OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has confirmed six-time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton will tackle the starring role in the dramatic biopic My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story. The film, which marks the first scripted movie production for the network, will be executive produced by Darlene Love, Oprah Winfrey, and Oscar winner Morgan Neville (Twenty Feet From Stardom).
My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story will air in December 2014.
The Plot:
My Name is Love: The Darlene Love Story features the story of one of the 1960’s iconic musical voices, Darlene Love. Love began cutting records for producer Phil Spector right out of high school, and went on to work with some of the greatest musical talents in history, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra and Bruce Springsteen.
Whether it was the wild parties Tom Jones used to throw, how Elvis came on to her backstage at his 1968 comeback special, or her love affair with Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, Love holds nothing back as she recalls the exciting events that make up her life. This is the dishy and dramatic story of a woman who had it all, lost it all, but never, ever refused to give up.
Okay all you true believers. Another Marvel movie has hit the multiplexes, this time in the form of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Is it made with the same basic level of quality as the other recent spate of Marvel movies? Sure. Does it tie into the general universe being created to allow for such mash-ups as the über-successful Avengers film? Yeah. But does this sequel do anything to make me care more about that all-encompassing? I won’t leave you in suspense, the answer is no.
Honestly, I’d rather they just title this thing Not Another Avengers Movie. Sure, it’s got Captain America, but it’s also got Scarlett Johansson’s terrible rendition of the Black Widow spending far too much time on-screen (and they found a way to make her look less than her normally spectacular self). Then there’s “The Winter Soldier” which did nothing to create excitement in the film (though apparently, Sebastian Stan was really going for a Jared Leto look).
And worst of all, there’s the underlying story. Frankly, it’s boring. I couldn’t care less about what happens, and even though it will mean something different for future movies (and the Marvel Agents of Shield TV show in particular), I again shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes. I won’t go into it as people get all nutso about spoilers, especially with the comic book movies, but unless you’re a super diehard Marvel fan, and in particular a super diehard Captain America fan, I see no reason to bother seeing this on the big screen.
Now, like I said the production value is good, as is par for the course with the Marvel film world right now. But the direction by Joe and Anthony Russo is far below the general standards and mostly where it counts: the action. While there are some good action scenes, almost all of them are shot with shaky, quick-cut camera work that frankly reminded me of the first Hunger Games movie. And that’s not camerawork you want to be compared to.
Perhaps the lone bright spot in the entire 2 hours-plus runtime is Anthony Mackie stepping into the role of Captain America’s sidekick, Falcon. He injected a bit of energy into the proceedings and, most importantly, reduced the amount of time the audience is stuck watching Scarlett Johansson suck the life out of the movie. Sorry, Scarlett, this is just not a good role for you.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier follows the tradition of its brethren, being a bland and filler sequel while everyone awaits the next Avengers movie. I can understand the desire to see it if you’re a comic book fan but just wait for it to hit the home market. There’s no need to hit the theaters for this one but if you still decide to do so, make sure to sit through the entire credits. But you already knew that, didn’t you?
GRADE: C
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, gunplay and action throughout.
The Late Show with David Letterman (Photo Courtesy of CBS)
David Letterman’s the longest-running late night show host in history, but now apparently there is an end in sight. Letterman officially announced his retirement from the late-night hosting gig during the taping of the April 3, 2014 episode of Late Show. He’s planning to exit the show next year, according to his surprise announcement during the Thursday afternoon taping, which was greeted with a standing ovation by the show’s audience.
“The man who owns this network, Leslie Moonves, he and I have had a relationship for years and years and years, and we have had this conversation in the past, and we agreed that we would work together on this circumstance and the timing of this circumstance. And I phoned him just before the program, and I said ‘Leslie, it’s been great, you’ve been great, and the network has been great, but I’m retiring,’” said Letterman.
Commenting on Letterman’s retirement announcement, CBS Corporation President and CEO Leslie Moonves issued this statement:
“When Dave decided on a one-year extension for his most recent contract, we knew this day was getting closer, but that doesn’t make the moment any less poignant for us. For 21 years, David Letterman has graced our Network’s air in late night with wit, gravitas and brilliance unique in the history of our medium. During that time, Dave has given television audiences thousands of hours of comedic entertainment, the sharpest interviews in late night, and brilliant moments of candor and perspective around national events. He’s also managed to keep many celebrities, politicians and executives on their toes – including me.
There is only one David Letterman. His greatness will always be remembered here, and he will certainly sit among the pantheon of this business. On a personal note, it’s been a privilege to get to know Dave and to enjoy a terrific relationship. It’s going to be tough to say goodbye. Fortunately, we won’t have to do that for another year or so. Until then, we look forward to celebrating Dave’s remarkable show and incredible talents.”
WWE Superstar John Cena will serve as the official Grand Marshal for the 2014 Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure(R) (Photo: Business Wire)
WWE Superstar John Cena has been tapped to be the Grand Marshal for the 2014 Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on Saturday, May 10 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Cena, who knows real men wear pink, will also help the non-profit celebrate its 25th anniversary of the Global Race for the Cure by being a part of Team WWE and encouraging wrestling fans to support the cause by registering at GlobalRacefortheCure.org and joining “Team WWE.”
“We are thrilled to have John Cena join us as Grand Marshal as I know his reach will undoubtedly bring attention to the great need in the National Capital Region,” said Komen President and CEO Dr. Judy Salerno. “He’s a tough competitor in the ring, but he has a special place in his heart for this cause and for our work.”
“It is a privilege to serve as Grand Marshal of Komen’s Global Race and help raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer,” said John Cena. “We are committed to using WWE’s global platforms to further the great work that Komen does every day to help turn breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors.”
WWE and Susan G. Komen have worked together for years, and in 2013 partnered on the “Make Mom Proud” campaign that “called on supporters to do something meaningful for their moms and other important women in their life.” This year, the Race will launch the start of a week of events teaming up Cena and WWE’s Divas with Komen in support of National Women’s Health Week beginning May 11th.
Anna Paquin in 'True Blood' season six episode six (Photo: John P. Johnson/HBO)
So long sexy vampires, werewolves, fairies, shapeshifters, and other assorted supernatural creatures. HBO and Truebies are saying good-bye to True Blood with one final 10-episode season arriving on June 22, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT. The seventh and final season of the popular show will allow fans one last chance to visit the world of Bon Temps and its surroundings and say farewell to waitress/part-fairy/full-time supernatural creature magnet Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), power-hungry vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), and the drop’dead’ sexy Viking vampire Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgard).
HBO also confirmed the premiere date of the drama series The Leftovers from Damon Lindelof (Lost) and novelist Tom Perrotta. The Leftovers has been given the prime spot of Sunday, June 15th at 10pm ET/PT, immediately following the season four finale of Game of Thrones.
The 10-episode season one stars Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler, Charlie Carver, Max Carver, Carrie Coon, Ann Dowd, Michael Gaston, Emily Meade, Annie Q, Margaret Qualley, Amanda Warren and Chris Zylka. The show is based on Perrotta’s critically acclaimed novel which examines The Rapture.
It still doesn’t have a title, but it does have three new cast members. Warner Bros. Pictures just revealed the untitled Superman and Batman film has added Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey (300: Rise of an Empire), and Tao Okamoto (The Wolverine) to the cast list. According to the official announcement, all of these actors will play characters created just for the film.
“Holly has always been one of my favorite actresses; she has immense talent and is always captivating on screen,” said director Zack Snyder (300, Man of Steel). “I had an opportunity to meet her a while back and knew instantly that I had to work with her, so as we began writing the script, I made sure to create a role specifically for her.”
Commenting on Mulvey and Okamoto’s casting, Snyder said, “I just had the good fortune to work with Callan on 300: Rise of an Empire and was very impressed with his incredible talent. He’s a fantastic actor and I’m looking forward to having the chance to work with him again. And, quite simply, Tao is a striking presence whose beauty is aptly rivaled by her amazing abilities as an actress. I’m really excited to have her joining us on this adventure.”
The untitled Superman and Batman film stars Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred. Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, and Diane Lane are on board to reprise their roles from Man of Steel.
Snyder’s directing the Man of Steel sequel from a script by Chris Terrio (from a screenplay by David S. Goyer). Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, and Goyer, Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, and Geoff Johns are executive producing.
Warner Bros Pictures will release the superhero film in theaters on May 6, 2016.
After Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight script leaked out to the world following its distribution to about half a dozen actors, Tarantino halted the Western and decided not to move forward with the film. He’s currently involved in a lawsuit with Gawker over providing links to the copyrighted script, and it appears the script may now only be released in book form.
However, Film Independent (the group behind the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the LA Film Festival) just announced they’ll be putting on a staged reading of Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight script. According to the official announcement, this will be a “once-in-a-lifetime event” that will not be streamed live or recorded. The reading will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel (929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015). The event will begin at 8pm PT and all proceeds from the ticket sales will go to help Film Independent at LACMA’s year-round programming.
“Quentin Tarantino is a key figure in the independent creative community,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “We are thrilled that Quentin will be holding the World Premiere Staged Reading of his script of The Hateful Eight with Film Independent at LACMA. Film Independent supports diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision with events like the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival, our Filmmaker Labs, as well as our year-round film programing curated by Elvis Mitchell. We offer unique cinematic experiences to the people of Los Angeles, and this event is going to deliver just that.”
The Plot: The Hateful Eight follows the steadily ratcheting tension that develops after a blizzard diverts a stagecoach from its route, and traps a pitiless and mistrustful group which includes a competing pair of bounty hunters, a renegade Confederate soldier, and a female prisoner in a saloon in the middle of nowhere.
Tarantino’s film credits include Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds, Death Proof, and Kill Bill.
A scene from Animal Planet’s Revenge of the Whale (working title). (Photo Credit: Animal Planet)
Animal Planet is expanding its roster of shows for the upcoming season, adding a series about tiny misbehaving dogs and the exploration of remote islands as well as additional original projects to their programming schedule. Popular shows returning to the Animal Planet lineup include River Monsters, America’s Cutest, Finding Bigfoot, and My Cat from Hell.
“We always are exploring new stories that both entertain and challenge how we view the natural world and our place in it,” explains Marjorie Kaplan, Group President Animal Planet and TLC. “Whether captivating audiences season after season with the network’s most-watched series RIVER MONSTERS, killing it with cuteness with our most buzzed-about, most successful PUPPY BOWL ever or delving deep into our humanity with powerful series like PIT BULLS & PAROLEES, Animal Planet remains committed to offering provocative, entertaining programming while shedding even more light on important global issues.”
Animal Planet’s 2014-2015 Programs:
NEW SERIES (in alphabetical order):
DEADLY ISLANDS
Animal Planet’s large predator expert Dave Salmoni is no stranger to adventure. Having trekked the globe to study predators and their unique environments, Salmoni combines his hands-on experiences in his new landmark series, DEADLY ISLANDS. Salmoni visits some of the world’s most remote islands to investigate how and why their native inhabitants have been so spectacularly successful at surviving – despite the harshest of conditions.
In a unique approach that blends all the splendor of a natural history documentary series with an investigative twist, DEADLY ISLANDS follows Salmoni in the role of detective as he sets out to crack some of the last big secrets of these forgotten places. Salmoni’s skills are tested to the limits as he lives alongside some of Mother Nature’s fiercest predators to solve the mysteries of these DEADLY ISLANDS.
ICE LAKE REBELS
The freeze and thaw periods are the two most deadly times of the year on Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories in Canada. This series follows a handful of survivalists as they hunt for food, drill for water, trade for necessities and protect their turf. It’s a lawless frozen lake of ultra-libertarians forced together during brutal winters. Choosing another kind of lifestyle, these rebels – families, couples and singles – have said goodbye to living life the conventional way on land and taken to floating homes and houseboats…
Since they don’t live on land, they don’t pay taxes, and, therefore, no one polices them. The very things that we take for granted – from opening the front door to walking your pet to shopping for groceries and supplies – are incredibly difficult to navigate. As one rebel says, “It’s not man you have to worry about; it’s woman – Mother Nature.”
POOL MASTER
POOL MASTER extraordinaire Anthony Archer-Wills is distinguished for being the best in the world for what he does – designing and delivering the ultimate swimming experience. A master designer and sculptor, Archer-Wills creates pools to look as though they were formed by nature’s hand more than 1,000 years ago.
In each episode of POOL MASTER, Archer-Wills connects to the spirit of each house and its grounds to complement his pool design, and then, he goes on a ‘stone hunt’ in search of the perfect natural rock for the project. Once the client’s dream swimming pool is fulfilled, cameras share the inaugural swim. These are not your everyday swimming holes!
REDWOOD KINGS
REDWOOD KINGS uncovers the artistry that goes into turning ancient, reclaimed redwood trees into creative works of art. Creating carvings of animated characters, movie and theme-park facades and even treehouses, twin brothers Ron and John Daniels work side by side at their theming company. It isn’t all a forest fairytale though — things can get splintery when “little” brother Ron must turn off the chainsaw and reign in John “The Carving Cowboy” in order to keep every project on schedule and on budget.
In the premiere season, the guys and their 40-person crew create a life-sized replica of a gold stamp mill and spinning waterwheel; head back to the glory days of the gold rush for a rustic roadside mall in California; build a Noah’s Ark themed treehouse for the youngest members of a small family church; and design a massive, 22 room, interactive theme-park experience in a historic building in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOUNTY HUNTERS
The Rocky Mountains, with more than 3,000 miles of dense forests and rocky peaks, provide the perfect hideaway for fugitives on the run from the law. In Animal Planet’s new six-part series ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOUNTY HUNTERS, two teams of elite fugitive retrieval agents are in hot pursuit of armed and unpredictable delinquents who’ve skipped bail and prefer the treacherous mountainous terrain to facing justice behind bars.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOUNTY HUNTERS follows professional bounty-hunter pairs Clint and Dayson in Colorado and Rob and “Animal” in Montana as they patrol the harsh environment of the scenic yet deadly Rockies. When fugitives disappear into the immense wilderness inhabited by predators like black bears and mountain lions, it takes a special type of hunter to bring them to justice. Throughout the series, the region’s most-wanted offenders, who have histories of charges ranging from gun running to homicide to drug trafficking, attempt to evade the expert trackers who are always on the hunt. If you run, these wilderness bounty hunters won’t stop until they catch you.
MY TINY TERROR (working title)
With 40 years under her belt, small dog trainer Jacqueline Wilson trains some of the naughtiest and tiniest dogs. These teacup pups may look sweet, but they’re causing mayhem in their owners’ homes. From these pups’ incessant barking at strangers to ankle bites that end with hospitalizations, our expert has seen it all. In MY TINY TERROR (working title), these yappy purse pups and their sometimes even yappier owners are going to learn their manners.
SPECIALS
LAST NORTH
Eric Larsen is just a regular guy from Wisconsin who just happens to be one of the world’s foremost polar explorers. Just last month, he departed Canada to embark on a 49-day adventure across the ice to the North Pole in an attempt to break the speed record for an unsupported trek. Giving viewers at home a chance to experience the majestic landscape and intimate, dangerous encounters with polar bears, he is documenting his every step. But time is of the essence because the frozen path across the Arctic Ocean may not be there forever. Due to climate change, this might be the last time this trip is possible.
PRIMATES: CLASH OF KINGDOMS (working title)
We’re part of an extraordinary family. We have hundreds of bizarre and colorful relatives that live fascinating lives in exotic locations, yet most of us know almost nothing about them. Let Animal Planet introduce you to your closest animal cousins: the primates. In PRIMATES: CLASH OF KINGDOMS (working title), primates must navigate complex social situations, and similar to humans, nothing is predictable about them.
They’re warring, territorial, protective and mistrustful. At times, they even can be cooperative and friendly. Just like us, their extraordinary diversity and noteworthy behaviors reveal how intriguing and full of drama their kingdoms are.
REVENGE OF THE WHALE (working title)
Based on true events, this two-hour film tells one of history’s greatest stories of survival at sea, which inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Martin Sheen portrays Old Thomas Nickerson, who tells a story of his life as a cabin boy on the ill-fated voyage of the whaling ship the Essex. The action-packed narrative follows Nickerson as, against all odds, he comes through the worst that nature throws at him while growing up quickly in the process.
He faces the destructive force of sea storms, the power of whales, the brutal desolation of the sun and sea after the shipwreck and, finally, the dark deeds he must do to survive. The film, a co-production with the BBC, also stars Jonas Armstrong as First Mate Owen Chase and Adam Rayner as Captain Pollard and depicts the pair’s real-life accounts of the sinking of the ship.
SNOW WOLF FAMILY (working title)
In SNOW WOLF FAMILY (working title), veteran wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan attempts what no other person has ever done before: immersing himself in a wild wolf pack in one of the remotest places on Earth – Ellesmere Island, Canada. These arctic wolves are naïve to mankind with little to no exposure to humans, so Buchanan must tread carefully to gain their trust and acceptance.
Giving us an intimate and raw glimpse into their unique pack life, Buchanan films their stories. Just south of the North Pole, Ellesmere Island’s rugged terrain, extreme weather conditions and variety of wildlife add to the adventurous landscape of this epic special.
SURVIVING THE KILL ZONE
In the final days of the longest dry season in living memory, more than 65 high-tech, remote-controlled cameras and camera teams capture the wild animals of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley as never before. Thirst has trapped the hungry animals close to the Luangwa River, the location of the last substantial source of water and food for hundreds of miles. The river’s banks and surrounding land have been transformed into killing fields.
The valley has become a temporary home to an extraordinary assortment of herbivores and predators, including lions, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, Nile crocodiles and hippos. In SURVIVING THE KILL ZONE, viewers have an unprecedented view as these species collide in a daily battle for survival. Each day of life is precious until the rains come.
THE YAO MING PROJECT (working title)
Former Houston Rockets center and NBA basketball star Yao Ming is on a mission to change a 1,000-year-old Chinese tradition and end the trade of illegal ivory and rhino horn in his home country. Now, Animal Planet joins Ming on his mission in a Discovery global initiative to uncover the brutal truth surrounding the multi-million dollar underground trade, which is being driven by an unprecedented, high demand in China.
Cameras capture Ming as he travels to the African savannah for the first time to witness the destruction caused by poachers who systemically slaughter these animals on a daily basis. A journey of transformation for Ming, the 7’6” Olympian’s herculean mission becomes increasingly critical as he realizes the only way to save Africa’s elephants and rhinos from the edge of extinction is to convince the world’s most populous country to break tradition and enter a new era of conservation.
WALKING THE NILE (working title)
In this two-hour special, Animal Planet joins one man on a journey of a lifetime. Expedition leader, writer and photographer Levison Wood has embarked on a 4,250-mile challenging trek to become the first person to successfully walk the entire length of the Nile River. Wood’s journey through Africa takes him through rainforest, desert, savannah and swamp. From its source in the highlands of Rwanda and skirting Lake Victoria before entering South Sudan – the world’s newest country, Wood follows the Nile along its course through the jungles of Tanzania and Uganda.
The trip tests Wood’s mental and physical limits as well as his bush-craft skills as he travels with only his backpack through some of Africa’s most remote, hostile and spectacular locations. As he traces old Arab slave routes and crosses the Sahara Desert, Wood meets those who’ve forged new countries out of the ruins of war and revolution while he encounters hippos, crocodiles and lions.
WILD ASIA (working title)
Lands, cultures, civilizations and wildlife are affected by one of nature’s greatest phenomena on an annual basis: the mighty monsoon. From the Himalayas to Northern Australia, this often misinterpreted weather system brings deluge and droughts to places across the globe. WILD ASIA (working title) explores how creatures such as India’s iconic tigers flourish under the tumultuous weather system and nature’s most fascinating transformations that occur in its midst.
WILD AUSTRALIA (working title)
Australia has given birth to some of the most unusual animals on the planet. The species found “down under” are the product of tens of millions of years of evolution that took place on an island continent isolated from all other landmasses for a great part of this time. Kangaroos and koalas aside, this ancient land contains some truly bizarre creatures – mammals that lay eggs, lizards that drink water collected on their backs and snakes that can kill 100 fully grown men with one bite! From the snow-capped mountains of the southeast to the wonder of the majestic Great Barrier Reef, Australia is a land of extremes – a world truly set apart.
WILD MEXICO
Mexico is a country full of rich and diverse landscapes, ranging from deserts and rainforests to lofty mountains and mangrove swamps. Scattered among these varied backdrops, only the greatest variety of wildlife can be found, including jaguars, pronghorn antelopes, ocelots and howler monkeys. With only the most stunning imagery, WILD MEXICO reveals this diverse country’s most treasured gems.
EVENTS
MONSTER WEEK 3
Animal Planet’s MONSTER WEEK is back with all-new stories about the monumental and obscure creatures that may be lurking just below the surface, or worse, right outside your door. If you thought Animal Planet had already uncovered all of the fabulously fearsome creatures that nature has to offer, think again. This May, the jammed-pack week needs nine days to showcase the grotesque and dangerous beasts that sneak in the water and stalk on land.
All-new man-eating and super-sized specials accompany nightly premieres of RIVER MONSTERS, and a two-hour marquee special anchor what is sure to be the most frightfully fun kickoff to summer yet. And just when there’s a chill in the air, MONSTER WEEK returns right around Halloween with a frightful harvest of stories to get you in the holiday “spirit” and leave you haunted for weeks to come.
PUPPY BOWL XI
A record 13.5 million viewers tuned in to PUPPY BOWL X to witness the ultimate showdown in animal sports history. Now, Animal Planet’s pup-culture phenomenon PUPPY BOWL returns on Super Bowl SundayTM with a very special all-star, all-adorable cast that’s itching to play in a winning combination of terrier tackles, canine touchdowns, puppy penalties and Fido first downs. Complete with fan favorites including the water bowl cam and kiss cam, this year’s game adds adorable new elements and furry friends to join the action on the grand gridiron.
RETURNING SERIES:
AMERICA’S CUTEST
Talking kitties and sleeping puppies are just some of the adorable pets vying to be crowned AMERICA’S CUTEST. In each episode, a team of celebrity animal experts, including Jackson Galaxy, Shorty Rossi and Dr. Karen Halligan, weighs in on various video categories and has the inevitable task of choosing which snuggly, four-legged friend wins the title.
FINDING BIGFOOT
Animal Planet’s hit series FINDING BIGFOOT returns with all-new episodes that investigate compelling evidence that may prove the existence of the elusive creature. This season, investigations take the team farther across the globe and further into sasquatch history than they’ve ever travelled. The intrepid cast of investigators – Bigfoot Field Research Organization (BFRO) president Matt Moneymaker, researchers James “Bobo” Fay and Cliff Barackman and skeptical scientist Ranae Holland – use as much new technology and as many odd techniques as they can.
By examining photos and videos of the creature, speaking to local witnesses and luring the mysterious beast with the team’s signature sasquatch calls, the group uncovers startling evidence of the highly intelligent enigma that has eluded capture for centuries and fascinated man for just as long.
GATOR BOYS
GATOR BOYS follows the men and women of Gator Boys Alligator Rescue as they risk life and limb to capture wild alligators using their bare hands and swim with the toothy creatures unprotected in the Florida waters. Frontrunners Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle do it all for the love of gators and started the rescue with the goal of getting nuisance alligators out of harm’s way before they are captured and killed by other trappers who profit from harvesting the animals. In this new season, the GATOR BOYS are making another astonishing addition to their tight knit team, and the tale of a giant gator known as “Moby Dick” may have everyone packing for a return trip to Mississippi.
ICE COLD GOLD
Animal Planet’s ICE COLD GOLD spotlights a spirited team of miners who are among the first Americans to prospect for precious metals and gems in parts of Greenland where humans never have set foot before. The series follows eight men who leave behind their families, friends and homeland to strike it rich against all odds while they struggle to survive against the harshest of conditions. Greenland’s a veritable beast, but the motley crew of ICE COLD GOLD miners is up for the challenge.
Each thinks he has what it takes to walk away with gold, rubies and sapphires before winter and large mining companies swoop in. What transpires as the miners cope with the unpredictable, harsh unknown? Are they humbled by their journey? Do their personalities get in the way? Most importantly, do they strike ICE COLD GOLD?
MY CAT FROM HELL
Cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy returns for a new season of MY CAT FROM HELL to take on the most catastrophic cat cases anyone ever has encountered. Armed with more than 15 years of experience, a proven training program and his signature guitar case filled with cat toys, Jackson is on a mission to help cat owners find the sources of conflict with their furry friends.
This season, Jackson travels for the first time to Austin, San Diego and Portland, Oregon to solve a gamut of feline-related issues and repair the relationships they’re ruining. Whether it’s the cats or the owners behaving badly, leave it to Jackson to save the day!
NORTH WOODS LAW
In NORTH WOODS LAW, Animal Planet follows the adventures of the men and women of Maine’s elite game wardens who save lives and fight crime across 18 million acres of rugged, perilous and unpredictable terrain. In Maine, game wardens must safeguard people and animals within the wilderness while they also enforce general state law. Each day on the job brings unexpected challenges and intense situations. Whether they’re rescuing animals in distress, embarking on search-and-rescue missions or investigating crimes, the game wardens are never far from danger.
PIT BULLS & PAROLEES
Animal Planet’s PIT BULLS & PAROLEES has followed Tia Torres for five seasons as she pours her heart and soul into Villalobos, the largest pit bull rescue in the United States. After relocating the facility from Northern California to New Orleans, Torres has rebuilt her rescue and her life in a city that desperately needs her help and commitment and has welcomed her with open arms. Returning for a sixth season, Torres, with her family and crew of trusted parolees by her side, continues to devote her life to saving dogs in need.
Villalobos has become a community stronghold in New Orleans, and the locals call Torres when they’re out of options. But now there’s an overwhelming influx of rescues, sometimes more than 20 dogs at a time, and Torres and her team are struggling to provide food and shelter for them all. Ultimately, the team overcomes incredible challenges, faces a lot of change, meets new faces and says goodbye to old friends, but their dedication to provide pit bulls with safe and loving homes and parolees with a place to find redemption is unwavering.
RIVER MONSTERS
Animal Planet’s RIVER MONSTERS is a weekly adventure and murder mystery, following extreme angler, biologist and freshwater detective Jeremy Wade’s worldwide search for harrowing tales of man-eating fish with the hope of proving these legends as tall tales or frightening facts. Searching for a variety of aquatic attackers while navigating the globe’s waterways, Wade has taken his life-long passion and turned it into a full-time career.
Wade’s RIVER MONSTERS quests have him diving and reeling in fascinating and mysterious creatures – all alleged man killers! The April 6th season premiere is followed by the network’s first-ever live after show with Jeremy Wade.
TANKED
As co-owners of Las Vegas-based Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM), one of the country’s most successful builders of aquariums and two of Sin City’s most imaginative businessmen, Wayde King and Brett Raymer are tasked with building some of the most enormous and awe-inspiring tanks and aquariums for top celebrities, luxury hotels and casinos, Fortune 500 businesses, private homes and millionaire homeowners across the country that are filled with the most exotic, unusual, colorful and dangerous fish in the world. ATM takes on more than 200 projects every year with tanks ranging from 50 to 50,000 gallons in size.
TOO CUTE!
Three adorable litters, three fascinating breeds and one amazing story of animals coming of age. The first few months of an animal’s life are delightful in a brand-new world, where cute and cuddly knows no bounds and where fluffy reigns supreme. From a kitten’s first tentative steps, to a puppy’s first bark, to the first awkward meeting between a deer and a kangaroo, witness the miracle of our furry friends, which is simply too loveable, too curious and TOO CUTE!.
TREEHOUSE MASTERS
Often described as a tree whisperer by his clients, colleagues and contemporaries, Pete Nelson dedicates himself to granting people’s dreams of turning peaceful nooks in nature into the ultimate escapes. In TREEHOUSE MASTERS, Nelson and his team execute the most outrageous treehouses designed to delight every whimsy, form and function. Whether he’s contriving magnificent multi-bedroom treehouses with state-of-the-art kitchens and bathrooms or rendering simpler, peaceful, one-room escapes, Nelson always goes out on a limb to create the most breathtaking treehouses with spectacular vistas.
Kerry Bishe, Adrian Grenier, Ben McKenzie, Gaby Hoffmann, Mark Webber, McKenna Grace, Scott Mescudi and Remy Nozik in GOODBYE WORLD. (Photo Credit: Jeff Bollman / Samuel Goldwyn Films / Phase 4 Films)
Goodbye World explores what happens when our wired-in world comes to a crashing halt following the delivery of a text message containing a virus. Which, upon reading that simple premise, sounds like a fascinating launching pad for a feature film. Unfortunately, Goodbye World takes that promising premise and dilutes it by centering the action on a group of friends who just aren’t all that interesting or engaging.
It only takes a few hours before the U.S. is thrown into complete chaos after “Goodbye World” appears on everyone’s cell phones. The virus takes down servers and rioting begins, with martial law declared and civilization as we know it basically collapsing. Grocers immediately up their prices, gas is at a premium, and supplies quickly begin to run out.
In the midst of all this madness, an eclectic group of friends make their way to Northern California where they seek shelter with a couple who just happen to be already living off the grid. Well-stocked and prepared for a situation of this type, the group should be, if not happy, then at least capable of surviving in relative comfort. But, no, these friends find numerous ways to pick each other apart, uncoupling and re-coupling as if the outside world’s problems aren’t disturbing enough.
These eight friends could emerge from the apocalypse, if that’s what this is, in relatively good shape, but that’s not to be. Old grudges that had been festering surface, some members of this good-looking group can’t keep their hands off of their exes, and when major differences in ideology become more evident and important in conversations, the group’s downward spiral hits a point where lines are crossed and relationships torn apart that can never be mended.
Kerry Bishé, Caroline Dhavernas, Adrian Grenier, Gaby Hoffman, Ben McKenzie, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Remy Nozik, and Mark Webber star as the friends and their performances feel authentic. However, they’re hampered by a script that feels less than genuine, with stilted conversations between characters that just don’t flow naturally. Also, no character among the eight gives the audience someone to latch onto and support through this harrowing, apocalyptic time.
The concept was there, however, the set-up loses steam when all the attention turns to dinner conversations, a bizarre hip-hop talent show, and predictable interactions with the outside world.
GRADE: C
Goodbye World was directed by Denis Henry Hennelly and opens in theaters on April 4, 2014.
Gina Carano and Luis Guzman star in 'In the Blood' (Photo Copyright: ITB Productions, Inc.)
While Arnold Schwarzenegger struggles to retain a following at the box office, Mixed Martial Arts star Gina Carano is steadily building up a fan base outside of the ring and inside theaters. Carano’s latest offering is the starring role in the gritty action thriller In the Blood co-starring Cam Gigandet, Luis Guzman, Amaury Nolasco, Danny Trejo, and Stephen Lang.
Directed by John Stockwell, In the Blood gives Carano an opportunity to not only demonstrate why she’s continuing to get film roles but also to show a little more emotional depth than she’s had the chance to do with her past projects.
In the Blood opens with a young Eva (played by Paloma Louvat) – who’s been taught not to cry, not to give into pain, and not to show any signs of weakness – watching her father being murdered. Fight faster, harder, and dirtier than whoever she encounters and go beyond whatever limits others might believe exist when attempting to outlast her enemy…this has been drummed into her head while being trained to fight by her dad (Lang), so when he is killed she doesn’t cry and instead buries the anger deep inside and uses it to fuel her fighting.
Fast-forward and Eva (Gina Carano) is getting married to a wealthy, good-looking guy named Derek (Gigandet), who doesn’t use his fists to get his point across. Derek’s dad (played by Treat Williams) isn’t enamored of his new daughter-in-law as he believes she’s in it for the family’s money, but as the newlyweds head off to a honeymoon in the Caribbean, it’s obvious they’re very much in love and that money has nothing to do with Eva’s attraction to Derek.
A local guy volunteers to be their unofficial tour guide, taking them to a packed bar where Eva is forced into reverting to her old ways when pushed into a ruthless bar fight. Eva, Derek, and their new friend/tour guide flee the scene but not before catching the eye of Silvio Lugo, a dangerous thug (Nolasco) who thinks he runs the island. This sets up a bizarre, wide-ranging kidnapping plot that begins with a failed zip line run and ends with Eva taking on corrupt police officers and Silvio’s well-armed gang.
The Bottom Line:
In the Blood is tailor-made for Carano who’s a certified action star on the rise. In the Blood is a mix of Stockwell’s Turistas and Liam Neeson’s Taken, but with more brutal, in-your-face, gut-wrenching action that looks all the more realistic given Carano’s preference for fisticuffs rather than firearms.
Carano’s acting is getting more polished with each film, and she’s got an onscreen presence that engages the audience even while her character is bashing in heads or torturing bad guys. There’s a gracefulness about her fight moves and a sensuality about the way the action scenes are captured on film that doesn’t disguise but instead enhances the brutality of the featured fights.
Stockwell and In the Blood screenwriters James Robert Johnston and Bennett Yellin let Carano down during the final act as the story culminates in a rather unsatisfying Hollywood-ish wrap-up that’s disappointing given the set-up. But the film’s well-paced, and if you’re into reality-driven action scenes, it’s one of the better offerings in what’s, thus far, been a disappointing year for the genre.
GRADE: B
In the Blood opens in theaters, On Demand, and iTunes on April 4, 2014.
