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How you can win free movies for a year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How would you like to be the proud owner of movie passes that would let you see one free movie a week for the next 52 weeks?
In conjunction with the opening of the new AMC Avenue Forsyth 12 in Cumming, the theater chain is holding a contest with 100 winners of the free movie passes.
The first 100 guests who show up dressed as their favorite celebrity or movie character for the theater’s grand opening on Friday will each win an envelope containing 52 passes for free admission to the Avenue Forsyth 12 good until May 16, 2009.
Costumed winners must be at least 18 and have a photo I.D. Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, guests can line the theater’s red carpet and will walk in at 6 p.m.
The theater is located at the southwest corner of Ga. 400 and Peachtree Parkway (Highway 141).
Need some ideas for a costume? I’d suggest Batman or Shrek. Iron Giant would be cool. Charlie Chaplin. The Little Mermaid. Or maybe you should fashion yourself into Nick Nolte’s mug shot.
Who or what would you dress up as?
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Truth be told: ‘Speed Racer’ finished 3rd
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s the latest game in Hollywood? Manipulating your box office estimates so things won’t appear as bad as they are.
Take “Speed Racer,” for example. Last Saturday I was hootin’ and hollerin’ at home when I called up Friday box office figures and saw that not only was “Iron Man” trouncing “Speed,” but that the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz disgrace known as “What Happens in Vegas” was at No. 2, slightly ahead of “Speed.”
By Sunday of course, that had all seemed to change as three-day estimates were that “Speed” finished at $20.2 million to “Vegas’” $20 million.
But … and it’s a really big but … Warner Bros.’ Sunday estimate for “Speed” was a little too generous and off by about $1.6 million.
The final box office return: 1. “Iron Man” with $51.2 million (about $700,000 above Paramount’s three-day estimate), 2. “What Happens In Vegas” with $20.2 million (up $200,000 from Fox’s estimate) and 3. “Speed Racer” with $18.6 million (down $1.6 million from Warner Bros.’ estimate).
How does this happen? Well, so that Hollywood can tout its millions at the box office on Monday, studios provide only estimates for Sunday’s take. Those estimates are determined Sunday morning in Hollywood.
It is embarrassing for the weekend’s main new movie to underperform, so some industry watchers claim studios will cushion some films to make them appear stronger.
Why? Generally, the public knows only the estimated results. All day Monday all they hear is that, in this case, “Speed Racer” is No. 2. Few realize later that “Speed,” when final tallies are in on Monday, actually finished at No. 3.
This same result happened in March with another loser of a movie — Universal’s “Leatherheads.” George Clooney’s comedy had an estimated finish at No. 2. In reality, it was a sinker at No. 3 its opening weekend.
Are you surprised that “Speed Racer” fell short? If you didn’t go see this movie, why?
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‘Iron Man’ crushes ‘Speed Racer’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The contest at the weekend’s box office wasn’t between “Iron Man” and “Speed Racer.” The former finished comfortably in the top spot, amassing $50.5 million.
The battle was at the also-ran No. 2 spot where “Speed” ($20.21 million) just barely squeaked by the inane comedy “What Happens in Vegas” ($20 million).
What was good about “Speed Racer”?
Well, for a while I was slightly amused by the monkey Chim Chim.
And I liked the bright colors.
Safe to say, after I type this sentence I’ll never think of “Speed Racer” again.
Did you like the movie? What were your favorite parts? Or, like me, did you go see “Iron Man” again?
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Atlanta’s Afemo Omilami cast in N.C. movie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta-based actor Afemo Omilami will portray civil rights activist Golden A. Frinks in “Blood Done Sign My Name,” the film adaptation of Timothy Tyson’s book about an African American Vietnam vet falsely accused of killing a white woman in North Carolina.
“Blood” will begin filming this month in Charlotte and co-stars Nate Parker (“The Great Debaters”). The director is Jeb Stuart, who wrote “Die Hard” and “The Fugitive.”
During the civil rights movement, Frinks, who some called “The Great Agitator,” became known for conducting non-violent acts of protest.
Omilami recently completed two more episodes of TV’s “Ghost Whisperer” and last month had stage roles in “The Piano Lesson,” “Jitney” and “Seven Guitars” at the Kennedy Center in Washington for director Kenny Leon.
With his wife Elisabeth, Omilami co-directs the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless program in Atlanta.
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In honor of ‘Vegas,’ what’s your best Sin City story?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Las Vegas, with its get-drunk dance clubs, cool pools and happenin’ casinos, is part of the setting of the Cameron Diaz-Ashton Kutcher comedy “What Happens in Vegas.”
Anybody who’s ever been there has a Vegas story. You know, the one you’re not supposed to tell because of the modern culture pledge that … what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t talk about other people’s stories.
One of my favorites involves a certain esteemed AJC movie columnist with the initials A.S. His best Vegas story involves a post-poker game party, a quart of gin, two showgirls and the unlucky appearance of the girls’ angry boyfriends. But that’s all I’m saying.
What are the best legendary Vegas tales you’ve heard … or witnessed? And, please, don’t divulge names and be sure to keep your stories clean.
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If you’re like me, skip ‘Speed Racer’ and see “Iron Man’ again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most among new movies this weekend:
1. “Speed Racer.” Slow to get in gear but totally committed to its pop-art world concept. (Psst: Won’t blame you if you end up seeing “Iron Man” again instead).
2. “What Happens in Vegas.” Dedicated to the Hollywood tradition of mindless, boisterous romantic comedies sold on the personalities of overmarketed talent.
3. “Redbelt.” Fascinating jiu-jitsu drama for a little while. Complicated for a bit longer. And by the time the ultimate fight kicks in, it jumps the tracks.
4. “Then She Found Me.” Mildly watchable, but yet another example of why Helen Hunt went from Oscar winner to also-ran.
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Lesson learned: Play your vegetables!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The 11-member Vegetable Orchestra is based in Vienna. The group shapes instruments out of veggies and performs concerts across the globe.
Here’s a sampling of a work from market to stage.
Enjoy!
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Screen on the Green’s final film: ‘Footloose’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The final film for this year’s free Screen on the Green will be … (drumroll, please) … 1984’s “Footloose” with a toe-tapping Kevin Bacon.
Moviegoers voted online at Peachtreetv.com for Screen on the Green’s fifth and final film to be shown on June 26. The losers: “Rocky” and “Back to the Future.”
The series starts May 29 with “Jaws” at Centennial Olympic Park. Other films will be “Big Momma’s House” on June 5, “Chicago” on June 12 and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on June 19.
Due to the drought, this year’s Screen on the Green was temporarily moved from Midtown’s Piedmont Park to downtown.
By the way, guess I should have voted in the final film selection. I would have preferred “Back to the Future.”
What’s your feeling about the choice of “Footloose”? Will you go to Screen on the Green this year?
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Get ready for ‘Iron Man’ sequel in 2010
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How hot is “Iron Man”? Smokin’, my friends.
The movie’s not even been out a week and already Marvel’s film division has picked a date for the sequel: April 30, 2010. Which means the live-action comic book character will once again open Hollywood’s summer movie season.
Other Marvel films in the pipeline: “Thor” on June 4, 2010; “The First Avenger: Captain America” on May 6, 2011; and “The Avengers” (which teams Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor) in July 2011.
Final opening box-office tallies place “Iron Man” at $102.1 million in North America for Thursday-Sunday and at $198.2 million worldwide for Wednesday-Sunday.
And early indications are that “Iron Man” could finish No. 1 again this weekend against “Speed Racer.” “Iron Man” is playing in more than 4,100 theaters while “Speed Racer” will debut in about 3,600.
Are you stoked by Marvel’s sudden surge and its plans to bring more characters to the big screen?
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Does ‘Speed Racer’ have enough velocity?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The summer’s second big movie, “Speed Racer,” better get it in gear.
With mostly unflattering early reviews from older critics (New York Magazine calls it an “eyesore”) and fan grades being all over the map (boxofficemojo.com readers who’ve seen the film generally give it an “A” or an “F”), “Speed Racer” might have a hard time this weekend climbing over the formidable, fun and entrenched “Iron Man” at the box office.
Rated PG, “Speed Racer,” starring Emile Hirsch in the title role, is a futuristic homage to the 1960s cartoon. A simple good-vs.-evil race car story, it’s all pop art colors and built-for-speed races where the cars and camera, like a churning carnival ride, go up, down, swing to the side, flip over, turn, twist and defy gravity.
“You might admire it as a Warholian blur of pop art,” writes Ian Nathan of Empire Magazine, “gawk and gasp at its Hot-Wheels-for-real dynamism, or get a headache.”
In Atlanta, Warner Bros. screened the two-hours-plus movie for critics on Monday night. Here’s what moviegoers will likely be talking about after “Speed Racer” opens on Friday (there are also a few late-night Wednesday and late-night Thursday screenings at several theaters):
THE COLORS AND IMAGERY: The film has a distinct otherworld feel, a kind of cross between “The Cat in the Hat” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The comic-book colors are bright and deeply vivid, the kind John Waters will love. Visually, it’s as if humans dwell in a candy-colored world eons after the live-action “The Flintstones.” “Speed Racer” is also the type of film that literally shows a greedy character with dollar signs in his eyes.
THE MONKEY: Speed’s hyperventilating little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt) has a pet chimp named Chim Chim, who steals every scene it’s in. The monkey hangs in there to deliver surprised expressions and, in explaining one reason why the film is rated PG, does what a fighting monkey does — hurls poo.
CULTURAL REFERENCES: There are lots of them, including dialog that drops a mention of the Commodore 64, the popular 8-bit home computer from the early 1980s.
THE TALK, TALK, TALK: There seems to be more race car announcers and analysts than main actors (one announcer is Peter Fernandez, who provided the voice of Speed Racer and Racer X in six episodes of the original “Speed Racer”). The movie overflows with exposition and plot updates and reprises. Perhaps it’s an unintentional joke, but when the young Speed Racer in school is supposed to be taking a test while his mind wants to be elsewhere, the words on the page literally become “blah blah blah.”
THE VIDEO GAMESMANSHIP: Speed’s macho car, the Mach 5, is outfitted with all kinds of James Bond-style gadgetry, all operated with a circular control panel with buttons labeled “A,” “B,” “C,” etc., just like your joystick at home.
Are you planning on seeing “Speed Racer”?
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Latest comments
I’ll go see Speed Racer when I can find some primo Owlsley acid to take first.... read the full comment by Robert | Comment on Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd Read Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd
My family saw it at a Sunday matinee to help with the cost somewhat. We have two sons ages 4 and 19 and they both enjoyed it very much. Our 4 year old loved the racing scenes and Chim-Chim. Our 19 year old liked the relationship between Trixie and Speed,... read the full comment by Ann | Comment on Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd Read Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd
My family saw it at a Sunday matinee to help with the cost somewhat. We have two sons ages 4 and 19 and they both enjoyed it very much. Our 4 year old loved the racing scenes and Chim-Chim. Our 19 year old liked the relationship between Trixie and Speed,... read the full comment by Ann | Comment on Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd Read Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd
Cochise, there is a Dudley Do Right live-action and it had Branden Fraser in it. THAT was a good Saturday flick. I was a huge Speed Racer fan back in the day, but this was way too wtf. Sorry, but my mind shut down after the first 20 minutes from all the... read the full comment by West Cobb Dad | Comment on Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd Read Truth be told: 'Speed Racer' finished 3rd