Movie Friday

Haven't done one of these in awhile. Not even sure if people read em, cause no one comments on these. But I know wolfie sweats it. Anyway, I've done so many I've pretty much covered every ill movie until June. Here are three popular ones though:

Monsters vs. Aliens
Release Date: In theatres
Fan Buzz: Very ill
Critic Opinion: Loved it
WKFTB Opinion: It’s an animated film, so of course critics love it. I don’t know what it is with these things. They’re made for all ages. The jokes range from corny to witty. Why can’t all movies be made with this type of poignant, tactful, dialogue? This is no WALL-E or even Shrek or Toy Story, but you know it’s good. Plus they always grab sweet voices for these type of movies. This one is no different: Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan, Hugh Laurie, Paul Rudd and Stephen Colbert. Can’t argue with that. If any one of our readers has seen this, please comment. I’m not sure if anyone has, but you never know.




Adventureland
Release Date: Today
Fan Buzz: Dece
Critic Opinion: 89%, higher than I Love You Man. Wow.
WKFTB Opinion: The trailer wasn’t anything special so I almost overlooked this potential gem. The Rotten Tomatoes score boggles my mind. Is this movie that good? Most of the reviews just said it was funny, well-made, and clever. Really nothing to complain about I guess. Since I already saw I Love You Man (A) and Knowing (C+), this is probably my text target. From Greg Mottola (Superbad) with Jesse Eisenberg and Kelsey Ford, who are both real fake to me. I bet Bill Hader and Ryan Reynolds are secret fire in this.




The Soloist
Release Date: April 24
Fan Buzz: They’ve screened it already and seems like people were OK with it
Critic Opinion: Too early, bra
WKFTB Opinion: Normally Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx would be enough to get me to go to damn near anything. Plus it’s a story about a journalist. Stillll, it looks a little risky/boring. I could this as something I would have to watch in journalism class. But then again, I could picture it being something I was forced to watch then ended up sweating. Eh, who am kiddin, I’ll probably see it.




Little Pop Culture illness for ya:

-Slumdog’s Freida Pinto is rumored to be the next Bond Girl.

-WKFTB fav Jason Segal credits Kobe Bryant for getting him the part in his upcoming movie, Gulliver’s Travels:
“The producer got us courtside seats to the Lakers game, invited the head of the studio and didn’t tell him I was also invited; my job was to buddy up to the executive. Immediately the guy knew what was going on, and it was really awkward – like a blind date. All of a sudden Kobe Bryant walked over, gave me a high five and said, ‘You’re a funny motherfucker.’ The offer came the next day.”

-After the tragic death of wife Natasha Richardson in a skiing accident two weeks ago, Liam Neeson’s project with Steven Spielberg is on hold. The movie, a biopic of Abraham Lincoln, should shoot later this year.

-Twilight and Quantum of Solace were released last week and Slumdog Millionaire, Marley and Me and Seven Pounds came out Tuesday.

Movie Thursday

Slumdog Millionaire
Release Date: In theatres
Fan Buzz: Great
Critic Reviews: Outstanding

WKFTB Opinion: A movie about an Indian man one question away from winning his country’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Sweet. This was released forever ago, but it’s still doing strong at the box office, despite being shown in 2, 500 less sites than Paul Blart. Going toe-to-toe with Benjamin Button for Best Picture. And to be honest, with the buzz it has been generating lately, this might take it.



Taken
Release Date: Friday
Fan Buzz: Mixed
Critic Reviews: 50/50
WKFTB Opinion: We love Liam Neeson. And how couldn’t you? He’s pretty much the man. This movie looks pretty badass, but at the same time it definitely has potential to be unbelievable corny and predicable. The trailer is reminiscent of pseudo-thrillers like Cellular and The Interpreter, both of which saccccked. Proceed with caution.



Push
Release Date: Feb. 6
Fan Buzz: So-so

Critic Reviews: None yet
WKFTB Opinion: Dakota Fanning was on Leno last night. Looks nothing like I picture her. Can’t believe she’s been around forever and she’s only 15. Some of the previews on TV look just awful. But this short little one below makes it look dece. On the fence about this one. Probably would see it with movie cash or something.



X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Release Date: May 1
Fan Buzz: Pumped
Critic Reviews: Too early
WKFTB Opinion: Oh man, pumped for this one. X-Men movies always kick ass and especially blow the doors off on the big screen. Wolverine snared the first ‘Origins” because A) he’s obviously the illest character and B) the producers love Hugh Jackman in that role. He is Wolverine.



Pop Culture Tidbits:

-Remember Wolfie posting the video with Joaquin Phoenix rapping? Wow. I thought it was a joke. Nope – not one bit. Guy is dead real with it…well, we think. He claims he is going into rap and that Diddy is producing his album (although Diddy hasn’t confirmed) and some people are wondering if he’s just joking around or if the once-alcoholic has fallen off the wagon again. Casey Affleck is apparently filming everything Phoenix is doing for a possible documentary. I guess everyone at this Vegas show below had zero clue what he was saying/doing at this performance. Video below:



-50 Cent says that Nic Cage will start with him in the first movie 50 produces.

-George Clooney will make a secret appearance in one of the last ER episodes ever this spring. Clooney, of course, starred on the show in the early stages of its 15-year run on air.

-Jennifer Hudson’s singing of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl this Sunday will be her first performance since her mother, brother and nephew were unmercifully murdered in Chicago. I’m rooting for her.

--Nick