Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is the latest collaboration between Director Tim Burton and Actor Johnny Depp. After seeing this blood soaked and delightfully demented musical, I had one question continuously racing through my head. What could possibly be left for the team of Burton-Depp? How can they top or follow a film with such large amounts of blood, repulsively great characters, and macabre musical numbers?

The film begins with Sweeney Todd returning back to London many years after being wrongfully imprisoned. The years have not been kind to Mr. Todd, with his lifeless complexion and long black and white hair that is styled up and out not down he resembles Frankenstein’s younger brother. The desire for revenge and the hate that currently resides in him has removed the humanity and warmth from his heart. Mr. Todd wants everyone to suffer for his pain, but especially the corrupt Judge Turpin and his faithful assistant Beadle Bamford.

Judge Turpin is played by Alan “the bad guy from Die Hard” Rickman. Mr. Rickman has a had solid career but no matter what he does he will always be best known for playing the cold blooded Hans Gruber. While Turpin isn’t as rememberable as Gruber, he is still an adequate villain. Rickman’s Turpin is especially vile when he is expressing his love for Mr. Todd’s estranged daughter, Johanna, who Judge Turpin keeps locked in one of his rooms, often spying on her through a hole in the door. Soon after Sweeney returns he meets Mrs. Lovett, who informs Sweeney that the Judge drove his beloved wife insane and imprisoned his daughter. After hearing this, Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett devise a plan for revenge where Sweeney kills his customers and Mrs. Lovett disposes of the bodies by turning them into delicious meat pies.
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As a director Judd Apatow is a perfect two for two. He is the director behind the very raunchy and very funny films The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. However, as a producer Mr. Apatow has a mixed record. Mr. Apatow’s past producing projects range from commercially and critically successful films such as Talladega Nights: The Ballard of Ricky Bobby and Superbad to unfunny films that had a poor box office run including Kicking and Screaming and Celtic Pride. Where does Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, the latest film produced by Judd, rank? Squarely in the middle of pack. While Walk Hard is unable to keep up with the consistent laughs of Superbad and Talledega Nights, it is certainly a funnier and more entertaining film than the film’s currently found in Judd’s comedic closest.

The film is a parody of the music bio films that have become very successful lately. The great John C. Reilly who almost always plays a supporting character stars in the title role as the utterly clueless and fictional music legend, Dewey Cox. You can tell Mr. Reilly revels being in the spotlight for once, playing Dewey as a cross between Johnny Cash and Roger Rabbit. Mr. Cox’s showy and necessarily hokey performance makes Dewey Cox one of the great lovable idiot’s in recent silver screen history. The role also allows Mr. Reilly to again showcase his singing talent. John adequately adjusts his voice to the pitch of the many time periods that Dewy goes through. Jenna Fischer plays Dewey’s on again off again love, Darlene Madison. Ms. Fischer’s tongue in cheek performance as Darlene serves as competent counterpart to John C. Reilly’s hysterically exaggerated Dewey Cox. No matter how ridiculous a scene may get Ms. Fischer is always game. The rest of the cast, which is made up of comedic veterans like Tim Meadows and Chris Parnell, is able to successfully keep up with the great performances by the film’s leads.
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets is a lot like its predecessor. Same theme, same plot and basically the same ending. But I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I enjoyed the first National Treasure movie so I was intrigued to see the sequel and would have to say that it wasn't a let down.

When you see this movie, keep in mind that it's a Disney movie. Now, I'm not saying that Disney movies are bad. I guess I am trying to say that Disney is to movies as Walmart is to music. There's not a whole lot of edge and everything has been a little dulled down. So, with that in mind, I really enjoyed sitting back and looking for some treasure. A city of gold, to be exact.

The movie was full of clever puzzles and codes that led to unsuspecting outcomes and twists. Much like the first movie, Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has to beat the bad guys to the treasure. This time, the lead bad guy is played by acting veteran Ed Harris who seems to have the villian part down pretty good.

This movie definitely wasn't incredible and I'm not aching to see it anytime soon, but it definitely was enjoyable and possibly even one to own on DVD when the time comes. Especially if it's loaded with special features. (I'm a special features nut and you should be too).

If you have some time on your hands and want to see a movie thats fun to watch, then go see National Treasure.

Finally.

After a few years of talking to the hand, Peter Jackson (the only guy who seems to get CGI right) and New Line have finally kissed and made up. They will now join forces to produce not one, but two Hobbit films. They will team up with MGM Studios to make this super geeks dream come true.

Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”

The two “Hobbit” films – “The Hobbit” and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit” release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

I don't know about you, but I have been waiting for this for some time now. I'LL PROBABLY EVEN DRESS UP. Sadly, It's a few years away. Try not to get yourself killed.

And still no official word if Sir Ian Homs will be playing the title role. We will let you know as soon as we know. If you could choose, who would play Bilbo?

So... all of the following people had cameos in Walk Hard (except for Judd Apatow). BUT, this is only 4 of the many cameos. Anyway, we will have our review up on Friday, when the film hits theaters. There is much to be said about this movie so come back with your reading glasses in hand (or, on your face).

Go see Walk Hard on Friday!

OK, so we had some serious technical difficulties. Our audio mics were all busted, and we didn't have time to color correct, so... deal with it! I promise we know what we're doing.

If you are in the film industry, please give us jobs so we can focus on these projects fullllllllllllllll time!

PS Those are Juno tee shirts we are wearing. If you want one, look for them (not the ones we are wearing, those are smelly and gross) in one of our upcoming contests!

I'm a loose cannon with exclamation marks.

Official Juno Trailer

Will Smith entertained many viewers as the loud-mouthed, funny, and hip “fresh prince” on the popular nineties sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. However, few could have foreseen that the wacky cousin from Philly would develop into such a talented and muscular A-list star. Mr. Smith’s talent as an actor is evident in his monetary success at the box office, as well as his growing critical praise and two Oscar nominations. Mr. Smith’s skills are again put under great scrutiny in his latest film, I am Legend.

The film takes place in the near future where a virus based on measles that was designed to cure cancer has turned 99% of the earth’s population into flesh eating monsters, who look like zombies, love blood, and are allergic to sunlight. The trailers insinuate that the film is going to be about Will Smith fighting zombies and saying tough things as he kills zombie after zombie. However, that is not the case. The monsters are key characters because they are responsible for several crucial plot points, but they are used very sparingly through out the film. A large part of the film is devoted to watching Robert Neville’s (Smith) daily routine and his struggle with loneliness and increasingly hopeless situation.
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The 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards will take place Sunday, January 13 and will air on NBC at 8pm. Below I have highlighted the ones I believe should take home the bathroom decoration. Let's kick some ass Atonement!

Cecil B. DeMille Award
Steven Spielberg

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Amercian Gangster
Atonement
Eastern Promises
The Great Debaters
Michael Clayton
No Country for Old Men
There Will Be Blood (I have not seen this yet, so don't fail me P.T.)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Cate Blanchett – Elizabeth: The Golden Age
Julie Christie – Away From Her
Jodie Foster – The Brave One
Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart
Keira Knightley – Atonement

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
George Clooney – Michael Clayton
Daniel Day-Lewis – There Will Be Blood
James McAvoy – Atonement (Daniel will probably take this one.)
Viggo Mortensen – Eastern Promises
Denzel Washington – American Gangster
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We are a few days behind on this (thanks school finals!), but the soundtrack for Juno is now available for digital download on iTunes. Kimya Dawson/The Moldy Peaches fans will be very happy to hear the "Anyone Else but You" cover by Ellen Page and Michael Cera.

1. All I Want Is You - Barry Louis Polisar

2. Rollercoaster - Kimya Dawson

3. A Well Respected Man - The Kinks

4. Dearest - Buddy Holly

5. Up The Spout - Mateo Messina

6. Tire Swing - Kimya Dawson

7. Piazza, New York Catcher - Belle & Sebastian

8. Loose Lips - Kimya Dawson

9. Superstar - Sonic Youth

10. Sleep - Kimya Dawson

11. Expectations - Belle & Sebastian

12. All The Young Dudes - Mott The Hoople

13. So Nice So Smart - Kimya Dawson

14. Sea of Love - Cat Power

15. Tree Hugger - Antsy Pants

16. I’m Sticking With You - Velvet Underground

17. Anyone Else but You - The Moldy Peaches

18. Vampire - Antsy Pants

19. Anyone Else but You - Michael Cera and Ellen Page

With the exception of your frat brother whose vocabulary is limited to the term "dudebro," this soundtrack will be loved by all generations of the family.

Remember that time you went to that local film festival, and that one guy swept the entire thing? Here is the winner of 2007's Dark Horse Film Festival. This film is nothing short of brilliant. We support this film and its success it will not doubt carry. Hollywood doesn't know what's about to bang them over the head.

Little Boy teaser

When most kids go to college, they go to live their parents' dreams of becoming a lawyer or a doctor.  Sometimes they form terrible bands that they take way too seriously and play in nasty little bars. MGMT (pronounced Management) didn't. Ever.  

Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser met and formed the duo while studying music in college.  MGMT would often play at the college dorms, but usually played covers.  By that I mean they would only play the Ghostbusters' theme song many times in a row.  Of course the duo would write more "serious" music behind closed doors and soon decided they needed to sell out.  
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Noah Baumbach is the writer/director behind the 2005 critical hit The Squid and The Whale, a smart, entertaining, and semi-autobiographical account of his parent’s divorce. Mr. Baumbach’s newest film is Margot at the Wedding, a rather joyless film, whose unpleasant characters are bursting with emotional pain and toxic memories. As you are introduced to the film’s characters you know things are going to be said and done during this weekend that have been building up for many years and will never be repaired.

Nicole Kidman shows she is very capable at playing Margot, the passive aggressive, and sometimes just aggressive title character. Margot cuts down her sister, sweet and soon to be ex-husband, and even her beloved child whenever she feels vulnerable. She’s constantly using her sharp tongue as a way of getting out of honest exchanges between her and her “loved” ones.

The wedding at the center of the film belongs to Margot’s sister, Pauline, who is played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, the director’s real life wife. It is evident that Margot has done something in the past to severely hurt Pauline. However, Pauline is trying to forgive Margot and tries to show her willingness to rebuild their friendship by inviting her to the wedding. Although it is never clear if Pauline’s attempt are earnest or driven by Pauline’s attraction to Margot’s somewhat celebrity, since Margot is a successful writer.
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This here is Jason Reitman. For the ones that don't know much about pop culture, he is the director of last years hit Thank You for Smoking and soon to be this years hit Juno. He is also responsible for reuniting the Moldy Peaches. Look for our video review of Juno this coming week. Enjoy!

Jason Reitman is the director of the soon to be indie hit Juno. Very funny guy. Tomorrow we're posting the full interview where we talk Juno, pornography, strippers, fake Rambo tattoos, and love for good music.