Movie Review: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider: Rated PG-13 for horror violence and demonic images

Hello everyone and welcome to yet another movie review from Bilbo's Red Book. This week I will be reviewing the latest Marvel comic books adaptation-Ghost Rider.

This film stars Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider and Eva Mendes as Roxanne, his love interest.

Overall, I thought that this film was very entertaining and interesting. Visually stunning, this movie was fun to watch and featured some really cool scenes, basically anything featuring Ghost Rider. The acting was pale, however. Cage, while amazing in National Treasure, was missing something in this role. He seemed to lapse between accents, at times sounding too much like Elvis. The young Johnny Blaze stole the role for me.

Where this film suffered was its depiction of heaven vs. hell. It seemed at times like God was non-existent in the film and that the devil was all-powerful. This theme played out with Ghost Rider fighting fire with fire. The film basically says that if you are fighting the devil, God is with you, no matter how you fight. In Johnny's case, this involves signing his soul to the devil and turning into a demon at night, to fight Blackheart, the son of satan; and evil spirits called the Nephilim.

Overall, this film was a good choice to see, with minor reservations. There is a sprinkling of language, some revealing outfits and some horrific images featured in the demons and Blackheart. This film was good, but you cannot forget that small detail of selling your soul to the devil.

MovieMaking: ****

Moral: ***

Overal: ***1/2

Off-beat Music News

Hello Everyone!

I was just going to let everyone know about my new music news site. Off-beat Music News.

From now on, Bilbo's Red Book will only contain movie and video game related news. For you current music reviews, concert previews, schedules, and any other interesting tidbits related to the world of music, visit the music site at http://offbeatmusicnews.blogspot.com

Right now, there is a CD review for tobyMac's new CD Portable Sounds.

Head on over and check it out!

See you on the flip side.

Movie Review: Pan's Labyrinth and Bridge to Terabithia

Hello, once again, to the movie review post!

This week I will be reviewing two films with similar plots, yet hugely different stories.

Pan's Labyrinth: Rated R for graphic violence and some language.

As the rating suggests, this is not a kiddie film. It features some intense violence, gruesome torture scenes, and a sprinkling of language. However, this film is saturated with character and moral messages. The main character, Ofelia must complete 3 tasks in order to return to the kingdom that she is really from. This entails facing a giant frog, a child eating monster, and her evil step father. In the end, she gives herself up, rather than letting her brother be harmed in any way. I won't say too much, to avoid giving away the story, but let it be known that there is a lot of intense stuff in this. I would say not for anyone under 16.

This is a good film to see if it has been previewed by someone else, so that they can warn you about some of the more intense scenes.

Overall: **** (out of 5)

Moral rating:***

Movie making:*****

Bridge to Terabithia: rated PG for thematic elements, including mild bullying, and mild language.

Okay guys, go see this. It is NOT a fantasy film, as the trailer would have you believe.

This is all about learning to cope with difficulties in life. It was a beautifully written, filmed and orchestrated, and the young stars are amazing.

I was expecting another Narnia, instead found a film with the heart of Because of Winn-Dixie. Disney struck gold with this film adapted from a novel. Be forewarned though, this one is a tear jerker.

Overall *****

Moral rating *****

Movie making *****

That is it for this week. Coming soon will be another edition, covering some of the summer's most highly anticipated films.

For more info on these and other films, contact me at bucklandfiddler@juno.com.

The Force Unleashed: It's official!

okay guys..

unless you live in a hole somewhere you have heard about the next-gen sw video game. Well it has finally been announced.

The Force Unleashed is set to be released in late 2007 for most consoles (minus the Wii). This game puts players in the shoes of an apprentice of Darth Vader, who helps him exterminate the Jedi order.

Lucasarts won't say much about it, but we do know that this will feature new Inertia and Particle effects software that will be pretty much eye popping! Instead of having pre mapped motions, each character will respond uniquely to their environment. Likewise, the environment reacts to what happens to it and around it.

GameInformer.com has a nice article on this game, and Lucasarts.com has the official scoop. Head on over and check it out.

This is one story I will follow very closely, and I will give you updates as it progresses.

Here Come the Clones!

For all you collectors out there, the latest wave of Star Wars saga figures has hit the shelves. The latest wave includes chase figures such as Commander Appo, and a holographic Commander Cody. I luckily got my hands on Appo, 442nd Siege Battalion trooper, Elite Corps Clone Trooper, Combat Engineer, and a Clone Seargant from AOTC.

The detail on these new figures is awesome, plus the cool factor makes for a great set of figures to tide us over until the 30th anniversary collection hits the shelves.

Also keep an eye out for the Target exclusive battle packs.

The Blogger Returns! Updates on Big News for 2007 including the casting of Caspian!

Okay, so here it is..the big return.

I know that it has been too long since the last post, but school has been a beast lately.

First on the list of big news is the debut at the Ruffin Theater of Will Tell. Over 17o people showed, breaking the previous record for Friday night concert series. After the 2 hour long show, we went over to the Coffee Lounge for a while. Next on the list will be the two CD release parties in Jackson and Memphis.

Next on the List of big news is the casting of Caspian for the next Narnia film. A 25 year old British actor Ben Barnes. Apparently, the age of Caspian has been raised a bit for the movie! More on this story can be found at www.narniaweb.com.

As far as entertainment goes, this is going to be a big year. Relient K, anberlin, and tobyMac all have new cds coming out soon. DDR Universe is going to be released for XBox 36o, and a yet unnamed DDR title for Wii has been announced.

Also, it the summer of 3. Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Shrek the Third, Ocean's Thirteen, and the Bourne Ultimatum all hit theaters beginning in May. Other movies of interest: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Bridge to Terabithia, Ghost Rider, just to name a few.

Of note to collectors of Star Wars memorabilia--Target has begun to sell Battle Packs for the 3oth anniversary collection. I managed to pick up a Felucia pack that includes Aayla Secura, Commander Bly, and 3 additional clone trooper commandos from Felucia. Also, Walmart has it's Saga Collection Collector's additional vintage figures for 2.50. That is quite a steal if you don't already have the collection.

I guess that is all for now. I will keep you all posted (or all two of us, Chris), on any other major developments in the world of collecting and entertainment.

Signing out,

The Buckland Fiddler