Your Entertainment Ticket

Review by John Delia

Taking her new book to the screen, Producer Stephenie Meyer tries for a good opening this weekend for the film adaptation of The Host.  Hitting the target audience with a jolt of romance fantasy, the teens to twenties females should give the film a strong attendance. However, with hardly any promotion of the film, the male audiences will have to be dragged to the movie by their dates.  With a hint of the love triangle from Meyer’s Twilight Saga series, the film should do well at the box-office. Read more…

HIGH LEVEL

TEEN THRILLER

A TASTY

TREAT

THE HUNGER GAMES

By John Delia

The countdown has ended and The Hunger Games plays on screens all over the world.  The film that has had more Twitter, Facebook and other social networking than any other film released in America now gets tested at the box office.  But, do I think the film provides enough of the right stuff that will make it a winner?  Well hell YES!   Read more…

THE FILM

FLIES HIGH

WITH TELEKINETIC

ENERGY

CHRONICLE 

Cast: Dane Dehaan, Michael B. Jordan, Ashley Hinshaw and Michael Kelly

Directed by: Joshua Trank

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language, sexual content and teen drinking)

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hr 23 min

Opening Date: February 3, 2012

Distributed by: 20th Century Fox Distribution

By John Delia

“It’s all abuzz” and for good reason, Chronicle the movie takes aim for a box-office bundle with a “super-powered” film that’s directed at one of the largest movie going audiences, pre-teen to 25.  The highly imaginative, intensely thrilling teen film pushes all the right buttons providing a feeding for the frenzied populace that loves their movies on the edge and full of fantasy.  If you fit into this mold, then Chronicle should be at the top of your list, for you it’s a winner.

Steve (Michael B. Jordan) and Andrew (Dane DeHaan) perched on roof

Andrew Detmer (Dane Dehaan) just purchased a camera and he’s been shooting everything in sight, even taking it to his high school and recording for laughs, the cheerleaders practicing. His cousin Matt Garetty (Alex Russell) has some significant popularity in school being close to the very popular Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordon) who’s running for class president.  Andrew’s chronicle of his everyday activities sort of melds an unusual friendship of the three different personalities. 

Steve and Matt find a strange hole in the ground and they get Andrew to film the odd looking entrance.  Being a leader, Steve decides to go into the cave like hole followed by Matt with Andrew filming the exploration.  Attracted to a strange glowing object, the three are exposed to its rays.  In the days that follow they begin to exhibit telekinetic powers and their world starts to change. When Andrew’s passion for it starts to get aggressive due to problems at home, things start spiraling downward.

Director Josh Trank lines up a shot on the set of CHRONICLE.

Director Joshua Trank (Big Fan) gives his film an amateur’s camera eye view of the story as Andrew chronicles his daily activities including a few shots of his girl interest Casey (Ashley Hinshaw) who just happens to be a video fanatic herself.  Using both Andrew’s and Casey’s footage we see the worlds of these teens change as they collide with their new powers.  Smartly, Trank doesn’t go off track and when there’s action during some of the more aggressive confrontations, there’s always video from a hospital corridor, a street camera or ­­­­guiding the camera with the boys telekinesis.  It’s fun just watching to see if Trank makes a mistake.  At one time I thought I caught one, but realized Andrew had propped his camera on a nearby object and pressed record.

 Trank thankfully doesn’t get all jiggle with his cameras causing migraines like Cloverfield.  Instead after a very short period we find Andrew’s a very good cameraman as is Casey making for a more enjoyable flick.  He’s on point at all times, even during the flying scenes with clouds whizzing by and ominous storms gathering.   

Click here see the trailer for CHRONICLE

The young actors really work well together under Trank’s guidance showing a bonding between the boys who really have very different personalities and problems.  His own youth translates well into the making of the film and keeping it at the teen level, especially the fun antics that they are fond of generating.

Chronicle  has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense action and violence, thematic material, some language. 

FINAL ANALYSIS: For the young fantasy devotee, Chronicle shows best. (A)

Follow John Delia on Twitter @staragent1

GLEE ANNOUNCES TICKET SALES

TO MOVIE SCREENINGS

ATTENTION ALL GLEEKS:

BE THE FIRST TO EXPERIENCE, CELEBRATE AND SHARE

GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE

ON AUGUST 10 — TWO DAYS PRIOR TO FILM’S WORLDWIDE LAUNCH

SPECIAL SHOWINGS – AND FILM’S OFFICIAL AUGUST 12 DEBUT IN THEATRES –FOLLOW THE SOLD-OUT “GLEE LIVE!” INTERNATIONAL TOUR

LOS ANGELES – July  2011 … Twentieth Century Fox announced today that special advance showings of GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE will unspool on August 10, 2011, giving fans of the global phenomenon, known as “Gleeks,” an early opportunity to celebrate, share and experience GLEE like never before…and in 3D…two days prior to the film’s global launch.  Ticket holders for these special screenings will get a merchandise packet created especially for the event, including a GLEE logo lapel pin, commemorative ticket and lanyard, silicone bracelet, hat, commemorative GLEE RealD 3D glasses, and backpack. 

The screenings will take place in 291 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.  Tickets for the event go on sale July 13, for Gleeks on the official movie Facebook page (www.facebook.com/glee3dmovie). Public sales begin the next day at www.gleeksneak3d.com.  Ticket sales end August 2, to allow for mailing of the special ticket and bag.

GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE will enable fans who were unable to obtain tickets to the recent, sold-out “Glee Live!” tour engagements or who live in markets not included in the tour, or who just want to see it again, to experience the concert in the immersive magic of a 3D theatrical event. The tour played 40 shows across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, selling more than 500,000 tickets. 

GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE is a new way to see all your favorite characters — including Rachel (played by Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Kurt (Chris Colfer), Artie (Kevin McHale), and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) – as never before, with their spectacular musical performances, captured in 3D, interwoven with intimate behind-the-scenes revelations that are a story unto themselves.

“Glee” co-creator and executive producer Ryan Murphy produces GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE, and the director is Kevin Tancharoen.

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STEP UP 3D Now on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Disc, DVD and digital download

Starring: Rick Malambri, Sharni Vinson, Adam G. Sevani, Alyson Stoner, Harry Shum Jr. and Joe Slaughter

Directed by: Jon Chu

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language.

Now you can have it all with 4 ways to watch the second sequel of Step Up, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray feature film, DVD and high quality Digital copy.  It’s a great you to get your favorite film so you can watch it in any format.  And even though you may not have #D now, with the wave of the future crashing down around us, it doesn’t hurt to start collecting now.

The film has the usual boy meets girl, they fall in love and a Romeo and Juliet romance begins.  But let me fill you in a little more; in the story we find Moose (Sharni Vinson) and Camille (Alyson Stoner) both characters (and original actors) from Step Up 2 arriving at NYU for their first year looking to further their education.  Walking across campus Moose finds himself dueling with a member of the street dancing team House of Samurai and wins, this puts Moose in a dilemma challenged as to what path he wants to take, school or dance. When Luke (Rick Malambri), the leader of rival team The Pirates, gets his hooks into Moose he makes him a part of his dance squad. From this point on it’s a battle for bragging rights and $100,000.

Dance and music drive this film with the chorography by Jamal Sims, Nadine Ruffin, Dave Scott, Richmond Talauega and Anthony Talauega and music by Bear McCreary.  Dazzeling acrobatics make up most of the themed dances while individual standouts take the floor facing equal opponents during the ‘battle’ scenes.  Kicking up the beat the soundtrack includes the music of T-Pan, Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys, K’naan, Chromeo, Mims, Jesse McCartney, ELECTRIXX, Tania Doko, J. Randall, Busta Rhymes and so many others that would fill this whole article.  The sounds are hip and in tune with the dancing.

Step Up 3D DVD Bonus features are plenty and include a music montage called Extra Movies which features the dancers in the film showing extra steps with more footage that did not make the movie in theatres.  You will also get Making of the Music Videos, 8 Music Videos and more.

Blu-ray Bonus features include all the DVD extras plus a feature called Born From A Boom Bos: A Luke Katcher Film, and 8 deleted scenes.

The Step Up 3D Blu-ray combo pack is available on Tuesday December 21 and in time for holiday giving.  You can’t miss it as the box cover is in 3D.

“IT’S A KICK”

Starring: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Mark Strong, Chloe Grace Moretz, Nicolas Cage and Omari Hardwick

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

MPAA Rating: R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use – some involving children.

Genre: Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Teen

Release Date: April 16, 2010

By John Delia Jr.

The main character in Kick-Ass Dave Lizewski opens the film with, “I always wondered why no one did it before me?” Did you ever wonder why no one has ever really tried to be a super hero? It can’t be hard, you just need a cool costume, the desire to defend the innocent, and just want to kick some ass! We all know that super heroes are comic book characters like Spiderman, Wolverine, and Iron Man, but if you like to fantasize about being like them or just like watching movies with lots of violence, and predictable scenes with a script that makes you laugh, then you are a target for Kick-Ass.

Aaron Johnson as Kick Ass

The film has many interesting characters throughout, especially Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson), aka Kick Ass, who narrates the film with some comical banter, interesting insights and the usual youth minded views. Dave along with his friends Marty (Clark Duke) and Todd (Evan Peters), live the average life of outcast teenagers who drown their lives in comic books and video games. During freak circumstances after attempting to do a good deed Dave becomes seriously beaten by some high school bullies that results in having metal placed all over the inside of his body during surgery giving Dave an illusion super strength. Kick Ass is born!

Meanwhile, a vengeance filled vigilante named Big

Chloe Grace Moretz kicks butt as Hit Girl

Daddy (Nicolas Cage) and his daughter called Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) team up to deal an unusual sense of justice on the world of corruption. Desiring to clean up crime in their city puts them in the middle of some intense situations with amazing action. Their invincibility seems unending until the realization that forming an alliance with Kick Ass stands more for justice than revenge.

Kick-Ass quickly gabbed my attention and it lasted throughout the film. I feel that the excellent story line, along with spectacular direction and exceptional acting are important factors to its success. The action and comedy in

Nick Cage slices and dices as Big Daddy

the roles of Big Daddy and Hit Girl are well performed and steals the show. The comedy throughout, especially during some the action scenes, are well placed and kept me along with the audience laughing. The designed violent humor, usual super hero type dialog, and desires of revenge feed this film, but the director Matthew Vaughn also keeps the audiences attention by letting them know that what they expect is what is really going to happen.

Since this movie has an R Rating and contains a lot of violence and language, I feel that the film works exceptionally well for ages 17 and above. I recommend this film and would actually go and see it again.

5 of 5 Palm Trees (Guest writer John Delia, Jr can be reached for comment at reviewbuzz1@gmail.com)