If you are in the D/FW area, the Hot Topic at Grapevine Mills Mall is giving away advance screening passes to "Grindhouse" that will be showing at the AMC Grapevine Mills 30 on Wednesday April 4, at 7.pm. If you are interested, they are not handing them out to the public so you have to ask for a pass.
While I was at the store, I picked up two new stickers for my desk. The lovely Marilyn Monroe and the high octane "Death Proof".
What are some charitable causes that you support or would like to support?
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International: http://www.spca.com/
The Fallen Patriot Fund: http://www.fallenpatriotfund.org/
Heroes for Heroes: http://www.heroesforheroes.net/index.html
Audio: Share an album or song in your collection with a really strange title.
The title of this great Radiohead song is not that strange "Paranoid Android". The unusual bit comes from it's very imaginative animated music video. Very strange, yet very cool. Enjoy.
PLAY LOUD!
In your ultimate dream house, what does your favorite room look like?
Good question. For my "Ultimate Dream House", I think I would take over the Playboy Mansion. Then I would kick out all of the old folks and replace the Playmates (except Miss September) with the Suicide Girls. What would my favorite room look like? I honestly wouldn't know, it would be filled with half naked goth babes so I doubt I would even notice.
As most of you may already know, Peter Cullen will be reprising his role as the voice of Optimus Prime. It has now just been announced that Hugo Weaving will be voicing the evil Megatron. Below are the latest character posters.
If you like a good horror movie, this is not one of them. Yes, there is a lot of blood, some gore, and even a few scares, but there is nothing really special about this film.
Let's see, the plot is ok, we have a National Guard squad sent to "Section 16" (the same nuclear test site from the first film) to deliver supplies to the scientist who are working there. When they arrive to the base camp, they find that it has been deserted and the scientist are missing, so they descend on a "search & rescue" mission because they spot a signal light from the top of the hills. And you know what comes next, they get picked off one by one.
Now you would figure that a squad of armed soldiers would be more than a match for a few dim witted mutants, but as it turns out, this particular squad is full of retards, so advantage goes to the mutants. In fact, the "heroes" are so stupid in this film that not only do they deserve to die, but you want them to die. And the mutants, all though they look cool have no personality like the mutants did in the first film. They are all just a bunch of big lugs that run around.
So for those who are vaguely interested to see this one because you liked the first film, save your money and skip the theatrical release and wait to rent the eventual unrated dvd.
For everyone else, don't waste your time.
Back in February when "Bridge to Terabithia" was released, I figured it was going to be just another kiddie "Narnia" clone, full of adventure in a mystical land with magic, fairies, and dark creatures lurking about. And by the way this film was marketed, so did a lot of people. So now after just seeing this film, I will tell you what what the marketing camping failed to make clear, "Bridge to Terabithia" is really about friendship, imagination, love, and loss.
What a hidden gem this film is. I was pleasantly surprised to discover this film was closer to "Pan's Labyrinth" than "Narnia" in that the movie is set mostly in the real world, with the fantasy elements being a minor, yet important part of the movie. But unlike "Pan", this movie deals with the problems most young folk go though growing up: bullies, social awkwardness, over bearing parents, and annoying siblings just to name a few. Again, the fantasy parts of the movie is very limited. I can tell you that if you have seen the commercial or trailer for this film, then you have already seen just about every CG shot in this movie, that's how little there actually is. Although "Terabithia" is suitable for young kids, it does have a slightly mature story with a bit of tragedy included.
"Terabithia" is about two teens, the artistic Jesse (Josh Hutcherson) and new kid on the block Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb). Both kids are somewhat outcasts in school and are frequently bullied and teased. Jesse because he is a poor farmer kid who doesn't talk much and is always drawing in his sketchbook (boy does that sound familiar). Leslie because she is a free spirited person who has a very vivid imagination and for the fact that her family doesn't own a television set. Jesse and Leslie soon become fast friends and explore the woods near their homes, where they come across a creek with a rope swing. Once they swing to the other side, Leslie being the more imaginative of the two, calls it "Terabithia", a land they can rule together. Here they use their imagination to bring "Terabithia" to life.
The acting from the cast is good all around, both Josh Hutcherson & Robert Patrick (he played Jesse's father) gave solid performances, but to me the standout of the movie was AnnaSophia Robb. And at the danger of sounding like a creep, I see the same thing in this young lady what I saw in Natalie Portman back when I first saw her in "Leon", a very talented young girl who will grow up to be a very good actress.
"Bridge to Terabithia" is a wonderful film and I highly recommended seeing it while it's still playing in theaters.For the record: This film did make me shed tears.
"TMNT" is the 4th installment of the series and not a reboot of the franchise. Gone is the live action with guys in rubber suits. Now the turtles are done completely in CGI. As good as the new look is, I would have loved to have seen this film done as an traditional 2/D Anime. The film also has a great (geek friendly) voice cast including Patrick Stewart, Sara Michelle Gellar, Chris Evans, Ziyi Zhang, Kevin Smith, & Laurence Fishburne.
(Minor Spoilers)
The story takes place years after the turtles have defeated their long time enemy the Shredder, and are now in "exile" from the world. Leo has been sent to South America for self training, Don is now a Tech Support Operator, Mike is a Turtle Mascot for kids parties, and Raf is a night time vigilante known as the "Nightwatcher". Both April O'Neil & Casey Jones, now living together, are working for tycoon Max Winters, collecting ancient statues for him. When Leo returns to New York, the turtles not only must relearn how to work as a team again, but they must also deal with the remains of the "Foot Clan" and creatures from another dimension.
(End Spoilers)
Overall, I thought this was a highly entertaining film. Those looking for a straight story of good vs. evil or an adult storyline are not gonna get it hear. This is a "Kids" movie that deals more about family, teamwork and responsibility rather than villainy or evil. If you have a soft spot for the turtles like me, or happen to have young kids, then go and see this movie.
For The Record: Donatello is my favorite turtle.
You gotta check this shit out. This video is of Director David O. Rusell go completely off on Actress Lily Tomlin in front of cast and crew on the set of "I Heart Huckabees". Too bad "outtakes" like this aren't a regular feature on DVDs.
Audio: Share your favorite track from a live album.
Submitted by -Lisa.
A nice cover song by Fiona Apple of Jimi Hendrix's "Angel". I sure wish this girl would release a live album.
"Brother" from Alice in Chains "Unplugged" Album
The best version of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" from the video "Cliff 'Em All". None play it better than the late great Cliff Burton.
For those not familiar with Metallica, that is a bass solo in the beginning of the song and not a guitar.
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