Category Archives: movies

movies

How Sylvester Stallone saved his almost destroyed career….

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So Sylvester Stallone is in the mainstream of Hollywood again. Before the film, “Rocky Balboa”, Sly’s career was almost dead. It seems that everyone forgot who the man was. Before “Rocky Balboa” Sly’s last big screen movie, was “Driven”, a movie about race cars that was directed by Renny Harlin. The film “Driven” was a failure, a box office flop. Why did it fail? Simply because the movie was bad and Sly didn’t star the lead in it, Sly was only in “Driven” for a small role. After “Driven” was released, Sly began doing movies for the independent industry of film aka indie films for straight to DVD. His next few straight to DVD films, were “D-Tox/Eye See You”, “Avenging Angello”, and “Shade”. Those films really didn’t go anywhere either.

So what could Sly do to save his dying career? That’s right, star in a movie for children, which he starred in, “Spy Kids 3D: Game Over”, he played the main villain, the Toymaker. Sly played several different roles at once in that film as a matter of fact. “Spy Kids 3D” was obviously a huge success as it helped bring Sly back in the mainstream just a little bit. Shortly after the film, Sly announced shocking news that he had plans for a “Rocky 6” which is now titled, “Rocky Balboa”. Sly had a long battle against MGM to release “Rocky Balboa” ’cause they wouldn’t work on it because of Sly’s age. They felt like he was too old for the character. Now that Sly and MGM are on good terms, they released the film. “Rocky Balboa” did well in box office, but it wasn’t a huge hit as everyone hoped it would.

Next, Sly decides to try and bring Rambo back to the big screen for the fourth time. The film “Rambo” did pretty well in box office, did a little better than “Rocky Balboa”. After the success of Rocky and Rambo being back, Sly got a deal with Nu-Image Milllenium to make a few more films with them. So Sly came up with an idea of making an action movie full of other action stars, which is “The Expendables”. Sly’s been working on “The Expendables” for the past couple of years, and now it is finally here. Will the “Expendables” movie do better than the new “Rocky” and “Rambo”? Sly making “The Expendables” is just his way of seeing what he can do outside of Rocky and Rambo.

I predict that “The Expendables” will be Sly’s biggest film, since “Rambo: First Blood part II”. It’ll be bigger than “Demolition Man” and “Cliffhanger” as well. Will the “Expendables” top Christopher Nolan’s movie, “Inception”? Definitely. Could “The Expendables” top the “Dark Knight” or even, “Avatar”? I don’t think it’ll go up that far world wide, but maybe “The Expendables” can actually make the top ten.Sly doing Spy Kids was a good move. It may have been silly and goofy for Sly to star in a kids film like that, but if Sly didn’t star in Spy Kids at all, then Rocky and Rambo wouldn’t have came back, and the Expendables wouldn’t have been made. Sly would still be doing straight to DVD movies if he didn’t do Spy Kids.

You gotta ask, what’s next for Sly after, “The Expendables”? I’m not sure yet. Sly hasn’t announced his next project yet, although he has talked about doing the Gotti movie, the Death Wish remake, and the Edgar Allan Poe biopic. He also talked about an “Expendables” sequel at times as well. Nothing’s been confirmed yet. Will Sly continue to be box office king after “The Expendables”? I think he will.

This movie will especially help Dolph Lundgren’s career as well. Dolph directed straight to DVD stuff for most of his life, and maybe his future films will get big screen treatment because of the “Expendables” movie. The “Expendables” film will give all actors in the film good opportunities for their future. Steve Austin retired from wrestling so he can focus on an acting career. Steve appeared in films such “The Longest Yard” and “The Condemned”. He starred in a few straight to DVD movies as well, such as “Damage” and “The Stranger”. “The Expendables” will help Steve Austin’s career get bigger as well. The same with Randy Couture. Other than Randy’s UFC career, Randy does star in a few films here and there, but mostly independent films such as “Red Belt” and “Scorpion King 2”. I think “The Expendables” will help Randy get into more big mainstream films in the future. Jet Li has always been known as a huge icon. Mickey Rourke is well known too, but with his movies like “The Wrestler” and “The Expendables” helped him get into “Iron Man 2” and many other big films. Jason Statham has always been well known, he’s done action movies such as “The Transporter’, “Crank” and others but they weren’t as big and mainstream. “The Expendables” will help Jason become a household name like Sly. Terry Crews is an underrated actor that no one knows about, and now that guy is everywhere in the media.

I can’t wait to see, “The Expendables” movie, I’ve been waiting a long time to see this. Sly is finally back to where he is, doing action movies with him as the leading star. I’m sure Sly will announce his next project when ever he’s done promoting, “The Expendables”. I think Sly will announce his next project sometime this fall. Looking forward to seeing the film this weekend!!! 🙂

Kev

movies

Report: Paramount Pictures cuts Tom Cruise’s upfront pay for “MI: 4″…

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Due to the box office failure for “Knight and Day”, that gave Paramount Pictures no choice but to cut Tom Cruise’s upfront pay for the upcoming, “Mission Impossible 4”. That means Tom will not be getting paid anything before the movie starts filming. He will have to wait to get paid after the movie is done and released, he’ll get his share of the investment after.

Collider reports:

http://www.collider.com/2010/08/05/tom-cruise-mission-impossible-4-pay-cut-paramount-pictures/

I’m pretty sure Tom is not worried about not getting paid before the movie. Tom is loaded enough to not care about money. “MI: 4” will be a smash hit no matter what happens. So Tom will get plenty of cash when the movie is released. Tom always said he’s into acting ’cause he loves the movies, he’s always said he wasn’t in it for the money.

I have no interest in seeing “Knight and Day” but “MI: 4” is kind of exciting. I hope they make “MI: 4” a great one. Not much of a Mission Impossible fan, but if they make “MI: 4” an action packed ride, I might go to the theaters for this one.

I thought Tom’s best performance in his career was in the Bryan Singer Nazi film, “Valkyrie”, Tom’s acting was phenomenal in that film. He needs to stop doing silly films like “Knight and Day” and go back to do serious stuff like “Valkyrie”. I like Tom in action films too.

Kev

movies, music

Report: Jerry Garcia estate says they will not include Grateful Dead or solo music for Garcia biopic film…

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The Jerry Garcia Estate sadly announced the news that they will not be involved with the Amir Bar-Lev “Jerry Garcia” biopic that the film director is planning to direct. The Garcia estate refuses to license Grateful Dead or Jerry Garcia solo music for the film.

Read the Garcia Estate’s statement here:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118022604.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

While it is sad news, the film can still go on without Grateful Dead or Garcia’s music. Maybe Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh can somehow be involved with the music but make new original music for the film instead? That will probably end up happening.

Kev

movies

Report: Nicolas Cage is STILL ON for Schumacher’s “Trespass”!!!

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Turns out that Nicolas Cage really did drop out of “Trespass” for a vacation to the Bahamas. While there, he must of felt guilty about it and went back to return to the film like he was casted before. Yep, so Cage is indeed, still on for the role.

Deadline reports:

http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/nicolas-cages-abrupt-departure-leaves-millennium-drama-trespass-in-lurch/

Kev

movies

Report: Kurt Russell signs himself another role, will star in “Touchback”…

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A while ago, we learned news that Kurt Russell is making a comeback to Hollywood after a long hiatus. He returned by announcing news that he is going to be starring in a supernatural thriller titled, “Undying”. His next role after that, he just signed on to star in a football film titled, “Touchback”, where he will play a football coach.

In the film, Kurt will play a character named, Brian Presley, who is a farmer and fireman. He used to play football himself until an injury forced him to stop playing, so it looks like he ends up becoming a football coach later on.

Dark Horizons reports:

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/17917/kurt-russell-grabs-a-tight-end

Glad to see Kurt signing on to roles like crazy now! Can’t wait to see him back on the big screen!

Lets cross our fingers if he’ll ever work on a film with Sylvester Stallone in the future!

Kev

movies

Report: “Road to Perdition” sequel on it’s way???

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Back in 2008, it was revealed that a sequel to the 2002 mobster film, “Road to Perdition” is in the works. The sequel will be titled, the “Road to Purgatory”. Max Allan Collins wrote the script and it was already turned in, but it seems that he is no longer attached to direct.

The story to the sequel will focus on the son of Michael Collins returning from WWII to avenge the death of his father. The first one starred: Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Paul Newman, and Daniel Craig.

Movieweb reports:

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEhpGHWnVecUlk

The question is, would Tom Hanks return as the lead? Well, he obviously can’t because….”spoilers below”…

SPOILERS from the original “Road to Perdition”

Hanks character, Michael Sullivan Sr., was gunned down at the beach house at the end of the movie.

END SPOILER

Maybe Tom Hanks can return but in a different form. If they can use Michael Sullivan Sr. flashbacks with Tom Hanks playing the character still, or maybe Hanks can do narrated voice overs.

I would also like to see Sam Mendes return to direct the sequel, hopefully he’ll be up for it.

Kev

movies, music

Report: Justin Bieber biopic on it’s way to the big screen, might be directed by Davis Guggenheim?

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When the Twilight series is all over and done with, Hollywood is still doing whatever it takes to keep all the tweens entertained. Paramount Pictures has greenlighted a deal to make a Justin Bieber biopic for the big screen. The film will be in 3D and Davis Guggenheim is in negiations to direct. The film already has an official release date for February 11, 2011, Valentine’s Day weekend. Justin Bieber is a tween pop star that is also an internet phenomenon.

Deadline Reports:

http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/paramount-pictures-makes-justin-bieber-movie-deal/

You ask yourself, why does Justin Bieber deserve a biopic film this early, when many other musicians deserve it more than him? Well, that’s because Justin Bieber’s story is worth telling. Do you think Hollywood would do biopic films on Richie Valens, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Doors, etc. for no reason? No. There is a reason Hollywood makes movies on these legendary music stars. It’s not only to bring in money for the box office, but, it’s because that when Hollywood does biopics on bands, they have good enough stories that is worth telling to the whole world.

Justin Bieber’s story is worth telling for a lot of reasons. Everyone wants to know how this kid got into music early and everyone deserves to know how he got his popularity early.

I’m definitely not going to see this movie in theater but if the trailer looks interesting enough, I might wait for DVD on it.

I still stand by it, that his music is not that bad and it’s kind of a guilty pleasure.

Kev

movies

Report: Nicolas Cage pulls out of Joel Schumacher’s “Trespass” for a vacation to the Bahamas…

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Nicolas Cage is once again sparking some controversy online, with a bit of news that he might of pulled out of Joel Schumacher’s “Trespass” to go to a vacation to the Bahamas instead. He was supposed to star alongside, Nicole Kidman.

Now before anyone accuses Nic of being an asshole for this, maybe he didn’t pull out at all. Maybe they were negotiating with contracts and money, things must of gotten screwed up all of a sudden? Don’t blame Nic for this ’cause he is a professional. He’s been doing Hollywood for over 20 years. I think he knows the business long enough that he knows how to be professional.

If he really did pull out of this movie for the Bahamas instead, hey, it’s America. People do whatever makes them happy. If he wanted a vacation, I can’t blame him, ’cause this man is a hard working actor. He works film after film, non stop. I don’t think he ever took a break. So he needs a much well deserved break in the Bahamas. He’s a rich man, he can do whatever he wants.

Plus, Joel Schumacher is a shit director. The only good movie Schumacher did was, “Phone Booth”. I’m sure Nic himself will speak out on this soon.

Deadline reports:

http://www.deadline.com/2010/08/nicolas-cages-abrupt-departure-leaves-millennium-drama-trespass-in-lurch/

Kev

movies

Film Review: Salt

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Starring: Angelina Jolie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Liev Schrieber

Directed by: Phillip Noyce

Well today, I decided to go to the mall to check out the movie, “Salt”. It is finally here. I did a little shopping for myself. Picked up, “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” video game that was only 20 dollars, I also picked up the DVD for “Batman: Under the Red Hood” animated movie that just came out, so I’m looking forward to that. I also picked up a music instructional book from Barnes & Noble, a book that teaches how to write songs better and improve your craft. See? I’m getting serious in trying to improve as a musician, I’ll talk more about that another time. Anyway, on with the review:

Plot/Synopsis: CIA Officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is accused of being a Russian Spy, so she is being hunted down by CIA officials and she must try to escape arrest, so she can find her missing husband. There is a project called, “Day X” which is being organized by a Russian that could destroy the United States. There is somebody out there that wants to kill the President, and she is out there to save the President and the United States.

Yes, some of the movie was filmed in Albany, N.Y. Just the car chase scene in the highways. I can see why the film makers were interested in filming this scene in Albany. They needed highway bridges that were right next to each other, which one bridge higher than the other. That way Angelina’s character can jump to one truck to another on a bridge. Albany had cool highway bridges to do that scene with and it worked with the script. That’s why they decided to film the scene in Albany. That car chase scene was a breathtaking edge of your seat ride. I love car chases in action movies but I think this is one of the best car chases I’ve seen in a long time.

Anyway, this is not why I was dying to see the movie. The reason why I was looking forward to it is because, I’m a huge fan of Angelina Jolie. I’ve been a fan of hers way back. Ever since the days when she wasn’t all that popular. Plus, the movie itself looked great to me. And it was great. It’s not only Angelina’s best action film, it’s one of the best action films I’ve seen in a while. Why? It has a good cast. The writing was really good, I loved the plot. They did a good job on the script. The acting was good. You know how most action flicks today, the acting of the cast is terrible? Well the acting isn’t bad in this film at all. NO CGI EFFECTS. People are fed up with CGI in action films. I didn’t see any of that here. Most of the stunts in “Salt”, were done for real. Even Angie herself did most of her own stunts. She even did the truck scenes herself. Except, I’m sure she didn’t jump off a truck and onto another one next to a bridge, I’m sure she had to use stunt double on that one. The music score kept the movie entertaining. Sounds effects were great. Best of all, the film had nonstop action, all the way through.

I wasn’t bored with the film at all. Even though the film is short, it was a perfect action movie all around. I think the best part of the movie was Chiwetel Ejiofor being part of the cast. I think Chiwetel did the best acting. That guy is such an awesome actor, he is so underrated. He will become a recognizable star sooner or later. If you don’t know who Chiwetel Ejiofor is, he too is a martial artist. You might know Chiwetel from the movie, “Red Belt”.

I think there is definitely going to be a sequel to “Salt”, ’cause the ending just left open for another story. Like, the movie just ended right there, not finishing a story. So that’s definitely a “…to be continued”. I’m glad Tom Cruise didn’t star in this flick, ’cause if he never pulled out of the film, it wouldn’t be as successful. Angie was a perfect choice. I like Angie in action movies and I like her in drama films as well. Angie can do any genre that throws at her. Like her or not, she’s a talented actress and can do everything.

Score for “Salt” = **** (4 stars in “excellent”)

Kev