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‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ Review – A Missed Opportunity

By
Kevin Finnerty
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Ewan McGregor, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Nicholas Hoult in Jack the Giant Slayer
Ewan McGregor, Eleanor Tomlinson, and Nicholas Hoult in New Line Cinema's and Legendary Pictures' action adventure "JACK THE GIANT SLAYER," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Daniel Smith

“Am I dead?,” asks Jack (Nicholas Hoult). “Not quite yet,” replies Elmont (Ewan McGregor) as they climb the huge beanstalk to the land of the giants to save princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) in the fantasy adventure film Jack the Giant Slayer.

In this new twist on the classic fairy tale, Jack is a poor peasant who’s smitten with the beautiful princess after standing up for her against a small group of thugs. He ends up getting a hold of the magic beans by selling his horse to a desperate monk trying to avoid Sir Roderick’s (Stanley Tucci) men. It seems Roderick, who is set to marry the Princess, has plans for the magic beans himself.

The next night, during a rainstorm, the princess – who once again has ventured out of the castle in search of another adventure – seeks shelter at Jack’s home. While Jack and the Princess playfully flirt with one another, one of the magic beans gets wet, having fallen under the floor to the ground under the house.

Almost instantly, the beanstalk bursts through the floor, into the room, and through the roof of the house, carrying the screaming princess and Jack’s home up, up, up into the clouds, with Jack falling to the ground and passing out.

The following day, Jack, along with the King (Ian McShane), Elmont, Roderick, and the rest of the King’s entourage, having discovered the beanstalk begin to realize that perhaps the old legend of giants being banished up into the land in the sky by a great King with a magical crown might be more than old tales. The King orders Elmont to take his knights and climb the beanstalk to save Isabelle, and both Roderick and Jack volunteer to go along and help. So the adventure to save the princess and take on the mighty giants who would like nothing better than to find a way down to the kingdom to take it over begins.

Unoriginal and unimpressive, Jack the Giant Slayer is a fantasy adventure that does nothing to improve on a classic tale.

The film has a decent cast with Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) as the hero, Jack, and Eleanor Tomlinson as the beautiful princess who are drawn to each other, both yearning for a more exciting life than what they currently have. Ewan McGregor is one of the best things about the film as the loyal Elmont determined to save the princess he has guarded and watched over since she was a young girl. He plays the role with just the right mix of tongue-in-cheek humor that would have benefitted the film greatly had the writers and director put even more of it in the movie via the other characters.

Stanley Tucci is exceptionally amusing as Roderick, the other villain – besides the CGI giants – in the movie, who once again has a few enjoyable affable lines and scenes in the film.

One of the biggest problems with the movie is it never really decides on the tone and, at times, gets far too dark and gross for younger moviegoers. It’s extremely uneven and will be very upsetting to children under 10.

The special effects and all the CGI work with the giants are lacking and mediocre at best. The Troll in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone looks light-years ahead of the giants up on the screen here. Fantasy filmgoers will surely be disappointed.

With its second-rate CGI and uneven tone, Jack the Giant Slayer falls far from being an enjoyable twist on the classic fairy tale and never really grows into the adventure it should be. Moviegoers would be better off watching the Disney classic Mickey and the Beanstalk instead.

GRADE: C-

Jack the Giant Slayer hit theaters on March 1, 2013 and is rated PG-13 for intense scenes of fantasy action violence, some frightening images, and brief language.




Anna Friel Joins the Cast of ‘The Vatican’

By
Rebecca Murray
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Anna Friel
Anna Friel - Photo © Richard Chavez

Showtime’s added Anna Friel (terrific in the canceled-too-soon series Pushing Daisies) to the cast of the thriller The Vatican starring Kyle Chandler and Matthew Goode. Heading into production this year, Paul Attanasio wrote the hour-long script and Sir Ridley Scott (Prometheus) will direct the pilot as well as serve as an executive producer.

Per the network, Friel will play Kayla Duffy, the younger sister of Cardinal Thomas Duffy (Chandler).

The Plot: The Vatican is a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics – set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church. Unlike her brother, Kayla is a sexually active, hard-partying New Yorker. She is darkly witty and openly rebellious against all norms and institutions, including the church.

While Kayla and Cardinal Duffy are close, honest, and loving siblings, she is always a complication and at times a liability for a man of the cloth who is one of the public leaders of the Catholic Church.

‘Les Miserables’ Blu-ray, DVD Details and Bonus Clips

By
Rebecca Murray
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Les Miserables on Blu-ray and DVD

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is releasing the Oscar-winning musical Les Miserables on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, and On Demand beginning March 22, 2013. In addition to the feature film, the Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD releases will include more than an hour of extra material, while the Blu-ray Combo Pack has even more material including 45 more minutes of behind-the-scenes video from the critically acclaimed production.

Directed by Tom Hooper, the cast is led by Hugh Jackman and features Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Samantha Barks.

Blu-Ray Bonus Features (Exclusive):

· Les Misérables Singing Live: The star-studded cast and production team discuss how the daunting challenge of singing live rather than lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks ultimately gave them the creative freedom to deliver nuanced, emotionally powerful performances.

· Battle at the Barricade: Director Tom Hooper wanted the dramatic building of the barricade to be as visceral and intense as possible, so he had his actors build it in real time, literally hurling furniture out of windows to construct an actual barricade. This featurette takes an in-depth look at the creation and filming of all the action on this remarkable set.

· The West End Connection: Meet the “godfather” of the original stage production of Les Misérables, renowned West End producer Cameron Mackintosh, who was deeply involved in the filming, as well as former Les Misérables, theatrical stars who were thrilled to appear in supporting roles in the current film.

· Les Misérables on Location: Filming rather than staging Les Misérables presents the opportunity to shoot in real world locations: a massive dry dock on the coast of England, a beautiful underground chapel in the heart of London and the ancient city of Winchester. Members of the cast and crew talk about what it was like to find and work in these incredible locations.

Bonus Features on Both the Blu-ray and DVD:

· The Stars of Les Misérables: Director Tom Hooper talks about casting the iconic characters, and the actors discuss why it was important to them to be a part of this groundbreaking version of Les Misérables.

· Creating the Perfect Paris: Production designer Eve Stewart created a massive Paris set featuring real cobblestones and running water. Take an intricate look into the detailed recreation of these Paris streets that no longer exist in today’s world.

· The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables: This mini-documentary takes a look at the historical backdrop and universal themes of Hugo’s classic, and how the filmmakers mined the novel to enrich the look and feel of the film.

· Feature Commentary with Director Tom Hooper.

The Plot: Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-prisoner Jean Valjean (Jackman), hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert (Crowe), after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s (Hathaway) young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.

Downton Abbey Adds Six New Cast Members

By
Rebecca Murray
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Downton Abbey
'Downton Abbey' - Photo © ITV
Without giving away any spoilers for those who haven’t yet caught up with season three of Downton Abbey, season four is adding six new cast members. And Carnival Films and Masterpiece on PBS have also announced the return of Shirley MacLaine.
 
MacLaine will be back for the season four finale, reprising her role as Martha Levinson.
 
“Downton Abbey has seen many great characters visit the house over the years and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome the new faces that will be joining the regular cast of Downton Abbey in Season 4. We hope audiences will be as excited about them as we are,” said Managing Director Carnival Films and Executive Producer Gareth Neame.”
 
Season 4 New Cast and Characters:
 
– Tom Cullen as Lord Gillingham, an old family friend of the Crawleys who visits the family as a guest for a house party
 
– Nigel Harman as Green, a valet
 
– Dame Harriet Walter as Lady Shackleton, an old friend of the Dowager
 
– Joanne David in a guest role as the Duchess of Yeovil
 
– Julian Ovenden as aristocrat Charles Blake
 
– Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as a guest who sings in the house
 
Source: Carnival Films and Masterpiece on PBS
 

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‘Shameless’ Season 3 Episode 7 Preview

By
Rebecca Murray
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The Gallagher family is falling apart…or actually being pulled apart in a war between Frank (William H Macy) and Fiona (Emmy Rossum) in Shameless‘ season three episode #7. ‘A Long Way From Home’ premieres on March 3, 2013 at 9pm.

The “A Long Way Home” Plot: Fiona makes a bold decision regarding her future with the kids. Debbie and Carl continue to deal with their foster homes. Frank prepares for his court appearance by getting sober. Timmy Wong and his mother arrive at Sheila’s to take Hymie.

‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ Cast Pose at the London Premiere

By
Rebecca Murray
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James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis from 'Oz The Great and Powerful'
James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis from 'Oz The Great and Powerful' - Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

The good-looking cast of Walt Disney Pictures’ Oz The Great and Powerful – James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis – joined director Sam Raimi for the film’s London premiere held on February 28, 2013 at the Empire Leicester Square. And Disney’s sharing this batch of photos from the event which featured a ‘yellow brick road’ rather than the standard red carpet.

The Plot:

Disney’s fantastical adventure Oz The Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting.

Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.

Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis from 'Oz The Great and Powerful'
Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, and Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis poses on the Yellow Brick Road at the London Premiere
Mila Kunis poses on the Yellow Brick Road at the London Premiere
Rachel Weisz poses on the Yellow Brick Road at the London Premiere
Rachel Weisz poses on the Yellow Brick Road at the London Premiere
James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis Photo
James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis pose on the Yellow Brick Road at the London Premiere

(Photos were supplied by Walt Disney Pictures)

TNT Launches New Life Flight Series

By
Rebecca Murray
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Life Flight Medical SeriesTNT’s taking to the air for their new series Life Flight set to premiere in early 2014. The ‘unscripted docu-drama’ will air an initial season of six episodes, following the men and women who work at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
 
The air-ambulance reality series is produced by Fox Television Studios and Boardwalk Entertainment Group, with Gary A. Randall, Timothy Scott Bogart and Brad Bogart on board as executive producers.
 
The Plot:
 
The series is an all-access pass to the split-second decisions that air-ambulance teams have to make while trying to perform life-saving procedures both on the ground and hundreds of feet in the air. The teams are made up of real-life heroes, from the helicopter pilots who spring to action when accidents occur to the doctors, paramedics and nurses who form the last line of defense to fight off death as they treat critically injured patients.
 
Life Flight also takes viewers behind the emergency room doors at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, where doctors, nurses and trauma surgeons do everything they can to save each patient brought in by the Life Flight teams. Above all else, Life Flight is about how 60 minutes in the hands of true heroes can mean the difference between life and death.
 
Source: TNT

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‘The Last Exorcism Part 2’ – Four New Creepy Clips

By
Rebecca Murray
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In support of The Last Exorcism Part 2‘s release in theaters, CBS Films has released a slew of new video clips from the horror sequel. The new clips find Ashley Bell as Nell back in danger from demonic possession. Poor woman . . . I hope they’re not planning a part three.

The Plot:

Continuing where the first film left off, Nell Sweetzer (Ashley Bell) is found terrified and alone in rural Louisiana. Back in the relative safety of New Orleans, Nell realizes that she can’t remember entire portions of the previous months only that she is the last surviving member of her family. Just as Nell begins the difficult process of starting a new life, the evil force that once possessed her is back with other, unimaginably horrific plans that mean her last exorcism was just the beginning.

‘Magic City’ Season 2 Trailer

By
Rebecca Murray
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Go behind the scenes of the upcoming second season of Starz’s hit drama Magic City with this first-look clip. Cast members Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Danny Huston, Steven Strait, Jessica Marais, and Olga Kurylenko talk about how this season will be bigger and better than the first season in this video which provides a brief look at what fans can expect. It also shows a few clips of cast newcomer James Caan!Season two will air this summer, however Starz hasn’t released a firm premiere date yet.

The CW Brings Back Whose Line Is It Anyway?

By
Rebecca Murray
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Aisha Tyler
Aisha Tyler - Photo © Richard Chavez
The CW will be bringing the improvisational comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway? back to our television screens this summer. Aisha Tyler’s set to host the series and Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady, and Colin Mochrie will be back providing the improv comedy bits.
 
The series is based on the UK show that spawned an ABC series which ran for eight seasons.
 
For those who never caught Whose Line Is It Anyway? the first time around, here’s how it works:
 
“The CW’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? features the return of Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady and Colin Mochrie, who along with a special guest each episode, must put their comedic skills to the test through a series of spontaneous improv games. Prompted only by random ideas supplied by the studio audience and host Aisha Tyler, our four performers must use the little information they have and their wild imaginations to depict different characters and an array of scenes, as well as perform songs. After each round of improvisation, Aisha will dole out points to our four performers and declare a winner at the end of every episode.”
 
Source: The CW

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