Get Smart has been getting some pretty mediocre reviews, but I really liked the movie. Maybe it’s because I have the comedic tastes of a 5 year old, or maybe it’s that I grew up watching Get Smart on Nick-at-Night. Possibly I have a huge crush on Anne Hathaway, and the fact that no matter what I see him in I always enjoy Steve Carell certainly helps, but I really found this to be an entertaining movie. It’s a simple movie. Simple comedy. Fairly impressive action scenes. Nothing more. But it accomplishes what I want summer blockbuster’s to accomplish: entertain me at a level comparable to that of my ticket price. If you’re looking for the best of Steve Carell’s comedic abilities, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for a faithful recreation of the original Get Smart series, look elsewhere. But if you want to plop your butt into a nice air-conditioned theater this summer and have fun watching a simple action packed comedy, then this is your movie. I laughed my ass off and had a great time watching the movie, so it’s got my seal of approval!

By the way, if you haven’t ever seen the original series, you’re seriously missing out. I highly recommend heading to amazon.com to grab a few old episodes.

Filed under: Media | Entertainment, Movies — Santi @ 7:32 am

No more waiting: Bigger, Stronger, Faster* from Christopher Bell is being released in two days.

I can’t think of a better weekend to present this brilliant documentary than the weekend which is bringing us what may be the biggest chick flick ever. That particular movie is really femininity on steroids. Balance that with this movie actually about steroids and your weekend becomes pretty interesting.

Continue reading Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is here

Filed under: Media | Entertainment, Movies — Pilar @ 12:49 pm

The Golden Compass, a movie based on the first book of the His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman, is directly marketed to you LOTR and Chronicles of Narnia fans. While those two series have years to build their fan base, His Dark Materials Trilogy has only had a few years and competition from one Mr. Harry Potter. But, in the face of these hardships, consider this the little movie that couldn’t…do much wrong.

Continue reading Did You Miss the Golden Compass the First Time?

Filed under: Books, Media | Entertainment, Movies — Pilar @ 8:47 pm

By now everyone and their mother has seen Iron Man and probably told you how cool it was. Well, just in case you are neither someone nor someone’s mother nor any permutation of the two, here it is: Iron Man is cool. It’s kick-ass fighting robot suit on robot suit action for the whole family (Unless someone in your family has epilepsy. Leave them at home, it’s for their own good). I’ve always been an Iron Man fan; I used to watch the mid 90’s cartoon religiously. I had serious fears that this film would ruin that (like Hollywood’s last try at the Hulk) but this movie is faithful and entertaining. It’s packed with references that only the true fan will recognize (did anyone else catch that the terrorist organization is called the Ten Rings?) but is still fun for the uninitiated. And make sure you stay through the credits. I won’t spoil it but I’ll give you two words: Sam Jackson.

Filed under: Movies — Roy @ 8:14 pm

I wasn’t expecting much from Shine a Light, the new Rolling Stone’s concert movie. Why not you ask? Well, first of all when I pay for a concert I go to a concert hall, not a movie theater. Second, I go for the “live” musical experience that brings with it an energy that usually cannot be captured on tape.

I got over my snootiness pretty quickly when I realized the brilliance of concert movies: giving the audience an intimate look at a live performance. You are able to see things about a concert up-close and personal, which is something you can’t get unless you’re willing to shell out the big bucks for front row seats. The film was directed by Martin Scorsese, who does a great job in bringing the concert to life on film. Scorsese goes beyond simply putting a concert on the big screen and matches archival footage with specific musical scenes which gives some historical perspective to the Rolling Stones. I found the best use of this footage was in pairing an interview with a band member and then focusing on that member for the next song. This resulted in making that particular performance more interesting and fun.

Shine a Light, selected theaters and IMAX!

[image from Rolling Stones MySpace]

Filed under: Movies — Pilar @ 8:53 am

Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) is a cute independent movie that premiered during Sundance 2007. The film tells an immigration story from two points of view: Mother and Child. It is an effort to introduce the public to the idea of Mexican-U.S. immigration and what it feels like to navigate this difficult lifestyle.

Continue reading Under the Same Moon (and introducing Eugenio Derbez)

Filed under: Movies — Pilar @ 5:58 pm

I got a chance to check out an advance screening of the new Harold and Kumar movie at ArcLight yesterday. Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay follows the hilarious duo right where they left off in 2004; full from an obscenely large order of tiny burgers and fries and chasing Harold’s beautiful love interest Maria on her way to Amsterdam. I’ll say this now, I loved this movie.

I don’t want to give away any plot, so don’t be afraid to read on. I generally stay away from sequels like this. By “like this” I mean smash hits that are basically guaranteed sequels for financial reasons. (Example). I don’t want to see a sequel because an accountant said it made sense, I want a sequel because there is a story that isn’t finished being told.
 

Continue reading Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay

Filed under: Movies — Roy @ 11:06 pm

Struggling to find that unique gift for Valentine’s Day? I would suggest Flowers & Chocolates. But if you are the “thinking outside of the box type” I would suggest The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi ($16.47 at Amazon.com).

The book is a compilation of the two graphic novels that Ms. Satrapi wrote about her life starting as a young child in Iran. It is visually stunning, clever, and a fun read. The first half of the book is especially cute as Little Marjane is the prototypical cute kid. You may think this a book for girls though, it’s not just for girls, anyone can appreciate youth the way that Satrapi has drawn it.

It works on so many levels:

For your Mom/Step-Mom: Little Marjane will appeal to their own childhood during the turbulent 1960/70/80s. Musical references put the story in context, as Satrapi shows how it was to grow up in post-revolution Iran while trying to be a teen-ager. Your Mom/Step-Mom may appreciate the Punk nostalgia while remembering their own aerobics career.

For your Sister: Single or attached sister would like to hear from a family member too! So, get her this book to show how hip you are: “Hey, didn’t you hear that the film version of this book was nominated for best animated feature in the Oscars?” See you are automatically helping her cool quotient on Valentine’s Day.

For your Girlfriend: It’s thoughtful! While flowers and chocolates are always good, flowers go bad and chocolates are eaten. This one will be on a shelf for some time.

If you are interested in treating for a movie, Persepolis has opened here in selected cities in the U.S. Dinner and a movie is also a really sweet way of spending 2/14.

Link to the movie: Persepolis, French w/English Subtitles.

Filed under: Books, Comics, Media | Entertainment, Movies — Pilar @ 7:45 am

This was my second year of going to Sundance as a third-party, non-entertainment employed movie watcher. Although this year I did get to go to one party (!).

This year I saw a multitude of amazing movies: Pretty Bird, Strangers, I Met the Walrus…and others. But I will spare you my top ten list, since quite honestly, I didn’t see every movie in the festival, so who am I to say which was the best.

But I will let you know, I can not wait for Adventures of Power to get released. How can there be a movie that brings together unions, air drumming, country music, golden footballs, forbidden love, and rock in roll? Well thank god someone has.

Yes–it sounds complicated–but the cast brings it together. The filmmaker, Ari Gold, also stars in the movie. No not Ari Gold from entourage people–a real person. Michael McKean (Best in Show, Spinal Tap, A Mighty Wind, ) and Jane Lynch (Also in Best in Show and A Mighty Wind ) put in wonderful performances. Also, there is the amazing performance from Shoshannah Stern as the girl upstairs.

This movie is rock and roll. There are really bad guys and the good guys are people we can identify with–the misfit, the hard worker, the kid, the girl, the air drummer. The soundtrack complements the movie, not distracts it. Although people will point towards Napoleon Dynamite with the Power character, we know more about Power–we know why he is the way he is and why he in the end–is so brave.

Plus, in a way that I haven’t seen since Norma Rae, someone made a movie that makes unions look cool! In a world of mistrust and strangers, it’s nice to think about a world where being part of an organization can really bring instant familyhood. And really, in a complicated world, isn’t that the simplest thing we can ask for–hope?

Look out for Adventures of Power: Website & details

Filed under: Movies — Pilar @ 2:04 pm