I am determined to put up a post every day this week. I need to make it feel like I am having a vaction AT work as apposed to working ON vacation.
On my way to buy my soup and half a sandwich for lunch yesterday I passed by a newsstand where they had the Jan/Feb issue of Premiere staring at me. It was calling out to me with a cover featuring Tobey Maguire donning the black spidey suit, with a headline reading "The Secrets of Spider-Man 3". I made a mental note to buy it on my way back from getting my soup and half a sandwich. Once getting back to my office, soup, half sandich and magazine in hand, I immediately got to work on finding out the supposed secrets. There really wasn't much beyond what I already knew. I did learn that the Goblin Glider is new, and apparently so is the costume. Harry, James Franco, as we saw in the last picture, discovered his fathers secret identity, and then takes over the role in the new film. I still don't know what goblin name he will be taking (Green or Hob), but it will most likely be Green, since Harry never was the Hob. The new glider is also a completely different glider, more like a snowboard, so Harry can do some crazy in-air fight sequences with Spider-Man (apparently there will be much more in-air fighting in general in this picture). Sam Rami also talks about his choices in casting (Topher Grace looks much like Maguire, so he makes a pretty good evil doppelganger Eddie Brock/Venom to Peter Parker/Spider-Man). Other then that, the article really only talks about effects advancements, costs, and coming up with the story. There is no mention of Venom though (other then the fact that he is in it) and no pictures either. Venom is probably why I get all like a little boy who has to pee when i hear about this movie, and I probably won't know anything about him in it until we get closer to movie release time (May 4). All I know is that this movie has to be at least two and a half hours long to fit everything they plan to fit in there without making it feel to choppey and all over the place. I personally, though, wouldn't mind seeing the movie hit three hours, just to be on the safe side. But I mean you can't expect people to sit through a three hour movie...oh wait, yes you can.
But that article was apparently a lead in to another article. The second article is the 2007 Movie Preview, something I didn't know was even going to be in this issue, and I am very glad it was. Now I know I have to start planning my weekends accordingly. Of course the article only give descriptions of the movies, leaving me to completely guess whether or not any of it will be good. And we all know that early predictions mean nothing (think X-3, which I expected to rock, or Wedding Crashers, which I expected to suck), so until we get closer to movie time, or after the movies have passed through my eyes ears, and various other orafices. So here, for your reading pleasure, are my predictions, based on the article:
Semi Pro - (Release TBD) Starring Will Farrel and Woody Harrelson as ficitonal basketball players in the 1970's. Sounds like it could be hysterical, and those two are comedy powerhouses.
Step Brothers - (Release TBD) Writer/Director Adam McKay strikes again with Farrel and John C. Reilly who play two pamperd adults who still live with their respective single parents. Then the parents get married and they become siblings. Sounds like a very funny premise, and we are talking about a trio we already know works very well together when it comes to comedy. I wonder who else from the "frat pack" will make an appearence in this one, since none of them made one in Talledega Nights.
The Simpsons Movie - (July 27) I really don't think I have to say much about this. The article mentions that they don't plan on ending the series with the movie, but if that happens, it is pure coincidence. I hope that doesn't mean the movie is going to suck. It shouldn't be too terrible, I mean they have the series best writers from the entire history of the series writing the script, and David Silverman (Monsters, Inc. and many episodes of the Simpsons TV show) directing, so that's always a good start. Plus we will not be let down with celebrity guests (none mentioned, other than the fact that some celebrity characters from the show will make an appearence in the movie). Obviously I am going to see it no matter what.
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - (July 20) I can only assume this is a Happy Madison production, starring Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi and Dan Aykroyd. The story is about a Brooklyn firefighter (James) whose wife dies unexpectedly before signing off on life insurance, leaving him alone with two kids and no extra money. Told this could be fixed if he remarry, (James) finds out that he is horribly unattractive (duh) and decideds to have a fake gay relationship with his friend and fellow firefighter (Sandler). Apparently this is something that has actually happened before in real life to a fireman in Jersey. It sounds like it could be good Sandler style fun, but I also think that unless someone else wants to go see it, I'll be waiting for it to show up on HBO.
Ocean's Thirteen - (June 8) Ok, well all know Ocean's 11 was awesome (or at least I know that), and the Ocean's 12 made me wish that everyone in that movie died horribly so they couldn't fuck up 11 anymore then they already did. However, Clooney and Soderberg promise that 13 goes back to the awesomeness that 11 was and 12 should have been if they weren't so focused on stroking their egos (I mean it was so obvious that 12 was all about them and not about the movie...so fucking terrible). Plus, 13 will have Al Pacino and NO Julia Roberts (YAY!). I will take the promise of this movie and I look forward to it.
Happy Potter and the Order of the Pheonix - (July 13) Obviously I am going to go see this.
Norbit - (February 9) Eddie Murphy playing a ton of different roles is always good for a laugh (The Nutty Proffessor) even if the movie sucks (A Vamipre in Brooklyn), but this one looks incredibly promising. The trailer even makes me laugh out loud. And with a suporting cast of Cuba Gooding Jr., Eddie Griffin and Marlon Wayans, this movie goes on my list of movies I would like to see while it is still in the theaters.
Grindhouse - (April 6) Why Tarantino and Rodriguez didn't do this sooner, I will never know. Once again the two have teamed up to make a movie that I know I will love, even if not everyone else does (From Dusk Til Dawn, Four Rooms, Sin City). It is really a double feature (two 90 minute films, one directed by QT and one by RR) in an homage to classic 1970's B double feature drive-in horror movies, complete with phony trailers for other bad movies. The future plans for Grindhouse is to turn it into a series of double features for the directors, giving them an excuse to make the kinds of movies they love to make AND watch, which are just pure fun. The premise of QT's movie in the movie, "Death Proof", is a stunt driver who goes crazy and desides to stalk and kill the cast of a B cheerleader movie, with his stunt car. RR's is "Planet Terror" which is about a town taken over by zombies. Rose McGowan plays a girl with one leg who has to save the town, eventually she dons a machine gun for her missing leg. Can we say campy awesomeness at it's best?
Ratatouille - (June 29) Another Pixar picture directed by Brad Bird (the Incredibles, Simspsons Episodes, Iron Giant), which just sounds like a grand old pixar time. Definately a date movie of sorts.
Sicko - (Release TBD) Michael Moore directing another documentary. I used to like Michael Moore's documentaries, and he promises this one will be funny, but I don't like Michael Moore any more (get it), so I think i will pass on this one...unless of course I hear otehrwise.
Blades of Glory - (March 30) No, not the D.B. Sweeny picture. Not a remake either (thank G-d), but rather a very promising comedy starring Farrel (does this guy take a day off?) and Jon Heder (you know, Napoleon Dynamite) star as two male figure-skaters who get into a brawl on the ice while competing against eachother in the 2002 olympics. This brawl gets them barred from the ice as singles skaters, so the only loop-hole back onto the ice is to get a partner, but no females will skate with them, so they decide to become eachothers partners. Hilariousness ensues. I'll be there at the box office, if it's in the theaters long enough.
I Think I Love My Wife - (March 16) Who is giving Chris Rock the ability to remake all these old movies? This one is most likely going to suck, just like evry other Chris Rock movie.
I Am Legend - (November 21) Well once again a life-long idea was taken out from under my feet. You might know the story if you saw the movie Omega Man (or the Simpsons Tree House of Horror VIII episode "The Homega Man") which was based on the book of the same title (I Am Legend). I love the Omega Man, one of my all time favs, and I always wanted to remake it, and set it in New York. Well that is what they have done here, starring Will Smith in a post apocolyptic NYC (four years after the apocolypse) where nature has taken over and the only surviving man is Smith and some horribly disfigured others. If done right, this movie could be awesome, if done wrong, it will just be another piece of crap.
Evan Almighty - (June 22) A sequel to a movie without the original star, but everyone else involved? Well we all know Steve Carell can hold his own, which he proves over and over again. We also know he was probably the best part of the original Bruce Almighty. If you haven't heard, the premise goes as follows; after Evan is exhiled from Buffalo as a news anchor, he moves to Washington DC in an attempt to run for senate, where he is taped by G-d (once again played by Morgan Freeman) to build an arch and fill it with two of every animal. Hilarity ensues when Evan is visited by animals in his place of work and his home, and his beard will just not go away. The movie also features Lauren Graham as Evan's wife, and John Goodman, as I am going to guess the antagonist. Will Carrel Make goodman speak giberish? That will be awesome.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At the World's End - (May 25) Obviously I will be there. How can I miss this, espcially after the cliffhanger I was left with on Dead man's Chest. Plus Keith Richards will definately be there, Asian piraes, and Barbossa will be a hero? This is all a formula for me going to the movies and seeing the hell out of this one. However, I am troubled to learn that they are already planning a fourth film? NOOOOOOOO!!! Keep it a trilogy and keep me happy.
Surf's Up - (June 8) A computer animated mocumentary about Penguins who surf (and talk and wear clothes, much like an animated movie would do). Meh, i am up in the air about this one. It's an interesting concept.
Transformers - (July 4) Well this is another one that has been leaving me up in the air since the announcement of the movie being made in the first place. Obviously if you are going to make a transformers movie, it NEEDS to be live action/CGI or else it's just a hoakey cartoon. And Michael Bay directing means that it will be an explosion filled, action packed, crazy time. The only question is, will it be good. The story actually seems to work on paper, and despite the crappy movie tag line (their war. our planet.), the effects look awesome and the original voice of optimus prime (Peter Cullen) will repraise his role. I will give this movie a chance, if only to see the effects and the explosions.
Shrek the Third - (May 18) Here we go with another Shrek movie, and since Shrek 2 was so good, I have high hopes for this one as well. The entire cast is back (including Rupert Everett, but obivously not Jennifer Saunders) and includes Justin Timberlake as well as a note of "many others" to the cast list (ooh the suspence!). The story also sounds fun, with Shrek becoming king of Far Far Away, and trying not to be by finding Fiona's cousin Arthur (Timberlake) to rule instead. I will be in the theater to see this promising jewel of a film (apparently they are also working on a Puss In Boots spin-off, but no further mention of that).
Fred Claus - (Holiday Release) Yes it is that "Claus", but not in the way that you think. This actually sounds to be like a fun Christmas Comedy for all ages. Starring Vince Vaughn as Fred Claus, the brother of Santa, who is a repoman in Chicago (Santa gives, Fred takes, very clever), and gets arrested for hustling deals. Santa has to bail Fred out of jail, and to return the favor, asks Fred to work at the North Pole for the last few weeks before Christmas. Kathy Bates plays their mother, who obviously loves Santa more, seeing him as the successful child. The movie also has Paul Giamatti playing Santa Claus, Miranda Richardson playing Mrs. Claus, and Kevin Spacey playing an evil efficiency expert who is trying to shut down Santa's shop. Directed by David Dobkin (Clay Pidgeons, Wedding Crashers) this sounds like a delightful cross between Elf and Bad Santa, and will be worth my time in the theater.
Hannibal Rising - (February 9) The Prequel to the Prequel of the "Lambs" Series, this is the film that takes us back to the youthful days of Hannibal Lechter (played by Gaspard Ulliel...who?). Directed by Peter Webber (Girl with a Pearl Earing) writen by Thomas Harris, based on his just published novel. Could be good, or could be crappy. We'll just have to wait a couple of months to see.
American Gangster - (November 2) Densel Washington and Russel Crowe in a 1970's Harlem gangster story directed by Ridley Scott. Russel Crowe plays a Jersey Jew. Could prove to be entertaining.
and last but not least:
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - (June 15) Apparently not everyone thought the Fantastic Four's 2004 movie was that terrible, because now they will have a sequel. I myself didn't find it that terrible, they just really made it feel like the whole movie was an introduction, and I never really got a sense of the team being a team until the last few minutes. Well apparently this time around, they have "fixed" all the mistakes that all the fans complained about from the first film. The entire cast and crew are returning for this picture, which will involve a battle against the Silver Surfer, a Marvel Character I only know the basics about. However, if the silver surfer is gonna be there, you know galactus can't be far behind. Obviously Silver Surfer isn't popular/cool enough to get his own movie, so he needs to coat-tail on another one. Unless I hear some amazing things about this one, I am going to wait until I fly down to Florida and they show it on Jet Blue (just how I saw the first movie for the first time).
There is also an article about movie trailers revealing the whole movie. Apparently research shows more people like that, it's just the only people who really care about it are the people I associate with as movie fans and not the general retards.
Today's Entry:
Ringdah - The act of ignoring a telephone for the sole purpose of distane for the phone, nothing against the person calling, just the actual phone itself.
"Early childhood trauma has given me ringdah whenever I hear the phone ring."