Armchair Commentary

The Most Entertaining "Disaster" Ever!

We know how makeover shows work: A team swoops in, works miracles with the person/house/car in question and leaves us thrilled by their haste, by their taste and by the dramatic response to the pimped-out results. I find myself occasionally engaged by these shows, but I never thought one would be able to surprise me the way a new offering from CMT has. Thank you, CMT, for the laugh riot that is Mobile Home Disaster! The show features the required hunky carpenter, high-strung designer and a host who's even more funny than he's trying to be. And these homes .... All I can say is "wow." More than once, my thought has been that the only way to improve them is to tear them down, but the team manages to make silk purses out of mystery pig parts that aspire to being sow's ears. Check out the latest episodes, plus free previews, here. -- Stephanie Reid-Simons, Unbox TV Freak

Trailer Park: 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince'

Muggles are celebrating everywhere! This trailer has been LONG overdue--especially after that silly teaser before The Dark Knight.

If you are a hard-core Harry Potter fan like me, then your head is probably about ready to explode right now. Some of the coolest "scenes" in the stories are when Harry and Dumbledore go back and magically explore Tom Riddle's (aka Lord Voldemort) memories--and we find out how a young orphan turns into the darkest wizard of all time.

That's what this trailer focuses on--and it's bloody awesome! Highlights from these magical 100 seconds include the child Tom Riddle being discovered by Dumbledore, and Dumbledore conjuring a wall of fire (probably to fend of the inferi). See for yourself. Accio November!

--Jordan Thompson

Airbenders Hit Comic-Con

Nothing goes together like Comic-Con and anime. Last week, I had the chance to chat with Bryan Konietzko and Mike DiMartino--the creative team behind Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender--in San Diego. For the those not yet familiar with the show, it tells the story of 12-year old Aang, the reincarnated avatar, who must learn to "bend" the elements of air, earth, fire, and water to his will in order to save the world from the unnecessarily aggressive Fire Nation.

I had to ask: why end Avatar after only three seasons?

"We wanted to do an epic series," Bryan said. "Part of the pitch was that it had to have an ending. We didn’t want to lose the tension."

Mike and Bryan also discussed their inspirations including Bryan's interest in landscape painting, a shared enthusiasm for photography, yoga, and kung fu. (Bryan trains with the show's martial arts consultant.) Though both spent time in their earlier careers at the Film Roman animation studio working on series such as Family Guy and King of the Hill, they said their biggest takeaway was that they wanted to run Avatar differently--particularly by giving the Korean studios who help create the show more input.

Mike said they "got to do exactly what [they] set out to do" with Avatar the TV show, and fortunately for fans there's still a live action Airbender to come in 2010. According to Mike, M. Night Shyamalan signed on to direct after his daughter introduced him the show. Do they guys have any idea who will play Aang? Mike has thrown his hat into the ring, but hasn't yet heard back.  --Leah

See TV listings for Avatar at tvguide.com and stay tuned to Armchair Commentary for more from Comic-Con 2008.

The Best Poorly Received Movie

Have you ever felt like writing a nasty letter to a critic because they fleeced a movie that you really liked? Well, after watching Tarsem Singh’s, The Fall, I almost felt like starting a petition to force certain movie critics to apologize for saying anything even remotely negative about this movie. I mean, my friends couldn’t stop making fun of me after we finished watching the movie in the theater. There were comments like, “I think there were three times when Craig wasn’t crying.” Or, “Was I the only one who felt smothered by Craig’s goose bumps during the movie?” Unfortunately, I can’t deny these facts. But, I can say that I am still disappointed that this rich movie received such mixed reviews from film critics. For example, The New York Times described the movie as, ‘A genuine labor of love -- and a real bore.’ Ouch! My rebuttal is that maybe only a bore wouldn’t like this movie.  This movie has arresting characters, mesmerizing visuals and a feverishly gripping story. The story is a fairy tale—but for adults. It’s a classic fairy tale with bold heroes, a formidable nemesis and an immaculate princess. Fortunately, there are some critics out there with real taste in films.  For example, Roger Ebert said, ‘A movie that you might want to see for no other reason than because it exists. There will never be another like it.’  Well put! Look, this blog is just all words. So, watch the movie and see for yourself if you still have the imagination to enjoy this stunning movie.   

What movies do you really like that you think were unfairly reviewed? -- Craig

Trailer Park: 'W'

That's Dubya to you, that is, our current Commander in Chief. Oliver Stone has been hurriedly working on a biopic set to release before the election, marking the first time a president has been portrayed in film while he's still in office. In this teaser, Josh Brolin plays Dubya as a hard-partying Yalie reprimanded by George Sr. (James Cromwell, who makes no attempt whatsoever to look or sound like H.W., and therefore you think he's some college professor at first) about making something of himself. There's flashes of the supporting cast (Elizabeth Banks as Laura Bush, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney, Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell, etc.) With "What a Wonderful World" playing over the teaser, I wonder where Stone's going with this one. --Ellen

10 Great Family DVDs for Summer (courtesy of FamilyFun Magazine)

The editors of FamilyFun magazine have provided a list of 10 movies the family can enjoy together if gas prices are keeping you on the couch this season. --Ellen

The Adventures of Milo & Otis
This heartfelt live-action film tells the tale of a curious kitten and his faithful pug pal. The two enjoy making mischief until Milo takes a tumble into a nearby river. Otis sets off to rescue his friend and the two embark on a brave journey back home. Rated G. Ages 4 and up



Going to School in India
Ok, we know most kids don’t want to even *think* about school during their summer break. But they’ll forget all that when they see this collection of short documentaries. The quick-paced narratives illustrate how local environment and a little ingenuity can be combined to create one-of-a-kind classrooms, such as a school where lessons are taught by solar-powered lanterns. Not rated. Ages 5 and up


National Treasure /  National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets
These adventures have all the elements of great summer film fare: mystery, humor, fast-paced chases, and great scenery. In the first, Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) races through Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia in search of a treasure hidden during the American Revolution. The hunt takes a worldwide turn as Gates heads to London, Paris, Mount Rushmore, and more in "NT2." Rated PG. Ages 8 and up


Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
The 11-episode BBC special is the perfect launching point for dreams (and a bit of learning) about far-off places. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the series features breathtaking cinematography of natural habitats and animals spanning 62 countries. Not rated. Ages 7 and up




Roman Holiday
Visiting the famed Italian city on an official tour, Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) slips away from her royal handlers to see the sites as an anonymous commoner. She meets and falls for a hardened reporter and ultimately must choose between her love for him and duty to her country. Not Rated. Ages 9 and up


Rugrats in Paris - The Movie
Chuckie and his gang head out on an adventure to the City of Lights. The kids see the sights between pint-size chase scenes (an out-of-control animatronic dinosaur) and attempts to keep Mr. Pickles from marrying the wrong woman. Rated G. Ages 5 and up




The Secret of Roan Inish

Generations of Fiona’s ancestors lived on the now-deserted title island in this Irish fable. Determined to understand why her family left, the young girl explores Roan Inish and unravels the mystery of her missing infant brother, who floated out to sea in his wooden cradle. Rated PG. Ages 7 and up



Swiss Family Robinson
Deserted on a tropical island, the title quintet transforms their misfortune into an enviable paradise. Even an impending attack from a nasty pirate ship can’t dim the wonder of a backyard zooful of animals (lions and tigers and zebras, oh my!) and arguably the best treehouse of all time. Rated G. Ages 6 and up



The Thief Lord
Two orphaned brothers on the run take refuge in Venice and meet a masked teen who roams the city. The title character and his gang of runaways invite the siblings to join their hunt for a mysterious wooden wing that holds the key to an age-old secret. Rated PG. Ages 8 and up

The Name Is Blu. Blu-ray. James Bond Arrives in High Definition.

We're shaken and stirred by the impending release of 006 James Bond movies on Blu-ray, 003 starring Sean Connery, 002 with Roger Moore, and 001 with Pierce Brosnan.  We don't have all the details yet, but they're available for pre-order now (either individually or in a couple of three-packs). And for all you who may not be hardcore Bond-ologists, we've grabbed some choice quotes from the movies to help you remember just a few of the lovely ladies Bond met along the way.  --David

Dr. No

Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress): Are you looking for shells too?

James Bond (Sean Connery): No, I'm just looking.

From Russia with Love

Tatiana (Daniela Bianchi): The mechanism is... Oh James, James... Will you make love to me all the time in England?

James Bond (Connery): Day and night. Go on about the mechanism.

Thunderball

James Bond (Connery): My dear, uncooperative Domino.

Domino (Claudine Auger): How do you know that? How do you know my friends call me Domino?

James Bond: It's on the bracelet on your ankle.

Domino: So... what sharp little eyes you've got.

James Bond: Wait 'til you get to my teeth.

Live and Let Die

Solitaire (Jane Seymour): [after she has beaten Bond at Gin Rummy] James, what are you doing?

James Bond (Roger Moore): Just testing an old adage: "Unlucky at cards..."

 

For Your Eyes Only

James Bond (Moore): What did Columbo whisper to you at the restaurant?

Countess (Cassandra Harris): That you were a spy, and to find out more about you.

James Bond: And have you?

Countess: Have I ever.

Die Another Day

James Bond (Pierce Brosnan): Do you believe in bad luck?

Jinx (Halle Berry): Let's just say my relationships don't seem to last.

James Bond: I know the feeling.

 

Thumbs Down: No More Ebert/Roeper

For the two years since Roger Ebert was absent from his "At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper" show recovering from various health issues, guest critics filled his chair to bicker with Richard Roeper (most consistently Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips) and wished Ebert a speedy return. After a while, the hopeful wishes ceased, as it appeared Ebert would not return to the show that bore his name.

Ebert announced today that he was cutting ties with the show, which was "going in a new direction." This, following Roeper's announcement that he would also be leaving the show amid contract negotiations with Disney.

So with no Ebert and no Roeper, is that the end of movie critics on TV? Roeper has hinted he will be returning on a different show, but do you guys miss that good ol' "Thumbs Up/Down" (or my favorite, "TWO THUMBS WAY UP!") that's been missing from movie trade ads for the past year?

Wonder what Gene Siskel woulda thought of all this.-- Ellen

Who IS The Joker? (Warning: minor "Dark Knight" plot spoilers)

Everyone's heard it, and it's true. The Dark Knight is one of the best movies of the year, and Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker is the primary reason (in a long list of reasons that this movie is awesome).

This is not the same Joker we've seen in previous movies, comic books or novels. He doesn't seem to have the same story.

Director Christopher Nolan and Ledger managed to create one of the most interesting and dynamic villains to ever hit the screen--yet we don't really learn that much about the Joker character in the movie.  Who the heck IS he? What happened to his face? Why is he crazy? What hole did he crawl out of after the conclusion of Batman Begins?

He offered a couple (likely made up) explanations for his cut face--but nothing solid. They mention in the film that he has no DNA or finger-print record. He certainly has ties to Arkham Asylum. But seriously--he's  a big mystery.

Who the heck is this guy? I wanna hear some theories.

--Jordan Thompson

See "The Dark Knight" in IMAX, if you can

I was lucky enough to see a press screening of The Dark Knight at an IMAX theater earlier this week.  I've been impressed by major feature films in IMAX before--The Polar Express 3-D, Open Season 3-D--and if I had to see Transformers, that was the way to do it.  Then I saw The Dark Knight. 

Breathtaking. 

As in, I literally caught my breath at the opening scene high above Gotham City.  A major reason is that some of the scenes were actually shot in IMAX (a first for a major motion picture), meaning that they filled the huge screen floor to ceiling.  A little tech talk: The IMAX screen I went to in Seattle is six stories high and 80 feet wide.  Movies like TDK are usually shot in an aspect ratio of 2.4:1, meaning they're 2.4 times as wide as they are high.  So when you're watching a 2.4:1 movie on DVD at home on a squareish TV (1.33:1) or even a widescreen one (1.78:1), you get the black bars on the top and bottom, which preserve that aspect ratio.  If an IMAX screen was six stories high and they wanted to fill the screen with a 2.4:1 movie, the screen would need to be over 14 stories wide!  So generally IMAX theaters use the same black bars that you see at home.  Here’s the difference with The Dark Knight:  the scenes shot in IMAX do fill the whole screen, in spectacular fashion.  So when the Wayne penthouse appears at the top of your screen, your eyes climb up the very tall building to find it.  I know many (all?) of you are already planning to see The Dark Knight, but if you're close enough to an IMAX theater, I highly encourage you to go.  Oh, and the movie?  I'm not supposed to officially review it before it opens tomorrow, but I will say that, for me, it lived up to all the hype.  Freakin' fantastic!  --David 

See more in The Dark Knight Boutique or below.