We took a trip to the beach and got Thomas Haden Church in our shoes...

Thomas Haden Church, who turned in an amazing performance in "Sideways," is one of the best elements in the upcoming "Spider-Man 3." Read his thoughts about the "Birth of the Sandman" here:

http://www.helium.com/tm/307588


Steve

Two films, one surprising and one disappointing

Two new films are opening today, one I found surprisingly good and the other one quite disappointing. Here are links to my thoughts on "The Condemned" and "Year of the Dog":

http://action-films-thrillers.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_condemned_is_pure_escapism

http://filmdramas.suite101.com/article.cfm/year_of_the_dog_misses_the_mark

Twenty years later and Baby is still in the corner...

It's hard to believe that Johnny and Baby first got together 20 years ago, but it's true. "Dirty Dancing" first appeared in theaters during the summer of 1987 and quickly became a sensation. A television version of the film and a sequel called "Dirty Dancing: Havanna Nights" did not fare as well as the original, however.

In honor of this groundbreaking film, "Dirty Dancing" is returning to the big screen for two days (May 1st and 2nd) with new 35mm prints. Viewers also will see a 20-minute documentary about the making of the film.

Tickets are $10.00 each and available online at http://www.FathomEvents.com.

Helen Mirren as "The Queen"

After many notable performances, Helen Mirren earned an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. Read my thoughts about "The Queen," which will be in stores starting today:

http://movie-dvds.suite101.com/article.cfm/quotthe_queenquot_appears_on_dvd

Where Does a Giant T-Rex Get to Sit?

To promote the upcoming DVD release of the Ben Stiller comedy "Night At The Museum," Rexy is taking a cross-country tour. On Friday, he made a quick stop at the History Museum in St. Louis before heading to Kansas City.

For more info, click here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/222454/night_watchman_scott_takes_his_pal.html

Instead of eating her liver, I think I'll just shoot her

Anthony Hopkins is back and in top form in "Fracture." Read my thoughts about the film by following the link below:

http://filmdramas.suite101.com/article.cfm/quotfracturequot_puts_it_all_together

"The Condemned" Sweepstakes

Hmmm...I'm not sure if you actually win money in this contest or just $2,500 worth of facial damage inflicted by Steve Austin, but all you have to do is text the word "FIGHT" and your zip code to 43KIX (43549).

You can attend a World Premiere

If you're planning on being in the Anaheim, California area around May 19th, you could attend the World Premiere of the next "Pirates of the Carribean" movie. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Click on www.piratespremiere.com for more details.

Adam Brody Spends Time "In the Land of Women"

The former "O.C." star talks about going from television to the big screen:

http://www.helium.com/tm/277247

Would you believe...a "Get Smart" movie?

On the brilliant 1960's spy spoof "Get Smart," Don Adams played Agent 86, a top operative for CONTROL, a government organization that was always foiling a scheme by the bad guys over at KAOS (Bernie Koppel, better known as Dr. Adam Bricker on "The Love Boat," was Smart's chief nemesis, Siegfried). Smart was a bumbler, but aided by his prettier and much more intelligent partner Agent 99 (Barbara Feldon), he always managed to save the world from most certain destruction.

Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway are now filming a new "Get Smart" movie, which is sure to be much better than the 1980 flop "The Nude Bomb," or the failed remake of the series on the Fox television network. Look for this to be in theaters for the holidays or in early 2008.

Steve

"Perfect Stranger"

Halle Berry stars in a new thriller opposite Bruce Willis and the wonderful Giovanni Ribisi:


http://www.helium.com/tm/272698/typically-thrillers-theres-least

"Grindhouse" -- the best movie you're not seeing

After laughing and cringing like a little kid during a special screening of "Grindhouse," I expected to see this 1970's throwback at the top of the charts, but I was surprised that it came in a distant fourth last week. It's 3 hours long, but it's a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the Weinstein brothers want to split it into two movies, which would destroy the whole concept of a double-feature.

Here's what I said about it on opening day:

http://www.helium.com/tm/256714/before-videotape-players-became

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"-- an early look

The summer of 2007 is sure to be a bittersweet one for fans of a certain boy wizard since "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and reportedly final book in the popular series goes on sale at 12:00:01 a.m. on July 21.

One week prior to that historic date, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," a new adventure based on the fifth book, opens nationwide in theaters. "Phoenix" marks a definite shift in tone for the Potter series, with a now 15-year-old Harry learning more about his connection to the evil Lord Voldemort and his ultimate destiny.

Old friends, including Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, return as well as some new foes in the form of a nasty teacher named Dolores Umbridge. Harry also finds love in the form of the pretty Cho Chang.

Please enjoy the attached images from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" on this post and on the right side of the screen and feel free to share any thoughts with me on the books and movies.

Steve

Welcome!

I've been reviewing movies in some small local papers for about 13 years and I figured it was about time for me to branch out a bit and put some of my opinions online. I welcome everyone's feedback.