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      <title>Film:Enchanted</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/films/Enchanted/278364/default.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<table width='100%' style='font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><tr><td><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' /></td>
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<strong>Title:</strong> Enchanted<br/>
<strong>Year:</strong> 2007<br/>
<strong>Director:</strong> Kevin Lima<br/>
<strong>Plot:</strong> Classic Disney animation meets contemporary urban chaos when a frightened princess is banished from her magical animated homeland to modern-day New York City in a romantic comedy penned by Bill Kelly (<a href=/films/130773/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Blast from the Past</a>), directed by Kevin Lima (<a href=/films/134259/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Tarzan</a>), and featuring music by composer <a href="/players/P___102519/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Alan Menken</a> and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Princess Giselle (<a href="/players/P___273224/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Amy Adams</a>) lives in the blissful cartoon world of Andalasia, where magical beings frolic freely and musical interludes punctuate every interaction. Though Princess Giselle is currently engaged to be married to the handsome Prince Edward (<a href="/players/P___232716/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>James Marsden</a>), her fate takes a turn for the worse when the villainous Queen Narissa (<a href="/players/P____63158/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Susan Sarandon</a>) banishes her to the unforgiving metropolis of New York City. As the cruelty of the big city soon begins to wear down the fairy-tale exterior of the once carefree princess, the frightened Giselle soon finds herself falling for a friendly but flawed divorce lawyer (<a href="/players/P____18549/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Patrick Dempsey</a>) whose kind compassion has helped her to survive in this strange and dangerous new world. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide<br/>
<strong>Times Tagged:</strong> 58<br/>
<strong>Number of Lists:</strong> 29<br/>
<strong>Number of blog posts:</strong> 28<br/>
<strong>Number of discussion threads:</strong> 8<br/>
<strong>SpoutRating:</strong> 3<br/>
</td></tr></table>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2009 12:44:55 GMT</pubDate><spout:Title>Enchanted</spout:Title><spout:Year>2007</spout:Year><spout:Director>Kevin Lima</spout:Director><spout:Plot>Classic Disney animation meets contemporary urban chaos when a frightened princess is banished from her magical animated homeland to modern-day New York City in a romantic comedy penned by Bill Kelly (&lt;a href=/films/130773/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Blast from the Past&lt;/a&gt;), directed by Kevin Lima (&lt;a href=/films/134259/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Tarzan&lt;/a&gt;), and featuring music by composer &lt;a href="/players/P___102519/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Alan Menken&lt;/a&gt; and lyricist Stephen Schwartz. Princess Giselle (&lt;a href="/players/P___273224/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Amy Adams&lt;/a&gt;) lives in the blissful cartoon world of Andalasia, where magical beings frolic freely and musical interludes punctuate every interaction. Though Princess Giselle is currently engaged to be married to the handsome Prince Edward (&lt;a href="/players/P___232716/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;James Marsden&lt;/a&gt;), her fate takes a turn for the worse when the villainous Queen Narissa (&lt;a href="/players/P____63158/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Susan Sarandon&lt;/a&gt;) banishes her to the unforgiving metropolis of New York City. As the cruelty of the big city soon begins to wear down the fairy-tale exterior of the once carefree princess, the frightened Giselle soon finds herself falling for a friendly but flawed divorce lawyer (&lt;a href="/players/P____18549/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'&gt;Patrick Dempsey&lt;/a&gt;) whose kind compassion has helped her to survive in this strange and dangerous new world. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide</spout:Plot><spout:TimesTagged>58</spout:TimesTagged><spout:taglevel>Tag Target (&gt;10)</spout:taglevel><spout:Numberoflists>29</spout:Numberoflists><spout:NumberOfBlogPosts>28</spout:NumberOfBlogPosts><spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads>8</spout:NumberOfDiscussionThreads><spout:SpoutRating>3</spout:SpoutRating><spout:FilmCoverURL>http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg</spout:FilmCoverURL><spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL>http://www.spout.com/films/Enchanted/278364/default.aspx</spout:SpoutFilmDetailURL><spout:type>Film</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Weekly Theme for April 13: Going To The Chapel</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_April_13_Going_To_The_Chapel/625/41636/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/5353/default.aspx'>Risselada</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/discussions.aspx'>Weekly Theme</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 4/17/2009 2:06:05 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> [quote user="mercurial"] I've finally reached that age where it seems all of my friends are getting married. The ceremonies are fun: watching my buddies committing their lives to a person they love, but what is even better is when there is an open bar and a decently catered meal. Wedding Crashers was a hilarious film based almost entirely on this notion. Knowing my friends, I'm surprised that none of them have had one of those spur of the moment weddings in Las Vegas at a 24 hour chapel with an Elvis impersonator like in What Happens In Vegas and Love Stinks. Speaking of Vegas, there are a lot of movies featuring the pre-wedding bachelor party going there and everything running amuck like in Very Bad Things. But don't get me wrong, those intimate family weddings following years of tradition are cool too. With kilts and bagpipes, Mike Myers has a traditional Scottish wedding in So I Married An Axe Murderer; Mira Nair showed us the ups and downs of an arranged Indian marriage in Monsoon Wedding; and of course Disney has perverted the minds of millions of young girls by making them believe that fairy tale weddings like in Enchanted, etc are the only way to get married (which has resulted in films like Bride Wars when everything doesn't go right). [/quote] I'm looking through this list and realizing that movies that feature heavily on weddings tend to turn me off.  I'm not sure why exactly.  I'll have to do some soul searching. But has anyone ever seen The Ruling Class?  That features what is probably one of the funniest at the alter scenes I've ever watched.  Between Alastair Sim and Peter O'Toole I was just doubled over!<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:06:05 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>Risselada</spout:postby><spout:postto>Weekly Theme</spout:postto><spout:postdate>4/17/2009 2:06:05 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>[quote user="mercurial"] I've finally reached that age where it seems all of my friends are getting married. The ceremonies are fun: watching my buddies committing their lives to a person they love, but what is even better is when there is an open bar and a decently catered meal. Wedding Crashers was a hilarious film based almost entirely on this notion. Knowing my friends, I'm surprised that none of them have had one of those spur of the moment weddings in Las Vegas at a 24 hour chapel with an Elvis impersonator like in What Happens In Vegas and Love Stinks. Speaking of Vegas, there are a lot of movies featuring the pre-wedding bachelor party going there and everything running amuck like in Very Bad Things. But don't get me wrong, those intimate family weddings following years of tradition are cool too. With kilts and bagpipes, Mike Myers has a traditional Scottish wedding in So I Married An Axe Murderer; Mira Nair showed us the ups and downs of an arranged Indian marriage in Monsoon Wedding; and of course Disney has perverted the minds of millions of young girls by making them believe that fairy tale weddings like in Enchanted, etc are the only way to get married (which has resulted in films like Bride Wars when everything doesn't go right). [/quote] I'm looking through this list and realizing that movies that feature heavily on weddings tend to turn me off.  I'm not sure why exactly.  I'll have to do some soul searching. But has anyone ever seen The Ruling Class?  That features what is probably one of the funniest at the alter scenes I've ever watched.  Between Alastair Sim and Peter O'Toole I was just doubled over!</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Weekly Theme for April 13: Going To The Chapel</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Weekly_Theme_for_April_13_Going_To_The_Chapel/625/41584/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/119628/default.aspx'>mercurial</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/discussions.aspx'>Weekly Theme</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 4/13/2009 4:41:51 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> I've finally reached that age where it seems all of my friends are getting married. The ceremonies are fun: watching my buddies committing their lives to a person they love, but what is even better is when there is an open bar and a decently catered meal. Wedding Crashers was a hilarious film based almost entirely on this notion. Knowing my friends, I'm surprised that none of them have had one of those spur of the moment weddings in Las Vegas at a 24 hour chapel with an Elvis impersonator like in What Happens In Vegas and Love Stinks. Speaking of Vegas, there are a lot of movies featuring the pre-wedding bachelor party going there and everything running amuck like in Very Bad Things. But don't get me wrong, those intimate family weddings following years of tradition are cool too. With kilts and bagpipes, Mike Myers has a traditional Scottish wedding in So I Married An Axe Murderer; Mira Nair showed us the ups and downs of an arranged Indian marriage in Monsoon Wedding; and of course Disney has perverted the minds of millions of young girls by making them believe that fairy tale weddings like in Enchanted, etc are the only way to get married (which has resulted in films like Bride Wars when everything doesn't go right).<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:41:51 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>mercurial</spout:postby><spout:postto>Weekly Theme</spout:postto><spout:postdate>4/13/2009 4:41:51 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>I've finally reached that age where it seems all of my friends are getting married. The ceremonies are fun: watching my buddies committing their lives to a person they love, but what is even better is when there is an open bar and a decently catered meal. Wedding Crashers was a hilarious film based almost entirely on this notion. Knowing my friends, I'm surprised that none of them have had one of those spur of the moment weddings in Las Vegas at a 24 hour chapel with an Elvis impersonator like in What Happens In Vegas and Love Stinks. Speaking of Vegas, there are a lot of movies featuring the pre-wedding bachelor party going there and everything running amuck like in Very Bad Things. But don't get me wrong, those intimate family weddings following years of tradition are cool too. With kilts and bagpipes, Mike Myers has a traditional Scottish wedding in So I Married An Axe Murderer; Mira Nair showed us the ups and downs of an arranged Indian marriage in Monsoon Wedding; and of course Disney has perverted the minds of millions of young girls by making them believe that fairy tale weddings like in Enchanted, etc are the only way to get married (which has resulted in films like Bride Wars when everything doesn't go right).</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Not Quite as Enchanted As I'd Hoped</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/12/22/38706.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/2227/default.aspx'>pippin06</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/default.aspx'>Reel Thoughts</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 12/22/2008 12:05:42 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Last week, when I normally would fill my evening with an AFI movie, I elected to watch Enchanted instantly on Netflix instead.  A) I was in the mood for something light and frothy and, most importantly, short.  2) The next AFI movie on the list is Doctor Zhivago, which is better than 3 hours long.  And D) I've been wanting to see this movie since its release, I never had the chance to, and it was available instantly.  It's a musical fantasy (two of my favorite things!), it was nominated for Oscars (another of my favorite things!), it's a Disney film (that too!).  Really, this movie had possibilities and potential written all over it...and to that end, I probably expected too much and was bound to be a little disappointed...   Enchanted tells the story of Giselle (Amy Adams), a princess in the making who sings, in animated form, to her animal friends about finding her true love.  Luckily for her, Prince Edward (James Marsden - can you believe this guy was Cyclops?) happens to be riding along on his horse and hears her melodious merry-making.  Unluckily for her, Edward's evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), covets her queenly rule, which she would have to give up if Edward married a beautiful princess.  So, she contrives to kill sweet Giselle on their wedding day but, instead, settles for accidentally pushing her down a seemingly bottomless well.  Giselle then magically pops up through a Manhattan sewer, very much three-dimensional, and a stranger in a strange world.  While she tries to find her way back, or, at least, another handsome prince to rescue her, a divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey - aka McDreamy) and his young daughter find her.  Cynical about love as a divorcee himself, though engaged to another woman (Idina Menzel), McDreamy (since I can't remember his character name) doesn't understand Giselle's bubbly views on love and her uncanny ability to sing about everything and command animals such as rats and cockroaches to clean up his apartment.  He also tries to convince his daughter that fairy tales aren't real, though Giselle's very existence validates her dreams.  Yet, McDreamy tries to help Giselle against his better wishes while Edward follows the path of the well, looking for his true love, and Narissa sends her covetous henchman (Timothy Spall, aka, Wormtail) to finish the job she started.   Like I said, Enchanted had potential for me; the whole movie should have been right up my alley in every way possible.  The trouble is, I was more than a little bored.   The least boring part was Amy Adams, whose characterization of Giselle brought many smiles to my face.  She plays and overplays the princess type very well, and there probably could not have been a more perfect casting choice.  She made me believe, even while my mind sort of numbed over.  I liked James Marsden too, who was so crazy over-the-top, it was hard to not to find him a hoot.   I also enjoyed the songs, three of which were nominated for Oscars that weren't ultimately won.  Alan Menken (long-time Disney composer) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, anyone?) constructed some toe-tapping little numbers and some schmaltzy tunes that worked very well for this clever little send-up.   I also appreciated the fact that Disney was mocking itself most of the movie, complete with cameos and roles filled by some actresses that voiced other Disney princesses (Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel the Little Mermaid, for example, was the secretary, Sam).  That shows the studio's maturity under its current administration, for this kind of send-up would never have been produced under Eisner's Disney.  Furthermore, we got to see some 2-D animation again, which I really sort of miss under the current barrage of CGI animated flicks.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Pixar to pieces, but I pull out my favorite Disney movies that were made long before computers too.  I think it's an art form that could use a Renaissance.   Also, some of the production elements were outstanding.  I particularly dug the costume design, from Giselle's many dresses made from curtains to Edward's Prince Charming motif to Narissa's Maleficent-like attire.   Like I said, though, I was kind of bored.  McDreamy was out of his element playing a mostly humorless straight man and was written and sounded, frankly, a little too much like McDreamy (as in the actual character).  The plot was largely predictable - even moreso than standard Disney fare, and the animation wasn't wonderful even though the fact of it was a pleasure to see again.  The plot was also a bit contrived in spots (such as the ending) if not nonsensical (the divorcing couple falling in love again just because Giselle called the woman beautiful and stuff).  I just couldn't get into the movie with any firm hold, and the comedy was mostly limited to slapstick mixed with a little farce, which is funny but not, you know, deep into clever territory, even if the hundreds of Disney references and visual nods were.   That's not to say that the movie wasn't cute, and that I didn't have fun.  I enjoyed spotting the Disney references, for example, and those other elements I described above left me entertained.  A few people who recommended the film to me called it a "hoot," and I think that's a fair description.  I enjoyed it; I liked it.  It was like vanilla cake to me.  I like vanilla cake, I'll eat it, but it's not my favorite because it's not as flavorful and delicious as chocolate cake.  Enchanted is vanilla cake, see?  Anyways, I rate Enchanted a 7 for being shaky but entertaining because there were more than some minor flaws, but I could still snap along to the songs (the one in Central Park was my favorite) and laugh at the silliness for a good portion of the film.  As for the test - well, meh, I don't know.  Maybe if I watched it again I could make a better decision, but for right now, it's not quite a test passer for me.  As the title of this entry says, Enchanted left me less enchanted than I'd hoped.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:05:42 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>pippin06</spout:postby><spout:postto>Reel Thoughts</spout:postto><spout:postdate>12/22/2008 12:05:42 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Last week, when I normally would fill my evening with an AFI movie, I elected to watch Enchanted instantly on Netflix instead.  A) I was in the mood for something light and frothy and, most importantly, short.  2) The next AFI movie on the list is Doctor Zhivago, which is better than 3 hours long.  And D) I've been wanting to see this movie since its release, I never had the chance to, and it was available instantly.  It's a musical fantasy (two of my favorite things!), it was nominated for Oscars (another of my favorite things!), it's a Disney film (that too!).  Really, this movie had possibilities and potential written all over it...and to that end, I probably expected too much and was bound to be a little disappointed...   Enchanted tells the story of Giselle (Amy Adams), a princess in the making who sings, in animated form, to her animal friends about finding her true love.  Luckily for her, Prince Edward (James Marsden - can you believe this guy was Cyclops?) happens to be riding along on his horse and hears her melodious merry-making.  Unluckily for her, Edward's evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), covets her queenly rule, which she would have to give up if Edward married a beautiful princess.  So, she contrives to kill sweet Giselle on their wedding day but, instead, settles for accidentally pushing her down a seemingly bottomless well.  Giselle then magically pops up through a Manhattan sewer, very much three-dimensional, and a stranger in a strange world.  While she tries to find her way back, or, at least, another handsome prince to rescue her, a divorce lawyer (Patrick Dempsey - aka McDreamy) and his young daughter find her.  Cynical about love as a divorcee himself, though engaged to another woman (Idina Menzel), McDreamy (since I can't remember his character name) doesn't understand Giselle's bubbly views on love and her uncanny ability to sing about everything and command animals such as rats and cockroaches to clean up his apartment.  He also tries to convince his daughter that fairy tales aren't real, though Giselle's very existence validates her dreams.  Yet, McDreamy tries to help Giselle against his better wishes while Edward follows the path of the well, looking for his true love, and Narissa sends her covetous henchman (Timothy Spall, aka, Wormtail) to finish the job she started.   Like I said, Enchanted had potential for me; the whole movie should have been right up my alley in every way possible.  The trouble is, I was more than a little bored.   The least boring part was Amy Adams, whose characterization of Giselle brought many smiles to my face.  She plays and overplays the princess type very well, and there probably could not have been a more perfect casting choice.  She made me believe, even while my mind sort of numbed over.  I liked James Marsden too, who was so crazy over-the-top, it was hard to not to find him a hoot.   I also enjoyed the songs, three of which were nominated for Oscars that weren't ultimately won.  Alan Menken (long-time Disney composer) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, anyone?) constructed some toe-tapping little numbers and some schmaltzy tunes that worked very well for this clever little send-up.   I also appreciated the fact that Disney was mocking itself most of the movie, complete with cameos and roles filled by some actresses that voiced other Disney princesses (Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel the Little Mermaid, for example, was the secretary, Sam).  That shows the studio's maturity under its current administration, for this kind of send-up would never have been produced under Eisner's Disney.  Furthermore, we got to see some 2-D animation again, which I really sort of miss under the current barrage of CGI animated flicks.  Don't get me wrong, I love my Pixar to pieces, but I pull out my favorite Disney movies that were made long before computers too.  I think it's an art form that could use a Renaissance.   Also, some of the production elements were outstanding.  I particularly dug the costume design, from Giselle's many dresses made from curtains to Edward's Prince Charming motif to Narissa's Maleficent-like attire.   Like I said, though, I was kind of bored.  McDreamy was out of his element playing a mostly humorless straight man and was written and sounded, frankly, a little too much like McDreamy (as in the actual character).  The plot was largely predictable - even moreso than standard Disney fare, and the animation wasn't wonderful even though the fact of it was a pleasure to see again.  The plot was also a bit contrived in spots (such as the ending) if not nonsensical (the divorcing couple falling in love again just because Giselle called the woman beautiful and stuff).  I just couldn't get into the movie with any firm hold, and the comedy was mostly limited to slapstick mixed with a little farce, which is funny but not, you know, deep into clever territory, even if the hundreds of Disney references and visual nods were.   That's not to say that the movie wasn't cute, and that I didn't have fun.  I enjoyed spotting the Disney references, for example, and those other elements I described above left me entertained.  A few people who recommended the film to me called it a "hoot," and I think that's a fair description.  I enjoyed it; I liked it.  It was like vanilla cake to me.  I like vanilla cake, I'll eat it, but it's not my favorite because it's not as flavorful and delicious as chocolate cake.  Enchanted is vanilla cake, see?  Anyways, I rate Enchanted a 7 for being shaky but entertaining because there were more than some minor flaws, but I could still snap along to the songs (the one in Central Park was my favorite) and laugh at the silliness for a good portion of the film.  As for the test - well, meh, I don't know.  Maybe if I watched it again I could make a better decision, but for right now, it's not quite a test passer for me.  As the title of this entry says, Enchanted left me less enchanted than I'd hoped.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Collaboration - Best Films of 2007</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Community_Recommendations/Re_Collaboration_Best_Films_of_2007/643/37905/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/119628/default.aspx'>mercurial</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Community_Recommendations/643/discussions.aspx'>Community Recommendations</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 12/3/2008 4:13:53 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> In no particular order: 1.) Persepolis - I really enjoyed this animated bildungsroman. 2.) 300 - I know it got a lot of flack, but damn if it wasn't one of the coolest looking movies. Nudity, blood, gore, and violence to the umpteenth degree. No extraneous thought necessary and I liked it. 3.) Year of the Dog - Molly Shannon in an amazing role for her. The vegan, PETA freak subject matter turned a good amount of people off this film but definitely worth a look. 4.) Waitress - Keri Russel is just so darn lovable in this flick it's practically unbearable. 5.) Grindhouse - Again, lots of divided people with this one. Some loved just one of the two films or hated it with a passion. I loved the whole thing (especially the faux trailers during intermission). 6.) Southland Tales - The convoluted plot and army of bizarre characters made this one unwatchable for some . . . but not for me. 7.) Margot at the Wedding - Just a great little emotional romper-stomper screwball comedy. 8.) Angel-A - Luc Besson is the shit. In a non-stinky poo kind of way. Great movie. 9.) Smiley Face - Completely unlike Gregg Araki's other films, but Anna Faris is unbelievably hilarious in this film. 10.) Ira &amp; Abby - Quirky romantic comedy. I'm a sucker for those.   Some family flicks that were also pretty good: Hairspray - Nothing like the original, but decent nonetheless. The Last Mimzy - Adorable little sci-fi flick for kids. Shrek the Third - I actually thought I would despise this considering the second film in the series annoyed me considerably, but I actually enjoyed it. Enchanted - Amy Adams carried this live-action fairy tale. <br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:13:53 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>mercurial</spout:postby><spout:postto>Community Recommendations</spout:postto><spout:postdate>12/3/2008 4:13:53 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>In no particular order: 1.) Persepolis - I really enjoyed this animated bildungsroman. 2.) 300 - I know it got a lot of flack, but damn if it wasn't one of the coolest looking movies. Nudity, blood, gore, and violence to the umpteenth degree. No extraneous thought necessary and I liked it. 3.) Year of the Dog - Molly Shannon in an amazing role for her. The vegan, PETA freak subject matter turned a good amount of people off this film but definitely worth a look. 4.) Waitress - Keri Russel is just so darn lovable in this flick it's practically unbearable. 5.) Grindhouse - Again, lots of divided people with this one. Some loved just one of the two films or hated it with a passion. I loved the whole thing (especially the faux trailers during intermission). 6.) Southland Tales - The convoluted plot and army of bizarre characters made this one unwatchable for some . . . but not for me. 7.) Margot at the Wedding - Just a great little emotional romper-stomper screwball comedy. 8.) Angel-A - Luc Besson is the shit. In a non-stinky poo kind of way. Great movie. 9.) Smiley Face - Completely unlike Gregg Araki's other films, but Anna Faris is unbelievably hilarious in this film. 10.) Ira &amp;amp; Abby - Quirky romantic comedy. I'm a sucker for those.   Some family flicks that were also pretty good: Hairspray - Nothing like the original, but decent nonetheless. The Last Mimzy - Adorable little sci-fi flick for kids. Shrek the Third - I actually thought I would despise this considering the second film in the series annoyed me considerably, but I actually enjoyed it. Enchanted - Amy Adams carried this live-action fairy tale. </spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Weekly Theme for October 27: I Put A Spell On You!</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/Re_Weekly_Theme_for_October_27_I_Put_A_Spell_On_Y/625/36903/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/119628/default.aspx'>mercurial</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Weekly_Theme/625/discussions.aspx'>Weekly Theme</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 11/3/2008 1:09:20 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Well, here are a few more that were overlooked: The Addams Family &amp; Addams Family Values  Morticia and Grandma were hilariously sadistic witches. Army of Darkness  Great scene with Ash and a witch . . . Big Trouble in Little China  Wasn't it all about that ancient Chinese warlock coming back? Dune  The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood were just a bunch of bald witches. Excalibur  Merlin and Morgana Le Fey fit the bill perfectly. Love Potion No. 9  Anne Bancroft was more of a witch than a psychic right? Return to Oz  That creepy witch that rotated her heads depending on her mood. Sleepy Hollow  Spooky eyeless witch that admittedly scared the poop out of me when I first saw the film. The Little Mermaid  Ursula was a sea witch. Still a witch. The Nightmare Before Christmas  There were some typical broomstick and wart witches flying around. Willow  Great old lady fight between the good and bad witches. Howl's Moving Castle  incredible anime flick about witches and warlocks in a steampunk like world. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves &amp; Robin Hood: Men In Tights  Shithouse crazy witches with freaky eyes. Enchanted  Fun semi-spoof of classic Disney. With a witch.   and lastly, probably my favorite: Four Rooms  A coven of witches including Madonna in a tight leather dress, Alicia Witt with pasties, and the rest bare breasted trying to resurrect their dominatrix leader from the dead. Good times.  <br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:09:20 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>mercurial</spout:postby><spout:postto>Weekly Theme</spout:postto><spout:postdate>11/3/2008 1:09:20 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Well, here are a few more that were overlooked: The Addams Family &amp;amp; Addams Family Values  Morticia and Grandma were hilariously sadistic witches. Army of Darkness  Great scene with Ash and a witch . . . Big Trouble in Little China  Wasn't it all about that ancient Chinese warlock coming back? Dune  The Bene Gesserit Sisterhood were just a bunch of bald witches. Excalibur  Merlin and Morgana Le Fey fit the bill perfectly. Love Potion No. 9  Anne Bancroft was more of a witch than a psychic right? Return to Oz  That creepy witch that rotated her heads depending on her mood. Sleepy Hollow  Spooky eyeless witch that admittedly scared the poop out of me when I first saw the film. The Little Mermaid  Ursula was a sea witch. Still a witch. The Nightmare Before Christmas  There were some typical broomstick and wart witches flying around. Willow  Great old lady fight between the good and bad witches. Howl's Moving Castle  incredible anime flick about witches and warlocks in a steampunk like world. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves &amp;amp; Robin Hood: Men In Tights  Shithouse crazy witches with freaky eyes. Enchanted  Fun semi-spoof of classic Disney. With a witch.   and lastly, probably my favorite: Four Rooms  A coven of witches including Madonna in a tight leather dress, Alicia Witt with pasties, and the rest bare breasted trying to resurrect their dominatrix leader from the dead. Good times.  </spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Re:Cast BATMAN 3</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_Cast_BATMAN_3/563/33491/1/ShowPost.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/134832/default.aspx'>forticus</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/563/discussions.aspx'>Filmgaming</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 8/3/2008 7:38:52 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong>      Dear Mr. Nolan or To whom it may concern,  The Dark Knight Returns.  While a man hunt is issued for Batman&rsquo;s capture his crusade for Gotham continues.   I want to begin by keeping the realistic, post 911 world that Christopher Nolan has created in Begins and Dark Knight, by continuing to instill paranoia and chaos, the Joker created, thru new characters introduced in Batman 3 (The Dark Knight Returns). It's open season! In my version of Batman 3, I would introduce my spin of the Holiday Killer (son of Carmine Falcone). The Holiday Killer (Joaquin Phoenix)  is a mysterious serial killer that begins murdering the helpless citizens of Gotham at random . The HK remains a mystery for most of the comic book stories, but his method is always the same. The HK's weapon is a .22 caliber pistol (using a rubber baby bottle nipple as the silencer) with the handle taped and the serial number filed off. Also, every crime takes place on a holiday and a small trinket representing each holiday is left behind at the crime scene. Beginning on Halloween and continuing for a full year until the next Halloween. There are red herrings that appear to deepen the mystery of the HK making it almost impossible for Gotham's finest to figure out who he is, pushing Gotham's Dark detective (Batman) to further evolve his detective skills that Nolan established in Dark Knight. Edward Enigma (Guy Pearce) , a paranoid, OCD employed by Wayne Enterprises becomes fixated on solving the mystery of the Holiday Killer. He deduces who the Holiday Killer is but every one ignores him. The longer the HK is left free the more Enigmas&rsquo; paranoia of becoming a victim grows. Enigma&rsquo;s investigation of the HK Leads him to the underbelly of Gotham City where he witnesses a masked vigilante who shoots and kills a petty criminal. Enigma thinks the HK is Batman; he also thinks that Batman has seen his face. Enigma creates a disguise to protect his identity and vows to make Gotham citizens safe from the big bad bat once again. A lover of games he starts leaving Gordon riddles to help capture Batman. Gordon discards the riddles knowing Batman is not the Holiday Killer. Edward learns of this and forms the notion that there are two HKs working together and that they are Gordon and Batman . After the capture of the real Holiday Killer Batman's image is restored in the public eye. Edward believes that everything is a farce and that the American people have been lied to and demands justice on a grand scale. Edward vows once again to capture Batman and make him tell the truth. Let the games begin. Gregorian Falstaf ( Michael Keaton) is a reclusive billionaire and business rival of Bruce Wayne who time and again tries to put Wayne Enterprises out of business. I love the speculation of Philip Seymour Hoffman being approached for the role of a British Arms dealer AKA the Penguin ,since he would be perfect for the role.This makes sense because in Christopher Nolan&rsquo;s Dark Knight, Batman dealt with the mob now let&rsquo;s take care of the guns the criminals use. The chain smoking ,social elite Penguin, would make a cameo role in Batman 3 when Batman goes over seas to Europe. Doing this would open up a number of areas, it would allow Batman his James&rsquo;s Bond moment like he had in Hong Kong (Dark Knight), it would introduce the Penguin for a future role, and it would further establish Gotham City as a real city and part of "our" world. I can imagine them calling him the Penguin because of his savvy tux, because of the way he walks and the black shiny gloves he wears to cover the disfigured shape of his hands both a result of a gun deal gone bad compliments of Batman. A further connection between the Penguin and Gotham City could be established by the viral marketing done for the Dark Knight. The marketing included a Gotham Times Newspaper Ad for the Iceberg Lounge, one of the Penguin's many establishments. You could provide the idea of Penguin owning the night club in which Batman confronted Maroni (Eric Roberts) in the Dark Knight. Penguin has established the club as a legitimate business front for his real operation of gun running for the criminals of Gotham. With the loss of Rachel Dawes, you would need to fill the role of the love interest, a character that not only Bruce Wayne desires but Batman can relate to. A woman that has her own dark secrets. Up curtain on Selena Kyle (Amy Adams), an ex-patient of Arkum Asylum. Selena is one of the many escapees at the end of Batman Begins. Selena already a head case was further traumatized during the escape when she was shot and left for dead in the alleys of the Narrows by frantic police officers. (lending to her dislike of guns) Selena is awed by the power and attention the masked bat commands from Gotham City&lsquo;s criminals. Selena becomes inspired by Batman to create a persona of her own with a taste for the theatrical. No respecter of person, Selena prowls through the night streets as a cat burglar terrorizing the police and stealing from the rich in order to feed her addiction to the Fear-toxin based drug Scarecrow was selling to the Russians at the beginning of Dark Knight. By day Selena poses as Vicki Vale a Psychiatrist at Arkum.  Sickened with herself and the inadequate capture of her fellow inmates, Selena takes justice into her own hands and becomes the self proclaimed doctor of the &ldquo;sick&rdquo; prescribing her own version of medicine. Thus Cat woman is born. Scarecrow can still remain as a lesser villain confined in the walls of the newly established Arkum Asylum (for now). The character of Harvey Dent AKA Two-face will remain pending for future installments. (or are there two Holiday Killers?) Not enough praise can be given to Heath Ledger for the role he portrayed as Joker in Dark Knight. The essence of Heath Ledger&rsquo;s Joker could never be created the same. With that in mind, the Joker character would not be re-invented or used for this movie. The greatest trick the devil ever played, was convincing the world he didn't exist. A scene at the end between Gordon and Batman would tie up any loose ends concerning the Joker. A prison break? Something like, With the help of a crooked cop (Harley Quinn) Joker escaped and vanished with out a trace except for leaving behind a harlequin jester card pinned to the cell wall by one of his knives. It's too soon to have a "new" joker like character. This leaves open the option of Harley Quinn being used in a 4th Batman movie as a copycat joker.Do you wanna know how she got those scars? Go filmspotting! New Roles played by:  Holiday Killer&hellip;Joaquin Phoenix Edward Enigma&hellip;Guy Pearce Penguin&hellip;Philip Seymour Hoffman  Cat woman&hellip;Amy Adams Gregorian Falstaf...Michael Keaton             Honorable Mentions Holiday Killer...Jason Stratham ...Elias Koteas Edward Enigma...David Tennant ...Sam Rockwell Penguin...Albert Finney ...Stephen Graham Catwoman...Angelina Jolie...Sienna Miller Gregorian Falstaf...Tim Curry ...Chris Sarandon          Sincerely,   Brad Hawkins          <br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:38:52 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>forticus</spout:postby><spout:postto>Filmgaming</spout:postto><spout:postdate>8/3/2008 7:38:52 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>     Dear Mr. Nolan or To whom it may concern,  The Dark Knight Returns.  While a man hunt is issued for Batman&amp;rsquo;s capture his crusade for Gotham continues.   I want to begin by keeping the realistic, post 911 world that Christopher Nolan has created in Begins and Dark Knight, by continuing to instill paranoia and chaos, the Joker created, thru new characters introduced in Batman 3 (The Dark Knight Returns). It's open season! In my version of Batman 3, I would introduce my spin of the Holiday Killer (son of Carmine Falcone). The Holiday Killer (Joaquin Phoenix)  is a mysterious serial killer that begins murdering the helpless citizens of Gotham at random . The HK remains a mystery for most of the comic book stories, but his method is always the same. The HK's weapon is a .22 caliber pistol (using a rubber baby bottle nipple as the silencer) with the handle taped and the serial number filed off. Also, every crime takes place on a holiday and a small trinket representing each holiday is left behind at the crime scene. Beginning on Halloween and continuing for a full year until the next Halloween. There are red herrings that appear to deepen the mystery of the HK making it almost impossible for Gotham's finest to figure out who he is, pushing Gotham's Dark detective (Batman) to further evolve his detective skills that Nolan established in Dark Knight. Edward Enigma (Guy Pearce) , a paranoid, OCD employed by Wayne Enterprises becomes fixated on solving the mystery of the Holiday Killer. He deduces who the Holiday Killer is but every one ignores him. The longer the HK is left free the more Enigmas&amp;rsquo; paranoia of becoming a victim grows. Enigma&amp;rsquo;s investigation of the HK Leads him to the underbelly of Gotham City where he witnesses a masked vigilante who shoots and kills a petty criminal. Enigma thinks the HK is Batman; he also thinks that Batman has seen his face. Enigma creates a disguise to protect his identity and vows to make Gotham citizens safe from the big bad bat once again. A lover of games he starts leaving Gordon riddles to help capture Batman. Gordon discards the riddles knowing Batman is not the Holiday Killer. Edward learns of this and forms the notion that there are two HKs working together and that they are Gordon and Batman . After the capture of the real Holiday Killer Batman's image is restored in the public eye. Edward believes that everything is a farce and that the American people have been lied to and demands justice on a grand scale. Edward vows once again to capture Batman and make him tell the truth. Let the games begin. Gregorian Falstaf ( Michael Keaton) is a reclusive billionaire and business rival of Bruce Wayne who time and again tries to put Wayne Enterprises out of business. I love the speculation of Philip Seymour Hoffman being approached for the role of a British Arms dealer AKA the Penguin ,since he would be perfect for the role.This makes sense because in Christopher Nolan&amp;rsquo;s Dark Knight, Batman dealt with the mob now let&amp;rsquo;s take care of the guns the criminals use. The chain smoking ,social elite Penguin, would make a cameo role in Batman 3 when Batman goes over seas to Europe. Doing this would open up a number of areas, it would allow Batman his James&amp;rsquo;s Bond moment like he had in Hong Kong (Dark Knight), it would introduce the Penguin for a future role, and it would further establish Gotham City as a real city and part of "our" world. I can imagine them calling him the Penguin because of his savvy tux, because of the way he walks and the black shiny gloves he wears to cover the disfigured shape of his hands both a result of a gun deal gone bad compliments of Batman. A further connection between the Penguin and Gotham City could be established by the viral marketing done for the Dark Knight. The marketing included a Gotham Times Newspaper Ad for the Iceberg Lounge, one of the Penguin's many establishments. You could provide the idea of Penguin owning the night club in which Batman confronted Maroni (Eric Roberts) in the Dark Knight. Penguin has established the club as a legitimate business front for his real operation of gun running for the criminals of Gotham. With the loss of Rachel Dawes, you would need to fill the role of the love interest, a character that not only Bruce Wayne desires but Batman can relate to. A woman that has her own dark secrets. Up curtain on Selena Kyle (Amy Adams), an ex-patient of Arkum Asylum. Selena is one of the many escapees at the end of Batman Begins. Selena already a head case was further traumatized during the escape when she was shot and left for dead in the alleys of the Narrows by frantic police officers. (lending to her dislike of guns) Selena is awed by the power and attention the masked bat commands from Gotham City&amp;lsquo;s criminals. Selena becomes inspired by Batman to create a persona of her own with a taste for the theatrical. No respecter of person, Selena prowls through the night streets as a cat burglar terrorizing the police and stealing from the rich in order to feed her addiction to the Fear-toxin based drug Scarecrow was selling to the Russians at the beginning of Dark Knight. By day Selena poses as Vicki Vale a Psychiatrist at Arkum.  Sickened with herself and the inadequate capture of her fellow inmates, Selena takes justice into her own hands and becomes the self proclaimed doctor of the &amp;ldquo;sick&amp;rdquo; prescribing her own version of medicine. Thus Cat woman is born. Scarecrow can still remain as a lesser villain confined in the walls of the newly established Arkum Asylum (for now). The character of Harvey Dent AKA Two-face will remain pending for future installments. (or are there two Holiday Killers?) Not enough praise can be given to Heath Ledger for the role he portrayed as Joker in Dark Knight. The essence of Heath Ledger&amp;rsquo;s Joker could never be created the same. With that in mind, the Joker character would not be re-invented or used for this movie. The greatest trick the devil ever played, was convincing the world he didn't exist. A scene at the end between Gordon and Batman would tie up any loose ends concerning the Joker. A prison break? Something like, With the help of a crooked cop (Harley Quinn) Joker escaped and vanished with out a trace except for leaving behind a harlequin jester card pinned to the cell wall by one of his knives. It's too soon to have a "new" joker like character. This leaves open the option of Harley Quinn being used in a 4th Batman movie as a copycat joker.Do you wanna know how she got those scars? Go filmspotting! New Roles played by:  Holiday Killer&amp;hellip;Joaquin Phoenix Edward Enigma&amp;hellip;Guy Pearce Penguin&amp;hellip;Philip Seymour Hoffman  Cat woman&amp;hellip;Amy Adams Gregorian Falstaf...Michael Keaton             Honorable Mentions Holiday Killer...Jason Stratham ...Elias Koteas Edward Enigma...David Tennant ...Sam Rockwell Penguin...Albert Finney ...Stephen Graham Catwoman...Angelina Jolie...Sienna Miller Gregorian Falstaf...Tim Curry ...Chris Sarandon          Sincerely,   Brad Hawkins          </spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Disaster the Movie. Clip of the Day</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/6/24/31612.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 6/24/2008 2:02:23 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> 
Last night, the trailer for Disaster Movie premiered on MySpace. You can watch it after the jump. But considering it’s completely lacking in disaster spoofage, I’ve instead reserved the top spot for Disaster! (aka Disaster the Movie!), a claymation feature from a few years back that appears to have done much better with the disaster genre parody. Plus, it co-stars Motley Crue (in clay form, that is).
What does this Disaster Movie have? Apparently parodies of all this summer’s blockbusters (maybe Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer should have titled this one “Summer 2008 Movie” instead?). There are jokes on Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk and Hancock (maybe Friedberg and Seltzer are upset that someone else made Superhero Movie?) as well as Sex and the City meets You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (via Juno). Oh and there are some lame Hannah Montana and Enchanted references thrown in, too. Where are the disaster movies? Who knows? Maybe the title actually refers to the fact that this movie is a disaster.

Disaster Movie in HD
 Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:02:23 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>6/24/2008 2:02:23 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>
Last night, the trailer for Disaster Movie premiered on MySpace. You can watch it after the jump. But considering it’s completely lacking in disaster spoofage, I’ve instead reserved the top spot for Disaster! (aka Disaster the Movie!), a claymation feature from a few years back that appears to have done much better with the disaster genre parody. Plus, it co-stars Motley Crue (in clay form, that is).
What does this Disaster Movie have? Apparently parodies of all this summer’s blockbusters (maybe Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer should have titled this one “Summer 2008 Movie” instead?). There are jokes on Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk and Hancock (maybe Friedberg and Seltzer are upset that someone else made Superhero Movie?) as well as Sex and the City meets You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (via Juno). Oh and there are some lame Hannah Montana and Enchanted references thrown in, too. Where are the disaster movies? Who knows? Maybe the title actually refers to the fact that this movie is a disaster.

Disaster Movie in HD
 Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: I Dream of Better Effects. Clip of the Day</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/6/16/31276.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/9325/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/default.aspx'>SpoutBlog on spout.com</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 6/16/2008 12:00:28 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> 
Last week it was announced that yet another screenwriter has been hired to pen a draft of the I Dream of Jeannie movie. This time it’s Rita Hsiao, who worked on Disney’s Mulan, Toy Story 2 and Enchanted. Reportedly there’s already been at least five writers on board, but apparently producer Sid Ganis (Duece Bigalow: Male Gigalo) wants the thing to be perfect.
Well, how hard could it be to come up with a plot for the thing? Just combine the storylines from the TV movies I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later and I Still Dream of Jeannie, both of which opened the series up to more drama and thrills, such as the tense outer space sequence from 15 Years Later seen in the video above. Just budget for some better effects, and that sequence could make the Jeannie movie a blockbuster comparable to Armageddon.

OK, I’m joking, but only a little. The Jeannie movie really should venture into the space travel angle, putting Major Nelson and Jeannie in danger (in I Still Dream, with Nelson long gone on a mission, Jeannie finds out she can’t stay in the real world without a master). And why not also include the female astronaut that Nelson may be having an affair with? And then also have Jeannie shrug off her submissive role in order to become an empowered woman? Such a subplot may have been more relevant to the time of 15 Years Later (it aired in the mid ’80s), but there’s something still wrong about exaggerated female domestication another 20 years later.
That reminds me of another plot idea: Jeannie vs. Kazaam (or Haji). In which the two genies battle over who has had it worse throughout history, women or blacks. Then in true versus-plot tradition, they finally unite in agreement that they should really be battling the greater evil: Major Nelson, the oppressive white man.
One more thing: as long as I’m claiming devotion to bad ’80s TV movies and suggesting they be used as inspiration for the Jeannie script, here’s some more advice for Ganis: cast Mackenzie Astin and Nicole Eggert as Nelson and Jeannie, as nothing more than an homage to 15 Years Later. They may not be big names these days, but if there’s enough money spent on special effects, you don’t need the stars to be Will Ferrell and Cameron Diaz. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:00:28 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>SpoutBlog</spout:postby><spout:postto>SpoutBlog on spout.com</spout:postto><spout:postdate>6/16/2008 12:00:28 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>
Last week it was announced that yet another screenwriter has been hired to pen a draft of the I Dream of Jeannie movie. This time it’s Rita Hsiao, who worked on Disney’s Mulan, Toy Story 2 and Enchanted. Reportedly there’s already been at least five writers on board, but apparently producer Sid Ganis (Duece Bigalow: Male Gigalo) wants the thing to be perfect.
Well, how hard could it be to come up with a plot for the thing? Just combine the storylines from the TV movies I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later and I Still Dream of Jeannie, both of which opened the series up to more drama and thrills, such as the tense outer space sequence from 15 Years Later seen in the video above. Just budget for some better effects, and that sequence could make the Jeannie movie a blockbuster comparable to Armageddon.

OK, I’m joking, but only a little. The Jeannie movie really should venture into the space travel angle, putting Major Nelson and Jeannie in danger (in I Still Dream, with Nelson long gone on a mission, Jeannie finds out she can’t stay in the real world without a master). And why not also include the female astronaut that Nelson may be having an affair with? And then also have Jeannie shrug off her submissive role in order to become an empowered woman? Such a subplot may have been more relevant to the time of 15 Years Later (it aired in the mid ’80s), but there’s something still wrong about exaggerated female domestication another 20 years later.
That reminds me of another plot idea: Jeannie vs. Kazaam (or Haji). In which the two genies battle over who has had it worse throughout history, women or blacks. Then in true versus-plot tradition, they finally unite in agreement that they should really be battling the greater evil: Major Nelson, the oppressive white man.
One more thing: as long as I’m claiming devotion to bad ’80s TV movies and suggesting they be used as inspiration for the Jeannie script, here’s some more advice for Ganis: cast Mackenzie Astin and Nicole Eggert as Nelson and Jeannie, as nothing more than an homage to 15 Years Later. They may not be big names these days, but if there’s enough money spent on special effects, you don’t need the stars to be Will Ferrell and Cameron Diaz. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Enchanted (2007)</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/jj79/archive/2008/6/6/30614.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/16043/default.aspx'>JJ79</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/jj79/default.aspx'>JJ79 Blog</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 6/6/2008 12:59:07 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Released: November 21, 2007Director: Kevin Lima*****Every once in a while, a movie comes along which flips convention on its head.  It takes what we know, contorts it into something else and gives us a fresh experience.  Just at a time when Disney films had become cliche, Enchanted came along, made fun of every tradition and allowed us to believe again, if only for a couple of hours.  Princess-to-be Giselle (Amy Adams) is transported to modern day New York courtesy of her evil step-mother-to-be, Narissa (Susan Sarandon).  There, she meets lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey), a man who has all but given up on the things Giselle believes in: true love forever and ever.  When Prince Edward (James Marsden) braves the mean New York streets to find his beloved, a new world awaits him.  And possibly a new love.What Enchanted does so well is blend tried and true Disney ideas-lavish production numbers, animals flocking to a princess, hopelessly naive characters, an evil queen-and makes fun of them without actually making fun of them.  First and foremost is Amy Adams as Giselle, quite possibly the best bit of acting from a lead actress in 2007.  She is completely believable at every turn, from not knowing what a date is to taking matters into her own hands at the end.  There is a naivety in everything she does, yet she isn't a stupid character.  Marsden, in another of his broad and pompous characters, overacts, sometimes quite outrageously so.  But we believe his personae based on what Adams brings to the table beforehand.If there is a weak link, it is Robert, his daughter Morgan and girlfriend Nancy.  They are plot contrivances and feel like afterthoughts in most scenes.  Morgan especially is thrown in for apparently no good reason.  She has no critical part in the narrative nor does she appear on screen in the climactic finale.  Nancy, for her part, isn't given anything of substance to do, though her eventual fate jives nearly perfectly with what we know of her.The finale, featuring Susan Sarandon in full diva mode, rings just a bit hollow and sped up, as if a certain running time had to be met instead of a naturally flowing story.  It's not enough to derail Enchanted, a story about learning to be critical, but not too critical as to miss what is staring you in the face.  A bit of a hammy message to be sure, but also an endearing one in true Disney style.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:59:07 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>JJ79</spout:postby><spout:postto>JJ79 Blog</spout:postto><spout:postdate>6/6/2008 12:59:07 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Released: November 21, 2007Director: Kevin Lima*****Every once in a while, a movie comes along which flips convention on its head.  It takes what we know, contorts it into something else and gives us a fresh experience.  Just at a time when Disney films had become cliche, Enchanted came along, made fun of every tradition and allowed us to believe again, if only for a couple of hours.  Princess-to-be Giselle (Amy Adams) is transported to modern day New York courtesy of her evil step-mother-to-be, Narissa (Susan Sarandon).  There, she meets lawyer Robert (Patrick Dempsey), a man who has all but given up on the things Giselle believes in: true love forever and ever.  When Prince Edward (James Marsden) braves the mean New York streets to find his beloved, a new world awaits him.  And possibly a new love.What Enchanted does so well is blend tried and true Disney ideas-lavish production numbers, animals flocking to a princess, hopelessly naive characters, an evil queen-and makes fun of them without actually making fun of them.  First and foremost is Amy Adams as Giselle, quite possibly the best bit of acting from a lead actress in 2007.  She is completely believable at every turn, from not knowing what a date is to taking matters into her own hands at the end.  There is a naivety in everything she does, yet she isn't a stupid character.  Marsden, in another of his broad and pompous characters, overacts, sometimes quite outrageously so.  But we believe his personae based on what Adams brings to the table beforehand.If there is a weak link, it is Robert, his daughter Morgan and girlfriend Nancy.  They are plot contrivances and feel like afterthoughts in most scenes.  Morgan especially is thrown in for apparently no good reason.  She has no critical part in the narrative nor does she appear on screen in the climactic finale.  Nancy, for her part, isn't given anything of substance to do, though her eventual fate jives nearly perfectly with what we know of her.The finale, featuring Susan Sarandon in full diva mode, rings just a bit hollow and sped up, as if a certain running time had to be met instead of a naturally flowing story.  It's not enough to derail Enchanted, a story about learning to be critical, but not too critical as to miss what is staring you in the face.  A bit of a hammy message to be sure, but also an endearing one in true Disney style.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Post: Enchanted</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/blogs/capeach/archive/2008/5/22/29750.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div><img align='left' src='http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s278364.jpg' hspace='10' style='height:80px;' />
<strong>Post By:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/members/132514/default.aspx'>CaPeach</a><br/>
<strong>Post To:</strong> <a href='http://www.spout.com/blogs/capeach/default.aspx'>CaPeach Blog</a><br/>
<strong>Post Date:</strong> 5/22/2008 1:19:13 PM<br/>
<strong>Body:</strong> Lots of fun music. This princess is a bit like all the Disney princesses.  Animals follow her, it was love at first sight and stanza with a handsome prince, and there's a wicked stepmotherwith her own chemical plant.  So like the movies Shrek and Hoodwinked , it's a sing-along fairytale smoothie.<br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 17:19:13 GMT</pubDate><spout:postby>CaPeach</spout:postby><spout:postto>CaPeach Blog</spout:postto><spout:postdate>5/22/2008 1:19:13 PM</spout:postdate><spout:body>Lots of fun music. This princess is a bit like all the Disney princesses.  Animals follow her, it was love at first sight and stanza with a handsome prince, and there's a wicked stepmotherwith her own chemical plant.  So like the movies Shrek and Hoodwinked , it's a sing-along fairytale smoothie.</spout:body></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:love</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>love</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 12477</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 336</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 1475</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:13:41 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>12477</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>336</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>1475</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:funny</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/funny/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>funny</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 606</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 315</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 939</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:40:23 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>606</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>315</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>939</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:Loved-It</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Loved-It/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/Loved-It/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>Loved-It</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 509</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 179</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 921</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:56:35 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>509</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>179</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>921</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:romance</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/romance/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/romance/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>romance</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 7160</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 169</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 1002</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:50:40 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>7160</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>169</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>1002</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:amazing</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/amazing/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/amazing/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>amazing</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 179</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 158</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 253</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:49:13 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>179</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>158</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>253</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:fun</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/fun/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/fun/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>fun</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 459</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 142</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 296</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:23:09 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>459</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>142</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>296</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:fantasy</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/fantasy/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/fantasy/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>fantasy</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1044</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 128</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 480</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:54:25 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1044</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>128</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>480</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:musical</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/musical/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/musical/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>musical</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 174</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 109</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 356</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:03:25 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>174</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>109</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>356</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:cute</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/cute/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/cute/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>cute</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 209</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 98</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 313</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:39:21 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>209</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>98</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>313</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:adventure</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/adventure/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/adventure/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>adventure</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 227</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 95</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 367</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:34:17 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>227</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>95</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>367</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:divorce</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/divorce/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/divorce/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>divorce</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 1042</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 45</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 121</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:35:44 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>1042</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>45</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>121</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:fairytale</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/fairytale/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/fairytale/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>fairytale</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 197</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 45</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 80</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:04:51 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>197</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>45</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>80</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:evil</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/evil/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/evil/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>evil</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 885</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 42</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 79</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:19:10 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>885</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>42</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>79</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:disney</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/disney/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/disney/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>disney</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 70</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 39</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 128</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:53:40 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>70</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>39</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>128</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
    <item>
      <title>Spout Tag:true</title>
      <link>http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/true/MemberTagFilms.aspx</link><description><![CDATA[<div style='display:block;height:120px;width:400px;font:10px/10px Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;'><a href='/members/0/tags/true/MemberTagFilms.aspx'>true</a>
<strong><br/> Number of films tagged:</strong> 42</br><br/>
<strong>Number of people who tagged:</strong> 37</br><br/>
<strong>Number of times used:</strong> 51</br><br/>
</div>]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:25:13 GMT</pubDate><spout:numFilms>42</spout:numFilms><spout:numPeople>37</spout:numPeople><spout:timesUsed>51</spout:timesUsed><spout:type>Tag</spout:type></item>
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