George, George, George of the franchise

High School… I wake up early in the morning to tell my mother about “the plan.”

“I’m going to leave during study hall and get in line.”
“For?”
“Star Wars Mom,” I sighed “STAR WARS.”
“Don’t we own those movies?”
“Yes, but this is STAR WARS, redux, again, on the big screen. I missed it the first time.”
“You weren’t even a thought yet, when it first came out.”
“Exactly. Will you please just write me a note.”
“Fine.”

Mom wrote “my daughter is leaving class to buy Star Wars tickets.”

I’m a fan. I’m a fan, my best friend is a fan, my other best friend is a fan. Not a crazy camping in line fan, but a big enough fan that I watched Episode One while sitting on someone’s lap so I could have a better seat. (Or so he said…) And now comes word of the francise. From freeze dried movies. http://www.freezedriedmovies.com/news/index.php?Action=Full&NewsID=2665

Lucas referred to Clone Wars as a pilot. He confirmed that the animated series will continue as a 3D animated half hour version and will be a regular TV series.
Also, he is working on a live action series that spins off from the films that doesn’t incude the main characters but is about characters that we already know.
He plans to begin filming in a year. He wants to get all the scripts written for the first season all at once and then go out and shoot them.
Lucas will get it started, hire all the showrunners and then back away from it.
Following this format, there will be multiple directors, multiple writers so we are in for a ride! The future of Star Wars looks bright.
One more thing on the topic Star Wars. The revamping of Star Tours has been on the books for about 6 years and now with the change in management over at Disney, George hopes to have that put into motion sometime soon.

As soon as I get done holding my breath through Revenge of the Sith, I’ll be sure to make my way to Disneyland.

The Amityville Horror (and horror films in general)

Last night, I talked my roommate Kristine into going to see The Amityville Horror with me. I’ve seen the original, and I was so scared that afterwards I made my then-boyfriend walk me to the bathroom and stand outside the door in case the ghosts tried to get me. Sadly, the new version isn’t as scary, but it’s ten times grosser. (Kristine gives the maggots a ten out of ten for realism)

I’m not sure if I’m qualified to reveiw a horror film. The worst cinematic scare I’ve ever had is from Sex and the City. Stop laughing, I’m serious! The scene when Natasha is running down the stairs after Carrie and she falls face first and breaks her tooth, ouch, my front tooth hurts just typing it. I was shaken up for hours after watching it.

It was scarier than the first eight minutes of Silence of the Lambs (Stick says it was only seven but I know it was a full eight minutes before I dove under the blankets and begged him to shut it off) or even Full Metal Jacket because I don’t spend a lot of time with serial killers and I’m not in a war zone. But running down the stairs? I do that every day! And that was the reason the original Amityville was so terrifying. The protagonists weren’t dared to sleep in a haunted house, they were just making dinner, reading a novel, putting the kids to bed, etc. The house terrorized them while they were going about their daily activities, which is a million times scarier.

One terrifying moment is when the innocent, colorful fridge magnets rearrange themselves into a murderous message that only Kathy Lutz sees. She says “Must have been seeing things,” and goes back to her job of standing aimlessly at the kitchen window (she does that a lot). This is the point when I would be saying something more like “GEORGE! THAT’S NOT FUNNY! You’re a jerk!” The advantage to my plan is that I’d soon be divorced and living in a tiny but unhaunted apartment with my three kids, which would protect me from possessed husband rage.

Since I’ve been distracted even from good movies by a shirtless man, I won’t make too much of the fact that Ryan Reynolds’ abs stole the show. I was kind of annoyed when one of the angry mangled corpses popped up in front of him, but fortunately that didn’t happen too often. For the boys, there was the required slutty babysitter in a tiny shirt.

The film has a moment of comedy gold with a weird shot of the babysitter’s tongue, it seems she’s having a seizure but it turns out to be just a Gene Simmons impression.

http://violeteclipse.blogspot.com/

Reefer Madness! (the Musical)

I happened to catch a 15-minute long documentary/trailer on the making of Reefer Madness before this made-for-TV movie was set to air on Showtime. Based on an off-Broadway play (that opened and closed soon after Sept. 11, 2001, when no one was going to the theater), this movie is a rousing parody/homage to the 1938 anti-pot propaganda film of the same name. And it’s a musical comedy.

Starring Christian Campbell (best known as brother of Neve, who is also in the film) as the geeky Jimmy Harper and Veronica Mars’ Kristen Bell as his syrupy sweet girlfrend Mary Lane, the small cast also features Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler in the X-Men movies), former Saturday Night Live siren Ana Gasteyer, Steven Weber and Robert Torti as Jesus.

Yes, Jesus. He sings a hilarious song trying to convince Jimmy to lay off the happy grass (and delivers the funniest line in the movie: “Listen to Jesus Jimmy/trust the guy with the stigmata…”), to which he has gotten hopelessly addicted after Weber’s character lures him to the pot house with promises of teaching him how to dance (so Mary won’t leave him).

The movie is framed by scenes with Cumming as the “lecturer” showing the film to a group of concerned parents in a small town in 1938. The parents watch and react to the film, while anyone who questions his information is labeled a communist.

Obviously this is a lesson for our times as much as it is a funny send up of a goofy film. Ana Gasteyer will surprise you with her ability to belt out “I Ought to Leave Him,” an ode to domestic violence and “the stuff” fitting for any Broadway show. This movie will have you laughing, and it will probably offend you and horrify you a little at the same time. Good fun for all.

Independent Film Festival of Boston 2005

Boston, Massachusetts is hosting its annual Independent Film Festival this weekend. The Somerville Theatre, Coolidge Corner Theatre, and The MFA are hosting a variety of underground films from April 21-April 24. Steve Buscemi is making his directorial debut with his film, Lonesome Jim, a poignant portrait of a working class man (played by Casey Affleck). The all star cast includes Liv Tyler and Casey Affleck, the Afflecks are from around Boston so I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in attendance. Steve Buscemi will be in attendance at his showing and at the after-party. Tickets for both events are on sale at the Independent Film Festival of Boston’s website. This should be a star-studded event, plus the movies look incredible.

Amityville Horror #1 At Box Office

Rotten Tomatoes is showing Amityville Horror as having a rating of 27%, putting it well into the rotten category. (60% or above and it’d be fresh)

A few of the reviews:
- Despite its flaws, The Amityville Horror is good at scaring the popcorn out of your hand. (Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com)
- The new The Amityville Horror makes its predecessor feel like high art. (Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews)

Despite the tepid reviews, the flick topped the box office, earning $23.5 M its opening weekend.

Top 5 Box Office earners over the weekend:

1. “The Amityville Horror,” MGM, $23,507,007, 3,323 locations, $7,074 average, $23,507,007, one week.

2. “Sahara,” Paramount, $13,071,283, 3,154 locations, $4,144 average, $36,417,478, two weeks.

3. “Fever Pitch,” Fox, $8,518,883, 3,275 locations, $2,601 average, $23,662,931, two weeks.

4. “Sin City,” Dimension, $6,687,810, 3,002 locations, $2,228 average, $61,301,949, three weeks.

5. “Guess Who,” Sony, $4,875,712, 2,999 locations, $1,626 average, $57,548,885, four weeks.

Century Hotel (R)

CENTURY HOTEL

Rated R      Filmed in Canada
Directed by David Weaver
Writing credits: Bridget Newson
Actors/Actresses: Eugene Lipinski, Rain Maida, Chantal Kreviazuk, Colm Feore, Tom McCamus, Mia Kirshner, Lindy Booth, Sandrine Holt
Official Site: http://www.centuryhotelthemovie.com/centuryhotel.shtml
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0270270

Reviewer’s Rating: 5 stars

An excellent movie about murder(s) and a hotel through its history. A brilliantly magnificent film about the Century Hotel that houses guests from all walks of life, with all different needs, and each with a different story. The film focuses on room 720 and bounces back and forth from various residents through history giving us a glimpse of their story. A perfectly haunting tale. A must see.

Beyond Borders (NR: 2003)

Beyond Borders : Movie Review
Film review by Leaf McGowan
Pasadena, California

First Viewing/Audience/Screening on Thursday, September 5, 2002

at the Paseo Pasadena

Around 5:50 pm - headed off to Pasadena and found my way to the Paseo Pasadena, a humongous shopping center and theater. A line of well over a hundred wrapped from the front doors, down the stairs, and around the building. It was the premiere showing of Beyond Borders, Angelina Jolie’s newest film. Pre-release non-rated and unfinished version - I was lucky enough to be of the first screening audience to give input on what I felt about the film. Of course for free. One privelege about being in Los Angeles, these things happen alot I hear. With Angelina Jolie as one of my favorite actresses, you can tell I was psyched.

Couldn’t get anyone to go with me as everyone had to work late. That sucked. So, me and my lonesome, went and stood in line, but by the time I got in line, they registered me and took my invitation, and the lines whisked upwards, our demographics grabbed, and in the theater we went to wait patiently for an hour for the filming/ screening to begin.

Beyond Borders Beyond Borders is an epic tale of the turbulent romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the world’s most dangerous hot spots. Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie stars as Sarah Jordan, an American living in London in 1984. She is married to Henry Bauford (Linus Roache) son of a wealthy British industrialist, when she encounters Nick Callahan (Clive Owen) a renegade doctor, whose impassioned plea for help to support his relief efforts in war-torn Africa moves her deeply. As a result, Sarah embarks upon a journey of discovery that leads to danger, heartbreak and romance in the far corners of the world.

Angelina Jolie …. Sarah Jordan

Clive Owen …. Nick Callahan

Linus Roache …. Henry Bauford

Teri Polo …. Charlotte

Norman Mikeal Berketa …. British Officer #2

Noah Emmerich

Mark Antony Krupa …. Soldier

Emma Stevens (I) …. Journalist

Elizabeth Whitmere …. Beatrice

Review by Leaf McGowan: Beyond Borders apparently had its own turbulence in getting started as it saw its attraction and loss of several big names in production - Kevin Costner was fired For his difficulty and being too demanding; Oliver Stone was supposed to direct it but dropped out, British Actor Clive Owen took over the character that Kevin Costner was canned from, and Catherine Zeta Jones was originally supposed to play Angelina’s role, but due to her current pregnancy, dropped out. However in viewing the film, I felt the cast was accurately and well played and placed. Of course with my bias, having a love of Angelina’s acting, I would have preferred her regardless over Catherine’s.

Angelina Jolie plays Sarah, who attends a charity ball / benefit with her fiance, Henry Bauford (played by Linus Roache) and is knocked to the ground, when Nick Callahan (played by Clive Owen), a relief doctor working in Ethiopia, bursts the party with a starving ethiopian child to show as an example of how bad things are. As funding is about to be pulled by the British government (Henry’s father) because the country is communist, all hell breaks loose. The death of the child the next day combined with the passion of need shown by Nick, causes Sarah to sell everything she can, to buy truckloads of food, medicine, and supplies to take herself guiding, to Ethiopia which only helps for a couple of days. Rubbing cross shoulders with Doctor Nick, she does what her heart tells her, and tries to help. Her life forever changed. Still on bad sides with Nick, she leaves the camp to start a life married to Henry Bauford and raising a son. Working for the United Nations, she is once again called with an impassionate plea to help the team provide aid this time in Cambodia where she is crossed by Nick and gets herself into serious war-torn troubles that only lead her and Nick to fall passionately in love. After which she returns home pregnant with Nick’s child to attempt divorce with her husband. Years later, raising her new daughter (Nick’s), she leaves her husband with the kids to head off to save Nick in war-torn Russia that leads to a very tragic demise and a heartfelt meeting of father and daughter. Incredible cinematography and world scenes or tragic areas in the world - it stirred my heart of thoughts of jumping on the peace corps train to become a relief worker. The movie moved me directly. Highly recommended when it’s released.

Afterwards filled out a questionnaire of what I felt about the movie and screening. Highly rated by me.

Amityville Horror (R: 2005)

Amityville Horror : Movie Review
Film review by Leaf McGowan
Directed by Andrew Douglas
Rated R: Horror
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, Jesse James, Jimmy Bennett, Chloe Moretz,
Rachel Nichols, Philip Baker Hall, Annabel Armour, Rich Komenich, Danny McCarthy

It’s 1:30 am and I’m almost frightened to enter my motel room alone. No seriously, the Amityville Horror was a fabulous movie. Scary - edge of the seat - modern horror re-make of the classic. Based on the true story that shocked the small town of Amityville, New York - where a family member goes on a murder spree killing his entire family because voices in the house told him to do it and he thought they were all demons. A new family movies in and repeats the tale - but a good ending. Wrapped in a new twist of history behind the house’s basement walls explains some of the madness that entails. It’s a must see for any Horror fan, especially those who are big Amityville Horror fans. Excellent movie! Give it a 5 stars (out of 5).

Fever Pitch–Hit, not a Miss

I admit that this title is an ode to the horrendous cliche of the sports page. I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about, so on to the movie!
So I had my doubts about going to see Fever Pitch, and a friend had to drag me to see it last weekend.
Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love Jimmy Fallon, and Drew Barrymore as well, but I have this self-inscribed rule of not watching romantic comedies in the theater, as it will just make me fantasize about unrealistic cinematic relationships.
I’ll cut to the chase–it was probably one of the best movies from the Farrelly brothers. Minus the gross out bathroom humor, add a baseball theme, and a couple almost perfect for each other and it works. Hey folks, this might have DVD collection potential!
As with any romantic comedy, I always expect some predictability, but interesting enough, this movie lacked it. It also relied on the background of Fallon/Barrymore’s relationship to start out the film, and then delving into the addiction that is Fallon’s love of the Boston Red Sox.
One final thought on the film–had the Red Sox not won the World Series last year, how would this movie have ended?!!

Almost time to hitchhike

In just a few short weeks The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will finally hit the big screen. I loved this book so much the first time I read it, and I’m really kind of excited about the prospect of seeing these characters on the big screen, even though of course it won’t be as good as the book.

I finally found my way to the movie’s web site, and it was pretty entertaining. The trailer about how a trailer is supposed to be was really funny. But the site is incredibly graphics and animation heavy and just about fried my poor computer. There are three trailers to watch, downloads of wallpaper, screensavers and ecards, photo galleries, clickable characters (which really didn’t work out well onmy machine) and games.

If you’ve got a high-powered machine and aren’t at work, check it out. There’s a lot of flash, a lot of noise, and even a little bit of information about the movie. Enjoy!

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