It premiered right here at home to close the Tribeca Film Festival, so many New Yorkers can say that they've already seen "Speed Racer," but will the pretty bad reviews (35% fresh isn't awful, but it isn't good) keep the rest away?
Nah. While local critics are split (you can check out their takes below) The Monitor has its money on "Speed Racer" making a ton of cash, and maybe even unseating "Iron Man" for #1 at the box office.
So what about you? Will you see it? Have you seen it? What did you think? Tell us about it!
For now, we'll have to make do with the professionals:
A.O. Scott, New York Times "' Speed Racer' goes nowhere, and you’d be amazed how long the trip can take."
Kyle Smith, New York Post: "This adventurously awful film is awful in many ways at once."(1/2 star)
Joe Neumaier, Daily News: "Remember mixing Pop Rocks candy and Coca-Cola to make little volcanoes inside your head? 'Speed Racer' is the movie equivalent."(3 stars)
J. Hoberman, Village Voice "Previous Wachowski productions aspired to be something more than mind-less sensation; 'Speed Racer' is thrilled to be less. It's the delusions minus the grandeur."
Hank Sartin, Time Out New York "As brightly colored as a bag of Skittles and with twice the sugar rush,
the Wachowskis’ take on the ’60s animated series is the flip side of The Matrix’s gloom-and-goth philosophizing." (3 stars)
McCarren Pool is hosting Jane's Favorite Movies, the SummerScreen festival. If you like watching excellent films (we're talking "Rushmore" and "Desperately Seeking Susan") for free, you can check out the full schedule here.
New Yorkers of the Week: Bees! Not only are they exceedingly photogenic, they are also taking over Learning Annex boxes. (It was probably a little scary to catch this scene on 75th and 2nd in person, but it looks pretty awesome on camera).
Various commitments have been getting in the way of our "One Life to Live" viewing (a shame, really, as we should support soaps still shot in NYC). Good thing Videogum is there to remind us what we're missing in Llanview, namely Snoop Dogg.
"The Taking of Pelham 123" is shutting down Court St. from Livingston to Atlantic for shooting today, probably to film at the New York Transit Museum's model station. Be sure to share any sightings! Also, looks like Denzel Washington in a pair of glasses makes a pretty convincing transit worker.
Einstein, Tubman, Edison, Springsteen, Berra, Streep and (of course) Sinatra were among the fifteen men and women induced into the New Jersey Hall of Fame this past weekend.
Sarah Jessica Parker is concerned that New York City has lost its grit and affordability. Her husband, Matthew Broderick, thinks Parker (well, "Sex and the City") is at least partially to blame.
You could check out "Iron Man" this weekend (and if you do, you'll probably like it -- it's 95% Fresh!). But that promises to be in theaters for a good long while. The Tribeca Film Festival, on the other hand, is almost over. Why not take advantage of the last remaining days of the NYC fest and get an eyeful of movies screening before the final curtain drops on Sunday?
If you want to maybe get a peek at one of the billion stars (Scarlett Johansson? Natalie Portman? Shia LaBeouf?) starring in "New York, I Love You," head to Franklin Street in Greenpoint on Wednesday, where they will be shooting scenes for the film. Though, as far as signage goes, The Monitor was far more entertained by "The Talking of Telham 123" in DUMBO.
Will we soon get a little bit of Las Vegas on Rockaway Boulevard? On Friday, proposals were submitted to the state to bring a Hard Rock Hotel and video lottery machines to the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens.
Need a reason to be thankful? Warning: This only works if you aren't looking to share an apartment in Williamsburg.Daily Intel digs up a Craigslist roommate post that makes us feel grateful our housing situation is settled.
Sure, it's TV Week, but a person can't live on small-screen entertainments alone. Lucky for devoted television fans, it isn't too hard to find your favorites at the movie theater.
Tina Fey ("30 Rock") and Amy Poehler ("Saturday Night Live") face off with Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother") for your box-office dollars as "Baby Mama" and "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" hit theaters today (or Wednesday night, if you got to see the former at at the Tribeca Film Festival).
In the battle of two of TVs great comedic characters, Barney (no, not that one) vs. Liz Lemon, who will come out on top?
Who really cares? It looks like there are a lot of laughs in store whether you go with "Baby Mama" or "Harold & Kumar," and with rain in the forecast, who says you have to pick just one?
The 12-day Tribeca Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday, bringing more than 200 films and filmmakers (plus tons of parties and events) to NYC through May 4.
Watch Scott Lasky's interview with executive director of the festival, Nancy Schaefer, and check out previews of the sports movies screening as part of the festival, including "The Zen of Bobby V," "Redbelt" and "Ball Don't Lie," right here:
"MSG, NY" will have continuing coverage of the festival, each night beginning at 10PM.
A Silent Rave took over Union Square on Friday night, with hundreds of participants dancing wildly to music only they can hear. At least that was the idea, but I can clearly hear drums in this video, can't you? The event will happen again, "probably in June," according to a post on
the event's Facebook profile.
New York's Comic Con wrapped up on Sunday, leaving us with previews of upcoming comic, movies, even gaming projects ... and a lot of great photos of fans in costume.
The Tribeca Film Festival kicks off Wednesday, featuring the premieres of "Baby Mama," "Speed Racer" and "Red Belt" plus about 90 million other film screenings.
Are you excited for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"? What if I told you it's the funniest movie I've seen in ages? Would you get excited then? Probably not, right?
That's OK, I'm prepared to present evidence.
Here's five great reasons* to see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" *better than "I said so"
There's still a month or so to go before most high schools hold their biggest dance, but tonight is prom night all the same, with an update of the 1980 slasher flick "Prom Night" opening in theaters right about now.
The Monitor cannot come up with a better way to spend a Friday night than by yelling at a bunch of big-screen kids in formal wear making really bad choices. "Don't open that closet! Come ON!! Are you trying to get killed!?!" And now we also can't stop thinking about prom movies. Here's our Top 10 favorite big-screen depictions of the big dance.
10. "Never Been Kissed"
"I don't care about being the prom queen. I am 25 years old."
9. "Just One of the Guys" Where better to reveal your big transgender secret than at a formal event?
Although "There Will Be Blood" will surely drink its milkshake (we still can't believe that scene isn't supposed to be funny), our top new release pick this week is "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." For one thing, it's funny on purpose. And The Monitor thinks the movie deserves more shine than it got in theaters, especially considering all the really funny — and really good — music included.
B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, Mos Def ... these artists and many more took the stage at Radio City Music Hall on February 7, 2003, to play tribute to the blues. This once-in-a-lifetime benefit concert was captured on film by director Antoine Fuqua and executive producer Martin Scorsese in "Lightning in a Bottle," the first film featured in the "MSG at the Movies" series.
The series will air a different movie or documentary every other Monday at 7:30p.m. throughout the summer. "Lightning in a Bottle" will be followed by the Brooklyn-set boxing film "Girl Fight" and the Harlem Globetrotters classic "Go Man Go."
That's right, The Monitor hasn't forgotten that Clooney started in comedy. That's why, in honor of his comedy "Leatherheads" — in theaters today — we've listed his five greatest comedic moments, from the early years.
So does "Leatherheads" live up to this great comedic legacy? We haven't seen it yet, but you can check out Scott Lasky's and Jimmy Cavallo's Reel Deel review of the film right here:
"American Zombie" opens today, and while it is clearly a real documentary about real zombies really living in Los Angeles (really!), there's something about it that makes The Monitor fondly recall all of the fake documentaries we've enjoyed over the years.
It only makes sense that The Greatest Show on Earth would be a fantastic show on screen. Here is our list of nine films (and one very epic HBO series) that capture the magic of the circus ... you know, for the 49-or-so weeks per year that the big top isn't at an arena near you.
10. Circus of Horrors
Important lesson: Background check the heck out of any potential ringmasters.
5. "Trapeze"
Burt Lancaster is one heck of an acrobat. And Gina Lollobrigida isn't tough to watch either.
4. "Seven Faces of Dr. Lao"
Tony Randall's traveling circus features Medusa, the Loch Ness Monster and the Abominable Snowman!
3. "Charlie Chaplin: The Circus"
The silent comedy master walks a tightrope with monkeys, does a stint in a lion cage and makes magic in a fun house maze.
2. "Dumbo"
A real heartbreaker, but imagine seeing an elephant fly? That's entertainment.
1. "The Greatest Show on Earth"
Cecil B. DeMille goes to the circus, brings Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart and cleans up at the Oscars.
Critics hate it. "Shutter" and/or "Meet the Browns" will probably beat it at the box office. But while "Drillbit Taylor" may not be a winner, it can't be all bad. Come on, it stars Owen Wilson! Isn't that enough? Well, it should be.
Here's 10 reasons why Wilson deserves more respect than "Drillbit Taylor" is getting:
In a world obsessed with surgical enhancements, he keeps that nose.
"You know how they say we only use 10 percent of our brains. I think we only use 10 percent of our hearts." OK, that was his "Wedding Crashers" character, not Wilson himself, but he sure did sell it.
It's a huge day for DVD releases, with major blockbusters, Oscar nominees and inspiring exercises in total weirdness all in stores now.
Here's The Monitor's top five new release picks, each one accompanied by its trailer, Tomatometer rating and an alternate pick (in the rare case that you can't get your hands on it).
Move over, John Travolta. You've been hogging the
comeback kid corner for far too long by The Monitor's count. Sure,
you were nominated for an Oscar in 1977 and again in 1994 (zero wins, for the record), with not much but "Look Who's Talking" movies in
between. But what have you done for us lately, "Wild Hogs"? And some of us
liked those "Look Who's Talking" movies.
You want to
see a real big-screen resurrection? Look no further than Glen Hansard, who stars
with his now-girlfriend Marketa Irglova in the Dublin-set "Once." He's our pick
for the Patron Saint of Cinematic Comebacks. We know what you might be thinking:
Glen Hansard? Shouldn't he be a musical patron? Well, singers is taken
(threetimesover) and musicians have seven saints looking out for them.
Even wandering musicians are
covered. In any case, we're even more impressed with Hansard's screen output
(he does have an Oscar, after all). Don't tell us that you've forgotten his role
in "The Commitments," way back in 1991 (click for irrefutable photographic and video evidence). And when Hansard took a break from movies, he did it up right,
fronting a band ... not moving on to
less-respected million-dollar pictures instead.
For all he's done to
bring to light the plight of Irish
musicians just trying to get a break — and for the 16 years of sacrifice he spent away from theaters — we
honor Glen Hansard. Sorry, we can't offer you another gold statue, just a place
of honor among your yourpopculturebrethren
We're willing to bet that the biggest movie hitting theaters this weekend is Roland Emmerich's latest action epic, "10,000 B.C." which has a few things in common with the 1966 film "1 Million Years B.C." - including awesome monsters and beautiful damsels in distress.
So what's the difference? Many would point to the 40 years of special effects innovations. Some would bemoan 2008's lack of Raquel Welch in a bikini. Others (very strange others) might note that while the former put that pesky "years" in the title, the current film goes straight for the date, joining a select group of films with year titles.
Here's clips from five other year-as-title films ... in date order, of course:
"Semi-Pro" didn't exactly wipe the court with its big-screen rivals, but it did score this weekend's box-office championship with $15.3 million in ticket sales.
Experts say "Semi-Pro"'s R-rating may be to blame for its relative under-performance (Ferrell hits "Talladega Nights" and "Blades of Glory" were rated PG-13 and doubled "Semi" 's first weekend), but even at half Ferrell's normal take, the movie had no problem unseating last week's champ "Vantage Point" and topped new releases "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "Penelope."
Ferrell can outplay a movie everyone saw last week, a couple of king-smitten sisters and a pig-nosed girl? Big deal. Let's see what he and co-star Woody Harrelson can do in a two-on-two versus Knicks guard Nate Robinson and "Today" host Meredith Vieira:
We thought we better put that out there in case you haven't been near a theater lobby, TV or newspaper in the past few weeks.
Will Ferrell has been practically inescapable the past few weeks (even Ron Burgundy showed up on stage at Radio City Music Hall, interviewing Tom Brokaw). But if think you've seen and heard everything you need to know about "Semi-Pro," you might be wrong. "MSG, NY" found a way to bring something new to the conversation. Step inside the MSG Vault with Ferrell and Scott Lasky — complete with a very sporting 'fro and a furry vest.
