Sunday, December 30, 2012

Movies Worth A Second Look: 'Polisse'

A harrowing look at the day-to-day work of the men and women who form the Child Protection Unit of the Parisian police, this acclaimed French film received limited release in the United States in May 2012, but is worth a look on DVD and Blu-ray. The performances are superb with the focus entirely on the police officers who have to deal with child abuse and neglect cases on a daily basis and the emotional toll the work takes on them and their families. The subject matter is unpleasant but certainly relevant in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky case. "Polisse" won the Jury Prize at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for 13 César Awards, the French equivalent of the Oscar. While some of the film tends to drag and many of the scenes show the mundane way the unit approaches its work and builds a case,  there is a shocking ending that you will not be prepared for.

Watch the trailer for "Polisse" here.



Guest Review: 'Les Misérables' Will Move You

By James Phyrillas

So, I decided that I couldn't wait, ahem - "one day more" - to see "Les Misérables," and I saw it today. Now, I have a heart of stone and a belief that humanity cannot be changed for the better (sound familiar?). That being said, I've never cried more in my entire life. 

This film takes everything that makes a film great and does the exact opposite. There's no flashy effects, no clever camera styles, and none of those cheap flashback moments. No, instead, this film is fueled only by human emotion. The people in the film live in true misery. Children are murdered, and their blood lines the streets of Paris. This film has a very clear understanding of death and how it feels to others. When a character goes through suffering, it is felt by everyone. 


Which reminds me, I must credit the actors for this, specifically Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. (Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Boham Carter also do a lot to liven things up.) And of course, there's the religious standpoint of it all: Jean Valjean puts all his faith in God, and everything turns around for him. Javert acts like all those other religious wackos who think they have the power to damn people, and look where that gets him. But when it is all over, the grand finale is perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I'm getting teary-eyed just typing this, I hope I don't short out the computer. This is a film for the ages, my personal greatest film of all time. All I can say is, I'm proud to serve my God.

Yeah, that's right. I'm tired of hiding my personal reviews of movies. I'm going to make Facebook a movie-reviewing site! VIVA LA REVOLUTION...yeah, I'm never gonna get over this movie.

NEW ON DVD: Bradley Cooper is all heart and soul in 'The Words'

NEW ON DVD: Bradley Cooper is all heart and soul in 'The Words'

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Movies Worth Another Look: 'Safe'



Director/Writer Boaz Yakin teams up with British action star Jason Statham for one of the best action films in years. Statham, who has sleepwalked through many of his recent roles, gives one of his best acting performances in this story about a former cop/mercenary/CIA-type who befriends a young Chinese girls who is in the middle of a gang war involving Russian and Chinese mobsters in New York City. The action is first rate and the story is gripping. This film inexplicably died at the box office in April, earning a paltry $17 million. It's worth watching on DVD.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Movies Worth A Second Look: '6 Bullets'

Controversy Often Makes Christian Made Movies Win at Box Office

Controversy Often Makes Christian Made Movies Win at Box Office, Says Producer

Mark Driscoll: 'Twilight' Is for Girls What Porn Is to Boys

Pastor Mark Driscoll says the "Twilight" movies series is not just harmless drivel for pre-teen girls.

From an article in The Christian Post:
"I have ranted on this garbage-tastic phenomenon before, and find the whole genre profoundly troubling. The popularity of supernatural soap operas has inspired some real-life demonic trends. Overreaction? Tell that to the kids biting, cutting, drinking blood – sometimes while having sex – and sinking deeper into the occult."

In his blog post, Driscoll listed several news stories about youth acting out vampire-like behavior.
 
"Teenagers obsessed with the Twilight vampire saga, or those simply fascinated with fangs, reportedly have been biting each other – hard – and then licking or sucking the blood," he quoted NBC News. "'These are kids who think they are real vampires,' said Dr. Orly Avitzur. [. . .] 'Having that thick, warm copper-tasting blood in my mouth is the best thing I can think of!' wrote a teenager identified as 'GothicGirl10' this year. 'Sometimes my boyfriend lets me feed off him. I let him feed off me as well.'"
Mark Driscoll: 'Twilight' Is for Girls What Porn Is to Boys

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Movies Worth A Second Look: 'Lockout'



Why this film failed at the box office is a mystery. It is one of the best action films I've ever seen, and I've seen them all. Guy Pearce is fantastic in the lead role of a mercenary sent on a suicide mission to save the president's daughter, who somehow gets herself trapped inside a maximum security prison floating above the earth. This film takes place in the future if you haven't guessed. The chemistry between Pearce and Maggie Grace (the daughter in "Taken") is fantastic. Lots of great action, some of the funniest lines you've ever heard in an action film and twist ending that nobody sees coming.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

'Taken 2' takes in $50M at Weekend Box Office

Rentrak Announces Worldwide Box Office Results For Weekend Of October 7, 2012

Theme From 'Skyfall' by Adele


Columnist: 'Won't Back Down' offers positive message

A great film too few people have seen. "Won't Back Down" has earned less than $5 million in two weeks at the box office.

Gil Spencer: 'Won't Back Down' offers positive message - delcotimes.com

Movies Worth A Second Look: 'Machine Gun Preacher'



This film received terrific reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, but could not get a major studio to release it. It died a quick death at the box office in very limited release in September 2011, but this is a powerful story and Gerard Butler ("300") gives a terrific performance based on a true-life story about a Pennsylvania pastor who wants to build an orphanage in war-torn Sudan. When local militias try to stop him, the preacher pulls out his machine gun and does battle with them. That's an oversimplification of a well-acted, well-written film that more people should see.

NEW ON DVD: 'Dark Shadows' has plenty of bite

NEW ON DVD: 'Dark Shadows' has plenty of bite

Sunday, September 16, 2012

'2016 Obama's America' Tops $30M at Box Office

Moviegoer upset with snack prices loses lawsuit

Moviegoer upset with snack prices loses lawsuit

'Resident Evil: Retribution' Tops 'Finding Nemo' at Weekend Box Office

The cartoonish, but definitely not-for-kids "Resident Evil: Retribution" in 3-D topped the weekend box office, edging out the cartoonish and definitely-for-kids re-release of "Finding Nemo" in 3-D.

The fifth installment in the "Resident Evil" series starring Milla Jovovich as indestructible zombie fighter Alice earned $21.1 million.

"Finding Nemo" earned $17.5 million, a bit of a disappointment for Disney/Pixar considering that Nemo had a built-in audience and was tailor-made for a 3-D conversion. But don't shed any tears for Disney/Pixar, which reportedly spent $5 million to convert "Nemo" into 3-D so the studio has already seen a profit.

Also of note: "2016: Obama's America" earned another $2 million at the box office, topping $30 million so far.

Unfortunately, the studio that released "2016: Obama's America" - Rocky Mountain Pictures - could not replicate its earlier success with the faith-based "Last Ounce of Courage," which earned just $1.7 million in more than 1,400 theaters.

'Resident Evil: Retribution' Tops The Box Office As 'The Master' Breaks Art-House Records - International Business Times

Sunday, September 9, 2012

One of Worst Weekends at Box Office in Two Decades

Hardly anybody went to the movies this weekend, but the documentary "2016 Obama's America" finished in the Top 10 again, earning $3.3 million to bring its cumulative box office total to $26.1 million.

That makes it the second highest-grossing political documentary of all time, behind only Michael Moore's idiotic "Fahrenheit 9/11," the anti-Bush screed that was pushed by the mainstream media for months.

"2016 Obama's America" has done remarkable business considering a near total publicity blackout by the pro-Obama media.With its $3.3 million take this weekend, "2016 Obama's America" passed  Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," and Michael Moore's "Sicko" on the all-time box office list of political documentaries..

For more on the dismal weekend at the box office:

Henry Cavill / Bradley Cooper Box Office Weekend: One of Worst in Two Decades

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Top DVD & Blu-ray Sales And Rentals For Week Ending September 2, 2012

Rentrak Announces Top DVD & Blu-ray Sales And Rentals For Week Ending September 2, 2012

'October Baby' Coming to Blu-Ray/DVD on Sept. 11

New Film 'Last Ounce of Courage' Inspires Americans to Rally Together Around Freedoms, Not Government

New Film Inspires Americans to Rally Together Around Freedoms, Not Government

'ARBITRAGE' Trailer

'Crooked Arrows' Coming to Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 23

Crooked Arrows, In Range & On Target Available on Blu-ray and DVD October 23rd

Humphrey Bogart Film Festival To Debut In 2013

The Humphrey Bogart Estate and Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Announce Creation of Humphrey Bogart Film Festival

James Bond Villains Headline New Exhibit at D.C.'s International Spy Museum

James Bond Villains Headline New Exhibit at D.C.'s International Spy Museum

Sunday, August 19, 2012

'This Is 40' - Official Trailer

Why 'The Expendables 2' Shouldn't Have Included Women

Why The Expendables 2 Shouldn't Have Included Women - CinemaBlend.com

Weekend Box Office: 'Expendables 2' Takes Number 1

The Sylvester Stallone action film easily won the weekend box office, but the sequel only took in $28 million, compared to $34 million from the first 'Expendables' flick in 2010. It just goes to show that not everything gets better with age.

One other notable note: "The Dark Knight Rises" crossed the $400 million mark in the domestic box office, becoming only the 15th film ever to reach such heights, but the Christopher Nolan finale of the Batman series will not come to close to earning what "The Dark Knight" did.

Weekend Box Office: 'Expendables 2' Takes Number 1 - CinemaBlend.com

Sunday, July 29, 2012

'Dark Knight Rises' wins sluggish weekend box office

"The Dark Knight Rises" took in another $64 million over the weekend to bring its domestic box office total to $248 million since its July 20 debut.

'Dark Knight Rises' wins sluggish weekend box office

Sunday, July 22, 2012

'Dark Knight Rises' reportedly earns $160 million

I went to see 'The Dark Knight Rises" this weekend. I can't remember the last time a film has disappointed me this much. It's by far the weakest of the Nolan trilogy. Awful plot. Most of the cast phoned in their performances. My recommendation? Wait for it on DVD/Blu-ray.



'Dark Knight Rises' reportedly earns $160 million

Monday, July 16, 2012

The Mercury's Community Media Lab Opens Friday

Pottstown, Pa., will be host of what could be a big part of the future of journalism: a Community Media Lab.

The Mercury will hold a grand opening Friday for the Community Media Lab, a first for Pennsylvania and one of the first-of-its-kind facilities in the entire nation.

The Community Media Lab is a state-of-the-art open newsroom project of Digital First Media, a pioneering communications company. 

The public is invited to attend the grand opening between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at The Mercury, which is located at the intersection of Hanover and King streets in Pottstown. 

From a Mercury article announcing the event:
The new lab is one of 10 “open door” community projects announced earlier this year by Digital First Media, which manages Journal Register Co., The Mercury’s parent company.

It will offer public access to newspaper archives, free Wi-Fi and use of computers in a coffeehouse atmosphere.

In the future, wall space in the lab will be available for student art displays, community group forums, political debates and workshops on blogging, writing resumés, job searches and producing videos, said Mercury editor Nancy March.

“The Community Media Lab is an extension of an initiative we started two years ago with our Town Square blogging network, and with this joint opening, it now involves downtown business,” she said.
The Mercury’s Community Media Lab opens on Friday

The Best and Worst Pixar Films

Here's one fan's opinion of the best films released by Pixar:

1) Finding Nemo
2) Toy Story
3) The Incredibles
4) Toy Story 2
5) Monsters, Inc.
6) Wall-E
7) Ratatouille
8) Up
9) Toy Story 3
10) Brave
11) A Bug's Life
12) Cars
13) Cars 2

Notice that the last three releases are in the lower tier in terms of quality. Pixar film quality has declined dramatically since its acquisition by Disney.

40,000 Visitors to FILM FANATIC

My site counter has recorded 59,000 page views from 40,000 unique visitors. Thanks for checking out the blog ... and come back again.

While Batman lurks, 'Ice Age' tops box office

While Batman lurks, 'Ice Age' tops box office

Star Wars 'Call Me Maybe'

'2016: Obama's America' Teaser Trailer

Sunday, July 8, 2012

'The Avengers' movie mistakes, goofs and bloopers

The Avengers movie mistakes, goofs and bloopers

Weekend Box Office: 'Spider-Man' earns $65M

"The Amazing Spider-Man" made an estimated $65 million over the weekend to claim the No. 1 spot at the box office. It's opening week gross is estimated at $140 million so far.

Weekend Box Office: Not-So-Amazing Spider-Man Swings To Top Spot - CinemaBlend.com

'Resident Evil Retribution' - Official Trailer

Ernest Borgnine: Unlikely superstar

Ernest Borgnine: Unlikely superstar – USATODAY.com

Ernest Borgnine, Star of 'McHale's Navy,' Dead at 95

Ernest Borgnine, Star of 'McHale's Navy,' Dead at 95

'Beasts of the Southern Wild' one of 2012's most acclaimed movies

'Beasts of the Southern Wild' one of 2012's most acclaimed movies

Monday, June 4, 2012

Elitist Film Critics Sneer at Religious Freedom Epic

Elitist Film Critics Sneer at Religious Freedom Epic: 'Catnip for Crusaders' | NewsBusters.org

Obama Looks For Help


Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of June 3, 2012

Rentrak Announces Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of June 3, 2012

Marvel Studios Begins Production 'Iron Man 3'

Marvel Studios Begins Production On Third Installment Of The Blockbuster Franchise "Iron Man"

The Amazing Spider-Man Official Mobile Game to Release Alongside Upcoming Film

The Amazing Spider-Man Official Mobile Game to Release Alongside Upcoming Film

'Snow White' puts bite on box office with $56.3M



'Snow White' puts bite on box office with $56.3M

LA Greek Film Festival 2012

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

'Avengers' crosses $500M milestone in domestic box office

'The Avengers" is knocked out of the No. 1 spot at the weekend box office by "Men In Black 3" but don't shed any tears for "The Avengers," which made another $47M to reach a domestic total to $523.6 million.

"The Avengers" is now the No. 4 movie on the all-time domestic revenue chart behind "The Dark Knight" at $533.3 million, "Titanic" at $658.5 million and "Avatar" at $760.5 million.


Smith, Jones’ ‘MiB3’ zaps ‘Avengers’ out of No. 1

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

'Passion of the Christ' Prequel 'Mary Mother of Christ' Snags Director

Passion of the Christ Prequel Mary Mother of Christ Snags Sanctum Director - CinemaBlend.com

'The Amazing Spider-Man' Trailer - 4 Minutes Clip

'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' Pushed Back To March 2013 For 3D Conversion

I'm guessing after the disappointing showing of "Battleship" this past weekend, the studio figures it has nothing to lose by holding back the next "G.I. Joe" film until next year.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Pushed Back To March 2013, Will Be Converted Into 3D - CinemaBlend.com

Columbia Pictures' 'Men In Black 3' Blasts Into IMAX Theatres Friday

Columbia Pictures' 'Men In Black 3' Blasts Into IMAX Theatres Friday

'The Hunger Games' coming to DVD/Blu-Ray on Aug. 18

THE MOTION PICTURE EVENT THAT SET THE WORLD ON FIRE POISED TO BECOME THE HOME ENTERTAINMENT EVENT OF THE YEAR

State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces June Highlights

State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces June Highlights

U.S. Postal Service Honors Hollywood Greats Capra, Ford, Huston and Wilder


Four extraordinary film directors — Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston and Billy Wilder — received a stamping ovation today with the issuance of the Great Film Directors First-Class Forever stamps

Four extraordinary film directors — Frank Capra, John Ford, John Huston and Billy Wilder — received a stamping ovation today with the issuance of the Great Film Directors First-Class Forever stamps.

U.S. Postal Service Honors Capra, Ford, Huston and Wilder

Sunday, May 13, 2012

'Avengers' smashes more box-office records

Another $100 million over the Mother's Day weekend brings the domestic total for "The Avengers" to $370 million. The film has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide.

Rentrak Announces Official Box Office Numbers For Weekend Of May 11, 2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

'The Avengers' sets box-office records


The official box-office numbers are in and "The Avengers" did better than studio estimates. The film took in $207.4 million in its opening weekend.

Ray Subers recaps the record-breaking opening of "The Avengers" at BoxOfficeMojo.com:
It was the fastest movie ever to reach $100 million, $150 million, and $200 million, and it set new records for Saturday ($69.7 million) and Sunday ($50.1 million) grosses. It also had the highest per-theater average ever for a nationwide release with $46,057.

Through its first three days, The Avengers has already grossed more than Thor ($181 million), Captain America: The First Avenger ($176.6 million) and The Incredible Hulk ($134.8 million). It's still behind Iron Man and Iron Man 2 ($318.4 million and $312.4 million, respectively), though it should pass those movies next weekend.

James Cameron plans more 'Avatar' movies

James Cameron plans more 'Avatar'

'The Hobbit' Trailer Breakdown

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

'Jack the Giant Killer' Trailer Official 2012

The Battle For The Golden Popcorn Begins!

The Battle For The Golden Popcorn Begins! It's Katniss vs. Comedians As The Hunger Games And Bridesmaids Dominate Nominations For The "2012 MTV Movie Awards"

Documentary Channel Pays Tribute To American Heroes With A Special Memorial Day Marathon

Documentary Channel Pays Tribute To American Heroes With A Special Memorial Day Marathon

DreamWorks Animation Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

DreamWorks Animation Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

Megan Fox The New Face Of Sharper Image


I'm not sure what Megan Fox is selling here, but I'm buying.

Sharper Image Announces Actress Megan Fox As The New Face Of The Iconic Brand

Super Hero Franchises Drive Revenue Across Screens

Super Hero Franchises Drive Revenue Across Screens

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Monday, April 23, 2012

'The Dark Knight Rises' Has More Than An Hour Of IMAX Footage

The Dark Knight Rises Has More Than An Hour Of IMAX Footage - CinemaBlend.com

'Think Like A Man' knocks 'Hunger Games' from Box Office perch

You knew it wasn't going to last forever. After four consecutive weeks at No. 1, "The Hunger Games" dropped to No. 3 in the weekend box office.

The new champ is "Think Like A Man," which earned an estimated $33 million.

Don't feel too bad about the former No. 1 film" "The Hunger Games" earned another $14.5 million, bringing its total domestic haul to $356 million.

Rentrak Announces Official Box Office Numbers For Weekend Of April 20, 2012