Fly Me to the Moon 3D

David Pohl
Film Reviews

Fly Me to the MoonDirected by: Ben Stassen Cast: Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry, Trevor Gagnon, Philip Daniel Bolden, David Gore Time: 1.5 hours Rating: G

Plot: In 1969 NASA plans to launch the first manned mission to the moon. Excited about the opportunity, three young flies plan stow away on the Apollo 11 space flight in an attempt to be the first insects on the moon.

Who’s It For? This one is for the young kids who haven't yet had the experience of 3D on the big screen. Old enough that they can sit for 90 minutes with 3D glasses on but there's probably not enough substance for the over 10 crowd.

Expectations: I haven't seen a lot of buzz (pun intended) about the movie except that it's in 3D. I hold any animated movie to

Bottle Shock

Jeff Bayer
Film Reviews

Bottle ShockDirected by: Randall Miller Cast: Bill Pullman, Chris Pine, Alan Rickman and Freddy Rodríguez Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG-13

Plot: Based on a true story from the early days of Napa Valley getting noticed in the wine community and the blind wine testing of 1976 in Paris known as the "Judgment of Paris."

Who’s It For? If you love Napa Valley or the history of wine, then this film will give you a glimpse into that world.

Expectations: Zero. I knew nothing except Alan Rickman, Freddy Rodríguez and Bill Pullman were in it. I loved my trip to Napa a couple years ago with the wife, so as soon as I saw that, I was on board, though I have to admit, I never heard of "Judgment of Paris."

SCORECARD (1-10)

Actors: Bill Pullman as Jim

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince moves to summer July 19, 2009

Jeff Bayer
News

Warner Bros. Pictures released the following statement...Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that it has moved back the release date of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” to Summer 2009. The sixth installment of the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets on July 17, 2009. The announcement was made by Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.

In making the announcement, Mr. Horn stated, “Our reasons for shifting ‘Half-Blood Prince’ to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are

American Teen

Jeff Bayer
Film Reviews

Narrative Review American Teen Directed by: Nanette Burstein Cast: Hannah Bailey, Colin Clemens, Geoff Haase, Megan Krizmanich, Mitch Reinholt Time: 1 hr 35 mins Rating: PG-13

High school is hard enough. Having a camera in your face, going along for the ride can't help. The kids of Warsaw Community High School in Warsaw, Indiana have been given center stage in this documentary by Burstein (On the Ropes, The Kid Stays in the Picture).

Burstein has managed to find all the necessary cliques roaming the high school halls. There's Hannah; the smart moody misfit. Megan; the popular, demanding rich girl. Colin; the star athlete with pressure on his shoulders. Mitch; the dreamboat. Jake; the social outcast.

This alone is the main problem with the film. While it's entertaining and well beyond the MTV style reality shows, in the analyzation

Tropic Thunder

Jeff Bayer
Film Reviews

Tropic ThunderDirected by: Ben Stiller Cast: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Tom Cruise Time: 1 hr. 50 mins Rating: R

Check out the new Top 7 list of Ben Stiller films

Plot: Superstar Tugg Speedman (Stiller), is cast in the biggest, most expensive war movie ever. His co-stars are Kirk Lazarus (Downey Jr.); an intense method actor, Jeff Portnoy (Black); star of a fart-comedy franchise, hip-hop-star Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson); and first-time actor Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel). The actors are thrown into a real-life situation and are forced to become the fighting unit they’re portraying, in order to find a way out of the jungle alive.

Who’s It For? If you like it when Hollywood pokes fun at itself, then enjoy. Plus there are fake trailers and tons of

TOP 7 Ben Stiller films

Jeff Bayer
Top 7

We start the Top 7. You finish the Top 10. Ben Stiller's been through a lot. I'm not saying he's had a rough life, after all he's married to Christine Taylor and he's got comedy in his blood (son of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara). At first it seemed Stiller was destined to go unnoticed. Nobody watched "The Ben Stiller Show" on FOX. But then along came Reality Bites.

Now he is one of Hollywood's elite, and Tropic Thunder should only add to that. Complete with fake trailers, and two big performances from Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise, the man continues to prove he can act and direct.

When I first thought about a Top 7 list for Stiller, I imagined it would be tough, especially since I wasn't going to allow

Brandon T. Jackson from Tropic Thunder

Jeff Bayer
Interviews

Brandon T. Jackson plays Alpa Chino in the blockbuster comedy Tropic Thunder. Jackson costars with comedians Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Danny R. McBride. But people will be talking most about Robert Downey Jr.'s Kirk Lazarus who is black faced throughout the film. I had a chance to talk to Jackson about the role, what it was like on the set and also as the film’s most prominent black actor, what he thought of Downey’s performance. And just so you know, the T. stands for Timothy.

What did you bring to the role Alpa Chino that wasn’t in the script?

I brought pretty much the whole energy in the beginning, where you see all the Bootie Sweat (Alpa’s energy drink). I took the rapper over the top and so ridiculous, but then developed him in the jungle where he’s in the situation with Robert being a black face and he’s just fed up.

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