Jared vs Jason

Congrats, universe! You win again! I had no interest whatsoever in the Friday the 13th remake. Hell, I don't even care much for the original movies (except for maybe the first one, cause you gotta respect The Bacon). However, Platinum Dunes pulled out the big guns. After getting Texas Chainsaw Massacre director Marcus Nispel on board, they have now cast Jared Padalecki. Yes, pretty much the only damn person in this world who could make me watch a Friday the 13th remake. As I said before, congratulations, universe. You win. Should I just hand over my 8.75 euros now?

I'm almost getting hope this movie will be good. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake was an all-round good movie: visually stunning, great casting and acting, good script. If anyone could make Camp Crystal Lake look good, it's Nispel. And Padalecki knows his way around the horror genre, thanks to Supernatural, House of Wax, Cry_Wolf and New York Minute. Now if we could just get Brittany Snow and Lindy Booth and Monica Keena and [insert name of pop starlet wanting to act] to stay away from this as far as possible, this should turn out to be okay. Right?!

Trailer Park: 27 Dresses

I don't watch a lot of trailers online, so this feature will mostly feature (hee!) trailers that were attached to movies I've recently seen. Keep in mind that I live in The Netherlands, and that the trailers attached wont necessarily be the same as the ones in your country. In this post I'll review the trailers that were attached to 27 Dresses.

Step Up 2 the Streets
Hey it's that guy who was in She's the Man with original Step Up star Channing Tatum! [...] Yeah, I don't really care about him or the Step Up movies at all. I'm pretty much done with all those dance movies.. they annoy me more than all those spoof movies! I spotted the gorgeous Will Kemp in the trailer which made me smile. Not because he's gorgeous but because he's a dancer in real life so I can appreciate his casting. Will should make more movies.. haven't seen him in anything since Mindhunters and Van Helsing.
To be viewed: you've got to be kidding me right?

Sex & The City
I'm looking forward to the Sex & the City movie. I loved the showed, but at first I didn't think a movie follow-up would be a good idea. It's already been 4 years and the series wrapped up pretty nicely so there wasn't really a need for a movie. BUT, now that it's filmed and all, I am looking forward to seeing all my favorites again. Charlotte! Steve!
To be viewed: opening weekend!

Mamma Mia!
Oh my.. I was looking forward to this but the trailer, IMHO, is pretty horrible. It's so cheesy. Or is that the point?! Amanda Seyfried is an incredibly pretty girl, but doesn't look like herself here. Too tanned? I can't put my finger on it. While watching the trailer, my BFF leaned over and said: "Meryl Streep is way too old to be playing Amanda Seyfried's mother. Maybe grandmother." I couldn't agree with her more. I haven't seen the musical, but the thought of a Meryl Streep/Colin Firth pairing is rather disturbing. And when the cast names are shown, why isn't Stellan Skarsgard mentioned but Dominic Cooper is? Who the hell is Dominic Cooper?! Skarsgard thrumps Cooper!! GAWD! People have no respect these days.
To be viewed: in theaters maybe otherwise on DVD

Review: The Mist

It's already been 2 weeks since I've seen this, but here we go anyways. [...] Actually, I don't know what to say anymore. I'll try my best to recall my thoughts.

The Mist is based on the Stephen King story of the same name. I haven't read it so I won't compare. But the story is about a mist invading a small town and centers on the people who are in the local supermarket when the mist appears. Hidden in the mist are monsters, but the biggest monster is actually in the store: Mrs. Carmody.

Thomas Jane plays our hero David Drayton. He's an appealing actor. Very easy to root for just like in Deep Blue Sea. He gives a fine performance, though I did notice a couple of off moments. The thing is, he can't possibly compete against the perfect Marcia Gay Harden as Mrs. Carmody. Seriously, that woman is a force to be reckoned with! The rest of the cast is good too (William Sadler, Jeffrey DeMunn, Andre Braugher) with Toby Jones as Ollie also being a standout. And it's always nice to see Chris Owen pop up in movies. Looking good, kid!

I'm a glass-half-empty kinda gal, so let's focus on the negative bits;
- The pacing is off. Sometimes the movie moves too quickly and sometimes too slow. I found myself checking my watch. But was puzzled when the big tentacle monster was shown at the beginning. They should've saved that one for later and started with the bugs.
- It's too religious. It made me uncomfortable and bored watching all that religious talk go on and on and on. It's just not my cup of tea and I'm sure I'm not the only one who felt alienated by it.
- The ending. Okay so I don't hate it. I appreciate unhappy endings. But this was too harsh. Plus, I don't understand why the mother who left the store to go find her children survived.

I saw Cloverfield not long before this movie and throughout The Mist, I kept thinking: "Cloverfield did it better." Now I realize it's unfair to compare these two movies, but they're both movies with big ass monsters and parasites. I just couldn't help but compare the two. Do I have a point here? No, not really. I just like Cloverfield better.

I have nothing left to say. A 3/5.

Trailer Park: The Mist

I don't watch a lot of trailers online, so this feature will mostly feature (hee!) trailers that were attached to movies I've recently seen. Keep in mind that I live in The Netherlands, and that the trailers attached wont necessarily be the same as the ones in your country. In this post I'll review the trailers that were attached to The Mist.

The Eye
Meh.. American remakes of Japanese horror movies do nothing for me. Neither does Jessica Alba. What is Alessandro Nivola doing in this? And why isn't he a bigger star yet? And Parker Posey? You have no excuse at all.
To be viewed: if there's nothing better on TV

Untraceable
I like the basic idea here: the more people that visit a certain website, the faster the victim will die. On the other hand, it kinda reminds me of the Saw franchise and C(r)aptivity. Diane Lane is an appealing actress and it's always nice to see Colin Hanks and Billy Burke. I don't really know what the think of this movie. I'm kinda interested, but then again, I'm not. Hmmm..
To be viewed: on DVD

Rambo
I'm a girl. I've seen My Best Friend's Wedding more times than anyone should. I sing along to Ashlee Simpson songs. I want to go shopping with Katherine Heigl. I want to marry Dermot Mulroney. And I'm actually looking forward to the Sex & The City movie. Do you think I give a crap about Rambo? It was nice seeing Julie Benz though.
To be viewed: never

10,000 B.C.
The effects looks pretty good. I like Camilla Belle. But my like for Camilla hasn't made me watch When a Stranger Calls yet so I doubt I'm going to see this anytime soon. Movies like this are just not my thing.
To be viewed: on TV (maybe)

80th Academy Awards

I don't have much to say about this year's Oscars. Marion Cotillard and Tilda Swinton's wins were surprising. I'm not saying they didn't give great performances, I just expected Julie Christie and Cate Blanchett to win like pretty much everyone expected Daniel Day-Lewis to win.

I don't really care though.

The only person I wanted to win was Casey Affleck. But who can blame Javier Bardem?

Also: why wasn't Brad Renfro included in the In Memoriam section? Like Heath Ledger really is all that better than Brad Renfro? Shame on you, Academy!

Anyways, let's talk about Amy Adams! PHENOMENAL! She performed Enchanted's Happy Working Song, which was nominated for best song, but didn't win. That's How You Know should've won, but that didn't happen either.. eh... BUT! Amy Adams! Gorgeous! Talented! Gotta give credit to a girl who can own the stage all by her own and sing amazing live.



But then Kristin Chenoweth happened.. ehh.. Kristin performed That's How You Know and I realize she's a Tony Award winner and all, but, honestly, her performance was kinda headache-inducing. Her voice is just not right for this song. I don't know why Amy didn't perform this song as well.



And finally: Katherine Heigl rocked the red carpet. Without a doubt, best dressed celeb of the night! *hearts*

Review: Meet the Spartans

Poor Sean Maguire. He's a... no, wait. Let me direct this to him personally.

Sean? Hi. Gwen here. Just wanted to tell you that I think you are a very talented and funny guy. I remember you from that British magazine Smash Hits, back in the day when you were a popstar. I really really liked you on "Off Centre". It's a shame that show was cancelled, because it was actually funny, and compared to Meet the Spartans a friggin' masterpiece worthy of many Globes and Emmys. I also really like how you X'd Jamie Kennedy when he was trying to X you on "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment". And between you and me, the only reason I ever tuned into "The Class" was to see you.

The thing is, Sean, is that I don't know if I can support you any longer if you make crap like Meet the Spartans. It was painfully unfunny and you deserve much better than this. And I mean MUCH better. And I deserve better too! I realize that you need to pay the rent too, but maybe if you feel tempted to do something like MTS again, you should come and stay over at my place. Forget about paying the rent. We'll drink tea and gossip about Matthew Marsden, a Brit like yourself who was once in Smash Hits and now makes bad movies too (though Rambo is supposedly good). Then we'll laugh about MTS like it was just a bad dream and focus on your promising future.

Think about it.

Hugs & kisses! - G

Yes, this was a really bad movie. I was shocked at how bad it actually was. Sean Maguire was great though and I respect him for making the best of this mess. Carmen Electra and Kevin Sorbo were amusing too. I don't have anything positive left to say and I don't want to waste my time writing more negative things. A 1/5.

ps. Matthew Marsden - don't take this the wrong way. I think you're talented as well and enjoy seeing you on the big and little screen. And you're always welcome to stop by for tea too.

Trailer Park: Cloverfield

I don't watch a lot of trailers online, so this feature will mostly feature (hee!) trailers that were attached to movies I've recently seen. Keep in mind that I live in The Netherlands, and that the trailers attached wont necessarily be the same as the ones in your country. In this post I'll review the trailers that were attached to Cloverfield.

The Mist
I like Thomas Jane. He seems like a cool dude. I enjoyed him very much in Deep Blue Sea and I have no doubt he's able to kick some Mist-monster butt (if the monster has a butt). The trailer is visually pleasing, the cast is talented and Frank Darabont knows how to handle Stephen King stories. I'm looking forward to this somewhat.
To be viewed: on DVD

Jumper
Meh. I feel like I'm the only one who's not impressed. I liked the beginning when we followed young Max Thieriot, but lost interest when he grew up to be Hayden Christensen. I'm not sure why. Interest was slightly peaked when I saw Jamie Bell, but overall I just feel meh about Jumper. I guess it's just not my kind of movie.
To be viewed: on TV

Things We Lost in the Fire
Hi, David Duchovny. I feel like I've been seeing you a lot lately. On that "Californication" show that I don't like. And on promos and set pics of X-Files 2. It seems you're one of the things lost in the fire in this trailer and that's sad, because you seem to be the only main cast member in the film that I like. Also, you seem to be the only main cast member in this movie not to own an Oscar. But that's okay, since those things seem to be overrated anyways. Hope you're well and give my love to Téa, kay? xoxo - Gwen
To be viewed: on TV

TBS
TBS is a Dutch movie and IMDB tells me its international title is Nothing to Lose. It's main character (played by Theo Maassen) is locked up for supposedly killing his father and little sister. While he admits to the murder of his father, he denies killing his sister. He escapes from his clinic and goes in search for his mother who could possibly help him prove his innocence. Along the way he kidnaps a young girl to help him stay out of the hands of the cops. I'm not a big fan of Dutch films, but TBS looks pretty good! And Maassen is a solid actor so he should be able to carry the film.
To be viewed: on TV