Shea Stadium via Airplane

This is a very cool video. A remote control airplane enthusiast and Mets fan strapped a camera to his plan and flew it over the rapidly disappearing Shea Stadium, CitiField, and surrounding area. He had three flights, this video is the three of them stitched together. Check it out:

DVD Review: Pulse 3

What? They actually made a third? Rather surprising when you consider the critical savaging it was forced to endure. You would have thought they would quit while you are ahead. Well, this is what happens when you shoot two direct-to-video sequels to a moderately successful big screen feature back-to-back. What are you going to do? Hold back a film that you paid for where it has no chance at all of making any money, or do you hold your chin up and set it loose upon the public and hope for the best? Dimension has opted for the latter where they have a shot at making some of their money back. But, is it worth your time? Now that is a loaded question.

The store begins in 2006 when Pulse landed on the big screen (well, it technically goes back to the original Japanese film in 2001 directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa). The Kristen Bell starring film proved to be quite good to this viewer. I loved how it took this epic tale of death leading towards unending sorrow and terror and brought it to a personal level, forcing the characters to carry a large portion of he story that a bigger film may have shuffled off to the effects, allowing us to become a bit more closely involved with the characters.

The second film arrived to little to no fanfare and when people got to see it, there was such an outcry of hate and disgust that it is hard to cut through the perceptions and just watch the film. All right, I am exaggerating a little, but there is no secret to it not being a terribly good film. Funny thing is, I liked it. You read it right, I am one of a mere handful of people who liked that movie. If you don't like that, you will want to stop reading this now. Why? Let me clue you in on a little secret, I like this one too. There, I said it.

Pulse 2 picks up shortly after the techno-apocalypse broke out in the first film. It chronicles the journey of a father and daughter in the hunt for safety on the other side of a dead city, a city roamed by the phantom dead flickering to and fro, reenacting some of those final acts of their lives. It is a race to live as they know the dead are on their trail. As that story ended, a new one was bound to begin, as the story does not really end. I do not want to spoil it for you.

The third film picks up some years after the second one. Humanity is still relegated to life in the dead zones. Apparently the power in the towns and cities is still going without any human intervention. Justine (Brittany Finamore) lives in one of these refugee camps with her adopted family. You may remember Justine as the young girl in Pulse 2. Despite the rules against electronic equipment, like laptops and cell phones, Justine is drawn to them. She sneaks a peek on an old laptop only to be contacted by someone named Adam (Rider Strong).

Based on her odd contact, she sets off, alone and on foot, from the camp and heads back towards the city and, presumably, Adam. It is not an easy journey, or one without its dangers. Who knows if she may stumble into a WiFi hot spot and inadvertently gain the attention of the phantoms looking to rip the life from her throat, or if she will meet any crazy people who have been living alone, devoid of any human contact for years on end.

As dangerous as the journey is, it is only the beginning. In Pulse 2, we were introduced to the Man in Red, a crazy guy who learned of the phantoms' one weakness, the color red. He forced a young Justine and her father to give him a ride and steal a computer chip. Now, Justine comes face to face with his craziness one more time. This time we learn more about what he has been planning and just how deep his wellspring of crazy goes.

It is this final third of the film where everything gets a little hairy as revelations are made about the nature of the phantoms, a potential way to stop them, and just what has become of Adam, the mysterious man at the other end of the computer. It fits together in rough fashion, but still proves to be an interesting conclusion to the critically controversial trilogy.

Just like the previous entry, Pulse 3 was written and directed by Joel Soisson. Again, he does a fine job of piecing together a film with scary big picture implications and slow burning tension. Yes, it is low budget, but that only forces them to be a little more creative. Like the prior film, there is a lot of green screen work. It is not always as obvious this time around, but I like the otherworldly feel that it gives the overall look of the film. It seems appropriate, considering the subject matter.

Audio/Video. Both are decent, never disguising their low-budget but studio-based roots. The colors are sharp and clear while the audio is always clear and understandable. The image is 1.85:1 widescreen and it is joined by Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

Extras. This Dimension Extreme (which is not all that extreme) release has few extras on it.

• Commentary. This track features writer/director Joel Soisson, producer Mike Leahy, actress Brittany Finamore, and editor Kirk Morri. The track is really quite good. They recognize the fact they are low budget and not everything is perfect, but you can tell they are proud of their work and had a good time making it. I was amused to hear them acknowledge the critical drubbing of the last film. If you like the film, this is definitely worth a listen.
• Pulse 3 Behind the Scenes. This 8.5 minute featurette is a rather fluffy piece that goes into the origins of the story, which happens to be online sexual predators. We also get a look at one of the cooler effects shots, and musician Robert 'One String' Gibson who makes an appearance.

Bottomline. I am a fan of this series, as unnecessary as it seems. They provide a different look at the post-apocalyptic world, one that is not as destructive as they usually are. The acting is adequate and the story has a slow flow that actually works. If you liked the second one, you will like this, otherwise you will want to steer clear.

Mildly Recommended.

Verizon Is Not Good With Math

This recording is priceless:

New Movies and Box Office Predictions: Coraline, He's Just Not That Into You, Pink Panther 2, Push, Fanboys

This weekend brings a nice selection of films covering a variety of genres, most of which interest me. You have a romantic comedy as Valentine's Day approaches, a stop motion animated fantasy, a sci-fi action flick, and a sequel to a popular comedy. That last one is the least on my list considering how poorly I think of the original. In any case, there are plenty of choices this weekend, even if you want to avoid the depressing best picture nominees and thirst for something a little closer to pure entertainment.

Coraline. (2009, 100 minutes, PG, animated fantasy, trailer) Based on a story by Neil Gaiman and directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach), this looks like a winner. It is a stop motion animated feature that tells the story of a bored girl who discovers a doorway to an alternate universe that is quite similar to the real world, only better. However, all is not as it seems and when things take a dangerous turn, Coraline will need to use all of her ingenuity to get back home. The voice cast includes Dakota Fanning in the title role and Teri Hatcher.



He's Just Not That Into You. (2009, 129 minutes, PG-13, romantic comedy, trailer) I am looking forward to this. It looks like the sort of romantic film that both men and women can get into. It has a big cast to tell its tales of dating, singlehood, and married life. The cast includes Drew Barrymore, Ben Affleck, Justin Long, Jennifer Connelly, Ginnifer Goodwinn, Scarlet Johannson, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Aniston. Ken Kwapis is at the helm, having spent a lot of time on television, most recently directing for The Office. Hopefully it will turn out to be fun.



Pink Panther 2. (2009, 92 minutes, PG, comedy, trailer) Sorry. No, thank you. I have no interest in this. I can still taste a little of the last one, which was absolutely horrid. This will need to have some killer word of mouth to get me through the doors, unless someone wants to buy my ticket?



Push. (2009, 111 minutes, PG-13, action, trailer) I really want this to be good. The trailer looks pretty snazzy, but I get a strong flashbacks to Jumper (and that is not good). The story centers on those with special abilities that are being hunted by a clandestine government agency that is intent on using them to their gain. Sounds familiar, right? The film has some positive buzz around it. I hope not to be let down. The cast includes Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, and Djimon Hounsou. Paul McGuigan is at the helm, following up serviceable turns in Lucky Number Slevin and Wicker Park.



Fanboys. (2009, 90 minutes, PG-13, comedy) I did not think this was ever going to make it to the big screen. Judging by the release, it is just barely getting there (it is only opening at 40 theaters). Of course, that is a better opportunity than Lionsgate afforded Repo! The Genetic Opera or Midnight Meat Train, but that is better suited for another conversation. This film, shot a few years ago, is about a group of friends attempting to steal a copy of the first Star Wars prequel from George Lucas ranch. Sounds like it could be fun! The cast includes Dan Fogel, Sam Huntington, Chris Maquette, and Kristen Bell. Fortunately, it is opening near me, so I will get the chance to see it.



Also opening this week, but not near me:

• Chocolate
• The Objective

Box Office Predictions
Last week Taken surprised everyone by having the second biggest opening for Superbowl weekend. Now, who would have thought an actioner starring Liam Neeson would be such a big hit? Certainly not I, not that I am complaining as the film turned out to be really good. What will happen this weekend? Will the family market rise up and take to pole position or will we have another surprise? Whatever happens, I suspect my current trend of being unable to come anywhere close will continue! Perhaps we should take bets on that?

Here is how I think the top ten field will play out:

Rank	Title	Box Office
1	Pink Panther 2	$23 million
2	He's Just Not That Into You	$20 million
3	Push	$16 million
4	Taken	$14 million
5	Coraline	$11.5 million
6	Paul Blart: Mall Cop	$9 million
7	Slumdog Millionaire	$6.5 million
8	Gran Torino	$6 million
9	Hotel for Dogs	$5.5 million
10	The Uninvited	$5 million

Carbon 9 - Mother (cover)

Carbon 9 does their best to cover Danzig's "Mother," but it just comes across sounding limp and uninspired.

Land of Tales - Silence

Not bad, but rather bland. This melodic rock act plays together well, but they seem to have forgotten to inject a voice into their music. This tune is just a wee bit boring.

Agraceful - Prophecy in Reverie

This is not the worst I have ever heard, but it is nowhere near the best. It is the kinf of music that could singal the end of metalcore. It is rather generic and doesn't stand out in any way. Perhaps theoir other tunes are better?

CD Review: Pyramaze - Immortal

Back in 1996, during my comic book years, there was an advertisement for an upcoming album for a group called Iced Earth. I had never heard of them, yet I was highly anticipating this album called The Dark Saga. Why? Because it was a concept album based on one of my favorite comics, Spawn. This was my first introduction to a man named Matthew Barlow, and while it would take me until the band's next release to truly appreciate (and come to love) the group, I loved Barlow's voice. He has become one of my all time favorite metal singers. Why do I mention this? The answer is simple, this album from Pyramaze, their third, features the mighty Matt Barlow on vocals. Let me tell you, he sounds great.

Barlow's journey to joining Pyramaze is an interesting one. He was the longtime singer for Iced Earth, but was a deeply changed man following the tragedy of 9/11. He left Iced Earth to become a police officer. While in his new position, he was lured back to the scene as the singer for Pyramaze, a Danish act. Their schedule was light enough that he would be able to fulfill those duties while retaining his job on the force. However, in late 2007 he made the decision to return to metal fulltime, reuniting with Iced Earth. Before making a complete return, he remained with Pyramaze to complete the recording of Immortal.

Now, honestly, have you ever heard of Pyramaze? Me neither. This points to just what kind of impact Barlow's presence has had for the band. His tenure may have been short, but his involvement with them, and his performance on Immortal has opened up all sorts of new avenues for the band. Well, it will at least make them known by more people. This can also be seen as something of a detriment. Why? Because many people who have, are, and will be writing about them will likely spend a lot of time on Barlow (ahem), while the rest of the band is relegated to back up status. Hopefully, this will only be a temporary situation, as Pyramaze is a musically solid progressive power metal act. In short, these guys can play.

Immortal is an exceptional album filled with great riffs, strong orchestration, and plenty of emotion. Of course, much of this emotion is credit to the powerful voice of Barlow, but the rest of the band cannot be forgotten. Founding member Michael Kammeyer and Toke Skjønnemand handle the guitar duties, working together as a solid unit. Jonah Weingarten is on the keys adding a beuatiful texture to the album, taking the lead on "Legacy in a Rhyme" along with Barlow to create a beautiful ballad. Finally, the rhythm section of Niels Kvist on bass and Morten Gade Sørensen form a solid rhythm section.

Now, to be certain, this is not a great album, but it is so well put together that it is hard to deny it a recommendation. The presence of Barlow certainly raises it above the crowd, if for nothing else than his name recognition, and a desire for fans to hear him sing some new material. His style fits in nicely with Pyramaze's style (or, at least what I perceive on this one album as their style). It does not reach the heights of, say, Iced Earth's Something Wicked This Way Comes, but that is not a knock on the album. Sure, comparisons are inevitable and it can create a monstrous beast that is difficult to overcome, but I still feel that when Immortal comes out the other side it will be none the worse for wear.

There is a nice variety throughout the album. Songs range from the straight up power metallers of "Year of the Phoenix" and "Caramon's Poem" to the soft, heartfelt balladry of "Legacy in a Rhyme" to the epic sound of "The Highland."

Bottomline. Not destined for greatness, this is still an album to be listened to and savored. I found it impossible not to get into the music. Granted, they will get more notice because of Barlow's presence, and while that will be the focus, I am interested in hearing their other music. This is not an album to be missed.

Recommended.

Movie Review: The Uninvited (2009)

This is a movie I was all set to pass. That's right, a horror movie that I had little interest in seeing. Why? That is a good question. First off, did you see the trailer or any of the commercials? If you did, then you have a pretty good reason not to see said film. Simply put, the ads have been downright awful. I felt as if I had seen the entire film in the span of a scant couple of minutes. That is not a good thing. Trailers are supposed to excite the viewer, entice them to want to see the movie. This does neither. I am a horror fan and I am more than willing to sit through complete dreck, but sometimes you have to draw the line somewhere. What changed my mind? Two things. The first is the fact that Roger Ebert gave it a three-star review. I do not always agree with him, and I did not read the content, but the mere appearance of the trio was enough to reignite my interest. The other reason is that I was interested in the pairing of Elizabeth Banks and David Strathairn.

With my screening now safely in the rear view mirror I feel safe in saying that I am shocked. I liked The Uninvited. I was so sure the trailers had given me everything I wanted to know. I was wrong. The movie is surprisingly effective, occasionally scary, and frequently tense, more than can be said for another recent horror flick, The Unborn. Having seen the two Un-films, I am a little surprised by how they turned out, both proving how unreliable trailers can be. I was sure that The Unborn was going to prove the more successful film, the trailer showed some genuinely creepy moments and just looked a bit "cooler," then I saw the film and the result was a jumbled incomprehensible mess. The Uninvited came forth with that awful trailer and turned out to be the better film.

At the center of The Uninvited is Anna (Emily Browning). She is a troubled teen who lost her sick mother in a tragic fire. Anna has a terribly hard time coming to grips with what happened, having blocked out the entire night from her memory and ending up in a psychiatric hospital in an attempt to deal with her mother's death. She has nightmares that hint at what happened but never tell the whole story.

Having made some progress, Anna is released from the hospital and returns home with her father, Steven (David Strathairn). Anna is happy to see her father and is very much looking forward to reuniting with her older sister, Alex (Arielle Kebbel). Her happiness is short lived as she arrives home to discover dad's new girlfriend has moved in, Rachel (Elizabeth Banks), who also happens to be her mother's former nurse.

What follows is an ever intensifying suspicion and tension as Anna believes Rachel to be responsible for her mother's death. Along with Alex, Anna sets out to prove Rachel's misdeeds while also being haunted by visions of her mother and three young children.

To say more would begin moving into spoiler territory, and this is a movie that is better served by not knowing much. The film unfolds in a way that will actually keep you guessing. I had a couple of ideas early on only to find that I was just a wee bit off. I will recommend keeping an eye (or ear) out for seemingly throwaway lines early on as well as who talks to who.

I am impressed with how well this film is put together. It is no high art or even a high water mark for the genre, but it works exceptionally well. The screenplay builds the tension, the direction keeps you on your toes, and the performances are all quite effective.

Emily Browning does a fine job as Anna. The Australian actress has a certain otherworldly quality to her that only serves to heighten her emotions. Then there are the adult cast members, Strathairn and Banks. They do a fine job bringing credibility to a rather outrageous tale, who would have thought to look in a PG-13 horror movie for David Strathairn? Not to be forgotten is Arielle Kebbel as Alex, the older sister. It is a surprisingly tough role that she pulls off in adequate fashion.

The direction is handled by The Guard Brothers (Charles and Thomas, making their feature film debut). The duo do a fine job of building tension to a feverish pitch while also pulling off some directorial sleight of hand, keeping you off guard for the finale. They worked from a script by Craig Rosenberg, Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard (based on the original screenplay for Korean film A Tale of Two Sisters) that works hard at throwing you off the scent. No, none of it is terribly original, and much of it does have an air of familiarity, but they come together and make it work better than I would have thought possible.

Bottomline. Surprisingly effective and actually worth checking out, The Uninvited is the first good horror film of the year despite a terrible trailer and poor title. You may see where it is going, but I doubt you will be able to accurately predict the finish. So, I guess Ebert was right after all.

Recommended.

Box Office Update 1/30-2/1: Taken Surprises All to Take the Top Spot

Wow. As surprised as I was by how good Taken is and how much I liked it, I had no idea it would be far and away the number one movie of the weekend. Its opening was even strong enough to make it the second biggest opening for a Superbowl weekend, behind the Hannah Montana film that opened on the comparable weekend last year. I guess I should not be too terribly surprised, the Friday night screening I attended was very nearly a sell out.

While Taken was the big surprise of the weekend with a gross very near $25 million, the success of Paul Blart: Mall Cop has to be seen as an unbelievable success. It held the top spot in its first two weekends and only slipped to second here, suffering very modest drops along the way. No, it will not challenge the insane success of last year's The Dark Knight, but it could very well be the first 2009 film to cross the century mark. What may be even more surprising is that it is a genuinely funny and sweet-hearted comedy that does not rely on gross out humor. Seriously, go and check it out, you will not be able to keep from laughing.

In addition to Taken, two more new releases reached the top ten this weekend. First up is the new horror film The Uninvited, which is actually pretty good! No, it is not great and it will not likely be remembered a few years down the road, but for the moment let's just say I was pleasantly surprised. This is surprising considering how much I despise the trailers I have seen for it. Funny thing, I was expecting this to be the bad one and The Unborn to be the good one. Oh, how the tables have turned.

The other new entry is the Renee Zellweger/Harry Connick Jr. romantic comedy New in Town. It opened to a savaging from critics, which seems to have had an effect on its box office take. I was sure it was going to take the top spot, or at least challenge for it. Of course, I decided to take a pass and did not see this one. I guess I did not miss much.

Returning films generally did all right, especially Slumdog Millionaire, which is riding high on its current wave of awards, well deserved I might add. At the other end of the scale is Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, which fell north of 60%.

Next week will see new competition from the excellent looking Coraline, the intriguing Push, the romantic (maybe?) He's Just Not That Into You, and the awful looking Pink Panther 2.

Three movies dropped off the top ten this week: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (11), Bride Wars (12), and Notorious (2009) (17).

This Week	Last Week	Title	Wknd Gross	Overall	Week in release
1	N	Taken (2009)	$24,717,037	$24,717,037	1
2	1	Paul Blart: Mall Cop	$13,872,751	$83,247,655	3
3	N	The Uninvited	$10,325,824	$10,325,824	1
4	4	Hotel for Dogs	$8,632,740	$48,156,061	3
5	3	Gran Torino	$8,232,278	$110,178,990	8
6	5	Slumdog Millionaire	$7,628,713	$67,193,169	12
7	2	Underworld: Rise of the Lycans	$7,581,272	$33,165,746	2
8	N	New in Town	$6,741,530	$6,741,530	1
9	6	My Bloody Valentine 3D	$4,479,662	$44,827,233	3
10	7	Inkheart	$3,721,492	$12,813,023	2

Box Office Predictions Recap
Unlike the box office figures, my ability to come anywhere near guessing the reality of the box office has not been going up. I have been on a slide for a few weeks now. It is interesting to see how well the box office is doing considering the direction of our economy. It shows that even in the face of economic uncertainty entertainment is an absolutely essential part of our survival (or people just like movies). I also have to wonder if and when my insight will take a turn for the better. As much fun as this can be, guessing so wrong so often is a little disheartening. Perhaps next week will be a turning point.

Here is how the field matched up:

Actual	Prediction	Title	Wknd Gross	Prediction
8	1	New in Town	$6,741,530	$16 million
1	2	Taken (2009)	$24,717,037	$14 million
2	3	Paul Blart: Mall Cop	$13,872,751	$11 million
7	4	Underworld: Rise of the Lycans	$7,581,272	$10.5 million
5	5	Gran Torino	$8,232,278	$9 million
3	6	The Uninvited	$10,325,824	$8 million
6	7	Slumdog Millionaire	$7,628,713	$8 million
4	8	Hotel for Dogs	$8,632,740	$7 million
9	9	My Bloody Valentine 3D	$4,479,662	$5 million
10	10	Inkheart	$3,721,492	$4 million

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Superbowl Spot

This is the Michael Bay helmed sequel to the 2007 hit film. The brief bits teased in this commercial hint at bigger and darker things to come, not the least of which is Optimus Prime taking a nasty looking face smash. Shia Labeouf, Megan Fox, and Josh Duhamel return.

Up - Superbowl Spot

A new Pixar film is always worth getting a little bit excited for. The teaser is very similar to the last preview we got. It opens with a nice animated collage of past Pixar features leading into a little bit of the new one. It gives nothing away, and frankly would seem to be a bit underwhelming. But we know better, right?

Star Trek - Superbowl Spot

JJ Abrams take on the the classic series is drawing ever closer. It looks like the series almost as much as it appears unrecognizable. I am really looking forward to this reboot. I have faith in JJ Abrams ability to do it justice. I also think Karl Urban looks good as McCoy, surprisingly enough. The teaser gives us a look at Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood), as well as plenty of stuff blowing up. Here's to hoping i pays off.

Year One - Superbowl Spot

You know, this teaser looks exceptionally dumb. Still, with Jack Black and Michael Cera, I am quite interested in it. After watching the trailer a couple of times, I still have no idea what it is about.

Fast and Furious - Superbowl Spot

Is this sequel necessary? Maybe, maybe not. Whatever the answer is, I am sure the movie will be fun. The trailers certainly look like fun. It seems that Vin Diesel is making a run to get back in the spotlight, will this be the movie to do it? Perhaps. He returns with Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster to have a nother go at it.

Land of the Lost - Superbowl Spot

This looks like it could be fun. I like the opening bit with Matt Laurer, as well as the reference later on. My biggest problem with this spot is that I am very much reminded of Brendan Fraser's Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D.

Monsters Vs. Aliens - Superbowl Spot

I have hopes for this, the trailer makes it look like a lot of fun and the 3D is just icing on the cake. That said, I really wish they didn't do this 3D commercial stuff. It is nothing like what you see in the theater and only does the new technology a disservice if it becomes associated with this anaglyph junk.

Race to Witch Mountain - Superbowl Spot

I am not sure if this is a sequel or a remake of the old Disney film Escape to Witch Mountain, but whatever the case may be, it looks like fun. This commercial does not offer much more than the previously released trailer, but I do like the stormtrooper bit at the beginning. I like Dwayne Johnson, I just hope he can escape the family film thing. Not that it is a bad thing, but I see bigger things for him.

Angels and Demons - Superbowl Spot

Ron Howard and Tom Hanks return in this sequel to The DaVinci Code. It is actually a prequel as the book takes place before the first film. I can only hope this one is better. It looks moderately intriguing.

DVD Pick of the Week: Friday the 13th - Uncut

Welcome back! Well, to some of you, anyway. To the rest of you, glad you decided to stop by and I hope that this humble column helps you navigate the stacks of new releases each week. My goal is to point you toward titles of interest and warn you away from those films that seek to do nothing but leech away your time and give you nothing in return.

Full disclosure: I have not seen many of these titles and what follows are not necessarily reviews. It is my opinion based upon what I know of the titles I pluck from the new release lists that I peruse. The opinions I give based on the new releases are my own, and my recommendations upon them are based on my personal interest. In any case, I hope you enjoy and perhaps find something you like or a title to point me towards.

Friday the 13th: Uncut. This is what fans have been screaming for, finally the uncut version is coming to Region 1 DVD. I believe prior to this it has only been available in Japan. Now we have to wonder how long it will take to get the uncut versions of the rest of the series? I must admit to having a soft spot for this series and I am really looking forward to the remake, which looks pretty darn good. In addition to being uncut, this release will also have a selection of new features, hopefully they will help make up for what was on the box set released some years ago.

Friday the 13th, Part 2. No, not uncut, but hopefully improved video over the box set release. This sequel release will also feature a selection of new featurettes. I want to check out the new additions, but I am not sure I want to rebuy the film.

Friday the 13th, Part 3: 3D. See the above, but this has the advantage of being released in 3D. All I know is that I do not want to watch this in those red/blue glasses (it comes with two pairs).

His Name was Jason: 30 Years of Friday the 13th. This looks promising, if it is anything like the Halloween documentary, this will definitely be worth checking out. With so many characters and films there is no shortage of history to delve into.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I love Kevin Smith movies. He is a master when working vulgarity and crass language. He is able to treat it like it is still shocking and inject an immense amount of heart. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks make an impressive couple as they deal with being friends, broke, and porno makers. If you are a Smith fan, do not miss this as it is sure to have some great extras too.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The movie is entertaining enough; it is bright, colorful, and quickly paced. There are few moments where boredom threatens to kick in. This is not a movie that breaks any new ground, but it doesn't need to. It is a safe film that is what it is, fun, fast, and good for the kids. Sit back and enjoy the ride; just don't expect another Kung Fu Panda.

The Secret Life of Bees. The movie is a little odd in the way that tone shifts through three distinct portions. There is the initial drama with the abusive father, followed by the lengthy middle portion where the bad early feelings go away within the peaceful refuge of the Boatwrights' home and honey business, before reality comes crashing back in the conclusion. I was a little thrown by the shifts, but in the end it is a touching film that was more affecting than I was expecting it to be.

Bottle Shock. I have not seen this film, but it could prove interesting. The story centers on California wine country and their battle with French wineries. Alan Rickman stars in this drama built upon real life issues. Think of a more historically accurate look at the business than is shown in the excellent Sideways.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. While I found the plot to be distracting and the music not for me, it is hard to deny these characters their moment to shine. Then once you set the plot aside and allow the characters to possess center stage you will discover a screenplay that is a cut above your typical teen rom-com. An intelligence is revealed through words that do not treat the characters as idiots. They not always be the smartest words to say, but they suffuse characters with real thoughts and real feelings.

Afro Samurai: Resurrection. I still have not seen the original, so I will have to pass on this for awhile. Samuel L. Jackson as an anime warrior? What's not to like?

Killer Movie. This could prove fun. On the set of a reality show, things go horribly wrong as a killer starts taking out the contestants. It has received some good early word and it does feature Big Bang Theory looker Kaley Cuoco.

Everybody Wants to be Italian. This movie so much wants to be a new My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but it comes nowhere near. It has a few moments of humor and poignancy, but the central character is just too much of a psycho to really like for any amount of time.

Dead Noon. Super low budget horror take on High Noon and starring Kane "Jason Voorhees" Hodder. I have not seen anything on this, but with Hodder and some positive buzz it definitely looks like one to check out.

Assault on Precinct 13: Restored Edition. Not sure how much better this will look over the last release, but it is a fantastic movie that you should add to your collection. It is, essentially, John Carpenter's take on Rio Bravo (which he would visit again with Ghosts of Mars). It is low budget, gritty and a little controversial. Do yourself a favor and check this out.

Movie Review: Taken (2009)

Here is a movie that caught me completely off guard. I recall seeing trailers for it back in the summer of 2008 with what I thought was an intended September/October release. Then it inexplicably vanished from the release schedule only to pop up now on the last weekend of January. Not exactly a high profile release spot, pairing off with Super Bowl weekend, no less. Still, the trailer looked promising and featuring Liam Neeson in a role that I do not recall him filling since the days of Darkman. What gave me a bit more hope was that Luc Besson is involved. Besson is an action guy I trust. His films may not always be great, but they are always entertaining.

As I sat there watching this tale of vengeance unfold, one other movie came to mind. That one movie was Rambo, not First Blood or Rambo III, but the four film in the series that hit screens about this time last year. At first glance these two movies do not seem to have anything in common other than the action genre. I am sure you are wondering just what I could see in these two movies that could equate them on any level. The answer is simple, both films feature over the top action with bad guys being dispatched in scarily efficient manner by a lone warrior who is well versed in the ways of dealing death. Both have a personal stake in the success of their chosen mission, which is not sanctioned or backed by any world government or military branch, secret or otherwise.


On top of that, they both use these completely unbelievable setups in the service of a real world issue. Do either of them serve to illuminate the seriousness of their respective issues? I do not know, but they could prove to be a way to introduce them to those who may not be familiar with them. Or, they could just be a means to an end for a film that is purely intended as exploitative entertainment. Is there anything wrong with that? I would say no. Both of them are immensely entertaining.

In retrospect, there is another comparison that can be made. Does this not seem an awful lot like an old Steven Seagal-style plot? He very easily could have played the Neeson role. However, as we all know there is a big difference in acting ability between Steven Seagal and Liam Neeson. Where an 80's era Seagal would have made this a fun movie, Liam Neeson makes this an excellent one. They bring very different intensities to the screen, but Neeson combines that intensity with a much broader depth of emotion, and it is the emotion that truly sells the role.

What? You want to know a bit more about the movie? All right, I think I can help you out there.

As the film begins, we meet Bryan Mills (Neeson), a "sort of retired" CIA man who has seen action in various parts of the world. We learn that his job has kept him away from his family, which he ultimately lost to the ridiculously rich Stuart (Xander Berkeley). He has taken his leave from the CIA at the expense of the work he loves and, one would presume, a more comfortable home life. He did it so he could be closer to his now seventeen year old daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace.

Conflict begins when Kim wants to go overseas with a girlfriend where they will be overseen by the friend's cousins. Kim's mother, Leonore (Famke Janssen), is all set to let her go, but Bryan knows better. His job has opened up his eyes to the dangers that exist all around. He eventually relents, and she is off to Paris.

No sooner has she arrived that she and her friend are targeted, marked, and taken. Fortunately, she is not grabbed so fast that she isn't able to get a frantic call off to her father. Now, we all know what that means. Enter the speech from the trailer, it is time to employ his skills. Bryan becomes a man possessed of one goal, to get his daughter back at all costs.

Bryan employs his CIA contacts for some information and off he goes, much like Terrence Stamp in The Limey, no one will get in his way or prevent him from achieving his goal. No, this is not terribly realistic, and the ease with which Bryan is able to exact some of his vengeance. So what. It is exciting and Liam Neeson makes you believe he can do this. The man carries so much emotional weight and brings the project much more credibility than it probably deserves.

Taken is a thrilling ride from start to finish. Yes, it does feature human trafficking as a story device and yes it is a bit exploitative of such a tragic occurrence, but it has a great glossy sheen of action. No one can shepherd an action film to the screen like Luc Besson.

Pierre Morel, one of Besson's protege's, proved himself with the fun District B13 and now he has proven himself with slightly more serious material. He keeps the movie moving along, action always in high gear while never losing focus on the story or the characters. No small feat for a movie that is so unbelievable as this.

As well executed as the film is technically, there is no way you can understate what Liam Neeson brings to the table. He is the grounding force. Yes, he is going around beating the snot out of anyone who gets in his way, but it is more than just pure revenge. He carries so much emotional weight, just look into his eyes, past the anger driven intensity, you will find the desperation of a man who is danger of losing the most important person in his life. There are few actors who could make something so unbelievable resonate in a believable manner.

Bottomline. You want crazy? You want wild? You want a film that is more than sheer surface gloss? See Taken, see what Liam Neeson can bring to a role. It will be hard to walk away unaffected.

Highly Recommended.

Movie Review: Inkheart

Over the past couple of years it seems that studios have been trying to make the early months of the year a place to open modest fantasy films. You know, the ones that don't have exorbitant budgets like the Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. Of course, this is just guessing on my part. 2007 saw Walden Media score a hit with Bridge to Terabithia, one that proved to be a very strong and effective film. Taking a cue from that success, Nickelodeon brought us The Spiderwick Chronicles, a film which saw similar box office success and was also a high quality release. Now we have New Line seeking to continue this trend with Inkheart. Unfortunately, while the movie is definitely in the same genre, it is decidedly not nearly the same quality level. No, it is not bad, but definitely a little disappointing.

Inkheart is based on a novel by Cornelia Funke and has been adapted to the big screen by writer David Lindsay-Abaire and director Iain Softley. I have not read the novel, but I have to believe the characters are a bit more fully rounded on the written page than they turned out on the big screen. As presented on film, Inkheart is a good story that speaks to the power of the written word and wants to encourage the discovery of the secrets contained with the covers of countless books. It also speaks to the strong pull and need for family. Sadly, somewhere in the adaptation process direction was lost and the path away from character and towards the plot. If all you want is a story, this is the movie for you.

Brendan Fraser is Mortimer Folchart, a book collector, fixer, hunter, you name it. He also possesses a special ability, something that few people have, and I have to believe fewer actually want. Mo (as he is called) is a Silvertongue. This means that whatever he reads aloud becomes reality. For example, read about the flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz and they will spring from the pages and become manifest in the real world. To say this ability has caused some problems would be an understatement.

Early on in the manifestation of his ability, Mo unwittingly set free a number of the creepy denizens of a book called Inkheart, from the bad guy Capricorn (Andy Serkis) to the lonely fire-juggler Dustfinger (Paul Bettany). However, the biggest side effect of Mo's reading was that it sent his wife, Resa (Sienna Guillory), into the book. Ever since this time Mo has been on a quest to find the book and get her out, all while being pursued by Dustfinger and Capricorn. This story finds all of the players coming together after so many years of hunting.

The film is not as easily setup as I had just described it. It is accurate, but the film takes a little longer to get going, making the early goings a little confusing as I tried to place all the events and people into the correct place. Once it gets going, it is a pretty straightforward affair.

The central conflict has Mo seeking to get his wife back, Dustfinger wanting to go home, and Capricorn liking it here and wanting more book help to be provided by the Silvertongue. All of this is accompanied by nice use of effects to show the combining of the fantasy book world with the real world.

The performances are mostly fine. As they are at the mercy of the screenplay, I find it hard to blame them for the feature's shortcomings. Brendan Fraser is not that bad of an actor, although he seems to be forever stuck in these family adventure films. No, not necessarily a bad thing but I feel it holds him back from showing what he can do. Helen Mirren is entertaining as the quirky reclusive aunt who joins them on their adventure. Eliza Hope Bennett turns in serviceable work as Meggie, Mo and Resa's daughter. Then there is Gollum himself, Andy Serkis hamming it up as our villain, giving evil a smiling face.

Stealing the show, acting wise, is Paul Bettany as Dustfinger. He brings genuine intensity tempered sadness to the role of a man who just wants to go home. He is driven by a degree of desperation and wants nothing more than to go home, although he is also afraid of the fate that could await him in the book as written by the novel's author.

Direction from Iain Softley is solid if unspectacular. He sets the story up and lets it go with little visual flair to stand it apart from other similar films. The main issues fall on David Lindsay-Abaire, whose screenplay does a fine job of telling the story, but when it comes to character they just are not there. I could not find a good reason to really care about them as they moved through the tale. Sure, they had a definite and admirable goal, but all they did was march towards it, there was little supporting material to fully drag me in.

Still, it is not a complete failure. I loved the focus put on the power of books and their ability to take us to faraway lands and introduce us to interesting people. It almost makes me wish I had time to read more often than I do. There is something magical about books ability to fuel an imagination and it is something that seems to be on a downward slide in these days of technological advancement.

Bottomline. Not great, not terrible. Inkheart is serviceable fantasy-spiced adventure with a good supporting cast performance and a positive message in favor of reading. If only the script took the next step, this could have been really special.

Mildly Recommended.