Kimputer's Weblog

Most people remember the Farrelly Brothers from their movie There’s Something About Mary (already 9 years ago). This movie is in the same category, in both type of humor, pacing, and story unfolding (and of course, also stars Ben Stiller). Basically, it means you’ll probably like this movie just as much. There are some hilarious moments, but it’s still a bit predictable and sometimes the pacing lets down. Overall, it’s a great comedy, but not one of the best.7½.

Another album promoted as an E-Street Band collaboration, it’s a bit overshadowed by Bruce’s political stance (or just his disgust for Bush). Let me tell you, with lyrics like “This is radio nowhere, is there anybody”, and “And the girls in their summer clothes, In the cool of the evening light, The girls in their summer clothes, Pass me by alive out there?”, you have nothing to worry about. There are still those story telling types of songs, but it somehow never quite catches on (at least with me, never reaching the level of songs like “The River”). Furthermore, musically it’s pretty much what you expect (I probably couldn’t really distinguish a song from this album from a song of his previous album, The Rising). As an album, magically, it has no powers. It’s easy listening, but nothing really grabbing your attention.6.

2 Years down the road, but still only the one smash-hit song that’s imminently bound to this singer/songwriter is You’re Beautiful. And even though his voice combined with ultra-sweet songs swept me over and got me to award his first album with an 8- (slightly over-rated, now it seems), the party train just has to stop here. Reason is that I thought there was longevity in the album, time has proven it otherwise. Admittedly, they are still high quality, but somehow lose the fight due to being only sweet.
Like his previous album, you’ll have to do with just 10 songs. His first single is 1973, and signals this album will be about the same, sweet combined with his unique voice. You can’t really fault him on quality again, but I already know how this will unfold over a longer period (also lacking a break-out hit, unlike last time). So, for fans waiting for another album without too many changes, go for it. I’ll just pick the one or two songs from it, and will probably come across this album on the next “Play All” command in my WinAmp Media Library (not often).7.

The title really leaves nothing up to imagination, but the gun-toting extravaganza on screen is quite inventive, and is mostly the heart of the movie. Story doesn’t seem to kick in till a bit later, but even if it was not really needed, it’s a nice addition. Mostly it’s stylish violence combined with a bit of humor. Quite a bulls-eye for a popcorn-happy flick.7½.

The third installment of asian martial arts inspired action movie starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan again, also with Brett Ratner behind the camera again. While story was never a strong point in this series, this movie is absolutely totally NOT about story. In fact, they had to hire a second script supervisor, telling the first one the discrepancies and continuity errors were there for a reason.
Mostly of course, to jumpt to the next action sequence, but it still boggles the mind why any script supervisor wouldn’t enter a catatonic psychosis with this script.
So then it’s all about the jokes and action ? Yupz, very much so. And in fact, I did laugh a few times, while Jackie does his usual acrobatics. If you can live on that alone, this is the movie for you. But from me, it get’s a just below average grade.7-.

An a-typical fairy tale for adults, with very un-Hollywood-like unpretentious style more reminiscent of independent pictures, hence putting the mid-high budget to better use. While lately fairy tales are uninspired rehashed cliches made for kids, this is the opposite. This one has exceptional storytelling, with a varied screenplay taking you to all places without wreaking havoc to the overall flow. Characters are wonderful and well-cast while special effects don’t become overabundantly present.
Extra kudos to Matthew Vaughn (who dropped out of X-Men 3 only a few weeks before principal photography), as he makes metaphores come to live on the silver screen. The more obvious (and hence, predicatble) story elements are bathed in the subtle sweetness, and so all is forgiven. If you want your heart melt for 2 hours, this is the one for you.8½.

The Rock reigns the box office again, this time in an PG rated sports comedy The Game Plan. Change of pace from action dude to father of a little girl hasn’t done everyone well, but it seems to catch on for Dwayne Johnson, handily taking in $22.95 million.
With a smaller audience, the R rated The Kingdom has to settle for the runner-up spot with $17.1 million, which is a barely satisfying result for this Peter Berg directed Jamie Foxx vehicle.
Meanwhile, last week’s number one Resident Evil: Extinction, drops to the third spot, having about 66% of the viewers die, leaving an $8 million take. Good Luck Chuck drops just as many spots, now at 4 with $6.2 million.
Rounding out the top 5 is the well-received 3:10 to Yuma in its fourth week with $4.2 million and some possible awards buzz going around.

Many people know I’m blind as a bat without my contacts or glasses. What people don’t know, is that I get an almost microscopic sight for it back (focal point and stuff), though I have to get my eye really really close to the object. So when I got up and look my lil’ niece in the eye I saw something, and thought about how well the macro-mode of my aging digital camera would capture my eye sight from up close.

Click on the picture for a bigger shot, and try to guess what Cheyenne is exactly doing.

This icon will indicate if I have answered the K-uestions yet

Coming from The 40-Year Old Virgin writer/director Judd Apatow, comes another romantic comedy. Unlike Virgin, this one seems to build upon a more realistic type of sweetness at its core, while following a pretty unsurprising story line. This movie has to have it more from lengthy dialogue instead of the usual punchlines and/or idiocy, and it seems to make a difference (though other people will think it more boring this way). Even then, Katherine Heigl is a beauty and acts well (far different than the drama role in Grey’s Anatomy), while the sometimes obnoxious Seth Rogen can play the sympathy card.7½.

With most series premiering this week already, it’s time for a summer roundup. Some shows already had their season finales, some are still in progress.

Psych S2 / Monk S6:
As usual with the USA network, the first half of the seasons aired, with the second half rounding out the beginning of next year. As usual both shows were funny as hell (though for both goes, the season openers were a riot, while episodes after that left you wanting for the same superb quality, but was too hard to reach).

The 4400 S4:
A great season again, with a total different tone than season before. Seems like they manage to make each season very different, but still keep the core story intact, developing characters along the way. And of course, great season finale, as usual.

The Dead Zone S6:
Following the trend of making the beginning and ending interesting, it keeps forgetting the episodes inbetween. But even with that flaw, I’ll be looking forward to season 7

Weeds S3:
Funny and dramatic at the same time, it’s a shame Mary-Louise Parker didn’t win an Emmy. Story continues on both city-wide as well as family level, and strangely enough, soft drugs is still able to be the main push for stories. Addiction alert !

Damages S1:
While the amazing tour de force (mostly Glenn Close’s and Ted Danson’s characters) shown in the first few episodes have died down a bit, it’s still a real treat, drama-wise, and each episode has real gems for moments. All the while, with so many things happening, shocking both sides, you wonder how they will ever continue this for another season, without heads rolling in the superb cast.

Big Love S2:
Another season to prove this family, bound by love, will be around for a while. Family matters continue to be interesting, and the dynamics in this Mormon family is a joy to watch.

The Closer S3:
While they seem to integrate more personal stuff (from Kyra Sedgwick’s character) into the story lines, at best it’s still a formulaic procedural.

Saving Grace S1:
Holly Hunter or not, divine help or not, it has no qualities to make this show stand out head and shoulders above any other show. It’s boring-ish dialogue and story lines, with only a few funny religious jokes now and then doesn’t quite cut it.

All in all, a pretty great summer, with the shows I like all probably greenlighted for a new season, meaning the next summer will be evenly enjoyable. Who needs sun and vacation eh ?

A dark-ish drama, headlining Jodie Foster, undoubtly one of the best actresses around, but feeling a bit miscast anyway. So too is the whole cast. Script follows a bit of a traditional victim to revenge line, thought the slow transition within Foster’s character is probably the most redeeming quality of this movie. There are a few slower boring scenes too, but mostly it’s average enough to be satisfied for a one time showing.7.

Milla Jovovich scares up enough zombies to reach the top spot, as Resident Evil: Extinction earns a modest 23.7 million. While seemingly okay, movies of this series proven to fall hard the following weeks, earning just above the break-even point (domestically).
Romantic comedy Good Luck Chuck, starring Jessica Alba and Dane Cook, opens at number 2 with $13.7 million. Dropping to the third place is The Brave One, earning $7.3 million. Also dropping two spots is 3:10 to Yuma, doing it with $6.2 million. Rounding out the top 5 is Eastern Promises, earning $5.6 million, probably due to its Toronto Film Festival winner status.

Somehow I didn’t have faith in the Bourne franchise anymore. The rave critical and user reviews lightened things up a bit, and now I’m convinced it’s the best in the series. Of course, it’s still not that story driven, and it has to have everything in the thrills and high pace. Matt Damon is well-suited in his character keeping the drama high onscreen, while the other actors do well with their characters (mostly non characteristic and no back story). Flashbacks and speedy spy/secret agent like conduct propels the action, hard against hard (evenly matched agents). Throw in some high speed car chases where special effects are blended to unseen subtleties, and you have a big old style action movie. I’m not sure if this formula would hold up with a fourth movie (since the end was in sight in this one), but for now, if they spin it in a new direction, I wouldn’t mind it at all.8-.

It’s been done, votes have been cast by shady individuals, and the winners are crowned. As with every year, there’s a lot I agree with, and there’s a lot I just can’t get my head around. Here’s what I think:

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series:
Extras • HBO • BBC and HBO Entertainment
Ricky Gervais as Andy Millman

Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Boston Legal • ABC • David E. Kelley Productions in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
James Spader as Alan Shore

Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Brothers & Sisters • ABC • ABC Studios
Sally Field as Nora Walker

Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Lost • ABC • ABC Studios
Terry O’Quinn as John Locke

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
My Name Is Earl • NBC • Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jaime Pressly as Joy Turner

Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Grey’s Anatomy • ABC • ABC Studios
Katherine Heigl as Isobel ‘Izzie’ Stevens

You can see why I agree with those, all receiving praise in my previous TV reviews, but it’s a short list. Which means, there’s a lot I don’t agree with. Extras was snubbed two other awards, and so was Weeds. Battlestar Galactica, Boston Legal, Heroes, Lost and Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip should’ve won some more too (though they were up against each other for Drama Series). And I still scratch my head, wondering how an awful show as 30 Rock can win the Comedy Series award. Also wondering why there’s a reality show category.
But hurting most of all, is that The Colbert Report missed out on THREE awards. One taken by his Jew rival, Jon Stewart, but no less than TWO were handed over to Tony Bennett ! With last year’s fiasco (losing against another singer, Barry Manilow) still fresh on his mind, Stephen will probably cry his eyes out on-air for a whole week.

The Brave One hits the top spot on a weak box office weekend. For Jodie Foster, the $14 million opening for this drama thriller is a dip compared to her previous headlined movies. Dropping one spot is 3:10 to Yuma, $9.2 million in its second week. Following are two new releases, Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott and Susan Sarandon starrer Mr. Woodcock earns $9.1 million, in a badly reviewed comedy. At 4, slaughtered by critics, is D-War (or Dragon War in full), already slain before it could rise with just $5.4 million (on a est. budget of $75 million). Rounding out the top 5 is Superbad with $5.2 million in its fifth week.