Noah Official Trailer (HD) Russell Crowe, Emma Watson

http://www.youtube.com/v/FRTlT3DEydU?version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&autoplay=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=kyDogVTPYOodkYXgGwHW-g&showinfo=1

Trailer Showcase: Thor: The Dark World, The Muppets: Most Wanted, Kick Ass 2 Red Band Feature

Thor: The Dark World: A great new trailer has been released for November's sequel about the God of Thunder. The new footage showcases the film's more epic scope and shows more of the evolving relationship/team-up between Thor and the ever-so-loveable Loki.

The Muppets: Most Wanted: I was a huge fan of the "first" Muppets film in 2011. Not only was it hilarious but it was clean, clever, and just made me extremely happy ever time I watched it. That is why I am very excited for the sequel due out next year. The new film stars Ricky Gervais, Tina Fay, and Ty Burrell. While this doesn't give us much in terms of story, it's good to see the Muppets again.

Kick Ass 2 Behind the Scenes Video (Red Band): The first Kick Ass is one of the most creative, original, and violent (plus crude) super hero films to date, plus it featured a surprisingly great performance by Nick Cage. The sequel is due out August 16th so check out this video showing new footage and cast interviews. (Warning: Language)

Citrus County Graduate Miles Teller Being Eyed for Fantastic Four Reboot

Many would argue that "The Fantastic Four" series does not need a reboot, but somehow the Superhero genre continues to get more and more popular and therefore 20th Century Fox sees a potential money maker. It is for that reason that in 2015 we will see the return of the Fantastic Four with an entirely new cast. A couple months ago it was reported the Michael B. Jordan was being eyed to play The Human Torch, and now the rumors are swirling around that Miles Teller (who graduated from Lecanto High School) is being eyed to play Mr. Fantastic. Teller first gathered notice when he appeared in "Footloose" and "21 and Over." Now he is getting ready to star in a potential franchise starter opposite Shailene Williams in "Divergent" next year.

While I have never actually seen Teller in any of his films, I'm not sure how I feel about Mr. Fantastic being played by a 26 year old. But, if they are wanting to truly do a reboot then maybe a fresh, unexpected cast is the right way to go.

Finding the Heart of Cinema

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A "FAREWELL ARTICLE" WRITTEN TO MY NEWSPAPER THANKING THEM FOR SUPPORT AND LEAVING THEM WITH WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF FILM. I WILL STILL BE UPDATING THE BLOG AFTER THIS TIME. 

Just over five years ago, I was on a bus headed home from a mission's trip to Belize. On that bus I was speaking with a man about my favorite subject...movies. And at some point in this conversation the man said to me, "Well you really know your stuff, have you ever though about making a website or a blog and writing about film on it?"
I never had thought of it, but it seemed like a fun idea. So when I arrived home the first thing I did was go to the computer and look up how to make a website. Within twenty minutes I had designed a blog using google and was looking for a name for it. My mind first thought of my oldest middle/high school nickname, Cashmoney, and so I named the blog "Cashmoney Movies" (it seemed to have a nice ring).

I then went on to write my first movie critique on a movie that I had just seen. The film was "The Dark Knight," one of my favorite films of all time. The whole review was a single paragraph and, looking back, pretty embarrassing. But I eventually picked up on more things to think on in these reviews: character development, pacing, predictability. And not long after that my dad came home and told me that he was talking to Mr. Mulligan about my site and that he wanted me to send a review of mine to The Chronicle for possible publication. I was thrilled of course, and I sent in what I believed was my best review up to that point. Then a few more months down the road, on March 20th, 2009, I published my first review with The Chronicle.

That was about four and a half years ago, and since then I have written numerous reviews for the paper on some of the greatest cinematic achievements of the past couple of decades: "Avatar," "Harry Potter," "The Artist," "Les Miserables," and many more. But now, as I am preparing to leave for college a few weeks from now, and I am very sad that my time with The Chronicle has come to an end. My last review will be on "The Wolverine," a good film to end with in my critical opinion, being that he is my favorite super-hero (and the film was great). The opportunity to write for this paper has not only allowed me to share my passions with others on a weekly basis, but it has given me an incredible experience that will help me immensely throughout the rest of my life.

I would like to thank Mr. Mulligan for giving me the chance to write for the Citrus County Chronicle. Without his generosity and encouragement, I would have never been able express my love for journalism and cinema like I have been doing. I would like to thank Cheri Harris (who no longer works at the Chronicle) for guiding me in the beginning of my time with the Chronicle, and giving me friendly advice and tips for my writing. And finally, I wish to thank the readers of the Chronicle, who over the years have offered numerous accounts of encouragement, compliments, and even debate (which is the fun part).

But before I sign off, I want to give a final word on what I believe to be the greatest thing the world of the silver screen has given us. I have always tried to stress in my reviews that the key aspect of film that will make it or break it, is the story. No matter how much action, or suspense, or laughs there are in a film, it will never amount to anything if there is not a good story. A good story has the power to reach the farthest corners of our imaginations, as we smile in awe at the story of a girl with ruby slippers, trying to find her way back to Kansas. A good story has the power to tug on our heartstrings and make us cringe and sigh at the tragic story of a man who wants nothing more than to escape from being pulled in to the family business, but through unfortunate events is forced to be a ruthless Godfather. A good story has the power to make us cheer and rejoice at the triumph of good, as two little hobbits, against all odds, finish the task they set out to accomplish.

A good story stands the test of time, and when you look inside the story, when you dig just a little bit deeper, you find something even greater. This is not something you can find without looking, it's not something that just presents itself on screen, and when and if you find it then you will see the true greatness of a film...it's heart. It's message. It's truth. The greatest of films act as parables of of our time. They are stories with messages that teach us, inspire us, and challenge us. There have been countless super hero films over the last thirteen years but when you break them down they are all about the same thing: they are about one person who has been called to stand up and pursue goodness, to defy the darkness around them. Isn't that what we all want? To pursue goodness, to make a difference, to be a light in a dark world? No wonder these films are so popular.

It is the message of a film that makes it stand out. These films teach us things. They show us that there is a difference between what is right and what is easy, that with great power comes great responsibility, and that there is still some good in this world that is worth fighting for. Lessons like these can shape an individual.

So I leave you with a challenge: the next time you walk into a movie theater and watch a great story, try to dig a little deeper. Find something that is really worth talking about, worth remembering, worth believing in. Because when you find the heart of a film and the truth it tells, then you will be able to appreciate it's greatness even more.

Bryan Singer Tweets Picture of Himself Next to Sentinel.

Holy cow! There have been several images released through twitter and viral sites of the giant robots that will be giving the young and old versions of Professor X and Magneto trouble in next summer's mega sequel "X-Men: Days of Future Past," but this time we get a clear look at the design of the Sentinel and just how tall it will be! Keep in mind that this is just a practical model and that no CGI can be seen (so it's possible it will look a lot more high tec and intimidating on screen) but there is still a giant robot with a big gun on his right arm! If you want to learn more about the Sentinels and their creator Bolivar Trask (being played by Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage) head on over to the  Trask Industries Website. X-Men: Days of Future Past is set for release on May 23, 2014. 

#TRUTHINJOURNALISM

Any comic book fan should check out this new (unofficial) short film about the classic Spider-Man villain Venom! Be sure to watch for some other Marvel easter eggs throughout!

The Wolverine

Back in 2000, Bryan Singer directed the first "X-Men" movie, which marked the start of the Marvel comic movie age (following the next year with Spider-Man). The film not only marked a new beginning for comic book movies, but it also launched the career of its leading actor, Hugh Jackman. And for thirteen years, Jackman has faithfully portrayed the character who is now arguably the most recognizable super-hero in Hollywood--the fierce, clawed mutant Logan, but you probably know him better by his other name...Wolverine.

Yes there has already been a solo Wolverine film that was released four years ago, but we all know how that turned out (and if you don't know then consider yourself lucky). But this time director James Mangold (Walk The Line, 3:10 To Yuma) has teamed up with Jackman to bring us a new story based on the very popular 1982 limited series comic.

In this film, which takes place some time after the events of "X-Men: The Last Stand," Logan has abandoned his role as the heroic X-Man and sworn off of violence forever (which is a long time considering he is immortal). This "vow" is in response to the final events of the 3rd X-Men film when he was forced to kill the love of is life Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), who still haunts him in his sleep. Well as one might expect, this "swearing off violence" doesn't exactly pan out when a group of hunters come into a Canadian forest where Logan is living and use illegal means to kill a bear.

But before he gets the chance to finish his revenge on these hunters, he is found by a lady named Yukio (Rila Fukushima). Yukio has tracked him down to bring him to Japan, where her boss wants to thank Logan for saving his life back in WWII. Of course this is not all the dying man wants from Logan, he also wants for him to pass on his immortality to the man because he does not want to die. When Logan refuses, the man warns Logan that his daughter, Mariko (Tao Okamoto) needs to be protected from people who want her dead.

And those people show up the next day at the man's funeral, and Logan takes it upon himself to protect her. There is only one problem, somehow his ability to heal has been hindered and for once in his life Logan can be killed if he isn't careful. What follows is an engaging story full of suspense, romance, and lots of claw stabbing (and ninjas).

A line that was included in most of the advertising for "The Wolverine" said that this film was, "The Wolverine movie you have been waiting for." And the film makers were dead on with that statement. For the first time in the "X-Men" series, we really get a deep look into the heart and soul of Logan. The problems that he struggles with--the burden of having to live forever, the sadness of watching anyone you love eventually dying as you never age, and now the fear of death surrounding him--these issues are brought to the front of the viewers attention and used to drive the narrative. And we also get a lot more of what comic fans love about Wolverine: his sarcasm, blunt remarks, and classic one-liners.

But the credit of the success of this intricate character development has to be given to the incredible work of Hugh Jackman. His sixth time portraying the character, Jackman has never done a "bad" job of playing Wolverine (not even in the painful "X-Men Origins"), but the script and storyline of this film has allowed him to dive even deeper into the character. When he needs to thoughtful, he is, when he needs to be conflicted, he is, and when he needs to look incredibly angry as he slices and dices the bad guys...he does! The X-Men films would not be the same without Jackman as Wolverine.

Now earlier I mentioned the engaging story of the film. To elaborate on that point, "The Wolverine" gets big bonus points for doing something that most sequels (let alone the fifth sequel) fail to do. Instead of speeding things up with action and big set pieces, this time things are slowed down, more-so than your average comic-book film. There is a lot of time given to the characters and the story in this film. The director took a risk with boring audiences with the amount of "down time" between action scenes. But it pays off and the film manages to really engage the audience (and then a big battle comes at the end).

And don't worry action junkies, this is a Wolverine film after all, so there is action to be found. And when there is, it is terrific and thrilling, especially an amazing sequence that takes place on top of a bullet train. The fight scenes aren't just mindless and explosive like they were in "Man of Steel", they move the story along like everything else in the movie, and the balance between action and drama is perfect.

This movie is called "THE Wolverine" for a reason. It is about THE character. It's not about the action, the explosions, or the ways to top other super-hero films, it is about THE character. "The Wolverine" doesn't try to be the next Avengers, and it doesn't try to have the action included in Man of Steel. Instead, its goal is the goal that every movie should have...to tell a great story. And it succeeds on all fronts, drama and action in all, which is why "The Wolverine" ends up being the most well-crafted super-hero film of the year (so far). I give it three and a half stars out of four.

"The Wolverine" has a running time of 126 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sic-fi  action and violence, some sexuality and language.