http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php Copyright 2008, William Kerns William Kerns en-US SPHPBLOG 0.4.8 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080424-060621 I mentioned over in the Centerstage blog that, while I've been home this week enjoying my vacation, one of the movies that I reached for was the Yankees memory that Billy Crystal made for HBO -- a film called "61*." (The asterisk is important.)

It is an entertaining, eye-opening if relatively low budget movie looking back at what really took place before Roger Maris caught and passed the great Babe Ruth and hit 61 in 1961. It also may be the only time you'll hear the actor portraying Mickey Mantle call Ruth a "fat f---."

Regardless, I like the movie a lot.

A new topic for today --- Just for grins, what are your five favorite sports movies? All sports are eligible.

(Someone keep track of how many votes "Rocky" gets, OK?)
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080424-060621 William Kerns Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:06:21 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080424-060621 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080424-055637
Take the time to watch the trailer because it sure had me laughing by the end.
(I also e-mailed it to local theater managers in hopes that they might mention it to their powers-that-be that book films here.)

The picture's premise: With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find the world’s most wanted man. Why take on such a seemingly impossible mission? Simple: Spurlock says he wants to make the world safe for his soon-to-be-born child. But before he finds Osama bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from, what makes him tick, and most importantly, what exactly created bin Laden to begin with.

Click HERE to watch trailer.
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080424-055637 William Kerns Thu, 24 Apr 2008 09:56:37 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080424-055637 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080416-175705
The PG-rated documentary, released by Rocky Mountain Pictures, will open Friday afternoon at Cinemark's Movies 16 in Lubbock.

]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080416-175705 William Kerns Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:57:05 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080416-175705 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080414-192821
If you could choose only five movies from your own library that you could keep, which five would you choose?

It is your choice, obviously. But I would assume that these would be the five movies that you reach for and watch most often, not necessarily the five most respected movies in your library.

But that’s your call. Which five would you miss the most?
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080414-192821 William Kerns Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:28:21 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080414-192821 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080414-192449
The film will deal specifically with Robinson, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey and their struggle to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier in the 1940s.

The untitled project will be co-produced by Robert Redford, and Redford also plans to co-star as Rickey.

Robinson’s widow, Rachel, and Branch Rickey Jr. both have given their approval to the project.
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080414-192449 William Kerns Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:24:49 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080414-192449 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080413-224436

It's a darn good thing that I didn't think to bet anything in particular when I mentioned last week that Keanu Reeves' violent movie about dirty cops, called "Street Kings," would probably wind up in first place at the box office.

It appeared to be the most appealing of a weak slate of new pictures.

When will I ever learn that horror sells tickets, and even potentially bad horror still will attract diehard horror fans?

Sure enough, the suspense-less "Prom Night" inspired a revolution that blew away those "Street Kings" by almost a two-to-one margin?

Now, we've already chatted about horror in terms of which are the scariest films we've ever seen.

Today's question may be a bit more difficult. Give it some thought, and give me your take on why horror movies always sell so many tickets, at least on opening weekend.

(And as for "Prom Night," it is safe to say that the producers' decision to maintain a PG-13 rating, rather than the more typical R, sure didn't hurt it at the box office.)

That said, what is horror's universal appeal?
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080413-224436 William Kerns Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:44:36 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080413-224436 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080413-222715
A number of moviegoers and music lovers are upset that Cinemark Inc. has not opened "Shine a Light" at Cinemark's Movies 16 or Tinseltown 17 in Lubbock? When will this movie open in Lubbock, they ask?

"Shine a Light" is director Martin Scorsese's documentary capturing recent concerts by the Rolling Stones. And I also would love to see it.

However, it is a small Paramount Classics release, and the distributing studio has thus far financed only 277 prints. That mneans the movie is playing on only 277 screens in all of the United States and Canada.

Compare that, if you will, to 3,518 prints of Nim's Island in release, or "Prom Night" opening on 2,700 screens.

Simply put, "Shine a Light" is not playing in Lubbock, or in many other cities, because theaters who do have those 277 prints are doing fine business and are not ready to give them up.

Once the major markets release some of those prints, or, better yet, if Paramount Classics uses its profits to finance producing more prints, that's when we'll be able to enjoy Scorsese's take on the Stones in Lubbock.

Believe me, both managers of Lubbock's first-run movieplexes want to add "Shine a Light" on their marquees.]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080413-222715 William Kerns Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:27:15 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080413-222715 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080325-224026 A reminder from a more detailed earlier blog here on Reel to Real:

The Caprock Film Society has planned its first Foreign Film Night on March 27 (this Thursday), and leave it to Camille Scioli McNamara to scout the city and come up with a cool screening site: specifically, one of those huge theater rooms at Hi-Fidelity, 5217 82nd Street in the Rock Ridge Plaza shopping center.

“La Vie en Rose,” which never opened at Tinseltown 17 or Movies 16 last year, will be screened in elegant fashion at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hi-Fidelity.

The seating will be quite comfortable, McNamara and CFS president Jill Kerns both assure me.

Popcorn and soft drinks are also free. Caprock Winery also is a Caprock Film Society sponsor.

Call 241-4511 or e-mail CaprockFilm@aol.com for more details.

You may recall that “La Vie en Rose,” which tells the tragic and involving story of French entertainer Edith Piaf, recently nabbed two Academy Awards.

One was for Best Makeup, but the evening's big upset found young Marion Cotillard winning this year’s Oscar for Best Actress for her leading performance in "La Vie en Rose."
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080325-224026 William Kerns Wed, 26 Mar 2008 02:40:26 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080325-224026 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080321-164741
However, I feel Will Smith gave an outstanding performance in what could have been a throwaway role. His sacrifice scene was heartbreaking, and he managed, in a horror picture, to touch on a madness born of extreme loneliness.

That said, I came across this clip a couple of weeks ago --- It shows the original ending before the fimmakers were told to re-film one more violent and action-packed: the one we saw on screen at the end of 2007.

Check it out --- and feel free to comment on whether you liked the ending in the released film, or the one on this clip.

Beware; there also are spoilers inside…
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080321-164741 William Kerns Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:47:41 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080321-164741 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080319-193036
Read this review of "Horton Hears a Who."

I did NOT write this particular review.

I only wish I had.

The writer is Stephen Whitty with the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080319-193036 William Kerns Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:30:36 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080319-193036 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080319-044022



An opening day review of Patricia Riggen's wonderful new movie "Under the Same Moon" can be found in the Lifestyles section in today's Avalanche-Journal.

I do hope you will rush to see this picture, which was filmed in Spanish on location in both Los Angeles and Mexico.
It is being shown with English subtitles.

To set the scene, a Mexican illegal has been working in Los Angeles, studying for a future independence test and trying to raise enough money to one day reunite with her son, who resides in a Mexican town with her own mother (the boy's grandmother).

Each week, the mother, Rosario, uses a pay telephone in Los Angeles and calls another pay phone in Mexico; mother and son then visit for as long as her phone card allows.

But the situation changes and the boy, Carlitos, only 9 years old, must attempt to cross the border like a man and, if successful, somehow find his mother.
She knows nothing of his plans.


A teaser from this week's GO:

Under the Same Moon
5 stars (out of a possible 5)
In Spanish with subtitles.
The crux of the story focuses on a 9-year-old Mexican boy trying to find his mother — across the border in the United States, armed only with word-pictures and no real telephone number or address. To approach the story honestly, first-time filmmaker Patricia Riggen also must touch on the issue of illegal border crossings. She does so without straying from the dangers faced by young Carlitos, and sacrifices made by his mom, Rosario, a maid in Los Angeles. Riggen’s exceptional drama will simultaneously touch hearts and open eyes. Brought to life by heartfelt performances from Kate del Castillo and child actor Adrian Alonso, the film ably juggles tragedy and hope. A happy ending hardly seems possible, yet an array of colorful characters — the best an illegal alien portrayed by Eugenio Derbez — increase excitement and tension. I was moved by the manner in which this story progresses from one daring crossing at the border to a much different sort of crossing at the very end.
Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic elements — Showing only at Movies 16.
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080319-044022 William Kerns Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:40:22 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080319-044022 http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080316-182700

At this point in 2007, three movies had taken their first steps to earning more than $100 million at the box office. One was even fun to watch. LOL.

I am referring to "300," as the other two big money-makers were "Wild Hogs" and "Ghost Rider."

Early estimates find "Horton Hears a Who" earning approximately $45 million during this opening weekend ... and it is safe to say that grosses will just keep climbing and climbing. Or, as some might quip... And an elephant shall lead them.
]]> http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/index.php?entry=entry080316-182700 William Kerns Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:27:00 GMT http://www.lubbockonline.net/blogs/kerns/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080316-182700