June 2013

World War Z

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: World War Z
  • IMDb: link

World War Z

It’s the zombie apocalypse. Again. Based on the apocalyptic horror novel of the same name by Max Brooks, World War Z follows retired UN investigator Gary Lane (Brad Pitt) who is forced to leave his family when he is pulled back into service after a new pandemic quickly begins turning the majority of human beings on the planet into a never-ending wave of zombies.

Brooks’ novel has been praised for using the subject of a zombie apocalypse to delve into serious themes such as the problems of American isolationism, corporate corruption, government bureaucracy, and the uncertainty of the modern world. Given a PG-13 rating and an under two-hour running time, the movie isn’t quite so ambitious.

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The Bling Ring

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Bling Ring
  • IMDb: link

The Bling RingBased on real events in late 2008 and through most of 2009, writer/director Sofia Coppola‘s latest film takes a look at a group of teenagers from Calabasas, California who burglarized several Hollywood celebrities with the help of tabloid and gossip blogs (which told the gang when the celebrities would be out of town) and the stars themselves (as many left their homes defenseless, not even bothering to lock doors and windows). The group would come to be known as the Hollywood Hills Burglars or The Bling Ring.

Although the film spends time with all the members of the group, the primary focus is on Rebecca (Katie Chang), the instigator of the robberies, and her best friend Marc (Israel Broussard), a shy gay teen willing to do nearly anything for his first real best friend. The group also includes Chloe (Claire Julien), a friend with the criminal connections to help the Bling Ring fence some of their stolen merchandise, and the homeschooled threesome of Nicki (Emma Watson), her younger sister Emily (Georgia Rock), and her adopted sister Sam (Taissa Farmiga).

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Monsters University

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Monsters University
  • IMDB: link

Monsters UniversityHow much do you love Animal House? I ask because the team behind Monsters University obviously holds it high regard. Over the years everything from Sydney White to Futurama has aped the story of rival fraternities battling it out on a college campus. Now it’s Pixar’s turn.

Set as a prequel to 2001’s Monsters, Inc. the story follows mismatched pair Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) as freshman students at the prestigious Monsters University. Most of the film’s first-half deals with the rivalry between the pair trying to show each other up as the school’s next big Scarer. Mike has the brains, but not the looks, and Sully’s lack of discipline undercuts his natural ability.

When the Mike and Sulley get on the bad side of Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) and face expulsion, they have no choice but to join the university’s least popular fraternity and work together with its other members (Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day) to win a scare competition and remain in school.

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News and Notes

/ / Film News & Trailers

news-and-notes-06202013-iron-manMarvel is reporting Robert Downey Jr. has penned a deal to reprise his role as Iron Man in both The Avengers 2 and The Avengers 3

Geek Tyrant is reporting Buffy staff writer Marti Noxon has been tapped to write the script for a new Tomb Raider movie based on the most recent video game

Deadline is reporting that Sony is developing a sequel for Bad Teacher starring Cameron Diaz

Variety is reporting that MGM and Fox 2000 will team-up for a remake of Poltergeist which will be directed by Gil Kenan (City of Ember, Monster House)

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Futurama – 2-D Blacktop

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Futurama – 2-D Blacktop
  • tv.com: link

Futurama - 2-D Blacktop

After another malfunction causes the Planet Express ship to crash again, Leela (Katey Sagal) has it towed away to the city dump. Refusing to let his “Bessie” go, Professor Fransworth (Billy West) sneaks into the dump and steals enough parts to salvage, and supe-up, the ship. Looking for a new direction, the Professor hooks up with a street racing crew (because… um, well why not?).

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