Pop Culture Buzz

This mini-movie for “The Moneymaker” by the new “it-band” Rilo Kiley is their hardest sounding song on their new hot c.d. “Under The Blacklight”. “Under The Blacklight” has been chosen by many critics as one of the best albums of 2007, and I agree, it is a masterpiece example of breezy Cali-rock. Check out the video below:

**** STARS

Last year “Little Miss Sunshine” wons the hearts of movie fans and critics alike with it’s tender story and hilarious script. This year’s “Sunshine” is the darling and smart as a whip film called “Juno”. The fresh script by newcomer Diablo Cody is a mature and insightful look into teenage pregnancy.

Without being too heavy handed or preachy, “Juno” is able to show the realistic outcome of a 16 year old girl who becomes pregnant and then she decides to give the baby up for adoption. The perfectly chosen cast and tight direction by Jason Reitman (Ivan Reitman’s son) make this gem the breakout success of 2007.

Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Alison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Jennifer Garner give ferocious performances in “Juno” that will leave you cracking up and gasping in disbelief. The dialog in “Juno” is fresh and it comes off more down to earth and less literary then most highbrow comedies that come out these days.

From the get go we fall in love with the titular character Juno’s sassy sharp barbs and pop culture references. Ellen Page could easily get an Oscar nomination for the breezy yet stern performance. Michael Cera as the love interest and father of Juno’s baby is perfectly cast and gives the film even more “real to life” credibility.

Alison Janney’s character said it best when she was asked why Juno could have let something like this happen, her response: “kids get bored and have sex” sums it up. There are no religious undertones or after school special moments to over sentimentalize “Juno”, it is uncanny and refreshing how realistic “Juno” is.

“Juno” is sweet and to the point with a one and a half hour running time. It is a crisp and cute picture that will stay with you long after leaving the theater. “Juno” will slowly grow in popularity and it will surely get plenty of recognition around Oscar season. Ellen Page, screenwriter Diablo Cody and possibly Jennifer Garner could get some Oscar love.

If you are looking for that special film that will fill you with the warm fuzzies while being dry, witty and cynical then this is your movie. The dialog and acting will have you singing this movie’s praises to any movie fan that will indulge you. “Juno” is that little film that proves that a quality “talkie” movie can be more enjoyable then an over blown Hollywood spectacle any day.

The first “Chronicles of Narnia” was a terrific film with eye catching visuals that raked in the dough a couple of years ago. This summer “Prince Caspian” is sure to follow in the first film’s foot steps. By the looks of this trailer the film will still contain it’s child like charm while balancing the adult feel of the battle scenes.

CHECK OUT THE “PRINCE CASPIAN” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

BRITISH ACTOR BEN BARNES WILL PLAY “PRINCE CASPIAN”

*** STARS

Movie musicals have been evolving more and more over the past decade. Lars Von Trier’s dark “Dancer In The Dark” and John Cameron Mitchell’s twisted “Hedwig & The Angry Inch” started a trend in musicals that has left an impression on the modern day musical genre. Those films contained a darker tone that provides richer more realistic cinematic results.

The same is true of Tim Burton’s macabre and creepy “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”. On it’s surface “Sweeney Todd” is a frothy movie musical with all the comforts of a Broadway show. But at it’s core this is a horror film and a revenge flick that just happens to contain singing. This twisted mix of traditional musical styles and horror movie elements makes “Sweeney Todd” a fun ride.

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have become one of the most reliable brands to come out of Hollywood in many years. “Sweeney Todd” marks their fifth collaboration on the big screen together. We can always expect movie magic when the creative pair come together in front of and behind the camera.

Johnny Depp has become America’s favorite Hollywood A-list actor and for good reason, his dedication to his characters is unparalleled. In “Sweeney Todd” Depp has come even closer to winning his much delayed Oscar, and Burton should get his due once again with a nomination for his crisp, moody direction.

“Sweeney Todd” is not for the faint of heart, if you don’t like razors or cutting and slicing in slasher movies then you might want to stay away from this movie. But if you can get into the tongue in cheek nature of the fresh and witty script then you will find yourself enamored with this movie like I was when the credits started to roll.

Burton is the master of creating creepy, mysterious moody films. The gloomy cinematography and pitch perfect score in “Sweeney Todd” give this movie a rich feel and round out this tale of revenge and lost love. Expect to see a lot of nominations for “Sweeney Todd” when the Academy Award nominations come out this year.

Helen Bonham-Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman round out a talented and hilarious cast which keeps the film going at a fast pace (and for a 2 hour long musical that is a great thing!). The set design and costumes are dead on and give the film a depth of realism that most musicals do not have. Long gone are the Disney-esque singing lyrics and sweet as pie family film moments, this film has guts (literally)!

“Sweeney Todd” is that enjoyable weird little film that many musical fans will fall in love with because it is different then anything they have seen ever before. It is due to Johnny Depp and Tim Burton that “Sweeney Todd” is such an technical and artistic cinematic achievement. And once again it makes me look forward to their next big screen collaboration with frenzied anticipation.

This harsh, twisted movie trailer screened before the remarkable “Sweeney Todd” (which I will be reviewing here soon) reminds me a lot of “A Clockwork Orange”. Here is the Wikipedia synpopsis for the adult thriller “Funny Games” starring Tim Roth and Naomi Watt’s below:

“Funny Games” is the American remake of the 1997 Austrian thriller of the same name. Original writer/director Michael Haneke (Caché and La Pianiste) wrote and directed, and British actress Naomi Watts plays role of Anne originally played by Susanne Lothar and Tim Roth plays George. Devon Gearhart plays the role of their son, Georgie.

The two malevolent young men are played by Brady Corbet and Michael Pitt. The projected American release date is scheduled by Warner Independent for February 15, 2008. It premieres at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. The film is an exact shot-for-shot remake of its predecessor.

1.) “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” $45.5 million

2.) “I Am Legend” $34.2 million

3.) “Alvin and the Chipmunks” $29 million

4.) “Charlie Wilson’s War” $9.6 million

5.) “Sweeney Todd” $9.35 million

6.) “P.S. I Love You” $6.5 million

7.) “Enchanted” $4.15 million

8.) “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” $4.1 million

9.) “The Golden Compass” $4 million

10.) “Juno” $3.4 million

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is a summer 2008 film directed by Guillermo del Toro (”Pan’s Labyrinth”). The film is a sequel to 2004’s “Hellboy”, also directed by Del Toro. “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” is written by Guillermo del Toro and Mike Mignola. Universal Pictures finances and distributes the film, which has a target release date for July 11, 2008.

If you are a fan of the first “Hellboy” film then this footage should get your motor running. I love the look and feel of these comic book films. Who else but del Torro could bring this universe to life? The trailer for “Hellboy 2″ looks way better than the first film already! Check out the trailer below:

Rilo Kiley’s current c.d. “Under The Blacklight” is a pop rock masterpiece. Melding influences from Fleetwood Mac and other soft California breezy bands, their sound is refreshing and light. “Under The Blacklight” is also the #5 best album on Rolling Stone’s “best of” for 2007. Check out the brilliant signle “Silver Lining” below:

RILO KILEY

The song “Apologize” was originally released by alternative rock group One Republic in 2006. The vocalist and writer of the song is Ryan Tedder, the lead singer of the band. A version of the song is featured on Timbaland’s breakthrough solo album called “Shock Value”. This version contain a slightly different beat, using a sampled drum machine.

I love this song, and it is just a one of a number of hits off of Timbaland’s awesome new c.d. The artist/band featured called One Republic may be a one hit wonder with this tune but that is just fine with me. The lead singer is cute enough but the song is catchier than any other ballad I have heard all year besides “Umbrella” of course.

CLAUDE VONSTROKE - “THE WHISTLER”

RILO KILEY - “SILVER LINING”

JUNIOR JACK (FEAT. ROBERT SMITH) - “DA HYPE”

APRIL MARCH - “CHICK HABIT”

SEPTEMBER - “CRY FOR YOU”

SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO - “I BELIEVE”

KYLIE MINOGUE - “SANTA BABY”

CASSIUS - “TOOP TOOP”

AMY WINEHOSUE - “FUCK ME PUMPS”

BODYROX - “YEAH YEAH”

SWITCH - “A BIT PATCHY”

Recent Golden Globe nominee Jon Hamm of “Mad Men” will star opposite Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly in the sci-fi remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” for Fox, says The Hollywood Reporter.Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose) will direct the update of Robert Wise’s 1951 classic from a screenplay by David Scarpa.

Hamm will play Dr. Granier, a NASA official who recruits Helen (Connelly) for the scientific team investigating an alien’s arrival on Earth. Reeves plays Klaatu, the alien who has a simple message: “Live in peace or be destroyed”. the original is a cheesy but poignant film, this should either be chilling or another crappy re-make

Ashlee Simpson is the true definition of a guilty pleasure. She also embodies more of what I am looking for in a silly pop star. If only Britney Spears new c.d. sounded half as good as Miss Simpson’s latest single “Outta My Head”. Her sister Jessica must hate the fact that her little sister has a recording career that is semi-relevant.

“Outta My Head” is the first single off Ashlee’s third album called “Bittersweet World”. The progressive sounding pop album is scheduled for release in March of 2008. It has been reported that Simpson worked on the album with current hot producers such as Timbaland, Pharrell, will.i.am and Chad Hugo. By the looks of this music video Ashlee has done the right thing to revive her career.

WATCH THE “OUTTA MY HEAD MUSIC VIDEO” BELOW

Claude VonStroke is an American house, electro house and “ghettotech” producer based in San Francisco. In July 2006 he released his debut album, “Beware of the Bird”, to excellent reviews. His aliases include Barclay Crenshaw, Burnto Bertolucci, Pedro DeLaFaydro. His new single “The Whistler” is currently on the U.K. top ten dance singles chart.

WATCH THE “DEEP THROAT” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW

DJ CLAUDE VONSTROKE

I haven’t reviewed Britney Spears new c.d. for a few reasons but mainly because she is so over sensationalized that it is a waste of time. I personally don’t think it is a travesty of musical proportions, but it isn’t exactly high art either. That said, I hate this new single and music video.

The theme of this video is ridiculous, of course the media wants a piece of you girl! You can’t seem to live, eat, shop, drive or walk in an area that doesn’t have a mob of paparazzi swarming around it at all times. It’s hard to feel sorry for this young mother of two. This video is just plain pathetic if you ask me. Let the Britney fans attack!

** 1/2 STARS

I am not sure why I went into “I Am Legend” expecting to get more than what I ended up watching. After the finish of “Legend” I felt like there should have been more to the story. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the tense quiet moments in this film, but the loud bang ‘em up monster chase sequences have that “been there, done that” feel to them. Instead of an introspective creepy mind bender, we get a Hollywood cookie cutter popcorn flick, and that is just fine for what it is.

It is soley because of Will Smith and his relaxed acting style that make this film truly work. He is in the best shape of his life and his subtle comedic touches always endear himself to the audience. I love Will Smith the comedian and the action star, I am not such a big fan of his more “serious” work. That said, Smith earns his ranks in the Hollywood action film star hall of fame with his terrific stunt work and physical abilities.

“I Am Legend” has a familiar plot that has been tackled many times before in films like “28 Days Later”, “The Omega Man”, “Night of the Comet” etc. But this film uses the introspective conflicted mind of a lonely soul survivor to tell the story. When we are introduced to the other people and the “monsters” in the movie the film becomes your typical zombie/vampire horror film fair. I would call this movie a cross between “28 Days Later” and “30 Days of Night”, it just feels that “familiar”.

The key scenes with Smith and his canine companion are the true winning moments in “I Am Legend”, they remind of the bond that Tom Hank’s had with his faithful friend “Wilson” on a deserted island in “Cast Away”. There is a sweet and gentle side of Smith that audiences just can’t get enough of, and it is abundant in this film.

The warm moments with Smith alone and the claustrophobic sequences in the dark are the most chilling in this film. Even though it did not give us a new story or break any new artistic boundaries I give “I Am Legend” credit for trying something new in a genre that is getting stale fast. This isn’t a family friendly picture, but it is a mindless fun way to spend some time at the movies this holiday season.