Ghostbusters 3 for 2011?
Ghostbusters 3 has had countless rumors over the past few years, but recently they’ve started to get more definitive. Most likely, it will be a total destruction of the iconic 80′s original, but secretly millions of 35 year olds hope that its going to be awesome.
Over at SlashFilm, they’re reporting Harold Ramis (Egon from the film) is saying it’s a go for 2011. Unfortunately everything he’s touched pretty much in the past 15 years has been horrible. As long as Bill Murray’s in it, though, I’ll pony up for some CGI slimer.
Check out the full article Harold Ramis Promises Ghostbusters 3 for 2011.
A Real American Pie Sequel Coming?
Not wanting to admit too often, but the American Pie 1 and 2 movies are some of my all-time favorite comedies. Perhaps because the characters were the identical age I was when released, so the story was sort of targeted at my generation.
Multiple direct-to-dvd sequels with none of the original cast (save Jim’s dad) have been made and were generally pretty throw away. Apparently the recently done direct-to-DVD American Pie: Book of Love (also with none of the original cast) has been reviewed and done pretty well in sales. I actually put it in my Netflix after seeing a review online.
But what I have secretly wanted is a more satisfying last chapter than American Wedding. (As a side note, the original director Chris Weitz, director/producer of the first two films, most recent work was Twilight New Moon).
Over at Moviehole.net, they are reporting (though this is pretty unlikely) that an actual 4th sequel in theaters with original cast may be in the works because of the popularity of the latest DVD. Since none of the original cast is doing much of anything (besides rehab or jailtime) this may be true.
For what it’s worth, check out the “exclusive”..
- Moviehole can exclusively report that the next “American Pie” film will likely be both a sequel (as opposed to a spin-off) to the original trilogy of films and a theatrical release. Universal are apparently quite happy with both the reaction and returns generated on the latest DTV effort, “American Pie Presents : Book of Love”, so are “seriously considering” reintroducing molested pastries to theaters. No word on whether Jason Biggs would be back as Jim… but don’t see why not; he’s not doing anything else, right?! Watch this Space.
Global Warming Believers Faith to Be Tested
877 US snowfall records set last week (below). But faith is not so easily shaken by the facts of this year and the ones to come in what will be a long winter. If the world is without purpose, this belief is all there is to hold on to. Almost a new opiate for the masses. Rather than change course, you will dig in. And bundle up.
Christmas Break Catchup Movie Reviews
Like many, I caught up on a few movies I missed during the break. Mostly recent DVD releases. If you’re curious whether they’re worth the rental, here’s my quick takes on these 2009 blockbusters and how good they really were.
The Hangover
A movie that had a lot of hype for me, and a lot of potential. One of my favorite comedy directors, Todd Phillips (from Old School and Road Trip), a winner cast, and a winning plot idea. It seemed like a no-miss. It did amazing at the box office, as well.
With that expectation, it was a very mixed bag. In the positive corner, it avoided the descent into silliness that movies of this type tend to have. There’s a lot of odd things introduced and the plot continues to get weirder and weirder each minute, but it never bails on reality. That being said, it just really wasn’t all that funny.
If you haven’t seen it by now, you’re probably not in the main target demo, and probably will just find it passable. If you like the in-your-face funny style of Old School, it’s also likely not to satisfy. If you enjoy more complex plots and a few good laugh lines (and don’t mind some rough content) it’s the movie for you.
I’d have to say I was disappointed because of my expectations, but probably wouldn’t have loved it even if I had none. It has a standard comedy premise (guys wake up in Vegas with no memory of the strangeness of the night before, just a lot of clues) and the rest is just watchable and somewhat amusing. Didn’t laugh out loud much at all.
Not a date movie, not a super funny comedy, but an interesting yarn and moves pretty smoothly.
2.5 Stars out of 4
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Inglorious Basterds
Another one that I was really looking forward to, and it just didn’t quite make the grade. Since it was Quentin Tarantino, I can’t really complain that it was a weird uneven mix of violence, dialogue, and randomness. The basic premise was strong – making the Nazis pay for their crimes vigilante style – but it just was an exhausting set of scenes to get them there.
The movie is pretty long – almost two and a half hours – and has more dialogue than any movie in recent memory. Half of the dialogue is subtitles, oddly enough. The characters are fairly memorable, but none of the interesting ones get much screen time. The scenes drag on unbelievably long to move the plot forward, and you find yourself thinking “hurry up and get to the point” quite often.
In the end, it wasn’t as bloody as Tarantino’s previous efforts, but also didn’t really seem to have a point besides the obvious. And it took a whole lot of talking to reach no real point. And good luck keeping up with what’s going on as you drift in and out of caring.
2 Stars out of 4
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Twilight New Moon
Oddly enough, since it is heavily targeted not at my demographic, New Moon ended up being the most satisfying of my viewings over the holidays. I am a mild fan of the first one simply because I like Vampire stories. I could do without some of the depressing love story, but then the movie would be 11 minutes long.
The second one has a new director, and while it is similar to the first, it is at the same time quite different in most ways. Mostly an improvement over the first, but there are still long scenes of depressing conversation about..I guess love is what they’re talking about. The suicidal kind. And lots of shirtless dudes (I closed my eyes for the scary parts).
But the backstory and action are satisfying, and the acting and dialogue were passable. The best thing I can say about it is that I’m up for the third installment – Eclipse – coming out in June. Even though I can’t really rave about the film, that’s saying a lot more than I can for everything else I watched over the holiday that was much more critically acclaimed that this teen super-angst love story.
2 and a half stars out of 4
Motorola Droid vs. Blackberry Storm 2 vs. iPhone 3Gs
Here’s some pretty good video tests for those who have Verizon, or for those thinking of making the jump from/to AT&T by comparing the smartphones side by side. Droid comes out well in these tests. In my opinion, I wouldn’t give the Storm2 a first look, Blackberry has just fallen too far behind in the touchscreen smartphone market, but I’d be willing to be their next try will be worth a look. View the complete set of tests here. These videos are a bit long but everything is covered.
Verizon’s Motorola Droid vs. Blackberry Storm 2
The Motorola (An)Droid has the better Browser rendering plus the right screen which wins against BlackBerry’s baby screen. The page load on 3G and Wifi is on The Droid much faster than on the BB. The Storm’s keyboard is much better to use then Motorola’s soft and hard keyboard.
Motorola Droid vs. iPhone 3GS vs. Palm Pre
Couch to 5k to 10k
I just completed my first week of a group running program, and wanted to give it a plug for those in the same position as myself. This program and many similar are terrific ways to try to set some goals for yourself when all your other efforts have failed.
For those that work too much, like myself, or just don’t have the motivation to get to the gym enough, also like myself, these motivational running groups are a great way to get on track. While I still have a long way to go, the first week has been more successful than anything I’ve tried in recent years.
For those who do little to no physical activity, a fairly popular and newer program called couch to 5k is terrific. Over 12 weeks you can literally go from watching Seinfeld reruns all night to running a 5k race. Since I have done a small amount of running in the past, I skipped to the next step, but I know many people who have done great on the couch to 5k program that are currently in the one I’m doing, 5k to 10k. Check out the program details for couch to 5k. It involves very little running at first and just builds your endurance. Find a group in your area and check it out.
Sometimes you gotta take it one step at a time.
If you are like me, you make an earnest effort to go to the gym. Unfortunately it varies between 1 and 3 times a week, and involves treadmills and machines and sometimes less than half an hour. Maybe you got off work late, or the weathers bad, or you’re sleepy. And then when you do have that breakout week, you take it as an excuse to eat and drink like like it’s your birthday everyday. Then you’re further back then when you started and it seems too big a task to even bother again. The problem is accountability. If you skip a workout or 5, only you know, and apparently you aren’t going to scold yourself since it was you who skipped it in the first place.
The 5k to 10k program is designed to get you in 10k shape in 12 weeks. They start with 25 to 30 minute jogs , and after a month build to 35 to 45 minute jogs, and 4-5 mile runs on Saturdays. Compared to what you’ve been doing it takes a lot of discipline, but the group offers the encouragement you need.
Winter is the best time to get started since it has the most excuses to not get outside. I got up on a Saturday at 645 am to run 3.5 miles today. No biggie for many people, but for me it was a world away from where my mindset was only two weeks ago. And it was 34 degrees. I don’t do 34 degrees. Well, I didn’t use to.
So for the many people like me who have good intentions, but no time or motivation, check into one of these groups. You’ll thank yourself for it and for the 12 weeks after you’ll have a goal in mind. Crossing the finish line after your 10k (again, if you’re like me) will be a huge accomplishment for you, and you’ll find that running is mostly mental. As an added bonus, you’ll get into great shape and lose weight. That accomplishment will carryover into many other things you do, so there’s no reason not to at least give it a shot.
On to week two.
Dream of a White Christmas
One of the things I’ve always wanted was a White Christmas. I may be about 30 miles too south to get my dream this year, but it looks like a very good possibility for much of the country.
In a year of many record low temperatures worldwide, a decade of global cooling, climategate emails exposing the making up of scientific data, and some of the earliest blizzards in this part of the country in our lifetimes, it’s a little Christmas gift in more ways than one for many of us.
Check out the early Christmas week forecast over at Accuweather.
Getting in the Hot Tub Time Machine?
Lots of buzz on this March release…. Hot Tub Time Machine may be a movie right up my alley. A mix of Road Trip, The Office, and Back to the Future. I’ll definitely be there…whether it will be good or not isn’t apparent from this trailer, but it looks promising. There is obviously a decent plot here that isn’t hinted at in the trailer, it isn’t random goofiness, so it will be interesting to see how it ends up.
Very interesting cast, as well, mixing up some favorites from very different movies, including the usually straight John Cusack.
Checks it out. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling back in time to the 1980s.
Iron Man 2 Trailer Unveiled
Oh good, I have a reason to go back to the movies again. The first Iron Man was awesome, had it not come during the same months as The Dark Knight, it would be the best superhero movie of all time. Even more impressive after I read they pretty much improvised the movie (article here.)
“They had no script, man! They had an outline,” says Bridges. “We would show up for big scenes every day and we wouldn’t know what we were going to say.”
Enjoy and get your rocket booster whatevers ready.
Read more: Jeff Bridges on Iron Man: “They Had No Script, Man” | /Film http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/12/01/jeff-bridges-on-iron-man-they-had-no-script-man/#ixzz0a0dqGjoj
Guitar Hero and Christmas Lights
My two favorite things together in one place. This is truly stunning, and I could easily see me asking my dad to rig this up for me and him doing it. Not when I was a kid, I mean next week.
Take a looksie.
EMBED-Christmas Light Hero – Watch more free videos
