GREEN LANTERN IS STILL THE WORST MOVIE EVER, AND HERE IS WHY!!!!

We're just out to ruin everyone's Tuesday....with CinemaSins, GREEN LANTERN addition.

Enjoy!!!




Tip of the hat to That_Urban_Punk for sharing this! Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/that_urban_punk/status/339424420911280128

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FAST AND FURIOUS 6: All Roads Lead to One Fun Movie!

Directed by Justin Lin

Staring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

5 out of 5 Arnolds

     

What is a brand? A brand is a promise. When you see the golden arches of McDonalds, the prancing horse on a Ferrari, or the once bitten fruit on an Apple computer, you know what you are getting. A quick hot meal, a fast red car, and a smooth computing experience. That’s what Universal has managed to carve out with the Fast And Furious franchise. Hot people, hot cars, and crazy stunts.

Just....just don't even ask, okay?

And it delivers. Director Justin Lin manages to follow up on the surprisingly good Fast 5 with more stunts. More drama. More action. Yet the movie manages to be finely balanced. These 6 mini story lines are slapped together and they work.  The plot is hot mess strung together with a cavalcade of familiar faces from Fast 5 and beyond. 

All the stars, of which there are many, manage to pull their weight. Vin Diesel brings an unreasonable amount of presence to the movie and Paul Walker has flashes of good acting, but, at its heart, this is Michelle Rodriguez’s movie. It’s her welcome back home and she brings sincerity to the role.



Michelle Rodriquez manages to shine, shine, shine....

And the action. Oh. My. Gosh. The action. It got so intense that this movie had me clutching my seat at some points. Was it well crafted, necessarily? No. But it gets extra points for the sheer amount of blunt force trauma delivered throughout. Just….just good stuff.

Low points? Script. Editing. Blatant illogical physics. But who cares? It’s Fast And Furious 6.

ACTION A GO GO OR ACTION A NO NO? ACTION A GO GO!

                                  

What saves this movie in the end is that it goes out of its way to tie up loose plot elements and focus on the characters. All while making lots of things crash and explode.

These sequels can’t be the cultural milestone that the first FAST AND FURIOUS movie was, but they can be a promise kept.

Go see it. It will be fun.

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AAGG would like to announce that we have a new SCI FI Commentator, Stephen Sumner!!!!!!

In an attempt to bring you, our readers, a more well rounded experience we've gone out and recruited someone to cover any and all things Sci Fi. And trust me, he's legit. He speaks Klingon.

His name is Stephen Sumner, and you may have already seen his work in the recently published piece Star Wars vs. Star Trek: This. Ends. HERE. This. Ends. NOW!  If not, go now, because it's full of insight, wit, and even....a reasonable conclusion! Good God, I didn't know they made people like this anymore....

Anyway, below is a short autobiography we asked Stephen to write up. Have similar interests? Let us know in the comments!!! And please keep an eye out for his work from now on. I know he'll have us talking!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Sumner. One of us. Unless, of course, an advanced race of alien beings has learned how to create exact replicas of humans.

Greetings. Having recently joined the Action A Go Go team as its science fiction commentator, was asked to do a bio. Here goes something.

Name: Stephen Sumner (that’s NOT real….or is it?)
Age: Unborn and eternal.
Sex: Yes. I have had it. Many times. And I will have it again. Seriously. I will. Why do you doubt me?
Highest level of Education:University. However, the buildings were really old and it appears they couldn’t even afford to remove the green weeds that grew up the walls.
Relationship Status: Love. Don’t talk to me about love.
Country of Birth: Right now, Rammstein is my favorite band. That’s called a “clue.”
Turn Ons: Androids, things blowing up in space, Klingon women, the pale blue glow given off by computer screens and 23^rd century environmental lighting, people that actually think, Quorra, warp travel, 7 of 9.
Turn Offs: 99.9% of everything that’s on TV, broccoli, ego, Amy Farrah Fowler, cynicism, jungle environments, vampires that “sparkle,” any activity that involves being awake between 4 a.m. and noon.
Favorite Sci-Fi TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Star Trek, Eureka.
Favorite Sci-Fi Films: Serenity, Blade Runner, Star Trek (2009), The Matrix Trilogy, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek Into Darkness, Sunshine, Prometheus, Moon, Tron, Alien Trilogy.
Favorite Sci-Fi Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Half-Life series, Fallout 3, Portal (GLaDOS….I love you!)
Favorite Sci-Fi Book: Neuromancer by William Gibson.
Favorite Real Life Scientist: Richard Feynman.
Favorite Real Life Science Text: The Demon-Haunted World: Science As A Candle In The Dark by Carl Sagan.
Book That Would Most Likely Avert World War III And Guide Humanity Closer To A United Federation Of Planets If People Actually Read It: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris.
Franchise That Countless Geeks Seem To Appreciate Yet I don’t Get Because It Reminds Me Of The Type Of Television They Make Fun Of At The Beginning Of “V for Vendetta”: Doctor Who.
Greatest Actor Portraying The Greatest Character EVER In The History of Everything In The Entire Known Universe. Ever.: Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

And if I were to be hit by a Mack truck tomorrow, there is only one thing I’d want people to realize: Even when news media, school, religious leaders, government and Wall Street try to convince you there are five lights….always, always remember….there….are…FOUR….LIGHTS!!!

Live long and prosper. See you in the ‘verse. So say we all.

Cake. And grief counseling. Will now be made available. You monster.
Sumner can be followed on Twitter at Sumner@vierlights or on the Tumblr machine at NX01Sumner.

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ACTION A GO GO VIXEN OF THE WEEK: #ALICEEVE

 

In today's day and age, when we are bombarded with crazy, sexy images left and right it seems like it's harder than ever to stand out. But when Alice Eve was shown off in a bikini in STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS that scene managed to spark a firestorm (I guess) of conversation about exploitation of the female form in popular media.

 

Damon Lindeloff himself was even forced to explain himself (check this out) and he admitted the offending scene was "gratuitous". I think he should be forced to admit that Prometheus was full of plot holes, but that's just me.

 

But Alice Eve is more than a Bikini shot in a blockbuster. She comes from a family with a rich acting heritage. English by birth, she has had a steady career in Hollywood for the past ten years, staring in movies as She's Out Of Your League (2010), The Raven (2012), and Men In Black 3 (2012).  But it's clear that she's still just getting started.

 

Without further ado, we present Alice Eve, our ACTION A GO GO VIXEN OF THE WEEK! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And below we have the offending...I'm sorry, what?

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Star Wars vs Star Trek: This. Ends. HERE. This. Ends. NOW. #STARWARS #STARTREK

Let’s look at the facts, shall we?

Creator’s Original Intended Audience

Star Wars: George Lucas simply wanted to make movies for the young and young at heart, similar to the movie serials he watched when he was a kid. Serials such as “Flash Gordon” and “Radar Men From The Moon.” There was no intent to create a “mythos leading to a paradigm shift in global human consciousness.” Many like to think of Star Wars as being something important. And it is in many ways. But it’s for kids. And for grownups that want to keep the kid within them alive. That’s it.

Hmmmmm. Where have I heard the name “Cody” before?

Star Trek: Although presented to producers as a “Western in space,” Gene Roddenberry’s actual intent was to create a show that challenged cultural, political and religious norms. The stereotype of Star Trek being “for geeks, living in their parents’ basement, because they don’t understand the world” is absurd. Trekkies probably have a better understanding of what a truly balanced and enlightened world is, based on reason and shared humanity, than most people that claim to be “good” because of whatever religion they practice. Star Trek is for grown-ups.

Genre

Star Wars: Fantasy. With a few strokes of a pen, Star Wars could easily be converted to a realm of magic, knights on horses and wizards carrying wands. It is not science-fiction. When questions of science arise, there is one cure-all: bypass the main power drive.

Star Trek: Science Fiction. Everything in Star Trek is based on actual science. Even if flawed. Even if only a pipe dream that humankind can only hypothesize about right now. Science. Nothing mystical.

Midi-chlorians need not apply.

Body of Work

Star Wars: 7 feature length films (including the animated “Clone Wars,”) 108 episodes of the television series “Clone Wars,” approximately 23 main characters.

Star Trek: 12 feature films, five different series, over six hundred episodes (including the animated series), approximately 43 main characters.

The amount of data for either franchise is significant. Regardless of one’s background or general inclinations, there are awesome things about both. Simultaneously, there are things within both realms that just really….really….should never have been put on the screen. <coughKazoncough> <coughHaydenChristensencough>


Part of the Brain Affected? 

Star Wars: Emotion. It deals with grand, all-encompassing, archetypal themes to which almost every human being can relate. Although many sub-themes can be found, it can all be boiled down to good vs evil. Intellect not required. Which is not a bad thing.

It’s ok to explore both.

Star Trek: Reason. Consistently puts under a microscope countless moral and ethical issues. “Aesop’s Fables” for our times. The constant theme of what it means to be a “good” humanoid in a universe where grey areas constantly intersect the actions of those within it.

Final Conclusion?

Do you prefer Pink Floyd’s theme-laden concept albums that wrench your heart out? Or “Never Mind the Bullocks” by the Sex Pistols, which is short, intense and rips at the social fabric? Do you prefer Beethoven’s symphonies with their massive movements and recurring themes that hit you on a gut level? Or maybe his shorter sonatas and chamber pieces, each individually evoking specific thoughts or emotions?

Do you prefer the buffet? Or just nuking a Hot Pocket?

Star Wars is a fantasy series, addressing the grand yet simple theme of good vs evil, reaching you on a gut level. Star Trek is a science fiction franchise that challenges one to think critically about many issues that affect humanity on multiple levels.

Comparing the two, although fun, is a waste of energy. An exercise usually carried out by those who love one franchise and just might not fully grok the other.

So next time someone asks you “Which is better? Star Trek or Star Wars?” You can simply respond, “That question is illogical. They both have their flaws. They both have their strengths. They’re both awesome. And only the Sith deal in absolutes.”

                                         

Stephen Sumner is the science fiction columnist for Action A Go Go. His favorite sci-fi series include Firefly, Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek. He can be followed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/VierLights or on the Tumblr machine at http://vierlights.tumblr.com/

 

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Alice Eve-gate: Pajiba's Joanna Robinson Wants To See Your Boobs AKA Why Damon Lindelof is a Chump

It seems like the Internet is rife with concerns about depictions of the female form in movies. Pajiba's Joanna Robinson, however, has a different take.
Before you start, this isn't meant to say that gender depictions in film has improved (the MPAA still needs to get over it), but that maybe some of that online venom is just rabble-rousing.
Enjoy.

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STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS review: Face it, Trekkies...this series will continue to live long and prosper with or without you! #STARTREKINTODARKNESS

 

 

Star Trek Into Darkness

Directed by JJ Abrams

Starring Chris Pine and Benedict Cumberbatch

4 out of 5 Arnolds

 

A mass-murdering maniac with apparent super-powers is on the loose in Star Trek Into Darkness. And it appears he has a serious bone to pick with Starfleet. J.J. Abrams' sequel to his hit 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise lives up to it's title, it is darker, meaner and has a body-count that dwarfs it's predecessor (excluding the first film's destruction of Vulcan, that is). That being said, it is a sequel in the truest sense of the word. The battles may be bigger, the stakes may be higher, but at the end of the day, it definitely feels like it is cut from the same cloth that Abrams' used to great success the first time around.

 

As far as summer blockbusters go, Into Darkness is among the higher caliber entries. It is smart, slick and fun. Although it doesn't seek to reinvent the wheel, it serves as a straight-forward continuation of the franchise, which fits with the Star Trek series' episodic nature.

 

 

 Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are, as always, a breath of fresh air. Pine's quick-witted smart-assery bounces easily off of Quinto's cool, calculating performance. As the stakes of the film get higher, these two easily hold their own and deliver strong performances when things get real. The rest of the crew of the Enterprise each do well with what they're given, Simon Pegg in particular really gets a chance to play with his role as Scotty this time, and the results are some of the films' best comedic moments.

 

Benedict Cumberbatch in the middle of stealing every scene he is in.

Finally, our maniacal super-villain, John Harrison, played by geek-favorite, Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch brings his A-game here; cold, steely, ferocious, without ever batting an eye. Unfortunately, after his character really takes center-stage as our antagonist, his role becomes limited to constant yelling and a lot of running. That being said, Cumberbatch effortlessly steals all his scenes during the film's second act, and his performance is not one to be missed this summer.

 

The film's plot, constructed by the familiar team of Kurtzman, Orci and Lindelof, almost edges into the territory of political thrillers. It's twists and turns are both engaging and entertaining, markedly different from the mostly straight-forward nature from the first installment. Into Darkness is as much a mystery-thriller during it's first two acts as it is an action flick. The writing team was smart in their decision to move this direction, it keeps the audience thinking on their feet, a rare move these days in the arena of big blockbusters.

 

"So, you ready to see this movie or what?"

Action A Go Go or Action A No No? Action A Go Go!
 

Star Trek Into Darkness is a big, bombastic summer action movie. It plays it straight, with a few stellar elements here and there to elevate it above the rest of the rabble. It's funny, it's intense, it's cool, just an all around good time. If you've got a hankering for another dose of what Abrams' brought to the table four ears ago, this will definitely do the trick.

 

I, for one, would love to see this series live a long, full life. Bring on the next sequel! 

 

-Andrew Allen

 https://twitter.com/a_b_allen

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In Defense of 2009's Star Trek: JJ Abrams' Take is Closer to the Original Series Than You Want to Admit

Star Trek

Directed by J.J. Abrams

Starring Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana


4 out of 5 Arnolds

It’s hard to avoid a cultural phenomenon like Star Trek. I’ve never seen an entire episode of any Star Trek series (I have, however, seen most of the movies) and yet, despite it all, I know more about Gene Roddenberry’s creation than I want to admit.

For example:

• I know that Vulcans are a species fueled on logic, not emotion.
• I know that there was a Captain Sisqo, a Captain Jane, and a Captain Picard.
• I know what a mirror universe is.
• I know that the Klingons have some sort of honor system that defines them.
• I know that Data is a humanoid artificial intelligence.
• I know what a “Tribble” is, and that they are indeed trouble.
• I know that the guy with the visor was on Reading Rainbow (Jordi?).
• I know that everyone loves Wrath of Khan.
• I know that Kirk died falling from a bridge in Generations.
• I know that Spock learned to embrace his emotions by serving on the USS Enterprise.
• I know George Takei (Sulu) is gay in real life.
• I know “The Borg” assimilated with Captain Picard.
• I know that Captain Kirk was a p@ssyhound, who shared the first interracial kiss on television with Lt. Uhura.

I also know that creator Gene Roddenberry intended for Star Trek to be a “space-western,” a kind of Bonanza by way of science fiction. It’s that space-western angle that has always made me want to watch Star Trek, but the overt sci-fi-ness of the original’s predecessors (Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, etc.) always kept me away. What can I say? I'm a lizard brain that writes for an action movie blog. I want less philosophy, less of that aliens-are people-too crap, and less stationary spaceships shooting at each other while the actors throw their bodies from right to left. Basically, I wanted less sci-fi and more western. I guess director J.J. Abrams must have felt the same way, because this new, simply named Star Trek film is exactly that.

Mandatory Maxim: Zoe Saldana. between AVATAR,
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, and this...
she makes sci-fi look sexy.

Abrams, along with the screenwriting team of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, make their intentions very clear early on. In an action sequence seen millions of times before with a stagecoach, we’re reintroduced to a young James T. Kirk. He’s involved in some pre-teen grand theft auto (read: horses) and narrowly avoids death by letting his dad's sports car drive right off the cliff. For discerning viewers who aren't preoccupied with their skewed version of Trek lore, you'll appreciate the small nods similar to this one throughout the film --- from saloon fights to old west shoot-outs on Romulan ships.

Action A Go Go or Action A No No? ACTION A GO GO!

Yes, there is a lot of action in Star Trek, almost to the point of interfering with it’s nimble comic book-styled plot, but never at the risk of under-characterizing the film’s magnificent seven. Chris Pine (Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Spock), John Chu (Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov), Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Simon Pegg (Scotty), and Karl Urban (Bones), all glisten with charisma.

Abrams and his Bad Robot crew prove that they are adept at writing for ensembles, and the actors all manage to tightrope that line between pop impersonator and personal interpretation (though, Urban’s take on Deforest Kelly is so spot-on that you never want him to leave a scene). Surprisingly, the only small disappointment is Eric Bana as the heavy, but you’ll be too concerned with when the sequels coming out to think about that. This non-Trekkie sure was.

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Ray Harryhausen

FX wizard Ray Harryhausen inspired countless filmmakers, from George Lucas to Peter Jackson. He had the type of influence that most men dream of.

If you're not familiar with Harryhausen then turn in your "geek" card now. More than likely, some fandom that you're a part of started with someone seeing Ray's work, growing curious about the artistry behind it, and going off to create the very thing you love.

RIP

Full Article.

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IRON MAN 3 Review: Every bit as entertaining as last year's THE AVENGERS and twice as smart!

Family watches out for family, so I invited my younger cousin Andrew to chime in on Iron Man 3.

Why? Well, mostly because I'm tired of writing about Marvel @$#%, but also because the kid seems to have an opinion. Whether I agree or disagree is irrelevant, but, as a movie nerd, what I can't accept is a viewer with no opinion at all. Sure, those people exist (hell, movies like Iron Man 3 are targeted exactly towards people like that), but I don't have to like them.

What was I saying? Oh. Right. Andrew...

If his review is anything like our Thanksgiving movie debates, I'm sure he's bound to piss someone off. Enjoy.
-Troy



 

 

Iron Man 3
Directed by Shane Black
Starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Ben Kingsley

4 out of 5 Arnolds

Ghosts from Tony Stark's detestable past resurface in Iron Man 3. This time the once shallow hero has to contend with three key players. Initially, scientist Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) and scorned fanboy Aldrich Killian (Guy Pierce) are his main opposition. However, the story doesn't really get rolling until the much advertised villain hits the scene: The Mandarin.

 

 

Played by Ben Kingsley with maximum effect, The Mandarin is a brilliant creation and the best  I have seen in a superhero film in years. On the one hand, he is the icon of evil, playing the role of a menacing supervillain phenomenally. On the other hand, he serves as a profound commentary on the American culture's xenophobia. It's an extremely meta take on the Nolan-esque "super-terrorist," popularized by Heath Ledger in 2008's The Dark Knight.




If this is the standard that Marvel is setting for "Phase 2",
I cannot wait to see what they bring to the table next.

Action A No No or Action A Go Go? Action A Go Go!
Iron Man 3 is filled to the brim with engaging action and gut-busting humor. Director Shane Black's presence is strongly felt, as the story plays out in a manner very similar to his patented buddy cop style from two decades prior. The fact that Black wrote Lethal Weapon will come as no surprise after seeing this movie, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible.

Robert Downey, Jr. gives what is by far his best performance as Tony Stark, completely selling Black's script, which, surprisingly enough, serves as a perfect finale to the Iron Man series. I didn't expect to say that after seeing this, but I honestly don't want an "Iron Man 4" to be made. Never before have I seen a franchise voluntarily wrap itself up so neatly and with dignity intact.

Iron Man 3 is the best thing Marvel Studios has ever done on film. It analyzes and deconstructs the superhero movie but  never loses its identity as a member of the genre. The script is ferociously sharp with a dark sense of humor, making it refreshingly different than the other two "Iron Man" films that precede it.

-Andrew Allen

@A_B_Allen

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ACTION A GO GO VIXEN OF THE WEEK: The Unstoppable Pam Grier

 

 

It’s the 1970’S. American Cinema is a hot mess of tired tropes and young rebels trying to change the business. Among this era of crazy films and wild indulgence were the norm and movies like Shaft (1971) kicked off Blaxploitation cinema. It was a unique, if pandering, movement that gave voice to black culture and actors like never before.

One woman that stood out of from the crowd and became a pop culture icon was Pam Grier. Gorgeous and tough as nails, Grier shattered stereotypes of all sorts and became the first female to headline an Americaaction film.

She got her start with movies like The Big Doll House(1971), Women in Cages (1971), The Big Bird Cage (1972), and Black Mama, White Mama (1973).

But it was the movie Coffy (1973) that solidified her as an action star who could headline a movie. She played a woman who took the law into her own hands after drugs and violence ruined her family. This was followed by Foxy Brown (1974), Sheba Baby (1975) and a host of other movies whose subject matter was centered on black hero’s that bucked the system while standing for justice.

In the decades since the glory years of Blaxploitation, Grier has continued to act in various movies and television shows such as Escape From L.A (1996) and Law And Order: Special Victims Unit. She did make a comeback to her action star roots to take the lead role in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown (1997). Her performance garnered much critical acclaim and the movie is considered a modern classic.

So, enough with the stalling. Gaze upon the awesomeness of Pam Grier in some classic photos and posters from her long and amazing career!

 

 

 

PS. Sorry this one was late, that's why this one is packed with extra fun! 

 

 

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