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Movie Review: Once You Let REPO MEN Jack Your Logic, It's Fun as Hell!

I usually start the process of writing my reviews by reading the notes I took while watching the movie. Tonight, as I sat down to start writing my review of REPO MEN, I was surprised by how evenly my notes were divided into two categories. Almost exactly half of my scribbled notes focused on how much I enjoyed the slick entertaining style of this movie. The other half of my messy notes focused on the trouble I had with the flick's logic (or, more accurately, lack thereof). I wouldn't usually encourage shutting your brain off to enjoy a movie, but there are so many great reasons to go see REPO MEN that I will happily do so in this instance. Before I get to the great reasons to see REPO MEN figure I should let you know why I think you should be shutting your brain off to some degree to enjoy it. The movie asked it's audience to believe in a world in which a massive company (the Union) is allowed to kill people in the processes of repossessing life saving mechanical organs. I understand that this proposed future could be seen as a disturbing progression of corporate power in America. However, It is hard to imagine our country becoming that morally bankrupt, and harder yet when the movie did very little to justify it. To say that that was a bitter pill to swallow is a wee bit of an understatement, especially for an optimist like myself. As a fan of movies I normally come equipped with ample suspension of disbelief, especially when watching science fiction, but I flat out did not bring enough with me when I saw REPO MEN. Beyond doing very little to justify this misanthropic vision of our future there were numerous smaller gaps in logic. I found myself questioning decisions made by it's characters throughout the entire flick. Well, that's not actually true, half way through the movie it dawned on me, I needed to stop questioning it, and just let go and revel in the elements that I really enjoyed. So what did I enjoy? One quick look at my notes confirmed that I loved the soundtrack. Let me rephrase that, I LOVED the soundtrack. It is rare that a film's soundtrack resonates so perfectly in every scene. PULP FICTION has long been my favorite film and Tarantino's song selection played a big role in it's top of the chart status. Much like PULP FICTION, REPO MEN used the right song, in the right scene, at the right time, on the right beat, nearly every time. It was just about the perfect union of music and film. In one early sequence the contradiction between the clinically detached brutal actions taken by Jude Law's character Remy and the beautiful song playing brought a level of artisan to a despicable and grotesque act that was inspired. I also thoroughly enjoyed the style of the REPO MEN. It had a playful, Guy Ritchie/Quentin Tarantino-esque vibe that kept the flick fun and entertaining. Rather than take itself too seriously, REPO MEN was comfortable being the stylish flick it truly wanted to be. Some of the movie's funniest and best moments came from the voice over conversations Remy had with us, the audience. It was also obvious to me that great pains were taken to ensure that the violent (and let me be clear, I do mean violent) sequences were artistically shot. This was not a movie that was wanted to be violent just for the sake of shocking the audience. REPO MEN sought out and found the cool artistic (and at one point, perverse sensuality) side of violence. Why just shock when you can shock with style? In fact, there were numerous beautifully composed shots throughout the movie. It is as if the director poured through the script to find perfect scenes to use the art of cinematography and composition to propel the story with incredible visuals. It was a treat to behold. I was amazed to see Jude Law portray such bad ass in this flick. Remy's transition from a efficient employee willing to kill for commissions to hunter becomes the hunted, take on the system bad ass... it was a surprisingly convincing performance. Thankfully I'll finally be able to shake the image of his quiet, creepy photographer/killer character in ROAD TO PERDITION (he is one of those characters in film that haunt me). Forest Whitaker delivered as Jake, Remy's life long friend and Union coworker. His performance grew in intensity perfectly as the story accelerated to its brutal conclusion. I also really enjoyed seeing Liev Schreiber as Frank, the consummate sales man willing to sell a person hope they could never afford. It is one thing to sell a home with an adjustable mortgage that is going to cost an arm and a leg, but it is a whole different thing to sell someone an arm and a leg that could cost them... well, I think you get my point. What I think will hold REPO MEN back from becoming an upper echelon sci-fi action film is the often flawed (and sometimes nonexistent) logic. It is hard for some moviegoers to suspend disbelief to that extent. It damn near fowled up my enjoyment of the flick, but then I realized I was having such a good time with the movie that I could stop asking, "What the hell?" and start saying, "Hell YES!" The question is, can you? REPO MEN's great cinematography, solid performances, brutally artful violence, stylized vibe, and near perfect soundtrack should all be compelling reasons to give it a shot. Once I let my logic get repossessed I loved REPO MEN. REPO MEN is now playing nationwide.

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Enter to Win IESB's MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS DVD Sweepstakes! Win a 26" HDTV!

Enter IESB's MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS DVD Sweepstakes and have the chance to win several prizes, including a 26" HDTV! One (1) Grand Prize Winner 26” LCD HDTV valued at $479 The Men Who Stare at Goats on DVD Two (2) Additional Winners The Men Who Stare at Goats on DVD Click on an image below to enter now! DVD & Blu-ray in Stores March 23, 2010 In this quirky dark comedy inspired by a real life story you will hardly believe is actually true, astonishing revelations about a top-secret wing of the U.S. military come to light when a reporter encounters an enigmatic Special Forces operator on a mind-boggling mission. Reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor) is in search of his next big story when he encounters Lyn Cassady (Academy Award® winner George Clooney), a shadowy figure who claims to be part of an experimental U.S. military unit. According to Cassady, the New Earth Army is changing the way wars are fought. A legion of “Warrior Monks” with unparalleled psychic powers can read the enemy’s thoughts, pass through solid walls, and even kill a goat simply by staring at it. Now, the program’s founder, Bill Django (Oscar® nominee Jeff Bridges), has gone missing and Cassady’s mission is to find him. Intrigued by his new acquaintance’s far-fetched stories, Bob impulsively decides to accompany him on the search. When the pair tracks Django to a clandestine training camp run by renegade psychic Larry Hooper (two-time Oscar® winner Kevin Spacey), the reporter is trapped in the middle of a grudge match between the forces of Django’s New Earth Army and Hooper’s personal militia of super soldiers. In order to survive this wild adventure, Bob will have to outwit an enemy he never thought possible. The Men Who Stare at Goats was inspired by Jon Ronson’s non-fiction bestseller of the same name, an eye-opening and often hilarious exploration of the government’s attempts to harness paranormal abilities to combat its enemies. Head over to IESB's sweepstakes page to Enter NOW!

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Exclusive Photo Gallery: Red Carpet Premiere of HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

The red carpet premiere of HOT TUB TIME MACHINE was held Wednesday in Hollywood. IESB Photographer Rick Chavez was on the red carpet and shot an exclusive photo gallery to share! Cast and crew plus celebrity guests were in attendance that included John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Steve Pink, Crispin Glover, Lizzy Caplan, Collette Wolfe, Chevy Chase, William Zabka, Brian Baumgartner, Charlene Tilton, Charlie McDermott, Cherish Lee, Efren Ramirez, Hayley Marie Norman, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jesse Williams, Kate Flannery, Leslie David Baker, Oscar Nunez, Tommy Lee and many more! HOT TUB TIME MACHINE opens in theaters Friday, March 26th. Click on the image below to view IESB's exclusive photo gallery!

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IESB Exclusive: New Star Wars Animated Series On Its Way!

Yes, you are hearing right. IESB has exclusively learned that George Lucas is currently in pre-production on yet another Star Wars animated series. The key demographic? Pre-School to Kindergarten aged children, yes, the Star Wars: Galactic Heroes will be gracing televisions very soon. The latest from Lucasland a.k.a. Skywalker Ranch is that a director has been brought on board to direct the new series based on the popular line of toys. The working title for the TV series is believed to be "Squishies." Uncle George has always had a soft spot for making more money, hmm, I mean children. No word yet if Cartoon Network or its WB sister companies will be airing the series. A few years ago, when IESB broke the news that both a live action and an animated TV show were in development, we were quite excited about the possibilities, this one on the other hand, just seems like another way for the Lucas Empire to fill up their piggy banks. I give an animated Indiana Jones TV series about 2 years before that gets announced.

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IESB Exclusive: Story Details of Summit Entertainment's The Last Witch Hunter!

I had a very interesting visitor last night while trying my best to forge my own "Golden Ticket". It looked very similar to Willy Wonka's, but something was missing. I made a call to the one and only person I knew for a fact could help me, Neal Caffrey. While discussing the finer points of mimicking the look of gold leaf on construction paper, I heard a loud knock on the door. I opened it to reveal IESB's friend, Arthur Slugworth. He was disheveled and out of breath. I made him a cup of hot chocolate and he said, "I want you to hear my story, just in case I don't live to tell it again." I felt a little uneasy to say the least, but once you read the story I am about to tell, you’ll understand my predicament. I recorded our conversation and have transcribed it for you. "I must say, it has been a whirlwind of a night. I was told the most disturbing tale of terror by a woman with jet black eyes. She told me about a yet to be made Hollywood film called "The Last Witch Hunter", written by Cory Goodman set to be produced by Timur Bekmambetov with Summit Entertainment backing, you know, the ones behind those sparkly vampire Twilight movies, and I can't get it out of my mind."From there he went deep into story details, I was hanging on to every word.This all started long before our times, but for now we are starting in Manhattan, on a bus. An old woman wearing tattered clothing enters a bus and steals one strand of hair from the bus driver which she knots. The rest of the passengers can't take their eyes off her. Suddenly the driver grabs at his chest before falling forward. The bus veers into traffic on the opposite side of the street and explodes into a ball of fire. The only survivor the mysterious woman, now with eyes of black.This isn't the only strange event, news reports indicate similar situations are popping up all over the city. This news doesn't seem to faze one man as he enters what looks like an abandoned building. A pack of dogs salivate and bark in his direction. He enters the building to find moss and mold all over the place along with a huge never-ending hole in the floor. Nude men are strewn all over the stairs covered with foreign symbols and carrying shovels. The man continues to move forward and reaches the top floor, rats creeping at his feet.The stoic man, a gun in hand, kicks down a door to reveal almost white creatures with huge opal eyes. They speak in another language as they claw at the air. He breaks out a sword and an axe to combat their darts and strange black cursed flowers. From there he goes through his arsenal which also includes a chain gun and salt smoke. Finally he reaches a witch and finishes her off with one last bullet made of hemlock. She dissipates into dust. This is our first encounter with "Nightshade", a witch hunter.Slugworth barely has touched his hot chocolate, he's sweating and shaking. He starts telling me about the history of witches.They have been walking among us since the beginning. They call themselves Haxen and are not the biggest fans of daylight. The witches abilities have brought a fear into the hearts of many Examples of this fear of witches can be found in historical events such as The Crusades and The Salem Witch Trials. This is why the Haxen have hid for many centuries and have broken up into what we know as covens. Each nationality has their own coven of witches, Hispanic "brujas" in the Bronx, and witches of African heritage in Harlem. The only one who has the ability to stop them is the immortal Nightshade.Nightshade lost his wife and daughter long ago, their likeness survives with portraits in his inner sanctum. The witch hunter lives with Dmitri who creates the weapons that Nightshade uses. The old Yugoslavian also acts as Nightshade's own personal doctor, which he needs. Weapons, herbs, and many compounds line the wall. Used to stop the Haven, who have been responsible for some of the world’s greatest disasters, natural disasters and even destruction seemingly caused by man. After stopping by his home for a quick session with Dmitri, Nightshade heads to Soho to check out a boutique run by Nadja.Nadja's look is inspired by the sultry Megan Fox and is what is called a "Newbreed". She looks more like a human and can actually blend into society. Nadja doesn't belong to a Coven and works alone. Nightshade and her have an understanding until he notices a closed door which he kicks in, finding an artifact that looks as if it is a section of something bigger. Nadja doesn’t take sides in Nightshade's war with the Haven, but when her shop gets ambushed she unleashes her knives that she can control via spell. The battle between the intruding witches is immense and ends with one of them stealing the artifact. After Nadja and Nightshade defeat the witches, they realize they are minions of the Queen Witch Sithera.At this point I notice that Slugworth's eyes are beginning to turn a foggy gray as he struggles with his words. A group of Newbreed witches, leaders from numerous Covens gathering in the shipyard that are quieted by the appearance of the Sithera...she resembles the provocative Angelina Jolie. The queen witch is attempting to get the tribes together to battle against mankind as one unit. She talks about The Plague Box which is broken into three parts and capable of unleashing a plague of epic proportions when joined together. The box was hidden but the reason that New York was built the way it was, was to allow the witches to locate this box. Sithera then shows her people the artifact stolen from Nadja's and reassures them that Nightshade will be taken care of. At this time, Nightshade and Nadja are hunting witches through Central Park and the subways. Only Central Park takes on the role of enchanted forest and the subways are more like labyrinths. Nadja and Nightshade are still uneasy of each other but are joined by their similar feelings of being alone. They break into New York Municipal to go over old maps of the city to attempt to find the rest of pieces that form The Plague Box. They find in the Slavic Coven under a bathhouse. Just as the duo arrive the Coven has intercepted the second piece. A battle ensues and Nadja snags the piece. The battle continues on the street Chinatown and into a fireworks warehouse where the Asian Coven appears and battles the scythe tossing Slavics with stick pins. The battle pauses as blackbirds smash through the windows followed by Sithera, she turns the blackbirds on Nightshade as he draws his sword. They engulf him until Nadja steps in and eliminates the blackbirds. Sithera responds by joining the two pieces of The Plague Box together. Nightshade decides to protect Nadja in his sanctum after a curse is put on her by Sithera, hoping Dmitri can figure out a way to help her. Nightshade is on his own and enters the inner workings of the Brooklyn Bridge to find the final piece. He is greeted by a group of Coven outcasts and goes toe to toe with them as water enters the inner portions of the bridge. After finally obtaining the final piece he returns to his Sanctum to find Dimitri dead in a pool of blood with Nadja's knife in his chest and Nadja herself gone. He is then overcome by Sithera's Coven and blacks out.Nadja awakes on Sithera's ship where the box is now locked together. The plague that will be unleashed will only come down upon children. It is revealed that Nadja was put under a spell to work for as one of them. Back at the Sanctum, Nightshade wakes with Dimitri dead in his arms. He studies Dimitri's notes and then adorns his thickest suit of armor and heads to the shipyard. He battles ghouls which are called Familiars on the creaky wooden docks. Then lights flood down and Nightshade is standing right in the middle of a Circle of Ash. She needed Nightshade, an immortal; he’s the key to unleashing the plague. As the box opens a vortex appears and kids immediately start getting sick.Nadja wipes away some of the ash with her foot freeing Nightshade; she uses her nails to cut up her hands and his hands. Then presses them together in sort of an embrace. Nadja and Nightshade then fight, back to back, finally working as a team. Nightshade and Sithera square off and Nightshade gains the upper hand. He thrusts his sword into Sithera, knowing his possibility of becoming mortal and joining his wife and kid on the other side have died with her. All the witches around them turn to dust. The Plague Box sinks into the Hudson River and Nightshade and Nadja return to the destroyed Sanctum together. With that Slugworth's eyes go black. He stands up and walks slowly towards the door. Before leaving, Slugworth glances at me one last time with pitch black eyes.

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Enter to Win a Prize Package from IESB's "CLASH OF THE TITANS" Sweepstakes!

RELEASE THE KRAKEN! CLASH OF THE TITANS is sure to be a fun, action-packed, thrill ride of a movie with fantastic visual images and will be the 3D event film of Spring 2010. Starring an international cast including Sam Worthington ("Avatar," "Terminator Salvation"), Academy Award® nominees Liam Neeson ("Taken," "Schindler's List") and Ralph Fiennes (the "Harry Potter" films, "The English Patient"), Gemma Arterton ("Quantum of Solace" and the upcoming "Prince of Persia"), Mads Mikkelsen ("Casino Royale"), Jason Flemyng ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Alexa Davalos ("Defiance"). More than anything, "Clash of the Titans" will be an incredibly exciting movie-going experience that will carry fans away to another time and place, and a 3D motion picture event not to be missed on the big screen. Enter IESB's CLASH OF THE TITANS sweepstakes for your chance to win some really cool prizes from the film! "CLASH OF THE TITANS" In Theaters April 2nd Check out the official site located at www.clash-of-the-titans.com One (1) Grand Prize Winner from IESB will receive: Chalice with Metal Coaster in Wooden BoxMetal Medusa Head with Letter OpenerKey Tag with ShieldWashed Distressed Hat with Medusa & SnakesMen’s Black Medusa Washed T-shirtLadies’ Black “Kraken” Tank TopMen’s American Apparel HoodieButtKicker Kit Two (2) Runners Up will receive: Key Tag with ShieldWashed Distressed Hat with Medusa & SnakesMen’s Black Medusa Washed T-shirtLadies’ Black “Kraken” Tank TopMen’s American Apparel Hoodie Pictures of Prizes are Below! Be the first to know! Receive exclusive Warner Bros. Movie News Updates! The Wireless ButtKicker Kit is a silent subwoofer that delivers powerful, silent bass through your couch or chair. Feel all the excitement, impacts and special effects from your movies, video games, TV and music! It’s the perfect family gift and the ideal way to bring the movie theater to your home. Visit shake my couch dot com for special offers and free shipping. In "Clash of the Titans," the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds, leading a daring band of warriors, including Draco (Mads Mikkelsen), an experienced soldier who encourages the defiant Perseus to make use of his god-given abilities. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, they will only survive if Perseus can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny. Propelling audiences into a mythological world of epic action and adventure, "Clash of the Titans" will be presented in 3D, making the gods even more formidable, the creatures even more fearsome, and taking audiences even deeper into the mythological realm of Perseus' quest. "Clash of the Titans" is being directed by Louis Leterrier. Leading the international cast is Australian actor Sam Worthington ("Avatar") as Perseus, the mortal son of Zeus, king of the gods. Academy Award® nominee Liam Neeson ("Schindler's List") takes on the role of the mighty Zeus, and Academy Award® nominee Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient") plays the role of Hades, god of the underworld, who feeds on human fear. Rounding out the cast is Gemma Arterton as Io, Perseus' mysterious spiritual guide throughout his journey; Mads Mikkelsen as Draco, who takes up his sword to join Perseus' quest; Jason Flemyng as Acrisius, a one-time king turned hideous beast; Danny Huston as Poseidon, god of the seas; and Alexa Davalos as Andromeda, a princess doomed to lose her life if Perseus does not succeed. Louis Leterrier directs "Clash of the Titans" from a screenplay by Travis Beacham and Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi, based on the motion picture "Clash of the Titans," directed by Desmond Davis and written by Beverley Cross. The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk and Kevin De La Noy. The executive producers are Academy Award® winner Richard D. Zanuck ("Driving Miss Daisy") and Legendary Pictures' Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and William Fay. The behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Peter Menzies, Jr., production designer Martin Laing, editor Martin Walsh, editor Vincent Tabaillon, Academy Award®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming ("Topsy-Turvy") and composer Ramin Djawadi. Also serving on the creative team are Oscar®-nominated visual effects supervisor Nick Davis ("The Dark Knight"); Oscar®-nominated prosthetics supervisor Conor O'Sullivan ("The Dark Knight," "Saving Private Ryan"); Academy Award®-winning special effects and animatronics supervisor Neil Corbould ("Gladiator"); Academy Award®-winning makeup and hair designer Jenny Shircore ("Elizabeth"); and Academy Award®-winning production sound mixer Ivan Sharrock ("The Last Emperor"). Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Thunder Road Film/Zanuck Company Production, a Louis Leterrier Film, "Clash of the Titans." The film will be presented in RealD 3D where available, and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality. Winners will be notified by email! Contest ends April 5, 2010. Name: Email Address: Street Address: City, State: Zip Code: Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entrants must be over 18 and residents of the United States. Additional rules below apply - RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. 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