Lock, Stock, and Two Film Geeks

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Inception

James: I’ve seen this already.  It’s the best film of the year so far and already amongst my favorite films ever.  What do I have to do to get you to go see it?  You’re not going yet?  Go.  Now.  No seriously, now.

Benn:  Best movie of the summer by far, and probably amongst the best of the year.

Dylan: My only concern is that I don’t have high enough expectations. Everytime I see the trailer, I get a little chubby in my pantaloons. Seeing it A.S.A.P.

Fil: I’m very obviously excited about this.  Hopefully some people (JAMES) don’t hype it too much.  Definitely going to see this tonight, go see it and form your own opinions people. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  If it were last impressions, these would be reviews.

Despicable Me

James: The trailers look cute but forgettable and I’m still not 100% sure what this is even about.  I’m predicting this to be a decent rental.

Benn:  Looks fun, but not my thing really.

Dylan: I’m not really sure why I should care about this movie. There are yellow freaks and Steve Carell and that’s about all I gathered from the trailer. Not the top movie on my list.

Fil: I think this might be kind of a fun movie to see.  Not exactly something I expect greatness out of, but it might surprise us.  Focusing on the ancillary characters in trailers is usually a bad sign though. <-Formatting error…or subtle hint that my opinion is more important?

Anna: The teasers looked like shit, but I recently saw a full trailer and it looked fun. I’d give it a try.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

James: What do I say about Twilight that hasn’t been said on this site 100 times already?  The trailer looks better than the first two?  That doesn’t take much.

Benn:  You know what?  I’ve said everything that needs to be said about this terrible, terrible thing.  Google “Fur and Loathing, Lock Stock” for my summation of “Twilight.”

Dylan: I’ve heard this is the best of the Twilight movies thus far. It’s like ranking S.T.D’s in order of most tolerable. This represents all that is bad in the world.

Fil: I, for one, am so excited about this.  GO TEAM BUFFY!

Anna: All I’m going to say is that there was a trailer for this before Iron Man 2. Everybody in the theater made noises of disgust. I joined in.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Knight and Day

James: Cruise looks to be kind of back on his game, but Diaz looks way out of place. I guess that’s the point, but I’m still not too interested.

Benn:  Diaz is terrible, but Cruise looks like he’s having fun, and that goes a long way.  I won’t be lining up for the film, but I’ll say this, “Hey, its better than ‘The Killers’.”

Dylan: I remember when the early trailer came out that made this film look like a comedy/action flick. Cruise was playing a goofy character which works for him now (especially after Tropic Thunder). But now they’ve made it look like an action flick and I’ve lost all interest in seeing it.

Fil: Yeah this looks kind of fun. I mean, it’s not something I’d seek out, but it looks better than The Killers. Then again, watching paint peel was probably better than that film.

Anna: Looks kinda fun.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  (Fil bases his on third impressions and wikipedia)

Toy Story 3

James: My love for Pixar is endless, and these characters are the ones that started it all (well technically a VHS of their previous shorts was, but you get the idea).  I already have plans to see this Friday night.

Benn:  Come on, did you not read my review?

Dylan: Pixar can do no wrong. I’ve never seen a bad Pixar film and I don’t think I’ll be seeing on any time soon. See it!

Fil: Do I really need to say anything about this?  I don’t know anyone who hates Pixar.  I’m sure I’ll see this at some point, and I’ll love it.

Anna: I’ll be seeing this after I get home from Sacramento. Pixar hasn’t failed yet. I’ve been waiting eagerly ever since it was rumored on IMDB.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  Also, if you can read this column, you have too much time on your hands.

Get Him to the Greek

James: Aldous Snow was the highlight of Forgetting Sarah Marshall for me.  I’d be down to see more of this character.

Benn:  Love Brand’s Aldous Snow character, but I’m not crazy about Jonah Hill in anything but very small roles.  Still, it just might be worth.

Dylan: I’m in a small minority that doesn’t think Russel Brand is entertaining. However, I did like Forgetting Sarah Marshall for reasons other than Brand, and P. Diddy (Diddy Dome Diddy Doo, or whatever he’s called now) looks kind of funny. If a group is going, I wouldn’t be opposed.

Fil:  Russell Brand was the best part of Forgetting Sarah Marshall (that bitch) – so if given a choice between this and anything else but Splice, I’d probably see this.

Anna: I really liked Forgetting Sarah Marshall, so I probably wouldn’t go into this kicking and screaming. But it’s really not worth the movie ticket.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  Like the American Justice System.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time  

James: Because I’ve liked a lot of Bruckheimer films that even others have not, and because I have a nostalgia for the franchise, I may try to see this, this weekend.  But because of the mediocre reviews, it may not happen as well.  But if I see anything this weekend, it will be this.

Benn:  You know what, I don’t have a problem with the Disney/Bruckheimer adventure films; they’re easy fun and very enjoyable.

Dylan: The Bruckheimer/Disney Pirates films, though void of making any sense, were decent popcorn flicks. Kingsly is awesome, but I’m not sure about Gyllenhall. He doesn’t see like the action type of actor. If I’m dragged to this, I’ll do it without much complaining.

Fil:  You would think I’d be excited about this.  I love Pirates.  I love Bruckheimer.  But seriously – how the FUCK is Jake Gyllenhall a prince of PERSIA?  Also – the coolest thing about this (the parkour action) looks soooo bad.  No no no no no.

Anna: The only thing that barely tugs me about this movie is Kingsly, but I just don’t care to see another generic period/action/adventure/romance/CG piece. Continue reading

We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Shrek: The Final Chapter

James: I was barely able to make myself watch the last film on TV while multitasking and making food.  After that, I decided I had no need to move forward with the franchise, even though I love the first film.

Benn:  Mike Myers once said he was afraid that the no-talent police would come and get him.  No-Talent PD, we’re waiting….

Dylan: I must have been in the dark because I had no idea there was a third one let alone this forth. This one looks like they’re wringing the towel for whatever is left in the original idea, which doesn’t look like much anyways. Pass.

Fil: I was initially into Shrek – but then I realized the comic book Fables does everything Shrek does better.  This movie can go fuck itself.  Also, the last one was terrible. (I’ll probably watch it someday).

Anna: I love all three of the Shrek movies. They may not be the best movies out there, but I have a lot of fun with them. I’ll definitely be seeing this.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.

Robin Hood

James: Check out the upcoming podcast for my thoughts on these sort of epic movies.  This looks pretty cool, but it also looks like more of the same from all involved.  I’ll likely see it, so here’s hoping it’s good, but I’m not chomping at the bit.

Benn:  It looks like a typical Ridley Scott epic (see: “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Gladiator”), which isn’t a bad thing.  We may have seen this type of film countless times before, but you can’t argue with a strong cast and director.  Go.

Dylan: It’s got the look and feel of an epic film, like Gladiator or Master and Commander, but I just can’t get myself excited to see this one. When the trailer ends with Russell Crowe charging into battle, it just feels bland and steril. I’d see it if I’m dragged to it.

Fil:  I’ve gotta agree with James on this one.  I love the people involved, but this seriously looks like Gladiator 2 mixed with King Arthur.  I mean, I won’t shy away from it, but I just can’t get super excited about it.

Anna: What Fil said.

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We enter another week of “Taking Stock,” our weekly column in which the entire staff tells you what they think of the movies coming out this week based on very little knowledge and first impressions.  So irresponsible of us.

Iron Man 2

James: Do I really need to tell you how I feel about this one?  The reviews aren’t quite what I hoped but I still plan to have a ball.

Benn:  Having seen the midnight showing of the film, it’s not as good as the first, and it suffers from “Sequel Syndrome” (more is better, or so the execs may think).  Still, Downey, Rourke and Rockwell are solid.  See it.

Dylan: Sure, it’s not as good as the first, but it’s still an awesome movie. Went to the midnight showing and loved every moment. See it now and watch the trailer for J.J Abram’s super secret project Super 8. Boner!

Fil:  Was definitely looking forward to this.  Saw it at midnight.  Enjoyed the hell out of it.

Anna: I’m seeing it tonight. The trailers were enticing, especially with Rourke. I’ve heard it doesn’t live up to the first, but I still expect something decent.

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