A REMAKE AND A SEQUEL

After seeing a classic like Ben-Hur (1959); especially the epic chariot race scene , who would think such a movie would have a remake decades later? I certainly didn't! So it was to my great surprise on hearing about this upcoming movie- which will be released in August this year.

Ben-Hur starred Charlton Heston (The Ten Commandments, Planet Of The Apes, El Cid) as Judah Ben-Hur- a Jewish prince and merchant who was falsely accused of attempted murder  by his so-called best friend Messala (Stephen Boyd). His mother and sister are thrown into prison, he is enslaved and his property seized. Of course, Ben-Hur is more than justified to plan towards getting his revenge on Messala. This epic movie  won 11 Oscars (Charlton Heston bagged an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role, his co-star Hugh Griffith who played Sheik IIderim was awarded an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and William Wyler for Best Director),  3 Golden Globe Awards and the BAFTA Awards for Best Motion Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor- which went to the actor who played Messala, Stephen Boyd. With such wins, why do a remake of this epic... it's like doing a remake of Gone With The Wind.

TRAILER OF BEN-HUR- 1959 

However, in spite of my disapproval, it's a movie I can't wait to see and review. It's coming out in August and stars Jack Huston  as Judah Ben-Hur (let's see how he's going to fill Heston's hard-to-fill shoes), veteran actor Morgan Freeman  as Sheik IIderim, Toby Kebell as the Roman Tribune and Ben-Hur's betrayer Messala and Nazanin Boniadi as Esther, Ben-Hur's love interest. 

WATCH THE TRAILER: 

Then there's a memorable character coming back to the screens since her last appearance in 2004. And that is Bridget Jones; played by Zene Zellweger, who will be reprising her role in Bridget Jones' Baby. Ah... our Bridget is going to be a mother. Only, she would be in a dilemma over who the father is as she is no longer with Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).  After settling their issues in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, what could be the reason... did he get too boring for you, Bridget?

Now she's with a new beau; this time an American, Jack Qwant, played by Patrick Dempsey- at least she's not going to hook up with that two faced Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) again! This is another movie  to watch out for, especially since I'm anxious to know which story Helen Fielding adapted this from. Fans of Bridget Jones (both the books and the previous movies) will remember that Bridget Jones' Diary was adapted from Pride and Prejudice and its sequel was somewhat like Persuasion, both by Jane Austen. And it's going to be a very long wait as well... as Bridget Jones' Baby won't come out until September! Ah... who will emerge as the baby daddy???! Gemma Jones will reprise her role as Bridget's self absorbed mother, Jim Broadbent as Bridget's long suffering father and the happy addition of Emma Thompson as Bridget's doctor. 

WATCH THE TRAILER: 

"MUST SEE" MOVIES IN 2016

Nia Vardalos and John Corbett starred in the 2002 romantic comedy; My Big Fat Greek Wedding about a  Greek woman who fell in love with a handsome American school teacher, much to the dismay of her father (Michael Constantine) as Ian Miller was not the full blooded Greek boy he hoped Toula would marry someday. Ian's determination to be accepted by Toula's family and the cultural clash between the Millers and the Portokalos made the movie even more hilarious. My favorite scene was when Toula's brother Nick and their cousin Angelo tricked Ian into saying something very funny: 

However all well that ends well; the movie ending on a happy note for Toula and Ian after all. Which was a relief because Toula's family drove the couple so crazy I envisioned Ian eventually running away screaming! But no, the wedding went well and the last scene- in a several years later jump- showed Toula and Ian escorting their little daughter Paris to Greek school. 
In 2003, there was a T.V continuation of the movie; the  CBS sitcom; My Big Fat Greek Life; but sadly short-lived  as it was cancelled after 7 episodes. As it opened with Toula (actually her name was changed to Nia, the actress' real name) and Ian (changed to Thomas and now played by Steven Eckholdt) coming back from their honeymoon, their daughter Paris was not featured. However, there were a few notable guest stars while it lasted- veteran actor John Aniston  and International composer, Yanni. And personally, while I liked the sitcom, the movie was a lot better and I really don't see why Toula and Ian's names were changed and why Toula remained working at the restaurant instead of Aunt Voula's travel agency like in the movie. 

Now on March 25 next year, we are going to be treated to My Big Fat Greek Life 2; hence we are to brace ourselves for another wedding, besides witnessing Paris Miller's own struggles with her loud and interfering (but well meaning) family. OH... we must definitely brace ourselves!

The other movie to watch out for is RISEN, directed by Kevin Reynolds, a movie about Jesus Christ but with a different approach; instead of another screen reenactment of   his birth  or the crucifixion ; the move depicts the aftermath of the Resurrection. 
Joseph Fiennes  (Shakespeare In Love, Elizabeth)  and Tom Felton (Harry Potter 1-7, Belle)  play Clavius and Lucius- a Roman centurion and his aide who are ordered by Pilate to  find Yeshua's (Jesus Christ) body after it disappeared from the tomb and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.  As this story is told in the perspective of a non believer for once; this is sure to be a gripping movie, for once it deals with the later events instead of events before the crucifixion and centered on a main character whose outlook will be changed forever. 

 RISEN will be released on January 2016.

FRESH : FURIOUS 7 (FAST AND FURIOUS 7)

Latest in "The Fast & Furious" franchise;  FURIOUS 7  has additional cast members; Jason Statham (The Transporter), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond) and veteran actor, Kurt Russell.  Sadly (As we all know) this is the final movie of original cast member Paul Walker who died in a car crash on November 30th, 2013.
Spoiler: Look out for a fight between Jason Statham and The Rock!
When I watched the first FAST & FURIOUS so long ago; I never imagined it would go this far- six sequels! 
Rest in peace Paul Walker.

WHAT TO EXPECT SOON...

Angelina Jolie in Maleficent 

I've seen Angelina in dark roles before, the one I find memorable is her role in Girl, Interrupted where she played Lisa; a manipulative sociopath with a very nasty temper. But for her to be cast as the evil fairy  from the  Sleeping Beauty tale, I honestly didn't see that coming but I honestly can't wait to see it. I don't know much about the movie's plot but from what I gathered, it is a live action adaptation of  Sleeping Beauty, only this time the story is  in Maleficent's point of view. Maleficent's origins will be shown and why she decided to curse the 'Sleeping Beauty'- Princess Aurora. But apparently, something or someone just might change her mind. After watching Once Upon A Time, I'm prepared for anything in this movie.

TOUCHING STORIES

 One  genre of film I've always been a fan of are films based on a true story. Be they happy or sad- they always manage to move me and make me ponder on the subject(s) of the story. I came across this title by chance- about an African American man who served as a butler in the White House for 34 years;  witnessed Presidents come and go and the several changes in America. Loosely based on the real life White House butler Eugene Allen who died at age 90 in 2010; THE BUTLER stars Oscar Winner,  Forrest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) as Cecil Gaines , Queen of Talk Show Oprah Winfrey as his wife Gloria, Robin Williams as President Dwight  Eisenhower, James Mardsen as President Kennedy, Liev Schreiber as President Lyndon Johnson, John Cusack as President Richard Nixon, British actor Alan Rickman as President Ronald Reagan, Jane Fonda as First Lady Nancy Regan and Orlando Eric Street as President Obama.
While I want to see the movie badly, I'm more interested in the man this film is based on, Eugene Allen. I keep picturing this unassuming yet professional  man who first started as a pantry boy in the White House and then  served 8 presidents during his 34 years of service. From what I researched, he was respected by each president he served, he got to meet Dr. Martin Luther King, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley;  was invited to a state dinner by the Reagans, given one of President  Kennedy's ties by Mrs. Kennedy.
 But what moved me the most was that Eugene lived to witness the first African American- Barack Obama- sworn in as President. I keep imagining how he must have felt that historical day, most probably tears filling his eyes and wishing his wife Helene had lived to see the day; especially since he received a special invitation to the swearing-in. For a man who endured segregation growing up,  it must have been absolutely wonderful seeing that and I keep thanking God amidst tears of my own  for His Mercy- for letting Eugene see it!God rest his soul.




The second must see is MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM- based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography; from his childhood and coming of age, 27 years in prison and eventual release. The previous film about his early days as President of South Africa was INVICTUS starring Morgan Freeman; this time British actor Idris Elba will play Mandela and Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela. Considering everything Mandela endured and fought against- it is a guaranteed tear jerker.

2 Superman Tales...

Since I was a child; Jerry Seigel & Joe Shuster's creation Superman has been my favorite superhero; not only because of his abilities but also his origins and this comic hero's tale has gone on for years via comics, graphic novels, movies- the most popular one being the one starring the late and wonderful Christopher Reeve- and T.V series, animated and live action.

Personally I didn't find 2006 Superman Returns  a good version so I was pleased to hear about another one being made MAN OF STEEL starring British actor Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Russel Crowe as his biological father and Kevin Costner & Diane Lane as his 'earth parents' Jonathan  and Martha Kent. This film explores how Clark, on hearing the truth about himself after discovering his strange powers, struggles to find his place in the world and come to terms with his three identities- Clark Kent, Kar-lel and Superman. It's a movie I can't wait to watch.

Last year, I watched Superman/Batman: Apocalypse; about how Superman met his cousin Kara Zor-el after her pod crash landed in Gotham. Apparently, she had been sent immediately after him by her parents but her pod drifted through space the whole time Superman was growing up in Smallville so after landing on earth, she was still looking about 16, while her cousin was a fully grown man yet technically younger than she! What I liked about it was the interaction as Supergirl is not always seen in the Superman stories so it was really refreshing seeing the way Clark (obviously overjoyed at finally having a blood relative with him) being so protective and loving towards Kara as he showed and coached her about Earth and going into Apocalypse with Batman  to rescue her after she was kidnapped by Darkseide  and in the end, Kara embraced her

new identity of Supergirl.

Recently, I found out another tale of the two cousins was released last month; Superman:Unbound  where they battle against  the android Brainiac who shrank  and stole the capital of their original planet Krypton and and has now done the same thing to Metropolis. Making Superman and Supergirl  interact and join forces

as  well as Supergirl emotionally bonding with Lois Lane is beyond wonderful; also Superman finally got to meet his uncle Zor-el and his aunt Alura. Another must watch.

After MAN OF STEEL, I hope Superman fans will be treated to a live action film featuring Superman and Supergirl; the only Supergirl live-action back in  1984 starring Helen Slater was a HUGE disappointment- mostly because of the poor storyline and the absence of Superman. I applaud Supergirl's creation because, while it removes Superman's title of 'The last Kryptonian' - at least he no longer has the deep down unhappy thought that he is alone. With Supergirl, he has a link to his past and can relate to her, even though they have differences of opinions- almost the same way he has with Batman- but he and Supergirl have a closer relationship than he has with the Dark Knight.
So, these are my current recommendations and please let me know your opinions afterwards! See trailers below:



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FRESH FROM THE FILM MAKERS...

                      HITCHCOCK 

Movie about legendary film maker, director and ultimate 'Master of Suspense' Alfred Hitchcock whose legacy includes Psycho, Mr. and Mrs. Smith,  Rear Window, Strangers on a Train, Rebecca and The Man Who Knew Too Much. Portrayed by Oscar winner Sir Anthony Hopkins; the movie details his relationship with his wife (played by Dame Helen Mirren) and the making of the 1960 horror/ psychological thriller Psycho (the movie that caused people to take sponge baths after the scary shower scene and don't get me started on the very eerie soundtrack... the scratching violins).

Trivia: 'Psycho' starred Janet Leigh;  mother of Jamie Lee Curtis who starred in horror films The Fog and the Halloween movies.









                  RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION 

Milla Jovovich  returns once again as Alice  in the fourth sequel of the 2002 movie Resident Evil  and the fifth movie in the Resident Evil Franchise.







                           HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 


Dracula( voiced by funny man Adam Sandler) is not biting necks in this computer animated  movie; here he is a hotel owner and an over protective Daddy!

Great Movies to see...

SKYFALL: In this 23rd James Bond adventure;  007 suddenly finds his loyalty tested as M's past brings out some disturbing secrets





The Great Gatsby: Yet another adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel of doomed love and the Jazz age seen and narrated through the eyes of Nick Carraway; starring Leonardo Di Capiro, Tobey Maguire and  Carey Mulligan




FLIGHT: Starring Denzel Washington; a pilot is hailed a hero after saving the lives of his passengers via an emergency landing but finds out later he might face a prison sentence after it was discovered he had alcohol in his blood system. Hero or Foe???




TOTAL RECALL : remake of Paul Verhoeven's 1990 film that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger; this time starring Colin Farrell.  Set at the end of the 21st century, a factory worker is plagued by a strange dream and after a co-worker convinces him to visit a company that implants artificial memories so as to experience an imaginary adventure, Douglas gets far more than he ever  expected.




DREDD: starring Karl Urban, this is the second movie based on the Judge Dredd comic strip; (the first being the 1995 film  JUDGE DREDD starring Sylvester Stallone). Set in the future; Judge Dredd and his new partner must battle a very ruthless drug lord.

Movies to check out...

Summary: Based on Suzanne Collins' novel; the story is set in a post-apocalyptic future where an annual  'fight to the death' tournament known as 'The Hunger Games' is organised by the corrupt government. In the movie; a girl takes the place of her sister whose  name was drawn out as a participant.

              
Summary : Based on the true story of Sam Childers, this movie is about a biker and drug user who turns his life around after released from prison by becoming a missionary. He goes to Sudan to make a difference and ends up saving Sudanese children from the tyrannical and murderous group known as  The Lord's Resistance Army. 

HOT FROM THE CAMERAS...

SO VERY sorry for neglecting this label for so long; I still can't believe it myself and I'm a movie lover! Anyhow... this is the latest movies to see....

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES- The iconic Jack Sparrow is on a new mission to find the Fountain of Youth. My question is: WHY???
                                           

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TINTIN: SECRETS OF THE UNICORN- Steven Spielberg brings Tintin's 11th adventure to  the silver screen; in 3D



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HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2- J.K Rowling's hero at long last faces his arch enemy and receives answers to many questions

      
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CARS 2: Sequel of the 2006 animated movie. McQueen finds himself recruited as a spy

2012 & OTHER MOVIES NOT TO BE MISSED!

I saw 2012 at the Ozone Cinema and it WAS THE BOMB!!! Never have I seen such mind blowing visual effects since INDEPENDENCE DAY and THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, I was absolutely spellbound by the whole movie. And it wasn't just the effects, but the superb acting of British-born Nigerian actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as Dr. Adrian Hemsley, scientific advisor to the President, who discovered something terribly wrong with the earth's crust, John Cusack, as Jackson- a writer who emerged an unlikely hero, Woody Harrelson as a conspiracy theorist who revealed the government's big cover-up to Jackson, veteran actor Danny Glover as the U.S President and the lovely Thandie Newton as Laura Wilson, the president's daughter. It is a MUST watch- once you watch it, you'll be totally hooked; I give it two thumbs up!
 Trivia: The director, Roland Emmerich, also directed INDEPENDENCE DAY, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, GODZILLA, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER & 10,000 B.C.

Before the movie started, I saw the preview of SHERLOCK HOLMES, the latest in the long line of adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic stories of the most brilliant private eye and his faithful colleague/roommate/biographer Dr. Watson. I can't wait to see it especially since one of the characters includes the only woman who was actually able trick Holmes successfully, Irene Adler, but the casting was a bit odd to me; Holmes is portrayed  by American actor  Robert Downey Jr. (IRON MAN)  and Watson by British actor, Jude Law (COLD MOUNTAIN)- I would have thought it was the other way round, but from what I see, Robert did a fine job. And apart from that, both characters look to be in their mid-thirties whereas in the books, they were always described as middle-aged. Lastly, there were two scenes that shocked me, one of Irene kissing the woman hating Holmes on  the mouth and the other of Watson punching out  Holmes. Directed by Madonna's ex husband, Guy Ritchie and  another must watch.

 After 2012 wrapped up, I saw the poster of this movie outside and later on I checked on what it was about. This one is called INVICTUS, starring veteran actor Morgan Freeman &  Matt Damon and directed by another veteran, Clint Eastwood, who'd previously worked with Freeman in UNFORGIVEN & MILLION-DOLLAR BABY.  In this biographical drama, Freeman is Nelson Mandela, who after several years as a prisoner in Robben Island, was  released in 1990 and became South Africa's president in 1994- but still had a major task ahead of him, and that was to unite the blacks and whites ; especially as  the country was to host the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Helping him with that goal was the captain of the rugby team , Francois Pienaar played by Matt Damon. Freeman has already been nominated as for a a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a leading role, Damon for Best Supporting Actor & Best Director for Eastwood(not at all surprised at that one).
P.S : what I like best about Mr. Freeman is his unique ability of narration e.g THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION & MILLION-DOLLAR BABY.

This Year's Yuletide Film is....

This is actually a label I've been neglecting for so long, but to be honest, I really prefer watching classic films just like I like listening to 70s music like KC & The Sunshine Band. But it's a mistake I want to now rectify by posting details of this year's Christmas film, the latest version of the classic tale by the master storyteller, Charles Dickens- A CHRISTMAS CAROL. According to my source, it is Disney's third adaptation of this charming story and the first 3D adaptation, the first one a cartoon, the other, a  live action film starring Michael Caine and Jim Henson's(God rest his soul) Muppets, which were sold to Disney after Henson's death in 1990. I first read the simplified edition back in Primary school and then the full version when I was in F.C.E, Abeokuta ; I own a copy now and always read it every Christmas Eve.

This version stars funny, funny man Jim Carrey( 9 years ago he was the green monster in HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS ) as the very rich miser, Ebenezer Scrooge whose opinion about Christmas is very very low, as noticed in his famous quote, 'Bah! Humbug!!' He's generally unpleasant to people, he underpays his employee and  wouldn't give to charity.

On Christmas Eve, he got  the biggest shock of his life; a visit from the ghost of his late business partner, Jacob Marley who informed him that he would be visited by three ghosts who would take him on a special journey; one after the other. Would it change his ways? WATCH IT!

SEASONS' GREETINGS!!!

FRESH FROM THE CAMERAS...

First, thank you all so very much for the comments and kind words, I'm so glad you enjoyed the LORENZO'S WIFE posts to the very end. I've been so busy lately to put up new posts so I hope you all weren't very cross with me.

Today's post is about two new movies that are about to hit the cinemas:

ANGELS AND DEMONS, based on Dan Brown's 2000 bestselling novel that introduced the world to Dr. Robert Langdon, who resurfaced 3 years later in THE DA VINCI CODE.

In this movie, he travels to Vatican City with an Italian scientist, whose father had been found brutally murdered in his lab- branded on the chest with the words ILLUMINATI- a word Robert(TOM HANKS) recognised as an ancient secret society that has a huge score to settle with the Roman Catholic Church.

Vittoria Vetra(ALEYET ZURER) and her late father, Leonardo had created a strange pheonomenon called 'antimatter' and the killer had taken it, to be used as a bomb. On gettind to the Vatican, they encounter even more problems and must literally race against time to solve terribly puzzling riddles in order to save precious lives.

Then there's FAST AND FURIOUS PART 4, not a prequel but an 'interquel'- it is set after the events of PART 2 but before the events of PART 3. Once again, it stars Vin Diesel as Dominic 'Dom' Toretto, now an international criminal and Paul Walker as Brian O' Connor- the police officer who allowed him to escape in Part 1- now an FBI agent.

SEE THEM BOTH @ SILVERBIRD CINEMAS AND RATE THEM!

HANCOCK, THE X-FILES AND EFURU...

The new movie to see besides Will Smith's new venture, HANCOCK, about a superhero who is more of a nuisance and a liability than the new Sueprman, is THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, about the further adventures of the two FBI agents, open minded Fox Mulder(DAVID DUCHOVNY) and stubbornly sceptical Dana Scully(GILLIAN ANDERSON), whose cases always have scientific and supernatural under tones. The two obviously care deeply for each other but have always remained platonic friends... until much much later. I think it was because Mulder was too wrapped up to solve the mystery of his younger sister's abduction by aliens and reserved Scully respected his preoccupation enough not to press him. It also stars Alvin Joiner, better known as rapper ''Xzibit'' as FBI agent Mosely Drummy. This is the second X files movie, the first one came out in 1998, THE X FILES: FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE, (which some people unkindly said sucked), set six years after the events of the original series and directed by the series' creator, Chris Carter.
By the way, one of the weekly story lines of the X FILES SERIES, (which started in 1993 and ended in 2002) was not used, instead the script was used to create the supernatural thriller film, FINAL DESTINATION. I found it more fascinating than creepy but the person I really detested in the whole show was the cigarette smoking man, who held all the answers Mulder and Scully almost got killed to find. For those who are X files fans like myself, it's a must watch.

Now a very pressing suggestion, since there is a movie adaptation of Prof. Chinua Achebe's classic

THINGS FALL APART, does'nt any one feel there should be a movie adaptation of Flora Nwapa's classic novel EFURU? Nollywood should consider making a movie adaptation of this fantastic book, especially since they've been improving lately with the use of 35mm, which Hollywood use, why not? Pls, Nollywood directors out there, consider adapting this book into a movie, at least as a tribute to Madam Nwapa, who was the very first Nigerian woman to write a novel. Visitors, pls air your views on this.

FROM TV TO MOVIES

Honestly, I love AND envy America’s film history, not because it’s the largest film industry in the world but because of so much talent and a huge history of film making and T.V series. So much so that a lot of their rested T.V series later became adapted into films; like Charlie’s Angels, Thunderbirds,
Starsky and Hutch ,Miami Vice, Mission Impossible (yes naija folks, it was a T.V series back in the 60’s) and one I’m not familiar with, The Dukes of Hazzard. And not just T.V series too, but their comics; we’ve been treated to SUPERMAN, BATMAN, MASK OF ZORRO, THE FANTASTIC 4, THE X-MEN, SPIDERMAN, SUPERGIRL,CONSTANTINE, GHOST RIDER, DARE-DEVIL , ELEKTRA even THE FLINTSTONES. And now, we’re now treated to the film adaptation of one of the old animated series I loved as a child, SPEED RACER about the driver of the Mack 5, Speed Racer, who was continuously helped by the mysterious Racer X (his banished elder brother, Rex). Maybe there might be a film adaptation of TERRAHAWKS (The original THUNDERBIRDS were puppets weren’t they?), VOLTRON, BATTLE OF THE PLANETS and I really hope, THUNDERSUB. Besides SPEED RACER, we’re also being treated to another Marvel comic adaptation, IRON MAN, starring Robert Downey Jr.as Tony Stark/Iron Man and Terence Stamp as Jim who later became WAR MACHINE. And I heard last week there’ll soon be a film adaptation of THE JUSTICE LEAGUE.
Nollywood’s T.V series still have a long way to go, for one thing, do more biopics where the name are used instead of being ridiculously rearranged and changed, like the film about the Bakassi boys, the film was called ‘Issakaba’. Most of our T.V series today are SO short-lived, yet it seems ‘Family Ties’ and ‘Treasures’ are showing promise of lasting for quite a while. The best one was Checkmate, which had a good run and a reasonable ending as well as a spinoff, Fuji House of Commotion which has been on since 2001, and although Fortunes (renamed Mega fortunes) was cancelled abruptly, it was adapted to a movie named after the bitchy protagonist DANGEROUS GODDESS, the same with the series, FAMILY CIRCLE. In terms of comics adapted to T.V, we have SUPERSTORY, PAPA AJASCO and BINTA& FRIENDS. Just remaining the adaptation of the FUN TIMES; its characters Benbella, Lulu, Alhaja and Bobo Odenson WOULD be a scream on television. It’s not fair the comic was phased out without warning in the first place.

Just in, from Hollywood

First we have 'LIONS FOR LAMBS' directed by the visibly aged but still good looking Robert Redford(I first saw him in the role of the aloof tycoon in the 1974 adaptation of THE GREAT GATSBY alongside Mia Farrow) who also stars along with Tom Cruise and the ever sweet faced Meryl Streep(Redford's co-star in the 1985 film, OUT OF AFRICA). The film is about a platoon of American soldiers fighting in Afganistan, a idealistic professor(Redford), a U.S Senator(Cruise) and a journalist(Streep), whose lives are interwoven.For more details, click on LIONS FOR LAMBS' PLOT.

Ageless Denzel Washington returns in AMERICAN GANGSTER, the true life story of Frank Lucas who starts his career as an unassuming chauffeur/righthandman to a drug kingpin but then becomes a druglord himself, starting his own empire after his boss suddenly dies from a heart attack. Lucas smmugled his drugs into the country under the nose of the U.S government by hiding them in the bodies of soldiers(killed in Vietnam) being shipped back home.Rugged New Zelander Russell Crowe plays Richie Roberts, the FBI Agent who brought Lucas and his empire down. For more details, click on
American Gangster's plot .

Trivia: In 1995, Denzel Washington & Russell Crowe starred in the
science fiction film VIRTUOSITY.

Jodie Foster's acting career started as a little girl, one of her early

roles was of Becky Thatcher in one of the adaptations of Mark Twain's THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER. See her in THE BRAVE ONE, about a bereaved woman who turns into a bloodthirsty vigilante after she is severely beaten and her fiance(Naveen Andrews, THE ENGLISH PATIENT) is murdered by thugs when they innocently out for a walk with their dog. Full of grief at her loss, she buys a gun and goes round killing criminals at random as well tracking down the thugs who had attacked her and killed David. Terence Howard(who played Miguel D. Nuez' goofy brother in the classic sitcom, SPARKS as well as the villian in BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE) is the detective assigned to her case and who may have to make a big decision when he finds out the vigilante is actually someone he knows.

Also look out for the remake of one of the earliest of slasher films, John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN, directed by Rob Zombie, though personally I don't understand why it's being remade since the original movie has about 7 sequels, making it Halloween pt. 1-8; part 8 being HALLOWEEN: RESURRECTION, where 2 producers came up with the very stupid idea of having a reality show in the mass murderer's own childhood house. For more details about the original movies AND the killer, click on MICHEAL MYERS.

(Between him and Jason Voorhees, I don't know who gives me the shivers more).

Malcom Mcdowell(the villain in I SPY) plays the embattled psychiatrist Dr. Loomis(originally played by the late Donald Pleasance). Tyler Mane (Sabretooth in X MEN) is the 8th actor to don on the creepy mask of Micheal Myers and Scout Taylor-Crompton as Laurie Strode(originally played back in the 70's by a much younger Jamie Lee Curtis),Micheal's sister whom he has much hunger to kill.

TRIVIA: Jamie Lee Curtis is the daughter of Janet Leigh, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO.

MOVIES TO SEE

For the fans of J.K Rowling's masterpeice, is the latest film installment by Warner Brothers, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, i was lucky enough to watch it on monday at the Silverbird Cinema and i was so impressed, next to HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, this is the best adaptation of the book, especially since the book has more than 30 chapters and full of mind blowing special effects. For info. about J.K Rowling's final chapter of the HARRY POTTER franchise, click on http://honeysweirdworld.blogspot.com/2007/05/attention.html .

PLOT: In the aftermath of the Triwizard tournament(where a student , Cedric Diggory, was murdered by Voldemort), Harry Potter(once again played by Daniel Radcliffe)- now in his 5th year at Hogwarts- is not only tormented by accusations by the Ministry of Magic and majority of the magic community of deliberately causing panic about the Dark Lord's return through fabrications, but also by disturbing visions of him walking towards a mysterious locked door.
Headmaster Dumbledore(Micheal Gambon) brings together the Order of the Phoenix to fight Voldemort and the Deatheaters(his f0llowers) when the Ministry stubbornly remain in denial. Harry Potter in turn heads an organisaton called Dumbledore's Army by recruiting Hermoine(Emma Watson), Ron(Rupert Grint), Ron's twin brothers Fred & George (James and Oliver Phelps), Neville(Matthew Lewis) and other brave students to defend themselves against whatever may come as well as fight against the tyranical Dolores Umbrige; Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic and the new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher played by Imelda Stauton(throughout the film, she looked like she was permanently stoned).

The film also stars Gary Oldman as Sirus Black, Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, Alan Rickman as Snape, Robbie Coltrane as the half giant Hagrid, David Thewlis as Lupin, Helen Bonham Carter as Tonks and of course Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort and directed by David Yates.

What to expect: Harry's very first kiss!

P.S: There's a rumour that Emma Watson(Hermoine) will be replaced in the next film installment, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE scheduled to be released on November 21, 2008.

It seems just like yesterday that I first watched the 1988 fim DIE HARD, the very first film I saw Bruce Willis in after being a faithful follower of the detective series he starred in with Cybill Shepherd ,MOONLIGHTING(1985-1989). Ironically, the role of John Mclaine(the main character) was first given to Richard Gere(PRETTY WOMAN, NO MERCY, AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN) but was handed over to Bruce Willis after Gere turned it down. In July 2nd, 1990, came DIE 2 and in May 26, 1996 came part 3, DIE HARD WITH A VENGANCE which featured him with Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Irons. Never in my wildest imagination that there'll be a part 4, LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD epecially since Willis is not as young as he used to be; Rocky Balboa came as a shock too.

PLOT: An old fashioned police officer emerges to foil a hi-tech attack on the country's computer infrastructure as Bruce Willis brings back one of the biggest action franchises in screen history. It's been over a decade since audiences last saw New York cop John McClane (Willis), but now, as the world's greatest criminal mastermind (Timothy Olyphant) attempts to cripple the entire country with an innovative act of technological terrorism, only one cop can insure that the integrity of the system stays in tact at the same time rescue his daughter who was captured as bait(In part 1, his wife was the main hostage). The film also features Justin Long(DODGE BALL) and is directed by Len Wiseman (who also directed UNDERWORLD).

What to expect: lots of crash and burn!

Did you know? In DIE HARD PT. 1, Hans Gruber, who Bruce Willis threw off the building while trying to save his wife, was played by ALAN RICKMAN, who currently plays Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REMEMBER MOONLIGHTING, HERE ARE A FEW PHOTOS TO JOG YOUR MEMORY:

Another movie to see is FANTASTIC 4: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, which most people @ the Silverbird Cinema dubbed "fantastic" and far better than part one. Once again it stars Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd(who played Lancelot in KING ARTHUR and was one of the candidates considered to be the next James Bond) as Reed Richards AKA 'Mr. Fantastic', Jessica Alba(DARK ANGEL as the bionic Max) as Susan Storm AKA 'The Invinsible Woman', Chris Evans(CELLULAR) as Johnny Storm AKA 'The Human Torch', Micheal Chiklis as Ben Grimm AKA 'The Thing', Julian McMahon as Victor Doom and Kerry Washington(RAY) as The Thing's blind girlfriend, Alicia. Laurence Fisburne(MI:3) is the voice of the Silver Surfer and the movie is directed by Tim Story.




PLOT: Mr. Fantastic(Gruffudd) and the Invinsible Woman(Alba) are all set to get married but there is a major crisis in the world where a mysteroius comet-like being is causing major blackouts, tropical storms and other natural disasters on earth; the 'comet' is actually THE SILVER SURFER who they later discover has destroyed other planets and is about to do the same to earth.

For more info on the "Silver Surfer" click THE SILVER SURFER.

I watched this yesterday and I strongly recommend it.



What to expect: A lot of fantastic visual and sound effects, plus Mr. Fantastic's original dance steps during his Bachelor's Eve party(personally, I find the guy very yummy!) and Ben's reaction to Johnny's annoying curiousity about he and Alicia's "sex life".

AND THEN THERE WAS THREE!

I was poring thru one of my

favorites mags, HARPER'S BAZZAR day before yesterday when i turned to the 'movie review column' and what did i see, new movies fresh out of the Hollywood stable. One thing about the good people of Hollywood, they release movies before we can get our breath back from the ones currently being viewed in our cinemas , such as '3oo' starring Gerard Butler ('TOMB RAIDER PT.II, ' ' PHANTOM OF THE OPERA' and one of the numerous candidates considered for the role of 007) telling the true historic story of the Themor

mopylae war where 300 spartan brave ( in my brother's opinion stupid) warriors faced a million

Persian soldiers. But since Nollywood releases new

movies like almost every week , i can't criticise, not

THAT I WAS!

But the noticable difference btw Nollywood and Hollywood is that besides remakes, they always FINISH WHAT THEY START. I can remember some of our local movies that are yet to conclude e.g , THE BLOOD BROTHERS, starring Bob Manuel Udogwu(in a very nasty role) and Francis Duru(who played his downtrodden but not yet beaten half brother), RITUALS( don't even get me started about the plot), but however i can remember some that did have sucessful ones. But there's no denying it, Hollywood are more than willing to spend their last dime to make their sequels, and that's what they are still doing.

The current releases ( see above) are SPIDERMAN III, once again starring
Toby Maguire('SEA BISCUIT'), SHREK THE THIRD (ft. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Antonio Banderas, now adding Diaz' baby, Justin Timberlake) , the further adventures of Jason Bourne in Robert Ludlum's THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM(in the first one BOURNE IDENTITY he suffered from amnesia) and Will Turner and fiesty Elizabeth go to save Jack Sparrow(Johnny 'the depster' Depp) in PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: AT WORLD'S END,(it's predecessor, DEAD MAN'S CHEST , won an Oscar for best visual effects so let's see what this one will earn).

Like, the the third chapter of each (COINCIDENCE?), I wonder.... which movie will produce a

4th first?commend the producers because just when you think the story is over e.g SHREK & Pirates of the Carribean, oops! here comes another!