Coming Eventually: "Ghost Rider"

Preview by Fat Jack
My Prediction: So-So

In Theatres February 16, 2007
Not Yet Rated
Directed by: Mark Steven Johnson
Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes, and Sam Elliot.

See the Trailer
Visit the Official Site

STRIKE 1: Director Mark Steven Johnson has been significantly associated with such flops as “Elektra” (producer) and “Daredevil” (director). STRIKE 2: Nicholas Cage is our action-adventure hero and his track record in that genre is as poor as it gets. In drama, Cage is outstanding. His action hero status is sorely lacking. So if this is to be something more than an action plot thrown around a comic character from writers who know nothing of the storiline, then we are in for another disappointing dessert of piss and vinegar.

As cool as comics and bikes are, and they are up there on the cool factor, I do not hold out much hope for this comic adaptation. As much as I enjoy comics, I do wonder if moviedom has not had its fill of them. Let us hope beyond hope that I am wrong. Nothing would make me happier.

Mini-Review: "Over The Hedge"

Review by Fat Jack

3 stars out of 5

Now in Theatres
Rated PG

Directed by: Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick
Starring: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Nick Nolte, Thomas Haden Chruch, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, and Avril Lavigne.


Rotten Tomatoes: 73% fresh
Netflix: 4.3 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.6 stars out of 10
Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4

A group of hibernating animals wake up to find their food is depleted and it’s time to lay some in. During their long winter’s nap, a monolithic hedge appeared between them and suburbia. A sleezy raccoon with his own agenda manipulates the group to help him rob the refrigerator of a nasty little lady.

If you forget the fact that turtles, porcupines, squirrels and skunks don’t hibernate and then let go of the idea that a hedge of that size cannot sprout of over one winter and you have a mediocre outing for the family. It’s not good enough that adults will want to see it without children present, but it’s fine if you need to do something as a family. You will not be remiss if you wait for the DVD. (see the trailer) (visit the official site)

RJ: “That is an S.U.V. Humans ride in them because they are slowly loosing their ability to walk.”
LEW: “Wow, it’s huge.”
HAMMY: “How many people fit in there?”
RJ: “Normally, about one.”

Review: "X-Men: The Last Stand"

Review by Fat Jack
My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Now in Theatres
Rated PG-13
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, Rebeca Romijn, Patrick Stewart, and Ben Foster.

Rotten Tomatoes: Rotten
Netflix: 4.5 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.9 stars out of 10
Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4


Everything you need to know about “X-Men: The Last Stand” can be summed up easily: Director Bryan Singer left the X-Men series to direct another comic book adaptation, “Superman Returns.” Things are just not the same, a failing more apparent with every review, including those from die hard comic fans, such as INCONCEIVABLE’s own Larry.

The story line had potential and lots of it. There is a strong connection to our modern day political climate. The X-men comic has been known to do that since the beginning. It raises questions about emotional issues facing America today. As Roger Ebert stated: "X-Men: The Last Stand" raises all of these questions in embryonic form, but doesn't engage them in much detail, because it is often distracted by the need to be an action movie. The great failing of many a movie is the reliance on action and cgi rather than the story and the characters.

But there are other problems afoot with this latest X-adventure, which my group of friends point out last night. I’ll detail some of our discussion for you. Storm is one of the most powerful members of the X-men, yet she has never really been given her due. This time, she emerges as the leader of the X-Men, yet it’s Logan who leads them. I like Wolverine as much as the next person -- he is one of the great comic book character of all time. But his little pep talk to the other five X-Men before confronting Magneto in the end was a disgusting attempt at uniting the audience with the characters. It was not Wolverine. I don’t know why they didn’t give that to Storm; it would have made more sense.

In order to obtain the mutant x-gene cure (a boy) Magneto chose to uproot the Golden Gate Bridge, in order to use it as his own crossing to Alcatraz, where the boy was being housed. One has to wonder if that was really necessary. It made for interesting movie making, but wouldn’t it have been so much easier to take a boat? I’m not really suggesting that the Brotherhood take a ferry to the island, but I am pointing out that action took precedence over creative writing.

My buddies also pointed out that in the comic Magneto ripped out Wolverine’s adamantium, turning him into a feral beast but also increasing his healing power to the point that he healed almost faster than the injury could take place. Now that is a Wolverine who might actually stand the chance of surviving the class 5 (as stated in the movie) mutant, Phoenix. It’s a comic detail, I know. But once again, I point out that it relies on story and character rather than just action. The central theme to this final installment was about finding the cure for the mutants. The man who discovered the source of the cure, surprise, surprise, is ashamed of his own mutant son. We are to assume many things about him and his son, Angel, because the plot only glossed over them. Seems to me a central theme should actually be developed.

That is not to say that the movie was not worth seeing, but it wasn’t worth the $22 I paid for my family to see it in theatres. Rent this movie and enjoy it as much as you can. Hell, go out and buy it on DVD just so you can have the entire collection, but don’t expect it to live up to the first two.

I know this is PG-13, but it’s also purposefully marketed to children under that age. But I’m not sure that “dick head” was necessary to the plot or the character who said it. Just a side note.

CHARLES XAVIER: “Since the dawn of existence, there have always been moments when the course of history shifted. Such a turning point is upon us now. The conflict between the better and worst angels of our very nature. Whose outcome will change our world so greatly...there will be no going back. I do not know if victory is possible. I only know that great sacrifice will be required. And because the fate of many will depend on a few, we must make the last stand.”

MAGNETO: “No one ever talks about extermination. They just do it. And you go on with your lives, ignoring the signs around you. And then one day, when the air is still and the night is fallen, they come for you. Only then do you realize that while you're talking about organizing and committees, the extermination has already begun. Make no mistake, my brothers, they will draw first blood. They will force their cure upon us. There is only one question you must answer: Who will you stand with?”

Movie Review- X-Men: The Last Stand

I went and experienced X-Men: The Last Stand tonight. I went with a whole gang of folks including Bryan and his son. Opening night is always fun for an action/Sci-fi/superhero movie and this was no exception.

I am an X-Men fan. I collected Uncanny X-Men comic books for years and then later all the other X-Men titles. I know the history of the characters. I am attached to many of them.

I love the previous 2 movies. The first X-Men movie was revolutionary in bringing Marvel comics to the big screen for the first time with out the movie being horrible. It treated the characters well and introduced them to millions for the first time. The second did a great job of telling the story of Wolverine past. I would give both of those movies A-.

I had a variety of expectations and hopes going into this movie. I had the hope that they would take the characters and continue to develop them and grow them into the third movie. I knew that they were going to tell one of the most interesting storylines ever in X-Men by telling the Dark Phoenix Saga. I knew that they could not tell it just like the comic book because that would not flow well in a 2 hour movie. It might in a 10 hour miniseries. I also expected that if you told this storyline wrong, it would be Batman and Robin bad. I hoped it would be the best of the three.

My expectations for this movie was not that high. I knew that it had been rushed into production. I knew that we would have a new director, which can be bad for a series. I had high hopes but moderate expectations.

I read an initial great review of this movie on Ain't It Cool News. Then I started reading not so good reviews of this movie. Some of the people loved it and some of them hated it. This helped moderate my expectations down even further.

Spoiler Information contained Below:

Here is what I liked about this movie:

• I loved what they did to Storm. She got a haircut and got full use of her powers. She was flying and had great control of the weather. In one scene where she is depressed, she makes the weather dark and gloomy. I also loved the tribute to the comics with the battles scenes where Storm takes on Callisto (without having to explain the whole Morlocks thing.)

• Wolverine is turned loose to act more like Wolverine in the comics. He will kill bad guys to get what he needs. There are a couple of scene with Wolverine on the attack and he slaughters (not very bloody) several of them. They play his wildman side along with his feeling for Jean very much like the comics.
  

• We get to finally see the Danger room and how the X-Men train in the Danger room. In there we also get to see our first Sentinel. The conflict the Wolverine and Storm have about the Danger Room is a classic.

• The emotional turmoil that Cyclops goes through while dealing with the Death of Jean is right on the money. It was like I was reading the story again. He leaves and now Storm is the leader. Perfect.
  

• I enjoyed the additional X-Men characters being added and it being done well. I loved the Beast and also really liked Juggernaut and Angel. They also focused on some of the younger characters that we had meet before like Iceman, Kitty Pride, Pyro, and Colossus.
  

What did I not like about this Movie?:

• I did not like how they changed the Phoenix to be a part of the Jean's mind. I hated that explanation. They did not have to even explain it at all in this movie. They could have played it more like the comics did orginally and state that she seems to be experiencing a great power surge. Let me state it again, I hated the explanation.

• (Big Time Spoiler) I hated that we are led to believe that Jean (or should I say Phoenix) killed Scott. I also hated that she obliterated Professor X. Characters die and come back to life all the time in comics. Phoenix never killed either one of them. Yes I know that Professor X is back at the end of the movie (after the credits).

• Magneto and Mystique never lost their powers in the comics. I liked the overall idea of the Cure plot line but I did not like it used on these main characters. Yes I know that Magneto showed that he might get his powers back at the end but that is not the point.

Overall Grade: B
It was not as good as the first two X-Men movies. There were great things about this movie but I would not call it a great movie. It reminded me of how Aliens 3 was good but not in the same league as the original Alien and Aliens.

Other Reviews:
Rotten Tomatoes 52%
Coming Soon: 3 different rankings 5.5/10 rating 7/10 rating 5/10 rating
Rolling Stone: 2 out of 4 Stars

Memorable Quotes
1) Logan: [to Rogue] Hey, I'm not your father. If you wanna go, be sure it's what you want.

2) Prof. Charles Xavier: [to Ororo Munroe] You of all people know how fast the weather can change.

3a) John Allerdyce: Maybe you should go back to school.
3b) Bobby Drake: [Knocks out Pyro] You never should've left.

4a) Bobby Drake: You seem like you're avoiding me, I mean something's wrong.
4b) Marie: I can't touch my boyfriend without killing him.
4c) Bobby Drake: Have I ever put any pressure on you?
4d) Marie: You're a guy Bobby. Your mind's only on one thing.

Movie Top Quote lists

We are still working on getting our top quote lists up and going on this site. I anticipate that it will be there sometime next week. We have to give you, the readers, a chance to put in your opinion on which quotes are the best from each movie and then narrow it down from there. We just wanted you to know that we have not forgotten about this.

Fat Jack's Summer Family Flick Preview

As far as young kids are concerned, they aren’t in to documentaries and independent films. Not too many 8-year-olds should go to see the fantastic piece of cinema “Duck Season.” But there are a number of films (good and maybe not so good) coming out for the young-ins this summer. Summer is a subjective term for me as you will notice that one movie, “Over the Hedge,” opens this weekend (May 19). As always, my list is in order of my preference, and not by release date.

“MONSTER HOUSE”
In Theatres July 21
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

One of my favorite genres, horror, is finally adapted for young audiences in this adventure-thriller monster movie. Three teens discover that the house down the street is not just creepy, not just haunted, but it is a living, breathing monster unto itself. But no one, of course, believes them. It’s up to them to stop the monster house.

This is my top pick for the upcoming children’s movies. Kids love to be safely scared, and this little movie hopes to be a change of pace from the typical animated animal storyline. It’s produced by Spielberg, after all, who has made some of the great children’s classic cinema.

Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg. Directed by Gil Kenan. Starring: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jon Heder, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Catherine O’Hara, Kathleen Turner and Fred Willard.

“OVER THE HEDGE”
In Theatres May 19
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site

Vern the tortoise and his woodland friends wake up from a long winter’s nap to find that a new monolith hedge has sprung in their home. Vern is comfortable with his pastoral life, but a raccoon new to the woods is working to convince the other creatures that the grass is greener on the other side. But be careful what you wish for. This looks to be a wonderful choice this year, second only to “Monster House.”

Directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick. Starring: Bruce Willis, Steve Carrell, Garry Shandling, William Shatner, Thomas Haden Church, Wanda Sykes, Nick Nolte, and Avril Lavigne.

“HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS”
In Theatres August 25
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

(Poster art not available)

The first day at a new school is hard enough without having a run-in with the school bully. In order to save face in front of all the other fifth graders, Billy agrees to the bully’s bet to eat 10 worms. Based on Thomas Rockwell’s classic children’s story of the same name. This is a live-action film.

Let’s be real about this. Kids are just going to eat this up, what with all the nasty worm-chomping going on. It’s worth a ticket and popcorn just to see your little ones squirm with disgusting delight. And this has something that our other family choices do not: a chance introduce literature to your child by reading this book to them (or with them). Book learnin’ and slimy guts -- the perfect recipe for a fun, old fashioned family time together.

Directed by Bob Dolman. Starring: Timothy Patrick Cavanaugh, Kimberly Williams, Thomas Cavanagh, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, James Rebhorn and Clint Howard.

“THE ANT BULLY”
In Theatres August 4
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

We all know what runs downhill. The same is true for 10-year-old Lucas who is the target of the neighborhood bully. Lucas turns his frustration toward the ant hill in his yard, attacking it with his pre-emptive water bombings. The ants fight back by shrinking him with their magic elixir. To pay for his crimes, Lucas is sentenced to a life of hard labor. He soon finds himself on a new journey of respect and understanding.

Directed by John A. Davis. Starring: Nicolas Cage, Paul Giamatti, Larry Miller, Ricardo Montalban, Cheri Oteri, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, and Lilly Tomlin.

“HAPPY FEET”
In Theatres This November
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

In the world of Emperor Penguins getting the girl is all about the sweet song. Poor old Mumble can’t carry a tune in a bucket. While all the other boys are wooing their mates with their siren-songs, he sends the girls packing with his caterwauling. Can Mumble find his place in the world, and win the girl to boot, with his unusual gift? The singing and dancing in this flick is sure to please the kids and offer a better children’s movie than the last live-action penguin piece of documentary tripe.

Directed by: George Miller. Starring: Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Hugh Jackman, and Nicole Kidman.

“OPEN SEASON”
September 29
Not Yet Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site


A domesticated circus bear rescues a wiild mule deer from a hunter and the two find themselves deep in the wild with the hunting season on their heels. The two must work together to find safety before they end up two trophies on some hunter’s wall.

Directed by Roger Allers, Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi. Starring: Martin Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher, Debra Messing, Billy Connolly, Jon Favreau, and Gary Sinise.

“CARS”

In Theatres June 9
Rated G
See the Trailer
Official Site


Cocky race car Lightning McQueen finds himself smack dab in the middle of the little country town, Radiator Springs. Unlike his fast paced world, Lighting McQueen discovers that there is more to the race of life than the checkered flag.

Directed by John Lasseter. Starring: Owen Wilson, bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman, John Ratzenberger, Tony Shalhoub, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Keaton, George Carlin, Bob Costas, Cheech Marin, Jenifer Lewis, Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, and Paul Dooley.

“BARNYARD”
In Theatres October 6
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site


Carefree cow, Otis, finds himself in the middle of a disaster when the farmer disappears. The barnyard is run amok without order. So Otis realizes that it is time for responsibility to take over.

Directed by Steve Oedekerk. Starring: Kevin James, Courtney Cox Arquette, Wanda Sykes, Megan Cavanagh, Sam Elliott, Danny Glover, David Koechner and Andie MacDowell.

Fat Jack's Summer Preview

Summer is the time for big budget blockbusters, which are a fine piece of movie-making. I have every intention of seeing “Superman Returns,” “X-Men 3” and to a lesser extent, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead’s Men Chest.” However, if you are looking for something a little different -- independent films, documentaries, foreign titles, or just small budget gems -- then take at look at these suggestions.

Okay, some of these are not technically summer previews as they may have released earlier this Spring. But much of the time these haven’t come to Springfield anyway. Besides, it’s my post and I’ll bastardize it as I choose. They are categorized in order of preference. Don’t forget to jump over to Entertain Me and check out MC’s great summer preview and other movie reviews.



“12 AND HOLDING”
Very Limited Release: May 7, 2006
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

If I had to recommend only one of my summer previews, this would be it. I suspect this will be an excellent movie, powerful, poignant and hard to endure, but excellent.

This powerful film involves four 12-year-olds: twin brothers Rudy and Jacob, Malee, and Leonard. When two bullies set the group's tree house a blaze, the death of Rudy affects the entire group of kids, who have their own burdens to carry before the accident. The adults struggle to help the remaining three deal with the loss of life, the loss innocence and their new found guilt. Directed by: Michael Cuesta, who also directed “L.I.E.”



“AKEELAH AND THE BEE”
Released April 28
Rated PG
See the Trailer
Official Site

Eleven-year-old Akeelah discovers her talent and love for spelling and fantasizes about being a spelling bee champion. Her South Central LA community, however, values sports and rapping over than academics.

When Akeelah enters the school spelling bee, the principal sees her potential and seizes the chance to connect her with a mentor, Joshua. That doesn’t make for good relationships with the parental unit, as her Mother sees all this spelling bee nonsense as nothing more than a fleeting hobby. Directed by Doug Atchison. Starring: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Curtis Armstrong.



"THE REAL DIRT ON FARMER JOHN"
Released March 10
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

This documentary focuses on John Peterson a radical, artistic Midwestern farmer. Misunderstood by his community, this farmer turns his farm into an artistic, hippy commune only to be later persecuted by those he wishes to protect. This film has won 18 awards so far. Directed by Taggart Siegel.



“ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL”
Limited Release: May 5, 2006
Rated R
See the Trailer
Official Site

From the producers of “Ghost World,” comes this odd little film about an aspiring artist, Jerome, who escapes his high school home town to study at an Easy Coast art school. Being misunderstood follows Jerome into art school and he finds himself bewildered by the pseudo-artists around him. Things go more arwy when his love interest, Audrey, pines after the hunk of the art class. Starring: John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Angelica Huston, Max Minghella, and Sophia Myles. Directed by Terry Zwigoff.



"THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS"
In Theatres June 6
Rated R
See the Trailer
Official Site

Based on JT LeRoy’s controversial novel of the same name, this tale follows Jeremiah, a young boy who was moved from his foster home and united with his troubled, teenaged mother traveling the US. Jeremiah’s life is filled with abuse, neglect and a trail of his mother’s unseemly boyfriends.

I seriously doubt this will be a movie for masses. Marilyn Manson is in it. Faint at heart beware. Directed by: Asia Argento, who also the leading lady. Starring: Jimmy Bennett, Peter Fonda, Ben Foster, Michael Pitt, and Marilyn Manson.



“A SCANNER DARKLY”
Limited Release: May 19, 2006
Not Rated
See the Trailer
Official Site

Director Richard Linklater utilizes his interpolated rotoscoping technique again (looks like animation over live action) in this sci-fi government conspiracy film adapted from Philip K. Dick’s novel. National security is top priority where everyone is spying on everyone else and the drug of choice is Substance D (which causes split personalities by the way.)

I’m not sure about this one, but it warrants looking at the trailer. It does have Keanu Reeves and that is one big strike against it. Just check out the trailer. Starring: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Woody Harrelson, Robert Downey, Jr., and Rory Cochrane.

Mini-Review: "Duck Season"

Review by Fat Jack
4.5 stars out of 5

Now in Theatres -- Very Limited Release

Rated R
Directed by: Fernando Eimbcke
Starring: Enrique Arreola, Diego Catano, Daniel Miranda, and Danny Perea.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% fresh
Netflix: 3.8 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.6 stars out of 10
Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4


Two boys, 14-year-old compadres, are home alone on yet one more Sunday, left to their own devices behind a locked door in an apartment complex. Video games, chips, comics and pizza are their hideaway vices until the power goes out. Seemingly out of nowhere, the 16-year-old girl down the hall comes knocking, needing to use the oven and the pizza delivery guy just won’t go away.

The ridiculously boring meanderings of the adolescent are a means to tell a deeper, powerful story about our human existence and the power of love, pain and understanding. This is by no means a depressing, sick, disturbing or dark movie. I do love my dark comedies and movies filled with punches to the gut and face. You won’t find that with Duck Season.

This is a story about nothing. No, that’s not right. It’s a story about life and pain and understanding told in a strangely comedic-nothing sort of way. This movie is important in the way the subjects are portrayed, the framing of the actors, and the music and sounds used to define the story. Yet, it is artful without being pretentious. Pay attention to what is happening when nothing is going on, and you will discover the poetic and universal truths found in this wonderful gem. (view trailer) (official site)

MOKO: “I give a fuck, too.”

ULISES: “Let me talk to your Mom, kid.”
FLAMA: “First of all, my Mom isn’t here, and second of all, don’t call me a kid!”

Report: G-Rated Movies Teach Bad Behaviors to Boys and Girls

Many thanks to Roger Ebert, who posted this press release on his site. From a May 3, 2006 press release from Dad’s and Daughter’s.org:

(Washington, DC) Our youngest children learn alarming lessons about men and boys from the movies they watch over and over, according to a new report released today at the National Press Club by Oscar® winner Geena Davis' See Jane program (www.seejane.org), part of the national nonprofit Dads & Daughters (www.dadsanddaughters.org).

"G Movies Give Boys a D: Portraying Males as Dominant, Disconnected and Dangerous" reveals how male characters in children's films are portrayed as significantly more important than females, more likely to be violent, and less likely to be fathers or husbands. Males of color are shown even more negatively.

Among the report's key findings:

• G-rated movies, whether animated or live-action, are dominated by white male characters and male stories. Male characters outnumber females 3 to 1.
• Male characters are only half as likely (34.6%) as females (66.3%) to be parents. They are about half as likely (31.9%) as females (60.7%) to be married or in a committed relationship.
• The fathering and relationship picture is even bleaker for male characters of color. Among those male characters developed enough to ascertain their parental and/or relationship status:
• Just over a third (34.6%) of nonwhites are parents, compared to more than half (53.1%) of whites.
• Less than a quarter of nonwhites (22.2%) are married or in committed relationships, compared to 45.3% of whites.
• Males of color are hard to find in G-rated movies. They are only 14.5% of male characters, but 35.5% of the male US population.
• Almost twice as many nonwhite males (62%) as white males (37.6%) are portrayed as physically aggressive or violent.
• Among male characters, 44.1% are physically aggressive or violent, compared to 36.9% of females. With three times as many male characters, the actual number of physically aggressive males is much higher than the number of physically aggressive females.
• Males are three times more likely to be among the small number of G-rated movie characters portrayed as dumb.

"These findings are disturbing because G-rated films profoundly impact a child's development and worldview," according to Joe Kelly, President of Dads & Daughters and author of four fathering books. "The average US child owns 20 DVDs or video and watches at least one of them each day. The narrow portrayal of males is especially troubling given society's struggle with divorce, father absence, violence, and the shortage of initiatives to adequately prepare boys and young men for the opportunities and responsibilities of manhood."

Academy Award® winner and See Jane Founder Geena Davis says, "As a proud member of the entertainment industry, I know that things can get better. I believe that this report will help inspire Hollywood to provide characters and stories that more reliably reflect the world our children live in-and the one where they will live as adults."

Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and consultant to The Cosby Show, says, "The early exposure of children to less stereotyped gender roles will contribute to less sexism and improved relationships between the sexes, as well as a balanced approach in rearing male and female children."

"Characters of color are most often sidekicks, comic relief, or villains," according to principal investigator Stacy Smith, Ph.D, Associate Professor at USC. "Nonwhite male characters are portrayed as more aggressive and isolated. Only about a quarter of characters are female. The result is that the majority of children do not see themselves reliably reflected on the silver screen."

This is the second report stemming from the most comprehensive content analysis of G-rated movies ever conducted. Sponsored by See Jane, researchers from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California studied the 101 top-grossing G-rated films released from 1990 through 2004, analyzing a total of 4,249 speaking characters in both animated and live-action films. During 2006, See Jane is releasing four reports covering what G-rated films communicate to children about gender disparity (released in February), the portrayal of boys, occupational expectations for girls and boys, and body image and hyper-sexuality.

Families, entertainment industry professionals, educators and communities all have roles and opportunities in improving portrayals of females and males in children's media.

For easy-to-use tips and to read the full report, visit www.seejane.org. Dads & Daughters' See Jane program, founded by actor and producer Geena Davis, engages professionals and parents to improve gender portrayals in media for children ages 11 and under. Dads & Daughters is the national nonprofit working to make the world safer and fairer for our daughters.

Now Playing at The Moxie: "Duck Season

Recommendation by Fat Jack
Rated R

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% fresh
Netflix: 3.8 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.6 stars out of 10
Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4

Says THE MOXIE: “Duck Season” is a comedy about an unlikely foursome (two bored teenagers, a slightly older female neighbor, and a pizza delivery man) who stumble upon little revelations and insights into the kind of youthful longing that stays with one well past adolescence. Shot in black-and-white and on a minuscule budget, Eimbcke's film is a slice-of-life comedy that takes place over the course of one day in a Mexico City apartment. Stylistically reminiscent of the earliest works by filmmakers such as Jim Jarmusch and Kevin Smith, “Duck Season” conjures up a world all of its own, and is a welcome introduction to the cinematic mind of Fernando Eimbcke.


Show Times at The Moxie:

• Wednesday, May 10th @ 7 pm
• Thursday, May 11th @ 9:30 pm
• Friday, May 12th @ 4:30 pm
• Saturday, May 13th @ 4:45 pm
• Sunday, May 14th @ 2 pm, 7 pm
• Monday, May 15th @ 4:30 pm
• Tuesday, May 16th @ 7:10 pm
• Wednesday, May 17th @ 7 pm
• Thursday, May 18th @ 9:30 pm

MOKO: “I give a fuck, too.”

ULISES: “Let me talk to your Mom, kid.”
FLAMA: “First of all, my mom isn't here, and second of all, don't call me a kid.”

Mission Impossible: III- Movie Review

Cue the Mission Impossible Theme music! Can you hear it in your head? Yeah there it is. I saw this weekend's blockbuster: MI: III I went with a group including Bryan and Fat Jack and our spouses.

Mission Impossible has been one of my favorite 60's/70's TV shows. (It ran 7 seasons from 1966-1973) I enjoyed the remake series that ran 1988-1990. I had high expectations for the Mission Impossible movies. The first one I enjoyed but it was not as good as the show. The second one was a good action movie but not really a true Mission Impossible story. Would the third one live up to my love for this series?

I took a chance seeing this movie on opening day. It was the third movie in a series, which is usually not a good sign unless it is supposed to be a trilogy. I did not really like the second movie.

Why did I choose to accept the Impossible Mission? (My movie gift card did self destruct upon buying the tickets). The reason I accepted the Mission was that J.J. Abrams was directing and writing the script. As my readers over at Simple Thoughts will already know, I love Alias and Lost. J.J. Abrams knows what I like and always delivers it.

The opening scene is a classic Alias beginning. It starts with Ethen Hunt (Tom Cruise' character) tied to a chair, being told that he has a bomb in his head, and the bad guy threatening to kill the girl then it flashes back to the current time. Eventually we will find how he ended up in that situation. I am hooked from the opening sequence.

I enjoyed how the IMF team functioned in this movie. Yes, Ethan is the main character but his team is much more important than in the other movies. This is how Mission Impossible is suppose to work. Ethan does attempt to do the loner thing but his team shows up to help anyway.

I liked how the action sequences (which are numerous) are used to emphasis the plot. They are not the only plot like in MI2. It also has great special effects.

How did I like this movie? I really enjoyed it. It was worth the $8 a ticket I paid. It was the closest of the three to the Mission Impossible TV show. It reveals how the IMF agents make their masks to look like other people. It also shows a more human side of Ethan Hunt. Over all I would give it a B+ (Thumbs up). I hope that it is the being of a really good summer of movie watching. Go and see it while people are talking about it.

What do others say about MI3?
Rotten Tomatoes 6.8 out of 10
Rolling Stone 3 out of 4 stars
Ebert - Thumbs Down (as seen on TV)
Roeper- Thumbs Up (as seen on TV)

Memorable Quotes:

Owen Davian: Who are you? Do you have a wife? A girlfriend? Whoever she is, I'm gonna find her. I'm gonna hurt her. And then I'm going to kill you right in front of her.

Brassel: You can look at me with those judgmental eyes all you want - I would bleed on the American flag to keep those stripes red.

Ethan Hunt: I can't get to the roof!
Declan: Where are you?
Ethan Hunt: Look up! Look up!

Benji Dunn: Oh well maybe we could share a jail cell together!

Luther Stickell: That look in your eyes is pain in my ass, you know that, right?

Owen Davian: [to Ethan] We've implanted an explosive charge in your head. Does that sound familiar?

Attention Fanboys: "Superman Returns"

Recommendation by Fat Jack

In theatres: June 30, 2006
Rated PG-13

Directed by: Brian Singer
Starring: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, and more.

See the trailer
See the official site


The Man of Steel is gone and the city of Metropolis has move on. Superman, assuming the world has suffered without him, discovers that his beloved city-state has done just well without him. That includes his longtime love, Lois Lane. Apparently not even our hunka-hunka burning Kryptonian can wait too long to spark true love. Ladies these days wait for no man.

While Lois has crushed his heart, his one time friend, Lex, is ready to throw some ground-and-pound Kal-El’s way and maybe destroy the earth while he’s at it. Why not? Directed by Brian Singer (X-Men and X-Men 2 and The Usual Suspects,) Warner Bros. wisely chose an unknown to don the blue and red. This takes place after Superman and Superman 2. So you may want to check those out before hand.

Lois Lane: Let's start with the big question. Where did you go? Did you find what you were looking for?
Clark Kent: That place was a graveyard. I'm...all that's left.
Martha Kent: And even if you are the last, you're not alone.

Lex Luthor: Come on, let me hear you say it. Just once Lois Lane: You're insane.
Lex Luthor: No, not that! No, the other thing.
Lois Lane: Superman will never …
Lex Luthor: [shouts] Wrong!

Coming Soon: "Nacho Libre"

Recommendation by Fat Jack

In theatres: June 16, 2006
Not yet rated

Directed by: Jared Hess (“Napoleon Dynamite”)
Starring: Jack Black, Hector Jimenez and Ana de la Reguera

See the trailer
See the confessionals


Dreaming of fame beyond his pastoral life as a cook in the monastery, Nacho (Black) decides to become the hero of God’s people saving the monastery from financial ruin by joining the Lucha Libre wrestling tournament. Winning the heart of Sister Encarnacion wouldn’t be a terrible bi-product, either.

In the upcoming world of independent cinematic gems, Nacho Libre has the potential to take on a life of it’s own, earning it’s place among the great cult comedy classics. It may very well end up on INCONCEIVABLE’s Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time list.

Nacho: I was wondering if you would like to join me in my quarters this night... for some toast.

Mini-Review: "Audition"

Review by Fat Jack

4 stars out of 5

Rated R
irected by: Takashi Miike

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% fresh (users)
Netflix: 3.3 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.4 stars out of 10


Director Shigeharu Aoyama lost his wife many years ago and he is excruciatingly lonely. Now that is son is grown, he is looking for a new bride. A friend gives him the idea to hold auditions for a fake movie in hopes of finding the right lady for him. The audition leads him to Asami, an actress with more than than love on her mind.

”Audition” (Odishon) belongs to a newer genre of horror film known as J-horror (Japanese horror). This movie, reminiscent of “The Exorcist,” utilizes classic 1970’s story telling by refusing to jump into the deep end of the action from the get go. Audition takes its time, allowing the love between the characters to develop, simultaneously creating a drawn-out creepiness. “Audition” eventually finds itself brutally writhing in a sack on the floor – needles galore. “Kiri, my friendly lovers of horror, Kiri.”

Asami Yamazaki: “Words create lies. Pain can be trusted.”

Yasuhisa Yoshikawa: “Happy people cannot act!”

Asami Yamazaki: “This wire can cut through meat and bone easily.”

Little Known Flix: "Duck Season"

Recommendation by Fat Jack
Now in theatres (limited release)

Rated R
Directed by: Fernando Eimbcke
Starring: Enrique Arreola, Diego Catano, Daniel Miranda, and Danny Perea.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% fresh
Netflix: 3.8 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.6 stars out of 10

Fourteen-year-old Flama and Moko have plans for their boring Sunday alone: video games, pizza and porn. When the power goes out, their plans are foiled. The 16-year-old Rita comes by to bake a cake in their oven and the pizza delivery guy just won’t leave. This all serves as the backdrop of the pains, confusion, frustration and budding love of adolescent life.

“Duck Season,” (Temporada de Patos) is a black and white film from Mexico and has several awards and nominations already to it’s name. I predict this is one that is not to be missed. Look for it to be nominated for an Academy Award next year for Best Foreign Film.
Springfield’s only art house movie theatre, The Moxie, has this little flick on its radar, hopefully to show in June. (see the trailer)

Moko: I give a fuck, too.

Ulises: Let me talk to your mom, kid.
Flama: First of all, my Mom isn't here, and second of all, don't call me a kid!

Cult Classic Review- Better Off Dead

Here is one of my favorite movies and it is a cult classic. I want to give my review of this movie that is loaded with movie quotes. This movie come back from my favorite decade- The Big 80's.

This movie starred a little known teenage actor at the time, who is now a big star. Before this movie this teen was most know for his minor role as a tech geek in the hit movie "16 Candles". It was John Cusack.

In this movie we know him as Lane Meyer. He is a teenager that is over infatuated with his girlfriend. When she breaks up with him for the idiot Ski Captain, Lane decides that he would be better off dead than to live without her. He attempts to kill himself several times but each time it fails miserably. My favorite is the attempt to throw himself off of the bridge.

This movie is so 80's that it in itself is very funny. It gives you some insights to teens during the Big 80's (Yes I was one of them). Many have compared it to "Ferris Buellers Day Off". It is very similar in some ways but the comedy styles are very different.

This movie is extremely high on the slap stick comedy. It relies on sight gags and good comedic timing. It is a side splitting roller coaster of laughs. If you like slap stick comedy (or as my wife calls it "Stupid Movies") then you should watch this movie or re-watch it for the 100th time.

Here are some of the most memorial quotes.

Johnny Gasparini (Paper Boy): "Two dollars! Two dollars!"

Lane Myer: Gee, I'm real sorry your mom blew up, Ricky.

Tree Trimmer: Now that's a real shame when folks be throwin' away a perfectly good white boy like that.

Charles De Mar: I've been going to this high school for seven and a half years. I'm no dummy. I know high school girls.

Monique Junot (French Exchange student): He keeps putting his testicles all over me.
Lane Myer: Excuse me?
Monique Junot: You know, like octopus? Testicles?
Lane Myer: Ohhhh. Tentacles. N-T.

Lane Myer: Sorry Johnny, I don't have a dime.
Johnny: Didn't ask for a dime. Two dollars.
Lane Myer: My little brother got his arm stuck in the microwave. So my mom had to take him to the hospital. My grandma dropped acid this morning, and she freaked out. She hijacked a busload of penguins. So it's sort of a family crisis. Bye!

Lane Myer: Two brothers... One speaks no English, the other learned English from watch "The Wide World of Sports." So you tell me... Which is better, speaking no English at all, or speaking Howard Cosell?

Mailman: What's a little boy like you doing with big boy smut like this?

Charles De Mar: And dying when you're not really sick is really sick, you know. Really!

Charles De Mar: [giving skiing instructions] Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

Charles De Mar: You ski the K-12 dude, and girls will go sterile just looking at you!

Lane Myer: She only speaks French, Roy. She doesn't speak imbecile.

Lane Myer: I have great fear of tools. I once made a birdhouse in woodshop and the fair housing committee condemned it. I can't.
Monique Junot: "I cannot do it" is your middle name.