Pop Culture Buzz

This movie has gimmick written all over it with it’s cheesy premise and title. With Lindsay Lohan on the pop culture “shit list”, will she be able to make a hit out of this so-so looking movie? If she doesn’t straighten up her act her image will ruin any chance of ever putting out another hit. I’m just sayin’!

*** STARS

I am a sucker for a cartoon. I usually like most of the Hollywood offerings that don’t stink of money grubbing (”Arthur & The Invisibles”, “Happily N’ver After”). I have yet to see “Shrek the Third” because I am scared of the reviews it has received, but I am sure it will charm. I plan on being one of the first in line to see Pixar’s “Ratatouille”. This past weekend I decided to see the cute looking “Surf’s Up” to feed my cartoon appetite. I am glad I decided to see “Surf’s Up”, from it’s beginning to the end, it continued to win me over with it’s vibrant colors and characters.

I think families may be sick of the whole penguin craze which is why this movie hasn’t been the blockbuster many thought it would be. It is a shame though because “Surf’s Up” has a sweet and tender message with original characters. The movie’s biggest triumph is the awesome surfing action sequences. The scope and intense work it took to recreate the draw dropping waves and surfing action shots is mind blowing.

John Heder, Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, James Woods, and Zooey Deschanel give spunky, fun vocal performances. John Heder gives the best comedic voice performance as the stoner chicken Joe. The whole film wins you over with it’s breezy island feel and down to earth vibe. The way the cartoon is animated to look like a documentary film crew is filming it, is hilarious and a great format for this cartoon premise.

The little kids in your life will get a real kick out of this instant family classic. Disney has a lot to learn from Sony Picture’s Animation Studio. Earlier this year “Open Season” had the same fun personality and had me in stitches too. If you want to experience something fresh and different in animation then this is your cartoon.

I may have posted this hilarious movie trailer a few months ago, but it is worth a second viewing. Judd Apatow is the comedic genius who is on a roll with “40 Year Old Virgin”, “Talladega Nights” and “Knocked Up”. As a creator of the terrific show “Freaks & Geeks” Apatow knows teen angst and pitch perfect sight gags to a tee.

I am not a big fan of Westerns, they are usually hit or miss in my book. I enjoyed Sam Raimi’s “The Quick & The Dead” if that gives you any impression on my taste of this genre. It takes a lot to amuse me when it comes to Westerns.

This movie has a few cool elements going for it, and the title is not one of them. One thing I do like is Russell Crowe as a bad guy, these roles suit him and his machismo off screen demeanor. This may be a huge hit, we’ll see.

Dude, these pictures really creep me out, big time. The Batman movies have become a force to wach out for. These pictures are genius, complete and utter genius folks. I am told these are fan pics that have been doctored, but who cares? At least we get to see what Heath will possibly look like in the new “Batman” movie coming out next summer.

Gone is the cutesy over the top Joker from the 60’s television show, and of course Jack Nickolson’s perfectly cast role too. Now we get the real joker, the one that haunts your dreams and lives in your nightmares. This will rock hard people, I cannot wait!

TOTAL THIS WEEKEND / TOTAL SO FAR

1.) Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer $57,400,000 / $57,400,000

2.) Ocean’s Thirteen $19,105,000 / $69,810,000

3.) Knocked Up $14,535,000 / $90,482,000

4.) PotC: At World’s End $12,024,000 / $273,757,000

5.) Surf’s Up $9,300,000 / $34,671,000

6.) Shrek the Third $9,007,000 / $297,249,000

7.) Nancy Drew $7,135,000 / $7,135,000

8.) Hostel Part II $2,980,000 / $14,162,000

9.) Mr. Brooks $2,820,000 / $23,441,000

10.) Spider-Man 3 $2,500,000 / $330,016,000

Most vampire movies suck, it’s just a fact. I didn’t care for the “Blade” series and I think the “Underworld” movies could have been better. Hollywood is just plain cursed when it comes to quality vampire films.

This movie could have some “bite” to it, but I am guessing it will just become another addition to the bargain DVD bin at your local video store some day. I am guessing this movie will be out just in time for Halloween, how scary.

Only MTV Europe would have this new little dance club gem playing in it’s rotation. If only everything here was as cool as the Eruopean dance charts. Check out the new Groove Armada music video from their new album “Soundboy Rock” which is fast becoming a hot dance c.d. in Europe at the moment.

Vince Vaughan is a great comedic actor, he is one of the best we have now (just watch “The Wedding Crashers” or “Old School” for proof). “Dodgeball” and “Anchorman” also show off his talents with a silly premise.

On a roll with his choices, Vaughan looks like he has another hit on his hands with “Fred Claus”. Much like “Elf” this movie could have broad appeal with the family and holiday crowds.

Finally a summer song for the masses! This song is a fresh breath of air in the current droll summer music scene. Sounding like a mix between Hope Sandoval from Mazzy Star and Belle & Sebastian (my favorite group EVER!) this song has blown me away.

The video itself is a masterpiece of music cinema. I love retro 70’s pop feel and look of this music video. Look for a c.d. review of Peter, Bjorn & John’s “Writers Block” on this blog soon! I am hoping the whole c.d. is as fresh and spunky as this ditty.

Is there a dire need for a “Thor” movie, were fans screaming for this adaptation? Are there really any actual fans of the “Thor” comics still alive? This Hollywood choice puzzles me right out of the gate.

What American’s really need is another super hero movie, yeah right. This idea sounds doomed from the start. I bet $5 that they ask Brad Pitt to play “Thor”, just you wait and see.

“Flight of the Conchords” Jemaine Clement (the self proclaimed “fourth most popular digi-folk parodists in New Zealand”) stars in this quirky little gem being released in limited theaters this weekend.

I love this fun little trailer for it’s subtle humor and hilarious dorky leads. This movie’s vibe reminds me a lot of “Napolean Dynamite” meets “Welcome to the Dollhouse” meets “Election”. And all of those dark comedies rocked!

I am in shock after watching this preview of the new Bravo reality show “Hey Paula!”. This has the potential to be as horrible as “Britney & Kevin: Chaotic” and as much as a travesty as “Being Bobby Brown”.

Much like a train wreck I cannot look away from this disaster in the making. Will we finally get some insight into Paula’s drunken, pilled out ways? Or will it just be all about her crappy QVC jewelry collection and nothing more? I am scared to watch.

GRADE: A

I love the singing bits and the chemistry these two guys share. Shaggy haired Kiwi musicians Bret McKenzie, 31, and Jemaine Clement, 33, are the stars of HBO’s newest series, which takes its title from their band name. Fueled by boyish whimsy and clever pop parodies, Flight of the Conchords is a great addition to the HBO family. The T.V. show itself will be a mocumentary/reality show about the duo making it in the states. Below I have posted clips from their HBO stand up special.

I had no idea New Zealand had a comedy scene, well any scene for that matter. These two brilliant comedic performers are over the top and crazy. They’re sense of timing and musical knowledge makes this a match made in comic heaven. I am glad that this show has a spot on HBO now so we can get un-cut adult material how it is intended. If you like clever comedy and laughing out loud then you must watch this great duo in action.

This type of witty and silly humor is much more sharp than that of any recent episode of “Saturday Night Live” which is why it belongs on pay cable. These two are bound to break out in a big way, or at least have a rabid cult following here in the states. Look for Jemaine Clement in this summers “Shark Vs. Eagle” which is another comic gem with a cult appeal like “Napoleon Dynamite”.

CHECK OUT CLIPS FROM HBO’S
“FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS” BELOW:

“ALBI THE RACIST DRAGON”

“BUSINESS TIME”

“SHE’S SO HOT, BOOM!”

“JENNY”

The picture below was taken this week by paparazzi in L.A. as Robbie was leaving a soccer game. By the looks of this picture Robbie is feeling better and back to his old self after his stint in rehab.

I am a huge fan of his work and loved his last album “Rudebox”, which tanked in the U.K. and received terrible reviews across the board. I am glad he has begun the process to better himself, now if only he would tour here in the states so I could see him in concert. *Sigh*