Oh, look. Summer.

It's July and it's finally feeling like summertime here in NYC. Joy!

This month, our favorite wizard starts his search for Voldemort's horcruxes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I was pretty disappointed in the last movie but, I still have high hopes for this one -- the trailers look great. After this, there's only the two movies comprising the final book left. Damn, time flies. Check out HP6 in theaters on the 15th.

Happy 10th anniversary to Miss Crystal Kay. I hope you're around for decades to come. 愛してるよ。♥♥♥

Finally, Brüno comes to American theaters on the 10th. I was worried that Cohen taking on this character would be something like a white person in blackface, but early reviews have allayed my fears and I'm actually excited to see it.

Hope everyone had an awesome Independence Day! And, Happy July!!

Twilight: New Moon Trailer

Not bad. My interest isn't necessarily piqued, but it's sustained. Taylor's still not tall enough...

Edward or Jacob? - First Official 'New Moon' Poster

Someone saw the dollar signs and wasted no time in churning out these Twilight films. The second project, New Moon, will see its release just two days after my birthday, only a year after the first movie's release. Here we have the first official poster. Meh. I'm still a tad upset that Taylor Lautner is reprising his role as Jacob (instead of the drastically more attractive Michael Copon) and I'm harboring doubts that he can pull off the role convincingly. Judging by this poster alone he's not looking nearly as tall as he should. R-Pattz is looking as scrumptious as ever though, while mindless twat Kristen Stewart looks just as drab as she wants to be. With the second installment of the franchise approaching, brace yourself to hear much "Team Edward or Team Jacob" chatter amongst 'fanpires' (as if there's any contest). And if you are a fanpire, be sure to watch the 2009 MTV Movie Awards for your first peek at New Moon.

Ooh, this will have me crying in a theater near you! - 'Precious' Trailer

This movie looks amazing. And, incredibly enough, Mariah Carey may actually add something to the film! The trailer alone already had me choked up so goodness knows I'll need to bring some Kleenex to the theater with me. What do you guys think?

My Favorite Oscar 2009 Moment

The Oscars were great this year, surprisingly enough. The 'Big 5' Oscar winners were pretty predictable, but it was still entertaining from start to finish, thanks in large part to Hugh Jackman, one of the best hosts in some time. My favorite moment was Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black's acceptance speech. Goosebumps.

The 81st Academy Awards - The Nominees Are...

The nominees for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced this morning. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is this year's wonder story, nabbing thirteen nominations. I actually predicted four of the five flicks up for Best Picture... I don't know if that says my taste is getting better or actually deteriorating.

Power couple Brangelina are up for Best Actor and Best Actress, demonstrating in yet another fashion that they are, in fact, the coolest people to ever walk the Earth. Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker scores him a posthumous Oscar nomination. James Franco, sadly, did not receive a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Milk, but Sean Penn nabs a Best Actor nod and the film is up for Best Picture. And, WALL-E is in the position to win Best Animated Feature.

Read on for a full list of this year's nominees...

BEST PICTURE

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
* “Milk” (Focus Features)
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTOR

* Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
* Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
* Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ACTRESS

* Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
* Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
* Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

* Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
* Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
* Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
* Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

* Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
* Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
* Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
* Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

* “Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
* “Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

BEST ART DIRECTION

* “Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

* “Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

* “Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
* “The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
* “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

BEST DIRECTOR

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

* “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
* “Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
* “The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
* “Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
* “Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

* “The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
* “The Final Inch” A Vermilion Films Production, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
* “Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
* “The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

BEST FILM EDITING

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

* “The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
* “The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
* “Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
* “Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
* “Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

BEST MAKEUP

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
* “Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.),Alexandre Desplat
* “Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

* “Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
* “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
* “O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman andMaya Arulpragasam

BEST ANIMATED SHORT

* “La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
* “Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
* “Oktapodi” (Talantis Films) A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
* “Presto” (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
* “This Way Up”, A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT

* “Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
* “Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
* “New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
* “The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
* “Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

BEST SOUND EDITING

* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Tom Sayers
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
* “Wanted” (Universal),Wylie Stateman

BEST SOUND MIXING

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney),Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
* “Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
* “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
* “Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

* “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
* “Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
* “Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
* “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
* “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

* “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
* “Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
* “In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
* “Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
* “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

Le sigh - Street Fighter: Legend of Chun-Li Trailer

This just makes me want to put my head down. Couldn't someone involved in the project commit to making a good Street Fighter movie? Couldn't they have made something a Street Fighter fan would be proud to see twice on opening day? Why must they torture us so?

Bison, Balrog, Charlie, and Gen are all supposed to be in this film, but in this trailer there's no sign of any of them. No glimpses of any spinning bird kick action either. Which is disconcerting. Vega's jumping around a lot in the trailer but he just looks silly. Will I see this movie? Yes. And I'll probably chew it to pieces in my review. But I'll hate myself. Because I love Chun-Li.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li drops February 27th. Will you be checking it out?

Taylor Lautner vs. Michael Copon - Taylor Victorious

With a new director slated for the next installment of the Twilight film franchise, the role of Jacob Black was apparently up for grabs. Having seen the first film, I was underwhelmed with Taylor Lautner; to be honest, the boy is small and is fresh-faced enough to appear prepubescent. And while that was OK for the first film, there is no way he could pull off the transformation the character goes through without some serious help from CGI.

About a month ago, it was discovered that Michael Copon was vying for the role of Jacob Black in New Moon, and I jumped for joy. There was a time when I was obsessed with Michael, and while I've since gotten over it, I'm a bit shocked that he hasn't yet become a teen idol. He's been around the block and has gotten a decent amount of exposure from his appearances on the Disney Channel, The N, and a short stint on One Tree Hill. Taking up the role of Jacob would have really put him on the map.

Alas, it was not meant to be. The new director, with the support of Stephenie Meyer, has decided to stick with Taylor for New Moon. Opportunity lost, Michael. Since Bella doesn't have the presence of mind to hook up with Jacob anyway, perhaps Taylor's baby face is best. But, keep your head up. You're still smokin'! That's gotta count for something.

Fanpires speak out! Did the role of Jacob Black go to the right hottie?

Mach GoGoGo! - Speed Racer Review

The film version of Speed Racer, a manga and anime franchise held up in our memories by nostalgia, had to stand up to nigh impossible expectations. Our recollection is vague, yet fiercely fond, and no big budget, Hollywood production cooked up by those kooky Wachowski brothers could live up to our beloved childhood cartoon. Couple those sentiments with early reports of a gargantuan price tag and an overly long running time and the film couldn't escape its bad rap. It is unfortunate because Speed Racer succeeds in providing solid family entertainment while skillfully playing on that old nostalgia.

Continue reading...

Reviewers decried the plot paper-thin, the colors headache inducing, and the physics too fantastic. However, re-watching the original cartoon on YouTube, it is all too accurate. Shrugging off the movie as suitable only for ten-year-olds is nonsensical; that's how old we were when we first started singing "Go, Speed Racer, Go!" and if we're too old and cynical to appreciate it now, doesn't that say more about us?

With that said, the movie was far from perfect; some of the lines did fall flat, few were genuinely funny, and the audience is hit at least one too many times over the head with the importance of family values. But, it was sufficiently visually stimulating that I didn't mind the length (a little over two hours) and the biggest plot point of the show was also the focus of the movie: the mysterious Racer X. The vivid, action packed racing scenes were cool, for veritable ten-year-olds and for those of us who are still ten at heart. And as predictable a movie about racing is, it manages to stay entertaining. I caught myself humming the theme song during the climax of the "dangerous race." (You remember, the one that spans two continents and includes volcanoes, a mountain range, and an ice path).

There weren't any earth-shattering performances but again, it's a family movie about racing. Emile Hirsch is a dead ringer for Speed, an excellent choice. John Goodman makes an excellent Pops and Christina Ricci is hot as Trixie. Korean pop-star Rain gets some US exposure and finds a way to appear shirtless more than once, something for which we can all be thankful. His English isn't half bad, either. And Speed's big brother, Rex *cough, Racer X, cough* is fine! Even Spritle and Chim-Chim are spot-on.

I enjoyed Speed Racer and I look forward to watching it again with my younger cousins. I'm glad I waited until everyone was finished talking trash to see it; contrary to most of the reviews, I found it to be a fitting tribute to the classic.

Ragin' Cajun - X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer

F*** Wolverine. (Though Hugh Jackman is delish). GAMBIT! Yes! I'm pumped. Also, is this X-Men Origins thing gearing up to be a series of films?

Damn, it's December!

Wow, time flies. Here it is December, and nodnarb is coming up on its first anniversary! I hope someone, somewhere has enjoyed my ramblings thus far and I'm looking forward to talking more trash in 2009! Here's what's going on this December:

Yesterday, Brandy released her first album since 2004, Human. Britney Spears released Circus, her second "comeback" album in two years, last week. Brad Pitt stars in the film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story The Curious Case of Benjamin Button due on Christmas Day. And, Will 'Blockbuster' Smith will star in Seven Pounds on the 19th.

Oh, and how could I forget. Happy Holidays, lovers!!!

Robert Pattinson Overload - Twilight Movie Review

So, I just got back from a midnight showing of Twilight. (Yes, I'm embarrassed). The movie, surprise, surprise, didn't get the most favorable of reviews, currently at a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I, myself, have mixed feelings.

First off, if you were already a 'fanpire,' you're gonna love this movie. You'll forgive all of its missteps, swoon every single time Edward Cullen is on screen, and won't want to get up when the lights come back on. Saying the film is faithful to the book makes all of the fans of the series look bad, but perhaps deservedly so, as I really think everything important in the book was included in the movie, including the unabashedly cheesy, lame, and campy parts. The movie, like the series, is somewhere between succeeding and failing, but the series is earnest enough and the film had Robert Pattinson, so we forgive, and in most cases, allow ourselves to become obsessed.

Bella, Edward, and Alice especially are all well-cast. No one else looks the way they're supposed to (except maybe the enemy vamps) but it doesn't really matter. Well, it's a tad disappointing when it comes to the rest of Edward's family, but we move on. There are a few good laughs, some intended and others, not so much. Robert Pattinson is so ridiculously gorgeous that it makes you uncomfortable. I've never been affected by an actor that way before. It's insane. If the movie translated anything accurately from the books, it's Edward and his beauty.

If you weren't already into the books, I highly doubt the movie will draw you in. If you're a gay male or straight female you'll be entertained at least, but you won't necessarily like it. Either way, the film is on its way to making a bumload of money, so the sequels are inevitable. I think the reviews are accurate, but, like any cult following, it's defiant of logic and reason. Mythology and hot boys just work. Gratuitous Robert, below.

Waiting patiently... - Harry Potter 6 Trailer

I have to say, I was heartily disappointed in the fifth movie, but I am quite looking forward to this one. The Half-Blood Prince will no doubt lend itself to the big screen more readily. Slughorn's not as rotund as he is in my memory, but I've long since given up dreams of a faithful Harry Potter adaptation. Looks good, though, yeah?

Robert Pattinson, take me now... - Twilight Trailer

Uh, there's no keeping me away from the movie theater that Friday.

Top That! - Teen Witch

So, I know this makes me sound old as dirt, but I watched one of my favorite movies from the 80s this weekend, Teen Witch. It is a CLASSIC. If you've never seen it (or if you have and know all about Top That), check out the most iconic scene from the movie and "how funky he is."



And, did you know? Robyn Lively, who plays the 'teen witch' in the movie is older sister to Gossip Girl's Blake Lively.

...It's June...I'm still in school -_-

I know, I know. I'm late. Blame finals. That's right, I'm still in school. I still have an unsettling amount of pages to write before I can leave this place and return home to NYC. Sweet, blessed NYC.

So, yeah. It's June! Hooray for summer!! I went to Six Flags the other day. It wasn't quite the usual experience; I don't think it's warm enough yet here in Chicago to fully appreciate Hurricane Harbor. But, it was fun. Up until the part where my bag was stolen. Mmhmm.
This month, Crystal Kay releases her new single, 涙のさきに (Namida no Saki ni) from what I'm sure will be her fantastic forthcoming album. The video for the single is sort of like the こんなに近くで (Konna ni Chikaku de) video, except on crack. But Kuri looks good, channeling Michael (always a good idea), and stepping out of her box.

The Incredible Hulk smashes into theaters this weekend. The trailers look good, and honestly, it really couldn't be any worse than that other Hulk movie. Rumor has it that Marvel is setting up a film adaptation of The Avengers, with Ed Norton and Robert Downey Jr. reprising their roles as the Hulk and Iron Man, respectively. Sounds hot.

Finally, industry darling Rihanna repackages last year's Good Girl Gone Bad with a few extra songs. Lead single Take A Bow has already been a #1 hit, her collaboration with Maroon 5 has been well received, and I'm really starting to dig Disturbia. Can she do no wrong?

Enjoy June, bitches!! Hopefully I can manage a return to form over the summer months and update this sucka a little more regularly. Maybe, maybe not. ^_^

"Bruce Bugtrotter!!"

Just watched Matilda. Classic!! Soo good. I'm sick, though, so that's lame. As is this post. ^_^

Zelda the Movie?!... didn't see this coming...

So, wow. A Legend of Zelda motion picture has apparently been in secret production for a while now, 'cause here's the trailer.



A Link movie? Really?? Somehow, when dreaming of my favorite video games being translated (faithfully) to the big screen, the Zelda franchise doesn't really come to mind. I have an issue with the costume designs; I'm sorry, none of them look great. Link looks weird, perhaps an instance of bad casting, and Ganondorf looks like a darker cross between Ivan Ooze and Gonzo. The trailer did nothing to get me excited about the movie; I'm still kind of just shocked actually. I mean, I'm sure I'll see it but... A Link movie? Really???

Perhaps this is an April Fool's joke?????

It's March, B****es!!

Yay! Spring is in the offing! ...Maybe. This month, Japanese pop superstar Utada Hikaru is releasing her fifth Japanese studio album, Heart Station. Utada's literally been releasing singles from this album since 2006, and so it'll be interesting to finally listen to the finished package. Of the five singles already released, I'm a fan of Flavor of Life and Heart Station; check them out, arguably J-Pop at its finest.

I had the lovely pleasure of meeting the very hot Sean Faris earlier this week at a screening for his new, upcoming fight flick Never Back Down. Sean was super nice and very gracious and all he asked in return was to spread the word about his movie. And, spread the word I shall. Though not nearly Academy Award worthy, Never Back Down is solid entertainment for a Friday night that guys and girls will enjoy (for completely different reasons, mind you). The fighting scenes are pretty cool, Djimon Hounsou is pretty awesome, and Sean Faris reportedly broke a bone in his back from being body slammed so hard during rehearsals. And besides, he's so dreamy...

My girl Raven-Symoné has her new movie, College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence coming out next week. It looks like your run-of-the-mill comedy, but I'm giving it a mention just because Raven is one of the few comediennes with the ability to make me laugh with her face alone. Raven also has a new album in the works, which I believe is slated for a Spring release.

And, the best for last. Brawl drops in a week, and I am foaming at the mouth at this point. This is pretty much going to be the only week in March in which I can be considered among the living. After the 9th, people would be lucky to see me before April.

Happy March, everyone!

Ahh...Excited!!!