Good day all, this is an open letter to Christoper Walken.
Mr. Walken,
I have enjoyed your work for your entire career. Deer Hunter....genious. King of New York....awesome. Pulp Fiction, True Romance......one scene masterworks. Why have you gone the William Shatner route. Yes, it will make you loads of cash....but what about the work! William Shatner....a true has been in the 90's, began to be a parody of himself, to great success. Just look at his travel website ads, Boston Public, Miss Congenialty, etc.
Sir....I have met William Shatner...and sir, you are no William Shatner....in a good way. I'm sure the loads of cash you got for Balls of Fury was wonderful. But this is true trash. Your gamble for the year was Hairspray...where you had a love song....with JOHN TRAVOLTA.
I ask you kindly...get a meeting with Quenton Taratino...have him write a movie for you....and regain your class.
Thank you,
Jason Valentine
Friday, August 31, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Ebert Gives Disney Thumbs Down
Good Monday Morning.
-Roger Ebert has lowered the boom on his own show. He's been recovering from throat cancer for over a year, and hasn't appeared on his show for that time. He has pulled his trademarked thumbs from the show for the time being. Ebert, and the estate of Gene Siskel own the rights to the thumbs, and Disney, which owns their show, has opened negotiations to keep the thumbs during his absence. According to Ebert, the offer was very low....and until a monetary agreement occurs, the thumbs will be absent from Ebert and Roeper. Stay tuned on this one.
-It's official, the 2007 Summer Movie Season was the biggest in history, with over $4 billion in box office. Here's the deal though, aside from the money, what really memorable event occured in the movies this summer. There really was no standout performance or movie. Just alot of big studios churning out what the masses want. Hopefully next year there will be a few gee-whiz moments, along with the big grosses.
-The late Summer movie doldrums have hit. You know when Mr. Bean's Holiday gets a big release, things are slowing down. But, the studios release quirky movies that just might be OK. Look for Clive Owen's Shoot 'em Up, or Russell Crowe's 3:10 to Yuma to be those hidden gems.
Untill next time!
Jazzy
-Roger Ebert has lowered the boom on his own show. He's been recovering from throat cancer for over a year, and hasn't appeared on his show for that time. He has pulled his trademarked thumbs from the show for the time being. Ebert, and the estate of Gene Siskel own the rights to the thumbs, and Disney, which owns their show, has opened negotiations to keep the thumbs during his absence. According to Ebert, the offer was very low....and until a monetary agreement occurs, the thumbs will be absent from Ebert and Roeper. Stay tuned on this one.
-It's official, the 2007 Summer Movie Season was the biggest in history, with over $4 billion in box office. Here's the deal though, aside from the money, what really memorable event occured in the movies this summer. There really was no standout performance or movie. Just alot of big studios churning out what the masses want. Hopefully next year there will be a few gee-whiz moments, along with the big grosses.
-The late Summer movie doldrums have hit. You know when Mr. Bean's Holiday gets a big release, things are slowing down. But, the studios release quirky movies that just might be OK. Look for Clive Owen's Shoot 'em Up, or Russell Crowe's 3:10 to Yuma to be those hidden gems.
Untill next time!
Jazzy
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The NFL....and Bill Murray
-The NFL is back....albeit the preseason. It is nice to see the iconic colors of the team. But does ANYONE watch the entire game. I can understand if you are a rabid fan of one of the teams....wanting a look at players who are going to get cut....but otherwise, it can be deadly.
I do like the addition of Ron Jawarski into the booth at Monday Night Football. He is a bit of a dork, but I'll take a likable dork over the diva Joe Theisman anyday.
The NFL Network continues to roll along. I give it five years for them to take the draft away from ESPN. They'll most likely make the first round an evening affair for ratings. And I give 10 years, for there being 8 NFL Networks, and the only way to get the NFL, is through them. I hope not, but things are heading that way.
-Bill Murray is charged with a DUI.....in a golfcart. Wait...it gets better.....in Stockholm Sweden. He was driving the cart downtown, when he was pulled over! He promised the police officer he'd appear in court if he let him go....and has since fled back to the US. Caddyshack indeed.
Have a good one,
Jazzy
I do like the addition of Ron Jawarski into the booth at Monday Night Football. He is a bit of a dork, but I'll take a likable dork over the diva Joe Theisman anyday.
The NFL Network continues to roll along. I give it five years for them to take the draft away from ESPN. They'll most likely make the first round an evening affair for ratings. And I give 10 years, for there being 8 NFL Networks, and the only way to get the NFL, is through them. I hope not, but things are heading that way.
-Bill Murray is charged with a DUI.....in a golfcart. Wait...it gets better.....in Stockholm Sweden. He was driving the cart downtown, when he was pulled over! He promised the police officer he'd appear in court if he let him go....and has since fled back to the US. Caddyshack indeed.
Have a good one,
Jazzy
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Superbad..........Super Box Office
My goodness.....what a difference 2 years make. The R Rated comedy was dead and buried....but along comes Judd Apatow and they are back in a big way.
The $20 million dollar movie Superbad made $31 million in its first weekend. A rare film this summer that makes more than its budget right off the bat. Producer Judd Apatow has directed, or produced 40-year-old Virgin, Knocked Up, and now Superbad. Films that have or will all turn a major profit. What makes them work? Great writing, and they are all hilarious with a heart.
Judd Apatow cut his teeth with the Larry Sanders show. A landmark show that has career ripples that are still being felt today.
So get ready for a bunch of cruddy R-rated comedys to be on their way.....your only sign of quality is Judd Apatow's involvement.
Have a great week!
Jazzy
The $20 million dollar movie Superbad made $31 million in its first weekend. A rare film this summer that makes more than its budget right off the bat. Producer Judd Apatow has directed, or produced 40-year-old Virgin, Knocked Up, and now Superbad. Films that have or will all turn a major profit. What makes them work? Great writing, and they are all hilarious with a heart.
Judd Apatow cut his teeth with the Larry Sanders show. A landmark show that has career ripples that are still being felt today.
So get ready for a bunch of cruddy R-rated comedys to be on their way.....your only sign of quality is Judd Apatow's involvement.
Have a great week!
Jazzy
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Digital Domination
Folks, if people are mysteriously getting the 24 hour flu today, they may have caught it from one of the most recognizable people on TV, John Madden. His enormously popular video game comes out today, Madden '08. Some people feel today is tantamount to a national holiday, MADDENday.
The game started out innocently enough as a PC version in the early 90's. Once games systems started to get going, the Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis, Madden found his way there and became an instant hit. His game has been released every year since, and has gained momentum and sales figures on the way. Last year, they sold over 2 million copies in the first week, generating over $100,000,000, worthy of a hollywood blockbuster.
EA Sports has the exclusive video game contract for the NFL, and the countries biggest sport draws its fan to this celebration every year. With the advent of the next generation consoles, the PS3 and the Xbox 360, you can now play it in HD. Happy Madden Day everyone!
The game started out innocently enough as a PC version in the early 90's. Once games systems started to get going, the Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis, Madden found his way there and became an instant hit. His game has been released every year since, and has gained momentum and sales figures on the way. Last year, they sold over 2 million copies in the first week, generating over $100,000,000, worthy of a hollywood blockbuster.
EA Sports has the exclusive video game contract for the NFL, and the countries biggest sport draws its fan to this celebration every year. With the advent of the next generation consoles, the PS3 and the Xbox 360, you can now play it in HD. Happy Madden Day everyone!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Where I Spend My Time Online
Movies have been my thing for my entire life....and the advent of the internet has been a blessing for those who want to be in the know. Back in the stone ages, I got all my information from Entertainment Tonight, and Starlog....a Science Fiction media magazine. But that information was either months old, or through a corporate filter. The internet on the other hand gives you the straight stuff on upcoming movies and TV. The following is the list of websites I frequent on a daily basis.
www.aintitcool.com - The granddaddy of Movie sites. Aint it Cool is both famous, and infamous for what it has done to the movie industry. Always a great read.
www.darkhorizons.com - A site from down under, who gets great Film Scoops.
www.ew.com - The official site from Entertainment Weekly magazine. They always have a fun spin on what's going on with entertainment.
www.digitalbits.com - An outstanding site for the latest and greatest in DVD.
www.superherohype.com - As the name suggests, it is the authority on current and future Super Hero Films.
That's a quick list on places to up your Film IQ. Have fun surfing!
Jason
www.aintitcool.com - The granddaddy of Movie sites. Aint it Cool is both famous, and infamous for what it has done to the movie industry. Always a great read.
www.darkhorizons.com - A site from down under, who gets great Film Scoops.
www.ew.com - The official site from Entertainment Weekly magazine. They always have a fun spin on what's going on with entertainment.
www.digitalbits.com - An outstanding site for the latest and greatest in DVD.
www.superherohype.com - As the name suggests, it is the authority on current and future Super Hero Films.
That's a quick list on places to up your Film IQ. Have fun surfing!
Jason
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Return of Gene Siskel...with Ebert of course
One of the reasons I love the movies, is because of two men, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. There have never been two men who personify the love for the medium of film in history. They started small enough, on PBS doing a small show called "Sneak Previews". That is where their legend began, as two wildly different people, who loved the movies, but not necessarily each other. They went on to syndication with At the Movies, and ended up with Siskel and Ebert and the Movies. These men taught me that laughing at bad films can be fun, and the evil of not having films in widescreen on video.
I am rejoicing this week, as they have unveiled a new website, with a treasure trove of their old reviews. It is nice seeing Gene living and breathing......and its good to hear Roger again, as he's been silenced for that last year and a half battling cancer. (He is recovering and should eventually return to TV) Check them out at www.atthemoviestv.com. I've spent the last few nights there, and I'm loving every review, and every verbal jab between the two giants of cinema.
I am rejoicing this week, as they have unveiled a new website, with a treasure trove of their old reviews. It is nice seeing Gene living and breathing......and its good to hear Roger again, as he's been silenced for that last year and a half battling cancer. (He is recovering and should eventually return to TV) Check them out at www.atthemoviestv.com. I've spent the last few nights there, and I'm loving every review, and every verbal jab between the two giants of cinema.
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