‘2012’: New Meaning to the Disaster Film

In a word… disappointing. Here’s my take on this sci-fi blockbuster wannabe.

Basic Plot:

In 2009 American geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers that the earth’s core is heating up and goes to warn U.S. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) through White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) about the terrifying ramifications: an apocalyse. But before a global plan can be implemented to save the earth from disaster, global quakes and tsunamis start destroying the world.

The 2010 G8 summit decides to create giant arks to save a select 400,000 people and several animals in hopes of salvaging some of the planet.

In the middle of this chaos, writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to enjoy an adventure with his kids in Yellowstone away from ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) when he stumbles upon a conspiracy theorist and radio host called Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) who keeps announcing that the Mayans were right and the world will end in 2012.

Jackson now must save his family – and perhaps even repair his former marriage with Kate – by locating the arks and getting his family to safety before the whole earth is destroyed.

‘Surrogates’: When Virtual Technology Backfires

Get the full synopsis plus commentary in this movie review of the Touchstone science fiction film Surrogates.

Movie Synopsis

What if you could work, play sports, and enjoy a night out without ever having to leave your home, experience personal harm, or suffer negative consequences?

Welcome to the world of the new PG-13 sci-fi film Surrogates, where human operators are plugging into the Internet and letting their better-looking robotic selves called surrogates live out their lives for them.

‘District 9’: Disturbingly Powerful

In a battle between “us” vs. “them,” no one thinks what it would be like to walk in the enemy’s shoes. The groups are clearly demarcated and everyone knows exactly what side they are on.

But what if “us” and “them” got suddenly switched? What if the so-called good guys were really the bad guys, and the so-called bad guys were actually not that bad after all? Better yet, what if the hunter becomes the hunted?

These questions and more are part of Neill Blomkamp’s creepy new R-rated sci-fi action/adventure film called District 9.

Movies for the Fourth of July

Tomorrow is a happy holiday for our nation. Hope you get a chance to get to the beach, the mountains, or at least take the day off and celebrate our freedom. It’s great to be an American!

And while you are enjoying a cookout with your friends and family, shooting off fireworks, or catching lightning bugs in your backyard, when it’s time to go inside after all those outdoor festivities, how about a good flick to remember this great holiday?

If you are thinking about new movies at the box office, consider Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. It just came out Wednesday, July 1. I may be heading to the theatre this weekend to catch this fun animated flick. Plus, it looks like it will be family friendly, so those kids can tag along and no one has to worry about problem content.

Or if you haven’t seen it yet, why not try the new Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian? I just saw this movie last week. I was surprised at how entertaining it was. I didn’t see the original Night at the Museum mostly because I am not a Ben Stiller fan. However, this film is creative, clean, and enjoyable. So consider a matinee if it is still playing in your area.

And, of course, if you are thinking about renting a DVD, I would recommend the thoroughly entertaining Independence Day (1996), the action-adventure starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, and more. Nothing like watching the good guys beat the aliens!

Be safe, get outside, enjoy your family, and celebrate with a great film. 

 

— Laura

‘Transformers 2’: Thin on Plot, Cool on Visual Effects

Autobot Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the military, headed by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) have been successfully working side by side to defend Earth from enemy attacks from the Decepticons for years. But there are once again sinister stirrings from Decepticon forces, headed by The Fallen, who aren’t about to give up their infiltration and destruction of Earth. And now one government official is trying to rid the planet of Autobot defenses just at the time when those Autobot forces will be needed most.

Now the Decepticons are after college-bound Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), who happens to possess the remaining sliver of the cube, the ultimate object of robotic power force.  

‘Transformers’ Review to Post Tomorrow

Last night I went to a screening for the new Michael Bay sci-fi action/adventure film starring Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. I can’t disclose my review yet. (Awww! Man!) I can’t give my official two cents until opening day, which is tomorrow, because that’s what the studios stipulate if you go to a film screening as press. My hope is to get the review up tomorrow afternoon, since I will be taping my Current FM radio review of the new romantic comedy The Proposal in the morning from the comfort of my home. 

— Laura J. Bagby

Upcoming Reviews: ‘The Proposal’ and ‘Transformers’

Just wanted to let you guys know that I just saw The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock and one of my personal favs (that would be  — and I am going to waiver just a bit from my journalistic professionalism here — Ryan “Hottie” Reynolds). I will have a complete review for you soon. This is the movie that will be featured on Friday’s Positive Hit Radio The Current movie review segment on Friday, June 26. So be listening! And I will get those audio clips up as soon as I can just in case you miss it live.

Also, I am excited that I will be seeing Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen at a pre-screening event next week. It opens Wednesday, June 24. I read a review with the film’s starlet, the young Megan Fox, in Entertainment Weekly recently. She is quite a beauty, but unfortunately also very mouthy if the interview is any indication. Hope that fact doesn’t spoil what I see on screen. 

— Laura J. Bagby

‘Land of the Lost’ Disappoints

Take the old caveman Geico ads, mix in raunchy SNL skits, and throw in a Daisy Duke Brit and a redneck good old boy and you’ve got the new Land of the Lost that opened last Friday.

The original 1974 TV series written by Sid and Marty Krofft followed the time traveling adventures of a camping father and his two kids who inexplicably find themselves in the mysterious world of man-eating dinosaurs, sinister lizard-like Sleestaks, and a monkey boy called Chaka.

On-Air About ‘Land of the Lost’

My radio film review of Land of the Lost is coming this Friday. Sorry you can’t get it sooner!

But I can tell you that you don’t want to waste your money on this new Will Ferrell flick. It seems to draw the immature and undiscerning, if my experience at the theatre has any bearing. And that is a sad reality.

I head back to the phone lines with Current FM’s Liz Lane to talk more, so watch for that this Friday.

— Laura J. Bagby

‘Star Trek’: Beaming Up This Generation

Star Trek

We haven’t seen a Trek film since 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis. This film marks the 11th Trek film to hit the silver screen.

It’s another sci-fi flick that is returning to origins. We saw it years ago in Star Wars Episode I, then Batman Begins, and even in last week’s opening of Wolverine. And now J. J. Abrams is doing the same thing by getting back to the beginning of Trek lore.