The Year in Review - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Plus My Top Films of 2010
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/31/10 at 12:24 PM CT
If you're looking for new movies to crave this week - sorry, the only film that's opening limited release that I consider worth mentioning is Blue Valentine. So if that's your cup of tea, seek it out.
Anyway, onto the year in film 2010. It was the year that 3D went mainstream - to the delight and horror of many - it gave us great sequels (Toy Story 3!) and a whole lot of not-so-great-sequels …
New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave This Week: The American Afterlife
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/28/10 at 10:10 AM CT
Now that Christmas is over, it looks like the mountain of releases is also taking a break.
1) Out in front is George Clooney as The American. While audiences were taken a bit aback a gloomy Clooney, at least he has some character. Hey, a winning smile and twinkle in your eye can only get you so far - sometimes to have to dig a little deeper.
2) Action gluttons and zombie fans alike will …
Weekend Box Office: Little Holiday Cheer as Fockers Beats True Grit on a Slow Weekend
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/27/10 at 09:37 AM CT
It looks like Hollywood has been naughty instead of nice as the 45% attendance decline was a nice lump of coal for the box office.
As the third film in the series, after a six-year hiatus, Meet the Fockers grabbed to top spot with $34 million over the weekend and a 5-day haul of $48.3 million. Not bad, unless you consider that the last outing, Meet the Parents, made $46.1 million over the …
New Movies to Crave: Grit, Gulliver and Fockers
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/23/10 at 10:51 AM CT
Need to take a break for the holidays? Luckily Hollywood has some new movies in store to spread the holiday cheer and save you from relative overload.
1) True Grit - The Coen Brothers will always get first billing, eve if their latest has been getting mixed reactions. If nothing else, it's worth seeing for newcomer Hailee Steinfeld hold her own against stalwarts Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin and …
New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave This Week: An Easy A with Salt on Wall Street: Step Up, Devil!
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/22/10 at 01:09 PM CT
Hollywood is really pushing it - yet again pushing out a lot of decent movies just before Christmas. If you didn't pre-order, you'll have to put in a rush, but if you can wait a few days later, well, that's OK too.
1) To prove that she can still kick you ass, and look good while doing it, Angelina Jolie returns in Salt. As a CIA operative on the run, this is her bread and butter and it did …
Weekend Box Office: TRON Solidifies Its Legacy, Yogi Bear Settles for the Scraps
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/20/10 at 10:26 AM CT
It wasn't much of a battle for #1 as TRON Legacy easily dispatched the competition. The $43.6 million may be a little short of the Avatar and Star Trek numbers of recent years, but considering it's a 28-year-old franchise with a small but dedicated fan base, the numbers must look pretty good. Not surprisingly the 3D screens helped out a lot, as fully 82% of the gross came from those screens with …
Ho Ho Oh No You Didn't - Santas You'd Rather Avoid
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/18/10 at 09:34 AM CT
To get into the Christmas spirit full swing, here are some the rude, crude and just plain nutty Santas that have graced the silver screen. Warning - may cause irreparable damage to children.
1) Billy Bob Thorton as Willie in Bad Santa - Look, the title of the movie is BAD SANTA, so what more has to be said? Drinking, cursing, sex-obsessed, thieving - I mean it's as if the Grinch was …
New Movies to Crave: Reboots Abound as TRON and Yogi Arrive
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/17/10 at 10:14 AM CT
I'm not the biggest fan of rebooting an old franchise. With very few exceptions, it's almost never as good as the original and just goes to sour those cherished memories. However, since I only saw the original Tron a couple months ago and don't have those rose-colored glasses to look through, I can say that I'm looking forward to the next film.
1) TRON: Legacy is probably going to be a little …
New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave: Despicable A-Team and The Other Guys Run The Town
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/15/10 at 11:56 AM CT
It looks like the big guns are coming out now that Christmas is just about upon us once again. In fact, there are so many big hits this week, I just have to expand my list.
1) The best pick for me this week is Despicable Me. In fact, I already have it in my possession, that's how much I like this movie. It's fun, it's funny and those minions steal the show. I can't say this was better than …
Golden Globes Mainly Stays the Course, but Offers a Few Surprises and Snubs
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/14/10 at 07:27 PM CT
While there are plenty of other awards to be handed out, there is no other awards show that acts like a barometer for the Oscars quite like the Golden Globes. So what does that mean? Good news for The King's Speech, The Social Network and The Fighter. It may mean bad news for True Grit, Winter's Bone and 127 Hours.
The King's Speech led all nominees with seven nominations, followed by The …
Weekend Box Office: Narnia On Top But Box Office Can't Shake the Blahs
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/13/10 at 11:33 AM CT
While the third entry into the Chronicles of Narnia series was #1 the weak $24.5 million was well short of the first two films and couldn't even match the $25.4 million that Golden Compass brought in 2007. The 3D aspect didn't help out the film either, even though fully half its total can be attributed to the extra dimension.
With the disappointing numbers, I suspect this is the last we will …
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth... and Whup Your Ass
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/11/10 at 12:47 PM CT
I always like it when the the underdogs win - maybe it's because I can identify with them - it's even better when they pull one over on the antagonists and usually get the girl too. Here are the best nerds-turned-heroes.
1) The Super Nerds - These are the real "heroes" - I'm talking about mild-mannered Clark Kent and science dweeb Peter Parker. One is an alien, the other bitten by a …
New Movies to Carve: The Last of Narnia? Or Check out The Figher, The Tourist or The Tempest
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/10/10 at 12:13 PM CT
After the post-Thanksgiving blahs, hopefully something this week will spark some interest at the box office.
1) Entering the crowded family market is The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. While the first one was a hit, the second one was a disappointment and it looks like the third continues the downward spiral. While this is my personal favorite book in the series, it looks …
The Many Ways to Go Back in Time
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/09/10 at 02:40 PM CT
Why rank time travel films when it's more fun to rank the experience of going back in time. I mean any old clunky machine seems to do the trick in any number of films, but sometimes it's not about the journey but about how you get there, or at least the means of travel.
1) DeLorean DMC-12 - At one time this car was like the Edsel, a one-shot disaster. Then a little movie called Back to the …
New DVD and Blu-Ray Releases to Crave This Week: A Dream Within a Dream Within an Ogre
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/07/10 at 10:46 AM CT
Are you ready to explore the inner workings of the mind and the inner workings of an Ogre's life? Then chances are, this is a good week for you!
1) Christopher Nolan's mind-bending Inception leads the pack. This is one of my top films of the year, in fact I would say it is my second favorite just after The Social Network. It's a film you will probably appreciate watching multiple times to …
Weekend Box Office: It's Hairy Over Harry as Tangled Overtakes Potter
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/06/10 at 10:53 AM CT
The post-Thanksgiving Hollywood Blahs were in full effect over the weekend as Tangled took the #1 spot in a relatively weak weekend.
The Disney film added $21.5 million to its total - dropping 56% but with $96.5 million will pass Enchanted and Princess and the Frog within the week to become the best non-Pixar opening for Disney. The 3D screens continued to help out, as over 50% of revenue …
Make a Grown Man Cry - Movies That Make Men Weep
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/04/10 at 01:14 PM CT
While most men are too proud or stubborn to admit it, they do cry. It's not the end of the world to show emotion - crying does not make you weak, it makes you human. While men seem to be immune to many movies that make women bawl their eyes out, certain films seem to do the trick and here are the top picks:
1) The Dramatic Sports Story - I'm talking Brian's Song, Rudy, Field of Dreams and The …
New Movies to Crave: Warriors, Swans and Lovers
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/03/10 at 10:03 AM CT
Wide releases are hard to come by, so I don't see a shakeup in the box office for this weekend. Expect a repeat, but if you want to see something new, here are the best bets.
1) Black Swan - I know this is only opening on a limited release, but I've always been a fan of Darren Aronofsky - I mean, who else could make ballet interesting? Throw in some drama, some danger and Natalie Portman with …
Gimme Gimme Gimme - The Best Toys in Film
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/02/10 at 12:28 PM CT
Get into the Christmas spirit - which of course to most of America means consumerism at its finest! What better way to prepare for grand unwrapping than to celebrate the ultimate toys in films. Some assembly required.
1) A Red Ryder, Carbine Action, 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle from A Christmas Story - Nothing like getting some serious firepower for Christmas. You may not shoot your eye …
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