The Destroyer about to take out some Acuras Image: Marvel Studios

It’s an undeniable fact that movies and product placement go together like peas and carrots.  Peanut butter and jelly.  Unicorns and glitter (just kidding).  These days, when I pay half my week’s salary, or roughly the GDP of a small undeveloped nation, to see a movie, I expect to be bombarded with a thinly veiled ad to buy something or another.  Often, it’s integrated cleverly into a scene like a character using a new flip-cam, cell phone or eating at a certain restaurant.  I clearly remember watching Twister and noting the the “bad guys” in their sleek, shiny long caravan of black…Dodge Caravans (I see what you did there, Marketing Department).  It seems modern movie-makers though are taking it one step further.  Thor, which recently debuted, features the entire Acura lineup and makes no bones about it.

Going so far as to advertise specifically Acura’s place in the movie (not the movie itself), several commercials were released in advance of the premier.  A press kit disguised as a S.H.I.E.L.D. “Assessment Test” would look more at-home on the brochure rack of your local Acura dealership.  (S.H.I.E.L.D., for the non-Marvel-geeks like me, is a fictional espionage and law-enforcement agency in the Marvel Universe from whence Thor came).  A few months ago, I had read a news story that the big A would be the “official” car of the movie, but I guess I was a bit taken aback when I started seeing how hard they were selling it via commercials and internet ads.

Image: JoinShield.com

Like the guy at your local hangout who pulls up in a riced-out import tuner, wearing spiky hair, gold chains and a white tracksuit, the full-court press just made me shake my head and mutter “Epic fail, Mr. Try-too-hardy.”  True, I’m the cynical type, but I wondered if Acura would have felt the need to be so blatant if their last redesign had been more well-received.  You know, the one with the chromed-out grille that’s been called everything from a beak to a guillotine to a bagel slicer?  Yeah, that one.

I am curious to know if the general population (read: those who don’t live and breathe exhaust fumes, which explains a lot come to think of it) is yet aware of just how far Acura’s cache has fallen in recent years.  Like parent brand Honda, offerings have either been extremely polarizing or bland as plain oatmeal covered in weak sauce.  Worse, the cars themselves have been lacking in that important, intangible fun-to-drive factor that used to make the company shine above most others.  Many have asked why they should pay for the “Acura” nameplate when a fully loaded Honda can often offer the same level of luxury touches for less green.  Valid issues, all.  Are those reasons why Acura decided to pimp out their cars harder than a stage mom at a Little Miss Priss pageant?  Or did they just happen to score an excellent opportunity and are milking it for all its worth?  I suppose that’s for the target demographic to decide with their checkbooks, in whether or not Acura’s sales improve.

For what it’s worth, I audibly cheered when the ZDX and its prominent proboscis got destroyed in glorious, IMAX 3-D (although I still don’t think it was worth the extra $5 per ticket).

‘Transformers 3′ the movie is shaping up to be one of the best modern-day car flicks with all of the car porn they have shipped in to the movie set in Chicago. The stars of the movie are showing their faces and we like them! Some of them include the Ferrari 458 Italia, Corvette Stingray Convertible Concept “Sideswipe”, a newer Chevy Camaro SS “Bumblebee”, several NASCAR vehicles and a modified Mercedes E-Class.

Check out the images and exclusive video clips below!

Michael Bay Dot Com In Chicago from Bay Films/Michael Bay Dot Com on Vimeo.

[source: carsprobono.com]

Dom DeLuise, the comical actor known in the automotive enthusiast community as the big funny guy, starring in “The Cannonball Run” movie alongside of Burt Reynolds, died today at the age of 75.

“I was thinking about this the other day,” Reynolds said in a statement released to TVGuide.com. ”As you get older, and start to lose people you love, you think about it more, and I was dreading this moment. Dom always made you feel better when he was around and there will never be another like him. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much.”

He will surely be missed!

CNN story:

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Dom DeLuise, who spiced up such movies as “Blazing Saddles,” “Silent Movie” and “The Cannonball Run” with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona, has died, his son’s publicist told CNN.

Publicist Jay Schwartz did not disclose the cause of death, but DeLuise, 75, had been battling cancer for more than a year.

DeLuise was surrounded by family when he died in a Santa Monica, California, hospital Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told CNN affiliate KTLA-TV.

DeLuise was most famous for his supporting roles in a number of Mel Brooks films, including 1974′s “Saddles” — in which he played a flamboyant musical director who led dancers in a number called “The French Mistake” — and 1976′s “Silent Movie,” in which he played the assistant to Brooks’ director Mel Funn. He was also in the Brooks-directed “The Twelve Chairs” (1970), “Spaceballs” (1987) and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993).

But he could also assay more serious roles, most notably in the 1980 dark comedy “Fatso,” directed by Brooks’ wife, Anne Bancroft, in which he played an overweight man trying to wean himself from comfort food.

DeLuise was also part of the supporting cast in the Burt Reynolds crash-’em-up vehicles “Smokey and the Bandit II” (1980), “Cannonball Run” (1981) and “Cannonball Run II” (1984). Other DeLuise films include “The End” (1978), “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) and “Johnny Dangerously” (1984).

His voice was featured in such films as “An American Tail” (1986) and its sequels, “All Dogs Go to Heaven” (1989) and its 1996 sequel, and “Oliver & Company” (1988).

Dominic DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 1, 1933. In the 1960s he had bit parts in a handful of movies, including “Fail Safe” (1964), but became well known as a regular on “The Entertainers” and a Dean Martin variety show. He had his own summer replacement show in 1968 and was a regular on Glen Campbell’s “Goodtime Hour” in 1971-72.

DeLuise had three sons — Peter, Michael and David — who all became actors.

His wife of 40 years, actress Carol Arthur, appeared in several movies with him, including “Blazing Saddles” and “Silent Movie,” according to DeLuise’s Web site.

A frequent collaborator with DeLuise, Burt Reynolds released a statement to “Entertainment Tonight” on his friend’s death.

“I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much,” Reynolds says.

[source & full story: cnn.com, tvguide.com]

A Ferrari F430 was wrecked on the set of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, Nicholas Cage’s newest movie. In the event, two pedestrians were injured. We know many of Nicholas Cage’s movies are known for having fast cars in them and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is yet another one. Luckily, Cage was not in this car during the accident. Wonder if the stunt driver had traction control on at the time of the accident?

Exclusive video from the New York Post below after the jump…

This morning I wake up to the news reporting that “Fast and Furious” has shattered box office records bringing in an estimated $72.5 million over the weekend holding the number 1 movie spot. This is farfetched if you consider what critics predicted for the 4th installment of the Fast and the Furious franchise of movies.

I would actually have to admit that this may have been the best Fast and Furious movie out of the other 3 because it actually had a decent plot.

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In today’s economy when car dealerships are closing and the automotive industry seeks additional bailouts at the expense of tax payers, people seek weekend outlets that won’t get them deeper in debt. One outlet this weekend was to obviously watch Fast and Furious at the local movie theater. You may get mixed reviews from some after watching this movie but over-all it is good entertainment for the majority either way you put it.

Fast and Furious holds the best three-day opening for Universal Pictures movies ever even beating out movies from way back including “Jurassic Park” ($72.1 million). The new “Monsters vs. Aliens” even failed to keep up with the fast paced Fast and Furious movie bringing in only $59.3 million followed by “Watchmen” at $55.2 million.

Rejoining actors Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster and Michelle Rodriquez had a little to do with the success where this is their best opening ever for them as actors and actresses.

Another shocker is Fast and Furious now holds the best opening for any car-themed movie beating out the movie “Cars” which brought in $60.1 million on it’s opening weekend.

What is your scoop on “Fast and Furious”? Did you go see it this weekend? Did you like it and why?

Some have viewed the premier of the newest Fast and Furious movie named, Duh, “Fast and Furious” including ME! Staring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster… this new movie brings about some extra Drama and a nicely put together plot. Some may criticize what I have to say but I can honestly say after getting past the CGI effects and few silly lines, it is a decent movie. I give it 3 and a half stars out of 5. You have lots of serious cars that actually look nice. This time whoever picked out the cars did a great job, by far the best out of all of Fast and Furious movies. I do have a bone to pick with the infamous BMW 5 series said to be an M5 but is clearly a 540i or 528i. I happen to know several friends with BMW’s and they all had a giggle along with me when we watched the M5… ahhhh 5-series drive across the big screen.

Otherwise I just love the crazy unrealistic car moves and the ending leaving an opening to additional installments to the fast and furious to come.

Matt Farah, oddly enough, pretty much goes along with my review as I searched the net finding others who have seen the premier to Fast and Furious.

Guys, all I have to say is… go see this movie if you are a gear-head or what we like to call everyone who visits this site.. Automotive Addicts! This one ranks up with the original part one “The Fast and The Furious” with more realistic parts and just a better movie over-all. I want to get everyone’s opinion on this movie. Post your comments now if you plan on seeing it on opening day or right after.

Fast and Furious opens April 3rd and 4th.

Garage 419 review on the movie below after the jump…

General Motors has just released an exclusive video of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, Directed by Michael Bay, showcasing the Autobots – including the new Chevy Camaro, Volt, Beat, Trax and the Corvette Centennial Concept (Corvette Stingray). This should be a pretty good movie!

I have to admit, the video below looks like a futuristic Commercial for General Motors if you ask me, but who am I do judge. GM, do your thing! Whatever works for you I support you because it is an American brand and we all know we need to support our American brands to get this economy jump started again. Maybe “Jolt” or aka the Chevy Volt in Transformers 2 can help JUMP-START it for us?!?!?

Video below…

Fast and Furious - Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

Fast and Furious – The official name for The Fast and Furious 4.
The 4th installment of The Fast and the Furious will be simply called “Fast and Furious”. Go figure right.

NEW!!! Fast and Furious Movie Review (Movie Reviewed) – New Model Original Parts – Is It a Good or Bad Movie?

The newest movie includes most of the original cast of Fast and the Furious from 2001 including the infamous Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

Our previous post on this was a big hit among the automotive community. We have included the latest trailer to the Fast and Furious movie below after the jump (as shown during Superbowl XLIII… ENJOY!

Super Bowl XLIII Commercial – Fast and Furious Trailer – 02/01/2009

HD – Hi-Res Version:

The first Trailer:

Fast and Furious Trailer – Short Video clip – Fast and Furious