2007 is almost over. The box office is booming with movies with potential. Along with it being Oscar season we have a couple high profiled movies coming out with the new year.
Rambo - January 25 Sylvester Stallone is at it again; like his 2006 "Rocky Balboa" the final chapter in the series, which Stallone directed along with three other "Rocky" pictures (II, III, and IV.) Falling to mixed reviews "Rocky Balboa" was considered a box office bust. But to loyal fans, it was a better send off for the underdog compared to "Rocky V."
With the upcoming "Rambo" picture, Stallone sits in double threat chair as the director and lead actor. To conclude the story of John Rambo. The Vietnam veteran and Hollywood's original super-soldier is living a life of tranquility in the jungles of Thailand, Rambo is quickly thrust back into action when a group of human rights activists are captured by the Burmese army and being held hostage.
It's now up to Rambo to "Live for nothing. Or die for something,"
Clover Field - January 18 The mystery J.J. Abrams production is expected to bring new life into the monster movie genre.
Being told from the point of view ("Blair Witch" style of camera work) of five friends who were supposed to be celebrating their friends final day in the States before a job transfer to Japan.
But little did they know what fate has in store for them this night.
A monster is terrorizing through the streets of New York and no one can stop it.
What is this monster? No one knows. But one thing is for sure: We will find out in a very dramatic fashion.
Verse: John 1:4-5 "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (NASB)
We are living in a time where the "next big thing" is created about once a week. Over the last 100 years the world has changed from horse-drawn carriages to gas/electric cars. From 3-4 day train rides, we now fly non-stop from New York to LA in less than a day. We no longer have to wait 2-3 weeks for a letter from our grandparents, or for the college student: a letter about how we're doing to reach our parents, we have e-mail, instant messaging programs, even video call capabilities.
Take a moment and think of how easily it is to take for granted all the luxuries we have, not only because we are living in the United States, but because of how we feel we may have been gypped this year for Christmas. Or from the way I was feeling this week, rather lonely and sad because we have no special someone to spend these joyous times with.
When we feel like this it is essential that we put into perspective how we are feeling about ourselves in these times. I was feeling lonely: what about a good friend, she recently married a Marine (another friend of mine) who is getting ready to go overseas to join the struggle in Iraq. She had not seen her husband for months while he was training and getting briefed on the situation.
Now that got me thinking about the even bigger picture: There are how many THOUSANDS of incomplete families this holiday season. Baby girls who have maybe never seen their father's face. Young boys who wanted, more than anything else, to sit on his mom's lap while opening his gifts. So, why do we allow ourselves to slip into these dark feelings of depressions and self-pity when there are so many more out there who have it worse than us?
These feelings happen because we're human. That's all there is to it. They're going to happen every now and then. What defines us is what we do in those times of need. Do we just let the darkness slip over us until we are so lethargic that we just lay in bed all day? Or maybe today we're going to go out and drink all of our sorrows away. How about sleeping with so many people that you lose count to try and give yourself a feeling of self-worth? None of these solutions is a long-term fix. All of these aren't even short term fixes. Instead of fixing our initial problem, we just compile issue after issue that we, ourselves, got into by our own doing. How does the darkness over come so many? Why do the masses think that by running in darkness they can find light, or that maybe their eyes will adjust.
The God of the universe has given us the Light we need. The Light is explained to us, in black and white, by Christ in John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' " When we were younger, if you grew up in a church, we would sing the song "This Little Light of Mine." As children singing a fun little diddy, we didn't really think of how in depth the song really is.
The lyrics go as follows:
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine Hide it under a bushel? No! I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
Don't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine Don't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine Don't let Satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
Every line of this song says that we are going to let the light of Christ that came into our lives when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior shine as brightly as we possibly could. Of course.. Teaching this song to kids is mainly just a cute way to have kids sing about Jesus without letting them think too intimately about the lyrics. Similar to the way most Christian children were raised on the story of Noah and the Flood. We seemed to have our attention diverted away from the big message in the story of Noah; God's people became so unfaithful that He created a flood so large that every person on earth, with the exception of Noah and his family, drowned. Our God of mercy is also an envious God who will shed His wrath when necessary.
This is why we needed a Savior. To prevent another flood-like apocalypse without a chance for redemption. This is the biggest reason why we need the light of Christ to shine through our lives more and more as we become more distracted by technology and lose sight of what our lives should be like. "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." (John 4:48) And we have become, very much so, a church/society that does not believe, so much as is traditionalized into the church. Being a Christian now seems more like being a Cubs fan: you were just born into it. "Yeah, I root for God's team because my dad and his dad have been rooting for God for about 200 years now."
"This Little Light of Mine" is just one of hundreds of songs talking about how we need to shine the Light of Christ in our lives. We should not have our Light contained in one of those old fashioned oil lanterns with the wick so low that there is barely any light to be had. Remember: "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
The Bible hundreds of verses talking about how we are a light unto the world. If we are not sharing our light with those who truly need it, how different from them are we, truly?
Please, if you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and know that there is someone in your life who needs a little light in their lives go over and shine yours at them and show them the love and warmth that Christ showed all who came, saw and believed in him. Remember: we once were blind, but now we see.
I leave you with more verses and a video made for a Chris Rice song called "Go Light Your World." The lyrics will be posted below the video.
Job 18:5-7 - "The lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops burning. The light in his tent becomes dark; the lamp beside him goes out. The vigor of his step is weakened; his own schemes throw him down."
Matthew 5:14-16 - "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matt. 6:22 - "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light."
Matt. 22:13 - "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"
John 1:9 - "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world"
John 3:18-20 - "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
John 12:35 - "Then Jesus told them, 'You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going.'"
Ephesians 5:8-11 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."
1 John 1:5-7 - "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
2 Corinthians 4:4 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
2 Peter 1:19 - "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."
2 Cor. 6:14 - "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
Isiah 58:10 - "and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the midday."
Lyrics: There is a candle in every soul Some brightly burning, some dark and cold There is a Spirit who brings a fire Ignites a candle and makes His home
So carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the helpless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world
Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to Light his own candle some other way See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to Still holds a candle without a flame
So Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world
Cause We are a family whose hearts are blazing So let's raise our candles and light up the sky Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus Make us a beacon in darkest times
So Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world
Carry your candle, run to the darkness Seek out the hepeless, confused and torn Hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world
A childhood tragedy creates a living legend. The living legend comes down on hard times while flying high on the wave of success. The legend finds a way to come back after the hard times to solidify his place in history.
Yes. I just explained every biopic ever made, and to be made in roughly 40 words. Judd Apatow takes the recent trend of bringing the life stories of famous, classic artists like Johnny Cash, and Ray Charles and throws in his style of exaggerations along with some tasteless humor bringing you "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."
Starring John C. Reilly as Dewey Cox a dimwitted young man growing up in the south, Cox and his intellectual older brother who, at the age of 10 is a classic pianist. But Dewey accidentally cuts his life short in one of the few genuine laughs to be had throughout the picture. The loss of their son brings the Cox family to it's knees with Pa Cox so grief stricken that he can only say "The wrong kid died" to his last son.
Having promised his brother to become "double good" for accidentally taking his talented sibling out of the world before his time, Dewey, at the humorously overstated age of 14 (with Reilly taking over the roll starting at this point in the film.) Dewey takes his first crack at stardom at his school's talent show, but his music causes a riot and leaving the young 14 year old Dewey to move out on his own, and bring his 12 year old girlfriend with him.
After making it big with his smash hit "Walk Hard" Dewey is finally able to live the dream life every 14 year old dreams of; with a house of his own, a wife and three kids, and of course a monkey. But with every high there is a low. Dewey quickly falls amusingly into a pit of drug dependency, then gets better, then falls again. All through hilarious exchanges with drummer Sam (Tim Meadows.)
"Walk Hard" is not as much a riot as it is a bunch of inappropriate jokes on a storyline that has produced several memorable movies over the last few years.
"Walk Hard" takes the same style of humor as other parody movies like "Date Movie" and "Epic Movie," but takes the jokes to that "not for younger kids" plateau.
Grade: C+ Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage,) Disney's attempt at an Indiana Jones-like adventurer is back. This time he is seeking to clear his great-great grandfather's name from history's black book as a Lincoln assassination conspirator. In order to do this he must find a fabled city of Gold that the Confederate army was looking for during the Civil War.
Since their last adventure that made the Gates and his accomplices; Reilly (Justin Bartha,) and girlfriend Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger,) household names as world class treasure hunters, things have slowed down for the entourage as 3 years have passed. There have been books authored, taxes taken, lovers quarrels and scrutiny towards the Gates family name as Mitch Wilkinson (Ed Harris) barges in on a lecture being given by Gates and his father, Patrick (Jon Voight,) with claims that he has a page that proves that Thomas Gates, Patrick's great-grandfather, was a Lincoln conspirator, not an American hero as declared by the Gates family during their lectures.
These claims set the Gates family on a quest around the world and to revelations about American allies, Great Britain's interests in the Civil War and of course wacky and fun quotes by Reilly.
"Book of Secrets" is essentially almost identical to it's predecessor from 2004. The exceptions lie within the villain's redeemable qualities and it's lack of depth character development. The character development that is attempted is the same as in the first movie that was done with Gates' father, Patrick, is passed on to his mother; Emily, played Academy Award winner Helen Mirren.
In a completely absurd scene where Gates is left without any other option but to kidnap the President, Gates and his pals somehow book every possible hotel that the President's secretaries should have reserved months in advance, but didn't for whatever reason, for his birthday so as to give the President a special gift and pique his interest so Gates can be alone with the President and ask him about the "President's Book." A rumored book that contains every conspiracy theory ever concocted by man: Area 51, the Kennedy assassination, and the missing minutes from the Watergate scandal. The President, played by Bruce Greenwood, looks and acts more like a Calvin Kline model, is very stiff and unconvincing.
The film is about as good as you want it to be. If you go in expecting something special and unique, you may want to go elsewhere to find it. All you really get here is the first movie minus Sean Bean, and what you get is Ed Harris with the least threatening henchmen ever. There's also a cliffhanger at the end of the movie. So be prepared for "National Treasure 3: Page 47"
"National Treasure: Book of Secrets" slammed into theaters debuting a #1 with a weekend gross of $45.5 million for the weekend of Dec. 21-23.
Grade: B+ "Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street" - this years hit Broadway show turned Hollywood blockbuster - is Tim Burton's third take on a musical, the first that he himself had not written. Starring Burton's keynote actor and actress Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the title roles of Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett.
In a movie filled with plenty of blood and gore, the main storyline is quite sentimental. Todd, formally Mr. Benjamin Barker of Fleet Street, had been outcast from London by the jealous and malicious Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman,) Turpin's desire for Barker's wife - Lucy - was so insatiable that Turpin created false charges as a way to send Barker away (a la The Count of Monte Cristo.) After Lucy's apparent suicide Turpin takes Barker's daughter, Johanna (played by the beautiful Jayne Wisener,) as his Ward. All Todd wants/wanted was to come home and get on his the life he once knew.
Upon his return to London, after 15 years at sea, Barker returns under the new guise of Sweeney Todd, and quickly realizes how drastically 15 years abroad can change the landscape of what he thought was a perfect life. Finding his old homestead taken over by a Meat Pie shop owned by one Mrs. Lovett, a woman who could not keep a kitchen clean to save her life or cook for that matter. Mrs. Lovett quickly realizes who Todd really is and tells him the sad story of his wife drinking poison and the Judge taking his daughter as his own driving Todd to seek out his revenge and get back all that was taken from him, while taking up his old hobby of being a barber.
"Sweeney Todd" is nothing out of the ordinary as far as the way the film was shot. What is surprising about this big screen adaptation is the fact that Depp and Carter both sing their parts, and quite well. Depp's voice is very raw, but considering he'd never tried operatic singing before, he did a pretty admirable job. Carter's voice however sounds wonderful, but comes off as a bit too airy at times and is hard to understand at times. There are even a few shocks when we hear a duet with Depp and Rickman's characters in the song "Pretty Women."
The set design is very well done and quite elaborate, taking place mainly in Todd's/Lovett's home where on the lower level Mrs. Lovett sells the "worst pies in London" and Todd gives the "closest shave you will ever know." Every now and then we get a glimpse outside and see Judge Turpin's home where he keeps Johanna. Also an amusing scene where Turpin sentences a boy no more than 10 years old to the gallows for his multiple crimes and his "inability to learn his lesson."
The movie is very much not for the squeamish, or weak of heart. The first time Todd slits a throat with his "friends"/razors is quite drawn out with his arm becoming drenched in the victim's blood. Along with an entire montage during the "Johanna" reprise of Todd slitting about 10-15 customer's throats. But don't think that Todd is without mercy; he does allow one customer to live who comes in with his family.
The supporting singers/actors are also very memorable. Supporting actor Jamie Campbell Bower plays Anthony Hope, the sailor who sailed with Todd for an undisclosed amount of time. Youngster Ed Sanders plays Toby, a young man who was bought from a work shop by the Italian barber Signor Adolfo Pirelli (Sacha Baron Cohen [known best for his work as Ali G, and Borat,]) a con-man with a "miracle grow" elixir.
The biggest drawback is within the makeup done by Paul Gooch makes Depp look very much like Edward Scissorhands from the movie of the same title, Depp's first film with buddy/director Tim Burton.
With his newfound ability in the musical arts, Depp may be a shoo in for his first Golden Globe in the "Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy" category in the upcoming Golden Globes going up against Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl,) Tom Hanks (Charlie Wilson's War,) Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Savages,) and John C. Reilly (Walk Hard the Dewey Cox Story.)
"Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street" opened at #5 at the box office bringing in $9.35 million for the weekend of Dec. 21 - 23 .
Aaron Rowand was supposed to be back patrolling center field for the White Sox this coming summer. The Sox were supposed to be making big trades to improve a team that lost the division by 24 games and missed out on the wild card by 22 games.
The Deals So Far:
Sox GM Kenny Williams made a lot of big promises after the season and has yet to follow through.
Starting Pitcher Jon Garland was sent to the LA Angels for Shortstop Orlando Cabrera. -This deal was terrible. The Sox sent away their number 2 and sometimes number 1 starter from this past season. Yeah, Garland only had one year left on his contract, but the team should have kept him around to see if he could help the team through at least the first half of the season and depending on their record they could trade him away, resign him or just let him hit the market after the season if they're in contention. They didn't need an over the hill shortstop.
Carlos Quentin from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league first baseman Chris Carter.
-Let's take a look a a deal that happened at the end of last week (Dec. 14) The Diamondbacks acquired pitchers Dan Haren and Connor Robertson from the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland and Greg Smith, outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez and infielder Chris Carter. Every player the D-backs gave up in this deal were minor leaguers. The Sox could have easily sent Chris Carter and a few other prospects for a pitcher with two more reasonably priced years on his contract.
Fukudome- The 30 year old Japanese superstar signed a 4 year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Allegedly the Sox offered a similar contract to the outfielder but because of the exposure the Cubs get throughout the country Fukudome signed with the North Siders leaving the South Siders without a big free agent again.
The Situation- While other teams in the AL Central are getting better *cough* Detroit! *cough* the Sox are getting spurned by potential acquisitions and rival teams are swooping in under the radar and making mega-deals. The Detroit Tigers acquired ace pitcher Dontrelle Willis and super stud third baseman Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins for six minor league prospects.
This deal puts the Tigers in immediate contention for not only the AL Central crown, but the World Series championship. With their already stacked lineup and pitching rotation the Tigers are looking to combat the New York Yankees in the "roster to win now" market. The trade also puts Detroit up there in salary. After the dust has settled Detroit will presumably be in the $160 million price range.
During the 2007 season only the Yanks paid more for their roster at $197.2 million. The Boston Red Sox were a distant $143.1 million.
This apparently random splurge of spending by the Tigers front office shows a level of commitment to winning that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has never shown. His longest tenured player was Frank Thomas, arguably the greatest White Sox player of all time, and now spokesperson for the "non-juiced" power hitters during this Steroid Era of baseball, hit his 500th career homerun in a Toronto Bluejays jersey, not a White Sox uniform.
Magglio Ordonez , Jermain Dye's predecessor in rightfield, currently patrolling right for the Tigers is another example of Reinsdorf not shelling out the cash for a player who may be a risk, but worth the chance. When the Sox parted ways with Ordonez it was due to a potential degenerative knee issue. The Tigers picked up Mags with an incentive-laden 5-year contract. In 2007 Ordonez made $13 million after bonuses and had an MVP caliber year (were it not for Alex Rodriguez, he might have won,) hitting a .363 batting average, with 28 homeruns and 139 runs batted in.
The White Sox seem to be destined for a Cubs-esque streak of losing. Being jilted by three big named free agents (Torii Hunter, Rowand and Fukudome) leaves the Sox in the same situation they were in at the end of the regular season. The team looks bound for another atrocious season.
The first lines you hear from the revealed Joker in the 6 minute prologue seen exclusively in IMAX theaters and attatched to Warner Brothers record setting new release "I Am Legend"
The prologue shows a crew hired by the Joker on their way to rob a bank, with a plan set up by the man known as "The Joker." Throughout the scene it is revealed to the audience that no one really knows who this "Joker" is. "He wears makeup," says one henchman "like war paint." We are led to assume that the bank holds mob money because the boss of the bank (William Fitchner) has a shotgun under his desk and calls out to the last henchman, after a quick fire fight, to leave the crime scene who is revealed to be the Joker himself saying "Crime in this town used to mean something." Leaving the Joker no choice but to leave him with a parting gift: a grenade in the mouth and giving him a few parting words - "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you... stranger"
From what the official TRAILER shows us Ledger is bound to make a historic villain that could potentially rival classic baddies like Darth Vader and make us forget all about Jack Nicholson's take on Batman's arch-nemesis.
"The Dark Knight" is looking to be THE movie of 2008. The hype, the advertising, the actors attatched, the characters. It's all adding up into one giant movie that so far looks like it will not disappoint.
And as an extra treat here are two new teaser posters for the new "Batman" film
In the year 2009 we have found a cure for cancer. Side effects include mild headache, drowsiness, bloody nose, mutation of genes causing increased aggression and vulnerability to sunlight... Oh, and a desire for human flesh.
Will Smith stars as Scientist/Lieutenant Colonel Robert Neville- the sole survivor in New York City in the thriller of the season. Three years after a cure for cancer was discovered. The cure quickly became a virus turning normal humans into zombie/vampiric like creatures. With his only companion a German Shepherd named Sam, Neville survives day to day life in NYC thanks to a strict schedule, while also finding time to continue testing for a cure to the VK virus on rats in the laboratory he built in his basement, to help save humanity.
Through a series of flashbacks/dream sequences it is revealed actions taken by the US government to try and keep the virus contained. The virus, originally thought to be only able to be caught by physical contact quickly mutates and becomes airborne. It is later revealed that less than 1% of the entire human race would be immune to the virus.
In several ways to try and keep his sanity Neville goes out and does daily routines like going out to the local video rental store. Set up with fully dressed mannequins for him to have conversations with and exchange looks. Neville also keeps up with his daily news watching old tapes from the local TV station and reading old papers. "I Am Legend" is a heart-pounding experience. In large thanks to the sound to enhance the loneliness and desperation of Neville's situation really is, right up to the hand-held camera shots that bring you up right to Neville's shoulder so that the audience can experience the fear right along with him. The most intense moment of the film editing that seems comes when Neville is hunting down a deer and the deer runs into an abandoned building, while ending his pursuit, not daring to go into the dark where the NW dwell, his dog Sam continues the chase. Neville goes in after his companion and the entire scene is without music and has little noise. All you hear is Neville's panting from fright and call for "Sam!" Just as Neville is about to give up his quest to find Sam he comes into a room with several NW huddled, to not draw attention to himself Neville quickly pulls his hand over the flashlight and runs for his life.
Smith's acting in this almost-solo acting project is superb. He portrays his fears and his breakdowns with incredible emotion. The special effects are pretty well done. From this writers perspective the Night Walkers could have easily been actual human actors in makeup, but in this generation of movie making CGI is the way to go.
The Disney company has released the first trailer for next summers adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian"
The trailer can be viewed HERE at the movie's official website.
The original cast of William Moseley (Peter) Anna Popplewell (Susan) Skandar Keynes (Edmund) and Georgie Henley (Lucy) as the Pevensie family Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan and introduces Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian. Andrew Adamson returns to direct the sequel to 2005s "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
"Prince Caspian" is scheduled for release on May 16, 2008
The wait was finally over. “Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End” came on May 24th and, according to rumors, sailed the series off into the sunset. Taking place probably a few weeks after the huge cliffhanger of "Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man’s Chest" with Capt. Barbossa being resurrected by Tia Dalma and a quest to save Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones’ Locker was set in motion.
The quest to find Jack starts with finding the notorious Sao Feng, a ruthless pirate lord who controls the passages of the east seas from Singapore-- and what pirate wouldn’t be complete in these movies if they didn’t have one heck of a grudge against Jack Sparrow-- and coerce him into giving Barbossa, Elizabeth Swann, and Will Turner the navigational charts to “world’s end” to find Jack. After Will strikes a bargain with Feng the charts show the crew through crazy landscapes like frozen waters and down Niagara Falls.
Once finding Jack, a bit more out of his mind, back upon the Black Pearl, the crew is now “double captained” by Jack and Barbossa, acting like five year-olds, back to the Caribbean and Shipwreck Cove for a meeting of the nine Pirate Lords to debate about whether or not to go to war against the East India Trading Company and the Flying Dutchman. Barbossa proposes releasing the sea goddess Calypso from her imprisoned body and appeal to her good side to see if she could help them win the battle.
“At World’s End” is an entertaining movie in itself. There are several scenes where you can tell that the script writers were trying way too hard to try and make this a movie of epic proportions, as if the movie wasn’t going to be good enough itself, they needed to add in that extra nugget to try and push it over the edge… And it did; a bit too far over the edge. The biggest downfall of this movie was the lack of suspense created when trying to have a secret created, but as soon as a secret is brought up the camera cuts straight to the person(s) of “mystery.” The secret of whom Calypso may be lasted all but 2/10’s of a second. The attack of the 50 foot Calypso was another piece of the overdone cake that was the plotline of this movie.
Two really big positives about this movie is the character development within Will and Will’s father Bootstrap Bill. Will becomes quite the sneaky lil fella and creates quite a few Jack Sparrow-esque plans to help his own cause. Bootstrap Bill becomes a very sorrowful character, slowly becoming attached to the ship like the crewman Exposition in “Dead Man’s Chest.” Bootstrap is made out to be a Gollum-like character. A character whom the viewer will feel sorry for him, but there’s a bit of evil that is being stirred up in him because of his deal with Davy Jones.
If there’s one big complaint about the movie is that is doesn’t drag you in as easily as "Curse of the Black Pearl" did. Throughout the movie you are constantly being teased to where you can be brought in and kick back and enjoy a movie, but then they do something like another rousing speech by Elizabeth to make you come to your senses and realize that you are watching a movie.
Visually “Pirates” is an amazing picture with a few good twists along the way. While running just shy of three hours there are several scenes that could have cut from the movie: i.e. a western homage on a long, random beach just before the big fight scene that could have saved about five minutes of the viewer’s time. The, supposed to be, big epic speeches given by none other that Elizabeth, continuing from origins of the character in the first movie, are just cheesy and are just obvious and not very gripping.
Overall “At World’s End” is far and away a better and more enjoyable movie than “Dead Man’s Chest.” There is a lot more originality, and a lot less rum jokes. Overall the alleged final installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” receives a B-.
In the summers of 2002 and 2004 Spider-man was the standard for the summer blockbuster. Now it's 2007 and Spidey appears to have lost a step.
The primary storyline of Spider-man 3 lies within concluding the story of the Green Goblin from the first film. Harry Osborn, the son of Norman (the original Green Goblin,) taking on his father's trade and "modifies" his father's old Goblin helmet and glider into an electronic ski mask with a flying snowboard fully loaded with the trademark pumpkin bombs. With Harry thirsty for Spider-man's blood for his apparent murder of Norman, Harry gives himself a full dosage of the "Goblin Gas" and confronts his one time friend.
While Peter and Harry duke it out a new villain is being born in Flint Marko aka The Sandman. During a particle acceleration test Marko, through some amazing CGI has sand grafted to his DNA and now his body is completely sand and can act and mold the sand into any form or size (which the size part is a bit overplayed in this movie.) The "birth" of The Sandman is probably one of the best bad guy origins in comic-movie cinema. Everything flowed with that scene, the music was right, and the special effects were astounding.
It is revealed after the first confrontation between Spider-man and Sandman that Marko is the real killer of Peter's Uncle Ben. Driven by grief and a need for vengeance a sticky goo, called a symbiote, attaches itself to Spider-man's costume creating a new black costume that enhances Spidey's agility, strength, rage and his dance skills apparently.
After realizing the suits effect on his rage and the way he treats people Peter detaches the goo from him and the goo finds itself a new host in Eddie Brock, a man who not only hates Spider-man, but Peter Parker as well. With the goo enhancing Brock's aggression and giving him Spider-man-like powers creating the much hyped super villain: Venom. Who ironically was the most hyped part of this film, but was never officially named IN the movie.
Spider-man 3 for all it's hype does not live up to the standard of the first two movies. The story between Peter and Harry runs smoothly through the film and gives a good sense of closure. But the other villains in the movie come and go, they do some fun visual effects and then disappear for a while and everything culminates in the end.
The CGI in this film was incredible. If this film doesn't win for best visual effects the Oscar's truly are rigged. The only real complaint lying within the visual effects was, regrettably with Venom: Venom is known for his sharp teeth, large jaw, and tongue. Where this incarnation of Venom has the awesome teeth, he is not so much with a large jaw... That is until his head expands like a Stretch Armstrong and he gives out a raptor-esque squeal. The make up for Topher Grace while having his "mask" peeled back looks really good, but when it's just the "mask" Venom just ends up looking way too cartoony. And this is a live action comic book movie we're talking about.
And what Spider-man review would not be complete without an analysis of Kirsten Dunst? Dunst just plays an emotionless self-absorbed screen version of herself, she doesn't seem to truly care for this role other than it gets her a paycheck. And her lip-syncing is even more atrocious than Ashlee Simpson's.
The main tag line of the movie is "The battle within" with an emphasis on Spider-man and the black suit. This tag line also fits with Harry and his fateful decision at the end of the movie. But the standard set by the first two installments has been knocked down a notch.
Spider-man was the film to beat, but this summer it will face some stiff competition and probably be dethroned in the next few weeks with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean At Worlds End.
"The Dark Knight" starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Michael Cane as Alfred, Aaron Eckhart as District Attorney Harvey Dent/Two-face and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes opens everywhere July 18, 2008.
With the MLB General Managers winter meetings in Nashville, TN kicking off yesterday the White Sox have taken little time to declare they are looking to unload veteran third baseman Joe Crede, for the right price.
Crede, 29, a fan favorite, has been brought up through the Sox farm system and regular starter at the 'hot corner' since 2003. While winning a Silver Slugger award after the 2006 season, Crede's outstanding, hard-nosed defense has been his trademark while wearing a White Sox cap.
Crede's soon to be departure is due to up and coming third baseman Josh Fields' apparent readiness to play in the big leagues. Crede's long-expected exit from the south side of Chicago is also because his agent-- Scott Boras-- and the White Sox do not deal well with each other.
Other rumors circling around the Sox are a potential trade for Houston's Chris Burke for an unnamed reliever. The team is also still searching for a backup plan at second base, and could possibly be working on a deal with 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein
According to most reports coming out of the meetings fans should not be surprised to see Crede gone by the end of the week. If not by then by new years.
On opening day of the meetings the Sox traded minor league first baseman Chris Carter for the Arizona Diamondbacks Utility man Carlos Quentin
Please keep an eye out for updates as this week unfolds.
This past Thursday the Green Bay Packers lost to the Dallas Cowboys by the score of 37-27 giving the Cowboys a two game lead in the hunt for home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs this season. But what does the Cowboys' win really tell us? That they can beat a beat up Packers team.
The Packers didn't have two key defensive players in starting cornerback Charles Woodson who was out with a toe injury and pass rushing specialist Kabeer Gbaja-biamila who missed the game due to a bum ankle.
While the offense sputtered under Brett Favre's erratic passing, but flourished when 2nd string QB Aaron Rodgers came in to replace Favre after he was knocked out of the game with a dislodged left shoulder and bruised right elbow. By the time Favre left the game the Packers were down 27-10 when Rodgers took the offense 74 yards to bring the Packers within 10 points at half-time.
The Packers whittled the deficit to 3 points before the Cowboys offense ripped through the Packers thin secondary and regained a comfortable 10 point lead with 1:03 left in the game.
Now flip the situation: Had Woodson, Gbaja-biamila and Favre all been healthy could the Packers have possibly completed the comeback and won the game?
With Woodson the Packers tandem of shut-down corners (Woodson and Al Harris) probably would have been able to contain the big gains that the 'Boys receivers broke against an exhausted Harris and inexperienced Jarret Bush and Tramon Williams.
Without Woodson the defense was forced to start nickel corner Bush who was mismatched against the Cowboys tall receivers Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. Bush was replaced by return specialist and dime corner Williams in the second half once it became apparent that Bush could not keep up with his assignments.
Had Gbaja-biamila been available he and starting right defensive end Aaron Kampman would have made the offensive line a bit more loose due to having to worry about the pass rush coming from both sides.
Without Gbaja-biamila the Cowboys were able to focus solely on Kampman and double teaming him the entire night which struck the Packers defensive line basically useless.
Now the tricky question: Would Favre had gotten the Packers as close as Rodgers did to winning the game? Favre already had 2 interceptions and was only 5-14 on passing attempts for 56 yards.
We'll just have to wait and find out for the NFC Championship game.
With Torii Hunter now with the LA Angels and the White Sox, the supposed front-runners in the Hunter sweepstakes, are now scrambling to run in a new direction in their search for a new centerfielder. The new top option is former Sox fielder Aaron Rowand who was traded away for Jim Thome after the 2005 World Series.
If the Sox fail to pick up Rowand it will be their own fault. They were willing to offer Hunter, 32, a 5-year $70 million contract. Rowand will come cheaper and for the same amount of years, but at a younger and more reasonable age at 30 years old. Why were the Sox willing to offer Hunter, a player whose fielding prowess is arguably one of the best all-around in the game today, a contract that they are not willing do the same for Rowand but at a more reasonable price may never be known. At 30 Rowand is a career .286 hitter and averages 18 HRs and 66 RBI a season offensively, and has a career .989 fielding percentage out in Center. Hunter is more of a power hitter averaging 25 HRs a season along with 93 RBI. He has a career .991 fielding percentage in the horrid Metrodome in Minnesota where the ball is very hard to spot coming off the bat.
So why does Rowand deserve the same offer that the Sox were willing to offer Hunter? He doesn't. Rowand deserves --and is looking for --a 5-year deal in the range of $10-11 million a year. But the Sox front office is unwilling to give Rowand a five-year deal. Due to Owner Jerry Reinsdorf's phobia of committing to a player for more than four years. So why then did Hunter get such a special attention when he's two years older than Rowand and would have most likely started to decline in his performance around the third year of his contract? Hunter is a player that has power, but not enough to slide into DH position when his defensive aptitude has left him. Where Rowand is in the prime of his career hitting a career high in homeruns (27) and RBI (87) and hitting one point lower than his career high batting average of .310.
After winning the World Series in 2005 the White Sox shipped off Rowand to the Philadelphia Phillies for slugger Jim Thome to help bring power to the left side of the plate. Thome helped improve an offense that scored 738 runs en-route to a 98 win season in 2005 to scoring 868 runs in 2006 while winning 90 games and missing the playoffs. In Thome's two season with the Sox he has hit 77 HRs and driven in 205 runs while hitting .282.
But the Sox troubles in the outfield the last two seasons has not been because of Thome, but rather poor talent scouting and injuries. Brian Anderson, Rowand's heir-apparent, was supposed to be a better, younger, "grindier" version of Rowand, playing in 134 games in centerfield while achieving a .994 fielding percentage, but never was able to develop a bat to help the offense in 2006, and in 2007 was replaced by veteran free agent pick-up Darin Erstad. Anderson played in only 13 games and had 17 total at bats.
Now with free agency and the winter meetings around the corner the Sox find themselves somewhere they haven't been for almost a decade: a sub-.500 team with an two starter worthy shortstops, an unproven second baseman in Danny Richar, no left or centerfielder and a pitching staff (both starters and relievers) that has seen better days. Sox GM Kenny Williams has said that dealing away #2 pitcher Jon Garland was the start of a bigger picture he has for the upcoming 2008 season and trying to get the Sox back to the World Series.
What Williams is thinking during this offseason is lost on just about every expert out there. How they plan to win with a pitching rotation made of staff ace Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, Jose Contreras, and youngsters Jon Danks and Gavin Floyd, is still unclear. But the starting rotation is not even the greatest problem in the sinking ship. The Sox have no help in the bullpen outside of closer Bobby Jenks. They picked up reliever Scott Linebrink from San Diego. Linebrink is a career 3.21 ERA pitcher.
As far as the infield goes the Sox are in a situation that could be a good thing or a bad thing. They have an overstocked left side. They have two third basemen with the incumbent starter Joe Crede coming off of back surgery and a shortened season. And the prospect Josh Fields who came replaced Crede in June and batted .244 and hit 23 HRs and hit 67 RBI just 100 but also struck out an appalling 125 times in just 373 at bats. While Fields average should improve with more playing time his fielding can be a bit erratic, and at the age of 24 he should have plenty of time to improve. But as of right now Crede should be the starter unless a deal offer comes forward that Williams just cannot say 'no' to. In 2006 Crede hit career highs in HRs (30) and drove in 94 runs while only striking out 58 times in 544 plate appearances. The Sox were planning on having Josh Fields play left field until they could dump Joe Crede in a trade, but with that experiment having failed at the end of last season the Sox are left with two options
Send Fields back to AAA Charlotte to work on his swing
Trade Crede away before the season starts
Now at Shortstop the Sox have two players who can field the ball extremely well but each has their problems. Orlando Cabrera (acquired in the Jon Garland trade with the Angels) is a solid #2 hitter and still has some speed in his legs at 33 years old. But his age is the problem. The Sox don't know if Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is on the decline of his career or still in his stride. On the other hand at Short you have Juan Uribe (ooh-REE-bay) the Sox starting Shortstop since 2005 has a career .975 fielding percentage at short, only .003 points less than Cabrera. But Uribe's laziness on some plays and being overweight may have gotten him a one-way ticket out of town by the beginning of the season, despite being signed to a new one-year $4.5 million contract.
Back to finish where we started: The outfield. The Sox find themselves very thin in the outfield. There's no one to patrol left field with the release of Scott Podsednik, in center they have a weak armed speedster by the name of Jerry Owens, and in right they have an aging Jermaine Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP, could become the teams DH as soon as the beginning of the 2009 season once Jim Thome's contract expires and if the Sox choose to not resign him.
So with all these problems what can they do to fix this? First off they need to do everything it takes to get Rowand back in a Sox uniform. If that means overpaying him by giving him an extra $2 million a year, so be it. Secondly, if possible, get rid of Contreras. The guy is dead weight. And finally the Sox will need to build for the future as well. If that means trading away leaders like Paul Konerko for minor league prospects and moving Crede, Thome or Fields to First Base while developing those prospects then do it.
Here are projections for the Sox opening day lineup and batting order and Pitching rotation Batting Order LF- Jerry Owens SS - Orlando Cabreara DH - Jim Thome 1B - Paul Konerko RF - Jermaine Dye CF - Aaron Rowand C - A.J. Pierzynski 3B - Joe Crede 2B - Juan Uribe
Pitching SP Mark Buehrle SP Javier Vazquez SP Jose Contreras SP John Danks SP Gavin Floyd
RP Ehren Wasserman RP Matt Thornton RP Boone Logan RP Mike MacDougal
SU Scott Linebrink
CL Bobby Jenks
Season Projection 85 - 77 2nd place in the AL Central missing the playoffs.
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the wall covered with index files. They were like the ones in the libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemed to go endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was the one that read "People I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names on each one. And then without being told, I knew where I was. This lifeless room with it's small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory could not match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought me joy and sweet memories, others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." There was also "Books I have read." "Lies I have told." "Comfort I have given," and "Jokes I have laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in the exactness like: "Things I have yelled at my brother." Others I couldn't laugh at, "Things I have done I my anger." "Things I have muttered under my breath at my parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I had hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 16 years of life to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed the truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I have listened to," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shout it, shamed not only by the quality of the music, but more by the amount of time I knew the file represented. When I came to the file marked "Lustful thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test it's size and drew out a card. I shuddered at it's detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One Thought remained in my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. It's size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I couldn't dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it was strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to it's slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I have shared the Gospel with." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer and almost unused. I pulled on it's handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out in shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of the file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know about this room. I must lock it up and hide the key! But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No!... Please, not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bare to watch His response. And the moments I could bring myself to look at his face, I saw sorrow much deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did he have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things, but He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Starting at one end of the room He took out a file and one by one started to sign His name overmine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card away from Him. His name couldn't be on these cards, but there it was, written in red, so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed, I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder, and said, "It is finished." I stood up and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on it's door. There were still cards to be written.
Warner Brothers is embracing the internet fan base for it's rebooted Batman franchise's sequel The Dark Knight wherein Batman (Christian Bale) comes face to face with his nemesis the Joker (played by Heath Ledger.) With a well planned viral campaign that started with a teaser shot of the new films logo. Later the logo became a link that will take you to www.IBelieveinHarveyDent.com with the ad campaign for Gotham's hopeful next District Attorney; Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart) After a few days the a new site was created www.IBelieveinHarveyDentToo.com with a picture of Dent vandalized with clown paint over his face. The website has since "crashed" and now states that the page can no longer be found. But, if you highlight the words while scrolling over the words on the page you will see a hidden message of a series of "HahAhAHAhahA" with letters hidden within them spelling out "See You in December." Ibelieveinharveydenttoo later became a link to another viral site "WhySoSerious.com" which in October began a countdown with a pumpkin that was rotting on one side (an homage to the Batman comic series "The Long Halloween" ) revealed a new challenge, or type of scavenger hunt for fans. The hunt revealed a message from the Joker saying "The Only Sensible Way to Live in This World is Without Rules," after the message was revealed a new picture of the Joker became available.
The picture also became a link to "rorysdeathkiss.com" and for those who have been following the filming of The Dark Knight "Rory's Death Kiss" has been the hidden shooting title of the movie to avoid fans from sneaking onto the sets and taking pictures. Since it's link date in early November deathkiss has been a hub for pictures of fans responding to the Joker's challenge of taking pictures in their local areas most historic/popular spot. The campaign ended on Nov. 16th, and all the fans who participated were given a note on the site saying "What a crime scene! The clock's struck 12 and I'm sending something for each and every every one of you clowns who made my list by the deadline. The fun-filled times should roll in shortly after the bird's been carved! Don't you just love the taste of envelope glue?" and special copies of "The Gotham Times" and were given links to a few websites:
TheGothamTimes.com
TheHaHaHaTimes.com
RememberingGina.org
GothamNationalBank.com
WeAretheAnswer.org
GothamPolice.com
GothamCityRail.com
WhySoSerious.com/PersonalityProfile
And now within the last 24 of this article there has been a new site has become available- WhySoSerious.com/Mausoleum. This link is to a safe that is locked and has a note from the Joker indicating that the dirty cops of Gotham have stolen evidence that belongs to him.
This viral campaign for The Dark Knight is a not necessarily a new form of marketing, but the planning that has gone into this campaign by Warner Brothers has set a new standard for building up suspense. To the degree that we still do not know what "the Joker" means by "See you in December" in the first twist in the campaign.
It is believed to be referring to the IMAX 7 minute feature that will be appearing in front of "I Am Legend" But we shall soon find out.
Sylvester Stallone is at it again; like his 2006 "Rocky Balboa" the final chapter in the series, which Stallone directed along with three other "Rocky" pictures (II, III, and IV.) Falling to mixed reviews "Rocky Balboa" was considered a box office bust. But to loyal fans, it was a better send off for the underdog compared to "Rocky V."
The mystery J.J. Abrams production is expected to bring new life into the monster movie genre.
