Movies

Movies

Fri
04
Mar

Disney's ZOOTOPIA Is Animation At It's Best: A Cleverly Disguised Allegory On Racism

ZOOTOPIA opens everywhere on March 4, 2016.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—animation is one of the least appreciated visual art forms in this country. In many other cultures, perhaps most notably in Japan, animation is considered in no different light than live acted cinema. In America, animation almost always falls into two categories: Japanese anime, and cartoons. Cartoons, sadly, are often dumped in the children’s bin: Sponge Bob, The Simpsons, if you’re lucky perhaps the classic Bugs Bunny episodes. Of course, there’s also the granddaddy of the medium –Disney. Currently, Disney is on an unstoppable roll. Since they own the Star Wars and Marvel cinematic licenses Disney practically can’t help but make money. They aren’t resting on their laurel, however; they’re still putting some highly entertaining original adventures in the tradition of SNOW WHITE and BAMBI. They will score another huge hit with ZOOTOPIA. Kids of all ages will enjoy it and their parents won’t be bored to death waiting for the credits to roll.

Tue
01
Mar

Idris Elba & Matthew McConaughey to star in film version of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower"

From Short List Magazine: 

The film adaptation of Stephen King's legendary Dark Tower series is finally about to begin: Idris Elba and Matthew McConaughey have been confirmed as the two leads.

The news came via a tweet from the man himself:

Thu
25
Feb

5 Reasons Why an R-Rated, Batman v Superman Blu-Ray, Will Be Awesome

When it was announced that a 'director's cut', R-rated version of BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE would be released on blu-ray, it sparked a firestorm of complaints. I'm here to give you 5 reasons why it's not nearly as awful as you think.

 

Fri
12
Feb

After Constant Teasing, Deadpool Finally Came

With all of the hype and marketing, there was some concern that DEADPOOL was trying to overcompensate for being a small member of the superhero genre. Now that the covers are off and we finally get a look at the goods, it's clear that DEADPOOL is bigger than expected.

While the movie has some kinks, it's not tied down by too many gags that don't work. A highly quotable movie, don't try to do it line-by-line because DEADPOOL can be a mouthful.

But before you take in all of DEADPOOL, it's important to prepare yourself.

Fri
12
Feb

Zoolander 2: Old and Lame

Zoolander 2 Ben Stiller Owen Wilson

 “Who am I?” While this question may be asked throughout the film, the answer seems clear that ZOOLANDER 2 is just another sequel hoping to follow in moderate success after the original film…and falls flat on the runway.  Ben Stiller directs this train wreck, and he also co-wrote the movie with Justin Theroux.  However, I wish someone could have salvaged this script to make it partially enjoyable.

Thu
11
Feb

5 Takeaways From the Final Batman v Superman Trailer

As the final official trailer has now been released, while it was mostly the same scenes shuffled around, we did get a few new shots to tease our senses.

So what did we make of it all?

1) Batfleck is a Badass
In case there were people unsure of Batman's badassery, it was on full display as this trailer features the bat. Is this a hint about how the movie opens up? Or will the movie be interrupted for a beatdown of thugs? Either way, the repor between Bruce and Alfred is enjoyable and anyone who had any doubts can now set them aside. He even blocks a punch from Superman. Without effort.

Sat
06
Feb

DEADPOOL May Be The Best Superhero Flick You'll See This Year!

DEADPOOL Parody Poster created by Deviant Art talent GOXIII.

I don’t care much for Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, Marvel Comics’ “Merc With The Mouth.” As a character, he’s a blatant derivative of DC’s Deathstroke, he talks too much, and writers have made him corny and sophomoric for years. When the character first debuted in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, played by heartthrob Ryan Reynolds, he was merely okay at best, given a couple of decent lines early on before showing up at the end of the movie (one that most comic book fans pan but I actually enjoyed) with his mouth missing and two long forearm spikes that made him look more like Baraka from the Mortal Kombat video games franchise than the lithe, gun-toting assassin. Reynolds waited patiently while DEADPOOL, a standalone feature, languished in developmental hell. During that wait he played Hal Jordan in DC’s GREEN LANTERN, which was so poorly crafted that most people would probably agree that X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE was far superior, even if they didn’t like it either.

Fri
05
Feb

Oh Henry! Cavill Posts a Pic to Instagram, the Internet Swoons

On the heels of Zack Snyder announcing that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is 99.9% completed, Henry Cavill has posted an image to his instagram account. Indicating that he's started his training for the upcoming Justice League movie and the image serves as motivation.

Henry Cavill IS Superman.

From his instagram account henrycavill:

Warm up phase for Superman training started today! Posting this pic to set myself a minimum goal...and force myself to actually keep going haha! @gritandteeth

MINIMUM goal? Way to make the rest of us feel inadequate, sir. Having no need for padded 'muscle' suits, Cavill is determined to be bigger than ever. Whether you like Snyder's interpretation of the character or not, Cavill is 100% committed to being the best on-screen portrayal of Superman we've ever seen.

Fri
05
Feb

HAIL, CAESAR! Is Too Much Dressing, Not Enough Croutons

HAIL CAESAR opens February 5, 2016.

When you think of Caesar, you think of three things: Rome, betrayal, and salad. The Coen Brothers, creators of such classic comedy films as RAISING ARIZONA, FARGO, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU? and more dramatic features such as NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and TRUE GRIT are back with HAIL, CAESAR!, a tale of McCarthy-era Hollywood. I typically enjoy movies that explore that era, but the Joel and Ethan Coen didn’t break any new ground here. HAIL, CAESAR! had the grandeur of Rome, it was as funny and exciting as your average Caesar salad, and it betrayed my high expectations.    

Tue
02
Feb

Critical Blast's Ballot for the Best of 2015

Critical Blast Best Of...

It's once again that time of year -- when we look back at the things we loved last year and try to determine which ones were the best of the best ("of the best, sir!"). The best movie, the best television show, the best books, the best comics -- and the people who brought them to us.

So, after a nomination process that makes the Iowa Caucus look like a standard up-or-down vote system, we've settled on the list of nominees below. But, we always recognize the fact that the readers may know better than we do, so each category has an "Other" option where you can put in what we missed.

Unfortunately, to avoid the potential for ballot stuffing (to the best of our abilities) the form below requires that you be logged into your Google account. If you don't have one (and why wouldn't you?) then you won't be able to participate.

So let the voting now commence...and good luck to all the candidates and write-ins.

Thu
28
Jan

Why Hasn't 'The Force' Awakened Disney's Stock Price?

Disney Force Stocks

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Zac Cherin

After buying Lucasfilm for $4 billion in 2012, The Walt Disney Company had to wait three years for its investment to begin paying tangible dividends. If, however, the initial box-office performance of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is a sign of things to come, then the wait was well worth it.

The seventh installment in the Star Wars film saga shattered the U.S. total box office record, passing the $760.5 million mark set by James Cameron’s blockbuster “Avatar” in 2009.

Wed
13
Jan

Latino Review Gives the Middle Finger to Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder has been adamant that he's not okay with people spoiling his movie. Latino Review is known for digging up spoilers and sometimes throwing theories at the wall to see what sticks. It makes for a toxic combination.

In it's latest attempt to spoil a movie, Latino Review is reporting they know who the 'other' villain in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be.

Mon
04
Jan

Does This Toy Spoil Batman V Superman?

Walking through Wal-Mart tonight I discovered a display case full of toys for the upcoming movie: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. I was excited to see that the back of the packaging showed that a Wonder Woman action figure is available, unfortunately there were none to be found. Mind you, the display case was almost entirely full of Batman and Superman figures. So either Wonder Woman didn't ship, or she's the only one that has been purchased and she sold out.

I digress...

During my search for a Wonder Woman action figure I discovered a "Gauntlet Assault" Batman. As he stood there all Batman-y, in his suit of gold with abs outlined in green, he wore giant green gauntlets on each hand. His fists were poised for pounding.

Sat
02
Jan

DEATHGASM: Proof You Can Be a Headbanger and Still Have a Sense of Humor

Deathgasm Blu-ray New Zealand

DEATHGASM on Blu-ray disc from Metal Heads / Dark Sky Films is a Heavy Metal gore fest horror/comedy that is as serious as its name implies. What I mean is that when you read the title of this movie, the first thing that comes to mind is not “This is going to be scary, and terrifying.” No, the first thing that is going to come to mind is probably what came to mine: ”I bet this is a hoot!” And, my friends, it is.

Filmed in New Zealand with mostly local actors, DEATHGASM tells the story of a would-be headbanger, Brodie (Milo Cawthorne), who is sent to live with his straight-laced uncle and his family after his mother get arrested. He is immediately disliked by his jock cousin and his friends at school because he’s a headbanger and listens to what they call "devil-worshiping, heavy metal music."

Tue
29
Dec

Honey, I Shrunk the Avenger: Ant-Man Debuts on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital

Ant-Man Marvel Cinematic Universe

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd, PARKS AND RECREATION) is just getting out of prison for burglary -- but of the social justice kind, so that makes it okay. The particulars of his case -- as well as his character and skills -- bring him to the attention of Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), who wants him to break into a vault to steal back technology Pym invented that is being prepped for military use and sold to the baddest bad guys in the Marvel Universe, Hydra.

Mon
28
Dec

Joy

Jennifer Lawrence Joy

Loosely based on the life of inventor and entrepreneur Joy Mangano, JOY is supposed to be "a story of a family across four generations, centered on the girl who becomes the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch in her own right." ;Joy brings David O. Russell, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, and Bradley Cooper back together again after SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.; I had seen SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK and enjoyed it thoroughly so I went into this movie with high hopes.; I had watched the trailer so I knew this was supposed to be an inspirational tale about a woman who achieves success.; Good holiday fodder.

Fri
25
Dec

Walton Goggins Shines In Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT

THE HATEFUL EIGHT opens 12//25/15 in 70mm, 12/31/15 everywhere.

It’s the season the season for forgiving and forgiveness, so let’s leave our politics and political correctness and 21st century tendency towards anger at the door for a minute and talk about Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, THE HATEFUL EIGHT. I know it’s going to be hard for some folks to be objective about this but let’s be honest; Tarantino’s comment about police earlier this summer probably didn’t cost him a lot of his core audience. Tarantino’s movies have always been a love/hate proposition. If you loved PULP FICTION and INGLORIOUS BASTERDS you’re probably going to see THE HATEFUL EIGHT regardless of what Tarantino or I have to say about anything. If you don’t generally care for his films, you’ll head on down to the next theater and watch that quirky little art film everyone’s been talking about, Star…something.

Tue
22
Dec

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Questions about [SPOILER]

If you haven't yet seen the movie, turn back now. There are spoilers in this post that will ruin it for you. Given the record breaking numbers at the box office during opening weekend, I'm comfortable writing this article as most diehards have seen the movie several times already.

For those of you who haven't, *waves hand* you will leave this page and drive to your nearest cinema.

Still here? Well then, you must have seen the movie. Because like I mentioned, there are SPOILERS below.

Sat
19
Dec

Star Wars: The Force Awakens an Homage for Original Fans (Spoiler Free)

Star Wars Force Awakens Dennis Russo Critical Blast

If you look back over history and think about great openings to great stories, what comes to mind? “It was a dark and stormy night?” “It was the best of times, It was the worst of times?” Perhaps even “Once upon a time?” Yes, truly all classics, openings to wonderful stories. But what about “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away?” I will venture to say without even flinching that this last opening means more to perhaps more people in the world today than even “Once upon a time!”

I myself have just returned from seeing the latest installment in the Star Wars saga--and having darn near sequestered myself from watching, reading, or even listening to anything pertaining to who was in it and what was it about, I will offer no spoilers here.

Fri
18
Dec

Sisters - A Hilarious New Film from Comedy Masterminds Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

There are several emerging trends in current films that I’ve noticed – and many are trends I’m not fond of, such as rebooting old concepts (Another Batman movie but still no Wonder Woman or Black Widow?) and making single books into multiple movies (don’t even get me started on my rant). However, one thing I’ve noticed in recent cinema that I absolutely love is the rise of lady-driven comedies crushing it at the box office. Between Bridesmaids, Trainwreck, and a whole slew of Melissa McCarthy movies (Spy, Tammy, The Heat, and Bridesmaids again), those “but women aren’t funny!” trolls are running out of steam.

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