Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts

Thursday, September 11, 2008

When You Wish Upon a Star

I normally avoid getting political on my blog. But when People's Sexiest Man of the Year and inaugural Spank Bank inductee Matt Damon takes the time to voice his concerns about issues surrounding the upcoming election, I think we need to sit down and listen.

Here's a brief commentary by Damon as reported by the Associated Press:


Love the Disney comparison, btw.

Regardless of how you choose to vote, choose to be informed about your vote! I now return you to your regularly scheduled Reel Whore content.

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

PG-13 Films Rock!

After being in town the past few days and leaving to find my trusty internets working perfectly, I have had nothing but time to prepare the following revelation: I love the Motion Picture Association of America! I find it reassuring that a group of anonymous individuals can be the moral guidepost for today's busy parents. It is good that parents can rely on these like-minded and consistently accurate censors to rate a film as safe for our children aged thirteen to seventeen.

Never has a grander label been created. Credit cannot be entirely given to the MPAA; in his own words, Steven Spielberg "invented the rating" in response to parental outrage in 1984 over his Temple of Doom and Gremlins films. Since that time, the PG-13 rating has been the hallmark of quality in cinema. The middle-of-the-road banner has lifted so many kid-friendly pictures into risque fare and turned so many vulgar and graphic films away from the dreaded R-rating.

For example, last summer's Live Free or Die Hard was the first of the four-film franchise to receive a PG-13 rating. Granted, the PG-13 of 1984 has become extremely lenient in more recent years, allowing scripts to pepper more hints of nakedness, rampant violence and the ability to drop an "F" bomb or other suggestively vulgar slur. At the least, the rating kept John McClane from uttering his tired catchphrase. Thanks to the PG-13 bump, "yippie ki yay motherf-" is all that can be heard before a gunshot ripping into his shoulder drowns out the nasty vulgarity.

Another triumph of the PG-13 shield is that it saved the population from being exposed to Scarlett Johansson's breasts in The Island. According to rumors, the steamy and totally unnecessary sex scene between Ms. Johansson and Ewan McGregor had her straddle him in the throes of passion with her bra firmly in place. Scarlett questioned the script, and eagerly offered to unleash her large, unappealing mammaries to make the scene supposedly more realistic and natural. However, director Michael Bay held strong to the principles of the PG-13 rating to ensure The Island could reach the masses.

I could cite dozens of horror films in recent years that have been phenomenal thanks to the PG-13 banner. 1408, The Ring, The Grudge, When a Stranger Calls and AVP: Alien vs. Predator are just the tip of the fantastic PG-13 horror iceberg. These films provide more creepiness in their languid atmosphere than gallons of blood, thousands of expletives or countless violent episodes could ever craft.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Niles, creator of 30 Days of Night, who fought tooth and nail to get his property under the pesky R banner. He said the studios really wanted a PG-13 film that could appeal to the masses, but as he put it, how can you make a movie about vampires and not make it rated R? I don't know how you'd go about creating such a masterpiece, but everyone who knows me knows I'd be first in line for a vampire flick with the PG-13 mark of quality.

PG-13 is a wonderful way to expose youth to semi-adult concepts without all the peskiness of reality or grit. It also spares parents from having to share these experiences with their children when they can be spending time socializing with other adults. I know my sixteen-year-old cousin loves to go see the latest PG-13 blockbusters whenever she can find a babysitter for little Julia. I'm just surprised that it's not mandatory for every film released into major theaters to undergo the MPAA's approval so more films can receive the glorious PG-13 designation. Even though this isn't the case, luckily for audiences, the popularity of films in this category just fuels the need for more. It won't be long before the success of PG-13 films makes the R-rating obsolete. I say, that day can't come fast enough for us eager audiences.

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This article has been made impossible by the Reel Whore not participating in Lazy Eye Theatre's Bizarro Blog-a-thon. I did nothing in my power to be certain I was the very first blogger to participate. I hope you hated it!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Other Other Boleyn Girl

I just caught wind of this story, and thanks to a running feature over at Blog Cabins labeled Fun with Sequels, was inspired to post. Turns out the semi-popular film The Other Boleyn Girl, starring the sexy, yum-yum trifecta of Eric Bana-Scarlett Johansson -Natalie Portman, is ripe for the sequel treatment!

The writer of The Other Boleyn Girl has penned another book called The Boleyn Inheritance, which will be the source material for the sequel. Instinctively I recalled the SNL skit featuring Ellen Page called The Other Other Boleyn Girl where Henry VIII not only met the two sisters but also many others. The funniest being Eunice Boleyn, played by Kristen Wiig, who returned from having sex with a horse to meet Henry.

Thinking this skit a perfect meshing of this news and Fletch's feature, I took up the search. After nearly an hour of scouring the internets to find this skit, I give up! The bitch company that NBC is has seemingly removed all links to said skit yet has made no effort to make it available for fans' consumption. For those that missed that wonderfully and aptly titled sequel, I'm sorry I couldn't provide it. But I'll be damned if I scrap this post after wasting so much time. Here's Kristen Wiig in a couple of recent SNL skits:






If you know where I can find The Other Other Boleyn Girl, hook me up!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Monday, May 19, 2008

Huh, huh, you said "Poll" (05.19.2008)

Hey, hey everyone! Long time no blog. Most of last week I was embroiled in an orgy of opium and women (read: working out of town and feeling generally crappy), making it nearly impossible to attend to my duties. Now that's passed and I promise to make up for my slackness this week.

I had a bit of an Art-Attack this past week, watching several Indy films which I'll be reviewing over the next few days. My wife called it my Red, Blue and Grey period...it'll make more sense by week's end.

While you wait for my next update I thought it'd be appropriate to throw a new poll out there. I am stoked about the nearly released Indiana Jones film. After that, my sights are set on Dark Knight and Hellboy II in July. For the life of me, my tinglys for June's films are sort of absent. I was wondering if you stargazers were similarly unstimulated. So, by show of votes, let me know what the most anticipated film of June is. Here are the choices:

Nothing matters after Indy 4
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Kung Fu Panda
The Incredible Hulk
The Happening
Get Smart
The Love Guru
Wall-E
Wanted
Saving up for IMAX Dark Knight

The poll will be up until the end of May. You Vote Now!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Celebrating Reel Whore's Centennial!

Stargazers! Can you believe that this is officially my 100th post?!

That's accomplishment enough in itself, but to spread the proverbial icing on the cake, I learned on the eve of my centennial post that I won a prestigious LAMMY in the category of Best Random LAMB Banner! I realized upon winning that I've never given my banner its props here on the site, so I present to you, the Reel Whore's LAMB Banner:



Thanks again to all my fellow LAMBs who voted for my banner!


To celebrate reaching the 100th post, I have pulled a few strings to get a special guest to perform here at Reel Whore. He's promised a quick magic trick suitable for ringing in my 100th! Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for GOB of Arrested Development!





Thank you, GOB! Keep up the good work and we'll keep our fingers crossed for your rumored
Arrested Development film (More details over at Sarahnomics).

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Baby Mama Drama

Wow, lots of crazy topics centering on children this week. Let's jump right in with the top three stories.

1. Baby Mama tops the box office. Reel Whore reneges on initial rating.

You heard it right, folks. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's film ranked #1 at the box office. Yea! I am happy for them. So happy I saw this a second time (mainly because my wife wanted to see this). Upon second viewing, I must really have needed to laugh at the sneak peek I attended. The film is still good, but I have adjusted my review rating of Full Price ($$$$) down a half-notch (Full Price <> Matinee). Sorry ladies; it was good, just not that good.


2.
Amy Poehler's having a baby!

Hot off the heels of her #1 film about being a baby mama, Amy Poehler announces that she will be having a baby with hubby Will Arnett this autumn.


Congratulations Amy & Will!




I bet that the little bundle of joy grows up to be one of the funniest people on the planet.

Whether it's a girl or a boy, at least Franklin will finally have a sibling.





3.
Baby Suri turns two and drama returns to my life.

A week or so back I hinted that I was having some issues. Those who know me know all too well to what I was referring. I was, of course, speaking about Baby Suri turning two. I am sure you've been hearing all sorts of rumors about Katie moving to an NYC apartment, but that she and Tommy Boy are still madly in love. Well, I have a bit more truth on the matter, but I have promised--more like been instructed--not to say anything until after Tom does his double appearance on Oprah. Stay tuned, stargazers; you won't believe what's next.

For readers feeling a bit in the dark, here's the recap of what I'm going on and on about:


That’s My Baby!
Originally written: October 2005

Everyone knows how commercial Hollywood is. We all groaned and mumbled when the monster that was ‘Bennifer’ got all matrimonial conveniently around the release of their big screen disaster Gigli. This year we received much of the same gossip and free publicity with the Aniston/Pitt/Jolie fiasco, not to mention the big summer affair; Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. We all sat wide-eyed and confused as Tom did cartwheels on Oprah’s couch and Katie blubbered on and on to Regis about how Tom was so sweet and not the creepy Scientology zealot that his interviews make him out to be. Seeing Katie profess her love for ‘he of the crooked smile’ was a bit disheartening for me, as many of you know. Now it turns out, the public has just learned that not only are they happily in love, but now there love has manifested itself into a soon to be living being…

At least, that’s what they want you to think. As I just said I was a bit disheartened when Katie was running around with Tom. I thought after Chris dumped her out of sheer insanity, that she would finally come to her senses and contact this good ol’ NC boy, if at least for some vigorous rebound loving. But Tom scooped her up before Katie and I could make our love/lust connection. After some of the initial motorcycle riding and couch jumping hype subsided, Katie was nice enough to let me know about their relationship. See, K-k and I go way back to her TV days before she became the big film star she is now. I can’t tell you all the time people had to drag us apart so she could stand in for her scenes. But I digress; she called me out of the blue one evening, just to tell me how she and TC were, in fact, very much in love and wished that people could understand that. Stranger things have happened right? I was a little offended that she never gave us a chance, but then again, if Halle Berry had come to me after her latest break-up Katie’s disregard would have been the last thing on my mind (Hell, if Halle had come to me I could have saved her and us from Catwoman but that’s a story for another time.) As I was saying, K-k and I talked everything over and I wished her well with her new romance and thought that was that.

Just a few weeks later, she called, all despondent. She had discovered that TC could not have kids (a rather graphic, unfortunate wax incident with his first wife Mimi but you didn’t hear that from me). So I met up with her to offer some solace, we got to laughing and talking, and long story short…That’s My Baby! When I had heard the good news this week, I thought wow, sometimes miracles do happen and the Big T pulled it off. But it was Katie’s message the other day that confirmed that I provided the “key” component to their cocktail o’ love. Of course, none of this is 100% until all the tests come back and I really do hope that I have not planted a seed of dissension between the two lovebirds. I did think that you, my devoted readers, would like to hear the full story behind one of the most talked about Hollywood couples. I do wish Tom and Katie all the best, and I do think that for one minute the announcement of her being ‘preggers’ so soon before the release of “Batman Begins” was a marketing contrivance. Nor should anyone think that these two enamored individuals would move the wedding up from Christmas to late November just so their wedding publicity would bolster the “War of the Worlds” DVD profits. If I know K-k, is just coincidence that these two mega-stars busy schedules continue to overlap with their personal lives. I wish the soon-to-be-three of them all the best. Just keep in mind folks, if the baby has the fattest legs you’ve ever seen on a newborn; That’s My Baby!

F’ A Cupcake!
Originally written: April 2007

Alright Stargazers…

I thought I could let this go without saying anything, but after last night’s incident, my story must be told. After watching “Year of the Dog,” I came home to find three packages on my doorstep. The first two were for my new PC, which makes me very, very happy. But the third box was unfamiliar and unexpected. Once I settled in, I popped the top of the little brown box, and immediately saw red. I couldn’t believe my former friend and one-time lover had the nerve to pull some shit like this.But I’m getting ahead of myself; let me first say that last week had been difficult for me. As many of you may have realized, it was my daughter’s birthday last Wednesday. She turned a year old, and for obvious reasons, I was not invited to her birthday party. It’s not like I could have jumped on a plane to fly out for the party, though her mother could have hooked me up had she the desire. (I remember the desire she used to have. I guess motherhood changes a person.) At any rate, my daughter turned a year old; I was not there, and I’m sure my gift never even made it to her hands as “daddy” probably felt it was unworthy of “his” baby girl.

So I had moved on, hoping that I’d at least get some photos over e-mail or something within the next few weeks. Then, unsuspecting as I was, I opened up that box to find a stale cupcake from the Beverly Hills bakery, Sprinkles. What a bitch! K-k knows good and well that she didn’t invite me to the party so why would she send me a cupcake other than to taunt the fact that she’s living the life with Cruise at the crazy complex? I know what you’re thinking-- maybe she did it as an apology for Cruise never allowing me to see my child. That thought crossed my mind, too, but then I saw the envelope underneath the cupcake. It was a small pink envelope much akin to an invitation. Hesitantly I opened it. Inside were two things.

The first was a party invitation for baby Suri. By the way, I so did not like that name – voicing my disapproval was one of the last times I spoke with K-k. But I digress. This invitation didn’t have all the nifty details one would expect on an invite; instead just a few sentences were scrawled on the back:

“I hope you understand why you were not invited. Suri doesn’t need the confusion of two men in her life, nor do I. I am happy for the gift you have given us. The pact Tom and I have made includes love for Suri. I am grateful for knowing you. With warmest regards,

-K-k

K-k has always been nice, and while the letter was nice enough, it was a flowery way of telling me to piss off and stay clear of the Cruise family. With that I can deal, but the second item in the envelope just refueled my anger – it was a pizza coupon. And not just any pizza chain: CiCi’s Pizza! Now I know the CiCi’s franchise hasn’t quite made it to California, so Tom or K-k must have gone out of their way to secure this coupon. But the fact that it was a CiCi’s coupon and not Papa Johns, or even Pizza Hut, speaks louder than anything. I could almost see his smug, crooked smile as he slipped the coupon into the envelope. A final “up yours” gesture from the sterile simp. I tell ya, if we ever cross paths I’ll knock that shit-eating grin right off his face.

I still cannot believe K-k would send something like that to me, her baby daddy. Receiving that bizarre invite in the mail was the equivalent of a horse’s head under the sheets. Tom has made it clear that a war is coming. You’d think he would be thankful that it was me and my seed which brought he and K-k closer together. But some folks only focus on the small issues, and Tom’s obsesses way too much on the small.

With all that has transpired, I don’t know what this means for the friendship between K-k and I, or the future of our little girl. I do know that you will be the first to hear about whatever smarmy trick Cruise has up his sleeve next. A coupon and a cupcake? Fuck a cupcake, it’s on!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Monday, April 21, 2008

Damn You Russell T. Davies!

In case you may have missed it in a previous mention, I try my best to steer clear of spoilers. I like to watch trailers for films and read the occasional bit of casting news or "trouble on the set" articles. If I get even a whiff of some tidbit that may totally ruin a show or film for me I head the other direction. It really sucks when I want to see what my fellow bloggers have to say about a review, but I manage.

Conversely, as a courtesy I try to avoid giving specific details about a film in my reviews, unless I am just spurred by some righteous indignation to do so. When I do slip into spoiler territory, I try to let folks know.

That said, if you are fans of Torchwood and did not see the Season 2 finale which aired this past Saturday on BBC America but fully intend to do so, run away!


***SPOILERS!***

I remember an interview with Russell T. Davies from Season 1 of Torchwood where he said that he wanted his show to be a place where no character was safe; that they could die at any moment because they were constantly in harm's way. I was like hells yeah, gangsta! I mean honestly, how many times can Jack Bauer be beaten, tortured, and blown up, yet still surviv
e to save America (I don't actually watch 24, but I gather this to be the gist of the plot from season to season)?

I love the reality within the fantasy. I love the grit. I love the raw emotion. I love the unexpected. I love that the five stars, John Barrowman, Eve Myles,
Burn Gorman, Naoko Mori and Gareth David-Lloyd, are so damn hot you'd totally jump into a Torchwood orgy given the chance. But no more dreams of six-ways for us fans, thanks a lot.

When Owen Harper, played by Burn Gorman, was shot and died in the middle of Season 2, I was totally shocked. Thanks to Captain Jack's stubbornness and a nifty bit of alien tech, Owen was able to continue to function in a sort of living corpse way; it's a long story, but one well worth watching. Given that he didn't need to breathe or eat but that he also couldn't heal wounds or have sex, I had come to terms with the fact that Gorman's role as Owen would not last beyond this season. Honestly, I was okay with that.


What I was NOT OKAY with was watching Naoko Mori's character, Toshiko Sato, take a bullet to the gut! How could you let her die!? What purpose did it serve?! Was that really necessary?! I've tuned in to this show faithfully every week and this is how you repay me.

Raw emotion and grit fucking suck. I much prefer you keep my favorite characters on the damn show and not go off on a whim and kill 40% of the cast in the span of five minutes. So, so not cool.

I am sure that in a show about alien tech, occasi
onal visits from a Time Lord, and all other sorts of fantastical and impossible occurrences that Owen Harper and Toshiko Sato may somehow return one day. In the meantime, I am going to sulk in my corner.

Burn Gorman, I will miss the mostly crass, somewhat callous yet caring personality that made Dr. Owen Harper, King of the Weevils, so enjoyable.

Naoko Mori, I will miss that tender and concerned Toshiko 'Tosh' Sato who could turn tough as nails when the moment arose. And the old man was right: you do have some great legs!


Don't get me wrong; I still love Torchwood. BBC America must have realized that between its heart-wrenching finale and the depressing Voyage of the Damned episode of Doctor Who that us fans needed a good cheering up. Guess that's why they aired four comedy specials by one of my favorite comedians, Eddie Izzard on Sunday. Tragedy. Comedy. All sorts of good stuff coming from across the pond I tell ya!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

I Drink It Up!

Today's the day I fill in the gap in my PTA collection!


I drink your milkshake!

Large Association of Movie Blogs

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

In Memorium: Gary Gygax 1938-2008

Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons role playing game died Tuesday, March 4, 2008. This man was responsible for my lack of focus and direction from middle school onward, thanks to the countless hours of enjoyment I derived from fantasy books and gaming campaigns inspired by his work. The geek in me sheds a tear for Mr. Gygax, and all of my characters his rules helped kill.

My condolences to his family.

Articles:
Dungeons & Dragons Co-Creator Dies at 69 (by Emily Fredrix, Associated Press Writer)

Gary Gygax, 'Father of D&D,' Dies at 69 (by Lore Sjoberg)

Tributes:
Giants in the Playground: Order of the Stick #536

Penny Arcade

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