Entertainment Crack: Friday Edition

[liptonrm_backup]

Seeing as Friday is the day when most movies are released into the theaters, it seems appropriate to devote my Friday solely to coverage of said movie releases. So, without further ado ...


Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Giovanni Ribisi.
directed by Kerry Conran.

This movie looks spectacular. I've been hearing good things about it for months, that it's visionary and different and that the bulk of the cast signed onto it solely by the power of a short demo put together by the director and his enthusiasm for the project. All the reports I hear from people who have actually seen the movie (whether in its finished or unfinished glory) have been glowingly positive. People apparently either love this movie or they really, really, really love it. I can't wait to head out to the theatres this evening and take a look at it for myself.

Official Website
Various Critical Reviews
The Trailer

Wimbledon
starring Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst
also starring Sam Neill, Jon Favreau, James McAvoy and Bernard Hill
directed by Richard Loncraine

The Athens Olympics taught me a valuable thing, that tennis is not as boring to watch as I once thought it was. As I sat there in front of my TV, entranced, watching the bronze and gold medal matches in both men's and women's singles, I was surprised by how much I was enjoying myself. I'm now amazed that this is the first tennis movie to ever have a big commercial release (shoot, they even have movies about bobsledding and ice skating!). I'd like to see this movie, not the least because it stars Paul Bettany. I love Paul Bettany, I've loved him ever since I saw A Knight's Tale and he's never let me down since then. I would see this movie on the strength of that casting alone, notwithstanding the fact that the other romantic lead is Kirsten Dunst. So, yeah, kind of excited about this.

And, for all you Ringers out there, Bernard Hill is in it too! Yay!

Official Website
Various Critical Reviews
The Trailer

Mr. 3000
starring Bernie Mac
also starring Angela Bassett, Paul Sorvino and Chris Noth
directed by Charles Stone III

I don't know much about this movie beyond what the TV spots have depicted. It looks like it has the possibility of being rather entertaining, the premise has potential and Bernie Mac is an engaging presence, though I've not seen enough of him to have much of an opinion one way or another. I adore Angela Bassett, so I might give this movie a go someday for her presence alone. Also, is is me, or is this movie really Law & Order: The Reunion, what with both Chris Noth and Paul Sorvino showing up in the cast. Who knows.

Official Website
Various Critical Reviews
The Trailer

Upcoming Movies:
Shaun of the Dead starring Simon Pegg and Kate Ashfield. Directed by Edgar Wright
The Last Shot starring Matthew Broderick, Alec Baldwin and Toni Collette. Directed by Jeff Nathanson
Saw starring Cary Elwes, Danny Glover and Monica Potter. Directed by James Wan
First Daughter starring Katie Holmes, Marc Blucas and Michael Keaton. Directed by Forest Whitaker

Comments

[drunken-buzzard.livejournal.com]

I'll be watching Shaun of the Dead next weekend! Saw doesn't come out until the 29th now :(

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

Heck yeah! Shaun of the Dead looks freakin' sweet. I'm gonna be there, no matter what.

And Saw doesn't open for a few weeks, you're right. I misread the date. Well, it's still an 'upcoming movie' ;-)

movies

[hjcallipygian.livejournal.com]

Has Sky Captain really been getting that good of reviews? Because it's always looked so incredibly lame to me. I'll admit I've been wrong about films before, though.

I'm going to see Wimbledon tonight. Are you? If not, I'll drop you a line and tell you what I thought.

Also: have you noticed that, for a completely ridiculous movie, A Knight's Tale had a pretty good male supporting cast? Both Paul Bettany and the guy who plays Wash in Firefly were in it.

Re: movies

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

Sky Captain really has been getting a lot of great buzz. The folks who saw bits of it over at ComiCon only had good things to say about it. From what they say it's a fun adventurous movie reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Arc, the original King Kong and Buck Rogers.

I probably won't be seeing Wimbledon tonight, so please do let me know what you think of it. I suddenly have too many movies to see and not enough time to do it in.

And it's amazing how entertaining A Knight's Tale is. It has no right to be as much fun as it is and a lot of that does have to do with Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk. Wow, suddenly I want to pop that in the dvd player and watch it again.

Re: movies

[hjcallipygian.livejournal.com]

I'm probably going to the 10:20 viewing (EST). It's only playing on one screen at the theatre I'm going to, which seems strange to me, considering it has the actress from two of the biggest opening-day grossing movies of all time wearing a very short skirt. =)

Re: movies

[hjcallipygian.livejournal.com]

Just got back.

Movie was all right. Not horrible, not great. Two tidbits:

1. You could kinda tell the movie was originally written with Hugh Grant in mind. There's a lot of voice-over monologue of the style that's often used in his films. That said, Paul Bellamy does a really good job with the role. He kind of has a mixture of Hugh Grant, Jude Law, and the soccer coach from Bend it Like Beckham whom I don't feel like looking up currently. Definitely out-acted Kirsten Dunst, who didn't seem too enthused with the role (nor very believable as a strong or coordinated person, much less the two combined). She should stick to weird movies like Eternal Sunshine and Interview With a Vampire, as those movies she actually seems to wake up for.

2. At times, I thought perhaps the script was written by an American, as the English family didn't really come off as English too much. They were very typical American suburban. There was a father-son heart-to-heart talk. I'm just not sure how I feel about that.

Certainly worth renting, though. I think Paul Bellamy is going to be huge in a few years. He's got range, charm, looks, etc.

Re: movies

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unfortunately that's the feeling I was getting from the the ads and things. I'll still most probably see it, however, as it still looks like a fun flick.

And what is up with Kirsten Dunst? I guess a role has to be nice and quirky in order to hold her interest. Personally, I think it's the sign of a true actor when he/she puts everything into whatever role they're in, no matter how cheesy it might turn out to be.

Re: movies

[hjcallipygian.livejournal.com]

I think it's the sign of a true actor when he/she puts everything into whatever role they're in, no matter how cheesy it might turn out to be.

With the exception of the three newest Star Wars movies, as I don't think it's the fault of either Natalie Portman or Ewan McGregor that those films are flat and lame.

Re: movies

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

Oh, exactly. I can't possibly blame Ewan or Natalie for the relative flatness of their characters or the state of the movies in general. There are acting problems and there are directing problems and all of the issues that the Star Wars prequels have most definitely stem from directing problems.

Ewan and Natalie shine in the prequels if only in comparison to everything else that is going on around them.

Re: movies

[hjcallipygian.livejournal.com]

Very true. It's depressing that Christopher Lee got such a shaft in that movie, too. He's such an imposing Old Bad Guy. I'd much rather see him as Sarumon than Forgettable Evil Jedi Replacement For Darth Maul.