FilmCrave Movie Blog 08/2010

New DVD Releases to Crave This Week: Big Dog, Tyler Perry and a Guy Named Harry

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/31/10 at 11:17 AM CT

Much like the weekend box office underwhelmed, I can't say this weeks DVDs are looking any better for me. I won't knock your taste, but as far as I'm concerned, this week just doesn't do it for me.

1) Anything with a vigilante vibe is always a good choice, and hopefully Harry Brown can deliver. Michael Caine is ex-agent on a mission and like Gran Torino, you should know not to mess with your …

So You're Getting Married...

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/30/10 at 01:57 PM CT

Sending the would-be groom off in style is a time-honored tradition that dates back to caveman times... or medieval times... or the Renaissance or maybe I'm just making this up as I go along. Anyway, planning the perfect bachelor party is key to a good night. It usually involves booze, women and other things best left unsaid. That being said, sometimes you want to start off light - so why not …

Weekend Box Office: Possessed Girl, Heist Film Fight for Top Spot

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/29/10 at 08:54 PM CT

In a close race, it looks like exorcism will eek out a victory over bank robbers. The Last Exorcism earned an estimated $21.3 million while Takers is right behind with $21 million to take the top two spots at the box office.

While it took the top spot, Last Exorcism couldn't match the similarly-themed Exorcism of Emily Rose, which took in $30.1 on opening. Takers, meanwhile, opened towards …

The Color Purple... and Black & Blue

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/28/10 at 09:54 AM CT

Call it a brawl, a dust-up, fisticuffs or a beatdown - anyway you look at it, sometimes all you want is a good fight. It takes a good actor to take a punch - and a better one to get through a choreographed fight. Here then are my favorite screen gems when it comes to getting the crap beat out of you - fist to fist, no weapons (unless improvised).

1) They Live - Roddy Piper and Kieth David in …

New Movies to Crave: Exorcise Daily, Takers and Avatar... Take Two

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/27/10 at 10:30 AM CT

I won't complain about the lack of excitement this week - I'll leave that to the professionals. I figure it's going to be a little more quiet on the movie front, at least until the holidays roll around. Still, depending on your tastes, you might still find some films to suit you.

1) The Last Exorcism - The documentary approach to horror films can be hit or miss. Yet the fact that Eli Roth is …

Spoiled Rotten

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/25/10 at 11:16 AM CT

If there is one downfall to having instant access to information via this wonderful thing called the internet, it's that you also have instant access to things best left undiscovered. The days of the twist ending and surprise factor is, for the most part, gone. Be it movies, TV shows, even books - if you want to find out what happens, you can surely dig around and spoil yourself. I admit I have …

New DVD Releases to Crave This Week: Have Your Back-Up Plan to Surviving the Dead at The Square

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/24/10 at 10:29 AM CT

You know what I have on my mind this week.... LOST - but since that's not a movie, I guess I'll have to make due with what else is coming out. There's another good movie about an island... only this one is populated by zombies.

1) While George A. Romero may have already has his glory days, there's no way I'm passing up Survival of the Dead. This is kind of an undead Hatfield and McCoy feud …

Weekend Box Office: Expendables Holds of Sucky Vampires, Lottery Winner

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/23/10 at 08:41 AM CT

On a slow week, the action ensemble The Expendables held off all newcomers to keep its top box office spot. With an estimated $16.5 million, it has made $65 million since opening.

The newer entries rated decent to embarrassing. On the top of the heap was Vampires Suck. With a $12.2 gross (or over $18 million since opening Wednesday) the parody film brought in a young audience, and a good deal …

The Memory Remains or the Remains of Memory?

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/21/10 at 11:17 AM CT

Ah amnesia, I had forgotten all about you. Whether through trauma, debilitating disease or just a good knock on the head, Hollywood can never let go of that old cliche of memory loss. It can be used for bad, however, it can also be used for some good. Here are my favorite films that are good to remember that happen to be about people forgetting.

1) Memento - No doubt this had to be the …

New Movie Releases: Fish 'n Switch

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/20/10 at 11:20 AM CT

With summer pretty much over, this could be the last weekend before school takes a big chunk of the audience out of the picture. So, just like moving in can be a hectic procedure, it seems Hollywood is throwing out every genre, hoping one sticks with audiences, though many are predicting that holdovers The Expendables and Eat, Pray, Love will hold up.

1) Piranha 3D - I really don't think …

Is It Time to Retire the Niche Comic Market?

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/19/10 at 12:54 PM CT

One only has to look at the lackluster response this year to know that despite some good source material, the returns on these types of movies have been underwhelming to downright sucky.

Jonah Hex, Scott Pilgrim, The Losers, Kick-Ass (despite the low return, a sequel is in the works) have all suffered from lack of box office numbers despite having good critical reception.

Upcoming films …

New DVD Releases to Crave This Week: Things Get Furry, Weird and Final

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/17/10 at 10:29 AM CT

Someone is bound to be happy with the releases coming this week, but when the best film stars a guy interacting with a bunch of animals, it's going to be a weak lineup. But I know that not everyone shares my taste, so here are the top picks:

1) I'm not saying that Brendan Fraser has fallen on hard times, but Furry Vengeance? Really? It looked mildly amusing from the trailers, but the severe …

Weekend Box Office: Ye Olde Action Stars Top the List, Scott Pilgrim Less Than Epic

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/16/10 at 10:08 AM CT

Looks like Sylvester Stallone had the right idea: call up some favors from some old friends, invite in some new ones and blow lots of stuff up. The throw-back action-packed film The Expendables took in $35 million over the weekend to secure the top of the box office.

On the other end of the spectrum, the women-friendly Eat, Pray, Love managed to have a decent $23.7 million opening - good …

New Movies to Crave: Scott Pilgrim vs. The Expendables or Just Eat, Pray, Love

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/13/10 at 10:05 AM CT

For me, this week represents the last hurrah for the summer season. For me it hasn't been a very exciting year, but I'm hoping that it goes out with bang and not a whimper.

1) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - The nerd inside has been anxiously awaiting the release of this film. It's based on a graphic novel, inspired by old-school video games and is directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, …

Curses! Foiled Again!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/12/10 at 12:57 PM CT

There are a lot of curses in movies - and I'm not talking about the kind that Kevin Smith and The Dude provide. I'm talking about old-time gypsy / voodoo / burial ground type curses. Some people are doomed because of a slight they've performed, some people just seem to ask for it. Not all-inclusive by any means, but here are some of my all-time favorite curses:

1) Thinner - Imagine you're a …

New DVD Releases to Crave This Week: Dates, Death and Joneses

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

As long as you're in the mood for comedy, this week should be a pretty good one for released.

1) I'm interested to see how well two comedic pros can match up on the big screen. I'm talking about Steve Carell and Tina Fey in Date Night. I don't think it will be the best comedy ever, but I do like both of the actors so it should at least be worth a watch.

2) On a different comedic note is …

Come On Baby, Light My Fire

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/09/10 at 11:03 AM CT

If I can't beat this heat, I may as well join it. In celebration of the hottest week of the year here in Nebraska, I present my favorite films that are smokin' hot - literally.

1) The Wicker Man (1973) - I choose to ignore that a remake was ever made, even though it has roughly the same plot. Anyway, investigating an island a man discovers a cult and finds out just what happens when you get …

Weekend Box Office: Other Guys On Top, Inception Holds Strong, Step Up Falls Down

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/08/10 at 08:04 PM CT

After three weeks on top of the box office, Inception was finally felled by the resurgence of the buddy-cop movie. With $35.6 million, The Other Guys made an impressive debut. It was the highest grossing movie for Will Ferrell since Talladega Nights.

Despite falling to #2, Inception dropped only 32.3% and made an estimated $18.6 million. Its total stands a couple million shy of $230 and moves …

The Weight of the World

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/07/10 at 10:23 AM CT

I saw it in the news this morning - stars losing weight - John Goodman, Drew Carey, Jennifer Hudson - all have significantly improved their lease on life by dropping up to 100 pounds. Director Peter Jackson has likewise slimmed down a lot since his Lord of the Ring days. I admit, even I've tried to change my habits just a bit to lose a little weight.

So in honor of all those trying to shed …

New Movies to Crave: The Other Guys Step Up to Middle Men

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/06/10 at 10:46 AM CT

It seems Hollywood refused to let the buddy cop movie die in peace. Despite being a desperate grab-bag of cliches and over-the-top characters, the only movie that stands a chance of earning some dough is:

1) The Other Guys - With Will Ferrell playing the desk jockey and Mark Wahlberg the always-angry partner, it's sure to be filled with plenty of halfway funny jokes and situations. But, hey, …

Hot Enough For You? Check Out These Cool Movies

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/05/10 at 04:43 PM CT

Granted, it's gotten a little better where I live, but it's still sweltering in a lot of places. They say if you think cold thoughts, your body will actually respond, given enough time. It won't save you from heatstroke or dehydration, but if used temporarily it might make things bearable.

But I know there are some people out there with no imagination - and I don't want you sweating all over …

New DVD Releases to Crave This Week: Asses Will Be Kicked, Ghosts Will Write

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/03/10 at 02:10 PM CT

Finally, something I'm actually excited about owning. Making up for a few disappointing weeks (for me anyway) there are releases that I will be happy to watch.

1) No doubt, the movie that has my full attention is the super-zero action / comedy Kick-Ass. I saw it in theaters and liked what I saw. It didn't exactly burn up the box office, but a sequel in already in the works. I love the …

It Came From Late-Night Cable TV!

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/02/10 at 02:55 PM CT

I don't suffer from insomnia, but I often find myself surfing through the channels late at night seeing if there's anything decent to watch or put me to sleep. Aside from the fact there is still a shocking amount of soft-core pornography (it will always be skinamax to me), I usually stumble upon c-grade horror movies and the occasional treat. Here are some of my recent entries, rated from good …

Weekend Box Office: Schmucks Win? Nah, Keep Dreaming.

Chris Kavan - wrote on 08/01/10 at 11:07 PM CT

Despite a strong Friday showing, Dinner for Schmucks wasn't able to overtake Inception as the #1 movie for the weekend.

With an estimated $27.5 million, Inception took top honors for the third straight week. Dinner performed in line with expectation, earning $23.3 million. The other two new wide released didn't offer much of a challenge. Cats & Dogs:The Revenge of Kitty Galore opened in 5th …



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