Release Date:

If I had to give a talk to a group of expectant parents about the things they should prepare for when they are in the pregnancy stage of their lives, I most definitely suggest to expect the unexpected; plan for the worst case scenario. I am currently single, never been engaged, nor have impregnated a single person; qualities that designate me as the wrong person to hand out advice on pregnancy. Luckily for all of you, there are some people who do have the information you search for, and are qualified to dish it out.

What To Expect When You’re Expecting is based on the book of the same name, written by the lovely Heidi Murkoff. The book walks new and returning parents into the joys of pregnancy. In it, parents will find answers to many of the things that they need to prepare for and how to deal with situations as they arise. The book did so well in the literary markets that it acquired the attention needed to be adapted unto the silver screen.

Unlike the book, the movie What To Expect When You’re Expecting has a more relaxed demeanor which allows it to deliver some insight on the joys of expecting and mixes them with comedy and celebrities. If you have seen the movie trailer you will realize that the premise of this movie simulates that of countless “event” movies as Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Day, and other ensemble cast films like He’s Just Not Into You. Movies like this gather as much celebrities as they can cram into a decent enough story, to deliver several potential plot lines, and to attract audiences to their movies. In films like this, more often than not, plot-lines are not fully developed and get in the middle of gaining closure on the rest. What To Expect When You’re Expecting is not different from all those movies you may have seen, but it does deliver what it promises.

The movie follows different couples in separate, and initially unrelated, types of pregnancies and child adoptions. At first, they all seem to have their own original story, although later, every couple seems to have a limited amount of “degree’s of separation” in between each other and their stories collide. Unlike other “self-help” movies like He’s Just Not Into You, and Think Like A Man, this movie does not offer viable support for people that need personal growth and help. I was a little disappointed that the movie was solely for entertainment value, and although it is based on the book it appears to be so very lightly.

If you’re looking for a good laugh, be that with your pregnant significant other, a date, or a preggo lady after delivery; this makes a good reason to visit your local theater. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that this is a “must watch” movie, but it does have very funny moments throughout. So if you’re looking for a date movie this could be funny enough to succeed. If you can wait to pick it up at your local movie rental place, I recommend you to do so, the movie is fine enough as entertainment value but not as good as spending more than $20 on it.

Release Date:

Thinking of Jack Black brings back memories of Tenacious D, The School of Rock and maybe even Shallow Hall; Black’s movies in general tend to be a special brand of comedy. We can’t say that his character portrayals are intricate and enlightening, in all honesty. But however childish he may seem at times, he continues to have a group of fans who support him through thick and thin.

I went to watch Black’s new film, titled Bernie, just last night and it showed me a different side of Jack Black I wasn’t aware of. For starters, the audience who gathered at the screening, was not comprised of the usual motley crew of 16-30 something year old; instead, the theater filled up of middle-aged patrons and senior citizens. The thing was, that this new feature film is very different from the movies we expect him to deliver. This time around, the subject matter related more to the older, perhaps more advanced crowds whose sense of humor does not generally includes “potty” nor “blue comedy”.

Bernie (Black), is the beloved funeral assistant director of the town of Carthage, TX. Not conformed to serving the surviving members with assistance during the service, Bernie was known to check up with the town widows and comforting them in the time following the disposal of the deceased. When the town “evil” recluse, Marjorie (MacLaine), decides to befriend Bernie, it comes as little of a surprise to the small community. Soon Marjorie becomes so possessive of Bennie that it drives him to murder the old lady.

The movie is based on true events, Jack Black does a great job of portraying a realistic version of the not-s0-innocent Bernie Tiede. All through the movie, we observe him become this effeminate figure who gives his everything to his community and asks little in return. And just like the age-old saying of “who came first, the egg or the chicken”, the audience may question if the role just fit Jack Black or if Jack Black fit the role. Personally, I would like to believe that Black dedicated countless hours of study to become a convincing Mr. Tiede. Perhaps supporting my perception, during the credits we observe a small (muted) video of the actual Bernie Tiede having a conversation with Jack Black in jail.

Bernie does a great job in entertaining the masses, it maintains a certain comedic value while giving a very credible narration of how the events and perceptions of the habitants of Carthage, TX felt about Bernie Tiede. Even though the movie is a dramatization of real life events, it is shot as a mockumentary; complete with “interviews” of the Carthage townsfolk. The beginning of the movie is overwhelmed with quips of the people of Carthage giving version of the facts; this was in my personal opinion, the more animated and entertaining segment of the movie. Later in the story, once the murder of Marjorie approaches, the film lags and feels prolonged. It is only until the actual conviction trials begin that the story picks up.

Overall I would say that this movie was very entertaining, however, not enough to spend a full price ticket on it. This film could be better consumed in the comfort of one’s home, where proper commodities, and distractions to keep the viewer from feeling the lagging valley of fluff in the middle. If you are hoping to see Jack Black do his usual routine of gags, song and dance, this is not the movie for you. As I better understood, from watching the movie and the clientele who came to see the screening, the movie is geared more to an older generation with a more refined taste in jokes and a general understanding of Texas and the passing of loved ones.

    Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez will return as co-directors and have returning act0rs Mickey Rourke and Rosario Dawson reprising their roles from the previous movie,respectively. The movie will have the same black and white styilized look from the first, but this time around it will be rendered in 3-D.

Apple has been successful at delaying a few Samsung products in Australia and Germany, but today the litigation has gotten real for all of us in the United States. Because of Apple’s claims of patent infringement, the HTC One X for AT&T and the HTC EVO 4G LTE for Sprint have been delayed ‘indefinitely’ at US Customs as the agency investigates if the devices are still breaking Apple patents.
Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-htc-one-x-and-htc-evo-4g-lte-banned-indefinitely-us/#ixzz1v5NUauMK

Release Date: August 24, 2012
Studio: Open Road Films
Director: Dax Shepard, David Palmer
Screenwriter: Dax Shepard, David Palmer
Starring: Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper, Tom Arnold, Beau Bridges, Kristin Chenoweth, David Koechner, Michael Rosenbaum, Joy Bryant, Ryan Hansen
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
MPAA Rating: Not Available

We all have certain secrets we would like to keep from our significant others, but what if your secret had placed you in the Witness Protection Program? Dax Shepard not only wrote this film but directed a movie about an ex bank heist driver in the witness protection program. Just when he thought he was free to live a normal life with his fiancee, his old heist buddy comes knocking.

I for one am curious to see Hit and Run, partly because Shepard decided to share the screen with his real life fiancee, the beautiful Kirsten Bell. It also stars the likes of Bradley Cooper and Tom Arnold who I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Judging from the trailer I would guess that this movie possibly won’t hit a bench mark in box office results and attendance, but it will be something to go rent once it’s released. For entertainment value I will give it a 3.5 out of 5, while for story I will go with a 2 of 5. Interesting movie overall but maybe not something to go out of your way for.

Hearing about this new movie, Last Vegas, it reminded me a lot of 2007′s The Bucket List. This coming attraction will star Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and will possibly acquire Morgan Freeman, – he is currently in negotiations to join the cast – their characters reunite in Las Vegas to have one last big bachelor party.The Hangover+The Bucket List= Last Vegas, at least that’s how I see it.

Like I was saying, this movie reminds me of The Bucket List, which starred Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, retired men on the verge of death who go out on an adventure to do all those things they didn’t when they were younger. Last Vegas, very much like The Bucket List will take these men on their later years into a night they will never forget.

There is no word on the actual release date, but we do know that it will be directed by Jon Turtletaub (National Treasure, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice).

National CineMedia announced that they will now integrate comedy, music videos, and cooking segments into their “FirstLook” programming.

“[Funny Or Die and NCM will] create customized, entertaining integrated comedy content that can be featured on the big screen in NCM’s FirstLook pre-show program”

“NCM will now distribute sponsored programming from VEVO, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform, allowing brands to connect with movie audiences through music both on-screen and online”

“NCM and celebrity chefs [in] A Taste of the Movies series…will show audiences how to prepare meals inspired by scenes from their favorite movies.”

These new segments of NCM’s “FirstLook” are put in place to entertain those audience members that do arrive exceptionally early to their movie showings, while marketing new and upcoming products.

NCM programming is also available on-line and on mobile devices, where you may find more information about your favorite segments or just watch them over again. The free Movie Night Out with CinemaSync app is available for download on Apple® iPhone® and Android™ mobile devices, from the App Store or through the Android Market.

Release Date: May 18, 2012
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Peter Berg
Screenwriter: Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Asano Tadanobu, Liam Neeson
Genre: Action, Adventure
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence, action and destruction, and for language)
TME Rating: 2.5 of 5

Don’t you remember bringing out a board-game box into the living room and setting up Battleship to reach an agreement? No?
Perhaps it was only me who decided whoever sunk the other person’s ships first would win the argument; beats playing a short game of chance as Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Let’s be honest for a minute, I’m betting that like me, when you first heard talk about a Battleship, you thought it was a joke. That was exactly how I felt, like I was gonna watch a fake trailer for a fake movie during a fake intermission as they played in Tropic Thunder or even Grindhouse.

I really wondered how they could bring that board game into reality? Like in Contact (released in 1997), scientists send a signal into space to make contact with an earth-type planet millions of miles away. Unfortunately for us, as always, the aliens take on the role of the “Conquistadors”, and we the lowly “Native Indians” who are underdeveloped and unprepared for the ensuing war.

Battleship follows the story of Alex Hopper (Kitsch), who being a slacker his whole life is led to change his life for a girl. “Kids, do you wanna know how I met your mommy? Well, it started with a chicken burrito”.  After getting into serious felony trouble for breaking into a closed convenience store and taking a burrito (leaving some $$ on the counter), to satisfy a pretty face in the bar, Hopper decides to please both the girl and his brother by joining the Navy.

While on a practice run out in the sea, the aliens arrive and beam a force field that surrounds the island of Hawaii and a couple Navy vessels; the larger part of the navy is coincidentally left outside the force field and cannot enter nor communicate with the inside of it. Hopper, who always got himself in trouble and lacked the discipline, become the senior officer in command after the initial attack. Now he must unite with his rival and use his American wit with his rival’s Japanese wit to take on the alien invasion.

During the movie I realize that it was moving in the right track and it could have had potential, except that it didn’t invest enough time into each storyline – it followed Hopper, Rihanna and the crew, American-Japanese fighting, and Hopper’s girlfriend in the island – which although sorta interesting just fizzled through.

An important thing about the movie is that – very much like Battlefield L.A - it played like a 131 minute Navy commercial. It’s purpose seemed to be more focuses in saying “Look how great it would be to be a part of the U.S. Navy” and less of satisfying the audience. I will admit there was some cheering in the movie, but I live in San Diego, which houses a large Navy base and I will take a wild guess and say that most of the people who watched the screening are or have a relative in the Navy.

The movie also doesn’t clarify what the aliens are here for. Yes, it’s pretty common that they come to colonize, it’s just that they seemed different to me. For instance, the invaders spent the whole movie destroying most of the weapons available to the “earthlings”, but when they faced a person they just turned away. What kind of alien does that? Perhaps these guys had a different more macabre plan in mind, or maybe butterflies and rainbows. They wanted to give us one more chance, take away all our technology and show us their ways and adopt us into their culture. Unfortunately for them, Hopper obliderated them and killed their plans, whatever they may have been.

If you are searching for a movie that will make you feel proud to be an American, perhaps this movie is for you. For the rest of you who are curious to see how this movie came out, I either think you should wait for it to arrive at your local rental place or go to a matinee (cheaper showing). As for Rhianna, there is not much to say except that she is in most of the movie trying to take on the Michelle Rodriguez (The Fast and The Furious, Resident Evil) role of tough, funny chick who can hang with the guys. She could do better in some other role, leave this type to the original badass girls.

        Seemingly ,the only things he has going for him is that he is able to wield merciless tomahawks,has sweet skateboarding skills and that his lady is a babe ,a pixelated stone cold fox,and lets not forget to mention the star of a pretty good platformer.

                  The controls in adventure island are pretty loose as far as the physics of  jumping/landing but the platforming isnt to difficult so it might be for added challange.the backgrounds and sprites are detailed as far as 8-it goes and not to mention bright and colorful fitting seing as to you are an %*# &$(#* island.although the boss battles are kinda reptitive,and the learning curve is pretty steep i give this a 4/5 and comes recomended to those seeking a good 8-bit platformer.

<em>Bruce Willis

<em>Edward Norton

Wes Anderson

For an an all-access tour of the island of New Penzance with narrator Bob Balaban, official character info, videos, photos & more, make sure to swing by the official site: http://www.moonrisekingdom.com

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Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Diablo^® III, the highly anticipated next chapter in its award-winning action—role-playing-game series, is now available in retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Gamers in the regions above as well as in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil are also able to purchase Diablo III digitally via the game’s official website (http://www.diablo3.com).

In the wake of a Blizzard record of more than 2 million preorders^*, and following more than 8,000 midnight launch events earlier today at retail stores worldwide, gamers across the planet are now storming Sanctuary in hot pursuit of the Lord of Terror.

“This launch is a culmination of many years of hard work by our development team, and many years of passionate, dedicated support from gamers around the world,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re grateful for the enthusiasm of our players, and for the help of our beta testers in getting the game ready for release. Now that Diablo III is live, we hope everyone’s ready to have a hellishly good time slaying demons and collecting loot in Sanctuary.”

Diablo III is available for Windows^® XP/Windows Vista^®/Windows^® 7 and Macintosh^® at a suggested price of $59.99 USD for both the retail DVD-ROM version and the digital version sold directly from Blizzard. A special alabaster-white Collector’s Edition, sold exclusively in retail stores while supplies last at a suggested price of $99.99 USD, includes the game on DVD-ROM, a behind-the-scenes Blu-ray/DVD two-disc set, the Diablo III soundtrack CD, a 208-page Art of Diablo III book, and a 4 GB USB soulstone (including full versions of Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction^®) and corresponding Diablo skull base, as well as exclusive in-game content for Diablo III, World of Warcraft^®, and StarCraft^® II: Wings of Liberty^®. Diablo III has received a Mature rating from the ESRB.

Players in the Latin American countries listed above and in Russia will be able to purchase Diablo III at local retail locations starting June 7. Digital availability via http://www.diablo3.com for the Russian version of the game will also begin June 7. In addition to the English version, Diablo III is fully localized into Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, European Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean, and traditional Chinese.

Diablo III continues the epic Diablo storyline, with players taking on the role of one of five heroic characters — barbarian, witch doctor, wizard, monk, or demon hunter — and embarking on an epic quest to save the world of Sanctuary from the corrupting forces of the Burning Hells. As players adventure through rich and varied settings, they’ll engage in pulse-pounding combat with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses, grow in experience and ability, acquire artifacts of incredible power, and meet key characters who’ll join them in battle or aid them in other ways. The game features the intuitive interface, fast-paced action, and visceral gameplay that Diablo players have come to expect and enjoy.

Designed from the ground up to leverage the full functionality of the Battle.net^® platform, Diablo III also provides gamers with industry-leading matchmaking and communication tools, allowing adventurers to seamlessly join forces for cooperative play. Battle.net also provides the infrastructure for the Diablo III auction house, a feature-rich marketplace that Sanctuary’s heroes can use to trade their hard-earned treasures. To learn more about the auction house and the other features of Diablo III, please visit the official website at http://www.diablo3.com.

MONDAY:

8 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars”

10 p.m. “Castle”

In January:

8 p.m. “The Bachelor”

10 p.m. “Castle”

TUESDAY

8 p.m. “Dancing With the Stars” results show

9 p.m. “Happy Endings”

9:30 p.m. “Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23”

10 p.m. “Private Practice”

In January:

8 p.m.: “How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)”

8:30 p.m. “The Family Tools”

WEDNESDAY

8 p.m. “The Middle”

8:30 p.m. “Suburgatory”

9 p.m. “Modern Family”

9:30 p.m. “The Neighbors”

10 p.m. “Nashville”

THURSDAY

8 p.m. “The Last Resort”

9 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”

10 p.m.”Scandal”

FRIDAY

8 p.m. “Shark Tank”

9 p.m. “Primetime: What Would You Do?”

10 p.m. “20/20″

In November:

8 p.m. “Last Man Standing”

8:30 p.m. “Malibu Country”

SATURDAY

8 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY

7 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

8 p.m. “Once Upon a Time”

9 p.m. “Revenge”

10 p.m. “666 Park Avenue”

“I am happy that Spartacus continues to live in the Starz series, but why didn’t they ask me to play him?” Kirk Douglas says. “I made a film about freedom at a time when freedom was in jeopardy and a blacklist had been in effect in Hollywood for more than a decade. There are parallels in today’s political climate, which is why a hero like Spartacus still resonates, I believe. Also, it helps to look good in a loincloth!”

The overarching themes of “Spartacus” are certainly familiar to those who watch the Starz original series, but Steven S. DeKnight has created an entirely new vision, and McIntyre a new interpretation in bringing the legendary warrior to life. Based in both historical fact, as well as fiction, DeKnight and McIntyre will speak about the process and pressure of bringing an iconic character to the screen, the advantage of being able to tell that story on premium television, and the acclaimed production elements that give the show a distinctive look.

“Spartacus has a legacy like few other men,” notes McIntyre. “He has inspired millions of people, and entire social movements. It is my immeasurable honor to discuss such an iconic character with Mr. Douglas and Steven S. DeKnight, who have both breathed new life into this legend in exciting and ground breaking ways.”

“I’m unbelievably humbled,” says DeKnight, “not only to have the opportunity to sit down with a Hollywood legend that has inspired me and countless others, but also to discuss how the story of Spartacus has resonated for thousands of years throughout the world.”

“Spartacus” as damned by the Legion of Decency and members of the press, particularly influential columnist Hedda Hopper, called for a boycott because Douglas had given screen credit to blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo, who had written many award-winning films including Roman Holiday under pseudonyms. The public came anyway, including President John F. Kennedy who went to see it on February 21, 1961 at the Warner Theater in Washington and declared it a “fine film.”

“Spartacus: Vengeance” recently completed a record-breaking year on STARZ and features McIntyre, Manu Bennett, Dustin Clare and Lucy Lawless. Previous seasons, “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”, and prequel, “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” have been airing in more than 150 countries.