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

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

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.

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

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