Super Bowl Sunday is the one day of the year when audiences actually pay attention during commercial breaks. And what would the Super Bowl be without an ad featuring William Shatner? We haven’t seen the last of the Priceline negotiator as Shatner’s back, this time around mentoring his daughter (played by Kaley Cuoco).
How will it rank when all the Super Bowl ads are reviewed? I’m sure Shatner fans will vote for it on their lists.
Well, first up for Tina Fey will be handling publicity rounds for the comedy movie Admission. And striking while the iron’s hot, Focus Features debuted a new TV spot for the upcoming comedy film during the final episode of 30 Rock.
The cast of Admission also includes Paul Rudd, Lily Tomlin, Michael Sheen, and Wallace Shawn. Paul Weitz (About a Boy) directed the comedy and Focus has set a March 22, 2013 release date.
The Plot:
Straight-laced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan (Fey) is caught off-guard when she makes a recruiting visit to an alternative high school overseen by her former college classmate, the free-wheeling John Pressman (Rudd). Pressman has surmised that Jeremiah (Nat Wolff), his gifted yet very unconventional student, might well be the son that Portia secretly gave up for adoption many years ago. Soon, Portia finds herself bending the rules for Jeremiah, putting at risk the life she thought she always wanted — but in the process finding her way to a surprising and exhilarating life and romance she never dreamed of having.
Watch the trailer:
—Posted by Rebecca Murray
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Director and co-writer Ric Roman Waugh promises Snitch will show audiences a Dwayne Johnson we haven’t seen before. In the action thriller inspired by a true story, Johnson stars as a father who risks his own life in order to work a deal to get his son released from prison.
The cast also includes Susan Sarandon, Benjamin Bratt, Jon Bernthal, and Barry Pepper. Summit’s releasing Snitch in theaters on February 22, 2013.
The Plot: Dwayne Johnson stars as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission — risking everything, including his family and his own life.
The final season of Starz’s Spartacus just kicked off on January 25, 2013 with the bloody first episode of Spartacus: War of the Damned. And while as a fan of the series I’m eager to find out what’s going to take place this season, it’ll be incredibly sad when that final episode actually arrives. As the show’s based on historical events, it’s fairly easy to guess the fate of our heroes in that last episode. Still, Spartacus fans are in for a wild ride until then as the series is not holding anything back during this last season.
Catching up with Manu Bennett (‘Crixus’), I had the chance to find out what we can expect from Spartacus: War of the Damned.
Watch the interview:
By now, most of you must have read one of my many comments about the cinematic dumping ground that is January. It’s a mix of Oscar nominees getting released wide/re-released and dreadful “comedies” and “horror” films. The only good thing about the month for film critics is that it’s basically like summer vacation for grade school; we’ve seen all the award bait, and no one really cares if we see half the crap that’s “new.”
Well, in order to sidestep the January curse, the romantic zombie comedy Warm Bodies relied on a technicality: it’s being released on February 1st. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that the movie is incredibly fun, adorable, and well-acted. Those things matter too, I guess.
Actually, I’m left a bit perplexed after watching a movie so early in the year that makes me wonder if it can hold a place in the 2013 Top Ten once all is said and done. It’s certainly going to remain one of my favorites though, and I suppose I’ll just try to temper my expectations for what the rest of the year will deliver.
Getting to specifics, Warm Bodies is set in a post-apocalyptic world scenario where zombies have pretty much taken over the place. Humanity is the main entree on the menu and food supplies are running low. But there’s one zombie who dreams of a life that’s … well … alive. Played brilliantly by Nicholas Hoult, he takes a fancy to a human (Teresa Palmer) and saves her from becoming the dessert course. Over the course of trying to express his affections, the emotional changes begin an even greater metamorphosis, and it could spell a shift in the human/zombie dynamic. (Zombie purists may take offense here or there but the conveniences taken help the story develop at a better pace.)
That’s all well and synopsized, but the main point is that the chemistry between Hoult and Palmer is nothing short of endearing. Hoult continues to impress me (About a Boy, A Single Man) and manages to convey the conflict brewing inside of him. From his shuffle to his run to his carriage to something so minor as sticking to the choice of not blinking, all of it creates this wonderful physicality that contrasts with the hope and longing in his eyes as he tries to connect with Palmer. And for her part, she is alluring and fiery and vulnerable and everything that makes for a compelling love interest.
Director Jonathan Levine didn’t do much to impress me with The Wackness but between 50/50 and now this, I’m now putting him on my radar. He’s able to frame the characters in a relatable light and balance the personal story amidst a larger context – whether it’s cancer or a zombie apocalypse. There are some scares (keep in mind I’m a huge wuss), but they’re counterbalanced by the charm of Hoult and Palmer’s relationship and a sizable amount of laughs (Rob Corddry’s involvement being a big part of that).
Unless you’re dead inside or can’t get past the zombie scare factor, there really isn’t any other movie out right now worth seeing more than this. It’s entertainment and good filmmaking all rolled up into one. I’m still blown away by seeing such a quality movie so early in a year and now I’ve got my fingers crossed that this is a sign of things to come in 2013. And once this hits the home market, pair this with Zombieland and make it a ridiculously fun night of the undead.
GRADE: A-
Warm Bodies hits theaters on February 1, 2013 and is rated PG-13 for zombie violence and some language.
Life gets even more dangerous for Ob-Wan as Darth Maul uses Duchess Satine to lure him into a trap in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 5 episode 16. “Drunk with power, Maul declares himself the true Sith Lord, a claim that will not go unanswered” in the episode titled “The Lawless” premiering on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 9:30am on Cartoon Network.
Episode Trivia:
– This episode marks the first appearance of Darth Sidious “in the flesh.” In all other appearances, he has been a hologram.
– Obi-Wan Kenobi is wearing his Rako Hardeen disguise (from Season Four’s “Deception” arc) when he arrives on Mandalore.
– The much battered Twilight now sports a cartoonish illustration of Anakin as a boy Podracer pilot, with Aurebesh text that says “WIZARD!!!” The Twilight has not been seen since Season Two’s “Children of the Force.”
Watch the clip:
Have you been wondering what happened to all of those paint-by-number, buddy action films from about 30 years ago that lately can only be found at 2AM on a movie channel you get as part of your digital cable bonus pack? Some of that genre was defined by director Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs., Red Heat, Trespass) and he’s bringing that sensibility back with Bullet to the Head.
Starring Sylvester Stallone (another mainstay of that era that keeps coming back for more) and Sung Kang, they pair off in a similar fashion to that of Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy only the roles are slightly reversed. Stallone plays the criminal that will punch, stab, and shoot his way towards a solution while Kang is a fairly by-the-book cop who teams up with Sly out of necessity. Their chemistry isn’t such a classic pairing, as neither are chatterboxes and the only key differences between them their age and their professions; this will hurt the lasting impression of the movie but I doubt anyone expects this to be something to revisit years down the line.
On the plus side of the film is its willingness to be violent. Stallone shows no hesitation in bringing the pain and that bloodlust is even more apparent in Jason “I was the new Conan” Momoa who plays the villain. They both enjoy using their muscles for great effect and popping off rounds of ammunition. The climactic axe fight is also a welcome touch that harkens back to the films of Hill’s heyday.
Adding to my own personal interest is the inclusion of Sarah Shahi as Stallone’s tattooed daughter. Her character has about as much development as I do class but she’s darn purty to look at so using her as a cliché plot device didn’t do much to bother me. Christian Slater also gets a small cameo and listening to his Nicholsonian articulation brings back fond memories.
Clocking in at an hour and a half, there thankfully isn’t a lot of time to veer off the main plot and if all you’re looking for is a throwback to simpler times, then Bullet to the Head will scratch that itch. And if anyone wondered who would win between the two aging action heroes, it’s far, far better made than Arnold’s latest, The Last Stand, so give 2013 to Cobra (hell, he’s actually been winning the last 15 years). There’s nothing new on display and this movie can easily wait for the home market but it delivers on its premise and knows exactly what kind of film its supposed to be and doesn’t apologize for it.
GRADE: B-
Bullet to the Head hits theaters on February 1, 2013 and is rated R for strong violence, bloody images, language, some nudity and brief drug use.
Starring: Keri Russell & Matthews Rhys
Network: FX
Airs: Wednesday’s 10pm
“Why is everyone so prompt in this business?,” asks Phillip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) to his wife, Elizabeth (Keri Russell), two KGB spies living in the United States and who just missed handing off a high-profile Russian defector they kidnapped in the new FX espionage drama, The Americans.
Phillip and Elizabeth (no, that’s not their real names) live in a suburban house in Washington D.C. in 1981 and have two children who have no clue that their parents are spies trying to undermine the US government one mission at a time. However, the two secret agents bungled their latest mission and now have the high-profile defector as a prisoner in the trunk of their Oldsmobile Delta, parked in their garage. To make matters worse, the new neighbor who just moved in across the street is a suspicious FBI agent who notices almost immediately that there seems to be “something off” about Phillip.
Unable to contact the Russian embassy due to the manhunt for their prisoner, the pressure starts to take its toll on Phillip and Elizabeth who begin to argue over how to best remove their unwanted guest.
Overly dramatic yet suspenseful, The Americans is a well-crafted new series with a strong performance from its leading lady. Keri Russell shines as the devoted KGB agent who’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish her missions. She is the strongest agent between the couple and will put the mission and the love of her socialist Russia before her marriage, her children, and even her life. It’s hands-down the best role of Russell’s career. She’s sexy, loving, tough, and ruthless when her cover demands it from her.
Matthew Rhys delivers a solid performance as Phillip the devoted father and husband to his family who’s started questioning if he’s on the right side in the fight of the cold war which is beginning to heat up. Rhys and Russell have good chemistry as a couple who’ve learned to trust and care for each other over the course of 19 years, which wasn’t easy due to their marriage and lives being one huge lie for their cover as spies in the U.S.
The biggest problem in the show is with the directing and writing which tends to be over-dramatic in some scenes and even contrived. A perfect example of this is in the plotline of the FBI agent who just happens to move in next door and begins to suspect his neighbors after meeting them twice. Oh please, it’s almost as silly as the nosy neighbor who kept spying on Samantha and Darren in the 1960’s sitcom Bewitched.
Sexy, dark, and original, The Americans is an intriguing spy drama that hopefully will improve its writing in the next few episodes.
GRADE: B-
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So, zombie lovers, does it live up to your expectations? As a fan of the book, I’m still not sold on this film version.
Watch the trailer:
The Plot:
The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself. Enos plays Gerry’s wife Karen Lane; Daniella Kertesz is his comrade in arms, Segen.
—Posted by Rebecca Murray
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The Recording Academy announced the addition of three more acts for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. Set to take the stage on music’s biggest night are Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and Frank Ocean. They’ll be joining a list of 2013 Grammy performers that already includes Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, The Black Keys, fun., the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Jack White, Elton John, and Ed Sheeran.
According to the official announcement, 14-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys and Maroon 5 will be performing together. Maroon 5 is up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Payphone” and Best Pop Vocal Album for Overexposed. Frank Ocean is nominated for six awards this year, including Record of the Year for “Think Bout You” and Album of the Year for Channel Orange.
Kaley Cuoco, Neil Patrick Harris, Faith Hill, Carly Rae Jepsen, Tim McGraw, Katy Perry, and Keith Urban will be presenters, and LL Cool J is returning as host.
The 2013 Grammys will be held on February 10th at 8pm.
