Thursday, June 18, 2015
Friday, November 16, 2012
SKYFALL falls short of maintaing 007 "Escapist" factor
SKYFALL, the latest installment of the James Bond 007 franchise, seems to be breaking records all over the world. Yet for it's flashy trailers and ad claims of hugeness, the 23rd "official" film in the series of Ian Flemming's british secret agent fails to entertain on the WOW level of it's predecessors.
Ian Flemming's handsome, playboy secret agent usually engages in numerous sexual encounters with gorgeous scantly-clad women who we've come to know as "Bond Girls". This kind of promiscuous romping has been replaced by more sexual suggestive activity, no doubt a nod toward the softer PG-13 rating and a way to get more ticket sales. Even the female silhouettes in the opening credits are less sexually suggestive than the earlier films, which are now visually edited when they play on television.Tuesday, April 17, 2012
WHAT' CHA WATCHIN'?: Check out one of these "top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies"..
1. PSYCHO 19603. THE EXORCIST 1973
4. NORTH BY NORTHWEST 1959
5. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS 1991
6. ALIEN 1979
7. THE BIRDS 1963
8. THE FRENCH CONNECTION 1971
10. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 1981
11. THE GODFATHER 1972
12. KING KONG 1933
13. BONNIE AND CLYDE 1967
14. REAR WINDOW 195415. DELIVERANCE 1972
16. CHINATOWN 1974
17. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE 1962
18. VERTIGO 1958
19. THE GREAT ESCAPE 1963
20. HIGH NOON 1952
21. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE 1971
22. TAXI DRIVER 1976
23. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA 1962
24. DOUBLE INDEMNITY 1944
25. TITANIC 1997
26. THE MALTESE FALCON 1941
27. STAR WARS 197728. FATAL ATTRACTION 1987
29. THE SHINING 1980
30. THE DEER HUNTER 1978
31. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND 1977
32. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN 1951
33. THE FUGITIVE 1993
34. THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER 1955
35. JURASSIC PARK 1993
36. BULLITT 1968
37. CASABLANCA 1942
38. NOTORIOUS 1946
39. DIE HARD 1988
40. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 1968
41. DIRTY HARRY 1971
42. THE TERMINATOR 198443. THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
44. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982
45. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 1998
46. CARRIE 197647. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS 1956
48. DIAL M FOR MURDER 1954
49. BEN-HUR 1959
50. MARATHON MAN 1976
51. RAGING BULL 1980
52. ROCKY 1976
53. PULP FICTION 1994
54. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID 1969
55. WAIT UNTIL DARK 1967
56. FRANKENSTEIN 1931
57. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN 1976
58. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 1957
59. PLANET OF THE APES 1968
60. THE SIXTH SENSE 1999
62. SPARTACUS 1960
63. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? 1962
64. TOUCH OF EVIL 1958
66. THE MATRIX 1999
67. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE 1948
68. HALLOWEEN 1978
69. THE WILD BUNCH 196970. DOG DAY AFTERNOON 1975
71. GOLDFINGER 1964
73. LAURA 1944
74. BLADE RUNNER 1982
75. THE THIRD MAN 1949
72. PLATOON 1986

76. THELMA & LOUISE 1991
77. TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY 1991
78. GASLIGHT 1944
79. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN 1960
80. REBECCA 1940
81. THE OMEN 1976
82. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL 1951
83. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 1925
84. POLTERGEIST 1982
85. DRACULA 1931

92. BODY HEAT 1981
94. THE CHINA SYNDROME 1979
95. FULL METAL JACKET 1987
96. BLUE VELVET 1986
97. SAFETY LAST 1923
98. BLOOD SIMPLE 1984
87. THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD 1951
99. SPEED 1994100. THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD 1938
© 2002 American Film Institute
www.AFI.com
AFI is a trademark of the American Film Institute.
Copyright 2005 American Film Institute. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Black Dude Dies First
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Will Trayvon Martin tragedy effect "Neighborhood Watch" box office sales?

Friday, March 16, 2012
What'cha Watchin'? Try cornbread.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Whitney Houston will "Sparkle" in musical remake.
Whitney Houston will be featured in a remake of the 1976 film "SPARKLE", a music-themed film inspired by the story of the Supremes.Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
"Sucker Punch': GIRLS IN THE MATRIX? HELL YEAH!

"Sucker Punch", the latest film by writer-director Zack Snyder ("300", "Watchmen") and is his first film that's based on his own source material.
This kick-ass popcorn epic is an action fantasy that takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl (Emily Browning) whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality.
Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary.
Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls—the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (a surprisingly good Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung) and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)—to band together and try to escape their terrible fate at the hands of their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm).
The girls engage in Live-action-Anime style warfare against everything from giant samurais to zombie Nazi soldiers,. Forget NEO's classic "Guns...lots of guns" line. These pixie fem fatles cut down armies of hostiles with a virtual weapons arsenal.
Together, with the help of a Wise Man (Scott Glenn), they flip wigs and snap necks all the way to freedom...or do they?
If not for anything else, go to hear the awesome soundtrack featuring bad ass electronica remixes of ANNIE LENNOX, BJORK and others. See this in theaters NOW. It's worth it.
RATED: PG-13
Ticket WORTH: FULL PRICE. Just pay it.
Rental?: Oh hell yeah.
BUY THE DVD?: Oh hell yeah. With all the bells & whistles.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Academy Awards 2011...what a classy gig!

James Franco and Ann Hathaway score a perfect 10 as presenters for the 2011 Academy Awards, filled with moments that are sure to make viral video history and give the event a much needed makeover.
Among the highlights:
- Kirk Douglas (Michael's father- for all you newbies) presented the "PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE" to Melissa Leo (Treme) for her betrayal as the Boston mother/manager of an up-and-coming boxer in "The Fighter". After a hilarious intro by Mr. Douglas (age 94), a visibly shocked Ms. Leo accepted the award, then dropped the "F"-bomb. Ah...good times.
- After a musical number by a tuxedo-wearing Anne Hathaway, co-host James Franco came on stage in drag, sporting a red strapless gown and blonde wig. “The weird thing is..." said Franco, "... I just got a text message from Charlie Sheen.”
- A video mash-up of Bob Hope's first Oscar monologue was projected on a screen behind a podium, as the classic comedian's video image seem to present the "ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS" nominees. The award was presented to the team who worked on INCEPTION by the ever-charismatic JUDE LAW and ROBERT DOWNEY JR. .
THE WINNERS
BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
"Black Swan"(Fox Searchlight)
"The Fighter"(Paramount)
"Inception"(Warner Bros.)
"The Kids Are All Right"(Focus Features)
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company)
"127 Hours"(Fox Searchlight)
"The Social Network"(Sony Pictures Releasing)
"Toy Story 3"(Walt Disney)
"True Grit"(Paramount)
"Winter’s Bone"(Roadside Attractions)
ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
"Black Swan"(Fox Searchlight), Darren Aronofsky
"The Fighter"(Paramount), David O. Russell
"The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company), Tom Hooper
"The Social Network"(Sony Pictures Releasing), David Fincher
"True Grit"(Paramount), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Javier Bardem in "Biutiful" (Roadside Attractions)
Jeff Bridges in "True Grit" (Paramount)
Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Colin Firth in "The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company)
James Franco in "127 Hours" (Fox Searchlight)
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Christian Bale in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
John Hawkes in "Winter’s Bone" (Roadside Attractions)
Jeremy Renner in "The Town" (Warner Bros.)
Mark Ruffalo in "The Kids Are All Right" (Focus Features)
Geoffrey Rush in "The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company)
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Annette Bening in "The Kids Are All Right" (Focus Features)
Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole" (Lionsgate)
Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter’s Bone" (Roadside Attractions)
Natalie Portman in "Black Swan" (Fox Searchlight)
Michelle Williams in "Blue Valentine" (The Weinstein Company)
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
Helena Bonham Carter in "The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company)
Melissa Leo in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
Hailee Steinfeld in "True Grit"(Paramount)
Jacki Weaver in "Animal Kingdom" (Sony Pictures Classics)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"How to Train Your Dragon"(Paramount), Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
"The Illusionist"(Sony Pictures Classics), Sylvain Chomet
"Toy Story 3" (Walt Disney), Lee Unkrich
ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
"Alice in Wonderland"(Walt Disney), Production Design: Robert Stromberg, Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1"(Warner Bros.), Production Design: Stuart Craig, Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
"Inception" (Warner Bros.), Production Design: Guy Hendrix Dyas, Set Decoration: Larry Dias and Doug Mowat
"The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company), Production Design: Eve Stewart, Set Decoration: Judy Farr
"True Grit" (Paramount), Production Design: Jess Gonchor, Set Decoration: Nancy Haigh
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
"Black Swan" (Fox Searchlight), Matthew Libatique
"Inception" (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company), Danny Cohen
"The Social Network"(Sony Pictures Releasing), Jeff Cronenweth
"True Grit"(Paramount), Roger Deakins
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
"Alice in Wonderland" (Walt Disney), Colleen Atwood
"I Am Love" (Magnolia Pictures), Antonella Cannarozzi
"The King’s Speech" (The Weinstein Company), Jenny Beavan
"The Tempest" (Miramax), Sandy Powell
"True Grit" (Paramount), Mary Zophres
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"Exit through the Gift Shop" (Producers Distribution Agency), A Paranoid Pictures Production, Banksy and Jaimie D’Cruz
"Gasland", A Gasland Production, Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic
"Inside Job" (Sony Pictures Classics), A Representational Pictures Production, Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
"Restrepo" (National Geographic Entertainment), An Outpost Films Production, Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger
"Waste Land"(Arthouse Films), An Almega Projects Production, Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
"Killing in the Name", A Moxie Firecracker Films Production
"Poster Girl", A Portrayal Films Production, Nominees to be determined
"Strangers No More", A Simon & Goodman Picture Company Production, Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon
"Sun Come Up", A Sun Come Up Production, Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger
"The Warriors of Qiugang", A Thomas Lennon Films Production, Ruby Yang and Thomas Lennon
ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
"Black Swan"(Fox Searchlight), Andrew Weisblum
"The Fighter"(Paramount), Pamela Martin
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company), Tariq Anwar
"127 Hours"(Fox Searchlight), Jon Harris
"The Social Network" (Sony Pictures Releasing), Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
"Biutiful"(Roadside Attractions), A Menage Atroz, Mod Producciones and Ikiru Films Production, Mexico
"Dogtooth"(Kino International), A Boo Production, Greece
"In a Better World"(Sony Pictures Classics), A Zentropa Production, Denmark
"Incendies"(Sony Pictures Classics), A Micro-Scope Production, Canada
"Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)"(Cohen Media Group), A Tassili Films Production, Algeria
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
"Barney's Version' (Sony Pictures Classics), Adrien Morot
"The Way Back"(Newmarket Films in association with Wrekin Hill Entertainment and Image Entertainment), Edouard F. Henriques, Gregory Funk and Yolanda Toussieng "The Wolfman"(Universal), Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
"How to Train Your Dragon"(Paramount), John Powell
"Inception"(Warner Bros.), Hans Zimmer
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company), Alexandre Desplat
"127 Hours" (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
"The Social Network"(Sony Pictures Releasing), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
"Coming Home" from "Country Strong" (Sony Pictures Releasing (Screen Gems)), Music and Lyric by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
"I See the Light" from "Tangled" (Walt Disney), Music by Alan Menken, Lyric by Glenn Slater
"If I Rise" from "127 Hours" (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Dido and Rollo Armstrong
"We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3" (Walt Disney), Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"Day & Night" (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Teddy Newton
"The Gruffalo", A Magic Light Pictures Production, Jakob Schuh and Max Lang
"Let’s Pollute", A Geefwee Boedoe Production, Geefwee Boedoe
"The Lost Thing", (Nick Batzias for Madman Entertainment), A Passion Pictures Australia Production, Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
"Madagascar, carnet de voyage (Madagascar, a Journey Diary)", A Sacrebleu Production, Bastien Dubois
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"The Confession" (National Film and Television School), A National Film and Television School Production, Tanel Toom
"The Crush"(Network Ireland Television), A Purdy Pictures Production, Michael Creagh
"God of Love", A Luke Matheny Production, Luke Matheny
"Na Wewe"(Premium Films), A CUT! Production, Ivan Goldschmidt
"Wish 143", A Swing and Shift Films/Union Pictures Production, Ian Barnes and Samantha Waite
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
"Inception" (Warner Bros.),Richard King "Toy Story 3"(Walt Disney), Tom Myers and Michael Silvers "Tron: Legacy"(Walt Disney), Gwendolyn Yates Whittle and Addison Teague "True Grit"(Paramount), Skip Lievsay and Craig Berkey "Unstoppable" (20th Century Fox), Mark P. Stoeckinger
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
"Inception" (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company), Paul Hamblin, Martin Jensen and John Midgley
"Salt"(Sony Pictures Releasing), Jeffrey J. Haboush, Greg P. Russell, Scott Millan and William Sarokin
"The Social Network"(Sony Pictures Releasing), Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick and Mark Weingarten
"True Grit" (Paramount), Skip Lievsay, Craig Berkey, Greg Orloff and Peter F. Kurland
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
"Alice in Wonderland"(Walt Disney), Ken Ralston, David Schaub, Carey Villegas and Sean Phillips
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1"(Warner Bros.), Tim Burke, John Richardson, Christian Manz and Nicolas Aithadi
"Hereafter" (Warner Bros.), Michael Owens, Bryan Grill, Stephan Trojanski and Joe Farrell
"Inception" (Warner Bros.), Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
"Iron Man 2" (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment, Distributed by Paramount), Janek Sirrs, Ben Snow, Ged Wright and Daniel Sudick
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
"127 Hours" (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
"The Social Network" (Sony Pictures Releasing), Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
"Toy Story 3"(Walt Disney), Screenplay by Michael Arndt, Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
"True Grit" (Paramount), Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
"Winter’s Bone"(Roadside Attractions), Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
"Another Year"(Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Mike Leigh
"The Fighter"(Paramount), Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson, Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
"Inception"(Warner Bros.), Written by Christopher Nolan
"The Kids Are All Right"(Focus Features), Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
"The King’s Speech"(The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Seidler

