Experience The Original Adventure
CAPTAIN AMERICA Available on DVD for the First Time Ever
The Very First Avenger Makes His Long Awaited Debut On DVD on July 19th
LOS ANGELES (June 16, 2011) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s “manufacturing on demand” (“MOD”) program is excited to announce its newest addition, CAPTAIN AMERICA, available on DVD as part of MGM’s Limited Edition Collection. Based on the bestselling Marvel Comics series, CAPTAIN AMERICA stars Matt Salinger (What Dreams May Come) as a crime-fighting superhero whose strengths and abilities may save the United States from nuclear destruction.
During World War II, a brave American soldier (Salinger) volunteers to undergo experiments to become a new super-soldier, codenamed “Captain America.” Infiltrating Germany to sabotage Nazi rockets pointed at the U.S., Captain America faces off with Nazi superhuman warrior Red Skull (Scott Paulin, The Right Stuff) who defeats the hero, throwing him into suspended animation. Frozen for 50 years, Captain America is found and revived only to find that Red Skull has changed identities and has targeted the President of the United States (Ronny Cox, RoboCop) for assassination. With America on the verge of utter chaos, it is up to one man to save the day!
CAPTAIN AMERICA also features supporting performances from Ned Beatty (Superman), Darren McGavin (A Christmas Story), Michael Nouri (Flashdance) and Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) and Kim Gillingham (“One Big Family”). The DVD will be available for sale on online retailers everywhere.
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit http://www.mgm.com/.
About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Review: "A Man Apart" Focus on Revenge (Happy B'day Vin Diesel)
A Man Apart (2003)
Running time: 109 minutes (1 hour, 49 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong graphic violence, language, drug content and sexuality
DIRECTOR: F. Gary Gray
WRITERS: Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring
PRODUCERS: Bob Degus, Vin Diesel, Vincent Newman, Joey Nittolo, and Tucker Tooley
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jack N. Green (D.o.P.)
EDITORS: Bob Brown and William Hoy
DRAMA/ACTION with elements of suspense
Starring: Vin Diesel, Larenz Tate, Gino Silva, George Shaperson, Timothy Olyphant, Jacqueline Obradors, and Juan Fernandez
You can hear the sound of the playa haters cackling and giggling about Vin Diesel maybe not being such a big mega box office star after all. XXX (it made a lot of money, but not a lot of lot of money) was something of a disappointment at the box office and A Man Apart didn’t open well. The haters are the same people who were hanging onto Vin’s jockstrap just last year when he was mackin’ on the cover of GQ, among other magazines. Let’s get this straight before we move on; A Man Apart is a good movie.
Diesel is Sean Vetters, a hot shot/thug officer for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). He and his partner, Demetrius Hicks, go way back to the days when they ran the streets as young men. They help take down an ultra-powerful head of a Mexican drug cartel (Gino Silva), but when that drug lord, Memo Lucero, goes down, a new and more vicious leader, known only as “Diablo,” fills the void. At Diablo’s behest, assassins kill Sean’s wife Stacy (Jacqueline Obradors) in a botched attempt on Sean’s life, and Sean becomes a man on a mission of revenge.
The story of a decorated cop who loses his family to murderous criminals and subsequently goes on a rampage for revenge is a venerable movie tradition. Steven Seagal’s career thrived on this plot for a few years. However, a well-worn sub-genre or tired story idea can get new life in the hands of talented people who can make it an interesting film, and that’s what happens here.
Director F. Gary (The Negotiator, Set It Off) Gray has a good touch with mixing drama and hardcore action. He takes a common idea and breathes life into this film. The action is hot, and the drama is pretty effective, even though it’s nothing new and fresh. Gray can take the most pedestrian idea and spin it into something worth watching; it’s a skill he learned during his days directing music videos.
Once again, the camera loves Diesel, and the screen magnifies his machismo. He doesn’t have to dig deep into the character; indeed, the character only goes deep enough to find the anger and passion needed to fuel the drive for revenge. However, Vin finds that gas and takes it to the limit. He has a convincing mad-on to kill some filthy, people killing drug lords, and he flings it at the screen in a spray of testosterone. We don’t get to see his character go deep undercover and force himself to live a lie in order to ensnare the wicked. This is simple; his character is an excuse to show some ass whipping, rapid gunfire, explosions, fistfights, and manly pissing contests.
Gray and Diesel know what they’re doing. The script doesn’t create richly layered characters; these are all law enforcement stereotypes, and Larenz Tate also does a fine job as the voice of reason in his partner’s life, the good guardian angel speaking soothing platitudes to his homey while revenge’s little devil whispers in Sean’s ear, “Go kick some ass!”
I liked this – not great but good. If you miss it in the theatres, you’ll want to see this good old revenge flick. Vin, as the avenging lawman, is just keeping a venerable movie genre alive in the tradition of Charles Bronson and Steven Seagal.
6 of 10
B
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
Harry Potter 8 Makes Midnight Magic
MIDNIGHT IS THE MAGIC HOUR FOR “HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2”
The film series’ finale breaks all-time record for a midnight opening
Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” smashed the domestic box office record for a midnight opening, taking in a phenomenal $43.5 million. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution.
In addition, the film broke the midnight opening record for IMAX theatres, with a $2 million gross on a record number of IMAX screens.
Some midnight showings around the country capped marathon screenings of all the previous Harry Potter movies, leading up to the long-awaited finale. There were fan celebrations at a number of theatres, with audience members dressing up as their favorite characters, turning the release of the film into a shared event.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is also the first in the series to be released in 3D, and many lucky fans attending midnight 3D screenings received commemorative Harry Potter 3D glasses to keep as a souvenir.
The midnight opening record came on the heels of the film setting the record for advance ticket sales. Many of the opening day’s shows were sold out weeks ago as moviegoers rushed to be among the first people to see the last title in the most successful film franchise of all time.
Fellman stated, “What an incredible beginning for the movie that ends it all. The filmmakers and cast crafted a wonderful and fitting finale for this extraordinary franchise, and the response of the fans has been extremely gratifying. Everyone at Warner Bros. joins me in congratulating the many people behind the Harry Potter films. We know this is just the start of what promises to be an astounding weekend and a magical summer.”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX® theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.
Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
http://www.harrypotter.com/
The film series’ finale breaks all-time record for a midnight opening
Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” smashed the domestic box office record for a midnight opening, taking in a phenomenal $43.5 million. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution.
In addition, the film broke the midnight opening record for IMAX theatres, with a $2 million gross on a record number of IMAX screens.
Some midnight showings around the country capped marathon screenings of all the previous Harry Potter movies, leading up to the long-awaited finale. There were fan celebrations at a number of theatres, with audience members dressing up as their favorite characters, turning the release of the film into a shared event.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is also the first in the series to be released in 3D, and many lucky fans attending midnight 3D screenings received commemorative Harry Potter 3D glasses to keep as a souvenir.
The midnight opening record came on the heels of the film setting the record for advance ticket sales. Many of the opening day’s shows were sold out weeks ago as moviegoers rushed to be among the first people to see the last title in the most successful film franchise of all time.
Fellman stated, “What an incredible beginning for the movie that ends it all. The filmmakers and cast crafted a wonderful and fitting finale for this extraordinary franchise, and the response of the fans has been extremely gratifying. Everyone at Warner Bros. joins me in congratulating the many people behind the Harry Potter films. We know this is just the start of what promises to be an astounding weekend and a magical summer.”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX® theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.
Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
http://www.harrypotter.com/
Saturday, July 16, 2011
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Nominations Announced
The Emmy Award is a television production award that is considered the television equivalent of the Academy Awards in film and the Grammy Awards in music. My focus is usually on the Primetime Emmy Awards. The nominations for the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards were recently announced. The following is a list of nominees in the major categories:
2011 Emmy Awards Nominees:
Outstanding Comedy Series
"The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
"Glee" (2009)
"Modern Family" (2009)
"The Office" (2005)
"Parks and Recreation" (2009)
"30 Rock" (2006)
Outstanding Drama Series
"Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
"Dexter" (2006)
"Friday Night Lights" (2006)
"Game of Thrones" (2011)
"The Good Wife" (2009)
"Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie
Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
"Downton Abbey" (2010)
"The Kennedys" (2011)
"Mildred Pierce" (2011)
"The Pillars of the Earth" (2010)
Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)
Steve Carell for "The Office" (2005)
Louis C.K. for "Louie" (2010)
Johnny Galecki for "The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
Matt LeBlanc for "Episodes" (2011)
Jim Parsons for "The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Kyle Chandler for "Friday Night Lights" (2006)
Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" (2006)
Jon Hamm for "Mad Men" (2007)
Hugh Laurie for "House M.D." (2004)
Timothy Olyphant for "Justified" (2010)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Idris Elba for "Luther" (2010)
Laurence Fishburne for Thurgood (2011) (TV)
William Hurt for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Greg Kinnear for "The Kennedys" (2011)
Barry Pepper for "The Kennedys" (2011)
Édgar Ramírez for "Carlos" (2010)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Edie Falco for "Nurse Jackie" (2009)
Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)
Laura Linney for "The Big C" (2010)
Melissa McCarthy for "Mike & Molly" (2010)
Martha Plimpton for "Raising Hope" (2010)
Amy Poehler for "Parks and Recreation" (2009)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kathy Bates for "Harry's Law" (2011)
Connie Britton for "Friday Night Lights" (2006)
Mireille Enos for "The Killing" (2011)
Mariska Hargitay for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)
Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Elisabeth Moss for "Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Taraji P. Henson for Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) (TV)
Diane Lane for Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
Jean Marsh for "Upstairs Downstairs" (2010)
Elizabeth McGovern for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Kate Winslet for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell for "Modern Family" (2009)
Chris Colfer for "Glee" (2009)
Jon Cryer for "Two and a Half Men" (2003)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson for "Modern Family" (2009)
Ed O'Neill for "Modern Family" (2009)
Eric Stonestreet for "Modern Family" (2009)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Andre Braugher for "Men of a Certain Age" (2009)
Josh Charles for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Alan Cumming for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Peter Dinklage for "Game of Thrones" (2011)
Walton Goggins for "Justified" (2010)
John Slattery for "Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Paul Giamatti for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Brían F. O'Byrne for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Guy Pearce for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Tom Wilkinson for "The Kennedys" (2011)
James Woods for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen for "Modern Family" (2009)
Jane Krakowski for "30 Rock" (2006)
Jane Lynch for "Glee" (2009)
Sofía Vergara for "Modern Family" (2009)
Betty White for "Hot in Cleveland" (2010)
Kristen Wiig for "Saturday Night Live" (1975)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Michelle Forbes for "The Killing" (2011)
Christina Hendricks for "Mad Men" (2007)
Kelly Macdonald for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Margo Martindale for "Justified" (2010)
Archie Panjabi for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Eileen Atkins for "Upstairs Downstairs" (2010)
Melissa Leo for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Maggie Smith for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Mare Winningham for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Evan Rachel Wood for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series
"The Colbert Report" (2005)
"Conan" (2010)
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (1996)
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (2009)
"Real Time with Bill Maher" (2003)
"Saturday Night Live" (1975)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
"The Amazing Race" (2001)
"American Idol" (2002)
"Dancing with the Stars" (2005)
"Project Runway" (2004)
"So You Think You Can Dance" (2005)
"Top Chef" (2006)
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality - Competition Program
Tom Bergeron for "Dancing with the Stars" (2005)
Cat Deeley for "So You Think You Can Dance" (2005)
Phil Keoghan for "The Amazing Race" (2001)
Jeff Probst for "Survivor" (2000)
Ryan Seacrest for "American Idol" (2002)
Outstanding Reality Program
"Antiques Roadshow" (1997)
"Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing in Alaska" (2005)
"Hoarders" (2009)
"Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" (2005)
"MythBusters" (2003)
"Undercover Boss" (2010)
Winners will be announced on Sunday, September 18th.
2011 Emmy Awards Nominees:
Outstanding Comedy Series
"The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
"Glee" (2009)
"Modern Family" (2009)
"The Office" (2005)
"Parks and Recreation" (2009)
"30 Rock" (2006)
Outstanding Drama Series
"Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
"Dexter" (2006)
"Friday Night Lights" (2006)
"Game of Thrones" (2011)
"The Good Wife" (2009)
"Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Miniseries or Made for Television Movie
Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
"Downton Abbey" (2010)
"The Kennedys" (2011)
"Mildred Pierce" (2011)
"The Pillars of the Earth" (2010)
Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)
Steve Carell for "The Office" (2005)
Louis C.K. for "Louie" (2010)
Johnny Galecki for "The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
Matt LeBlanc for "Episodes" (2011)
Jim Parsons for "The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Kyle Chandler for "Friday Night Lights" (2006)
Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" (2006)
Jon Hamm for "Mad Men" (2007)
Hugh Laurie for "House M.D." (2004)
Timothy Olyphant for "Justified" (2010)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Idris Elba for "Luther" (2010)
Laurence Fishburne for Thurgood (2011) (TV)
William Hurt for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Greg Kinnear for "The Kennedys" (2011)
Barry Pepper for "The Kennedys" (2011)
Édgar Ramírez for "Carlos" (2010)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Edie Falco for "Nurse Jackie" (2009)
Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)
Laura Linney for "The Big C" (2010)
Melissa McCarthy for "Mike & Molly" (2010)
Martha Plimpton for "Raising Hope" (2010)
Amy Poehler for "Parks and Recreation" (2009)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kathy Bates for "Harry's Law" (2011)
Connie Britton for "Friday Night Lights" (2006)
Mireille Enos for "The Killing" (2011)
Mariska Hargitay for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)
Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Elisabeth Moss for "Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Taraji P. Henson for Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story (2011) (TV)
Diane Lane for Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
Jean Marsh for "Upstairs Downstairs" (2010)
Elizabeth McGovern for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Kate Winslet for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ty Burrell for "Modern Family" (2009)
Chris Colfer for "Glee" (2009)
Jon Cryer for "Two and a Half Men" (2003)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson for "Modern Family" (2009)
Ed O'Neill for "Modern Family" (2009)
Eric Stonestreet for "Modern Family" (2009)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Andre Braugher for "Men of a Certain Age" (2009)
Josh Charles for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Alan Cumming for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Peter Dinklage for "Game of Thrones" (2011)
Walton Goggins for "Justified" (2010)
John Slattery for "Mad Men" (2007)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Paul Giamatti for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Brían F. O'Byrne for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Guy Pearce for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Tom Wilkinson for "The Kennedys" (2011)
James Woods for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Julie Bowen for "Modern Family" (2009)
Jane Krakowski for "30 Rock" (2006)
Jane Lynch for "Glee" (2009)
Sofía Vergara for "Modern Family" (2009)
Betty White for "Hot in Cleveland" (2010)
Kristen Wiig for "Saturday Night Live" (1975)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Michelle Forbes for "The Killing" (2011)
Christina Hendricks for "Mad Men" (2007)
Kelly Macdonald for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Margo Martindale for "Justified" (2010)
Archie Panjabi for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Eileen Atkins for "Upstairs Downstairs" (2010)
Melissa Leo for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Maggie Smith for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Mare Winningham for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Evan Rachel Wood for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series
"The Colbert Report" (2005)
"Conan" (2010)
"The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (1996)
"Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" (2009)
"Real Time with Bill Maher" (2003)
"Saturday Night Live" (1975)
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
"The Amazing Race" (2001)
"American Idol" (2002)
"Dancing with the Stars" (2005)
"Project Runway" (2004)
"So You Think You Can Dance" (2005)
"Top Chef" (2006)
Outstanding Host For A Reality Or Reality - Competition Program
Tom Bergeron for "Dancing with the Stars" (2005)
Cat Deeley for "So You Think You Can Dance" (2005)
Phil Keoghan for "The Amazing Race" (2001)
Jeff Probst for "Survivor" (2000)
Ryan Seacrest for "American Idol" (2002)
Outstanding Reality Program
"Antiques Roadshow" (1997)
"Deadliest Catch: Crab Fishing in Alaska" (2005)
"Hoarders" (2009)
"Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List" (2005)
"MythBusters" (2003)
"Undercover Boss" (2010)
Winners will be announced on Sunday, September 18th.
Review: "Semi-Pro" is an Uneven Comedy (Happy B'day, Will Ferrell)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 11 (of 2008) by Leroy Douresseaux
Semi-Pro (2008)
Running time: 90 minutes (1 hour, 30 minutes)
MPAA – R for language and some sexual content
DIRECTOR: Kent Alterman
WRITER: Scot Armstrong
PRODUCER: Jimmy Miller
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Shane Hurlbut (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Debra Neil-Fisher
COMEDY/SPORTS
Starring: Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, André Benjamin, Maura Tierney, Andrew Daly, Andy Richter, David Koechner, Rob Corddry, Matt Walsh, Jackie Earle Haley, DeRay Davis, Josh Braaten, Jay Phillips, Peter Cornell, and Patti LaBelle
When a comic actor hits his stride as a box office star and has a string of huge successes, he has also reached a place where everything he does afterwards will be judged by this peak. It seems as if Eddie Murphy is forever being judged by his legendary time on “Saturday Night Live,” and by his trio of early 80’s hit films: 48 Hrs., Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop. Fans and critics still think Murphy should go back to being what they think he was back then.
Will Ferrell, also the owner of a legendary SNL run, became an A-list hit-making comedy monster with a co-starring role in Old School, before having something for which most actors would sell their souls – a family hit (and a Christmas one at that) with Elf. But after a string of hit movies, will Semi-Pro be looked upon as a misfire?
It shouldn’t. Semi-Pro is quite funny, and is rich in Ferrell’s brand of tomfoolery, which will appeal to Ferrell’s fans. Semi-Pro just feels like something that could have been much better.
Set in Flint, Michigan in 1976, Semi-Pro follows the wacky exploits of Jackie Moon (Will Ferrell), who became a one-hit wonder with his groovy disco song, “Love Me Sexy.” Moon used the profits from his chart-topping success to achieve his dream of owning a basketball team. However, his Flint Michigan Tropics are the worst team in the ABA (American Basketball Association), and the league is about to fold and merge its four best teams with the NBA (National Basketball Association). The Tropics are not one of those four teams.
Now, Jackie is desperate to do what seems impossible for his lovable losers – win. He brings in Monix (Woody Harrelson), a former NBA champion to be the team’s new point guard, but Monix’s knees are practically ruined. Moon’s star player, Clarence “Coffee” Black (André Benjamin), has all-star talent, but is so self-centered that he’s stalled his career. Although he has an endless supply of wacky promotional ideas, Jackie is running out of cash, and even when they start to win, Moon and the Tropics may have already run out of time.
Like his Ron Burgundy in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Chazz Michael Michaels in Blades of Glory, Will Ferrell’s Jackie Moon is a success in his chosen field, but that is surpassed by his arrogance, conceit, and inanity, which makes for a lovable comic character. For all the laughs Ferrell’s Moon gives Semi-Pro, the film is best when it lets the other guys get in on the fun.
Watching this motley crew of sub-par basketball players, sad addicts, crazy announcers, and assorted oddballs gas and sass each other is a good time at the movies. The characters are untidy, but like the film, they feel familiar. They’re not at the top of the heap, but they aren’t necessarily losers; they’re semi-regular guys just trying to get their piece. Each character brings something good to Semi-Pro in the way he or she walks, talks, and looks, but the film spends too much time on Ferrell making goofy faces, as funny as that might be.
Semi-Pro sits somewhere between sports melodrama and parody. Ferrell sells the parody, but if only the filmmakers had allowed the supporting cast to build the melodrama. Then, Semi-Pro would be the kind of memorable comedy/drama that great sports films like Bull Durham and The Longest Yard (1974) are, and not just another funny Will Ferrell movie.
6 of 10
B
Sunday, March 02, 2008
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Friday, July 15, 2011
Review: Forest Whitaker is Magnificent in "The Last King of Scotland" (Happy B'day, Forest Whitaker)
TRASH IN MY EYE No. 260 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux
The Last King of Scotland (2006)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK
Running time: 121 minutes (2 hours, 1 minute)
MPAA – R for some strong violence and gruesome images, sexual content, and language
DIRECTOR: Kevin MacDonald
WRITERS: Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock (based upon the novel by Giles Foden)
PRODUCERS: Andrea Calderwood, Lisa Bryer, and Charles Steel
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Anthony Dod Mantle, DFF, BSC
EDITOR: Justine Wright
Academy Award winner
DRAMA/HISTORICAL/THRILLER
Starring: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Simon McBurney, and Gillian Anderson, Adam Kotz, David Oyelowo, and Abby Mukiibi
Instead of going into medical practice with his father, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) heads to Uganda to work at the mission clinic run by a Dr. Merrit (Adam Kotz) and his wife, Sarah (Gillian Anderson). Garrigan has a chance encounter with the newly self-appointed president of Uganda, Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker), who is impressed with Garrigan’s brazen attitude in a moment of crisis. Amin handpicks Garrigan to be his personal physician, and although Garrigan is at first reluctant to take the position, he eventually does and becomes fascinated with Amin. However, before long, Garrigan begins to see just how savage and unstable Amin is, and Garrigan realizes that he’s been complicit in some of Amin’s barbarity. Garrigan is knee deep in trouble, even having an affair with Kay Amin (Kerry Washington), one of Amin’s wives, and he may not be able to get out of the country alive.
Idi Amin, president, dictator, and tyrant of Uganda (1971-79) remains a reviled figure even after his 2003 death while in exile in Saudi Arabia. Director Kevin MacDonald’s The Last King of Scotland is a film dramatization of Amin as seen through the eyes of his personal physician, a young Scotsman.
Forest Whitaker, a thoroughly underrated and under-appreciated actor (at least to general movie audiences) gives the performance of a career in creating a film version of Amin. Think of Whitaker’s breathtaking performance as an actor creating a human monster. From the moment Whitaker’s Amin first appears on screen, as he climbs on an improvised stage to speak to a large crowd of fellow Ugandans, the fearsome power of the actor’s creation radiates from the screen, throbbing with the unpredictable power of a wild storm. Whitaker’s turn as Amin literally transforms The Last King of Scotland into a horror flick. Still for all Amin’s viciousness, Whitaker reveals a complex character, making this as much a study of human nature as it is an indictment of the real Amin.
MacDonald deserves credit on two fronts: for allowing Whitaker to show his up-to-now largely untapped talent and for keeping this movie from being strictly about Whitaker’s Amin. Just as director Ron Howard took Russell Crowe’s great performance and transformed A Beautiful Mind into a compelling and riveting film, so has MacDonald taken Whitaker’s generous performance and made The Last King of Scotland into the kind of thriller than crawls into your belly and then sits on your chest. Of course, a skilled creative staff ably abets MacDonald, especially his costume designer and production designer who both meld earthy, indigenous costumes and sets and ill-placed Western attire together. Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle also saturates both rural and urban Uganda in colors that complement the nation’s fertile land.
The usual forgotten person in all the praise for The Last King of Scotland is James McAvoy as Nicholas Garrigan (a fictional character). McAvoy, who played Mr. Tumnus the Faun in The Chronicles of Narnia in 2005, makes Garrigan Amin’s scratching post, and through McAvoy’s superb co-lead role (it’s not really a supporting part), Whitaker gets to strut his stuff. Garrigan mirrors Uganda’s initial excitement and then eventual dread of Amin. McAvoy holds The Last King of Scotland together so Whitaker can give his great performance and MacDonald can make a scary, political thriller about the disintegration of a country that leaves the viewer on edge. That’s worth something.
8 of 10
A
Friday, January 26, 2007
NOTES:
2007 Academy Awards: 1 win: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role” (Forest Whitaker)
2007 BAFTA Awards: 3 wins: “Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film” (Andrea Calderwood, Lisa Bryer, Charles Steel, Kevin Macdonald, Peter Morgan, and Jeremy Brock), and “Best Actor in a Leading Role” (Forest Whitaker), and “Best Screenplay – Adapted” (Peter Morgan and Jeremy Brock); 2 nominations: “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” (James McAvoy) and “Best Film” (Andrea Calderwood, Lisa Bryer, and Charles Steel)
2007 Golden Globes: 1 win: “Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama” (Forest Whitaker)
2007 Black Reel Awards: 1 win “Best Actor” (Forest Whitaker); 1 nomination: “Best Supporting Actress” (Kerry Washington)
2007 Image Awards: 1 win: “Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture” (Forest Whitaker); 1 nomination: “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture” (Kerry Washington)
-------------
"Deathly Hallows - Part 2" Sets Advance Ticket Sales Records
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” Breaks Multiple Records in Advance of Opening Day
Midnight showings are scheduled around the country as anticipation builds for the finale of the blockbuster motion picture series
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” has already broken several records in the days leading up to the series finale’s hugely anticipated release. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution.
Advance ticket sales have skyrocketed to more than $32 million, a new pre-opening record. Many midnight and first-day show times are already sold out across the country, despite the fact that the movie will be showing on more than 11,000 screens in 4,375 locations—both marking records for the Harry Potter series—with more than 3,800 locations opening the film at midnight on Thursday night. Breaking another industry record, the film is being released on 274 IMAX screens nationwide.
The very first Harry Potter movie to be released in 3D, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will be shown in 3D at more than 3,000 locations. In a nod to one of the most iconic features of the title character, special commemorative Harry Potter 3D glasses will be given free to fans attending select 3D midnight showings, while supplies last.
In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “We appreciate the loyalty of Harry Potter fans and understand that they have been waiting 10 years for this moment. We can’t wait to show them the movie, which we believe delivers on every level, so we are putting the film out on as many screens as possible in an effort to satisfy demand from coast to coast. We want to ensure that fans who have been counting down to the finale will have every chance to see it, early and often, and we hope that they will take advantage of the opportunity to watch all their favorite characters in 3D for the first time, which is an experience not-to-be-missed.”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX® theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.
Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
http://www.harrypotter.com/
Midnight showings are scheduled around the country as anticipation builds for the finale of the blockbuster motion picture series
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” has already broken several records in the days leading up to the series finale’s hugely anticipated release. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Domestic Distribution.
Advance ticket sales have skyrocketed to more than $32 million, a new pre-opening record. Many midnight and first-day show times are already sold out across the country, despite the fact that the movie will be showing on more than 11,000 screens in 4,375 locations—both marking records for the Harry Potter series—with more than 3,800 locations opening the film at midnight on Thursday night. Breaking another industry record, the film is being released on 274 IMAX screens nationwide.
The very first Harry Potter movie to be released in 3D, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will be shown in 3D at more than 3,000 locations. In a nod to one of the most iconic features of the title character, special commemorative Harry Potter 3D glasses will be given free to fans attending select 3D midnight showings, while supplies last.
In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “We appreciate the loyalty of Harry Potter fans and understand that they have been waiting 10 years for this moment. We can’t wait to show them the movie, which we believe delivers on every level, so we are putting the film out on as many screens as possible in an effort to satisfy demand from coast to coast. We want to ensure that fans who have been counting down to the finale will have every chance to see it, early and often, and we hope that they will take advantage of the opportunity to watch all their favorite characters in 3D for the first time, which is an experience not-to-be-missed.”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reprise their roles as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Ciarán Hinds, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” was directed by David Yates, and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling. Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” is the first Harry Potter film to be released in both 3D and 2D. Concurrently with its nationwide theatrical distribution, the film will be released in select IMAX® theatres. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology.
Opening nationwide on July 15, the film is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. It has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.
http://www.harrypotter.com/
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