Movie Wednesday

Gran Torino
Release Date: In Theatres
Fan Buzz: Great
Critic Reviews: Great
WKFTB Opinion: It sort of sailed under the radar with most people because of the release of Notorious, Defiance, and The Wrestler around the same time. Clint Eastwood is getting Oscar buzz (as usual) for his performance and let’s be honest, does he ever make a bad movie? This gritty movie about race, aging and displacement of an ex-military man is a must-see.




Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
Release Date: Friday
Fan Buzz: People are pumped..nerds?
Critic Reviews: None yet. Uhoh.
WKFTB Opinion: Hey, like Sci-Fi (Cloverfield, LOTR) and we don’t mind creatures (I Am Legend, Hellboy) but this is definitely risky. Seems more like a genre film where you either love the genre or hate it. If werewolves and vampires are your thing, then hey, maybe you’ll like it. But this is twilight without the sex appeal. Go see it..if you’re a freak.




Fast & Furious
Release Date: April 3
Fan Buzz: 74% can’t wait
Critic Reviews: None yet
WKFTB Opinion: I know what you’re thinking: Another Fast and the Furious? And: They made a third one? Outside of the much-maligned Tokyo Drift, the first two F&F were like dece. Why are they making another one? Who cares. But the original cast is back for this one, there will be tons of smoking broads and probably a few sweet Paul Walker-Vin Diesel exchanges that make you giggle and excited at the same time. Honestly – and don’t laugh, because it sounds weird – this may be one you need to see on the premier night. Seriously, we grew up in the Fast and Furious generation where all your friends bought Civics and Jettas and slapped em with body kits, weird lights and systems. The generation where you make NOS jokes when you pass someone on the highway always have the perfect response to anyone who says to you “I almost had you.”




Terminator: Salvation
Release Date: May 22
Fan Buzz: Obviously unreal
Critic Reviews: Too early
WKFTB Opinion: Look out, Christian Bale might be taking over. After he owned the summer of 2008 with The Dark Knight, he opens the May movie season with this blockbuster, then comes back in July with Public Enemies with Johnny Depp (see last week’s movie post). Weird that it’s directed by Joseph McGinty, who’s best known for Charlie’s Angels, but he supposedly got solid feedback from all the sci-fi geeks, who can make or break a film.




Pop Culture:
-Like it or not, “Paul Blart” is the No. 1 movie in America. What theeeeee

-“Flight of the Concords” debuted its second season last Sunday on HBO and I have to say, it looks like they haven’t missed a beat. I re-watched the last episode of Season 1 and laughed out loud at least five times. That’s rare.

-This will be the last season of “Prison Break.” About time? They’ve been escaping prison for like 4 years now.

-Execs for “Iron Man 2” are eyeing comeback kid Mickey Rourke for a role as the top villain. However, Rourke is supposed to do Sly Stallone’s “The Expendables” at around the same time and may not be able to do both.
-Watch to watch for this week: “Lost” debuts tonight, HBO has some sweet Obama documentaries On Demand and “Max Payne” comes out on DVD.

-Oscar nominees will be announced tomorrow morning. Look for a post on WKFTB.

-Nick