FattMatt Review: "Remember Me"

Last night my girlfriend and I watched Remember Me.
Of course, she was super excited about the fact that it stars the handsome "Edward" of Twilight fame. I was just excited to watch a movie that, from the trailer, didn't look like your typical love story.
And I was right.

It was more than just an excuse for teenage girls to drool over Robert Pattinson. The story was very well developed and quite deeper than I expected. It set up all the characters very well, and very much made us a part of their lives. The movie also has a big surprise that I won't give away, but it truly got to me at the end. I actually walked out of the theater quite contemplative over all the events that culminate in a sad, twisted ending. The entire film ends up playing out like a vignette on life. It stuck true to its tag line, "every life has a meaning..."
Very good stuff there.

The performances were pretty good, too.
Pattinson gives a strong lead performance, all the while retaining his charm.
Emilie de Ravin, who is probably best known for her role as "Claire" on the television series LOST, makes for a delightful leading lady.
Pierce Brosnan, the man who portrayed the most famous spy "James Bond" in 5 films, really did a great job in his role as the uncaring father who is always too busy with his job.
Chris Cooper does a fine job as usual.
But the real standout performance for me came from the 11 year-old Ruby Jerins, who was nothing short of brilliant in her performance. You may have seen her before as the little girl in Shutter Island. Move over, Dakota. Ruby is the new little girl to look out for, folks.

Basically, this is a film to watch purely for the story and the performances. It delivers on both ends. I walked in expecting another teenage love story, but I walked out with so much more. The entire time I was truly interested in the life of all the characters.
The only overly-cliche part for me was when the 2 main stars start to fall for each other. At least it wasn't a montage.

The only thing that I found unusually funny was how the 3 main actors in the film were not Americans but English, Australian and Irish, respectively. You'll see what I mean once you watch it. I can't say much without ruining the ending.

Overall, I say go watch Remember Me.
You won't be disappointed.

Chris Evans is our generation's Captain America

It's official.
Chris Evan of The Fantastic Four has been cast as The First Avenger: Captain America. The news came out today and I'm conflicted about it.

I like Chris Evans, I do, I think he's a good genre actor. But I kind of was hoping for Channing Tatum, who we talked about getting the part. I just saw Tatum as more of a commanding figure than Evans. I hope I'm wrong, but we'll have to wait and see.

Evans signed a 9 picture deal, which sets up the Marvel Universe to have a lot of the Captain in it.

Congrats to Chris Evans, I hope this is a move we will be thankful for come 2011.

Channing Tatum as Captain America?

I know it's late, but I just read this news on Latino Review and was blown away... how could I not have missed this? Channing Tatum as The First Avenger: Captain America? The news is not 100% confirmed but I LIKE IT! The list of actors vying for the part has been all over the internet. This is the first time I read a name and said to myself "yeah, I can see it". There were a lot of other names out there, but none of them had the LOOK of the Captain.

Channing Tatum is not the best actor in the world by any means, but he is good. He is a great action star as we've seen in the past, and damn it, he straight up looks like Steve Rogers aka Captain America. He's got the physical presence of the character as well as the look of a good 'ol American to play the part.

I'm sure the list will shrink and grow as the days go on, but I'm rooting for this one; as my thought of Matthew McConaughey was panned by all my friends... Hey, I still think McConaughey looks the part! Tatum would be better I guess.

Hugo Weaving cast as Red Skull in The First Avenger: Captain America!

My god I love news like this! I love where the genre is going, it's starting to be taken more seriously!

Last month we told you about Mark Strong being cast as Sinestro in the Green Lantern film, how cool!? Now this? Hugo Weaving, who starred in the 'Matrix' trilogy is coming on board to star as the villain in Marvel Comic's The First Avenger: Captain America film.

There aren't too many details online right now about this, but I'm so excited. Stay tuned, if I hear anything I'll let you all know.

Quickie: Tron Legacy trailer 2

Ennnnnnjoy!

Tonedog Review: "Alice in Wonderland"

Finally! The long awaited Alice in Wonderland has screened in thousands of theaters across the country. Now... how was it?! Ok, I've done this a few times before and it seems to get the best response. I'll go through what I liked and didn't like about the movie.

What I liked:

'Underland':
What did you expect from Tim Burton? Seriously, was there a doubt that this man was going to make 'Underland' anything less than magnificent? The world looks and feels familiar, yet so very different. It has a very eerie, Gothic feel, that makes you just a little bit uneasy... which I'm sure Alice must feel as she enters this strange world. The colors, the animals, creatures, all amazing. I don't want to focus too much on this point... but watch the film in 2D. My wife and I watched in 3D and to be completely honest, it took away from the movie for me. So many details are blurry (a big negative to 3D), that I would rather enjoy them in 2D.

The cast/characters:
Again, what did you expect? So much talent, so many unbelievable characters it's ridiculous. Let me start with Johnny Depp, he does an amazing job as the lovable, yet crazy Mad Hatter. He has to be charming enough for you to care, and goofy enough to make you think he's nuts... without being annoying. Great work.

Helen Bonham Carter STEALS THE SHOW! She's sooo good, she's so talented, so funny I couldn't wait for her to reappear onscreen. Pay close attention to the amazing acting she does with her face alone, because her body is slightly twisted for the movie. Mia Wasikowska does great as a curious, scared, confident Alice.

The characters were mostly CGI all of which are stunning. Great to look at, great voice acting and just overall a orgasm for the eyes. Anne Hathaway... I still think you're the most overrated actress in Hollywood, 'nuff said.



What I didn't like:

The story:
This is perhaps the deal breaker for me as far as giving this movie a thumbs up approval. The story is simple, and I understand that's good for families going to see the film, but come ooooon! I don't want to spoil anything, but I promise you this... you will leave asking yourself "who cares?" Seriously, why even make the movie with such a weak story? As I was watching the film, I thought to myself, "oh, this happened in the 1951 Disney cartoon. Oh those characters are in the cartoon. Oh that is a cool CGI version of the cartoon." There wasn't enough of a difference from the cartoon classic to consider this a true sequel, as much as a reboot with CGI. So disappointing there wasn't more meat to the story... SO DISAPPOINTING!

My own expectation:
Look, this is an interpersonal issue, and I understand that. But you're on our blog, so I'm assuming you care what we feel. I felt like I was so let down. I feel like it was such a lost opportunity to make something so special. The talent was there, the characters were there, the technology was there, but.... flat. So flat. A year now of solid anticipation and I walked out so let down.



Maybe I'm being harsh, maybe I "missed the point", but I really did feel let down. It's ok, Burton and company are going to be fine, because the movie is going to do well, VERY WELL. It was sold out 1:40 PM showing on Friday afternoon, a school day. So look for big numbers, check out the movie and lets compare scoring points.

6/10
C+
My thumb is down.

Iron Man 2 trailer 2

Iron Man 2 trailer 2, enjoy!