June 2011 Archives

Is this Tom Cruise's last chance to prove he still is a movie star?  This trailer will be playing before Transformers: Dark of the Moon, if you want to see it on the big screen. 

After the drubbing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen took a few years ago from fans, critics, people who saw the movie, people who didn't see the movie and little kids who had to wait to see it on DVD and felt the wait was not worth it because their toys had better character development, they might as well have called this sequel Transformers: Redemption.

Shia LaBeouf is back as Sam Witwicky, but not all is well in Transformers universe.  Even though he has a drop dead gorgeous girlfriend way out of his league, Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whitely), who is willing to financially support him while he is looking for a job (and, did I mention she looks like a supermodel, and they give her some brains as well?), Sam is unhappy with his supposedly boring life (I am willing to trade).  He's not allowed to tell anyone about his exploits in the first two movies, so the young college graduate is hunting for any entry level job that will take him, while his ego takes a bit of a bruising.

However, that is not Sam's destiny.  The evil Decepticons have launched a nefarious plot to recover an Autobot spaceship that crashed on the dark side of the moon years ago, and holds the power to defeat Optimus Prime (voice by Peter Cullen) and his team of Autobots who protect Earth. 

I will try to hide my envy and jealousy as I write this, but I regret to inform you that the most beautiful, amazing, sexy, intelligent, charming, engaging actress in all of Hollywood, Rachel Weisz, secretly married Daniel Craig last Wednesday.

The two met on the set of their upcoming movie, Dream House, and fell for each other.  Weisz, best known from The Mummy, married James Bond in a private ceremony attended by his 18-year old daughter and her 4-year old son, whose father is Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky.  

Cameron Diaz stars as Elizabeth Halsey - the worst teacher in the history of education (OK, maybe Mary Kay Letourneau, Pamela Smart and Debra Lafave were worse).  Not excited to be working, and eager to find a rich husband to take care of her and her spendthrift ways, Halsey shows movies to her kids all day, while carrying out all sorts of schemes to fund her desired breast augmentation surgery (you know, a boob job).  However, her interest in the new teacher, who also happens to be the heir to a large fortune, Scott (Justin Timberlake), has inspired her to appear to care, along with a new plot to come up with some big cash.   

How does Elizabeth keep her job?

Will she get the guy who can help her retire from teaching forever?

It's the sequel no one asked for.  From the lame boy band who won't be together by the end of the year covering a classic song from The Cars (when Disney/Pixar can afford to pay the real thing) to the feeling this movie was written by someone who got fired from an Eddie Murphy film (or Jay Leno), Cars 2 is a failure.  

Lightning McQueen (voice by Owen Wilson) is back (and there's nothing you can do to stop it), and everything is looking up for the race car who now calls Radiator Springs home.  Triumphantly returning after another championship season, Lightning is looking forward to spending time with his girlfriend, Sally (Bonnie Hunt), and his best pal, Mater (Larry The Cable Guy).  

Unfortunately, his plans for rest and relaxation are interrupted when he is goaded into entering the World Grand Prix.  A new challenger has emerged, Francesco Bernoulli (John Turturro), who wants to show the world he is the fastest car around, and an eccentric billionaire, Sir Axelrod (Eddie Izzard), wants all of the cars to run on his new alternative fuel as a promotional effort (Not only is it a bad comedy, they want to beat you over the head with a message about saving the planet.  In protest, I left the theater and chucked my plastic bottle into the garbage destined for the landfill instead of the recycle bin.  That'll show 'em.). 

By now, you have heard everything you ever want to know about how Conan O'Brien used to host The Tonight Show, especially if you read the AMAZING Bill Carter book, The War For Late Night.

However, Conan O'Brien Can't Stop is not a retelling of that sordid tale.  It's a chance to hang out with one of the funniest men alive for an hour and a half.  That's really all the movie is, which is fine by me.

Who doesn't love free movies?!?!?! 

Join me Thursday, June 30 at 7 PM at The National Archives to see this year's Student Academy Awards winners for free in the wonderful William G. McGowan Theater. 

You say you didn't know The National Archives has a movie theater?  Not even Nicolas Cage got to see it in National Treasure, so you must attend at least one event there.  You are less of a Washingtonian if you don't (no pressure).

Even better, you could be seeing the work of a future Oscar winner, like last year's attendees who got to see Luke Matheny's hilarious God of Love, which went on to win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.  Other past winners include John Lasseter from Pixar, Spike Lee, Trey Parker from South Park and  The Book of Mormon fame, Robert Zemeckis and BOB SAGET!  Yes, THAT Bob Saget.

I hope to see you there.

The world's premiere documentary film festival is under way at the AFI Silver Theatre and surrounding venues, but don't despair if you missed opening night, the week is full of big events and great movies.

I had a chance to check out Cars 2 this weekend (see the full review here and on NewsPlus Friday at 7:30 AM), and the biggest treat of the day was seeing the first Muppets' trailer. 

No parody.  No fooling around.  It's our first taste of the movie you can't wait until November to see.

Ryan "The Former Mr. Scarlett Johanssen" Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan - a hot shot pilot haunted by his father's unfortunate demise.  One crazy night, Hal is somewhat captured by a mysterious energy that leads him to the crash site of an alien spaceship.  A heroic group of creatures called the Green Lanterns have harnessed the power of will to fight evil across the universe, and they wear rings that select them as fearless and capable of the great responsibility.  Of course, the ring has chosen Hal, and the other Green Lanterns aren't all that impressed. 

Meanwhile, a horrible evil force is plotting to take over Earth by harnessing our fear.  When this big ugly cloudy, smoggy menace starts to suck out our spines (I guess you have to see it to believe it), it also takes over the body and brain of a scientist, Hector (Peter Sarsgaard), to defeat Green Lantern.

Michael Sheen and Maria Bello star as Bill and Kate - a married couple already on the verge of splitting up, when a horrible tragedy strikes.  Their 18-year old loner son, Sammy (Kyle Gallner), goes on a shooting rampage at college killing many students and himself in the process.  Now, Bill and Kate aren't sure what to do next.

Beautiful Boy is a movie to watch if you love acting, but you don't get much else out of it.  Writer/director Shawn Ku and co-writer Michael Armbruster deliver a simple story with many of the twists and turns you can predict no matter how novel the premise as Bill and Kate struggle to find a reason why their son committed such a shocking act, they attempt to deal with the questions of friends and media, and the two try to figure out what the next step in life might be.

Freddie Highmore stars as George - an obviously talented and smart teen kid in Manhattan who goes to a private prep school, but he's determined not to do an ounce of work.  While everything is not all that fantastic at home, George tries to skate through life without making any connections, until he runs into the cute girl who seems to have life by the tail, Sally (Emma Roberts).  

Of course, the two hit it off as Sally draws George out of his shell, but have they found true love?

Those of you familiar with baseball know the concept and the story, but I have a feeling Brad Pitt will add some heart to it that we aren't ready for.

Does the cosmos have some sort of Ying and Yang rule about one celebrity couple experiencing happiness, which forces another to feel pain and suffering?

Let's start with the good news.  People Magazine is reporting Natalie Portman has given birth to a bouncing, happy, future heir to a Hollywood fortune baby boy! 

It turns out being in Black Swan was one of the best decisions of Portman's life.  She got a baby, Oscar and fiancee out of the deal.  For those who forget, she met her current fiancee and baby daddy, Benjamin Millepied, who was serving as the choreographer who taught her how to be a ballerina. 
   
No other details have emerged, but let's hope Benjamin and Natalie don't give the kid one of those freaky Hollywood baby names like Thor or Apple or Moon. 

Now, the break up.  In news that will not shock anyone with a pulse, 25-year old Playboy Playmate Crystal Harris has called off her wedding to 85-year old Playboy founder Hugh Hefner just 5 days before their blessed nuptials. 

What could have gone wrong?  Did Hef want a pre-nup?  Was the mansion just not big enough?  Did E! reject the pilot for a reality program about this March-December romance?  Was Crystal intimidated by how Hef owns shoes older than her?

Since everything was already ordered and paid for, I have a feeling the Playboy Mansion will be hosting a massive party this weekend.  You can't let all of that food and booze go to waste. 

Did you hear the one about Charlie Sheen getting another job?  TMZ is reporting Sheen is super close to signing a deal to star in a new TV sit com that will debut in January 2012.  I thought he was going to show up next on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew or Celebrity Apprentice, so let's see what he has up his sleeve, if anything, later this week.

After watching the trailers and commercials for months and staying up at night wondering what Super 8 was about, I want answers!  What's the deal with that train?  That monster?  And those plucky, troublemaking kids?  Time to find out.

It's the summer of 1979 and middle schooler Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney) is navigating a rough stretch of life.  His mother passed away in a horrible accident at the local factory, and his grieving father, Jackson (Kyle Chandler), who is busy working as the town's deputy sheriff, wants Joe to spend 6 weeks at a baseball camp.  However, little Joe is not an athlete.  He wants to help his buddy, Charles (Riley Griffiths), finish making the zombie movie he hopes to submit to a local student film festival.

One night, Charles and Joe sneak out at midnight to meet some of the other kids cast in the zombie movie, and, while filming, they witness a strange train crash.  As if that weren't enough trouble for one night, their camera accidentally captures footage of a mysterious being escaping from the wreckage.  Now, the military practically has taken over the town, and people are disappearing.

When Charlie Sheen visited DC in April, the biggest controversy did not arise from his birther statements, it was the police escort he received from Dulles to Constitutional Hall, and those from the Metropolitan Police Department who were responsible have been punished.

The Associated Press is reporting Lt. Stuart Emerman and Capt. Robert Atcheson have been removed from the department's Special Operations Division and transferred to other, less glamorous assignments. 

Back on April 19, Sheen was running late for his performance in DC due to an emergency child custody hearing in Los Angeles, was met at Dulles by MPD squad cars and escorted at high rates of speed into the District. 

Sadly, Sheen photographed the whole thing, and posted the pics on Twitter, which confirmed the officers violated standard procedures by leaving DC to conduct the escort and were speeding when it was not warranted for safety or emergency reasons (Sheen's pic featured his speedometer, and a statement about how fast they were going). 

The escort further violated MPD policy since the officers and the department did not notify other police jurisdictions of the escort and how they were passing through their neck of the woods.

While it is not apparent if Emerman or Atcheson were the drivers on April 19, Emerman oversees the assignments and Atcheson was his boss.  Sheen did reimburse DC for the service in accordance with standard escort policy and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.  

Can't wait until Friday to see Super 8?   You don't have to. 

A super secret sneak preview of Super 8 is playing at the Regal Gallery Place cineplex in the heart of DC's Chinatown on Thursday at 1 PM, and I want you to check it out before all of those lame people see it on Friday (HAHA). 

Believe me, it is worth the price of admission as J.J. Abrams shocks and surprises you.  You know you want to know what escapes from that train!  

You have to check out http://www.super8-movie.com/sneak/ to buy your tickets.

And, invite your friends by tweeting #Super8Secret. 

A wedding, Taylor Lautner running through the rain without his shirt on, a glimpse of Vampire sex and someone is pregnant!  They are pulling out all of the stops for Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part I. 

Lacking a great story to report, it's time to empty out the brain of random thoughts and flights of fancy.

When he's 50-years old, bald, weighs 300 pounds and spends 30 minutes trying to convince the security guy at the Twilight Convention he really is Taylor Lautner, do you think Taylor will go home, sit back in his recliner, crack open a Bud Light, look up at the awards on his bookshelf and think, "Hey, maybe I never won an Oscar, but I have all of those MTV Movie Awards.  I wonder how much I can pawn them for?"

Which reality show will be the first to employ Congressman Anthony Weiner once he finally resigns from the House of Representatives?  Celebrity Apprentice or The Bachelor?  Yes, I really mean The Bachelor.  You don't honestly think his wife will stick by him after this, do you?  She has options. 

Hollywood types will be looking closely at how the new J.J. Abrams movie, Super 8, performs this weekend.  In a throwback marketing campaign, Paramount will not let anyone see what the potential monster/alien/creature looks like until you buy a ticket to the movie.  Some argue this is what has caused anticipation for Super 8 to be low among young adults, who have come to expect almost everything to be revealed in commercials and trailers for a movie.  We all hope it is awesome, but is a letdown inevitable?  Is this the end of movie surprises?

Did you see Reese Witherspoon laying it down at the MTV Movie Awards this weekend?  MEOW!  Telling everyone they should be ashamed of sex tapes getting released instead of riding them and reality programming to fame, one has to wonder what she lost to Kim Kardashian to make her flash the claws and start slashing! 

Just to make you feel old, Dakota Fanning graduated from High School this weekend. 

I am starting to worry about the employees at TMZ.  With Lindsay Lohan under house arrest and Charlie Sheen in hiding, they may have to layoff some reporters and camera people.

I am all for freedom of speech and expression, but is the right to dance at the Jefferson Memorial the most important issue facing America today?  Is it really worth the effort?

Barry Manilow says his new CD was inspired by Britney Spears.  Silly Barry.  If he wants young people to buy his new CD, he should say it was inspired by Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.  He'll also have to explain to them what a CD is.  

In an announcement somewhat devoid of the news you are looking for, the DC Film Office (officially known as The District of Columbia Office of Motion Picture and Television Development) late on Friday announced the movie Safe House, starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, will be filming in DC on Sunday, June 5.

Where?

Will Denzel and Ryan be in town?

Those are the questions unanswered by the proclamation. 

All we know is the production is shooting all day and all night Sunday at an undisclosed location. 

I will be employing my own version of Navy Seal Team 6 to ferret out the shoot.  Wish me best of luck.

A couple months ago, Vanessa Hudgens met with the FBI after nude photos of her were stolen from her cell phone or personal computer, then put on the internet for everyone to Google.  However, the hacking didn't end with Hudgens in March, and I have to wonder if we are about to see a massive flood of similar photos.

At the time, Scarlett Johansson, Ali Larter, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, Demi Lovato and more were named as possible victims of one of the most elaborate and aggressive hacking rings law enforcement has ever seen.  Since then, Hollywood and Washington, DC have been bracing for embarrassing, incriminating photos to be released (several politicians may have also been hacked by the same group).   

Right about now, anyone with a modicum of fame who has naked photos on their phones should be trembling with fear.  On Wednesday, Blake Lively was the subject of alleged nude photos posted on the internet.  While the beautiful blond in those pictures looked very much like The Gossip Girl star, her representatives stated she was not in those snapshots and has never taken nude photographs of herself. 

It's X-Men Muppet Babies!  They are younger and cuter and just learning how to exercise their unique powers, including the ability to take some money from your wallet.

X-Men First Class is a prequel taking us all the way back to 1962 to see how Magneto, Professor X and the gang first discovered and honed their powers.  Charles "soon to be known as Professor X" Xavier (James McAvoy) is an Oxford student and expert on mutations, who has secret telepathic powers and takes care of Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) - a runaway with the ability to morph into anything she wants (and she often morphs into looking like Jennifer Lawrence, and I am OK with that).  

They are recruited by CIA Agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne), who has discovered an evil Nazi, Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), has been using some sort of mysterious powers and similar mutants to stoke the flames of war between the Soviet Union and America.  Along the way, Erik "soon to be known as Magneto" Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) joins forces with Charles and the CIA because he wants to avenge his mother's death at the hands of Sebastian.