May 2015 - Page 2 of 3 - Know It All Joe

New “Captain America: Civil War” Pics

We’re still a year out from the new “Avengers”, errrr, I mean “Captain America: Civil War” flick, but lots of pictures have been appearing online from its location shooting. With all of the various superheroes appearing in this one, it really does feel like a new “Avengers” film. And I’m okay with that.

Poltergeist (2015) Recipe Card Movie Review

Movie Rating: 2 1/2 Joes

Poltergeist (2015)

2015-05-22 00:53:50

Released May 22, 2015 / Horror / PG-13

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Cook Time

1 hr 33 min

Cook Time

1 hr 33 min

Ingredients

Stars: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kyle Catlett, Saxon Sharbino, Kennedi Clements,
Jared Harris, Jane Adams, Susan Heyward, Nicholas Braun
Written by: David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by: Gil Kenan

Instructions

Legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi (“Spider-man”, “Evil Dead”, “The Grudge”) and director Gil Kenan (“Monster House”) contemporize the classic tale about a family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces.
When the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and hold the youngest daughter captive, the family must come together to rescue her before she disappears forever.

Notes

I think the point in remaking a movie should be to improve upon an inferior produced film which has the potential to be made into a better film. Unfortunately, that’s not the reason films are remade today. The main reason would be to capitalize upon a well-known property for financial gain. So making a better film doesn’t always factor into it. I mean, why else would you remake a classic like “Poltergeist?” It not only still holds up great today, but the film itself doesn’t really give much room to improve upon it.
In regards to this new 2015 version, they changed all of the character’s names, but the story structure stays pretty much the same. We have the little girl communicating with poltergeists through the TV, the freaky clown doll, the scary-looking tree outside the window, the entrance and exit to the ghostly portal, and the psychic that comes in late in the film to help exorcise the house.
One of the main problems that I had with this new version was that I found that very little chemistry existed between the actors. I didn’t believe for a moment they were a real tight-knit family. I felt they were actors playing characters. In the 1982 version, you could feel the love between the parents and the kids. When the parents lost their little girl, Carol Anne, you could see the panic in their eyes. You felt their pain. I just didn’t get with this new version. Though capable actors, there just wasn’t a connection between them. The casting was off. And it hurt the film.
Also, I found the whole look of the movie to be a bit drab. For some reason, in horror films today, they suck all of the color out of the picture and keep the whole tone of the film dark. That’s why I find most of today’s horror films to be lifeless – because there is no life in them. The characters and the settings are always dreary. The world that these people inhabit just doesn’t feel real. If some of these films injected a little color into their settings and life into their characters, then maybe we as an audience would form a tighter connection to the story and really care when a character was in danger from a specific threat.
But on a positive note, I thought the film’s special effects looked great. I did like that we got to journey into the world of the poltergeists. That was definitely creepy. Plus we had both Sam Rockwell and Jared Harris in the same movie – so that never hurts. And I did like that they changed up a few of the plot elements so that the film wasn’t a complete clone. And I thought the 3D (I saw it in 3D) worked very well. But ultimately, the movie just wasn’t as much fun as the original.
So in summary, it wasn’t a bad film. It’s just that I didn’t see a point in this remake. And every time a character read some of the same dialogue that appeared in the ’82 version, I just felt like I was watching a stage production based on that original film. It just didn’t feel right. Even when that iconic movie line “They’re here” was finally uttered, it was said in a very non-ominous way. It didn’t nearly have the same weight attached to it as when Heather O’Rourke said in 33 years back.
So my advice is this… if you want to see a good “Poltergeist” film, watch the ’82 version. You’ll have a good time. But if you insist on seeing this one, you’ll probably walk away thinking… ‘Eh, it was okay.’

Know It All Joe https://www.knowitalljoe.com/

“The Flash” Finale Time Travel Breakdown (with Pics)

“The Flash” aired its season finale last night. (So Warning! Spoilers Ahead) It was titled “Fast Enough” and centered on Barry’s quest to save the life of his mother. With the help of villain (and mother killer) Eobard Thawne/Harrison Wells and a reactived partical accelerator, Barry was able to summon up enough speed force to travel back through time. As he did, he was able to see flashes of his own future. I’ve added those future pics below. Lets go through them.

Video & Pics of The Joker and Harley Quinn in “Suicide Squad”

Some new video and pics have popped up online showing Jared Leto and Margot Robbie as the characters of The Joker and Harley Quinn from next years “Suicide Squad.” Robbie is sans Harley makeup so it’s possible this is a scene before she made her transformation into the number one gal of the clown prince of crime.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) Recipe Card Movie Review

Movie Rating: 4 1/2 Joes

Mad Max: Fury Road

2015-05-16 10:16:31

Released May 15, 2015 / Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi / R

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Cook Time

2 hr

Cook Time

2 hr

Ingredients

Stars: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Helman,
Nathan Jones, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Zoë Kravitz, Riley Keough, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton
Written by: George Miller, Brendan McCarthy, Nick Lathouris
Directed by: George Miller

Instructions

From director George Miller, originator of the post-apocalyptic genre and mastermind behind the legendary “Mad Max” franchise, comes “Mad Max: Fury Road,” a return to the world of the Road Warrior, Max Rockatansky.
Haunted by his turbulent past, Mad Max believes the best way to survive is to wander alone. Nevertheless, he becomes swept up with a group fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig driven by an elite Imperator, Furiosa. They are escaping a Citadel tyrannized by the Immortan Joe, from whom something irreplaceable has been taken. Enraged, the Warlord marshals all his gangs and pursues the rebels ruthlessly in the high-octane Road War that follows.

Notes

Thirty years after the last chapter in the Mad Max saga comes the fourth installment in the continuing adventures of the tortured Road Warrior. This film has literally been years in the making. George Miller originally wanted to shoot it in 2001 with Mel Gibson in the titular role. But for various reasons, the film got pushed back by many years. By the time Miller was ready to restart the movie, he had decided to recast the role of Max (with Tom Hardy winning the part).
So is the movie any good? Quite frankly, it’s one of the best action films ever produced. This movie really does put every other action film to shame, from its stunts to its overall look. It’s like a graphic novel come to life.
Although the film is essentially one long chase movie, don’t despair. There is a coherent story, along with the likes of many outlandish and insane looking characters. But the real hook of the movie is the action sequences, which rarely slow down. We do get some opportunities to catch our breath, but not for long. The action gears right back up again.
As for the two main stars of the film, Charlize Theron’s Imperator Furiosa has just about as much screen time as Tom Hardy’s Mad Max. And she manages to stand toe to toe with him and kick about just as much ass. These two made a good team. It was interesting to see the (non-romantic) relationship develop between these tortured souls. She’s trying to return to a past that was ripped from her as a child and he’s trying to escape from a past that still haunts him (the death of his daughter).
I’d like to add that Nicholas Hoult does a great job of humanizing the character of Nux. At first, Nux comes across as just one of the many crazies that appear in this film. But we slowly begin to see a real human being under that bizarre exterior, one that is only trying to find acceptance and his place in this world gone insane.
As an interesting side note, Hugh Keays-Byrne who stars as villain Immortan Joe also had a role in the original film “Mad Max” (1979) as a gang leader known as Toecutter.
So if you’re looking for great drama or romance, this isn’t the movie for you. If you’re looking for some of the greatest high-octane kick ass action sequences put to film, you found that movie. And most impressively, George Miller didn’t rely too heavily on CGI. Most of the action and stunts were performed live on-set. That’s something you rarely see in movies today. But I think it added so much to this film. So I’d say the real stars of the movie are the stunt players.
“Mad Max: Fury Road” just raised the bar for every action movie that follows.

Know It All Joe https://www.knowitalljoe.com/

“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” TV Trailer (Plus Screenshots)

The CW just released a trailer for next year’s “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow,” a spin-off from both “Arrow” and “The Flash.” It’s a bit SPOILERY (as is possibly this article) so you’ve been warned. But I’m sure you’ll watch it anyway. I know I would.

New “Supergirl” Full TV Trailer (with Screenshots)

CBS released a six and a half minute trailer for its new superhero show “Supergirl.” Superman does exist in this world, but he’s apparently off doing… something. In other words, Warner Bros is most likely saying… nah! Movies only! I’m surprised they are letting them use Supergirl. But unlike “Smallville” this super-heroine is allow tights and flights.

New “Vacation” Red Band Trailer

Ahhhh, 1983! What a year! Jedi! That’s what I remember. That’s all I remember. As for “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” the first and best in the “Vacation” series, I can’t honestly remember if I saw it in the theater or on video for the first time. Since it was rated ‘R’ I was definitely too young to get into the theater by myself. I probably saw it on video. Either way, what a great film. And Christie Brinkley. Yes, there was definitely Christie Brinkley! I do remember her from ’83. So Jedi and her.

The Story Behind Attending a Live Taping of “The Big Bang Theory”

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to watch your favorite TV sitcom live in person? Just think, your favorite actors in their familiar settings only just a few feet away from you? You could just literally reach out and touch them (though I would strongly suggest you don’t do that). Well, if you live in or visit Los Angeles, there is a good chance you could see a taping of your favorite show.

Watch New Episodes of “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (Video)

I really enjoyed the animated “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” series. That show was definitely better than the live-action prequel films that preceded it. And I’m really digging “Star Wars Rebels” as well.

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