Movie Review : RATATOUILLE

(9/10)

Well it's summer and you know what that means- Another wonderful Disney/Pixar movie. I guess they've swayed away from the Thanksgiving releases in recent years according to other hits they have coming out during the holidays. Anyway first and foremost I want to say I am reviewing this from an adult perspective, as it should be. It is no secret that with Disney films, most notably the newer age of Pixar, is not geared only at children. Having said that, this movie will probably not keep the attention of any child under ten. There is no cute swimming fishies or loveable cars, it's ...about ugly rats and the one who got away and takes over a high-class resteraunt in Paris. Remy, our rat hero, gets adandoned from his family though he always had dreams of getting away and experiencing the magic world of food. Chef Gusteau, the most famous chef in Paris has recently passed away and his death has caused the resteraunt, once known as the best place to eat in Paris, to lose two of the five stars it held in its name. So we are introduced to a three-star resteraunt with just decent food and the vibrant cooks that inhabit the kitchen walls. Linguini is the young man who stumbles into the place the same night Remy does. He is the son of a woman that used to be close to Gusteau therefore the mean, short and annoying head chef Skinner can't turn him away. But the only job he is offered is that of a trash boy. So one night Linguini knocks over the soup, throws it back together with ingredients that he has no idea would be good or not. Remy the Rat see's this and realizes how bad it smells and he fixes it, Linguini catches him but then gets caught by the soup, so Skinner...

---ok really I am going on and on basically the Rat is able to show Linguini how to cook really well, people love it and the resteraunt gets popular again until Skinner knows something fishy is up with Linguinis family history and his way of cooking. Lovely Disney adventure ensues. Some have complained that no superstars lending their voices to the movie is a downfall but I found it refreshing- Also Jeanene Garafolo plays Collette the eccentric love interest of Linguini who is a wonderful cook, but you can't even tell it's Garafalo- it's the strongest funniest thick French accent and I didn't know she could pull it off. Well done. Also overall the movie is just beautiful to look at on the big screen, all the colors and scenery and the yummy looking food that no one can deny. Again, I'll go back to this- it's not as big as the other efforts, it's a much smaller story and setting but I reallly enjoyed it and so will the little chef in you, it's a tasty treat that kids of an older age can appreciate and adults of any age will love. Anyone can cook guys.. and anyone can do anything they put their mind to :), a nice little message. Last but not least, the score was brilliant and one of the best I've heard in a Disney film in a long time, Also the song "Le Festin" by Camille really enhanced certain scenes.

---* On a side note, the short film before this called "Lifted" was cute but no where near as hysterical as "One Man Band" that was attached to CARS. And I'm already pumped for next years outing after a wonderful teaser trailer- its about a little robot nammed WALL-E!

RIP JOEL SIEGEL

Wow this is sad and unexpected especially since he had been working like normal two weeks before this. Makes you wonder how many people knew about this before hand. I may not have always agreed with him but he was a nice guy. Most of you prob know him from Good Morning America, he was a very popular film critic prob one of the most famous under Ebert.

She was never on drugs....

Here's the kicker ... our source says that Britney's own mother, her estranged husband Kevin Federline, and her former manager Larry Rudolph were instrumental in forcing Britney into treatment at Promises rehab in Malibu in February but that a drug test at the time of Britney's admission into the center, turned up negative and proved that her system was totally clean of any drugs.
Thanks X17 for info and JJ for the pic- you can see how dumbfounded Lynne looks.

I knew this all along.

In good news, Producer Sean Garrett says this about his new track he produced for B:
"I've got this one record I've been holding for 10 months that everyone has tried to buy, but I stayed with Britney on it. I guarantee it will shake up the world. It's uptempo, out of control ... it's wowzers, produced by me and Bloodshy. I can't give the title yet, but the record is done and definitely what people want to hear from her."

lets get ready to love this guy....

the good reviews are pouring in and im excited cuz RATATOUILLE opens tommorow!!

spice girls reunion

this is like flashing back 10 years into our childhoods. isnt this like a dream? kind of weird but kind of cool..but didnt they not last for a reason? i dont kno, im happy for them. should be interesting.....a tour and greatest hits album will follow.

britney out the other night

shes brown hair again, just kind of a mess, i dont know whats going on. . .lol

poster: the brave one

I showed the trailer for this about a month ago, look on here to find it if you want. Looks fantastic- and I like this poster, simple but effective. go jodie.

trailer: Margot at the wedding

Okay its about time Nicole Kidman has movies coming out that look good and successful, shes got the mainstream action fun of THE INVASION expected in late august and now for october the kind of smaller, indie, oscar-bait in 'margot' i think this movie looks great- see for urself, the acting looks spectacular and how bout that jack black, i never thought id accept him as a serious actor but I have. enjoy.

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arguably the best body in hollywood...at the moment.

Jessical Biel looking hot and summery in the new GQ.

1408

(8/10)



First I just want to say I hope this is the start of some good, classy horror movies coming back into play. It's been a few good years since the whole What lies beneath the ring with my sixth sense business. Anyway, John Cusack stars as the same character he always plays. Layed back, cocky and cool. This time he plays a writer, Mike Enslin, who publishes books on the occult, though he himself may know that its just a gimmick he uses to make some money off of his very small fan base. One day he mysteriously gets a postcard from The Dolphin Hotel in New York City that reads "Don't Go in 1408" he assumes its just a ploy to get him there, get the hotel some business and scare up a story to sell. When he arrives, the management is not keen on letting him sleep there and insisting on him taking control of his safely. Here we are introduced to Samuel L. Jackson in more of a big cameo role as the owner of The Dolphin who tries any bribe possible to sway Mike from staying in room 1408. Well let's just say things get trippy and scary- fast! Mike ends up trapped in a hellish world where no corner or crack of the room is safe. Will he make it out before he is consumed?

After a slow yet comical start the movie does get grinding. The special effects are low on gore and almost go overboard but they don't. Director Mikael Håfström definetly brings us along for the ride- we feel like we are in a haunted hotel and our minds are getting screwed with. There is a very clever plot device about a third into the movie that was used wisely. I don't want to give too much away but it's easy to begin to see that this movie is an allegory for fighting the past, a past in which Mike has never really faced, this aspect makes the movie much more than a psychological thriller but a drama of human emotions that we can all relate to.

One of the scenes early on when Samuel L. Jackson and John Cusack have a cat and mouse type conversation works well, I was very suprised how nicely they played off one another. Also, Mike's estranged wife- Lily , played by Mary McCormack is a small role but she does a good job.

Overall I'd call this The Shining- lite, it's surely a smaller package than other Stephen King film offerings and I've heard the original ending was different and deemed much darker. But in a time of sequels, remakes and unoriginal horror, this is something to sink your teeth, eyes and ears into. But if you'd rather skip out on movie ghosts and see real ones...theres always "Haunted Mansion, Orlando" ;)

Larry King to get Paris' First interview.

has it seriously already been 25 days almost? i love how she is going to an interview immediately after she gets out?...god paris, go live ur life away from the camera for a day. have u learned nothing? oh well, should be interesting.

Oceans 13

(6/10)

Yeah this review is a little late but honestly, was I the only one not in a rush to see this after the catastrophe that was Ocean's Twelve? Well I am happy to say that this is ten times better but still not without it's faults. I'm pleased with the cast and crew because they know they failed to entertain the second time around, they've admitted that they didn't expect the backlash but they wanted us to get one last big bang before the series pretty much fizzed out. This one focuses on revenge basically and they are all out to get Al Pacino for sabotaging Reuben's plans of opening a sucessful Hotel in Vegas (A pretty damn cool looking CGI hotel might I say) Anyway, it's necessary to set things up as much as possible in movies like this since their so unbelievable- BUT ...the first hour is sooo long and boring with setting everything up, and none of us really care because believe me, no one is searching for plot holes when we know how silly it all is anyway. But it's always good to see returning characters but I feel newbies Al Pacino was just kind of wasted, along with Ellen Barkin (But for a 50 yr. old - she looks goooood) and as "villains" they never really posed any threat since from the get-go we know they are going to pull it off. I will say what they did with returning baddie Andy Garcia was pretty creative. Also another high point for me was a tiny sub-plot involving the guy doing the hotel review for the Five Diamond award, haha poor guy. So yeah..by the time the finale comes around it is all pretty entertaining, and it doesn't drag but it feels like it does because by then you are seriously ready to get going out of theatre. But a beautiful scene of fireworks that takes places at the end echoes the orignals climax outfront of the Bellagio and I really enjoyed that. Also, No Julia = no dice. See at your own risk ,but wait for video.

lack of updates

sorry i've been busy, down the beach, planning my 21st bday. but i'm gonna try to see some movies this week and such. hope everyones enjoying summer.

jayden is adorable

here is the first real head on picture of him and britney. hot cute is he! he has got to be healthy so those stupid rumors can be squashed. enjoy.

Kristen Wiig

OMG I FOUND THE PENELOPE SKITS! PLEASE GO HERE AND WATCH

http://tallfreak.com/2007/04/06/penelope/

Hi, you have a new fan and his name is Devin. Wow- I just NOW realized that she played that hilarious character in the E! office in KNOCKED UP! Haha she MADE that movie, those scenes garnered the most laughs- atleast in my audience. Plus she plays an amazing character on SNL called penelope that I just can't seem to find on youtube but here is a pretty good skit of her's - i'm excited- her talent will take her far.

Britney, skinnier by the day.

Just beginning to look better ,hope it stays.

Royal Month

Has it really been ten years that blows my mind? Prince William and Harry will have their first ever television interview and stuff on Monday at 8pm on NBC. July 1st is the concert for Diana which I'll have to tape cuz that's my 21st Birthday. Oh by the way, Diana fans, rent The Queen- it's really good.

Britney shopping for cars.

:) sexy mess.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis slams the Mothers of Britney, Paris and Lindsay

I've met Jamie Lee Curtis and am a big fan and knew it wouldn't take long for her to speak up - I mean her and Lindsay were so close on the set of FREAKY FRIDAY- it's prob heartbreaking to see this... Here is an excerpt from the article:


“The sad paths of the three most popular young women -- privileged but from varying backgrounds, talented, beautiful and spectacular -- have ended in prison, rehab and mental illness,” she writes. “I hope their mothers are worried sick and wondering, ‘What could I have done differently?’ And our culture should be asking the same question too.”

She really tells it like IT IS.


You can read the whole article here- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-lee-curtis/mom-its-not-right_b_51507.html

kelly clarkson cancels her summer tour...

This is kind of sad all she is dealing with but I'm not suprised. Her management was stupid- she always rushes tours n stuff. The tickets for her tour should not of went on sale til AFTER the new album was out- that way fans would know if they liked the new material. If you have seen her live the past two summers- you aren't rushing to get tickets just yet. So yeah it is all a mess I wish her the best though and it will just be a bad year/ year off for her and she can decide if she wants to try the more mainstream stuff for her fourth album....we will see if there is any good songs when the album comes out in a few weeks. Here is what Kelly had to say to her fans:
"I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to getting out there to perform for y'all. In the craziness of the music business, performing is what I look forward to doing the most, so it really is disappointing for me to have to tell you that I won't be coming out to tour this summer. The fact is that touring is just too much too soon.

But I promise you that we're going to get back out there as soon as is humanly possible to give you a show that will be even better.

Thanks for all of your love and continued support."

— Kelly

the sopranos ending

lol this is pretty fun i dont kno if u guys are down with how the infamous series concluded but anyone who think it was a little too abrupt should get a kick out of this "what if our favorite movies ended like that" video

ONCE

(8.5/10)

What a treat. The hype around this movie has been big and I've never seen so many good reviews so there was no way I was going to miss it. Granted, it is NOT for everyone and it takes a patient open mind but it is worth the journey. The story is short and simple focusing on a poor man in Dublin who sings on street corners for some extra cash- he soon meets a Czech immigrant. They inspire each other and make beautiful music. But their encounters may just be something of fate that can never be eternal. This movie reminded me very much of a more music filled version of Lost In Translation. There was love and talent put into this production. At times the heavy accents are hard to follow and this was also shot on such a cheap camera but that only brings more reality to it all- this movie could affect anyone. So give this movie a chance because how often does an original film of joy and music come around in a summer filled with mindless blockbusters?......Once.

the fued is over.

apparently britney and her mom lynn have reconciled and had a pool day together this weekend- thats good news. cute pic here of britney and her little jayden chubbers :)


thanks x17!

LOOK OUT WORLD

MTV.com: Now that Hills is moving into the mixing stage, he's just waiting to find out if any of his songs are contenders to be the album's first single, which is due to impact around September, according to Spears' record label "It's ready to hit the clubs," Hills said. "You're going to hear it getting ready to go to the clubs, while you're getting your clothes on, in the car on the way to the clubs, everywhere. You're just going to hear it. Be prepared."

HipAndPop.com: My sources are telling me that Britney Spears first single is a monster. That’s all I’m in liberty to say. =p


---Oh and apparently she is working with Timbaland and Justin in July.

It's so exciting all this stuff leaking out getting so close to the album.

Official Halloween Remake Poster

Wtf I don't even wanna talk about this right now.

TRAILER- THE INVASION - MUST WATCH

Wow I'm blown away this is a great preview and it's Nicole Kidman back to form in which I love her most- KICKIN SOME ASS!!! I've been worried about the quality of this movie because it was shot almost over two years ago here in Bmore/DC I remember so there has been delays and stuff but I don't know I hope the final result is good- a late summer blockbuster? Can we only hope! CHECK IT OUT!! The last minute is intense!!

HOSTEL 2

(7.5/10)

Well I can see why this wasn't screened to critics but in a way I can't because this is lots better than half the other crap that gets screened. I don't even know how this didn't get an NC-17 rating. Heavy, gruesome stuff but its safe to say that this torture genre stuff is on it's way out. People are losing interest and starting to feel guilty probably in finding pleasure in such dread (Saw 4 is now on it's way).

Hostel 2 begins with a rather cliche and predictable opening in which soul survivor Paxton (Jay Hernandez) quickly meets his fate, picking up right where the first one left off. I have trouble with sequels that go this route- yeah it's been done forever and yeah it's scary and gets you going into the next story but it is unnecessary and has lasting effects for future viewings of the originals. We lose the sense of empowerment from our hero's, knowing that they've well...died in the first 10 minutes of the next one. That being said I'll move on because I was easily taken by our three leading ladies- the performances in the beginning were very natural and funny, making us care just enough about them. Beth, Lorna and Whitney (Played by Lauren German, Heather Matarazzo and Bijou Phillips) are college students traveling overseas much like the boys in the original. Anyway things get going fast and they are basically on auction and get bought and kidnapped to be tortured. The beginning of the movie is very good and atmospheric and perfectly creepy but things took a drastic turn at mid-point when an unsettling torture scene just brings the movie down a good few notches. It's so incredibly gross and hard to watch- it felt out of place, thats all I can say. The movie's continue to make statements about excess in our country and world. This one even brings money into the factor- I can't really go more into it without giving anything away. Anywho, the ending is satisfying and GROSSSSSS but again, silly. The scare factor is gone long before we leave the theatre because director Eli Roth lets schlock take over and I know he is known for that but the first Hostel was something special, a true nightmare. These directors with thier horror movies continue to succumb to the typical faults that make sequels unnsuccessful. This is good for fans but you'll wish it had something more.

NELLY FURTADO CONCERT LAST NIGHT

wow guys i think i underestimated her- SHE IS AMAZING. if u have a chance to see her live then do it - plus its affordable she rocked the house. so sexy and smooth- her live voice is untouchable just perfection. ahhh so fun.

im kinda mad cuz the tickets said no camera so i didnt bring my digi yet everyone there was taking pics and not getting in trouble so....someone got the rules mixed up?! ugh! but i took some okay pics on my phone check them out. ps- tv and pics dont do her justice- she is gorgeous and breathtaking!

justice

back to jail and rightfully so.

6 Month Anniversary of My Blog :)

Haha wow time sure flies when you're having fun! It's been six months..ok fine it's only been about 5 but its my SIXTH MONTH of doing it so ... and I've really enjoyed supplying everyone with some cool reviews and fun facts. We've lost some people, gained some people. Seen some good movies and bad ones but overall been a fun year!! Here is a small movie recap. Best of and Worst of 2007 so far....


The Best

Waitress
The Host
Vacancy
Knocked Up
Bridge to Terabithia
Freedom Writers
Disturbia
Grindhouse
Zodiac
Spiderman 3


The Worst
Music and Lyrics
Reno:911
Pirates 3

The Not Bad's

Shrek 3
28 Weeks Later
Blades of Glory


Oh, as for Britney? Well...she battled her inner demons of rehab and shaved heads all the way to the stages of the house of blues for her mini comeback tour :).

Britney in Hawaii

AND SHE HAS JAYDEN JAMES AND ITS NOT A SMALL GRAINY PICTURE :)! Awesome.....but I still wish they'd leave her alone. I can't complain though because I post this crap to.

thanks tmz

FREE WOMAN

Ugh...and I actually felt bad for a minute. Now she is a just a baby but hey....I'd be to. I also know she learned her lesson long ago and I'm sure if she screws up again she's reallllly in for it. Not sure on the full story but I think the compromise was 40 days house arrest.

THE OFFICE

It's official- I LOVE THIS SHOW SO MUCH!! It's my kind of humor and I love the set-up reality style cuz that's my fave (a la the comeback, may it RIP) anyway i'd seen a good handlful of episodes before but just so hard to watch TV when ur busy and into movies but yeah go buy season two dvd and get hooked!!

incase you forgot....

GO SEE WAITRESS...NOW! I'm so happy it's been in the top 10 for a few weeks and doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Keri Russell looks great in this picture, one of the many good ones from INTERVIEW magazine.

mario and eva

this is so cute! mario lopez and eva longoria (may i say amazing body jeez!) dancing it up at the American Latino Media Arts Awards last night. BABEL also swept most of the main awards- which is great!

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getting nervous.....

hostel 2 reviews trickle in and don't seem too good. anybody still going to see it? or pick oceans 13 instead? hmmm....what if they both suck? either way...sequels continue to dominate this summer.

justin ur a fucking loser

i swear to God. GET OVER IT. you claim to not want to be associated with Britney stuff yet everyone knows your still obsessed with her and ur career would be nothing without her. Wow lets sing amy winehouse's 'rehab' and change the lyrics to 'try to make HER go to rehab' while ur doing 'cry me a river' ... a little too obvious buddy.

New Cd- Rihanna

It's gotten good reviews and it's so old school :). This CD arrives just in time for summer. I think her first two albums were pretty rushed even though they had some big hits..SOS anyone? 3rd album at the age of 19 is quite a feat. She still doesn't stand out as something like special and unique I don't know- maybe it's because her personal life isn't splattered in our faces and she just enjoys making good music. Anyway, get the album, I've heard it and it's good.

Shia Shia Bo Bia...

This picture is so ALIENS-esque it's like not even funny and that is what excites me to see TRANSFORMERS which opens on July 4th. I think it's going to be awesome and scary and tons ....of...fun.... K.

So about Hairspray

Even though I'm from Baltimore I never really fanned the original Ricki Lake version and I haven't seen the musical but with a cast like this honestly who isn't going to see it? Hope it's fun. There is a new version of the poster out now with full faces but I like this one.

Lynne and Britney: The Phone Call

::ring ring:::

Lynne: Britney?!
Britney: Oh, you got that color ID werkin now?
Lynne: Yeah I knew it was you...you still mad at me?
Britney: YES MAMA I'M EVEN MORE MAD NOW YOU GOIN ON THE VIEW! ..everyone will make fun of me :(.
Lynne: Well you weren't talking to me no more what was I supposed to do?
Britney: MAMA...if you go on the view- NO MORE MONEY FOR YOU AND THE FAMILY!
Lynne: NO MORE MONEY!??!....Okay I won't go.
Britney: Bye.




Ha, not funny. Sad. Not real either but...obviously something went down because Lynne is off tommorow's schedule now. Hmmmm.

mtv movie awards/ sarah's attack on paris.

first i want to say it was cool that the awards were live for once and i really like rihannas performance and some of the appearances but overall just weak and the movies winning werent too good. i have to say that i'm not a paris hilton advocate whatsoever but sarah silverman crossed the line. completely innappropriate and i don't know what kind of heart she could have. i know people laughed and clapped but really, she was in the audience, we have all done bad things and she is facing her fears and sucking it up. she isn't an animal she is human. sarah joked about the bars in the cell being painted like penis's to make paris feel better and she said shes worried she will break her teeth. they soon cut to paris' face and it was just unpleasant she looked like she was going to just die right there. so i don't know. i think sarah silverman is a funny lady but it was uncalled for but hey thats entertainment and that's also paris hilton learning her lesson before even going in. Byeeee

guess that booty!?

I'd chew on that all day..what?!...Ha.. Britney is in mexico. Me likey... also makes me want to be back on those beaches.


thanks x17online.com and bh

trailer- THE BRAVE ONE

u guys MUST watch this trailer. God, does Jodie Foster EVERRR fail us? This movie looks amaziiiing. A revenge thriller. Also starring the awesome Terrance Howard (Hustle and Flow)

KNOCKED UP

(8/10)

Ok so this movie references both Jamie Lee Curtis and Britney Spears-- how could I not give it a ten?! Haha.... Well this flick was very fun and it could of been perfection had it cut a good 20 minutes off. Although it doesn't necessarily feel its length- the second half is all too different from the first- the steam begins to die down and the ending that takes forever to come ends up being short, sweet but almost too abrupt. Ok those are some of my complaints - i'm getting them out because there is still much more praise to be given. Director Judd Apatow tops his previous hit '40 yr old virgin' with this movie because the characers are more fleshed out and the acting is top notch. Look out world, Katherine Hiegl has finally made a name for herself outside of Bride Of Chucky...I mean...Greys Anatomy....No really she is super talented and brought such reality to her role. Seth Rogen plays our dad-to-be and it's hard to believe that he is only 25, he looks much older but that suits the character he plays who is only 23. Paul Rudd seems kind of awkward in his supporting role but all the small roles, especially Ben's friends, really stand out. I have to say, to me, the comedic highlights take place when the male and female co-workers in the E! office are talking to Katherines character- so funny! We really see this life journey that many people can relate to and the message couldn't be more clear- if you accept your life and keep your eyes open you will find happiness where you least expect it. I even got myself a little teary eyed by the end. This movie deserves to be seen because its so much better than most comedies out there- it balances emotion and humor pretty well. There was some funny pop culture references but that went a little overboard, as well as some of the other excess dialogue in the screenplay. But like I said, I can't complain much when i'm so happy with what I saw I just know there could of been a more clean and shorter final package. So yeah, what could be the best comedy of the summer has arrived early and is not to be missed.