The Best and Worst Fourth Episodes in a Film Franchise
So the Shrek franchise has reached its fourth episode, quite a rarity in the movie business. Franchise characters often get played out, become boring and story lines get more ridiculous with each outing past an initial sequel. But on occasion a franchise can manage to keep the crowds excited and returning to the megaplexes time and time again.
While Shrek Forever After was better than the last installment it still lacked the magic spark. So this brings up a couple of questions. One, has there ever been a great fourth episode in a film franchise, and two, what are the truly bad ones?
So here we go. But first a few rules, to qualify it must be the fourth film in the franchise and cannot be a prequel, reboot or revamp. So as awesome as Bring It On: In It to Win It was, its direct to video status disqualifies it from the running. And the always controversial Phantom Menaceis is also out, as it was the beginning of a prequel trilogy. Also no spin offs, AKA Wolverine, The Next Karate Kid.
Let’s do the bad ones first since they’re always more fun. In no particular order….
THE BAD ONES
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
There were many problems with Kingdom of the Crystal, but I say it’s biggest casualty was the brilliance of the first three films. And there could never really be a follow up to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While in reality Crystal was not all bad, it was a huge disappointment. The alien story line was not consistent with the ideology of the first three films. There was very little story and Indy’s (Harrison Ford) new enemy, the Russians, did not add the sense of imminent danger like the Nazis. And my heart will never be soft enough to forgive the person who made Shia LaBeouf swing on tree vines with a pack of monkeys. Read more
The Chick Review: ‘The Back-up Plan’
Here at Film Popper we have decided to dish out a weekly Chick Flick as part of our Film Popper 300 review series. I Rachel, am the chick. I review the flicks. On weeks new chick flicks are released I’ll dive in and and give you my certified chick review, on the weeks there aren’t, I’ll visit some of the classic favorites we all know and love… or hate. This week’s movie is one of the latter.
The Back-Up Plan
After a four year break from acting, Jennifer Lopez has returned for The Back-Up Plan which was to be her come back film. But I’m not sure that Plan is going to work out. Lopez plays Zoe, a lonely and distraught woman who decides that after years of bad relationships, she wants to have a family and decides to go the artificial insemination route. Read more
The Best 20 Movie Soundtracks From 2000-2009
Our breakdown of the Last Decade In Music: Part 3
As we begin our last week of January, we promise that it will be the last of our decade summaries. So you won’t have to hear anymore about the decade that was 2000 to 2009. Starting the week off is our breakdown of the Last Decade In Music: Part 3. So here you go, I give you the 20 best Movie Soundtracks of the first decade of the 21st century.
20. Lords of Dogtown
Lords of Dogtown captures the sheer kinetic joy of skateboarding like no other movie. Dogtown features crossover from surfing to skateboarding, so naturally there is an amazing track list of old rock songs and great punk. With the songs worked excellently into the film such as Jimmy Hendrix’s Fire or Black Sabbath’s Iron Man this is a soundtrack all boarders need to get a hold of. Buy Lords of Dogtown
19. School of Rock
A movie punched full of classic rock from Led Zeppelin to The Who this movie literally rocks. And along with some great original rock tracks written for the movie and performed in the film you can’t argue that the School of Rock soundtrack does indeed rock! Buy School of Rock
18. Walk The Line
None of the songs on the soundtrack were actually performed by Johnny Cash, that job was left to the great Joaquin Phoenix. He does an amazing job covering the country star’s song of legend. Backed by Tyler Hilton it is one of the best movies based of a musician that I have seen or more importantly heard. Buy Walk the Line
Top Ten Movie Musicals From 2000-2009
Our breakdown of the Last Decade In Music: Part 2
It was a decade full of masterful blends of musical styles. You’ll notice a couple chart toppers are thrown in out of sympathy but there’s a good reason for them all. Be sure to watch out next week for the top twenty soundtracks of the decade! The List I’m most excited about.
The Top Ten Movie Musicals From 2000-20009
Chicago
10. Chicago
I won’t lie, I was not a big Chicago fan. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I actually disliked the film. However it got so much praise and so much credit for being a great musical I felt as if I couldn’t really leave it off the list, so I gracefully give it my number ten spot. The one thing I will give Chicago, I could almost listen and enjoy the energized jazz music as long as I’m not watching the movie. Buy Chicago
Mamma Mia!
9. Mamma Mia!
A musical based off music from the famous but annoying pop group ABBA. As one of my readers (my mother) said “it’s just a fun movie!” and obviously the music adds to this touch. The music has a Greek pop touch that was changed from the original music of ABBA to better fit the movie style by adding a bit of electric guitar that really seems to throw things for a spin. This one’s for you mom. Buy Mamma Mia!
Across The Universe
8. Across The Universe
Another musical based off of music from a famous pop group! Across The Universe weaves an entire story based solely off of music of The Beatles, naturally it gets a bit trippy at times but the music is indeed catchy. All the songs in the film were written by The Beatles and they have been incorporated perfectly fit the story. Buy Across The Universe [Deluxe Edition]
10 Best Movie Scores From 2000-2009
Our breakdown of the Last Decade In Music: Part 1
Here at Filmpopper.com, we decided to do the 20 best soundtracks from 2000-2009. But as I started to compile the list I thought, how could I possibly compare a musical, to an original score, to a soundtrack loaded with awesome bands? So rather than a top 20 hodgepodge of the decade, I’ve decided to break down the music of the 2000s into three parts. This week we pick the Top 10 movie scores, next week will be top 10 musicals and finally the top 20 soundtracks of the 2000s.
The Top Ten Movie Scores of the Decade (2000-2009)
10. The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai taps into deep Japanese roots and mixes them with the immense knowledge Hans Zimmer has of the orchestra. The music helps to push along the story often shifting moods at just the right time. From majestic peaks to small Japanese villages the score captures the oriental culture perfectly.
9. The Harry Potter series
John William’s work with the Harry Potter series in my opinion was one of the principle items that propelled the movie series so well. With one of the most recognizable tunes this decade it’s no surprise it makes the top ten, especially with the fact that they put out SIX movies in the last 10 years.
8. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
A computer graphic movie based off of a video game known mainly to the gamer community makes the top ten?!?! Well anyone who is familiar with the works of Nobou Uematsu will know he is an amazing composer and has an uncanny ability to propel the story with his music. Plus, One Winged Angel is one of the coolest pieces of orchestra with clashing guitar I’ve ever seen.
7. Gladiator
Hans Zimmer appears again on the list with his remarkable work in Gladiator. The only track I even need to mention would be the remarkably titled The Battle, which simply put sums up the amazing ending to the movie.
6. Big Fish
This might be my other surprise movie of the list. Danny Elfman can tell a story with music, or in this case tell more than one. The music completed each wild tale so well in this movie that you felt like you were actually in the movie listening to each extravagant myth yourself.
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The Best Chick Flicks Of The Decade
Amy Adams in Enchanted
10. Enchanted – 2007
Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey star in this Disney film. Part live action part animation it is a very light hearted movie that parodies all things Disney in the funnest way possible. It perfectly hits the mark between satire and appreciation. An animated Giselle (Adams) falls through a fountain into an unanimated New York City where she meets Robert and falls in love, happily ever after of course.
9. Catch and Release – 2006
Definitely not a happy, feel good movie but a great romantic comedy with an absolutely perfect chick flick ending. When Gray’s (Jennifer Garner) fiancé dies she find out about an affair that he had been having and eventually falls in love with his best friend Fritz (Timothy Olyphant).
8. Just Married – 2003
Ashton Kutcher and the late Brittany Murphey star as Tom and Sarah, a couple whose honeymoon goes way off course. The movie is full of humor and good fun and is perfect for an amusing night of laughs. And Kutcher finishes it off with a great dramatic performance that would make any chick tear up. Read more
Films-Movies in 2010 That I’m Excited About
I know everyone complains about remakes, revamps and sequels, but the fact is that collectively they are usually the most talked about movies of the year and often times the highest money earners. 2009 was full of remakes and adaptations from television, books and video games and 2010 seems to offer a lot more of the same. And I’m not complaining, in fact most of the films I’m excited about this year fall into that category. Here, in no particular order, is a list of some of the films I’m most looking forward to.
Iron Man 2 (May 7) Everyone I know raves about Iron Man, like it was one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. Whereas I strongly disagree with that, I thought it was a fun ride with some good action. So I’m excited to see where they go from there. And Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow should be great. My one concern is from the teaser trailer and early photos it appears that someone has made another suit to fight Iron Man… didn’t that happen in the first one? Trailer
Inception (July 16) Because I’ve enjoyed everything Christopher Nolan has done and Leonardo DiCaprio has been racking up quite a list of great performances as well. This is sure to be a great match up. And the mind bending trailer draws me in. Trailer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Nov. 19) I stopped reading the books after the third one but I have loved every Potter movie and everyone has been better than the last. I only wish they would finish it up this year instead of waiting a year between Part 1 and 2, as much as I love it, I’m ready to move on. Trailer
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