This past Saturday ABC started airing the final episodes of Pushing Daisies. The quirky little fairy tale-like show about a pie maker who has the power to reawaken the dead won’t be back for a third season, but knowing of their cancellation does offer the cast a chance to thank the fans and say goodbye.

The cast of Pushing Daisies says goodbye

How bad is the movie going to be? Check out the trailer for Sorority Row which is so stupefyingly awful I’m not entirely convinced it’s a real movie.

Sorority Row

Remember when Nicolas Cage was a serious actor, or, at least, taken seriously as one? Think hard. Now marvel at the insanity below. This is what appears to be an unofficial trailer (perhaps used at Cannes to tempt potential distributors) for Cage’s latest flick, Bad Lietenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Very NSFW! Thanks to our pal Eric for the find!

We’ve spent a little time talking about The Brothers Bloom over the past few days. Mr. Sprarkle shared his interview with director Rian Johnson, I commented on the adorable nature of it’s leading lady, and you may have noticed I posted my review for the film earlier this morning. Our pal Eric from Scene-Stealers also saw the film (liking it a tad more than I did), and he also sat down recently with the Brick director to discuss his latest project.

I really wanted to like The Brothers Bloom, and for 90 minutes I did. The film delivers laughs, genuinely interesting characters, a quirkiness not unlike that of Wes Anderson, and a satisfactory conclusion. Then the film continues for another 25 minutes moving far from the lightness and joyfulness of its earlier moments into a much more average action flick packed with questionable character choices, plot issues, and a far less satisfying ending.

Continue reading “Brothers” blooms, and then wilts before your eyes

No must-haves this week but here’s a trio of comics worth a few words…

Usagi Yojimbo #120 -As Kitsune recovers from recent events Kiyoko overhears a plot to kill a local merchant. Too bad for the assassin that there’s an honorable rabbit ronin in town. Nice little stand-alone issue, featuring trademark Usagi art (always worth checking out), but not much more.

Continue reading Comic Rack - Usagi Yojimbo, X-Men, & Batman Alive

Then I’m a little more miffed at the Rebellion for shooting down so many. On the other hand, I’m starting to understand Han Solo’s enlistment into the Imperial Navy.

Check out more of the Emperor’s evil, misogynist, sexy, sexy posters at io9

The first trailer for Nine, based on the Broadway musical of the same name, has been released. Directed by Rob Marshall, the movie boasts a strong cast with the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, and Sophia Loren. And from the trailer it doesn’t look like it’s afraid of big musical numbers which should please fans of the genre. But, may I inquire, what’s up with all the Britney Spears back-up dancers? Nine is scheduled to hit theaters just in time for Thanksgiving.

Judd Apatow’s new movie “Funny People,” starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Leslie Mann, opens on July 31. Until then, Universal Studios will be keeping Apatow fans appeased with a steady stream of viral videos. The first series stars Jason Schwartzman, who plays egotistical actor Mark Taylor Jackson and stars on a “Head of the Class”-style sitcom called “Yo, Teach!” This first clip is a behind-the-scenes look at this laugh-track riot(!) and the second clip is an actual scene from the “show.” Enjoy!

George Lucas taught the world a lesson in terms of marketing and merchandising, but there are several movies and television shows which didn’t learn the lesson. Today’s Top Ten takes a look at franchises which missed the boat by not putting out a series of toys which I, and at least a half-dozen other people, would have gladly paid good money for (and are still willing to do so, so start making ‘em already!). We begin with…

10. The Lovable Critters of Sweetknuckle Junction - My introduction to Greg and his wacky pals wasn’t from the original IFC shorts but from the FOX sitcom where they quickly earned a place in my heart. I’m a big fan of the show (check out my DVD review), and although it lasted only one season Greg was able to go back to his roots by returning to IFC.

Whether it was puppets or small figures (how about a Sweetknuckle playset?), it seems there’s plenty of options for merchandising here. I’d love to have a Count Blah puppet (and one with a pull-string which just said “Blah” would continually bring a smile to my face). And who wouldn’t want Greg, Tardy the Turtle, and an alphamonkey, um, I mean Warren, one as well.

Continue reading Thursday Top Ten Toys They Never Made