Mission Impossible 4 & Green Lantern Is Ready to Go

Could it be...Mission Impossible 4
it has been speculated that 47-year old Tom Cruise has taken a strong interest in reprising the role of Ethan Hunt for another Mission Impossible film. While promoting Valkyrie in Japan he anounced that he is already working on a sequel with a story in the works, and hopefully he can shoot a huge action sequence in Tokyo. I wouldn't mind seeing another installment, but what do you think?


For all my comic book fans!!
Green Lanter Movie Confirms Director and will start shooting September 2009!
But who is going to play Hal Jordan, aka the Green Lantern? Dark Horizons confirms that the superhero film will head into production in Australia this September with a tenative scheduled release date of December 17, 2010. Such folks as Anton Yelchin (Terminator: Salvation & Alpha Dog), Ryan Reynolds (Smokin Aces, Blade:Trinity), and Chris Pine (Captain Kirk/New Star Trek movie) have been put on the short list actors to play the role.

R.I.P. to actress Natasha Richardson

According to the Associated Press, tributes have begun to pour in from across the show business generations for Natasha Richardson, the Tony Award-winning actress who died after suffering a head injury on a ski slope.

Actress Judi Dench told the BBC that Richardson was "a really great actress" who had "an incredibly luminous quality, that you seldom see, and a great sense of humor."
"It's just so shocking, really shocking, and I hope that everybody leaves the family quietly to somehow pick up the pieces," Dench said.

Richardson was born in London in 1963, the performing gene inherited not just from her parents (Redgrave and director Tony Richardson), but from her maternal grandparents (Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson), an aunt (Lynn Redgrave) and an uncle (Corin Redgrave). Her younger sister, Joely Richardson (Nip/Tuck), also joined the family business.

Richardson was the type of actress who personified the true genuine nature of a beautiful person inside and out. She will definitely be missed.

She is also survived by husband Liam Neeson and two sons Micheal, 13 and Daniel, 12.

Drama enfolds for Disney's First Black Princess

In recent news there’s controversy surrounding Disney’s first black american princess. While The Princess & The Frog’s Princess Tiana and the rest of the cast is made up of mainly black characters, folks are not to happy that the prince is not. Prince Naveen of Maldonia and is voiced by a Brazilian actor and people are saying he looks more white than black in photographs from the film that Disney has released.

Some disappointed fans have wrote:
‘I think it’s sad that he is white because its saying that black love isn’t good enough and that black men could never be princes.
‘Disney had the perfect chance to make its first black prince, but instead it decided to go the controversial route.’
“I am very disappointed and I wished Disney had made the prince black,(and the ironic thing is the prince in the movie is white but the evil voodoo villain is voiced by a black actor and is black).’



Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Princess Tiana, says “Not only is she the first black princess, she’s the first American princess. We’ve never had an American princess. The scope and the significance is larger than people even realize.” The movie, set in 1920 New Orleans, comes out later this year.

Rewind Wednesday: Killer of Sheep

As I was pondering on what film to select for today's Rewind Wednesday I was suggested by a friend a film that is very fitting considering what is happening in today's society. (RECESSION!!) Killer of Sheep a film by Charles Burnett, examines the black Los Angeles ghetto of Watts in the mid-1970s through the eyes of Stan, a sensitive dreamer who is growing detached and numb from the psychic toll of working at a slaughterhouse.

Killer of Sheep was shot on location in Watts in a series of weekends on a budget of less than $10,000, most of which was grant money. Stan (Henry Gayle Sanders) works long hours at his job in a slaughterhouse in Watts, Los Angeles. The monotonous slaughter affects his home life with his unnamed wife (Kaycee Moore) and two children, Stan Jr. and Angela (Jack Drummond and Burnett’s niece, Angela).
Through a series of episodic events — some friends try to involve Stan in a criminal plot, a white woman propositions Stan in a store, Stan and his friend Bracy (Charles Bracy) attempt to buy a car engine — a mosaic of an austere working-class life emerges in which Stan feels unable to affect the course of his life. (Wikipedia)

Killer of Sheep is truly a great reality of life. A moving, beautiful, and poetic masterpiece of film, this is one of those films that can be watched at any point in life, because of its relevancy. Finished in 1977 and shown sporadically, its reputation grew and grew until it won a prize at the 1981 Berlin International Film Festival.*

Since then, the Library of Congress has declared it a national treasure as one of the first fifty on the National Film Registry and the National Society of Film Critics selected it as one of the "100 Essential Films" of all time. However, due to the expense of the music rights, the film was never shown theatrically or made available on video. It has only been seen on poor quality 16mm prints at few and far between museum and festival showings.*

According to screenwriter Micheal Tolkin, "If Killer of Sheep were an Italian film from 1953, we would have every scene memorized." Although the film won the Critics' Award at the Berlin Film Festival it never saw popular release due to complications in securing the music rights for the 22 songs on the soundtrack, which included such big names as Dinah Washington, Paul Robeson, Louis Armstrong and Earth, Wind and Fire. It remained in obscurity for nearly thirty years, garnering much critical and academic praise and earning a reputation as a lost classic.

This powerful epic film truly showcases the reality of marital dissatisfaction, stress mixed with hard times, and survival for an average black family without the Hollywood antics. In addition, the film was chosen by the National Society of Film Critics as one of the 100 Essential Films. In 1990, Killer of Sheep was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

*Killer of Sheep website www.killerofsheep.com

The Code aka Thick as Thieves (2009)

Now I am not sure how this movie slipped past by my radar but it did. Possibly the two names might throw some folks off. Unfortunately these days a lot of films are not getting the pub that they should, but maybe that will soon change. The Code (Thick as Thieves) is a movie that reminds me of a combination of The Italian Job and The Score. Set in New York, a veteran thief recruits a younger crook to help him pull off one final job in order to repay his debt to the Russian mob. You have the "old veteran pro" and the "young mentee" to tackle one last job.

Contrary to all of the negative commentary, this movie is actually a pretty good film. One is definitely trying to figure out each move, like a pawn in a chess game. The action is pretty average with good intensity. The plot is engaging enough that it doesn't too little or too much. For me, even though the storyline has been done before there was still a bit of creativity and uniqueness within the plot. The actors Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas mesh very well together almost perfectly for their parts. I actualy must admit that I don't mind seeing Morgan Freeman playing that "mysterious" guy it suits him well. Without taking away from the movie, I must say watching how it unfolds in the end is a true delight. Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas are awesome in this movie.

This is a film where you definitely need to pay attention or you could miss an essential piece of the puzzle. I am always amazed with these kind of films because it gets the juices flowing so that you are not just watching another dull movie. With each moment you have to watch closely to understand how the plot unravels. You will never suspect who is what in this movie. It may call for you have to watch this movie twice, just to make sure that you get the full effect of the movie. Grant it this is your typical HEIST movie but it adds a little more flair to it.

Grade: B

Just in case you missed the trailer:

Rewind Wednesday-Thursday Style

Boy oh boy this has been a busy week! But you know I can't leave you hanging with the flashback for the week. Now it may hit you on Thursday but just envision its Wednesday...lol

This week's Rewind Wednesday is that of the 1989 film named after the play...Driving Miss Daisy starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. This Academy Award winning film for Best Picture was the last PG-rated film to do so.

t is 1948 and Mrs. ("Miss") Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old widow, lives in Atlanta, Georgia alone except for an African American housemaid named Idella. After a driving mishap where her Chrysler automobile is totaled, Miss Daisy’s son Boolie tells her she will have to get a chauffeur because no insurance company will insure her. She refuses, but Boolie (Dan Aykroyd) is determined to find her one. Meanwhile, she is stuck at home and is unable to run errands or visit friends.

Boolie finds a man named Hoke Colburn, who had driven for a local judge until he died, and he decided to remain in the area rather than accompany the widow when she moved away.

Both employer and employee are outsiders, Hoke because of the color of his skin, Miss Daisy because she is Jewish in a WASP-dominated society. At the same time, Hoke cannot fathom Miss Daisy's cloistered inability to grasp the social changes which sweep the South in the 1960s. Nor can Miss Daisy understand why Hoke's "people" are so indignant. It is only when Hoke is retired and Miss Daisy is confined to a home for the elderly that the two fully realize that they've been friends and kindred spirits all along.It is interesting the relationship between Hoke and Miss Daisy.

You would almost think there was a "love-hate relationship", which fosters into something real special. Imagine how one accident can change your life for the better. Many might would think there were racial undertones regarding this movie, but one must keep in mind the time and place of this film.

Interestingly enough this movies is far more popular now than it is its 1989 debut. It has been featured in various formats from tv series, musical songs, even stand-up comedy. The film would be spoofed in "Driving Miss Garry", the 1990 series finale of It's Garry Shandling's Show. Shandling plays the role of Miss Daisy and Paul Winfield plays Hoke. Dan Aykroyd made a guest appearance in the episode. And also in the sixth episode of the television series Quantum Leap entitled "The Color of Truth" drew a great deal of its story from the original 1987 play upon which Driving Miss Daisy was based.

Some might say that Tandy and Freeman are "terrific in this beautiful film about the commonalities between people who seem so different."

Triple Comedy Threat Rock, Morgan, and Lawrence!!

Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and Martin Lawrence are teaming up to do a

British comedy movie remake. It’s called Death at a Funeral and they’re set to start filming soon. Also joining the cast are Loretta Devine, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, James Marsden, Zoe Saldana and Columbus Short.

The film follows a funeral and turns into a debacle of misplaced cadavers and family secrets. Pretty much the ceremony goes horribly wrong as bodies go missing and potentially embarrassing family secrets bubble up. When things can't get any worse, a man arrives saying he's the dead man's gay lover and threatens blackmail.

The original 2007 film was directed by Frank Oz and set in Britain.

This should be a treat for those who love a good wholesome comedy!

Tyler Perry: Big Plans for 2009!!

Tyler Perry's record-setting "Madea Goes to Jail," rocked the box office at No. 1 for two straight weeks and now he prepares for his next film to jolt his audience. This month he begins shooting I Can Do Bad All By Myself, starring Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson and will hit theaters in September, according to Reuters.com. Fan favorite Madea will be in the film as well. Perry is also hard at work on the sequel to Why Did I Get Married, which will be released Easter weekend of 2010. TP is on a roll, there is no stopping this express train.

Wow!!! Watchmen you got my vote!

Boy oh Boy!!! I have waited for this movie for sooooo long, and I must say I am far from being disappointed!! This is how a movie should be, filled with good quality, plot, storyline, and character development. Director Zac Synder truly gives us a treat with this American superhero film.

And when you watch the opening it hits you right in the face...literally. If you are familiar with the movie Sin City much of the graphics will look very familiar. But unlike Sin City, Watchmen will definitely wet your palette and quench your thirst.

Costumed superheroes are part of everyday society, but due to some unforseen circumstances (specifically government crackdowns) they have been forced into early retirement. Its October 1985, and the New York City police are investigating the murder of Edward Blake. But with this Watchmen member brutally murdered, the others are called together to take action and investigate the killer. And with the police having no leads, costumed vigilante Rorschach decides to explore a little further. Discovering that Blake was the U.S. employed costumed hero, "The Comedian", Rorschach believes he has discovered a plot to eliminate costumed heroes. He then sets about warning four of his retired comrades, Dan Dreiberg (formerly the second Nite Owl), the super powered and emotionally detached Doctor Manhattan and his lover Laurie Juspeczyk (the second Silk Spectre), and Adrian Veidt (once the hero Ozymandias, and now a successful businessman). Each hero has their own past which is unraveled as the film unfolds. Some embrace the past others try to run from it, hoping life will go on as normal. One in particular leaves it all together, thus sparking a major red flag!! What the Watchmen don’t realize is they’re about to discover an age-old, disturbing conspiracy to change the balance of power and an unseen enemy that wants to kill them one by one.

I was very impressed with the cinematography of this film it does the comic book justice. As an avid comic reader and fan we are able to journey with this movie from beginning to end. Even if you never read the comic book you would be able to get a good solid sense of what it was about. This movie had many punchlines, which were just as powerful then as they are now. Now there was one key line in this movie which resonated in my mind even as I am typing these words..."You all seem to be confused, you think I am locked in here with you, ...... you are locked in with ME!!" This one line flips the script as to how a prisoner feels, if I was a prisoner in their with Rorschach I might think twice about my actions. (Rorschach stating his existence in the prison.) Now there were many more where that came from and you will want to check this flick to see it.

Despite the film being 163 mins with some brief moments of slowness it was well worth it. The action in the film is not overdone and actually quite believable. There were many moments where I had to grab hold to my seat, and say "Damn, he got him good with that one!" This landmark comic book series, Watchmen shows a tale of heart-pounding action and mystery. And as each minute unfolds, we discover a piece of history of these vigilante heroes. This is not just Alan Moore's Watchmen, but it is a competent extension of the universe into another medium and a worthy cinema-going experience.

"Justice is coming to all of us. No matter what we do."

Thank you! Thank you! Watchmen you definitely got my spring off to a bright start!



Grade: A

Rewind Wednesday: Fried Green Tomatoes

"The secret of life?...The secret's in the sauce."

Today's Rewind Wednesday is one that many of you may remember or maybe not. This is one of those films that you might have let slipped under the radar. But it is another one of those films that I would consider a classic. Great plot, entertaining storyline, a few tears, but most importantly many laughs.

Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 drama film based on the novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg.

Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) meets an elderly woman named Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) in a nursing home waiting room. Ninny tells her the story of the now-abandoned town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, and the people that lived there - specifically the tale of the relationship between Imogen (Idgie) Threadgoode and Ruth Jamison, the two women who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe. As the story of Idgie and Ruth (and a missing person, Frank Bennett) develops, Evelyn Couch finds herself being empowered by the stories of the strong-willed Idgie and the fiercely loyal and independent Ruth. She also finds a true best friend in Ninny. This is one of those movies that could be summed up in three words...intense, bittersweet, sweet!!

On the awards end of everything the movie did pretty good. The movie was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jessica Tandy) and for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Fannie Flagg and Carol Sobieski). Many other viewers also felt that Mary Stuart Masterson should have been nominated for Best Actress, for her performance as Idgie.

Movie vs. Novel- Interestingly enough this movie presented some themes that might not necessarily been the "norm" or even expected for its time period. In the film version it does not present the lesbian romance between the two central characters, making it appear, to viewers who had not read the book, that Idgie and Ruth were merely best friends. Although one may assume otherwise if they were really analyzing the film. The DVD edition of the film has an audio commentary with the director acknowledging this and pointing out that a scene between the two women engaging in a food fight was intended to be seen as symbolic love-making. At the time of the film's debut, it was criticized by many reviewers for what was seen as "glossing over" the lesbian overtones of the relationship, although the film did win an award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). In the novel, Idgie and Big George are placed on trial for the murder of Frank Bennett years after Ruth has died. In the film, the trial takes place less than a year before Ruth's death in which she testifies on Idgie's behalf.

This is a movie that you can't help but love, whether young or old, male or female. The passion that is played through out this movie is just great, you just feel it in your soul. These actors put much time into this film and it definitely shows.

Did you know?
After the film became a hit, the set used as the Whistle Stop Café, on location in Juliette, Georgia, was converted into a real restaurant, and is still a tourist attraction. It is famous for the fried green tomatoes and has thousands of visitors a year. A second Whistle Stop Café location can now be found on Houston Rd in Macon, Georgia, and a third in downtown Kennesaw, Georgia.




*Just a note for those of you who saw "Madea Goes to Jail" peep inside the trailor to see the infamous car scene.

Terminator Salvation Trailer

Terminator Salvation is a prequel to 1984's The Terminator that takes place 34 years after the original. Check out the new trailor:



Terminator Salvation will be hitting screens for the Memorial Day weekend on May 21st.

Murphy to play Pryor in movie biopic

Funny is as funny does, and so it shall be that Eddie Murphy play the role of his idol, Richard Pryor, in an upcoming movie.

The first time Eddie Murphy worked with writer-director Bill Condon he earned a nomination for best supporting actor at the Oscars. That was for playing a fictionalized version of singer James Brown in “Dreamgirls” back in 2006 (he lost to Alan Arkin, “Little Miss Sunshine”). Now the two are reuniting to make a movie about Murphy’s longtime idol — the late Richard Pryor.
Fox Searchlight — which shepherded “Slumdog Millionaire” to eight Oscars this year — is reportedly picking up this $25 million project. Eddie Murphy has long revered Richard Pryor, paying homage to him in his stand-up routines and casting Pryor in his directorial debut “Harlem Nights” in 1989. The life of the comic was fraught with drama — drug and alcohol abuse, broken marriages, illnesses — and could make for a powerful piece.

Now if you are not going to see this you have got to be out of your mind!!

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li is a film and the second live-action film based on the Street Fighter series of video games. It follows the quest of Street Fighter character Chun-Li, who is portrayed by Smallville star Kristin Kreuk. The story follows Chun-Li's personal history and her journey for justice. The film begins with Chun Li narrating her experience growing up aspiring to be a concert pianist. But in her early childhood she is faced with having to from San Francisco to Hong Kong with her family. In addition to learning the piano, she learns Wushu from her father, Xiang, who is a well connected businessman.

Not really being a fan of Smallville, seeing Kristin Kreuk play "Chun-Li" was a pleasant surprise. She played the role well and at least kept me entertained. As far as the movie itself , one may feel a little slighted considering the begginning catches you but the overall plot was average. The narration could have been kept to a minimum but, it was borderline overbearing and awkward. Unfortunately, I am not sure of the intention that the director had for this movie but the use of weak and poorly played characters like Charlie Nash and Detective Maya Sunee did somewhat of a disservice to the movie. Two peas missing from their own pod. Now considering we have not seen Chris Klein in a few movies lately I guess he figured he would make-up for that by overplaying his part as though "he thought playing an immature detective meant acting like a 12 year old one moment and 17 otherwise."

Now if there should be the thought of making a sequel one might want to consider new direction so that some of the characters can be rehashed and never return again, a connection was lost as to what the true potential of this movie really could be. As mentioned earlier if there should be a thought of a sequel it should focus more on action, oriental intrigue, and mystery versus a pitiful law enforcement. After watching I realized the fight scenes, yet somewhat boring, were kind of fun to watch and special effects were enjoyable still minimal. The story had good intentions better than expected, just not enough juice to really push it forward. Micheal Clark Duncan and Neal McDonough, on a higher note, both were great. The deadly threat they both portrayed helped to keep the story together by giving the good guys more evil to fight off than they seemed to be able to handle. And Robin Shou was a great trainer and partner for Kristin Kreuk.

This is one of your typical video game series turned to movie, and unfortunately these types of movies do not do well. Even with a somewhat star-studded cast it still does not rise to the occasion. Maybe just maybe if their had been some more pub given to the movie it could possibly get a B- rating, but it didn't. I will say that it did a better job than Elektra and Daredevil (both of these were horrible). It kind of reminded me of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with the female being the lead character. But all in all, it was pretty ok movie nothing to jump through hoops over though.

Grade: C