The long awaited trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released last night. You can get your first look right here at DyerTimes!

HP6 hits theaters on November 21, 2008. Judging by this trailer this movie will likely focus on telling the story of Voldemort - shown in the trailer as the child, Tom Riddle. The trailer neglects any showing of significant characters such as Potions Professor Slughorn or the Half-Blood Prince himself, Severus Snape.

The much acclaimed new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, is now in theaters and already there is much buzz about Heath Ledger's performance as Joker. Many folks - including one of my favorite writers, Dan Savage - have claimed that Heath will be nominated and win an Oscar this year.

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It's been awhile since I've made any movie recommendations... so here you go.

As most people that know me know, I LOVE watching movies, so I was excited to be able to catch a worthwhile one tonight. It's a touching tale of family and friendship and sure to please. So, if you need to book your social calendar this week make sure to check out Son of Rambow.

Though the film does rely on pretty reliable storylines: bad boy corrupts innocent kid, bad kid has troubled family, the two become friends and bad kid acts like bully but really just needs a pal, former good kid betrays bad kid, the two have falling out, some bad shit goes down and former good kid feels bad because his new "friends" leave him, the two reconcile and it is very sweet. BUT, this film brings enough freshness and a catchy soundtrack (The Cure & Duran Duran among others) to make it a visual treat.

I give it 3 thumbs up! It's playing at the Oriental Theatre if you are in Milwaukee!

There is certainly something nearly magical about Netflix. Movies continue to arrive in my mailbox day after day and when I'm finished i don't even have to worry about a stamp. But, probably the most exciting thing about the online movie distributor is when you deviate from your natural choices and go with one of their many recommendations. Of these times, I have been both pleasantly surprised and sourly disappointed with my new finds.

Take for instance my most recent film: The Jacket. I was primarily looking forward to seeing Adrien Brody (who I have such a major crush on). I had no idea what an impressive cast this film would unveil before my eyes - Keira Knightley, Daniel Craig, Kris Kristofferson, Brad Renfro, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and SATC hottie Jason Lewis.

If having a great cast isn't enough to convince you to add this to your Netflix queue perhaps you'll enjoy hearing a bit about the plot. Jack Starks (Brody) is a veteran from the first Gulf War where he suffered head trauma and now has spells of amnesia. He returns home to Vermont only to find himself in two situations that will change his life: a mother and daughter are stranded by the side of the road because their car won't start and the mom (Kelly Lynch) is totally drunk so Jack fixes the car only to be accused of trying to abduct the young girl (who also happens to take a fancy to Jack); and later as he is hitchhiking in the dead of winter is picked up by a stranger (Renfro) who gets pulled over by the police and whether planned or simply freaking out shoots and kills the officer (Lewis). Starks is injured in the altercation and passes out in a nearby snow bank only to be accused of the murder himself. He can't remember anything because of his amnesia and is sent to an Insane Asylum where he undergoes a therapy - perhaps more aptly, torture - involving a very primitive looking straight jacket which allows him to travel time once he learns how to control it. There he meets people from his past and present and gradually tries to right what is wrong before his time runs out.

The film is actually quite touching and a few tears may have escaped from my tear ducts before the closing credits finished. It has some of the same qualities as The Butterfly Effect, Donnie Darko, and Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind.

Overall I'd give it a B-. So, if you want to break out of your Netflix rut this film should be a decent adventure. And really, what do you have to lose?

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Welcome to the very first edition of Fags, On Film.

You may be asking yourself what exactly is Fags, On Film or, perchance, you might be thinking..."Oh, please...how original!" Though the title may lead you to believe that there will be more than one fag talking about film, chances are it's just me. But, you know I love surprises so mayhaps (yes, that's maybe and perhaps) I'll bring along a guest fag occasionally.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
I heard some initial buzz about this film during the holidays and since it was based on the life of a Milwaukee man I figured I should check it out. It also didn't hurt that Will Smith was in it.

Will Smith does a pretty good job as Chris Gardner - a brilliant man with a ton of bad luck and not nearly enough money. The real show stealer here though is Jaden Smith - Will Smith's real-life son - playing Christopher Gardner, Chris Gardner's son. The duo have great synergy together and you can't help but continually think how cute Christopher (Jaden Smith) is. That kid has got some real talent and it won't be long before he trades his Captain America doll for an Oscar.

The drawback of this film? If you are depressed or have thoughts about suicide do not see this film as you could fall into a depression so low there is no bringing you back. One might even contemplate slowing killing themselves -using blunt objects - as you are experience the pitfalls the characters endure throughout the movie. Besides bringing me down - A LOT - the film was great. And, if you can make it to the end without breaking out the Prozac or Valium, you should enjoy it.

All in all the film was pretty good. I started reaching for the medicine bottles half-way through but since they were so far away I chose to reach for my glass of wine instead.

My recommendation: Netflix It.

Zodiac opened recently here in Milwaukee and for those that haven't checked it out I'd highly recommend it. The movie is based on unsolved murders in the late '60's and '70's and inspired by real events. The suspense element to the movie kept me on the edge of my seat and I even managed to scream a bit once or twice. It doesn't hurt that the incredibly sexy - and my "bestie" in my dreams - Jake Gyllenhaal is in nearly every scene. The movie is just shy of three hours but the time goes by so fast you'd never even know. As I left the theater and entered my car I made sure to check the back seat for "the zodiac." Just in case...