Review: "American Ultra" is Impossibly Good

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2016) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

American Ultra (2015)
Running time:  96 minutes (1 hour, 36 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong bloody violence, language throughout, drug use and some sexual content
DIRECTOR:  Nima Nourizadeh
WRITER:  Max Landis
PRODUCERS:  David Alpert, Anthony Bregman, Kevin Scott Frakes, Britton Rizzio, and Raj Brinder Singh
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Michael Bonvillain
EDITOR:  Andrew Marcus and Bill Pankow
COMPOSER:  Marcelo Zarvos

ACTION/COMEDY

Starring:  Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walter Goggins, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman, Tony Hale, Stuart Greer, Michael Papajohn, Monique Ganderton, Lavell Crawford, and Sam Malone

American Ultra is a 2015 action-comedy written by Max Landis and directed by Nima Nourizadeh.  The film focuses on a stoner who finds himself targeted for extermination because he is a government sleeper agent, facts of which is he unaware.

American Ultra opens in small town Liman, West Virginia where we meet Mike “Mikey” Howell (Jesse Eisenberg), a stoner and slacker.  He lives with his girlfriend, Phoebe Larson (Kristen Stewart), in a small wooden house, and he works at a convenience story.  Meanwhile, in Langley, Virginia, CIA section boss, Adrian Yates (Topher Grace), has decided Mike's fate.  Mike is the sole remaining asset of “Wiseman” which was part of the “Ultra” program, and Yates considers Mike a liability, thus targeting him for extermination.

Yates deploys a team of “Toughguy” operatives to kill Mike, but Victoria Lasseter (Connie Britton), who once supervised the Wiseman program, is determined to save Mike's life.  She arrives in Liman ahead of Yates' men, but reactivating Mike is a bit more difficult than she realized.  Mike slowly begins to remember his training, but it is a messy and chaotic process... for everyone.

American Ultra's CIA conceits are preposterous, of course.  What sells this is that the screenplay by Max Landis constructs a love that feels real and a relationship that seems genuine between Mike and Phoebe's characters.  Director Nima Nourizadeh takes the time to properly transform Landis' romantic conceit into a true-blue movie romance.  Once you buy the Mikey-Phoebe dynamic, the rest of the movie – the believable, the ridiculous, and the sublime – encourages the audience to suspend disbelief so they can enjoy one of the most inventive action-comedies of the 21st century.

Landis's script offers some interesting ideas, and Jesse Eisenberg's turn as the stoner Mikey distracts the viewer from taking a good, hard look at those ideas.  After all, the fun is in running through the world of secret and sleeper agents, not in examining what is and isn't plausible in that world.  [Of course, how many people actually take that hard look in the real world.]  Landis' concept is perfect for Eisenberg's performance, and Eisenberg's performance makes Landis' concept work perfectly.

I admire how director Nima Nourizadeh maintains the off-beat, slacker charm of this story even as the movie turns increasingly violent, but here, the gore actually has a splattery charm all its own.  In truth, Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables movie franchise could use the Nourizadeh-Landis touch.  I cannot emphasize enough that this movie is just a blast to watch, and it is fresh and imaginative in a genre, CIA-themed films, that is rapidly growing stale.

Any action-movie franchise could use some Kristen Stewart.  There is something about her that goes beyond merely being the spine of a billion-dollar movie franchise (Twilight).  Stewart is authentic in this movie, and her performance is one of the many things that come together like serendipity to make American Ultra one of the best films of 2015.

9 of 10
A+

Saturday, December 5, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

EPIX Lands Gun Debate Doc "Under the Gun"

EPIX Acquires Hard-Hitting Breakout Sundance Film Festival Documentary “Under the Gun”

Executive Produced & Narrated by Katie Couric and Directed by Stephanie Soechtig

An Official Selection at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, the Documentary Explores America’s Gun Violence Problem Through the Eyes of Victims’ Families and Gun Rights Advocates

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX® announced today it has secured exclusive rights in the U.S. and Canada to Atlas Films' Under the Gun, a provocative new documentary from Katie Couric (Executive producer and narrator of the 2014 documentary Fed Up, Yahoo Global News Anchor, best-selling author) and Stephanie Soechtig (Fed Up, Tapped) that presents a balanced look at the gun debate. The feature length documentary, which received significant praise and attention at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, makes its World Television Premiere on EPIX and across all EPIX platforms on May 14, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C during the EPIX Free Preview Weekend (May 12-15, 2016). EPIX is collaborating with the filmmakers on a robust social marketing campaign that will include an expansive grassroots program designed to mobilize affinity groups across the country through a series of local market screenings and town hall events.

    “Absorbing and gripping, this documentary details the rise of the NRA into a lobbying powerhouse – and provides an incentive to get involved in the debate.”

Lionsgate will coordinate the release of Under the Gun in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles, as well as manage digital distribution on platforms including Electronic Sell-Through and Transactional Video on Demand. Lionsgate has also acquired Canadian rights.

In Under the Gun, Couric and Soechtig—the team responsible for Fed Up, which looked at the food industry and the alarming spread of childhood obesity—examine why, despite the increase in deaths at the hands of guns and the outpouring of shock and outrage that comes with it, our nation has failed to respond with meaningful action. What is keeping the two sides of this debate—those favoring stricter gun control laws and Second Amendment purists like the NRA—from finding common ground? Through the lens of families impacted by the mass shootings in Newtown, Aurora, Isla Vista and Tucson, as well as daily gun violence in Chicago, the film examines why our national politicians are refusing to act and what is being done at the state and local levels.

Subjects and organizations featured in the documentary include: Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly (Americans for Responsible Solutions); Jackie and Mark Barden (Sandy Hook Promise); Sandy and Lonnie Phillips (Jessi’s Message); John Feinblatt and Richard Martinez (Everytown for Gun Safety); Victoria Montgomery (Open Carry Texas); Shannon Watts (Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America); Pamela and Tom Bosley (Purpose Over Pain); The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and Law Center To Prevent Gun Violence.

Mark S. Greenberg, President & CEO of EPIX, said: “During this Presidential election year, we at EPIX want to contribute to the national dialogue on the major issues affecting our country today. I can think of no more pressing subject than gun violence, and I am extremely proud to bring Under the Gun to EPIX viewers. The gun debate, with its core issues of gun rights and gun violence, is one of the most polarizing taking place in our society today. In Under the Gun, Katie and Stephanie bring their dynamic talent and perspective to this complex, multi-faceted issue and present honest, unbiased, and thoughtful commentary to this subject that has real life or death consequences.”

Katie Couric said: “I've covered mass shootings and gun violence throughout my career, but following the massacre at Sandy Hook, I was confused by the disconnect between public opinion (over 90% of Americans supported universal background checks) and public policy. I hope this film will help people have a better understanding of how we got to this point. Now is the time for a truly informed, rational conversation about gun violence and I'm thrilled EPIX and Lionsgate are committed to making this film available to the widest audience possible so we can do just that.”

Stephanie Soechtig said: "We are pleased to make EPIX the home for Under the Gun. As both filmmakers and citizens who are deeply concerned about this issue, it was important for us that our film be seen by the widest possible audience. EPIX showed a unique willingness and commitment to make Under the Gun available to the entire country—for free—by premiering it during EPIX’s nationwide free preview. Making our film available to anyone with an Internet connection was something that no service or network other than EPIX was willing to do. Their belief in this cause, and the passion that they bring to it, made them the obvious choice for Katie and me."

The filmmakers decided not to mention the names, nor show the photos, of any shooters.

Key facts explored in Under the Gun include:

•     Gun violence is the second leading cause of death among children aged 10-19 in the U.S. (Source: Children’s Defense Fund -- the first leading cause is unintentional injuries/accidents)
•     93% of Americans support requiring background checks for all gun buyers, including 84% of gun owners and 74% of NRA members. (Sources: Quinnipiac, 2015 and John Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, 2013)
•     90% of guns used in crimes can reportedly be traced back to just 5% of gun dealers. (Source: Brady Campaign)
•     The manufacture and distribution of teddy bears is more tightly regulated for health and safety than handguns.

Under the Gun is produced by Atlas Films in association with Carellie Productions and directed by Stephanie Soechtig. Katie Couric, Regina K. Scully, Michael Walrath and Michelle Walrath are the executive producers. Olivia Ahnemann, Joshua Kunau, Kristin Lazure and Soechtig are the producers. The screenplay is by Mark Monroe, Brian Lazarte and Soechtig. The director of photography is Josh Salzman, the editor is Brian Lazarte and music is by Brian Tyler. Katie Couric is the narrator.

The Guardian: “Absorbing and gripping, this documentary details the rise of the NRA into a lobbying powerhouse – and provides an incentive to get involved in the debate.”

Variety: “Cutting through political talking points to focus on facts and firsthand accounts, “Under the Gun” is an essential primer on the rise of gun violence in the U.S.”


About EPIX
EPIX is a premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, the biggest classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on digital devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android phones and tablets, and Roku® players. EPIX is also available across Chromecast, Apple® iPhones® and iPads®, Android TV and more and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from November 22th to 30th, 2015 - Update #35

Support Leroy on Patreon.

NEWS:

From BoxOfficeMojo:  The 2015 Thanksgiving weekend box office champ is "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" with an estimated take of $51.6 million.

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From YahooMovies:  Inside Pixar's tech evolution.

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From YahooTV:  35 years of "Bosom Buddies"

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From Deadline:   This time "Peter Hammond's Notes" concern the award season.

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From Deadline:  Lionsgate and Alex Proyas release statements concerning the all-white casting of "Gods of Egypt."

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From Adele:  12 mind-blowing facts about Adele's smash hit album 25.

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From Variety:  Roman Polanski will not be extradited to the United States from Poland to face sex crime charges.

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From LATimes:  Stars talk about the appeal of made-for-TV Christmas movies.

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From YahooMusic:  Sole copy of Wu-Tang album, "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," sells for at least one million dollars.  The owner cannot, an unnamed American collector, cannot be released for 88 years.

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From GuardianUK:  Garrison Keillor is retiring.

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From Fox:  "War of the Planet of the Apes" contest announces.

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From Time:  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the special effect of Hollywood diversity.

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From Slate:  See Adele prank some fans/impersonators.

From Variety:  Chiwetel Ejiofor will be honored at the British Independent Film Awards on Dec. 6, 2015, where he will receive the "Richard Harris Award," which recognizes an outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.

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From IndieWire:  Universal apparently financed Angelina Jolie's vanity film, "By the Sea," so that she would agree to "Wanted 2" (why, Lord, why?) and a "Bride of Frankenstein" remake/re-imagining.

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From TheReelWord:  Netflix is reportedly behind a new "Lost in Space" television series.

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From TheReelWord:  Vin Diesel announces a new "Riddick" film and television series set in the "Riddick" universe.

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From YahooMusic:  Adele talks about the song "Hello" and its importance to her new album, "25."

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From HitFix:  "Toy Story" is 20 years old, and it is as wonderful as ever.

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From BoxOfficeMojo:  The #1 movie at the 11/20 to 11/22/2015 weekend box office is The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 with an estimated haul of $101 million.

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From CinemaBlend:  Brad Pitt is involved in a new sci-fi film.


HARD NEWS:

From RSN:  Native Hawaiians rise.

From InformedConsent:  White terrorism and abortion clinics.

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From RollingStone:  Matt Taibbi: America is too dumb for TV News.

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From TalkingPointsMemo:  President's state on Planned Parenthood shooting.

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From WashPost:  Anne Frank and her family were immigrants who were turned away.

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From TheVox:  Perfect response to the black-on-black crime meme.

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From Outlook:  John Cusack talks to Arundhati Roy.

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From Slate:  The shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago... the video.

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From Slate:  Go John Bel!

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From RollingStone:  Yeah, what the hell is going on with Ben Carson?

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From ThinkProgress:  Donald Trump retweets racist lies; media cowers before calling him a liar and a racists.

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From YahooFinance:  McDonald's is lowering prices, including bringing back more $1 menu items.


COMICS - Films and Books:

From YahooNews:  "The Green Lantern Corps." movie might be a Lethal Weapon-styled buddy movie.

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From CNET:  More details on Doctor Strange film.

From YahooMovies:  You can get Joker's "Suicide Squad" car.

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From Negromancer:  The first issue of "The Dark Knight III" is in comic book stores today.

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From Slate:  On Netflix's "Jessica Jones" and its relation to "Gamergate."

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From CinemaBlend:  Remember George Miller (Mad Max) had planned to direct a Justice League movie (Justice League: Mortal)?  It was cancelled, but here is a look at that film's Wonder Woman (Megan Gale).


STAR WARS:

From YahooMovies:  Katherine Timpf had to play with Roger Ailes' "little space nerd stick" to get a job at Fox.


TRAILER:

From YouTube:  First trailer for a creepy upcoming movie, "The Other Side of the Door."


MISC:

From GoodHousekeeping:  An amazing story about an adopted young woman who discovered that her biological father was a deceased 9/11 hero.

Emmy-Winner Sela Ward Joins EPIX's Original Series, "Graves"

Sela Ward Joins Nick Nolte to Star in EPIX Original Series Graves

Production Has Commenced in New Mexico

Series Created by Joshua Michael Stern and Produced by Lionsgate to Debut Fall 2016

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX® announced today that the Golden Globe® and two-time Emmy® award-winning actress Sela Ward has been cast to star with Nick Nolte in Graves, a single-camera, half-hour, political satire produced by Lionsgate. Ward will play Margaret Graves, the wife of former U.S. President Richard Graves (Nolte), who decides to follow her own political ambitions just as her husband embarks on a Don Quixote-like journey to right the wrongs of his administration. Ms. Ward replaces Susan Sarandon who departed the series due to artistic differences. Production has commenced in New Mexico.

    “Known for playing characters with strength, humor and grace, Sela will be a formidable political player and wife to Nick Nolte’s former President in one of EPIX’s first original series.”

“Sela Ward is a gifted talent who has the presence and attitude to bring the character of Margaret and her story to life,” said Mark S. Greenberg, President and CEO, EPIX. “I am delighted that she has joined Graves and I’m confident that the show’s sense of style, storytelling and wit will resonate with premium viewers across all platforms.”

“We are thrilled to have award-winning actress Sela Ward join the cast of Graves,” said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. “Known for playing characters with strength, humor and grace, Sela will be a formidable political player and wife to Nick Nolte’s former President in one of EPIX’s first original series.”

Ward, a respected and well-recognized film and TV actor, recently completed filming Independence Day: Resurgence directed by Roland Emmerich. Her film credits include Gone Girl, The Stepfather, The Guardian, The Day After Tomorrow and The Fugitive. Ward won her first Emmy® for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1994 for her portrayal of ‘Teddy Reed’ in the acclaimed television series “Sisters.” She won her second Emmy® in 2001 in the same category for playing ‘Lily Manning’ in “Once and Again” which also earned her a Golden Globe® Award for that role. Recent television credits include “CSI: New York” and “House M.D.”

Graves cast includes: Nick Nolte as Richard Graves; Sela Ward as Margaret Graves; Skylar Astin as Isaiah Miller; Heléne Yorke as Olivia Graves; Chris Lowell as Jeremy Graves; Callie Hernandez as Samantha; Ernie Hudson as Jacob Mann; Roger Bart as Lawrence and Angélica Maria as Ramona Alvarez.

Created and written by Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote, Jobs), Graves is executive produced by Stern and Oscar®-winning producer Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) and produced by Bill Hill (“Veep,” “Eastbound & Down”). Production for the 10-episode series will take place in New Mexico. Graves will premiere on EPIX in Fall 2016. The half-hour political satire is produced by Lionsgate.

Ward is represented by The Gersh Agency.


About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on digital devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android phones and tablets, and Roku® players. EPIX is also available across Chromecast, Apple® iPhones® and iPads®, Android TV and more and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms, video games and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black, the multiple Emmy Award-winning drama Mad Men, the hit broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the acclaimed drama Manhattan and the breakout series The Royals.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, The Age of Adaline, CBS/Lionsgate’s The DUFF, John Wick, Now You See Me, Roadside Attractions' Love & Mercy and Mr. Holmes, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films’ Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

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Review: "Rapture-Palooza" is Charming, Off-Beat Fun

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 37 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Rapture-Palooza (2013)
Running time:  85 minutes (1 hour, 25 minutes)
MPAA – R for language including crude sexual references throughout, and for drug use
DIRECTOR:  Paul Middleditch
WRITER:  Chris Matheson
PRODUCERS:  David Householter, Jimmy Miller, and Ed Solomon
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Robert New (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Melissa Bretherton
COMPOSER:  Joachim Horsley

COMEDY/FANTASY

Starring:  Craig Robinson, Anna Kendrick, John Francis Daley, Rob Corddry, Ana Gasteyer, John Michael Higgins, Calum Worthy, Jesse Camacho, Thomas Lennon, Ken Jeong, Bjorn Yearwood, Paul Scheer, Darcy Michael, Mike O'Connell, Tyler Labine, and Andy Fiscella

Rapture-Palooza is a 2013 fantasy-comedy film from director Paul Middleditch and writer Chris Matheson.  The film focuses on a young woman and her boyfriend as they try to outwit the Antichrist who wants to impregnate the young woman.

Rapture-Palooza opens with the arrival of the Biblical Rapture, in which the pious, sanctified, and those deemed worthy by (the Christian) God are whisked off to Heaven, while everyone else is left behind.  This begins the Apocalypse, and soon humanity is vexed by falling meteorites, a plague of evil locusts (that yell “Suffer!”), talking crows (that use profanity), storms (that rain blood), and wraiths (who are addicted to smoking pot).

In Seattle, Lindsey (Anna Kendrick) and her boyfriend, Ben (John Francis Daley), are survivors of this Apocalypse, trying to make the best of this bad situation.  They fend for themselves, and even come up with a small business idea – “Good Sandwiches,” a food cart for selling good sandwiches.  However, a politician named Earl Gundy (Craig Robinson) is revealed to be “The Beast” of the Apocalypse.  The Beast is looking for a bride, a nice girl who is a virgin and who will bare him many beastly children.

The Beast discovers Lindsey and demands that she have sex with him and become his bride or he will kill all her family and friends – the ones who were not “raptured.”  Repulsed by his offer, Lindsey and Ben concoct a plan to capture and imprison The Beast, but will their not-really-well-thought-out plan save Lindsey or make things worse for everyone else?

Rapture-Palooza is by no means a great movie or even an exceptional comedy.  However, it is one of the few films that take both a funny and even mocking view of the Rapture and the Apocalypse, and that counts for something.  The scenes depicting the Rapture are probably this film's most inspired moments.  The pace of the movie is slow, and the director relies on dialogue to make the film work.  Also, it must be said that cast and crew make the most of an obviously small budget.

The cast is good, especially the three leads.  Supporting actors like Ken Jeong, Rob Corddry, Thomas Lennon, Paul Scheer, Calum Worthy, and Ana Gasteyer, among others, have some good comic moments, especially the always-funny Corddry.  Fans of off-beat comedy should give Rapture-Palooza a try.  I have to say that I find it funny enough to watch again.

6 of 10
B

Friday, July 17, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: "The Expendables 3" is Best When the Old Dogs Run

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 28 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux (Support the author on Patreon)

The Expendables 3 (2014)
Running time: 126 minutes (2 hours, 6 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for violence including intense sustained gun battles and fight scenes, and for language
DIRECTOR:  Patrick Hughes
WRITERS:  Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt, and Sylvester Stallone; from a story by Sylvester Stallone (based on characters created by David Callaham)
PRODUCERS:  Les Weldon, Avi Lerner, Danny Lerner, Kevin King-Templeton, and John Thompson
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Peter Menzies, Jr.
EDITORS: Sean Albertson and Paul Harb
COMPOSER:  Brian Tyler

ACTION with some elements of drama

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelsey Grammer, Antonio Banderas, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Ronda Rousey, Kellan Lutz, Terry Crews, Jet Li, and Robert Davi

The Expendables 3 is a 2014 action movie from director Patrick Hughes.  It is the second sequel to the 2010 film, The Expendables, and the third movie in the The Expendables film franchise.  In The Expendables 3, team leader, Barney Ross, replaces his old teammates with some new blood for a showdown against a former friend turned arms dealer.

The Expendables 3 opens with the Expendables:  Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) the leader; his right-hand man, Lee Christmas (Jason Statham); Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren); Toll Road (Randy Couture); and Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), on a new mission.  They seek to rescue Doc (Wesley Snipes), one of the original Expendables.

With Doc in tow, the Expendables head to Mogadishu, Somalia to capture billionaire arms dealer, Victor Minns.  However, Minns turns out to really be Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who co-founded the Expendables before going rogue.  After the Expendables' mission goes horrible wrong, Barney dismisses his current team.  When he faces Stonebanks again, Ross plans on having a younger team that is also not connected to him in any personal or emotional way.  But are the new Expendables:  Thorn (Glen Powell), Luna (Ronda Rousey), Marlito (Victor Ortiz), and John Smilee (Kellan Lutz), really ready to take on an Expendables mission?

Released in the late summer of 2010, The Expendables was a surprising gem, an explosive action film that was a throwback to the old macho, testosterone-fueled action films of the 1980s.  However, The Expendables was not some homage, parody, or sentimental recollection of action movie days gone by.  As I said in my review of the first film, it was “an authentic ass-kicking, ass-stabbing, cap-popped-in-ass action movie...”

The Expendables 3 is full of old relic-type actors from the 1980s and 90s – stars who dominated the movie box office and one television star.  The story toys with the idea that the old folks must make way for the new stars, but ultimately, it only plays with such a notion.  Honestly, I want to see Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Harrison Ford, and Arnold Schwarzenegger more than I want to see Ronda Rousey and Kellan Lutz (nothing against them).

I can't quite express how much I enjoyed seeing Kelsey Grammer (as Bonaparte), an actor about whom I have always had mixed feelings, and Harrison Ford (as Max Drummer).  Ford is really showing his seven decades, but he's still cool.  The Expendables 3 is at its best when it showed the old dogs in action, which is what made the original film such a treat.  So, if there is a fourth film in this franchise, I want more aged beef and less fresh meat.

6 of 10
B

Wednesday, July 1, 2015


NOTES:
2015 Razzie Awards:  1 win: “Worst Supporting Actor” (Kelsey Grammer, also for Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return; Think Like a Man Too; Transformers: Age of Extinction); 2 nominations: “Worst Supporting Actor” (Mel Gibson) and “Worst Supporting Actor” (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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EPIX Adds Original, Scripted Series to its Lineup

EPIX Unveils Two New Original Series

Partners with Lionsgate on “Graves” and Paramount Television on “Berlin Station” to Produce First Two Original Series on EPIX

Production to Begin this Fall with Premieres Fall 2016

Third Original Series Coming from MGM to be Announced Soon

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX announced that it is adding original, scripted series to its programming slate, beginning with series from its joint-venture studio partners Paramount, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Two of the series will begin production this fall for premiere autumn 2016. The series, “Graves” from Lionsgate Television and “Berlin Station” from Paramount Television, mark the first original series that will appear on EPIX across its channels, EPIX On Demand, EPIX.com and TV Everywhere platforms with its distribution partners. A third original series from MGM will be announced in the near future.

    “Olen is among the most respected espionage voices of our time, and Michael has a seasoned and distinct command of noir. Together, they make the ideal creative team to collaborate with on this sophisticated and gritty modern day spy thriller”
Commenting on the original series, Mark Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX said, “Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM are great partners, investors and supporters of our network and are proven leaders in television entertainment. Tapping into the creative talents of these entertainment power-houses to deliver this kind of compelling programming is exactly what we had envisioned when we created this joint-venture and launched the channel. Our focus was on business success and profitability first and having established that firm business foundation, we are now in a position to launch our original series with these two great shows from Lionsgate and Paramount and a third on the way from MGM.”

Added Jocelyn Diaz, Executive Vice President for Original Programming, “Original series provide a platform to build our brand and distinguish our offering. We are proud of the level of quality and sophistication of these projects and are thrilled to announce them today with our partners.”

“Berlin Station” is an hour-long, 10-part espionage drama series that will be produced in partnership with Paramount Television. Academy Award nominee Michaël Roskam ("Bullhead," "The Drop") will executive produce the straight-to-series order and is set to direct the first two episodes. American spy novelist Olen Steinhauer (The Cairo Affair, All The Old Knives) will write and executive produce the series. Academy Award winner Eric Roth ("House of Cards," "The Insider," "Munich") and Anonymous Content (“True Detective,” “The Knick”) will also serve as executive producers.

"Olen is among the most respected espionage voices of our time, and Michael has a seasoned and distinct command of noir. Together, they make the ideal creative team to collaborate with on this sophisticated and gritty modern day spy thriller," said Amy Powell, President, Paramount Television. "We also take great pride in partnering with the distinguished and prolific storyteller Eric Roth and the talented team at EPIX on developing an inspired original series that is reflective of the network’s commitment to high quality entertainment."

“Berlin Station” follows Daniel Meyer, a newly anointed case officer who has arrived at the CIA foreign station in Berlin, Germany. It with a clandestine mission: to uncover the source of a leak who has supplied information to a now-famous whistleblower named “Thomas Shaw." Guided by jaded veteran Hector DeJean, Daniel learns to contend with the rough-and-tumble world of the field agent—agent-running, deception, the dangers and moral compromises. As he dives deeper into the German capital's hall of mirrors and uncovers the threads of a conspiracy that leads back to Washington, Daniel wonders: Can anyone ever be the same after a posting to Berlin?

Michaël Roskum is represented by Anonymous Content’s Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett, and UTA and attorney Alan Wertheimer. Olen Steinhauer is represented by Jill Gillett and Sylvie Rabineau at RWSG. Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Keith Redmon and Luke Rivett from Anonymous Content will also be executive producers of the series.

“Graves” is a single camera, half-hour comedy starring Oscar-nominated Nick Nolte as a former President of the United States. Twenty years after his presidency, former President Richard Graves has the epiphany that his policies have damaged the country for decades and so, with his young assistant, he goes on a Don Quixote-like journey to right his administration's wrongs just as his wife, the former First Lady, decides to follow her own political ambitions.

The 10-episode, straight-to-series order will be produced in partnership with Lionsgate TV. Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) created the project and will write, direct and executive produce the series. Oscar-winning producer Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker) will also be an executive producer.

"'Graves' is a perfect vehicle to usher EPIX into premium scripted programming, and we look forward to delivering high end quality content for years to come," said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. "'Graves' is a provocative comedy featuring a terrific script from writer/director Joshua Michael Stern, a consummate producer in Greg Shapiro and the brilliant and charismatic Nick Nolte as a former U.S. President whose conscience catches up with him with tragic and comic results. It is perfectly timed to premiere in an election year and marks a new chapter in the successful evolution of EPIX as a leading premium cable platform."

Nick Nolte is represented by CAA and Jackoway Tyerman. Joshua Michael Stern is represented by Paradigm and AJ Brandenstein at Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern, LLP. Greg Shapiro is represented by Darren Trattner at Jackoway Tyerman.

EPIX and MGM are finalizing an agreement on an original series that will add to the network’s programming line-up. Specific details will be announced in the near future.

“We are working with EPIX to develop our next exciting series and look forward to bringing our signature style and storytelling to EPIX soon,” said Roma Khanna, President of MGM Television Group and Digital. “From Vikings to Fargo, MGM Television is the force behind some of the most exciting and award-winning series currently on television.”

In addition to the new scripted series, EPIX will continue to present original documentaries and docu-series (Deep Web, NHL Road to the Winter Classic and Stadium Series), comedy specials (Russell Brand, Jim Norton, Jim Breuer, Lisa Lampanelli) and music events (Katy Perry: Prismatic Tour), along with new movies (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Selma, Interstellar) and thousands of titles from partner studios and other sources.


About EPIX
EPIX is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service delivering the latest movie releases, classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and was the first premium network to launch on XBox 360, PlayStation® 3 and 4, Android phones and tablets, Windows 8.1 and Roku® players. EPIX is available to authenticated subscribers on hundreds of devices including Chromecast and Apple® iPads® and iPhones® and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.

EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIA.B), its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go to www.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).

About Paramount Television
Paramount Television develops and finances a wide range of creative television programming across all media platforms. Paramount Television is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a subsidiary of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a global content company with premier television, film and digital entertainment brands.

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, channel platforms and international distribution and sales. The Company currently has more than 30 television shows on over 20 different networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show, the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black and the breakout series The Royals.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first three installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first two installments of the Divergent franchise, Age of Adaline, John Wick, Now You See Me, CBS Films/Lionsgate’s The DUFF, Roadside Attractions' A Most Wanted Man, Lionsgate/Codeblack Films' Addicted and Pantelion Films' Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rates. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 16,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world. www.lionsgate.com

About MGM Television
MGM Television is a leading producer and global distributor of content for television and digital platforms, with distribution rights to original productions and a robust catalog of television episodes and feature film titles covering some of entertainment's premiere franchises including the James Bond franchise and “The Hobbit” trilogy. Current television projects include the hit series “Vikings,” currently in production on its fourth season on HISTORY; the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning limited series “Fargo,” a co-production with FX Productions, currently in production on year 2, and season five of “Teen Wolf” debuting in June 2015 on MTV. In addition, MGM Television serves as the syndicator for "Right This Minute" and “Let’s Ask America.” Through its finance and distribution entity, Orion TV Productions’ courtroom series "Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” is currently in production on its third season. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

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Review: "I, Frankenstein" Has a Cool B-Movie Vibe

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 18 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

I, Frankenstein (2014)
Running time:  92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of intense fantasy action and violence throughout
DIRECTOR:  Stuart Beattie
WRITERS:  Stuart Beattie; from a screen story by Kevin Grevioux and Stuart Beattie (based on the Darkstorm Studios graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux and the characters created by Mary Shelley)
PRODUCER:  Sidney Kimmel, Gary Lucchesi, Andrew Mason, Tom Rosenberg, Richard Wright, and Johnny Klimek
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Ross Emery
EDITOR:  Marcus D'Arcy
COMPOSER:  Reinhold Heil

FANTASY/HORROR/ACTION

Starring:  Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Mirando Otto, Jai Courtney, Socratis Otto, Caitlin Stasey, Mahesh Jadu, Nicholas Bell, Deniz Akdeniz, Kevin Grevioux, Bruce Spense, Steve Mouzakis, and Aden Young

I, Frankenstein is a 2014 action-fantasy and horror film from director, Stuart Beattie.  This film is based on the comic book, I, Frankenstein: Genesis (2013), which was written by Kevin Grevioux, who serves this movie as an executive producer, writer, and actor.  I, Frankenstein also borrows a few characters and some story from Mary Shelley's legendary novel, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which was first published in 1818.  I, Frankenstein the movie focuses on Victor Frankenstein's creature as it finds itself caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict.

I, Frankenstein opens in 1795.  A voice summarizes the story of Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Aden Young), the man who created a monster.  This was a soulless creature that Frankenstein made by patching together body parts from corpses.  However, he rejected his creation, which began a war between creator and creation that ended with the creation burying the creator.

Even as he buries his creator, Frankenstein, “the monster” (Aaron Eckhart) cannot know peace, because demons attack him in the graveyard.  Two gargoyles rescue the monster and take him to Leonore (Miranda Otto), High Queen of the Gargoyle Order.  She gives the monster a name, “Adam,” and tells him that the Gargoyle Order has been fighting a centuries-old war against demons on Earth in order to protect humanity.  Leonore invites Adam to join their cause, but he declines.

The demons and their leader, Prince Naberius (Bill Nighy), also want Adam on their side.  Naberius wants the secrets behind Frankenstein's creation of Adam, and he has employed a beautiful young scientist, Terra Wade (Yvonne Strahovski), to discover how to replicate the process that created Adam.  However, Adam also wants to unravel the secrets to his creation, so he too needs Terra.  But will working with Terra threaten to decide the outcome of a war between immortals?

I, Frankenstein currently has a low score with movie review aggregate sites, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.  However, I like it.  I, Frankenstein is a dark, urban fantasy similar to Underworld, which was also originally created by Kevin Grevioux.  For its genre, it has a novel and easy to understand premise, which might seem silly to people who don't like this kind of story or its genre.

The acting isn't particularly great, ranging from overacting (as in the case of Miranda Otto as Lenore) to stiff (as in the case of Yvonne Strahovski as Terra).  Some performances are way too fierce (as is the case with Jai Courtney as Gideon, leader of the Gargoyle army).  Bill Nighy always seems game to play a dark fantasy baddie, and his Naberius is malevolent and cheesy in pleasurably equal measures.

Aaron Eckhart seems lost as Adam/Frankenstein's monster.  It is as if he does not quite know what to do with the character.  Is he bent on revenge?  Is he curious about himself?  Does he just want to be left alone?  If it is all of the above, Eckhart doesn't quite get the mix right.

Still, I like I, Frankenstein, and found it hugely enjoyable.  I want a sequel.

6 of 10
B

Saturday, April 18, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: "You're Next" is Shocking and Shockingly Good

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 4 (of 2015) by Leroy Douresseaux

You're Next (2011)
Running time:  95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong bloody violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
EDITOR/DIRECTOR:  Adam Wingard    
WRITERS:  Simon Barrett
PRODUCERS:  Simon Barrett, Keith Calder, Kim Sherman, and Jessica Wu
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Andrew D. Palermo (D.o.P.)
COMPOSERS:  Mads Heldtberg, Jasper Justice Lee, and Kyle McKinnon

HORROR/THRILLER/CRIME

Starring:  Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Sarah Myers, Amy Seimetz, Ti West, Rob Moran, Barbara Crampton, L.C. Holt, Simon Barrett, and Lane Hughes

You're Next is a 2011 crime thriller and horror film from director Adam Wingard.  The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2011, but did not receive a wide theatrical release until 2013.  You're Next focuses on a family reunion that comes under assault by a gang of masked intruders that attacks family members until someone starts fighting back.

You're Next takes place in a secluded wooded area that might be located in Missouri.  At a large, rustic estate on 5 Edelweiss Drive, Aubrey (Barbara Crampton) and Paul (Rob Moran) gather their four children (three sons and a daughter) for a wedding anniversary party.  Shy Erin (Sharni Vinson) accompanies her boyfriend, Crispian (AJ Bowen), to the reunion.  Also, present are Crispian's brothers, Drake (Joe Swanberg), with his wife, Kelly (Sarah Myers); and Felix (Nicholas Tucci) with his girlfriend, Zee (Wendy Glenn).  Also present is Crispian's sister, Aimee (Amy Seimetz), and her boyfriend, Tariq (Ti West).

That evening, everyone gathers around a large table for a meal.  During a family argument, mainly caused by Crispian and Drake, one of the guests is shockingly murdered.  Soon, the family (whose last name may be “Davison,” although it is not used in the film) is under attack by a unknown number of mysterious killers.  As family and friends die or are gravely wounded, we discover that one of the victims has a secret talent for fighting back and for surviving.

You're Next is like an action movie version of the 2008 film, The Strangers, but even better.  Cast and crew come together and deliver a fan-freaking-tastic film that looks bigger than its paltry budget of one million dollars.  There are thrillers that cost 50 to 100 times more than this “little” film that do not deliver the heart-stopping scares and riveting, hair-trigger drama that You're Next does.  I don't like You're Next.  I frickin' love You're Next.  Encore!  Encore!

I won't spoil it, but the actor that plays the character that fights back delivers a star-making performance.  Director Adam Wingard impresses with his editing work on this film more than he does with his directing, which is also quite good.  Wingard's work here suggests the Coen Bros., with a touch of David Fincher.  Some might describe Simon Barrett's screenplay as implausible, but my cynical worldview considers this Hitchcockian fable damn near a documentary.

If you want thrills, chills, and scares, do yourself a favor and see one of the best horror movies of the decade, You're Next.

9 of 10
A+

Friday, January 2, 2015


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "A Madea Christmas" a Funny and Odd Christmas Movie

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 56 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas (2013)
Running time:  100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sexual references, crude humor and language
DIRECTOR:  Tyler Perry
WRITER:  Tyler Perry (based on the stage play, A Madea Christmas, written by Tyler Perry)
PRODUCERS:  Ozzie Areu, Tyler Perry, and Matt Moore
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Alexander Gruszynski (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Maysie Hoy
COMPOSER:  Christopher Young

CHRISTMAS/COMEDY/DRAMA

Starring:  Tyler Perry, Larry the Cable Guy, Anna Maria Horsford, Tika Sumpter, Eric Lively, JR Lemon, Kathy Najimy, Chad Michael Murray, Alicia Witt, Noah Urrea, and Lucy Whelchel

A Madea Christmas is a 2013 comedy, drama, and Christmas movie from writer-director Tyler Perry.  The film is based on Perry's musical play, A Madea Christmas, which was first performed in 2011.  A Madea Christmas the movie finds Madea in rural Alabama after being coaxed into helping a relative pay her daughter a surprise visit for Christmas.

As A Madea Christmas begins, Mabel “Madea” Simmons (Tyler Perry) is working at Tifton's department store for some extra Christmas cash, thanks to her niece, Eileen Murphy (Anna Maria Horsford), who works at the store.  Eileen is sad that her daughter, Lacey (Tika Sumpter), is living in the small town of Bucktussle, Alabama, and she wants to visit her.  Eileen coaxes Madea into accompanying her for a surprise Christmas visit.

What Eileen does not realize is that her daughter is now Lacey Williams and is married to her college sweetheart, Conner Williams (Eric Lively).  Lacey is not ready to tell her mother that she is married to a White man, but may be forced to when Eileen and Madea arrive.  Also arriving at Lacey and Conner's doorstep are Conner's parents, Kim and Buddy Williams (Kathy Najimy and Larry the Cable Guy).

A Madea Christmas is an odd entry in Tyler Perry's Madea film series.  First, the film deals, in a fluffy way, with racism, and is also set in a town and area that is largely white.  With its mushy sentiment, soft-focused racial harmony, and easy pace,  A Madea Christmas seems like an original holiday movie for either the Lifetime or Hallmark cable networks.

I found this film enjoyable and comfy, and although Madea does dispense her usual unique brand of wisdom, the film is not as preachy as previous Madea films.  A Madea Christmas' dominant theme seems to be that parents should accept that their children will live the lives the children choose and not the ones the parents want.  There is also a subplot about a sensitive and talented boy, Bailey McCoy (Noah Urrea), whose father, Tanner McCoy (Chad Michael Murray), is a racist and a bully (but not really in an especially offensive way).  This subplot encapsulates how A Madea Christmas goes out of its way not to offend or scare white audiences.

I don't think that A Madea Christmas will be a Christmas classic, but it is definitely a different kind of Christmas movie.  I found it to be quiet funny at times, and I plan on seeing it again.

6 of 10
B

Tuesday, December 23, 2014


NOTES:
2014 Razzie Awards:  1 win: “Worst Actress” (Tyler Perry); 4 nominations: “Worst Picture,” “Worst Supporting Actor” (Larry the Cable Guy), “Worst Screen Combo” (Tyler Perry, Larry the Cable Guy, Tyler Perry & EITHER Larry the Cable Guy OR That Worn-Out Wig & Dress), and “Worst Screenplay” (Tyler Perry)

Review: Woodley Carries "Divergent" to Victory (Shailene Film Fest)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 53 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

Divergent (2014)
Running time:  139 minutes (2 hours, 19 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality
DIRECTOR:  Neil Burger
WRITERS:  Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor (based on the novel by Veronica Roth)
PRODUCERS:  Lucy Fisher, Pouya Shahbazian, and Douglas Wick
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Alwin H. Küchler (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Richard Francis-Bruce and Nancy Richardson
COMPOSER:  Junkie XL

SCI-FI/DRAMA/THRILLER

Starring:  Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Ashley Judd, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoe Kravitz, Miles Teller, Tony Goldwyn, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, Kate Winslet, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Christian Madsen, Amy Newbold, and Ben Lamb

Divergent is a 2014 science fiction drama from director Neil Burger.  The film is based on the 2011 novel, Divergent, by author Veronica Roth.  Divergent the film is set in a world divided by factions and focuses on a teen girl who does not really fit in with any one faction.

Divergent is set in an indeterminate future and a dystopian Chicago that is a walled city.  There, society is divided into five factions:  Abnegation (the selfless), Amity (the peaceful), Candor (the honest), Dauntless (the brave), and Erudite (the intelligent).  There is also a sixth group, the “Factionless,” in which the members are homeless and shunned by everyone except Abnegation.

Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) belongs to Abnegation with her mother, Natalie (Ashley Judd); father, Andrew (Tony Goldwyn); and brother, Caleb ( Ansel Elgort).  On her sixteenth birthday, Beatrice will take an aptitude test that is supposed to decide in which faction she would best fit.  She will also learn of a plot to destroy Divergents, people who think independently and do not really fit into any particular faction.  To which faction does Beatrice belong?  Or is she Divergent?

If honesty is the best policy (and often it is), then, I must be honest about my feelings concerning Divergent.  I love it – totally love it.  I enjoyed the hell out of this movie.  There, are two things about Divergent that stand out to me:  (1) the story's themes and messages and (2) Shailene Woodley's performance.

I think that Divergent the film is not literal dystopian science fiction so much as it is metaphorical and thematic.  It is not important that Chicago is a post-apocalyptic city full of survivors trying to both eek out a living and to maintain a social order that is supposed to... well, maintain social order.  In the film, Chicago is important as a setting where creeping individualism meets growing spots of selflessness.  Beatrice wants not only to be “herself,” but to also fit in where she wants.  Being an individual means being able to help people outside of one's caste, even if one's caste-mates frown upon that.  Divergent's story, as I see it, says that the individual and the society are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, the reign of one over the other means disaster for everyone.

As for Ms. Woodley's performance, she does what the best actors do with a character – bring them fully to life.  She makes Beatrice's wants and desires, conflicts and confusion, and her goals and struggles tangible, as if they belong to an actual living person.  When an actor can do this, she makes the audience buy into the character, as if the character were a real person.  I can see why people compare Woodley to fellow millennial actress, Jennifer Lawrence, but they are different from each other.  Lawrence's characters tend to be brash and bold, even when they are vulnerable.  Shailene Woodley is vulnerable and brash and brave in equal measures and at the same time.

Theo James, as the love-interest, Four, is good.  Perhaps, director Neil Burger makes him scowl more than he needs to do for this young male character who must be upfront and hidden.  James, however, has a screen quality that at least serves this film well.

In some ways, Divergent is predictable and follows the hero vs. the system journey so common in films adapted from Young Adult (YA) dystopian science fiction and fantasy books.  However, Divergent is not generic because of Woodley, by both her performance and her engaging screen presence.  She grabbed me and forced me to live in Beatrice's world.  I am glad that this film's box office success has yielded a sequel.

8 of 10
A

Friday, November 14, 2014


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Gotham Awards Choose "Birdman" as Best Picture of 2014; Michael Keaton Named "Best Actor"

Honoring independent films, the Gotham Awards are the first major awards of the film awards season.  This year, the 2014 edition kicks off the 2014-15 season.  The Gotham Awards ceremony was held on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Cipriani Wall Street.

The 2014/24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Award winners are:

Best Feature
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, director; Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Best Documentary
CITIZENFOUR
Laura Poitras, director; Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky, producers (RADiUS, Participant Media, and HBO Documentary Films)

Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award
Ana Lily Amirpour for A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (Kino Lorber)

Best Actor*
Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

* The 2014 Best Actor nominating panel also voted to award a special Gotham Jury Award jointly to Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum for their ensemble performance in Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics).

Best Actress
Julianne Moore in Still Alice (Sony Pictures Classics)

Breakthrough Actor
Tessa Thompson in Dear White People (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)


Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ Grant:
For the fourth consecutive year, IFP is proud present the euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ grant, a $25,000 cash award for an alumna of IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. This grant aims to further the careers of emerging women directors by supporting the completion, distribution and audience engagement strategies of their first feature film.

WINNER: Chloé Zhao, director, Songs My Brothers Taught Me

The nominees are:
Garrett Bradley, director, Below Dreams
Claire Carré, director, Embers


Gotham Independent Film Audience Award: Boyhood
New this year, IFP members had a voice in determining the 5th Annual Gotham Independent Film Audience Award with nominees comprised of the 15 nominated films in the Best Feature, Best Documentary, and Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award categories. All IFP current, active members at the Individual Level and above will be eligible to vote.  Voting took place online from November 19th at 12:01 AM EST and concluded on November 26th at 5:00 PM EST.  The winner of the Audience Award was announced at the Gotham Awards Ceremony on December 1, 2014.


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Review: Jennifer Lawrence Burns in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 51 (of 2014) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Running time: 146 minutes (2 hours, 26 minutes)
Rating: MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
DIRECTOR: Francis Lawrence
WRITERS: Simon Beaufoy and Michael deBruyn (based upon the novel by Suzanne Collins)
PRODUCERS: Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jo Willems
EDITOR: Alan Edward Bell
COMPOSER: James Newton Howard
Golden Globe nominee

SCI-FI/DRAMA/THRILLER

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seyour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Sam Claflin, Willow Shields, Paul Malcomson, Lynn Cohen, Jena Malone, and Toby Jones

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a 2013 dystopian science fiction film directed by Francis Lawrence, and it is also a direct sequel to the 2012 film, The Hunger Games.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is based upon Suzanne Collins’ 2009 novel, Catching Fire, the second novel in The Hunger Games trilogy.  In Catching Fire the movie, Katniss Everdeen becomes a target of the Capitol after her victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion.

The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, and what was once North America is now the nation of Panem.  Panem is composed of 12 districts and The Capitol, which rules over the districts. Every year, The Capitol takes one boy and one girl (called “tributes”) from each of the 12 districts to become contestants in The Hunger Games.  Part entertainment and part intimidation of the 12 districts, these games are broadcast throughout Panem, and the 24 participants must fight to the death until only one of them remains alive – the victor.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire opens a few months after the first film.  Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) were the winners of the 74th Hunger Games.  Now, the young victors have returned to their home, the impoverished District 12, and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is waiting for Katniss.  Snow is upset that the outcome of the most recent Games has sparked rebellion in the districts of Panem, with Katniss' actions in the Games being the inspiration for rebellion in the districts.

Katniss (“The Girl on Fire”) and Peeta (“The Baker's Boy”) are going on a victory tour through the districts.  During this tour, Snow wants Katniss to sell the untrue idea that her actions in the Games were out of genuine love for Peeta and were not an act of defiance against the Capitol.  This scheme doesn't exactly work out.  So Snow calls for the 75th Hunger Games to be special.  These Games will be a “Quarter Quell,” and the tributes will be selected from previous victors.  Katniss and Peeta suddenly find themselves in the Games again, and this time, the target on Katniss' back comes from players inside and outside of the Games.

Catching Fire is the middle book in Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games trilogy, although the third book, Mockingjay, is being adapted as two film.  However, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire doesn't suffer the fate of some middle films in a trilogy.  Sometimes, the middle film can come across as filler material, or it can be packed with too many characters that are not important or too many subplots that won't be resolved until the third film.  An example of that is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, which was a collection of pointless action scenes that didn't really serve much of a purpose beyond titillating young males and selling lots of tickets.

Catching Fire the movie is intense and gripping, almost every scene is important, not just to what came before or what will come after, but also to the story being told now.  When I reviewed the first film two-and-a-half years ago, I wrote that I could say without reservation that The Hunger Games captures the sense of the life and death struggle of Katniss and her competitors.  I can say the same for Catching Fire.  Like its predecessor, this movie is driven by character drama and by intimate man vs. man confrontations/encounters that freely range from sudden romance and friendship to cold-bloodied murder and assorted calculated cruelties.

I will say that I think this film offers more characters than the story can present in full-measure, not revealing how rich and how important they are.  However, almost every character does enough to be interesting or intriguing, and there are many excellent performances.  Donald Sutherland is even better and more menacing as President Snow than he was in the first film.  Woody Harrelson manages to further develop Haymitch Abernathy, surprisingly showing that there is much more to the character than one might think.  Josh Hutcherson makes Peeta Mellark the dashing young hero and co-lead that he could not be in the first film, even if that was the intention.  And I'm always happy to see Jeffrey Wright, although I wish his character, Beetee Latier, had more meat on the bone i.e. substance.

Still, as was true in The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence is everything to Catching Fire. Whatever problems this film may have, Lawrence’s skill-set as an actor delivers a performance that glosses over narrative and cinematic glitches.  She is a true movie star, and her radiant presence bleeds across the screen, leaving me awash in the essence of Katniss.  Pardon my lack of articulation, but Jennifer is the real deal.

In the first film, we watched a young woman, Katniss, who was a poor nobody, struggle to survive and ultimately to triumph, becoming a star and a legend.  Catching Fire depicts Katniss' struggle to accept her fate.  The adventure is calling the hero, and she has to be dragged towards her destiny.  This kind of story is an archetype, and when told correctly, it can be mesmerizing.  So, as she did before, Jennifer Lawrence makes The Hunger Games: Catching Fire more than it ought to be.

8 of 10
A

Thursday, November 20, 2014


NOTES:
2014 Golden Globes, USA:  1 nomination: “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, and Will Champion for the song “Atlas”)

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

2014 Urbanworld Film Festival to Offer Exclusive Look at the Film, "Addicted"

Urbanworld® Adds Lionsgate/Codeblack Films’ Evening with Zane and the Men of Addicted: Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford, William Levy and Director Bille Woodruff for Q&A and Exclusive Look at Scenes from the Film to Their 2014 Festival Line-up

Nation’s Premiere Showcase For Multicultural Cinema To Be Held in New York September 17 – 21, 2014

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 18th Annual Urbanworld® Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org), presented by BET Networks with founding sponsor HBO, announced the addition of an exclusive look at scenes from the upcoming Lionsgate/Codeblack Films release, Addicted and a Q & A with the stars and filmmakers today.

    “More than ever, we recognize the importance of technology as it relates to content creation and distribution”

Addicted, based on the best-selling novel by Zane and a screenplay by Christina Welsh and Ernie Barbarash, is a sexy and provocative thriller about desire and the dangers of indiscretion. Successful businesswoman Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) appears to have attained it all - the dream husband she loves, two wonderful children and a flourishing career. As perfect as everything appears from the outside, Zoe is still drawn to temptations she cannot escape or resist. As she pursues a secretive life, Zoe finds herself risking it all when she heads down a perilous path she may not survive. Boris Kodjoe, Tyson Beckford and William Levy star in the film and will join Zane and director Bille Woodruff at a Q & A and exclusive look at scenes from the film on Friday, September 19, 2014 at 7:45pm at Manhattan's AMC Loews 34th Street 14. Addicted will open nationwide on October 10.

Also of note, the four finalist scripts selected for the best screenplay competition are Just Downsized – written by Pauline Gray, The Jumbie – written by H.M. Coakley, Noor – written by Nijla Mumin and Summer Break – written by Cathleen Campbell. In addition to awarding $5,000 to the winner, BET Networks will review the finalist scripts with an eye for potential development at the network.

Spotlight films and programs at this year’s festival also include Urbanworld® Digital, which will be hosted by HBO for the fifth year. “More than ever, we recognize the importance of technology as it relates to content creation and distribution,” said Dennis Williams, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility at HBO. “We are proud to support Urbanworld Digital, as it provides a unique opportunity to connect content creators and industry influencers within a rapidly evolving digital landscape.” The program will feature workshops and sessions presented by HBO, Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Interactive One, Seed & Spark and Project Catalyst, among others in the digital space.

Issa Rae, best known for her hit web-series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, is a featured guest for the Urbanworld® Digital Fireside Chat with Roland Martin sponsored by NewsOne. Rae will also premiere her latest venture, Issa Rae Presents: ColorCreative.TV, at the festival. Through Color Creative.TV, Issa Rae – along with her producing partner Deniese Davis, who will also join her in the Urbanworld® Digital Fireside Chat – strives to discover new writing talent and diverse stories via national workshops, improve the TV pilot development process; and produce and package low-cost TV pilots with an indie familiarity.

The festival’s nightlife will feature special editions of Urbanworld® Music presenting a mix of eclectic live performances in partnership with Que Bajo?! and Everyday People — two leading NYC event franchises – to create unique after-dark experiences for festival goers. On Saturday, September 20, Urbanworld® Music and Everyday People will present the 8-piece rock/soul band, Condola and the Stoop Kids, in an edgy, live performance that features lead singer and Tony® nominated actress Condola Rashad.

Additionally, Urbanworld® will host free community screenings on Sunday, September 21 in Brooklyn, Queens, and Harlem to engage the broader New York community with the Urbanworld® experience. In partnership with Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn, The Museum of Moving Image in Queens, ImageNation and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, Urbanworld® will curate customized evening screening programs for each community. The full schedule will be announced on the festival website next week.

Along with presenting sponsor BET Networks and founding sponsor HBO, another key supporter of the nation’s largest competitive multicultural film festival September 17-21, 2014 in New York is premiere sponsor Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo. Industry circle supporters include Fox Global Directors Initiative, Cinemax, Interactive One, Panavision, MoviePass, Moguldom, RLJ Entertainment, the Directors Guild of America and AMC Theatres.

For the complete slate of films, film synopsis, ticket information, additional Urbanworld® Digital and Urbanworld® Music details and daily updates, visit www.urbanworld.org.

ABOUT URBANWORLD® FILM FESTIVAL
The Urbanworld® Film Festival, founded in 1997 by Stacy Spikes, is the largest internationally competitive festival of its kind. The five-day festival includes narrative features, documentaries, short films, spotlight screenings, events, live staged screenplay readings, the Urbanworld® Digital track focused on digital and social media panels and workshops and Urbanworld® Music, which highlights emerging talent in live performances during after party events. Over the last 18 years, Hollywood studios, indie film distributors, and established and emerging filmmakers have consistently chosen Urbanworld® to premiere box office and award-winning hits. Urbanworld® has also provided a platform for some of today's leading brands seeking to reach key influencers across the industry and within the consumer marketplace. The Urbanworld® Film Festival is an initiative of the Urbanworld® Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization that endeavors to consistently manifest its mission of redefining and advancing the presence and impact of the multicultural community in cinema and cross-platform media. By implementing initiatives that actively support and develop content creators of color, Urbanworld® significantly contributes to the evolution of the media and entertainment landscape and the diversity that it reflects. Gabrielle Glore serves as Executive Producer & Head of Programming for the Urbanworld® Film Festival. The festival website is www.urbanworld.org.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

"Lockdown" is WWE Studios' Second "Action Six Pack" Film

WWE® Studios and Lionsgate Announce LOCKDOWN as Second Installment of Duo’s Action Six Pack

SANTA MONICA, Calif. & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF), the premier next generation global content leader, and WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) announced today the second film in their action six pack deal which extends the long standing partnership between the two companies and serves as starring vehicles for WWE Superstars as well as incubators for new and emerging talent.

    “As the second installment to the action six pack series, LOCKDOWN will continue to energize and excite with the high level of adrenaline our fans have come to expect from our films”

Directed by Stephen Reynolds (Tomb Raider Ascension) and featuring WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose®, LOCKDOWN is the second installment of the action six-pack series to follow the recently wrapped VENDETTA. The film was written by Nathan Brooks and Bobby Lee Darby (See No Evil 2) and is set to commence principal photography this August. WWE Studios will leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to promote the film.

LOCKDOWN follows a police officer who returns to duty after recovering from a gun shot wound to discover incriminating evidence of illegal activities against those closest to him. He quickly finds himself trapped inside his own precinct, hunted and in search of the truth, as the crooked cops stop at nothing to recover the evidence.

“As the second installment to the action six pack series, LOCKDOWN will continue to energize and excite with the high level of adrenaline our fans have come to expect from our films,” said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President.

“The latest installment in our six pack has it all -- powerful suspense, nonstop action and a brand name WWE Superstar,” said Lionsgate Co-Chief Operating Officer and Motion Picture Group President Steve Beeks. “We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with WWE Studios, whose prowess in marketing to their global fan base delivers a consistent track record of commercial success.”

WWE Studios and Lionsgate previously collaborated on THE CONDEMNED and SEE NO EVIL, as well as the upcoming 2014 releases LEPRECHAUN: ORIGINS, SEE NO EVIL 2 and VENDETTA. Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios and Wendy Jaffe, EVP of Business & Legal Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Lionsgate.

ABOUT WWE STUDIOS
WWE Studios produces a diverse slate of feature films for theatrical release, home entertainment and digital platforms through distribution partnerships with global entertainment companies. Led by President Michael Luisi and headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, WWE Studios creates content for audiences of all ages. Films recently produced by WWE Studios include The Call with Halle Berry and WWE Superstar David Otunga®, Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery which paired WWE Superstars with Scooby and the gang released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Oculus directed by Mike Flanagan staring Karen Gillan, Katee Sackhoff distributed by Relativity Media in partnership with Blumhouse Productions, Dead Man Down with Colin Farrell and WWE Superstar Wade Barrett®, The Marine 3: Homefront with WWE Superstar The Miz®, 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded, the second installment in the action franchise, starring WWE Superstar Randy Orton®, No One Lives co-produced with Pathe© Films and released theatrically by Anchor Bay Films starring Luke Evans and WWE Superstar Brodus Clay™, and Christmas Bounty, an action comedy starring WWE Superstar The Miz and Francia Raisa, which premiered on ABC Family's "The Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas" and released on Blu-Ray/DVD by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Films to be released in 2014 include Leprechaun: Origins directed by Zach Lipovsky starring WWE Superstar Hornswoggle® which will be distributed by Lionsgate on August 22; See No Evil 2 starring WWE Superstar Kane® directed by the Soska Sisters will also be distributed by Lionsgate on October 21, Queens of the Ring featuring The Miz which will be distributed by Image Entertainment on November 11, Jingle All the Way 2 starring Larry The Cable Guy and featuring WWE Superstar Santino Marella® will be released by Fox Home Entertainment on December 2. Upcoming films for WWE Studios in Spring 2015 include The Flintstones: Stone Age Smackdown! with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releasing which joins Fred, Barney and the whole Bedrock gang with stone age versions of WWE Superstars and Divas, The Marine 4: Moving Target starring The Miz in the fourth follow-up in the explosive Marine adventures, Incarnate the paranormal thriller featuring WWE Superstar Mark Henry® in a Universal Pictures release of a Blumhouse production, and Term Life starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Hailee Steinfeld in a Universal Pictures release. The Action Six-Pack series will also be distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment including the films Vendetta directed by the Soska Sisters featuring WWE Superstar Big Show® and Lockdown directed by Stephen Reynolds and featuring WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose®.

ABOUT WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE:WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Munich, Dubai and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE:WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to entering into, maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming and our new network distribution agreements; risks relating to the launch and maintenance of our new network; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive and fragmented nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to new businesses and strategic investments; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to general economic conditions and our exposure to bad debt risk; risks relating to litigation; risks relating to market expectations for our financial performance; risks relating to our revolving credit facility; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.

ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. Lionsgate currently has over 30 television shows on more than 20 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the comedy Anger Management, the network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show and the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first two installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first installment of the recently-launched Divergent franchise, Now You See Me, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Warm Bodies, The Expendables 2, The Possession, Sinister, Roadside Attractions' Mud and Pantelion Films' breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

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