7milesdown

Iron Man (Theaters)

trench — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:26:16 +0000

Iron Man now ranks at the top of the charts in regards to my favorite Marvel films released to date. The adaptation from comic book to feature film was on the money and it was released at such a perfect time to help kick off a summer filled with blockbuster movies. The film started off a bit slow, but it was needed to retell the birth of a new superhero.

I was extremely impressed with the cinematography, in particular the CGI suit worn by Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in the film. The movements were crisp and clean, and the armored suit was a thing of beauty. The soundtrack was also perfect for the feature, and the Black Sabbath tune stuck out in my head long after I left the theaters.

I can’t say enough about Robert Downey Jr. He is the movie. Without Downey, this film definitely would not have been such a huge success that its been thus far. Downey was flawless. He charismatic demeanor was perfect for the movie, and his development from weapons mogul to superhero was done smoothly and without a hitch. Terrance Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jeff Bridges also play their roles quite well, yet it was Downey who was the glue that made this film stick.

My recommendation? Its a must see in theaters. Don’t wait for it to come out on DVD. Its Stay after the closing credits too! Lets just say, we get a hint of whats to come!

Synopsis:

From Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures comes Iron Man, an action-packed take on the tale of wealthy philanthropist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who develops an invulnerable robotic suit to fight the throes of evil. In addition to being filthy rich, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark is also a genius inventor. When Stark is kidnapped and forced to build a diabolical weapon, he instead uses his intelligence and ingenuity to construct an indestructible suit of armor and escape his captors. Once free, Stark discovers a deadly conspiracy that could destabilize the entire globe, and dons his powerful new suit on a mission to stop the villains and save the world. Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars as his secretary, Virginia “Pepper” Potts, while Terrence Howard fills the role of Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes, one of Stark’s colleagues, whose military background leads him to help in the formation of the suit. Jon Favreau directs, with Marvel movie veterans Avi Arad and Kevin Feige producing. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

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Bryant finally wins MVP Award!

trench — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:11:36 +0000

According to the Los Angeles times, Kobe Bryant has officially won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the 2007-2008 season.

It took 12 seasons, but Kobe Bryant has finally been selected the NBA’s most valuable player, The Times has learned.

Sources familiar with the outcome who were not authorized to speak publicly about the award until the official announcement from the league said Commissioner David Stern will be in Los Angeles next week to present the trophy to Bryant.

I wrote a short article on why Bryant should be this years MVP. Congratulations Mr. Bryant!!! Now its time to bring a title home to your fans!

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We need standardized carry on sizes!

trench — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:59:19 +0000

With a little over five weeks left before our month long vacation to the US mainland, my wife and I have been debating on whether to check in luggage or to simply travel light with a single carry on and a small backback.

After reading all the problems the airlines in the continental United States have had the past couple years with baggage claims and lost luggage, we opted for the latter. We just need to find time to sort out our things so we know exactly what we’ll be needing and what we can do without.

Its seems that the biggest problem now is figuring out what carry on we can use to get to all our destinations without having to check-in anything. Each plane we board on our flight route have different specifications for their carry on capacity.

After finalizing the itinerary we ended up on three different carriers. The most accommodating was Continental. They allow the following size. 51 linear in or 130 cm(L+W+H). Northwest however, was a bit more restrictive at 45 linear inches (9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches)

My biggest problem however is the intercontinental travel on US Airways. Although they allow up to 51 inches/129 cm (11×14x26 inches or 28×35x66 cm) I have this short flight on a smaller aircraft run by US Airway Express which requires a much smaller carry on 45 inches/114 cm (19×15x11 inches or 48×38x28 cm). I think it would be pretty ridiculous if I had to check in my bags just to fly on a plane for about an hour. I’ve been trying to get more information on this because the plane although operated by US Airways Express is called Air Wisconsin so the bag requirements might be different. I have not been able to get any information on this however.

So many problems to take a simple vacation these days. It would really be ideal if they could come up with a standard size for all planes. Or at the very least make it so that if we buy the complete package route on your carrier, we can use the carry on throughout our trip with no complications.

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AVPR: Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem (DVD)

trench — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:16:48 +0000

What the hell happened to these two awesome franchises? Aliens was such a great film when it first debuted back in the mid-nineteen eighties. It was one of those horror flicks that put you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Predator was a great film as well. One of the best Arnold Schwarzenegger movies ever.

As for this latest spinoff? Aliens vs. Predator Requiem was just horrible. No character development, no plot, no suspense, no drama, no action, no chicks, no… You get the picture? Nothing in this film is worth watching. I’d easily rate this film a one which is the worst of my ratings, but I feel so horrible doing so because I was such a huge fanboy of both these two franchises growing up as a child.

My recommendation? Dont waste your time with this film. Its total garbage. I think Paki Punu’s Dragonwars might be just a tad better than this one.

Synopsis:

A little town in the hills of Colorado will become the battleground between two of the deadliest extra-terrestrial lifeforms - the Alien and the Predator. When a Predator scout ship crash-lands in the hills outside the town, Alien facehuggers are released in the crash, and an even more evil creature - a hybrid Alien/Predator - is also released. A man & his son hunting in the forests near the crash site soon become the first victims of the facehuggers, and when a Predator receives data about the crash on his home planet, he comes to Earth. One at a time, the inhabitants of the town become targets of the Aliens and the Predator, including the local sheriff, a young female soldier recently returned from Iraq, and several teens. Though the National Guard is called in, they are unable to stop the deadly creatures, and a plan is set in motion to destroy the town with a nuclear device… Written by Derek O’Cain

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There will be Blood (DVD)

trench — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:59:08 +0000

I can’t understand what made this film so special. After hearing so many great things about this “masterpiece” and “epic drama”, I just had to see it for myself. With expectations high based on its ratings, and I was really looking forward to a couple hours of great cinema. Instead I found myself listless and uninterested. The movie dragged in so many areas I lost count, yet I continued to watch the film in search of any hint that it might get better. Unfortunately, it never did.

There will be Blood albeit its originality was tedious and completely overrated. The screenplay for this film could have been great and its message was strong and powerful. It had all the right elements for a great film. Everything from the cinematography, acting, and music was fantastic. Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance in particular was absolutely Oscar award winning.

However this film disappointed me. Without a real plot or character driven story, all the rights could not make up for this wrong. The beginning of the movie was completely forgettable as was the horrific and distasteful ending. The story lacked any cohesiveness and by the movies end, I lay in bed scratching my head and wondering why I put myself through 157 minutes of pure boredom.

Synopsis:

Set in the early 20th century, the film follows the rise to power of Daniel Plainview — a charismatic and ruthless oil prospector, driven to succeed by his intense hatred of others and psychological need to see any and all competitors fail. When he learns of oil-rich land in California that can be bought cheaply, he moves his operation there and begins manipulating and exploiting the local landowners into selling him their property. Using his young adopted son H.W. to project the image of a caring family man, Plainview gains the cooperation of almost all the locals with lofty promises to build schools and cultivate the land to make their community flourish. Over time, Plainview’s gradual accumulation of wealth and power causes his true self to surface, and he begins to slowly alienate himself from everyone in his life. Written by Denny Gibbons

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Kobe Bryant for MVP!

trench — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:06:03 +0000

With the fourth quarter of the Kings versus Lakers game winding down, and the Western Conference first seed secured, I have no doubt in my mind that Kobe Bryant outright deserves to be the 2008 NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

In years past, Kobe’s name has always appeared on the polls, but the Lakers were a .500 team, and his individual statistics were never enough to garner the votes needed to win the award. This year is completely different. Kobe’s statistics have gone down (particularly in scoring) and he relinquished his two year reign as scoring champ to Lebron James. But who really cares?

Stats are a thing of the past for Mr. Bryant and it seems he has finally realized what it takes for his team to win. The trust he had in young Andrew Bynum and the rest of his team early in the season has translated not only into a playoff bound team, but into a championship caliber team. With the addition of Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are legitimate title contenders and most of it has to do with Bryant’s unselfishness and leadership this season.

The fact that he has played the entire 2nd half of the season with a broken pinky finger and torn ligament makes this season even more magnificent. Kobe truly has the heart of a warrior.

With the #1 seed in this years wild wild West, the Pacific Conference title, and another all-star season in the books, it would be a total disgrace not to see Kobe Bryant win an award he actually earned and deserves.

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The Lakers win the Pacific

trench — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:31:16 +0000

Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine the Lakers winning the Pacific Division this year. This season looked to be as bleak as the last with Kobe demanding a trade, Kwame Brown and Brian Cook still in the lineup, and Andrew Bynum still filling the roster spot which should have been Jason Kidd’s.

Things have definitely changed over the course of the regular season, and after a few good trades by GM Mitch Kupchak, it looks like the Lakers are legit contenders for the title. Kwame Brown was traded for Pau Gasol, Brian Cook for Trevor Ariza, and Andrew Bynum turned out to be a keeper after all.

With the playoffs just days away, Kobe and the Lakers have hit their full stride with convincing wins over the first seeded New Orleans Hornets and the current NBA Champion’s, the San Antonio Spurs. All thats left to do now? Win the next game against Sacramento to guarantee the Lakers homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference Playoffs. Thats right! My Lakers are just one win shy from winning what is perhaps the tightest race to playoffs in NBA history. (the warriors look like they will miss the playoffs even at 48-32) Life is so sweet right now for us Laker fans.

Oh Yeah. Kobe for MVP!

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The Waterhorse (DVD)

trench — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:40:39 +0000

It seems like the filmmakers for The Waterhorse were banking on their computer generated beast to save their film, and it may very well have done so. The interactions between the cast and the Waterhorse were flawless, and the film industry has definitely reached the pinnacle of CGI development.

The rest of the film however didn’t fare so well. The storyline was unoriginal and very uneventful, and there was minimal character development throughout. The acting was subpar at best, and unfortunately, not a single scene stuck out in my mind as significant.

Kids however will inevitably be drawn to the Waterhorse as the film progresses. From its introduction, the Waterhorse is a cute and lovable character. As it grows, it gets more and more mischievous, and you just can’t help but fall in love with it.

This film would make a great rental for a family afternoon. There are a couple scenes that may scare very young children, but otherwise its a kid friendly film.

Synopsis:
A lonely young boy vows to protect the rapidly growing hatchling that emerges from a mysterious egg found on the shores of a Scottish loch in My Dog Skip and Tuck Everlasting director Jay Russell’s screen adaptation of writer Dick King-Smith’s popular children’s novel. Angus MacMorrow has made a most unusual discovery, and he’s about to find out just how one innocent boy’s greatest fantasy can also be a frightened adult population’s greatest threat. Unable to identify the egg that he found while walking the sandy shores, Angus is even more perplexed about the discovery and the creature that emerges resembles what comes to be known as a Water Horse, which Angus names Crusoe. As the bizarre new life form begins to grow at an alarming rate, it soon becomes obvious that Angus will not be able to keep it a secret for very long, and the young boy will have to do some seriously quick thinking if he is to keep his new friend safe ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

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Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (DVD)

trench — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:39:58 +0000

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium was wonderful family film. It instantly reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory minus all the creepiness and flowing chocolate waterfalls.

The storyline was simple yet agreeable for a family audience. I think it serves as a great film for kids of all ages and it teaches children the importance and value of confidence and good self-esteem.

Dustin Hoffman is always a crowd favorite when it comes to children’s films, and he does an excellent job portraying Mr. Magorium in the movie. Natalie Portman can do no wrong, her timeless face and innocent demeanor was a perfect match for her role, and she continues to impress me with her ability to take on so many different characters.

My assessment? A decent rental for a quality afternoon with your kids, but not worth purchasing for a DVD collection.

Synopsis:

Molly Mahoney is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. But when Mr. Magorium, the 243 year-old eccentric who owns the store, bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium. Source: IMDB

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Enchanted (DVD)

trench — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:29:21 +0000

Mirror Mirror on the wall, why was this movie made at all? Despise me if you wish, but Enchanted was not a very good film. It wasn’t horrid or unwatchable, but the mass appeal for this movie was pretty hard for me to understand. The film was just too damn corny.

The storyline felt like a generic mix between Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, while the music reminded me why I hate musicals so much. The acting was actually pretty decent for a film such as this one, particularly when James Marsden appears on the streets trying to emulate a egotistic animated prince. I was however disappointed with Susan Sarandon’s performance. Sadly, she was not used to her full potential in the movie. Anyone remember her great role in the Witches of Eastwick? Why didn’t they use the witch a bit more in this film? She was perfect for it.

Its hard for me to make a recommendation for this one. I am almost 100% certain that I’m not the targeted audience for Enchanted, but I find it hard to imagine that anyone but very young girls would enjoy it at all.

Synopsis:

An animated fairy tale meets modern, live-action comedy. The beautiful princess Giselle is banished by an evil queen from her magical, musical animated land and finds herself in the gritty reality of the streets of modern-day Manhattan. Shocked by this strange new environment that doesn’t operate on a “happily ever after” basis, Giselle is now adrift in a chaotic world badly in need of enchantment. But when Giselle begins to fall in love with a charmingly flawed divorce lawyer who has come to her aid - even though she is already promised to a perfect fairy tale prince back home - she has to wonder: Can a storybook view of romance survive in the real world? Written by Orange