Saturday, June 12, 2010

MOVIE REVIEW … SHREK FOREVER AFTER

MOVIE REVIEW …

SHREK FOREVER AFTER


shrek-forever-after-movie-poster-1020545570 A Hollywood director once described his latest blockbuster as being too 'toyetic'.  He meant the film had become a mere cipher for merchandising opportunities than providing genuine entertainment.  Shrek Forever After could be described like this as it becomes lost in a vacuum of creative retreat.  That's probably a harsh way to describe the latest chapter in a beloved animated series, but the inventive well which served it wonderfully over four movies appears to have finally run dry.

Longing for the old days, Shrek (MIKE MYERS) wonders what it would be like to stroll through the village of Far Far Away and frighten all the townspeople in DreamWorks 
Animation?s ?Shrek Forever After,? releasing May 21, 2010 and distributed by 
Paramount Pictures. 
  
 Living in his swamp with Fiona and three kids, Shrek is starting to feel the pressure.  Tired of the daily familial and work routine, he wishes for a day of hassle-free fun.  Rumpelstiltskin offers him a contract where Shrek arrives in a time before he met his wife and friends, but also when the wicked Rumpelstiltskin reigns supreme.  Wanting his old life back, Shrek races against the clock to restore the balance and the craziness of his fame filled life.

Shrek (MIKE MYERS) takes in the pampered surroundings of the over-coiffed and 
over-fed Puss In Boots (ANTONIO BANDERAS) in DreamWorks Animation?s ?Shrek 
Forever After,? releasing May 21, 2010 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Shrek (MIKE MYERS) contemplates the deal of a lifetime from Rumpelstiltskin (WALT 
DOHRN) in DreamWorks Animation?s ?Shrek Forever After,? releasing May 21, 2010 
and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

 Shrek Forever After suffers from a bad case of 'sequel-itis' where each proceeding film lessened what made the original so great.  Ever so surely the charm of Shrek's first outing has been deflated with the latest having nothing new to say.  It's not that it's bad - just ordinary - as if the writers couldn't think of anything new and decided to re-hash the first film's plot.  This may have been an ok idea at the time, but as Shrek's audience has grown so unfortunately has the series' mythology, as the more adult tone to the story prevents it from re-capturing the joyful fairytale qualities of previous entries.

movie-shrek_forever_after-stills-625417187

There's still some fun to be found if you look closely.  Rumpelstiltskin is a nice addition with his wicked ways well served by the coven of naughty witches.  This is the only new element which works as most of the story focuses on Shrek's courting of Fiona which we've already seen.  The voice cast are still fine as is the animation which is superb as always although once again the 3-D version adds nothing to the overall effect other than taking more money out of the pocket.

movie-shrek_forever_after-stills-771696403 Billed as 'The Final Chapter', it can only be hoped the producers take heed.  A tired re-tread of what was done better before, it's time the jolly green ogre found new pastures and for animation to find a new hero to spin the ever growing merchandise web.

shrek-the-final-chapter-6
Movie Review Rating 5 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

Shrek Forever After released in Australia on Thursday 17 June 2010.

If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review Shrek Forever After

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

Official HomePage click HERE

MOVIE REVIEW …THE A-TEAM

MOVIE REVIEW …

THE A-TEAM


the-a-team-movie-poster-1020540031 Back in the less politically correct era of the 80's, Channel Ten used to be known as the 'macho TV station'.  With their 'tough guy week' action movie marathons and various testosterone packed adventure shows. The mostly teenaged male audience lapped it up.  Admittedly I was one of them, with The A-Team high on my list of 'must see' shows.  Thankfully the film version works a treat with its escapades mirroring the show which added to Channel Ten's masculine fuelled reputation.

the-a-team-movie-poster-1020546864 Four U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers are arrested for a crime they didn't commit.  They include John 'Hannibal' Smith (Liam Neeson), 'Faceman' Peck (Brad Cooper), 'Howling Mad' Murdoch (Sharlto Copley), and B.A. Baracus (Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson).  Marked as war criminals and thrown into military prison, they make plans for escape.  When they do they're hunted by the determined Capt. Sosa (Jessica Biel) and Col. Lynch (Patrick Wilson).  Evading capture and becoming soldiers of fortune they attempt to clear their names in explosive A-Team style.

 If the original series copied action movies for TV consumption, the film version is its natural successor.  The central concept lends itself very well for the big screen and director Joe Carnahan grabs this with all barrels blazing.  Clearly in his element, he maximizes the material's potential by expanding the background to the team's formation and reasons for their wild actions.  Wild being the key word as the action begins from the first frame as the loopy plot and stunts converge.  Whilst it loses its way occasionally, the actual story is steeped in a vague realism which successfully anchored the TV series throughout its five seasons.

the-a-team-movie-poster-1020546871

Its' most remarkable aspect is in its casting where not for a minute do you miss the original performers.  From Neeson's dignified presence to Jackson's mohawked bruiser, they at once do justice to those who played them before while making each their own characters.  A very difficult job they do with ease as you instantly believe the long camaraderie binding them.  They more than hold their own with the many stunts although it would have been nice had some sequences been less reliant on CGI for their impact.  This is a lot of fun and everyone shows a commitment to entertain as well as providing nostalgia for long time fans.

the-a-team-movie-poster-1020546868 One can breathe a sigh of relief as The A-Team is one of the few TV to film adaptations to get it right.  Unapologetic with its adventurous scrapes, it perfectly captures the spirit of its predecessor and wouldn't look out of place on Channel Ten's old schedule with its rampaging machismo echoing less easily shocked times.

Movie Review Rating 8 / 10

Movie Review by Patrick Moore

The A-Team released in Australia on Thursday 10 June 2010.

If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review The A-Team

Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.

Official HomePage click HERE

MOVIE NEWS … TWILIGHT BREAKING DAWN

MOVIE NEWS … 

TWILIGHT BREAKING DAWN

twilight-10

Twilight fans have twice as many reasons to cheer. Summit Entertainment has confirmed that Breaking Dawn, the fourth novel in Stephanie Meyer's best-selling vampire series, will be released as two separate films.

The first installment will be released on the originally announced date of November 18, 2011. The second film's release date has yet to be announced. The production of both films will happen simultaneously and is expected to last four to five months, starting in the late fall.

Oscar winning director Bill Condon - best known for writing and directing Gods and Monsters, Chicago and Dreamgirls - will be directing both films. And stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner are of course back. However, it has not been confirmed whether Dakota Fanning (as Jane) and Michael Sheen (as Aro) will reprise their roles.

And despite graphic scenes in the novel involving sex and childbirth, the film adaptations will have a PG-13 rating.

TRIVIA BITS ... EYE GLASSES

TRIVIA BITS ...

EYE GLASSES

old-style-glasses.jpg

Eyeglasses are lenses set in frames for wearing in front of the eyes to aid vision or correct such defects of vision as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Although Nero used emerald-colored lenses to view the gladiator games in A.D. 60, it's questionable whether he could actually see better.

The first "reading glass" was developed around A.D. 1000 but was more of a magnifying glass than an eyeglass.

In Europe, eyeglasses first appeared in Italy during the 13th century, their introduction being attributed to Alessandro di Spina of Florence.

The first portrait to show eyeglasses is that of Hugh of Provence by Tommaso da Modena, painted in 1352.

Hugh_specs

In 1784, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals with lenses for distant and near vision.

ben-franklin-bifocals bifocals

MOVIE TRIVIA … TOY STORY 3

MOVIE TRIVIA …

TOY STORY 3

toy story 3

* Director Lee Unkrich edited the first two “Toy Story” films, and co-directed “Toy Story 2.” He also served as a film editor on “Toy Story 3.”

* “Toy Story 3” Producer Darla K. Anderson is the namesake for the character Darla in “Finding Nemo.”

* Director Lee Unkrich performs one line in the movie, as the voice of the Jack in the Box character who says “New Toys!” when Woody, Buzz and the gang first arrive at Sunnyside.

* On January 15, 2010, the final day for many of the 58-person animation crew, director Lee Unkrich led a mini-marching band through the studio composed of two snare drummers, two bass drummers, two giant monkeys and a Yeti.

* 17 animators on “Toy Story 3” also worked on animation for “Toy Story 2.” Four animators worked on the animation for all three “Toy Story” films.

* 92,854 storyboards were drawn over the course of the film, and of those, about half (45,516) were delivered to the editorial department. Editorial turned those storyboards into eight different “Milestone Screenings” that were shown to the Pixar Brain Trust while the film was in development.

* There are 302 total characters in the film.

* There are more than 300 stickers in Andy’s room.

* The pins on the map in Andy’s room correspond to the hometowns of “Toy Story 3” production staff.

* A few pieces of art hanging on the walls in Andy’s room were actually created by “Toy Story 3” art coordinator Erin Magill when she was in high school.

* Andy has a banner hanging on one of the walls in his room that reads “P.U.” P.U. stands for Pixar University, a professional-development program for Pixar employees.

* Above Andy’s closet is a street sign for W. Cutting Blvd., the street on which Pixar’s original headquarters were based.

* Hidden in Andy’s bedroom is a hint at a new character in next year’s “Cars 2.”

* The number A113, which refers to John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton’s former classroom at CalArts, makes an appearance in every Pixar film. Despite the years that have passed, Andy’s mom hasn’t changed her license plate, which still reads A113. In “Toy Story 3,” however, Andy’s mom has a new license plate frame that reads “Tiger Pride,” which is a reference to director Lee Unkrich’s hometown of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and his high school mascot, the Tiger.

* The Pizza Planet Truck, which first made an appearance in the original “Toy Story,” has made a cameo in nearly every Pixar film. It also appears in “Toy Story 3,” providing a bumpy ride to some travelling toys.

* Sid, the mean kid who liked to destroy his toys in “Toy Story,” is all grown up as well, and he makes a cameo in “Toy Story 3,” wearing his signature skull t-shirt. Sid’s cameo is voiced by 27-year-old Erik Von Detten, who at the age of 13 was the original voice of Sid in “Toy Story.”


Character Facts:

Woody –

* In honor of “Toy Story 3,” LEGO created a six-foot-six-inch tall version of Woody that weighs 80 pounds and is built from more than 17,200 bricks.

* Woody is 15.18 inches tall without his hat, and 15.93 inches tall with his hat on.

* Woody has 229 animation avars in his face. Avars, short for animation variables, are the points of movement, which animators manipulate to create a character’s physical performance.

Buzz Lightyear –

* In honor of “Toy Story 3,” LEGO created a five-foot-three-inch tall version of Buzz that weighs 120 pounds and is built from more than 25,000 LEGO bricks. The Buzz and Woody models now have a permanent home at Pixar.

* Buzz is 11.43 inches tall without his helmet, and 11.80 inches tall with it.

* Buzz has 215 animation avars in his face. Avars, short for animation variables, are the points of movement, which animators manipulate to create a character’s physical performance.

Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear –

* In Disney Pixar’s “Up,” Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (Lotso) can be seen sitting on the floor of a little girl’s bedroom as Carl’s house flies past her window.

* Lotso has 3,473,271 individual hairs organized in several layers of different length and thickness.

Barbie –

* The version of Barbie used in “Toy Story 3” is modelled after “Great Shape Barbie” from 1983.


Ken -

* The version of Ken used in “Toy Story 3” is modelled after “Animal Lovin’ Ken” from 1988.

* Ken wears 21 different outfits in the movie.

Andy –

* The character of Andy is voiced by John Morris, the same actor who voiced Andy in the original films.

In “Toy Story 3,” Andy is about to leave for college. In real life, John Morris is 26.

Molly –

* In “Toy Story 2,” baby Molly was voiced by Lee Unkrich’s daughter, Hannah. He re-purposed those same recordings for Molly in the home video footage shown at the beginning of “Toy Story


3 Peas-in-a-Pod -

* The three peas are named Peatey, Peatrice, and Peanelope.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … GARLAND AT MADAME TUSSAUDS

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

 

GARLAND

AT MADAME TUSSAUDS

garland tussaud

The event ceremony was held at 11:00 am on June 8th at Madame Tussauds Hollywood 6933 Hollywood Boulevard., Hollywood, CA 90028 next to Grauman Chinese Theatre.

Jack Allen, writer and historian, was the Master of Ceremony. Special appearances: Joey Luft, (son of Judy Garland), Margaret O'Brien (co-star of Garland's in Meet Me in St. Louis), Jerry & Elizabeth Maren (Original Munchkin).

Ranked by the AFI (American Film Institute) as one of the ten most popular film actresses of all time, Judy Garland is an American original. Literally born in a trunk to a show business family, Garland rose to become one of the 20th century's greatest entertainers, famed for both her live stage shows and movie appearances, including the unforgettable character "Dorothy" in "The Wizard of Oz."

"If anyone personifies the golden age of Hollywood, it's Judy Garland," says Robert Osborne, America's resident film historian and indefatigable host of Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

While many of the celebrities, such as Quentin Tarantino, Jackie Chan, and George Lopez, recently inducted into the Madame Tussauds collection, represent contemporary Hollywood, Judy Garland, says the attraction's general manager, Adrian Jones, is the most requested classic film star.

Born Francis Gumm and appearing in the family act, "The Gumm Sisters," Garland, with the encouragement of legendary vaudevillian George Jessel, took on the name Judy Garland in 1934.

Winner of a special Academy Award, Tony Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, presented posthumously, Garland ranks as one of show biz's all time greats, in a league with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

June 10 was Garland's 88th birthday.

garland tussauda

garland tussaudb

garland and child

JUST FOR FUN … FUN SOAPS

JUST FOR FUN …

FUN SOAPS

Imagine using these soaps in the shower or the bath!

1 2 3 4 6 91011 12 13 14 15 16

MOVIE NEWS … 15 BOOKS TO READ

MOVIE NEWS …

15 BOOKS TO READ

BEFORE THEY HIT THE BIG SCREEN

 

1. One Day by David Nicholls

ONE DAY

* What it's about: A couple of friends who have a one-night stand and then meet on the same day for the next 20 years; the movie was recently cast.
* Who's starring: Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

2. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

* What it's about: The first book in the Millennium trilogy, the story follows a journalist named Mikael Blomkvist who teams up with a computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander to uncover a family secret surrounding a woman's disappearance. The movie version is on its way.
* Who's starring: Carey Mulligan has been rumored for the lead, and Brad Pitt will reportedly read for the role of Mikael this month.

3. 20 Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak

20 TIMES A LADY

* What it's about: A woman obsessed with the number of men she's slept with — and finding a soulmate among her past lovers. It's had its title reworked for the big screen, as What's Your Number.
* Who's starring: Anna Faris, Dave Annable, Andy Samberg, Zachary Quinto, Joel McHale, and Chris Evans.

4. Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

* What it's about: A Depression-era story of a young man who joins a circus and witnesses the cruelty, while falling for one of the trainers. The movie is currently filming.
* Who's starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz.

5. I'm With the Band by Pamela Des Barres

IM WITH THE BAND

* What it's about: The memoirs (read: sexual escapades) of rock and roll groupie Des Barres, which will be worked into a series for HBO.
* Who's starring: Zooey Deschanel.

6. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

ON THE ROAD

* What it's about: A classic beat novel, the 1960s legend is one you should have already read — or should re-read to prep for the upcoming film version.
* Who's starring: Kristen Stewart and Kirsten Dunst.

7. The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud

THE EMPERORS CHILDREN

* What it's about: The dramedy follows three Brown University graduates examining their lives post-9/11. The adaptation will be directed by Noah Baumbach.
* Who's starring: Keira Knightley, Michelle Williams, and Eric Bana.

8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

* What it's about: A coming-of-age tale about a shy teen guy in Pittsburgh, as he discusses his struggles with adolescence in the form of letters to an anonymous reader. The book is in the works as an indie film.
* Who's starring: Logan Lerman is in talks for the lead, while Emma Watson is in negotiations for a role as well (most likely as Sam, the central character's friend and crush).

9. Important Artifacts by Leanne Shapton

IMPORTANT ARTEFACTS

* What it's about: Well, the full title is actually Important Artifacts and Personal Property From the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry. In this fictional auction catalog of one ex-couple's belongings (325 total to be exact), we witness the beginnings and ultimate unraveling of their relationship via various mementos they left behind. I already read the book last year for Buzz Book Club, but in case you missed it then, give it a spin now before the movie comes out.
* Who's starring: Brad Pitt and Natalie Portman will play the central duo.

10. An Ex to Grind by Jane Heller

AN EX TO GRIND

* What it's about: An unhappy wife who tries to find her ex-athlete husband a new wife so she can divorce him and not pay alimony. Look for it to be turned into a rom-com.
* Who's starring: Cameron Diaz and Benicio Del Toro.

 

11. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

EAT PRAY LOVE

* What it's about: The memoir follows the author's journey around the world from Italy to Bali, as she tries to reclaim her life following a painful divorce. The movie comes out this Summer.
* Who's starring: An all-star cast includes Julia Roberts in the main role, with supporting parts from Richard Jenkins, Javier Bardem, and James Franco.

12. Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich

ACCIENTAL BILLIONAIRES

* What it's about: The beginnings of Facebook and a young Mark Zuckerberg, retitled The Social Network for the film adaptation.
* Who's starring: Jesse Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake.

13. Something Borrowed and Something Blue

by Emily Giffin

SOMETHING BORROWED

* What it's about: Something Borrowed introduces you to Rachel, a woman who sleeps with her best friend's fiance, and Something Blue is the sequel, which centers around the cuckolded best friend, Darcy. The first installment is filming now.
* Who's starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Kate Hudson, John Krasinski, and Colin Egglesfield.

14. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

NEVER LET ME GO

* What it's about: The story with a sci-fi slant centers on three friends who are raised in an isolated British school as they come to realize as adults that they've been born to serve as organ donors. It'll be getting the sci-fi movie treatment.
* Who's starring: Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, and Carey Mulligan will portray the main trio, with Mulligan taking on the role of the film's central figure and narrator, Kathy.

15. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

by Seth Grahame-Smith

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

* What it's about: It's a twisted spin on Austen's classic novel that puts heroine Elizabeth Bennett in the middle of protecting her family and town from the undead. An adaptation is only logical.
* Who's starring: Natalie Portman will take on Bennett; plus, she's producing.

QUOTABLES … MAHATMA GHANDI

QUOTABLES …

MAHATMA GHANDI

mAHATMA Gandhi 

If I had no sense of humour, I would long ago have committed suicide.

Mahatma Ghandi

Friday, June 11, 2010

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS … RICKY MARTIN IN EVITA

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS …

RICKY MARTIN IN EVITA

rmartin200

Pop singer Ricky Martin has signed up to play Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara in the revival of Evita headed for Broadway.

Argentinian actress Elena Roger will reprise her acclaimed West End role as Eva Peron in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which dramatizes the life of the glamorous and controversial Argentinian first lady.

Performances will being spring 2012.