The Scorecard Review

Quickcard Review Dragonball: Evolution

Directed by: James Wong Cast: Justin Chatwin, Jamie Chung, Chow Yun Fat, Emmy Rossum Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG

Plot: A young man (Chatwin) trained in super martial arts must stop an ancient evil force from ending the world.

Who’s It For? Tweenage boys and their complacent chaperons/parents. Fans of the series will likely be disappointed, especially those who watched "Dragonball Z" on TV like this guy.

Expectations: "Do we need this movie?" "Have we ever wanted this movie?" "Will I get reimbursed for seeing this?" A big whopping "no" to all the above.

OVERALL

As far as adaptations that should never exist in the first place go, there have been worse. Like the best of the worst, Dragonball: Evolution was never really asked for by fans. In fact, the film is being

Apr 10
Apr 10 Observe and Report

Observe and Report Directed by: Jody Hill Cast: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Ray Liotta Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: R

Plot: A bipolar mall cop (Rogen) strives to become a police officer while also pursuing a flasher and a thief.

Who’s It For? The appeal of Seth Rogen has always been coed. But this particular film might be his biggest challenge to all of his devoted followers.

Expectations: Early buzz from SXSW said this was a "dark version of Paul Blart: Mall Cop." Now what the h-e-double hockey-sticks could that mean?

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors:

Seth Rogen as Ronnie Barnhardt: That big kid in high school with the buzzcut and mental issues that kind of scared us? He grew up to be a security officer at the local mall. But Rogen pulls off this semi-sympathetic without letting go completely

Apr 10
Apr 10 Hannah Montana: The Movie

Morrow McLaughlin

Hannah Montana: The Movie Directed by: Peter Chelsom Cast: Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Vanessa Williams, Lucas Till Time: 1 hr 38 min Rating: PG

Plot: The Hannah Montana persona has started to take over Miley Stewart’s life (Miley Cyrus), so her father (Billy Ray Cyrus) tricks her into returning to her roots in Tennessee. Via montages and silly slow-mo, Miley learns what’s truly important: people like you better when you’re blond.

Who’s It For? The three gazillion unquestioning, rabid devotees of Hannah Montana.

Expectations: I didn’t expect it to feel like an army brain-washing experiment where they trap you in a chair and peel your eyelids back and force you to watch hours of surreal crap until you’re turned into a mindless soldier for Disney—and I was dead wrong.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors: Miley Cyrus as Miley Stewart: I’m

Apr 10
Apr 10 Paris 36 (Faubourg)

Chris De Salvo

Paris 36 Directed by: Christophe Barratier Cast: Gérard Jugnot, Clovis Cornillac, Kad Merad, Nora Arnezeder Running Time: 2 hrs Rating: PG-13

Plot: A craftily shot French drama about a fledgling theater in the heart of Paris that falls under hard times and must succumb to a tyrant of a landlord who attempts to bring it to its demise. However, once an astonishingly alluring young actress arrives on the scene, hope returns to The Chansonia. An uncanny mixture of dramatic scenes coupled with visually stunning musical numbers enhance the plot by giving audience members a chance to sing along to the twisted tale of love, deceit, and deception.

Who’s It For?: As with 2008’s The Class, this film requires a tremendous amount of reading as the French-language format requires the subtitles to come a-flowing. Those of you

Apr 9
Apr 9 Terminator Salvation to be rated PG-13?

Usually, ratings for films are revealed through trailers or posters. However, the way that the rating for Terminator Salvation has been revealed could probably actually cause the apocalypse. Thanks to Pizza Hut, the world now knows that the fourth Terminator movie will be rated PG-13. Don't believe me? Love to mix your pizza with death and destruction?

Click here: Pizza Hut Ad

In the bottom left corner of the page, make note of that tiny rating box. PG-13.

This comes as somewhat unsettling considering the general story of the film (a war between robots and humans that will likely involve tons of explosive greatness). Also, at Comic-Con last year, director McG was heard saying that he was under no pressure for a PG-13 rating. However, it appears that a long-battled for scene

Apr 9
Apr 9 Billy Bob Thornton acting odd on Canadian public radio

"Would you ask Tom Petty that?" That's the question posed to Jian Ghomeshi on Canadian public radio on by actor Billy Bob Thornton. Thornton clearly didn't want to do the interview and it appeared to be simply because the host introduced Thornton as an actor, and not band member with his current group The Boxmasters.

I interviewed Thornton when he was making the rounds for The Astronaut Farmer, while the movie was forgettable, he wasn't. I mainly spoke about his swagger, and the fact that he was flirting non-stop with Virginia Madsen. I liked the guy, but probably because he wasn't an arse

Apr 9
Apr 9 Sunshine Cleaning

Megan Lehar

Sunshine Cleaning Directed by: Christine Jeffs Cast: Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Alan Arkin, Steve Zahn Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: R

Plot: Rose Lorkowski (Adams) works as a house cleaner to support her son. Her sister, Norah (Blunt), is recently unemployed and lives at home with her Dad. When Mac (Zahn), Rose's married boyfriend, introduces her to the world of crime scene cleanup, she sees a way to be her own boss and make good money.

Who’s It For? People who like subtle comedy, like Little Miss Sunshine.

Expectations: I like both the lead actresses and the preview looked great so I was expecting awesome things.

OVERALL

Adams dims her usual glow to play Rose, a single mother and house cleaner just getting by financially and emotionally. In High School, Rose was head

Apr 8
Apr 8 Verbinski Not Directing Pirates of the Caribbean 4

Looks like I'm not the only one tired of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. Director Gore Verbinski, who helmed all three films of the series so far, has said that he will not return for a fourth. Variety is reporting that he has told this news to Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. There's no word on who shall take his place, or how it will affect the film's tentative 2010 release date.

He said: "I had a fantastic time bringing 'Pirates' to life, and I am eternally grateful to Jerry [Bruckheimer], Johnny [Depp] and the rest of the creative and production team. I'm looking forward to all of us crossing paths again in the future." By no means has Verbinski walked off the career plank - in fact, he's currently involved in three

Apr 8
Apr 8 Miley Cyrus to Surprise Hannah Montana the Movie Fans

Hannah Montana fans have a very slim chance at seeing the pop icon this opening weekend. Walt Disney Pictures announced that Miley Cyrus will be flying across the country trying to get people excited about her film. Disney did the same thing with Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. Are you noticing a trend with this TV stars turned pop stars turned movie stars? Their movie titles are the most basic descriptions possible. It's like saying Transformers - Robots that Change into Vehicles and Fight Other Vehicles.

Anyway, here's the press release ...

BURBANK, Calif. (April 7, 2009) – Miley Cyrus, star of Walt Disney Pictures’ “Hannah Montana The Movie,” announced exclusively on Disney.com today that she will be surprising unsuspecting audiences during her film’s opening weekend

Apr 8
Apr 8 Doubt - DVD

DVD Reviews

DVD Review Doubt

Directed by: John Patrick Shanley Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Viola Davis Running Time: 100 mins Rating: PG-13 Release date: April 7th

Plot: Based on his own play, John Patrick Shanley writes and directs a film about a Bronx parish in the 1960’s that faces inner turmoil when a respected priest’s (Hoffman) good nature is questioned by two nuns (Streep and Adams).

Who's It For? Those willing to experience a slowly paced, dramatic exploration into universal themes like leadership as told in a setting timely to the church’s own problems in recent years.

Movie: An effective script can only go so far to distract from convenient performances and faulty directing. John Patrick Shanley guides a very talented cast through a clunky adaptation, but is still able to let his powerful themes resonate in

Apr 7
Apr 7 Disney Acquires Rights to Horse Soldiers

David Pohl

According to Variety, Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have acquired the screen rights to Doug Stanton's book Horse Soldiers. The book will be published by Scribner in May. The story revolves around a brave group of special forces and CIA operatives who secretly enter Afghanistan on horseback following the 9/11 attacks. Against all odds, the group helps Afghan fighters capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif in an effort to bring down the Taliban.

Bruckheimer, who has experience with fact-based war projects (Black Hawk Down and Pearl Harbor), will produce the film.

It sounds interesting, let's hope it's more Black Hawk Down and less Pearl Harbor.

Souce: Variety

Apr 7
Apr 7 Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum join Morning Glory

David Pohl

Variety reports Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum have just been signed to star with Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams in Paramount's upcoming comedy Morning Glory. The screenplay was written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) and focuses on an aspiring news producer (McAdams) as she tries to control feuding anchors (Ford and Keaton) in order to save a morning news show. Goldblum will round out the cast as McAdams' boss. Roger Michell will be directing as filming begins next month in New York.

I'm a big Harrison Ford fan, but usually that's just for his action roles. I do appreciate his subtle comedy though, so I'm willing to give this one a chance.

Source: Variety

Apr 5
Apr 5 A Nightmare on Elm Street gets Jackie Earle Haley

Now this is the type of casting we can only dream about. The A Nightmare On Elm Street remake has a new Freddy - Jackie Earle Haley. Variety is reporting that the Watchmen star is signed up to play the iconic horror villain for the remake from Platinum Dunes.

Last year, New Line studios decided to reboot its famous horror franchise that started with A Nightmare on Elm Street and was last heard about in Freddy Vs. Jason. Before that teeny Lord of the Rings trilogy, it was the studio's most lucrative series of films.

Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller are set to produce A Nightmare On Elm Street, with John Rickard co-producing. The film is set to start shooting next month in Chicago with Samuel Bayer directing a script written

Apr 3
Apr 3 Fast and Furious

Morrow McLaughlin

Fast and Furious Directed by: Justin Lin Cast: Vin Deisel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster Time: 1 hr 30 min Rating: PG 13

Plot: FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and noble rogue Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) join forces in the fourth installment in this automotive porn series to bring down the head of a drug cartel.

Who’s It For? Fans of mindless action flicks! Woooo!

Expectations: I was hoping for brainless, silly action and Vin Diesel is usually pretty good about that. I should warn everyone that I’m basing this review entirely on how much I enjoyed the movie and my innate ability to switch off my brain—if you, on the other hand, cannot turn your brain off, you probably shouldn’t even read this review. Right now my demographic consists of slaves to action flicks and

Apr 3
Apr 3 Adventureland

Adventureland Directed by: Greg Mottola Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Martin Starr, Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Ryan Reynolds Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: R

Plot: The summer of 1987 is the scene for this coming-of-age story about James (Eisenberg) and his job at the amusement part Adventureland. The college graduate needs to earn some cash to get ready for grad school, but Em (Stewart) quickly becomes the focus of his attention.

Who’s It For? I already mentioned "coming-of-age" and I'm sure I'll do it a couple more times. That's the draw of this film. Not comedy.

Expectations: I liked everyone involved, but when I saw the previews and it looked just from that Reynolds was going to mail this one in.

SCORECARD (0-10)

Actors: Jesse Eisenberg as James Brennan: Is he attempting to take the Woody Allen trophy?

Apr 2
Apr 2 Absurdistan

Megan Lehar

Absurdistan Directed by: Veit Helmer Cast: Kristyna Malérozá, Maximilian Mauff, Nino Chkheidze Running Time: 1 hr 25 mins Rating: Unrated

Plot: In a small village between Asia and Europe, outside of any known country, lives Aya and Temelko. Born on the same day, they grow up together and feel destined to be together. Aya's grandmother, kind of a soothsayer, predicts that they have one week in which to come together or they never will. In the interim, the pipe that brings water to their town breaks and the men in town refuse to fix it so the women go all Lysistrata and refuse their husbands sex until the pipe is repaired. Meaning Temelko has less than a week to fix the pipe and get the girl.

Who’s It For? Do you like German comedy? And yes

Apr 2
Apr 2 Ben Stiller joins Noah Baumbach in new film

Noah Baumbach made one of my favorite rewatchable films ever ... Kicking and Screaming. And no, I'm not talking about the Will Ferrell flick. So, because of that, I will always watch anything Baumbach does, even Mr. Jealousy and Highball. Now comes word Baumbach is joining forces with Stiller.

Here's the press release from Focus Features ... Production began last week in Los Angeles on the untitled film starring Ben Stiller for writer/director Noah Baumbach, an Academy Award nominee for his original screenplay of The Squid and the Whale (which he also directed). Scott Rudin, an Academy Award winner as producer of No Country for Old Men, and Jennifer Jason Leigh are producing the movie, to which Focus Features holds worldwide rights. Focus CEO James Schamus made the announcement today.

Mr. Baumbach has

Apr 2
Apr 2 17th Annual Jewish Film Festival in Portland

The NW Film Center along with the Institute for Judaic Studies brings you the 17th Annual Portland Jewish Film Festival. The big film this year might just be another chance to see Waltz with Bashir on the big screen. Some feel this was the best animated film of 2008 ... yes, even better than Wall-E. Others think it was the top documentary.

Here's a complete list of films ... each is single admission.

APRIL 16 THUR 7 PM MAX, MINSKY AND ME GERMANY 2007 DIRECTOR: ANNA JUSTICE Nelly, a precocious 12-year-old, lives in Berlin with her German Christian dad and American Jewish mom, who is very eager for Nelly to crack down on her bat mitzvah studies. But her twin obsessions—astronomy and her distant fantasy heartthrob, 16-year-old Edouard, Prince of Luxembourg and fellow stargazer—occupy all of her

Apr 1
Apr 1 James Franco to get some "Highness" with McBride and Green