Movie Review: "Rango"

Seen on: March 4, 2011

The players: Director: Gore Verbinski, Writer: John Logan, Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy

Facts of interest: Verbinski also helmed "The Ring" and "Pirates of the Caribbean."

The plot: Rango is a pretty insecure chameleon who gets lost in the desert and later stumbles across a small town in desperate need of water.

Our thoughts: Gore Verbinski’s “Rango” is a whole lot of fun to watch on the big screen; I can tell you that much. Loaded with eccentric characters and a solid amount of enjoyable action moments paired with fresh humor, this animated adventure easily goes down as one of the more memorable films of 2011. “Rango” sure has its imperfections, but in terms of fast-paced family fun, the movie definitely delivers on its commitment to entertain its audiences.

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Watch this new, funny clip from 'Rango'

In terms of upcoming animated flicks, Gore Verbinski's "Rango" is definitely the one I'm looking forward to most. I love the look of the characters and the film's gorgeous animation, and to be honest, I'm even already sold on the storyline. Long story short, it looks like a ton of fun, and here is a new clip to prove it.

"Rango" is a family western that follows a depressed chameleon (voiced by Depp) trying to survive in the ruthless desert. Johnny Depp voices the lizard, and he's backed by Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy, Timothy Olyphant, Abigail Breslin, Alfred Molina and Ray Winstone. The movie opens March 4, 2011. Bring it on.

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Movie Review: “Pirate Radio”

Seen on: November 5, 2009

The players: Director: Richard Curtis, Writer: Richard Curtis, Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh

Facts of interest: Richard Curtis also directed "Love, Actually."

The plot: A group of radio pirates broadcast rock 'n' roll from a boat in the North Atlantic while the British government tries to shut them down.

Our thoughts: Board Richard Curtis’ new comedy “Pirate Radio” (formerly “The Boat That Rocked”), and you’re in for more than two hours of great rock ‘n’ roll and fabulous acting performances. The film is by no means perfect, but I admit it’s definitely not as terrible as some critics out there made it out to be.

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This week's new movie releases - Nov. 13, 2009

Opening this week are Roland Emmerich's new apocalyptic action flick "2012" with John Cusack; and Richard Curtis' comedy "Pirate Radio" with Bill Nighy, Nick Frost and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

2012 (with John Cusack, by Roland Emmerich)

Synopsis: The film focuses on a little group of people struggling with the large-scale cataclysm ensuing from the end of the world in 2012. As usual, Emmerich blows up the entire planet. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Amanda Peet co-star.

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New images & poster from 'Astro Boy' land online

I simply can't get very excited about David Bowers' upcoming animated adventure "Astro Boy." Maybe it's because the trailer kind of failed to win me over, or maybe it's because the whole robot boy story just doesn't catch my interest.

Anyway, some new stills (via SuperHeroHype) and a new poster (via Joblo) for the film popped up online today, and you can check them out above and below. The pic above is a shot from a battle scene during which Astro is forced to fight some of his robot enemies.

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Review: “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans”

Seen on: January 23, 2009

The players: Director: Patrick Tatopoulos, Writers: Howard McCain, Dirk Blackman, Danny McBride, Cast: Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly, Kevin Grevioux

Facts of interest: Patrick Tatopoulos did the creature design in all three films.

The plot: The film explores the origins of the battle between the Lycans and Death Dealers.

Our thoughts: It’s about time to close the gates to this underworld for good. Patrick Tatopoulos’s prequel “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is not exactly a monstrosity, but the third installment in the series that kicked off with “Underworld” in 2003 fails to offer us anything we haven’t already seen in the predecessors.

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'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' web reviews

The Death Dealers and Lycans return to the big screen in Patrick Tatopoulos' "Underworld" prequel "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans," starring Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, Rhona Mitra, Shane Brolly and Kevin Grevioux. Here's what some Web critics have to say about the film:

• Ron Henriques at LatinoReview: "There's entertainment to be found in the picture and it does have its moments, because you don't come to see these movies for a dramatic story."

• Brad Brevet at RopeOfSilicon: "It isn't an absolute travesty, but you are getting nothing new and the repetitive nature of it all only equates to about 30 minutes of seemingly original storytelling -- if that."

• Brian Orndorf at Collider: "Downplaying the murky Vampire/Lycan mythology that grew to suffocate the previous films, "Rise of the Lycans" is a 90-minute-long horror passion play that benefits from brevity."

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New 'Rise of the Lycans' poster hits

Even though the release date of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" is getting closer with every day that passes, I still can't get excited about the flick.

Maybe it's because I really enjoyed Len Wiseman's first "Underworld" but hated the sequel. Maybe it's the abscence of Kate Beckinsale that sort of killed my interest in the franchise. Oh whatever...

UGO debuted a brand-new one-sheet for the prequel, which focuses on the beginning of the feud between the Death Dealers and Lycans.

Michael Sheen, Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy and Craig Parker star. Check out a big version of the poster after the jump. "Rise of the Lycans" opens Jan. 23, 2009. Patrick Tatopoulos directs.

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Trailer radar: 'The Boat That Rocked'

Ever since Richard Curtis' marvelous comedy "Love Actually," I've been eargerly waiting for him to return to the big screen with his next directorial effort. Almost six years have passed, but now he's back!

The film is entitled "The Boat That Rocked," and it focuses on a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz.

The cast is promising as well, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh, Nick Frost, Rhys Ifans, Emma Thompson and Gemma Arterton all on board.

After the jump, you can check out the first trailer for the film, which is expected to arrive in theaters sometime next year. It's certainly a step away from the romance in "Love Actually," but it still looks hilarious.

Curtis, a British comedy veteran, also co-wrote "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral." He also worked on many episodes for "Mr. Bean."

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Poster for 'The Boat That Rocked' online

From Impawards comes the first poster for Richard Curtis' next comedy "The Boat That Rocked," about a band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that, incomprehensibly, preferred jazz.

On board are Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Nick Frost. Curtis, who co-wrote "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Four Weddings and a Funeral," among others, last directed the wonderful "Love Actually."