Your Entertainment Ticket.net

The Cove-Movie Trailer

2009-07-31T21:30:00.000-04:00

G-FORCE-MOvie REview

2009-07-29T03:11:00.001-04:00

Moon

2009-07-09T22:45:00.000-04:00

Moon

2009-07-09T22:42:00.000-04:00

Departures

2009-07-09T22:38:00.000-04:00

The Stoning Of Saraya M.

2009-07-09T22:36:00.000-04:00

Public Enemies-Text Review

2009-07-01T12:14:00.003-04:00

PUBLIC ENEMIES

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Stephen Graham, Giovanni Ribisi, Bill Camp and Branka Katic

Directed by: Michael Mann

Rated R for gangster violence and some language

Genre: Crime Drama

By John Delia

Bringing a crime legend to the screen takes a good deal of research, good casting and impeccable direction and that all came together for Public Enemies. Director Michael Man not only captures the essence of John Dillinger in his movie, but that of Baby Face Nelson as well. Public Enemies is probably Mann’s best, no in my opinion, it is his best film to date.

In the early thirties when America was still rattling from the Depression, gangsters were on the rise. Just when FBI agent Melvin Purvis took down Pretty Boy Floyd, John Dillenger’s number was elevated to the top of the wanted list. It was an era of crime and a chance for J. Edger Hoover to make his play as the greatest G-Man of all time. At odds with the U.S. Senate over appropriations for the FBI, Hoover had something to prove. Putting Purvis in charge of the Chicago Bureau, Hoover planned to use him to make headlines by capturing Public Enemy Number 1, Dillinger and prove his worth to the government. What occurs during Hoover’s crime offensive coupled with the actions of one of the most famous bank robber of all time, becomes a chronicle in the history of America.

Mann tackles the events leading up to Dillinger’s final days with near accuracy giving the gangster a personality missing in previous attempts by other production companies. Was Dillinger this carring man who became a bank robbing folk hero who only took from the rich or someone that was cold and calculating on a journey down the path of destruction? I found that the film depicted two sides. Showing Dillinger’s soft side in his relationship with Billie Frechette (Cotillard) with dreams of going straight and then shooting it out with the law from a cabin in the woods with no mercy for the law makes a case for both.

There was good acting and then there was standout performances in Public Enemies. Billy Crudup made an excellent J. Edgar Hoover, the devious attention getter who took all the credit for Pervis’s dangerous work. I also liked Cotillard in the role of Billie, Dillinger’s timid lover who turns into a tough moll. Then there is Stephen Graham as the maniacal Baby Face Nelson who loved to show off his automatic weapon by shooting into everything and everyone around him. Graham brings life (and death) to Nelson as he rampages in nearly every scene in which he appears.

But the standout performances come from Branka Katic as Anna Sage the infamous lady in red who points out Dillinger during his final moments. She depicts the emotional roller coaster Anna goes through before she gives up her loyalty to Dillinger so she won’t get deported. But I would be remiss in not pointing out the great job by Johnny Depp who makes Dillinger a real person with a personality. Someone who may have been this nice guy gone bad.

But, the film is not without flaws, although few, they are distracting. Taking some movie magic license, Dillinger is shown walking into the FBI Chicago bureau while agents are huddled around a radio listening to a baseball game. Um, Sure! The film runs about two and a half hours, but I still would have liked to see more of the robberies and the relationship between Dillinger and Billie. I also don’t think Billie was fleshed out enough and especially since she goes from innocent to moll in what seemed a short period of time.

Now don’t think I am getting offbeat here, but the sound guy should get an award. The popping of guns were very realistic, the breaking of glass from the bullets are cringing and the dialogue still understandable, an amazing feet of sound during the shoot out at the cabin in the woods.

Well there you have it. The film will make it to classic and get nominated for many awards. Public Enemies is rated R for gangster violence and language most of which is very realistic and sometimes brutal so young teens make sure your parents are not frightened by all the shooting when you get them to take you along.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Public Enemies is a realistic look at some dastardly criminal times. (4.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs-Text Review

2009-07-01T12:10:00.002-04:00

ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS

Starring Voices: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Sean William Scott, Josh Peck and Simon Pegg

Directed by: Carlos Saldanha, Michael Thurmeier

Rated PG for mild humor and peril

Genre: Animated/Adventure Comedy

By John Delia

Extremely kid friendly, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs makes its way into theaters providing a fun time for the youngsters. Adults will probably enjoy the film as long as they are accompanying children. If you are over the age of 12 and have already seen Ice Age and its sequel, then you may feel like this one is more of the same.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs continues the saga of the mammoths Ellie (Latifah) and Manny (Romano) as they trek to find a home in which they can settle. This time however, Ellie is pregnant and her time is near for giving birth. The rest of the tribe, Diego (Leary), Sid (Leguizamo) and the possums Crash (Scott) and Eddie (Peck) are content to go along for the ride. But Sid as usual can’t seem to enjoy himself unless he is poking into places he shouldn’t and this time turning up with some Dinosaur eggs that belong to a Tyrannosaurs Rex. Much to the delight of Sid, the eggs hatch and think that he is there mother causing some serious questions on the part of the other members of the tribe. When the real momma lizard comes looking for her children, things get very dicey.

The animated comedy has several different storylines going all at once including Scrat (Chris Wedge) meeting Scratte (Karen Disner) a female squirrel who takes him for a heavenly ride. This is where I perked up. The two are very funny with Scrat doing his Willey Coyote impression as he has in the previous two films. This time we are invited to see a little different romance in the scraggly squirrel.

Another sequence introduces you to Buck (Pegg), a one-eyed weasel who has been hunting the great white Dinosaur that has been terrorizing the land. To me it was the funniest part of the film and Simon Pegg’s voice coupled with some great animation save the film from being just another sequel.

The film was reviewed in the 3D format that really doesn’t add much to the production. So if the movie isn’t available in 3D at your local theater, you aren’t missing much. The movie should be fun for the kiddies and although you may snooze a little as I did through scenes with Ray Romano’s character, Sid, Scrat and Buck should save your day.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun film for kiddies. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

2009-07-01T01:27:00.001-04:00

Bruno Is Coming!!

2009-06-25T16:17:00.000-04:00

Hi all!

To expand a bit on the email below re: the Bruno's premiere tonight and to promote tune-in for Bruno's arrival, we wanted to pass along the key online marquee placements running today, as well as the outreach we sent promoting the LIVE webcast tonight. Please feel free to pass along to any of your folks that might want to tune-in live:)

Marquee placements are running online today, including:

www.myspace.com - MySpace turns into MeinSpace for the day

www.facebook.com - Roadblock on Facebook.com promoting the movie and tonight's webcast

www.break.com - countdown on the homepage to tonight's webcast

www.craveonline.com - Bruno skin and promotion for the webcast

Tonight's webcast can be viewed at www.brunocast.com or on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/bruno#/bruno?v=app_6009294086&viewas=500018455 . We're already over 105,000 fans on Facebook for Bruno (55,000 have just been added today).

Subject: *TUNE-IN* Universal Pictures' Hollywood Red Carpet Premiere of BRÜNO! Watch Brüno LIVE - TONIGHT!

You've seen him in Paris, London, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Berlin...now it's time for Hollywood! Get ready for the red carpet event of the summer... that you can watch LIVE! Brüno ist coming... Üniversal Pictures invites you to join the excitement and be a part of the Hollywood Red Carpet Premiere ofBRÜNO!

Üniversal Pictures’ upcoming comedy Brüno is Sacha Baron Cohen’s follow-up to Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. The film arrives in theaters on July 10, 2009!

WATCH LIVE Online!

Universal will be streaming the celebrity – and hilarity – filled red carpet arrivals LIVE from Grauman’s Chinese TONIGHT, Thursday, June 25, starting at 6:45 pm PT / 9:45 pm ET and YOU are invited to get an inside look as BRÜNO himself makes his arrival on the red carpet via the LIVE premiere webcast!

Premiere Widget:

Check out the live webcast and embed the premiere widget on your site! You can gear up for the premiere AND watch live at: http://www.brunocast.com

Facebook:

Join Brüno’s many, many fans and talk to other Facebook friends watching the celebrity arrivals live at the Hollywood premiere of Brüno! Also, be sure to check out the fabulous outfits Brüno wore at the recent London, Paris, and Madrid premieres!

http://www.facebook.com/bruno#/bruno?v=app_6009294086&viewas=500018455

BRÜNO arrives in theaters on July 10, 2009!

Release date: July 10, 2009

Rating: R

Official Website: http://www.meinspace.com/bruno

Restricted Trailer: http://www.brunoredhot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/brunovassup

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bruno

Images: http://www.specialopsmedia.com/assets/Universal/BrunoAssets.zip

Green Band Trailer Deep Links - (Please cut and paste into your browser)

Whatever Works

2009-06-25T15:20:00.001-04:00

My Sister's Keeper

2009-06-25T15:18:00.001-04:00

Events At Cinema Paradiso

2009-06-25T10:44:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Jan Mitchell / Jan Mitchell & Associates

Cell: 954-649-0258, email: janpubpromo@yahoo,com

JULY 2009 CALENDAR OF FILMS AND EVENTS AT

CINEMA PARADISO, FORT LAUDERDALE

Cinema Paradiso, is operated year-round by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. Below is a calendar of events.

Cinema Paradiso Location
503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, one block east of Broward County Courthouse on south bank of New River.

Details and Advance Ticket Sales

www.FLIFF.com or 954-525-FILM (3456)

FILM & EVENTS SCHEDULE

Wednesday, July 1

Cinema A La Mode

5:00PM Happy Hour / 6:00PM Cooking Class / 7:00PM Movie

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

With the French Film Festival just weeks away, Cinema Paradiso is kicking off the new monthly series, Cinema A La Mode. The evening starts off with a 2 for 1 Happy Hour followed by a demonstration of how to prepare crepes, by Cinema Paradiso’s own

Chef Michelle. The feature presentation will be the sinfully delicious romance "Chocolat", starring Juliet Binoche, Judy Dench, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin and Johnny Depp.

About Chef Michelle

Michelle’s passion for the culinary arts began at a young age while watching her two grandmothers’ cook. After living in Italy and visiting most of Europe with her diplomatic family, she began cooking upon her return to the U.S. helping with her Aunt’s catering business. Her dream of owning and being the chef of a restaurant came true with “Roma De Noche” in Cancun, Mexico from 1999 -2001. Michelle has been in the culinary arts for 25 years. Recently catering events for Miami Short Film Festival and Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

July 3 - July 8

WHATEVER WORKS – The new Woody Allen film

Friday, July 3, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 8:15 PM, 9:50 PM
Saturday, July 4, 1:00 PM , 5:15 PM & 7:15 PM
Sunday, July 5, 3:15 PM & 7:15 PM
Monday, July 6, 8:00 PM
Tuesday, July 7, 6:00 PM
Wednesday, July 8. 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

From Woody Allen, Whatever Works, is a comedy follows an eccentric New Yorker (Larry David) who abandons his upper class life to lead a more bohemian existence. He meets a young girl from the South and her family and no two people seem to get along in the entanglements that follow. Also starring Evan Rachel and Wood, Ed Begley Jr.

July 3 – 7

JULIA

Friday, July 3, 5:00 PM
Saturday, July 4, 3:00 PM
Sunday, July 5, 1:00 PM & 5:15 PM
Monday, July 6, 5:45 PM
Tuesday, July 7, 8:00 PM

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

Julia, 40, is an alcoholic. She is a manipulative, unreliable, compulsive liar, all strung out beneath her still flamboyant exterior. Between shots of vodka and one-night stands, Julia gets by on nickel-and-dime jobs. Increasingly lonely, the only consideration she receives comes from her friend Mitch, who tries to help her. But she shrugs him off, as her alcohol-induced confusion daily reinforces her sense that life has dealt her a losing hand and that she is not to blame for the mess she has made of it. Glimpsing imminent perdition, and after a chance encounter with Elena, a Mexican woman, Julia convinces herself - as much in panic and despair as for financial gain - to commit a violent act. As the story unfolds, Julia's journey becomes a headlong flight on a collision course, but somehow she makes the choice of life over death.

Starring Tilda Swinton, Saul Rubinek, Kate del Castillo.

Saturday, July 4

10:00 AM - FAB! Films for Kids
Admission: Free

The Spirit of America will be celebrated with the Animated Academy Award nominated "An American Tail". Following the movie, the holiday is kicked off with Hot Dogs and Burgers in the Courtyard. Plus, a prize will be awarded for the kid that shows the best Red, White, and Blue spirit. FAB! Films for Kids is a free monthly event featuring films for families followed by an activity for kids and sponsored by Funding Arts of Broward and presented by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

July 9 – 12 & 14
EVERY LITTLE STEP

Thursday, July 9, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM
Friday, July 10, 5:45 PM , 8:00 PM & 9:45 PM
Saturday, July 11, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Sunday, July 12, 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
Tuesday, July 14, 6:00 PM & 8:00 PM

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

'Every Little Step' explores the incredible journey of 'A Chorus Line,' from ambitious idea to international phenomenon. Through 15 years of continuous performances from the 70's to 90's and a revival beginning last year, 'A Chorus Line' has touched generations around the world with stories so poignant, they could only have come from truth. The film goes behind the scenes with exclusive interviews and footage of the revival's audition process, revealing the dramatic journey of the performers, and unfolding the story of life imitating art. The film compares and contrasts the original musical with the current revival. It investigates the societies in which they've debuted, and why the themes are so timeless and universal.

Sunday, July 12
10:00 AM - CAFE CINEMATHEQUE INTERNATIONAL
General Admission $10 | FLIFF Members $8

A monthly film event starting with Brunch and followed by an independent or foreign film and discussionfacilitated by Shelly Issacs, an instructor of foreign language film appreciation at Florida International University, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Presented this Sunday is, VIVA LALDJERIE, a 2004 film from Algeria. The film tells the story of old and young in Algeria through a mother and daughter hiding out in a hotel from local terrorists.

Monday July 13 & Saturday July 18

I PURITANI -Opera in Cinema

Monday, July 13, 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 18, 2:00 PM

General Admission $20 | FLIFF Members $18

Performed by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna ans part of Italy’s Grand Operas Series, I Puritani is the story of love between Elvira and Arturo amidst the English civil war of the 1640s. Elvira's hand has been promised to Sir Richard Forth, whom she does not love. Instead, she is madly in love with Arturo Talbo. Realizing his niece's sadness, Sir Giorgio convinces her father, Lord Gualtiero, to allow her to marry Arturo. At the wedding celebration, Arturo discovers that Queen Enrichetta is a prisoner in the castle. By covering the queen in a wedding veil, Arturo helps the Queen escape from the castle. Meanwhile, Elvira thinks that she has been abandoned. In the end, Arturo and Elvira are reunited to live in happiness. Conducted by: Paolo Vero | Directed by: Michele Mariotti | Cast: Ugo Guagliardo, Nino Machaidze, Yolanda Auyanet, Juan Diego Florez, Celso Albelo

July 17 - 19
PRAYING IN HER OWN VOICE

Friday, July 17, 6:00 PM
Saturday, July 18, 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 19, 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

This powerful film documents the courageous struggle of a religious women’s group called Women of the Wall, movement for equality, next to the wailing wall - perhaps the holiest place on earth for Jews.

The story of the Women of the Wall is a test case for the deprived status of women in Israeli public life. The film is an outcry protesting religious coercion and the violent silencing of women. It's a film that raises many questions about the battle of the sexes within the religious Jewish world.

Playing with short film - Today You Are A Fountain Pen
Set in 1989, during the historical week in which the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. The film is a poignant story about a unique relationship between a grandfather and his grandson before the boys Bar Mitzvah. The grandfather teaches the boy a small lesson about growing up, while the boy helps the grandfather, a holocaust survivor, open up and tell his story, for the first time. Stars Len Lesser (Uncle Leo) from Seinfeld.

July 17 - 19

AFGHAN STAR

Friday, July 17, 8:00PM
Saturday, July 18, 5:30 PM
Sunday, July 19, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

General Admission $9.00 | Seniors and Students $7.00 | FLIFF Members $5.00

Winner Audience and Directing Award - 2009 Sundance Film Festival

In Afghanistan you risk your life to sing. After thirty years of war and five devastating years of Taliban rule, pop culture is beginning to return to the country. Since 2005, millions have been tuning in to Tolo TV’s wildly popular American Idol-style series Afghan Star. Like its Western predecessors, people compete for a cash prize and record deal. More surprisingly, the contest is open to everyone across the country despite gender, ethnicity or age. Two thousand people audition, including three extremely brave women. And when viewers vote for their favorites via cell phone, it is, for many, their first encounter with the democratic process.

Winner of the Directing and Audience Awards in Sundance’s 2009 World Documentary competition, Havana Marking’s timely and moving film follows the dramatic stories of four young finalists—two men and two women—as they hazard everything to become the nation’s favorite performer. By observing the Afghani people's relationship to its pop culture, Afghan Star is the perfect window into a country’s tenuous, ongoing struggle for modernity. What Americans consider frivolous entertainment is downright revolutionary—and more human—in this troubled part of the world.

July 21 & 25
STRAVINSKY & THE BALLETS RUSSES (Ballet)
Tuesday, July 21, 7:00pm

Saturday, July 25, 2:00PM

Stravinsky & The Ballets Russes

General Admission $15 / FLIFF Members $10 / Students under 16 $8

An evening of one-act ballets on the music by Igor Stravinsky featuring "The Firebird", "The Rite of Spring", and "The Wedding". As part of the "From Russia With Dance" series, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and Emerging Pictures present the world's most famous ballet company in HD, in the comfort of Cinema Paradiso's plush comfortable seating right here in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Wednesday, July 22
6:30PM - SENSES OF CINEMA Food, Film, Wine, and Discussion

General Admission $15 / FLIFF Members $12

The evening begins at 6:30pm as we celebrate Asia with a sampling of foods from the Far East with a glass of wine. At 7:30pm enjoy the award winning film BLIND SHAFT, introduced by Shelly Isaacs and presented with English subtitles. Following the film, join Shelly for his post screening commentary. BLIND SHAFT, by director Li Yang is a thriller from China, is about two Chinese coal miners who have hit upon the perfect scam: murder one of their fellow mine workers, make the death look like an accident, and extort money from the boss to keep the incident hushed up. For their latest "mark," they choose a naive teenager from a small village, and as they prepare to carry out their newest plan, things start to get complicated.

Friday, July 24

BACK TO BACK ROCK OPERAS
10:00 PM Repo! The Genetic Opera
11:55 PM Rocky Horror Picture Show
Featuring live shadow cast performers!

Admission: $5 each film.

In the tradition of Cinema Paradiso’s monthly Rocky Horror Pictureshow, Repo! The Genetic Opera features shadow cast Midnight Cinema. This marks first shadow cast performance of Repo! The Gentic Opera in the nation !

REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA takes place In the year 2056 -- the not so distant future -- an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants... for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is a Rock and Roll party with a full bar, a Transvestite floor show and the live cast with all the feathers and sequins you can shake a stick at. "Don't Dream It Be It !" -Alexandra Gronskaya (The Queen)

Saturday, July 25

6:00PM - MIAMI VICE 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Admission: Free with donation of hair care products to be donated to the

Broward Partnership for the Homeless

Come dressed in your best 1980's South Florida attire as we celebrate 25 years of Crocket and Tubbs and the rest of the gang that redefined South Florida and Television. Included will be a screening of the original pilot episode, a silent auction of Miami Vice paraphernalia, plus other surprises.

Saturday, July 25

THE AUTEUR EXPLOSION

9:00PM – 2:00AM

Admission: $5

The monthly showcase produced by Underlab Studios, showcases the local creative community and the flavor of the South Florida culture. On July 25, local artists, musicians and filmmakers strut their stuff with a 1980's theme to compliment The Miami Vice 25^th Anniversary Party.

July 30 – August 2 (COMPLETE SCHEDULE ATTACHED)

THE 8^TH ANNUAL PERRIER FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

Thursday, July 30, 6:00PM Soiree, 7:00PM Film

Friday, July 31, 6:00PM & 8:00PM

Saturday, Aug 1, 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM. 5:00PM, 7:00PM & 9:00PM

Sunday, Aug 2, 10AM Café Cinematheque, 2:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM Wrap Party

Admission:

Opening Night Film & Party $25 non-members and $15 for FLIFF members.

Closing Night Film & Wrap Party: $15 General Admission and $10 FLIFF Members

Café Cinetheque and Films Only:

$10 general Admission, $8 Seniors & Students, $5 FLIFF Members

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) takes you to France from the comfort of their plush, stadium style seating at Cinema Paradiso, as the 8^TH Annual Perrier French Film Festival lifts off July 30 – August 2, 2009.

Over 12 French films will be featured over the four-day fest featuring an eclectic array of historical dramas, scenic adventures, and side-splitting comedies. As no one does funny like the French, FLIFF will open and close with a heavy dose of laughter. The fest opener on July 30 is HELLO GOODBYE, starring Gérard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac) and Fanny Ardant (The Secrets) in a romantic comedy about a married Jewish couple that undergo an identity crisis when their only son marries a Catholic girl. They decide to move from their home in Paris to Israel only to face the bureaucratic miseries of relocating to a new country, putting their marriage to the test. Closing the fest on August 2 is A PAIN IN THE ASS(L'emmerdeur), the latest film from France’s master of comedy, writer-director Francis Veber (The Valet, The Closet, The Dinner Game), who again reveals the hapless Francois Pignon (Patrick Timsit) to audiences, this time as a hapless neurotic who’s unlucky in love.

The films in between are just as entertaining including: GROWN UPS, a wistfully charming comedy about a single French father and his shy teenage daughter who each discover romance during a summer holiday. WELCOME a thrilling drama about a swim coach who trains a young refugee to help him swim the English Channel in order to join his lover. And, THE WEDDING SONG - Karin Albou's (Little Jerusalem) sophomore feature confirms her status as a rising star in this taboo-breaking, sensual and political story of a Muslim girl and a Jewish girl who bond intensely during the Nazi occupation.

To give audiences the flavor of being in France, FLIFF will host their popular Opening Night Soiree with a sumptuous buffet of classic French cuisine. French wines and coffee will be featured throughout the four-days and the Closing Night Wrap Party will feature more casual French fare.

# # #

The Proposal-Movie Review

2009-06-18T18:19:00.001-04:00

The Art Of Being Straight-Movie Review

2009-06-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

Year One-Movie Review

2009-06-18T18:07:00.001-04:00

Walt Disney's New DVDS

2009-06-17T17:00:00.016-04:00

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases

several new DVD’s including The Jonas Brothers:

The Concert Experience in 3D and Confessions of a Shopaholic

RAISING THE BAR:

THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON recently arrived in stores.

Sparks fly and fireworks ignite both inside and outside the courtroom in the compelling new legal drama from multiple Emmy-winner Steven Bochco. Passionate and idealistic public defender Jerry Kellerman (Mark Paul Gosselaar) learns to navigate the halls of

justice and the personal politics of the courthouse as he struggles to get a fair hearing for his clients. Jerry and his associates Rosalind Whitman (Gloria Reuben), Richard P

atrick Woolsley (Teddy Sears), and Bobbi Gilardi (Natalia Cigliuti) square off ag

ainst M

ichelle

Ernhardt (Melissa Sagemiller), a prosecutor trying to balance the desire to get real justice with assistant DA Nick Balco’s (Currie Graham) need to win cases. As they play out their professional rivalry in front of imperious and ambitious Judge Trudy Kessler

(Jane Kaczmarek), issues of life, love, and the law are seen from opposite sides of the system.

Bonus Features

Behind the Bar: An After-Hours Roundtable with the Cast

Sworn Testimony: True Stories of a Public Defender

Mistrials: Bloopers from Season One

Audio Commentaries with the cast and crew

Also in stores is ARMY WIVES:

THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON

The Army has its code. The wives have theirs. Four women and one man face the challenges of making a life for themselves while trying to stay connected to spouses who may be shipped off at any minute and abiding by the military’s strict traditions. These f

ive

very different people forge an unbreakable bond as they help one another through the unthinkable and protect each other’s dar

kest secrets.

Bonus Features

Active Duty: The Cast of Army Wives at Fort Bragg

Operational Intelligence: Getting the Army’s Support

The Tribe: Behind the Scenes with the cast

Army Wives Gives Back

Deleted Scenes

Bloopers

Audio Commentaries

MORNING LIGHT

a documentary will be released to stores on June 16

Fifteen young sailors...six months of intense training…one chance at the brass ring. A group of intrepid and determined young men and women on the cusp of adulthood embark on their first great adventure AS they vie for a berth on a high-performance racing sloop. Morning Light is an exhilarating and uplifting documentary that traces their path from initial selection to final competition in the 2007 Transpacific Yacht Race, the most revered of open-ocean sailing competitions. Chosen from over 500 applicants, the group OF 15 spends six months in intensive training se

ssion

s conducted by world-class teachers before they choose from among themselves the 11-member crew that will sail Morning Light in an exhausting and thrilling test of their endurance. Captained by 21-year-old Jeremy Wilmot, the story of Morning Light and her youthful

crew is a fascinating look at both a unique and challenging sporting event, and, at its heart, the story of the formation of the unbreakable bond that makes a team so much greater than the sum of its parts.

Bonus features for MORNING LIGHT

Both the Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD Editions of Morning Light include these exciting bonus features:

Stories from the Sea with host Jason Earles (“Hannah Mont

ana”)

ESPN Special: Morning Light – Making the Cut

Dylan and Cole Sprouse - Blu-ray is Suite! (DVD only)

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC,

a film by producer Jerry Bruckheimer releases to stores on June 23

When fashionista Rebecca Bloomwood’s out-of-control spending reaches the outer limits of her credit cards, she is forced to find employment to pay for her label-icious wardrobe. Her dream job is a position at New York’s top fashion rag Alette, but she has to settle for a desk at Successful Saving, a struggling financial magazine owned by the same publishing company. With a dogged debt collect

or (Robert Stanton) hot on her stilettos, Becky becomes the unlikely author of a column on saving money—with a little help from her friends at Google. Her unconventional outlook on money matters attracts the approval of her dreamy boss, Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy), and Becky begins to think maybe there is a whole new world waiting for her just a fe

w steps away from Madison Avenue.

Both the Blu-ray Hi-Def and DVD Editions of Confessions of a Shopaholic include these bonus features:

Bloopers

Deleted Scenes

“Stuck with Each Other” Music Video by Shontelle Featuring Akon

Plus, available exclusively on Blu-ray Hi-Def:

“Accessory” Music Video by Jordan Taylor

“Takes Time to Love” Music Video by Trey Songz

Behind the Fashion – A collection of insider peeks at the making of Confessions of a Shopaholic, including: Wardrobe by Patricia Field - The renowned fashion designer takes viewers into her studio and shares some of the secrets of her outrageous creative process.

Temple of Shopping – The inspiration for Rebecca Bloomwood’s fashion wonderland is finally revealed.

The Green Scarf – Fans will learn more about the all-important accessory that drives Rebecca to take desperate measures.

New York Fashion Central – A style-centric tour of the home of more shopaholics

per square foot than anywhere else on the planet.

Sample Sale Madness - The filming of the film’s hilariously chaotic shopping spree.

Window Shopping - The Shopaholic team brings store windows to life along

shopping mecca Madison Avenue.

JONAS BROTHERS: THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE Deluxe

Extended Movie in 3-D On 3-Disc Blu-ray™/DVD Combo-Pack

June 30 For a Limited Time With 4 Songs Not Seen in Theatres

Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience - Includes

Deluxe Extended Movie from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Included are 4

songs that were never seen when the movie played in theatres, including two integrated into the film itself, extending the experience.

Available for a limited time only, Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience - Deluxe

Extended Movie comes in a 3-Disc Combo Pack, which, in addition to the 3-D and 2-D versions of the movie on Blu-ray, contains a standard definition DVD (the extended film in 2-D ); and a DisneyFile (a digital copy of the 2-D extended movie viewers can enjoy. Bonus features include Get Up Close and Personal, an intimate look at the brothers; 2 Additional Bonus Songs, “Love Bug” and “Shelf”; and 4 free pairs of 3-D glasses.

The Concert Experience: Deluxe Extended Movie (3-Disc Combo Pack) includes:

Disc One—Blu-ray

• 3-D and 2-D Extended Version of the Movie with 2 performances not seen in theaters --“Can’t Have You” and “A Little Bit Longer”

• 2 Additional Bonus Songs - “Love Bug” and “Shelf”

• Up Close & Personal -- Go behind the scenes with the ‘Jo-Bros’ and learn what this tour means to them.

• 4 free pairs of 3-D glasses

Disc Two--DVD

2-D Extended Version of the movie with 2 performances not seen in theaters – “Can’t Have You” and “A Little Bit Longer” plus bonus features listed above.

Disc Three

• DisneyFile - Digital Copy of extended movie in 2-D

The Concert Experience: Extended Movie (2-Disc Standard Def DVD) includes:

Disc One

• 2-D Extended Movie with 2 Additional Performances - “Can’t Have You” and “A Little Bit

Longer”

• 2 Additional Bonus Songs - “Love Bug” and “Shelf”

• Up Close & Personal - Go behind the scenes with the ‘Jo-Bros’ and learn what this tour means

to them.

Disc Two

DisneyFile Digital Copy of extended movie in 2-D.

The Concert Experience (Single Standard Def DVD Disc) features:

The theatrical version of the film (2D)

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

2009-06-16T10:08:00.001-04:00

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

Announces the 8^th Annual Perrier French Film Festival

Fort Lauderdale, FL – June 16, 2009 - Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) in conjunction with The French Consulate-Miami, take you to France from the comfort of their plush, stadium style seating at Cinema Paradiso, as the 8^TH Annual Perrier French Film Festival lifts off July 30 – August 2, 2009.

Twelve (12) French films will be featured over the four-day fest featuring an eclectic array of historical dramas, scenic adventures, and side-splitting comedies. As no one does funny like the French, FLIFF will open and close with a heavy dose of laughter.

The fest opener on July 30 is HELLO GOODBYE, starring Gérard Depardieu (Cyrano de Bergerac) andFanny Ardant (The Secrets) in a romantic comedy about a married Jewish couple that undergo an identity crisis when their only son marries a Catholic girl. They decide to move from their home in Paris to Israelonly to face the bureaucratic miseries of relocating to a new country, putting their marriage to the test.

Closing the fest on August 2 is A PAIN IN THE ASS (L'emmerdeur), the latest film from France’s master of comedy, writer-director Francis Veber (The Valet, The Closet, The Dinner Game), who again reveals the hapless Francois Pignon (Patrick Timsit) to audiences, this time as a hapless neurotic who’s unlucky in love.

The films in between are just as entertaining including: GROWN UPS, a wistfully charming comedy about coming of age – at any age. WELCOME, suspenseful romantic thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. And, THE WEDDING SONG - Karin Albou's (Little Jerusalem) sophomore feature confirms her status as a rising star in this taboo-breaking, sensual and political story of a Muslim girl and a Jewish girl who bond intensely during the Nazi occupation.

There’s even a film for families sponsored by Funding Arts of Broward – THE RED BALLOON, followed by a French language activity.

Admission:

Opening Night Film & Party: $25 non-members and $15 for FLIFF members.
Closing Night Film & Wrap Party: $15 General Admission and $10 FLIFF Members.
Café Cinematheque : $10 general Admission, $8 FLIFF Members
FAB! Films for Kids: FREE!
Films Only: $10 general Admission, $8 Seniors & Students, $5 FLIFF Members

Details and Advance Ticket Sales: www.FLIFF.com or 954-525-FILM (3456)

Cinema Paradiso location

503 SE 6 Street in downtown Fort Lauderdale, one block east of Broward County Courthouse on south bank of New River.

James Bond Will Be Back!!

2009-06-14T19:01:00.001-04:00

LOS ANGELES, CA June 12, 2009 – Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have today announced that Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale) will be the screenwriters of the 23rdJames Bond adventure.

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in the film, which will be a MGM release of an EON production. Bond 23 is the latest installment in the longest-running franchise in motion picture history and will be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. A date for the start of production is yet to be confirmed.

“Peter, Neal and Robert are extraordinarily talented and we’re looking forward to working with the three of them,” commented Wilson and Broccoli.

Peter Morgan is the award-winning writer of such films as The Last King of Scotland, The Queen and Frost/Nixon, which was based on his play. He has also scripted the upcoming The Special Relationship for HBO and Hereafter for DreamWorks. He will turn his attention to Bond 23 on completion of these duties. Morgan is represented by UTA (US) and Independent Talent Group (UK).

Since 1991 Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have collaborated on a diverse range of projects including The Italian Job, Johnny English and the past four Bond films. They recently adapted John Le Carre's The Mission Song and are also working on the upcoming sequel The Brazilian Job. Purvis and Wade are represented by Endeavor (US), Casarotto Ramsay & Associates (UK).

About EON Productions

EON Productions/Danjaq, LLC, is owned by the Broccoli family and has produced twenty-two James Bond films since 1962, including QUANTUM OF SOLACE. TheJames Bond films, produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, make up the longest running franchise in film history and include the recent blockbuster films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough, Die Another Dayand Casino Royale. EON Productions and Danjaq, LLC, are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising of the James Bond franchise.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.

# # #

CONTACT:
Grey Munford
Director Corporate Publicity
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.
Email: gmunford@mgm.com <gmunford@mgm.com>
Office: 310-586-8227

Food, INC-Written Movie Review

2009-06-14T18:39:00.001-04:00

FOOD INC.

Directed by: Robert Kenner

Rated:

Genre: Documentary

By John Delia

Move over Michael Moore, there’s a new moviemaker on the scene and he’s pulling no punches in the food game. Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner takes shots at the people who put the food on your table and he’s telling it like it is. But if you are timid, are picky about the food you eat, are squeamish when it comes to the slaughter of animals, you may want to think twice about seeing Food Inc. On the other hand, it’s about time we found out how that egg you eat arrives at your table, how meat gets to your local supermarket and what is being done to make sure it is edible.

Robert Kenner investigated the food industry that he says has often put profit ahead of consumer health, put the livelihoods of American farmers in jeopardy and has damaged our environment. In his expose he says that although our food appears the same (a tomato still looks like a tomato) it has been radically transformed. Tomatoes are bred to be shipped without bruising and to stay edible for months. With the use of animation and compelling actual film footage, viewers are shown some very disturbing growing methods that include a special soybean that is insecticide resistant.

And that is only the half of it as Kenner reveals how a handful of corporations control our nation’s food supply. He says that though the companies try to maintain the myth that our food still comes from farms with red barns and white picket fences, our food is actually raised on massive factory like farms and processed in mega industrial plants. His film states that animals grow fatter faster and are designed to fit the machines that slaughter them.

Although the film does make some good points, I found that it was somewhat one sided. Getting the other side of the coin is no easy task as Kenner depicts that most all those he tried to talk to that ran the factory farms, resisted an interview.

According to Kenner the outlook looks bleak and that the government should be able to control the way our food is produced. He lays out a string of facts that are hard to dispute including In 1998, the USDA implemented microbial testing for salmonella and E.coli 0157h7 so that if meat processed repeatedly failed these tests, the USDA could shut down the plant. After being taken to court by the meat and poultry associations, the USDA no longer has that power. In the 1970s, there were thousands of slaughterhouses producing the majority of beef sold. Today, we have only 13.

The film does contain some very disturbing scenes involving animals and facts that may cause you to limit your intake of certain meats, so take this into consideration before choosing to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: An interesting and eye opening look at food and the future of farming. (4.5 of 5 Palm Trees) For more information about FOOD, INC.

http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/

The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3- Written Movie Review

2009-06-14T18:36:00.002-04:00

TAKING OF PELHAM 123

Starring: John Travolta, Denzel Washington, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli and James Gandolfini

Directed by: Tony Scott

Rated: R for violence and pervasive language

Genre: Action/Drama

By John Delia

Take some A list stars, lets say Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Throw them into a storyline where they are at odds with each other. Make one of them a recently demoted subway station dispatcher and the other a very scary criminal mastermind. Then mix it all up using one of the best dramatic thrill directors Tony Scott and what you get is a recipe for a winner.

The film sets up quick with the hijacking of a subway train in New York City by Ryder (Travolta) and three of his heavily armed fellow ex-cons. His intent is to ransom the hostages for 10 Million dollars and he has no fear of shooting them one by one if the delivery is late. Making contact with Walter (Washington) a subway dispatcher, the two become linked in the drama and the confrontations that follow.

If you like your thrill with some excellent drama, then there is no one better than director Tony Scott to provide a big helping. Having assisted a lot of A list acting careers with his excitement, dramatic style of delivering the story and box office success, Scott hardly ever deviates from his captivating formula. In The Taking of Pelham 123 he pits a cool and calm character played by Washington against Travolta, as a man whose about to explode. The two go head to head with Travolta being the prime antagonist much like he was in Swordfish, but edgier. He has a 10 million dollar goal and a murderous mentality. Scott takes the two to new heights as he plays the game of right versus might.

Scott knows Washington real well having directed him in many of his more popular roles like; Crimson Tide, Man on Fire and Déjà Vu, but here in Pelham he takes the tough guy attitude and calms it down creating a character that you don’t often see for Washington in an action film. I loved his dowdy character and the way Scott delivered him to the screen, making the scenes believable and enjoyable to watch.

Travolta provides an emotionally scary Ryder who deals in carnage and expresses his demands in menacing terms. Playing an over the top ex-con who desires to get even with the system that put him in jail, he’ll stop at nothing to obtain his goal.

I will make mention that the film is a remake, but only the basic storyline gets resurrected. This edition makes the script more modern, inserts a bevy of excellent actors, adds some twists and makes use of a lot of very cringing special effects.

The film is rated R for violence and pervasive language. But lets be clear on this, there are some startling killings and strong face-to-face anger displayed in the film so take this into consideration when deciding to let immature children see the movie. Also as a word of caution, the movie trailer gives away too much so please avoid watching it prior to going to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Dramatic action junkies this is one top-notch thrill ride. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

Imagine That-Written Review

2009-06-14T18:32:00.001-04:00

IMAGINE THAT

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Yari Shahidi, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Williams, Ronnie Cox and Martin Sheen

Directed by: Karey Kirkpatrick

Rated PG for some mild language and brief questionable behavior

Genre: Comedy

By John Delia

Eddie Murphy goes back to his comedic roots and comes out a winner in the loveable and laughable Imagine That. Expecting a so-so and ho-hum movie after seeing the trailer I was amazingly surprised by a sweet film that had some great moments, including a delightful performance by Yari Shahidi. If you want your heart warmed with a lot of chuckles along the way, then Imagine That is a must see.

The movie centers on Evan Danielson (Murphy) a genius when it comes to predicting the right companies to fill financial portfolios. He’s on top of the world at his company until his boss gets hoodwinked into swaying his trust to his rival Johnny Whitefeather (Church) who has won him over with mystical Native American powers. Sold on Johnny, Evan has to win his boss back.

On one particular day, Evan’s elementary school age daughter Olivia (Shahidi) has drawn pictures all over his notes just minutes before an important presentation. Having no choice bit to give in to his frustrations over the artistic mess but, he uses the drawings to explain his position on financial choices and amazingly comes up with winners. When Olivia explains that her imaginary friends under her blanket gave her the visions, Evan enlists her help in getting back to the top.

After the flop Meet Dave, I was wondering if Murphy could muster up a good performance and make me laugh like he did in the 48 Hrs, Shrek and Beverly Hills Cop series. There he was this guy (or Donkey) who was all into himself and made me laugh with his co-stars getting the butt of his antics. Well in Imagine That he proves he still has the mojo and opposite Shahidi, his charming little co-star, the two giggle up the screen.

Directing plays a big part in the film as keeping the freewheeling comedic plot on track really takes talent. And especially when you are dealing with Eddie Murphy. I liked the way Kirkpatrick deals with the relationships throughout, never discrediting the other characters, just putting them in a comical light. Church’s Johnny Whitefeather is a good example of this showing his goofy ideas of how he comes up with predictions on choosing the right stock portfolios. We see him as a crackpot, but Eddie’s character is really no different.

Imagine That is rated PG but fun for the whole family and projects some important values such as communicating with your children. The film contains some mild language and brief questionable behavior so be cautioned of this before attending.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for the whole family. Now, imagine that! (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Gran Torino-DVD Review

2009-06-14T18:23:00.001-04:00

GRAN TORINO

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her and Cory Hardrict

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Rated R for language throughout and some violence

Genre: Drama

By John Delia

Clint Eastwood does it again with Gran Torino, a very good film that deals with life and it’s stumbling blocks. Eastwood shows his mastery for portraying subjects that are interesting and imaginative and he doesn’t fail here. If you like dramatic films that give you a view of society that you don’t readily see, than watch Gran Torino now on DVD.

Eastwood portrays Walt Kowalski, an iron-willed and inflexible Korean War veteran living in a changing world, who is forced by his Hmong immigrant neighbors to confront his own long-held prejudices. A retired autoworker Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. Though his late wife's final wish was for him to take confession and ask for forgiveness for his past deeds, for the bitter Walt there's nothing to confess.

Things are getting worse, gangs are starting to take over the neighborhood and his next-door neighbor boy Tao has been encouraged to join one, but has tried to resist. During a confrontation in the boy’s front yard by the gang, Walt chases the teens away. The family rewards Walt with food and friendship, which he refuses. Eventually Tao’s resistance breaks down and the gang orders him to steal Walt’s prized possession. Walt catches Tao in the act and takes aim at killing him, but allows him to run away. So starts a series of life challenges for both Walt and Tao.

Eastwood is at his best when his films involve a life struggle. As Walt, a cantankerous old codger who has pushed away his children and makes war on his new neighbors, Eastwood commands the screen. He is very convincing here with his crass and no holds barred racist attitude that touches almost every ethnic group. I enjoyed his banter between his son’s who seem to want the best for him, but more than likely want to move on from the years of not being loved.

As a director Eastwood brings out some very good performances in the young teens that are the antagonists and antithesis within the storyline. Vang does a great job as Tao, the Hmong boy who is the target of the gang. And Ahney Her gives a touching performance as his sister who sees the good side of Walt and tries to release him from his haunts.

The bonus features are few and concentrate on the Gran Torino while weaving in some of the making of. The first one Manning the Wheel: The meaning of Manhood As Reflected in American Car Culture is the better of the two as Eastwood does most of the talking. The second feature is called Gran Torino: More Than a Car where the filmmakers visit Detroit during an auto buffs event and try to show how men have bonded with their vehicles. But, the best DVD bonus is the fact that you can use the captions feature that helps to make the film better understood. Since Eastwood talks with a raspy voice and the Hmongs talk very fast, I enjoyed the film better with the captions running.

The film does contain a lot of racial slurs and is Rated R for language throughout and some graphic violence, so be cautioned.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Gran Torino is a very good film that has great acting by Eastwood. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Food, INC>-Movie Review

2009-06-11T21:07:00.001-04:00

Tyson-Movie Review

2009-06-11T21:01:00.001-04:00

The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3-Movie Review

2009-06-11T20:49:00.001-04:00

Little Ashes-Movie Review

2009-06-04T17:30:00.000-04:00

Revision En Espanol -the Hangover

2009-06-04T17:26:00.001-04:00

The Hangover-Movie Review

2009-06-04T17:22:00.000-04:00

The Land Of The Lost-Movie Review-Revision en Espanol

2009-06-04T17:16:00.000-04:00

Goodbye Solo-Movie Review

2009-06-04T17:15:00.001-04:00

The Land Of The Lost-Movie Review

2009-06-04T16:24:00.000-04:00

Easy Virtue-Video Movie review-Revision en Espanol

2009-06-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

Easy Virtue-Video Movie review

2009-06-04T15:21:00.000-04:00

Up-Written Review By John Delia

2009-06-01T08:09:00.002-04:00

Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Elie Doctor, John Ratzenberger, Delroy Lindo, Jordan Nagai

Directed by: Pete Docter

Rated PG for some peril and action

By John Delia

An animated adventure comedy bursts on the screen from Disney-Pixar; it’s called Up and the touching high flyer is excellent for the whole family. The Disney-Pixar formula of making a film that is spirited and interesting with the ability to warm your heart has not changed here, only the storyline and the characters.

Up centers around balloon salesman Carl Fredrickson (Azner) who marries Ellie (Elie Doctor) his childhood sweetheart and they make plans to fulfill one of their dreams, going to South America. They grow old together and when Ellie dies before they could make the dream come true, Carl finds himself lonely in a big city, which has grown around him.

But, like in life, we all have a bad day and Carl is about to have one. Pestered by Russell (Nagai) a Wilderness Scout and due to an accident involving a bulldozer that strikes his mailbox, Carl finds being evicted and his life crumbling. So he inflates thousands of balloons, attaches them to his house and floats away to South America for one last adventure. Little does he know; Russell has inadvertently hitched a ride.

The fun of this film is the way it opens, taking you back to the early years of Carl and Ellie, how they met and their subsequent life together. It’s the scrapbook that ties the threads of this film together and there in lays the tenderness of hopes and dreams. If the film gets a little sentimental, it is meant to be as I found it a wake up call to make one of my possible dreams come true.

Pete Doctor does a superb job of directing the free wheeling plot. But the champions here are the artists and the computer geniuses that bring the characters to life. After a few minutes into the movie my imagination took flight and instead of animation I had the feeling that I was watching a live action movie.

The film is rated PG for some peril, action and a scene where Carl Fredrickson looses his cool. The film was not reviewed in 3D, but it is available in that format.

FINAL ANALYSIS: An excellent film for the whole family (5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Drag Me To Hell-Written Movie Review By John Delia

2009-06-01T08:05:00.004-04:00

DRAG ME TO HELL

Starring: Lorna Raver, Dioleep Rao, Alison Lohman, Justin Long, and David Paymer

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language

By John Delia

Hold on to your seat or the person next to you when you go to see Drag Me To Hell, a scary horror flick that had me jumping during nearly every scene. The film is Sam Raimi’s best horror effort with a lot of frightening images; disgusting excretions, evil demons, hideous faces and other things that make you want to cringe or vomit. If I haven’t made you ill from my description of the film, then you want to run to see Drag Me To Hell.

Christine Brown (Lohman) is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton (Long). Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush (R

aver) arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks (Paymer), and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home.

In retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas (Rao) to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered Christine return her life to normal, the psychic sets her on a frantic course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must face the unthinkable: how far will she go to break free of the curse?

The movie plays out like a typical Grind House film and Raimi pulls no punches when it comes to satisfying horror fans that have a fetish for the bizarre. Although predictable in many ways, it’s the getting there that makes this film good. Packed with some great CGI in all the right places, Raimi spins his magic taking the simple storyline to a fiery conclusion.

Lohman does a great job of playing the hapless loan office ladder climber. Raimi pushes her envelope from innocence to damning as he progresses her character from cute to curse. I loved the graveyard scene with Christine drenched in the mire of death and bones.

The film is rated PG-13 for sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language among other yucky things.

FINAL ANAYSIS: A gory story from a very good director or horror. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Bradley Cooper-The Hangover-Interview with John Delia

2009-05-29T15:18:00.001-04:00

Drag Me To Hell-Movie Review

2009-05-29T00:56:00.000-04:00

Drag Me To Hell-Revision En Espanol

2009-05-29T00:51:00.000-04:00

Up-Revision En Espanol

2009-05-29T00:23:00.001-04:00

Disney Pixar Up-Movie Review and Trailer

2009-05-28T23:40:00.001-04:00

Proper Eyes-Movie Review

2009-05-26T10:21:00.004-04:00

PROPER EYES

(Por Sus Propios Ojos)

Starring: Ana Carabajal, Mara Santucho, Luisa Nunez and Maximiliano Gallo

Directed by: Liliana Paolinelli

Unrated

In Spanish with English Subtitles

By John Delia

Entering a world that is seldom seen by the camera, Paolinelli takes us on a dramatic look at prisoners through the eyes of a documenter in Proper Eyes, an interesting docudrama that’s unsettling while it entertains. If you like films that depict the edgier side of life, then don’t miss this film.

For her college thesis, film student Alicia (Carabajal), along with her best friend Virginia (Santucho), sets out to make a documentary about women in the lives of prisoners at a local jail. The only problem is no one is willing to be interviewed on camera. Along comes Elsa (Núñez), a desperate woman, whose son, Luis (Gallo), has recently been arrested for a petty crime. Elsa will grant Alicia an interview, only if she visits Luis in jail. Alicia feels this is blackmail and tries to get

out of it, but reluctantly agrees to Elsa's proposition. When Alicia's visits Luis in jail, her world collapses.

The movie, a mix of documentary and fiction is touching yet disturbing as it works its way through some very thought-provoking moments. With local jails holding both misdemeanor and major crime inmates, women visitors are still allowed into the cells but only after thorough searches. If you are not a relative of a prisoner it is almost impossible to enter their world to get the data needed for a thesis. Determined to make her film, Alicia finds herself traveling to Elsa’s home on a number of occasions only to get a weak excuse as a refusal to be filmed on camera. Over and over again, Alicia returns to her house until she finally sees a ray of hope when Elsa makes a bargain with her that is not only challenging but also dangerous.

The acting by Carabajal and Nunez is extremely good with the two of them occupying most of the screen time. I was especially enamored with the believability of Nunez’s character that is crafty and coy. Directing her with a cunning hand Paolinelli allows us to see the trappings of the woman as she sucks Alicia into her world and feeds on her sense of compassion.

The film is unrated but deals with adult situations, language and a scene of partial nudity. The movie was filmed in Spanish and has English subtitles.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for fans of the edgier side of life. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

The Hangover Bradley Cooper Interview

2009-05-24T16:46:00.002-04:00

Revision En Espanol Night At The Museum Battle Of The Smithsonian

2009-05-21T17:56:00.001-04:00

Night At the Museum-Battle Of The Smithsonian-Movie Review

2009-05-21T17:36:00.000-04:00

Terminator Salvation-Movie Review-Revision En Espanol

2009-05-20T23:41:00.000-04:00

Terminator Salvation-Movie Review

2009-05-20T23:23:00.000-04:00

Management-/Video Movie Review

2009-05-15T16:32:00.002-04:00

Management-/Text Movie Review

2009-05-15T16:28:00.002-04:00

MANAGEMENT

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Woody Harrelson, Fred Ward and Margo Martindale

Directed by: Stephen Belber

Rated R for language

By John Delia

There is a very quirky romantic comedy on the screen called Management and I liked it a lot. The characters are charming, interesting and real (even a little crazy and pathetic). The film treats with a sense of imagination that we sometimes forget that exists.

The movie centers on Mike Cranshaw (Zahn) and Sue Claussen (Aniston) who have a chance meeting when Sue on a sales trip to Arizona takes a room at a hotel owned by Mike’s parents. On a lark or complete desperation to meet someone, Mike brings a bottle of wine to Sue’s room. A little frightened at first, Sue feels Mike means well and the two strike up a conversation brining out their enigmatic desires they did not realize existed. When Mike takes a trip to Maryland where Sue works, his stalking charm puts a damper on their relationship and Mikes dream. But that only triggers Mike’s determination to conquer love.

I love the acting by Aniston and Zahn and the chemistry between them, even though their characters are questionable at times. You just have to let your imagination prevail on this one so you can enjoy the strange romantic relationship between the two. Zahn takes Cranshaw and shows how oppressed the man is by parents that never let him see the world. Having no notion of how to find a true love and then grasping at straws to make it happen is moving yet bizarre. In return we get a great performance from Aniston as a woman who has been stripped of her sense of purpose and we find Claussen falling for this weird and wonderful man.

The direction by Belber makes the film work by taking the bizarre story and making his two stars provide us with this couple that becomes entwined on a chance meeting. He makes his camera work for him with angles that give us a closer look into the sole of the couple. Although there are some abrupt scene changes, the damage that they do is not enough to dispel the believability of the storyline.

The film has been rated R for language, but also has brief sexuality so take this into consideration when deciding to take immature youngsters to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A good date flick that should create a lot of dinner talk following it. (3.5 of 5 stars)

Angels and Demons-Movie Review

2009-05-15T14:28:00.004-04:00

ANGELS & DEMONS

Starring Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard, Armin Mueller-Stahl

Directed by: Ron Howard

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material.

By John Delia

If you are going to see Angels & Demons and have read the book, maybe you will have some trepidation, but the film is so good you may never feel being cheated. The production can be considered a stand-alone thriller, not a prequel, as I needn’t have seen The Da Vinci Code to enjoy this film. I liked the film very much for it’s acting, directing, cinematography, intrigue and twists.

Following the death of his holiness the Pope of the Catholic Church, the cardinals are in a quandary as to who will be their next leader. More so, a shroud of darkness falls upon the group when they discover that it may be murder and involve the ancient order of the Illuminati the most powerful underground organization in history and the most despised enemy of the church. When four cardinals who are in contention for the throne get kidnapped by the illuminati, Dr.Robert Langdon (Hanks) a symbologist and religious expert is called in to aid Vittoria Vetra (Zurer), an Italian scientist, to follow clues that may lead them to the perpetrators.

The film has a thriller base that leads the audience on a scamper around Vatican City to several churches and the inter-sanctum of the holy city itself. I love the way Howard sucked me into the intrigue as he moves each crime scene from one end of the city to the other with each location being a key to the final stand off. His keen ability of exciting storyline delivery makes the film captivating and hypnotic.

Angels & Demons was taken from Dan Brown’s first book that introduced Robert Langdon, but in this film it becomes the sequel as the production company saw fit to go with The Da Vinci Code first. To tell you the truth, Angels & Demons stands alone as a movie in it’s own right and is more exciting and challenging than the producers first try. Keeping the action within the confines of Rome rather than taking it around the world in what seamed days (The Da Vinci Code) Demons makes for a more credible story.

The acting and cinematography are equally good and I especially liked Zurer in the role of the Italian scientist who helps Langdon. Her screen presence really shines and producers around the world should notice her acting ability.

Just as a note, the character of Robert Langdon may be loosely based on John Langdon a professor of typography at Drexel University who has been creating ambigrams (words that can be read from left to right, upside down or from multiple viewpoints) since the 1970’s. He is also the author of Wordplay. He met Dan Brown, author of the book Angels & Demons; prior to Brown publishing it and his illuminati ambigram was placed on the cover. John is the guy who created the illuminati, earth, wind, fire and water ambigrams that are used in the film.

The film is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, disturbing images and thematic material, but I believe the MPAA may have missed on this one. Please be extremely cautious in letting immature teens or pre-teens for that matter view this film particularly due to the gore and extreme violence in the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film that should make thrill seekers hungry for more. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

Angels and Demons-Movie Review & Trailer

2009-05-15T09:16:00.004-04:00

Tripping Forward-Movie Review

2009-05-13T16:14:00.002-04:00

TRIPPING FORWARD

Starring: Chris Fogelman, William Gregory Lee, Sung Hi Lee (Crystal girlfriend Neighbor), Koji Kataoka (Telemarketing Boss), Amber Benson, Angela Kinsey, Ed Begley, Jr. and M.C. Gainey

Directed and Written by: Marcus Nash

Unrated but contains adult content, language, and drug use

By John Delia

If you like extraordinary comedies such as 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked-up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Super Bad, then this little film about mishaps that turn your life around fits the bill. I loved the actors in this film and the direction by Nash. The simple storyline starts out slow, moves into ‘out of the ordinary’ after personalities are established and turns to gold in the end. It’s a crazy fun film.

Ford (Fogleman) feels he is a budding actor but one television ad just doesn’t satisfy his hunger for that first movie feature. So along with his buddy Trip (Lee) the two land in Hollywood where Ford’s agent (Kinsey) is confident that he will get some opportunities to be cast in a role. Trip supports Ford’s film career and takes on the chores in their small apartment they have leased. But expenses have risen and Ford’s casting calls have been declining and they can’t make ends meet. One night during one of Trip’s nightclub visits, he meets a high profile model who gets cocaine for free and wants someone to purchase it from her at half the value and sell it to supermodels she knows will buy it. Trip thinks the plan is a sure winner, but when he takes matters into his own hands, Ford gets caught up in a get rich quick scheme that may end his acting career.

The premise of the film sounds a little corny, but the acting by Foglelman and Lee is so good that their characters become a lot of fun to watch. The support group helps the two leads with excellent performances leading to some very good entertainment. Keep an eye on Fogleman and Lee as I can see a great future with the right scripts.

In support I want to mention Hi Lee in the role of Crystal the quirky karate girlfriend that delivers debilitating kicks and Koji Kataoka as the high strung telemarketing boss who add hilarity to the film.

Direction by Nash saves the film from being ordinary by making his characters likeable and interesting. Lee could have easily fell into some previously developed drug related characters like Jay in Clerks or Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, but Nash makes sure his role is different and quirky all at the same time. The wacky story plays out very nicely even though it is sometimes predictable.

The film contains a lot of drug use, adult language, sex and some violence so be cautious when deciding to take youngsters to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun film for adults that love their comedy offbeat. (3.5 of 5 stars)

Organic Pizza Fusion with Tom Delia

2009-05-11T17:04:00.000-04:00

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-DVD Review

2009-05-11T11:12:00.002-04:00

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchette, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Taraji P. Henson, Elle Fanning and Julia Ormond

Directed by: David Fincher

PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking

By John Delia

Nominated for best picture of 2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button now on DVD has stellar acting, amazing make-up and CGI, superb directing and remarkable cinematography. I loved the odd yet touching romantic drama that held my interest throughout the nearly three-hour length. If you like films with wonderment at every turn, then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button should fill your fantasy.

The film, based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, centers on the birth of a child who is so hideous that his mother is forced by her husband to abandon it at a retirement home. A worker at the home takes the child in as her own and raises him. Aging backward, from his eighties the boy starts to grow in mind much like normal children, but still in the shell of an old man. As his life progresses we get to rummage though his loves, a stint in the war, his travels and the wonders of change all seen from the odd perspective of reverse ageing.

I found the film very fascinating as it played out showing the reverse aging process while the other characters aged normally. The film is brilliant in capturing the life of Benjamin as he catches up to his childhood with stopovers along the way.

Pitt does a terrific job of keeping in character throughout the film even under the most difficult circumstances of portraying Benjamin at challenging age levels. His ability to project to me the believability of the character’s age progression shows genuine talent.

In support Blanchette as older Daisy who tells the story, and Swinton as a forlorn Elizabeth Abbott who falls in love with Benjamin are excellent. The two pull the story together and make it romantic and interesting. I also enjoyed the acting of Elle Fanning as the younger Daisy who befriends Benjamin while others shun the boy.

Topping the cast however, is Henson as Queenie the housekeeper who takes Benjamin in and raises him. With an endearing performance, Queenie’s devotion in keeping the odd looking boy is moving and admirable.

Special features on the 2-Disc special edition include a four-part documentary. I really liked The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button that shows how the filmmakers were able work with small people to bring young Benjamin to life on the screen.

The film is rated PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking, so be sure to take this into consideration when deciding watch the DVD with immature children.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The amazing and enjoyable film is a must see. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Conversation with Sebastian Perioche, Creator Of Eurocinema

2009-05-09T15:25:00.001-04:00

Next Day Air-Movie Review

2009-05-07T23:00:00.000-04:00

Star Trek Movie Review

2009-05-07T22:54:00.000-04:00

Star Trek Movie Review

2009-05-07T22:14:00.002-04:00

STAR TREK

Starring: John Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Winona Ryder, Zoë Saldana, Karl Urban,
Anton Yelchin, with Eric Bana and Leonard Nimoy

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content

By John Delia

Special effects streak to the forefront of this wild and winsome adventure that kept my interest throughout. If you are big on space science fiction and you know what Trekkie means than you won’t be disappointed with Star Trek. I loved the story build up, acting, direction and especially the cinematography combined with CGI. The film fits into the summer mold and ranks high with this reviewer.

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals, a Romulan band of rogues versus the Federation. The Rumulans are lead by Nero (Bana) who during one skirmish with a starship has killed Captain Kirk, the father of James T. Kirk (Pine) and started a war with the Federation. Many years have passed since the incident and Kirk a thrill-seeking farm boy has grown into a tough young man. Reluctantly joining the Federation, Kirk finds himself an outcast due to a decision involving a test devised by Spock (Quinto). The two find themselves on the enterprise together and a battle of wits pursues. When they come in contact with Romulan forces, the two opposites are forced to attract.

The star of this film is not the storyline that has been hammered to death over the years of Star Trek heaven, but the production itself. The story is just there to facilitate the action, adventure and awesome cinematography mixed with seamless computer graphics. It is what makes entertainment these days tick. Much like the recent Wolverine: X-Men Origins, Star Trek’s makers bring the film to the screen in such a way to stimulate the senses and evoke the imagination to believe in what they see. With both films I was entranced, engrossed and enthralled.

Direction by J.J. Abrams is perfect, bringing together all the elements and hitting his target audience in the bull’s-eye. I loved the way he paced the film establishing his characters and making sure you knew their personalities that play a big part in the film. In addition, screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci smartly pull off a blindsider with the audience, opening the door for many sequels that will refresh the Star Trek franchise.

One downside I found was the choice of aliens, space shuttles and other details similar to those in films such as Star Wars, Alien, Starship Troopers, and many more. It distracted somewhat, but not enough to downgrade the film. I also found that the absence of the Star Trek theme during the film was interesting. Not till the credits roll does the iconic music provide its tantalizing sounds of Star Trek missions past. Much like the James Bond theme absent in the last two films it took away some of its legacy and energy. I actually felt cheated when the US Enterprise took off midway into the film and without the theme the thrill was dulled.

The film is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content so take this into consideration when bringing an immature child to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A summer action filled blockbuster you will not want to miss. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

Valentino-Last Emperor-Written Review

2009-05-07T22:10:00.002-04:00

VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR

Starring: Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti

Directed by: Matt Tyrnauer

Unrated

By John Delia

Interestingly enough this documentary peaked my interest with some excellent footage of the great designer. Valentino: The Last Emperor follows the life of the most prolific fashion designer in Italy who built himself an empire; and because it is more like a reality show than a boring biopic, I was captivated by the content. If you enjoy documentaries that get to the heart of the subject, then this flamboyant film is for you.

The documentary was made as a feature-length movie that takes the viewer inside the singular world of one of Italy’s most famous designers, Valentino Garavani. The film documents the colorful and dramatic closing act of Valentino’s celebrated career, tells the story of his extraordinary life, and explores the larger themes affecting the fashion business today. In production from June 2005 to July 2007, the filmmakers shot over 250 hours of footage with exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage.

The film touches on Valentino’s personal love life with his friend and partner Giancarlo Giammetti who helped him build the empire. In a very touching moment, Valentino singles Giancarlo out as the power behind his success. Several scenes show Valentino’s closeness and conflicts, with Giancarlo being the peacemaker for most of Valentino’s unconventional behavior with the documenters and the Valentino line franchise owners.

The flamboyance of the shows, the passion for designing of the clothing, the hand sewing of each piece, the six dogs that travel with him everywhere, his amazing chateau, apartments and opulent villas throughout the world are all depicted in the hour and half film.

You don’t have to be a female or into fashion shows to enjoy this film, but it helps. The dresses are superb, the runway shows are luxurious and the back stage prep amazing.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fairly good entertaining look at one of the kings of fashion. (2.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

Valentino-Last Emperor

2009-05-07T22:01:00.000-04:00

American Dad-DVD Review

2009-05-05T23:30:00.004-04:00

AMERICAN DAD! Vol. #4

Starring: Seth MacFarlane, Wendy Schaal, Rachael MacFarlane, Scott Grimes, Dee Bradley Baker

Created by: Seth MacFarlane

Unrated

By John Delia

I laughed, no I howled, and loved every minute of American Dad volume four. The very edgy show pulls no punches when it comes to poking fun at ethnic groups, government, movie stars, terrorists and anything else that may get a laugh. I found myself watching some episodes twice. The sitcom is aimed at adults and contains a lot of mature content.

If you know the animated Fox sitcom then I really don’t have to go into the characters. But for those that are American Dad deprived because their service doesn’t get local stations the show revolves around a very weird family. Stan Smith (Seth MacFarlane) a CIA agent who is dedicated to his profession has a lovely wife Francine (Schaal), a nerdy daughter (Rachael MacFarlane) who doesn’t understand why her schoolmates shun her, and Scott (Grimes) his pubescent son. But, that isn’t all, he has adopted an alien named Roger who lives with the family and wears a lot of disguises so he can go out in the world and cause a lot of mischief.

Each of the 13 episodes in the volume has strange titles including Oedipal Panties, Stanny Slackers II: The Legend of Ollie’s Gold, Escape From Pearl Bailey, Pulling Double Booty and many more. Those that carry the most hilarity includes Tearjerker where Stan does a 007-spy episode that had me laughing from beginning to end. In the show he is called upon to stop a diabolical film producer who has invented celebrity robots.

Another top episode Widowmaker centers on Stan who has accidentally killed Francine’s best friend’s husband who also works for the CIA. The twist ending was a lot of fun. Choosey Wives Choose Smith involves Stan competing for his wife’s affections after she finds out her first lover is still alive. The incident on a special island in this one contains some extra special dialogue.

Every episode has laughter and you can turn on the audio commentary for each one. But, take my word for it, the commentary sucks, so you best just watch the shows and avoid the boredom. There are some deleted scenes that are fun to watch and three featurettes. The funniest featurette involves Roger and his disguises.

American Dad contains some profanity, incidental nudity and other adult content so I suggest you watch the DVD after the kiddies go to bed.

FINAL ANLAYSIS: A very good animated comedy that provides a lot of laughs. (4 of 5 Palm Trees)

Earth-News from DisneyNature

2009-05-02T09:27:00.002-04:00

DISNEY JOINS FORCES WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

TO PLANT 2.7 MILLION TREES IN CONJUNCTION

WITH FIRST WEEK TICKET SALES FOR

DISNEYNATURE’S DEBUT FEATURE, “EARTH”

Burbank, Calif. – April 29, 2009 -- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures has arranged with The Nature Conservancy to plant 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the planet’s most endangered rainforests, it was announced by Dick Cook, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. In keeping with the Disneynature Earth’s themes of protecting the planet and its wildlife, Walt Disney Studios volunteered to plant a tree in honor of every moviegoer who saw the film during its first week of release. The motion picture grossed an impressive $16.1 million at the box office during week one and broke an opening day record as well as an opening weekend record for a nature documentary. The film also garnered the highest praise from critics and moviegoers alike.

Where the Atlantic Forest survives, it presents some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. The region is home to more than 200 bird species and 60 percent of all Brazil’s endangered species. And, on fewer than two and a half acres, scientists have identified more than 450 tree species – more species than are found on the entire eastern seaboard of the United States. The forest also is important because it is the source of clean drinking water for 120 million people. Today, however, only 7 percent of the original Atlantic Forest remains in well preserved but isolated fragments. The Nature Conservancy’s initiative in the Atlantic Forest contributes to the global effort by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to plant at least one billion trees worldwide each year, with a cumulative goal for 2009 of planting 7 billion trees worldwide.

Narrated by James Earl Jones, Earth tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journeys across the planet we call home. Earth combines rare action, unimaginable scale and impossible locations by capturing the most intimate moments of our planet’s wildest and most elusive creatures. Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, the acclaimed creative team behind the Emmy Award®-winning Planet Earth, combine forces again to bring this epic adventure to the big screen.

Ghost Of Girlfriends Past- Written Movie Review

2009-05-02T09:02:00.001-04:00

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Emma Stone, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Lacey Chabert and Robert Forster

Directed by: Mark Waters

Rated PG-13 for sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference

By John Delia

Having seen the trailer for this chick flick I was expecting another bomb by McConaughey, but was pleasantly surprised by the storyline, acting and direction of Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. The film is fun, sexy and entertaining.

The film centers on Connor Mead (McConaughey) a celebrity photographer who’s on top of the world when it comes to his job and love life. All his models fall at his feet and in bed. His brother Paul (Meyer), who he had to raise since childhood when their parents were killed, is just the opposite. Paul is getting married to his dream girl and much to her chagrin has invited the wild bachelor Connor to their wedding.

From the moment of his arrival on the night before the wedding Connor starts putting a damper on the festivities. His bachelor persona has taken him over and he tries to make a mockery of marriage. There is only one thing standing in his path to destroying his brothers wedding however, his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Garner).

If you can get past the course the script takes which draws off the likes of Scrooge or The Christmas Story, then this very funny film becomes very enjoyable to watch. The story involves three ghosts, a ghost from Connor’s past, present and future. But what save the trite idea are the ghosts themselves. The Past is played by a hilarious Emma Stone who was Connor’s first coming of age experience. Stone pulls off a great performance taking Connor through some scary times when he was a nerd and reminding him that there was a time that he loved. The other two ghosts are fun as well and present Connor’s over zealous present and his possible depressing future.

Michael Douglas proves to be the right choice for Uncle Wayne the model for which Connor crafted his girl attracting skills. Uncle Wayne adds the right touch to the script with his dashing and debonair charm and wit.

There are some downsides to the film, one being some silliness involving the wedding cake, so it’s not the best comedy of the year thus far. But direction by Waters saves the film from going over the brink.

Although the film is rated PG-13 please note that it has sexual content throughout, some language and a drug reference so be cautious to this fact if you are bringing rug rats along.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A good flick for the chicks and some good fun for the guys. (3.5 of 5 Palm Trees)

X-Men Origins Wolverine- Written Movie review

2009-05-02T08:47:00.001-04:00

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Kitsch, Will.i.am, Lynn Collins, Kevin Durand, and Daniel Henney

Directed by: Gavin Hood

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity

By John Delia

With a resounding YES! Wolverine slashes his way into theatres and I loved the film for the storyline, non-stop action, excellent direction, seamless CGI and cinematography mix, exceptional acting and much more. If you love action adventure films that pull no punches, then X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a must see. Guys, get ready for pumped up adrenaline levels. For the girls who are not afraid of a lot of carnage, there’s a cool love story.

The film opens with a sequence of Wolverine as a youngster, the death of his parents, and his participation along with his brother Victor (Schreiber) in wars from the Civil War to Desert Storm. Do not come late to the film or you will miss an amazing opening. I was like watching clips from The Patriot, Saving Private Ryan and Platoon to name a few.

This chapter of X-Men deals with Wolverine (Jackman) and how he got involved with the diabolical William Stryker (Huston) who is putting together an unbeatable fighting team to safeguard America. Wolverine resists the killing he is ordered to do and flees the fearsome team of super-combatants. We find Wolverine on a mountaintop sharing a cabin with Kayla (Collins) with whom he falls in love. But, the storm is brewing between a US General and Stryker because of the abundant deaths by the team causing a falling out. Taking matters in his own hands, Stryker makes a move to consolidate all the mutants, including Wolverine. When he attempts to bring in Wolverine against his will using his brother, a battle for supremacy begins.

The use of amazing cinematography combined with seamless CGI takes the X-Men to new heights in bringing comic book characters to life on the big screen. Very realistic, powerful and seemingly indestructible the mutants put on a great show. Direction by Gavin Hood, who although doesn’t have a big track record, is incredible bringing the stellar cast together and controlling their creativity in order to make the film brilliant. His ability to see how computer graphics mix just right to create the mutant powers realistically, shines in this film.

To tell you more about the film may hurt the experience, but I will add that the film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and some partial nudity so be aware of this when allowing immature pre-teens to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The most explosive, enjoyable and entertaining action flick of the year. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)

X-Men Origins Wolverine-Movie review

2009-05-01T23:25:00.000-04:00

Ghost Of Girlfriends Past-Movie Review

2009-05-01T07:19:00.002-04:00

The Battle For Terra-Movie Review

2009-04-30T23:31:00.000-04:00

Talk with Carol Connors-Palm Beach International Film Festival

2009-04-27T23:57:00.003-04:00

Only Love and In My Pocket-PBIFF

2009-04-27T21:33:00.000-04:00

Stealing Second-PBIFF

2009-04-27T21:29:00.001-04:00

PBIFF-Conversation with Randi Emerman

2009-04-27T21:26:00.000-04:00

Conversation with Veronica De Laurentiis-PBIFF

2009-04-27T10:13:00.000-04:00

Palm Beach International Film Festival-Roots Of Reggae

2009-04-27T10:04:00.000-04:00

And The Winner Is.. with director Christina Grozik

2009-04-27T08:17:00.000-04:00

Palm Beach International Film Festival Opening Night Gala

2009-04-25T16:03:00.001-04:00

The Informers-Movie Review

2009-04-25T12:51:00.001-04:00

The Soloist-Movie review

2009-04-24T17:26:00.002-04:00

Fighting-Movie Review

2009-04-24T00:02:00.003-04:00