Random Movie News to Know – The Week of June 20-26 2011

This the third week of June marks two occasions. First as you most likely have noticed is the return of my weekly news posts. Having made my way back into the swing of a lazy summer I now have the time to keep track of a lot of the news that I couldn't keep up with during the school year.

The second and my first piece of news this year is the unfortunate but entirely predictable fate that has fallen upon those who may do no wrong. "They" being the renowned animation studio Pixar and that wrong doing is their first critically proclaimed failure Cars 2. Currently on the Rotten Tomatoes critic scale Cars 2 has made its way down to the rotten half of the scale bottoming out currently at a 35% approval rating. To put that in perspective the average scores of Pixar films land in the mid 90% rating showing strong followings with both critics and audiences. For those of you not to be discouraged the film does still hold a solid 77% approval among the 40,000 moviegoers who have managed to report back to Rotten Tomatoes with their thoughts, so all is not lost for Pixar and Cars fans. For my thoughts on the film and whether it falls in line with the RT scale keep an eye out for my upcoming 100 words on Cars 2.

This week it was announced that the upcoming addition to Robert Rodriguez' Spy Kids franchise titled Spy Kids: All the Time in the World would be released in 4D. What exactly does this mean for moviegoers? Why that aside from a pair of bulky uncomfortable glasses you will also be expected to scratch and sniff cards along with the film to receive the aromas of the scene. I was initially apathetic towards the news. Oh well a children's film will be coming out with a gimmicky addition that I am sure they will likely enjoy. Then it occured to me that is exactly how 3D films became what they are today. Will 4D become the new 3D? Lets hope not.

A bit of news that came out of this week that still bothers me every time the idea is brought up is that of the remake of 1994 cult hit The Crow. A film that many hold dear as it was Brandon Lee's first and last major role before his untimely death while filming has been for a long time floating around the studio in talks of a remake. Straight to DVD sequels with new actors and various television adaptations have all made their way to light in the past and fallen quickly into obscurity so this remake is definitely a gamble for The Weinstein Company. With Bradley Cooper set to star in the film and Watchmen's Alex Tse working on a rewrite of the current script it seems like it is only a matter of time before The Crow returns once again.


I couldn't help but make this week's trailer none other than The Muppets. After teasing audiences with spoof trailer after spoof trailer ranging anywhere from a romance, to the Green Lantern this week Disney finally let the real deal out of the bag. The Jason Segel written and starred reboot is due out this Thanksgiving.

100 Word Review - Green Lantern

One of DC's mainstay characters finally makes his way to the big screen but will the green-tinged will-power of fans be appeased? Relatively unacquainted with the hero I approached the film with an open mind. What I found was a solid story of an irresponsible twit who despite his shortcomings is chosen by an alien force to posses the power of will. Unfortunately to say the story stands its ground is not a praise to its writers who shell out cheesy dialogue by the pound. In addition effects reminiscent of past comic flops leave Green Lantern in its blackest night.

100 Word Review - Midnight in Paris

Taking a step back from his classic style legendary director Woody Allen makes his way to Paris to tell the story of a starry-eyed romantic gushing over the city of his dream alongside a less enthusiastic fiance. His longing to share the lifestyle of the roaring 20's movers and shakers find him slipping down the rabbit hole and into the company of his idols in their prime. A genuinely humorous look at the mindset of an artist living in the past Midnight in Paris provides an entertaining interpretation of cultural figures providing a unique setting for a modern midlife-crisis tale.

100 Word Review - X-Men: First Class

Joining into a franchise that’s been in decline is not an easy move. Despite that Matthew Vaughn heads back in time to the beginnings of Marvel's most recognizable team the X-Men. Caught in the midst of cold-war chaos Charles Xavier is forced to bring together a team of mutants to combat the efforts of a deranged Nazi bent on war. Is First Class perfect? Not quite. Is it just the mutation the series required to restore faith? Most definitely. A solid cast backed by a quality script usher in a new era where mutants bring us more entertainment than headaches.

100 Word Review - SUPER 8

J. J. Abrams the name synonymous with mysterious plot reveals follows suit as he draws us into the story of a group of young filmmakers who's aspirations place them in the center of a disastrous train-wreck that leaves their town on edge. Abrams manages to hash out a interesting character base who alongside a well chosen soundtrack play into an effective “Stand By Me” style homage contorted to appease the effects hungry culture Hollywood has since created. Overall entertaining Super 8 falters in its inability to balance storytelling with action causing for a rushed feeling throughout the final act.