ANGELS AND DEMONS

Plot:

In this follow up film to The Da Vinci Code Tom Hanks reprises his role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon who has been recruited by the Vatican to assist in solving mysterious events surrounding the death of the Pope and the stalling of the conclave to assign the successor to the position. With all the possible clues indicating that the demised underground organization The Illuminati has resurfaced and has kidnapped 4 priests, threatening to kill them one at a time on the hour starting at 8pm and the complete destruction of the Vatican by 12am. Langdon must also team up with scientist Vittoria Vetra (Zurer) who is searching for the stolen powerful anti-matter that will be used to blow up the Holy City. The two are taken on a wild chase, following clue after clue so that they can prevent the disastrous events from taking place.

Reel Talk:

Ron Howard, the producer and director for this film did a much better job of putting this thriller together than his previous effort with The Da Vinci Code. Even the story was a lot more believable than it's predecessor. Tom Hanks as the ever so clever Langford, well it's not much to say, he is Tom Hanks. Ewan McGregor puts in a solid performance as Camerlengo Patrick Mckenna, serving as the interim until the conclave picks the new Pope, as well as Stellan Skarsgard portraying the clueless head of the Swiss Guard. If you read the book or you are one that's intrigued by Biblical mysteries than you'll really get into this movie, but others may get lost along the way trying to follow Langdon on his quest to save the Vatican.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard and Armin Mueller-Stahl
Directed by: Ron Howard
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustle

NEXT DAY AIR

Plot:

Donald Faison plays Leo, a disgruntle worker for NDA or Next Day Air (a spoof of of UPS). His mother Ms. Jackson (Allen) who runs the company is just about to fire him because of the constant complaints she is receiving about him delivering packages smelling like weed, until she gives in to his persistent begging to maintain his job. After being given another chance he turns around and starts right back to smoking weed and hanging out with fellow co-worker Eric (Mos Def) who cracks open packages helping himself to valuable items. After getting so high he delivers a package of drugs that was sent from Puerto Rico by drug kingpin Bodega (Rivera) to the wrong apartment in Philadelphia, whose residents happen to be a couple of wanna be thugs who are looking for a come up. The thugs, Guch (Harris) and Brody (Epps) can't believe their unexpectant gift and so they contact Brody's drug dealing cousin Shavoo (Hardwick) and his henchman who is only known as Buddy (McCrary) to to sell the product to them. Eventually the Puerto Rican drug dealers search for Leo in an attempt to retrieve their drugs from the apartment that he mistakenly drop the packaged off at.

Reel Talk:

Next Day Air, being Benny Boom's (famously known for directing videos for major rappers) first major film directorial, he comes out smoking in this gritty tale of money, greed, drugs and death. In a interview I had with comedian Mike Epps, he mentioned that he felt this movie was a little dark and he was concerned would his audience accept him for doing something different like this, because people are use to seeing him being funny, being the comic relief. Although this might be a twist from some of his other movies, he still makes his presence known, in a comedic way. But who I felt was the scene stealer, thou his part was small, was Mos Def, he is truly underrated as an actor. Now don't think that because this is a dark, gritty film that's its not good. It is actually a good and interesting movie, it will keep your attention. All the characters blended well also which helps in making this film work.

Starring: Donald Faison, Mike Epps, Mos Def, Wood Harris, Omari Hardwick, Emilio Rivera, Darius McCrary, Cisco Reyes, Debbie Allen and Lauren London
Directed By: Benny Boom
Rated: R

I give it 4 corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

STAR TREK

Plot:

In this adaptation of Star Trek which is directed by acclaimed director J.J. Abrams, it chronicles the orgin of James T. Kirk (Pine), a rebel who thrives on trouble and danger. But when a captain from Star Fleet, who was a big admirer of Jame's dad who sacrificed his life to save the lives of his entire crew while under attack, encounters the youngster and encourages him to apply to the academy sensing he has what it takes to be a captain. Once he is accepted, it begins his quest to become the captain of the USS Enterprise along with fellow enlisted crew members Spock (Quinton), Dr. "Bones" McCoy (Urban), Uhura (Saldana), Scotty (Peg), Mr. Sulu (Cho) and Pavel Chekov (Yelchin), who set out to stop the crazed Romulan captain Nero (Bana), who has a weapon that can devour an entire planet. Being their first assignment, they are put in the most dangerous situations possible, all while they must learn what it is to be a team and the value of being friends.

Reel Talk:

Other than watching the Star Trek series as a kid (only because television shows were limited back then - damn am I telling my age?), I never got into the Star Trek movies that followed. Just didn't seem too appealing to me I guess. But it was something about the trailers for the newest one that had me interested. And can I say I was not disappointed. I like the fact that it takes you to the beginning of the very existence of the would be captain and how the crew was formed , identifying with the characters that we came to love throughout the series, even down to some of the famous quotes. It also brings Leonard Nimoy back reprising his role as Spock in the future (I heard William Shatner was upset he wasn't in it), helping the young Jim save his planet.It took me awhile to realize that Eric Bana was the evil Nero, because his make-up was applied well for his role. I really enjoyed this movie, it is full of action and gives a few laughs too. J.J. Abrams did an excellent job directing what is sure to be one of this year's blockbusters. A must see!!!

Star: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinton, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Peg, John Cho and Anton Yelchin
Directed By: J.J. Abrams
Rated: PG-13

I give it 5 corndogs & a soda on the side

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

Evan Williams of Twitter @ TED Conference: What is your Side Project?

Interesting talk by Evan Williams of Twitter at the TED Conference where he talks about the unexpected uses of Twitter. The success of Twitter has been chronicled as it has hit the mainstream media. At this point in my life I couldn’t imagine going through the day without my laptop or blackberry to check the pulse of the world through the eyes of the Twitter community.What grabbed me the most about his talk was the fact that Twitter started off as a side project. The first word that comes to mind after watching the video is the word GRUSTLE.

GRUSTLE is the combination of a daily Grind (job) and a Hustle (your passion) and most people are caught between the two. Most peoples side project is their passion, which I believe fuels their success.

The average person is one side project away from their greatness. What side project are you working on?

FAST AND FURIOUS

Plot:

Having been reinstated back into law enforcement, Brian O' Connor (Walker) hits the streets trying to get a lead on the suppler of a major drug trafficker that uses supercharged cars to make the run from Mexico to LA. But what he didn't count on was crossing paths with his former target turn friend Dominic Toretto (Diesel) who is in town trying to find the one responsible for the death of his friend. Soon realizing that they are both after the same person they must work together, infiltrating the fast car driving drug dealing organization. With Brian trying not to be discovered and Dominic a fugitive, is trying not to get caught and the only person they can truly trust is Mia (Brewster) - Dominic's sister and Brian's ex-lover.

Reel Talk:

Wow it took Vin Diesel 8 years to finally decide to return to the character he portrayed in the first installment of The Fast And Furious series. In this film it brings back the original cast mates Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriquez and Jordana Brewster. Then you got John Ortiz who plays the drug dealing Campos and a cameo appearance from Detroit's own Brandon T. Jackson. You also got the turbo charged cars , rev-ed up and roaring across the screen. But none of these elements could save this movie. The story was so cheesy and the acting so corny that the fast paced auto scenes just didn't seem to matter. There was so much anticipation for this movie, but after seeing this one I wonder, is it a wrap for any other follow up Fast movies? Muscle car junkies may like it for the auto action stunts but that's about it.

Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriquez, John Ortiz and Brandon T. Jackson
Directed by: Justin Lin
Rated: PG-13

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT

Plot:

Sara (Madsen) and Peter (Donovan) Campbell are two parents trying to cope with the fact that their teen son Matt (Gallner), has cancer. Sara seeing the toll its taking on the sickly Matt while commuting him outer-state to the hospital in Connecticut, decides it would be best to find a place there while he receives his treatments. She settles for an old Victorian home with a horrific history. The home once served as a funeral parlor and torture chamber for a deranged mortician who also used his son as a medium for the dark-side. Eventually the house becomes inhabited by the souls of the tortured people and they can only be seen by someone terminally ill like Matt and Rev. Popescu (Koteas), a cancer victim who tries to help the family rid the house of it's evil spirits.

Reel Talk:

This film is based on a true story of events that happened in Connecticut, but it doesn't make this film any scarier. On the real, the only thing I was scared of was that some one would hear me occasionally snoring. For horror fans such as myself, this film lacks any type of originality, any type of ump that will give you chills up your spine. And Virginia Madsen plays the worse crying mother, completely tearless and totally whiny. You can try to psych yourself into believing you'll be scared but in the end, especially if you're a die hard horror fan, you'll be disappointed.

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Elias Koteas, Amanda Crew and Martin Donovan
Directed by: Peter Cornwell
Rated: PG -13

I give it 2 corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

KNOWING

Plot:

A school opening a time capsule that has been buried for 50 years hands out it's contents. When one student opens his package and finds a letter with a lot of numbers configured on it, that was placed inside by a by a girl that recorded the numbers off some subliminal message. The boy sets it aside at his home and his father John Koestler (Cage), a science professor begins to study and dissect the numbers revealing that they are dates, times and location of major disasters that have occurred during the letter's burial and events that are to occur within the near future. Trying to figure a way to prevent the future calamities he sets out to gain the assistance of the girl that wrote the letter's only relatives, her daughter Diana (Bryne) and granddaughter Abby (Robinson), who senses the same eerie subliminal messages that her grandmother did while composing the letter.

Reel Talk:

Knowing is a movie that will pull you into it with anticipation, wondering what might take place next. This film will sorta remind you a lot of the Final Destination series, which is a good thing. But I feel that towards the end of the movie the writers got brain freeze, cause the ending sucks. I was greatly disappointed at how this movie had me revving with anticipation and let me down with such a stupid ending. It will do well at the box office because of our desire for mysteries, but what a waste.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Rose Bryne, Chandler Canterbury and Lara Robinson
Directed by: Alex Proyas
Rated: PG-13

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Cornedog - The Reel Hustle

I LOVE YOU, MAN

Plot:

When Peter (Rudd) and Zooey (Jones) Decide to get married, it is soon discovered by Zooey that Peter does not nor has he ever had any male friends. In need of groomsmen and a best man, Peter begins to go on Man-Dates, scouting for possible recruits for his wedding party. After several disappointing dates Peter encounters Sydney Fife (Segel), a free loading, free spirited investment broker who tweaks his interest. Eventually the two bond and begin on an unbalanced journey to becoming best buddies.

Reel Talk:

First - These rolls are always idea for Paul Rudd, you know the quirky, non -chalant and humorless guy. No one plays them better. Jason Segel who had a break out lead performance in Forgetting Sarah Marshall pretty much follows up with the same ingredients for this character.Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly plays Zooey's married friends Barry and Denise who have a strange but working relationship. Although their scenes are brief, they are funny. Entertaining movie, not a belly buster, but some sprinkled gags that will make you laugh.

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressly
Directed by: John Hamburg
Rated: R

I give it 2 and a half eaten corn dogs

By: Corndog - The reel Hustler

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

Plot:

When two teen space aliens crash land on Earth so that they can retrieve an object that's needed to save the universe, they must enlist the help of a hulking cab driver named Jack Bruno (Johnson), when they are being stalked by another deadly alien predator who is after the same object. Jack who has no idea what he has gotten himself into then recruits the services of UFO specialist Dr. Alex Friedman (Gugino) who he had met earlier at an convention about outer space. Together the two must help the two space travelers get back to their spaceship while trying to avoid the space hunter and a power-struck government agent named Henry Burke (Hinds) who wants to use them for experimental purposes.

Reel Talk:

I hope that Dwayne Johnson, being the charismatic talented actor that he is, will not diminish his career with continuing to do kiddie movies(remember Vin Diesel with the Pacifier). His first film for Walt Disney Pictures, The Game Plan, was a pretty good movie probably because he had an adorable co-star in Madison Pettis. But in Race To Witch Mountain his second film for Disney, he has no charming little girl to save him, he has to rely on his charm and muscles to make it work but unfortunately they don't work. It helps a little that Carla Gugino (who I happen to think is sexy) co-stars, but other than that the film is sorta flat with a bunch of special effects that they ripped from other films hoping they work for this one. Trust me,you don't have to race to go see this film.

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig and Ciaran Hinds
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Rated: PG

I give it 2 corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler

WATCHMEN

Plot:

In this film adaptation of Alan Moore's graphic DC Marvel comic novel based on a group of superheros called Watchmen, who's mission is to watch over humanity, but leaves to question - who is watching the Watchmen? During the mid 80's, in the midst of the nuclear struggle between the United States and Russia, superheros have been force to retire from crime fighting leaving the cities in a state of chaos. When former superhero Edward Blake/The Comedian (Morgan) is mysteriously killed, Walter Kovacs/Rorshach (Haley)forms an investigation enlisting the help of fellow Watchmen Dan Dreilberg/Nite Owl II (Wilson) and Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II (Akerman) to find out who is out to assassinate retired superheros. With the world in the middle of a nuclear crisis, Silk Spectre II tries to persuade her extraterrestrial lover Dr. Manhattan/Jon Osterman (Crudup) who can prevent any atomic disasters to help save mankind.

Reel Talk:

Being one of the most highly anticipated movies of this year, I gotta say I was excited going into the screening for this film. But let me put it out there that if you have not read the novel like I didn't, you won't know what the heck is going on. I was pretty confused with which direction the film was going. Now that doesn't make for a bad movie, the characters are an exciting and interesting bunch and along with the spectacular visual effects, I would say director Zack Synder (famous for his directing work for 300) does a good job of keeping your attention despite the confusing story. Warning: Although this is a comic book adaptation, Watchmen is not for children. This is probably the most graphically violent and sexually over-toned superhero movie to date. It's a movie worth seeing but you will enjoy it better if you have read the novel.

Starring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson and Carla Gugino
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Rated: R

I give it 3 corn dogs

By: Corndog - The Reel Hustler