The Big Screen Bulletin 04.21.08: Living in a Critic’s Paradise

Posted by Chad Webb on 04.21.2008

"The Last Hour" nightmare, box office results, "Justice League" status, release date changes, Brett Ratner's remake, "Grand Theft Auto IV's" effect on movies, new DVD releases, new trailer ratings, new quickees, and much more!

Straight to Video Nightmares

The Last Hour







Starring: DMX, Michael Madsen, and David Carradine
Directed By: Pascal Caubet
Written By: Pascal Caubet and Maxime Lemaitre
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Running Time: 94 minutes
Not Rated

Having sat through a comedy for the previous outing, I felt the need to dig up a Direct-to-DVD actioner this week. I try to refrain from ranting about efforts involving stars who have previously appeared on a nightmare, but luckily The Last Hour caught my attention. Blockbuster had only one copy available. To be honest, I allowed the star power to persuade me, and holy schnikies what a mistake that was. I once read a Roger Ebert review of George A. Romero's Day of the Dead where he made reference to the over acting in the film. Folks, I am here to tell you. You have not witness true and pure over acting until you have seen this movie. Consult your nearest film teacher, and I am certain they have integrated this into their future curriculum for what not to do if you want to break into the industry.

I really didn't care about the plot, and usually I don't read the back of the case because it spoils things on occasion. For The Last Hour, I almost have to cite the ordinary IMDB summary since attempting to explain what transpires would confuse the hell out of you. Suffice to say, the first half hour is spent traveling to what feels like dozens of cities across the globe to introduce the players. I initially thought this was another remake of Around the World in 80 Days. The short and skinny of the premise is this: Various criminal masterminds have received letters from their fathers three years after they died. The instructions inform them to go to a specific house in China. Upon arrival, they realize that others have the same message. The lineup consist of Monk (Michael Madsen), BlackJack (DMX), Mr. Casino (Tony D'Amario), Shang (Kwong Leung Wong), and Poker (Kobe). Suddenly the door to the place opens and a woman emerges. She apparently found a way inside. After they proceed to explore the surroundings, police are busy surrounding the property. No one can escape, and what makes it worse is that a mysterious killer is on the loose inside. The authorities are giving them an hour to decide on surrendering. What ensues is endless plot twists that will make your head explode.

Monk is played by Michael Madsen, who evidently is trying his best to impersonate Nick Nolte's mug photo with his hair style. If I ever meet Quentin Tarantino, I will ask him how exactly he obtains such great performances from him because let me tell you this, Madsen has the uncanny ability to suck royally in ever other movie he does. BlackJack is DMX, the "retired" rap artist who is public enemy #1 for pitbull lovers. DMX attended the school of acting that stated shouting will convince anyone you are talented. He wasn't terrible in Exit Wounds, but here he makes driving pencils in your ears more comfortable. Mr. Casino is Tony D'Amario, who is supposedly some tough mafia type dude. Unfortunately for him, he resembles Robbie Coltrane in the Bond films. Shang is portrayed by Kwong Leung Wong, a martial arts expert that also has a tattoo on the back on his head of a weird face that will mess with your eyes. I was rooting for him to die soon in hopes that I would not have to look at the hideous artwork anymore. Poker is Pascal Caubet, also known as Kobe on some sites. What is perplexing is that certain sites listed Kobe and Pascal Caubet as directors. Poker is a French guy, and the only one who seems somewhat normal.

Toss into this eclectic fray Bettina Antoni as the blonde haired vixen Poison, Paul Sorvino as Larry Steinfeld, David Carradine as Detective Mike Stone, and Monica Cruz (yes the sister of Penelope) as Detective Rosa Mulero. Carradine's contribution made me think that Caubet intended for this to be a reunion for all of Tarantino's buddies that can't get jobs anywhere else. His name is Mike Stone because this screenplay calls for the most cliché names possible. As a brief example of how pre-schoolish this script is, Detective Mulero utters this line "You're not telling me everything are you?" Gee I wonder. At one point DMX blatantly steals the famous line from Taxi Driver. For committing this crime, DMX should be thrown in movie jail and sentenced to a lifetime of guest appearances on the show Girlfriends. I am of the opinion that Caubet had no idea what he was doing on set. As a matter of fact, I would like to see a copy of the script just to prove one existed. I bet he simply yelled "Action!" and let the cast roam free. Funny that this group is supposed to be brilliant criminals, yet once together, I was reminded of the Teletubbies.

The amount of plot holes, inconsistencies, and contradictions associated with the story will lead any viewer to therapy. The identity of the killer is never revealed as anything major. Paul Sorvino is present for a reason unbeknownst to me, and the flashbacks are pointless. The direction of Pascal Caubet is quite frankly atrocious. He could learn a thing or two about editing, holding the camera steady, and affording genuinely helpful instructions to the cast. Some of them have no clue how to portray the character, so they just yell or struggle with the lines like a toddler trying to walk for the first time. The action is ludicrous. Each person inside the house has one gun with unlimited bullets, and normally this would be a minor grumble, but you can't get away with that these days. The atmosphere has odors of Assault on Precinct 13, Smokin' Aces, National Treasure, and well, any offering that sacrifices plot turns for lucid explanation.

As I perused the comment section for the IMDB page, I was stunned at the unanimous votes for 1 and 2 stars out of 10. Customarily, you'll see at least a few positive ratings, but not this time. Who can blame them? The complaints of wanting their money and time back are understandable. I have trouble comprehending who could have seen this and even agreed to release it on DVD. The scenes are patched together so sloppily that one would think the editor was drunk. I could have easily awarded this my rare one star rating, but it did make me laugh (at it not with it). This does not even qualify as a B-movie, regardless of the stars. This is a Z-movie of the lowest caliber.

Final Rating = 2.0/10.0

The News Bulletin

"The Forbidden Kingdom," from Lionsgate and the Weinstein Co., traveled to the top of the domestic boxoffice during the weekend, bowing with an estimated $20.9 million. Universal's R-rated comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" grabbed the frame's silver medal with a memorable $17.3 million in opening grosses. Sony Screen Gems' horror film "Prom Night" saw a 56% drop over its sophomore session but still finished third with $9.1 million, good for a $32.6 million cume.

Sony's Al Pacino thriller "88 Minutes" debuted in fourth place with $6.8 million. "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed," a Ben Stein-narrated documentary about critics of the intelligent-design theory of creation, bowed in ninth place with $3.2 million from 1,052 playdates. Among other holdovers, the cop drama "Street Kings" from Fox Searchlight and Regency fell 68% from its opening grosses to ring up $4 million in sixth place and produce a $19.9 million cume. The Miramax drama "Smart People" tumbled from the top 10 on a 61% decline in its second weekend to $1.6 million, with a $6.8 million cume.

Industrywide, the weekend's $92 million in collective grosses marked a 4% increase from the same frame a year go, according to Nielsen EDI data. That represents only the second year-over-year weekend uptick in the past 10 sessions. Year-to-date, 2008 trails the same portion of last year by 3%, at $2.43 billion, Nielsen said. In a limited bow for the weekend, the Weinstein Co.'s documentary "Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?" grossed $143,299 from 102 theaters, or $1,405 per venue.

I guess more people wanted a dose of martial arts than I expected. Still, the gap between #1 and #2 was fairly close. Prom Night has kept itself in the top three, Nim's Island is hanging on at #5. The rest of the top 10 are holdovers besides the Expelled documentary. Leatherheads is about to drop out of the top 10, which is a huge letdown for that camp, while Horton Hears a Who! is ready to top $150 mill. Next week's strongest contenders are Harold and Kumar 2 and Baby Mama. I'm going with Baby Mama since Tina Fey is on fire at the moment.






What do "Justice League" and "Terminator 4" Have in Common?
Ok what's going on at Warner Bros. Pictures? At the Long Beach "Speed Racer" junket, CHUD briefly talked with producer Joel Silver about how the producers planned "Wonder Woman" movie would be affected by George Miller's long-troubled "Justice League" project. Silver says it won't because 'League' has been "tabled". 'Tabled' means the film is NOT officially canceled, but won't be happening any time soon and likely without the same cast. Meanwhile, UGO Movie Blog has a more dubious report that a crew member on the upcoming fourth "Terminator" film "was recently overheard discussing his newfound free schedule due to the production shutting down." Filming was slated to begin in a few weeks in Budapest, does this mean that shooting has been pushed back? I contacted Warner Bros. yesterday for a comment - still no response yet.

Thankfully these two doomed projects supply news reporters with regular gossip that never gets tiresome. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Justice League should not happen. At this juncture, even if it does get made eventually, the result will be a complete mess. Why doesn't someone accidentally drop all documents concerning this film in the paper shredder? As for Terminator 4, that sounds more like an unreliable rumor to me. Everyone got excited and dismissed all the idiocy of a sequel when Christian Bale signed on, but I maintained that it was a horrid idea. If it has indeed been shut down, I say good riddance. After the ridiculous series, that movie would have blown anyway.






The Incredible Shrinking Ratner
Brett Ratner is in negotiations to direct Universal Pictures and Imagine's remake of "The Incredible Shrinking Man" with Eddie Murphy as the titular character says Reuters. An updated version of the best-selling novel and 1957 sci-fi classic, "Man" is taking the comedic approach to the fantastical material. The story follows a famous Las Vegas magician who is put under a spell that causes him to shrink. He must find a way to reverse the spell before he gets so small that he "disappears." Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant penned the most recent draft of the screenplay and Brian Grazer is producing. Pete Segal and Keenen Ivory Wayans were previously attached to direct.

The original is not a movie I expect many readers to be familiar with. If you are, that is fantastic. I was only able to locate it on a Sci-Fi box set exclusive to Best Buy stores. I picked it up after Leonard Hayhurst recommended it. I loved it. It was a complex, profound, thrilling, and satisfying fantasy that everyone should see. So of course, when Hollywood plans a remake they hire people who would be totally wrong for the picture: Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy. Here is another project that should be killed quickly. The fact that all anyone cares about is crafting it Murphy's moronic style of comedy makes me angry. If this resembles the original in any way, shape, or form besides the title, I'll be shocked.






Hermione Falls for Napoleon
Emma Watson - AKA Hermione Grainger from the Harry Potter series - has signed up to play the lover of imperialistic French emperor Napoleon, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She will play Betsy Balcombe in the appropriately titled "Napoleon and Betsy", with her character described as an 'impetuous noblewoman' trapped on the isle of St. Helena, where she falls in love with the deposed French general, himself in exile on the island. Scarlett Johansson was originally due to play the part, but the "Lost in Translation" star stepped aside when the character became younger. Emma Watson is set to fall in love with Napoleon. British writer Benjamin Ross penned the script, although there's no word yet on who will play the Gallic despot. Watson meanwhile is currently completing filming on "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Have I mentioned that Watson is 18 now? Oh wait that was last week. Anyway back on topic, Watson has yet to prove her worth outside of the Potter franchise, yet she is the one who has been primarily receiving the most praise for her skills. Rupert Grint has appeared in countless B-movies and Daniel Radcliffe has attempted a few titles, along with stage plays. I am anxious to see what she can offer. Additionally, I find it interesting that she is looked at as a replacement to Scarlett Johansson. On a side note, Stanley Kubrick had a dream to make a film on Napoleon, but never got the chance. I guess we'll have to settle for this.






Release Date Changes Galore!
'Zephyr' here with a few more release date changes. Not quite the massive update like the last one was, but still with some juicy changes:

The Secret Life of Bees
The Fox Searchlight drama starring Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo, and Dakota Fanning will come out October 17th 2009.

The Road
The Cormac McCarthy post-apocalyptic adaptation starring Viggo Mortenson and Charlize Theron has moved up from November 26th to November 14th, where it will expand on the 21st.

The International
The spy-thriller starring Naomi Watts and Clive Owen has been delayed from August 15th 2008 to February 20th 2009.

Obsessed
The Screen Gems thriller starring Idris Elba and Beyonce Knowles will comes out February 27th, 2009. It's likely that Screen Gems' "Resurrection" will be delayed now.

Maxim's Fired Up
The first of three Will Gluck-directed teen comedies from Screen Gems will come out March 20th 2009.

Maxim's Mardi Gras
The second Maxim teenage comedy will come out April 17th 2009; a good two months after Fat Tuesday.

Public Enemies
The Michael Mann-directed period drama from Universal starring Christian Bale and Johnny Depp as Melvin Purvis and John Dillinger, respectively, will come out on the prestigious date of July 1st 2009. It'll stand out as the main choice for adults on a weekend that will be dominated by Transformers 2 and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

Midnight Meat Train
The Clive Barker horror film adaptation is back on the schedule for release on August 1st 2008.

Armored
The Screen Gems heist actioner starring Matt Dillon, Laurence Fishburne, Columbus Short, and Milo Ventimiglia will come out September 18th 2009.

The Stepfather
The next horror remake from the directors of Prom Night will come out October 16th 2009.

The Princess and the Frog
Though officially confirmed last week, the much-anticipated New Orleans-based traditionally animated musical will come out specifically on Christmas Day, on December 25th 2009.

I had no idea Maxim was in the movie making business now. I'd bet Pete Hammond has ten quotes on the DVD cover. It seems they're competing with National Lampoon for biggest joke in the movie industry. A couple of these alterations are substantial. The Internationale is from Director Tom Tykwer, and it's a shame it has been moved from a nice August slot to the waste pile of February. I'm not sure what the studio behind Public Enemies is smoking, but dropping that film around Transformers 2 and Ice Age 3 is box office suicide. It will be similar to A Mighty Heart which was brilliant, but went unnoticed by everyone because of the summer release date. Lastly we have a remake of The Stepfather? So now we've run out of decent ideas for remakes? Will stepfathers really be intimidating for today's audiences? How lame.






Grand Theft Auto vs. Iron Man
When "Grand Theft Auto IV" launches April 29, it's expected to gross a record-breaking $400 million worldwide in its first week. That's good news for the game biz, but daunting for execs in other sectors of the media industry. TV network execs who pay attention to the numbers know that young male viewership can dip in the first few days after a blockbuster videogame launches. And home-entertainment honchos avoid releasing big titles aimed at that demo in the same time period. Now the question is whether film execs will have to factor videogames into their release strategies. Last summer, "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" broke all box office records, with a $404 million worldwide haul in its first six days, roughly the same amount expected for "GTA IV." But while "Pirates" was only three hours out of someone's life at an average price of about $7, "GTA IV" is a $60 investment that provides dozens, if not hundreds of hours of content. That's money and time that has to come from somewhere else. And "Pirates" encouraged audiences to go to the movies. "GTA IV" is encouraging audiences to stay home.

So far this year, box office is 3% down from last year. The biz could use some megahits to ignite folks to start going to the multiplex in droves. But "Auto" may create a detour for some moviegoers, particularly the young men who play it most devotedly and are often first in line for tentpole releases. April is not traditionally a time for big vidgame releases, but "GTA IV" was pushed back from its original date last October. So now the title from Rockstar Games, a subsid of Take-Two Interactive, comes just a few days before the start of the summer movie season and during the first week of May sweeps. Paramount-Marvel's "Iron Man" opens May 2, only three days after the "GTA IV" bow. Though they're targeting the same audience, most pundits feel players will take time out from their game to see the superhero film. But the ripple effect on other films throughout the summer could be a factor -- and the effect on TV could be immediate.

Nintendo's "Super Smash Bros. Brawl," which is so far the biggest videogame of 2008, bowed on March 9, a Sunday. That evening, TV viewership among the desirable and elusive 18-24 male demographic fell by 8% from the previous week. The next day, it fell 14%. "Halo 3" -- which holds the record for the biggest videogame debut of all time -- bowed on a Tuesday, the usual day for vidgame launches. But that Sept. 25 bow happened to be on the week most network shows were premiering. Overall viewership was way up in most demographics -- except among male viewers 18-24. Given that males 18-24 are 5% of the overall audience, that's not going to sink a series. But it's a notable slip, particularly given how hard that demo is to reach (which is why the rare show that lures them, like "Family Guy," can charge a premium for its ads). Similarly, home entertainment execs say they've learned that selling DVDs aimed at young males the week of a major videogame release is not a good idea.

"Videogames are a major source of competition for the disposable income of young males," says Warner homevideo topper Ron Sanders, "and we avoid releasing big titles on (major videogame release) dates that appeal to young men unless there's a specific demographic reason." Major DVD releases skedded for the week of April 29 are "27 Dresses," "The Golden Compass" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Not exactly competition for the "GTA IV" crowd.

With iTunes and DVD releases factoring in to box office sales these days, studios must examine all possible hang-ups to obtaining the best showing. Recently I read a separate article involving the fact that Iron Man is opening in over 4000 theaters which might have an effect on how well it does. My opinion is that Grand Theft Auto IV will hurt TV ratings and DVD sales more than movie sales. Understandably, this game series is addicting, but I wouldn't think too many dorks will avoid leaving the house for days just to complete the next mission. You can save your games for a reason right? I am sure when the weekend comes, they will venture outdoors to see the newest comic book blockbuster. If these companies can't prepare for a minor wave such as this, then they deserve the drop in money earned. If Iron Man underperforms, it will have nothing to do with Grand Theft Auto and everything to do with the excessive number of theaters it booked.

The 20 Second Sermon

Guillermo Del Toro says fans will have the long awaited answer to whether or not he will be helming The Hobbit films in the next week. Hopefully this saga comes to an end soon. He says he will develop it using his own technique and not rely on anything seen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Seeing as how its not far off, I'm not worried. The new title for the X-Files sequel is X-Files: I Want to Believe. Sure, I guess that sounds ok. Sigourney Weaver revealed that she did consider revisiting the Ripley character with Ridley Scott, but stated that Fox ruined any chances with the Alien vs. Predator franchise. There you have it. What good came from those abominable films. All the better, Ripley needed to be finished anyway. The sexy Megan Good has joined Saw V. At least the new victims will be attractive. I picked up the new Mariah Carey CD. Yes, I have always been a fan of her's. I have no doubts she'll top the Beatles for most #1 hits before she retires for good. No other female artists has adapted her sound to new trends and modern ways like she has. Overall, the album is up and down, which is normal with Mariah.

What's Coming to DVD….Buy or Avoid?

DVD Headline of the Week



Romulus, My Father - This was an Australian sensation that never made a splash here. I found the film to be heartbreaking and incredibly moving with superb acting all around. I highly recommend checking this out. Buyable

Charlie Wilson's War - Look for my review of this DVD on the site soon!

The Savages - I reviewed this film also. It should be posted on the site tomorrow.

Cloverfield - This was a genuinely thrilling monster movie, but I'm not sure I would want to buy it for keeps. Still, I always urge folks to spend the money during the first week of release. Buy it Used

The Orphanage - Here is another Christmas time release that simply passed by my radar. I still want to see it badly, and plan on renting it.

One Missed Call - Well I didn't really care for the deliberate complexity of Takashi Miike's original, but I am curious as to the level of suckage this reaches.

Eclipse Series 10 - Silent Ozu-Three Family Comedies - Basically this is just three movies from Yasujiro Ozu from the late 20's when he worked on various genres. Fore the foreign film fans, this is extremely intriguing.

Starting Out in the Evening - This title received rave reviews from mainstream critics, but I didn't notice it in too many theaters. I wouldn't mind renting this.

Death of a Cyclist - Criterion Collection - Another fascinating release by Criterion.

Trailer Park Boys - The Movie - I've absolutely never heard of this, but the title captures my attention at least. And it says from the producers of Animal House and Old School as if it will be equal to those.

British Horror Quadruple Feature - The fact that this is strictly a British horror DVD with 4 films squeezed in caught my eye. With titles like Frightmare and The Flesh & Blood Show, how can you go wrong?

TNA Wrestling: Best of TNA 2007 - For casual viewers of TNA, this might be worth looking at compared to the mediocre PPV's.

Three Days to Vegas - You have Rip Torn, Bill Cobbs, Peter Falk, George Segal, Reginald VelJohnson, and Coolio in the same movie. Yes, I will be reviewing this for straight to video nightmares.

My Boy Jack - Daniel Radcliffe stars in a WWI story about the son of Rudyard Kipling with Kim Cattral. Sounds odd.

Also keep an eye out for lots of Universal Cinema Classics this week!

Movie Dictionary: Word of the Week

Limited Animation - Limited animation is a process of making animated cartoons that do not follow a "realistic" approach. One of its major trademarks is the stylized design in all forms and shapes, which in the early days was referred to as modern design. The short cartoons and feature films of Walt Disney from the 1930s and 1940s are widely acclaimed for depicting animated simulations of reality, with exquisite detail in every frame. However, this style of animation is very time-consuming and expensive. "Limited" animation creates an image that uses abstract art, symbolism, and limited movement to create the same effect, but at a much lower production cost. This style of animation depends more upon suspension of disbelief to tell a story; the story exists more in the viewer's imagination. It also encourages the animators to indulge in artistic styles that are not necessarily bound to the limits of the real world. The result is a new artistic style that could not have developed if animation was solely devoted to producing simulations of reality. Without limited animation, such ground-breaking films as "Yellow Submarine", Chuck Jones' "The Dot and the Line", and many others could never have been produced.

The process of limited animation mainly aims at reducing the overall number of drawings. Film is projected at 24 frames per second (fps), but no animation studio would ever produce that many drawings. For movements in normal speed, most animation in general is done "on twos", meaning 12 drawings per second are recorded in a way that each drawing is on two frames of film. Faster movements may demand animation "on ones", while characters that do not move may be done with a single drawing (a "hold") for a certain amount of time. It is said that the Disney average was about 18 drawings per second, pretending that all characters of a scene share the same sheet of paper. Limited animation mainly reduces the number of inbetweens, the drawings between the keyframes which define a movement, thus reducing the smoothness of a movement.

Limited animation was originally founded as an artistic device, though it was soon used widely as a cost-cutting measure rather than an aesthetic method. The UPA studio made the first serious effort to abandon the ultra-realistic approach perfected by Disney. Their first effort at non-realistic animation, "Gerald McBoing-Boing", won an Oscar, and it provided the impetus for limited animation to be accepted at the major Hollywood cartoon studios, including Warner Brothers and MGM. However, the real attraction of limited animation was the reduction in costs: because limited animation does not place a great emphasis on detail, it is much less expensive to produce. The 1950s saw all of the major cartoon studios change their style to limited animation, to the point where painstaking detail in animation occurred only rarely.

Most of Japanese animation (anime) consists of adapted techniques of limited animation. In this case, the technique is combined with manga styles and aesthetics, and is a very distinct style. Limited animation in anime is seen most frequently in television serials, but the aesthetic is so grounded in the medium that even bigger-budget feature films make use of it. Most Japanese animation is significantly less expensive than its American counterparts as a result, with Katsuhiro Otomo's "Steamboy" (the most expensive anime feature film yet produced) costing only $26,600,000.

Limited animation techniques in America were used during the 1960s and 1970s to produce a great number of inexpensive, poor quality TV cartoons, "Saturday morning cartoons". Such TV series as "Clutch Cargo" are infamous for being produced on ultra low budgets, with camera tricks used in place of actual animation. Despite the poor quality of the animation, the TV cartoon studios Hanna-Barbera and Filmation thrived during this period. Animated cartoons which made use of limited animation included Gerald McBoing-Boing, "Mister Magoo", "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show", "The Pink Panther", "Clutch Cargo", "The Flintstones", and "Kinnikuman." In recent years, nostalgia for the 1970s, combined with technologies such as Adobe Flash, have led to a revival of the genre of limited animation. Also, some modern graphic styles naturally translate into limited animation ("My Life as a Teenage Robot", "The Powerpuff Girls", "Danny Phantom", "Dexter's Laboratory", "Samurai Jack").

--from Wikipedia.org

The Critic's Quickee

Street Kings - In what could have been a dying breed, at least audiences have David Ayer to rely on for a good old fashioned cop flick. He wrote the mesmerizing Training Day and helmed the mediocre Harsh Times. Now he returns with one of the most unusually stellar casts in quite some time. Keanu Reeves is Tom Ludlow, an officer surrounded in corruption, and who is shady himself. I entirely expected this to be dull, hackneyed, and absurd, but it was actually gripping with suspenseful car chases, adrenaline pumping shootouts, and adept storylines. Admittedly, it does go a bit zany towards the end, but in that loony way this reminded me of another guilty pleasure of mine, the underrated Running Scared with Paul Walker. Reeves unleashes a number of juicy one-liners alongside a gang of actors who literally portray the opposite sort of characters they normally would. For instance you will spot Jay Mohr, John Corbett, Amaury Nolasco, Chris Evans, and Hugh Laurie in neat roles. Forest Whitaker, Common, The Game, and Cedric the Entertainer also appear. This is worlds superior to Harsh Times, which suffered mainly due to the ending. Strange that almost the same thing occurs here, yet the experience is a tad more satisfying. The acting is top notch, the camera work is gritty and fluid, and the pacing is superb. Ayer proves here that he can do anything with actors, and that takes talent. His only problem is shaping and polishing the script. While this reeks of a popular rental, I urge you to see it in the theater. I leave you with this line "Wash your mouth out with buck shot." Final Rating = 7.5/10.0

Smart People - You can list a number of complaints about this new dysfunctional family dramedy, but the one that boggles my mind, and truly proves how little some audience members pay attention is that Ellen Page is playing the same character as she did in Juno. Seriously? For starters, Juno was cool and liked horror movies. Vanessa Wetherhold is a bookworm, or even more of a geek. The main thing they have in common is the fact that they are both in high school. While both had sharp comebacks, the dialogue is not nearly as similar as some want you to believe. Plus, this was shot before Juno. I enjoyed this film, and despite the clichés and relatively thin plot, the bravura cast brings the storyline to life and fleshes out the heart and quirks of the characters. After watching a disappointing Dennis Quaid in Vantage Point, it was wonderful to see him sink his teeth into the role of the prick professor Lawrence Wetherhold who is losing touch with his family. Thomas Haden Church portrays Chuck Wetherhold, the adopted brother who must chauffeur Lawrence around. Chuck has many traits of Jack in Sideways, but that was ok by me because I loved that film. The weakest link is Sarah Jessica Parker. Her performance is not terrible, and she does have a firm grip on this doctor with commitment issues, but she has trouble finding her legs on occasion. It was initially meant for Rachel Weisz, who would have done much better. Rookie director Noam Murro fine tunes and builds Mark Pointer's hackneyed script with the utmost care and inventiveness. Plots about smart people who are stupid in other areas of life has not really been explored, but this cast and crew have exhumed the positive qualities as competently as anyone could. I look forward to see what Murro will offer in the future. I would wait for rental on this one. It isn't showing in enough theaters, which sucks. Still, Smart People is funny and intelligent, and I could watch it more than once. Final Rating = 8.0/10.0

Prom Night - It's hard to remake a film that wasn't all that special to begin with. On top of that, when you reveal the killer immediately, it should be someone creepy, intimidating, and unforgettable ....not Jonathan friggin Schaech, the head singer of the Wonders and craptastic B-movie wannabe actor. The original had at least a coherent and intriguing storyline. That was a cheesy slasher fest, but it was more enjoyable than this smelly turd. Apparently, Schaech's character of Mr. Fenton knows his way around a ventilation shaft, and of course he is like a sly chameleon that can out maneuver even an entire police force. The prom in this film reminded me of the treatment usually given to the Oscars, but I guess my school just wasn't all that. Interesting that movie dances are always ten times better than realistic ones. The director, Nelson McCormick, has made the transition from years of television work, but unfortunately for him, that transition is a disaster. Unluckily for audiences, he is also helming the remake of The Stepfather. Yay. He has attached the title of the original 1980 Jamie Lee Curtis vehicle, and the prom theme, but nothing else from that story is incorporated. Since the stalker/killer is known, the element of mystery is not present, which makes this journey a complete waste of time. The performances are horrendous, but you knew that. I hated this movie with a burning passion. Final Rating = 2.0/10.0

Based on the Trailer…

Newest Trailers
Deception - Ewan McGregor and Hugh Jackman team up I what looks like a dull and cheesy thriller. Jackman does look evil, but in a cheesy way. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Lakeview Terrace - Patrick Wilson and Samuel L. Jackson star in this thriller about an insane neighbor who is also a cop. This seems sort of like Cape Fear to me, but not nearly as good. Ehhh. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

The Wackness - This little indy was a hit at Sundance, and definitely looks funny and creative by the teaser trailer. I'll be giving it a chance for sure. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Hamlet 2 - I heard a lot of positive things about this comedy, plus I'm a huge fan of Steve Coogan, who is the star. Catherine Keener and Amy Poehler also star. It is about a high school drama teacher who writes a musical called "Hamlet 2." Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

The Spirit - This is the new adaptation from Frank Miller. I'm anxious to see this, but from this teaser, it looks a bit too similar to Sin City. Oh well. I loved that film, so maybe this will be just as entertaining. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Legend of Zelda - Yes, this was an April Fools joke, but a creative one nonetheless. Judging the trailer like others, this would be atrociously cheesy on the level that the original unreleased Fantastic Four was. Still, it made me laugh, especially the horrid CGI. Why would anyone want this movie to be made for real? Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

April Releases

Baby Mama - I wouldn't mind this trailer if Amy Poehler wasn't in it. I really think she is annoying on a whole new level. Tina Fey is amusing, but I think this will be a very blasé comedy. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

May Releases

Redbelt - A new David Mamet drama with Tim Allen in a serious role. I have to see it just out of sheer morbid curiosity. I have to admit, the premise does seem complex and intriguing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Iron Man (2) - At first, this looked ok to me, but now, I can't wait to see it. Robert Downey Jr. is terrific, and this trailer was fantastic. Who can't love a bald Jeff Bridges? Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Hey, it Indy, our favorite history professor, and he has returned. This preview was wonderful. The action looks fantastic. I am so there. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Iron Man - I must admit, any trailer that has Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" is ok by me. This looks funny and could be a decent blockbuster. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Speed Racer - This film looks weird. I mean, it should visually amazing like only the Wachowski's know how, but I'm not sure about this one yet. It should be entertaining though. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Speed Racer (2) - I had massive doubts from the first trailer, but this new one is worlds better, and I actually an amped to see it. If it sticks to a family tone, it could work. It still may be a huge dud, but you never know. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

Son of Rambow - Since this was tagged to Rambo the action movie, one can't help but think this looks cute. It should be an entertaining children's film despite the peculiar title. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Sex and the City (2) - The teaser was fine, and that should have been it, but this new trailer spoils the end of the series, and most of the plot in the film. Why bother seeing it now? This is one of the worst kind of previews. Trailer Rating = 2.5/10.0

What Happens in Vegas - This is a movie that gives people reason to say there is nothing good out. This will be a total and complete piece of junk. You know it, and I know it. Trailer Rating = 2.0/10.0

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - I must admit, after disliking the first one, this trailer actually has me anticipating the sequel. Perhaps they improved with age. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Midnight Meat Train - You watch this preview, and it strikes you as a riveting thriller, then the title comes up, and you can't help but chuckle. It seems to take itself way too seriously for a bizarre title like that. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

June Releases
You Don't Mess With the Zohan - What a shame that Adam Sandler's films seem to be getting worse. I have no interest in seeing this, and I did not laugh once during this trailer. Same old song and dance from him. Trailer Rating = 4.0/10.0

Kung Fu Panda - This could be funny. Jack Black has solid voice for CGI, and the premise is intriguing. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Get Smart - I need to catch a few episodes of the original show before seeing the film. The trailer is funny, which means it should be somewhat fun. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Love Guru - I usually enjoy Mike Myers, but this new character might not be as popular as Austin Powers or Wayne Campbell. I laughed a few times, but this has not really jumped out as all that spectacular. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Incredible Hulk - I love Edward Norton, but I fail to see how this will right all the wrongs of Ang Lee's version. Is the origin story the biggest demand from fans? This just looks ok so far, and the CGI appears sloppy. It is a long ways away, but I'm not impressed. Trailer Rating = 5.5/10.0

Wanted (2) - This movie does look extremely cool, but I still se a lot of Matrix elements. Oh well, Angelina Jolie is sexy, Morgan Freeman is playing his customary wise instructor role, and the special effects look neat. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Wall-E - Another Pixar classic is under our belt, and I can't wait for the next one. This robotic adventure should be great, and easily superior to Robots. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Wall-E (2) - The second trailer for Pixar's upcoming film makes me want to see it even more. I'm sorry, but this company is doing wondrous things right now. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Wall-E (3) - How can some people not be lovers of Pixar? This movie looks wonderful, and I'm pleased this trailer revealed some added characters. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

The Happening - While many have lost all faith in Shyamalan, I think he can still supply riveting thrillers if he puts his mind to it. I actually see this as a vast improvement from Lady in the Water. Here's hoping anyway. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Kitt Kittredge: An American Girl - The new Abigail Breslin vehicle. I'll bet this blows as it looks similar to Nancy Drew, which was horrendous by itself. I'll be passing on this one. Trailer Rating = 3.0/10.0

July, TBD, and Beyond Releases

Righteous Kill - The new crime thriller with Pacino and De Niro! This looks average at the moment, but it should be fantastic with the two of them as a duo on screen for most of the film. The supporting cast looks excellent as well. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Meet Dave - Just when you think Eddie Murphy will only dove lower for his comedies, this to me, actually looks kind of funny. I'm having trouble admitting that after Norbit, but this seems original. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

Madagascar: The Crate Escape - This is some sort of weird DVD trailer, but we see the basic layout of the plot, and it is not very funny or interesting. I could care less about this one. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Lost Boys: The Tribe - I stumbled upon this trailer for the Direct-to-DVD sequel starring Corey Felmdman. For a B-movie, it doesn't look half bad, though Feldman is not the actor he once was. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Mamma Mia! - I have never seen this musical on Broadway, but I suppose I'll have to see this film, featuring music from Abba…ugh. It doesn't look terrible, but it's not my type of thing. Trailer Rating = 6.5/10.0

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D - This will most likely be cheesy and preposterous, but hey, it's in 3D, and it has Brendan Fraser, so it should be semi-enjoyable. This should be fun in the theater, but not much else. Trailer Rating = 7.0/10.0

Bangkok Dangerous - Nicolas Cage continues his "Next" phase with this assassin story. Ehh, Cage is starting to piss me off. He's such a talented actor, and he does this junk. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

The Duchess - This is a goofy trailer. You wonder who could be introduced, and then the title "The Duchess" comes up, and you wonder why all the hassle of building it up. Knightley is to period pieces as Seagal is to B-movie action. Trailer Rating = 6.0/10.0

Hancock - Will Smith plays one of the most extraordinary looking super heroes in history. I'm actually excited to see this. Trailer Rating = 8.5/10.0

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - I generally hate the term "chick flick", but really what else applies here. Never saw the first one, won't see this one, and this trailer is not up my alley. That is all. Trailer Rating = 4.5/10.0

Step Brothers - Now this is a Will Ferrell comedy I can't wait to see. The premise is unusual, and the jokes in this preview are hilarious. Plus, it's directed by Adam McKay, who knows his stuff. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

Star Trek XI - The teaser was superbly placed before Cloverfield, and this causes me to be amped for the next installment despite my doubts about the cast. I hope it's as good as we deserve. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - I loved the first film, and am greatly anticipating the sequel. It looks to have kept the same sense of visual excitement and adventure. Trailer Rating = 8.0/10.0

The Dark Knight (2) - I have to admit, despite the endless news bits about this film, the trailer is marvelous and could not have been handled better. This will rock. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Tropic Thunder - I am liking the plot to this film, and the trailer is pretty funny. Hopefully this is a Ben Still flick I don't hate. Trailer Rating = 7.5/10.0

The Pineapple Express - This is the red band trailer by the way. I Haven't laughed this hard at a trailer in awhile. This is going to be great. The cast is fantastic, and James Franco is being put to good use. Trailer Rating = 10.0/10.0

Defiance - This new Edward Zwick film looks outstanding with Daniel Craig leading the cast in World War II story. This gave me chills. I can't wait. Trailer Rating = 9.0/10.0

Other Stuff to Read

The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From A to E
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From F to J
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From K to O
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From P to T
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From U to X
The Best Movies of the Alphabet – From Y to #

411 April Roundtable - This month Owain J. Brimfield takes the reigns and compiled the thoughts of the movie zone staff on the spring releases for April!
Fact or Fiction - Ben Piper gathers the thoughts of Bryan Kristopowitz and Leonard Hayhurst this week!
Furious on Film - Arnold Furious gives you his opinions on various films every week in his brand new news report.
What!!-This-Column!?? - Bryan Kristopowitz continues his column about…stuff. Check out his B-movie column too.
Two Tivos to Paradise - Al Norton brings all the news and updates in television that you can handle.
Ask 411 Movies - Leonard Hayhurst answers all the questions in Ask 411 movies.
The USB Evening Movie News - George Sirois brings the Thursday news for you.
Misunderstood Masterpieces - Will Helm gives you his weekly misunderstood masterpiece for your reading pleasure.
The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks - Thanks again to John Meehan for providing my banner here, and for the Alphabet feature.

Make sure to check out all of this week's reviews of DVD's, Movies, Music, and more!
And of course read every movie review with the name Chad Webb attached to it.
Thanks for reading the whole way through, and make sure to tune in next week.