FilmCrave Movie Blog 06/2010

Remakes and Sequels, What is Hollywood coming to?

Nick - wrote on 06/30/10 at 01:01 PM CT

I don't know about everyone else, but it seems we are clearly in an era where all writers out there have writers' block. There have been very few original movies that have been good. Hollywood is banking on the ability to utilize new technology to make fancy graphics to remake tons of movies out there to make a quick buck. Yes, some are mildly entertaining, but when it comes down to it, are …

In Honor of Inception, I'm Dreaming Big

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/30/10 at 12:07 PM CT

Dream sequences can be a tricky - they either have to be over-the-top or so subtle you don't know until the end that it even was a dream. So, with Inception's concept of dream invasion coming up, I look back on my favorite dream sequences that I have seen. Be warned there are SPOILERS in this blog post.

5) The Big Lebowski - The Dude knows what condition his condition is in when he goes to …

DVDs to Crave This Week: Crazy Olympian Time Machine!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/29/10 at 11:25 AM CT

This week there's something for everyone: a little horror, a wacky comedy or a movie based off a popular series for young adults (hint: not Harry Potter) then you're in luck - plus some other gems that really shouldn't be missed.

1) As an self-abashed horror fan, I have no choice but to put The Crazies as my most anticipated movie. The original was fun in a cheesy 70s way, I'm expecting this …

Grown Ups Prefer Toys, Knight Can't Win the Day

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/28/10 at 08:50 AM CT

With the best 10-day showing for an animated feature, Pixar's Toy Story 3 continued it's box office domination with a $59 million weekend. Although falling 47%, in its second week the film is already the fifth-highest grossing film of the year, and is expected to pass Shrek Forever After today.

Meanwhile, the Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Kevin James and Rob Schneider ensemble Grown …

Boys Don't Cry... Real Men Do

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/26/10 at 09:54 AM CT

Reading that Toy Story 3 packed enough punch to make grown men cry - I'm not ashamed or afraid to admit that certain films get to me. Not just classic weepers like Old Yeller and Brian's Song either. Here is my unabashed list of films that make me tear up every time:

5) Return of the Jedi: I take no pains to hide I'm a huge Star Wars fan. In a movie that opens with a slug of a hutt and ends …

As the Hobbit Turns - Peter Jackson Back in Driver's Seat? Make It So!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/25/10 at 08:11 PM CT

Signs point to Peter Jackson taking control of Middle Earth once again, directing the two Hobbit films. While Neill Blomkamp was a consideration (he worked with Jackson on District 9), it now appears the Lord of the Rings director is back in charge of the franchise he made famous.

While money woes continue to hinder MGM, and it may be awhile before anything is resolved, inside sources claim …

Going Out with a Wimper - Big Names, Hard Times & Bad Choices

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/24/10 at 02:40 PM CT

Actors & actresses alike can fall prey to financial problems, drugs, alcohol or just plain old age. Some choose to retire early - a too-short legacy perhaps, but one that's preferable to the alternative: languishing in a Z-list film and tarnishing an otherwise stellar career.

It happens time and time again: Bela Lugosi in Plan 9 from Outer Space, addled by years of drug abuse. See Tim …

The Agony and the Oddity of Child Actors

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/23/10 at 09:39 PM CT

Now that I see Daniel Radcliffe is set to star in an upcoming adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front, and after the tragic death and weird aftermath of Gary Coleman's demise, one thing is certain: there is nothing quite like the life of a child actor.

For all it's worth, all the Potter actors seem to have turned out pretty good - no drug or booze-filled rampages (aside from the kid who …

DVDs to Crave This Week: She's Out of My Green Zone

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/22/10 at 10:45 AM CT

A decent week for releases, no matter what you might be in the mood for. Me? I'm always in the mood for some good action (or some terrible horror - usually involving zombies) but I digress, there's only one movie that can be on top, which is why Green Zone is at the top of my list this week. Teaming up Matt Damon with Bourne director Paul Greengrass is recipe for success. While I don't know if …

I've Got This Sinking Feeling About Battleship

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/21/10 at 03:21 PM CT

After pillaging all the TV shows, hacking through countless remakes and scrounging up every comic book character, Hollywood seems to think that board games are the next ripe target for picking.

I guess Pirates of the Caribbean did OK considering it was based off a theme park ride, but seeing the (very early) synopsis about a fleet of ships facing off on an enemy of unknown (extraterrestrial?) …

Animate Inanimate Objects Rule; Deformed Cowboys Not So Much

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/20/10 at 10:30 PM CT

Finally, after weeks of disappointing returns, the summer has a true blockbuster. Toy Story 3 opened with $109 million - the best Pixar opening yet, and third best opening for an animated film (Behind Shrek 3, and 2). Toy Story 3 received a big boost from 3D, earning 60% of its take from those screens.

The Karate Kid remake stood strong, also surpassing the $100 million mark in its second …

Can Saint Elwood and Saint Jake Be Far Behind?

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/19/10 at 10:37 AM CT

When Dan Aykroyd as the cool and collected Elwood Blues uttered the famous line "We're on a mission from God." for the first time, I bet he never thought it would end like this.

The Vatican has a very short list of films it approved for religious (Ben-Hur, A Man for All Seaons, Ordet, etc.), Values (The Bicycle Thief, Gandhi, Schindler's List, etc.) and Art (Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, …

How Does One Go from Zombies to the Olympics? Ask this Man!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/18/10 at 10:48 AM CT

You've got to admire Danny Boyle. From drugs to zombies to Mumbai slums to... the Olympics!

Yes, Boyle, the man behind Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire has been chosen to direct the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2012 Olympics in London. While I don't expect the complete and utter enormousity that was the Beijing opening, I think Boyle is an excellent choice.

The …

What's Good Enough for You Is Good Enough for Me!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/17/10 at 10:05 AM CT

After the recent 25th Anniversary and cast reunion, rumors once again surfaced that a supposed Goonies sequel is still in the works. Despite having a huge nostalgic fan base (myself included) and even the support of the original cast - including Sean Astin and Corey Feldman - this mythical sequel remains elusive. Even Josh Brolin knows the script is out there, though he remain skeptical anything …

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Anime (But Were Too Afraid to Watch)

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/16/10 at 04:39 PM CT

I've held off for as long as I can on this matter. It seems that anime is getting a bad rap from a great many people, and I think it's mainly due to misunderstanding. Most people who refuse to have anything to do with the medium think A) It's all a bunch of kids stuff like Pokemon and Yu Gi Oh or B) It's some disgusting thing usually involving tentacles and schoolgirls.

I will be the first to …

The DVDs to Crave This Week: Post Apocalyptic Blues and Revolting Youth

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/15/10 at 01:01 PM CT

It's not such a bad week for movie fans. I know there are at least films worth watching that are coming out.

Top of my list: The Book of Eli, while not Denzel's greatest effort, it is still a pretty good action flick. Watch it for Gary Oldman chewing the scenery as the villain - not since The 5th Element has he been so deliciously evil. Best scene - watch for the cameo of Harry Potter vets …

Mr. T Pity's the Fool Who Watches the A-Team Movie

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/09/10 at 04:32 PM CT

Seems an original cast member of the A-Team is unhappy with the gritty new A-Team film.

Mr. T, aka the original B.A. Barracus, is not a fan of the direction the new film has taken: “People die in the film and there's plenty of sex but when we did it, no one got hurt and it was all played for fun and family entertainment. These seem to be elements nobody is interested in anymore.”

I …

What to Crave This Week? Madness and Paris

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/08/10 at 12:26 PM CT

If you crave a little mystery or a lot of action, the new releases this week should appeal to you.

The re-teaming of director Martin Scorsese and actor Leonardo DiCaprio gives us a nice little noirish thriller in Shutter Island. Although a tad bit predictable in my mind, it does a fine job of creating a great atmosphere and memorable characters. Worth checking out if you haven't seen it yet. …

A Black President? A-OK - But a Black Spiderman?

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/07/10 at 12:51 PM CT

Seems the Internets are all abuzz over the campaign for Donald Glover, star of Community, to be the next Peter Parker/Spiderman in the upcoming reboot/prequel.

Hey, at least Glover is a fan of the series. With legions of Twitter and Facebook fans clamoring for his right to audition, if not play the hero, we could do worse. I mean look at the shortlist If Jaime Bell is the best they can do, …

Ogre East - Shrek On Top for Third Straight Week; Newcomers Fail to Impress

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/06/10 at 03:45 PM CT

The middling reviews haven't stopped Shrek Forever After from staying on top with $25.3 million for a total of $183 million. Four films targeting different audiences tried to steal the green meanies thunder, but the closest they could manage was Get Me to the Greeks second-place $17.4 million haul. While that total is pretty much equal to what Forgetting Sarah Marshall opened with.

Killers …

Summer 2010 Sucks but 2011 Looks Promising

Alex - wrote on 06/05/10 at 05:20 PM CT

I am very angry at Hollywood right now. There is a load of crappy films that have come out (and are coming out). Shrek 4 - are you serious? Toy Story 3...please. Sex and the City 2 (40 year old hags looking to make a buck). Yeah, these do have an auidence and many people are looking forward to them but you all know that deep down, you won't really praise it. Most will come back with 2.5/4 stars …

Things That Annoy the Hell Out of Me: Movie Edition

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/05/10 at 10:31 AM CT

There's nothing quite like seeing a movie on opening night - big crowd, small crowd. Blockbuster, art house - whatever the case, it's just something I like to do. And a lot of people share my passion, but it seems not everyone cares as much, which is why, David Letterman-style, I can list the top ten things that annoy the hell out of me at movies:

10) Cell Phones - Look, they say to turn it …

Nolan Retires the Joker for Good

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/04/10 at 12:46 PM CT

Even thought the Joker was left very much alive at the end of The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan says the iconic villain will never make another appearance while he's in charge of the franchise.

I for one think this is the right decision. Heath Ledger created what I consider the definitive version of the character, and to have anyone else take over just wouldn't be right. This should …

Will Phillip Morris Ever Grace the Screen?

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/03/10 at 03:54 PM CT

The oft-delayed Jim Carrey / Ewan McGregor vehicle, I Love You Phillip Morris, has been delayed again. With a feud brewing between distributor Consolidated and financial backers EuropaCorp, the United States may have to wait until October before Morris hits theaters, but may not want to hold their breath.

Friends over in Europe and Asia have already had a chance to see the film, as it has …

The Nerd in Me Will Not Back Down!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/02/10 at 05:59 PM CT

It's utterly true the most geek-tastic movie of this summer is bound to be Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and for good reason. From the new trailer, it looks like a cross between a live-action video game and old-school Batman (Pow! Bam!) TV episode. It stars Michael Cera, the most lovable loser of our generation and it's based on a graphic novel.

If that doesn't scream NERD loud and proud, I …

An Ogre, a Persian Royal and a Well-Dressed Middle-Age Woman Walk Into a Bar

Chris Kavan - wrote on 06/01/10 at 11:09 AM CT

No sparks at the box office this memorial day. A weak (worst in nine years, slowest in 15 years) Memorial Day weekend didn't find any new-comers welcome.

While I enjoyed Prince of Persia, families still decided the final film of a green ogre was a better draw. Shrek Forever After led with $55.7 million - falling only 39% but still running behind the previous three films.

Meanwhile, desert …



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