Smaug’s Here – Or At Least He’s on an Airplane

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December 2, 2013

Peter Jackson hasn’t been showing off more than just a brief glimpse here and there of Smaug from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, but Air New Zealand’s providing a much better look at the dragon on the side of its The Hobbit B777-300. Dubbed “The Airline of Middle-Earth,” Air New Zealand has released a time lapse video showing off the wrapping of the plane with the Smaug design.

The Plot:

The film continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company continues East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of giant Spiders in the treacherous Mirkwood Forest.

After escaping capture by the dangerous Woodland Elves, the Dwarves journey to Lake-town, and finally to the Lonely Mountain itself, where they must face the greatest danger of all—a creature more terrifying than any before, which will test not only the depth of their courage but the limits of their friendship and the wisdom of the journey itself—the Dragon Smaug.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens on December 13, 2013.

Leonardo DiCaprio Helps Save Tigers

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Rebecca Murray

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December 2, 2013

Tiger Photo © Government of Nepal-DNPWC/WWF Nepal

Tigers have a friend in three-time Oscar nominated actor Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio’s charitable foundation has given a $3 million grant to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help Nepal “double its wild tiger numbers by 2022 – the next Chinese Year of the Tiger.”

According to the official announcement, the $3 million gift will be used toward strengthening anti-poaching patrols, monitoring the tiger population, and protecting the areas where tigers breed. This marks the second gift from the actor to assist in establishing a larger tiger population in Nepal, with his first grant helping to increase the number of tigers from 18 to 50.

“Time is running out for the world’s remaining 3,200 tigers, largely the result of habitat destruction and escalating illegal poaching,” said Leonardo DiCaprio, a WWF Board member. “WWF, the government of Nepal and local communities are on the front lines of this battle and I am hopeful this grant will help them exceed the goal of doubling the number of these noble creatures in the wild. I am grateful for the amazing support our Foundation has received — especially to our partners at Christie’s who helped create an historic night for conservation fundraising with the 11th Hour Auction.”

“Leonardo DiCaprio defies expectations in leveraging his voice and influence to restore tigers and their habitat in one of the most hopeful places on Earth,” said Carter Roberts, President and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). “His foundation is all about delivering real results for conservation on the ground and empowering local communities; nowhere is that more evident than in Nepal. The numbers speak for themselves and we are grateful for our partnership.”

Details on Nepal’s Tiger Population [Courtesy of WWF]:

Nepal is on target to become one of the first tiger range countries to achieve the 2010 Global Tiger Summit’s goal of doubling wild tigers by the next Year of the Tiger in 2022. The Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal, where the grant will be used, is 9,000 square miles and includes protected areas that are critical tiger, rhino and elephant habitat. The densely populated region is also home to nearly seven million people who depend on its natural resources for their livelihoods.

Tigers, elephants and rhinos in the Terai are losing habitat and falling victim to the illegal wildlife trade. The grant will allow park rangers to use sophisticated monitoring tools in conjunction with community policing and intelligence-gathering to tackle poaching. Basic park infrastructure, such as guard posts, will also be expanded and corridors between parks will be strengthened to give key species the freedom to roam and help grow new tiger populations across the Terai.

Sources: World Wildlife Fund, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Robin Thicke, Jason Derulo Set to Ring in 2014 on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

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Rebecca Murray

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December 2, 2013

ABC’s announced the first batch of performers for their annual New Year’s Eve special. Robin Thicke, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Hudson, Fall Out Boy, and Jason Derulo will be taking the stage on December 31, 2013 to help ring in the new year on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014.

Seacrest is back as host of the East Coast segments while new mom Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas will handle the West Coast hosting duties. Commenting on her involvement in the holiday special, Fergie said, “As the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve legacy continues, it is an honor to be a part of the largest celebration of the year. I am excited to share the stage with so many global stars.”

The New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Schedule:

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve Presents The 30 Greatest Women In Music — Ryan Seacrest, Jenny McCarthy and Fergie host a fascinating two-hour countdown of the 30 greatest female artists in music, through clips and interviews from the archives of dick clark productions. (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET)

Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014 — Ryan Seacrest spotlights some of the year’s hottest artists, groups and songs. Fergie hosts the Los Angeles party, and Jenny McCarthy is live with all the festivities in Times Square. (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET)

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2014, Parts 1 & 2 — Ryan Seacrest counts down to midnight live from Times Square, and then the party continues with some of the year’s hottest acts from Los Angeles and New York. (Part 1, 11:30 p.m. – 1:08 a.m., ET) (Part 2, January 1, 1:08 – 2:12 a.m., ET)

‘The Legend of Hercules’ Shows Off Trailer #2

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Rebecca Murray

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November 30, 2013

And, unfortunately, The Legend of Hercules‘ trailer #2 is not much better than trailer #1.

Kellan Lutz, best known for playing one of the sparkly vampires in the Twilight film franchise, takes on the title role in The Legend of Hercules which looks more like a made-for-DVD release than a film that should be heading to theaters. Summit picked it up and is looking to release it on January 10, 2014.

The Plot:

In the epic origin story The Legend of Hercules, Kellan Lutz stars as the mythical Greek hero — the son of Zeus, a half-god, half-man blessed with extraordinary strength. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom. Through harrowing battles and gladiator-arena death matches, Hercules embarks on a legendary odyssey to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land.

BBC America Renews Atlantis

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Rebecca Murray

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November 29, 2013

BBC America Renews Atlantis — Jason (Jack Donnelly), Hercules (Mark Addy) and Pythagoras (Robert Emms) in 'Atlantis' (Photo Credit: © Nick Briggs / Promotion of: BBC AMERICA)

That was fast…Atlantis just premiered and it’s already been picked up for a second season. The 13 part fantasy series recently launched in the UK to the biggest numbers on BBC channels for a Saturday night drama since 2006’s debut of Merlin, making the renewal an easy decision for BBC America.

“Atlantis is off to a fantastic start and is the centerpiece of our Saturday nights for the next twelve weeks,” said Richard De Croce, SVP Programming, BBC AMERICA. “We’re committed to bringing our viewers even more entertaining episodes inspired by Greek mythology from Howard [Overman] and the talented team in season two.”

The Plot:

Far from home and desperate for answers, Jason washes up on the shores of an ancient land. A mysterious place; a world of bull leaping, of snake haired Goddesses and of palaces so vast it was said they were built by giants – this is the lost city of Atlantis. The series follows the adventures of Jason (Jack Donnelly), Hercules (Mark Addy) and Pythagoras (Robert Emms) who battle against some of the most famous names of Greek legend, often in unexpected guises.

The cast also includes Jemima Rooper, Aiysha Hart, Sarah Parish, and Juliet Stevenson.

Source: BBC America

-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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Music Spotlight: “Human” by Christina Perri

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Rebecca Murray

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November 29, 2013

Finally a new single from singer/songwriter Christina Perri has arrived with the release of “Human” from her next album coming out in the spring of 2014. For her follow-up album to 2011’s lovestrong, Perri worked with producers Martin Johnson, Jake Gosling, John Hill, and Butch Walker, with Manny Marroquin mixing the still-untitled album.

Listen to “Human”:

-Posted by Rebecca Murray

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‘The Boxtrolls’ New Teaser Trailer

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Rebecca Murray

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November 29, 2013

The attention to detail is just incredible in this behind-the-scenes look at the 2014 stop-motion animated movie The Boxtrolls coming to theaters next September 26th. The Boxtrolls is from the animation studio behind ParaNorman and Coraline and is directed by Graham Annable (story artist on Coraline and ParaNorman) and Anthony Stacchi (Open Season).

The voice cast includes Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Jared Harris, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, and Tracy Morgan.

The Plot: The Boxtrolls is a comedic fable that unfolds in Cheesebridge, a posh Victorian-era town obsessed with wealth, class, and the stinkiest of fine cheeses. Beneath its charming cobblestone streets dwell the Boxtrolls, foul monsters who crawl out of the sewers at night and steal what the townspeople hold most dear: their children and their cheeses. At least, that’s the legend residents have always believed. In truth, the Boxtrolls are an underground cavern-dwelling community of quirky and lovable oddballs who wear recycled cardboard boxes the way turtles wear their shells.

The Boxtrolls have raised an orphaned human boy, Eggs (Hempstead-Wright), since infancy as one of their dumpster-diving and mechanical junk-collecting own. When the Boxtrolls are targeted by villainous pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher (Kingsley), who is bent on eradicating them as his ticket to Cheesebridge society, the kindhearted band of tinkerers must turn to their adopted charge and adventurous rich girl Winnie (Fanning) to bridge two worlds amidst the winds of change – and cheese.

‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ Soundtrack Details

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Rebecca Murray

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November 29, 2013

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Poster — Poster for ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ (Poster © Paramount Pictures)

Kenny Loggins, Robin Thicke, Neil Diamond, and the cast of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues contribute songs to the soundtrack of the second Anchorman movie opening in theaters on December 18, 2013. Music From The Motion Picture – Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues will arrive a day before the film launches in theaters, with Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) combining forces with Miley Cyrus’ favorite twerking partner Robin Thicke on a cover of Christopher Cross’ “Ride Like The Wind.”

Also showing off their singing voices are cast members Paul Rudd (‘Brian Fantana’), Steve Carell (‘Brick Tamland’), and David Koechner (‘Champ Kind’).

>Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Soundtrack Track List:

1. “A Message From Ron Burgundy”
2. “Ride Like The Wind” – Christopher Cross
3. “Change” – John Waite
4. “Ladykillers” – Ron Burgundy & Brian Fantana
5. “Every 1’s A Winner” – Hot Chocolate
6. “Shilo” – Neil Diamond
7. “Life Isn’t A Fairy Tale” – Ron Burgundy & Walter Burgundy
8. “White Lines” – Grandmaster & Melle Mel
9. “This Is It” – Kenny Loggins
10. “Another Message From Ron Burgundy”
11. “Thunder Island” – Jay Ferguson
12. “Doby” – Ron Burgundy
13. “Whammy Chicken” – Champ Kind
14. “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” – England Dan & John Ford Coley
15. “Muskrat Love” – Captain & Tennille
16. “RV Reminiscing” – Ron Burgundy & Brick Tamland
17. “Lonesome Billy” – Peter Tevis & Ennio Morricone
18. “Have An American Night” – Ron Burgundy
19. “Hold Your Head Up” – Argent
20. “Ride Like The Wind” – Robin Thicke & Ron Burgundy
21. “A Final Message From Ron Burgundy”

Josh Hutcherson vs Jimmy Fallon: Thanksgiving Object Shootout

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Rebecca Murray

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November 28, 2013

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire star Josh Hutcherson went up against Jimmy Fallon in a basketball battle using Thanksgiving-themed items in place of basketballs. Turkeys, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies, and even a cornucopia got tossed as Hutcherson and Fallon took turns shooting hoops on the November 26, 2013 episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

August: Osage County Offers Four New Clips

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Rebecca Murray

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November 27, 2013

With its big name cast – Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, Dermot Mulroney, etc – you’d expect to be hearing more about August: Osage County as it heads toward its December 25, 2013 theatrical release. Normally this far into the awards screening season we’re bombarded with info on any film a studio’s promoting as a potential Oscar contender, but maybe the Weinstein Company is just trying a low-key approach to building up an audience for this comedy/drama based on the play by Tracy Letts and directed by John Wells (The Company Men).

The buzz may be slow in building, however we do have four new clips to check out from the comedy/drama.

The Plot:

August: Osage County tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them.

-Posted by Rebecca Murray