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'Hunger Games' Casting: Five Actors Better Than Alex Pettyfer

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Mar 8th 2011 10:30AM
Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical
Sick of 'Hunger Games' casting rumors yet? Well, you're out of luck because we're about to deliver some more, but at least it switches the attention from the film's lead character, Katniss Everdeen, to one of her main men. As reported by The Playlist, Alex Pettyfer confirmed that he's been asked to play the part of Peeta Mellark, the baker's boy-turned–District 12 tribute. Pettyfer told Access Hollywood he has spoken with the film's producers but that he's still undecided on whether or not he'll take the role.

I guess this is what happens when Debra Zane's your casting director. Yes, Zane is responsible for some noteworthy work including 'Dreamgirls,' 'Catch Me If You Can,' 'American Beauty' and more, but apparently she's been tainted by 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.' First of all, the only similarity between 'Twilight' and 'The Hunger Games' is that both involve teens, brutality and romance. 'The Hunger Games' is a wildly different story that, in my opinion, has considerably more depth and is far more entertaining. Anyway, the point is, casting 'The Hunger Games' can't just be about pretty and popular faces; it has to be about raw talent.
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Cinematical Seven: Epic School Parties

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Mar 3rd 2011 10:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical


In a genre overrun by tacky romantics movies, a film like 'Take Me Home Tonight' is wonderfully refreshing. Yes, it'll have some romance as Topher Grace's character bumps into his old high school crush, Tori Trederking (Teresa Palmer), but what sets this film apart from the rest is that it revolves around what could be an absolutely epic party, or, as the film's tagline suggests, the "Best. Night. Ever."

Now here's something we haven't seen in quite a while. 'Easy A' is certainly a hilarious high school comedy, but party-wise, there's really nothing worthy of the "epic" title and something feels wrong about calling a party epic in a film that actually dubs itself "an epic of epic epicness." Sorry, 'Scott Pilgrim.' Oh, and the trippy casino party in 'Percy Jackson?' Not school-related and more of an epic and awkward fail than anything. We're in need of an onscreen schoolparty that isn't just a scene in a movie, rather the reason for the movie's existence – all roads lead to this party. So, before you indulge in what will hopefully be just that in 'Take Me Home Tonight' this weekend, check out an epic list of epic pastime favorites.
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'Percy Jackson 2' Is On The Way And Why You Should Care

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Mar 3rd 2011 7:40PM
Filed under: Movie News, Cinematical
Who says sequels have to be announced the moment a movie comes out - if not before? It's been just over a year since 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief' hit theaters and now, according to the LA Times, a sequel could be in the works. Sequel talk was abuzz just before the film hit on February 12th, but when it opened in third place with $31.2 million and only went on to earn $88.8 million domestically, the concept appeared to fizzle out.

However, the film did earn an additional $137.7 million internationally, which brought its grand total to $226.5 million, well over the $95 million budget and apparently that's enough to get original helmer Chris Columbus back onboard, but only to produce. Producer Karen Rosenfelt will also return, as will the cast lead by Logan Lerman. The group could reunite to begin shooting as early as this summer.

This time around, Percy Jackson, the average kid who previously discovered he's actually the son of Poseidon, will reteam with the daughter of Athena, Annabeth (Alexandra Daddario), to journey to the Sea of Monsters to track down the Golden Fleece, the only known remedy to cure Camp Half-Blood's magical border, the Thalia's tree. The second film will be subtitled 'The Sea of Monsters' in accordance to the second book in Rick Riordan's five-book series.

So, why should you care? The original film stands at a rotten 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and is merely being called a "modest hit" in terms of its intake at the box office, so this second should be of no interest to you, right? Well, not really. While the first film certainly has its issues, namely cartoonish CGI, it's also wildly enjoyable. Actually, there are a number of reasons why 'Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters' could be worth your while, but let's stick with just the top five:
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Have Movie Character Names Lost Their Meaning?

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Feb 24th 2011 6:20PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical


Isn't it crazy how hard it is to remember someone's name? You meet a person, they introduce themselves and minutes later, you've got nothing. How do filmmakers expect you to remember dozens of characters after only spending a couple of hours with them? Does it even matter? Who cares what a character is called as long as what he or she is up to is interesting?

Recently, a friend suggested that names are losing their meaning. Think about it; pick two or three of your favorite films from last year and there's likely a key character whose name you just can't recall. Come to think of it, I can't even remember the name of a primary character in a film I caught just a week ago. But does that affect your opinion of the film? Do you enjoy it any less even if the name doesn't stick? There are so many different ways to consider the issue, it's nearly impossible to pinpoint an exact answer to the title of this article.

To start, let's talk generic names. You'd think it'd be a smart option considering they're mainstream and perhaps easier to remember, but in the cast of 'The Kids Are All Right,' that's not quite true. What are the names of Annette Bening and Julianne Moore's characters? Jules is the one that comes to my mind; not Nic. And what about the kids? How could anyone forget a name like Laser, especially compared to Joni? Perhaps this is just me, but in this case, it's the more unique of the bunch that's easiest to recall.
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Defending Bad Movies: The Adam Sandler Edition

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Feb 21st 2011 5:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical


What's with Adam Sandler lately? We get the unfunny missed opportunity with 'Grown Ups' last summer, and now 'Just Go With It?' What's happening to the guy who used to deliver comedy after comedy that'd keep us either laughing or disgusted (in a good way) all the way through?

Actually, it looks like the majority of folks out there don't even care much for some of Sandler's previous work because despite his all-star status most of the films responsible for skyrocketing him to fame are, well, pretty rotten. Sandler didn't manage to break into fresh territory on Rotten Tomatoes until 1998's 'The Wedding Singer,' and even then it only earned him a 67%. From there, it was a nine-film gap until his next fresh ratings, 'Punch-Drunk Love' and 'Stupidity' followed by 'Reign Over Me' in 2007 and then 'Funny People' in 2009. Overall, of Sandler's 34 rated films on Rotten Tomatoes, he's earned just five fresh ratings. Otherwise, all his films are rotten, and some very rotten.

The curious thing is, for some, it's natural to look back on some of these supposed rotten films fondly. In fact, as sick as it sounds, a handful of them were personal childhood favorites. Sandler's style of humor is an acquired taste and if you weren't feeling it when 'Billy Madison' hit in 1995, odds are the entire Adam Sandler movement was one entirely rotten experience. Just because these films aren't for everyone doesn't mean they're not enjoyable to some, so here's to the ones buried in thumbs down that still have a lasting positive impact.
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'Hunger Games' vs. 'Clash 2' and Other Impending Box Office Battles

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Feb 11th 2011 7:00PM
Filed under: Box Office, Cinematical


Apparently the folks over at Warner Brothers have no fear, because they've opted to push back the big release of their 'Clash of the Titans' sequel, 'Wrath of the Titans,' from March 20th, 2012 to March 23rd, 2012, the same day the highly-anticipated adaption of 'The Hunger Games' is due out.

Who'll come out the big winner? Forget that this big showdown is more than a year away; it's already quite obvious that 'Wrath of the Titans' stands no chance. First off, director Jonathan Liebesman and co. must be living under rock because folks are going absolutely crazy about every tiny detail that develops with 'The Hunger Games.' Forget marketing; the popularity of Suzanne Collins' book seems to be enough of an advertising campaign alone. Plus, 'Clash of the Titans' is only getting another go-around because it earned a pretty penny at the box office. Meanwhile, a number of moviegoers that contributed to that massive haul weren't pleased about dropping the extra cash for the third dimension just to not get their money's worth. 'Wrath of the Titans' is going to need every edge it can get in this match-up.

So it seems as though this is a winning situation for 'The Hunger Games,' but there are still a number of other box office battles to keep an eye on in the coming months.
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Cinematical Seven: Ways to Set the Mood for Valentine's Day

By Perri Nemiroff (Subscribe to Perri Nemiroff's posts), Posted Feb 10th 2011 10:00PM
Filed under: Features, Cinematical


Who celebrates Valentine's Day on a Monday night? Sadly, this year, the most romantic holiday of the year lands on the night of the first day of the workweek. Clearly that's lame and not very romantic, so odds are, many of you will opt to enjoy the festivities over the weekend. However, that doesn't mean you should completely skip over Monday, February 14th. In fact, why not make it a movie night?

Now, here's the big question – what movie to watch? Picking a Valentine's Day movie is the absolute key to a successful night. If you put on the most terrifying horror movie out there and your little lady is terrified, I doubt she'll be up for much else after. A romantic comedy for your 'Rambo'-loving boyfriend? I'm betting he'll nod off within minutes. No, this is a decision that must appeal to both sides of the relationship so you can both have the kind of night you're hoping for.

What kind of night is that? Of course, that's for you to decide, but we've got a Cinematical Seven for you that could help. We've got everything covered -- from an option for couples looking to get a little emotional to the ones that would rather just skip all the nonsense and get right on to you know what. What should your movie of choice be? Hopefully this list will steer you in the right direction.
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