Episode 86: John Carter

Hello there and welcome to the 86th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly content. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at a few movies that has been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or still in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* The Vow
* Kill List
* Underworld Awakening
* The Woman in Black
* John Carter
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 3.16.12 and 3.23.12

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!

Episode 85: Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance

Hello there and welcome to the 85th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

We are finally back with recharged batteries and are ready once again to bring our loyal listeners some brand new bi-weekly content. Thanks for your patience and it feels so good to be back!!

This week we take a look at a few movies that has been recently released and also of a few that are currently on dvd or still in theaters. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* The Secret World of Arriety
* Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
* 2012 Oscar's Talk
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 3.02.12 and 3.09.12

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've once again started producing the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're also on Itunes so head over there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast and don't forget to post a review! Thanks!!

Episode 59: How to Train Your Dragon and Hot Tub Time Machine

Hello there and welcome to the 59th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

This week we have a treat: it's our 59th episode, which means we've been bringing you "bi-weekly" content for more than a year now. This week we take a look at 4 movies that have been recently released or are on dvd. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Hot Tub Time Machine
* How to Train Your Dragon
* Repo Men
* White Ribbon
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 4.02.10 and 4.09.10

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've reached this milestone for the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're now on Itunes so head there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast. Thanks!

Episode 58: Alice in Wonderland and Green Zone and Cop Out

Hello there and welcome to the 58th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

This week we have a treat: it's our 58th episode, which means we've been bringing you "bi-weekly" content for more than a year now. This week we take a look at 3 movies that have been recently released or are on dvd. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Alice in Wonderland
* Green Zone
* Cop Out
* Oscar thoughts
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 3.19.10 and 3.26.10

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've reached this milestone for the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're now on Itunes so head there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast. Thanks!

Episode 57: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and Shutter Island

Hello there and welcome to the 57th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast, the bi-weekly, twice monthly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Join us each week as we review new movies releases, look at some dvd's, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. We are back and the podcasting world is alight once again.

This week we have a treat: it's our 57th episode, which means we've been bringing you "bi-weekly" content for more than a year now. This week we take a look at 3 movies that have been recently released or are on dvd. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
* Shutter Island
* A Serious Man
* Top 5 List: Most Anticipated Movies of 2010
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 3.05.10 and 3.12.10

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

Thanks as always to all our loyal listeners for sharing the ride with us as we've reached this milestone for the show. It's all due to your support that we have kept things going and we hope you continue to share the ride with us in the coming months.

We're now on Itunes so head there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast. Thanks!

Duplicity movie review

This 2009 romantic jet-set spy thriller stars Clive Owen and Julia Roberts and is written and directed by Tony Gilroy, screenwriter of the Jason Bourne series and writer/director of Michael Clayton. Here Roberts and Owen team up as two corporate spies who seek to gain a foothold as two corporate toiletries giants try to outdue one another. When one of the companies creates an innovation that will reap huge benefits, the two spies manipulate the companies trying to steal the innovation for their own gains. Can a man and a woman who only know how to lie, ever live happily ever after?

This film is essentially a more cerebral Mr. and Mrs. Smith but so much more, like a mix of Howard Hawks screwball-comedy espionage film, a blending of the Ocean’s Eleven caper whimsy with the spy conflicts of Mr. and Mrs. Smith with a dash of His Girl Friday. It’s always bad when seeing a film and reviewing a film to have to compare it to other films. At times that could mean it’s because it’s a copy of the other films, a slight variation on the subject matter. All this is true of Duplicity, but somehow it totally works. This is a fantastic film. The word Duplicity means: the quality of state of being double or twofold. Basically it’s when you use words to hide your true intentions, to trick the listener or in this film’s case, the viewer. So, does this film live up to its name?

For some reason every time I watch these types of films I’m always reminded of the line from Verbal in Usual Suspects: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” This film is all about deception and if you aren’t with it at the beginning of this film you’re going to hate it. It’s a series of word plays, with every character setting about with their own motives, with every character having two faces. This metaphor is conveyed even further by having its narrated told in fractured flashbacks. Meaning we start the film when the two main characters meet for the first time in Dubai 2003 when they have a passionate night and then Julie Roberts runs off with some stolen documents after drugging Owen’s putting him into a deep sleep. Then we fast forward to the present day when the two characters meet seemingly by chance in NY again, however this time Roberts claims not to remember who Owen’s is. So the story moves on as we find out that two corporate heads Howard Tully (played by Tom Wilkinson) and Dick Garsik (played by Paul Giamatii) are trying to outdo one another except Tully has invented something so Earth shattering that it will change the field of toiletries forever. So while Roberts character Claire works for Tully’s company, Owen’s character Ray works for Garsik’s company. So you start to wonder, “what game are they playing?” And then the story flashback’s to 2005 in Rome, and we start to begin to see the real story. And basically that’s how this movie is told. The movie only drops hints on what’s truly going on through flashbacks, as if the filmmaker is holding the reigns, only letting out a little information to wet our appetites until the next flashback of information. It’s kind of like the Lost formula. And basically if that turns you off, well, you might as well leave the theater because this will be a 128 minute stink fest. But if you’re into it, if you go along for the ride, man is it fun.

The dialogue is sexy and witty, and with every single word spoken you’re left to wonder: hmm is that true? Owen’s character for one, has this one speech that’s repeated 4 times throughout the film that I think is one of the greatest WTF speeches in film history. What I like so much about Duplicity is that while it’s a great espionage thriller, with twists and turns at every corner, it’s a love story told in a corporate world that’s just realistically absurd. I mean it’s like this epic battle between two companies that basically manufacture and sell toothbrushes, toilet paper, mints and dental floss, but its a billion dollar industry so these people have all this power. And all this is heightened with such tense dramatic moments, like when someone is trying to copy a piece of paper, but the copy machine is malfunctioning, and the music is tense and you wonder If they’re going to get caught, but then when you sit back and think about it you go, “it was just someone photocopying a paper. Why am I getting tense? Just fax it.” I just love how Tony Gilroy plays with just the absurdity of everyday life and how epic we make of such simple things.

I also love Gilroy’s brilliant look at our consumerist culture and how we prize such ridiculous things. For instance, at one point Owen’s character is working for a frozen pizza company, and as he talks about it he grows more and more excited. He’s like, “this is a billion dollar industry. I mean, the company has just come out with a way to put ham and pineapple on frozen pizza. It’s going to totally revolutionize the frozen pizza industry.” And Owen is just saying all these things with a straight face as his brilliant spy is getting more and more into the world of frozen pizza, you just can’t help but laugh along with Robert’s character who thinks this is all ludicrous.

Let’s talk a little about the actors. Owen’s and Roberts last paired together in 2004’s Closer which I really disliked, but none of that was their fault. In this film, wow, they smolder off the screen. They play this great Cat and Mouse game so well, trying to out seduce one another, that I really think that I haven’t seen such a hot pair on screen since Jolie and Pitt in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. However, while Owen’s and Roberts were good, the ones who stole the movie for me were Giamatti and Wilkinson as just these middle aged corporate loud mouths. I mean I’m not kidding when I say the opening 5 minute title sequence of this film is epic. It’s a slow-mo fight between Giamatti and Wilkinson who square off on a rain-soaked tarmac in front of their corporate jets as their members of their board look on in horror. Giamatti kicks Wilkinson in the shin. Wilkinson pushes Giamatti back and then it’s this terrible tug of war as two old middle age men bounce off one another, flailing their arms helplessly. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s the greatest fight scene I have ever seen. Seriously I couldn’t stop laughing.

Duplicity basically asks the question: if everyone is lying to you who can you trust? All this is wrapped around a jazzy-cool approach similar to Clooney’s Ocean Eleven films. It’s like bossa nova, laid back, chilled, hip and cool. I love this kind of stuff. I like my scripts smart and I like when my movies try to outsmart me, although the ending is slightly choreographed. Still, I really enjoyed this movie. It does have its pacing issues and I found the second to third act a bit slow, but none of this hampered the enjoyment I got from this film so I give it the rating: bring your lunch from home because you do not want to miss this one. It’s sexy, fun, and smart.

Monsters vs. Aliens movie review

This 2009 CGI animated 3D family film is from Dreamworks studio, and is the story of Susan (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) who on her wedding day gets struck by a falling meteor which causes her to grow 50-feet tall. She is quickly captured by the US military and taken where other monsters are held being held, a brilliant scientist who turned himself into a cockroach, an indestructible gelatinous blob called Bob, the missing link fishman, and a 350 foot giant insect who became big after being struck with radiation. They must join forces and protect California, as an alien mastermind tries to take it over. It’s Monsters vs. Aliens and we’re just the collateral damage. But yeah, no one dies here oddly enough.

Let’s talk first about the 3D in the film. Monster vs. Aliens is the first animated feature film produced in Real 3D rather than just converting the film print after into 3D, which added 15 million more to the overall cost of this film. And frankly, it was pretty much wasted. Some of the 3D scenes were good, like in the beginning someone is playing with a paddle ball and the ball bounces back and forth, seemingly striking viewers at random, and there are some nice space debris scenes in 3D, but overall, yeah not that impressive. The 3D never feels immersive like it did with Coraline 3D, or even Bolt 3D. The 3D here always feels like a gimmick and a not entirely good one. It really feels like the art of using 3D technology in films took a step back here.

I had very high expectations for this one. The trailers and tv spots made the film look fun and inventive, while still retaining the old charm of the old Godzilla and other monster movies. I’m a big fan of the cinema known as Kaiju (which means Strange Beast), films where giant monsters battle humanity or one another, popularized during the 50’s at late night drive-ins. Such examples of this are Mothra, Godzilla, Rodan, etc. However, this movie also harkens back to such great early creature films like The Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Fly, The Blob, Attack of the 50-ft Woman, Them!, etc. So after the melding of so many classic conventions and characters how did this movie hold up?

Well, it’s not as good as I was hoping it would be. Perhaps a CGI animated movie about monsters destroying things just can’t be done well, or maybe it’s just because Dreamworks generally makes crappy movies. My friend commented, maybe Pixar can do it, but this movie has really shaken me.

There are some nice homage’s if you’re a fan of the monster genre. The military comments that we need to Destroy All Monster which is reference to the great 1968 film of the same name, and if you know what to look for, there are posters layered throughout the film like little Easter eggs. And the animation overall is quite nice, San Francisco is breathtaking as is the giant alien robot the monsters fight on the Golden Gate Bridge. That fight scene is amazing. Personally I think the giant robot is the best aspect of the movie. It looks like one of those plastic Easter eggs that when you open them you find candy inside. The robot looks stunning and totally kicks ass.

However none of that hides the incredible pacing problems this film has. While this should feel like a light and fun action comedy, there were stretches where it was incredibly boring, where you have all these monsters and aliens standing around and nothing really happens. I mean one of the monsters is like a 100 stories tale and all he does is blow snot. It’s just sad use of creatures. And while the dialogue was witty, most of the movie fell to the same problem most Dreamworks animated films fall too, an over reliance on pop culture and stupid, “look at me I’m funny” kind of jokes. For example, The US President when first confronted by aliens busts out a keyboard and plays Herbie Hancock’s Rockit as he dances all around, finally ending the piece with a Vulcan peace sign. Ugh. Also, I know we live in the MTV generation, but I think it was an odd choice for this movie to have so many quick cuts. Generally that’s used for budget constraints and because most people have short attention spans, but this is animation, you can draw whatever the hell you want, so why bother with fast cuts to hide what you aren’t doing? I don’t get it. An overreliance on flash over substance is the Dreamworks norm though. However that’s not the worst part.

I mean you have a movie about a bunch of giant creatures destroying everything, so it should be fun right? But truthfully the action really isn’t that interesting. First off, it should have been Monster vs. Monsters because the aliens concept wasn’t utilized enough. You have this alien being with high-tech weaponry that can destroy things in an instant, and yet none of it is every used on a simple human girl. The whole alien aspect of the film took a back story to the monster aspects and I think that really hurt the film because it’s not just Monsters, but Monsters vs. Aliens. Also the action got a bit too chaotic at times, as all these bright colors flash by at incredible speeds, and robots explode everywhere, it’s hard to keep track of what you’re seeing.

Still, the one thing I always fault Dreamworks for, their dependence on named voice talent, really helped the film here. All the voice talent is great. I know you dislike her, but Resse Witherspoon as Susan was surprisingly good here and her voice worked for her character. Will Arnett as the Missing Link is just faux machismo personified. Hugh Laurie as Dr. Cockroach, PHD was a nice nod to this House tv show character. Seth Rogen was really fantastic here as Bob the indestructible goo. The same laid back persona he uses in his live action films, really works as he ratchets things up 10 notches and plays this really dumb yet loveable blue blob. Steven Colbert was also nice as the President of the United States, although he’s not utilized enough. Rainn Wilson as the Alien Gallaxhar was only okay. I think after The Rocker, I can’t stand his voice anymore. Even Keifer Sutherland was in this one as the general W.R. Monger (get it?) who was in charge of the monsters. Overall I was really pleasantly surprised with the voice cast.

While a step back from last year’s Kun-Fu Panda, I don’t think this is as bad as the Shrek 3 and Madagascar 2 dreak that Dreamworks puts out. It’s mildly entertaining, and I think kids will get a kick out of all the action scenes. Things are very bright and flashy equipment constantly go boom. So I give this a “dvd/matinee” rating. The story had so much potential and could have been so much better, but as with most Dreamworks animated films, it’s a slightly wasted effort here.

Episode 25: Monsters vs. Aliens and Sin Nombre

Hello there and welcome to the 25th episode of the Cinema Cafe Podcast: the new weekly film podcast by the fans, for the fans. Each week we will review new movies releases, dvd reviews, talk some film news and share our general love for all things cinema. The main goal is to have some fun and hopefully provide the listener with some helpful insight. This week we have a treat: a look at 2 movies that have been recently released. With that said here's a look at what we discuss on this weeks podcast:

* Monsters vs. Aliens
* Sin Nombre
* A quick look at the 2009 romantic comedy Renee Zellwegger starring snooze-fest, New In Town and of 2002's sci-fi remake adaptation, The Time Machine.
* DVD Review of the 2009 Watchmen companion piece, Tales of the Black Freighter and of the 2007 Edith Piaf Oscar Winning French biopic, La Vie En Rose.
* A look at the films that inspired the Monsters from Monsters vs. Aliens.
* Upcoming movie releases for the weekend of 4.03.09

Also, film news and more, only on the Cinema Cafe Podcast. We hope you enjoy and happy movie watching.

We're now on Itunes so head there and subscribe to the Cinema Cafe Podcast. Thanks!

New Movie Releases for the Weekend of 3.27.09

1) Monster vs. Aliens

- this is the animated feature from Dreamworks after last year’s Kung Fu Panda (I’m forgetting that Madagascar 2 ever existed) so I have high hopes for this movie. Backed by a stellar voice cast, this one’s about a soon to be married woman named Susan who comes in contact with a fallen meteor and ends up growing 50-ft tall. When aliens invade Earth, it’s up to Susan and a motley crew of other monsters, including a genius human cockroach, an indestructible gelatinous blob, a really really big insect and a fish man. Shot entirely in 3D, let’s hope this is the epic battle its name suggests.

2) The Haunting of Connecticut

- another based on a true story Amittyville Horror wannabe, this one’s about a family who move into a new house and slowly find out that it’s haunted, and the ghosts aren’t nice like Casper. The trailer for this movie is a perfect example of why I dislike many modern trailers, since it shows and reveals everything you’re going to get from this movie. The plus side to that is that now I don’t have to see this movie since I’ve already seen the beginning middle and end from the trailer, but yeah, poor marketing. Seriously, enough of the Amityville Horror copycats.

3) 12 Rounds

- this is the new action epic starring the WWE wrestler Jon Cena. This one’s about a detective (played by Cena) whose girlfriend gets kidnapped and must complete 12 challenges in order to save her. Granted Cena’s last film The Marine should’ve gone straight to dvd, but this one looks like mindless fun, and is directed by the guy who brought us Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger. Will this be an action version of the Saw horror franchise? We shall see.

4) The Education of Charlie Banks

- this coming of age story set in the 70’s about a young college student named Charlie who must face problems from his past when an old friend shows up on campus and begins to ingratiate himself in Charlie’s life. This one’s directed by Fred Durst, yes that Fred Durst, and frankly sounds like every other coming of age movie, but reviews appear positive for it. Still as Fred Durst once stated, “it’s my way or the high way” so I’ll probably take the highway on this one.

I Love You, Man movie review

This 2009 buddy comedy stars Paul Rudd and Jason Segel (who were last seen together in Knocked Up and the highly underrated Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and is directed by John Hamburg, who is traditionally a tv show director, although he did direct one film, Along Came Polly- however he is best known as a screenwriter, co-writing many films with long time bud Ben Stiller with Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers and the ultimate in comedy Zoolander, so the guy known’s his comedy. Rudd stars as Peter Klaven a real-estate agent who is about to get married to his live-in girlfriend Zooey (played by Rashida Jones). However it turns out that Peter has always been more interested in cultivating his relationships rather than his friendships and doesn’t have any male friends to be his best man. Saddened and feeling a little bit awkward about this he sets on a series “man-dates” in order to find a new bff. Right when it looks like all hope is lost, in walks Sydney Fife (played by Jason Segel), and the two instantly click. Has Peter found the bff to shame all other male bff’s, or is three really too big of a crowd?

We saw this film at a screening about 2 weeks ago. The screening we attended was hell on life. A lot of people showed up, a lot of critics and there was a terrible mess of communication. But beyond the hell that was the screening, what did I think of the film?

I love this film. I mean it’s not the benchmark to end all comedies, but it’s funny and entertaining as hell. I mean it takes the romantic comedy genre and flips it on its head. Sure, it’s one long gay joke, but the joke is done well. I mean there are great one-liners, a lot of seat scrumming awkward moments. One of the central plots is that Paul Rudd’s character is trying to sell Lou Ferrigno’s house. And people keep calling him the Hulk, like “come on Hulk, what’re you going to do.” And he’s like, “hey I’m a person, not just the Hulk.” I just find that absolutely hilarious. It’s hard to choose my favorite moment since this film is really a series of one-liners, moving from scene to scene and some people may not like it for those reasons, but for me, I just found the whole movie a blast and the theater we were at seemed to love it as well since the laughter didn’t die down from start to finish.

This film will feel like you’re watching a Judd Apatow film, as was evident with last year’s Role Models, regardless if there is any involvement of Apatow with the film, you can create a film that feels like it’s part of his oeuvre. Perhaps that’s the new state of comedies, eventually they’ll all look like Apatow films, but at least for me, right now, I love them. So yeah, while Apatow has nothing to do with this film, it bears all his trademarks, boyish man-child’s, gross out comedy, the woes of relationships, the loneliness of its main characters, hot women loving wimpy guys. So yeah I Love You, Man falls into a lot of recent clichés, but it’s still damn enjoyable.

However the downside to this movie is that there are a lot of characters, but none of them get fleshed out, as they seemingly come in to say one-liners and then leave. And that leads me to one of the major problems I, and I’m sure many people who watched this film will have. The whole movie is essentially the relationship between Peter and Sydney, as they grow closer together and learn things about one another. However, Sydney’s character is never fleshed out. There is no backstory for who he is, at one point you think he may not be who he says he is and it’s all an act, but then that’s thrown to the waste side. He never invites Peter into his actual house and you think maybe it’s because he’s a loser, but they never explain the reasoning. It’s just like, yeah, they don’t explain anything about Segel. You can see some of his motives, but I mean is he a good guy, who is he, why is he, all that and more is unexplained. So while we see so much about who Peter is, the person who shares half the movie with him Sydney, we don’t learn anything about, and I found that really frustrating. I just don’t get it.

I love the running gag that whenever Paul Rudd’s character uses an accent he always sounds like a leprechaun, regardless if it’s a Spanish, Jamaican or whatever accent, it’s leprechaun. Loved it.

So in the end what rating do I give this film? Like I said before, the film does have its faults, but I think the overall flow of the comedy and the hilariousness of two grown men getting closer and closer to becoming BFF’s is something that will appeal to a lot of people and will make even the most jaded of BFF’s smile. It never feels contrived, never falling for the easy dramatic moments and I commend the filmmakers for that. So I give this film a, “bring your lunch from home because you do not want to miss this one” rating. Standout comedy with some truly standout moments.