Manny The Movie Guy

Watch My "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" Movie Review!

Manny — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:05:53 GMT

This is fresh, fun, zippy, I wish I can say the same thing about "New Moon." Sorry, Twi-Hards!

For my written review, please click here.

Otherwise, watch my review of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," a.k.a. the love triangle between a human, a vampire, and a werewolf!

Here's more info about the movie from Yahoo:

Action/Adventure, Thriller, Romance, Sequel, Adaptation

November 20th, 2009

Rated PG-13 for some violence and action.

STARRING

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning and Nikki Reed

DIRECTED BY

Chris Weitz

SYNOPSIS

Bella Swan delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of, only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.

"Patriot Games" Writer to Pen "American Gladiators" the Movie! Go Ahead Laugh!

Manny — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:56:40 GMT

Last May, I told you that Johnny Ferraro, the creator of the "American Gladiators" TV show, was bringing his property to the big screen! (See Coming Soon to Theaters Near You -- "American Gladiators" The Movie! Yeah, "American Gladiators," May 12, 2009)

You probably thought I was lying, but hold on, a writer has been hired!

Peter Iliff will write the big screen version of "American Gladiators."

Variety told us that the story "which will feature the Herculean characters as superheroes, will be based on the TV show that first aired in 1988 and has been broadcast in more than 90 countries, with the format adapted for the local market in 14 of them. Most recently, NBC aired a primetime revival of the show in 2008."

Scott Mednick ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles") is producing and he's targeting to release the film sometime in 2011.

Iliff previously wrote "Patriot Games," "Varsity Blues," "Under Suspicion," and "Point Break."

Gosh, I think they're serious, so yes, "American Gladiators" is coming to screens near you!

Michael Moore Snubbed by Academy Awards! See Which Documentaries Make the Cut!

Manny — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:38:38 GMT

How could this be? Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story" was snubbed by the Academy Awards!

Moore's new documentary was largely favored by critics, including me, but apparently, it's not good enough for the Academy. It's this year's highest-grossing documentary (it has made $10 million so far), and Overture Films even opened it on Sept. 23, in time for the Academy's Sept. 30 cutoff date.

Moore won an Oscar before in 2002 for "Bowling for Columbine." He was nominated last year for "Sicko."

But this year? He didn't even make the shortlist! But Moore is not alone, other documentaries missing from the shortlist are "The September Issue," "Tyson," "Anvil! The Story of Anvil," "It Might Get Loud," and "We Live in Public."

I love all those documentaries, what's going on?

But the Academy has chosen their shortlist There were 89 films that originally qualified but the list is now down to just 15 documentaries.

And they are:

"The Cove"
"Food, Inc." (THIS IS MY PICK! THIS WILL MAKE YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT BUYING FOOD, EVEN THE "HEALTHY, ORGANIC" KIND!)
"Valentino: The Last Emperor"
"Every Little Step"
"The Beaches of Agnes"
"Burma VJ"
"Facing Ali"
"Garbage Dreams"
"Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders"
"The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers"
"Mugabe and the White African"
"Sergio"
"Soundtrack for a Revolution"
"Under Our Skin"
"Which Way Home."

The Academy will choose the five nominees from these 15 films.

Oscar nominations will be announced Feb. 2, and the Academy Awards will be presented March 7.

"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" Movie Review or My Random Thoughts on the "Twilight" Sequel

Manny — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:28:36 GMT

(I"m writing this at 12:49 in the morning, fresh from my jaunt from Los Angeles after watching "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" so if I may sound a bit blurry, I am! Oh, and there may be spoilers as well.)

Previously on "Twilight," Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), the human, falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), the vampire. They fight bad vampires and they live happily ever after.

Well...almost.

Now is the dawn of "New Moon," the sequel to the super-popular franchise based on a series of books by author Stephenie Meyer. The sequel begins with Bella's birthday and ends with her quest for immortality. At the center of the film is a love triangle between a human, a vampire, and a werewolf.

The movie's first five minutes is vibrant and full of life. Ironically enough, Bella's mortality is the crux of the film. In her dream, more like a nightmare (and she has many of those), Bella gets very old while Edward remains dashing and gasp, young!

Told in three acts, the first chapter involves Edward leaving Bella because he wants to protect her; The second act features Bella slowly falling in love with her best friend, Jacob (Taylor Lautner), who, as we all know by now, is a werewolf.

The third chapter of the film, and my personal favorite, involves an organized coven of vampires known as the Volturis headed by Aro played by Michael Sheen. The actor has now officially played both vampire and werewolf ("Underworld" films) roles. There's also a fun bit with Dakota Fanning as Jane, the bratty vampire who can inflict pain without even touching her victim.

There's been a lot of buzz about the two camps -- Team Jacob and Team Edward. Well, if you like your man tanned with a sunny attitude and you believe that friendship can turn to love, then heck, Team Jacob is for you.

If you love your man pale with a brooding attitude and you subscribe to the theory of love at first sight, then by all means, stake a claim to Team Edward.

But be warned Team Edward members, there's not a whole lot of Edward in the film. In the middle part of the movie, Edward has been reduced to being a "ghost of Christmas past" warning Bella of possible dangers.

Director Chris Weitz replaced Catherine Hardwicke, but honestly, I didn't notice any difference. The "Harry Potter" franchise has used different directors before and you could tell Mike Newell's ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") style over Alfonso Cuaron's ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"), for example.

Hardwicke abruptly left pre-production last year and Weitz stepped in, and I thought, okay, this is interesting, let me see his take on the franchise. Well folks, there's not a whole lot of difference, just perhaps a bigger budget and better Edward glitter (vampires glitter under the sun).

I've read the first book, so logic tells us that I should be able to get into these characters right? Well, I still can't empathize with any of the main characters.

The acting borders between so-so and good, more in the so-so category. I've seen Stewart and Pattinson in other films before, and I've admired their work, but there's always something off-key with their performances in the "Twilight" films.

Once in a while, there's a burst of good acting that can be detected, and this time, Stewart out-broods Pattinson. Her character is the one with a lot of baggage in the new film.

Like the last film, I'm blaming the script by Melissa Rosenberg. Although it matched the book's tone, including some of the hokey dialogue, it failed to match its spirit. There's also the pedantic melodramatic Romeo and Juliet plot twist near the end.

But I'd be lying to you if I told you I wasn't entertained. I was interested in the mythology that Meyer created with the series, and most of these myths are reflected on the sequel.

And it was delight to see bad vampires and fierce werewolves!

I also love the great soundtrack and the peripheral characters. The standouts are Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Bella's dad; Anna Kendrick as Jessica, Bella's friend from school; Ashley Greene as Alice, Edward's sister and the closest to Bella.

Even Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale showed some depth with just a couple of scenes.

But who are we kidding here, the teenage girls will enjoy this film. And I think, that's one of my main concerns as well. The movie caters to its demographics way too much that it alienates other viewers -- here comes Edward in his slo-mo sexy walk (teens scream), or Jacob takes off his shirt (teens scream again!).

And the teens will definitely scream in the end with its cliffhanger finale. It will also get you, because it will make you want to see the third film. And isn't that the whole point?

Bottomline: Forgive its pandering to its demographics and you'll have a great time. Of course, if you like the first film and you enjoy the books, you will love this movie.

RATING: :25k Vampires vs. Werewolves kisses

Lee Daniels to Direct Historic Civil Rights Flick "Selma"

Manny — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:31:39 GMT

Lee Daniels is my new favorite director right now. He mesmerized me with his flick "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Last month, we told you that the director was in talks to direct the movie version of the musical "Miss Saigon," now, Daniels is in serious negotations to helm "Selma."

Variety told us that "Selma" will trace the historic 1965 march in the Alabama town that marked the political and emotional peak of the civil rights movement.

The script is written by Paul Webb ("Lincoln") and I heard that it's fantastic!

There's no cast attached yet, but production is set to begin early spring.

Jennifer Hudson to Play "Winnie" Mandela!

Manny — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:03:24 GMT

Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winner and ex-American idol contestant, is getting ready for her next big challenge -- playing "Winnie," the former wife of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela.

Darrell J. Roodt is set to direct. Roodt previously helmed 2006's "Yesterday," and also worked on "Cry, the Beloved Country" and "Sarafina!"

Based on Anna Marie du Preez Bezdrob's biography "Winnie Mandela:A Life," Andre Pieterse, Roodt, and Paul L. Johnson collaborated on the script.

Variety is reporting that Mandela's "former wife is a far more complicated figure. She has been depicted as the mother and wife who was a steadfast supporter of her activist husband and who was jailed herself for campaigning for his release and fighting against apartheid. Her image was subsequently tarnished by association with a bodyguard who murdered a 14-year old alleged informer, and she was later convicted of fraud."

The filmmakers are saying they will the whole story, good and bad.

Producting begins May 30 in Johannesburg, Capt Town, and the Transkei and Robben Island. Hudson is expected to sing the film's theme song.

Another Mandela-centric film is set to open this December. Morgan Freeman will play Nelson Mandela in the Clint Eastwood film "Invictus."

Dr. McSteamy to Go "Burlesque!"

Manny — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:52:34 GMT

Eric Dane aka Dr. McSteamy is joining the cast of the musical "Burlesque!" He will be joining Cher, Christina Aguilera, Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandet, Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming.

The film is written and will be directed by Steve Antin.

"Burlesque" tells the story of Ali, a small-town girl (Aguilera) with a big voice who becomes the toast of the town after appearing in a Los Angeles neo-burlesque club.

Cher will co-star as Tess, a former dancer who takes the small town girl under her wing. Stanley Tucci will play the manager of the club and the best friend of Tess.

Dane will play Marcus, Ali's knight in shining armor who offers to buy Tess out of the burlesque club.

"Burlesque" is set for release Thanksgiving 2010.

RELATED READINGS:

Stanley Tucci Goes "Burlesque" with Cher and Christina Aguilera
Cher Joins Christina Aguilera in Musical "Burlesque"
Christina Aguilera to Star in Titillating Musical "Burlesque"

"Thor" Finds His Warrior's Three

Manny — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:39:07 GMT

Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, and Tadanobu Asano are joining the cast of "Thor" to play Warrior's Three, a trio of Asgardian warriors who fight alongside Thor, our favorite Norse god.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the Marvel Entertainment action-adventure.

Townsend will play Fandral ala who looks seriously like Errol Flynn, Stevenson will star as Volstagg the Valiant,the hard-living brawler, and Asano will play Hogun the Grim, the traveling companion of Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth.

Anthony Hopkins is set to play Odin, the King of Asgard and the father of Thor and Loki, played by Tom Hiddelston. Natalie Portman will be playing Thor's love, Jane Foster.

The production will be lensing this January and Paramount Pictures will release "Thor" on May 20, 2011.

RELATED READINGS:

Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore Joining "Thor"
Natalie Portman to Nurse "Thor"
Who's Going to Star as "Thor" Villain Loki?
Captain Kirk's Father to Star as "Thor?"
Who Should Play "Thor?" Meet the Wannabes!

"Precious" Movie Review! See Why I'm Calling it One of the Best Films of 2009!

Manny — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:11:58 GMT

I cannot stop talking and praising �Precious: Based on the Novel �Push� by Sapphire.� It�s an uplifting film that will push you down to the lower depths of despair before picking you up and dusting you off. �Precious� is one of the most hopeful, courageous, and inspirational films of 2009.

The heart at the center of �Precious� belongs to Gabourey Sidibe, a twenty-six-year old actress, working on her first professional gig. Sidibe gives a memorable performance as Claireece �Precious� Jones, a sixteen-year old girl born into a life no one would want.

Oprah Winfrey, along with Tyler Perry, acted as executive producers of the film. The talk show queen was heard saying, �I realized that, Jesus, I have seen that girl a million times�And she�s invisible to me.�

Like Oprah, we all had seen and ignored someone like Precious. You probably saw her at the bus stop or bumped into her at your local grocery store. But her story has never been told as brutally honest on film until now.

Set in 1987, we learn that Precious is pregnant for the second time by her absent father. When her pregnancy is first discovered, she simply answers �she had sex� covering her vile family secret. At home, she suffers emotional and physical abuse from her poisonously angry mother played by the brilliant Mo�Nique.

Precious copes with her problems by imagining far, better places. In her daydreams, she�s a model, a pop star, and a movie diva. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her.

Her journey to personal freedom begins when she is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. But before you think that this is one of those formulaic films where the main character finds solace at school, think again! �Precious� is far deeper than that.

The flawless direction of Lee Daniels (�Shadowboxer�) is a sight to behold. Working from the intelligent script by Geoffrey Fletcher, Daniels intricately weaves a tale of desolation and redemption without an ounce of clich�.

The New York-based poet, Sapphire, wrote her first novel �Push� which became the basis of the film. The movie version of her book captures her raw and vivid portraits of people whose lives have been destroyed by poverty, violence, and abuse.

The supporting cast gives equally brilliant performances. Sherri Shepherd from �The View� is a revelation as Cornrows, the assistant at the Each One/Teach One alternative school. Paula Patton gives a tough-as-nails performance as Precious� teacher, Ms. Rain.

The role of Nurse John by Lenny Kravitz was expanded from the book. Nurse John becomes Precious� friend after her child birth. I am not a Mariah Carey fan but I was very impressed by her acting as Precious� social worker, Mrs. Weiss.

Sans make up and diva attitude, Carey encapsulates a helpful but stern social worker. The final scene between Carey, Mo�Nique, and Sidibe will pierce a hole right through your heart. I suspect this will be the scene they will use during next year�s Academy Awards.

�Precious� deserves all the accolades it�s been getting. The film won three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. This perfect film deserves Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Actress (Sidibe), and Supporting Actress (Mo�Nique).

Lovingly dedicated to all the Precious girls in the world, watch for the orange scarf in the film that takes a big resonance in the story. It symbolizes a glowing torch being passed from one Precious to the next.

RATING: �Precious: Based on the Novel �Push� by Sapphire� gets :4k Precious kisses

See Which New Films Receive the Prestigious Critics' Choice Seal!

Manny — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:59:57 GMT

The Critics' Choice seal is a recognition given to new movies receiving a high Critics' Choice Ratings score in the weekly voting by the Broadcast Film Critics Association which I'm a proud member, yay!

If you're an Oscar fan, you may want to pay attention to the films receiving the Critics' Choice seal. It's a great barometer of the Academy Awards.

The latest films to receive the Critics' Choice seal are:

"PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE

Precious
Release Date November 5, 2009
MPAA Rating R
Directed By Lee Daniels
Starring Mo?Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, and introducing Gabourey Sidibe

Official Site http://www.weareallprecious.com/

Synopsis

Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo'Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.

Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn't know the meaning of "alternative," but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

"THE BLIND SIDE"

The Blind Side
Release Date November 19, 2009
MPAA Rating PG-13
Directed By John Lee Hancock
Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Kathy Bates, Quinton Aaron, Lily Collins, Jae Head

Official Site http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

Synopsis

Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw and Kathy Bates star in Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures? "The Blind Side," which depicts the remarkable true story of All-American football star Michael Oher. Teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). Learning that the young man is one of her daughter's classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael-wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter-come out of the cold. Without a moment's hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness becomes much more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. And as the family helps Michael fulfill his potential, both on and off the football field, Michael?s presence in the Tuohys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own.

"FANTASTIC MR. FOX"

Release Date November 24, 2009
MPAA Rating PG
Directed By Wes Anderson
Starring George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Scwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon

Official Site http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/

Synopsis

FANTASTIC MR. FOX is visionary director Wes Anderson's first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop motion techniques to tell the story of the best selling children's book by Roald Dahl (author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Wally Wolodarsky, Eric Anderson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, Jarvis Cocker Mr and Mrs Fox (Clooney and Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson).

But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox's wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr Fox at any cost.

"ME AND ORSON WELLES"

Me and Orson Welles
Release Date November 24, 2009
MPAA Rating PG-13
Directed By Richard Linklater
Starring Ben Chaplin, Christian McKay, Claire Danes, James Tupper, Zac Efron

Official Site http://www.meandorsonwellesthemovie.com/

Synopsis

Based in real theatrical history, ME AND ORSON WELLES is a romantic coming-of-age story about a teenage actor who lucks into a role in Julius Caesar as it's being re-imagined by a brilliant, impetuous young director named Orson Welles at his newly-founded Mercury Theater in NYC, 1937.

The rollercoaster week leading up to opening night has the charismatic-but-sometimes-cruel Welles (impressive newcomer Christian McKay) staking his career on this risky production while Richard (Zac Efron, HIGHSCHOOL MUSICAL, 17 AGAIN) mixes with everyone from starlets to stagehands in behind-the-scenes adventures bound to change him.

Claire Danes (THE HOURS, ROMEO + JULIET) co-stars as Sonja Jones, the unapologetically ambitious assistant to Welles whom Richard tries to woo. Ben Chaplin (THE NEW WORLD, DORIAN GRAY) plays Mercury Theater regular George Coulouris. Zoe Kazan, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly and James Tupper (MEN IN TREES, SAMANTHA WHO) are among the talented ensemble cast. The fast-moving screenplay by Holly Gent Palmo and Vince Palmo is based on Robert Kaplow's meticulously researched novel of the same name.

*** Movie infos are provided by the Broadcast Film Critics Association