AOL Announces New Original Series Starring Steve Buscemi, “Park Bench”
Celebrities and New Yorkers Alike Take a Seat with Steve to Discuss Pop-Culture and Current Events
Produced by Olive Productions and RadicalMedia
Distributed Globally by FremantleMedia International
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AOL and Steve Buscemi have teamed-up to take over the streets of New York in the new original series, “Park Bench,” – a local’s take on the special people, places and spirit of The Big Apple.
Through unscripted moments and conversations with average New Yorkers – as well as Steve's celebrity friends – Buscemi takes viewers on a first-hand misadventure. Discussing everything from pop culture to current events, the show, produced by Olive Productions and RadicalMedia, will convey Steve’s relationship with New York and its array of one-of-a-kind characters – taking viewers beyond mere interviews and involving them in his daily life.
Currently starring in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Golden Globe winner and Emmy-nominated Buscemi has become one of the most recognizable and well-loved actors in recent history and will bring his personal blend of comedy and styling to Park Bench.
“Having lived and worked in New York my whole life, I’m ready to take advantage of all it has to offer,” said Buscemi. “I just need to lay down for five minutes.”
AOL, in line with its dedication to original premium video content via their “AOL Originals” platform, will carry the first season of Park Bench online in the United States.
“We're excited to include Park Bench as part of our new slate of AOL Originals,” said Gabriel Lewis, Head of AOL Studios & AOL Originals. “We strive to produce and showcase programming that captures unique and authentic personalities, and this series will give audiences a glimpse into Steve's world like they've never experienced before. We're confident Park Bench will delight our existing audience as well as appeal to audiences currently unfamiliar with AOL Originals."
FremantleMedia International has partnered with RadicalMedia to bring Park Bench to the global Television market and will be shopping the series to international buyers at MIPTV this spring.
“Park Bench is a superb one-of-a-kind, eccentric show, and with the association of Steve Buscemi, top producer RadicalMedia and innovative platform AOL, we’re delighted to be taking this series worldwide,” said Hayley Dickson, Vice President, Television Acquisitions and Development, Global Content, FremantleMedia International.
Production on Park Bench is set to begin this month in New York City. Wren Arthur and Steve Buscemi are Executive Producing for Olive Productions. Justin Wilkes, Joe Killian and Jon Doran are Executive Producing for RadicalMedia.
Buscemi and Olive are represented by WME, The Gotham Group and attorney George Sheanshang.
For more information on Park Bench, please go to: parkbenchtheshow.com
About AOL Originals
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a brand company, committed to continuously innovating, growing, and investing in brands and experiences that inform, entertain, and connect the world. The home of a world-class collection of premium brands, AOL creates original content that engages audiences on a local and global scale. We help marketers connect with these audiences through effective and engaging digital advertising solutions.
About FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia is one of the largest creators, producers and distributors of television brands in the world. It is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama, factual entertainment and kids & family programming, with capabilities that extend from content creation to licensing, digital and branded entertainment, gaming and home entertainment. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia International, FremantleMedia Digital & Branded Entertainment, FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, among others) has an outstanding global network with operations in 25 countries, creating over 8,500 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and airing 400 programmes a year worldwide. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most famous and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Hole In The Wall, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Through the Keyhole Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeite, Wentworth, Neighbours, Generation War, Salatut Elamat, Grand Designs, Project Runway, Tree Fu Tom and Strange Hill High. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 75.1 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. www.fremantlemedia.com
About RadicalMedia
RADICALMEDIA is a global studio that creates some of the world’s most innovative content across all forms of media. The company develops, produces and distributes television, feature films, commercials, music programming, live events, mobile applications, digital content and design. The company has produced a number of award-winning projects, including the Academy Award® nominated documentary, PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY; the Emmy® winning film UNDER AFRICAN SKIES: PAUL SIMON'S GRACELAND JOURNEY; the Academy Award®-winning documentary THE FOG OF WAR; the Grammy Award®-winning CONCERT FOR GEORGE; and the Independent Spirit Award®-winning METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER; the pilot episode of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning series MAD MEN; six seasons of the series ICONOCLASTS for the Sundance Channel; the Emmy®-nominated series OPRAH'S MASTER CLASS and VISIONARIES for OWN; the Ron Howard-directed documentary titled JAY-Z’S MADE IN AMERICA for Showtime; HANK: FIVE YEARS FROM THE BRINK, featuring former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, produced for Bloomberg Businessweek and launched exclusively on Netflix; MILEY: THE MOVEMENT, a documentary on Miley Cyrus for MTV; and DAVID BLAINE: REAL OR MAGIC for ABC.
About Olive Productions
OLIVE PRODUCTIONS is a New York based production company, formed by Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci and Wren Arthur. Diverse in its tastes and casting a wide creative net the company produces narrative and documentary films, and an eclectic array of TV and theater projects. OLIVE and ABC Studios are currently in production on a television pilot written by Richard LaGravenese and directed by Taylor Hackford based on DANGEROUS LIAISONS. The company has a first look deal with HBO, and has just completed the documentary A GOOD JOB for the network with Liz Garbus about firefighters in the FDNY. OLIVE has a full development slate, always striving to inspire, foster, and support great artists.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Paramount Picture's Announces New Adam McKay Project - "The Big Short"
McKAY TO TAKE ON PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND PLAN B’S “THE BIG SHORT” FROM ACCLAIMED WRITER MICHAEL LEWIS
Paramount Pictures and Plan B announced today that writer / director Adam McKay has come aboard to adapt and direct “THE BIG SHORT,” based on the acclaimed book by Michael Lewis.
Based on Lewis’ best-seller The Big Short: Inside The Doomsday Machine about the housing and credit bubble of the 2000s, the film will be produced by Paramount and Brad Pitt's Plan B. Pitt previously starred in and produced Lewis’ “Moneyball,” which earned an Academy Award®-nomination for Best Picture.
"Michael Lewis has the amazing ability to take complex formulas and concepts and turn them into page turners. Plan B and I connected over that breathless quality the book has. Very excited to jump into this," said McKay.
Said Adam Goodman, Paramount Film Group President, “I am so excited as this project marks my third collaboration with Adam McKay – a tremendously talented filmmaker and one of my favorite storytellers.”
Said Plan B, “There are those rare literary treasures - as with “THE BIG SHORT” - that park in the harbor and you just wait, with hope. Adam McKay is a singular voice and talent and a ferocious mind – the vector of Adam and this book is what a producer dreams of.”
McKay most recently co-wrote, produced and directed the sequel “ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES,” for Paramount Pictures. The hit film has grossed over $170m globally. He is repped by WME and Mosaic.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
Paramount Pictures and Plan B announced today that writer / director Adam McKay has come aboard to adapt and direct “THE BIG SHORT,” based on the acclaimed book by Michael Lewis.
Based on Lewis’ best-seller The Big Short: Inside The Doomsday Machine about the housing and credit bubble of the 2000s, the film will be produced by Paramount and Brad Pitt's Plan B. Pitt previously starred in and produced Lewis’ “Moneyball,” which earned an Academy Award®-nomination for Best Picture.
"Michael Lewis has the amazing ability to take complex formulas and concepts and turn them into page turners. Plan B and I connected over that breathless quality the book has. Very excited to jump into this," said McKay.
Said Adam Goodman, Paramount Film Group President, “I am so excited as this project marks my third collaboration with Adam McKay – a tremendously talented filmmaker and one of my favorite storytellers.”
Said Plan B, “There are those rare literary treasures - as with “THE BIG SHORT” - that park in the harbor and you just wait, with hope. Adam McKay is a singular voice and talent and a ferocious mind – the vector of Adam and this book is what a producer dreams of.”
McKay most recently co-wrote, produced and directed the sequel “ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES,” for Paramount Pictures. The hit film has grossed over $170m globally. He is repped by WME and Mosaic.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Batman's 75th Anniversary Events Announced
A Super Hero for Every Generation: Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment Celebrate Batman’s 75th Anniversary
New Batman 75th Commemorative Logo Unveiled
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To mark the milestone 75th anniversary of DC Comics’ Batman, Warner Bros. Entertainment and DC Entertainment have revealed plans for a year-long celebration befitting the world’s most popular Super Hero. Highlights of the anniversary program, which starts today, include a new commemorative 75th anniversary Batman logo and an exclusive “Cape/Cowl/Create” art exhibit, featuring 20 contemporary artists’ interpretation of The Dark Knight’s iconic cowl headpiece and cape from the upcoming Batman: Arkham Knight videogame. There will also be 75th anniversary-related activities across all of Warner Bros. Entertainment throughout the year.
First appearing in the comic book Detective Comics #27, which hit newsstands on March 30, 1939, featuring artwork by Bob Kane and a script by Bill Finger, Batman emerged from the shadows to become the world’s most popular Super Hero and dominate all media. In feature films, TV shows, radio, video games, publishing and merchandise, this most human of Super Heroes has battled some of fiction’s greatest villains using his intellect, cunning and an arsenal of gadgets to further his quest for justice.
“Batman is an incredibly important property with multi-generational appeal across all of the Studio’s businesses, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone anniversary,” said Kevin Tsujihara, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment. “From billion-dollar blockbuster films to TV, home entertainment, video games and consumer products, The Dark Knight continues to resonate with audiences worldwide and rightfully deserves his place as a global pop culture icon for the ages.”
Batman is the single most successful Super Hero film franchise in history and there have been more theatrical movies released based on Batman than any other comic book character. In video games, the Batman Arkham franchise is also the most successful Super Hero game concept ever. Batman consistently breaks records in every incarnation of his character and remains the gold standard by which all other comic book sales are measured.
“Batman is one of the greatest characters ever created, in comics or elsewhere, and even after 75 years he continues to wildly fascinate fans. He is an integral part of pop culture and has successfully captured the imagination of the entire world,” said Diane Nelson, President of DC Entertainment and President & Chief Content Officer, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The origin of Batman, Bruce Wayne and the famous citizens of Gotham are legendary and likely a story you know inside out, even if you’ve never picked up a comic book in your life, and that speaks volumes to the character’s immense popularity and the constructs of the original mythology.”
The first published adventure of The Bat-Man (as he was then known) was in the May 1939 issue of Detective Comics #27, conceived of and drawn by a 22-year-old Kane with his frequent collaborator, Bill Finger, scripting the story. The character was so successful, that one year later the first comic book devoted exclusively to the Caped Crusader’s adventures, Batman #1, hit newsstands. In that issue, Batman battled The Joker and Catwoman for the first time.
Now, DC Entertainment and the Studio’s various divisions, including Pictures, Television, Animation, Interactive Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Consumer Products, will mark this extraordinary 75th anniversary with a range of highly anticipated events and products.
The new commemorative logo, also released today across social media and websites, takes its cue from the famed Bat symbol, and features block-style lettering of “75 Years.” The mark will be rolled out on Batman-related promotions, products and initiatives.
Key activities planned for the Batman 75th anniversary celebration include:
DC Entertainment – DC Entertainment has an action-packed year filled with new Batman titles, commemorative issues and variant covers, including the recently released special edition of Detective Comics #27 commemorating Batman’s first appearance in the book in 1939, the new weekly series Batman Eternal launching April 9, and upcoming exclusive Batman variant covers planned for San Diego Comic-Con International in July.
Batman Day – DC Entertainment is also partnering with thousands of comic retailers, book stores and libraries for “Batman Day” on Wednesday, July 23. Each location will host a Batman 75th anniversary celebration and offer fans a free, special edition Batman comic.
Interactive Entertainment – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has invited celebrated fashion designer Asher Levine to create a cape and cowl based on the Batsuit of the recently announced Batman: Arkham Knight videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios. Favorite contemporary artists will have the opportunity to use the replicas as a blank canvas to produce their own, original interpretations of Batman’s iconic attire for an all new “Cape/Cowl/Create” art exhibit that will be showcased at San Diego Comic-Con International in July.
Home Entertainment – Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will bring fans an array of new Batman titles throughout the year, including the highly anticipated release of the Batman ’66 TV series for the first time ever. Other new releases include animated films Son of Batman (May 6) and Assault on Arkham (summer 2014). Additionally, a 25th Anniversary Edition of Tim Burton’s Batman feature film will be released in the fall.
Animation – Warner Bros. Animation has created two all-new Batman animated shorts set for debut in April, with fan-favorite producers Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) and Darwyn Cooke (Batman Beyond) each presenting a unique and familiar take on the Batman animated universe. In addition, Timm will participate in a Batman 75th all-star panel at WonderCon in Anaheim on Saturday, April 19, which will also feature an exclusive premiere of Cooke’s animated short based upon Batman Beyond.
Television – Warner Bros. Television is in production on the pilot episode of the highly anticipated Gotham, a new one-hour drama for FOX which explores the origin stories of eventual police commissioner James Gordon and the villains that made Gotham City famous. In Gotham, Detective Gordon (Ben McKenzie – Southland) will encounter a familiar cast of characters – including a young Bruce Wayne – as he fights to keep the city safe. Executive producer Bruce Heller (The Mentalist, Rome) wrote the pilot, which is being directed by executive producer Danny Cannon (CSI series, Nikita).
Pictures – As Batman’s 75th anniversary is celebrated in 2014, Warner Bros. Pictures will begin production of Zack Snyder’s untitled Superman/Batman film starring Henry Cavill, who reprises his role as Superman/Clark Kent, and Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne. The film, slated for release summer 2016, will bring the two most iconic Super Heroes of all time together for the first time on the big screen.
Consumer Products – Warner Bros. Consumer Products has partnered with an array of licensees to celebrate Batman’s 75th Anniversary through special edition and limited-release products. From the classic 1960s TV series to modern day comics, Batman’s presence will be larger than ever in celebration of his legacy through everything from toys to t-shirts.
DCComics.com – For the latest information and exclusive content celebrating Batman’s 75th anniversary, visit www.Batman75.com. The dedicated section on DC Comics’ website launches today with the Batman 75 Sweepstakes which offers one lucky fan a one-of-a-kind prize package.
About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.
Negromancer's Fool Day - April 2014
It's April 2014. Welcome to Negromancer 2.0. This is the rebirth of Negromancer, the former movie review website as a new movie review and movie news site.
This month readers can look forward to a review of the new Captain America movie and (maybe) some Star Wars Episode VII news. There will, of course, be more of the usual and a preview of the second issue of my comic book, Grumble.
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
This month readers can look forward to a review of the new Captain America movie and (maybe) some Star Wars Episode VII news. There will, of course, be more of the usual and a preview of the second issue of my comic book, Grumble.
All images and text appearing on this blog are © copyright and/or trademark their respective owners.
Monday, March 31, 2014
"The LEGO Movie" Builds Past $400 Million in Worldwide Box Office
“The LEGO® Movie” Box Office Still Stacking up, Past $400 Million and Counting
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“The LEGO Movie” continues to build a following with audiences in the U.S. and around the globe, surpassing the $400 million mark in worldwide grosses and remaining a box office draw. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
To date, the film has earned $248.3 million domestically and $152.2 internationally, for a worldwide total of $400.5 million.
Following its record-breaking February 7th North American opening, “The LEGO Movie,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and LEGO System A/S, was a huge hit with audiences and critics across the country and captured the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weeks. It also proved a crowd-pleaser internationally, entertaining moviegoers throughout Asia, Latin America and Europe, with an especially dominant UK showing that ranked number one at the box office for three consecutive weeks and has so far taken in $52.5 million.
Continuing its global expansion, “The LEGO Movie” is set to debut in additional territories in the coming weeks, including Australia on April 3rd and Germany on April 10th.
Fellman stated, “‘The LEGO Movie’ opened big and has maintained an impressive hold on the market, attracting new fans as well as repeat business from positive word of mouth. This latest milestone is a fitting testament to all the talented and dedicated people who put so much of themselves into this extraordinary film, and we congratulate them on their well-earned success.”
Said Kwan Vandenberg, “‘The LEGO Movie’ has been a strong competitor in the international arena, proving the appeal of unique, funny and creative storytelling across generations and cultures. We are confident it will continue to perform robustly in our overseas markets, including those yet to open, as people around the world discover it for themselves.”
“The LEGO Movie” tells an original 3D computer animated story about Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.
Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, “The LEGO Movie” stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie and Charlie Day, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. Lord & Miller also wrote the screenplay, from a story by Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, based on LEGO construction toys. “The LEGO Movie” is produced by Dan Lin and Roy Lee. Executive producers are Jill Wilfert, Matthew Ashton, Kathleen Fleming, Allison Abbate, Zareh Nalbandian, Jon Burton, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Seanne Winslow, Matt Skiena and Bruce Berman; and co-producer is John Powers Middleton. The filmmaking team includes cinematographer Pablo Plaisted, production designer Grant Freckelton, editors David Burrows and Chris McKay, and composer Mark Mothersbaugh. Chris McKay also serves as animation co-director.
“The LEGO Movie” is a Warner Bros Pictures Presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with LEGO System A/S, a Vertigo Entertainment/Lin Pictures Production. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. www.thelegomovie.com
This film is rated PG for “mild action and rude humor.”
-------------------------
LEGO, the LEGO logo, the minifigure and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2014 The LEGO Group. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--“The LEGO Movie” continues to build a following with audiences in the U.S. and around the globe, surpassing the $400 million mark in worldwide grosses and remaining a box office draw. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
To date, the film has earned $248.3 million domestically and $152.2 internationally, for a worldwide total of $400.5 million.
Following its record-breaking February 7th North American opening, “The LEGO Movie,” from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and LEGO System A/S, was a huge hit with audiences and critics across the country and captured the top spot at the box office for three consecutive weeks. It also proved a crowd-pleaser internationally, entertaining moviegoers throughout Asia, Latin America and Europe, with an especially dominant UK showing that ranked number one at the box office for three consecutive weeks and has so far taken in $52.5 million.
Continuing its global expansion, “The LEGO Movie” is set to debut in additional territories in the coming weeks, including Australia on April 3rd and Germany on April 10th.
Fellman stated, “‘The LEGO Movie’ opened big and has maintained an impressive hold on the market, attracting new fans as well as repeat business from positive word of mouth. This latest milestone is a fitting testament to all the talented and dedicated people who put so much of themselves into this extraordinary film, and we congratulate them on their well-earned success.”
Said Kwan Vandenberg, “‘The LEGO Movie’ has been a strong competitor in the international arena, proving the appeal of unique, funny and creative storytelling across generations and cultures. We are confident it will continue to perform robustly in our overseas markets, including those yet to open, as people around the world discover it for themselves.”
“The LEGO Movie” tells an original 3D computer animated story about Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.
Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, “The LEGO Movie” stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie and Charlie Day, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman. Lord & Miller also wrote the screenplay, from a story by Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, based on LEGO construction toys. “The LEGO Movie” is produced by Dan Lin and Roy Lee. Executive producers are Jill Wilfert, Matthew Ashton, Kathleen Fleming, Allison Abbate, Zareh Nalbandian, Jon Burton, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Seanne Winslow, Matt Skiena and Bruce Berman; and co-producer is John Powers Middleton. The filmmaking team includes cinematographer Pablo Plaisted, production designer Grant Freckelton, editors David Burrows and Chris McKay, and composer Mark Mothersbaugh. Chris McKay also serves as animation co-director.
“The LEGO Movie” is a Warner Bros Pictures Presentation, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, in association with LEGO System A/S, a Vertigo Entertainment/Lin Pictures Production. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. www.thelegomovie.com
This film is rated PG for “mild action and rude humor.”
-------------------------
LEGO, the LEGO logo, the minifigure and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2014 The LEGO Group. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Oscar Nominee Review: "American Hustle"
American Hustle (2013)
Running time: 138 minutes (2 hours, 18 minutes)
MPAA – R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence
DIRECTOR: David O. Russell
WRITERS: David O. Russell and Eric Warren Singer
PRODUCERS: Megan Ellison, Jonathan Gordon, Charles Roven, and Richard Suckle
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Linus Sandgren (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Alan Baumgarten, Jay Cassidy, and Crispin Struthers
COMPOSER: Danny Elfman
Academy Award nominee
DRAMA/COMEDY/HISTORICAL
Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Shea Whigham, Louis C.K., Paul Herman, Jack Huston, Alessandro Nivola, and Michael Peña with Robert De Niro (no screen credit)
American Hustle is a 2013 historical comedic drama from director David O. Russell. The film focuses on a con man and his seductive partner, both forced to work for an eccentric FBI agent, who forces them to help expose political corruption.
Like Russell’s previous film, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle has two distinctions. It received Oscar nominations in the “Big Five” categories: best picture, director, actor, actress, and screenplay (original or adapted – original in this case). American Hustle also received Oscar nominations in all four acting categories, and before Silver Linings Playbook, no film had received nominations in all four acting categories since 1981. And like Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle is a damn good movie. It is an outstanding American film about the American hustle to get what you want, by hook or by crook, the way Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas was and still is a great film about America.
American Hustle opens in 1978 and introduces Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a successful conman. While attending a friend’s party, Irving meets Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), a woman whose beauty and intelligence attracts him, and he falls hard for her. Surprisingly, Sydney is excited about becoming Irving’s partner in his con jobs, and she takes on the identity of Lady Edith Greensly to assist Irving in tricking prospective marks/victims in their schemes.
They eventually attract the unwanted attention of a wild and odd FBI agent, Richard “Richie” DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). Richie forces Irving and Sydney into helping him in a sting operation to expose corruption among several members of Congress in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Irving does not trust Richie, especially because the G-Man flirts with Sydney. Irving’s young wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), isn’t too crazy about any of what they are doing and plots to play a part in a dangerous game of backstabbers, crooked politicians, and mobsters.
American Hustle is a fictional version of the Abscam (or ABSCAM) scandal of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Abscam was a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sting operation in which the Bureau was aided by a convicted con-man in videotaping politicians. These politicians were offered bribes by a fake Middle Eastern sheik in return for various political favors, which some accepted. The investigation ultimately led to several people being convicted, including members of Congress and elected officials in both New Jersey and Philadelphia.
And you don’t need to know that to enjoy American Hustle. I barely remember Abscam, and I probably wouldn’t, if not for the name (a codename which combined the words “Arab” and “scam”). It is no scam that co-writer and director David O. Russell has once again delivered a film with an ensemble cast that is just plain good. I won’t go into the details, except to say that the five main stars: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence are every bit as good as you have probably heard and certainly deserve the awards, nominations, and accolades they received. It’s true. Jennifer Lawrence is not a fluke; she’s the real deal.
Audiences that like good acting and like to see superb actors come together to love and hate, to support and challenge, and plays scenes together will want to hustle up a way to see American Hustle – immediately. Spoiler alert: Robert De Niro makes a cameo in American Hustle as the mobster, Victor Tellegio, but he does not receive a screen credit. Of course, De Niro is good. He exudes such murderous intentions as Tellegio that I almost ran away from my television set the first time he appeared on screen.
As I also said of Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle is a great movie, and I want to see it again.
9 of 10
A+
NOTES:
2013 Academy Awards, USA: 10 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, and Jonathan Gordon), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Christian Bale), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” (Amy Adams), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Bradley Cooper), “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role” (Jennifer Lawrence), “Best Achievement in Costume Design” (Michael Wilkinson), “Best Achievement in Directing” (David O. Russell), “Best Achievement in Film Editing” (Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers, and Alan Baumgarten), “Best Achievement in Production Design” (Judy Becker-production design and Heather Loeffler-set decoration)” and “Best Writing, Original Screenplay” (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell)
2013 BAFTA Awards: 3 wins: “Best Original Screenplay” (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell), “Best Supporting Actress” (Jennifer Lawrence), and “Best Make Up/Hair” (Evelyne Noraz and Lori McCoy-Bell); 7 nominations: “Best Film” (Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison and Jonathan Gordon), “Best Leading Actor” (Christian Bale), “Best Leading Actress” (Amy Adams), “Best Supporting Actor” (Bradley Cooper), “Best Production Design” (Judy Becker and Heather Loeffler), “Best Costume Design” (Michael Wilkinson), and “David Lean Award for Direction” (David O. Russell)
2013 Golden Globes, USA: 3 wins: “Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical,” “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” (Amy Adams), and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Jennifer Lawrence); 4 nominations: “Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy” (Christian Bale), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Bradley Cooper), and “Best Director - Motion Picture” (David O. Russell), and “Best Screenplay - Motion Picture” (Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell)
Sunday, March 30, 2014
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Saturday, March 29, 2014
New VIZ Media Books Reveals "The Art of The Wind Rises"
New Hardcover Release Presents The Captivating Artwork And Evolution Of Famed Director Hayao Miyazaki’s Acclaimed Film That Celebrates The Wonder Of Flight
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, invites animation fans to savor the stunning artwork of The Wind Rises, Hayao Miyazaki’s widely acclaimed fictional biopic of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of Japan’s Zero fighter plane, with the release of THE ART OF THE WIND RISES on April 8th, 2014. The brand new hardcover edition from the Studio Ghibli imprint will carry an MSRP of $34.99 U.S. / $39.99 CAN.
The Wind Rises is Miyazaki’s cinematic love letter to the power of flight and the imagination, an examination of the rise of Japan’s military might in the years leading up to the Second World War, and a call for worldwide peace and harmony in the face of destruction. The film has won numerous awards including Best Animated Film from The National Board of Review and The New York Film Critics Circle as well as Best Animated Feature from The Toronto Film Critics Association and The San Francisco Film Critics Circle, among others. THE ART OF THE WIND RISES captures the art of the film, from conception to production, and features in-depth interviews with the filmmakers.
“The Wind Rises is an epic story set during an important era in Japan’s history, and we very excited to complement Miyazaki’s landmark film with the release of this wonderfully illustrated new hardcover art book,” says Masumi Washington, Senior Editorial Director. “THE ART OF WIND RISES captures the evolution of the designs and characters that brought this captivating story to life. Join us to celebrate the work of one of the world’s most visionary animation directors with this new release from our Studio Ghibli imprint.”
THE ART OF THE WIND RISES is the newest title in VIZ Media’s acclaimed collection of full-color, hardcover Art Books based on Studio Ghibli films. Fans can also enjoy THE ART OF SPIRITED AWAY, THE ART OF HOWL’s MOVING CASTLE, THE ART OF MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, THE ART OF NAUSICAÄ, THE ART OF PORCO ROSSO and more. VIZ Media also publishes two notable biographical memoirs of Hayao Miyazaki that feature an insightful collection of essays, interviews, memoirs, and illustrations from legendary animation director – STARTING POINT: 1979-1996, which charts Miyazaki’s early days, and TURNING POINT: 1997-2008, which examines the critical stage in the director’s career when his animated films such as Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo began to garner a significant international audience.
Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan's most beloved animation directors. His first feature, The Castle of Cagliostro, was released in 1979. His film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, based on his own manga (published domestically by VIZ Media, Rated ‘T’), was released in 1984. In 1985 Miyazaki cofounded Studio Ghibli, through which he directed the box-office smashes Princess Mononoke (1997) and Spirited Away (2001), which won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature Film in 2003. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) received the Osella Award for technical achievement at the 2004 Venice International Film Festival. In 2005 VIFF awarded Miyazaki the Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement. His other acclaimed films include My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Ponyo. Miyazaki's essays, interviews, and memoirs have been collected in Starting Point: 1979-1996 and Turning Point: 1997-2008. His final film, The Wind Rises, was nominated for both a Golden Globe and Academy Award®.
For more information on Hayao Miyazaki titles published by VIZ Media, please visit: www.VIZ.com.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.
Review: "The Tin Drum" is a Masterpiece (Remembering Maurice Jarre)
Die Blechtrommel (1979)
The Tin Drum (1980) – U.S. release
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: West Germany
Running time: 142 minutes (2 hours, 22 minutes)
MPAA – R
DIRECTOR: Volker Schlöndorff
WRITERS: Jean-Claude Carrière, Franz Seitz, and Volker Schlöndorff, with Günter Grass providing additional dialogue (based upon the novel by Günter Grass)
PRODUCER: Franz Seitz
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Igor Luther
EDITOR: Suzanne Baron
COMPOSER: Maurice Jarre
Academy Award winner
DRAMA
Starring: David Bennent, Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler, Katharina Thalbach, Daniel Olbrychski, Tina Engel, Berta Drews, Roland Teubner, Tadeusz Kunikowki, and Heinz Bennent
The subject of this movie review is The Tin Drum (original title: Die Blechtrommel), a 1979 West German drama and black comedy from director Volker Schlöndorff. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 novel, The Tin Drum, written by author, Günter Grass, which is the first book in Grass’ Danzig Trilogy. The Tin Drum the movie follows a most unusual boy who, on his third birthday, decides not to grow up.
The 1979 West German film Die Blechtrommel won the 1980 Academy Award for “Best Foreign Language Film.” It is the story of Oskar Matzerath (David Bennent), a young boy in 1930’s Danzig, Germany who decides to stop growing at the age of three. Oskar carries a small tin drum around his neck that he beats often, much to the chagrin of the adults, and Oskar has the unique physical gift of being able to scream at such a high pitch that he can break glass.
Although Oskar’s body stops growing, mentally and psychologically he keeps aging, and as he grows he witnesses the rise of Nazism and the beginning and the end of World War II. With everything going on around him, however, Oskar’s world revolves around pleasing himself. Despite Oskar’s self-centeredness, the film also examines the chaotic and tumultuous lives of the adults around him, especially his mother, Agnes (Angela Winkler), and his mothers two lovers, a German shopkeeper named Alfred (Mario Adorf) and Jan Bronski (Daniel Olbrychski), a handsome Polish man who works at a Polish post office in Danzig, either of whom could be Oskar’s biological father.
Many consider The Tin Drum to be one of the great films to come out of West Germany in the last quarter century. The film, however, isn’t one of those beautiful and genteel foreign films or one of those French films shot to mimic the immediacy of realism. The Tin Drum is an unflinching and dense psychological examination of people caught in complicated relationships who also have to navigate the narrow straights of their own interior lives. It’s also a sweeping cinematic observation of Nazi Germany that unfurls its ideas simultaneously through symbolism and blunt literalism. Like some glossy, Hollywood eye candy flick, The Tin Drum doesn’t allow the audience to look away; it’s like watching a miraculous apparition unfurl before one’s eyes or like watching a mesmerizing accident.
The focus of the story is, of course, Oskar, who is mostly not likeable. In fact, there’s something menacing or even evil about him. He seeks to shut himself off from the world or at least totally funnel existence through his wants, but what’s most fascinating is watching Oskar’s life grow (his personality doesn’t change) with the rise of Nazism.
This is powerful stuff, the kind of thing that stands out amidst all the pedestrian films. The Tin Drum has had a somewhat controversial existence in the United States because there is both full and partial nudity of children, which some people saw as kiddie porn. The film is not pornography or pornographic; this film is art. The nudity and frank sex (including a sex scene between children) is actually handled quite carefully and with imagination by director Volker Schlöndorff, as he handles everything in his masterpiece.
9 of 10
A+
Updated: Saturday, March 29, 2014
NOTES:
1980 Academy Awards, USA: 1 win: “Best Foreign Language Film” (West Germany)
1979 Cannes Film Festival: 1 win: “Palme d’Or” (Volker Schlöndorff – tied with Apocalypse Now1979)
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, March 28, 2014
New "Transformers: Age of Extinction" Poster; Plus Wahlberg on Nickelodeon
Remember to tune-in to the Kids' Choice Awards tomorrow Saturday, March 29th @ 8pm/7pm on Nickelodeon for Transformers: Age of Extinction star and host Mark Whalberg.
Transformers: Age of Extinction is in theaters 06.27.14
Official site: TransformersMovie.com
Watch the Teaser Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/transformersmovie
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformers
Review: "Rush Hour 3" Serves the Franchise Well
Rush Hour 3 (2007)
Running time: 91 minutes (1 hour, 31 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sequences of action violence, sexual content, nudity, and language
DIRECTOR: Brett Ratner
WRITER: Jeff Nathanson (based on the characters created by Ross LaManna)
PRODUCERS: Roger Birnbaum, Andrew Z. Davis, Jonathan Glickman, Arthur M. Sarkissian, and Jay Stern
CINEMATOGRAPHER: J. Michael Muro
EDITORS: Mark Helfrich, Billy Weber, and Don Zimmerman
COMPOSER: Lalo Schifrin
ACTION/COMEDY/CRIME
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Hiroyuki Sanada, Youki Kudoh, Max von Sydow, Yvan Attal, Noémie Lenoir, Jingchu Zhang, Tzi Ma, and Roman Polanski
The subject of this movie review is Rush Hour 3, a 2007 action movie and crime comedy from director Brett Ratner. It is the third film in the Rush Hour movie franchise. In Rush Hour 3, Lee and Carter head to Paris, after an attempted assassination on an ambassador, to protect a French woman with knowledge about the Triads’ secret leaders.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return for the long-awaited third installment of their wildly popular comic action film franchise, Rush Hour. While Rush Hour 3 is funny and action-packed, the stars and director seem to be trying too hard.
After his dear friend, Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma), is shot, Hong Kong Police Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) finds himself guarding Han’s daughter, Soo Yung (Jingchu Zhang), from the Triads who want Han and the information he has on them destroyed. There is, however, another complication when Lee discovers that Kenji (Hiroyuki Sanada), someone from his past who is greatly important to him, suddenly appears and is associated with the Triads.
LAPD Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker) leaves the doghouse of traffic detail to help his old friend, Lee. Soon, the duo is in Paris looking for two elusive women, the sexy Geneviéve (Noémie Lenoir) and the mysterious “Shy Shen,” who may hold the secrets that the Triads guard so jealously. But in Paris, Lee and Carter are out of their element and always in trouble and/or danger.
Rush Hour 3 has its moments – in fact, plenty of them, but there seem to be an equal number of times in which the pratfalls, explosions, gunfire, banter, sex, etc. seem forced. The sad thing is that neither director Brett Ratner nor his two stars need to be so over the top. With two strong comic actors – Lee being the great physical comedian and Tucker personifying the fast-talking streetwise comic – the Rush Hour franchise has the perfect opposites-attract pair. It’s not that hard to build an action comedy around them with only the thinnest scenario.
Instead, Chris Tucker’s witty banter often turns to babbling, and Jackie Chan’s fighting and gymnastic scenes usually make him look like a tired windup toy or a beat-up action figure caught in a wind tunnel. It is okay to refry the same old shtick; Ratner and writer Jeff Nathanson just overcooked it and let some of the fun get scorched. Still, seeing Chan and Tucker back together is good, and the movie is not exactly bad. In fact, Rush Hour 3 is good enough to make a fourth film worth the wait.
5 of 10
B-
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Updated: Friday, March 28, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Has Official Teaser Trailer
Watch the official teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRipBOQl95o
In theaters August 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Oscar Nominee Review: "Captain Phillips"
Captain Phillips (2013)
Running time: 134 minutes (2 hours, 14 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for sustained intense sequences of menace, some violence with bloody images, and for substance use
DIRECTOR: Paul Greengrass
WRITER: Billy Ray (A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips and Stephan Talty)
PRODUCERS: Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, and Scott Rudin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Barry Ackroyd (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Christopher Rouse
COMPOSER: Henry Jackman
Academy Award nominee
THRILLER/DRAMA
Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Michael Chernus, David Warshofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, and Issak Farah Samatar
Captain Phillips is a 2013 thriller and drama from director Paul Greengrass. The film is an adaptation of A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips and Stephan Talty. The movie dramatizes the 2009 hijacking of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years. Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey is one of the film’s executive producers.
The film begins with Captain Richard “Rich” Phillips (Tom Hanks) taking command of the MV Maersk Alabama. This unarmed container ship is scheduled to sail from the Port of Salalah (in the city of Salalah, Oman) through the Gulf of Aden to Mombasa, Kenya. After an alert concerning pirate activity around the Horn of Africa, Captain Phillips orders strict security precautions on the vessel and carries out practice drills. In fact, during those drills, two skiffs containing Somali pirates chase the Alabama.
One group of pirates is eventually successful and actually boards and takes control of the Alabama. The skiff’s captain, Abduwali Muse (Barkhad Abdi), and his cohorts: Adan Bilal (Barkhad Abdirahman), Walid Elmi (Mahat M. Ali), and Nour Najee (Faysal Ahmed), plan to ransom the ship and its crew for millions of dollars. Captain Phillips has called for help, but can he stall the pirates before they start killing his crew?
Audiences can practically always count on director Paul Greengrass to deliver a riveting film and an edge-of-your-seat thriller with each of his movies. Greengrass’ films aren’t the average run-of-the-mill action thrillers; they’re smart and filled with strong characters facing real-world dilemmas. Captain Phillips is Greengrass’ best film since his Jason Bourne movies. Greengrass gets a championship effort from his editor Christopher Rouse, who delivers a film that gets better and better, more engaging, more entrancing with each minute.
Although, Tom Hanks is the star and Rich Phillips is the title character and focus, in some way, Captain Phillips is also about Abduwali Muse. First-time actor, Barkhad Abdi, delivers a superb performance. Abdi’s acting is especially impressive as the film only focuses on Muse’s personality in the context of what comes out of his actions. Since Muse does not get to show himself as a fully-developed human, Abdi has to sell him as a three-dimensional villain who only reveals his intentions (getting a ransom), and little beyond that. I can see why Abdi earned such acclaim and an Oscar nomination to go with a BAFTA win as best supporting actor.
This is pretty much the same with Captain Phillips. His motivation, conflicts, and dilemmas are seen only in the context of him being a captain of a ship and also a captain of a ship that is under duress. Tom Hanks is known for playing characters that are totally or mostly open to the audience. As Phillips, Hanks erects a wall that makes it only easy to feel sympathy, pity, and fear for Phillips. However, Hanks is so good that he still manages to deliver some fantastic acting – something that is more performance art than it is performance of a character.
All of Captain Phillips is good, but the last forty minutes are a doozy. The rescue operation makes a very good film a truly exceptional film. I wish more thrillers were like Captain Phillips.
9 of 10
A
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
NOTES:
2014 Academy Awards, USA: 6 nominations: “Best Motion Picture of the Year” (Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role” (Barkhad Abdi), “Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay” (Billy Ray), “Best Achievement in Film Editing” (Christopher Rouse), “Best Achievement in Sound Editing” (Oliver Tarney), and “Best Achievement in Sound Mixing” (Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith, and Chris Munro)
2014 Golden Globes, USA: 4 nominations: “Best Motion Picture – Drama,” “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Tom Hanks), “Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture” (Barkhad Abdi), and “Best Director - Motion Picture” (Paul Greengrass)
2014 BAFTA Awards: 1 win: “Best Supporting Actor” (Barkhad Abdi); 8 nominations: “Best Film” (Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, and Michael De Luca), “David Lean Award for Direction” (Paul Greengrass), “Best Leading Actor” (Tom Hanks), “Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music” (Henry Jackman), “Best Adapted Screenplay” (Billy Ray), “Best Cinematography” (Barry Ackroyd), “Best Editing” (Christopher Rouse), “Best Sound” (Chris Burdon, Mark Taylor, Mike Prestwood Smith, Chris Munro, and Oliver Tarney)
2014 Black Reel Awards: 2 wins: “Outstanding Supporting Actor, Motion Picture” (Barkhad Abdi) and “Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male” (Barkhad Abdi)
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Dwayne Johnson's "Hercules" Debuts a Trailer
Watch the official teaser trailer for HERCULES starring Dwayne Johnson: http://youtu.be/4JZhGYrgCPg
Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures’ film HERCULES, starring Dwayne Johnson, bows on July 25th. Based on Radical Comics’ Hercules by Steve Moore, this ensemble-action film is a revisionist take on the classic myth, HERCULES. The epic action film also stars Golden Globe Winner Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, Joseph Fiennes, Peter Mullan and Academy Award®-nominee John Hurt.
In theaters July 25th
Official Website: http://www.mightyhercules.com/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/herculesmovie
Official Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/hercules
#HerculesMovie
Bruce Campbell Emcees Horror Fest in March 2015
Wizard World Chicago Presents: Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest March 6-8, 2015
'The Evil Dead,' 'Army of Darkness' Star To Emcee Full Three-Day Event Celebrating Everything Horror; Many Other Genre Stars, Directors, Writers To Attend; New Content To Be Available On Wizard World's Cinedigm Channel
ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It will be a Wizard World show like fans have never seen when the one and only Bruce Campbell emcees an entire weekend of horror at Wizard World Chicago Presents: Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest, March 6-8, 2015, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The Army of Darkness and The Evil Dead star puts on what many fans agree is the best programming panel at most Wizard World shows; now fans can get even more of one of the best pure entertainers on the circuit, signing, posing for photos and moderating multiple panels all weekend long.
With the focus on horror, fans can expect to see some of their favorite genre stars, directors and writers from great television shows, movies, graphic novels and comics. It's a celebration of all things horror, and Bruce will be inviting some of the many superstars he’s worked with over the years. Special guest announcements to follow as they are secured.
The full three-day event, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), which conducts pop culture conventions and Comic Cons across the country, including Wizard World Chicago Comic Con (August 21-24, 2014; August 20-23, 2015), will also feature nighttime events like concerts, costume contests, movie screenings and more. It's all horror all the time, with the Wizard World touch.
Additionally, content from Wizard World Chicago Presents: Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest will be available as part of the recently announced Wizard World channel with Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM), the largest distributor of non-theatrical content in the U.S., upon its launch.
“We are thrilled to add a second Chicago event at a venue where we have achieved much success over the years,” says John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “And teaming up with the great Bruce Campbell to put on the ultimate horror event really gives the fans a reason to come out to the Donald E. Stephens Center twice a year!”
“This is really a dream come true for me,” says Campbell. “I have always wanted to be part of a great organization and run a top-notch horror convention that sees my vision of what it could be. The fans have supported me all these years, so I look forward to giving back and providing a unique experience.”
About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.
The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.
Wizard World 2014 Schedule:
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con
Wizard World's 2015 Schedule To Be Announced Shortly
'The Evil Dead,' 'Army of Darkness' Star To Emcee Full Three-Day Event Celebrating Everything Horror; Many Other Genre Stars, Directors, Writers To Attend; New Content To Be Available On Wizard World's Cinedigm Channel
ROSEMONT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It will be a Wizard World show like fans have never seen when the one and only Bruce Campbell emcees an entire weekend of horror at Wizard World Chicago Presents: Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest, March 6-8, 2015, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. The Army of Darkness and The Evil Dead star puts on what many fans agree is the best programming panel at most Wizard World shows; now fans can get even more of one of the best pure entertainers on the circuit, signing, posing for photos and moderating multiple panels all weekend long.
With the focus on horror, fans can expect to see some of their favorite genre stars, directors and writers from great television shows, movies, graphic novels and comics. It's a celebration of all things horror, and Bruce will be inviting some of the many superstars he’s worked with over the years. Special guest announcements to follow as they are secured.
The full three-day event, produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD), which conducts pop culture conventions and Comic Cons across the country, including Wizard World Chicago Comic Con (August 21-24, 2014; August 20-23, 2015), will also feature nighttime events like concerts, costume contests, movie screenings and more. It's all horror all the time, with the Wizard World touch.
Additionally, content from Wizard World Chicago Presents: Bruce Campbell's Horror Fest will be available as part of the recently announced Wizard World channel with Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM), the largest distributor of non-theatrical content in the U.S., upon its launch.
“We are thrilled to add a second Chicago event at a venue where we have achieved much success over the years,” says John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “And teaming up with the great Bruce Campbell to put on the ultimate horror event really gives the fans a reason to come out to the Donald E. Stephens Center twice a year!”
“This is really a dream come true for me,” says Campbell. “I have always wanted to be part of a great organization and run a top-notch horror convention that sees my vision of what it could be. The fans have supported me all these years, so I look forward to giving back and providing a unique experience.”
About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.
The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.
Wizard World 2014 Schedule:
January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con
Wizard World's 2015 Schedule To Be Announced Shortly
Monday, March 24, 2014
"Hustle" and "Wolf" Lead 2014 MTV Movie Award Nominations - Complete List
by Amos Semien
The MTV Movie Awards began in 1992. I cared as much then as I do now, and that’s very little. I have probably watched less than half an hour combined of all the award telecasts, although I might watch more this year.
The nominations for the 2014 MTV Movie Awards were revealed on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The nominations feature a mix of the year’s biggest blockbusters (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and We’re the Millers) and the movie award season favorites (12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club). American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street lead the nomination with eight apiece.
Fans can vote by going to the website: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/
The 2014 MTV Movie Awards will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The ceremony will be hosted by Conan O'Brien.
The 2013 MTV Movie Awards complete list of nominees:
MOVIE OF THE YEAR
• "12 Years a Slave"
• "American Hustle"
• "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• "The Wolf of Wall Street"
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE
• Amy Adams — "American Hustle"
• Jennifer Aniston — "We're the Millers"
• Sandra Bullock — "Gravity"
• Jennifer Lawrence — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Lupita Nyong'o — "12 Years a Slave"
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE
• Bradley Cooper — "American Hustle"
• Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Chiwetel Ejiofor — "12 Years a Slave"
• Josh Hutcherson — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Matthew McConaughey — "Dallas Buyers Club"
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
• Liam James — "The Way Way Back"
• Michael B. Jordan — "Fruitvale Station"
• Will Poulter— "We're the Millers"
• Margot Robbie — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Miles Teller — "The Spectacular Now"
BEST KISS
• Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams — "American Hustle"
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson — "Don Jon"
• James Franco, Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens — "Spring Breakers"
• Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller — "The Spectacular Now"
• Emma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter — "We're the Millers"
BEST FIGHT
• "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" — Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Steve Carell vs. James Marsden vs. Sacha Baron Cohen vs. Kanye West vs. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler vs. Jim Carrey and Marion Cotillard vs. Will Smith vs. Liam Neeson and John C. Reilly vs. Greg Kinnear
• "Identity Thief" — Jason Bateman vs. Melissa McCarthy
• "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" — Orlando Bloom and Evangeline Lilly vs. Orcs
• "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" — Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Sam Claflin vs. Mutant Monkeys
• "This is the End" — Jonah Hill vs. James Franco and Seth Rogen
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
• Kevin Hart — "Ride Along"
• Jonah Hill — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Johnny Knoxville — "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa"
• Melissa McCarthy — "The Heat"
• Jason Sudeikis — "We're the Millers"
BEST SCARED-AS-S**T PERFORMANCE
• Rose Byrne — "Insidious: Chapter 2"
• Jessica Chastain — "Mama"
• Vera Farmiga — "The Conjuring"
• Ethan Hawke — "The Purge"
• Brad Pitt — "World War Z"
BEST ON-SCREEN DUO
• Amy Adams and Christian Bale — "American Hustle"
• Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto — "Dallas Buyers Club"
• Vin Diesel and Paul Walker — "Fast & Furious 6"
• Ice Cube and Kevin Hart — "Ride Along"
• Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
BEST SHIRTLESS PERFORMANCE
• Jennifer Aniston — "We're the Millers"
• Sam Claflin — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Zac Efron — "That Awkward Moment"
• Chris Hemsworth — "Thor: The Dark World"
#WTF MOMENT
• The RV Crash — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• The Beauty Pageant — "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa"
• Car Sex — "The Counselor"
• The Lude Scene — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Danny's New Pet — "This is the End"
BEST VILLAIN
• Barkhad Abdi — "Captain Phillips"
• Benedict Cumberbatch — "Star Trek into Darkness"
• Michael Fassbender — "12 Years a Slave"
• Mila Kunis — "Oz The Great and Powerful"
• Donald Sutherland — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
BEST ON-SCREEN TRANSFORMATION
• Christian Bale — "American Hustle"
• Elizabeth Banks — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Orlando Bloom — "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• Jared Leto — "Dallas Buyers Club"
• Matthew McConaughey — "Dallas Buyers Club"
BEST MUSICAL MOMENT
• Backstreet Boys, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson Peform in Heaven — "This is the End"
• Jennifer Lawrence Sings "Live & Let Die' — "American Hustle"
• Leonardo DiCaprio Pops and Locks — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Melissa McCarthy Sings "Barracuda" — "Identity Thief"
• Will Poulter Sing "Waterfalls" — "We're the Millers"
BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE
• Robert De Niro — "American Hustle"
• Amy Poehler and Tina Fey — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• Kanye West — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• Joan Rivers — "Iron Man 3"
• Rihanna — "This is the End"
BEST HERO
• Henry Cavill as Clark Kent — "Man of Steel"
• Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man — "Iron Man 3"
• Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins — "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor — "Thor: The Dark World"
• Channing Tatum as John Cale — "White House Down"
--------------------------------
The MTV Movie Awards began in 1992. I cared as much then as I do now, and that’s very little. I have probably watched less than half an hour combined of all the award telecasts, although I might watch more this year.
The nominations for the 2014 MTV Movie Awards were revealed on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The nominations feature a mix of the year’s biggest blockbusters (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and We’re the Millers) and the movie award season favorites (12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club). American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street lead the nomination with eight apiece.
Fans can vote by going to the website: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/
The 2014 MTV Movie Awards will be held on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The ceremony will be hosted by Conan O'Brien.
The 2013 MTV Movie Awards complete list of nominees:
MOVIE OF THE YEAR
• "12 Years a Slave"
• "American Hustle"
• "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• "The Wolf of Wall Street"
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE
• Amy Adams — "American Hustle"
• Jennifer Aniston — "We're the Millers"
• Sandra Bullock — "Gravity"
• Jennifer Lawrence — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Lupita Nyong'o — "12 Years a Slave"
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE
• Bradley Cooper — "American Hustle"
• Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Chiwetel Ejiofor — "12 Years a Slave"
• Josh Hutcherson — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Matthew McConaughey — "Dallas Buyers Club"
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
• Liam James — "The Way Way Back"
• Michael B. Jordan — "Fruitvale Station"
• Will Poulter— "We're the Millers"
• Margot Robbie — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Miles Teller — "The Spectacular Now"
BEST KISS
• Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams — "American Hustle"
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson — "Don Jon"
• James Franco, Ashley Benson and Vanessa Hudgens — "Spring Breakers"
• Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller — "The Spectacular Now"
• Emma Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Will Poulter — "We're the Millers"
BEST FIGHT
• "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" — Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner and Steve Carell vs. James Marsden vs. Sacha Baron Cohen vs. Kanye West vs. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler vs. Jim Carrey and Marion Cotillard vs. Will Smith vs. Liam Neeson and John C. Reilly vs. Greg Kinnear
• "Identity Thief" — Jason Bateman vs. Melissa McCarthy
• "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" — Orlando Bloom and Evangeline Lilly vs. Orcs
• "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" — Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Sam Claflin vs. Mutant Monkeys
• "This is the End" — Jonah Hill vs. James Franco and Seth Rogen
BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
• Kevin Hart — "Ride Along"
• Jonah Hill — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Johnny Knoxville — "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa"
• Melissa McCarthy — "The Heat"
• Jason Sudeikis — "We're the Millers"
BEST SCARED-AS-S**T PERFORMANCE
• Rose Byrne — "Insidious: Chapter 2"
• Jessica Chastain — "Mama"
• Vera Farmiga — "The Conjuring"
• Ethan Hawke — "The Purge"
• Brad Pitt — "World War Z"
BEST ON-SCREEN DUO
• Amy Adams and Christian Bale — "American Hustle"
• Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto — "Dallas Buyers Club"
• Vin Diesel and Paul Walker — "Fast & Furious 6"
• Ice Cube and Kevin Hart — "Ride Along"
• Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
BEST SHIRTLESS PERFORMANCE
• Jennifer Aniston — "We're the Millers"
• Sam Claflin — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Leonardo DiCaprio — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Zac Efron — "That Awkward Moment"
• Chris Hemsworth — "Thor: The Dark World"
#WTF MOMENT
• The RV Crash — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• The Beauty Pageant — "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa"
• Car Sex — "The Counselor"
• The Lude Scene — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Danny's New Pet — "This is the End"
BEST VILLAIN
• Barkhad Abdi — "Captain Phillips"
• Benedict Cumberbatch — "Star Trek into Darkness"
• Michael Fassbender — "12 Years a Slave"
• Mila Kunis — "Oz The Great and Powerful"
• Donald Sutherland — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
BEST ON-SCREEN TRANSFORMATION
• Christian Bale — "American Hustle"
• Elizabeth Banks — "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
• Orlando Bloom — "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• Jared Leto — "Dallas Buyers Club"
• Matthew McConaughey — "Dallas Buyers Club"
BEST MUSICAL MOMENT
• Backstreet Boys, Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen and Craig Robinson Peform in Heaven — "This is the End"
• Jennifer Lawrence Sings "Live & Let Die' — "American Hustle"
• Leonardo DiCaprio Pops and Locks — "The Wolf of Wall Street"
• Melissa McCarthy Sings "Barracuda" — "Identity Thief"
• Will Poulter Sing "Waterfalls" — "We're the Millers"
BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE
• Robert De Niro — "American Hustle"
• Amy Poehler and Tina Fey — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• Kanye West — "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
• Joan Rivers — "Iron Man 3"
• Rihanna — "This is the End"
BEST HERO
• Henry Cavill as Clark Kent — "Man of Steel"
• Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man — "Iron Man 3"
• Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins — "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
• Chris Hemsworth as Thor — "Thor: The Dark World"
• Channing Tatum as John Cale — "White House Down"
--------------------------------
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Review: "Seven Samurai" is One of the Best Films Ever (Happy B'day, Akira Kurosawa)
Shichinin no samurai (1954) – B&W
Seven Samurai (1954) – USA title
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan
Running time: 206 minutes (3 hours, 26 minutes) - USA restored version
DIRECTOR/EDITOR: Akira Kurosawa
WRITERS: Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni, and Akira Kurosawa
PRODUCER: Sojiro Motoki
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Asakasu Nakai
COMPOSER: Fumio Hayasaka
Academy Award nominee
DRAMA/HISTORICAL/MARTIAL ARTS/ACTION
Starring: Takashi Shimura, Toshirô Mifune, Yoshio Inaba, Seiji Miyaguchi, Minoru Chiaki, Daisuke Katô, Isao Kimura, Keiko Tsushima, Kamatari Fujiwara, Yoshio Kosugi, Bokuzen Hidari, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Yukiko Shimazaki, and Kokuten Kodo
The subject of this movie review is Seven Samurai (original Japanese title: Shichinin no samurai), a 1954 samurai drama and period adventure film from director Akira Kurosawa. Set during Japan’s Sengoku period (warring states period), the film focuses on a poor village, the bandits that attack the village, and the seven unemployed samurai that the villagers recruit to help defend themselves.
Not only do I consider Seven Samurai to be one of the ten best films every made, but I also love it as one of my all-time favorite movies. I was surprised to learn that the film is believed to have contributed structural narrative innovations to film storytelling or was among the first to use those innovations. That’s great, but I don’t need that information on innovations to know that Kurosawa’s film overwhelms me.
Late 16th century, Japan: a small farming village finds itself annually besieged by bandits, who usually arrive just after harvest so that they can steal the villagers’ crops. Tired of being beaten into starvation, a small group of farmers leaves the village and heads for a town in hopes of convincing a large number of samurai to defend their village from the encroaching bandits. The farmers happen upon a scene wherein a master samurai, Kambei (Takashi Shimura), disguises himself as a monk in order to save a child kidnapped by a madman.
Impressed by his bravery, the villagers convince Kambei to help their village, although the only payment that the farmers can offer the samurai is enough rice to eat. Kambei and the farmers make the same offer to a number of samurai, many of whom are greatly insulted by the offer. However, six others eventually accept, including a scruffy ronin (Toshirô Mifune) and a novice samurai. The seven samurai and the farmers return to the village, where together they build the rest of the villagers into a militia, while the bandits lurk in the nearby forest. Eventually, the bandits’ raids on the village begin, and it culminates in an epic, bloody battle pitting the samurai and villagers against the bandits.
Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai is one of the ultimate auteur films, coming from a director, who like Stanley Kubrick, is an ultimate auteur. It’s hard to believe that there is anything on the screen that Kurosawa didn’t want, and everything is so carefully considered: the composition of scenes, the cinematographer, the execution of the action, the editing, the lighting, etc. The film filled my senses, controlled my emotions, and had my mind on overdrive as I tried to figure out the next move, the next scene, or the narrative flow. I have found very few films to so move me with such power, exhilaration, fear, anticipation, and Seven Samurai even has a few laughs.
If you’re looking for flying, super powered samurai, this isn’t it. If you want an epic film about honor, sacrifice, and duty set in a romantic past, Seven Samurai is it. This is easily one of the ten best motion pictures ever made.
10 of 10
NOTES:
1957 Academy Awards: 2 nominations: “Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White (Takashi Matsuyama) and “Best Costume Design, Black-and-White” (Kôhei Ezaki)
1956 BAFTA Awards: 3 nominations: “Best Film from any Source (Japan), “Best Foreign Actor” (Toshirô Mifune of Japan), and “Best Foreign Actor” (Takashi Shimura from Japan)
Friday, April 21, 2006
Updated: Sunday, March 23, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Review: Reese Witherspoon is the Heart of "Legally Blonde" (Happy B'day, Reese Witherspoon)
Legally Blonde (2001)
Running time: 96 minutes (1 hour, 36 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for language and sexual references
DIRECTOR: Robert Luketic
WRITERS: Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith (based upon the novel by Amanda Brown)
PRODUCERS: Ric Kidney and Marc Platt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Anthony B. Richmond (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Anita Brandt Burgoyne and Garth Craven
COMPOSER: Rolfe Kent
Golden Globe nominee
COMEDY with elements of romance
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland Taylor, Ali Larter, Bruce Thomas, and Raquel Welch
The subject of this movie review is Legally Blonde, a 2001 comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. The film is based on the 2001 novel, Legally Blonde, from author Amanda Brown. The film focuses on a blonde sorority queen who follows her ex-boyfriend to law school after he dumps her and discovers that she has more legal savvy than she or anyone ever imagined.
Legally Blonde is trash. Let’s get that straight, so we don’t fool ourselves. Another fish out of water story with the stereotypical dumb blonde, sorority/fraternity cardboard cutouts, Ivy League elitists, lecherous bosses etc. It does have one redeeming element – the incomparable and very talented Reese Witherspoon.
Ms. Witherspoon is Elle Wood, a blonde sorority queen, fully prepared to receive an engagement ring from her boyfriend Warner (Matthew Davis), when he suddenly dumps her, pleading that he needs someone smarter than her – someone who would better fit his law career and political ambitions. Elle decides to follow Warner to Harvard Law School in order to win him back. Of course, Harvard admits her so that we can even have a movie, although, in reality, they would have ignored her. But one can understand that Reese/Elle’s charm and bubbly personality not mention her knockout body, would win over even the most conservative and pickiest college admissions officers.
Ms. Witherspoon is a talented actress, and, not only is she likeable, she is outright engaging and has an aura of pure friendliness. Her movies are a win-win situation for the audience. Legally Blonde is unadulterated B-movie material that she elevates to uproarious comedy. Being funny isn’t enough. The audience has to like her, and she has to sell them on her personality because the movie is all about her. She does the job winningly. Notice how I can’t stop gushing.
What else is there to say? Sometimes, the star is the movie, and the star is so good that she can make a diamond out of a handful of coal dust. Even when the movie stumbles, Ms. Witherspoon is still a delight to watch.
6 of 10
B
NOTES:
2002 Golden Globe (USA): 2 nominations: “Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” and “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical” (Reese Witherspoon)
Updated: Saturday, March 22, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Review: "Legally Blonde 2" is Officially Bad
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003)
Running time: 95 minutes (1 hour, 35 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some sex-related humor
DIRECTOR: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld
WRITERS: Kate Kondell; from a story by Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake, and Kate Kondell (based upon characters created by Amanda Brown)
PRODUCERS: David Nicksay and Marc Platt
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Elliot Davis (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Peter Teschner
COMPOSER: Rolfe Kent
COMEDY
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Dana Ivey, Bob Newhart, Luke Wilson, J Barton, and Alanna Ubach
The subject of this movie review is Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, a 2003 comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. The film is a sequel to the 2001 film, Legally Blonde, which also starred Witherspoon. In the sequel, Elle Woods heads to Washington D.C. in order to join a congresswoman’s staff and to try and get a bill that bans animal testing passed into law.
If the summer of 2003 tells Hollywood film studios anything it is that sequels don’t always succeed commercially or artistically. Of course, studio bosses have known that for a while, but to them making sequels seems like a safe bet. A sequel is a known property with brand awareness, and with the ridiculous cost of making and marketing a movie rising to absurd heights monthly, they go for the safe bet.
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde will more than likely make a profit for MGM, even with the kind of tricky accounting the film studios usually invoke to claim that their films are flops so they don’t have to honor profit sharing agreements with actors and producers. Artistically, it’s not even worth talking about, as an examination of subject matter, theme, and characters is an utter waste of time.
As for it’s entertainment value (you know, the simple judgment of whether you like it), Legally Blonde 2 has none. I’m quite sure that somewhere there are people who really like this, and I did laugh a sort of painful, dry, desperate-to-find-something-to-justify-the-cost-of-my-ticket laugh a few times. However, I left the theatre ashamed, praying that no one would ask me what movie I’d just left. I don’t know what would have been worse, having some nappy-headed homeboy call me a faggot for seeing it or having one of the theatre’s employees laugh at me behind my back because they knew. Lord, they knew how bad it was. And they never told me.
There’s a plot, or something like a plot, but right now I only feeling like telling you that this film is just plain awful. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) goes to Washington D.C. to work for her friend Rep. Victoria Rudd (Sally Field) so that Elle can fight for a law that outlaws cosmetic companies from testing their products on animals. Apparently, it’s okay for Reese and her studio compatriots to test poisonous cinema products on us. Regina King plays the most pathetic traitorous Negro since Billy Dee played Lando in The Empire Strikes Back, but at least she was better than the rest of the supporting cast, whom the film reduced to playing naked paper dolls. Sally Field, her face shockingly showing such age and wear, looked as if she wanted to cry every time she had to be in front of the camera. I feel you, sista girl.
1 of 10
D-
Updated: Saturday, March 22, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Review: "Labyrinth" Gets Better with Age
Labyrinth (1986)
Running time: 101 minutes (1 hour, 41 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR: Jim Henson
WRITERS: Terry Jones; from a story by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson
PRODUCERS: Eric Rattray
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Alex Thompson, B.S.C.
EDITOR: John Grover
COMPOSER: Trevor Jones
SONGS: David Bowie
BAFTA Awards nominee
FANTASY/FAMILY with elements of adventure
Starring: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, Toby Froud, Shari Weiser (Hoggle costume)/Brian Henson (Hoggle voice), Rob Mills (Ludo costume)/Ron Mueck (Ludo voice), David Goelz (voice), David Shaughnessey, Frank Oz (voice), Danny John-Jules, Shelley Thompson, Christopher Malcolm, and Kevin Clash
The subject of this movie review is Labyrinth, a 1986 British-American fantasy film directed by the late Jim Henson. The film was written by Terry Jones from a story by Henson and Dennis Lee, although various writers contributed without receiving screen credit, including George Lucas (who was also an executive producer of the film), Elaine May, and Laura Philips. In the film, a teen girl wishes her baby brother away and is then forced to travel through the Goblin King’s Labyrinth in order to save the infant.
Four years after the groundbreaking film, The Dark Crystal, appeared in theatres, Labyrinth was released early in the summer of 1986. It was the last film directed by famed puppeteer and creator of “The Muppets,” the late Jim Henson’s (1936-1990). Met with a cool reception at the box office, Labyrinth has gone on to find a large audience on home video, where children who were born long after the film first played in theatres can watch and enjoy it.
Tired of babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager with an active imagination who loves to envision herself in fantasy worlds, calls on the goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, to take her baby stepbrother, Toby (Toby Froud) away. What she doesn’t know is that goblins do exist in another world, and they hear her plea. They take Toby, and Sarah finds herself face to face with Jareth the Goblin King (David Bowie) in her home. He tries to dissuade her from following him back to his world, but she realizes that she must rescue her brother.
Following Jareth, she discovers that the Labyrinth itself guards Goblin City, in the middle of which sits Jareth’s castle. Sarah must navigate the twisted maze of deception, full of strange, kooky, and menacing characters if she is to save Toby before the end of 13 hours or he will become a permanent resident of Goblin City. To save Toby and outwit Jareth, Sarah befriends some of the goblins to aid her on her quest. Can Sarah and her friends save Toby in time?
Labyrinth doesn’t have The Dark Crystal’s production values, but the creature costumes, makeup, and effects are very good. In fact, the Goblins (designed by Brian Froud, the father of Toby Froud) are some of the most vividly imaginative creatures to populate a fantasy film. The performances are good, not great; David Bowie sings the songs he composed for the film, and the tunes have the feel of most music and songs composed for fantasy films of the 1980’s, which is to say they work well enough for the film, even if they’d sound funky on the radio.
The film seems to meander quite often; the filmmakers obviously have the kind of ideas that would fit an epic film, but not enough of them. Thus, Labyrinth at times feels like a wandering film; the filmmakers are just biding time until the stage the final confrontation between Sarah and Jareth, but to get a full-length film, they had to stretch the middle. In fact, Labyrinth, because of the quality of its filmmaking, would today be a TV movie. Still, this is fun to watch just to see the Jim Henson Company’s fabulous puppetry in action – always a good enough reason to watch any Jim Henson production.
6 of 10
B
NOTES:
1987 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Special Visual Effects” (Roy Field, Brian Froud, George Gibbs, and Tony Dunsterville)
Updated: Friday, March 21, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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You can buy LABYRINTH on Blu-ray at AMAZON.
Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Review: "Escape Plan" Almost Old-Timey
Escape Plan (2013)
Running time: 115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)
MPAA – R for violence and language throughout
DIRECTOR: Mikael Håfström
WRITERS: Miles Chapman and Jason Keller; from a story by Miles Chapman
PRODUCERS: Robbie Brenner, Mark Canton, Remington Chase, Randall Emmett, and Kevin King-Templeton
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Brendan Galvin (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Elliot Greenberg
COMPOSER: Alex Heffes
ACTION
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Caviezel, Faran Tahir, Amy Ryan, Sam Neill, Vincent D’Onofrio, Vinnie Jones, Matt Gerald, Caitriona Balfe, Alec Rayme, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
Escape Plan is a 2013 action movie from director Mikael Håfström. The film stars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in a tale about a structural-security engineer incarcerated in the world’s most secret and secure prison and the escape plan he concocts with a fellow inmate.
Escape Plan opens in Bendwater Federal Penitentiary and introduces Ray Breslin (Sylvester Stallone). Breslin seems to be prisoner, but actually, he specializes in breaking out of maximum security prisons in order to test their reliability. With his partner, Lester Clark (Vincent D’Onofrio), Breslin owns the Los Angeles-based, independent security company, B&C Security, where Breslin studies, researches, and writes about prisons.
Breslin and Clark’s latest client is CIA Agent Jessica Mayer (Caitriona Balfe). Mayer offers Breslin double his free to break out of the International Detainee Unit, a top-secret prison where the world’s most dangerous criminals and terrorists are held, in order to see if it is really escape-proof. Breslin takes the identity of a Spanish terrorist named “Anthony Portos,” and prepares to be taken into custody.
The plan goes awry, and Breslin awakens in a glass cell located in a complex full of glass cells. Warden Willard Hobbes (Jim Caviezel) seems delighted to have “Portos” in his prison. Fellow inmate, Emil Rottmayer (Arnold Schwarzenegger), seems too eager to get to know him. Now, Breslin must use all his skills to escape, but this prison seems designed to foil his every move.
If you have to see an action movie, Escape Plan will do. The first half of the film is a nearly unwatchable bore, but the second half of the film is entertaining. The plot is stretched past the point of credulity in order for the resolution to make sense.
Escape Plan is a pale imitation of Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1980s mindless flicks. From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, Escape Plan would have been considered a cutting edge techno-thriller; now it’s a shame to see two such venerable stars in such a movie. Actually, it would make sense for this to be a modern Steven Seagal or even a Jean-Claude Van Damme straight-to-DVD movie. I must note that Schwarzenegger still looks good, but Stallone’s face is a post-op, plastic surgery wreck.
On the other hand, these two old action movie dogs can still deliver some of what we expect of them. Escape Plan gives plenty of Stallone brawling, and, in the movie’s last act, we get Schwarzenegger in a classic pose as he fires an automatic weapon, in a way that references him in The Terminator franchise. I did not ask much of this movie, and thanks to a clunky, listless first half, I almost did get what little I expected. I will say this: Escape Plan actually could have been better, so I would like to see Stallone and Schwarzenegger team-up again.
4 of 10
C
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
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