FilmCrunch 062: Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, The Good German
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Warner Bros, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Period, Romance, Sequels, Thrillers, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts
Veronica Santiago and Neil Estep review Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End, and the DVD release of The Good German. Plus, Neil goes into detail of his celebrity run-in while working at a high-end Seattle restaurant.
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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Box Office Breakdown: Silver Surfer Scores the Gold
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories:
Like Ocean’s Thirteen, critics rated Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer better than its predecessor. And like Ocean’s, Fantastic found its way on top of the ever-revolving box office heap. With help from a more family-friendly rating (down from PG-13 to a PG), the superhero clan raked in $2 million more in its opening weekend than its 2005 turnout.
But it takes more than just a PG to win viewers over—it apparently takes Jessica Alba in a skin-tight outfit…and the prim and proper Nancy Drew had to learn that the hard way. The latest incarnation of the beloved character only placed 7th despite the numerous times Julia Roberts’ name had been dropped these past few weeks. BTW—I feel incredibly bad that daddy Eric Roberts has been continuously trumped by his more famous sister. Emma is HIS daughter after all.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Silver Surfer Scores the Gold
Shriek! More Shreks to Come
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Animation, Sequels, Comedy, Upcoming Releases
Although many people have equated the latest Shrek incarnation to tired rehash, I surprisingly enjoyed it despite my expectations. I thought it still managed to inject some original adult humor while being enjoyably light and breezy. But having said all that, I did also tell my FilmCrunch partner, Neil Estep, that the series could go no further. All possible storylines had officially been exhausted. Or so I thought…
Producer Jeffrey Katzenberg recently announced to a crowd in Germany that fans should be expecting a fourth movie. Additionally, we learned that Shrek television holiday special will be created to help complete the deterioration of the series. NOTE TO KATZENBERG: I vaguely remember my husband showing me a very poor quality version of the 1978 Star Wars holiday special…and let me assure you, that did not hold up years later.
For those wondering (as I was) what the next ogre installment could possibly be about, Shrek will apparently be dealing with something from his past. I’m going to take a guess and say that he was hesistant about becoming a dad in the third film because he had secretly fathered other ogres in Far, Far Away. Now that could give me an interesting enough reason to come back for more…
Read More 
| San Jose Mercury News
Box Office Breakdown: Lucky Number 13
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, MGM, Lionsgate, Paramount, Touchstone, Universal, Warner Independant Films, Action, Adaptation, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Independent, Romance, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Having exhausted all their sequel choices, theater patrons quickly moved on to the latest offering: Ocean’s Thirteen. Despite general indifference for the series’ second movie, Steven Soderbergh and friends faced down the unlucky number and rolled the dice again. Their gamble paid off well this weekend when they took down Captain Jack Sparrow and his mates
Of course, viewers who crave the comfort of familiarity can still manage to have discerning taste. Eli Roth’s Hostel: Part II only rounded enough voyeurs to rank a mediocre 6th place. Here’s to hoping that the era of grisly horror movies is once again over…
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Lucky Number 13
Box Office Breakdown: Sparrow vs. Spidey
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: DreamWorks, Disney, Fox Searchlight, Lionsgate, New Line, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Animation, Drama, Family, Horror, Sequels, Comedy, Thrillers, Box Office, Lists, New Releases
Yo, ho…whoa.
As predicted, Captain Jack Sparrow’s resurrection raked in serious booty helping the Pirates franchise score another box office record. The Memorial Day Weekend crown was snatched away from last year’s holder, X-Men: The Last Stand.
But one thing POTC: At World’s End did not do was take back the title for any three-day weekend. It’s $139.8 million dollar domestic take fell a bit short from the $151 million raised by Peter Parker et al.
Other notables this week? The impressive showing by Waitress. The small movie, starring Keri Russell, has been receiving great reviews and viewers must be taking notice. Ranking 5th in a busy holiday weekend is definitely something to be proud of. And what about those Wild Hogs? After exiting the Top Ten weeks ago, it made one final surge. Apparently motorcycles, leather and holiday weekends go hand-in-hand.
Click to continue reading Box Office Breakdown: Sparrow vs. Spidey
Shrek The Third to Be Three Times the Charm
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: DreamWorks, Animation, Family, Sequels, Comedy, Casting, Technology, Upcoming Releases
The lovable cast of characters (and their famous celebrity voice stylings) will return this summer to wow another round of audiences with Shrek the Third. This third time around, Justin Timberlake will join the cast that already includes Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, and his recent break-up Cameron Diaz. Merlin, Captain Hook, and several fairy-tale princesses will be featured in the film, which is scheduled to hit theatres May 18. This installment to the Shrek saga will begin with another adventure featuring wayfarers Shrek, Donkey, and Puss in Boots as they scour the lands looking for a new King for Fiona’s former home, Far Far Away. Teenage Artie (short for Arthur…get it?), voiced by Timberlake, will have to learn to be King so Shrek doesn’t have to. But Fiona has an adventure of her own to look forward to: having a baby. Her baby shower will include famed characters Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White – and at least one Dwarf from the latter. All four princesses will be voiced by SNL alum. Julie Andrews will be back to voice Queen Lillian, and John Cleese will reprise his King Harold role. Rupert Everett also lends his smooth voice to Prince Charming again, this time villainous in full-tilt fashion. Favorite supporting characters like Gingey, the three little pigs, and Pinocchio will also be returning – what would Shrek be without them? New CGI techniques make this film a feast for the eyes, and the new adventure contains all the elements from former Shrek jaunts.
Read More | AT&T News
FilmCrunch 008: Take The Lead DVD Review
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: New Line, Drama, Music, DVD Reviews, Short FilmCrunch, Videocasts
Neil Estep and Veronica Santiago review the DVD release of Take The Lead.
When a former professional dancer (Antonio Banderas) offers his skills to the New York public school system, his traditional methods clash with his students’ hip-hop sensibilities. But by combining the two techniques—and learning to work together—the class creates a style uniquely their own. Alfre Woodard co-stars in this inspiring dance drama based on the real-life experiences of instructor Pierre Dulane.
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.
FilmCrunch 007: School for Scoundrels, Take The Lead, The Science of Sleep
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: New Line, Weinstein Company, Drama, Music, Romance, Comedy, DVD Reviews, Full Episodes, Theatrical Reviews, Videocasts
Neil Estep and Veronica Santiago are back with another full episode of FilmCrunch. In this one, we take a look at the theatrical release of School for Scoundrels, starring Billy Bob Thornton, and Michel Gondry’s Science of Sleep. We also hit you with a review of the DVD release of Take the Lead, which stars Antonio Banderas.
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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