Scott Pilgrim vs the World

Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure
Running Time: 112 minutes
Director: Edgar Wright

Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) is a 23 year old dating a high-schooler. Yes. Indeed. Who is this guy and why should we care? We should at the least be interested because he's an awkward yet gutsy kid whose world consists of playing (um, if you can call it that) bass in his band (Sex Bob-omb), who is also out of work and sharing a teeny apartment with his gay, quick-witted roommate Wallace (Kieran Culkin). He, amidst even dating a high schooler, meets the girl of his dreams... with a catch. This girl, Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), is amazing yet the path to win her isn't an easy one. They have great, even other worldly chemistry but chemistry won't win the battles against her exes. Seven of them. He learns amidst a rough encounter that to date her, he has to fight, and win, against all of her seven evil exes.

Why how could it be that there is ANOTHER comic book turned movie?! You'd think after the success, even overdoing, of quite a few in this area - the hype would die down. That or a director would screw up and we'd learn not to put all our marbles in one bag. Yet the author of the series, Bryan Lee O'Malley, should be commended on creating such a creative, homage-to-all-things-geeky while still relatable, out of this world and truly lovable story.

The silliness is so much fun; comic-type thought-like bubbles appear to clarify and provide emphasis, the quips from everyone, Scott's ex and drummer in their band, Kim (Alison Pill) gives us her dry and even bitter two cents, Wallace is that friend to state the obvious, yet not because he doesn't get it - but because he does! Ode's to comic books and video games were abundant. If Scott beat an ex he'd win coins and depending upon the difficulty level, could get from $2 bucks to $7k. Hilarious scenes were plentiful. For example, when Scott is fighting an ex named "Roxy", she states something clever (as a threat) and he asks as if it were a quote from a film,"Where's that from?" and she responds "My brain". Corny = yes. Amusing = quite. This new genre seems to be what's happening (Kick-Ass for e.g.) and it may get old at some point but not yet and/or not here. This movie wasn't trying too hard - the writing was truly from someone who knows he's a geek, is quick and can put everything in a cohesive manner, even for us outsiders.

Overall a success and I have given this four out of five frames. Nowadays everyone is stressed and needs a great laugh - here's your chance to get a great laugh in - so go see it!



Here's a trailer for your viewing pleasure:



Danae signing off!

source:traileraddict.com

I Failed You!

Why the harsh title? Well, the plan was, this past weekend, to catch a somewhat newly released movie. The possibilities: Dinner for Schmucks, Despicable Me or The Other Guys). Did I complete this task? Nope! Although the couple of days were enjoyable due to lots.... and lots.. of eating, I didn't make it! Thus you don't have my (hopefully) desired opinion on any of the new releases BUT I can give you the few films I am certainly looking forward to. Take a peek at these!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
Directed by Michael Apted and set to be released on 12/10/10, the third installation of the C.S. Lewis books-turned-movies, looks to feed my childhood fantasy hunger. While the second movie, Price Caspian, didn't bring in the same level of revenue as the first, I doubt we will be disappointed with the pure spiritedness of this release and will hopefully bring back that feeling-like-you're-back-in-your-room-as-a-child-reading-late-at-night-under-the-covers-in-a-wonderful-other-worldly-place :)



Let Me In (2010)
Directed by Matt Reeves, this is the American remake of Let the Right One In, originally filmed as a Swedish flick. Set to be
released on 10/1/10, I am excited to see what will come of us 'mericans redoing the disturbing yet well-composed thriller/horror story. From the trailer, it seems to mostly stick with the original and if it's done right the first time - why change it (even with the story-telling of a different than usual pacing/nature)? Here's the trailer of the Swedish version (already out) and directly following is the American remake:





Red (2010)
Directed by Robert Schwentke and set to be released 10/15/10, surprise, surprise, another comic book turned movie. Hey, everyone wants to get in on this bandwagon eh? Looks amusing, we shall see......



Here's an odd situation. This is a trailer based off of a comic book that honestly, doesn't look too interesting. It seems very adult (which is fine) yet nothing intrigued me. Mentioning it only because I think I should, considering all that www.j1studios.com is about comic-wise but I'd really like to know if anyone has read this comic and/or is interested in seeing this:

The Goon (2010)

No release date yet but will be sometime this year:



Current goals so as not to let you down: See Scott Pilgrim vs. the World this weekend! It's being released this Friday, August 13, 2010. Let this gal not make any excuse, for the sake of us all.

Danae signing off!

source: www.traileraddict.com

Who wants funeral potatoes? Masterchef does!

Masterchef
Channel: FOX
Date & Time: Tuesdays at 9pm
Rating: Had profanity. May want to keep the kids away from this one.


So this summer FOX has continued its love affair with foul mouthed, trash talking super chef Gordon Ramsay. Personally, I’m okay with their love for him. I share the same affections towards the man. This is now FOX’s third show featuring the man. First there was Hell’s Kitchen, where if you read this blog at all you know I am desperately in love with. Second there was Kitchen Nightmares, which I do love but not as much. Now they have Masterchef. I am still on the fence about this one since it is only two episodes in. All of these shows are American takes of the British versions over there on the BBC.

I think everyone knows about Hell’s Kitchen so I won’t go into what it’s all about here. Kitchen Nightmares is less known. It takes the same elements that Ramsay is known for (i.e. yelling obscenities, cooking, making profitable restaurants) so no one is thrown off. In this show it’s not about getting the best chef. It’s about taking a failing restaurant and making it a profitable, successful business. Of course along the way Gordon insults the owners, and the wait staff, and the chefs, and the décor, and the menu and just about anything he can think of. But he also tells them how to make it better. In the end he usually turns the business around and the people are a lot better off for asking him to come in and curse them out.

The new show is Masterchef. Not only is there Gordon Ramsay judging, but there are two other well accomplished chefs. The first is Graham Elliot who was the youngest four star chef in America. That is no easy feat. Many chefs don’t accomplish that in their lives. The other judge is Joe Bastianich. Joe has opened, I believe, 12 successful restaurants around the world and also owns a vineyard or two. These are some pretty impressive judges. If I was a contestant on this show I would be peeing my pants on a regular basis.

So what is the point of Masterchef you guys must be wondering. Well, to be honest, I’m still wondering that myself. I have watched the first two episodes and it has been basically a bunch of “home cooks” preparing a dish that speaks to who they are or some nonsense like that. The cooks that have potential are chosen to be on the show. The ones that they don’t like are insulted and pretty much told to not cook again. Which I think is fine by some of their families. Some of that food looked nasty. After this what happens? Well from what I gather they put the chosen ones through a series of challenges to see who the best is. They are turning a home cook into a professional. It’s not clear if they win any money. I know they don’t win a restaurant. I’m guessing notoriety is what they are looking for here. Justification for leaving whatever job they have now to be a cook. They haven’t been completely clear on what the prize is here. But since I enjoy watching people get screamed and cursed at I’m game to continue watching. It kind of makes me think of Hell’s Kitchen and Top Chef rolled into one. And since I love both shows this could potentially be enjoyable.

So far, and based just on the first two episodes, I'm giving this show 3 1/2 frames. It may deserve more frames later on. But like judges for figure skating, I'm not throwing out the 10s till I see all the skaters.


This is part of the first episode. I couldn't get a shorter clip. Watch the whole thing, it's good. But what I wanted to show you starts in around the 6 minute mark.


Well, until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Inception

Inception (2010)
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Running Time: 148 minutes
Director: Chris Nolan

"From the director of Dark Knight.." is an effective attention-getter in hearing the preview for this gnarly, reality-altering movie starring (among others), Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur, Ellen Page as Ariadne and Ken Watanabe as Saito. Is it even possible for us to be disappointed with a movie created the person who gave us what we needed in 2008 with Dark Knight? I say anything is possible and entered the theater hoping for the film to meet my expectations, but certainly not to exceed them.

We meet Cobb washed up on a beach with nothing to his name but a gun & a spinning top. Security guards bring him to an obviously powerful Japanese businessman who confronts him about this top and it is clear there is more to this simple item than appears. We then shift to a dream in which we meet Arthur & Saito and learn a bit about how deceiving these worlds are. What seems to be reality are truly graphic, lifelike dreams - and depending upon who the "dreamer" is, can determine how people, places and objects (these are called projections) act. In this dream state, you feel pain but "death" in this place, is you waking up. From outside the dream, a "kick" is what wakes you up. This is done by someone in reality, who is of course, awake, by utilizing the law of gravity. Simply push your "reality self" over and once you hit something, you wake up. The kick is a pivotal feature as there exists a slim possibility that you may get trapped in the dream world. Arthur & Cobb work together, in the world of a dream, and can manipulate the unknowing participant. This works best by the participant thinking that the dream is truly a reality and thus Cobb & Arthur can get them to reveal, or simply show them where, their darkest secrets may lie. The crux of this film comes from an unimaginable idea, one in which you don't work with the dreamer's ideas and projections but you implant an idea of your own, having them believe it is of their own creation. Simply put - you are completing a type of mind control. This is called inception. Cobb & Arthur are hired to complete this complicated task and construct a team whose goal is to achieve inception. Their subject: a wealthy businessman. Yet there is a reason it is said it can't be done; numerous intricacies add unpredictability and higher risks. Added to the level of difficulty is the projections dreamers can unintentionally plant within the dream; they can be useful... or harmful.

Cleverly sewn together, each scene is intriguing and thrilling. Chris Nolan wrote, produced and directed this - he is a genius! There are visual stimuli yet much more as your mind has a level of understanding since we all, at some point, have experienced dreams that seemed to be reality. Thinking you're clever you determine that its quite simple to decipher what is real and what isn't. Yet once in, it becomes less clear and more complex and once you think you have it together, you are thrown something else to decipher. I left thinking about a struggle Cobb clearly fought over. If the dream is yours; yours to manipulate, to shape, to grow, with people of whom you love - why leave? Does it really matter if one world is "reality" and the other is a dream? If in this dream, you achieve your life goals, fall in love, build an empire etc... does it honestly matter if you are in a state of slumber in current time?

P.S.: The previews show you the zero gravity struggle between an unknown man and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This scene is fantastic - whew!

This gets a five out of five frames! Easily the best film of 2010 so far.



Check out the trailer - then tell me you're not going to see this!



Danae signing off!

source: youtube.com

Predators

Predators (2010)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Running Time: Approximately 107 minutes
Rated: R
Director: Nimrod Antal

We meet Royce (Adrian Brody) abruptly, as he is awoken, mid air, dropping quickly through the atmosphere towards land as he struggles to pull his chute. Once on solid ground, he discovers he is not the only one who was revived by this method. He meets, among others, Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), a Russian soldier, Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), a member of the Mexican drug cartel, Isabelle (Alice Braga), an Israeli black ops sniper and Edwin (Topher Grace), a surgeon who seemingly doesn't fit in with the crowd of killers. Amongst the scuffle, they determine that they are not there to hunt each other, but to defend themselves from being hunted.

They determine that they were placed, though not known by who, on a planet being used as a game reserve. And they are the game. They conclude that they were chosen because of who they were - predators themselves. What better opponent, or challenge, then other creatures that hunt for a living? Wikipedia notes (either I missed this or they guessed) that the Predators themselves brought them there so they could hone their skills - this would make the most sense as the only other entity that would drop them there would be fellow human beings and although certainly capable, harder on the conscious.

The director, Nimrod Antal, stuck with the action movie basics: characters with drive and personality, a formidable enemy, a reason to fight and of course - lots of explosions, violence, blood and death. There were parallels with the original film. Each Predator can sense body heat, making it difficult to hide and, as Arnold S. did in the first film, we see some mud-covering to prevent discovery. In the 1987 movie, a highly spiritual Navajo warrior, Billy, stays behind as an honorable fighter, to face the creature in hand to hand combat and allowing more time for others to get away - there is a similar scene in this sequel.

The neat new surprises was that of a type of hunting hound yet seeing as it was the Predator's pet - they were much bigger and much tougher! In addition, we learn the classes between Predators and how they hunt.

Thank goodness there was no ridiculous and miraculous dodging-bullets-in-a-clearing or even needless love-making. Why there always seems to be a romance/kissing scene amidst a pressing need to escape is besides me. Somehow, despite being surrounded by enemies, many films portray the protagonist, while having only minutes to escape, finding time to look longingly into the eyes of the one whom, although they've butted heads previously, they are destined to be with. They then must lean in for a kiss that absolutely could not wait until after death wasn't knocking at the door (not a peeve of mine, no not at ALL!).

Note: Although Adrian Brody may be a surprise as the lead for this genre of film, he fits the mold for Royce the mercenary. He does a great job as an action hero (cue the strong and decisive action hero phrases where needed :))

My prediction allowed for a moderate "wow factor", respectable action scenes, a semi-believable story and lots and lots of violence. Expectations exceeded? No. Disappointed? Not at all. Job well done, Arnold would be proud.

This receives a solid three out of five frames.



Here is the trailer!!



Will you go to see this or wait for something else to come? Let me know via email or the forum at: www.j1studios.com.

Danae signing off!

So you think you can do what now?

So You Think You Can Dance
Channel: FOX
Date & Time: Wed. at 8pm, Thurs. at 9pm
Rating: Everybody

So I would like to complain about the latest season of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). It pains me to do this since I love this show so much. My biggest issue this season doesn’t necessarily lie with the people chosen to be on the show (oh I have issues with that but that will be discussed later) or with the fact that Mary Murphy is no longer a constant presence (I actually kind of love that). My biggest problem has to do with the structure of the competition. Too many things have changed.

Let me take you back, if you will, to past seasons. In the past 6 seasons, after the auditions, the judges will choose 20 dancers to make the show, 10 boys and 10 girls. Each boy would be matched up with a girl and they would dance as partners for a certain amount of weeks and then they would switch up partners to make things more interesting. Each week one boy and one girl would be voted off. Seems like an easy enough formula. One that has been working for six seasons. One that has proved to yield favorable results. Well this season they threw a big part of that formula out the window. Instead of 20 dancers, they only chose 11. Yeah 11 folks. Seems they couldn’t quite make the tough decision to cut one more person. So we are left with six guys and five girls. Now I’m sure you all are wondering how they can pair up this uneven number. Well there is the other part of the change. Now the dancers aren’t paired up with other contestants. They are now dancing with “all-stars” (past contestants of the show). What in the world is this about? I don’t understand. I don’t like it either. I think I know where they are going with this whole thing. I guess next to these great and wonderful all-stars we can really judge how well the contestant danced. A good dancer can’t be dragged down along with a bad dancer if their partner doesn’t get it. But this messes with the whole fabric of the show. The threads that hold the show together. Just this past episode they had the dancers dance once with the all-stars and then again with another contestant. So they are kind of leading it back to the original premise.

What is with the smaller amount of contestants this season? Is it because FOX only allotted SYTYCD a certain number of weeks and they decided they couldn’t fit all of it in considering the time constraints? If there are going to be fewer contestants why can’t they be paired up with each other from the beginning? Why the all-stars? There wasn’t really any kind of an explanation as to why this is happening. I love seeing those past contestants. They dance beautifully and bring a level of professionalism to the performance. But why are they there?!?! Why can’t these contestants have the same experience as the all-stars? There are just too many questions and very few answers.

The contestants this season I don’t completely agree with. They aren’t bad dancers or overwhelmingly annoying. They just aren’t people I think should be there instead of others. Now if they had 20 dancers this season these 11 probably wouldn’t bother me as much because some of the other dancers that I think were better would be there too. I must say that these dancers have held their own so far alongside the all-stars.

The one thing I do love about the changes though is that I don’t have to hear that annoying Mary Murphy scream and act like an ass all the time. Matter of fact, I have hardly seen her this season. I don’t know if they explained why she hasn’t been there every episode. I don’t need an explanation though. I need the address of Nigel so I can send him a fruit basket or something as a thank you. Mary always got on my nerves. It was so bad that I would mute the television every time she would speak just so I wouldn’t have to hear her voice and her screaming and the stupid stuff that she would say to the dancers. Now I’m not wishing harm on her or bad times. I’m sure she’s a perfectly lovely woman off the show. But on the show, man, I wanted to make it so she no longer had a voice box so we wouldn’t have to hear her anymore. I wanted a permanent mute option.

Well, hopefully with the new change of them dancing one dance with fellow contestants will come more dances in that vein. I want less all-stars and more season 7 contestants. I want more dancing and less Mary Murphy. Let’s see where the rest of the season takes us. At this last show they were doing the top 8 so we have many more shows to go.

I'm giving this season 3 1/2 stars so far. They have changed too much. But they can still redeem themselves.


Sorry I don't have an updated video from this last episode, but since it just aired last night no clips were available. This is the recap from last week's episode. Enjoy!
Top 9 - FOX Broadcasting Company - So You Think You Can Dance - Videos


Well, until next time kids, this has been Hava!

Toy Story is back!!

Toy Story 3 (2010)
Rated G
Running Time: 103 Minutes
Genre: Adventure, Family, Animation

Short & Sweet is how this review, excuse me, rave, of this friendship-testing, tear-jerking, terrifying (yes!) third installation of a cult family hit is going to be. You'd had to have hidden under a rock NOT to have seen at least one of the Toy Story Sagas as many comrades of mine swear their most prized possessions by this adventurous bunch. Woody & Buzz Lightyear have been the crux of what we know to be fun, funny and touching. You don't need to ask but what is it about these characters, what is it about the story, that keeps bringing us back and keep us talking? We ALL have something from our childhood that is precious and that marks a pivotal period in our lives. Whether is a stuffed bunny (that's me!), a G.I. Joe or a barbie - there is a inanimate object that brings back the summers of freedom, companionship while hiding from crazy family members or friends, a token of the hours and hours spent in another world where you can be whoever you want. Toy Story 3 doesn't fail to touch on a truth that then eventually hits all of us; we have to grow up! This though, doesn't take away from the memories created in your adolescence. In addition, we are just one cycle - there are new generations to behold the wonder of a world with no boundaries (all in your bedroom or backyard).

The story continues off as their beloved owner Andy is getting ready to head off to college and has to clean out! His toys end up at a rough and tumble daycare and thoughts of new, loving hands are quashed. They must work together, despite a surprising toy brigade hoping to keep them from escaping. We meet some new (and some scary) characters such as Big Baby, Ken & a strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin'.

There is nothing that could've been added to make this any more fulfilling and well rounded. I give this a five out of five frames!!



Here's the trailer for your eyes only ;)



Despite the obvious label of being a kid's film, you'd be missing out on some reminiscent excitment if you don't go and see this! Once you've given in to my pursuasive ways, shoot me an email or go to the forum to admit that you did indeed tear up!

Danae signing off!

source: traileraddict.com