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A fresh new weekend with a sequel at number 1

2012/01/23 at 12:00am

A fresh new weekend with a sequel at number 1

01.23.2012 | By Karen Posada |

Finally this weekend a good mix of movies that are worth going to the theater for premiered. Starting with ‘Underworld: Awakening’, this new segment of the franchise collected more money than the previous ones of the series, $25.4 million dollars; the main character Kate Beckinsale also stars in another movie in the top 10 this month of January 2012, but in this one she’s phenomenal!

‘Red Tails’ premiered on second place with $19.1 million, this movie of aerodynamic drama has been widely promoted and the reviews it has received are very mixed.

The number one movie from last weekend, ‘Contraband’ falls to third place with $12.2 million dollars. It’s followed by the action movie ‘Haywire’ and ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’. There are rumors that with the website megavideo being shut down, the finances in Hollywood will improve.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Underworld: Awakening -$25.4 million

2. Red Tails -$19.1 million

3. Contraband -$12.2 million

4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close -$10.5 million

5. Haywire -$9 million

6. Beauty and the Beast 3D -$8.6 million

7. Joyful Noise -$6.1 million

8. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol -$5.5 million

9. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -$4.8 million

10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -$3.7 million

By Jack Rico

2012/01/20 at 12:00am

Reviews

Underworld: Awakening

01.20.2012 | By Jack Rico |

â€˜Underworld: Awakeningâ€™, the fourth installment of the franchise, was not screened to the press, which led me to believe this film was garbage. But to my surprise, it was completely the opposite – pure brain slashing right from the beginning, tons of action, the special effects were on point, but the 3D was a major disappointment. It looked like 2D. A waste of money if you asked me. Also, there are no hidden scenes at the end of the credits, so don’tâ€™ wait for it, but they do set up the ending for another sequel. I saw this in IMAX and it’s money well spent. It really enhances the experience. In my opinion, this is the best movie of the week, much better than â€˜Haywireâ€™ and â€˜Red Tailsâ€™.

Set 15 years after the conclusion of â€˜Underworld Evolutionâ€™, after Selene (Kate Beckinsale) and her human-Lycan hybrid lover Michael (Scott Speedman) vanquished the Vampire Elder Marcus. It really ignores part three â€˜Rise of the Lycansâ€™. In the intervening years, mankind has discovered the existence of both the Vampire and Lycan clans, and launched an all-out war to eradicate both species. Selene, captured during the genocide, awakens after more than a decade to find herself captive in a sealed laboratory at Antigen, a powerful biotech corporation dedicated to developing a vaccine against the viruses that have created the Vampires and Lycans. Selene is heartbroken to discover that Michael is dead, but her grief is soon overshadowed by the shock of her discovery that, while in a cryogenically frozen state, she has given birth to his daughter, Eve (India Eisley). As she seeks asylum for herself and her child, Selene finds herself in a world in which her once proud people have been hunted nearly to extinction and the few survivors hide underground. Shunned by the remaining clans, Selene enlists the support of a young Vampire, David (Theo James), who joins her in a bloody vendetta against Antigen, where shadowy forces conspire to destroy both her and her child. With their traditional enemies, the Lycans, once again in ascendance, even Selene seems powerless in the face of the most ferocious opponent in Underworld historyâ€”a genetically enhanced uber-Lycan, like the beast from Ed Nortonâ€™s â€˜Hulkâ€™. You remember him… Hulk fights this genetically created monster for 20 ferocious minutes in the denouement, where one finishes as exhausted as the Hulk himself.Â

The script stands alone on itself and depends minimally on the plot of the prior 3 to be entertaining. Its success relies in its combination of tension filled scenes weaved in with attractive visuals and very good performance on the part of Beckinsale.

With other commitments pending, including helming the upcoming remake of â€˜Total Recallâ€™, franchise creator Len Wiseman chose not to direct the film, but was on hand as a producer and provided the inspiration for the storyline. Swedish directors, MÃ¥ns MÃ¥rlind and BjÃ¶rn Stein co-directed and were chosen based on a small film they did called â€˜Stormâ€™, which seemed to have been heavily influenced by Underworld. The tandem kept the mythology of the first films, but developed new characters and injected a more tense and agitated storyline that resulted in scenes barely being wasted.

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, and she doesnâ€™t skip a beat. It felt like I was watching her all over again in the original. The woman never ages. Her return was crucial to the success of the film, due mostly to her strong acting skills. She infuses the movie with a gravitas which doesnâ€™t allow it to turn comical in anyway. Beckinsale displays a variety of emotions from compassion to ruthlessness, love to fearlessness. Sheâ€™s an underrated actress that deserves more roles to showcase her talents.

Another highlight of the film is itâ€™s visual look, itâ€™s almost impeccable. Itâ€™s filled with a plethora of stylized special effects in the form of raging murderous wolves, flying daggers, spattering blood and high speed car crashes.Â In contrast, the 3D experience is underwhelming. Yes, it barely uses any gimmicks, but then thereâ€™s no flash to it either, nothing really pops out. Whatâ€™s inexplicable is that it was shot in stereoscopic 3D with the new RED Epic cameras which have an extraordinary 5K resolution roughly five times greater than that of HD. And at times, I still couldnâ€™t differentiate 3D from 2D when I took the glasses off. Unfortunately, the film doesnâ€™t have a 2D version to switch off to, so youâ€™re stuck with paying the extra money.

Nevertheless, like a friend said, â€œUnderworld is â€˜Twilightâ€™ for adultsâ€. Heâ€™s right, itâ€™s a guilty pleasure filled with wolves, vampires, a hint of romance and a flood of non-stop action. This is well done and I have to nitpick to really find deficiencies within the film such as the dialogue. Overall, if youâ€™re looking for the best bang for your buck from the new releases, â€˜Underworld: Awakeningâ€™ is my personal selection this week.

By Jack Rico

2012/01/17 at 12:00am

Movies

The Ides of March

01.17.2012 | By Jack Rico |

En cuanto a thriller políticos se trata, la nueva cinta de George Clooney ‘The Ides of March’, el cual él dirige, escribe y co-protagoniza, es una de las mejores películas del genero que he visto desde ‘Valkyrie’ de Tom Cruise. Este filme te entrega las supuestas verdades del sistema político estadounidense disfrazado en la ficción del séptimo arte. Las actuaciones del reparto son magnificas, en particular, las de Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti y Marisa Tomei. La dirección de Clooney es genial y el dialogo que provee él, Grant Heslov y Beau Willimon es sagaz, hábil y eficiente. Tres giros inesperados te mantendrán absorbido hasta su irresoluto final.

El argumento, basado en la obra de Broadway de Beau Willimon titulado ‘Farragut North’, se centra en un joven idealista (Ryan Gosling) que comienza a trabajar como director de comunicación para un prometedor candidato a la presidencia (George Clooney) que se presenta a las elecciones primarias del Partido Demócrata. Durante la campaña comprobará hasta dónde se puede llegar para alcanzar la cima en la alta política de los Estados Unidos.

El título del filme, tiene una referencia histórica en el calendario romano cual cae el 15 del mes de Martius. La fecha es famosa porque Julio César fue asesinado en los idus de marzo del año 44 a.c. Pero para propósitos de esta película, el 15 de marzo es la fecha de la primaria de Ohio, cuando el gobernador Mike Morris (George Clooney) espera vencer a su oponente y reclamar la nominación demócrata a la presidencia.

Como susodicho, Clooney hace un excelente trabajo de sumergirse en las aguas profundas de los negocios sucios de la política y logra plasmar plenamente todos los detalles tras bastidores, que nosotros como espectadores, solo nos pudiéramos imaginar. Su resultado final se asemeja a un documental, pero es una cinta absorbente y astuta donde nosotros vemos la gradual edificación de un hombre hacia el poder y su eventual caída…solo para regresar a ella ¿o no? El filme también posee todas las cualidades que hacen de un buen thriller político un éxito. Este establece tensión a través de su astucia argumental, jerga y temática política y personajes ingeniosos. El ambiente lo cautiva a uno psicológicamente y emocionalmente hasta que uno es intimidado por el objetivo de la historia.

Debo decir que el calibre de las actuaciones de Clooney, Gosling, Hoffman, Giamatti y Tomei fueron asombrosos y deberán de servir como un testimonio a la calidad de la producción. Gosling sigue impresionando en sus recientes trabajos (Drive, Crazy Stupid Love, Blue Valentine, All Good Things) y él se está asegurando un puesto, junto a Brad Pitt, como una de las estrellas más grandes de Hollywood.

Al final, ‘The Ides of March’ tiene que existir y ser discutido entre las mejores 20 o 30 películas del genero en la historia del cine. La credibilidad del guión, los actores y el equipo de producción crean una experiencia convincente y memorable para cinéfilos de todo tipo de gustos.

By Karen Posada

2012/01/16 at 12:00am

Movies

‘Contraband’ is #1

01.16.2012 | By Karen Posada |

This month of February continues to give us films not worthy of the number one spot in the box office. Mark Wahlberg’s thriller ‘Contraband’ appeared at number one this past weekend. This American version of the Icelandic film collected $24.1 million in the United States.

The remake of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in 3D arrived at second place with $18.5 million dollars. Which tells us that the Disney classics continue to please children in every way.

The action film ‘Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol’ fell to third place with $11.5 million dollars. ‘Joyful Noise’ another crappy movie this month gives us, which seems to be unfortunately the rule for the beginning of the year.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1.Contraband -$24.1 million

2. Beauty and the Beast 3D -$18.5 million

3. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol -$11.5 million

4. Joyful Noise -$11.3 million

5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -$8.4 million

6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -$8.3 million

7. The Devil Inside -$7.9 million

8. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked -$ 5.8 million

9. War Horse -$5.6 million

10. The Iron Lady -$ 5.4 million

By Jack Rico

2012/01/13 at 12:00am

Reviews

Contraband

01.13.2012 | By Jack Rico |

‘The Artist’ wins Best Picture at Critics Choice Awards

By Jack Rico

2012/01/13 at 12:00am

Movies

‘The Artist’ wins Best Picture at Critics Choice Awards

01.13.2012 | By Jack Rico |

LOS ANGELES, CA. – January 13, 2012 – The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced the winners of the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards earlier this evening. Hosted by comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel, the star-studded ceremony was held at the Hollywood Palladium and aired live on VH1. “The Artist” was named the year’s Best Picture and Michael Hazanavicius won Best Director honors for the film.

Other big winners of the night included George Clooney, who took Best Actor for his role in “The Descendants” and Viola Davis, who won Best Actress for her role in “The Help.” Also honored was Christopher Plummer with the Best Supporting Actor award and Octavia Spencer for Best Supporting Actress both for her work in “The Help.”

Additional awards included a tie for Best Cinematography, going to both “The Tree of Life” and “War Horse.” Best Art Direction went to “Hugo” and Best Editing went to “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” “The Help” was honored with Best Acting Ensemble and Best Original Screenplay honors went to Woody Allen for “Midnight in Paris.” Best Young Actor/Actress went to Thomas Horn for “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.” “Rango” won Best Animated Feature and Best Comedy went to “Bridesmaids.”

Academy Award winner, film director and humanitarian Sean Penn was honored with the fifth annual Joel Siegel Award, presented by George Clooney. The BFCA created this award to honor those in the film community whose actions demonstrate that the greatest value of celebrity is the ability to do good work for others. This award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his struggle with cancer in June, 2007.

The 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards also included a special nod to “Hugo” director Martin Scorsese, who received the Critics’ Choice Music+Film Award, presented by Leonardo DiCaprio and Olivia Harrison in addition to a special musical tribute from Bob Dylan. The Critics’ Choice Music+Film Award was created to honor a single filmmaker who has not only inspired moviegoers with his cinematic storytelling, but has heightened the impact of film through the brilliant use of source and soundtrack music.

Nominees in attendance included: Berenice Bejo, Kenneth Branagh, Albert Brooks, Asa Butterfield, Jessica Chastain, George Clooney, Stephen Daldry, Viola Davis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jean Dujardin, Elle Fanning, Judy Greer, Michael Hazanavicius, Ellie Kemper, Nick Krause, Thomas Horn, Matthew Lillard, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Penelope Ann Miller, Nick Nolte, Elizabeth Olsen, Patton Oswalt, Alexander Payne, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer, Maya Rudolph, Andy Serki, Octavia Spencer, Steven Spielberg, Emma Stone, Meryl Streep, Tilda Swinton, Charlize Theron, Michelle Williams, Evan Rachel Wood and Shailene Woodley

Presenters at the gala included: Vin Diesel, Kirsten Dunst, Donald Glover, Dustin Hoffman, Mindy Kaling, Ben Kingsley, Diane Kruger, Elizabeth Olsen, Patton Oswalt, Paul Rudd, Maya Rudolph, Jason Segel, Owen Wilson and Robin Wright.

The show featured Fitz and The Tantrums as this year’s house band. Bob Dylan also performed “Blind Willie McTell” during the Critic’s Choice Music+Film Award tribute to Martin Scorsese.

Since its inception in 1995, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the movie awards season. Historically, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations. Last year, for example, all four of the acting category winners at the Oscars – Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo – first accepted their awards in the same categories at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. In all, 18 of the 20 actors nominated for Oscars were first Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominees.

About The Broadcast Film Critics Association:
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 250 television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today’s film going public. The very first opinion a moviegoer hears about new releases at the multiplex or the art house usually comes from one of its members.

###

WINNERS OF THE 17TH ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARDS

BEST PICTURE
“The Artist”

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney – “The Descendants”

BEST ACTRESS
Viola Davis – “The Help”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christopher Plummer – “Beginners”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Octavia Spencer – “The Help”

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Thomas Horn – “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close”

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
“The Help”

BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius – “The Artist”

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Midnight in Paris” – Woody Allen

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“Moneyball” – Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin, Story by Stan Chervin

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (TIE)
“The Tree of Life”
AND
“War Horse”

BEST ART DIRECTION
“Hugo”

BEST EDITING
“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
“The Artist”

BEST MAKE-UP
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”

BEST SOUND
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
“Rango”

BEST ACTION MOVIE
“Drive”

BEST COMEDY
“Bridesmaids”

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
“A Separation”

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“George Harrison: Living in the Material World”

BEST SONG
“Life’s a Happy Song” – The Muppets
Performed by Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Walter
Written by Bret McKenzie and The Muppets

BEST SCORE
“The Artist”

JOEL SIEGEL AWARD
Sean Penn

CRITICS’ CHOICE MUSIC+FILM AWARD
Martin Scorsese

By Jack Rico

2012/01/10 at 12:00am

Movies

What’s Your Number?

01.10.2012 | By Jack Rico |

Clooney to honor Sean Penn at Critics Choice Awards

By Jack Rico

2012/01/10 at 12:00am

Movies

Clooney to honor Sean Penn at Critics Choice Awards

01.10.2012 | By Jack Rico |

(SANTA MONICA, CA – January 9, 2012) — The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that renowned actor and humanitarian Sean Penn will be presented with the fifth annual Joel Siegel Award at the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. The award will be presented by fellow actor and 13-time Critics’ Choice Award nominee George Clooney. The ceremony will air live on VH1 on Thursday, January 12 at 8:00 PM ET/PT.

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved “Good Morning America” film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June 2007. It seeks to honor those who understand, as Joel did, that the greatest value of celebrity is as an enhanced platform to do good works for others.

Sean Penn founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization in the immediate aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Since then J/P HRO has led the effort to raise money and awareness in response to the disaster, which took more than 200,000 lives. Led by Penn, J/P HRO is dedicated to saving lives and bringing sustainable programs to the Haitian people quickly and effectively.

“We are extremely proud to be able to make this presentation to Sean on this night in particular, exactly two years after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti,” says BFCA President Joey Berlin. “While it was heartening to see such an outpouring of support and aid for the Haitian people in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the long-term commitment made by Sean and his organization is particularly notable. The Joel Siegel Award was created to spotlight such above and beyond efforts by the leading lights of our industry and its spirit is truly personified by Sean Penn.”

Penn has been nominated for seven Critics’ Choice Awards throughout his career, including two wins in the Best Actor category, for “Mystic River” and “Milk.” His five additional nominations included Best Actor for “I Am Sam,” Best Acting Ensemble for “Mystic River” and “Milk,” Best Director for “Into the Wild” and Best Writer for “Into the Wild.” In 2011, Penn starred in “The Tree of Life,” a Critics’ Choice Best Picture nominee.

The evening will also honor Martin Scorsese with the Critics’ Choice Music+Film Award.　In addition to this honor, Scorsese’s film “Hugo” is nominated for 11 Critics’ Choice Awards and he directed the Best Documentary Feature nominee “George Harrison: Living in the Material World.”　Hosts for the star-studded awards gala will be comedians Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are bestowed annually by the BFCA to honor the finest in cinematic achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 250 television, radio and online critics.　BFCA members are the primary source of information for today’s film going public.　Eligible films were released in 2011. The accounting firm of CMM, LLP tallied the written ballots.

Since its inception in 1995, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the movie awards season.　Historically, the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are the most accurate predictor of the Academy Award nominations. Last year, for example, all four of the acting category winners at the Oscars – Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo – first accepted their awards in the same categories at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards.　In all, 18 of the 20 actors nominated for Oscars were first Critics’ Choice Movie Awards nominees.

Final ballots for the 17th annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards will be sent to BFCA members on January 8, 2012 with a deadline for returning final ballots on January 10, 2012. For more information about the show visit CriticsChoice.VH1.com, “Like” VH1 on Facebook, and follow @VH1 on Twitter and use the hashtag #CCMA to talk about the awards!

By Karen Posada

2012/01/09 at 12:00am

Movies

‘The Devil Inside’ Scarily is #1

01.9.2012 | By Karen Posada |

The first movie of 2012 ‘The Devil Inside’ surprisingly arrived at the number one spot in the first week of the year. Apparently many of the moviegoers didn’t listen to the bad reviews this film about demonic possession received. It collected $34.5 million this weekend.

‘Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol’ which was firmly at number one in the last two weeks dropped to second place. Adding $20.5 million to the $170.2 it already has.

The other action movie that has been in second place ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ ended up in third place with $14.1 million. Surely the exaggerated hype of ‘The Devil Inside’ will die off, but these last two will continue to be in the top 10 for a good while longer.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. The Devil Inside – $34.5 million

2. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol-$20 million

3. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows-$14.1 million

4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- $11.3 million

5. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked-$9.5 million

6. War Horse-$ 8.6 million

7. We Bought a Zoo-$8.4 million

8. The Adventures of Tintin-$6.6 million

9. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy-$5.8 million

10. New Year’s Eve-$3.3 million

The Devil Inside

By Karen Posada

2012/01/06 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Devil Inside (Movie Review)

01.6.2012 | By Karen Posada |

‘The Devil Inside,’ the first movie of 2012, is a big disappointment, not only in my opinion but also in the opinion of everyone else that was in the movie theater with me. When the movie finished there was endless booing and cursing from the public, they all wished to have a tomato to throw at the screen. The biggest flaws of the movie: the ending is a cut off scene that manages to upset everyone and the “scary” film mainly manages to make the whole audience crack up throughout most of it because of how ridiculous it is. There are only about 3 scenes that make you anxious for the safety of the main characters but everything is so predictable that it takes away from the few good scenes.

The film is done in documentary form. The main character Isabella Rossi (Brazilian actress Fernanda Andrade) has decided to make a documentary to help her mother Maria (Suzan Crowley) who allegedly killed 3 people from her church group who were performing an exorcism on her, when Isabella was 8years old. Her mom was acquitted of the murders and sent to a psychiatric hospital but later on was transferred to Vatican City for unknown reasons. Isabella travels to Rome with Michael (Iount Grama) her cameraman, they visit the Vatican school of exorcism where they attend an exorcism seminar type class; here they meet two priests: David (Evan Helmuth) and Ben (Simon Quarterman), who are experts on the matter and perform exorcisms illegally without the churches consent. Basically, the four of them become roommates who are out to learn about exorcism and help the hunted souls such as Isabella’s mom.

The movie tries feebly to come across as a real documentary by displaying disclaimers that the Vatican doesn’t endorse this movie and by using shaky camera work, which is blurry at times and seems to be affected by the possessed souls. The acting is not very good and it just adds to the unintended comedy. We get some of the character development from what I like to call “the darndest thing possessed people say” which is not a very good technique.

You are supposed to go home traumatized and scared after a horror movie, but with this one you will just go home disappointed and upset. There are better ways to close off the first week of 2012 than watching something that will leaving shaking your head out of dissatisfaction and frustration.

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