Dead Like Me was a comedy drama TV series that aired in Showtime from 2003 to 2004. The show had a creative and well developing story, humor, some drama , and very good acting that in my opinion had everything to be extended at least two or more seasons that unfortunately for many fans the series was cut short and unresolved leaving the fans expecting for more. Fortunately, aster 5 years of waiting all the uncertainties left in the series are going to be answer, well.. Not really, but at least Dead Like Me: Life After Death , a full length movie based on the show, will leave the fans with a better feeling than the inconclusive second season.

As I was watching the movie, I could not helped to relate it to the show, as matter of fact I did not feel that I was watching a movie, but just a long episode of the series. Nonetheless, I was pleased, the director was able to re introduced the characters and situations from the series in to a new audience without creating a feeling of repetition and annoyance to already fans of the series. Also the same style from the series was kept where we have George reflecting as the story progresses, also that they kept a sort of timeline where all the characters have evolved since the last time it was aired. From the beginning of the movie the audience is transported to George’s universe and it is kept satisfy to the end. This is also helped for the returning cast performance. Ellen Muth, Callum Blue, and Jasmine Guy, conserved that undead chemistry that made fans fall in loved with them and the series, also Britt Mckillip, and Cynthia Stevenson and specially Cristine Willes gives the audience the best drama and humor that keep us in a non ending happy time.

Unfortunately, the movie has major flaws that might annoy returning fans, first the writers omitted major pre- establish rules that were set during the series and added more to the conflict of the main characters, specially the one involving the relationship between George and her family. Also the story is not delivery correctly, as it begins with a promising plot as it develops some of the characters main characteristics are distorted to an extreme point and when they try to bring everything to normal everything looks too forced. And the number one flaw of the series is called Daisy Adair, who is interpreted by Sarah Wynter is the major disappointment the movie has. Sarah is a talented actress but somehow she fails to fill Laura Harris shoes with her performance as one of the funniest characters. In some scenes she looks as she is not even trying, in other she is just trying too much, looking goofy and silly. It would have been better that the producer and writers would of taken the same approach as they did with Rube (Mandy Patinkin) and introduced her as a new character. For some reason she lacks the chemistry that the other three reapers had.

Overall, I think this is a movie that everyone would enjoy. I think fans of the series would have split opinions about this one. Personally, I liked the movie, it was gratifying seen this characters one more time. The story is kind of shaky and some performances are not as good as the original, but keeping in mind that it has been 5 years since the last episode, I think that the main story was kept intact, although the ending appears to be the ultimate ending for the series, I hope a follow up DVD or show is on its way. I recommend this movie to everyone who enjoyed the show, so they can come out with their own conclusions, also to people who have not knowledge of the series and enjoy cynical and smart comedy, it’s a good choice but I recommend to check the TV Show first to learn the mythology behind it.

Review By milo

Release Date: February 17, 2009

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After the big success of “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2“, which many people call the new Grease phenomenon, Disney didn’t wait long to take this popular series to the big screen in High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The prequel to “Senior Year“, High School Musical 2 was watched by 17.2 millions viewers, making it the most watched cable telecast of all time. Opening the doors for a promising big screen success that will set new records for a musical at the box office .

The film begins very similar to its predecessor with an energetic and extraordinary choreography, performed by the majority of the cast. Setting up the tone for one hour and forty minutes of music and dance, but it is when the popular Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) appears that the story begins.

In general, the story is simple, but effective for its target audience. The last year of high school in which the friends and non friends of East Senior High School will have to decide what‘s next in their lives. Once again the Wild Cats have to prepare a new show, but this time is the last show of their High School life. , which becomes like before, a combination of contagious music and good choreography that will pay big dividends for this movie. The music is as good as the last two almost with the same type of cuts.

Just like in previous installments of the franchise, there is not much room to think that the success for this movie can be attributed to Zac Efron, who is basically the heart of the movie. It is not to take anything away from the rest of the cast, but taking into consideration the popularity he gained from the first 2 movies. He definitely developed a strong fan base among teen girls.

One point that has to be mentioned was the fact that Kenny Ortega and Peter Barsocchini just decided to not deviate from the formula created in the first 2 films. “If is not broken don’t fix it” and that’s why probably the film will be a big winner at the box office this fall.

Definitely Ortega left the door open for future generations of High School Musicals, by introducing a couple of new sophomores funny characters that will have teens talking about.

The big screen gave Kenny Ortega more room to present outstanding choreographies that can only be appreciated in a movie theater and the result was a couple of energetic and innovative moves that have to be mentioned. The first one is the choreography for the song “A Night To Remember”, which is part of a rehearsal for the final show, performed by the entire cast. However the performance of the song “The Boys Are Back” where Ortega just get lose and creates the most energetic and contagious dances is really the most outstanding choreography of the series performed by Troy (Zac Efron) and Chad (Corbin Bleu).

Overall the film meets its goal. Continuing with the success of the franchise and setting a strong ground for future installments either on TV or in the big screen. What’s next for the big stars of this mega series? Both Zac Efron and Kenny Ortega will reunite in the remake of the musical classic Footloose in 2010.

Like it was expected The “High School Musical 3 Extended Edition” contains the bonus features specially targeted to its fans. For example, bloopers, backstage Disney featuring a behind the scenes of the Prom scene, as well as the cast goodbyes. It also a “Sing Along” compiling all the songs played in the movie.

Review By The Critic
Release Date: February 17, 2009

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All filmmakers strive for realism in their films and what better way to show this than shooting the action from a single cameraman’s point of view. The end result looks like something that was shot accidentally and without professional lighting or film cameras. Although they do use professional lighting and cameras. Just like the box-office hit Cloverfield was filmed; Quarantine is shot in the same vein, expect here the cameraman works for a news team and the reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) is shooting a segment for Night Shift. This night Angela is covering the night shift at a fire department where she meets fireman Jake (Jay Hernandez) and Fletcher (Johnathon Schaech).

The movie spends a lot of time at the fire department introducing the characters. I guess the director was trying to get us to connect with the characters and make us feel something for them for when things start heating up, but ten minutes into the movie I thought I might have put in the wrong DVD and was watching a strange documentary on the attics of fireman. Things do heat up when the fire department gets a call of an emergency at an apartment building. Unfortunately, Angela and her cameraman decide to tag along.

Once at the apartment complex they find that one of the tenants is covered in blood and foaming at the mouth. The tenant attacks one of the assisting police officers and while they try to escort him out of the building to seeking medical attention, they find that the building has been locked down by the CDC. Another tenant, a veterinarian explains that the victims of the virus are exhibiting rabies like symptoms, however this virus progresses much faster. From this point on, the movie is like any other zombie movie, the survivors are picked off one by one. Lucky for the camera man, he gets to live for almost the entire movie.

The movie spends a small amount of time explaining how the virus came to be, which I thought was the most interesting part of the movie. I wish they would have had more on this. Quarantine does has some pretty suspenseful moments and the way the action is shot using the shaky cam makes it look authentic. However, if you’ve seen one to many zombie movies you pretty much have the plot down. Quarantine doesn’t offer anything new here, expect that the virus is now some form of rabies and the only interesting revelations about how the virus came to be don’t go anywhere.

Review By Brad Peterson

Release Date: February 17, 2009

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REVIEW: So Simon Pegg is starring in another movie. Should we expect something along the lines of Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz? The answer is a definite no. This comedy, with a splash of romance, will surprise you with its wit and intelligence. It is very funny with a touch of charming. Simon gives glimpses of the depth of his acting talent. He really shines in this picture and pretty much takes it over, but not from lackluster performances of his co-stars, it’s just that he was that good. His co-stars also shine with decent performances. Kirsten Dunst was sharp and complimented Simon very nicely. Jeff Bridges gave a strong, intimidating performance as Sidney Young’s (Simon Pegg) boss. Megan Fox has one of the most appropriate last names of anyone I know. She expertly plays Sophie Maes, a young, spoiled, not-so-bright up and coming movie star/sex symbol who is willing to do almost any stunt to be on everyone’s headlines. She plays the role almost too good; like it was second nature to her. Put this all together and add a reasonable storyline that actually takes a back seat to the hilarious situations and interactions between these delightful characters and you’ve got a very fun movie to watch.

Although the title of this film might get your attention, many might think it to be corny and I agree. It really doesn’t do the film justice even though it certainly applies. It is the title of the book of which this movie is based and I have a feeling that it is more appropriate as the title of the book than as the title of this movie. But regardless, don’t let the title of this movie throw you off in regards to the quality of it. It will surprise you. The lovable character Sidney Young has but one goal in life, to somehow get “in” the celebrity world. He is a struggling journalist whose ideals and lack of tact severely clash with the people in that world, thus the title. In order for someone to be good at losing friends and alienating people, you know the script has got to be sharp, witty, sarcastic, and quick. In this case it is all of the above which helped make the film that much more enjoyable. The primary back drops for this movie are appropriately the two major celebrity capitals of this country, L.A. and N.Y., and they are both represented in all their glory.

This is the first major motion picture direction for Robert B. Weide who has done a lot of TV work. He did a great job of connecting the viewer with the various characters in such a brief and subtle way as well as keeping the viewer tuned in via the comedy and quick pace of the film. All I can say is that I was surrounded by hard and loud laughter throughout the movie so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you give this movie a chance.

Film Review By Cine Marcos

DVD: The How to Lose Friends and Alienate People DVD is presented in widescreen (1.85:1) format with English 5.1 Dolby Surround sound and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include audio commentaries with director Robert Weide and star Simon Pegg and a making of featurette “Sharp Interviews.”

Release Date: February 17, 2009

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