Movie Reviews and Ratings

Robert Rodriguez hires Josh Brolin for ‘Sin City 2’

2013/01/08 at 12:00am

Robert Rodriguez hires Josh Brolin for ‘Sin City 2’

01.8.2013 | By Mack Chico |

New York, NY January 8, 2013 – Today Dimension Films announced another big name that has been added to the SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR cast roster, further ramping up the ensemble – Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin (GANGSTER SQUAD, MILK). Brolin will star as “Dwight” in the follow up to FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY for co-directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller. The part of the “Dame” has yet to be cast.

Dwight is one of the favorite characters from Miller’s books and the 2005 film. In SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR, Dwight is hunted down by the only woman he ever loved, Ava Lord, and then watches his life go straight to hell. Chronologically, this story takes place prior to “The Big Fat Kill” (featured in the film FRANK MILLER’S SIN CITY) and explains how Dwight came to have a dramatically different face.

“Dwight is a constant character throughout the Sin City world and “A Dame To Kill For” is a defining episode in his life. We’re looking forward to Josh’s take on Dwight,” said Rodriguez and Miller.

Brolin will next be seen alongside Sean Penn in the Warner Bros. 1940’s police drama Gangster Squad set for release January 11, 2013. Brolin recently completed production on the Jason Reitman-directed film Labor Day opposite Kate Winslet, in addition to Spike Lee’s Oldboy, a remake of the popular Korean film. Brolin last appeared as young “Agent K” in Men in Black 3, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and co-starring Will Smith and Emma Thompson. In 2008, Brolin was nominated for an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and received awards from the New York Film Critics Circle and the National Board of Review for his portrayal of ‘Dan White’ in Gus Van Sant’s acclaimed film Milk. Prior to that, Brolin earned a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of an ensemble for his work in Joel and Ethan Coen’s No Country for Old Men, which also won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR weaves together two of Miller’s classic stories with new tales in which the town’s most hard boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more repulsive inhabitants.

The star studded ensemble includes already announced original cast members Academy Award® nominee Mickey Rourke as “Marv,” Jessica Alba as “Nancy,” Rosario Dawson as “Gail” and Jaime King as “Goldie/Wendy” with new cast members Joseph Gordon-Levitt as “Johnny,” Dennis Haysbert as “Manute” and Jamie Chung as “Miho.” Production is underway at Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios in Austin, Texas.

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR was developed by Frank Miller based upon his graphic novel, with a screenplay by Miller.

The film will be released by Dimension Films in the US and Canada on October 4, 2013 and produced by Robert Rodriguez‘s Quick Draw Productions, Aldamisa, AR Films, Miramax and Solipsist. International sales are through Aldamisa International.

By Karen Posada

2013/01/07 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ kicks off at #1

01.7.2013 | By Karen Posada |

The first week of January 2013 kicks off with ‘Texas Chainsaw 3D’ at number one, with $23 million dollars. This remake has given a good amount to Lionsgate earning past its production cost. The film hasn’t left horror fans too happy though.

‘Django Unchained’ kept its spot at number two with $20.1 million dollars; this is now Quentin Tarantino’s highest grossing film. With the Oscars just around the corner this one is bound to stick around for a while longer and one of this terrific performances will hopefully get awarded.

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ is now number three with $17.5 million dollars, the film stayed at number one for three straight weeks. The film has done extremely well and has definitely paved the way for the next two movies to come.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Texas Chainsaw 3D – $23 mil

2. Django Unchained – $20.1 mil

3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – $17.5 mil

4. Les Miserables – $16.1 mil

5. Parental Guidance – $10.1 mil

6. Jack Reacher – $9.3 mil

7. This is 40 – $8.6 mil

8. Lincoln – $5.3 mil

9. The Guilt Trip – $4.5 mil

10. Promised Land – $4.3 mil

Jessica Alba’s new ‘Escape From Planet Earth’ trailer!

By Jack Rico

2013/01/04 at 12:00am

Movies

Jessica Alba’s new ‘Escape From Planet Earth’ trailer!

01.4.2013 | By Jack Rico |

Jessica Alba, George Lopez and Sofia Vergara are the Hispanic stars that are lending their voice to the new animated film ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH from The Weinstein Company. A new trailer has just been released and we have the poster attached as well just in case you haven’t seen it.

The 3D animated family comedy catapults moviegoers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at BASA. When BASA’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary’s warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission. But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker (William Shatner) it’s up to scrawny, risk-adverse Gary to do the real rescuing. As the interplanetary stakes rise to new heights, Gary is left to save his brother, his planet, his beloved wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure hungry son Kip.

The film also stars Jane Lynch, Craig Robinson, Steve Zahn, Chris Parnell, Jonath Morgan Heit, James Corden, Brendan Fraser, Rob Corddry, Sarah Jessica Parker and William Shatner.

ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH will be released on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2013.

Watch Fede Alvarez’s Red Band ‘Evil Dead’ Trailer!

By Jack Rico

2013/01/04 at 12:00am

Movies

Watch Fede Alvarez’s Red Band ‘Evil Dead’ Trailer!

01.4.2013 | By Jack Rico |

Uruguayan phenom director Fede Alvarez has his bloody hands busy nowadays directing the ‘Evil Dead‘ remake. From what we’ve seen from the first trailer, it looks real good and scary, but now we’ve obtained the new Red Band trailer fo the film, meaning put your kids to sleep and get ready to get your eyes popped from the terror.

In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.

‘Evil Dead‘ opens in theaters on April 12. The film stars Hispanic actor Shiloh Fernandez (who we hear doesn’t speak Spanish) Jane Levy, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas and Elizabeth Blackmore.

Primera foto de "Día de los Muertos" de Pixar

By Jack Rico

2013/01/02 at 12:00am

Movies

Primera foto de "Día de los Muertos" de Pixar

01.2.2013 | By Jack Rico |

By Karen Posada

2012/12/31 at 12:00am

Movies

The Hobbit finishes off 2012 at #1!

12.31.2012 | By Karen Posada |

‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ finished off 2012 at number one for the third week since its release with $32.9 million dollars, with a domestic total of $222.7 million dollars. It battled over the weekend with the two big Christmas openings, but it wan and continues to hold on strong; it will reach the $700 million dollar mark worldwide soon.

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Django Unchained’ a violent driven western film, with an interesting Christmas opening day debuted at number two with $30.7 million dollars. Family movies usually own the holiday season, but this one with an R rating, strong cast which deliver amazing performances and a renowned director broke the norm and holds a domestic total of $64 million dollars since it opened.

Another film many waited for which opened Christmas day ‘Les Miserables’ held on to the number one spot for a couple of days, to finish off at number three with $28 million dollars and a total of $67.5 million dollars. The opera is filled with beloved Hollywood stars and very original ideas, which has fans of the on stage musical loving the adaptation.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – $32.9 mil

2. Django Unchained – $30.7 mil

3. Les Miserables – $28 mil

4. Parental Guidance – $14.8 mil

5. Jack Reacher – $14 mil

6. This is 40 – $13.2 mil

7. Lincoln – $7.5 mil

8. The Guilt Trip – $6.7 mil

9. Monsters, Inc. 3D – $6.4 mil

10. Rise of the Guardians – $4.9 mil

By Karen Posada

2012/12/24 at 12:00am

Movies

‘The Hobbit’ remains #1!

12.24.2012 | By Karen Posada |

This week ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ remained at number one with $36.7 million dollars. Although it’s still holding on to a big chunk of the box office money, it had a significant drop and it’s behind what ‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ earned. Peter Jackson might be hoping the holidays will bring in more profit for his film.

Tom Cruise’s action film, ‘Jack Reacher’ took the second spot with $15.6 million dollars. The story and his character come from a book by Lee Child, which describes his protagonist as a very tall blond man, and this might be putting some people off. Despite that Cruise might have enough pull and talent to keep this picture afloat.

‘This is 40’ Judd Apathow’s latest effort is at number three with $12 million dollars. His comedies have lost a lot of their charm and have become very formulaic and this one is no different, which means it won’t be in the box office for long.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – $36.7 mil

2. Jack Reacher – $15.6 mil

3. This is 40 – $12 mil

4. Rise of the Guardians – $5.9 mil

5. Lincoln – $5.6 mil

6. The Guilt Trip – $5.4 mil

7. Monsters, Inc. 3D – $5 mil

8. Skyfall – $4.7 mil

9. Life of Pi – $3.8 mil

10. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – $2.6 mil

By Karen Posada

2012/12/24 at 12:00am

Reviews

Django Unchained

12.24.2012 | By Karen Posada |

I bow down to Quentin Tarantino for having given us some of the best movies I’ve ever seen and some of my favorites such as ‘Inglourious Basterds’, ‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2’ just to name a few and now comes ‘Django Unchained’ also written and directed by the master himself. This one has his name written all over it and it belongs in this category. To take on the subject of slavery is not an easy task, Tarantino gets around it by concentrating more on a love story, which is what drives the main character; but he does touch upon the brutality of it while not really depressing us with the subject. In fact there’s a lot of comedy, which keeps the film light hearted. While the 165 minutes duration might not be attractive to many, the director’s fan base will be in all the way and will be highly rewarded for it. I encourage everyone to oversee the longevity of it, because thanks to that we get a well played out film that is not rushed. To summarize my point it has been three years since the last Tarantino film and this one makes up for the wait, it’s in line with what we’ve come to expect from him and will remind us why we idolize him.

Set in the South of the United States during slavery in 1858 two years before the civil war, we meet Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave that gets some training from German bounty hunter Dr. Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Django’s only dream is to be reunited with his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), with the help from his mentor they go on to look for the woman only to encounter a mighty obstacle, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) the owner of an infamous plantation called “Candyland”.

Waltz is phenomenal and easily carries more than the first half of the film, his eloquence once more is magnificent as is his performance and I’m happy to see him in a role as one of the “good guys”, where we as an audience can actually like him. He certainly is my favorite part of the film. Foxx takes the backseat for a while there, which is understandable seeing how his character goes through a transformation and once he does, oh boy Django or better yet Foxx is unstoppable. DiCaprio as a bad guy?! Yes please! He’s exceptional and is not a pretty boy anymore but a brutal, elegant, aristocratic man who’s used to getting his way.

There are a couple of great cameos in the film one of the best ones is Don Johnson with his character of Big Daddy, owner of the Evergreen Plantation. This was one of the biggest plantations in the South, which is now a historic landmark, and I’m sure a very depressing site to visit, which Foxx himself felt on seeing the slave quarters. Here, thankfully Johnson’s bit with Jonah Hill provides comedic relief in a violent situation. The best surprise comes from Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen, Candie’s Butler. The make up work on him is unbelievable, but his character is hilarious and dislikable all at once, everything he does with it is brilliant.

There’s a lot of humor in this film, which for this kind of subject one would think it would be difficult to intertwine the two, but Tarantino does it effortlessly, not only is it given to us in the form of dialogues but with attire, props, it’s all around us even in some of the violent scenes. Because of this the movie never gets heavy, although there certainly are a handful of extremely violent and difficult scenes to watch. There’s even beauty in some of the death scenes, Tarantino believes in the magic of effects being crated without CGI and he’s able to create many magical moments.

The film was shot in various locations, among them Grand Teton and these beautiful, majestic winter sceneries give a great contrast to the ones in the South in the plantations. Tarantino exposes some interesting things about slavery, in the case of Candie he takes slavery back to the way many Romans treated it by having their slaves be gladiators; it was an interesting juxtaposition. Tarantinto punches these slave owners with words, best put in the mouth of well-spoken Waltz. The music also gives it a light heartedness and pushes that western feel that the director wanted to give the film.

I do wish that the main character wouldn’t be as selfish, he’s not out to end slavery but he’s only out to save himself and his woman and that holds back the story for me. However, this does give it a higher focus otherwise we would probably get a four-hour film and a different movie. Tarantino says it took him ten years to write this picture and being a fan of westerns decided to make one as he believes they are a good depiction of good and evil and that clearly comes out in this one.

The look of the film as a western, along with the heavy subject treated with comedy, violence and beauty make for quite an entertaining movie. Any one that has ever enjoyed Tarantino’s work will without a doubt enjoy this one. For those that aren’t too familiar with him the main thing I can tell you is that this director doesn’t hold back when it comes to violence and for any of his films you have to expect it because it is always there especially in the form of blood. This is not a film for the squeamish, but for those that can take it I recommend it for its originality, laughs and amazing performances.

By Jack Rico

2012/12/21 at 12:00am

Reviews

This is 40

12.21.2012 | By Jack Rico |

This is 40, the sequel to Knocked Up, is an honest, mature effort by itâ€™s director Judd Apatow to tell an unfiltered, comedic look inside the life of a married couple with kids who are about to hit the â€œdreadedâ€ 40 years of age. Whether he is directing or producing, Apatow still carries a reputation of creating comedies, mixed in with a high dosage of raunchiness, that become instant classics. Which is why it is disappointing that This is 40 is his second film that doesnâ€™t reach superlative heights (the first being â€œFunny Peopleâ€). Between hit and miss laughs, an obvious lack of rhythm, and an over-welcomed duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes, the movie never quite gels as a whole.Â

The plot has Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprising their roles as Pete and Debbie from Knocked Up, a husband and wife both approaching a milestone meltdown. After years of marriage, Pete (Paul Rudd) now has a house full of females: wife Debbie (Leslie Mann) and their two daughters, eight-year-old Charlotte (Iris Apatow) and 13-year-old Sadie (Maude Apatow). As he struggles to keep his record label afloat, he and Debbie must figure out how to forgive, forget and enjoy the rest of their lives…before they kill each other.Â

In his fourth directorial outing, Apatow returns to the problems that afflict adults, in particular, marriage. All marriages go through some difficulties and drawbacks, but sometimes some couples succeed in surviving their stumbles and getting back to their loving ways. That is what emerges here, told in an honest portrait of the challenges and rewards of marriage in 2012. What This is 40 has going for it is its likeable characters, its Apatow-honest dialogue and its uneasy, tense situations. But despite the charm of its leads, Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, the film is hindered with pacing issues. Apatow, whose job as a director is to make sure that the flow from scene to scene never loses its energy nor intensity, overextends several scenes to the point of exhaustion. Much of this could be because his wife and kids are in the film or it could be because he thinks his script is extremely funny and god forbid his â€œhilariousâ€ jokes are cut out.

Successful comedies are those that manage to make the best use of the funniest moments within a story in perfect flow. This is usually why the best comedies are 1 hour 30 minutes to 45 minutes, any more and those jokes arenâ€™t cracking ribs anymore. Apatow gives us a whopping 2 hours and 15 minute duration betting that every scene, every joke, every situation is rip-roaringly funny. At that length, itâ€™s most likely that moviegoers will hit a wall in the middle that will take them out of the flow. Not aiding the pacing are the numerous subplots that sidetrack you from the core of the fragile relationship and home affairs.

The best parts of the movie figure Apatowâ€™s kids, in particular, Maude Apatow (Judd and Leslieâ€™s older daughter) who was a scene stealer. Her rants are memorable and laugh out loud funny. My guess is sheâ€™s going to be a funny and or great dramatic actress. She has the chops to do it.Â

As moments and fragments, This is 40 offers some very good laughs, with some soul, but it is the whole that doesnâ€™t leave a solid impression. In terms of laughter, if youâ€™re looking for the best bang for your buck, Ted, 21 Jump Street and Silver Linings Playbook do a much better job for your money. This is 40 is better viewed on Blu-Ray where the price doesnâ€™t burn your pocket.Â

The second ‘The Great Gatsby’ trailer looks sick!

By Jack Rico

2012/12/20 at 12:00am

Movies

The second ‘The Great Gatsby’ trailer looks sick!

12.20.2012 | By Jack Rico |

We just got our hands on Warner Bros. second official trailer for “The Great Gatsby,” based on F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. The trailer is completely different than the first one and it looks like they’re going in a whole different direction. It actually looks like a whole different movie altogether.

The trailer overemphasizes the mystery behind who Gatsby really is instead of the romantic tone of the first trailer. The first one lacked tension and felt bland and forgettable. This new one feels like it is about to become an action movie. There is much more suspense and all eyes are on the secrets Gatsby holds and how all hell is going to break loose because someone is antsy to reveal what he holds so private.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher, Joel Edgerton and Jason Clarke star.

Plot: Nick Carraway (Maguire), a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysteriouspast and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby (DiCaprio). He is drawn into Gatsby’s circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

The new movieis written and directed by Baz Luhrmann (Australia, Moulin Rouge, Romeo and Juliet), and is set to hit conventional and 3D theaters on May 10th, 2013.

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