So this summer is apparently the Summer of Sequels, we've already had Spider-man 3, 28 Weeks later, & Shrek 3 and this weekend has brought us Pirates 3. Coming up this summer we have Die Hard 4, Harry Potter 5, Ocean's 13 (AKA Better be more entertaining than Ocean's 12), Fantastic Four 2, Evan Almighty (the sequel to Bruce Almighty), The third Bourne Movie, Daddy Day Care, and Mr Bean's Holiday. I'm excited about most of these, but have to say after the way the summer's started off I'm a little worried.
Sure I loved Spider-Man 3 and had only minimal complaints, but in the last week I've seen two movies Shrek 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and I was deeply disappointed by both.

Shrek 3 was decent, but there were parts of the plot that went no where and quite frankly it wasn't that funny. The film focuses on Shrek going on a road trip to find Artie, the heir in line foe the Throne of Far, Far Away, also Prince Charming tries to take over the kingdom while Shrek's away. I've heard at least one reviewer said no one over 11 should see this film, and I guess it's true because we went with a friend of ours and his two kids and the kids loved it. I'm by no means saying Shrek 2 was the worst movie ever, it just doesn't live up to the standard set by the previous two films.
Bottom Line: Unless you have kids, wait and rent this flick because honestly it's just not worth the money you'll spend on the theater.

Pirates on the other hand was an over long mess of a film. There's honestly no way to summarize the plot in any way, because honestly I still don't know exactly what happened. Seriously the main problem with this movie was that it seems like they filmed way to much and then just decided not to edit anything out. The film was truthfully at least 45 minutes to long, and at 2hours and 45minutes that means that almost a third of your movie should have been cut. I was disappointed with Pirates 2, but there were some great action sequences that made up for the long run time, and lack of an ending, so I held out hope that Parts 2 & 3 were really just one long movie (as it turns out they'd make one REALLY long movie at well over 5 hours) but as it turns out they seem to be part of one long movie that still isn't over.
The movie just kept going and there was a lot in the middle of the film that didn't further the story at all, and in fact just made the film drag. One things that should have been cut was several scenes featuring Jack going crazy and talking to multiple versions of himself, these scenes just didn't work, and quite frankly were maddeningly pointless. And sadly there was not any of the great action scenes that saved the last film until the last 30 minutes.
Speaking of the last 30 minutes, the end of the movie was a horrible mess. A love story with a disappointing, and not to happy ending, a pirate once again without a ship, and overall just a waste of space.
Don't get me wrong as much as I'm complaining there was some good stuff in the movie, there were some very humorous scenes, and the action towards the end had several good
fight scenes and some fantastic ship to ship battles. But after a phenomenal first movie we deserved more out of parts 2 & 3 then just a quick way to cash in on the first one, and that seems to be what we got here.
Bottom Line: Rent it, that way you can fast forward through as much of it as you want to.

Labels: pirates 3, reviews, shrek 3

Tomorrow is the 30th Anniversary of the day Star Wars (Now retitled Star Wars: A New Hope...LAME!) was released in theaters. To commemorate this occasion there is a huge Star Wars Celebration happening right here in LA, at the LA convention center. And what kind of a movie geek would I be if I didn't go since it's only a few miles down the road.
So of course I'm going. I will be taking the video camera and can hopefully get some great footage of some "Nerd-Lings" (as a friend of mine says) dressed in their costumes as they literally parade around (oh yes there is a costume parade!) I also hope to catch a glimpse of one George Lucas! I'll try and get some stuff online pretty quick.

Also I'm trying to lose weight this summer (hopefully about 30 pounds in 3 months) so any encouragement on your part is appreciated! Leave me some comments motivating me to eat better and work out, I'd appreciate it.

And one more thing (And really the main reason for this entry), by the time the next episode of Lost airs in February of 2008, I will be a father! That's right my wife is pregnant and we're expecting a child in late January/early February (I'll let you know the exact date) We are both extremely excited and can't wait to have our own Luke or Leia running around. (No, those are not actually baby names we are considering, although it would be fun to have a kid named Luke, just so I could say "Luke, I am Your Father!")
So if later this year, early next year my blog slows down a bit, you'll know why.

Apparently it is now being reported that Veronica Mars, while not on the CW's Fall Schedule still might have some life in it, as under contract they have until June 15th to decide the fate of this wonderful show. Apparently this means Creator Rob Thomas has some time to write what would amount to a pilot script for Veronica Mars: The FBI Years, or whatever they decide to call the proposed newish show which would center around Veronica during her first year with the FBI, the show would have to jump ahead 4ish years and lose most of the supporting cast.
This means we have time to save the show, show your support by sending CW President Dawn Ostroff as many letters as possibly at this address:
Dawn Ostroff
President of Entertainment, The CW Television Network
4000 Warner Boulevard, Bldg 168
Burbank, CA 91522-0002
I mean if this can get on the air, Veronica Mars should be able to stay on.

Labels: Things That Give Me Hope, Veronica Mars

Tonight was a sad one in the Tidmore household, first we heard the horrendous news that Veronica Mars was (most likely) canceled and then we sat down to watch the Series Finale of our much beloved Gilmore Girls. For three years and 7 seasons Lorelai and Rory Gilmore have warmed our hearts and introduced us to the wonderful town of Stars Hollow. (we didn't catch on to the show until after the 4th season ended)
I still remember how we got started, it was summer 2004 and there was nothing on TV. I went to blockbuster on my way home from work to find something Jeri and I could watch together. I was perusing the shelves when I saw the box for the first season of Gilmore Girls. I don't know why I picked it up, I think I had heard it was a good show, and after reading the box I knew it was something Jeri would enjoy. We stuck it in the DVD player and enjoyed the first few moments of the show, then a name came across the screen that Jeri immediately recognized Jared Padalecki. Apparently Jeri and Jared had gone to elementary school together for a few years and were friends. Jeri was hooked because of seeing her childhood friend.
We blew through the first season in about a week and then realized that blockbuster didn't have seasons 2, 3, or 4. So I did what any good lovesick fan does, I got on eBay and bought the three seasons on DVD set. For the rest of the summer we would cuddle up on the couch, set a box on top of the coffee table, plug in the laptop (The DVDs wouldn't work in my player for some reason), and watch Gilmore Girls. It was a wonderful way to watch a show, on a small computer screen, cuddled up on the couch in our small apartment. I have fond memories of those first 4 seasons.
Since then we've watched the show every Tuesday night for 3 years, so it was with a regretful heart that we sat down to watch the final episode. Many have complained that this season hasn't been the same since Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino left, and while I'll agree it hasn't been the same I don't think it's been as bad as some would have you believe. And in fact recently some of the episodes have been wonderful. I was hoping the Series Finale would be one of these.
I was happy to find that it was in fact a wonderful episode, full of the quick talkin' humor fans have come to love, as well as plenty of tear-inducing scenes. I was worried the finale wouldn't wrap everything up since at the time it was filmed negotiations were still going to bring it back for another season. Luckily, the finale was made to work as either a Series or Season finale, and work it did.
The finale allowed fans to say goodbye to all of the characters we've come to love, including most of the citizens of Star Hollow, and of course some wonderful scenes with the always present Parents/Grandparents, Richard and Emily. The Finale also wrapped up the Luke & Lorelai romance to some extend and left us with an answer to what lies ahead for Rory.
In the end I was left satisfied, if somewhat sad, that the journey was over. I'll admit I cried a few times, because it felt like good friends were leaving and we'd never see them again. It was bittersweet, but at least I have 7 seasons to remember them by, unlike my good friend VM. (Tear)

Labels: Gilmore Girls, Memories, Things That Make Me Cry

As anyone reading this should know I'm a huge fan of Veronica Mars AKA "The Best Show On Television". Unfortunately I guess I should now call it "The Best Show That Used To Be On Television But Isn't Anymore Because Network Executives Are Morons" or TBSTUTBOTVBIABNEAM for short.
That's right reports are coming in from all over that VM is either not on the CW's Fall Sked or has been canceled altogether. What is wrong with this world? How come good shows get left behind after a few short seasons (This, Arrested Development) or don't even get a full season (Freaks & Geeks, Firefly, Wonderfalls, and pretty much everything else by Tim Minear) while crap gets to live on for ever.
And as if VM leaving wasn't painful enough the CW picked up One Tree Hill, Girlfriends, and The Game for another season. Seriously wee need another season of OTH? They're graduating high school leave them be. But possibly the most painful fact is knowing that while the CW is canceling VM, ABC is picking up Cavemen, a show based on those Geico Commercials! How is the world not imploding on itself right this very moment.
I'm still holding out a little hope that VM will find a home somewhere, but there is some good news. A few of my other favorite shows are coming back including Supernatural and the funniest show nobody's watching How I Met Your Mother.
Before I go watch my old DVDs and cry I leave you with a picture of Veronica as she looked in happier days:

Labels: Television, Things That Make Me Cry, Veronica Mars

As a fan of Hitchcock's Rear Window, it would have been easy to blow this off as another inept attempt to remake a classic. But as a fan of star Shia LaBeouf from back when he was on Disney's Even Stevens I wanted to check it out from Day 1. Unfortunately between writing papers, studying and taking finals, and seeing Hot Fuzz and Spider-Man 3, I really didn't have the time until Thursday, and I'm glad I didn't miss it while it was in theaters.
The movie starts with Kale (LaBeouf) and his father on the lake fishing, from the start we can tell they have a good relationship and that Kale is a happy and easygoing guy, if somewhat of a smart mouth. Soon Kale's father dies in a tragic accident, in a scene that was so intense it will stick with you hours later. We then cut to "One Year Later" and open on a high school classroom, where Ronnie (Aaron Yoo) is telling his Spanish class about his upcoming summer vacation, in spanish. I'm sure this scene was very funny, but I'm not sure as the Mann Agora theater, unlike the Arclight (My Personal Favorite Theater), doesn't have their employees watch the first few minutes of the movie to make sure it's aligned correctly and in focus, so I had to go find someone to focus the movie and missed the rest of the scene.
We are then reintroduced to Kale as he sits, asleep, in his spanish class and is woken by his teacher. Kale is now withdrawn and full of anger, which soon lands him in court where he is sentenced to 3 months of house arrest. Forced to wear an ankle bracelet, Kale must stay within a 100 foot radius of the receiver located in his house. Here we are treated to a nice montage of Kale trying to figure out what to do to keep him sane while stuck inside his house. Besides playing video games and watching tv, Kale attempts to do his laundry (by shoving everything into the washer at once with a healthy dose of detergent) and actually cleaning the house. Soon Kale realizes how serious his situation is when some neighborhood kids lite a bag of flaming poo on his porch, Kale chases after them and is soon in handcuffs.
To avoid leaving his 100 foot radius again Kale sets out to establish a perimeter so he knows exactly how far he can go, and quickly realizes his neighbors are interesting to watch. Soon Kale is watching all of his neighbors from the comfort of his home through his binoculars. He takes a special interest in his hot new neighbor, Ashely (Sarah Roemer), and soon he and his pal Ronnie are taking in her daily swim. When Ashely catches them she too joins the voyeuristic fun of watching others without their knowledge.
The trio take a special interest in Mr. Turner (David Morse) who may or may not match the description of a man who was the last person seen with a missing woman. His car fits the description and so the gang makes the assumption that he may be a serial killer, living in their own little neighborhood. What follows is an intense series of cat and mouse games designed to keep you guessing about Turner and his motives.
I really enjoyed this movie, really enjoyed it. I think the biggest strength is that the characters are well developed, instead of just being caricatures. I think it could have been very easy to make this movie with just cardboard characters, but the writers and director did a great job of fleshing out the characters and making you feel for them (well most of them).
The actors themselves bring a lot to the film as well. I've always been a fan of Morse, who usually seems to play a cop or a bad guy or a bad cop, and he's pitch perfect here. Morse is a large man and I think his stature adds to the sense of terror he brings to the screen, by towering over the others it makes him more intense and menacing. Relative newcomers Roemer and Yoo do a great job as the love interest/best friend respectively and bring a lot of humor and suspense to the film. I think another reason I enjoy the film so much is that there is a healthy dose of humor in the movie, it's not just a suspenseful, edge of your seat thriller, but has a bit of a comedic element that helps alleve the tension when it needs it most.
But, I think the biggest revelation of the movie is the acting ability of LaBeouf, as I've said I'm a big fan of his, but I was blown away at how far he's come since Even Stevens and Holes. I have yet to see "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints" his last film that got rave reviews, so I'm not sure if that was where he really stepped up his game, but after seeing this movie I'm very excited to check that one out and see if he carries the same weight as he does here.
Overall a fun, suspenseful thriller. See it in theaters while you can, there's a reason it's made $66 Million and counting.

Labels: Disturbia, reviews

I saw Spider-Man 3 Friday night and it was good. My wife leaned over to me towards the end and said "This is my favorite of the 3" and that constant reader is a good sign. See, I'm never sure how my wife will respond to comic book movies, she's liked the Spider-Man series but I was worried she wouldn't like Venom. And before this I was worried she'd hate Batman Begins (especially the scary, demonic, scenes when people are on the Scarecrow's dust, but she loved it too) But she liked it and frankly I did too. There's been a lot of mediocre and bad reviews, which I frankly don't understand.
The movie revolves once again around Peter Parker,the kindly geek who gains super powers and becomes Spider-Man. His life is going great, everyone loves Spidey and their throwing parades in his honor. Things are great for him and Mary Jane and he's ready to ask for her hand in marriage. But as all of you Spider-Man fans know when things are going great, the ground will quickly fall out from underneath poor Peter.
MJ starts to pull away after her acting career takes a tumble and she feels Peter can't relate seeing as how Spidey's doing so well. A new photographer, Eddie Brock (That 70's Show's Topher Grace), is trying to steal his career at the Daily Bugle. And the police thing that the man actually responsible for his Uncle Ben's death is still at large, that would be Villain Numero Uno: Sandman (Wings' Thomas Haden Church), whose recently had his whole body turned into sand (it's explained better in the movie). Plus if that wasn't bad enough, Peter's best friend Harry still hates him after finding out that he was "responsible" for his father's death (See the first movie in the series) and has taken to attacking him using his father's Goblin devices, making him Villain Numero Dos: The New Goblin.
All of this compounds on Peter and makes him angry, which is fine with the Alien Goo that has fallen to Earth in a meteorite and taken up residence inside Pete's apartment. The goo bounds with the now furious Peter and becomes a "black suit" which makes him more powerful and feeds on his anger and amplifies it.
Peter becomes a jerk, which Director Sam Raimi, plays up in a very humorous fashion, and is soon killing a bad guy, smashing bank robbers through windshields, and being an all around prick. And hurting those who get in the way, such as Eddie Brock who uses falsified photos to steal the staff photographers job from Peter. But, when in a manner or minutes he manages to hurt (either physically or emotionally) the two women in his life, MJ and the newly introduced Gwen Stacy (the stunning Bryce Dallas Howard), in a matter of minutes, he realizes what the suit has done to him and decides he has to get rid of it.
Unfortunately the suit has bonded with him (it's basically a parasite who needs a host to live) and proves difficult to get off. But once it does come off it quickly finds a new host, one that hates Peter as much as it does, Eddie Brock. Eddie's pissed because he's lost his job and all respectability and thinks Peter's stolen his girl Gwen as well. But with the suit he becomes Villain Numero Tres: Vemon, a demonic looking version of Spider-Man. All of this Cumulates in a final battle between the Villains and Our Hero, Spidey. A battle royale that is only ruined by the frequent cuts to some horrible reporter and repeated crowd shots, only one of which (featuring J. Jonah Jameson) is entertaining.
Overall the entire movie works well, but I do have a couple of minor complaints. First, I felt like we could have used more of Eddie Brock/Venom & Flint Marko/Sandman, they were featured nicely but I feel Raimi could have done more with this, if only he had made a movie that was about 30 min longer. (Personally I'd be fine with a 3 hour Spider-Man movie because I feel like if I'm paying $10 a movie, the longer the better and the more for my money!) Having said that, as the movie stand now it really needed both villains and the plot works well to make them both central to the story, I just would have liked to have more.
My second complaint is the main one I have with the movie: Not Enough Gwen Stacy! As any good Spider-Man fan knows Gwen was Peter's first and True Love in the comics. In fact the scene from the first movie where the Green Goblin tosses MJ off the bridge and Spider-Man catches her with his web, is right from the comics, only it's Gwen and when Spidey catches her the force of the sudden stop snaps her neck killing her. It's only after this tragic event that MJ comes into Pete's life. I'll be honest I was a little weary of Howard being cast as Gwen, but she looks amazing and did an amazing job with the character, she just needed more to do.
Highlight to read more of my opinion featuring a possible: Personally I'm still hoping they pull a roll reversal, killing MJ and moving Gwen in to be the new love interest. Plus she's much more attractive than MJ in the movies.
Other than that I enjoyed the movie, as did the others in my theater who cheered, hollered, clapped, and seemed to have a good time all around.
Bottom Line: Better than the First, not as good as the Second, but still better than most of the Super Hero Movies out there! Raimi once again proves why he is the best choice for this franchise. Here's Hoping For Part 4!

Labels: reviews, Spider-Man 3