Trailer Tuesday: Quantum of Solace

In case you haven't heard, the latest Harry Potter film (The Half-Blood Prince) has been postponed until 2009. Since Harry vacated the highly coveted just-before-Thanksgiving November 21 open date, the eagerly anticipated vampire film Twilight moved up and so too has Bond 22. The latest Bond film will now bow on November 14. So with the change of release dates, I thought that was a perfect excuse to post up the trailer for Quantum of Solace. I can't tell you how excited I am about Quantum of Solace. I have been a Bond fan since I was a little kid. I played the Goldfinger soundtrack so many times that I drove my parents insane! But after Sean Connery left the franchise I have been sorely disappointed with the actors playing Bond -- until Daniel Craig. The 2006 Casino Royale kicked ass and Craig was a hot, sexy new Bond. Quantum of Solace supposedly picks up right where Casino Royale left off, and based on the trailer it looks to maintain the same high level of gritty action and intensity.  It's so great to once again eagerly look forward to 007's next adventure, something I couldn't do for the four decades when Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan were playing the role. So here's to Bond 22, may it be as good as it's predeccessor... or maybe even better. The only bummer is that I now have to wait an extra week to see it. The release date change also means they can't do the clever trick with the O's and 7 in the title at the end of the trailer for the release daye. Trailer is courtesy of Sony Pictures.

Hamlet 2 / Interview with Steve Coogan

When a high school threatens to cut drama from the curriculum, a teacher puts on a show to save the department. Unfortunately, the play involves Shakespeare and a Jesus who dances like Elvis. If that sounds politically incorrect, it is in the new comedy Hamlet 2 (opening August 22 in select San Diego theaters). You can listen to my interview with British comedian Steve Coogan and director Andrew Fleming about pushing the envelope in comedy. I spoke with them right after they presented a panel on the film at Comic-Con.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

View this you must if a fan you call yourself... Yoda in the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Warner Brothers)

Depending on how you look at it, George Lucas is either expanding his Star War franchise to please a rabid fan base or he's milking his one good idea yet again to exploit its popularity. The latest entry is the animated feature Star Wars: The Clone Wars (opening August 15 throughout San Diego), which -- in the SW chronology -- takes place somewhere between Episodes II and III, and continues the timeline of the short interstitial animations that ran on Cartoon Network back in 2003 that were known as Star Wars: Clone Wars ("The" has been added to "Clone Wars" for the theatrical release). An animated series of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is set to follow.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

My apologies for not getting to this on its opening weekend but I think my sense of disappointment made me put it off. (Disappointment can make one very bitter and sad.) Now I know The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (opened August 1 throughout San Diego) is nothing more than a popcorn movie designed to lure summer moviegoers in the lull after Dark Knight and before the serious Oscar contenders start to roll out. But even silly pop movies have standards and this one falls short of those. Intensifying my disappointment is the fact that two of my favorite Hong Kong action stars (Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh) were cast in the film as enemies, and that promised a showdown that should have been as exciting as Jackie Chan taking on Jet Li in Forbidden Kingdom. But not even that paid off. Anyway, since I felt so shortchanged by the film, I decided to post up this behind the scene video (courtesy of Universal) about the making of The Mummy 3 as compensation. I think I enjoyed this featurette more than the movie.

Hey Dude, It’s Harold and Kumar on DVD and Blu Ray

John Cho and Kal Penn as the new Bob Hope and Bing Crosby? Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo comes out on DVD/Blu Ray this week. (Warner Brothers)

At the Harold and Kumar panel at Comic-Con this past Sunday, someone asked if they could be a stoner version of Hope and Crosby creating a whole new set of Road pictures for the new millennium. And I have to admit that thought crossed my mind too. As wacky as that sounds, it's kind of accurate because like Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, Harold and Kumar are buddies with an appealing chemistry and marked set of differences, and they keep hitting the road for comic adventures. I have to confess I took something of a slacker approach to covering the last H&K road pic, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay when it opened theatrically back in April. Instead, I made one of the teen critics hustle to get his review up in time for the film's opening. But if there's any film where such slacker behavior might be acceptable, Harold and Kumar would be it. So dudes, here's my belated review of what is now the DVD/Blu Ray release of Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo. (By the way, check out video highlights of their Comic-Con panel --and see how unlike Kumar Kal Penn is -- at the KPBS Comic-Con blog)

The Dark Knight

The Joker robs the mob while Heath Ledger steals the show in The Dark Knight (Warner Brothers)

There was a time when people thought it was crazy to try and have someone else take on the role of the Joker because no one could possibly fill Jack Nicholson's shoes. But after you see The Dark Knight (opening July 18 throughout San Diego and in IMAX at Edwards Mira Mesa Cinemas), you won't be able to think of anyone else besides Heath Ledger. Now Nicholson's Joker looks like a naughty clown while Ledger's Joker is downright nasty and disturbed (yet still oddly likable). Ledger's manically endearing performance as the unhinged psycho giving both cops and crooks nightmares is so riveting that it makes you sad for all the roles he'll never have a chance to tackle. Ledger died at the beginning of this year just after wrapping production on The Dark Knight. So this film offers his last completed performance.

Mother of Tears

Father and daughter reunion as Asia Argento stars in her father's Mother of Tears (Myriad Pictures)

I fell in love with Dario Argento when I was17 I saw Suspiria. It scared the crap out of me and sent my friend running for the exit. None of his films since then have been able to duplicate the impressive jolt - like riding a rollercoaster and feeling like the tracks have suddenly disappeared and you're free falling - of seeing Suspiria for the first time. But I have found something to enjoy in each of his films. Now using the word "enjoy" to describe a Dario Argento "spaghetti horror" film is likely to offend some people who find his films excessively gory and sadistic. But Argento is a horror master who's made an art out of terrifying audiences. Suspiria, made in 1977, was the first of what would turn out to be a long gestating supernatural trilogy he called the Three Mothers. The second film was Inferno (1980), set in New York, and this year he delivers the finale, Mother of Tears (opening June 27 at Landmark's Ken Cinema), set in Rome. (You can listen to the KPBS Film Club for our discussion of the film.)

Shia Le Beouf: If the Jacket Fits…

Teen Critic Candace Kavanagh has been watching Shia Le Beouf's career with interest. (Paramount)

By Candace Kavanagh

(note this post contains spoilers)
Do the words Last Crusade mean anything to George Lucas? Apparently not, since the creator of what was supposed to be the Indy trilogy has now put out a fourth installment for us to sink our teeth into. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has had more hype surrounding it than any action flick of the last five years. The film's websites hovered over the production, trying to catch glimpses of Indy's latest adventure. The hottest topic being the return of Marion Ravenwood played by Karen Allen. The character of Marion Ravenwood originated in the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark as Indy‘s love interest. But of course it is not her alone that has caused all this buzz. Instead it was the combination of her old face and a new face to the Indiana Jones' films and the big screen overall. The arrival of Shia LaBeouf -- and the implications that come with him -- had filled the movie chat sites for months. Movie geeks everywhere were constantly asking the question, "Is LaBeouf's character truly Indy's and Marion's love child?" If you don't already know the answer... he is. Yes apparently Indy gave life to Mutt, a typical rebellious greaser of the fifties. A tough guy character we haven't really seen from LaBeouf - he usually plays the goofy kid. Unfortunately this seems to be a role he can‘t really pull off.

I have seen Shia LABeouf in action with movies like Tru Confessions. This Disney Channel original movie whose over all quality lacked tremendously, excluding only Shia LaBeouf's performance, which shined above any of his other Disney Channel colleagues. He portrayed a mentally retarded twin brother to the main character, a role that is hardly ventured. His success at this launched him into more eye opening roles like Disney's Holes, a movie based on everybody‘s favorite novel from the fifth grade. Lucky for him this served as doorway to a world completely separate from the Disney world. After he escaped the clutches of the modern day Mickey Mouse Club, he found himself in beautiful movies ranging from Transformers, which opened the door to millions of teen girl crushes, to Bobby, where everyone got to see him experimenting with acid and a kitty litter box. Then came profound movies such as A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, a film that showed Shia LaBeouf‘s depth as he played a young man trying to escape from his hometown of Brooklyn so he could realize his dreams. So we have all seen greatness from this young actor. But in Indy 4, Shia proves that the leather jacket is just too big on him. It's as if this jacket was some kind of demon that possessed him and caused him to shoot off corny lines and play out horribly predictable scenarios. The only happiness coming from the way it reminded me of the Happy Days TV show. Maybe his role was some kind of attempt at combining his trademark goofiness with Johnny Depp's character in Cry Baby. No matter what it was his role in this film bored me to tears. In fact everything else about this film made me wish that the whole thing would be replaced with a marathon of Young Indy, a series filled with more originality than this film, and with Patrick Flannery being much more entertaining than Shia LaBeouf‘s over used act.

But since many of the stars of this film have already obtained stable careers (long live Cate Blanchett), I worry mostly for Shia, whose career is still in its green stage. Although he has already jumped over the biggest obstacle for young actors of today by escaping the realm of the Disney channel, he still has a long way to go before he can be recognized as a well-rounded actor. Recently magazines began labeling him as the Tom Hank's of the younger generation. So at this point it seems that he has met a fork in the road: One way pointing towards Tom Hanks and the other pointing to Harrison Ford. Though Ford's career and reputation may be one of extreme glamour and adventure, maybe the best way for Shia to choose his road would be to look at who still has a respectable career. Let's all hope Shia LaBeouf chooses wisely. Will he work with a mermaid and sports equipment or will he work with an ominous ancient building that may leave you looking for your head? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

-- Candace Kavanagh spends her life absorbing celluloid images. She loves every type of film from so-called "chick flicks" such as My Fair Lady and Legally Blonde, to mind bending thrillers like Mulholland Drive and Hard Candy -- with every zombie movie, action flick, musical, and comedy in between.

Teen Critic Disappointed by Indy 4

Harrison Ford may be Carlos' hero but that wasn't enough to make our Teen Critic fall for Indy 4 (Paramount)

By Carlos Sepulvada

Harrison Ford remains my hero. He has proven that even at 65 he can still take a good hit to the body. As an Indiana Jones movie lover I have to admit, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a disappointment. The storyline is a little over the top, yet the action scenes are still great. Definitely a very entertaining movie to see, but when you sit back to think about it, you realize how dumb and unreal it is.

Dr. Henry Jones is once again called to the line of duty to save the world from wreckage. If I understood correctly, Dr. Jones has to get the crystal skull to a pyramid-like-ruin in Peru, where it belongs. The crystal skull has extra-ordinary psychic powers which is why the Russians are after it. He initially took the crystal skull from the Russians (which instead I would call Nazis because of how they are portrayed), and while escaping he ended up in a nuclear bomb test area. Of course the nuke deployed and Indiana Jones survives. Crazily enough. I learned that apparently refrigerators can survive a nuclear blast. In addition to storing food, they can also serve as a protective cocoon in case of an emergency. The story goes on as they embark on they're adventure to Peru.

Towards the end of the movie, the story takes a sci-fi movie approach. When you first see the skull, you automatically know it's an alien's skull right? But never do you think your going to be seeing aliens in an Indiana Jones movie! People who have seen Indiana Jones' movies know that the stories are always a little bit unrealistic, yet none have ever exaggerated this much. After the alien scene I was ready for anything -- from dinosaurs to robots. This Indy film had too much digital effects work compared to the previous films that were more credible to a certain extent. This is why I came to the conclusion that the film is a disappointment. I don't care much for Shia LaBeouf, he was great in his Disney show Even Stevens but I don't think he was the right guy for this movie. If you haven't seen Kingdom of the Crystal Skill, wait for it to come out on DVD. If you wait for it on DVD I'm sure you will have more fun looking through the special features and possible deleted scenes than just watching the film. Don't get me wrong, the movie is fun to watch, but full of non-sense.

-- Carlos Sepulveda is a senior currently attending Mount Miguel High. Carlos enjoys reading in his spare time and running. He is most interested in history, politics and world issues. Carlos likes to watch foreign films, comedies and dramas.

Auction Winner on Indy 4

KPBS auction winner says Indy still packs a punch. (Paramount)

This year, KPBS offered three auction packages in which winners would have a chance to get an early look at one on the summer's blockbuster movies, and then write a review. I am pleased to present the first of our three auction winners -- Clay Bowersox with his review of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Let me just say that the one thing I really enjoy about going to screenings with auction winners is that the people who win are people who are eager to see the films and there's nothing better than going to a movie with other fans. So when I met Clay for the screening I was delighted to find out that he loves Comic-Con, collects action figures, and has been keeping up with Jones over the decades. So without any further ado, here's Clay Bowersox' review.

by Clay Bowersox

Indiana Jones has finally returned after a 19-year absence, but is he worth the wait? I think so, although Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is not the intrepid hero's best outing. To me, this new film was not as thrilling as Raiders of the Lost Ark or as fun as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, but it is still a worthy chapter in the Indy saga.

The key to enjoying this Indiana Jones movie is to go in with the right expectations. If you want to be entertained for a couple hours with action and adventure, this film should please you. I found that some parts dragged on a little too long, and the story was a little predictable, but it was still fun to see Harrison Ford don the fedora and leather jacket again after all these years. Now set in 1957, the Germans have been replaced by Russians as the villains. Cate Blanchett does a decent "Natasha" accent (of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame), and I was pleasantly surprised to see Shia LaBeouf hold his own with Harrison Ford as a young biker (greaser wannabe) who joins him on his journey.

I see the Indiana Jones films as comfort movies. The characters are likeable (Indy always seems to find a feisty sidekick). There are always exciting chases and fistfights with bad guys (poor Indy takes a beating as usual), and there is always the hunt for a mystical object with supernatural powers. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is familiar and fresh at the same time. You know what you're what going to get, but it's still fun to it's given to you.

You probably noticed that I have not discussed the plot. Like I said, you know what you're in for, but in this case I think it's best to experience this new adventure on your own. I will say that the astute viewer will have a lot of fun with the subtle and obvious references to other Indiana Jones productions. These include a cameo by the Ark, the return of a key character from Raiders, a line of dialogue from Temple of Doom, an exchange of facial gestures from Last Crusade, and even a plot reference from one of the Young Indiana Jones episodes. These are but a handful of items that fans of Indiana Jones can hunt for themselves. There's even a classic line from the Star Wars movies that Indy utters at one point.

With plenty of action and adventure, a little romance, and a touch of science fiction, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull delivers as an entertaining summer, popcorn movie. This older Indiana Jones and his new film may be a little slower now, but both still pack a pretty good punch.