Through The Trailers: The End of the Tour Review

The End of the Tour is a biographical drama directed byJames Ponsoldt and written by Donald Margulies, based on David Lipsky's 2010 book Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself. It stars Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg, and is scheduled for release on July 31, 2015.

The David Foster Wallace Literary Estate has not endorsed the film stating that Wallace would have never agreed to any filmic portrayal.

So I decided that I'm not taking my blogging serious enough.

So I'm going to challenge myself and start watching trailers on my phone when I have free time or down time and blogging immediately after I see new trailers. so thanks to Android I should be able to keep myself busy and get my thoughts out a lot faster. After watching this trailer I feel a little conflicted. I can already see that critics are already raving about the performances but just simply going by the trailer I get a vibe that it's a prequel to the social network.

Eisenberg still hasn't convinced me that he can break the chains from his performance on the social network. I'm hoping once he's portrayed Lex Luthor or that would have changed. but based on what I've seen from this trailer he still has not change my mind as of yet. That's not to say that this film won't be great. from what I can tell it has a lot of great messages and there's obvious chemistry between Segel and Heisenberg but I I am going to have to wait to see the movie in its entirety before I can tell you whether or not I even liked the trailer. it didn't make me very enthusiastic nor did it for me so I'm going to be a clean slate and just give the movie a chance for the sake of giving a movie a chance. here's hoping that I'll be knocked out by how great this movie will impact.

Through The Trailers: Point Break 2015 Review

What's The POINT of This Remake?

It's All About The Free Fall!

Its been 24 years since the original Point Break staring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. I'm surprised that Ericson Core is directing the remake since he already did in 2001 with a film called The Fast and The Furious. I guess since the orignal foundation of the Furious Franchise has changed from its Point Break rip off platform and has evolved into the awesome juggernaut with The Rock it was time to remind the world that Point Break was a freaking awesome movie.

I just watched the trailer after hearing a little bit about the plot from Jose Garcia (writer from Talking Through The Movies) and I've got to say, I orginally hated what I was visualizing. Lucky for me I decided to watch the trailer anyways. I was pleasently surprised. At first, I beleived Luck Bracey as Johnny Utah was doing a complete rip off of Paul Walker, which was weird because I was expecting him to be doing a complete rip of Reeves. Then as I got through each short clip the trailer began to capture me.

The idea of surfers robbing banks was awesome in the Extreme 90's but today having international banks being robbed by Extreme Athletes is so awesome I can't believe I'm not jumping off a plane and snow boarding as I type this. I'm officially on board to see this in the theaters. I already beleive that Edgar Ramirez has done a good job of severing ties from Swayzie's verson of Brodi which was something I was worried about. The movie could still wind up being a complete mess but from what I saw in the trailer I'm definitly excited.

Mad Max was Awesomely Overrated!

Maybe its because everyone said its so great. I can't be told that.

You build up my expectations and I'm going to always think it could have been better. In this case, no, it was the perfect blend of action and suspense. The practical effects were great
and it was a wild ride but seeing as everyone was going on and on I can only start from the top and begin to chip away at the perfect grade once I see something I don't like.

For starters, stop saying this is a Furiosa's movie. Mad Max was the hero helping out his fellow co and supporting actors. But this was very much a Mad Max movie.

Well, that's all I got. The only complaint. The viewers complaining about whether or not this was really a Mad Max movie. I say, who cares. This was an action packed thrill ride. Just watch it, and be entertained. Was it the best movie in the world? No. But it fires on all cylinders and has a guitar with flames.

Yep! One of the best ever.

Oh yeah, if Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy aren't getting along, its not a problem, its obvious that George Miller is handing off the franchise to a Furiosa. This would be great for female leads. Charlize Theron is proven to be box office gold. It would be great for Hollywood to bank on her. I could live with this being the last Mad Max but since we're getting a sequel I'd love it if Tom Hardy would stop channeling Bane in every other movie. Or is that just his voice?

Supergirl TV Show Pilot (LEAKED) and I Need To Talk About It!

 Look. . .Its a bird. . .Its a plane. . .Its girl?

Well, the pilot episode of the Supergirl Series leaked online and I don't usually use this site for TV shows but I just had to talk about it. Despite what you'd believe the Internet isn't buzzing all that much about it. Don't think people have catch on to the fact yet. But yes, its out there. Here are my fears, thoughts and hopes for the show.

(Spoiler Alert)

The upcoming CBS fall TV show Supergirl staring Melissa Benoist has leaked. Was it on purpose to get early feedback from the people. I believe yes but its just as likely some jerk in the studio is trying to get himself blacklisted in Hollywood. I won't go into too many details so not to spoil the show if you are truly interested in seeing it. I will say that after I heard of this idea, i was skeptical. After the first five minutes of watching I was sure that it wouldn't make it past one season.

The opener was too forced, we down right into the story we already knew of Kal-El, the dying planet, blah blah blah. The special effects were not that special but it may have been due to incomplete work, not ready for public viewing. The acting seemed horrible and I was doubting this was the work from the same producers of Arrow and Flash. Those two shows have different tones but the underlining makes both products intertwine with ease. I watched as Supergirl was sent to our planet and how she was found by her cousin Superman/Kal-El. You won't see the actor playing Superman but if I were to guess based on Kara's costume this version of Supergirl is taking some design from Man of Steel but defiantly no way can be the same universe.
 I couldn't get into the story, even when Dean Cain and Helen Slater appeared it felt forced and out of place. Seeing both the original Supergirl from the failed 80's movie and Clark from the mildly successful Adventures of Lois and Clark made me feel the universe was going to implode. Superhero movies staring girls are going to be tough enough to pull off but attempts like this and Wonder Woman will effect the shots to get them back on the big screen, Hollywood is sketchy enough as is.

Then the first action scene came. I will spear details and in reality when I saw what was happening my first thought was really, this tired old device again? But it started to pull me in. By the end of the first quarter of the show my intrigue was activated. It really started to pick up. Seeing Mehcad Brooks as Jimmy Olsen worried. Not just because fan boys hate when white characters are given to black actors. Not because their thinking, why black, why not Asian or Hispanic, no its always black. Even though Michael B. Jordan isn't getting as much hate as I'd thought he would, guess you can only change race when the first attempts with the all white cast fails so badly having the black guy come in who is a solid choice is not an issue. . .Did someone say OBAMA!?

The reason Brooks is off putting is because in every major show he's put in he's always the bad guy and killed. Now he's Jimmy Olsen and the only thing he's killing is the character. I don't care he's black, but they got one of the most attractive, buff and likable guys in Black Hollywood to play the sometimes awkward, small, full of Rudy spunk but always in danger, photo journalist. Its just out there. His acting is decent enough and him as a love interest is understandable, judging by the cover, but physically he looks like he'd be rescuing Superman himself when the situation has the man of steel in danger. This guy is freaking huge.

The major plot line and last fight scene wasn't all that spectacular but there were so many moments when I said, "That was pretty freaking cool". Lots of room for improvement. I love the way they called out the fact that calling a grown woman "Girl" was not good for women's lib. But how the most powerful woman in the room Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant telling the most power woman on the planet that being a called a girl is not diminishing was a pretty cool scene. Won't go into it.

My fear was the cheesiness and there are some. I'd have like it if, like Flash and Arrow that Supergirl would have stayed more of a dark mystery. We've seen her cousin go into the light. Her having memories of her original world, I'd like her having more of a chip on her shoulders about humans and even rocking a read hoodie with the blue underneath and the S on her chest like some pics online show. Having this on a different network I was shocked to read that Warner exects have said that Arrow/Flash could still make a splash.

Over all the concept feels like lovechild of the Flash and Arrow show. At some points it has the Flash's light heartiness yet serious tone but in others ways I could see this getting down and dirty like Arrow and I hope at times it can. This show has potential. As of now, its probably on its way to cancelville but by the end of winter if we're knock over the head with a teased twist that the puts a crossover in the talk. More likely with the cast of the big bang theory but we'll see.

Did Fox & Marvel Master Mind How Quick Silver and Scarlet Which Would Be Used?

After Processing The Age Of Ultron . . .

I'd have to say that it was an amazing movie. Once again, Josh Weadon was able to bring a comic book to life. To me this was the most action packed comic book movie ever created. I'd still give Captain America: Winter Soldier the edge victory on how well the action and story balanced but this by far was a bigger movie. People are asking if I beleive it to be better than the first Avengers and its a hard question to answer. The Avengers was a first in its kind. A movie going experience after years of careful master minding. The Age of Ultron was its sequel that built upon that foundation.

Over all, the storylines were both excellent and intertaining. Both have their weaknesses, for example, the ending of Avengers (spoiler alert) when the big boss was defeated all the other aliens bit the dust. That's been done to death and it made no sense in a movie with this much on the line. You might as well called that the two meter wide week spot on th Death Star. I mean seriously, plug that damn hole up before Luke comes to use the force on you and blows up your hard work.

Ultron's weakness was the under usage of key characters that they used so well in the first movie to make up for failing other characters in the second movie. Hulk never really had that "Puny God" moment like he had with Loki in the first Avengers. He could have been a key factor in the fight against Ultron and when you finally had that moment, though funny, you got a off camera scene with the Hulk going after Ultron and Ultron giving another funny line. The scene worked for me but I felt that Hulk could have caused more problems to Ultron than the Avengers were willing to allow.

This may have all been done to make up for the lack of Hawkeye and Black Widow. These two characters were given a lot more dept and that was great but a lot of that dept could have been given to Ultron whom we just had to accept was completed and corrupted in a blink of an eye, then boom, here's your villian. I wish there were more history to Ultrons programming. Did Hank Pimm help Tony's dad with the concept of an Ultron project. If that's the case, I hope we learn that in Antman but I'd love it if we got a quick little soundbite where Tony would have at least said Pimm's name to give the credit of Ultrons design the man comic book readers know made Ultron originally.

This could have been great chance to give a nod to the next movie in line. They did it in Winter soldier for Dr. Strange. I saw no harm in it for Antman.

That's mostly how I came away from the movie. Ultimately it was amazing. I will be seeing it again in IMAX. That's a must. I have to give it a 8.5 out of 10. This movie fired on all cylinders and we finally got another awesome villain so the berdain doesn't stay all on Loki's sholdiers. Let hope Ultron and Loki team up one day.

In closing, the Vision was well exicuted character. The way we came to totally trust him as a team member was like a sniper shot that hit the target from record distance. Great writting and extremly suttle. Bravo. This leads me to how I originally felt about the transition to the new team from the old. I was against it at first. I know it will be alot of growing pains seeing some of the original roster leave to inevitably being recast. After seeing how well Scarlet Witch and Quick Sivler gelled with the team and having Vision bring a new element to the equation that felt so natural, I now have great expectations for the upcoming films.

I do have a theory. Some know that Marvel Studios and Fox have a shared contract for the Quick Silver and Scarlet Witch characters. (spoiler alert!!!!) Since Quicksilver was only used in X-Men Day's of Future Past, Scarlet being a little girl. This, I beleive because of Sivler's powers made him age a bit faster, hince the immaturity. Marvel used both characters but killed off QuickSilver. Could Fox and Marvel come to an agreement that one company would mainly use Scarlet and the other company uses Silver? This is what I beleive the deal will be for the most part but each company can use the characters as many times as they want. Especially if they become more popular.  Money always talks.

I'd love to get your thoughts on the movie as well.

My Review of the Advance Screening of The Wedding Ringer

Yesterday I attended an advanced screening of the upcoming film The Wedding Ringer. I remember seeing the trailer a few months ago and not really feeling motivated to see the movie. After all, Kevin Hart has been the most sought after black comedian for years now. If you don't know, we in the Black community feel there is an unwritten rule in Hollywood saying that there can only be one black "It Guy" at a time when it comes to comedians. Dave Chappelle was the first to bring this to light publicly. Whether you beleive it or not, its just how a lot people feel. 

As of now, I've beleived that the bubble should have popped a while ago. But some how some way he is staying a live in the minds and hearts of America. I'm glad to see that he's staying relevant after all these years. The reason I was not interested in seeing this movie was because I beleived that it would just be the same character as the last movie. But low and behold, by the end of the movie Kevin Harts character took a life of its own. Which got me to thinking of the last few Kevin Hart movies. 

At first it may seem that Kevin is not really bringing anything to the table of each role except his personality from stand up. But when you compare each character to each other I've come to realise that Kevin puts a tramendous spin on each one. Of course, like every comedian, Kevin puts a touch of his own personality in the character but once you get to know them by the end of the film you'll see that these portrayals are unique.  I would take a moment to break them down but I want to stay focused on The Wedding Ringer. 

Kevin plays Jimmy Callahan, a best man for hire who helps Doug Harris, played by Josh Gad to have a perfect wedding with the beautiful Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting of The Big Bang Theory fame. Her character, like her performance was just okay, I didn't love it or hate it. I feel Hollywood fans are thinking she's going to become the next break out star to trasend from TV to movie fame but if her performances keep reminding of me Penny from TBBT then she'll never reach her potential. I'm not saying anything that she probably doesn't already know but if she doesn't know it, Kaley, baby, don't play Penny during or after The Big Bang. Its career suicide.  

As soon as the film starts I'm thinking this is just a rip off of Hitch, but by the middle of the movie I'm completely sold on its originality. The chemistry between the cast seemed like it would be a total mess by the time the rest of the team gets into the picture but my friends, there is a football scene that will have you cheering louder than you did when we forced to Remember the Titans. Once this moment passes you're completely invested in the cast equally. It stops being a Kevin Hart film and totally becomes a bromance comedy that could rival the Hangover franchise. what I found totally refreshing was that this movie seemed to totally mock and pull complete 180 on romance movie cliches. The only example I will give will be the character Emmundo, played by Ignacio Serricchio. When you first see this character in action you're thinking oh boy here we go with the stereotypical gay wedding coordinator but when you see him in his real environment you'll see Hollywood actually showing you a more realistic side of the gay community or at least a more common side where its not just what Hollywood or movie goers think how all gay people act. To see Emmundo in his home with his lover is a total game changer in more ways than one. I won't spoil it but after the truth came out (no pun) I was even loving Emmundo more than I'm comfortable with admitting. 

Alan Ritchson, I didn't even know was in the movie, but I'm a huge fan of his work on Smallville and Blue Mountain State, so I know how hilarious he could be. Now he didn't have as much screen time as I felt he diserved because I see him as a mega talent, but the small scenes he was in he completely stole the show. Another break out performance came from a complete unknown (to me) of  Colin Kane, his character to me was the one I couldn't stop laughing at in almost every scene. 

Over all I'm completly behind this film. I believe if it would have came out before bridesmaids it could have serious sequel potential. but because viewers will compare it to too many movies with similar plots I think it will just be a hit film but the studio will only give us the one. Its unfortunate that Kevin is under a three film contract with Sony now that they're in such hot water and the executive producers have been exposed to calling him unflattering things via email. If the rights to this film were to go in the hands of say a Universal, I could see huge possibilities in the future.

After the film, Kevin Hart and Josh Gad answered a few questions for fans. One person asked about a sequel and the safe answer which is the ultimate truth was given. Hollywood responds to how many tickets you buy. Lets try to spread the word on what you liked about the movie and if its a hit, the doors open for more. 

As a fan, I would gladly pay to see this movie in theaters, but I already saw it for free. So I may buy the Blu Ray, no, you know what, no. I'm going back and buying a ticket. This movie was great, its got a lot of heart and has laughs for everyone. I liked the performances of everyone, it was the perfect pitch and delivery for what it was made to be, if that makes sense. Olivia Thirlby was good in it but I feel that we didn't get enough character development from her and others as well in the groomens side to truely care for their characters as we did Kevin and Josh. Hope to see more of her in the future. She's got a lot going for her.

Peanuts Movie Trailer Short Review

Well its her. Or at least the trailer. Peanuts. I’m so happy to be writing this story. I felt like a kid again once the music began to play. I was transported back in time to all of the Christmas specials and Thanksgiving movies where Charlie Brown and the gang had so many great adventures. This trailer made me forget that it was in 3D because of how brilliantly the animation mimics the core design of the Peanuts cartoon/comic strip. 

Seeing Snoopy and Woodstock with the dog house was so heart warming. It appears that 20^th Century Fox will not tamper with the spirit of this cartoon by Schulz. Produced by Blue Sky Productions, the same company that brought us the Rio movies and Ice Age seem to be striking gold once again with this adaptation. So far I’m pleasantly pleased with the teasers and trailers. I think that everything thing I’m seeing and hearing about production is awesome using the great Bill Melendez to voice Snoop was pleasantly surprising. I’m giving this trailer my highest regards and cant wait to see the movie with my family.