Dom Deluise Aug. 1, 1933 - May 4, 2009

Dom Deluise, a true comedy star has passed away in his sleep, surrounded by family at his Santa Monica home, he was 75.

Deluise starred in such classic roles as Cannonball Run, History of the World Part 1, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Blazing Saddles, the Muppet Movie, and many others (his IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001123/) and truly was one of the most recognizable comedy men in the game. He will be missed by all movie buffs, and, I'm sure, by his family.

For me, he will always be Don Giovanni in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Twilight 3's new director...and his opinions on Twilight

Twilight 3 has hired its director to start pre-production. They hired David Slade (feel free to use the IMDB toolbar down at the bottom because I'm too lazy to look him up). Unfortunately, that is not the news, the news is Slade's views on Twilight, per a radio program he was on last year, Slade was quoted as saying he would not even watch Twilight drunk, and if someone held a gun to his head, he would rather have them shoot him.
Yes, because that is the kind of director you want to helm a big budgeted blockbuster, brilliant work Twilight guys! Obviously, the passionate and sometimes stalker Twilight fans are not too happy about this, resulting in some serious attempts by Slade to remove his foot from his mouth now he is getting paid a crap load of money:
"When I made these comments, I had neither seen the film nor read the books. I was promoting a comedy short film that I had made for Xbox and every pop culture subject was seen as a possible comedy target. I was being silly and none of the statements were from the heart.
Of course , I have since seen the movie and read the books and was quickly consumed with the rich storytelling and the beautifully honest characters that Stephenie Meyer created.
I would like to reassure everyone involved that I am invested in making the best film that I am humanly capable of, and that I am acutely aware of the power of the original books we serve."
This is Hollywood talk for "now that I'm getting paid, I love this franchise."
I don't know about you, but I don't think this is the start the studio wants for the third film in the franchise.

Dwayne Johnson to be Captain Nemo!

In the most bizarre casting news of the week, (yeah, I know it's only Monday, I'm leaving myself open) Disney has announced Dwayne "Don't call me The Rock" Johnson will star as Captain Nemo in the remake. Apparently the Rock loves remakes, because he seems to be quite good at them with Walking Tall and Escape to Witch Mountain.
I, for one, am a huge fan of Johnson's, he has always shown a ton of charisma, and loads of personality, along with a lot more range than one would expect from a Wrestler. This role, however, leaves me a bit puzzled, I just don't see it, but, then again, I said the same about Heath Ledger as the Joker, although I don't think Johnson has quite that much range.
The part that really befuzzles me is the plot description: "A fugitive whaler who teams up with a naturalist, a mysterious woman and a captain of a futuristic submarine to search for a lost underwater civilization that holds libraries of vast knowledge and a weapon with the power to destroy mankind." That just seems so ... bad, but I guess we'll have to wait and see, although you can put me down in the 'non-excited' category, besides, submarines are no longer futuristic, so they better have one heck of a special effects group ready to go.
What do you think? Color you crazy in anticipation, or do I have company in the not-so-much section?

Disney going cheap and following Fox

Disney has announced they are soon to follow FOX's great example, and make a rental DVD, a movie without the bonus features, meant for video stores and online rental companies (Blockbuster and Netflix). Currently FOX is forcing Netflix and Blockbuster to purchase the rental version of their newest movies, saving the special features for retail stores only as a way of lowering costs. Disney has slightly modified their position, and is offering the rental version for sale for a slightly lower cost, and is allowing rental outlets to choose the rental version or the regular version. This could be interesting as Netflix and Blockbuster are forced to choose between quality and cost. The new trend will start with Morning Light, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience.
Maybe it's just because it's early on a Monday, and I'm dodging swine flu, but it seems to me that the more versions they are forced to put out, the more cost there would be. I personally hate that FOX is forcing people to buy the DVD to watch the special features. I'll be honest, I don't watch the special features on everything I rent, but there are quite a few movies that beg me to go behind the scenes to see the process, or maybe watch the chemistry between the actors when the camera is not on, or to get outtakes and gag reals, and to have that option taken away from me is disheartening, to say the least.
That is the main story, which I got from my favorite movie blog, Slash Film, truly a wonderful blog with some great writers, however, there is a sentence in this story that really rubbed me the wrong way: "...most people that rent at Blockbuster probably don’t care about audio commentaries or behind the scenes documentaries." The article goes on to infer that Netflix users do watch special features, where the special features will not be missed by Blockbuster fans. Let me first start off saying I do not use Blockbusters online service, nor do I shop in their stores anymore, I use Netflix, which has nothing to do with the service they provide and everything to do with my history with the company itself. However, after being very familiar with the clientel and the company, I kinda feel insulted, I mean Blockbuster is the home to some of my favorite memories, going all the way back to me as a kid, running through the new release wall, finding that special movie to buy. I understand it is a common belief that Netflix has more sophisticated users, given the fact they need to be able to operate a computer to use it, but that is not to say you can't be a smart movie buff and go to the Block.
What do you think about rental version of DVD's, and do you hit the Netflix, or do you rock the Block, and if so, do you feel slightly insulted, or is it just the swine flu talking?

What's on TV

In today's segment, I wanna talk about a movie I had seen several times, that was on TV this weekend that totally caught me off guard, Daredevil. Now, most would say it was Ben Affleck's bad acting that caught me off guard, but that wasn't the case. The version they showed on TV was the famed Directors cut of the movie, which I had never seen. After watching this version, I was blown away with the differences in the movie, I mean, it was almost a completely different movie. This movie was far superior to the original cut of the movie in nearly every way, it had a plot, it had heart, and it balanced the crimson crusader with his alter ego far better, showing a man battling with what he is and what he is to become, along with fighting the normal, everyday struggles.
After watching this movie, it left me wondering who cut the original movie, if it wasn't the director? With such a dramatic difference, with nearly 40% of the movie being different, how did the crap that was originally released get passed the director? It used to be that the director had final say over the cutting room, but maybe this is one of those cases of the studios stepping in and overriding the director, which always seems to lead to a much poorer movie. Look at the Donnor cut of Superman, a very different movie, indeed. There have been quite a few cases where the special features will show scenes cut, and I just scratch my head as to why you would cut out gold like that segment, and keep in terrible segments.
Generally with the Directors Cut, (I'm looking at you, Mr. Lucas) all you get is an extra documentary, and maybe another minute of footage, which, in my opinion, is hardly worth the money, but in this case, it may be worth switching in the movie for the new, and very much improved version.
Check it out, Ben Affleck is not at his best here, but I appreciated the job much better in this version, but I never really had a problem with Ben, Jennifer Garner, is a different story, while hot, I thought she was pretty awful. The one shining gem in this movie was the blind-o-vision they came up with to show the audience what it's like to be Daredevil, I could have done with more of that, maybe flash to it during action scenes, and flying over rooftops, but it was good when it was there. Joey Pants was his usual self, although the directors cut gave more depth to that character as well, and the last part was Jon Favreu, who actually was more than just comedic relief in this version, he had heart and soul.
So, worth the Netflix queue placement for sure!

FRIENDS to be a porn?

Popular sitcom FRIENDS is getting the porn parody treatment. It was announced today, along with Seinfield, 30 Rock and Scrubs. The plot, and I use that term loosely in this case is "Hilarity and deep penetration ensues when Freebie accidentally spills the beans about Moanica's bachelorette party, leading the boys to decide to throw a bigger and raunchier bachelor party."
I am a huge fan of Friends, and porn that spoofs film and tv, and this looks hilarious. So, look for this to be coming out soon...you know you'll download it!

Wolverine rakes in some dough as first blockbuster of the summer!

Wolverine comes in at $87 million, as the first big movie of the season, and a good sign for the movie industry. Movie analysts had announced they would've been happy with $80 million this week, which would promise they would atleast make back the money invested.
I will admit, my first prediction into the box office was off at $63 million, so, let's hope all my numbers are a bit low, offering a high dollar movie season.
Reviews have been mediocre, but apparently that didn't stop anyone from seeing it, now, we'll have to see if it can compete with the impending Star Trek movie.

FOX has egg on their face over Wolverine bootleg

Ya know, I'm gonna come right out and say it, I think FOX is about as sneaky and underhanded as our government is, maybe worse. So, when I heard them say the bootlegged copy of Wolverine was an incomplete version with a missing ending sequence, I was more than a little skeptical, in fact, I believe I called Shenanigans. I figured they were very upset, and rightfully so, about the leak, and wanted to deter people from seeing it, or more importantly, from not going to theaters to see it. FOX adamantly denied the claim, and said again the pirated version was 10 minutes short of the theatrical release.
Well, today, Wolverine has hit the big screen and we come to find out FOX was wrong, the bootleg is the exact same length, leaving some explaining to do from FOX as to the error. Chris Petrikin, FOX spokesman told the LA Times "There was no 'fibbing' involved -- that would imply that we were so on top of things that we anticipated having one of our biggest films of the year stolen and had time to concoct a plan to purposefully 'spin' wrong information." He also claimed Tom Rothman, co-chairman of FOX was simply given wrong information as to the exact length of the film, and it was either incorrect or misinterpreted. He was quick to get back to the fact they had no idea it would be pirated and are still looking into the cause of the leak.
So, basically, this leaves FOX looking like a bunch of liars, just trying to cover up an unintentional leak, and doing so with a very bad lie. There is no alternate ending, no special ending segment, just some desperate corporate guy trying to not lose a crap load of money, and thinking lieing is the best way to do it. Maybe he should go into politics, I'm sure he'll be in good company there.

Trailer of the week!

As promised, this trailer of the week is something really special, the new trailer for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.
This trailer shows so much more of the plot, and good dose of Megan Fox and some great Transformer action scenes, and all that and they managed to fit in some comedy, and most importantly John Tuturo. I was excited before, as I loved the first Transformers movie, despite any flaws, this one however looks to blow that movie away. So, without further delay, here is the trailer. Let me know what you think!

The first picture of Iron Man 2!

Here it is, a picture from the movie I have great anticipation over, Iron Man 2. I loved the first movie, in my opinion, one of the best superhero movies out there, and the second one looks to be even better! Let me know your thoughts on this one!

Hollywood sequels are going crazy!

This is enough to make anyone crazy. Sequels seem to be all the rage as of late, but the amount of possible sequels in some sort of pre-production over the past week is enough to make anyone go "whoah, if I see one more sequel, I may throw up." You may not say that, but you get the point. Here are some sequels at least being talked about in the movie circles this week.

Star Trek 2...well, 2. J.J. Abrams Star Trek has already greenlight a sequel, and the cast are already signed, so, like it or not, it'll be comin' down the pipes soon enough.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit 2. This was just announced today in the pre-pre-production. Apparently Robert Zemeckis has a great idea and with new technology looks to push the envelope even farther.
Predators-Robert Rodriguez wants to do a remake, or sequel or prequel, he's not sure yet, but he wants to bring the Predator back to the glory of the first one.
Alien-Ridley Scott wants to come back to the Alien franchise with a prequel, set before Ripley.
TMNT- a new live action movie is planned for 2010, and promises to reignite the turtles to 80's fame.
Wall Street 2- Oliver Stone announced the sequel to the classic starring Michael Douglas. Apparently Douglas and Shiah Lebouf are the popular vote around there, cause Shiah has a bit of experience with old movies being dusted off and ruined (Indiana Jones).
Clueless-I can't make this crap up, but apparently Alicia Silverstone hasn't been famous for awhile, so she needs more money.
Gremlins 3-Yes, Gizmo is coming back, and once again, people will feed him after midnight and spill water on him and his evil friends will rise; evil shennanigans will ensue.
Robocop 4-There is talk of a reboot to the gritty, hardcore 80's slaughterfest. This could be great, with today's technology making a slightly less cheesy action movie.
Remember, it's not a good sequel unless the tagline has "secret of the ooz" or "this time they mean business." The exception is Hot Shots "Part Deux"
I, personally am still waiting for the long promised Dude Where's my car sequel...if Clueless gets the sequel treatment, that can't be far behind.
Stay cool, movie geeks!

if this doesn't make you grin, you woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

Doesn't that blow your mind?!?

/Film has being getting all 'Socratic Method' on us and has come up with a theory about two of my favorite movies that makes me question reality. Their theory involves the famous Fight Club, and Ferris Bueller's day off. I know, the similarities between the two movies are astounding, right? Well, according to /Film's theory, maybe they are.
So, are you sitting down? No? Ok, well, sit down... ... ... now that you've sat down, the theory goes that Ferris Bueller is suffering from the same problem Tyler Turbin is, in that he is just a figment of someones imagination, in this case, Cameron. The idea is that Ferris Bueller is actually Cameron's alter ego, a character that allows him to be the super guy that gets the girl, and that is a guy everyone loves. It's only after Cameron's character asserts himself and destroys the Ferrari that Buellers character gets a happy ending and Cameron starts to get on with his life. This does explain how they did everything in Chicago between the hours of 9 to 5.
Now, there are a few flaws, but it's an interesting idea, don't you think? It makes you wonder if Ferris is a figment, maybe there are others that are too...my guess is we are all just a dream of Gallagher, but that is neither here nor there.
Stay cool movie geeks!

New Transformers 2 trailer online!

I'm sure I will have it for my trailer of the week segment on Friday, but it is out there, go to Youtube, and it'll be impossible to miss. Right now, all the links eventually get killed because the trailer doesn't officially come out until Friday. But, I saw it, and WOW, I hope they have plenty of IMAX theaters because it looks like all out robot mayhem.
Despite what people are saying about the first one, I thoroughly enjoyed the first Transformers, I mean it did a lot of thinks right and was an enjoyable movie to watch. I think this will be more of the same, and will probably remove some of the stupid peeing jokes and be a bit darker movie, judging from the trailer, that outta please the masses. You have to hand it to Michael Bay, he makes a heck of a popcorn flick, but will never win an Academy Award.
So, what do you think about the upcoming Transformers movie? Excited? Bored?

We're goin' back in time!

I am going to spare you the babble about how Kevin's Movie Blog is so popular, we bought a Time Machine and just get into the topic. My sister asked me yesterday an interesting question that I think would spawn some interesting answers. "If you could go back in time and stop any movie from being made, which one would it be." Now, you can think of the butterfly effect if you wanna get all deep and philosophical, or you can just respond with a movie that you thought was so incredibly terrible, it would actually do the world good if it didn't exist.
Is there a movie that would align the planets, allowing for meaningful communication from extra terrestrials to common household pets and bring about world peace? (By the way, that bit was from Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure, and if that is your answer...it's on!)
Now, I thought long and hard about this... ... well, ok, you got me, I thought about it for a matter of 2 minutes, but I really concentrated... ... fine, it was while I was inflating a tire and carrying on a conversation, but I am really good at multi tasking. Anywho, my answer surprised me, but hear me out.
The answer is Star Wars Ep. 1. Now, let me preface that by saying I am a huge Star Wars fan, according to the movie Fanboys, I would pass any trivia test they can throw at me, but the reason why I would kill this is due to the fact Ep. 1 tainted the entire 6-tology. Now, the first reason you can think of is Jar Jar Binks, and that is not correct, in fact, I think Jar Jar has his place (more on that later). I think the movie was by far the most inferior, it tainted the image of Darth Vader, by showing him as a little annoying kid. He went from a feared badass with a bone chilling breathing sound to a kid who has a crush on Natalie Portman and can fix anything. As I have said before, you don't need to know everything that made the monster, sometimes just that he is evil is good enough, and usually more terrifying... ...forget making him human and justifying his later monstrous actions.
The film also showed the then "Immortal George Lucas," at that point, a god among men a truly flawed movie maker. No matter what would come after this, the newer trilogy would never recover and always have a tainted image, and the one flaw in an otherwise great set of movies.
Now, which would it be for you? Is it Dude Where's My Car? or maybe you would stop Saw and end the torture porn subclass before it ever got started? Let me know!
Until then, movie geeks, stay cool!