Saturday, May 30, 2009

UP is definitely a Go-Getta!!

Wow!! Is all I can say about UP. Can you imagine taking a trip to South America in your house floating above the friendly skies? Well this is the movie for you to see, you will definetly want to take this journey.

When going to see UP's the story will seem a bit weird at first glance. Just think a Disney film with an old man as a protagonist. Could it be? I definitely did not expect that but that just gave it more cool points. The first initial 5 minutes of the film will touch your heart in a way that you can't help but to shed a tear.I literally got chills because it was just that real. This movie put many, almost all Disney to shame. The story will take you back and make you realize that there is someone in your family and/or life just like one of the characters.

UP teaches you the importance of life and how you should live life to the fullest. Sometimes one person can be put into your life a reason to set you free from hurt, harm, and danger. And regardless of how old you are life sometimes gives you a second chance, just so you can get things right. Mr. Fredricksen, has that nonchalnt spirit that just makes you want to give him a great big hug!

I must say this movie is too cute and very entertaining. A definite must-see movie for everyone not just the kids. Now I am not a cartoon fanatic but Disney did a heck of job with this one. How can you go wrong with a feisty old man, an annoying kid, and talking dogs... just priceless!! And to think this movie is loosely based on the life of Academy award winning actor Spencer Tracy.

Visual effects....CHECK...Amazing sound...CHECK...Pure Hilarious comedy...CHECK...Jaw-breaking action...CHECK...Heart...ALL THERE!!

Please take your kids, mom, dad, grandparents, cousins, and friends...everybody!!

Grade: A

Friday, May 29, 2009

Stay tuned for Guest Blogger next week!!

Wassup folks! Hope that you all are enjoying your summer, I know I am! It has truly been eventful. Well I wanted to let you guys know that starting next week Tuesday I will be having a guest blogger doing some reviewing, so you guys can get a little more "flavor in your ear"...lol.

For now his name shall remain a mystery so make sure you stay tuned, trust me when I tell you it will be a treat you don't want to miss!!

And don't fret GBreezy will still be giving you the Cinema News too!!


Don't forget to check out the new films coming out this weekend:

*UP
*Drag Me To Hell

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Top 20 Movie Series!!


Movies these days are either your typical cartoon, sci-fi, action, or even drama/comedy. But nothing seems to be more duplicated than the "movie series". Now some movies are able to launch several films in a series and can be successful others are not. Well I have a list in no particular order of films that have done quite well as a series. Let me know what you think, and please feel free to add to the list as well!


(REMEMBER THESE ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)


1. James Bond Franchise

2. Star Wars

3. Jurassic Park

4. The Lord of the Rings

5. The Godfather

6. X-Men

7. The Bourne series

8. Oceans 11-13

9. Die Hard

10. Saw

11. Indiana Jones

12. Rush Hour

13. The Matrix

14. Pirates of the Caribbean

15. Lethal Weapon

16. Rocky & Rambo

17. Back to the Future Series

18. Jaws

19. Beverly Hills Cop

20. Planet of the Apes


Honorable Mention: Home Alone

Rewind Wednesday: True Lies

"When he said I do, he never said what he did. "

Today's Rewind Wednesday is a bit of action mixed with comedy. You can always count on me watching this movie everytime it comes on whether its TBS or TNT. This is one of those movies that has a bit of seriousness but at the same time it still entertains you. True Lies is a 1994 action-comedy film starring stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Tia Carrere, Charlton Heston, and Art Malik. True Lies is an extended remake of the 1991 French film La Totale.



True Lies would serve as a great comeback role for Schwarzenegger considering his past flicks (Last Action Hero, previous summer). The movie would end up earning $146 million and $232.6 million abroad, making it the third best-grossing movie of 1994. For her performance, And Jamie Lee Curtis would truly benefit from her performance considering she would receive a 1994 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy.

Now at one point in time a sequel was in the works, however there were some glitches that would arise. Back in 2002, online news reports quoted actress Eliza Dushku as saying there was going to be a sequel reuniting the original cast and writer/director James Cameron. Director James Cameron originally planned on making a sequel sometime in 2002, but plans were put on hold once the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred in NYC, citing that "in this day and age, terrorism isn't funny." As of January 2009 there have been talks between Tom Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger to do a True Lies sequel as soon as Schwarzenegger leaves office. Jamie Lee Curtis's and Eliza Dushku's involvement is unknown.

And as always here are couple of scenes to get the funny bone stirring.
LOW Battery...just maybe lol


A doggie headache


Can ya dance for me one time... (disregard the spanish lol)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Field Trip to the Smithsonian

Ben Stiller comes back as Larry Daley, the maladroit security guard from the original Night at the Museum (2006). Now the action takes place in the world-renowned Smithsonian in an adventure that will truly make history come alive.

The former night guard finds himself beckoned into his biggest, most imagination-boggling adventure yet. As Larry races to save his formerly inanimate friends from what could be their last stand amid the wonders of the world’s largest museum, all of his surroundings, from the famous paintings on the walls to the rocket ships in the halls, suddenly have a mind of their own. Larry enlists the help of new friends Amelia Earhart, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln, along with old buddies Teddy Roosevelt and Sacajawea, to foil the megalomaniacal plans of Egyptian ruler Kah Mun Rah.

I must say this is one of those movies that I took a chance in going to see. Not one of the first on the radar but nonetheless a movie I would see.
Think of this movie like a virtual history lesson, because that's what it felt like. Going back into time to save the Smithsonian from the evil ones. Just think we saw everyone from Teddy Roosevelt, to Napolean, to Honest Abraham Lincoln, the famous Thinking statue, Amelia Earhart, Tuskegee Airmen, General Custer, and even Al Capone. And probably the star of the film would be that of Amelia Earhart she is so sweet, and lovable and full of courage and "moxie".
This is a movie that to me seemed like a fun roller coaster ride. Waiting in line and all the characters that you see, and then once you get your seat, the initial steady rise to the top. And as you keep rising and rising we anxiously await that first drop. With this movie the same thing happens. Larry must travel to DC to the Smithsonian and save his fellow compadre' artifacts from their "extinction". Definitely take your kids to see this they will get a kick out of all the historical figures. it just might make them want to get an "A" in their History class....just maybe...lol.
Now many may feel this was an unexcitable movie but I think it was worth the ride. Although an average ride, still an entertaining one nonetheless.
Grade: C+

Disappointment rears its ugly head with Terminator: Salvation

Well a 25 year gap just did not do a body good, especially not in the case of the most recent Terminator flick. I must say I had higher expectations for this film, but in this case those expectations were not met.

Set in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind. (Warner Bros. Pictures)


Now let me first start out by saying that I am a Terminator fan but probably not a fanatic. So I was anxious to see what was in store for this movie. You would think by coming out during the brink of the summer it should do well (that's the whole purpose) BUT this one fell short of the margin. Overall the look of the film was great, the action and CG were great and the acting was decent. In all honesty, Christian Bale may have been the lead but his two counterparts Sam Worthington and Anton Yelchin kinda showed out and took a little of the spotlight from him. One major drawback was that the film suffered from not having enough character development. McG probably had an outline that he was working with but just needed to tighten up the script, so that the story could work better. I will not deny that you can tell all throughout the film that he's a fan of the previous films... (The numerous throw backs to the prior films.) Maybe this will help him to spark some other films worth bringing to the big screen.


With this movie there are a few of loopholes and inconsistencies which pretty much can bring you down and it makes it somewhat difficult to get past them. All at the same time you are trying to figure out if it worth watching anymore. And now that I think about it the second Terminator was the same way. (Although I will definitely not say that this one was!) Put it like this it was "aiiiight" and that's the best way to put it.


Once again I will give them this , the CG was great but that was about it. And that by itself was just not enough to hold up this film. I think the bok should be closed on this story and never to be re-opened. Somethings are meant to "wow us" at the time they are presented, and others are meant to just make us say, " oh wow". And in this specific case it did just that.



Grade: C

Friday, May 22, 2009

Independent Film Spotlight Feature

Now you know I am all about introducing and showcasing independent films and their writers and directors. Well I got a great one for you that came out in 2001 which is being brought back out again. Check out the following link showing the trailer: http://www.beeloved-creations.com/CUBAMOR2.MOV

Cubamor (2001)
A Film by by Joshua Bee Alafia

Here is a a brief synopsis of this great film:
Cuba is a place where magic is a part of daily life. Lazaro Rosengberg-Acosta (joshua bee alafia) and Zoe Green (Natasha Yanacannedo) are two Americans in Habana. Lazaro spends his mornings studying Afro-Cuban music and his afternoons exploring the magic of Kongolese mysticism and Yoruba Lukumi (Santeria). He falls for his Godfather's granddaughter, Maria (Wendy Reyes) and breaks his promise to be faithful to his fiancee and the Orisha Oshun. After a political solidarity tour, Zoe has stayed on to learn more about Cuban culture and falls in love with Renato (Jorge B. Sardinas) a Reggae singer who dreams of an international Reggae career. Cubamor is a story of love and mysticism, hustlers and sages, a mix of magical realism and cinema verite. With a bumping orgiginal soundtrack of Cuban Folklorico, Hip-Hop, Boleros, Salsa and Reggae.


Also for those who are in the NYC area there is an event planned to start at 7:00 pm on May 24, 2009 at Harlem Black Box Theatre.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

New Trailers!!

Got a couple of new trailers for you to look forward too! The trailer for Guy Ritchie's jam-packed sleuth adventure - Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his tenacious partner Watson (Jude Law) engage in battle to bring down a nemesis whose plot has been a threat to all of England. Check it out for yourself and see:

In theaters Christmas Day 2009.


Now this next one you may have seen if you have been keeping up with the current playlist of films that have already come to a theater near you:

In theaters August 21st, 2009

Next up is from director Micheal Mann , Johnny Depp & Christian Bale crime flick Public Enemies:

In theaters July 1st, 2009



And finally after two years of waiting, Disney has brought to us The Princess and the Frog, kinda excited about this one!!

2009 Holiday Season

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Steven Spielberg’s set to film MLK Jr. biopic

Art & Leisure (The Week)-- Almost 50 years after Martin Luther King Jr. “told the world that he had a dream,” said Guy Adams in The Independent, the slain civil rights leader is set to “receive perhaps the ultimate recognition of his standing as a modern American icon: a Steven Spielberg film chronicling his life and times.” Now that DreamWorks has acquired the rights to Kings speeches and other intellectual property, King should finally get his due.

Spielberg told Variety, "We are all honored that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these defining, historic events. It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr. King's life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of."

There is one slight problem, really, Hollywood has a limited number of actors who would conceivably take on the role-- Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Laurence Fishburne, and possibly.... Don Cheadle maybe? But then maybe there is the hope that they'll maybe give a newcomer a shot, a theater actor or someone who has the 'galls' to put in his heart and soul. This would be the role of a lifetime for any actor, but for it to work, he's got to be absolutely perfect for the part.

And even now the dream of seeing King's life story on the big screen could be "shattered," said Tatiana Siegel in Variety. Two of King's children are "threatening legal action,” claiming that Spielberg and Dreamworks don’t have permission for the project from the King Estate. So it remains to be seen if the “first-ever narrative feature” about King will hit theaters.

Rewind Wednesday: "I'll Be Back!"

25 Years ago on an Autumn day we would be introduced to a film that would set that standard for futuristic films of today! I figure how fitting it would be to feature this movie for our Rewind Wednesday! Drum Roll please (LOL)... it would be none other than The Terminator starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator, Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor and Michael Biehn as Kyle Reese.

"In the Year of Darkness, 2029, the rulers of this planet devised the ultimate plan. They would reshape the Future by changing the Past. The plan required something that felt no pity. No pain. No fear. Something unstoppable. They created 'THE TERMINATOR' "

This 1984 science fiction/action film directed and co-written by James Cameron would introduce the concept of a "terminator", specifically the titular character (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a seemingly unstoppable cyborg assassin who has been sent back from the year 2029 by a race of artificially intelligent computer-controlled machines bent on the extermination of the human race. The Terminator's mission is to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) whose future son leads a resistance against the machines. A human, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is also sent back from the future to protect her.




James Cameron got the idea for The Terminator (1984) while shooting another film in Europe. His vision was of a metal endoskeleton emerging from flames and most of the script was written backwards from there. The endoskeleton would have to be futuristic, and Cameron couldn't afford to set the film in the future. The solution was to bring the future to the present, hence the 'time travel' aspect of the script was written in. Cameron originally envisioned the Terminator as a small, unremarkable man, giving it the ability to blend in more easily. As a result, his first choice for the part was Lance Henriksen. O. J. Simpson was on the shortlist but Cameron did not think that "such a nice guy could be a ruthless killer". (Hmmm really...lol) According to him and co-writer William Wisher, Schwarzenegger was offered the role of the human soldier Reese. However, they realized that he would be better suited as the Terminator, which as a result became large and muscular. Michael Biehn was also on the shortlist for the Terminator, and not the hero Kyle Reese. It would go on to win several awards including the Saturn Award (1985) for Best Make-Up, Science Fiction Film, and Writing.

Considering that, The Terminator was a low-budget movie, at roughly $6.4 million, it would turn out to be a box-office hit, earning $38,371,200 domestically. The film would then go on to gross more than $78 million worldwide. Although stereophonic sound existed in 1984, The Terminator (1984) was filmed in monophonic. This was because during the production, the budget was too low to allow the filmmakers to get all the effects they wanted and still allow for the film to be shot in stereo. Although a stereo remix was produced later for the Hemdale VHS release, it was not until MGM acquired the rights to the film that a fully recognizable 5.1 stereo soundtrack was created, for the 2001 Special Edition DVD. Now here is something else that was quite interesting, Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous debut line 'I'll be back' was originally scripted as 'I'll come back'. And now that I think of it, that has a better ring to it too!!

And now just think in 2008, The Terminator was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. This movie has truly stood against the test of time, and hopefully the third installment Terminator: Salvation will continue the legacy. Check out the trailer below:




It hits theaters tomorrow May 21st, 2009.

Monday, May 18, 2009

David Banner and Boris Kodjoe Together in a Film?!!

The Confidant is a tantalizing suspense thriller, written and directed by award winning writer
Alton Glass. The movie is an intricately woven tale about two childhood best friends that have an unusually strong bond, and an even more intriguing secret.


The storyline includes both Kodjoe and Banner’s characters each being on a path to promising futures, one as a first round NFL draft pick, and the other a talented artist. A complicated web of lies, gambling, murder, and a pact between friends, sends one to prison and the other to fame. After eleven years locked away, the innocent of the two (Banner) comes to collect on the debt, and is determined to have the life that was taken away from him…by any means necessary!



Hmmmm this should be interesting....

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Discover more secrets with "Angels & Demons"

Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon in “Angels and Demons,” the much-anticipated sequel to the international blockbuster, The Da Vinci Code(2006), This would be another Dan Brown (author) film adaptation, although the novel Angels & Demons was published and takes place before the novel The Da Vinci Code.

When Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati—the most powerful underground organization in history—he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization's most despised enemy: the Catholic Church. Embarking on a nonstop, action-packed hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon follows a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols that mark the Vatican's only hope for survival.


If you enjoyed the DaVinci Code, then you will undoubtedly enjoy this movie as well. The same twists and turns are reflected in Angels and Demons as well. One slight difference is the fact that this one was just slightly at a faster pace, which kid of helped it out considering the movie is two hours long. What viewers may also want to realize is that the movie is obviously fictitious, however there is still enough real history to make it seem very believable. And when it all boils down that is what matters, the entertaining piece not whether its a real story. If that is the case no one would go to the movies.



"Howard is excellent in depicting the simplicity of complexity and complex issues."


Grade: B

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Exclusive Premiere's Coming to you this Fall!!

As you may know I try to give you some sneak peeks of any new and upcoming films, and today is no different.

This first sneak peek premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film festival where it won the Audience Award and the Grand Jury Prize for best drama, as well as a Special Jury Prize for supporting actress Mo'Nique. Precious, originally known as Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire, is a 2009 drama film, adapted from the 1996 Sapphire novel Push about a teenaged girl living in Harlem. This film will have you shedding tears uncontrollably! Its powerful story and plot are truly amazing. I remember watching the trailer and just getting chills. Well here's a sneak peek for you to see with your own eyes.



Precious is to hit theaters November 6, 2009!! Definitely a MUST GO SEE!!!


This next one is for all my Tyler Perry and Madea fans. This film is definitely going to have you rolling in your seats!! That boy is just too crazy!! I Can Do Bad All By Myself hits theaters September 11th, 2009.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Rewind Wednesday: Class is in Session edition!!

It's that time of the week again, Rewind Wednesday! Today's feature is one that is very near and dear to my heart. It features my alma mater Clark Atlanta University (at the time Clark College) as well as some of my other fellow Atlanta University Center (AUC) institutions. This film I personally think put ATL on the map!! Well if you haven't figured it out yet I'm talking about Spike Lee's 1988 musical-drama School Daze! This film would include a huge cast of great actors and actress who have really blown up in today's tv and film. It would star such greats as Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Samuel Jackson, Jasmine Guy, and Ossie Davis just to name a few.

Based in part on Spike Lee's experiences at Atlanta's Morehouse College, it is a story about fraternity and sorority members clashing with other students at a historically black college during homecoming weekend. This would be Lee's second feature film in which he directed. In addition, it would highlight what it meant to be a college educated student, and more specifically an African American (black) student. The student's at Mission College needed to understand that they were responsible for what goes on around them and that they would need to own up to that!




One interesting thing to note about this film was that Spike Lee had the actors stay in separate hotels during filming. The actors playing the "wannabes" had better accommodations than the ones playing the "jigaboos", which contributed to the on-camera animosity between the two camps. This truly helped to show the authenticity of what could and may have happened on a typical day in the life of an HBCU. The method approached used would yield strong results - the fight that occurs at the step show between Dap's crew and the Gammas was not in the script; on the day of the shooting of the scene, the fight broke out, and Lee ordered that the cameras keep rolling. Now keep in mind even though "Mission College," and "Gamma Phi Gamma" were fictional, a chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity actually appears in School Daze.




School Daze truly captured the reality of many African American students attending college and it gave future students an idea of what they could obtain in life. Many folks could completely vibe with the whole fraternity/sorority versus "GDI" issue. For some who did attend an HBCU you could identify with what was being portrayed in the film. Whereas on the other hand at a predominantly white institution some of the other issues around skin color may be new to the individual. I will definitely say this this is must see for any African American student attending or planning on attending college - especially if they plan on attending an Historically Black Colege or University. (This should be a ritual for those going to the AUC [Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, and Morris Brown]).

In the end you truly must wake up!! Dap's (Laurence Fishburn) point in this movie was "to encourage the student body to wake up and take notice to what was going on around them.


Monday, May 11, 2009

For All My Indie Film Folks!!

Now I must say there are several good mainstream films but sometimes you gotta check out those ones that just may not make to the "big leagues". Well I personally think they do just in their own right. I got a nice little line for you guys to take a look at these films, and switch it up just one time. You never know, you just might like it!

First up I think is very fitting considering all the noise about steroid use! Bigger Stronger Faster.


In the hopes of exploring American culture's increased obsession with winning, documentary filmmaker Christopher Bell examines the anabolic steroid use of his two brothers. After setting the stage with a look at the cultural backdrop of the 1980s -- in which hulky stars like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger were the ideal -- Bell illustrates how he and his brothers became involved in the bodybuilding subculture, eventually discovering the brutal truth that success in the lifestyle of pumping iron demanded the use of steroids. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Next is coming from an actor who we have not seen in a looong time...Jean Claude Van Damme... JCVD.


Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself in this meta-crime comedy that finds him garnering mores headlines than he's had in years after stumbling into an in-progress bank heist. Down and out, with only straight-to-DVD titles under his belt and a recent job lost out to fellow has-been Steven Seagal, the aging action star returns to Belgium a broken man fresh from losing a custody case for his daughter in Hollywood. Upon his arrival, the bad news continues with a disastrous ATM encounter that leads him into the bank and straight into a robbery situation, for which he's about to be blamed. Soon, crowds grow outside on the street, with the cops quick to point the finger at him and his fans cheering for his release. The film garnered a cult following during its festival run and awarded Van Damme his first theatrical release in the States in almost a decade.

And last on the list is for my folks who just love a good costume! The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.


The usually menacing British actor Terence Stamp does a complete turnaround as Bernadette, an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners, Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) and Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce). Their act, well-known in Sydney, involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip-synching to records, but Bernadette is getting a bit tired of it all and is also haunted by the bizarre death of an old loved one. Nevertheless, when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino, Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla, a lavender-colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way, the act encounters any number of strange characters, as well as incidents of homophobia, while Bernadette becomes increasingly concerned about the path her life has taken. Winner of the 1995 Oscar for Best Costume Design.





Friday, May 8, 2009

Can Keanu Reeves fit the bill to star in updated "Jekyll"?

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Keanu Reeves is about to develop a split personality as the star of a modern retelling of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

Universal Pictures is developing the feature, with Justin Haythe, writer of Revolutionary Road , penning the script. Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, writer-director of the "Pusher" trilogy of gritty thrillers, is in negotiations to direct the project, titled "Jekyll."

Reeves most recently starred in the remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still.

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)
(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on http://blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)


Star Trek Takes Us On an Amazing Journey!!

Many have been waiting on this film months even years, well now the wait is over! I must say that the this year's summers movie are on a roll. So far they are on a roll and this movie is not excluded from that list. This almost two and half hour film gives the Trek pro and even the Trek novice an inside look into the beginning of USS Enterprise. Now I don't profess to be a Trekkie expert but this was pretty darn good, I was hooked line and sinker.

This 2009 science fiction film directed by J.J. Abrams (LOST) is he eleventh film based on the Star Trek franchise and features the main characters of the original Star Trek series, who are portrayed by a new cast, though the film introduces an alternate reality separate from the continuity of the original series and the previous movies.

With this film we are able to explore the backstories of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto), before they unite aboard the USS Enterprise to combat Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan from the future who threatens the United Federation of Planets. And that's what makes this film special you can watch the film with no prior knowledge and still enjoy it.

It was interesting how the characers are played out in this film to enhance their character. Let's take for example James T. Kirk (who is played by Chris Pine) would add the humor that William Shatner brought to the character, but in addition he would take a little flair from Tom Cruise and Top Gun & Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. Each individual actor would not only bring the original character to life but also add their own piece of expertise to it as well. And that's what makes it unique, its not just your typical Star Trek movie it steps outside that realm.

Now some of the diehard fans may criticize the development of this film but it does its job to convey the message. Let's remember this film has a bit of an alternative feel to it and the fact that is somewhat of an introduction of what is to come in the future. Just think about all that went into making this film the time and effort are truly amazing. The fact that they pretty much got the blessing from Leonard Nimoy (original Spock) makes the film even more authentic.

One cannot deny that there was a great story line, plenty of humor, non-stop fast action, fantastic special effects, and as mentioned before superb acting from all the main "crew", especially that of Zacchary Quinto and Chris Pine. Now the film was not perfect but I was not expecting nor wanting that. This is one of those borderline films that walks the fine line of greatness and perfection, but that's ok with me.

"Live Long and Prosper"

Grade: B+/A

Next Day Air Takes Flight!


"What to do when a drug deal goes bad..."

Now this was a special delivery in its truest form. Director Benny Boom (who is a well-known music video director) showcased his true talent with the production of this film. Next Day Air courier Leo (Donald Faison) accidentally brings small-time hoods, Brody (Mike Epps) and Guch (Wood Harris), a box containing 10 kg of cocaine meant actually for their next-door neighbors. So as natural hustler do Brody and Guch immediately arrange to sell the cocaine to Brody’s drug dealer cousin Shavoo (Omari Hardwick). However, the intended recipients of the package, wannabe gangster Jesus (Cisco Reyes) and his girlfriend (Yasmin Deliz), realize the box hasn’t arrived and set out to find it before drug kingpin Bodega Diablo (Emilio Rivera) notices it’s missing.

To my surprise, Next Day Air delivers in every facet of the word. This is a prime example of how to use a minimal budget but have it turned into a grandiose effort. I guarantee so many folks have slept on and missed out on this movie that I need to make a public service announcement. I have newfound respect for music video directors, they are truly capable of making more than just a three and a half minute video. As long as you come in with a clear, objective mindset you will truly enjoy this movie.

Let me also point out that this movie truly impressed me from beginning to end. To be honest I never thought it would disappoint, but it is just icing on the cake to see when it excels to the fullest. And to my surprise each actor in this film impressed the heck out of me. First, you got Donald Faison who plays Leo, this kid is truly a comedian and plays the part of weed-head, no good courier quite well. He makes the audience really believe him. Now on a flipside you got Mike Epps who plays Brody now I was knocked off my feet this guy was able to mix jokes and laughter with real some seriousness. And of course, Mos Def did his thing that boy just got a gift. All of the characters were able to mesh very well with each other, one could almost say it was a perfect actor chemistry. And lest I not forget the dynamic actress that is Debbie Allen who graces us with her acting expertise.

The anticipation of this film is so dramatic because it is slowly building to its apex. All you need to do is set back and watch this movie enfold. Let me give you the damn near perfect combination of a great film that shoots straight to the point, great cinematography+ believable, enaging plot+ excellent acting+ a little drama mixed with a little action = makes for a DARN NEAR PERFECT MOVIE!!

Now I know many of you may want to rush and get this on the bootleg but this is worth your hard earned pennies. Trust me on this one...its GBreezy!!


Grade: B+/A


Thursday, May 7, 2009

Actor, comedian, and chef Dom DeLuise dies at 75


Associated Press-LOS ANGELES - Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. He was 75. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. He was hospitalized at the time, suffering from kidney failure and respiratory problems following a long battle with cancer.


The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, also carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes.As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing characters for numerous cartoon shows.


Writer-director-actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World Part I" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' "Star Wars" parody, "Spaceballs."


"To know Dom was to love him and I knew him very well. Not only was he talented and extremely funny, but he was a very special human being," said actress Carol Burnett, who starred with DeLuise on TV show "The Entertainers" in the '60s.


He will truly be missed. R.I.P.

Check out these trailers!!

Just wanted to share with you guys some movies that you might want to check out in the coming months!!

First up is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code (2006)...Angels and Demons


Next on the docket is that of one of the most anticipated films this summer G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra



And I gotta get one for the kiddies too... Disney's PIXAR UP



Alrighty last one for ya...lol... Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Rewind Wednesday: Heat

Today's Rewind Wednesday is that of "A Los Angeles crime saga"... Heat. This December 1995 American film was directed by Micheal Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, and Val Kimer.

De Niro plays a professional burglar who is a calm and methodical introvert, while Pacino plays a veteran LAPD homicide detective whose devotion to his job causes him to neglect his personal problems. The central conflict of the film was based on the experiences of former Chicago police officer Chuck Adamson and his pursuit of a criminal named McCauley in the 1960s, from which the name of De Niro's character, Neil McCauley, was derived.


Heat marked the first time that Pacino and De Niro appeared together onscreen, garnering much anticipation from film fans. Although both actors starred in The Godfather Part II, 21 years earlier, they were not in any scenes together. The famous scene in Heat, where Pacino and De Niro share screen time together was shot at a Beverly Hills Restaurant, known as "Kate Mantillini" located at 9101 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Pacino and De Niro would then appear together again in the 2008 film Righteous Kill.

The film is technically a remake of L.A. Takedown, a 1989 made-for-television film which was also written and directed by Mann; Mann had been trying to get Heat made for over a decade, and created L.A Takedown as a simplified version after his efforts were unsuccessful. Despite not receiving any Academy Award nominations, Heat was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $187 million worldwide.


Some little known facts:

Heat was listed as the 38th greatest film in history in Empire magazine's 2008 list of the "500 Greatest Movies of All Time".

Heat also inspired the introductory bank robbery sequence in the 2008 Academy Award-Winning, blockbuster film The Dark Knight, in which William Fichtner was cast as a defensive bank manager.

And to top it off the explicit nature of several of the scenes in Heat were cited as the model of a spate of robberies since its release. This would include armored car robberies in South Africa, Colombia, and Denmark and a bank robbery in North Hollywood, California.

Monday, May 4, 2009

TOP 10 Most Anticipated Summer Movies!!

Well summer is approaching us very quickly! Many of us are getting ready to fire up the grill, go on those summer vacations, and most important catch the numerous summer flicks that await us!! And this summer is no surprise as to what is in store for us!! So here is the 2009 Summer Top 10 MOST ANTICIPATED FILMS!!!


10. Land of the Lost
The classic '70s TV series has been reincarnated as a live-action comedy starring Will Farrell as a has-been scientist who's been sucked back in time. Danny McBride and Anna Friel accompany Farrell on what should be a hilarious journey back in time. © Universal Pictures

9. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
The cuddly creatures are at it again in the third installment of this prehistoric tale. Coming to you in 3D, expect mammoth size adventure as the gang encounters a dinosaur, a reptile, and an amphibian population. © 20th Century Fox

8. Angels & Demons
Based on the controversial best-seller, this follow-up to the Da Vinci Code should keep you on the edge of your seat as symbologist Robert Langdon races through Rome to save the Vatican. © Sony
7. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Ben Stiller reprises his role as security guard Larry Daley, this time infiltrating the famed Smithsonian museum. Look for many of the same characters like Owen Wilson and Robin Williams as well as some new names like Amy Adams, who portrays famed pilot Amelia Earhart. © 20th Century Fox

6. G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra
Following the recent trend of bringing toys to life, Hasbro's G.I. Joe line goes live action with Channing Tatum and Dennis Quaid starring as Duke and General Hawk battling against the evil organization known as Cobra. © Paramount

5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Calling all Muggles! After several disappointing release date delays, the next chapter finally hits the big screen this summer. As Potter and friends return to Hogwarts for their sixth year, the students battle raging hormones and the evil forces of Voldemort. © Warner Bros.

4. Terminator Salvation
After a six-year hiatus, the franchise picks up in the year 2018 during the war between Skynet and mankind. Some may be skeptical about director McG, but with Hollywood's hottest action man Christian Bale starring as John Conner, no doubt we'll be hoping the Terminator will back for a fifth installment. © Warner Bros.

3. Star Trek
Director J.J. Abrams breathes new life into this classic series with an all-star cast and out-of-this world special effects. Trekkie or not, everyone is ready to hop on board the Enterprise.© Paramount

2. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Michael Bay's sequel has been kept under tight wraps, but we do know he's promised more action, explosions and a few new faces. But not to worry, Shia LaBeouf and his sexy sidekick Megan Fox will be back to battle the evil Decepticons. © Dream Works/Paramount

1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (You gotta check this out!!)
The X-Men series is back with a vengeance in this highly anticipated prequel. Hugh Jackman returns as the mutant Wolverine and is joined by Liev Schrieber, Ryan Reynolds and Danny Huston in what's sure to be a revolution of epic proportions.© 20th Century Fox

Friday, May 1, 2009

X-Men Never Ceases to Amaze!! Yet Again!

I have been amped about this movie since the inception of its storyline back in 2005-2006. I think it was very smart to branch out the X-men series by giving us a background on some of its outstanding characters. And what a great way to start out the X-Men series than with the story of Wolverine to get the show on the roll. For all those who may be a little unfamiliar with the story peep this:

Born James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, retracting bone claws, and a healing factor that allows him to quickly recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin, also enabling him to live beyond a normal human lifespan. This healing ability enabled the super-soldier program Weapon X to bond the near indestructible metal alloy adamantium to his skeleton and claws without risk of killing him. Wolverine was typical of the many tough anti-authority anti-heroes that emerged in American popular culture after the Vietnam War his willingness to use deadly force and his brooding nature became standard characteristics for comic book anti-heroes by the end of the 1980s (Wikipedia).

Director Gavin Hood truly gave us a treat with this one, we are able to look inside the character Wolverine as well as the shaping of future X-Men. Many X-Men are truly pleased and happy that they can finally see a movie showcasing him. Wolverine has become one of the favorites if not the favorite in the X-Men comic books.

In X-Men: Origins we are able to see a more perfect Wolverine who is not only tougher but more formidable. Hugh Jackman continues to do an excellent portrayal of this feline monster/mutant. I can’t really think of anyone more fitting for the role. Not only do we have the pleasure of the main character/feature we also become introduced to some other key characters that make the film even more exciting. In order to survive James/Logan and his brother Victor (Liev Schreiber) must team up with a band of “other mutants” to join William Stryker (Danny Huston) Team X. Team X consists of mutants Fred Dukes (Kevin Durand), John Wraith (will.i.am), Chris Bradley (Dominic Monaghan), as well as expert marksman David "Agent Zero" North (Daniel Henney) and martial artist Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) all of them put together to find the source of adamantium. But in the midst of this search it takes a turn for the worse and James/Logan decides he must part from team and lead another life.

In this new life he finds love and somewhat of a peace of mind, while at the same time his brother is taking care of business of his own. And but of course Victor and James cross paths leading to the death of his lover Kayla Silverfox (Lynn Collins). From this point on the hunt truly begins… We are truly taken on a roller coaster ride as we travel through the Canadian Mountains all the day down to the bustling streets of New Orleans. This is where we also get the opportunity to meet Remy LeBeau (Taylor Kitsch) also known as “Gambit”. Well let me not ruin it anymore for ya, because trust me you will want to sit through every minute and soak up all that it has to offer.

This movie exemplified a great balance of action, darkness, and entertainment. The cinematography and the graphics in this film really show that comics in cinema have definitely come a long way. Just look at all the previous X-Men, Iron Man, and Incredible Hulk films action is definitely on another level! Besides just being a great film, it sets itself up for what will likely be an outstanding sequel. The characters are already in place, so they could pretty much go in any direction they want from this point forward. Wolverine will definitely make you feel as though your money is not wasted.

Grade: A

G-Breezy's Favorite Movies

  • Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum
  • Die Hard series
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Fracture
  • Idlewild
  • Imitation of Life
  • Inside Man
  • James Bond series
  • Love Jones
  • Malcolm X