VH Corner » 2010

Jul 30 2010

Movies Opening July 30

Category: 2010,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 7:23 pm

Dinner for Schmucks is a remake of a French movie that is apparently funnier than this version. Zac Efron wants to move away from his teen movie roles, but making sappy movies like Charlie St. Cloud is probably not the way to do it. Then there’s another stupid talking cat and dog movie.

Nationwide Releases

Dinner for Schmucks
Charlie St. Cloud
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Dinner for Schmucks
Directed: Jay Roach
Starring: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Jemaine Clement, Jeff Dunham, Bruce Greenwood, Ron Livingston, Stephanie Szostak
Trailer

Synopsis: A group of friends invite the stupidest people they can to dinner so they can laugh at them.

My Take: It has people in it that I find funny, but the trailer just didn’t look funny.

RT Score: 52%
RT Consensus: It doesn’t honor its source material — or its immensely likable leads — as well as it should, but Dinner for Schmucks offers fitfully nourishing comedy.

Continue reading “Movies Opening July 30″

Tags: Activist, adam mckay, Adam Sevani, Alan G. Parker, Aleksei Guskov, Alex de la Iglesia, Alyson Stoner, Amanda Crew, America Ferrera, and Rebel, Brad Peyton, Bruce Greenwood, Burr Steers, Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore, Charlie St. Cloud, Charlie Tahan, Chris O’Donnell, christina applegate, Dinner for Schmucks, Donal Logue, dwayne johnson, Eddie Marsan, elijah wood, Enemies of the People, eva mendes, Gemma Arterton, Get Low, Helen, Hugh Hefner: Playboy, J Blakeson, Jacqueline Kennedy, james marsden, Jason Ritter, Jay Roach, Jeff Dunham, Jemaine Clement, John Hurt, jon m chu, Julie Cox, katt williams, Keith “Remedy” Stallworth, Kendra Andrews, Kim Basinger, Leon Gast, Leonor Watling, Leslie Mann, mark wahlberg, Marlon Brando, Martin Compston, Melanie Laurent, Melissa Leo, Michael Keaton, Paul Rodriguez, paul rudd, radu mihaileanu, ray liotta, Rick Malambri, Ron Galella, ron livingston, Ryan O’Nan, Ryan Piers Williams, samuel l. jackson, Sharni Vinson, Smash His Camera, Step Up 3D, Stephanie Szostak, Stephen “Twitch” Boss, steve carell, Steve Coogan, The Concert, The Disappearance of Alice Creed, The Dry Land, The Extra Man, The Other Guys, The Oxford Murders, Who Killed Nancy?, Will Ferrell, Wilmer Valderrama, Zac Efron

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Jul 25 2010

TV: Week of July 25

Category: TV,Upcoming — velveetahead @ 4:31 pm

This week also has the premiere of Jersey Shore, where the same group of wackos will not be in Jersey, but drunk in Miami. Check it out at your own risk.

Pick of the Week

Mad Men
Channel: AMC
Time: 10/9c
Starring: Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, Robert Morse, Jared Harris, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Michael Gladis, Bryan Batt, Mark Moses, Alison Brie, Christopher Stanley, Peyton List
Premieres: Sunday, July 25
Trailer

Synopsis: Don & Roger are starting their own ad agency from the ground up, Betty has left Don after finding out about his secret past and Joan is finally back with the gang.

My Take: I can’t wait for the show that makes me want to drink along with them.

Continue reading “TV: Week of July 25″

Tags: Aaron Staton, Alison Brie, Bryan Batt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Stanley, elisabeth moss, Gordon Ramsey, January Jones, Jared Harris, John Slattery, Jon Hamm, Louise Roe, mad men, Mark Moses, MasterChef, Michael Gladis, Peyton List, Plain Jane, Rich Sommer, Robert Morse, Vincent Kartheiser

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Jul 24 2010

MWG: Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Category: 1980s,Movie Watching Group,Movies,Reviews — velveetahead @ 1:36 pm

Hanging out at Marci’s house, she was checking out what was available to watch on Netflix Instant Play. When she realized I had never seen this movie before, she was shocked and picked it as her movie of the month.

Netflix synopsis: While the final Mad Max film can’t outrun the first two, director George Miller delivers an awesome depiction of order amid chaos. Max (Mel Gibson) becomes embroiled in the internal tensions of Bartertown, ruled by the imperious Aunty Entity (Tina Turner). Will ex-cop Max turn into an assassin? Featuring the inventive Thunderdome fight sequence, this installment offers plenty of action. Adam Cockburn and Bruce Spence co-star.

RT Score: 81%
RT Consensus: Beyond Thunderdome deepens the Mad Max character without sacrificing the amazing vehicle choreography and stunts that made the originals memorable.

Watch it and review it!

Tags: Adam Cockburn, Andrew Oh, Angelo Rossitto, Angry Anderson, Bob Hornery, Bruce Spence, Edwin Hodgeman, Frank Thring, George Miller, George Ogilvie, George Spartels, Lee Rice, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, Mel Gibson, Ollie Hall, Paul Larsson, Robert Grubb, Tina Turner

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Jul 23 2010

Movies Opening July 23

Category: 2010,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 3:00 pm

I thought Salt was going to be stupid and it very well could be, but it also looks like a lot of fun. I know I read the Ramona stories when I was little, but I don’t remember enough of them to want to watch that movie.

Nationwide Releases

Salt
Ramona and Beezus

Salt
Directed: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher
Trailer

Synopsis: A CIA agent is accused of being a Russian spy, and even though she says she is innocent, she goes on the run.

My Take: Watching Angelina Jolie run around and kick butt is always amusing.

RT Score: 55%
RT Consensus: Angelina Jolie gives it her all in the title role, and her seasoned performance is almost enough to save Salt from its predictable and ludicrous plot.

Continue reading “Movies Opening July 23″

Tags: Aaron Schneider, Alexandra Maria Lara, Allison Janney, Ally Sheedy, Amanda Crew, Andre Braugher, Andrew Thompson, Angela Campbell, angelina jolie, Ben Freeth, Bill Murray, Brad Peyton, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Burr Steers, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, Charlie St. Cloud, Charlie Tahan, Charlotte Rampling, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Marquette, Chris O’Donnell, Christian Carion, christina applegate, Ciaran Hinds, Countdown to Zero, David Soul, Dina Korzun, Dinner for Schmucks, Donal Logue, Dylan Riley Snyder, Elizabeth Allen, Emir Kusturica, Farewell, Fred Ward, Get Low, Ginnifer Goodwin, Guillaume Canet, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, james marsden, Jay Roach, Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child, Jeff Dunham, Jemaine Clement, Joey King, john c. reilly, John Corbett, josh duhamel, katie holmes, katt williams, Kevin Kline, Kim Basinger, Laura Freeth, Leslie Mann, Liev Schreiber, Life During Wartime, Lucas Black, Lucy Bailey, lucy walker, Michael Campbell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Lerner, Mugabe and the White African, paul dano, Paul Reubens, Paul Rodriguez, paul rudd, Phillip Noyce, Ramona and Beezus, ray liotta, robert duvall, Robert Pulcini, ron livingston, Salt, Sandra Oh, Selena Gomez, Shari Springer Berman, Shirley Henderson, sissy spacek, Slingshot, Stephanie Szostak, steve carell, Tamra Davis, The Extra Man, Todd Solondz, Zac Efron

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Jul 22 2010

Top Chef: Judging Your Peers

Category: Recaps,Top Chef,TV — velveetahead @ 11:13 pm

Top Chef: Washington D.C.
Cold War

Here is a quick run down on the two challenges:

Quickfire Challenge: Chefs must prepare exotic proteins
Elimination Challenge: Chefs must prepare a cold dish

I don’t think that I think about making cold food enough, even though I grew up in a hot climate. Even if it is hot outside, I don’t necessarily want cold food. That isn’t to say I won’t eat it, but I just don’t think about it as an option much.

Continue reading “Top Chef: Judging Your Peers”

Tags: michelle bernstein, Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, top chef, Washington D.C.

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Jul 16 2010

Movies Opening July 16

Category: 2010,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 1:15 pm

This summer’s movies have been pretty sad. This week finally has one that I want to see. Yeah!

Nationwide Releases

Inception
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Inception
Directed: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy
Trailer

Synopsis: Something about going into people’s dreams and stealing their secrets.

My Take: I love Christopher Nolan. This looks trippy like Memento and it’s the first movie of the summer that I want to see.

RT Score: 83%
RT Consensus: Smart, innovative, and thrilling, Inception is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually.

Continue reading “Movies Opening July 16″

Tags: Adam Garcia, Alanna Palombo, Alexis Miesiada, Alfred Molina, Allison Janney, Ally Sheedy, Andre Braugher, angelina jolie, Anna Gutto, Ashley Cutrona, Austin Powell, Bridget Moynahan, Charlotte Rampling, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Marquette, christopher nolan, Ciaran Hinds, Cillian Murphy, Devon Jordan, Dexter Darden, Dylan Riley Snyder, Elizabeth Allen, ellen page, Erika Corvette, Ginnifer Goodwin, Inception, Jay Baruchel, Jeana Zettler, Joei DeCarlo, Joey King, John Corbett, Jon Turteltaub, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, josh duhamel, Kayla Jackson, Kayla Raparelli, Kelly O'Neill, Ken Watanabe, Kisses, Lance Daly, Leonardo DiCaprio, Liev Schreiber, Life During Wartime, London Clark, Mads Mikkelsen, Marion Cotillard, Marta Mondelli, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Lerner, Monica Bellucci, Na'jee Wilson, nicolas cage, Nicolas Winding Refn, Paul Reubens, Phillip Noyce, Pilar Martin, Ramona and Beezus, Rocco Fiorentino, Sal Dupree, Salt, Sandra Oh, Selena Gomez, Shane Curry, Shirley Henderson, Standing Ovation, Stewart Raffill, Teresa Palmer, The Contenders, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Toby Kebbell, Todd Solondz, Tom Hardy, Valhalla Rising

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Jul 15 2010

Top Chef: Locavores

Category: Recaps,Top Chef,TV — velveetahead @ 9:12 pm

Top Chef: Washington D.C.
Farm Policy

Here is a quick run down on the two challenges:

Quickfire Challenge: Create a dish using crabs
Elimination Challenge: Create a dish using produce & proteins from a local organic & humane farm

I like it when they use local ingredients, so I liked that they were on the farm making food this episode. I loved past seasons where they had to buy everything from a farmer’s market. Since my favorite restaurants in town do the same thing when making their food, it is fun to watch the chefs do it on the show.

Continue reading “Top Chef: Locavores”

Tags: Eric Ripert, Padma Lakshmi, Patrick O'Connell, Tom Colicchio, top chef, Washington D.C.

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Jul 11 2010

TV: Week of July 11

Category: TV,Upcoming — velveetahead @ 6:00 pm

It is mostly returning shows premiering this week, along with a couple of new ones that fit along the same line. If you like characters most of all in your television shows, then this is the week to watch.

Pick of the Week

White Collar
Channel: USA
Time: 9/8c
Starring: Matt Bomer, Tim DeKay, Tiffani Thiessen, Willie Garson, Marsha Thomason, Sharif Atkins
Premieres: Tuesday, July 13
Trailer

Synopsis: Neal is on the hunt to find out who killed Kate last season.

My Take: The combination of the suits and blue eyes, make the show awesome to watch, and then there are entertaining stories to go along with it.

Continue reading “TV: Week of July 11″

Tags: angie harmon, Bruce McGill, Carlos Gomez, Corbin Bernsen, Corey Reynolds, Dule Hill, G.W. Bailey, J.K. Simmons, James Roday, Jon Tenney, Jordan Bridges, Jordan Wall, Kiele Sanchez, Kirsten Nelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Lee Thompson Young, Lorraine Bracco, Maggie Lawson, Marsha Thomason, Matt Bomer, Matt Passmore, Michael Paul Chan, Michelle Hurd, Philip P. Keene, psych, Raymond Cruiz, Rizzoli & Isles, Robert Gossett, Sasha Alexander, Sharif Atkins, The Closer, The Glades, Tiffani Thiessen, Tim DeKay, Tim Omundson, Tony Denison, Uriah Shelton, White Collar, Willie Garson

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Jul 09 2010

Movies Opening July 9

Category: 2010,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 6:38 pm

I believe everyone know about the nationwide releases this week, which I want to see eventually, but I wanted to point out the Winnebago Man movie that is in limited release. It has been a hit on the movie festival circuit and Doug Benson recommended it, so I think that’s a reason to see it right there.

I also decided to include a quick look at the big movies being released next weekend at the end of the post.

Nationwide Releases

Despicable Me
Predators

Despicable Me
Directed: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Danny Mcbride, Miranda Cosgrove, Julie Andrews
Trailer

Synopsis: A super villain has plans to steal the moon, but then he ends up taking care of three orphan girls.

My Take: It looks pretty cute and I like the cast.

RT Score: 80%
RT Consensus: Borrowing heavily (and intelligently) from Pixar and Looney Tunes, Despicable Me is a surprisingly thoughtful, family-friendly treat with a few surprises of its own.

Continue reading “Movies Opening July 9″

Tags: adrien brody, Alfred Molina, Alice Braga, annette bening, Ariel Casas, Around a Small Mountain, Ben Steinbauer, Chris Renaud, Christine Laurent, christopher nolan, Cillian Murphy, Danny McBride, Despicable Me, ellen page, Girl Who Played With Fire, Inception, Jack Rebney, jacques rivette, Jason Segel, Jaume Balaguero, Jay Baruchel, Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Mellor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, josh hutcherson, julianne moore, Julie Andrews, Ken Watanabe, Kids Are All Right, Kristen Wiig, Laurence Fishburne, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lisa Cholodenko, Manuela Velasco, Marion Cotillard, mark ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Miranda Cosgrove, Monica Bellucci, nicolas cage, Nimrod Antal, Oscar Zafra, Paco Plaza, Pascal Bonitzer, Pierre Coffin, Predators, Red Alert: The War Within, Russell Brand, steve carell, Teresa Palmer, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Toby Kebbell, Tom Hardy, Topher Grace, Walton Goggins, Winnebago Man, [Rec] 2

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Jul 08 2010

Top Chef: Double Elimination

Category: Recaps,Top Chef,TV — velveetahead @ 7:21 pm

Top Chef: Washington D.C.
Room Service

Here is a quick run down on the two challenges:

Quickfire Challenge: Create an adult dish & a baby-friendly puree version.
Elimination Challenge: Create breakfast, lunch & dinner courses for the Hilton menu

I loved seeing Bryan back on the show, even if only briefly. Where was Michael? They should make the brothers guest judges more often.