DunnDeeDaGreat

William Castle perfected the horror movie gimmick in the fifties, half a century later Lionsgate tries to take the horror movie gimmick to the phase with the horrible My Bloody Valentine 3-D. 3-D in horror films is nothing new as most horror buffs know Friday The 13th Part 3 & Piranha II: The Spawning were both released in the eighties in 3-D. While there are a few cool shots in the movie, nothing really jumped out at me and made me saw WOW! My Bloody Valentine was filmed in REALD and while it's not the first film to be filmed in this format, it doesn't have anywhere near the success that Journey To The Center Of The Earth had last summer. Watching the film it became apparent that the format has yet to be perfected and I'm hoping that when Avatar & Final Destination 4 are released later this year in REALD, that movie studios have worked out all the bugs. As for the film itself, it's just your run of the mill slasher film with dumb characters, pointless nudity and horrible acting. I've never been one to down a so bad it's good slasher film as I rank both the Sleepaway Camp & Slumber Party Massacre series high in my guilty pleasures book, but watching My Bloody Valentine was more painful than a New Kids On The Concert. Jensen Ackles from the hit WB series Supernatural gives a horrible acting debut performance as Tom. I didn't go into this movie expecting Ackles to have the same dramatic prowse of say Brando or Penn but, Ackles lines are amateurish in delivery and he doesn't have the experience or the talent to carry this movie. In the female lead role, Jamie King doesn't display the type of courage needed for a female horror heroine and I was just waiting for her untimely demise, which sadly doesn't happen. Finally Kerr Smith shows why he hasn't had a decent acting job, since his days on Dawson's Creek. Lionsgate should be ashamed of themselves for remaking My Bloody Valentine, as the remake gives the original a bad name. Horror films are supposed to be so bad there good, sadly My Bloody Valentine ranks as the worst horror remake since Dark Water; with the added 3-D effect it gains 1 ½ star but other than that it's a waste of time of money.

Musical bio pics have always been one of my favorite film genres; I've enjoyed everything from Bird & La Bamba to Purple Rain & The Temptations. Ironically the Hip Hop films have always been hit or miss with most mainstream moviegoers. There's been Oscar Winners such as 8 Mile, straight to video flops such as I'm Bout It and forgotten classics like Wild Style. Not since Krush Groove has there's never been a true to life hip hop biopic; finally with Notorious Hip Hop fans now have an excellent film to add to the list. Without a doubt, The Notorious B.I.G. is one of the greatest rappers of all time, so it's only fitting a film is made about his life. Biggie Smalls influence on modern Hip Hop is still relevant today in the lyrical styling of Jay-Z, Nas and countless other New York rappers, bringing his life story to the big screen would require great detail and most all of the right actor. Thankfully director George Tillman Jr. found an amazing talent in lead actor Jamal Woolard. Playing The Notorious B.I.G. from teenager to young man, Woolard gives one of the best lead debuts in recent memory. Woolard fully throws himself into the role Of Biggie, the same Jamie Foxx did in Ray. From his the dialect in his voice, to his swagger with the ladies, Woolard makes the character so believable it's almost as if he never died. Naturi Naughton, formerly of 3LW and Antonique Smith also both make amazing film debuts as Lil Kim & Faith Evans. Naghton is able to invoke the "tough girl" attitude and blunt sexuality, that her real counter part is known for; while Smith could easily serve as stand for the Faith Evans, The supporting cast Angela Basset as Volleta Wallace (Biggie's Mother) and Derek Luke as Sean "Puffy" Combs also both give excellent performances. The only performance in question is Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur. Mackie had played Tupac before in the off Broadway play Up Against The Wind, which is why he was given the role, however from the start, Mackie was seen as the wrong choice by Tupac fans to bring Pac to life on screen. Given his limited screen time and story arc I think Mackie (who happens to be one of the finest young black actors working today) does a fine job. It should be noted that Mackie really isn't given a chance to fully embrace Shakur as this is a film about Biggie and not about Tupac. The script by Reggie Rock Blythewood may follow the standard biopic outline, but the performances in the film, the flashy visuals and authentic New York setting are what make the film worthwhile. Notorious is more than a film about Hip Hop, it's the story of a man coming to his own who life was cut to short by senseless violence. After leaving the film, the question lingered in my mind if Biggie and Tupac had just taken a few minutes to settle their differences would they be alive today? I came to the realization that if they were alive then the legacy they both left behind wouldn't be as great as it is today.

I had a chance to see an advance screening of Yes Man last night and I have to say it's one of his best comedies since Me, Myself & Irene. I've always been a fan of Jim Carey, whether he's doing juvenile comedy like Ace Venture or adult orientated drama like the highly underrated Man On The Moon; & Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Making his first live action film since Fun With Dick & Jane, Carey once again shows his talent as a comic. Early trailers have the film coming off as a Liar Liar rehash, but looking deeper the film is more about than belly laughs and one-liners. It's refreshing to see Carey bring freshness to a role he could easily play in his sleep; one particular scene with Scotch tape had the preview audience in tears. Zooey Deshuncaal more than makes up for the debacle that was The Happening and displays the same likable charm she displayed in Elf, and hopefully she continues to play romantic leads in the future. All in all this is a fine film and if you're looking for a break from the profanity filed gross out comedies of recent memory, then say yes to Yes Man.