Review: "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" Rules Only for Young'uns (Happy B'day, Lindsay Lohan)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 128 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)
Running time: 89 minutes (1 hour, 29 minutes)
MPAA – PG for mild thematic elements and brief language
DIRECTOR: Sara Sugarman
WRITER: Gail Parent (based upon the book by Dyan Sheldon)
PRODUCERS: Jerry Leider and Robert Shapiro
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Stephen H. Burum (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Anita Brandt Burgoyne
COMPOSER: Mark Mothersbaugh

COMEDY/FAMILY/MUSIC

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Alison Pill, Adam Garcia, Glenne Headly, Eli Marienthal, Carol Kane, Megan Fox, Shelia McCarthy, Tom McCamus, Richard Fitzpatrick, and Sheila Sealy-Smith

The subject of this movie review is Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, a 2004 family comedy and teen musical from Walt Disney Pictures. The film is based on the 1999 young adult novel, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, by Dyan Sheldon.

In the movie, Lohan plays a teenage girl who acts as if New York City revolves around her, but finds herself competing for attention after her family movies to the suburbs. Every time I see the movie poster for Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, I think, “Great poster, not great at all movie.”

Her name is Mary Steppes (Lindsay Lohan), but she wants to be called “Lola” instead of Mary. Lola is also an avowed New York teenager, but her social life is uprooted when her mother (Glenne Headly) moves the family to Dellwood, New Jersey. Determined to be popular at her new high school, she challenges the reigning Queen Bee, Carla (Megan Fox), for the lead role in a modern retelling of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.

However, the biggest trick she wants to pull is to get into the farewell concert and after party of her favorite band, Sidarthur. So she drags her conservative, take-no-chances friend, Ella (Alison Pill), along for the ride, but will it cost her Ella’s friendship and her plum role in the musical?

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is a pleasant, but mediocre teen film that will likely find a place only in the hearts of preteen girls and young women just getting into their teenage years. Lindsay Lohan gives her usually spirited performance, and it takes everything she gives (while this is admittedly nowhere near her best) this show to make it tolerable. Luckily co-star Alison Pill’s character is mildly interesting, so the film only rests on Ms. Lohan young, but broad, star presence shoulders 98% of the time. Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen should be good for the kids, but may likely bore everyone else.

4 of 10
C

Updated: Tuesday, July 02, 2013

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"Man of Steel" Super at the Box Office

“Man of Steel” Is Powerful at the Box Office, Hitting the Half-Billion Dollar Mark

The Film Has Earned More Than $500 Million Worldwide, With Some Major International Markets Still to Open

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After flying into the record books in its opening, Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “Man of Steel” continues to soar at the box office. The film crossed the $500 million mark on Saturday, June 29. The announcement was made today by Warner Bros. Pictures President of Domestic Distribution, Dan Fellman, and President of International Distribution, Veronika Kwan Vandenberg.

The film has earned $248.7 million domestically, and $271.7 internationally, for a worldwide total of $520.4, to date. “Man of Steel” opened at the top of the box office in the U.S. and Canada, with the biggest June release ever. The film opened at number one in many international territories, and continues its roll out with record-breaking bows. The film is still to open in Brazil and Japan.

The film continues to set records worldwide in IMAX® theatres, where it has earned an estimated $27 million domestically and $18.9 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $45.9 million.

Dan Fellman stated, “This success for ‘Man of Steel’ is a great 75th birthday present for this iconic character. The film took Superman back to his roots for a new generation of moviegoers, who have once again embraced Krypton and Kansas’ favorite son. The film’s strong Cinemascore tells us that word of mouth should keep the ‘Man of Steel’ flying through the summer.”

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg said, “We’re so excited by the international response to the film and congratulate Zack and everyone involved in the movie on reaching this milestone. We look forward to bringing the film to the rest of the world in the weeks ahead.”

Sue Kroll, Warner Bros. Pictures President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, noted, “‘Man of Steel’ is an extraordinary achievement by wonderful talents on both sides of the camera. Zack Snyder, along with his cast and fellow filmmakers, created a story that has connected with audiences of all ages and in every quadrant of the world. We are so proud of the film, which has brought a new vision of the man and the myth to those just discovering Superman, as well as lifelong fans.”

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Man of Steel,”TM starring Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Kal-El under the direction of Zack Snyder.

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

The film also stars four-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams (“The Master”), Oscar® nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”), Academy Award® winner Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”), Oscar® nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”), Oscar® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”), Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, and Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”).

“Man of Steel” is produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer & Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment. Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters served as executive producers.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Zack Snyder Film, “Man of Steel.” The film is being released in 2D and 3D in select theaters and IMAX®, and is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language.

www.manofsteel.com

Negromancer Meets July 2013

It's July 2013 - the month in which we finally get our long-awaited X-Men Origins: Wolverine sequel, entitled, The Wolverine."  So Welcome! to Negromancer, a ComicBookBin blog (www.comicbookbin.com). This is rebirth of the former movie review website as a movie review and movie news website.

As always, we thank you for support, in visits and in cash:

All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.

Santa Brings De Niro-Stallone Movie Christmas 2013

Hollywood Heavyweights De Niro and Stallone to Hit the Big Screen on Christmas Day in “Grudge Match”

Warner Bros. Pictures’ Comedy Makes a Move Up from January to 12/25/13

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“Grudge Match,” a comedy starring film legends Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as rivals in the boxing ring, will bow in the holiday season with a Christmas Day debut, moving up from its prior release date of January 10. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Fellman stated, “Results of our early screenings have been outstanding, giving us every indication that 'Grudge Match' is a movie that can excel during the Christmas play period. With the iconic pairing of De Niro and Stallone, surrounded by such a terrific cast—including comedy greats Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin—we felt it was a perfect opportunity to jump into the holidays and give audiences of all ages a chance to enjoy the movie.”

Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Grudge Match” stars award-winning movie legends Oscar® winner Robert De Niro (“Raging Bull,” “Silver Linings Playbook”) and Oscar® nominee Sylvester Stallone (the “Rocky” films, “The Expendables”) as old boxing rivals who come out of retirement for one final match. Peter Segal (“Get Smart,” “The Longest Yard”) directs the comedy.

De Niro and Stallone play Billy “The Kid” McDonnen and Henry “Razor” Sharp, two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry put them in the national spotlight. Each had scored a victory against the other during their heyday, but in 1983, on the eve of their decisive third match, Razor suddenly announced his retirement, refusing to explain why but effectively delivering a knock-out punch to both their careers. Thirty years later, boxing promoter Dante Slate Jr., seeing big dollar signs, makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to re-enter the ring and settle the score once and for all. But they may not have to wait that long: on their first encounter in decades, their long-festering feud erupts into an unintentionally hilarious melee that instantly goes viral. The sudden social media frenzy transforms their local grudge match into a must-see HBO event. Now, if they can just survive the training, they may actually live to fight again.

The film also stars Kevin Hart as Dante Slate Jr.; Oscar® winner Alan Arkin (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “Argo”) as Razor’s former trainer, Louis “Lightning” Conlon, who gets to put Razor through his paces again; and Oscar® winner Kim Basinger (“L.A. Confidential”) as Sally Rose, who was once the love of Razor’s life. Rounding out the cast are Jon Bernthal as BJ, who becomes The Kid’s instinctive but untested trainer; and young film newcomer Camden Gray.

Segal is directing from a screenplay by Rodney Rothman, story by Tim Kelleher. The film is being produced by Bill Gerber, Mark Steven Johnson, Michael Ewing and Ravi Mehta. Peter Segal, Jane Rosenthal and Kevin King-Templeton are serving as executive producers.

Collaborating with Segal behind the scenes are: Academy Award®-winning cinematographer Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves,” “Apocalypto”); production designer Wynn Thomas; editor William Kerr; and costume designer Mary Vogt. Robert Sale, who was the technical advisor on “Rocky Balboa,” is serving as the film’s boxing consultant. The music is by Trevor Rabin.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Gerber Pictures Production, a Callahan Filmworks Production, a Peter Segal film, “Grudge Match.” The film opens December 25, 2013 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Review: Brad Pitt is the Man in "World War Z"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 46 (of 2013) by Leroy Douresseaux


World War Z (2013)
Running time: 116 minutes (1 hour, 56 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for language and some disturbing images
DIRECTOR: Marc Forster
WRITERS: Matthew Michael Carnahan and Drew Goddard & Damon Lindelof; from a screen story by Matthew Michael Carnahan and J. Michael Straczynski (based on the novel by Max Brooks)
PRODUCERS: Ian Bryce, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Brad Pitt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ben Seresin
EDITORS: Matt Chesse and Roger Barton
COMPOSER: Marco Beltrami

HORROR/ACTION/THRILLER

Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, Fana Mokoena, James Badge Dale, Ludi Boeken, Matthew Fox, David Morse, Sterling Jerins, Abigail Hargrove, Fabrizio Zacharee Guido, Peter Capaldi, and Pierfrancesco Favino

Sometimes, I see movies that make me feel like a fanboy – so happy and satisfied to be entertained by my favorite movie stars and filmmakers. Recently, Brad Pitt’s new movie made me a Brad Pitt fanboy.

World War Z is a 2013 horror thriller and zombie movie from director Marc Forster. The film is based on the 2006 novel, World War Z, written by Max Brooks (the son of Mel Brooks). The film stars Brad Pitt as a United Nations employee who is trying to solve the mystery of a zombie pandemic that is threatening to destroy humanity.

World War Z opens in domestic harmony as former United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) prepares breakfast for his wife, Karin (Mireille Enos), and his daughters, Rachel (Abigail Hargrove) and Constance (Sterling Jerins). Later, the family is stuck in heavy traffic in Philadelphia that soon turns to mass bedlam. Crazed people are attacking and biting one another, and the ones who are bitten become like their attackers within ten seconds of being bitten.

Gerry and his family are rescued by a former UN colleague, Thierry Umutoni (Fana Mokoena), the UN Deputy Secretary-General. Gerry learns that a virus has turned into a worldwide outbreak that is turning people into ferocious, rabid zombies, and the ensuing chaos has toppled armies and governments. The outbreak is threatening to destroy humanity itself. Gerry is soon forced to travel the world in a race against time and hope to find a cure for this pandemic.

Plain and simple, World War Z is an action movie. Yes, it is an apocalyptic horror film, a horror thriller, a scary movie, and a zombie movie. However, it moves with the precision of a Jason Bourne movie and throws pitched-battles like a movie about military special operations (such as Tears of the Sun). It is fast-moving and jittery, even when Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane is being thoughtful and observant. And it is the good movie kind of fast-moving and jittery.

Director Marc Forster orchestrates this Hollywood entertainment product so that it transforms mere spectacle into the spectacular. As far as I’m concerned, this is his most passionate and emotionally-charged film since 2001’s Monster’s Ball, for which Halle Berry won an Oscar.

World War Z is also a Brad Pitt movie, and because Brad is a true movie star and a truly fine actor, he carries the audience with his character Gerry Lane. He carries us on a pulse-pounding thrill ride that makes us (at least, some of us) forget some of the holes in the concept. Our cinematic faith in our movie stars is rewarded when they deliver the goods. In World War Z, Pitt delivers some kind of good.

8 of 10
A

Saturday, June 29, 2013

"Terminator" Reboot Set to Arrive June 2015

SKYDANCE, ANNAPURNA AND PARAMOUNT TO PARTNER ON REBOOTED “TERMINATOR”

PARAMOUNT TO DISTRIBUTE WORLDWIDE ON JUNE 26, 2015

Skydance Productions, Annapurna Pictures and Paramount Pictures have jointly announced they will partner on a rebooted “TERMINATOR” movie, to be released by Paramount Pictures on June 26, 2015.

The first in a stand-alone trilogy, “TERMINATOR” will be produced by Megan Ellison of Annapurna and David Ellison of Skydance. Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake of Skydance will serve as executive producers. Laeta Kalorgridis (“Avatar,” “Shutter Island”) and Patrick Lussier (“Drive Angry”) are attached to write the screenplay.

Launched in 1984 with star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character, “TERMINATOR” spanned 3 subsequent films, which have earned over $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

David Ellison most recently executive produced, along with his partners at Paramount, “World War Z,” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”. A 5th installment of in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise is in active development, along with a 3rd film in the “G.I. Joe” franchise, among other films.

Megan Ellison most recently produced the Academy Award®-nominated “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Master” and executive produced “Spring Breakers” via her Annapurna Pictures banner and has David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” Spike Jonze’s “Her,” and Bennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher” set for release later this year.


About Skydance Productions
Skydance Productions creates and produces elevated event-level commercial entertainment. In its strategic partnership with Paramount Pictures, the David Ellison-led company co-finances and produces several films per year with the studio in addition to developing their own projects. Paul Schwake serves as chief operating officer and Dana Goldberg is president of production. Skydance recent releases include WORLD WAR Z, starring Brad Pitt, which has already made over $111 million worldwide, STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS, starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, garnering over $430 million worldwide at the box office and G.I. JOE 2: RETALIATION, starring Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson and has made over $369 million worldwide at the box office. Skydance’s next film, JACK RYAN, from director Kenneth Brannagh and starring Chris Pine, is set for release on December 25, 2013. Skydance’s previous projects include the award-winning Coen Brothers film TRUE GRIT; MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL and JACK REACHER.

About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Annapurna Pictures
Annapurna Pictures is a film production and finance company founded with the goal of boldly creating sophisticated, high-quality and ambitious films that appeal to a variety of audiences. Annapurna’s recent releases include Kathryn Bigelow’s multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated film ZERO DARK THIRTY; Paul Thomas Anderson’s multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated masterpiece THE MASTER; John Hillcoat’s LAWLESS and Andrew Dominik’s KILLING THEM SOFTLY. Annapurna’s most recent project, the 2012 Venice and Toronto break-out hit SPRING BREAKERS, directed by Harmony Korine starring Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco. Additionally, Annapurna acquired US rights to Wong Kar Wai’s THE GRANDMASTER, the story of martial arts master and Bruce Lee trainer Ip Man will be released later this year. Current projects include the Spike Jonze’s new film HER starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Rooney Mara, and Bennett Miller’s FOXCATCHER which is currently in post-production as well as David O. Russell’s AMERICAN HUSTLE starring Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence, also currently in post-production, and set for a December release by Columbia Pictures. Further, the company has partnered with Nina Jacobson’s Color Force on the best-selling comedic novel Where'd You Go, Bernadette, written by Maria Semple and has partnered with Denver & Delilah and CJ Entertainment on the SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE remake written by William Monahan and starring Charlize Theron. Last spring, the company made a deal to back Panorama Media, which will serve as the international sales agent on select Annapurna projects.

Review: "History of the World: Part I" is as Funny as Ever (Happy B'day, Mel Brooks)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 205 (of 2004) by Leroy Douresseaux

Mel Brooks’ History of the World: Part I (1981)
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – R
WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR: Mel Brooks
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Woody Omens (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: John C. Howard
COMPOSER: John Morris

COMEDY/HISTORICAL/MUSICAL

Starring: Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Ron Carey, Gregory Hines, Pamela Stephenson, Shecky Greene, Sid Caesar, Mary-Margaret Humes, Rudy De Luca, Andréas Voutsinas, Spike Milligan, and Orson Welles with Barry Levinson and John Hurt

The subject of this movie review is History of the World: Part I, a 1981 comedy film from writer-director Mel Brooks. The film is a parody the various kinds of historical films, including period costume dramas and sword and sandal epics. The catchphrase “It’s good to be the king” originated in this film. History of the World: Part I contains mock coming attractions for “History of the World: Part II,” but that was a joke, as no actual sequel was planned.

Mel Brooks writes, directs, produces, and plays five roles in his comedy semi-classic, History of the World: Part I. The film can be considered an anthology or a series of vignettes that take a farcical, skewered, and wacky view of history from the dawn of man through the cavemen, the Roman Empire, and the Spanish Inquisition, to the French Revolution. The film also features some appearances by Brooks’ films semi-regulars including Madeline Kahn and Harvey Korman.

I can’t imagine why Brooks picked the particular pre-historical and historical periods he did; perhaps, they were the funniest to him or he found in them the most to send up. However, the film is only mildly funny until the Spanish Inquisition segment, which is a musical number with a dance routine that even features water ballet. Both the song and the dance numbers are both awesome and freaking hilarious. Perhaps, the film’s best bit is the closing segment, the French Revolution. Some of the most famous quotations from Mel Brooks’ films come from this side-splitting section. It alone is more than reason enough to see this film.

Most of the jokes here are sight gags and anachronisms, but when Brooks and his cast are “on” in this film, the picture really works, as in the aforementioned second half. It’s worth noting that History of the World: Part I is not a great work, but because of it does have some great moments, it’s not to be missed.

7 of 10
B+

Updated: Friday, June 28, 2013