It seems that James Cameron also likes the thought of Arnold reprising his role of the Terminator robot. But, he wants Arnold to do it right. Recently, while talking with the former actor, turned governor, turned actor again, Cameron gave some rather timely advice. Talking with MTV, Cameron says, “I was trying to be as encouraging as possible. Frankly, at the time, I thought it needed to be more about him. I told him he should not do it until it’s focussed on his character…I think there are some great stories that can be told about that character that haven’t even been thought of yet.”

I think he is right. There are some great stories that can be told with the focus being on the T-800 Terminator robot. But… can Arnie still cut it? Will it still look believable? Or, will there have to be too much CGI to make it look real?

At first the news was kind of a novelty as people looked at the uncanny way the two look alike. However, now that the novelty of that has worn off people are becoming to ask questions. Right now the question is why was Ashton Kutcher cast as Steve Jobs?

For an actor whose film credits are not exactly Academy Award worthy (Killers, Dude, Where’s my Car?, and What Happens in Vegas), it is simply unfathomable that the producers would believe that Kutcher is a great fit for this project. That does not mean that he can not pull it off. But, if the producers are banking on the novelty of the idea, they must continue to rethink this decision.

The producer, Mark Hulme, went on, at length, and provided a commentary on why Mr. Kutcher was chosen for his film.

He states in an interview…

“Since our film covers the early years of Apple, when Jobs was in his 20′s, we needed an actor who could carry not only the youthfulness of Jobs at the time but also the psychological complexity. Because of that, and Ashton’s physical similarities to Jobs, he’s perfect for our film. … When Ashton read the script he was immediately attracted to the project. He is a Steve Jobs and Apple fan, and is technologically savvy, as well, so he recognized the historical importance of Steve Jobs and the potential of the project. He is very excited to have the role.”

The full Ashton Kutcher interview contains much more information about why he was chosen. But, ultimately the final decision of whether or not this is a great fit is going to be up to you, the movie goer.

Stated in the interview was Hulme’s wish to have the movie released in the final quarter of 2012. In order to do this, filming will start in May when Kutcher is on hiatus from his current gig, Two and a Half Men.

What do you think? Is this a good idea? Will you see the movie regardless of who plays Jobs? Do you think Kutcher will portray the man as he should?

While I am not a big fan of the franchise my son is waiting rather anxiously for the release of this new reboot. The poster does add a little bit of anticipation as to what to expect. The scars across the chest alludes to some sort of imminent battle and butt-kicking for the web slinger.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Dennis Leary. It will start showing in theaters on July 3, 2012.

What do you think of this poster? Will it entice you to see it?

The movie, which is based on an original script written by Vaughn, is about two old school salesmen who, find themselves suddenly unemployed and try to reinvent themselves, and their tactics, by becoming interns at a major tech company.

The film is set to begin filming in July of this year.

Being a fan of The Office I like to see how Steve Carell continues to grow as a comedic actor. I think the bumbling idiot type of character never grows old (as in Chris Farley, and vintage Jim Carey). And I was so glad that the movie centered around the innocent actions of Carell’s character. It was the type of things that you know are going to happen, but you feel bad as they happen. Of course, at the same time you are laughing at the various ridiculousness of Carell’s comedic style.

But…

Dinner for Schmucks The Basic Premise

The story of Dinner for Schmucks actually revolves around Tim (Paul Rudd) who is looking for advancement in his investment firm. However, in order to do that he must abide by some crazy dinner rules to evaluate executives. This “Dinner for Shmucks” then is how Rudd’s character meets up with Barry (Carell). A rather odd person, but one that you want to like.

As the story progresses, and Barry continues to wreck everything in Tim’s life, the dinner date gets closer and closer. Included in all of these mishaps is the usual girlfriend who is upset by the things going on, the complex series of events that are set off in a chain reaction, the crazy characters that are met along the way, and the torment within the main character over whether they should do the right thing or not.

While the plot is “cookie-cutter” in form it does leave you with some laughs and enjoyment.

Dinner For Schmucks The Downfall

What really keeps me from completely enjoying this movie is not the “cookie-cutter” plot, or the fact that Paul Rudd is yet again the main character. What really keeps this movie from scoring very high on my “must see again” meter is the forced issue of having Zach Galifianakis within the story line as an acquaintance (and nemesis) of Barry. It just didn’t work. At least for me. Of course, I’m not a fan of Galifianakis so that may play a large part of my troubles with this section of story.

The whole thing just seemed forced to me as if the writers, and director Jay Roach, wanted to add another comedic element. They really didn’t need to do that.

Dinner for Schmucks is Saved by Carell

Which leads me to my opening statements. The movie is saved by the presence of Carell. It is what kept me from turning it off and moving on to another. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but it was good enough to laugh.

If you’re looking for a Steve Carell movie for a night at home, then pick up Dinner for Schmucks. It is good for a laugh or two.

The movie, which has finished filming and is scheduled to be released in March of 2012, is a comedic adventure that brings to life the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I remember when my 6 year old daughter saw it for the first time. She loved it. I only hope that this particular movie will be well suited for my now 10 year old.

This revisioning of the movie stars the newcomer, Lily Collins, as the exiled princess who enlists the help of seven woodsman to help her get back her crown. Julia Roberts stars as the jealous evil Queen that steals the throne and starts the events into motion that hopefully will do justice to the original classical interpretation.

I guess we will have to see what ‘Mirror Mirror’ has on March 16, 2012.

I have for a long time had a love/hate relationship with movie critics. You know, those guys who get paid “the big bucks” for going to movies, sitting in premieres, rubbing shoulders with actors, and writing reviews, showing off the fact that they can use dictionary.com, ripping apart movies because they feel it is their God-given gift to do so? And, we, the little people, are suppose to take everything they say as the gospel truth as far as how great, or how deplorable, a movie it is.

Yeah well… movie critics suck.

Battle: Los Angeles Is Not A Critic Favorite

A quick look at what movie critics said about the movie Battle: Los Angeles would lead you to believe that is simply was the worse movie in existence. USA Today, Washington Post and Variety all gave the movie bad reviews. As well as hundreds of other movie websites, magazines, and newspapers. And, because of this, many people missed out on a tremendous fun-filled, chaotic ride.

Battle: Los Angeles – The Basics

There is a reason why I am coming down on movie critics in this review of Battle: Los Angeles. I was swayed by the many bad reviews and missed seeing this in a large theater. Opting instead to wait for Blu-Ray. Never again.

The movie itself is not just another alien invasion film like most of the critics suggested. While the concept is not original, when done correctly it is one that grips your imagination and heart.

Battle starts off with Staff Sergeant Michael Nantz (Aaron Eckhart having his retirement papers signed. After he finishes his current training detail he is out. However, alien invaders have different ideas. As a worldwide invasion commences, Nantz is pulled back into action. Joined with a platoon of Marines, led by newly commissioned Lt. Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez), they are given the task of traversing the streets of Santa Monica to get to a police station where some civilians are said to be taking refuge.

From then on, the movie is intense, chaotic, and at times, heart wrenching. The Marines, after reaching the police station, must hurry to get back to the F.O.B. (Forward Operating Base) before the Air Force levels the area with a enough bombs to sink California. However, the alien invaders have different ideas.

Battle: Los Angeles – The Acting

One of the biggest critical points of many of the movie critics was the actual dialogue throughout. After that was the acting on the part of Eckhart, Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Michael Pena, Ne-Yo, and Bridget Moynahan. And, I will have to agree with some of it to a point.

The dialogue was a little cliche. It was full of one-liners that were cheesy at best. Things like, “I’d go to hell and back for you.”, “I need you to be a brave little marine for me.”, and about ninety-nine calls of “Retreat, hell!” abounded throughout the movie. While many of the critics treated this with contempt. It didn’t bother me. In fact, it added to the craziness that was Battle: Los Angeles

Battle: Los Angeles – Huge Over the Top Action

Because of the bad reviews I was not expecting much out of Battle I even set it for a late night viewing, so if I fell asleep I wouldn’t worry about missing anything. But, as the movie got the action started, I didn’t have to worry about falling asleep. My heart got racing so fast that I found myself having to hit the pause button just to calm down.

As the Marines start onto the streets of Santa Monica the action is non-stop. There are several instances of fire fights, explosions, people being blown up, saving kids from falling, and “painting” the big target. With very little time for letting you catch your breath before the next sequence started, Battle: Los Angeles solidifies itself into action movie stardom.

However, the action is not the only part that gets your heart pumping.

Intense, Heart Wrenching and Heart Warming

Without giving away too much about the movie, there are some kids at the police station when the Marines get there. Just the fact that there are children going through this ordeal gives the movie much more humanity and gives reason for some tugging at your heart strings. There are intense moments where you feel the fear, the pain, and the sadness from the children, and the Marines, throughout each sequence.

But, there is more.

I am opening myself up to being called too soft or sentimental with this. But, there were moments where I couldn’t help but swell up with… not really pride, but… awe. Awe at the strength, the perseverance, and the intensity of the characters. It made me feel like I was going through everything with them.

I realize not everyone will feel that way, but this intensity and the heart wrenching moments were really what cemented the movie as one of my favorites that I could watch over and over again. In fact, I’ve seen it three times within two days!

Battle: Los Angeles – Should You See It?

If you were swayed by the movie critics about this movie and missed out seeing it at the theaters, then I do feel sorry for you. Mainly because I can sympathize with you. I so wish I had seen Battle: Los Angeles on a big screen with theater sound. But, I didn’t.

And for that alone, movie critics suck.

If you like high octane action movies with intense moments, explosions, cheesy dialogue, and a tremendous display of human courage then Battle: Los Angeles is definitely for you. If you feel that District 9 was a good movie (like the USA Today critic), then there is no help for you anyway.

Battle: Los Angeles may not win an Oscar, but it should be seen. It is a fun flick that is great for anytime you want to enjoy an action packed ride at home. Watch it. You’ll be glad you did.

Battle: Los Angeles Movie Trailer

Sucker Punch is a movie that you either will hate or love. There is no middle ground with this movie. It a futuristic ride that is directly from the mind of Snyder. There is no rhyme or reason for anything that happens in the movie and your mind takes a trip of its own while you are engrossed during the entire the film is on.

Sucker Punch – The Basics

This is a movie about a tragic turn that eventually gets worse. When you think that all is well, it turns again. The movie starts with Emily Browning in her home after her mother has passed away. Through events in the home, her stepfather has her placed in an institution where things are not as it seems.

As the movie continues, Browning, who becomes known as Baby Doll is being pruned as a dancer of this house of ill-repute where the “patients” all work as dancers for high paying customers.

During this time Baby Doll begins to cope with her situation by escaping into an alternate reality where she has super-human like abilities. Throughout different episodes her alternate reality is fighting impossible battles while her true self is “dancing” and captivating all who watch.

As a means of trying to escape, Baby Doll enlists the help of some of the other patients/dancers. Vanessa Hudgens shows her “bad girl” attitude in playing Blondie, and Abbie Cornish is Sweet Pea. Along with Jamie Chung and Jena Malone, this motley bunch sets off on their daring escape plan. All the while caught up in Baby Doll’s alternate dream like state where they defeat already dead Nazi’s and a large dragon.

Sucker Punch – The Action

The reason to watch the Sucker Punch movie is simply for the action sequence. Martial arts, swordplay, gun fighting, Zeppelin’s blowing up, and a fire breathing dragon make for a great show as Baby Doll slips into her dancing state.

All of the action is contained within this dream like state. Each of the actions also coincide with one of the “tasks” that they must perform in order to secure their escape plans. If they succeed in the alternate world all is fine, if they don’t… things get worse.

Sucker Punch – The Acting

If you were to watch a movie for stellar acting, breathtaking performances, and tear invoking drama, Sucker Punch would not be that movie.

This is not the movie to watch for the acting. It is deplorable at best. Even the stellar Carla Gugino’s performance sorely misses any level of even being good.

Sucker Punch – The Verdict

All in all, the movie was still worth watching. It is an enjoyable combination of Snyder-esque reality with some underlying moral story of selfless actions.

If you enjoyed other Snyder movie’s, you’ll like Sucker Punch If not… you’re likely not to like it.

As I said, you’re either going to love it or hate it. There is no middle ground.

Click here to get the Sucker Punch (Two-Disc Extended Edition) [Blu-ray]

Sadly, it didn’t turn out that way.

There were some moments where I thought Due Date was going to start getting funny, but was let down again and left with an empty 95 minutes of my life.

In the tradition of hilarious road trip movies such as Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Tommy Boy, The Blues Brothers, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Dumb & Dumber, and even the cult classic Beavis & Butthead Do America stand head and shoulders above Due Date.

Due Date – A Quick Look

The movie had tremendous appeal for audiences because of the once again wildly popular Robert Downey Jr. and the mildly amusing Zach Galifianakis. Downey Jr. plays Peter Highman who is a highly strung architect who is in Atlanta at the time when his wife is getting near the date to deliver their first child. Hence, the name Due Date. He is tasked with the mission of going home to L.A. after a business meeting. This would not be any problem, except for the introduction of Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) into the story line.

From there things get progressively worse from being kicked off the flight they are both on to crashing the rental car off a bridge, one of them getting shot after being detained at the US/Mexican border.

As I said, tremendous appeal. It should have been a non-stop laugh fest. However, the laughs were very few and very forced at times. I actually felt like I had to laugh at certain points because the situation supposedly called for it.

Due Date – The Acting

I am not quite sure where the movie went wrong. With the power of both Downey Jr. and Galifianakis in the picture it should have been on par with Tommy Boy and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The only problem with that is the lack of chemistry between the two was painfully evident.

Chris Farley and David Spade were made to act together. Everything they did turned into comedic gold. The same thing with John Candy and Steve Martin. They made those top “buddy” movies special because they were special together.

Downey Jr. and Galifianakis were not.

It’s not that they did a bad job of acting. They just didn’t go a good job together.

Due Date – The Comedic Element

As is the case with many movies the movie trailers and teasers make the movies seem much better than they actually are.

I was looking forward to this movie as the trailers were put together in such a way that they made you laugh. But, when you put the scenes in the context of the movie… the laughter just wasn’t there.

The comedy seemed forced as the relationship between the two characters were forced because of their situation.

Due Date – The Good

In every movie there has to be some good in it. I don’t care if it is the worse movie in the history of movies… there has to be at least one scene, one word, one moment where something good happens.

Jamie Foxx provides this with his appearance as Peter’s friend in Texas. Without giving any spoilers it involved a truck, Tremblay in the back, and speeding over large bumps in the road. I actually did laugh at that moment.

Due Date – The Verdict

If you are a fan of either one of these actors you might just find enjoyment in that alone. But, if you are looking for a good comedic movie… keep looking.

But…. if you want to waste 95 minutes of your life…

Click here to get the Due Date [Blu-ray]

Then I came across these cool little videos that have a theme to them.

Captain America: The First Avenger “Pledge” TV Spot

Captain America: The First Avenger “Discovery” TV Spot

Captain America: The First Avenger “Victory” TV Spot

Captain America: The First Avenger hits movie theaters in just a few weeks on July 22nd. It is directed by directed by Joe Johnston, who has also directed Jumanji, October Sky, Jurassic Park III,and Hidalgo