Advertisement
Home Blog Page 2762

Total Recall Film Review

By
Kevin Finnerty
-
jessica Biel and Colin Farrell in a scene from Total Recall.
jessica Biel and Colin Farrell in a scene from 'Total Recall' - Photo © 2012 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Reviewed by Kevin Finnerty

“Why are you trying to kill me?” asks Doug (played by Colin Farrell). “Your memory was erased. Your mind was implanted with a life you think you’ve lived…oh and, by the way, you haven’t even begun to see my try to kill you,” answers Lori (Kate Beckinsale), Doug’s ‘fake’ wife who is intent on killing him now that he’s begun to unravel the mystery of who he really is in the remake of the 1990 science fiction/action/thriller Total Recall.
 
Total Recall is set over 100 in the future when Earth has been devastated by a chemical world war that has left only two civilizations in existence. One group consists of factory workers and miners who live below in a dark Chinatown-like city, and the other is made up of politicians and their robotic police force (grown to almost militaristic proportions) living above where hover cars and tall buildings still stand.
 
Doug believes himself to be a dissatisfied, simple factory worker whose only good thing in his pointless life is his loving, loyal and beautiful wife, Lori, who works for the government. But when he visits ‘Rekall’ – a company that provides its clients with fake memories of adventures they would love to have – something goes terribly wrong and the robotic police show up killing everyone in the room. “It’s a mistake! I’m nobody,” screams Doug. But then something in his mind clicks and he reacts taking down the squad of police. Shocked and scared, he runs home and tells his wife what has happened. At first, Lori hugs Doug and starts to comfort him, but that quickly turns to her trying to strangle him. And to Doug’s true horror, he discovers that Lori is a government agent and expert killer. So Doug goes on the run, trying to evade Lori and the robot police while trying to discover who he really is and why the government wants him dead.
 
Action-packed but flat, Total Recall is an uninteresting, unnecessary retelling of a semi-original, cheesy and at times downright silly science fiction film (that was based on a Philip K Dick short story). It’s a much darker and more serious take on the story, with production sets and cinematography reminiscent of the sci-fi classic movie Blade Runner as well as Minority Report.
 


Kate Beckinsale is effective as Lori, the government agent assigned to pose as Doug’s wife who becomes obsessed with capturing and killing him when he starts to uncover the ‘truth’ about himself. Her performance as Lori is similar to her portrayal of Selene the vampire warrior in the Underworld films.
 
Colin Farrell unfortunately comes up short in his performance as Doug/Hauser, the mystery man who knows deep down he’s not the boring factory worker but actually an extremely deadly agent. There is no depth to his character, just the humdrum life he seems to have at first and then the almost constant chasing by the authorities. Farrell has zero chemistry with Jessica Biel who plays Melina, the woman from his nightmares who he’s supposed to be drawn to and eventually realize he loves. It’s a romance that never sparks.
 
The action scenes are formulaic and there is not an original shot or chase in the film. It’s all been done much better and bigger before in films like Blade Runner, Minority Report, and The Fifth Element.
 
Total Recall the remake is not any worse than the original film, but it’s not an improvement either. It’s just forgettable. So, forget about seeing it on the big screen.
 
GRADE: D+
 
Total Recall was released in theaters on August 3, 2012 and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language.
 

Will Ferrell Says Kristen Stewart is a Trampire

By
Rebecca Murray
-

Will Ferrell on Conan
Will Ferrell on 'Conan' - Photo by Will Becton / Team Coco
Will Ferrell just can’t handle Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson breaking up after Stewart was caught by photographers cheating on her Twilight co-star boyfriend with the director of Snow White and the Huntsman. Ferrell, making the publicity rounds for his upcoming political comedy The Campaign, stopped by Conan and got all broken up just thinking about the shattered relationship.
 
“What they had was so special, Conan. You don’t even know what they had!,” Ferrell yelled at Conan O’Brien. “They were in love and she just threw it all away!”
 
“I don’t know what it means to the Twilight franchise. I just don’t know…,” sobbed Ferrell.
 
And he summed up his dismay over the end of KStew and RPatz by saying, “She is a trampire!”
 
Watch the clip:
 

 

Once Upon a Time Casts Its Captain Hook

By
Rebecca Murray
-

Colin O'Donoghue
Colin O'Donoghue at the premiere of 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' - Photo © Richard Chavez
The fairy tale fantasy series Once Upon a Time has cast the role of Captain Hook for the upcoming second season of the show. Colin O’Donoghue, the star of the horror film The Rite, will play the famous fairy tale pirate in ABC’s hit drama.
 
EW reports that Once Upon a Time‘s Captain Hook is “a confident pirate who never backs down from a fight, a man who seeks to crush and humiliate his enemies. But he also has the meticulous style and manners of a proper gentleman.”
 
In addition to The Rite, the 31 year old Irish actor’s credits include Fair City and The Clinic. He also played Duke Philip of Bavaria in one episode of The Tudors.
 
–Posted by Rebecca Murray
 

First Look: ‘Nobody Walks’ Trailer and Poster

By
Rebecca Murray
-

Nobody Walks Poster

Magnolia Pictures has just released the official trailer and poster for the dramatic film Nobody Walks starring John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Justin Kirk. Co-written by Ry Russo-Young and Lena Denham and directed by Russo-Young, Nobody Walks hits theaters on October 12, 2012 (but it’s available a little earlier on VOD and iTunes on Sept. 6th).

The Plot:

Martine, a 23-year-old artist from New York, arrives in Los Angeles to stay in the pool house of a family living in the hip and hilly community of Silver Lake. Peter, the father, has agreed to help Martine complete sound design on her art film as a favor to his wife. Martine innocently enters the seemingly idyllic life of this open-minded family with two kids and a relaxed Southern California vibe.

Like a bolt of lightning, her arrival sparks a surge of energy that awakens suppressed impulses in everyone and forces them to confront their own fears and desires.

Watch the trailer:

High Moon Rises on Syfy

By
Rebecca Murray
-

The Lotus CavesAcclaimed sci-fi writer John Christopher’s bestselling novel The Lotus Caves provides the foundation for a new series on Syfy. The network is moving forward on High Moon, based on The Lotus Caves, with a 90 minute pilot going into production later this year in Vancouver.
 
Bryan Fuller (Hannibal, Pushing Daisies), Jim Danger Gray (Pushing Daisies), Matthew O’Connor, Lisa Richardson, Tom Rowe, and Robert Halmi Sr. are on board as executive producers. Gray also handled writing duties on High Moon.
 
Announcing the project, Syfy President of Original Content Mark Stern said, “Bryan and Jim have brought John Christopher’s book to life in an incredibly vivid and imaginative way. This is a fresh and compelling vision of an exotic new world driven by character, intrigue and greed.”
 
The Plot:
 
High Moon creates a future where the countries of Earth have established colonies to mine the Moon’s resources. When a new life form is discovered, chaos erupts as various factions race to uncover and exploit its powerful secrets.
 
Source: Syfy
 
—Posted by Rebecca Murray

MTV Renews Snooki & JWOWW

By
Rebecca Murray
-

Snooki and JWOWWApparently audiences aren’t tired of Jersey Shore people…
 
MTV’s giving Snooki & JWOWW a season two order so that everyone will be able to see how Snooki does as a mom. That should be interesting. The network’s also bringing back the hidden camera comedy Money From Strangers for a second season.
 
MTV also revealed season six – yes, six – of Jersey Shore will premiere on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 10pm. Premiere dates for the network’s other shows include October 16th at 10pm for Underemployed, and November 12th at 10pm for Catfish: The TV Show and 11pm for World of Jenks.
 
The announcements were made during the Summer 2012 Television Critics Association Press Tour where MTV also unveiled a new clip from The Inbetweeners, debuting on August 20th.
 
Watch the clip:
 


 
“MTV has been a beacon for each young generation throughout its history, and this Millennial generation is no different. Our distinctive blend of reality and scripted shows gives voice to the excitement and possibilities that frame their everyday lives,” said David Janollari, Head of MTV Programming. “We strive to reflect their hopes, dreams and struggles, with a mix of humor, authentic voices and engaging stories that you can’t find anywhere else on TV.”
 
Source: MTV
 
—Posted by Rebecca Murray
 

M Night Shyamalan Readies ‘Proof’ for Syfy

By
Rebecca Murray
-
M Night Shyamalan on the set of Lady in the Water
M Night Shyamalan on the set of 'Lady in the Water' - Photo © Warner Bros Pictures

M. Night Shyamalan has given moviegoers invading aliens, a kid who sees dead people, and the wind as a villain, and now he’s ready to turn his attention to television. Shyamalan is teaming up with writer/producer Marti Noxon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I Am Number Four) on Proof, a potential series on Syfy involving life after death.

Shyamalan and Noxon will co-write and executive produce the project, with Shyamalan also set to direct the series’ pilot. Proof will be Shyamalan’s first television venture.

He’s currently in post-production on the sci-fi action adventure film After Earth starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden.

The Proof Plot: In Proof, after the tragic accident and sudden death of his parents, the son of a billionaire tech genius offers a large reward for anyone who can find proof of life after death.

Movie Review: ‘Total Recall’ (2012)

By
Ian Forbes
-
Colin Farrell in Total Recall
Colin Farrell in ‘Total Recall’ (Photo © 2011 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group)

Before I get to actually reviewing the 2012 version of Total Recall, I would like to applaud the film for one thing: providing a fully topless shot of a woman within a PG-13 movie. There’s a technicality as to why it probably got through the censor board (no spoilers from me on this one), but it’s always fun to see the MPAA acting like hypocrites.

In any case, with the latest film “inspired” by the Philip K. Dick short story, “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale,” director Len Wiseman has taken out the campiness of the Arnold Schwarzenegger version and gone with a more direct and grounded approach. Gone is the mention of getting anyone’s ass to Mars (which is in the short story), and rather than dealing with a greedy corporate executive the conflict is rooted in political aspirations. Colin Farrell takes over for Arnold, Kate Beckinsale assumes a mixture of Sharon Stone and Michael Ironside, and Jessica Biel steps into Rachel Ticotin’s shoes.

Casting-wise, everything worked well enough for a summer popcorn flick. Farrell has the right mix of real acting ability and physicality, which is actually a better fit for the role than Schwarzenegger. With Wiseman in the director’s chair, casting Beckinsale was no surprise (they’re married with kids if you didn’t know); she does a good job for the most part though I personally missed the gruffness of Michael Ironside.

Bryan Cranston and Bill Nighy make for nice inclusions though their screen time is quite limited. Really, given what the goal of this film is, if any one actor should have been replaced it’s Biel; there’s zero chemistry between her and Farrell. Also, like in pretty much every role she’s ever had, her emotions read like a shaken Etch-a-Sketch: blank.

Of course, if there is one thing that’s going to be a clear upgrade when you’re reintroducing a story on-screen after 22 years, it’s the special effects. They’re pretty good and unsurprisingly far, far better than what Paul Verhoeven could muster with technology from 1990.

The big problem for science fiction fans will likely be the numerous elements that echo other films in the genre. Whether it’s the likeness of the worldscape to Bladerunner, the car chases of Minority Report (both also Philip K. Dick adaptations), or the robot security forces’ similarities to I, Robot and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, there’s a constant barrage of “borrowed” items that look cool for the most part but also reinforce the irony of this movie coming from the Original Film production company.

And despite constantly feeling like the action scenes were culled from other films, they do work. Whether it’s a rooftop pursuit, the aforementioned car chase, or a truly excellent elevator fight, the movie’s best asset is its pace. Despite running right at the two-hour mark, once the switch in Farrell’s head is flipped, the script rarely stops to grow a brain and slow down the proceedings.

The bottom line for whether one should be queued up at the movie theaters or not probably relies on your attachment to Arnold’s spin on the story. Wiseman and company have done such a good job of matching up the basic beats of the original that the fun of having things twist and turn is non-existent. Assuming one isn’t offended by this updated version, it’s a decent action film, sure to be far more fun for those born after the mid-80s.

Total Recall doesn’t so much suffer from being a bad film (in terms of it being a summer actioner) but it’s akin to all the others that are little more than facelifts of their predecessors. Assuming you’ve seen the original, there isn’t much point in seeing it redone. If this is entirely new to you and the trailer excites you, by all means, give it a shot. If you already know what’s real and what’s not, feel free to wait for it to hit a TV channel you already pay for.

GRADE: C+

Total Recall hits theaters on August 3, 2012 and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language.




VH1 Greenlights Two New Series

By
Rebecca Murray
-

VH1

With its overall ratings on the rise, VH1 has given the go-ahead to two new original shows aimed at pleasing the network’s ‘adultster’ audience (per VH1, that means “adults who are balancing new responsibilities with their desires to stay current with what’s happening in music and pop culture). The new series coming to the network in 2013 are Grand River Singers Project, which focuses on Wisconsin young adults looking for glory, and the Harlem tattoo shop-based Black Ink.

In addition, the network’s hosting a Friday night humor block with the return of Best Week Ever in January 2013 and the debut of the pop culture nostalgia series Miss You Much, hosted by Catherine Reitman.

Announcing the lineup, VH1 Executive Vice President of Original Programming & Production Jeff Olde said,
“Fridays are when we exhale at the end of another hard week and embrace our weekends. Our Friday night block will reflect that spirit with shows that celebrate pop culture of the past – whether it’s the past decade or the past week. Best Week Ever is still revered among critics and viewers for deftly skewering and praising the pop culture events and celebrities of the week, so we’re happy to bring it back refreshed and slightly tweaked for these social-media-saturated days. Miss You Much lovingly uncovers today’s stories about our teenage idols of the past, led by Catherine Reitman who brings infectious curiosity and nostalgic anticipation to each of her upbeat adventures.”

Added Olde, “Nostalgia, hip hop and authentic storytelling covering diverse aspects of pop culture are all topics that are connecting with VH1’s audience. Our new slate strengthens that connection while expanding upon our viewers’ interests. We can’t wait to share these shows.”

VH1 is also set to premiere Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap from Ice-T as part of the “Rock Doc” series.

VH1 NEW SERIES:

MISS YOU MUCH Sneak Peek Premieres Sunday, December 2 at 10PM ET/PT

Have you ever wondered what’s up with some of your favorite TV, movie or pop stars from the last 20 years? VH1 will give you the exclusive details in its new series Miss You Much, hosted by actress-comedienne Catherine Reitman. Not all young celebrities end up with a mug shot and an arrest record. Some have moved on to careers outside of entertainment, while many are still active in showbiz. Each week the show will profile three of your favorite celebrities as we take a peek inside at what they are doing now with their lives. Catherine spends a day with each celebrity and asks the questions all adoring fans would love to ask – even getting a little too ‘personal’ at times.

Some of the celebs who will share what they have been up to include Jamie Walters (90210), Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees), Lark Voorhies (Saved By the Bell), Jeremy Miller (Growing Pains), Romeo (rapper) and Jeremy Jackson (Baywatch). A sneak peek of the full Miss You Much premiere will debut on Sunday, December 2 at 10pm ET/PT. Miss You Much will debut as a weekly half-hour Friday night series in early 2013.

GRAND RIVER SINGERS PROJECT (Working Title) Premieres Summer of 2013

The series revolves around a young adult show choir in Wisconsin called the Grand River Singers where cliques, jealousy and love all blend together in this quirky musical family.

What some may say they lack in talent and execution, no one can deny they make up for in pure determination and heart. And this group has a LOT of heart. They have but one goal: to take the Grand River Singers out of La Crosse, Wisconsin and onto a much larger stage like the Great Wisconsin Cheese Festival or the Sheboygan Bratwurst Festival. Will they be able to set aside their egos and reach their goal or will they sabotage their own dreams and remain as unknowns in La Crosse?

BLACK INK (Working Title) Premieres Early 2013

Located in the middle of Harlem on 113th and Lennox Avenue, Black Ink is one of the few black-owned and operated tattoo parlors in New York City. It’s a magnet for hip hop stars both old school and new (Cam’ron, Jadakiss, Jim Jones, Asap Rocky, Corey Gunz) as well as pro athletes (Amare Stoudamire, C.C. Sabathia, Stephon Marbury, Brandon Spikes), video vixens and a who’s who of urban elite (Tyson Beckford, Keri Hilson). The employees are a tight but totally dysfunctional “family.” For many of them, this shop is the key to turning around their lives and for some of them it’s their first legitimate job off the streets. But can they survive all of the drama that is part of everyday life at the shop?

MINI-SERIES

VH1’S 100 GREATEST KID STARS Premieres Thursday, November 29 – Sunday, December 2 at 9PM ET/PT

100 Greatest Kid Stars is a 5-part special hosted by Catherine Reitman (VH1’s Miss You Much), providing a nostalgic look back over the last 2 decades at some of entertainment’s biggest ‘little’ stars from Macaulay Culkin to Elijah Wood to Dakota Fanning. Each one-hour edition features performances along with new and original interviews with some of today’s biggest adult stars back in their ‘kiddie’ days like Anna Paquin, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Williams, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Hanson, Lil’ Romeo, Mara Wilson, Taran Noah Smith, Sam Levine and many more. You’ll also see early musical performances of today’s biggest recording stars like Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus when they were little and even more adorable.

RETURNING SERIES

BEST WEEK EVER Premieres Fridays – January 2013

VH1’s sardonic hit series Best Week Ever is returning after a 3-year hiatus with a fresh new look. The weekly series will examine all that was good, bad and “so-bad-it-was-awesome” in the world of pop culture news and gossip. All the juicy bits of celebrities’ lives to the crazy “I-can’t-believe-they-did-that” moments on the internet will all be discussed by your favorite funny talking heads. The series will also have an expanded social media aspect to the show.

SPECIALS

SOMETHING FROM NOTHING: THE ART OF RAP Premieres Thursday, September 13(th) at 9PM ET/PT

Directed by rapper Ice-T, Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap goes deep into the heart of rap and hip-hop music, featuring masters of the game, including Afrika Bambaataa, Big Daddy Kane, B-Real, Chuck D, DJ Premier, DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Grandmaster Caz, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Kanye West, KRS One, Marley Marl, MC Lyte, Melle Mel, Nas, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Rakim, Redman, Run, Salt, Snoop Dogg and others. More than a performance documentary, The Art of Rap gets up close and personal with these legends of the game to share insightful, deep and often hilarious revelations as well as classic raps, new rhymes and acappellas. The documentary will air as part of VH1’s Emmy Award-winning “Rock Doc” franchise.

2012 DO SOMETHING AWARDS Premieres Tuesday, August 21 at 9:00 PM ET/PT

The Do Something Awards honors the nation’s best young world-changers. One extraordinary do-er (age 25 and under) will receive a life-changing $100,000 for his or her project. This year’s five nominees address crucial issues from improving the lives of Sudanese refugees, educating the youth of Honduras, and raising awareness of the global water crisis to promoting growth and healing of children through art and providing resources for foster kids to prepare for success when they turn 18. The 2012 Do Something Awards also credits celebrities who “do good.”

This year’s nominees include Kristen Bell, Ben Affleck, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Richie, Neil Patrick Harris, Channing Tatum, Emma Stone, and many others. The show will tape Sunday, August 19 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and air Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 9:00pm EST on VH1. The star-studded event is hosted by the hilarious trio of gentlemen co-stars on the Golden Globe-nominated series New Girl, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield and Lamorne Morris.




‘House at the End of the Street’ Trailer #3

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Jennifer Lawrence stars in 'House at the End of the Street'
Jennifer Lawrence stars in 'House at the End of the Street' - Photo © Relativity Media

Check out the new trailer for the horror/thriller House at the End of the Street starring Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games), Elisabeth Shue, and Max Thieriot. Directed by Mark Tonderai from a screenplay by David Loucka (story by Jonathan Mostow), House at the End of the Street is set to scare audiences on September 21, 2012.

Watch the trailer:

The Plot:

Seeking a fresh start, newly divorced Sarah (Shue) and her daughter Elissa (Lawrence) find the house of their dreams in a small, upscale, rural town. But when startling and unexplainable events begin to happen, Sarah and Elissa learn the town is in the shadows of a chilling secret. Years earlier, in the house next door, a daughter killed her parents in their beds, and disappeared – leaving only a brother, Ryan (Thieriot), as the sole survivor.

Against Sarah’s wishes, Elissa begins a relationship with the reclusive Ryan – and the closer they get, the deeper they’re all pulled into a mystery more dangerous than they ever imagined.

1...2,7612,7622,763...3,066Page 2,762 of 3,066

Trending

All Rights Reserved – Showbiz Junkies 2020