Summer blockbuster season has its ebbs and flows, and this weekend certainly seems more ebb than flow. Still, it's not entirely devoid of movies to catch on the big screen (although Cinema Clock is trying to convince me that movies that have been out for weeks, that I have seen for myself in this very city, are just now premiering in Ottawa).

In terms of Hollywood-fare, Land of the Lost, a remake of the mid-70s TV show of same name and starring Will Ferrell*, and My Life in Ruins, in which Nia Vardalos learns that sometimes men are hot underneath their beards, both open this weekend. Neither one appeal to me, but you can certainly go see them if you wish. The Hangover (pictured, © Warner Bros), a movie that tested so positively with audiences that it's already been greenlit for a sequel, also opens this weekend, and I will be going to see that. I mean, who thought to put Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis together?

If you're feeling more art-housey, Act of God and Sin Nombre are opening this weekend at the Bytowne, and English Surgeon is opening at the Mayfair. If you're feeling art-housey and French-Canadian, J'ai tué ma mère, which won accolades and awards at Directors' Fornight (part of the Cannes Film Festival) just weeks ago, opens this weekend in Gatineau.  

I'm mid-season five in my rewatching of the entire Star Trek: the Next Generation series. I viewed the show fairly often as a youngster, but there are still a massive number of episodes I haven't seen.

The other day I came across one of these never before seen gems. It was called "The Perfect Mate", and I was astonished to see it featured an extremely sexy guest star performance from Famke Janssen!

Yes, long before Jean Grey and Professor Xavier were sharing the big screen together, Janssen and Stewart were rocking the small screen on TNG. It's an excellent episode and its premise rests solely on Jansen's ability to play the "perfect" woman. Needless to say, she does a wonderful job. (Apparently the producers thought so too. When the TNG spin-off Deep Space Nine was in development, her character was meant to return as a main cast member. When Janssen turned down the role to work in movies, the character Jadzia Dax was recreated to replace her.)

All of which makes me wonder, why is there not more geek love out there for Janssen? I mean check out this resume: Star Trek, X-Men and James Bond!!!! What more could you want from an actress?

Follow along with Prof. Lipsett and his students as they study Teen Cinema.

So we're now in Week 3 of the course, which means the damn thing is already almost half over (crazy reduced summer schedules!). So far the students have been slowly easing themselves into the material, so I'm hopeful the ultraviolence of Battle Royale will kick-start a deeper level of analysis.

The past few classes have becoming increasingly focused on the difficulties of maturing, the conflicting relationships between teens, their parents, their peer groups, and the cliques that dominate high school. With tonight's film, we take these ideas to extreme ends as adults deal with delinquent students by putting them on an island and forcing them to kill each other (If you haven't seen the film, it's like the Running Man meets Lord of the Flies and has never been distributed in North America - look for it at an independent video store). The group of girls who will present on the film (by placing it in context in terms of production, distribution, exhibition and reception) have done a bang up job, so be sure to check out their blogs here and here, and leave your thoughts!

Posted by Joe

You know how sometimes you're watching Daniel Craig emerge from the surf in Casino Royale, and you want to lick? Now you can! Those very generous people over at Del Monte Superfruit Smooties have introduced an ice lolly (oh, England) that's, you know, Daniel Craig's head and vigorous torso.  If one of our UK or Britain-bound readers could put a box on ice for me, that would be great.

I don't know because I don't watch that sort of thing,* but apparently the New Moon trailer premiered at the MTV Awards.  Can't tell which part is funnier: that they focus so heavily on what's, as I recall, they first two chapters of the book; that I'm supposed to believe Bella could outrun Laurent for even a second; that a guy who is part wolf would be body hair free (but the vampire has chest hair? c'mon); or the wolf. See for yourselves:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSFMmkMfQ5Q 560x340]

As always, don't forget to open the post as its own page to view the video. 

Check out the trailers for the two most bananas movies I have seen (recently, anyway), plus a bonus absurdist bit from an animated short.

Alright, fine, you made it through the week without killing yourself or others. Here's my gift to you: vampire abs. There, you can have it.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1BHZ4UQ2GA 425x344]

Don't forget to click on the title of the post to view the video. 

I'm sure boatloads of you will go see Up, this weekend's big movie, as people just love their Pixar. I've got nothing against Pixar, but it's just not for me. If you feel the same way,  Anvil! The Story of Anvil, a strange rock doc that feels like Spinal Tap except that it's true, opens this weekend at the Mayfair. Tomorrow night will be your last chance to catch Nightwatching at the Bytowne, the story of how Rembrandt wove clues to the dasteredly deeds of a militia/gentleman's club into one of his famous works. But forget all that because I'm going to see Drag Me to Hell, Sam Raimi's return to horror, which has already scored a truly impressive 82 on Metacritic, and yet is somehow only rated 14A.

My one word response to producer Fran Rubel Kuzui:  no. 

If there's a recurring feature from any other mag that I love, it's the A.V. Club's New Cult Canon. I've linked to it many times in the past, and I'm sure I will again in the future. Naturally, when I see a movie that I love and champion make the cut, it's makes the read a little more gratifying that usual.*So you can imagine how exciting it was to read last week's entry on Brick, which is probably among my top movies. 

 Since we're here, let's watch the trailer:

 [video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cVzHeJ0Z3I 425x344]

I'm obviously already pumped for anything that stars two of my fantasy draft picks, but the new Sherlock Holmes trailer also looks like more fun than director Guy Ritchie's ever had before. I could do without so many of the bullet-speed action sequences that litter the trailer, but that's small potatoes. I think I might starting liking Jude Law again.

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CY7n9OGU-i0 560x340] 

Note: click on the title to open this entry as its own page to view the video or just click on the link above. 

Aw, yeah, that's right: 'til the 18th. May 2-4, whoo!

So, I forgot what the big movie opening this weekend is and was sort of at a loss as to what to recommend for you. Then I read Kevin's last post. I can't in good conscience recommend that you go see Angels & Demons, so let's do a little counter-programming, shall we?

If you're one of the approximately 38 people who haven't already seen Star Trek, that should be first on your list. It's got hot guys, short skirts, and fun. Sure, it would be nice if J.J. lightened up on the solar flares. Otherwise, fun, fun, fun. I might even go out on a limb and call it exhilarating. Might. 

It has just occurred to me, at this very moment, that there is a chance some of you out there have not read the Scott Pilgrim books.

Look, I told you that you were going to like the new Star Trek movie and you did, right? Same goes for this.

When the Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World movie gets released next year, Mr. Pilgrim is going to be huge. Everyone will love the movie, and you will look like a fool for not having been "in the know" earlier.

Given that I thought The Da Vinci Code was one of the worst movies I have ever seen, I find myself taking perverse pleasure in the way the marketing campaign for the prequel, Angels & Demons, is dancing around the uncomfortable fact that it is a sequel to a very terrible film.

The critic quotes they have used to promote the new film thus far specifically mention that it is "much better than The Da Vinci Code in every way!"

Heh. Well sure, my last dump was better than The Da Vinci Code in every way.

Hi (Cult)ure readers. Welcome to what will (hopefully) be a regular blog feature: Follow the Bouncing Ball - aka read along with me for the next two months as I attempt to navigate the shark infested waters of a return to high school.

No, I'm not auditioning for Never Been Kissed 2: Drew Barrymore Boogaloo. I was recently granted my third teaching assignment as a contract instructor at Carleton University and I'm teaching on Teen Films. I previoulsy taught courses on Slasher Films and Cult Works, so this time around I'm going for something a little more female friendly.

Each time I teach, I like to change up the way I run the class. Last summer I asked students to develop their own course syllabus (with both positive and negative results), so I decided to try something new this year. I've asked students to blog about the class, the readings, and their own experiences, so, in the weeks to come, keep an eye out for featured blogs by students. It should be an interesting, immersive experiment for everyone. 

While hosting the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala at the National Arts Centre on Saturday night, Christopher Plummer noted that it was nice to be back in Ottawa, a place of which he has fond memories. He noted that the national capital played host to two significant events in his life: it is where he first became a professional actor; and where he lost his virginity.

Plummer was an immaculately elegant host, from his velvet jacket to his frequent use of French. (The only thing more that some in the audience expressed a desire to see was a sing-along rendition of 'Edelweiss.')

Plummer was not, however, the only highlight of the evening's show. Measha Brueggergosman sang a Mozart aria, Angela Hewitt played a Bach concerto, the jazz piano great Oliver Jones and the powerful jazz and blues singer Dione Taylor played a smoking rendition of "He's Funny That Way" - and, most impressively, Governor-General Michaëlle Jean appeared onstage with a Haitian a cappella group and demonstrated a remarkably smooth, agile voice.

The 9th Annual Centretown Movies Outdoor Film Festival is looking for
short films to screen before its main attractions on Saturday during
the festival which takes place on weekends between July 25th and
August 22nd.

Centretown Movies is a volunteer-based organization created by the
community and for the community committed to organizing an outdoor
film festival that will: revitalize underused space in Ottawa's downtown; charge no admission; and support local diversity.

Send your short film(s) to:

By courier:
Centretown Movies
415 Gilmour Street (2nd Floor)

By mail:
P.O. Box 2787, Station D
Ottawa, ON K1P 5W8

Shorts should be no more than 10 minutes long, and submitted on VHS or DVD format. If you would like your materials returned, please include a self addressed stamped envelope.

Selected works will be paid an artist's fee according to CARFAC rates.

Deadline: May 22, 2009 at 9am.

For more information, please e-mail info@centretownmovies.org.

I love stories like this one from The Guardian. Now not only do you have to find a new way making fun of painters (as you can no longer suggest that they go cut off their ears), but it also makes Gaugin and Van Gogh sound mildly badass. Sword fighting! Cover ups! They should make a whole movie about badass painters. I would go see it.

By downloading movies you are stealing from the hardworking artists of Hollywood, and more importantly you are single-handedly destroying the movie business. The art form that you love so much and that has enriched your life in so many ways is being utterly destroyed by YOU!!!!

I mean, everyone knows that the work print of X-Men Origins: Wolverine that was leaked onto the internet last month is the reason the film had such an miserable time at the box office last weekend. What did it make? $10 million? $20 million?

See what you have done you evil, evil pirates? You are nothing but common thieves! Why don't you just steal an old lady's purse while you are at it? YOU have RUINED Hollywood!

MAY the 4th be with you!