"Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" First Trailer

John's DVD pick of the week (September 27th 2011)

Hey guys sorry for the delay. My dad had control most of yesterday. This week I chose an epic mini series it's

Carlos

That's right the mini series divided into three parts is my pick for the week. The only big release out this week is the blockbuster sequel Transformers: Dark Of The Moon. (Which is one of the worst movies of the year in my opinion.)

My vintage pick is, In honor of this weeks release of 50/50, I'm recommending a few dramadies done by the cast they are (500) Days Of Summer, Funny People, and Up In The Air. I recommend all three  

Amazing Race Recap (9/26/11)

Sunday was the season 19 premiere of The Amazing Race. A starting line task occurred, the teams were given six letter (PEIWAN) and find out their first destination (Taiwan). The last team that completed the task would receive a Hazard, an extra task that would have to be completed before checking into the pit stop. Unfortunely Vegas Showgirls Kaylani and Lisa received the penalty. For the first Roadblock one team member had to find a payphone, then dial 1-800-CONFUCIUS. The phone would then play one of Confucius  proverbs ("In all things success depends on previous preparation, and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure."). Without taking notes, he or she would then have to repeat the proverb verbatim to a temple monk. Then teams had to go to Dajia Riverside Park and join a Dragon Boat Team. One team member had to beat a drum while the other had to paddle with the crew. The pit stop was at Martyrs' Shrine. Team placements were

1st - Ernie and Cindy (Won Express Pass)

2nd - Jeremy and Sandy

3rd - Justin and Jennifer

4th - Ethan and Jenna

5th - Amani and Marcus

6th - Laurence and Zac

7th - Andy and Tommy

8th - Ron and Bill

9th - Kaylani and Lisa

10th - Liz and Marie 

Last - Bill and Cathi (Saved. Must do Speed Bump next leg)

Who will survive the double elimination next week? Any favorite teams?

Review: Shark Night 3D (*1/2)

This movie stars Sara Paxton and Katherine McPhee among other unknown people. The stars are not important. What we have here is a PG-13 shark movie. Something that is so unnatural, I'm surprised that it even exists.

A group of unlikeable college kids go to a lake and get eaten by sharks released by crazy hillbillies. Everyone was unlikeable. Joel David Moore is probably the most likable. He's the most entertaining part of this movie.

Before I saw this movie I was wondering how they were going to pull off the death scenes with a PG-13 rating. As expected, there is a lot of thrashing around in the red coloured water before they are pulled down under. As long as they don't show the blood pouring it's okay. There was a scene when a guy lost his arm and except for the blood on his clothes, there was no bleeding to be seen. I wanted to see some gory shark kills. There was only one cool kill in the whole movie that would have been elevated if this was R- rated.

The 3D in the movie is really only good underwater. Everywhere else it's not used enough to be worth the extra price. Just don't see it in 3D.

This movie is completely predictable from start to finish. After 10 minutes, you learn who the primary characters are and you realize that they will be safe the entire movie. Everyone else except for those characters are fair game for shark attacks. And that's exactly what happens. So any suspense that they try to go for is completely useless. There is no suspense.

The filmmakers took this movie way too seriously. The way to make this movie is like Piranha 3D. Everything is ridiculous and over the top and Piranha 3D embraced that. Shark Night didn't have any fun with it's absurd qualities. Lack of fun is a big problem.

I don't really recommend Shark Night 3D.

Review: Our Idiot Brother (***)

I will admit that my hopes were quite high for this flick. No pun intended. Like most, Paul Rudd is a favorite comedic actor of mine. As I expected, he did a splendid job with this flick. The supporting cast also seemed to be quite good. Elizabeth Banks, Emily Mortimer, and Zooey Deschanel played the three sisters of Rudd's character. Hence the title of the movie.

The story starts out with one idiotic move by Ned, portrayed by Paul Rudd. Ned is a biodynamic farmer and happens to be selling his crops at a local market. A police officer approaches him and asks for some "green." After Ned insists that he takes the marijuana for free, he is arrested.

The character development in this movie was probably my favorite part. Although frustrating at times, all the characters had that little something about them that was genuine and unique. In addition to learning a lot about Ned (like how he doesn't cheat or lie and trusts others too much), we also witness quite a bit from his sisters too. I really think if we saw the sisters together more often, then I'd laugh a bit more. Although Our Idiot Brother was funny at times, it wasn't the comedy film I was hoping for. I really thought that I'd be laughing more. Perhaps another viewing at another time will perspire such laughter, but I digress.

As alluded to earlier, Ned has three sisters. Miranda (Elizabeth Banks), Liz (Emily Mortimer), and Natalie (Zoeey Deschanel). After he's out of jail, Ned tries to live with his mom (Shirley Knight), but that doesn't work out so he looks to his three sisters.

From there the plot begins to unfold. It's hard to discuss it without giving away spoilers. You'll just have to see for yourself.

Also, Adam Scott, Steve Coogan, and Rashida Jones all have an active role in the film. Very fun.

Although not the movie that I wanted, it was pleasantly likable and worth a watch.

J. Edgar - Trailer

Thoughts?

John's DVD pick of the week (September 20th 2011)

Hey guys once again it's Tuesday. This week there's only one big release but it's one of my favorite films of the year its

Bridesmaids.

That's right the Judd Apatow produced wedding comedy is my pick of the week. As I said there is no other big releases this week.

My vintage pick is, in honor of this weeks release of Moneyball, I'm recommending Aaron Sorkin's previous film which won him an Oscar, it's The Social Network, it was number three on my best of the year list last year and I'm reading the book based on it now.

'We Bought A Zoo' Trailer is here

Thoughts?

John's DVD pick of the week (September 13th 2011)

Well guys it's Tuesday therefore it's my dvd pick of the week. This week we have the first summer blockbuster out this week it's

Thor.

That's right the Marvel comic book movie is my pick of the week. Others films out this week is The Joseph Gordon Levitt dramady Hesher, and two classic films hitting Blu Ray for he first time. Citizen Kane on a 70th anniversary edition, and The Star Wars Saga. The prequels to Star Wars are nothing special but the original three are classics and are must sees.

My vintage pick is, In honor of this weeks release of Drive, I'm recommending two of Ryan Gosling's best films they are Blue Valentine and Half Nelson. Both were in my top 20 of those years and are worth checking out.

We Remember.

Ten Years Later.

Behold the trailer for The Big Year

Thoughts?

John's DVD Pick of the week (September 6th 2011)

Hey guys it's Tuesday, therefore it's my DVD pick of the week. Like the last two weeks this was a film that came out of a festival it's.

Everything Must Go.

That's right Will Ferrell's dramady about a guy losing his job and his home is my pick of the week. Other big films this week are Hanna, and X Men - First Class (which doesn't come out until Friday). Both are overrated and don't recommend them.

My vintage pick is, in honor of this weeks release of Contagion, I'm recommending Steven Soderbergh's best film to date, its Traffic, it was #2 on my best films of 2000, and #6 on my best of the decade, so give it a rent.