but it has held up very well upon further viewings. It's beautiful and simple, but as lyrical and sweet as anything else in 2008.
The Spiderwick Chronicles: I never read the books, but this adaptation was a lot of fun, with just the right amount of magic and heart to qualify for a decent family popcorn film.
Indiana Jones 4: I know it was corny at times and hardly anything revolutionary, but it was also a lot of fun, and made the little boy in me smile more than anything else I saw this year.

I also enjoyed Iron Man, The Visitor, Hellboy II, and Eagle Eye. There's a lot scheduled to open here in 2009, including the next Harry Potter film...I wonder what movie will catch my imagination like these movies did this year.

What were your favorites this year?

J-Dawg's new look

2008-12-22T14:32:00.002-07:00

Ta da! After much pestering by my loyal reader, I have finally decided on a new look for the blog. It took me forever to find a new look, since most of the templates out there are just so girly. And to be honest, I'm not even completely sold on this look either. So we'll give it a trial run, and if it doesn't grow on me, then it's back to the navy blue & polka dots.

Oh yeah, and MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Brand-new Season 5 "Lost" scene

2008-12-15T20:52:00.002-07:00

I'm crazy about Lost. Yes, the show can make me crazy sometimes, but usually it's in a good way. Here's a fascinatingly ambiguous (does Lost do it any other way?) scene from the new season (premiering on Jan. 21) between Jack and Ben.

You realize we've only got 34 episodes left of this show, don't you?

"World's Coastlines from Above"

2008-12-14T16:10:00.003-07:00

I've already praised the random joys of HDNet's programming, which includes such varied programming as Trailerama, Arrested Development, and Dan Rather Reports, all in glorious HD. My latest obsession is World's Coastlines from Above, which is exactly what it sounds like: helicopter tours of the world's shorelines. In addition to the amazing HD shots of some of the world's most remote and beautiful places (Spain is next on my travel "bucket list" thanks to this show), it includes info-packed narration that makes me feel like I'm learning while I appease my wander-lust. It kind of feels like someone has poured cheese sauce all over my broccoli so that I won't notice that I'm eating something that's good for me.

Happy anniversary

2008-12-02T19:07:00.002-07:00

Just days before the current edition of The Amazing Race airs its finale (we're still mourning the unceremonious departure of Toni & Dallas), CBS announced that it would air a 14th edition of the suddenly popular show. The latest edition is set to premiere on February 15 (my 6th wedding anniversary) in the same timeslot it has occupied for the past year or so (Sundays at 7:00 p.m.). The network also announced the 18th edition of Survivor, which will premiere on February 12.

Survivor has always been a winner in the ratings, though its numbers have never matched the Survivor: Australia highs of several years ago. The Amazing Race, however, has teetered on the edge of cancellation several times, so it comes as a relief that a renewed interest in its lead-in, 60 Minutes, has brought more viewers to our beloved race. As more information about the new edition arises, I'll make sure to post it here.

One tiny "Star Trek" bonus

2008-11-25T15:49:00.003-07:00

OK, this is for the die-hard Star Trek fans, but I just found a slightly different version of the Star Trek trailer that I posted a few days ago. It's really the very same trailer, with one tiny addition that will give Trek fans the goosebumps. If you're strapped for time and just want to cut to the money shot, it comes at the very end of the trailer. The links are found here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Pushing Daisies" will be pushing up daisies

2008-11-21T08:23:00.002-07:00

Well, we've been anticipating this for a while, but it appears that our beloved Pushing Daisies is being axed officially by ABC. There are still 6-7 unaired episodes yet to air, but whether or not ABC will air them at all (or simply release them on DVD) is yet to be seen.

The one bright spot in this rotten news is that creator Bryan Fuller hopes to bring Pushing Daisies to the big screen. I have my doubts, but at least it's something to hope for.

TV just got a lot less interesting!

Happy Monday, Jon

2008-11-17T11:13:00.005-07:00

I'm not much of a Star Trek fan. I never watched a complete episode of the original series, only occasionally watched The Next Generation with Jon, and never even saw the last movie (Nemesis). And part of me is tired of studios constantly reviving old ideas over and over, rather than just telling a unique story with unique characters. But I do like what I've heard about this new Star Trek movie, from director J.J. Abrams (Lost, Mission: Impossible III), and this trailer at least makes the reboot look slick and fast-paced. The embedded trailer is pretty low quality; if you want to see a really nice version, click here.

What do you think of the trailer? Will Trekkies renew their love for Cap'n Kirk? And will Abrams be able to bring Trek to a new generation of fans?

One more "HP6" trailer

2008-11-14T16:03:00.002-07:00

Here's another fun trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which is quite different from the previous two I have posted here. Since this is one of my favorite HP books, I really hope they get it right. Watch the trailer here.

Fair weather report

2008-11-13T21:27:00.003-07:00

Tonight's "The Office" was a big, stinky letdown. This season has had some real highs (the weight-loss episode, last week's Jim/Dwight showdown, almost anything with Holly), but tonight's episode was slow, dirty, tired (Kelly & Ryan again...really writers?), and almost completely devoid of any charm. If it hadn't been for the long-overdue reunion of Jim and Pam, I would have been mad that I wasted 30 minutes of my night on the show. I hate to be such a fickle fan, but seriously...that was the best the writers could come up with?

In other news, I've been totally hooked on Survivor this season. I was drawn to it this time because it was filmed (for the first time) in glorious HD, but I've stuck with it because of the addicting drama from week to week. In my mind, Survivor is at its twisty best when it is unpredictable, as it as been the past few weeks. And this season has had a great mix of likable heroes (Matty, Bob, Sugar), villains (Ace, Randy), and everything in between. If The Amazing Race weren't always so dependably innocent and fun, I'd say Survivor could give it a run for its money as my favorite reality show.

"The Office" news

2008-11-13T10:30:00.004-07:00

Ain't It Cool News reports that B.J. Novak ("Ryan") will be leaving The Office cast indefinitely while he pursues his film career. Since he has always been the least-funny character on the show, I say good riddance. Novak will, however, continue to write occasional episodes.

Additionally, I read yesterday on EW.com that guest star Amy Ryan ("Holly") is not currently scheduled to appear in any future episodes of the show, leaving a bitter-sweet ending to what looked to be a promising match for Michael Scott.

In happier news, here's a funny deleted scene from last week's episode, which revealed that Dwight was correct in his accusations of Kelly's unethical customer survey reporting.

"Angels & Demons" trailer

2008-10-31T09:20:00.003-06:00

Dan Brown's Angels & Demons was always a superior novel to The Da Vinci Code, if you asked me. Which I hope will give Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, & company better source material with which to craft an exciting cinematic mystery. Based on the first trailer, which premiered online today, they've got the look down...the tone is appropriately dark, and even Tom Hanks' hair has improved. Watch it for yourself here.

I liked The Da Vinci Code, especially since I had the chance to visit some of the sites included in that Paris-based mystery. But Angels & Demons was a creepier, twistier thriller of a book, and was a fun one to read for our dearly-departed book club several summers ago. (I still remember Jon asking everyone to create their own anagram...). This looks to be a movie to look forward to next May. What do you think?

Sign the "Pushing Daisies" petition!

2008-10-30T12:22:00.003-06:00

ABC hasn't publicly threatened to cancel Pushing Daisies, although its absence from next week's schedule (the first Wednesday of November sweeps) indicates the network's limited confidence in the show. Consequently, I found an online petition to help save the show from cancellation, which you may find and sign here.

I don't frequent the E! channel nor its website, but I did Google Pushing Daisies today and found this interesting commentary about the show's unlikely future. Read about it here.

The show may just be a little too inventive or unconventional for its own good. Maybe a new timeslot would help...perhaps following another ABC show that could lend it a few of its viewers? Either way, I'd love to see something from ABC indicating their faith in the show. After all, if the network can give Jim Belushi several seasons of his strangely unfunny sitcom, why can't they just show a little more faith in something they can be proud of, like Pushing Daisies?

Jack's back: new "24" trailer

2008-10-29T09:19:00.002-06:00

This is an exciting trailer for the upcoming seventh season of 24. If you want to be completely surprised come January, don't watch it. Otherwise, enjoy!

New "Harry Potter" trailer

2008-10-27T14:55:00.004-06:00

Here's a new, semi-long, and very nifty little trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It gave me the chills, and also made me giggle...I guess you could say it made me chiggle.

The bad news is that we still have to wait until July 17, 2009 for the movie...

Lessons learned from "Arrested Development"

2008-10-22T13:27:00.004-06:00

This post might sound a little broken-recordish, but I'll tell you why I feel a responsibility to bark up this tree again. Thanks to the glories of HDNet (one of the most bizarrely-programmed channels I've found), I've recently become a fan of the late, great Arrested Development. You might remember this show as one in a long list of critically-beloved, viewer-challenged shows that failed to find an audience. By some miracle (and an Emmy or two), Fox allowed the decidedly untraditional (and occasionally irreverent) sitcom to last for three abbreviated seasons. I don't know how I missed the show the first time around, but it's the silliest, wittiest 30 minutes of my day, and I'm devastated to learn that I've only got about four days to go before I'm all out of fresh episodes. That Arrested Development never found a large audience is truly a television tragedy.

While I can't say that I'd put Pushing Daisies on the same comedic pedestal as Arrested Development, it does share a few things in common with AD: it is just as unique, just as witty, and just as viewer-challenged. And in my mind, in just as much danger of an early retirement.

So for all of you who ever got attached to a show that was cancelled due to low viewership (Jericho, Moonlight, etc.) let's rally around Pushing Daisies, shall we? The good karma you'll engender will be worth the hour on a Wednesday night (especially if you're a Nielsen household).

And Katie, Bones isn't on tonight, so you have no excuse...

The new "Office" romance

2008-10-20T11:56:00.003-06:00

Is it just me, or is Holly the sweetest thing to happen to The Office since Pam? And yet, something tells me that Michael's going to screw this one up. Partly because the actress who plays Holly is only scheduled to appear for a few more episodes, but also because she just seems a little too, well, normal to end up with someone like Michael Scott.

Am I the only one who is cynical about this new romance on The Office? And am I the only one who thinks it's time for a happily-ever-after ending for some of these characters?

"Bourne 4" looking good

2008-10-17T10:50:00.003-06:00

Maybe this is old news by now, since I reported earlier that Universal was keen on extending the Bourne franchise. But I hadn't heard much since February, so it's nice to see Variety report today that a screenwriter has formally been hired for the as-yet-untitled fourth Bourne installment, again starring Matt Damon and directed by Paul Greengrass. A release date has not been announced, but I'd guess we can probably expect this to hit theaters by summer 2010. Read more about it here.

This sends a chill up my spine. The good kind of chill.

Deleted scene from last week's "The Office"

2008-10-16T08:30:00.003-06:00

Last week's episode was weird but funny. It kills me how spot-on the satire is of corporate hypocrisy. As for this deleted scene, I just think Phyllis is hilarious.

Leftovers

2008-10-13T21:36:00.003-06:00

It's been nearly two weeks since I've updated the blog (sorry), so here are a few random things that I feel are worth sharing:

We saw Eagle Eye last week, and overall enjoyed it. Shia Labeouf is becoming very dependable for these types of roller-coaster rides (Transformers, Disturbia, Indiana Jones 4), and Eagle Eye continues that trend. The film is fast-paced and slick enough to momentarily forget the severely hole-ridden plot, which is a mishmash of The Fugitive/Wall-E/Flightplan and other paranoia-driven thrillers. It's not classic cinema, but felt worth the price of a ticket + a babysitter. If you haven't seen it yet, you could probably wait for the DVD. (*** out of four)
Johnny Depp has apparently become very fond of Disney. In a recent announcement by the studio, it was revealed that he has signed on for no less than three future projects with Disney, including a continuation of the lucrative Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (in what could be another two movies). Additionally, he has agreed to play Tonto in a Disney live-action version of The Lone Ranger, though the Ranger himself has yet to be cast. Finally, in maybe the most interesting news, Depp has agreed to play the Mad Hatter in a live-action Alice in Wonderland by director Tim Burton. I'm not a huge fan of the animated Alice in Wonderland, but the material seems perfect for the quirky combination of Burton and Depp. I can't wait.
The Dark Knight has officially been slated for a Dec. 9 DVD/Blu-ray release. This officially puts to bed the speculation that WB was interested in beating Titanic's box office record, which was a silly theory of mine anyway. Having said that, I still think the studio is putting a lot of money behind an Oscar campaign for the film. We'll find out in late January if it works.
I'm loving Survivor in HD this season. I haven't always been a die-hard for this show; I usually catch one out of every three seasons. But for the first time, CBS filmed the reality show in HD, and it looks fantastic. Now let's hope that CBS will offer the same shiny package to the next edition of The Amazing Race, which remains my favorite reality show on TV.
Speaking of TV, Pushing Daisies needs your help. Since its return to TV two weeks ago, it has lost more than half of the audience it pulled in last year. Yes, it's got tougher competition than it did last year, but it's losing, and badly. How badly? Last week it lost to NBC's dreadful reincarnation of Knight Rider. If it doesn't find an audience soon, not even Ned will be able to revive it. Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m!
Finally, I wrote a while ago about a possible revival of the 80s miniseries, V. Now, ABC has made it official: the creepy alien lizards are coming back to TV. The original miniseries and its sequel were the type of stuff that we loved as kids (and then paid for with nightmares at night), so it will be interesting to see how a new version turns out. Stay tuned!

"Pushing Daisies" returns tonight

2008-10-01T08:35:00.004-06:00

Last season's best new show (and perhaps one of the best, most unique shows currently on TV) returns tonight after an extra-long strike-induced hiatus. That's right, it's time for the return of Pushing Daisies, tonight at 7:00 (Utah time) on ABC.

For those who missed the nine episodes that aired last year, here's the most important thing to know about the show: Ned (a piemaker) somehow has gained the ability to reawaken the dead simply by touching them. Unfortunately, this power also means that if he touches the person again, they die again...this time forever. Further complicating the issue, Ned's childhood sweetheart, Chuck (short for Charlotte), is one of the beneficiaries of his powers, and yet the two can't touch each other for fear that Chuck will die again permanently. This romantic dilemma, where the two leads are in a physically-unfulfilled relationship, is the central story here, complimented by weekly comical mysteries and quirky subplots with the show's talented supporting cast.

The admittedly far-fetched (and slightly morbid) premise may be off-putting to some, especially those who normally shy away from fantasy. But those who think this is only a show for Harry Potter fans will quickly realize that the show has more in common with Tim Burton's Big Fish than anything you'd see at a comic-book convention. I'd even compare it to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight books, only it's got a lot more intelligence (and cleavage) than the treacly vampire books. Aside from being whimsical and witty, it's also the most visually-inventive show on TV, and probably the most romantic story to hit the air since Jim & Pam. Don't just take my word for it: read what USA Today and Deseret News have to say about tonight's episode here and here.

Though the show was mildly successful in its limited run last year, I would think that it needs to establish a broader audience for ABC to continue to justify its costly budget. So if you haven't already watched it, give it one episode tonight and see if you're not hooked. Then tell all your friends. After all, wasn't I right about 24, Lost, and The Amazing Race?

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" trailer

2008-09-29T21:42:00.003-06:00

I can't say I'm a huge Brad Pitt fan, but I do like Cate Blanchett, and this movie looks just different enough to be interesting to me. Sort of a cross between Forrest Gump and, well, just click on this trailer and let me know what you think. It's not nearly so cryptic or artful as the first trailer, but you can view both trailers here.

The movie comes out at Christmastime...will you shell out $8 of your precious holiday money to see Brad Pitt age backwards?

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

2008-09-17T15:14:00.003-06:00

We all knew that this was coming, and it doesn't disappoint. (Disclaimer: As with most SNL skits, this parody is mildly edgy.)

Tobey Maguire signs up for "Spidey 4 & 5"?

2008-09-16T20:43:00.005-06:00

A recent article from Times Online indicates that Tobey Maguire has agreed to film back-to-back sequels to Spider-man in a deal that could equate to nearly $50 million dollars for the actor. One of the key negotiations, reportedly, is that Maguire be given early mornings and evenings to spend with his daughter, Ruby. Though Sony has not officially commented on this deal, you can read more about it here.

I have a few thoughts about this deal, assuming it is true:

Though $50 million seems like a killing, you have to consider that it's for the lead role in two more editions of one of Hollywood's most successful film franchises. It's not unheard of for big stars like Tom Cruise or Adam Sandler to earn upwards of $25 million per movie, so I don't really think the amount itself is that newsworthy (except that any actor making that much money is absurd...).
Having said that, to have Tobey Maguire return as Peter Parker/Spider-man without director Sam Raimi would be a mistake. Let's hope that a deal for Raimi is forthcoming. Hopefully $50 million will inspire them back to their stellar work in Spider-man 2.
This business about "family time" seems to be controversial, but being a family man myself, I actually think it's pretty great. Not only that Maguire would insist on it, but that the studio would allow it. Good for them. Now please make a good movie.
No word on whether Kirsten Dunst or any of the other actors from the first three movies will return, although it seems like it would be hard to maintain the Tobey Maguire universe without his Mary Jane. Kirsten Dunst isn't my favorite actress, but I really like movies that reward their viewers with continuity. Do you hear me, Mummy movies?

I haven't heard an official release date for either of the Spider-man sequels, but stay tuned. In the meantime, let's all go try to negotiate more family time with our employers.

WB announces "The Dark Knight" re-release

2008-09-11T15:04:00.003-06:00

Well, I'm nothing if not a Hollywood psychic. A few weeks ago I speculated that one of the reasons for Harry Potter 6's move from November to July might have had something to do with the awards-season consideration for The Dark Knight. Now Warner Bros. has announced that they will re-release The Dark Knight into select theaters in January "as a reminder for people." Of course by "people," they mean "academy voters." Read about it here.

My theory wasn't all correct though: sources are saying that WB intends to release the Bat-sequel on DVD and Blu-ray sometime in December, meaning that the studio doesn't have any intentions of trying to top the box office heights of Titanic. Still, they'll make a killing off the DVDs during the holiday season, and the die-hards and industry insiders can still re-enjoy the movie on the big screen come 2009. Sounds like a pretty neat plan.

As for the film's Oscar odds, only time will tell. We're about to enter the season when studios release all their Oscar-bait prestige pictures, meaning that The Dark Knight will need to do something to stay fresh in potential voters' minds. Heath Ledger is a lock for a nomination (if not a win), but I'd be pleased to see the film considered for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay as well. As psychic as I am, we'll still have to wait until January like the rest of the world to find out.

"Ghostbusters III" announced?

2008-09-04T22:19:00.004-06:00

This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, since nostalgia seems to be the order of the day in Hollywood (Transformers, Indiana Jones, 90210, etc.). But after years and years of stops and starts, it appears that Sony is finally serious about the development of a third Ghostbusters film, which would potentially reunite at least the original four Ghostbusters (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson). The studio has hired a couple of scribes from NBC's The Office to write a screenplay, at which point deals will be made with the stars to return to the successful franchise. Read all about it here.

I love the first two movies. The first in particular was classic--silly, scary, funny, and original. Although it sounds like it's still a long way out, this is a positive sign that Sony is serious about this movie. I can't wait.

"Harry Potter 6" moved to summer 2009

2008-08-20T09:10:00.003-06:00

Some of you may have heard the surprise announcement last week that Warner Bros. was moving the upcoming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from its November 21 release date. The new release date is July 17, 2009, almost eight months later. There are several reasons why the studio may have moved one of their biggest upcoming releases from a prime holiday release date all the way out to a late summer date, but most of them don't make much sense to me.

Sometimes, a move like this might indicate problems with the production of the movie itself (an actor drops out of the film, preview audiences didn't like the early cut of the film, the budget was escalating out of control, etc.). I would be surprised for that to be the case here, as the cast and crew are all well-seasoned, and early word-of-mouth is excellent.

Other times, a studio might be trying to avoid poor timing around an unrelated event. For example, immediately following September 11, 2001, several movies (Zoolander) were re-cut and/or postponed to avoid showing images of the World Trade Center or other potentially disturbing imagery. One particularly gossipy columnist from FoxNews.com asserts that the Warner Bros. decision to move HP6 was to avoid ugly press from Daniel Radcliffe's upcoming stint on Broadway in the controversial play, Equus, in which the actor appears nude. Unappealing as the actor's decision is, the play itself is old news--he performed it to rave reviews in London over a year ago--and unlikely to affect the performance of one of the series' most popular installments.

Still another ridiculous rumor is that Warner Bros. moved Half-Blood Prince out of the holiday season so as to avoid competition with Twilight. My own ambivalence for the vampire book notwithstanding, I'm quite sure there was room this winter for both movies, especially where they were scheduled to open three weeks apart. In this battle, I'm fairly certain that Harry would have kicked the crap out of Edward Cullen, so I don't believe this theory at all. (In an interesting side-note, Summit Entertainment has now moved the release of Twilight up three weeks to take the spot previously occupied by HP6.)

According to the studio itself: “...we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move Half-Blood Prince to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer." Translation: the studio didn't have much else going on for next summer, and needed something big to help fill in the late summer gap. I can buy that...to an extent.

A quick glimpse at the studio's release calendar for the 2009 summer season reveals only one major release: the Christian Bale Terminator Salvation on Memorial Day weekend. Typically the major studios will have at least one major "tentpole" (i.e. costly potential blockbuster) for each month of the summer season (starting in May), sometimes more. So it does make some financial sense to push a sure-thing like Half-Blood Prince into 2009, where the studio can spread out some of the potential earnings for an upcoming year that looks a little bleak.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if the studio's decision had more to do with the recent mega-success of The Dark Knight, which has outperformed every financial expectation, and is currently headed toward an almost unprecedented $500 million domestically. That gives the studio a little breathing room for the rest of the year, and allows them to spread the wealth of franchises into a new fiscal year.

One final (and admittedly unlikely) theory about The Dark Knight: the critically-adored comic book adaptation is likely the WB's best shot at Oscar attention when the awards season begins at year-end. Pulling Harry Potter out of the way during the holiday season could give the studio the chance to re-release The Dark Knight into theaters for the holidays (assuming they choose to hold off on a DVD release). The theatrical re-release would not only keep the Caped Crusader (and more importantly, Heath Ledger's Joker) fresh in Academy voters' minds, but could also provide an extra boost of revenue for the film, which will likely finish its current theatrical run about $80 million shy of the current domestic record-holder, Titanic. Who cares about Harry vs. Edward...the real battle here may be between Batman and The King of the World.

Update: WB President and C.O.O. has responded to fans' disappointment over the delay of HP6. Read it here.

CBS announces teams for "The Amazing Race"

2008-08-19T15:01:00.004-06:00

CBS finally released the profiles for the 11 teams competing in the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. The teams include the southern belles (in pink), comic book aficionados (in hats), and married hippies (guess which ones they are). Meet all the teams by clicking here. USA Today has also posted an Associated Press article about the upcoming season, which you can read here.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: The Amazing Race is the best of reality TV, and quite possibly the most entertaining show on TV (depending on what kind of a year Lost or 24 are having). It's funny, occasionally touching, and always thrilling. Plus, it's the cheapest way to see the world during these tough economic times. I hope you'll all make a weekly appointment to watch The Amazing Race, starting on Sunday, September 28.

Whatever happened to John Hughes?

2008-08-16T23:14:00.002-06:00

Tonight Wendy and I watched the John Candy/Steve Martin road-trip comedy, Planes, Trains & Automobiles. I'm sure we are probably the last people in the world to see this movie, so I won't really take much time to speak to its merits, other than to say that it was a classic awkward comedy-of-errors. And I can't remember the last time Steve Martin made a good movie (Father of the Bride?)... But the larger question that lingers is whatever happened to the once-prolific writer-director John Hughes?

The man was once a Hollywood heavyweight, who wrote, produced, and/or directed some of the most memorable comedies of the 80s and early 90s. These included the early Chevy Chase Vacation movies, Molly Ringwald's greatest (Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles), some veritable teenage-angst classics (Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Breakfast Club), and several other box office hits (Home Alone, Uncle Buck, 101 Dalmatians, etc.). You could hardly see a comedy in the late 80s without Hughes' involvement; he was the Judd Apatow of the feathered bangs era.

So whatever happened to him? And why the sudden disappearance from Hollywood in the late 90s? He's still alive and well, and only in his late 50s, according to IMDB.com (always a legitimate source, of course). It's a genuine mystery as to why someone whose reign was as successful and wide-reaching would suddenly choose to sever ties with the industry that buttered his bread for so long (makes you wonder if some Hollywood big-wig unceremoniously kicked his Ferrari through the back windows of a high-story garage...).

Either way, I'd love to see a comeback. Though several of his movies were pretty bad (Weird Science, Flubber), when he was good, he was really good. I'd say Ferris Bueller is still my favorite of the bunch, and the one I quote more often than the others. Which of John Hughes' movies is your favorite?

J-Dawg vs. DISH

2008-08-12T22:48:00.008-06:00

A few weeks ago I remember hearing on the radio that we consumers should try to haggle with some unlikely companies (include big box retailers, phone companies, etc.) about prices we disagree with. The thinking is that consumer-minded companies will bargain with us in order to keep (or obtain) our business.

With that in mind, I put this theory to the test today. Since I've been on an insatiable quest to obtain any and all things HD for my home (researching TVs, Blu-rays, and programming), I decided to call DISH Network and ask them what it would cost to upgrade my current equipment to HD equipment. The first time I called, the sales rep told me in no uncertain terms that the upgrade cost would be a flat $150 with an additional $10/month HD charge. Unsatisfied with his offer, I called back today and this time mentioned that I was a loyal DISH customer who was looking at some competitive offers. I said that I didn't want to leave DISH, but that I was unwilling to pay $150 to upgrade to an HD receiver. "Is there any way around that $150?" I asked. The polite sales rep paused and said, "There's nothing I can do, but I can transfer you to someone who can..." And just like that, I was on the phone with a friendly gentleman who, with very little hassle, agreed to waive the $150 upgrade charge.

Still thrilled with my consumer victory, I gamely asked the man (Jerry) if there was anything else he could do to lower our monthly cost. Once again, with very little hesitation, Jerry knocked off an additional $8.98 off our monthly bill, in essence making our complete HD upgrade cost us only about $1.02/month more than what we were already paying (now I just need the TV...).

Now that I've had some success with this bargaining business, I wonder if it's time to start calling everyone else who sends me a bill each month (watch out Springville City Utilities!) At the end of the day, I've got nothing to lose in asking for a better price.

Are there any other consumer secrets/successes that I should know about?

New "Pushing Daisies" trailer

2008-08-05T20:49:00.002-06:00

This is for you Pushing Daisies fans, who only have to wait until October 1 for brand-new episodes of the romantic-comedy-fantasy. This "trailer" was created from the first three episodes of the new season, and was screened at Comic Con in San Diego last week.

I realize it's not the most conventional of TV shows, but it's certainly one of the most unabashedly romantic, and it's funny to boot. And that Emmy nominee Kristin Chenoweth is a riot. I can't wait for it to start up again.

One more Kevi-sode from "The Office"

2008-08-01T10:16:00.000-06:00

First look at "Half-Blood Prince"

2008-07-30T10:17:00.006-06:00

After a week of little to no movie news of interest to me, today we get the first trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, one of my favorite books from the series. The look of the movie is sufficiently creepy, and just enough of a tease to make me eager for November 21. The trailer is embedded below, but you can see a prettier version here.

I love that the trailer uses some of John Williams' classic Harry Potter score, which we haven't heard officially since Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm not sure why he isn't still scoring these movies, but his absence has been felt over the past couple of movies. Wouldn't it be a great bookend to this series if he returned to do the music for The Deathly Hallows? If this great saga has taught us nothing, it's that we can always dream...

T.G.I.F.

2008-07-25T08:54:00.001-06:00

Because I couldn't find anything else to blog about...

2008-07-24T14:27:00.002-06:00

Here's a classic clip from one of my favorite episodes of The Simpsons featuring the late, great Phil Hartman.

Whether you're a fan of the show or not, you've got to admit that they can do a pretty great parody from time to time...

"The Dark Knight" review

2008-07-20T22:07:00.003-06:00

I'm having a hard time putting into words exactly how I feel about The Dark Knight. So for a change, I'm going to try and describe it in Q&A format. I'll do my very best to avoid spoiling any plot points:

Question: Have you seen The Dark Knight yet?
Answer: Yes, Wendy and I saw it on the IMAX in Sandy last Saturday.

Q: How was the IMAX? Worth the extra money?
A: The IMAX experience was great...almost all the action scenes were filmed with the special IMAX cameras, making them more immersive and intense. When Batman jumps off the top of a skyscraper, you almost feel like you're flying with him. Definitely worth an extra buck or two.

Q: What about the movie? Was it better than Batman Begins?
A: Uncategorically, YES. Everything was a notch or two above the last big-screen Batman, including the acting, suspense, story, and action scenes. And just wait until you see the introduction of the Batpod...very fun stuff.

Q: I'm hearing that it's very dark. Is it too dark?
A: It's a dark movie, for sure, but I wouldn't say that it is unbearably dark. It's not a movie for young kids (despite the deplorable marketing), but I think most adults will find it to be thrilling, moving, and even a little thought-provoking. It's not a movie for everyone--while largely bloodless, there is quite a lot of violence--but I would say that it ends in a place that helps make up for some of the preceding darkness.

Q: What about Heath Ledger? Will the actor's death take me out of the movie?
A: All the Oscar talk is completely warranted; Ledger's Joker is one of the most memorable performances of the past several years. The only thing I can compare the uniqueness of his performance to is Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow when we first saw him back in 2003. The Joker here is so individual, so convincing, and so unnerving that you will be thinking about him long after you have left the theater. There is probably no greater compliment we could pay Ledger than to say that his last complete performance successfully terrified every person in that theater; it reconfirms that he was a great talent that will be missed.

Q: Who else stands out from The Dark Knight?
A: The acting all around is superb, with special mention to BYU-grad Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, whose performance was almost perfect for a very challenging storyline. Christian Bale is always terrific, and his team of supporters (played by Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhal, and Morgan Freeman) are all fantastic.

Q: Why are people calling it the "best comic book movie ever"?
A: Calling this a "comic book movie" is probably doing the film an injustice. The Dark Knight is as layered, rich, and challenging (on every level) as any of the great films in any genre. When was the last time you saw a popcorn movie tackle such a diverse and complex group of issues, from the threat of anarchy to the ethics of illegal wire-tapping? (In one of the most chilling sequences, the film forces us to think about the darkness of human nature in ways that Spider-man 3 only dreamed of.) While your stomach will be in knots for most of the movie, your brain will be working for the rest of the night. Director Christopher Nolan has created a stunning and hypnotic film that deserves attention when the awards season ramps up again.

Q: How many stars would you give this movie?
A: The Dark Knight gets four stars out of four from me (the first time this year I have given four stars). It's a nearly perfect piece of art, and one that both Wendy and I are eager to go see again. Judging from the applause at the screening I attended (and the box office records the movie is breaking), I'm pretty sure we weren't alone.

Let me know what you thought of The Dark Knight!

Brace yourself, ladies: new "Twilight" trailer

2008-07-18T13:46:00.002-06:00

Pop culture potpourri

2008-07-17T09:43:00.002-06:00

It's Thursday, a potentially slow day for me at work, and there's a lot on my non-software centered mind, so here are a few things to consider today:

Emmy nominations were announced today, honoring the "best" TV out there. I was disappointed to see that Pushing Daisies was not included in the list of Best Comedies, although actor Lee Pace (Ned) and Kristin Chenoweth (Olive) were. Still, I was glad to see Lost back on the list of Best Drama nominees (for the first time since it won the category in its first season). And though I'm happy to see The Office, Steve Carell, and Rainn Wilson (Dwight) recognized, I'm wondering what it's going to take to get Emmy voters to recognize the heart & soul of the show: Jim & Pam (neither was nominated this year). Read the whole list of nominees here.
I finally finished reading Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, and I enjoyed it. It wasn't as fascinating to me as his Into Thin Air (that we read in the book club years ago on Devry's suggestion), but it still raised some interesting existential questions that had me considering my own life search for truth and happiness. The story of Chris McCandless is ultimately a sad one, but I wonder if he would be happy to know that Krakauer's book has caused millions of people to think more deeply about how they live their own lives.
The Dark Knight is getting crazy good reviews. Rotten Tomatoes currently reports that 91% of the nation's critics are recommending this movie. Of course there is nothing but praise for Heath Ledger's performance, which I can't wait to see. Critics are, however, noting that this is a very dark and complex tale, and not one that is necessarily appropriate for the little ones. Some have even gone as far to say that the tone and themes push the PG-13 rating to the very limits, so be warned. Wendy and I go to see it on Saturday; I'll let you know what I think of the movie after that.

Anything else I need to be thinking about today?

Trailer for new "Terminator"

2008-07-16T14:12:00.003-06:00

I know, I know...I was thinking the same thing. Another Terminator??? Let's consider what we know about this "franchise reboot" (a very popular term these days): the Governator is nowhere to be found, the studio is aiming for a more family-friendly PG-13 rating, and have conceived this as--what else?--a trilogy. This on top of a bleak franchise that should have died after the disappointing Terminator 3, and is already currently represented on TV with Fox's The Sarah Connor Chronicles. But here's one thing that makes me the tiniest bit interested in next summer's Terminator Salvation: actor Christian Bale.

The very selective Bale apparently saw something of interest in the film, as he doesn't seem to be the type that just cashes in on any role he can find. Besides, with the Batman franchise, he doesn't seem to be hurting for money. He is currently one of my favorite actors. Though there are a lot of his artsier movies I haven't seen, there are several he's been in lately that rank among some of my favorites (Batman Begins, The Prestige, 3:10 to Yuma). Right now, he is the only reason I am interested in this movie.

Watch the teaser trailer here, and let me know what you think of Bale in a new Terminator movie.

"SYTYCD" injury sends Jessica home early

2008-07-15T15:17:00.003-06:00

As you may have heard, the much maligned (by judges, at least) redhead, Jessica King from So You Think You Can Dance, was injured during rehearsals, and has been asked by her doctor to leave the competition. Producers apparently asked the recently-eliminated Comfort to take Jessica's place both on the show, and on the upcoming multi-city Top 10 tour. Read the whole story here.

I haven't been the most loyal follower of SYTYCD this year, as none of the dancers has particularly caught my interest, but I have found it interesting that judges have been as hard on Jessica as they have been. I'm no dancer, but she looked pretty good to me. Sorta makes you wonder if there is some controversy behind the whole thing...similar to Jessie's strange and sudden departure a few seasons back.

I don't care either way, and can't imagine that this transition will make me watch the show any more or less. But I know there are a few Jessica fans out there...what do you think?

Something scandalous this way comes...

2008-07-11T09:59:00.004-06:00

EW apparently has a feature on Twilight in this week's issue (I haven't gotten mine yet), but I thought I'd post their cover photo below and then just watch the angry feedback roar. Take that, Edward the Vampire!

Please note: this picture is from a photo shoot done by Entertainment Weekly, and doesn't necessarily feature the actors as they appear in the movie. Regardless, the funniest reaction to the photo that I have read so far is that the actor playing Edward "looks like a hairy powdered donut." Hilarious.