RedJed

It just looks like the TCM remake to a tee, basically. Oh yay.

What the heck is "director's hall?" For what its worth, I make a habit of seeing films in the IMAX over a standard screen. I have yet to have been to a theater that compares with sound quality with the IMAX, as well as the screen clarity. But to each their own. Also, with Dark Knight, most of the major action scenes were filmed with IMAX cameras, which I think changes the perspective viewpoint on those scenes. I havent seen it yet in the IMAX, but from what I heard there is essentially more picture on the top and bottom, since the IMAX cameras film in a different aspect ratio, etc.

Yeah the trailer was horrible, didn't impress me at all when I first saw it, and this is coming from an XFiles fan from the past. But at least with the trailer they suggested the idea of supernatural villains. There wasn't any of those in the film, the main villian was just some screwed up whack-job who kidnapped people and used them for his "research" (don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who actually is still going to see it.....yeah, doubtful I know). That's probably the biggest letdown of the movie, the idea that the characters they cast as the villians were just so uninteresting and unrelated to the X File universe. At least they had some goofy psychic as a character (who was able to essentially see through the killer's eyes) which was a subtle homage to Brad Dourif's character (Boggs) so many years ago as a convict who was seeing visions of kidnapped people. But the whole reasoning WHY the FBI needs Mulder and Scully didn't make sense in the first place since it was a typical Law and Order: SVU type of criminal and nothing more. If Skinner would have been able to pull some strings and re-open the X Files so to speak (even as some sort of independant agency away from the feds) and they would have brought back Mulder and Scully that way (trying one last time to "fight the future" and prevent the invasion of 2012 to occur - that is how the last X Files episode concluded) I thought it would have played alot better, even if you had to catch people unfamiliar with the X Files up on things related to the series and previous film by just a quick narration at the beginning of the film. Hence, to answer the question on if there is

Yeah, I think once the old fans of the series saw the trailer (which is less than great), read up on the plot, etc, they more than likely didn't feel the need to even see it, since it's just another dissapointment after the last few seasons of little to no answers relating to alot of the backstory/mythology of the series, and then this film didn't even touch anything with it other than the human dymanics between Mulder and Scully. Bottom line....the film just didn't play to the strengths of the series at all (and at least the first movie did that). They, in the least, should have just done a bang up job tying in the old series stuff into this film, but then again I understand why they didn't....since the fanbase died out so much near the end. So they felt they had to do a standalone film that would cater to all audiences, but it ended up just being a no win situation for this one. At least the budget wasn't very high, thats the only thing I can say about it at this point. Oh and since I had a free ticket, I can't complain that much about wasting my time actually checking it out. On a total side note, Gillian Anderson looks like Julianne Moore's twin in this film.

Meltzer announced on the weekend radio show on his website some early matches official for Hard Justice that haven't been leaked yet.... Styles v. Angle - Last Man Standing 3D v. Christian/Rhino - New Jersey Street Fight Six women scramble match for the women's title, Awesome Kong will be returning for this match but Dave never mentioned the other girls, but one would assume the other four will be Sky, Love, Gail Kim and either ODB or Roxxi. Beer Money v. LAX for the tag titles is also official.

Meltzer announced on his website radio show last night that the Raw title main event for SummerSlam is Batista v. Cena v. JBL v. Punk. Surprisingly, no Kane. Also reported that Michaels/Jericho, as of right now, isn't on the books for SummerSlam, probably as a way to sell the worked injury.

The fanbase dwindled because of the probably everything AFTER the first movie. I enjoyed the hell out of Fight the Future and it played well into the mythology stuff regarding the series, including a nice lead-in TO the movie and then a somewhat proper follow-up immediately into the next season, after the movie was released. Soon after, though, (roughly the seventh season) the quality of the shows dropped significantly to say the least, with Mulder only appearing in a handful of episodes season to season. I also don't think this was too SOON for a nostalgic bump, if anything it was too late, due to the abysmal last few seasons the show had. They should have aimed for a proper film, adapted from the X Files mythologies, probably three or so years ago at the latest, to try to strike the iron hot before it totally went cold. I think alot of the problem with it, also, is the fact that the film was rushed like crazy to complete in all aspects before the writers strike. The script was rushed together (which was clearly evident given the output of this film), basically after the two main characters said they would do it. Seemed kind of ass backwards, shouldn't Duchovny and Anderson be satisfied with a script BEFORE they agree to doing the film? Plus it took six years from the series finale to get THIS? I mean, wow, obviously Chris Carter really just lost touch with things. And then releasing it right in the middle of summer movie madness......really bad idea. This would have been a great fall or winter movie, release-wise.

What was so bad about it? It looked like typical Will Ferrell shit to me, which isn't bad per-se, but predictable. It was just a bunch of one liners like "I'm going to stab you in the neck" or "I'm going to put my nuts on your drum set." It was bad enough that I walked out and Anchorman is one of my favorite movies of all time. Some could argue that there was never any intelligence to Will Ferrell movies but if there were it's entirely gone now. Yeah, there was never any intelligence really, but at least some of his older films were creative with the funny. I got the vibe from Semi-Pro and Talledaga Nights that it was starting to get old. So I guess this doesn't surprise me to hear this one is shit.

What was so bad about it? It looked like typical Will Ferrell shit to me, which isn't bad per-se, but predictable.

Predictions when it will hit 400 million? I'm saying by next Monday. From there, it will probably start treading a bit, compared to currently at least. I still see it probably taking number one this next weekend, though. I have a strong feeling Mummy 3 is going to probably deliver under expectations in the box office numbers.

Sheesh, a Robocop remake? Why not just do a sequel?

I'm honestly shocked about the lack of interest for the movie (granted, it wasnt any good, but still, given the past following of the series I thought it would do more than this) but it is what it is. Probably more than anything, it shouldnt have been released on an off-time. Plus its been five years since the series ended......that may be the big thing here. And by the time the series ended, I think alot of the loyal fanbase had dwindled down to a small amount of what it used to be. And for those who actually check out the movie, I can't see it getting good word of mouth at all. But yeah, what a bomb it was......no way there will be anymore X Files films, although I'm holding on hope for a two hour made for TV X-Files to address the 2012 storyline from the end of the series.

Went and saw the X Files movie tonight, and wow, extremely let down by this one. Hardly anything really creepy, nor sci-fi within this one much at all. Felt more like an episode of Law and Order: SVU, mixed in with heavy dramatic elements between Scully and Mulder. The only thing as even a nod to the series is the Mulder/Scully history, a Skinner cameo and that there was a psychic in the film that Mulder works with. Otherwise, this was a far FAR cry from previous stand-alone episodes of the X files featuring your "monster of the week" as there was not really a monster here as the villian even was just some psychotic guy who was kidnapping people for their internal organs to sell on the black market. I didn't even get the point of making this film, since it really didn't advance much of anything into a future setup of films for the X Files at all. Seemed more like a finale to the Mulder/Scully relationship though, them both finally coming to terms with their specific roles/careers and how it affects the other person. Given the short take it made in the box office over the weekend, I'm sadly assuming this is the best anyone is going to get for a sendoff to the series/characters. For anyone who bothers to see it, stay after the credits, more proof is given there to this possibly being pseudo-planned as the final nail in the coffin of the X Files, with both characters literally waving goodbye to everyone.

Fridays totals were about 26 million, so it will probably do about 80 some million over the weekend. Not sure what that would mean for totals, PLUS it got released in a ton more countries this weekend (including the UK) so I expect some huge news come Monday on totals, especially worldwide. Just domestic alone, it might creep to almost 400 million by the end of the weekend at this rate.

Electra hands down would be my pick for worst comic movie ever. Just unbearably hard to sit through the nonsense.

I was just comparing it to the 89 Batman, like someone mentioned, it's more "loose" in its' execution or something, keep in mind I said Burton deserves to be dug on A BIT for Returns, as it still wasn't horrible by any means, just a little less memorable and throroughly entertaining to me, compared to the first one. I do like Batman Forever a bit more than Returns, though. But by no means would I say Batman & Robin is anything special, much less better than Returns, or any of the other Batman movies, for that matter.

And yet it's still more entertaining than Burton's shitty Batman 89. I'm guessing most of you who hold Batman 89 in such high regard haven't seen it in its entirety in over 5 years. It's a terrible movie. I just actually just saw it (first time for a good 3-4 years) last week again, so there goes that theory. It still holds up extremely well, even compared to Batman Begins, IMO.

That's alright, as long as its just MOSTLY a standalone movie, hoping for some stuff to tie into the series, still. But like I said, I'm all for them to make a few more X Files movies on top of this one, as long as it means a definitive conclusion to alot of things.

Watching this off the DVR, so far a few things stood out to me..... The Joe/Booker segment came across all so rushed, and why was Nash out there anyway?! Since there is not supposed to even BE a ref in this match, one has to assume the cage/weapons match has to be won only by grabbing the belt elevated ala a standard ladder match. At least that makes sense into the story that was played at the ppv, with all of the refs getting beat up. The 3D/Angle promo with Borash being forced to lay on the table was weird shit, D-Von was starting down Borash and strokin his hair, etc, hilarious. I love how they just threw out the heel cliches during the promo, even going to so far as to say~GASP~Santa Claus isn't real! OJ is innocent! The Kaz video package highlighting his career in TNA was good, weird that there was no mentioning of him "quitting" TNA so it must just be an angle they are playing more off the website, obviously he isn't really leaving. But yeah, Tomko was supposed to be w/ Karen this week, but I guess someone in booking changed it up around the time the website mentioned him "leaving" as part of some idea to get Kaz over more. We'll see if it works, I think as sad as this sounds, but just turning him heel and putting Christy Hemme with him as his valet or something like that might get him more over than anything. Or even having him and Taylor become a duo, if they want to keep him babyface. The Kaz/Karen thing wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, surprisingly. Lots of quasi-shoot comments though, this has Russo all over it. I do have to say they are still making me wonder what's up with Sting, so having that as a focal angle right now is working for me. BTW, did anyone see Matt Morgan on American Gladiators earlier this week? He was hokey as all hell, but entertaining. I never noticed his entrance music is a knock on Click Click Boom by Saliva. Too bad TNA couldn't get any footage from NBC from the show, unfortunately. This is probably the best way to use Morgan right now, since he starting working matches earlier this year with little to no buildup of his in ring work showcased like this. Wow, that Price Justice League stuff is some goofy shit, not really that funny though. I just dont care for the Super Eric character at all. Tag strap match was fun stuff, as good as the four way on ECW was this week (both very pay per view quality matches), weird to see this gimmick and then the tables match also later on the show though. This match could have been built to the ppv, with LAX also thrown into the mix. Machine Guns looked really solid here, as usual. Love the heel's "Beer.....Money!!" tandem taunt. This match definitely worked for me. Honestly, as far as Velvet Sky goes, I could give a shit less how she works/is pushed, given how she looks is fine enough for me to be satisfied with her role when she is in a match/segment. Seriously, one of the hottest chicks in wrestling. But I dont see the issue with the push for Taylor.....they're trying to show her dominance immediately here, big deal. The other pinfalls on Sky other than the last one were just to show she could beat someone out of nowhere, much like she did Kong. I'm sure in due time, she will have a finisher. Guessing Gail/Taylor against the BP next week. Not sure if I'm feeling this new character for Daviari, err or whatever the new TNA copyrighted name for him is. Sheik Abdul Basir?!! All I can think is that Iron Sheik would make a great manager for him. Ugh, the Dutt/Val segment was just ridiculously bad.....hahah nice excuse for Val never watching a replay of last week though...."I hate violence" What a weird ending, a doctor brings in a bedpan and then Dutt is shown smelling a diamond ring?! Oy vey.... Tables match felt like a true main event style match, went almost twenty minutes total. Strong stuff as far as Impact main events are concerned. Again, another match that could have been saved for the ppv (especially if the ppv match ends up being without any gimmick to it) but if they want to put it on Impact, I won't complain. The only next step I can see with all these guys is Christian/Rhino against Duds in a glass tables match and Styles v. Angle with some stip that if whoever loses, they have to stop talking or interacting with Karen for good. Maybe those are the ideas for the next pay per view, I dunno. But it would certainly seem possible to do those matches down the road here. I still think they will do Frank Trigg v. Styles at some point down the road too. For some reason, seeing Samoa Joe in a suit just doesn't look right. The last Joe/Booker segment was a hell of a lot better than the beginning one, however, I didn't get why it was so pushed that Joe had to sign the contract when he was the one who challenged him in the first place?! It shouldn't even be a question to ponder, unless it was a coward heel they were trying to get to sign it. Not that I'm expecting Sting to go heel in anyway, but I do like that they are keeping him in the mix of all of this Joe/Booker stuff, as its' making Sting's next step (likely at the ppv) that much more questionable.

The original Batman was actually really good by my book. Batman Returns though, Burton deserves to be dug on a bit for that shit.

So no love for the X Files movie coming out this weekend or what? To prepare for the film, I ended up getting some double disc DVD called X Files: Revelations recently, that had eight "must see" episodes of the series, with commentary by Chris Carter, as well as introductions for each episode why they deemed each as significant. Of course they have the pilot here, and then a variety of others (including one of my perennial favorite episodes, "The Host") as well. Came with a free ticket to the movie also.....for $10 total, its really a hell of a deal, basically get the DVD for free. Between watching these and Fight the Future again (which has just been collecting dust on my shelves for years now), I'm definately pumped for the film, havent read a damn thing on it for a good reason, assuming this will be the final conclusion to the series and the characters. Or a start to a new set of films, leading to a really satisfying conclusion in due time.

Actually, the only dispute with that contract was that Burton, and then Schumacher, didn't want Billy Dee Williams to play Dent in subsequent films after the first Batman, which really didn't impress anyone. Williams, though, had an "exclusivity" contract of sorts with the Harvey Dent character, in that if/when Dent was in future films, he would be the one playing the role. So in Returns, the character was supposed to be in there, but Burton just didn't see Williams fit as Dent again, but they were in a stand-still becuase of the contract exclusivity of the character. I pulled this from IMDB which explains the situation more.... # The character of Max Shreck was a re-write of District Attorney Harvey Dent; accordingly, most of his plot points would have perhaps made more sense if Shreck were D.A. instead of a corrupt businessman. The explosion at the end of the film was a means to injure Dent and produce the scars that would lead to his transformation into Two-Face for the third movie in the series. Reportedly, Billy Dee Williams took the role of Harvey Dent in the first Batman (1989) movie because he knew that the character would eventually become Two-Face. Williams' contract to appear in the sequel is rumored to have been bought out by Warner Bros. at a heavy price.

He actually was on last night, in a tag against Pat Tanaka (apparently making his AWA debut) and Jammin' Mitch Snow. Sold like crazy for Tanaka. Speaking of Mitch Snow also, for some odd reason, we saw him in two tag matches IN A ROW last night, not sure what the deal was there. One with Tanaka and another with a jobber, against the Midnight Express (who didn't have their tag titles and werent announced at the tag champs, wow I'm confused). Part 2 of the 87 Year in Review last night was weak, just a 30 second clip from Hennig turning heel on Greg Gagne and then they showed the finish of Hennig winning the title from Bockwinkel at Super Clash 2. Oh and another very brief clip of the Russians beating the Rockers for the tag titles. Once again, Heyman cuts an incredible promo on Tommy Rich to end the show, and before that, they aired Rich v. Adonis in a super heated match from the Showboat, unfortunately the finish was basically a no contest when Heyman interfered and the heels laid Rich out. Good stuff though.

Seen some photos of the new Jason Vorhees over at fridaythe13thfilms.com and gorezone.net, definately not impressed.

I'm the same way for the most part. There is just so many Wahoo, Adonis, or Midnight Express squash matches I can handle. Yeah, alot of last weeks shows and also Mondays were from the same location (some high school gym in Wisconsin), so they re-did that six man on two shows for some reason. Some of those matches from that Wisconsin taping were interesting though, such as the Dundee/Lawler v. Midnight Express title change. God, Verne Gagne was just freaking out at the ending on replay, and then they did a Lawler/Dundee squash the next show in which Gagne was just verbally blowing both Lawler and Dundee like crazy. That squash match was hilarious due to a few reasons, one of the jobbers telling the crowd to fuck off and it being clearly not edited off the show, and then the other jobber takes a monkey flip as his first bump of the match and totally lands wrong and basically the match has to be rushed from that point since he was so out of it, could barely stand up. Last nights show was good stuff, a segment of the show was devoted to recapping the first three months of 87, and they showed the great stuff from Rockers/Somers and Rose (including the title switch from the Met Center in Minneapolis, a venue that was tore down to build the Mall of America years ago, used to be the place that WWE always came to) as well as Hennig/Bockwinkels matches to lead to the title change. The rest was pretty forgetful, other than Heyman's promo hyping up Rich/Adonis for next week (which is hopefully going to air tonight)