Homemade Iron Man 3 Trailer

With Iron Man 3  coming out in May, a fan took to making the trailer. And I must say, it's pretty awesome.

(Buy Iron Man on Blu-ray HERE)

A Hobbit's Review: Way Better Than Expected

(Want to get the Lord of the Rings? Buy the Blu Ray Here)

Having read a few reviews before going to see "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" I didn't have the highest of expectations for the movie. Many critics say it was long, drawn out and cast in the exact same dye as the original Lord of the Rings trilogy (which, I really see no problem with.). I did avoid the 3D 48fps version and went with the old-fashioned regular frame rate 2D version because some people said it spoiled the fantasy feeling of the movie by feeling to realistic.

I was also a bit skeptical about splitting The Hobbit into three movies, since it was a 300-page book.

However, about halfway through the movie I decided "this is better than the book." And I think that's the first time in the history of movies that you can say that. Since it's a three-movie series, Peter Jackson is allowed to fill in the blanks on some events in the book that are basically written out in just one or two pages. For the most part, he hits every single nuance that the first 100 pages of the Hobbit offers in this first movie. If you just read the book (which I have, again), you'll be shocked just how faithful he is to the source material and how impressed you'll be with the changes he makes.

Some people criticized Jackson for taking too long in the movie to get out of the Shire, but the initial dwarf scenes are highly entertaining and if you didn't like them you probably didn't like the original three LOTR movies.

One of the qualms I had with the first three films was just how wimpy Frodo was for the majority of the time. It became the least favorite of the storylines that split out, despite a great performance by Sean Austin as Sam. The hobbit in this flick, the affable Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman, is the highlight of this movie. He played the reluctant traveler, bewildered by his circumstances absolutely wonderfully. He also comes across much more capable and clever than Frodo appeared in the first three films. Freeman is a highlight of the film for sure.

I also must say I'm happy the dwarves weren't played as completely comical but still entertaining. Gimli was used as too much as comic relief in the first three flicks, so it feels good they get their due. It also must be noted that had it not been for the first three LOTR movies, these flicks would never be made because what Hollywood studio would okay a flick about 13 short people and an old wizard? None. Jackson isn't afraid to take risks and portray the most unique parts of the book.

The whole dwarves showing up at Bilbo's place? Done. The riddle game with Gollum (Who's just fantastic this time around, really a great, wonderful piece of cinema right there)? Yep. Escaping from the Trolls by distracting them till sunrise? Yeah, it's in there. All things and devices that aren't normally used in Hollywood films and Jackson pulls them off wonderfully.

He also adds some very wonderful human scenes where some emotions and feelings are fleshed out. Bilbo's tenuous relationship with the dwarves, and their loss of home that I don't feel was really put front and center in the original book. It's a nice layer that makes me feel the movie is deeper than the book.

The only times I felt slightly distracted during the film was the addition of some things obviously meant to make sure audiences remember this is connected with the Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit really starts out as a plundering adventure for gold, but Jackson tries his hardest to make sure everything is connected to the originally trilogy (including an impromptu meeting between Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman the White that just feels very tacked on in order to make the audience feel like this is a more important adventure than it is. There is a nice monologue by Gandalf about Hobbits in there, however.

There pursuing orc band added into the film, obviously meant to give an active bad guy force to root against is slightly annoying just because it feels like it's needed for us "dumb" audiences. Unless we have some overlying bad guy force, we can't enjoy the movie? Come on.

Thorin is pretty bad ass, and flawed as a hero, which makes him almost more likeable that Strider in the first flick. The dwarves are most fleshed out as characters than the dwarves in the book. The action scenes are clever and playful. It really does feel like Jackson was the right person to move J.R. Tolkien's material along.

It's nice we're back in Middle Earth. It's definitely familiar but that's okay.

FIVE OUT OF FIVE STARS

The Hobbit Movie Spoilers

The Hobbit just opened and apparently its making buttloads of money. If you can't make it to the movie, at least buy the book, and enjoy J.R.R. Tolkien's first foray into Middle Earth. We're here to ruin it for you, however, with some Hobbit Movie Spoilers.

1. Bilbo and the Dwarves will be short - Sadly, they will not be able to get on any carnival rides, or reach the top shelf. That's the problem with being a halfling and a dwarf, the only place you can find clothes is the kids section of Walmart.

2. Some sort of epic battle will happen - A lot of people will probably die in said battle. There will be some do-good force vs. a rather nasty detachment of evil people. Think of it like the Patriots vs. the Bills.

3. A ring will be involved - I don't know how Kay Jewelers somehow got their winter line in this movie, but alas, Bilbo will probably be feeling around for some dull ring.

4. Gandalf will have magic - Despite being almost all-knowing and almost all-powerful, he always seems to get himself into a pinch. A rather lazy wizard if you ask me. The better wizard? James Franco in his upcoming movie.

5. There will be some quest to fulfill - Want to combat obesity in America, have people set out and complete quests. We'd do away with our dragon and goblin problem as well. Now if only we could find dragons and goblins in America.

6. Somebody will smoke a pipe - After all, weed is legal in the Shire now.

7. The movie will be two hours longer than any other movie - Peter Jackson, a wonderful director but terrible editor.

Also you'll probably see someone dressed up as a hobbit at the movie theater, or you can go dressed as a hobbit yourself. We won't blame you.

Awesome thing of the day to buy: Bane Doll

If you're a fan of the new Batman trilogy (buy all the Blu rays here) then you're no doubt familiar with Bane, the villain in the Dark Knight rises. While the Joker in the Dark Knight takes the cake for perhaps the best movie villain of all time, hands down, you have to give mad props to Bane for being the most entertaining.

Because lets face it, sometimes the Joker was just too depressing.

After watching "The Dark Knight Rises" my friends and I had the Bane voice going for a few months. Now I have this Bane Doll sitting on my desk at work. Inexpensive, yet funny as hell.

(Get your own Bane Doll)

Moneyball

"Moneyball" starring Brad Pitt is set to be released September 23rd, 2011. It's based on the book by Michael Lewis about Billy Beane, general manager of MLB's Oakland A's and how he had to create a winning team with a budget that's smaller than that of nearly every other team.

Michael Lewis also wrote "The Blind Side."

I think the trailer looks pretty good. What do you think?

Mission Impossible 4 - Ghost Protocol official trailer

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch the new Mission Impossible 4 - Ghost Protocol official trailer:

127 hours on DVD and Blu-Ray

127 hours might have been snubbed at the Oscars over the weekend, but today it is out on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Now I sadly didn't get the chance to see it in theaters so I'm stoked that 127 hours is finally on DVD.

I've been excited for this movie since I first heard about that James Franco was cast as Aron Ralston last January.

The DVD features the commentary tracks and bonus deleted scenes, while the Blu-Ray version, in addition to those, has a mini documentary on Search and Rescue techniques.

Once I do see the movie I'll definitely let you guys know what I thought of it.

And you can still check out the trailer for 127 hours at Just South of North.

The Troll Hunter

I'm not really sure what to think about this movie. It actually looks like it might not be bad

Shot in a vérité style, TROLLHUNTER is the story of a group of Norwegian film students that set out to capture real-life trolls on camera after learning their existence has been covered up for years by a government conspiracy.

A thrilling and wildly entertaining film, TROLLHUNTER delivers truly fantastic images of giant trolls wreaking havoc on the countryside, with darkly funny adherence to the original Norwegian folklore.

127 Hours Trailer

Way back in January I told you about how James Franco had been cast as Aron Ralston in the movie "127 Hours."

This Friday, November 5, the movie will hit theaters. Check out the trailer:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows full trailer

The final chapter of the Harry Potter saga hits theaters in November 2010 and the second half in June 2011.

Check out the new trailer.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the NEW movie

Growing up the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the coolest. Oh who am I kidding, they still are the coolest.

I saw this over at Superhero Hype:

Michael Bay and the rest of Platinum Dunes will oversee the launch of a new live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, according to Deadline New York. The film marks the first non-horror remake for Platinum Dunes, who will team with Paramount and Nickelodeon to re-adapt the property.

The franchise, which began as a black and white comic book series in 1984, rose to tremendous popularity when it became an animated series in 1987.

Following the first live-action film in 1990, the series spawned two live-action sequels, a live-action television series, a second animated series and a CGI feature film.

AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait.

Epic Video: Harvey Dent

Can we trust him?

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Radical Reels Tour

If you're into outdoor videos then you've heard of the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

I just found out today that the Radical Reels Tour will be coming to Washington in March.

Faster, Steeper, Higher, Deeper. Radical Reels complements the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour & focuses on dynamic, high-adrenalin films featuring sports such as skiing, climbing, kayaking, BASE jumping & mountain biking.

Here are the dates, times and info about local showings:

Thursday, March 11 at 7 pm
Mountaineers Program Center - 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle
Tickets: $10 Mountaineers members, $15 general. Available at The Mountaineers or by calling 206-521-6001.

Friday, March 12 at 7:30 pm
Capitol Theater, 206 E. 5th Ave., Downtown Olympia
Tickets: $12 general, $2 off for Mountaineers members. Available through the Alpine Experience and Olympic Outfitters, or at the door.

I also found the trailer online. Pretty sweet.



(This is from Just Northwest)

Epic Video: Cool Runnings

Today starts the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. That is if they can truck in enough snow.

But nothing says the Winter Olympics to me more than Cool Runnings. So, here's the trailer from 1993 for that great movie.