Please, Sir, May I Have Some More Bad Boys?

I could definitely find a place for Bad Boys and Bad Boys II in the Showcase of Shame, especially given the flicks’ Rotten Tomatoes 42 and 23 percent stinktastic rankings, but that’s another post. This post is about Columbia Pictures hiring Sally Field’s son, Peter Craig, to pen the screenplay for Bad Boys III, with the studio crossing its fingers that Michael Bay, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will once again join forces. Smith and Lawrence are locks for a re-up, but I’m not so sure about Michael Bay. Does he really need more critics crapping on him after Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? His track record hasn’t been stellar as of late. On the other hand, does he even care? His movies rake in the dough, so perhaps he cares more for the average theatergoer’s opinion than he does some stuffy critic.

Either way, I vote yes and say please, sir, may I have some more Bad Boys. I also leave you with this clip from Bad Boys II, where Mike (Smith) and Marcus (Lawrence) dodge cars on a Miami causeway.

The Mouse and Marvel are Now Married

You know what $4 billion dollars can get you nowadays? Aside from three lifetime’s worth of Angry Whoppers from Burger King and a Brazilian Wax for each and every person living in Brazil, $4 billion buys the House of Mouse the House of Marvel, which includes Spider-Man, The X-Men, The Hulk, Iron Man, The Fantastic Four, Thor and Captain America.

The deal doesn’t give Disney complete world domination of young boys just yet, as Marvel’s deals with Paramount, Sony and Fox will stay in place, but once those are done, and for anything moving forward, Disney will be in the driver’s seat. In fact, one interesting tidbit from the shareholder’s conference call was a meeting between Pixar headman John Lasseter and the powers-that-be at Marvel, apparently to discuss different ideas the two studios have for collaboration. I don’t know about you, but the prospect  alone of Pixar animating the Marvel universe makes me a little giddy. On the other hand, the idea of seeing the Jonas Brothers in a Marvel movie makes me want to sledgehammer my own loins.

What We See On Blu-ray Echoes in Eternity

Blu-Ray nerd alert:

For fans of Ridley Scott’s 2000 Best Picture winner Gladiator, tomorrow (September 1st) is a big day. The hubbub? Gladiator is coming to the superclean and supersexy Blu-ray format. Second, Gladiator is being released under Paramount’s new “my better is better than your better” imprint the Sapphire Series. Promising only Paramount’s most celebrated movies with the candy-coated, eyeball busting sound and image quality, the Sapphire Series also makes its debut tomorrow with both Gladiator and Braveheart.

And while Braveheart is winning some seriously effusive praise, the better and more visually sumptuous of the two, Gladiator… not so much. Early rumblings of disappointment began last week when some retailers broke the street date clause and sold the discs early. Apparently, the transfer uses the 2000 DVD transfer, complete with edge enhancement and a few other artificial digital “enhancements”. While subtle on a regular TV, these digital manipulations create white edges and “halos” around objects on larger, high definition TVs. DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) has since been added to the mix in an effort to subdue the edge enhancement. Unfortunately, DNR is notorious for erasing detail and making skin tones look waxy-weird (The Last Starfighter‘s or Star Trek‘s recent Blu-ray transfer is a good example).

So… Ruh-roh.

Digital Bits has a great write up about the whole tempest in a teapot if you’re interested or were thinking about making the purchase. As a sucker for day and date release, I’ll probably be holding out. I love me some Gladiator, but if I’m paying for a double-disc, super-quality Sapphire Series Blu-Ray, I expect the image to be reference quality. As is, I may snag Braveheart and hold off until we find out if Paramount’s doing anything to fix the rough presentation.

Man, Christians Ruin Everything

Way, way, way back in May my Trailer Tuesday pick was for a film called Agora (aka- titled for the old Greek word used to denote a place of assembly). Directed by Alejandro Amenábar (who did the spooky Nicole Kidman in a foggy house ghost story The Others) Agora‘s trailer was previously available only in some crazy language that wasn’t American. Since it’s an English-spoken movie, Agora has now received a trailer that good ol’ U.S. of A.-ians can finally understand.

The details, however, remains the same: “Since Agora is a historic drama, the laws of the screenwriting universe dictate that it must focus its drama on a romance between a schlub and a higher up. This time the higher up is Hypatia (played by Rachael Weisz), a Greek philosopher known for her questioning of deity. As for history, Agora covers the rise of Christianity, the pagans getting a crossed boot up their bum-parts and the subsequent insult of crazy Christians going amok and destroying the famed library of Alexandria while punting humanity into the Dark Ages.”

History, swords, and togas don’t usually have to exert much effort to get me in a seat. This isn’t any exception, though we’re probably looking at something much more contemplative and measured than a Ben Hur, Gladiator or Troy.

The toga’d and sandalized Agora is all set to reach theaters in December.

With District 9 A Certified Success, Blomkamp Talks Sequel

It’s no secret that we here at AATM are a fans of the little indie movie that could: District 9. Box office would say we’re not the only ones, but by crap, we’ll claim it because we were there in Blomkamp’s corner from day one.

While nothing’s greenlit or solidified, it’s no surprise that with an assured world-wide take of over $100 million, there’s talk of a sequel. Whether that comes about or not is Cloverfield’s guess, but Blomkamp’s been making the rounds in interviews and has been doing some outward brainstorming about the possibilities:

From sci-fimoviepage.com (***big fat spoiler below***):

“Even though he wrote District 9 with no sequel in mind, Blomkamp admits that he has “an inclination of an idea” for one and would definitely be interested in directing the sequel…

…which would again be set in South Africa and star Sharlto Copley as Wikus van der Merwe again. “Does Wikus become human again?” is one of the plot issues which Blomkamp feels can be explored in a possible sequel.”

And from the trust-inspiringly named movie-moron.com (***minor spoilers***):

Blomkamp was asked whether Christopher would do as he promised and return to Earth in three years to help Wikus. “I do have ideas rattling around in my head, and weirdly enough they’re not to do with what you just said,” Blomkamp said. “They’re different. But, who knows?”

Intersting. But while Blomkamp’s also entertained the idea of a prequel involving the unlikely hero Wikus van der Merwe, let’s be honest. This is all geek talk and idle chatter until something’s inked. When it is, we’ll let you know.

Clooney Knocks Goats Out With His Mind

The Men Who Stare At Goats has one of the best titles the known filmic universe may have ever dislodged. It’s also crowing a roster that reads like a who’s who of cinematically-adored man-men: George “I made love to your wife” Clooney, Kevin “I may or may not be interested in your wife” Spacey, Jeff “I got stoned with your wife” Bridges, J.K. “scoffed at your excuse for a wife” Simmons, Robert “I chased your wife into a dark alley with knife hands” Patrick and Ewan “Your wife made love to me because of my accent” McGregor.  SOLID.

Despite all those names, it’s the trailer that makes the sell in what feels like a Coen brothers movie, but can’t be because it’s based one a true story: A story rehashing how the US military trained psychic forces and all the shenanigans that would come from the US military training psychic forces– including the aforementioned mental goat punching. SOLID.

The Men Who Stare At Goats opens November 6.

Twilight’s Volturi And the Red Eyes of Doom

Man, the bullet-train production speed of these Twilight movies is nothing short of mind-boggling. Not long ago, Dakota Fanning and Michael Sheen were cast as members of the antagonistic and powerful Volturi, a vampire coven introduced in New Moon who hangs out in Italy and polices the world’s vampires with red-eyed authority. Now the two are in posters and a movie that’s coming out in 80 days. Summit means business and are assembly-lining these suckers while the Twilight passion is still hot. And, if our readers here at AATM are any indication… it’s piping.

Of course, if you’re a Twihard (you guys have seriously got to rethink your naming conventions) you know all this and just want to see the recently released character images for Alec (Cameron “My, you’ve grown” Bright), Aro (Michael Sheen) and Jane (Dakota Fanning). Because I like Michael Sheen so much, he gets the front page spot. If you’re looking for Dakota and the other kid (and MTV exclusive) dressed in faintly Victorian black while enjoying a little brown cloud, they’re after the jump… … Continue Reading

2012 is REAL! The Web Says It’s So

If you’re into viral marketing, you might want to check out a few links. With disaster-miester Roland Emmerich’s 2012: Trailer For The End of the World hitting theaters just in time to brighten your holidays, the hype machine needs to get crackin’. And crackin’ it has got…ten.

Take, for example, this website a crazy Woody Harrelson put up: Thisistheend.com. Or this John Cusack look-alike who just wrote a book about predicted doom in 2012. Or this website for I.H.C-. No, not Intermountain Health Care– The Institute for Human Continuity. And while IHC may sounds artsy, they’re really the guys responsible for preparing you for the end of days when Planet X rolls into town.

Yes, Planet X.

Planet X, a huge ol’ planetoid predicted to realign our poles, vaporize our oceans and blow apart our cities with superheated radiation when it passes by earth somewhere around 2012. Thing is, that part isn’t made up (Google it!)– there’s a whole conspiracy-theory survivalist community built around the idea of Planet X. Back in 2002 or something, I heard a coworker fretting about this Planet X hitting in 2004 or 2005, pulling out all the circumstantial stops to prove it. Being a guy who’s easily freaked by cataclysmic predictions, I lost some sleep over it for a few days. Luckily, 2006 was an uneventful year and I was able to gain my sleep back. Regardless, I guess now for Mayan convenience Planet X’s arrival has been moved back to 2012.

In the mean time, that’s good for this movie and its viral marketing, because 2012 has no chance of making any money if it’s released after Planet X punches earth in the softies.

2012 arrives November 13, but lucky for this story, a new-footage Japanese trailer arrived today.

Even Hitler Hated Avatar Day

So we all know how Avatar Day went down: like a spent balloon. Partially booked theaters, underwhelming word of mouth. Not the rousing world-wide celebration 20th Century Fox was hoping for.

The screenings intended to generate the buzz needed to launch Avatar with strong anticipation and big buzz-worthy opening numbers seem to be having the opposite effect. Only December will tell (and it may be way too early to prognosticate…. aw, screw it), but there aren’t too many people dizzy with excitement over this one.

I just chalk it all up to the injustice of Utah being given the stiff arm in all the Avatar Day screening festivities. Karma, suckers!

And then there’s Hitler. Taken from the film Downfall (if you haven’t seen it, rent it… now), this pivotal scene has been recut to reflect the Fuhrer’s massive disappointment with the Avatar trailer, Avatar Day, James Cameron and even George Lucas. And let’s be honest, if Hitler’s pissed, Cameron’s opus is in big, fat trouble.

Showcase of Shame: Event Horizon

You know you’ve got them. Everyone does: Movies you’re ashamed to admit you like, much less own. We’re not talking about those late night movies you watch when no one thinks you’re looking– we’re talking about bonafide theatrical releases pummeled by critics with the left-right-uppercut combo of loathing and disgust. We’re talking about movies your friends pull off your shelf and say, “What the heck/*expletive*!?” The movies you know you’ll be mocked for and unapologetically watch anyway. Some come down the pipe via populist backlash (IE-Titanic). Some are gold wrapped in platinum stuffed in a rusty aluminum box. Some are just plain terrible. But that doesn’t matter. We’re making no apologies and it’s time to kick that shame right where it counts.

Introducing the Showcase of Shame: a spotlight on films we’re not ashamed (er…maybe a little) to say we like in one way or another—in no particular order, of course. Sure, you might make fun of us, but we know you’ve got your own list. And it’s hidden quietly under your mattress.

Read on.

Event Horizon (1997)

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Laurence “Neoooooooooooo!” Fishburne, Sam “Dr. Grant” Neill, Joely “You Know Me if You Watch TV” Richardson, a pokey spaceship and 3200 gallons of blood substitute.

Tomatometer: 21%

If you want to have that “Event Horizon” experience without spending the seven bucks, try this instead: Put a bucket on your head. Have a loved one beat on it vigorously with a wrench for 100 minutes. — Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

The concept was good. Take The Shining, add a squeeze of Alien‘s grubby space travel, a half cup of Solaris with a dash of The Omen and unleash hellish horror in space. Unfortunately, scenes meant as homage (a room gushing blood) feel unoriginal and un-scary. As a whole, all the ingredients thrown into Event Horizon add up to an unfulfilling kettle of crap goulash, sealed with a perfunctory, scantly explained (“We’ll tell you what happened in a few throwaway lines of dialogue so we can get back to the bloodletting– just take our word for it, mmmkay?”) third act.

And yet… YET… … Continue Reading