‘Princess and the Frog’ Trailer Should at Least Sell a Few Dolls
July 31, 2008
Watching this trailer, in which a frog insists on more and more intense sexual advances from the non-existant royalty of New Orleans, I was pleasantly surprised that the ridiculous Randy Newman parody of Randy Newman music managed to distract me somewhat from the animated ennui that is this minute-long preview. I was really hoping to give more of an endorsement, seeing that this is probably Disney’s last gamble on 2D animation and pretending they don’t hate black people, but that’s the best I can do.
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Reasonable People Teaming for New Bond Theme
July 30, 2008
Columbia Pictures has announced that Alicia Keys and The White Stripes’ Jack White will be providing the theme song to Quantum of Solace. From Coming Soon:
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, producers of the highly anticipated 22nd James Bond adventure Quantum of Solace, announced today that multi-Grammy Award-winning and platinum selling recording artists Jack White of the rock band The White Stripes, and Alicia Keys, have recorded the theme song for the film, which will be released worldwide this November.
Their song, written and produced by Jack White, and titled “Another Way to Die,” will be the first duet in Bond soundtrack history. In addition to writing the song, Jack White is also featured as the drummer on this track.
As a reminder, Chris Cornell provided the theme to Casino Royale. To put that in perspective, that’s like going from the lead singer of Soundgarden to absolutely anyone relevant. Metaphorically.
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Movie Review: The Love Guru
July 20, 2008
In times of crisis, people have a tendency to flock to movies and other forms of entertainment that have themes that will make them laugh or just forget about the pressures of real life. With the global oil crisis affecting every single person on Earth (well, maybe not the Chinese) and food shortage a looming problem in the future, it’s quite justifiable that people would want to see a movie that would bring a smile to their faces.
One of the summer season comedy releases this year is The Love Guru. The movie stars Mike Myers and deals with the story of a “Hindu” love guru tasked to save the marriage of a Toronto Mapleleafs hockey player before it eventually ruins the team’s chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Yes, that’s the synopsis of the movie. If you think it sounds shallow and unfunny, well you’ve hit the nail right on the head.
People who were expecting the kind of gross but ultimately super-funny gags and sequences in Myers’ Austin Powers are in for a huge disappointment when they see this movie. It’s one of the unfunniest movies that I have seen in years (although that frigging Spartan movie gives this a run for its money). I’ve always considered Myers as a comic genius but in this particular outing, he falls flat on his face.
The basic problem is that the movie’s premise is just too shallow and revolves around making fun of cultural differences as the formula for the comedy, and that’s never a good source of comedy for longer than two minutes.
One thing that I’ve confirmed with this movie though is that Myers leaning more and more towards crude humor—toilet comedy if you may. The depiction of boogers, bodily functions and genitalia is just so juvenile. I’ve expected a little more from Myers in this movie because it’s been a long time since we’ve seen him on screen. But the guy has actually regressed.
And it’s not only his visual gags that are gross, even his puns suffer the same fate. Just like naming his teachers various names like Tugginmapuda. It’s not really funny AT ALL.
I don’t think I would be able to say this in an actual movie review but Jessica Alba’s meager talents are wasted here. They could’ve used a no-name actress and no one would’ve noticed. Justin Timberlake may be hitting his head for actually allowing himself to appear in this movie as it could really ruin his chances of establishing a movie career.
The only highlights of this movie for me are the well-placed cameos from Val Kilmer and Marishka Hargitay (which really is a good dig at Guru Pitka’s greeting of “Marishka Hargitay”) and Myers’ performance of 9 to 5, More Than Words and The Joker that were given a Bollywood bent. It’s the only signs here that Myers could still cook up something funny if he really, really tried hard enough.
As it is, this movie is just as memorable as the dung that Pitka’s pet elephant produces.
Rating: D-
Afraid of Breaking out that Bike?
July 19, 2008
Love the look. Love the name. Love the “power on demand” feature that could be so beneficial to people who are too out-of-shape to get regular exercise on their own.
OHMcycles manufactures hybrid bicycles in either “urban” or “sporty” styles.
Urban styles comes standard with fenders, rear carry racks, chain guards and kickstands, while both variety come with front and rear lights. They’re built more for comfort, and leisurely pace.
Sport varieties have larger batteries, offer more power, and are suited to rough terrain.
Both go up to 20 miles per hour (32 km per hour) and charge in 3 to 4 hours. Depending on how much power you demand from the bike, a charge can provide for 19 to 74 miles with 500 complete charges finishing up a battery’s life.
The bikes are available at retailers throughout North America and Europe, an easy to use search can be found at their website.
Image: OHM
Tags: electric bicycle, electric bike, hybrid bicycle, hybrid bike, ohm, sport, urban
Fun in The Sun
July 19, 2008
Although not a big Diane Lane fan I was persuaded to rent “Under the Tuscan Sun” a few days ago. I must admit that although the person that recommended it to me has rarely steered me wrong I was a little less than thrilled with this suggestion. Not that I think she can’t act and since I was recently pleasantly surprised with “Untraceable” I decided not to bemoan their selection to much and just watch the dang movie.
Let me set the premise for you. A lady finds out that her husband has cheated and basically looses almost everything. Because they are worried about her some friend send her on a “Gay” tour of Tuscany to help her get over this point in her life and while there she impulsively buys a Tuscan Villa and decides to move. Sound pretty far fetched if I had asked me. However, it isn’t. Yes, most people wouldn’t do what she does or for that matter have the money to do what she does but this story is artfully written so that you understand not only why she does it but why it turns out to be the best decision she could ever have made.
Plus they keep you guessing as to if this is a romantic movie or an uplifting one and I would hazard to say that even in the end your still not sure if it can be categorized as one or the other or both. Over all the story will touch you and you will find yourself feeling her struggles (especially if you have ever been hurt before) and joy. I mean after all who hasn’t done something foolish and it accidentally worked out?
Extras where a little less enjoyable for me. There was a commentary from the director but it really started to put me to sleep. One person doing a commentary just isn’t the same as a group. To me it comes out as a little more like narration but that is strictly my opinion.
In short if you like movies that can make you think and open your eyes to some things in your life you might want to change this might be the movie for you. And if not you still might enjoy the sunsets and atmosphere of the movie.
Tags: comedy, diane, DVD, lane, Movie, review, romance, sun, tuscan, under
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