Spielberg & Crichton's final collaboration

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Spielberg plans to reunite with the late Michael Crichton for one last collaboration, the adaptation of the as-yet-unpublished final novel of Crichton, Pirate Latitudes.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

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...

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

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...

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?

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"

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"

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

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?

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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.