My apologies

Were you wondering, Paul...what's up lately? No posts in a bit....come on man...I need my movie fix!  Well I truly apologize. Sometimes the best laid plans just don't work our. To be frank, I've had some family situations that have been going on, and they come first! But all is well...and look for a lot of stuff to go live this weekend! Thanks for sticking with me...and feel free to ask questinos on anything you'd like to know about!

Real Milwaukee - 9/21/12

Here's the link to the video from Real Milwaukee on Friday -- sorry for whatever reason it doesn't like to embed here with blogger...working on it.

Have a look and dig that cool shirt I have on....the jeans you never see where even cooler. (and I DON'T know how to dress myself...that's a given for anyone who has met me)

http://realmilwaukeenow.com/2012/09/21/the-common-guy-reviews-the-master-more/




p

New Trailer - The Hobbit

Ok...click through to check out the new trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It theaters December 14.

Are you in?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer

 

What Makes a Movie the Best?

As we head out of the Summer movie season (a season featuring high energy action and comedy films that you want to watch over and over again) and into the Fall and Holiday movie seasons (featuring award contenders, and a slate of truly serious films), I got to thinking. I haven't rambled in awhile...and was wondering...what makes a movie...the "best"?

We always call the “best” films of the year these dramatic achievements that we will see in the next couple of months. And usually that is the case.

But let’s look at how “re-watchable” they are…shouldn’t we want to watch the “best” films of the year over and over and over again? Or is the term “best” truly subjective?

For years I’ve had people come up with the same basic questions…

What is the best movie you’ve ever seen? Or the variation thereof such as what is your favorite movie?

I get asked the same questions about movies in theaters regularly…. what’s good, or what should I see and the inevitable what do you like?

I’m as guilty as anyone on this end…looking at movies and speaking about what are truly the “best”, I don’t look at what do I want to watch again.

Thus…is the best truly my favorite.

I love films like Caddyshack, Fletch, Stripes and Animal House but are they the best? Not really…will I watch them hundreds of times before I leave the life I was blessed with, ABSOLUTELY.

On the filp side, a film like Schindler’s List was unquestionably powerful and one of the best I had seen the year it came out. BUT, how many times would I watch it over and again? A handful at most would be my best guess.

We like to laugh, we like to enjoy, we like to be entertained.

The films we buy and keep in our libraries tend to be goofy comedies, kids movies, musicals and the occasional documentary. I don’t have a ton of deep dramas that I pull out and go back to. Horror films…sure – I’ll revisit Halloween or Friday the 13^th at the appropriate time, but dramas…virtually never.

So how do I define best going into this year’s season with some of the “Best” movies. It will always be subjective. From Paul Thomas Anderson’s storytelling to Joaquin Phoenix’s acting chops,; I’m sure there will be lots more talk about The Master (opening wide Friday).

But there will also be those that will see Ben Affleck’s Argo and remember that he is a truly talented director as well. And will his take on an Iran hostage rescue, that seems like it could be ripped from today’s headlines, be “better” than The Master? It is different, definitely.

Or what about those that would argue The Dark Knight Risespicks up with more from the amazingly talented Christopher Nolan and was a truly amazing film that is no doubt the “best” of the year.

The one thing about writing and talking about movies will always remain a constant. All three of those films that may be in this year’s Best Picture race are the “BEST” to someone. Who’s right? That’s what makes talking about movies so much fun!

Now I think I’ll go back to a comedy I like to watch over and over and over again…maybe Office Space. Argue amongst yourselves on what makes a movie the “best” of its category…. even if you don’t want to watch it time and time again.

Home Screening Room – A Cabin, Katy Perry and Snow White

Ok, so I didn’t put up a column last week…so I've combined last week and this week into one GIGANTIC column. My daughter really wants to see Katy Perry…so I have to mention that and I will share that with her. Plus Katy is a pretty darn likeable individual. Let’s get into it…ok?

This Week's Big Releases

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel- Rated PG-13 (Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench)

Could this be the hotel that was in the brochures? See for yourself.

The Cabin in the Woods- Rated R (Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth)
It’s a cabin, it’s out there…in the woods and it’s scary, I think.

Katy Perry: Part of Me The Movie- Rated PG (Katy Perry)
Go backstage with one of the stars of music today. Truly gives a really solid portrayal of someone that we really do not know. Much like the Bieber documentary last year, this is a fun film for the fans and the fans will love it. And I’m not just saying that because my 8 year old daughter wants to see it.

Check out what I had to say about thetheatrical release.

October Baby Rated PG-13 (Rachel Hendriz, Jason Burkey, John Schneider)

The story of a young woman struggling with her very real issues and her family that seems to be holding back some of her past. Touching, poignant and a movie that will stir conversations.

Check out what I had to say about thetheatrical release.

Snow White and the Huntsman- Rated PG-13 (Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron)

Take another look at the story of Snow White, this time with Kristen Stewart as the fair maiden and Charlize Theron as the Wicked Queen. As if the retelling in theaters wasn’t enough…the Bluray includes an extended edition plus a slew of extras including a 360 degree set tour and MORE.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting- Rated PG-13 (Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick)

Couples, babies, laughter?

Also New This Week

30 Rock: Season 6

Army Wives: Season Six, Part One

Bad Karma – Rated R (Ray Liotta, Dominic Purcell, Vanessa Gray)

Bait – Rated R (Xavier Samuel)

Barbie: The Princess and the Popstar – Not Rated (Kelly Sheridan, Jennifer Waris, Ashleigh Ball)
 

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! – Rated G (George Lopez, Odette Annable)

The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Fifth Season

Castle: The Complete Fifth Season

Cleanskin – Not Rated (Sean Bean, Charlotte Rampling)
 

Goats – Rated R (Graham Phillips, David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga)

Hawaii Five-O: The Second Season

The Magic of Belle Isle – Rated PG (Morgan Freeman, Virginia Madsen)

Modern Family: The Complete Third Season

Private Practice: The Complete Fifth Season

Salvation Boulevard – Rated R (Pierce Brosnan, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris)

Spartacus: Vengeance – The Complete Second Season

Teen Mom: Season 2

Terra Nova: The Complete Series

Up All Night: Season One

The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Third Series

The Victim – Rated R (Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc, Danielle Harris)

WWE: Summerslam 2012

The Woman in the Fifth – Rated R (Ethan Hawke, Kristin Scott Thomas)

And Finally

The Babymakers – Rated R

(Olivia Munn, Paul Schneider, Jay Chandrasekhar)

A man, a woman and the fact that they can’t get pregnant leads to great fun, right?  What would any sane person do? Break into a sperm bank…right? Check the trailer below.

DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week

Looking to go vampire hunting before Halloween…you’re in luck as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter hits homes October 23. And for those of you that can’t wait…2 weeks later you can check out The Amazing Spider-Man.

Pick of the Week

Katy Perry would be choice one of my daughters, PLUS she would want Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 (She loves dogs). I think Snow White and the Huntsman is solid and worth another look.

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

A Masterful Weekend for a clownfish and Alice

What did the weekend hold for us?

Well we saw a number of new releases....

Resident Evil: Retribution did not screen for those of us around here, but managed to bring in a touch over $21 million for the top spot on the weekend. Following in second was the rerelease of Finding Nemo in 3D this time...$17.5 million to show for the revisitation with your favorite clownfish.

Other notables.... Arbitrage (Didn't screen with Richard Gere) opened to 12th place and just over $2 million (would've helped to have screened it out here in the wild) and Last Ounce of Courage (another non-screened film) opened to just over $1.7 million and 15th place.

The Master rolled into 5 theaters and racked up an amazing total of over $730,000. (an average per screen of $147,262. WOW! This expands this week...and more on that as we get to Friday.

The week to come for me features screenings of The Master, Hotel Transylvania and one more unnamed title (a couple weeks out) PLUS maybe a DVD or two as we work through things.

Plus Friday, as many have asked, I can say -- I'll Be BACK!!! Yes, they are having me back to Real Milwaukee and we'll talk about The Master, Trouble With The Curve and whatever else we can fit in.

Tomorrow...the Home Screening Room features a title that my daughter continues to mention (she's 8) that comes out this week...you'll have to read that for yourself. I will say it is a Part of Me. Plus she's hard at work on our review of the new DVD Barbie: Princess and the Popstar (available now) - should be ready later this week (a birthday party for her cousin got in the way).

More soon....Have a great week everyone!

p

Review - For A Good Time, Call...

Don’t Hang Up

This is the story of two women living in the big city, New York City that is. Both have circumstances that are forcing them to find a roommate and both have a friend that thinks they are perfect for each other. There’s one problem, an incident 10 years in the past has made them sworn enemies.

But tough times call for drastic measures. Lauren (Lauren Miller) reluctantly agrees to move in and share the rent with Katie (Ari Graynor) and they try to put the past behind them.

One thing that Katie forgot to inform Lauren about…she’s a phone sex operator on the side. While Lauren struggles to find a job, she sees the income Katie is making and decides she can make Katie more money if they form their own business. Together, Lauren with her business acumen and Katie with a voice of gold set out to take the industry by storm and pay the rent for their lovely apartment.

It is by working together, and growing together over one unexpected summer, that they learn that less separates them than they once thought. Will the keep working? And if they do…what will the parents think?

Let me get a couple things out of the way before I dig in here. First, this is a very adult movie, in its very nature so leave the kiddies at home. Second, the adult nature in the movie is more graphic in words, than actual visuals. Third, there are cameos here from stars you know…performing very compromising acts. And last, this is a movie that, when it’s right, finds the spot…you know the one.

Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor work well together as this “odd couple of the sex industry”. Although they don’t necessarily like each other, they can see beyond the surface to what is motivating them both…money. Justin Longas their best friend Jesse is funnier than I’ve seen him recently, and becomes a scene-stealer at times.

Where Call gets static on its line is when it becomes too serious. Many times it felt like it just interrupted the flow of a film that was moving quite well. Sure it’s subject matter that is very risqué, and risky, but for those worth to give it a chance, you are rewarded in the end.

Don’t hang up; although this call drifts from time to time, it is still worth enjoying.

P.S. -- I can see myself watching this one over and over again in the future, cherry picking out the good parts....

B- / C+

For A Good Time, Call…

Focus Features

Director: Jamie Travis

Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Justin Long

Rating: R for strong sexual content throughout, language and some drug use.

Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes

New Movie - Finding Nemo 3D

Nemo is now 3D

Not Offered for Review in 3D format – Our favorite clownfish is back in the Disney/Pixar hit that swam into our hearts in 2003. Disney is in the midst of bringing many of their titles back for a limited time in theaters in the 3D format, and now is the time to catch Finding Nemo. As solid a film as any, the only question is will you be willing to go see the upgraded version.

I’m sure we’ll talk more about Finding Nemo…this December when it comes to taking a version home.

NR

Finding Nemo 3D

Walt Disney Pictures

Director: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich

Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould

Rating: G

Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

New Movie - Resident Evil: Retribution

Not Offered for Review – Alice is back taking on the Umbrella Corporation.

I’ve generally dug the Resident Evil stuff (for what it has been), it’s too bad I couldn’t give you more on this…but if it’s your cup of tea – it’s available NOW.

NR

Resident Evil: Retribution

Screen Gems Pictures

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory, Michelle Rodriguez

Rating: R for sequences of strong violence throughout.

Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes