On VIP Breakdown: Third Masseur Accuses John Travolta

Netflix

There are many tests of trust in any couple’s relationship:  trusting someone with your apartment key…trusting them to drive your car…trusting your pet’s life in their hands….and most importantly, trusting them with your Netflix password.

I stumbled across the story from the Washington Post today that really struck a chord with me.  As someone who reviews DVDs, I have to get my requests (whether it be from Blockbuster or Netflix) in a timely fashion.  So I’m constantly tweaking my request ‘queue’ to make sure that things arrive in order.  But I’ve often wondered—does that make me the dominator of my household queue?  Do I pay enough attention to my husband’s film interests?  Should he understand why 99% of the DVDs mailed are for me?  For every 3 movies I receive, should specifically set aside 1/3 for him?

Click to continue reading Ten Signs Netflix Might Be Affecting Your Relationship

Read More | Washington Post via Seattle Times


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Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review the theatrical release of Spider-Man 3, the DVD release of Music & Lyrics, and also talk about who they would want to play them if a movie was made about their lives - and then hit the street to ask the masses.

Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


The Simpsons  Ten full minutes of footage from The Simpsons Movie was shown to a London audience on the 4th of July, as the British were not spending the day lighting fireworks and grilling out on hot coals. Instead, they were watching a preview for the much-anticipated Simpsons big-screen premiere, which will be released worldwide later this month. The clip suggests that religion and environmentalism will be a big part of the plot, but the animated FOX series is well-known for their misleading plot placement.

Click to continue reading UK Fans Cheer for Simpsons Preview

Read More | Yahoo News

Neil Estep reviews the DVD release of Confetti in this FilmCrunch DVD review:

Three couples fight it out to win Confetti Magazine’‘s competition for the ‘‘Most Original Wedding of the Year’‘. At stake is a £500,000 dream house, a cover shoot with Confetti and, of course, the most special day of their lives.We follow couples Matt and Samantha, Josef and Isabelle and Michael and Joanna, from the excitement of being chosen as finalists through the eventful weeks of preparation to the Grand Final.


Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


Transformers Movie Optimus Prime

They’re back, they’re live action, and they’re primed for the big screen. The Transformers have been successful toys and once upon a time were a well-loved cartoon, but are there enough kids at heart out there to make the movie a success? The toys have been top sellers for two decades, and there was a time when every kid watched the Transformers cartoon. But does that mean former fans of the animated action will take to a live action version of these Transforming heroes and villains? Special effects technology is what brings Transformers out of the drawing room and into the real world of movie making, and it’s the effects that will leave audiences wide-eyed and wowed as they stare at the big screen.

The movie features two sides of the Transformers coin, the Autobots (including leader Optimus Prime) as the “good guys”, and the Decepticons (led by Megatron) as the power-crazed villains. In the movie, the Transformers come to earth after battling it out for many years on their home planet. The reviews are in, and while the robotic toys-come-to-life look great, the script leaves a lot to be desired.

Click to continue reading Transforming a Memory

Read More | LA Times

Ratatouille

Bruce Willis and Co. may have managed to steer clear of gigantic robots—but they somehow overlooked a group of pesky rats.  Live Free and Die Hard was conveniently positioned one week ahead of this summer’s most anticipated blockbuster…yet squarely in the path of a rodent’s bite.  Nevertheless, the aging John McClane still proved that he can get the job done and earn his keep.

Meanwhile, Ratatouille chewed up the competition with a $47 million dollar debut, although it surprisingly foraged less than most of its Pixar elders (only A Bug’s Life and Toy Story started off lower).  What it did manage to do was help boot Surf’s Up out of the Top 10 leaving room for another Shia LeBeouf feature to transform the landscape in just a matter of days…

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  Yippee-Kay-Yay Ratatouille!


Evan Almighty

Question: When is being the #1 movie just not enough? (Hint:  You have three chances to answer this question correctly).

Answer(s):

  1. When the critics don’t really have anything good to say about you
  2. When you made less than 1/2 of what your predecessor did on opening weekend
  3. When it cost over $175 million just to create you

Apparently having God on your side doesn’t guarantee you heavenly box office numbers.  Evan Almighty, the follow-up to 2003’s Bruce Almighty, failed to bring in a large congregation this past weekend.  Although it did better than the rest of the flock, it’s $32 million take paled in comparison to Bruce’s $68 million opening.  And then there’s that glaring $175 million bill…

Of course, we shouldn’t feel so badly about Steve Carell’s career.  I have a feeling that God is providing for him in other ways.

Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown:  Almighty Only Does Alrighty


Cruise AngryIn a new film entitled Valkyrie, Tom Cruise will play Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg, a man deeply opposed to Nazi treatment of the Jews and leader of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Unfortunately, the plan to film on German military sites was quickly undermined when Defense Ministry spokesperson Harald Kammerbauer denied the crew access citing Cruise’s belief in Scientology.  Kammerbauer claimed that the Church of Scientology is not recognized as a church by the German government and that the religion is merely an invention to make money.  Furthermore, he said the film would not be shot on the sites as long as Cruise was playing Count Stauffenberg.

Kammerbauer also stated that the German military deeply espouse the accurate portrayal of Stauffenberg and the events of said mission.  One of the films producers, Paula Wagner, was quick to refute: “(Cruise’s) personal beliefs have absolutely no bearing on the movie’s plot, themes or content.”

I’m no advocate for Scientology.  In fact, I largely agree with the opinion of the German military — Scientology is a façade, a faux religion for rich people.  But I must side with Cruise in this case — this is a ridiculous reason to hinder the production of a movie.  He is an actor.  His religious affiliation won’t have an effect on how this story is told.  And hasn’t Germany learned yet about the dangers of discrimination?

Read More | CNN

Hefner pipeThe ever-suave social activist and founder of Playboy magazine, who sold the rights to his life story several years ago, has recently given the green-light to a film version.  Directed by Brett Ratner (X-Men: The Last Stand, Rush Hour), the movie will focus on all major aspects of Hef’s life: his humble upbringing; his advocacy for free speech; a near-death experience in the 1980s; and, of course, his rampant sexual exploits.

Brain Grazer (A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code) is set to produce the film, and a script is already in the works, though the writer has yet to be announced.

I can only ask myself, “What took so long?”  The man has been a social icon for decades, has sex (presumably all day) with beautiful women, and speaks out against censorship — this has “movie” written all over it.  Hopefully, the filmmakers weren’t just waiting for him to die, because there’s something they should know: Hugh Hefner is a bona fide superhero, and he’s not going anywhere.

The obvious second question that remains in my mind is, “Who will play Hugh?”  My vote is for Greg Kinnear.  Or how about Vincent Gallo?  That’d be interesting.

Read More | Reuters

In this episode of FilmCrunch, Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review the theatrical releases of Hot Fuzz, Deja Vu, and Freedom Writers, as well as the DVD release of A Night at the Museum.


Now we want to hear from you - hit the forums and let us know what you think, what you want us to watch next, and any other recommendations you have for the show.


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