Michael Pena: Comedies Invisible Man

Michael Pena: Comedies Invisible Man

I can see what you’re doing. You’re sat at your computer, with a complex look on your face. This look is not just because you’re wondering why Lou Ferrigno is in I’m a Celebrity Get me out of Here. This particular perplexed expression plastered across your mug is because you’re racking your brain on who Michael Pena actually is. 

Crash, 30 Minutes or Less, Tower Heist, World Trade Center and Babel are just a few of the films that Michael Pena has been in. If you’re still stuck to put a name to the face, I’m going to break a tradition of a lifetime and link you to a picture here. Now, you’re thinking ‘oh hiiiiiiim, I like him’. It’s sad to say, but I think Michael Pena is one of those forgotten faces. 

This is a damn shame as he’s actually incredibly talented. For me, he gave one of the standout performances in Crash and the best thing about the woefully drab World Trade Center. There are actors in this world who have half the talent that Pena has, but are twice as famous. A fact that is as unfair as why Paris Hilton is known around the world and I have to remind my Gran who I am. 

Pena started out as a drama guy. Doing the films that I’ve previously mentioned and doing them very, very well. However, Pena’s latest performances have told us something. No matter how good Michael Pena is at Drama, Comedy is where he is at his best. And his best is damn good. 

Over the last few years Pena has starred in Thirty Minutes or Less, Observe and Report, Tower Heist, Eastbound and Down and gives a comic performance in The Lincoln Lawyer. Although, some of these films haven’t set the world on fire, Michael Pena has been pretty funny. 

Take Tower Heist for example. The Film itself is average at best, with the plot pretty loose in parts.  However, Pena is fantastic in his role and along with an inform Eddie Murphy, one of the better things in the movie. 

The sad thing is, despite Pena’s comic talents, he’s still pretty unknown. OK maybe some of you may know who he is, but I’m willing to put my reputation (or lack of one) on the fact that a lot of you weren’t too sure who he was until reading this article. 

Why do I think this is? Well it could be down to the comedies that Pena has been in, not being the best in the world. However, the last few have been pretty high profile, which doesn’t explain why. It’s a sad fact of life, but some actors are just not recognised for their talents as much as others. It’s a shame, but it’s true. 

If you haven’t heard who Michael Pena is, check him out, because he’s damn talented and funny to boot. I promise. If you don’t agree, I’ll buy you a lollipop. Aaaah lies, don’t you love em?

What do you think? Am I talking rubbish are u a Pena Believer? Feel free to let me know at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

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Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris.

Should Booker T be wrestling again?

Should Booker T be wrestling again?

WHUT DA HAYELL. I imagine that would be the response Mr Booker would give if I told him that my next article was going to be about the master of the Spinarooni himself. Well Booker ‘don’t be too alarmed’, you are my next subject, but that might not be a good thing. 

It looks like a one Booker T will be gracing us with his wrestling presence again by starting a program with the once ‘dashing’, no longer ‘broken’ Cody Rhodes. This all started on Raw’s ‘Supershow’ this past Monday. During Cody’s match, Michael Cole was hammering home the fact that The Book had been quite critical of Rhodes of late. I hadn’t notice, but I suppose it meant that I would have to listen to Raw’s commentary, which I don’t.

This berating came to fruition at the end of the match when Cody began screaming at Booker and then threw some water over him, leaving Booker T wet... Oh and furious. This is obviously the beginning g of a feud between the two. But, is bringing back Booker T, a man who is closer to fifty than he is forty, a good thing?

Booker T is a legend. There is no questioning that. He won the WCW championship five times and the World Heavyweight Championship once. He’s fought most of the biggest wrestlers of all time and has had some pretty high profile feuds. His credibility is undoubtedly unquestionable.

Booker T is effective at the announcer’s desk, not just because he’s pretty funny. But, when Booker T says something hurts, you believe him because he’s been there and done it. This obviously will transcend to the ring. If Cody beats Booker T clean, then you will stand up and take note. OK, Booker won’t be at his best, but beating a six time world champion still has a lot of credibility to it. 

If Cody doesn’t beat Booker clean, then the whole feud is pointless. But, not even the WWE is that stupid right? *Shudders*. 

I just don’t see why we have to bring back a legend to start a program with an upcoming heel. This is where the problem lies for me. Surely, the WWE should have created enough credible babyfaces to not have to bring back a legend for him to beat? 

Well that’s not the case. Aside from three of four babyfaces who are almost unbeatable, there are no other credible babyfaces on the roster. And since Cody has feuded with a few of them babyfaces already, there is not much for him to do at the moment. That’s why Booker has been brought back. 

The WWE shouldn’t have rushed the feud with Orton. Making it last a while and letting Cody pick up a clean(ish) win here and there. But that didn’t happen. Other than that, the WWE should be creating credible babyfaces throughout the card, not just at the top of it. That hasn’t happened either. 

I’m quite looking forward to seeing Booker in the ring again. He can be quite good and seems to still be in decent shape. I just don’t think they need to be in the position to pull people out of semi-retirement, when they could just strengthen babyfaces they have. Ah well, let’s focus on positives. More Spinarooni’s for everyone! OH MY GOODNESS!

What do you think? Being a bit too harsh on The Book? Let me know. 

Feel free to email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Follow me on twitter: @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris.

Johnny Depp- Out of Date?

Johnny Depp- Out of date?

I realise that I may receive a lot of stick for this article. And yes, I’m aware that taking a shot at Johnny Depp is the movie equivalent of punching the Queen square in the chops and holds pretty much the same punishment. However, I’m going to stay true to my rebellious streak and persevere anyway, even if I do receive a lynching. At least people may read this blog then. Every cloud ey?

I’m not a Johnny Depp hater, quite the opposite really. The man oozes charisma and has definitely done more in the world of acting than I will do in 36 lifetimes, let alone one. For that, I respect the man fourfold. 

That being said, like a two week old Danish, Mr Depp has gone stale. The man who gave us such unique performances as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Captain Jack Sparrow, seems to be passed his sell by date. What was once new and edgy performance have turned dull. 

I think the evolution of the arguably Mr Depp’s most famous character, is a fair comment on JD’s career over the last few years. I remember watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean and falling in love with the formidable Captain Jack Sparrow. 

Captain Jack was undoubtedly the hero of the movie, but he was unlike any hero in recent history. Jack had the character flaws of a 1950s Noir, but in a family entertainment blockbuster. 

Captain Jack’s coolness isn’t just down to the writing either. You can tell that a lot of that is down to Johnny. What we get is a fresh and new character. Definitely one of the better performances of the 21^st century. 

What have followed the first Pirates movie are three sequels. Ranging from the mediocre (Dead Man’s Chest) to the outright pants (On Stranger Tides). Captain Jack Sparrow features heavily in all three movies. Instead of the fresh Captain Jack Sparrow, we got a neutered Cap’n Jack, who had morals and dare I say it.... feelings. 

Again, it wasn’t just the character of Jack that was wrong, it was the performance. Despite, Jack being larger than life, the brilliance about the first performance was the subtlety in it. This has been lacking in every performance of Jack since as they all get bigger and brasher, losing all the charm. 

That’s how I see Johnny Depp’s career of late. The freshness of his earlier characters has almost all gone. What has replaced this fresh crème is mouldy, month old milk. Performances such as The Libertine, The Tourist and Alice in Wonderland just feel like quirky Johnny Depp cashing in his pay check, just for being his odd ball self. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are still gems in the sea of mediocre that has been Depp’s career of late. I think his portrayal of Sweeny Todd is pretty terrific as was his performance of John Dillinger in Public Enemies. But, these still don’t offer up new elements to Depp’s characters. There just the best of his old routine. 

I’m not solely blaming Mr Depp. It might be my fault. Depp might not have changed a thing. It could simply be a case of eating too much mint choc chip ice cream. It’s good at first, but what once was new and intriguing, gets boring. 

I’m not writing this Just to be a moany get. I’m saying this because I want to be wowed by Mr Depp again. He definitely can. I truly believe he’s not past his sell-by date; he just needs to get back on track.

Oh and I apologise for all the dairy puns, I really wanted a milkshake. 

What do you think? Feel free to tell me I’m crazy. I get it off the doctors all the time.

Email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Follow me @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show
Daniel Morris.

Star Spotlight: Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Star Spotlight: Phillip Seymour Hoffman

First of all, thanks to everyone who read my first Star Spotlight on Ryan Gosling. My next star spotlight will be about a man who I consider one of, if not the best actor around today: Phillip Seymour Hoffman. 

I’m probably not alone when I say Phillip Seymour Hoffman is the greatest living actor today, after all, he has won an Academy Award. Despite this, I do think he’s criminally underrated and relatively unheard of compared to Hollywood A listers, who aren’t nearly as capable as big Phil. 

Acting since the early 1990s Phillip Seymour Hoffman had bit part roles in such movies like Scent of A Woman and Twister. Phillip Seymour Hoffman half got a break by being one of P.T Anderson’s go to guys offering great performances in Anderson’s Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Punch Drunk Love. However, outside of his friendship with Anderson, Mr Hoffman was still a bit part player in the big world of movies. 

In the start of the 21^st century, Phil’s stock rose slightly. However, it wasn’t until 2005 where Big Phil got his big break in 2005’s Oscar nominated Capote. This is arguably, where Phillip Seymour Hoffman showed us all how good of an actor he really is claiming the Academy Award for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote. 

Since then, Hoffman hasn’t looked back, staring in mega bucks blockbusters like Mission Impossible 3, Brit comedies like The Boat that Rocked and other Academy Award nominated movies such as Charlie Wilson’s War, The Savages and Doubt. In the last six years, Phil has really cemented himself as a respectable actor in Hollywood, who can give both Blockbuster and Award winning performances. 

The trend of Phillip Seymour Hoffman doing Academy Award nominated movies looks to continue as he’s just starred in George Clooney’s The Ides of March and alongside Brad Pitt in Baseball movie Moneyball, both possibilities in next year’s Award season. 

Unlike a lot of Actors, Phillip Seymour Hoffman has a light schedule of films coming up with only A Late Quartet and The Master in the works. The Master sees Phillip Seymour Hoffman teaming up with old friend Paul Thomas Anderson again. 

This light schedule could be one of the reasons that Phillip Seymour Hoffman may be overlooked when it comes to high profile roles. Unlike many other actors, it seems that big Phil doesn’t like to saturate the market with his face, bringing out only one or two movies a year with him in it. 

While that may seem like a bad point in becoming well known, it seems to work for him, because the man doesn’t do a bad performance. From The Savages to Mission Impossible to The Boat that Rocked to Charlie Wilson’s War, Phil does it all. All four of the films mentioned are very different in tone and genre, each offering up a completely different character for Phil. A task which, he accomplishes with ease. 

The Boat that Rocked is an average film at best, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman still steals the show with his portrayal of Radio Legend ‘The Count’. Furthering this, I think it’s unfortunate that Phillip Seymour Hoffman has only one Academy Award to his name. This is due to the fact that his performance ‘Gust Avrakotos’ in Charlie Wilson’s War is easily an Academy Award winning one. He was unlucky that it was the same year that Javier Bardem played ‘Anton Chigurh’ in No Country for Old Men. 

Despite, not being known by fans worldwide, it’s easily seen that Phillip Seymour Hoffman is acknowledged as one of the best in the world by his peers. And due to normally preferring ‘lesser’ known movies, I think he would prefer it that way. 

What do you guys think? Do you agree about Big Phil’s talent? Or think I’m hyping him up too much?

Feel free to let me know. 

Email: cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Twitter: @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris.

Dolph Ziggler: The Most Valuable Player on Raw

Dolph Ziggler: The Most Valuable Player on Raw

I have been a fan of Dolph Ziggler for a few years, ever since he started singles competition and had Vicky as a manger. For me, which I imagine is similar to the most; Dolph really came into his own throughout the back end of last year, really showing what he’s capable of doing in the ring.

However, until recently, it’s been said that Dolph was lacking on the microphone. I was not of that belief, as I thought he was calm and confident with the microphone in his hand, just lacking the X Factor that some other superstars had. 

That has now changed. Dolph has developed a real personality and crafted a unique voice and style that separates him from the pack. His quick insulted promos are some of the best in the company today. There is no question now that Dolph is becoming a superstar. The best bit about it is: The WWE seems to realise it. 

Dolph hasn’t been pushed to the main event yet, but that’s not saying that The WWE doesn’t regard him in high regard. I would even say that they consider him one of the most valuable members of the company. 

You only have to look at the last two PPV’s to notice Dolph’s presence on the card. At both PPV’s Dolph has had two matches. That speaks volumes in how much faith they have in Dolph as a worker as they trust him to not put on one match, but two. OK, so Survivor series he’s part of a ten man tag match, but they still consider him reliable enough to fill in for a top talent such as Christian. 

It’s not just Dolph’s matches at the PPV that outline his asset to the company. It’s also the amount of mini-feuds that Dolph is involved in. Currently, Dolph is in programs with John Morrison, Zack Ryder and Mason Ryan. That’s not counting the tag feud Dolph and Swagger has had recently with Air Boom. Ziggler is the go to guy for any mid card baby face to get over. A few years ago, that moniker was with Chris Jericho, so that’s an indicator of how respected Dolph is at the moment. 

I recently went to the Raw Live event in Liverpool nearly two weeks ago. Even though it was Miz and Truth in the main event it was Dolph Ziggler who got beat up by the babyface’s post show. Normally it’s the biggest heel on the show that gets the beat down and even though it doesn’t seem it, it’s a ‘badge of honour’ to say the least. 

With Del Rio feeling a bit stale as a heel, Miz and Truth packaged as a tag team at the moment and Nash way over the hill, to me Ziggler is the number one heel on Raw and I think the WWE feels the same.  And they should. 

Because Dolph Ziggler is the most valuable player on Raw.

What do you think? Feel free to voice your opinion.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter: @glamgrunge

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Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris