Entertainment Today and Beyond

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Holiday Greetings

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OUR READERS AND LISTENERS FROM ENTERTAINMENT TODAY AND BEYOND

ALSO A HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOUT OUT FROM

its-a-wonderful-life-titleGEORGE BAILEY

 

 

diehard2JOHN McCLANE

 
edward-promo-006EDWARD

 

batman-penguinOSWALD

home-alone
KEVIN

 
scroogedFRANK CROSS

 

JACK CAMPBELLfamily_man_movie

 

 

gizmo-christmas-hat-suggestions

AND GIZMO

December 26, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | No Comments

Will Ferrell’s LAND OF THE LOST Poster just released

landofthelost-poster-fullsize1Universal has released the poster to its summer release of LAND OF THE LOST. While the poster is fairly cool, the direction of this project is not! There’s no doubt that the original 1970’s Saturday morning television show was cheesy, but it was NOT a comedy. The concept about a modern day family transported back into prehistoric times actually had some solid Sci-fi themes and was an entertaining program that I used to watch religiously when I was a little kid. Will Ferrell obviously felt the concept would play well for laughs, so he hijacked the property. Personally, I’d rather see a film version played straight that respects the source material. This is one of the reasons I hate Ben Stiller’s Starsky and Hutch. Ferrell’s take on The Land of the Lost opens June 5, 2009. Poster comes courtesy of Cinematical

December 25, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | No Comments

TOP TEN 2008 Television ITEMS worth reflecting on

true-blood-poster10. TRUE BLOOD- HBO’s vampire series was as wacky a show as I’ve seen all year, and I say that in a good way. I look forward to Season Two.

9. FX channel- With shows like Nip Tuck, Rescue Me, Damages and The Shield, the basic cable network has become a force to be reckoned with!

8. 90210- While NOT quite as good as the original Beverly Hills 90210, it’s not the disaster many predicted. It’s actually very watchable entertainment that should get better as it goes along.

smalls8-loisclark7. SMALLVILLE- The long running program has received a nice creative rebound this season. The new focus on the budding romantic relationship between Lois and Clark has put renewed energy into the show. Personally, I think Tom Welling would make a great big screen man of steel.

6. BROTHERS AND SISTERS- Not since Knots Landing in the 1980’s has Television seen such fun nighttime guilty pleasure. Sally Field and the rest of the cast have chemistry in spades. My only question is - how many family dinners can these characters have? 

5. GREYS ANATOMY- For the record, I still like the show, but in many aspects it’s jumped the shark. Already this season we’ve seen a main greysanatomycharacter sleeping with a ghost and interns operating on each other. Bizarre stuff indeed. Not to mention the behind the scenes unhappiness of a few of their high profile cast members. Still, its one of televisions biggest hits, attracting more than 15 million viewers a week!     

4. JAY LENO- The announcement of a 5 night a week 10 PM  timeslot for Leno starting next year was not only a shocker, but proof network executives are grasping at straws to solve their ratings erosion problem.

3. DEXTER- For the third straight year this Showtime program dexter_lcontinued to WOW. The addition of Jimmy Smits was a brilliant move as his star power proved to work beautifully against our serial killer hero, Dexter Morgan’s, quiet confidence. Michael C. Hall continues to be a revelation in the title role.

2. LOST- If there is a show with writers that have more imagination that these guys please let me know. I continue to be amazed at how they keep the program fascinating each and every episode. Quality that should be applauded.

1. NETWORK RATINGS- Quite simply, they continue to slide. With competition from cable (both basic and pay) and the internet, network ratings continue to slide. The Leno move is the first real sign that Executives are throwing up the red flag with no answer in sight!

December 23, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | No Comments

Top TEN 2008 Movie ITEMS worth reflecting on by Chuck Curry

thewrestlerlast10-440x26210. MICKEY ROURKE- When Nicolas Cage dropped out of Darren Aronosky’s “The Wrestler,” Mickey Rourke filled in. While not many people thought much of it at the time, it now appears Rourke will play a big part come Oscar night. A really good story!
 
9. THE HAPPENING- Not only the year’s worst film, but it solidified the staggering fall of director/writer M. Night Shyamalan. How could the same guy who conceived The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable be reduced to such utter silliness. I hope he bounces back!

cloverfield_galleryteaser28. HUGH JACKMAN AS HOST OF OSCARS- While I’m a Jackman fan, I feel the Academy is going in the wrong direction here. For me it’s always been about the opening monologue. With Jackman as host there won’t be any!   

7. TWILIGHT- The film version of the best selling novel fancied by teen girls, is a huge worldwide smash. It appears a new franchise has been born. The sequel NEW MOON starts filming in March!

6. CLOVERFIELD- No other main stream movie divided audiences like this one. The JJ Abrams produced film about a Godzilla-like monster that wrecks havoc in NYC, seen through the eyes of a hand held camera, had ironman_07-2people loving it or hating it! I loved it! Its 9/11 type feel gives it great power! A fascinating movie.

5. THE REMAKES KEEP COMING- It seems like every week a Studio is announcing a remake of an old favorite.  Already announced, Romancing the Stone, Arthur, They Live, and Old Boy to name a few, and those in just the last month. It’s an epidemic that won’t end until every film ever made is eventually redone. Don’t laugh - it will happen.

4. INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL- 19 years for this! A massive disappointment as the film has little of the magic of the batman-fulloriginal trilogy. Spielberg and Lucas should hand the reins over to a new creative team. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but I am.

3. ROBERT DOWNEY JR- Entertainment Weekly named Downey Jr. its entertainer of the year. It’s hard to argue against that pick as the guy scored big with turns in Iron Man (his charm elevated that pic to much greater heights) and Tropic Thunder (blisteringly funny as an Australian actor portraying a black soldier). Once in the toilet, his career couldn’t be any hotter!

2. THE DARK KNIGHT- I never would have believed that a Batman film could do almost a billion dollars in ticket-sales worldwide, as I always felt joker-nowthat the material’s dark sensibilities would restrict that kind of mass interest. Well, when you produce a film this great, you do draw a crowd! Despite flaws in the last half hour this is head and shoulders above any superhero film ever made! Something really special indeed. The Academy will do itself a disservice if there’s no best picture nomination.

1. HEATH LEDGER- The year’s saddest story. While one could argue that his death was senseless (and it was) it was also one of the most stunning in quite some time. I remember going on the Drudge Report and seeing a tease headline that read Heath Ledger found… I clicked on and it read Heath Ledger found Dead. I must say I was shocked. Being a big Batman fan, and knowing he had completed his role as the Joker, it was beyond surreal. After seeing The Dark Knight I honestly never thought he had that in him. He was brilliant, giving a performance for the ages. He will be missed.

December 21, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | 1 Comment

Trailer to NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

museum21-2Fox has released a first look trailer to its sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Ben Stiller once again returns as the bumbling night watchman who comes across a whole new group of crazy characters. While the first Night at the Museum was a passable entertainment, it was nothing overly memorable. It was more Jumanji than Jurassic Park. Hopefully this follow-up will be much better. It looks like FUN. This all new adventure co-starring Jonah Hill, Amy Adams, Bill Hader and Owen Wilson hits theaters May 22, 2009.

December 21, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | No Comments

I LOVE YOU, MAN Movie Trailer

paul-rudd2DreamWorks Pictures has released the coming attraction trailer to I LOVE YOU, MAN. Paul Rudd (Role Models) and Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) star in the film about a newly engaged guy desperately searching for a best man for his wedding. The highly likeable Rudd continues to be a major presence in movies these days, although most people probably can’t identify him by name when they see him. It’s nothing earth shattering but the trailers worth a  look…  

December 19, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | And Beyond | , | No Comments

Best Sci-Fi Movies of all time

starship_troopers_-_movie_posterWith the debacle of the Day the Earth Stood Still remake fresh in my mind, here’s a look at my favorite films in the sci-fi genre.

FAVORITE SCI-FI Movies by Chuck Curry

10. STARSHIP TROOPERS 1997- Although many refer to the film as Paul Verhoeven’s giant bug movie, the movie is actually a whole lot more. Mixing sharp social satire with well executed ultra-violent action sequences, this futuristic “anti-war” sci-fi action film is a winner and a really fun watch!

9. SOYLENT GREEN 1973- This detective story set in 2022 about a cop (Charlton Heston) who uncovers a horrible secret in a wildly overpopulated NYC is a fasinating look at a world in despair. Its themes of chronic soylent_greenunemployment and poverty continue to 
be a timely warning. Edward G. Robinson’s classic death scene at a euthanasia center is one of its most memorable moments. Robinson died of cancer 12 days after filming was completed which makes that scene even more poignant.

8. BACK TO THE FUTURE 1985- This blockbuster film, which spawned two sequels, was 1985’s biggest hit. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd have great chemistry as high school student Marty McFly and Eccentric scientist Doc Brown who accidentally travel back in time altering Marty’s future existence. Thought provoking, funny and highly entertaining, this is what a summer blockbuster is all about! Many fans, including myself, wish Universal would release the footage of actor Eric Stoltz, who was originally cast as Marty. Reportedly he filmed half the movie but was fired after producer Steven Spielberg didn’t feel the film was working with himbacktothefuture_poster in the part.

7. E.T: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1987- Steven Spielberg’s magical film about a stranded alien who befriends a young boy is a classic in every sense. Henry Thomas (who beat out 300 other kids for the role) was terrific as 10-year-old Elliott who helps E.T on his quest to go home. The bond between the two is one of the most moving in the history of movies. If E.T‘s resurrection scene doesn’t put a lump in your throat, you simply don’t have a heart.  This is Spielberg at his very best.  
 
6. STAR WARS TRILOGY, Original 1977-1983- Landmark in every sense of the word. Hands down the best trilogy ever made, and YES George Lucas could do no wrong in a galaxy far far away. At least back then! et_moon

5. TERMINATOR 1984- It’s amazing that James Cameron, an unknown director at the time, filmed this Sci-fi action film for a mere $6,400,000. The film’s main theme of changing the future by altering the past is a great concept and its warning of the dangers in technology is certainly as relevant as it is thought provoking. The combination of Sci-fireturnofthejediposter1983 and great action is a potent one!

4. THE OMEGA MAN 1973- The second film version of Richard Matheson’s popular novel “I am Legend” is my favorite of the three. Charlton Heston plays Robert Neville, one of a handful of human survivors after a biological war. Anthony Zerbe is terrific as the film’s protagonist, a mutant like survivor named Mathias, the leader of a deranged group known as “the family”. B-Movie fun at its best! 

3. THE FLY 1986- David Cronenberg’s masterpiece about a scientist who accidentally fuses himself with a housefly during a teleportation experiment was one of the very best films of the 1980’s. Jeff Goldblum has never been better in this fascinating look into a life gone horribly wrong. Equal parts sci-fi, horror and tragic love story, this is a sad but fascinating tale. Goldblum certainly deserved an Oscar nominatioterminator_soundtrackn for his work here.  

2. PLANET OF THE APES ORIGINAL FRANCHISE 1968-1973- After watching all five films in the original series during the Fox Movie channel’s Apes marathon last month, I found myself hooked once again. This is as good as it gets when you’re talking science fiction. It’s really interesting how the writers were able to interconnect each installment and keep the series thought-provoking throughout. Although, Battle for the Planet of the Apes is by far the weakest in the series, I’m still amazed how bleak the second installment Beneath the Planet of the Apes is, as you rarely ever omega-man-2see both main stars killed off in any mainstream film. One of my all time favorite movie endings! 

1. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS 1978- Phillip Kaufman’s remake of the 1956 classic about a group of people who discover that the population is being replaced by fly1clones of emotionless aliens. As good as the original is, this is even better. The cast, lead by Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy, are all top notch. Kaufman paces the film (set in San Francisco) perfectly until its bleak and stunning ending. A truly great movie!

 

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December 18, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Reviews | | 1 Comment

ETB Radio - Top TV shows of 2008

Chuck and Michael reveal their Top 10 TV Programs of 2008 LISTEN HERE and let us know what you want to hear about. email Chuck

December 17, 2008 Posted by chuckcurry | Radio Shows | | No Comments

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