You get what you deserve…

There has been a lot of stuff floating around concerning Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV). In my opinion, unlike movies, video games are not only awesome, but necessary. GTA III was the coolest game. San Andreas rocked my socks. And no IV? It’s going to be EPIC.

Now, how does this pertain to movies you ask. Well, they’re saying that the April 29th release will take away from movie premiers and DVD releases.

Paramount-Marvel’s “Iron Man” opens May 2, only three days after the “GTA IV” bow. Though they’re targeting the same audience, most pundits feel players will take time out from their game to see the superhero film. But the ripple effect on other films throughout the summer could be a factor — and the effect on TV could be immediate. -Variety

Okay, so here’s my idea: “STOP MAKING MOVIES THAT SUCK!”

I’m sure the demographic plus some would rather play GTA IV-or any other game for that matter-than watch 27 Dresses or the Diving Bell and the Butterfly which are scheduled to be released the same week. I’m nearly positive that the release of GTA IV will NOT take away box offices sales for Iron Man which will be in theaters May 2nd. It looks awesome, by the way.

GTA-IV Trailor

Iron Man Trailor

27 Dresses Trailor (released April 29th on DVD)

You be the judge.

The animation wars in my head.

It’s safe to say, in my opinion anyway, that Dreamworks has far surpassed that of Disney/Pixar within the past few years. Remember, this is coming from a girl who dreamed of being the Disney princesses. I still cry after almost every single one, and I must leave the room when Mufasa takes a dive. Yes…that’s me. But recently, everything just seems to be falling flat from Disney.

Dreamworks has saved my taste for animation. Though I’m a doomcrier when it comes to sequels, and even worst, the trilogy, Shrek the Third was an epic movie and I think was the best of all three. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Bee Movie (I haven’t seen it myself yet, but it’s on my list of things to do). Over the Hedge was amazing and had a good message. And now we have Kung Fu Panda, in theaters June 6, 2008. At first glance, it looks ridiculously stupid, but after some consideration, I’ve decided it looks really funny. I especially love the spoof of Kill Bill music in one of the trailers. Jack Black is the voice for the Panda, a fat one at that. And who wouldn’t want to watch a cuddly fat panda (sorry, I just HAD to throw that link in there) do Kung Fu?

And what to we have to look forward to from Disney? Wall-E? I did say it looks cute and funny, which it does, and I haven’t changed my mind. And Cars 2? Maybe? Come on Disney, step your game up!

Pardon me while I barf…

I’m not sure how true this one is, but it was listed as “In Production” on IMDB and their usually pretty good…
Jurassic Park IV I’m  not even kidding…promotionally known as JP4. It’s apparently set to release sometime in 2009. There are a ton of fan-made trailers, but nothing that I would believe for sure yet.

Really, I hope that this post is all bogus. Did anyone else see Jurassic Park III? Because it was not good. Does the studio want redemption? Maybe four is their lucky number? Puh-lease.

Stop. Just stop.

Most excellent? I think not…

Following in the path of Dumb and Dumberer (shudders and eye rolls to follow) in the way of ridiculous sequels that never should have happened, I found that a Bill and Ted remake has gotten a greenlight. I keep saying it, over and over, are we seriously that low on ideas? From this blurb on Moviehole.net there will be no Keanu Reeves or Alex Winter (original cast) and the band name will now be the Atomic Gorillas. Does anyone else want to vomit?

I mean seriously…

Go ahead, call me a DebbieDowner…

I watched the trailer for the Dark Knight on YouTube last night. And though I was initially so excited for this movie (Batman Begins rocked my everloving socks) when I saw this trailer, it just fell flat. I felt my excitement leave like a deflating balloon. If it wasn’t for Micheal Caine (the best Alfred possible) I don’t know that I’d see it. Heath Ledger, bless his soul, was a terrible choice for the Joker. I don’t say this very loudly though becuase I really can’t think of anyone else to do it…of the top of my head anyway, but Ledger was not who I imagined.

Now I understand that director Christopher Nolan had a certain vision for this new interpretation of Batman. It’s all dark and scary and positively not cheesy. And there lies my problem with it. I have loved Batman since I was a little girl and I am a proud owner of Batman from 1966. And ever since I can remember, comic books included, Batman has been just that: absolutely cheestastic. And as good as Christian Bale was (is, I guess) he just isn’t Val Kilmer (Batman Forever, for those of you who aren’t insane…) I miss the corny one-liners and the labled EVERYTHING. No one’s too good for a good laugh.

I’m not going to lie, I’m still going to go see the movie, and I’m still going to try really hard to like it. It is going to be a weird feeling to see Heath Ledger, so recently passed, up on the screen like nothing happened. I’m going to do my best to remain open-minded and optimistic…but it’s just so hard in a world of sequels.

More sad news…

Okay people. Just because a movie is excellent and has become a cult classic doesn’t, I repeat, DOES NOT, mean that it needs a sequel. Leave the classics ALONE. I just found on FirstShowing.net that The Boondock Saints (another example of an excellent film) has been greenlighted for a sequel. The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day (oh GOD it’s even a cheestacular name title…)

 The only hope is that the announcement was released on YouTube via SlashFilm and seems a little shady. It was almost immediately removed from YouTube, but can still be seen on SlashFilm. The site says that the cast will remain the same as in the original (minus Willliam Dafoe) but that can only save so much. Filming is said to begin this summer.

I hope it falls through. I want some of these writers and film-makers to take a page from Harper Lee’s book. (She wrote To Kill a Mockingbird-one of the greatest novels of all time) When you achieve such greatness, the chances of being that great are slim to none. I feel like I’m being tricked by the studios (which, of course I am…it’s all about the money and just the money) to go watch a movie that I know will disappoint me. Sequels just aren’t my bag, baby.

I honestly hope that this one falls through…even more than the Lost Boys II…seriously.

Completely offensive or absolutely…hilarious?

Robert Downey Jr. has been cast as a black man. Yes, you read that correctly: an African American. The movie, Tropical Thunder, directed by Ben Stiller, is a satiracal film about a film about a modern day Apocalypse Now whose writers and directors get fed up with the cast and ditches them in the jungle to fend for themselves. The three guys, Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. have no idea what is going on. Rumor also has it that Tom Cruise is going to make a cameo in a fat suit.

So, let’s recap. Tom Cruise not taking himself seriously? Awesome. Ben Stiller directing another movie (let us remember Zoolander-for those of you who cannot see me, which hopefully is all of you :o, I’m trying to supress a shudder) a spoof on Apocalypse Now and Robert Downey Jr. (who is basically the whitest American EVER) cast as an African American. Yeah…this movie has the makings of an amazing comedy, or a huge flop because of the offensive-ness of it all. I guess I just don’t know what to think.

I’m a sucker for dumb comedy movies, so I guess I’m looking forward to it, but my guess is that this will be on the top 100 list of ehem, illegal downloads, before the critic’s heads can spin. I guess we’ll see this summer. Tropical Thunder is set to release August 15, 2008 and it is pretty highly anticipated.

Ben Stiller has a lot of crap to make up for…we’ll see how he does.