Week of « Prev | Next »
1-20 of 77 items « Prev | Next »
R.I.P. James Gandolfini (1961-2013)
4 hours ago
Some shocking and heartbreaking news at the end of the day today, as HBO have confirmed that three-time Emmy winner and three-time SAG winner James Gandolfini, best known for playing mobster Tony Soprano in the acclaimed series "The Sopranos," has passed away from a stroke at the age of 51. He's survived by his wife Deborah Lin and a teenage son from a previous marriage. Born in 1961 in Westwood, New Jersey to Italian parents, Gandolfini was a Rutgers grad who worked as a bartender, bouncer, and club manager before coming to acting through his friend Roger Bart. He made his screen debut in 1987's "Shock! Shock! Shock!" before small roles followed in Tony Scott's "The Last Boy Scout," Sidney Lumet's "A Stranger Among Us" and most memorably, Scott and Quentin Tarantino's "True Romance." Larger and larger parts followed, usually as tough guys in heavies, in major movies including "Terminal Velocity, »
- Oliver Lyttelton
Review: 'Unfinished Song' Starring Gemma Arterton, Terrence Stamp & Vanessa Redgrave
4 hours ago
There is a certain strain of mid-budgeted British comedy -- films like "Calendar Girls," "Made In Dagenham," "Greenfingers," "The Full Monty" etc. -- that generally tends to find an audience on both sides of the ocean, makes a modest profit, and then lands on specialty cable where it lives on in reruns forever. They all have the easily recognizable stock characters, follow a famililar arc, and culminate in manufactured emotion designed to make you feel good. And while it's hard to fault a film for being exactly what it sets out to be and nothing more, there is something almost offensive about how inoffensive the template guiding "Unfinished Song" is. Terrence Stamp stars as Arthur, who is grumpy and irascible for no discernible reason other than he is Old. He's improbably married to the very sweet Marion (Vanessa Redgrave), who loves him rough edges and all, but is Dying From Cancer. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
L.A. Film Fest Review: 'Four Dogs' Is A Refreshingly Real & Funny Take on Hollywood & Friendship
5 hours ago
The debut directorial feature from Joe Burke, “Four Dogs,” could be aptly subtitled, “Down and Out in Hollywood,” as it centers on Oliver (Oliver Cooper), a struggling actor, and his acting class buddy, Dan (Dan Bakkedahl). But in actuality, the Hollywood struggle story is really only a surface conceit; the film is really about the love and support one can find in the unlikeliest of people and relationships. Largely improvised, and willfully blurring reality and fiction, “Four Dogs” straddles the line between drama and comedy. Unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of this little pocket of humanity, it finds both the pathos and humor in the moments of real life that are truly funny and truly sad. Oliver Cooper plays himself as young struggling actor Oliver, living in his aunt Becca’s (Rebecca Goldstein) house, walking her dogs, and taking care of the house while she is away working as a flight attendant. »
- Katie Walsh
Review: 'A Hijacking' Is A Detailed, Gripping & Powerful High-Seas Hostage Tale
6 hours ago
As exciting as it can be to be part of the audience at the first public screening of an eagerly anticipated film – the new Paul Thomas Anderson or Terrence Malick, the new Rian Johnson or David O. Russell – perhaps the purest pleasure that can be found is that of a new discovery. Picking something to watch with no A-listers and no internationally-renowned filmmaker at the helm, and walking out a couple of hours later feeling that you’ve uncovered a gem, and have been the first to find a director who could be a major talent to watch. That’s the feeling we had last year at the Venice Film Festival walking out of “A Hijacking,” a Danish-Norwegian co-production playing in the Orrizonti sidebar. The film’s not quite from a total newcomer – helmer Tobias Lindholm co-directed the acclaimed prison flick “R” a few years ago, co-wrote “Submarino” and Cannes »
- Oliver Lyttelton
6 New Images of Shailene Woodley & Theo James In Sci-Fi Ya Movie 'Divergent'
6 hours ago
So Shailene Woodley, who will no longer appear in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" and is reportedly being replaced in part 3 all together, got kicked in the teeth today, right? That and the fact that there were those vile comic book nerd posts a while back questioning her attractiveness (like those guys wouldn't dream to sit next to her, let alone date her). Meh, not so much. In fact, it's kind of been her day. She showed up in the trailer for "The Spectacular Now," this morning, one of Sundance 2013's biggest hits and now new images of "Divergent" have been released. What's "Divergent"? Well, a sci-fi-ish young adult movie adaptation that looks like it's going to be as popular as "The Hunger Games" if audience fan buzz is any indication. Woodley is the star, but she was reluctant to take the role at first. "My agents were like, ‘are you f—ing crazy? »
- Edward Davis
Watch: 2 New Clips From ‘White House Down’ & "(I Wanna) Channing All Over Your Tatum" Music Video
7 hours ago
With 9 days left to go, we can’t wait for “White House Down” or, as we dubbed it after watching the trailer, “the most awesome dumb movie of the summer.” Directed by Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow”) and starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx as a police officer and the President of the United States facing a paramilitary group, this looks to be one explosive and laugh-filled to-be summer blockbuster. In addition to the trailer, we’ve got two more clips from the film and a music video from its leading men.The first clip shows Tatum and Foxx facing off against some baddies, with Tatum sliding across a dining table to find cover from a very built dude with a machine gun and Foxx kicking a bad guy with sketchy facial hair off of his leg, utilizing a pretty funny one-liner. The second shows Tatum instructing »
- Diana Drumm
'The To Do List' Soundtrack Features 2 Live Crew, Gin Blossoms, Salt N Pepa, Mazzy Star & More
7 hours ago
As if mounting (ha ha) a movie about one young woman's goal to knock every sexual act off of her bucket list before college isn't ambitious enough, the decision to set it in the '90s is also pretty bold. If you don't do it right, it can come off as cheap or misguided, but the filmmakers behind "The To Do List" have made sure the soundtrack reflects the times, for better or worse.... And so, the 12-strong soundtrack for the upcoming comedy mixes in (mostly dated/one hit wonder) hip hop from 2 Live Crew, Mc Hammer and Naughty By Nature (though "O.P.P." still rules), some alt-fm staples from James, Gin Blossoms, Elastica, Cranberries and Mazzy Star, and a few odd outliers like House Of Love and Big Head Todd & The Monsters. And course, Salt N Pepa's "Let Talks About Sex" is here because it has to be. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Sam Taylor-Johnson To Direct 'Fifty Shades Of Grey,' Armie Hammer Not Interested In "Mommy Porn" Role
8 hours ago
Well, the long, hot, sweaty, kinky, naughty wait is over and a director has been found to tie up audiences cinematically and bring them to Pleasure Town in the big screen adaptation of "Fifty Shades Of Grey." Nope, it's not more interesting choices like Gus Van Sant or Joe Wright, but instead it's Aaron Taylor-Johnson's better half. Yes, Sam Taylor-Johnson, the artist and helmer behind "Nowhere Boy," has landed the gig that will bring your favorite mainstream book of erotica to the multiplex. According to The Wrap, Darren Aronofsky was offered and turned down the job about a month ago -- keep that in your trivia hat. The Kelly Marcel-penned story will follow the charged sub/dom relationship between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, and we can't wait to see what kind of officially sanctioned merchandise comes out of this. Especially considering there is already official lingerie, jewelry »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Oh Wait: Mary Jane Watson Being Completely Recast For 'Spider-Man'; Sandra Bullock Out Of 'Annie'
9 hours ago
So yeah, here are some near shocking casting updates, both of which are surprising for various reasons.... First, it turns out that Shailene Woodley isn't just being bumped from "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" -- she's out of the franchise entirely. Wtf. Indeed, hot on the heels of the news that her character, Mary Jane Watson was having her scenes removed from the super sequel, THR reports that when "The Amazing Spider-Man 3" rolls around, "It is likely that Woodley will not return and that the part will be recast." Great work everyone! Why it makes sense in anyone's mind to let go of a rising actress like Woodley, who has the award-winning "The Spectacular Now" coming later this summer and her own franchise with "Divergent" next year, is beyond us (though maybe some studio types were worried about her appearing in two big blockbusters for rival companies). But the official line »
- Kevin Jagernauth
From Worst To Best: Ranking The Pixar Movies
9 hours ago
This weekend Pixar's latest digital marvel, "Monsters University," roars into theaters (you can read our review here). Few studios can claim the kind of quality that Pixar often does – for a while there it was the most critically and commercially adored studio in the history of cinema (though they are not without their faults; read our controversial The 5 Worst Things About Pixar feature). And for good reason. It seemed like year after year they would commit a new classic, an endlessly re-watchable delight full of characters that will be beloved by children the world over for decades to come. In fact, the amount of excellence made ranking the films a blurry and burdensome proposition. But in hindsight (and after a couple of shoddy 3D conversions), it becomes clearer which movies are truly more special than others. This is what we've attempted to do, with our worst-to-best Pixar retrospective.It goes »
- Drew Taylor
Adam Sandler To Star In A Movie About A Suicidal Man Haunted By Ghosts. It's A Comedy.
10 hours ago
Remakes of Asian films about ectoplasm terrorizing the living were popular undertakings in Hollywood a few years ago ("The Ring," "The Grudge," "Pulse," "The Eye," "Dark Water"). But apparently, we are not done yet. The Hollywood Reporter has announced that Adam Sandler and director Chris Columbus will be teaming up to remake the 2010 South Korean film "Hello Ghost." People who are in for a good fright will be disappointed as this is the remake of a comedy that ended being the 9th highest grossing film at the South Korean box office in 2010.Sandler will play a character who, after failing his suicide attempt, starts seeing four ghosts who won't stop haunting him until he helps each one of them fulfill a wish. Columbus will helm the picture based on an adapted script written by Karen Croner ("Admission").Sandler and Columbus have never worked together before, but this could be a very good match. »
- Jason Guimaron
Watch: Michael Cera Goes To Chile To Get High In Trailer For 'Crystal Fairy'
10 hours ago
It seems there's no stopping Michael Cera at the moment. Dude is on a tear with "Arrested Development" now back with a new season (in which he not only acted, but also co-wrote), a hit comedy in theaters ("This Is The End," in which he features in a great cameo) and various web efforts courtesy of Jash including shorts "Gregory Go Boom" and "Failure." And that's not mention his arthouse movies, including the upcoming "Magic Magic" (trailer here) and now "Crystal Fairy" (renamed for some reason to "Crystal Fairy & The Magical Cactus," as if that will make it more enticing to Joe Average movie dude). Anyway, the trailer has arrived and it promises a sun-kissed, low-key little comedy. The film, directed by Sebastian Silva (who also helmed "Magic Magic"), finds Cera playing an American in Chile, who finds himself attached to the hippie-esque Crystal (Gaby Hoffman, in what many are »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Check Out The Poster For Forgotten 1979 Sci-Fi 'The Visitor' Starring John Huston, Picked Up By Drafthouse
11 hours ago
There are vaults around the world filled with movies that time has forgotten, ambitious endeavors that missed their mark and seeming failures that are actually perfect midnight movie programming. 1979's "The Visitor" might be all of that, and we're going to soon find out. Wildly described as a mix between "The Omen," "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind," "The Birds," "Rosemary's Baby," "The Fury" and "Star Wars" -- seriously, Wtf -- the film stars the legendary John Huston as (get this) "an intergalactic warriorbattling alongside a cosmic Christ figure against a demonic eight-year-old girl and her pet hawk, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance." Um, yes please. The film was directed by then and still unknown Giulio Paradisi, who still managed to round up Shelley Winters, Glenn Ford, Lance Henriksen, Franco Nero and Sam Peckinpah (!!!) to star in this thing. So yes, we're curious, and we »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Filmmakers Tried To Get Kanye West & Phoenix To Collaborate For 'The Bling Ring'
11 hours ago
Whether you’ve seen “The Bling Ring” or read the film’s track listing, you’ll know that the soundtrack included a few Kanye West tracks. In an interview with Pitchfork, Sofia Coppola and her long-time musical supervisor Brian Retzell revealed that not only did West’s involvement help get the others (Frank Ocean and Rick Ross in particular) to sign on for the ‘Bling’ soundtrack, but that Coppola and Retzell originally had approached West for a much more integral role in the film’s music.Turns out, Coppola and Retzell had wanted West to be involved in orchestrating the score and work with one of the hottest bands going right now. "Originally, we wanted to bring Kanye West on to work with us. I haven’t worked with a lot of hip-hop artists, and it’s kind of its own universe, in some ways-- but not so much with Kanye, »
- Diana Drumm
Shailene Woodley's Mary Jane Has Been Cut From 'Amazing Spider-Man 2,' Won't Appear Until Third Movie
11 hours ago
So, now that the filmmakers have it coming down from on high that Sony wants a fourth entry in "The Amazing Spider-man" series -- numbers 3 and 4 both got release dates this week -- are they finding their hand forced in stretching the story? Are the stories going to be stretched out unnecessarily like the finales to "Harry Potter," "Twilight" and "The Hunger Games"? Are they just making it up as they go along? Last fall, rising star Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants," "The Spectacular Now") bagged the role of Mary Jane Watson for "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." But talking recently with EW, she reveals you're gonna have to wait a little while to see her performance. You see, she's been cut out of the second movie with her part now being placed in part three -- which either means it wasn't very big to start with and will be expanded down the line, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
"I'll Be In My Trailer!" 15 Famous Director/Actor Bust-Ups
12 hours ago
With "World War Z" (our review is here) opening this weekend, come Monday there will be box office pudding to prove how much, if at all, negative advance word may have affected the over-budget Brad Pitt-starring would-be franchise starter. Aside from reports of cost overruns, the buzz around the film was also tainted by reports of on-set feuding between producer/star Pitt and director Marc Forster during the shooting stages. The two seem to have laid those demons to rest, at least to the point that they are doing interviews together for the film's press rounds (this one is particularly civil), but the high-profile nature of their scrap got us to thinking about other times when director and star have fallen out -- we may try not to gossip, but as much as the next guy, we love a good old bitchy Hollywood insider tale of who threw who out which window, »
- Jessica Kiang
Watch: Tony Danza Appreciates Scarlett Johansson In Clip From 'Don Jon'
12 hours ago
Awards season is right around the corner, and one of the possible contenders is actor (and now director) Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s latest film, “Don Jon.” The actor’s directorial debut sees him playing a man struggling to have a stable relationship while fighting an increasing addiction to pornography. When the film played at Sundance, our own Rodrigo Perez gave the film an in-between rating of B and B+, calling it a “beguiling romantic comedy” and praising the “characters who love to challenge their stereotypes.” With acclaim continuing to rise, a new clip has been unveiled from the movie. In it, Jon is bringing his girlfriend, Barbara (Scarlett Johansson) to meet his parents (played by Tony Danza and Glenn Headley). From the clip, which shows the family dynamics within the household -- Tony Danza’s foul-mouthed womanizer and Headley’s upbeat exuberance -- it’s easy to understand why Danza is »
- Kristen Lopez
Watch: First Trailer & New Poster For Sundance Winner 'The Spectacular Now'
13 hours ago
We've been keeping an eye on Miles Teller, ever since he impressed us opposite Nicole Kidman in the underappreciated "Rabbit Hole." Hollywood has taken notice as well, with the actor's day planner getting increasing filled with gigs and projects, and he's got no less than three movies in post ("Get A Job," "Two Night Stand" and "Are We Officially Dating?") along with an imminent blockbuster as well ("Divergent"). But before all that is a movie that will surely bag him more phone calls. The first trailer for "Smashed" director James Ponsoldt's "The Spectacular Now" has arrived, and it's another showcase part for Teller. The film chronicles the budding relationship between the lonely, heartbroken and directionless Sutter and Aimee (Shailene Woodley). It's another character study of slightly damaged people from Ponsoldt, and it's a movie we called "wise beyond its years, charismatic, measured and authentic in its depiction of the pains, »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Watch: 4-Minute Short Film 'Failure' Starring Michael Cera & Aubrey Plaza
13 hours ago
If you’re looking for a little humor, romance, and horror in your day, you might want to give actors Michael Cera and Aubrey Plaza four-minutes of your time. Cera is part of a YouTube comedy collective known as Jash, which includes members Sarah Silverman and Tim & Eric and more, and the group has put out quite a number short films and oddball videos in its brief history. This latest short is directed by Cera himself and is entitled “Failure.” It follows a young man (played by Cera) discovering a woman (Plaza) in his house. All she wants to do is “meet him” and while Plaza isn’t immediately threatening, containing herself to Cera’s staircase, you can’t help but feel just as unsettled by her as Cera’s character is; I blame those big eyes of Plaza’s. But all’s well that ends well and despite its creepy origins, »
- Kristen Lopez
Watch: 3 Clips From 'The Heat'; Paul Feig Working On James Bond-Esque Spy Comedy 'Susan Cooper'
13 hours ago
When director Paul Feig isn’t breaking fans’ hearts by shooting down rumors of a “Freaks and Geeks” movie, he’s working behind the camera; his latest film, “The Heat,” comes out next Friday. With that, let’s discuss Feig’s possible next project, and look at a few clips from his upcoming film.The Wrap reports that Feig has signed on, and is ramping up production, on his next project; a spy film entitled “Susan Cooper” (not connected to the author of the same name). Described as a “realistic comedy about a female James Bond,” Feig is searching for a leading lady to play the eponymous role in the hopes that the film has franchise potential for 20th Century Fox. With a successful, female-driven comedy under his belt -- 2011’s breakout hit “Bridesmaids” -- Feig has gone on record bemoaning the lack of female-driven projects in Hollywood and sees »
- Kristen Lopez
1-20 of 77 items « Prev | Next »
company.