"The Final Destination" is Free Death Porn

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 68 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux


The Final Destination (2009)
Running time: 82 minutes (1 hour, 22 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language and a scene of sexuality
DIRECTOR: David R. Ellis
WRITERS: Eric Bress (based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick)
PRODUCERS: Craig Perry and Warren Zide
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Glen MacPherson (director of photography)
EDITOR: Mark Stevens
COMPOSER: Brian Tyler

HORROR/THRILLER/ACTION/MYSTERY

Starring: Bobby Campo, Shantel VanSanten, Nick Zano, Haley Webb, Mykelti Williamson, Krista Allen, and Andrew Fiscella

The Final Destination is a 2009 supernatural horror film and is also the fourth film in the Final Destination film series. The Final Destination takes place three years after the events of Final Destination 3 (2006), which began with the “Devil’s Flight roller coaster accident.” Once again, a group of teens survive an accident in which none of them were meant to survive, so Death stalks them one by one, killing them in elaborately-staged and bizarre accidents.

The Final Destination begins with four young friends enjoying car racing at McKinley Speedway. One of them, Nick O’Bannon (Bobby Campo), has a premonition of a terrible car crash that leads to the deaths of several people, including him and his friends. Nick persuades his girlfriend, Lori Milligan (Shantel VanSanten), and their friends, Janet Cunningham (Haley Webb) and Hunt Wynorski (Nick Zano), to leave. There is indeed a horrendous multi-car crash that leads to death and devastation, but Nick, his friends, and several other people who were supposed to die survive.

Sometime, after the crash, Nick hears that a few of the survivors have been killed in bizarre accidents. He also discovers that there were other disasters in which one of the survivors had a premonition which saved lives. When he learns that those survivors died one by one in strange accidents, Nick starts to believe that Death is also stalking the survivors of the McKinley Speedway crash. Nick and Lori join another survivor, security guard George Lanter (Mykelti Williamson), and set out to break the chain of deaths and hopefully save as many lives as possible. But does Nick really understand how this game of Death works?

The Final Destination is like other Final Destination films – full of mayhem, desperation, death, blood, and mutilated bodies, but this movie isn’t just another gory horror flick. Every time I thought The Final Destination was turning to crap, something inventive, creepy, surprising, and/or shocking pulled me right back into the movie.

The characters are weak and are barely interesting and few of them are even likeable. It is not so much that you care about them; it’s just that you only anticipate the next horrible depiction of violent and bizarre death every time they are on screen. So, the movie works even without having at least one outstanding character, although Mykelti Williamson as George and Andrew Fiscella as the mechanic Andy Kewzer stand out by making something of the nothing the screenplay gives them.

The Final Destination is fun and has the best ending since the original film. It makes me look forward to the next installment.

6 of 10
B

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

"Footloose" Remake Soundtrack Due in September

ATLANTIC RECORDS / WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE RELEASES “FOOTLOOSE” SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 27th

BLAKE SHELTON REMAKES ICONIC “FOOTLOOSE” SINGLE

Soundtrack Features Additional Songs From Big & Rich, Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band, Cee Lo Green, Hunter Hayes, Victoria Justice and Jana Kramer, among others

“FOOTLOOSE” Opens Nationwide in Theatres October 14th

NASHVILLE, TN – (August 9, 2011) – Atlantic Records / Warner Music Nashville announced today that they will release the movie soundtrack for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film, “FOOTLOOSE,” available everywhere on September 27th. The 12-track album features music from the film and includes eight new songs along with remakes of four of the classic hits from the original soundtrack.

Blake Shelton sings the film’s title song, “Footloose” and Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes join the album with the movie’s love theme, “Almost Paradise.” The star-studded line-up for the soundtrack also includes new music from Big & Rich, Cee Lo Green, David Banner, Whitney Duncan, Lissie and Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band. Other classic songs featured on the album are “Holding Out For A Hero” by Ella Mae Bowen and “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” by Jana Kramer.

Writer/Director Craig Brewer (“HUSTLE & FLOW,” “BLACK SNAKE MOAN”) delivers a new take of the beloved 1984 classic film, “FOOTLOOSE.” Ren MacCormack (played by newcomer Kenny Wormald) is transplanted from Boston to the small southern town of Bomont where he experiences a heavy dose of culture shock. A few years prior, the community was rocked by a tragic accident that killed five teenagers after a night out and Bomont’s local councilmen and the beloved Reverend Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid) responded by implementing ordinances that prohibit loud music and dancing. Not one to bow to the status quo, Ren challenges the ban, revitalizing the town and falling in love with the minister’s troubled daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough) in the process.

“FOOTLOOSE” Soundtrack track listing:

1. Footloose – Blake Shelton
2. Where The River Goes – Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band
3. Little Lovin’ – Lissie
4. Holding Out For A Hero – Ella Mae Bowen
5. Let’s Hear It For The Boy – Jana Kramer
6. So Sorry Mama – Whitney Duncan
7. Fake I.D. – Big & Rich feat. Gretchen Wilson
8. Almost Paradise – Victoria Justice & Hunter Hayes
9. Walkin’ Blues – Cee Lo Green feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd
10. Window Paine – The Smashing Pumpkins
11. Suicide Eyes – A Thousand Horses
12. Dance The Night Away – David Banner


About “FOOTLOOSE”
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment present a Dylan Sellers Zadan / Meron Weston Pictures Production of a Craig Brewer Film. Footloose stars Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Andie MacDowell and Dennis Quaid. The film is directed by Craig Brewer from a screenplay by Dean Pitchford and Brewer and Story by Dean Pitchford. It is produced by Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Dylan Sellers and Brad Weston. The executive producers are Timothy M. Bourne, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Jonathan Glickman.

Third "Final Destination" Film Not a Charm

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 33 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux


Final Destination 3 (2006)
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong horror violence/gore, language, and some nudity
DIRECTOR: James Wong
WRITERS: Glen Morgan and James Wong
PRODUCERS: Craig Perry, Warren Zide, Glen Morgan, and James Wong
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Robert McLachlan
EDITOR: Chris G. Willingham

HORROR/THRILLER

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ryan Merriman, Texas Battle, Jamie Isaac Conde, Amanda Crew, Sam Easton, and Patrick Gallagher

Wendy Christensen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a high school senior, fails to stop an ill-fated roller coaster ride after she has a vision of dying a gruesome death with her friends when the ride goes awry. Some people remain on the coaster, and a mechanical disaster does indeed cause the death of several of Wendy’s friends, including her boyfriend. However, it’s soon clear to her and Kevin Fischer (Ryan Merriman), another survivor, that they were supposed to be killed in the coaster accident. Now, Death is revisiting the survivors and picking them off one by one in a series of grisly accidents.

When I saw the teaser poster for Final Destination 3 in a movie theatre lobby late last year, I was ecstatic. I’d hoped that they’d make a third film in this franchise; in fact, after seeing Final Destination 2, I was sure that New Line Cinema would make another one. Still, as time passed, I forgot about it. Now, that I’ve finally seen the third film, I wish that it were a little better, and I wish they’d put more effort into making it more than just a stiff installment in a popular horror franchise.

Final Destination 3 certainly has its moments. The opening roller coaster sequence and the lead into it are an absolute blast, the kind of the thrill ride the first film offered. Throughout this picture film, the atmosphere is perfectly chilly and filled with a sense of impending doom and creeping dread. Still, it all feels clunky, and not having much of a plot doesn’t help. The gruesome deaths feel contrived; of course, they are, as this is a work of fiction. Still, it shouldn’t seem so obviously overdone, gruesome just for the sake of being a hard R-rated horror flick.

The first film was a cool, teen horror movie with a good-looking young cast. The second film was a grisly delight stuffed to the gills with novel ways for the characters to die painful accidental deaths, and it was darkly comic with a sense of gallows humor surpassing its pedigree. This one is more mechanical than macabre, and only a few of the ghastly deaths really hit home. Some will make you cringe in genuine horror; others will make you cringe in embarrassment for the filmmakers.

As horror movies go, Final Destination 3 is not so much cinematic as it is DVD. Even horror fans who consider horror movies a must-see will find that in the case of this scary movie, they can wait.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, February 12, 2006

2011 Lebowski Fest Has "The Big Lebowski" Cast Reunion

In celebration of The Big Lebowski Limited Edition Blu-ray™ debuting on Aug 16th, join Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore + T Bone Burnett for a very special evening celebrating all things Lebowski on August 16, 2011 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The date will also mark the launch of Jeff Bridges' self-titled album.

The evening will include a special Q & A with Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore and T Bone Burnett, as well as a screening of the film and other festivities.

2011 marks 10 years of beautiful tradition with Lebowski Fest and Universal Studios Home Entertainment has teamed up to bring the Achievers the pop-culture event of the century! This limited seating event at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom will be the ultimate celebration of all things Lebowski.

Tickets are now on sale on Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/The-Big-Lebowski-tickets/artist/14764

Mark it 10!

For more information, please visit http://www.lebowskifest.com/.

"Final Destination 2" Travels to Grand Guignol

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 13 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux


Final Destination 2 (2003)
Running time: 90 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language, drug content and some nudity
DIRECTOR: David R. Ellis
WRITERS: J. Mackye Gruber and Eric Bress; from a story by Jeffrey Reddick, J. Mackye Gruber, and Eric Bress (based on characters created by Jeffrey Reddick)
PRODUCERS: Craig Perry and Warren Zide
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gary Capo (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Eric Sears
COMPOSER: Shirley Walker

HORROR/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Kimberly Corman, Ali Larter, Michael Landes, David Paetkau, James Kirk, Lynda Boyd, Keegan Connor Tracy, Terrence T.C. Carson, Justina Machado, and Tony Todd

When we left the movie Final Destination a few years ago, seven people had miraculously been thrown off a plane that would explode within minutes of takeoff – the Explosion of Flight 180. Unfortunately, those passengers were meant to die on that plane, so Death stalked them and knocked them off one by one in a series of bizarre accidents. By the end of the film, only two of the miracle seven survived.

Final Destination 2 and enter another set of fresh face teens leaving for fun in the sun when one of them has a premonition of a fantastic and horrific traffic accident that takes many lives – the Pile-up on Route 23. Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook) manages to save some of those lives, but she, like her male predecessor from the first film, has fooled with Death’s intricate design, and he comes stumping for her and the rest of the supposed-to-be-dead crew.

Final Destination 2 is simply a fabulously entertaining film. At once trashy and cheesy, it is also very well composed and a sheer joy to watch. During the first ten minutes or so, I had mixed feeling. The film didn’t seem like it would amount to much; then, it just exploded with unbridled mayhem and becomes this delirious display of gruesome accidents. In fact, the sequel is far bloodier and gorier than the original, but it has a peculiar sense of humor like that of a leering ax-wielding murderer. The filmmakers don’t seem to take the film seriously, but they were certainly quite serious in the making of it.

Director David R. Ellis was a long time stunt coordinator and second unit director, so that meant he handled many action sequences, and it shows here. The movie’s opening car wreck easily rivals the execution and has the thrill of the famous train wreck in The Fugitive. I don’t know if Ellis is a diamond in the rough that no one in Hollywood noticed before the last few years, but he has the touch of top director. He builds a level of suspense and a sense of dread that’s nonstop, and he can surprise you when you didn’t think there was anything left in the film to discover.

For those who like or liked Scream, Final Destination 2 is in that vein, but more tongue in cheek, more gruesome, and more darkly comic. Its inspired wackiness makes for a film that is as good or better than the original. Horror movie sequels almost never surpass or even match their originals, in box office or quality; I don’t know about the former, but 2 soars in quality. In fact, it stands alone quite well; the sign of well thought out filmmaking. Think of the gore of 80’s slasher films, the non-stop mayhem of most action movies, and the cynicism of late 90’s horror and suspense thrillers and you have Final Destination 2.

7 of 10
B+

"Paul" on DVD and Blu-ray August 9th

PAUL arrives on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Download on August 9, 2011.

BUCKLE UP FOR A HILARIOUS ROAD TRIP FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SUPERBAD & THE STARS AND CREATORS OF HOT FUZZ AND SHAUN OF THE DEAD - PAUL

OWN THE OUTRAGOUS UNRATED VERSION NOT SHOWN IN THEATERS ON BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK, DVD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AUGUST 9, 2011

“Irreverent and hilarious!” – Sean P. Means, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
“Seth Rogen is perfect as Paul.” – Ray Bennett, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Universal City, California, June 7, 2011— One tiny alien makes for big, big trouble in the comedy adventure Paul, coming to Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD August 9, 2011, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Both versions will feature the theatrical movie, as well as an unrated version of the film, not shown in theaters. The film and its unrated version will also be available day and date for digital download and video on demand.

Paul reunites Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) as two sci-fi geeks on a pilgrimage to America’s UFO heartland, where they accidentally encounter an alien who sends them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever. Written by Pegg and Frost, Paul boasts a star-studded cast that features Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet, Knocked Up) as the voice of Paul, Sigourney Weaver (Avatar), Jason Bateman (Hancock), Kristen Wiig (Date Night, Knocked Up), Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Bill Hader (Pineapple Express), Joe Lo Truglio (Role Models), Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”) and Blythe Danner (Little Fockers). Directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad), Paul comes loaded with in-depth, behind-the-scenes features, bloopers, filmmaker and cast commentary and more, to take viewers on a comical journey behind the making of this critically hailed film.

The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will include a Blu-ray and DVD copy of the unrated and theatrical versions of the film. Additionally, for a limited time only, the Combo Pack also includes a digital copy of the unrated film that can be viewed anytime, anywhere on an array of digital devices. Blu-ray ™ consumers can also access MY MOVIES™, an exclusive feature that allows consumers to stream a bonus movie instantly to their television through any Internet-connected Blu-ray ™ player via BD-Live™ or to their Smartphone and iPad™ using the free pocket BLU™ app. The bonus movie offer will be available for a limited time only. Visit http://www.universalhidef.com/ for more details.

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK:
· Between the Lightning Strikes: The Making of Paul
· Behind the Scenes Featurettes:
o RV Doorway: The Cast of Paul On-Location — The cast is just as funny off-screen as they are in front of the camera.
o Runway Santa Fe: An Interview with Nancy Steiner — Follow Nancy Steiner, the costume designer, as she chooses hilarious T-shirts and wardrobe for the cast.
o Smithereens — Blowing up a house on location causes excitement among the cast.
o 5th Date Level Direction: The Cast on Greg Mottola — The cast talks about the fun of working with Mottola, who also directed Superbad.
o Mexico Zero: The Locations of Paul—Mexico Zero is the nickname the cast gives to New Mexico, where the majority of filming was done for Paul.
o The Many Pauls — To create Paul, the filmmakers used all the tricks of the trade, from capturing Seth Rogen’s facial expressions and movements, to using a child dressed up as an alien while on-set.
o Paul: The Musical — The cast joins together for an impromptu musical version of the film.
o The Traveler Beagle — A look at all the different RVs used on the set of Paul, from fully functioning vehicles to a mock-up on a Hollywood soundstage.

· BD-LIVE™: Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to watch the latest trailers and more.

· pocket BLU™: The groundbreaking pocket BLU™ app uses iPhone®, iPod® touch, Android™, PC and Macintosh to work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray™ player. Also available on the iPad®, owners can enjoy a new, enhanced edition of pocket BLU™ made especially to take advantage of the tablet's larger screen and high resolution display. Consumers will be able to browse through a library of Blu-ray™ content and watch entertaining extras on-the-go in a way that's bigger and better than ever before. pocket BLU™ offers advanced features such as:
o Advanced Remote Control — A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease.
o Video Timeline — Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the film.
o Mobile-To-Go — Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy content on the go, anytime, anywhere.
o Browse Titles — Users will have access to a complete list of pocket BLU™-enabled titles available and coming to Blu-ray™ Hi-Def. They can view free previews and see what additional content is available to unlock on their device.
o Keyboard — Entering data is fast and easy with your device’s intuitive keyboard.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY™ AND DVD:
· Bloopers
· The Evolution of Paul — An inside look at how Paul became a living, breathing alien.
· Simon’s Silly Faces — Simon Pegg makes an assortment of wildly funny faces for the camera.
· Who the Hell is Adam Shadowchild? — Find out about the legendary sci-fi writer from the characters in Paul.
· Feature Commentary with Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Bill Hader and Nira Park
· Photo Galleries, Storyboards and Posters

SYNOPSIS
For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base. For reasons unknown, the space-traveling smartass decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town—a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost). Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman they accidentally kidnap, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship. As two nerds struggle to help, one little green man might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.

http://www.whatispaul.com/

CAST AND FILMMAKERS
Directed By: Greg Mottola
Written By: Simon Pegg & Nick Frost
Produced By: Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive Producers: Liza Chasin, Debra Hayward, Natascha Wharton, Robert Graf
Director of Photography: Lawrence Sher
Production Designer: Jefferson Sage
Editor: Chris Dickens, ACE
Costume Designer: Nancy Steiner
Music By: David Arnold

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner, Joe Lo Truglio, John Carroll Lynch, Jane Lynch, David Koechner, Jesse Plemons with Sigourney Weaver and Seth Rogen

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF
Street Date: August 9, 2011
Copyright: 2011
Selection Number: 61118963
Running Time: 1Hour 44 Min
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1
Rating: R for language including sexual references and some drug use
Technical Info: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish and French DTS Surround 5.1, DVS, English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles

DVD
Street Date: August 9, 2011
Copyright: 2011
Selection Number: 61111728
Running Time: 1Hour 44 Min
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Rating: R for language including sexual references and some drug use
Technical Info: Dolby Digital English 5.1, Spanish 5.1, French 5.1, DVS, English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. Comcast Corporation owns a controlling 51% interest in NBCUniversal, with GE holding a 49% stake.

"The Adjustment Bureau" Has Slightly Christian Take on Philip K. Dick

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 67 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux


The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
Running time: 106 minutes (1 hour, 46 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexuality and a violent image
DIRECTOR: George Nolfi
WRITER: George Nolfi (based upon the short story, “Adjustment Team” by Philip K. Dick)
PRODUCERS: Bill Carraro, Michael Hackett, Chris Moore, and George Nolfi
CINEMATOGRAPHER: John Toll
EDITOR: Jay Rabinowitz
COMPOSER: Thomas Newman

FANTASY/SCI-FI/DRAMA/ROMANCE/THRILLER

Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terrence Stamp, Michael Kelly, and Anthony Ruivivar

The Adjustment Bureau is a 2011 fantasy drama and romantic thriller starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. The film is based upon “Adjustment Team,” a short story by Philip K. Dick first published in 1954 (in Orbit Science Fiction magazine). The film tells the story of a romance between a politician and a ballerina imperiled by a group of men determined to keep them apart.

David Norris (Matt Damon) is a rising political star who hits a bump on his road to glory, but this disappointment causes him to meet, Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), a contemporary ballet dancer. Entranced by her, David is sure that he and Elise were meant to be together. It is then that he meets a group of mysterious men in hats conspiring to keep them apart.

The men work for The Adjustment Bureau, and these agents of Fate want David to quit Elise and accept a predetermined path they have set for him. They are going to do everything in their considerable powers to stop David and Elise from being together. But David is willing to risk everything to be with Elise, and an unusual member of The Adjustment Bureau named Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie) may be the only one who can help David determine his own fate.

The Adjustment Bureau has some interesting ideas, being part metaphysical science fiction with religious themes throughout. Philip K. Dick’s original story was a parable about how defenseless and helpless man is when he goes up against the “Grand Design” or fate. The Adjustment Bureau takes that idea and gives it a somewhat Christian spin and pits that age-old battle of man’s free will against the grand design of God, called “The Chairman” in this movie.

For all its philosophical ambitions, The Adjustment Bureau is a film that seems to be going through the motions for much of the movie. The film doesn’t spring to life until the last half hour when the central conflict stops being philosophical and theoretical and becomes actual conflict. In fact, it is that last half hour that takes this film from average to good.

The Adjustment Bureau has a talented cast. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt not only deliver solid performances, but they also actually have good chemistry and are a convincing screen couple. Anthony Mackie gives a layered, thoughtful performance as Harry Mitchell; whenever he is onscreen, The Adjustment Bureau is at its best.

6 of 10
B

Wednesday, August 03, 2011