Summer Movie Overview: July

July 1

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Verdict: And of course it seems the squirrel will be the funniest part of the film, but its the historical inaccuracy that is causing me to not see it.

Public Enemies

Verdict: I'm making the call now, This will be the best movie of the summer.

July 10

Bruno
Click Here
Verdict: I'll make another call, Funniest movie of the summer.

I love you, Beth Cooper

Verdict: Yea Hayden is in it, but that won't make me see it.

July 15/17

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Verdict: Looks pretty good, see it.

(500) Days of Summer

Verdict: Looks cute, and who can't help but adore Zooey?

July 24

G-Force

Verdict: Stupid. But Zach Galifinakis is in it so it should be funny to watch him.

Orphan

Verdict: Looks stupid, and kind of like a rip off of The Omen.

The Ugly Truth

Verdict: It doesn't look terrible, but it doesn't look very good.


July 31

Funny People

Verdict: Its looks really good, besides the fact that the trailer basically gives away the whole movie.

They Came from Upstairs

Verdict: The aliens will be the best part, too bad it looks just plain bad.

Summer Movies Overview: June

June 5

The Hangover

Verdict: Two things: Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifinakis. SEE THIS MOVIE.

Land of the Lost

Verdict: I'm not very happy about this movie, but that doesn't change the fact that a lot of people will probably go see it. I say Skip it.

My Life in Ruins

Verdict: Mothers and girlfriends will probably drag you too see it, but it doesn't look terrible.

June 12

Imagine That

Verdict: Yea its a kids movie, and it does look better than Meet Dave, but still doesn't look watchable.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Verdict: Granted its a remake, but it looks pretty good. See it.

June 19

The Proposal

Verdict: Doesn't look terrible, I wouldn't pay money to see it though.


Year One

Verdict: It's funny that even though he's a caveman Michael Cera has managed to play THE EXACT SAME CHARACTER that he has been in every other movie he's in. This movie looks like trash, skip it at all cost.

June 24/26

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Verdict: It's probably going to be a stinker, but it'll be a stinker with giant fighting robots.

My Sister's Keeper

Verdict: Interesting that a sad movie like this is coming out in the summer, if it came out in December it would make more money. Doesn't look bad though.

Summer Movies Overview: May

May 1st

Battle for Terra

Verdict: Doesn't look bad, see it.

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Veridct: Skip it, unless you're forced to see it.

X-men Origins: Wolverine

VERDICT: Don't let this trailer fool you, fans of the comics will be highly disappointed in this movie. Skip it.

May 7/8

Star Trek

VERDICT: It doesn't look that bad to me. See it.

Next Day Air

Verdict: This actually looks really good to me, see it.

May 15

Angels & Demons

VERDICT: If its half as good as The Da Vinci Code, it'll at least be watchable. See it.

May 21/22

Terminator Salvation

Verdict: Though I am not happy about this movie, I will still see it.

Dance Flick

VERDICT: Never. Not in a million years.

Night at the Museum 2

Veridct: No thank you

May 29

The Brothers Bloom

Verdict: Doesn't look terrible, But I'd still wait til DVD.

Drag me to Hell

Verdict: See it! Even though I detest PG13 horror films, Sam Raimi can do no wrong in the genre.

UP

VERDICT: SEE IT

4/24 Releases

This is a dull weekend for new releases.

Fighting - More fighting movies made for the teenage audience, throw in just a pinch of philosophy and the kids will be calling it the next Fight Club, like they did for the horrendous Never Back Down (in my home town kids did at least)
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Obsessed - I think basically every year there is an unofficial remake of Fatal Attraction, this year it's called Obsessed. Save yourself the trouble and just rent F.A., I can guarantee it will be a lot better.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

The Soloist - The fact that this movie continues to be pushed back in its release date tells me something, it probably isn't any good. While I wasn't impressed with the trailer when it said it was coming out in November, I REALLY wasn't impressed when I saw the same re-hashed trailer but with April at the end of it. Granted I like Jamie Foxx and RDJ, but this looks like a waste of time.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

I would suggest that if you really want something to do this weekend, I'd go see Crank 2 or rent The Wrestler.

4/21 DVDs

It seems that as the month has gone on, it started strong with DVDs got very weak there in the middle and has picked itself back up here in the last stretch (though I'll warn you next week isn't looking so hot).

Frost/Nixon - A very good movie, phenomenal performances from the cast. If you haven't seen this movie its definitely worth the rental, and if you have seen it buy it to show your friends.
VERDICT: BUY IT

Notorious - I didn't see the film, but frankly I wanted to. I hope to get to see it soon, and if you already know you won't like it then don't bother talking about it.
VERDICT: RENT IT

The Wrestler - Buy This. Its awesome. It was my #3 pick for 2008, and that should hold some ground if you've been following this far.
VERDICT: BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT

4/17 Releases

17 Again - While I made the call several weeks ago that soon Zach Effron would make the leap into action films (and he will with the recently announced Johnny Quest movie), hopefully this will be the last of these types of movies we see him in.
VERDICT: SKIP IT ANYWAY.

CRANK High Voltage - Fans of the first shouldn't be disappointed with this installment, just go into the theater leaving your thoughts of reality at the door.
VERDICT: SEE IT, if you're a fan

State of Play - This is my pick of the week. If you can only see one movie this weekend, let it be this. Russel Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, and Jason Bateman star. Say what you want about Affleck but I like him.
VERDICT: SEE IT!

4/10 Theatrical Releases

We finally have what looks like a winner coming out in theaters, along with two more stinkers we can add to the list of "2009 isn't going so well".

Dragonball Evolution - We all (those of us that watched the show as children) got a little bit excited when we heard about this movie. Then we saw the trailer, and we got very upset. Then the movie leaked on the internet and anyone that wanted to see it saw it. This movie is going to tank hard at the box office, and it deserves it.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Hannah Montana The Movie : Never.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Observe and Report - Did Paul Blart look too family oriented for you? Not enough Seth Rogen in it? Fret not! This is the movie you've been looking for. Now we can see the darker side of the mall cop movie, with a humor style that will appeal more to our college sensabilites.
VERDICT: SEE IT

4/7 DVDs

Bedtime Stories - Russell Brand AND Adam Sandler? NO THANK YOU.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Not as terrible as I thought it would be, though it still has nothing on the original, and its probably not worth a purchase at this stage at least.
VERDICT: RENT IT

The Tale of Despereaux - Though I have not seen the movie it looks to be the most promising of the releases this week. A B list cast but an animated movie can overcome that.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Yes Man - I like Jim Carrey but this looks awful.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

4/3 Theatrical Releases

Two movies this week, again I ask though: Are they worth your time?

Fast and Furious - Do we SERIOUSLY need another one of these movies? Terrible movie looks terrible. You are a fool if you pay money to see this.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Adventureland - Though it seems Greg Mottola has a knack for making the same movie again, it appears this one may be a winner. After making Superbad you'd think Mottola would want to make a movie that was about as far away from a Coming-of-age-Teen comedy as he could, but he made another one anyway. Seems like he knows what he's doing though.
VERDICT: SEE IT.

3/31 DVD Releases

Three releases tomorrow, but are any worth your time?

Marley & Me - The Owen Wilson-Dog comedy comes out tomorrow, and though i didn't see it nothing about the trailers makes me want to.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Seven Pounds - Will Smith is a great actor, I also haven't seen this one, but it doesn't look terrible. Plus none of my friends that saw it had anything bad to say.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Slumdog Millionaire - Though I don't think the movie was quite as good as everyone else does, it is still worth watching at least once.
VERDICT: RENT IT

3/27 Theatrical Releases

Three movies this weekend, and only one looks to be a winner.

12 Rounds - I was impressed by the previous works of the director/producer of this movie when they first showed them at the beginning of the trailer (Die Hard 2 and Speed). But then I saw the trailer. Man does this look bad. Like 88 Minutes meets Untraceable to me.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

The Haunting in Connecticut - If this wasn't rated PG-13 it could be about 6 kinds of awesome. But it is, so it wont be.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Monsters vs Aliens - Dreamworks has a good track record on their movies, so there is no way that this will be bad. The only problem is YES its a kids movie, so if I end up seeing it it wont be til a late show.
VERDICT: WATCH IT

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/wherethewildthingsare/


WATCH and be AMAZED

3/24 DVDs

While Twilight came out on Saturday, and we can all guess what my verdict would have been on that. Only 2 new releases come out tomorrow.

Bolt - I didn't see the movie, but it honestly can't be terrible.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Quantum of Solace - Though I will not be buying it, and was marginally disappointed in it. There are a lot of you out there that will buy it because you're Craig fans (which I'm not).
VERDICT: SKIP IT

3/13 Release Dates

This is a big weekend man. Spring Break starts and THREE new movies come out into theaters.

They are:

Last House on The Left - The Remake train continues and it's finally stopped at something that NEEDED remaking. While I enjoy the original Last House, man does it have problems. If I was going to watch any of the three that come out this weekend it would be this one.

Miss March - I LOVE Whitest Kids You Know. So when I found out that two of them were making a movie, I was very excited. Then I saw the trailer, and I cried a little bit inside. This movie looks like six different kinds of terrible. Skip it at all costs.

Race to Witch Mountain - The Remake train is pulling overtime this weekend, but this remake didn't need to be made. Skip.


We can officially dub this weekend, "If you Haven't seen Watchmen at least once, then don't see any new releases" weekend.

3/10 DVD releases

Lots of good titles are coming out tomorrow, i hope you saved up.

Cadillac Records- Though I never saw the movie, and don't intend to, a lot of people I know that saw it did like it. So if you want to see it:
VERDICT: RENT IT

Happy-Go-Lucky - Again, I never saw it, but it did get a lot of noms durign the award season so it should be worth a viewing.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Let the Right One In - One of my favorite films of 2008 is being released, and it gets designated as my Pick of the Week, ONLY because it wasn't in near as many theaters as Milk was.
VERDICT: BUY IT

Milk - My favorite of 2008, and a must see for all people. I don't care if you hate homosexuals, you still need to watch the movie.
VERDICT: BUY IT

Rachel Getting Married - Another movie I didn't see that got a lot of noms during award season.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Role Models - I never saw it and it looked a little entertaining, definitely not worth spending $20 on though.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Synedoche, New York - Charlie Kaufman + Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is an equation you cannot go wrong with. I plan on watching this very soon.
VERDICT: RENT IT

Transporter 3 -Being a fan of Luc Besson and the first Transporter film I am obligated to watch this in the future, though if you're not a fan you won't like this.
VERDICT: RENT IT

It's finally here

Tomorrow is a day I've been looking forward to for about four years. GASP! Someone that read Watchmen BEFORE they saw the trailer with The Dark Knight!? Like I said, about 4 years before The Dark Knight even came out.

I'm very excited about the film, even though I am well aware of all the changes made. Though I'm not happy about a lot of them, I'll deal with it because ITS STILL WATCHMEN.

For those of you that have never read the book, and still don't know what its about, here's a very brief summary:

There were superheroes in America for many years, then in 1977 heroes were outlawed. Now in 1985 one of the former heroes is killed, and the other former heroes want to find out why (well one of them at least).

Keep in mind the movie takes place in 1985 and it is an ALTERNATE timeline, IE: Richard Nixon is still President and he's in his 5th term in office.

I'm looking forward to the movie, and I suggest you see it too.

Getting DVDs for Cheap Part 2

Continuing my series on getting DVDs for cheap I bring you another place to get them at good prices (sometimes).

Book Stores

If you can find a book store, like the Barnes and Noble here in Tuscaloosa, they have some good deals from time to time.

I say time to time because 90% of their DVDs are more overpriced than UA Tuition.

But like now they have two GIANT sections of DVDs for either $4.99 and $9.99. With a LOT of good titles. Like I was in there the other day and got Barton Fink, Miller's Crossing, The Devil's Backbone and Vanishing Point for $10 each.

You've got to keep an open eye though for some of their deals. Like I managed to get the entire series of Firefly on sale for I think $30, though it was regularly priced at $45 or $50.

Don't be afraid to look in the movie section of the book store the next time you're in there, you might find something worth buying.

If you're going to write a movie review....

...for something like a newspaper or a website that gets read by a lot of people, even if it's not read by a lot of people.

And what you're reviewing is based on another source (a book, a comic, an older movie), you should NOT mention the source material.

You're not writing a compare and contrast of the source and the adaptation.

You're not reviewing the source material.

You ARE reviewing the adaptation.

Though its okay for you personally to not like something because it isn't like the source material, its not okay to be "Reviewing" the adaptation and say it isn't good/or you were disappointed because its nothing like the source.

Like the Thomas Harris novel Hannibal and the film Hannibal. While the movie is very close to the book, there are still A LOT of differences. But if I was writing a review for it I wouldn't mention the book (except for maybe how it is in fact based on a book), nor (in my personal opinion) it's superiority. I would talk about the movie, what worked, what didn't work, and how much I enjoyed it, because I do.

Or The H.G. Well's novel The War of the Worlds, and the Steven Spielberg movie War of the Worlds. I LOVE The War of the Worlds novel, and despise the Spielberg movie (my hatred for Spielberg aside). If I was going to write a review for the Spielberg movie I wouldn't even have to mention the differences from it and the novel to talk about how much I think its awful/hate/loathe/have disdain for it.

3/3 DVD Releases

Ace Ventura Jr: Pet Detective - Seriously?
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Australia - I never saw this movie, and don't know anyone that did. Though I don't think it looks that appealing, to you it might.
VERDICT: RENT IT, if you're interested

Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Trust me, you don't want to see this.
VERDICT: SKIP IT

Kind of a lame week for releases if you ask me.

How to get DVDs for cheap

I'm going to take a break from my usual Thursday blog to start the first of many in a series on buying DVDs for cheap.

Ever wanted to start a great DVD collection? Or already have a good collection and want to make it bigger and better? Then look no further than this How to guide. Each week I'll be going through one to two places that you can look to buy DVDs.

Things to consider first while shopping:

*Do NOT be ashsamed to buy "Previously Viewed" or Used DVDs from stores. Its better to pay 1/3 the price and have a 100% store gurantee that it works than pay the full price.

*If it's a TV series you're looking for don't be afraid to buy different seasons at different stores. (Thats how I was able to get the entire series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for $60, a $180 dollar value)

*Get the club card. Places like FYE and Suncoast have member cards that run from $20 to $25 and get you 10% off.

WAL-MART

While it pains me to actually tell people to buy formthing from wal-mart, it is still a good place to find a great deal on movies.

Wal-mart has 2 for $10 bins, that typically have decent to great titles in them ( at the expense of the special features but you're still getting the actualy feature). Wal-mart also carries a lot of NEW DVDs for in between $10 and $15. They also have new releases for about $10 sometimes too(typically just indies though).

Target

Target has great prices on DVDs, especially TV seasons.

I was in Target recently and they have a lot of TV shows with the first two seasons bundled to gether for $20 a piece.

The DVDs are also very moderatley priced, this store should always be considered if you're on a movie shopping spree.



By using all of these tips that I've learned over the years I've had the money to buy all the movies I wanted and still have enough left over to do other things.