I could probably go on and on about Runner Runner. However, I’m attempting to waste less and less time writing about bad movies, so this may be one of my shortest reviews ever.
In this stinker, Justin Timberlake is a smart guy who ends up working for an online gambling mogul (Ben Affleck) who’s avoiding the law by holding up shop in Costa Rica. From a script perspective, there’s a functionally useless beautiful woman (Gemma Arterton) and a barely useless gambling addict father (John Heard). Also essentially useless is the script itself. It’s so full of holes that had the film been called Water Water, there wouldn’t be a drop to drink for anyone.
Problems in the script are especially sad to discover when the screenwriters wrote another film about gambling called Rounders. That’s a good film. Runner Runner is essentially the antithesis of good.
The direction doesn’t help matters. While I liked director Brad Furman’s last film well enough (The Lincoln Lawyer), this felt like some poor homage to Michael Mann. And somehow, he made this 91-minute movie feel a good hour longer. I’ve been to graduations that felt shorter.
Runner Runner is a marginally interesting idea executed into an insanely boring result. Aside from a few good one-liners Affleck gets to throw out, this makes Reindeer Games look like Good Will Hunting. Fans of either actor are better off watching Timberlake host SNL or enjoying any of Affleck’s excellent turns as a director. If there’s anything people should Run Run from, it’s this film film.
GRADE: D
Runner Runner opens in theaters on October 4, 2013 and is rated R for language and some sexual content.
Lea Michele and Cory Monteith in 'Glee' (Photo credit: Adam Rose/FOX),p>If you cry easily, are still having a hard time wrapping your mind around Cory Monteith’s death, or are just really into Glee, then this promotional teaser for the upcoming tribute episode will require a tissue or two. The episode in which Monteith’s character Finn Hudson’s life will be remembered and celebrated is set to air on October 10, 2013 at 9pm on Fox.
The cast includes Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester; Lea Michele as Rachel Berry; Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel; Kevin McHale as Artie; Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina; Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez; Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson; Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans; Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman; Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose; Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde; Alex Newell as Wade “Unique” Adams; Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn.
Mankind has long been fascinated with the notion of going into space. There’s an element of uncharted exploration mixed in with a little bit of thrill-seeking, scientific curiosity, and perhaps a dash of wanting to gain a truly unique perspective on this little blue orb we call home. For decades, a select group of men and women have rocketed their way out of the atmosphere and come away with an experience to which few can truly relate.
Now, I know I’ll never be an astronaut. There are far too many certifications involved, and I’m a sissy. However, I love the idea of being given the virtual equivalent of such an undertaking, and short of an IMAX documentary about the International Space Station or actually blasting off into orbit, director/co-writer Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is the closest I’ll probably get.
I’ll admit to having very little expectations for the story on display. While I like Sandra Bullock and George Clooney just fine, they’re also of such mega-stature that the idea of suspending any of my disbelief seemed like a pipe dream. To some extent, that preconceived notion held up; but I readily admit that this film may be the single most satisfying movie to see in a movie theater all year. I missed Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder, so I can’t judge his usual spectacular cinematography with Cuarón’s work here but considering both films have the same actual cinematographer, the great Emmanuel Lubezki, I have a feeling it’s a bit like choosing between which side of the Kit Kat to eat first. It’s going to be tasty either way (sadly, I’m in no way compensated for that shameless plug).
The movie itself is rather easy to sum up, and I’ll do so without revealing any spoilers. Basically, Bullock and Clooney start off the film on a spacewalk, working to repair a component of the Hubble telescope. About five minutes into the repairs, stuff goes horribly, horribly wrong and our two astronauts find themselves drifting in orbit with only the slimmest of hopes to save themselves from either drifting off into space, running out of oxygen or both. Hah. No spoilers!
What follows is 80-ish more minutes of a struggle to survive and MacGyver their way through the insane amount of literal and figurative obstacles placed in their path. It’s intense and it’s mesmerizing, and it’s a pure visual treat. Cuarón manages to weave together a whole slew of CGI wizardry, good performances from what are essentially the only two cast members, and his trademark super long shots into a masterpiece of eye candy. The images are stunningly beautiful and terrifying all at once.
Even the 3D works! Yes, I said it. The 3D is worth it. While this may not be the most immersive example of the technology, it does add that extra bit of depth necessary for a movie like this. It also brings the zero-gravity objects into play a bit more and rounds out the experience. I would also recommend seeing it in the largest format you possibly can (though not at a drive-in, as the sense of being immersed in the story, goes out the window when you can see the real world all around you). Sadly, San Diego doesn’t have a true IMAX theater showing non-educational films so I had to make do with one of the larger screens here, but it still made a huge impression on my enjoyment of the spectacle Cuarón assembled.
Now, all of that smoke blowing isn’t to say it’s perfect. There are of course some issues with physics, and after doing some light Internet research, the distance between the Hubble and the International Space Station makes one segment of the movie pure fiction. However, I can forgive the elements forgone in this area for the sake of the story, and I can even forgive some of the contrived dramatic plot points; as I was riveted by most other elements.
The one big, AND NOISY, element I wish could be changed before this is publicly released is the score, done by Steven Price. There are some nice notes and themes throughout, but there’s a re-occurring gathering of cacophonous noise that rises to a crescendo and then cuts out, in the most obvious and trite attempt to remind people that there is no sound in space, as well as artificially increase the tension. It’s bad enough he does this at the opening of the movie but to do it over and over and over and over again was pretty much infuriating and I found myself distracted from the otherwise gripping and engaging film each subsequent time the score decided to go bonkers.
As such, what is visually one of the most breathtaking narrative films I’ve ever seen doesn’t live up to its full potential. However, those visuals are so magnificent that I’ll be sure to head back to the theater for another 3D journey into space with Miss Congeniality and Dr. Ross. There’s no way that the home market can recreate the experience so if you are at all interested in the movie, you simply NEED to see this on as large a screen as you can find and go ahead and shell out a few extra bucks for the 3D. Those who read my reviews often know how rare it is that I’d so strongly recommend the most expensive trip to the movieplex so take that for what you will.
This doesn’t have the narrative complexity of Cuarón’s masterpiece, Children of Men, but it will leave an impression on those who find the same joy as I do in the opportunity films have to transport us to adventures most of us will never have the chance to experience in real life. Between the long shots, the almost claustrophobic but utterly amazing first-person views, and the backdrop of Earth spinning below, Gravity quickly takes hold and doesn’t let go. There’s a bad joke in there somewhere … oh wait, found it. Just see the movie, okay?
GRADE: B+
Gravity opens in theaters on October 4, 2013 and is rated PG-13 for intense perilous sequences, some disturbing images and brief strong language.
Paramount Pictures has set a Christmas Day release date for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit and they’ve just unveiled a new poster and trailer for action film. Based on the character created by author Tom Clancy who unfortunately passed away this week, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is an original story and the first film of the franchise reboot to feature Chris Pine (Star Trek) in the lead role. Directed by and co-starring Kenneth Branagh, the cast also includes Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley.
The Plot:
The story follows Jack Ryan from 9/11, through his tour of duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper (Costner). When Ryan believes he’s uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others, while also trying to protect the thing that’s more important to him than anything, his relationship with his fiancée Cathy (Knightley).
Along with releasing a new IMAX poster for Ender’s Game, Summit Entertainment has provided us with 360 panoramas of two battle school sets: Dragon Army Barracks & Colonel Graff’s Command Center.
The Plot:
In the near future, a hostile alien race called the Formics have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham, all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff and the International Military are training only the best young minds to find the future Mazer.
Ender Wiggin, a shy but strategically brilliant boy, is recruited to join the elite. Arriving at Battle School, Ender quickly and easily masters increasingly difficult challenges and simulations, distinguishing himself and winning respect amongst his peers. Ender is soon ordained by Graff as the military’s next great hope, resulting in his promotion to Command School. Once there, he’s trained by Mazer Rackham himself to lead his fellow soldiers into an epic battle that will determine the future of Earth and save the human race.
Based on the best-selling, award winning novel, Ender’s Game is an epic adventure which stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, with Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford.
Ender’s Game opens in theaters on November 1, 2013.
Jack Bauer is heading to London in 24: Live Another Day, the return of the Emmy-winning drama series that ended in May 2010 after eight seasons. Kiefer Sutherland reprises his role and executive produces the new 12-episode Jack Bauer international adventure coming to Fox next summer.
“24 has always had such a global sensibility,” said Sutherland. “But to be able to tell this intense 24-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating. Hopefully, by the time you’re finished watching an episode, you’ll feel like you’ve been there…on the edge of your seat.”
Co-showrunner/executive producer Evan Katz added, “We wanted the show’s return to be an event, and part of that was putting Jack in a very different context. Four years ago, we left Jack a fugitive from justice and we’re going to pick him up four years later in London.”
“Jack is soon back on the run and it takes us into the streets of London and in places that break new ground for the show. We’ve shot in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Cape Town — but now we’re in London and Jack’s loose on the streets of Europe, hunted by and hunting bad guys,” said Manny Coto, executive producer and showrunner.
Announcing the renewal, Fox Broadcasting Company’s Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly said, “The show has proven to be a risk well worth taking – it’s a conceptual blast unlike anything else on television and it all holds together with inventive writing and a fantastic cast. I can’t wait for fans to experience what else is in store for this fall and even more of this wild ride into Season Two.”
Since premiering on September 16, 2013, Sleepy Hollow has already collected an audience of 22 million. It’s one of the network’s most successful dramatic series premieres since 2001’s debut of 24 and after debuting strong, viewers aren’t slipping away and instead the audience is sticking with the show.
Sleepy Hollow was co-created by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Phillip Iscove and Len Wiseman, with Wiseman directing the first episode.
Details on Sleepy Hollow:
Sleepy Hollow is a thrilling mystery-adventure drama series spanning two and a half centuries, in which a resurrected Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) pairs up with a present-day police lieutenant (Nicole Beharie) to save the enigmatic town of Sleepy Hollow – and the world – from unprecedented evil.
Sir Richard Branson and Jimmy Fallon -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC)Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Mark Burnett’s One Three Media are working with NBC on a groundbreaking unscripted series, Space Race. The adventure series will award the winner one of the most unusual and unique prizes in television history: a trip into space.
Space Race competitors will vie for a ride on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, with their trip captured on video.
“The scope of this endeavor is so staggering, that it took these two titans to even imagine it,” stated Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “The term ‘trip of a lifetime’ has for once been delivered on! This will be a remarkable experience for anyone who has looked at the night’s sky and dared to dream of Space Flight.”
“Virgin Galactic’s mission is to democratize space, eventually making commercial space travel affordable and accessible to all,” said Branson. “Space Race allows us to extend this opportunity of a lifetime to as many people as possible right at the start of our commercial service – through direct experience and television viewing. All of us at Virgin Galactic and our partner aabar Investments are delighted to be collaborating with NBC and Mark, who is a true pioneer and creative force in television programming.”
“For the past ten years I have relentlessly pursued my dream of using a TV show to give an everyday person the chance to experience the black sky of space and look down upon mother Earth,” added executive producer Mark Burnett. “Last year I spent time in New Mexico at the state of the art facility and last week spent time in the Mojave desert with Sir Richard and his impressive team. We got to see the spaceship up close and hear of Sir Richard’s incredible vision of how Virgin Galactic is the future of private space travel. I am thrilled to be part of a series that will give the everyday person a chance to see space and that NBC has come on board too so that viewers at home will have a first class seat.”
New Zealand singer/songwriter Lorde performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on October 1, 2013, marking her first live appearance on American television. The talented teen sang “Royals” off of her Pure Heroine album and delivered a web-only bonus performance of “White Teeth Teens.”
The entire cast of the animated smash Rio returns in Rio 2, and they are joined by a new flock of top actors and musical talents. Rich with grandeur, character, color and music, Rio 2 finds Jewel (Hathaway), Blu (Eisenberg) and their three kids leaving their domesticated life in that magical city for a journey to the Amazon. They encounter a menagerie of characters who are born to be wild, voiced by Oscar nominee Andy Garcia, Oscar/Emmy/Tony-winner Rita Moreno, Grammy winner Bruno Mars, and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth.
Paramount Pictures has set a Christmas Day release date for 
Stumble It! 
Along with releasing a new IMAX poster for 
