Flashback Friday: Grease 2

No explanation needed. Sure, a sequel to the smash hit "Grease" sounds like it would be a good idea. And you know what? It was.

"Grease 2" stars Michelle Pfeiffer in her first major movie role, and homegirl works it out. Not sure if it's worth your time? For good measure, I've included a gem of Pfeiffer's performance of "Cool Rider."

A Decade of Music in Film

With the recent telecast of the Oscars ceremony that honored the year's best films, I figured now was as good a time as any to take a look back at the last 10 years of award-winning music as heard in the theater.

Flashback Friday: Hocus Pocus

Oh, 1993. You brought so many great things to the world of cinema: Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire, Schindler's List (I was going to make a joke about that one being a chick flick, but felt that maaaaybe it was inappropriate.).

And, 1993, you also brought us the cinematical magic (no pun intended, you'll see...) that iiiisss:

Hocus Pocus.

Who can forget the should-have-been award-winning trio of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and a pre-Sex & The City Sarah Jessica Parker as three indestructible witches? I can't. I mean, let's face it, there's nothing innovative or thought-provoking about the movie...it's just really fun to watch.

I know I can't pass up a movie with Bette Midler stealing the spotlight with an impeccable rendition of "I Put A Spell On You" at a Halloween party (SPOILER ALERT: It's actually a spell).

China to celebrate communism with propaganda films

According to Variety, China will be releasing 50 propaganda films. The reason? To celebrate the 60th anniversary of China's communist rule.

The State Adminstration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) has organized multiple state-owned and privately-owned production companies to prepare for the filming of these films. All of the projects are aimed at celebrating China's history over the last six decades. They hope to cover multiple cubjects including Tiananmen Square, "Big Earthquake", and the riveting topic of "college entrance examination in 1977."

"The Great Cause of China's Foundation," will show the "Most powerful lineup in the history of Chinese film according to China Film.

Box office killed by 'Friday the 13th'

It seems the romantic Valentine's holiday didn't stop people from soaking in their share of horror for the weekend. The Warner Bros. remake of the 1980 horror classic "Friday the 13th," released on its namesake, took in an estimated $45.2 million over the long President's Day weekend.

Warner Bros. also took the second place spot over the weekend. "He's Just Not That Into You" took in an impressive $23.4 million after already taking the top spot in its opening weekend. (Though whether or not it was deserving is another story... shameless plug: Check out my review in the latest issue of the Tan & Cardinal.).

And despite the state of the economy, this President's Day weekend box office sales topped $224 million, a 34% jump from last year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A little less impressive than 'Friday' was the performance of the well-publicized "Confessions of a Shopaholic." The Disney film starring Isla Fisher, took in a respectable $17.3 million, though it only earned a fifth place rank.

Flashback Friday: My Girl

Ah, "My Girl." As I was looking at previous Flashback Fridays I noticed that I was inadvertantly spotlighting favorite movies of mine from my childhood rather than legitimately good films that I discovered down the line as I got older.

Well today is no exception.

I frequent a store called New Uses. It's owned by the same people that own Plato's Closet--they buy your gently used household items, appliances, aaaaaand.... DVDs. You kind find nearly any DVD for $5 or less (I'm not ashamed to admit I even landed Oprah's 20th anniversary DVD for a mere $10!).

So I was pleasantly surprised when I came across a solid gem:

Not only did I find "My Girl" for $5.... but it came with "My Girl 2" (I'll save that for another Friday).

"My Girl" follows Anna Chlumsky's character (I'll get to the "Where is she now?" in a sec), Vada, during the summer of 1972. Her dad (Dan Akroyd) is an undertaker, and her mother died during childbirth. Her father becomes involved with Shelley (Jamie Lee Curtis), which is difficult for Vada, but she finds solace in her friendship with Thomas J (played impeccably by none other than Macaulay Culkin).

Oh! So where is Chlumsky now? She played Liz Lemler on an episode of "30 Rock" when Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) received flowers intended for Lemler.

Anyway, I hadn't seen this movie in more than a decade when I decided to watch it a few days ago. Even though I remembered the plot line (including the not-so-fun parts), let's just say I was not prepared for the bees.

Candyland movie predictions

Though no names have been attached to the Candyland movie project I wrote about recently, I thought it would be fun to make my own predictions. Click the image to take a look and let me know what you think!

Flashback "Friday:" Edward Scissorhands

Released nearly 20 years ago, "Edward Scissorhands" tells the story of Edward played by Johnny Depp. Edward is a creation who, before his maker can give him real hands, has scissors for hands. After a woman meets him upon trying to sell make up door to door, Edward emerges from his reclusive state to be taken in by her family and falls in love with her teenage daughter played by Winona Ryder.

"Edward Scissorhands" was the first release to team up director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp who would later go on to release an additional half dozen movies together.

While the film was performed well with critics and at the box office, "Edward Scissorhands" has since developed a cult following, of which I am a part of. I enjoy this movie now just as much as when I was a kid and large reason for that is the music. All of the music in the film was scored by Danny Elfman who is known for his work on many Tim Burton films as well as for scoring the theme for "Desperate Housewives."

While many people have already seen this movie, there are always a few stragglers who haven't. To those people I say: Watch it. It doesn't matter whether or not you like Tim Burton, or whether or not you like Johnny Depp. Just watch it. I guarantee Edward will live on as one of the most likeable characters you will ever watch.

(And it should speak volumes that Johnny Depp speaks less than 200 words in the whole film despite playing the main character.)

'Candy Land' -- the movie

Universal Studios is set to turn children's board game "Candy Land" into a major motion picture.

Writer Etan Cohen is set to pen the script for film adaptation of the Hasbro board game. Cohen's writing credits include two 2008 successes--"Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and "Tropic Thunder."

Universal has also signed Kevin Lima to direct the film. Lima's last directorial project was 2007's Academy Award nominated film "Enchanted."

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner will produce the film.

Sources:
IMDB
Variety

Entire cast confirmed to star in "Sex & The City" sequel

Though it has already been confirmed that the "Sex and the City" franchise will see a sequel in the works, Variety is reporting that New Line Cinema has confirmed that all four leading ladies will reprise their roles in "Sex and the City 2."

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis have all signed on to star again as Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbs, and Charlotte York, alongside Michael Patrick King, the film's writer, director, and producer.

While production is set to begin indefinitely, Toby Emmerich, president of New Line, has been hoping to fast-track the sequel, aiming for a summer 2010 release.

This release will come two years after the first film, which garnered more than $400 million from US and international markets.

Source:
Variety