The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie opens this week much to the delight of Simpson fans everywhere. The TV show, which first debuted in 1989, has had a phenomenal run and is still going strong. After so many episodes, is there anything left for a plot for a big screen movie? Apparently so.

Fans have been watching all Simpson reruns to prepare for the movie that has the plot that Home accidentally pollutes the river with toxic water. He then loses his job and the residents of Springfield are forced to evacuate their homes, possibly never to return.

Critics of the movie report that the feature is nothing more than a long TV episode. For Simpson fans, that will probably be just fine with them. This is the movie that has been in the works for years. A strong storyline is not necessarily needed to make this a huge success in the eyes of fans.

The Simpsons have become ingrained in our culture. It seems everyone has their favorite Simpson episode, moment, character, and phase. A TV show that is so popular that it has been renewed until 2009 - 20 years after it first debuted. While there may not be that much new or different that can be explored in The Simpsons Movie for the lovable family from Springfield, it will be great to finally see them on the big screen.

The Simpsons Movie opens July 27th.

Superman Returns

After many delays, Superman Returns hit the big screen in 2006. The man of steel triumphantly returned to the theatres after a long stint away. The storyline of Superman Returns has Superman coming back to his adopted home planet after being away for quite sometime.

Apparently astromers find remnants of what is to believed to by Krypton. Superman flies home to check it out only to find that Krypton is indeed no longer there. He returns home just in time to save the day and his former girlfriend Lois Lane. Lois has moved on with her life and has gotten married. She even has a little boy. Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent gets a job back at the Daily Planet where Lois and husband both work.

Aside from the special effects, Superman Returns has the feel of the Superman movies from the late 70s and early 80s, or better known as the good Superman movies. The cinematography and overall scope of the movie is very much like the Christopher Reeve Superman era. Lex Luthor, who is portrayed by Kevin Spacey, is a villain but isn’t over-the-top like how some comic book villains have been written for the movies. He is a bad guy and the audience will definitely know that, but he isn’t a scene stealer. Superman dominates the scenes that he is on, as it should be.

We watched Superman Returns on HBO and have passed it up as a rental choice for months. After watching the movie, I’m really wishing that I had rented it because it was a very entertaining movie worth the price of a rental.

Opening This Week

Many people will be curled up with the last Harry Potter book this weekend, so the movie theatres might be a little less crowded, making it a perfect time to take in what is new at the box office.

Hairspray is based upon the broadway musical and stars John Travolta as a plumpy teenager who lands a spot on a Baltimore dance show in the 1960s. She (not a typo, Travolta’s character is a girl) is out to show the weight-challenged crew a thing or two about real talent. Hairspray also features many stars like Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, and Michelle  Pfeiffer. You can always take in the 1988 version of the movie if you feel like staying at home this weekend. Hairspray is rated PG.

I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry stars Adam Sandler and Kevin James as two straight guys who are the best of buddies. These firefighters would do anything for each other, and Larry calls in a big favor when he is unable to name his children as beneficiaries of his life insurance policy. The two hatch a scheme to “wed,” which will allow a work-around in the bureaucratic mess. This comedy is full of typical and expected humor. I Now Pronounce is rated PG-13.

While the weekend doesn’t hold many new choices, there are still summer favorites playing like Transformers and the Fantastic Four. It might after all be a good weekend to curl up with that Harry Potter book.

Shrek the Fourth and Fifth Confirmed

Can’t get enough of the green ogre with a Scottish accent? Well, have no fear as there will be two more Shrek movies that will be made in the future. Shrek the Third was released in theatres in May and has been well received by audiences.

The tentative release date for the fourth Shrek movie will be in 2010. Dreamworks officials have not commented when the fifth movie might make it to the big screen. Apparently the Shrek story has five chapters with two more to be depicted in the last two movies. The fifth movie will be the final in the Shrek franchise. There is no word of the plot for the fourth Shrek movie yet, just that there will be one released in two years starring Shrek(Mike Myers), Donkey(Eddie Murphy), Fiona(Cameron Diaz), and Puss n Boots(Antonio Banderas).
So far in the Shrek tale we have seen him save the princess, fall in love, get married, find a best friend, and become a father. What does the future hold for Shrek now? I guess we will just have to wait a few years for the answer.

The Shrek movies are based upon the character in the children’s book Shrek by William Steig.

Cars

Cars is an animated film from Disney Pixar. The film is a nice story of a forgotten town on Route 66 and its vehicle inhabitants. While progress is great, it shows just how a good thing can be cast aside.

A hot race car named Lightning McQueen is on top of the world. He is an up and coming race car who gets lost on the way the biggest race of his career. He winds up off the beaten path in the town of Radiator Springs after a speeding violation. After damaging the road in the town, McQueen must repair the road before he is allowed to leave. While repairing the road, he befriends the cars in the town, including Doc Hudson, who teaches him a thing or two about racing.

When McQueen is found, he makes it to his big race, but his journey is far from over. Will he go back to his empty “on top of the world” life or go back to the place where he found true friendship?

Racing fans will enjoy the movie as it pays homage to great racers like Richard Petty and Dale Jarrett. Cars has plenty to offer in the form of entertainment for adults as well as kids.

Cars has unforgettable characters and a storyline that many from small towns will be able to relate to. It’s an enjoyable movie that is available on DVD. It will make a great rental or DVD purchase the whole family will enjoy again and again.

Shrek the Third

Shrek the Third is the 3rd movie in the Shrek franchise. The first Shrek movie has this undeniable charm about it. The second was an OK attempt at a sequel. Shrek the Third seem to get further away from what made Shrek such a great movie.

It seemed the third movie had less to do with the main characters and more about the supporting ones, which is very disappointing. I loved Shrek because of the characters but every since the first movie they have taken a back seat in the movies. I know that it is hard to come up with “what more can you do with these characters? so let’s bring in new ones” deal. New characters are fine, but don’t let them be the center of the whole story.

That said, Shrek is a very strong franchise because it’s cute and funny to kids and adults. Even an inferior Shrek movie is still a movie featuring Shrek, so therefore worth seeing. Although it’s doubtful the magic of the first one will ever be captured again, the sequels are good fun. It’s just hard to compare them with the first one since Shrek was such a good movie.

Shrek the Third has Shrek seeking an heir to the king’s throne, since, being married to Fiona, he is next to rule but really doesn’t want the job. He goes off in search of a distant cousin of Fiona’s to bring him back to take over as king. However, Prince Charming feels that he should be king and looks to take over the job while Shrek is away.

Shrek does have it’s funny moments. it is a lot of fun and very enjoyable. It is certainly worth the price of admission, just don’t expect the movie to be the same caliber as the first Shrek movie.

Bridge to Terabithia

When I first saw the preview for Bridge to Terabithia, my first reaction was here is a movie trying to capture some of the movie goers who are interested in movies like the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  The actual movie was a lot different than what impression the movie trailer had left with me.

Bridge to Terabithia is about two unlikely friends who embrace their imagination to create the world of Terabithia. Here they are the protectors of a fantasy land and fight off orges and other magical creatures. By learning how to protect the land, the fifth graders in turn learn lessons about life and dealing with difficult situations.

Bridge to Terabithia is based upon the children’s book by Katherine Peterson. The story is very endearing and the overall message of the movie is on that makes an impact.

While Terabithia wasn’t exactly the movie I was expecting, it was still very enjoyable. It’s a fun movie that really explores the trial and tribulations of growing up. The children are basically outcasts at school and find each other mainly because they are new neighbors. Jess is the only boy in his family of four sisters and struggles with doing the right thing at school. Leslie is new to school and has her own problems with making friends. She is a breath of fresh air who is a free spirit and free thinker. The two bond over their mutal love of running that begins a deep friendship.

Bridge to Terabithia is now available on DVD at video rental places everywhere.

New at the Box Office

This weekend millions of muggles will flock to catch the 5th movie in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. While it is expected to be the biggest release of the week, there are other new movies at the box office.

Captivity is about a top model who is kidnapped and is at the mercy of a sadistic person. This psychological thriller is rated R.

Talk to Me will open in limited release and stars Don Cheadle as Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene, Jr. The ex-con talks his way into an open DJ slot at a local Washington, DC radio station. Petey’s real life story is portrayed in this movie and can be funny, dramatic, and inspiring. Talk to Me is rated R.

My Best Friend is about Francois, an antiques dealer, who realizes over dinner with friends that no one can really stand him. He is arrogant and self-centered. His business partner Catherine makes a bet that if he can find a best friend, then he can keep an antique find of a vase made for the store. This comedy is a foreign film from France and is rated PG-13.

So, once you’ve seen Harry Potter, there are a few other movies to take in if you are so inclined.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

It’s a big month for Harry Potter fans. This week is the release of the fifth movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and next week is the release of the last book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Harrows.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will take the Hogwart’s students on many adventures and will be the darkest Harry Potter movie yet. In Order of the Phoenix, Harry returns to Hogwarts to begin his fifth year as a student as the school of wizardry. Harry learns that most wizards are in disbelief about his battle with Voldemort and think the whole story was a lie. A new dart arts teacher is at the school whose methods leave the students woefully unprepared. It’s up to Harry to teach the dark arts to his fellow students so they can be prepared for the battle ahead.

The Harry Potter books are packed with a lot of action and great storylines. Sometimes the movie adaptations have missed the mark with fans. We all have our favorite parts of the books and are disappointed when those are either left out or not done right. Still the Harry Potter movies are fun, and it’s been great to see the Potter cast grow up (although that has taken away from some from the movies when these older teens try to portray younger teens.)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix opens in theatres across the United States today.

Happy Birthday Tom Hanks!

Tom Hanks turns 51 today. He has a couple of movies that are coming out this year. The Great Buck Howard that he stars in with his son Colin casts John Malkovich as an illusionist whose career is failing. Colin plays his apprentice and Tom plays Colin’s father who is against him taking the job. Charlie Wilson’s War is due out in December and casts Hanks in the role Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson and his undercover dealings with rebels in Afghanistan and their fight against Russia. Those films have yet to be released, but there are still many great Tom Hanks films on video to watch in honor of his birthday.

Big was released in 1988 and stars Hanks as the grownup version of a kid who makes a wish to be “big.” Big is a comedy that is timeless. Anyone who has ever wished they would just already be grown up will surely appreciate Big.

The ‘Burbs is another comedy starring Hanks and Carrie Fisher. Hanks takes a vacation but becomes paranoid about his new neighbors, so he stays home the week pulling off covert operations to see just what they are up to.

A League of their Own While there might not be any crying in baseball, thank goodness there is laughter. This heart-warming comedy based on the all-women’s baseball league will surely touch your heart.

Apollo 13 is based on the real mission of Apollo 13 and it’s attempt to land on the moon. Apollo 13 failed and faced many problems. This is the story of the men who helped ensure that the astronauts were brought home safely.

Forrest Gump is an enthralling story of a man who really captures the human spirit. Forrest Gump might not be a smart man, but he leaves a lasting impression on the lives that he touches in the movie.

There are plenty of other great Tom Hanks films like The Green Mile, Philadelphia, Cast Away, and Catch Me if You Can. Just head on over to the local rental movie store. They are bound to have one of these classic Tom Hanks movies on the shelf.

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