Denzel Washington's "Safe House" Isn't Quite "Fallen" But Close

The latest Hollywood trend continues in the movie, Safe House (2012), starring Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington.

Safe House movie poster

What is the latest Hollywood trend, you ask?

It's quite simple really. Write a script for a standalone movie, and kill all of the characters in the movie, except the main character.

The last sentence above is a spoiler if you were planning on watching the movie.

Or, if you really want to throw the audience a curveball, even kill off the main character, as seen in the other Denzel Washington movie, Fallen (1998).

Oops. That was another spoiler, if you haven't seen that one, either.

Denzel Washington playing Det. John Hobbes in Fallen (1998)

In Safe House, Denzel fights corrupt government officials, while in Fallen, Denzel fights people corrupted by the demon, Azazel.

So let's recap: If Hollywood plans on making a movie franchise, don't kill the main characters, so there can be lots of sequels, but if it is a throwaway movie (a standalone), kill off all of the characters except numero uno, so the viewers can have a feel good moment at the end.

Is anyone else out there getting tired of the stale formulas and ready for unpredictable movies that are actually good, or is it just me?

Transformers 4: Do You Want More CGI Robots or Real Steel?

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

Do you want another Transformers movie?

Michael Bay has confirmed that he is signed on to direct Transformers 4, expected in theaters June 29, 2014.

Shia Labeouf has previously said that he was not coming back for more sequels in this franchise.

Actor Shia Lebeouf

They have also confirmed that this movie will not be a reboot of the franchise, but will be a continuation of the series, with a new storyline.

Most trilogies are failures because Hollywood is trying to make a buck, rather than making a great movie. For more on this common recurrance read my article, Trilogies Should Follow These Simple Rules.

Honestly, the Transformer movies sequentially have bigger explosions with each installment, and increase the robot on robot action, but lack in human connectibility. We have a hard time relating to cold, hard steel.

Real Steel movie poster

However, the movie, Real Steel (2011), did what the Transformers franchise could not - connect with the audience. In this Hugh Jackman movie, a father and son train a sparring robot to fight in the big leagues with robot boxers. This movie connected with those who had a rocky relationship with their father or son.

Real Steel: Hugh Jackman teaching robot his boxing moves

I really enjoyed the movie, Real Steel, and would recommend it to anyone over the Transformer movies.

Now, check out the new Chevy Sonic RS that will be in Transformers 4.

Chevy Sonic RS in Transformers 4

Will Jonah Hill Get Oscar for Moneyball?



Moneyball movie poster

Jonah Hill, known most for his comedic roles in movies, proved to the world that he could be serious in his role as Peter Brand, a statistics guy from Yale, in Moneyball.

In this movie, he played a supporting role to Brad Pitt, playing Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager.

Jonah Hill shows off watch given to him by Brad Pitt

In an ABC interview, Jonah revealed that Brad Pitt gave him a watch while filming the movie, with the inscription inside reading: Moneyballs. This turned out to be the inside joke between him and Brad Pitt.

Weight Loss or Weight Gain?
Loss: Jonah Hill lost almost 40 lbs. after doing the movie, Moneyball, attributing his weight loss to maturity. But he shares that he doesn't like to give up beer.

Apparently his acting friends Seth Rogen and Jason Segel also have lost weight and may have been an extra incentive behind Jonah Hill's weight loss. Jonah Hill stars in The End of the World (2013) with Seth Rogen and Jason Segel. In The End of the World, celebrity comedians are at a James Franco party playing themselves. How original.

Gain: But after doing 21 Jump Street, Jonah Hill put the weight back on. This May 2012 article from DailyMail.co.uk shows a picture of Jonah Hill at his former weight.

Jonah Hill revealed that the defining moment for him in the movie was when he had to fire a player. He shared that this was the moment when he "grew up" onscreen.

For more on Jonah Hill's interview, watch it here.

According to his Wikipedia entry (here), Jonah Hill directed his first music video for singer Sara Bareilles's song, "Gonna Get Over You," and will be seen soon in the movie, 21 Jump Street.

Find out if Jonah Hill wins an Oscar on February 26, 2012 airing on ABC.

Update (02/27/2012): Moneyball did not win any Oscars. Sorry Jonah Hill.

Jonah Hill in suit