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?
MIAMI — Seeing Patti Austin perform live is akin to getting a larger-than-expected, end-of-the-year bonus.
You would have been satisfied with the anticipated largess, but you
leave with a heightened sense of gratitude because of the unexpected
windfall.
With Austin, you get your money’s worth, and then some.
Although she tours frequently, audiences rarely see the same show twice. The multi-talented artist is not only a gifted singer and smooth dancer, but she could probably also pull off a comedic career with her quick wit, easy warmth and familiar confidence.
A slimmed down Austin will show off her svelte body and magical voice when she joins Dave Grusin and several others at Jazz Roots: An Evening with Dave Grusin at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Dec. 4.
Austin told the South Florida Times in a telephone interview from San Francisco that when she started in the music industry, being multi-talented was a necessity.
“We had to be able to do it all, sing, dance, be funny,” the Grammy Award winning jazz vocalist shared.
Born to musician parents Gordon and Edna Austin, and the beneficiary of close, personal relationships with musical giants like Dinah Washington and Quincy Jones, her godparents, little Patti first took the stage at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem when she was five years old. That launched a more than three-decade-long career that is still going strong.
Probably best known for her 1982 duet with James Ingram, Baby come to Me, the extremely likable Austin is “constantly on tour” thanks to her timeless talent and “great management.”
Increased energy from a radical physical transformation has undoubtedly added to Austin’s stamina. She recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of losing 145 pounds following gastric bypass surgery. Austin said her life has changed significantly since losing the weight.
“I have far more energy and I look ten years younger,” she said.
The procedure was a part of an extensive yearlong health and diet program that was about more than simply losing weight.
“It was about improving my health and saving my life.”
In a 2005 Jet magazine article, Austin explained why she decided to have the surgery.
"The doctor said I was a candidate for having a stroke or going blind or having an amputation…my mom died of complications from a stroke and she had a weight problem too.... I watched my mother die a slow and horrible death last year because of side effects from her obesity. My father suffered from obesity as well and died of complications from diabetes."
The Grusin concert is the second installment in the six-concert Jazz Roots series and will showcase a rare live performance of the musical legend’s contemporary jazz score for Leonard Bernstein’s Broadway hit, West Side Story, as well as highlight the composer’s most memorable and moving film scores.
Also joining Austin and Grusin, who wrote the score for the popular 70’s TV show, “Good Times” will be the University of Miami Frost School of Music Mancini Institute Orchestra. Also joining them will be Grammy Award winning flutist Nestor Torres, master vibraphonist Gary Burton, trumpet virtuoso Arturo Sandoval and Latin percussionist Sammy Figueroa.
Arranged for an extended big band and orchestra, Grusin’s West Side Story will include Secada singing “Maria,” Austin singing “Tonight,” and “Jet Song,” and the classically arranged version of “I Feel Pretty,” with Torres.
Austin and Secada will team up to duet on “Somewhere” and Sandoval will perform Prelude with the big band. The show will culminate with “America,” featuring Burton, Torres, and Figueroa.
“My idea for this rendition of Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story was born of an old respect for his unique approach to what we have come to know as Broadway show music,” Grusin said. “It is amazing that 50 years means nothing when dealing with something that is timeless in this way. It was hip in 1957…and it is hip now.”
The program will also showcase highlights of Grusin’s best known cinematic themes, including his Oscar-winning original score from The Milagro Beanfield War, On Golden Pond, as well as Grusin and Austin in “Makin’ Whoopee” from The Fabulous Baker Boys; a piano solo by Grusin on “Memphis Stomp” from The Firm; and Sandoval as featured soloist in “Cuba Libre,” evoking the lush music from Havana.
“Dave Grusin is an American classic,” said Larry Rosen, co-presenter of the JAZZ ROOTS series. “After working with Dave as partners in the music business for more than 50 years producing albums, live events, and numerous videos, I felt that it would be exciting for our Jazz Roots audience to experience the musicality of this incredible artist.”
Rosen continued: “Bringing together GRAMMY-winning guest artists, virtuoso instrumentalists and the Mancini Institute Orchestra on one stage, this concert will be a night to be remembered.”
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Photo by Carol Friedman. Patti Austin
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Jazz Roots: An Evening with Dave Grusin
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.
WHERE: John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
COST: $25 to $125. For tickets, visit arshtcenter.org or call 305.949.6722
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