tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13581515681409977302012-01-31T02:59:51.831-05:00Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.comBlogger4151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-61318782984731911192011-12-07T16:29:00.000-05:002011-12-07T16:29:41.307-05:00

These are dark times for the Film Warriors… We have fallen from the path.  Our “endless quest for legend” has given way to the banality of everyday life.  The movie theater, once the battlefield that fed our souls, has been replaced by term papers and fried chicken.  We’ve retreated to the safety of familiar quest items that occupy our Blu-ray players, finding comfort in former battle sites

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-24281524972996170542011-08-26T09:04:00.000-04:002011-08-26T09:04:51.163-04:00

Despite four major studio releases last weekend, not ONE was able to crack the top spot at the box office, which just goes to prove that you cannot roll a turd uphill.  It will just smear on the ascent.  I can't for the life of me figure out why "The Help" and the "Apes" are still seated in the top two spots.  Maybe it's because they both deal with race relations.  I suppose "Spy Kids" can't hold

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-23942487487010332892011-08-24T09:13:00.000-04:002011-08-24T09:13:20.578-04:00

Conan the Barbarian 3 = Combat Readiness Medal Fright Night 3 = Combat Readiness Medal If you’re in the mood for an 80’s remake double feature, you can’t do much worse than these two late summer entries: After two feature films, countless imitators, and a lame TV series, Robert E. Howard’s “Conan the Barbarian” finally gets a proper reboot that dispenses with Schwarzenegger’s eye winking in

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-8994061616857547202011-08-23T10:35:00.000-04:002011-08-23T10:35:59.962-04:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal With a budget of only $13 million, writer/director Joe Cornish (in his feature debut) has managed to deliver a delightfully entertaining summer film the puts other colossally over budgeted blockbusters to shame (“Green Lantern,” we’re looking at YOU). With shades of such 80’s fare as “Gremlins” and “Critters,” “Attack of the Block” concerns a small teenage gang from

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-90660533367141038802011-08-19T08:54:00.001-04:002011-08-19T08:54:49.171-04:00

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" dominated the box office for the second weekend in a row last week, which is not surprising when the story is about a group of "apes" rising up against their "human oppressors" in order to find freedom in this world.  I saw this film in Atlanta where the audience was very pleased with the outcome. This weekend we find ourselves chained to the usual assortment of

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-57792823469453665592011-06-12T16:37:00.000-04:002011-06-12T16:37:29.966-04:00

Today marks the 30th anniversary for the release of possibly the single greatest adventure film ever made.  Conceived on a beach in Hawaii by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” would introduce us to the globetrotting exploits of archeologist Indiana Jones, a character so iconic he would come to represent the spirit of cinematic adventure for decades to come. I had first

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-78873282504011706572011-05-28T12:08:00.002-04:002011-05-28T12:36:30.400-04:00

2  =  Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) Critics have made much hay over how lazy Todd Phillips' sequel effort to, the sleeper phenomenon, "The Hangover" is.  While some of their points are vaild, I think many of them missed the point.  Phillips' script may very well have been a re-working of the original, but in order to attempt to appease the critics who would have otherwise derided

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-41386057376860340952011-05-14T06:46:00.001-04:002011-05-14T06:48:10.839-04:00

Summer is a great time for movie trailers.  Sometimes they end up being better than the movies they promote, which is their job I suppose, for why else would I have suffered through "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" if not for a great trailer? This time around in the Armory we have a grab bag of films that cover a wide demographic of audiences.  First up is Marcus Nipsel's unnecessary remake

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-33880733705320447522011-05-13T18:52:00.000-04:002011-05-13T18:52:00.088-04:00

Last weekend Marvel's assembly line film "Thor" landed more with a ball peen hammer than it did with Mjolnir, only racking up about $66 million in ticket sales to claim the top spot at the BO.  I guess audiences were still reeling from 1980's "Flash Gordon" to pack the theaters with a straight face. This weekend the summer movie season steamrolls on with no less than three major releases,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-13842287621502628642011-05-11T08:24:00.000-04:002011-05-11T08:24:03.653-04:00

2 = Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) (Both Films)  I confess that I have a certain soft spot for documentaries as a Film Warrior.  I’m endlessly fascinated by the world around me, and I enjoy learning about the very real individuals and subjects of docs that inhabit this world on a daily basis.  Fictional blockbusters are one thing, but knowing that Mark Borchardt, subject of the 1999

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-6174786323953501452011-05-10T09:55:00.000-04:002011-05-10T09:55:29.374-04:00

2 = Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) The God of Thunder arrives in Marvel’s latest cinematic installment of their comic franchise leading up to next year’s “Avengers” team up, and while it’s not nearly as obnoxious as last summer’s “Iron Man 2,” it stills fails to be genuinely thrilling despite a solid cast. “Thor” stars Australian hunk Chris Hemsworth as the title character, an

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-44612492772790663202011-05-04T11:44:00.000-04:002011-05-04T11:44:54.950-04:00

2 = Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) I wasn’t going to bother with a review of this ultimately forgettable quest item about a New Orleans supernatural private eye, but when I discovered the film opened on 875 screens and grossed a paltry $863 per screen (HERE), I feel somewhat obligated to say something on its behalf since I did contribute to this very low box office take. Based on

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-50671530363299576032011-05-02T09:45:00.000-04:002011-05-02T09:45:19.144-04:00

A few weeks ago Screenrant posted an exceptionally well done trailer showcasing the upcoming quest items for the summer 2011 movie season.  Have a look: What caught my eye was not the usual amount of summer cinema bloat we’re accustomed to (sequels, reboots, animated features, superhero epics), but rather the creative quality behind these films and the potential for blockbuster overload

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-11836561936620288592011-05-01T12:44:00.001-04:002011-05-01T22:36:06.265-04:00

4 = Medal Of Honor Director Justin Lin officially throws down the Summer Movie Gauntlet a week early with his latest installment of the “Fast & Furious” franchise, an outstanding action/heist film that sets the bar VERY high for the other quest items to follow between now and Labor Day weekend. “Fast Five” reunites Paul Walker and Vin Diesel once again, as well as every major player from each

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-75789980237039813632011-04-17T10:31:00.000-04:002011-04-17T10:31:36.951-04:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal “Star Wars” fans fall into two camps.  The first camp believes creator George Lucas is the Jesus Christ of our time and will unflappably follow his filmmaking whims without question, regardless of how illogical his decisions seem, and the other camp is comprised of former followers who feel as though they’ve been sold out by 30 pieces of silver. Alexandre O. Philippe’

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-78541731439504623972011-04-15T09:23:00.000-04:002011-04-15T09:23:59.992-04:00

Do you think if Jesus Christ came back he would go see "Hop?"  After it taking the number one spot at the box office yet again last weekend, I'm inclined to think he might go out of peer pressure.  Hell, he might even enjoy it knowing Easter doesn't just revolve around his holy ass. Sacrilegious musings aside,  this pre-Easter Sunday weekend we have three major studio releases descend upon our

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-85350496188485651832011-04-12T09:39:00.000-04:002011-04-12T09:39:46.640-04:00

1 = Summary Court Martial “Your Highness” is the product of someone believing their own press and thinking they can do no wrong.  The person in question would be actor Danny McBride, who co-wrote the screenplay with partner Ben Best and headlines in this fantasy/comedy that’s too much of one and not enough of the other. McBride first received attention from his abrasive turn as a martial arts

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-943199560211528512011-04-09T13:03:00.000-04:002011-04-09T13:03:44.012-04:00

Oscar nominated director and true Film Warrior Sidney Lumet has passed away this morning at the age of 86 from lymphoma in his home in Manhattan, according to the New York Times (HERE).  Many of his films are regarded as modern American classics, such as "Dog Day Afternoon" "Serpico" and "Network." FW Uncle Billy should really be tackling this man's rich history of cinema work and its profound

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-61661507221251178532011-04-09T11:30:00.000-04:002011-04-09T11:30:23.825-04:00

2 = Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) Joe Wright’s “Hanna” plays like its Chemical Brothers soundtrack; cool and familiar techno  rhythms punctuated by a few pulse pounding moments wrapped in a carnival like assassin thriller that ends where it began, but never really takes you anywhere. Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones”) plays the 16 year old title girl in question, raised to be a

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-75838098945963893122011-04-08T08:58:00.000-04:002011-04-08T08:58:28.004-04:00

I'm convinced that if you made a CGI animated film about prison rape (in 3D!) it would still end up as the number one film for that weekend.  How else do you explain the obnoxious "Hop" for claiming the top spot last weekend, especially since it starred the wooden James Marsden? This weekend we find ourselves fudge packed with no less than four major studio releases competing for your attention,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-36213238803998607992011-04-06T08:04:00.000-04:002011-04-06T08:04:21.056-04:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal It’s funny to think that a film with a $10 million budget can still be considered a B movie.  Back in the day $10 million would have been a fairly significant amount, but these days it’s considered chump change in the motion picture industry, especially when they blow $100 million on a non special effects quest item such as the insufferable “How Do You Know.” “Skyline

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-33550868304024497292011-04-05T10:29:00.000-04:002011-04-05T10:29:35.614-04:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal James Wan’s “Insidious” is a good old fashioned, shit a little in your pants, ghost story.  A throwback to haunted house films of the 70’s and early 80’s that relies more on boo-gotcha moments than it does on excessive blood and gore. Patrick Wilson (“Hard Candy”) and Rose Byrne (TV’s “Damages”) star as loving parents to two young boys and a baby girl who move into a

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-20885362997066414522011-04-04T11:04:00.000-04:002011-04-04T11:04:12.516-04:00

On a recent evening while awash in a PBR stupor, I found myself playing Buzztime trivia in a local pub.  I was up against a group of kids half my age in a ten question deathmatch, and I wasn’t doing well.  Down by a thousand points, my only hope for victory (and to salvage my dignity) would lie in the final question of the game.   The category was movies.  There was a flicker of hope in my eyes.

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-42696515435482255232011-03-11T17:10:00.000-05:002011-03-11T17:10:11.308-05:00

4 = Medal Of Honor Johnthan Liebesman’s “Battle: Los Angeles” contains nearly every alien invasion cliché you’ve seen in films in the last 30 years.  Every one.  So why is this consistently acerbic Film Warrior giving it a four rating? Because as of right now it’s easily the best film of the year. Director Liebesman (“Darkness Falls”) and screenwriter Christopher Bertolini (“The General’s

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-54397843170462399302011-03-11T08:52:00.000-05:002011-03-11T08:52:06.221-05:00

The Johnny Depp CGI lizard fest "Rango" roped in the top spot at the box office last weekend, once again proving that CGI fare is still Hollywood gold.  My personal pick was the 80's nostalgia film "Take Me Home Tonight," which sat on the shelf for four years before dropping to the bottom of the cinematic toilet upon its release.   This weekend spares us of any more 80's flicks, but does feature

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-29392703997280335302011-03-10T09:45:00.000-05:002011-03-10T09:45:04.641-05:00

0 = General Court Martial I’m going to save anyone even remotely interested in seeing Catherine Hardwicke’s “Red Riding Hood” this weekend a lot of time, money, and effort with the following sentence: The werewolf in question is none other than Red Riding Hood’s father (Billy Burke). Rarely do I ever give away spoilers (or critical plot points) in a review, but this quest item is such a

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-39415083617793524332011-03-05T08:30:00.000-05:002011-03-05T08:30:55.196-05:00

The Farrelly brother's cinematic shart "Hall Pass" barely eked out a win over some CGI gnomes to claim the number one spot this past weekend at the box office.  I don't know why, since they haven't been comically relevant since the mid 90's.  Fortunately I was too enraptured with Charlie Sheen's latest antics to really care. This weekend Hollywood dumps out no less that four major releases,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-66125770972292476692011-02-23T16:52:00.000-05:002011-02-23T16:52:09.687-05:00

One of the wonderful things about being a Film Warrior and a parent is watching my children discover their own taste in movies. As my oldest has grown, I have continued to suggest titles he might be interested in seeing. Often he rejects my suggestions, but lately he has started to trust me more and more. I'm not just talking about the usual fare. He was exposed to “Star Wars”  “Raiders Of The

Uncle Billyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895622076431902263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-51411018407804561202011-02-18T05:38:00.000-05:002011-02-18T05:38:44.589-05:00

Apparently there weren't enough tweens and pedophiles with Bieber fever this past weekend, as the embarrassingly bad Adam Sandler comedy "Just Go With It" edged out the concert flick "Never Say Never" to claim the top spot at the box office.  Who knew there were still as many Sandler fans out there? This weekend we serve up a trifecta of crud that will be sure to have you upchucking your

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-37511059476373354902011-02-11T05:42:00.001-05:002011-02-11T19:08:39.737-05:00

You know your whole week went to hell when such turdfests as "The Roommate" and "Sanctum" (my acerbic review HERE) end up with the top two spots at the box office over more highbrow fare like "The King's Speech." This weekend may also be a good time to catch up on those Oscar nominees as the following three quest items up for grabs are sure to induce severe bouts of dysentery upon viewing.  

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-35649551212265952502011-02-09T14:54:00.000-05:002011-02-09T14:54:17.522-05:00

0 = General Court Martial I had deliberately avoided sequestering myself inside a theater for the month of January in the hope that I could spare myself the usual assortment of cinematic atrocities that are ‘dumped’ out by Hollywood this time of year.  Stinky poos like “The Green Hornet” and “The Rite” are probably best left unseen. Unfortunately this type of unwatchable sludge has somehow

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-33502615045291862962011-02-07T16:22:00.002-05:002011-02-07T17:04:20.314-05:00

Since I had no vested interest in the actual game itself (aside from checking in on my pool squares at $200 per quarter AND because I despise both teams playing), I settled in to watch the Super Bowl the way God intended...for the commercials. This is generally where the studios premiere the trailers for their summer tentpole releases.  This year, based on these four ads, we're in for a 50/50

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-39074032740152470432011-02-05T08:59:00.000-05:002011-02-05T08:59:20.968-05:00

4 = Medal of Honor I walked into Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine” expecting to see a depressing movie. After all, I knew what the film was about – the beginning and ending of a relationship. If it was done correctly, I knew it was not going to be one of those “feel good” kind of movies. Even with that knowledge, I was not prepared for 112 minutes of brilliance I was about to see on screen

Lina Lamonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016270451415655069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-83299564661975539102011-02-04T05:46:00.000-05:002011-02-04T05:46:21.584-05:00

"The Rite" managed to score the top slot at the box office last weekend, proving without a doubt that Satan does indeed exist, and he has a hell of a sense of humor.  How else to you explain the casting of an ACADEMY AWARD WINNER such as Anthony Hopkins? Hysterical bouts of laughter aside, it seems the January dump of crappy films from Hollywood is going to spill over into the first weekend of

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-57970191607611994072011-02-02T09:51:00.000-05:002011-02-02T09:51:41.076-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal Deepak Chopra once said that there are no extra pieces in the universe.  Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and it’s this very idea that’s explored through the eyes of three characters in one of the most overlooked films from last year. On the surface, Mark Romanek’s “Never Let Me Go” is a first rate character story involving a lifelong love

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-16451336486624352832011-02-01T17:09:00.000-05:002011-02-01T17:09:14.943-05:00

Hey, do you remember James Purefoy from that sword wielding epic called "Solomon Kane," based on Robert E. Howard's classic pulp character? You don't?  Oh, that's right.  The movie was never given a stateside release.  Probably for the best, actually, as it turned out to be a murky embarrassment for all parties involved.  Trust us Film Warriors on this one.  We love this type of sword and 

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-29993945191488553022011-02-01T16:09:00.000-05:002011-02-01T16:09:08.911-05:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of our cinematic journey as Film Warriors.  True that we had already been on this journey for most of our lives, but this past year of cinematic prose has allowed us to share that journey with you. Although we began quietly last January 7th  with our declaration as “children of the blockbuster” (HERE),   it would still take a few weeks to get us up to

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-65852260580115581942011-01-31T17:55:00.002-05:002011-01-31T18:17:27.879-05:00

While wandering through the local Salvation Army store on a quest to find some out-of-print quest items, I happened upon a VHS copy of the 1970 Disney film "The Boatniks.  This is exactly the type of item that we look for in these places.  A long forgotten film that is not easily obtainable (without paying full price through Ebay or Amazon.com).  This one fit the bill perfectly enough to get

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-53141351536353111522011-01-22T12:20:00.003-05:002011-01-22T19:30:34.742-05:00

Once in a while, it is a good idea to ground yourself.  A reset of expectations can do wonders for the way we view films.  One way that we, as Film Warriors, tend to do this is to take a look back at our roots.  Where we've been can give us a better appreciation of where we are, and where we are going. Revival screenings are great ways to do this...if you can find them, or live in an area where

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-43580128105478992892011-01-21T07:42:00.000-05:002011-01-21T07:42:24.172-05:00

Despite the abundance of negative reviews, "The Green Hornet" still managed to snag the top spot at the box office over the holiday weekend, no doubt due to the jacked up 3D ticket price and not because the film is any damn good.   I know there might be some confusion of quality because Michael Gondry directed, and it's about a rich, costumed crimefighter (ala Batman), so let me break it down

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-41826298070251474602011-01-16T13:15:00.003-05:002011-01-16T15:00:49.480-05:00

To be clear, right up front.  This is not a comprehensive list.  This list is only representative of the films that I was able to see during the period of 2010.   Not all films became available in my area in time to review (and in many cases, I just didn't have the time to make it out to see them).  This is why many critically successful films, which may very well have ended up on the list, are

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-7428996974127183962011-01-16T09:29:00.000-05:002011-01-16T09:29:15.105-05:00

Recently one of our regular blog readers (Sam, this would be YOU) expressed concern over the recent Variety announcement (HERE) that writer/director Shane Black was tapped by Warner Bros. to direct the live action version of the Japanese Manga series "Death Note," created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. For the uninitiated, "Death Note" concerns a high school teen who discovers a supernatural

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-68884704572887706802011-01-14T09:40:00.000-05:002011-01-14T09:40:37.784-05:00

Who would have ever thought that a western would be sitting pretty in the number one slot at the box office in this day and age?  Pretty sad that we have to settle for Jeff Bridges doing his Dude-In-A-Cowboy-Hat act because we lack a decent selection of quest items at out local cinemas.   If you're wondering why that gun toting crackpot went on a rampage last weekend and shot the hell out of a

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-46012422709571994652011-01-12T12:47:00.000-05:002011-01-12T12:47:10.144-05:00

Let’s be honest.  2010 was a cinematic bust.  Sure, there were a few of bright spots here and there, but a couple of good turdlets does not a whole shit make, as they say (and by ‘they’ I mean me). While I could easily fill pages upon pages with the worst films of the year, I’d be hard pressed to come up with 10 that I consider to be the best.  I’ll let Centauri handle the list duties and

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-21262256893024131262011-01-10T14:21:00.000-05:002011-01-10T14:21:03.608-05:00

Four time Oscar nominated film director Peter Yates passed yesterday at the age of 82 (read HERE) and he leaves behind an impressive legacy over the course of his varied career that spanned many different genres of film. Among his quest items are “Mother, Jugs & Speed,” “The Deep,” and “Breaking Away,” which garnered him is first Oscar nomination in 1980 for a coming of age bike racing story.

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-66634095868138567402011-01-05T19:54:00.002-05:002011-01-06T11:33:29.332-05:00

1 = Summary Court Martial After hearing person after person rave about how "Tangled" is Disney's greatest film in ages, I finally broke down and ventured out to see it.  If you recall from a previous post on the latest trend in mis-marketing films (which you can read, HERE), my assessment of this film was that the trailer didn't know how to market the film.  I also went on to say that the film

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-62283772406841231292011-01-02T09:20:00.000-05:002011-01-02T09:20:41.209-05:00

For my first Trailer Armory of 2011 I've selected a quest item that waxes nostalgia for the decade I spent the better part of my teens years within.   Last March we were subject to the underrated 80's style comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine" with John Cusack and the out of control Rob Corddry.  This March we'll return to the 80's once again in the company of Topher Grace and Anna Ferris with "Take Me

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-68737202616524190032010-12-31T07:33:00.003-05:002011-01-02T12:30:51.835-05:00

4 Silver Bells "Gremlins" is not your typical holiday film.  However, (for the most part) if you've come to this series of posts expecting typical holiday films, you've been coming to the wrong place. What is it about this particular film that earns it a place in my holiday favorites list?  Unlike slasher films like Bob Clark's excellent "Black Christmas" or the "Silent Night, Deadly Night"

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-47597165145120859022010-12-30T11:33:00.000-05:002010-12-30T11:33:51.481-05:00

Two Flusher = Mexican Revolt It’s a good thing that writer/director John Hughes is no longer with us, because if he were he’d probably be suing for copyright infringement by now. “Easy A” is a Mad Libs concoction of some of Hughes’ best known work from over 20 years ago that wants to be a contemporary take on the teen comedy genre, but ultimately lacks the sincerity and originality those 80’s

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-29282885677275024662010-12-28T07:45:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:29:51.424-05:00

(The Heavy Metal Warrior, once again rises from the underground lair to spread Christmas cheer ...and fire a huge serving of figgy pudding at a celebrated character actor.) 4 Silver Bells (First 40 and last 10 minutes of the film) 1 Silver Bell (Anything involving John Lithgow) One of my favorite Christmas memories of my oldest daughter is taking her to see "Santa Claus, The Movie" when she was

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-13792002314369123902010-12-27T07:07:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:28:34.560-05:00

(Guest blogger and honorary Film Warrior Rachel Brethauer joins us for the holidays with a look at one of the all time classics of Christmas films.  You can see more of Rachel's work on her blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter under the name @rachem) 4 Silver Bells Maybe it seems a little obvious to choose a movie they play literally for the entirety of Christmas, but it still needs to be said:

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-47494543366954707642010-12-26T10:01:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:26:12.398-05:00

(Guest writer Michael Johnathan Lee, better known as @GoldenAgeofGeek on Twitter and entertainment blogger for The Wrap returns with his holiday take on a musical version of "A Christmas Carol.") 4 Silver Bells My very first exposure to the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol” was seeing the 1970 musical version “Scrooge” starring Albert Finney. For years I believed that was the best

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-23473081108025598682010-12-25T01:51:00.003-05:002011-01-02T12:24:38.539-05:00

18 Silver Bells (Us FWs do make exceptions on our ratings at times.  Merry Christmas! - Ace) “It's A Wonderful Life” is my all time favorite movie. That's not to say that I think it's the best movie ever made, though I used to argue that point quite vehemently. I have, in the past twenty-five years or so, adjusted many of my thoughts on film viewing, and the difference between the film that

Uncle Billyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895622076431902263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-37293592435519308312010-12-24T15:14:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:23:30.996-05:00

4 Silver Bells Christmas is not always about good cheer, presents, or shooting your eye out.  Sometimes a holiday backdrop can be used to stage an elaborate robbery in a high rise office building by a team of experienced antagonists willing to kill a large group of hostages to ensure their success.  So it goes with 1988’s “Die Hard,” a film that created an entire sub genre in action films,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-27744178047519957812010-12-23T15:25:00.000-05:002010-12-23T15:25:26.018-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness MedalSomehow I managed to have seen all three “Step Up” films on my endless quest.  I know I’m not in the age demographic, nor can I dance to save my life.  I should have stopped after choking on the plot of the first film, but, truth be told, the lovely Briana Evigan lured me back for the sequel.So I suppose it comes as no surprise that another Siren in the form of

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-60402718308925247902010-12-22T17:46:00.004-05:002011-01-02T12:22:25.484-05:00

4 Silver Bells Best known as the "Crash" of romantic comedies, writer-director Richard Curtis' "Love Actually" has become the 'must view' film in the Centauri household at this time of year. Largely ignored upon initial release, this Christmas themed film has slowly built its acclaim and a large, rabid fan base among those who have discovered it.  Why?  What makes this film stand out in a

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-26361662472005242342010-12-22T07:44:00.000-05:002010-12-22T07:44:12.443-05:00

I'm not sure what's worse, that the overhyped "Tron: Legacy" only managed to pull in a sub par $43 million on its opening weekend despite the fact that it had nearly three years of marketing under its belt, or that the furry CGI dildo known as "Yogi Bear" actually made $16 million at the box office. If you average out the ticket price to around ten bucks, you'll find that 1.6 million assholes

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-62011576869334225402010-12-21T17:39:00.000-05:002010-12-21T17:39:47.861-05:00

Having just addressed a few train wreck movie trailers in yesterday’s Endless Quest post (HERE), it’s nice to turn it around in the Trailer Armory today and offer up two forthcoming quest items that look truly exciting.First up is “Hanna.”  Saoirse Ronan (“The Lovely Bones”) stars as a 14 year old girl raised by her father (Eric Bana) to be a cold blooded killing machine.  It’s not long before

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-25512019201798107732010-12-21T07:42:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:19:20.567-05:00

3 Silver Bells There are very few Christmas films that don’t actually promote holiday cheer and goodwill towards men in some form, yet are still considered yuletide classics in their own right.  “Silent Night, Deadly Night” has garnered a cult status over the years due to its portrayal of a homicidal killer clad as Santa Claus, not to mention a fair amount of public outcry when the film was

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-83502218569720052010-12-20T17:56:00.000-05:002010-12-20T17:56:30.148-05:00

It happens every year on our cinematic path.  We encounter quest items that either fail miserably to live up to expectations and Hollywood’s overhyped marketing department, or that look to be dead on arrival from their lackluster previews.   “Tron: Legacy” earned only a meager $43 million at the box office this past weekend.  Right now there are Disney honchos probably quietly cleaning out their

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-27399168050061935562010-12-20T07:43:00.001-05:002011-01-02T12:18:10.909-05:00

(Guest blogger and honorary Film Warrior Jamie Hahn kicks off our holiday festivities with a look at this Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell.  You can read more of this talented writer's work on her own blog HERE, and follow her on Twitter under @thisjamie.) 3 Silver Bells If you told me in 2003 that my favorite Christmas movie would be about a guy who thinks he’s an elf, I’d have told you

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-9472654732822049232010-12-19T00:00:00.003-05:002010-12-19T09:48:51.904-05:00

??? = Totally Confounded As a nine year old, old school game geek in 1982 (We're talking Magnavox Odyssey 2 old school, here.) I was the target audience for "TRON" upon its original theatrical release.  I remember marveling at the idea that someone could be kidnapped into a computer to play games for life and death. What's more, was that all the techno-speak didn't sound alien to me.  One of

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-56168059765581078182010-12-18T09:23:00.000-05:002010-12-18T09:23:56.805-05:00

1 = Summary Court Martial How do you know this is a terrible film from once talented writer/director James L. Brooks?  Because every character in this quest item you would hate to be seated next to on an airplane. "How Do You Know" deals with Lisa (Reese Witherspoon), a self absorbed 31 year old athlete who must reevaluate her life when she finds herself cut from her team after a lengthy career

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-57061049219684029122010-12-17T16:54:00.000-05:002010-12-17T16:54:05.233-05:00

Legendary writer/director Blake Edwards passed away on the Wednesday at the age of 88 in Santa Monica, CA from complications with pneumonia (read HERE), and what he leaves behind is a legacy of quest items that will be viewed by filmgoers for generations to come.Edwards has a laundry list of credits to his name, having directed a diverse body of films that include “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-4115246481522930552010-12-17T08:49:00.000-05:002010-12-17T08:49:09.698-05:00

Hopefully last weekend's paltry box office take of $25 million for the latest "Narnia" film will be the final nail in this tepid franchise.  I think we've all had enough of those annoying British kids chatting it up with resident fur covered deity Aslan.   This weekend's three holiday quest items feature one computer deity, one acting deity, and one CGI deity.  Best get on your knees and start

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-29013366824024667222010-12-13T18:27:00.000-05:002010-12-13T18:27:50.167-05:00

You can't keep a good pirate down, especially if that pirate happens to be Captain Jack Sparrow. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role in his fourth outing as Disney's favorite pirate in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."  The first teaser has been released to the internet masses: It appears Jack is back.  Film opens May 20th of next year. "Deeds, not words..." 

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-39362036981436802842010-12-11T09:51:00.001-05:002010-12-11T09:51:58.779-05:00

I sometimes hate it when I'm right.  Back in July I gave my assessment of the Comic Con footage showcasing Marvel's upcoming "Thor," citing the material as lackluster. I had hoped that by the time the first trailer was released they had spiffed it up a bit, but alas, this teaser looks as every bit as goofy and pedestrian as the footage I saw earlier this year: The film is directed by Kenneth

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-14783994591119130832010-12-11T09:04:00.000-05:002010-12-11T09:04:53.295-05:00

4 = Medal of Honor Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” is so good that it’s difficult to put into words just how good it really is. In fact, I wish our rating system had a 5 or higher. For starters, it’s directed by Darren Aronofsky (“Pi,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “The Wrestler”). This guy has one vivid and dark imagination. In “Black Swan” he creates multiple worlds within a world. Unlike “

Lina Lamonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016270451415655069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-37447429778513714242010-12-10T10:24:00.000-05:002010-12-10T10:24:58.404-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal The buzz on the web regarding David O. Russell’s “The Fighter” pretty consistently mentioned the same three names over and over again: Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, and Amy Adams. After catching a sneak peek of the film the other night, I can definitely see why these actors are being singled out for their performances. Christian Bale is a transformable actor. He

Lina Lamonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11016270451415655069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-63362180334577716582010-12-10T08:16:00.000-05:002010-12-10T08:16:40.614-05:00

Never underestimate the power of a woman, especially one with very long hair.  Disney's "Tangled" managed to unseat the almighty Harry Potter to take the top spot at the box office last weekend, which is like saying a colonoscopy is slightly more entertaining than a prison rape. However, you may want to stick with "Tangled" when you catch wind of this weekend's three quest items up for grabs. 

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-79219066353278722632010-12-09T09:51:00.001-05:002010-12-09T09:52:55.648-05:00

It's comes as no real surprise that I have very little love for Michael Bay and his overblown "Transformers" franchise (read HERE), but I'd be remiss as a Film Warrior if I didn't acknowledge the worldwide success of these films and his ability to make shitloads of money. Knowing that he and Paramount wouldn't leave well enough alone after the disastrous "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,"

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-1372326246484739252010-12-05T08:53:00.000-05:002010-12-05T08:53:50.628-05:00

In Lawrence Kasdan’s film “Grand Canyon,” Steve Martin comments to one of the characters: “That’s part of your problem: you haven’t seen enough movies.  All of life’s riddles are answered in the movies.”  I often return to this quote as a source of inspiration to understanding my own challenges in life, and while I believe what he said holds true from my own perspective in this world, I also

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-56903072612972026122010-12-04T20:00:00.003-05:002010-12-04T19:28:36.983-05:00

On my recent vacation, I headed back home for a long overdue family Thanksgiving.  Since home, for me, happens to be the 'land of a thousand theme parks'...naturally, I would be expected to visit one or two.  As I am a huge geek and one of the resident Potter-philes of the Film Warrior family, of course I am going to check out the newest offering from Universal Orlando's Islands Of Adventure. 

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-73236352206868233262010-12-04T08:25:00.000-05:002010-12-04T08:25:43.758-05:00

Four Flusher = There She Blows! The last thing we need is a film to make hippie cult leader Charles Manson seem even more crazy than he already is, but the Soiled Restroom can be unforgiving place, even during the holiday season, dumping out a top quality Redbox turd entitled, “Manson, My Name is Evil.” Charlie shouldn’t have to worry too much about further defamation of his character, however,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-31471326922206806922010-12-03T11:09:00.000-05:002010-12-03T11:09:19.570-05:00

Little Harry Potter waved his magic wand once again and came up with box office gold over the holiday weekend, besting no less than four major releases, including Disney's "Tangled," which had to settle for second place.  Harry seems to be better playing with his 'wand' than he is at getting laid. This weekend the holiday season lurches forward with three new quest items for three very

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-39874317286424063902010-11-30T18:47:00.001-05:002010-11-30T18:48:58.932-05:00

In a surprise move by the producers of the 83rd Academy Awards they announced Monday (read HERE) that actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway would be taking over hosting duties for Oscar night.  They are not only the youngest hosting duo in Oscar history, but also one that reeks of a crass marketing stunt to up the ratings for a show with a steadily declining audience. Maybe it's just me, but I

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-45943469823276223612010-11-30T10:46:00.000-05:002010-11-30T10:46:43.660-05:00

I’m always fascinated with the creative process and how individuals approach certain projects, especially within the entertainment industry.  Essentially it comes down to a lot of hard work, but it’s the motivation and drive behind that hard work that interests me, that creative spark that cranks up our engines. Director Irvin Kershner passed away yesterday at the age of 87 (read HERE).  He’s

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-40058739241567180742010-11-29T13:53:00.000-05:002010-11-29T13:53:40.972-05:00

Few actors are granted a second 15 minutes of fame during the course of their careers.  Usually they peak at the height of their popularity, then gradually ride off into the sunset to make way for a new generation of stars.  Every so often, though, an actor will be rediscovered by a new audience, garnering a second wind where no breeze blew before.   Leslie Nielsen passed away at a Ft.

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-14829445854455089832010-11-28T09:21:00.000-05:002010-11-28T09:21:34.670-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal Film Warriors love to find themselves wandering down unfamiliar paths when questing for legend.  Mainstream films are so universally generic you can practically watch them with your eyes closed.  We long for movies to take us on an unexpected journey, and this edition of the DVD Klaxxon offers us just that with “Leaves of Grass.” With apologies to Walt Whitman,

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-31161818843340268162010-11-27T09:34:00.000-05:002010-11-27T09:34:55.878-05:00

2 = Average Participation (No Citation Awarded) It’s always nice to see an actor return to a genre that made them famous.  After ‘tapping out’ of the wrestling ring, Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) appeared in a series of action vehicles such as “The Scorpion King” and “The Rundown.”  These are not ‘legend’ quest items by any sense of the word, but they proved The Rock could hold our attention

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-91256382791279293332010-11-26T09:42:00.000-05:002010-11-26T09:42:47.254-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal“The Disappearance of Alice Creed” is one of the best edited films of the year.  Usually one doesn’t cite editing when praising a film.  That glory is usually reserved for things like acting, cinematography, screenwriting, and special effects.  However, when crafting a taut, gritty little thriller, editing becomes the main weapon in your storytelling arsenal, and writer/

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-90542064572768461682010-11-25T07:46:00.001-05:002010-11-25T08:00:05.722-05:00

A Film Warrior’s true indulgence this Thanksgiving weekend is not the big feast, nor does it necessarily has to do with shopping on Black Friday (although a good case could be made for cheap Blu-ray players and DVDs).  What really rattles our armor is the opportunity to endlessly quest a whole truckload of holiday film releases over the course of the weekend. These aren’t necessarily the best

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-36235398189395157252010-11-24T22:21:00.003-05:002010-11-25T07:56:52.154-05:00

November 1st was the first Monday in the month, so off I went to the local Redbox to get my free rental. This month, I let my wife have the pick, after all it was free, and she usually has pretty good taste in movies. She chose “The Runaways.” It was billed as a rock bio-pic, detailing the formation and eventual split-up of Joan Jett's first band. Jett is played by “Twilight” star Kristen

Uncle Billyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17895622076431902263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-1333160194523652862010-11-24T18:38:00.000-05:002010-11-24T18:38:10.182-05:00

Before Turkey Day descends upon us and we all slip into a food coma, I'm going to take a moment to recap some entertainment happenings on this holiday eve. First up comes the news that a British construction worker unearth a lost print of the 1933 classic "King Kong" in a theater undergoing a major refurbishment (read HERE).  Sadly, it most likely won't contain lost Spider Pit sequence as many

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-81306130414455147792010-11-24T09:55:00.000-05:002010-11-24T09:55:13.969-05:00

(Yes, I know it's only Wednesday, but this is a holiday weekend after all.  Hollywood couldn't wait until Friday to dump this crap on us.) Were you really all that surprised that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" would end up in the number one position last weekend?  There's only a few times a year its audience fan base will climb out of their parent's basements and stumble into direct

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-22930661257522975832010-11-23T17:47:00.000-05:002010-11-23T17:47:11.207-05:00

It seems the collective Nerdville has been up in arms since Warners announced its impending theatrical remake of Joss Whedon's beloved "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (read HERE).  The film will be produced by Charles Roven and Steve Alexander, with a script penned by 29 year old Whit Anderson. Joss Whedon is not involved AT ALL in this reboot, and of course he's not happy about it (read HERE).  For

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-50831802137659194602010-11-23T08:39:00.000-05:002010-11-23T08:39:47.948-05:00

4 = Medal Of Honor Since 1987, whenever I think of Thanksgiving, I instantly recall John Hughes’ “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.”  No other quest item kick starts my holiday season better than this one, achieving a ‘legend’ status through exceptional screenwriting and top caliber performances. Steve Martin stars a Neal Page, an uptight ad man who leaves his office in NYC for his home in

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-34835992795064786362010-11-22T17:18:00.002-05:002010-11-22T17:21:07.195-05:00

Every so often Hollywood will confuse its Film Warriors by producing quest items with similar themes and releasing them only a few months apart.  Remember the time we had two big budget volcano pictures in the same year? Often films bearing similar plots will cancel each other out (does anyone actually remember "Dante's Peak?"  See the above paragraph for a clue).  This time around we have two

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-4976171925185883202010-11-22T08:39:00.000-05:002010-11-22T08:39:28.770-05:00

Two Flusher = Mexican Revolt No one in the entertainment industry wants to let the vampire genre up for air.  Bad enough we have to suffer through big budget endeavors such as the “Twilight” saga and “Daybreakers,” but now all that cinematic blood has trickled down into bargain basement DVD releases that turn up in your local Redbox three years after their release date. “Metamorphosis” is one

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-30297623755854656622010-11-21T09:57:00.000-05:002010-11-21T09:57:12.745-05:00

Next July when “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” concludes in theaters, it will blessedly bring the end to over a decade long obsession with a four eyed nerd bearing a lightning bolt birthmark.  I’ve never been a fan of this over praised franchise (unlike FW Centauri, his review of Part 1 HERE), and I’m tired of being looked upon as a leper when I say that I’m not.I’m not one to follow the

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-34232700987962223762010-11-20T20:46:00.003-05:002010-11-20T21:15:05.194-05:00

4 = Medal Of Honor What "The Empire Strikes Back" was to the Star Wars saga, the latest (and extraordinarily lengthily titled) Potter film is to its series.  By this point, everyone on the planet, including Potter haters knows that the film will end in a cliffhanger.  This much debated point (where are they breaking the film up?) finally comes to its resolution, on screen for the world to see.  

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-35140307892733554032010-11-20T18:23:00.000-05:002010-11-20T18:23:05.696-05:00

The trailers just keep rolling out of the Armory this week.  2011 is already shaping up to be an interesting cinematic year judging these little snippets of quest items that we've already seen.  Here are two more to add into the mix: First up is director Jon Favreau's follow up to his "Iron Man 2" misfire with "Cowboys & Aliens," a story about a group of cowboys (led by Daniel Craig and Harrison

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-25315761401471754282010-11-20T09:29:00.000-05:002010-11-20T09:29:36.727-05:00

3 = Combat Readiness Medal Comedian Jon Lovitz once exclaimed, “I’m ACTING!”  This phrase accurately describes Michael Caine’s performance in "Harry Brown," a film that opens with a shocking act of random violence and never lets up until the final frame. Caine stars as the title character, a retired military man living out his autumn years in a place called the Estate (a British version of an

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-33770464269718526152010-11-19T21:31:00.001-05:002010-11-20T09:26:03.986-05:00

In several recent cases, film studios have released marketing campaigns that have left me scratching my head.  I'd like to take a moment to ask the studios what they expect to gain from these ambiguous efforts.   Honestly, what on Earth has possessed you to greenlight some of these films coming up? Furthermore, Why put yourself into the position of having to figure out a marketing strategy for

Centaurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03672038484126748565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-85349585298792044872010-11-19T11:14:00.000-05:002010-11-19T11:14:39.367-05:00

Once again the bulbous headed, blue skinned CGI alien from "Megamind" managed to claim the top spot at the box office last weekend, further proving the validity of 3D as a mainstream storytelling device and not just a gimmick.  Of course, if you believe that then you'll also believe that I have a twelve inch penis that juggles my testicles and sings showtunes. Speaking of pricks, this weekend's

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-56551339117205127302010-11-18T18:09:00.001-05:002010-11-18T18:09:56.911-05:00

It's a busy week here at the Armory as we're being inundated with all sorts of trailer goodness for the upcoming holiday season.  Here's a quick double 'D' dose of previews for your viewing pleasure: First up is the 1972 remake of the Charles Bronson classic, "The Mechanic," this time starring Jason Statham in the title role under the direction of Simon West. This is about what you'd expect

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-17277068957805128722010-11-17T16:36:00.000-05:002010-11-17T16:36:20.177-05:00

In honor of Italian film producer Dino DeLaurentiis passing away last week (read HERE), I’m going to sound the DVD Klaxxon on one of his most ambitious films from the 1980s, which recently arrived on Blu-ray in June of this year.   “Flash Gordon” defines the term ‘cult classic.’  Released 30 years ago on December 5th, 1980, it would set the standard for creative filmmaking during the entire

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-54159456391692160102010-11-17T10:00:00.002-05:002010-11-17T10:02:43.733-05:00

I think we’ve peaked with the superhero tentpole franchises as of late.  What started with Nolan’s “Batman Begins” in 2004 finally reached a pinnacle in 2008 with both “Iron Man” and “The Dark Knight.”   Since then there has been a notable downslide in both quality and content (“Kick Ass” notwithstanding) to the point where the next several years of superhero films are being met with a

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-81387468519054779922010-11-16T13:45:00.000-05:002010-11-16T13:45:56.199-05:00

When Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wolverine” arrives in theaters in 2012 it will be the fifth time actor Hugh Jackman has donned the famed Adamantium claws of one of Marvel’s most popular comic book characters.   Very few actors will continue in the same role past the three movie mark, and when it does occur it’s usually for one of two reasons: out money or out of love for the character. I’m always

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358151568140997730.post-17453065810554784882010-11-16T09:23:00.001-05:002010-11-16T09:25:45.720-05:00

Yesterday the qualifying list of animated films for next year’s Academy Awards ceremony were announced (via THR HERE), and they are as follows: “Toy Story 3” “Tangled” “Megamind” “Shrek Forever After” “Despicable Me” “How to Train Your Dragon” “Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue” “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” “The Illusionist” “Alpha

Ace Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01828923013425311970noreply@blogger.com0