Summer Films

No list of this sort is going to NOT include 'The Dark Knight Rises', unless the author is just TRYING to piss people off. I don't think 'DKR' will break 'Avengers' box office record- but it's going to be astonding, and that's all I have to say on the subject. Elsewhere though, things might not differ too much- or maybe it will, oh well, here goes:

The Amazing Spider-Man- Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone initially sold me on this, but the latest trailer was crazy great too and I realized something- 'Spider-Man' may be one of my favorite superheroes. There is something innately fun and, ultimately, cool about him and this film could be the second best Spidey flick ever- but I won't walk in expecting 'Spider Man 2'.

Woody Allen's latest 'To Rome with Love'- This has an incredible cast of people that can really pull off Allen's signature schtick, hopefully this is 'Annie Hall' in Rome.

Snow White & the Huntsman- Charlize Theron looks INCREDIBLE in the trailer for this movie. Will it live up to that first trailer?

Prometheus- The final trailer finally sold me on this film. I'm anxious to see if the aliens from Ridley Scott's previous franchise actually make some appearance here. If not, it still looks really solid.

Savages- Oliver Stone returns to gritty violence, sex and drugs and if it's half as good as 'Scarface' then it'll be a winner.

Ted- Seth MacFarlane's first foray into feature films is one of the biggest "maybes" of the summer season. It's either going to be uproariously hilarious or fall completely flat. I'm hoping for the latter..

Take This Waltz- Okay, so this is one of those smaller films that won't make $500 zillion dollars but looks great and has been getting great early buzz. The cast is solid, and I'm especially interested in seeing a dramatic turn from Sarah Silverman.

The Campaign- This is a late summer comedy featuring Will Ferrell and Zack Galifinakis as two politicans battling a for a local senate seat- hopefully it'll be both biting satire and stomach-churning hilarity.

Academy Awards/AngiesRightLeg

Well the Academy Awards are over and it's hilarious to me that the first Oscar ceremony since I can remember that I DIDN'T care about ended up entertaining me more than any in recent years. Not paying attention to the pre-Awards mumbo-jumbo actually helped me enjoy the show. Next year, I'll try to actually SEE more than just a handful of nominated films.

BEST MOMENT OF THE NIGHT...
Angelina Jolie's RIGHT LEG!!!!! One of the best moments of the night. http://pinterest.com/buzzfeed/legbombing/

Just when she couldn't get better...

SHE CALLS 'JAWS' A FAVORITE MOVIE OF HERS.

Chelsea Handler interview from THIS MEANS WAR (Exclusive) - JoBlo Video

"I just don't know Linus. I just don't know."

First official trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is here! - Movie News | JoBlo.com

Guillermo del Toro will direct Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson - Movie News | JoBlo.com

Guillermo del Toro will direct Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson - Movie News | JoBlo.com

Okay, so this is the most exciting film news to hit me in awhile. I'm looking forward to Emma Watson (and the rest of the 'Potter' crew) breaking out beyond the 'Potter' films. I whole-heartedly believe that series was immaculate from start to finish, and with the esteemed elder actors to learn from- they all have the potential to transcend that universe. This is my favorite Disney classic, and Guillermo is one of the perfect directors to make this a gothic classic. If it's half-'Pans Labyrint' was, we are in for a treat.

California

So, I've always wanted to move to California. I've always told myself I couldn't for one reason or another. But it's finally happening. And I'm so happy for it. Sometimes, the worst things that happen to you can lead to the greatest opportunity- and maybe what you were missing all along. Thank God for a friend to finally come around that is ready to go as well. It's daunting to think about, but it's possible. And I'd rather go out there and struggle to make it than struggle to make it here. I don't have any aspirations to be "discovered" or anything. My desire to move to California has been instilled for a good chunk of my life.

In high school I'd day dream about moving away after it was all over. I found "love" and the dream never went away, it just went dormant. But sometimes things don't work out the way you expect them too...and now I'm coming to terms with the hand I've been dealt, and I finally see a bright shiny light (probably the glistening Cali sun on the beach)! I'm ready to completely go off on my own and live my life fully for me.

'Contagion' Rewatch

Gonna go on a rant about 'Contagion'- a film I put on my top films of 2011 list before checking out for the second time. It just stuck with me in the theater, but frustrated me at the same time. Still it affected me more than most films, and watching it today I understand even more what stuck with me and what didn't work. It's not a perfect movie, but most aren't- and in a crappy year (in film, in general, 2011 was for the BIRDS) it stood out.

What REALLY stood out is the excellent synth-score by Cliff Martinez. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won an Oscar for their masterful (and I don't throw that word around lightly) 'Social Network' score. The whole movie is pretty much the perfect film- or most perfect film I've seen. Easily favorite film of all time. Mad love for 'Social Network'. But what really made that movie pop and this one too, is the electro-synth-y score that sticks in your head. I thought one of the most disappointing aspects of the 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' score by TR/AR lacked as many really great grooves. I really want to see it again.

Back to 'Contagion'- the cast is great across the board too. Gwyneth Paltrow really makes an impression, as does Kate Winslet and relative unknown Jennifer Ehle. Steven Soderbourgh does well with large Hollywood casts- and I like these types of films. The only thread that feels unfinished would be Marion Cotillard's. But she does well despite.