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?
In a show that was long on soul but short in duration,
the undisputed “Queen of Soul” thrilled a sizeable but not packed
audience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Hollywood.
Decked out in a strapless red gown, Aretha Franklin on Tuesday, March
16 gave fans a taste of her legendary talent, but left before the
audience’s appetite for the beloved diva was completely satiated.
Five very capable background singers primed the audience for the queen’s entrance, singing snippets of “Jump to It” and “Wonderful” before Franklin took the stage. Once she took the stage, Franklin’s performance, while good, did not quite pack the complete musical punch that I’d anticipated.
In an interview with the South Florida Times last week, Franklin – just days shy of her 68th birthday on March 25 – said the audience could look forward to “some surprises.” But the biggest surprise was that she performed for less than an hour, and seemed to be holding back, never quite finding the deep rhythmic flow typical of good, live performances.
Franklin’s voice was not the problem. Her voice is incredible. Her range includes a clear, beautifully controlled soprano as well as a smoky, full-bodied tenor that smoothly glides through hits like “Giving Him Something He Can Feel” and “Natural Woman.” And her band, The Aretha Franklin Orchestra, certainly was not the problem. She’s backed by some fiercely talented musicians, her lead guitar-playing son, Teddy, among them.
During a ten-minute break that Franklin took 40 minutes into the show, her orchestra performed a masterful rendition of “Take the A Train” with virtuoso piano and organ solos. The band seemed poised for a jam session, but appeared subdued in deference to its queen.
After her break, Franklin performed for only about 10 minutes before the show ended.
Despite all of the ingredients for a spectacular show – Aretha, an outstanding group of musicians and a string of timeless classics that endure from generation to generation, there was a certain intangible element lacking from the performance.
Perhaps fatigue from traveling on a tour bus from Detroit to Florida, or Ms. Franklin’s level of conditioning were factors. But despite giving good voice and getting the audience on its feet for “Chain of Fools” and “Respect,” the show’s energy level left a lot to be desired.
Franklin told the South Florida Times that in addition to enjoying arias (elaborate melodies sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera) and other good music, she also enjoys several contemporary artists, among them Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Usher and rapper Ludacris. The queen, who has struggled with her weight, provided the audience a glimpse of her fondness for pop when she sang a slightly awkward bit of Mariah Carey’s “Touch my Body.”
A few aspiring singers will have firsthand access to the Franklin magic if they are selected to receive vocal coaching from the queen this fall.
Franklin said vocal coaching is “extremely important” for singers.
“You’ll get the maximum out of what you’re trying to do,” she said.
An announcement offering details about the competition will be made in September, Franklin said.
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