Preview: Rise of the Guardians

Well, I've been out of commission for awhile with the flu, but thought I would look for a preview to share with you all since I don't have a review. Perhaps I am still not feeling well or the medicine is making me see funny things, but this movie is taking a very interesting approach on our childhood tales. Rise of the Guardians -

What will they think of next?



Due out in November 2012.

More Exclusive Reviews on Expats - March 20, 2012

Hello movie fans,

I am currently working on another review - this time a horror film - for Expats Posts. However, I wanted to make sure you know about the last movie reviews I posted on there:

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Rampart

Preview: On the Road

For Jack Kerouac fans: On the Road. Based on his novel and directed by Walter Salles due out this year.
The film stars Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart as the lead characters. Francis Ford Coppola is the executive producer. Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Amy Adams, Steve Buscemi and Terrance Howard help round out a star-studded cast.

Francis Ford Coppola bought the rights to this book back in the late 70's and tried several times to have a script written and find the right actors and directors only to have it fall through. But after Coppola saw Walter Salles' The Motorcycle Diaries, he hired the director for the final attempt. Here is the trailer.



The movie will be released in parts of Europe this spring through fall but there is no set date for the US release.

Classics: The Evil Dead

I had the distinct privilege this weekend of watching the first movie in the cult-classic trilogy: The Evil Dead. Yes, this movie is 31 years-old and I am 41. That might have something to do with the fact on why I waited until I was middle-aged to see this horror flick. You see, I am a chicken when it comes to scary movies, and I was much, much worse when I was younger. What is bigger than a chicken when describing someone terrified of scary movies? I don't know, but that is what I was and it has taken me decades to add layers of protective skin in order to tolerate anything on the frightening side of life.

Also, I hate, detest, and abhor zombie stories. It all began when I was a young girl attempting to hang out with my older brother and his friends and watch Dawn of the Dead (1978). Needless to say, I saw enough that it scared me for life. (To this day I still haven't finished watching that movie.)

So, why watch a zombie movie, three decades after its release?  Well, I am trying to expand my horizons as a movie reviewer, face some of fears, and a few months ago I had a couple of friends sing to me the praises of Bruce Campbell. These guys are HUGE fans and I was reluctant to tell them that I really hadn't seen any of his work - primarily The Evil Dead series. (Also, I haven't caught any episodes of Burn Notice...yet.) However, because I wanted to impress my friends with my recent tenacity to watch zombie stories this week (I watched the first season of The Walking Dead and loved it - total fan.) that I thought, "Why not The Evil Dead movie?" Seriously, that is the truth.

While alone in my home, on a cloudy Sunday afternoon, I found The Evil Dead on Netflix instant replay. I had a feeling it wouldn't have been in any list prior to my recent watching of The Walking Dead on Netflix, but Netflix has a way of tracking what you watch and then suggesting more that you might like. 

So, what did I think of the cult-classic? Let me put it this way: I see why this movie has a following but it's not for the unbelievable filmmaking skills but for what the filmmakers did to make this an audience favorite. Gore and more gore and it even had a good ending - left it wide open for Evil Dead II. I read somewhere, after I watched the movie, where the three friends involved in creating the film: Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell and Robert G. Tampert decided to make a film based on a short story Sam Raimi wrote in college. Also, none of them really wanted to advance in their current studies or jobs.

So they researched what audiences would like for a horror film by going to drive-ins and watching the audiences of the late 1970's. Bruce Campbell stated, "The message was very clear. Keep the pace fast and furious, and once the horror starts, never let up. 'The gorier the merrier' became our prime directive.'" Plus, they were told by another friend, "...to keep the blood coming." And they did. In fact, I felt very queasy afterwards. Yeah, I have a weak stomach for gore. I admit it.

I will not rate this movie, as I don't when it comes to classic films, even for cult-classics. You all should know by now that I feel that nearly every film (and genre) made has an audience. If I like it or don't like it doesn't really matter especially when it's had 31 years of loyal fans. In fact, some fans might not be aware that a remake (SHOCK, I know) of The Evil Dead (2013) is currently in pre-production as I type this post. Sam Raimi is directing it. I am sure fans are moaning and groaning but I am just supplying the information that I discovered. Sorry, guys, but you know how I feel about remakes so it's pointless for me to say anything else on the matter.

For a film that was created for less than $400,000, spurred on two sequels, video games and even a Broadway musical (2006) and launched the acting career of Bruce Campbell, all because friends really didn't like their day jobs is a testament to follow your dreams because you never know where it will lead you. 

Dream, people. Dream BIG!


Tired of Previews can be found on Expats Post with exclusive reviews.
Follow Tired of Previews on Twitter and "Like" on Facebook for updates when all her reviews go out.

Click on film posters below to view instantly:

Your Favorite Soundtracks?

For over a year now I have talked about movies (and very happy to do so) on here; and from time to time I mention a soundtrack because I must admit I get a little bored with only talking about the acting or directing, etc.... But I also LOVE music.

To me, soundtracks and movies go hand in hand and are a very important aspect to filmmaking. I have spoken about this topic a lot on my blog. Soundtracks can make a movie better and sometimes worse. Although that is rare, I believe. More often than not, they are probably just movies that might not have had much in the budget for the music or the filmmakers chose a different direction and didn't concentrate on the score. Either way, when you hear a song from a movie, doesn't it make you think immediately about the film? It does for me.

I have my favorites, absolutely; and I have discovered some new ones along with the movies they are connected to in my research about this topic. Case in point: Back in October 2011 I posted about the soundtrack for The Sweet Hereafter, a movie I hadn't seen yet even though it was released in 1997. But once I listened to the songs and read a bit more about the film, I immediately put it on my Netflix queue. I watched the film a couple months later and, even though it was a hard subject matter, I enjoyed the film. Currently, I have Local Hero - a movie from the early 80's that I wrote a soundtrack (scored by Mark Knopfler) post about and I will be watching the movie soon. (This is one of the perks of this job - discovery of movies I missed, for whatever reason, that turn out great and I get to tell you all about them.)

We all have our favorites (and even create our own life's soundtracks) but I finally want to ask you all, "What are your favorite soundtracks?"  Tell me the ones that you have on your IPod, in your CD player right now or the ones you turn to when you want to escape for a little while.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Movie Soundtrack MP3

Monthly Wrap-Up February 2012

WOW! I can't believe we are already into March. Where did February go? Anyway, here is the monthly wrap-up in case you missed something or are new to the site. Enjoy!


Tired of Previews? Blog
Chronicle
Big Miracle
Safe House 
How Beer Saved the World - Documentary

Expats Post - Exclusive Reviews
The Grey 
The Woman in Black 
The Vow
Extremely Loud and Incredible Close
Haywire
Fermat's Room
Salmon Fishing in Yemen

Preview: Sleepless Night (Nuit Blanche)

For the first time ever I clicked on one of the Facebook ads that reside on the right-hand side of the screen. Well, it WAS for a movie - so I will take that as my way of researching for a new film to talk about and nothing more. (Facebook - don't go thinking I want more of those ads, by the way...)

Sleepless Night - Due out April 2012 in theatres and VOD.

This Means War

Directed by McG, 20th Century Fox, 2012.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy, Angela Bassett, Rosemary Harris,Til Schweiger, Abigail Spencer and Chelsea Handler.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance.

Question: How would feel if a handsome British man, with a sultry accent, asked you out for a first date and wanted to meet you an Irish pub; AND then later that day you had an equally hot American man, with the sexiest blue eyes, hit on you in a DVD store while you were searching for a movie to rent? Well, I would think I had died and gone to heaven - TWICE!!

I believe This Means War was made for ME! I mean, seriously, there are two hot guys with qualities that get me weak in the knees and then you mix in romance, humor and action; I am so there. However, I glanced at some of the reviews of this movie (which ripped the movie apart) and it sort of turned me off. Also, I had a feeling the preview showed WAY TOO MUCH. Well, I was right about the preview. Nearly every funny line Chelsea Handler's character had been already shown in the trailer; but I was wrong in thinking this was going to be a bad movie. Was it a great film? No, however, it was a fun movie that was worth the watch.

The part that surprised me the most and why I enjoyed This Means War was due to one of the actors and their performance. No, I am not going to say Chris Pine, even though I am a fan of his, but Tom Hardy. I only recall seeing him in one other movie, Inception, which he was decent in but he didn't stand out to me. Now in this movie he was front and center and it made me want to see more of him. He plays a CIA agent named Tuck; a charmer with a heart of gold and in some of the scenes he was quite sexy in such an endearing way. I simply wasn't expecting that. He was why I liked this movie. His responses and reactions were just precious. And the movie was still pretty funny despite the trailer showing too many of the jokes.

There were only four to five people in the theatre when I saw This Means War but each of us laughed out loud several times. The comedic chemistry between the two men worked and it worked well. Chris Pine and Tom Hardy looked like they had a blast with their characters and it showed on-screen. Their relationship is what also made this movie enjoyable.

Now on the flip-side, the women were the disappointment in this movie. First, I will admit I am not a fan of Chelsea Handler, and I just don't see her appeal or get her sense of humor so I was a little biased on that casting choice. Second, Reese Witherspoon's and Chelsea Handler's characters were apparently best friends but there wasn't any real chemistry between them. Finally, the character Reese Witherspoon played was just kind of boring that I ended up not really caring all that much about her or her dilemma.

Another part that didn't work for me for this film had to be the editing or the overall care the film-makers took on the movie. It seemed rushed or an amateur attempt at telling a story. There were some good parts but something just seemed missing as a whole package.

So with all that said, the men made This Means War worth it for me. Perhaps a male reviewer might have a different interpretation. But, honestly, their characters were just more developed and better acted. (Okay, okay, they were both not hard to look at for two hours. Fine, I will admit it!)

My favorite thing: Tom Hardy was a delight.

My least favorite thing: The editing and Chelsea Handler - although when she wasn't going for a laugh she was pretty good.

Rating: R
Length: 97 minutes

Review: 5 out of 10

Click on film poster below for DVD or VOD:

Preview: The Snowtown Murders

I am sitting here with my kids trying to write a review for a movie I viewed today and my mind keeps wandering to the net to search for information about other movies. My concentration level just isn't into writing at the moment. After reading a few articles on Indiewire and some other of my favorite online movie sites, I noticed an advertisement for a movie starting tomorrow in limited release, The Snowtown Murders. And I just watched the preview. "Whoa", is pretty much all I can say.

By IFC Films: