New 'Battle: Los Angeles' Feature Trailer Impresses

Who doesn't love a good alien flick? Sure, Skyline and the bastardized remake of The Day The Earth Stood Still haven't been helping out the genre's appeal in recent years but 2008's District 9 was a surprise hit and was even nominated for a Best Picture award from the Oscars.

Well now it looks like aliens are getting even closer to Hollywood--literally.

Much like District 9 commented on the South African Apartheid, Battle: Los Angeles is also using our own history to set the stage for a big action blockbuster. The film is set in modern day, but the film's premise stems from the 1942 Battle of Los Angeles incident in which U.S. anti-aircraft artillery were targeting an alleged Japanese enemy combatant shortly after the end of World War II, but the government claimed it was a 'false alarm'. Of course, since that incident occurred there have been several UFO and alien related theories but over time nothing has panned out. Well if you look carefully at one of the Battle: Los Angeles posters and compare it to a similar photograph of the anti-aircraft artillery firing into the sky, it looks like there's a small disc-shaped object on the right side that narrowly missed the fire.

None of the previous trailers have directly stated the film is using the same incident as a precursor to the plot, but the newest trailer embedded below does shed some more light on the Normandy-esque bombing on the Santa Monica coastline. Along with Inception-like booms (click here and push the button) and the same moody autotune song from the first trailer, we see new shots of what looks to be shots of Los Angeles torn apart and big action set pieces on crushed freeways. Battle: Los Angeles is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the Spring and it sure looks like it's not going to disappoint. In theaters March 11, 2011.

Missed the first trailer? Watch it on Trailer-Addict.

The A-Team [Movie Review]

Who doesn't love The A-Team? The 80s cult-classic show featured over-the-top violence, totally corny dialogue, and a bad-but-weirdly-likable cast...on a weekly basis. That's impressive no matter how you look at it. Plus it had quite possibly the greatest opening for a TV show ever. People loved The A-Team, but by its fourth season ratings were falling and by the fifth and final season no one cared anymore. Pop culture was maturing for the dull 90s and it left The A-Team behind.

But through network repeats and loads of pop culture references, the show managed to stay relevant long past its expiration date. 20th Century Fox thinks it's time for The A-Team to receive an overdue reboot. What did I think of their results? Read on to find out!

The Latest 'Inception' Trailer Will Blow Your Mind

Well you all know how excited I am for Inception. Who wouldn't be? It's director Christopher Nolan's first movie since The Dark Knight forged itself into pop culture history. The movie is also boasting a huge AAA cast, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordin-Levitt, Ellen Page, Michael Caine, and more. Inception looks like a return to Nolan's pre-Batman thriller/mystery roots. One of my favorite movies happens to be the Nolan-directed Memento and the fact that he is returning to the genre that made him what he is today is exhilirating.

But Inception has had one thing going against of all its pro's: how little is known about the actual movie. The first two trailers were beautiful and mind-bendy, but you pretty much had no idea what was going on. All of that changes today.

Running in front of screenings for Iron Man 2 this weekend, Inception just got a brand spankin' new trailer and it definitely kicks the hype train into high gear. No words can explain the trailer, so feast your eyes below:

Mark your calendars: Inception is in theaters everywhere July 16th.

Summer at the Movies 2010: May & June

Summer is a sign of many things: the end of an era for students, the pleasant release from warm to hot, and, of course, big ass explosions. Ladies and gentlemen, prepare your credit cards!

Here's Part 1 of Summer at the Movies 2010.

Iron Man 2 [Movie Review]

So you’re wondering how on Earth I managed to see the movie a week ahead of its North American release. Well luckily the Middle-East got first dibs on the highly anticipated sequel and because of my current residence in Bahrain, I took advantage of it!

So how does this year’s model handle around the track? Does it live up to the daunting level of hype? Well the best way I can describe Iron Man 2 in a sentence is this: it lived up to the hype but failed to reach its potential. Why? Read on to find out…(Warning! Light spoilers ahead!)

The Losers Gives a Certain Team a Run For Their Money

Up for release in theaters is.....another action movie? Well, this one isn't quite like the others.

The Losers is an adaptation of the comic book by the same name, and from what I've heard about the comic the movie doesn't look to disappoint. Not only does the action look completely awesome, but it looks pretty hilarious too. Come on, who wouldn't laugh at "BlaGyver?"

Apparently critics, as can be seen by the pretty harsh score on RottenTomatoes. While the critics cry foul for the weak story, even they can't deny the appeal of a great mix between action and comedy.

Critics also say the flick features an excellent cast which includes Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Grey's Anatomy", Supernatural), Zoe Saldana (Star Trek), Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), Idris Elba, and more.

Not convinced? See The Losers in action in the trailer below.

New 'Iron Man 2' Trailer Shows The Fun Side of Superheroes

Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, X-Men, X-Men 2; all great superhero movies but all wayyyyy too serious. Iron Man was heralded for just how different it was from those films. The sequel looks just as fun with 10 times more badass thrown into the mix. See the trailer up above.

'A Nightmare On Elm Street' Returns With A Vicious New Trailer

I have never seen the original A Nightmare On Elm Street. I have seen a few clips here and there as well as the ending scene, but I have never actually sat down and watched it from start to end.

So I suppose that this new remake is aimed towards people like me who are aware of the twisted tale of Elm Street, but haven't actually seen it. Well after watching this new trailer, I can honestly say I'm ready for Freddy. The remake features some pretty decent young actors (recognizable from TV shows) and what looks to be a super freaky Jackie Earle Haley doing the hack 'n slash this go around.

First of all, the timing of Freddy's attacks look absolutely spot on and totally caught me off guard. Then there was also that really slick scene where the girl was having the so-called 'micro naps' and was being attacked in the grocery store. It looks like the team behind this reboot are definitely having fun with the dream mechanic and applying some cutting-edge (pun intended) effects into it.

I'm up for a trip to theaters on April 30th, anyone else?

The New Mobile 'Windows' Could Be Huge

Just a few hours ago, Microsoft unveiled the eagerly anticipated follow up to its mobile operating system.

 ...I know, it's a little weird to say that. All everyone talks about nowadays is Android and Apple's iPhone software, but before those two existed Windows Mobile was one of the leading smartphone giants. In recent years, Microsoft has been late to the game and the aforementioned two (among countless others) have outpaced the outfit by miles.

All that came to an end today with the introduction of Windows Phone 7 Series. Despite the banal name, the software itself is an adventurous move for Microsoft. First of all, even though it carries the Windows Mobile legacy it is completely new software written from the ground up. WP7's user interface makes use of multiple 'tiles' which act as live shortcuts into applications (as you may see above). The look of the software is also extremely similar to the interface of the Zune HD. Speaking of music, Windows Phone 7 includes built in Zune software so you can buy music, TV shows, and movies from Microsoft's great Zune ecosystem. Another big feature is support for Xbox Live as well as integrated social networking like Facebook or Windows Live with contacts, calendars, and photos.

Microsoft is sending a clear message here to one device in particular: the iPhone. With a stylish and easy-to-use interface, support for a very strong music and video ecosystem, seamless social networking, and promise of the rise of the application store 'Marketplace', Windows Phone 7 Series is about even with Apple's killer handset.

But Microsoft has done one thing with Windows Phone that could absolutely murder the iPhone: any phone can use it. While Apple has decided to lock everything in and basically have absolute power over the iPhone hardware and software, Microsoft has created a platform that is equally as closed as it is open. While the software does not seem as customizable as something like Android, it's the simple fact that consumers are given a choice as to what phone they would rather have. When it comes to a million identical iPhones versus a million diverse Windows Phones, I would definitely go with the latter.

The first Windows Phone 7 Series devices are expected to release this Fall. For more info, head on over to Engadget for full coverage.

(500) Days of Summer [Movie Review]

Natural: (500) Days is quite the unusual movie compared to other entries into the romantic comedy genre recently. Following a chaotic timelne, an “actions-speak-louder-than-words” not-romance, and a tween guru of relationships, the movie could have fumbled pretty easily. But the movie is swift and seamless as you try to break down and analyze Summer and Tom's relationship with what you're shown. The accessibility of the movie is a strong testament towards the writers and the excellent script they have provided here. Sad when it needs to be, funny when it gets too sad, and bright when things look grim, (500) Days of Summer is an extremely expressive and natural movie-going experience.

Innovative: This is a story of boy meets girl, but it's not a love story. It is a story about love, heartbreak, and hopeful horizons. Director Marc Webb and writers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber manage to make the quirky rom-com unique. Using a flexible timeline device, the writers are  able to show all of the important aspects of Tom and Summer's relationship. The beauty of this narrative device? They almost completely avoid tired cliches that have corrupted the genre from the inside out. Gone is the melodramatic third act or the corny, montage-filled second act. Also the enthusiastic directing adds to the refreshing feel of the movie, with some small devices here and there and some art-inspired scenes. One major highlight of the directing? The amusing musical number with Jospeh Gordon-Levitt. The director obviously has fun and so does the audience.

Emotional: Tom and Summer are the main reasons to see the movie. No, they're not super-models and they're not half-naked for 75% of the movie, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel provide superb performances here. The hopeless romantic Tom just happens to fall for his office's new assistant, the anti-romantic Summer. Yet the fact that they are dysfunctional in an entirely believable way is what really hits you with the movie. The two share a deep connection, but neither are entirely sure of what they want. I can tell you right now, that this is what audiences want and the ending will leave most satisfied.

Overall - Highly Recommended
For all of the shitty, melodramatic, and cliched love movies out there you owe it to yourself to see something different. With that I give you (500) Days of Summer: a superb, witty, and innovative movie about love.

LTTP: Late '09 Recap [Part 1]

So if you haven't noticed, I really never posted much since last December. Sorry for that but I have been busy with school and was with the family for the holidays. So this special-edition of LTTP is going to cover a lot of bases that I wanted to write full posts about, but simply never had the time for.

Jump after the break for an extra large clusterf*ck of quick articles.

What's The Most Resillient Parasite? The New 'Inception' Trailer!

Excuse me, can I just say one thing? HOLY CRAP!

If you have no idea what this movie is...wait, didn't I already tell you?

Avatar [Movie Review]

(Note: I was fortunate enough to have watched Avatar in 3D but when I saw the 2D trailer I thought it looked much better than what I had seen. My theater is not very good and so your results may vary.)

Epic: Honestly, how could anyone think Avatar wouldn't be epic? From the technology behind the camera's eye to what's going on in front of the audience's eye, the movie is colossal in a way that hasn't been seen for a while in Hollywood. The technomagic first: holy crap, Cameron actually pulled it off. Avatar has hands down the greatest CGI in any movie thus far and I doubt any movies will be able to catch up until (at the earliest) late next year. Luckily the effects aren't so good that it hits that point of Uncanny Valley that creeps the audience out and is so dreadfully feared when making an all CG movie like this one. The fact that the movie was almost entirely filmed in front of a colored background with motion capture suits and the effects were added after filming shows how strong of a vision Cameron had for this movie, and when you see the results on screen you have nothing but respect for the man. Every action sequence trumps the last and even though it isn't a straightforward action flick like the Terminator films, Avatar still ends with an exciting and emotional finale.

Familiar: Despite the levels of grandeur Avatar reaches, the story is the one thing many will find a little bit too familiar. The plot is almost identical to the 'stranger in a strange land' movies and bears a strong resemblance to The Last Samurai and Pocahontas. Although the plot is heavily cliche and predictable, it is still a story told exceptionally well drawing in the audience from the opening moments and never once letting go. Most of the main characters are multidimensional and intriguing, but there are some silly characters like nemesis Colonel Miles Quaritch and Sigourney Weaver's Grace Augustine that make your eyes roll. But Cameron also managed to make the film a lot more exciting thanks to the breathtaking special effects and the monstrous battle scenes. Avatar is unique in the way the famous director has so potently mixed together a story so traditional with special effects so groundbreaking into one of the best movies of the year.

Nerdy: Wow I never realized how much of a nerd Cameron was until Avatar. Sure, the Terminator series was sci-fi heavy but not as much as creating a fully-realized, fictional alien race from scratch and a fictional language to boot. Pandora is the most intricately thought out world ever created in the history of film--and for some reason I thought most people wouldn't like that. While watching the movie I was a little bit worried that maybe Cameron had gone a little bit too technical but luckily he balanced out his imagination with good ol' fashioned spectacle.

Overall - Highly Recommended:
Avatar may not be the most mind-blowing movie ever made, but it has certainly left a permanent mark on film history. The genius of the special effects has been praised from everyone and I fully support that widespread acclaim. The only place Avatar falls a bit short is the utterly predictable, recycled plot but even that is exceptionally well done without needing to be fresh. James Cameron certainly delivered on 10 years of promises and has once again made a film that should not be missed--even if it's not revolutionary.

2012 [Movie Review]

Exciting: 2012 may be nothing more than a fun late-year blockbuster, but goddamn does it do a good job at knowing what it wants and running with it. The set pieces of the film and the new benchmark of graphics Emmerich has implemented here are absolutely astounding. When a dormant mountain erupts into a fiery nuclear-level volcano blast of apocalyptic levels, the audience cannot help but let their jaws hit the floor. In addition to that, seeing suburban Pasadena ripped into a canyon in less than 5 minutes is awe-inspiring and achieves a ridiculous amount of fun. Yet one of the issues with 2012 is that the pacing of the excellent action sequences is all over the place. Of course it is justified in the context of what is going on in the story (the world being destroyed) it does make the film a bit hard to watch, especially when the second half of the movie is not quite as fun as the first. But if all you're looking for is adrenaline-pumping action and special effects, 2012 certainly delivers.

Smart: Even though 2012 is seen by most as the usual special-effects driven event movie Roland Emmerich usually creates (Independence Day, 10,000 B.C.) I found the film much smarter than I initially expected. The plot centers around humanity and what is ethically correct or wrong in terms of human social classes. Without spoiling too much, I can say I was pleasantly surprised by the little twist on most end of the world flicks where they try to escape Earth by spaceships and found 2012's solution more believable. Also, the plot juggles a lot of characters with stunning deft and control without getting too lost in the central story following John Cusack's character and his family. That said, I doubt the film will be nominated for anything but its effects because the script is pretty rough around the edges. Like I said, 2012 handles its globe-trotting plot confidently but the story is too broad and characters do eventually fall out of focus for long periods of time. The movies is also a little too long for my tastes, clocking in at about two and a half hours. But 2012 has just enough intelligence to balance out the chaotic action and I'm sure that is satisfactory for most audiences.

Bland: While 2012 has lots of style in its action, there is a clear lack of any distinct qualities in other areas. Even though I actually liked the story, it was filled with cliches galore and even a few of the action scenes had some predictable and boring outcomes. The weakest part is the attempted comedy in the movie. It never gets Michael Bay-comedy bad, but it is certainly not entertaining. The jokes are just plain corny and the catch phrases have been ripped off from movies since the 70s. It's not truly terrible, but it is really annoying.

Overall - Recommended:
Despite 2012's lack of new ideas, it serves its purpose as an epic Winter blockbuster. Mouth-watering special effects and a surprisingly decent storyline make the film what the abysmal Day After Tomorrow should have been. It is hard to deny the similarities between the two, but I absolutely know which movie I would pick if I had no other choice. Plus I can easily say that it was smart to release 2012 in the blockbuster devoid area in November and it is well worth watching if you want a good kick in the pants before Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Inglorious Basterds [Movie Review]

Before I can begin the actual critique of the latest flick from the house of Tarantino, I must reveal a terrible, terrible secret. As much as I love movies, the only Tarantino movie I have ever seen is considered to be one of his weakest and goes by the name of From Dusk Till Dawn. And the worst part? Tarantino didn't even direct the movie.

Of course I have heard the praise around Pulp Fiction as well as the Kill Bill movies. And even though Grindhouse was uneven for critics, it had a lot of charm and I wanted to see it. But honestly I just never got around to doing so.

Now things are different and I am no longer a Tarantino virgin, thanks to his totally badass new movie Inglorious Basterds. The direction dazzles, the acting is top-notch, and the story almost nails it.

Inglorious Basterds may have a fairly simple premise (dudes pissed off and killing Nazi's), but damn if it doesn't make for a badass epic. The plot is generally slow and is segmented into multiple chapters with just bursts of action at a time, but the script is absolutely fantastic. Tarantino proves his worth as a screenwriter here and the man has a powerful way with dialogue. The film is also surprisingly funny with plenty of humorous, crowd-pleasing scenes. I swear I yelled "whoa" and "holy shit" more than I have at any other movie this year.

But of course a good script is nothing without some dedicated actors, and this is another area where Inglorious Basterds excels. Of course the major star attached to the pic is Brad Pitt as the cheeky, almost cartoon-ish Lieutenant Aldo Raine. Pitt is wickedly funny thanks to that all-American accent he sports in the movie and I could easily argue that he is as funny here as he was in Ocean's Eleven or Snatch. Eli Roth is the demented Donny who was dubbed by the Nazi's as "The Bear Jew" and Melanie Laurent as the revenge-driven Shoshanna.

Another major plus for this cast has to be Christoph Waltz. While Brad Pitt may be getting all of the attention, Waltz consistently steals the spotlight. And it's easy to see why. Colonel Hans Landa is bizarre, quirky, absolutely maniacal, and genuinely likable. It's actually terrifying how much you like this guy, but I can effortlessly say that his performance as the Nazi antagonist of the film rivals the Oscar-winning role of the late Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight. Seriously, he's that good.

So what bad things can I say about this movie? Well the conclusion of the film was predicted from the beginning and it's not entirely true to history either. Another small wrinkle with the conclusion was that it wasn't entirely satisfying. The loose ends are tied up, but for some reason I felt I needed more (even though the film clocks in at a large 152 minutes).

But in the end, the good far outweighs the bad and Inglorious Basterds can quite easily be recommended to just about anyone who doesn't mind some excessive violence. Come to see Pitt, enjoy the directing, praise Waltz while leaving. So what are you waiting for? "Once Upon a Time, in Nazi-Occupied France..."

'Inception' Teaser Trailer: WTF

Christopher Nolan's follow up to the widely acclaimed The Dark Knight?

"A contemporary science fiction tale set within the architecture of the human mind."

...sure, it's not much to go on until you've seen this teaser. Inception looks like a cross between Nolan's pre-Batman thrillers such as the masterful Memento and action movies with science fiction elements like the groundbreaking The Matrix.

With Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead, I'm happy to see Nolan returning to the genre he was able to make a name for himself in. I just went over what a teaser trailer means to the audience with another big movie from another visionary director, but in this case the scenes shown are memorable and the trailer is well crafted so as not to, ahem, alienate the audience.

About That 'Avatar' Trailer...

How can a teaser trailer for one of the most anticipated movies of the year be so goddamn boring? Sure, the scenes filled with the lush and organic CG are appropriately epic but...well what the Hell is the movie about??

Some could argue that is why it's a teaser trailer and not a full theatrical one. But without context for all of the clips shown, the audience fails to make any connection and the teaser fails to stick. It'll just be remembered as "that weird trailer with the tall and freaky alien Smurfs riding dragons".

Of course December 19th is a long way away from now and things can easily change because this is a James Cameron movie. There are no real rules in play here and the hype train will get off the ground sooner than later. But at this point, I sort of don't care about Avatar and I do not understand why it will redefine the way I look at movies.

Looks like Fox has some selling to do.

Where Does The New 'Star Trek' Franchise Lead To Next? [One Giant Afterthought]

[Spoilers!]

After once again seeing the new Star Trek film, I realized I had might as well give the movie a second thought. In my original review, I gave the reboot the highest grade I could and it is still a well deserved reward. The movie reinvigorates the fading franchise with a unique concept of time travel and, besides some nitpicking here and there, accomplishes that goal in stunning fashion.

So what is next? With a sequel already in pre-production and slated for a release in 2011, one wonders about the many possibilities the new film brought to the table. Well this isn't the first time J.J. Abrams has dealt with time travel and alternate realities. Both of his current shows Lost and Fringe heavily revolve around these tried and true sci-fi concepts, and by looking at these we may find hints at where Star Trek may head to next.

One of the biggest reasons why Lost was able to break free from its season 2 and 3 slump was the introduction of "flash forwards" in season 4 as well as time traveling in season 5. Fringe was subtly building up to its alternate reality plot until the veil was lifted in the jaw-dropping season finale.

What the new Trek seems to be doing may end up becoming a blend of both the concepts of the future as well as the possibilities of an alternate reality. The film has already touched upon this with Spock and Romulan nemesis Nero traveling back in time by mistake and their tampering resulting in this new alternate reality seen in the film's present.

In Lost, it is suggested that if anything in the past is changed when time traveling, the timeline will basically "auto-correct" itself. In my opinion, I feel that the first movie was the introduction to this idea but the second movie will set and elaborate upon some ground rules.

Now what does this mean for the future of the franchise? Is this a new time paradox where Abrams' creativity may roam free and be free of the established canon? Or will the timeline fix itself and everything return to normal? Will Spock remain more in touch with his human emotions, or return to his logic-based mindset? And what about his relationship with Uhura? Also, how will Old Spock be affected by this new reality?

So many questions, so few answers. And in my experience that's exactly how J.J. Abrams likes it.

District 9 [Movie Review]

This is probably the billionth time you've read anything about the movie everyone is talking about this weekend. That movie is, of course, the mysterious District 9.

With little knowledge about what the movie is actually about (don't worry, no major spoilers here) the hype around it is pretty absurd. Premiering at Comic-Con was a smart move to get the ball rolling and to build anticipation, but even without the clever ad campaign District 9 holds its own as a smart and compelling film that is head and shoulders above most of this Summer's offerings.

Newcomer Neill Blomkamp has really hit off his career in the right direction with this movie, yet somehow manages to come off as a seasoned pro. By mixing in faux news-styled coverage of the events throughout the movie along with a heavy amount of human interaction with the aliens, District 9 plays out like a realistic documentary with action movie elements. The camerawork is punchy during the action and piercing in the drama, but it all meshes together into one seamless and unique style. Bruno could never pull this off.

While the technical side is fun to experience first hand, there lies a strong central story in the heart of District 9. I will say this: the film is a straight-forward alien movie. Things do get weirder than some may expect, but the amount of pure imagination poured into the film is noteworthy and the story is no exception. I cannot say much without providing spoilers, but I can say this without hesitation: the plot is ideal for Summer movie escapism and provides many memorable scenes.

District 9 has been flooded in praise, but that does not mean the movie is free of errors. One of the most noticeable problems is the sudden change of pace halfway through the movie. While the beginning is more of a drama, the latter half is filled to the brim with action. In a good move they try to disguise this shift with a small but fun twist, but alas the movie still suffers a bit.

Another issue with the film is the somewhat unclear message. While the first half creates some crystal clear comapirsons to the South African apartheid, the second half ends in a more Summer movie way--the purpose of the film is put aside for either the focus on characters or a 3 minute slow motion explosion. Luckily with District 9 it was the former and not the latter.

However District 9 still manages to rise past its issues to make a compelling moviegoing experience in a Summer season filled with more misses than hits. Imaginative, bold, and filled with frenetic action District 9 justifies the hype and is one of the most original movies of the year.

I can only offer one bit of advice: do not let the hype make you overexcited and do not go in there expecting one certain type of movie, otherwise you may be disappointed.

Clusterf*ck Score: A

Why 'Up' Is The Best Movie Of The Year [One Giant Afterthought]

Well if you have yet to read my review of the latest Disney and Pixar venture, I'll put it simply: Up destroys conventions in a genre Pixar pioneered and succeeds as both a fun, charming adventure movie as well as a touching and powerful film about unfulfilled dreams. I got the chance to see the movie again yesterday and I stand by my opinion: Up is the best movie of the year thus far.

Of course the movie would be nothing without Ed Asner as the bitter-with-a-damn-good-reason Carl Fredricksen. Not only did Carl lose his childhood sweetheart to old age, he also never accomplished their hopes to one day visit Paradise Falls. The movie is filled with imagery and metaphors relating back to his unaccomplished aspirations and promises to Ellie, and these are scenes where emotions run high. Ed Asner gives a witty and touching voice over performance as the man with the flying house as a man too attached to the past and his own feelings of guilt.

Not only does Pixar create the most technically proficient special effects in the industry, they also manage to make quirky and silly premises seem real. And Up is no different.

Honestly, how many people would expect a kids movie starring an old man who makes his house fly by attaching hundreds of balloons to venture off to South America, joined by a rag-tag team consisting of a kid who dreams of becoming a real explorer, a talking dog, and a bird to be called one of the best of the year?

And so, there is proof that Pixar is magical.