Rewind Wednesday: Planes, Trains, Automobiles

Planes, Trains, Automobiles (1987)

“What he really wanted was to spend Thanksgiving with his family. What he got was three days with the turkey.”

With Turkey right on our heels one can't help but think of some funny holiday movies to get the soul stirring. So I had to pick a film that will bring the holiday cheer as well as

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is an American comedy movie produced by Paramount Pictures in 1987. It was written and directed by John Hughes and stars Steve Martin and John Candy.

Steve Martin plays the tightly wound Neal Page, a bundle-of-nerves advertising executive. John Candy portrays the innocent, but always skewered, Del Griffith (Director of sales, American Light and Fixture, shower curtain ring division), a shower curtain ring salesman who seems to live in a world governed by a different set of rules from those governing Neal Page's marketing life.

The movie follows the story of Neal Page as he tries to return to his family for Thanksgiving in Chicago after being on a business trip in New York. The journey is doomed from the outset, with Del Griffith interfering by inadvertently snatching the taxi cab that Page had hailed for himself. The two inevitably pair up later and begin an absurdly error-prone adventure to help Page get back to his home. Their flight from LaGuardia Airport to O'Hare is diverted to Wichita due to a blizzard in Chicago, which ends up dissipating only a few hours after touchdown in Kansas. When every mode of transport fails them, what should have been a 1 hour and 45 minute New York-to-Chicago flight turns into a three-day adventure.

The film, the second to pair John Candy and Steve Martin, was greeted with critical applause in 1987, a surprising revelation given the fact that at the time Steve Martin and John Candy were both known as relatively low-brow comedians and John Hughes was considered a teen angst filmmaker. Their attempts at producing an 'adult' comedy resulted in one of the most highly regarded films of the decade. (It now has 95% positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and is featured in Roger Ebert's Great Movies collection.) In 2000, readers of Total Film magazine voted it the 10th greatest comedy film of all time. Steve Martin and John Candy are hilarious in this classic John Hughes comedy.

*Reported by Wikipedia

Turkey Day Movies!!

Well just in case you want to hit the theaters on Turkey Day or after you have done your Black Friday shopping, there are few flicks for you to catch! According to the Hollywood Reporter, one or more of Wednesday's three wide-release movies might turn out to be a box-office turkey, but film distributors see the long Thanksgiving session as a lucrative opportunity for new films and holdovers alike.

Three films viying for your attention this Thanksgiving include the following:

* Lionsgate 's Jason Statham -starring "Transporter 3" has Frenchman Olivier Megaton directing for producers Luc Besson and Steven Chasman. Young males appear a dependable fan base for the action franchise, so the sequel should start particularly well and hunker down in second place among the new releases during the five-day span.

* Warner Bros .' seasonal comedy "Four Christmases" features Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. The stars' established audience appeal offers a sturdy base of support, and prerelease tracking surveys show sufficiently broad interest to make "Christmases" a frontrunner among the new releases.


* Fox's Baz Luhrmann -helmed "Australia" stars Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman in an action adventure of epic sweep and 165-minute running time. The film -- whose $130 million in production costs were cut to $78 million through Aussie tax rebates -- has drawn encouraging early reviews, and tracking indicates good interest among older moviegoers.

All three films open November 26th with PG-13 ratings.

Reported by: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

WHO SHOULD PLAY THE FIRST BLACK BOND?

It appears that both Jamie Foxx and Diddy have taken a STRONG interest in playing the historical role of ......James Bond.
Current star Daniel Craig recently suggested it could be time for the first black Bond in the wake of Barack Obama’s election as the first African-American president in U.S. history. Asked by U.S. news show Access Hollywood whether he would like to play Bond, he says, “Of course! I’d put a little swing in it. A little hip-hop, you know. Maybe not drinking martinis, but drinking some Hennessey maybe. Bond would drink dark liquor.” And Foxx admits he has already received backing to take on the coveted role. He adds, “I was in London and I had to give an award to Daniel Craig? and I went up and said, ‘Bond. Black Bond.’ And everybody just lost it… Black Bond would be cool.”

Interesting, considering back in 2006 at the MTV Europe Music Awards Diddy also put in his bid for the role. "One day the time will come for a black Bond and hopefully I can audition for it. It’s a dream of mine to play a great role like that.” Hmmmmm I guess since we have a new black president-elect and Beyonce wants to be Wonder Woman, Bond had to be next. We shall see what the credits roll in for the movie goers.

But who do you think should be the first black Bond?

New "Star Trek" movie begins to take flight

Hollywood will get a chance to get a blast from the past, as the new Star Trek arrives soon in theaters. I will admit I did watch the show and the past movies, but was not such a die-hard fan, however this movie may bring me to the home team. With the trailer hitting theaters last week (week of 11/9) many our anxious to see what is in store. Many have said that the new Trek will reignite a "dormant franchise" and kick the 2009 summer movie season into high gear!!





Star Trek will open nationwide on May 8, 2009.

Rewind Wednesday: The Mighty Quinn

"THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE CHIEF SUSPECT. They know each other too well to let a little thing like murder get in their way."
Man oh man when I tell you this week is going by super fast it is zooming, but I can't forget to bring you today's Rewind Wednesday Flick: The Mighty Quinn.

This is one of those films that you have to go dig deep in the closet, and if you are like me you got it on VHS and need to update to DVD format! The Mighty Quinn gave us the opportunity to see Denzel Washington a budding actor at the time take some international roots. This 1989 film set in the caribbean would star some amazing actors and actresses including Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, Mimi Rogers, M. Emmet Walsh, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and James Fox. Based off the novel written by A.H.Z. Carr titled "Finding Maubee".

When police officer Xavier Quinn's childhood friend, Maubee, becomes associated with murder and a briefcase full of ten thousand dollar bills, The Mighty Quinn must clear his name. Or try to catch him, which could be even trickier. (Written by http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Renee%20Ann%20Byrd%20%7Bbyrdie@wyrdbyrd.org%7D )

Famed film critic Roger Ebert would give the film an overwhelmingly positive review, stating itwas one of the best films of 1989. Ebert would give the film film four stars. The high point, he said, was Washington's performance:
The film stars Denzel Washington in one of those roles that creates a movie star overnight. You might have imagined that would have happened to Washington after he starred in "Cry Freedom" as the South African hero Steven Biko. He got an Oscar nomination for that performance, but it didn't even begin to hint at his reserves of charm, sexiness and offbeat humor. In an effortless way that reminds me of Robert Mitchum, Michael Caine or Sean Connery in the best of the Bond pictures, he is able to be tough and gentle at the same time, able to play a hero and yet not take himself too seriously.

Overall this was an excellent film which highlighted the acting ability of several actors. It is one of those films you can look back on 10 years later and say that's a "great movie" lets pop it in!!



A little known fact: The U.S. did indeed issue a $10,000 bill in the early 20th century. However, it is incorrectly described by one of the characters in the movie as having a picture of "The President." The real $10,000 bill featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury during the American Civil War.

Coming Soon To A Theater Near You

I got three films on the docket for ya to look forward to this month and in December!!

Watchmen (2008)
Set in an alternate 1985, the film follows a group of former vigilantes as war begins to break out between the United States and the Soviet Union. Now I have never been a DC Comic fan but this one has sparked an interest for me.


Valkyrie (2008)
Valkyrie is a 2008 historical thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Tom Cruise. The film is based on the 20 July plot of 1944 of German army officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler and marks the re-teaming of Singer and producer/screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie. Cruise will portray the leader of the plot, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.



And last but not least, Seven Pounds (2008)
is an upcoming drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who will change the lives of seven strangers.

Bond Seeks revenge in Quantum of Solace (2008)

So we pick up where we left off in Casino Royale, with Bond (Daniel Craig) seeking revenge for the killing of his beloved Vesper Lynd. In this latest installment of the James Bond series we get to see a harder side to the James Bond character, not really typically seen from previous films. After Bond's betrayal, he and M (Judi Dench) are determined to uncover the truth about Vesper and the organization which blackmailed her. However, as the story begins to unravel they realize this situation is a bit more complicated than anticipated.

In Quantum of Soalce, the audience is able to see the reuniting of old friends who team up with Bond to help uncover this mystery. Bond must stay one step of everyone including the terrorists, M, and even the CIA so that he can uncover what is really going down. Now in your typical Bond fashion, we have an enemy and a mission to solve, in this one Bond battles Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) who is a member of the Quantum organization as well as posing as an environmentalist staging to take control of Bolivia's water supply. One might say that this villain was not your typical grotesque villian, but the modern day corporate villain.

Now it has all the ingredients for a classic Bond film, but I think it takes a left turn somewhere and the focus seems to shift. One thing I will say is that I missed the gadgets that Bond would always get, it kinda of would have given me a little nostalgia for the soul (lol). With this movie, Bond was seen more as an action hero versus the cool, suave M16 agent that we are used to seeing. For a little bit of the movie I thought I was watching Jason Bourne, but then I snapped back and said this is James Bond, even though throughout the whole movie he really did not come off as charming or the suave Bond that we are used to seeing. Even when interviewed Craig emphasized that Quantum required a different performance for him since it was a revenge film versus the love story in Casino Royale (Spy Harder, John Naughton, GQ). However, I was pleased to see the continuation of Jeffrey Wright's character CIA agent Felix Leiter (even though his character seems a bit far-fetched in certain moments).

Now just in case you missed this scene or did not conncet the dots there was a little tribute connection with Quantum and a previous Bond film Goldfinger (1964). It is not unusual for us to see the Bond women go out in some interesting ways, but this was quite interesting to see 44 years later bringing back the wicked ways!! Producers were hoping that the image would be as memorable as the sixties scene that inspired it. One might say it was quite an iconic part of the film.

Goldfinger (1964)
Quantum of Solace (2008)

Overall, I will say that the film was action-filled and definitely kept my eyes glued to the screen. And just like with all great movies there is trial and error, but sooner rather than later I am sure it will be back to its original form. Quantum (like the Lord of Rings series) was a continuation of a bigger story with a bigger plot. One might say it was a film of character development, starting a new so to speak. Many may predict the future Bond films will re-introduce the gadgets and a more suave, polished Bond (Shout out to Mr. Thompson). One can't help but miss the charming and refined, yet still full of action M16 agent. I have no worries that Craig will be back, and I will be looking forward to his reprise of... Bond...James Bond.


Grade: B+

Movie "Che" will be shown at Cuba film festival

Now for all my history buffs and indie film fans I got a treat for you.

"Che," the movie about Argentine Ernesto "Che" Guevara who fought alongside Fidel Castro in the Cuban revolution, will be shown next month in Cuba, the director of Havana's New Latin American Film Festival said on Thursday (11/13/08).

Puerto Rican-born actor Benicio Del Toro played the role of Che, who would be captured and executed on October 9, 1967, while trying to lead a leftist insurgency in Bolivia.

Del Toro would win the best-actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where the film premiered.
The film was shot in Spain and Bolivia because, according to Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, the U.S. government, which has a 46-year-old trade embargo against Cuba, would not allow Soderbergh to make the movie on the Communist-led island.

Ivan Giroud would inform reporters the movie, made by U.S. director Stephen Soderbergh, would be a special presentation not eligible for any of the festival awards. Giroud said the film's principals would have to get U.S. permission to attend the showing.

Another One that may Depart Hollywood...

So just a few weeks ago we were told that Joaquin Phoenix would be retiring from Hollywood and now we have another actress who may be following suit. It has been reported that "Changeling" star Angelina Jolie will be fading away into the mist of which we call Hollywood. As told to BBC with having six children to watch over she would like to gradually end her craft so that she can spend more time raising her family. Now she does not plan to completely leave the art but just to not have such an active participation in acting.

She has also clarified that there is no real "cutoff point" and that she has not made any pledge to completely stop acting. Jolie, who stars in the movie "Changeling" from director Clint Eastwood, said she has not worked on a movie for a year. Apart from starting a project in February, she said that she will probably not work again for another year (Yahoo! Movies). "So maybe it will be once a year and then maybe it will be once every three years, and then just naturally -- I like being home a lot these days," Jolie told the BBC.

To be so young and to slowly step away from a lucrative career. However, I will admit she does stay active in numerous other roles, so I can't knock her if she would like to take some time to reflect on her life and motherhood!!

Rewind Wednesday: Boomerang

"A Player Who's About To Be Played!"

After many of my co-workers insisted that I do this movie, I gave into the pressure. Thanks Denisa and Vanessa!! This is one of those movies that is considered one of the newer black classic films.

Boomerang is a 1992 romantic comedy film, directed by Reginald Hudlin. Eddie Murphy, who also co-wrote the script, stars as Marcus Graham, a hotshot advertising executive who also happens to be an insatiable womanizer and male chauvinist. But what is headed his way he may not be able to handle when his new boss Jacqueline (Robin Givens) takes one up on him. basically she is the male version of Marcus. This movie would also end up starring comedians Martin Lawrence & David Alan Grier along with newcomer on the scene Halle Berry. Berry was relatively new on the film scene at the time of her casting in the film, only having appeared in a couple of films prior to getting the role. However, after Berry did her screen test, Murphy told Hudlin "well, that's it. There's no need to see the other two actresses because she's the part." (Wikipedia)

This movie would set off many scenes to remember ranging from the wild fashion diva Strange' (Grace Jones) to the purring of Lady Eloise (Eartha Kitt). And one of my ultimate favorite parts which set off a song of the year, the line of dialogue where Halle is furious with Eddie, and saying 'love should've brought your ass home last night,' slaps him. At that time, L.A. Reid would lean over to Babyface telling him 'that's a great song title.' From there they would write a song, Love Shoulda Brought You Home performed by Toni Braxton.

Boomerang I would definitely say is a good film to pick up and watch – it uses Murphy's playa persona and turns the film into the romantic comedy that it is known for. Now one may agree that it is somewhat plain silly and it is quite predictable, yet it is still pretty enjoyable and quite sexy too!

Some little known facts:

*WINNER-Most Performed Song from a Film — Antonio "L.A." Reid, Daryl Simmons, and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds for End of the Road

*It was the 18th highest grossing film in the U.S. in 1992.

*NOMINATED- Best Movie Song — Boyz II Men, "End of the Road"

*Esteemed film critic Roger Ebert gave the film and its stars positive reviews, calling the movie "predictable but enjoyable all the same."

Countdown to Quantum of Solace

Now with the new 007 film coming out nationwide on Friday November 14th we gotta take a look back to see what has resulted over 46 years of James Bond legacy. With being a huge fan of this film series, one can't help but be drawed into this spy production!! I bet author Ian Fleming never realized or even imagined the magnitude that his novels would become. And to top it off the 007 franchise is the longest running film series in history!!

Top 5 Bond Theme Songs (Plus a Bonus One)

1. GoldenEye -Tina Turner

2. Die Another Day -Madonna
3. Diamonds Are Forever -Shirley Bassey
4. Nobody Does It Better - Carly Simon
5. You Know My Name -Chris Cornell



Bonus: Another Way to Die -Alicia Keys and Jack White





Now with every Bond Film there has to be a Bond girl. So I have comprised a list of the Top 20 Bond Girls.

Top 20 Bond Girls

1. Ursula Andress aka Honey Ryder "Dr. No" (1962)

2. Halle Berry aka Jinx "Die another Day" (2002)

3. Olga Kurylenko aka Camille Montes "Quantum of Solace" (2008)

4. Denise Richards aka Dr. Christmas Jones "The World is Not Enough" (1999)

5. Eva Green aka Vesper Lynd "Casino Royale" (2006)

6. Diana Rigg aka Tracy Bond "On Her Majest's Secret Service" (1969)

7. Eunice Gayson aka Sylvia Trench "Dr. No" (1962) & "From Russia with Love" (1963)

8. Izabella Scorupco aka Natlya Simonova "GoldenEye" (1995)

9. Honor Blackman aka Pussy Galore "Goldfinger" (1964)

10. Rosamund Pike aka Miranda Frost "Die Another Day" (2002)

11. Maud Adams aka Andrea Anders and Octopussy "The Man with the Golden Gun" (1974) & "Octopussy" (1983)

12. Michelle Yeoh aka Wai Lin "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997)

13. Famke Janssen aka Xenia Onatopp "GoldenEye" (1995)

14. Maria Grazia Cucinotta aka Cigar Girl "The World Is Not Enough" (1999)

15. Sophie Marceau aka Elektra King "The World is Not Enough" (1999)

16. Caronline Munro aka Naomi "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977)

17. Shirley Eaton aka Jill Masterson "Goldfinger" (1964)

18. Jane Seymour aka Solitaire "Live and Let Die" (1973)

19. Ivana Milicevic aka Valenka "Casino Royale" (2006)

20. Carey Lowell aka Pam Bouvier "License to Kill" (1989)

Top Three Bond Men

And of course one cannot forget the leading man himself James Bond. With 46 years under its belt the 007 series has had 6 men to execute the role M16 agent James Bond.

1. Sean Connery

The Originator of 007...My all-time favorite he played it to a tee!! Connery was so on point in this role!

2. Daniel Craig

Now at first I was a little skeptical of Daniel Craig being the new bond, but he blew me out of my seat when I saw casino Royale. Any doubts that I had were all vanished. He brought that charisma, sex appeal, and swagger to do the role justice. This is why he comes a close second to Sean Connery.

3. Pierce Bronson

Bronson would be the Bond who would give a little twist since he was an Irishman. However, he would serve his time well and bring a unique flair to the film series.

Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa (2008)

Well as you know I can't forget about the kiddies. So you know I had to check out Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa which is the sequel to the 2005 film Madagascar. This cute film definitely did bring a little more consistency and showed some improvement from the the first one. To a degree it somewhat reminded me of The Lion King, but then again that was a classic Disney film.

So with the sequel we see that the animals are boarding the plan back to New York, but midway through the trip the penguins realize fuel is low. But somehow in the disastor they are able to manage a gentle landing. Not realizing this crash landing may be a good lead-off to a family reunion.

This all-star cast does brings out a humor, mainly for the children, which keeps you laughing throughout the whole film. With a plethora of actors and actresses you are sure to bring out the funny bone. The film stars the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer and Andy Richter. Also including guest voicing from Alec Baldwin, will.i.am, Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd.

It even brought a tear to my eye hearing Zuba (Bernie Mac) king of the jungle teaching his infant son Alake (Alex, Ben Stiller) how to protect himself, knowing that this was Bernie Mac's last film. But all is good especially since it ended on a good note. I will admit I can be a sucker for the animated film, but I was able to hold strong with this one. The kids will definitely enjoy this one and probably see some similarities to other Disney films. A great family film for the perfect Saturday afternoon with the kids.

So as the animals go off into the sunset so shall I, until Madagascar 3!!

Rewind Wednesday: Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing (1989)


Do the Right Thing was one of Spike Lee's most defining moment in film history. On the hottest day of the year, this 1989 film in which Lee produced, wrote and directed would tell the story of racial conflict and bigotry in a multi-cultural community in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The film would also showcase an all-star cast including greats such as Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro . This feature film would also mark the debut of many up and coming actors who we see in many films today: Martin Lawrence, Rosie Perez, and Samuel Jackson.

In 1999, the film was deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, one of three films to do so in its first year of eligibility. In 2007, the American Film Institute listed the film as the 96th greatest American Movie in Film History(WIKIPEDIA).

The acclaimed song "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy would have a recurring aural motif in the film, as it was blasted from a huge ghetto blaster carried by Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn). It would appear 15 times in the film.Interestingly enough Do the Right Thing would be and remains one of the few films to retain a 100% "Fresh" rating on fellow critics site Rotten Tomatoes . Spike Lee wrote the screenplay in two weeks. The original script of Do the Right Thing ends with a stronger reconciliation between Mookie and Sal. Sal's comments to Mookie mirror Da Mayor's earlier comments in the film and hint at some common ground and perhaps Sal's understanding of why Mookie was motivated to destroy his restaurant. It is unclear why Lee had changed the ending (WIKIPEDIA).

Overall this film had a powerful message that still lives in the souls of today. PEACE!!

Black Presidents in Film and Television

And just when you thought you would only see a black president in the movies, November 4th 2008 at 11PM EST shed a different light. But before that day, here were some of the hopeful candidates.

Tom Beck (Morgan Freeman) Deep Impact

Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) Head of State

David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) 24

Douglas Dilman (James Earl Jones) The Man

YES WE CAN!!! A New Page for the History books!!!

History has been made!!! And I am still getting chills up and down my spine!! I never thought I would see the day!! A true blessing from above! Now the work shall begin and change is gonna come!!

Yes We Can!! Yes We Did!!

History in the Making!!

TODAY IS A HUGE DAY!! MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE AND VOICE IS HEARD!!!

SAW V: And the Saga continues...

SAW V (2008)

Well I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. I must say that I did, went to go check out the most anticipated Halloween film, SAW V.


Writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan have done it again with the fifth installment of the SAW series. This mystery thriller takes us deeper into solving the jigsaw puzzle, and uncovering a little more information regarding this "game" that is being played.





And as usual the opening of each SAW film is essential it pretty much sums up the adventure that the viewer is about to embark upon. The trap that has been set is one that fits all the pieces of the typical Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) trap, except the fact that it is inescapable which means a new "copycat" has entered the picture. Or could it be that maybe someone is trying to call out the Jigsaw and make a collaborative effort? SAW V in essence answers some questions that the audience may have had from SAW IV. As you watch the movie we begin to piece together the "jigsaw" puzzle and learn more of how this got started. And trust me, the movie-watcher is not the only one trying to solve this case, a persistent detective is not letting up either.

SAW V does a little bit of filling in the gaps of the previous films, especially from SAW IV. it provides numerous flashbacks so that one may have a more clearer understanding of "the game". One thing that it still held true to form was the clever, deadly traps, the uncomfortable situations, and of course "the twist" at the end.


Now if you have not seen the previous SAW films going into this one may have you a bit lost and confused. Each installment bridges to the next unlike some sequels. Plus why wouldn't you want to see them its pure excitement in 90 mins!! Now some may be annoyed with the sequels coming out each year, but true fans of the SAW series will always come back for more, its inevitable. As a true fan of this series I anxiously await the next piece, and gaining more info to solve this game.

And just when you think you know it all SAW VI is in the making, so make sure to stay tuned for it next Halloween in a theater near you.

So are you ready to play a little game?!!

Grade: A