Daily guide to television and radio Nov 14, 2009
Ice Twisters 9 p.m. (SYFY) An experiment in weather manipulation spawns deadly tornadoes made of ice. Mark Moses. (Boston Globe)
HBO’s ‘By the People’: On the campaign trail with little new to offer Nov 3, 2009
(Emotional summation of the Obama presidency: We still have hope, but we haven t changed much yet, though we ve made a few Norwegians very happy ... By the People was made by people who clearly believed in the candidate and his message; the final credits thank Obama, his family, and his staff for continually reminding us that anything is possible. (Boston Globe)
Mini movie reviews Oct 29, 2009
One of the smartest moves Campion made was to focus on a short, pivotal period for Keats, rather than trying to construct a comprehensive (and potentially cursory) biopic. "Bright Star" follows the three-year relationship that began in 1818 between the writer and Fanny Brawne, his next-door neighbor in Hampstead, North London. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Suggestion powers 'Paranormal Activity' phenom Oct 17, 2009
Oren Peli made Paranormal Activities' in the Blair Witch' image ... Peli made "Paranormal Activities" for $15,000 and shot his tale of a young couple who videotaped the strange noises they hear in his own home in San Diego. (Fresno Bee)
'Couples Retreat' checks in with $35.3M Oct 13, 2009
also made the cut as fans there voted to bring the movie. We all spend a lot of time talking about Facebook and Twitter and our ability to communicate. (KHOU.com, TX)
'Couples Retreat' leads weekend box office Oct 12, 2009
Paranormal Activity" was acquired by former Paramount partner DreamWorks at 2007's Slamdance Film Festival with the idea that writer-director Oren Peli would re-shoot it on a bigger budget.But after audiences responded well to a test screening, Paramount decided to sneak "Paranormal Activity" out in a manner befitting its raw, independent roots. The studio began two weekends ago with midnight screenings in 13 cities, the movie building buzz online much as "The Blair Witch Project" did 10 years... (The Clarion-Ledger)
Movie fans check in for Couples Retreat Oct 12, 2009
also made the cut as fans there voted to bring the movie. Box office results. (MSNBC -- News)
Obama's Surprising Nobel Wake-Up Call Oct 10, 2009
" By 8:30 a.m., the decision had been made to give Rose Garden remarks by Obama, and shortly afterwards, news leaked out that Obama would agree to fly to Oslo to accept the award on Dec. 10. The task fell to Obama's two top speechwriters, Jon Favreau and Ben Rhodes, to craft Obama's words, which had to strike a delicate balance; they needed to both seize the moment, when the world would want to hear from him, while heading off the inevitable criticism that Obama was being rewarded prematurely,... (Time.com)
'Couples Retreat' disaster Oct 10, 2009
For a movie made by a bunch of friends, it's strange that we don't get any sense of how or why these couples hang out together. But so long as there's a pretentious Frenchman to scoff at, an officious Brit and a sexy Hispanic, at least they're united by what they're not. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Couples Retreat: The Glum-Married Pack Oct 9, 2009
" (The old joke is that in horror movies, the African-American characters always get killed first. Here they are saddled with such unpleasant stereotyping that being taken out in the first act would seem like a favor.) Dave grudgingly agrees to the loan because he's a mensch but reminds Shane of all the financial trouble he's in. Does anyone bring up those finances when it comes to the bill for Eden? No, because they need Shane and Trudy for comic relief and to make the movie seem less like a... (Time.com)
Jackie O's zero Oct 1, 2009
I have always made movies for people who are going through relatable circumstances,'' he said ... Now the play has made headlines again, claiming the title of the top-grossing Broadway play ... According to the industry publication Variety, A Steady Rain made $US1,167,954 ($1. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Fall 2009 movie preview Sep 18, 2009
It's a return to the 2-D animation that made Disney famous. DECEMBER. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Fall Movie Preview: Studios save best films for fall Sep 11, 2009
And yes, Madea makes an appearance ... Yes, they made this in 1980, but they're making it again. (Florida Today)
Fall movies not to miss Sep 7, 2009
"We've never made a movie about a Jewish family before. But we were raised in one, so in that sense it is familiar ground." Oct. 2 ... Audrey Tautou, who charmed audiences in "Amelie" and made "The Da Vinci Code" enticing to look at, seems a winning choice to play Coco (a role Katharine Hepburn did onstage), and a couple of her love affairs should spice things up ... The 2001 Mafia spoof "Made" was a comedy only in the darkest sense. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Fall movies: New Moon, other anticipated flicks coming to theaters soon Sep 4, 2009
He also has made no effort to cultivate friendships with anybody, because that would be to the exclusion of his prime mover ... "New MoonVampires and werewolves form opposing cliques in, The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The vampire-werewolf feud makes for a nice exploration of our own psyches, said director Chris Weitz. I suppose they re the two most relatable human monsters that we can think of. They nicely encapsulate restraint and passion, Weitz said. Vampires are cold-blooded, literally, and... (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Vampires, Liars Lead Fall Film Casts Sep 4, 2009
"That said, there's something kind of bohemian about him. He also has made no effort to cultivate friendships with anybody, because that would be to the exclusion of his prime mover. So he's trippy.". Here's a look at some of the other good, bad and trippy types in store this season. (CBS News -- Entertainment)
Favreau circles 'Cowboys & Aliens' Sep 2, 2009
That sale was made based on a one-sheet of a cowboy and a space ship, with Steve Oedekerk aboard to write and direct. The project subsequently moved to Columbia Pictures and Escape Artists, and then back to U and DreamWorks, and the script has been through at least seven writers or writer teams. (Variety)
Vampires, werewolves, liars lead fall film cast Sep 1, 2009
He also has made no effort to cultivate friendships with anybody, because that would be to the exclusion of his prime mover. So he's trippy. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Vampires, Toys Take To The Screen This Fall Aug 31, 2009
He also has made no effort to cultivate friendships with anybody, because that would be to the exclusion of his prime mover ... Check out the best selling American made vehicles and get the stats. (Click2Houston, TX)
Tweeting with the stars a hoot for fans Aug 16, 2009
Actor Nathan Fillion, star of ABC's "Castle," offers witty tweets ("Dear Diary, I hope we win an Emmy. I would have it made into a necklace and wear it until it pulled out my back") and so does his alter-ego, mystery novelist Richard Castle. Late last month ABC set up a Twitter account for the character (as WriteRCastle) as a way to promote the series and an upcoming book "authored" by Castle. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Jon Favreau Wants To See Iron Man In 3-D Jul 30, 2009
So amazing, in fact, that Favreau nearly made "Iron Man 2" three-dimensional. "I talked to Marvel after I'd seen [Cameron's footage] about doing 'Iron Man [2]' in 3-D," he said. (VHI.com -- Music News)
READ MORE: Highlights from the four-day fest Jul 28, 2009
The crowd, made up largely of young girls (some camped out for two days), lost it when Lautner removed his shirt in one scene to tend to Stewart's blood-dappled forehead ... Kring said there will be fewer stories per episode this season, with the goal of "going deeper, not wider." And Claire () will be headed to college, where she makes friends with another student (Madeline Zima) ... Ex-Lostie Dominic Monaghan (who'll star in ABC's FlashForward) made a surprise appearance. (USA Today -- Life)
'Iron Man 2' Star Don Cheadle Talks War Machine Unveiling At Comic-Con Jul 27, 2009
In case you live in a cave and the ripple effect hasn't hit you yet, Jon Favreau and his "Iron Man" posse made Comic-Con history Saturday night, unveiling dazzling new sequel footage that had fanboys swooning in the aisles like 12-year-old girls at a JoBros concert ... Well, in the comics, Rhodes was a friend to Tony Stark who took over as Iron Man when the billionaire industrialist's alcoholism, purported death, or other dangers made him unable to put on the suit ... Whether "Iron Man 2" will... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Geeks steamrolled by Hollywood's sci-fi spruikers Jul 24, 2009
Glamorous movie stars will patiently answer questions posed by amateur Jedi knights and homemade Harry Potters ... Close on Cameron's heels will be another Oscar winner, Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, who, surprisingly, has never made it to Comic-Con before, despite his work in Middle Earth and on King Kong. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Nicolas Cage Explains His 'Ridiculous' Voice In 'G-Force' Jul 24, 2009
"Guinea pigs have made great contributions to the world!" Morgan declared. "They invented the straightening comb! And corn on the cob!". (VHI.com -- Music News)
'Funny People' Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill Attend Premiere Jul 22, 2009
Rogen's character in that film had a fondness for "Munich" ("If any of us get laid tonight, it's because of Eric Bana"), which made the Australian actor eager to come into the fold ... In the new flick, similarly crazy, off-the-wall references are made regarding everyone from Harry Potter to Wilco to Jon Favreau. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Click to read: Bruckheimer Announces 4th "Pirates" Film Jul 15, 2009
" Bruckheimer said the movie is using new 3-D technology that has more 3-D shots in it than any other movie made to-date. The target audience, Bruckheimer said, is families. "We want to make the kids laugh and smile," he said. "Hard economic times, so a lot of the parents are out of work, so lets do something good for the kiddies, and thats what 'G-Force' is. " But if the films do well, Bruckheimer may be doing some smiling, too. Smith remarked if these animated films take off, theres a great... (CBS News -- Early Show)
Comic-Con 2009 Preview: 'New Moon,' 'Iron Man 2' And More Jul 14, 2009
" "Disney: 3D Panel" (Thursday at 11:00 a.m., Hall H) The first-ever 3-D presentation to be held at the Con, this panel features Robert Zemeckis presenting footage from "A Christmas Carol," Tim Burton bringing us goodies from "Alice in Wonderland" and the "Tron" sequel returning triumphantly to the place where it made such an impact last summer. As if all that isn't enough, funnyman/ movie buff Patton Oswalt will moderate. "Avatar" (Thursday at 3:00 p.m., Hall H) The single most-anticipated... (VHI.com -- Music News)
It's okay to show love, man: the unwritten laws of bromance Jun 5, 2009
Hollywood director-writer-producer John Hamburg was so intrigued by this secret man rule he made it the title of his new romantic comedy. I Love You, Man stars Paul Rudd as Peter Klaven, a soon-to-be-married Los Angeles real estate agent who realises he does not have one single male friend. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Reel of fortune: Movies cant leave Las Vegas Jun 2, 2009
(Francis Ford Coppola made a similarly financial-disastrous error when he built his own Vegas for One from the Heart. . (MSNBC -- News)
Movie review: Don’t get duped 'Duplicity' star power Mar 30, 2009
The plot is very confusing, even with flashbacks that apparently were inserted to clear things up, but more or less made things more perplexing. Half the time Roberts and Owen look bored and, believe me, for most of the over two hour running time, so was I.. (Santa Maria Times)
I Love You, Man Mar 20, 2009
The word "bromance" was coined by a skateboard journalist back in the nineties, but only took off in the media in the last year, perhaps for the same sociological reasons that have made Apatow's male-bonding films so popular. In I Love You, Man, Rudd plays Peter Klaver, a Los Angeles real-estate agent who is about to get married to Zooey (Rashida Jones). (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
"I Love You, Man" Mar 20, 2009
Pete and Sydney have, as they say in the dating world, hit it off, but the rules of romantic comedy apply to straight men, too: We can't be sure it's a match made in heaven until the very end. Segel is better as a second or third banana than he is as a star. (Salon)
PREMIERE: 'Love' was a funny thing at 'Man' debut Mar 19, 2009
"We clicked on the set of Rudy. We made each other laugh a lot. We were both supporting actors who didn't have a lot to do but we were stuck in Indiana in a motel and we hung out every night and every day. When I moved to L.A., he showed me the ropes about hanging out in Hollywood and a year later, I wrote Swingers, based on our friendship.". Saturday Night Live's Samberg shared his own male-bonding techniques, perfected in summer camp: "I wouldn't know anybody and I'd have to casually pick up... (USA Today -- Life)
Actor Mickey Rourke visits Russian prison Mar 17, 2009
I cant confirm any casting stuff because there have been no [official] announcements made, he said. The people that have deals should all be finalized in our cast this week. (MSNBC -- News)
SXSW Day One: Rain, Bromance, Vomit and Muppets Mar 16, 2009
Brendan Fraser and co. are back at again in 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor'; Made of Honor Movie Trailer; Based on the classic 1960's Japanese animated series chronicling the aspirations of a young race car driver as he attempts to obtain glory, with the help of his family and the Mach 5 ... Alice (Jovovich) joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp.; Director: Sean Penn Starring: Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook, Vince Vaughn; THERE WILL BE BLOOD chronicles one Daniel... (Variety)
E1 Entertainment acquires worldwide rights to The Bang Bang Club Mar 10, 2009
Anna (Malin Akerman) is their photo-editor, who looked out for them, protected them and made sure their photographs were seen across the world. Based on the book by Marinovich and Silva, The Bang Bang Club tells the true story of these four young men, recounting their relationships with each other and the stresses, tensions and moral dilemmas of working in situations of extreme violence, pain and suffering. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
5 Things You Didn't Know: Iron Ma... Feb 20, 2009
Apparently when the first film was being made, Howard was the first actor to sign on to the project, and he was rewarded with the cast s highest up-front salary. He balked when the producers asked him to take a pay cut for the sequel, so Cheadle replaced him. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
'Slumdog' tops best of 2008 Feb 8, 2009
Heath Ledger, with his galvanizing performance as the Joker, started the trend with "The Dark Knight." Robert Downey Jr. had a one-two punch with "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder." James Franco made waves with "Pineapple Express" and "Milk." ... It pulled us in, made us care and gave us a memorable Brad Pitt portrait ... A demanding school principal (Meryl Streep) is convinced a priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) has made inappropriate advances on a black student. (Sioux City Journal)
