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Despicable Me - Review
Matt Mungle
 It is
interesting that when I talk about animated films the conversation always starts
with, "it isn't as good as Pixar but..." There is no doubt that those mad
scientists over there have set the standard for this genre and few can touch it.
So with the new family comedy from Universal Pictures, Despicable Me, let me
just say it isn't Pixar, but it is still a lot of fun with a few heartwarming
moments thrown in for good measure. Read on... |
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The Girl Who Played with Fire
- Review
Matt Mungle
The sequel to the
wildly successful THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED
WITH FIRE
is based on the second in Swedish author Stieg Larsson's best-selling
Millennium
trilogy. This suspense-filled thriller finds journalist Mikael Blomkvist
about
to expose an extensive, politically devastating sex trafficking
operation that
is set to disgrace high-powered Swedish officials. When his partner
Lisbeth
Salander is mysteriously implicated in the hasty murders of the story's
two lead
journalists, Blomkvist must do everything he can to reach her before she
is
captured by authorities. (129 min; Not Rated)
Review - I was not even half way
through reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo when I saw this latest
installment of the Stieg series. My hope was that the movie would move
faster than the novel when it came to getting into the meat of the
story. I was not disappointed. Where the book bogs down with laborious
dialogue the movie is quick to setup the story and move right on ahead.
Even
having not seen the first film I was able to easily decipher what was
happening. I am now curious to watch the original installment and piece
together what I may have missed out on. Even now as I continue to read
the novel I can better understand the film as a whole.
If I had
to name one element that made the film so very moving, poignant and even
disturbing it is the fantastic performance by Noomi
Rapace as Lisbeth Salander. Rapace won the Swedish equivalent to our
Oscar for her role in the initial film and I can easily see her
repeating here.
Be aware that this film is very adult in nature and rated R for brutal
violence including a rape, some strong sexual
content, nudity and language. The language is very strong and the sexual
content/nudity is graphic and at times even brutal. But to capture the
passion and darkness of the novel it had to be that way. It isn't
gratuitous but rather is there to solidify the depth of Lisbeth and the
character Stieg has created.
I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 safe words. It is Swedish with English
subtitles which adds to the essence of the picture too. Certainly not
for the casual film goer but those who are looking for a gritty thriller
that lacks polish and Hollywood glitz then I highly recommend this one.
Just be careful going in due to the graphic nature of the content. I
would even suggest renting the first one or reading the book prior to
attending. - Matt Mungle
The Girl Who Played with Fire opens on Friday, July 9th at
the Angelika's Dallas & Plano. |
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Predators - Now in theaters
PREDATORS, a bold new chapter
in the Predator universe, shot under the creative auspices of Robert Rodriguez,
stars Adrien Brody as Royce, a mercenary who reluctantly leads a group of elite
warriors who come to realize they've been brought together on an alien planet...
as prey. With the notable exception of a disgraced physician, they are all
cold-blooded killers - mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members -
human "predators" that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new
breed of alien Predators. Visit
www.predators-movie.com for more information. 106 min Rated R
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Jodelle and Tyson talk Twilight
Matt Mungle
 Twilight night came to Victory Plaza in Dallas and part of that was a
small press conference with two of the young cast members from the new
film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Jodelle plays a
young vampire named Bree and Tyson reprises his role from New Moon as
Quil.
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Cyrus interview
Matt Mungle
 Writer/director Jay Duplass chats about the cast, concept and comedy of
his new film Cyrus.
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The Bounty Hunter on DVD
For many
the overdose of
story lines and characters will seem a bit much. For others this will
add to
the movement of the film and make it more eventful. Again it goes back
to
trying to please both the romantic and the adventurer in the audience.
Going in
with the right mindset and gearing up for the ride might make it a win
win for
everyone. - Matt Mungle
Number of discs: 1 Rated: PG-13
(Parental Guidance Suggested) Studio: Columbia DVD Release Date: July 13, 2010 Run Time: 110 minutes |
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Be a part of the indie film world!
A
bittersweet, lyrical sci-fi drama that examines the complexities of
relationships in the near future, some real and some artificial.
FROM THE FILM MAKERS... We are in pre-production on 'SWALLOW' &
plan to begin principal photography in late spring/early summer. WE WANT YOU PART OF OUR FILM! Our goal with 'SWALLOW' is to tackle the ENTIRE process of filmmaking (from pre-prod to
distribution) utilizing the DIWO (DO IT WITH OTHERS) approach in
connection with traditional investments. Rather than just the
traditional way, we want to engage our audience early on & really
involve them in the entire process. For as low as $2, you can be
responsible for helping a film get made & follow the entire process
from start to finish...and we want & NEED YOUR HELP! Collaboration
is the future...help us make it happen! http://swallowthemovie.blogspot.com
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It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman
A Lost Treasure, a Musical Marvel, Soars Again - Look! Up in the Sky! America's greatest superhero was also the star of one of Broadway's
lost musical treasures! Now this mid-'60s miracle, with great songs by
the legendary Charles Strouse (Annie) and Lee Adams (Bye Bye
Birdie) is part of the Wyly Theatre's historic first season.
Review:
It's a comedy! It's a musical! It's Super Fun! There are many things that worked for this production and made it one of the biggest hits of the season. Mainly it soars on all levels. Technically it is a high flying adventure that that takes advantage of every square inch of the stage. Visually it uses vibrant costume colors, elaborate set designs and props to create a comic book world that comes to life. As a musical I appreciated the fact that the numbers were short and concise and blend in so well with the dialogue that you don't really notice it is a musical at all.
The casting for the production sealed the deal. Each cast member fit not only the look of the character but brought the strength or villainy needed to make the story work. Lastly it is hilarious. The humor isn't forced or manipulative but genuine enough to catch you off guard. I can easily say it is the most fun I have had at the theater in some time. - Matt Mungle
Suitable for children age ten and up.
June 18 - July 25, 2010
Potter Rose Performance Hall, Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre
Click here for more info and ticket information
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DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Beauty and the Beast
Winspear Opera House
July 13, 2010 - July 25, 2010
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY EVER TOLD COMES TO
LIFE!
The lush, romantic Broadway musical for all generations
TALE AS OLD AS TIME, TRUE AS IT CAN BE. Disney's BEAUTY AND THE
BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Dallas! Based on the
Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle
has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide.
This classic musical love story is filled
with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling
production numbers including "Be Our Guest" and the beloved title song.
Experience the romance and enchantment of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
at AT&T Performing Arts Center's Winspear Opera House.
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is the classic story of Belle, a young
woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince
trapped in a spell placed by an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to
love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his
former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his
lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.
Click here for more info and ticket information
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VANS WARPED TOUR ! Matt Mungle
The Warped Tour hit Dallas on July 3rd at the Superpages.com Center! Even though the threat of rain and eventual down pour tried to hamper the all day festival, few were put off. Fans came out in numbers to eat, drink, mosh and support their favorite artists. I was able to grab some pics of the show and the crowd and you can check them out at the links below! Stage pics | pics in the crowdFor more info and ticket information click here! |
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Get your Derby on July 10th! Feature
 On July 10th at NYTEX Sports Centre we have got your holiday out from
the sun. I'm no Liar when I tell you that the seats won't be Pretty
Vacant as we have sold out the last 3 games! We've had people come from
all over to watch our bouts, even from New York! There won't be any
Problems if you come, you will have a great time as the Death Row
Rumblers take on the Slaughterers and the Suicide Shifters take on the
Wrecking Crew!
It's gonna be Anarchy in the UK at the NYTEX Centre as we continue
our Dollar Derby Drafts and selling tickets to win a Harley Davidson
Motorcycle at the bout. We don't care if you are Seventeen or Ninety
Nine, whether you scream all night or have No Feelings, just bring your
Bodies to the bout and have a great time!! Tickets are $15 at the door and $13 on-line. Please keep in mind that on-line ticket sales close at noon
the day of the bout. Click here for ticket info!
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Scorpions get their tails back on the road Matt Mungle
 I remember the first Scorpions album I purchased as a teenager. It was a double live album that transported me into guitar riff heaven. The legendary German hard rock band returns with its final release, the
masterpiece Sting Of The Tail, which will take them on a three
year worldwide tour. It is always interesting to see any of the 80's rock legends and watch how they have evolved over the years.One thing for sure, the Scorpions have never been satisfied with anything other than full chest cavity crunching rock and I have a feeling this show is going to be no different! - Matt Mungle The tour hits Dallas on July 21st at the Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie. Click here for details and ticket information! |
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GREASE SING-A-LONG Sells Out Across the Country HOLLYWOOD, CA
(July 8, 2010)
 "GREASE"fans everywhere have
spoken. Sellouts have been reported in Austin, TX, Los Angeles, CA, New York,
NY, Ocala, FL, San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA for the upcoming exclusive
engagements of "GREASE" Sing-A-Long. On the heels of promotional, standing room
only outdoor screenings played across the country, people have flocked to buy
tickets for the limited engagements of the hit musical. Paramount Pictures will expand the film to the following five additional cities on Thursday, July 15th: Houston, TX (Cinemark Woodlands 17); Orlando, FL
(AMC Pleasure Island); Phoenix,
AZ (AMC Esplanade); San Antonio,
TX (STKS Palladium); and Detroit,
MI (MJR Partridge Creek). These
additional five cities were selected based on the results of an online poll,
with fans across the country "demanding" the musical open in their city. The
film is being distributed by Paramount Pictures under the newly created Insurge
Pictures label. Tickets
are available online at http://www.GreaseMovie.com. Is
"GREASE" Sing-A-Long not playing in your town? Demand
it! Æ at http://www.Eventful.com/Grease. |
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Check out this latest trailer!
Staff
 Ten years have passed since shocking revelations shattered the world of
the Jordan family, and now sisters Joy (Henderson), Trish (Janney), and
Helen (Sheedy), each embroiled in their own unique dilemmas, struggle to
find their place in an unpredictable and volatile world. The past now
haunts their family both literally and otherwise, and jeopardizes the
future. Alternately hilarious and tragic, outrageous and poignant, LIFE
DURING WARTIME is an audacious comedy |
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On October 26th,
Universal Studios Home Entertainment will
release
BACK TO THE FUTURE: 25TH ANNIVERSARY TRILOGY
on Blu-ray & DVD!
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA. -
At 88 miles per
hour, Michael J. Fox and
Christopher Lloyd
took millions of spellbound viewers on a high-flying voyage across the
space-time continuum in a trio of wildly
inventive
tales that broke box-office records around the world. To celebrate the 25th
anniversary of the Academy AwardÆ-winning cinematic
franchise
that
generated nearly one billion
dollars worldwide, the Back to the
Future 25th
Anniversary Trilogy will debut on Blu-ray (TM) on October 26, 2010 from
Universal
Studios
Home Entertainment. The 25th
Anniversary Trilogy will also be available on DVD.
Now,
for
the
first
time ever, the past,
present
and future collide in eye-popping high definition for a time-traveling
celebration featuring new 25th Anniversary restorations for
perfect
picture and the purest digital sound. More than two
hours of
all new bonus features have been added, including an all-new, six-part
retrospective documentary featuring never-before-seen interviews with
the cast,
crew and filmmakers, including Michael J. Fox, for
the definitive Back
to the Future experience.
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