Rise o' the Planet o' da Apes (o')

When I first heard about this movie being redone, or remade or whatever they call it now (re-imagining) I was skeptical. Tim Burton tried to do it about ten years ago (10 years ago already?). That remake was on FX the other day, man is it terrible. So, of course you're going to use the most recent version as your litmus test to answer "is this a good idea"?

They were doing okay by the title. It was just going to be "Ceasar" (our lead ape). Then I think it was something else and then the final ridiculous title. I have to say it is the worst part of the movie. What about "Rise of the Apes"? Do you really think people won't think of the 6 Planet of the Apes movies if you don't have "Planet" in the title? Anyhoo...

The movie itself is pretty good. You're always going to have trouble when you're supposed to root for something or someone other than humans. I think that's one of the reasons I don't really like the Hellboy movies. Lord knows, I tried.

One of our human leads is a scientist (James Franco, possibly getting a degree in "science" while filming this movie) who is working on a cure for Altzheimer's. This personal to him because his dad (John Lithgow) has the disease. Of course they're testing on apes. One of the strains works and then some. Mishaps happen (no spoilers) so he brings Ceasar home. He gets smart. He is aware he's not quite ape and not quite human. He longs to be free. Humans don't want that to happen. Battling ensues (a lot of which has been spoiled in the trailers, come on Fox).

It is entertaining and evokes emotions and the effects are great. I mean, you still realize they're CGI, but not enough where it bothers you or takes you out of the movie. Way to go, Summer 2011!

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. If the fall gets boring and it is still playing.

Would you buy it?
I smell a new collectors edition

Would you rent it?
Sure.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Cowboys 'n Aliens

Cowboys and Aliens is one of those projects that started with a pitch. In the evolution of the project, that simple idea stuck as the title. Americans want to know what they're getting. Cowboys and Aliens... what's that movie about? Ha Ha.

Our hero with no name wakes in the middle of the prairie with no memory. He wanders into town wearing "iron" around his wrist. He runs into trouble with the law and a local cattle mogul (Harrison Ford). Just when you think we're going to have trouble with these three groups, in come the aliens. They are from a planet close to the alien in "Super 8" (only in design, and only because I think they look alike). Oh, and then we get into with Indians. And then we find out there are other kinds of aliens (spoiler alert, the universe is vast).

The movie itself is...okay. That's the best I can muster. Having seen it a couple weeks ago I struggle to even recall if I liked it or not. The characters are wild west stereotypes. The villain arch is a simple one. This movie will mostly be remembered for high concept that is actually low (or simple) concept. Will this pave the way for "Cops and Sharks" or "Peanut Butter and Deadly Viruses"? Man I hope so.

Did you enjoy it?
Let's go with...sure.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Heavens no.

Would you buy it?
Golly jee whiz, no thank you.

Would you rent it?
Unlikely

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Probably not

Saturday's Alright

Man I saw a lot of good things tonight.

It is Lollapalooza, which of course means people trying to sneak into Lolla. As I was jogging on the Lakeshore path, I saw a kid jump the 10 foot fence, fall into the middle of Lakeshore Drive with oncoming traffic coming at him. Then he ran across the street (8 lanes of traffic) jumped another 4 foot fence. Meanwhile, security is running towards him. Then he jumps one more 10 foot fence and he's in. You got to give him credit for his moxy and tenacity.

As I continued I noticed a lot of people sitting on the harbor side of the path. Yep, they had set up camp in the perfect spot to see the south stage screens. We were serenaded by Cee Lo. My arrival was fortuitous because I got to hear "Bright Lights, Bigger City" and "F**k You".

On my way back from the Field Museum (part of my regular loop) I came upon the "Poor Man's Yacht Club" [actual title]. Basically its people who are still pretty rich partying dressed in all white on one of the docks by Monroe Harbor. Looked like a good time. Someone was dressed as Jack Sparrow.

Witnessed a newly wedded couple getting their photos taken on the path as well. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the man was half the height of the woman. Ahhh love, you fickle beast.

Finally, as I returned home by the River Walk I got to see people enjoying a wedding reception at the River Walk Art Center. Looks like they were having fun. Nothing special about it, just reminds me I'm getting married two weeks from today.

Also, I lost 4.2 pounds this week. Wii says I need to lose 30 more. Let's shoot for 20 more by Christmas.

Honeymoon Hat Poll

With 11 votes each, the hat race (sorry hat 2, you suck) is over. It has been decided that Hat 1 (pictured right) will be a "city" hat and Hat 3 (which can be smashed and packed in my luggage) will accompany my new bride and I to Europe. 

Thanks for all that voted!

50 / 50 screening

Based on a true story, a cautious healthy 30 something finds out he has cancer. We follow him through the stages of grief. We see how his somewhat newish girlfriend, best friend and family react to the situation. He gets help from a new psychiatrist and other cancer patients.

This is a nice little film. Its going to be marketed as a comedy when it comes out this fall. That's based on Seth Rogen as the best friend. I think if it gets butts in seats, then mission accomplished. Small dramas with moments of levity and character don't have the draw they once had. All the actors are great in this. Joseph Gordon Levitt has been one of my favorites since he did Mysterious Skin. He wanted to do stuff different than he did on 3rd Rock from the Sun. And I applaud him for it. Seth Rogen has gotten the clout he needed in Hollywood to do the same. Get stuff he likes made into movies. Anna Kendricks from Up in the Air and Scott Pilgrim is quickly becoming one of my It Girls to watch. Plus it has Matt Frewer in it. MAX HEADROOM! I love that guy.

I won't spoil the ending to tell you if he beats it or not, but being an indie drama, it could go either way, people.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
No.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Captain America

The hokiest of all comic book super heroes has made it to the big screen. Even as a kid, I knew there was something different about Captain America. You think Superman is a generic name? Woof.

But I will have to give it to Marvel. They've done a great job of getting all their characters made into movies. And this movie, like the first Iron Man, can stand on it's own two legs while fitting into a greater puzzle.

Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving and even Chris Evans do a great job in this movie. It's really a wholesome action flick. Set during World War II, our hero is a scrawny wimp who just wants to serve in the Army. As fate would have it, he ends up getting help from some scientists to be the top solider.

Just like Cap't himself, not a lot to say, but I'm glad this movie was released at the end of July, so it has a chance of hanging out in multiplexes for a little longer when the fall suck arrives.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. It was midnight the first time.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Probably.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Sure.

30 Minutes or Less

The four people on the poster are awesome. So why isn't this movie amazing? It was directed by the guy who did Zombieland! This should be my favorite movie. But it's not. Can expectations be set too high? Yes. Is this movie funny? Yes.

Is it based on a true story? Kinda.

Two lazy rednecks who love to blow stuff up at the old mill (?) are convinced by a stripper (who wants to polish your scepter) to hire someone to kill 'The Major' (Fred Ward). But they don't have money to even hire a hit man, so to get that money they kidnap a pizza guy and strap a bomb to him. He has to get the money or he gets blown up.

Okay, just writing the plot in that last paragraph threw me for a loop, so maybe that's why I didn't love it. Its so convoluted. But it is funny. So, non-sensical plots can be forgiven. Not as good as Zombieland, but still worth a look.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. (Stay til the credits are over)

Would you buy it?
Possibly.

Would you rent it?
Yes.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

Horrible Bosses

Have you ever wanted to kill your boss? Well these guys do. Hilarious, yes? Okay, maybe I'm being too snarky. There are two good things going on in this movie, the bosses and the buddies. The bosses are actors who don't get to play the "fun" role very often. Jennifer Aniston as a sexual predator who is super inappropriate. Kevin Spacey is the slick prick who will say something just to see who the brown nosers are and then turn whatever you just agreed with against you. And finally we come to Colin Ferrell. He gets to play the son of the owner who is only working for his dad to support his cocaine habit. When he takes over, all hell breaks loose.

On the flip side we have the employees who's lives are being ruined by these bosses. Sudekis, Charlie Day and Bateman. They get the less exciting roles. But what they do have is a great chemistry with each other. Watching them on screen together makes you think they're friends.

The key plot point is stretched thin and wisely moves fast enough so you can't sit still long enough to realize just how ridiculous it is. Good, not great.

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
No.

Would you buy it?
No.

Would you rent it?
Eh.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.