Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance, the Secret World of Arrietty, This Means War: 7 Word Weekend Review

New Movie Releases Reviewed in 7 Words Each

Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance - Why? Sorry, did I need more words?

The Secret World of Arrietty - I liked it better as The Borrowers.

This Means War - Anyone else tired of Chelsea Handler yet?

There are days, and then there are days. Today was one of those. No, not the one of those days, one of those days. Right. Can you tell I'm a big fan of ambiguity?

Ghost Rider was really a consolation prize for Nicolas Cage. Years and years he'd tried to get attached to superhero projects. Don't make me trot out that gosh awful superman picture where he looks like Madame Tussaud reject. So finally he fell to Ghost Rider. Honestly, it never was a favorite of mine. One of those cases where I always felt the story could never live up to the premise. Anyone who saw the first movie is witness to that. It was bad. Not Daredevil bad, nay, that's a special kind of hell, but one that just, if you'll pardon the pun (or don't, what do I look like, a guy with a good metaphor for this moment?) didn't fire on all cylinders. Or any really. Point is, I don't see the point of a sequel. Sure it's hard to imagine it sucking harder than the original, but still. 

Course I can't really blame the producers. Cages head always looks like a flaming skull.

I don't know why you people love Chelsea Handler so much. I've watched her show occasionally, heard her speak. Most of her shtick feels like a backwash of far more talented comediennes. But even still tucked away in her cable TV world, I was okay with her. Now that she's permeated network television and film, I'm just done. That said I suppose there are other components to This Means War. Most of which scream wait for late night TBS or Comedy Central in three years from now. So I guess in that respect Handler does fit. 

Will the weekend pull the hat trick of crap? I can't say for sure. I'm actually kind of curious in a weird way about The Secret World of Arrietty. I loved the borrowers as a kid and the idea of a Japanese version that's been translated into English appeals to me. It's written by Hayao Miyazaki who's one of the most well known Japanese animators. And chances are good you've seen at least a piece of some of his work. So at the very least, with him, you have an idea of what you're going to get. So yeah, I'll tentatively say I think it's probably going to be the best film for the weekend in terms of being able to stand the test of time. 

But then I'm a sucker for animation as everyone knows.

My good blogging buddy and fellow collaborator here at TNR has ditched his old blogging shoes in favor of a shiny new blog. Most of you should be familiar with Sebastian, A.K.A. the blogger formerly known as Reputation@Stake as he's written some of the best posts to grace this site. Now that he's on blogger, he's easier to follow than ever. So do yourself a favor and head on over to his blog Creative Outlet so you'll be able to say, 'I've followed him since back in the day.'

Have a great weekend everyone.