Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie by ME

Title: The Simpsons Movie
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Pamela Hayden
Directed By: David Silverman
Produced By: Hyejoon Yun, David Mirkin, James L. Brooks
Genre: Comedy, Animation and Adaptation
Release Date: July 27th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for irreverent humor throughout.
Distributors: 20^th Century Fox

It takes a wide screen to fully capture Homer Simpson's stupidity, and The Simpsons Movie does it. In the eagerly-awaited animated feature film based on the hit TV series, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe that he himself created – Official Site

What is there that really needs to be said about a The Simpsons movie? I mean, all you really want is two things. 1. It's got to be good, and 2. It has to go a little farther than what they can do on TV without going over the top. Well, The Simpsons Movie delivers in spades. From the opening scene in which Homer makes fun of people paying to see the movie, to the end credits, The Simpsons Movie is just about perfect. Not too long, and yet not just an extended episode, The Simpsons Movie makes fun of everything from movie goers to Arnold Schwarzenegger, keeping nothing sacred.

The cast is just as perfect as they have always been. I have never really paid attention to who voices who in the show but I finally got an idea how hard the voice actors work on The Simpsons. Most notable is one scene where Marge is leaving Homer (again!) in which Julie Kavner's performance was heartbreaking. You could really tell how much it hurt her to say the things she said. I kind of expected a lot more cameos though. All we get is Green Day, Albert Brooks, Joe Montegna and Tom Hanks, but if that is my only gripe then I really can't complain.

I could go on all day about all of the things that this film pokes fun at but why ruin it for you? If you are a fan, you have probably already seen it. If you are a casual fan (like me) and have the extra cash, it is worth it to see it in a full theater. And FYI, there are some extras during the credits for those interested.

Visit the official site here.

Until Homer gets the Nobel Peace Prize,
keep reading

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: The Simpsons Movie by CD

Title: The Simpsons Movie
Starring: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Pamela Hayden
Directed By: David Silverman
Produced By: Hyejoon Yun, David Mirkin, James L. Brooks
Genre: Comedy, Animation and Adaptation
Release Date: July 27th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for irreverent humor throughout.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox

When Homer mistakenly pollutes the river with toxic waste from his "Pig Crap" silo, he causes the EPA to encase Springfield in a glass dome, and must save them before President Schwarzenegger gives the order for the town to be destroyed. - IMDB.COM

Okay, let me try and put away my inner fan boy. I will admit being a fan of The Simpsons and trying to write an unbiased review is almost a futile as Homer attempting to solve quantum equations. Anyways let's get to this review.

I was initially worried that it wouldn't translate well from tv screen to movie screen. That for some reason, I would be let down as I have been with certain superhero movies that shall go unnamed ::cough:: Spiderman 3 ::cough:: Fantastic 4 ROTSS; but I kept hope in my heart and did my best to put on my big boy pants and deal with whatever came across the screen.

Matt Groening delivered big time. From the opening credits till the end credits, it was one big side splitter of a film. I don't want to give anything away, so it will be a bit difficult to tell you anything about this film. Let me just say that I haven't laughed so much or so hard at a movie in quite some time.

Visually the movie surprised me due to how good the 2-D animation looked. Of course, they added some 3-D animation in for certain scenes, but it was done in a seamless fashion. This is also one of the movies where you have to keep your eyes open for all the little sight gags in the background.

Some may be surprised to see such a short running time for this movie. 87 minutes doesn't seem like much of a movie in a world of big epic 2 and 3 hours movies, but it was a perfect harmonious match for the film. You didn't end up feeling like it was getting boring. I actually wished there had been a little more, but if you take into account the end credit gags, it seems like there is more movie.

Bottom Line? Go see this movie. It is worth the ticket price.

I am going to borrow Mitch's way of ending a review with a snappy line, only because I thought of one for a change.

Until Harry Plopper and the Half Mud Rinse comes out.
Read on!

C.R.Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Sunshine by ME

Title: Sunshine
Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Rose Byrne
Directed By: Danny Boyle
Produced By: Andrew Macdonald, Bernard Bellew
Genre: Action/Adventure, Art/Foreign, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Thriller
Release Date: July 27th, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
Distributors: 20th Century Fox International, Fox Searchlight Pictures

When the sun begins to die, a team of scientists - Cassie (Rose Byrne), Searle (Cliff Curtis), Mace (Chris Evans), Harvey (Troy Garity), Capa (Cillian Murphy), Kaneda (Hiroyuki Sanada), Trey (Benedict Wong) and Corazon (Michell Yeogh) are sent to reignite the sun in order to save all of mankind. Through unforeseen events, catastrophes, and sabotage, the crew are in a race against time while some one or some thing is determined to stop them.

On the surface Sunshine is your standard Sci-Fi deep space disaster movie, but there is something underlying that speaks volumes. Sunshine is about sacrifices. Plain and simple. Through many mini disasters you see the crews determination to complete the mission at all costs including murder, sacrifice and downright lunacy. Danny Boyle proves once again that he is on the rise. Although the story is slow at times, there is enough action, thrills and suspense to keep you hanging on for the ride. Towards the end things get a little hazy due to some chaotic camera movements and a blurring effect that I believe is supposed to add an element of the unknown but just frustrated me as I wanted to see what the hell was going on! But, in the end, it all comes together to make for a slightly different take on the standard plot of this type while still packing a punch.

Each actor and actress has at least one shining moment on the big screen. Whether it's emotional turmoil due to a decision that needs to be made, determination to follow through, or a reaction to an event. I don't want to break this down as I usually do, but let it suffice to say that there aren't any bad performances in this flick and that while there won't be any awards for Sunshine, the importance of their mission lends a gravity to each performance.

Effects wise there are some beautiful shots of the sun and it's raw power, as well as other displays of energy signatures and things of that sort. Nothing super outstanding, good or bad. And to me that is a sign of well done effects. You just accept them for what they are.

Final thoughts – while this movie will most likely be attacked for it's lack of scientific realism (I have said it before and I will say it again – If you want realism, watch a documentary), I will, at the very least, recommend it for a DVD viewing if you can't catch it while it is in theaters.

Don't forget to vist the official site at www.foxsearchlight.com/sunshine

I wanted to come with a Little Miss Sunshine joke here, but couldn't do it.

So keep reading,

Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

DVD Review: Dead Silence by JR

Beware the stare of Mary Shaw. She had no children, only dolls. And if you see her in your dreams, make sure you never ever scream.

The legend of Mary Shaw haunted the dreams of many children of the small town of Raven’s Fair. After his wife is mysteriously murdered, Jamie must travel home to face his family and to try to break the curse.

“Dead Silence”, by the same writers and director who brought us “Saw”, is proof that lightning only strikes once in one place. Being a big fan of the “Saw” movies, I was pretty excited to see this one, even though it got awful reviews. I figured that it got awful reviews because it was a horror movie with an early in the year release. Those kinds of movies almost always get bad reviews. This one unfortunately warranted the bad reviews.

The biggest reason why it was so bad was that it followed every horror/detective movie stereotype. For example, Donnie Wahlberg’s character. Let me paint a picture of what he looks like the first time we see him. He’s got a handlebar moustache, a receding hairline, a perpetual five-o-clock shadow, he’s wearing a trench coat and a shirt and tie, loosely tied around his neck to appear disheveled, and he’s eating a doughnut. Gee, I wonder what his character does for a living. Perhaps he’s a cop? No, better! He’s a detective investigating the murder of Jamie’s wife. Every line this guy delivers is straight out of any noir/detective/good cop bad cop type movie or TV show. It starts out as laughable, but by the end of the movie it’s just ridiculous. Can’t this guy get a gig on Dancing With the Stars like the other boy band has beens?

The movie also used the same effects over and over again. This one in particular: A car will be driving down a road. Then the image of the car on the road will morph into the map of the area, the sign for the town of Raven’s Fair, then it will morph from the sign back into the car driving down the road. The movie used this same effect several times. The first time it’s cool. The second, third, and fourth times? Not so much.

The action moved way too slow for my taste. Especially for a horror movie. We see the one killing in the beginning (again, stereotypical), but then the next killing isn’t until we’ve passed the hour mark. And nothing is accomplished in this hour!!

Oh yeah, and since it’s by the same folks who wrote “Saw”, there’s a “twist” ending. Wow. The twist is glossed by so quickly that I really could care less about trying to figure it out. I’m sure it does make sense, if you spent the time online reading message boards or watching some of the special features, but really, I don’t care. It was simply ridiculous.

I’ve been trying to think of positive things about this movie while I’ve been writing about all of the bad things about it…the only thing I could think of was the doll. Billy. He’s really got a creepy voice. I don’t know who did his voice, but it was really creepy.

Visit the official site at http://www.deadsilencemovie.net/

Jenny Rushing
beccajane67@yahoo.com

DVD Review: Coyote Funeral by CD

Title: Coyote Funeral
Starring: Jono Young, Zach Freeman, Nikole Salas, Elizabeth Wilson
Directed By: Phelps Harmon, Jason May
Produced By: Jason May, Sherng-Lee Huang, Taten Sheridan
Genre: Drama
Release Date: June 19, 2007
MPAA Rating: NA
Distributors: Coyote Funeral Productions

When Casey Cannon sees the Texas road sign that proclaims 857 miles to El Paso, he takes it as a challenge to traverse the giant state on foot. His brother Dustin can only follow to protect him. Whether or not they make it will depend less on braving the elements than surviving each other. -IMDB.COM

This film caught my attention from the minute I read the tag line. “In a walk across Texas, the greatest distance is between two brothers” I am not entirely sure why that tag line caught me. I am glad it did though, otherwise, I would have missed a really good story.

Casey Cannon (Jono Young) is a normal loving son and brother, until he sees something “No boy should ever know about his momma”. He takes off to where ever the wind may blow him. Leaving behind his older brother, Dustin (Zach Freeman), to deal with helping out at their family ranch. Time jumps ahead a bit and Casey comes home just in time to take a trip with Dustin. They set off to head back home. Although Casey is strongly protesting going home, he stills uses the trip as an opportunity to bond a little bit and get to know his brother again. Along the way they pick up Nancy Kate (Nikole Salas) who Casey thinks is just what Dustin needs to snap out of his sadness over his woman giving him the boot.

This film started off kind of choppy, The transitioning from scene to seen in the first few minutes of the movie seemed like the editor was still trying to get a feel for this film's flow. By the time they reach the El Paso sign things begin to move more fluidly. Even though it is a drama it had a few entertaining moments in fights between the two brothers. Plus you have to love some of the terminology that Texans use.

Casey can get on your nerves at times with how brash and vocal he is on his views on life and women, but so can Dustin with his whining and pining for his ex. These two are almost the quintessential idea of brothers. Two opposites that when combined work well, that is if they can stop arguing. Through course of the movie both Dustin and Casey end up finding something inside them they didn't know was there. I love these kinds of movies, where the audience gets to grow with the character.

All in all this was a pretty good showing for an Independent film. It kept me involved and wanting to know where the story was going through the entire 87 minutes. Both myself and my wife enjoyed this film, and I will be recommending it to a few friends as well.

Visit the official Coyote Funeral Website.

Keep sending me those Indie films!
C.R. Dunham
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

News: FOX ATOMIC ANNOUNCES PRESENCE AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2007

FOX ATOMIC ANNOUNCES PRESENCE AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2007



LOS ANGELES, CA, JULY 23, 2007 – Fox Atomic announced today its plans for the upcoming Comic-Con International Convention in San Diego, CA on July 26-29. The initiatives planned will include signings and giveaways on behalf of the Fox Atomic graphic novels The Nightmare Factory (retails 9/07), 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, and The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning; an online sweepstakes to win the 1969 Ford Mustang from the film Death Sentence (8/31), starring Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, and Kelly Preston, and directed by James Wan (Saw); and a contest at the Fox Atomic booth where fans enter to win a Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by the cast of The Rocker, which stars Rainn Wilson and Christina Applegate.

On September 4, 2007, Fox Atomic Comics will release The Nightmare Factory, a compilation of short stories based on the work of horror writer Thomas Ligotti. The Nightmare Factory is the third graphic novel to be released by Fox Atomic Comics, the graphic novel publishing arm of the studio that enjoyed glowing reviews and exceptional sales for its debut book 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, written by horror master Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), as well as for their second novel The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning, written by comics veterans Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray. On hand at the booth throughout the day to discuss these novels will be artists Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, and Michael Gaydos, and writers Joe Harris and Stuart Moore (The Nightmare Factory); writer Steve Niles and cover artist Tim Bradstreet (28 Days Later: The Aftermath); and writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning).

On behalf of Fox Atomic’s upcoming film Death Sentence (8/31), Kevin Bacon, Garrett Hedlund, and director James Wan (Saw) will be participating in a booth signing on Saturday, 7/28 at 3 PM. Fox Atomic will also launch an online sweepstakes to win the 1969 Ford Mustang from the film. The contest officially begins when the doors to Comic-Con open on Wednesday, 7/25. Fans can enter to win at the computer kiosks set up at the booth or at the official movie website, deathsentencemovie.com, until opening day, 8/31. Moreover, Fox Atomic will release a limited edition poster of the film that will be exclusive to Comic-Con.

In anticipation of the forthcoming film The Rocker, starring Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Josh Gad, Emma Stone, and Jeff Garlin, Fox Atomic will launch a contest at the booth where fans enter to win a Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by the cast. The contest commences when the doors to Comic-Con open on Wednesday, 7/25 and closes when the Convention ends on Sunday, 7/29.


About Fox Atomic
Fox Atomic is a culturally branded entertainment company providing theatrical movies and digital content targeting the 17-24 year old demographic. Their next release will be the sports comedy The Comebacks (October 26th). Atomic also houses a graphic novel division, with distribution through sister company HarperCollins. Their next graphic novel, “The Nightmare Factory,” will be released on September 4th. “28 Days Later: The Aftermath,” Atomic’s first graphic novel, hit shelves on April 3rd. Shortly following was “The Hills Have Eyes: The Beginning” (July ’07). Formed in 2006, this new entity of Fox Filmed Entertainment produces and acquires product spanning all media platforms, and various genres.

Go YELLOW on July 27th in support of the Simpsons!

GO YELLOW

FRIDAY JULY 27^TH

in support of

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE

It takes a wide screen to fully capture Homer Simpson’s stupidity, and THE SIMPSONS MOVIE does it. On Friday, July 27^th, 20^th Century Fox will release the eagerly-awaited animated feature film based on the hit TV series, worldwide! In support of the world’s first family of comedy, The Simpson’s, everyone will be encouraged to GO YELLOW by simply……..wearing YELLOW on Friday, July 27^th! So pull out your favorite YELLOW t-shirt, sweater, baseball hat or even that itsy-bitsy tiny weenie YELLOW polka dot bikini, and show Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie how much we love them!

In THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, Homer must save the world from a catastrophe he himself created. Starring in the animated film are Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Pamela Hayden, Tress MacNeille, and Albert Brooks. Producing the feature are “The Simpsons” series executive producer James L. Brooks, creator Matt Groening, current showrunner Al Jean, Mike Scully and Richard Sakai. The script is written by Groening, Brooks, Jean, Scully, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti – all series veterans. David Silverman (MONSTERS, INC.), the series’ supervising animation director, is helming the feature. THE SIMPSONS MOVIE is rated PG-13 and opens in theaters on July 27^th.

GO YELLOW – FRIDAY JULY 27th

DVD Review Link: Barb Wire by ME

Here is something a little different. My second contribution to The Comic Book Bin's Dark Horse month is a review of the 1996 Pamela Anderson vehicle Barb Wire. Since the review is for them, I am just going to post a link to it here. Please, come back and comment.

Keep reading,
Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Talk To Me by ME

Title: Talk To Me
Starring: Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji Henson, Cedric The Entertainer, Mike Epps
Directed By: Kasi Lemmons
Produced By: Miles Dale, William Horberg, Bruce Toll
Genre: Drama and Biopic
Release Date: July 13th, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive language and some sexual content.
Distributors: Focus Features

Don Cheadle is a phenomenal actor and proves it once again with Talk To Me, the story of Washington D.C. D.J. Petey Greene (Don Cheadle). From his beginnings as a DJ in prison in 1966 to his appearance on The Tonight Show, Talk To Me follows the ups and downs of Petey, Dewey Hughes (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Vernell Watson (Taraji P. Henson).

As an unknown director, well, unknown to me, Kasi Lemmons directs this gem of a film perfectly with a great blend of humor and gravity. One moment you have our characters reacting to the death of Martin Luther King Jr., which on a side note, really got to me how it was done, and then you get Don Cheadle pulling a Tom Cruise, dancing in his underwear. In a period piece like this it is hard to work celebrity personalities that are well known into a film when they are supposed to be roughly 40 years younger at the time. Talk To Me handles this issue in a number of ways, and does it well. Actual footage, lookalikes and most interestingly a combination of the two. One scene has Johnny Carson out of focus in the background, then the camera pans down to a monitor where they used actual footage from The Tonight Show. I thought it was pretty nifty so I decided to mention it here.

I am really beginning to like Don Cheadle as an actor. Although I prefer him in semi funny roles, he is a great dramatic actor that has a presence that can exude sadness or happiness, sometimes at the same time. He is definitely one of the better actors out there and with a slick radio voice and a colorful wardrobe, he is perfect as Petey Greene. Chiwetel Ejiofor is definitely making his way up the ladder. My first introduction to was as the extremely polite, yet deadly assassin in Serenity where he was just a bad ass. Then came Children Of Men where everyone was on the ball. He does a great job here first as a self righteous ass, then as a friend to Petey, then a rival and back to friend again.

For supporting roles, we have few worth mentioning. Taraji Henson is spunky as hell as Greene's girlfriend/wife and provides a lot of, shall we say color to the film. I don't know if they ever got married but she puts up with more crap than most wives that I know. Other cast members worth mention in supporting roles are Cedric The Entertainer (Who needs to stick to smaller roles like this instead of starring in crap like Codename: The Cleaner) as fellow D.J. Nighthawk, Martin Sheen who is funny as the straight laced radio station owner, and Mike Epps, who is way underused as Dewey's brother Milo.

The only thing that makes Talk To Me a little difficult to deal with is the language. This movie is rated R for a reason and there is a ton of bad language. Now this didn't hurt the film in my eyes as they are just "keeping it real", but some viewers may be turned off by it.

Until Petey Greene does a morning show with Adrian Cronauer,
keep reading (yes I know Petey is dead, but I needed a joke).

Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

5 out of 5

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by ME

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman
Directed By: David Yates
Produced By: Lionel Wigram, Tanya Seghatchian, Antony Hunt
Genre: Action/Adventure, Kids/Family, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: July 11th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

Fun time at Hogwarts has come to an end. With Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) having returned, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and newcomer Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) create the Army of Dumbledore. Training secretly while trying to deal with totalitarian rules imposed by Delores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor appointed by the Ministry of Magic, Harry and co. try to prepare for a war that no one can be ready for.

Before we start, I want to tell you that i have not read the book OOTP. This will not be a book to movie comparison.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is by far the best of the series. David Yates puts an even darker spin on the popular series than his predecessors. And rightfully so, for when it comes to Lord Voldemort's return, education must come second after preparation for war. Yes there is a difference, just look at Delores Umbridge's method of teaching. All books and no magic make for poor survival skills. Gone is a lot of the fun and games that have given the other films a lighter mood. The action and danger have been ramped up a few notches. The final battle in the film starts as a free for all with spectacular effects as well as an emotional element that could tear Harry apart.

The whole crew is back in some shape or form. So just a few quick notes. Daniel Radcliffe has become quite the actor, giving Harry a new depth through his portrayal of anguish and turmoil. Newcomer Evanna Lynch plays Luna Lovegood with the perfect amount of spaciness. Alan Rickman gets to shine as Severus Snapes in at least one scene. Helena Bonham Carter plays crazy very well. Anybody else think she looks just like she did in Novocaine? Lastly, I would not want to be Imelda Staunton. She plays Delores Umbridge so perfectly annoying that I will bet that she is going to be receiving a ton of hate mail from younger fans. Even I wanted to strangle her.

I know that this review does not do the movie justice. I cannot begin to describe the feelings that this chapter in the story has visited upon me. From the beginning to the end you get foreboding, anxiety, apprehension, exultation and elation but with an underlying knowledge that this is just the beginning of the trials and tribulations for these characters that we have all come to know and love over the past six years. I can't wait until the next one!

Until Harry Potter and the Geriatric Gremlins,
Keep reading

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: License To Wed by ME

Title: License to Wed
Starring: Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, Christine Taylor, Roxanne Hart
Directed By: Ken Kwapis
Produced By: Bradley Fischer, David Thwaites, Kim Zubick (II)
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: July 3rd, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual humor and language.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

In License To Wed, Robin Williams plays Reverend Frank, an unorthodox (I'll say!) marriage counselor who requires prospective wedding vow takers to complete a “Marriage Preparation Course” before tying the knot in his church. With annoying little sidekick Choir Boy, which isn't his character name, but it's all I could find online, Rev. Frank is about to make Ben and Sadie's engagement a living hell.

License To Wed is actually a romantic comedy masquerading as a Robin Williams movie. On the outside this film can be seen as just another Robin Williams movie but what comes through, subtly at first, is how the bond of love needs to be tempered to become strong. And if anything can do it, it's Rev. Frank's course. Although the film suffers from “Traileritis”, an affliction where all the best scenes are revealed in the trailer, most of those scenes are a bit longer and funnier. The best scene comedy wise has to be the robot baby scenes, where Ben and Sadie are given robotic twin babies to take care of and these things go haywire in a mall. Did I forget to mention that they are also watching a friends two kids at the same time? Now don't get me wrong, the film is a pretty good comedy but for some reason, I was actually able to read a little more into it than what I usually do. The base feeling is that Ben and Sadie love each other and are willing to go through hell to be with each other; although that realization comes at different moments for each of them.

In comedies like this no one really gets to stretch their acting wings. Robin Williams is Robin Williams, John Krasinski basically is the same as his character from The Office, Mandy Moore is pretty much rehashing her character Milly from Because I Said So and is unbelievable as a control freak in denial because she looks too much like a sweetheart. There are quite a few familiar faces peppered throughout the film including Christine Taylor, Eric Christian Olsen and The Office regulars Mindy Kaling, Angela Kinsey, Rachael Harris and Brian Baumgartner. One last mention, there is a kid credited as Choir Boy, played by Josh Flitter. Seems like an afterthought tossed in the script at the last minute, not to mention being a blatant rip off blended from Andy Milonakis and the The Man Show boy. He just annoyed the hell out of me.

While not quite as misrepresented as Man of the Year, License to Wed is not a Robin Williams movie as we know and love him, but it is still a pretty decent romantic comedy that would work as a date movie, or maybe not, seeing as this takes all the things that could go wrong in a marriage and turns it up to 11. But don't distress! There is actually a message and coupled with some decent laughs, License to Wed will provide you with an evening of amusing entertainment.

Until we get Mork and Mindy: The Movie,
Keep reading

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Transformers by ME

Title: Transformers
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Bernie Mac, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson
Directed By: Michael Bay
Produced By: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Release Date: July 2nd, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: di Bonaventura Pictures, Inc., Paramount Pictures

For centuries, two races of robotic aliens – the Autobots and the Decepticons – have waged a war, with the fate of the universe at stake. When the battle comes to Earth, all that stands between the evil Decepticons and ultimate power is a clue held by young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). An average teenager, Sam is consumed with everyday worries about school, friends, cars and girls. Unaware that he alone is mankind's last chance for survival, Sam and his friend Mikaela (Megan Fox) find themselves in a tug of war between the Autobots and Decepticons. With the world hanging in the balance, Sam comes to realize the true meaning behind the Witwicky family motto - “No sacrifice, no victory!” -Official Transformers Site

For those of you who have been under a rock for the last year or two, there has been a lot of controversy about Michael Bay's vision of the Transformers. From voice casting to the makes of the cars to paint jobs, everything has been in question by purists who hate it when people take liberties with their childhood memories. As a kid, between me and my step-brother, we had at least two dozen Transformer toys and we watched the show religiously. So before you go saying that they changed this and they ruined that let me say, I KNOW! I saw the movie, and you know what? It doesn't matter. Bay and company got the spirit right. Which isn't hard considering it's good robots against bad robots with humanity stuck in the middle.

The story is almost irrelevant in movies like this. It just serves as an excuse to get these robots fighting. I'm not saying that the story line is bad, just that I didn't care as long as the action, effects and general feel of the movie kept me riveted. And one thing you have got to give Michael Bay credit for is that the man knows how to do action. With 8 or 9 robots fighting and throwing tanks and cars around, car chases galore, robot free for alls and screaming jets, Bay is in perfect form. I have never seen better effects, ever. Not once did I say FAKE! or anything. While the transformations had a few too many moving parts and weren't consistent as to how long each transformation took, they still looked spectacular. And to hear Peter Cullen's voice come from Optimus Prime was worth the price of admission alone.

Which leads to casting. Shia LaBeouf has been ridiculed and hated by hardcore fans. But you know what, he is fine in this. Sure there are moments where he needs to lay off the Red Bull, but he is a neurotic teenager who has to help save the world. All while looking cool for Megan Fox, who, btw, is way too hot to be in this movie. Besides LaBeouf's Sam, this almost feels like an ensemble cast. You have Josh Duhamel. Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson and John Turturro. And Turturro takes the cake as the most useless and pointless government employee ever. Played over the top and out of place, I think that he actually hurts the film. Anthony Anderson takes second place as the second most useless character playing a genius computer hacker. I have no complaints about any of the Transformers voices. While not exactly the same as they were in the cartoon, with the exception of Optimus Prime, who is voiced by original cartoon actor Peter Cullen, all voices work well. Many have expressed disdain for Hugo Weaving as Megatron, but you can hardly tell it's him.

Only two things I can complain about. The little CD boombox Decepticon was just plain annoying. He was too much like a monkey crossed with a gremlin and was just too comical and out of place when put in perspective with the rest of the Decepticons. The other is a scene in which Sam must hide the 30 foot tall Autobots from his parents. It almost degrades into something you would see in a Three Stooges short.

I think Transformers just may be the first big blockbuster of the summer and if you have any remote interest, you should see it in theaters at least once.

Visit the official site here - http://www.transformersmovie.com/

Until Transformers vs. the Go-Bots,
keep reading

Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com