Tuesday's With Movies: 12/20/11

A Dolphin Tale: Usually there is something in these almost made-for-tv films that may draw me in. Not even the fact that Morgan Freeman is in it has me running out to see it. But, I am sure eventually we will check it out with my son. It's just not something that has to be seen right away.

Midnight in Paris: I have to be honest, I think I have seen exactly one Woody Allen movie in my life and that was the one with Jason Biggs - I don't even remember the name of it. There is just something about him that has kept me from watching his films. But, this one seems to be getting some good reviews - so I will probably be watching my second one soon.

Glee: The Concert Movie: As popular as this television series appears to be - I haven't watched it, but Mrs. Kano and my son are now catching up on Netflix - the film didn't seem to do so well in the theaters. As of now I have no interest in seeing this, but if the family gets into it I am sure they will want to see it.

Warrior: Another film that has received some great reviews. I have never been into combat-sports like boxing or MMA, but they do seem to make for some pretty excellent movies. So, I will be checking this one out soon. Tom Hardy has become pretty popular of late, so want to check out his performance here.

Margin Call: Wow, this move stars a lot of name actors for something I have never even heard of, nor knew was coming out, until I did this list. By the description it is apparently a movie about the dealings of an investment bank over a 24-hour crisis. Not sure if that sounds interesting or not, but I may give it a try just on star power alone.

Colombiana: This one came and went pretty quick in the theaters. Not completely sure what it is about, but it stars Zoe Saldana and looks to be about her kicking some serious ass so I will most likely be checking it out when I can.

Straw Dogs: This looks like a thriller that may be worth watching. A couple relocating to the south that somehow get mixed up in some local tensions. It stars Eric the vampire from True Blood and Cyclops from X-Men.

Theater Review: The Muppets

It's truly hard to believe that the last great Muppet movie was created way back in 1992. And, even that was considered somewhat a flop.

With the death of Jim Henson in 1990, The Muppet Christmas Carol was created and released in 1992 - the first film to not involve Henson at the helm. When it was released, however, it was considered a flop at the box office despite its favorable critical response.

Since then, the Muppets have been a part of a handful of underwhelming films such as Muppets in Space, Muppet Treasure Island and The Muppet Wizard of Oz.

Thankfully, despite being missing from the public's eye for quite awhile now, the Muppets are back and in a big way.

Jason Segel of How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall penned a beautiful film that brought the Muppets back to their roots.

Segel stars in The Muppets as Gary, a man from a city called Smalltown (think Pleasantville). Gary is dating Mary (Amy Adams), and they have the perfect relationship - except for Gary's brother, Walter (Peter Linz).

Walter is a bit different than Gary, in fact he looks more Muppet than human. Gary has always felt that he needs to take care of Walter, and so that gets in the way of Gary and Mary's relationship.

Growing up, Walter had always felt different - until they happen across The Muppet Show on television and Walter becomes entranced with them.

Gary and Mary are traveling to LA for a trip on their anniversary - and Gary surprises Walter with a bus ticket of his own. This is exciting to Walter - you see the Muppet Studios are located in LA, but also a wrench in the plans of Mary.

When they arrive in LA, the trio arrive at the Muppet Studios only to find out that it has been pretty much abandoned and is falling apart. Walter sneaks his way into Kermit's old office only to stumble across a meeting between Statler, Waldorf and Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) who are going over the old lease to the Studios. Richman will own the Studios, which apparently has oil buried underneath it, unless the Muppets can buy it back for $10 million.

Problem is the Muppets have disbanded and it's up to Gary, Mary and Walter to get them all back together again to save the Studios.

I have to say, I have always loved the Muppets. The original three movies are amazing and The Muppets Christmas Carol is a staple in our household every Christmas. So, when I heard that Segel was overtaking this I was extremely happy. Disney purchased the rights to the Muppets (but not Sesame Street or Fraggle Rock) in 2004. I was elated then because I assumed that under the Disney banner the Muppets would become something again. But, nothing happened until Segel got his hands on them.

The movie is everything you remember. It has great musical numbers. A ton of great laugh-out-loud moments. And, of course, those touching moments that the Muppets always seem to provide.

It was exciting to share the Muppets with both my parents who introduced them to me - and my wife and son. And, I definitely left the theater with a smile on my face and a new tune stuck in my head.

Grade:

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/13/11

Kung Fu Panda 2: I honestly never understood the appeal of the first film. Though I did only watch it once, perhaps I need to give it another chance. Sure, there were some nice things about it, but on one watch it just never did it for me. But, I will give this one a chance as well.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Yes, I will be watching this. I was interested when it first was announced and was never able to see it in the theater. Now, with all of the great reviews and so many people saying it is a good watch, I am even more intrigued.

Fright Night: Hey, I branched out a bit and watched Zombieland a few weeks ago, but I will not branch out all of the way to watch this one.

Who? What? Where? #52

Well, Nick came through and correctly identified the person to the left as John C. McGinley. Then, 21 minutes later, correctly identified him as Joe from Flypaper (the old one, not the new one).

Nick moves into second place, passing Jess by a single point. Hello, Jess! Also, pulled a Dylan and Googled his way near the top.

Anyway, 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 #52:

Standings:

Dylan - 40 points
Nick - 30 points
Jess - 29 points
Matt - 23 points
Ryan "Hatter" McNeil - 23 points
Stevee - 3 points

Tuesday's With Movies: 12/6/11

The Help: I guess this was a pretty popular book that they made into a movie. Only thing that gives me any interest in this is it involves Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard. Though, Mrs. Kano really enjoyed the book and will definitely be watching this - and most likely complaining it isn't as good as the book.

Hangover Part II: The first one was a huge unexpected it, so of course they rushed a sequel into production. I am sure this is a subpar sequel, but I will be checking it out anyway.

Mr. Popper's Penguins: Um, never really got a great vibe from the previews, but I will probably try it out because my son will most likely love it.

Cowboys & Aliens: I know this didn't get the greatest press, but I am still way into seeing this. First, it has Harrison Ford in it. Second, it has Olivia Wilde in it. Finally, it has cowboys AND aliens in it. Has to have something worth watching in it.

The Debt: I can handle Helen Mirren, but really only in a supporting role. I don't think I can watch a full movie starring her. Plus, nothing about this film has me interested.

Who? What? Where? #51

Congratulations to Nick who correctly identified Michael McKean as a State Trooper from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. 


Thought that was the most appropriate film for Thanksgiving.

Good job, Nick. And good luck this week to everyone. I am hoping this one may be a bit tougher, but we shall see.



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 #51:

Standings:

Dylan - 40 points
Jess - 29 points
Nick - 27 points
Matt - 23 points
Ryan "Hatter" McNeil - 23 points
Stevee - 3 points