Hannah

Have you wondered what the Bourne Trilogy would be like if Jason Bourne was a 14 year old girl?  Well, if you have then just see Hannah.  I'm certainly not the first, nor will I be the last, to draw the comparison between the two films.  The similiarities between the two films are just so striking that it's the most apt comparison.  Each title character is physically gifted in hand to hand combat and seems to have a sixth-sense for sniffing out trouble.

What makes the films different, though, is the approach that each title character takes to their predicament.  Bourne is deeply troubled by who he is and considers his capabilities a character flaw of sorts.  Hannah, on the other hand, embraces the rigorous training she receives (and there is quite a bit).  She spends years learning dozens of languages, mastering martial arts, marksmanship, etc.  She's the world's deadliest teenage girl.  Unlike Bourne, who was molded into the killer that he became, Hannah is truly born to be a weapon.

Of course there is a backstory explaining exactly who Hannah is and where she comes from.  It is not giving much away by divulging that she is a special child and highly important people want to capture her or kill her. Enter Cate Blanchett.  The relationship between the two is important, but the film only hints at why.

The movie is more impactful than the Bourne series because the main character is a young girl.  Somehow we're ok with the violence that Matt Damon can inflict, but seeing a female child wield weapons and snap necks is much more startling.

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-  Stuart

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 Trailer 1

Harry Potter 7 Part 2: Great movie or Greatest movie? July 15. OMG.

The Help

This book was fantastic and I am so so so excited to see the movie. Plus, I'm a big Emma Stone fan. Opens August 12!

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The first official trailer just came out today, I for one, think this movie likes really good. Opens August 5, 2011.

The Great Gatsby (2012)

Speaking of Baz Luhrmann and my love of Leo, they are teaming up again in the upcoming The Great Gatsby! Holy Moly, this is the best news I've heard all day. Carey Mulligan will play Daisy, Tobey Maguire will play Nick. In case you haven't read the book since high school, the plot is as follows (thanks imdb... and I really should reread this book...)

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Soon enough, however, Carraway will see through the cracks of Gatsby's nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness, and tragedy await.

Release date hasn't been set yet, but it should be in 2012, filming begins in May. Check back for updates!

Romeo and Juliet (2012)

There isn't much out there about this yet but Hailee Steinfeld has been cast to play Juliet in a new rendition of Billy Shakespeare's play. Directed by Carlo Carlei, who hasn't done much that you'd remember. I am intruiged because I want Hailee to have a successful career, but I also firmly believe there is no way this movie could top Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996). NO. WAY. It is one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time.

Crazy, Stupid, Love

I had not heard a thing about this movie and then bam! there's a trailer! I love love love everyone in this movie, I am so excited about this. Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei, Emma Stone, love! Opens July 29!

Hunger Games casting update update

The male leads have been cast! And here they are.... what do you think??

Josh Hutcherson will star as Peeta. You may have seen him in The Kids Are Alright. 

Liam Hemsworth will star as Gale. You probably didn't see him in The Last Song with Miley Cyrus (he's also her boyfriend).

The Hangover 2 Official Trailer

Well, no matter what, I will be going to see this although it looks like this movie is going to be EXACTLY the same as the first one. Like, literally. Missing tooth is now face tattoo. Missing Doug is now missing bride's brother. Vegas is now Bangkok. Even the gay Asian is back. I guess the difference will be the why of why they blacked out, yet again. We'll see.... Opens May 26, 2011

Scream 4

In case you haven't heard, yes, they're making Scream 4. I know many people are excited about this, however, I am not one of them. But in case you are, here is the trailer: (Opens April 15, 2011)

The Tree of Life

Ok, so I've watched this preview a few times and I still have no idea what this movie is about. So, I still haven't decided if I'll see it, although I'm leaning towards yes.... Opens May 27, 2011.

Water for Elephants

I really need to read this book before the movie comes out, because the trailer looks great! And who doesn't love a little Rob Pattinson action? Opens April 22, 2011

Transformers 3 Trailer

This trailer tells us almost nothing about the movie, but it sure is a cool trailer! Opens July 1, 2011.

Pirates of the Carribean 4 Trailer

Some might be saying, another Pirates? I say, YES! Opens May 20, 2011!!

The Three Musketeers Update

I have to admit, it may be a little cheesy... I'm still going though. Opens October 14, 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - First Look

And I'm hyperventilating.

July 15 is going to be magical.... literally.

Friends With Benefits

This movie looks like it might be pretty good. I love Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, so even if it looked terrible I'd probably still go see it. The title explains it all, and will definitely be inappropriate for younger and older viewers. Opens July 22!

Hunger Games casting update

Jennifer Lawrence has officially been cast to play Katniss.... not my first choice, I'll guess we will wait to see how she does. She better dye her hair and not age fast..... she is a really good actress though, so maybe it will work out.

The Lincoln Lawyer

There's just nothing like a Matthew McConaughey courtroom drama. They may be predictable, but they sure are entertaining. The Lincoln Lawyer is no different. Also starring Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, William H Macy and Josh Lucas, this movie is a fun, fast paced ride through the trial of a rich kid played by Phillippe. Did he do it? Did he not? It does in fact have some nice twists and turns, albeit it's a little bit cheesy at times, and a little bit overacted by McConaughey at other times. All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of hours.

McConaughey is sweet talking lawyer who runs his business out of the back of a Lincoln Towncar. Phillippe acquisitions the services of Mick to defend him against charges of assault with a deadly weapon. He says she set him up, so that she could sue him for his money. She says he assaulted her. But Mick knows there just isn't something right about the whole thing from the start. Thus, the rest of the movie ensues.

Tomei plays McConaughey's ex-wife, and she is really pretty good, even though her character is basically superfluous to the entire plot. Macy plays an investigator and offers some humorous lines. I got the feeling that the book this is based on probably has a lot of great detail and explanation that we don't get in the movie. This does leave the movie with a bit of a choppy flow, but I think the point is carried across well enough. 

A good afternoon activity, but it won't kill you if you miss it either.

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-Emily

The Adjustment Bureau

Free will v. pre-determination.  Always a fun conversation.  This typically philosophical discussion actually plays quite well on the big screen in the Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.  Matt Damon is a brash, idealistic politician from New York.  His greatest asset, his devil-may-care attitude, is also his biggest liability.  We learn that Damon is that rare creature who is actually more comfortable in front of large crowds than he is by himself.  Politics is his life-blood.

Enter Emily Blunt.  She's an accomplished dancer, on the verge of hitting it big.  She's also a free spirit; i.e. not a politician's wife.  The meeting between the two is as unlikely as it is charming.  The couple immediately hits it off, and the chemistry between them really comes through on screen.  It's almost like fate has brought them together.  All signs point toward the two of them settling down and spending a lifetime together.