Tron Legacy - update

Technology can be beautiful.

In one of those rare occassions, Tron Legacy is taking everything that CGI can create and using it to make a stunning visual tour de force. My initial reservations are being eroded as I see more of what is coming in this movie. Here is the latest movie trailer, and you can see what I mean.



Visually this looks like a movie that even the Academy Awards dislike of sci-fi movies will overcome. That still leaves a plot which we know little about. There will be action, and from the looks of the latest trailer there will be plenty.

But the visual impact of the movie is breathtaking. This may be one of the rare sequels that you just have to see. Never fear, more trailers will come before the release, so keep an eye out.

Men In Black 3 - can Will Smith do it again?

Can there ever be too much of a good thing? Can fans of Will Smith ever not want to see him in a movie? These are a few of the questions facing the potential deal on Men In Black 3.

Yes, MIB 3. They are planning to do it again. Maybe.

The questions floating out there are if Will Smith will return as the ever hyper yet funny J. So far it seems that he has some interest, but no deal has been made. Then again, Will Smith is also without another movie in the pipeline at the moment. Plus when was the last big album from Smith? A soundtrack and music video tie-in could be just the thing for him.

There is also questions about Tommy Lee Jones. He too has been without a film for some time. But less is known about his interest for another trip in a POV and black suit.

But for me the real questions lie with the writer and director. Without quality in those 2 areas, there is no hope of a quality film being made even if the cast is all in place. So who is expected to be at the helm of the writing? Etan Cohen.

The name, like most movie writers is probably not familiar. But this is the man responsible for Madagascar 2, a Sherlock Holmes film with Will Ferrell (who I think is all played out now), plus the ever so forgettable Tropic Thunder. Obviously the man has his bad days, and when he does, it can really be bad.

The same can be said of Barry Sonnenfeld. He was the director for the 2 prior MIB films. The second being not quite as fresh, interesting or engaging as the first. he is also responsible for the television show Pushing Daisies (which was cancelled as I recall) and RV starring Robin Williams. I'm sure everyone involved wants to forget about RV.

So what if all the stars align, and get big paychecks, the writer has a good day, and the director gets his mojo back? Will all of that be enough? Can Will Smith have yet another $100 million dollar film in a row?

I hope so. But think about all the films you've watched get to the third in the series. How many have been good? The movie trailers will say it all in 2011 (rough expected launch I'm guessing will be the summer blockbuster season).

White Chicks 2 - a reality you never wanted

It’s amazing to see Hollywood in action sometimes. Not because of the glamour or the impressive style that is normally splashed about. I’m talking about the business mentality (or arguably lack thereof).

Only Hollywood execs could look at a film that was clearly not a fan favorite and decide that it is deserving of a sequel. Based solely on the profit margin that they see the film capable of making. It is the same reason that reality television is so popular, and why conversion films (books or cartoons or comic books to movies are the latest trend) dominate the screens.

Quality is no longer a motivating force. Originality is far from the minds of those that decide what gets made. Rather the though of having a film with lots of fast action, a few explosions, and a couple of cute chicks is preferred over a plot, acting ability, or visual imagery.

Thus news of the sequel to the boring, poorly done, Wayans production – White Chicks – has hit the air waves. Yes we will get another chance to see Marlon and Shawn Wayans in White-face and gender bending. I know that everyone is just drooling to pre-order their tickets.

Was the film White Chicks funny? Not really. The acting good? Sorry to say it but Marlon has improved to now be considered a B-actor, Shawn has yet to get that far. So no, the acting wasn’t stand-out. Was it original or different? Again, no. So is there any reason for this film to have a sequel? Yes, just one. The film doubled its cost. So it is a success and that is plenty of reason for a Hollywood exec.

I like the Wayans family. I think they are one of the most talented families in Hollywood. They have several siblings that have grown in ability and have been able to make some decent films, with a couple that were really good. I love the fact that they involve every member of the family in their movies, from directing to writing to cameras to acting. They cover it all with family and friends.

But that is not reason enough to promote the sub-standard fare that has been hitting theaters for years now. Obviously Damon and Keenan have made their names. Many others in the family are secure in their efforts as well. The big push has been for the younger Wayans to get their chances at the brass ring. Which is why Marlon and Shawn have gotten so many chances. Too bad there is so little to push.

Seriously, think about it. The Wayans family has found and promoted several great artists. They found Jim Carrey, Jaime Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, and a few others. But they all had talent. They had something to build on. Marlon and Shawn, Shawn especially, just don’t deserve the big push. They just aren’t that good. They are supporting characters at best, which is no small achievement and will keep them well paid all their lives.

The fact that White Chicks is getting a second shot gives me a chill. Because films like Little Man might also get that option as well. And audiences need that kind of torture about as much as we need to be forced to see Soul Plane.

But the law of returns and no thought movie making is what Hollywood loves these days. I almost would be surprised if a transforming robot were in the film, along with lots of CGI scenes. It wouldn’t make sense to be in the film, but it would get attention and raise ticket sales. And that really is all that matters these days.

It’s a waste of time. It is a sad departure for the Wayans family, and the continuation of a trend for Hollywood. At least the Wayans have the excuse that they are supporting family and helping one another. Hollywood is just trying to scrape a couple of pennies together to get a third.

Tron 2.0 will have good music at the least

In a world where originality is seemingly repugnant, a place where the promise of originality is delivered in the form of revisioning, occasionally the less than displeasing occurs. You might be thinking I'm speaking about the Obama Administration but in fact I mean Hollywood - it is hard to tell the difference sometimes I admit.

Still in Hollywood, the number of remakes, revisionings, conversions from comic books and sequels is full in stride. Virtually the entire 2009 summer season of movies falls into one of the above categories. Roughly half of the announced or planned movies of 2010 fit this bill. And even going out as far as 2011 you can expect to see a film you already know.

Of course Tron is not an ordinary film. Made in 1982 it was somewhat groundbreaking visually. And after 29 years it's going to get a much talked about sequel. Called Tron 2.0

The positives are that the visuals will be massively improved. There was no CGI in 1982. So there is one thing to look forward to. For fans of Jeff Bridges, he will be back as Flynn. And as a recent bonus, Daft Punk will be doing the entire soundtrack for the film.

Fans of the original will recount that it was the music of the film that worked so well with the visual display in giving the movie credibility and ambiance. In fact just speaking about the film brings back the main theme to my mind.



Daft Punk is known for electronica style music that is catchy and rythmic. It is popular across the globe, and heard in as many colleges as nightclubs.So that is a big boost to the potential success of this sci-fi film sequel.

Will this combination of positives be enough? No way to tell so far. Few details about the script are around. There are no trailers yet, and won't be for 9 months most likely. And we can only hope that the writers have actually seen the full movie, rather than the Cliff Notes that most sequels and revisionings seem to be based on these days.

Movie Review: Hellboy 2

For those wondering if my preview of Hellboy 2 was any good, here is my review of the movie. But I must note that the film I saw was not the film you will see. Because I’ve been so crazy with several work projects, a potential interview with an elected politician, ad offers, and a new house I had to rely on a website that provides films for free. The trade-off is these bootleg films often lack the visual quality of seeing eye dogs, soundtracks queued up to characters either seen or forthcoming in the film by 5 minutes and other maladies.

Even so one thing was absolutely clear. Guillermo Del Toro has a very fertile imagination that would give most people nightmares. I on the other hand thought it was beautiful.

The visuals are the real appeal to this film. Unlike the very CGI “monsters from beyond” found in the first film, all the creatures are far more realistic in this film – if such a term can be used. The version I saw really did not do justice to the elemental in the film, nor most of the creatures. The rendering of the Golden Army was particularly bad, which is a shame since they still looked pretty good.

If you are looking for an improved plot in this 2nd film you will both be amused and disappointed. There are fewer plot holes or gaps in logic than the first film, but the constant foreshadowing (of a third film) detracts a lot. Plus there are a few moments when you just have to say “Why do that?” or “The solution is really simple here”.

Of course there is another love story in the film that is more a waste of time than anything else. It eats up time and slows the pace, but it also does give an interesting excuse for an American Idol-esque duet (not meant in a good way which is why it was funny).

There is more of a reality base in this film though. Hellboy has relationship problems, problems with authority, and moral crossroads. He is both very humane and very 16 throughout the film. Which at times works and is silly at others.

I can’t really comment on the sound either as portions were problematic in the version I saw. The acting was fine though. No Oscars out of this film but every character gets a moment to shine, more or less.

And it should be noted that this film is more about the other characters Hellboy calls his family than him really. Still seeing the world and the ‘other world’ through their eyes was refreshing since they all stem from Del Toro’s eyes.

The film in a nutshell is good. Not great, not fantastic. I felt it was better than the first, which is all you can really ask of a sequel. And, had I the time, spending the money to see this in a theater beats the experience of watching it on a flat screen any day.

So the film was basically what I was hoping for in the previews. So far this summer Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy 2, and WANTED have been worth the journey. I only hope that The Dark Knight will exceed my thoughts about the Joker (hype about Heath Ledger getting an Oscar aside) rather than turn into the abysmal failure that War, Inc. and Speed Racer were. But I’m not holding my breath on it.

Teaser film clip for May 22nd opening - 2.18.2008.1

So here is something that will perk up movie fans hopes for this year. Amid the dreary and less than stellar choices coming to a movie theater near you there is yet one more spark of creativity and enjoyment.

Of course this is a sequel, actually the 4th movie in a series that has covered decades. But the title character is a favorite among fans. The producers are legendary and the budget matches the grandeur that one would imagine to be attached to such a film.

It’s targeted for May, right in the start of the summer holiday season. And I’ll just give you this hint before you might click on the video clip: Harrison Ford.

I’m looking forward to this, and if the video is any indication there is reason to want to.

Review - The Bourne Ultimatum - 8.4.2007.1

The Borne Ultimatum. It is almost enough to say that alone, and still explain with clarity the fact that it is a full-throttle adrenaline rush. The movie is about as non-stop as any movie can claim to be. And when you are on this ride you are bewildered, careening and intensely absorbed in everything around you. It’s about the best description for how the movie will make you feel.

Honestly the movie is a rush. From the first 5 minutes to the last 5 you are kept moving at a pace that is breathe-taking. The pace is moving at the speed of Bourne, and for once we get to glimpse the world from his eyes. To appreciate how quickly Bourne can evaluate and implement a plan based on his surroundings is astounding.

This film starts from just before the end of the 2nd movie, and continues in time from there. By late in the film we connect to the last scenes of the Supremacy. The context changes everything. And the trailers for the movie are not quite what you will get in the film.

The movie provides several scenes where we get to see exactly how Bourne makes his disappearances, and he even imparts this to another person. Effectively he takes a regular man and cloaks him in invisibility to the eyes of the operatives searching for him, in one of the most video surveillanced and agent filled places in England.

This lives up to the hype, and expectations. More fights, more locations, more secrets revealed. As Bourne unravels his past, the levels of deception and danger unfold at higher levels. The willingness of some to do whatever it takes to keep the shadows dark is equal to the grey of what is right and wrong in their world.

The quest of Bourne to understand who made him what he is takes us full circle through the entire movie series. We begin in water, and end there as well. We get questions and answers in a diner. We learn what is similar in all the women of Bourne’s life.

Mr. Matt Damon picks up his titular role and doesn’t miss a beat. He gives us exactly what we’ve come to love about Bourne. Taciturn, economical and lightning sharp. Quite a few of the stunts are done by Mr. Damon, adding to the connection and authenticity. Watching him take out various bad guys with nothing more deadly than a book or just bare handed is impressive.

Unlike most films, except the Ocean 11 series, all the major characters we’ve come to enjoy make an appearance at least. The one’s that have survived to this point at least. And more than in the other films we get a bit of politics infused as well. Both the pro and con of various issues, like tapping cell phones. To see the keyword program in action, with the ability to tap conversations, overseas shows the potential good and the ease of misuse of such a policy. Much like the various operatives and the shadow programs everything in this film details the fine line between the good of the nation and the evil power can bring.

Perhaps that is the real attraction of the series. Watching the battle, not of good and bad, but the struggle of being in the gray. Either way, the journey is worth the price.

Going to movies? Set sites low - 3.31.2007.1

So is it a good thing that Blaxploitation films are having their chance at the remake, ‘revisioning’, process that seems to be the only original concept in Hollywood these days? It’s bad enough that every 3rd film that comes out these days is a remake or sequel of some prior movie, television show, book or comic book. The concept of an original idea seem to be a void in the minds of producers and entertainment executives. Seriously.

So far in this year (all 3 months of it) there has been a movie based on a play, a serial killer, 2 comic books, a dictator, 2 television shows (including the animated one), and a book. That does not count the remake, prequel, sequel (Are We Done Yet isn’t out yet but will be shortly), ‘revisioned’ idea {the concept of Shooter has been done so many times, like a version by Mr. Keenan Ivory Williams as one example) and remake sequel. To be fair, The Last King of Scotland and Dreamgirls came out in 2006. But come on, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on a comic book from the 1980’s and has already had 2 other movies and 2 versions of a daily cartoon. While some may be too young to realize it 300 and Hill Have Eyes 2 are remakes. Ghost Rider is an old comic book character and the Zodiac was a real killer and has been featured in at least one television movie as I recall.

What might the summer bring us? Sequels – Ocean’s Thirteen, Bourne Ultimatum, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spiderman 3. Comic books – Transformers (also at least 4 versions of cartoon series). Television show – The Simpsons Movie. And that’s what I can think of off the top of my head. Do executives think the public is as lazy as they are, since they seem to be trying not to reach out for new ideas. Or is it that entertainment companies are so afraid of trying a new idea and seeing it fail that they won’t greenlight anything that hasn’t already been done?

I don’t think it’s the talent. There are more than a few talented actors in most every genre right now. There are many that have made movies in multiple formats. Mr. Mark Wahlberg has done action, drama and comedic action. Mr. Denzel Washington has run the gambit of movie genres and been both good and bad guys. Do I really need to go further?

So I ask, is the fact that Dolemite is going to be remade, or revisioned, really a good thing? Views on Blaxploitation films run the spectrum from very happy to highly insulted. I can only imagine what the film might be like in a PC dominated world, where every minority and race needs to be represented in a film whether it makes sense or not. Even worse is the fact that many words are verboten, unless of course they are put to music or bring in a really big profit.

I suppose the answer will be the film itself, once it comes out. It may be good. Some of the above mentioned films are quite good. Some have huge anticipation behind them. And then there are the ones that are a waste of time. I just fear a trend that I see. If I’m right, expect your favorite television commercial to be brought to the silver screen. Won’t that be a joy? [As I mentioned previously, the cavemen from Geiko are getting their own television show. A movie is not that farfetched now is it?]

This is what I think, what do you think?