Oscar Winners

Parity, Oscar Style

Writing the last piece for the year can be bittersweet. I have to put aside great films like The Fighter and The Social Network. This is the last real column discussing The King’s Speech and it’s merits as a winner. But it’s time to fully move into the 2011 films, after discussing the final awards show of the year.

Has parity entered the Oscars? We’ve talked for years about parity in the major sports leagues. This year a 7-9 team made the NFL playoffs. There have been a number of teams running with nearly the same records in the NHL and Major League Baseball. Now, parity comes to the Oscars.

The “big” winner, if you can call it that, is The King’s Speech. It took home 4 trophies including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. But it is only the “big” winner because of where the 4 awards came from.

Hard to believe, but another film took home 4 trophies the same night. Inception walked away with 4 of the awards in some of the “technical” categories. Best Sound Mixing and Sound Editing, plus Visual Effects and the coveted Cinematography award were also awarded to Inception. A film that many called the best of the year took home as many trophies as anyone.

And The Social Network, a film that I said should win Best Picture, didn’t. But that didn’t stop it from 3 of its own awards, Best Score, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.

The Fighter carried the Supporting categories with wins for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.
Even Alice in Wonderland took home 2 awards before the evening was done.

A ceremony that saw the great Kirk Douglas steal the show. A ceremony that saw a grand experiment with James Franco and Anne Hathaway fall a little short. A ceremony that even found time for Billy Crystal and Bob Hope, was a bit underwhelming, to put it nicely.

Youth was supposed to be the theme of this show. But for a youthful audience tuned in for a special evening, the fact that The Social Network was beaten by a movie that trends to pure and simple Oscar stereotypes, was a blow. But maybe, just maybe, it will spur on the next great young stars. The King's Speech was a very good film, don't get me wrong, it just wasn't the best this year...at least according to me.

But should we be surprised that an Oscar race that never saw a true front-runner ended up split 4, 4, 3, 2, 2 in award distribution? It looks like voters spread the wealth amongst all of the films this year. Parity has come to the Oscars.

Final Oscar Picks!

Ok...here are my final picks....boy...will I be wrong???? I don't know.

Performance by an actor in a leading role

* Javier Bardem in "Biutiful" (Roadside Attractions)
* Jeff Bridges in "True Grit" (Paramount)
* Jesse Eisenberg in "The Social Network" (Sony Pictures Releasing)
* Colin Firth in "The King's Speech" (The Weinstein Company)
* James Franco in "127 Hours" (Fox Searchlight)

SHOULD WIN: James Franco
WILL WIN: Colin Firth

I thought Franco was just amazing in the film. He carried through some difficult moments and really made the film work, withouth him, it would have been difficult. But, Firth is VERY deserving and will win this award tonight.


Performance by an actor in a supporting role

* Christian Bale in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
* John Hawkes in "Winter's Bone" (Roadside Attractions)
* Jeremy Renner in "The Town" (Warner Bros.)
* Mark Ruffalo in "The Kids Are All Right" (Focus Features)
* Geoffrey Rush in "The King's Speech" (The Weinstein Company)

SHOULD WIN: Christian Bale
WILL WIN: Christian Bale

Bale's performance is a knockout in this film and that's not a simple play on words. It really works here and he should be the winner (and that is taking nothing away from the rest of these guys as it's a cool list).


Performance by an actress in a leading role

* Annette Bening in "The Kids Are All Right" (Focus Features)
* Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole" (Lionsgate)
* Jennifer Lawrence in "Winter's Bone" (Roadside Attractions)
* Natalie Portman in "Black Swan" (Fox Searchlight)
* Michelle Williams in "Blue Valentine" (The Weinstein Company)

SHOULD WIN: Natalie Portman
WILL WIN: Natalie Portman

Portman wowed in the film that left a mixed vibe with some out there. Even those that didn't like or didn't get the film...loved her performance in this one. If there is an upset...look at Annette Bening.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

* Amy Adams in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
* Helena Bonham Carter in "The King's Speech" (The Weinstein Company)
* Melissa Leo in "The Fighter" (Paramount)
* Hailee Steinfeld in "True Grit" (Paramount)
* Jacki Weaver in "Animal Kingdom" (Sony Pictures Classics)

SHOULD WIN: Melissa Leo or Hailee Steinfeld or Amy Adams or ALL OF THE ABOVE
WILL WIN: Hailee Steinfeld

I'm calling the upset here. Leo has won a lot of awards coming to this point, and is well deserved to win this as well. The Academy likes to surprise, and I'm thinking this is the one that does it! Hailee is a lead, True Grit took home a number of nominations and they have to win something...this is the one.

Best animated feature film of the year

* How to Train Your Dragon (Paramount) Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois
* The Illusionist (Sony Pictures Classics) Sylvain Chomet
* Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney) Lee Unkrich

SHOULD WIN: Toy Story 3
WILL WIN: Toy Story 3

Great movie, I just wish this category would have more titles in it!

Best Documentary Feature

* Exit through the Gift Shop (Producers Distribution Agency) Banksy and Jaimie D'Cruz A Paranoid Pictures Production
* Gasland Josh Fox and Trish Adlesic A Gasland Production
* Inside Job (Sony Pictures Classics) Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs A Representational Pictures Production
* Restrepo (National Geographic Entertainment) Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger An Outpost Films Production
* Waste Land Lucy Walker and Angus Aynsley (Arthouse Films) An Almega Projects Production

SHOULD WIN: Restrepo
WILL WIN: Inside Job

This is really wide open, I LOVED Restrepo as I've made very clear here, but I think the winner will be the film about the hot button topic of today, the financial crisis. Watch out for Banksy though.

Adapted screenplay

* 127 Hours (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy
* The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing), Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
* Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Michael Arndt. Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich
* True Grit (Paramount), Written for the screen by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
* Winter's Bone (Roadside Attractions), Adapted for the screen by Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini

SHOULD WIN: Aaron Sorkin
WILL WIN: Aaron Sorkin

One of the dead certain locks of the night.

Original screenplay

* Another Year (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Mike Leigh
* The Fighter (Paramount), Screenplay by Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson. Story by Keith Dorrington & Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson
* Inception (Warner Bros.), Written by Christopher Nolan
* The Kids Are All Right (Focus Features), Written by Lisa Cholodenko & Stuart Blumberg
* The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Seidler

SHOULD WIN: Christopher Nolan
WILL WIN: David Seidler

When will the wonderful Christopher Nolan ever get the respect he deserves?

Achievement in directing

* Black Swan (Fox Searchlight), Darren Aronofsky
* The Fighter (Paramount), David O. Russell
* The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company), Tom Hooper
* The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing), David Fincher
* True Grit (Paramount), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

SHOULD WIN: David Fincher
WILL WIN: David Fincher

Dang nabbit...I'm picking Fincher, despite everyone thinking this will go to Tom Hooper.

Best motion picture of the year

* Black Swan (Fox Searchlight)
* The Fighter (Paramount)
* Inception (Warner Bros.)
* The Kids Are All Right (Focus Features)
* The King's Speech (The Weinstein Company)
* 127 Hours (Fox Searchlight)
* The Social Network (Sony Pictures Releasing)
* Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney)
* True Grit (Paramount)
* Winter's Bone (Roadside Attractions)

SHOULD WIN: The Fighter
WILL WIN: The Social Network

The Fighter was my favorite film this year. But, alas, this is a two horse race between The Social Network and The King's Speech. Everyone says this will be The King's Speech, everyone...even people that prefer The Social Network. But I'll throw it out there...maybe I'll be wrong, but Hollywood will recognize the film of the generation. Please...please....

That's it...how wrong will I be? We'll see soon.... And the Oscar Goes to....
Save Me A Seat!

Quick Look at Oscar Night

Oscar Night

Are you ready for Oscar Night? Did you make those last minute picks in your office pool yet? If not, I’ve got some advice for you.

Some of the categories seem to be locked up, but let’s take a look at the big six of the night that features all of the best from 2010.

Supporting Actor
This is Christian Bale’s award, case closed. His performance in The Fighter stands at the head of an extremely solid class. If you want to take a chance on an upset, I would lean towards Geoffrey Rush for The King’s Speech.

Supporting Actress
A stunning category that could go any way imaginable, but I’d put my money on Melissa Leo for The Fighter. She’s won most of the big awards leading up to this night, and both her and Amy Adams show the true strength of the cast. If you’re looking for an upset, I might go with Hailee Stenfeld for True Grit, this could be a split the votes situation, and Hollywood seems to always offer a surprise or two.

Actor
Not worth anything but Colin Firth in this one. His performance in The King’s Speech was incredible and really shines. Want to go out on a limb? My favorite is James Franco in 127 Hours and Jesse Eisenberg could REALLY surprise for The Social Network.

Actress
Leaning towards a big win for Natalie Portman in her career best performance. In Black Swan, Natalie will have you enthralled with what she does, even if you aren’t a fan of the film. Upset to watch, probably Annette Bening for The Kids Are All Right.

Director
David Fincher would be my choice in the directing category. He is long overdue here, and The Social Network is a film that flows amazingly well. Upset here would be Tom Hooper for The King’s Speech. Though not really a huge upset, a win by Hooper here would mean a lock for The King’s Speech in Best Picture.

Best Picture
It’s a two horse race. I’m going a bit crazy here by saying this is the night for The Social Network. It will surprise as many have been saying this is now The King’s Speech award to lose, but I’ve got a feeling TSN will be “friended” by the Academy.

That's the quick look here, I'll go category by category with more in depth analysis in the FINAL THOUGHTS on Oscar Night on Saturday!

Home Screening Room - Get Low for a Due Date with Megamind

Just From Theaters

Due Date – Rated R (Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifinakis)
An unexpected pair takes a cross country road trip as two different worlds collide. Funny and unexpected, this film will catch you off guard with the funny.

Megamind – Rated PG (Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey) DUE OUT on FRIDAY
Fun and funny, Megamind has a decent mix of kid friendly jokes and adult friendly moments. You’ll enjoy the craziness.

Get Low – Rated PG-13 (Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Lucas Black)
One of the most underrated films of 2010, Get Low features an amazing performance by Robert Duvall as well as the always amazing Bill Murray.

Also new this week…

Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season Four
The Killing Jar (Michael Madsen, Danny Trejo)
National Geographic: Border Wars Season Two
Sword of War (Rutger Hauer, F. Murray Abraham)
Weeds Season Six

And Finally

Rising Stars – Rated PG (Fisher Stevens, Barry Corbin, Leon Thomas III, Natalie Hall)
So it’s time the trailer here is a wholesome, family movie…why Rising Stars? Well, I haven’t seen the movie…but… how bad can it be when someone named Hall is in it? Come On…here’s the trailer.



Pick of the Week

Megamind is definitely worth another viewing. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out Get Low for sure. And for comedy fans, I kinda dug Due Date, but it is totally improbable.

Thanks!

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Bieber Fever is about to go Epidemic!

The press release just came out and it screamed...

CHU ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE ONE-WEEK LIMITED RELEASE OF “JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER” DIRECTOR’S FAN CUT

Ok...so a director's cut, great gimmick for 5 extra minutes right? Think again Bieber fans....you will get 40, yes I said 40 minutes of new Bieber.

Beginning Friday, Feb. 25th your RealD® and 3D digital screens will offer you more Bieber for all that ails!

Tickets For The Director’s Fan Cut Go On-Sale Tuesday, February 22nd at 5pm PST

So why, why the extra footage. Well the release stated that Director John Chu realized he had an "embarrassment of riches when I was I in the cutting room".

So it's yours NOW! No waiting for the super extended DVD/BluRay release...Bieber fans get more of the Biebes this Friday.

For more information go to: http://www.JustinBieberNeverSayNever.com

Why am I giving you this news? WHY NOT! I sung my one word Bieber piece on TV, why don't you?

Is there anything left to say?

Thor Trailer....Check it Out

A new Thor Trailer has gone live at Yahoo Movies, check it out at the link below.

THOR Trailer

This week's Reviews -- Audio

Here is a link to some audio reviews of this week's new titles when I appeared on Friday on KMOX with Mark Reardon....

KMOX - Friday 2/17 Reviews with Mark Reardon and Paul Hall

We talked about Unknown (Mark saw it...I wasn't offered a screening), I Am Number Four (I saw it) and Cedar Rapids (We Both Saw it and Loved it!).

Home Screening Room - Unstoppable Waiting For Superman

This week...the screening room is just Unstoppable as we are Wait for Superman!



Unstoppable – Rated PG-13 (Denzel Washington, Chris Pine)
A Runaway train, toxic chemicals and no time to spare – Sounds like a great action film!


Waiting for Superman – Rated PG
One of my top films of 2010, this documentary will break your heart. The song from John Legend “Shine” over the end credits is virtually pitch perfect and should have been in the mix for best song of the year.



You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger – Rated R (Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin, Anthony Hopkins)


Also new this week…


National Lampoon’s Dirty Movie – Rated R (Christopher Meloni, Robert Klein)

I'd share the trailer, but it's too...R rated for me here -- you can search for it on You Tube though, not hard to find.


The Sinatra Club – Rated R (Jason Geddrick)
I had to add this title…why….JASON GEDDRICK boys and girls.


Spin City: The Complete Fourth Season


White Lion – Rated PG (Jamie Bartlett, John Kani)


And Finally


Game of Death – Rated R (Wesley Snipes)
Boys and girls, it’s Wesley Snipes! Action master…check the trailer and then check the film!

NOTE - In a rare occurance, this is an R RATED trailer, it has harsh language including an "F" bomb or two, not suitable for all!

EDITED (2/17) TO REMOVE TRAILER -- ON Second Thought...the language is NOT inline with what I usually post here...this can easily be found by going to you tube and searching for the trailer....thanks.


Pick of the Week


You MUST see Waiting for Superman, and I would love to see Unstoppable, Fox wouldn’t screen it early, and I need to catch up on it.


Thanks!


Pop Some Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Roll the BluRay and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Review - Just Go With It

Don’t Think About It

Danny (Adam Sandler) has had his heart broken. He was ready to be married but the woman he was about to tie the knot with, loved everyone else. So with his heart broken he sets off to the rest of his life to make sure that doesn’t happen again. A wedding ring and the story of his nonexistent wife have proven to get him all the women he can handle and with no commitment.

When he meets Palmer (Brooklyn Decker), a girl he does care about the lies flow faster than the women into his plastic surgery office. There his receptionist Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) becomes part of the story as he needs to keep the lie going to salvage the relationship he wants to have. Now Katherine will play his soon to be ex-wife, her children will play his children, and her rivalries will become his. The question remains, will he get the girl? Or maybe it should be, what girl will he get?

On a family Hawaiian vacation, will Danny keep his story straight? Will his faux kids? Will his fake wife? Or will everything crash down like a house of cards. It’s up to everyone to Just Go With It.

Now, when I say everyone, I mean everyone. As audience members we are often asked to suspend belief in a number of movies, and this is no exception. The beginning of this film borders on laughable. The setup didn’t need to be here in its cartoonish state. Instead I would have felt much better without it. But as the film progresses, you see that it is one of those films you need to just “go with”.

The relationships are a bit weird, all of them. Brooklyn Decker’s Palmer you could see falling for Sandler’s doctor if there was a different basis, but not the way this one goes down. Nick Swardson’s over the top boyfriend character is ridiculous, to the point that you expect anyone to call him on it, but they don’t and still you just “go with it”.

Throughout the film, it’s important to just go with things. And the bottom line is, if you go with it, this can be a moderately fun film. Is it up to par with Sandler’s best, absolutely not! But is it what you’ve come to expect, yes!

After a dreadful start, Sandler is funny, Decker is beautiful and Anniston is back. Those performances coupled with the wonderful Nicole Kidman and a strange Dave Matthews performance make for an acceptable comedic film.

I would have liked more from the talent involved, but this is a film that is beautiful to look at and will make you laugh. Just one piece of advice, don’t think too much about the whys and wherefores in the movie; just go with it.

C+

Just Go With It
Sony Pictures

Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson, Brooklyn Decker, Dave Matthews

Rating: PG-13 for frequent crude and sexual content, partial nudity, brief drug references and language.
Runtime: 116 minutes.

Review - The Eagle

It Just Doesn’t Soar

Legends of lost battles, lost iconic trophies, and lost individuals permeate every last war story handed down for generations. Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) has worked his way up through the ranks of the Roman army and has been asked to be assigned to Britain. It is there the legendary Ninth went missing years before, and its commander (Marcus’ Father) was lost with all his men and the iconic gold eagle that stood as a symbol for their unit.

Now, with Marcus in charge he is out to avenge his father’s disappearance and clear his family name. But that might be slightly harder than he originally thought. When a sneak attack injures Marcus, he is sent to rehab with his Uncle (Donald Sutherland). But Marcus is not one to sit on his heels. He sets out with a slave named Esca (Jamie Bell) by his side to follow a rumor and hopefully recover the lost artifact and his families’ lost name.

The Eagle has a lot going for it there is some great action moments that spot the film. But overall I found myself not caring too much. For every moment of interesting development it takes a step back with developments that feel out of place.

There is even a war dance sequence towards the end of the film that seemed to develop out of nowhere and made me scratch my head and wonder why it occurred in the first place.

The Eagle suffers from the one thing you don’t want a movie to be, it is not memorable. When it was over I really didn’t care one way or another. It wasn’t great, it didn’t stink, it was just there. The Eagle tries to soar, but instead it just crawls along.

C

The Eagle
Focus Features

Director: Kevin Macdonald
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland

Rating: PG-13 for battle sequences and some disturbing images.
Runtime: 114 minutes.

Review - Gnomeo and Juliet

Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou?

The tale of Romeo and Juliet is as old as time, or at least as old as the day Shakespeare penned it. When it was written, I’m sure there wasn’t a sole that imagined telling the story with Gnomes. Up until this film came out, *I* never imagined Romeo and Juliet told with gnomes. But someone did, and that’s the only way this could have come to pass.

Gnomeo (James McAvoy) and Juliet (Emily Blunt) meet as innocently as any couple, but they are in the middle of a feud. The feud between the two humans that own the yards these gnomes reside in bleeds down to the gnomes and other lawn ornaments. A rivalry like nothing you have seen before, when the owners are away, the lawn ornaments will play.

With these animated yard dwellers, nothing is off limits. Lawn mowers become race cars, and alleys are a super speedway of mayhem. Will true love prevail?

Ok, so the story only has its roots in the Shakespearean tale. I mean, I don’t remember lawn mower races in the classic. And of course, being an animated kids’ film the ending has been slightly altered.

There are a number of adult themed jokes that go over the kids’ head and attempt to keep them engaged with the film, but it never got me. Despite the attempts to make me enjoy the movie, I just felt a bit blasé. I was never a part of the film and really didn’t feel like I had any investment in the film. Maybe it was a me thing, but even the heavy Elton John laded soundtrack just felt empty.

Gnomes may do a nice job of enhancing some folks yards, they may do Travelocity good as well, but for Romeo and Juliet…Gnomes are no go. Romeo, Wherefore art thou?

C

Gnomeo and Juliet
Walt Disney Studios Pictures

Director: Kelly Asbury
Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Jason Statham, Ashley Jensen

Rating: G
Runtime: 84 minutes.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never

I’ve Got A Bieber Cold

(Full Disclaimer Note – I was unable to attend the full screening of this film due to a scheduling conflict, my comments below are for the first hour or so, and no review grade is given – it was, however, tracking very well before I had to leave)

I learned a lesson, even before I sat down to experience this film; Bieber’s fans are crazy. And I knew little about Justin Bieber before sitting down. Sure, I’ve heard some of his music (I’ve got a 6 year old daughter who listens to Radio Disney) and I knew he was this super huge presence with young girls anywhere. But I’ll admit, I just thought he was another manufactured presence. And now, I learned another lesson, I was wrong.

Justin Bieber has worked hard, sure there is a lot more to come and he’s at an early stage of his career, but this film makes me think he just might have a future in the business.

From a film standpoint, director Jon Chu does a solid job of relating the story of Justin’s life. His hard work to sell himself in an environment that may not have been ready is showcased. A kid who said, hey if someone else doesn’t want to do it, I’ll do it, and used today’s technological advances to move forward.

It is a film that is geared toward Bieber’s fans. The theatrical release uses its 3D presence to play to the crowd as Justin is found reaching for the fans and inducing the screams of the “Beliebers”. It plays like nothing I have seen before as the screening I checked out was more of a concert than a film. Ok, so I don’t have Bieber Fever, but this film has given me a touch of a Bieber Cold (and that’s not a bad thing).


NR

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never
Paramount Pictures

Director: Jon Chu
Cast: Justin Bieber, Scooter Braun

Rating: G
Runtime: 105 minutes.

Real Milwaukee visit this week - Bieberfied

Did I really sing Justin Bieber with Nicole and Rob on Real Milwaukee this morning? Ugh...watch the video..

SNAPSHOTS - Bieber, Sandler, Tatum and Gnomes!

So the full reviews won't be posted until later this evening...sorry but a Thursday screening with a bad final reel and some personal things slowed them down...but here's your snap shot at what's coming.

I didn't get to see the full Justin Bieber film, but I did see the first hour (Double booked by the studios...DRAT) and I MEAN THAT -- the first hour was pretty good, and definitely an EXPERIENCE I'll not soon forget. While I don't have "Bieber Fever" I"m sure I have at least a "Bieber Cold".

Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Brooklyn Decker (yes remember Brooklyn Decker, I WILL) -- Just Go With It is for the Sandler fans out there, amusing but very predictable stuff here.

Channing Tatum is up in The Eagle, a film that wasn't awful...but wasn't great EITHER -- it was the perfect example of a film that was just ok....

And Finally....the gnomes....yes I said it gnomes -- the individuals that were at my screening seemed happy to come out of the film, and they really liked it...me? I never got it...might be the perfect film to show to the little kids though....I really don't know....send me a gnome and I'll look into it.

More to come....but those are your SNAPSHOTS if this weekend's NEW films!

Home Screening Room -- You Again, Life As We Know It Never Had This Much Paranormal Activity

Just From Theaters

For Colored Girls – Rated R (Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kerry Washington)
It’s Kind of a Funny Story – Rated PG-13 (Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Keir Gilchrist)
Life As We Know It – Rated PG-13 (Josh Duhamel, Katherine Heigl)
Middle Men – Rated R (Luke Wilson, Givvanni Ribisi)
My Soul to Take – Rated R (Max Thierot, Denzel Whitaker)
Paranormal Activity 2 – Rated R (David Bierend, Daniel Boland)
Tamara Drewe – Rated R (Gemma Arterton, Dominic Cooper)
You Again – Rated PG (Kristen Bell, Odette Yustman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver)

Also new this week…
Kalamity – Rated R (Nick Stahl, Jonathan Jackson)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade
Ong Bak 3 – Rated R (Tony Jaa)
Project Runway: The Complete Eighth Season
The Romantics – Rated PG-13 (Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel)



Wild Target – Rated PG-13 (Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt)



And Finally...

The Last Play at Shea (NR)
Have done a couple of Billy Joel concerts in my day – so The Last Play at Shea intrigues. Take a look at the trailer and see what you think.



Pick of the Week
Would love to see The Last Play at Shea and would add that to the collection. PLUS - I think I was one of the few people who really actually enjoyed the PG rated You Again – twisted but funny and fun and it included a great cast.

Thanks!

Pop Some Popcorn, Pop a Pepsi, and Pop in a Blu Ray and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Home Screening Room - Let Me In, Never Let Me Go, Let Me In

Let's step into this week's Home Screening Room a struggle between Let Me In and Never Let Me Go

Just From Theaters

Let Me In (R) Chloe Moretz, Kodi Smit-McPhee
A great horror flick that will take your mind and scare you, sure the original is a powerful film. But this is actually a really good version, and worth your time and effort.

Conviction (R) Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver
Sam Rockwell gives an extraordinary performance in this film. He makes you believe his character and question what you see. Sure some of it feels very formula, but it is definitely worth checking out.

Never Let Me Go (R) Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield
Such an underrated film, this is a perfect rental. Add it to your queue, pick it up at a store or stream it online, the heart wrenching tale of individuals born for one purpose will move you.

The Tillman Story (R)
Want to see a solid documentary on a football hero? This is one you can’t miss. On the field, Pat Tillman was something special, but what made him iconic was his decision to join the military. This story shows that not everything is what it seems.

Also new this week…

Airwolf: Season 4

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 (G) – Come on, you know you want to see this! See the video below for MORE of my coverage of this Blu Ray release.

The Client List (NR) Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cybill Shepherd – Really? Really?

Hatchet II (R) – Another horror, why can I never screen these films?

Mean Girls 2 (PG-13) More mean fun, yet I haven’t seen this…why????

Monsters (R) – Sci-fi and more.

Night Catches Us (R) – Kerry Washington, Anthony Mackie

Welcome to the Rileys (R) – Kristen Stewart, James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo A film that had a godo showing at some festivals that didn’t really hit the box office. Check it out.

And Finally

Chain Letter (R) -- Nikki Reed, Keith David

Ok, so when I was growing up this was done through the mail…now it’s via text…and a horror movie….ok…check out the trailer and tell me what you think!




Pick of the Week
Depends on the mood, but I love Let Me In for chills and Never Let Me Go has such a deep seeded story that will make you ponder it long after the credits roll.

Thanks!

Pop Some Popcorn, Do a Dew, and Throw in a Blu Ray and remember to Save Me A Seat!

New On DVD -- Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2

Ok, so I'll get to everything else soon, but here...without futher ado -- a Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 video take from me, and my daughter Alexandria -- it's only about 90 seconds long...take a look!




On Blu Ray today.