Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a thief who specializes in the art of extraction, the stealing of secrets from a target's subconscious. Though his profession cost him everything he has ever loved and has turned him into a fugitive, an offer for a final job -- one that requires him to plant an idea instead of pilfering it -- could be his chance at redemption.
Buzz:
Our founder has already called this "the movie of the decade".
When CIA officer Evelyn Salt (Jolie) is accused of being a spy by a Russian defector, she goes on the run, putting all of her experience and skills to use to elude capture, learn the truth of her identity, and hopefully clear her name.
Buzz:
With Angelina Jolie in front of the camera and sensitive guy Phillip Noyce behind it, I have to stop and recall the point in time when this movie was almost made by Tom Cruise and director Michael Mann. We're thinking this could be the best one-off spy story since The Long Kiss Goodnight (a 90's fave), and the real-life outing of Russian spies in the U.S. couldn't have been more timely! Did you see Angelina in the newest issue of Vanity Fair? She (still) has it.
A trio of orphan girls cause the normally deplorable Gru to rethink his plan to steal the moon.
Buzz:
Universal is still looking for its first animated hit, and we think its gutsy for them to push an original story out into the summer's box-office waters. Initially annoying, Gru and those orphan girls have grown on us (the minions? um, no.), and we're hoping that families, still smiling from Toy Story 3, will be attracted to this tale.
Master sorcerer Balthazar Black (Cage) recruits a seemingly everyday guy (Baruchel) in his mission to defend New York City from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Molina).
Buzz:
Everyone's harping on Nic Cage's hair, his financial woes, and how 2010 seems to be his Dungeons & Dragons year. If National Treasure mastermind Jon Turteltaub were not behind this project, I'd have serious doubts about its chances; as it stands, I semi-seriously hope it's a surprise blockbuster -- maybe it'll even earn a sequel? I feel like parents and kids alike could entertained by the story and visuals. Strange how Monica Bellucci's presence is being played down ...
Woody (Hanks), Buzz (Allen), and the rest of their toy-box friends are dumped in a day-care center after their owner, Andy, departs for college.
Buzz:
Easily one of the biggest movies of 2010, the secret weapon here is screenwriter Michael Arndt, who wrote Little Miss Sunshine; his sentimentality is evident in the trailer, which causes Rex-sized lumps in our throat.
When grade-schooler Ramona Quimby (King) senses that her family's home is danger, she uses her boundless energy and enthusiasm to save the day.
Buzz:
A special-effects free family movie is a rare thing these days, although today's parents are probably more familiar with the name Beverly Cleary than their kids? I could be wrong there. Fox-Walden probably shelled out a bit in casting Disney Channel star Selena Gomez, but she's a good face for the marketing campaign as Ramona's long suffering older sister, Beezus. (Also, Ms. Gomez cost way less than Miley Cyrus, who was first approached for the role.)
After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Buzz:
Adam Sandler didn't have much luck with Judd Apatow, but his success with director Dennis Dugan is nearly unparalleled. Together, with plenty of their famous, lovable friends and colleagues in tow (and Rob Schneider) they appear to be channeling 80s-era family comedy and trafficking in the getting-older themes of which Sandler has become so fond. Meanwhile, is Kevin James, in Chris Farley mode, the real draw here?
Bella Swan (Stewart) oscillates between vampire Edward Cullen, who wants Bella's hand in marriage, and werewolf Jacob Black, who has just declared his love for her. Meanwhile, the Cullens and the Quileute werewolves unite to stop an army of powerful vampires from seeking their revenge on Bella.
Buzz:
Call this third chapter the guy-friendly saga since the story provides both supernatural reveals and borderline epic action. Goth parents should revel in Peter Murphy's cameo, and newcomers should feel welcomed by the amount of back story built into the events here. Since Eclipse the book really pushed Stephenie Meyer's work into the spotlight, is it fair to say this movie might improve on New Moon's phenomenal success? The Fourth of July weekend berth should help in this matter.
Aang (Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars, learns that he possesses the power to engage the Fire Nation and hopefully end their century-long war against the Water, Earth, and Air nations.
Buzz:
Regardless of the range of opinions on (1) M. Night Shyamalan's career trajectory and (2) the project's "racebending" controversy, TLAs trailers contain some of the best money shots of the year thus far. The springtime announcement that the movie will be converted into 3D was no surprise, but also entirely welcome. We're unsure exactly how big it will be in the U.S., though this is more worldwide entertainment -- the beginning of a potential trilogy and a renaissance for Shyamalan, who is attached to develop the other two films if all is a go.
A group of elite warriors are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.
Buzz:
When it comes to competing franchises, Predator is way less enduring than Alien, wouldn't you agree? Maybe that's why this reboot doesn't make me red-hot angry as much as Fox's planned Alien prequel. The cast is lean (hopefully Splice will be seen by the naysayers who think Adrien Brody isn't tough enough for the genre), and you really could ask for a much worse director/producer combo than Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez. Truthfully, doesn't it just come down to how cool the creatures look?
As a Pentecostal Christian, I have been in the church all my life. That
said, I have seen my share of liturgical dancing. If that’s not
enough, I had the nerve to attend a Catholic university where I learned
the origins of the word “liturgical.” Yes, it’s a word from the Holy
Bible. But, I digress.
I never would have imagined that there would be a big show, let alone a
school, dedicated to liturgical – or formal public worship – dancing.
There’s even a company that makes costumes specifically for this purpose; that’s a lot of cloth. With that in mind, I could never imagine that there would be a massive group of people willing to pay to see the things I see in my own church for free.
I know I sound like some kind of jaded critic, but I’m not. Pastor Vincent and Constance McIntyre, of the McIntyre Institute and the Chapel of
Prayer, recently hosted their annual liturgical dance showcase at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Just before the May 9 show, I had a quick chance to speak with Mrs. McIntyre.
“We’re bridging the gap of diversity through ministry,” she said.
Diverse this show is. The audience is a little community of different cultures converging in the unity of the Spirit. The only indication that this family is not blood-related is their obvious difference in ethnicity.
So, if I were blind, I’d never know I was sitting in an audience of random church goers and non-church goers alike. Thanks to the people of different nationalities who attend the McIntyre Institute, including Trinidad, Jamaica, Europe, Colombia, Cuba, Africa, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, Haiti and America, the audience is like a random foreign sampling of people.
I did not, however, drive all the way to downtown Miami to look at audience members. I came to see a show. Constance, a classically trained dancer who studied Lester Horton and Martha Graham techniques at Florida State University, choreographed most of the dance numbers in the show. She also took a summer program with the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. So, the bar was set pretty high for the dancers to be pretty good.
The 120-student dance company is not made up entirely of lithe bodies. There are different body types and styles, but the dancers seem to do their best. There were only a few people who stood out as dancers, but the standard of liturgical dancing, which does not require staunch ballet
technique, is achieved. The dancers, who range in age from six years old to “mature” adults are good dancers, nonetheless.
Moving on to the music, I tend to lean toward fast music because it usually picks up my spirits and makes me feel good. I also like good tracks that I can dance to. The music of this show is not my cup of tea. There were only three scenes that caught my attention in terms of the music: “Called 2 Dance Part II,’’ “Waging War’’ and “Motherless Child.’’ Incidentally, these are my favorite pieces of the show, as well.
In “Called 2 Dance,’’ the number itself has an Egyptian feel to it with the vibrant golds, greens and purples. The movements are a mix of belly dance, African Diaspora, and Pan-Hellenic step dancing. I have always been fascinated with ancient Egyptian culture and belly dance, so this caught my attention. I could completely understand why it was chosen as the opening number.
My love for “Waging War” is not because of the song, which is decent. It’s not my favorite gospel song. But the use of vibrant red and props like fake swords and ribbon banners that resemble fire are an awesome display.
“Motherless Child’’ is a great one, as well. Mrs. McIntyre narrates a memory of her mother singing this song, then the dancers proceed to wow the audience with their lithe movements.
Not to say that the rest of the show was a yawn. I don’t like slow music, but darn it if the dancing didn’t affect me in some way. I did manage to get goose bumps on my spiritual side.
My critic side, however, felt like the songs should have been more gripping. Not that the cuter-than-cute, little dancers weren’t gripping in their own right. The musical selection just failed to move the critic side of me.
All in all, I did enjoy the show, especially emcee James Sheppard of 98.3, Grace FM. He caught and held the audience’s attention to keep the show moving.
I also think that the McIntyre Institute is providing a great service for the community and should be recognized for that. And I hope the readers of this fine publication will take this article as pure opinion, plain and simple, and not feel like I am attacking the work executively produced and creatively directed by, according to the McIntyres, God Almighty.
I’m sure He understands my critic side.
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THE MORE YOU KNOW
For more information about the McIntyre Institute, log onto www.mcintyreinstitute.com.
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As a Pentecostal Christian, I have been in the church all my life. That
said, I have seen my share of liturgical dancing. If that’s not
enough, I had the nerve to attend a Catholic university where I learned
the origins of the word “liturgical.” Yes, it’s a word from the Holy
Bible. But, I digress.
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