Beyond the Trailer

BTT & Netfix Top 5 One Sentence Reviews for WAR MOVIES

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:24:45 EST

In honor of Veterans Day, BTT and Netflix asked viewers to enter a One Sentence Review (OSR) for their favorite war movie.

If you entered, look for your name down below. The OSR contest runs regularly, so be sure to friend Netflix on Facebook so you can enter the next challenge!

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE TOP 5 - WAR MOVIES - Read 'em and rent 'em!

5 - James P. Flood for ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT:

" 'All Quiet on the Western Front' is a masterpiece of black & white filmmaking that shows when the political fervor fades, war is about survival at any cost...if you can stand it."

4 - Christopher Patti for TORA! TORA! TORA!:

" 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' is not only an excellent dramatization of the attack on Pearl Harbor, but a fascinating study in stylistic contrasts between East and West."

3 - Steve Auckly for THREE KINGS:

"The transformation from treasure-stealers to human-defenders was never so entertaining, plus it had the cool stomach valve thingy."

2 - Hiroshi Seino for GLORY:

"Ultimately there would be no glory on Earth for the soldiers who rushed in a failed attempt to take over Fort Wagner, but the fatal rush would permanently etch a place in history and Hollywood for them."

And the winner of the Netflix Messenger Bag is...

1 - Keith Cutler for M*A*S*H:

"If you don't laugh, you'll cry, so why not laugh - it's the best medicine, ya know?!"

Grace picks the Netflix OSR winners for Oct 12!

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:06:48 EDT

Every week I ask you to give me a One Sentence Review (OSR) for one of the latest movies playing in theaters! Now, thanks to Netflix, you can apply your OSR skills to any movie!

If you entered, look for your name down below. The contest runs regularly, so be sure to friend Netflix on Facebook so you can enter the next challenge!

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE TOP 5 - Read 'em and rent 'em!

5 - Evan Daniel Schwartz for REQUIEM FOR A DREAM:

"A beautifully devastating film about drugs that stayed true to the truth."

4 - Candace Graff for STRANGE BREW:

"Good Canadian beer, good slapstick humor, eh!"

3 - Nick Boisson for METROPOLIS(1927):

"If you would like to know why science-fiction cinema is beloved by and continues to inspire so many, look no further than Fritz Lang's Metropolis."

2 - Joe Slepski for AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH:

"If my PowerPoints were this entertaining, I'd still have my job."

And the winner of the Netflix Polo is...

1 - Travis Whilden for EVIL DEAD 2:

"Bruce Campbell channels all three stooges to slay the undead in the best comedic gorefest of the 80s."

Zombieland Top 5 One Sentence Reviews!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:30:09 EDT

Thinking of seeing Zombieland? Well here are 5 one sentence reviews to help you make up your mind:

#5 - jwgilligan
It's not Drag Me To Hell, but Zombieland is still a entertaining horror comedy that had my eyes guled to the screen.

#4 - brenndon1
Finally a comedy zombie that dose not loose it's funny by the end of the movie!

#3 - moviewizguy
Although Zombieland is a very funny film and gives the zombie genre a good name, it also has an endearing quality and charm to it that makes you love it even more than you should.

#2 - MZMStudios
Zombieland was 81 minutes of pure action-packed, gore-filled hilarity that's sure to leave you blood-lusting for a sequel!

#1 - and winner of the free pair of AMC movie tickets - TheSagesDog
After seeing this movie I'm sure, like the twinkie, Zombieland will become an American Classic.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Next week, the One Sentence Review Challenge will be for COUPLES RETREAT!

Best TV Shows! Grace picks the Netflix OSR Top 5!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:07:53 EDT

I've teamed up with Netflix for another One Sentence Review (OSR) Challenge! The subject this week was TV series, which you can download instantly via Netflix on your computer.

If you entered, look for your name down below. The contest runs regularly, so be sure to friend Netflix on Facebook so you can enter the next challenge!

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE TOP 5 - Read 'em and rent 'em!

5 - Dan Sullivan for MAD MEN:

"Mad Men is the most beautiful sadness ever put on television."

4 - Douglas Smith for BREAKING BAD:

"The show that explains how a broken health care system feeds the illegal drug trade - with humor so dark you may not laugh."

3 - Johnathon Atwood for THE SIMPSONS:

"Like the energizer bunny, keeps going and going and D'oh!"

2 - Eric Michael Guido for HIGHLANDER THE SERIES:

"There can be only fun!"

And the winner of the Netflix Polo is...

1 - Carl Parrish for DOLLHOUSE:

" 'I think, therefore I am', but if someone programs my thinking what am I?"

'9' - the Top 5 One Sentence Reviews...

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:06:46 EDT

I was away this weekend at Disney's D23 Expo promoting my upcoming Muppet Peter Pan comic book mini-series, so that meant no Movie Math this past weekend. However here are the winners of the One Sentence Review Challenge for '9' - congrats!

#5 - spoofnetproductions
"The creators took a good short film, added an hour and 10 minutes, added great visuals, but for some reason subtracted a story."

#4 - OddWolfOut
"9 has the strongest religious context I've seen in a movie in a long time, and although the animation and story was pretty damn good, it felt rushed and the ending left something to be desired."

#3 - bramb600
"The CGI visuals were some of the best I've ever seen, but I just couldn't care for any of the characters here - unfortunately this 79 minute tease was a waste of my money."

#2 - Yvesbloodywednesday
"9 is all the cliches of the Matrix and Terminator without anything that made those movies memorable."

#1 - the winner of the free pair of AMC movie tickets - BioShadowTh666
"9 it babys first end of the world movie."

Thanks to everyone who entered, and see you for next week's OSR Challenge for "Jennifer's Body"!

'Gamer' One Sentence Review Challenge - Top 5!

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:38:08 EDT

Grace Randolph here, enjoying Labor Day weekend in Pennsylvania! I hope everyone else is enjoyng their weekend as well! While there's no Movie Math this week, I'm happy to present the winners of this week's One Sentence Review Challenge for GAMER!

#5 - jomman17

"It's just slightly above average compared to most other movies out there - it could have been executed a whole lot better, and relies too heavily on sex and violence to propel events within the plot - don't see this movie."

#4 - sasdragon

"An interesting premise and above average acting can't quite save the film from reducing itself to a gratuitous blood fest."

#3 - endsitall

"Gamer plays like a big budget scifi tv pilot: what it lacked in story it made up for in sic action sequences."

#2 - bramb600

"The plot is absurd and is not to be taken too seriously, however Neveldine and Taylor are too busy pumping us up with hardcore violence that we forget how bad Gamer really is."

#1 - and winner of a pair of free AMC movie tickets! - danny11212

"Idiotic, disgusting, overdone, poorly shot and completely pointless, Gamer unseats Transformers 2 as the most offensively dumb - and just plain offensive - film of the year."

Thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to the Top 5! Next week's One Sentence Review Challenge will be for WHITEOUT!

Grace's Top 5 Netflix One Sentence Reviews for the week of August 31st!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:27:49 EDT

On Sunday you saw who made the Top 5 for Beyond The Trailer's One Sentence Review (OSR) Challenge for THE FINAL DESTINATION, and now it's time for the Top 5 in Netflix's OSR Challenge!

Yep, every Monday you can enter an OSR for any movie you watched that weekend - be it in theaters or at home - and the winner, picked by me, gets a free Netflix soccer shirt!

If you entered, look for your name down below. If you'd like to enter next week, check down below for how to do so.

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE TOP 5 - Read 'em and rent 'em!

5 - Angel Gainey Eicher for DEAD SNOW:

"I wish I knew the German term for EFFING AWESOME!"

4 - John McKillop for 17 AGAIN:

"Efron takes a break from High School Musical to play...a kid who plays basketball in high school."

3 - John Hall for THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD:

"Malkovich astounds viewers yet again, even if his character fails to do so."

2 - Traci Geist for SUNSHINE CLEANING

"Now I get a big sunny smile on my face when I clean because the movie was so refreshing!!"

And the winner of the Netflix Soccer Shirt is...

1 - Ed Dechert for REVOLUTIONRY ROAD

"Sometimes the only escape from quiet desperation is blatant desperation."

On how to enter:

Visit Netflix’s Facebook page on Mondays and write your OSR as a comment to the post announcing that week’s contest. 24 hours later I’ll announce the Top 5 right here on the Beyond The Trailer blog.

Netflix OSR Challenge 8/24/09 - find out who won!

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:16:45 EDT

Hi! Grace Randolph here, host/creator of web show Beyond The Trailer - and now Netflix One Sentence Review Judge!

Every week Netflix asks its Facebook fans to enter an OSR for any movie they watched that weekend, and below are the Top 5! And congrats to number one who gets a free Netflix soccer shirt!

So check out these mini-reviews and, if so inspired, rent them from Netflix. As for current movies, you can check out Beyond The Trailer's episodes to learn more about them.

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE – TOP 5

5 - Mark Francisco for ORPHAN
"If Damien from 'The Omen' married Esther, she would wear the pants."

4 - Clifton Griffin for CRASH
"Crash is a thought provoking reminder that you and everyone you know are racists."

3 - Tracy Bogert for I LOVE YOU, MAN
"Will never look at male friendships the same again after watching I Love You, Man."

2 - Bram Benderoff for INGLOURIOUS BASTARDS
"Historians beware, Tarantino isn't going by the books - With that acknowledged, he still succeeds in making the most glouriously exhilarating WWII film ever and that's a fact, or should I say 'That's a Bingo!'"

1 - Tina Nielsen Yeagley for RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN
"Husband laughed, kids were scared, I rolled my eyes."

On how to enter:

Visit Netflix’s Facebook page on Mondays and write your OSR as a comment to the post announcing that week’s contest. 24 hours later I’ll announce the Top 5 right here on the Beyond The Trailer blog.

Grace picks the Top 5 winners of Netflix's OSR Challenge!

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:04:34 EDT

Hello! Grace Randolph here, host/creator of web show Beyond The Trailer which gives you behind the scenes info and audience reactions to the latest movies! Every week on the show, I ask you for your One Sentence Reviews (OSRs) for the biggest movie of the weekend – but now, thanks to Netflix, you have the chance to enter an OSR for ANY MOVIE you watched over the weekend!

I’m the judge of this weekly contest, and below are the Top 5 OSRs for the first week! And number one is getting a Netflix soccer shirt!

So enjoy these succinct, insightful, and hilarious OSRs – and check out the movies themselves on Netflix! For those of you new to Beyond The Trailer, I hope you’ll stick around and check out the show and our community of avid moviegoers!

NETFLIX ONE SENTENCE REVIEW CHALLENGE – TOP 5

5 - Paul Logasa Bogen II for BECKET:
"Becket is the moving story of friends ill fated to be enemies in the struggle between Church and State in one of its earliest scrimmages.

4 - Robby Garfinkel for THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
"The pretense of a great movie, without the existence of one - Fincher draws in the Hollywood coloring book without going outside the lines."

3 - Valerie Kleinheksel for THE FISHER KING
"Never has lying naked in Central Park with a homeless man looked so doggone appealing."

2 - Jeff Wood for JOHN ADAMS: DISC ONE
"I hold these truths to be self evident, that 'John Adams: Disc One' is a spellbinding reintroduction to the birth of the United States and is carried start-to-finish by the power of Paul Giamatti."

And the winner of the Netflix Soccer Shirt is...

1 - Sue Nowak Smith for TAKEN
"Who's you Daddy - well if you're a teenage girl traveling alone, you better hope it's Liam Neeson in 'Taken'."

On how to enter:

Visit Netflix’s Facebook page on Mondays and write your OSR as a comment to the post announcing that week’s contest. 24 hours later I’ll announce the Top 5 right here on the Beyond The Trailer blog!

Top 5 'Orphan' One Sentence Reviews!

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:27:27 EDT

Grace Randolph reporting here from sunny California where I just wrapped up Comic Con 2009! While there's no Movie Math this week (it'll be back next Sunday), I'm happy to present the winners of this week's One Sentence Review Challenge!

#5 - JohnnyTasteTest

"Orphan - a movie so scary, it will probably inspire Angelina Jolie to cancel any pending adoptions."

#4 - BramB600

"It's a wonderful horror for a bit, however, the twist is far too ridiculous to be taken seriously that you'll be asking yourself "What did I just watch?"

#3 - MovieWizGuy

"This is an above average horror flick with its own dark, twisted humor as well as its share of tense and taboo scenes."

#2 - PaceRocks1

"Has enough kinky Grand Guignol moments and scenes of sheer terror to make a quick killing at the box office - even though it borrows from just about every other Bad Seed flick Hollywood has ever unleashed."

#1 - and winner of a pair of free AMC movie tickets! - MyNameIsWinz

"This movie scared me in a different way than I have ever been scared before."

Thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to the Top 5! Next week's One Sentence Review Challenge will be for Judd Apatow's FUNNY PEOPLE!

UPDATED - Summer Giveaway: free movie tickets from Beyond The Trailer!

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:19:01 EDT

The One Sentence Review Challenge continues! A little less than two months to go in our summer ticket giveaway!

Below is a list of the winners so far! This weekend, July 24th: G-Force!

Beyond The Trailer's One Sentence Review Challenge - WINNERS LIST

Star Trek - YouTube's MB20786 with "Star Trek is a sexy, and visually rich redoing of geeky source material, which surprisingly works on all levels."

Angels & Demons - YouTube's Girux2 with "“It was like a two hour scenic tour of vatican city only less exciting – I give it a 5, generously, for very gingerly grazing the surface of an intriguing topic.”

Terminator Salvation - YouTube's DeaconSnacks with "Terminator Salvation may take place in the future depicted after Judgment Day that we all wanted to visit, but lacks any heart to really justify its existence and, like John Connor says, "'f we stay the course...we are all dead!' - the franchise should take note"

Pixar's Up - YouTube's skatfree with "In a movie season where most of the highest grossing films were either spin-offs or sequels, Up stands out as a movie that challenges Hollywood with a new and interesting plot and storyline, leaving you with a satisfied smile on your face.”

Land of the Lost - YouTube's Checker222 with "Land of the Lost is the kind of movie that proves Hollywood has run out of ideas."

The Taking of Pelham 123 - YouTube's BramB600 with "Travolta and Washington give convincing enough performances, however even they can't save this from becoming that typical summer actioner that the exceptional 1974 original was never meant to be.”

Year One - YouTube's ComedicEmpire with "Take the plot from the movie 10,000 BC and add a bunch of dirty jokes and you get Year One."

Transformers Revenge of the Fallen - YouTube's UnlikelyDéjàvu with “I had no idea that if you packed enough special effects in a movie it could actually compensate for a lack of story line, but I was wrong...”

Public Enemies - YouTube's bluefishswims with “For a film based on someone’s life, the film itself has very little life, little depth, and little character, proving once again that it takes more than just star power to make a good film.”

Bruno - YouTube's goodjoojoo with "Bruno was the dirtiest movie I have ever seen that went further than I could have imagined; for that I loved it."

Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince - YouTube's iDisneyLuver with "The sixth installment in the epic Harry Potter series is an intricate film wrapped around raging teenage hormones, spell-binding special effects, incredible cinematography and top-notch action sequences while still remaining much closer to the source material than its predecessors and is sure to please the biggest fan or, ironically, hater."

Movie Math - Blog Edition!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:40:35 EDT

Turns out dinosaurs vs robots is a draw! Meanwhile Johnny Depp’s latest raid on the box office comes up short. How little did he get away with? Let’s find out with some Movie Math!

In a battle that shockingly didn’t involve Jerry Bruckheimer, Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs tied with Transformers Revenge of the Fallen for the number one spot at the box office! Both claim to have made $42.5 million over the holiday weekend, but one will be branded a liar when the smoke clears Monday afternoon. Who’s fudging their numbers? Did Fox want to lay claim to the number one spot for Ice Age 3’s opening weekend, or did Paramount want to claim two number one spots in a row for Transformers 2? But no matter who comes out on top in the end, Fox still has plenty to brag about as Ice Age 3 made the biggest worldwide debut for an animated movie ever: $148 million. As for Transformers 2, it’s already up to $293 million in just twelve days, making it the top grossing film of the year. An impressive feat, but it still falls short of the $334 million The Dark Knight made in just twelve days last year. Yeah, nobody beats Batman…

Coming in next is Public Enemies with $26 million for the weekend – not much for a summer blockbuster but quite the haul for Johnny Depp. Still riding the sails of the Black Pearl, there’s no doubt audiences’ love for Johnny Depp has increased since his involvement in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. This is Depp’s non-pirate debut since Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which opened at $56 million. And while Public Enemies’ five day haul of $41 million puts it in range of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s performing more like another Depp & Burton pairing: Sleepy Hollow which opened at $30 million. That made it up to $100 million in the end, which is most likely what Public Enemies will escape with from theaters. Now for the One Sentence Review Challenge results! Here’s the Top Five and remember, all summer long number one will be getting a free pair of AMC movie tickets!

#5 – PolarPuberty: “Sleek, cool, a damned right fun - although Dillinger's popularity isn't explained enough for the common viewer, you still root for him all the way to the end.”

#4 – UtopianProductions: “Depp and Bale in an elegant dance with bullets.”

#3 – Hope4QuantumFilms: “For a movie that lacks distinctive character identities and very often looses focus on the progression of the main plot, Public Enemies "has its moments" and ends with a final act that is significantly better than the previous ones.”

#2 – zachisgood: “John Dillinger's wikipedia page is more intense and interesting than this bummer of a film.”

#1 – bluefishswims: “For a film based on someone’s life, the film itself has very little life, little depth, and little character, proving once again that it takes more than just star power to make a good film.”

And since I’m away for the 4th of July holiday, unfortunately I haven’t seen any movies! Whaaaat?! But I will be back with Beyond The Trailer this Friday covering Bruno and I Love You Beth Cooper, and Movie Math will be back as usual on Sunday! I’m Grace Randolph and we just did some Movie Math!

BTT's newest intern!

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:30:37 EDT

Hollywood is a tough business to break into, so you gotta start making inroads ASAP!

Take Beyond The Trailer's newest intern, Mady Sabia. She's the daughter of BTT's director/DP John Sabia and his lovely wife Lisa, who you can see on BTT's Ice Age 3 episode.

Here's Mady on the set - already weighing in on creative decisions! Look at her scrutinize the shot!

Internships are fun! Be sure to keep an eye out for exciting opportunities, and if you're going to be in the NYC area and want to intern at Indy Mogul, give us a shout out at internships@nextnewnetworks.com!

Get ready to go through the Looking-Glass with Tim Burton!

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:28:40 EDT

Ah yes, another remake! But this one hardly looks familiar! These images are from Tim Burton's upcoming ALICE IN WONDERLAND, which Disney will release next spring in Digital 3D and IMAX 3D. What you're looking at here is Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bohnam Carter as the Red Queen, and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. Based on USA Today's recent article, it looks like this will be like RETURN TO OZ.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-21-alice-in-wonderland_N.htm

So, does Burton still have the magic touch or has he lost his head? Is this more Burton than Carroll, or are they kindred spirits?

For me, while interesting, I don't know if I want to see that Mad Hatter coming at me in 3D!! :P

P.S. Thanks for viewer Will Budd for the heads up on this story!

Movie Math: The Hangover, Land of the Lost, etc

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:49:04 EDT

Will Ferrell steps in a giant dinosaur-sized turd while trying to make his first family comedy. Just how big is the stink? Let’s find out with this blog version of Movie Math!

#1

Ah, a comeback is sweet but revenge is even sweeter! Todd Phillips scored his first #1 hit as The Hangover debuted with $45 million. Judd Apatow’s got to be a little nervous now about his Funny People which hits theaters next month, perhaps even second guessing his decision to turn himself into James L. Brooks rather than play it safe with another boy-on-boy raunch-fest. THIS raunch-fest reminded many of 2005’s Wedding Crashers, but The Hangover turns out to be more profitable than the party as Wedding Crashers debuted with “just” $34 million. That’s quite a ride for Bradley Cooper who played a supporting role in Wedding Crashers but, only four years later, has graduated to leading man. Plus look for a slew of Zach Galifianakis movies to be coming your way as he challenges Seth Rogen for the title of cuddliest raunchy comedian. And since Wedding Crashers went on to make $209 million overall at the box office, look for The Hangover to post similar numbers. I bet Captain Kirk and company are gonna be pretty surprised to look over their shoulder and see this trio on their heels…

#2

And Pixar’s Up continues to soar as it comes in at #2, falling just 35%. With $137 million in just two weeks, Pixar can rest easy that their box office batting average will be upheld. In fact, it looks like it’ll be clear sailing all the way to Oscar season…

Conspicuously occupying the #3 spot is Will Ferrell, with $19 million all he has to show for his opening weekend. In fact Ferrell seems to be developing a disturbing pattern: hit then flop. While Step Brothers ($30 million opening), Blades of Glory ($33 million opening) and Talladega Nights ($47 million opening) were comedy hits, Semi-Pro ($15 million opening) and Stranger Than Fiction ($13 million opening) were undoubtedly flops. Savvy directors working with Ferrell should take note of this pattern when scheduling their shooting dates. But Ferrell doesn’t have to be too worried because this pattern also proves without a doubt that his fans always come back. In fact his next film is an action comedy with Mark Wahlberg and there’s no way I’m going to miss that team-up, no matter how much Land of the Lost sucked. But not everyone thought Land of The Lost sucked. I asked you to rate the movie on a 1 to 10, and you were very divided resulting in a final score of 7. That’s the same score audiences gave the movie on Friday’s episode of Beyond The Trailer.

Now for the One Sentence Review Challenge results:

5th Place - "thejewmatt" - It's like Jurassic Park meets Talladega Nights without a racecar, but with Matt Lauer that includes an awesome rendition of the old Land of The Lost theme.

4th Place - "TomChatalbash" - Land of the Lost, which is based on the very cheesy television series, provides a few chuckles from Ferrell and McBride here and there, but ultimately fails to be entertaining family adventure due to the poorly conceived script, vulgar humor, over the top acting, and eye rolling special effects.

3rd Place - "SonOfADeathBed" - The Will Ferrell train makes another summer stop and I want to get off!

2nd Place - "pacerocks1" - This dramatically, thematically and artistically bankrupt comic fantasy cost something in the neighborhood of $100 million to make and isn't worth the celluloid it's printed on.

1st Place and winner of the two free AMC movie tickets - "Checker222" - Land of the Lost is the kind of movie that proves Hollywood has run out of ideas.

Elsewhere in the BoxOffice

My Life In Ruins might as well be Nia Vardalos’s career in ruins as it debuted at #9 with just $3 million. Coupled with the poor performance of Connie and Carla, which also opened with $3 million and went on to make just $11 million worldwide, it becomes pretty clear that audiences simply aren’t interested in this Greek Jane Doe. In the specialty market, Away We Go opened in four theaters and sported an impressive per screen average of $32,000 – that means plenty of sold out shows over the weekend. But as Away We Go expands over the next few weeks, we’ll find out if audiences are interested in seeing two television actors even if they are walking to the beat of Sam Mendes’ art house drum.

Movie Reviews

Being that I am away on vacation – so to speak – I saw two movies this weekend!

The Hangover

Was this the FUNNIEST movie I’ve ever seen? No. In fact, I warn everyone not to let the hype overwhelm them because, quite frankly, it would be hard for any movie to live up to the levels of hype this movie is getting. That said, I certainly enjoyed it and it made me miss Las Vegas. Actually, this movie is a great ad for Vegas and I wouldn’t be surprised if Sin City saw an increase in visitors thanks to this movie – which they desperately need by the way as the bad economy is killing the convention business. But good news! Last I checked Vegas hotel rates are rock bottom so you can have your own hangover for a lot less than the $4,000+ they shelled out in the movie. All the actors here did a nice job and nobody stole the show, although Zach Galifianakis came close. Justin Bartha also did a nice job with a thankless role. So overall I think you should definitely see The Hangover, but Star Trek is still my favorite movie of the summer.

Away We Go

A friend of mine really wanted to check it out so, considering Land of the Lost only got a 7 on Beyond The Trailer, I happily agreed. This is a very zen movie – a solid character study of a couple trying to find their way, seeing all the missteps and/or misfortune that have befallen other couples. I was impressed that John Krasinski was able to make me NOT see Jim from The Office, but maybe that was the result of his beard and glasses instead of his acting. However, if he plays his cards right I could see him being the next Tom Hanks. Maya Rudolph also did a nice job, but her role was very subtle and made little use of her comedic talents. Maggie Gyllenhaal also had a fun cameo as a train wreck of a hippie mom, and it was great to see the film deal with her frankly rather than with the reverence usually reserved for the so-called “enlightened”. Therefore I say check out Away We Go, but if you waited for it to come out on DVD it wouldn’t be a crime.

And finally, thanks for reading Movie Math this week! I'll be back with a brand new episode next Sunday, and I'll see you first on Friday as Beyond The Trailer covers The Taking Of Pelham 123, Imagine That, and Moon! I'm Grace Randolph and we just did some Movie Math! :)

Grace's Top 10 Films of 2008

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:00:46 EST

Everybody's made a list - but all the lists are kinda the same!

So I decided to make my own brutally honest Top 10 list:

1. The Dark Knight

Okay, this is an obvious one - you know why it's up here and most likely agree with the ranking. Christopher Nolan created a perfect storm of superheroes, film noir, and post-9/11 politics. Heath Ledger's tragic death only added fuel to the fire and boy, did this movie burn right through the box office. All it needs is critical validation to join the ranks of The Godfather, Titanic, and Citizen Kane as one of the greatest movies of all time. Don't let us down, Academy!

2. Pineapple Express / Step Brothers

These movies are tied because while they mirror each other perfectly, it's in a way that complements rather than detracts. Will Ferrell and Seth Rogen are at the top of their game, highlighting the winning aspects of their comedy. Since Knocked Up, Seth Rogen has been working hard to redefine the term "slacker" and with Pineapple Express he makes his most compelling case. Pineapple Express transcends the typical pothead movie by throwing in shades of 48 Hours and Midnight Run, giving it a gritty edge while keeping Rogen's trademark teddy bear heart. In Step Brothers, Will Farrell perfectly captures the underlying sweet innocence of his comedy which has won over so many of fans. And hats off to John C. Reilly and James Franco, two serious actors who gave two professional comedians a run for their money.

3. Speed Racer

Love it or hate it - you have to admit the Wachowski Brothers took risks when making this movie. Perhaps they did too good a job imitating Japanese anime styles as American audiences couldn't click with such a radical departure from typical Hollywood fare. But nevertheless it's filmmakers like the Wachowski Brothers who push movies in new directions. I saw Speed Racer on IMAX and it was an amazing visual experience. I can't vouch for how it looked on the regular screen, and maybe it never should have played there. Speed Racer is my number three because it's a work of art. If it's a work of entertainment is still up for debate. Hopefully the Wachowskis, or another filmmaker, will be able to harness this unique visual prowess and apply it to more solid storytelling.

4. Kung Fu Panda

Dreamworks knocked it out of the park with this film, and any movie I see two days in a row deserves to be on my Top 10 list. While Jack Black has been hit or miss at the box office, panda Po was the perfect avatar for his acerbic wit. A stellar voice cast all around, particularly Dustin Hoffman, blended seamlessly (and selflessly) with the animation to tell a really good story. And it had to be a good story to stand out from the tons of kung-fu flicks we've all seen so many times. Madagascar has its moments, but Kung Fu Panda is the one that has a shot at replacing Shrek as Dreamworks' best franchise.

5. Sex & The City

I am woman, hear me roar. Gone for so long from the box office landscape, women proved they were a demographic not to be ignored. Turning out in huge numbers for their favorite HBO show (and dressed up, no less!), women propelled Sex and The City to the highest opening gross ever for an R rated comedy, romantic comedy, and a film starring a woman. Mamma Mia soon followed and was also a huge success - no small feat as good film roles for women are an increasing rarity these days. Thanks to Carrie and company, women have a chance in Hollywood again.

6. Wall-E

This movie isn't higher up on my list because I felt the last third of the movie because more concerned with the "message" rather than the "story". But the first half of the movie is brilliant, starting with the opening frame as "Put on Your Sunday Clothes" plays eerily over an abandoned Earth. Pixar continues to challenge itself and a film with hardly any dialogue is certainly a challenge. But again, the message of the film overshadowed its heart so it doesn't quite capture the audience's heart. However, Wall-E gets a few extra points for the hysterical clever short film that played in front of it, Presto.

7. Iron Man

For a brief moment, Iron Man redefined the comic book movie. Then The Dark Knight came along. But Iron Man is still an important contribution to the genre for two reasons. First, it shows that comic book movies can appeal to adults yet still be lightheartedly entertaining. (Although all bets are off in the sequel as Tony Stark battles alcoholism.) Second, Marvel proved itself as a movie studio. Wonderfully faithful to the source material, Marvel was able to fend off Hollywood's meddling and truly bring their character to life on the big screen. If they can keep it up, they'll be as successful at the box office as they are at the comic book store.

8. Hamlet 2

If you've ever taken an acting class, you know this movie is frighteningly accurate. I chose Hamlet 2 for my list because it was one of the most original films I saw this year. Depicting a side of the arts rarely seen (or admitted to), Steve Coogan formally introduced himself to American audiences. It was an awkward meeting. But Coogan is a critical darling and he'll be back. As for Hamlet 2, ironically it shared the same fate as the play it was about: bold and daring, loved by the artistic elite, but seen by few.

9. W

Putting politics aside, this is a charismatic portrait of a man who couldn't measure up to his own dreams. If you have any ambitions yourself it's hard not to relate to Josh Brolin's "W". A tragic clown, George W. Bush struggled with his own legacy and a father who never really gave him a chance. Oliver Stone also did an excellent job with the film's narrative, creating a sharp and colorful film that reminds one of the crisp pages of Newsweek or Time. Stone's biopic is an unflinching yet sympathetic portrait of one America's most enigmatic and alluring historical figures that every citizen should see.

10. Mongol

This film has ONE flaw - it's part one of a trilogy and who knows when it will be finished. While it was released in Russia in 2007, where it was made, it was released in the United States in 2008. For just $20 million dollars - and keep in mind Four Christmases cost $80 million - Sergei Bodrov made a sweeping epic that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest historical films of all time. Little attention is paid to leaders of the far east and if anyone deserves to be immortalized in celluloid, it's Genghis Khan. Khan had the largest contiguous empire in history, yet Alexander The Great gets all the attention. And with all due respect to John Wayne, I think he was miscast as Khan in 1956's The Conqueror. In Mongol, Khan's story is brought to life by an international cast and all the dialogue is in actual mongolian. If you're a history buff, this is not to be missed.

Ka-Ching! 2008 Edition

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:55:17 EST

Variety has released the top 15 grossing movies of 2008. Let's discuss!

1. THE DARK KNIGHT - $996.8 million worldwide

Well, I think we all expected THE DARK KNIGHT to come in at first place. The real surprise though has been how this masterpiece has been shut out of awards season. I guess it's easy to give a R.I.P. nomination to Heath Ledger, but a little more difficult to admit a comic book movie is worthy of a Best Picture Oscar. Just like Batman himself, Christopher Nolan will have to accept being Hollywood's dirty - but necessary - little secret.

2. INDIANA JONES & THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL - $786.6 million worldwide

Ah, nostalgia! Marvel at its mighty power as it's able to convince millions of people to pay good money for an average movie. It was great to see Harrison Ford back in the fedora, but many of us fans worried he wouldn't be wearing it for long as youth-centric Hollywood seemed keen to hand the chapeau over to Shia LaBeouf. But with EAGLE EYE performing well at the box office and TRANSFORMERS 2 on the horizon, The Beef don't need no steenkin' used franchise.

3. KUNG-FU PANDA - $631.9 million worldwide

While audiences don't seem thrilled by Jack Black in the flesh, his voice suits them just fine! This comedic chop-suey CGI-toon couldn't be contained by the regular screen and hit theaters in IMAX, appealing to young and old alike. Looks like Dreamworks Animation has mastered the art of sarcastic family entertainment (see #11).

4. HANCOCK - $624.4 million worldwide

Apparently Will Smith is something of a superhero himself, able to defeat mediocre scripts and baffling plot twists with his charisma. The Fresh Prince with super powers is definitely a great idea and making him a bad-ass who needs a pubicist for a sidekick is inspired - too bad that stuff was backburnered in the actual movie in favor of some kind of "Gods on Earth" storyline. Hopefully in the prequel or sequel or whatever they're making, HANCOCK will finally live up to its potential.

5. IRON MAN - $581.9 million worldwide

#5?! #5?!?! Remember back in May when Robert Downey Jr. wowed audiences and fanboys praised Marvel - now producing their own movies - for finally getting a comic book movie right? And then THE DARK KNIGHT hit theaters and blew ol' Tony Stark right out of the water. No wonder he becomes an alcoholic in IRON MAN 2, which you can bet will be seeing the light of day a hell of a lot sooner than the next Batman movie.

6. MAMMA MIA -$572.1 million worldwide

ABBA's still got it. The Swedish pop group takes to worldwide domination like riding a bike - you never forget! And although the original members are long retired, Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan were welcome replacements. While Streep is getting industry kudos for her performance in DOUBT, audiences loved seeing her let her hair down and be...well...just plain silly. Happily singing along, and opening their wallets, were female audiences who proved to be a demographic to be reckoned with this year (see #10).

7. QUANTUM OF SOLACE - $534.5 million worldwide

Geez, imagine how much money this movie could have made had it been any good. CASINO ROYALE 2 was D.O.A. but fans cut Daniel Craig a little slack, telling themselves "the next one will be better". And that will probably be true if Bond can get over this identity crisis he's having. He's not Bourne and he's not Batman, and that's okay because he's the one that started it all.

8. WALL-E - $507.3 million worldwide

Pixar reminded us all that they're still the animation trailblazers of Hollywood. While Dreamworks Animation is busy making us laugh, Pixar decided to take a risk and try to make us think. Luckily for them - and the planet Earth - they succeeded! Now WALL-E is topping all the "Best of 2008" lists and could walk away with not just a Best Animated Picture Oscar but perhaps even the main prize itself, plain ol' Best Picture Oscar.

9. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN - $419.6 million worldwide

While Narnia might have cracked the Top 10 of 2008, it's still not good enough for Disney who just opted out of distributing the third film in the trilogy. That means production company Walden Media will need to find a new home for their enchanted epic. Word of advice, bring back Tilda Swinton! The charm of the original pic didn't quite carry over into the sequel which was more "Disney Channel" than "Lord of the Rings", not a good change unless Zac Efron is going to wear the crown.

10. SEX & THE CITY - $415.1 million worldwide

HBO made a big splash on the silver screen, finally bringing their original hit to theaters. It might have played like just a couple episodes strung together but Sarah Jessica Parker and company gave their fans what they wanted - marriage to Mr. Big! Apparently getting married is still the top prize for women and they came out in droves to prove it, even dressing up as their favorite characters. Studios will be trying to recapture this lightning in a bottle for years to come!

11. MADAGASCAR: ESCAPE 2 AFRICA - $397.2 million worldwide

Dreamworks Animation cemented their second franchise after SHREK with this zany jungle toon, repeating their successful formula of getting as many well-known comedians to lend their voices as possible. Just like KUNG-FU PANDA, MADAGASCAR 2 hit IMAX theaters in an effort to make CGI cartoons event movies, and audiences were happy to play along. But with two Dreamworks Animation movies in just one year, will they eventually start cannibalizing each other?

12. THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR - $393.2 million worldwide

Laugh if you must, but The Mummy franchise is back from the dead. Universal knew what it was doing when it brought aboard international superstar Jet-Li to play the film's villain. While American audiences only luke-warmed to this third film, globally it was hot-to-trot. But while things are good for Jet-Li, Brendan Frasier didn't quite flex his own box office muscles - although he'll get the chance to prove himself again in The Mummy 4.

13. WANTED - $342.1 million worldwide

WANTED might be just the third comic book movie to crack the Top 15, and Angelina Jolie might be just the third woman to topline a film in this select group, but - bottom line - results are results! Jolie crashed and burned at the box office with CHANGELING, further proving audiences see her as an action hero. But that's not stopping Jolie from prepping more art-house pics as this half of "Brangelina" won't let anyone define her - even her fans.

14. HORTON HEARS A WHO - $297 million worldwide

Like Jack Black, Jim Carrey has found box office salvation in computer animation. Audiences said "no" to YES MAN but heard Horton loud and clear - a nice recovery not just for Carrey but Dr. Seuss as well after THE CAT IN THE HAT fell flat on its face. Now 20th Century Fox has its second big animation hit after the ICE AGE franchise and seems to be getting closer to competing with heavyweights Pixar and Dreamworks.

15. 10,000 BC - $269.1 million worldwide

It's movies like this that force you to rethink the international market, and to understand that Hollywood knows what they're doing more often than not. A multi-racial cast, timeless locations and a tale about - well, all of our ancestors - is mighty appealing. So when you're wondering why studios bother with bland actioners like, say, TRANSPORTER 3, remember 10,000 BC.

Jeffrey Katzenberg bets it all on 3D movies

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:48:52 EST

These days, more and more people are either pirating movies or watching them at home. Dreamworks Animation head honcho Jeffrey Katzenberg is mad as hell about it, and he's not going to take it anymore!

This afternoon I was invited to a special presentation for Dreamworks' upcoming animated film "Monsters vs. Aliens".

The purpose of this screening was for Katzenberg to make like the Wizard of Oz and pull back the curtain to give us a peak at his cinematic revolution. "Revolution"? Yep, Katzenberg is comparing 3D cinema to the advent of sound and color.

However, is this really a big deal if 3D cinema has already arrived? And I'm not talking about the traditional cardboard glasses 3D, I'm referring to the new crystal-clear 3D. I'm talking Theme Park 3D. This kind of 3D debuted in 2004 when Warner Brothers released Robert Zemeckis' "The Polar Express" in 3D on IMAX. Since then many films have followed suit, including "Chicken Little", "Beowulf", "Hannah Montana", "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Bolt".

But to what effect? None of these 3D films has been a home run, critically or financially. In fact the most successful release is still "The Polar Express", with only 25% of its box office coming from the 3D/IMAX prints whereas the rest came from traditional 2D prints.

Katzenberg, though, was part of the 25% who saw the 3D/IMAX version of "The Polar Express". And he was sold! He immediately decided to make the move to 3D animation - starting with "Monsters vs. Aliens", all Dreamworks Animation films will be released in 3D. Audiences will still have the option to see 2D versions, but - and this is what Katzenberg's excited about - the filmmakers will be making these new movies with a 3D frame of mind instead of just running their 2D version through the computer to create a supplemental 3D version. This means that if you want to see a Dreamworks Animation film as it was intended, you've got to see it in 3D.

And it will cost you $5 extra.

Based on how many people complain about current ticket prices, will they really be willing to shell out an extra five bucks for the 3D experience? Especially when I regret to inform you that Katzenberg isn't exactly giving you much bang for you buck, at least with "Monsters vs. Aliens".

The footage we were shown at the screening had no "gotcha" moments where things flew out at the audience. Instead, as Katzenberg pointed out afterwards, Dreamworks Animation is going for subtle. In Katzenberg's mind 3D means that audiences get to step into the movie but, based on what I saw, he only has you stepping in ever so slightly. You are by no means in the middle of the action.

Uh, since when has progress ever been "subtle"?

A few weeks ago I covered the release of Disney's "Bolt" for BEYOND THE TRAILER. That movie is also in 3D and, as you can see from the episode, audiences weren't impressed as they felt the movie would have been just as good in 2D:

Part of what's driving this move to 3D, beyond the creative aspects, is business - which is no real surprise as Hollywood is an industry selling a product, not a museum showcasing fine works of art. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, Hollywood has quite a piracy problem and the advancement of home theater systems is a serious threat.

But not for long thanks to Hollywood's new best friend/secret weapon, 3D cinema!

In the case of piracy, you can't videotape a 3D movie in the theater because you need to have special glasses to pull the image into focus. Anyone who tries to videotape the movie will simply get a fuzzy picture. (Although I encourage Hollywood not to underestimate people's eagerness to save money. I'm confident a lot of people would happily watch a free fuzzy movie.)

As for home theater systems, the 3D experience is only available at your local multiplex. Once again, going out to the movies becomes a unique experience. Katzenberg has even been talking to a glasses company about manufacturing special sunglasses you can buy that, when you go into a movie theater, turn into 3D glasses. (But having your own pair of 3D glasses won't bring down the price of the ticket.)

So at second glance, that $5 surcharge is also a security fee which you pay to keep Hollywood safe.

But the fate of 3D movies is far from decided and any single movie could be a game-changer. In addition to Katzenberg's initiative, James Cameron's upcoming action movie "Avatar" will also be in 3D. In fact, in a rare example of studios working together, Katzenberg and Cameron's team have been comparing 3D notes - although I bet you Cameron's 3D film will be far from subtle.

Either way, though, it'll be you and not Hollywood who decides if 3D movies are just a gimmick or the future of film.

So are you excited about the 3D cinematic revolution?

Will you pay $5 extra to experience it?

Do you want in-your-face 3D or do you appreciate subtle 3D?

And how about those sunglasses that double as 3D movie glasses? Interested?

BTT: Behind The Scenes

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:44:31 EST

Hi! Grace Randolph here. I wear a lot of hats on Beyond The Trailer - host, writer, editor, producer, creator - but as with any video production it's a team effort! And since everyone on the BTT team works extra hard to bring you the best show possible, I thought I'd introduce you.

Meet the BTT LOCATION CREW:

Beyond The Trailer - or as we like to call it, BTT - never misses a major motion picture! That means we have to cover up to three movies in one afternoon, making for a four hour outdoor shoot. Thank goodness shooting BTT is so much fun! We always enjoy talking to all the moviegoers, including our BTT regulars, as well as passerbys on the street (not to mention the nice woman we buy lunch from every Friday).

JOHN SABIA, Director/DP - After receiving A BS double Major in TV/Video from Hofstra University, John started editing and Coordinating for News 12. Feeling the need to master the craft of camera operation John became a segment producer for Cablevision on Demand. With extensive knowledge in deferent shooting situations, techniques, and styles there isn't a shot John can not capture. Deciding to venture away from the normal 9 to 5 John started his own company Hillside Media Productions, LLC and now freelances on TV pilots, realityTV shows and viral marketing campaigns. John is happy at his new home working as Director and DP for Beyond the Trailer!

ADRIENNE CUEVAS, Production Coordinator - Adrienne "Keeper of the Movie Times" Cuevas has always had a passion for the arts. She has recently graduated from Penn State University and aspires to be a producer. While assisting with Beyond the Trailer, Adrienne currently interns at Follow Productions and Apostle Productions. In her spare time, Adrienne loves to dance and watch to TV.

More BTT: Behind The Scenes coming soon!

Bolt and Inspector Gadget: An Homage...or Rip-Off?!

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:51:27 EST

While watching the trailer for Disney's BOLT, I could help but notice a certain similarity to another cartoon: DIC Entertainment's INSPECTOR GADGET! Now sure, lots of kids have dogs, but you have to admit a mystery-solving girl paired with an intelligent dog is a unique situation. And then, there's the names:

INSPECTOR GADGET had Penny and Brain, BOLT has Penny and Bolt.

I can't imagine someone at Disney didn't catch that these similar characters have identical names, so if it is a rip-off it's either brash or sloppy. And if it's an homage why not milk it for all the publicity it's worth?

The main issue here - to me - is why Hollywood refuses to come up with new ideas, bastardizing original ideas in the process.

Because this is a much larger argument, let's contain it to BOLT vs. INSPECTOR GADGET. The original INSPECTOR GADGET ran from 1983 to 1986 to great success, then reached the big screen in 1999 - which most fans agree was a step down for the franchise. Nevertheless a direct to video sequel was made in 2003 and was so bad that the series was put back on the shelf.

Who made those two live action movies? Disney. Years later, clearly someone at Disney thought the Penny and Brain dynamic was interesting enough to warrant its own movie. Why would Disney choose to cannibalize its own property, which it torpedoed in the first place, rather than repairing a beloved series? And if there was something keeping Disney from using the Penny and Brain characters, well then surely there's room in the world for two distinct heroines and their dogs, right?

New ideas are what audiences respond to, and that's why BOLT's Rhino the Hampster steals the movie! :)

James Bond fighting...Americans?

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:15:39 EST

Tonight I went to see the latest James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. Imagine my surprise when one of Bond's enemies was revealed to be the CIA.

Forget the Germans, forget the Russians - the newest movie bad guys are the Americans.

WTF?!

I mean, I'm sitting in the theater having a good time rooting for 007 when suddenly I discover I'm rooting against myself? What a mean trick.

Of course, I follow the news and understand that America isn't that popular right now. But are we really on par with Nazis and Communists? It shows how good things are today that the evilest thing the world community can think of is the Bush Administration. As misguided and sloppy as our 43rd President might be, he is hardly a Hitler or Stalin.

Look, we all know oil is major problem right now, but is America really the only one to blame here? Last I checked most of the entire world relies on oil. And how about a little credit that both candidates for the White House - Barack Obama and John McCain - made ending the USA's dependency on oil a cornerstone of their campaigns.

And this film is even made by American movie studios - Sony, MGM and United Artists! Nothing like paying millions of dollars to insult yourself.

I know James Bond has to fight somebody, but what happened to the good old days when it was some crazy billionaire with an eye-patch and a cat? Blockbusters shouldn't get political since they're supposed to be for everybody.

Quantum of Solace is going to make a ton of money this weekend, but if Americans continue to buy tickets for films that are anti-American and not even say anything about it...well, in Indiana Jones 5 we might just see Harrison Ford punching out an American soldier.

RevYOU's Grace Randolph joins Indy Mogul!

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:52:39 EST

For a little over a year now, I've been talking movies both on the street and online with - well - you!

So when the opportunity came up to work with Indy Mogul, the online network for filmmakers and film fanatics, it was not only a perfect fit for me but also for you! Indy Mogul is an online destination that's got movies covered, from your backyard to Hollywood. Erik Beck will show you how to make a movie yourself, Bobby Miller discovers the best short films on the internet, and I give you the inside track on what's playing at a theater near you.

Beyond The Trailer is really exciting because it's the next evolution in movie reviews AND trailers! You'll see new elements with this very launch, and I can't wait to show you the cool stuff we've got planned.

Don't just watch the trailer - go beyond!

To everyone who watched RevYOU, I'm glad you're here! To new viewers, welcome! Be sure to leave comments as we grow the Beyond The Trailer community, and please subscribe!

See you at the theater and online!

Grace
Host / Creator of Beyond The Trailer