A Book Come Alive

Twilight
Twilight is a romantic-fantasy directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The movie Twilight is based upon a series of books, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn by author Stephenie Meyer. It was adapted into a film by Summit Entertainment. Filming took place mainly in Washington and Oregon during the spring and winter of 2008. The music of Twilight was composed by Carter Burwell, along with other bands like Muse and Linkin Park. The soundtrack was released on November 4, 2008. Twilight has grossed an average $35.7 million, which includes $7 million in ticket sales from its midnight showing on November 21, 2008. The movie is ranked third overall for online ticket service Fandango. Twilight has the biggest opening day gross for a non-summer movie. Summit Entertainment has recently announced that the sequel, New Moon, is in the works. I just saw Twilight and loved it!! I also read the books which were fantastic and very addicting. You must READ them! I read them in less then a day literally. I actually thought the movie was really close to the book, surprising I know. But, there were a few scenes that were added and changed but it was nothing that would ruin the movie from the book. If you hadn’t read the book then you would have never known it was a little different. The pace was a little slow, but if you think about it the book was too in a way. Now, I’m not saying it was ridiculously slow, but it wasn’t an action packed fighting movie. It’s a love story, but there is a fight scene which is really cool. I only wish it lasted a little longer. Twilight was definitely a movie I would recommend going to see especially if you read the book. Stephenie Meyer even makes an appearance in the film. The big question is, "Will these books/movies be as big as the Harry Potter Series?" What do you think?

The Love Story
Isabella "Bella" Swan (Kristen Stewart) moves from her home in Phoenix, Arizona to live with her dad in Forks, Washington, where it is never sunny. Bella quickly draws the attention of many students, especially boys. But what Bella doesn’t know, was that when she sat next to Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) on that first day of school, was that her life was about to change forever. Edward acts strange around her as if she smells bad. Edward even tries to change class schedule so he doesn’t have to sit beside her. Later on, Bella meets an old friend named Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), who belongs to the local Indian tribe. She questions Jacob about Edward’s family only to hear a tribal legend that said Edward and his family were vampires. Jacob also tells her that they are different. They don’t drink human blood only animal blood. A few days later, Edward and Bella sneak off, and Bella, not fully understanding the whole vampire thing, demands some answers to his strangeness. Edward explains why his family is so called “different”, and why he avoided her in the beginning. He claimed that her blood was just too desirable for him, and he had never wanted anything so much in his life. It was impossible for him to stay away from her anymore. He also told her that he was 108 years old and had been 17 for a while. Eventually, Bella and Edward fall in love. Their love is soon strained when and unknown vampire coven, a vampire coven who feeds on human blood, enters Forks and puts Bella in severe danger. The Cullen’s come up with a plan to distract James (Cam Gigandet), the leader of the coven who is now hunting Bella for sport. Edward’s brother and sister, Jasper (Jackson Rathbone) and Alice (Ashley Greene), take Bella back to Phoenix while the others split up leaving traces for James to follow. Bella escapes Alice and Jasper to confront James, who has supposedly kidnapped her mother. Luckily, James doesn’t have Bella’s mother, it was only a trap to get Bella to come to him. Just as James is closing in, Edward shows up to save her. A battle erupts and Bella is bitten, but Edward is able to suck the venom out before she is transformed into a monster. Afterwards, Edward makes Bella go to their prom. There, Bella tells Edward that she loves him and wants to become a vampire so she never has to lose him. To her dismay, that is a request that Edward absolutely refuses to let happen. So for now, they will love each other vampire and human.

Humans vs. The Undead
I thought the cast was excellently cast! I thought each character fit his/her character from the book exactly. Kristen Stewart played Bella Swan, who I thought she was pretty good for the role. Robert Pattinson played Edward Cullen, who can read everyones minds except Bella. When I first heard he was playing Edward Cullen, I didn't think he was the best choice. I thought they could have gotten someone better, but after seeing pictures and trailers my views changed. I thought he did a really good job and was a good choice for the character. I only wish he would do something about his hair. Each Cullen was exactly how I pictured them from the book. Peter Facinelli played Carlisle Cullen, a doctor and the father figure of the Cullens, Elizabeth Reaser was Esme Cullen, The mother figure and Carlisle's wife, Ashley Greene played Alice Cullen, who can see the future, and Jackson Rathbone was Jasper Hale, who can manipulate emotions. Alice and Jasper were an item. Nikki Reed played Rosalie Hale, the most beautiful of the Cullen's and also the one who despised Bella the most. Kellan Lutz played Emmett Cullen, the strongest and scariest of the Cullen's. Emmett and Rosalie were together. Cam Gigandet played James, the leader of the nomadic vampire and one of the hottest vampires I've ever seen! Edi Gathegei played Laurent and Rachelle Lefevre was Victoria, James' mate, were the other two vampires in the nomadic coven. Rachelle Lefvre was perfectly cast for the character of Victoria. She was exactly how I pictured her from the books. Sarah Clarke played Renee, Bella's mother, and Billy Burke was Charlie Swan, Bella's father and Chief of Police of Forks. Charlie was hilarious in the film! Taylor Lautner was Jacob Black, and Gil Birmingham was Billy Black, Jacob's father. Solomon Trimble was Sam Uley, an Indian from the local tribe. Christian Serratos was Angela Webber, Michael Welch was Mike Newton, Anna Kendrick was Jessica Stanley, Justin Chon was Eric Yorkie, and Gregory Tyree Boyce was Tyler Crowley, all of which were some of Bella's friends. They were also really funny and caused a lot of laughs. Ned Bellamy and Jose Zuniga also had roles in the film.



tag: Twilight, Catherine Hardwicke, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer, Carter Burwell, Muse, Linkin Park, Fandango, Summit Entertainment, Harry Potter Series, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Cam Gigandet, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz, Edi Gathegei, Rachelle Lefvre, Sarah Clarke, Billy Burke, Gil Birmingham, Solomon Trimble, Christian Serratos, Michael Welch, Anna Kendrick, Justin Chon, Gregory Tyree Boyce, Ned Bellamy Jose Zuniga, Gross, Trailer

Never Back Down

Never Back Down
Never Back Down is a film directed by Jeff Wadlow. Never Back Down had a worldwide gross of $37,138,292. This was an awesome movie! It a nail biter. I was constantly worried about what was going to happen next. The fight scenes were amazing, and the guys were incredibly riped! They had some nice bodies! But the guys weren't the only awesome things in the film, the way they viewed the movie was really cool. I know that doesn't explain it very well; but there are some parts in the film when the kids watched Youtube videos about the fight, and they way they showed the Youtube videos were really cool. I definitely recommend seeing this movie! It was really good!

The Fight
After the death of his father, Jake Tyler (Sean Faris) had gotten in a series of fights. He, his little brother Charlie, and mom move to a Orlando, Florida because Charlie has gotten a tennis scholarship. While at his new school, Jake stumbles upon a brutal fight where he meets his new best friend, Max Cooperman (Evan Peters), getting beat up. Max then invites Jake to a learn from a mixed martial arts teacher. Also Baja Miller (Amber Heard), invites him to a party. At the party Ryan McCarthy (Cam Gigandet), a local martial arts champion, challenges him to a fight. Ryan taunts him until he finally gives in. He is ultimatly defeated brutally by Ryan, who repeatedly beat him even though he was down. Baja becomes angry with Ryan, her boyfriend, because he continually beat Jake down just for the fun of it. Jakes decides to learn how to fight from Jean Roqua (Djimon Hounsou) so he can challenge Ryan to a rematch. Ryan finds out about a fight between Jake and three gang members. Ryan once again challenges Jake to a fight at The Beatdown, a local underground fight tournament, to prove that he is the better fighter. When Jake refuses the fight, Ryan begins a fight to infuriate Jack with Max, who ends up in the hospital. Jake fears for the lives of his friends and family so he agrees to The Beatdown. Jake and Ryan make it to the semi-finals in The Beatdown. Ryan ends up being disqualified so Jake taps out because the whole reason he joined in The Beatdown was to fight Ryan. He and Ryan end up having a vicious fight of their own in the parking lot. Jake ultimately wins earning the respect from students and Ryan.

The Cast

Sean Faris and Cam Gigandet do an awesome job starring in the film. Their fight scenes were incredible! The film also stars Amber Heard, Djimon Hounsou, and Evan Peters. Leslie Hope and Wyatt Henry Smith play Jake's mom and brother.



tag: Never Back Down, Jeff Wadlow, Youtube, Sean Faris, Evan Peters, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Djimon Hounsou, Leslie Hope, Wyatt Henry Smith, Gross, Trailer

The Dark Knight

He's Back
Sorry this post is late, but with school starting I just haven't had much time. The Dark Knight is the sequel to Batman Begins. It was based on the Batman character by DC Comics. It was directed by Christopher Nolan. The Dark Knight grossed $300 million dollars in 10 days, bringing its total gross to over $400 million. The Dark Knight was the best movie I've seen lately! It rocked! Although it was extremely long it was well worth it. I could have watched it twenty times if I had had the time. Even though it was a very serious movie I found myself laughing silently. The Joker was both sadistic and funny in a way. This is a movie I recommend to go see in theaters! It's about to go off so hurry up and go see it! It was really good!

A Criminal's Plan
Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) has been elected the new district attorney, and the new hope for Gotham. Bruce Wayne also finds out that he is dating Rachel Dawes(Maggie Gyllenhaal), which immediately sends sparks between the two men. But Bruce Wayne is the hero, and mustn't let the thought of the two get in the way of his protecting Gotham City for a new criminal has come to town known as the Joker (Heath Ledger). Batman (Christian Bale) is still fighting the mob and giving them problems so the Joker decides he will help them out by killing Batman for half their money. The Joker leaves a threat saying that if Batman doesn't turn himself in then people will die each day until he does. The Joker is soon arrested in a terrific twist, and Batman questions him. He soon finds out that the Joker is holding Rachel Dawes and Harvey Dent hostage. They are being held in warehouses rigged with explosives. Batman rushes to save Rachel while Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) goes to save Dent. The two men soon find out that the Joker gave them reversed addresses. Batman saves Dent, but Dent's face is badly burned. Gordon unfortunately is unable to save Rachel from the exploding building. Dent goes insane over the loss of Rachel as well as his now mangled face, and the Joker has taken him in as his new cohort. The Joker releases Dent upon the city, and he becomes known as Two-Face and seeks revenge on the mob and cops deciding their fates on a flip of his coin. With the Joker leaving threats and explosives all over the city Batman must work twice as hard to find him as well as keep Two-Face under control. Batman finds the Joker and prevents him from destroying more of the city. The Joker then realizes that Batman in incorruptible, but Dent, his new found servant, is not. Batman then rushes out to find Two-Face holding Gordon and his family at gunpoint believing Gordon and Batman are the reason that Rachel is dead. Two-Face flips his coin to decide each fate, but while flipping his coin Batman tackles him, and they go crashing over the edge of the building to the ground below. With Harvey Dent, the new hope, dead, Batman and Gordon realize that they cannot allow his murders to be known. So Batman convinces Gordon to let him take the blame for all of Two-Face's murders. The Bat-Signal is destroyed, and a new hunt for the once hero of Gotham has begun.

The Cast
The cast was unbelievable! Christian Bale returned to play Batman, and he does an even better job in this film. Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal did a great job joining the cast. Maggie Gyllenhaal replaced Katie Holmes who played Rachel in Batman Begins. I would have to say that I like Katie Holms better them Maggie Gyllenhaal, but she was still really good. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman also returned to continue their roles in the film. Gary Oldman even gets a little action himself as well as make an unbelievable twist in the film. The whole cast was great, but the true hero of the movie goes to Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker! He was spectacular!! I have never seen anyone play a character like he did. I'm sure you've probably heard enough about his playing the Joker, but it is all true! Heath Ledger did an unbelievable job! I don't know how else to say it because he truly is The Joker! He brought character to the Joker that brought the film to life!



tag: The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Batman, DC Comics, Christopher Nolan, The Joker, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Katie Holms, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gross, Trailer

The Master of Comedy

Favorite Movie-Maker
Mel Brooks is my most favorite movie-maker ever! He is probably one of the most hilarious and most successful comedy director, writer, producer, and actor ever!

The Comedic
Melvin Kaminsky (later changed to Brooks) was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 28, 1926. He is the son of Kate (Brookman) and Max Kaminsky, both Jewish. His father died when he was 34. He went to school in New York and in 1944 he enlisted in the Army and attended Virginia Military Institute. After the war, he came home and started his show-business career as a stand-up comic. Movie star impressions were his specialty. Shortly afterward he became a comedy writer for Your Show of Shows. Later moving to films, Brooks was a success right off the bat. With the help of Buck Henry, Brooks created the hit TV series Get Smart. His first feature film was The Producers (1968) and, he also won his first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. At the beginning of the 70's, Brooks directed and acted in The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974, he didn't act in this one), Silent Movie (1976), and High Anxiety (1977). By the turn of the decade Mel Brooks had become one of the most promising and respected directors of the movie industry. He then went on to direct and star in History of the World, Part 1 (1981), Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).

tag: Mel Brooks, Your Show of Shows, Buck Henry, Get Smart, The Producers, Best Original Screenplay, The Twelve Charis, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, History of the World, Part 1, Spaceballs, Life Stinks, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Dracula: Dead and Loving It

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Another Journey
The Mummy and The Mummy Returns are two of the greatest and most successful action/adventure movies of there time. With a killer story line and awesome special effects, the two Mummy movies are two of my favorite movies of all time! The newest Mummy film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, was not my favorite of the three films, but it was still very good. There were a few things that were different compared to the other two films. For starters, it was directed by Rob Cohen, not Stephen Sommers. Also, Rachel Weisz did not return to play the part of Evelyn O’Connell. She was replaced by Maria Bello.

The Adventure
This is the third installment in The Mummy trilogy. It takes place some years after The Mummy Returns. Rick and Evelyn O'Connell (Brendan Fraser and Maria Bello) have retired from mummy hunting and their son Alex (Luke Ford) has taken up the family name as being a renowned archaeologist and treasure hunter. While searching for a forgotten tomb in China, Alex stumbles across the tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Jet Li), an evil Emperor of ancient China with the power to manipulatete the elements. But soon after uncovering the Emperor, Chinese military leaders are also after the Dragon Emperor so that they can awaken him and use his powers to conquer the world. Alex calls upon the only two people he knows that can take down mummies: his parents, to help him in stopping the Emperor from taking over the world. With the help of his parents, his trusty Uncle Jonathan (John Hannah), and his mysterious new girlfriend Lin (Isabella Leong) and her mother Zi Juan (Michelle Yeoh), Alex is ready to travel across the world to defeat the evil Dragon Emperor and put him back in his tomb forever.

The Cast
Brenden Fraser was absolutely great! He was just like the old Rick in the first two Mummy films, funny and could kick anyone's behind if they crossed him. Maria Bello did a good job, but she was no Rachel Weisz. John Hannah also returned and brought with him his jokes and funniness. Luke Ford, Jet Li, Isabella Leong, and Michelle Yeoh did a great job joining the cast. There were many many others who also played roles in the film and did a great job.



tag: The Mummy:Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, Rob Cohen, Stephen Sommers, Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, Luke Ford, Jet Li, John Hannah, Isabella Leong, Michelle Yeoh, Trailer

Not The Average Superhero

Hancock
Lot and lots of superhero movies have been made over the past few years, like X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Fantastic Four, and many others. In fact, the Marvel and DC Comics movie adaptations are some of the most successful and well known movies ever made. But Hancock is neither of these famous comic book titles. It is a one-of-a-kind superhero movie directed by Peter Berg and written by Vincent Ngo.

The Story of John Hancock

John Hancock (Will Smith) is a homeless superhero living in L.A. and the number one crime fighter in the area ,as well as the most expensive person in the area. After many mishaps and costly damages, Hancock becomes the public enemy and falls out of favor with the citizens and police force of Los Angeles. Until one day he saves Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), a Public Relations agent from an oncoming train. Hancock and Ray quickly become friends and Ray wants to make it up to Hancock by improving his public image and help him become a better superhero. After many weeks of superhero "training” and armed with a snazzy new suit, and a new look on life, Hancock is ready to fight crime again.

But you'll just have to see the movie for the rest of the story!

This movie also starred Charlize Theron as Ray Embrey's wife, Mary.

You Gotta See This!



tag: Hancock, X-Men, Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Fantastic Four, Marvel, DC Comics, Peter Berg, Vincent Ngo, Will Smith, Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron, Trailer

"Mamma Mia!" What A Great Movie

A Great Musical
Mamma Mia! is a West End Theatre musical based on the songs from ABBA. Universal Pictures, Littlestar, and Playtone helped produce the film along with Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, and Rita Wilson, and Phyllida Lloyd directed the film. Mamma Mia! just surpassed Hairspray in the box office with $27.6 million. So far, Mamma Mia! has grossed an international sum of $111.7 million. It had the largest opening weekend of any musical in U.S. history. Mamma Mia! was GREAT!!! I absolutely loved it! I even went and saw it twice. The funny thing is, I was the youngest one in the whole theater. Throughout the whole movie I was tapping my foot in rhythm to the music and dancing in my seat. The songs are extremely addicting as well as the dances! My mom and I even went out and bought the soundtrack, and it is just as good! This is by far the best musical I've seen in a long time!

The Story
Donna (Meryl Streep) runs a hotel named Villa Donna on a small Greek island with her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). Sophie is getting married and wants her father to give her away at her wedding, but the problem is...she doesn't know who he is. After finding her mother's diary she finds out that she has three possible fathers: Harry Bright (Colin Firth), Bill Anderson (Stellan Skarsgard), and Sam Carmichael (Pierce Brosnan). Sophie secretly invites all three men to her wedding without telling Donna or Sky (Dominic Cooper), her future husband. The three men arrive still oblivious to the reason why they were invited. Sophie hides them in Donna's old goat house, and realizes that she has no idea which one is her real father. When Donna finds them in the old goat house she sends them away, but Sophie encourages them to stay on Bill's boat and attend her wedding. Donna's longtime friends, Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski), arrive and remind Donna of their fun and free past of "Donna and the Dynamos". While at Sophie's bacherlorette party, she talks to Bill, and he realizes that he might be her father. So she asks him to give her away at her wedding. Then, Harry and Sam come up to her at the party and tell her that they might be her father. So of course they think they're giving her away. Sophie ends up asking her mother to give her away. During the wedding, Donna brings up the topic of Sophie's father, and all three men agree to take a third of Sophie. Sophie and Sky postpone the wedding so they could travel, just as Sky wanted all along. Sam, who has loved Donna ever since they first met, proposes. They get married so the wedding is not wasted. During the all the commotion of the wedding, Harry reveals a huge secret. He's gay. At the wedding reception, Rosie confesses that she is attracted to Bill, who later gives in to her love. Sophie and Sky sail off into the night, while Donna and Sam live happily ever after.

The Songs
"I have a Dream"
"Honey, Honey"
"Money, Money, Money"
"Mamma Mia"
"Chiquitita"
"Dancing Queen"
"Our Last Summer"
"Lay All Your Love on Me"
"Super Trouper"
"Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
"Voulez-Vous"
"SOS"
"Does Your Mother Know"
"Slipping Through My Fingers"
"The Winner Takes It All"
"When All is Said and Done"
"Take a Chance on Me"

Some of the songs were taken out of the film: "The Name of the Game", "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "Waterloo" and "Thank You for the Music".

The Characters
The cast of Mamma Mia! was amazing! Even though, they weren't actual singers, they still did a remarkable job. Meryl Streep was fantastic as usual, and she wasn't a bad singer either. Amanda Seyfried was the cutest actress, and she had an amazing voice. Julie Walters and Christine Baranski were hysterical! Every time they opened their mouths I laughed. Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgard were the sweetest people in the whole film. They weren't the best singers over all, but they were still good. Dominic Cooper also did a great job singing along with hundreds of others. Some people thought the cast couldn't sing at all, especially the three men. Come on, they are actors not professional singers, and they weren't half bad. How many great actors do you know that can act and sing at the same time, especially actors who have never song before?!



tag: Mamma Mia!, West End Theatre, ABBA, Universal Pictures, Playtone, Benny ANdersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Phyllida Lloyd, Hairspray, Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, "I Have a Dream", "Honey, Honey", "Money, Money, Money", "Mamma Mia", "Chiquitita", "Dancing Queen", "Our Last Summer", "Lay All Your Love on Me", "Super Trouper", "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)", Voulez-Vous", "SOS", "Does Your Mother Know", "Slipping Through My Fingers", "The Winner Takes It All", "When All is Said and Done", "Take a Chance on Me", "The Name of the Game", "I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do", "Waterloo", "Thank You for the Music, Gross, Trailer

A Pig Fairytale

Penelope
Penelope is a romantic-comedy-fantasy film directed by Mark Palansky and produced by Reese Witherspoon, who also stars in the film. Penelope's distributors were Summit Entertainment, Stone Village Pictures, and IFC Films. According to The Numbers, Penelope grossed a worldwide $17,199,163. When I first saw the previews for Penelope I thought it looked stupid and weird, but there was something about it that made me interested to watch it. So when it came out on DVD I got it. I was totally wrong about the film. It was really good! It was sweet, funny, and cute. It was also a perfect movie for children. There was very little to no cursing, no risqué scenes, and no vulgar images. It had one sweet kiss in the end, and that was all it needed. It was the perfect romantic-comedy!

A Fairytale
The Wilhern family has been cursed for ages. A long time ago, a witch placed a curse that would make the next girl born into the family to have the face of a pig. The only way to lift the curse is if one of her own loves her, which Penelope's family thinks means blueblood or a rich family. The whole family has been terrified ever since. When Penelope (Christina Ricci) was born with the curse, the media goes wild. Everyone is trying to get pictures of the pig baby. Penelope's parents fake her death and keeps her in their mansion where she entertains herself. Now, Penelope is twenty-five, and her parents are trying to get her to marry so the curse will be broken. But every man who sees her runs for their lives and never comes back. When Edward Vanderman (Simon Woods) is introduced to her, he too runs away only to report to the police and media that there is a horrible pig faced monster living in the Wilhern mansion. Vanderman and Lemon (Peter Dinklage), a news reporter, team up to try and get into the mansion to get a picture of Penelope. The accidentally mistake Johnny (James McAvoy) for the gambler and blueblood, Max Campion. Johnny, who is in need of some money, agrees to get a photo of her. When "Max" meets Penelope, he is shocked by her charm and decides not to help Lemon and Vanderman, but Penelope takes his actions to mean that he too is scared of her. She flees from her home and meets some people who aren't afraid of her. When Penelope comes out of hiding, the world embraces her. Everyone loves her. Vanderman's father incourages him to prospose so the won't be hated by his son's cruel words. Penelope agrees but later back out. As her mother tries to reason with her, Penelope says that she likes herself the way she is. Amazingly, her pig face disappears, and she becomes normal. She later becomes a teacher and horticulturiest. While at a costume party she meets Johnny, who is still unaware of her transformation. He begins to tell her that he was still in love with "this" girl but was unable to give her what she wanted, to be free. Penelope removes her mask, and she and Johnny live happily ever after.
The Cast
Penelope's cast was great! Christina Ricci did an amazing job as well as working with her pig nose. James McAvoy, Peter Dinklage, and Simon Woods also did a great job. Catherine O'Hara and Richard E. Grant played Penelope's parents, while Reese Witherspoon, who produced the film, also made an appearance as on of Penelope's friends.

Get Watching

Get Smart
Get Smart is a spy parody made from the television series Get Smart. It was directed by Peter Segal. Get Smart grossed an average $39.2 million dollars on its opening weekend. So far its worldwide gross is $58,813,568. It is also the second #1 film of the summer to be adapted from a T.V. show. I thought Get Smart was one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. I laughed throughout the whole film. Steve Carell was GREAT! Get Smart would be a film I would advise to see in theaters.


The Mission
Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is a top analyst for the agency CONTROL. Max has always dreamed of becoming a field agent, and even though he scores extremely high on the acceptance tests he is still denied the position as field agent by the Chief (Alan Arkin). When KAOS, an evil rival organization, attacks CONTROL's secret headquarter, the Chief grants Max the position of Agent 86. Max is partnered with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), an attractive kick-butt agent. Together they travel to Russia to find out how KAOS is getting access to nuclear weapons. Max and 99 plant explosives in the nuclear weapon/bakery plant, which buries the nuclear weapons in debris. the Chief then sends Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), another field agent to manage the clean-up. 23 reports that there is no sign of a nuclear weapons in the bakery, which causes CONTROl to to believe Max is a double agent. KAOS leader, Siegfried (Terrence Stamp), has threatened that he will release a nuclear bomb on Los Angeles during the Presidents visit unless they pay him $200 billion. Max hurries to inform the Chief, 99, and 23 about the bomb, but on his way he discovers the true colors of one of the agents as well as the bombs location. Will Max be able to save the lives of thousands as well as reveal the true identity of one of his co-workers?

Agents
Steve Carell was hilarious in Get Smart! He was the perfect choice for Maxwell Smart! Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, and Alan Arkin also played a little comedy in the film and got some action. Terrence Stamp played Siegfried, and Dalip Singh played Dalip (He was HUGE!). Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Cann, Bill Murray, Ken Davitian, Patrick Warburton, Masi Oka, and Ryan Seacrest also had major roles in the film.



tag: Get Smart, Peter Segal, Get Smart, Steve Carell, Alan Arkin, ANne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Terrence Stamp, Dalip Singh, Terry Crews, David Koechner, James Cann, Bill Murray, Ken Davitian, Patrick Warburton, Masi Oka, Ryan Seacrest, Gross, Trailer

Indiana Jones Is Back

The New Mission
Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is the fourth film in the Indiana Jones series. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, from a story co-written by executive producer George Lucas. Filming took place in New Haven, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Mexico, Fresno, California, and soundstages in Los Angeles. Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made over $151.1 million in its first five days, and has grossed an average of $587.3 million worldwide. I liked the movie, but I will say it was very strange at times. Then, if you think back to the other films they also had some strange happenings. There was 1,000 year old man (or whatever his age was) from the Last Crusade in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and in Raiders of the Lost Ark, people's faces were being melted off. So if you think about it, the newest film was no different from the others. They all had some odd things going on. A bunch of people also thought Harrison Ford was too old to play Indiana Jones again, but I thought he was EXCELLENT! Of course, he was older, but I still thought he was just as good looking.

The Quest
Its 1957 and the Soviet Union has broken into a U.S. military base. They have captured Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his partner Mac (Ray Winstone), and they are forcing them to help them find a crate, which holds the remains of an extraterrestrial creature that crashed ten years before. Jones tries to escape, but is stopped by his partner, who reveals he is working with the Soviets. Jones escapes and soon finds himself in a nuclear test town. After he survives the nuclear blast, he finds himself under FBI investigation. Jone's returns to Marshall College only to leave soon after to avoid being fired because of the FBI investigation. While boarding a train, Jones meets a greaser, Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf). Mutt tells him of an old colleague, Harold Oxley (John Hurt), who has disappeared after discovering a crystal skull in Peru. Jones and Mutt discover Oxley's former cell in a psychiatric hospital, and clues to the grave of Francisco de Orellana, a Conquistador who went missing in the 1500s while looking for Akator, or El Dorado. Together they find the crystal skull, and then get captured again by the Soviets. At the Soviet camp they find Oxley, and Marion Williams (Mutt's mother) aka Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who then tells Jones that Mutt is his son. The Soviet leader, Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), believes that the crystal skull is from one of the extraterrestrial aliens, and it holds immense psychic power and great knowledge. The four escape from the Soviet camp only to enter the Temple of Akator, where they must return the crystal skull. The Soviets follow, and soon they all find themselves in danger. Jones, Oxley, Mutt, and Marion escape from the temple, and later on Jones and Marion get married.

The Cast
As always, Harrison Ford does an amazing job, and Karen Allen has also returned to star in the newest Indiana Jones film. Karen Allen last stared in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Newcomer, Shia LaBeouf also does a great job acting alongside Harrison Ford. Cate Blanchett and Igor Jijikine play the Soviets, and Ray Winstone plays the two faced traitor. John Hurt plays Oxley, and Jim Broadbent plays an academic colleague of Jones'.



tag: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones Series, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, New Haven, Connecticut, Hawaii, New Mexico, Fresno, California, Los Angeles, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Soviet Union, Harrison Ford, Ray Winstone, Shia LaBeouf, John Hurt, Francisco de Orellana, El Dorado, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett, Igor Jijikine, Jim Broadbent, Gross, Trailer