"Prince of Persia" trailer

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

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

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...

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!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?