The Xavierpop 10 Days of Muppets - The Many Voices of Kermit the Frog

When Jim Henson passed away, it was a very sad day for those of us who grew up with the Muppets. The original voice of Kermit the Frog was no longer with us. The current voice of Kermit is Steve Whitmire is doing a great job. I know some diehards say that he is not the same, however he does capture the true essence of everyone's favourite green friend. With a whole new generation of kids set to discover the Muppets, isn't that really what it is all about?

Check out this great fan-made video that chronicles the Voice of Kermit the Frog. It's great to see the comparisons.

Filed under  //  film   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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Louis' Review of Immortals - And he really digs it

"Long before man roamed these lands, there was a War in Heaven"

Thus begins Tarsem Singh's 'Immortals.'

Set in Ancient Greece, the Gods having retreated to the Heavens to allow Man to flourish. King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) is in search of the one thing that will give him the power to conquer the world, release the Titans and destroy humanity with the legendary Epirus Bow. While observing the progress Hyperion is making, the King of the Gods, Zeus (Luke Evans) reminds all the other Gods (who want to lend a helping hand to the humans) that they cannot interfere in human affairs.

While Hyperion has been doing what he has been doing, Theseus (Henry Cavill), a fatherless peasant has been quietly trained by an old man (John Hurt) to become a warrior.  After a series of events that rip Theseus from the life he knows to the life, as the fates would have it he was destined for, Theseus is put on a journey that will eventually collide with King Hyperion and his ambitions of destruction. Along the way we meet Phaedra (Freida Pinto), an Oracle whom along with thief Stavros (Stephen Dorf, ) and a Monk (Greg Br yk) join with Theseus, in varying degrees of loyalty, to stop the King's mad quest.

The story is heroic in both its narrative and it's majestic visuals.  This is a tale of good versus evil and at no time is one left confused as to which side a character is on.  Sides have been chosen, a fight is coming. It will be brutish and it will be harsh.  One man hates the Gods, one is their chosen defender.  The fights are frequent, the violence unflinching, however never without purpose.

This is a beautiful film to watch. With an amazing eye for details, Tarsem has taken Charley and Vlas Parlapanides screenplay and made a vibrant, living world in which the characters passions and the violence that surrounds them unfolds in a proper manner.  The sound effects add an unexpected yet stunning layer that highlights the visual aspect of the film.  While there is a long held tradition of using sound and music to help set the tone for a scene, with Immortals, Tarsem implements this in a unique way by which both subtle and overt sounds combine in unexpected ways to highlight the action on screen. This is some of the best use of audio to be found.  As much thought and detail went into the sound as did the visual.

Henry Cavill is excellently cast as the hero, having both the physique and acting talents the role calls for.  His character develops from trained peasant warrior fighting for his family to savior of humanity. It his performance that allows us to become swept up in his fight.  The stunning Freida Pinto does more than just add physical beauty to her scenes, she brings a depth and emotion to a role that is usually pretty and not much else.  In other films Oracles tend to be untouchable, aloof and only there as a plot device.  Not so here. She is a woman who has visions, but a woman first. Her conflict is the passions and desire beyond what her role as Oracle demand of her and that is what makes her character that much more interesting.

I cannot think of a role better suited for Mickey Rourke at this point in his career  Nor can I imagine any other actor playing this part.  King Hyperion is a man who has lived a hard, difficult life for a very, very long time. He hates the world and uses violence to show everyone just how much he hates it. His harsh, gravelly voice and scarred face are great outward representations of a dead soul.

This is an action film.  Fantasy action, but action none the less.  Based loosely on Greek mythology, it takes liberties with both names and events.  This should not deter anyone except Greek scholars from enjoying the narrative.  The scenes themselves are quite well done, the action being the highlight and real star of the film.  The violence comes hard and fast, unrelenting in its intensity and unflinching in its brutality.  The film does show every gory detail and there are plenty as there are numerous killings throughout.  The use of slow-motion gives a heightened sense of the actors movements.  This is not a film for the timid.   The Gods do eventually get involved (how could they not?), and it provides some of the more interesting sequences.  You understand why they are Gods when they seek retribution.

While comparisons to '300' would be on the surface legitimate, I would consider this a much broader story, a mini epic.  Each scene has purpose, adding elements to the whole without either being gratuitous nor boring.  There are no lagging moments, the pace is well timed.  The dialogue is a bit strained at times and some scenes do not quite add as much to the whole as expected.

This can be all be overlooked as the visual and audio will more than make up for shortcomings of the plot.  In the end, this is a highly stylized, violent fantasy film that will appeal mainly to male audiences.

One I highly recommend.

Filed under  //  Freida Pinto   Henry Cavill   Luke Evans   Mickey Rourke   Oracle   Stephen Dorff   Tarsem Singh   Theseus   film   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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The Xavierpop 10 Days of Muppets - There Will Be Attitude! : Very Cool Muppets Movie Character Posters

Unless you have been living under a rock for the last year, you are very well aware that the Muppets movie is opening November 23rd, which is quite literally around the corner. To mark the occasion, we here at Xavierpop have decided to give you ten days of great content that you may have not seen. The folks running the marketing campaign for this movie have done a fabulous job touching the many multitude of media that we now get to play with.

It also just so happens that we are also giving passes for TWO screenings. All of the info can be found here.

For this round, we have some fun character posters featuring (my favourite) Stadler and Waldorf, Kermit and Miss Piggy, Animal, Gonzo and the Chef.

Enjoy.

 

 


 

 

 

Filed under  //  Fozzie Bear   Gonzo   Jason Segel   Kermit   Miss Piggy   Muppet   Piggy   animal   film   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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Here it is ...Check out the first Hunger Games trailer

So kids, the moment you Hunger Games fans have been waiting for is here. The first full trailer for the highly anticipated movie has dropped and it doesn't suck. Actually it's not bad. It's not great, however with it being so early in its development, it doesn't look bad at all.

There is a stil a lot to add because the story is quite a bit longer than just the start, however I love how Lenny Kravitz looks in this and Woody Harrelson seems like a great fit.

Everything and everyone I'm still on the fence on.

For now, I am cautiously optimistic.
(Head over to the Apple trailers site for an HD version)

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#awyeeah : Who Ya Gonna Call?? - Cineplex and Sony Pictures bring you a Halloween screening of Ghostbusters!!

Halloween and Cineplex's Most Wanted Monday's series happens to fall on the same day. So of course this gives a great opportunity to screen a great spooky spectacular. hehe

Well, do we have a great choice for you today. The good folks at Cineplex and Sony Pictures have joined together to bring us a screening of Ghostbusters in its full big-screen print.

I love Ghostbusters!

It was the first movie I ever saw in the big screen and started my love for movies. I will definitely be there because...I ain't afraid of no ghosts!

Apologies, had to do it. :)

Head over to the official Cineplex page for Most Wanted Mondays to find out where it is screening near you.

Oh Look! A Press Release!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Sony Pictures Entertainment Brings Its Classic Film “Ghostbusters” Back to Theatres

Culver City, CA (September 22, 2011) â€" Get ready for mass hysteria!  This October, Sony Pictures Repertory celebrates the original movie Ghostbusters, its franchise, and its fans by bringing the quintessential modern classic back to theatres for a special limited engagement of one showtime one night a week.  Starting on Thursday, October 13, 2011 and continuing every following Thursday in October 2011, fans together will be able to see their favorite paranormal psychologists back on the big screen as they save the world from ghosts, ghouls, and Mr. Stay Puft.

Ghostbusters will show in approximately 500 theatres across the US on October 13th, 20th, and 27th, one showtime each day, in 2K digital with 5.1 surround sound.  Please check local listings for showtimes.  Ghostbusters will also be showing in select theatres in Canada and in various international markets; for more information on international locations and dates, please visit www.parkcircus.com.

Fans who follow Ghostbusters on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ghostbusters) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/StayPuft4Eva) or visit www.ghostbusters.com will be the first to know information about the release and will be able to participate in the fan conversation leading up to this unique theatrical experience.

Commenting on the announcement, Rory Bruer, president, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures, said, “We’re delighted to be bringing Ghostbusters back to the big screen â€" this is a special celebration of the movie, giving the fans a chance to see it on the big screen in perfect digital presentation.  As we head towards Halloween, we ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but just the same, we’re glad that everyone’s favorite paranormal eliminators are on the case.”

The film was directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, with the screenplay written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis.  The executive producer was Bernie Brillstein.

In Ghostbusters, University parapsychologists Dr. Peter Venkman (Murray), Dr. Raymond Stanz (Aykroyd) and Dr. Egon Spengler (Ramis) lose a research grant when their experiment methodology is proven to be bogus. The team decides to go into business for themselves and open ‘Ghostbusters,’ a ghost removal service. After struggling to get on their feet, they are summoned to investigate the strange happenings in Dana Barrett’s (Weaver) Central Park West apartment. What they discover is that all Manhattan is being besieged by ghosts and other worldly demons through a portal in her building.

 Ghostbusters is available on Blu-rayâ"¢ and DVD.

Filed under  //  film   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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The Xavierpop Ye Old Hallow's Eve TrailerFest - The People Under The Stairs (1991)

In honour of ye Old Hallow's Eve, Xavierpop is revisiting the trailers of some of the most proper scary movies of modern film.

Behold..

The trailer for The People Under the Stairs:

Filed under  //  Arts   Games   Halloween   Massive Multiplayer Online   Shopping   Trick-or-treating   Video game   film   movie   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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The Xavierpop Ye Old Hallow's Eve TrailerFest - Children of the Corn (1984)

In honour of ye Old Hallow's Eve, Xavierpop is revisiting the trailers of some of the most proper scary movies of modern film.

Behold..

The trailer for The Children of the Corn:

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The Xavierpop Ye Old Hallow's Eve TrailerFest - Friday the 13th (1980)

In honour of ye Old Hallow's Eve, Xavierpop is revisiting the trailers of some of the most proper scary movies of modern film.

Behold..

The trailer for the original Friday the 13th:

Filed under  //  Arts   Friday   Games   Halloween   Massive Multiplayer Online   Shopping   Video game   film   movie   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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The Xavierpop Ye Old Hallow's Eve TrailerFest - Halloween (1978)

In honour of ye Old Hallow's Eve, Xavierpop is revisiting the trailers of some of the most proper scary movies of modern film.

Behold..

The original bad-ass himself Michael Myers in Halloween:

Filed under  //  All Saint   Halloween   Holidays   Michael Myers   Opinions   Religious   Trick or Treat   United States   film   nerdiness   pop-culture   tumblrize   xavierpop  
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The Xavierpop Ye Old Hallow's Eve TrailerFest - The Poltergeist

In honour of ye Old Hallow's Eve, Xavierpop is revisiting the trailers of some of the most proper scary movies of modern film.

Behold..

The original Poltergeist trailer:

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