Movie Think

Top Picks Currently On-Demand HBO

www.moviethink.com — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to movie channels, there’s no name more famous than Home Box Office, doing exactly what its name implies, bringing the movie theater home. As the reigning heavyweight in terms of premium cable networks in the United States, no competitor exceeds its total subscriptions, HBO can be found in countless houses and hotels, or perhaps more importantly in the winter months, indoors. When running out to the theater or even video store is an inconvenience, sometimes it’s best to curl up on the couch and watch a movie of your choosing. If you find yourself in an HBO home in the near future, here are our top picks for On-Demand movies currently playing:1. Valentine’s Day If you’d like to watch Valentine’s Day in the days leading up to the actual Valentine’s Day (February 14^th) make haste, as the movie expires from On Demand on February 13^th. With an all-star cast featuring Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Topher Grace, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel, Patrick Dempsey and more, yes more, this hilarious love-fest explores the holiday through the perspectives of varying relationships providing unforgettable laughs and valuable insights.2. Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian After moving up in the world since landing the night watchman job at the Museum of Natural History, Ben Stiller’s reprises the role of Larry Daley, as he reunites with old friends across history, and makes a few new ones, as he attempts to stop their shipment to the Smithsonian where without the magical Golden Tablet they will be nothing more than lifeless relics.3. Clash of the Titans In this remake of the 1981 classic, Sam Worthington stars as Perseus, demagogue son of Zeus, who must realize his fate to stop Hades, lord of the Underworld, from conquering Earth and the heavens atop Mount Olympus.Satellite tv users can find HBO On Demand at Direct tv Channel 1501 (as of December 20, 2010), while cable users can check local listings or contact their service provider.

Christmas Films Not For the Family

www.moviethink.com — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

There are lots of reasons not to show children a movie, one of which is it’s really good. That’s right, many aspects of modern cinema that enhance the overall quality of a film simply aren’t appropriate for certain eyes. Humor, nudity, two staples of successful box office hits, simply do not cater to well-balanced upbringings. So when basking in the light of your thoroughly decorated Christmas tree and rent a holiday themed movie to carry on the seasonal spirit thought the house, stay away from these selections. But by all means, go ahead and pop them in the old DVD player once the milk and cookies are out and the kiddies are asleep.1.Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Stanley Kubrick’s final film, and quite the accomplishment it is. Amid the post-Thanksgiving lights, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman give a performance only enhanced by their real life relationship and chemistry at the time of filming. However, with more nudity and stronger sexual content than some all-out adult films, it’s better to be viewed in private with the Mrs. Clause of the house.2.Bad Santa (2003) Simply hilarious. Billy Bob Thornton in a roll he was born to play, but that statement enough should tell you this isn’t a Santa you want your children to associate with.3.Black Christmas (1974) This epic slasher film will strike fear into the hearts of merry men, in this film full of blood. Meanwhile, the 2006 remake may certainly send blood rushing somewhere, it’s just not on-screen. With sorority sisters getting carved up like Christmas hams, the ’74 classic is recommended for any horror film, the ’06 knockoff will only satisfy guys who could play the girls’ fraternity counterparts in a sequel.

Top 5 Brat Pack Films

www.moviethink.com — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:41:44 +0000

Today’s generation of up-and-coming actors, mired in pandering money-makers best epitomized by the Twilight saga, make at least this audience long a time in which young actors actually put out movies that told realistic coming of age stories. There is something to be said with a young actor or actress connecting to an audience in a relatable way, never better expressed than in the Brat Pack’s string of hits throughout the mid to late 80s. Who was the Brat Pack, you ask? You may recognize the names Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald and Emilio Estevez just to name a few (Patrick Swayze, John Cusack and Robert Downey Jr. often find themselves in the mix as well). The Brat Pack left a lasting legacy in their film, with young viewers today still feeling as if they grow up right can pop in a DVD and watch the characters on-screen grow up right alongside them. Without further ado, here is the cream of the crop

The Breakfast Club (1985) Never has the high school landscape been so thoroughly explored across the diverse landscape of tight nit cliques, sticking together to ensure social survival. Watch as fences built up semester after semester slowly come down over the course of a Saturday detention.
Sixteen Candles (1984) Life, and love in particular, can be confusing for a 16-year old girl, and who better to play a 16-year old girl than a young Molly Ringwald of the same age. Step into the dark shade of an older sister’s shadow as a young lady on the verge of woman hood tries to find happiness on her 16^th birthday.
St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) The Brat Pack grows up a bit in this film, essentially connecting with a post collegiate audience attempting to adapt to life in the real world. Watch as a close knit group of college friends struggle to stick together and come to terms with varying levels of success in both love and the workplace.
About Last Night (1986) In what may be the “oldest” Brat Pack movie in terms of maturity, About Last Night follows hardened veterans of the Chicago dating scene as they attempt to make a one night stand turn into a fully functional relationship, amid pressures of friends who don’t want to be left behind.
Pretty in Pink (1986) Another go round with commentary on high school cliques and cliches, Pretty in Pink is no Breakfast Club, bust still gives valuable insights into the emotions of young love as it pertains to social standing and family background.

“A Prophet” shines light on the French mob

admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:52:31 +0000

Director Jacques Audiard calls his film A Prophet his “anti-Scarface”. That’s a handy guide as to what to expect in this riveting crime flick. There is none of Tony Montana’s glamour, no camaraderie ala Goodfellas. Instead, A Prophet follows one central character, a French Arab named Malik and played by Tahar Rahim, who is forced to survive in prison with no one but an intimidating Corsican mobster to guide him.Like the best crime movies, A Prophet is the story of how people construct their identities, but it also demonstrates how the Corsican mob is changing. Older bosses like the film’s Cesar (played by Niels Arestrup, The Bourne Ultimatum) are out of date, their glory days harkening back to the days of the French Connection (when heroin was smuggled from France to the U.S. in the 1950s-1970s). Malik is the new breeda boss whose reputation is not made on experience, but on study. After all, he’s in prison. What other option does he have?Director Jacques Audiard depicted the opposite story (a criminal trying to go straight) in his acclaimed The Beat That My Heart Skipped, but both films show his attention to detail and his flair for depicting violence without judgment or flinching. Star Tahar Rahim is a new talent, previously appearing as a police officer in the French horror film Inside. Together, they’ve crafted a film that was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards. Although it lost to another fine foreign crime film, The Secret in Their Eyes, that shouldn’t keep you from seeking out this movie. Malik’s transformation onstage never loses our sympathy, even if we’re disgusted by his actions. It also succeeds in bringing to life a culture unknown to most American viewers, and that brief glimpse is well worth the effort of seeking it out.

Remembering Dennis Hopper: Hollywood’s Crazy Man

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:58:32 +0000

After a career that lasted six decades, Dennis Hopper died of complications related to prostate cancer on May 29. Hopper was 74. Though he is best known as an actor who often played villains and other unstable characters, Hopper also directed and wrote a number of films. One of his best known early roles was in the 1969 hit, Easy Rider. In this film, Hopper co-stars alongside Peter Fonda, playing the role of a young biker who sets out on an adventure with his friend to bike across the country, meeting many interesting characters along the way. What many people don’t know is that Hopper had been playing smaller roles in TV and film for over a decade before this big debut. Some of his earlier works included Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.Whether it was a reflection of his true self or just a unique ability to play these roles, Hopper had quite a knack for playing a realistic and believable crazy man. In the 1979 hit, Apocalypse Now, Hopper played the role of a bizarre photojournalist in Vietnam. His role in Hoosiers as a depressed alcoholic and an unstable criminal in Blue Velvet all confirm this interesting talent. Other roles include a Ukranian terrorist in the 1^st season of 24, and a retired police officer who becomes disgruntled and begins bombing civilian targets in the 1994 film Speed.It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes Hopper such a great “bad guy,” but he is undoubtedly one of the most sadistic characters on the big screen. Whatever it is that makes him such a believable villain in all of his roles, Hollywood will sorely miss this long-time, talented actor.

Chick Flicks Men Won’t Hate

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:36:08 +0000

When “the Mrs.” suggests a movie, most men are looking at an hour of their life they may never get back. While a lot of “chick flicks” will have guys heading for the exit, these 3 movies actually deliver a good laugh for both sides for the great sex divide.

Hitch This romantic comedy introduces us to Albert Brennamen (Kevin James), a lovable loser hopelessly in love with his client, famous movie star Alegra Cole (Amber Valleta). Through a hilariously insightful diet of dating advice from professional “date doctor” Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith), Albert attempts to woo his celebrity crush and overcome his shy demeanor. Hitch faces some love quandaries of his own as gossip columnist Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), trying to get to the bottom of the unusual pairing of Albert and Alegra, has the elusive bachelor feeling emotions long buried in his past.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days This backwards love story pairs two unlikely lovers, ad man Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey) and how-to magazine columnist Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson). While Ben sets out to win a major account by proving he can make any woman fall in love with him, Andie is writing an article on how to make men’s life miserable and drive them away, each allotting themselves 10 days to accomplish the task. While they play mind games with each other to better their careers, they are surprised to find they have feelings for the other which don’t sit well with their ulterior objectives.
The Breakup This comedy showcases a couple Gary (Vince Vaughn) and Brooke (Jennifer Aniston) who are stuck in a relationship rut, becoming increasingly annoyed with the other’s bad habits and both unwilling to bend. When they decide enough is enough and it’s time to take a break, a battle of wits ensues as neither is willing to move out of their prime real estate condo.

How Do You Like Your Movies?

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:18:22 +0000

Today, noticeably fewer people are venturing out to the theaters to get their movie fix. Companies are continually coming out with more convenient and cheap ways to provide audiences with the movies they want to see. It appears that many people are willing to wait longer to watch a movie for a lower price on a smaller screen than pay 6-12 dollars for a movie ticket. Here’s a rundown of the most popular movie viewing tactics.

Theaters: The pros are obviousa big screen, first time availability, a captive audience, and a big tub of buttery popcorn. The cons, however, seem to be overpowering. Why suffer through high ticket costs, far driving times, and irritating lines when there are cheaper and easier ways to watch movies? The true movie fans will agree that theaters are the only medium that can provide the ultimate movie viewing experience.
Blockbuster: Ever since VHS tapes came out, Blockbuster has been reaping the benefits of take home movies. Recently, however, their revenue is down 22. It appears people still love to rent movies; they’re just choosing to rent from more accessible venues.
Netflix and RedBox: While Blockbuster may be declining in revenue, Netflix saw a revenue growth of 110. It appears American’s are living up to their reputations as lazy couch potatoes and opting to have their videos literally delivered to their door. Additionally, Netflix has succumbed to the new internet downloading craze and made many of their movies and TV series available for streaming online. The only downside to the Netflix option is its monthly fee. Though not pricey, you pay the same amount no matter how many videos you watch. This could be VERY good for extensive movie viewers, or unfortunate for those who only watch one movie a month.
Dollar Theaters: As rundown and dirty as they may be, dollar theaters are an exemplary second choice to the real deal. The movies are shown after they leave the main theater but before release on DVDa happy medium. The price (1) and big screen make dollar theaters a popular favorite among movie goers. However, these bargain theaters are only available in select locations.
Illegally: It might not be legal, but millions of Americans are finding ways to download and stream movies straight to their computersfor free. If you don’t get caught, the upsides are obvious: free movies whenever you want (even before release dates). On the other hand, most of these illegal downloading sites fill your computers with viruses and infections and the risk for getting caught is high.

Best-Sellers Turned Motion Picture is the Latest Trend Sweeping Hollywood

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:10:28 +0000

Over the last few years we’ve been seeing more and more movies based on books. That old familiar line, “based on the bestselling book” seems to be the start of half the movie trailers lately. Where this used to be confined to only a few movies each year and showed preference to novel series’, this is becoming a tendency of almost every genre.In the last few years we have seen the unprecedented obsession and fandom of the Harry Potter series and now the Twilight saga. Both series have resulted in very successful motion pictures, but these are actually less surprising as largely popular series such as The Lord of The Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia often result in films. However, no matter what genre of film you’re interested in chances are you’ve seen a “based on the book” movie recently. On the romance scene, we’ve seen one Nicholas Sparks’ novel after another turned into films: the ever-popular The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and recently Dear John. All of these books made sappy but powerful tear jerkers over the last few years.The children’s genre has also recently had several blockbusters made originally from books. The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Where the Wild Things Are both did well at the box office as the recreated our childhood favorites. Alice and Wonderland, a remake of a Disney film originally based on a children’s novel, also landed itself a top 5 spot on the worldwide list of highest grossing films ever.Horror and drama are also picking up on the trend with recently popular movies such as Shutter Island, released this year based on Dennis Lehane’s 2003 best-seller, and last year’s Angels and Demons, another Dan Brown novel-turned-film that performed well at the box office. The Road, by Cormac MCarthy, was also made into a movie and released last year with more modest earnings but still did well.There are a few new films coming out this summer that follow this pattern, including the well-known novel Eat, Pray, Love, which stars Julia Roberts in its on-screen version.

Top 10 Comedies of the Last Decade (The 2000s)

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:01:08 +0000

From relationships gone awry to failed attempts at reliving the “glory days,” the last ten years have produced many unforgettable comedies. After a start on Saturday Night Live, Will Ferrell has made his way into a number of movies on our top ten list. If you’re looking for a fun flick to watch with the friends, any one of these knee slappers is sure to keep everyone entertained.

Wedding Crashers (2005): This all-star cast takes you along the journey of two best friends who spend their weekends crashing the weddings of strangers in order to find girls. When John Beckwith (Owen Wilson), falls for one of these ladies, things take an interesting twist as he and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) spend the weekend with her wealthy, dysfunctional family.
Old School (2003): When Mitch Martin’s (Luke Wilson) girlfriend cheats on him, he joins together with Frank Ricard (Will Ferrell) and Beanie Campbell (Vince Vaughn) to recreate their glory days on a college campus. The three forget grown-up life for a while and attempt to start their own fraternity.
Anchorman (2004): Another Will Ferrell classic as he plays chauvinist newsman Ron Burgundy who becomes threatened by the presence of the new female news reporter, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), who’s headed straight for the top. This popular flick is full of memorable lines that will be quoted for decades.
Borat (2006): Sacha Baron Cohen plays the role of Borat, a Kazakhstani reporter, who travels to the US to experience and report on American life. His adventures take us through the gang-ridden streets of Atlanta to the drunken rantings of a few fraternity boys, all on a quest to find Pamela Anderson. This amusing portrayal of American life will have you in stitches for two hours straight.
Meet the Parents (2000): This classic comedy gives the typical plotline of the nervous boyfriend about to meet his girlfriend’s parents a whole new twist. The ironically named Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) wants to propose during the visit with the parents, but his girlfriend’s father turns out to be a former CIA agent who is doing everything possible to break them up.
The Hangover (2009): Doug Billings (Justin Bartha) sets off with a few of his buddies for his bachelor party in Las Vegas. A night of drinks with close friends turned into an unforgettable and nearly-fatal adventure for all of them. Breakout performance by Zach Galifianakis, playing the odd brother-of-the-bride, has set him up to be a top funny man of the next decade.
Knocked Up (2007): E! News Reporter Alison Scott (Katherine Heigl) has a one night stand with Ben Stone (Seth Rogen) that leaves her pregnant. After deciding to keep the baby, Scott and Stone, comically named for his addiction to marijuana, embark on a journey of pregnancy, misunderstanding, and regret. But that baby’s still coming.
40 Year Old Virgin: When Andy Stitzer’s (Stever Carell) coworkers find out he’s middle-aged and still a virgin. They make it there call to find him a girl. A hilarious tale that leads Stitzer to find more than just a night of sex, but true love.
Napolean Dynamite (2004): Another unforgettable comedy that left this generation with a whole new repertoire of funny lines. Napolean (Jon Heder) is an awkward, bizarre teenager from a dysfunctional town, who decides to help his only friend at school run for class president. Even though the existence of an actual plotline in this film is debatable, there is no shortage of laughs.
Superbad (2007): Three socially awkward boys get invited to a huge party, the kind they are usually excluded from. In an effort to gain popularity points and lose their virginity before heading off to college, they try to buy alcohol with a fake ID and end up spending the night with two incompetent cops. Another movie with laughter guaranteed.

Best New Indie Films

www.moviethink.com — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:54:52 +0000

If you’re looking for a new film to see, but want something a little different than the big comedy hits and predictable love stories, check out your local Indie theater. This genre is often overlooked but produces some phenomenal, thought provoking pieces. Here’s our pick at some of the best.

7 days: A film about inner conflict and revenge, Bruno Hamel’s daughter is raped and murdered and he sets out to enact his own form of justice on the perpetrator. When Hamel subjects his daughter’s killer to horrific torture it raises the question of what exactly is justice and how far would you go for your loved ones.
All That I Love: This gripping film takes place in Poland during the Russian occupation of the 1980s. A young boy starts a band singing songs about his political frustration. A young romance that forms is at risk because of the differing political positions of their families. This film offers an emotional look at the profound effects political culture can have on one’s adolescent years.
Armless: The main character, John, leaves his wife one day to find a surgeon who will fulfill his dreams of having his arms amputated. The tale twists into an interesting look into marriage and acceptance of the one’s you love.
Bass Ackwards: This self-discovering movie about one man’s journey across America when everything at home had fallen apart, offers the audience a look at what it means to truly find fulfillment and happiness. More importantly, the main character finds this peace of mind all by himself.
Buried: Ryan Reynolds plays an American contract driver in Iraq who is attacked and buried alive. Finding the will and the way out of this unthinkable situation creates an amazing tale with a stellar performance by Reynolds.
12^th & Delaware: This political film takes the audience inside the ever-present domestic conflict of Abortion. As two groups of Floridians, one pro-life and one pro-choice battle one another on an issue that still grips the nation.
Abel: A young boy with mental issues is brought home from a psychiatric ward and is meant to be treated with extra care. Living with a single parent, the boy decides to assume the role of head of the house, which seems to help everyone deal with his conditionuntil someone shows up claiming to be the real father.
The Mormon Proposition: Another political tale about the anti and gay and lesbian campaigns of the Mormon Church. Two opposing sides fight one another, each armed with facts, and data in a film that explores a social issue that is increasingly relevant to our society.
Born Sweet: A short film about a young Cambodian boy suffers the affects of drinking arsenic-laced water. Despite the handicaps that result, he loves to sing and aspires to go on to be a karaoke star.
All My Friends Are Funeral Singers: The main character, Zel, lives in a house filled with ghosts. She offers psychic and healing powers to clients based on information she receives from her ghostly residents. This is a successful system for Zel until the ghosts decide they want to learn a few things themselves.