All of the passes you can win are good for the entire 16 week run! Have fun and see you at the movies!

It is very easy to enter. All you have to do is Email us and put in the subject line FLASHBACK Tell us your name, mailing address, and tell us which location you would like to attend (Arden UA, Davis, or Roseville). It’s that easy.

One more time in case you missed it before: Email us at winstuff@entertainmentjunkies.com

Each week’s contest drawing ends Thursday evening at 11:59 pm and repeats weekly. Passes are good for each individual location (you can see any of the movies at each location before each 16 week series runs out.

This Weeks Flashback’s are:

Arden UA: Pulp Fiction
UA Olympus Point in Roseville: Aliens

And if you don’t enter to win, remember that all Flashback and Reel Classics movies are only $5 at the locations listed above. They screen every Thursday at 10pm (additional showtimes at Regal El Dorado Hills and Roseville UA Olympus Pointe).

Winners will be drawn randomly. Odds of winning are dependent upon the amount of entries.

—–

Thanks to KSFM 102.5, Regal Entertainment Group, KSSJ 94.7, and Edible Arrangements for bringing these great movies back to the big screen!

Here’s a teaser to get you salivating over what he had to say: “I did a lot of hysterical research, I mean historical, okay that was on purpose and it wasn’t funny.”

Zack, it was funny, you just couldn’t tell who was laughing ‘cause we were all on mute! A fair warning to all who are reading. My recording equipment stopped working right before the interview, so I had to rely on my typing skills to transcribe as the interview was happening. I got most everything, and I apologize for what I didn’t get. Anything you see in brackets is the gist of what was said.

So for those of you that don’t know who the wonderful director Mr. Zack Snyder is, well he co-wrote the screenplay and directed the upcoming 300. But before this project he was best known for his direction of Dawn of the Dead, the huge Zombie hit. He’s also worked on countless music videos. And most recently has signed on to The Watchmen (God willing it is actually made this time).

This project for him was huge, the project he’s been dreaming of. A long time fan of Frank Miller’s, especially he graphic novel of 300 he began working on the script himself.

“The biggest challenge in wring the screenplay and the reason I wanted to write it is because I have so much respect for the graphic novel. I didn’t want it get turned into a movie. I didn’t want it to get Hollywoodized. The shooting style itself, was all part of, in some ways, the act of the writing.”

With Frank Miller’s support and blessing for the project Zack began developing this “style” for the film (and would occasionally “bounce ideas off of” Frank.

“I was a fan of his [Frank Miller’s] work [and] the chance to get a shot to bring one of his graphic novels to the screen was a dream come true. I am a fan of the historical account of that battle, I wanted audiences to have the experience I had when I first read the novel… I took it [the style] from the graphic novel to fit the visual style.

Rather than making a more classical story about the Spartans, [we took] the nonclassical approach of basing it on Frank’s novel…I did a lot of hysterical research, I mean historical, okay that was on purpose and it wasn’t funny. I do know what Xerxes and the Immortals really looked like. Our production philosophy was to do arduous research and not use any of it… “

In tune with the look and feel of Miller’s graphic novel, Zack and his team decided to use a system they developed previously to use on this film called “the crush”, manipulating the contrast ratio of the colors by crushing the black on film. It will no doubt become the distinct look of the film.
“Crushing” every frame of the movie in postproduction will help to make the audience feel like they were being transported.

Even with this distinct color balance and look the filming of 300 was still an original and unique experience.

”Making a movie with lots of filming on blue screen in 60 days was fickin’ hard. The physical production demands that were made on everybody to shoot, the way we made the movie, was the hardest part. Really long hours! [But I was] happy to do it.”

Although many, including myself, believe that this film is truly unique in style, Zack says he wasn’t trying to come up with something completely original. Other films of the same genre inspired him in a particular way.

“Compared to other historically based epics like Troy and Alexander, [I tried to be] more authentic [by] following Frank’s vision. … in comparison to them … 300 [had] to reinvent visually that genre, that experience. They have paved the way for me to get at it from a different angle. Certainly what I’ve done is inspired by what Frank did because I share an aesthetic kinship with Frank, the two of us combining our aesthetics that have created something that hopefully the sword and sandals genre will be rocked by… [It’s a mistake] to think you can think you’ll make something that no one has ever seen before. Moments [films] that do [that] do it on accident … We were able to get closer to the actual look of what Frank created in the book. When you go outside and shoot against a rock you end up with a look like Troy or Alexander. [We had to] reinvent that whole work and genre, closer to what Frank did [in the graphic novel], with blue screen.”

A lot of this started with the cast. Facing typical challenges of an existing story being translated to film Zack had to find the perfect cast.

”People [the cast] should look like the drawings. I don’t go who is the flavor of the week [and say] “let’s make them Leonidas”. The cool thing is that Gerry really did try and channel the drawings that Frank did and as much as he could, [and he tried] to be them. That was what I was looking for… [we didn’t want to make a movie with the] US Magazine aesthetic, [we wanted you] to wander into the movie and [for it to] take you out of [reality]. On the other hand I don’t think there is a movie without Gerry Butler he IS Leonidas.”

And the actors he cast had to be able to work with imagination and great perseverance. “Most of this was shot in front of the blue screen. The visual [ability] of the actors [makes] great performances. The blue screen is a big part of the reality of filming. It’s something you have to take into account when shooting, we’re not out in a field, it’s not dirty, and dusty, and cold, so you have to imagine all of those things. Although I do credit my actors with being able to transport themselves to Ancient Sparta or Ancient Greece and be believable. [A great thing is to have] one actor or both playing off each other to sell the reality of the moment. If you see it in the eyes of the person you’re [in] the scene with you [can make it more believable].”

Besides the drama of the story set against a digital backdrop it was difficult for the Spartans to get into their characters even before shooting began. The actors cast as Spartans had to look the part. They were put into rigorous training schedules working with two different trainers to transform their bodies.

”They [the Spartans] didn’t show up that way and we wanted them to look, the way they do in the film. [but they took the training to heart and] they approached the training from the actors perspective [and really worked hard to look like their characters].”

There are some other visual effects in the film that mix with the characters and take the story a step beyond. Zack says he came up with these creatures to show the Spartan perspective and really make the audience understand how epic and huge the story is.

”Flipping through the book [seeing] the rhinos and the elephants, a lot of it is exaggerated by the perspective of the Spartans. [These] monstrous creatures [are at] the point where these fantastic elements [mix] with the Spartan perspective on the battle… To the guys that would seem larger than life.”

Currently with debates about film ratings and controversy over the MPAA, Zack luckily didn’t face any problems with them.

“I didn’t have to cut anything for the MPAA. The movie is the way I sent it in. The violence is so stylized I think it made it through the ratings board with out much scrutiny.”

He’s even recently been asked repeatedly about the comparisons of this story to actual political events today. He stated that the story really is it’s own, it is not a commentary on events that are happening now, but that:

”I can only hope that it inspires debate or change, or that it [inspires] discussion at least.”

Now for those of you that can’t wait for his next project, The Watchmen he did divulge a minor tidbit about the project and even commented on breaking away from the comic book movie genre.

”Watchmen just happens to be the shit, so I want to make it. If there was a romantic comedy as cool as Watchmen I’d want to make it…

Watchmen is not strictly a blue screen movie. Some of the elements like Mars can utilize those technologies but it’s more location driven.”

Now back to 300, there are already things planned for the DVD release.

”[There will be a lot of special features] Historical [featurettes], picture in pictures with the graphic novel, some deleted scenes [not many only a couple scenes were cut, one in particular with] armless giants [that had] midget riders on their backs… “

Now the biggest question of all, where should you see the 300 on March 9, 2007?

“See it in both IMAX and [theaters]. IMAX is awesome. If you ended up seeing it in IMAX it’s a different experience. If you’re looking for something and your local cinema isn’t getting it done for you IMAX is the answer.”

I completely agree! See it in both! I will. Now the question for me is where to see it first?

Now I’ll leave you all with Zack’s advice to aspiring directors.

“[You have to be] single minded in [your choices of] the right work, the right project. I mean that, make sure you chase down and try and do the thing that you feel passionate about because there’s a reason you’ll do [it] and that probably more often than not makes it more interesting and make it a viable piece.”

Check out my interview with Gerard Butler: entertainmentjunkies.com
The official site: 300themovie.com
Video Journal from the film Hosted by Gerard Butler at suicidegirls.com

(Images courtesy of Warner Bros.)

So to give you a fun spoiler quote into this interview… “The way we fight is fierce to say the least, fearless to say more… we kick ass, and we kick ass, and we kick ass.”

The interview was particularly difficult to conduct today, not only did my recording device decide not to work, but the phone system we were all on hated me was well. But what do I care, I got to be on the phone with Gerry! And it was easy to tell his excitement for the project, even when some of his past projects were mentioned there was just a tone to his voice that let you understand how much he believes in this project. So forgive some of the typing (the transcription of the interview), I’m a very fast typist, but I’m sure I missed a few words here and there – and anything that is in brackets is a fill in of something I missed but is the gist of what was said.

A little about Gerry: Scottish actor, Gerard Butler, began acting seriously at the age of 26 when he left his day job following Law School. Immediately gaining roles on stage and some small roles on film he left for LA and was cast for both the TV miniseries Attila and the feature film Dracula 2000 within months of his arrival. Since then his career has been taking off. Beating out numerous other well-known actors he landed the role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera”. And now with his role as King Leonidas in 300 I expect to see much more of him in the future!

To catch any of you up that aren’t familiar with Frank Miller’s graphic novel turned epic film here is some info for you. 300 tells the story of King Leonidas (Gerry) and his army of 300 Spartans in the battle of Thermopylae against Persian King Xerxes.

Ignoring at times the actual events in the historical battle of Thermopylae, director Zack Snider decided to follow the look and feel of the graphic novel with epic results. Casting Gerry as the title role, the film began to take shape.

As a leader not only on film but also as an example on set to the other actors he understood how important it was to let the character of the King in through the training. In answer to how he prepared for the role Gerry said,

”The physicality leads into so much… the strength of character, strength of mind. The power and fearlessness. I would train 6 hours a day, for 7 months [in advance]. Pumping iron on the set in-between shots. You can begin to see the size of yourself [and it begins to affect how you play the character]. You look and feel as powerful as possible… and let the character bleed through.”

“There are so many thing in preparation. The training will physically put you in the shape of the character. The way you move, the way you stand, the kind of voice you settle for, and the way you hold yourself. The way you express. The less you have to express the better. The more you can express in silence is better. What happens in the gaps what happens in the space [is more interesting and honest]…

I felt so superhuman, I felt I could take on a million people right then. I’m not saying I could, but I felt like I could. The testosterone is flying. You can’t feel any more like a king than that. You put on the costume and the swords start flying and shields start banging… [But] the silent internal stuff is the stuff I love to seal it with.”

A past project that he has worked on which was comparable in physicality was Beowulf and Grendel, filmed entirely in Iceland (outside of Reykjavik) against horrible weather and freezing water, he still sees 300 as a larger challenge.

“There was more time and effort put in [by all], I gave more blood, sweat, and tears. It’s more than I’ve given physically to any role.”

But the differences were in the nature of the project. This film was so different from anything he had worked on before. Set against a digital world, the film was shot almost entirely in front of a blue screen. The colors of the film have been “crunched” to give it an epic and mythological feel that is in tune with Miller’s graphic novel.

Working with the blue screens “was very different because in the past it [on other projects] it was only for a few shots and would be long and laborious… with this everything was just wrapped in blue, allowing us to get down to the nitty gritty and film the drama [of it all]. You really had to take a leap of faith and use your imagination.”

With the film being so huge and epic in nature, it was really the characters of the Spartans and their nature that make it all come together. He loved how well everyone on set worked together and how dedicated every cast and crew member was. My favorite of his descriptions is below:

”[In] this role I’m very focused on the graphic novel. If you have a look at that the tone, and feel, and strength, and power of these guys, it is almost monstrous and animal like. You see that in every stance that we need to take. You couldn’t be any more masculine or have any more gravitas in any moment. You allow yourself to feel instinctively and intuitively in that world. [the mythological world and …] Mythological values. You kind of abandon yourself to that. Especially dealing with heroes that are so bold and formidable and exceptionally brutal. It was good for me to focus on that absolute lack of compassion in the end which makes them more heroic, being unapologetic for their stance or the way they live.”

And his description of his character makes it clear how deeply he took in the role and tried to understand the nature of what his role meant to the rest of the story.

”There was a class and elegance in the script that was also powerful and brutal. His [King Leonidas’] nobility and valor is established. That’s not in question, without having to do a thing you can tell from his presence that he had the unwavering loyalty [of his people]… Heroes take advantage of the opportunity. Anything you can do to win and inflict pain on that person. We get to do that in this film. The way we fight is fierce to say the least, fearless to say more… We kick ass, and kick ass, and kick ass. That’s a cool thing to do to be a warrior that is just ultimately tough.”

So now that you have some greater insight into Gerry’s take on the film and his role, GO SEE THE FILM! It comes out on March 9, 2007 in both IMAX and theaters everywhere. And don’t forget to check out the links below for even more info on the prep and making of this movie! I’ll leave you now with a final word from Gerry about why you should see this film…

”Something about this film, that I always felt as we were working, was [in] some ways typically epic and some ways darker and edgier than had ever been seen before. Almost everything in this film is new and fresh to cinemas. It’s stepping into new territory that nobody else has.”

Check out my interview with Zack Snider - director of 300 here: entertainmentjunkies.com
The official site: 300themovie.com
Video Journal from the film Hosted by Gerard Butler at suicidegirls.com

(Images courtesy of Warner Bros.)

TITLE: Flicka
STUDIO: 20th Century Fox
DIRECTOR: Michael Mayer
STARRING: Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello, Ryan Kwanten, Daniel Pino, Dallas Roberts, Kaylee DeFer, and Nick Searcy.
RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2006
RATING: PG
RUNNING TIME: 94 min.
OTHER EDITION(S): Unknown
SPECS: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
FEATURES: English and Spanish Subtitles, Audio Tracks: English (DD 5.1), French (DD 2.0 Surround), and Spanish (DD 2.0 Surround), and Feature Commentary by Director Michael Mayer. Side A: Full Screen Version, Tim McGraw Music Video “My Little Girl”, and Trailers. Side B: Widescreen Version, Deleted Scenes, Making of Featurette, Bloopers, and Gag Reel.
STORE EXCLUSIVES: Unknown

SYNOPSIS:

In FLICKA, a contemporary motion picture adaptation of Mary O’Hara’s beloved novel My Friend Flicka, 16-year-old Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) dreams of fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father’s ranch in modern-day Wyoming. But Katy’s father (Tim McGraw) wants more for her, insisting that Katy go to college. Katy finds a wild mustang, which she names Flicka, and sets out to make her a riding horse. But Flicka and Katy are more alike than she could have imagined. Like Katy, Flicka has a disdain for authority and is not about to give up her freedom without a fight.
-20th Century Fox

REVIEW:
MOVIE: I’ve read the book, I’ve liked horses, but this film just wasn’t on my list of must-sees. So I passed it over, much to my detriment. It is a phenomenal movie! Refreshing the old story, “My Friend Flicka” from the book and original movie, Flicka refers now to both the young girl and her wild horse.

The substitution of a young girl for the main character adds an interesting angle to the plot. Katy (Alison Lohman) has been away at boarding school. She may not pass on to the next year and is dreading telling her father (Tim McGraw) about her mess-up at school. All she really wants is to be back on the ranch that she grew up on. Spending time with the horses that her family raises. All in the space of a couple of hours her father discovers her secret about school and she finds a path to her freedom, Flicka, a wild mustang.

Fighting to keep Flicka safe and close Katy nearly loses everything for her and her family.

What I loved most about this film was Katy’s free spirit. *Small spoiler* There is a line at the end of the film, “to have the courage to love the untamed”. This line resonated with me. It just summed up the entire film and all of the motivation behind it! *End Spoiler*

But it’s not just the end that made the movie, the entire film is entertaining and you really do begin to root for the characters you’re following. Katy (even through her stupidity at times), her brother and his wish for independence, even the Ranch hands that help with the day-to-day operations become loveable.

It is certainly a film for a specific audience, but I even believe that others will highly enjoy it as well! This film is a keeper, and much to my own surprise I’ll buy it the day it comes out!

VIDEO: Coming Soon

AUDIO: Non Surround System: On a non-surround system the audio sounds great. The music, dialog, and background audio synch up well not requiring a remote to adjust the volume every few min. The quality is great! No complaints. Surround Sound System: Coming Soon

SPECIAL FEATURES: The commentary by director Michael Mayer is on both sides of the disc. As usual this is a nice addition to any disc full of information about production, actors, and with this one it’s nice to learn which one of the many Flicka’s were used in each scene! On side B with the remainder of the bonus features is a music video from Tim McGraw (who plays the father in the film) called “My Little Girl”. Also there are deleted scenes and a blooper set and gag reel as well as a Making of featurette.

PACKAGE & DESIGN: Using a typical snap case the DVD is packaged well. The cover art is nicely done. The disc itself is two sided (side A with the full screen feature and commentary and side B with the widescreen version and bonus features including the same commentary track). There are also a couple of inserts with the disc. Nothing special, but nicely done.

Scores:
Movie: 4 / 5
Video: Coming Soon
Audio: 4 / 5
Special Features: 3 / 5
Package and Design: 3 / 5

OVER ALL:
3.5 /5

EASTER EGGS: Unknown

FILMS IN THE SAME VEIN: Coming Soon

(Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

TITLE: Confetti
STUDIO: 20th Century Fox
DIRECTOR: Debbie Isitt
STARRING: Selina Cadell, Jimmy Carr, Olivia Colman, Ron Cook, Julia Davis, and more
RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2007
RATING: R
RUNNING TIME: 99 min.
OTHER EDITION(S): Unknown
SPECS: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
FEATURES: English and Spanish Subtitles, Audio Tracks English, Spanish, and French (DD 5.1), 3 Alternate Endings (Choose your own winner), Deleted Scenes, “More Tears More Tantrums”, and Trailers
STORE EXCLUSIVES: Unknown

SYNOPSIS:

Say “I do” to this hilarious “mockumentary” about a trio of wacky couples who vow to win the coveted title of “Most Original Wedding of the Year.” The dueling duos include the tuneless Matt (Martin Freeman) and Sam (Jessica Stevenson) whose unfortunate wedding theme is Hollywood musicals; the hypercompetitive tennis partners Josef (Steven Mangan) and Isabelle (Meredith MacNeil), and the outrageously uninhibited nudists Michael (Robert Webb) and Joanna (Olivia Colman). At stake is a million-dollar dream home, but can love survive in the midst of unbridled prenuptial chaos?
-From Amazon.com

REVIEW:
MOVIE: Confetti was a movie I was so looking forward too and missed. When the screener arrived I was jumping all over M to get my hands on it! It is a great mockumentary like it promises, but it’s not the kind of film I expected. There are some great moments (and much like Clue you can even change the ending/winners on the DVD (choose your own or watch them all as deleted scenes). But the ending that they went with for the theatrical version is still my favorite.

There is some bold moves and even bolder acting in this flick (the “naturists”!) and for these things I give them all two big thumbs up. But the biggest laugh I really got out of the film was in the first 30 seconds when the owner of “Confetti Magazine” is introducing himself saying he’s a bride’s best friend, and then interjecting, “I’m not gay” very quickly. This set the tone of the film off to a great start. But in the long run it didn’t keep my attention as well as I would have liked.

The tennis couple, Josef and Isabelle, completely lost me. Their competitive and vindictive nature just wasn’t as funny as it was a distraction to the rest of the film. Although, they really did have the most original wedding in the end.

Some hilarious lines, a few great moments, but a couple of distractions and annoyances brought me to my ultimate conclusion that the film is good – worth a watch, it’s just not great. But maybe it’s like Napoleon Dynamite where you really need to see it with friends for the big laughs and quotable quotes.

VIDEO: Coming Soon

AUDIO: Coming Soon

SPECIAL FEATURES: Contrary to most DVD sets this one does not have a commentary track, which it really doesn’t need. But it does have a series of deleted scenes and alternate endings. In total (although I didn’t time it) I believe it took over an hour to watch all of the deleted scenes (not including the alternate endings). These are a very nice addition! The alternate endings as well make the flick close to a cult classic. You can either insert the ending of your choosing into the film itself or watch them all as extras.

PACKAGE & DESIGN: Coming Soon (screener copy didn’t come with packaging).

Scores:
Movie: 2.5 / 5
Video: Coming Soon
Audio: Coming Soon
Special Features: 3 / 5
Package and Design: Coming Soon

OVER ALL:
3 / 5

EASTER EGGS: Unknown

FILMS IN THE SAME VEIN: Any mockumentary - Borat and A Mighty Wind in particular.

Buy the DVD now: Confetti
Or pick up the soundtrack: Confetti

(Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

Breach
Directed By: Bill Ray
Starring: Ryan Phillippe, Chris Cooper, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, and Caroline Dhavernas
Releasing: Feb 13, 2007
Rating: PG-13
Running time: 110 min.
Official Movie Site: http://www.breachmovie.net/

Intelligence Agency thrillers are some of the most enjoyable types of movies, that is, in my opinion! And Breach does not let you down! The story arcs around actual events and people in the FBI just about 6-7 years ago. Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) a renowned Special Agent in the Bureau has just been assigned to lead up a new division to safeguard and protect the Bureau’s intelligence. Eric O’Neill (Ryan Phillippe) has been assigned to Hanssen to act as his clerk by day and report on any and all of Hanssen’s activities by night.

O’Neill, having gained respect and trust for his boss doesn’t know why the Bureau is having him spy on such an honorable man. Confronting his contact, Kate Burroughs (Laura Linney) she finally tells him the truth and brings him in on the sting (along with her boss Dan Plesac played by Dennis Haysbert). Hanssen is a mole. He has been selling secrets to the Russians for years, and it is O’Neill’s inside work, if he can pull it off, that will help bring down the man responsible for the biggest security breach the country has known.

The film itself takes off gradually, following O’Neill through his low level job and his aspiration to become an agent. We get to see many sides of his character, the bureau side, the husband side (to his wife Juliana played by Caroline Dhavernas), and his religious and spiritual side. And Phillippe pulls it off without a hitch. He is perfect as O’Neill and never once releases you from the movie and back into reality.

Linney is quite the same, playing Agent Burroughs subtly yet with conviction. Although you never do see her with a gun, you believe that she is a part of the “gun culture” of the FBI through and through. And of course Haysbert, as always is a strong and powerful figure never faltering – wonderful!

As you get pulled deeper and deeper into the plot it’s suspense comes on gradually as well. But the suspense is definitely there! The filming style mixed very well with the subject matter and screenplay that my own blood pressure rose a number of times throughout the movie. And although it begins slowly, I never did once check my watch.

The only problem I had with the film was with the fact that I wasn’t familiar with the case before entering the theater. In college at the time, I didn’t follow the headlines – and the film assumes you have certain knowledge of the case at times. Not to a fault, but it is certainly there in the expectation. However, nothing is left without a sufficient explanation in the end.

It is a great suspense flick with enough entertainment and shock value that it is certainly worth the price of a movie ticket.

3.5 / 5

(Images courtesy of Universal Pictures)

TITLE: Flyboys
STUDIO: 20th Century Fox
DIRECTOR: Tony Bill
STARRING: James Franco, Jean Reno, Abdul Salis, Philip Winchester, Michael Jibson, Tyler Labine, David Ellison, Jennifer Decker, and many more.
RELEASE DATE: Jan. 30, 2007
RATING: PG-13
RUNNING TIME: 140 min.
OTHER EDITION(S): Single disc edition DVD, 2-disc Collectors Edition DVD
SPECS: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
FEATURES: Single Disc Edition: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, Available Audio Tracks: English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Audio Commentary by the Director and Producer, 15 minutes of deleted scenes, Short Documentary on Real Life Airmen, Short Documentary on the SFX, Miniature Stunt Pilot Feature
2-Disc Collectors Edition: Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Audio Commentary by Director Tony Bill and Producer Dean Devlin, “Real Heroes: The True Story of the Lafayette Escadrille” Featurette, “Life of a Miniature Stunt Pilot” Featurette, “Whiskey and Soda- The Lion Mascots” Featurette, “Taking Flight- The Making of a Flying Sequence”, “The Real Planes of Flyboys” Featurette, Deleted Scenes, Theatrical Trailer, Flyboys Squadron DVD-ROM Game
STORE EXCLUSIVES: unknown

SYNOPSIS:

“Flyboys,” the first World War I aviation film in over 30 years, is inspired by the epic, courageous tale of the American young men who would become known as the legendary Lafayette Escadrille. They were ordinary boys who volunteered for the first World War looking for adventure, and in the process, they became heroes. Never before has a movie so accurately portrayed the thrill and danger of the aerial dogfights that played such an integral role in the Allied resistance.
-From MGM

REVIEW:
MOVIE: It’s about time someone made a movie like this again! It’s been over 30 years since the last aerial WW1 epic. I have found myself playing scenes from this movie over and over in my head since seeing it.

There are certainly parts that could have worked better in the film, mostly some character development for the smaller supporting rolls. Captain Thenault (Jean Reno), Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson), and particularly Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis) are just a few examples of characters we got a peek at but not a deep look. I personally would have loved to see much more surrounding Skinner, the movie counterpart for the real life Eugene Bullard. In fact, can someone please make a movie about this man’s life! He was fascinating!

Is it not a completely accurate tale compared to the real story of the Lafayette Escadrille, but still manages to drive (or fly) straight to the point. A little about the film: Young American men, all for different reasons, joined the Lafayette Escadrille (or the newly formed French flying corps). Airplanes were a new technology, not to mention aerial warfare. The US had not entered the war yet, and it was these brave American volunteers that joined up to fight the good fight.

Focusing on training the new US flyers in the first third of the film the majority of the story takes us up straight into the dogfights and leaves you twisting and turning while the men maneuver their small unassuming aircraft (compared to planes today) while dodging bullets. It is the kind of film that Howard Hughes desperately wanted to make.

The film is not without its faults, but is so completely entertaining that you forgive those faults quickly. Definitely worth a watch on the big screen!

VIDEO: Coming Soon

AUDIO: Coming Soon

SPECIAL FEATURES: The screener copy I received only has a couple of features that I can comment on. The commentary is wonderful! It gives so much insight into how this film was made, casting decisions, actor’s motivations, and most importantly the use of digital. The film was shot entirely in digital (no film here!) and the flawless special effects shots blend seamlessly with the rest of the film. You’ll have to listen to it yourself to believe it, they really are seamless shots! There are also a number of trailers (but let’s face it - this ain’t so much a special feature - I mean you can check them out online!).

I cannot wait to pick up the 2-Disc version to check out all the additional features!

PACKAGE & DESIGN: I’m really only guessing here (as of yet), but the 2-Disc Collectors Edition looks phenomenal. With insert cards, a great box, cover art and I’m sure wonderful menus. The single disc appears to have a snap case with the poster graphics. Nothing special, but hell, buy the 2-Disc copy if you want something special!

Scores:
Movie: 4.5 / 5 - It’s grown on me, I had to bump it up a half a star!
Video: Coming Soon
Audio: Coming Soon
Special Features: 5 / 5
Package and Design: 4 / 5

OVER ALL:
4.5 /5

EASTER EGGS:

FILMS IN THE SAME VEIN: Flags of our Fathers (also a recent war film - different war tho), Aviator (Watch Howard Hugh’s obsession with making a film such as this one!), possibly Letters From Iwo Jima the counterpart to Flags of our Fathers. But nothing before is really quite like this movie!

(Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

Check this out.  If you got moola for Christmas, maybe spend it here!!

http://www.monstersinmotion.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/9417

TTFN!

This is getting ridiculous.  I mean, Come on!  Two shows he’s been in have now been cancelled after Firefly.  First, The Inside on Fox and now Daybreak on ABC.   It’s a sad sad day!  Apparently, Adam mentioned something at the Non-Flanvention 2 event earlier this month down in Burbank, CA.  (another story for another time!)

Here’s the link to the story on ABC about Daybreak!

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2730870

By Nellie Andreeva

Dec 15, 2006

Fillion, who is friends with Minear, was first approached with the project in the spring but couldn’t do the pilot because of a scheduling conflict with the filming of his feature “White Noise 2: The Light,” slated for release Jan. 5.

“I was a little disappointed because Tim is a friend, and there is nothing better than working with people you know and like,” Fillion said.

At a barbecue this summer, after the pilot was shot but before Fox picked it up to series, Minear again floated the idea for “Drive” to Fillion and showed him the pilot.

“I was so excited about it,” Fillion said of his first reaction to the tape. “He has some really talented actors lined up in it, and it’s exciting to get to meet them and work with them.”

In addition to “White Noise 2,” Fillion will soon appear in the indie “Waitress,” which is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fillion, whose credits also include the series “Two Guys and a Girl” and “Firefly” and the features “Serenity” and “Slither,” is repped by the Gersh Agency and 3 Arts Entertainment.