Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) — Review

3 of 5 stars
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

I expected to hate this film. And to be fair, I had every reason to believe I would — not at all the least of which is Michael Bay’s involvement as producer. Then there’s the fact that this is a movie reboot of a franchise that has never been successful in live-action film format and has pretty much been run into the ground. It’s seen several incarnations as a cartoon and is currently being run on Nickelodeon as a terrible 3D hack job.

Now for the weird part: I did not hate this film. I actually thought this film was “just fine”. I looked for reasons to hate it, but there just aren’t any.…

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Marvel vs. DC Movie Release Schedule Infographic

Marvel vs. DC Movie Release Schedule Infographic

If you needed any more evidence that the D.C. comic film universe is in shambles, you need look no further than the infographic below. I have made my disdain for the current state of D.C. no secret, but man does this look bleak. I have no confidence AT ALL in the one film on the D.C. side of the graphic, and I have virtually zero interest in any of the upcoming untitled films. On the other hand, the only ones on the Marvel side that I have a complete lack of faith and interest in are the Sony produced films.

Speaking of which, this infographic dis identify which studio the upcoming films…

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‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Number One Again This Weekend

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Number One Again This Weekend
Nina Terrero — Entertainment Weekly

Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy was the top-grossing film of the weekend, beating out a trio of new releases—and in the process, becoming the No. 3 movie of the year and the highest earner of the summer with nearly $252 million.

The Marvel Studios-produced film—starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista and Lee Pace—has now grossed $251.9 million since its stateside release four weeks ago, outpacing films like Transformers: Age of Extinction ($251 million), Maleficent ($237 million), X-Men: Days of Future Past ($232 million total domestic gross), Godzilla

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Richard Attenborough Has Passed Away at 90

Richard Attenborough Has Passed Away at 90
Nina Terrero — Entertainment Weekly

English actor-director Richard Attenborough died Sunday, his son Michael told the BBC. He was 90.

The Cambridge, England, native made his film debut at 19 in the 1942 war film In Which We Serve, which was later nominated for Best Picture at the 1943 Academy Awards.

Over the course of the next 60 years, Attenborough appeared in more than 70 films, including Brighton RockThe Great Escape, and The Sand Pebbles. He also appeared in a number of family favorites such as Doctor DoolittleJurassic ParkThe Lost World: Jurassic Park, and played Kris Kringle in the 1994 reboot of Miracle on…

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What if Michael Bay Directed ‘Up’ — Well Here’s the Trailer

What if Michael Bay Directed ‘Up’ — Well Here’s the Trailer

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Michael Bay film? Well for me, the first thing I think of is THINGS GO BOOM!

Well, someone no YouTube wondered what a trailer for a Michael Bay directed version of Pixar’s Up might look like. The result is pretty hilarious. Actually, in order to make a film trailer feel like a Michael Bay film, all it takes is some ominous music, some bass drops and thrums, and lots of explosions.

Descpecializing ‘Star Wars’

Descpecializing ‘Star Wars’

I know this video has been out for a while, but I only just became aware of it via /Film (yes I have been aware of and have the original Despeicialized Editions of Star Wars, I’m talking about this particular little documentary).

It’s a really fantastic look at just how much work fans — and particularly the fan who calls himself Harmy — is putting into this restoration process. And it looks pretty good too. Can you imagine how much better it would be if Fox/Disney/Lucasfilm would just do a restoration from the original negative? Unfortunately I think we’re going to have to keep dreaming on…

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David Yates to Direct ‘Fantatic Beasts and Where to Find Them’

David Yates to Direct ‘Fantatic Beasts and Where to Find Them’
Kevin Jagernauth — The Playlist

Never say never. After four films in the world of “Harry Potter,” David Yates seemed to have moved on. He’s now directing “Tarzan,” and was involved in the early stages of the FX series “Tyrant.” But it appears J.K. Rowling has worked her magic on him once again, as Yates is going back to the world of wizards.

THR reports that Yates will direct Potter-world film “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The new trilogy-spawning series focuses on Newt Scamander, with the story taking place seventy years before Harry even comes into the picture.

I seem to recall David Yates saying he was…

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‘Nightcrawler’ Trailer — Jake Gyllenhaal Gets a Little Obsessive

‘Nightcrawler’ Trailer — Jake Gyllenhaal Gets a Little Obsessive

I wouldn’t consider myself a Jake Gyllenhaal fan but I think there might be something here in his latest upcoming film Nightcrawler (no, not that one). Strapped for cash and a little bit desperate, the guy gets into filming crimes. But the indication is that he takes it a little too far and hides evidence and covers things up when it helps him get a better story. In short, he because obsessed with the work in a very not good way.

Check out the trailer:

Luc Besson Doesn’t See How He Could Do a ‘Lucy’ Sequel

Luc Besson Doesn’t See How He Could Do a ‘Lucy’ Sequel
Kevin Jagernauth — The Playlist

In the course of his career, Luc Besson has produced the following: two “Taken” films (with a third on the way); three “Transporter” movies, along with a TV show based on the movie, plus a feature length reboot “The Transporter Legacy” coming next year; “Nikita”; the Hollywood remake “Point Of No Return” in addition to a TV series; four “Taxi” movies; three “Arthur” movies….you see where we’re going. So when he says that there’s no possibility of a followup to this summer’s surprise hit “Lucy,” you can see why we’re taking his claim with a grain of salt.

The writer/director/producer says…

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‘Outcast’ Trailer — Nicolas Cage & Hayden Christensen Team Up in Ancient China

‘Outcast’ Trailer — Nicolas Cage & Hayden Christensen Team Up in Ancient China

After watching this trailer I don’t really have a good idea of what the plot is about. But I’m pretty sure I can tell you this film is going to be overwrought, over-acted, poorly acted, and it’s going to feature a pretty bad accent by Nicolas Cage (that’s when you can understand him and he’s not mumbling).

Oh, I also dare you to try to make sense of this official synposis:

Princess Lian and her younger brother, Zhao, flee for their lives when their father, the Emperor, is murdered by his ambitious eldest son Shing. Pursued by Shing’s black guards, the royal runaways find protection in the…

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