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The Film of the Week
The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.


Stupid Fact of the Week
There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

19 December, 2007
Coming in 2008, part 2
The Dark Knight
Hellz yeah. Nolan - check. Bale - check. Ledger (after seeing the trailer) - triple check. Freeman, Caine - check, check. Plus, they're bringing back Oldman and have traded Katie for Maggie (good choice). I'm trying to find something wrong with this and utterly failing. It's not the kind of film that's going to get Oscar love next year, but it'll surely rake in the money. I'll be there opening weekend. A

The Day the Earth Stood Still
Two words: Remake; Keanu.
Yes, Keanu plays Kaatu (the alien) and yes, Jennifer Connelly is in it. Is that going to be enough to save it? In my opinion, not completely. But my prediction is it won't matter either way (at least not in 2008). This thing is currently set for a December 12 release (after already being pushed back once) and is already running into some problems. Don't be surprised if this thing gets pushed back to '09... or further. If it does come out in '08, you won't find me in line at the theatres for this one (although, with the low expectations and the success of recent remakes [a la I Am Legend], this could be a sleeper hit). C-

Eagle Eye
Director Caruso and actor LeBeouf are back together after an incredibly successful Disturbia, and this more mature drama/thriller involving a terrorist plot could piggy-back nicely off their last flick. This won't win any awards or break box office records, but it should do quite well. I'll do a matinee. B-

Fanboys
This thing just got bumped (AGAIN) in the last couple weeks from Jan. '08 to Mar. '08... People have already been waiting well over a year for this thing, and if there's one sure way to lose an audience it's keeping them waiting (after you announce and push a trailer). Plus, though not technically a remake, it is an exposition of a 2003 short film. Even so, it has cult classic written all over it (I mean, come on, cameos by Carrie Fisher and Shatner [as himself]) and features Kristen Bell in the Leia bikini. If MGM/Weinstein can manage to roll this one out before the Summer season hits it may see some mild success at the box office. But I don't see this one achieving anything close to "Superbad" at the B.O. or "Clerks" on video, especially after all the delays. I'll try to find a free screening... or a $2 theatre. C+

The Fighter
Before you get too excited about this one let me just say that I don't know where these people got the 2008 release date for this one because Paramount certainly hasn't announced anything to that effect. As of right now the official release of this is TBA 2009. That being said, I don't know if Aronofsky can't go wrong, but he certainly hasn't thus far. As glad as I am that Pitt had to step away from The Fountain, I do like him and think he'll work very well in this role. If nothing else, Brad carries with him a lot of industry clout with which to leverage studio execs, something I'm sure Aronofsky appreciates after the (unfortunate) disappointing B.O. showing of the much-beleaguered Fountain. Since it's Aronofsky, I'll see it in theatres (in '09)... full price, but probably not opening weekend as I don't think this biopic will have the same cinematic punch as the picturesque, sci-fi Fountain or drug-induced Requiem. B+

The Forbidden Kingdom
Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the same movie. Whoa. Fight choreography by Yuen Wo Ping (The Matrix trilogy, Kill Bill). Whoa. Directed by Rob Minkoff. Who? The guy who directed The Haunted Mansion and Stuart Little. Yes, that's right. If you're old enough to remember the Jackie Chan movies that were actually good, you're too old for this movie. I'll wait for video. D+

Frost/Nixon
Director Ron Howard teams up with screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland) for a political drama that's sure to be a success. This one should collect quite a few Oscar nominations next year including Director, Adapted Screenplay, possibly Best Picture, and definitely Best Actor in a Leading Role for Frank Langella's portrayal of Richard Nixon. Langella is always brilliant and although I haven't seen so much as a screenshot of him as Nixon I can say with near certainty that when an actor of his calibre gets to step into a real-life character alongside a notable director, terrific supporting cast, and what promises to be a brilliant script involving politics, secrets, and controversy, you can more than pencil in a nomination... maybe even a win. I'll definitely pay full price for the performance(s). A-

Get Smart
This is a film adaptation of a spy-spoofing TV series co-created by Mel Brooks, helmed by Tommy Boy director Pete Segal, and starring Steve Carell in his first comedic lead since the disappointing Evan Almighty. Looking at all the comedic actors currently working, I'd say Carell has a better chance than most at doing Brooks-ian humor the justice it justly deserves. Not to mention the fact that he'll have Anne Hathaway as his leading lady and Alan Arkin as the chief. I'm looking for Carell to get back on his A-Game here... comedies are a good box office draw for me (I do like to laugh), so I may even pay full price for this one. B-

The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan. F

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Not much to say here. I haven't seen any of the movies (nor read any of the books), so I won't be seeing this one. After a bit of a slump (and I use the term loosely) around Azkaban, the series is back on the rise at the B.O., though none of the films have managed to make $1B worldwide. I think this might be the one that does it. B+

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, aka HBII
After the success of Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro may have a broader audience willing to check out his next big project. He may not need it to recoup his budget this time, however, as there is a pretty sizable Hellboy following in the geek community (from what I'm told). It should do fairly well, although I wouldn't be surprised if this were the end of the Hellboy franchise on the big screen. I'll check it out at a matinee. C+

The Incredible Hulk
Why, why, why? I just don't get this. The guy who directed The Transporter series is having a crack at Stan Lee's famous angry, green guy. I can't imagine this being well received. Marvel apparently wants a "fresh start" to the franchise after the disappointing performance of Ang Lee's 2003 version, but a whole new cast/crew only four years later seems hurried. Speaking of the cast, lets talk about what a fustercluck that is: Ed Norton as Bruce Banner (love Ed... not so sure about him as Bruce... I could be convinced, though), Liv Tyler as Betty Ross (Liv is way overrated... plus she's having to follow in Jen Connelly's shoes - not gonna happen), Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky (This might actually work out), William Hurt as Gen. Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (No), and Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake is Awesome. Such says the Rockel)... This one's really throwing me for a loop. A lot of potential - both to do really well and to bomb completely... Unfortunately, my gut is telling me it's too soon and the action movie director is going to "John Woo" this thing to a horrible, fast-paced, CG-induced death. If it's playing at a $2 theatre I'll see it on the big screen. If not, video it is. C

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Boo-yah! There's no stopping this thing from being one of the highest grossing films of the year. Yes, it's almost two decades later. Yes, Harrison is much older, but at least they're incorporating that into the script rather than attempting to ignore it. I mean, how much better could this cast get? Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent? They even brought Karen Allen back (aka Marion Ravenwood, aka the chick with the frying pan). Big thumbs up. Full price. Opening weekend. A

13 more down. That only leaves...... carry the one..... 27 more to go. Two more instalments should get it done. Tune in next time.
posted by Rockel @ 10:47 AM  
2 Comments:
  • At 20/12/07 10:20 AM, Blogger Doyle said…

    So, since you limited yourself to only 2008, I did not get to see if you wanted to see Sweeney Todd. Thoughts?

     
  • At 20/12/07 1:48 PM, Blogger Rockel said…

    I'm definitely eager to see Sweeney Todd. Anytime Johnny and Tim work together it's pretty solid entertainment. As of right now (not having seen it) I'm only considering it for four oscar categories. I really think a "Best Picture" shot is really optimistic. Even so, some people are still maintaining it has a shot. If this town dies down as much as I hope it does this weekend with everyone flying out of town, I may check it out in the next couple of days. Regardless of when I see it, I'm sure a review will be posted.

     
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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.

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