2010 MTV Movie Awards

So it may not be the Oscars, but it is one of the funnier nights on cable television.  This year's MTV Movie Awards is quickly approaching and the promos are starting to make their way onto the web.  Check out the Aziz and Justin Bieber Movie Award promo video below and check back for updates, photos and videos as I will be there working in the backlots of Universal Studios at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

MTV Shows

Tune in on Sunday, June 6 when the show airs with some wild and crazy happenings beginning at 8pm EST for the Red Carpet Pre-show and a 9pm EST LIVE show.  You won't believe what the MTV team has planned.

Repo Men -- Review

When it comes to blood and guts I have a relatively high tolerance level. I can handle quite a bit before I start to squirm in my seat, but Repo Men hits that tolerance level within the first five minutes and does not let up. It rips and tears at your insides, slashing, pulling and tugging and just when you think you're about to get a break it starts all over again.

I feel like Universal took a chance with this film, and about half way through either didn't like where it was going or they realized they had no idea where to take the story. The graphic amounts of gore rose to exponential levels and no matter how awesome it was watching Jude Law fight, it reached it's peak of unbelievability long before the end was in sight. The fights sequences were by far the best part of the film as the story itself had so many holes that it was a contact battle not to fall straight through a black hole.

Repo Men is an action packed version of the Saw franchise. The lacking story and weak characters left a huge question mark as we tried to bounce along the story line. It reminded me of one of those children book read along videos with the bouncing ball telling us to keep up with the story. Only problem was that the ball only hit select words so half to story was missing. I had no idea who people were or what their connection was, and yes I'm a strong believer in "a picture is worth a thousand words" but showing us a picture of an adult male and female and a child or two friends with their arms around eachothers shoulders is not always a strong enough connection for us to connect the dots.

On top of the lackluster story, I know the general principle is that in every action story their must be romance, HOWEVER --- (SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT)

However, do we really need an implied sexual scene as a body is being cut open!?!? SERIOUSLY! That was taking the story to a whole new level that I do not know if they intended to take it there, or if that was infact what the director and writer actually meant. I mean sure, give me a film where you slice up a large quantity of bodies while the person is still a live, but do me a favor a leave the smutt for the closets.

SPOILER ALERT OVER
Over all I felt the film lacked in several areas. Again I will emphasis that I truly enjoyed watching Jude Law play the bad ass along side Forrest Whitaker, and the girl was decent. But be warned... There is a twist a comin' that you won't be expecting.

On that note I will say that Repo Men is a third person gamers wet dream in movie form. If you are a fan of paint ball or laser tag you will definitely relate. But unless your girlfriend likes violent movies, do her a favor a leave her home for this flick. Maybe it will turn out to be a half decent "dude flick". Unfortunately for me, Repo Men rates a 2.5 out of 5.

Happy huntings all you Repos!

The Wolfman -- Review

Be still my beating heart of horror for this valentine's weekend you have found true love.

I have always been a fan of horror films and stand by the principle that nothing beats the original.  Yet I always wondered if/when Universal would make another go at their classics, especially after a trip to Universal Studios two summers ago.  February 12, 2010 is a date that will set into motion a movement within the horror genre that will make my heart pitter-patter a little louder and a little faster as it is the release date for the first of several updates to classic horror films.  There is just something breathtaking when you are able to watch a monster come to life right before your eyes.  

The Wolfman production had a few hiccups along the way, but the final film pays remarkable homage to the 1941 classic while giving the 21st century movie-goer everything they could possibly want from a film of this style.  From the moment the lights dimmed and the classic Universal logo appeared on the silver screen I felt butterflies in my stomach as the excitement I felt for one of my favorite classic films went through a much needed update.  If you have read any of my previous reviews I tend to go against remakes/updates and adaptations, but from time to time there is a film that needs to be presented from a more modern point of view. Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't be The Wolfman if there weren't elements of "cheese" scattered throughout the film, as all of the classic horror films hold that as part of their being and existence.  Be it that the film did not translate well through the years, make-up effects being slightly out-of-date, or a rather phony looking pentagram "etched" into the chest of the main character as his sign of become a werewolf.  It is all of these together that give us George Waggner's 1941 classic Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney Jr.  

The thing that makes Joe Johnston's direction of The Wolfman so great is that he is able to pay homage to the original through the use of props and make-up artist Rick Baker who brought Jack P. Pierce's original look back to life for a whole new generation to enjoy.  On top of the visual effects adding to the story, and the bone crunching and spin chilling transformation from man to monster a nightmare come true.  Not only did it send chills through my entire body watching the visual effects of CGI transform Benicio del Toro's body into the Wolfman and the carnage he leaves in his wake as he makes his way through Victorian England.  The updated story takes you on an interesting journey as to where the Wolfman actually comes from and how he came to be.  Johnston brings you on a journey straight through the psyche of a man that so many have grown up with.  It is Lawrence Talbot and del Toro's performance that not only opens your eyes to the soul and heart of this classic horror monster.  People always say that the eyes are the mirrors to the soul, and I don't know how Johnston was able to pull it off through all of the make-up, but his shooting style and shot choices give you a true glimpse into a misunderstood monster.  But of course, as I said earlier, this film could not be The Wolfman if it did not include a certain level of cheesiness. 

Without giving away any spoilers I will say that a quick line mentioned to describe Hugo Weaving's character Abberline was a slight stretch of the imagination, however it certainly left me scratching my head a little as to why it would be mentioned in the first place.  Yes, my horror fan mind started spinning with ideas for the endless possibilities (yet none of them should probably be followed through with).  The slightly odd almost Golum-like creature that made several appearances. Some of the dialogue between father and son felt almost straight out of the 1940 films, but getting to see the wonderful and amazing Anthony Hopkins transform into a werewolf made up for any blunder that had been previously made.  The cameo appearance of the brilliant make-up artist Rick Baker as one of the gypsy men, yes cheesy but just as great as the Marvel films with their Stan Lee cameos.  Other than that I really have no complaints.  The film surpassed every expectation I had by leaps and bounds and left me begging for more.  

The art and costume departments were brilliant and truly took you back to Victorian England with amazing sets and beautiful costumes.  Rick Baker out did himself and gave us a creature we not only recognized but loved for the modernization and update which only added to the scariness and danger of what the wolfman is capable of.  Joe Johnston's The Wolfman gave me chills when they were needed, made me feel love and compassion for a dangerous monster, and made my heart skip a beat.  All this single girl wanted for valentine's day was a date with one of her favorite monsters and what a perfect date it was.  Benicio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins stole my heart and gave me the bloody valentine I wanted, and it was with the grace and class of the beautiful Emily Blunt and a silver bullet that my night ended tragically.  

Thank you Universal for bringing back the classic horror films.  Bring it on you monsters!  I cannot wait the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula and Frankenstein in the next few years.

2010 Wolfman Trailer/Featurette

1941 Wolf Man Trailer