Scream Trilogy Is No More; Scream 4 On the Way

The Scream Trilogy came to life in 1996 and it is official that it will now be reincarnated. Scream IV is slated to film in early to mid 2010 and be released in theaters later that year.

I’m not the hugest horror fan, but I must admit I love the Scream movies. It all started with great plot, timely humor and a great cast. It is known that three main characters will all return for this film, but not to what extent their characters will partake. Neve Campbell will return as the innocent target that we came to know as Sydney Prescott and will be joined by David Arquette and Courtney Cox, who play Dewey and Gale respectively.

I’m guessing anybody that is reading this watched the first three Scream movies, if not be warned now that there are spoilers for those movies in the rest of this article.

The Trilogy started in 1996 with Scream one, where a killer known as “Ghostface” chases around Sydney Prescott. We then find out that “Ghostface” is actually two killers, her boyfriend Billy and his best friend Stu.

In the sequel that hit the screens at the end of 1997, Billy’s mother teams up with a psycho she found named Mickey. They attempt to kill Sydney Prescott but of course fail in the end, after all this was supposed to be a trilogy. Which means your main character can’t die in Scream 2.

Scream 3 supposedly finished off the trilogy with Sydney finding out she had a long lost half brother. Isn’t that cute? Not so much when he tries to kill you.

What will happen in Scream 4? Will Sydney Prescott, Dewey and Gale be the main characters again?

The scribe from the original Scream Trilogy and the upcoming fourth scream, Kevin Williamson had this to say, “The fourth one is an ensemble. It’ll take place right now, ten years later, and it’s going to take place in Sydney’s hometown of Woodsboro. We’ll have our three main characters, and we’ll be introducing several more.” The director of Scream IV is still unknown. There is still a chance that Wes Craven, who directed the first three Scream movies, will come aboard for this one also, but it is not confirmed whether he will.

Old Dogs Brings Back an Old Hollywood Trick; Hollywood Repetition

I saw a trailer the other day from the movie “Old Dogs,” which stars John Travolta and Robin Williams. Overall the trailer was decent. This is one of those movies that I am straddling the fence on. I can see it being pretty funny or tragically dumb. However, there is one thing about this movie that I was sure of. One of the scenes seemed way too familiar. On the trailer, you will see a scene where Seth Green gets trapped with a mother gorilla. I’m guessing she thinks he is her baby, since she rocks him in her arms. Seth Green quickly figures out that the gorilla goes bonkers if he stops singing. On the whole, the scene looks pretty funny. Problem is, I’m a huge Seth Green fan and realize that he has played a scene that is way too close to this one. If you were to go back and watch the movie “Without a Paddle,” you will come to a scene where Seth Green gets trapped by a bear and has to pretend to be its’ cub. This scene wouldn’t bother me as much, but it is a very similar scene with the same actor. I think Seth Green is a great actor, but if you were going to have a scene so close to the one in “Without A Paddle,” wouldn’t you have been better off to have it played by a different actor? I will still watch “Old Dogs” because it is only one scene and Hollywood has some glaring examples of being way worse.

I understand that as the years go by that it is getting more difficult with Hollywood to come out with original fresh material, but sometimes one has to wonder if they try. I am a self admitted movie geek and am not complaining about movies as a whole, but small things seem to ruffle my feathers.

Without even trying to think, there are two glaring examples that come to mind showing exactly what I’m talking about. In 2002, there is a movie released that is about a videotape that people die from watching. This movie of course is ‘The Ring” which I found to be a pretty good movie. A tiny bit later that same year, the movie “Fear Dot Com” was released. What was this movie about? People mysteriously start to die after watching a video on a website. No, those don’t sound similar at all. Needless to say, I thought “Fear Dot Com” was awful and the scariest part was sitting through the whole movie. Maybe it’s just coincidence that these two movies were so similar and came out at the same time, right? How about another example? Everybody remember a 2005 kids movie where four animals escape from a zoo and end up in the wild. The main four characters in this movie, “Madagascar” were a lion, hippo, giraffe and zebra. The penguins later became the true fan favorites, but they were meant to be supporting characters. Now, do you remember a 2006 kids movie called, “The Wild”? A lion is accidentally shipped from a zoo in New York to Africa, but don’t worry, some of his buddies, including a giraffe, are on the way to help.

I know that the same ideas and scripts get passed around to everybody in the movie business, but come on; give us movie watchers a bit of credit. At least try to change it and make it seem different.

"2012" and "A Christmas Carol" Top the Box Office

This weekend’s box office results are in, and by and large, there aren’t any big shockers. According to Hollywood.com, “2012” ruled the box office opening at $65 Million, with “A Christmas Carol” bringing up second at 22.3 Million. The Michael Jackson tribute, “This is It”, came in fifth this week, adding $5.1 Million to its total. The Michael Jackson documentary overtook "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" as the highest grossing music documentary of all-time with a total of $67.2 Million.

“A Christmas Carol” shouldn’t surprise me by its’ box office appeal, but yet in some ways it still does. After two weekends the film is at $63.3 Million. I’m sure that is somewhere in the ballpark of what Walt Disney was hoping for. During their second weekend, big movies can expect to drop by as much as 50% at the box office. “A Christmas Carol” dropped only about half that much and looks like it will pack quite a punch at the box office for the holiday season. I think the remake was a great idea, and I am one of the many looking forward to watching it. So why am I a little surprised by its’ success? “A Christmas Carol” is plain and simple a Christmas movie. I know kids can often be in rush to watch a movie and let’s be honest, there isn’t exactly any competition at the box office for children to go see, but I repeat it is a Christmas movie.

I know Thanksgiving is almost here and therefore, Christmas is at its heels. I know this means that except for the few exceptions that everybody is going to be in a mad rash attempting to get the Christmas shopping done even on Christmas Eve itself, but I can’t be the only one. I can’t be the exception to the rule with my Christmas movie watching, can I? Aren’t Christmas movies that much more fun to watch when it is closer to Christmas? I know there are plenty of movies to watch but “A Christmas Carol” is the only true Christmas movie coming to the theaters this season.

I just find it curious that more people don’t wait until December or even right after Thanksgiving to watch this movie. The time when you can fully become engulfed in the Christmas spirit because it’s the next big holiday and there might even be a bit of snow on the ground.

Lakeview Terrace (2008) Movie Review. Samuel L. Jackson is the the neighbor cop you want, if you are on his good side.

So what do you when a neighbor is threatening and harassing you? Some of us would try to handle it ourselves, but what happens when that doesn’t work out so well? You give in and call the cops, right? It’s about time you stopped being a stubborn horse’s romp. We have one problem though. Don’t worry; it’s just a small one. I’m sure it’s really nothing at all. There is something you should know about the neighbor you are having problems with. He kind of, sort of, well, definitely is the police. That sure changes things a bit.

Lakeview Terrace is a 2008 film about one LAPD officer, Samuel L. Jackson and his dislike for his new neighbors. Samuel L. Jackson is attempting to raise his to children by himself since his wife passed away almost three years before. As any of us would be in this situation, Jackson’s character Abel Turner, is struggling to move on after his spouse’s death. Without her in the picture, there is nobody to offset his dictatorship form of parenting and the kids are taking the brunt of it.

Abel turns his new hatred for life up to full speed when his new neighbors move next door. Abel instantly hates the new couple, the Mattsons, for one very simple reason Lisa is black and her husband Chris is not so black. Okay, so he is as white as a bag of marshmallows. Abel’s new mission in life is to make them pay for being together, and get them the heck out of his neighborhood.

The Mattsons know exactly how to take care of this situation, so there is nothing to worry about. They will kill him with kindness. Isn’t that what our mothers always said to do? Okay. That didn’t work out perfectly for them. That’s okay; on to plan B. Confront him. He is just looking to pick on somebody. Surely, when they stand their ground, he will just look for easier prey. Surprise, he didn’t back down. No problem there is a plan C. Call the cops! Wait a minute, what does Abel Turner do for a living again?

This wasn’t the greatest piece of work I’ve seen, but it was still entertaining enough to watch one time. I like the idea of this movie and the way the plot sets up. The problem that I have with this movie is that it could have been so much better, if there was more suspense throughout it. I just felt like that every time they built up to a moment, the suspense came to a standstill instead of slowly building to a climax. I will give it a 6.5 out of 10.

The Hangover (2009) Movie Review

The Hangover is something every drinker fears, but fear not the movie my late-nighters; it will make you laugh until your pee your pants. Hmmm…. okay maybe you should be a little scared then, because that will be a bit of an ugly mess, wouldn’t it? Writers Jon Lewis and Scott Moore teamed up with director Todd Phillips to bring us what is hands-down the funniest movie of 2009.

Quick. Your buddy is getting married. What part of the activities are you most looking forward to? Now if you’re a guy, than we can eliminate the ceremony right away. Most guys look for an excuse to skip the church part, even when they are in the wedding. A few guys out there might have said the reception and who can blame them as Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn have proven they are filled with free alcohol and a ton of women. For some reason, that is a lethal combination for most men. However, I’m guessing most men picked the time-treasured tradition of a bachelor party as the best part of their buddy getting married.

I don’t know how us guys pulled it off, but somehow we got women to not only be okay with, but to expect us to partake in what equals a get out of jail free card. “Hunny, the kids need to get their baths.” “I’m sorry dear I would do it except for I have that thing for Roger tonight. You know with it being his wedding and all next weekend.” Then she says something like this; “Oh, is that tonight. I’m sorry hunny, I will take care of the kids. Make sure Roger has a good time and you be good, okay?” This is where you really pour it on thick. “Of course I will dear, you know I’m not even sure I really want to go and all, but I’m afraid it would bother Roger. I mean what’s it look like if I don’t show?”

In the movie, The Hangover, four friends take to Las Vegas to explore this marital right of passage. They wake up the next morning only to find they have a few problems. Number one, they can’t remember a single thing about last night. Now that must have been a heck of a party. Then they also have this little problem with having a few uninvited guests in their hotel room. No big worry; it’s just a tiger and a baby. That happens all the time right?

Time to check out. Wait a minute something is missing? There are only three of us. Who is missing? Oh, it’s just Doug. It’s not like he is the one that is getting married today or anything. Crap, that’s right, he is. The three friends must now retrace their last night’s steps and find Doug, which might be a bit hard since they can’t remember a darn thing.

Congratulations Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha. These four actors were all relatively unknowns on the big screen before this movie, but played off of each other incredibly bringing a grade “A” slapstick comedy to the screen. Make sure to watch the credits or you will miss some hilarious and kind of gross stuff. Great news for everybody that loved this movie as much as me, Hangover 2 is currently in development! I’m going to rate this movie as an 8.5 out of 10.

2012 Coming To Theaters Today!

The date is December 21st and the year is 2012. Does that date mean something to you? It Should! This is the day that our precious world as we know it will end. This is a day where it doesn’t matter if you are white, black, Hispanic or Asian. It doesn’t matter weather you are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or athesist. Why does the world finally understand that we shouldn’t judge a person because of any of these things? The answer is simple because there is no more world.

Many beliefs float around about when the end of the world will become and it looks like the Mayans left a gift saying their peace. The Mayan calendar stops on December 21st in the year of 2012. There is widespread gossip that this is when the believed the human race on Earth would come to its end.

I’m going to be the first person to admit that I’m a big scaredy cat when it comes to the end of the world. I don’t like to think about it. Unfortunately I learned long ago that what I like doesn’t matter, my brain works on its own time and I will just listen, act and do as it says. So if I’m going to think about it anyways why not watch a movie about it. Somehow the movie The Day After Tomorrow overcame all of my roadblocks and has become one of my favorite movies of all time. Will 2012 have the same affect? Or will it follow the lines of the recent Nicolas Cage blockbuster, Knowing. Knowing was not a bad movie in any way or sense but it was only decent. It will never climb its way into my all time favorites, or the ones I watch once a year or so.

I have very high expectations for 2012 because I think it has a chance to have the right amount, of plot and action. Which forever seems to be the tug of war that directors struggle to find the right compromise on. It also has a couple of good actors for the two leads, John Cusack and Amanda Peet. A strong supporting cast includes Danny Glover, Woody Harrelson, and Oliver Platt. 2012 was directed by Roland Emmerich; who happens to be the same guy that brought us Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. I’m having faith that this movie will follow the path of those and not of another movie Emmerich directed, 10,000 B.C.

Review: Couples Retreat (2009) Starring Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell and Jon Favreau

Men I ask you this, is it still paradise if you have to talk about your feelings while you’re there?

I will be the first to admit, that I didn’t have anywhere near high hopes for Vince Vaughn’s latest movie at the theaters The bar was probably set so low that Faizon Love could’ve high jumped over it. Don’t worry Faizon, I’m right there with you buddy. I did not even read one critic’s review on the movie to get this lower standard of enthusiasm. Then again, does any normal or even abnormal person for that matter put any grain into what the critics say about a movie? I mean I really wonder if some of these guys woke up on the same planet as you or me. However, I will leave that discussion for a different day. The point is every time I watched a preview of Couples Retreat; I would just say to myself there is a movie that could’ve been really funny. There is just something about the preview that made me feel like they would try way too hard and completely miss the boat.

I’m a very stubborn person but for the most part I will admit I was wrong about Couples Retreat. Is it the greatest comedy of all-time? Not even semi-close, but it is still a pretty decent laugh. It will not make anybody start saying you know that guy from Couples Retreat, when somebody tries to mention Vince Vaughn. He will still safely be remembered for Wedding Crashers, Dodgeball and Old School. Couples Retreat teams Vince Vaughn up with buddies Jon Favreau, Faizon Love and Jason Bateman. For all you guys, this movie is loaded with three main beauties Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell and Kristin Davis. Couples Retreat is a movie about three sets of couples that are friends and their recently divorced buddy. To help save their marriage one couple talks the rest into going on a vacation to Eden West. Even their big divorced buddy, Faizon Love finds a boo to bring on the trip. Unfortunately for the other couples, they find out Eden West is not what they meant to sign up for. This would be right around where the plot starts to thin out. My biggest problem with this movie is I just didn’t like how awkwardly pushed together the ending seemed. The reason I still like the movie is pretty simple. It’s pretty darn funny. Even when the plot starts to thin out the laughs keep coming. I thought most of the dialogue was pretty funny.

I kept waiting for the movie to try way too hard at being funny and just become corny but it didn’t seem to happen. As for when the movie tried to be serious, well that is a little bit different. Couples Retreat is funny, and yes it has a serious message behind it, but I wish they would’ve not tried to slow down the movie at certain points to get that across. Let’s be honest; this is a slapstick comedy; it doesn’t need much moral to the story. Just make us laugh! It’s a funny movie, I’m just not sure it has the rewatchability factors of Vince Vaughan’s best movies. I will give Couples Retreat a 6 out of 10.

The Rundown (2003) Review

What Do You Get When You Combine an American Idiot, a Cosby kid and a Wrestler?

The Rundown is a 2003 action adventure comedy that answers that very question. Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Beck, a retrieval expert that is under the thumb of a mobster named, Billy Walker. In order to get out of debt with the Walker, Beck is sent to Brazil to bring back the Walker’s son Travis. Once he safely brings Travis back home to Walker, than Beck will be able to start the restaurant he is always dreaming of. Wonder if they will call it “Can You Smell What The Rock is Cooking?”

So who is the complete opposite of The Rock that they could to play Travis. No other than American Pie’s Stifler, Sean William Scott. Although he is funnier than ever, he made sure his physique was nothing to laugh at in this movie. He still pales in comparison to his huge co-star but Scott certainly has hit up the gym a little bit himself. Travis states that he isn’t going anywhere near home until he gets the Gato, which is an artifact worth millions. Travis isn’t the only one after this prized jewel. So is once upon a time Cosby rug rat, Rosario Dawson who plays Mariana. Enter searcher number three Cornelius Hatcher, who is no other than the great Christopher Walken.

This is truly one of my favorite all-time movies. As Travis would say, “You want some thunder? How about some lightning?” A lot of times when action movies try to be funny, they just come off corny instead. Even worse they will be funny but lose sight of the fact they are supposed to have top-notch action sequences. This movie pulls both off with amazing ease. It truly put Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson on the map as one of the few young up and coming action stars that are out there. Andy Cheng, who is the same guy that does them for Jackie Chan movies, coordinates all the fight scenes.

There are plenty of amazing fighting scenes with my favorite to being at the very beginning of the movie and with the rebels in the jungle. As for the fight against the rebels, remember the name Ernie Reyes Jr., he is the main rebel fighter. Yes, he is really that good and that fast! He is absolutely amazing to watch. Being the reluctant fighter that he is, Beck tries to avoid the fights. “I don’t want to hurt them. They have a legitimate chance at repeating this year.” It helps to always have a little bit of encouragement from shall we say friends. “They’re little people. You can take them.” As far as I see it, you have two choices. Option A is you need to watch this movie. Option B, well, I wouldn’t choose that one if I were you. Whatever you do though, don’t ask about the monkeys.

Could You Imagine Will Ferrell or John C. Reilly Being Your Step Brother?

I imagine most of you said that would be awesome. That wasn't quite the reaction we get from Will and John's characters in this movie and who can blame them. It means having to share the spotlight. Step Brothers is a 2008 film scribed by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. They had teamed up in the past on Anchorman and one of my favorite Will Ferrell movies, Talladega Nights.

The movie's plot is as simple as they come. Brennen Huff (Ferrell) is an unemployed 39 year old that still lives at home with his mother and loves every minute of living like he is 16 on a permanent summer vacation. Dale Doback (Reilly) is an unemployed 40 year old still mooching off his doctor father. Their parents fall in love and Brennen and Dale become stepbrothers. Neither of them is even close to okay with this idea and start off mortal enemies. Which of course, they later overcome to become best friends.

Now I love slapstick comedies but even those have to have some plot to them to keep me intrigued and as one can tell from that description there isn't much here to work with. However, I thought the movie was pretty good. Why this change in attitude? Although the plot lacks most of the slapstick humor hits squarely on the funny bone. Dale stays at home because he dropped out of college to join the family business. His dad is a doctor! My favorite quote of the movie has to be "right now,I don't want to kick you in the head quite as much.” After all this talk of Ferrell and Reilly I would feel I wronged her if I didn't mention Mary Steenburgen, the actress that played the mother, Nancy Huff. The second the movie started I was like there is no way she looks old enough to play a mother of a 39 year old. Well something to keep in mind while watching this film is Steenburgen was 45 years old when this movie filmed. I couldn't believe she was over 45.

I should warn everybody that this movie has an absolutely ridiculous amount of swearing in it and it has Will Ferrell who we all know doesn't like to keep his clothes on. Not that he would do anything sick like rub his testacles on a drum set or anything. Will Ferrell fans will love it and of course his haters will want to poke their eyes out. Overall, I would give this movie a 7 out of 10.