This week we chat Honey Bunches of Oats Commercials, the new Muppets TV Show on Disney +, and we talk to Russel about the viral video about Harrison, Arkansas, and how the city is full of racists.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More
by Russell Pinkston
2012 is over…and like every year since 1994…it’s time to make my Best of and Worst Movies of the Year list. I am not your typical critic so I am not impressed by big boring Hollywood dramas. My Best list will consist of movies that may have made me laugh, made me cry, sit on my edge of my seat in anticipation but most of all these are the movies that entertained me the most in 2012.
*Disclaimer: 1st thing…This is my list…if you don’t like my choices…too bad…it’s my list…get your own…thankfully everyone is different and different movies are gonna appeal to different people. Second thing…this list may contain movies that were actually released in 2012. These are the movies I saw for the first time in the calender year of 2012…it’s the way I have done my list since 1994…and I am not gonna change now.
First let’s start with my WORST Movies of the 2012.
#10 The House at the End of the Street: Hollywood was betting that since Jennifer Lawrence was successful with this years The Hunger Games (which disappointed me) and last years X-Men: First Class (which I loved) surely she would do good in an horror drama. But the first hour was dreadfully boring and the acting from both Lawrence and Elisabeth Shue (who plays her mom) had me hating almost every minute of this. Only bright spot was director’s Mark Tonderai use of the boob cam.
#9 Moonrise Kingdom: Another weird movie by director Wes Anderson. This movie had an excellent cast (Edward Norton, Frances McDormand (Fargo), Bruce Willis and Bill Murray (a Anderson movie regular). It tried to be a cute story of two coming of age teens which would have been alright but when the adults started talking it got a bit out there. Definitely not my kind of entertainment.
#8 Snow White and the Huntsman: Probably the only thing that saved Kristen Stewart from having 2 movies on my
Worst Movies list this year was my flat out refusual at seeing Breaking Dawn: Part 2. She was terrible in SWatH. The only bright spot was Thor’s Chris Hemsworth who kept saving Snow White butt at every turn. I can’t believe there will be a sequel to this movie…I can’t wait.
#7 The Smurfs: I kind of liked the cartoon as a kid but I didn’t expect too much going in. Hank Azaria as Gargamel was the main reason I hated this movie so much. I would have rather he be animated instead dress up so badly…and that voice…sometimes it keeps me awake at night.
#6 Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance: I don’t know what we have done to deserve such a terrible Marvel sequel. I like Nic Cage but this movie total lack of a story bothered me too much. The first movie wasn’t great but this sequel was so bad.
#5 Piranha DD: I never thought in a million years I would dislike a movie with this much T&A as much as I did this movie. It was so bad. I felt terrible for the actors especially David Hasselhoff. Ving Rhames reprises his role but nothing could save this dud. Granted I didn’t have the benifit of seeing this movie in 3D as the makers intended for me to but bad is bad even in 3D.
#4 Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning: It’s great that they were able to get both Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme in this movie but they were basically used as for their name alone…they were basically extras. The fights looked good but they needed alot more of Van Damme and Lundgren…and a much better script.
#3 Nature Calls: Patton Oswalt and Johnny Knoxville star as competing brothers in this comedy. There was not much to laugh at in this movie.
#2 Lincoln: I know…this movie is a contender for major awards this year. Daniel Day-Lewis definitely deserves the
credit for transforming himself into Lincoln and the rest of the all star cast (Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones) wasn’t bad. My main problem is with how painfully boring this movie was. Steven Spielberg directed this 2 hour 30 minutes epic snooze fest. If only it had a few more vampires.
#1 Madea’s Witness Protection: In my movie viewing life there are 3 movies I hated so much I didn’t want to finish sitting in a theater to watch. Garfield…which I forced myself to finish watching, Cry Baby…which my friend Scott and I walked out of and this movie. I suffered though each and every painful minute. I have alot of respect for Tyler Perry and what he had done but I just can’t relate to these Madea movies. I do wish he would do more roles like Alex Cross for those of us that don’t want to watch him in drag.
BEST Movies of 2012
#10 Pitch Perfect: Didn’t think I would enjoy a movie about people in a singing competion as much as I did. Rebel Wilson stole every scene she was in. Lots of fun.
#9 Chronicle: I love the originality of this movie. It’s not your typical superhero movie. The directing for this found footage film was really good as well. Marvel took notice as well hiring star Dane DeHann to be the new Harry Osborn in the next Spiderman movie and director Josh Trank to helm the Fantastic 4 reboot.
#8 This Means War: This action romantic comedy was alot of fun. Spies Tom Hardy and Chris Pine compete for Reese Witherspoon”s affection. Chelsea Handler provided alot of laughs as well.
#7 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: I wasn’t a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings. I hated the first movie, loved the second and thought the third was ok. I didn’t expect much going in but I did find myself liking this movie. I am not sure about breaking this book up into 3 films but we’ll see how the other 2 movies are.
#6 The Dark Knight Rises: I don’t drool over everything Christopher Nolan does. I do like what he has done with the Batman franchise but I wasn’t impressed with his other films like Inception.
#5 That’s My Boy: Gonna catch some crap for this movie being in my top 10 but it made me laugh so much. I am not a huge Adam Sandler fan…so I was suprised I had such a good time watching this movie. Vanilla Ice wins the best performance by a person just playing themselves (David Hasselhoff-Piranha DD, Sam Jones-Ted).
#4 Jack Reacher: Loved the one Lee Child novel I read and I really like the Reacher character alot. He says what he means and does what he says. Tom Cruise did a great job as Reacher. I really hope they make more Reacher movies.
#3 Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil: 5 minutes into this movie I was wondering what I got myself into…this movie seemed like just another crappy B-horror movie. 10 minutes later I was laughing my ass off. This is not your typical horror movie. I highly recommend this movie.
#2 Project X: I was surprised I liked a party movie. Chronicle and Project X proved that not all found footage movies suck. I had such a good time watching this movie.
#1 The Avengers: Josh Whedon done what I thought could never done…he combined so many actors and superheros into just one movie. Robert Downey Jr. was the star but the Hulk smashed everybody and scene he was in. I hope part 2 is just as awesome!
Biggest Disappointments:
The Amazing Spiderman: Basically the same movie as the first Spiderman except with a different love interest and
villian. Would rather have had Raimi, Dunst and Maguire back for another sequel instead of this reboot.
The Hunger Games: The cast was not bad but some of the changes from the book to the movie really didn’t have to be made. The directing was not very good either. I want to see the action not get sick from the shaky cam.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: I liked the book so much but was so disappointed in the movie.
Taken 2 : I absolutely love Neeson in Taken but this sequel is just a watered down version of the same movie. It wasn ‘t original like the first movie and Liam looked old and not as bad ass.
Movie review by Russell Pinkston
Woody Harrelson plays Arthur Poppington, a mentally challege man who by day works for his friend in construction…and by night, keeps the streets safe as the superhero Defendor. He searches for his nemesis, the evil Captain Industry, who Arthur believes to have killed his mother when he was a child. He will not let anything get in his way of justice and of revenge against Captain Industry including Chuck Dooney , a corrupt police detective (Elias Koteas). In his pursuit Arthur befriends Katerina, a prostitute (Kat Dennings) who helps him to track down Captain Industry. Arthur discovers the road to justice is filled with many bumps…and bruises.
Woody Harrelson who makes up for the really bad Rampart is really good as Arthur and just plain awesome as Defendor who’s comic book dialog is borderline brilliant. Kat Dennings (Thor) as Angel/Katerina plays the drug addicted prostitute to perfection. I have never wanted to befriend a crack addicted hooker so much in my life. Elias Koteas (Dream House) as Dooney is crooked, tough and funny. Sandra Oh plays Dr. Park, Arthurs psychiatrists who puts together the pieces of Arthur’s broken life.
I think I heard of this movie way back in 2009 but I avoided it because who wants to see a stupid superhero movie. Well since then we have been “Grace”d with many regular guy become superhero films…and they range between the greatness of Kick Ass and the sad and shameful Super.
I have to say…I absolutely love this movie. Defendor so much more than I expected. It was not stupid at all it was smart and clever and Woody’s performance as well as the writting and directing by Peter Stebbings really makes this movie something special. It is one of the best and most enjoyable movies I have watched this year. So get you some popcorn and don your mask and cape and rent or Netfix this movie today! 4 0ut of 5
Movie Review by Russell Pinkston
An ex Confederate soldier on the run from the Union Army headed by Colonel Powell (Bryan Cranston) and Indians John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) hides in a cave. The Colonel pursues him inside. They encounter a strange man who John is forced to shoot. John finds a necklace and medallion on the guy and while he is looking at it the dying stranger utters some words. The words transports the one who is holding the medallion (John) to the planet of Barsoom (Mars to us human folk). Not only can he breath the planet’s air but since it has lower gravity than earth he able to jump long distances and has unbelievable strength. He is capture by one of the Martians, Tars Tarkas (voiced by Willem Dafoe) but eventually befriends them. In the meantime Sab Than (Dominic West) is given a powerful weapon by the Therns in order to destroy all his enemies. He sets his sites on Helium. The leader of the Therns (Mark Strong), a sort of Devil on his shoulder character who tells him what he should do. He suggests a cease fire if the Princess of Hellium (Lynn Collins) will marry him. John Carter tries to save her and Hellium.
John Carter is based on a series of Edgar Rice Burroughs books.
Taylor Kitsch is best known for tv’s Friday Night Lights plays the title character. He has only done a handful of feature films (he was Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine) but stars in 3 this year (Battleship and Savages). Mark Strong and Bryan Cranston are probably the films most recognizable stars. Mark Strong was in 3 of my top 10 movies in 2010 (and in 1 of my worst in 2011, Green Lantern). Bryan Cranston, the Emmy winning star of Breaking Bad seems to be everywhere today (Drive, The Lincoln Lawyer, Contagion, Red Tails). 
But Lynn Collins (who was also X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is by far the best looking of all the cast. I have never wanted to be a necklace so bad before in my life. John Carter is directed by Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL-E). This is Andrew’s first live action film…a trend that seems to be popular now, his Pixar peer, Brad Bird (Mission Impossible: Ghost Prodical) did it last year.
While this film wasn’t bad it wasn’t the epic I expected by Walt Disney and from the $250 million dollar budget (the same as Avatar). I wasn’t a fan of the main actor (Taylor Kitsch), I thought he was kind of flat and not that interesting. Mark Strong was his usual bad guy self. I hope to see alot more of Lynn Collins in the future (in the movies and in my real life 🙂 She played a strong character and was the only character that showed any depth. I don’t really think John Carter is a movie that has to be seen in theaters, the 3D wasn’t very impressive so I say WAIT FOR DVD or BLU RAY.
Movie Review by Russell Pinkston
Will Atenton (Daniel Craig) is a book publisher who lives with his wife and kids in the suburbs. Seems normal enought but strange things begin happening. He and his wife Libby (Rachel Weisz) sees and chases a peeping tom, he catches goth kids hanging out in his basement. The cops won’t do anything to help him. He begins to think that something may have happened in the house with the prior owners. He searches to uncover the mysteries of his house. His neighbor, Ann (Naomi Watts) helps him uncover the secrets that have been buried there for over 5 years.
Daniel Craig (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Casino Royale), Rachel Weisz (Enemy at the Gates, The Mummy) and Naomi Watts (The Ring 1 & 2), King Kong) all have top billing in this “horror” movie. I didn’t think it was scary at all (both my kids watched it as well).
I don’t want to give away too much of the movie (like the trailer did) but I liked it alot more than I thought I would. I liked the story and all the twists and turns in it. Probably could have been a little more creepy or dark but overall I enjoyed watching it. I say RENT THIS MOVIE but don’t watch the trailer cause it gives way too much of the movie away.
Movie Review by Russell Pinkston
Eric (Jason Sudeikis) loves throwing parties (usually with some kind of theme) with his friends at his dad’s (Don Johnson) beach house. But when his dad decides to put the house up for sale Eric and his friends realize the party might soon be over forever. Together with his best friend, McGrudden (Tyler Labine) they decide to have one last party and instead of being a big blowout they decide to keep this one small. They discuss themes and somehow come up with the idea of having an orgy. Hey…why not?! In the meantime Eric falls for Kelly (Leslie Bibb), one of the real estate agents selling his dad’s house. This adds some complication to plans of the orgy party.
Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, Horrible Bosses) heads the cast of relatively unknowns. Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Zack and Miri Make a Porno) is the real star of this movie. He steals every scene his is in. I loved Tyler in the last movie I seen, Tucker & Dale VS Evil. Leslie Bibb (Iron Man (1&2), Law Abiding Citizen) plays the love interest of Jason’s character Eric. Will Forte stars as Glenn, one of Eric’s friends who is newly married and therefore not invited to the party. Lucy Punch (Take Me Home Tonight, Bad Teacher) plays as Glenn’s wife.
This movie basically went direct to dvd. With a title that includes Orgy…I can understand why. But it’s not really a bad movie. It has alot of laughs and a pretty decent cast of actors and actress. I enjoyed Horrible Bosses and Tucker & Dale VS Evil alot more but I enjoyed this movie for what it was…a good old fashioned adult comedy that’s worth at least a look. I say RENT THIS MOVIE.
Movie review by Russell Pinkston
Two friends, Costa (Oliver Cooper) and J.D. (Jonathan Daniel Brown) decide they must throw a birthday party for their friend Thomas’ (Thomas Mann) 17th birthday. Dax (Dax Flame) is recruited to film the group and party. Costa decides to invite the entire school to the party at Thomas’ house while his parents are out of town. They pick up some weed from a ex-vet drug dealer, T-Rick (Rick Shapiro). He the process they borrow the drug dealer’s garden gnome (one of the coolest gnomes I have ever seen…and wouldn’t mind displaying in my front yard).
They take the weed and gnome back to Thomas’ house and wait for the party guests to arrive. It looks as if nobody will show up but then they do…and the party quickly gets out of control.
This movie is filmed in the “found footage” style. I am not a huge fan of this style. They tend to be poorly written, directed and acted. But this movie is one of the few exceptions(Chronicle Paranomal Activity 3). The writing is really good and really funny. Project X is directed by Nima Nourizadeh and is produced by Todd Phillips (Old School). The cast is relatively unknown (for now). Kirby Bliss Blanton (cute) plays Thomas’ childhood friend who also attends the party. Alexis Knapp (sexy) provides some of the eye candy (and there is plenty) as one of his sexy classmates. Nick Nervies and Brady Hender provide party security (and some major laughs).
Up to last week I didn’t have any idea what Project X was about. I thought it was a remake of the 1987 Matthew Broderick film. It wasn’t…it was surprisingly more awesome than I could even have expected. Project X is such a wild and crazy film. It’s fun, intoxicating and addicting (I have seen it twice already). 
It is so much fun and absolutely hilarious. I laughed so hard I actually cried. The X in Project X stands for eXcellent! Every year I see one or two movies that stay with me (and at the top of my favorite list) all year long….this is one of those movies. I have told every human person I know about this movie and recommend it for highly. It’s not for everyone but if you’re not offended by sex, drugs, rock music, midgets, garden gnomes then this movie is for you. I say SEE THIS MOVIE….and ladies…wear something TIGHT!
Movie review by Russell Pinkston
Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) is a 12 year boy living with his father in Paris during the early 1930’s. His father, a clockmaker (Jude Law) finds an automaton (a chrome metal robot) in a museum and together they begin to fix it. But his father dies in a fire and Hugo is forced to live with his alcoholic uncle (Ray Winstone) at the Paris train station where his uncle keeps the train station clocks wound and in working order. He teaches Hugo to do the job and then abandons him. Hugo continues with the upkeep of the clocks and lives alone in the train station. He steals food to survive and steals parts to repair the automaton. He believes if he can fix it…it might deliver a message from his dead father. He must keep away from the officer (Sacha Baron Cohen) who patrols the train station.
Hugo gets caught stealing parts from a toy shop owner and has his notebook with information on how to repair the automaton. He meets the toy shop owner’s goddaughter, Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz). He introduces Isabelle to movies, she has never seen one before. Hugo use to go the the theater to see movies with his father. Hugo especially likes the movies of Georges Méliès. Together Isabelle and Hugo try to solve the mystery of the automaton.
Hugo is based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. Asa Butterfield (The Boy With the Stripe Pyjamas, Nanny McPhee Returns) is really good as the lead character Hugo. I always like seeing Chloë Grace Moretz in movies….especially in her breakout role as Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass. I am not a big fan of Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Lucky # Slevin). He was ok. It’s nice to see Sacha Baron Cohen in a non-idiot role (Borat, The Dictator). When he is serious like Sweeney Todd, he’s not bad. Sometimes he’s just too over the top with his characters (2012 Oscars).
This is a solid movie, it’s well written and it was directed by Martin Scorsese (The Departed, Goodfellas). It probably would have looked good in 3D but this is not the kind of movie that I like to see. I say RENT IT but it’s one of those movies that I will probably will only watch once.
Movie review by Russell Pinkston
JedI Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) escort Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) while she deals with a trade dispute and a rebellion against her. Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker is just a boy and a slave. Qui-Gon Jinn takes young Anakin under his wing as he feels Anakin is destined for greatness. In the meantime Darth Sidious sends his apprentice Darth Maul (Ray Park) to hunt down the Queen and the Jedi’s.
The movie is loaded with top notched actors and actresses, unlike the cast of the original trilogy which was filled with relatively unknowns. Liam Neeson (Taken, The A-Team), Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, The Island) , Natalie Portman (The Professional, V For Vendetta), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, The Avengers) and even Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl, King Arthur) all star.
It has been along time (ago) since I seen this movie. Like so many other die hard Star Wars fans I rushed to the theater to see the first in George Lucas’s new trilogy! I was so excited to see this movie but sometimes with great anticipation comes big disappointment. It wasn’t bad it’s just I expected so much more. Episode 2 and 3, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith were much better and I am looking forward to seeing them again. I don’t know what I expected with this 3D rerelease….did I expect Jar Jar Binks to be less annoying in 3D? I for one liked Jar Jar as well as Darth Maul….he’s just an evil bad ass dude!
It was nice to see it again but more than likely it will be another 10 years until I see it again. I do own a pre-owned copy of the dvd (despite the multiple owers…it’s still like new). And I will be sitting in the theater for each other the other 5 Episodes, I am most excited to see The Empire Strikes Back (one of my top 10 all time favorite movies) and Return of the Jedi (Slave Leia in a metal bikini). I say SKIP THIS MOVIE. I expected alot more from George Lucas and from the 3D which I thought was unimpressive.
Movie review by Russell Pinkston
A CIA agent (Roselyn Sánchez) is taken hostage, tortured and held captive. The United States sends in an elite group of men, Navy SEALs ) to rescue her. Alot of terrorists are shot in the head.
This movie stars actual active duty Navy SEALs (their names are being withheld for their safety), it was after all Navy SEALs that kill Osama Bin Laden. Real actors Roselyn Sánchez (Rush Hour 2, Underclassmen) and Nestor Serrano (Hangin’ with the Homeboys, Bad Boys) costar.
I like the idea in principle but I think where it fails is in the writing. The action with the SEALs is authenic looking as well as the dialog and the procedures. The action is good but the dialog and the set up to the action are not the most exciting. They needed to “Hollywood up” the dialog. They also fall to give debt to the characters…which is probably due to them not wanting to give too much information about the soldiers.
The trailer shows most of the story and there are long periods of uninteresting talking and stuff in between the beginning and ending action sequences. It also seems more like propaganda for the military (who oviously gave the movie makers access to their personel and equipment). Having actual active Navy SEALs was a nice gimic if it would of been put together better. I wanted to like this movie because of the soldiers (I have a friend, Mike, who has served in the Army since his graduation in 1990) and because I too am a American. But in the end Act of Valor seems more preachy than patriotic. I say WAIT FOR DVD.