Toy Story 3 opens Friday and the buzz (Lightyear) about it is phenomenal. It's a film about plastic toys and yet, as Claudia Puig wrote in USA Today "any sentient being will surely shed (tears) by the film's heartfelt conclusion." By most accounts it is the best of the Toy Story franchise and one of the best films of the summer so far. How Pixar continues to create animated films with such emotional depth is extraordinary. We'll talk about this gem on The Filmosophers.

Also opening Friday, Jonah Hex, the post-civil war western from DC Comics. From a filmosophical point of view it's the yin to T.S. 3's yang. We were hoping Jonah Hex would be fun, but the consensus on RottenTomatoes.com is "Josh Brolin gives it his best shot, but he can't keep the short, unfocused Jonah Hex from collapsing on the screen." [Click on "Read more" to continue.]

There are two major films released this weekend, the videogame adaptation Prince Of Persia for the boys and the sequel Sex And The City 2 for the girls. Early reviews indicate Prince is a "suitably entertaining swashbuckler -- and a substantial improvement over most video game adaptations." Unfortunately Sex is not the treat  fans are hoping for, it's not even the best "chick flick" currently showing in theaters. We'll tell you about not one, but two other films that we recommend instead. 

We saw two small international films on DVD we're happy tell you about. From Japan Floating Weeds, made in 1959, from Iran, the award winning Song Of Sparrows.[Click "READ MORE" below to continue.]

Last January a friend sent me a video on youtube titled "2010 Predictions From Beyond". I loved it- the message from the Sedona Journal Of Emergence, the intriguing production and resonant music by One Eskimo. I was inspired to check out the producer's website, aura.ca and discovered Peter Beamish. Turns out he produced the 2 DVD set video I almost checked out from the Fairfield Library: Introducing Abraham; the Secret Behind "The Secret"?

Peter was going along very successfully in broadcast and corporate television for two decades, but felt the longing for a deeper experience of Life many of us understand. The rabbit hole to his spiritual highway was ignited by the Redpill, the film The Matrix. "I stepped outside the theatre after seeing The Matrix and the world was somehow slightly tilted. It never did straighten out for me again." [click "Read more", below]

Friday marks the return of superstar guest Big Al Green. He and Nancy have been traveling all over the place, so it's nice to have them back home. Big Al wrote "Debbie Brill recommended that I take Nancy to see The Hangover. I was very impressed with it. There were many levels going on at once,
plus we both laughed real hard (the most important quality of a comedy).
I am still laughing today at some of the outrageous scenes from the
movie." So ladies, it's not just a guy flick!

Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral, The Insider) is one of our favorite Directors. His latest is Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, one of our favorite actors. So is it a classic? Maybe not, according to the critics. Still anxious to see it.

Burt Chojnowski will join Chris Busch and Bruce Miller in the studio today. Burt will talk about his dinner with the iTunes International Movie manager (a long with the founder of Wikipedia, the founder of Chuck E. Cheese and Atari); the Digital Hollywood conference and more.

Hear reviews of State Of Play ("Jason Bateman was exceptional") and other films.

We'll briefly touch on next week's Summer Movie preview. "It's almost summertime and the movies are about to get LOUD"

We're the Filmosophers, where we give our filmosophy on the movies and have filmosophical discussions.

- Did we just break the law?

- Nope. That's what you call damn fine reporting.

State Of Play

It's the Filmosophers movie talk show, with co-hosts Chris Busch and Bruce Miller where we give our filmosophy on the movies and have filmosophical discussions.

Today it's mostly about the numbers, as we have a #2- Hellboy and a #3- Mummy showing locally. Opening nationwide is another #2- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Just what is a Pineapple Express? We'll talk about it. 

Also hear reviews of films on DVD, including Shine A Light; 21; Lions For Lambs and more.

- You're Hellboy!

- I know. I'm ugly.

It's the Filmosophers movie talk show, with co-hosts Chris Busch and Bruce Miller where we give our filmosophy on the movies and have filmosophical discussions.

Friday hear more about Momma Mia which may be the most enjoyable summer film experience for baby boomers now playing.

Also hear reviews of In Bruges; Cloverfield; The Band's Visit and more.

It's movie talk, broadcasting live from the cultural district in Fairfield, Iowa. Friday afternoon at 12:30.

- "You took my mother's guitar!"

- "Borrowed. I got it for her. Cost me ten quid and my Johnny Rotten T-shirt."

~ Momma Mia

It's the Filmosophers movie talk show, with co-hosts Chris Busch and Bruce Miller where we give our filmosophy on the movies and have filmosophical discussions. Friday hear more about the biggest movie of the year so far- The Dark Knight. The latest Batman film is one of the most critically praised and most watched films of the summer. Is it really that good?

Also hear a review of the stunning historical epic, Mongol and more.

"Let me get this straight. You think that your employer, one of the richest men in the world, is spending his nights running around the city beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands? And your plan is to blackmail him? Good luck."

It's the Filmosophers movie talk show, where we give our filmosophy on the movies and have filmosophical discussions. With co-host Chris Busch out of town, superstar guest Big Al Green will be in the studio with Bruce Miller.

This is another summer blockbuster weekend, with the opening of two big action adventure films- Journey To The Center of The Earth and Hellboy 2. Hellboy 2 looks great and is getting excellent reviews- "a quintessential summer movie that delivers plenty of inventive thrills." ~ USA Today 

We'll talk about that, have reviews of the delightful French film Moliere and more, on this week's edition of the Filmosophers, 12:30 Friday afternoon. 

It's the Filmosophers movie talk show, where we give our filmosophies on the movies and have filmosophical discussions. Film producer and birthday boy James Dean Claitor joins co-hosts Chris Busch and Bruce Miller on this 4th of July edition. You'll hear reviews of Will Smith's new film Hancock, plus Wall-E, Wanted, The Incredible Hulk and more, including Jim's fave film of the year so far- Kung Fu Panda. Also hear about the new film titled Kabluey, out (in limited release) by first time writer/director/actor Scott Prendergast. "This charming, pointed comedy is a genuine discovery." ~ Stephen Farber; Hollywood Reporter.