Who? What? Where? #42

Here comes Nick.

He correctly identified Chris Pratt as Fletcher Flemson in Bride Wars. With that he moves closer to passing Hatter. Dylan still retains his slim lead over Jess.

Good luck to everyone this week.


The concept is simple: each week I will place a photograph of a character within a film. It is up to you (the participant in the game) to tell me the following:

1) The name of the actor (or what the actor goes by in his acting profession).

2) The name of the character in the movie.

3) And, the name of the movie.

Each correct answer gets you a point - so if you get all three correct on a given week, you can get three points. I will keep a running chart each and every week. As of now, this will be played for bragging rights only - but we shall see what the future holds.

So here is week #42:

Standings:

Dylan - 31 points
Jess - 29 points
Matt - 23 points
Mad Hatter - 17 points
Nick - 15 points
Stevee - 3 points

HOT: Volunteers

This was a pretty important film for Tom Hanks, not particularly on the film standpoint, but the fact that he co-starred with his eventual wife, Rita Wilson.

Anyway, the second film in a row where Hanks teams up with John Candy.

In Volunteers Hanks stars as Lawrence Whatley Bourne III, who is just graduating college and has rung up a pretty substantial gambling debt. After trying desperately to get his father to pay off his debt, Bourne bribes his college roommate into switching places and letting him join the Peace Corps.

Bourne, after his father pulls strings to keep him there - despite his pleads to leave, is paired with Tom Tuttle (Candy) and Beth Wexler (Wilson) to help build a bridge in Southeast Asia.

Wexler, after the finding the truth about Bourne, cannot stand him - and how easy he has connected with the natives. But after some coaxing and a little help from At Toon (Gedde Watanabe), an English speaking native, he manages to get her to fall for him.

Tuttle, meanwhile, gets lost in the woods and is brainwashed by a local Communist force to finish the bridge. Bourne also makes a deal with a local Opium drug lord to finish the bridge to make it easier for them to transport their drugs.

Once they realize that the locals just may be better off without this bridge it might be too late.

Again, I watched this film a lot when I was younger so it has some sentimental value - and after re-watching it I still enjoyed it, but not as much as I probably did before.

For one, I was not a huge fan of the snobby Hanks' accent, but I got past it. Also, three major villains and not one of them was that villainous.

Grade:

HOT: Splash

Here we have the first teaming of what will eventually become many between Tom Hanks the actor and Ron Howard the director.

I remember really enjoying this film when I was younger, probably the first film where I started to like Tom Hanks.

Anyway, Splash stars Hanks as Allen Bauer. We first meet Allen on a ferry boat as a young child. He sees something in the water and decides to jump in despite not knowing how to swim. It is here that he meets a young Madison, who keeps him safe until he is saved.

Cut to years later and Allen is in charge of his family's produce business, along with his older brother, Freddie (John Candy). Freddie, however, is more into living than working, so most if not all of the business decisions are thrust upon Allen - add that to fact that his girlfriend has just left him and Allen is about to have a minor breakdown.

With that he decides to take an unplanned trip to Cape Cod, where he first met Madison (even though he thinks she might have been a figment of his imagination).

Allen rents a boat to take him across and we learn that he still has not learned how to swim. Of course, he falls out of the boat and gets hit in the head by the boat. Madison (Daryl Hannah) rescues him yet again.

During her rescue, Allen drops his wallet and Madison gets it off the ocean floor - oh, and Madison just so happens to be a mermaid.

She uses his licence to get his address and tracks him down. Despite not knowing how to speak, Allen takes her in and immediately begins to fall in love with her. She does learn English, however, by watching television and the love affair between Allen and Madison begin. She is, however, keeping this one major secret from him.

Meanwhile, Walter Kornbluth (Eugene Levy) is trying to track down Madison to prove that mermaids exist. He saw her on an ocean excursion, but dropped his camera before he could get a picture - now it is his one goal to show he is not crazy and expose Madison for the mermaid she is.

Will Kornbluth expose her? Will this be a deal breaker for Allen? Will Madison be able to last outside of the ocean for so long?

I have to admit, Splash was a pleasant surprise - I hadn't seen it in a long time, but I still enjoyed it. Maybe not as much as I enjoyed it when I was younger, but honestly it still held up for me.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Hanks and Hannah - plus the trio of Hanks, Candy and Levy were great together.

Grade:

Tuesday's With Movies: 9/27/11

I am not really sure why I am posting this because, frankly, there is only one major release this week - and it is on Friday. So, it technically isn't even Tuesday's With Movies, but I post this each Tuesday there is at least one major release - so here it is again.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon: I saw this already in the theater and I will be adding it to the collection whenever possible. I have no real issues with the Transformers films, in fact, I actually enjoy them. I guess that is because I go in knowing what to expect - a popcorn film with CGI robots and lots of things blowing up. Plus, this one was a lot better than the second one, so it was even easier to take.

Who? What? Where? #41

Nick comes through this week by correctly identifying the person to the left as Nathan Lane. In his second attempt, he correctly placed him as Ed Chapman in the film Life With Mikey.


With that, the standings remain the same, though Nick moves up three points. Dylan still has the slimmest of leads over Jess, who could jump back in front this week. And Matt is still just a few points behind second place.

OK, well good luck this week.

The concept is simple: each week I will place a photograph of a character within a film. It is up to you (the participant in the game) to tell me the following:

1) The name of the actor (or what the actor goes by in his acting profession).

2) The name of the character in the movie.

3) And, the name of the movie.

Each correct answer gets you a point - so if you get all three correct on a given week, you can get three points. I will keep a running chart each and every week. As of now, this will be played for bragging rights only - but we shall see what the future holds.

So here is week #41:

Standings:
Dylan - 31 points
Jess - 29 points
Matt - 23 points
Mad Hatter - 17 points
Nick - 12 points
Stevee - 3 points

Tuesday's With Movies: 9/20/11

Bridesmaids: From what I can tell this is supposed to be the comedy of the summer. I have heard some great things about this, much like I did with The Hangover a few years ago. This is one of the films from the summer that I have been waiting to see - have to wait a bit longer due to Netflix, but I will see it soon.

Set Up: A heist film starring Bruce Willis, Ryan Phillippe and 50 Cent that is a direct-to-DVD release. I doubt this would have made a ton of money in the theaters, but considering some of the films that do go there I am surprised this is just being released on DVD. Didn't know anything about it, but I may actually check it out at some point.

The River Murders: This one appears to have been released in the theater, but I have never heard of it - it must not have been there very long. Another decent cast with Ray Liotta, Ving Rhames and Christian Slater - a detective investigates a series of murders, but soon realizes he had some sort of involvement with all of the victims. Sounds decent enough - might check it out down the line.

Guys of TV: Nathan Fillion

2011 Guys of TV Champion

Nathan Fillion

Castle

Congratulations to Nathan Fillion of Castle for being named the 2011 Guys of TV champion. He takes out Grey's Anatomy's Jesse Williams to claim his title.

Thank you to everyone who participated and voted - especially those who came back each and every day. I have a lot of fun doing this, but only if there is participation. Check back next year and we may just do Guys/Girls of TV again - if I have time.

Who? What? Where? #40

Dylan breezed in and correctly identified Kevin Nealon as Potter in Happy Gilmore. And, with that "easy" victory Dylan moves back ahead of Jess for first place in the game.

This one I feel will be a bit more difficult, but you all seem to surprise me so we shall see.

Anyway, good luck to all of you.

The concept is simple: each week I will place a photograph of a character within a film. It is up to you (the participant in the game) to tell me the following:

1) The name of the actor (or what the actor goes by in his acting profession).

2) The name of the character in the movie.

3) And, the name of the movie.

Each correct answer gets you a point - so if you get all three correct on a given week, you can get three points. I will keep a running chart each and every week. As of now, this will be played for bragging rights only - but we shall see what the future holds.

So here is week #40:

Standings:

Dylan - 31 points
Jess - 29 points
Matt - 23 points
Mad Hatter - 17 points

Nick - 9 points
Stevee - 3 points

Guys of TV: Fillion vs. Williams

Wow, Jesse Williams has officially been the underdog that not go down. Williams lands in today's finals matchup after defeating his castmate of Grey's Anatomy Patrick Dempsey.

But, can he ride this wave all the way to victory and claim the title? We shall see.

Final day of voting - tomorrow the champion is crowned. Enjoy!

FINALS

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion is currently starring in Castle as Richard Castle. He lands in the finals after defeating Franklin & Bash's Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Covert Affair's Sendhil Ramamurthy, The Mentalist's Simon Baker and True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard.

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams is currently starring in Grey's Anatomy as Jackson Avery. He lands in today's finals matchup with victories over Chuck's Zachary Levi, True Blood's Stephen Moyer, Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Grey's Anatomy's Patrick Dempsey.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Williams vs. Dempsey

Nathan Fillion is our first finalist as he takes out True Blood's Alexander Skarsgard.

Who will join him? My bet is on someone from Grey's Anatomy.


Keep up the voting. Enjoy!

SEMIFINALS

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams has been the underdog who cannot stop. He recently took out No. 1 seed Jon Hamm from Mad Men to make it to the semifinals. He is currently Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy.

(2) Patrick Dempsey

And Dempsey makes it an all Grey's Anatomy semifinals on this side of the bracket with his victory over No. 1 seed How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris. On Grey's Dempsey stars as Derek Shepherd.

poll by twiigs.com

Tuesday's With Movies: 9/13/11

Star Wars-Blu Ray: As I said before, I do not own a blu-ray player as of yet, but when I do this would be one of my first purchases. Star Wars is so iconic and has been passed down from generation to generation in my family, which I have now passed down to my son. It also appears to be filled with a ton of never before seen goodies.

Thor: Saw this already, but I will definitely be checking it out again very soon. I have also been showing the Marvel films to my son, so he is looking forward to seeing it as well.

Love Wedding Marriage: According to Rotten Tomatoes this is one of the biggest flops in cinema history - right up there with Bucky Larson. My wife, however, loves to check out the wedding flicks - so we will either be checking it out together, or her by herself.

Guys of TV: Skarsgard vs. Fillion

Patrick Dempsey slightly upsets How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris to nail down the final spot in the semifinals.

Like the turnout over the weekend. Let's continue on the final few days. Champion will be named on Thursday.

Here are your semifinals. Enjoy!

SEMIFINALS

(1) Alexander Skarsgard

Skarsgard took out Bones' David Boreanaz to make his way into the semifinals. He is currently Eric Northman on HBO's True Blood.

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion moves into the semfinals with a victory over The Mentalist's Simon Baker. He is now the title character Richard Castle in ABC's Castle.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Harris vs. Dempsey

Jesse Williams continues his upsets. He knocks off No. 1 seed, Mad Men's Jon Hamm.

The quarterfinals wrap up today. Who will join Williams, Skarsgard and Fillion in the semifinals?

Enjoy!

(1) Neil Patrick Harris

Harris took out Burn Notice's Jeffrey Donovan to make it to the quarterfinals. He is currently playing Barney Stinson on CBS's How I Met Your Mother.

(2) Patrick Dempsey

Dempsey lands in the quarterfinals with a victory over Justified's Timothy Olyphant. He is currently starring on Grey's Anatomy as Derek Shepherd.

poll by twiigs.com

Guys of TV: Hamm vs. Williams

Nathan Fillion moves into the semifinals after his defeat of The Mentalist's Simon Baker.

The quarterfinals continue over the weekend, make sure to vote.

Enjoy!

(1) Jon Hamm

It took some extra time, but Hamm took out Glee's Mark Salling to land in the quarterfinals. Hamm is currently starring on Mad Men as Don Draper.

(6) Jesse Williams

Williams is currently the lowest seed still rolling on as he upset True Blood's Stephen Moyer to move into the quarterfinals. He is currently starring on Grey's Anatomy as Jackson Avery.

poll by twiigs.com

4/50x2: Gamer

So, this is how I believe we need to see our Gerard Butler. All of these romantic comedies he keeps throwing out there just do not work for me. If you are an action star (hello Dwayne Johnson) work with your bread and butter. I know everyone likes to branch out once in awhile, but stay true to who you are.

Butler is in his glory in Gamer as Kable, a prisoner on death row that just so happens to also be participating in this new 'video game' created by Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall).

Castle has created two separate reality games, the first being called Society - which is basically like the Sims except you control actual people. In his new game, Slayers, those on death row have a chance to play themselves out of prison with 30 victories.

No one has ever been able to make it to 30, or really even close before. Kable, however, is getting close. There is a catch though, he is being controlled by Simon Silverton (Logan Lerman), a rich kid who is detached from what is actually happening (actual killing) and loving his new found popularity and fame.

An alternate group that feels Castle is creating zombies by disturbing people's brains is called Humanz, which is run by Brother (Ludacris). He will do everything possible to help Kable get through his 30 victories and destroy Castle.

Castle, however, has other ideas. In order for his game to remain full proof he inserts Hackman (Terry Crews) into the game, but without a controller. He remains with free will - and the extra seconds could give him the edge over Kable.

The film also stars Alison Lohman and Aaron Yoo as Humanz members; Amber Valletta as Angie (Kable's wife); and Kyra Sedgwick as Gina Parker Smith, a talk show host.

First of all, I am not sure why everyone blasted this film. I found it quite enjoyable - and thinking outside the box. Look around, how many people think at some point this could be where video games go? And how many sick people out there would just love to play it.

I thought everyone did very well in their roles - great seeing Hall in this and he played it so well. I could have done without his dance sequence though - that was a bit odd.

Grade:

Guys of TV: Fillion vs. Baker

Eight votes yesterday as I write this. I like that a lot better than the previous days.

The quarterfinals roll on as Alexander Skarsgard takes out David Boreanaz and lands in the semifinals.

Keep it up. Enjoy!

(1) Nathan Fillion

Fillion lands in the quarterfinals with a victory over Covert Affairs' Sendhil Ramamurthy. He is currently starring as Richard Castle on ABC's Castle.

(3) Simon Baker

Baker took out The Game of Thrones' Sean Bean to land into the quarterfinals. He is currently starring on The Mentalist as Patrick Jane.

poll by twiigs.com

3/50x2: Being John Malkovich

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in someone else's body?

Well, what about if that body was that of actor extraordinaire John Malkovich?

Being John Malkovich gives you the opportunity to do just that. Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a puppeteer, who does small jobs here and there, but wants to make puppeteering huge.

He is married to Lotte Schwartz (Cameron Diaz), who is completely obsessed with animals - and has a ton of them throughout their apartment. Lotte wants to have a child, but Craig doesn't feel they are ready financially yet. He does agree, however, to get a job and he lands one at a weird office at LesterCorp on the 7 1/2 floor. He becomes a file clerk under new boss, Dr. Lester (Orson Bean).

While there he runs into Maxine (Catherine Keener) and becomes very attractive to him - despite her non-attraction to her, he stays very persistent.

Schwartz the makes a pretty iconic discovery - a small door that when entered allows you to get inside the body of actor John Malkovich for 15 minutes. Then it spits you out on the side of the NJ Turnpike.

Schwartz brings this to the attention of Maxine in hopes to gain her attention, and it sort of does, but more in the form that the two of them begin charging money for people to spend time inside John Malkovich.

This was a very strange, yet entertaining film. I like when films go out on a limb a little bit and don't completely fall on their face.

The acting was done very well, but the most entertaining was John Malkovich practically playing himself - yet even more over the top, if that is possible.

Grade:

Guys of TV: Skarsgard vs. Boreanaz

Just six votes at time of post, but I will continue to post these in my normal way. There isn't many matchups left before the champion is crowned anyway. But, please spread the word and get some more voters here.

Patrick Dempsey takes out Justified's Timothy Olyphant to make up the final spot in the quarterfinals, which begin today.

So, continue voting and Enjoy!

(1) Alexander Skarsgard

Skarsgard continues to be a real threat to take the entire tournament as he knocks off Glee's Matthew Morrison to land in the quarterfinals. Skarsgard is currently playing True Blood's Eric Northman.

(3) David Boreanaz

Boreanaz upset an all True Blood quarterfinal on this side of the bracket as he took out Ryan Kwanten. He is currently starring as Seeley Booth on Bones.

poll by twiigs.com