“TRON: Legacy,” an epic film of epic proportions

Moviegoing lesson number one: Just because you’ve purchased your tickets ahead of time does not guarantee you a seat. You’d think as an avid moviegoer and as someone who works at a theatre, I’d have that figured out by now. But every once in a while, IMAX theatres decide to rope off huge sections of seats for no reason, leaving us mere peasants to all cram into a section with far too few seats for the number of tickets sold.

Moviegoing lesson number two: Due to the aforementioned unfortunate events, sitting in the very front row of an IMAX theatre causes some serious back/neck pain. But if you’re seeing a movie like “TRON: Legacy,” it’s more than worth it.

Why?

“TRON: Legacy” is a special effects extravaganza set to an outrageously spectacular techno soundtrack courtesy of Daft Punk.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, “TRON: Legacy” features Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, a character first introduced in 1982’s “TRON.”

The film opens with a flashback from 1989 where Flynn, the CEO of ENCOM, a multinational computer technology corporation, is tucking his son Sam into bed before leaving for work. That night, Flynn disappears, leaving Sam to be raised by his grandparents.

Twenty years later, we’re thrown into the present day where Sam (Garrett Hedlund) finds out that one of his dad’s co-workers received a page from his dad’s office. Sam returns to the arcade where he discovers his dad’s secret office, but the hidden workshop is the least of his discoveries. As Sam is launched into the digital world where his father has been trapped for the past two decades, he uncovers more than he ever expected.

I’m going to stop there with the synopsis because this is a film you need to see for yourself.

“TRON: Legacy” also co-stars Olivia Wilde as Quorra and features a guest appearance by Daft Punk, the duo responsible for this film’s amazing soundtrack.

I will tell you this, though: one of the film’s best scenes comes in the form of Jeff Bridges conversing with a 20 year younger CGI version of Jeff Bridges.

However, taking my word for it would be a mistake. I highly suggest you drop whatever your currently doing and go see “TRON: Legacy.” Make it in IMAX 3D if at all possible.

Bottom line: 3 stars

“The Grid. A digital frontier. I tried to picture clusters of information as they traveled through the computer. Ships, motorcycles. With the circuits like freeways. I kept dreaming of a world I thought I’d never see. And then, one day… I got in.”

SNL in December is the perfect gift

Mark your calendars, people.

Robert De Niro, Paul Rudd and Jeff Bridges are all hosting an episode of “Saturday Night Live” during the month of December.

De Niro kicks things off on Dec. 4 with Diddy as the night’s musical guest. Rudd will host Dec. 11 with Paul McCartney (yay!) and Bridges on Dec. 18 with Eminem (weird pairing alert).

Regardless, I’m excited for all of them! Paul Rudd is one of the most underrated comedians in Hollywood, Jeff Bridges is the dude, and come on… De Niro? No explanation necessary.

Yet another “Tron: Legacy” trailer

Can’t. Breathe. Too much awesomeness.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

It’s sort of bad how obsessed I am with this movie and it isn’t even out yet.

Not for another 37 days that is!

Er… I don’t have a personal count down, I swear. There’s just this handy clock on Yahoo! Movies that told me.

It could be worse. I could have opened a high-end “Tron” inspired boutique like this one in Culver City.

Daft Punk just brought me to tears

I cannot even put into words how amazing this is.

However, I can assure you that I am counting down the milliseconds until this bad boy is released on Dec. 17.

Please, take a moment to collect yourself before reading on.

In other “Tron: Legacy” news, Oakley is releasing a limited edition line of Tron 3D glasses. Are they sweet looking? Hell yeah. Are they a tad pricier than the ones you get at the theatre? Yes.

At $150 a pop, you’ll secure your fangirl/fanboy status while simultaneously kissing your paycheck goodbye. Take a look though, because like I said, they’re fantastic:

 

$150 / the number of times I will go see “Tron: Legacy,” plus all future 3D films? Hmm, they might actually be worth it…

And the nominees are…

The Academy Award nominees were announced early this morning, with few surprises.  If you haven’t read them yet, take a look here…

Best Actor:

Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”

Colin Firth, “A Single Man”

Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”

George Clooney, “Up in the Air”

Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker”

My prediction: I would love nothing more than to see Jeff Bridges take it. However, everyone will not stop talking about Clooney in “Up in the Air”…

Best Actress:

Carey Mulligan, “An Education”

Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia”

Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”

Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”

Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious”

My Prediction: Well, being nominated in the same breath as Meryl is award enough in my book. However, I’m somewhat stumped on this category. I think Sidibe and Bullock have a shot.  But then again, they’re up against Meryl Streep.

Best Supporting Actor:

Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”

Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”

Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”

Matt Damon, “Invictus”

Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds”

My prediction: If Waltz doesn’t win, I will throw a fit.  A fit so furious they’ll hear me in China.

Best Supporting Actress:

Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”

Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”

Mo’Nique, “Precious”

Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”

Penelope Cruz, “Nine”

My prediction: Gyllehaal seems to be the dark horse, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mo’Nique takes this one.

Best Picture:

“The Blind Side”

“An Education”

“District 9”

“The Hurt Locker”

“Precious”

“A Serious Man”

“Up”

“Avatar”

“Up in the Air”

“Inglourious Basterds”

My prediction: I will be pretty surprised if “Avatar” doesn’t win.  I would greatly prefer “Inglourious Basterds,” but I’m sure it will be between “Avatar” and “Up in the Air.”

There are plenty more categories, including “Best Original Screenplay,” “Best Documentary” and many more.  For the complete list of nominees, click here.

The 82nd Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 7 at 8 pm on ABC.