Not ready for prime time
It's a bad sign when the only clip from this new National Lampoon's movie that made it into the trailer involves Jackass' Steve-O dressed up like the devil and giggling like a gremlin. If you beleive the advertising, the producers can't show you any more because it would be too offensive, hence the 'R' rating.
I didn't buy it. I though this movie must be either so bad, or so unfinished, that the producers had nothing better or funnier to put in the preview. No "rocket sauce" as Jack Black might say. I visited their website to test my hypothesis.
Well, we were both right.
Judging from the clips Xenon Pictures posted online, every third word in this movie is either cock, balls or fuck, which would make it pretty hard to put a coherent trailer together. However, previewing a gag about "The world's Most Pointless Stunts" staring Steve-O, that's supposed to be a send-up of MTV's Jackass isn't going to get many people into the theater. One bright note for the this film: several out of work actors are getting a pay day. It's good to see Judd Neslon (New Jack City), Jayson Mewes (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) and Chris Pontius (Jackass), "Wee Man" (Jackass) and Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man) all getting some screen time.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Review The Preview: TV Edition
With two, very exciting shows beginning their seasons in January, we felt it would be a great time to review the previews for 24 Season 6, and The Hills Season 2.
Bauer Power
After an amazing off-season (5 Emmys, including Best Actor, Director, and Series), 24 is finally back following what seemed like a 2 year hiatus. As it turns out, Season 6 takes place two years after we last saw Jack Bauer, when he was being kidnapped by the Chinese for just doing his job. Bauer buddy, Wayne Palmer is now the Presdent, and times are tough with multiple terror attacks in different US cities shaking the confidence of the American people. So Prez. Palmer II does the only thing that makes sense, and bails Jack out of China to save the day again...only this time there's a catch. To save the world, Jack Bauer must die (not sure why yet, he just does). This clearly doesn't phase Jack, who's already died twice and since saved the day like 3 times.
It looks like things will be kicking off in traditional 24 fashion with two 2-hour, action filled nights on January 14th and 15th. Some notable newcomers to Season 6 are James Cromwell (Babe), Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar), and Rick Shroder, who will be filling the "Sean Astin-weird-old-child actor" spot this year. Bottom line is you don't want to miss Jack supporting the Ted Kaczynski look when he walks off that plane and enters the land he loves, or any other second of this season. Jack bless America!
Do you understand the difference between dying for something, and dying for nothing?
The Hills are Alive!
Season 2 of The Hills shows us a wiser but more jaded LC, who has (gasp!) just broken up with her BF after choosing him over the opportunity of a lifetime in Paris. What a moron, huh? I mean everyone in the universe knew that Jordan was a total douche except LC. WTF? Anyhoo, LC clearly can't handle being the only single member of her crew, and tries to make a pact with best friend, Heidi, to remain single for the year. I'm sure it'll all work out since they are both selfless and loyal.
The even more exciting story line follows Heidi, who at one point takes a pregnancy test to see if her and her boyfriend accidentally created the world's dumbest embryo. I think she must be pregnant. Her morning sickness is as bad as its ever been, and it can't be from the excessive binge drinking that this 90 pound waif has been doing, can it?
Jealousy, pregnancy, and stupidity - the three components to any successful TV show, and The Hills has them all.
With 24 on at 9, and The Hills coming on at 10, my Monday Nights are pretty much booked 'til June.
With two, very exciting shows beginning their seasons in January, we felt it would be a great time to review the previews for 24 Season 6, and The Hills Season 2.
Bauer Power
After an amazing off-season (5 Emmys, including Best Actor, Director, and Series), 24 is finally back following what seemed like a 2 year hiatus. As it turns out, Season 6 takes place two years after we last saw Jack Bauer, when he was being kidnapped by the Chinese for just doing his job. Bauer buddy, Wayne Palmer is now the Presdent, and times are tough with multiple terror attacks in different US cities shaking the confidence of the American people. So Prez. Palmer II does the only thing that makes sense, and bails Jack out of China to save the day again...only this time there's a catch. To save the world, Jack Bauer must die (not sure why yet, he just does). This clearly doesn't phase Jack, who's already died twice and since saved the day like 3 times.
It looks like things will be kicking off in traditional 24 fashion with two 2-hour, action filled nights on January 14th and 15th. Some notable newcomers to Season 6 are James Cromwell (Babe), Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar), and Rick Shroder, who will be filling the "Sean Astin-weird-old-child actor" spot this year. Bottom line is you don't want to miss Jack supporting the Ted Kaczynski look when he walks off that plane and enters the land he loves, or any other second of this season. Jack bless America!
Do you understand the difference between dying for something, and dying for nothing?
The Hills are Alive!
Season 2 of The Hills shows us a wiser but more jaded LC, who has (gasp!) just broken up with her BF after choosing him over the opportunity of a lifetime in Paris. What a moron, huh? I mean everyone in the universe knew that Jordan was a total douche except LC. WTF? Anyhoo, LC clearly can't handle being the only single member of her crew, and tries to make a pact with best friend, Heidi, to remain single for the year. I'm sure it'll all work out since they are both selfless and loyal.
The even more exciting story line follows Heidi, who at one point takes a pregnancy test to see if her and her boyfriend accidentally created the world's dumbest embryo. I think she must be pregnant. Her morning sickness is as bad as its ever been, and it can't be from the excessive binge drinking that this 90 pound waif has been doing, can it?
Jealousy, pregnancy, and stupidity - the three components to any successful TV show, and The Hills has them all.
With 24 on at 9, and The Hills coming on at 10, my Monday Nights are pretty much booked 'til June.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
What up, Alpha Dog?
'Alpha Dog,' directed by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook), is loosely based on the real life exploits of the notorious SoCal drug dealer, Jesse James Hollywood aka Sean Michaels (he probably changed his name to avoid confusion with the pro-wrestler?). Hollywood is touted as one of the youngest people to crack the FBI's top 10 most wanted list, doing so by the incorrigible age of 20.
In the movie, Hollywood's character is written in under the name Johnny Truelove, and is played by Emile Hirsch. At first I thought that Hirsch was Turtle from Entourage, and lost weight to do the role. After further research it appears that Hirsch is a completely different actor who you may know from his last role in 'The Lords of Dogtown' (apparently the guy loves dogs). The film also stars Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, and then a whole slew of people who are not real actors, including Justin Timberlake, Fernando Vargas, Janet Jones (Wayne Gretzky's wife) and Paulina Gretzky (Wayne's daughter!). Oh, and in a strange twist of fate, Timberlake is cast in a role to play a character that can only be loosely based on Kevin Federline. Take that K-Fed.
If this movie is anything like 'The Notebook,' and I think it will be, then we are all in for a treat.
'Alpha Dog,' directed by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook), is loosely based on the real life exploits of the notorious SoCal drug dealer, Jesse James Hollywood aka Sean Michaels (he probably changed his name to avoid confusion with the pro-wrestler?). Hollywood is touted as one of the youngest people to crack the FBI's top 10 most wanted list, doing so by the incorrigible age of 20.
In the movie, Hollywood's character is written in under the name Johnny Truelove, and is played by Emile Hirsch. At first I thought that Hirsch was Turtle from Entourage, and lost weight to do the role. After further research it appears that Hirsch is a completely different actor who you may know from his last role in 'The Lords of Dogtown' (apparently the guy loves dogs). The film also stars Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone, and then a whole slew of people who are not real actors, including Justin Timberlake, Fernando Vargas, Janet Jones (Wayne Gretzky's wife) and Paulina Gretzky (Wayne's daughter!). Oh, and in a strange twist of fate, Timberlake is cast in a role to play a character that can only be loosely based on Kevin Federline. Take that K-Fed.
If this movie is anything like 'The Notebook,' and I think it will be, then we are all in for a treat.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Negative, Ghost Rider
Director Mark Steven Johnson did such a bang out job adapting Daredevil from a Marvel comic-book series to a feature film, Sony Pictures decided to give him another shot behind the camera. This time, instead of a blind motorcycle-riding hero like the one Ben Affleck played in Daredevil, we get the titular Ghost Rider, a flaming (as in on fire, not homosexual) motorcycle-riding zombie by night and a daredevil motorcycle-riding stuntman called Johnny Blaze by day, all played by Nicolas Cage. Eva Mendes, Sam Elliot and Peter Fonda also appear on screen to say things like, "Johnny, No!" And: "By night, in the presence of evil, the Rider takes over."
Years ago, Johnny cut a deal with Mephisto (Fonda, as the Devil) and is cursed to ride his blazing hog through the night. I can only assume the movie follows Blaze's attempts to free himself from the curse's clutches and probably save the world too. Along the way, it seems he'll have to contend with some, er, fallen angels. I'd better let Mark Steven Johnson explain:
Well said, Mark.
Director Mark Steven Johnson did such a bang out job adapting Daredevil from a Marvel comic-book series to a feature film, Sony Pictures decided to give him another shot behind the camera. This time, instead of a blind motorcycle-riding hero like the one Ben Affleck played in Daredevil, we get the titular Ghost Rider, a flaming (as in on fire, not homosexual) motorcycle-riding zombie by night and a daredevil motorcycle-riding stuntman called Johnny Blaze by day, all played by Nicolas Cage. Eva Mendes, Sam Elliot and Peter Fonda also appear on screen to say things like, "Johnny, No!" And: "By night, in the presence of evil, the Rider takes over."
Years ago, Johnny cut a deal with Mephisto (Fonda, as the Devil) and is cursed to ride his blazing hog through the night. I can only assume the movie follows Blaze's attempts to free himself from the curse's clutches and probably save the world too. Along the way, it seems he'll have to contend with some, er, fallen angels. I'd better let Mark Steven Johnson explain:
Well said, Mark.
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