50 Cent loses 60 pounds for role

I write this blog because people in our newsroom haven't stopped talking about it.

50 Cent has shed 60 pounds to play the role of a cancer patient in a movie he wrote himself.

I don't know a lot about 50 Cent's (Curtis Jackson's) usual size, other than he's extremely muscular, but I've read today that he's usually the size of a linebacker.

So how did he do it? A liquid diet and three hours a day on a treadmill, Entertainment Weekly reports.

He went from 240 pounds to 160 pounds.

The movie, Things Fall Apart, is about a college football player who is diagnosed with cancer. There's no word on whether this movie will hit theaters. But I imagine this picture posted on 50's Twitter, Facebook, and his own website is helping generate buzz.

Do you want to see it now?

Shrek The Final Chapter

Me, my date and my dog packed up in the car and headed to Abilene's Town and Country Drive-In to watch "Shrek the Final Chapter," also known as "Shrek Forever After," or just plain "Shrek 4" (which is much faster to type).

I don't think I ever saw "Shrek the Third" but I didn't need to. The plot picks up with Shrek and Fiona at home with their little one-year-old ogre babies, and all the familiar characters are there.

Now, believe it or not, I'm an adult writing from an adult's perspective. The movie was funny, but not as funny as the first two. Or maybe it just wasn't a fresh funny. I'm sure kids would get a kick out of it no matter what.

Folks, if you don't want to be lost like I was, brush up on your fairy tales! I'm sure a lot of the jokes went right over my head because it's been a while since Hans Christian Andersen and I cuddled up in bed together.

Rumpelstiltskin (or Mr. Stiltskin as he prefers to be called) was an appropriately hateable character. I just wish a more famous actor had done the voice. The voice was that of Walt Dohrn, who was apparently a writer for Shreks 3 & 4. Wouldn't it have been better to have Steve Buscemi or Rainn Wilson? You could take the stance of some critics who say it's fantastic that a behind-the-scenes guy with great acting skills was given a big break, but I don't know, I'd rather be more entertained.

The story has a great moral: "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone," and an even greater soundtrack. And by soundtrack, I mean songs in the movie, not songs on the album. I checked and the album doesn't have the best ones. It just has Shake Your Groove Thing, Lionel Ritchie's Hello, and Top of the World by the Carpenters with a few more originals and covers.

Since I went to the drive-in, I didn't remember that it was available in 3-D. Here's an interesting point from one of the Facebook fans of Abilene Midday:

• It was a wonderful movie and well-worth going to see. but they had too many showings of the 3D but only 1 showing of the 2D here in Abilene. There is very little difference between 3D and 2D and the price difference is just too much. Too many people are out of work and are scrimping and saving their money.

Sorry, I feel like this review is a little all over the place. But, then again, so is an animated film about dragons and ginger bread cookies and cats wearing boots.

Soon I'll write another blog about Town & Country!

Eclipse Movie Trailer

The trailer debuted on Oprah today, and hit EclipseMovie.org shortly later. Check it out!

Clash of the Titans: 3 ½ out of 5

By: Chelsea Delz
Abilene

I recently saw the latest rendition of the 1980s cult classic Clash of the Titans, but don’t be fooled because even though both films share the same title it does not mean they share the same story.

This is the story of Perseus (Sam Worthington). Perseus is ready to take on the Gods after Hades (Ralph Fiennes) kills his family. Little does he know that he is actually a demi-god and the son of Zeus, (Liam Neeson) king of the Gods.

Perseus then realizes it’s his destiny to rescue the city of Argos from Hades and the Kraken. He organizes a group of soldiers and heads out on his quest to “Find and fulfill your destiny,” Sir Laurence Olivier as Zeus Clash of the Titans 1981.

Honestly, I enjoyed this version but I am a huge fan of the original so I have to say it was not as good as its predecessor. I think the thing that bothered me the most about this film was there was no love story and the original was a big love story. Perseus’s love for Andromeda was what sent him on his journey to save the city of Argos. It was also Andromeda’s former suitor that was one of Perseus’s major foes, unlike in the new film.

I also missed the usage of the other Gods and Goddesses. In the 80s version we saw and heard from almost all of them, but in this one they were merely there as part of the ambiance.

Plus, I did miss the campiness of the first one with the giant birds, the original Kraken, and Bubo the golden owl. What happened to Bubo?

However, this was definitely an action packed film that kept you jumping in your seat with excitement. I am giving this remake 3 ½ out of 5. Overall it was a great action fill and I think if I had not seen the original I would have loved this one even more than I do now.

Alice in Wonderland - Curiouser and curiouser…

by: Erin Stephens
Abilene

missmoviemaestro.blogspot.com

This was my first 3-D experience and I couldn’t have chosen a better film. Needless to say Tim Burton (director) set the bar high, Alice in Wonderland was a joy to experience. The film is not a duplicate of the book or animated feature. The story follows nineteen-year-old Alice as she flees from the expectations of her friends and family, only to find herself in Wonderland where she has new expectations to live up to and different things pulling her in all directions, literally and figuratively. Burton did not disappoint, his style and aesthetic definitely was enhanced by the 3-D technology. The scenes were extremely fresh; the colors in the wardrobe, make-up and setting were rich and bright creating the perfect template for experiencing the wonderment of Wonderland.

The movie did not follow any stories previously written, this was an excellent way to use the already developed characters to build a new story for all to enjoy. However for the viewers that have read Lewis Carroll’s works, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, can be assured that the essence of the stories are still intact. The film incorporated aspects of the books into the storyline, such as the Jabberwocky, which gave it a genuine feel. Also, the characters from the novels were authentically portrayed. The film did a wonderful job of developing the characters, especially Alice, in a way that seemed seamless and effortless, as well as true to the character created by Carroll. The essence of the story, as well as the masterful directing, created the perfect base for a marvelously artful film. But, it would not have been complete without the great performances by the entire cast. Every player portrayed their character with such mastery I could write pages on each performance, however, I will limit myself to the exceptional ones.

Between Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter) and Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen), I’m not sure which one stole more scenes. Both were so engrossed in their characters they were almost unrecognizable. Depp was phenomenal, from his hair and make-up (which changed colors!) to his swinging pendulum of emotional outburst he WAS the Mad Hatter. He created a character that was kooky and endearing all at once, you will want to keep from blinking, so not to miss a moment of him. Bonham Carter brings the same type of an all-encompassing performance in her portrayal of the Red Queen. The viewers are torn between pity and disgust as she tyrannically rules Wonderland in her efforts to find adoration from her subjects. Anne Hathaway played the other royal character, the White Queen, she moved and spoke with such an extreme amount of grace and sweetness it was completely whimsical, almost overwhelmingly so. As for Alice, newcomer Mia Wasikowska effortlessly portrayed her as the curious, questioning, presumptuous girl that was created by Carroll. Her frankness and stubbornness was ideal, as well as cleverly placed and disturbed throughout the film in order to fully develop her character. Also, all of the voice actors were perfectly cast and articulated beautifully.

Overall, this was a great film, plain and simple. Tim Burton took a classic story of silliness and nonsense and transformed it into a film that is not only pleasing to the eye and entertaining, but kept the heart of Lewis Carroll’s story beating. The idea that thinking differently and seeing things for not what they are, but what they could be, can be extremely rewarding.

Shutter Island - You'll never leave this island

by: Erin Stephens
Abilene

missmoviemaestro.blogspot.com

I love to watch all types of movies, but I especially love the movies that require a second watch in order to be truly appreciated. Shutter Island is definitely one of those films! It’s set in 1954 and follows two US Federal Marshals as they investigate the disappearance of a patient in a mental hospital for the criminally insane. Martin Scorsese (director) is a master behind the camera. He created elegantly intense scenes using simple, but unique camera angles, coupled with an astounding musical score that kept the viewers on the edge of their seats from the first frame.There was an air of mystery woven through out the film, the audience kept questioning what was truth, what was a ploy, who do you believe? Teddy Daniels (Leonard DiCaprio), the protagonist, seemed to be the only person that the viewers could ultimately trust, because the story was being told from his perspective. He took the audience on a quest through the vast grounds of the island, from trekking in the wilderness to lurking through the halls of the fortified ward C. The scenery and extensive details to the set strengthen the film, especially in coordination with the perfectly articulated script. Another aspect of the film that added mystery were Daniels’ memory flashes. They were artfully placed and assisted in the unfolding of the twisted plot.

As for the acting performances, DiCaprio was amazing! His portrayal of the tormented US Marshal Daniels was phenomenal. He developed a bond of trust through acts of genuine sincerity for justice and morality. This was a crucial part of film. The other notable performance was Sir Ben Kingsley as Dr. Crawley. He created a man with such smooth, suave charisma he was almost untrustworthy, however he had enough compassion and care for his patients the viewers want to believe and trust him.

This film was definitely created for a viewer that appreciates the see-saw of emotions as well as the opportunity to generated a load of conspiracy theories on how the plot will pan out. It will most assuredly keep you guessing and questioning while on the edge of your seat holding your breath! It is Scorsese, so there is a bit of vulgar language and some graphic scenes. Overall, it is a MUST watch film!

Seeking local movie critics!

Many professional critics get to see movies for free... But we don't! Which means our Movie Madness blog has been bare lately.

If you would like to submit a movie review at any time, email it to lkellerman@bigcountryhomepage.com.

No reviews will be accepted more than two weeks after the movie's release date. All ages are welcome to participate. The decision to publish or not publish a submission is strictly up to our discretion.