Predictations and Observations after watching “Watchmen”

Things I’m guessing will happen because of the release of “Watchmen”:

1) Sales of Fedora hats and trench coats will rise.

2) Dr. Manhattan and his blue penis will be spoofed by every comedian, comedy show and be heavily featured in whatever “Epic Movie” knockoff they make next.

3) The “Hallelujah” song will become a very popular song to play during sex.

4) The world would be a lot better off if we all listened to “99 Luft Balloons” a little more.

5) Patrick Wilson and Jeffery Dean Morgan should be bigger movie stars than they are.

6) We are in for somewhere between 2 and 20 versions of this movie on DVD.

7) If the economy remains as it is for much longer, some person will actually don a costume and take to the streets to fight crime.

There will be a glut of smiley face t-shirts, bumper stickers and other apparel/paraphernalia released in the coming months.

9) Some Hollywood executive somewhere is already trying to come up with an idea for a Watchmen 2. Fanboys will eventually kidnap him and bludgeon him with socks full of soap ala Full Metal Jacket until he promises never to pursue such an idea.

WATCHMEN review now available

Hey all, my review of Watchmen is now up and running. You can find it here: http://www.movie-vault.com/reviews/BnyKkhmOqjViSNIQ .

WATCHMEN REVIEW Coming

Hi all,

My review of WATCHMEN is coming soon. I’ll be at a midnight showing this evening; after which I’ll post a review.Either early Friday morning or certainly by around Noon. Stay tuned…

Ghostbusters III: a “Superbad” Adventure

While the Ghostbusters video-game fast approaches, more word comes that Judd Apatow may end up producing the third Ghostbusters film which is being penned by members of the Office writing staff. Full article can be found here:

The funny thing is, I saw this coming a mile away. Back in July I posted the following, when talking about the Ghostbusters game:

“The great thing here is that we don’t need to suscept ourselves to a crappy third film. One which would likely center around the “old” busters trying to train a “rag-tag” group of newbies probably played by the 3 DUDES from SUPERBAD along with Justin Long ….I can just see it now, Mclovin with a proton pack…”

I wasn’t totally on the mark, but I was close. Looking at it, I don’t have as much of a problem with it now as I did back then. I guess having guys like Seth Rogan involved could be fun; and certainly the comedy will be there…but I worry. I worry that we’ll end up with Superbad with Proton packs, or 40 Year Old Virgin with Ghosts. I want this to be a Ghostbusters film, which means all the original guys need to be involved; heavily. I don’t want Harold Ramis or Bill Murray appearing in some funky cameo, or having their characters show up for 10 minutes. That’s not acceptable.

More on this film as it develops…

Year of Reckoning

2009 could be a watershed type year in the history of cinema. The combination of nearly unprecedented economic events along with the growth of new technologies could combine to create either a wonderful or tragic year for the film industry.

Some experts in the cinema industry and economists predict that cinemas will do big business in 2009 because of the still comparatively low cost of movie going as it relates to almost every other form of entertainment NOT done in the home. That and the escapism that films provide is generally even more inviting to individuals during time of economic strife.

Historically, more people went to the movies during the time of the Great Depression than during any other time in cinematic history. That portends good things for 2009 and beyond where more and more people will seek affordable entertainment to escape the woes of the everyday. The question is not so much “will they come”, its more “will they be watching in 3-D, or will 35mm continue to rule the day.

If you’re a film executive you don’t care either way right? All you want is people in the seats, who cares if they have the funky glasses on. Actually, that’s not entirely true. More and more at home film viewing technology is catching up to the cinema experience. And its not just because we are buying larger and larger screens. Surround sound, high definition, Blue-Ray dvd, etc. All of these things continue to whittle away at the old adage of “there’s nothing like being in the theater.”

The only remaining advantages are the large IMAX cinescapes and the possibility of 3-D technology becoming the next big thing. And this is the year we find out if those two will hold true, or if cinema will continue to slip from dark theaters, to dark family rooms. The reason 2009 is the year? More like, the reasons.

First, as families become more conservative with spending they will be more apt to make specific choices between seeing a movie in 3-D versus the standard format. Cinemas are working against old stereotypes that 3-D is just red and blue colors that cause headaches and involve terrible glasses. The technology however has grown by LEAPS and BOUNDS, and some cinemas in the coming year(s) will offer 3-D viewings that don’t require glasses at all. Moreover, its more of a true-3D experience which brings me to the second reason.

We have some of the first films built from the ground up for 3-D coming out this year and into next year. Movies like “Monsters vs. Aliens” were created with the specific idea that they would be shown in 3-D. This is not a 2-D film that was simply modified to run in 3-D, this as they are calling it is “True 3-D”. But because of the economy, not many will be making the leap to see the film in both 3-D and standard format, they are going to choose. The question so far is, which format will they choose. If 3-D works out and wins out, this could change the way we go to the movies for a very long time. If not, then all the capital already invested in 3-D cinemas and films for the next few years could spell financial disaster for some movie companies amidst the economic turmoil plaguing us already.

A Proper Forum for Film

Hey all,

I just stumbled upon a GREAT movie forum website that is really extensive and really active. It has plenty of members who discuss everything from old movies, new releases, trailers, movie trivia/games, etc. They are really open and welcoming to new people (make sure to post in the introduction thread if you join).

The website is called MovieForums.org.

Go here to sign up:

See you there
The Film Phantom

“Watchmen” man could replace Chris Nolan as director of Batman

Interesting piece of news today coming out of “Batman-on-Film” a site that reports that Warner Bros. has already set some plans down in the event that Chris Nolan pulls out of a third Batman film, or at least for how to proceed in the aftermath of Chris Nolan’s third film which he says would indeed be his last.

The replacement?

None other than “Watchmen” director and current wonder boy Zack Snyder. Snyder has already made specific mention that he would be interested in directing a Batman film based on some of the graphic novel work of writer Frank Miller (Sin City).

For the rest of the article, go here:

This doesn’t seem like a big deal to me. Nolan is already going to make the third Batman film, that much is clear. Now, if he decides to take an extra year to make it; well I’ve got a $1 billion dollar international box office that says he’s earned it. Having Snyder lined up for the future is nice though, showing that Warner Bros. is looking down the road and perhaps we won’t have to wait too long between Batman films if Snyder comes right in.

The other thing I love is that Snyder will take a decidedly different approach to the franchise, and if indeed he does go with some of Frank Miller’s work; we’d be looking at a much OLDER Bruce Wayne, and thusly much older characters all around. That way you could recast everyone (including a new Joker!) and the performances wouldn’t tread on those of previous installments. It would take on a sort of Godfather II like situation where you could have the “younger” version of Batman and the Joker as played by Christian Bale and Heath Ledger and then have someone doing an “older” version. That could work out, and I’d be excited to see Snyder take a crack at that.

What does everyone else think?

“Super” films flying into theatres 2009-2010

Hey all,

New release dates have just been announced for some big tent pole features making their way to theatres in 2009 – 2010. Many of them just so happen to be big-time superhero films. Below is a list of release dates combined from several sites including; Comingsoon.net, Latino Review, and Aint it Cool News.

Sherlock Holmes (Starring Robert “Ironman” Downey Jr.)—-December 25, 2009

Clash of the Titans (remake)—-March 26, 2010

Ironman 2—-May 7, 2010

The Prince of Persia (based on Ubisoft videogame)—-May 28, 2010

Toy Story 3 in 3-D—-June 18, 2010

The Green Hornet—-June 25, 2010

Thor—-July 16, 2010

Inception (Dark Knight director Chris Nolan’s first film since TDK)—-July 16, 2010

Jonah Hex—-August 6, 2010

Suckerpunch (Zack Snyder’s film after Watchmen)—-October 10, 2010

The Green Lantern—-December 17, 2010

Reviewing the Previews: X-Men Origins: Wolverine

We all love doing it. Sitting in the theatre before a movie starts watching the trailers we make immediate judgments on how good the movie will be as soon as the 60-90 second preview ends. Dane Cook has a comedy bit about this.

As much as I dislike most movie trailers for giving away the whole movie they do give us an insight into how a film will play out, though I must say in some instances the film is outpaced by its trailer (see every romantic comedy to be churned out in the last 5 years).

(Potential spoilers about the films to follow, stop reading if you want to avoid them)
-I have very subdued expectations for this film, given how the third X-men feature went. Hugh Jackman is good as Wolverine, definitely looks the part, but can he actually carry an entire film with it? We’ve yet to see him in a completely starring film role (Boy from Oz doesn’t count) in a GOOD movie.

-From the trailer it looks like we’ll be going highlander style through the years as we see him dressed in civil war outfit and world war II army fatigues. We’re gonna get the complete arc of his life as several scenes involve him as a young boy too. If you’ve wondered about how Wolverine got this way, this is certainly the film for you.

-However, it does look like they are trying to cram as many comic book heroes and x-men into the film as possible. From first glance besides Wolverine, it looks like we’ll get to see Sabretooth (played deliciously it seems by Liev Schreiber), Emma Frost “The White Queen”, Deadpool, The Blob, Agent Zero, Beak, Cyclops (not played by James Marsden), and Gambit (YAY! FINALLY!) And that’s just all the ones you can make out from the trailer, who knows who else might show up.

-The problem with so many is that clearly we’ll be given the 10 second introduction to each one with maybe a gentle montage about their abilities and backgrounds. But no matter what, some characters are going to be left behind as far as character development goes, which is sad since the X-men have an entire universe (literally) of great stories to tell. You just hope none of them get short-changed.

-There also is a ton of whiz-bang action. Humvees chasing Wolverine on motorcycle, him getting launched at a helicopter, explosions, boxing matches, war scenes, etc. There’s going to be a ton going on. You wonder if the story will be bogged down in itself with all this action.

-The fight scene between Sabretooth and Wolverine could be epic. I’m hoping that they really give time for this, like 15 or 20 minutes of just all out war between the two of them. Really the whole film should build to this moment and if it does; they need to deliver.

In the end, its hard even for a cynic like me, not to be excited by this film. At the very least we get another shot at having X-men on the screen and thankfully Brett Ratner isn’t involved. So we’ve got that going for us, which is nice. Rating: 8/10

Reviewing the Previews: Angels and Demons

We all love doing it. Sitting in the theatre before a movie starts watching the trailers we make immediate judgments on how good the movie will be as soon as the 60-90 second preview ends. Dane Cook has a comedy bit about this.

As much as I dislike most movie trailers for giving away the whole movie they do give us an insight into how a film will play out, though I must say in some instances the film is outpaced by its trailer (see every romantic comedy to be churned out in the last 5 years).

(Potential spoilers about the films to follow, stop reading if you want to avoid them)

ANGELS AND DEMONS:
- I really liked the Da Vinci Code. It was basically a National Treasure-esque thriller laced with religious history rather than American history. I know that in the eyes of readers everywhere, it didn’t come close to capturing the same essence as the book, but oh well. It was nice summer cinema faire. Plus everyone knows that I’m an avid Tom Hanks fan.

-Angels and Demons is actually a prequel to The Da Vinci Code, but the film is treating it as a sequel. It remains to be seen if there will be any mention of Sophie or the events of the first film. I doubt it and teh trailer makes no mention of it.

-The basics of the trailer are this: The pope dies and during the ceremony to elect a new pope someone is murdered and clues are left at the scene which portend the return of the “Illuminati” . A secret sect of science believers that did battle with the church but were destroyed nad thought long gone. They have returned to take some form of retribution on the Vatican and the church. And the only man who can save the day is Robert Langdon and an as yet unknown (and equally attractive) female. Stuff crumbles apart, people walk around dark hallways and catacombs…and Robert does his symbology.

I’ll rate this a strong 7.5/10. Looks like tons of action, thrill and mystery. Not sure how close the film will follow the source material, but either way it looks like an at least acceptable follow up to the Da Vinci Code. Film is due out this summer.