Movies Corner

Classic Movies For People Of All Ages

admin — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

In the days of dime matinees and nickel popcorn moviegoers were treated to “serials,” short action films that ended with a “cliffhanger,” a tease to the next week’s episode. Serials disappeared somewhere in the 50s, due in part to the emergence of television, but in 1981 George Lucas and Steven Spielberg brought back the thrills and fast-paced storyline of the serial with Raiders of the Lost Ark.

It is a classic good versus evil tale with all the elements of the old serial; a hero, a damsel in distress, villains and plenty of desperate situations. The opening scenes immediately set the stage for a wild ride that slows only to catch its breath and bolt into another tension-filled sequence. Harrison Ford is perfectly cast as archeologist Indiana Jones, who races to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of the ultimate bad guys, the Nazis.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is truly a family film, one that can be enjoyed by everyone. For those lucky enough to have experienced the heyday of serials it updates the form beautifully. For younger viewers it offers a glimpse of past movie history, a time when the good guys always won.

Ten Movies Every Person Should Watch

admin — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Movies are a part of our lives. Some stay with you. Others have you screaming that you want those 2 hours of your life back as soon as you leave the theater. There are some movies that are in a class by themselves. Movies every person should watch at some point.

1. Schindler’s List (1993) – Sure, this is one Steven Spielberg film that is hard to watch, but it presents a serious issue in a way that makes it real.

2. Chinatown (1974) – Robert Towne’s screenplay is nearly flawless and Jack Nicholson is at his best.

3. Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990) If you are going to truly appreciate this series based on the novels by Mario Puzo you need to watch all three. Even the much-maligned third film has its good points.

4. E.T. (1982) – Spielberg at his best. Simply one of the best family films ever made.

5. North By Northwest (1959) – The best of the Alfred Hitchcock movies.

6. Star Wars (1977) – The original is still the best of this George Lucas franchise.

7. Pulp Fiction (1994) – Vintage Quentin Tarantino.

8. Taxi Driver (1976) – Forget his Leonardo DiCaprio collaborations, this is a must-see Scorsese film.

9. Raging Bull (1980) – Another Scorsese masterpiece. De Niro in his prime.

10. Apocalypse Now (1979) – Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam opus. Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall. Enough said.

One of my favorite websites to discuss movies,www.moviediscussions.net allows you to create your own movie lists and spark your own online debates.

Top Five Movies Of All Time

admin — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Avid film fans, sit up and take note. Here are the top five movies that are must-watches for everyone, no matter what your personal taste. 1. Inception (2010)This modern-day hit is sure to end up a classic. Questioning the fundamental workings of the human mind, this film is absolutely mind-blowing in every sense of the word. It’s not all thinking, though: there are plenty of thrilling action scenes. 2. Rear Window (1954)The lovely Grace Kelly steals every scene she appears in, but the intense plot will have you on the edge of your seat. This murder mystery has been a favorite for decades on end.3. Sunset Boulevard (1950)This creepy film showcases the darker, more sinister side of Hollywood. Follow Gloria, an outdated film star, as she seeks to redeem herself from her hermit lifestyle. 4. Amelie (2001)This film is full of stylistic eye candy. Amelie’s chic red dresses and lipstick have served major fashion designers, magazines, and women everywhere as inspiration,http://www.fashionrat.com/fashion-in-film-amlie/5. The Sound of Music (1965)Sing along as Julie Andrews bounds through the mountains of Austria, closely followed by the seven adorable von Trapp children. Both lighthearted and weighty, this film is inspiring to everyone.

Film from Fiction

moviecorner.net — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re like a lot of movie buffs you appreciate the fact that a great screen adaptation often has a direct correlation to an equally greatly written novel.And so it is with one of Hollywood’s recent adaptations from a novel: Gone Baby Gone by author Dennis Lehane (which was ultimately nominated for an Academy Award).If you’ve seen the film and recognized a familiar theme of Boston-area cops and neighborhood tough guys similar to that which was themed in Mystic River, then you’re a pretty sharp observer since Lehane wrote both original works in novel form.Also to Lehane’s credit is Shutter Island which was adapted to film by Martin Scorsese and starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley.Our take on Lehane is that he might just be a powerhouse to watch in years to come since there seems to be a lot of interest in his writing from Hollywood and what has been used to-date has been warmly received for its study on human nature and implicit tone “almost as if Springsteen is playing in the background” as one Lehane interviewer commented.For those of you who loved Mystic River and want more, Lehane commented in an interview that he “can certainly see setting another novel in the neighborhood,” so stay tuned.And for those of you who haven’t been fortunate enough to be exposed to any of Lehane’s film adaptations you might want to check with your Direct tv listing to see when Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, or Shutter Island will next be aired.And don’t forget to read the books, too!

Ten Trivia Questions

moviecorner.net — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re like most people you like to be one up when it comes to knowledge and those ever-popular break room conversations. With that focus in mind we provide the following trivia questions for you to use however you wish (personal knowledge or a power play); the only caveat is to have fun with them!

Who was the first female to direct a movie that brought in more than 100 million?
What movie was hyped as being able to “blow audiences right out of the theater?”
What two-word term does The Cynic’s Dictionary define as “a movie seen about 50 times by about that many people”?
How many hubcaps does Steve McQueen’s car lose in the famed chase scene from Bullitt?
What director cast himself as the voice of God in 1956′s The Ten Commandments?
What Oscar-winning actress made her final appearance in the movie Nobody’s Fool?
For which film was Judi Dench nominated for her first Oscar?
What was the nationality of Sophie in the Oscar-winning Sophie’s Choice?
Which anniversary did the Oscars celebrate in 1998?
Who did Loretta Lynn choose to play her in Coal Miner’s Daughter?

Answers:

Penny Marshall
Twister
Cult Film
Six
Cecil B. DeMille
Jessica Tandy
Mrs. Brown
Polish
70^th
Sissy Spacek

Upcoming comic book flicks

moviecorner.net — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:11:08 +0000

Over the last few years, we’ve seen such blockbusters as X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Iron Man 1 &2, and The Incredible Hulk. So what’s next to go from comic book to big screen? Furthermore, who’s lined up for the big roles? Here are just a few upcoming releases.Captain America: The First AvengerRelease year: 2011Steve Rogers was once an average soldier; however, when he participates in a military experimentation, he becomes Captain America. Chris Evans (Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four) will play the role of Captain America. Other key players include Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury,and Hugo Weaving as The Red Skull.Green LanternRelease year: 2011Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan in this 2011 summer flick. Alongside Reynolds, Blake Lively will play Carol Ferris and Mark Strong will star as Sinestro. Reynold’s character is the first human admitted into the Green Lantern Corps. Throughout the film, Hal Jordan (now the Green Lantern) will struggle with the powers of the green ring.The AvengersRelease year: 2012Joss Whedon, who directed “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly” in the past, is both directing and writing The Avengers. No storyline has been released yet; however, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johnasson, and Samuel L. Jackson are just a few of the stars who are onboard.DeadpoolRelease year: 2012Not much has been revealed about the Deadpool film. Ryan Reynolds has signed on to play Deadpool, but he is the only guaranteed actor thus far.

Judging a Trailer

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:29:09 +0000

One of the most important marketing aspects of releasing a film is the trailer. Yes a few movie buffs will read previews, plot summaries and actor profiles before seeing a film, but, the only thing the majority of movie-goers know about a film is from the trailer. Some lucky films carry the prestige of a name that will draw big numbers on its own such as best-selling trilogies or sequels. However, most films rely on making a memorable trailer that will excite an audience and move them to action. In an effort to understand how these complicated and important previews are received, we’ve broken down trailers into a few categories.

The Giveaway: These trailers are too overzealous, trying to show you a complete picture of the movie. A trailer isn’t meant to be a three minute synopsis of the movie, if you could get it all that fast why would you sit for two hours to watch it drawn out? Rather, it is supposed to give you an idea of what the film is about but leave plenty to the imagination so you’ll actually go see how it turns out. A recent example is the trailer for Charlie St. Cloud. After watching that trailer you can already tell the main character’s brother dies in a car crash but the two can still hang out and play baseball somehow. Then he meets a girl who distracts his attention from his brother, angering the boy’s ghost, and eventually he gets a chance to save the girl he loves, which will serve as redemption for driving the car that killed his brother. Basically we know the whole movie and the only reason to watch it is for the hour or so of filler plot.
Highlight Reel: As far as marketing goes this can be very successful because you wrap all the best or funniest lines or scenes into a few minutes, which will lead the viewer to think this is going to be an impressive film. While this may draw initially large crowds, ultimately the movie will be poorly received when audiences realize all the good parts were in the trailer and the rest is forgettable mediocrity. When word gets around that the movie wasn’t what it was cracked up to be, total viewers and grossing will be subpar. The recent comedy, Get Him to the Greek, took on this form of trailer, with a slew of funny lines filling the trailer that turned out to be the majority of the movie’s funniest parts.
The Drama Queen: This is one of the more successful trailers, if it is appropriately matched with a drama or thriller. However this type of trailer fails when the movie is a sappy romance or teen drama that tries to create something significant out of what is a more trivial plot. In essence, don’t be something you are not. Though it has yet to be released, the trailer for the upcoming film The Adjustment Bureau has the potential to be a successful drama queen trailer. With powerful music and blacked out screens with memorable phrases, the audience is still left wondering what exactly is going on in this film but with an understanding that the topic addressed is of epic proportions.

Have a Quiet Night with a Classic Summer Film

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:24:15 +0000

With kids out of school and adults looking for a break to enjoy the warm weather, Hollywood is always looking to break out a blockbuster during this time of year. Many of the highest grossing movies of all time were released during the summer. If you’re thinking of having a movie night with friends or someone special, consider revisiting a favorite of summers past.One of the best action adventure movies of the decade, Gladiator was technically a spring movie with its May release, but close enough. Though a great film, it’s by no means light hearted, with intense and graphic violence scenes, but stellar performances by Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix have made this movie one to watch again and again. Directed by Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park is another world famous film that still holds a place in the top 20 highest grossing films of all time. Though everyone in the room has probably seen it, it’s one of those “just as good” every time you see it.On the opposite end of the spectrum a cheerful romance musical such as Mamma Mia may be what you’re looking for. Between the ABBA songs and the Greek isle setting you’ll be ready for a seaside vacation and reminiscing about past summer loves. Perhaps one of the best-known movies of all time, Grease never fails to lift your spirits. The young teen drama, classic soundtrack and an iconic 50s setting makes it the perfect summer flick.Another classic summer film, Forrest Gump, is a worldwide favorite. This movie takes you through the unforgettable decade of the ’60s, noting every major historical event through the eyes of one very peculiar man. Life lessons, laughs, and tears abound in this 1994 drama, and chances are no one in the room will object to watching it.

Eclipse: Less than Epic Reception

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:16:42 +0000

The recent release of the third movie in the Twilight series has received mixed reviews. Many claim that subpar acting and an inane, lukewarm plot continue to drag this series through the mud. However, others feel that that director David Slade has finally hit the nail on the head in this film.One of the saving graces of Eclipse was the exceptional graphics. Human-werewolf transformations along with werewolf-vampire battles were uniquely portrayed throughout the film. And if nothing else, this movie was certainly easy on the eyes. Though rumbles of complaint can be heard about Jacob’s (Taylor Lautner) constant lack of a shirt, the reaction in the theaters told a different story. And the mysterious and noble Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) keeps fans coming back for more.Perhaps one of the flaws in this film is Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Bella. Though she is a serious and awkward girl in the novels, Stewart takes on a whole different persona of someone who seemingly sucks the life and fun out of every scene. Whether it is the director’s choice or the artistic interpretation of Stewart remains to be seen, but Eclipse once again produces a much darker Bella than we saw throughout Stephenie Myer’s novels. In fact, her character is so unpleasant and ominous that you are left frustrated and wondering why two beautiful and supernatural creatures will risk everything to save her.But at the end of the day it comes down to the numbers. Depite what any critics may have to say, Eclipse held its own. The film broke the record for biggest midnight opening in the US and Canada, bringing in around 30 million and breaking the record set by its predecessor, New Moon. It also set a new record for the biggest Wednesday opening in the US and Canada.

Another Hit for Matt Damon?

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:05:59 +0000

In recent years Matt Damon has become one of Hollywood’s most consistently impressive leading men. The legendary Bourne trilogy as well as Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen have all secured Damon’s status as a superstar. Recent hits for Damon include The Departed, The Informant and Invictus. Now it looks like Damon may be poised for another box office smasher. The sci-fi, romance, The Adjustment Bureau is set to release September 17. This film follows the story of a politician and a ballerina who meet by chance and fall in love only to find out they were never meant to see one another and their relationship is going against their fate. The supposed Adjustment Bureau is in charge of monitoring every action and event in the world and ensuring that each individual’s life is followed according to a predetermined plan. In this epic battle between destiny and free will, David Norris (Damon) and Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) must determine how far they are willing to test fate in order to stay together. An impressive trailer reveals a film that appears to create a unique balance of romance, philosophy and science fiction in what could be a major hit for the year. George Nolfi is the writer and director of this film and is responsible for writing a number of other screenplays in which Damon has starred such as Ocean’s Twelve and The Bourne Ultimatum.Matt Damon is currently working on a several of other projects with upcoming releases in the next year. Directed by Clint Eastwood, Hereafter will also be released this fall. This thriller tells the story of three extremely different people, each of whom was profoundly affected by death. Damon is also starring in True Grit, Margaret and Contagion, which are in various stages of production.